초록 ▼

Methods and apparatus for beverage dispensing are provided with a carbonator (12) that includes a plurality of hydrophobic hollow fibers (32). A pre-carbonation circuit (28) may also be included. A water treatment system (14) may be used to supply water to the carbonator (12) and/or the pre-carbonat

Methods and apparatus for beverage dispensing are provided with a carbonator (12) that includes a plurality of hydrophobic hollow fibers (32). A pre-carbonation circuit (28) may also be included. A water treatment system (14) may be used to supply water to the carbonator (12) and/or the pre-carbonation circuit (28).

대표청구항 ▼

1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a water supply; a reverse osmosis water treatment system coupled to said water supply, said reverse osmosis water treatment system comprising a flexible bag reservoir; a CO2source; a carbonator coupled to said reservoir and said CO2source, said carbonator i

1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a water supply; a reverse osmosis water treatment system coupled to said water supply, said reverse osmosis water treatment system comprising a flexible bag reservoir; a CO2source; a carbonator coupled to said reservoir and said CO2source, said carbonator including at least one hydrophobic hollow fiber proximate to which water is carbonated; a beverage syrup source; and a customer interface enabling the dispensing of beverage syrup from said beverage syrup source and carbonated water generated by said carbonator to form finished drinks. 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein CO2is supplied through said hollow fiber. 3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein water flows across the outside of said hollow fiber. 4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein water is supplied through said hollow fiber. 5. The dispenser of claim 1, and further comprising a chiller, said flexible bag reservoir proximate said chiller. 6. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said hydrophobic hollow fiber comprises polypropylene. 7. The dispenser of claim 1, and further comprising a plain water circuit, such that both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages may be produced. 8. The dispenser of claim 1, and further comprising a pre-carbonator coupled to said carbonator, said pre-carbonator carbonating water before further carbonation in said carbonator. 9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein said pre-carbonator comprises at least one hollow fiber. 10. The dispenser of claim 8, and further comprising a pre-carbonation reservoir coupled to said pre-carbonator, said pre-carbonation reservoir holding carbonated water. 11. The dispenser of claim 1, and further comprising a carbonation reservoir coupled to said carbonator, said carbonation reservoir holding carbonated water. 12. The dispenser of claim 11, and further comprising a plain water circuit, such that both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages may be produced. 13. A method of dispensing beverages, comprising: supplying water; treating the water through reverse osmosis; storing the treated water in a flexible bag; supplying CO2; carbonating the water from the flexible bag with the CO2proximate to at least one hydrophobic hollow fiber; and dispensing carbonated water and beverage syrup to form finished drinks. 14. The method of claim 13, and further comprising chilling the water in the flexible bag. 15. The method of claim 13, and further comprising dispensing non-carbonated water, such that both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages may be produced. 16. The method of claim 13, and further comprising pre-carbonating the water before carbonating the water. 17. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a water supply; a CO2source; a carbonator coupled to said water supply and said CO2source, said carbonator including at least one hydrophobic hollow fiber through which water is supplied; and a beverage syrup source, such that beverage syrup and carbonated water are dispensed to form finished drinks. 18. The dispenser of claim 17, and further comprising a water treatment system, such that said water supply comprises treated water. 19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein said water treatment system comprises a reverse osmosis water treatment system. 20. The dispenser of claim 17, and further comprising a plain water circuit, such that both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages may be dispensed.