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The present invention recognizes the need for an apparatus and method for creating carbonated beverages having a customizable carbonation level. The invention uses a CPU to control an inlet valve which connects a tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to a vessel containing the beverage to be carbonized

The present invention recognizes the need for an apparatus and method for creating carbonated beverages having a customizable carbonation level. The invention uses a CPU to control an inlet valve which connects a tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to a vessel containing the beverage to be carbonized. The tube connecting the tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to the vessel contains an orifice for reducing the carbon dioxide's flow rate, thereby increasing control over the amount of carbon dioxide introduced to the vessel. A motor agitates the vessel, causing the carbon dioxide to become absorbed in the beverage. Then, an outlet valve causes excess pressure to drain from the vessel. An outlet orifice causes the pressure to release gradually, thus preventing the beverage from foaming.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for forming a carbonated beverage, the method comprising: receiving a carbonation level selected by a user;receiving a vessel containing a fluid to be carbonated;using a CPU, a valve, and a transducer to introduce a predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide into the vessel, where

1. A method for forming a carbonated beverage, the method comprising: receiving a carbonation level selected by a user;receiving a vessel containing a fluid to be carbonated;using a CPU, a valve, and a transducer to introduce a predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide into the vessel, wherein the predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide flows through an inlet orifice to control the flow rate of the pressurized carbon dioxide introduced into the vessel;agitating, the vessel;using the CPU, the valve, and the transducer to maintain said predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide in the vessel while agitating the vessel; andafter the step of agitating the vessel is complete, releasing carbon dioxide through an outlet orifice in an outlet tube that is in communication with the vessel. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of agitating the vessel is performed for a predetermined tune corresponding to the carbonation level selected by the user. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a beverage size selected by a user. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of agitating the vessel is performed for a predetermined amount of time corresponding to the beverage size selected by the user. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of agitating the vessel is performed using a motor controlled by the CPU. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of agitating the vessel further comprises the step of using a motor to drive the vessel to a maximum upward position and then to a minimum downward position. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein a force of at least 3 Gs acts on the fluid in the vessel when the vessel changes directions. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising releasing carbon dioxide through an escape vent. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the orifice has a flow coefficient between 0.004 and 0.022. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the CPU has predetermined measurements from the transducer which correspond to different levels of carbonation of the liquid within the vessel, whereby the CPU sends a signal to close the valve based upon the predetermined measurements. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected level of carbonation is low, medium or high. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected level of low carbonation, the CPU, transducer and valve operate to maintain the pressure within the vessel between 10 to 40 PSI. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the selected level of low carbonation, the CPU, transducer and valve operate to maintain the pressure within the vessel to approximately 35 PSI. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected level of medium carbonation, the CPU, transducer and valve operate to maintain the pressure within the vessel between 55 to 80 PSI. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selected level of medium carbonation, the CPU, transducer and valve operate to maintain the pressure within the vessel to approximately 75 PSI. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected level of high carbonation, the CPU, transducer and valve operate to maintain the pressure within the vessel between 60 to 90 PSI. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selected level of high carbonation, the CPU, transducer and valve operate to maintain the pressure within the vessel to approximately 90 PSI. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the agitation mechanism provides between 3 Gs and 6 Gs of force on the vessel. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the agitation mechanism provides approximately 6 Gs of force on the vessel. 20. A method for forming a carbonated beverage in a batch comprising: providing, an agitation mechanism;providing, a vessel, and cap wherein one of said vessel and/or cap has an inlet flow line and an output flow line;introducing liquid beverage into the vessel;latching the vessel to said agitation mechanism,selecting a level of carbonation;opening a valve to initiate the flow of carbon dioxide into said vessel and agitating the liquid beverage in said vessel utilizing the agitation mechanism;utilizing an orifice to slow the rate of the flow of carbon dioxide;monitoring the pressure in the vessel;adjusting the inlet valve, to an open or closed position based upon the pressure in the vessel to obtain the selected level of carbonation of the liquid beverage; andstopping the flow of carbon dioxide into the vessel and agitation mechanism after obtaining the desired level of carbonation. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the orifice has an opening diameter of less than or equal to 0.05 inch. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the orifice has an opening diameter of less than or equal to 0.03 inch. 23. A method for forming a carbonated beverage, the method comprising: receiving a carbonation level selected by a user;receiving a vessel containing a fluid to be carbonated;using a CPU, a valve, and a transducer to introduce a predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide into the vessel, wherein the predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide flows through an inlet orifice to control the flow rate of the pressurized carbon dioxide introduced into the vessel;agitating the vessel;using the CPU, the valve, and the transducer to maintain said predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide in the vessel while agitating the vessel; andventing the pressure from the vessel. 24. The method of claim 23, including the further step of utilizing an outlet orifice to slow the rate of carbon dioxide exiting the vessel to a level which prevents foaming of the liquid within the vessel. 25. A method for forming a carbonated beverage, the method comprising: receiving a carbonation level selected by a user;receiving a vessel containing a fluid to be carbonated;using a CPU, a valve, and a transducer to introduce a predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide into the vessel, wherein the predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide flows through an inlet orifice to control the flow rate of the pressurized carbon dioxide;agitating the vessel by using a motor to drive the vessel to a maximum upward position and then to a minimum downward position, wherein a force of at least 3 Gs acts on the fluid in the vessel when the vessel changes directions;using the CPU, the valve, and the transducer to maintain said predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide in the vessel while agitating the vessel; andafter the step of agitating the vessel is complete, releasing carbon dioxide through an outlet orifice in an outlet tube that is in communication with the vessel. 26. A method for forming a carbonated beverage, the method comprising: receiving a carbonation level selected by a user;receiving a vessel containing a fluid to be carbonated;using a CPU, a valve, and a transducer to introduce a predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide into the vessel, wherein the predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide flows through an inlet orifice to control the flow rate of the pressurized carbon dioxide;agitating the vessel, wherein the agitation provides between 3 Gs and 6 Gs of force on the vessel;using the CPU, the valve, and the transducer to maintain said predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide in the vessel while agitating the vessel; andafter the step of agitating the vessel is complete, releasing carbon dioxide through an outlet orifice in an outlet tube that is in communication with the vessel. 27. A method for forming a carbonated beverage, the method comprising: receiving a carbonation level selected by a user;receiving a vessel containing a fluid to be carbonated;using a CPU, a valve, and a transducer to introduce a predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide into the vessel, wherein the predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide flows through an inlet orifice to control the flow rate of the pressurized carbon dioxide;agitating the vessel, wherein the agitation provides approximately 6 Gs of force on the vessel;using the CPU, the valve, and the transducer to maintain said predetermined level of pressurized carbon dioxide in the vessel while agitating the vessel; andafter the step of agitating the vessel is complete, releasing carbon dioxide through an outlet orifice in an outlet tube that is in communication with the vessel.