FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a water carbonating device especially for the carbonating of water in water coolers. The present invention is specifically useful for the carbonating of water to a predetermined level of carbonation. In the device according to the present invention a flavored syrup may be added to the carbonated water produced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The water cooler is a common appliance for the convenient dispensing of chilled water, and is often found in offices and in homes. This dispensed water may be ordinary tap water, filtered tap water, or even bottled mineral water. Today's water cooler provides the user with the options of both hot and cold water.

Both naturally carbonated water and mechanically carbonated water are popular drinks, and also provide the basis for flavored carbonated drinks. Numerous siphon and valve devices have been developed for use in the carbonation of water, and also for use in the addition of flavored syrup. These devices normally are pre-set by the manufacturer to provide a specific level of carbonation, and a specific syrup to water ratio.

The manufacturer's setting for the water carbonation level may be incorrect for the pH or for the mineral content of the water which is ultimately used. The user may effectively alter these settings (on certain specific

siphon and valve devices only) by resetting the pressurized gas cylinder's out-flow pressure regulator, but the procedure calls upon a mechanical aptitude which would not be convenient for non-commercial applications.

For example in a restaurant or a pub, this compensatory adjustment of the pressure regulator may be an acceptable solution. However for the user of non-commercial carbonation devices such as water coolers in the home or in the office, a device providing a more convenient method for selecting the level of carbonation (and also the syrup to water ratio) would be preferred.

The device according to the present invention provides these desirable selection features. The device according to the present invention also provides (even for the commercial user) a more convenient and facile method for the selection of the water carbonation level, and also for the selection of the syrup to water ratio. Furthermore the device according to the present invention even easily retrofits into the water line of conventional water dispensing coolers, which were never intended to provide a water carbonation option.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water carbonating device for the carbonating of water to a predetermined level of carbonation, especially for adaptation in water coolers. The device according to the present invention is comprised of five connected components:

(a) A closed COa/water mixing reservoir containing a rotary mixing blade, wherein the reservoir is connected

to a source of water and to a source of pressurized C0 ₂ regulated to a predetermined pressure.

(b) A first solenoid valve regulating the entry of the water into the reservoir.

(c) An electric motor for rotating the mixing blade.

(d) A second solenoid valve regulating the exit of the carbonated water from the reservoir.

(e) A valve control switch for activating the motor to a predetermined speed and for simultaneously opening both solenoid valves.

The present invention also relates to a device for producing a flavored carbonated drink wherein a flavored syrup is added to the carbonated water at a predetermined syrup to water ratio, when both solenoid valves are open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water carbonating device. This device is useful for the carbonating of water to a predetermined level of carbonation, especially for adaptation in water coolers. The device according to the present invention is comprised of a closed C0 ₂ /water mixing reservoir containing a rotary mixing blade (wherein said reservoir is connected to a source of water and to a source of pressurized C0 ₂ regulated to a predetermined pressure), a first solenoid valve regulating the entry of the water into said reservoir, an electric motor for rotating the mixing blade, a second solenoid valve regulating the exit of the carbonated

water from the reservoir, and a valve control switch for activating said motor to a predetermined speed and for simultaneously opening both solenoid valves.

In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention the valve control switch is computer actuated, the computer further controls the temperature regulation (refrigeration) of water entering the reservoir, and the computer also controls the pressure regulation of the C0 ₂ (by actuating a solenoid pressure regulator). The solubility of C0 ₂ in water increases when the mixing blade speed is faster, how ever the solubility decreases as the water temperature is lowered. Thus the use of a computer for activating the valve control switch enhances the achievement of carbonation levels to the desired predetermined level. In another embodiment of the device according to the present invention the computer controls the temperature regulation of water in the reservoir.

Accordingly in the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention a computer is connected to the valve control switch for actuating said switch, said computer is connected to the thermostatic control of the refrigeration unit for regulating the temperature of water entering the reservoir, said computer is connected to the thermostatic control of the refrigeration unit for regulating the temperature of water in the reservoir, and said computer is connected to a portion control sensor for controlling the volume of water exiting the reservoir for a single actuation of the valve control switch.

In keeping with the standards of today's water coolers, the device according to the present invention provides in addition non-carbonated water at predetermined temperature. In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention the temperature control for each of the non-carbonated waters provided is also computer controlled. In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention three distinct temperature non-carbonated waters are provided (near boiling, chilled, and ice).

Additionally, in the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention the computer controls the volume of water exiting the reservoir for a single actuation of the valve control switch. This "portion" control may be for a pre-set volume of water per valve control switch actuation, or alternatively the "portion" may be selected according to the height of the cup placed at the dispenser (which also prevents dispensing water in the absence of a cup) .

One especially interesting feature of the device according to the present invention is a kit for retro¬ fitting existing water coolers into water carbonating coolers.

Another especially interesting feature of the device according to the present invention is the ability to select the desired level of carbonation of the carbonated water dispensed. In the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention the level of carbonation is also computer controlled.

The election of a specific carbonation level may be executed (a) by scanning in a bar code on each bottle of water wherein is provided parameters of the water such that optimal carbonation may be produced, (b) by entering a desired carbonation degree on a touch pad provided as part of the computer interface, or (c) by a software selected parameter determined by the device manufacturer or by his service representative. Since the exact carbonation level is dependent on the temperature of the water, computer control provides a distinct benefit. Specifically the computer may be used to control the regulated C0 ₂ entry pressure, the mixing blade rotation speed, and the reservoir held water carbonation maintenance.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention the valve control switch activates the motor prior to simultaneously opening both solenoid valves. The activation of the motor causes the mixing blade to rotate, thus helping to re-dissolve C0 ₂ into the reservoir contained water. This helps to guaranty that the carbonation level of the water in the reservoir is at the same carbonation level as the subsequently carbonated water (which is produced after both solenoid valves are opened) . This is especially important when the volume of the carbonated water contained in the reservoir is at least approximately equal to the standard unit of carbonated water dispensed (e.g. a cup) because the reservoir held water is the first water to be dispensed, and if it's C0 ₂ is not redissolved then this first water dispensed will remain in it's insufficiently carbonated state.

In the device according to the present invention the mixing blade may be rotated at predetermined times or according to predetermined conditions. This is especially important when the reservoir is large (as is normal where the dispensed quantity is large and the time to dispense is short), or where dispensing of the reservoir contained water is infrequent. In these cases the maintaining of the carbonation level of the reservoir contained water at approximately the predetermined level of carbonation is enhanced by rotation of the mixing blade.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention the rotary mixing blade is a paddle. This is the case where the device is retrofit to allow standard water coolers to be used for the production of carbonated water, and also in new water coolers specifically manufactured to include the water carbonation option. In other embodiments of the device (where the reservoir is large, or where the dispensing rate is large compared to the reservoir size) the rotary mixing blade is a propeller.

The source of water connected to the cooler may be bottled mineral water or filtered water.

The device according to the present invention also relates to producing a flavored carbonated drink wherein a flavored syrup is added to the carbonated water at a predetermined syrup to water ratio, when both solenoid valves are open. When both solenoid valves are open, water is flowing through the device and is being carbonated therein. Introducing the syrup into the turbulent flow of the carbonated water causes a rapid dispersal of the syrup into the entire dispensed

quantity. This occurs when the syrup is continuously introduced into the flowing water. This also occurs when a measure of syrup is introduced in one or more spurts into the flowing water, at a rate of a predetermined number of syrup measures per standard unit of carbonated water dispensed.

In another preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, the syrup is introduced into the out-flowing carbonated water. Selection of syrup and control of both its introduction and mixing are computer controlled in the preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

The present invention will be further described by Figures 1-3. These figures are solely intended to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a "HOME AND OFFICE COMPACT PERSONAL DISPENSER" having a carbonated water option.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of the carbonator unit.

Figure 3 illustrates another cross section of the carbonator unit.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a "HOME AND OFFICE COMPACT PERSONAL DISPENSER" having a carbonated water option. On line water (1) or bottled water (2) enters the dispenser and is divided (3) into two water lines. The first water line branch allows water to enter an insulated water

heating reservoir (4) from which the hot water may be dispensed by actuation of a release valve (5), through a rotating dispenser head (6), to a waiting cup (7). The second water line branch allows water to enter an insulated water cooler (8).

From the cooler two chilled water branches emerge. The first chilled water branch enters the carbonator unit (9), while the second chilled water branch directly enters the flow control valve (10). The carbonator unit is controlled by computer (11), and is connected to a source of pressurized C0 ₂ (12) such as a pressure regulated balloon of compressed C0 ₂ . The pressure of C0 ₂ may be computer controlled (by solenoid of the gas pressure regulator) or may be manually controlled by the pressure regulator used for preset pressure regulation (or by adjustment of the regulator setting for variable pressure regulators) . Carbonated water from the carbonator unit enters the flow control valve.

The chilled water or the chilled carbonated water may then be dispended through the rotating dispenser head to a waiting cup, or optionally may then proceed through a syrup flow control unit (13) where a syrup chosen from the syrups (14) available to the syrup system (15) is premixed with the inflow and then directed to the rotating dispenser head. An alternate option allows syrup chosen from the syrups available to the syrup system to flow directly through the syrup flow control unit to the rotating head dispenser. The direct flow of syrup to the rotating head dispenser allows syrup to be mixed with either hot water, cold water, or cold carbonated water (as desired) .

The computer uses an operation touch pad (16) as input so that control parameters and selection para meters may be established. Control parameters include water heating temperature, water chilling temperature, and carbonation level. Selection parameters include choice of hot water, cold water, or cold carbonated water, and also choice of flavors (one or more syrups) including the choice of unflavored (no syrup). An example of multiple syrups in a single portion is hot water with coffee (first syrup), double sugar (second syrup), and non-dairy creamer (third syrup) .

In addition the computer may be connected to an optional portion control sensor (17) which allows the intelligent determination of the portion dispensed. This portion determination is based firstly on cup presence or absence, and secondly based on cup height.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross section of the carbonator unit. A closed C0 ₂ /water mixing reservoir (18) contains a rotary mixing blade (19).

The reservoir is connected to a source of water and to a source of pressurized C0 ₂ (12a) regulated to a predetermined pressure. A solenoid valve (20) regulates the entry of the water into the reservoir.

An electric motor (21) for rotating the mixing blade is attached using a connective shaft passing through a rotary pressure seal coupling.

A second solenoid valve (22) regulates the exit of the carbonated water from the reservoir.

A valve control switch activates the motor to a predetermined speed and simultaneously opens both solenoid valves. Activating the motor brings the water in the reservoir back to the desired level of carbonation. Simultaneous opening of both solenoid valves allows additional water to enter the reservoir, actively mix with the C0 ₂ , dissolve C0 ₂ to the desired level of carbonation, and exit as carbonated water.

Figure 3 illustrates another cross section of the carbonator unit. A closed C0 ₂ /water mixing reservoir (18) contains a rotary mixing blade (19).

The reservoir is connected to a source of water and to a source of pressurized C0 ₂ (12a) regulated to a predetermined pressure. A solenoid valve (not shown) regulates the entry of the water into the reservoir.

An electric motor (21) for rotating the mixing blade is attached using a connective shaft passing through a rotary pressure seal coupling.

A second solenoid valve (not shown) regulates the exit of the carbonated water from the reservoir.