Beverage dispensing apparatus with a carbonation system

摘要

The present invention concerns apparatus for on-demand preparation of carbonated beverages. The invention further concerns processes for preparing and dispensing carbonated beverages upon user-demand.

主权项

1. A beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising;
a liquid flow system defining a liquid flow path between an aqueous liquid source and a beverage dispensing outlet; a liquid carbonation sub-system for impregnating the liquid with carbon dioxide and comprising a carbonation chamber linked to the liquid flow system for receiving a quantity of liquid from said source and being associated with a source of carbon dioxide for carbonating said quantity while in said chamber; a beverage dispensing outlet linked to said chamber; and a pressure-lowering utility operative after carbonation of the water in said chamber and prior to dispensing of the carbonated water for reducing the carbon dioxide pressure in the carbonation chamber, the pressure-lowering utility comprising a pressure-reducing regulator in gas communication with said chamber and a module for separating between released gas and liquid droplets carried by the released gas, and configured to either circulate the liquid separated from the gas back into the liquid flow system or drain the liquid into a drainage.