GB2177932A - Carbonating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A carbonating apparatus for preparing carbonated drinks has a detachable chamber (3) connected by a screw thread to a supporting part (4), and a vent formed by a groove (20) intersecting the thread or an orifice (30), Fig. 3 (not shown), in the part (4) to prevent pressurisation of the chamber until it is attached securely to the supporting part (4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid aerating apparatus This invention relates to liquid aerating apparatus, especially for the preparation of carbonated beverages. In particular the invention concerns a carbonating apparatus of the kind comprising a carbonating chamber having an inlet for introducing liquid to be carbonated into the chamber, means for injecting gas into the liquid in the chamber, and an outlet controlled by the valve for discharging carbonated liquid from the chamber.

It has been found with such carbonating machines that there is a tendency for dirt to collect in the carbonating chamber and it is preferable that the chamber should be removable for cleaning purposes. One convenient way of securing the chamber in position while facilitating its removal is by way of a screw threaded connection. The chamber and its supporting part need to make a good fit to allow a seal to be established between them so that the chamber can be pressurised. As a result, due to normal manufacturing tolerances, a seal can be formed between the threads before the chamber has been screwed up tight into proper engagement with the supporting part. Since the chamber can then be pressurised, the fact that the chamber has not been properly assembled into the machine may not be noticed by a person using it.In addition, gas pressure built up in the chamber and acting on it could cause the chamber to become unscrewed, especially if it is held initially by only one or two turns of the thread.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above problem and resides in an aerating apparatus of the kind initially mentioned above having a detachable chamber and comprising venting means to permit escape of gas from the chamber until it is attached in secure engagement with a supporting part of the apparatus.

In one preferred em bodiment the chamber is screwed to the supporting part and the venting means comprises at least one groove intersecting the threads of the chamber or the supporting part.

Alternatively the venting means may comprise an orifice through the supporting part near the upper end or above the screw thread on the supporting part.

A better understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description which is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 is a vertical cross section through a carbonating machine embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a scrap perspective view of the upper end of the chamber; and Figure 3 is a view, corresponding to Fig. 1, of a modified carbonating machine.

The machine illustrated in Figure 1 has a casing 1 housing a support body 2 to which a pressure chamber 3 in the form of a plastic bowl is secured as described in more detail below. The body 2 defines an inlet 4 for introducing liquid into the chamber, a valve 5 being provided to close the inlet to enable the chamber to be pressurised with gas delivered through a nozzle 6 which is carried by the body 2.

The gas is supplied from a cylinder 7 under the control of a valve 8 which is operated by pressing a button 9. For discharging carbonated liquid from the machine an opening is provided in the bottom of the chamber 3, and a valve 10 is operable to open and close this opening. Further and more detailed description of the machine is not necessary for a clear understanding of the invention which will now be explained with particular reference being made to Figures 1 and 2.

The upper end of the chamber 3 has an external screw thread 12, and above the thread carries an Oring seal 13. The body 2 includes an integral collar 14 extending around the liquid inlet and the gas tube, the collar being formed with an internal screw thread 16 which is complementary to that on the chamber. As shown in Figure 1, the chamber is screwed fully home into the support collar and the seal 13 makes contact with the inner surface of the collar above itsthread l6toensurea gastightseal between the chamber 3 and the support body 2.

The thread 12 on the chamber is intersected by an axial groove 20 which extends the full height of the thread. Although only one groove has been illustrated, more grooves may be provided and preferably there are two grooves located diametrically opposite each other. As may be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the or each groove 20 defines a vent passage connecting the interior of the carbonating chamber with atmosphere as the chamber is first screwed into the collar 14 of the support body 2 and until the chamber is attached securely to the collar and nearly screwed fully home into it. If attempt is made to pressurise the interior of the chamber with gas before it has been screwed in far enough for the seal 13 to establish sealing contact with the inner surface of the collar above its thread 16, the gas will escape to atmosphere through the vent passages.In this way it is ensured that a gas pressure cannot be created prematurely in the chamber 3 and perhaps cause it to become detached from the collar 14, unintentionally. When the chamber 3 has been screwed in tight, the vent passages become closed off by the engagement between the seal 13 and the support body, and the chamber can be pressurised to allow normal operation of the machine, e.g. for the preparation of carbonated beverages.

It will be understood that a groove or grooves defining vent passages could be located across the threads 16 of the collar 14 instead of, or in addition to, the grooves extending across the thread on the chamber. Also, if preferred, the seal 13 could be fitted to the collar, and the chamber could be provided with an internal thread and the support body with an external one.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figure 3, a vent passage is defined by an orifice 30 leading from between the threads of the chamber 3 and the collar of the support body to atmosphere. This orifice through the collar functions to provide for escape of gas from the chamber interior, in the same way as the grooves 20 of Figures 1 and 2.

Claims (4)

1. A carbonating apparatus comprising a chamber, an inlet for introducing liquid to be carbonated into the chamber, means for injecting gas into liquid contained in the chamber, an outlet controlled by a valve for discharging carbonated liquid from the chamber, the chamber being detachable from a chamber supporting part, and venting means to permit escape of gas from the chamber until the chamber is attached in secure engagement with ihe supporting part after being brought together with said supporting part.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chamber has a screw threaded connection with the supporting part and the venting means comprises at least one groove intersecting the screw thread of the chamber and/or the supporting part.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber has a screw-threaded connection with the supporting part and the venting means comprises an orifice in the supporting part.

4. A carbonating apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.