A carbonation device for beverages includes a carbonation tank to receive a beverage to be carbonated and carbon dioxide so as to generate a carbonated beverage, carbonated with the carbon dioxide, and a dispensing device in fluid communication with the carbonation tank to dispense, through a duct, the carbonated beverage to a container for carbonated beverages, the carbonated beverage flowing along the duct in a flow direction. The carbonation device further includes a carbonation sensor associated with the duct and having a radiation source to generate a radiation which strikes the duct along an irradiation direction incident to the flow direction. The carbonation sensor also includes a first photodiode placed on the irradiation direction from a side opposite to the radiation source with respect to the duct, or as an alternative, a second photodiode placed along a diffusion direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction.

On-the-go carbonation devices and methods are provided, which enable carbonating and enhancing liquid content in various containers, such as drinking bottles, in relation to users' preferences and activity patterns. Devices include a sealed enclosure holding a gas canister, an actuator configured to release gas from the gas canister and break a seal of the sealed enclosure, and a gas passage configured to deliver the released gas, optionally with flavoring and/or supplement additivesinto the liquid. Various configurations of the devices are provided to yield predefined carbonation and mixing of additives by simple actuation. Disclosed methods of carbonation enable configuring the device to be portable and attachable to various types of liquid container. Various types of additives may be used, provided in preparation kits and monitored by an application that supports healthy consumption and enhancements of liquids.

One variation of a mixing system includes: a container configured to store consumable beverages; a lid; and a mixer. The lid is configured to transiently couple to the container and includes: a housing; a mixer receptacle; a set of user controls arranged on an outer face of the lid; a set of electronics arranged within the housing and including a motor, a controller configured to actuate the motor responsive to selection of the set of user controls, and a power supply configured to supply power to the motor and the controller; and a set of supports arranged between the motor and walls of the housing and configured to absorb energy output by the motor. The mixer includes: a connector section configured to engage the mixer receptacle to couple the mixer to the motor; and a mixing section configured to mix ingredients in the container responsive to actuation of the motor.

A carbonation machine includes a carbonation head to sealingly couple to a bottle filled with liquid to be carbonated; a piping to introduce and compress carbon dioxide into a space within the bottle above a top surface of the liquid to a predetermined pressure level when the bottle is coupled to the carbonation head; a stirrer to stir the liquid to enhance absorption of carbon dioxide in the liquid when the bottle is coupled to the carbonation head; and a manually operated valve mechanism configured to be moved to any position between a closed position to an open position for user-controlled release of pressure within the space.

A carbonation machine includes a carbonation head to sealingly couple to a bottle filled with liquid to be carbonated; a piping to introduce and compress carbon dioxide into a space within the bottle above a top surface of the liquid to a predetermined pressure level when the bottle is coupled to the carbonation head; a stirrer to stir the liquid to enhance absorption of carbon dioxide in the liquid when the bottle is coupled to the carbonation head; and a manually operated valve mechanism configured to be moved to any position between a closed position to an open position for user-controlled release of pressure within the space.

Embodiments disclosed herein are related to a dispenser system for dispensing carbonated beverages, including flavored carbonated beverages. The dispenser system can provide on-demand, in-line carbonation of beverages (i.e., without a holding tank). The dispenser system can be sized to fit on a countertop. The dispenser system can include a nozzle system that allows for in-nozzle mixing of carbonated water with a beverage ingredient (e.g., a syrup). The dispensers system can include a contactor that includes a sparge plate; a dissolution tube for dissolving carbon dioxide bubbles in water; a sparge disc for reducing pressure of the carbonated water to atmospheric pressure; a beverage ingredient source for providing an ingredient; and a nozzle that receives and mixes the carbonated water and the ingredient.

An integrated infuser/mixer pump system features a liquid inlet configured to receive a liquid drawn from a liquid source, a gas inlet configured to receive an inlet gas from a gas source, a pump and motor combination configured to received the liquid and provide pumped liquid, a gas/liquid mixture chamber configured to receive the pumped liquid and the inlet gas, and mix the liquid and the inlet gas into a gas-infused mixture, and a gas-infused mixture outlet configured to provide the gas-infused mixture; the gas inlet having a gas liquid mixing valve with a mixing orifice that has a mixing orifice size dimensioned to provide the inlet gas to the gas/liquid mixture chamber with an inlet gas volumetric flow rate in order to mix the pumped liquid and the inlet gas with a predetermined mixture ratio that depends on the mixing orifice size.

Various systems, devices, and methods for a ratchet system for a gas canister in a beverage system are provided. In general, a beverage system is configured to form a beverage and dispense the beverage into a container. The beverage system can be a carbonation system configured to form a carbonated fluid and dispense the carbonated fluid into a container. In an exemplary embodiment, the beverage system includes a ratchet system configured to provide feedback to a user indicating that a gas source, such as a CO.sub.2 canister for a carbonation system, has been properly coupled to the beverage system. The feedback is configured to be provided to the user automatically in response to the gas source being properly coupled to the beverage system.