A gas injection system for injecting a gas into a liquid to form a solution includes a flow channel that conveys a liquid from an upstream inlet configured to receive the liquid and a downstream outlet configured to dispense the solution, sparger positioned in the flow channel, a solution pressure detection device configured to sense a pressure of the solution in the flow channel, and a liquid valve configured to regulate flow of the liquid in the flow channel based on the pressure sensed by the solution pressure detection device. The sparger is configured to inject the gas into the liquid through the porous surface as the liquid flows across the surface.

A degassing system includes a degassing tank with a first space area configured for having liquid introduced therein and a second space area configured for having the liquid from the first space area introduced therein. The first and the second space area are partially separated from one another by a separation element. The degassing system includes a controllable pump configured to pump liquid from the first space area to the second space area for a two-stage vacuum degassing process responsive to the pump being operated. The degassing system includes a control device configured to control the pump to not be operated for a single-stage vacuum degassing process and to be operated for a two-stage vacuum degassing process.

A beverage carbonator includes a carbonation chamber having a carbonation source inlet, a fluid inlet, a gas outlet, and a carbonation source carrier. The carbonation source carrier is positioned to receive carbonation source deposited into the carbonation chamber through the carbonation source inlet. The carbonation source carrier and fluid inlet arranged to isolate carbonation source carried on the carbonation source carrier from liquid collected in the carbonation chamber through the fluid inlet until a predetermined volume of liquid is admitted into the carbonation chamber.

An apparatus for providing an infused or brewed beverage comprises a brewing arrangement which is configured to brew a beverage according to a selected one of a plurality of brewing processes, at least one being a hot brewing processes and at least one being a cold brewing process. The apparatus includes a controller configured to receive a user selection indicative of a required beverage, and to control the brewing arrangement in dependence upon the user selection. The apparatus may for example be used to provide either hot brew or cold brew coffee as required, without the need for multiple machines.

A gas infuser includes a mixing chamber and a liquid injector. Gas is supplied into the mixing chamber and liquid flows through openings of the injector to mix with the gas in the mixing chamber and form a gas-infused liquid.

A self-carbonating beverage container includes a beverage can housing adapted to hold a fixed portion of liquid. A carbonating gas bottle containing carbonating gas stored under pressure has a breakable seal through which the carbonating gas is released. The carbonating gas bottle is attached to the can. A spout is attached to the can such that one end of the spout is introduced into the beverage can housing and the other end of the spout has a puncturing mechanism facing the breakable seal of the carbonating gas bottle. Actuating the puncturing mechanism enables the carbonating gas to flow into the beverage can housing.

The invention provides a carbonation tank assembly for admixing a gas and a potable liquid used in preparation of drinks. The assembly includes a tank body with an interior that can be easily accessed for cleaning and repair purposes by removing upper and lower end plates securely and sealing fitted by gaskets to the upper and lower ends of the tank. The interior is connected to a liquid source for supplying liquid, a gas source for carbonating the liquid, and drawing means for dispensing carbonated liquid from the interior of the tank.

A bottle, in particular a reusable and refillable bottle for CO.sub.2-containing drinks, which can be carbonated and stored in the bottle. A bottle with better usage properties is to be achieved. The bottle includes a closable liquid container with an adapter which is attached or flanged to the base of the liquid container and which contains a CO.sub.2 tank.

A system for mineralizing distilled water includes a splitter for splitting distilled water into primary and secondary portions; first and second conduits for conveying the primary and second portions, respectively; first and second columns comprising including first and second mineral matrices connected to the first and second conduits, respectively, to generate first and second mineralizing concentrate solutions; first and second mixing modules for combining a predefined amount of the mineralizing concentrate solutions with the primary portion of distilled water to form a mineralized water mixture; and a dispensing module for dispensing the mineralizing water mixture. A carbonator is also connected to the secondary conduit for dissolving carbon dioxide in the secondary portion of distilled water upstream of the first and second columns.

The present invention is directed generally to the field carbonated beverage dispensing systems having a replaceable carbon dioxide storage cylinder. Such systems may be embodied in the form of a unitary apparatus including, but not exclusively, on-bench, under-bench or freestanding beverage cooling units. The invention may be embodied in the form of a beverage dispensing unit having a gas input connector configured to make gas tight connection to a gas container configured to hold a gas under pressure and a mass detection device. The gas input connector and mass detection device are arranged such that when a gas container is connected to the gas input connector, the mass detection device is capable of detecting a mass associated with the gas container. The unit may further have a gas container support extending from or about the mass detection device configured to maintain a gas container connected to the gas input connector in a position such that it bears on the mass detection device so as to allow the mass detection device to measure the mass of the gas container and any gas contained therein. Computer-implemented methods for monitoring the level of gas are also provided.