The apparatus includes a reservoir (2), a liquid source (1), a carbon dioxide source (12), a non-return valve (8), a carbonating vessel (7) to receive liquid from the reservoir (2) via the non-return valve (8), a gas inlet (15) to receive carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide source (12), and a dip tube (16) to withdraw carbonated liquid from the carbonating vessel. A pressure relief valve (20) vents gas from the carbonating vessel (7), and a dispense valve (18) controls the supply of carbonated liquid from the dip tube (16) to a dispense outlet (17). A charge control valve (14) controls the supply of carbon dioxide to the carbonating vessel (7). The apparatus has the following modes of operation-charge: the dispense valve (18) is held closed while the charge control valve (14) is opened to admit a charge of carbon dioxide into the carbonating vessel (7); dispense/refill: the dispense valve (18) is opened to dispense carbonated liquid while liquid flows into the carbonating vessel from the reservoir (2) via the non-return valve (8). The carbonated beverage can

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Various exemplary agitators for a carbonation system, systems including an agitator for a carbonation system, and methods including an agitator for a carbonation system are provided. In general, an agitator is configured to rotate in a chamber to mix together a gas, such as carbon dioxide, and a liquid, such as water, to form a carbonated fluid. The agitator includes a plurality of paddles configured to encourage the mixing of the gas and the fluid by agitating the gas and the liquid during the agitator's rotation. Each of the arms has an angled outer tip to facilitate the efficient mixing. The agitator includes a hollow shaft through which the gas is configured to flow during the agitator's rotation. The agitator can be part of a carbonation system configured to dispense the carbonated fluid as a beverage.

Gas injection apparatuses include a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a primary gas chamber, a gas reduction chamber, and a fluid dispensing passageway. The primary gas chamber has a first cross sectional size and is fluidly connected to the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The gas reduction chamber is fluidly connected to the primary gas chamber, the gas inlet, and the gas outlet. The gas reduction chamber has a second cross sectional size that is less than the first cross sectional size. The fluid dispensing passageway is fluidly connected to the gas reduction chamber by a gas delivery orifice having a third cross sectional size that is less than the second cross sectional size.

Gas injection apparatuses include a primary gas chamber, a gas reduction chamber, and a fluid dispensing passageway. The primary gas chamber has a first cross sectional size and is fluidly connected to a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas reduction chamber has a second cross sectional size and is fluidly connected to the primary gas chamber, the gas inlet, and the gas outlet. The fluid dispensing passageway is fluidly connected to the gas reduction chamber by a gas delivery orifice having a third cross sectional size.

The present application provides a beverage dispenser capable of dispensing one or more limited time offering beverages. The beverage dispenser may include a dispensing valve, a limited time offering ingredient source, and a limited time offering circuit extending between the dispensing valve and the limited time offering ingredient source. The limited time offering circuit may include a stainless steel line extending between the dispensing valve and the limited time offering ingredient source.

The present application provides a beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system may include a diluent line in communication with a diluent, a flow meter and a variable flow control module positioned on the diluent line, a number of syrup lines in communication with a number of syrups, and a fixed flow control module positioned on the syrup lines. The variable flow control module controls the flow rate of the diluent through the diluent line based upon the flow rate of one of the syrups through one of the syrup lines.

The present application provides a beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system may include a diluent line in communication with a diluent, a flow meter and a variable flow control module positioned on the diluent line, a number of syrup lines in communication with a number of syrups, and a fixed flow control module positioned on the syrup lines. The variable flow control module controls the flow rate of the diluent through the diluent line based upon the flow rate of one of the syrups through one of the syrup lines.

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 control method of a carbonated water machine and a carbonated water machine are provided. The carbonated water machine includes a mixer, a liquid supply assembly, and a gas supply assembly. A mixing cavity is formed in the mixer, and the mixer is provided with a gas-liquid inlet and an outlet connected to the mixing cavity, a liquid outlet of the liquid supply assembly and a gas outlet of the gas supply assembly are both connected to the gas-liquid inlet, the control method includes: receiving a carbonated water production instruction; and turning on the liquid supply assembly to inject liquid into the mixing cavity, and turning on the gas supply assembly to inject carbon dioxide into the mixing cavity, so that the liquid and the carbon dioxide are mixed in the mixing cavity to form carbonated water. The present application can improve a convenience of carbonated water production.

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.