APPARATUS FOR THE PREPARATION AND DISPENSING OF POST-MIX CARBONATED DRINKS

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for the preparation of aerated drinks, comprising: an aerator stage (20) comprising: a removable aerator bottle (30) defining a chamber (32) for receiving a liquid to be aerated; an aerator bottle interface (40) operative to engage the removable aerator bottle (30) and seal the chamber (32) thereof; a gas inlet line (60) operative to fluidly connect a gas source (50) to the aerator bottle interface (40); and a gas supply mechanism (70) for controlling supply of gas from the gas source (50) to the aerator bottle interface (40) via the gas inlet line (60); an aerated liquid dispenser stage (100) comprising: an aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110); a liquid outlet line (120) operative to fluidly connect the aerator bottle interface (40) to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110) to allow aerated liquid to flow from the chamber (32) of the removable aerator bottle (30) to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110); and a liquid flow controller (130) for controlling discharge of aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle (30) to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110) via the liquid outlet line (120); and a flavouring liquid dispenser stage (200) comprising: a flavouring liquid dispenser (210) comprising a flavouring liquid dispenser outlet (212), wherein the flavouring liquid dispenser (210) comprises a flavouring liquid dispenser mechanism (214) that is activated by gas pressure; and a gas outlet line (220) including a gas outlet (222) provided in the aerator bottle interface (40); wherein the apparatus further comprises a pressure control stage (240) comprising: a gas reservoir (250) connected to the gas outlet line (220) and operative to store pressurised gas received from the removable aerator bottle (30) during an initial aeration step; and an exhaust mechanism (242) operative to vent gas from the removable aerator bottle (30) during a subsequent venting step in order to lower the level of gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle (30) prior to discharge of the aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle (30) via the aerated liquid dispenser stage (100).

Claims

1. Apparatus for the preparation of aerated drinks, comprising: an aerator stage comprising: a removable aerator bottle defining a chamber for receiving a liquid to be aerated; an aerator bottle interface operative to engage the removable aerator bottle and seal the chamber thereof; a gas inlet line operative to fluidly connect a gas source to the aerator bottle interface; and a gas supply mechanism for controlling supply of gas from the gas source to the aerator bottle interface via the gas inlet line; an aerated liquid dispenser stage comprising: an aerated liquid dispenser outlet; a liquid outlet line operative to fluidly connect the aerator bottle interface to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet to allow aerated liquid to flow from the chamber of the removable aerator bottle to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet; and a liquid flow controller for controlling discharge of aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet via the liquid outlet line; and a flavoring liquid dispenser stage comprising: a flavoring liquid dispenser comprising a flavoring liquid dispenser outlet, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser comprises a flavoring liquid dispenser mechanism that is activated by gas pressure; and a gas outlet line including a gas outlet provided in the aerator bottle interface; wherein the apparatus further comprises a pressure control stage comprising: a gas reservoir connected to the gas outlet line and operative to store pressurized gas received from the removable aerator bottle during an initial aeration step; and an exhaust mechanism operative to vent gas from the removable aerator bottle during a subsequent venting step in order to lower the level of gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle prior to discharge of the aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle via the aerated liquid dispenser stage.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas reservoir comprises a chamber fluidly connected to the gas outlet line via a directional flow valve.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the gas supply mechanism is operative to raise gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle to a first pressure P.sub.1 during the initial aeration stage; and the pressure control stage is operative via the exhaust mechanism to lower the gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle to a second pressure P.sub.2 during the subsequent venting step prior to discharging of the aerated liquid.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the gas reservoir is operative to receive and store pressured gas at substantially the first pressure P.sub.1.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flow controller comprises a valve and a flow regulator operative to maintain a substantially constant flow rate of aerated liquid from the liquid dispenser outlet as aerated liquid is discharged from the removable aerator bottle to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to transfer aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet using gas pressure developed in a headspace of the sealed chamber during the aeration step.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pump operative to supply pressurized gas to the removable aerator bottle for transferring aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the pressure control stage is operative to lower the gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle during the subsequent venting step prior to allowing pressurized gas from the pump to enter the removable aerator bottle.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid outlet line comprises a dip tube having an opening for receiving aerated liquid positioned at a lower part of the chamber when the removable aerator bottle is engaged by the aerator bottle interface.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser outlet is positioned adjacent the aerated liquid dispenser outlet.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser outlet and aerated liquid dispenser outlet are configured to perform in-air mixing outside of the apparatus.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser is configured to dispense flavoring liquid from a flavor capsule received in the flavoring liquid dispenser.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser mechanism is operative to perform one or more of the following functions: open a flavor capsule received in the flavoring liquid dispenser; drive flavoring liquid from the opened flavor capsule towards the flavoring dispenser outlet.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser mechanism comprises a capsule dispensing mechanism operative to apply a dispensing force to a flavor capsule received in the flavoring liquid dispenser.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the capsule opening mechanism is driven by gas pressure from gas stored in the gas reservoir.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: the apparatus further comprises a electronic controller operative to control operation of the gas supply mechanism; and the flavor capsule comprises a machine-readable identifier; wherein the apparatus is operative to read the machine-readable identifier and electronic controller is operative to select a dispensing parameter based on the machine-readable identifier.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser is configured to dispense flavoring liquid from a bulk container.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser mechanism comprises a bulk container dispenser module associated with the bulk container.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the bulk container dispenser module is driven by gas pressure from gas stored in the gas reservoir.

20. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the bulk container dispenser module is integrated into the bulk container.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the bulk container dispenser module includes the flavoring liquid dispenser outlet.

22. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the bulk container is fixed volume container.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the bulk container has an inlet for allowing gas to enter the bulk container as flavoring liquid is dispensed from the bulk container.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the apparatus includes a gas collector connectable to the inlet.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the gas collector is configured to receive gas from the sealed chamber of the removable aerator bottle or from the gas reservoir.

26. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the bulk container dispenser module comprises a chamber configured to receive flavoring liquid from the bulk container.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the bulk container dispenser module comprises a directional valve operative to allow flavoring liquid to flow from the bulk container to the chamber and the bulk container dispenser module comprises a diaphragm movable between a first configuration and a second configuration with dispensing of flavoring liquid occurring as the diaphragm moves from the first configuration to the second configuration.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein in the first configuration the chamber is configured to fill with flavoring liquid from the bulk container and movement of the diaphragm from the first configuration to the second configuration forces flavoring liquid to be dispensed from the chamber.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28, wherein movement from the second configuration to the first configuration allows the chamber to refill with flavoring fluid from the bulk container.

30. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein movement from the first configuration to the second configuration occurs in response to a positive pressure from the gas reservoir and movement from the second configuration to the first configuration occurs in response to a negative pressure.

31. Apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the apparatus further comprises a suction device operative to move the diaphragm from the second configuration to the first configuration.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the suction device comprises a venturi nozzle operative to generate a negative pressure in the chamber as the gas collector is filled.

33. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the bulk container dispenser module further comprises a dispenser outlet valve for receiving flavoring liquid from the chamber.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the bulk container dispenser module further comprises an outlet nozzle for receiving flavoring liquid from the dispenser outlet valve.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein two or more of the diaphragm, dispenser outlet valve and the outlet nozzle are provided as a single component.

36. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus further comprises a electronic controller operative to control operation of the gas supply mechanism; and the bulk container comprises a machine-readable identifier; wherein the apparatus is operative to read the machine-readable identifier and electronic controller is operative to select a dispensing parameter based on the machine-readable identifier.

37. A method of preparing an aerated liquid using an aerator device, the method comprising: filling a chamber of a removable aerator bottle with liquid; attaching the removable aerator bottle to an aerator bottle interface of the aerator device and sealing the chamber; during an initial aeration step, aerating the liquid in the chamber of the removable aerator bottle by transferring pressurized gas to the chamber; during or subsequent to the initial aerating step, transferring pressurized gas from the chamber to a gas reservoir connected to a gas outlet line; and subsequent to the preceding steps, lowering the gas pressure in the chamber of the removable aerator bottle before transferring aerated liquid from the chamber of the removable aerator bottle to a receptacle via an aerated liquid dispenser outlet connected to the aerator bottle interface by a liquid outlet line substantially using the lowered gas pressure in the head of the chamber to discharge aerated liquid from the chamber of the removable aerator bottle; and dispensing a flavoring liquid from a flavoring liquid dispenser into the receptacle by supplying pressurized gas from the gas reservoir to a flavoring liquid dispense mechanism of the flavoring liquid dispenser to drive dispensing of the flavoring liquid.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein: the initial aeration step comprises raising gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle to a first pressure P.sub.1; the step of lowering the gas pressure comprises lowering the gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle to a second pressure P.sub.2; and the step of transferring pressurized gas from the chamber to the gas reservoir comprises transferring gas to the gas reservoir for storage at substantially the first pressure P.sub.1.

39. A method according to claim 37, wherein the flavoring liquid dispenser has a flavoring liquid dispenser outlet positioned adjacent the aerated liquid dispenser outlet.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the method further comprises substantially simultaneously dispensing flavoring liquid and aerated liquid into the receptacle to achieve in-air mixing of the flavoring liquid and aerated liquid.

41. A method according to claim 37, wherein the step of dispensing a flavoring liquid from the flavoring liquid dispenser comprises inserting a flavor capsule into the flavoring liquid dispenser and the pressurized gas supplied to the flavoring liquid dispenser drives a capsule dispensing mechanism to apply a dispensing force to the flavor capsule received in the flavoring liquid dispenser.

42. A method according to claim 37, wherein the step of dispensing a flavoring liquid from the flavoring liquid dispenser comprises providing a bulk container and the pressurized gas supplied to the flavoring liquid dispenser drives operation of a bulk container dispenser module associated with the bulk container.

43-70. (canceled)

Description

[0198] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0199] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an aerator device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0200] FIG. 2 is a schematic system view of the aerator device of FIG. 1;

[0201] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of part of the aerator device of FIG. 1;

[0202] FIG. 4 is a schematic system view of parts of the aerator device of FIG. 1;

[0203] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional views of a flavouring capsule in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention for use in the aerator device of FIG. 1;

[0204] FIGS. 6A-6C are a schematic cross-sectional views of the flavouring capsule of FIG. 5 illustrating its operation;

[0205] FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic cross-sectional views of a flavouring capsule in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention for use in the aerator device of FIG. 1;

[0206] FIGS. 8A-8C are a schematic cross-sectional views of the flavouring capsule of FIGS. 7A-7B illustrating its operation;

[0207] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flavouring capsule in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention for use in the aerator device of FIG. 1;

[0208] FIGS. 10A-10C are a schematic cross-sectional views of the flavouring capsule of FIG. 9 illustrating its operation;

[0209] FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of the flavouring capsule of FIG. 9;

[0210] FIG. 11B is an exploded side view of the flavouring capsule of FIG. 9;

[0211] FIGS. 12A-12F are schematic perspective views of the flavouring capsule of FIG. 9 illustrating its operation;

[0212] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the a container of flavouring capsule of FIG. 9 showing details of the frangible seal portion of the pierceable base portion;

[0213] FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the frangible seal portion illustrated in FIG. 13;

[0214] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative container design for use with the flavouring capsule of FIG. 9 showing details of a first alternative frangible seal portion of the pierceable base portion;

[0215] FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the alternative frangible seal portion illustrated in FIG. 15;

[0216] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a further alternative container design for use with the flavouring capsule of FIG. 9 showing details of a second alternative frangible seal portion of the pierceable base portion;

[0217] FIGS. 18A-18D are schematic detailed views of the alternative frangible seal portion of FIG. 17 illustrating its operation;

[0218] FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of a first alternative plunger design for use in the capsule of FIG. 9;

[0219] FIGS. 20A and 20B are schematic cross-sectional views of the first alternative plunger design of FIG. 19 illustrating its operation;

[0220] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of a second alternative plunger design for use in the capsule of FIG. 9;

[0221] FIGS. 22A and 22B are schematic cross-sectional views of the second alternative plunger design of FIG. 21 illustrating its operation;

[0222] FIG. 23A is schematic perspective view of a flavouring capsule in accordance with a yet further embodiment of the present invention for use in the aerator device of FIG. 1;

[0223] FIG. 23B is a cross-sectional views of the flavouring capsule of FIG. 23A;

[0224] FIGS. 24A-24C are a schematic cross-sectional views of the flavouring capsule of FIG. 23A illustrating its operation;

[0225] FIG. 25 is a schematic view of an aerator device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

[0226] FIG. 26A is a schematic system view of the aerator device of FIG. 25 showing details of the flavour dispenser stage;

[0227] FIG. 26B is a schematic view of the bulk container dispenser module of the aerator device of FIG. 25;

[0228] FIGS. 27A-27F are a schematic views illustrating operation of the flavour dispenser stage of the aerator device of FIG. 25 during operation of the aerator device; and

[0229] FIGS. 28A and 28B are schematic cross-sectional views of alternative bulk container dispenser modules for use with the aerator device of FIG. 25.

[0230] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a portable domestic aerator device 10 for preparing aerated drinks, comprising a housing 12 and an aerator stage 20 comprising: a removable 450 ml aerator bottle 30 defining a chamber 32 for receiving a liquid (typically water) to be aerated; an aerator bottle interface 40 operative to engage the removable aerator bottle 30 and seal chamber 32; a replaceable gas cylinder 50 containing pressurised CO.sub.2 gas; a gas inlet line 60 operative to fluidly connect gas cylinder 50 to aerator bottle interface 40; and a gas supply mechanism 70 for controlling supply of gas from gas cylinder 50 to the aerator bottle interface 40 via gas inlet line 60.

[0231] Removable aerator bottle 30 comprises a base 34 and a tapered open top 36. Aerator bottle interface 40 is pivotable to enable attachment and removal of the removable aerator bottle 30 along an axis inclined to vertical and is configured to seal the open top 36 of the removable aerator bottle 30 when the aerator bottle 30 is fully engaged. Aerator bottle interface 40 comprises a gas inlet tube 62 forming part of the gas inlet line 60, the gas inlet tube 62 being configured to extend inside the chamber 32 of the removable aerator bottle 30 when the removable aerator bottle 30 is engaged by the aerator bottle interface 40 and having a gas inlet nozzle 62A for ejecting pressurised gas into liquid contained in chamber 32.

[0232] As shown in FIG. 3, gas supply mechanism 70 comprises a valve 72 operative to selectively permit gas to flow from gas cylinder 50 and a pivotable valve actuation member 74 driven by a gas supply mechanism solenoid 76.

[0233] In addition to aerator stage 20, aerator device 10 further includes an electronic controller 80 and two optionally activatable stages: an aerated liquid dispenser stage 100; and a flavour dispenser stage 200.

[0234] Aerated liquid dispenser stage 100 comprises an aerated liquid dispenser outlet 110 for dispensing aerated liquid into a drinking vessel 150; a liquid outlet line 120 operative to fluidly connect aerator bottle interface 40 to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet 110 to allow aerated liquid to flow from chamber 32 of removable aerator bottle 30 to aerated liquid dispenser outlet 110; and a liquid flow controller 130 for controlling discharge of aerated liquid from removable aerator bottle 30 to aerated liquid dispenser outlet 110 via liquid outlet line 120. Liquid flow controller 130 comprises a liquid flow solenoid valve 132 and a flow regulator 134.

[0235] Liquid outlet line 120 comprises a dip tube 122 supported by aerator bottle interface 40 having an opening 122A for receiving aerated liquid positioned at a lowermost part of chamber 32 when removable aerator bottle 30 is engaged by aerator bottle interface 40.

[0236] Flavour dispenser stage 200 comprises: a flavouring liquid dispenser 210 comprising a flavouring liquid dispenser outlet 212 and a flavour dispenser mechanism 214; a gas outlet line 220 operative to supply gas from the headspace of the removable aerator bottle 30 to flavouring liquid dispenser 210, the gas outlet line 220 including a gas outlet 222 provided in the aerator bottle interface 40; a gas outlet solenoid valve 230 for controlling discharge of gas from the removable aerator bottle 30 to the flavour dispenser mechanism 214 via the gas outlet line 220; a dump valve 232; and a pressure control stage 240 fluidly coupled to gas outlet line 220 between gas outlet 222 and gas outlet solenoid valve 230.

[0237] Flavouring liquid dispenser outlet 212 is positioned adjacent aerated liquid dispenser outlet 110 to allow both flavouring liquid and aerated liquid to be dispensed simultaneously into drinking vessel 150, with flavouring liquid dispenser outlet 212 and aerated liquid dispenser outlet 110 being positioned to perform in-air mixing of the flavouring liquid and aerated liquid within drinking vessel 150. In this way, the need to clean flavouring liquid from the apparatus after dispensing the flavouring liquid is minimised.

[0238] Flavour dispenser mechanism 214 comprises a flavour capsule receptacle 216 for receiving a single-use flavour capsule 300 and a pressure-driven piston 218. Piston 218 is activated via gas outlet line 220 by gas pressure from gas pressure developed in the head of chamber 32 of the removable aeration bottle 30 during the aeration process and acts as a syrup pump.

[0239] As illustrated in FIG. 5, flavour capsule 300 comprises: a sealed collapsible container 310 containing a flavouring syrup 320; and a cap 330 defining a container receiving portion 332 for slidably receiving an end portion 312 of the collapsible container 310, and a base portion 334 defining a central outlet 336 for dispensing the flavouring syrup 320 and at least one piercing element 338 extending from the base portion 334 and extending circumferentially around the central outlet 336.

[0240] Collapsible container 310 comprises a flexible pouch part 314 defining a chamber 316 for receiving flavouring syrup 320, a piston contact surface 314A, a burstable membrane portion 318 sealing an opening to the chamber, the burstable membrane portion 318 being located at the end portion 312 of the collapsible container.

[0241] The at least one piercing element 338 may comprises a plurality of elements circumferentially spaced around central outlet 336 or a substantially annular cutting edge substantially enclosing central outlet 336.

[0242] Pressure control stage 240 comprises a gas reservoir 250 in the form of a 27 ml gas reservoir chamber 252 with an associated non-return valve 254, an exhaust solenoid valve 242 operable to release gas pressure in the chamber 32 to atmosphere, a pressure switch 244 and safety features in the form of a graphite bursting disc 246 and a mechanical pressure-release valve 248.

[0243] Electronic controller 80 is responsive to a user input to control operation of each of: gas supply mechanism solenoid 76; liquid flow solenoid valve 132; gas outlet solenoid valve 230; dump valve 232; and exhaust solenoid valve 242. Pressure switch 244 is used to monitor pressure in chamber 32 and instruct the system to: a) shut off gas supply mechanism solenoid 76 when an appropriate carbonisation pressure is reached in the chamber; and b) open the exhaust solenoid valve 242 to reduce pressure in the chamber to a predetermined aerated liquid dispense level.

[0244] In use, aerated liquid may be dispensed from aerator device 10 in two distinct ways: the user may either detach the removable aerator bottle 30 from aerator bottle interface 40 and dispense the aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle 30 (e.g. if no flavouring is to be added or if flavouring from a bottle of flavouring liquid is desired) or they may maintain the sealed connection of the removable aerator bottle 30 to the aerator bottle interface 40 and activate controller to dispense the aerated liquid from the aerated liquid dispenser outlet 80 either with or without flavouring.

[0245] Upon activation of the aerator device 10, an initial aeration step commences in which electronic controller 80 opens gas supply mechanism solenoid 76 to aerate liquid contained in the removable aerator bottle. Typically this will generate a headspace pressure in the range of 6 to 10 bar and gas at this headspace pressure will collect in gas reservoir chamber 252 via the open gas outlet line 220.

[0246] If dispensing from the aerated liquid dispenser outlet is not required, the removable aerator bottle may be removed at this stage and the controller will discharge gas reservoir chamber 252 via dump valve 232 and exhaust solenoid valve 242.

[0247] If dispensing from the aerated liquid dispenser outlet is selected, electronic controller 80 opens exhaust solenoid valve 242 to reduce the headspace pressure to a preferred liquid transfer value (in this example to around 3 bar) before closing the exhaust solenoid valve 242 and opening liquid flow solenoid valve 132 to allow transfer of aerated liquid from removable aerator bottle 30 to aerated liquid dispenser outlet 80 via liquid outlet line 120 using gas pressure developed in the head of the sealed chamber 32 during the aeration process. Flow regular 104 maintains a substantially constant volumetric flow of aerated liquid from liquid dispenser outlet 80 as aerated liquid is discharged from removable aerator bottle 30 to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet 80. The discharge of aerated liquid from chamber 32 will continue until there is insufficient head pressure to continue

[0248] If flavouring dispensing is selected, electronic controller 80 additionally opens gas outlet solenoid valve 230 in parallel to liquid flow solenoid valve 132 to allow transfer of pressurised gas from the gas reservoir chamber 252 to flavour dispenser mechanism 214 via gas outlet line 220. Since the gas in the gas reservoir chamber 252 is substantially at the initial aeration pressure, the flavour dispenser mechanism is driven by a higher pressure than the aerated liquid dispenser. The relatively higher pressure gas from gas reservoir chamber 252 causes drives piston 218 of flavour dispenser mechanism 214 towards the piston contact surface 314A of the installed flavour capsule 300 urging end portion 312 of collapsible container 310 towards base portion 334 of cap 330 and thereby causing the at least one piercing element 338 to rupture the burstable membrane portion 318 of collapsible container 310 to allow the flavouring syrup 320 to flow from the collapsible bag 310 to central outlet 336 (FIGS. 6A and 6B). Once the burstable membrane portion 318 is ruptured, gas pressure continues to drive piston 218 forward to substantially collapse collapsible container 310 and thereby drive substantially all of the flavouring syrup 320 from the flavour capsule 300 and out of flavouring liquid dispenser outlet 212 (FIG. 6C). In this way a metered dose (precise measurement of syrup to aerated liquid) may be added with flavour dispenser mechanism 214 being operated using gas pressure that would be discarded in a conventional domestic carbonator device.

[0249] With reference to FIG. 4, an example of a typical sequence of operation is provided for the situation where dispensing from the aerated liquid dispenser outlet is selected in combination with flavouring dispensing: [0250] Phase 1. Exhaust valve 242 closes; [0251] Pause (0.2 seconds); [0252] Gas supply valve 76 opens (pressure sensor set at 8 bar); [0253] Pause (0.2 seconds). [0254] Gas supply valve 76 closes. [0255] Phase 2. Exhaust valve 242 opens (drops pressure to 3 bar); [0256] Exhaust valve 242 closes; [0257] Pause (0.5 seconds); [0258] Liquid flow valve 132 opens (14 seconds); [0259] Gas outlet solenoid valve 230 opens after 3 seconds; [0260] Liquid flow valve 132 and gas outlet solenoid valve 230 close. [0261] Phase 3. Exhaust valve 242 opens.

[0262] Advantageously, the provision of the gas reservoir 250 allows the gas pressure used for aerated liquid dispensing and for flavouring dispensing to be different and set at values best suited to the different tasks. For example, in some situations a lower pressure may be desirable for the aerated liquid dispensing step in order to ensure a desired level of retention of carbonation follow dispensing of the aerated liquid. Furthermore, the gas reservoir 250 may be sized to allow for multiple charges of pressurised gas (e.g. to allow the use of multiple flavouring capsules, which may be desirable for machines capable of accepting larger volume removable aerator bottles).

[0263] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a first alternative embodiment of a flavour capsule 300 for use with a modified form of the aerator device 10 of FIG. 1, the flavour capsule 300 comprising: a sealed collapsible container 310 containing a flavouring syrup 320; and a one-piece outer sleeve/cap 330 comprising an outer sleeve portion 331A for receiving a main body portion 314 of the collapsible container 310, and a cap portion 331B defining an inner sleeve 332 for slidably receiving an end portion 312 of the collapsible container 310, a base portion 334 defining a central outlet 336 for dispensing the flavouring syrup 320 and at least one piercing element 338 extending from the base portion 334 adjacent the central outlet 336.

[0264] Main body portion 314 of collapsible container 310 has a folded bellows profile and defines a chamber 316 for receiving flavouring syrup 320, a piston contact surface 314A and a burstable membrane portion 318 sealing an opening to the chamber 316, the burstable membrane portion 318 being located at the end portion 312 of the collapsible container.

[0265] As illustrated, cap portion 331B further comprises an intermediate sleeve 333 for slidably receiving a locking flange 312A provided on end portion 312 of the collapsible container, the intermediate sleeve 333 including first and second retaining members 333A, 333B featuring a tapered profile to enable advancement of the locking flange 312 in the advancement direction but prevent withdrawal of the locking flange 312 in the opposite direction, thereby retaining the collapsible container 310 in the one-piece outer sleeve/cap 330.

[0266] In one embodiment, main body portion 314 is formed from high performance polyethylene (HPPE).

[0267] In one embodiment, the one-piece outer sleeve/cap 330 is formed from high density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0268] In one embodiment, the burstable membrane portion 318 is a welded HPPE membrane (e.g. welded in a process on the filling line).

[0269] With reference to FIGS. 8A-8C, advancement of piston 218 of aerator device 10 towards the piston contact surface 314A of the installed flavour capsule 300 and urges end portion 312 of collapsible container 310 towards base portion 334 of cap 330 and thereby causing the at least one piercing element 338 to rupture the burstable membrane portion 318 of collapsible container 310 to allow the flavouring syrup 320 to flow from the collapsible container 310 to central outlet 336 (FIGS. 8A and 8B). Once the burstable membrane portion 318 is ruptured, gas pressure continues to drive piston 218 forward to substantially collapse collapsible container 310 and thereby drive substantially all of the flavouring syrup 320 from the flavour capsule 300 and out of flavouring liquid dispenser outlet 212 (FIG. 8C).

[0270] FIGS. 9-14 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of a flavour capsule 400 for use in aerator device 10.

[0271] Flavour capsule 400 comprises a two-part construction including a substantially rigid container 410 defining a chamber 420 containing a flavouring syrup 430; and a plunger 440 slidably mounted within and sealing the chamber 420 of the container. Container 410 comprises a proximal end 410A at which an opening 422 to chamber 420 is located and a distal end 410B forming a base 412 with a cylindrical outlet nozzle 414. An air space 426 is provided in the chamber above the flavouring syrup 430 to permit movement of plunger 440 from the first position to the second position substantially without requiring any compression of the flavouring syrup.

[0272] As illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11B and 10, container 410 and plunger 440 have interengageable parts comprising a central frangible seal portion 450 provided on the base 412 of container 410 immediately above outlet nozzle 414 and a central puncturing element 460 provided on plunger 440. The frangible seal portion 450 is configured to form, when ruptured by the puncturing element 460, a central aperture 470 for dispensing the flavouring syrup.

[0273] As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, chamber 420 comprises a tapered peripheral chamber wall 424 extending between the base 412 of container 410 and opening 422, peripheral chamber wall 424 having cross-sectional area that decreases with increased distance from opening 422.

[0274] Plunger 440 comprises a head portion 442 comprising an upper surface 441 defining a piston contact surface 441A (including a raised central spigot section 441B and an annular surrounding portion 442B) configured to be engaged by piston 218 and a peripheral sealing surface 444 configured to seal against an inner peripheral surface 424A of peripheral chamber wall 424, the peripheral sealing surface 444 comprising at least one sealing ring 446. In view of the taper, the head portion 442 is configured to seal against the inner peripheral surface 424A of the peripheral chamber wall 424 by virtue of deformation of the peripheral chamber wall 424.

[0275] As illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C, head portion 442 of the plunger 440 includes a pivotable localised central portion 442A with a frustoconical profile surrounding puncturing element 460 and having an outer periphery pivotably coupled to annular surrounding portion 442B.

[0276] As shown in FIG. 10B, advancement of a drive piston (not shown) engages the raised central spigot section 441B causing the localised central portion 442A to pivot and urge the puncturing element 460 against the frangible seal portion 450 whilst the annular surrounding portion 442B remains in its initial position. In this way, breaking of the frangible seal portion 450 to create an aperture 470 for dispensing flavouring syrup 430 from chamber 420 is achieved with minimal resistance to the drive piston (e.g. minimal air compression, no sliding friction between the plunger 440 and container 410).

[0277] As illustrated, the base 412 of container 410 has an inner face 412A with a sloped profile operative to direct flavouring syrup 430 towards the frangible seal portion 450 and the head portion 442 of plunger 440 has a trailing inner face 442A with a corresponding sloped profile once the localised central portion 442A has moved into the advanced position whereby in the third position the trailing inner face 442A of the head portion 442 substantially engages the inner face 442A of the base 412 of the container 410.

[0278] Puncturing element 460 comprises: a trailing aperture engaging shaft 462 extending from head portion 442 of plunger 440, through flavouring syrup 430 and towards the frangible seal portion 450; and a leading aperture forming spike 464.

[0279] As illustrated, trailing aperture engaging shaft 462 and leading aperture forming spike 464 have a cruciform cross-section.

[0280] Trailing aperture engaging shaft 462 has a first cross-sectional form of cross-sectional area A.sub.1 and frangible seal portion 450 comprises a second cross-sectional form of cross-sectional area A.sub.2 (wherein A.sub.1<A.sub.2) configured to combine with the first cross-sectional form of the trailing aperture engaging shaft 462 in order to create a predetermined flow gap configuration.

[0281] In the illustrated example, the first cross-sectional form is an n-pointed star form (in this example, cruciform) and as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 the second cross-sectional form is a planar constant diameter circular cross-sectional form. In this way, the first and second cross-sectional forms combine to create a predetermined configuration of n substantially equally circumferentially spaced flow gaps 472 around the trailing aperture engaging shaft 462 when it is fully engaged in the formed aperture 470, one flow gap at each point of the n-sided star form. This controls the flow of the fluid out of the chamber 420.

[0282] When ruptured by the leading aperture forming spike 464 (FIGS. 12D-12F), displaceable triangular flap portions 454 will fold outwards creating four triangular petals and four small flow gaps 472.

[0283] In use, during an initial puncturing step localised central portion 442A of plunger 440 is movable relative to the container 410 and the annular surrounding portion 442B (e.g. by drive piston 218 actuated by CO.sub.2 pressure driving against the central spigot 441B provided on upper surface 441) from a first position (FIG. 10A) to a second position (FIG. 10B), wherein movement of the localised central portion 442A of plunger 440 relative to the container 410 from the first position to the second position causes puncturing element 460 to puncture the frangible seal portion 450 to form an aperture 470 for dispensing flavouring syrup 430 from chamber 420.

[0284] Once the frangible seal portion 450 is punctured, the entire plunger 440 (with the localised central portion 442A now in the advanced position) is further movable relative to the container 410 during a discharging step to a third position (FIG. 10C) with the drive piston bearing against the central spigot 441B and annular surrounding portion 442B, wherein movement of the plunger 440 relative to the container 410 from the second position to the third position urges the flavouring syrup 430 to flow out of the chamber 420 and through the aperture 470.

[0285] In the third position, puncturing element 460 extends substantially along a full length of the outlet nozzle 414 to create a central flavouring flow guide element.

[0286] Both parts 410 and 440 of flavour capsule 400 (and relevant parts of the aerator device 10) may designed to be made from a range of thermoplastic polymers as well as bio-materials, bio-degradable and compostable materials.

[0287] The flavouring syrup flow down the side of puncturing element 460 and returns to one stream of fluid as it leaves the tip.

[0288] In an alternative design, the spike may not return the individual jet to one stream such that multiple jets of fluid are generated.

[0289] Once the frangible seal portion 450 is ruptured, gas pressure continues to drive piston 218 forward to drive substantially all of the flavouring syrup 430 from the flavour capsule 400 and out of outlet nozzle 414.

[0290] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative container 410 for use in the flavour capsule 400 (features in common are labelled accordingly) and including an alternative frangible seal portion 450 in which the planar constant diameter circular cross-sectional form of frangible seal portion 450 is replaced by a frustoconical circular cross-sectional form 450.

[0291] FIGS. 17 and 18A-D show a yet further alternative container 410 for use in the flavour capsule 400 (again features in common are labelled accordingly) and including a frangible seal portion 450 for use with a puncturing element with a circular cross-section form. As illustrated, frangible seal portion 450 defines a displaceable flap profile 452 comprising a plurality of n substantially equal length and equally circumferentially spaced lines of weakness 453 each formed by a rupturable thin wall section of plastics material and extending radially from the central axis A to an end region 453A. The n lines of weakness 453 divide the frangible seal portion 450 into a plurality of n circumferentially spaced radially extending displaceable triangular flap portions 454 each formed by a bendable thin wall section of plastics material and separated by the lines of weakness 453. In an alternative design, the displaceable flap profile may be an additional component or a two-shot moulding incorporating two different materials.

[0292] Each of the plurality of n displaceable triangular flaps 454 has reinforced edges 454A extending along the lines of weakness 453 to encourage the flaps to maintain their shape as the lines of weakness are broken by the puncturing action of the puncturing element and a reinforced hinge edge 454B formed by a reinforced region of material 455 adjacent each hinge edge.

[0293] When ruptured by the leading aperture forming spike 464 (FIGS. 18A-18D), displaceable triangular flap portions 454 will fold outwards creating triangular petals and six small flow gaps 472.

[0294] As in the previous embodiment, the flavouring syrup flows down the side of puncturing element and returns to one stream of fluid as it leaves the tip.

[0295] Again, in an alternative design, the spike may not return the individual jet to one stream such that multiple jets of fluid are generated.

[0296] FIGS. 19 and 20A-B illustrate an alternative plunger 440 for use in the flavour capsule 400 (features in common are labelled accordingly) and including a localised central portion 442A with a flexible dome profile configured to operate in an equivalent manner to localised central portion 442A.

[0297] FIGS. 21 and 22A-B illustrate a yet further alternative plunger 440 for use in the flavour capsule 400 (features in common are labelled accordingly) and including a localised central portion 442A with a flexible rolled convolute profile configured to operate in an equivalent manner to localised central portion 442A.

[0298] FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate a further alternative embodiment of a flavour capsule 500 for use with a modified form of the aerator device 10 of FIG. 1, the flavour capsule 500 comprising: a sealed collapsible container 510 containing a flavouring syrup 520; a cap 530; and a tear-off collar 540 with a pull tab portion 542.

[0299] Cap 530 includes a flared upper portion 530A and a cylindrical lower portion 530B. Lower portion 530B defines a sleeve 532 for slidably receiving an end portion 512 of the collapsible container 510, a base portion 534 defining a central outlet 536 for dispensing the flavouring syrup 520 and at least one piercing element 538 extending from the base portion 534 adjacent the central outlet 536. Tear-off collar 540 is frangibly connected to an upper periphery 531 of the flared upper portion 530A and configured to enclose and abut a leading end 514B of a main body portion 514 of the collapsible container 510.

[0300] Main body portion 514 of collapsible container 510 has a folded bellows profile and defines a chamber 516 for receiving flavouring syrup 520, a piston contact surface 514A and a burstable membrane portion 518 sealing an opening to the chamber 516, the burstable membrane portion 518 being located at the end portion 512 of the collapsible container.

[0301] As illustrated, inner sleeve 532 and end portion 512 include cooperating retaining members 550A, 550B (e.g. projecting annular ribs) to enable advancement of the end portion 512 in the advancement direction but prevent withdrawal of the end portion 512 in the opposite direction, thereby retaining the collapsible container 510 in the cap 530.

[0302] As illustrated with reference to FIGS. 24A-24C, tear-off collar 540 must first be removed (e.g. by a user pulling on pull tab portion 542) to enable the end portion 512 of collapsible container 510 to be advanced towards the at least one piercing element 538. In this way, accidental actuation of the flavour capsule 500 during transit or a dropping may be prevented. The tear-off collar 540 may also act as a tamper-evident feature.

[0303] In one embodiment, main body portion 514 and cap 530 are formed from medium density polyethylene (MDPE).

[0304] In one embodiment, the burstable membrane portion 518 is a heat sealed membrane (e.g. heat sealed in a process on the filling line).

[0305] In one embodiment, flavour capsules 300, 300, 400, 500 may comprise a barcode and the electronic controller 80 is operative to select a dispensing parameter (e.g. degree of aeration and/or water volume required) based on the barcode (e.g. using a barcode reader module) to provide an even more enhanced dosage of flavouring.

[0306] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 25 shows an alternative portable domestic aerator device 10 for preparing aerated drinks based on aerator device 10 (features in common are labelled accordingly) in which the capsule 300 and associated capsule dispenser parts are replaced by a removable bulk container 600 with an integral bulk container dispenser module 610 incorporating flavouring liquid outlet 212. In addition, an optional low pressure air pump 260 is connected to the gas outlet line 220 via a non-return valve 262 to provide a constant flow of low pressure gas to the headspace of chamber 32 during the dispense stage to transfer the aerated liquid from removable bottle 30 to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet 110.

[0307] Bulk container 600 comprises a vented fixed volume (e.g. non-collapsing) bottle 602 with a neck portion 604. Bulk container 600 is configured to provide multiple measures of flavouring syrup over multiple uses of the aerator device 10. Since the bulk container dispenser module 610 and flavouring liquid outlet 212 are integrated into the container, bulk containers of different flavours can be readily swapped over without risk of flavour contamination. In general, bulk container 600 may be a simple plug-in device. No retention features are necessary as the pressures at the bulk container interface are substantially balanced.

[0308] As illustrated in FIGS. 26A and 26B, bulk container dispenser module 610 comprises an upper cap portion 620 and a lower housing 630 configured to engage a bulk container receptacle 270 supported by housing 12, the bulk container receptacle 270 comprising a base 270A and an upright annular wall 270B extending from the base.

[0309] Upper cap portion 620 comprises a collar 620A configured to receive neck portion 604 of bottle 602 and a base portion 620B. Base portion 620B defines a plurality of inlet apertures 622 associated with non-return inlet flap valves 623 for allowing flavouring syrup to flow out of bottle 602 under gravity and a gas line 624 extending from a radially outermost gas inlet 626 to a raised central gas outlet 628 associated with a gas outlet valve 629. Annular seal 621 seals the connection between the bottle 602 and upper cap portion 620.

[0310] Lower housing 630 comprises a cylindrical upper housing section 632 defining a metering chamber 634 configured to receive flavouring syrup from the bulk container 600 via inlet apertures 622 and a reduced diameter cylindrical nozzle housing 636 configured to engage an aperture 274 provided in base 270A of bulk container receptacle 270. Nozzle housing 636 further defines a gas line 670 extending between a gas inlet 672 and metering chamber 634.

[0311] A central shaft 650 comprising a narrow diameter leading end 650A and a wide diameter trailing end 650B is supported by upper cap portion 620 and extends centrally through metering chamber 634. Nozzle housing 636 defines a central bore 638 for receiving leading end 650A of central shaft 650. Central shaft 650 defines a central passageway 652 extending between inlet ports 654 and outlet ports 656.

[0312] Mounted to central shaft 650 is a flexible silicone diaphragm component 700 comprising an upper diaphragm part 710 received in metering chamber 634 and a lower diaphragm part 720 received in bore 638.

[0313] Upper diaphragm part 710 is coupled to a lower end of trailing end 650B of central shaft 650 and coupled to an upper periphery of metering chamber 634.

[0314] Lower diaphragm part 720 forms a pressure-actuated sleeve valve 722 covering outlet ports 656 and includes an end portion 730 defining an outlet nozzle 740 which functions as flavouring liquid outlet 212.

[0315] As illustrated, the output nozzle 740 and sleeve valve 722 formed by lower diaphragm part 720 and the upper diaphragm part 710 are formed as a single contiguous piece of flexible silicone.

[0316] Upper diaphragm part 710 is movable within metering chamber 634 between a retracted position (shown in FIG. 27D) and an advanced position (shown in FIG. 27F) with movement from the retracted position to the advanced position forcing flavouring syrup received in metering chamber 634 to enter inlet ports 654 and flow through central passageway 652 to outlet ports 656 whereupon pressure-activated sleeve valve 722 allows the flavouring syrup to be dispensed out through outlet nozzle 740. Movement of upper diaphragm part 710 from the advanced position to the retracted position allows flavouring syrup to enter the metering chamber 634 from bottle 602.

[0317] Annular wall 270B of bulk container receptacle 270 defines an open-topped CO.sub.2 collector region 272 (e.g. open bucket region) surrounding the bulk container dispenser module 610 and configured to receive CO.sub.2 from removable bottle 30 during an exhaust cycle via a CO.sub.2 feed pipe 274 connected to a venture nozzle 280. Venturi nozzle 280 is configured to receive gas flowing from removable aerator bottle 30 to the CO.sub.2 collector region 272 during an exhaust cycle and comprises an upstream tap 282 connected to gas inlet 672. Exhaust gas entering CO.sub.2 collector region 272 via CO.sub.2 feed pipe 274 floods the environment around gas inlet 626 of dispenser module 610 which permits CO.sub.2 to be pulled into bottle 602 via gas line 624/gas outlet 628 as metering chamber 634 fills with flavouring syrup. By virtue of the open top, excess CO.sub.2 escapes CO.sub.2 collector region 272 to atmosphere to avoid pressure build up in the bottle 602. Although CO.sub.2 flooding is illustrated in this example, simple air-fill venting is also possible (e.g. where the flavouring syrup in bottle 602 is suitable for prolonged contact with air).

[0318] In operation, aerator device 10 provides the same functionality as aerator device 10 (e.g. the ability to dispense aerated liquid direct from the removable aerator bottle 30 or via aerated liquid dispenser outlet 80 with optional flavouring via flavouring liquid outlet 212). However, as illustrated in FIGS. 27A-27F the gas cycles are modified to take account of the changes to the internal structure.

[0319] In Step 1 (FIG. 27A) the system is at rest with upper diaphragm part 710 in the advanced position. Exhaust solenoid valve 242 is open and the gas reservoir 250 connection via 3/2 gas outlet solenoid valve 230is closed.

[0320] In Step 2 (FIG. 27B) exhaust solenoid valve 242 is closed whilst the system is carbonating. During this step pressurised CO.sub.2 from the headspace of removable aerator bottle 30 is passed to gas reservoir 250 for later use in dispensing the flavouring syrup. The gas reservoir 250 connection via 3/2 gas outlet solenoid valve 230 remains closed to prevent release of pressurised CO.sub.2 from gas reservoir 250.

[0321] In Step 3 (FIG. 27C) the exhaust solenoid valve 242 is opened as the system performs an exhaust cycle to bring the pressure in the headspace of removable aerator bottle 30 down to a lower pressure (in this case down to approximately atmospheric pressure as dispensing of the aerated liquid will use gas pressure supplied by air pump 260). As the exhausted CO.sub.2 passes through venturi nozzle 280, venturi nozzle 280 generates negative pressure at upstream tap 282 to suck upper diaphragm part 710 into the retracted position causing metering chamber 634 to fill with flavouring syrup. Again, the gas reservoir 250 connection via 3/2 gas outlet solenoid valve 230 remains closed to prevent release of pressurised CO.sub.2 from gas reservoir 250. In the case of multiple carbonation cycles, exhaust solenoid valve 242 may be actuated between carbonation cycles and at the end of carbonation.

[0322] In Step 4 (FIG. 27D) the exhaust cycle is completed and the metering chamber 634 is fully charged with a measure of flavouring syrup;

[0323] In Step 5 (FIG. 27E) the system is dispensing with air pump 260 applying low pressure air to the headspace of removable aerator bottle 30 to push the aerated liquid up through dip tube 122 to aerated liquid dispenser outlet 80. In this dispensing mode exhaust solenoid valve 242 is closed and the gas reservoir 250 connection via 3/2 gas outlet solenoid valve 230 is opened to allow stored pressurised CO.sub.2 from gas reservoir 250 to flow into metering chamber 640 via gas inlet 672. This positive gas pressure from gas reservoir 250 causes upper diaphragm part 710 to collapse and force flavouring syrup out through outlet nozzle 740 for combining with the aerated liquid flow via aerated liquid dispenser outlet 80. This flavouring syrup dispensing action continues until the metering chamber 634 is emptied and upper diaphragm part 710 is returned to the retracted position.

[0324] In Step 6 (FIG. 27F) dispensing process is complete and the system is back to the rest state with exhaust solenoid valve 242 re-opened and the gas reservoir 250 connection via 3/2 gas outlet solenoid valve 230 closed.

[0325] In this way, a system is provided in which stored gas from gas reservoir 250 is used to collapse the upper diaphragm part 710 and dispense the flavouring syrup received in metering chamber 634, with CO.sub.2 exhausted after the carbonation cycle being used to both refill the bottle 602 andby means of venturi nozzle 280create a reduced pressure in metering chamber 634 to suck upper diaphragm part 710 down and re-fill the metering chamber.

[0326] In one embodiment, removable bulk container 600 is configured to be installed in bulk container receptacle 270 in a predetermined orientation (e.g. to prevent accidental disconnection of bottle to dispenser when fitted to machine). In one example, the bottle 602 may have a substantially cylindrical profile with a single flat sided portion (e.g. anti-rotation portion). The bottle 602 may configured to be installed in bulk container receptacle in a single orientation relative to housing 12. This also allows for orientation of bottle 602 for smart reading of product data (e.g. barcode read by electronic controller 80) to set carbonation level and water volume for the finished drink.

[0327] As an alternative to the fixed-volume bulk container 600 described above, a simplified version of bulk container dispenser module 610 may be used for a variable bulk container (e.g. bag or collapsible bottle) where the gas inlet into the bottle may be omitted.

[0328] FIG. 28A shows an example of a first alternative bulk container dispenser module 610 comprising a simple central sealed plug for use with a variable volume container.

[0329] FIG. 28B shows an example of a second alternative bulk container dispenser module 610 including a membrane piercing element 680 for use with a variable volume container including a membrane 608 for sterile fill products.

[0330] As will be appreciated, portable domestic aerator devices 10, 10 provide significant enhancements and flexibility over a conventional domestic carbonator device whilst being substantially powered by gas pressure available in the headspace of a conventional domestic carbonator device. In this way, the enhancement and increased flexibility are provided with minimal additional complexity and cost the aerator device.