Patent ID: 9346024
Filing Date: 2016-05-24
CPC Classification: A23L,B01F,B67D

Claim Text:
1. Apparatus for adding a gas comprising carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide to a liquid during dispense thereof from a supply of said liquid; the apparatus comprising: a membrane contactor having a contactor housing with a plurality of gas-permeable hollow fibres mounted therein, the contactor housing having a gas port communicating with the interior of the fibres and adapted to receive said gas at a controlled pressure thereat, and input and output ports for liquid communicating with space within the contactor housing surrounding the fibres; a first valve having a first valve inlet port arranged for communication with the supply of liquid and a first valve outlet port communicating with the inlet port for liquid and arranged for supply of said liquid to the inlet port for liquid at a higher pressure than said controlled gas pressure; a dispense tap coupled to the output port for liquid and adapted to dispense liquid to ambient: and a control system coupled to monitor opening and closing of the first valve and the dispense tap, whereby to the control a start dispense step in which dispensing commences and a stop dispense step in which dispensing is stopped, the control system being arranged to open the first valve with said dispensing tap in said start dispense step, and being arranged to close said first valve in said stop dispense step, and to relieve pressure build-up in liquid in communication with the said space after closure of the first valve and while maintaining the first valve closed.