Counter with integral carbonated beverage dispenser

A counter with internal carbonated beverage dispenser is disclosed. A counter with a bottom platform, a refrigerating unit disposed on the bottom platform and under the counter, a mixing drum disposed on the bottom platform and under the counter, and a carbon dioxide cylinder disposed on the bottom platform and under the counter so that all of the unsightly components are hid under the counter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention: 
The present invention relates to a carbonated beverage dispenser. 
More particularly, the present invention relates to a carbonated beverage 
dispenser located entirely out of sight below a counter. 
2. Description of the Prior Art: 
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,550 to Gilbey relates to apparatus which can be 
connected to a cylinder containing CO.sub.2 so that water, still wines, 
milk, and soft drinks of all kinds can be aerated. 
At present it is normally customary to provide the gas in what can be 
termed "commercial" types of cylinders which are large and bulky and not 
easy to handle. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,550 to Gilbey teaches a portable free standing or 
wall mounted aerating apparatus which is inexpensive to construct and 
simple to operate, and which can be used in the home and small 
establishments in combination with a comparatively small cylinder for the 
gas that has an outlet valve which can be readily connected to a gas 
cylinder holder of the apparatus, and which is actuated by means provided 
on the latter. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,473 to Gilbey relates to portable apparatus for 
carbonating water, suitable for use, for example, in homes, offices, 
restaurants, and bars. 
In the first category, a bottle containing water is mounted in the machine 
and water is carbonated in the bottle which is then removed from the 
apparatus. Apparatus of this type is described, for example, in British 
Patent Specification No. 145 3363 and has been widely marketed in Great 
Britain and elsewhere. 
In the second category of apparatus, the apparatus includes a pressure 
vessel and a header tank. The vessel has a valved bottom inlet to admit 
fresh water from the header tank to the pressure vessel. A valved outlet 
in an upper region of the vessel is provided for discharging carbonated 
water. And an injection nozzle for admitting CO.sub.2 under pressure. 
Fresh water is carbonated within the vessel and the outlet and inlet are 
opened to admit fresh water from a header tank to the bottom inlet. The 
fresh water displaces the carbonated water upwardly in the vessel and 
through the outlet. This type of apparatus is described, for example, in 
British Patent Specification No. 392,750. 
In the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 392,750, the inlet and outlet 
valve members take the form of poppet type, which face sealing valves 
which are spring loaded against their respective valve seats. Because the 
valves must resist the pressure generated in the vessel during 
carbonation, it is necessary for the spring acting on the outlet valve to 
be sufficiently powerful to resist the pressure tending to blow the valve 
off its seating. This in turn means that a correspondingly large force 
must be applied to open the valve when the carbonated water is to be 
discharged, with the result that the apparatus may be difficult to operate 
by a woman or child, unless, of course, a somewhat complex mechanism is 
designed to provide a suitable mechanical advantage. The mechanism is in 
any case slightly complicated by the need to provide lost motion between 
the two valves, so that the outlet will always be opened in advance of the 
inlet. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,473 to Gilbey teaches a portable apparatus for 
carbonating water, and which includes a pressure vessel and a header tank. 
The vessel has a valved bottom inlet to admit fresh water from the header 
tank to the pressure vessel. And a valved outlet in an upper region of the 
vessel for discharging carbonated water. And an injection nozzle for 
admitting CO.sub.2 under pressure. The inlet and outlet valves take the 
form of pistons which are rigidly connected together to form a unitary 
plunger that has equal areas exposed within the pressure vessel, so that 
the plunger is substantially pressure balanced. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,551 to Adolfsson et al. relates to an appliance for 
making an aerated beverage. 
Appliances have been proposed for making aerated beverages in the home. One 
known form of such an appliance includes a casing that has means for 
mounting a container of pressurized carbon dioxide on the casing. A 
manually operable valve is provided to control the outflow of carbon 
dioxide from this container. A nozzle is connected to the valve to receive 
carbon dioxide from the valve. And means are provided for mounting a 
bottle that contains water in such a way that the nozzle is immersed in 
the water in the bottle. The appliance also includes an overpressure 
safety valve which can communicate with the interior of the bottle. 
The means for mounting the bottle include a shatterproof housing, made of 
metal and which surrounds the bottle. This shatterproof housing is being 
pivotally mounted on the casing. The bottle is inserted into the 
shatterproof housing in such a way that the depending nozzle extends into 
water in the bottle. The housing is pivoted to a vertical position and a 
lever is operated to lift, by means of a cam, a table which urges the 
bottle upwardly against a stopper within the shatterproof housing. 
With the bottle so mounted, the manually operate valve is actuated and 
carbon dioxide is projected through the nozzle into the water and goes 
into solution. When the pressure reaches a preset value, the safety valve 
opens which usually makes a buzzing sound to indicate that the bottle can 
be removed. 
In order to remove the bottle, the lever is actuated again so that the 
table is lowered and the housing is then pivoted out and the bottle 
removed. The aerated drink can simply be soda water or can have added to 
it a suitable flavoring concentrate or syrup to provide drinks such as 
cola, tonic water, etc. 
These appliances are reasonably satisfactory, but they do require several 
operations before an aerated beverage can be made. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,551 to Adolfsson et al. teaches an appliance for 
making an aerated beverage including a casing. Means for mounting the 
container of pressurized carbon dioxide in the casing. A manually operable 
valve to control the outflow of carbon dioxide from the container. A 
nozzle connected to the manually operable valve to control the outflow of 
carbon dioxide from sad container. A nozzle connected to sad manually 
operable valve to receive carbon dioxide from the valve. Means for 
mounting a bottle containing water so that the nozzle is immersed in the 
water in the bottle. A flexible diaphragm surround the upper end of the 
nozzle. A stopper carried by the diaphragm and closes the neck of the 
bottle when so mounted. A space formed above the diaphragm communicating 
with the interior of the bottle when mounted with the stopper in its neck. 
The upwardly projected area of the diaphragm forms a wall of the space 
being greater than the downwardly projected area of the stopper. The 
pressure of the carbon dioxide urges the stopper into engagement with the 
neck of the bottle. And an overpressure safety valve communicates with the 
space above the diaphragm. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,710 to Adolfsson et al. relates to an apparatus for 
aerating a liquid, such as water, and flavored water, for preparing 
aerated beverages. 
Several apparatus to be used for this purpose are previously known. All of 
which include a stand and a sealing member for sealing the mouth of a 
glass bottle during the aeration process. Carbon dioxide is supplied to 
the interior of the bottle through a pipe extending through the sealing 
member, and aerates the contents in the bottle. 
At one such known apparatus, which is disclosed in GB-PS 1 468 469, a 
sealing member includes a rubber cone movable against the pressure from a 
spring, is positioned in the upper portion of a cylinder, which is 
hingedly attached in the stand to its upper portion. The cylinder 
constitutes a protection against bursting. The glass bottle is inserted 
from below into the cylinder, in that the cylinder is swung outward so 
that its lower end is located outside the stand. Thereafter the cylinder 
is swung inward to the stand to a substantially vertical position 
whereafter the bottle is pressed against the resilient sealing member due 
to co-operation of the bottle with a supporting surface on the stand. 
The protection against bursting is extremely important. Glass bottles that 
have been used and reused may be damaged or have material defects, which 
may cause the bottle to burst to pieces at the aerating process, which 
takes place at a relatively high pressure. 
This known apparatus, however, has the disadvantage that when the high 
pressure in the bottle during the aerating process has not been vented 
sufficiently, the bottle at the outward pivotal movement of the cylinder 
for removing the bottle will be pushed out of the cylinder with great 
force and may injure the operator. 
A serious risk involved with the known apparatus in this connection is, 
that children handling the apparatus at home my pivot the cylinder outward 
when the bottle is under pressure, whereby the bottle is ejected from the 
cylinder with very great force. 
A further disadvantage is, that it is relatively difficult to insert the 
bottle, because the mouth of the bottle must be fitted against the sealing 
member, which is not visible at the moment of insertion. The bottle, 
moreover, may easily be dropped when it is to be removed from the 
cylinder. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,710 to Adolfsson et al. teaches an apparatus 
including a stand in which space is assigned for a glass bottle and for a 
gas tube containing carbon dioxide, and a sealing member for sealing the 
mouth of a glass bottle during the aeration process. Through which sealing 
member a pipe for carbon dioxide extends and opens beneath the sealing 
member. 
At the space assigned for the glass bottle a bursting protection is 
provided, which is movable upward and downward relative to the stand and 
to a glass bottle positioned as intended. Bursting protection in its upper 
position permits free placement of a bottle standing in a place assigned 
for this purpose in the lower portion of the stand. And which in its lower 
position entirely encloses a bottle thus positioned. And the sealing 
member is located in the upper portion of the bursting protection and 
capable to be caused to seal against the mouth of a bottle only when the 
bursting protection is in its lower position. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,762 to Child et al. relates to an appliance for 
making an aerated beverage. 
One form of device for making an aerated beverage, for example, such as 
described in British Pat. No. 1453367 and also in an Application published 
under No. 2026882. The device includes a casing in which is enclosed a 
container of pressurized liquid carbon dioxide and is connected thereto by 
a manually operable valve. An elongate nozzle which is either permanently 
angle downwardly and forwardly or is pivotally pivotable between such a 
position and the vertical position. The bottle which is partly filled with 
water is moved upwardly relative to the nozzle so that the nozzle is 
immersed in the water, with the nozzle in the inclined position. The 
bottle is held in position with its neck against the stopper at the top of 
the nozzle after pivoting the nozzle to the vertical position. The 
appliance also includes a shatterproof housing which surrounds the bottle 
when it is in position around the nozzle. 
The manually operated valve is actuated a few times and carbon dioxide gas 
is thus introduced into the water. A safety valve is provided which 
releases any excess pressure which may occur in the bottle. The bottle is 
then removed from the appliance and its contents are either used in this 
form as soda water, or a concentrate flavoring syrup is added to obtain an 
aerate beverage, such as lemonade, tonic water, and cola, etc. 
Such an apparatus is generally satisfactory but the amount of carbon 
dioxide used can be in excess of that which is necessary to aerate the 
beverage. The reason for this is that it is customary for the bottle to be 
filled with water to a level so that the water occupies about three 
quarters of the total volume of the bottle. This reduces the chance of the 
mixture of the aerated water and syrup effervescing over the neck of the 
bottle which would clearly be both wasteful and messy. The space above the 
water, however, becomes filled with pressurized carbon dioxide which is 
subsequently wasted when the bottle is removed from the stopper. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,762 to Child et al. teaches an appliance that has, 
associated with the nozzle, a displacement body which is capable of being 
passed into the neck of the bottle and which will displace a significant 
volume of air and/or water, so that when the bottle is in position, with 
the nozzle and displacement body therein, the level of the water is such 
as to leave only a small volume of air thereabove. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,081 to Mabb relates to portable apparatus for 
aerating liquids. 
In known apparatus which is disclosed in British patent No. 1,453,363, a 
bottle containing liquid to be carbonated is, after being loaded into the 
machine, raised into sealing engagement with an aerating head, by a 
platform. The platform itself is lifted by a cam mechanism which is 
mounted within the machine casing and is rotated by means of a handle with 
the cam shaft outside the housing. The platform has an integral rigid stem 
which bears against the cam. As the handle is turned to raise the bottle, 
the cam rotates lifting the platform and bottle until the top of the 
bottle bears against the seal of the aerating head. Continued turning of 
the handle to its limit position causes further rotation of the cam, but 
because the bottle and platform cannot be raised any further, the cam is 
deflected downwardly. When the bottle is pressurized during the 
carbonating process, the gas pressure generated in the air space above the 
liquid in the bottle produces an additional downward force on the bottle 
and its supporting platform with the result that the cam mechanism 
undergoes further deflection. The repeated bending of the cam shaft caused 
by the downward deflection of the cam is of course an undesirable effect 
arising due to the rigidity of the bottle raising mechanism. A further 
disadvantage can arise because the glass bottles for the liquid can only 
be made to a certain height tolerance. And short bottles may not be lifted 
high enough by the lifting mechanism to form an effective seal with the 
aerating head. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,081 to Mabb teaches a portable apparatus for 
aerating liquids, including an aerating head, means for supplying gas to 
the aerating head, a platform for lifting a bottle containing liquid to be 
aerated into sealing engagement with the aerating head, means operable to 
raise the platform, and a resiliently compressible element interposed 
between the raising means and the platform. The element is arranged to be 
compressed when a bottle is lifted into engagement with the aerating head 
whereby to ensure adequate sealing pressure between the bottle and the 
aerating head. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,016 to Adams et al. relates to an appliance for 
making an aerated beverage. 
Conventionally, an appliance of this type can consist of a casing in which 
is enclosed or mounted a container of pressurized liquid carbon dioxide. 
Connected to this container, by a manually operated valve, is an elongate 
nozzle which is either permanently angled downwardly and forwardly or is 
pivotable between such a position and a vertical position. A bottle, which 
is partly filled with water, is moved upwardly relative to the nozzle so 
that the nozzle is immersed in the water with the nozzle in the inclined 
position. The bottle is held in place with its neck against a stopper at 
the top of the nozzle after pivoting the nozzle to the vertical position. 
The appliance also includes a shatterproof housing which surrounds the 
bottle when it is in position around the nozzle. 
A manually operated valve is actuated a few times and carbon dioxide gas is 
thus introduced into the water. The safety valve is provided which 
releases any excess pressure which may occur in the bottle which may 
thereafter be removed from the appliance. Its contents are either used in 
its form, as soda water, or as a concentrate flavoring syrup added to 
obtain an aerated beverage such as lemonade, tonic water, or cola, etc. 
Such a construction is relatively complex and expensive to manufacture. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,016 to Adams et al. teaches an appliance for making 
an aerated beverage. The appliance includes a casing, a support member 
pivotally mounted on the casing, a connection carried by the support 
member for mounting a container of pressurized liquid carbon dioxide, a 
shatterproof housing for a bottle of water carried by the support member, 
a nozzle communicating with the connection and extending from the support 
member downwardly within the housing, a stopper for engaging in the neck 
of a bottle, means for supporting the bottle in the housing so that the 
stopper is engaged therein, and a safety pressure valve connected to the 
interior of the bottle when the stopper is engaged in its neck. 
The pivotable connection between the casing and the support member causes 
the shatterproof housing, the nozzle, the stopper, and the container of 
pressurized liquid carbon dioxide all to pivot therewith relative to the 
casing as a pivotal assembly from a first position in which the bottle can 
be introduced into or removed from the housing and a second position in 
which the means for supporting the bottle engage the bottle to prevent its 
removal. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,994 to Mabb relates to apparatus for aerating 
carbonated water. 
Known types of aerating apparatus include industrial plants for large scale 
production of bottled beverages including carbonated water. Smaller plants 
of a commercial size for use in making carbonated drinks at the location 
of sale to the public is provided. For example a bar or restaurant, and 
portable machines for domestic household use. The last mentioned devices 
are simple and compact compared with the industrial and commercial 
carbonating plants, and have become popular in recent years. 
It is well known that the carbonation of water is improved if the water is 
chilled prior to introducing the carbon dioxide gas. For this reason it is 
usual to include in the known industrial and commercial plants a cooler 
for cooling the water before carbonation. In the case of the known 
portable machines intended for domestic use, however, incorporating a 
cooling mechanism for cooling the water is not considered a practical 
proposition since it would complicate the device, substantially increase 
its cost and make it less compact. 
Consequently, it is suggested that bottles of water be chilled in a 
refrigerator before being carbonated using the portable machines, but this 
is often inconvenient. As a solution to this drawback, it has been 
proposed to provide the portable apparatus with a detachable reservoir 
tank from which the water is drawn into a pressure chamber for 
carbonation. A spare tank of water is kept within the refrigerator so that 
it is well cooled when mounted on the apparatus. The result is 
satisfactory only if the entire contents of the reservoir are carbonated 
upon being removed from the refrigerator. Otherwise the uncarbonated water 
soon returns to ambient temperature. There is also a disadvantage in the 
need to replace continually the reservoir tank and remember to store the 
spare tank in the refrigerator. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,103,479 provides a carbonator housed entirely within the 
food compartment or a refrigerator. 
The carbonator is connected to the water supply system, which is 
inconvenient since it means that the refrigerator must be plumbed in to 
the household water supply. The apparatus is also inconvenient to use 
since the refrigerator door must be opened to gain access to the controls 
and the discharge nozzle of the carbonator. Furthermore it enables only a 
relatively small volume of water to be cooled ready for carbonation so it 
is not capable of succession. An additional disadvantage is that the 
carbonated water is discharged under pressure which can cause foaming and 
splashing within the refrigerator. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,994 to Mabb teaches a solution to the above 
drawbacks. In accordance with a first broad aspect resides in a domestic 
refrigerator that has a cold food compartment defined within a walled 
cabinet including a door, and a carbonating apparatus mounted within the 
cold chamber and operable to deliver carbonated liquid to a discharge 
nozzle. The carbonating apparatus is mounted on the inside of the 
refrigerator door and a sealed pressure chamber and a reservoir, both 
exposed to the temperature in the cold compartment. Valve means to control 
supply of liquid to the pressure chamber from the reservoir tank and 
discharge of liquid from the pressure chamber to the nozzle. A gas supply 
valve for controlling supply of pressurized gas from a gas source to the 
pressure chamber. An exhaust valve operable to release the gas pressure in 
the pressure camber. A control arrangement extending through the 
refrigerator door to be operable from outside the cold compartment. A the 
discharge nozzle is mounted to deliver liquid on the outer side of the 
door. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,541 to Harris relates to carbonating water to make 
fizzy drinks. 
The portable carbonating machines currently available for use in the home 
are entirely mechanically operated. A person using one of these machines 
is required to perform a series of manual operations in a specified 
sequence, if a satisfactory result is to be achieved. As a result, 
children and persons unfamiliar with this kind of carbonating apparatus 
can experience difficulty in using the machines. Portable carbonators of 
the mechanical type are described, for example, in Patent Specification 
Nos. GB No. 1453363, GB No. 1468469, and GB No. 2026882. 
A carbonating apparatus includes a carbonating chamber. First valve means 
for controlling admission of liquid to and discharge of carbonated liquid 
from the chamber. A gas jet nozzle mounted in the chamber for injecting 
carbon dioxide gas into liquid contained in the chamber. Means for 
connecting the jet nozzle to a source of pressurized gas including second 
valve means for controlling the supply of gas. Pressure releasing means 
communicating with an upper part of the chamber and including third valve 
means. The first, second, and third valve means are electrically actuable 
and controlled by electronic control means which is so programmed that in 
response to a start signal supplied to the control means, the first valve 
means is actuated for the admission of liquid to the chamber to 
substantially fill the chamber. After closure of the first valve means, 
the second valve means is actuated one or more times for periods of set 
duration or when gas is to be supplied to the jet nozzle and injected into 
the liquid. After termination of the gas supply and a short delay the 
third valve means is opened to release the pressure in the chamber. 
Following further short delay after opening the exhaust valve the first 
valve means may be actuated for carbonated liquid to be discharged from 
the chamber. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,541 to Harris teaches a control means including an 
electronic timer control device which actuates the first valve means for a 
predetermined time for admission of liquid into the chamber, and enables 
the first valve means to be actuated to discharge liquid from the chamber 
after a predetermined delay has elapsed after opening the third valve 
means. A timer control device has the advantage of simplifying the 
apparatus by avoiding the need for sensor or feedback signals to determine 
when each stage in the operation has been completed and the next can be 
commenced. However, means to provide such signals is desirable and is 
included in the apparatus. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,536 to Adolfsson relates to apparatus for supplying 
gas to a liquid in a container has been; a gas conduit discharging 
thereinto for preparing aerated beverages. Arranged in the upper part of 
the container is an orifice through which liquid is introduced into the 
container. 
For the purpose of preparing aerated beverages on a small scale, for 
example in the home, apparatus are known by means of which carbon dioxide 
can be supplied to water in a bottle, the water then being flavored with a 
flavoring substance. In the preparation of such beverages, it is necessary 
first to fill a bottle with water up to a given level, and then to hold 
the bottle firmly gripped in the apparatus while supplying carbon dioxide 
to the water. The bottle is then removed from the apparatus and the 
flavoring substance added. The beverage is then ready to be poured into a 
drinking glass or like vessel. 
In addition to being relatively complicated, since among other things it 
requires the use of a separate bottle whose shape and size are adapted to 
the apparatus in question, the aforedescribed procedure for preparing 
aerated beverages is also encumbered with other problems and safety risks. 
Among other things, it is difficult to obtain a good seal when using 
standard bottles, since the bottles can vary greatly in height. In 
addition, risks are involved when subjecting return bottles to pressure, 
since in addition to uneven manufacturing quality the bottles may have 
been damage during previous use or in transportation. Further, in the case 
of known apparatus the bottle can be pressurized without having been 
filled with liquid, which presents a risk of serious injury should the 
bottle explode. It is also possible with known apparatus to overfill the 
bottle with liquid, rendering it impossible to supply sufficient carbon 
dioxide to the liquid. In order to aerate a liquid effectively in a 
container, it is necessary to provide above the surface of the liquid a 
space in which the gas can be compressed. 
It has also been proposed to introduce carbon dioxide into a liquid 
enclosed in a container fixed in an apparatus, and to pour the aerated 
liquid directly from the container into a glass. The use of this container 
is also relatively complicated. However, and in some respects the 
arrangement is unsafe. For example, it is possible with such known 
apparatus to pressurize an empty container. Furthermore, it is possible to 
begin to pour liquid from the container while the container is still under 
high pressure. 
Apparatus of the kind mentioned in the aforementioned disadvantages are 
eliminated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,569. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,536 to Adolfsson teaches that the filling orifice 
of the container is provided with a closure means which is arranged to 
close the orifice automatically in conjunction with supplying gas to the 
container. Among other things, such an arrangement obviates the need for 
additional manual handling of the container when supplying carbon dioxide 
thereto. Such additional manual handling readily being forgotten. 
Furthermore, with such an arrangement the filling orifice is normally 
open, which facilitates both filling of the container and the pouring of 
liquid therefrom. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,282 Brooks relates to a portable apparatus for 
carbonating water to prepare carbonated drinks. 
In one known form of liquid carbonating apparatus the liquid to be 
carbonated is placed into a bottle and the bottle is loaded into a 
carbonating machine. A seal member is adapted to engage and seal closed 
the neck of the bottle, while a tube carrying a gas nozzle extends through 
the seal member and down into the bottle for injecting carbon dioxide gas 
into the liquid container in the bottle. The upper end of the gas tube is 
connected to a gas cylinder via a valve which is operated manually to 
supply gas to the injection nozzle. In order to limit the maximum pressure 
within the bottle, an exhaust passage is provided through the seal member 
and communicates with atmosphere through a relief valve which is arranged 
to open when the maximum pressure is exceeded. 
In general, the known carbonating apparatus of the above type operates 
satisfactorily. It does, however, suffer from certain drawbacks. 
Difficulty is sometimes experienced in achieving a satisfactory seal 
between the bottle and the sealing member, for example, as a result of 
variations in bottle heights due to manufacturing tolerances. 
In an attempt to solve the problem of the seal member and the bottle neck 
becoming forced apart by the pressure generated in the bottle during 
carbonation so that leakage occurs between the bottle and seal member, it 
has been proposed to support the seal member on a movable wall member, 
i.e. a diaphragm, or a piston, whose upper surface has an area greater 
than that of the bottle neck and is exposed to the same pressure as that 
which exists in the bottle. For this purpose a chamber defined on the 
upper side of the wall member communicates with the exhaust passage 
through the seal member. With this arrangement, the seal member is pressed 
down against the bottle neck with increasing force as the gas pressure 
rises thereby reversing the tendency for the bottle and seal member to 
move apart. The arrangement is not however without problems. The resultant 
downward force on the seal member is only obtained once a positive 
pressure has been created in the chamber above the movable wall. An 
initial seal is still required between the bottle and the seal member. As 
the pressure of the first burst of gas injected into the bottle is felt 
within the bottle neck before it reaches the chamber above the movable 
wall the initial sealing pressure must be capable of preventing the seal 
member from disengaging the bottle under this burst of pressure. 
A spring or the natural resilience of the diaphragm may be utilized in an 
attempt to ensure the initial sealing engagement. But, the magnitude of 
the initial sealing pressure required can lead to the seal member becoming 
damaged or worn by the bottle loading operation, especially if the bottle 
happens to be twisted as it is inserted. 
It has also been suggested to use an inflatable sealing member which is 
inserted into the bottle neck and is expanded into sealing engagement with 
the neck by the pressure of the gas delivered into the bottle. In order to 
operate correctly, only a small initial clearance is allowable between the 
sealing member and the bottle. Since it must be introduced into the bottle 
neck there is still a danger of it becoming worn and damaged if the bottle 
is not positioned in accurate alignment with it. An inflatable sealing 
member is also more complicated and expensive to manufacture. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,536 to Adolfsson teaches an apparatus for 
carbonating liquid contained in a bottle including sealing means for 
engaging and sealing closed the neck of the bottle, gas injecting means 
projecting downwardly from the sealing means for injecting gas into the 
liquid, means for supporting the bottle in a predetermined position with 
the neck of the bottle adjacent the seal means and the gas injecting means 
extending down into the liquid in the bottle, movable wall means carry the 
sealing means and movable under pressure in a chamber defined on the side 
thereof remote from the sealing means, and wall displacing means actuable 
the movable wall means downwardly for moving the sealing means before or 
as gas is first injected into the bottle from a position spaced above the 
bottle neck to a position of firm sealing engagement with the neck. 
The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,607 to Child et al. and the U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,422,371 to Child et al. are of similar construction as those 
discussed in the patents, supra. Numerous innovations for a counter with 
integral carbonated beverage dispenser have been provided in the prior art 
that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable 
for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not 
be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore 
described. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
carbonated beverage dispenser. 
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a 
carbonated beverage dispenser located entirely out of sight below a 
counter. 
In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent 
hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, 
in a counter with internal carbonated beverage dispenser including: a 
counter with a bottom platform, a refrigerating unit disposed on the 
platform bottom and under the counter, a mixing drum disposed on the 
platform bottom and under the counter, and a carbon dioxide cylinder 
disposed on the platform bottom and under the counter. 
When the counter with integral carbonated beverage dispenser is designed in 
accordance with the present invention, all of the unsightly components are 
hid under the counter out of sight. 
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the 
refrigerating unit is disposed adjacent to the mixing drum so that the 
contents of the mixing drum remains cold. 
Another feature of the present invention is that the mixing drum is 
substantially cylindrical shaped and contains three orifices. 
Yet another feature of the present invention is that the three orifices are 
a water inlet, a carbon dioxide inlet, and a carbonated beverage outlet. 
Still another feature of the present invention is that the carbon dioxide 
inlet contains a check valve so that the carbon dioxide flows only in one 
direction. 
Yet still another feature of the present invention is that the carbonated 
beverage outlet contains a check valve so that the carbonated beverage 
flows only in one direction. 
Still yet another feature of the present invention is that it further 
includes a carbon dioxide conduit connecting the carbon dioxide cylinder 
to the check valve at the carbon dioxide inlet so that the carbon dioxide 
in the cylinder flows only in one direction. 
Another feature of the present invention is that it further includes a 
water conduit connecting the mixing drum to a water supply. 
Yet another feature of the present invention is that it further includes a 
carbonated beverage conduit connecting the carbonated beverage outlet to 
the outlet pipe. 
Still another feature of the present invention is that it further includes 
a handle pivotally mounted to the counter. 
Yet still another feature of the present invention is that it further 
includes a check valve arrangement disposed between sad carbon dioxide 
cylinder and the counter. 
Still yet another feature of the present invention is that the check valve 
arrangement includes a push pin, and the handle includes a protrusion that 
rests on the push pin. 
The novel features which are considered characteristic for the invention 
are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, 
however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together 
with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood 
from the following description of the specific embodiments when read in 
connection with the accompanying drawing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
10--counter with integral carbonated beverage dispenser 
12--counter containing integral carbonated beverage dispenser 10 
14--platform of counter 12 
16--refrigerating unit for making drum 18 cold 
18--mixing drum for mixing the water and the CO.sub.2 
20--cylinder of carbon dioxide 
22--contents of the mixing drum 18 
24--water inlet orifice on the mixing drum 18 
26--carbon dioxide inlet orifice on the mixing drum 
28--carbonated beverage outlet orifice on the mixing drum 18 
30--check valve for the carbon dioxide inlet 26 
32--check valve for the carbonated beverage outlet 28 
34--check valve arrangement for the tank 20 of carbon dioxide 
36--carbon dioxide conduit 
38--arrow showing the direction of flow of the carbon dioxide in the tank 
20 
40--water conduit 
42--manually operated valve for inputting water 
44--arrow showing the direction of flow of the water 
46--carbonated beverage conduit 
48--orifice in counter 12 
50--a curved chrome plated outlet pipe 
52--bottle 
54--dispensing handle 
56--pivot point of the handle 54 
58--push pin of the check valve arrangement 34 
60--orifice in counter 12 
62--protrusion on the handle 54 
64--valve body of the check valve arrangement 34 
66--internal spring in the check valve arrangement 34 
68--"U"-channel for mounting the check valve arrangement 34 to the counter 
12 
70--one end of the check valve arrangement 34 
72--other end of the check valve arrangement 34 
74--passage 
76--outlet of the carbon dioxide cylinder 
78--shoe 
80--arrow indicating direction of pressure applied to the push pin 58 
82--arrow indicating direction of handle 54 
84--bottle with self dispensing means 
86--substantially cylindrical body 
88--flat bottom of the substantially cylindrical body 86 
90--domed top of the substantially cylindrical body 86 
92--spout of the substantially cylindrical body 86 
94--arm of the substantially cylindrical body 86 
96--dowel-like portion of arm 94 
98--extension of dowel-like portion of arm 94 
100--spring of arm 94 
102--hollow tube in body 86 
104--center of bottle 84 
106--lower free end of hollow tube 102 
108--upper end of hollow tube 102 
110--check valve on upper end 108 of hollow tube 102 
112--rod 
114--one end of rod 112 
116--a pipe disposed in the body 86 
117--other end of rod 
118--threaded connector 
120--orifice 
122--check valve on threaded connector 50 
124--water level in bottle 84 
126--arrow showing direction of travel of the dowel-like arm 94 
128--dome chamber 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIG. 1, the counter with integral carbonated beverage 
dispenser is shown generally at 10. 
The components are located under the counter 12 mounted to a bottom 
platform 14. Located on the platform 14 are a refrigerating unit 16, a 
mixing drum 18, a cylinder 20 of carbon dioxide, and various valving, 
piping, connectors, etc. 
The refrigerating unit 16 maintains the mixing drum 18 at a low temperature 
so as to increase the taste of the carbonated beverage in the mixing drum 
18. 
The mixing drum 18 is substantially cylindrical and contains three orifices 
24, 26, and 28. The orifice 24 is the water inlet. The orifice 26 is the 
carbon dioxide inlet. The orifice 28 is the carbonated beverage outlet. 
Mounted on the mixing drum 18, at the carbon dioxide inlet 26, is a check 
valve 30. 
Mounted on the mixing drum 18, at the carbonated beverage outlet 28 is a 
check valve 32. 
A conduit 36, originates at the carbon dioxide cylinder 20 and terminates 
at the check valve 30. The check valve 30 prevents the carbon dioxide in 
the line 36 from backing up into the cylinder 20. Arrow 38 shows the 
direction of flow of the carbon dioxide from the cylinder 20. 
A water conduit 40, originates at the manual operated valve 42 and 
terminates at the mixing drum 18. Arrow 44 shows the direction of flow of 
the water. 
A carbonated beverage conduit 46 originates at the check valve 32, passes 
through an orifice 48 in the counter 12, and terminates in a curved, 
chrome plated outlet pipe 50 used for dispensing the prepared carbonated 
beverage. The check valve 32 prevents the carbonated beverage in the line 
46 from backing up into the mixing drum 18. 
A bottle receptacle 52 is filled with and holds the prepared carbonated 
beverage until use, that is, the bottle 56 is removed and stored until 
use. 
A dispensing handle 54 is pivotally mounted to the counter 12 at pivot 
point 56. 
The check valve arrangement 34 includes a push pin 58 that passes through 
an orifice 60 in the counter 12 and remains passive while a protrusion 62 
on the handle 54 rests on the push pin 58. 
The check valve arrangement 34 for the carbon dioxide cylinder 20 can best 
be seen in FIGS. 2 and 2A. 
The check valve arrangement 34, shown in FIG. 2A is in the passive state. 
That is, no pressure is being applied to the push pin 58. The check valve 
arrangement 34 contains a valve body 64 with an internal spring 66. The 
check valve arrangement 34 is mounted at one end 70 to the counter 12 by 
use of a "U"-channel 68. While the other end 72 is threaded into the 
cylinder 20 of carbon dioxide. 
As can be seen, when the check valve arrangement 34 is in the passive 
state, the carbon dioxide occupies only the passage 74, since the outlet 
76 is blocked by a shoe 78. 
The check valve arrangement 34, shown in FIG. 2, is in the active state. 
That is, pressure is being applied to the push pin 58 in the direction of 
arrow 80 until the outlet 76 is in line with the passage 74, the carbon 
dioxide then passes from the passage 74 to the outlet 76 of the carbon 
dioxide cylinder 20. 
In operation, the refrigerating unit 16 is activated so that the water 
coming from the valve 42 and entering the mixing drum 18 is chilled before 
the carbon dioxide enters the mixing drum 18. When mixing drum 18 contains 
the required amount of water, the valve 42 is manually closed. 
The handle 54 is pressed down in the direction of arrow 82 until the 
protrusion 62 meets the push pin 58. Pressure is continually applied to 
the push pin 58 until the push pin 58 displaces the shoe 78 so that the 
passage 74 is in fluid communication with the outlet 76. 
The carbon dioxide then leaves the cylinder 20 and proceeds through the 
carbon dioxide conduit 36, passes check valve 30, and through orifice 26 
into the mixing drum 18. The water and the carbon dioxide are mixed, and 
leave the mixing drum 18 via the orifice 28, through the check valve 32, 
through the orifice 48, through a curved chrome plated outlet pipe 50, and 
into the bottle 52. 
As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the bottle 84 has self-dispensing means. 
The bottle 84 has a substantially cylindrical body 86 with a flat bottom 88 
and a domed top 90. 
A spout 92 is rigidly affixed to and extends from the cylindrical body 86 
for dispensing the fluid. As shown, the spout 92 and the cylindrical body 
86 can be of a one piece construction. 
An arm 94 is pivotally mounted to the exterior of the substantially 
cylindrical body 86. The arm 94 has a dowel-like portion 96 and an 
extension 98 attached to but offset from the dowel-like portion 96, and 
which is biased by spring 100. 
The bottle 84 contains a hollow tube 102 disposed down its center 104. The 
tube 102 has a lower free end 106 which sits in the fluid. The tube 102 
has an upper end 108 which is capped by a check valve 110. 
A rod 112 is attached at end 114 to the extension 98, and at end 117 to the 
check valve 110. 
A pipe 116 with a threaded connector 118 passes through orifice 120. The 
bottle can be filled by connecting the conduit 50 to the pipe 116. 
In operation, the conduit 50 is attached to the pipe 116. The pressure of 
the incoming fluid opens check valve 122 and the fluid now begins to fill 
the bottle 84. As the fluid begins to rise in the bottle 86 until a fluid 
level 124 is achieved. As long as the check valve 110 is closed the bottle 
86 will remain passive. 
In order to operate the bottle 86, the user pushes arm 94 in the direction 
of arrow 126. This causes the rod 112 to lift and open the check valve 
110. When the check valve 110 is opened, the fluid enters the tube 102 at 
its free end 106. the fluid and then enters the dome chamber 128 and 
leaves by way of the spout 92. 
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or 
more together, may also find a useful application in other types of 
constructions differing from the type described above. 
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a 
counter with integral carbonated beverage dispenser, it is not intended to 
be limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various 
omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and 
details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by 
those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of 
the present invention. 
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of 
the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, 
readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, 
from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential 
characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set 
forth in the appended claims.