Gas generator for a carbonated drink dispenser

Abstract: A chemical type CO₂ gas generator for a carbonated drink dispenser, which while embodied in several different implementations, commonly is comprised of a first and a second liquid reagent container with the second reagent container including a reaction chamber for generating a carbonating gas when the two reagents are mixed. Means are coupled between the containers for causing the first reagent to transfer from the first container to the reaction chamber of the second container when the pressure of the generated gas falls below a predetermined value.

Description: This invention relates generally to gas generator apparatus and more particularly to a CO₂ gas generator module which generates the gas by a chemical reaction. A beverage dispenser which uses syrup and carbonated water to produce a carbonated beverage typically uses a pressurized cylinder containing CO₂ as part of the apparatus. Such systems, moreover, require complex controls to not only ensure the correct degree of carbonation, but also to provide a constant water pressure while dispensing. The latter is essential for providing proper control of the water-syrup dispensing ratio in a constant carbonation level while water is being drawn from either an on-board or external supply. Conventional CO₂ cylinders comprise heavy, high pressure containers which are necessarily returnable, refillable packages and which are not only cumbersome and inconvenient in use, but also require external control of pressure and safety devices for safe operation. With the trend toward mini-sized and home type dispensers of carbonated soft drinks, there is a present need for a non-pressurized or low pressure CO₂ package inasmuch as it simplifies distribution through normal retail channels and provides greater convenience for the average user. Home dispensers are essentially relatively simple devices, with few controls, and in some instances, inserted in refrigerators, eliminating the need for separate cooling. This in turn implies a need for a simple, disposable, yet durable CO₂ generator module where generation of the CO₂ gas occurs automatically with little or no user manipulation. Otherwise, the advantages of simplicity and cost effectiveness are counterbalanced by the lack of essential convenience. DE-C-45 734 discloses a self-regulating gas generator for producing CO₂ gas. The gas generator comprises a first pressurized container for holding sulfuric acid and a second pressurized container for holding sodium bicarbonate. CO₂ gas is generated in the second container by transferring sulfuric acid from the first container into the second container. The pressure developed in the second container inhibits flow of the sulfuric acid when the pressure in the second container is equal to or greater than the pressure in the first container. The pressure in the first container is initially greater than the pressure in the second container. The output pressure of the CO₂ gas can be adjusted by connecting the head spaces of the first and second containers by a conduit which will be shut off as soon as the desired pressure has developed in the first container. After the initial pressure has been adjusted, the CO₂ production will be controlled solely by the pressure differential between the two containers. It is, therefore, important to close the conduit connecting the head spaces of the two containers in good time otherwise the pressure would rise unlimited, i.e. up to failure of the container walls. US-A-27 775 discloses a CO₂ gas generator wherein the first container holding the sulfuric acid is mounted coaxially within the second container so that the gas generator is a compact apparatus. The pressure of the generated gas is used to pump water into a receiver or cooler in which it is charged with the gas and from which it may be drawn off into bottles. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention as claimed in claims 1, 4 and 7 solves the problem of how to provide a gas generator especially adapted for use with mini-sized and home type drink dispensers. The gas generator of the invention has the advantage of being of a relatively small size and simple construction with little or no user manipulation required. Because the pressure in the first container is initially greated than the pressure in the second container and a pressure value can be set above which gas generation is inhibited, the user merely has to install the one-piece gas generator into the carbonated drink dispenser in order to be able to draw off carbonated water. Due to the arrangement of the first and second containers as inner and outer coaxial chambers located within a common housing and all the coupling means being included in a flat base region only minimum manipulation by the user is required in order to replace an exhausted gas generator by a new gas generator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject invention will be better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the overall arrangement of a carbonated soft drink dispenser and a gas generator; Figures 2A and 2B are mechanical schematic diagrams partly in section of a first embodiment of the invention; Figures 3 through 6 are mechanical schematic diagrams of further embodiments of the invention; Figures 7 and 8 are central cross sectional views illustrative of an axial type pressure regulator utilized in conjunction with the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6; Figures 9 and 10 are cross sectional views illustrative of another type of pressure regulator device utilized in connection with the embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8; and Figure 11 is a cross sectional view of a modification of the pressure regulator shown in Figures 10A and 10B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows a carbonated soft drink dispenser 10 which includes a carbonator unit, not shown, wherein carbon dioxide (CO₂) is mixed with water to form carbonated water by the bubbling action of the CO₂ as it passes through the liquid. Carbonated water is then mixed with a quantity of syrup from a container, also mounted in the dispenser 10 where it is then applied to a dispensing port 12 located above an overflow and cup support tray 14. The CO₂ generator as shown in Figure 1 comprises, inter alia, a pair of generally cylindrical containers 16 and 18. The container 16 is relatively smaller than the container 18 by being relatively shorter in height while having substantially the same cross sectional diameter. Typically, the container 16 comprises a two gallon cannister while the container 18 comprises a five gallon cannister. Both containers 16 and 18 are constructed to withstand an operating pressure on the order of 860 kPa (125 psi). at room temperature. The materials from which the containers 16 and 18 are made are resistant to certain acid solution, for example, phosphoric acid. A first pair of tubes 20 and 22 extend into the top portion of the container 16 through a respective pair of fittings 24 and 26. In the same manner, a second pair of tubes 28 and 30 extend into the top of the container 18 through fittings 32 and 34. The tubes 22 and 28 extend down into the respective containers 16 and 18 to near the bottom thereof while the tubes 20 and 30 reach only into the upper portion thereof which defines a respective headspace. Further as shown in Figure 1, the tubes 22 and 28 are connected together by means of a check valve 36 and an electrical solenoid valve 38. The upper end of the tube 20 extending into the container 16 terminates in a second check valve 40 which is connected to an electrical pressure sensor 42. The sensor 42 is connected by a pair of electrical leads 44 and 46 to an electrical power source 48 which may be, for example, a DC battery. The other tube 30 extending upwardly from the container 18 terminates in a tee connector 50 which has one side connected to the pressure sensor 42 and the other side to a CO₂ delivery tube 52 which connects to the carbonator unit, not shown, of the dispenser 10. A pair of electrical leads 51 and 53 connect from the pressure sensor device 42 to the solenoid valve 38 for actuating the valve. In operation, the container 16 is partially filled with approximately 7.6 litre of, for example, a solution of phosphoric acid and is pressurized to approximately 690 kPa (100 psi). by carbon dioxide from an external system. Approximately one gallon of water is then poured into the container 18 followed by the addition of 42 pounds of, for example, sodium bicarbonate. The container 18 is then pressurized to approximately 480 kPa (70 psi). With all the mechanical connections made, as shown in Figure 1, a pressure differential will exist between the containers 16 and 18. The phosphoric acid solution will then flow from the container 16 into the container 18 via the tubes 22 and 28. The phosphoric acid enters the bottom of container 18 where it reacts with the sodium bicarbonate, causing carbon dioxide to be formed. As a result of the CO₂ generation, the pressure in the headspace at the top of the container 18 rises above 690 kPa (100 psi). At this point the pressure sensor 42, which is responsive to this magnitude of pressure, shuts off the solenoid valve 38 which in turn stops the flow of phosphoric acid into the container 18. The gas generated within the container 18 is fed into the dispenser 10 via the tube 52. As more and more carbon dioxide is used in the dispensing apparatus 10, the pressure in container 18 will decrease and drop below 550 kPa (80 psi.), for example. At that time the pressure sensor 42 opens the solenoid valve 38 and phosphoric acid will again be made to flow from the container 16 into the container 18. The headspaces of containers 16 and 18 are connected with a check valve 36 and 40, thus preventing the flow of gas from container 16 to container 18. Thus the container 16 always remains at approximately 690 kPa (100 psi). The pressure values are selectively chosen; however, when desirable, the pressure requirements may be reduced as will be shown in the subsequent embodiments depending upon the particular application. When all the chemicals have been used up, the container 16 will be empty. The container 18, on the other hand, will contain a mixture of phosphates. The empty container 16 can be replenished when desired while the contents of the container 18 can be disposed of for use, for example, as a fertilizer. When desirable, the solenoid valve 38, the check valve 36 and the section of tubing between the pressure sensor 42 and the tube 20 can be deleted by placing a pump in the lines 22 and 38 externally of the containers, whereupon the pressure sensor 42 operates to turn the pump on and off as necessary. In such a modification, the container 16 need not be a pressurized vessel and could be an open container or a bag-in-box type container if desired. A embodiment of a chemical CO₂ generator in accordance with this invention is shown in Figures 2A and 2B. The embodiment shown in Figure 2A, for example, discloses a refillable chemical CO₂ generator in the form of an easily replaceable plug-in type module comprising a generally cylindrical bell type metal or plastic housing 54 which includes an inner chamber 56 containing, for example, a solution of phosphoric acid and a concentric outer chamber 58, containing water and sodium bicarbonate, which envelops the inner chamber 56. The housing 54, moreover, is rounded at the upper end and substantially flat on the bottom where there is located four female sections 60, 62, 64 and 66 of four quick-disconnect socket type fluid couplers 68, 70, 72 and 74 whose male sections 76, 78, 80 and 82 are fastened to a support surface 84 which may be located, for example, inside of a carbonated drink dispenser, not shown. Further as shown in Figure 2A, the housing includes an outer wall member 86 and an inner wall member 88. The inner wall member 88 includes a horizontal flat base member 90 which includes an upturned outer flange 92 which engages and is sealed against the lower bottom portion of the outer wall member 86. A circular inner flat base member 94 including upturned outer flange 96 is in contact with and is sealed against the bottom portion of the inner wall member 88. Four small openings or holes 98, 100,102 and 104 are formed in the base members 90 and 94 and are in registration with the respective female connector portions 60, 62, 64 and 66. A CO₂ output delivery tube 106 extends upwardly into the chamber 58 from the bore 98. A locking arm 108 extends between the connector portions 60, 62, 64 and 66 for locking the opposing connector elements 76, 78, 80 and 82 in place when the housing 54 is set in place on the support surface 84. A manual release of the connector element is provided by an angulated extension member 110 of the arm 108. Further as shown in Figure 2A, the inner chamber 56 is connected to the outer chamber 58 via a non-venting pressure regulator 112 which is connected between the male connector elements 80 and 82 by means of a pair of fluid conductor lines 114 and 116 and a check valve 118. The CO₂ output delivery tube 106 is coupled to a CO₂ output line 120 by means of a tee connector 122 connected to the male connector member 76. The tee connector 122 also couples back to the connector member 78 through a piece of tubing 126. Another check valve 128 is located in the output line 120 from the tee 122. With respect to the operation of this embodiment, when the users initially obtains the module 54 and prior to its installation on the dispenser support surface 84, both the inner and outer chamber 56 and 58 are pressurized such that the pressure in the inner chamber 56 is greater than that in the outer chamber 58. If the regulator 112, for example, is designed or pre-set to 410 kPa (60 psi.), the pressure within the acid solution chamber 56 is above 410 kPa (60 psi.) and the pressure within the water and sodium bicarbonate mixing chamber is less than 410 kPa (60 psi). When the unit 54 is "plugged in", i.e. set into place, acid solution will flow from the inner chamber 56 into the outer chamber 58 which quickly reacts with the sodium bicarbonate to produce CO₂. In so doing, the pressure inside the outer chamber 58 rises. When the pressure in the outer chamber exceeds 410 kPa (60 psi.), the regulator 112 operates to stop any further flow of acid and the pressure in the outer chamber will stabilize at some value slightly above 410 kPa (60 psi). As CO₂ is drawn from the outer chamber 58 via the tube 106, the pressure in the outer chamber 58 will subsequently fall below 410 kPa (60 psi). At that point the regulator 112 will then enable an additional amount of the acid solution in the inner chamber 56 to be fed into the outer chamber 58 where the cycle repeats itself. When all of the acid solution has been transferred from the inner chamber 56 to the outer chamber 58, the module 54 is ready for replacement. Because the CO₂ at the top of the outer chamber 58 is connected to the inner chamber by way of the check valve 124, the pressure in the inner chamber 56 will always be greater than or equal to that of the outer chamber 58. A modification of the embodiment shown in Figure 2A is shown in Figure 2B. It is similar to the configuration of 2A with the exception that only three fluid line couplers are utilized in connection with a modified base on a bell housing 54'. The connectors include the connectors 68, 72 and 74 The deletion of the fourth connector as shown in Figure 2A is accounted for by the inclusion of an internal check valve 130 between the inner chamber 56 and the outer chamber 58 at the top of the inner wall member 88'. It is identical in operation to the embodiment shown in Figure 2A in that acid solution will flow from the inner chamber 56 to the outer chamber 58 through the regulator 112 until such time that pressure in the outer chamber 58, due to the generation of CO₂, equalizes that of the inner chamber 56 whereupon the regulator 112 prevents any further flow of acid solution into the outer chamber 58. When the pressure in the outer chamber 58 thereafter falls below 410 kPa (60 psi.), acid solution from the inner chamber will again flow into the outer chamber. The configuration of Figure 2B is less desirable than that of Figure 2A in that it suffers from an inherent weakness such that if the check valve 130 fails while the module 54' is being handled or shipped, the entire assembly could overpressurize and thus become subject to a catastrophic failure. While several significantly different looking embodiments have been considered thus far, Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 disclose further embodiments of the invention which are substantially like one another with respect to certain features yet are mutually different in other respects. Considering first the configuration in Figure 3, shown thereat is a relatively simple structure of a chemical CO₂ generator module which is comprised of a container housing 256 which includes an inner acid solution chamber 258 and an outer sodium bicarbonate and water reaction chamber 260. In this regard it is similar to the configuration shown in Figures 2A and 2B but comprises an inverted version thereof and it further includes an internal pressure regulator mechanism 262, the details of which are shown in Figures 7 and 8, and which will be considered subsequently. The acid solution chamber 258 is defined by an elongated inner cylinder 264 centrally located within the housing 256. The pressure regulator 262 is secured to a transverse inside bottom wall 266 of the cylinder and acts to feed the acid into the bottom of the reaction chamber 260, causing CO₂ to be generated therein and accumulated in an upper annular headspace 268 and from which a CO₂ output line 270 extends. The output line 270 is joined to a simple quick disconnect coupler 272 for feeding CO₂ to a carbonator unit, not shown. A single check valve 274 is located at the top of the inner cylinder 264 to insure that the pressure in the inner acid containing chamber 258 will always be greater than or equal to that of the outer reaction chamber 260 and in this regard is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 2. With respect to the regulator 262 shown in Figure 3, it comprises a relatively simple, low cost device as shown in Figures 7 and 8 including a structure formed from molded plastic components, for example, and having a cap member 263 and a cup member 265 which additionally have coaxial outlet and inlet fittings 267 and 269 which extend outwardly in mutually opposite directions. The cup member 266, moreover, includes a tube portion 271 which extends inwardly from the inlet fitting 269. The inner end of the tube portion terminates in a valve seat 273 for a needle valve 276 which extends upwardly from a flat circular disk 278 having a plurality of pressure relief holes 279 located adjacent the needle valve 276. The disk 278 is secured to one end of a molded elastomeric spring member in the form of an annular diaphragm 280 which is positioned around the inlet tube portion 271 and which is bonded to the inside surface of the cup member 265. The spring member 280 additionally includes a relatively thin outwardly extending rim 282 which is positioned between the peripheral flanges of the cup 265 and cap 263 and which are joined together thereat to form a sealed enclosure. It can be seen with reference to Figure 8 that increased pressure on the outer side of the disk 278 caused by an increased pressure in the reaction chamber 260 (Figure 3) from the generation of CO₂ causes the spring member 280 to compress and cause the needle valve member 276 to engage the seat 273 and thus shut off flow into inlet fitting 269 coupled into the acid containing chamber 258. During compression, acid within the cup 265 can escape through the relief holes 279. When the pressure in the reaction chamber 260 decreases due to a decrease of CO₂ therein, the spring member 280 springs back, causing the valve tip 276 to unseat and thus permit the flow of acid from the chamber 258 into the reaction chamber 260. Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, it includes a housing 256 as shown in Figure 3 as well as the same pressure regulator 262; however, now the acid solution is contained in an upper chamber 288 while the reaction chamber 290 is located in the lower portion of the housing 256 with a horizontal transverse wall 292 thereacross separating the two chambers. The pressure regulator 262 is secured to the wall 292 with the inlet fitting 269 projecting into the chamber 288 while the outlet fitting 267 is now coupled to an elongated tube 294 which extends downwardly into the sodium bicarbonate and water contained in the chamber 290. The CO₂ generated accumulates in the upper headspace 296 of the mixing chamber 290. In order to feed the CO₂ generated to the quick disconnect coupling 272, another elongated tube 298 is inserted through the acid solution containing the chamber 288 into the top portion of the reaction chamber 290 as shown. Additionally, a check valve 300 similar to the check valve 274 shown in Figure 3, is coupled to the tube 298 to insure that the pressure in the chamber 288 will be equal to or greater than that of the reaction chamber 290. Next; Figure 5 discloses an embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 3 with the exception that a second embodiment of a pressure regulator is used in connection therewith. As shown in Figure 5, this regulator is identified by reference numeral 262' and comprises a structure which is shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10. The regulator 262' is similar to the regulator 262 shown in Figures 7 and 8 but it now includes a modified cap 263' and cup 265'. The cup 265' lacks the inlet fitting 269; however, the cap member 263' includes both the outlet and inlet fittings 267' and 269' adjacent one another on the same side of the device. The pin type valve mechanism is also modified in that a valve stem 302 now depends downwardly from the disk 278' attached to the spring member 280. Further, the stem includes a head 303 which engages a valve seat 304 formed in the flat surface portion 306 of the cap member 263'. The operation of the regulator 262' is such that increased pressure on the disk 278' due to the increase of CO₂ in the reaction chamber 268 (Figure 5) draws the valve stem 302 upward by the action of the spring member 280, whereupon the valve stem engages the valve seat 304, shutting off the supply of acid solution into the reaction chamber as previously described. With the pressure regulator 262' being located, for example, on top of the housing 256, a pair of extension tubes 308 and 310 are attached to the input and output fittings 269' and 267', respectively, so that they extend downwardly into the bottom of the chambers 258 and 260. A modification of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is illustrated in Figure 6 and involves locating the check valve 274 in the sodium bicarbonate and water solution in the reaction chamber 260 by placing it at the bottom of the inner cylinder 264 and attaching a second check valve 275 to the fitting 269'. The pressure in the acid chamber 258 starts out at 480 kPa (70 psi). The pressure in the reaction chamber 260 starts out at 480 kPa (70 psi) or slightly above. As some CO₂ is drawn from the reaction chamber 260 through the pressure output tube 273, the pressure in the reaction chamber 260 drops below the pressure in the acid chamber 258. Some acid flows through the check valve 274 at the bottom of the acid chamber 258 until the pressure in the reaction chamber 260 exceeds the pressure in the acid chamber 258, shutting off the flow. Due to overshoot, the pressure in the reaction chamber 260 will continue to increase until it is back up slightly above 480 kPa (70 psi). The check valve 275 attached to the regulator inlet insures that CO₂ will flow only from the reaction chamber head space 268 to the acid chamber head space 259. The regulator 262' is set to 480 kPa (70 psi). Whenever the pressure in the acid chamber 258 drops below 480 kPa (70 psi), the regulator 262' opens up to allow the overshoot from the reaction chamber 260 to repressurize the acid chamber 258 back up to 480 kPa (70 psi) at which point the regulator 262' closes off the gas flow, with the pressure in the acid chamber 258 equal to 70 psi and the pressure in the reaction chamber 260 slightly above 480 kPa 70 psi. A modified form of the pressure regulator 262' as shown in Figures 9 and 10 is disclosed in Figure 11 and involves a substantially identical structure to that shown thereat with the exception that it now includes means for varying the set point, i.e. the pressure at which the valve mechanism opens and closes. As shown in Figure 11, the spring member 280 is no longer attached to the inside wall surface 316 of the cup member 265', but is now secured to a circular disk 318 which is similar to the disk 278' which includes the valve stem. The disk 318, however, includes a screw receiving recess 320 in the upper surface thereof, and a raised portion 322 which fits down into the center of the annular spring member 280. The top wall 324 of the cup member 265' additionally includes a shoulder 326 through which a threaded bore 328 is formed. A conventional screw 330 is threaded into the bore 328 where the tip thereof contacts the recess 320. The turning of the screw 330 varies the amount of compression of the spring member 280 in absence of any pressure exerted on the plate 278'. Thus the set point becomes manually adjustable within a predefined range of pressures required for proper operation of the dispenser, not shown, and with which the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6 are utilized. Thus what has been shown and described are several different configurations of a disposable CO₂ generator module which can be utilized in connection with a carbonated drink dispenser and being operable to chemically generate CO₂ in a relatively simple manner. This apparatus can be utilized for a dispenser for home use and/or where there is a requirement for equipment which can be handled by relatively inexperienced users. While the acid reagent has been described as being typically comprised of phosphoric acid, it should be noted that, when desirable, citric acid, nitric acid, or hydrochloric acid may be utilized in certain applications. With respect to the other reagent used in combination with water, while sodium bicarbonate is normally preferred, calcium carbonate could also be utilized, when desired.

Claims: Self-regulating gas generator apparatus for producing a gas utilized in a carbonated drink dispenser and which generates the gas by a chemical reaction comprising: a first pressurized container (56) for holding a first liquid chemical reagent; a second pressurized container (58) for holding a second liquid chemical reagent; a reaction chamber integral with said second container (58) for generating the gas when said first and second reagents are mixed, the pressure in the second container (58) increasing due to gas generation therein; means (112) coupled between said first and second containers (56, 58) for controlling the transfer of said first liquid reagent from said first container (56) to said second container (58); wherein the pressure in the first container (56) is initially greater than the pressure in the second container (58) and said reagent transfer controlling means comprise means (112) responsive to the pressure differential between said containers (56, 58) to enable reagent flow therebetween to effect gas generation when the pressure in said first container (56) is greater than the pressure in said second container (58) and simultaneously the pressure in said second container (58) drops below some preset value and to inhibit reagent flow when the pressure in said second container (58) is equal to or greater than the pressure in the first container (56); and discharge means (120, 128) for feeding the generated gas from said second container (58) to the drink dispenser characterized in that said first pressurized container comprises a generally centralized inner chamber (56) for storing an acid solution and wherein said second pressurized container comprises an adjoining outer annular chamber (58) for storing a solution of chemical carbonate and water and said inner and outer chambers (56, 58) are located within a common housing (54) including a generally flat base region (90) for mounting on a support surface (84) of said drink dispenser and including openings (98, 100, 102, 104) therein to the respective chambers (56, 58), and additionally including fluid coupling means (68, 70, 72, 74) intermediate the openings (98, 100, 102, 104) and said pressure responsive means (112) and said discharge means (120, 128). Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pressure responsive means and said discharge means comprise a fluid regulator (112) and a gas line (120), respectively, mounted on said support surface (84) and wherein said fluid coupling means (68, 70, 72, 74) comprise a plurality of socket type couplers (60, 62, 64, 66) respectively coupling said openings (98, 100, 102, 104) to said fluid regulator (112) and said gas line (120), forming thereby a quick disconnect plug-in module. Apparatus according to claims 1 or 2 wherein said common housing (54) comprises a bell type housing having substantially parallel inner and outer wall members (88, 86) and wherein said inner wall (88) is shared by said inner and outer chambers (56, 58). Self-regulating gas generator apparatus for producing a gas utilized in a carbonated drink dispenser and which generates the gas by a chemical reaction comprising: a first pressurized container (258) for holding a first liquid chemical reagent; a second pressurized container (260) for holding a second liquid chemical reagent; a reaction chamber integral with said second container (260) for generating the gas when said first and second reagents are mixed, the pressure in the second container (260), increasing due to gas generation therein; means (262) coupled between said first and second containers (258, 260) for controlling the transfer of said first liquid reagent from said first container (258) to said second container (260); wherein the pressure in the first container is initially greater than the pressure in the second container (260) and said reagent transfer controlling means comprise means (262) responsive to the pressure differential between said containers (258, 260) to enable reagent flow therebetween to effect gas generation when the pressure in said first container (258) is greater than the pressure in said second container (260) and simultaneously the pressure in said second container (260) drops below some preset value and to inhibit reagent flow when the pressure in said second container (260) is equal to or greater than the pressure in the first container (258); and discharge means (270) for feeding the generated gas from said second container (260) to the drink dispenser characterized in that said first pressurized container is a relatively smaller inner container (258) and said second pressurized container is a relatively larger outer container (260) and said first and second containers comprise a pair of adjoining cylindrical members (264, 256) having at least one common wall therebetween and said means for controlling transfer of said first reagent comprises a pressure regulator assembly (262) located interiorly of said outer container (260). Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said pressure regulator assembly (262) is located on the lower portion of said inner container (258) interiorly of said outer container (260). Apparatus according to claims 4 or 5 wherein said means for controlling transfer of said first reagent comprises a pressure regulator assembly (262') located exteriorly of both said containers (258, 260). Self-regulating gas generator apparatus for producing a gas utilized in a carbonated drink dispenser and which generates the gas by a chemical reaction comprising: a first pressurized container (288) for holding a first liquid chemical reagent; a second pressurized container (290) for holding a second liquid chemical reagent; a reaction chamber integral with said second container (290) for generating the gas when said first and second reagents are mixed, the pressure in the second container (290), increasing due to gas generation therein; means (262) coupled between said first and second containers (288, 290) for controlling the transfer of said first liquid reagent from said first container (288) to said second container (290); wherein the pressure in the first container (288) is initially greater than the pressure in the second container (290) and said reagent transfer controlling means (262) comprise means responsive to the pressure differential between said container (288, 290) to enable reagent flow therebetween to effect gas generation when the pressure in said first container (288) is greater than the pressure in said second container means (290) and simultaneously the pressure in said second container (290) drops below some preset value and to inhibit reagent flow when the pressure in said second container (290) is equal to or greater than the pressure in the first container (288); and discharge means (298) for feeding the generated gas from said second container (290) to the drink dispenser characterized in that said first and second containers (288, 290) comprise respective separate portions of a common cylinder (256) said separate portions having at least one common wall (292) therebetween. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first container (288) comprises the upper portion of said separate portions and said second container (290) comprises the lower portion of said separate portions. Apparatus according to claims 7 or 8 wherein said means for controlling transfer of said first reagent comprises a pressure regulator assembly (262) located interiorly of said common cylinder (256) on said common wall (292).

Inventors: GUPTA ASHIS SEN, RUDICK ARTHUR G, GUPTA, ASHIS SEN, RUDICK, ARTHUR G.
Applicants: COCA COLA CO, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B01J7
IPC codes: B01J7, B67D1, B67D7