Abstract:
A pronged clamp apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to a home use carbonation machine, the apparatus includes a pronged clamp to receive the bottle, at a non-upright position prior to carbonation, the bottle having a neck ring, to attach the bottle to the carbonation machine when a user moves said bottle towards an upright position; a locking mechanism to lock the bottle to the carbonation machine via the neck ring in the upright position during carbonation; and an interlock operative within the locking mechanism utilizing the downward movement of the bottle under pressure to prevent the unlocking of the locking mechanism when there is excess pressure in the bottle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/266,625, filed 13 Dec. 2015, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to carbonation machines generally and to clamping devices for attaching bottles to the machines in particular. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Soda machines for the carbonation of beverages are known in the art. Most such devices for home carbonation are designed for manual operation. The user typically attaches a bottle of water to a carbonation head and then manually releases CO 2  into the bottle of water, via a gas release valve, from an attached pressurized cylinder. Such machines typically also comprise one or more safety pressure release valves which are designed to vent if excess pressure builds up during the carbonization process. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,860, assigned to the common assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference, discloses a flower-like, pronged clamp apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to a soda machine. As is illustrated in  FIG. 1A , to which reference is now made, the user may attach a bottle  50  to a soda machine  7  at an angle to soda machine  7 . Once bottle  50  has been moved to an upright position ( FIG. 1B ) (carbonating position) it is held in place and a mechanical lock may prevent the user from moving bottle  50  back to the angled position until carbonation has ended. Once carbonation has ended, the user may move bottle  50  to the angled position releasing bottle  50 . 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a pronged clamp apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to a home use carbonation machine. The apparatus includes a pronged clamp to receive the bottle, at a non-upright position prior to carbonation, the bottle having a neck ring, to attach the bottle to the carbonation machine when a user moves the bottle towards an upright position; a locking mechanism to lock the bottle to the carbonation machine via the neck ring in the upright position during carbonation; and an interlock operative within the locking mechanism utilizing the downward movement of the bottle under pressure to prevent the unlocking of the locking mechanism when there is excess pressure in the bottle. 
         [0006]    Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pronged clamp includes a plurality of equal sized teeth. 
         [0007]    Further, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interlock includes two lockable teeth each having an angled upper surface and where the two lockable teeth are attached to the pronged clamp and where the two lockable teeth are sized and shaped differently from the equal sized teeth; and where the two lockable teeth are situated on opposing sides of the pronged clamp. 
         [0008]    Still further, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus also includes a locking ring having a locking protrusion to engage with the two lockable teeth when extended outwards when the bottle is pushed downwards by the excess pressure. 
         [0009]    Additionally, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a cam to lower the locking ring; a lever to activate the cam and springs to raise the locking ring, the springs having a set force to raise the locking ring when there is no pressure in the bottle; and where the engaged two lockable teeth prevent the springs from raising the locking ring. 
         [0010]    Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interlock includes two plungers situated perpendicularly to the pronged clamp; two apertures sized to fit the plungers; and plunger springs to contract under pressure to push the two plungers through the two apertures. 
         [0011]    Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism includes a locking ring: and where the apparatus also includes a cam to lower the locking ring; a lever to activate the cam; and springs to raise the locking ring, the springs having a set force to raise the locking ring when there is no pressure in the bottle; and where the two plungers situated within the apertures prevent the springs from raising the locking ring. 
         [0012]    There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for a home carbonation machine; the method includes receiving a bottle having a neck ring; attaching the bottle to the carbonation machine when a user moves the bottle towards an upright position during carbonation, locking the bottle in the upright position during carbonation; and after carbonation, utilizing the downward movement of the bottle due to pressure and preventing the removal of the bottle from the carbonation machine after carbonation when there is excess pressure in the bottle. 
         [0013]    Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the locking includes lowering a locking ring having a locking protrusion over the neck ring and gripping the neck ring with a pronged clamp, the pronged clamp having equally sized teeth and two lockable teeth. 
         [0014]    Further, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes holding the bottle in the air via the neck ring. 
         [0015]    Still further, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the preventing includes engaging the lockable teeth between the locking protrusion and the neck ring when the excess pressure pushes the bottle downwards. 
         [0016]    There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a pronged clamp for a attaching a soda bottle to a home use carbonation machine; the pronged clamp includes a plurality of equally sized teeth; two lockable teeth where the lockable teeth are sized and shaped differently from the equal sized teeth, each lockable tooth having an angled surface; and where the two lockable teeth are situated on opposing sides of the pronged clamp. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic illustrations of an apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to a soda machine; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a pronged clamp, constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic illustrations of a section of pronged clamp apparatus, constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C  are schematic illustrations of the use of a cam with the apparatus of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are schematic illustrations of the elements of the carbonation head operating with the apparatus  FIGS. 3A and 3B , constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C  are schematic illustrations of the apparatus of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  during and after the carbonation stage, constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C  are schematic illustrations of an alternative embodiment to a pronged clamp apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0025]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
         [0027]    Applicants have realized that the release of the bottle from the flower-like pronged clamp apparatus, such as that as described herein above is mechanically dependent on the end of the carbonation process itself and does not take into account that after carbonation, it may take time until all of the pressure has been released from the bottle. Although most home carbonation systems typically have built-in safety features such as exhaust and/or normally open valves to ensure that all pressure is released from the system, a user may still release a bottle from the soda machine before the bottle is completely depressurized. This may cause a dangerous “rocket effect” in which the bottle, once released, may fly away at high speed. 
         [0028]    Applicants have further realized that the home soda machine may be improved by adding an integral locking system which may only allow the pronged clamp to open and release the bottle once all the pressure in the system has been relieved, even if the user attempts release it as described herein above. Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  which illustrates a pronged clamp  20 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Pronged clamped  20  may comprise several regular teeth  30  and two unique, lockable teeth  35  which may differ from regular teeth  30  in both size and shape. For example, lockable teeth  35  may be typically larger than teeth  30 . 
         [0029]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  which schematically illustrate a section of an improved pronged clamp apparatus  100 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Apparatus  100  may comprise a carbonation head lower  5 , a locking ring  10  with a locking protrusion  12  and pronged clamp  20  with at least one enlarged lockable tooth  35 . Apparatus  100  may operate to lock at least one lockable tooth  35  between a locking protrusion  12  and a neck ring  60  of a bottle  50  when there is pressure in bottle  50 , as described in more detail herein below. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3A  illustrates apparatus  100  at the pre-carbonation stage before bottle  50  is attached with carbonation head lower  5  tilted outwards.  FIG. 3B  illustrates apparatus  100  during carbonation with bottle  50  in position in an upright position. Prior to carbonation and during attachment, bottle  50  may be pushed past the teeth of clamp  20  (including past teeth  35 ) and against carbonation head lower  5 . In this position, locking protrusion  12  of locking ring  10  may be higher than teeth  35 . 
         [0031]    In order to carbonate, locking ring  10  may be lowered, such that an angled front surface  13  of locking protrusion  12  may slide over an angled back surface  37  of teeth  35 . During the carbonation process, the excess pressure in bottle  50  may push bottle  50  back downwards thereby pushing neck ring  60  against an angled upper surface  37  of teeth  35 , which may push locking teeth  35  outwards and against angled surface  13  of protrusion  12 , thereby locking teeth  35  between neck ring  60  and protrusion  12 . Any attempt to move locking ring  10  up will not work, since locking teeth  35  may be locked between neck ring  60  and protrusion. 
         [0032]    It will be appreciated that this “internal lock”  32  caused by locking teeth  35  being engaged cannot be released until the pressure in bottle  50 , which pushes bottle  50  down, is fully relieved 
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that internal lock  32  shown herein above may hold any bottle with a neck ring  60  in a pronged clamp during carbonation and may ensure that, no matter what position the user may move the bottle into, pronged clamp  20  may not release bottle  50  until the pressure in the bottle is relieved as discussed herein above. 
         [0034]    It will be appreciated that apparatus  100  may be part of the carbonation head  120  of a home carbonation system similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,860 or any other suitable system. It will be further appreciated that carbonation head  120  may be tiltable, via a lever  110 , to allow a user to attach a bottle at an angle. Lever  110  may cause cam  15  to lower locking ring  10  over clamp  20  to restrict its teeth around the neck of bottle  50  thus providing a mechanical lock. This is shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , to which reference is now made, which show lever  110  operating locking ring  10  via cam  15 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4A  illustrates cam  15  in a lowered position after the user moves bottle  50  to an upright position at the pre-carbonation stage. In this lowered position, cam  15  may push locking ring  10  downwards to constrict pronged clamp  20  (not shown) in order to initially grip bottle  50  in place. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4B  illustrates locking ring  10  in a lowered state even when lever  110  is tilted out, such as in an attempt to release bottle  50  when there is still pressure in the bottle.  FIG. 4C  illustrates locking ring  10  in a raised state, such as occurs due to the pressure drop in the system, as discussed in more detail hereinbelow. It will be appreciated that cam  15  may be activated by pushing bottle  50  against lever  110 , as described herein above. 
         [0037]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A and 5B  which illustrate the elements of carbonation head  120  operating with integral lock  32  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  in the different states of apparatus  100  pre-carbonation, as bottle  50  is attached to carbonation head  120 , around a carbonation injector  40 . Injector  40  may provide carbon dioxide to bottle  50  from a gas canister located elsewhere in the soda machine. As can be seen, bottle  50  may generally be held within carbonation head  120 , centered around carbonation head lower  5 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 5A  shows carbonation head  120  before bottle  50  is fully attached, while carbonation head  120  is tilted outwards. In this pre-carbonation state, locking ring  10  may be in its raised position, with pronged clamp  20  open and with lockable teeth  35  located within a recessed area  75  between ring  10  and neck  60  and below locking protrusion  12 . It will be appreciated that while pronged clamp  20  is open, bottle  50  may easily be moved in and out. 
         [0039]    As can be seen, in this embodiment, locking ring  10  may additionally comprise posts  85 , which may be integrally connected to locking ring  10  and may extend from locking ring  10 , through lower  5 . Springs  80  may be coiled around posts  85  and may be held between a topping disk  87  of posts  85  and an upper surface  88  of lower  5 . Springs  80  may be compressed by topping disks  87  when locking ring  10  moves away from lower  5 , prior to carbonation, as discussed hereinbelow. 
         [0040]    In the pre-carbonation stage, before lever  110  causes cam  15  to push down on locking ring  10 , holding it down, springs  80  may be uncompressed. It will be appreciated that the tension of springs  80  may be set to provide a force strong enough to pull locking ring  10  upwards when no pressure is in bottle  50 . However, when there is pressure in bottle  50 , which may pull bottle  50  downwards to lock locking ring  10  in place, as described herein above, the force of springs  80  may be set not to overcome the force of the pressure, therefore to ensure that locking ring  10  is held in its most lowered position. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the state of apparatus  100  once cam  15  has pushed locking ring  10  down, compressing springs  80  and clamping teeth  30  (situated behind teeth  35 ) around neck ring  60 , to hold bottle  50  within carbonation head  120 . 
         [0042]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C , which illustrate apparatus  100  during and after the carbonation stage. It will be appreciated that once carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) has been added to the contents of bottle  50  (via carbonation tube  40 ), there may be a pressure build up within bottle  50 . It will be appreciated that this pressure build up within bottle  50  may push bottle  50  downwards, to the position of  FIG. 6A  as discussed herein above. The downward motion of the bottle may push neck  60  against lockable teeth  35 , causing them to open outwards. It will be further appreciated, that due to their size and shape, teeth  35  may become latched within recessed area  77  between protrusion  12  and neck ring  60 . It will also be appreciated that while teeth  35  remain latched within area  77 , locking ring  10  may be locked in position and cannot be raised by springs  80  as described in herein above, even if bottle  50  is tilted. 
         [0043]    It will be further appreciated that in order to release bottle  50 , lockable teeth  35  must be disengaged from area  77 , enabling compressed springs  80  to decompress and pull locking ring  10  upwards, thereby releasing pronged clamp  20 . The release of pressure from bottle  50  may remove the downwards force of pressure on bottle  50  and may allow springs  80  to begin raising locking ring  10  ( FIG. 6B ) by pushing neck ring  60  and bottle  50  upwards. This may disengage lockable teeth  35  and may enable springs  80  to fully raise locking ring  10  ( FIG. 6C ). In this state, pronged clamp  10  may be fully raised releasing teeth  30 , such that the user may remove bottle  50  from carbonation head  120 . 
         [0044]    It will also be appreciated that since the bottle is not sealed at this stage, there is no pressure build up due to the creation of the carbonated water and thus the pressure may be fully relieved. 
         [0045]    In an alternative embodiment, the carbonation apparatus may comprise two plungers that may move in and out of an aperture according to the amount of pressure in the system. Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C  which illustrate an alternative pronged clamp apparatus with an integral lock  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0046]    Apparatus  200  may comprise a lower  205 , a locking ring  210 , a pronged clamp  220  and springs  280 . Lower  205  may further comprise two plungers  290  positioned within springs  295 . Lower  205  may also comprise apertures  275  within its outer walls, large enough for plungers  290  to fit through as discussed in more detail herein below. 
         [0047]    It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the elements may have similar functionality to the elements of apparatus  100  as described herein above. Pronged clamp  220  may comprise equally sized teeth  230  similar to the pronged clamp apparatus as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,860. 
         [0048]      FIG. 7A  shows the pre-carbonation state of apparatus  200 , before bottle  50  has been attached, with locking ring  210  at its raised position and with pronged clamp  220  open. Bottle  50  may be attached to apparatus  200  as discussed herein above with lever  110  causing cam  15  (not shown) to lower locking ring  210  thus restricting pronged clamp  220  so that bottle  50  is held in place (as is shown in  FIG. 7B  which illustrates the state of apparatus  200 , bottle  50  is not shown). 
         [0049]    When pressure builds up in bottle  50  during the carbonation process, the force of the pressure may cause springs  295  to contract thus pushing plungers  200  outwards from their dormant state as is illustrated in  FIG. 7C . 
         [0050]    Plungers  290  may be pushed outwards through apertures  275 , thus preventing locking ring  210  from rising and releasing pronged clamp  220 . It will be appreciated that the locking of plungers  290  in apertures  275  may prevent springs  280  from being able to raise locking ring  210  forms an interlock  232  and thus pronged clamp  220  remains constricted and bottle  50  cannot be released. 
         [0051]    It is only when bottle  50  is depressurized and plungers  290  retract inwards pulled by springs  295  that springs  280  may raise locking ring  210  as described herein above which in turn may release pronged clamp  220  allowing bottle  50  to be released. 
         [0052]    Thus both apparatuses  100  and  200  may comprise interlock systems which may override the initial locking mechanism provided by lever  110  and ring  10  (as described herein above). Hence a bottle may not be removed from the home carbonation system once carbonation has ended, even when tilted outwards releasing a cam lock until it has depressurized since until locking ring  10  is raised, it cannot remove its constriction of pronged clamp  20 . 
         [0053]    While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.