Patent Publication Number: US-2023146835-A1

Title: Carbonator for producing carbonated beverage

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a carbonator for producing carbonated beverage, such as carbonated water. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Carbonators are used for producing carbonated beverage, such as carbonated water. Carbonators for domestic use are typically designed to be placed on a table or bench and are operated manually by a person or user. Such a carbonator, a.k.a. a soda water machine, typically comprises a carbon dioxide bottle, which is connected to a nozzle which is inserted into a water bottle that contains liquid. The carbonator further comprises an operating arrangement, which allows the user to open a valve in the carbon dioxide bottle to introduce carbon dioxide into the water bottle. The carbon dioxide dissolves in the liquid in the water bottle (under pressure). The operating arrangement typically comprises a lever, or button, to be maneuvered by the user as well as tubes and various valves to regulate the pressure of carbon dioxide in the water bottle. 
     The known carbonators are marred with various drawbacks and problems. 
     For example, the Chinese Utility Model CN 204218672 U shows a carbonator with a water bottle  1  and a carbon dioxide bottle  2  which is connected to the water bottle via an opening valve  7 . The carbonator further has a first release valve  13  for releasing excess pressure from the water bottle  1  after completed carbonation. The release valve  13  and the opening valve  7  of the carbon dioxide bottle are connected by a bridge  8  to ensure that the release valve  13  is open when the opening valve  7  of the carbon dioxide bottle is closed. Thereby, it is ensured that the bottle is vented prior to removal. Operation of the carbonator is achieved by a lever, which is connected to the bridge  8  via a complicated and voluminous mechanism that includes toothed wheels  20 ,  21  and linkage arms  23 . In use, a person may open the opening valve  7  by actuating the lever whereby carbon dioxide gas is released from the carbon dioxide bottle  2  and is dissolved in the water bottle. A second release valve  15  is arranged to open with a buzz-sound when a predetermined pressure of 6 - 8 kg is achieved in the water bottle. The person then releases the lever, which causes the operating mechanism to close the opening valve  7  and open the first release valve  13  so that the water bottle  1  is vented through pipe  34 . 
     Typically, some persons like their beverage lightly sparkling while others like to have their beverage strongly carbonated. To dissolve more carbon dioxide in the liquid contained in the water bottle, a person may actuate the lever again so that a further carbonation cycle is performed. 
     However, in the above described carbonator the water bottle is vented between each carbonation cycle and this causes a high carbon dioxide consumption when repeated carbonation cycles are performed. 
     The Swedish Patent Application SE 0950129 A1 describes a carbonator which aims at reducing the carbon dioxide consumption during repeated carbonation cycles. To achieve this aim, the carbonator comprises a special valve  14  which is arranged in the water bottle  1  and that is actuated by an operating mechanism  12 , which connected to an opening valve  7  of the carbon dioxide bottle  6  and to the valve  14 . The valve  14  comprises a valve piston  16  and a spring  22  and a maneuver element  21 , which may be actuated by the operating mechanism  12 . During a carbonation cycle, the valve  14  works or otherwise operates as an overpressure valve as long as the operating mechanism  12  bears on the maneuver element  21 . When the operating mechanism  12  is released from the maneuver element  21 , the spring factor of the spring  22  is changed and the valve  14  becomes a release valve through which the water bottle  1  is vented until the operating mechanism  12  is actuated again. Consequently a drawback with the carbonator of SE 0950129 A1 is that, between two carbonation cycles, carbon dioxide is lost from the water bottle through the venting valve. Also, the operating mechanism  12  of the carbonator of SE 0950129 A1 involves a rather complicated cogwheel-rack construction which is voluminous and may jam easily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is in view of the above background and other considerations that the various embodiments of the present invention have been made. 
     Thus, it is an object of the present disclosure to present an improved carbonator for producing carbonated beverage, which solves at least one of the above problems. 
     In detail, it is an object of the present disclosure to present a carbonator that allows for repeated carbonation cycles with minimized carbon dioxide consumption. 
     Yet a further object of the present disclosure is to present a carbonator, which is reliable in service. A further object of the present disclosure is to present a carbonator, which is suitable for domestic use. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure presents a carbonator for producing carbonated beverage according to the appended independent claim  1 . Furthermore, present disclosure presents advantageous embodiments as defined in the appended dependent claims. 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of these objects are met by a carbonator for producing carbonated beverage, comprising:
     a first connector  11  for a gas-outlet  105  of a CO2-container  104  and with a CO2-valve  12 , operable between a closed state and an open state in which CO2-gas may be introduced from a gas-outlet  105  of a CO2-container  104  into the CO2-valve, and;   a second connector  32  for a mouth  108  of a beverage container  107  and with a dissolver nozzle  31  for introducing CO2-gas into the beverage container  107 , connected to the CO2-valve  12  and;   a venting valve  40  connected to the second connector  32  and operable between a closed state and an open state in which excess CO2-gas may be led out from the beverage container  107  through the venting valve  40  and;   an operating mechanism  80  configured to operate the CO2-valve  12  and the venting valve  40  between open and closed states, and   a manipulator  103 , coupled to the operating mechanism  80 , for allowing a person to operate the operating mechanism  80  between:   a start mode I in which the venting valve  40  is open and the CO2-valve  12  is closed, and;   an end mode III in which the CO2-valve  12  is open and the venting valve  40  is closed, whereby;   the operating mechanism  80  is configured to be set in an intermediate mode II, between the first mode I and the second mode III, in which both the venting valve  40  and the CO2-valve  12  are closed.   

     The particular arrangement of the closable venting valve and CO2-valve allows the person using the carbonator to perform multiple carbonation cycles without venting the beverage bottle. The person using the carbonator simply operates the operating machine between end mode III and intermediate mode II. This results in considerable reduction of consumption of CO2-gas. For example, a single carbonation cycle consumes approximately 7 gram. In conventional carbonators, two subsequent cycles with venting in-between, thus consumes approximately 14 grams of CO2-gas. However, in the carbonator according to the present disclosure, where carbonation is performed without venting, the second carbonation cycle only consumes 3.5 grams CO2-gas. Thus, two cycles of carbonation in the carbonator according to the present disclosure results in a CO2-consumption of approximately 10.5 grams (i.e. 7 + 3.5 grams). That is, a reduction of CO2 consumption of approximately 25%. In particular, the omission of venting between carbonation cycles provides two benefits which results in the low CO2-gas consumption. Firstly, since the beverage container is pressurized between carbonation cycles, CO2 moves from the gaseous atmosphere in beverage container into the water. Thus, carbonation continues between cycles. Secondly, since the beverage container is pressurized at all times, no CO2-gas is wasted in building up CO2 pressure in the beverage container when a subsequent carbonation cycle is initiated. Overall, a highly efficient carbonator is achieved which is easy to operate by a person. 
     The operating mechanism  80  may be configured such that the duration of the intermediate mode II is longer than the duration of the start mode I. This makes the intermediate mode II easy to find for the person operating the carbonator and avoids involuntary venting of the beverage bottle. 
     Typically, the venting valve  40  comprises a sleeve  41  with a movable valve body  44  and an actuator  46  arranged to be moved axially in the sleeve  41  by the operating mechanism  80  towards the valve body  44  to set the venting valve  40  in the open state. Likewise, the CO2-valve  12  comprises a sleeve  14  with an actuator  13 , wherein the actuator  13  is arranged to be moved axially in the sleeve  14  by the operating mechanism  80  into the first connector  11  thereby setting the CO2-valve  12  in an open state. The use of such actuator/sleeve valves provides an advantage in that CO2-valve may fit CO2-bottles with different types of outlet valves and length or size of opening pins. 
     Typically, the operating mechanism  80  may comprise a bridge  85  that is rotationally journalled in the carbonator  100  and connected to the manipulator  103  such that the bridge  85  may be rotated by the manipulator  103  around a rotational axis Y extending through the bridge  85  and through the manipulator  103 . The bridge  85  may comprise a venting surface  86  which is in contact with the actuator  46  of the venting valve  40  and a CO2-surface  90  which is in contact with the actuator  13  of the CO2-valve  12 . The bridge is of simple construction and has few movable parts that may stick or jam. This allows for a compact and failsafe construction of the carbonator. 
     The operating mechanism  80  may further be arranged such that rotational movement of the operating mechanism  80  in a first direction displaces the venting surface  86  and the CO2-surface  90  relative the actuator  46  of the venting valve  40  and the actuator  13  of the CO2-valve such that the venting surface  86  forces the actuator  46  to set the venting valve  40  in an open state and the CO2-surface  90  forces the actuator  13  to set the CO2-valve  12  in an open state, and vice versa. The use of cooperating venting surfaces and CO2 surface allows for easy and failsafe simultaneous operation of the venting valve and the CO2-valve. 
     The venting surface  86  and the CO2-surface  90  may be oriented in a side-by-side manner along or parallel to, the rotational axis Y. The bridge thereby occupies a minimum of space. 
     The venting surface  86  comprises a first end surface  87  and a second end surface  88  with different configuration, wherein;
     the configuration of the first end surface  87  is selected such that, when the actuator  46  is in contact with the first end surface  87 , the valve body  44  is forced by the actuator  46  to set the venting valve  40  in an open state and;   the configuration of the second end surface  88  is selected such that when the actuator  46  is in contact with the second end surface  88 , the valve body  44  sets the venting valve  40  is in the closed position. This configuration allows for high precision and high flexibility in setting the venting valve in open and closed state.   

     The CO2-surface  90  may be arranged to:
     move towards the actuator  13  of the CO2-valve  12  such that the actuator  13  is forced to extend into the connector  11  thereby setting the CO2-valve  12  an open state and;   move away from the actuator  13  such that the actuator  13  is withdrawn in or from the connector  11  thereby setting the CO2-valve  12  in a closed state. This provides flexibility because the CO2-valve and the operating mechanism allows for the use of different sizes of CO2-bottles.   

     The configuration of the venting surface  86  and the configuration of the CO2-surface may advantageously be selected with respect to each other such that the venting valve  40  and the CO2-valve  12  simultaneous are in closed state during a portion of rotational movement of the bridge  85 . 
     The manipulator  103  may be a lever, wherein the operating mechanism  80  is configured to be:
     in the start mode I during movement of the manipulator  103  in a first direction, over a first distance α1;   in the intermediate mode II during movement of the manipulator  103  in a first direction, over a second distance α2 and;   in the end mode III during movement of the manipulator  103  in a first direction, over a third distance α3, and vice versa, wherein;   
 the length of the intermediate mode II is selected such that the intermediate mode II is recognizable by the person operating the manipulator  103 . The use of a lever to manipulate the operating mechanism of the carbonator is advantageous. This is so because it makes it easy for the person using the carbonator to operate the carbonator between the operational modes. In particular it has shown that the person using the carbonator easily may find the intermediate mode II and hold the operating mechanism in this position before initiating a subsequent carbonation cycle.
     The manipulator  103  may be connected to the bridge  85  via a rotational damper  84 . The rotational damper stabilizes the motion of the lever which in turn makes it easier to place and hold the operational mechanism  80  in the intermediate mode III. The rotational damper also avoids splashes of water through the venting valve during venting of the beverage container. This, because the damper  84  is connected to the bridge  85  and therefor retards the velocity by which the venting valve  40  and the CO2  12  valve may open and close. 
     The carbonator may comprise a first over-pressure valve  60  arranged to relieve overpressure in a beverage container  107 . The over-pressure valve  60  may comprise a sleeve  61  with a first end  61 . 1  connectable to the second connector  32  so that fluid may flow from the mouth  108  of a beverage container  107  in the second connector  32  into the first end  61 . 1  of said into first over-pressure valve  60 . The sleeve  61  having a second end  61 . 4  with an opening  64 . 5 . the over-pressure valve further comprises fluid conduit connector  67  for connection with a fluid drain  72  arranged within the sleeve  61  and partially extending out through said opening  64 . 5 , and a movable valve body  63  with a fluid channel  63 . 1  arranged within the sleeve  61  and supported against the fluid conduit connector  67  by a compressible biasing element  65 . An adjustment ring  68 , may be turnable arranged on the second end  61 . 4  of the sleeve  61  and engages the fluid conduit connector  67  such that turning of the adjustment ring  68  moves the fluid conduit connector  67  towards or away from the valve body  63  and thereby causes the biasing element  65  to expand or compress. The design of the overpressure valve makes possible to adjust the spring force of the biasing element  65  and thereby the release pressure of the over pressure valve  60 . A further advantage of the overpressure valve is that it may be fluid tight connected to a resilient draining pipe. This in turn avoids unwanted leakage of water through the over pressure valve. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to an over-pressure valve  60  comprising a sleeve  61  with a first end  61 . 1  connectable to the second connector  32  so that fluid may flow from the mouth  108  of a beverage container  107  in the second connector  32  into the first end  61 . 1  of said over-pressure valve  60  and;
     said sleeve  61  having a second end  61 . 4  with an opening  64 . 5 , and;   a fluid conduit connector  67  arranged within the sleeve  61  and partially extending out through said opening  64 . 5 , and;   a movable valve body  63  with a fluid channel  63 . 1  arranged within the sleeve  61  and supported against the fluid conduit connector  67  by a compressible biasing element  65 , and;   an adjustment ring  68 , turnable arranged on the second end  61 . 4  of the sleeve  61 , wherein;   the adjustment ring  68  engages the fluid conduit connector  67  such that turning of the adjustment ring  68  moves the fluid conduit connector  67  towards or away from the valve body  63  and thereby causes the biasing element  65  to expand or compress.   

     Typically, the carbonator comprises:
     a CO2-head  10  with the first connector  11  for a gas-outlet  105  of a CO2-container  104  and with the CO2-valve  12 , and;   a dissolver head  30  with the second connector  32  for a mouth  108  of a beverage container  107  and with the dissolver nozzle  31  for introducing CO2-gas into the beverage container  107 , connected to the CO2-valve  12  and wherein;   the venting valve  40  is arranged in the CO2-head  10  and wherein;   the operating mechanism  80  is arranged in the CO2-head  10 . This arrangement is suitable in connection with a manipulator  103  in the form of a lever.   

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1   : A carbonator according to a first alternative of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2   : An exposed view of the carbonator of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  2   a , 2   b   : A portion of the carbonator of the present disclosure in cross-section. 
         FIG.  3   : A view from above of the carbonator of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4   : An exploded view of the operating mechanism of the carbonator of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5   a , b   : The operating mechanism of the carbonator of the present disclosure in different states. 
         FIG.  6   : A schematic diagram showing different modes of the carbonator of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  7   a - c   : Drawings showing the venting valve of the carbonator of the present disclosure in different modes. 
         FIGS.  8   a - c   : Drawings showing the CO2-valve of the carbonator of the present disclosure in different modes. 
         FIG.  9   : An over-pressure valve of the carbonator of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The carbonator according to the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter. The carbonator according to the present disclosure may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those persons skilled in the art. Same reference numbers refer to same elements throughout the description. 
       FIG.  1    shows a carbonator  100  according to a first alternative of the present disclosure. The carbonator  100  comprises a base  101  for supporting the carbonator on a surface, such as a table or bench. A housing  102  extends upwards from the base  101 . Housing  102  has a lower cylindrical portion  102 . 1  which may accommodate a CO2-container and an upper portion  102 . 2  which may accommodate a carbonation arrangement (which will be described later). The housing  102  further comprises a distal portion  102 . 3 , which extends from the upper portion  102 . 2  of the housing. A manipulator  103 , in the form of a lever, extends from the upper portion  102 . 2  of the housing  102  so that it is accessible to a person. A beverage container  107  for containing a liquid to be carbonated extends from the distal portion  102 . 3  of the housing  102 . 
       FIG.  2    shows a stripped view of the carbonator of  FIG.  1   . Thus, the carbonator  100  comprises a first connector  11  for a gas-outlet of the CO2-container and second connector  32  for a mouth  108  of the beverage container  107  and a CO2-valve  12  for operating the CO2-container  104 , and a first over-pressure valve  60  and second over-pressure valve  70  both for letting CO2-gas out of the beverage container  107  and a venting valve  40  operable to release pressure out of the beverage container. A first fluid conduit  71 . 1 , such as a rubber hose, connects the CO2-valve  12  with the dissolver nozzle  31  (not shown). A second fluid conduit  71 . 2  connects the second connector  32  with the venting valve  40  and a third fluid conduit  71 . 3  connects the first over-pressure valve  60  to a drain  72 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the carbonator has a CO2-head  10  and a dissolver head  30  that are spaced apart from each other. The dissolver head  30  has thereby the second connector  32  for a mouth  108  of a beverage container  107  and the dissolver nozzle  31 . The CO2-head has the first connector  11 , the CO2-valve  12 , the venting valve  40  and an operating mechanism  80  (not shown, but which will be described further below). 
       FIG.  2   a    shows a cross-sectional view along the line X1 - X2 of the carbonator shown in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  2   b    shows a cross-sectional view along the line X1 - X3 of the carbonator shown in figure. 
     Thus,  FIG.  2   a    shows in cross-section the upper portion of the carbonator  100  of the present disclosure. Thus, the first connector  11  may comprise an opening  17  with an inner thread for screw-connection with the gas-outlet  105  a CO2-container  104 . Also the second connector  32  may comprise an opening  34  with an inner thread for screw connection to an outer thread on the mouth  108  of the beverage container  107 . However, other types of connectors are feasible for one or both of the opening  17  in the first connector and the opening  34  in second connector  32 . For example, bayonet connectors. A dissolver nozzle  31  extends through the opening  34  of the second connector  32 . The dissolver nozzle  31  may thereby extend through the mouth  108  of a beverage container  107  connected to the second connector  32 . The dissolver nozzle  31  is connected to the CO2-valve  12  via the first fluid conduit  71 . 1  which is connected to a CO2-outlet  16  of the CO-valve  12 . The CO2-valve  12  is arranged to be operated between a closed state, in which no CO2-gas enters the CO2-valve  12 , and an open state in which CO2-gas may be introduced from the gas-outlet  105  of the CO2-container  104  into the CO2-valve  12  and further to the dissolver nozzle  31 . Also shown in  FIG.  2   a    is the first over-pressure valve  60  which is connected to the opening  34  in the second connector  32  by a fourth fluid conduct  71 . 4  which may be formed in the second connector  32 . The overpressure valve  60 , which will be described later, is configured to open when the pressure in the beverage container  107  exceeds a first predetermined value, for example 5 - 6 bar. Also shown in  FIG.  2   a    is the second over-pressure valve  70  which may be connected to the opening  34  in the second connector  32  by a fifth fluid conduit  71 . 5 . The second over pressure valve  70  is configured to open when the pressure in the beverage container exceeds a second predetermined pressure, for example 12 bar. This type of valve is known in the art and need not to be described further here within. 
     The CO2-valve  12  is shown in detail in  FIG.  8   b   . Thus, the CO2-valve  12  comprises a sleeve  14 , which may be a separate sleeve or is formed by a portion of the first connector  11 . The sleeve may also be denominated cylinder. A CO2-outlet  16  is formed in the wall of the sleeve  14 . An actuator  13 , which may be rod-shaped, is arranged axially movable in the sleeve  14  such that the actuator  13  may move into the opening  17  of the first connector  11  and depress an opening pin  106  of the CO-container  104  such that CO2-gas may exit from the gas-outlet opening  105  of the CO2-container  104 . This type of CO2-containers (i.e. CO2-bottles) are known in the art and need not be explained further. Thus, when the actuator  13  extends sufficiently into the opening  17 , the CO2-valve  12  is in open state and CO2-gas may flow from the CO2-container  104 , through the CO2-valve  12  out through the CO2-outlet  16  and further out through the end of the dissolver nozzle  31  (see,  FIG.  2   a   ). 
       FIG.  2   b    shows the venting valve  40  which is arranged to be operated between an open and closed state. In the open state excess CO2-gas may be led out from the beverage container  107  through fluid connector  71 . 2  and out through the venting valve  40 . In the closed state no excess CO2-gas may be led from the beverage container  107  through the venting valve  40 . 
     The venting valve  40  is shown in detail in  FIG.  7   b   . Thus, the venting valve  40  comprises a sleeve  41 , which may be a separate sleeve or formed by a portion of the second connector  32 . An excess CO2-inlet  42  is formed in the wall of the sleeve  41 . The excess CO2-inlet  42  is connected by fluid connector  71 . 2  to the opening  34  of the second connector  32  (see  FIG.  2   a   ). The venting valve  40  comprises an outlet  43  which may be open to the atmosphere, in this case connected to a drain pipe  71 . 6  (see  FIG.  2   ). A valve body  44  is movable arranged axially in the sleeve  41 . The valve body  44  is biased towards a shoulder  47  in the first end of the sleeve  41  by biasing element  45  in the form of a pressure spring. The venting valve  40  further comprises an actuator  46 , which may be rod-shaped, that is movable axially in the sleeve  40  towards and away from the valve body  44 . Thus, the actuator  46  may be moved towards the valve body  44  such that the valve body  44  is moved away from the shoulder  47 . The venting valve  40  is thereby set in an open mode in which excess CO2-gas may be led from the beverage container  107  through the excess CO2-opening  42  and out through the outlet  43  of the venting valve  40   (See  FIG.  7   c   ). When the force on the actuator  46  is released, the valve body  44  moves, biased by the biasing element  45 , against the shoulder  47 . The venting valve  40  is thereby set in a closed state (see  FIG.  7   a   ). 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  3   . According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the carbonator  100  comprises an operating mechanism  80  which is configured to operate the CO2-valve  12  and the venting valve  40  (not shown) between their respective open and closed positions. 
       FIG.  4    shows the operating mechanism  80  in an exploded view. Thus, the operating mechanism  80  comprises a bridge  85  which is configured to be rotationally journalled in the carbonator  100 , for example in the upper portion  102 . 2  of the housing  102  or in the first connector  11 . The operating mechanism  80  therefore comprises two attachments  81 . 1 ,  81 . 2  which respectively are configured to be rotationally coupled with corresponding attachments in the carbonator (not shown). The bridge  85  comprises a venting surface  86  which, in operation, is configured to contact the end of the actuator  46  of the venting valve  40  (see  FIG.  7   a   ). The bridge  85  further comprises a CO2-surface  90  which, in operation, is configured to contact the end of the actuator  13  of the CO2-valve  12  (see  FIG.  8   b   ). In the embodiment of  FIG.  4   , the CO2-surface  90  is realized as one side of a separate piece which in one end is connectable by a shackle  82  to a corresponding loop  89  on the bridge  85 . The bridge  85  thereby comprises a through opening  93 , through which the actuator  13  of the CO2-valve  12  may extend into contact with the CO2-surface  90 . The operating mechanism  80  is further connectable to the aforementioned manipulator  103 , in the shown embodiment a lever, such that a person may operate the operating mechanism  80  so that it pivots around an axis Y which extends through the two connections  81 . 1   81 . 2 . The operating mechanism  80  may further comprise a rotational damper  84 , which may be connected to the bridge  85  and to the manipulator  103  such that the rotational movement of the bridge  85  is retarded. Such rotational dampers are commercially available as rotation/rotary silicone dampers. 
       FIG.  5   a    shows the operating mechanism  90  in assembled state. In  FIG.  5   b   , the bridge  85  is pivoted by the manipulator  103 . Rotational movement of the operating mechanism causes the bridge  85  to pivot. As a result thereof the venting surface  86  pivots and the CO2-surface  90  raises or lowers due to that it is connected in one end to the bridge  85  by the shackle  82 . Notable is that the venting surface  86  and the CO2-surface are arranged in a substantially side-by-side manner along the horizontal axis Y which may extend through the attachments  81 . 1 ,  81 . 2  of the bridge. 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the operating mechanism  80  is arranged such that rotational movement of the operating mechanism  80  in a first direction sets the venting valve  40  (not shown) in an open state and the CO2-valve  12  (not shown) in a closed state. Rotational movement of the operating mechanism  85  in the other direction sets the venting valve  40  (not shown) in a closed state and the CO2-valve  12  in an open state. The rotational movement of the operating mechanism, and thereby the bridge  85 , is typically limited between a first end position A and a second end position D as indicated in  FIGS.  5   a  and  5   b   , respectively. Cross-sectional views of bridge and venting- and CO2-surfaces are shown in  FIGS.  7   a ,  8   a   . 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it has been found that careful configuration of the venting surface  86  and the CO2-surface  90  with respect to each other allows the carbonator to be set in three distinct operational modes. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  6   . The operating mechanism  80 , e.g. the venting surface  86  and the CO2-surface  90  thereof are configured such that the operating mechanism  80  (not shown) is:
     In a start mode I in which the venting valve  40  is open and the CO2-valve  12  is closed. The operating mechanism  80  is in the start mode I during movement of the manipulator  103  in a first direction, from the first end position A over a first predetermined distance α1 to position B.   In an intermediate mode II in which the venting valve  40  is closed and the CO2-valve  12  is closed. The intermediate mode II is subsequent the start mode I and the operating mechanism  80  is in the intermediate mode II during movement of the manipulator  103  over a second predetermined distance α2 from position B to position C.   In an end mode III in which the venting valve is closed and the CO2 valve is open. The end mode III is subsequent the intermediate mode II and the operating mechanism  80  is in the end mode III during movement of the manipulator  103  over a third predetermined distance α3 from position C to the second end position D. It is appreciated the operating mechanism  80  may be halted in any of the three modes I, II, III by the person operating the operating mechanism through the manipulator  103 . The above description is also valid for a situation in which the operating mechanism  80  is moved in direction from the second end position D towards the first end position A.   

     This, configuration allows the person using the carbonator to easily perform repeated carbonation cycles by simply move the operating mechanism  80  between the end mode III and the intermediate mode II. The handle shaped lever allows the person to easily find the different modes. It has shown that the person will using the carbonator learns to recognize the different modes in little time. To facilitate recognition of the modes, the modes may be of different length. For example, the intermediate mode II may be longer than the start mode I. 
     One exemplary configuration of a bridge  85  that achieves the aforementioned operational modes I , II, II will in the following be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  7   a  - 7   c  and  8   a  -  8   c   . 
       FIG.  7   a    shows a cross-sectional view of the venting valve  40  and the portion of the bridge  85  that constitutes the venting surface  86 . As mentioned the venting surface  86  is a surface of the bridge  85  that is in contact with the actuator  46  of the venting valve  40 . To allow purposeful movement of the actuator  46 , the venting surface  86  may comprise a first end surface  87  and a second end surface  88 . The first end surface  87  may extend from the pivot point Y of the bridge  85  to the second end surface  88 . In the disclosed embodiment, the first and the second end surface  87 ,  88  are configured such they have different geometry. In detail, the first end surface  87  may be flat or have a radius that is greater than the radius of the second end surface  88 . However, it is also possible that the end surfaces are substantially straight and form an angle with each other. The length of the first and second end surfaces  87 ,  88  may also vary. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  7   a  -  7   c   , geometry and the lengths of the first and the second end surfaces  87 ,  88  are selected such that the distance between the venting surface  86  and the venting valve  40  (i.e. the top of the sleeve  41 ) varies in a predetermined manner during rotation of the bridge  85  and thereby causes the actuator  46  of the venting valve  40  to set the venting valve in closed or open position. 
     Thus, as shown in  FIG.  7   c   , the bridge  85  is in position A (see  FIG.  6   ) in which the actuator  46  is in contact with the first end surface  87 . The configuration of the first end surface  87 , which may be substantially straight, results in a distance between the first end surface  87  and the venting valve  40  which is sufficiently small to force the actuator  46  against the valve body  44  so that the valve body is moved out of contact with the shoulder  47 . Thus, the venting valve  40  is in open state when the bridge is in position A. 
     In  FIG.  7   b   , the bridge  85  has pivoted further to position B (see  FIG.  6   ) and the actuator  46  contacts the beginning of the second end surface  88 . The distance between the second end surface  88  and the venting valve  40  (i.e. the top of the sleeve  41 ) is sufficiently great to allow the actuator  46  to rest, without exerting any force, onto the valve body  44 . This causes the valve body  44  to sealingly contact the shoulder  47  whereby the venting valve is in closed mode. Thus, the venting valve  40  is in closed state when the bridge  85  is in position B and in open state during pivoting of the bridge  85  from position A to position B (e.g. up to but not including). 
     In  FIG.  7   a   , the bridge  85  has pivoted to position D. The configuration of the second end surface  88 , which may have a radius, results in a distance between the second end surface  88  and the venting valve  40  which is sufficiently great to allow the actuator  46  move out of contact with the valve body  44 . This causes the valve body  44  to sealingly contact the shoulder  47  whereby the venting valve  40  is in closed mode. Thus, the venting valve  40  is in closed state when the bridge  85  is in position D and during pivoting of the bridge  85  from position B, over position C to position D. 
       FIGS.  8   a  -  8   c    shows the corresponding movement of the CO2-surface  90  relative the actuator  13  of the CO2-valve  12 . 
     Thus, in  FIG.  8   c   , the bridge  85  (schematically indicated) is in position A (see  FIG.  6   ) whereby the CO2-surface  90  is lowered such that the distance between CO2-surface  90  and the CO2-valve  12  (i.e. the sleeve  14 ) is sufficiently large to allow the actuator  13  to move out of contact with the valve body  106  of the CO2-container. Alternatively, to rest without exerting force on the valve body  106 . The CO2-valve is thereby in closed state when the bridge is in position A. 
     In  FIG.  8   b   , the bridge  85  has pivoted further to position C (see  FIG.  6   ) thereby placing the CO2-surface  90  at a distance from the CO2-valve such that the actuator  13  is immediately prior to opening the valve  106  of the CO2-bottle. The CO2-valve is in closed state when the bridge  85  is in position C and during pivoting of the bridge  85  from position A, over position B to position C. 
     In  FIG.  8   a   , the bridge  85  has pivoted to position D (see  FIG.  6   ) in which the distance between the CO2-surface  90  and the CO2-valve  12  is selected such that the CO2-surface  90  forces the actuator  13  against the valve body  106  of the CO2-container to open the gas-outlet  105 . The CO2-valve is in open state when the bridge  85  is in position D and during pivoting of the bridge  85  from position C to position D. 
     Thus, between position B and C of the bridge  85  there is a region (operational mode II) where both the venting valve  40  and the CO2-valve are closed. The person operating the carbonator may easily find this region and use it as starting point for subsequent carbonation cycles without intermediate venting. 
     Further, according to the present disclosure, configuration of the first and second end surfaces of the venting surface and the lifting motion of the CO2-surface have been by carefully selecting the in view of each other, in particular, in view of geometry and length. This in turn has made it possible to tailor the state of the respective venting- and CO2-valves and the duration of these states such that the three different operational modes I, II, III of the carbonator are achievable. 
     As discussed with respect to  FIG.  2   , the carbonator may comprise an over-pressure valve  60  that is coupled to the second connector  32  such that fluid may be led from the mouth of a beverage container  107  through the overpressure valve  60  and out into the atmosphere. 
     The over-pressure valve  60  is shown in detail in  FIG.  9   . Thus, the over-pressure valve  60  comprises a sleeve  61  with a first end  61 . 1  which is configured to be attached to the second connector  32 . The first end  61 . 1  of the sleeve  61  may therefore be provided with an attachment portion  61 . 2  in the form of an outer thread. The second connector may be provided with a corresponding threaded bore (not shown). The first end  61 . 1  of the sleeve  61  has an opening  61 . 2  through which fluid may enter from the beverage bottle in the second connector  32  (not shown) into the sleeve  61 . The sleeve  61  has further an opposite second end  61 . 4  with an opening  61 . 5 . The opposite second end  61 . 4  may comprise an outer thread  61 . 6 . 
     A fluid conduit connector  67  for connection with a fluid drain is arranged within the sleeve  61  and may, as shown in  FIG.  9   , have a male hose connector  67 . 1  which extends from the second opening  61 . 5  in the sleeve  61 . The fluid conduit connector  67  is sealed against the inner surface of the sleeve  61  by a circumferential sealing element  66 . The sealing element  66  is resilient and may be realized in the form of an O-ring, for example manufactured from rubber or silicone. The circumferential sealing element  66  may be received in a rear groove  67 . 2  in the fluid conduit connector  67 . The fluid conduit connector  67  further comprises a forward flange  67 . 3  with a rear surface  67 . 4  which is directed towards the second opening  61 . 5  in the sleeve and a front surface  67 . 5 . The fluid conduit connector further comprises a front flange  67 . 6  which may be realized as a piece of sheet metal (partly shown in  FIG.  9   ) which is clipped into a front groove  67 . 7  of the fluid conduit connector  67 . 
     A valve body  63  is arranged within the sleeve  61 , in the first end  61 . 1  thereof. The valve body  63  comprises a channel  63 . 1  which permits fluid to be led through the valve body  63 . The valve body  63  is movable within the sleeve  61  and biased by one end of a compressible biasing member  65  in the form of a pressure spring against an abutment surface  61 . 7  on the first end  61 . 1  of the sleeve  61 . The other end of the biasing member  65  is supported against the fluid conduit connector  67 . In operation, when the pressure of the fluid in opening  61 . 2  of the first end  61 . 1  of the sleeve  61  exceeds a predetermined value (i.e. 5-6 bar) the valve body  63  is forced away from the abutment surface  61 . 7  to an open position in which pressurized fluid (water and/or CO2) may flow through the channel  63 . 1  in the valve body  63  and out through the fluid line connector  67 . When the pressure drops below the predetermined value, the biasing element  65  forces the valve body  63  back towards the abutment surface  61 . 7 , whereby the over pressure valve is closed. The predetermined value is determined by the spring force of the pressure spring  65 . 
     The fluid conduit connector  67  is adjustably held in the sleeve  61  by a turnable adjustment ring  68  which is arranged on the second end  61 . 4  of the sleeve  61 . The ring  68  has an inner thread  68 . 1  which engages the outer thread  64 . 2  on the second end  61 . 4  of the sleeve  61 . The ring  68  further has a narrowed end  68 . 2  with an inner abutment surface  68 . 3 . The front end of the ring  68  has an outer abutment surface  68 . 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , the ring  68  is screwed onto the second end  61 . 4  of the sleeve  61  such that the inner abutment surface  68 . 3  of the ring  68  bears against the front surface  67 . 5  of the forward flange  67 . 3  of the fluid conduit connector  67 . The male hose connector  67 . 1  extends out through the narrowing end  68 . 2  of the ring  68  and the front flange  67 . 6  of the fluid conduit connector  67  bears against the outer abutment surface  68 . 4  of the ring  68 . 
     In operation, the fluid conduit connector  67  may be moved axially in the sleeve  61  by turning of the ring  68 . Turning in anti-clockwise direction will move the fluid conduit connector  67  towards the second end  61 . 4  of the sleeve  61  and thus allowing the biasing element  65  to expand. Turning in clockwise direction will move the fluid conduit connector  67  towards the first end  61 . 1  of the sleeve  61  and thus cause the biasing element  65  to compress. This makes possible to adjust the spring force of the biasing element  65  and thereby the release pressure of the over pressure valve  60 . A further advantage is that the fluid conduit connector  67  is constantly sealed against the inner surface of the sleeve  61  by the circumferential sealing element  66  in rear groove  67 . 2  of the fluid conduit connector  67 . This further improves the adjustment of the over-pressure valve  60 . 
     Numbered Example Embodiments 
     The technology described in this disclosure thus encompasses without limitation the following numbered example embodiments (E). It should be appreciated that the numbered example embodiments are listed for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of various aspects and embodiments of this disclosure. The numbered example embodiments are not claims that define the scope of protection conferred. The appended claims of the disclosure define the invention and, accordingly, the scope of protection conferred. 
     E1. A carbonator ( 100 ) for producing carbonated beverage comprising:
     a first connector ( 11 ) for a gas-outlet ( 105 ) of a CO2-container ( 104 ) and with a CO2-valve ( 12 ), operable between a closed state and an open state in which CO2-gas may be introduced from a gas-outlet ( 105 ) of a CO2-container ( 104 ) into the CO2-valve, and;   a second connector ( 32 ) for a mouth ( 108 ) of a beverage container ( 107 ) and with a dissolver nozzle ( 31 ) for introducing CO2-gas into the beverage container ( 107 ), connected to the CO2-valve ( 12 ) and;   a venting valve ( 40 ) connected to the second connector ( 32 ) and operable between a closed state and an open state in which excess CO2-gas may be led out from the beverage container ( 107 ) through the venting valve ( 40 ) and;   an operating mechanism ( 80 ) configured to operate the CO2-valve ( 12 ) and the venting valve ( 40 ) between open and closed states, and   a manipulator ( 103 ), coupled to the operating mechanism ( 80 ), for allowing a person to operate the operating mechanism ( 80  between:   a start mode (I) in which the venting valve ( 40 ) is open and the CO2-valve ( 12 ) is closed, and;   an end mode (III) in which the CO2-valve ( 12 ) is open and the venting valve ( 40 ) is closed, whereby;   the operating mechanism ( 80 ) is configured to be set in an intermediate mode (II), between the first mode (I) and the second mode (III), in which both the venting valve ( 40 ) and the CO2-valve ( 12 ) are closed.   

     E2. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodimentE1, wherein the operating mechanism ( 80 ) is configured such that the duration of the intermediate mode (II) is longer than the duration of the start mode (I). 
     E3. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E1 or E2, wherein the venting valve ( 40 ) comprises a sleeve ( 41 ) with a movable valve body ( 44 ) and an actuator ( 46 ) arranged to be moved axially in the sleeve ( 41 ) by the operating mechanism ( 80 ) towards the valve body ( 44 ) to set the venting valve ( 40 ) in the open state. 
     E4. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to any one of embodiments E1 - E3, wherein the CO2-valve ( 12 ) comprises a sleeve ( 14 ) with an actuator ( 13 ), wherein the actuator ( 13 ) is arranged to be moved axially in the sleeve ( 14 ) by the operating mechanism ( 80 ) into the first connector ( 11 ) thereby setting the CO2-valve ( 12 ) in an open state. 
     E5. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to any one of embodiments E1 - E4, wherein the operating mechanism ( 80 ) comprises a bridge ( 85 ) that is rotationally journalled in the carbonator ( 100 ) and connected to the manipulator ( 103 ) such that the bridge ( 85 ) may be rotated by the manipulator ( 103 ) around a rotational axis (Y) extending through the bridge ( 85 ) and through the manipulator ( 103 . 
     E6. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E5, wherein the bridge ( 85 ) comprises a venting surface ( 86 ) which is in contact with the actuator ( 46 ) of the venting valve ( 40 ) and a CO2-surface ( 90 ) which is in contact with the actuator ( 13 ) of the CO2-valve ( 12 ). 
     E7. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E6, wherein the operating mechanism ( 80 ) is arranged such rotational movement of the operating mechanism ( 80 ) in a first direction displaces the venting surface ( 86 ) and the CO2-surface ( 90 ) relative the actuator ( 46 ) of the venting valve ( 40 ) and the actuator ( 13 ) of the CO2-valve such that the venting surface ( 86 ) forces the actuator ( 46 ) to set the venting valve ( 40 ) in an open state and the CO2-surface ( 90 ) forces the actuator ( 13 ) to set the CO2-valve ( 12 ) in an open state, and vice versa. 
     E8. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E6 or E7, wherein the venting surface ( 86 ) and the CO2-surface ( 90 ) are oriented in a side-by-side manner along the rotational axis (Y). 
     E9. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E3 and embodiments E6 or E7, wherein the venting surface ( 86 ) comprises a first end surface ( 87 ) and a second end surface ( 88 ) with different configuration, wherein;
     the configuration of the first end surface ( 87 ) is selected such that, when the actuator ( 46 ) is in contact with the first end surface ( 87 ), the valve body ( 44 ) is forced by the actuator ( 46 ) to set the venting valve ( 40 ) in an open state and;   the configuration of the second end surface ( 88 ) is selected such that when the actuator ( 46 ) is in contact with the second end surface ( 88 ), the valve body ( 44 ) sets the venting valve ( 40 ) is in the closed position.   

     E10. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E4 and embodiment s E6 or E7, wherein the CO2-surface ( 90 ) is arranged to:
     move towards the actuator ( 13 ) of the CO2-valve ( 12 ) such that the actuator ( 13 ) is forced to extend into the connector ( 11 ) thereby setting the CO2-valve ( 12 ) an open state and;   move away from the actuator ( 13 ) such that the actuator ( 13 ) is withdrawn in or from the connector ( 11 ) thereby setting the CO2-valve ( 12 ) in a closed state.   

     E11. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to any one of embodiments E6 - E10, wherein the configuration of the venting surface ( 86 ) and the configuration of the CO2-surface are selected with respect to each other such that the venting valve ( 40 ) and the CO2-valve ( 12 ) simultaneous are in closed state during a portion of rotational movement of the bridge ( 85 ). 
     E12. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E5, wherein the manipulator ( 103 ) is a lever, wherein the operating mechanism ( 80 ) is configured to be:
     in the start mode (I) during movement of the manipulator ( 103 ) in a first direction, over a first distance (α1);   in the intermediate mode (II) during movement of the manipulator ( 103 ) in a first direction, over a second distance (α2) and;   in the end mode (III) during movement of the manipulator ( 103 ) in a first direction, over a third distance (α3), wherein;   
 the length of the intermediate mode (II) is selected such that the intermediate mode (II) is recognizable by the person operating the manipulator ( 103 ).
     E14. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to embodiment E5 or E12, wherein the manipulator ( 103 ) is connected to the bridge ( 85 ) via a rotational damper ( 84 ). 
     E15. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to any one of embodiments E1 - E14, comprising a first over-pressure valve ( 60 ) arranged to relieve over-pressure in a beverage container ( 107 ), wherein said over pressure valve ( 60 ) comprises:
     a sleeve ( 61 ) with a first end ( 61 . 1 ) connectable to the second connector ( 32 ) so that fluid may flow from the mouth ( 108 ) of a beverage container ( 107 ) in the second connector ( 32 ) into the first end ( 61 . 1 ) of said over-pressure valve ( 60 ) and;   said sleeve ( 61 ) having a second end ( 61 . 4 ) with an opening ( 64 . 5 ), and;   a fluid conduit connector ( 67 ) arranged within the sleeve ( 61 ) and partially extending out through said opening ( 64 . 5 ), and;   a movable valve body ( 63 ) with a fluid channel ( 63 . 1 ) arranged within the sleeve ( 61 ) and supported against the fluid conduit connector ( 67 ) by a compressible biasing element ( 65 ), and;   an adjustment ring ( 68 ), turnable arranged on the second end ( 61 . 4 ) of the sleeve ( 61 ), wherein;   the adjustment ring ( 68 ) engages the fluid conduit connector ( 67 ) such that turning of the adjustment ring ( 68 ) moves the fluid conduit connector ( 67 ) towards or away from the valve body ( 63 ) and thereby causes the biasing element ( 65 ) to expand or compress.   

     E16. The carbonator ( 100 ) according to any one of embodiments E1 - E15 comprising 
     a CO2-head ( 10 ) with the first connector ( 11 ) for a gas-outlet ( 105 ) of a CO2-container ( 104 ) and with the CO2-valve ( 12 ), and;   a dissolver head ( 30 ) with the second connector ( 32 ) for a mouth ( 108 ) of a beverage container ( 107 ) and with the dissolver nozzle ( 31 ) for introducing CO2-gas into the beverage container ( 107 ), connected to the CO2-valve ( 12 ) and wherein;   the venting valve ( 40 ) is arranged in the CO2-head ( 10 ) and wherein;   the operating mechanism ( 80 ) is arranged in the CO2-head ( 10 ).   

     Modifications and other variants of the described embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the specific example embodiments described in this disclosure and that modifications and other variants are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, a person skilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the appended claims. As used herein, the terms “comprise/comprises” or “include/includes” do not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individual features may be included in different claims (or embodiments), these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion of different claims (or embodiments) does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Finally, reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.