US3877358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carbonated beverage system
Assignee: Shasta Beverages Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-27
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for continuously preparing a carbonated product and filling containers. Carbon dioxide is applied to a liquid under carbonating pressure and the carbonated liquid is passed to a stabilizing tank maintained at a pressure at least equal to carbonating pressure. Thereafter, the liquid is directed to a pressure reduction tank in which the pressure is lowered to a level just sufficient to produce the desired flow rate to the filler. By reducing the pressure prior to filling, a filler of the gravity or vacuum type may be employed without excessive foaming. Or, if a counter pressure filler is employed, operating pressure is considerably lowered.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred A Karr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:43
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67C; B67C3/00; B67C3/02; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/23; B01F23/236; B01F23/2363; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In a system for continuously preparing a carbonated beverage product and filling containers with the same, a stabilizing tank, a source of liquid to be carbonated, a line connected between said liquid source and said stabilizing tank, a source of carbon dioxide under pressure, carbonating means connected to said source of carbon dioxide and disposed in said line for applying carbon dioxide to flowing liquid to be carbonated to form a carbonated product before entry into the stabilizing tank, first valve means disposed between said stabilizing tank and a source of carbon dioxide under pressure for regulating the head pressure of carbon dioxide over carbonated product in said stabilizing tank, a pressure reduction tank, a line connected between said stabilizing tank and said pressure reduction tank, second valve means connected to said pressure reduction tank for regulating the head pressure of carbon dioxide over carbonated product in said tank, a filler for dispensing carbonated product, a line directly connected between said pressure reduction tank and fIller providing open communication therebetween so that the pressure in said filler is determined by the head pressure in the pressure reduction tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a system for continuously preparing a carbonated beverage product and filling containers with the same, a stabilizing tank, a source of liquid to be carbonated, a line connected between said liquid source and said stabilizing tank, a source of carbon dioxide under pressure, carbonating means connected to said source of carbon dioxide and disposed in said line for applying carbon dioxide to flowing liquid to be carbonated to form a carbonated product before entry into the stabilizing tank, first valve means disposed between said stabilizing tank and a source of carbon dioxide under pressure for regulating the head pressure of carbon dioxide over carbonated product in said stabilizing tank, a pressure reduction tank, a line connected between said stabilizing tank and said pressure reduction tank, second valve means connected to said pressure reduction tank for regulating the head pressure of carbon dioxide over carbonated product in said tank, a filler for dispensing carbonated product, a line directly connected between said pressure reduction tank and fIller providing open communication therebetween so that the pressure in said filler is determined by the head pressure in the pressure reduction tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A system as in claim 1 together with a level control means for said pressure reduction tank including a valve operable to close when the liquid level in the tank is above a first predetermined level and to open when the liquid level is below the same level, said valve being disposed in the line between said stabilizing tank and pressure reduction tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
169 words
A system as in claim 2 in which said level control means includes a float in said pressure reduction tank, piston means, a line connecting said float and piston means, said piston means being operable to close said valve in response to exertion of gas pressure in the line and to open the same in response to release of gas pressure therein, plug means for blocking and unblocking gas flow in said last named line in response to the float moving to a position corresponding to said first and second predetermined levels respectively, and a gas bleed opening in said line between said plug means and piston means, whereby with liquid above said predetermined level the plug means unblocks gas flow in said line to urge said piston means to close said valve, and with liquid below at the predetermined liquid level the plug means blocks gas flow in said line, and gas pressure is reduced through said bleed-off opening to move said piston to a valve opening position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 1 in which said second valve means includes a relief valve operable to vent gas from said pressure reduction tank when the gas pressure therein exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 1 together with relief valve means for releasing gas head pressure in the stabilizing tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 5 in which said relief valve means including first sensing means for detecting the stoppage of carbonated product flow to said filler, a second sensing means for detecting liquid flow to said stabilizing tank, and means responsive to detection by said first and second sensing means for opening said relief valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A system as in claim 6 together with a switch having an open and closed position for sensing the flow of liquid to be carbonated in the line to the stabilizing tank and in which said second sensing means is operable in response to the open switch position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
106 words
A system as in claim 1 together with a first switch having a first and second position for respectively opening and closing the flow of liquid to be carbonated to the stabilizing tank and a second switch having a first and second position for respectively opening and closing the flow of carbon dioxide to the carbonator, and level control means for said stabilizing tank operable to synchronously actuate said first and second switches to said first positions when the liquid level in said stabilizing tank is below a first predetermined level and to said second position when the liquid level is above a second predetermined level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |