Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A water carbonation system comprising: a tank containing gas having a first pressure higher than atmospheric pressure during normal operation and having a second, predetermined pressure during abnormal operation, said second pressure being less than said first pressure; means for introducing water into the tank and means for introducing CO 2 gas into the tank, both said means for introducing permitting carbonation of the water; means for withdrawing carbonized water from the tank; and a valve assembly associated with said means for introducing CO 2 gas, said valve assembly having an aperture and having closure means, said closure means being movable between an open position for permitting release of the gas in the tank through said aperture and a closed position for closing said aperture, said closure means being in the closed position when the tank is at the first pressure and being in the open position when the tank is at the second pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A water carbonation system comprising: a tank containing gas having a first pressure higher than atmospheric pressure during normal operation and having a second, predetermined pressure during abnormal operation, said second pressure being less than said first pressure; means for introducing water into the tank and means for introducing CO 2 gas into the tank, both said means for introducing permitting carbonation of the water; means for withdrawing carbonized water from the tank; and a valve assembly associated with said means for introducing CO 2 gas, said valve assembly having an aperture and having closure means, said closure means being movable between an open position for permitting release of the gas in the tank through said aperture and a closed position for closing said aperture, said closure means being in the closed position when the tank is at the first pressure and being in the open position when the tank is at the second pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 1 and further comprising: adjustable spring means having a force for urging said closure means toward the open position, said spring means and the pressure of the gas within the tank normally controlling movement of the closure means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 2 and further comprising: flow throttle means provided between the aperture and closure means, said flow throttle means permitting the pressure of the gas introduced by the means for introducing gas to overcome the force of the spring and to move the closure means to the closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 3, wherein said flow throttle means is formed by a peripheral gap between the closure means and the aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 1, wherein said closure means has a disk-shaped valve plate and a stem, said stem sliding axially in the aperture as the closure means moves between the open and closed positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 5, wherein said valve plate has a packing ring for securely sealing the aperture when the closure means is in the closed position, and said packing ring being made from elastically deformable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 6, wherein said valve plate faces a valve seat surrounding said aperture, said valve seat having a conical shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 1, wherein said valve assembly is integrated into a pressure regulator in the means for introducing gas into the tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 1, and further comprising means to cool said tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The water carbonation system as recited in claim 1, wherein a signal is provided to alert an operator when the pressure in the tank reaches the second pressure and the closure means moves from the closed to the open position.