Abstract: An adapter for a canister filling system includes a body having an opening that is shaped to enable insertion of a valve of a gas canister for holding a pressurized or liquefied gas, into an interior space of the body, leaving a sealed gap between at least a portion of a lateral aspect of the valve and an internal surface of the body facing the interior space; and at least one channel that is configured to conduct pressurized or liquified gas from a canister filling system into the sealed gap in the interior space, so as to reach one or more lateral exterior ports of the valve of the gas canister that open laterally to a longitudinal axis of a body of the gas canister, when the valve is inserted in the interior space, to facilitate filling of the gas canister with the pressurized or liquified gas through said one or more lateral exterior ports of the gas canister.

Abstract: An adapter for a canister filling system includes a body having an opening that is shaped to enable insertion of a valve of a gas canister for holding a pressurized or liquefied gas, into an interior space of the body, leaving a sealed gap between at least a portion of a lateral aspect of the valve and an internal surface of the body facing the interior space; and at least one channel that is configured to conduct pressurized or liquified gas from a canister filling system into the sealed gap in the interior space, so as to reach one or more lateral exterior ports of the valve of the gas canister that open laterally to a longitudinal axis of a body of the gas canister, when the valve is inserted in the interior space, to facilitate filling of the gas canister with the pressurized or liquified gas through said one or more lateral exterior ports of the gas canister.

Abstract: A carbonation machine may include a carbonation head, a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket, and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head

Abstract: A connector for connecting a gas canister to a carbonation machine includes holding structure with a threaded socket that is configured to hold an exteriorly threaded valve head that is screwed into the socket to enable operation of a gas release mechanism of the carbonation machine to release a gas from the gas canister. A rotatable projection extends distally from the holding structure and that is configured to engage cooperating structure on the gas canister. When the valve head is fully inserted into the socket, a gasket in the socket is sufficiently compressed to prevent escape of the gas between the valve head and the socket when the gas is released from the gas canister compression while overtightening damage to the gasket is prevented.

Abstract: A carbonation machine may include a carbonation head, a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket, and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head

Abstract: A connector for connecting a gas canister to a carbonation machine includes holding structure with a threaded socket that is configured to hold an exteriorly threaded valve head that is screwed into the socket to enable operation of a gas release mechanism of the carbonation machine to release a gas from the gas canister. A rotatable projection extends distally from the holding structure and that is configured to engage cooperating structure on the gas canister. When the valve head is fully inserted into the socket, a gasket in the socket is sufficiently compressed to prevent escape of the gas between the valve head and the socket when the gas is released from the gas canister compression while overtightening damage to the gasket is prevented.

Abstract: A carbonation machine includes a pneumatic chamber with a movable wall. The wall moves outward to depress a pin of a gas release valve of a gas canister that is held in a canister holder of the machine when air pressure in the chamber is increased. An air release valve is closable to retain air in the chamber. An air pump is operable to pump air from the ambient atmosphere into the chamber so as to increase air pressure in the chamber. A controller is configured to close the air release valve and to operate the air pump to increase the air pressure in the chamber to move the movable wall outward to open the gas release valve of the canister to cause release of gas from the canister to carbonate a liquid, and to open the air release valve to enable the gas release valve to close.

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.

Abstract: A system and method is described for providing different levels of carbonated water on demand. The system includes a pressurized chamber to hold at least one of water and carbonated water, a gas canister to dispense carbon dioxide (CO2) into the pressurized chamber, a controller to control the dispensing of the CO2 according to level of carbonation required and a valve to vent excess gas from the pressurized chamber after carbonation.

Abstract: A home carbonation system includes a mechanical lock to lock a bottle within the carbonation system during carbonation. The system also includes a gradual releaser to controllably release pressure after the carbonation and to delay the unlocking of the bottle from the mechanical lock after the carbonation has ended.

Abstract: A dosing system including a dispensing tube to dispense a viscous liquid from a holding container to an output container, the tube includes an upper and a lower valve and a peristaltic pump to push against the dispensing tube and to cause the viscous liquid to open the lower valve.

Abstract: A safety unit for a home carbonation machine that includes a valve to release gas from a sealed state at a first pressure and a backup element set to rupture at a second higher pressure when the valve malfunctions. The valve also includes a backup element housing which moves to vent the gas via an outlet during carbonation and which has a conduit to direct the gas to the backup element.

Abstract: A home carbonation machine including a gas canister connectable to a carbonation head and a non-metal carbonation tube including an integrally formed metal tip set at distal end thereof and where the carbonation tube is connectable to the carbonation head in order to transport injected carbon dioxide from the gas canister to a bottle of water.