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 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 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 home use carbonation machine includes a carbonation assembly to carbonate liquid with pressurized gas, an electrical controller to operate the carbonation assembly and at least one safeguard to terminate the supply of pressurized gas in the event of an electrical outage. The carbonation assembly includes a pronged clamp apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to the carbonation machine.

Abstract: A home use carbonation machine includes a pronged clamp to fit a non-upright bottle to a flexible seal, thereby facilitating a closed carbonation environment in the bottle and a normally open safety valve to vent the bottle when the carbonation machine is not actively carbonating. A home use carbonation machine includes a carbonation assembly to carbonate liquid with pressurized gas, a pronged clamp and a centering ring with centering ribs to guide a non-upright bottle into the pronged clamp during insertion and to constrict prongs of the clamp when a user moves the non-upright bottle towards an upright position for operation.

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 capsule for storing a fixed amount of syrup. The capsule includes a housing to store the fixed amount of syrup and is shaped to sit on the rim of a bottle of carbonated water. The capsule also includes a release mechanism to release the syrup in a controlled manner into the bottle. The capsule is shaped so that excess gas is released into the atmosphere between at least one of the outside walls of the capsule and the inner wall of the opening of the bottle of carbonated water. The invention includes a method for releasing syrup from a capsule into a bottle of carbonated water. The method includes the capsule being placed on a rim of the bottle and the capsule receiving a downward force.

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 use carbonation machine includes a pronged clamp to fit a non-upright bottle to a flexible seal, thereby facilitating a closed carbonation environment in the bottle and a normally open safety valve to vent the bottle when the carbonation machine is not actively carbonating. A home use carbonation machine includes a carbonation assembly to carbonate liquid with pressurized gas, a pronged clamp and a centering ring with centering ribs to guide a non-upright bottle into the pronged clamp during insertion and to constrict prongs of the clamp when a user moves the non-upright bottle towards an upright position for operation.

Abstract: A home use carbonation machine includes a carbonation assembly to carbonate liquid with pressurized gas, an electrical controller to operate the carbonation assembly and at least one safeguard to terminate the supply of pressurized gas in the event of an electrical outage.

Abstract: A pronged clamp apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to a soda machine includes prongs to attach the bottle to the soda machine and a locking mechanism to lock the bottle to the machine at least during carbonation. The apparatus also comprises a flexible seal to facilitate a closed carbonation environment and a ring to constrict the prongs underneath a ringed extension of the bottle thereby lifting the bottle towards the seal to clamp the bottle to the flexible seal.

Abstract: A capsule for storing a fixed amount of syrup. The capsule includes a housing to store the fixed amount of syrup and is shaped to sit on the rim of a bottle of carbonated water. The capsule also includes a release mechanism to release the syrup in a controlled manner into the bottle. The capsule is shaped so that excess gas is released into the atmosphere between at least one of the outside walls of the capsule and the inner wall of the opening of the bottle of carbonated water. The invention includes a method for releasing syrup from a capsule into a bottle of carbonated water. The method includes the capsule being placed on a rim of the bottle and the capsule receiving a downward force.

Abstract: A capsule for storing a fixed amount of syrup. The capsule includes a housing to store the fixed amount of syrup and is shaped to sit on an opening of a bottle of liquid. The capsule also includes a release mechanism to release the syrup in a controlled manner into the bottle. The invention includes a method for releasing syrup from a capsule into a bottle of carbonated water. The method includes the capsule being placed on a rim of the bottle and the capsule receiving a downward force.

Abstract: A pronged clamp apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to a soda machine includes prongs to attach the bottle to the soda machine and a locking mechanism to lock the bottle to the machine at least during carbonation.

Abstract: A home soda machine includes a cylinder of gas suitable for carbonation, an attachment mechanism to attach a bottle of water, a valve opening mechanism to open a gas release valve on the gas cylinder and introduce the gas to the bottle of water, a gas release sensor to sense at least events indicating the opening and closing of the gas release valve, and an indirect gas meter to at least determine an amount of the gas released from the cylinder based at least on a cumulative length of time the gas release valve was open as per data received from the gas release sensor.