Abstract: Carbonator apparatus used in connection with a postmix beverage dispenser system includes a water delivery branching circuit for the water fed under pressure from a fresh water source and which is used to fill a storage tank for carbonated water produced therein and to supply fresh water to a recirculating type of fresh water cooling structure which includes a water circulating coil located in the bottom of the storage tank and/or a water channel guide located on the outside of the storage tank. The branching system selectively enables fresh water to be fed into a carbonator storage tank where the water is blended with CO.sub.2 gas or is guided around it while being cooled without being carbonated so that either cooled carbonated water or non-carbonated water is delivered to a mixing station along with a drink concentrate.

Abstract: Apparatus including a circulating pump inside a carbonator tank which blends CO.sub.2 with still water and which is started and stopped for predetermined time periods in repetitive cycles having an on/off ratio ranging between 1:10 and 1:20. A timing circuit controls the operating and non operating times of the circulating pump so that sufficient carbonation of the water with CO.sub.2 gas is achieved along with the formation of an ice bank on the cooled wall of the storage tank. During intervening periods when the circulating pump is not operating, the carbonated water arranges itself in layers according to its density so that the relatively warmer water sinks while the colder water together with any ice particles or small pieces of ice floating therein join together, becoming fixed to the ice bank in the upper portion of the carbonator.

Abstract: Apparatus which accelerates the cooling of the stored water cooled in the storage tank after a refilling operation so that it corresponds to the temperature that is normally reached after a relatively long water storage period. The apparatus includes a carbonator tank having at least one spray opening in the water feed line leading into the head-space region of the carbonator storage tank and where the spay opening is directed to the side walls of the tank in the vicinity of an ice bank formed on an upper inner wall surface thereof. An additional spray opening is oriented so that it points directly at the water surface and by a relatively simple valving arrangement both downward and/or lateral sprays can be implemented.

Abstract: A carbonator having a cooling system which is controlled by a controller responsive to input signals generated by an ambient temperature sensor, an ice thickness sensor and a water level sensor. After an initial ice build up following first turn-on of the system and depending on the ambient temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the cooling system will turn on for a predetermined ON period followed by a predetermined OFF period. These ON and OFF periods are variable as a function of ambient temperature as sensed by the temperature sensor and will recycle in absence of any carbonated water removed. If, however, water removal takes place, the OFF period is interrupted and system turn-on will occur the next time a signal from the ice sensor is received and the ON and OFF cycle as determined by the system controller will resume unless it is again interrupted by another water removal signal from the water level sensor.