CA1328248C

CA1328248C - Beverage dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CA1328248C
Application number: CA000525477A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Alistair Scott
Original assignee: Isoworth Ltd
Current assignee: Isoworth Ltd
Priority date: 1986-02-10
Filing date: 1986-12-16
Publication date: 1994-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2011-04-05
Also published as: EP0236633A3; GB2186265A; BR8700581A; KR880004759A; NO870509D0; IN169154B; GB8603227D0; DE3643598A1; NO168521B; JP2552664B2; JPS62193993A; DE3679178D1; ATE63291T1; NZ218656A; JPH08253295A; BR8700579A; NO168521C; GB2186265B; TR22724A; DK593686A

Abstract

ABSTRACT
BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS
Apparatus for making flavoured carbonated beverages includes carbonation means (2) and concentrate supply means (4). The latter includes a metering chamber (24) so that metered quantities of concentrate are supplied for making each drink. Concentrate is drawn from a supply bottle (6) into the metering chamber (24) by creating a reduced pressure therein with the aid of a venturi (20) through which carbon dioxide gas under pressure is supplied. The gas from the venturi (20) is directed downwardly into the upper part of the concentrate bottle which includes a baffle structure (48) which prevents this gas impinging directly on the surface of the concentrate and which is so arranged that the gas entering the bottle (6) passes to a gas outlet (72) route only via the space above the concentrate, so that unwanted discharge of concentrate through the outlet route is prevented.

Description

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.' 1 .' , ` This invention relates to beverage dispensing apparatus and is particularly concerned with such . ., apparatus which may be used in the home for rnaking ~, carbonated drinks.
There have recently been a number of proposals for home carbonation apparatus which is provided with a carbonation means for carbonating water and a flavoured concentrate supply means arranged so that the concentrate is mixed with the carbonated water after :., discharge o~ the latter from the carbonation chamber.
~, The concentrate may be contained in replaceable bottles ¦ and it has been proposed that the bottles be I pressurized with carbon dioxide so as to provide the force necessary for discharging the concentrate. A
particularly advantageous form of apparatus is , disclosed in U.~. Patent Application No. 2161089A
;l (published January 9, 1986). In the prefexred form of such apparatus, the pressure supplied to the concentrate bottles is derived from carbon dioxide in ~' 20 the carbonation chamber, thus utilizing carbon dioxide which would otherwise be wasted.

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~L~2~2~8 `~ -2-` / WhilSt the utilization of carbon dioxide pressure ~ for discharging concentrate from the concentrate ; bottles may operate satisfactorily to some extent, it has been found that it is not easy to control the volume of concentrate dispensed with each drink with :1 sufficient accuracy for certain applications.
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In a first aspect, therefore, the present invention is aimed at solving this problem.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention ~, 10 pro~ides drink dispensing apparatus, preferably home carbonation apparatus, having conS~entrate supply mea~s `s whi~h includes a metering ahamber whereby the volume o~
e dispe~se~ ln~eaah~diapens~1n~ ope1rat~or~ ma~
o~trolled~
,~ h~ ~aS~:~é~ the~ present ~inven~io~
ov1des- beverage d1spensin~ ap!parat~s, pre~:erably ~ h-om~e~carbonation appara~us9 whic;h in~lu~es concentrate 1; supply means eomprising a gas driven pump~ preferably in the form of a venturi, for causing a required ~:~ 20 movement of said concentrate. Preferably said gas driven pump ~is operative to cause movement of i1 concentrate from a supply bottle to a metering cha~ber.
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Preferably, theigas used is pressurized carbon dioxi~e, which may be supplied from a carbonation ~chamber ~ 25 following completion of a carbonation operation.

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~ invention, carbonation apparatus comprises carbonation :. means for carbonating water and concentrate dispensing .i means for receiving a concentrate container and : 5 dispensing concentrate from said container for mixing . with said carbonated water, said concentrate ` dispensing means comprising a metering chamber, :: venturi means having an inlet arranged for receiving pressurized carbon dioxide and an outlet for supplying said carbon dioxide, after passing through said venturi ~:: means, to said: concentrate container, said venturi ~! means ~eing. efPecti~e to create a reduced pressure in siaid metering chamber,. a concen~rate inlet connectable . ~ . .
to said~ container so that sai~ reduced: pressu~e may .
draw.concent~ate~ from~said container into said metering c~amber, and a concentrate outlet for dispensing aoncentra:te from the metering chamber to be mixed with .~ ~ the car~onated water.
~ A problem which arises in the particularly , ~ j .
~; 20 preferred embodiment of the invention defined in the ' . ' 'I
:l immediately preceding paragraph is that the carbon ~. dioxide ~lowing through the venturi into the container : ~i .,. ; .
.l may have entrained in it some concentrate which is '~`j,.J ' drawn into the venturi from the me~ering chamber and ~, . 25 such entrained Qoncentrate may escape from the ... ~,.. . . . . . .
~ apparatus. .Further, the carbon dioxide ~lowing into " ,11 ~ , , ., . ~ .
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., the container from the venturi may agitate the surface :, of the concentrate in the container to an extent that some concentrate may exit from the apparatus through a : carbon dioxide exhaust.
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., 5 An additional aspect of the invention aims to ;~ solve this problem.
i Thus, a further preferred embodiment of the ' invention comprises a concentrate container for use ~, .1 with the particularly preferred concentrate supply :1lo means defined above~ said container being connectable ~to the supply means and having a carbon dioxide inlet ' !, .
.~route for receiving carbon dioxide fro~ the venturi, a concentrate outlet for supplying concentrate to the metering chamber and a carbon dioxide outlet route for exhausting carbon dioxide from the container, the . i .
carbon dioxide inlet and outlet routes being so arranged that concentrate entrained in the carbon dioxide is returned to the concentrate container substantially without being exhausted through said :~20 outlet route.
~ mbodiments are descrlbed further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
;.~Figure 1 illustrates carbonation apparatus provided with concentrate supply means in aecordance . i -l ~32~2~

with a preferred embodiment o~ the invention, the supply means being shown in section in Figure 1;
Figure 2 is a further section through the supply . means of Figure 1, but with the parts shown separately;
. .
.: 5 and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the supply means ~; of Figures 1 and 2 with the parts s~own separately.
- With reference to the drawings, the home : ,, - carbonation apparatus shown comprises a carbonation ~ 10 ohamber 2 provided with means, such as described in . ~
above-mentioned U.K. Application No. 216108~A, for carborating water; a concentra~e metering unit 4; a concentrate supply bottle 6;~ and: an arrangemen~ ~ a~
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~ the bottom: o~ the: carbon~ation. chamber ~or dis¢harging .'~ 15~ carbonated~ water and- concentrate ~rom the apparatus .~ into, for example~, a glass 10-.
i The metering unit 4 comprises a housing 12 having ~ ~, ~. a carbon dioxide inlet 14 connected by a conduit 16, ,i ''~ , ~ incorporating an electrically operated valve 17, to '~i, 20 the carbonation chamber 2 for receiving carbon dioxide '.~ gas remaini.ng in the chamber 2 after a carbonation ;;~
~ operation, which gas is under pressure. The lower end ;: ~
o~ the inlet pipe 14 is tapered to form a nozzie 15 and positioned within a vertical pipe 18 su~h that an annular gap 20 is formed bet~een the nozzle 15 and pipe .` 18 to constitute a ventur. A vertically ex~ending ~ ' ' . - " . - ,: . -.",.

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.concentrate inlet pipe 22 is positioned inside the housing 1~ adjacent the pipe 18- but the pipe 22 terminates, at its top end, at a level lower than that ... .
: of the top end of the pipe 18. The interior of the housing 12 defines a concentrate metering chamber 24 'into which concentrate may be supplied via the pipe 22.
A partition 19 extends ~rom top~to bottom of the chamber 24 in between the pipes 1~ a~d 22. The vertical edges 21 of the partition 19 are spaced from "
: 10 the interior of the housing so that the portions of the ',~ chamber 24 on opposite~sides of the partition 19 are in :.'~ communication with ea¢h othe~. A concentr~te outlet 26 provided near t~e bottom of~the chamber 24 is connected ;i3~ by a pi:pe 2~,to the d~is~harge arrangemen~
The bot~le ~ is prov~ide~ wlt~ ~ cap 3~ ~ecured to the botb1e 6 b:y the interr-ergagement o~ an external rib 32 on the bottIe with an:internal recess~3~ in the cap.
The cap 34 is provided at opposite sides with a pair of latches 38 each having a downwardly inclined resilient ~i.,;~
:~ ~ 20 nose 40 whioh engages in an annular recess 42 formed in 'l: a boss 44 provide~ on the metering unit 4 at the bottom ., , ;~ . thereof. The boss 44 has a tapered surface 46 which is ~1 such as to deflect the noses 40 outwardly, when the cap ~ `30.is ~itted to the boss 44, the arrangenent being such -iJ ~ 25 that the noses 40 snap into the recess 42 once they .~ ~ ' . . .` ' .
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have passed the surface 46 thereby locking the bottle 6 in its operative position.
: A baffle structure 48 provided inside the cap 30 has a central opening 50 which receives a dip tube 52 which extends substantially to the bottom of the bottle 6. The dip tube 52 has at its top end an outwardly directed flange 54 having at one side an upward ; projection 56 that engages in a corresponding recess 58 'A, in the boss 44. A sealing ring 57 is positioned : . 10 between the boss 44 and the top of the dip tube 52.
. Opposite the projection 5~, the flange~ 54 is provided ,.~ with a gap 60 which,~ when th~ projec~ion 56- is :i correctly engaged wi~h the ~ecess 5~ is opposite the~

lower end of the piipe tg s~ t;hat ~a~bon di~o~h~e.~as may ~?~
flow downwardl~ from t~e. pip~ 1~ tQwa~C, t~e ~a~le~
structure 48. This struc~u~e 4ff oompr~ses a ~cwnwardly inclined annular baffl~ ~2.,~a frustoconi¢al. i~ner wall r~, 64 which extends upwardly from the inner edge of the .~;$~ I baffle 62 and contains a plurality of apertures 66~ and ." 20 a plurality of radial baffles 68 equi-angularly spaced ,i l around the structure and integral with both the baffle 62 and the wall 64. Thus, carbon dioxide gas entering the cap .30 from the pipe 18 encounters the annular ~7i baffle 62 which diverts this down~ardly moving gas inwardly through ~he apertures 66. As:is best seen in ~ Figure 1., the upper edges of the radial baffle 68 ...3~

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engage the undersurface of the flange 54 so that the gas passing down the pipe 18 and through the gap 16 . .
enters a compart~ent de~ined between an adJacent pair of the radial baf~les 68 and the annular baffle 62 and this gas can only escape from this compartment by passing inwardly through the relevant aperture 66.
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.. Thus, oircumferential movem~nt of t~e gas is prevented .`<~ by the baffles 68.
:~ As indicated at 70, the underside of the ,:
~ 10 projection 56 is hollow. The hol.low 70 is in register ., with. a passage 72 formed in the boss 44 to ~efine : . ., . ' together with She immedia~eIy adjacen~ aperture 66, a.
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: rou~ o~ e~hà~st; ~,f carbon dioxi~e: gas from the ~i: bottl:e. ~
1~5 ~ e~atio~! o~ he~ appa~atus, water in the ;:`1 ca~bona~o~ cKamber 2 ~s ca~bona~ed. Preferably, the appa~atus ~s su~h that the chamber 2~; is charged with ' ! ' ~ ~ :
su~fioient water ~or making only a single drink during each carbonation operation. Followîng completion of ~ 3 .s 20 the carbonation operation, carbon dioxide under . j .
:, pressure, for .example a pressure of 100 psi, is -. ,,;.
supplied. from the chamber 2 through the valve 17, preferably under electronic control, to the inlet 14, ! ' 'from which it flows downwardly through the pipe 18, .25 oreating, by mean~ of .the venturi 20, a reduced ..pre~ure in.the metering ohamber 24. Thi~ cau e~

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~32,~2~8 g concentrate to be drawn upwardly through the dip tube .52 and the pipe 22 into the metering chamber. Although the partition 19 prevents the concentrate from being drawn directly into the venturi 20, inevitably some concentrate will be entrained by gas in the venturi 20 :.and hence recycled via the pipe 18 into the bottle 6.
...The baffle structure 48, in ensuring-that the carbon .~dioxide gas entering the bottle 6 cannot pass directly to the exhaust route, ensures that such entrained ..10 concentrate is not ejected through the exhaust 72 but ~rather is discharged back irto the bottle. Further, .. , the. baffte structu~e Ll& ensures that the gas enterin~
the 6Ottle- ~om the p}pe 1~ car,not impinge directly upon the surfac~ Q~ the ¢oncentrate9. thus preventin,~J
upwar~. splashln,g;~ o~ thi~ eoncerltrate a c:onseq~uence of : wh.ich cou;~d be that splashed ~o~æe~trate cuul~ b=e , ~l~exhausted- through the exhaust 72.
.`~After an appropriate interval, the valve 17 is ~ `closed, again preferably under electronic oontrol, the :'`', interval being sufficiently long to ensure that the metering chamber 24 is filled at least to the level of .,the top o~ the pipe 22. This, particular level defines ~the top level c~f the liquid in the`metering chamber 24 `ii . ;. sinioe, if~the chamber 24 is fillèd to above this level, ~ : . 25 any exces~ may be~r~eoircu1ated via the venturi while :'~ i. , ., ' ' ' . , ., ' ./, ' ; ~32~2~

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the gas ~low continues or will drain back into the bottle via the pipe 22 after the gas flow ceases.
,~; When the carbonated water is discharged from the ,~
`' chamber 2~ concentrate is also discharged, via an : .~
appr~priate valve (not shown) in discharge ~`; arrangement 8, from the chamber 24, preferably under l;' gravity, into the glass 10, this being~ permlt~ed since the spa~e abo~e the level of liquid in the chamber 24 is connected to atmosphere via the venturi 20, pipe 18, cap 30 and exhaust 72. In this way an accurately , .~, metered quantity of corcentrate appropriate to making a s~ngle d~irk is dispensed.
A~ ¢arbon dioxide~ atmosphere remains in ~he bottle 6;~above ~be level of~ Goncen~rate~ thus~ai~ing in ~preservlng the concentrate~ from oxidation.
When the concentrate ir. the bo~tle 6 has been onsumed-, it may be disconnected ~rom the unit 4 by ,, `~ pullIng the latches 38 outwardly with the aid of pull tabs 74 as indicated in Figure 3. To ensure that the bottle cannot be reused (for example to avoid it being ,. :, reused filled with an unsuitable liquid) the latches 38 l are constructed so that they break o~f when pulled outwardly~as shown ir. broken lines in Fig. 3, for which ... . .
: 3 purpose a weak hinge line. is ~ormed at 76 which permits / ~ : z5 :~the outward moYement and the breaklng ~off. :- .

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Preferably, the cap 30 is an integral plastic ;~ moulding. The bottle 6 may also be plastic. Further, the metering unit 4 may be constructed as an integral : plastic moulding. As shown in Figure 3, the bottle 6 may be provided with a foil lid 80 adhesively secured to the cap 30 9 the lid being removed before use of the concentrate. After removal of the l~d, the dip tube 52 is inserted via the aperture 50 and then the bottle and ~` dip tube are assembled with the unit 4, with the seal 57 located therebetween. The construation of the ` baffle structure 4~ is such that the angular - orientation o~ the cap~ relative to the dip tube and the unit 4 is ir~elevar.~i, although in practice, the compartment (not shown)~ ~or containing the bottle in the apparatus may be such that a particu~ar ang~ular ~rientation of the bot~ile has to be selected toi~ende~
~; theipulli tabs 74 ac~essible.

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Claims

1. A concentrate supply device which is operable by gas under pressure and is adapted for coupling to a container for supplying concentrate therefrom to a discharge means of a carbonation apparatus for forming flavoured, carbonated drinks, said device comprising a housing defining a metering chamber, a venturi operably by said gas under pressure and in communication with said metering chamber, and coupling means for connecting the housing to the container, the coupling means including an inlet through which concentrate from said container may be supplied to said metering chamber upon creation of reduced pressure therein when said venturi is operated, and a passage for conducting gas from said venturi into said container, said metering chamber being connected to a concentrate outlet for the supply of concentrate metered by said metering chamber to the discharge means of the carbonation apparatus.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means includes a boss having on its outer surface recess means for engagement by latches of a said container.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said venturi is located in said metering chamber.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said inlet is defined by a conduit through which concentrate may be supplied from the container to the metering chamber, said conduit terminating in the metering chamber at a position above the bottom thereof and said venturi being located at a level higher than said position.

5. A device according to claim 4, including a partition between said venturi and said conduit.

6. A device according to claim 1, including a source of carbon dioxide under pressure to which said venturi is connected.

7. A device according to claim 6, in combination with a carbonation apparatus having a carbonation chamber, said source of carbon dioxide under pressure being constituted by said carbonation chamber.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein said coupling means further includes a gas outlet passage for exhausting gas from the concentrate container to atmosphere.

9. A container, for use with a device according to claim 1, for containing concentrate for flavouring a carbonated drink and having a connector at an upper portion thereof for cooperation with said coupling means, said connector including means for securing the connector to said coupling means, a concentrate outlet for cooperation with said inlet for the transfer of concentrate from the container to said metering chamber, a gas inlet for communication with said venturi via said passage for permitting gas from the venturi to be supplied to the container and for permitting any excess concentrate supplied to the metering chamber to be returned to the container with said gas, and a gas outlet spaced from said gas inlet, the arrangement being such that the supply of gas to the container and the return of concentrate thereto through said inlet may take place substantially without concentrate being discharged through said gas outlet.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein said connector comprises a generally cylindrical body, a plurality of radially extending members attached to and extending inwardly from said cylindrical body and defining between them said gas inlet and said gas outlet, and a ring at the inner ends of said radial members and defining said concentrate outlet.

11. A container according to claim 10, wherein said ring is positioned at a level lower than the upper extremity of said cylindrical body.

12. A container according to claim 10, wherein said securing means comprises latch means connected to said cylindrical body and projecting in an inward direction relative thereto.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein said latch means are adapted to be broken from said cylindrical body to release the container from said apparatus.

14. A container according to claims 9, including structure which substantially prevents gas entering the container through said gas inlet from impinging directly upon the surface of concentrate in the container and from passing directly to the gas outlet route.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein said structure comprises baffle means arranged to deflect downwardly moving incoming gas in a generally horizontal direction whilst impeding movement thereof in a circumferential direction.

16. A container according to claim 15, wherein said baffle means is arranged to deflect downwardly moving gas inwardly.

17. A container according to claim 16, wherein said baffle means comprises a downwardly inclined annular baffle for deflecting said downwardly moving gas inwardly.

18. A container according to claim 14, wherein said structure is such that gas entering said container can reach said gas outlet substantially only via a space below said structure.

19. A device according to claim 1 in combination with a container for containing concentrate for flavouring a carbonated drink and having a connector at an upper portion thereof for cooperation with said coupling means, said connector including means for securing the connector to said coupling means, a concentrate outlet for cooperation with said inlet for the transfer of concentrate from the container to said metering chamber, a gas inlet for communication with said venturi via said passage for permitting gas from the venturi to be supplied to the container and for permitting any excess concentrate supplied to the metering chamber to be returned to the container with said gas, and a gas outlet spaced form said gas inlet, the arrangement being such that the supply of gas to the container and the return of concentrate thereto through said inlet may take place substantially without concentrate being discharged through said gas outlet.

20. A device according to claim 19, including a dip tube for extending into said container for the supply of concentrate therethrough to said metering chamber.

21. Apparatus for producing carbonated flavoured drinks comprising means for carbonating water, concentrate supply means for supplying concentrate in predetermined quantities, and discharge means for discharging carbonated water from the carbonation means and concentrate from the supply means, said supply means comprising a housing containing a metering chamber connected to said discharge means, coupling means for coupling a concentrate container to said housing, a venturi connectable to a source of gas under pressure and in communication with said metering chamber for creating reduced pressure therein when said venturi is operated, and said coupling means having a first passage for the supply of concentrate to said metering chamber on creation of said reduced pressure and a second passage for conducting gas from said venturi into said container.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said coupling means comprises a boss having on its outer surface recess means for engagement by latches of a said container.

23. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said coupling means further includes a gas outlet passage for exhausting gas from said container to atmosphere.

24. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said venturi is connected to a source of carbon dioxide under pressure.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said source of carbon dioxide is a carbonation chamber in said carbonation means.

26. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said venturi is located in said metering chamber.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said first passage terminates at a position above the bottom of the metering chamber and said venturi is located at a level higher than said position.

28. Apparatus according to claim 26, including a partition between said venturi and said first passage.

29. Apparatus for producing carbonated flavoured drinks comprising means for carbonating water; a container containing concentrate; concentrate supply means for supplying concentrate from said container in predetermined quantities; and discharge means for discharging carbonated water from the carbonation means and concentrate from the supply means;
said supply means comprising a housing containing a metering chamber connected to said discharge means, coupling means for coupling the concentrate container to said housing, a venturi in communication with said metering chamber for creating reduced pressure therein when said venturi is operated, and means for connecting the venturi to a source of gas under pressure to operate the venturi, said coupling means having a first passage for the supply of concentrate to said metering chamber on creation of said reduced pressure and a second passage for conducting gas from said venturi into said container;
said container including in an upper portion structure defining a first route for the transfer of concentrate from the container to the metering chamber, a second route for the inlet of gas from said venturi and a third route for the exit of gas from said container, said structure being so arranged that said gas from said venturi is substantially prevented from impinging directly upon the surface of concentrate in the container and from passing directly from said gas inlet route to said gas outlet route.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said gas inlet and gas outlet routes are in communication substantially only via a space below said structure.

31. Apparatus according to claim 29 including latch means for attaching the container to the coupling means, said latch means being arranged to break when being released for removal of the container from the supply means.

32. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said first passage comprises a dip tube for extending into said container for the supply of concentrate therethrough to said metering chamber.

33. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said coupling means comprises a boss having on its outer surface recess means for engagement by latches of a said container.

34. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said coupling means further includes a gas outlet passage for exhausting gas from said container to atmosphere.

35. Apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said venturi is connected to a source of carbon dioxide under pressure.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said source of carbon dioxide is a carbonation chamber in said carbonation means.

37. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said venturi is located in said metering chamber.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said first passage terminates at a position above the bottom of the metering chamber and said venturi is located at a level higher than said position.

39. Apparatus according to claim 37, including a partition between said venturi and said first passage.

40. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said gas inlet and gas outlet routes are at opposite sides of the upper portion of the container and said structure comprises baffle means arranged to deflect downwardly moving incoming gas in a substantially horizontal direction whilst impeding movement thereof in a circumferential direction.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said baffle means is arranged to deflect downwardly moving gas inwardly.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said baffle means comprises a downwardly inclined annular baffle for deflecting said downwardly moving gas inwardly and a plurality of generally radially extending baffles for impeding said circumferential movement.

43. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said structure includes wall means extending upwardly from the inner extremity of said annular baffle, said wall means being provided with apertures forming part of said gas inlet and gas outlet routes.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said route for transfer of concentrate is defined by said wall means.

45. A bottle having upper and lower portions, the bottle containing concentrate for flavouring a carbonated drink in said lower portion and having a gas space in said upper portion, the bottle comprising:
structure defining a concentrate outlet, a concentrate and gas return inlet and a gas outlet remote from said concentrate and gas return inlet; and securement means for attaching the bottle to carbonating apparatus of the type having a concentrate inlet and a gas and concentrate return so that the concentrate inlet of the carbonating apparatus is connected to said lower portion through said concentrate outlet, the gas and concentrate return of the carbonating apparatus is connected to said gas space through said concentrate and gas return inlet and said gas space is vented to the atmosphere through said gas outlet, said securement means comprising inwardly directed latch means disposed outwardly of said structure and at a position below an upper extremity thereof.

46. A bottle containing concentrate for flavouring a carbonated drink, the bottle having a concentrate outlet, a concentrate and gas return inlet and a gas outlet and means for separating concentrate from a mixture of gas and concentrate entering said bottle via said concentrate and gas return inlet, passing concentrate separated from said mixture into the concentrate contained in the bottle and discharging gas separated from said mixture through said gas outlet.

47. A connector for connecting a bottle of concentrate to a concentrate dispenser of a carbonation apparatus comprising:
(a) a body portion having an upper and a lower end;
(b) means for connecting said body portion to a bottle of concentrate so that said body portion cannot be readily removed from the body portion;

(c) means defining a frangible element; and (d) latch means for engaging the carbonation apparatus while said frangible element is unbroken, said latch means being substantially resistant to disengagement from the concentrate dispenser except upon rupture of said frangible element, said latch means and said frangible element being constructed and arranged so that said latch means are permanently disabled upon rupture of said frangible element, whereby the bottle can be attached to the carbonation apparatus without breaking said frangible element but cannot be removed from the carbonation apparatus except by breaking said frangible element and permanently disabling the connector.

48. A bottle having upper and lower portions, the bottle containing concentrate for flavouring a carbonated drink in said lower portion and having a gas space in said upper portion, the bottle comprising:
structure defining a concentrate outlet, a concentrate and gas return inlet and a gas outlet remote from said concentrate and gas return inlet; and securement means for attaching the bottle to carbonating apparatus of the type having a concentrate inlet and a gas and concentrate return so that the concentrate inlet of the carbonating apparatus is connected to said lower portion through said concentrate outlet, the gas and concentrate return of the carbonating apparatus is connected to said gas space through said concentrate and gas return inlet and said gas space is vented to the atmosphere through said gas outlet.

49. A bottle according to claim 46 wherein said structure is such that gas may pass therethrough by movement axially thereof without deflection whilst within said structure.

50. A bottle as claimed in claim 48 wherein said upper portion includes a neck, and wherein said concentrate outlet is disposed substantially centrally relative to said neck.

51. A bottle according to claim 48 wherein said securement means comprises a latching device extending upwardly beyond said structure.

52. A bottle as claimed in claim 48 wherein said concentrate outlet is disposed in said upper portion, said securement means being operative to attach the bottle to the carbonating apparatus so that a dip tube on the carbonating apparatus is received in the concentrate outlet of the bottle.

53. A bottle according to claim 52 wherein said concentrate and gas return inlet and said gas outlet are disposed in said upper portion of said bottle on opposite sides of said concentrate outlet.

54. A bottle as claimed in claim 49 further comprising a connector for connecting the bottle to an associated carbonating apparatus for supplying the concentrate thereto, the connector comprising:
a generally cylindrical body attached to said upper portion;
a plurality of radially extending members attached to said generally cylindrical body and extending inwardly thereof such that a substantially central aperture is defined adjacent the inner ends of said radially extending members and a plurality of further apertures are defined between said radially extending members, said central aperture constituting said concentrate outlet, said plurality of further apertures constituting said concentrate and gas return inlet and said gas outlet; and a latching arrangement for attaching the connector to the carbonating apparatus, said securement means including said latching arrangement.

55. A bottle according to claim 54 including a ring element secured to said radially extending members at the inner ends thereof to define said substantially central aperture.

56. A bottle according to claim 55 wherein said ring element is positioned at a level lower than the upper extremity of said cylindrical body.