Sparkling Water Maker Product

Overview

A sparkling water maker is a countertop appliance that takes flat tap water and infuses it with CO2 to create carbonated water ready to drink. The user fills a proprietary plastic Bottle Assembly with 1 L of tap water, inserts it into a Lock Collar, twists the collar to lock the bottle to the Carbonation Chamber, and presses the Fizz Button once, twice, or three times to choose light, medium, or strong carbonation. A solenoid valve releases CO2 from a pressurized cartridge for 3 seconds per press; CO2 bubbles up through the water via a CO2 Diffuser Stem in the chamber. The Pressure Vessel is rated to 4 bar; a Pressure Relief Valve vents automatically if pressure overshoots. After 8 seconds per pulse, the operator releases the bottle, caps it with the Snap Cap, and the water is carbonated and ready to drink.

The CO2 source is a proprietary cartridge that screws into the CO2 Cartridge & Valve assembly. A Pressure Regulator reduces the cartridge's 50 bar to a stable 3.5 bar outlet. A Pressure Gauge on the cartridge shows remaining charge; when depleted, the operator inserts a new cartridge through the Cartridge Access Door. One cartridge is sufficient for approximately 60 bottles.

How it works

Setup. The operator pours 1 L of tap water into a Bottle Assembly up to the Capacity Label line. They insert the bottle into the Lock Collar at the top of the machine and twist clockwise until the collar clicks, creating a gas-tight seal between the bottle neck and the Carbonation Chamber inlet via an O-Ring Set.

Cartridge. A new CO2 Cartridge (60 g CO2) is loaded by opening the Cartridge Access Door. The cartridge's Cartridge Valve Stem aligns with a Piercing Needle on the Control PCB. Pressing Power Button energizes the solenoid, pushing the pin forward and puncturing the cartridge seal. CO2 then flows through the Pressure Regulator (which reduces 50 bar to 3.5 bar) and sits ready in the supply line.

Carbonation pulse. The user presses Fizz Button. The Control PCB energizes the CO2 Main Solenoid for 3 seconds. This opens a pinch valve, allowing 3.5 bar CO2 to surge through the Injection Tubing and Flow Restrictor Capillary (a capillary orifice limiting flow to 2 L/min) into the CO2 Diffuser Stem. The diffuser is a tube extending down into the water; its perforated tip releases CO2 as fine bubbles throughout the 1 L volume. As CO2 dissolves, the chamber pressure rises slightly (typically to 2.5–3.5 bar depending on press count). Pressing again adds another pulse.

Safety. The chamber has a Pressure Relief Valve spring-set to 4.2 bar. If the user presses repeatedly and pressure reaches 4.2 bar, the valve opens and vents excess CO2 back to atmosphere. A Check Valve in the injection line prevents backflow of water into the cartridge if the regulator were to fail.

Removal. When carbonation is complete, the user can press Eject Button. This energizes a Vent Solenoid that pushes the Pressure Release Button button, venting remaining CO2 in the chamber safely. The Lock Collar then unlocks (manual twist counter-clockwise) and the bottle is removed. The Snap Cap snaps onto the bottle neck, trapping the CO2 inside. The bottle remains carbonated in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

All electrical power (24 V DC) is supplied by an internal transformer (mains input). The Control PCB MCU switches three Relays controlling the CO2 Main Solenoid, Fill Solenoid, and Vent Solenoid. The Pressure Gauge is a mechanical Bourdon tube, requiring no power; it indicates cartridge depletion when pressure drops below 10 bar.