Carbon dioxide injection device and injection method

Abstract

To provide a carbon dioxide injection device and injection method capable of injecting low pressure carbon dioxide up to a gas volume of a liquid made to fill a container.SOLUTION: A carbon dioxide injection device 10 includes: a gas cartridge 14 filled with carbon dioxide CG; a gas pipe 18 whose one end is connected to the gas cartridge 14; a regulator 20 for adjusting the carbon dioxide CG discharged from the gas cartridge 14 to a predetermined pressure or less; a container connection part 22 to which the other end of the gas pipe 18 is connected and a container 12 is connected so as to inject the carbon dioxide CG to liquid LQ; a gas injection part 28; and a release mechanism 30 having a release path part 32 whose one end is connected to the inside of the container 12 and which has an open / close part 37 configured in an openable / closable manner on the other end side so as to form a path for releasing the gas inside the container 12 when opened, and a control part 38 for controlling the open / close part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide injection device and an injection method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a need for carbonated beverages for the purpose of seeking a refreshing feeling when drinking. In recent years, the need for carbonated beverages has been expanding in the form of, for example, high-volume carbonated beverages for obtaining a stronger refreshing feeling and the need for injecting carbon dioxide into drinking water independently in conjunction with the increasing health consciousness. Patent Document 1 discloses a carbonation system including a carbonation head for carbonating a liquid in a bottle and a pressure release unit for gradually releasing excess pressure from the bottle after carbonation.

[0003] However, in the carbonation system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is premised on injecting carbon dioxide gas in a gas cylinder into the liquid in the bottle at a high pressure. Since the internal pressure of the gas cylinder gradually decreases by using carbon dioxide gas, it becomes gradually difficult to inject carbon dioxide gas into the liquid at a high pressure. For this reason, there is a possibility that the gas volume of the carbon dioxide gas injected into the liquid becomes difficult to stabilize, and there is a possibility that the service life of the gas cylinder becomes relatively short.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide injection device and an injection method capable of injecting low-pressure carbon dioxide gas into a liquid filled in a container up to a high gas volume.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the present invention, a carbon dioxide injection device is provided, comprising: a gas supply source filled with carbon dioxide; a gas supply path with one end connected to the gas supply source; an adjustment mechanism provided between the gas supply source and the gas supply path for adjusting the carbon dioxide released from the gas supply source to a predetermined pressure or lower; a container connection section to which the other end of the gas supply path is connected, and to which a container is connected for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into a container filled with liquid; a gas injection section for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into the liquid inside the container from the other end of the gas supply path; a release path section with one end connected to the inside of the container and having an openable / closable part at the other end that, when opened, forms a path for releasing the gas inside the container; and a release mechanism having a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the openable / closable part.

[0007] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, a carbon dioxide injection device is provided, comprising: a gas supply source filled with carbon dioxide; a gas supply path with one end connected to the gas supply source; an adjustment mechanism provided between the gas supply source and the gas supply path for adjusting the carbon dioxide released from the gas supply source to a predetermined pressure or lower; a container connection section to which the other end of the gas supply path is connected, and to which a container is connected for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into a container filled with liquid; a gas injection section for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into the liquid inside the container from the other end of the gas supply path; a release path section with one end connected to the inside of the container and having a path for releasing the gas inside the container from the other end, and having an expansion section configured to expand the cross-sectional area of ​​the path; and a control unit for controlling the expansion of the expansion section.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention provides a carbon dioxide injection device comprising: a gas supply source filled with carbon dioxide; a gas supply path with one end connected to the gas supply source; an adjustment mechanism provided between the gas supply source and the gas supply path for adjusting the carbon dioxide released from the gas supply source to a predetermined pressure or lower; a container connection part to which the other end of the gas supply path is connected, and to which a container is connected for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into a container filled with liquid; a gas injection part for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into the liquid inside the container from the other end of the gas supply path; a release mechanism having an opening / closing part with one end connected to the inside of the container and configured to be openable and closable at the other end so as to form a path for releasing gas inside the container when opened; and a control unit for controlling the opening and closing of the opening / closing part, wherein the carbon dioxide injection device comprises: a first release step of releasing gas at a flow rate less than the carbon dioxide to be injected into the liquid inside the container; and a second release step of releasing gas at a flow rate greater than that of the first release step.

[0009] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, a carbon dioxide injection device is provided, comprising: a gas supply source filled with carbon dioxide; a gas supply path with one end connected to the gas supply source; an adjustment mechanism provided between the gas supply source and the gas supply path for adjusting the carbon dioxide released from the gas supply source to a predetermined pressure or lower; a container connection part to which the other end of the gas supply path is connected, and to which a container is connected for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into a container filled with liquid; a gas injection part for injecting carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into the liquid inside the container from the other end of the gas supply path; a release mechanism having an expansion part with one end connected to the inside of the container and having a path for releasing gas inside the container from the other end, and configured to expand the cross-sectional area of ​​the path; and a control unit for controlling the expansion of the expansion part, wherein the carbon dioxide injection device is provided, comprising: a first release step of releasing gas at a flow rate less than that of carbon dioxide to be injected into the liquid inside the container; and a second release step of releasing gas at a flow rate greater than that of the first release step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the carbon dioxide injection device of the present invention, an adjustment mechanism is provided between the gas supply source and the gas supply path to adjust the carbon dioxide released from the gas supply source to a pressure below a predetermined level. Therefore, carbon dioxide can be injected into the liquid inside the container at low pressure. The carbon dioxide injection device also includes a release mechanism having a release path section at one end connected to the inside of the container and capable of forming a path to release the gas inside the container from the other end. The release mechanism also includes an opening / closing section configured to open and close the path, or an expansion section configured to expand the cross-sectional area of ​​the path, and a control section that controls these. Therefore, the carbon dioxide injection device can release the gas inside the container in parallel with and / or before and after the injection of carbon dioxide into the container. Normally, there is a space containing air (hereinafter referred to as headspace) on the container connection side of a container into which liquid has been injected, so immediately after the injection of carbon dioxide into the container begins, a mixture of air and carbon dioxide gas exists in the headspace. The release mechanism allows for the release of a portion of the gas mixture in the headspace by releasing the gas inside the container while the injection of carbon dioxide into the container reaches the desired gas volume. Since more carbon dioxide can be injected into the headspace from which a portion of the gas mixture has been released, the concentration (amount of substance) of carbon dioxide in the headspace can be increased, thereby increasing the concentration (amount of substance) of carbon dioxide inside the liquid.

[0011] According to Henry's Law, assuming a constant temperature inside a container, the amount of carbon dioxide (gas) that can be dissolved in a given volume of liquid (solvent) is proportional to the pressure of the carbon dioxide. The release mechanism allows for the release of a portion of the gas mixture while simultaneously injecting new carbon dioxide, thereby increasing the concentration (amount of substance) of carbon dioxide in the headspace. Since the volume of the headspace inside the container hardly changes (increases), the pressure of carbon dioxide in the headspace can be increased. This allows for the injection of a high volume of carbon dioxide into a container containing liquid without pre-pressurizing the container to a high pressure or injecting high-pressure carbon dioxide into the container.

[0012] The carbon dioxide injection method of the present invention comprises a first release step of releasing a gas at a flow rate less than that of the carbon dioxide to be injected into the liquid inside the container, and a second release step of releasing a gas at a flow rate greater than that of the first release step. In the first release step, by releasing a gas at a flow rate less than that of the carbon dioxide to be injected into the liquid inside the container, it is possible to release a portion of the gas mixture from the headspace while suppressing the outflow of the injected carbon dioxide, thereby enabling efficient carbon dioxide injection. Furthermore, in the second release step, by releasing a gas at a flow rate greater than that of the first release step, the pressure inside the container after the injection of carbon dioxide into the liquid can be reduced (released) in a short time, and excessive pressure rise inside the container during the injection of carbon dioxide into the liquid can be suppressed or prevented. As a result, low-pressure carbon dioxide can be injected into the liquid to a high gas volume in a short time.

[0013] The carbon dioxide injection device and injection method according to the present invention make it possible to inject low-pressure carbon dioxide into a liquid filled in a container up to a high gas volume. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a carbon dioxide injection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of the carbon dioxide injection method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a carbon dioxide injection device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a carbon dioxide injection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a carbon dioxide gas injection device and an injection method according to a first embodiment will be described. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. For ease of understanding, the scale of the drawings may be changed for the description.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the internal configuration of a carbon dioxide gas injection device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the injection device 10) according to the present embodiment as viewed from the side. The internal configuration of the injection device 10 is usually covered by a housing not shown here, but here, a state without a housing is shown for the purpose of explanation. In the figure, the device vertical direction and the device horizontal direction when the injection device 10 is arranged on a horizontal plane are indicated by arrows. UP in the figure indicates the upper side of the device, and W indicates the device horizontal direction.

[0017] The injection device 10 is, for example, a device for producing a carbonated beverage by attaching a container 12 (beverage container) partially filled with a liquid LQ such as water or juice as a beverage and injecting carbon dioxide gas CG into the attached container 12. Thereby, a carbonated beverage having a high gas volume and a stronger refreshing feeling (stimulus) can be produced. The container 12 only needs to have strength against a predetermined internal pressure and may be formed of various materials such as resin, metal, and glass.

[0018] On one side in the device horizontal direction of the injection device 10, a gas cartridge 14 as a gas supply source filled with carbon dioxide gas CG is arranged. The container 12 is supplied with the carbon dioxide gas CG discharged from the gas discharge portion 16 of the gas cartridge 14. [[ID= fourteen]]

[0019] A regulator 20 as an adjustment mechanism is connected to the gas discharge portion 16, and the gas cartridge 14 is connected to one end of a gas pipe 18 as a gas supply path via the regulator 20. The regulator 20 is configured to adjust the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas CG discharged from the gas cartridge 14 to a predetermined pressure (for example, 1.0 MPa) or less.

[0020] In the gas pipe 18, the other end side, which is opposite to the gas release part 16, is connected to a container connection part 22 for attaching the opening 12A of the container 12. The carbon dioxide gas CG supplied from the gas cartridge 14 is injected into the container 12 from a gas injection part 28 which is the end part on the container connection part 22 side of the gas pipe 18. At approximately the center part of the container connection part 22, there is provided a container attachment part 24 through which the gas pipe 18 passes and to which the container 12 is attached. The container attachment parts 24 are formed to be detachable from the container connection part 22 so that they can be replaced corresponding to various shapes of the opening 12A of the container 12, and a plurality of them are provided.

[0021] The container attachment part 24 includes a substantially cylindrical fitting part 26 for fitting the opening 12A therein, and the inner peripheral surface of the fitting part 26 is formed corresponding to the outer peripheral surface shape of the opening 12A of the container 12. For example, corresponding to the container 12 in which a male screw part is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening 12A, a female screw part is formed on the inner peripheral surface of one fitting part 26 (both are not shown), and the opening 12A of the container 12 can be screwed into the fitting part 26. Thereby, the container 12 can be stably fixed to the injection device 10. Here, although the container 12 has been described as being screwed and attached to the container attachment part 24, it is not limited to this, and the container may be attached to the container attachment part by fitting without using screws.

[0022] The injection device 10 is provided with a release mechanism 30 for releasing the gas inside the head space HS of the container 12 to the outside of the container 12. The release mechanism 30 has a metal release path part 32 which is formed in a hollow tubular shape so that one end is connected inside the head space HS and forms a path for releasing the gas inside the head space HS from the other end side. In the following description, the release path part 32 will be described as being made of metal, but it is not limited to this, and it may be constituted by other materials such as resin having a predetermined rigidity.

[0023] The release path section 32 has a first path 33 formed to communicate with the other end so that the gas inside the headspace HS can be released at all times, and a second path 34 that branches off from the first path 33 and is formed to communicate with the headspace HS so that the gas inside the headspace HS can be released when the second path 34 is open. Therefore, if the second path 34 is closed, the gas flowing into the release path section 32 from the end connected to the headspace HS is released to the outside of the container 12 only through the first path 33.

[0024] The cross-sectional areas of the first path 33 and the second path 34 are formed to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the gas pipe 18. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first path 33 is formed to be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second path 34. For this reason, for example, when fluids of the same flow velocity are passed through, the flow rate of the first path 33 will be greater than the flow rate of the second path 34.

[0025] The second path 34 has an opening / closing section 37 equipped with a solenoid valve 36, and the opening / closing section 37 is configured to open or close the second path 34 by opening and closing the solenoid valve 36. In the following description, it is assumed that the second path 34 is equipped with a solenoid valve 36, but the second path is not limited to this, and other mechanisms such as a pressure valve that mechanically opens when the pressure exceeds a predetermined level may be provided in the second path.

[0026] The release mechanism 30 is provided with a control unit 38 for controlling the opening and closing of the opening / closing section 37 by controlling the solenoid valve 36. The control unit 38 can, for example, control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 36 so as to close the opening / closing section 37 for a predetermined time, and then open the opening / closing section 37 for a predetermined time. Specifically, for example, the control unit 38 can control the solenoid valve 36 so as to close it for a predetermined time from the time when the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the liquid LQ inside the container 12 from the gas injection section 28 until the gas volume GV of the liquid LQ reaches a desired value, and then open the solenoid valve 36 for a predetermined time once the gas volume GV reaches the desired value, thereby releasing (releasing) excess gas (carbon dioxide gas) inside the headspace HS from the second path 34.

[0027] The time interval for opening and closing the solenoid valve 36 can be set in advance in the control unit 38. However, the injection device 10 may also be configured so that the user of the injection device 10 can open and close the opening / closing section 37 by operating an operation panel (not shown) provided on the housing side of the injection device 10. This allows the user to manually start and stop the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the container 12, close the opening / closing section 37 for a predetermined time, and then open the opening / closing section 37 for a predetermined time to release the gas.

[0028] Furthermore, the gas pipe 18 may be equipped with, for example, a check valve, to prevent the carbon dioxide gas CG from flowing back into the gas cartridge 14 when the carbon dioxide gas CG in the container 12 is released.

[0029] The operation and effects of the present invention will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 2.

[0030] When the user initiates the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the container 12 by operating the control panel or the like, in step S10, the control unit 38 operates the solenoid valve 36 to close the opening / closing section 37. As a result, immediately after the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the container 12, the mixed gas of air and carbon dioxide gas CG present inside the container 12 is released to the outside of the container 12 only through the first path 33. Here, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first path 33 is formed to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the gas pipe 18. As a result, a mixed gas at a flow rate less than the flow rate of carbon dioxide gas CG injected into the liquid LQ inside the container 12 can be released (first release). This suppresses or prevents excessive outflow (leakage) of carbon dioxide gas CG from the gas cartridge 14 into the container 12 through the first path 33, and allows carbon dioxide gas CG to be injected into the liquid LQ inside the container 12.

[0031] The release mechanism 30 releases a portion of the gas mixture in the headspace HS of the container 12 in parallel with the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the container 12. Since carbon dioxide gas CG can be further injected into the headspace HS from which a portion of the gas mixture has been released, the amount of carbon dioxide gas CG in the headspace HS can be increased, thereby increasing the amount of carbon dioxide gas CG inside the liquid LQ.

[0032] The release mechanism 30 simultaneously releases the mixed gas and injects carbon dioxide CG, causing the amount of carbon dioxide CG in the headspace HS to increase gradually. At this time, the volume of the headspace HS in the container 12 hardly changes, so the pressure of carbon dioxide CG in the headspace HS can be increased. This makes it possible to inject low-pressure carbon dioxide CG, for example, at a pressure of 1.0 MPa or less, into the liquid LQ in the container 12 to a high gas volume GV of 4.0 GV or more, without pre-pressurizing the pressure inside the container 12 or increasing the pressure of the carbon dioxide CG injected into the container 12.

[0033] Furthermore, when the control unit 38 determines that the gas volume GV of the liquid LQ in the container 12 has reached a desired value, it activates the solenoid valve 36 in step S20 to open the second path 34. As a result, any excess carbon dioxide gas CG present inside the container 12 is released to the outside of the container 12 via the first path 33 and the second path 34. This allows a larger flow rate of carbon dioxide gas CG than that of the mixed gas released in the first opening to be released to the outside of the container 12 (second opening). This allows the pressure inside the container 12 after the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the liquid LQ has been completed to be adjusted (reduced) in a short time, and the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG is completed in step S30. The second path 34 can also be used to suppress or prevent an excessive pressure rise inside the container 12 during the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the liquid LQ.

[0034] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second path 34 is configured to be smaller than that of the first path 33. This prevents or suppresses a rapid increase in the flow rate of carbon dioxide gas CG released to the outside of the container 12 by the second release. This allows the pressure inside the container 12 to be adjusted (reduced) in a short time without unnecessarily reducing the gas volume GV of the liquid LQ that has reached the desired gas volume GV.

[0035] As described above, the injection device 10 can inject low-pressure carbon dioxide CG into liquid LQ to a high gas volume GV in a short time by injecting carbon dioxide CG with a first release and a second release. Specifically, for example, by injecting carbon dioxide CG at a pressure of 1.0 MPa or less with a first release for 8 seconds, followed by a second release for 5 seconds, the gas volume GV of liquid LQ can be increased to 4.0 GV or higher by operating the injection device 10 for a total of 13 seconds. These time intervals may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the capacity of the container 12, the amount, type, and temperature of the liquid LQ.

[0036] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since carbon dioxide CG can be injected with first and second releases, even when the container 12 is partially filled with liquid LQ and a headspace HS is formed, carbon dioxide CG can be injected at a high gas volume GV by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide CG in the headspace HS. This makes it possible to easily inject low-pressure carbon dioxide CG to a high gas volume GV without having to pre-pressurize the container 12 to a high level.

[0037] In this description, we have explained a configuration in which the injection of carbon dioxide CG is completed by a single injection of carbon dioxide CG accompanied by a first release, followed by a single second release. However, this is not the only configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 2, carbon dioxide CG may be injected with a first release up to a predetermined gas volume GV, the pressure inside the headspace HS may be adjusted by a second release, and then the injection of carbon dioxide CG accompanied by a first release and the second release may be repeated one or more times.

[0038] As described above, the carbon dioxide injection device 10 and injection method according to this embodiment can inject low-pressure carbon dioxide CG into the liquid LQ filled in the container 12 up to a high gas volume GV.

[0039] (First variation) Hereinafter, a modified example of the carbon dioxide injection device 40 (hereinafter referred to as "injection device 40") according to this embodiment will be described. Elements that are the same as or corresponding to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0040] Figure 3 shows an injection device 40 according to a modified example. The release path 45 of the release mechanism 42 provided in the injection device 40 has a separate first path 43 and a second path 44, which are formed independently.

[0041] By providing separate first and second pathways 43 and 44, the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG accompanied by a first release can be carried out smoothly. This makes it possible to inject low-pressure carbon dioxide gas CG into liquid LQ up to a high gas volume GV in a short amount of time.

[0042] (Second variation) The injection device 40 according to the second modified example is equipped with a pressure sensor (not shown) inside the release path section 45. The control unit 38 is configured to monitor the pressure inside the release path section 45 detected by the pressure sensor and to activate the solenoid valve 36 to open the path when the pressure exceeds a predetermined level.

[0043] The control unit 38 can determine the timing for switching from the first release to the second release based on the pressure values ​​inside the release path section 45 and the connected headspace HS detected by the pressure sensor. Specifically, by detecting the increase in the pressure of carbon dioxide CG in the headspace HS accompanying the increase in the gas volume GV of the liquid LQ, the control unit can determine the gas volume GV of the liquid LQ and determine the timing for switching from the first release to the second release. This enables efficient injection of carbon dioxide CG accompanied by both the first and second releases. Furthermore, it can accurately determine excessive pressure increases inside the container 12 during the injection of carbon dioxide CG into the liquid LQ, and switch from the first release to the second release to reduce the pressure.

[0044] (Third variation) According to the injection device 40 of the third modified example, the opening / closing section 37 or the entire release path section 45 including the opening / closing section 37 is, for example, a rubber tube or the like, made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber and configured in a hollow tube shape. In addition, the opening / closing section 37 of the second path 44 is provided with a pressing mechanism (not shown) configured to be able to press the opening / closing section 37 from the outside. The pressing mechanism is configured to be operated by the control unit 38. The pressing mechanism can close the second path 44 by pressing the opening / closing section 37 from the outside, and can open the second path 44 when not pressed.

[0045] The release path section 45 has a second path 44 that can be opened and closed by a pressing mechanism, allowing excess carbon dioxide CG present in the headspace HS of the container 12 containing the liquid LQ that has reached the desired gas volume GV to be released to the outside of the container 12 at a flow rate greater than that of the mixed gas released by the first release. This allows the pressure inside the container 12 after the injection of carbon dioxide CG into the liquid LQ has been completed to be adjusted (reduced) in a short time. Furthermore, since the release path section 45 has a simple configuration consisting only of a rubber tube and a pressing mechanism, the injection device 40 can be easily constructed, and manufacturing costs and labor hours can be reduced.

[0046] (Second Embodiment) The carbon dioxide injection device 50 (hereinafter referred to as "injection device 50") according to the second embodiment will be described below. Elements that are the same as or corresponding to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0047] Figure 4 shows an injection device 50 according to the second embodiment. The release mechanism 52 of the injection device 50 according to this embodiment has one end connected to the headspace HS of the container 12 and the other end has a release path portion 54 that has a path for releasing the gas in the headspace HS. As a result, the gas in the headspace HS can be released to the outside of the container 12 at all times.

[0048] The release path section 54 has an expansion section 56 configured to expand the cross-sectional area of ​​the path. The release path section 54 is also provided with an expansion mechanism 57 for expanding the expansion section 56, thereby expanding the cross-sectional area of ​​the path. Specifically, the expansion mechanism 57 is, for example, a solenoid valve attached with the expansion section 56 open to a certain extent, or the aforementioned pressing mechanism attached with the elastically deformable expansion section 56 of the release path section 54 open to a certain extent (neither of which are shown in the figures). The expansion mechanism 57 is not limited to these, and may be any other mechanism for expanding the path of the release path section 54 that is open to a certain extent.

[0049] When the user initiates the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the container 12 by operating the control panel or the like, the control unit 38 stops the operation of the expansion mechanism 57 and opens the expansion section 56 to a certain extent. As a result, immediately after the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the container 12, the mixed gas of air and carbon dioxide gas CG present inside the container 12 is released to the outside of the container 12 through the release path section 54 which is opened to a certain extent (first release). This prevents excessive outflow (leaking) of carbon dioxide gas CG from the gas cartridge 14 into the container 12 through the release path section 54, and allows carbon dioxide gas CG to be injected into the liquid LQ inside the container 12. Furthermore, without pre-pressurizing the pressure inside the container 12 to a high level, or without increasing the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas CG injected into the container 12, it is possible to inject low-pressure carbon dioxide gas CG, for example, 1.0 MPa or less, into the liquid LQ of the container 12 to a high gas volume GV of 4.0 GV or more.

[0050] When the control unit 38 determines that the gas volume GV of the liquid LQ in the container 12 has reached a desired value, it activates the expansion mechanism 57 to expand the expansion section 56. As a result, excess carbon dioxide gas CG present inside the container 12 is released to the outside of the container 12 through the expanded release path section 54 (second release). This allows a larger flow rate of carbon dioxide gas CG than that of the mixed gas released in the first release to be released to the outside of the container 12. This makes it possible to adjust (reduce) the pressure inside the container 12 after the injection of carbon dioxide gas CG into the liquid LQ has been completed in a short time.

[0051] As described above, the carbon dioxide injection device 50 and injection method according to this embodiment can inject low-pressure carbon dioxide CG into the liquid LQ filled in the container 12 up to a high gas volume GV.

[0052] While embodiments of carbon dioxide injection devices 10, 40, and 50 and injection methods have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications of the above embodiments are included in the embodiments of the present invention to the extent that those skilled in the art can imagine.

[0053] In this description, the carbon dioxide injection device 10 is explained as a device that injects carbon dioxide CG into a container 12 filled with liquid LQ as a beverage. However, the carbon dioxide injection device is not limited to this, and may be used, for example, as a device for injecting carbon dioxide into hair styling liquids or beauty serums filled in containers to produce hair styling liquids or beauty serums containing carbon dioxide. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 10. Carbon dioxide injection device 12 containers 12A opening 14. Gas cartridge (gas supply source) 16 Gas discharge section 18. Gas pipes (gas supply lines) 20 Regulator (adjustment mechanism) 22 Container connection part 28 Gas injection section 30 Release mechanism 32 Release path section 33. Route 1 34 Second Route 36 Solenoid valve 37 Opening / Closing Section 38 Control Unit 40. Carbon dioxide injection device 42 Release mechanism 43. Route 1 44 Second Route 45 Release path section 50 Carbon dioxide injection device 52 Release mechanism 54 Release Path Section 56 Expansion section CG carbon dioxide LQ Liquid

Claims

1. A gas supply source filled with carbon dioxide, A gas supply path, one end of which is connected to the aforementioned gas supply source, An adjustment mechanism is provided between the gas supply source and the gas supply path, which adjusts the carbon dioxide gas released from the gas supply source to a predetermined pressure or lower. The other end of the gas supply path is connected to a container connection section to which the container is connected in order to inject carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into the container into which the liquid has been injected, A gas injection unit for injecting carbon dioxide gas into the liquid inside the container from the other end of the gas supply passage, A release mechanism comprising: a release path section having an opening / closing part at one end connected to the inside of the container and configured to be openable and closable at the other end so as to form a path for releasing gas from inside the container when opened; and a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the opening / closing part; Equipped with, The aforementioned release path section has a first path and a second path, The system is configured to perform a first release, in which either the first or second pathway is opened to release a gas at a flow rate less than that of carbon dioxide gas injected into the liquid inside the container, and a second release, in which either or both of the first and second pathways are opened to release a gas at a flow rate greater than that of the gas released in the first release. A carbon dioxide injection device characterized in that the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and / or second paths opened in the second release is less than twice the cross-sectional area of ​​the first or second path opened in the first release.

2. A gas supply source filled with carbon dioxide, A gas supply path, one end of which is connected to the aforementioned gas supply source, An adjustment mechanism is provided between the gas supply source and the gas supply path, which adjusts the carbon dioxide gas released from the gas supply source to a predetermined pressure or lower. The other end of the gas supply path is connected to a container connection section to which the container is connected in order to inject carbon dioxide from the gas supply source into the container into which the liquid has been injected, A gas injection unit for injecting carbon dioxide gas into the liquid inside the container from the other end of the gas supply passage, A release mechanism comprising: a release path section having an opening / closing part at one end connected to the inside of the container and configured to be openable and closable at the other end so as to form a path for releasing gas from inside the container when opened; and a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the opening / closing part; Equipped with, The aforementioned release path section has a first path and a second path in a carbon dioxide injection device, A first release step involves opening either the first or second path to release a gas at a flow rate less than that of carbon dioxide gas to be injected into the liquid inside the container, A second release step in which both or either of the first and second paths are opened to release a larger flow rate of gas than that of the first release step, It has, A method for injecting carbon dioxide, characterized in that the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first and / or second paths opened in the second release is less than twice the cross-sectional area of ​​the first or second path opened in the first release.

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