Carbon dioxide source tablet and beverage carbonating system including the same
A carbon dioxide source tablet is disclosed including a body comprising carbon dioxide source reactable with liquid to produce carbon dioxide gas. The body includes a top side opposite a bottom side, and one or more peripheral sides extending between the top side and the bottom side. The body also includes at least one channel. Each channel extends along one of the top side and the bottom side. Each channel extends in length from a first channel end to a second channel end. Each first and second channel end is located at one of the peripheral sides. Each channel, between its first and second channel ends, is spaced from the peripheral sides. Each channel provides a frangible line of weakness. At least a portion of each channel extends linearly from the channel's first channel end to the channel's second channel end. A beverage carbonating system is also disclosed.
1. A carbon dioxide source tablet comprising:
a body comprising a carbon dioxide source reactable with liquid to produce carbon dioxide gas,
the body including a top side opposite a bottom side, and one or more peripheral sides extending between the top side and the bottom side; and
at least one channel,
each channel extending along one of the top side and the bottom side,
each channel extending in length from a first channel end to a second channel end,
each first and second channel end being located at one of the one or more peripheral sides,
each channel, between its first and second channel ends, being spaced from the one or more peripheral sides, and
each channel providing, to the body, a frangible line of weakness, at least a portion of each channel extending linearly from the channel's first channel end to the channel's second channel end.
2. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the line of weakness provided by each channel is positioned to allow division of the body into segments having predetermined sizes.
3. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 2 , wherein:
the line of weakness provided by the at least one channel is positioned to allow division of the body into a first segment and a second segment,
the first segment being about 15% of the body, and
the second segment being about 85% of the body.
4. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 2 , wherein:
the line of weakness provided by at least one channel is positioned to allow division of the body into a first segment and a second segment,
each of the first and second segments being about 50% of the body.
5. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
a depth of each channel is at least 10% of a thickness of the body, at a base of the channel, measured between the top side and the bottom side.
6. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one channel includes at least two channels, and
each of the channels is spaced from each other of the channels.
7. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 6 , wherein:
the at least a portion of each channel extends linearly in parallel with the at least a portion of each other channel.
8. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one channel includes at least one pair of two channels,
each pair of two channels includes a first channel extending along the top side, and a second channel extending along the bottom side,
the at least a portion of the first channel being aligned with the at least a portion of the second channel.
9. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the body is substantially disk-shaped, and
the top and bottom sides are substantially circular.
10. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the carbon dioxide source comprises citric acid and sodium bicarbonate.
11. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the body further comprises a binder.
12. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 11 , wherein:
the binder is sugar-based.
13. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the body further comprises a lubricant.
14. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 13 , wherein:
the lubricant comprises glycol.
15. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 1 , wherein:
the body further comprises a desiccant.
16. A carbon dioxide source tablet for use with a carbonation chamber comprising:
a body comprising a carbon dioxide source reactable with liquid to produce carbon dioxide gas,
the body including a top side opposite a bottom side, and one or more peripheral sides extending between the top side and the bottom side; and
one or more channels, each channel extending along one of the top side and the bottom side,
each channel sized and positioned to align with and receive a corresponding projection of the carbonation chamber when the body is inserted into the carbonation chamber,
each channel extending in length from a first channel end to a second channel end, and
each first and second channel end being located at one of the one or more peripheral sides.
17. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 16 , wherein:
a depth of each channel is at least 10% of a thickness of the body, at a base of the channel, measured between the top side and the bottom side.
18. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 16 , wherein:
the at least one channel comprises at least one pair of two channels,
each pair of two channels comprising a first channel extending along the top side, and a second channel extending along the bottom side,
the first channel being aligned with the second channel.
19. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 16 , wherein:
the body is substantially disk-shaped, and
the top and bottom sides are substantially circular.
20. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 16 , wherein:
the carbon dioxide source comprises citric acid and sodium bicarbonate.
21. The carbon dioxide source tablet of claim 16 , wherein:
a size and shape of each channel closely conforms to a size and shape of the corresponding projection.
22. A beverage carbonation system, comprising:
a container comprising a container chamber for holding liquid;
a carbonator removably engageable with the container, the carbonator fluidly coupled to the container chamber when engaged with the container,
the carbonator comprising a carbonation chamber including at least one internal projection; and
a carbon dioxide source tablet comprising
a body comprising carbon dioxide source reactable with liquid in the carbonation chamber to produce carbon dioxide gas,
the body including a top side opposite a bottom side, and one or more peripheral sides extending between the top side and the bottom side,
one or more channels, each channel extending along one of the top side and the bottom side,
each channel sized and positioned to align with and receive a corresponding projection of the at least one internal projection when the body is inserted into the carbonation chamber,
each channel extending in length from a first channel end to a second channel end, and
each first and second channel end being located at one of the one or more peripheral sides.
23. The beverage carbonation system of claim 22 , wherein:
the carbonator further comprises a pump to transfer liquid from the container chamber to the carbonation chamber.
24. The beverage carbonation system of claim 22 , wherein:
the carbonator further comprises a pump to transfer the carbon dioxide from the carbonation chamber to the container chamber.