WO2016193971A1

WO2016193971A1 - Variable volume carbonation container and a method of using same

Info

Publication number: WO2016193971A1
Application number: PCT/IL2016/050560
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pinchas Shalev
Original assignee: So Spark Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-06-01
Filing date: 2016-05-31
Publication date: 2016-12-08

Abstract

A carbonation system for producing a changeable volume of sparkling beverages is disclosed. The system may include a variable volume carbonation container that may include a liquid inlet; a carbonation gas inlet; a liquid outlet; an air release valve; and a container volume variation unit. The volume variation unit may include a controller and an actuator adapted to change a volume of the carbonation container according to instructions from the controller. A method of producing a changeable volume of a carbonated liquid is also presented.

Description

VARIABLE VOLUME CARBONATION CONTAINER AND A METHOD OF

USING SAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] In capsule based sparkling beverages production systems, a single capsule produces a predefined amount of C(¾ gas per a predefined amount of water/liquid - in order to achieve an optimal consistent beverage performance.

[002] A carbonated beverage is measured by the level of the Gas Volume (GV); this is the amount of gas assimilated in the water/liquid. Each beverage has its designated GV level, and this level is constant regardless of the volume of the beverage. When a variety of final beverage volumes is required (predefined as "small", "medium" & "large") - there is a problem in the volume of the carbonator tank: the amount of liquid to be carbonated changes along with the amount of gas to be assimilated into the liquid.

[003] Another factor for optimal and consistent sparkling water/liquid output (e.g. the optimal assimilation of the gas into the liquid) is reducing the amount of air in the system, as air prevents the C(¾ from assimilating into the water effectively.

SUMMARY

[004] In some embodiments, a carbonation system for producing a changeable volume of sparkling beverages may include a variable volume carbonation container that may include a liquid inlet; a carbonation gas inlet; a liquid outlet; an air release valve; and a container volume variation unit. The volume variation unit may include a controller and an actuator adapted to change a volume of the carbonation container according to instructions from the controller.

[005] Some embodiments of the present invention may be related to a method for preparing a desired volume of a sparkling beverage. The embodiments may include receiving via an input device, a desired volume of the sparkling beverage to be prepared and setting a volume of a carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via a liquid inlet, to be substantially identical to the desired volume of the sparkling beverage to be prepared. The embodiments may further include filling the carbonation container with a liquid to be carbonated, until the set volume of the carbonation container is filled with the liquid to be carbonated and empty of air and introducing into the carbonation container a carbonation gas, such as carbon dioxide(CC>2), via a gas inlet; and assimilating the carbonation gas into the liquid in the carbonation container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[007] Fig.l is a schematic illustration of a carbonation system with a variable volume carbonation container according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[008] Figs. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations of a variable volume carbonation containers according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[009] Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for carbonating variable volumes of liquids according the some embodiments of the present invention; and

[0010] Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic illustrations of a variable volume carbonation container according to some embodiments of the present invention during different stages of a method according to some embodiments of the present invention. [0011] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0012] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0013] Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms "plurality" and "a plurality" as used herein may include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". The terms "plurality" or "a plurality" may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like.

[0014] Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed at the same point in time or overlapping points in time. As known in the art, an execution of an executable code segment such as a function, task, sub-task or program may be referred to as execution of the function, program or other component.

[0015] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a carbonation system for producing a changeable volume of sparkling beverages. The system may comprise a variable volume carbonation container that may comprise a liquid inlet; a carbonation gas inlet; a liquid outlet; an air release valve; and a volume variation unit. According to some embodiments the volume variation unit may comprise a controller and an actuator adapted to change a volume of the carbonation container according to instructions from the controller.

[0016] The carbonation system, according to some embodiments, may further comprise one or more sensors, such as a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor and the like. In some embodiments, signal received from such sensor may be used to determine the carbonation level of the liquid in the carbonation container. In some embodiments, the signals may be used to determine the required volume of carbonation gas that should be introduced into the variable volume carbonation container during the carbonation process and the like.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the volume variation unit may further comprise an adaptable container located within the carbonation container adapted to change size, such as an elastic balloon. The actuator may be a pump adapted to inflate the adaptable container to reduce the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet and to deflate the adaptable container to increase the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet. The adaptable container may be made of silicone, rubber or any other non-toxic elastic material capable of inflating and deflating as described above.

[0018] According to other embodiments of the present invention, the volume variation unit may include a piston. Changing the location of the piston in the carbonation chamber, may change the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with liquid via the liquid inlet.

[0019] The carbonation system according to some embodiments of the present invention may have a fixed portion and a movable portion. Moving the movable portion in a first direction relative to the fixed portion may increase the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet. Moving the movable portion in a second direction relative to the fixed portion may decrease the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the system may further include an input device adapted to set the sparkling beverage volume to be prepared in each operation of the system. The input device may include any one of a dial, a keypad, a touchscreen, a knob, a button, a set of buttons, or a combination of these input mechanism

[0021] Some embodiments of the present invention may be related to a method for preparing a desired volume of a sparkling beverage. The embodiments may include receiving via an input device, a desired volume of the sparkling beverage to be prepared and setting a volume of a carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via a liquid inlet, to be substantially identical to the desired volume of the sparkling beverage to be prepared (for example, within ±5%, or within ±3% of the desired volume). The embodiments may further include filling the carbonation container with a liquid to be carbonated, until the set volume of the carbonation container is filled with the liquid to be carbonated and empty of air and introducing into the carbonation container a carbonation gas, such as carbon dioxide(C02), via a gas inlet; and assimilating the carbonation gas into the liquid in the carbonation container.

[0022] In some embodiments, setting the volume of the carbonation container may include, inflating an adaptable (e.g., elastic) container located within the carbonation container by a pump to reduce the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet, and deflating the adaptable container to increase the volume of the carbonation container that may be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet. [0023] According to other embodiments, setting the volume of the carbonation container may include changing a location of a piston in the carbonation container in order to change the volume of the carbonation container that may be filled with liquid via the liquid inlet.

[0024] In some embodiments, the carbonation container may have a fixed portion and a movable portion. According to some embodiments, moving the movable portion in a first direction relative to the fixed portion may increase the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet. In some embodinents, moving the movable portion in a second direction relative to the fixed portion decreases the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the movable portion is movable in the first direction by screwing the movable portion and is movable in the second direction by unscrewing the movable portion. Screwing and unscrewing may be done by an actuator such as an electric motor or any other actuator known in the art.

[0026] The method according to some embodiments may further include sensing a temperature of the liquid in the carbonation container and determining the volume of carbonation gas to be inserted into the carbonation container based on a required carbonation level and the temperature of the liquid in the carbonation container. According to some embodiments, the assimilation rate of carbonation gas in the liquid may be controlled by increasing the pressure in the carbonation container due to increasing the volume of carbonation gas introduced into the carbonation container and/or by reducing the volume of the carbonation container. [0027] Reference is made to Fig. 1 which is a schematic illustration of carbonation system 100 with a variable volume carbonation container 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] System 100 may include gas, such as C(¾ production unit 110 which may be connected via gas conduit 123 to carbonation gas inlet 24 of a carbonation container 200.

[0029] Gas production unit 110 may include a gas production chamber 111 and heat energy supply unit 112. Chamber 111 may include, according to some embodiments a base element 11 IB, and gas production cap element 111 A. Heat energy supply unit 112 may be, according to some embodiments a microwave energy source. According to other embodiments, other heat energy supply units may be used as known in the art. According to some embodiments gas production unit 110 may further comprise a pressure safety valve 113.

[0030] Base element 11 IB and cap element 111A may be designed to form a pressure tight chamber 111 having at least one outlet connected to gas conduit 123 to provide pressurized gas, such as CO₂, to a carbonation container, such as variable volume container 200 illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B.

[0031] According to one embodiment, chamber 111 may have two outlets. First outlet may be the connection to gas conduit 123. This outlet is used for providing pressurized CO₂ when system 100 is in use for carbonating. A second outlet is possible via safety valve 113, when the pressure inside chamber 111 is higher than a predefined value. Gas conduit 123 may have, close to its distal end, gas disposing plug 124 that may be adapted to tightly and securely attach a container, such as container 200, in order to provide CO₂ to container 200. [0032] Chamber 111 may be designed to accommodate certain amount of CO₂ carrier material, for example in the form of a capsule, such as capsule 15. When chamber 111 contains CO₂ carrier material, such as sodium bicarbonate, and is tightly closed, the carrier material may be heated by heat energy supply unit 112 when energized by, for example, electrical energy. When the temperature of carrier material 15 reaches decomposition values, gas, such as CO₂, from a carrier material, such as sodium bicarbonate, may be released. When the pressure of the released gas increase above a threshold value (higher than the idle pressure in conduit 123 and container 200) CO₂ may start flowing into container 200 and carbonation of the liquid in container 200 may begin. The rate of CO₂ production and supply may be controlled, for example, by controlling the temperature of the decomposition.

[0033] According to some embodiments, system 100 may further include an input device 30. Input device 30 may be adapted to allow a user to set and/or select different aspects of the carbonation process. For example, input device 30 may allow selecting the volume of the carbonated liquid required, either from a predefined selection of volumes or any volume in a predefined range. According to other embodiments, the type of beverage to be prepared may be selected and the level of carbonation required may be set via input device 30, and the like. In some embodiments, input device 30 may be in active communication with a controller 28 configured to control the carbonation process of system 100, as disclosed below with respect to Figs. 2A and 2B.

[0034] Container 200 may, according to some embodiments, have a liquid inlet 23. Liquid inlet 23 may be connected to a first end of a liquid conduit 132. Liquid conduit 132 may be connected at another end to a liquid source, such as a liquid tap (not shown) or a liquid reservoir 160. [0035] According to some embodiments, carbonation container 200 may be a variable volume carbonation container to allow the production of carbonated liquids in different volumes. In some embodiments, container 200 may include a container volume variation unit 220 and an air/gas release valve 26. Variable volume carbonation containers according to some embodiments of the present invention are further described below with reference to Figs. 2A and 2B.

[0036] With reference to Figs. 2A and 2B, different embodiments of a variable volume carbonation container 200 are illustrated. According to some embodiments, variable volume carbonation container 200 may have an internal cavity 21, defined by an outer wall 210 of container 200, adapted to receive and retain a volume of liquid to be carbonated. Carbonation container 200 may further comprise a liquid inlet 23, a carbonation gas inlet 24, a carbonated liquid outlet 25 and an air/gas release valve 26. Liquid inlet 23 may be adapted to fill carbonation container 200 with a liquid to be carbonated, such as water or water with flavor additives.

[0037] According to some embodiments, carbonation container 200 may further comprise a volume variation unit 220. Volume variation unit 220 may comprise, according to some embodiments, an actuator 27 and a controller 28.

[0038] In yet other embodiments, carbonation container 200 may further comprise one or more sensors 29, such as temperature sensor, pressure sensor and the like. Sensors 29 may be in active communication with controller 28 and may provide controller 28 with sensed data, such as the temperature of the liquid in container 200, the pressure in carbonation container 200 and the like.

[0039] Controller 28 may, according to some embodiments, be in active communication with an input device 30, such as a button, a set of buttons, a touchscreen, a keypad and the like. Input device 30 may receive one or more instructions, such as a selection of a volume of beverage to be prepared, a type of beverage to be prepared, a level of carbonation and the like, and provide one or more instructions to controller 28.

[0040] According to some embodiments, controller 28 may be further associated with a memory 32. Memory 32 may store codes and/or instructions (e.g., in a lookup table) associating each instruction and sensed data with required carbonation conditions.

[0041] In some embodiments, controller 28 may operate actuator 27 according to the stage in the carbonation process, the instructions received from input device 30, the sensed data received from one or more sensors 29 and/or the information in the lookup table in memory 32.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present invention, after the liquid in carbonation container 200 has been carbonated, volume variation unit 220 may be actuated to decrease the effective volume of carbonation container 200 to expel the carbonated liquid out of carbonation container 200 through liquid outlet 25. It should be appreciated that expelling the carbonated liquid out of carbonation container 200 by pushing the carbonated liquid out of outlet 25, may preserve the carbonation level of the liquid.

[0043] As may be seen in Fig. 2 A, volume variation unit 220 may include an elastic container 20 located within carbonation container 200. Elastic container 20 may have an internal space 22. Internal space 22 may be filled with air, or any other compressible substance, by actuator 27, such as a pump. It should be appreciated that when elastic container 20 is inflated with a compressible substance, such as air, internal space 22 volume increases, and thus the effective volume of carbonation container 200 decreases. The term effective volume of carbonation container 200 refers to the volume of internal cavity 21 that can be filled with liquid via liquid inlet 23 and/or by carbonation gas via gas inlet 24. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2A, the effective volume may be further defined as the volume of carbonation container 200 that is not occupied by internal space 22 of elastic container 20.

[0044] According to some embodiments elastic container 20 may be made of silicone. In yet other embodiments, other elastic materials may be used, such as rubber.

[0045] According to some embodiments, elastic container 20 may be inflated to occupy the entire internal cavity 21 of carbonation container 200, and thus may reduce the effective volume of carbonation container 200 to substantially zero. It should be appreciated that inflating elastic container 20 to occupy the entire internal cavity 21 may result in expelling the carbonated liquid out of carbonation container 200 by pushing the carbonated liquid out of carbonation container 200 through outlet 25.

[0046] As may be seen in Fig. 2B volume variation unit 220 may comprise a moving body, such as piston 12 connected to an actuator 27, such as an electric motor or a hydraulic actuator. It should be appreciated that other actuators may be used, as known in the art.

[0047] Moving body, such as piston 12, may have a sealing element (not illustrated) to seal the interface between moving body 12 and the internal walls 210 of carbonation container 200.

[0048] According to some embodiments, changing the location of moving body, such as piston 12, within internal cavity 21 of carbonation container 200, may change the volume of carbonation container 200 that can be filled with liquid via liquid inlet 23 and/or by carbonation gas via gas inlet 24. [0049] According to some embodiments, moving body 12 may be positioned, in one extremity, to reduce the effective volume of carbonation container 200 to substantially zero. It should be appreciated that pushing moving body 12 to reduce the effective volume of internal cavity 21 to zero, may result in expelling the carbonated liquid out of carbonation container 200 by pushing the carbonated liquid out of carbonation container 200 through outlet 25. The extent of movement of body 12 may be controlled similarly to the control of the volume of elastic container 20.

[0050] Reference is now made to Fig. 3 which is a flowchart of a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] As may be seen in block 3010 a controller of the carbonation system, according to some embodiments of the invention, may receive, via an input device, a desired volume of carbonated liquid (e.g., a sparkling beverage) to be prepared. For example, the selection may be from two or more predefined volumes, such as, for example "small", "medium" or "large", or may be selected from a range of volumes, e.g. any volume between 200 milliliters (ml) and 1000ml.

[0052] In block 3020 when a selection of volume is received by the controller, the controller, according to some embodiments of the invention, may activate an actuator to set a volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via a liquid inlet. In some embodiments, the set volume may be substantially identical to the desired volume. For example, if a selected volume of 300ml is received, and the current effective volume of the carbonation container is 500ml, the actuator may inflate an elastic container, such as elastic container 20 in Fig. 2A, to reduce the effective volume of the container to 300ml. It should be appreciated that other methods of changing the effective volume may be used. [0053] According to some embodiments, after setting the volume of the carbonation container to the selected volume, an air release valve may be opened, as seen in block 3030. In some embodiments, air release valve may be a unidirectional valve. Thus, the step of opening the air release valve may not be required.

[0054] In block 3040, the carbonation container may be filled with liquid to be carbonated, such as water, to fill the entire set volume of the carbonation container according to some embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated that when the entire effective volume of the carbonation container is filled with liquid (such as water), substantially all air in the carbonation container is forced out through the air release valve.

[0055] As seen in block 3050, according to some embodiments, after filling the set volume of the carbonation container with liquid, via the liquid inlet, air release valve may be closed.

[0056] As seen in block 3060, according to some embodiments, a carbonation gas may be introduced to the carbonation container via a gas inlet. The controller may determine a volume of carbonation gas, such as C(¾, that should be injected into the carbonation container. According to some embodiments, the determination may be done based on signals received from one or more sensors, such as temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and the like, and the level of carbonation required.

[0057] Embodiments may further include, assimilating the carbonation gas into the liquid in the carbonation container, for example, by increasing the effective volume of the carbonation container as to allow inserting of the carbonation gas (block 3070).

[0058] According to some embodiments, the actuator may increase the effective volume of the carbonation container, for example by changing the location of piston 12 in Fig. 2B. Increasing the effective volume of the carbonation container may allow inserting a carbonation gas, such as Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), into the variable volume carbonation container, via a carbonation gas inlet.

[0059] According to some embodiments, increasing the effective volume of the carbonation container may not be required, and may be a result of inserting gas into the carbonation container. For example, when the volume variation unit comprises an elastic container, such as elastic container 20 in Fig. 2A, streaming carbonation gas, via carbonation gas inlet, may increase the pressure in carbonation container and may pressurize the elastic container and the substance therein, causing it to compress and collapse.

[0060] The carbonation gas may be filled in the carbonation container until the pressure in the container reaches a predefined level required for assimilating the gas into the liquid, according to, for example, the type of beverage prepared, the selected carbonation level, the temperature of the carbonated liquid (e.g. water temperature) and the like.

[0061] According to some embodiments, when the carbonation step has been completed (i.e. the pressure in the carbonation container reached the required level and the required amount of gas has been assimilated), the carbonated liquid may be expelled via the carbonated liquid outlet (block 3080). In order to maintain the carbonation level of the liquid during the expulsion stage, the expulsion may be done by pushing the liquid out of the carbonation container, by reducing the effective volume of the carbonation container, for example, inflating the elastic container 20 in Fig. 2A to occupy the entire volume of carbonation container 200.

[0062] According to other embodiments, an additional stage of creating rapid volume change cycles may take place (block 3075) before expelling the carbonated liquid (e.g. a sparkling drink) from the carbonation container. [0063] The rapid volume change cycles may be conducted in order to improve gas assimilation in the liquid, by creating turbulence in the liquid and increasing the contact area of the carbonation gas and the liquid.

[0064] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a volume change cycle may be an increase of the effective volume of the carbonation container followed by a decrease in the volume of the carbonation container, or a decrease in the volume of the carbonation container followed by an increase in the volume of the carbonation container. It should be appreciated that in order for a volume change cycle to create the desired turbulence, the changes in volume may be relatively small, for example, 5-25 milliliters (ml) in each direction, but should be relatively rapid, e.g. having a cycle time of 0.5-2 seconds.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the number of cycles, the cycle time and the volume change parameters may be preset or determined according to the actual C(¾ assimilation measured in the carbonated liquid, for example, by a pressure sensor.

[0066] Reference is made to Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C which are schematic illustrations of a variable volume carbonation container 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention during different stages of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. As seen in Fig. 4A, when an input is received regarding the desired volume of carbonated liquid to be prepared, elastic container 20 may be inflated or deflated, by actuator 27, to increase or decrease internal space 22, in order to adjust the effective volume of internal cavity 21 of container 200 to correlate with the desired volume of carbonated liquid to be prepared. As may be further seen in Fig. 4A, at this stage container 200 may be substantially empty of any liquid (e.g. filled with air or any other gas). It should be appreciated that at this stage liquid inlet 23, gas inlet 24 and liquid outlet 25 may be in a closed position.

[0067] Reference is made to Fig. 4B showing container 200 after the entire effective volume of container 200 has been filled with liquid to be carbonated, such as water, via liquid inlet 23. As may be understood, air and/or other gases that occupied internal cavity 21 prior to the filling of container 200 with liquid, are expelled through air/gas release valve 26. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that at this stage gas inlet 24 and liquid outlet 25 may be in closed position.

[0068] As may be seen in Fig. 4C, after container 200 has been completely filled with liquid, liquid inlet 23, air/gas release valve 26, and liquid outlet 25 may be closed, and gas may be introduced via gas inlet 24 into container 200. As may be further seen in Fig. 4C, due to the increasing pressure in container 200, as a result of the introduction of gas, such as CO₂, into container 200, the compressible content in internal space 22 (e.g. air) may be compressed, and elastic container 20 may collapse.

[0069] As described above with reference to Fig. 3, according to some embodiments, when the carbonation stage has been completed (i.e. the pressure in carbonation container 200 reaches the required level), the carbonated liquid may be expelled via carbonated liquid outlet 25 (block 3080 in Fig. 3). In order to maintain the carbonation level of the liquid during the expulsion stage, the expulsion may be done by pushing the liquid out of carbonation container 200, by reducing the effective volume of carbonation container 200, for example, inflating elastic container 20 to occupy the entire volume of carbonation container 200. [0070] According to other embodiments, an additional stage of creating rapid volume change cycles may take place (block 3075 in Fig. 3) before expelling the carbonated liquid (e.g. a sparkling drink) from carbonation container 200.

[0071] The rapid volume change cycles may be conducted in order to improve gas assimilation in the liquid, by creating turbulence in the liquid and increasing the contact area of the carbonation gas and the liquid.

[0072] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS [0073] What is claimed is:

1. A variable volume carbonation system for producing sparkling beverages, comprising:

a carbonation container, comprising:

a liquid inlet;

a carbonation gas inlet;

a liquid outlet;

an air release valve; and

a container volume variation unit;

wherein the volume variation unit comprises a controller and an actuator adapted to change a volume of the carbonation container according to instructions from the controller.

2. The carbonation system according to claim 1, wherein the volume variation unit further comprises an elastic container located within the carbonation container, and wherein the actuator is a pump adapted to inflate the elastic container to reduce the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet and to deflate the elastic container to increase the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet.

3. The carbonation system according to claim 1, wherein the volume variation unit further comprises a piston and a sealing element, and wherein changing a location of the piston in the carbonation container changes the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with liquid via the liquid inlet.

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein the elastic container comprises silicone.

5. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising an input device adapted to set the sparkling beverage volume to be prepared in each operation of the system.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the input device comprises a dial, a keypad, a touchscreen, a knob, a button, or a combination thereof.

7. A method for preparing a volume of a sparkling beverage, the method comprising:

receiving via an input device, a desired volume of the sparkling beverage to be prepared;

setting a volume of a carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via a liquid inlet, to be substantially identical to the desired volume of the

sparkling beverage to be prepared;

filling the carbonation container with a liquid to be carbonated, until the set volume of the carbonation container is filled with the liquid to be carbonated;

introducing into the carbonation container a carbonation gas via a gas inlet; and

assimilating the carbonation gas into the liquid in the carbonation

container.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the carbonation gas is carbon dioxide (C0₂).

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein setting the volume of the carbonation container comprises inflating an elastic container located within the carbonation container by a pump to reduce the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet, and deflating the elastic container to increase the volume of the carbonation container that can be filled with a liquid via the liquid inlet.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein setting the volume of the carbonation container comprises moving a piston and a sealing element within the carbonation container, and wherein changing a location of the piston in the carbonation chamber, changes the volume of the carbonation chamber that can be filled with liquid via the liquid inlet.

11. The method according to claim 7, further comprising sensing the temperature of the liquid in the carbonation container and determining the volume of carbonation gas to be assimilated into the liquid in the carbonation container based on a required carbonation level and the temperature of the liquid in the carbonation container.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein increasing the volume of the carbonation container further comprises inserting carbonation gas into the carbonation container to compress the elastic container.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising inflating the elastic container after the introduction of the carbonation gas into the carbonation container in order to increase the pressure in the carbonation container.

14. The method according to claim 9, further comprising after the liquid in the carbonation container has been carbonated, inflating the elastic container to occupy the entire internal cavity of the carbonation container; and pushing the carbonated liquid out of the carbonation container via the liquid outlet.

15. The method according to claim 7, further comprising creating rapid volume change cycles in the carbonation container.