Syrup delivery system

• US 20040069804A1
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Taylor Commercial Foodservice, Inc. (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Incorporated (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Minard, James J., Bush, Mark, McNamee, Pete, Gilchrist, Jon Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,014,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/145.5
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/04 Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/10 Pump mechanism in general F04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0097 using a pump
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2544 Supply and exhaust type

Abstract

A syrup delivery system delivers flavored syrup. A solenoid introduces air into the system and into an inlet of an exhaust diverter including a flexible diaphragm. The air exits the exhaust diverter through an outlet for entry into a syrup valve that dispenses the syrup. After dispensing of the syrup, the solenoid blocks air from entering the system. The air from the syrup valve reenters the exhaust diverter through the outlet. The air exits the exhaust diverter through the contaminated air exhaust. The air pushes on the flexible diaphragm, which contacts a seating surface around the inlet, preventing the air from exiting the exhaust diverter through the inlet. The remaining air in the system passes into the expansion tank and is diffused, causing any contaminates in the air to fall to the bottom of the expansion tank. The exhaust air is also subjected to a turbulent air flow path in the expansion tank that further separate any contaminants from the air. The remaining air is then vented to the atmosphere through the solenoid drain.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a contaminated air exhaust, a supply air entering said valve through said inlet and exiting said valve through said outlet when said system is on; and

a fluid dispensing valve, said supply air from said outlet of said valve actuating said fluid dispensing valve to dispense a fluid, and return air from said fluid dispensing valve entering said valve through said outlet and exiting said valve through said contaminated air exhaust when said system is turned off.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said valve includes a flexible diaphragm, and said flexible diaphragm blocks said contaminated air exhaust when said supply air flows into said valve through said inlet and said flexible diaphragm blocks said inlet when said return air flows into said valve through said outlet.

3. The system as recited in claim 2 wherein said supply air pushes said flexible diaphragm against said contaminated air exhaust when said supply air enters said valve and said return air pushes said flexible diaphragm against said inlet when said return air enters said valve.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 further including a control to control introduction of said supply air into said system.

5. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein said control is a solenoid.

6. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein said supply air between said control and said valve exits said system through an exhaust in said control when said system is turned off.

7. The system as recited in claim 4 further including an expansion device between said control and said valve, said supply air between said valve and said control enters said expansion device and undergoes a reduction in velocity, separating said fluid from said supply air.

8. The system as recited in claim 7 wherein said fluid collects in a tank in said expansion device.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said tank is removable.

10. The system as recited in claim 7 wherein said air is subjected to turbulence in said expansion tank to further separate said fluid from said air.

11. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said supply air from said valve to said fluid dispensing valve travels in a first path, and said return air from said fluid dispensing valve to said valve also travels in said first path.

12. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein an air compressor generates said supply air.

13. A fluid delivery system comprising:

an air compressor to generate supply air;

a solenoid to control introduction of said supply air into said system;

a valve including a flexible diaphragm, an inlet, an outlet, and a contaminated air exhaust, said supply air entering said valve through said inlet and exiting said valve through said outlet when said system is on, said flexible diaphragm blocking said contaminated air exhaust when said supply air flows into said valve through said inlet and said flexible diagraph blocking said inlet when said return air flows into said valve through said outlet;

a fluid dispensing valve, said supply air from said outlet of said valve actuating said fluid dispensing valve to dispense a fluid, and a return air from said fluid dispensing valve entering said valve through said outlet and exiting said valve through said contaminated air exhaust when said system is turned off; and

an expansion device between said solenoid and said valve, said supply air between said valve and said solenoid enters said expansion device and undergoes a pressure drop, further separating said fluid from said supply air.

14. The fluid delivery system as recited in claim 13 wherein said air is subjected to turbulence in said expansion tank to further separate fluid from said air.

15. The fluid delivery system as recited in claim 13 further including a mixing chamber, said fluid from said fluid dispensing valve flowing into said mixing chamber and mixing with a frozen product in said mixing chamber to form a frozen dessert.

16. A method of dispensing a fluid comprising the steps of:

providing a valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a contaminated air exhaust and a fluid dispensing valve;

supplying a supply air to said valve through said inlet and out of said valve through said outlet;

actuating said fluid dispensing valve by said supply air from said outlet to dispense a fluid;

stopping the step of supplying said supply of air;

returning a return air from said fluid dispensing valve to said valve through said outlet; and

exiting said return air through said contaminated air exhaust when said system is turned off.