Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage

• US 4,377,246 A
• Filed: 05/11/1981
• Issued: 03/22/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cornelius Co. (Minnesota) (IMI PLC)
• Original Assignee: Cornelius Co. (Minnesota) (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Strandwitz, Peter, McMillin, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US06/262,151
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/56, 222/61, 222/64-68, 222/136, 222/145, 222/396, 222/397, 222/399, 137/113
• US Class Current: 222/56
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0011 based on the timed opening of a valve
• 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 1/0406 with means for carbonating the beverage, or for maintaining its carbonation B67D1/0418 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1247 Means for detecting the presence or absence of liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1252 Gas pressure control means, e.g. for maintaining proper carbonation for beer engines B67D1/025
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1422 comprising foam avoiding means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0493 Air

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage including a source of propellant gas, a reservoir for beverage to be dispensed, one or more dispensing valves connected to the reservoir, a propellant gas conduit for applying a first gaseous propellant pressure upon beverage supply vessels and for applying a second and lesser gaseous propellant pressure upon beverage in the reservoir, a beverage supply conduit for transferring beverage from a supply vessel to the reservoir and normally closed valves in the beverage supply and gas conduits, which valves are controllable by a level sensor in the reservoir; the apparatus also features structure for automatically switching from one supply vessel to another as vessels become emptied; a method of dispensing includes the steps of providing a supply of carbonated beverage, applying a first propellant pressure upon the supply, selectively transferring beverage from the supply to a reservoir, applying a second and lesser propellant pressure upon the reservoir and dispensing from the reservoir; there is also a step of automatically switching supply vessels as they become empty.

Claims

1. Apparatus for concurrently and uninterruptedly dispensing a plurality of discrete servings of carbonated beverage while automatically switching from a just emptied to a full supply vessel of the beverage, comprising:

(a) a plurality of independently and concurrently openable dispensing valves;

(b) a beverage conduit having

(1) a plurality of downstream ends, each of said ends being in fluid communication with a respective said dispensing valve,

(2) first and second upstream ends having thereon means for fluidly connecting the beverage conduit to respective first and second supply vessels having carbonated beverage therein,

(3) a refrigerated reservoir between the downstream ends and the upstream ends for holding refrigerated carbonated beverage under gas pressure and in between the supply vessels and the dispensing valves, and

(4) first and second normally closed beverage supply valves in the first and second upstream ends respectively, each supply valve normally precluding flow of beverage from a respective supply vessel into the reservoir;

(c) a source of compressed gas;

(d) a compressed gas conduit having

(1) an upstream end connected to said source of compressed gas, and

(2) first and second downstream ends, each having thereon means for fluidly connecting the gas conduit to a respective supply vessel;

(e) a sensor responsive to the quantity of beverage within the reservoir, said sensor being structured for maintaining within the reservoir a predetermined quantity of beverage, said predetermined quantity being less than the volume of the reservoir;

(f) a circuit operatively connecting the sensor to the first beverage supply valve, so that said sensor effects automatic opening and closing of the first beverage valve for providing intermittent flow of beverage from the first supply vessel as is required for maintaining the predetermined quantity within the reservoir;

(g) means in the beverage conduit between the connecting means and the reservoir for sensing that the first supply vessel has been emptied of beverage; and

(h) means for switching said circuit by disconnecting said sensor from the first beverage supply valve and connecting said sensor to the second beverage supply valve for providing intermittent flow of beverage from the second supply vessel as is further required for maintaining the predetermined quantity within the reservoir after the first supply vessel has been emptied, said switching means being operatively connected to said sensing means for automatic actuation of the switching means by the sensing means.