Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage with minimal foaming
First Claim
1. A carbonated beverage dispenser comprising:
- a tank which has a chamber for holding a carbonated beverage to be dispensed wherein the chamber is maintained at atmospheric pressure;
an inlet through which the carbonated beverage is introduced into said tank;
a nozzle projecting from said tank, and having an outlet through which the carbonated beverage held in the tank is dispensed;
a conical member having a first end extending into the outlet of said nozzle and having a larger end outside the outlet nozzle, wherein the shape of said conical member in association with said nozzle disperses the carbonated beverage in a 360 degree pattern around the outlet; and
a mechanism which selectively permits and inhibits flow of beverage through said nozzle from said tank.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Carbonated beverages are dispensed by an apparatus that includes a tank mounted for holding the beverage at atmospheric pressure. An inlet tube is provided to supply beverage beneath the surface of the beverage already in said tank. An nozzle projects from said tank for a length at least as great as the depth of a serving container into which beverage will be dispensed. A valve member movably located in an outlet of the nozzle and has a conical shape. The valve member is moved by an actuator between a closed position in which the outlet of the nozzle is sealed against beverage flow, and an open position in which beverage can flow from the nozzle. The conical shape of said valve member disperses the beverage in a 360 degree pattern around the outlet to reduce beverage foaming. A shell encloses the tank and forms a cavity therebetween through which chilled air circulates to maintain the beverage in the tank at a desired serving temperature.
77 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A carbonated beverage dispenser comprising:
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a tank which has a chamber for holding a carbonated beverage to be dispensed wherein the chamber is maintained at atmospheric pressure; an inlet through which the carbonated beverage is introduced into said tank; a nozzle projecting from said tank, and having an outlet through which the carbonated beverage held in the tank is dispensed; a conical member having a first end extending into the outlet of said nozzle and having a larger end outside the outlet nozzle, wherein the shape of said conical member in association with said nozzle disperses the carbonated beverage in a 360 degree pattern around the outlet; and a mechanism which selectively permits and inhibits flow of beverage through said nozzle from said tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A carbonated beverage dispenser comprising:
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a tank which has a chamber for holding a carbonated beverage to be dispensed with the chamber being maintained at atmospheric pressure; an inlet through which the carbonated beverage is introduced into said tank; an nozzle projecting from said tank, and having an outlet through which the carbonated beverage held in the tank is dispensed; a valve member movably located in the outlet of said nozzle and having a conical shape which a side wall which tapers from a first end to a second end that is larger than the first end, said valve member having a closed position in which the side wall extends into and closes the outlet of said nozzle to beverage flow, and having an open position in which the side wall is spaced from the nozzle to permit beverage flow therebetween wherein the conical shape of said valve member disperses the carbonated beverage at the outlet; and an actuator connected to said valve member to move said valve member between the closed position and the open position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A carbonated beverage dispenser comprising:
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a hollow pillar for attaching to a support surface for the carbonated beverage dispenser; a tank mounted on said hollow pillar and having a chamber for holding a carbonated beverage to be dispensed wherein the chamber is maintained at atmospheric pressure; an inlet tube through which the carbonated beverage is introduced beneath a surface of carbonated beverage in said tank; an nozzle projecting from said tank, and having an outlet through which the carbonated beverage held in the tank is dispensed; a valve member movably located in the outlet of said nozzle and having a conical shape which a side wall which tapers from a first end to a second end that is larger than the first end, said valve member having a closed position in which the side wall extends into and closes the outlet of said nozzle to beverage flow, and having an open position in which the side wall is spaced from the nozzle to permit beverage flow therebetween wherein the conical shape of said valve member disperses the carbonated beverage at the outlet; an actuator located above said tank connected to said valve member to move said valve member between the closed position and the open position; and a shell enclosing said tank and forming a cavity therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification