Valve head for dispensing carbonated beverage

• US 6,230,767 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2000
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dispensing Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dispensing Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Nelson, Patrick L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US09/489,693
• Time in Patent Office: 477 Days
• Field of Search: 141/263, 141/264, 141/253-255, 141/267, 141/270, 141/275-278, 141/351, 141/356, 141/369, 141/374, 141/94, 141/192, 141/98, 141/2, 141/18, 141/286, 141/301, 222/146.6, 222/509, 222/507
• US Class Current: 141/264
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/2608 comprising anti-dripping means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0011 based on the timed opening of a valve
• 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 1/0861 the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1222 Pressure gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1422 comprising foam avoiding means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1438 comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction parallel to the valve seat, e.g. sliding or rotating
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1455 the valve shutter being opened in the same direction as the liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/009 operated by cup detection
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/1261 the level being detected mechanically
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00007 for gas

Abstract

A system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. Specialized valve configurations and operation techniques are implemented in order to achieve enhanced flow characteristics of the carbonated beverage dispensing into the open container. Preferably, the valve head has a distribution surface in which a portion of the distribution surface near a proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than the portion of the distribution surface that is located towards the distal end of the valve head. With this configuration, the valve head gently redirects the flow trajectory of the carbonated beverage existing the nozzle from a substantially downward trajectory to a more horizontal umbrella like trajectory. It has been found that such a trajectory provides particularly favorable results. In order to maintain a symmetrical umbrella flow pattern, a hub is provided within the flow nozzle to support and align that valve stem.

Claims

1. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container comprising:

a source of carbonated beverage;

a downwardly extending nozzle that receives the carbonated beverage, the nozzle including a flow passageway and an outlet port through which the carbonated beverage dispenses from the nozzle into an open container;

a valve mechanism including a valve stem that is located at least in part within the flow passageway of the nozzle, and a valve head having a proximal end connected to the valve stem and a distal end exposed underneath the nozzle, the valve head seating against the nozzle when the valve is closed; and

an actuator connected to the valve stem for positioning the valve head relative to the outlet port of the nozzle;

wherein the distal end of the valve head has a diameter greater than a diameter of the proximal end of the valve head, and the valve head has a distribution surface in which a portion of the distribution surface near the proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than a second portion of the distribution surface that is located closer to the distal end of the valve head.

2. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the first portion of the valve head distribution surface has a profile in the shape of a first truncated cone which has a first slope; and

the second portion of the valve head distribution surface has a profile in the shape of a second truncated cone which has a second slope, the first slope being more steep than the second slope.

3. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 wherein the valve head distribution surface has a profile in which the slope of the distribution surface becomes continuously less steep as the distribution surface extends from the proximal end of the valve head to the distal end of the valve head.

4. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 wherein the valve stem and the valve head are integral components.

5. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 wherein:

the valve head includes a base surface along the distal end of the valve head;

a circumferential groove located between the base surface and the distribution surface; and

an O-ring located in the circumferential groove, wherein the O-ring seats against the nozzle when the valve is closed.

6. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 further comprising an electronic controller that outputs a control signal to control the actuator and in turn the positioning of the valve head relative to the outlet port on the nozzle.

7. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 6 wherein the positioning of the valve head relative to the outlet port when the valve opened is determined in a manner to control flow characteristics of carbonated beverage dispensing from the nozzle into the open container.

8. A system as recited in claim 6 wherein the electronic controller outputs a control signal to the valve actuator instructing the valve actuator to selectively position the valve with respect the output port of the nozzle in accordance with a pre-selected dispensing profile.

9. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 wherein the source of carbonated beverage comprises at least one keg of malt beverage.

10. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 wherein the source of carbonated beverage comprises at least one source of flavored syrup and at least one source of carbonated water.

11. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1 wherein the valve head has a base surface along the distal end of the valve head, and a sealed optical sensor is mounted on the base surface of the valve head.

12. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 1, wherein the distribution surface of the valve head is transverse to the distal end.

13. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container comprising:

a pressurized source of carbonated beverage;

a downwardly extending nozzle that receives pressurized carbonated beverage, the nozzle including a flow passageway and an outlet port through which the carbonated beverage dispenses from the nozzle into an open container;

a mechanism which reduces pressure of carbonated beverage within the nozzle by expanding the size of a volume containing at least the carbonated beverage in the nozzle prior to dispensing carbonated beverage through the outlet port;

a valve mechanism including a valve stem that is located at least in part within the flow passageway of the nozzle, and a valve head having a proximal end connected to the valve stem and a distal end exposed underneath the nozzle, the valve head seating against the nozzle when the valve is closed;

a hub mounted within the nozzle that supports and aligns the valve stem along a longitudinal axis of the nozzle; and

an actuator connected to the valve stem for positioning the valve head relative to the outlet port of the nozzle.

14. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 13, wherein the valve head further comprising a distribution surface in which a portion of the valve end distribution surface near the proximal end of the valve head sloped more steeply downward than a second portion of the distribution surface that is located closer to the distal end of the valve head.

15. A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container as recited in claim 14, wherein the distribution surface of the valve head is transverse to the distal end.