Rapid comestible fluid dispensing apparatus and method

• US 6,354,341 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shurflo LLC (Pentair Plc (Ireland))
• Original Assignee: Shurflo Pump Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Saveliev, Michael, Gagliano, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US09/437,673
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/2, 141/82, 141/18, 141/100-105, 141/90, 141/95, 141/192, 141/198, 141/83, 222/146--14, 222/148, 222/129, 222/129.1, 222/135-137, 222/14, 222/21, 222/22, 222/57, 623/90, 623/91, 623/96
• US Class Current: 141/94
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0006 based on the timed opening of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0011 based on the timed opening of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0086 Hand-held gun type valves
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/07 Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0861 the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0867 the cooling fluid being a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1455 the valve shutter being opened in the same direction as the liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0088 operated by push buttons
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/009 operated by cup detection
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00015 UV radiation

Abstract

A nozzle assembly is disclosed which is capable of controlling pressure of comestible fluid exiting the nozzle assembly. To provide comestible fluid at rack pressure to the nozzle of the nozzle assembly, the nozzle can be provided with a valve movable through a number of closed positions to change pressure within the nozzle. Prior to fluid dispense, pressure at the nozzle is preferably reduced by increasing a volume within the nozzle assembly, such as by actuating the valve through its range of closed positions.

Claims

1. A comestible fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a nozzle having at least one wall;

a valve received within the nozzle, the valve and the at least one wall defining a substantially fluid-tight chamber within the nozzle for receiving and retaining comestible fluid; and

an actuator coupled to the valve for moving the valve in telescoping relationship with respect to the nozzle,

the valve having at least one open position and a range of closed positions in which the valve is sealed at different locations in the nozzle corresponding to a range of comestible fluid pressures within the substantially fluid-tight chamber.

2. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the nozzle is tubular in shape, the valve being in telescoping relationship within the tubular portion of the nozzle.

3. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a controller coupled to the actuator for controlling movement of the actuator; and

a timer associated with the controller for timing actuator movement to control dispense amount from the nozzle.

4. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure sensor for detecting comestible fluid pressure in the apparatus; and

a controller coupled to the actuator for controlling movement of the actuator, the controller responsive to pressures measured by the pressure sensor to control movement of the actuator.

5. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein pressure within the nozzle in the at least one open position of the valve is lower than pressures within the nozzle in the range of closed positions.

6. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure sensor for detecting pressure of comestible fluid within the nozzle;

a controller coupled to the pressure sensor, the controller responsive to pressures detected by the pressure sensor;

a timer associated with the controller,

the controller coupled to the actuator and the timer for actuating the actuator at a detected pressure for a desired length of time.

7. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the nozzle is teflon-coated.

8. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a flowmeter for detecting an amount of comestible fluid dispense from the nozzle.

9. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flowmeter is located at the nozzle for measuring flow through the nozzle.

10. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flowmeter is located upstream of the nozzle for indirectly measuring flow through the nozzle.

11. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid line connecting the nozzle to upstream equipment;

a valve located on the fluid line; and

a controller coupled to the valve for opening and closing the valve on the fluid line;

the valve on the fluid line closable to define a predetermined volume of comestible fluid located within the nozzle and in the fluid line between the valve on the fluid line and the nozzle for dispense from the nozzle.

12. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the valve on the fluid line is a first valve, the dispensing apparatus further comprising at least one additional valve on the fluid line, each additional valve on the fluid line being closable to define different predetermined volumes of comestible fluid located within the nozzle and in the fluid line between each additional valve on the fluid line and the nozzle for dispense from the nozzle.

13. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle has a surface in contact with comestible fluid in the nozzle, the dispensing apparatus further comprising:

an ultraviolet light generator;

an ultraviolet light transmitter coupled to the ultraviolet light generator and to the nozzle for transmitting ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitter to a surface of the nozzle.

14. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ultraviolet light transmitter is at least one fiber optic line.

15. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the ultraviolet light transmitter is at least one light pipe.

16. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing apparatus is hand-held.

17. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a trigger sensor coupled to the nozzle, the trigger sensor being electrically coupled to the actuator for triggering actuation of the actuator to open the valve.

18. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the trigger sensor is electrically coupled to the nozzle via a controller.

19. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a shutoff sensor coupled to the nozzle, the shutoff sensor being electrically coupled to the actuator for triggering actuation of the actuator to close the valve.

20. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the shutoff sensor is electrically coupled to the nozzle via a controller.

21. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle and valve are shaped to dispense comestible fluid from an annular dispense opening when the valve is in the at least one open position.

22. A comestible fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a nozzle having a chamber defined therein for receiving and retaining comestible fluid;

a plunger valve in telescoping relationship within the nozzle, the plunger valve defining a wall of the chamber; and

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve,

the plunger valve having an open position in which comestible fluid in the chamber can exit the chamber and a sliding seal defining a range of closed positions in which comestible fluid in the chamber cannot exit the chamber, the plunger valve movable by the actuator through the open position and the range of closed positions.

23. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the nozzle has a substantially constant cross sectional shape along at least a length thereof.

24. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein in the range of closed positions of the valve, the valve provides a fluid tight seal for the nozzle through the constant cross sectional length thereof.

25. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein at least a portion of the valve is located substantially outside of the constant cross sectional length of the nozzle when in its open position.

26. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, further comprising:

a controller coupled to the actuator for controlling movement of the plunger valve; and

a timer associated with the controller for timing movement of the plunger valve to dispense measured amounts of comestible fluid.

27. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 24, further comprising:

a pressure sensor located to measure comestible fluid pressure in the apparatus;

a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and to the actuator, the controller being responsive to pressures detected by the pressure sensor to adjust valve position via actuation of the actuator.

28. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the apparatus is a hand-held comestible fluid dispensing gun having at least one fluid line coupled thereto for supplying comestible fluid to the chamber of the nozzle.

29. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein fluid pressure within the chamber of the nozzle is within a range of pressures when the plunger valve is in the range of closed positions, and wherein fluid pressure within the chamber of the nozzle is below the range of pressures when the plunger valve is in the open position.

30. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

a pressure sensor located to detect pressure of the comestible fluid within the apparatus; and

a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and to the actuator, the controller being responsive to signals received from the pressure sensor by controlling movement of the actuator to move the plunger valve.

31. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the nozzle is teflon-coated.

32. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least a portion of the plunger valve is teflon-coated.

33. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a flowmeter located to detect an amount of flow through the nozzle.

34. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the flowmeter is coupled to the nozzle for detecting flow therethrough.

35. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 33, further comprising a fluid line coupled to the nozzle for supplying comestible fluid to the nozzle, wherein the flowmeter is coupled to the fluid line for measuring fluid supply to the nozzle.

36. The dispensing apparatus is claimed in claim 22, further comprising a upstream valve, the upstream valve having an open position in which comestible fluid flows to the nozzle and a closed position in which comestible fluid is prevented from flowing to the nozzle, the nozzle being openable when the upstream valve is closed to discharge a known amount of comestible fluid in the nozzle and between the nozzle and the upstream valve.

37. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising at least two upstream valves, each upstream valve having an open position in which comestible fluid flows through the upstream valve to the nozzle and a closed position in which comestible fluid is prevented from flowing through the upstream valve to the nozzle, the nozzle being openable when at least one of the upstream valves is closed to discharge a known amount of comestible fluid in the nozzle and between the nozzle and the at least one of the upstream valves.

38. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

an ultraviolet light generator; and

at least one fiber optic line coupling the ultraviolet light generator to the chamber of the nozzle.

39. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising:

an ultraviolet light generator; and

at least one light pipe coupling the ultraviolet light generator to the chamber of the nozzle.

40. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a trigger sensor coupled to the actuator for opening the plunger valve upon detection of a receiving vessel positioned to receive comestible fluid from the nozzle.

41. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein the trigger sensor is coupled to the actuator via a controller.

42. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a shutoff sensor coupled to the actuator for closing the plunger valve upon detection of no receiving vessel positioned to receive comestible fluid from the nozzle.

43. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the nozzle and purge valve are shaped to dispense comestible fluid radially from the nozzle.

44. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the nozzle is a sub-surface fill nozzle.

45. A comestible fluid dispenser, comprising:

a nozzle having a dispensing outlet and having an elongated chamber defined therein for receiving and retaining comestible fluid; and

a plunger valve in the elongated chamber and movable through a range of positions including at least two closed positions in which the plunger valve blocks flow of comestible fluid through the discharge port and at least one open position in which the plunger valve does not block flow of comestible fluid through the dispensing outlet,

the at least two closed positions including a first closed position in which the plunger valve seals the elongated chamber at a first location in the nozzle wherein fluid pressure of the comestible fluid in the nozzle is at a first pressure and a second closed position in which the plunger valve seals the elongated chamber at a second location in the nozzle wherein fluid pressure of the comestible fluid in the nozzle is at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. fluid pressure of the comestible fluid in the nozzle is at a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

46. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, wherein at least part of the elongated chamber is tubular in shape.

47. The dispenser as claimed in claim 46, wherein the plunger valve is located within the tubular part of the elongated chamber for closed positions of the plunger valve.

48. The dispenser as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve, the plunger valve movable through the open and closed positions via the actuator;

a fluid line coupled to the nozzle for supplying the nozzle with comestible fluid;

a timer coupled to the actuator for timing how long the actuator is open.

49. The dispenser as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve, the plunger valve movable through the open and closed positions via the actuator;

a fluid line coupled to the nozzle for supplying the nozzle with comestible fluid;

a pressure sensor coupled to at least one of the nozzle and the fluid line for detecting fluid pressure in the nozzle and the fluid line, respectively;

a controller coupled to the pressure sensor for receiving fluid pressure information from the pressure sensor, the controller also coupled to the actuator for actuation thereof.

50. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, wherein the nozzle chamber has a size and wherein the plunger valve is movable through a range of closed positions to change the size of the nozzle chamber and to change fluid pressure of comestible fluid in the chamber.

51. The dispenser as claimed in claim 50, wherein the range of closed positions corresponds to a range of fluid pressures within the nozzle chamber.

52. The dispenser as claimed in claim 51, wherein fluid pressure within the nozzle chamber in the at least one open position is lower than fluid pressure within the nozzle chamber in the range of closed positions.

53. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, wherein fluid pressure within the nozzle chamber in the at least one open position is lower than fluid pressure within the nozzle chamber in the at least two closed positions.

54. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, further comprising:

a fluid line defined in part by the nozzle;

a pressure sensor coupled to the fluid line for detecting pressure of comestible fluid in the fluid line;

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve, the plunger valve movable through the open and closed positions by actuation of the actuator;

a controller coupled to the pressure sensor and to the actuator for controlling actuation of the actuator based upon pressures detected by the pressure sensor.

55. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the nozzle and the plunger valve is teflon-coated.

56. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, further comprising:

a fluid line defined in part by the nozzle;

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve, the plunger valve movable through the open and closed positions by actuation of the actuator;

a controller coupled to the actuator for controlling actuation of the actuator.

57. The dispenser as claimed in claim 50, further comprising a flowmeter coupled to the fluid line for measuring comestible fluid flow through the fluid line, the controller being coupled to flowmeter for controlling actuation of the actuator based upon at least one of a flow amount and a flow speed through the fluid line.

58. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, further comprising:

an upstream valve in fluid communication with the nozzle, the upstream valve having an open position in which comestible fluid is supplied to the nozzle and a closed position in which the upstream valve blocks comestible fluid flow to the nozzle; and

a fluid capacity between the upstream valve and the nozzle, the fluid capacity including fluid capacity within the nozzle;

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve for movement of the plunger valve through its range of positions by actuation of the actuator;

a controller coupled to the upstream valve and to the actuator, the upstream valve closable by the controller to dispense a known volume of comestible fluid from the nozzle in the at least one open position of the plunger valve, the known volume of comestible fluid being substantially equal to the fluid capacity.

59. The dispenser as claimed in claim 58, further comprising at least one additional upstream valve in fluid communication with the nozzle and corresponding to at least one additional fluid capacity between the upstream valve and the nozzle, each additional fluid capacity including fluid capacity within the nozzle, the controller being coupled to each additional upstream valve for selective control thereof to dispense different known volumes of comestible fluid from the nozzle in the at least one open position of the plunger valve, each different known volume of comestible fluid being substantially equal to a respective one of the additional fluid capacities.

60. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, further comprising:

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve for movement of the plunger valve through its range of positions by actuation of the actuator; and

a trigger sensor coupled to the actuator for controlling movement of the actuator, the trigger sensor responsive to presence of a receiving vessel near the nozzle.

61. The dispenser as claimed in claim 60, wherein the trigger sensor is coupled to the actuator via a controller.

62. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, further comprising:

an actuator coupled to the plunger valve for movement of the plunger valve through its range of positions by actuation of the actuator; and

a shutoff sensor coupled to the actuator for controlling movement of the actuator, the shutoff sensor responsive to removal of a receiving vessel from the nozzle.

63. The dispenser as claimed in claim 62, wherein the trigger sensor is coupled to the actuator via a controller.

64. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, further comprising:

an ultraviolet light generator; and

an ultraviolet light transmitter extending from the ultraviolet light generator to a position upon the nozzle for transmitting ultraviolet light to a surface of the nozzle.

65. The dispenser as claimed in claim 64, wherein the ultraviolet light transmitter is one of a light pipe and a fiber optic line.

66. The dispenser as claimed in claim 45, wherein the nozzle and the plunger valve are shaped to radially dispense comestible fluid in substantially all radial directions from the nozzle.

67. A method of dispensing a comestible fluid, comprising the steps of:

providing a nozzle with an interior surface thereof at least partially defined by a movable wall having a fluid-tight seal;

maintaining comestible fluid in a fluid line at a first pressure, the fluid line terminating at the nozzle closed against flow of comestible fluid therethrough;

moving the movable wall and seal to a different position in the nozzle to lower pressure in the fluid line to a second pressure by enlarging a cavity defined in the nozzle; and

opening the nozzle to permit flow of the comestible fluid through the nozzle substantially at the second pressure.

68. The method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the surface is a surface of a valve movable within the nozzle.

69. The method as claimed in claim 68, wherein the valve is in telescoping relationship with the nozzle.

70. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising the steps of:

providing an actuator coupled to the valve; and

moving the valve within the nozzle by actuation of the actuator.

71. The method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the nozzle has an internal chamber therein for receiving comestible fluid;

and wherein the movable wall defines at least a portion of the internal chamber.

72. The method as claimed in claim 71, wherein the movable wall is coupled to an actuator for movement thereof.

73. The method as claimed in claim 71, wherein the movable wall is flexible, the wall being movable in different positions corresponding to different constrictive forces exerted upon the wall.

74. The method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the surface is moved through a range of positions in the nozzle to create a corresponding range of increasing cavity sizes and a range of decreasing fluid pressures within the cavity of the nozzle.

75. The method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising the steps of:

initiating a timer substantially simultaneously with the step of opening the nozzle; and

closing the nozzle when the timer reaches a predetermined time corresponding to an amount of comestible fluid dispensed from the nozzle.

76. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising the steps of:

providing an actuator coupled to the valve;

measuring pressure of comestible fluid within the fluid line;

timing how long the nozzle is open; and

actuating the actuator to move the valve after the nozzle has been opened for a predetermined time, the predetermined time being increasingly longer for increasingly lower pressures of comestible fluid within the fluid line.

77. The method as claimed in claim 67, wherein moving the movable wall and opening the nozzle are triggered by a sensor, the method further comprising the steps of:

moving a receiving vessel into a dispensing position below the nozzle; and

tripping the sensor substantially simultaneously with the step of moving the receiving vessel.

78. The method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising the steps of:

moving a receiving vessel away from the nozzle;

tripping a shutoff sensor substantially simultaneously with the step of moving the receiving vessel; and

closing the nozzle to stop flow of comestible fluid through the nozzle.

79. The method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising the step of measuring a total amount of comestible fluid exiting the nozzle over a set period of time.

80. The method as claimed in claim 79, wherein the step of measuring a total amount of comestible fluid is performed by a flowmeter.

81. The method as claimed in claim 79, wherein the step of measuring a total amount of comestible fluid is performed by:

measuring an amount of time the nozzle having a known nozzle opening is open;

measuring comestible fluid pressure within the fluid line;

determining an amount of fluid under the comestible fluid pressure exiting the nozzle opening per unit time; and

determining an amount of fluid exiting the nozzle over the set period of time by multiplying the amount of fluid under the comestible fluid pressure exiting the nozzle opening per unit time by the amount of time the nozzle is open.

82. The method as claimed in claim 81, wherein the step of measuring a total amount of comestible fluid is performed over multiple fluid dispensing operations.

83. The method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising the step of closing a valve upstream of the nozzle prior to the step of opening the nozzle.

84. The method as claimed in claim 83, further comprising dispensing comestible fluid downstream of the valve after opening the nozzle.

85. The method as claimed in claim 84, wherein fluid pressure of comestible fluid exiting the nozzle decreases with time after the step of opening the nozzle.

86. The method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising the step of closing one of a plurality of valves upstream of the nozzle prior to the step of opening the nozzle, each of the plurality of valves corresponding to a different quantity of comestible fluid dispensed from the nozzle after the step of opening the nozzle.

87. The method as claimed in claim 86, further comprising dispensing comestible fluid downstream of the one of the plurality of valves closed.

88. The method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising the step of transmitting ultraviolet light from a source of ultraviolet light to a surface of the nozzle.

89. The method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the nozzle is part of a hand-held comestible fluid dispenser to which the fluid line is run.

90. The method as claimed in claim 67, further comprising the steps of:

inserting the nozzle within a vessel prior to the step of opening the nozzle;

filling the vessel with comestible fluid sufficiently to submerge a dispensing outlet of the nozzle; and

maintaining the dispensing outlet submerged within dispensed comestible fluid in the vessel until the nozzle is closed.

91. A method of dispensing a comestible fluid, comprising the steps of:

feeding comestible fluid at a first pressure to a nozzle closed by a valve within the nozzle;

moving the valve between positions in the nozzle in which the valve is sealed at different locations in the nozzle to increase a chamber size within the nozzle and to lower pressure of the comestible fluid to a second pressure;

opening the nozzle by moving the valve to an open position after the step of moving the valve to increase the chamber size; and

dispensing comestible fluid from the nozzle substantially at the second pressure.

92. The method as claimed in claim 91, wherein the valve is in telescoping relationship with the nozzle, and wherein the step of moving the valve includes telescoping the valve within the nozzle.

93. The method as claimed in claim 91, wherein the valve has a range of closed positions within the nozzle defining a range of chamber sizes and corresponding comestible fluid pressures within the nozzle.

94. The method as claimed in claim 93, further comprising the steps of:

timing how long the nozzle is in the open position to measure an amount of comestible fluid dispensed from the nozzle; and

closing the nozzle by moving the valve to a closed position when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

95. The method as claimed in claim 93, further comprising the step of measuring comestible fluid pressure to calculate comestible fluid flow rate through the nozzle in the open position.

96. The method as claimed in claim 94, further comprising the step of calculating total comestible fluid flow from the nozzle by adding comestible fluid flow amounts dispensed from the nozzle in successive dispensing operations.

97. The method as claimed in claim 95, further comprising the step of calculating total comestible fluid flow from the nozzle by adding comestible fluid flow amounts dispensed from the nozzle in successive dispensing operations.

98. The method as claimed in claim 96, further comprising the step of closing the valve when a predetermined amount of measured comestible fluid has been dispensed from the nozzle.

102. The method as claimed in claim 91, further comprising the step of closing a valve to cut comestible fluid supply to the nozzle prior to the step of opening the nozzle, fluid between the valve and the nozzle and fluid within the nozzle having a known quantity for dispense from the nozzle.

103. The method as claimed in claim 91, further comprising the steps of:

providing an ultraviolet light generator and an ultraviolet light transmitter;

generating ultraviolet light via the ultraviolet light generator; and

transmitting the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light generator to surfaces of the nozzle via the ultraviolet light transmitter to sterilize the surfaces of the nozzle.

104. The method as claimed in claim 103, wherein the ultraviolet light transmitter is one of a light pipe and a fiber optic line.

105. The method as claimed in claim 91, further comprising the step of moving the nozzle to a receiving vessel prior to the step of opening the nozzle.

106. The method as claimed in claim 91, further comprising the steps of:

inserting the nozzle within a vessel prior to the step of opening the nozzle;

filling the vessel with comestible fluid sufficiently to submerge a dispensing outlet of the nozzle; and

maintaining the dispensing outlet submerged within dispensed comestible fluid in the vessel until the nozzle is closed.

107. The method as claimed in claim 91, wherein the step of moving the valve is triggered by a trigger sensor positioned to detect presence of a receiving vessel beneath the nozzle.

108. The method as claimed in claim 91, further comprising the step of moving the valve to a closed position in response to removal of a receiving vessel from the nozzle.

109. The method as claimed in claim 108, wherein the step of moving the valve to a closed position is triggered by a shutoff sensor located on the nozzle.

maintaining the dispensing outlet submerged within dispensed comestible fluid in the vessel until the nozzle is closed.

99. The method as claimed in 91, further comprising the steps of:

measuring comestible fluid flow rate through the nozzle via a flowmeter; and

closing the nozzle to stop comestible fluid flow therethrough when a predetermined measured amount of comestible fluid has been dispensed from the nozzle.

100. The method as claimed in claim 99, wherein the flowmeter is located within the nozzle.

101. The method as claimed in claim 99, wherein the flowmeter is located upstream of the nozzle.

110. A method of dispensing a quantity of comestible fluid from a dispensing device with minimal foaming of the comestible fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the quantity of comestible fluid at a first pressure within a chamber in a nozzle, the chamber being at least partially bounded by a surface of a plunger valve, the plunger valve defining a sliding seal within the nozzle;

moving the plunger valve to increase a size of the chamber and to reduce pressure of the comestible fluid in the chamber to a second pressure; and

moving the plunger valve further to open the nozzle and to dispense the comestible fluid from the nozzle substantially at the second pressure.

111. The method as claimed in claim 110, wherein the steps of moving the plunger valve include telescoping the plunger valve within a tubular-shaped portion of the nozzle.

112. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the steps of:

timing a length of time the nozzle is open; and

moving the plunger valve to close the nozzle when a time has passed corresponding to a predetermined amount of comestible fluid dispensed from the nozzle.

113. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the steps of:

measuring comestible fluid pressure within the nozzle;

transmitting fluid pressure information to a controller;

timing how long the nozzle is open;

determining comestible fluid flow rate through the nozzle;

sending a signal from the controller to an actuator coupled to the plunger valve for closing the plunger valve when a time is reached corresponding to a desired amount of fluid dispensed from the nozzle.

114. The method as claimed in claim 113, wherein the step of measuring comestible fluid pressure is performed by a pressure sensor located at least partially within the nozzle.

115. The method as claimed in claim 113, wherein the step of measuring comestible fluid pressure is performed by a pressure sensor located upstream from the nozzle.

116. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the step of measuring an amount of comestible fluid flow from the nozzle.

117. The method as claimed in claim 116, wherein the amount of comestible fluid flow from the nozzle is the sum of multiple comestible fluid dispenses.

118. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the steps of:

measuring flow rate of comestible fluid through the nozzle;

transmitting at least one signal representing the flow rate to a controller;

calculating an amount of time required for a desired quantity of comestible fluid to be dispensed from the nozzle by dividing the desired quantity by the flow rate of the comestible fluid;

sending a signal from the controller to an actuator coupled to the plunger valve for closing the plunger valve when a time is reached corresponding to a desired quantity of fluid dispensed from the nozzle.

119. The method as claimed in claim 118, wherein the step of measuring flow rate is performed by a flowmeter located on the nozzle.

120. The method as claimed in claim 118, wherein the step of measuring flow rate is performed by a flowmeter located upstream of the nozzle.

121. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the steps of:

providing a valve upstream of the nozzle;

closing the valve upstream of the nozzle prior to the step of moving the plunger valve further to open the nozzle, comestible fluid in the nozzle and between the valve and the nozzle having a known quantity,

thereby dispensing the known quantity of comestible fluid from the nozzle.

122. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the steps of:

generating ultraviolet light in a location remote from a surface of the nozzle; and

transmitting the ultraviolet light to the surface of the nozzle via at least one ultraviolet light transmitter.

123. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the step of moving the nozzle to a receiving vessel prior to the step of moving the plunger valve further to open the nozzle.

124. The method as claimed in claim 110, further comprising the steps of:

inserting the nozzle within a vessel prior to the step of moving the plunger valve further to open the nozzle;

filling the vessel with comestible fluid sufficiently to submerge a dispensing outlet of the nozzle; and

maintaining the dispensing outlet submerged within dispensed comestible fluid in the vessel until the nozzle is closed.