Rapid comestible fluid dispensing apparatus and method employing a diffuser

• US 6,443,335 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• 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: Pinedjian, Raffi S., Gagliano, Thomas, Carlson, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US09/713,660
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 222/504, 222/640, 222/129.1, 623/90, 623/91, 623/96, 141/1, 141/2, 141/22, 141/18, 141/100-105, 141/90, 141/95, 141/192, 141/198, 141/83
• US Class Current: 222/504
• 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 1/0075 by sensing gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0082 entirely mechanical
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0084 Hand-held gun type valves
• 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 1/0857 Cooling arrangements cooling systems per se F25B
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0861 the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0862 in the form of a cold plate or a cooling block
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0867 the cooling fluid being a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0884 Means for controlling the parameters of the state of the liquid to be dispensed, e.g. temperature, pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1209 combined with a timer
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1213 combined with a timer
• 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 1/1243 comprising flow or pressure sensors, e.g. for controlling pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/127 Froth control B67D1/1411 takes precedence
• 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 2001/1265 : Pressure switches
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00015 : UV radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00104 : Cooling only
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00133 : wheeled
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00157 : Level detected electrically by contact with sensors

Abstract

Preferred embodiments of the invention have a nozzle assembly capable of controlling pressure of comestible fluid exiting the nozzle assembly, a refrigeration system in which refrigerant pressure and temperature is controllable to enable comestible fluid temperature control, heat exchangers cooling comestible fluid in the nozzles, an ultraviolet sterilization system for sterilizing interior and exterior system locations, and a hand held comestible fluid dispenser capable of cooling and selectively dispensing one of several comestible fluids. Fluid pressure and velocity can be reduced for improved dispensing by a valve movable through a number of closed positions prior to opening and/or by a diffuser in the nozzle having an increasing cross sectional area upstream of a nozzle portion having a relatively constant cross sectional area. A purging and priming valve assembly with or without associated sensors can be employed for manual or automatic system purging and priming and for fluid temperature control.

Claims

1. A comestible fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a nozzle having

a dispensing outlet;

a section upstream of the dispensing outlet and extending toward the dispensing outlet, the section having a substantially constant cross sectional area through which fluid passes to the dispensing outlet; and

a diffuser located upstream of the section; and

a valve having at least a portion contained within the nozzle, the valve and the nozzle defining a chamber for receiving and retaining comestible fluid.

2. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fluid entry portion in fluid communication with the diffuser and disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

3. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle is less than 45 degrees.

4. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the diffuser is tubular in shape.

5. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the diffuser has walls angled with respect to the nozzle'"'"'s longitudinal axis between one degree and thirty degrees.

6. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nozzle further includes a chamfered portion located downstream of the section having the substantially constant cross-sectional area.

7. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a length of the chamfered portion is no greater than 0.25 inch.

8. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including a priming valve in fluid communication with the nozzle.

9. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including an actuator coupled to the valve for moving the valve in telescoping relationship with respect to the nozzle.

10. 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.

11. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diffuser abuts a constant diameter portion of the nozzle.

12. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 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.

13. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9 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.

14. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 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.

15. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 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.

16. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the trigger sensor is electrically coupled to the nozzle via a controller.

17. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 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.

18. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuator is a stepper motor.

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

20. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a heat exchanger coupled to the nozzle for cooling the nozzle.

21. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuator is cooled by a heat exchanger.

22. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diffuser is at least as long as the section having a substantially constant cross sectional area.

23. The dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, herein the diffuser is about twice as long as the section having a substantially constant cross sectional area.

24. A method of dispensing a comestible fluid, comprising:

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

opening the nozzle to permit flow of the comestible fluid through the nozzle; and

reducing velocity of flow of the comestible fluid through the nozzle using a diffuser in fluid communication with nozzle portion having a larger, substantially constant diameter.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein at least a portion of the valve is in telescoping relationship with the nozzle.

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

providing an actuator coupled to the valve; and

moving the valve by actuation of the actuator.

27. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising cooling the nozzle with a heat exchanger coupled to the nozzle.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, the heat exchanger is a heat pipe.

29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the heat exchanger comprises a plurality of plates coupled together.

30. The method as claimed in claim 24, further including priming the fluid line prior to use using a priming valve located upstream and above the nozzle.

31. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein priming the fluid line includes applying back pressure and subsequently reducing the back pressure to allow filling of the fluid line and nozzle.

32. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the nozzle opening is performed by an actuator.

33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the actuator is a stepper motor.

34. The method as claimed in claim 24, further including the step of monitoring the fluid line for a non-hydraulic condition.

35. The method as claimed in claim 34, further including the step of opening the priming valve after a non-hydraulic condition is detected.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the priming valve is opened manually.

37. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the priming valve is opened automatically for a predetermined time period.

38. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the priming valve is opened automatically and the priming valve is not closed until a hydraulic condition is detected.

39. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein a sensor detects the non-hydraulic condition.

40. The method as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a check valve in fluid communication with the priming valve and located between the nozzle and the priming valve.

41. The method as claimed in claim 24, further including monitoring fluid temperature.

42. The method as claimed in claim 41, further including purging fluid when fluid temperature falls below a predetermined level.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein a priming valve is used to purge the fluid.

44. The method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the priming valve automatically purges the fluid when the fluid temperature falls below a predetermined level.

45. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising receiving fluid flow into the nozzle at an angle of less than 60 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

46. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the angle is no greater than 45 degrees.

47. A comestible fluid dispensing apparatus, comprising:

a nozzle;

a dispensing outlet;

an internal chamber located at least partially in the nozzle upstream of the dispensing outlet and in fluid communication with the dispensing outlet, the internal chamber including;

a diffuser having walls defining an increasing internal chamber cross sectional area toward the dispensing outlet; and

a section downstream of the diffuser and having a substantially constant cross sectional area toward the dispensing outlet; and

a valve movable to open and close the dispensing outlet.

48. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the internal chamber has a length, and wherein the diffuser is at least half the length of the internal chamber.

49. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the diffuser is at least two-thirds the length of the internal chamber.

50. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein:

the diffuser and the section downstream of the diffuser have respective lengths, and

the diffuser is at least as long as the section downstream of the diffuser.

51. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the diffuser is at least twice as long as the section downstream of the diffuser.

52. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, further comprising a fluid entry portion connected to and in fluid communication with the internal chamber at an angle with respect to the internal chamber of no greater than 60 degrees.

53. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 52, wherein the fluid entry portion is disposed at an angle with respect to the internal chamber of no greater than 45 degrees.

54. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the diffuser is tubular in shape with gradually expanding walls along a length thereof.

55. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the valve has an inverted generally conical shape.

56. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the valve has convex fluid-diverting walls.

57. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 55, wherein the valve has concave fluid-diverting walls.

58. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

a valve rod coupled to the valve and extending through the internal chamber; and

an actuator coupled to the valve rod and actuatable to open and close the valve.

59. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 58, further comprising a valve spring coupled to the valve rod, the valve spring exerting a bias force upon the valve rod in at least one position of the valve rod to dampen valve rod vibrations.

60. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the valve has a sensor rod aperture, the comestible fluid dispensing apparatus further comprising:

a sensor rod received in the sensor rod aperture and movable with respect to the valve rod; and

a sensor mounted adjacent to the sensor rod, the sensor rod movable to trigger the sensor.

61. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, further comprising a stepper motor coupled to the valve, the stepper motor actuatable to open and close the valve.

62. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, wherein the dispensing outlet has an interior chamfered edge.

63. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, further comprising a gasket received within a groove at the dispensing outlet, the gasket loosely fitted within the groove and deformable to at least partially unseat from the groove and seal the dispensing outlet when the valve is closed.

64. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 47, further comprising:

a fluid line extending to the internal chamber; and

a priming valve coupled to and in fluid communication with the fluid line.

65. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 64, further comprising a check valve coupled to and between the fluid line and the priming valve.

66. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 64, further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the priming valve and in temperature-sensing relationship with fluid in the fluid line.

67. The comestible fluid dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 64, further comprising a fluid sensor coupled to the priming valve and positioned to detect the fluid presence in the fluid line.

68. A method of dispensing comestible fluid, comprising:

receiving comestible fluid in a fluid chamber;

opening a valve at a dispensing outlet of the fluid chamber;

passing comestible fluid into an entrance of a diffuser in the fluid chamber, the entrance having a cross sectional area;

passing comestible fluid through the diffuser in the fluid chamber;

discharging comestible fluid from an exit of the diffuser having a cross sectional area larger than the cross sectional area of the diffuser entrance;

receiving comestible fluid in a portion of the fluid chamber having a substantially constant cross sectional area downstream of the diffuser; and

discharging comestible fluid past the opened valve and through the dispensing outlet.

69. The method as claimed in claim 68, wherein the diffuser is at least half as long as the fluid chamber.

70. The method as claimed in claim 69, wherein the diffuser is at least two-thirds as long as the fluid chamber.

71. The method as claimed in claim 70, wherein the diffuser is at least as long as the portion of the fluid chamber having a substantially constant cross sectional area.

72. The method as claimed in claim 71, wherein the diffuser is at least twice as long as the portion of the fluid chamber having a substantially constant cross sectional area.

73. The method as claimed in claim 68, wherein comestible fluid is received in the fluid chamber at an angle no greater than 60 degrees.

74. The method as claimed in claim 73, wherein comestible fluid is received in the fluid chamber at an angle no greater than 45 degrees.

75. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising:

closing the valve;

at least partially unseating a gasket at the dispensing outlet; and

sealing the valve on the dispensing outlet with the gasket.

76. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising diverting flow toward the dispensing outlet by convex walls of the valve.

77. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising diverting flow toward the dispensing outlet by concave walls of the valve.

78. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising:

tripping a sensor with a sensor rod passing through the valve; and

opening the valve in response to tripping the sensor.

79. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising:

providing a fluid line upstream and in fluid communication with the chamber;

detecting presence of fluid in the fluid line with a sensor;

transmitting at least one signal to open a priming valve when no fluid is detected by the sensor.

80. The method as claimed in claim 79, wherein the at least one signal is transmitted by a user with a user-manipulated control.

81. The method as claimed in claim 79, wherein the at least one signal is automatically transmitted in response to the sensor detecting no fluid.

82. The method as claimed in claim 79, further comprising sending at least one additional signal to close the priming valve after a predetermined period of time has passed.

83. The method as claimed in claim 79, further comprising sending at least one additional signal to close the priming valve when fluid is again detected by the sensor.

84. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising:

detecting temperature of fluid in a fluid line in fluid communication with the dispensing outlet;

transmitting at least one signal to open a priming valve when fluid temperature detected by the sensor reaches a threshold temperature.

85. The method as claimed in claim 84, wherein the at least one signal is transmitted by a user with a user-manipulated control.

86. The method as claimed in claim 84, wherein the at least one signal is automatically transmitted in response to the sensor detecting when the threshold temperature has been reached.

87. The method as claimed in claim 84, further comprising sending at least one additional signal to close the priming valve after a predetermined period of time has passed.

88. The method as claimed in claim 84, further comprising sending at least one additional signal to close the priming valve when fluid temperature detected by the sensor reaches a threshold temperature.

89. The method as claimed in claim 68, further comprising actuating the valve with a stepper motor.

90. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein the stepper motor is coupled to the valve by a valve rod.

91. The method as claimed in claim 89, wherein opening the valve includes actuating a valve rod coupled to the valve, the method further comprising damping valve rod vibrations.