Beverage dispensing

• US 8,833,405 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DD Operations Ltd.
• Original Assignee: DD Operations Ltd.
• Inventors: Phallen, Iver J., Vogt, Douglas, Gagliano, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US11/611,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20070204930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,832 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2, 141/18, 141/67, 141 94- 96, 141/98, 141/373, 222/73, 222/95, 222/102, 222/212, 222/594, 137/613, 137/614.02, 137/614.11, 251/7, 251/8
• US Class Current: 141/67
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0857 Cooling arrangements cooling systems per se F25B
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1234 to determine the total amount
• 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 1/1272 preventing froth
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1411 Means for controlling the build-up of foam in the container to be filled
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/003 Housing formed from a plurality of the same valve elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/045 by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/06 by means of a screw-spindle, cam, or other mechanical means F16K7/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/04 Arrangement or mounting of valves valves per se F16K ; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0647 the plurality of throttling means being arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0652 the plurality of throttling means being arranged in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87981 Common actuator

Abstract

A beverage dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a beverage source into a receptacle includes a housing defining an interior volume and having a first surface proximal to the beverage source and a second surface distal to the beverage source. The beverage dispenser further includes a conduit in fluid communication with the beverage source entering the first surface of the housing and terminating proximate the second surface of the housing. The dispenser also includes a multi-nodal flow rate controller disposed within the interior volume of said housing in contact with said conduit and a subsurface dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the terminal end of the conduit. The flow through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is compensated to maintain substantially hydraulic beverage flow within the conduit by adjusting the contact between the multi-nodal flow rate controller and the conduit.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a beverage source into a receptacle, the dispenser comprising:

a housing defining an interior volume and having a first surface proximal to the beverage source and a second surface distal to the beverage source;

a conduit in fluid communication with the beverage source entering the first surface of the housing and terminating proximate the second surface of the housing;

a flow meter in fluid communication with the conduit;

a multi-nodal flow rate controller disposed within the interior volume of said housing in contact with said conduit,

the a multi-nodal flow rate controller including a processor;

a user interface including a user-selectable indicia for providing data to the processor;

a subsurface dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the terminal end of the conduit,

wherein flow through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is compensated to maintain substantially hydraulic beverage flow within the conduit by adjusting the contact between the multi-nodal flow rate controller and the conduit; and

wherein at least one of the beverage flow and aggregate volume of beverage dispensed is controlled by the multi-nodal flow rate controller based on data provided to the processor by a user operation of the user interface.

2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the multi-nodal flow rate controller includes at least two nodes acting to regulate the contact between the multi-nodal flow rate controller and the conduit.

3. The beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein each node causes a local fluid flow restriction within the conduit.

4. The beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein the multi-nodal flow rate controller further comprises a motive element used to apply force to each of the nodes.

5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4, wherein the motive element comprises a thrust block and an adjustment member providing for adjustment of minimum flow and maximum flow through the multi-nodal flow rate controller.

6. The beverage dispenser of claim 5, wherein the adjustment member comprises a threaded stud coupled to an adjustment nut such that when the multi-nodal flow rate controller is in a maximum flow condition, the nodes contact the adjustment nut.

7. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the threaded stud and adjustment nut are configured to provide fine adjustment of the minimum and maximum flow positions of the multiple nodes.

8. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the user-selectable indicia includes at least one condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of:

the volume of the receptacle, duration of dispensation, and thickness of a foam layer of the beverage after dispensation.

9. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the multi-nodal flow rate controller is set for a maximum desired flow rate and a minimum desired flow rate.

10. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is operable in an active mode and a passive mode.

11. The beverage dispenser of claim 10, further comprising:

a motive element used to apply force to each of the nodes in order to define a flow rate of fluid through the conduit, wherein when the dispenser is operable in the active mode, the motive element is controlled via pulse width modulation.

12. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the subsurface dispensing nozzle actuates between a first position and a second position.

13. The beverage dispenser of claim 12, wherein the entire subsurface dispensing nozzle actuates between a first position and a second position.

14. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the conduit and multi-nodal flow rate controller are selected to minimize gas breakout during dispensation of the beverage.

15. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle further comprises a dispensing tip movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position.

16. The beverage dispenser of claim 15, wherein the dispensing tip selectively provides a subsurface foam-generating dispensation in response to input from a user of the dispenser.

17. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of pressure sensors and temperature sensor.

18. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a cooling circuit having a coolant disposed therein, the cooling circuit being configured to pass in proximity to the multi-nodal flow rate controller to provide a cooling effect to the beverage in the conduit.

19. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the multi-nodal flow rate controller includes a plurality of nodes that create a turbulent fluid recirculation zone downstream of each node in the fluid flow pathway.

20. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a horizontal mounting surface, wherein the beverage source is disposed below the horizontal surface and the dispensing nozzle is disposed above the horizontal surface.

21. The beverage dispenser of claim 20, wherein the flow rate controller is disposed above the horizontal surface.

22. The beverage dispenser of claim 20, wherein the housing is disposed on the horizontal surface and wherein the dispensing nozzle is disposed within the housing.

23. The beverage dispenser of claim 22, wherein the housing is mounted on the horizontal surface and wherein the dispensing nozzle and the flow rate controller are disposed in the housing.

24. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is capable of filling a pint or 0.5 liter receptacle to a desired measured line with a wide variety of beverages in a dose time measure from start of beverages flow to end of beverage flow of about 3.5 seconds or less, with a manual or electronically definable and controllable amount of foam generation.

25. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, in which the exterior surfaces of the dispensing nozzle are coated with an antibacterial coating or film to reduce the rate of bacterial growth on the nozzle.

26. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein substantially all portions of the fluid flow pathway internal to the dispenser are configured to allow to be self-draining of fluid to enhance ease and efficacy of cleaning, rinsing, and sanitation.

59. The beverage dispenser of claim 19, wherein the fluid recirculation zones are denoted by fluid flow separation from the conduit wall at the points of flow restriction such that substantial head loss is introduced by way of turbulent energy dissipation within the ensuing recirculation zones.

60. The beverage dispenser of claim 19, wherein the node spacing is such that the detached flow immediately downstream of each nodal restriction is substantially re-attached at the entry of the subsequent node.

61. The beverage dispenser of claim 19, wherein the nodal spacing is between one and eight internal conduit diameters.

62. The beverage dispenser of claim 19, wherein the multi-nodal flow rate controller is completely housed within an internal fluid flow pathway of the subsurface nozzle.

27. A method for dispensing a beverage into a receptacle comprising the steps of:

providing a beverage dispenser having a housing, a conduit with a cross-sectional area running through the housing, a flow meter in fluid communication with the conduit, a multi-nodal flow rate controller including a processor disposed within said housing in contact with said conduit, a subsurface dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein flow through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is regulated by regulating the contact between the multi-nodal flow rate controller and the conduit, and a user interface including a user-selectable indicia for providing data to the processor;

selectively altering the cross-sectional area or geometry of at least a portion of the conduit using the flow rate controller to minimize gas breakout associated with beverage flow through the conduit; and

dispensing the beverage through the conduit and the subsurface dispensing nozzle; and

wherein at least one of the beverage flow and aggregate volume of beverage dispensed is controlled by the multi-nodal flow rate controller based on data provided to the processor by a user operation of the user interface.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of selectively changing flow rate through the conduit from a first flow rate to a second flow rate,

the flow rate based at least on part on a flow rate signal generated by the flow meter.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of selectively changing is implemented in response to at least one condition selected from the group consisting of:

duration of flow, prior flow through the conduit, input from a user of the beverage dispenser, and input from a programmer of the dispenser.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of dispensing is performed for a predetermined duration of time.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of dispensing is performed for a predetermined volume of beverage.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of dispensing is performed until the receptacle is substantially full.

33. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of providing a cooling circuit having a coolant disposed therein, the cooling circuit being configured to pass in proximity to the multi-nodal flow rate controller to provide a cooling effect to the beverage in the conduit.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of providing at least one subsurface pulse of a fluid through the beverage in the receptacle to generate foam in the beverage.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the fluid comprises a comestible liquid beverage comprising one or more gases dissolved in solution.

36. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of providing a pulse of fluid into the beverage in the receptacle via a bottom shut off valve disposed above, below, or at the upper surface of the beverage.

37. A beverage dispensing system for use in an environment having an ambient pressure and temperature comprising:

a source of pressurized gas;

a beverage source including a beverage pressurized to a level greater than the ambient

pressure by the source of pressurized gas;

a dispenser including a conduit in fluid communication with the beverage source and a subsurface dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the conduit;

a flow meter in fluid communication with the conduit;

a multi-nodal flow rate controller disposed along said at least one conduit proximal to the beverage source in relation to the subsurface dispensing nozzle, the a multi-nodal flow rate controller including a processor;

a user interface including a user-selectable indicia for providing data to the processor;

wherein flow of the beverage through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is compensated to maintain substantially hydraulic flow within the conduit by adjusting the contact between the multi-nodal flow rate controller and the conduit; and

wherein at least one of the beverage flow and aggregate volume of beverage dispensed is controlled by the multi-nodal flow rate controller based on data provided to the processor by a user operation of the user interface.

38. The beverage dispensing system of claim 37, wherein the multi-nodal flow rate controller is disposed within the dispenser,

the multi-nodal flow rate controller in close proximity to a cooling circuit,

the cooling circuit being configured and arranged to provide a cooling effect to a beverage in the conduit.

39. The beverage dispensing system of claim 37, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle includes a tip movable between a first position and a second position;

and

wherein flow of a beverage through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle depends at least in part on a flow rate signal generated by the flow meter.

40. The beverage dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated using the same gas source as is used to pressurize the beverage source.

41. The beverage dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated using a gas source separate from that used to pressurize the beverage source.

42. The beverage dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated by action of an electric motor.

43. The beverage dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated by action of an electric solenoid.

44. The beverage dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip selectively provides a subsurface foam-generating dispensation in response to input from a user of the dispenser.

45. The beverage dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip provides at least one subsurface pulse of a fluid through the beverage in the receptacle to generate foam in the beverage.

46. The beverage dispensing system of claim 39, wherein the exterior surfaces of the dispensing nozzle are coated with an antibacterial coating or film to reduce the rate of bacterial growth on the nozzle.

47. An apparatus for compensation of flow in a fluid dispensing system comprising:

a subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle for initiating and terminating fluid flow;

a fluid flow pathway; and

a volumetric fluid flow rate controller including a processor and having a plurality of flow restricting nodes, the volumetric fluid flow controller in contact with a conduit and in communication with the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle via the fluid flow pathway and defining a first fluid flow rate through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle; and

a user interface including a user-selectable indicia for providing data to the processor;

a flow meter in fluid communication with the conduit; and

wherein at least one of the first flow rate and an aggregate volume of dispensed fluid is controlled by the volumetric fluid flow controller based on data provided to the processor by a user operation of the user interface.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the volumetric fluid flow controller defines the first fluid flow rate during a first portion of a fluid dispense cycle and defines a second fluid flow rate through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle during a second portion of the fluid dispense cycle.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the volumetric fluid flow controller changes the second fluid flow rate to a third fluid flow rate through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle prior to the completion of the fluid dispense cycle.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the first fluid flow rate is less than the second fluid flow rate.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the third fluid flow rate is less than the second fluid flow rate.

52. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the third fluid flow rate is higher than the second fluid flow rate.

53. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the fluid flows through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle at the first fluid flow rate throughout the fluid dispense cycle.

54. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the volumetric fluid flow controller is disposed upstream of the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle in the fluid flow pathway,

the volumetric fluid flow controller in close proximity to a coolant circuit,

the cooling circuit being configured and arranged to provide a cooling effect to a fluid in the conduit.

55. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the volumetric fluid flow controller is disposed in the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle.

56. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle includes an internal passageway having a diameter of less than about 1 inch.

57. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle includes a volumetric displacement that allows the entire beverage portion to be delivered into a receptacle with the dispensing nozzle remaining at the bottom of the receptacle without causing overflow of the receptacle.

58. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the volumetric fluid flow controller defines the first, second, and third fluid flow rates based on temperature or pressure readings of the fluid flowing through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle.

63. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the plurality of flow restricting nodes are configured to reduce the amount of force necessary to compress the fluid conduit in order to achieve the desired flow rate.

64. A method for controlling volumetric flow rate during a fluid dispense event comprising:

providing a volumetric fluid flow controller including a processor and having a plurality of flow restricting nodes capable of acting to limit fluid flow through the flow rate controller, the volumetric fluid flow controller in contact with a conduit and in communication with a subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle;

providing a flow meter in fluid communication with the conduit;

providing a user interface including a user-selectable indicia for providing data to the processor;

initiating a fluid dispensing event by opening a valve disposed in a subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle; and

establishing a first volumetric fluid flow rate through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle by flowing the fluid received from a fluid source through the volumetric flow rate controller; and

wherein at least one of the first volumetric flow rate and an aggregate volume of dispensed fluid is controlled by the volumetric flow rate controller based on data provided to the processor by a user operation of the user interface.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

providing a cooling circuit having a coolant disposed therein, the cooling circuit being configured and arranged to pass in proximity to the multi-nodal flow rate controller to provide a cooling effect to the beverage in the conduit;

establishing a second volumetric fluid flow rate through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle by altering the flow pattern of the fluid through the plurality of flow restricting nodes, wherein the first volumetric fluid flow rate is established during a first portion of a fluid dispense cycle and the second volumetric fluid flow rate is established during a second portion of the fluid dispense cycle.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising:

reducing the second volumetric fluid flow rate to a third volumetric fluid flow rate through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle prior to the completion of the fluid dispense event.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the first volumetric fluid flow rate is less than the second volumetric fluid flow rate.

68. The method of claim 64, wherein the fluid flows through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle at the first volumetric fluid flow rate throughout the fluid dispense event.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein establishing the first, second, or third volumetric fluid flow rates includes receiving temperature or pressure readings of the fluid flowing through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle.

70. A beverage dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a beverage source into a receptacle, the dispenser comprising:

a housing defining an interior volume and having a first surface proximal to the beverage source and a second surface distal to the beverage source;

a conduit in fluid communication with the beverage source entering the first surface of the housing and terminating proximate the second surface of the housing;

a flow meter in fluid communication with the conduit;

a flow rate controller including a processor and disposed within the interior volume of the housing in contact with the conduit;

a subsurface dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the terminal end of the conduit, wherein flow through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is compensated to maintain substantially hydraulic beverage flow within the conduit by adjusting the contact between a multi-nodal flow rate controller and the conduit; and

a user interface including a user-selectable indicia for providing data to the processor,

the user interface configured and arranged for receiving information indicating at least one condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of;

the volume of a receptacle, duration of dispensation, and thickness of a foam layer of the beverage after dispensation; and

wherein at least one of the first volumetric flow rate and an aggregate volume of dispensed fluid is controlled by the volumetric flow rate controller based on data provided to the processor by a user operation of the user interface.

71. The beverage dispenser of claim 70, wherein the flow rate controller is separate and apart from the dispensing nozzle,

the fluid flow rate controller in close proximity to a coolant circuit,

the cooling circuit being configured and arranged to provide a cooling effect to a beverage in the conduit.

72. The beverage dispenser of claim 70, wherein the flow rate controller is hydraulically upstream of the dispensing nozzle;

and

wherein flow of a beverage through the conduit to the dispensing nozzle depends at least in part on a flow rate signal generated by the flow meter.