Beverage dispensing

• US 9,394,155 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2014
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DD Operations Ltd.
• Original Assignee: DD Operations Limited (UK Company #8149351
• Inventors: Phallen, Iver J., Vogt, Douglas, Gagliano, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US14/487,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20150069084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 141/18, 141/94, 141/95, 141/374, 222/73, 222/95, 222/102, 222/212, 251/7, 137/613, 137/614.02
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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 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 includes a flow rate controller including a processor disposed within the interior volume of said housing and a subsurface dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the terminal end of the conduit. The dispenser also includes a user interface including user-selectable indicia for providing data to the processor. The flow through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is compensated to maintain substantially hydraulic beverage flow within the conduit, and is based on data provided to the processor by a user operation of the user interface.

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 flow rate controller disposed within the interior volume of said housing, the 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 by the flow rate controller to maintain substantially hydraulic beverage flow within the conduit; and

wherein at least one of the beverage flow and aggregate volume of beverage dispensed is controlled by the 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 flow rate controller is configured to cause a local fluid flow restriction within the conduit.

3. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flow rate controller further comprises a motive element configured and arranged to apply force to the beverage flow.

4. The beverage dispenser of claim 3, wherein the motive element comprises a thrust block and an adjustment member, the thrust block and adjustment member configured to provide for adjustment of minimum flow and maximum flow through the flow rate controller.

5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4, wherein the adjustment member comprises a threaded stud coupled to an adjustment nut.

6. The beverage dispenser of claim 5, wherein the threaded stud and adjustment nut are configured and arranged to provide fine adjustment of the minimum and maximum flow through the flow rate controller.

7. 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.

8. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flow rate controller is configured to be set for a maximum desired flow rate and a minimum desired flow rate.

9. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is configured to be operable in an active mode and a passive mode.

10. The beverage dispenser of claim 9, wherein

a motive element used to apply force to define a flow rate of fluid through the conduit;

and

wherein when the dispenser is operable in the active mode, the motive element is controlled via pulse width modulation.

11. 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.

12. The beverage dispenser of claim 11, wherein the entire subsurface dispensing nozzle actuates between a first position and a second position.

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

14. 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.

15. The beverage dispenser of claim 14, wherein the dispensing tip selectively provides a subsurface foam-generating dispensation in response to input from a user of the dispenser.

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

17. 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 flow rate controller to provide a cooling effect to the beverage in the conduit.

18. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flow rate controller is configured to create a turbulent fluid recirculation zone in the fluid flow pathway.

19. The beverage dispenser of claim 18, wherein the fluid recirculation zones are denoted by fluid flow separation from the conduit wall at points of flow restriction such that substantial head loss is introduced by way of turbulent energy dissipation within any ensuing recirculation zones.

20. The beverage dispenser of claim 18, wherein the flow rate controller is substantially completely housed within an internal fluid flow pathway of the subsurface nozzle.

21. 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.

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

23. The beverage dispenser of claim 21, wherein the housing is disposed on the horizontal surface and wherein the dispensing nozzle is disposed within the housing.

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

25. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is capable of filling about one pint or 0.5 liter receptacle to a desired measured line with a wide variety of beverages in a dose time measured from start of beverage 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.

26. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the exterior surfaces of the dispensing nozzle comprise an antibacterial coating or film, the antibacterial coating or film configured to reduce the rate of bacterial growth on the nozzle.

27. 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.

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

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

wherein flow of the beverage through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is compensated by the flow rate controller to maintain substantially hydraulic flow within the conduit; and

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

29. The beverage dispensing system of claim 28, wherein the flow rate controller is disposed within the dispenser and 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.

30. The beverage dispensing system of claim 28, 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.

31. The beverage dispensing system of claim 30, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated using the same gas source as is used to pressurize the beverage source.

32. The beverage dispensing system of claim 30, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated using a gas source separate from that used to pressurize the beverage source.

33. The beverage dispensing system of claim 30, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated by action of an electric motor.

34. The beverage dispensing system of claim 30, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip is actuated by action of an electric solenoid.

35. The beverage dispensing system of claim 30, wherein the subsurface dispensing nozzle tip selectively provides a subsurface foam-generating dispensation in response to input from a user of the dispenser.

36. The beverage dispensing system of claim 30, 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.

37. The beverage dispensing system of claim 30, wherein the exterior surfaces of the dispensing nozzle are coated with an antibacterial coating or film, the antibacterial coating or film configured to reduce the rate of bacterial growth on the nozzle.

38. 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, the volumetric fluid flow controller 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 a conduit; and

wherein flow of the beverage through the conduit to the subsurface dispensing nozzle is compensated by the flow rate controller to maintain substantially hydraulic flow within 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.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, 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.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, 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.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first fluid flow rate is less than the second fluid flow rate.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the third fluid flow rate is less than the second fluid flow rate.

43. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the third fluid flow rate is higher than the second fluid flow rate.

44. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the fluid flows through the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle at the first fluid flow rate throughout the fluid dispense cycle.

45. The apparatus of claim 38, 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.

46. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the volumetric fluid flow controller is disposed in the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle.

47. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the subsurface fluid dispensing nozzle includes an internal passageway having a diameter of less than about 1 inch.

48. The apparatus of claim 38, 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.

49. The apparatus of claim 39, 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.

50. 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;

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 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.

51. The beverage dispenser of claim 50, 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.

52. The beverage dispenser of claim 50, 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.