CA3089867A1 - Pressurized beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydraulic system for dispensing a liquid is provided, the hydraulic system comprising:
a source of hydraulic fluid; a liquid-tight container; an intake line attached to and extending between the source of hydraulic fluid and the liquid-tight container; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the intake line; a pressure regulating device in fluid communication with the intake line and an ambient environment; wherein the liquid-tight container includes a body that defines a tank which includes an opening with a top therearound, at least one liquid outlet in a wall of the body, a lid which is attached to the body and covers the opening in the tank, and a liquid-tight seal between the lid and the top.

Description

PRESSURIZED BEVERAGE DISPENSER
FIELD
The present technology is a system for urging at least one beverage from a conformable package to a delivery tube for a spigot. More specifically, it is wine dispensing system that is pressurized by water.
BACKGROUND
Wineries and wine bars are starting to use bags of wine rather than bottles, as the bagged wine has a longer shelf life and the bags reduce waste. In some cases, the wine bags are housed in boxes and the wine is dispensed by gravity feed. In establishments that want to show their product offering, bars with numerous spigots are used, much the way a beer offering is displayed. The spigots are attached to tubing which leads to the bagged wine. Gas pressure is used to urge the wine to flow when a spigot is opened.
Examples of such systems include Micro Matic0 and Torr Industry dispensers. Gas has a lower thermal conductivity than liquid, hence more energy is required to cool the potable liquid, as needed. The use of pressurized gas also requires either a cannister of pressurized gas, which is not energy efficient, is costly and needs to be changed on a regular basis, or a compressor to pressurize the gas, again which is not energy efficient.
The heat of compression of a gas is greater than the heat of compression of a liquid, hence more energy is required in order to cool the gas and the potable liquid to be fed.
Examples of prior art systems include Micro Matic https://www.micromatic.com/retail-store/wine-on-tap which discloses a wine dispensing system that uses compressed gas to pressurize a cannister in which bagged wine is housed. The wine flows through tubing to an ice bath under pressure from the compressed gas in the cannister and then to a spigot. Alternatively, the cannister is housed in a refrigerator and flows directly to the spigot. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
Torr Industries https://torrindustries.com/dispensing-systems/slimtap-beverage-delivery discloses a wine dispensing system that uses compressed gas to pressurize a cannister in which bagged wine is housed. The wine flows through tubing under pressure from the Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 compressed gas in the cannister and then to a spigot. The cannister can be stored in a refrigerator. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent Application 20080093384 discloses a portable beverage dispenser includes a portable ice chest, a dispensing valve device, a pressurization system, and a line system. The line system couples one or more beverage containers in the ice chest to the pressurization system through one or more gas lines, and couples the beverage containers to the dispensing valve device through one or more beverage lines.
Actuating the dispensing valve device opens a valve and allows the beverage to flow into a cup under force of the pressurization system. A retractor, such as a spring-loaded reel, can also be included to facilitate keeping the dispensing valve device close to the ice chest when not in use. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent 7,762,429 discloses a portable water cooler is designed to accept the placement of bagged fluid therein, leading to the connection of the bag of fluid to a fluid flow pathway, thereby allowing the fluid to be dispensed in a manner such that the fluid is segregated from the internal surfaces of the cooler. The portable water cooler generally includes an internal spike and external spigot through which fluid may flow.
Systems and methods for dispensing bagged fluid from such a cooler, including various multi-bag systems and methods allowing for improved thermal control of fluids being dispensed, as well as increased selection of fluids dispensed from the same portable water cooler provide a high level of convenience. Gravity is used to dispense the bagged fluid, hence flow rates are low and the bagged fluid must be above the glass receiving the bagged fluid.
WO 2008005564A3 discloses that a system for dispensing a liquid beverage comprises a pressure sealed chamber having an interior environment, a compressible container containing the liquid beverage, the compressible container disposed inside of the sealed chamber, wherein the compressible container isolates the liquid beverage from the sealed chamber interior environment, an outlet for dispensing the liquid beverage in the compressible container, a gas source providing gaseous pressure in the sealed chamber, the gaseous pressure exerting force on an exterior surface of the compressible container, a pressure sensor disposed within the sealed chamber interior environment, and an

2 Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 electronic controller controlling the gas source based on input from the pressure sensor.
This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent 8,424,723 discloses a system and method for dispensing fluids. A
preferred embodiment comprises a sealed tank, a bag containing fluid inside the sealed tank, an outlet for dispensing the liquid in the bag, and a pressure generating device to create pressure in the sealed tank. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent 4921135 discloses countertop pressurized beverage system that includes an outer housing, and an inner flexible Mylar bag containing a potable liquid, such as beer or a carbonated beverage, requiring pressurization. A closed plastic container capable of withstanding substantial pressure encloses the flexible bag and is mounted with the housing. A compressor supplies air to the closed plastic container at a pre-set level, in order to maintain carbonation in the potable liquid. A
thermoelectric cooling unit is mounted on the bottom of the countertop unit to provide cooling, to a plate which is mounted in thermally conductive proximity below the closed plastic housing at the bottom thereof where the flexible bag rests against the bottom of the plastic container.
A cap makes threaded engagement with mating threads on a wide mouth opening on the closed plastic container; and the cap has an inwardly extending central tube around which the mouth of the flexible bag is secured. A closure plug is threaded at the center of the cap, and a spigot assembly may be screwed into the closure cap and perforates the inner wall thereof, so that fluid may be dispensed from the flexible bag through the spigot. A
spigot may be screwed into the center of the cap, thereby avoiding the need for a closure plug. Means other than perforation may be used by the spigot assembly to disengage the closure plug. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent 3435990 discloses beverage dispensers, and in particular to dispensers intended for use with pre-packaged liquid beverages. In its principal aspects it includes a dispenser for home use and a system of operation by which it may be periodically refilled with disposable containers of fresh beverage liquid.
Gravity is used directly and indirectly, through the weight of another bag on top of the bag being emptied, to dispense the bagged fluid.

3 Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 United States Patent Application 20110248035 discloses a bag-in-container having an inner layer forming a bag filled with a fluid, the bag being separable from an outer layer forming the container. The bag-in-container has a mouth fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere and separated therefrom by a seal. The container further having at least one space vent fluidly connecting the space between inner and outer layers and to the atmosphere. A vent provides a closure to control the gas flow between the space and the atmosphere. The space contains an amount of gas (Vs,i) at a pressure (Pi) insufficient to compress the bag to drive out more than 80% of the fluid contained therein. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas or air.
United States Patent Application 20160263601 discloses a liquid evacuation system for removing under controlled conditions a liquid, such as wine, juices, chemical products such as detergents, from a flexible pouch using a mechanical pumping mechanism, such as a piston pump or a diaphragm pump, attached to the pouch wherein when the mechanical pumping mechanism is activated for the removal of liquid from the pouch; the liquid is removed from the pouch and a container is filled under controlled conditions;
thereby avoiding air entrainment and the mechanical pumping mechanism is deactivated stopping the flow of liquid from the pouch. This dispenser requires a mechanical pump to directly urge the liquid from the pouch.
What is needed is a low energy potable liquid dispenser that relies on water to provide the pressure for urging the potable liquid from a pliable, compressible container to a spigot via tubing. It would be preferable if the potable liquid dispenser included a drawer with a large opening through which the pliable, compressible container could easily be loaded.
It would be further preferable if bags of a range of sizes, for example, larger than 20 Liters could be loaded. It would be further preferable if the drawer included a waterproof seal.
It would be further preferably if the seal was also a pressure seal. It would be further preferable if the potable liquid dispenser included a temperature control and a pressure control.
SUMMARY
The present technology is a low energy potable liquid dispenser that relies on water to provide the pressure for urging the potable liquid from a pliable, compressible container

4 Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 to a spigot via tubing. The potable liquid dispenser includes a drawer with a large opening through which the pliable, compressible container can easily be loaded. Bags of a range of sizes, for example, 3 liters up to larger than 20 liters can be loaded. The drawer includes a waterproof seal. The seal is also a pressure seal. The potable liquid dispenser includes a temperature control and a pressure control.
In one embodiment, a hydraulic system for dispensing a liquid is provided, the hydraulic system comprising: a source of hydraulic fluid; a liquid-tight container; an intake line attached to and extending between the source of hydraulic fluid and the liquid-tight container; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the intake line; a pressure regulating device in fluid communication with the intake line and an ambient environment;
wherein the liquid-tight container includes a body that defines a tank which includes an opening with a top therearound, at least one liquid outlet in a wall of the body, a lid which is attached to the body and covers the opening in the tank, and a liquid-tight seal between the lid and the top.
In the hydraulic system, the liquid-tight seal may comprise a gasket on an underside of the lid and a lip on the top which mates with the gasket.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a cabinet, the cabinet housing the liquid-tight container.
In the hydraulic system, the liquid-tight container may be a drawer in the cabinet.
In the hydraulic system, the cabinet may include upper and lower rollers which are disposed above and below the drawer.
In the hydraulic system, the rollers and cabinet may be configured to exert pressure on the lid when the lid is in the closed position.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a temperature controller in fluid communication with the intake line.
In the hydraulic system, the source of hydraulic fluid may be tap water.
In the hydraulic system, the source of hydraulic fluid may be a reservoir and the intake line is a loop.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 The hydraulic system may further comprise a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the loop.
In the hydraulic system, the reservoir, the loop, the pressure sensor, the back-pressure valve, the temperature controller and the solenoid valve may be housed in the cabinet.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a microprocessor in electronic communication with the pressure sensor.
The hydraulic system may be configured to maintain a pressure of about 1 pound per square inch to about 15 pounds per square inch.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a compressible container which contains the liquid, the compressible container housed in the liquid-tight container and in fluid communication with the at least one outlet.
In another embodiment, a combination of a drawer and a cabinet for dispensing a liquid is provided, the drawer including a body that defines a tank including an opening with a top therearound, at least one liquid outlet in a wall of the body extending into the tank, a hydraulic fluid inlet in the wall of the body and extending into the tank, a lid which is attached to the body and covers the opening of the tank, and a liquid-tight seal between the lid and the top, the cabinet comprising a top, a bottom, a front, a back and sides extending between the top and the bottom and the front and the back, to define an interior, an opening in the front which is continuous with the interior, the interior and opening slidably housing the drawer.
In the combination, the liquid-tight seal may comprise a gasket on an underside of the lid and a lip on the top which mates with the gasket.
In the combination, the cabinet may include upper and lower rollers which are disposed above and below the drawer.
In the combination, the rollers and cabinet may be configured to exert pressure on the lid when the lid is in the closed position.
In the combination, the cabinet may house: a temperature controller which is in fluid communication with the tank; an intake line, which is in fluid communication with the inlet;

Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 a pressure sensor which is in fluid communication with the intake line; and a back-pressure valve which is in fluid communication with the intake line.
In the combination, the cabinet may house a second pressure sensor which is in fluid communication with the tank.
In another embodiment, a method of dispensing a liquid is provided, the method comprising:
-selecting a system that includes: a compressible container which contains the liquid and includes an outlet; tubing which is connected to the outlet at a first end and a spigot at a second end; and a liquid tight vessel capable of withstanding about 15 pounds per square inch pressure, in which a hydraulic fluid and the compressible container is housed;
-exerting a hydraulic pressure of about 1 pound per square inch to about 15 pounds per square inch to the compressible container with the hydraulic fluid in the liquid tight container;
the hydraulic pressure urging the liquid through the tubing to the spigot; and -dispensing the liquid with the spigot.
In the method, the hydraulic pressure may be exerted with a flow of tap water into the liquid tight vessel.
In the method, the hydraulic pressure may be exerted by pumping the hydraulic fluid with a pump into the liquid tight vessel.
FIGURES
Figure 1 is a schematic of the system of the present technology.
Figure 2 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of Figure 1.
Figure 3A is a schematic of the operating system of Figure 2 for heating or chilling; and Figure 3B is a schematic of the operating system of Figure 2 for chilling only.

Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 Figure 4A is a perspective view of the cabinet and drawer in the closed position; Figure 4B is a side view of the cabinet and drawer; and Figure 4C is a perspective view of the drawer in the open position.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the drawer in the open position.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the drawer in the open position.
Figure 7 is a back view of the cabinet frame and drawer.
Figure 8 is a schematic of the cabinet of the alternative embodiment of Figure 2.
Figure 9 is a schematic of the flow of the liquid in the embodiment of Figure 2.
Figure 10A is a schematic of the flow of water during normal operating mode of the system of Figure 3A; and Figure 10B is a schematic of the flow of water during a bag replacement mode.
Figure 11A is a schematic of the flow of water during normal operating mode of the system of Figure 3B; and Figure 11B is a schematic of the flow of water during a bag replacement mode.
Figure 12A is a perspective view schematic of the sprayer system for water in the tank;
and Figure 12B is a perspective schematic of the drain system for water in the tank.
Figure 13 is a perspective sectional view of the drawer of the present technology.
DESCRIPTION
Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (written description and claims): (a) all words used herein shall be construed to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances require; (b) the singular terms "a", "an", and "the", as used in the specification and the appended claims include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the antecedent term "about" applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation within the deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the measurements method; (d) the words "herein", "hereby", "hereof", "hereto", "hereinbefore", and "hereinafter", and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its entirety and not Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise specified; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) "or" and "any" are not exclusive and "include" and "including" are not limiting. Further, the terms "comprising," "having,"
"including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included therein. All smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.
Definition:
Pressure regulating device ¨ in the context of the present technology, a pressure regulating device is a regulator or a back-pressure valve.
Detailed description:
A liquid dispensing system, generally referred to as 10 is shown in Figure 1.
The liquid may be a potable liquid, or for example, but not limited to, wine, non-alcoholic beverage or a liquid medicament. The system 10 has a source of tap water 12, a watertight container 14 and a water line 16 leading from the source of tap water 12 to the watertight container 14. A first pressure sensor 18 is either inline or is on a parallel line. The operating pressure is kept at or below about 15 pounds per square inch (psi).
A pressure Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 regulating device 22 ensures that the pressure doesn't exceed the threshold.
It is a normally closed valve and leads to the ambient environment or optionally to a bleed line 24. The first pressure sensor 18 is in mechanical communication with the back-pressure valve 22. A temperature controller 26, which may be a heater-cooler unit is inline. A
second pressure sensor 28 is located on the watertight container 14 and measures the water pressure within the watertight container 14. A water tap 30 may be inline and located close to the inlet 32 of the watertight container 14.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the system generally referred to as 38, has a reservoir 40 which stores the water coming from the source of water 12.
The reservoir 40 has a vent 42 to the ambient environment. It is part of a loop.
The water line 44 leading to the watertight container 14 has a solenoid valve 48 inline to control the water flow. It is normally closed and is under control of a microprocessor 50. A
back-pressure valve 52 is on a parallel line 54. A first pressure sensor 58 is in electronic communication with the microprocessor 50. The heater-cooler unit 60 is inline and has a temperature controller 62 which is in electronic communication with the microprocessor 50.
The location as shown in Figure 2 is not specific, as would be known to one skilled in the art.
A pump 70 is inline and is downstream from the reservoir 40. The pump may be a peristaltic pump or a centrifugal pump or the like. An optional filter 72 is inline. A second pressure sensor or indicator 74 may be on the watertight container 46.
In an alternative embodiment of the loop system 38, the liquid that urges the liquid and controls the temperature of the liquid need not be water and can be any suitable liquid, for example, but not limited to saline or other hydraulic fluid that has a low heat of compression and a high thermal conductivity as compared to air. For example, it would be preferable if the thermal conductivity was at least 25 times higher than air and the heat of compression was at least as low as that of water.
An alternative embodiment is shown in Figures 3A and B. Figure 3A is for red wine and Figure 3B is for white wine, with one being in one drawer and the other being in another drawer of the same cabinet. The two are separate units except for the fact that they share a heat exchanger 82. In the red wine system (Figure 3A [65 degrees F]), a source of water 12 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 40, which has a vent 42 to the 3.0 Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 atmosphere. A heater 61 is in the reservoir 40 or is inline proximate the reservoir 42. It is in communication with the microprocessor 50. A temperature sensor 62 is inline and is in communication with the microprocessor 50. A check valve 76 is downstream from the heater 61 and is a 5 pounds per square inch (PSI) check valve 76. Continuing downstream, an ultraviolet filter 78 and a particulate filter 80 are inline.
These are all on the mainline 81. A first branch 86 is in fluid communication with the first solenoid valve 48A and the second solenoid valve 48B, which leads back to the reservoir 40. A
second branch 88 branches from the first branch 86 at the first solenoid valve 48A.
At least one and preferably two pumps 70 are on the second branch 88. A pressure sensor 58 is downstream from the pumps 70 and is in communication with the microprocessor 50. At a third solenoid valve 48C, a third branch 90 branches from second branch and returns to the reservoir 40 via the second solenoid valve 48B, rejoining the first branch 86. The second branch 88 continues through the third solenoid valve 48C to a fourth solenoid branch 48D, through the heat exchanger 82 and to the airtight container 14.
The airtight container 14 has a vacuum release valve 84. At the fourth solenoid valve 48D, a chiller bypass line 92 branches off to bypass the chiller 94. It rejoins the second branch 88. A
pressure sensor 96 is inline on second branch 88. If the temperature of the water is too low, the heater 61 is turned on. If the temperature of the water is too high, the flow is through the heat exchanger 82, where cooling is derived from the water from the white wine system. All operations are under control of the microprocessor 50.
In an alternative embodiment the heater 61 or the heater-chiller 60 can be replaced with a heat exchanger.
In the white wine system 39 (Figure 3B [43 degrees F]), a source of water 12 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 40, which has a vent 42 to the atmosphere. A
temperature sensor 62 is inline and is in communication with the microprocessor 50. A
check valve 76 is downstream from the reservoir 40 and is a 5 pounds per square inch (PSI) check valve 76. Continuing downstream, an ultraviolet filter 78 and a particulate filter 80 are inline. These are all on the mainline 81. A first branch 86 is in fluid communication with the first solenoid valve 48A and the second solenoid valve 48B, which leads back to the reservoir 40. A second branch 88 branches from the first branch Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 86 at the first solenoid valve 48A. At least one and preferably two pumps 70 are on the second branch 88. A pressure sensor 58 is downstream from the pumps 70 and is in communication with the microprocessor 50. At a third solenoid valve 48C, a third branch 90 branches from second branch and returns to the reservoir 40 via the second solenoid valve 48B, rejoining the first branch 86. The second branch 88 continues through the third solenoid valve 48C through the heat exchanger 82 and the chiller 94 and to the airtight container 14. The airtight container 14 has a vacuum release valve 84. A
pressure sensor 96 is inline on second branch 88. If the temperature of the water is too high for white wine, the chiller 94 is turned on. If the temperature of the water is too low, the flow is through the heat exchanger 82 where heat is derived from the water from the red wine system. All operations are under control of the microprocessor 50.
The watertight container 14 is shown in Figure 4A. It is in a drawer 98 in a cabinet, generally referred to as 100. The cabinet 100 has a top 102, sides 104, a bottom 106, a front 108 and a back 110 (the back 110 can be seen in Figure 4B) to define an interior 112 (also in Figure 4B). The cabinet 100 is insulated. The drawer 98 defines a tank 114.
As shown in Figure 4C, a lid 116 is releasably, and preferably hingedly attached to the top 118 of the drawer 98. Returning to Figure 4B,rollers 120 extend between the sides 104 and are located between the underside 122 of the top 102 and the lid 116 and between the bottom 106 of the drawer 98 and the upper surface 128 of the cabinet base, generally referred to as 130. Removable baffles 124 are located in the drawer 98 to reduce sloshing of the liquid. The baffles 124 can be removed to accommodate different bag sizes. The rollers 120 exert pressure on the lid 116 when in the closed position. As shown in Figure 4C, the lid 116 has sides 132 that extend downward from the top of the lid 116. The sides 132 fit over the region of the sides 104 and front 108 of the cabinet 108 that are in the vicinity of the top 118 of the drawer 98.
As shown in Figure 5, a compressible container 150 is located in the tank 114 and is attached to a first liquid line 152. The liquid line 152 connects with a spigot, where the liquid is dispensed, as would be known to one skilled in the art. The compressible container 150 is preferably a bag, which can be as small as about 3 liters to greater than 20 liters. The compressible container 150 is within the liquid which will urge the liquid Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 from the compressible container 150 and will control the temperature of the liquid. A
drawer pull 154 is located on the front 156 of the drawer 98. This is an alternative embodiment in which the reservoir 40 contained in the drawer 98.
As shown in Figure 6, the lid 116 is attached to the top 102 of the drawer 98 with a hinge 158. The underside 162 of the lid 116 has a gasket 164 with a groove 166.
Retainers 168 hold the gasket 164 in the shape of a curved corner rectangle. The top 102 of the drawer 98 includes a lip 170, which is in the shape of a curved corner rectangle. In the closed position, the lip 170 is mated with the groove 166 of the gasket 164.
The pressure exerted by the rollers 120 ensure that the gasket 164 and lip 170 provide a watertight seal that is capable of maintaining a pressure of up to and including about 15 psi.
Extending between the top 102 of the drawer 98 and the underside 162 of the lid 116 is a strut 180 for holding the lid 116 in the open position. The reservoir 40 is contained in the cabinet 100 and is not in the drawer 98.
As shown in Figure 7, multiple second liquid lines 182 are attached to outlets 200 in the back 202 of the drawer 98. The multiple second liquid lines are preferably in an articulating harness. The multiple lines 182 allow for multiple bags of liquid to be retained in the drawer 98 and their contents be dispensed at the same temperature. The water line 16 terminates at a hose bib 204. The tap 30 is on the hose bib 204.
As shown in Figure 8, the cabinet 100 of the embodiment of Figure 5 houses the reservoir 40, the solenoid valve 48, the microprocessor 50, the back-pressure valve 52, the pressure sensor 58, the temperature controller 62, the at least one pump 70 and the filter 72, in addition to the drawer 98. In another embodiment, the reservoir 40, the solenoid valve 48, the microprocessor 50, the back-pressure valve 52, the pressure sensor 58, the temperature controller 62, the pump 70 and the filter 72 are remote to the cabinet 100. In the preferred embodiment the reservoir 40, the solenoid valve 48, the microprocessor 50, the back-pressure valve 52, the pressure sensor 58, the temperature controller 62, the pump 70 and the filter 72 are housed in the cabinet 100, outside of the drawer or drawers 98.
As shown in Figure 9, the flow of liquid is from the compressible containers 150 through spigots 300 to the first liquid lines 152 to outlets 304 on the inner surface 306 of the drawer Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 98 to outlets 200 on the back 202 of the drawer 98, to a dispensing centre 308 via second liquid lines 182, where the liquid is dispensed through spigots 312. The preferred lines 152, 182 are Tygon0 tubing or food grade tubing, with an inside diameter of about 3/16 inch to about 1/4 inch to about 1/2 inch, to provide a flow rate that will fill a glass in about 3 to 5 seconds at a pressure of about 1 psi to about 15 psi. Multiple systems 10 can be employed so that fluids of different temperatures are dispensed at the dispensing centre 308.
The flow of water during the normal operating mode of the red wine system is shown in Figure 10A. The flow of water in the bag changing mode is shown in Figure 10B.
The flow of water during the normal operating mode of the white wine system is shown in Figure 11A. The flow of water in the bag changing mode is shown in Figure 11B.
As shown in Figure 12A, water entering into the tank 114, enters through a water sprayer system, generally referred to as 300. The sprayer system 300 is a tube 302 that is disposed in the tank 114, proximate the top 102. The tube 302 has a plurality of apertures 304 or spray nozzles, directed inward and downward towards the interior 112 of the tank 114. As shown in Figure 12B, a drain system, generally referred to as 310 is located at the bottom 106 of the tank 114. The drain system 310 includes a plurality of drain lines 312 that are connected to one another at a drain. The drain lines 312 include perforations 314 through which the water flows.
As shown in Figure 13, the bags of wine are separated from the drain lines 312 by a separation plate or grid 316. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid is wine and the urging liquid (hydraulic fluid) is water. The cabinet and drawer are stainless steel.
While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment.
Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12

Claims (23)

1. A hydraulic system for dispensing a liquid, the hydraulic system comprising: a source of hydraulic fluid; a liquid-tight container; an intake line attached to and extending between the source of hydraulic fluid and the liquid-tight container; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the intake line; a pressure regulating device in fluid communication with the intake line and an ambient environment;

wherein the liquid-tight container includes a body that defines a tank which includes an opening with a top therearound, at least one liquid outlet in a wall of the body, a lid which is attached to the body and covers the opening in the tank, and a liquid-tight seal between the lid and the top.

2. The hydraulic system of claim 1, wherein the liquid-tight seal comprises a gasket on an underside of the lid and a lip on the top which mates with the gasket.

3. The hydraulic system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cabinet, the cabinet housing the liquid-tight container.

4. The hydraulic system of claim 3, wherein the liquid-tight container is a drawer in the cabinet.

5. The hydraulic system of claim 4, wherein the cabinet includes upper and lower rollers which are disposed above and below the drawer.

6. The hydraulic system of claim 5, wherein the rollers and cabinet are configured to exert pressure on the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

7. The hydraulic system of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a temperature controller in fluid communication with the intake line.

8. The hydraulic system of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the source of hydraulic fluid is tap water.

9. The hydraulic system of any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the source of hydraulic fluid is a reservoir and the intake line is a loop.

10. The hydraulic system of claim 9, further comprising a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the loop.

Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12

11. The hydraulic system of claim 11, wherein the reservoir, the loop, the pressure sensor, the back-pressure valve, the temperature controller and the solenoid valve are housed in the cabinet.

12. The hydraulic system of claim 11, further comprising a microprocessor in electronic communication with the pressure sensor.

13. The hydraulic system of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the system is configured to maintain a pressure of about 1 pound per square inch to about 15 pounds per square inch.

14. The hydraulic system of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a compressible container which contains the liquid, the compressible container housed in the liquid-tight container and in fluid communication with the at least one outlet.

15.A combination of a drawer and a cabinet for dispensing a liquid, the drawer including a body that defines a tank including an opening with a top therearound, at least one liquid outlet in a wall of the body extending into the tank, a hydraulic fluid inlet in the wall of the body and extending into the tank, a lid which is attached to the body and covers the opening of the tank, and a liquid-tight seal between the lid and the top, the cabinet comprising a top, a bottom, a front, a back and sides extending between the top and the bottom and the front and the back, to define an interior, an opening in the front which is continuous with the interior, the interior and opening slidably housing the drawer.

16. The combination of claim 15, wherein the liquid-tight seal comprises a gasket on an underside of the lid and a lip on the top which mates with the gasket.

17. The combination of claim 15 or 16, wherein the cabinet includes upper and lower rollers which are disposed above and below the drawer.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the rollers and cabinet are configured to exert pressure on the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

19. The combination of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the cabinet houses:
a temperature controller which is in fluid communication with the tank; an intake line, which is in fluid communication with the inlet; a pressure sensor which is in fluid Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12 communication with the intake line; and a back-pressure valve which is in fluid communication with the intake line.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein the cabinet houses a second pressure sensor which is in fluid communication with the tank.

21.A method of dispensing a liquid, the method comprising:
-selecting a system that includes: a compressible container which contains the liquid and includes an outlet; tubing which is connected to the outlet at a first end and a spigot at a second end; and a liquid tight vessel capable of withstanding about 15 pounds per square inch pressure, in which a hydraulic fluid and the compressible container is housed;
-exerting a hydraulic pressure of about 1 pound per square inch to about 15 pounds per square inch to the compressible container with the hydraulic fluid in the liquid tight container;
the hydraulic pressure urging the liquid through the tubing to the spigot; and -dispensing the liquid with the spigot.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the hydraulic pressure is exerted with a flow of tap water into the liquid tight vessel.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the hydraulic pressure is exerted by pumping the hydraulic fluid with a pump into the liquid tight vessel.

Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12