EP1496011A1 - Carbonated beverage dispenser with recirculation - Google Patents
Carbonated beverage dispenser with recirculation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1496011A1 EP1496011A1 EP04253996A EP04253996A EP1496011A1 EP 1496011 A1 EP1496011 A1 EP 1496011A1 EP 04253996 A EP04253996 A EP 04253996A EP 04253996 A EP04253996 A EP 04253996A EP 1496011 A1 EP1496011 A1 EP 1496011A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- beverage
- mode
- carbonator
- unit
- pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 38
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 111
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 64
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 150000004649 carbonic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 claims description 6
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Carbonate Chemical compound [O-]C([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 abstract description 6
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 22
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 11
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000006188 syrup Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000020357 syrup Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003595 mist Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010792 warming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
- B67D1/1234—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0057—Carbonators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0043—Mixing devices for liquids
- B67D1/0054—Recirculation means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0057—Carbonators
- B67D1/0069—Details
- B67D1/0074—Automatic carbonation control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
Definitions
- This invention relates to a beverage dispense system. More especially the invention relates to a beverage dispense system for dispensing carbonated beverages and in particular, but not exclusively, for dispensing carbonated water with or without additional flavouring.
- a beverage dispense system comprising a dispense head for carbonated beverage, a carbonator unit for carbonating the beverage, a beverage re-circulation loop connecting the carbonator unit to the dispense head, a pump for re-circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in a first mode of operation, and a control unit for switching between the first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for connecting the carbonator unit to a source of uncarbonated beverage.
- control unit is responsive to the fluid level in the carbonator unit to select the first mode at an upper or maximum fluid level and the second mode at a lower or minimum level.
- control unit may be connected to a level sensor for detecting the upper and lower fluid levels in the carbonator unit.
- beverage is circulated in the re-circulation loop allowing beverage to be dispensed from the dispense head until the level of beverage in the carbonator unit drops to the lower level at which point the source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the carbonator unit to re-fill the carbonator unit.
- the source of uncarbonated beverage is disconnected when the level of beverage reaches the upper level and beverage is circulated in the re-circulation loop.. In this way, the fluid level is maintained between the upper and lower levels in the carbonator unit.
- the arrangement may also permit beverage to be dispensed while the carbonator unit is being re-filled.
- the carbonator unit carbonates the uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- the carbonator unit may have an inlet connected to a source of carbonating gas that carbonates the uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator.
- the inlet for the uncarbonated beverage includes a venturi for entraining the carbonating gas to carbonate the beverage as it is added to the carbonator unit.
- the pump is a twin speed pump having high and low speeds of operation and the control unit switches the pump between the low speed in the first mode of operation and the high speed in the second mode of operation.
- the flow rate and/or pressure of uncarbonated beverage is boosted when filling the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- the higher flow rate and/or pressure reduces the time to fill the carbonator unit and may assist the carbonation process within the carbonator unit.
- the pump may provide a flow rate of around 2 litres/minute at a pressure of approximately 2 bar in the first mode of operation and a flow rate of around 5 litres/minute at a pressure of approximately 11 bar in the second mode of operation.
- the carbonated beverage may be carbonated water and the uncarbonated beverage may be still water, for example mains water.
- valve means is provided for controlling the source of uncarbonated beverage in the first and second modes of operation.
- the valve means may isolate the source of uncarbonated beverage from the re-circulation loop when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation and carbonated beverage is circulating in the re-circulation loop and connect the source of uncarbonated beverage to the re-circulation loop when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation and uncarbonated beverage is flowing to the carbonator unit to replace carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispense head.
- the re-fill valve means may comprise a solenoid valve in a supply line for the uncarbonated beverage that is opened and closed by the control unit in response to the fluid level in the carbonator unit.
- valve means for controlling flow of beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first and second modes of operation.
- the valve means may allow carbonated beverage to circulate around the loop in the first mode of operation and restrict flow of uncarbonated beverage around the loop in the second mode of operation. In this way, the re-circulation loop does not contain a large volume of uncarbonated beverage when the carbonated unit has been re-filled.
- the re-circulation valve means is responsive to the pump speed.
- the valve means may be biased to the open position and, when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation, the biasing is overcome by the fluid pressure to move the valve means to the closed position.
- the re-circulation valve means is responsive to the control unit.
- the re-circulation valve means may be at least one solenoid valve and the control unit switches the solenoid valve(s) between the open position when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation and the closed position when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation.
- the re-circulation loop includes means for cooling the beverage for dispense of chilled carbonated beverages having a desired dispense temperature and to prevent the beverage warming up between dispenses to any appreciable extent.
- the cooling means may be a heat exchanger, thermoelectric device, ice bank cooler or any other suitable cooler.
- the cooling means is provided in the re-circulation loop upstream of the carbonator unit to cool carbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator unit in the first mode of operation.
- the cooling means may also be arranged to cool uncarbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator in the second mode of operation.
- separate cooling means may be provided for cooling the uncarbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- the carbonator unit has separate inlets for circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first mode of operation and for adding beverage to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- the inlets may be connected to the re-circulation loop such that fluid flowing in the re-circulation loop by-passes the re-fill inlet in the first mode of operation and is connected to the re-fill inlet in the second mode of operation.
- the re-fill inlet may provide a higher resistance to fluid flow so that the fluid flow by-passes the re-fill inlet when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation and diverts to the re-fill inlet in the second mode of operation.
- the carbonator unit carbonates uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation when the pump is running at high speed and carbonated beverage returned to the carbonator unit in the first mode of operation when the pump is running at low speed is not further carbonated to any appreciable extent.
- the carbonator unit has a common inlet for circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first mode of operation and for adding beverage to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- the inlet may be arranged so that carbonation is responsive to the flow rate and/or pressure of the beverage.
- the carbonator unit carbonates uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation when the pump is running at high speed and carbonated beverage returned to the carbonator unit in the first mode of operation when the pump is running at low speed is not further carbonated to any appreciable extent.
- a beverage dispense system comprising a dispense head for dispensing a carbonated beverage in a first mode of operation, a carbonator unit for carbonating the beverage in a second mode of operation, and means for connecting the carbonator unit to the dispense head in the first mode of operation and to a source of uncarbonated beverage in the second mode of operation.
- carbonator unit has a first inlet connected to a loop including the dispense head for circulating beverage between the carbonator unit and the dispense head and a second inlet connected to the source of uncarbonated beverage via a part of the loop.
- the dispense head is connected to the carbonator unit in both modes of operation allowing beverage to be dispensed both when circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop and when re-filling the carbonator unit.
- a method of dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising circulating carbonated beverage in a re-circulation loop in a first mode of operation in which carbonated beverage can be dispensed via a dispense head connected to the loop, and carbonating uncarbonated beverage in a carbonator connected to the loop in a second mode of operation.
- the first and second modes of operation are activated in response to the level of beverage in the carbonator.
- the second mode may be activated when the level falls to a lower or minimum level at which uncarbonated beverage is added to the carbonator and the first mode is activated when the level reaches an upper or maximum level.
- carbonated beverage may be dispensed in both modes of operation.
- a beverage dispense system comprising a pump operable to circulate carbonated beverage around a loop including a cooling unit, a carbonator unit, and a dispense head, the carbonator unit having a first inlet for carbonated beverage circulating in the loop and a second inlet for replacing carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispense head.
- a source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the second inlet, and the uncarbonated beverage is carbonated in the carbonator unit for circulating in the loop to the dispense head.
- the source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the second inlet via the loop and the pump is arranged upstream of the carbonator unit.
- the pump is a two-speed pump which is operable at a first speed when circulating carbonated beverage in the loop and a second speed, higher than the first speed, when the source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the loop.
- the pump may be a single speed pump.
- the loop includes a cooler for cooling carbonated beverage flowing around the loop.
- the pump may be provided between the first inlet and the cooler.
- the pump may be provided between the second inlet and the cooler such that uncarbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator unit is also cooled by the cooler.
- the carbonator unit is connected to a source of carbonating gas for carbonating the uncarbonated beverage and the second inlet is preferably adapted for carbonating the uncarbonated beverage flowing into the carbonator unit.
- carbonating gas in the carbonator unit may be entrained in the flow of uncarbonated beverage admitted to the carbonator unit for carbonating the incoming uncarbonated beverage.
- the re-circulation loop includes a plurality of dispense heads and the carbonator unit may be connected to a plurality of re-circulation loops each provided with one or more dispense heads.
- a beverage dispense system according to a first embodiment of the invention is depicted comprising a dispense head 1 connected to a carbonator unit 2 by a flow line in the form of a re-circulation loop 3.
- the carbonator unit 2 comprises a tank 4 having a water inlet 5 and a gas inlet 6 at the upper end.
- the gas is carbon dioxide supplied to the inlet 6 under pressure, say about 5 bar, via a regulator 7. It will be understood however that other gases may be employed, for example nitrogen, and the term 'carbonation' is to be construed accordingly.
- the tank 4 also has an outlet 8 at the lower end connected to the delivery side of the recirculation loop 3 and an inlet 9 at the lower end connected to the return side of the recirculation loop 3.
- the recirculation loop 3 includes a pump 10, a cooler 11 and two valves 12,13.
- the cooler 11 may be of any suitable type, for example a heat exchanger, a thermoelectric device or ice bank cooler, for maintaining the temperature of beverage re-circulated in the loop 3 at the desired dispense temperature.
- the level of water in the carbonator tank 4 is maintained between upper and lower levels by an electronic control unit 14, for example a programmable microprocessor, responsive to probes 15,16 arranged to detect the upper and lower water levels in the tank 4.
- an electronic control unit 14 for example a programmable microprocessor, responsive to probes 15,16 arranged to detect the upper and lower water levels in the tank 4.
- the control unit 14 controls the speed of the pump 10 and an on/off solenoid valve 17 for adding still water to the carbonator tank 4 in response to the detected water levels in the carbonator tank 4.
- the incoming water may optionally be pre-cooled, before or after the solenoid valve 17.
- the water inlet 5 is connected to the delivery side of the recirculation loop 3 via a flow line 18 between the outlet of pump 10 and the valve 12.
- a flow line 19 from a source (not shown) of still water is connected to the recirculation loop 3 via the solenoid valve 17 between the pump inlet and the valve 13.
- the water source may be mains water at say 3 bar.
- Each valve 12,13 is similar and, as best shown in Figure 2, comprises a valve member 20 biased away from a valve seat 21 by a spring 22.
- the valve member 20 is slidable in a bore 23 between valve inlet 24 and valve outlet 25.
- the valve member 20 is provided with guide flutes 26 that define flow channels 27 with the wall of the bore 23. As shown, the flow channels 27 taper such that the cross-sectional area of the flow channels 27 reduces in the direction of flow.
- the pump 10 can be switched between high and low speeds of operation. At the low speed of operation, the biasing of the spring 22 exceeds the pressure of the water acting on the valve member 20 and the valve member 20 adopts an equilibrium position at which the valves 12,13 are open. At the high speed of operation, the pressure of the water acting on the valve member 20 exceeds the biasing of the spring 22 and moves the valve member 20 to engage the valve seat 21 closing the valves 12,13.
- control unit 14 closes the solenoid valve 17 and switches the pump 10 to run at low speed.
- valves 12,13 are open and carbonated water from the tank 4 is circulated around the loop 3 and can be drawn off and dispensed via dispense head 1 as desired.
- the dispense head 1 may dispense carbonated water with or without additional flavouring, for example the dispense head may include connections to one or more syrup lines (not shown) for dispensing a mixture of carbonated water and syrup according to user selection.
- the water level in the tank 4 falls as carbonated water is dispensed from the dispense head 1.
- the carbonated water is continuously circulated around the loop 3 and returned to the tank 4 via the cooler 11.
- the carbonated water is maintained at the desired dispense temperature and the carbonation level is maintained by returning the circulating flow to the tank 4 for mixing with carbonated water in the tank 4 under the pressure of carbon dioxide above the water within the tank 4.
- Carbon dioxide admitted to the carbonator unit 2 via inlet 6 is maintained at a sufficient pressure within the carbonator unit 2 to prevent carbon dioxide coming out of solution to any appreciable extent so as to maintain the carbonation level of the carbonated water in the carbonator unit 2.
- the inlet 5 provides a greater resistance to flow than the valves 12,13 and the water circulates around the loop 3 in preference to flowing into the tank 4 through the inlet 5.
- control unit 14 When the water level in the tank 4 falls to the level of the lower probe 16, a signal is transmitted to the control unit 14.
- the control unit 14 responds to switch pump 10 to run at high speed and open solenoid valve 17.
- valves 12,13 to close and still water is admitted to the tank 4 via inlet 5 and carbonated by mixing with carbon dioxide within the tank 4.
- the inlet 5 may provide a restricted orifice or nozzle through which the incoming water is admitted under high pressure to form a mist or spray that promotes carbonation with carbon dioxide admitted via inlet 6.
- Other devices such as a venturi can be employed in the inlet 5 for carbonating the incoming still water.
- valve 12 When the water level in the tank 4 reaches the upper level set by probe 15, a signal is sent to the control unit 14.
- the control unit 14 responds to switch pump 10 to run at low speed and close solenoid valve 17. Valves 12,13 re-open and carbonated water from tank 4 is again circulated around the loop 3 and can be dispensed from dispense head 1 on demand.
- the pump may be stopped for a short period of time when changing from high to low speeds to allow fluid pressures to equalise on either side of the valve members 20 to assist re-opening of the valves 12,13.
- valves 12,13 operate automatically in response to change in pressure caused by change in pump speed, it will be understood that one or both valves 12,13 could be replaced by valves operable by the control unit 14 in similar manner to the valve 17 according to the mode of operation determined by the water level in the tank 4.
- the dispense head 1 While the tank 4 is re-filling, the dispense head 1 remains connected to the tank 4 via the part of the loop 3 between the dispense head 1 and inlet 9 and the pressure of carbon dioxide in the tank 4 is such that the flow in this part of the loop 3 can be reversed on opening the dispense head 1 to allow carbonated beverage to be dispensed. In this way, operation of the system to dispense carbonated beverage is not interrupted when re-filling the tank 4.
- FIG. 3 a beverage dispense system according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown.
- like reference numerals in the series 100 are used to indicate parts corresponding to the first embodiment.
- beverage re-circulation loop 103 includes a dispense head 101, a carbonator unit 102, a twin-speed pump 110, a cooler 111 and an on/off solenoid valve 150.
- the valves 117, 150 are conveniently housed in a manifold 151 with appropriate connections to the recirculation loop 103 and flow line 119.
- a single three-way valve may be employed in place of the separate valves 117,150 to provide the same flow control in the first and second modes of operation.
- the pump 110 can be switched between high and low speeds of operation in response to the water level in the carbonator unit 102.
- control unit 114 closes solenoid valve 150, opens solenoid valve 117 to connect the source of still water to the recirculation loop 103 and switches pump 110 to run at high speed.
- still water flows via the pump 110 and cooler 111 to the carbonator unit 102 and is introduced via inlet 105 to re-fill the carbonator unit 102.
- the inlet 105 is in the form of a "J" tube 152 provided with a venturi (not shown).
- control unit 114 closes solenoid valve 117 to isolate the source of the still water from the recirculation loop, opens solenoid valve 150 and switches pump 110 to run at low speed.
- carbonated water is circulated in the re-circulation loop 103 and can be drawn off at the dispense head 101 with or without additional flavouring such as syrup as desired.
- the pump 110 is running at low speed, the flow rate and pressure of the water returning to the carbonator unit 102 via inlet 105 is reduced and carbon dioxide in the carbonator unit 102 is not entrained to any significant amount.
- Carbonated water can be drawn off at the dispense head 101 until the water level in the carbonator unit 102 drops to the minimum level at which the control unit 114 closes valve 150, opens valve 117 and switches the pump 110 to run at high speed again to re-fill the carbonator unit 102 as described above.
- the pressure of carbon dioxide in tank 104 may be such that carbonated beverage can flow from the tank 104 to the dispense head 101 so that dispense of carbonated beverage is not interrupted during re-filling of the carbonator unit 102.
- the carbonator unit 102 has a common inlet 105 both for re-circulating water in the re-circulation loop 103 and for re-filling the carbonator unit 102.
- the carbonator unit 102, pump 110 and control unit 114 are provided in a common housing 153 with appropriate connections for the re-circulation loop 103 and supply of carbonating gas.
- the manifold 151 may be incorporated in the housing 153 if desired.
- FIG. 4 a beverage dispense system according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown.
- like reference numerals in the series 200 are used to indicate parts corresponding to the first and second embodiments.
- beverage re-circulation loop 203 includes a dispense head 201, a carbonator unit 202, a twin-speed pump 210, a cooler 211, and on-off solenoid valves 260, 261.
- the water inlet 205 is connected to the return side of the re-circulation loop 203 via a flow line 218 between the outlet of pump 210 and the on/off solenoid valve 261.
- the pump 210 is switched between high and low speeds according to the level of water in the carbonator unit 202 and is operable at low speed to circulate water in the re-circulation loop 203 and at high speed to re-fill the carbonator unit 202.
- the on/off valves 260,261 are open and the on/off valve 217 is closed when water is circulated in the circulation loop 203 for dispense from the dispense head 201 with or without additional flavouring such as a syrup.
- valves 260,261 are closed and valve 217 is open to connect the source of still water to the re-circulation loop 203.
- a single three-way valve may be employed in place of the separate solenoid valves 217,260 as described in the previous embodiment.
- the pump 210 is switched to operate at high speed boosting the flow and pressure of the water delivered to the carbonator unit 202 via the inlet 205 where it is carbonated as described previously.
- the pressure of carbon dioxide in tank 204 may be such that carbonated beverage can flow from the tank 204 to the dispense head 201 so that dispense of carbonated beverage is not interrupted during re-filling of the carbonator unit 202.
- the invention provides a beverage dispense system having a pump operable at low speeds in a dispense mode of operation for circulating carbonated beverage in a loop provided with at least one dispense head and at high speed in a carbonation mode of operation for adding water to the carbonator unit to replace water that has been dispensed. Dispense of carbonated beverage may also be permitted in the carbonation mode of operation.
- the pump may be of any type capable of withstanding the pressure, temperature and acidity levels of the water and typically employs a food grade material for parts that contact the water.
- the re-circulation loop may be connected to a plurality of dispense heads provided at different points of dispense in, for example, a bar or the like.
- the dispense head(s) may be connected to the loop via an additional short flow line or the loop may pass through the dispense head(s).
- the carbonator unit may be connected to a plurality of re-circulation loops each provided with one or more dispense heads.
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- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a beverage dispense system. More especially the invention relates to a beverage dispense system for dispensing carbonated beverages and in particular, but not exclusively, for dispensing carbonated water with or without additional flavouring.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage dispense system comprising a dispense head for carbonated beverage, a carbonator unit for carbonating the beverage, a beverage re-circulation loop connecting the carbonator unit to the dispense head, a pump for re-circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in a first mode of operation, and a control unit for switching between the first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for connecting the carbonator unit to a source of uncarbonated beverage.
- Preferably, the control unit is responsive to the fluid level in the carbonator unit to select the first mode at an upper or maximum fluid level and the second mode at a lower or minimum level. For example, the control unit may be connected to a level sensor for detecting the upper and lower fluid levels in the carbonator unit.
- With this arrangement, beverage is circulated in the re-circulation loop allowing beverage to be dispensed from the dispense head until the level of beverage in the carbonator unit drops to the lower level at which point the source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the carbonator unit to re-fill the carbonator unit. The source of uncarbonated beverage is disconnected when the level of beverage reaches the upper level and beverage is circulated in the re-circulation loop.. In this way, the fluid level is maintained between the upper and lower levels in the carbonator unit. The arrangement may also permit beverage to be dispensed while the carbonator unit is being re-filled.
- Preferably, the carbonator unit carbonates the uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation. For example, the carbonator unit may have an inlet connected to a source of carbonating gas that carbonates the uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator. In one arrangement, the inlet for the uncarbonated beverage includes a venturi for entraining the carbonating gas to carbonate the beverage as it is added to the carbonator unit.
- Advantageously, the pump is a twin speed pump having high and low speeds of operation and the control unit switches the pump between the low speed in the first mode of operation and the high speed in the second mode of operation. In this way the flow rate and/or pressure of uncarbonated beverage is boosted when filling the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation. The higher flow rate and/or pressure reduces the time to fill the carbonator unit and may assist the carbonation process within the carbonator unit. For example, the pump may provide a flow rate of around 2 litres/minute at a pressure of approximately 2 bar in the first mode of operation and a flow rate of around 5 litres/minute at a pressure of approximately 11 bar in the second mode of operation. The carbonated beverage may be carbonated water and the uncarbonated beverage may be still water, for example mains water.
- Preferably, valve means is provided for controlling the source of uncarbonated beverage in the first and second modes of operation. The valve means may isolate the source of uncarbonated beverage from the re-circulation loop when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation and carbonated beverage is circulating in the re-circulation loop and connect the source of uncarbonated beverage to the re-circulation loop when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation and uncarbonated beverage is flowing to the carbonator unit to replace carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispense head. For example, the re-fill valve means may comprise a solenoid valve in a supply line for the uncarbonated beverage that is opened and closed by the control unit in response to the fluid level in the carbonator unit.
- Advantageously, valve means is provided for controlling flow of beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first and second modes of operation. The valve means may allow carbonated beverage to circulate around the loop in the first mode of operation and restrict flow of uncarbonated beverage around the loop in the second mode of operation. In this way, the re-circulation loop does not contain a large volume of uncarbonated beverage when the carbonated unit has been re-filled.
- In one arrangement, the re-circulation valve means is responsive to the pump speed. For example, when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation, the valve means may be biased to the open position and, when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation, the biasing is overcome by the fluid pressure to move the valve means to the closed position.
- In another arrangement, the re-circulation valve means is responsive to the control unit. For example, the re-circulation valve means may be at least one solenoid valve and the control unit switches the solenoid valve(s) between the open position when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation and the closed position when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation.
- Advantageously, the re-circulation loop includes means for cooling the beverage for dispense of chilled carbonated beverages having a desired dispense temperature and to prevent the beverage warming up between dispenses to any appreciable extent. For example, the cooling means may be a heat exchanger, thermoelectric device, ice bank cooler or any other suitable cooler.
- Preferably, the cooling means is provided in the re-circulation loop upstream of the carbonator unit to cool carbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator unit in the first mode of operation. The cooling means may also be arranged to cool uncarbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator in the second mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, separate cooling means may be provided for cooling the uncarbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- In one arrangement, the carbonator unit has separate inlets for circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first mode of operation and for adding beverage to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation. For example, the inlets may be connected to the re-circulation loop such that fluid flowing in the re-circulation loop by-passes the re-fill inlet in the first mode of operation and is connected to the re-fill inlet in the second mode of operation. The re-fill inlet may provide a higher resistance to fluid flow so that the fluid flow by-passes the re-fill inlet when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation and diverts to the re-fill inlet in the second mode of operation. In this way, the carbonator unit carbonates uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation when the pump is running at high speed and carbonated beverage returned to the carbonator unit in the first mode of operation when the pump is running at low speed is not further carbonated to any appreciable extent.
- In another arrangement, the carbonator unit has a common inlet for circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first mode of operation and for adding beverage to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation. The inlet may be arranged so that carbonation is responsive to the flow rate and/or pressure of the beverage. In this way, the carbonator unit carbonates uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation when the pump is running at high speed and carbonated beverage returned to the carbonator unit in the first mode of operation when the pump is running at low speed is not further carbonated to any appreciable extent.
- According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage dispense system comprising a dispense head for dispensing a carbonated beverage in a first mode of operation, a carbonator unit for carbonating the beverage in a second mode of operation, and means for connecting the carbonator unit to the dispense head in the first mode of operation and to a source of uncarbonated beverage in the second mode of operation.
- Preferably, carbonator unit has a first inlet connected to a loop including the dispense head for circulating beverage between the carbonator unit and the dispense head and a second inlet connected to the source of uncarbonated beverage via a part of the loop.
- Advantageously, the dispense head is connected to the carbonator unit in both modes of operation allowing beverage to be dispensed both when circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop and when re-filling the carbonator unit.
- According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising circulating carbonated beverage in a re-circulation loop in a first mode of operation in which carbonated beverage can be dispensed via a dispense head connected to the loop, and carbonating uncarbonated beverage in a carbonator connected to the loop in a second mode of operation.
- Preferably the first and second modes of operation are activated in response to the level of beverage in the carbonator. For example, the second mode may be activated when the level falls to a lower or minimum level at which uncarbonated beverage is added to the carbonator and the first mode is activated when the level reaches an upper or maximum level. In a preferred arrangement, carbonated beverage may be dispensed in both modes of operation.
- According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage dispense system comprising a pump operable to circulate carbonated beverage around a loop including a cooling unit, a carbonator unit, and a dispense head, the carbonator unit having a first inlet for carbonated beverage circulating in the loop and a second inlet for replacing carbonated beverage dispensed from the dispense head.
- Advantageously, a source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the second inlet, and the uncarbonated beverage is carbonated in the carbonator unit for circulating in the loop to the dispense head.
- Preferably, the source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the second inlet via the loop and the pump is arranged upstream of the carbonator unit.
- Advantageously, the pump is a two-speed pump which is operable at a first speed when circulating carbonated beverage in the loop and a second speed, higher than the first speed, when the source of uncarbonated beverage is connected to the loop. Alternatively, the pump may be a single speed pump.
- Preferably, the loop includes a cooler for cooling carbonated beverage flowing around the loop. The pump may be provided between the first inlet and the cooler. Alternatively, the pump may be provided between the second inlet and the cooler such that uncarbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator unit is also cooled by the cooler.
- Preferably, the carbonator unit is connected to a source of carbonating gas for carbonating the uncarbonated beverage and the second inlet is preferably adapted for carbonating the uncarbonated beverage flowing into the carbonator unit. For example, carbonating gas in the carbonator unit may be entrained in the flow of uncarbonated beverage admitted to the carbonator unit for carbonating the incoming uncarbonated beverage.
- Preferably, the re-circulation loop includes a plurality of dispense heads and the carbonator unit may be connected to a plurality of re-circulation loops each provided with one or more dispense heads.
- The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
- Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a beverage dispense system according to a first embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 2 is a part sectional view of a valve employed in the system of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a beverage dispense system according to a second embodiment of the invention; and
- Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a beverage dispense system according to a third embodiment of the invention.
-
- Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, a beverage dispense system according to a first embodiment of the invention is depicted comprising a dispense head 1 connected to a
carbonator unit 2 by a flow line in the form of are-circulation loop 3. - The
carbonator unit 2 comprises a tank 4 having awater inlet 5 and agas inlet 6 at the upper end. In this embodiment the gas is carbon dioxide supplied to theinlet 6 under pressure, say about 5 bar, via a regulator 7. It will be understood however that other gases may be employed, for example nitrogen, and the term 'carbonation' is to be construed accordingly. - The tank 4 also has an
outlet 8 at the lower end connected to the delivery side of therecirculation loop 3 and an inlet 9 at the lower end connected to the return side of therecirculation loop 3. - The
recirculation loop 3 includes apump 10, a cooler 11 and twovalves loop 3 at the desired dispense temperature. - The level of water in the carbonator tank 4 is maintained between upper and lower levels by an
electronic control unit 14, for example a programmable microprocessor, responsive toprobes - The
control unit 14 controls the speed of thepump 10 and an on/off solenoid valve 17 for adding still water to the carbonator tank 4 in response to the detected water levels in the carbonator tank 4. The incoming water may optionally be pre-cooled, before or after the solenoid valve 17. - The
water inlet 5 is connected to the delivery side of therecirculation loop 3 via aflow line 18 between the outlet ofpump 10 and thevalve 12. Aflow line 19 from a source (not shown) of still water is connected to therecirculation loop 3 via the solenoid valve 17 between the pump inlet and thevalve 13. The water source may be mains water atsay 3 bar. - Each
valve valve member 20 biased away from avalve seat 21 by aspring 22. Thevalve member 20 is slidable in abore 23 betweenvalve inlet 24 andvalve outlet 25. Thevalve member 20 is provided withguide flutes 26 that defineflow channels 27 with the wall of thebore 23. As shown, theflow channels 27 taper such that the cross-sectional area of theflow channels 27 reduces in the direction of flow. - The
pump 10 can be switched between high and low speeds of operation. At the low speed of operation, the biasing of thespring 22 exceeds the pressure of the water acting on thevalve member 20 and thevalve member 20 adopts an equilibrium position at which thevalves valve member 20 exceeds the biasing of thespring 22 and moves thevalve member 20 to engage thevalve seat 21 closing thevalves - Operation of the beverage dispense system will now be described starting from the condition shown in Figure 1 in which the carbonator tank 4 contains water that has been carbonated on being admitted to the tank 4 via
inlet 5 and the level of carbonated water in the carbonator tank 4 is between the upper and lower levels set by theprobes - In this condition, the
control unit 14 closes the solenoid valve 17 and switches thepump 10 to run at low speed. As a result,valves loop 3 and can be drawn off and dispensed via dispense head 1 as desired. - The dispense head 1 may dispense carbonated water with or without additional flavouring, for example the dispense head may include connections to one or more syrup lines (not shown) for dispensing a mixture of carbonated water and syrup according to user selection.
- The water level in the tank 4 falls as carbonated water is dispensed from the dispense head 1. When the dispense head 1 is closed, the carbonated water is continuously circulated around the
loop 3 and returned to the tank 4 via the cooler 11. - In this way, the carbonated water is maintained at the desired dispense temperature and the carbonation level is maintained by returning the circulating flow to the tank 4 for mixing with carbonated water in the tank 4 under the pressure of carbon dioxide above the water within the tank 4. Carbon dioxide admitted to the
carbonator unit 2 viainlet 6 is maintained at a sufficient pressure within thecarbonator unit 2 to prevent carbon dioxide coming out of solution to any appreciable extent so as to maintain the carbonation level of the carbonated water in thecarbonator unit 2. - In this mode of operation, the
inlet 5 provides a greater resistance to flow than thevalves loop 3 in preference to flowing into the tank 4 through theinlet 5.. - When the water level in the tank 4 falls to the level of the
lower probe 16, a signal is transmitted to thecontrol unit 14. Thecontrol unit 14 responds to switchpump 10 to run at high speed and open solenoid valve 17. - The increased flow causes
valves inlet 5 and carbonated by mixing with carbon dioxide within the tank 4. For example, theinlet 5 may provide a restricted orifice or nozzle through which the incoming water is admitted under high pressure to form a mist or spray that promotes carbonation with carbon dioxide admitted viainlet 6. Other devices such as a venturi can be employed in theinlet 5 for carbonating the incoming still water. - When the water level in the tank 4 reaches the upper level set by
probe 15, a signal is sent to thecontrol unit 14. Thecontrol unit 14 responds to switchpump 10 to run at low speed and close solenoid valve 17.Valves loop 3 and can be dispensed from dispense head 1 on demand. The pump may be stopped for a short period of time when changing from high to low speeds to allow fluid pressures to equalise on either side of thevalve members 20 to assist re-opening of thevalves - Although the
valves valves control unit 14 in similar manner to the valve 17 according to the mode of operation determined by the water level in the tank 4. - While the tank 4 is re-filling, the dispense head 1 remains connected to the tank 4 via the part of the
loop 3 between the dispense head 1 and inlet 9 and the pressure of carbon dioxide in the tank 4 is such that the flow in this part of theloop 3 can be reversed on opening the dispense head 1 to allow carbonated beverage to be dispensed. In this way, operation of the system to dispense carbonated beverage is not interrupted when re-filling the tank 4. - Referring now to Figure 3, a beverage dispense system according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. For convenience, like reference numerals in the series 100 are used to indicate parts corresponding to the first embodiment.
- In this embodiment,
beverage re-circulation loop 103 includes a dispensehead 101, acarbonator unit 102, a twin-speed pump 110, a cooler 111 and an on/offsolenoid valve 150. - A
flow line 119 from a source (not shown) of still water, for example mains water, is connected to there-circulation loop 103 via an on/offsolenoid valve 117 between thevalve 150 and the inlet side of thepump 110. Thevalves recirculation loop 103 andflow line 119. In a modification (not shown), a single three-way valve may be employed in place of the separate valves 117,150 to provide the same flow control in the first and second modes of operation. - The
pump 110 can be switched between high and low speeds of operation in response to the water level in thecarbonator unit 102. When the water level falls to the minimum level detected bysensor 116,control unit 114 closessolenoid valve 150, openssolenoid valve 117 to connect the source of still water to therecirculation loop 103 and switches pump 110 to run at high speed. - In this mode of operation, still water flows via the
pump 110 and cooler 111 to thecarbonator unit 102 and is introduced viainlet 105 to re-fill thecarbonator unit 102. In this embodiment, theinlet 105 is in the form of a "J"tube 152 provided with a venturi (not shown). When thepump 110 is running at high speed, the flow rate and pressure of the water introduced to thecarbonator unit 102 is boosted and is carbonated by entraining carbon dioxide contained in thecarbonator unit 102. - When the water level reaches the maximum level detected by
sensor 115,control unit 114 closessolenoid valve 117 to isolate the source of the still water from the recirculation loop, openssolenoid valve 150 and switches pump 110 to run at low speed. - In this mode of operation, carbonated water is circulated in the
re-circulation loop 103 and can be drawn off at the dispensehead 101 with or without additional flavouring such as syrup as desired. When thepump 110 is running at low speed, the flow rate and pressure of the water returning to thecarbonator unit 102 viainlet 105 is reduced and carbon dioxide in thecarbonator unit 102 is not entrained to any significant amount. - Carbonated water can be drawn off at the dispense
head 101 until the water level in thecarbonator unit 102 drops to the minimum level at which thecontrol unit 114 closesvalve 150, opensvalve 117 and switches thepump 110 to run at high speed again to re-fill thecarbonator unit 102 as described above. As previously described, the pressure of carbon dioxide intank 104 may be such that carbonated beverage can flow from thetank 104 to the dispensehead 101 so that dispense of carbonated beverage is not interrupted during re-filling of thecarbonator unit 102. - In this embodiment, the
carbonator unit 102 has acommon inlet 105 both for re-circulating water in there-circulation loop 103 and for re-filling thecarbonator unit 102. - As shown, the
carbonator unit 102, pump 110 andcontrol unit 114 are provided in acommon housing 153 with appropriate connections for there-circulation loop 103 and supply of carbonating gas. The manifold 151 may be incorporated in thehousing 153 if desired. - Referring now to Figure 4, a beverage dispense system according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown. For convenience, like reference numerals in the series 200 are used to indicate parts corresponding to the first and second embodiments.
- In this embodiment,
beverage re-circulation loop 203 includes a dispensehead 201, acarbonator unit 202, a twin-speed pump 210, a cooler 211, and on-offsolenoid valves - The
water inlet 205 is connected to the return side of there-circulation loop 203 via a flow line 218 between the outlet ofpump 210 and the on/offsolenoid valve 261. - As in the previous embodiments, the
pump 210 is switched between high and low speeds according to the level of water in thecarbonator unit 202 and is operable at low speed to circulate water in there-circulation loop 203 and at high speed to re-fill thecarbonator unit 202. - The on/off valves 260,261 are open and the on/off
valve 217 is closed when water is circulated in thecirculation loop 203 for dispense from the dispensehead 201 with or without additional flavouring such as a syrup. - Return flow of water from the dispense
head 201 to thecarbonator unit 202 by-passes theinlet 205 which provides a greater resistance to flow than theinlet 209 at the bottom of thecarbonator unit 202. - When the
carbonator unit 202 is re-filled, valves 260,261 are closed andvalve 217 is open to connect the source of still water to there-circulation loop 203. A single three-way valve may be employed in place of the separate solenoid valves 217,260 as described in the previous embodiment. - The
pump 210 is switched to operate at high speed boosting the flow and pressure of the water delivered to thecarbonator unit 202 via theinlet 205 where it is carbonated as described previously. The pressure of carbon dioxide intank 204 may be such that carbonated beverage can flow from thetank 204 to the dispensehead 201 so that dispense of carbonated beverage is not interrupted during re-filling of thecarbonator unit 202. - As will now be appreciated, the invention provides a beverage dispense system having a pump operable at low speeds in a dispense mode of operation for circulating carbonated beverage in a loop provided with at least one dispense head and at high speed in a carbonation mode of operation for adding water to the carbonator unit to replace water that has been dispensed. Dispense of carbonated beverage may also be permitted in the carbonation mode of operation.
- In this way, one pump can be employed for both the beverage dispense and carbonation modes of operation of the system. The pump may be of any type capable of withstanding the pressure, temperature and acidity levels of the water and typically employs a food grade material for parts that contact the water.
- Although the invention has been described for carbonating still water that is then dispensed with or without additional flavouring from the dispense head, it will be understood that the invention can be applied to other liquids.
- Moreover, it will be appreciated that the re-circulation loop may be connected to a plurality of dispense heads provided at different points of dispense in, for example, a bar or the like. The dispense head(s) may be connected to the loop via an additional short flow line or the loop may pass through the dispense head(s). Alternatively, or additionally, the carbonator unit may be connected to a plurality of re-circulation loops each provided with one or more dispense heads.
- Other modifications and improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is deemed to include any of the features described herein separately or in combination with any other feature.
Claims (12)
- A beverage dispense system comprising a dispense head for carbonated beverage, a carbonator unit for carbonating the beverage, a beverage re-circulation loop connecting the carbonator unit to the dispense head, a pump for re-circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in a first mode of operation, and a control unit for switching between the first mode of operation and a second mode of operation for connecting the carbonator unit to a source of uncarbonated beverage.
- A beverage dispense system according to claim 1 wherein, the control unit is responsive to the fluid level in the carbonator unit to select the first mode at an upper or maximum fluid level and the second mode at a lower or minimum level, for example the control unit is connected to a level sensor for detecting the upper and lower fluid levels in the carbonator unit.
- A beverage dispense system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the carbonator unit carbonates the uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation, for example the carbonator unit has an inlet connected to a source of carbonating gas that carbonates the uncarbonated beverage added to the carbonator, for example the inlet for the uncarbonated beverage includes a venturi for entraining the carbonating gas to carbonate the beverage as it is added to the carbonator unit.
- A beverage dispense system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pump is a twin speed pump having high and low speeds of operation and the control unit switches the pump between the low speed in the first mode of operation and the high speed in the second mode of operation.
- A beverage dispense system according to claim 4 wherein, the re-circulation loop includes valve means for controlling beverage flow around the loop, and the valve means is preferably open when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation for circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop and closed when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation for adding beverage to the carbonator unit.
- A beverage dispense system according to claim 5 wherein, the valve means is an electrically operable valve and the control unit switches the valve means between the open position when the pump is running at low speed in the first mode of operation and the closed position when the pump is running at high speed in the second mode of operation.
- A beverage dispense system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the re-circulation loop includes means for cooling the beverage, for example the cooling means may be arranged to cool carbonated beverage flowing to or from the carbonator unit in the first mode of operation and/or for cooling uncarbonated beverage flowing to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- A beverage dispense system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein, the carbonator unit has separate inlets for circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first mode of operation and for adding beverage to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation.
- A beverage dispense system according to claim 8 wherein the re-fill inlet for adding beverage to the carbonator unit is connected to the re-circulation loop such that the re-circulation loop connects the source of uncarbonated beverage to the re-fill inlet in the second mode of operation and by-passes the re-fill inlet in the first mode of operation.
- A beverage dispense system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein, the carbonator unit has a common inlet for circulating beverage in the re-circulation loop in the first mode of operation and for adding beverage to the carbonator unit in the second mode of operation, and the inlet is preferably arranged so that carbonation is responsive to the flow rate and/or pressure of the beverage, for example the flow rate and/or pressure of the beverage may be increased in the second mode of operation such that carbonating gas within the carbonator unit is entrained by the beverage flowing into the carbonator unit to carbonate the beverage.
- A beverage dispense system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein carbonated beverage can be dispensed from the dispense head in both modes of operation
- A method of dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising providing a re-circulation loop including a carbonator, a cooler, a dispense head and a pump, circulating carbonated beverage in the re-circulation loop in a first mode of operation in which carbonated beverage can be dispensed via the dispense head, and connecting a source of uncarbonated beverage to the re-circulation loop in a second mode of operation in which carbonated water drawn off from the dispense head is replaced by uncarbonated water delivered to the carbonator where it is carbonated.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0315803.7A GB0315803D0 (en) | 2003-07-05 | 2003-07-05 | Beverage dispense system |
GB0315803 | 2003-07-05 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1496011A1 true EP1496011A1 (en) | 2005-01-12 |
Family
ID=27741666
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04253996A Withdrawn EP1496011A1 (en) | 2003-07-05 | 2004-07-02 | Carbonated beverage dispenser with recirculation |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1496011A1 (en) |
GB (3) | GB0315803D0 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITMI20082134A1 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | Drive Beer S R L | EQUIPMENT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A GAS DRINK |
EP2295370A1 (en) | 2006-07-08 | 2011-03-16 | IMI Cornelius (UK) Limited | Beverage dispense system |
JP2016513607A (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2016-05-16 | ザ コカ・コーラ カンパニーThe Coca‐Cola Company | Distribution system |
US9809442B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2017-11-07 | Veltek Associates, Inc. | Apparatus and method for mixing and dispensing |
US20190100422A1 (en) * | 2016-03-24 | 2019-04-04 | Khs Gmbh | Container-filling assembly |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE202011000505U1 (en) * | 2011-03-08 | 2011-10-14 | Brita Gmbh | Dispenser for dispensing chilled, treated water |
CN103889564B (en) | 2011-10-11 | 2016-04-06 | 流量控制有限责任公司 | For embedded adjustable carbonation room as required of beverage application |
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- 2003-07-05 GB GBGB0315803.7A patent/GB0315803D0/en not_active Ceased
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- 2004-07-02 GB GB0414915A patent/GB2404914B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-07-02 EP EP04253996A patent/EP1496011A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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US2337783A (en) * | 1940-09-06 | 1943-12-28 | Amp Corp | Liquid carbonator |
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US4742939A (en) * | 1984-09-10 | 1988-05-10 | Automation Projects Inc. | Remote soda-circulating beverage dispenser |
US5115956A (en) * | 1985-05-24 | 1992-05-26 | The Coca-Cola Company | Agitator for a post-mix beverage dispenser |
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EP2295370A1 (en) | 2006-07-08 | 2011-03-16 | IMI Cornelius (UK) Limited | Beverage dispense system |
EP2295370B1 (en) * | 2006-07-08 | 2016-04-13 | Cornelius Beverage Technologies Limited | Beverage dispense system |
US9809442B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2017-11-07 | Veltek Associates, Inc. | Apparatus and method for mixing and dispensing |
US10399846B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2019-09-03 | Veltek Associates, Inc. | Apparatus and method for mixing and dispensing |
ITMI20082134A1 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | Drive Beer S R L | EQUIPMENT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A GAS DRINK |
WO2010064269A3 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2010-10-28 | Drive Beer S.R.L. | Device for the production of a sparkling beverage |
CN102232053A (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2011-11-02 | 达莱福啤酒公司 | Apparatus for the production of a sparkling beverage |
JP2016513607A (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2016-05-16 | ザ コカ・コーラ カンパニーThe Coca‐Cola Company | Distribution system |
US20190100422A1 (en) * | 2016-03-24 | 2019-04-04 | Khs Gmbh | Container-filling assembly |
US11180356B2 (en) * | 2016-03-24 | 2021-11-23 | Khs Gmbh | Container-filling assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0613729D0 (en) | 2006-08-23 |
GB2427857B (en) | 2007-04-25 |
GB2404914B (en) | 2006-12-13 |
GB2427857A (en) | 2007-01-10 |
GB0315803D0 (en) | 2003-08-13 |
GB0414915D0 (en) | 2004-08-04 |
GB2404914A (en) | 2005-02-16 |
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