Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
  • F25D31/002—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler
• • 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
  • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
  • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
  • B67D2210/00031—Housing
  • B67D2210/00044—Insulation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
  • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • F25D2201/00—Insulation
  • F25D2201/10—Insulation with respect to heat
  • F25D2201/14—Insulation with respect to heat using subatmospheric pressure
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T29/00—Metal working
  • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
  • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining

Definitions

• the present invention relates to product dispensing equipment and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods and an apparatus for increasing the insulative properties of product dispensers that include foam insulation.
• product dispenser manufacturers are no longer able to utilize HFC blowing agents for foams, and the simple substitution of a foam blowing agent does not always provide an equivalent thermal solution.
• products of a product dispenser with a thermally less efficient foam may include increased ice usage to keep the cold plate cool, increased melt rate in the storage chamber, and ultimately, warmer drinks.
• a product dispenser includes at least one vacuum insulation panel disposed around a vessel of the product dispenser, such that a chamber disposed within the vessel has an increased thermal efficiency.
• the product dispenser includes a first layer of vacuum insulation panels disposed adjacent to the exterior walls of the vessel to substantially encapsulate the vessel, thereby providing increased insulative properties to the chamber that houses a product.
• the product dispenser may further include additional layers of insulation disposed over the first layer.
• a subsequent layer of insulation may be constructed from additional vacuum insulation panels or an as-formed foam insulation, thereby providing a composite thermal solution.
• the vacuum insulation panels provide any type of vessel of a product dispenser with increased insulative properties.
• the composite insulation may be applied to a product chamber, vessels for ice water baths, refrigerated cabinets, and the like.
• the increased thermal efficiency of the vessel provides an extended thermal equilibrium profile, as less energy is dissipated per unit time.
• the increased thermal efficiency further provides for reduced run time for the product dispenser, as refrigerated chambers remain colder for longer periods.
• Figure Ia provides a perspective view of a product dispenser according to a first embodiment.
• Figure Ib provides an exploded view of the product dispenser according to the first embodiment.
• Figure Ic provides a section view of an insulated wall according to the first embodiment.
• Figure Id provides a flowchart illustrating the method steps of placing vacuum panel insulation onto the vessel of the product dispenser according to the first embodiment.
• Figure Ie provides a section view of an insulated wall according to an extension of the first embodiment.
• Figure If provides an exploded view of the product dispenser including a second layer of vacuum insulation panels.
• Figure 2a provides a perspective view of a vessel including a composite foam wall according to an extension of the first embodiment.
• Figure 2b provides a section view of a composite foam wall according to the extension of the first embodiment.
• Figure 3a provides a perspective view of a product dispenser according to a second embodiment.
• Figure 3b provides an exploded view of the product dispenser according to the second embodiment.
• Figure 3c provides a perspective view of the product dispenser with a composite foam wall according to an extension of the second embodiment.
• Figure 3d provides a perspective view of a product dispenser that includes a vessel housing product and diluent lines according to a third embodiment.
• Figure 3e provides a perspective view of the product dispenser including a composite foam wall according to an extension of the third embodiment.
• Figure 4a provides a perspective view of a product dispenser according to a fourth embodiment.
• Figure 4b provides an exploded view of the product dispenser according to the fourth embodiment.
• Figure 4c provides a perspective view of the product dispenser with a second layer of insulation according to the fourth embodiment.
• Figure 5a provides a perspective view of vacuum insulation panels in proximity to a cold plate according to a fifth embodiment.
• Figure 5b provides a section view of a product dispenser according to the fifth embodiment.
• a product dispenser 100 includes a housing 110, and at least one product flow circuit 101 for receiving a product and dispensing the product.
• the housing 110 includes a vessel 105 supported by a frame assembly.
• the frame assembly provides structural support to the components of the product dispenser 100, and may be constructed from virtually any form of structural member made from commonly available structural materials, including steel, aluminum, plastics, and the like. In this first embodiment, the frame assembly is a welded steel frame.
• the vessel 105 may be any form of product containment device, including tanks, bins, liners, and the like, that includes or forms a chamber 106.
• the vessel 105 may be constructed from virtually any form of material that is structurally adequate to contain and support a chamber 106 full of a particular product. In this first embodiment, the vessel
• the vessel 105 is a liner formed from polypropylene. At a minimum, the vessel 105 includes the chamber 106, an inlet 111, and an outlet 113 in communication with the chamber 106.
• the inlet 111 is disposed at an upper end of the vessel 106, and has a cross section substantially as large as the product dispenser 100 for easy loading of product into the chamber 106. Alternatively, the large inlet 111 may be utilized to capture product falling from a product generator disposed above the product dispenser 100.
• the outlet 113 is substantially smaller than the inlet 111, and may be disposed near a midpoint of a front of the product dispenser 100. The outlet 113 is utilized to dispense predetermined amounts of the product from the chamber 106.
• the vessel 105 may further include a floor 126, a first wall 127, a second wall 128, a third wall 129, and a fourth wall 130.
• the floor 126 may be angled to aid the movement of product particles toward a dispense or a pick-up point.
• the first wall 127 extends upward from the floor 126, and is attached to the second wall 128 and the fourth wall 130.
• the third wall 129 also extends upward from the floor 126, and is connected to the second wall 128 and the fourth wall 130, thereby forming the chamber 106 therebetween.
• the 100 may include a dispensing means to portion and move a predetermined quantity of product to the outlet 1 13.
• the dispensing means may be any form of product portioning or transferring device known in the art, including a paddlewheel.
• the product dispenser 100 may include an agitation means disposed within the chamber 106, to engage the product, and break up clumps of product particles.
• the agitation means may be any form of agitation system commonly utilized in the art, including an agitator bar coupled to the paddlewheel.
• the term product dispenser is defined as a piece of equipment designed to dispense predetermined quantities of a product.
• the product dispenser 100 may house and dispense various forms of ice, dry products, slurries, and the like.
• the product dispenser 100 is an ice dispenser.
• the term product flow circuit 101 may be defined as any product delivery and dispensing flowpath, including ice delivery paths, concentrate delivery paths, diluent delivery path, condiment delivery paths, dry product delivery paths, and the like.
• the product flow circuit 101 is a flowpath for storing and delivering ice.
• the product dispenser 100 may further include a chute disposed around the outlet 113, and an activator 112 in communication with the agitation means. Upon depression of the activator 112, the agitation means rotates to break up and reset the product disposed within the chamber 106.
• the product dispenser 100 may further include a first layer of insulation 123 on the outer surfaces of the vessel 105.
• the first layer of insulation 123 is a group of individually sealed vacuum panels that have a lower thermal conductivity than those normally utilized in the product dispensing industry.
• a conventional foam with a hydroflorocarbon free blowing agent has a thermal conductivity of point one three Watts/m-K
• a vacuum panel has a thermal conductivity of point zero seven Watts/m-K.
• the vacuum panels are formed by placing a polyurethane foam plank 117 into a malleable bag 118, evacuating the malleable bag 118 of air, and sealing the malleable bag 118 in the evacuated state.
• the first layer of insulation 123 includes a first vacuum panel 136, a second vacuum panel 137, and a third vacuum panel 138.
• the first vacuum panel 136 is of a shape complementary to an exterior surface 131 of the first wall 127, and may be placed adjacent to the exterior surface 131, or may be mounted to the exterior surface 131 using any suitable means, including adhesives, tapes, mechanical fasteners, and the like.
• the first vacuum panel 136 is secured to the exterior surface 131 using an epoxy. As shown in Figure 1 c, the adhesion to the exterior surface 131 using epoxy minimizes the possibility of air pockets between the first vacuum panel 136 and the exterior surface 131.
• the second vacuum panel 137 is complementary in shape to an exterior surface 132 of the second wall 128.
• the second vacuum panel 137 is similarly secured to the exterior surface 132.
• the third vacuum panel 138 is complementary in shape to an exterior surface 133 of the third wall 129, and is similarly secured to the exterior surface 133.
• an exterior surface may be covered by a group of vacuum panels to achieve a desired coverage.
• a fourth vacuum panel 138 is complementary in shape to a portion of an exterior surface 134 of the fourth wall 130, and is adhered to the complementary portion.
• a fifth vacuum panel 140 is complementary in shape to a different portion of the exterior surface 134 of the fourth wall 130, and is similarly secured to the complementary portion.
• a sixth vacuum panel 141 and a seventh vacuum panel 142 are also complementary to portions of the exterior surface 134 of the fourth wall, and are similarly secured to the complementary portions so as to substantially cover the exterior surface 134 of the fourth wall 130.
• an eighth vacuum panel 143 is complementary to an exterior surface 135 of the floor 126, and is secured to the exterior surface 135 to substantially cover the exposed surfaces of the vessel 105.
• the process of increasing the thermal efficiency of a vessel of a product dispenser commences with step 10, wherein vacuum insulation panels are placed adjacent to exterior surfaces 131 through 135 of the vessel 105 to substantially cover all of the exterior surfaces 131 through 135. The process then moves to step 20, wherein vacuum insulation panels are adhered to the exterior surfaces 131 through 135 of the vessel 105, thereby ensuring that air pockets are removed from between the vacuum insulation panels and the exterior surfaces 131 through 135 of the vessel 105.
• the product dispenser 100 may further include a lid 120 to close out the inlet 111 of the chamber 106 when not closed out by a product generator.
• the lid 120 may also include a top vacuum panel 144 complementary in shape to the lid 120 to fully close out the chamber 106.
• the product dispenser 100 may still further include a wrapper to close out the product dispenser 100, and protect the vacuum panels.
• a product is placed into the chamber 106 for storage and dispensing.
• the lid 120 may then be placed onto the product dispenser 100 to thermally isolate the product disposed within the chamber 106.
• the product remains in the chamber 106 until an operator depresses the activator 112.
• the dispensing means is powered to segment and deliver a predetermined portion of the product to the outlet 113 for delivery into a drink receptacle.
• a thickness of the foam plank, and the effective thickness of the vacuum insulation panel may be increased or reduced to adjust the thermal conductivity of the vacuum insulation panel.
• additional layers may be applied over the existing layer of vacuum insulation panels, thereby further increasing the thermal efficiency of the chamber 106.
• a second layer of insulation 235 may be placed directly adjacent to the first layer of insulation 123 to substantially double the thermal effects of the first vacuum insulation panel 136.
• any additional layers of vacuum insulation panels may be adhered to the underlying layers, and that additional layers are not limited to the same configuration as underlying layers.
• Figure 1 f provides an exploded view of the product dispenser 100 including a second layer of vacuum insulation panels, depicted by numerals 236 through 244, disposed over the first layer of vacuum insulation panels. Accordingly, virtually any number of layers of vacuum insulation panels may be utilized to provide an acceptable thermal solution.
• a product dispenser 150 includes all components of the product dispenser 100, and like parts have been annotated with like numerals, however, the product dispenser 150 further includes a second layer of insulation 235 disposed over the insulated vessel 105. As shown in Figure 2a, the product dispenser 150 includes a vessel 105, and the first vacuum panel 136 through the eighth vacuum panel 143. The first vacuum insulation panel 136 through the eighth vacuum insulation panel 143 are secured to exterior surfaces of the vessel 105, exactly as shown in the first embodiment. The product dispenser 150 further includes an as-formed foam insulation 151 disposed over the vacuum panels 136 through 143.
• the as-formed foam insulation 151 may be any form of insulation commonly utilized in the product dispensing industry for its insulating properties, and extends substantially from the vacuum panels secured to the vessel 105, to a wrapper, thereby creating a composite insulating wall.
• the addition of the as-formed foam insulation 151 to the insulated vessel 105 creates a composite thermal barrier made up of the vacuum insulation panels 136 through 143, and the as-formed layer of foam insulation 151.
• the as-formed foam insulation 151 is a polyurethane foam having a thermal conductivity slightly greater than that of the vacuum insulation panels. As a composite, the effective thermal conductivity is lower than that of the polyurethane foam alone.
• Assembly of the product dispenser 150 is substantially identical to the product dispenser 100, except for the over molding of the as-formed foam insulation 151.
• the vessel 105 After application of the vacuum panels 136 through 143, to the exterior surfaces 131 through 135 of the vessel 105, the vessel 105 is placed into a foaming fixture. A two-part foam is then injected into the foaming fixture and allowed to cure. Upon curing, the foam hardens, and secures all contacting surfaces and objects in place.
• the as-formed foam insulation 151 cleanly and completely fills a void between the vessel 105, vacuum insulation panels 136 through 143, and the wrapper.
• the vacuum panels 136 through 143, and any other components passing through the void are substantially encapsulated by the now cured as-formed foam insulation 151, as shown in Figure 2b.
• the as-formed foam insulation 151 secures the vacuum panels 136 through 143 in place, and further protects the vacuum panels 136 through 143 from incidental damage, including piercing, cutting, and loss of vacuum.
• a product dispenser 200 is similar to the product dispenser 150, and further includes at least one beverage flow circuit 201. Beverage dispensing circuits are well known in the art, and may be utilized in quantities greater than one.
• the product dispenser 200 includes a beverage flow circuit 201 utilizing a cold plate 215 having at least one concentrate line 216, and may further include a diluent flow circuit 202 having at least one diluent line 217. The diluent flow circuit 202 and the beverage flow circuit 201 may pass through the cold plate 215 to thermally condition fluids before dispensing.
• the product dispenser 200 further includes a vessel 205 having a chamber 206.
• the vessel 205 is similar in construction to the vessel 105, however, the vessel 205 may be adapted to dispense ice onto an upper surface of the cold plate 215, and therefore, a floor of the vessel 205 may include slots or openings that allow the transmission of ice from the chamber 206 to the upper surface of the cold plate 215.
• the vessel 205 includes a first wall 210 having a first exterior surface 230, a second wall 211 having a second exterior surface 231, a third wall 212 having a third exterior surface 232, and a fourth wall 213 having a fourth exterior surface 233.
• the product dispenser 200 further includes vacuum panels 136 through 142 as disclosed in the product dispenser 100.
• the product dispenser 200 does not include the eighth vacuum panel 143 of the product dispenser 100, as product is dispensed through the floor or lower portion of the vessel 205.
• the vacuum panels 136 through 142 are attached to the exterior surfaces of the walls 210 through 213 to create a first layer of insulation 123, and to provide increased insulatory properties to the vessel 205.
• the at least one diluent line 217 includes an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is in communication with a diluent source, and the outlet is in communication with a diluent port of a product dispensing valve, and the at least one concentrate line 216 includes an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is in communication with a concentrate source, and the outlet is in communication with a concentrate port of a beverage dispensing valve.
• a diluent enters the diluent flow circuit 202 through the inlet, flows through the passes of the diluent line 217 disposed within the cold plate 215, and to the product dispensing valve.
• a concentrate enters the beverage flow circuit 201, flows through the passes of concentrate line 216 disposed within the cold plate 215, and then flows toward the product dispensing valve.
• the concentrate and the diluent are dispensed through a nozzle.
• Operation of the product flow circuit 101 is identical in flow and form to that disclosed in the product dispenser 100, wherein a product is stored in the chamber 106, and dispensed through the outlet 113 for use.
• the product dispenser 200 may further include a second layer of insulation 235 disposed over the first layer of vacuum insulation panels.
• the second layer of insulation 235 may be a second layer of vacuum insulation panels, or may be a layer of as-formed foam insulation 151.
• an as- formed foam insulation 151 is identical to that of the product dispenser 150.
• the as- formed foam insulation 151 permanently locates and supports any product lines disposed around the vessel 205, and creates a composite insulation platform, identical to that shown in Figure 2b.
• the increased thermal properties provide an increased thermal efficiency for the chamber 206.
• a product dispenser 250 includes a concentrate flow circuit 252, and a diluent flow circuit 253.
• the product dispenser 250 further includes a vessel 260 having a first wall 271, a second wall 272, a third wall 272, a fourth wall 274, and a floor panel 275 that form a chamber 261.
• the concentrate flow circuit 252 is connectable to a concentrate source, and includes at least one concentrate line 255.
• the diluent flow circuit 253 is similarly connectable to a diluent source, and includes at least one diluent line 256. At least one diluent line 256 and one concentrate line 255 pass through the chamber 261 of the vessel 260.
• the diluent line 256 and the concentrate line 255 may make multiple passes through the chamber 261 to provide adequate length for desired amount of heat transfer.
• the opposing ends of the diluent line 256 and the concentrate line 255 are then connectable to a product valve for dispensing.
• the product dispenser 250 further includes a refrigeration deck assembly 265 having a refrigeration circuit 266 disposed on a refrigeration deck 267.
• the refrigeration circuit 266 includes a compressor 268 disposed on an upper surface of the deck 267, and refrigeration coils 269 disposed beneath the deck 267.
• the refrigeration deck 267 is of a size complementary to the vessel 260, such that it may rest on top of the vessel 260.
• the refrigeration deck assembly 265 further includes a deck vacuum panel 285 that is adhered on a lower surface of the deck 267.
• the deck vacuum panel 285 is of a construction similar to previously disclosed vacuum panels in this invention.
• the product dispenser 250 further includes vacuum insulation panels disposed adjacent to exterior surfaces of the vessel 260. As shown in Figure 3d, a first vacuum panel 280 is adhered to an exterior surface 291 of the first wall 271, a second vacuum panel 281 is disposed on an exterior surface 292 of the second wall 272, a third vacuum panel 281 is disposed onto an exterior surface 293 of the third wall 273, and a fourth vacuum panel 283 is disposed on an exterior surface 294 of the fourth wall 274.
• a fifth vacuum panel 284 is adhered to an exterior surface 295 of the floor panel 275 of the vessel 260.
• the vacuum panels 280 through 284 are secured to the vessel 260 in similar fashion to the product dispensers 100, 150, and 200. As such, the vacuum panels 280 through 284 substantially cover the exterior surfaces 291 through 295 of the vessel 260, and increase the insulative properties of the vessel 260 in the product dispenser 250.
• the refrigeration deck assembly 265 is placed onto the vessel 260, such that the refrigeration coils 269 hang beneath the refrigeration deck 267 while within the chamber 261.
• the chamber 261 is filled with water to create a water bath that covers approximately two thirds of the coils 269, the concentrate line 255, and the diluent line 256.
• the vessel 260 is substantially encapsulated by the vacuum formed panels 280 through 285, thereby increasing the insulative properties of the chamber 261.
• the refrigeration circuit 266 In operation, electrical power is supplied to the refrigeration circuit 266, and the temperature of the coils 269 drops below a freezing temperature. The decreased temperature of the coils 269 forces ice to form the portions of the coils that lies beneath the water, and eventually forms an ice block. The ice block remains in the water bath, and is depleted as unchilled concentrate and diluent pass through the product lines 255 and 256. If the ice block depletes to a minimum specified point, the refrigeration circuit 266 is reinitiated to build the ice block to a maximum level.
• the product dispenser 250 that utilizes the vacuum panels 280 through 285 has increased insulative properties, and thereby provides extended ice block life, reduced power consumption, and reduced thermal losses.
• a product dispenser 251 includes all components of the product dispenser 250, and accordingly, like parts have been labeled with like numerals.
• the product dispenser 251 further includes a second layer of insulation 235 disposed around the vessel 260.
• the second layer of insulation 235 may be a second layer of vacuum insulation panels, or an as-formed foam insulation 291.
• the second layer of insulation 235 is a layer of as-formed foam insulation 291 disposed about a vessel 260, and the vacuum panels 280 through 285.
• the as-formed foam insulation 291 forms a composite thermal barrier. Items disposed within a chamber 261 of the vessel 260 maintain temperatures for longer periods than a vessel as described in the product dispenser 250.
• a composite thermal barrier constructed from vacuum insulation panels and a non-hydroflorocarbon blown foam creates product dispenser with increased thermal efficiencies.
• a product dispenser 300 includes a diluent flow circuit 353, and a vessel 360 having a first wall 371, a second wall 372, a third wall 372, a fourth wall 374, and a rear panel 375 that form a chamber 361.
• the chamber 361 is suitable for housing at least one product source 305 or diluent source, and may be refrigerated.
• the product dispenser 300 may further include a cover 308 for closing out the chamber 361.
• the cover 308 may be hingedly coupled to the product dispenser 300, so as to form an access door.
• the product dispenser 300 includes at least one diluent flow circuit 353 disposed within the product dispenser 300.
• a first end of the diluent flow circuit 353 is adaptable to a remote diluent source, such that a diluent is delivered to the product dispenser 300, and a second end is adaptable to a mixing or flow regulation device, such that the diluent is delivered for use or for mixing with a product from the product source 305.
• a remote diluent source such that a diluent is delivered to the product dispenser 300
• a second end is adaptable to a mixing or flow regulation device, such that the diluent is delivered for use or for mixing with a product from the product source 305.
• the diluent may be chilled utilizing any of the means disclosed in the previous embodiments, thereby conditioning the diluent disposed within the diluent line 356.
• the product source 305 may be any type of prepackaged form that contains a product.
• the product may be a product requiring refrigeration, a frozen product, a shelf stable product, a concentrated product, such as commonly utilized in condiments, soups, teas, dairy products, and the like.
• the package of the product source may be virtually any form of packaging commonly utilized the dispensing area, including plastic bags, plastic containers, cartons, disposable containers, and the sort. While this fourth embodiment has been shown as a front-loading product dispenser, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that a chamber 361 may be disposed in virtually any configuration or direction.
• the cover 308 may be on a top of the product dispenser 300 to create a top-loading unit.
• the product source may include a dispensing means attached to the product source, such that the product may be dispensed from the product source, while disposed within the chamber 361, thereby eliminating the risk of exposure to the ambient environment.
• the use of a product source including a dispensing means would further require a driving means disposed within the chamber 361 to drive the dispensing means.
• the product dispenser 300 further includes a first layer of insulation 123 made up of a first vacuum insulation panel 310, a second vacuum insulation panel 31 1 , a third vacuum insulation panel 312, a fourth vacuum insulation panel 313, a fifth vacuum insulation panel 314, and a cover vacuum insulation panel 315.
• the first vacuum insulation panel 310 is disposed adjacent to the first wall 371, the second vacuum insulation panel 311 is disposed adjacent to the second wall 372, the third vacuum insulation panel 312 is disposed adjacent to the third wall 373, the fourth vacuum insulation panel 313 is disposed adjacent to the fourth wall 374, and the fifth vacuum insulation panel 314 is disposed adjacent to the rear panel 375, thereby substantially encapsulating the vessel 360 and the chamber 361.
• the cover vacuum panel 315 is likewise disposed adjacent to the cover 308, such that the vessel 360 and the chamber 361 are substantially encapsulated when the cover 308 is in a closed position. As shown in the previous embodiments, the encapsulation of the vessel 360 and the chamber 361 within vacuum insulation panels provides increased thermal efficiency within the chamber 361.
• the vacuum insulation panels 310 through 315 may be adhered to the adjacent walls to eliminate the possibility of the air gaps between the components. Additionally, a second layer of insulation 318 may be placed over the previously mounted vacuum insulation panels 310 through 315, to further increase the thermal properties of the of the vessel 360 and the chamber 361. As disclosed in previous embodiments, the second layer of insulation 318 may be comprised of additional vacuum insulation panels or an as-formed layer of insulation blown around the vessel 360 and the secured vacuum insulation panels 310 through 315.
• the product dispenser 300 stores the product source 305 within the chamber 361, a product is dispensed from the product source 305, and mixed with the diluent from the diluent flow circuit 353 for delivery exterior to the product dispenser 300.
• the chamber 361 of the vessel 360 is refrigerated utilizing any means suitable, thereby maintaining an environment conducive to storing a particular product.
• vacuum panel insulation various configurations are possible, including sizes of panels, thickness, number of layers, type of blowing agent, and the like.
• use of as-formed foams in conjunction with the vacuum insulation panels provides an increased thermal efficiency over the use of foams utilizing non-hydroflorocarbon blowing agents, thereby providing the ability to retrofit existing product lines designed with foams that utilized hydro florocarbon blowing agents with foams that utilize non-hydroflorocarbon blowing agents.
• vacuum insulation panels disposed in proximity to varying types of vessels of a product dispenser
• the vacuum insulation panels may further be utilized in other locations of product dispensers to provide increased thermal efficiencies to specific areas of the product dispenser, including product circuits, cold plates, ice passages, product passages, reduced foam thickness areas, and the like.
• a reduced foam thickness area may be defined as any portion of the product dispenser that includes less than normal foam thickness due to design considerations.
• a product dispenser 400 of a similar construction to embodiments including cold plates is shown in Figure 5a.
• the product dispenser 400 includes a cold plate 402, a wrapper 403, a first vacuum insulation panel 405, a second vacuum insulation panel 406, and a third vacuum insulation panel 407.
• the first through third vacuum insulation panels 405 to 407 may be of a shape complementary to outer edges of the cold plate 402, such that the edges of the cold plate 402 are in close proximity to the vacuum insulation panels 405 through 407.
• This embodiment further includes a vessel 401 disposed above the cold plate 402, a vessel wall 41 1, and the wrapper 403 disposed around the product dispenser 400.
• the first through third vacuum insulation panels 405 through 407 are disposed between the cold plate 402 and the wrapper 403, and a layer of as-formed insulation 409 is disposed in a cavity between the wrapper 403 and the vessel wall 411, and above the vacuum insulation panels 405 through 407.
• the cross-section illustrates that the distance between the cold plate 402 and the wrapper 403 may be less than the distance between the vessel wall 411 and the wrapper 403, and therefore a reduced foam thickness area is created when the cavity is filled with an as-formed foam.
• the placement of the vacuum insulation panels 405 through 407 into the areas deemed reduced foam thickness areas, for example, around the cold plate 402, increases the thermal efficiency of the cold plate 402, as well as the product dispenser 400.
• vacuum insulation panels and methods disclosed herein may provide increased thermal efficiencies in other locations.
• the vacuum insulation panels may encapsulate product passages thereby providing increased thermal efficiencies to product disposed within the product passages and further reducing the demand on a cooling system of the product dispenser.

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• 2007
  • 2007-08-02 US US11/888,838 patent/US20090032541A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2008
  • 2008-07-31 AU AU2008282792A patent/AU2008282792A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-07-31 EP EP08780346A patent/EP2178383A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-07-31 CN CN200880024363.1A patent/CN101686695A/zh active Pending
  • 2008-07-31 CA CA2690146A patent/CA2690146A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-07-31 JP JP2010519927A patent/JP2010536007A/ja active Pending
  • 2008-07-31 WO PCT/US2008/009266 patent/WO2009017796A1/en active Application Filing

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