EP3019438B1

EP3019438B1 - Chilled beverage dispense system with carbonator, and method

Info

Publication number: EP3019438B1
Application number: EP14750598.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Barry JOHN
Original assignee: Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd
Current assignee: Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd
Priority date: 2013-07-12
Filing date: 2014-07-08
Publication date: 2017-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-08
Also published as: WO2015004443A1; EP3019438A1

Description

The present invention relates to beverage dispense systems and methods. In particular, the invention relates to systems and methods for mixing two or more fluids in a predetermined ratio and dispensing a beverage. The invention has particular application to the dispense of carbonated, non-frozen beverages, in particular soft drinks, e.g. colas, lemonades or the like, formed by mixing a diluent with a concentrate.
US2007/0114243 , GB2404371 and EP1 876 137 A1 disclose a beverage dispensing system comprising a source of a first fluid, a source of a second fluid, a control unit for measuring and mixing the first and second fluids in a predetermined ratio to produce a beverage for dispense, the control unit including measuring means for delivering the first and second fluids to blending means for mixing the first and second fluids in the predetermined ratio, and supply means for supplying the beverage to dispense means for dispensing the beverage.
A first aspect of the invention provides a beverage dispense system for dispensing a carbonated non-frozen beverage comprising:

a metering and mixing module operable to meter a first fluid and a second fluid in a predetermined ratio into a blending device within the metering and mixing module, the blending device being operable to mix the first fluid and the second fluid together at an ambient temperature to provide a mixed fluid;
a first temperature regulating device configured to bring the mixed fluid from ambient temperature to a predetermined carbonation temperature;
a carbonation module operable to carbonate the mixed fluid at the predetermined carbonation temperature to provide a carbonated mixed fluid;
a second temperature regulating device configured to bring the carbonated mixed fluid to a predetermined dispense temperature; and
a dispense head operable to dispense the carbonated mixed fluid at the predetermined dispense temperature as the carbonated non-frozen beverage into a container or vessel;

Mixing the first fluid and the second fluid at ambient temperature may generally result in good mixing being achieved. Also, by carbonating the mixed fluid, the carbonation level of the dispensed beverage may be enhanced by absorption of carbon dioxide in both the first fluid and the second fluid.
However, the applicant has found that at ambient temperature, in particular at high ambient temperatures, there can be problems with carbonation. At high ambient temperatures, the carbon dioxide may not be taken in to solution and/or can come out of solution at typical system pressures (around 3.4 to 3.8 Bar (50 to 55 psi)), which can adversely affect the quality of the dispensed beverage. Such problems may not occur if/when carbonation is carried out in a relatively cool environment such as a cellar or an air-conditioned room, but will be encountered in warmer locations. Advantageously, the present invention may allow for the dispense of a consistently high quality carbonated non-frozen beverage even in locations where the ambient temperature is high (e.g. above 20°C) and/or variable. Typically, it is found that more carbon dioxide breaks out of solution at higher temperatures.
In an embodiment, the ambient temperature may be above 20°C. The ambient temperature may be 24°C, 25°C or more or 30°C or more.
Typically, the predetermined carbonation temperature may be selected for efficient take-up of carbon dioxide and/or to minimise the possibility of carbon dioxide coming out of solution, which can cause problems. The predetermined carbonation temperature may be from 8°C to 15°C, e.g. from 10°C to 12°C.
The predetermined dispense temperature may be more than 0°C and no more than 5°C. Typically, the predetermined dispense temperature may be around 3°C.
The carbonated non-frozen beverage may be a soft drink. For instance, the carbonated non-frozen beverage may be a cola, a lemonade or a carbonated fruit-flavoured drink.
The first fluid may be water, e.g. from a mains water supply.
The second fluid may be a concentrate, e.g. a syrup.
The predetermined ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid may be from no less than 2:1 and/or up to 15:1 by volume, e.g. from 2:1 to 12:1 by volume or from 3:1 to 7:1 by volume or from 4:1 to 6:1 by volume. In an embodiment, the predetermined ratio may be no less than 4:1 and/or no more than 6:1.
The predetermined ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid may be 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1 or 12:1. Alternatively, the predetermined ratio may be 5.7:1 or 7.5:1.
The metering and mixing module may comprise a volumetric pump configured to meter the first fluid and the second fluid into the blending device in the predetermined ratio. An advantage of using a volumetric pump is that the ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid cannot be altered by a technician or a user, thereby ensuring consistency of quality of the dispensed beverage(s).
In an embodiment, the volumetric pump may comprise a fluid powered proportioning pump.
The carbonation module may comprise one or more carbonation bowls. The or each carbonation bowl may be made from stainless steel. Typically, the mixed fluid may be carbonated to 3.5 to 4.5 volumes.
The first temperature regulating device and/or the second temperature regulating device may comprise a fluid recirculation cooler.
In an embodiment, the first temperature regulating device may be linked to the second temperature regulating device. For instance, the first temperature regulating device and the second temperature regulating device may receive coolant from a common source of coolant. The first temperature regulating device and the second temperature regulating device may be arranged such that at least a portion of a coolant stream passes, in use, through the first temperature regulating device and through the second temperature regulating device.
In an embodiment, the first temperature regulating device may be controllable in response to changes in the ambient temperature, in order to ensure that carbonation is carried out at or close to the predetermined carbonation temperature.
A second aspect of the invention provides a method of dispensing a carbonated non-frozen beverage comprising:

mixing a first fluid and a second fluid in a predetermined ratio at an ambient temperature to provide a mixed fluid stream;
regulating the temperature of the mixed fluid stream such that the mixed fluid stream is brought to a predetermined carbonation temperature;
carbonating the mixed fluid stream at the predetermined carbonation temperature to provide a carbonated mixed fluid stream;
regulating the temperature of the carbonated fluid stream such that the carbonated mixed fluid stream is brought to a predetermined dispense temperature; and
delivering the carbonated mixed fluid stream at the predetermined dispense temperature to a dispense head operable to dispense the carbonated mixed fluid stream as the carbonated non-frozen beverage into a container or vessel;

The carbonated non-frozen beverage may be a soft drink. For instance, the carbonated non-frozen beverage may be a cola, a lemonade or a carbonated fruit-flavoured drink.
The first fluid may be water, e.g. from a mains water supply.
The second fluid may be a concentrate, e.g. a syrup.
The predetermined ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid may be from no less than 2:1 and/or up to 15:1 by volume, e.g. from 2:1 to 12:1 by volume or from 3:1 to 7:1 by volume or from 4:1 to 6:1 by volume. In an embodiment, the predetermined ratio may be no less than 4:1 and/or no more than 6:1.
The predetermined ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid may be 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 8:1, 9:1, 10:1, 11:1 or 12:1. Alternatively, the predetermined ratio may be 5.7:1 or 7.5:1.
In an embodiment, the ambient temperature may be above 20°C. The ambient temperature may be 24°C, 25°C or more or 30°C or more.
Typically, the predetermined carbonation temperature may be selected for efficient take-up of carbon dioxide and/or to minimise the possibility of carbon dioxide coming out of solution, which can cause problems. The predetermined carbonation temperature may be from 8°C to 15°C, e.g. from 10°C to 12°C.
The predetermined dispense temperature may be more than 0°C and no more than 5°C. Typically, the predetermined dispense temperature may be around 3°C.
In an embodiment, the carbonated mixed stream may be delivered to the dispense head along a beverage delivery line. The beverage delivery line may be incorporated in a so-called "python" containing a bundle of fluid lines including one or more fluid delivery lines for dispense of beverages and a coolant recirculation line for maintaining the beverage(s) at the desired temperature.
The container or vessel may comprise a glass, a cup, a beaker, a mug, a jug or a pitcher.
A third aspect of the invention provides use of a beverage dispense system according to the first aspect of the invention to dispense a carbonated non-frozen beverage.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides a method of installing a beverage dispense system for dispensing a carbonated non-frozen beverage at a site of use comprising:

connecting a metering and mixing module to a source of a first fluid and a source of a second fluid, the metering and mixing module being operable to meter the first fluid and the second fluid in a predetermined ratio into a blending device within the metering and mixing module, the blending device being operable to mix the first fluid and the second fluid together at an ambient temperature to provide a mixed fluid;
providing a first temperature regulating device downstream of the metering and mixing module, the first temperature regulating device being configured to bring the mixed fluid from ambient temperature to a predetermined carbonation temperature;
providing a carbonation module operable to carbonate the mixed fluid at the predetermined carbonation temperature to provide a carbonated mixed fluid;
providing a second temperature regulating device downstream of the carbonation module, the second temperature regulating device being configured to bring the carbonated mixed fluid to a predetermined dispense temperature; and
connecting the second temperature regulating device to a dispense head operable to dispense the carbonated mixed fluid at the predetermined dispense temperature as the carbonated non-frozen beverage into a container or vessel;

For instance, the site of use may comprise a bar, a pub, a nightclub, a café or a restaurant.
In order that the invention can be well understood, it will now be described by way of example only with the reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a beverage dispense system according to a first aspect of the invention; and
Figure 2 shows an example of a fluid circulation cooling system for use in a beverage dispense system according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a beverage dispense system 1 is shown for dispensing carbonated, non-frozen soft drinks.
A source of water 2, which conveniently may be provided by a mains water supply, supplies water to a metering and mixing module 7 via a water line 4. A source of concentrate 3, which conveniently may comprise a syrup and may be provided as a bag-in-a-box, supplies concentrate to the metering and mixing module 7 via a concentrate line 5.
The metering and mixing module 7 comprises a volumetric pump and a blending device. The volumetric pump is configured to meter the water and the concentrate into the blending device in a predetermined ratio, where the water and the concentrate are mixed thoroughly at ambient temperature to form a substantially homogenous mixed fluid.
An advantage of using a volumetric pump is that the ratio of water to concentrate cannot be altered by a technician or a user, e.g. a bar owner or member of bar staff, thereby ensuring consistency of quality of the dispensed beverage(s). In an embodiment, the volumetric pump may comprise a fluid powered proportioning pump, e.g. a water powered proportioning pump. The volumetric pump may be configured to meter the water and the concentrate in a 5:1 ratio by volume.
Mixing the water and the concentrate at ambient temperature may generally result in good mixing being achieved.
The mixed fluid is then supplied at ambient temperature to a carbonation module 8 via a mixed fluid line 9. The carbonation module is connected to a regulated supply of carbon dioxide 10. Carbon dioxide is supplied to the carbonation module 8 via a carbon dioxide supply line 11. The carbonation module 8 contains one or more carbonation bowls, typically made from stainless steel. The carbonation module 8 is cooled by heat exchange with a coolant, e.g. water, circulated through the carbonation module 8, in order to bring the mixed fluid to a predetermined carbonation temperature of 8°C to 15°C, e.g. from 10°C to 12°C. The circulation of coolant to and from the carbonation module 8 is indicated by arrows 12 and 13 respectively.
Carbon dioxide is injected in to the mixed fluid at the predetermined carbonation temperature, e.g. via a nozzle (not shown), within the carbonation bowl(s). Typically, the mixed fluid is carbonated to 3.5 to 4.5 volumes. By carbonating the mixed fluid, the carbonation level of the dispensed beverage may be enhanced by absorption of carbon dioxide in both the water and the concentrate.
A carbonated mixed fluid is then supplied to a cooling module 15 via a carbonated mixed fluid supply line 14. The cooling module 15 is configured to cool the carbonated mixed fluid to a predetermined dispense temperature, typically of more than 0°C and no more than 5°C. The cooling module 15 comprises a water recirculation cooler. A coolant, e.g. water, is circulated through the cooling module 15, in order to bring the carbonated mixed fluid to the predetermined dispense temperature by heat exchange with the coolant. The circulation of coolant to and from the carbonation module 8 is indicated by arrows 16 and 17 respectively.
The carbonated mixed fluid is then delivered at the predetermined dispense temperature to a dispense head 19 via a beverage delivery line 18. The temperature of the fluid within the beverage delivery line is regulated or controlled, e.g. cooled, so that it is maintained at or around the predetermined dispense temperature. Typically, beverage delivery line 18 may be incorporated in a so-called "python" containing a bundle of fluid lines including one or more beverage delivery lines for dispense of beverages and a coolant recirculation line for maintaining the beverage(s) at the desired temperature. The dispense head 19 is operable to dispense the carbonated mixed fluid stream as the carbonated non-frozen beverage into a container or vessel, e.g. a glass, cup, beaker, jug or pitcher. The dispense head 19 may comprise a premix tap.
As indicated in Figure 1 by the dashed line, the metering and mixing module 7 and the carbonation module 8 may be housed within a control unit 6. The control unit 6 may include means for monitoring throughput of concentrate. The monitoring means may record the throughput for inspection/collection of data for stock control. Alternatively or additionally, the monitoring means may transmit the data for remote monitoring of the unit.
Typically, the system may be arranged such that the dispense head 19 is located front-of-house at a site of use such as a bar, pub, cafe or restaurant, where it may be seen by potential customers. For instance, the dispense head 19 may be shaped to look like a beer tap and may be located on a counter. The other components of the system may generally be located back-of-house, e.g. in non-public areas and/or out of sight from potential customers. For example, the control unit 6 and the carbonation unit 15 may be located behind a bar, under a bar counter or in a backroom or cellar. The source of concentrate 3 may conveniently be located in a backroom or cellar.
In some embodiments, the control unit 6 may house the metering and mixing module 7, the carbonation module 8 and the cooling module 15. Alternatively, the metering and mixing module 7, the carbonation module 8 and the cooling module 15 may each be housed in a separate unit.
Conveniently, the control unit 6, the metering and mixing module 7, the carbonation module 8 and the cooling module 15 may be powered by mains electricity or by electricity generated on-site, e.g. by a battery or a generator and/or using local and/or renewable energy sources, e.g. solar power or wind power.
It will be appreciated that the beverage dispense system 1 may be configured to deliver more than one type of carbonated, non-frozen soft drink. Accordingly, for example, the beverage dispense system 1 may comprise more than one source of concentrate.
It will be appreciated that the beverage dispense system 1 may be configured to deliver a carbonated, non-frozen soft drink to more than one dispense head. Alternatively, a single dispense head may be configured to dispense more than one type of carbonated, non-frozen soft drink.
It will be appreciated that the metering and mixing module 7 may be of any suitable type for measuring and supplying volumes of a diluent, typically water, and concentrate to the blending device in the required ratio for the beverage to-be-dispensed. For example, the metering and mixing module may 7 comprise a ratio pump for both fluids or separate control valves for each fluid.
The two fluids may be a diluent and a concentrate for mixing to produce any desired beverage, preferably a carbonated, non-frozen soft drink. In some applications, more than two fluids may be metered and mixed to produce a desired beverage.
Typically, the concentrate may be supplied as a 12-litre bag-in-a-box. Based on a 5:1 ratio by volume of diluent to concentrate, this could produce 72 litres of non-frozen carbonated beverage.
In Figure 2, a carbonation module 8' is shown next to a separate cooling module 15'. As described above in relation to Figure 1, the cooling module 15' is located downstream of the carbonation module 8' within the beverage dispense system. However, for clarity, none of the lines carrying the beverage are shown in Figure 2, since Figure 2 is intended to illustrate an example of a fluid circulation cooling system for use in a beverage dispense system according to the invention.
The carbonation module 8' contains four carbonation bowls 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, in which, in use, a mixed fluid stream is carbonated at a predetermined carbonation temperature. The four carbonation bowls 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d are located in and surrounded by an insulating block 22. The insulating block 22 has a serpentine heat exchange channel 23 running through it.
The cooling module 15' comprises a fluid re-circulation cooler. Conveniently, the fluid may be water. The cooling module 15' is configured to bring, in use, the carbonated mixed fluid stream to the predetermined dispense temperature. Coolant is supplied to the cooling module 15' along coolant supply line 16' and leaves the cooling module 15', following heat exchange within the cooling module 15', along coolant return line 17'.
As shown in Figure 2, a carbonation coolant supply line 12' branches off from the coolant supply line 16' and leads to the serpentine heat exchange channel 23 located in the insulating block 22. After having passed through the serpentine heat exchange channel 23, coolant returns, in use, to coolant supply channel 16' via a carbonation coolant return line 13'. The carbonation coolant return line 13' rejoins the coolant supply channel 16' downstream of where the carbonation coolant supply line 12' branches off from the coolant supply line 16' and upstream of the cooling module 15'.
A flow regulator 20 is provided in the carbonation coolant supply line 12' to regulate the flow of coolant to the carbonation module. By regulating the flow of coolant to the carbonation module, the temperature of the mixed fluid being carbonated may be maintained at or close to the predetermined carbonation stream. The amount of cooling required in order to reach the predetermined carbonation temperature will depend on the ambient temperature. The greater the difference between the ambient temperature and the predetermined carbonation temperature, the greater the cooling required. The flow of coolant to the carbonation module may be varied in response to changes in the ambient temperature, in order to ensure that carbonation is carried out at or close to the predetermined carbonation temperature.
The fluid circulation cooling system shown in Figure 2 may be thought of as an integrated cooling system, since the system for bringing the fluid stream to the predetermined carbonation temperature is linked to the system for bringing the fluid stream to the predetermined dispense temperature. An advantage of an integrated fluid circulation cooling system is that only one source of coolant may be required.
It will be appreciated that the cooling system need not be integrated, i.e. the cooling system configured to bring the mixed fluid to the predetermined carbonation temperature may be separate from the cooling system configured to bring the carbonated mixed fluid to the predetermined dispense temperature. However, an integrated cooling system may sometimes be preferred, since it may be more efficient and/or may take up less space at a site-of-use.
It will be appreciated that a beverage dispense system according to the invention may comprise one or more other cooling systems, e.g. a peltier device, in addition to or instead of the fluid circulation cooling system(s) described above.
It will be appreciated that the invention may have particular application in places where the ambient temperature is high and/or variable. Advantageously, the system according to the invention may dispense consistently good quality beverages independently of where it is installed. In particular, it need not be installed in a temperature controlled environment such as a chilled cellar.
Typically, in a chilled cellar, the temperature may be controlled such that it is between around 8°C and 12°C. At such temperatures, good absorption of carbon dioxide into the mixed fluid is typically obtained when carbon dioxide is supplied to the carbonator at a pressure of around 50 psi. At higher temperatures, it may be necessary to increase the carbon dioxide pressure to 3.8 Bar (55 psi) or more, in order to realise good carbon dioxide absorption in the mixed fluid. Also, break out of carbon dioxide from solution is more likely to occur at higher temperatures. By bringing the mixed fluid to a predetermined carbonation temperature, the consistency and quality of beverages dispensed may be improved, since the carbon dioxide pressure and the carbonation temperature will be well matched, even in places where the ambient temperature is high and/or variable.

Claims

A beverage dispense system (1) for dispensing a carbonated non-frozen beverage comprising:
• a metering and mixing module (7) operable to meter a first fluid and a second fluid in a predetermined ratio into a blending device within the metering and mixing module (7), the blending device being operable to mix the first fluid and the second fluid together at an ambient temperature to provide a mixed fluid;

• a first temperature regulating device (12, 12', 13, 13') configured to bring the mixed fluid from ambient temperature to a predetermined carbonation temperature;

• a carbonation module (8) operable to carbonate the mixed fluid at the predetermined carbonation temperature to provide a carbonated mixed fluid;

• a second temperature regulating device (15) configured to bring the carbonated mixed fluid to a predetermined dispense temperature; and

• a dispense head (19) operable to dispense the carbonated mixed fluid at the predetermined dispense temperature as the carbonated non-frozen beverage into a container or vessel;
wherein the predetermined carbonation temperature is below the ambient temperature and above the predetermined dispense temperature.
A beverage dispense system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined carbonation temperature is from 8°C to 15°C.
A beverage dispense system (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the predetermined dispense temperature is more than 0°C and no more than 5°C
A beverage dispense system (1) according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the predetermined ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid is from 2:1 to 10:1 by volume.
A beverage dispense system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the metering and mixing module comprises a volumetric pump.
A beverage dispense system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first temperature regulating device (12, 12', 13, 13') and/or the second temperature regulating device (15) comprises a fluid recirculation cooler.
A beverage dispense system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first temperature regulating device (12, 12', 13, 13') is linked to the second temperature regulating device (15).
A beverage dispense system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first temperature regulating device (12, 12', 13, 13') and the second temperature regulating device (15) receive coolant from a common source of coolant.
A beverage dispense system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first temperature regulating device and the second temperature regulating device (15) are arranged such that at least a portion of a coolant stream passes, in use, through the first temperature regulating device (12, 12', 13, 13') and through the second temperature regulating device (15).
A beverage dispense system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first temperature regulating device (12, 12', 13, 13') is controllable in response to changes in the ambient temperature, in order to ensure that carbonation is carried out at or close to the predetermined carbonation temperature.
A method of dispensing a carbonated non-frozen beverage comprising:
• mixing a first fluid and a second fluid in a predetermined ratio at an ambient temperature to provide a mixed fluid stream;

• regulating the temperature of the mixed fluid stream such that the mixed fluid stream is brought to a predetermined carbonation temperature;

• carbonating the mixed fluid stream at the predetermined carbonation temperature to provide a carbonated mixed fluid stream;

• regulating the temperature of the carbonated fluid stream such that the carbonated mixed fluid stream is brought to a predetermined dispense temperature; and

• delivering the carbonated mixed fluid stream at the predetermined dispense temperature to a dispense head operable to dispense the carbonated mixed fluid stream as the carbonated non-frozen beverage into a container or vessel;
wherein the predetermined carbonation temperature is below the ambient temperature and above the predetermined dispense temperature.
A method according to claim 11, wherein the carbonated non-frozen beverage is a soft drink.
A method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the first fluid is water and/or the second fluid is a concentrate.
A method according to claim 11, claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the predetermined ratio of the first fluid to the second fluid is from 2:1 to 10:1 by volume.
A method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the ambient temperature is above 20°C.
A method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the predetermined carbonation temperature is from 8°C to 15°C.
A method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the predetermined dispense temperature is more than 0°C and no more than 5°C.
A method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the carbonated mixed stream is delivered to the dispense head along a beverage delivery line, the beverage delivery line optionally being incorporated in a so-called "python" containing a bundle of fluid lines including one or more fluid delivery lines for dispense of beverages and a coolant recirculation line for maintaining the beverage(s) at the desired temperature.
Use of a beverage dispense system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to dispense a carbonated non-frozen beverage.
A method of installing a beverage dispense system for dispensing a carbonated non-frozen beverage at a site of use comprising:
• connecting a metering and mixing module to a source of a first fluid and a source of a second fluid, the metering and mixing module being operable to meter the first fluid and the second fluid in a predetermined ratio into a blending device within the metering and mixing module, the blending device being operable to mix the first fluid and the second fluid together at an ambient temperature to provide a mixed fluid;

• providing a first temperature regulating device downstream of the metering and mixing module, the first temperature regulating device being configured to bring the mixed fluid from ambient temperature to a predetermined carbonation temperature;

• providing a carbonation module operable to carbonate the mixed fluid at the predetermined carbonation temperature to provide a carbonated mixed fluid;

• providing a second temperature regulating device downstream of the carbonation module, the second temperature regulating device being configured to bring the carbonated mixed fluid to a predetermined dispense temperature; and

• connecting the second temperature regulating device to a dispense head operable to dispense the carbonated mixed fluid at the predetermined dispense temperature as the carbonated non-frozen beverage into a container or vessel;
wherein the predetermined carbonation temperature is below the ambient temperature and above the predetermined dispense temperature.