MXPA99000835A - System for cooling the head of a flu distributing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for cooling the head of a beverage dispensing apparatus that includes in combination: a beverage dispensing body having means for dispensing a beverage from a storage tank, a dispensing head attached to the dispensing body, said dispensing body. distributor head has at least one hole through which the beverage to be distributed is discharged, a system of channels extend through said body and distributor head to the point of discharge in the distributor head to conduct the cooling fluids to cool the drinks entirely to the point of discharge from the distributor head, and means for transporting cooling fluid from a cooling apparatus to the channel system

Description

SYSTEM FOR COOLING THE HEAD OF A FLUID DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a fluid dispensing apparatus for cold liquids. This invention was made due to the need to facilitate the distribution of products that will require constant cooling and does not facilitate the rapid growth of germs and / or bacteria, causing their decomposition. U.S. Patent No. 4,986,449 to Valiyee, and U.S. Patent No. 4,732,300 to Valiyee, are examples of the first prior art dispensing devices, which, however, do not cool the liquid to be distributed throughout the entire length of the journey. distributor device. The main intended use of this device is to distribute milk and milk products. But, the distribution of all beverages, including carbonated beverages, will also be beneficial; because the cooler the product, the better carbonation will be, and the carbonation will last longer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The water to be used to mix with the concentrated milk and / or other products is first filtered through a filtration system to obtain as clean water as possible. The water will then enter a precooler, where the water is cooled to a temperature of about 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2-3.3 degrees Celsius). The cold water is then mixed with a cold concentrated product to an appropriate consistency. The resulting fluid product is ideally contained in a box-in-box container that will allow proper distribution of the product. The bag-in-box container, when ready to be used, is placed in a cooler to cool the product. This will help protect against product contamination. The cold food product, either pre-mixed or with water in a separate line, then leaves the cooler. Once out of the cooler, the lines are wound with another line containing a safe coolant for the feed, such as glycol or water, all the way up and through the distribution head. These lines are then wrapped with an insulating material to prevent the loss of cold, and to keep the product at a predetermined constant temperature. The distributor is constructed so that the refrigerant circulates through it, and then returns to the main cooling unit to be recharged. This allows a constant cooling process, even when the fluid product itself is not distributed. Once the fluid product reaches the distribution head or valve, the refrigerant fluid surrounds the product and comes into contact with the distribution valve to keep the entire system cool. In this way, the cold product passes through a manual unit, or an upper cutter distributor, both of which use the same process to keep the product cold. When the valve opens to distribute, it allows the cold product to flow and be distributed at a predetermined mixing ratio. Once the valve is closed, the product stops flowing, but the refrigerant continues recirculating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the total refrigerated distribution system; Figure 2 shows the product line wound up by the refrigerant line going through a liner, and the path that follows through the distribution head; Figure 3 illustrates the distribution head with a detailed view of the distribution valve, which when pressed down allows the product to be distributed; Figure 4 is a view of the mixing cone, from bottom to top; Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the upper part of the upper measuring distributor; Figure 6 is a rear view of an upper measuring unit showing how the base and mixing fluid enter and connect with the solenoids before continuing to the distribution head; Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a top metering manifold showing the preferred cooling means using a lead heat exchanger plate to provide a more constant temperature to both the mixing fluid and the base fluid; and Figure 8 is a rear view of the upper metering unit showing a lead heat exchanger plate on top with the fluid lines running through the plate, including the solenoid with the set screw and showing the base fluid and mixing lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a total perspective view of the cooling apparatus and dispenser of the invention. Figure 1 includes the distribution head 20, which in this view is a solid hand-held device with channels running through it allowing the passage of water or glycol cooling fluid through the distribution head and back to the area product refrigeration 27. Examples of base fluids include mixtures of concentrated soft drinks, juices, beverage bases and milk. Examples of mixing fluids are water and soda. In a customary manner, the mixing fluid is combined with the base fluid at the distribution point, as shown in Figure 3. The base fluid and mixing and cooling fluid lines of the product 21 are typically straight, while the line The distribution of the refrigerant fluid 21b is wound around the base fluid and mixing lines 21a, 21d from the moment it leaves the refrigeration area of the product 27 to where it enters the distribution head 20. The cooled or cooled product is supplied by a cooling unit of the product 25, located near the cooling area of the product 27. In this area the refrigerant fluid is recirculated to be recharged, which allows a constant predetermined temperature. The base fluid is kept in a bag-in-box container 23 when it is ready to be used, it is stored in a refrigerated container. The base fluids are extracted from their containers 23 by means of a pumping mechanism 30 which pushes the base fluid towards the point of the distribution head 20. The mixing fluid (in this case, water) flows through a series of filters replaceable or rechargeable 26 and through a mixing fluid cooler 29 to be cooled to the distribution temperature. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the distribution head 20. The base fluid line and the channel 21a run directly towards the distribution valve, from which it is distributed. The distribution line of the refrigerant 21b brings the cooling agent up and through the distribution head 20, from which the refrigerant return line 21c returns the cooling fluid to the cooling unit to be recharged and recirculated repeatedly through the system, maintaining cooling at all times. The mixing fluid line 21d flows towards the base fluid line 21a and is also contained and coiled by the refrigerant and return fluid distribution lines 21b and 21c. A flexible protective liner 22 covers the base fluid line 21a, the mixing fluid lines, 21d, and the return and refrigerant fluid distribution lines 21b and 21c. The liner 22 extends from the dispensing head 20 to a multiple base, not shown, and usually runs along at least 30 inches (76.2 centimeters) and more. The distribution activating switch 45, when depressed, opens the distribution valve, which allows the base fluid line 21a and the mixing fluid line 21d to distribute in a preset amount to give the proper mixing ratio. As shown in Figure 2, point 28 is a water separation manifold. The recirculated cooling water is separated by three (3) different functions at this point. Most of the water will be diverted at this point to be returned, to be recharged. Part of the water flow will be diverted to flow through the distribution head 20 to keep the fluid line 21a cool or cold while in the distribution head 20. The third separation point is activated when the activated distribution switch 45 it is coupled. The cold water of the distribution line of cooling fluid 21b will be diverted to be used as the mixing fluid from line 21d. The multiple water separator 28 is used to ensure the proper flow of cooling water. The flow of cooling water from the refrigerant fluid distribution line 21b and the return line of the refrigerant fluid 21c may be greater than the flow through the distribution head 20. The multiple water separator 28 may allow the use of water Cooling of the refrigerant fluid distribution line 21b as a source for the mixing fluid line 21d, using less material and space needed for the cooling lines and mixing fluid 21b and 2Id. In Figures 3 and 4, a detailed view of a head diagram shows a distribution activating switch 45 and a mixing cone 46, which facilitates the mixing of the base fluid and the mixing fluid. Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of the upper part of an upper metering distribution unit 51. Activation of the distribution activating switch 52 opens the solenoid valves of the mixing and base fluids 54 and 55, which allows that the product begins to flow at a predetermined speed towards the distribution head to be distributed. When the distribution activating switch 52 is released, the product flow is interrupted. The electric wires 53 extend from the distribution activating switch 52 to the solenoid valve of the mixing fluid 54 and the solenoid valve of the base fluid 55. A mixing cone 56 is used to mix the product and mix the fluids together . The insulating material 57 wraps the base and mixing lines of the cooling area to the distribution point. The mixing fluid line 58 and the base fluid line 59 extend from the solenoids to the distribution head 60. The mixing ratio of the product is determined using the adjustment screws of the solenoid 62 which decrease or increase the flow of the fluid. any of the base or mixing fluids, depending on the mixing ratio required. Figure 6 is a bottom rear view of an upper metering distribution unit 51, which shows the lines for the mixing fluid 58 and base fluid 59 going to the bottom of the distribution unit 51 and run towards the solenoid valves 54, 55. The lines are covered with an insulation 57 and wrapped by the refrigerant line 66. Figure 7 shows a side elevation view of an upper metering distribution unit 51 with a preferred cooling system. After the base fluid line 59 and the mixing fluid line 58 leave the solenoid valves 54 and 55, they enter a lead heat exchanger plate 61 which carries the product towards the dispensing head. This helps keep the product at a more constant and colder temperature as long as it is not distributed. A preferred system also employs the mixing fluid as the cooling fluid. When the distribution activating switch 52 is activated, the base fluid solenoid 55 is opened to allow the base product to flow. The mixing fluid solenoid valve 54 is also opened and the refrigerant fluid line 66 (in this case, water) is diverted to the distribution head 60 and distributed with the mixing and mixing fluid with the mixing cone 56. Figure 8 shows a rear view of the upper metering distribution unit 51. The base fluid line 59, the mixing fluid line 58 and the coolant fluid line 66 enter the lead heat exchanger plate 61. The wires 53 electrically connect the distribution trigger switch 52 to the solenoid valves 5 54 and 55. The adjustment screws of the solenoids 62 for the solenoid valves 54, 55 set the mixing ratio of the base fluid 59 and the mixing fluid 58. The cooling fluid inlet 64 provides for the movement of the refrigerant fluid product to the heat exchanger plate 61, or heat exchanger 61. The outlet of the refrigerant fluid 65 channels the product of the refrigerant fluid. and coolant fluid out of the heat exchanger plate 61 back to the freezing / cooling unit. The inlet 63 for the base fluid line 59 allows the base fluid to enter the heat exchanger plate 61 or a cooling plate. Input 67 for the fluid line of ) mixed 58 allows the mixing fluid to enter the heat exchanger plate 61 or a cooling plate. Although the invention has been described and illustrated herein with respect to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that alternative and substantially equivalent embodiments are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. annexes.

Claims (5)

CHAPTER CLAIMEDICATORÍO Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content is claimed in the following CLAIMS

1. A system for cooling the head of a beverage dispensing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises, in combination: a manual dispensing device for distributing at least one liquid from a storage tank through at least one tube interconnecting the distribution apparatus of the device. tank containing the fluid, which has a distribution head through which the fluid to be distributed is discharged; - a system of channels through the dispensing apparatus for driving one or more cooling fluids to cool the liquid to be distributed to the point of discharge through the distribution head of the dispensing apparatus; and at least one tube for transporting the refrigerant fluid from a refrigerating apparatus to the channel system.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerating apparatus is located apart from the distribution apparatus. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant fluid is intermixed with the fluid to be distributed within the manual distribution apparatus. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the refrigerant fluid returns from the dispensing apparatus to the refrigerating apparatus to be cooled again through a second tube interconnecting the dispensing apparatus and the refrigerating apparatus. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that the tubes for transporting the cooling fluid to and from the distribution apparatus are located adjacent to the fluid tube that transports the fluid to be distributed, so that the fluid to be distributed be refrigerated from the storage tank to the point of discharge of the distribution device.