WO2000007707A1 - Distributeur de boissons a gazeification en ligne - Google Patents

Distributeur de boissons a gazeification en ligne Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000007707A1
WO2000007707A1 PCT/US1999/017360 US9917360W WO0007707A1 WO 2000007707 A1 WO2000007707 A1 WO 2000007707A1 US 9917360 W US9917360 W US 9917360W WO 0007707 A1 WO0007707 A1 WO 0007707A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carbon dioxide
dioxide gas
water
chamber
insert
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/017360
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David W. Goff
Original Assignee
Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lancer Partnership, Ltd. filed Critical Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
Priority to AU55455/99A priority Critical patent/AU5545599A/en
Publication of WO2000007707A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000007707A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/232—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using flow-mixing means for introducing the gases, e.g. baffles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/236—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids specially adapted for aerating or carbonating beverages
    • B01F23/2363—Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams; Arrangements, e.g. comprising controlling means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/237—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
    • B01F23/2376—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media characterised by the gas being introduced
    • B01F23/23762—Carbon dioxide
    • B01F23/237621—Carbon dioxide in beverages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/30—Injector mixers
    • B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
    • B01F25/313—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/30—Injector mixers
    • B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
    • B01F25/313—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit
    • B01F25/3133—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows wherein additional components are introduced in the centre of the conduit characterised by the specific design of the injector
    • B01F25/31331—Perforated, multi-opening, with a plurality of holes
    • B01F25/313311—Porous injectors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/06—Mixing of food ingredients
    • B01F2101/14—Mixing of ingredients for non-alcoholic beverages; Dissolving sugar in water

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to beverage dispensers and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an in-line carbonation system for use in beverage dispensers.
  • a beverage dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage drink typically includes a carbonator tank, a product coil, a cooling system, and a dispensing valve.
  • the carbonator tank connects to a water source and a carbon dioxide gas source to produce carbonated water for dispensing from the dispensing valve.
  • the product coil connects to a product source to deliver product for dispensing from the dispensing valve.
  • the carbonator tank and the product coil are disposed in the cooling system, which cools the carbonated water and product dispensed from the dispensing valve.
  • the dispensing valve mixes and then dispenses the carbonated water received from the carbonator tank and the product received from the product coil to form a carbonated beverage drink.
  • the carbonator tank is a bulky component that typically resides in a housing for the cooling system.
  • a pump delivers water from the water source into the carbonator tank, which also receives carbon dioxide gas from the carbon dioxide gas source.
  • the carbon dioxide gas enters the carbonator tank under pressure so that it dissolves into the water, thereby creating carbonated water.
  • the carbonator tank usually forces more carbon dioxide gas into the water than can be dispensed from the dispensing valve, thus insuring the carbonated water dispensed from the dispensing valve has maximum carbonation.
  • the tank stores the carbonated water so that the dispensing valve dispenses a proper amount of carbonated water with the product.
  • a carbonator tank significantly increases the size of the beverage dispenser, which is highly undesirable because beverage dispenser size must be minimized due to limited availability of countertop space. Furthermore, a carbonator tank and its associated components are costly, which significantly increases production costs for a beverage dispenser. Accordingly, a carbonation system that eliminates the necessity of a carbonator tank would significantly decrease both beverage dispenser size and production costs.
  • a beverage dispenser includes a product coil, an in-line carbonation system, and a dispensing valve.
  • the product coil is coupled to a product source to deliver product to the dispensing valve.
  • the in-line carbonation system includes a housing including a chamber therein, a carbon dioxide gas inlet coupled to a carbon dioxide gas source and communicating with the chamber, a water inlet coupled to a water source and communicating with the chamber, and a carbonated water outlet.
  • the in-line carbonation system further includes an insert tube disposed in the chamber.
  • the insert tube includes a passageway therethrough and an aperture for delivering water from the water inlet into the passageway.
  • the in-line carbonation system still further includes a porous insert disposed in the passageway of the insert tube.
  • the porous insert includes a cavity coupled to the carbon dioxide gas inlet, wherein carbon dioxide gas delivered into the cavity of the insert from the carbon dioxide gas inlet passes through the porous insert and enters the passageway of the insert tube to mix with water delivered from the aperture into the passageway of the insert tube, thereby fo ⁇ ning carbonated water that exits the carbonated water outlet.
  • the dispensing valve is coupled to the product coil and the carbonation system for dispensing product and carbonated water to form a carbonated beverage drink.
  • an object of the present invention to provide a carbonation system that eliminates the necessity of a carbonator tank.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a beverage dispenser implementing a carbonation system according to the preferred embodiment.
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a carbonation system according to the preferred embodiment.
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3, 3 illustrating the carbonation system according to the preferred embodiment.
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the carbonation system according to the preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFEREED EMBODIMENT
  • a beverage dispenser 10 includes a carbonation system 13 coupled to a water source 11 and a carbon dioxide gas source 12.
  • the water source 11 may be a standard city public water line.
  • the beverage dispenser 10 may include a water pump to deliver water to the carbonation system 13.
  • the carbon dioxide gas source 12 in this preferred embodiment may be a pressurized cylinder containing carbon dioxide gas.
  • the beverage dispenser 10 includes a product coil 16 that connects to a product source 15, which in this preferred embodiment may be a figal or a bag-in-the-box containing a beverage syrup. If necessary, the beverage dispenser may include a product pump to deliver the product from the product source 15 to the product coil 16.
  • the beverage dispenser 10 includes a dispensing valve 14 coupled to the carbonation system 13 and the product coil 16.
  • the product coil 16 delivers product to the dispenser valve 14, and the carbonation system 13 delivers carbonated water to the dispensing valve 14.
  • the dispensing valve 14 mixes the product and the carbonated water to form a carbonated beverage drink, which is dispensed into a cup.
  • the beverage dispenser 10 includes a cooling system 17, which in this preferred embodiment contains a cooling chamber having a cooling fluid therein and a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooling fluid within the cooling chamber.
  • the product coil 16 is disposed within the cooling chamber to cool the product dispensed from the dispensing valve 14.
  • the carbonation system 13 is disposed within the cooling chamber to cool the carbonated water dispensed from the dispensing valve 14.
  • a water line positioned between the water source 11 and the carbonation system 13 and disposed within the cooling chamber may provide cooled water to the carbonation system 13.
  • the carbonation system 13 has been described as being disposed within the cooling chamber of the cooling system 17, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the carbonation system 13 could be positioned outside the cooling chamber of the cooling system 17.
  • the carbonation system 13 includes a housing 18 formed by housing members 19 and 20, an insert tube 21, and an insert 22.
  • the housing member 19 defines a chamber 23 for receiving a portion of the insert tube 21. Water inlets 24 and 25 communicate with the chamber 23, and a carbon dioxide gas inlet 26 communicates the chamber 23.
  • the housing member 19 includes threaded cavities 28 and 29 that serve as connection point between the housing member 19 and housing member 20.
  • the housing member 19 is cylindrical in shape and includes a protrusion 27 defining a portion of the chamber 23.
  • the housing member 20 includes a cavity 30 formed by an inner cavity member 35 that receives a portion of the insert tube 21 and an outer cavity member 34 that receives the protrusion 27 of the housing member 19 to aid in the coupling of the housing member 19 to the housing member 20.
  • the housing member 20 includes an outlet 31 for the carbonated water formed from the combined water and carbon dioxide gas.
  • the housing member 20 includes apertures 32 and 33 therethrough, which receive a securing member such as a bolt to permit the securing of the housing member 19 to the housing member 20.
  • the housing member 20 is cylindrical, nevertheless, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any other shape may be utilized.
  • the housing 18 has been described as including the first housing member 19 and the second housing member 20, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the housing 18 may be one integral piece.
  • the insert tube 21 includes a passageway 36 therethrough that forms a mixing chamber for water and carbon dioxide gas delivered therein.
  • the passageway 36 includes an inlet 37 and an outlet 38.
  • the insert tube 21 includes grooves 39-42.
  • the grooves 39, 41, and 42 receive O-rings to aid in secure the insert tube 21 within the chamber 23 of the housing member 19 and the cavity member 35 of the housing member 20.
  • the insert tube 21 fits into the chamber 23 of the housing member 19 such that the end of the insert tube 21 including the inlet 37 abuts the inlet end of the chamber 23 and an O-ring positioned within the groove 39 engages the inner wall of the housing member 19 defming the chamber 23.
  • the O-ring within the groove 41 engages the inner wall of the housing member 19 defining the chamber 23 at the outlet from the chamber 23.
  • the insert tube 21 extends beyond the outlet from the chamber 23 and fits within the cavity member 35 of the housing member 20 such that the end of the insert tube 21 including the outlet 38 abuts the end of the cavity member 35 and an O-ring within the groove 42 engages the inner wall of the housing member 20 defining the cavity member 35.
  • the protrusion 27 engages the inner wall of the housing member 20 defining the cavity member 34, thereby forming the housing member 19 and the housing member 20 into the housing 18.
  • the housing members 19 and 20 are secured together using any suitable means as previously described.
  • the groove 40 of the insert tube 21 includes apertures 43 and 44 that communicate with the passageway 36 of the insert tube 21.
  • the insert tube 21 is positioned within the chamber 23 of the housing member 19 and the cavity member 35 of the housing member 20 such that the aperture 43 within the groove 40 aligns with the water inlet 24 and the aperture 44 within the groove 40 aligns with the water inlet 25. Accordingly, when the water inlets 24 and 25 are connected to the water source 11 , water flows from the water source 11 through the water inlets 24 and 25 and respective apertures 43 and 44 into the passageway 36 of the insert tube 21.
  • housing 18 and the insert tube 21 have been described as separate pieces, nevertheless, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the housing 18 and the insert tube 21 may be integral or that the interior of the housing 18 may be formed such that it defines a passageway suitable for receiving the insert 22.
  • the insert 22 fits within the passageway 36 of the insert tube 21 or a suitable passageway defined by the interior of the housing 18.
  • the insert includes a flange 46 that abuts a recess within the inlet 37 of the insert tube 21 to maintain the insert 22 at the inlet 37 of the passageway 36.
  • the insert 22 includes a cavity 45 having an inlet 47 that communicates with the carbon dioxide gas inlet 26 of the housing member 19 when the insert 22 has been placed within the insert tube 21 and the insert tube 21 has been located within the housing 18.
  • the insert 22 is formed from a porous substance, such as stainless steel or plastic. The porous construction of the insert 22 permits carbon dioxide gas delivered from the carbon dioxide gas source 12 to pass through the insert 22 into the passageway 36 of the insert tube 21.
  • the passing of the carbon dioxide gas through the insert 22 due to its porous construction places the carbon dioxide gas on the exterior of the insert 22 to expose a maximum amount of the carbon dioxide gas to the water delivered by the apertures 43 and 44 into the passageway 36 of the insert tube 21.
  • carbon dioxide gas delivered from the carbon dioxide gas source 12 is introduced into the cavity 45 of the insert 22 via the carbon dioxide gas inlet 26 of the housing member 19.
  • the carbon dioxide gas passes through the insert 22 due to its porous construction and emerges onto the outer portion of the insert 22 in the form of many small bubbles. Water introduced into the passageway 36 from the water source 11 via the water inlets 24 and 25 and respective apertures 43 and 44 of the insert tube 21 flows around and past the insert 22 in a direction parallel to the axis of the insert 22.
  • the in-line carbonation system 13 significantly improves over other carbonator systems because it eliminates the costly and space consuming carbonator tank of such carbonator systems.

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un distributeur de boissons comportant une bobine de produit (16), un carbonateur en ligne (13) et une soupape de distribution (14). La bobine de produit (16) est reliée à une source de produit (15) alimentant la soupape de distribution (14). Le système de gazéification en ligne (13) comprend une enceinte entourant une chambre, munie d'une entrée (26) de CO2, d'une entrée (24, 25) d'eau, et d'une sortie (31) d'eau gazéifiée. Le système de gazéification en ligne (13) comprend de plus un insert poreux (22) placé dans la susdite chambre et comportant une cavité reliée à l'entrée (26) de CO2 lequel traverse l'insert (22) puis pénètre dans la chambre où il se mélange à l'eau provenant de l'orifice (24, 25) pour donner l'eau gazéifiée. La soupape de distribution (14) est reliée à la bobine de produit (16) et au système de gazéification (13), le produit et l'eau gazéifiée constituant ensemble la boisson gazeuse.
PCT/US1999/017360 1998-08-03 1999-08-02 Distributeur de boissons a gazeification en ligne WO2000007707A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU55455/99A AU5545599A (en) 1998-08-03 1999-08-02 Beverage dispenser including an in-line carbonation system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12826098A 1998-08-03 1998-08-03
US09/128,260 1998-08-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000007707A1 true WO2000007707A1 (fr) 2000-02-17

Family

ID=22434441

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/017360 WO2000007707A1 (fr) 1998-08-03 1999-08-02 Distributeur de boissons a gazeification en ligne

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5545599A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000007707A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005105279A1 (fr) * 2004-05-01 2005-11-10 Margret Spiegel Carbonateur en ligne rempli de matiere en vrac
WO2012006157A3 (fr) * 2010-06-29 2012-04-19 Imi Cornelius Inc. Appareil de carbonatation et procédé pour la formation d'une boisson gazeuse
WO2012177977A3 (fr) * 2011-06-23 2013-03-21 Apiqe Inc. Compensateur de flux
CN103702749A (zh) * 2011-06-29 2014-04-02 Imi科尼利厄斯公司 碳酸化装置和用于形成碳酸饮料的方法
US8882084B2 (en) 2010-06-29 2014-11-11 Cornelius, Inc. Variable carbonation using in-line carbonator
US9033315B2 (en) 2011-10-11 2015-05-19 Flow Control Llc. Adjustable in-line on demand carbonation chamber for beverage applications
US9309103B2 (en) 2010-05-03 2016-04-12 Cgp Water Systems, Llc Water dispenser system
US9878273B2 (en) 2011-06-23 2018-01-30 Apiqe Holdings, Llc Disposable filter cartridge for water dispenser
US10150089B2 (en) 2010-05-03 2018-12-11 Apiqe Holdings, Llc Apparatuses, systems and methods for efficient solubilization of carbon dioxide in water using high energy impact

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3256802A (en) * 1962-03-14 1966-06-21 Shasta Beverage Division Of Co Continuous carbonation system
US3761066A (en) * 1971-09-08 1973-09-25 C Wheeler Inline water carbonator
US3780198A (en) * 1971-06-07 1973-12-18 Crown Cork & Seal Co System for carbonating beverages
DE2623470A1 (de) * 1976-05-25 1977-12-15 Uhl Geb Gmbh & Co Kg Einrichtung zur anreicherung einer fluessigkeit mit einem medium
US5011700A (en) * 1989-08-11 1991-04-30 Gustafson Keith W Syrup delivery system for carbonated beverages
US5510060A (en) * 1995-03-14 1996-04-23 Knoll; George W. Inline carbonator

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3256802A (en) * 1962-03-14 1966-06-21 Shasta Beverage Division Of Co Continuous carbonation system
US3780198A (en) * 1971-06-07 1973-12-18 Crown Cork & Seal Co System for carbonating beverages
US3761066A (en) * 1971-09-08 1973-09-25 C Wheeler Inline water carbonator
DE2623470A1 (de) * 1976-05-25 1977-12-15 Uhl Geb Gmbh & Co Kg Einrichtung zur anreicherung einer fluessigkeit mit einem medium
US5011700A (en) * 1989-08-11 1991-04-30 Gustafson Keith W Syrup delivery system for carbonated beverages
US5510060A (en) * 1995-03-14 1996-04-23 Knoll; George W. Inline carbonator

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005105279A1 (fr) * 2004-05-01 2005-11-10 Margret Spiegel Carbonateur en ligne rempli de matiere en vrac
US10150089B2 (en) 2010-05-03 2018-12-11 Apiqe Holdings, Llc Apparatuses, systems and methods for efficient solubilization of carbon dioxide in water using high energy impact
US9309103B2 (en) 2010-05-03 2016-04-12 Cgp Water Systems, Llc Water dispenser system
CN103037716A (zh) * 2010-06-29 2013-04-10 Imi科尼利厄斯公司 碳酸化装置和用于形成碳酸饮料的方法
US8840092B2 (en) 2010-06-29 2014-09-23 Cornelius, Inc. Carbonation apparatus and method for forming a carbonated beverage
US8857797B2 (en) 2010-06-29 2014-10-14 Cornelius, Inc. Carbonation apparatus and method for forming a carbonated beverage
US8882084B2 (en) 2010-06-29 2014-11-11 Cornelius, Inc. Variable carbonation using in-line carbonator
WO2012006157A3 (fr) * 2010-06-29 2012-04-19 Imi Cornelius Inc. Appareil de carbonatation et procédé pour la formation d'une boisson gazeuse
WO2012177977A3 (fr) * 2011-06-23 2013-03-21 Apiqe Inc. Compensateur de flux
US9610551B2 (en) 2011-06-23 2017-04-04 Apiqe Holdings, Llc Flow compensator
US9878273B2 (en) 2011-06-23 2018-01-30 Apiqe Holdings, Llc Disposable filter cartridge for water dispenser
CN103702749A (zh) * 2011-06-29 2014-04-02 Imi科尼利厄斯公司 碳酸化装置和用于形成碳酸饮料的方法
CN103702749B (zh) * 2011-06-29 2016-07-06 Imi科尼利厄斯公司 碳酸化装置和用于形成碳酸饮料的方法
US9033315B2 (en) 2011-10-11 2015-05-19 Flow Control Llc. Adjustable in-line on demand carbonation chamber for beverage applications

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