WO2001052621A9 - Systeme pressurise et procede de distribution de boisson gazeifiee - Google Patents

Systeme pressurise et procede de distribution de boisson gazeifiee

Info

Publication number
WO2001052621A9
WO2001052621A9 PCT/US2001/002110 US0102110W WO0152621A9 WO 2001052621 A9 WO2001052621 A9 WO 2001052621A9 US 0102110 W US0102110 W US 0102110W WO 0152621 A9 WO0152621 A9 WO 0152621A9
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carbonated beverage
nozzle
open container
dispensing
valve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/002110
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001052621A3 (fr
WO2001052621A2 (fr
Inventor
Patrick L Nelson
Original Assignee
Dispensing Systems Inc
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
Priority claimed from US09/489,693 external-priority patent/US6230767B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/489,695 external-priority patent/US6237652B1/en
Application filed by Dispensing Systems Inc filed Critical Dispensing Systems Inc
Priority to AU2001234516A priority Critical patent/AU2001234516A1/en
Publication of WO2001052621A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001052621A2/fr
Publication of WO2001052621A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001052621A3/fr
Publication of WO2001052621A9 publication Critical patent/WO2001052621A9/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
    • B67D1/1234—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount
    • B67D1/124—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2608—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks comprising anti-dripping means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid
    • B67D1/0009—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply
    • B67D1/001—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
    • B67D1/0011—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being a single liquid the beverage being stored in an intermediate container connected to a supply the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed based on the timed opening of a valve
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/04—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
    • B67D1/0406—Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers with means for carbonating the beverage, or for maintaining its carbonation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
    • B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
    • B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
    • B67D1/1204—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed for ratio control purposes
    • B67D1/1222—Pressure gauges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B67D1/1405—Control taps
    • B67D1/1411—Means for controlling the build-up of foam in the container to be filled
    • B67D1/1422—Means for controlling the build-up of foam in the container to be filled comprising foam avoiding means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B67D1/1405—Control taps
    • B67D1/1438—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction parallel to the valve seat, e.g. sliding or rotating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B67D1/1405—Control taps
    • B67D1/145—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction perpendicular to the valve seat
    • B67D1/1455—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction perpendicular to the valve seat the valve shutter being opened in the same direction as the liquid flow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C2003/2671—Means for preventing foaming of the liquid
    • B67C2003/2682—Means for preventing foaming of the liquid by creating a conical shaped flow directed to the container wall just above the container bottom
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
    • B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
    • B67D2001/0087—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing
    • B67D2001/009—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing operated by cup detection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D2001/1259—Fluid level control devices
    • B67D2001/1261—Fluid level control devices the level being detected mechanically
    • 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
    • B67D2210/00002—Purifying means
    • B67D2210/00005—Filters
    • B67D2210/00007—Filters for gas

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the automated dispensing of a carbonated beverage into open containers.
  • 5,566,732 discloses the use of a bar code reader to read indicia on the open container when placed beneath the nozzle that indicates the volume of the open container in order to automate the dispensing procedure, and preferably various aspects of on site accounting and inventory procedures.
  • the carbonated beverage is dispensed from a nozzle that has an outlet port placed near the bottom of the open container, i.e. the open container is bottom filled.
  • these systems control the dispensing pressure of the carbonated beverage as well as its temperature in order to minimize foaming.
  • the dispensing pressure is controlled by maintaining the pressure of the carbonated beverage to be dispensed at atmospheric pressure.
  • the carbonated beverage is held in a vented chamber prior to dispensing in order to maintain the pressure at or near atmospheric pressure.
  • the carbonated beverage in the vented chamber is cooled by circulating chilled air around the chamber.
  • carbonated beverage often foams while being dispensed into the serving container using conventional tap filling dispensing systems.
  • personnel operating the dispenser must fill the serving container until the level of foam reaches the brim and then wait for the foam to settle before adding additional carbonated beverage.
  • several iterations of this process must occur before the container is filled with liquid to the proper serving level.
  • “Topping Off necessitated by the foaming of the beverage prolongs the dispensing operation and impedes the ability to fully automate the dispensing of carbonated beverages.
  • many establishments have push button activated taps which automatically dispense measured quantities of carbonated beverage into different sized containers, such as glasses, mugs and pitchers.
  • the invention is a pressurized carbonated beverage dispensing system that dispenses carbonated beverage automatically in a controlled manner into an open container.
  • the invention preferably controls the characteristics of the dispensing carbonated beverage in order to achieve or nearly achieve a desired presentation without wasting carbonated beverage.
  • the invention is a system and method for dispensing carbonated beverage through a bottom filling nozzle into an open container.
  • the carbonated beverage remains pressurized until immediately before the valve is opened and the carbonated beverage dispenses from the nozzle into the open container.
  • the carbonated beverage should be held in the system at an optimum pressure for maintaining carbonation over long periods of time.
  • the dispensing valve in the nozzle is opened for a predetermined time period in order to fill the open container with the desired amount of carbonated beverage.
  • the system preferably uses a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure of the carbonated beverage before (and during) dispensing.
  • an electronically controlled bladder or similar mechanism, can be actuated to slightly expand the size of the volume containing the pressurized carbonated beverage in the nozzle in order to reduce the pressure in the nozzle immediately prior to opening the valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. It may be desirable to provide a flow restriction device between the source of the pressurized carbonated beverage and the nozzle in order to ensure that pressure within the nozzle does not recover before the open container is filled and the valve is closed. In some systems, it might be desirable to provide a small vent to the atmosphere in order to facilitate pressure reduction in the nozzle when the valve is open.
  • the pressure of the carbonated beverage in the nozzle should be able to recover to the initial pressure (which is substantially higher than atmospheric pressure) before initiating a dispensing cycle for filling a subsequent open container, although this is not necessary when the pressure is monitored by a pressure sensor.
  • the system accurately determines the amount of carbonated beverage dispensing into the open container by opening the valve for a pre-selected period of time.
  • the invention is capable of efficiently dispensing carbonated beverage at a desired temperature with a desired presentation in an automated manner.
  • the invention maintains the carbonated beverage in a pressurized state until immediately prior to dispensing the carbonated beverage, which is desirable in order to control the amount of carbonation within the beverage prior to dispensing the beverage.
  • the presentation of the dispensed beverage can be uniquely controlled, as described above, by controlling the temperature of the carbonated beverage, the dispensing pressure, the flow characteristics (e.g., flow rate, valve flutter, etc.) of the carbonated beverage exiting the nozzle, and the relative position of the open container relative to the nozzle outlet port when filling the open container.
  • the flow characteristics e.g., flow rate, valve flutter, etc.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a carbonated beverage dispensing system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of the carbonated beverage dispensing system shown in Fig. 1 at a point in time in which carbonated beverage is dispensing from the system into an open container.
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the preferred electronic control system for the system shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 4 is a graph illustrating the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle prior, during, and subsequent to dispensing the carbonated beverage from the nozzle into the open container.
  • Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the region designated in Fig. 1 by arrow 5-5 which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the valve head incorporating a bottom activation switch.
  • Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the bottom activation switch being actuated and the valve open in order to dispense carbonated beverage from the nozzle into the open container.
  • Fig. 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the region in Fig. 7 designated by arrows 8-8 which illustrates the valve head configuration of the system in Fig. 7.
  • Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing a bottom activation switch being actuated in order to open the valve and dispense carbonated beverage from the nozzle into the open container.
  • Fig. 10 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Figs. 11 A through 11C show various embodiments of valve heads, each having a distinct configuration for the distribution surface on the valve head.
  • Fig. 12 is a schematic drawing showing an automated open container holder.
  • Fig. 13 is a schematic view similar to Fig. 12 which shows the open container being automatically lowered as it is being filled.
  • Fig. 14 is a detailed view of the region depicted by arrows 14-14 in Fig.
  • Fig. 15 is a graph illustrating a possible pouring profile for the systems shown in Figs. 12-14 in which the Y-axis represents the relative distance of the bottom of the open container from the outlet port of the nozzle with respect to time during filling.
  • Figs. 16A through 16D show the preferred manner of adding ice into an open container being filled with carbonated beverage.
  • Fig. 17 is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 illustrates a carbonated beverage dispensing system 10 that maintains the carbonated beverage 12 in a pressurized state, i.e. at a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure such as 15 psi, when the valve 14 for the dispensing nozzle 16 is in a closed position.
  • the source of carbonated beverage is designated by reference numeral 18.
  • a carbon dioxide source 20 is connected to the source of carbonated beverage 18 via line 22 in order to supply gas that forces the carbonated beverage out of the source container 18 as is common practice.
  • the source container 18 would typically be a keg of malt beverage such as beer, or could be a source of carbonated water to which flavored syrup is mixed downstream in the case of soft drinks.
  • Fig. 1 shows a valve 24 in line 22 that is electronically controlled by controller 26 in order to regulate the pressure within the source 18 of carbonated beverage. Alternatively, the system pressure is set manually, or by a conventional regulator on the carbon dioxide source.
  • the pressurized carbonated beverage is supplied from the source 18 of carbonated beverage through line 28 to a pressurized chamber 30.
  • An in-line chiller 32 chills the carbonated beverage flowing through line 28 to a desired temperature.
  • the in-line chiller 32 is controlled by the electronic controller 26. As described later in connection with Fig. 3, the chiller 32 is preferably a zero ⁇ T freon bath chiller.
  • the volume of the pressurized chamber 30 is relatively arbitrary, but in this embodiment is approximately one gallon.
  • the dispensing nozzle 16 extends downward from the pressurized chamber 30.
  • the dispensing nozzle preferably has a diameter of 3/4 to 2 inches, and has a length sufficient for bottom filling open containers which are typically used in connection with the system 10. For example, the nozzle 16 may typically be 12 or more inches in length.
  • the valve head 14 is connected to a valve stem 34 which passes longitudinally along the center axis of the nozzle 16 and extends upward through the pressurized chamber 30.
  • An electronically controlled actuator 36 such as a servo motor or a pneumatic actuator, is mounted to the top of the chamber 30.
  • the valve actuator 36 is connected to the valve stem 34 and selectively positions the valve head 14 with respect to the outlet port 38 of the nozzle 16.
  • the electronic controller 26 outputs a control a signal to the valve actuator 36 through line 56.
  • a bottom activation switch 40 is provided along a base surface of the valve 14. When the bottom 42 of the open container 44 presses the switch 40 upward, the switch 40 sends a signal through line 46 physically located in part within the valve stem 34 to the electronic controller 36.
  • the system 10 also preferably includes an elastomeric bladder 48 mounted along one of the surfaces of the pressurized chamber 30.
  • a bladder actuator 50 such as a servo motor or a pneumatic actuator, is connected to the elastomeric bladder 48. As depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, the bladder 48 is in contact with the carbonated beverage 12 in the pressurized chamber 30.
  • the electronic controller 26 controls the actuator 50 to move the elastomeric bladder 48 from the position shown at Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2. In the retracted position in Fig. 2, the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the chamber 30 and the nozzle 16 is reduced to a selected pressure in order to dispense the carbonated beverage through the outlet port 38 of the nozzle 16.
  • Fig. 1 also shows an adjustable flow restriction device 51 located in pressurized line 28 between the source 18 of the pressurized carbonated beverage and the chamber 30 and nozzle 16.
  • One purpose of the adjustable flow restriction device 51 is to create a time lag for the recovery of pressure within the nozzle 16 after the bladder 48 has been retracted. Another purpose is to maintain appropriate carbonation of the beverage upstream of the flow restriction device 51.
  • An electronically controlled venting valve 52 is mounted to the pressurized chamber 30.
  • the venting valve 52 is opened in order to fill the pressurized chamber 30 and nozzle 16 with carbonated beverage during start up.
  • the system 10 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 operates generally in the following manner.
  • the electronic controller 26 adjusts valve 24 in pressurized carbon dioxide line 22 in order to force carbonated beverage from the source 18 into pressurized line 28 or, as mentioned, the initial system pressure can be set manually or by a conventional regulator on the carbon dioxide source.
  • a typical pressure for pressurized line 28 would be 15-30 psi, although this pressure is discretionary.
  • the in-line chiller 32 chills the pressurized carbonated beverage to a desired temperature (for example, 36.5 degrees Fahrenheit for certain beers, or the surface temperature of ice added to the open container for soft drinks).
  • the chilled and pressurized carbonated beverage then flows through the flow restriction device 51 and into the pressurized chamber 30 and nozzle 16 with the valve 14 in a closed position as shown in Fig. 1. With the valve 14 closed, the pressure of the carbonated beverage in the nozzle achieves equilibrium pressure which is the same as the pressure in the pressurized line 28 and substantially greater than atmospheric pressure.
  • the open container 44 is placed underneath the nozzle 16 with the outlet port 38 for the nozzle 16 proximate the bottom 42 of the open container 44.
  • the system 10 is then activated to initiate a dispensing cycle, for example by pushing the bottom 42 of the open container 44 against the activation switch 40 on the bottom of the valve head 14, or in accordance with a barcode system such as disclosed in incorporated U.S. Patent No. 5,566,732, or by some other push button or electronic control.
  • a barcode system such as disclosed in incorporated U.S. Patent No. 5,566,732, or by some other push button or electronic control.
  • the dispensing valve 14 is maintained in a closed position and the electronic controller 26 initiates the dispensing cycle.
  • the electronic controller sends a control signal through line 54 to the bladder actuator 50 to retract the elastomeric bladder 48 and reduce the pressure of the carbonated beverage 12 contained in the nozzle 16 and chamber 30 to a lesser pressure that is appropriate for controlled dispensing of the carbonated beverage from the outlet port 38 of the nozzle 16 into the open container 44.
  • the retraction of the bladder 48, Fig. 2 reduces the pressure of the carbonated beverage 12 in the nozzle 16 to a pressure slightly greater than atmospheric pressure, and in any event no more than 6 psi greater than atmospheric pressure.
  • the valve head 14 is opened once the pressure of the carbonated beverage has been reduced to the selected dispensing pressure, thus allowing carbonated beverage to flow from the nozzle outlet port 38 into the open container 44 in a controlled manner as illustrated in Fig. 2. Because the pressure of the carbonated beverage is known during the dispensing procedure, the amount of carbonated beverage filling the open container 44 accurately corresponds to the precise time period that the valve 14 is open. The dispensing valve 14 is closed after the predetermined time period. The presentation of the carbonated beverage within the open container 44 is likely to be extremely repeatable because the temperature and the dispensing pressure of the carbonated beverage are tightly controlled. Other features of the system 10 described in connection with other Figures help to improve the repeatability of the presentation of the carbonated beverage in the open container.
  • Fig. 4 is a plot illustrating the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle 16 as a function of time over the course of a dispensing a cycle.
  • the pressure of the carbonated beverage in the nozzle is reduced from 15 psi to 1 psi prior to dispensing the carbonated beverage from the nozzle.
  • the time period designated Tj in Fig. 4 shows the pressure drop of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle form 15 psi to 1 psi. As mentioned, this occurs immediately before the valve 14 is opened.
  • the valve 14 is opened to dispense the carbonated beverage.
  • the valve 14 is opened during the time period designated T 2 .
  • T 2 the time period designated by Fig. 4
  • the pressure during the time period T 2 is a constant pressure which in many applications is preferred, however, is not strictly necessary.
  • the valve 14 is closed.
  • the pressure on the carbonated beverage within the nozzle 16 and the chamber 30 recovers during time period T 3 .
  • the elastomeric bladder 48 is allowed to relax to the home position shown in Fig. 1 during time period T 3 after the valve 14 is closed.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the preferred chiller system 32A, which is referred to herein as the zero ⁇ T chiller 32 A.
  • the pressurized line 28 from the source of pressurized carbonated beverage flows through the evaporator 64.
  • the evaporator 64 is preferably a flooded, freon-bath heat exchanger, although other conventional heat exchangers such as tube-in-tube heat exchangers may be suitable.
  • the preferred flood freon-bath heat exchanger 64 is sized so that, under all normal operating conditions, the heat exchanger 64 has sufficient chilling capacity in order that the temperature of the carbonated beverage flowing from the evaporator 64 matches the temperature of the freon bath.
  • the temperature of the pressurized carbonated beverage flowing into the chamber 30 and the nozzle can be precisely determined by the temperature of the freon bath.
  • the temperature of the freon bath in the evaporator 64 is monitored by a pressure transducer 66 which transmits a signal to the electronic controller 26.
  • Block 68 in Fig. 3 which is labeled data input illustrates that the desired temperature of the carbonated beverage can be input as data into the controller 26, e.g., through a keypad or from electronic memory, etc.
  • the controller 26 adjusts the position of valve 70 to change the pressure in the flooded, freon-bath of the evaporator 64 in order to obtain the desired temperature for the freon-bath.
  • valve 70 is that of an expansion valve in the freon refrigeration cycle. However, valve 70 can be adjusted so that a portion or all of the freon flowing to the valve 70 bypasses the evaporator 64 and flows directly through line 72 to the compressor. Typically, it is desirable to bypass the evaporator 64 entirely when the system 10 is in stand-by mode (i.e., hot gas by-pass), and there is no carbonated beverage 28 flowing through the evaporator heat exchanger 64. Utilizing such a bypass during stand-by mode is preferable to turning off power to the compressor because compressor start up times are significant and compressor duty life is severely shortened by repeated starting and stopping. Referring now to Fig.
  • valve head 14 with a bottom activation switch 40.
  • the valve head 14 has a proximal end 74 that is attached to the valve stem 34, and a distal end 76.
  • the diameter of the valve head 14 at the proximal end 74 is less than the diameter of the valve head at the distal end 76 as is apparent from Figs. 5 and 6.
  • the valve head 14 includes a distribution surface 78 that contacts the carbonated beverage as it is stored in the nozzle 16 and as it flows through the outlet port 38 of the nozzle 16.
  • the valve 14 also includes a base surface 80 that is generally horizontal along the distal end 76 of the valve 14.
  • the valve head 14 is preferably made of stainless steel, and can be an integral component with the valve stem 34, although this is not necessary for implementing the invention.
  • a star-shaped hub 82 aligns the valve stem 34 within the nozzle 16. It is desirable that the valve stem be accurately aligned in order for the dispensing carbonated beverage to form a full 360° curtain having substantially symmetric thickness. Inaccurate alignment will corrupt the symmetry of the curtain and result in sub-optimal dispensing.
  • the stainless steel valve stem 34 and head 14 contains a longitudinal bore 84 that houses wires 46 which transmit signals from the activation switch 40.
  • the activation switch 40 is preferably an optical sensor 86 that is glued into the bore 84 along the base surface 80 of the valve head 14 such that the sensor 86 extends downward beyond the base surface 80 of the valve head 14.
  • An elastomeric seal 88 covers the switch 40 and is secured to the base surface 80 of the valve head using fasteners 90.
  • the fasteners 90 are counter sunk within groove 92 in the base surface 80 of the valve head.
  • a spring 94 (or other elastic material) is located around the sensor 86 for the switch 40. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the sensor 86 as well as the spring 94 reside primarily within a central recess 96 on the base surface 80 of the valve head 14. In Fig.
  • the spring 94 provides biasing pressure against the seal 88
  • the sensor 86 measures the distance to the seal 88 in the open position.
  • the user pushes the open container 44 upward so that the bottom 42 of the container pushes upward against the seal 88 and the spring 94.
  • the sensor 86 measures the distance to the seal 88 in the closed position as shown in Fig. 6, and control signals are transmitted through wires 46 to the electronic controller 26.
  • the electronic controller 26 controls the opening and positioning of the valve head 14 with the respect to the outlet port 38 of the nozzle 16. If a wate ⁇ roof optical sensor 86 is used, the seal 88 and spring 94 are not necessary. In a system using a wate ⁇ roof optical sensor, the optical sensor measures the distance to the bottom of the open container, rather than the distance to the spring-biased seal.
  • the valve head 14 includes a circumferential groove 98 that is located at the distal end 76 of the valve head between the distribution surface 78 and the base surface 80.
  • An 0-ring elastomeric seal 100 is placed in the circumferential groove 98.
  • the O-ring seal 100 seat against the nozzle 16 to form a tight seal that is capable of preventing the leakage of pressurized carbonated beverage.
  • the O-ring seal 100 seats directly against the outlet port 38 for the nozzle 16. In some applications, however, it may be desirable to have the O-ring seal 100 seat directly against an inside wall of the nozzle 16.
  • a valve head 14 in which the distribution surface 78 has a specialized geometry.
  • a first portion of the distribution surface 102 near the proximal end 74 of the valve head 14 is sloped more steeply downward than a second portion 104 of the distribution surface 78 that is located closer to the distal end 76 of the valve head 14.
  • the valve head 14 gently redirects the flow of carbonated beverage when it initially flows towards the valve head 14, yet continues to further redirect the flow at downstream portion 104 in order to achieve a more preferable dispensing trajectory.
  • Figs. 7 and 8 show a slightly different embodiment 110 of the invention. It should be understood that various components of the system 10 shown on Fig. 1 such as the chiller, the source of carbon dioxide 20, and the source of carbonated beverage 18 are depicted generally by block 112 labeled "beverage" in Fig. 7.
  • the adjustable flow control device 51 of Fig. 1 has been replaced by a fixed flow control restriction 51 A.
  • the chilled and pressurized carbonated beverage flows from line 28 through the fixed flow control restriction 51 A directly into the chamber defined by the nozzle 16.
  • the volume of carbonated beverage within the flow control nozzle 16 downstream of the flow control restriction 51 A in Fig. 7 can be less than the volume of the open container.
  • valve head 14A is located within the nozzle 16 when the valve is closed as shown more specifically in the detailed view of Fig. 8. It is important that the O-ring seal 100 A, Fig. 8, engage tightly against the inside surface 16A of the nozzle when the valve head 14A is in a closed position.
  • the system 110 shown in Fig. 7 has an electronically controlled valve actuator 36 that is connected to a valve stem 34 and controls the position of the valve head 14 A.
  • the system 110 also includes a vent valve 52 A that is opened to initially fill the nozzle 16 with beverage.
  • One distinct difference between the system 110 shown in Fig. 7 and the system 10 shown in Fig. 1 is that the system 110 in Fig.
  • the electronic controller 26 transmits a control signal through line 56 to instruct the valve actuator 36 (e.g. a servo motor or pneumatic actuator) to move the valve head 14A downward within the nozzle 16 prior to opening the valve 14A.
  • the valve actuator 36 e.g. a servo motor or pneumatic actuator
  • the valve 14A is located with the O-ring seal 100 A in the home position 114 prior to the initiation of the dispensing cycle, and the carbonated beverage within the nozzle 16 is pressurized.
  • the electronic controller instructs the valve actuator 36 to move the valve 14A downward so that the O-ring seal 100A is in an intermediate position identified by reference numbers 116.
  • the valve 14A is still closed inasmuch as the O-ring seal 100A prevents the dispensing of carbonated beverage from the outlet port 38A of the nozzle 16.
  • the pu ⁇ ose of moving the valve head 14A from the home position 114 to the intermediate position of 116 is to slightly expand the size of the volume contained within the nozzle 16 and the flow restriction device 51 A in order to reduce the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle 16.
  • the system 110 operates substantially identically to the system 10 shown in Fig. 1.
  • the electronic controller 26 then opens that valve 14A, Fig. 9, in order to allow carbonated beverage to dispense through the outlet port 38A into the open container 44.
  • the combined volume within the nozzle 16 and the fixed flow control restriction 51 A is probably smaller than the volume contained within the chamber 30 and nozzle 16 in the system 10 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 10 shows a system 210 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle 16 is reduced prior to dispensing by a variable pressure valve illustrated as block 212.
  • the electronic controller 26 transmits a control signal through line 214 to the variable pressure valve 212.
  • variable pressure valve 212 located in pressurized line 28 upstream of the flow restriction device 51 A, although it would be possible to locate the variable pressure valve 212 downstream of the flow restriction device 51 A, or implement the system without the flow restriction device 51 A.
  • the electronic controller 26 sends a signal to the variable pressure valve 212 indicating the initiation of the dispensing cycle, the variable pressure valve reduces the pressure within the nozzle 16. Thereafter, the dispensing valve 14 is opened as with the earlier systems 10 and 110. If necessary, the venting valve 52 A can be opened during the dispensing cycle in order to ensure the appropriate dispensing pressure.
  • Figs. 11 A through 11C show three different valve head configurations.
  • the valve head 314 has a distribution surface 378 having a constant downward slope, i.e., is the shape of the valve head 314 in Fig. 11A is generally cone shape.
  • An O-ring 300 seal is located within a circumferential groove between the distribution surface 378 and the base surface 380 as described above in connection with Figs. 5 and 6.
  • the trajectory of the carbonated beverage flowing along the valve head 314 as it dispenses into the open container 44 is generally in the direction represented by arrow 384 in Fig. 11 A.
  • a beverage dispensing trajectory as represented by arrow 384 the trajectory distance for the carbonated beverage between the distribution surface 78 and bottom 42 of the open container 44 is given by the arrow X.
  • the magnitude of distance X in Fig. 11A depends on the distance of the valve head 314 from the bottom 42 of the open container 44.
  • the trajectory angle of arrow 384 has a relatively steep decent, however.
  • Fig. 1 IB shows a valve head 14 similar to that disclosed in Fig. 5.
  • the distribution surface 78 includes a first portion 102, and a second portion 104. Each portion 102, 104 is in the shape of the truncated cone. The slope of the distribution surface 78 of the first portion 102 descends more steeply than the slope of the distribution surface 78 of the second portion 104.
  • valve 14 When the carbonated beverage flowing through the nozzle 16 initially impinges the first truncated cone portion 102 of the valve 14, the flow of carbonated beverage is redirected in accordance with arrow 482. As the carbonated beverage adjacent the valve distribution surface.78 continues to flow along the valve distribution surface 78, it impinges the second truncated cone portion 104 which redirects the flow adjacent the valve 14 in accordance with arrow 484. In this manner, valve 14 gently redirects the flow of carbonated beverage twice in order to obtain a flow trajectory that is less steep than the valve head 314 shown in Fig. 11 A. With the valve head 14 shown in Fig. 1 IB, the trajectory distance from the valve head distribution surface 78 to the bottom 42 of the open container 44 is given by arrow Y.
  • arrow Y in Fig. 1 IB is generally greater than the magnitude of arrow X shown in Fig. 11 A because the trajectory angle of arrow 484 in Fig. 1 IB is more shallow than the trajectory angle of arrow 384 in Fig. 11 A.
  • Fig. 11C shows a valve head 414 in which the slope of the distribution surface 478 becomes continuously less steep as the distribution surface 478 extends from the proximal end 474 to the distal end 476 of the valve head 414.
  • the magnitude of the arrow labeled Z in Fig. 11C designates the trajectory distance of the carbonated beverage as it leaves the distribution surface 478 before it hits the bottom 42 of the open container 44. Note that with the valve head configuration in Fig. 11C, it is possible that the trajectory of the carbonated beverage flowing from the valve head 414 be flatter than with the configurations shown in Figs. 1 IB and 11 A.
  • Fig. 12 through 14 illustrate a system 510 that has an automated container holder 512 is connected to a lifting actuator 514.
  • the lifting actuator 514 moves the container holder 512 between a fully raised position designated by FRP in Fig. 12 and a down position designated DP in Fig. 12.
  • the lifting actuator 514 is preferably driven by a servo motor or an electronically controlled pneumatic mechanism.
  • the lifting actuator 514 receives a control signal from the electronic controller via line 516 in order to control the positioning of the container holder 512.
  • the user places the open container 44 on the platform while the platform is located in the down position DP, Fig. 12.
  • the system is then actuated either by a push button, by barcode reading means as disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
  • the activation signal is provided to the electronic controller 26 via line 518, Fig. 12.
  • the electronic controller 26 Upon receiving the activation signal, the electronic controller 26 initiates the dispensing cycle. This initiation involves the reduction of pressure of the carbonated beverage in the nozzle 16 as discussed previously.
  • a control signal is transmitted through line 516 to the lift actuator 514 to lift the container holder from the down position DP to the fully raised position FRP.
  • FRP fully raised position
  • the bottom 42 of the open container 44 is located proximate to the outlet port of the nozzle 16.
  • the electronic controller 26 transmits a control signal through line 56 to valve actuator 36 to open the valve 14 and begin dispensing carbonated beverage into the open container 44.
  • the system 510 is capable of lowering the container platform 512 as the open container 44 is being filled. It is desirable that the outlet port 38 remain submerged during the filling process (see Fig. 14).
  • the positioning of the container holder 512 during the filling process is controlled by instructions from the electronic controller 26 via line 516 to the lifting actuator 514.
  • Fig. 15 In order to achieve a desired presentation for the carbonated beverage within the filled open container 44, it may desirable to position the container holder during the filling process in accordance with a pre-selected electronic pouring profile.
  • This feature is illustrated in Fig. 15. Still referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the distance of the container holder 512 from the fully raised position, FRP, is displayed as a function 520 of time during an arbitrary filling cycle. The position of the curve 520 in Fig. 15 is referred to herein as the pouring profile.
  • the pouring profile 520 is preferably stored electronically in memory that is accessible to the electronic controller 26.
  • the pouring profile 520 in Fig. 15 assumes that it take 2 seconds to fill the container 44.
  • valve 14 it may be desirable to selectively move and position the valve 14 with respect to the nozzle outlet port 38 while the carbonated beverage is dispensing from the nozzle 16.
  • the selective motion and positioning of the valve 14 during the dispensing of beverage is preferably accomplished in accordance with a predetermined dispensing profile, which is stored electronically in memory accessible to the electronic controller 26.
  • the electronic controller 26 can be programmed to cause the valve head 14 to flutter, or otherwise be selectively positioned and moved during the dispensing of carbonated beverage in order to vary dispensing flow characteristics.
  • Fig. 16A through 16B illustrate a system similar to the system 510 shown in Figs. 12 through 14, but further including a funnel 612 for adding ice 614 into the open container 44.
  • the funnel 612 preferably has an outlet 614, through which the downwardly extending carbonated beverage nozzle 16 extends, such that ice is supplied circumferentially around the nozzle 16 into the open container, see Fig. 16B.
  • the ice 616 is added to the open container 44 before dispensing the carbonated beverage into the open container 44 or contemporaneously with adding the carbonated beverage into the open container 44.
  • Figs. 16A through 16B show the ice being added via a circumferential funnel 612, it is not necessary that the ice be added circumferentially.
  • the ice could be added to the container using a chute or some other means which does not circumvent the nozzle 16. Also, it would be possible to add the ice by hand, and still achieve efficient filling in accordance with the invention.
  • the open container 44 is initially set into position on the container holder platform 512 with the platform in the down position DP as shown in Fig. 16A.
  • the electronic controller 26 then instructs the actuator 514 to move the container holder 512 to the fully raised FRP as shown in Fig. 16B.
  • the electronic controller 26 instructs the source of ice to discharge ice 616 into the funnel 612, and eventually into the open container 44 as shown in Fig. 16B and C.
  • the funnel outlet 16 is sized slightly smaller than the typical opening for the container 44.
  • the electronic controller 26 is programmed to dispense carbonated beverage into the open container 44 while the ice is falling into the container 44 or shortly thereafter.
  • the container holder 512 and the open container 44 are lowered during the filling process as depicted in Fig. 16B so that the open container 44 filled with ice and carbonated beverage is ready for service.
  • the nozzle 16 will not be placed into the open container to a bottom filling position, rather it is placed within the open container above the ice.
  • Fig. 17 illustrates a system 710 in accordance with still another aspect of the invention.
  • the system 710 includes a second actuator 711 connected to the controller 26 by a line 712.
  • the actuator 711 serves to vertically move a piston 713 disposed around the valve stem 34 within the nozzle 16 above the flow inlet to the nozzle 16.
  • the piston 713 is generally circular in shape and includes a central opening 714 through which the valve stem 34 passes.
  • the piston includes a pair of O- ring seals 715 and 716. Seal 715 extends about the circumference of the central opening 714 in the piston 713 and engages the valve stem 34 to form a seal between the piston 713 and the valve stem 34.
  • Seal 716 extends about the outer circumference of the piston 713 and engages the inner surface of the nozzle 16 to form a seal between the nozzle 16 and the piston 713.
  • the piston 713 also includes a vent channel 717 extending through the piston 713 parallel to valve stem 34.
  • the channel 717 is connected to a venting valve 52a on the exterior of the system 710.
  • the pressure in the system 710 is monitored by a pressure transducer 719 located on the nozzle 16 and connected to the controller 26 by line 720.
  • the nozzle 16 is filled with the carbonated beverage 112.
  • Venting valve 52a allows the system to be purged of air during the filling process. After purging, the vent 52a is closed.
  • the carbonated beverage fills the nozzle 16 until the desired beverage storage pressure is reached, as measured by transducer 719.
  • the controller 26 activates actuator 711 to raise shaft 718 and the piston 713 in order to decrease the pressure within the nozzle 16.
  • the controller 26 then initiates actuator 36 to move the valve stem 34 and valve head 14 downwardly to dispense the beverage into the open container 44.
  • the transducer 719 continues to monitor the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle 16 during the pour. It is preferred that the controller 26 continues to transmit instructions to the piston actuator 711 to move the piston 713 during the pour in order to maintain an appropriate pressure within the nozzle 16 for pouring.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système pressurisé de distribution de boissons gazéifiées dans un conteneur ouvert. Ce système met en oeuvre une technique de remplissage par le fond dans laquelle l'orifice de sortie de la buse se trouve à proximité du fond du conteneur lorsque la distribution est amorcée. La boisson gazéifiée est maintenue dans un état pressurisé à l'intérieur de la buse et dans l'ensemble du système jusqu'au dernier moment précédant l'ouverture d'une valve en vue de distribuer la boisson gazéifiée dans le conteneur ouvert. Avant l'ouverture de la valve, la pression de la buse de la boisson gazéifiée est réduite à une pression de distribution appropriée, de préférence une pression se situant légèrement au-dessus de la pression atmosphérique. Le système commande également de manière précise la température de la boisson gazéifiée, de préférence au moyen d'un dispositif de refroidissement en ligne zéro$(g)DT. De plus, des configurations de valve et des techniques de fonctionnement spécialisées, ainsi que des techniques de positionnement du conteneur sont développées afin d'obtenir la présentation souhaitée de la boisson gazéifiée dans le conteneur ouvert.
PCT/US2001/002110 2000-01-24 2001-01-22 Systeme pressurise et procede de distribution de boisson gazeifiee WO2001052621A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001234516A AU2001234516A1 (en) 2000-01-24 2001-01-22 Pressurized system and method for dispensing carbonated beverage

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/489,693 US6230767B1 (en) 2000-01-24 2000-01-24 Valve head for dispensing carbonated beverage
US09/489,693 2000-01-24
US09/489,695 2000-01-25
US09/489,695 US6237652B1 (en) 2000-01-25 2000-01-25 Pressurized system and method for dispensing carbonated beverage

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WO2001052621A2 WO2001052621A2 (fr) 2001-07-26
WO2001052621A3 WO2001052621A3 (fr) 2002-04-25
WO2001052621A9 true WO2001052621A9 (fr) 2002-10-17

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US6530400B2 (en) * 2001-02-20 2003-03-11 Dispensing Systems International, Inc. Intermediate pressure dispensing method for a carbonated beverage
US6779685B2 (en) * 2002-12-11 2004-08-24 Dispensing Systems International, Llc Pressure controlled method for dispensing a carbonated beverage
US8387826B2 (en) 2006-07-20 2013-03-05 Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Beverage dispensing apparatus
CA2737935C (fr) 2009-02-11 2017-10-24 William W. Segiet Robinet distributeur de boissons controle par une technologie sans fil
US20130008559A1 (en) 2009-12-11 2013-01-10 Jens Ksa Holding Aps Device and Apparatus for Dispensing a Liquid Under Pressure
WO2014017988A1 (fr) * 2012-07-27 2014-01-30 Vick Anthony Système et procédé de distribution et de conservation de champagne réfrigéré
SI24249A (sl) * 2012-12-13 2014-06-30 AnĹľe Strniša Točilna naprava za pijače, zlasti tiste s peno, kot npr. pivo
ITMI20131278A1 (it) * 2013-07-30 2015-01-31 Odl Srl Sistema di controllo della spillatura di bevande gassate e non
US11208315B2 (en) 2018-04-02 2021-12-28 Pepsico, Inc. Unattended beverage dispensing systems and methods
US11961373B2 (en) 2020-07-01 2024-04-16 Pepsico, Inc. Method and system of touch-free vending

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DE3435725A1 (de) * 1984-09-28 1986-04-10 Bartholomäus 8024 Deisenhofen Gmeineder Verfahren zum zapfen von bier, insbesondere weissbier, in trinkgefaesse
GB2178003B (en) * 1985-07-12 1988-07-06 Imi Cornelius Dispensing beverages
DE3728065A1 (de) * 1987-08-22 1989-03-02 Beckmann Kg Selbstzapfeinrichtung fuer unter druck gespeicherte getraenke, beispielsweise bier
US5566732A (en) 1995-06-20 1996-10-22 Exel Nelson Engineering Llc Beverage dispenser with a reader for size indica on a serving container
US5603363A (en) 1995-06-20 1997-02-18 Exel Nelson Engineering Llc Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage with minimal foaming
EP0861801A1 (fr) * 1997-02-27 1998-09-02 Whitbread Plc Robinet distributeur de boissons
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AU1916901A (en) * 1999-11-09 2001-06-06 Niagara Pump Corporation A high speed beverage dispensing method and apparatus

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WO2001052621A2 (fr) 2001-07-26
AU2001234516A1 (en) 2001-07-31

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