WO2006047860A1

WO2006047860A1 - Inline booster with spraying means for beverage dispensing system

Info

Publication number: WO2006047860A1
Application number: PCT/CA2005/001661
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sam Chiusolo; Markus Hess
Original assignee: Icefloe Technologies Inc.
Priority date: 2004-11-03
Filing date: 2005-11-02
Publication date: 2006-05-11
Also published as: AU2005301036A1; EP1817531A1; CA2486630A1; CA2628682A1

Abstract

An apparatus for delivering a beverage under pressure from a container to a dispensing means is provided. The apparatus comprises a heat exchanger that has a central chamber. The heat exchanger has a heat exchange conduit located in the chamber. The heat exchanger also has an inlet tube located and an outlet tube, at least one of which has an agitation means for agitating a coolant fluid in the chamber. A first trunk line communicates between the container and the heat exchanger. The first trunk line includes a first beverage conduit for delivering the beverage from the container to the heat exchange conduit. The trunk line also has a coolant fluid conduit connected to a source of coolant fluid for delivering the coolant fluid to said the chamber of the heat exchanger. A second trunk line communicates between the heat exchanger and the dispensing means. The second trunk line has a second beverage conduit for delivering the beverage from the heat exchanger to the dispensing means. The second trunk line also has a second coolant fluid conduit connected the outlet tube of the heat exchanger for delivering the coolant fluid back to the source of coolant fluid.

Description

INLINE BOOSTER WITH SPRAYING MEANS FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatuses, methods and processes for cooling and dispensing beverages.

Background of the Invention

Draught beverages in restaurants, bars, stadiums and other public facilities are dispensed using systems that consist of a storage container that is kept cool in a remote refrigerator. Typically, a cooled supply line takes the beverage to a dispensing faucet. Generally, the beverages are stored in containers that are kept in remote walk- in refrigerators that are also used to chill foods as required by the facility's kitchen. Drinks maybe dispensed at a location several hundred feet away from the storage container. The beverage trunk line used to transport the beverage to the dispensing tap is generally made up of a multi-line insulated construction that contains two central cooling liquid lines that will bring a cold glycol/water mixture or ice water to the dispensing faucet and back to maintain the beverage's temperature. This system has the drawback of providing inconsistent cooling performance. This is due to the fact that the temperature inside the walk-in cooler can fluctuate widely as personnel enter and exit during busy times. Also, the beverage trunk line can travel through areas of varying ambient temperatures thereby raising the beverage temperature.

There have been attempts to overcome these problems. These attempts have included the use of a heat exchanger placed near the tap to chill the beverage with a glycol/water mixture or ice water just before it is dispensed. These methods also have drawbacks. Efficient heat exchangers rely on exposing a large surface area of beverage to the cooling liquid. This inherently limits the volume of beverage that can be reasonably kept inside an efficient heat exchanger. Beverages are poured in batches or servings and the dwell time between servings enhances cooling rates. If the frequency of servings becomes too great, the temperature of the beverage will increase as dwell time is minimized. Usually, only a fraction of the volume of a full serving resides in the heat exchanger. This fraction of the beverage will mix with any warm beverage that is found between the heat exchanger and the tap. It will also mix with beverage that passes quickly through the heat exchanger with a limited or no dwell time. This results in a beverage being served at temperatures warmer than desired.

In addition, traditional coil in shell and tube in shell heat exchangers are somewhat inefficient and need to be quite large to be effective. This results in elevated production costs and space inefficiencies. There is therefore a need for a more effective heat exchanger that can be built smaller and more cost effectively.

There is therefore a need for a beverage dispensing apparatus that dispenses cold beverage servings even where the beverage must be delivered over a significant distance.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a heat exchanger that is preferably a coil in shell heat exchanger or a tube in shell heat exchanger whereby coolant fluid is agitated onto a heat exchange conduit that circulates a fluid to be cooled. The heat exchanger includes an agitation means for agitating the coolant fluid. Preferably the agitation means is spraying means in the form of spray nozzles that spray the coolant fluid onto the beverage conduit at multiple sites.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for delivering a beverage under pressure from a container to a dispensing means comprising:

a heat exchanger including a housing defining a chamber, said housing defining first inlet communicating with the chamber and a first oulet communicating with the chamber, the heat exchanger further including an inlet tube located in the first inlet and extending into said chamber and an outlet tube located in the first outlet and extending into said chamber, at least one of said inlet tube and said outlet tubes defining a agitation means for agitating coolant fluid in the chamber, said housing further defining a second inlet, a second oulet and, said heat exchanger further including a heat exchange conduit communicating between the second inlet and the second outlet; a first trunk line communicating between the container and the heat exchanger, said first trunk line including a first beverage conduit for delivering the beverage from the container to the heat exchange conduit, the trunk line further including a coolant fluid conduit connected to a source of coolant fluid for delivering the coolant fluid to said inlet tube from said source of coolant fluid;

a second trunk line communicating between the heat exchanger and the dispensing means, said second trunk line including a second beverage conduit for delivering the beverage from the heat exchange conduit to the dispensing means, the second trunk line further including a second coolant fluid conduit connected to said outlet tube for delivering the coolant fluid to said source of coolant fluid.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of maintaining a cool temperature in a beverage delivered from a container to a dispensing means comprising the following steps: providing a first trunk line comprising a first beverage conduit and a first coolant fluid conduit connected to a source of coolant fluid; providing a heat exchanger including a housing defining a chamber, said housing defining first inlet communicating with the chamber and a first oulet communicating with the chamber, the heat exchanger further including an inlet tube located in the first inlet and extending into said chamber and an outlet tube located in the first outlet and extending into said chamber, at least one of said inlet tube and said outlet tubes defining a agitation means for agitating coolant fluid in the chamber, said housing further defining a second inlet, a second oulet and, said heat exchanger further including a heat exchange conduit communicating between the second inlet and the second outlet; delivering coolant fluid through the first coolant fluid conduit to the chamber of the heat exchanger through the inlet tube; delivering the beverage through the first beverage conduit from the container to the heat exchange conduit for heat exchange with the coolant fluid; spraying coolant fluid from one of the inlet tube and the outlet tube in the chamber; providing a second trunk line comprising a second beverage conduit and a second coolant fluid conduit connected to the source of coolant fluid; delivering the beverage from the heat exchange conduit to the second beverage conduit; delivering the beverage from the second beverage conduit to the dispensing means; delivering the coolant fluid from the chamber to the second coolant fluid conduit; and delivering the coolant fluid from the the second coolant fluid conduit to a source of coolant fluid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention connected to a beverage container and a source of a coolant fluid;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a heat exchanger of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention connected to a beverage container and a source of a coolant fluid;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the heat exchanger of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1.

Apparatus 1 comprises a first trunk line 10 and a second trunk line 20. A heat exchanger 50 is coupled to and located between the first and second trunk lines thereby separating the trunk lines. This arrangement is equivalent to the heat exchanger being spliced into a single trunk line. However for the purposes of this description, first and second trunk lines shall be described. The apparatus preferably includes beverage tower 70 that has a dispensing means 72 which is preferably a dispensing tap. The apparatus is used in association with a beverage container 86 which is preferably a beer keg. The beverage in the container 86 is preferably kept under pressure by a pressurizing means 80 which is connected to the beverage container 86. In addition, the apparatus 1 is preferably used in combination with a source 88 of coolant fluid. Preferably, the source 88 is a glycol tank and the coolant fluid is glycol. Other coolant fluids such as ice water can also be used for the purposes of the present invention. Preferably, the container 86, the pressurizing means 80 and the source 88 are located in a refrigeration unit 100 such as a walk-in refrigerator.

A first beverage conduit 94 and a first coolant fluid conduit 90 are located in the first trunk line 10. The first trunk line 20 communicates between the refrigeration unit 100 and the heat exchanger 50. Preferably, the first beverage conduit 94 and the first coolant fluid conduit 90 are located in close proximity in the first trunk line to permit some heat exchange to occur therebetween. Preferably, the first trunk line also includes an insulating material.

The first trunk line 10 is connected to the heat exchanger 50. The heat exchanger 50 has a housing 52 that defines a chamber 54. The housing 50 defines a first inlet 56 communicating with the chamber 54 and a first outlet 58 communicating with the chamber 54. The first inlet 56 and the first outlet 58 are preferably openings in the housing 50 for accepting tubing or piping to permit fluid to be delivered into the chamber from the exterior of the housing. An inlet tube 60 is received in the first inlet 56 and an outlet tube 62 is received in the first outlet 58. The inlet and outlet tubes may any type of pipe or tube known in the art for delivering a fluid. The housing of the heat exchanger 50 also a second inlet 24 communicating with the chamber 54 and a second outlet 26 communicating with the chamber 54.

The heat exchanger 50 also includes a heat exchange conduit 66 located in the chamber 54. The heat exchange conduit 66 is preferably made of a metal having good exchange properties. Most preferably, the heat exchange conduit 66 is made of copper, stainless steel or aluminium. However, a person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the heat exchange conduit can made of any material that permits heat exchange. The heat exchange conduit 66 is preferably in the form of coil such that the heat exchanger is a coil in shell type heat exchanger. Alternatively, the heat exchange conduit 66 could be a non-coiled tube thereby providing a tube in shell type heat exchanger. The heat exchange conduit 66 has a first end 72 received in the second inlet 24 and a second end 74 received in the second outlet 26. The heat exchange conduit 70 therefore communicates between the second inlet 24 and the second outlet 26 for delivering a fluid. The heat exchanger preferably has an insulation layer 76 containing insulation. The insulation can be any material known in the art for insulating purposes.

The inlet tube 60 is connected to the first coolant fluid conduit 90. The first end 72 of the heat exchange conduit 66 is connected to the first beverage conduit 94.

A second beverage conduit 104 and a second coolant fluid conduit 106 are located in second trunk line 20. The second trunk line 20 communicates between the heat exchanger 50 and the beverage tower 70. Again, preferably, the second beverage conduit 104 and the second coolant fluid conduit 106 are located in close proximity in the second trunk line 20 to permit heat exchange to occur therebetween. Preferably, the second trunk line 20 also includes an insulating material. The second beverage conduit 104 is attached to the second end 74 of the heat exchange conduit 70. The outlet tube 62 is connected to the second coolant fluid conduit 106. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the coolant fluid conduit 106 forms a loop and connects back to the source 88 of coolant fluid. The coolant fluid conduit 106 is shown in Figure 2 as going back through the heat exchanger 50. This is not strictly necessary as the coolant fluid conduit 106 can also go around the heat exchanger 50 in its return path to the source of coolant fluid. The second beverage conduit 104 is received in the beverage tower 70 for delivering beverage the dispensing means 72.

The inlet tube 60 preferably has a plurality of agitation means 82 formed thereon. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to have an agitation means formed on both of the inlet tube 60 and the outlet tube 62 or to have a single agitation means formed on either of the inlet tube 60 and the outlet tube 62. The agitation means can also be located elsewhere in the chamber 54. The agitation means can be any device known the art for agitating fluid located in the chamber. Preferably, the agitation means is a plurality of spray nozzles 82 built into the inlet tube for spraying coolant fluid onto the heat exchange conduit 66. This benefits heat exchange by introducing coolant fluid at multiple points on the beverage conduit 66. This maximizes temperature difference between the beverage and the coolant fluid throughout the length of the beverage conduit. In addition, it further improves heat exchange as it creates turbulence over the length of the beverage conduit 66. In alternate embodiments the agitation means can be a submersible pump or a propeller or other propulsion means. These can be located at any location within the chamber 54.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3, a heat exchanger 130 has two coiled heat exchange conduits located in a the chamber 154. The first heat exchange conduit 200 has a first inlet end 202 and a second outlet end 204. The first inlet end 202 can be connected to the first beverage conduit 94 while the second outlet end can be connected to the second beverage conduit 104. Similarly, the second heat exchange conduit 210 has a first inlet end 212 and a second outlet end 214. The first inlet end 212 can also be connected to the first beverage conduit 94 while the second outlet end 214 can also be connected to the second beverage conduit 104. Alternatively, one of the first and second heat exchange conduits 200, 210 can be connected to an alternate supply of beverage and coolant fluid so that two separate beverages can be delivered to the alternate heat exchanger 130 for cooling.

The alternate heat exchanger 130 has an inlet tube 160 and an outlet tube 162. The outlet tube 162 connects to the second coolant fluid conduit 106 which connects back to the coolant fluid supply 88. In this alternate embodiment, two spray nozzles 180 are formed on the inlet tube 160 for spraying coolant fluid onto the first and second heat exchange conduits 200, 210. Other embodiments are within the scope of the present invention where several spray nozzles 180 are formed on the inlet tube 160 for spraying coolant fluid onto the first and second heat exchange conduits 200, 210. . Coil in shell jave been used in the past but they are inexoensive but have to large to be effective. Exists a need for making coil in shell more effrective but smaller and less costly. With reference to the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, a beverage, preferably a carbonated beverage and most preferably beer, is delivered from the container 86 into the first beverage conduit 94 located in the first trunk line 10. Contemporaneously, the coolant fluid, preferably glycol or ice water and most preferably glycol, is delivered into the first coolant fluid conduit 90 located in the first trunk line 10.

The beverage then enters the heat exchanger 50 and flows through the heat exchange conduit 40. At the same time, coolant fluid flows through the inlet tube 60 and fills chamber 54 thereby contacting the heat exchange conduit 40, resulting in heat exchange between the heat exchange conduit 40 and the coolant fluid thereby cooling the beverage in the heat exchange conduit 40. The spraying of the coolant fluid onto the heat exchange coil 66 by spray nozzles 82 increases the rate and efficiency of heat exchange occurring between the coolant fluid and the heat exchange conduit 40.

It is also important to note that in the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the alternate embodiment shown in Figure 3, the beverage in the beverage conduit flows in a reverse direction to the direction of flow of the coolant fluid. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that where there is a counter or reverse flow of coolant fluid relative to the beverage generated, there is optimal heat exchange.

The beverage leaves the heat exchanger 50 through the second end 74 of the heat exchange conduit 40. The cooled beverage then flows through the second beverage conduit 104 and the beverage tower 70 to the dispensing means 72. Meanwhile, the coolant fluid leaves the heat exchanger 50 through the outlet tube 62 and then enters the second coolant fluid conduit 106 from where the coolant fluid is re-circulated back to the a source 88 of coolant fluid.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show alternate embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention wherein the beverage and the coolant fluid flow in the same direction. These alternate embodiments do not take advantage of the counter or reverse flow of coolant fluid relative to the beverage. The alternate embodiment shown in Figure 5 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 3 while the embodiment shown in Figure 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 with the difference being that the flow of the beverage and the flow of the coolant fluid in the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 is in the same direction.

Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for delivering a beverage under pressure from a container to a dispensing means comprising:

a heat exchanger including a housing defining a chamber, said housing defining a first inlet communicating with the chamber and a first oulet communicating with the chamber, the heat exchanger further including an inlet tube located in the first inlet and extending into said chamber and an outlet tube located in the first outlet and extending into said chamber, at least one of said inlet tube and said outlet tube having an agitation means for agitating a coolant fluid in the chamber, said housing further defining a second inlet and a second oulet, said heat exchanger further including a heat exchange conduit communicating between the second inlet and the second outlet;

a first trunk line communicating between the container and the heat exchanger, said first trunk line including a first beverage conduit for delivering the beverage from the container to the heat exchange conduit, the first trunk line further including a coolant fluid conduit connected to a source of coolant fluid for delivering the coolant fluid to said inlet tube from the source of coolant fluid;

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the agitation means is spraying means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the spraying means is a spray nozzle formed in at least one the inlet tube and the outlet tube.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchange conduit is a coil.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchange conduit is a tube.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the heat exchange conduit is formed of copper, aluminum or stainless steel.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the coolant fluid is either water of glycol.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the trunk line is insulated.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the flow of the beverage in the heat exchange conduit is reversed relative to a flow of coolant fluid in the inlet tube for maximizing heat exchange.

10. A method of maintaining a cool temperature in a beverage delivered from a container to a dispensing means comprising the following steps:

• providing a first trunk line comprising a first beverage conduit and a first coolant fluid conduit connected to a source of coolant fluid;

• providing a heat exchanger including a housing defining a chamber, said housing defining a first inlet communicating with the chamber and a first outlet communicating with the chamber, the heat exchanger further including an inlet tube located in the first inlet and extending into said chamber and an outlet tube located in the first outlet and extending into said chamber, at least one of said inlet tube and said outlet tube defining an agitation means for agitating coolant fluid in the chamber, said housing further defining a second inlet and a second outlet, said heat exchanger further including a heat exchange conduit communicating between the second inlet and the second outlet;

• delivering coolant fluid through the first coolant fluid conduit to the chamber of the heat exchanger through the inlet tube;

• delivering the beverage through the first beverage conduit from the container to the heat exchange conduit for heat exchange with the coolant fluid; • agitating coolant fluid from one of the inlet tube and the outlet tube in the chamber; i

• providing a second trunk h^'ne comprising a second beverage conduit and a second coolant fluid conduit connected to the source of coolant fluid;

• delivering the beverage from the heat exchange conduit to the second beverage conduit;

• delivering the beverage from the second beverage conduit the dispensing means;

• delivering the coolant fluid from the chamber to the second coolant fluid conduit; and

• delivering the coolant fluid from the the second coolant fluid conduit to the source of coolant fluid.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the coolant fluid is sprayed onto the heat exchange conduit.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the agitation means is a spray nozzle formed in at least one the inlet tube and the outlet tube.

13. A method according to any one of claims 10-12 wherein the heat exchange conduit is a coil.

14. A method according to any one of claims 10-13 wherein the heat exchange conduit is a tube.

15. A method according to any one of any one of claims 10-14 wherein the heat exchange conduit is formed of copper, aluminum or stainless steel.

16. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein the coolant fluid is onr of water and glycol.

17. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein the trunk line is insulated.

18. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 17 wherein the flow of the beverage in the heat exchange conduit is reversed relative to a flow of coolant fluid in the inlet tube for maximizing heat exchange.