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
  • B67D1/125—Safety means, e.g. over-pressure valves
• • 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
  • B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
  • B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• • 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
  • B67D1/0057—Carbonators
  • B67D1/0069—Details
• • 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
  • B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
  • B67D1/004—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the diluent being supplied from water mains
• • 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
  • B67D1/0043—Mixing devices for liquids
  • B67D1/0044—Mixing devices for liquids for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
• • 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
  • B67D1/0057—Carbonators
• • 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
  • B67D1/0057—Carbonators
  • B67D1/0061—Carbonators with cooling 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
• • 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
• • 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
  • B67D1/0859—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator being in direct heat contact with the beverage, e.g. placed inside a beverage container
• • 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
  • B67D1/10—Pump mechanism
• • 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
• • 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
  • B67D1/1277—Flow control valves
  • B67D1/1279—Flow control valves regulating the flow
  • B67D1/1281—Flow control valves regulating the flow responsive to pressure
• • 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
  • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
  • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
  • B67D7/78—Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines
• • 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
  • B67D2001/0091—Component storage 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
  • B67D2001/0095—Constructional details
  • B67D2001/0096—Means for pressurizing liquid
  • B67D2001/0097—Means for pressurizing liquid using a pump

Definitions

• Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to beverage dispensers, including carbonated beverage dispensers and non-carbonated beverage dispensers.
• a method of converting a carbonated beverage dispenser to a non-carbonated beverage dispenser includes disconnecting a carbonation tank from fluid communication with the beverage dispenser and installing a pressure tank.
• the pressure tank may be installed in fluid communication with a carbonation pump and mixing nozzle of the beverage dispenser.
• the mixing nozzle may dispense the beverage from the beverage dispenser.
• a pressure switch may also be installed to monitor a pressure in the pressure tank.
• the pressure switch may actuate the carbonation pump when the pressure in the pressure tank falls below a lower threshold pressure.
• the pressure switch may also shut off the carbonation pump once the pressure increases above an upper threshold pressure.
• a pressure regulator may also be installed to regulate the pressure in the beverage supply line.
• the pressure tank may be a hydro- pneumatic tank.
• a beverage dispenser may include a carbonation pump fluidly coupled to a water source by a beverage supply line.
• a pressure tank monitored by a pressure switch, may be fluidly coupled to the beverage supply line.
• a mixing nozzle may be located at one end the beverage supply line.
• the pressure switch may monitor a pressure in the pressure tank. The pressure switch may actuate the carbonation pump to increase the pressure in the pressure tank when the pressure falls below a lower threshold pressure and may shut off when the pressure in the tank exceeds an upper pressure threshold.
• a beverage dispenser may also comprise a syrup source configured to add syrup to the mixing nozzle.
• a pre-chilling coil and a post-chilling coil may be in line with the beverage supply line to cool a temperature of the beverage before it is dispensed.
• the beverage dispenser may include solenoid valves configured to release water from the beverage supply line into the mixing nozzle.
• a solenoid valve may also release syrup in to the mixing nozzle.
• the syrup may be pumped from a syrup source using a syrup pump.
• the syrup may also travel through a syrup chilling coil prior to being released into the mixing nozzle.
• the syrup chilling coil may lower the temperature of the syrup before it is added to the mixing nozzle so a cooler beverage can be dispensed to the user.
• a second syrup source may be added to the beverage dispenser.
• the second syrup source may be integrated into the beverage dispenser in much the same way as the first syrup source. Additional syrup sources may also be added.
• one or more mixing nozzles may be used with the beverage dispenser.
• Each nozzle may have its own syrup source.
• a syrup source may serve one or more mixing nozzles.
• beverage from a carbonated beverage dispenser includes actuating a carbonation pump to increase a pressure in the pressure tank.
• the carbonation pump may be configured to shut off when a pressure in the pressure tank is above an upper threshold pressure.
• the pressure tank may discharge the pressure into the beverage supply line in response to a user actuating a dispensing mechanism of the beverage dispenser.
• Actuating the dispensing mechanism releases the beverage from the beverage dispenser.
• a method of dispensing a beverage may also include dispensing a predetermined amount or volume of a beverage from the beverage dispenser.
• a method may also include adding a syrup to the beverage supply line to in response to the user activating the dispensing mechanism.
• a syrup may be added with a syrup pump. The syrup may be routed through a syrup-chilling coil to lower the temperature of the syrup.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a carbonated beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a non-carbonated beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a non-carbonated beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a non-carbonated beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of dispensing a beverage from a
• beverage dispenser converted from a carbonated beverage dispenser to a non-carbonated beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.
• FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a beverage dispensing system according to some embodiments.
• the present disclosure is directed to beverage dispensing systems and methods of dispensing beverages.
• Beverage dispensers are used in wide variety of settings including concessions, convenience stations, and restaurants. Beverage dispensers are economical and visually attractive ways of storing and combining beverage components.
• a wide variety of beverage products including, but not limited to, carbonated beverages, non- carbonated beverages, juices, flavored waters, and others may be dispensed from beverage dispensers.
• Carbonated beverages may include soft drinks, such as, for example, Pepsi ⁇ .
• Non-carbonated beverages may include tea, such as iced-tea, for example, Pure Leaf ⁇ .
• Beverage dispensers may include several components for preparing a beverage.
• the components may differ depending on the type of beverage, or specific beverage, that will be dispensed.
• a carbonated beverage dispenser may require a carbonation tank and carbonation pump. Because beverage dispensers require components specific to the beverage product that will be dispensed, operators of beverage dispensers may have relatively limited options for adapting a beverage dispenser originally intended for one type of beverage product for use with another type of beverage.
• Beverage components may include water, syrups, and carbon dioxide gas, among other.
• Beverage dispensers may combine beverage components to make a beverage.
• Beverage dispensers may also offer levels of customization to a beverage user.
• more than one syrup may be added to a beverage.
• a base flavor syrup may be added to water to make a beverage.
• the base flavor may be, for example, a lemon-lime flavor.
• a second flavor syrup may be added to the beverage to change the flavor of the dispensed beverage.
• a user may add a cherry flavor to change, or customize, the beverage dispensed.
• a carbonated beverage dispenser may include specific components to combine the beverage components of a carbonated beverage.
• a carbonated beverage may be made with water infused with carbon dioxide gas and a syrup.
• the carbonated beverage may be dispensed from a beverage dispenser that includes a carbonation source, a water source and syrup source.
• the carbonation source may be, for example, a canister of compressed carbon dioxide gas.
• the water source may be, for example, a water faucet connected to a municipal water supply or the like.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a carbonated beverage dispenser 100 according to some embodiments.
• Carbonated beverage dispenser 100 includes a beverage supply line 102.
• Beverage supply line 102 fluidly couples components of carbonated beverage dispenser 100 to one another.
• the arrows shown on beverage supply line 102 show a direction of travel of beverage components within the beverage dispenser.
• beverage supply line 102 is fluidly coupled to a water source 104.
• Beverage supply line 102 terminates at mixing nozzle 154.
• Mixing nozzle 154 dispense the carbonated beverage from carbonated beverage dispenser 100.
• Mixing nozzle 154 may also mix beverage components together as the carbonated beverage is dispensed.
• Beverage dispensers require pumps or other mechanisms to drive a beverage or beverage component through the beverage dispenser.
• the carbonation pump drives the beverage through the beverage dispenser.
• a carbonation pump pumps water into a carbonation tank.
• the carbonation tank is connected to a carbon dioxide supply to supply the carbonation tank with carbon dioxide gas. Once the carbon dioxide gas and water are in the carbonation tank, the carbon dioxide gas diffuses into the water to form carbonated water.
• the carbonation tank not only carbonates the water, but because the tank is pressurized, the pressure tank also acts to force a beverage out of the beverage dispenser.
• the carbonation pump may operate when a user of the beverage dispenser
• the dispensing mechanism may be located under the mixing nozzle of the beverage dispenser.
• the dispensing mechanism may be a lever, button, or other user interface device.
• the activation mechanism opens one or more valves of the beverage dispenser to dispensing a beverage to the user.
• carbonated beverage dispenser 100 includes a carbonation pump 106.
• Carbonation pump 106 drives a beverage from water source 104 through beverage supply line 102 to a carbonation tank 110. Before water reaches carbonation tank 110, it may be routed through other components. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, water may travel a pre-chilling coil 108. Pre-chilling coil 108 lowers the temperature of the water before it reaches carbonation tank 110. This additional cooling step gives the operator more temperature options for dispensing the beverage.
• Carbonation pump 106 also pumps carbon dioxide gas into carbonation tank 110.
• FIG. 1 show a carbon dioxide gas source 109 operatively coupled to carbonation tank 110.
• the carbon dioxide gas dissolves in the water to created carbonated water.
• Carbonated water leaves carbonation tank 110 through beverage supply line 102.
• carbonated water may move through post-chilling coil 150 which lowers the temperature of the carbonated water prior to dispensing.
• a solenoid value 152 fluidly coupled to beverage supply line 102 releases carbonated water from beverage supply line 102 into a mixing nozzle 154.
• Mixing nozzle 154 mixes beverage components, such as the carbonated water and syrup, and dispenses the readymade beverage to a user.
• a syrup system may also supply a syrup to the beverage.
• the syrup system includes a syrup source 162.
• a syrup pump 160 pumps syrup from syrup source 162 through a syrup supply line 170 to a syrup solenoid valve 156.
• Syrup solenoid valve 156 dispenses a measured amount of syrup into mixing nozzle 154.
• the syrup may also be routed through a syrup chilling coil to reduce the temperature of the syrup.
• the beverage dispensed from mixing nozzle 154 is a combination of water from beverage supply line 102 and syrup.
• a carbonated beverage dispenser according to some embodiments may be
• a carbonated beverage dispenser may be converted into a non-carbonated beverage dispenser by removing the carbonation tank from the beverage dispenser.
• the carbonation tank may be physically removed from the beverage dispenser, for example, by
• the carbonation tank may be operatively removed from the beverage dispenser by means of a shut off valve or flex valve fluidly located between the carbonation tank and the beverage supply line.
• FIG. 2 shows a schematic of beverage dispenser 200 according to some embodiments.
• Beverage dispenser 200 may be a converted carbonated beverage dispenser, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. As such, components of beverage dispenser 200 are similar to those of beverage dispenser 100.
• a method of converting a carbonated beverage dispenser to a non-carbonated beverage dispenser may include installing a pressure tank in the beverage dispenser.
• the pressure tank may be fluidly coupled to the beverage supply line between the mixing nozzle of the beverage dispenser and carbonation pump.
• the pressure tank may be fluidly connected to the beverage supply line with a shut off valve or flex valve. With the shutoff valve or flex valve, an operator may quickly add or remove the pressure tank from the beverage supply line without installing or uninstalling the pressure tank.
• the converted non-carbonated beverage dispenser uses the
• the pressure tank includes a diaphragm that separates a first and a second chamber of the pressure tank.
• the first chamber may be fluidly coupled to beverage supply line 102 and the second chamber is closed off and includes a compressible fluid, such as, for example, air.
• solenoid valve 152 When the carbonation pump is activated and solenoid valve 152 is closed, the carbonation pump pumps water into the first chamber of the pressure tank. As more water enters the first chambers, the diaphragm is displaced into the second chamber of the tank. The diaphragm thus pressurizes the system. Therefore, even when the carbonation pump is off, a beverage may still be dispensed from the beverage dispenser because the pressure tank pushes the water through the beverage dispenser.
• a carbonated beverage dispenser may be converted to a non-carbonated beverage dispenser by removing carbonation tank 110 and adding a pressure tank 204.
• Pressure tank 204 includes a diaphragm 206 separating a first chamber 210 and a second chamber 212.
• First chamber 210 is fluidly coupled to beverage supply line 102.
• Activating carbonation pump 106 forces water from water source 104 into first chamber 210 of pressure tank 204.
• diaphragm 206 is displaced into second chamber 212. This increase the potential energy of diaphragm 206 by increasing the pressure of a fluid in second chamber 212.
• the fluid in second chamber 212 may be air, nitrogen, or a similar compressible fluid.
• pressure tank 204 is a hydro-pneumatic tank.
• FIG. 2 shows a line 208 representing a displacement of diaphragm 206.
• the dispensing mechanism may be integral to mixing nozzle 154.
• the dispensing mechanism may be actuated by a mechanical toggle or an electrical signal. For example, an operator may select a beverage size option from a menu of options.
• mixing nozzle 154 may dispense a specific volume of beverage. For example, if an operator selects a button labeled“Large,” 16 fluid ounces of beverage may be dispensed. If an operator selects a button labeled“Small,” 8 fluid ounces of beverage may be dispensed.
• a pressure in pressure tank 204 may be monitored by a pressure switch 202.
• Pressure switch 202 may also be operatively coupled to carbonation pump 106. Pressure switch 202 may be configured to operate carbonation pump 106. According to some embodiments, pressure switch 202 may turn on carbonation pump 106 when a pressure in pressure tank 204 falls below a lower threshold pressure. Pressure switch 202 may shut off carbonation pump 106 when the pressure in pressure tank 204 is above an upper threshold pressure.
• FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of monitoring a pressuring in a pressure tank and adjusting the pressure accordingly.
• Figure 3 shows an embodiment according to the present disclosure. Beverage supply line 102 divides at junction 306 to a carbonated beverage supply line 310 and a non-carbonated beverage supply line 320.
• Carbonated beverage supply line 310 has solenoid 152 and carbonation tank 110. Carbonated beverage supply line 310 operates similar to a conventional carbonated beverage dispenser. Water enters carbonation tank 110 where carbon dioxide gas diffuses into the water to form carbonated water. The carbonated water may then be dispensed through mixing nozzle 154 as a carbonated beverage.
• Beverage dispenser 300 shown in FIG. 3 also includes a flex valve 302. Flex valve 302 is fluidly coupled to non-carbonated beverage supply line 320, a carbonated water cross feed line 304, and second mixing nozzle 155. Flex valve 302 allows the operator of beverage dispenser 300 to select the water source for second mixing nozzle 155.
• flex valve 302 supplies carbonated water from carbonated beverage supply line 310 via carbonated water cross feed line 304. In this mode, second mixing nozzle 155 dispenses a carbonated beverage. In another mode of operation, flex valve 302 supplies non-carbonated water from non-carbonated beverage supply line 320. In this mode, second mixing nozzle 155 dispenses a non-carbonated beverage.
• FIG. 4 shows a beverage dispenser 300 according to some embodiments.
• Beverage dispenser 300 may have components similar to those disclosed and described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 3.
• FIG. 4 shows beverage dispenser 300 with a carbonation pump 106.
• Carbonation pump 106 drives water through beverage supply line 102 to junction 306.
• Carbonation pump 106 also drives water into
• the method may include determining a pressure in a pressure tank 502.
• the pressure in the pressure tank is compared 504 to a lower threshold pressure 506. If the pressure in the tank is less than a lower threshold pressure 506, the method may include activating a carbonation pump 508.
• the pressure in the pressure tank may continue to be monitored when the carbonation pump is running.
• the pressure in the pressure tank may continually be compared to an upper threshold pressure 512. When the pressure in the tank is greater than the upper threshold pressure 512 (upper threshold comparison 510), the carbonation pump may be shut off 514. The process may continue indefinitely so that the pressure in the carbonation tank remains sufficient to supply the beverage dispenser with sufficient pressure to dispense a beverage.
• the upper threshold pressure 512 may be pressure near an upper pressure limit of the pressure tank.
• the lower threshold pressure 506 may be greater than a minimum pressure required to operate the beverage dispenser.
• it may only be necessary to intermittently operate carbonation pump 106. Operating carbonation pump 106 only when necessary to charge the pressure in the pressure tank may contribute to operational savings and energy efficiencies because the excess energy generated by the carbonation pump 106 may be stored in the pressure tank.
• carbonation pump 106 may be configured to engage for minimum intervals to reduce power waste during carbonation pump l06’s startup operations.
• the carbonation pump may charge the pressure tank to a pressure between 30 to 40 PSI for low pressure beverage dispensing and between 60 to 120 PSI for high pressure beverage dispensing.
• a pressure regulator 220 may also be installed before mixing nozzle 154.
• Pressure regulator 220 may lower the pressure of the beverage before it is dispensed by mixing nozzle 154. This prevents the beverage from being dispensed at too high of a pressure.
• Pressure regulator 220 also allows carbonation pump 106 to pressurize the pressure tank to a higher level without concern that the excess pressure will be quickly released when the dispensing mechanism is activated. This enhances the user experience by protecting the user from expected blasts of water.
• pressure regulator 220 is integral to solenoid valve 152. That is, solenoid valve 152 not only controls the release of the carbonated water to mixing nozzle 154, it also ensure that the carbonated water is released at an appropriate pressure.
• FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a beverage dispenser 400 according to some embodiments.
• Beverage dispenser 400 may include internal systems such as those disclosed herein.
• Beverage dispenser 400 may include a housing 401.
• Housing 401 may enclose beverage dispensing systems and may be located on a dispenser platform 402.
• Dispenser platform 402 may include a drip system 404 configured to collect drops of beverage or beverage components that may drip from mixing nozzles 154, 155.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

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• 2019
  • 2019-04-15 US US17/046,602 patent/US11584631B2/en active Active
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• 2023
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