Versatile system for fountain beverage mixing

Details Versatile system for fountain beverage mixing Versatile system for fountain beverage mixing

2000-11-20

2002-06-11

Yuen, Henry C. (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

Processes of dispensing

C222S129400, C222S145600, C222S145800

Reexamination Certificate

active

06401974

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to beverage dispensing systems and, more particularly, to a versatile system for mixing beverages dispensed from a fountain or similar dispensing apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The dispensing of fountain beverages (e.g., sodas and juices) is generally accomplished using either premix systems—in which a finished beverage is delivered to a proprietor from a bottler—or postmix systems—in which flavored or base syrup is delivered to the proprietor and mixed with water at the point of delivery.
A premix system generally utilizes product containers filled with a finished beverage which may be under carbon dioxide pressure. In these systems, the product is normally delivered to the consumer via a single orifice dispensing valve. Premix systems are also used in bottling plants, which typically operate at extremely high flow rates. These systems are relatively expensive installations, and the costs associated with shipping a finished product (e.g., syrup and water) are much greater than those associated with shipping postmix materials (e.g., syrup only). Thus, premix systems are generally unsuitable for most typical food service settings. Postmix systems are much more cost effective than premix systems, and are generally predominant in food service and consumer use applications.
A postmix system generally utilizes a base syrup in combination with carbonated or still water at a prescribed ratio, delivered through a dispensing nozzle at a fountain having passages for both the syrup and water. In most conventional systems, the nozzle either combines the syrup and water immediately before delivery into a cup, or concurrently dispenses independent streams of syrup and water into the cup, allowing mixing to occur inside the cup.
FIG. 1
provides an illustrative, exploded-view diagram of portions of a conventional beverage dispenser system
100
. System
100
typically comprises a valve or solenoid member
102
for syrup delivery, a valve or solenoid member
104
for water delivery, a control assembly
105
communicatively coupled to members
102
and
104
, and conduits
106
and
108
coupled to members
102
and
104
, respectively, for providing syrup and water to the valve members from external sources (e.g., tanks or water lines). Responsive to a consumer depressing the dispensing actuator
110
, syrup and water are conducted from members
102
and
104
, through a routing assembly
112
, to a nozzle assembly
114
, which is typically housed in a receptacle
116
in a base plate
118
. Nozzle
114
often comprises a number of baffles or similar structures intended to provide a gradual de-pressurization of carbonated water (e.g., by conducting the water through a series of increasingly larger apertures), presumably to reduce the level of gas loss and foaming (which itself causes additional gas loss) in the dispensed beverage. Usually, separate routing members
102
and
122
are utilized to keep water and syrup separate until depressurization is complete and both are delivered at receptacles
124
and
126
in nozzle assembly
114
. Water and syrup flows might then be adjoined, just prior to dispensing into a cup below, within nozzle assembly
114
(not shown), or might be delivered from nozzle
114
into a cup in separate flows
128
and
130
—allowing the turbulence of the liquid flow and gravity to mix the two liquids within the cup.
Conventional systems generally avoid mixing syrup and water prior to arrival in the dispensing nozzle. Mixing at any stage other than the nozzle is avoided, as it is generally considered to produce undesirable results. In fact, as described above, most conventional systems are designed such that mixing actually occurs in the cup. It is apparently believed that mixing prior to actual dispensing nozzle delivers an inferior carbonated product, and therefore most all soft drink dispensing systems (even those that may be used to dispense either carbonated or non-carbonated drinks) are designed this way. Conventional systems appear to assume that because the carbonated water is typically at a very high pressure, admixing the syrup within a constrained area (i.e., a valve or conduit) will cause foaming or some other similar reaction. Conventional systems appear to further assume that because mixing prior to the nozzle requires routing of the mixed product through some conduits or channels, liquid flow phenomenon (e.g., degassing in the case of soda) will result from that routing and disturb the quality of the product delivered (e.g., dispensing flat soda). Thus, with very few (if any) exceptions, conventional systems keep syrup and water separate until the actual point of dispensing.
Also of concern to beverage system designers is the ability to control and alter the mix ratio of the beverage constituents (e.g., syrup and carbonated water). In the past, conventional systems typically adjusted the valve members periodically, by means of a manual process, to alter the mix ratio of the ingredients of the beverage. Thus, subtle problems with mix may have gone undetected or uncorrected for some time. Recently, however, new sensor technologies have been developed which, when combined with non-manual mix control systems, provide closed loop mix control. Typically, however, sensing surfaces in these more robust mix control technologies must be in immediate contact with the liquid being dispensed, to accurately determine and adjust the mix of the beverage being dispensed. If they contact the beverage in low or high concentration portion of the stream, sensor readings will be inaccurate and product mix may be improperly adjusted.
This presents a problem when a conventional beverage dispensing system maintains separate liquid flows throughout, allowing mixing to occur in the cup. The advanced mix sensor/control systems cannot be utilized efficiently, if at all, because no point exists at which a sensor can be positioned in the stream of a completely mixed product. Even in conventional dispensing systems where mixing occurs in the dispensing nozzle, mixing may not be thorough—characterized by a variety of low and high concentration stream portions—and thus provide an inaccurate mix measurement. Additionally, incorporating desired sensor technology into conventional nozzle assemblies may be undesirable for a number of reasons (e.g., mechanical constraints, wear and tear problems, cost concerns).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a versatile system for mixing beverages dispensed from a fountain or similar dispensing apparatus, where mixing is provided to work in conjunction with new beverage mix control technologies without significant beverage quality degradation, is now needed; providing cost-effective and efficient performance while overcoming the aforementioned limitations of conventional methods.
The present invention provides a mixing system having a versatile mixing channel, incorporated within a beverage dispenser assembly, that minimizes negative liquid flow phenomenon while providing sufficient surface area for mix control sensoring systems to contact a completely mixed product prior to dispensing.
More specifically, the present invention provides a fountain beverage mixing apparatus including a conduit having a deviated region adapted to mix a plurality of beverage constituents, a first aperture formed at a first end of the conduit and adapted to receive the plurality of beverage constituents from a plurality of supply sources, a second aperture formed at a second end of the conduit and adapted to dispense the mixed beverage constituents, and a sensor region disposed along the conduit proximal to the second aperture.
The present invention further provides a method of providing fountain beverage dispensing, by providing a plurality of beverage constituents, providing a beverage mixing apparatus having an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and a conduit interposed between the inlet and outlet apertures adapted to mix the plurality of beverage constituents, providing a dispensing nozzle engaged with

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Versatile system for fountain beverage mixing does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Versatile system for fountain beverage mixing, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Versatile system for fountain beverage mixing will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2979831