Gas and liquid contact apparatus – Fluid distribution – Pumping
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-30
2001-02-06
Smith, Duane (Department: 1724)
Gas and liquid contact apparatus
Fluid distribution
Pumping
C261S084000, C261S119100, C261SDIG007
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182949
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally concerns beverage dispensing equipment and in particular such equipment having a combined agitator, carbonator and soda pump arrangement using a magnetic drive coupling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beverage dispensing equipment relative to the provision of carbonated beverages is well understood. Such beverages may include a syrup mixed with carbonated water (also known as soda). Such equipment which provides for such beverages typically have associated with them a carbonator for mixing carbon dioxide gas with water. The carbonator body may have surrounding it a reservoir containing a chilled coolant. For example, the carbonator may be located within an ice bank cooled water bath which chills the carbonator and its contents as well as the water to be carbonated. As is known, the ice bank is formed on an evaporator located with the water bath which evaporator is cooled by the operation of a mechanical refrigeration system. Examples of such arrangements are described in GB 2 307 975A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,300.
In practice, the carbonator may be closely adjacent to or remote from the beverage dispense point i.e., the point where a valve or tap is operated to dispense the beverage into a glass or similar container from which the consumer will drink the beverage. If the carbonator is remote from the dispense point, the soda may be kept chilled on its journey from the carbonator by ensuring that the supply tube is held within a thermally insulating sleeve which is sometimes known as a python.
A continuing problem with prior art carbonators concerns their ability to rapidly form carbonated water of the desired level of carbonation to adequately provide for needed volumes thereof during periods of high drink demand.
A further problem concerns the ability of the cooling equipment to provide for good heat exchange between the ice bank and the carbonator tank and the water or syrup coils wherein the water in the bath serves as the thermal exchange medium there between. Typically, agitators are used to stir the water in the bath tank to ensure proper heat exchange between the water and the ice bank and, in turn, the carbonator and coils. However, an agitator includes a separate motor and presents further equipment and energy consumption cost.
Carbonators also require a water pump to pump the flat or non-carbonated water therein and to pump the carbonated water therefrom to the dispense point. Such pumps also represent further cost and complexity.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an improved carbonator that can produce large volumes of properly carbonated water. And it also would be desirable to accomplish the foregoing in a manner that provides for good heat exchange between the carbonator and the cooling medium there around and do so in a manner that is cost efficient. It would further be desirable to provide for such heat exchange and for the pumping of water to and from the carbonator that does not require separate motors for each such function.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a carbonator is provided for use in beverage dispense, said carbonator comprising:
means for retaining a first liquid to be carbonated, said retaining means essentially comprising a closed tank having associated an entry for said first liquid and an associated exit for said first liquid when carbonated;
means for admitting carbon dioxide gas under pressure into said retaining means; pump means for said first liquid located within said retaining means, said pump means having drive means located externally of said retaining means, said pump means being driven via a magnetic coupling between the pump means and the drive means;
a reservoir in which said retaining means is located, said reservoir being adapted to hold a second liquid which surrounds at least part of said retaining means, and agitation means located below the retaining means for agitating said second liquid, said agitation means being directly connected with the said drive means.
A passageway may be provided through the retaining means through which passes a shaft extending from the drive means to the agitation means. The drive means may be located above the retaining means. The magnetic coupling between the pump means and the drive means may comprise two components, one of which is within the retaining means and coupled with the pump impeller, with the other component extending within the reservoir below the retaining means. This second component is typically attached to the lower portion of the shaft. The agitation means for the second liquid is typically located on said shaft below said latter component of the magnetic coupling. Means may be provided attached to the pump impeller for agitating the first liquid within the retaining means.
Optionally, the reservoir may contain means for chilling the second liquid. Such chilling means may include the evaporator portion of a refrigeration circuit. The evaporator may be in the form of a coiled tube which extends around the inside perimeter of the reservoir. The refrigeration system may be adapted to create and maintain an ice bank around the inside perimeter of the reservoir. Alternatively, the second liquid may be recirculated through a python to a remote chiller from where the second liquid is returned to the reservoir. The reservoir may be of a depth which substantially enables the retaining means to be covered with the second liquid or for the liquid to extend over a substantial portion of the external surface area of the retaining means. Within the reservoir there may be means for circulating a further liquid product and maintaining said further product chilled. Such further product could include a fruit or cola syrup.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2463975 (1949-03-01), Johnson
patent: 4629589 (1986-12-01), Gupta et al.
patent: 4764315 (1988-08-01), Brusa
patent: 5160461 (1992-11-01), Burrows
patent: 5715700 (1998-02-01), Credle, Jr.
patent: 506758 (1951-11-01), None
Hakanson Sten Erik
Hopkins Robert A.
IMI Cornelius Inc.
Smith Duane
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