Dispensing – Plural sources – compartment – containers and/or spaced jacket – Cabinet-type dispenser for single mixed drinks
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-03-06
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Plural sources, compartment, containers and/or spaced jacket
Cabinet-type dispenser for single mixed drinks
C222S145600, C222S146200, C222S318000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196422
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to dispensing systems and, more particularly to a system for dispensing hot beverages or the like. Hot beverage dispensing systems are commonly used in homes, offices, and restaurants. Heretofore, when it was desired to provide hot beverages, the beverages were heated or brewed and kept hot in a heated container. Conventional systems for producing hot beverages were expensive, labor-intensive, and difficult to maintain, and could not continuously provide fresh beverages. Moreover, separate containers were needed for different beverages, and they had to be regularly removed and cleaned. Thus, there is a need for a more efficient and inexpensive system for dispensing hot beverages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved dispensing system for economically delivering hot beverages. It is specially adapted to dispense hot beverages at precise temperature ranges in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. The invention provides for dispensing hot beverages continuously at a dispensing head and efficiently by utilizing a heater that supplies hot water on demand to meet the rate of delivery of the beverage and recirculating continuously the hot water between the dispensing head and the heater. The continuous recirculation ensures that there are no regions of cooler water up to the dispensing head. A peristaltic pump directs a continuous supply of beverage concentrate to the dispensing head for mixing with the hot water while preventing sticking, drying, or gumming of the concentrate. The concentrate can be brixed to desired ratios for very economical delivery of hot beverages. The system is especially suitable for point-of-use applications.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a system for dispensing hot beverages comprises a water heater for producing hot water and a water pump coupled downstream of the water heater. A dispensing device is coupled downstream of the water pump. A recirculation line is coupled between the dispensing device and the water heater. A beverage concentrate pump is coupled between a beverage concentrate source and the dispensing device. The water heater is typically an on-demand, tankless water heater.
In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of sources of beverage concentrates and corresponding beverage concentrate pumps coupled between the beverage concentrate sources and the dispensing device.
In a specific embodiment, the dispensing device includes a plurality of dispensing heads each coupled with one of the plurality of beverage concentrate pumps for receiving beverage concentrate from one of the plurality of beverage concentrate sources.
In other embodiments, the dispensing device includes a dispensing head coupled with thc beverage concentrate pumps via a plurality of beverage concentrate lines, and a control device operable for selectively activating the beverage concentrate pumps for pumping the beverage concentrates to the dispensing head. The dispensing head includes a plurality of valves each coupled with a corresponding beverage concentrate line. The valves are operable to open selectively to allow beverage concentrate to flow from the activated beverage concentrate pump through the corresponding beverage concentrate line out of the corresponding valve. The dispensing head further includes a water valve coupled with the recirculation line. The water valve is operable to open selectively in a mixing mode for mixing with the beveragc concentrate flowed from the activated beverage concentrate pump to the dispensing head, and in a nonmixing mode for flowing water from the recirculation line out through the dispensing head.
In one embodiment, the dispensing device includes a valve, a switch operable to control opening and closing of the valve, and a portion control unit operable to activate the switch to open the valve for a selected period of time for dispensing. The portion control feature can be turned off at any time allowing override of continuous manual operation. The system can be switched at anytime between the two modes of operation.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system for dispensing hot beverages comprises means for heating a fluid and a fluid pump coupled downstream of the heating means. A dispensing device is coupled downstream of the fluid pump. A recirculation line is coupled between the dispensing device and the heating means. The system further comprises means for supplying at least one source of beverage concentrate to the dispensing device.
Another aspect of the invention is a method of dispensing a hot beverage from a dispensing device upon activation of a switch. The method comprises the step of heating water substantially to a preset temperature. The heated water is flowed into the dispensing device upon activation of the switch to form a vortex-like flow in the dispensing device. A beverage concentrate is flowed into the vortex-like flow of the heated water to mix the beverage concentrate with the heated water in the dispensing device to form the hot beverage and discharge the hot beverage out of the dispensing device.
It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved system for economically dispensing hot beverages or the like which system can provide hot beverages in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage and is inexpensive and easy to maintain and clean. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description read in view of the accompanying drawings which are made a part of this specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3790028 (1974-02-01), Garner, Jr. et al.
patent: 4458829 (1984-07-01), Greenfield, Jr. et al.
patent: 5114045 (1992-05-01), Herpe
Bennett Charles E.
Tuyls James M.
Automatic Bar Controls
Derakshani Philippe
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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