Self-contained high pressure pneumatic beverage dispensing...

Details Self-contained high pressure pneumatic beverage dispensing... Self-contained high pressure pneumatic beverage dispensing...

1999-10-29

2001-07-03

Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

Automatic control

Material level control

C222S129200, C222S136000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06253960

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates generally to beverage dispensing systems configured for portable or fixed installations. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a self-contained, high pressure pneumatic beverage dispensing system that is especially adapted for use on airplanes, railcars, ships, and the like, as well as for installation in golf carts and other such small vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, beverage dispensing systems have required electrical or gasoline power. Therefore, these systems tend to be bulky and usually are unsuitable for portable applications.
Typically, conventional beverage dispensing systems comprise a high pressure carbonator tank plumbed to a carbon dioxide (CO
2
) cylinder through a pressure regulator in which the pressure to be supplied to the carbonator tank is reduced to approximately 90 pounds per square inch (psi). A motorized pump plumbed to a fixed water tap system is used to pressurize the water supplied to the tank to approximately 200 psi. The high pressure water flows into the carbonator tank, overcoming the rising pressure of the CO
2
gas contained therein. As the carbonator tank fills with this high pressure water, a pocket of CO
2
gas that exists above the water is compressed, forcing the CO
2
gas to be absorbed into the water, thereby creating carbonated water. In that these conventional beverage dispensing systems require a constant source of power to operate the pump motor, use of such systems is generally limited to fixed installations.
Although portable beverage dispensing systems that do not require electrical or gasoline powered pumps have been developed, these systems have several disadvantages. One such system is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,179 (Oyler et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,749 (Oyler et al.). Similar to the systems described in the present disclosure, the system described in these patents uses high pressure CO
2
gas supplied by a CO
2
tank to pressurize the water that is supplied to a carbonator tank. Unlike the present systems described in the instant disclosure, however, the system described in these patent references uses a low pressure carbonator tank which typically operates at pressures below 100 psi.
Despite providing for some degree of water carbonation (typically, approximately 2.5%), such low pressure systems do not produce beverages having a commercially acceptable level of carbonation (generally between 3% to 4%). Experimentation has shown that the pressurized water must be cooled to a low temperature prior to entering the carbonator tank of these systems to achieve absorption of CO
2
gas into the water. This cooling typically is effected by using a cold plate through which the pressurized water passes just prior to being supplied to the carbonator tank.
As mentioned above, low, albeit marginally acceptable, levels of carbonation can be attained with these low pressure systems. One significant drawback of using this method, however, is that the CO
2
gas contained within the carbonated water can be quickly diffused from the water when it is heated to a warmer temperature. Accordingly, when the carbonated water is post-mixed with relatively warm liquids such as concentrated syrups, juices, and the like, the relatively small amount of carbonation contained within the water can be quickly lost.
From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to have a self-contained beverage dispensing system that is completely portable and that produces beverages having a commercially acceptable level of stable carbonation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a self-contained high pressure pneumatic beverage dispensing system. In each embodiment, the dispensing system comprises a carbonator tank filling system which includes a water valve that is adapted to connect in fluid communication to a carbonator tank and to a source of pressurized water. The water valve has an open position in which water from the source of pressurized water can flow through the water valve and into the carbonator tank and further has a closed position in which water from the source of pressurized water cannot flow through the water valve into the carbonator tank. The filling system further includes at least one proximity switch that is adapted to operably connect in fluid communication to the water valve and a source of pressurized gas. The at least one proximity switch has an open position in which gas from the source of pressurized gas can flow through the at least one proximity switch and a closed position in which gas from the source of gas cannot flow through the at least one proximity switch.
In use, the at least one proximity switch is configured so as to detect a fill condition of the carbonator tank so that the at least one proximity switch can send a pneumatic signal to the water valve to cause the water valve to open or shut depending upon the detected fill condition.
The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3731845 (1973-05-01), Booth
patent: 4560089 (1985-12-01), McMillin et al.
patent: 5190189 (1993-03-01), Zimmer et al.
patent: 5191999 (1993-03-01), Cleland
patent: 6021922 (2000-02-01), Bilskie et al.
patent: 0238274 (1987-09-01), None
patent: 1191510 (1970-05-01), None
patent: 1274455 (1972-05-01), None

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