Dispensing – Automatic control – Material level control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2001-08-14
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Automatic control
Material level control
C222S129100, C222S318000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273295
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
The following patent applications for related subject matter,
“Modular Beverage Dispenser Components”Ser. No. 09/387,131;
“Mounting Block For Syrup Pump And Accessories”, Ser. No. 09/387,045 and
“Improved Cold Plate” Ser. No. 09/386,700;
all of which are incorporated herein by reference, have been filed concurrently with the present application by the assignee of the present application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present application relates generally to beverage dispenser systems, and more particularly relates to a water system having a water tank and a pump for providing consistent water flow and water pressure in a beverage dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beverage dispensers of various configurations are well known in the art. A beverage dispenser generally includes a series of syrup circuits and water circuits. The syrup circuits generally include an incoming syrup line, a syrup pump, and a series of syrup cooling coils. The syrup cooling coils are generally positioned within an ice water bath or a cold plate so as to cool the syrup to the appropriate temperature. The source of the syrup may be a bag-in-box, a figal, a syrup tank, or any other type of conventional syrup source. The water circuits generally include an incoming water line, a water pump, a carbonator, and a series of water cooling coils. The water cooling coils also are positioned within the ice water bath or the cold plate so as to chill the water. The source of the water is generally tap water or any other type of conventional water source. The carbonator adds carbon dioxide bubbles to the incoming water stream so as to produce soda water. The syrup circuits and the water circuits are then joined at a dispensing valve for mixing. The beverage is then dispensed through the dispensing valve nozzle.
The reliability and consistency of any given beverage dispenser depends in part on an adequate and uniform incoming water flow and water pressure. For example, an inconsistent water flow or water pressure leading to the beverage dispenser can easily cause the internal water pump to fail. Such a failure generally requires the entire beverage dispenser to be taken out of service for repair. Further, even if the water pump does not fail, an inconsistent water flow or water pressure may lead to the beverage dispenser providing an inconsistent beverage in that the proportions of water and syrup may be altered from the norm. Such an inconsistent beverage may not taste the same to a consumer and leave that consumer unsatisfied.
Another problem caused by an inconsistent water flow or water pressure leading to the beverage dispenser is the possibility of back flow within the system. The incoming water line is generally made out of copper tubing. The elements of the beverage dispenser from the carbonator onward, however, are generally made out of stainless steel or similar types of non-corrosive or non-reactive materials. Stainless steel is used because of the tendency of copper to react with the carbon dioxide within the soda water. Any back flow pressure in the system may cause the soda water to travel out of the carbonator back towards the copper tubing. Such a back flow generally also requires the entire beverage dispenser to be taken out of service so as to inspect or replace the copper lines. To date, this potential problem has been addressed with the use of a number of reduced pressure zone valve or a double vent check valve. These valves generally eliminate or at least reduce the possibility of back flow out of the carbonator. These back flow preventors, however, can be somewhat expensive and may not be entirely reliable.
What is needed therefore, is a means for providing a reliable and consistent water flow and water pressure to a conventional beverage dispenser. Such a constant water flow and water pressure should prevent pump failure and also should prevent the possible back flow of soda water. This water flow and water pressure, however, must be provided in a safe and relatively inexpensive beverage dispensing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus provides a water system for a beverage dispenser connected to a conventional water source. The water system includes a water tank with a given volume of water and a given volume of air. The water tank is connected to the conventional water source. A pump is connected to water tank so as to provide the water to the beverage dispenser.
Specific embodiments of the present invention include a stainless steel or plastic water tank. The volume of the tank may depend upon the size, number, and volume of the overall beverage dispenser system. Specifically, if the beverage dispenser provides an average of about eight (8), twenty-four (24) ounce servings over a ten (10) minute period at a desired temperature, the tank may have a volume of about two (2) to about five (5) gallons or more. The volume of air may be about ten (10) to about fifteen (15) percent of the water tank. The volume of water may be at atmospheric pressure.
The water system may further include an incoming water line connecting the water tank to the conventional water source. The incoming water line may be copper, stainless steel, or other types of substantially non-corrosive materials. The incoming water line may have a control valve thereon so as to open and close the line. The water tank may have a float control device in communication with the control valve, such that the float control device controls the control valve on the incoming water line. The float control device may include a switch and a float. The switch may be a magnetic sensor and the float may be an expanded polystyrene with a magnet positioned therein. The float control device opens the control valve on the incoming water line as the water level in the water tank drops.
The water system may further include an outgoing water line and a water relief line connecting the tank and the pump. More than one pump may be used. The pump may be a positive displacement pump such as a diaphragm vane pump or similar devices. The pump may be a variable speed pump with a flow rate of about two (2) to about six (6) gallons per minute. The water system may further include a dispenser line connecting the pump and the beverage dispenser. The dispenser line may have a pressure switch positioned therein so as to control the pump. The pressure switch may be a pressure transducer. The dispenser line may have a length of up to about 150 feet. The dispenser line may have an adjustable relief valve positioned thereon. The adjustable relief valve may include a return line in communication with the water tank.
A further embodiment of the present invention provides for a beverage dispenser in communication with a conventional water source. The beverage dispenser includes a water tank in communication with the conventional water source. The beverage dispenser also includes a pump in communication with the water tank and a water circuit in communication with the pump. The water from the conventional water source flows into the tank and through the pump to the water circuit. The water circuit may include a means for cooling the water flowing therein. These means may include a cold plate or a number of water cooling coils. The water circuit also may include a soda water circuit, a plain water circuit, and a number of beverage dispensing valves. The plain water circuit may be copper or stainless steel. The soda water circuit may be stainless steel. The soda water circuit may include a carbonator unit.
The method of the present invention provides water to a beverage dispenser from a conventional water source. The method includes the steps of filling a water tank with water from the conventional water source, pumping a first predetermined volume of the water by a pump to the beverage dispenser so as to provide a beverage, and then refilling the water tank with a second predetermined volume of water from the conventional water source such that the pump always has an available volume of the water regardless of the nature of the water source
Goulet Douglas P.
Grimm Ronald E.
Jersey Steven T.
Paisley Gary V.
Quartarone Daniel S.
Bui Thach H
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Shaver Kevin
The Coca-Cola Company
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