The present invention relates generally to beverage dispensers and in particular to carbonators for beverage dispensers.
It is known in the beverage dispensing art to use cold plates to provide heat exchange cooling of drinks. The cold plate itself is cooled by a volume of ice placed in contact with it and, in turn, provides for cooling of beverage liquids flowed through circuits or tubes embedded in the cold plate. A cold plate often is used in conjunction with a post-mix beverage dispenser, in which case sources of plain and carbonated water and beverage syrup flavorings are connected to the cold plate to be cooled as they are passed through the cold plate circuits. A carbonated or non-carbonated drink is then produced when the cooled carbonated or plain water and syrup flavoring constituents are subsequently mixed together and dispensed from a post mix valve.
To provide carbonated water for beverages, a carbonator tank serves as a source of carbonated water and usually is located within the beverage dispenser housing for producing carbonated water through mixture of plain water and carbon dioxide gas. Associated with the carbonator tank are a carbonator pump for delivering potable plain water into the tank and a source of CO2 gas for introduction into the tank for mixture with the potable water in the tank to provide carbonated water, all in a manner well-known in the art. To maintain sufficient water in the carbonator tank for proper carbonation and to meet demands for carbonated water in the serving of beverages, a liquid level sensor customarily is located inside of the tank for sensing the level of water in the tank and for controlling operation of the carbonator pump to deliver water to the tank, as required, to maintain an adequate level of water in the tank. To ensure that the carbonator tank does not become internally overpressurized, a self-actuating pressure relief safety valve is provided on the tank to automatically vent pressure from the tank upon occurrence of an overpressure condition.
A problem with beverage dispensers that use carbonators concerns placement of the carbonator within the dispenser. Locating the carbonator to the exterior of a dispenser is known, but ambient warming of the carbonator and its contents then becomes a problem in terms of dispenser performance and increased ice usage, since the cold plate is then required to chill carbonated water that is warmer than would be the case if the carbonator were located within the dispenser. It therefore is more common and desirable to locate the carbonator in the interior of the beverage dispenser housing, advantageously in a location where heat exchange cooling of the carbonator tank occurs to chill the carbonated water. However, a difficulty that arises is in choosing the particular location for the carbonator, since the liquid level sensor inside of the carbonator tank and the pressure relief safety valve on the tank are serviceable parts that can and do malfunction and require periodic replacement. If the carbonator is placed in a relatively inaccessible location within the dispenser housing, should the liquid level sensor and/or pressure relief safety valve fail or require periodic replacement or maintenance, considerable disassembly of the beverage dispenser, at considerable cost, can be required to access and service the carbonator for repair or replacement of its components. Unfortunately, as ice/beverage dispensers evolve to offer more and more features and performance advantages to users, the space available inside of dispenser housings for convenient and accessible mounting of carbonators has become ever more scarce, often leaving no choice but to mount the carbonator within the dispenser housing at a location that makes it relatively inaccessible and difficult to reach for service or repair of its liquid level sensor and pressure relief valve.
Accordingly, it would be very desirable to have the serviceable parts of a carbonator positioned at a relatively easily accessible location within a beverage dispenser housing, even though the carbonator tank itself may of necessity be positioned at a relatively inaccessible location.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a carbonator for mounting within a beverage dispenser housing, wherein its carbonator tank can be placed at a relatively inaccessible first location within the dispenser housing while its serviceable components are positioned at a placed accessible second location within the dispenser housing.
In accordance with the present invention, a carbonator comprises a carbonator tank having a liquid inlet, a carbonating gas inlet and a carbonated liquid outlet; liquid level sensing means located to the exterior of and remote from the carbonator tank; and means for fluid coupling the liquid level sensing means to an interior of the tank for sensing the level of liquid in the tank.
In a preferred embodiment, the carbonator also includes pressure relief means located remote from the carbonator tank and means for fluid coupling the pressure relief means to interior of the tank for relieving overpressure in the tank. The means for fluid coupling the pressure relief means may include the means for fluid coupling the liquid level sensing means to the tank interior, and the carbonator can advantageously have first fluid conduit means having an inlet remote from the tank for fluid coupling to a source of liquid and an outlet fluid coupled to the tank liquid inlet; second fluid conduit means having an inlet remote from the tank for fluid coupling to a source of carbonating gas and an outlet fluid coupled to the tank carbonating gas inlet; and third fluid conduit means having an inlet coupled to the tank carbonated liquid outlet and an outlet remote from the tank for fluid coupling to a point of use of carbonated liquid. In addition, the carbonator can include means responsive to the liquid level sensing means sensing less than a predetermined level of liquid in the carbonator tank for delivering liquid to the tank liquid inlet. The means responsive may comprise pump means fluid coupled between a supply of liquid and the tank liquid inlet, and control means coupled to the liquid level sensing means and to the pump means for operating the pump means to deliver liquid to the tank liquid inlet in responsive to a sensed level of liquid in the tank being less than the predetermined level.
The invention also contemplates a beverage dispensing apparatus that embodies such a carbonator. In this case, the beverage dispensing apparatus comprises a housing; a beverage dispensing valve carried by the housing; a carbonator including a carbonator tank positioned at a first location in the housing, the tank having a liquid inlet, a carbonating gas inlet and a carbonated liquid outlet; liquid level sensing means positioned at a second location in the housing remote from both the first location and from the carbonator tank; means for fluid coupling the liquid level sensing means to an interior of the tank for sensing the level of liquid in the tank; means responsive to the liquid level sensing means sensing less than a predetermined level of liquid in the tank for delivering liquid to the tank liquid inlet; and means for fluid coupling the tank carbonated liquid outlet to the beverage valve to deliver carbonated liquid to the valve.
In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispensing apparatus includes pressure relief means positioned at a third location in the housing remote from both the first location and from the carbonator tank; and means for fluid coupling the pressure relief means to the tank interior for relieving overpressure in the tank. In addition, the beverage dispensing apparatus may further include first fluid conduit means having an inlet at a fourth location in the housing remote from the first location and from the carbonator tank for fluid coupling to a source of liquid and an outlet fluid coupled to the tank liquid inlet; second fluid conduit means having an inlet at a fifth location in the housing remote from the first location and from the tank for fluid coupling to a source of carbonating gas and an outlet fluid coupled to the tank carbonating gas inlet; and third fluid conduit means having an inlet fluid coupled to the tank carbonated liquid outlet and an outlet at a sixth location in the housing remote from the first location and from the carbonator tank, the outlet for fluid coupling to the beverage dispensing valve. The second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth locations may be toward a front of the housing while the first location is toward a rear of the housing.
The invention also contemplates a method of operating a carbonator, which comprises the steps of placing a carbonator tank of the carbonator at a first location; delivering liquid to a liquid inlet to the carbonator tank; delivering carbonating gas to a carbonating gas inlet to the carbonator tank to carbonate liquid in the tank; providing carbonated liquid from an outlet from the carbonator tank to a point of use; placing a liquid level sensor at a second location remote from both the first location and from the carbonator tank; sensing the level of liquid in the tank by fluid coupling the liquid level sensor to an interior of the carbonator tank; and controlling operation of the liquid delivering step in accordance with the sensing step to maintain at least a predetermined level of liquid in the tank.
In a preferred embodiment of the method of operating the carbonator, included are the steps of placing a pressure relief valve at a third location remote from both the first location and from the carbonator tank; and fluid coupling the pressure relief valve to an interior of the tank to relieve an overpressure condition in the tank. The liquid delivering step may comprise fluid coupling a source of liquid to an inlet to a first conduit leading to the liquid inlet to the carbonator tank, wherein the inlet to the first conduit is at a fourth location remote from the first location and from the tank; the carbonating gas delivering step may comprises fluid coupling a source of carbonating gas to an inlet to a second conduit leading to the carbonating gas inlet to the tank, wherein the inlet to the second conduit is at a fifth location remote from the first location and from the tank; and the providing carbonated liquid step may comprise fluid coupling a third conduit to the outlet from the tank, wherein the third conduit has an outlet at a sixth location remote from the first location and from the tank.
The invention also contemplates a method of operating a beverage dispenser embodying such a carbonator and having a housing and a beverage dispensing valve carried by the housing. The method comprises the steps of placing a carbonator tank of a carbonator at a first location in the housing; delivering liquid to a liquid inlet to the tank; delivering carbonating gas to a carbonating gas inlet to the tank to carbonate liquid in the tank; providing carbonated liquid from an outlet from the tank to the beverage dispensing valve; placing a liquid level sensor at a second location in the housing remote from the first location and from the tank; sensing the level of liquid in the tank by fluid coupling the liquid level sensor to an interior of the tank; and controlling operation of the liquid delivering step in accordance with the sensing step to maintain at least a predetermined level of liquid in the tank.
In a preferred practice of the method of operating the beverage dispenser, included are the steps of placing a pressure relief valve at a third location remote from the first location and from the carbonator tank; and fluid coupling the pressure relief valve to an interior of the tank to relieve an overpressure condition in the tank. In addition, the liquid delivering step comprises fluid coupling a source of liquid to an inlet to a first conduit leading to the liquid inlet to the carbonator tank, wherein the inlet to the first conduit is at a fourth location remote from the first location and from the tank; the carbonating gas delivering step comprises fluid coupling a source of carbonating gas to an inlet to a second conduit leading to the carbonating gas inlet to the tank, wherein the inlet to the second conduit is at a fifth location remote from the first location and from the tank; and the providing carbonated liquid step comprises fluid coupling a third conduit to the outlet from the tank, wherein the third conduit has an outlet at a sixth location remote from the first location and from the tank. The first location may be toward a rear of the housing and the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth locations may be toward a front of the housing.
The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon a consideration of the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present invention may advantageously be incorporated into a combined ice and beverage dispensing machine of a general type as seen in
As seen in
With reference to
The carbonator 38 produces carbonated water in the carbonator tank 40 in a manner well understood in the art, wherein water and CO2 gas are introduced under pressure into and mixed in intimate contact within the tank. As is conventional, the carbonator tank has a water inlet for fluid connection to a source of pressurized potable water, a CO2 gas inlet for fluid connection to a source of pressurized CO2 gas, a carbonated water outlet for fluid connection to one or more of the beverage valves 18, a liquid level sensor for detecting the level of water in the tank and for controlling delivery of potable water into the tank through the water inlet as a function of the withdrawal of carbonated water from the tank through the carbonated water outlet, and a pressure safety relief valve. However, unlike conventional carbonators where the liquid level sensor is contained within the carbonator tank, where the pressure relief safety valve is mounted on the tank and where the connections to the potable water inlet, to the CO2 inlet and to the carbonated water outlet are made right at the tank itself, in the carbonator of the invention the liquid level sensor, pressure relief safety valve, potable water inlet, CO2 inlet and carbonated water outlet connection points are fluid coupled to but remote from the carbonator tank. This unique feature of the carbonator 38 enables the carbonator tank 40 to be located within the beverage dispenser housing 12 at a location that is generally inaccessible, such as at the location shown under and at the rearward end of the cold plate 26, with the liquid level sensor, pressure relief safety valve, potable water inlet, CO2 gas inlet and carbonated water outlet connection points then being remotely located from the tank at accessible locations within the dispenser housing, such for example as directly behind the easily removable splash panel 22. The arrangement advantageously enables the carbonator tank 40, which by itself does not require maintenance or service, to be located in an out of the way and generally inaccessible area of the dispenser, while other components and water connection points of the carbonator 38, that normally must periodically be accessed for service, for repair and/or for connection and disconnection of water lines, are brought to an accessible location in the dispenser.
With particular reference to
The carbonator 38 has a liquid level sensor, indicated generally at 60, for sensing the level of water in the carbonator tank 40 and for controlling operation of the motor 46 for the carbonator pump 44 to deliver potable water into the carbonator tank through the water inlet tube 50 as a function of the withdrawal of carbonated water from the tank through the carbonated water outlet tube 52. In accordance with the invention, instead of being conventionally located within the interior of the relatively inaccessible carbonator tank 40, the liquid level sensor 60 is instead accessibly located at the front of the dispenser 10 behind the splash panel 22. The liquid level sensor includes a column or vertical cylinder having a longitudinal passage 64 that is open at its upper end to receive a liquid level sensing probe 66 and closed at its lower end. A tube 68 fluid connects a lower end of the carbonator tank 40 with the lower end of the cylinder passage 64 and a tube 70 fluid connects an upper end of the tank with the upper end of the cylinder passage. With the probe 66 extended into the cylinder passage 64 in fluid tight connection with the upper end of the passage, the tube 68 connects water in the carbonator tank 40 to the lower end of the cylinder passage, such that the level of water in the cylinder passage is in accord with the level of water in the carbonator tank, with the tube 70 accommodating movement of gas between the upper end of the cylinder passage and the carbonator tank in response to changes in the level of water in the cylinder passage. The probe 66 may be of plastics material and include, for example, a pair of stainless steel rods, lower ends of which are spaced apart and at a level in the passage representative of a desired level of water in the carbonator tank. The stainless steel rods are electrically connected to a control system 72, which is electrically coupled to and controls energization of the carbonator pump motor 46 to operate the carbonator pump 44 and deliver water into the carbonator tank. The arrangement is such that when the level of water in the liquid level sensor cylinder passage 64 is at or above the lower ends of the stainless steel rods, which is indicative of there being sufficient water in the carbonator tank, an electrical connection is established between the rods and sensed by the control system 72, in response to which the control system maintains the pump motor 46 off. However, when the level of water in the cylinder passage falls below and out of contact with the lower ends of the stainless steel rods, which is indicative of a need for water in the carbonator tank, the electrical connection between the rods is interrupted and the control system then energizes the carbonator motor 46 to operate the carbonator pump 44 and deliver water to the carbonator tank, until the level of water in the cylinder passage again reaches and contacts the lower ends of the stainless steel rods. As seen in
The carbonator 38 additionally includes a self actuating pressure relief safety valve 72 for automatically opening and relieving pressure in the carbonator tank 40, should the pressure in the tank exceed a selected value. The pressure relief valve, instead of being conventionally mounted on the relatively inaccessible carbonator tank 40, is also accessibly located at the front of the dispenser 10 behind the splash plate 22, whereat it connects by a pipe 74 to the cylinder passage 64, generally in the area of connection of the pipe 70 to the passage.
The liquid level sensing probe 66, pressure relief safety valve 72 and check valve 56 are parts of the carbonator 38 and can and do require periodic repair or replacement. Because of placement of these components at the front of the dispenser 10, just behind the splash panel 22, instead of in and at the relatively inaccessible carbonator tank 40, access to these components may conveniently be had for service or repair. In addition, by virtue of also locating at the front of the dispenser 10 the water and CO2 inlets to the carbonator tank 40 and the carbonated water outlet from the tank, fluid connections with and disconnections from these inlets and outlet can readily be made by simply removing the splash panel.
It is to be appreciated that while the carbonator tank has been described as being located toward the rear of the dispenser housing 12 beneath a rearward end of the cold plate 26, the tank could be located elsewhere, it being understood that the teachings of the invention contemplate locating serviceable parts of a carbonator for easy access, irrespective of where the carbonator tank itself is located.
While embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, various modifications and other embodiments thereof can be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
This application claims benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/611,724, filed Sep. 21, 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60611724 | Sep 2004 | US |