Patent Application
20050211736
Post-mix fountains for dispensing carbonated beverages, such as sodas, have been used for years in various venues, such as convenience stores and restaurants. Post-mix fountains combine the ingredients of the carbonated beverage (e.g., syrup or concentrate and carbonated water) immediately prior to the beverage begin dispensed into a glass. Such fountains are convenient and economical because they allow the convenience store or restaurant owner to purchase large quantities of syrup or concentrate and carbon dioxide used to make the beverage at bulk prices. Furthermore, less waste is produced and less space is used up by packaging, since the ingredients of the fountain beverage come in large containers, rather than smaller containers sold to consumers, such as, for example, twelve ounce beverage cans or two liter bottles. In addition, the fountain is convenient for uses to operate, because there is no need to open bottles or cans to fill a glass with beverage. One of the benefits of post-mix fountains is their ability to dispense each poured serving of beverage at a uniform carbonation level, typically using the carbonation level of a bottled or canned beverage as a reference.
These fountains typically require a separate canister of gas, such as carbon dioxide gas, to carbonate water that is mixed with the syrup to form the beverage, and to propel or pump the syrup from its container. Although this arrangement is appropriate for large-scale users such as convenience stores and restaurants, it is less advantageous for smaller-scale users, such as home users. However, home users can still realize many of the benefits of fountains, particularly the lower cost, reduced waste, and ease of use that such fountains offer.
Seltzer bottle for dispensing seltzer water from a bottle are also known in the art. These seltzer bottles typically use the carbonation of the seltzer water itself to propel it from the bottle, and do not require an additional container of the seltzer water itself to propel it from the bottle, and do not require an additional container of carbon dioxide. However, there are several drawbacks associated with this type of seltzer dispenser. For instance, such seltzer bottles are difficult to control and often are discharged with substantial force, causing the seltzer water to spray out of control. When seltzer water is dispensed in this manner foaming may occur, which causes the dispensed seltzer water to lose some of its carbonation and become “flat”. Another drawback with this type of seltzer bottle is that the pressure in the seltzer bottle is often depleted before all the contents of the container have been dispensed. Thus, a residual amount of unused material remains in the bottle and cannot be dispensed because there is insufficient pressure remaining to propel the residual material from the container.
The present inventors found that the pressure within such conventional seltzer bottles fluctuates as the beverage is depleted. That is when the seltzer bottle is full, the pressure within the bottle is at a maximum. As the seltzer bottle becomes depleted, the pressure within the bottle becomes correspondingly depleted. Since the pressure within the seltzer bottle decreases during its use, it follows that the pressure available to propel the beverage out of the bottle decreases as well. Therefore, the beverage may be propelled out of the bottle too quickly when the bottle is full and/or too slowly when the bottle is less than full.
Conventional cans of carbonated beverages are relatively inexpensive, but have the disadvantage that once they are opened, they cannot be resealed. Once opened, the carbon dioxide or other gas dissolved in the beverage gradually comes out of solution or “leaks.” Thus, if not consumed shortly after being opened cans of carbonated beverage will become flat. Accordingly, cans are not suitable for storing multiple servings of carbonated beverages.
Bottles are superior to cans in that they are able to be resealed after being opened, but when opened, the carbonation still escapes from the bottle. Thus, after a bottle has been opened several times, the beverage will begin to become flat. For this reason, even bottles are not well suited for containing multiple servings of carbonated beverages.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for a beverage dispenser that is inexpensive, easy for a home user to operate, and that eliminates the problems associated with the prior art dispensers, cans, and bottles. The present invention is directed to remedying these and other deficiencies of the prior art dispensing devices.
Accordingly, the present invention advantageously provides an easy-to-use dispenser that is capable of regulating the rate at which a liquid is dispensed from a pressurized container and prevents foaming of the dispensed liquid, while also allowing substantially all of the liquid to be dispensed from the container. The dispenser also maintains dissolved gas, such as carbon dioxide gas, in the liquid longer and to a greater extent than conventional dispensers, cans, and bottles.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing liquid. The dispenser comprises a dispenser body, which defines a flow passage, a valve assembly, and an actuator. The valve assembly is disposed in the flow passage and comprises a first valve member and a second valve member, which has an elongated contact surface to control the flow rate of the liquid. The actuator is coupled to the valve assembly. When the actuator is manipulated through a first range of motion, only the first valve member is displaced. When the actuator is manipulated through a second range of motion, both the first and second valve members are displaced in unison.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a liquid. The dispenser comprises a container for holding the liquid and a dispenser body. The container has a neck with an opening. The dispenser body is received in the opening of the container and defines a flow passage. A valve assembly is disposed in the flow passage and comprises a First valve member, a second valve member, and a seal interposed between the first and second valve members. The seal is operable between an extended condition wherein the seal extends and seals against a peripheral wall of the flow passage and a retracted condition wherein the seal is retracted into a cavity formed between the first and second valve members. An actuator is mounted to a cap and coupled to the valve assembly. The cap has a spout protruding therefrom for directing the dispensed liquid. When the actuator is manipulated through a first range of motion, only the first valve member is displaced. When the actuator is manipulated through a second range of motion, both the first and second valve members are displaced in unison.
In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a fluid flow controller. The fluid flow controller comprises a body, which defines a flow path, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is disposed in the flow passage and includes a first valve member, a second valve member slidable relative to the first valve member, and a seal interposed between the first and second valve members. The seal is operable between an extended condition wherein the seal extends and seals against a peripheral wall of the flow passage to prevent fluid flow and a retracted condition wherein the seal is retracted into a cavity formed between the first and second valve members.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawing figures.
Throughout the drawings like or corresponding reference numerals denote like or corresponding features.
The present invention provides an easy-to-use dispenser that is capable of regulating the rate at which a liquid is dispensed from a pressurized container and prevents foaming of the dispensed liquid, while also allowing substantially all of the liquid to be dispensed from the container at a uniform carbonation level. The dispenser also maintains dissolved gas, such as carbon dioxide gas, in the liquid longer and to a greater extent than conventional dispensers, such as cans and bottles.
To accomplish these and other features, the present invention comprises a dispenser that is especially well-suited for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a container, using the pressure generated by carbonation in the carbonated beverage itself to propel the beverage out of the container. Thus, the dispenser assembly does not require any additional cumbersome tank of propellant and can be manufactured in a convenient size for home use. Alternatively, the dispenser assembly could be manufactured and sold as a separate kit for attachment to a conventional bottle, such as a two liter soda bottle. Moreover, the present inventors anticipate that the dispenser assembly of their invention may also be advantageously used in connection with non-carbonated liquids, using another method, such as a separate source of propellant or gravity to dispense the liquid from the container.
The dispenser could be manufactured and sold as a package with the container, or as a separate kit for attachment to a conventional bottle, such as a two liter soda bottle. Moreover, the present inventors anticipate that the dispenser of their invention may also be advantageously used in connection with various non-carbonated liquids and non-pressurized containers, as discussed further below.
As best illustrated by
A spring (not shown) is preferably disposed between the first and second valve members 32, 34, to maintain the first valve member 32 in a closed position. A second spring (also not shown) may be positioned in the dispenser body 22 to bias the second valve member 34 in a closed direction, if necessary or desired to maintain the valve in a closed position.
The first valve member 32 is configured to engage a valve seat 36 formed on an inner surface of the valve body 22 to seal the flow passage 24 against flow of the liquid. The second valve member 34 is preferably greater in both diameter and length than the first valve member 32, and is configured to engage a peripheral wall 38 of the dispenser body 22. A space formed between the outer, elongated contact surface of the second valve member 34 and the peripheral wall 38 defines a restricted flow path 70. The second valve member 34 acts as a flow regulator to adjust the rate at which the liquid flows through the restricted flow path 70 during dispensing. The second valve member 34 also acts as a secondary seal to prevent flow of the liquid through the flow passage 24 when the second valve member 34 abuts the peripheral wall 38.
Preferably, the first and the second valve members 32, 34 are gradually tapered so as to provide a smooth transition of the liquid across the valve assembly 30. The valve seat 36 and the peripheral wall 38 of the dispenser body 22, preferably, correspond in shape to the first and second valve members 32, 34, respectively. In particular, the first and second valve members 32, 34 are preferably tapered—more preferably substantially conical—in shape so as to create a long, restricted flow path 70 between the valve members 32, 34 and the interior surface of the dispenser body 22, to smooth the transition of the liquid from the high pressure environment in the container 10 to the low-pressure ambient environment. Using this smooth transition across the valve assembly 30 prevents foaming of the dispensed liquid, thus, allowing the dispensed liquid to retain more carbonation or other dissolved gas(es). The first and second valve members 32, 34 are depicted in
The valve assembly 30 is operable in accordance with the position of an actuator 42. The actuator 42 is coupled to the valve assembly 30 via an actuator guide rod 48, which extends through the cap 40. A guide seal 64 is provided in the cap 40 and surrounds the guide rod 48 to prevent the liquid from escaping at the point where the guide rod 48 passes through the cap 40. The guide rod 48 is connected to the actuator 42 by a pivot pin 62. The pivot pin 62 moves the guide rod 48 vertically as a user manipulates the actuator 42. In
The dispenser 20 may be already installed in the container 10 when it is purchased by a consumer or, alternatively, the dispenser 20 may be purchased separately and then installed by the consumer just prior to use. This second arrangement would allow the dispenser 20 to be used repeatedly on refill containers of the liquid, thereby reducing waste. Once the dispenser 20 is installed on the container 10, the user has simply to manipulate the actuator 42 to dispense the liquid.
In the embodiment of
As the user depresses the actuator through a second range of motion R2, the first valve member 32 abuts the second valve member 34, causing the second valve member 34 to disengage the peripheral wall 38. As the second valve member 34 moves, a long, restricted flow path 70 is created between the second valve member 34 and the peripheral wall 38. The rate at which liquid is allowed to flow through this restricted flow path 70 can be regulated by moving the actuator within the second range of motion R2 to adjust the spacing of the second valve member 34 from the peripheral wall 38 proportionally.
Because the first valve member 32 is fully opened before the second valve member 34 begins to move, the liquid is not allowed to flow through the first valve member 32 when it is cracked or only partially open. Allowing the liquid to flow through a cracked valve tends to cause undue turbulence to the liquid flow, which causes gas dissolved in the liquid to effervesce. This turbulence associated with a cracked valve is avoided with the second valve member 34, because the elongated contact surface between the second valve member 34 and the peripheral wall section 38 forms a long, restricted flow path 70 to smooth the transition from the high-pressure environment within the container to the low-pressure ambient environment. The present arrangement ensures that the second valve member 34, and not the first valve member 32, regulates the rate of liquid flow through the valve assembly 30, thereby smoothing the liquid flow path, reducing foaming, and retaining more dissolved gas in the dispensed liquid.
By restricting the rate of dispensation of the liquid, the flow of the beverage remains steady and is easily controlled by a user. Because the gas in the head-space of the container is never allowed to vent to the atmosphere during dispensing (i.e., because the dip tube is always submerged in the liquid contents), the liquid in the container retains its carbonation longer. Also, by restricting the rate of dispensing, the amount of foaming of the dispensed liquid is reduced and the liquid advantageously retains more of its carbonation “in the glass.”
As shown in
As in the first embodiment, the valve is a two-stage valve, such that the second valve member 434 does not begin to open until the first valve member 432 is fully open.
When a user depresses the actuator 442 through a first range of motion, the first valve member 432 is disengaged from the valve seat 436 and pressed toward the second valve member 434, as shown in
As the user continues to depress the actuator 442 through a second range of motion, the first valve member 432 abuts the second valve member 434 and forces it away from the peripheral wall 438, as shown in
A spring (not shown) is preferably disposed between the first and second valve members 632, 634, to maintain the first valve member 632 in a closed position. A second spring (also not shown) may be positioned in the dispenser body 622 to bias the second valve member 634 in a closed direction, if necessary or desired to maintain the valve in a closed position. In order to dispense the liquid, a user has only to manipulate an actuator (not shown).
When the user moves the actuator through a first range of motion, the actuator causes an actuator guide rod 648 to translate downward to engage the first valve member 632. As the first valve member 632 is pressed toward the second valve member 634, an outer edge 656 of the first valve member 632 forces the radial flange 654 of the umbrella seal 650 to retract into a cavity 658 formed between and/or within the first and second valve members 632, 634, as shown in
As the user continues to depress the actuator through a second range of motion, the outer edge 656 of the first valve member 632 abuts the second valve member 634 and forces it away from the peripheral wall 638, as shown in
The dispenser components may be constructed of any material that is suitable for use with the dispensed liquid. Many suitable materials will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Likewise, the specific manufacturing techniques used to produce the various components are not important, suitable techniques being obvious to those skilled in the art. Preferably, however, the valve members and other components that are in direct contact with the liquid are made of a material that is substantially non-corrosive in the liquid, such as glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, stainless steel, polyvinyl carbonate (PVC), or the like. In the case of polymers and plastics, injection molding is the preferred method of construction. In addition, the umbrella seal is preferably made of an injection molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The surfaces of the components that are exposed to the liquid are preferably constructed having a substantially smooth surface finish to prevent corrosion, pitting, and wear of the components. In addition, these components may be subjected to a surface treatment, such as a plasma treatment or a hydrophilic polymer coating process, to increase their surface energy. These surface treatments help reduce the amount of bubbles nucleated at the surface of the components, thereby maintaining more of the dissolved gas in the liquid. Of course any other method of surface treatment that increases the surface energy may also be used.
The dispenser may also include additional flow regulating or restricting components. One such component is a porous flow control-type flow regulator, in which liquid flow is restricted by forcing the liquid to flow through at least a portion of porous flow control member (the amount of restriction may be fixed or variable), as described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, and entitled Dispenser Having A Porous Flow Control Member, which is incorporated herein by reference. Another flow regulating component is a long tube-type assembly, in which a long narrow tube is used to restrict and/or regulate the fluid flow rate using the head kiss over the length of the tube, as described in greater detail in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed ______, and entitled Dispenser Mechanism Using Long Tubes to Vary Pressure Drop, which is also incorporated herein by reference. Each of the flow regulating and/or restricting features disclosed in the above-noted applications, can be used in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, it is envisioned that a dispenser might advantageously include any combination of one or more of a porous flow control member, a long tube, and a conical valve assembly. In on preferred combination a dispenser might include a porous flow control member or long tube serving as a fixed (i.e., non-variable) flow restrictor with a conical valve assembly serving as an adjustable flow regulator.
The present inventors also envision that the dispenser of the present invention could be provided with an engaging element, such as a protrusion, indentation, slot, groove, notch, post, hook, or the like, to facilitate stacking of a plurality of dispensers and containers during storage and/or use.
While the invention is described in terms of the presently preferred embodiments, it is understood that the features of these embodiments could be rearranged, interchanged, and/or combined to achieve other variations of the present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the conical valve members are oriented in the drawings with the large end in the upstream direction and the tapered end in the downstream direction of the liquid flow; however, the valve members could also be reversed, so that the large end is in the downstream direction and the tapered end is in the upstream direction of liquid flow. Orienting the valve members with the large ends in the upstream direction (as shown in the drawing
Moreover, while the dispensing assemblies of the present invention are disclosed for use on a pressurized beverage bottle, the present inventors anticipate various other uses for the various dispenser assemblies disclosed. Further, the various flow regulation portions, i.e., first and second valve members, dispenser bodies and seals, of the disclosed embodiments could be used without the additional structure required to adapt them for use with a pressurized beverage container. For example, the flow regulating portions of the present invention may also be adapted for use in connection with blood oxygenation equipment, flow regulators, or any other application when it is desirable to control the flow of a liquid to provide a smooth, non-turbulent flow and/or when there is a concern about keeping dissolved gas(es) in solution. In particular, the inventors believe that the umbrella seal design of the present invention may be particularly applicable to medical applications, such as blood processing techniques, where very smooth flow is important to prevent clotting and the like.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/553,551 filed Mar. 17, 2004, which application is incorporated ion its entirety into the present application by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60553551 | Mar 2004 | US |
