| Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beverages -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beveragesUSPTO Application #: 20070017234Title: Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beverages Abstract: Frozen carbonated beverage apparatus and method is illustrated, and has a freeze chamber in which beverage is frozen wherein the addition of beverage to the freeze chamber is controlled in response to pressure in the freeze chamber. Controlling the addition of unfrozen beverage to the freeze chamber in response to the pressure provides a method of controlling the beverage in the freeze chamber. As freeze chamber pressure falls to a pre-determined lower pressure, beverage is added to the freeze chamber until a pre-determined upper pressure. Beverage may be added to the freeze cylinder at a rate that matches the cooling rate of the beverage within the freeze chamber so that unfrozen beverage added to the freeze chamber is rapidly frozen and does not significantly alter the viscosity (consistency) of the frozen carbonated beverage. (end of abstract)
Agent: Pyle & Piontek - Chicago, IL, US Inventors: Steven Moulder, Ian Thomas Richard Whittington, Terrence Robert Davis USPTO Applicaton #: 20070017234 - Class: 062066000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Processes, Congealing Flowable Material, E.g., Ice Making The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070017234. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus and method for, dispensing a frozen carbonated beverage. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention has application to dispense of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic frozen carbonated beverages. For convenience, the invention is described hereinafter with reference to dispense of frozen carbonated beverages formed by a combination of carbonated water and a syrup. It will be understood however that the invention is not limited to such application and dispense of other types of beverages is included within the scope of the invention. [0003] Apparatus for producing frozen carbonated beverages from the partial freezing of a combination of carbonated water and syrup to produce a so-called "slush" beverage is well known, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,608,779 and 3,460,713. As used herein, the term "frozen" is used to describe beverages of this type and includes terms such as "semi-frozen". [0004] There are many types of apparatus for producing frozen carbonated beverages. In the known apparatus, the beverage may be mixed in the apparatus and converted to the desired frozen state in a. freeze chamber for dispense via a tap connected to the freeze chamber. Such apparatus can be bulky and require a large amount of floor space. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beverages. [0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing a frozen carbonated beverage comprising a freeze chamber in which the beverage is frozen wherein the addition of beverage to the freeze chamber is controlled in response to the pressure in the freeze chamber. [0007] The pressure in the freeze chamber is related to the level (volume) of frozen carbonated beverage in the freeze cylinder and controlling the addition of unfrozen beverage to the freeze chamber in response to the pressure provides a simple and effective method of controlling the beverage level in the freeze chamber. [0008] In use, as frozen carbonated beverage is dispensed, the pressure in the freeze chamber falls until a pre-determined lower pressure is detected at which beverage is added to the freeze chamber until a pre-determined upper pressure is detected at which the addition of beverage is stopped. The difference between the upper and lower pressures may be such that several frozen carbonated beverages may be dispensed before beverage is added to the freeze cylinder. [0009] Preferably, beverage is added to the freeze cylinder at a rate that matches the cooling rate of the beverage within the freeze cylinder so that unfrozen beverage added to the freeze chamber is rapidly frozen and does not significantly alter the viscosity (consistency) of the frozen carbonated beverage within the freeze cylinder. In this way, frozen carbonated beverage having the desired viscosity (consistency) may be dispensed while adding unfrozen beverage to the freeze chamber. [0010] Preferably, the beverage is carbonated within the freeze chamber. In a preferred arrangement, the beverage and carbonating gas are added simultaneously to the freeze chamber. In this arrangement, the carbonating gas may be introduced to the beverage line upstream of the freeze cylinder so that the beverage/carbonating gas mixture is introduced simultaneously into the freeze cylinder, Some in-line carbonation of the beverage may then occur in the beverage line with the carbonation process being completed within the freeze cylinder. [0011] Preferably, the freeze cylinder is maintained at a temperature below the freezing temperature of the beverage during a freeze mode of operation, for example below 0.degree. C. for a beverage containing water and syrup. In this way, carbonation may be carried out below the freezing point of the beverage within the freeze chamber. [0012] Preferably, the addition of beverage is controlled by a control unit in response to the pressure in the freeze cylinder. Where the beverage is a mixture of two or more components, for example a diluent such as water and a concentrate such as syrup, the beverage components may be pre-mixed for supply to the apparatus. More preferably, however, the apparatus is connectable to supplies of the components and is arranged to mix the components in-line for addition to the freeze chamber. [0013] In this arrangement, the control unit includes means for mixing the components in the required ratio for the beverage to be produced. Such means preferably comprises a ratio pump comprising a separate pump unit for each component and an actuator for simultaneously operating the pump units to deliver the components to a line for mixing and delivering the components to the freeze chamber in the correct ratio. [0014] The ratio pump may be adjustable to vary the amounts of the components for achieving the desired ratio of components for the beverage to be produced and/or the flow rate of the combined components for achieving the desired fill rate in the freeze cylinder. [0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing a frozen carbonated beverage comprising providing a freeze cylinder in which the beverage is frozen for dispense and controlling the addition of beverage to the freeze chamber in response to the pressure in the freeze cylinder. [0016] Preferably, the beverage is carbonated in the freeze cylinder. [0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing a frozen carbonated beverage comprising a freeze chamber in which the beverage is carbonated and frozen. [0018] Carbonating the beverage in the freeze chamber avoids the provision of a separate carbonator to carbonate the beverage. [0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing a frozen carbonated beverage comprising providing a freeze cylinder in which the beverage is carbonated and frozen for dispense. [0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising a freeze chamber in which the beverage is frozen, wherein the beverage comprises a mixture of at least two components and a ratio pump is provided for controlling addition of the components in the required ratio. [0021] Preferably, the ratio pump comprises a separate pump unit for each component and means for simultaneously actuating the pump units to provide the components in the required ratio. [0022] Preferably, the actuating means controls the pumping stroke to achieve a desired fill rate in the freeze chamber. For example, the fill rate may be chosen to substantially match the cooling rate of the beverage in the freeze chamber. Continue reading... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beverages Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beverages patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beverages or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: High efficiency apparatus and method for cooling produce Next Patent Application: Energy-saving fuzzy control method and fuzzy control machine in central air conditioner Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus and method for dispensing frozen carbonated beverages patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 4.97209 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers |
||
