Beverage dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A beverage dispensing device for dispensing pressurized beverages at a high flow rate without producing excessive foaming comprising a streamlined valve assembly and a downward extending nozzle assembly which permits a range of containers to be filled from the bottom.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 388,907, entitled “Beverage Dispensing Apparatus,” filed on Mar. 13, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing carbonated or pressurized beverages, and more specifically to an apparatus for dispensing carbonated or pressurized beverages at high flow rates with minimal foaming. [0003] Pressurized beverages, such as beer, are produced in a manner that the beverage contains a certain amount of dissolved gas, typically carbon dioxide (CO2). While a certain amount of dissolved CO2 occurs naturally in the beer brewing and fermentation process, most large commercial breweries dissolve additional CO2 into their product. Adding additional CO2 serves two main purposes for the commercial breweries. First, from a quality control standpoint, all the beer produced...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention is directed to a beverage dispensing device for dispensing pressurized beverages at a flow rate substantially higher than prior mechanical tap apparatus without producing excessive foaming. It can be implemented as a purely mechanical device so as to keep manufacturing and maintenance costs low. In addition, the present invention can be implemented without the use of reservoirs at or near the point of dispensing, thus facilitating cleaning and retrofitting to existing bar tops.

[0014] In another embodiment, the present invention comprises an upward extending neck, a streamlined valve assembly and a downward extending nozzle assembly. The overall shape and size of the device permits a range of containers to be filled from the bottom. Additionally, the nozzle assembly contains a streamlined flow redirecting component that serves to generally radially disperse liquid flow. Thus, the amount of foaming that occurs when beer is dispensed at fast rates is desirably reduced.

[0015] In one embodiment, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the nozzle gradually decreases from the top of the nozzle to the bottom or liquid dispensing end of the nozzle. Preferably, the profile of this decreasing cross-sectional area is consistent with that of a liquid stream falling under the force of gravity in the absence of such a nozzle. A nozzle with this shape ensures that liquid flowing through it remains in substantially continuous contact with the interior wall of the nozzle. In this way, air from the liquid dispensing end of the nozzle is prevented from bubbling up into the nozzle. Additionally, the viscous forces acting between the nozzle interior wall and the liquid flowing through the nozzle serve to counteract the acceleration experienced by the liquid in the nozzle due to gravitational forces.

[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, flow-straightening elements are added to the nozzle which serve to make the flow of liquid through the nozzle less turbulent. Such elements also increase the amount of surface area across which decelerating viscous forces can take effect.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, the device is able to selectively dispense beer at two different flow rates. In such an embodiment a pressure-reducing element is integrated into the device along with a multi-way valve that selectively routes liquid through the pressure-reducing element. When the valve is positioned such that liquid first flows through the pressure reducer before entering the rapid beverage dispensing device, liquid is dispensed at a reduced rate, preferably the optimal rate of conventional beer dispensing faucets. When the valve is positioned such that liquid bypasses the pressure reducer, the rapid beverage dispensing device functions at its faster flow rate.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the complex chemical makeup of beer, foam tends to form when this dissolved CO2 comes out of solution.

One cause of such foaming is simply the pressure differential between CO2 dissolved in the beer and CO2 present in the ambient atmosphere; CO2 will naturally be released from the beer when the beer is exposed to the atmosphere.

Another cause of such foaming is the turbulent nature by which beer is dispensed from conventional faucets; even when dispensed carefully, beer splashes onto the walls and bottom of the container and foam results.

On the other hand, too much foam is undesirable to the consumer and the beverage vendor.

Since foam fills up a container with CO2 instead of with liquid beer, excessive amounts of foam leave the consumer dissatisfied, often to the point of requesting a new container be served.

They can partially fill a container, wait for the foam to dissipate and then add additional beer, a time-consuming process.

Alternatively, they can pour out excess foam as they are filling the container, wasting beer in the process.

One drawback with these systems is that they typically employ elaborate electronic control mechanisms, making them expensive to manufacture and maintain.

Additionally, some of these systems employ the use of a reservoir near the point of the faucet making the devices large and difficult to clean.

Moreover, the retrofit of such devices onto existing bar tops can be difficult and expensive.

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