Beverage dispensing system with a time-limited supply circuit

Abstract

The present application provides a beverage dispenser capable of dispensing one or more beverages with a limited-time supply. The beverage dispenser may include a dispensing valve, a limited-time supply ingredient source, and a limited-time supply circuit extending between the dispensing valve and the limited-time supply ingredient source. The limited-time supply circuit may include a stainless steel pipeline extending between the dispensing valve and the limited-time supply ingredient source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application and the resulting patents generally relate to beverage dispensers, and more particularly to beverage dispensers having one or more limited-time supply loops to accommodate new beverages and / or flavorings without significant downtime. Background of the Invention

[0003] Generally, current post-mix beverage dispensers typically mix streams of syrup, concentrate, sweeteners, additional flavorings, other types of flavorants, and / or other types of ingredients that include water and / or other types of diluents. The ingredients can be stored in cartons, bags, containers, etc. at a distance from the beverage dispenser. The ingredients can be pumped to the dispenser and mixed in or downstream of the nozzle.

[0004] When changing from one beverage brand or flavoring to another, any surface of the beverage dispenser that touches the syrup, concentrate, and other ingredients must be thoroughly cleaned. Specifically, the lines, pumps, valves, and other components must be cleaned. Residual flavorings absorbed in the component materials can also be a problem. Thus, a maintenance call or other type of downtime or expense may be required to change the beverage brand or flavoring.

[0005] Accordingly, the operator of a beverage dispenser may be reluctant to offer limited-time supplies of different beverage brands or flavorings. These limited-time supplies can be regional, seasonal, promotional, etc. For example, certain types of "pumpkin spice" beverages may be popular in the fall. Thus, many other types of limited-time supply opportunities may be missed. In addition, the operator may also be reluctant to try new beverages or flavorings without an established or predictable expected volume.

[0006] Accordingly, an improved beverage dispenser having one or more limited-time supply loops is desired. Such an improved beverage dispenser can provide new and different beverage brands and flavorings without a maintenance call or significant downtime. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application and the resulting patents provide a beverage dispenser capable of dispensing one or more limited-time supply beverages. The beverage dispenser can include a dispensing valve, a limited-time supply ingredient source, and a limited-time supply loop extending between the dispensing valve and the limited-time supply ingredient source. The limited-time supply loop can include a stainless steel line extending between the dispensing valve and the limited-time supply ingredient source.

[0009] The present application and the resulting patent further provide a method for replacing the bag-in-box of a beverage dispenser. The method may include the following steps: disconnecting the stainless steel pipeline from the existing bag-in-box; placing the stainless steel pipeline in a disinfection solution; flushing the stainless steel pipeline for a predetermined duration; disinfecting the dispensing nozzle; connecting the stainless steel pipeline to a new bag-in-box; and priming the stainless steel pipeline. Other types of method steps may be used herein.

[0010] When taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims, these and other features and improvements of the present application and the resulting patent will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a beverage dispenser as may be described herein.

[0012] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic view of the dispensing valve of the beverage dispenser of

[0013] Figure 3 is associated with Figure 1 a schematic view of a time-limited supply circuit used with the beverage dispenser of

[0014] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a flowchart of an exemplary method step for replacing a beverage brand or flavoring agent in the time-limited supply circuit of

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Now referring to the drawings, where like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a beverage dispenser 100 as may be described herein. Generally, the beverage dispenser 100 can mix multiple fluids (such as one or more syrups 110 and one or more diluents 120) to form any number of different beverages 130. Other types of fluids (such as flavor additives) and other types of ingredients may also be used herein. Any number of fluids can be mixed in any volume or order. The dispensed beverage 130 can be cooled, heated, or at any temperature.

[0017] The syrup 110 or other ingredients can be stored in a plurality of ingredient containers 140. The ingredient containers 140 can be conventional five-gallon bag-in-box containers or other types of containers. The ingredient containers 140 can be located within, adjacent to, or remote from the beverage dispenser 100. Different types of containers may also be used herein.

[0018] The beverage dispenser 100 may have one or more syrup circuits 150 in communication with each ingredient container 140. Similarly, the beverage dispenser 100 may have one or more diluent circuits 160 in communication with one or more diluent sources 170. Any number of syrup circuits 150 and diluent circuits 160 may be used herein. Flavor or additive circuits, etc. may also be used.

[0019] Each syrup circuit 150 may extend from one of the plurality of ingredient containers 140 to the nozzle 175 of the dispensing valve 180 via a syrup line 190. Similarly, each diluent circuit 160 may extend from one of the plurality of diluent sources 170 to the nozzle 175 of the dispensing valve 180 via a diluent line 200. The syrup line 190 and the diluent line 200 may be made of, for example, a food-grade thermoplastic. Other types of materials may be used herein, as will be described in more detail below. Any number of dispensing valves 180 may be used. Each dispensing valve 180 may be positioned, for example, on the rear panel 210 of the dispensing tower 220. Other positions and other types of devices may be used herein.

[0020] Each syrup circuit 150 may have a syrup pump 230 thereon. By way of example, the syrup pump 230 may be a conventional carbon dioxide-powered on-demand pump 240, etc. The carbon dioxide-powered on-demand pump 240 may be powered by a pressurized carbon dioxide stream from a carbon dioxide source 250 via a carbon dioxide line 260. The carbon dioxide source 250 may be any type of conventional pressurized container, etc. Other types of syrup pumps 230 and fluid moving devices may be used herein.

[0021] The syrup pump 230 may pump syrup through the syrup line 190 to the dispensing valve 180. The dispensing valve 180 may have a syrup flow controller 270 and a syrup solenoid valve 280 therein. The syrup flow controller 270 may be a mechanical device having a fixed flow rate therethrough. The flow rate may be manually adjusted as needed. The syrup solenoid valve 280 may be an on / off type device. The syrup solenoid valve 280 may include an on / off switch 290. The on / off switch 290 may be operated by an activation lever 300 attached to the dispensing valve 180. Thus, a consumer may operate the syrup circuit 150 of the dispensing valve 180 to cause flow to begin therethrough by pushing his or her cup against the activation lever 300.

[0022] Similarly, each diluent circuit 150 may have a diluent pump 310. By way of example, the diluent pump 310 may be a positive displacement pump 320 or the like. The positive displacement pump 320 may be a vibratory pump, an electromagnetic pump, a gear pump, an annular pump, a peristaltic pump, an injection pump, a piezoelectric pump, or any other type of positive displacement device designed to pump a fixed displacement of fluid per pumping cycle. Other types of diluent pumps 310 and fluid moving devices may be used herein.

[0023] The diluent pump 310 may pump diluent through the diluent line 200 to the dispensing valve 180. The dispensing valve 180 may have a diluent flow controller 330 and a diluent solenoid valve 340. The diluent flow controller 330 and the diluent solenoid valve 340 may be similar to the syrup flow devices described above. In view of this, a consumer can thus operate the diluent circuit 160 of the dispensing valve 180 to cause flow to begin therethrough by pushing his or her cup against the actuating lever 300.

[0024] The beverage dispenser 100 may also include an ice chamber 350. The ice chamber 350 may be of a conventional design and may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The ice chamber 350 may be filled with a volume of ice and / or may have a plurality of cooling coils (not shown) therein to facilitate the growth of an ice dam therein. The syrup line 190 and the diluent line 200 may extend through the ice chamber to cool the fluids flowing through the syrup line and the diluent line. Other components and other configurations may be used herein.

[0025] The beverage dispenser 100 may have a carbonator 360 located in or near the ice chamber 350. The carbonator 360 may have a conventional design. The carbonator 360 may withdraw a diluent stream from the diluent line 200 and withdraw a carbon dioxide stream from a carbon dioxide source 250 via a carbonator carbon dioxide line 370. Diluent and carbon dioxide are mixed in the carbonator 360 to produce carbonated water. Then, the carbonated water may flow to the dispensing valve 190. The beverage dispenser 100 may also have a carbonated water recirculation circuit 380 with a recirculation pump 390 to recirculate the diluent in order to keep the diluent at a suitable cooling temperature. Although the diluent circuit 160 shown is a carbonated water circuit, one or more fresh water circuits bypassing the carbonator 360 may also be used. Depending on the distance between the dispensing valve 180 and the ice chamber 350, the syrup line 190 and the diluent line 200 may flow through an extended insulated "python" 395 to keep the fluids in the syrup line and the diluent line at a suitable temperature. Other components and other configurations may be used herein.

[0026] Figure 3An example of a limited supply loop 400 that can be used in place of one or more syrup loops 150 as may be described herein for a beverage dispenser 100 is shown. Such a limited supply loop 400 can extend from a limited supply ingredient container 410 to a limited supply dispensing valve 430 via a restricted line supply line 420 by way of a limited supply pump 440. Each limited supply component used herein is preferably made of an easy-to-clean material and / or a substantially non-flavor-absorbing material. For example, the limited supply line 420 can be made of stainless steel or the like. The internal components of the limited supply dispensing valve 430 and the limited supply pump 440 can be made of a similar material or other types of non-flavor-absorbing materials. Other components and other configurations can be used herein.

[0027] Figure 4 Exemplary method steps for replacing a beverage dispenser 100 with a limited supply of beverage are shown. Instructions can be displayed on the beverage dispenser 100, on a non-consumer user interface, etc. Specifically, wizard instructions on the user interface can provide step-by-step instructions for product replacement. At step 500, the operator can disconnect the limited supply line 420 from the current ingredient container 140 or the current limited supply ingredient container 410. At optional step 510, the operator can disconnect the limited supply dispensing valve 430, exchange the internal O-rings, and replace the limited supply dispensing valve 430. At step 520, the operator can connect the limited supply line 420 to a special bag-in-box connector and can place the connector in a disinfecting solution and / or water. At step 530, the operator flushes the limited supply line 420 for a predetermined duration. At step 540, the nozzle 175 of the limited supply dispensing valve 430 can be disconnected and disinfected. At step 550, the special bag-in-box connector can be removed and the limited supply line 420 can be connected to a new limited supply ingredient container 410. At step 560, the limited supply loop 400 can be primed. Then the new limited supply beverage can be dispensed. Other different method steps can be used herein in any order.

[0028] Accordingly, using one or more limited supply loops 400 provides a beverage dispenser 100 with increased flexibility to accommodate limited supplies as well as any type of beverage that may have a potentially smaller volume. By using stainless steel and other types of non-flavor-absorbing materials at the point of contact with the limited supply syrup, the limited supply loop 400 can be quickly and easily replaced with a new type of syrup without maintenance calls, significant downtime, or flavor residue issues.

[0029] It should be clear that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the present application and the patents that result therefrom. Many changes and modifications can be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser capable of dispensing one or more time-limited supply beverages, the beverage dispenser comprising: a dispensing valve; a time-limited supply ingredient source; a time-limited supply circuit extending between the dispensing valve and the time-limited supply ingredient source; wherein the time-limited supply circuit includes a stainless steel pipeline extending between the dispensing valve and the time-limited supply ingredient source; a diluent circuit; the diluent circuit extending between the dispensing valve and a diluent source; wherein the diluent circuit includes a thermoplastic pipeline extending between the dispensing valve and the diluent source; and a syrup circuit; the syrup circuit extending between the dispensing valve and an ingredient container; and wherein the syrup circuit includes a thermoplastic pipeline extending between the dispensing valve and the ingredient container.

2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, the dispensing valve comprises a non-flavor-absorbing material.

3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, the dispensing valve comprises a flow controller, and wherein the flow controller comprises a non-flavor-absorbing material.

4. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, the dispensing valve comprises a solenoid, and wherein the solenoid comprises a non-flavor-absorbing material.

5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, the time-limited supply circuit includes a time-limited supply pump in communication with the stainless steel pipeline.

6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, wherein, the time-limited supply pump comprises a non-flavor-absorbing material.

7. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, wherein, the time-limited supply pump includes a carbon dioxide supply pump in communication with a carbon dioxide source.

8. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, the beverage dispenser further includes an ice chamber, and wherein, the stainless steel pipeline extends through the ice chamber.

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