Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a method including the steps of receiving a canister in a canister connection housing. The canister includes a canister fitment and a canister valve. The housing includes a receiver fitment and a door. The method includes the step of lowering the receiver fitment of the housing over the canister fitment. The lowering of the receiver fitment is caused by a closing of the housing door. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus. An apparatus including a nest configured to receive a canister, a door configured to rotate about an angle so as to open and close, a receiver fitment configured to connect to a canister fitment, and an over-center movement mechanism connected to the door and the receiver fitment. The over-center movement mechanism is configured to move the receiver fitment along an axis as the door is rotated about the angle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/792,889, entitled “Efficiently and Easily Opening and Closing a Canister Valve” and filed on Mar. 15, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    CO 2  gas may leak from a CO 2  canister when connecting the canister to an external system. This leakage reduces the amount of useful CO 2 . The present disclosure addresses this issue and discloses a more convenient and simple connection mechanism. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a canister connection apparatus, 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the canister connection apparatus, 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  illustrates another cross-sectional view of the canister connection apparatus, 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a system including a canister connection apparatus, 
           [0008]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   b  illustrate three dimensional views of the canister connection apparatus, 
           [0009]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   b  illustrate a front view and a back view of the canister connection apparatus, 
           [0010]      FIGS. 7   a - 7   b  illustrate side views of the canister connection apparatus, 
           [0011]      FIGS. 8   a - 8   b  illustrate different views of a door of the canister connection apparatus, 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   b  illustrate three dimensional views of canister connection apparatus components, and 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  illustrates a carbon dioxide system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the invention may provide a canister connection apparatus designed to efficiently and easily connect a pressurized canister to an external system.  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a canister connection apparatus  100 . Apparatus  100  may receive a pressurized canister  110  in a housing  105 . Housing  105  may be used to connect canister  110  to an external system. Canister  110  may be, but is not limited to, for example, a CO 2  canister. 
         [0016]    The external system may be, but is not limited to, for example, a beverage dispensing system. Though  FIG. 1  shows apparatus  100  to include a canister  110 , a canister need not be included as part of apparatus  100 . Rather, apparatus  100  may comprise a nest  115  designed to interface with various types of canisters having various volumes. Moreover, the term ‘apparatus’, as used herein, may include any combination of components or apparatuses. 
         [0017]    Canister connection apparatus  100  may be designed to connect canister  110  to the external system efficiently and easily while mitigating the risk of gas leakage. Apparatus  100  may achieve this solution by sealing and covering a canister fitment  120  with a receiver fitment  125 . Consistent with embodiments of the invention, apparatus  100  may comprise a movement mechanism  135  that may cause receiver fitment  125  to slide over canister fitment  120  as door  130  is lowered. In other embodiments, apparatus  100  may comprise a mechanism that inserts canister  110 , along with canister fitment  120 , into receiver fitment  125 . 
         [0018]    Generally stated, the lowering of door  130  may serve at least two purposes. First, it may cause receiver fitment  125  to connect with canister fitment  120  for opening a canister valve to enable gas flow. Second, it may serve to protect a handler of canister  110  from any leaks that may occur during the connection process by shielding the canister valve from the handler. 
         [0019]    As receiver fitment  125  connects with canister fitment  120 , a valve opening component of receiver fitment  125  may open the canister valve, thereby allowing gas to flow from canister  110  into apparatus  100  (i.e. charging the apparatus). The charged apparatus  100  may then be connected to (or, in various embodiments, may already be connected to) an external system via, for example, a port in housing  105  and feed the external system with the gas contained in canister  110 . In some embodiments, the connection of the receiver fitment  125  with the canister fitment  120  may not in and of itself open the canister valve. Rather, as described in detail below with  FIG. 10 , a controller  212  may actuate the valve opening component of receiver fitment  125  via a solenoid  216  or other electromechanical device at desired times based on feedback from one or more sensors (e.g. pressure sensor, door sensor, etc.). 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of canister connection apparatus  100 . A user of canister connection apparatus  100  may first insert canister  110  into canister housing  105 . Though housing  105  is not show in  FIG. 2 , it is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Canister housing  105  may be equipped with a canister nest  115  designed to secure canister  110  within canister housing  105 . As mentioned above, nest  115  may be designed to receive and secure canisters of various types and sizes within canister housing  105 . In various embodiments, the nest  115  may include a landing or other cutout designed to engage with a flange or other corresponding feature on the canister fitment  120  so as to secure the canister in the housing  105  and align the canister fitment  120  with the receiver fitment  125 . 
         [0021]    The user may then close door  130  of the apparatus  100  about an angle  205 . As door  130  is closed, an over-center movement mechanism  135  causes receiver fitment  125  to slide about an axis  210  and cover canister fitment  120 . For example, the over-center movement mechanism  135  may engage with a cam on the door  130 . As the door  130  is moved, the over-center movement mechanism  135  may travel along the cam in such a way as to cause motion about axis  210 . The axis  210  may be a vertical axis and/or may be parallel to an axis of a fluid flow pathway between the canister  110  and the receiver fitment  125 . In various embodiments, a different sliding mechanism may be employed to cause canister  100  to be inserted into receiver fitment  125  as door  130  is closed. Additionally, receiver fitment  125  may be designed to clamp over canister fitment  120  once it is connected to canister fitment  120  so as to further secure canister  110 . For example, a lower most portion of the receiver fitment  125  may be pushed onto the top surface of the flange on the canister fitment  120 . 
         [0022]    As receiver fitment  125  connects with canister fitment  120 , an o-ring of canister fitment  120  seals the connection. In various embodiments of the invention, a valve opening component of receiver fitment  125  may force open a valve of canister  110  upon or after its connection to canister fitment  120 . The opening of the valve may allow gas to flow from canister  110  to canister connection apparatus  100 . In various embodiments, the o-ring of the canister fitment  120  seals the connection prior to the valve opening component of the receiver fitment  125  opening the valve of canister  110 . In various embodiments, canister connection apparatus  100  may be designed so that the opening of canister valve occurs when or after door  130  has already been substantially closed. 
         [0023]    The connection between receiver fitment  125  and canister fitment  120  effectively shield the user from accidental gas discharge in case of a defective o-ring or other anomaly. Moreover, since the canister valve may be opened only as door  130  is lowered, door  130  may also serve as shield protecting the user from accidental gas discharge. 
         [0024]    As door  130  is opened about angle  205 , receiver fitment  125  may be disconnected from canister fitment  120  in a similar way that it was connected to canister fitment  120  (e.g., about axis  210 ). In various other embodiments, canister fitment  120  may be disconnected from receiver fitment  125  in a similar way that it was connected to receiver fitment  125 . The disconnection between receiver fitment  125  and canister fitment  120  may shut the canister valve, thereby stopping the gas flow. In this way, the user may be shielded from the potential gas discharge from disconnecting canister  110  from apparatus  100  in a similar way in which the user was shielded when connecting canister  110 . In various embodiments, the o-ring of the canister fitment  120  seals the connection until after the valve opening component of the receiver fitment  125  disengages with the valve of canister  110  and allows the valve of the canister  110  to close. 
         [0025]    Consistent with embodiments of the invention, canister connection apparatus  100  may comprise a locking mechanism. For example, door  130  may be latched to housing  105  when closed. The latch may comprise, but is not limited to, for example, an electrical solenoid. The opening of door  130  may be, for example, password protected. Any suitable locking mechanism may be used. In some embodiments, a closed door sensor  222  may be used to ensure that the door is closed and prevent the opening of the canister valve if the door is not closed. In some embodiments, the latch or locking mechanism may serve as a closed door sensor. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the controller  212  may prevent the solenoid  216  from being activated to open the canister valve until the closed door sensor  222  indicates that the door  130  is closed. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system comprising canister connection apparatus  100 . The system may comprise a beverage dispenser  400  and includes a user interface  402 , a push to pour button  404 , a carbonator  406 , and a nozzle  408 . Syrups may be stored in a plurality of syrup cartridges (e.g., a first syrup cartridge  410 , a second syrup cartridge  412 , a third syrup cartridge  414 , and a fourth syrup cartridge  416 ). Flavors may be stored in a plurality of flavor cartridges (e.g., a first flavor cartridge  118 , a second flavor cartridge  420 , a third flavor cartridge  422 , a fourth flavor cartridge  424 ). The plurality of syrup cartridges and the plurality of flavor cartridges are connected to the nozzle  408 . 
         [0027]    During operation, a user may select a beverage using the user interface  402 . When the user presses the push to pour button  404 , carbonated water flows from the carbonator  406  to the nozzle  408  and the appropriate syrups and/or flavors flow from the plurality of syrup cartridges and/or the plurality of flavor cartridges. In a post mix beverage dispenser the, the syrups, flavors, and carbonated water mix about the nozzle  408 . For example, if a user selects a cherry flavored cola, carbonated water will flow from the carbonator  406  to the nozzle  408 . The cola syrup and cherry flavoring will flow from the appropriate cartridges to the nozzle  408 . The ingredients will then flow through the nozzle  408  and may air mix within the exiting fluid stream and a cup  426 . 
         [0028]    The carbonated water is formed within the carbonator  406 . To form the carbonated water, CO 2  flows from a carbon dioxide source (e.g., canister connection apparatus  100 ) to the carbonator  406 . Still water may flow into the carbonator  406  from an external source  430 . The cooperation of the beverage dispenser may be controlled by a control module  432 . The control module  432  may also monitor a backpressure, via a pressure sensor  434 , within the plumbing between the carbonator  406  and the nozzle  408 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5   a  is a first three dimensional view of canister connection apparatus  100 .  FIG. 5   b  is a second three dimensional view of canister connection apparatus  100 .  FIG. 6   a  is a front view of canister connection apparatus  100 .  FIG. 6   b  is a back view of canister connection apparatus  100 .  FIG. 7   a  is a first side view of canister connection apparatus  100 .  FIG. 7   b  is a second side view of canister connection apparatus  100 .  FIG. 8   a  is a front view door  130 .  FIG. 8   b  is a back view door  130 .  FIGS. 9   a - 9 B are three dimensional view of canister  110 , nest  115 , canister fitment  120 , receiver fitment  125 , and movement mechanism  135 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of a carbon dioxide system  200 . The carbon dioxide system  200  can include a carbonation tank  202 , a CO 2  canister  204 , a carbonator throttle  206  (e.g., sintered metal disc) and a quick connect mechanism  208 . In some embodiments, the quick connect mechanism  208  may be embodied as described above. The carbonator throttle  206  may include a piston, a butterfly valve, or any other electromechanical obstructions known in the art for limiting a flow rate of a fluid through a passage. The carbon dioxide system  200  is constructed to prevent over pressure within the system. The carbonation tank  202  can include a pressure sensor  210  constructed to detect pressure within the carbonation tank  202 . In one example, the pressure sensor  210  can be in communication with a controller  212 . 
         [0031]    The quick connect mechanism  208  can include a lever  214  and a solenoid  216 . In the depicted example, the quick connect mechanism  208  is shown and described for a CO 2  canister with a vertical outlet. In one example, the quick connect mechanism  208  can be used for CO 2  canisters that have a right-angled outlet. In other examples, the quick connect mechanism  208  can be used for CO 2  canisters that otherwise have outlets that are not vertical. 
         [0032]    In certain examples, the controller  212  can be in communication with the solenoid  216  to energize the solenoid  216 . The controller  212  may communicate with the lever  214  via a solenoid  216  or any other electromechanical devices known in the art. The solenoid  216  can be configured to pull the lever  214  that presses a release pin  218  (e.g., schrader valve) down within the CO 2  canister  204  to open a passageway  220  to release gas that can flow through the carbonator throttle  206  and a fitting to feed line  222  which can lead to a top of the carbonation tank  202  to carbonate. In one example, the solenoid  216  can release gas from the CO 2  canister  204  through the line  222  each time the pressure falls below a set point predetermined by the user. In some embodiments, the controller  212  may prevent the solenoid  216  from being energized unless the closed door sensor  222  indicates that the door  130  is closed. 
         [0033]    In certain examples, the carbonator throttle  206  can be constructed to restrict the flow rate of the gas coming out of the CO 2  canister  204  under high pressure to a reduced flow rate once the release pin  218  is pressed. The carbonator throttle  206  provides a very high restriction to the gas flow rate so the gas is released in a control way which can help prevent the carbonation tank  202  from being over pressurized. Therefore, the carbonator throttle  206  establishes a maximum throttle flow rate of CO 2  from the CO 2  canister  204  to the carbonation tank  202 . In the carbon dioxide system  200 , regulators can be eliminated because the carbonator throttle  206  allows the carbon dioxide system  200  to react slowly such that the carbonation tank  202  can adapt the new pressure of the gas in a controllable way. In one example, the carbonation tank  202  can include a pressure relief valve  224  that can relieve the pressure if the carbon dioxide system  200  supplies excess CO 2  to the carbonation tank  202 . In some examples, the pressure relief valve  224  can act as a back up to help relieve the high pressure of gas in the event of a failure of the pressure sensor  210  or if the release pin  206  were to get stuck. The pressure relief valve  224  may enable CO 2  to be vented to the atmosphere once a predetermined pressure has accumulated within the carbonation tank  202 . Upon the pressure within the carbonation tank  202  falling below a second predetermined pressure, the pressure relief valve may close. The pressure relief valve may be designed to enable venting gas (e.g. CO 2 ) from the carbonation tank  202  up to a maximum venting flow rate. In some embodiments, the maximum throttle flow rate is less than the maximum venting flow rate. Therefore, even if the release pin  218  is stuck open, the pressure relief valve  224  will be able to vent excess CO 2  to atmosphere faster than the CO 2  is being supplied to the carbonation tank  202 . Accordingly, excess pressures will not build up within the carbonation tank  202 . 
         [0034]    Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative examples set forth herein.