Abstract:
A liquid nitrogen dispenser is an apparatus that safely dispenses liquid nitrogen. The apparatus allows a user to create frozen food within a kitchen setting. The apparatus includes an anodized cover, an anodized mount, an anodized mount, a dispensing tube, a primary flow valve, a phase separator, an inlet, and an outlet. The anodized cover and the anodized mount house the primary flow valve. The dispensing tube defines a path for liquid nitrogen from the primary flow valve to the phase separator. The dispensing tube also positions and mounts the phase separator. The primary flow valve controls the flow liquid nitrogen. The phase separator provides better control of the liquid nitrogen dispensed from apparatus. The inlet and the outlet allow the primary flow valve to connect to a liquid nitrogen tank and to the phase separator, respectively, while housed within the anodized cover and the anodized mount.

Description:
[0001]    The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application serial number 62/357,176 filed on Jun. 30, 2016. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to liquid nitrogen dispensers. More specifically, the present invention is a liquid nitrogen dispenser for frozen treats that safely and quickly dispenses liquid nitrogen onto food within a kitchen environment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Freezing foods with liquid nitrogen is a quick and efficient way to prepare frozen desserts. Two common frozen desserts that are frozen with liquid nitrogen are ice cream and frozen yogurt. Liquid nitrogen-frozen desserts such as ice cream and frozen yogurt typically taste better because the ice cream and frozen yogurt are creamier, fresher, and denser. The increased density prevents ice crystals from forming within air pockets that develop from the whipping of a machine. 
         [0004]    However, liquid nitrogen can be dangerous and complicated to handle. More specifically, liquid nitrogen is extremely cold and can cause frostbite or eye damage. As liquid nitrogen is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, identifying the presence of liquid nitrogen that has exited the liquid nitrogen tank can be quite difficult. Experience and skill is required to proficiently use liquid nitrogen for food preparation. The present invention allows users of varying skill sets to easily handle liquid nitrogen in order to prepare frozen food. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention, with the handle engaged with the primary flow valve. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, with second cover disengaged from the anodized mount and the handle engaged to the primary flow valve. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, with the second cover disengaged from the anodized mount and the first automated actuator engaged to the primary flow valve. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a front side view of the present invention, with the handle engaged with the primary flow valve. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view connections of components between the anodized cover and the anodized mount, the first fitting, the dispensing tube, the second fitting, the phase separator, and the tubular cover of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a top side view of the present invention, with the handle engaged with the primary flow valve. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the anodized cover, with the inlet, the outlet, and the access hole traversing through the anodized cover. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of the communication of components that dispense liquid nitrogen of a second alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the communication of components that dispense liquid nitrogen of a first alternate embodiment of the present invention, with the first automated actuator engaged to the primary flow valve. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    The present invention is a liquid nitrogen dispenser for frozen treats that dispenses the liquid nitrogen in a safe and efficient manner. The present invention may be integrated into a kitchen environment and does not require any training to properly operate. The present invention freezes a variety of foods without physically harming the user, regardless of skill level. In order to dispense and house liquid nitrogen, the present invention comprises an anodized cover  1 , an anodized mount  6 , a dispensing tube  11 , a primary flow valve  12 , a phase separator, an inlet  14 , and an outlet  15 , as seen in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7 . The anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6  enclose and mount the primary flow valve  12 . Moreover, the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6  prevents a user from coming into contact with the primary flow valve  12  and getting injured by the extreme temperature as liquid nitrogen traverses through the primary flow valve  12 . Both the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6  preferably are made of aluminum material. The anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6  are anodized to prevent the aluminum material from warping. More specifically, the anodized cover  1  surrounds the primary flow valve  12 , and the anodized mount  6  secures the position and orientation of the primary flow valve  12  onto an adjacent surface. The dispensing tube  11  defines a path for the liquid nitrogen to safely travel from the primary flow valve  12  to the phase separator  13 . Similar to the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6 , the dispensing tube  11  prevents a user from coming into contact with the liquid nitrogen traveling from the primary flow valve  12  to the phase separator  13 . The dispensing tube  11  also upholds and orients both the phase separator  13  according to the preferences of the user. The primary flow valve  12  allows a user to adjust and control the flow of liquid nitrogen that exits a connected liquid nitrogen tank, before the liquid nitrogen is dispensed from the phase separator. The phase separator  13  prevents the liquid nitrogen from spraying or splashing uncontrollably as the liquid nitrogen exits the dispensing tube  11 . The inlet  14  allows a liquid nitrogen tank to be in fluid communication with the primary flow valve  12  via a cryogenic transfer tube. The cryogenic transfer tube traverses through the inlet  14  and may be mounted onto the anodized cover  1  with a fitting. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a protective sleeve surrounds the cryogenic transfer hose in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid nitrogen traveling from the liquid nitrogen tank to the primary flow valve  12 . The outlet  15  allows the dispensing tube  11  to connect to the primary flow valve  12  housed within an enclosed environment defined by the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6 . 
         [0016]    The overall arrangement of the aforementioned components allows the present invention to deliver liquid nitrogen contained within a liquid nitrogen tank, to the phase separator, and onto food. The anodized cover  1  is detachably attach to the anodized mount  6 , allowing the primary flow valve  12  to be easily replaced or fixed. The inlet  14  is integrated into the anodized cover  1 . Similarly, the outlet  15  is integrated into the anodized cover  1 , opposite to the inlet  14 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . This configuration allows the primary flow valve  12  to connect to a cryogenic transfer hose and the dispensing tube  11 , respectively. The primary flow valve  12  is mounted in between the anodized cover  1  the anodized mount  6  in order to surround the primary flow valve  12  and contain the extreme temperature around the primary flow valve  12 . More specifically, the inlet  14  and the outlet  15  is in fluid communication with each other through the primary flow valve  12 , illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , thereby providing a continuous flow of liquid nitrogen from a liquid nitrogen tank to the phase separator  13 . The phase separator  13  is externally mounted to the anodized cover  1  by the dispensing tube  11  in order to provide a consistent output of liquid nitrogen away from the anodized cover  1  and direct the liquid nitrogen onto a specific area. The outlet  15  and the phase separator  13  are in fluid communication with each other by the dispensing tube  11 . This configuration allows the liquid nitrogen that travels through the primary flow valve  12  to exit the phase separator  13  and be safely distributed onto food. 
         [0017]    In order to effectively enclose the primary flow valve  12  while allowing for easy accessibility to the primary flow valve  12 , the anodized mount  6  comprises a base plate  7 , a first lateral wall  8 , and a second lateral wall  9 , as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . The base plate  7  prevents the extreme temperature around the primary flow valve  12  from coming into contact with an adjacent surface. The first lateral wall  8  and the second lateral wall  9  uphold the anodized cover  1  above the primary flow valve  12 . The first lateral wall  8  and the second lateral wall  9  are positioned offset from each other across the base plate  7  and are positioned parallel to each other, thereby accommodating the anodized cover  1 . The anodized cover  1  is mounted onto the base plate  7 , defining an enclosed environment around the primary flow valve  12 . More specifically, the anodized cover  1  is positioned in between the first lateral wall  8  and the second lateral wall  9 , effectively containing the extreme temperature around the primary flow valve  12  between the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6 . 
         [0018]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the anodized mount  6  further comprises a plurality of mounting tabs  10 , seen in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 6 . The plurality of mounting tabs  10  allows the present invention to be easily fixed onto an adjacent surface and preserves both the upright orientation and the position of the primary flow valve  12  between the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6 . The plurality of mounting tabs  10  is peripherally connected to the base plate  7  and is distributed about the base plate  7 , stabilizing the present invention onto an adjacent surface. The plurality of mounting tabs  10  is preferably secured to an adjacent surface with a plurality of bolts. However, it is understood that a variety of fasteners that do not damage the integrity of the adjacent surface may secure the plurality of mounting tabs  10  onto the adjacent surface. Such fasteners may include, C-clamps, which also facilitate the moving of the present invention onto another adjacent surface or to another position on the adjacent surface. 
         [0019]    In order to further facilitate the replacement or fixing of the primary flow valve  12  enclosed by the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6 , the anodized cover  1  comprises a first cover  2  and a second cover  3 , shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 . In the event ice builds on the primary flow valve  12 , a user may access the buildup through the first cover  2  and the second cover  3 . The first cover  2  and the second cover  3  surround the primary flow valve  12  about the anodized mount  6 . The first cover  2  and the second cover  3  each comprises a first wall  4  and a second wall  5 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The first wall  4  serves as a lateral wall and the second wall  5  serves as a roof to the enclosed environment defined by the first cover  2 , the second cover  3 , and the anodized mount  6 . More specifically, the first wall  4  and the second wall  5  are connected adjacent and perpendicular to each other, accommodating the structure of the anodized mount  6 . The second wall  5  of the first cover  2  is connected adjacent and coplanar with the second wall  5  of the second cover  3 , opposite to the first wall  4  of the second cover  3 . This configuration surrounds the primary flow valve  12  and contains the extreme temperature around primary flow valve  12 . 
         [0020]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises an access hole  16  and a handle  17 , shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 7 . The access hole  16  allows the handle  17  to traverse out of the anodized cover  1 . The handle  17  allows a user to adjust the primary flow valve  12  without having to reach into the anodized cover  1 . In order for the handle  17  to traverse out of the anodized cover  1 , the access hole  16  traverses into the anodized cover  1 . Preferably, the access hole  16  vertically traverses through the anodized cover  1  as to accommodate the structure of the primary flow valve  12  and the orientation primary flow valve  12  within the enclosed environment. Moreover, the primary flow valve  12  is positioned adjacent to the access hole  16 , thereby facilitating the adjustment of the primary flow valve  12  by the user via the handle  17 . The handle  17  is positioned external to the anodized cover  1  in order to facilitate the adjustment of the primary flow valve  12 . More specifically, the handle  17  is operatively coupled to the primary flow valve  12 , wherein the handle  17  is used to actuate the primary flow valve  12 . In order for this embodiment to contain the extreme temperature that surrounds the primary flow valve  12 , this preferred embodiment further comprises an annular gasket  18 . The annular gasket  18  not only stabilizes the handle  17  that traverses through the access hole  16 , but seals the remainder of the access hole  16  preventing the extreme temperature from escaping. The handle  17  is able to remain engaged with the primary flow valve  12  as the handle  17  traverses through the annular gasket  18 . The annular gasket  18  is able to effectively enclose the environment around the primary flow valve  12  as the annular gasket  18  is positioned within the access hole  16  and is peripherally pressed against the anodized cover  1 . 
         [0021]    A first alternate embodiment of the present invention comprises an access hole  16  and a first automated actuator  19 , as seen in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9 . Similar to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the access hole  16  allows the first automated actuator  19  to be positioned external to the anodized cover  1 , as the extreme temperature surrounding the primary flow valve  12  may damage the automated actuator. The first automated actuator  19  eliminates the manual adjustment of the primary flow valve  12 . The first automated actuator  19  is preferably an electromechanical actuator. In order for the first automated actuator  19  to be accessible from outside the enclosed environment, which is defined by the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6 , the access hole  16  traverses through the anodized cover  1 , and the first automated actuator  19  is mounted into the anodized cover  1  though the access hole  16 . The first automated actuator  19  is operatively coupled to the primary flow valve  12 , wherein the first automated actuator  19  is used to automatically actuate the primary flow valve  12 . Similar to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first alternate embodiment comprises an annular gasket  18 . The annular gasket  18  contains the extreme temperature that surrounds the primary flow valve  12 . The annular gasket  18  not only stabilizes the first automated actuator  19  that traverses through the access hole  16 , but seals the remainder of the access hole  16 . The first automated actuator  19  is able to remain engaged with the primary flow valve  12  as the first automated actuator  19  traverses through the annular gasket  18 . The annular gasket  18  is able to effectively enclose the environment around the primary flow valve  12  as the annular gasket  18  is positioned within the access hole  16  and is peripherally pressed against the anodized cover  1 . 
         [0022]    In order to maintain the temperature of the liquid nitrogen traversing through the primary flow valve  12 , the present invention further comprises an insulating layer  20 , as seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 . The insulting layer  20  further preserves the integrity of the anodized cover  1 , preventing the extreme temperature around the primary flow valve  12  from directly coming into contact with the anodized cover  1 . In order to protect the anodized cover  1  and provide a stable environment around the primary flow valve  12 , the insulating layer  20  is positioned around the primary flow valve  12  and is mounted across the anodized cover  1 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insulating layer  20  is made of neoprene materials. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the insulating layer  20  is also mounted across the anodized mount  6 . 
         [0023]    In order to effectively mount the dispensing tube  11  onto the anodized cover  1 , the present invention further comprises a first fitting  21 , seen in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 . The fitting is mounted adjacent to the anodized cover  1 . Furthermore, the outlet  15  and the dispensing tube  11  is in fluid communication with each other through the first fitting  21 . The configuration seals the connection between the dispensing tube  11  and the anodized cover  1 , effectively maintaining and containing the extreme temperature of the liquid nitrogen traveling from the primary flow valve  12  to the dispensing tube  11 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fitting  21  is a national pipe taper (NPT) fitting. The preferred embodiment of the present invention further comprises a second fitting  22 . The second fitting  22  connects the dispensing tube  11  and the phase separator  13 . The second fitting  22  further seals the path of the liquid nitrogen traveling through the dispensing tube  11  to the phase separator  13 . The second fitting  22  is mounted adjacent to the phase separator  13 , in order for the phase separator  13  to be connected to the dispensing tube  11 . More specifically, the dispensing tube  11  and the phase separator  13  are in fluid communication with each other through the second fitting  22 , thereby preserving a continuous flow of liquid nitrogen from primary flow valve  12  to the phase separator  13 . 
         [0024]    A second alternate embodiment of the present invention comprises a secondary flow valve  23  and a second automated actuator  24 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The secondary flow valve  23  provides increased flow control of the liquid nitrogen before the liquid nitrogen reaches the phase separator  13 . The second automated actuator  24  eliminates the manual adjustment of the secondary flow valve  23 . In this second alternate embodiment, the primary flow valve  12  is preferably manually adjustable by the handle  17 , as the handle  17  serves as a manual safety lock in the event the second automated actuator  24  fails. As the primary flow valve  12  is housed within the enclosed environment defined by the anodized cover  1  and the anodized mount  6 , the secondary flow valve  23  is mounted adjacent to the anodized cover  1 . This configuration provides a second point of control once the liquid nitrogen has traveled through the primary flow valve  12 . This configuration also prevents the second automated actuator  24  from getting damaged due to the extreme temperature around the primary flow valve  12 . The secondary flow valve  23  and the second automated actuator  24  are preferably a solenoid valve as the solenoid valve provides a slower flow of liquid nitrogen than the first automated actuator  19 . The outlet  15  and the dispensing tube  11  are in fluid communication with each other through the secondary flow valve  23  in order to accommodate the engagement between the dispensing tube  11  and the anodized cover  1 . The second automated actuator  24  is able to adjust the flow of liquid nitrogen through the secondary flow valve  23  as the second automated actuator  24  is operatively coupled to the secondary flow valve  23 , wherein the second automated actuator  24  is used to actuate the secondary flow valve  23 . 
         [0025]    The present invention further protects a user as the present invention comprises a tubular cover  25 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . The tubular cover  25  directs liquid nitrogen that may splash onto the user from the phase separator  13  towards food. The tubular cover  25  serves as a shield between the phase separator  13  and the user. More specifically, the phase separator  13  is positioned within the tubular cover  25 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . in order to shield the user from liquid nitrogen that may come into contact with the user. The tubular cover  25  is terminally connected to the protective sleeve in order to accommodate the configuration between the phase separator  13  and the dispensing tube  11 . 
         [0026]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.