Abstract:
Applicants provide a portable, modular table top system for dispensing chilled carbonated water, chilled non-carbonated water, and ambient (non-chilled) non-carbonated water therefrom. The table top water dispenser includes a cold plate that is chilled by evaporation of a refrigerant, which is part of a cold plate cooling circuit, which includes a compressor and a condenser. A pump and a motor move non-carbonated water through the cold plate to a dispensing valve engaged therewith. The same motor and pump typically drive non-carbonated water through the cold plate, through the carbonator where it becomes carbonated, and through the cold plate again, and out a second dispensing valve. A third dispensing valve is engaged to the remote source of pressurized water and bypasses the cold plate and, also, typically the pump for dispensing from a third dispensing valve.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/383,462, filed Sep. 16, 2010. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Water dispensers and, more particularly, a self-contained refrigerant circulating table top water dispenser using a refrigerated cold plate. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This patent application incorporates herein by reference US Patent Application Publication No. US  2011 / 0011108 , published Jan. 20, 2011, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,428, issued Nov. 20, 2007. 
         [0004]    Cold plates may be used to chill dispensed beverages. Cold plates act as heat exchangers, providing the chilling of a fluid passing therethrough. Cold plates are known generally in the art of beverage dispensing. 
         [0005]    It is known in the art that cold plates may receive a refrigerant, such as Freon or SUVA®L/04A, and acting as an evaporator, absorb heat from a multiplicity of fluid bearing tubes in close proximity to the refrigerant tubes of the cold plate. The fluid bearing tubes may include tubes which engage a dispensing valve for dispensing the fluid into a container and service to a consumer. That is to say, it is known, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,296,428, to use a cold plate as an evaporator (heat exchanger) to absorb heat from a fluid to be dispensed therefrom. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide for carbonated and non-carbonated beverages (including chilled and non-chilled beverage) to be dispensed from a self-contained modular, table top dispenser of potable fluids. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for the dispensing of carbonated and non-carbonated chilled water as well as non-carbonated non-chilled water. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Applicants provide a portable, modular table top system for dispensing at least chilled carbonated water, chilled non-carbonated water, and ambient (non-chilled) non-carbonated water therefrom. The system is dimensioned to be a table top system, in that its dimensions make it easy enough for one or two people to lift and place on a table or table-like support. The water dispensing system is also designed to be self-contained in that it needs only to engage a source of AC electricity, a source of pressurized CO 2 , and an external source of pressurized, ambient, non-carbonated water, such as from a city main or municipal water supply. The table top water dispenser includes a cold plate that is chilled by evaporation of a refrigerant, which is part of a cold plate cooling circuit, which includes a compressor and a condenser. A pump and a motor move non-carbonated water through the cold plate to a dispensing valve engaged therewith. The same motor and pump typically drive non-carbonated water through the cold plate, through the carbonator where it becomes carbonated, and through the cold plate again, and out a second dispensing valve. A third dispensing valve is engaged to the remote source of pressurized water and bypasses the cold plate and, also, typically the pump for dispensing from a third dispensing valve. 
         [0008]    Applicants provide a system for dispensing multiple potable fluids therefrom, the system comprising a cold plate; a means for cooling the cold plate wherein the means for cooling the cold plate is a refrigerant; a first fluid circuit for carrying ambient water through a pump, through the cold plate, through a carbonator, then back through the cold plate and out a first dispensing valve. 
         [0009]    Applicants&#39; first dispensing valve dispenses a chilled carbonated beverage therefrom, where the cold plate is chilled with the use of a refrigerant for substantially evaporating a refrigerant therein. 
         [0010]    An embodiment of Applicants&#39; invention has a first fluid circuit carrying water, such as city water from a remote water supply, being received in Applicants&#39; table top, portable water dispensing system. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, Applicants&#39; system is a table top system, that is, capable of being handled by one or two people and compact enough to be set up on a table top, bar top or other vertical support without modification of that support. Therefore, it is typically self-contained and needs only to be plugged into an outside electrical source, an outside source of CO 2  and an outside (remote) source of pressurized water (such as city water). 
         [0012]    A second fluid circuit may be included in a preferred embodiment of Applicants&#39; present system, which second circuit may carry water or other fluid through the cold plate and then to a second dispensing valve, typically adjacent the first dispensing valve and part of the same modular unit. That is to say, the second fluid circuit would bypass the carbonator and pump, but not the cold plate, and passes through the cold plate at least once before dispensing. 
         [0013]    In yet another embodiment of Applicants&#39; present system, a third fluid circuit is provided for carrying water or other pressurized fluid directly to a third dispensing valve; that is, through a third fluid circuit that bypasses the cold plate, carbonator, and, optionally, the pump, and is served from a separate dispensing valve at room temperature. 
         [0014]    All of the at least three dispensing valves are typically mounted on a faceplate or front panel that is typically part of the housing of the modular, table top system. 
         [0015]    Attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference is a document entitled “Microprocessor-Controlled Multi-Mode Beverage Dispenser,” which published patent application illustrates a cold plate cooling circuit, which may be used to cool the cold plate of the fluid dispensing system. The present system, however, typically uses any form of evaporator type cold plate. 
         [0016]    Applicants disclose, in one embodiment, a dispenser having an evaporator cold plate, the dispenser includes tubes or fluid lines for engagement to a source of water at ambient temperature; a carbonator; a pump; a housing having a front plate; a first fluid circuit engaging, in order, the source of water, the pump, the cold plate, the carbonator, the cold plate again, and a first dispensing valve located adjacent the faceplate. A second fluid circuit engages the water source, the second fluid circuit carrying fluid to the cold plate, and a second dispensing valve on the front panel. A third fluid circuit engages the water source and a third dispensing valve located on the front panel. 
         [0017]    An embodiment of Applicants&#39; beverage dispensing device has a cold plate engaging a refrigeration system. The system engages a remote pressurized water source, a remote source of pressurized CO 2  and a remote source of electricity. An embodiment includes a housing having a top wall, a front panel, a rear panel, two side walls, and a bottom wall. A pump having a low end and a high end is provided, the pump for engaging the remote source of pressurized water. A carbonator engages the remote source of pressurized CO 2  gas, the carbonator has a fluid input and a fluid output. A first line engages the high end of the pump, the first line also engages the cold plate and is configured for serpentine, heat exchange engagement with the cold plate. The first line leaves the cold plate. A first junction is configured for receiving the first line. The first junction engages a second and a third line. The second line is for carrying fluid from the first line and engaging the cold plate and configured for serpentine, heat exchange engagement therewith. The third line is for carrying fluid from the first line to the fluid input of the carbonator. A fourth line is for engaging the carbonator fluid output, the fourth line then engaging the cold plate, and configured for serpentine, heat exchange engagement therewith. A fifth line is also provided and is adapted to engage the remote pressurized water source. The fifth line bypasses the cold plate. A first dispensing valve is adapted to receive water from a removed end of the second line, for dispensing chilled, non-carbonated water therefrom. A second dispensing valve is adapted to receive carbonated water from a removed end of the fourth line for dispensing chilled, carbonated water therefrom. A third valve is engaged with a removed end of the fifth line for dispensing non-chilled, non-carbonated water therefrom. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the fluid dispensing system of the present invention used in conjunction with a cold plate cooling circuit. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a table top water dispensing system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is an exploded line drawing view illustrating in side perspective, elements of an embodiment of Applicants&#39; table top water dispensing system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2A  is a side elevational view, cut away through the cold plate. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a graphical illustration of a front perspective view, from above, of an embodiment of Applicants&#39; table top water dispensing system with the side and top walls removed therefrom. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a graphical illustration of a rear side elevational view, from above, of an embodiment of Applicants&#39; table top water dispensing system with the side and top walls removed therefrom. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a graphical illustration of a top elevational view of an embodiment of the table top water dispensing system of Applicants&#39; present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0025]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate various embodiments of Applicants&#39; device. In  FIGS. 1-3 , it is seen that a table top water (or other potable fluid) dispensing system or device  100  is provided. The device comprises a cold plate cooling circuit  102 , such as that described in the &#39;108 publication, as modified herein. The cold plate circuit  102  typically includes a fan  8  as part of a condenser  35 A in order to remove heat from the coolant circuit and condense a high pressure gas in ways known in the art. A cold plate assembly  19  is provided (wherein the cold plate acts as an evaporator and heat exchanger) for engagement with the cold plate cooling circuit  102 . Ri and Ro indicate refrigerant in and refrigerant out, respectively. Within the cold plate, refrigerant lines are typically serpentine. 
         [0026]    The cold plate assembly  19  engages a dispensing circuit  104  comprising multiple fluid circuits. A housing  106  is provided which typically is generally rectangular and includes a top cover  3 , bottom wall  3   a , and four side walls  1 / 2 / 4 / 7 , one of which is typically a front plate or front panel  4  as seen in  FIG. 2 . Front panel  4  is adapted to receive a multiplicity, here at least three, dispensing valves  22 A/ 22 B/ 22 C for dispensing fluid as more specifically set forth herein. 
         [0027]    While elements  102 / 104  illustrate the cold plate cooling circuit and a dispensing fluid circuit, respectively, there may also be portions within housing  106  which substantially include within them most of the elements that make up the respective circuits  102 / 104 . That is to say, the interior of housing  106  may include a cold plate cooling circuit area  108  and a dispensing fluid circuit area  110 , the two areas within the housing but generally spaced apart from one another, generally adjacent, as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0028]    Applicants&#39; system  100  is substantially self-contained, requiring only engagement with remote AC power  112 , an external source of pressurized CO 2    114 , and an external pressurized water supply  116 , such as city (or municipal) water. 
         [0029]    In an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , dispensing circuit  104  comprises three fluid circuits. First fluid circuit typically includes a line, here line  200 , for carrying city water to a low side of a carbonator pump  39 , driven by carbonator motor  38 , which may be an electrical motor powered by AC power  112  and controlled, such by an on/off switch  5  (see  FIG. 2 ), or other control means, as known in the art. 
         [0030]    First fluid circuit also typically includes a line  202  from the pump high side to the cold plate  19 , and from the cold plate  19  to carbonator  42  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The first fluid circuit typically also includes a line  204  from carbonator carrying chilled carbonated water to the cold plate  19  (again) and from cold plate  19  to a first dispensing valve  22 A located on the front panel  4  of housing  106 . Thus, the first circuit utilizes an evaporator cooled cold plate to pre-chilled non-carbonated water, carbonate the water, and then chill it for a second time as carbonated water for dispensing out valve  22 A. 
         [0031]    Applicants&#39; device typically includes a second fluid circuit comprising a line  206  carrying water from a pressurized remote ambient source, such as water supply  116 , to cold plate  19  and then out to dispensing valve  22 B located on front panel  4  of housing  106 . Line  206  may or may not bypass the pump, but will engage the cold plate at least once and will bypass the carbonator. 
         [0032]    Applicants&#39; dispensing circuit  104  may also comprise a third fluid dispensing circuit, here comprising water supply  116  engaging line  208  for bypassing cold plate  19 , carbonator pump  39 , and carbonator  42 , and for engaging and mounting on front panel  4 , a third dispensing valve  22 C adjacent and aligned with the aforementioned dispensing valves  22 A/ 22 B. Third dispensing valve  22 C will dispense ambient, un-carbonated water. 
         [0033]    As seen in the illustrations, the three dispensing valves are typically adjacent one another on front panel  4 , with the first valve  22 A dispensing carbonated water therefrom and driven by a high pressure pump, through a carbonator and having passed twice through cold plate  19  as illustrated. It is seen that the second fluid circuit may utilize the pressure of the remote pressure water supply  116 , for example, city water, to drive the fluid a single time through the cold plate for dispensing through second dispensing valve  22 B. The third fluid circuit is seen to receive remote pressurized water from remote source  116  and bypass the cold plate. Dispensing valves  22 A/ 22 B/ 22 C typically engage front panel as illustrated and set above a drip tray  20 , which may include a cup rest  21  thereon. 
         [0034]    A preferred embodiment of Applicants&#39; device is illustrated in  FIG. 1A , showing chilled, non-carbonated water driven by pump  39  and “twice chilled” before dispensing. A line  300  carries city water to a junction  324 , such as a “T” junction. From the junction  324 , leg  302  carries water into the low end of pump  39 . A line  303  engages the high end of the pump and carries water to junction  320 . Going back to junction  324 , a second line off the junction is line  306 , which carries water to junction  318 . From junction  318 , water flows through line  304  (which typically has a check valve  305 ), up to junction  320 . Water at junction  320  is coming from line  303  and line  304 . Water is output from junction  320  through line  310   a  into the cold plate  19  and through serpentine or coil tubes  310   b . Coil tubes  310   b  output from the cold plate  19  at line  310   c  into junction  322 . Output from junction  322  is one line  312   a , which goes into cold plate with a multiplicity of passes at coil tubes  312   b , and is output at cold non-carbonated water dispensing valve  22   b.    
         [0035]    Turning back to junction  322 , an output line  314  inputs to carbonator  42 . Output of carbonator  42  is designated line  316   a , which inputs fluid, typically cold soda water, to the cold plate at coil tubes  316   b . Tubes  316   b  output to dispensing valve  22   a , and represent “twice chilled” carbonated (soda) water. Line  308  may be ⅜ inch ID going to ¼ inch ID after junction  318  and into dispensing valve  22   c . This will help maintain water pressure in dispensing valve  22   c  even when pump  39  is running. 
         [0036]    Note that cold non-carbonated water dispensed at  22   b , in the  FIG. 1A  embodiment, is also “twice chilled.” The twice chilling of the non-carbonated water dispensed from  22   b  is from serpentine lines or coil tubes  310   b  and  312   b . The twice chilling of the carbonated water dispensed from valve  22   a  is from coils  310   b  and  316   b . Coils are adjacent to and in heat exchange relationship with cold plate  19 , which also carries refrigerant. 
         [0037]    The elements list below, along with  FIGS. 2-5 , show the engagement of the cooling circuit  102  and the elements comprising the cooling circuit with the dispensing circuit  104 . The elements list set forth below identifies some of the elements and, in some cases, sources for the elements. For example, compressor  29  may be a Danfoss, SC10CL, 115 volt, 60 cycle. It can be seen that the machine ON/OFF switch  5  may be rocker switch, panel mounted, which will turn on the electrical elements of the table top water system  100 . Further detail of the control of the cooling system may be found in the &#39;108 publication. A single ON/Off switch  5  provides electrical energy to pump, carbonator, and refrigeration circuit through control panel electrical box assembly  34 . the carbonatot and pump are energized by controls known in the art to control the water level in the carbonator by energizing the pump to maintain pressure in the dispensing circuit  104 . 
         [0038]    Moreover, with reference to  FIG. 2A , it is seen that cold plate  19  is typically located vertically adjacent front panel  4  with dispensing valves near the upper portion thereof.  FIG. 2A  also illustrates the manner in which dispensing valves  22   a / 22   b  directly couple to cold plate  19 , typically by a threaded coupling  19   d . Cold plate  19  may include a cold plate core  19   a , which is typically centered in a cold plate housing  19   b  typically sheet metal. Insulation  19   c  may be foam, such that the heat exchange core  19   a  of the cold plate is substantially surrounded by the foam inside a shell defined by housing  19   b . It is seen that lines  312   a / 316   a  engage cold plate  19 , enter through the housing, the foam, and into the core  19   a , which may be cast aluminum. The lines may take the serpentine or coiled path as seen at  312   b / 316   b . It is in core  19   a  where heat exchange between the cold cast aluminum and the fluid in the coils takes place. The removed ends of  312   b / 316   b  engage threaded coupling  19   d  of core. Threaded coupling  19   d  couples to threads of the removed end of dispensing valves  22   a / 22   b.    
         [0039]    One of the features of Applicants&#39; invention is its ability to be easily handled by one or two people for placement on a table top or other support surface. Many water dispensing systems are big and bulky due, in some cases, to the nature of the cold plate and sometimes due to the nature of the placement of towers or other remote locations for dispensing valves. In a preferred embodiment of Applicants&#39; invention, dispensing valves are directly adjacent and indeed thread into the core of the cold plate itself. That is to say, the nozzle of the water dispensing valves is within two to six inches of the cold plate and just a few inches from the front panel. Moreover, the size of Applicants&#39; housing, that is the six walls that make up the housing, has a length, width, and height that make it a compact, easily transported unit. For example, Applicants&#39; preferred height is about 18.9 inches, width about 18.9 inches, and depth about 22.2 inches. In a preferred range, Applicants&#39; depth is between about 18 to 26 inches, height about 15 to 21 inches, and width about 15 to 21 inches.
     1  Left side wall     2  Right side wall     3  Top cover     4  Front panel     5  Machine ON/OFF switch, rocker, panel mounted     6  Defrost switch, momentary DPDT for refrigeration circuit     7  Back panel     8  Fan blade, 9″     9  Fan motor, 14 watt     10  Fan motor bracket     11  Fan shroud     12  Coolant circuit solenoid assembly. E9S230     13  Coolant circuit solenoid coil, 120V. MKC-2     14  Accumulator     15  Drier     16  Coolant circuit solenoid assembly. A3S1     17  Coolant circuit solenoid coil, 120V. MKC-1     18  Coolant circuit pressure switch, 0-150 psi     19  Cold plate assembly, foamed     19   a  Cold plate core     19   b  Cold plate housing     19   c  Insulation     19   d  Threaded coupling     20  Drip tray     21  Cup rest     22  Faucet assembly     22   a / 22   b  Dispensing valves     22 A Chilled soda water     22 B Chilled water (plain)     22 C Ambient water (plain)     23  Faucet sprayer     24  Rubber washer     25  Refrigeration sightglass, ⅜″ inline     26  Orifice, Danfoss TU2     27  Expansion valve Danfoss     28  Refrigerant receiver     29  Compressor, Danfoss, SC10CL, 115V 60     30  Compressor mount grommet     31  Washer, Std, 0.406 ID     32  Clip, hitch pin, 0.250 dia.     33  Cover, electrical box     34  Electrical box assembly     35  Condenser filter     35 A Condenser     36  Carrier—filter     37  Pressure switch 0-475 psi     38  Carbonator motor     39  Carbonator pump     39   a  Low end, pump     39   b  High end, pump     40  Capacitor—start     41  Back flow preventor (on high side of pump to prevent backflow of CO 2  in too high pressure)     42  Carbonator (McCanns, Model 43-1603, Los Angeles, Calif.)     43  Carbonator probe (liquid level in carbonator level switch to turn pump on and off, 115 volt)     44  Pop-off valve     45  Check valve—water (not shown)     46  Handle chrome     47  Bracket drip tray     100  Table top water system     102  Cooling circuit     104  Dispensing fluid circuit     106  Housing (typically six walls)     108  Cold plate cooling circuit portion     110  Dispensing fluid circuit portion     112  AC power     114  Pressurized CO 2  source     116  City water or other remote, ambient water supply     200  From city water to pump line (pump low side)     202  From pump high side to cold plate, then carbonator     204  From carbonator thru cold plate to valve  22 A     206  From city water through cold plate to valve  22 B     208  From city water to valve  22 C     300  Line     302  Leg     303  Line     304  Line     305  Check valve     306  Line     308  Line     310   a  Line     310   b / 312   b  Serpentine or coil tubes     312   a / 316   a  Lines     312   b / 316   b  Lines     314  Output line     316   a  Designated line     316   b  Tubes     318 / 320 / 322 / 324  Junctions   
 
         [0127]    Although the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the invention&#39;s particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alterations, modifications, and equivalences that may be included in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.