Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for separating air from a fluid, such as syrup, as the fluid enters a first chamber of a system; passing the fluid from the first chamber to a second chamber via a first device; passing the air from the first chamber to the second chamber via a second device so as to reintroduce the air back into the fluid and form a new fluid mixture having more uniform air bubbles; and discharging the new fluid out of the system.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/003,356, filed 16 Nov. 2007 and provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/013,765, filed 14 Dec. 2007, which are both incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing a fluid; and more particularly relates to a managing the amount of air being dispensed with such a fluid, including syrup for making beverages like soda. 
         [0004]    2. Brief Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In known dispensing system, a bag of syrup is attached to the dispensing system for providing the syrup into a drink. The syrup may include that needed to dispense soda or fruit drinks, e.g., at a fast food restaurant. Air bubbles entrained in the bag of syrup or pressure lines can cause problems in providing drinks having uniform consistency in taste. For example, the taste of one drink having syrup having a large air bubble dispensed therein can be very different than the taste of another drink having syrup having little or no air bubbles dispensed therein. The discerning customer can easily distinguish between the drinks having the different tastes. 
         [0006]    In the prior art, there are many different ways to try to solve this problem by burping air from pressure lines, on the vacuum side of the system, to atmosphere through either float actuated valves or other means. However, there are problems with these techniques including the syrup clogging the air vent valve which then make the unit useless. The known units can also make a mess as the syrup leaks out. Contact with atmosphere also allows bacteria and mold to build and grow. These systems also require maintenance more often due to the tendencies listed above. 
         [0007]    In view of this, there is a need in the industry to solve this problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a new and unique method and apparatus for separating air from a fluid, such as syrup, as the fluid enters a first chamber of a system; passing the fluid from the first chamber to a second chamber via a first device; passing the air from the first chamber to the second chamber via a second device so as to reintroduce the air back into the fluid and form a new fluid mixture having more uniform air bubbles; and discharging the new fluid mixture out of the system via an outlet port. 
         [0009]    The second device may include an air channel having a check valve arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber configured to prevent the fluid from backing up into the air channel. 
         [0010]    The first device may include an air/syrup vacuum ratio adjustable valve arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber configured for determining the amount of fluid passing from the first chamber and the second chamber. 
         [0011]    The first device may also include a variable area float controlled device arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber and configured for also passing fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. The variable area float controlled device may include a flotation device coupled to a stem configured for floating at a level that depends on the amount of fluid in the first chamber, and the stem may be a tapered stem configured for allowing more fluid to pass from the first chamber to the second chamber when the flotation device is high, and less fluid to pass through when the flotation device is low. 
         [0012]    The method may also include purging air through a valve arranged in the second chamber at start-up, as well as arranging an auto shut off between the first chamber and the second chamber configured to shut off the air if vacuum pressure reaches an above normal level. 
         [0013]    The apparatus may take the form of a system featuring a first chamber configured for receiving and separating air from a fluid, such as syrup, as the fluid enters the system; a second chamber; a first device configured for passing the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber; a second device configured for passing the air from the first chamber to the second chamber so as to reintroduce the air back into the fluid and form a new fluid mixture having more uniform air bubbles; and an outlet port for discharging the new fluid out of the system. 
         [0014]    Advantages of the present include the following: By reintroducing the air into the line in small increments there is no contact with the outside atmosphere, which in turn helps keep the system a closed system lowering the risk of bacteria being introduced from outside the system. The system also works on the vacuum side of the beverage system, while other known systems work on the pressure side of the system. However the concept can be apply to pressure side of the system as well. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]    The drawing includes the following Figures: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a beverage or bag-in-box air management system according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional diagram of adjustment screws or valves of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional diagram of a chimney portion of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 1  along lines  3 - 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional diagram of a float device arranged in the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 1  along lines  3 - 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a tapered stem that forms part of the floating device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a 3-D view of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of a beverage air management system according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional diagram of adjustment screws or valves of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional diagram of a chimney portion of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 8  along lines  10 - 10 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional diagram of a float device arranged in the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 8  along lines  11 - 11 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 13 , including  FIGS. 13   a,    13   b,    13   c,  includes diagrams of another beverage air management system according to some embodiments of the present invention, where  FIG. 13   a  shows a diagram of the air and fluid flow in beverage air management system;  FIG. 13   b  shows a perspective exploded view of the beverage air management system; and  FIG. 13   c  shows a perspective view of the beverage air management system; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective bottom view of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 13   c.    
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a top down view of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 13   c.    
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a cross-section view of the check valve assembly of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 15  along lines  16 - 16 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 17  is a cross-section view of the air/fluid vacuum ratio adjustment screw of the beverage air management system shown in  FIG. 15  along lines  17 - 17 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 18  is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of a beverage air management system according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]      FIGS. 1-7  show one embodiment of a beverage air management system according to the present invention. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 1 , a fluid having air  2  and syrup  3  therein enters an Beverage Air Management System BAMS henceforth generally indicated as  10  via a combined Inlet port  1  of a chamber  12 , the air  2  in the syrup  3  then is separated, going to the top of chamber  12  of the BAMS  10 , and the syrup  3  flows to the bottom of the chamber  12  of the BAMS  10 . 
         [0036]    The syrup  3  flows from the bottom of the chamber  12  through one or more first devices  4 ,  4 A that may include an air/syrup vacuum ratio adjustment screw or valve opening assembly  4 , a variable area float controlled valve and associated assembly  4 A, or a combination thereof into a first part  14   a  of a second chamber generally indicated as  14  of the BAMS  10 . The syrup  3  passes from the first part  14   a  of the second chamber  14  to a second part  14   b  of the second chamber  14   b  via an adjustable valve and associated assembly  16 . 
         [0037]    The air  2  in the first chamber  12  passes through one or more second devices  5 ,  5   a,    6  that may include an air channel  5   a,  an auto shut-off and associated assembly  5  and a check valve and associated assembly  6 , so that the air  2  passes through the air channel  5   a,  and the auto shut-off  5 , then through the check valve  6  into a second part  14   b  of the second chamber  14 , so as to reintroduce the air  2  back into the syrup  3  in minute bubbles and form a new fluid mixture  7  having more uniform air bubbles. 
         [0038]    The new fluid mixture  7  then exits the BAMS  10  via a discharge port  8  and is provided to, e.g., a machine for machine a beverage, such as soda. By reintroducing the air  2  into the syrup  3  at minute intervals with the BAMS, the mixture for the soda made from the new fluid mixture  7  is not disturbed and is maintained at a specified level. As shown, the BAMS  10  also has an optional air and fluid inlet  1   a.    
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows the adjustment screws or valves  4 ,  16  of the BAMS shown in  FIG. 1  in further detail. The adjustment valve  4  on the left side as shown is opened or closed to control the amount of syrup that flows from the first chamber  12  to the first part  14   a  of the second chamber  14 , and can be set for optimum air-to-syrup ratio specific to each system. For example, if the adjustment screw  4  is closed all the vacuum drawn by the pump not shown goes to the air orifice  5   a.  See  FIG. 1 . In contrast, if adjustment screw  4  is fully open, all vacuum goes to the syrup opening SO for allowing passage of the syrup  3  from the first chamber  12  to the second chamber  14 , as shown. The adjustment can be set for optimum air to syrup ratio specific to each system. The adjustable valve  16  on the right side as shown is typically open for allowing the syrup to pass from the first part  14   a  of the second chamber  14  to the first part  14   b  of the second chamber  14 . At the start up of an installation of the BAMS  10 , the valve  16  is typically closed to purge all air. For operation, when the adjustable valve  16  is closed all the vacuum goes to the air orifice for air purging. In  FIG. 2 , each adjustable valve  4 ,  16  has respective caps  4   a ′,  16   a  thereon to prevent/hinder tampering. 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 3 , the check valve  6  is used to prevent syrup  3  from backing up into the air channel  5   a.  The check valve  6  may be optional depending upon requirements. The check valve  6  also touches the syrup  3  so that it is less likely to stick close due to dry syrup. As shown, the auto shut-off  5  has a shut-off assembly generally indicated as  5 ′ and a shut-off member  5 ″, such that the shut-off assembly  5 ′ can be adjusted to move the shut-off member  5 ″ up/down so as to engage a stem portion  6   a  of the check valve  6  to open and close the check valve  6 . The check valve  6  is shown in an open position which allows air to pass into the second part  14   b  of the second chamber  14 . Under normal operation, a diaphragm D senses vacuum from a pump not shown coupled to the outlet  8  that draws fluid from the BAMS  10 . The vacuum rises and draws a piston P up compressing a spring S. When the pump shuts off, the vacuum reduces allowing the spring S to push the piston P back to its original position. In the auto shut off option, the air  2  is shut off if the vacuum reaches an above normal running vacuum. This will prevent excessive air from entering the discharge outlet  8  during an empty bag in box condition. As shown, the shut-off assembly  5 ′ has O-ring seals unlabeled for presenting the new fluid mixture  7  from leaking from the second chamber  14 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 4 , the variable area float controlled device  4 A may include a flotation device  20  coupled to a stem  22  for floating at a level that depends on the amount of fluid in the first chamber  12 . The stem  22  may be a tapered stem for allowing more fluid to pass through a syrup opening  26  see  FIG. 3  formed in the body of the BAMS  10  so as to allow the syrup to pass from first chamber  12  to the first part  14   a  of the second chamber when the flotation device  20  is high, and less fluid to pass through when the flotation device  20  is low. The variable area float controlled valve  4 A or float device variably controls the size or width of the syrup opening  26  via the taper stem  24  which in turn controls the speed of the air inlet so it is likely to be less sensitive to the fluid level in the first chamber  12 . See also  FIG. 5 . 
       FIGS.  8 - 12 : Alternative Embodiment 
       [0042]      FIGS. 8-12  show another embodiment of a beverage air management system generally indicated as  200  according to the present invention, having a body  202 , a cover  203  and a cover seal  203   a.  Similar elements in  FIGS. 8-12  are labeled with similar reference numerals as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1-7 . The difference between the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7  and the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8-12  are generally described as follows: 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 8 , the BAMS  200  may include a float control valve generally indicated as  204  having possible options depending on the fluid being processed by the BAMS. For example, the float control valve assembly  204  may be similar to the float control valve  4   a  in relation to the embodiment in  FIGS. 1-7 . Alternatively, the lower part of the float control valve assembly  204  may be replaced with a plug  240 . Further still, the float control valve assembly  204  may include a C-clip (see element  204   b  in  FIG. 11 ) at the base B as indicated to prevent complete closure of a syrup aperture generally indicated as  205  formed in the body between the first chamber  12  and the second chamber  14  in which the tapered stem  22  is arranged therein, as shown. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 8 , the BAMS  200  may include a wall  210  to adjust the flow path of the fluid/air. The wall  210  is shown slightly oblique to the lower wall of the body  202 . the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the angle of the wall  210 . See also the embodiment in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0045]    In  FIG. 8 , the BAMS  200  may include a check valve and associated assembly generally indicated as  206  that faces downwardly as shown best in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 8 , the BAMS  200  may have the auto shut-off assembly removed (see and compare element  5  in  FIG. 3 ) and replaced with a plug  220  inserted in an auto shut-off assembly aperture generally indicated as  222  (see also  FIG. 12 ) in the body  202 . The aperture  222  may be used during assembly of the BAMS  200  to insert the check valve and associated assembly  206 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 8 , the BAMS  200  may have the screw valve assembly removed (see and compare element  16  in  FIG. 2 ). As shown in  FIG. 9 , the screw valve may be replaced by a push valve assembly  216  having a push valve  216   a  and a spring  216   b,  where the push valve assembly  216  is closed for start-up, then released during normal operation. The internal spring  216   b  keeps the push valve  216   a  in a normally open position. 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 11 , the float valve assembly  204  may take the form of a rubber plug generally indicated as  204   a  to block the flow path permanently. As shown, the C-clip  204   b  is added so that even when the float is fully raised the flow path of the syrup is not closed. The float valve assembly also has a plug assembly  240 , as shown. 
         [0049]    As shown, the clips  250   a  and  250   b  function to retain the inlet and outlet to the body  202 . By way of example, screws  260  are shown as holding the cover  203  to the body  202 , although the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of fastening device for holding these elements together. 
       FIGS.  13 - 17 : Alternative Embodiment 
       [0050]      FIGS. 13-17  show another embodiment of a beverage air management system generally indicated as  300  according to the present invention. Similar elements in  FIGS. 13-17  are labeled with similar reference numerals as the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1-7 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 13-17 , the BAMS  300  has a body portion  302  and a cover portion  304  for enclosing the body portion  302 . The other part of the BAMS  300  are labeled similar to and consistent with that shown in  FIG. 13   a.    
         [0052]    In  FIG. 13   a,  the combined air and syrup enter the first chamber  12  of the Beverage Air Management System BAMS henceforth via the Inlet port  1 , the air flow  2  in the syrup then is separated, going to the top of BAMS, the syrup flow  3  then flows to the bottom through the adjustment valve opening  4  into the second chamber  14 . The air  2  passes down through the air channel  5   a  through the check valve  6  then through an orifice O, where the air  2  is reintroduced to the syrup  3  in minute bubbles so as to form the new fluid mixture  7 , which then exits the BAMS  10  via the discharge port  8 . Consistent with that discussed above, by reintroducing the air  2  back into the syrup  3  at minute intervals the mixture for the soda is not disturbed and is maintained at the specified level. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 13   b  and  16  show the auto shut-off assembly  305  in greater detail, which operates in a manner similar to the auto shut-off assembly generally indicated as  5 ′ in the embodiment described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-7 . For example, under normal operation, the diaphragm D senses vacuum from the pump not shown, the vacuum rises and draws the piston P up compressing the spring S. When the pump shuts off, the vacuum reduces allowing the spring S to push the piston P back to its original position. In the Auto Shut off option, the air is shut off if the vacuum reaches an above normal running vacuum. This will prevent air from entering the discharge during an empty bag in box condition. 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 17 , if the adjustment screw  4  is closed all the vacuum goes to the air orifice  5   a.  See  FIG. 13   a.  If adjustment screw is fully open, all vacuum goes to the syrup opening SO, as shown. The adjustment can be set for optimum air to syrup ratio specific to each system. 
         [0055]    The auto shut-off assembly  305  also has a cap  305   a  to prevent/hinder tampering similar to the cap  4   a ′ of the auto shut-off assembly. 
       FIG.  18 : Alternative Embodiment 
       [0056]      FIG. 18  shows an alternative embodiment of a beverage air management system featuring a check valve having an adjustable cracking pressure. The cracking pressure of the check valve is adjusted by turning a screw-like device D that compresses or decompresses a spring S arranged between the screw-like device D and the check valve. In operation, fluid e.g. syrup causes pressure on the check valve, which opens or closes depending on the adjustment to allow air to flow into the internal chamber of the beverage air management system. The adjustment of the compression of the spring S determines the amount of fluid pressure needed to open or close the check valve so as to control the amount of air entering the internal chamber. 
         [0057]    The check valve having the adjustable cracking pressure is shown as an N5000 check valve, which is known in the art. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind of check valve. 
         [0058]    As shown, the beverage air management system in  FIG. 18  may be top mounted using the fastening devices F. Embodiments are also envisioned in which the beverage air management system in  FIG. 18  may be flipped or rotated by 90°. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the orientation of the overall system. 
         [0059]    The beverage air management system in  FIG. 18  also features an alternative internal wall design having walls w 1 , w 2 , w 3 , w 4 . In operation, these walls w 1 , w 2 , w 3 , w 4  cooperate to make sure that substantially no stagnant syrup remains in the internal chamber. The physical relationship of the internal walls w 1 , w 2 , w 3 , w 4  to the side walls Ws 1 , Ws 2  is shown by way of example; and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular number of internal walls, or any particular angular relationship between any particular internal wall and any particular side wall, or any particular angular relationship between the internal walls themselves, etc., in the overall system. 
       Possible Applications 
       [0060]    Possible applications include at least the following: 
         [0061]    Beverage post mix and premix application, Industrial, Areas where excessive air in fluids is disruptive. 
       The Scope of the Invention 
       [0062]    It is important to note that many times during the description an element is initially referred to and labeled as an element and associated assembly, and then later in the description the principle element is referred to by the same reference number. This technique is done so that the instant patent application reads consistent with the descriptions in the earlier filed provisional applications as well as to improve overall readability. For example, a person skilled in the art would appreciate, especially when examining the detailed Figures provided herein, that an element and associated assembly may include besides the element itself, some other sub-parts like O-rings, clips, screws, etc., which need not be exhaustively described and labeled so as to clutter the overall description of the fundamental invention. 
         [0063]    Further, the embodiments shown and described in detail herein include many different type and kinds of check valves, adjustable valves or screws, channels, openings or apertures, walls, springs, pistons, diaphragms, floats, tapered stems, caps, etc., which are all known in the art, and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular type and kinds thereof. 
         [0064]    Further still, the embodiments shown and described in detail herein are provided by way of example only; and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular configurations, dimensionalities, and/or design details of these parts or elements included herein, including the check valves, adjustable valves or screws, channels, openings or apertures, walls, springs, pistons, diaphragms, floats, tapered stems, caps, etc. In other words, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that design changes to these embodiments may be made and such that the resulting embodiments would be different than the embodiments disclosed herein, but would still be within the overall spirit of the present invention. 
         [0065]    It should be understood that, unless stated otherwise herein, any of the features, characteristics, alternatives or modifications described regarding a particular embodiment herein may also be applied, used, or incorporated with any other embodiment described herein. Also, the drawings herein are not drawn to scale. 
         [0066]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, the foregoing and various other additions and omissions may be made therein and thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.