Abstract:
A system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. Specialized valve configurations and operation techniques are implemented in order to achieve enhanced flow characteristics of the carbonated beverage dispensing into the open container. Preferably, the valve head has a distribution surface in which a portion of the distribution surface near a proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than the portion of the distribution surface that is located towards the distal end of the valve head. With this configuration, the valve head gently redirects the flow trajectory of the carbonated beverage existing the nozzle from a substantially downward trajectory to a more horizontal umbrella like trajectory. It has been found that such a trajectory provides particularly favorable results. In order to maintain a symmetrical umbrella flow pattern, a hub is provided within the flow nozzle to support and align that valve stem.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the automated dispensing of a carbonated beverage into open containers. 
     The present invention arose during ongoing efforts by the inventor to improve carbonated beverage dispensing systems. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,363 entitled “Apparatus For Dispensing A Carbonated Beverage With Minimal Foaming”, issuing on Feb. 18, 1997, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,732 issuing on Oct. 22, 1996, both incorporated herein by reference, the inventor discloses systems for dispensing carbonated beverage, such as beer or soda, into an open container. The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,363 discloses the bottom filling of carbonated beverage into an open container which minimizes foaming. U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,732 discloses the use of a bar code reader to read indicia on the open container when placed beneath the nozzle that indicates volume of the open container in order to automate the dispensing procedure, and preferably various aspects of on site accounting and inventory procedures. In these systems, the carbonated beverage is dispensed from a nozzle that has an outlet port placed near the bottom of the open container, i.e. the open container is bottom filled. In addition to bottom filling, these systems control the dispensing pressure of the carbonated beverage as well as its temperature in order to minimize foaming. In the above incorporated U.S. patents, the dispensing pressure was controlled by maintaining the pressure of the carbonated beverage to be dispensed at atmospheric pressure. In particular, the carbonated beverage is held in a vented chamber prior to dispensing in order to maintain the pressure at atmospheric pressure. 
     Sometimes it is desirable to control the amount of foaming, rather than simply minimize the amount of foaming. For example, when serving malt beverages such as beer, the presentation of the beer including the size of the head and the temperature of the beer are important factors relating to the drinkability of the beer. Experienced bartenders take great pride in serving beer having the proper presentation. The skill of pouring and creating timely foaming or turbulence in the beverage is quite an art which few have perfected. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an automated carbonated beverage dispensing system, and in particular a bottom-filling system containing features designed to improve the flow characteristics of the beverage dispensing from the nozzle into the open container. 
     In one aspect, the invention relates to the configuration of the valve head for the dispensing nozzle. Preferably, the valve head has a distribution surface in which the portion of the distribution surface near a proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than the portion of the distribution surface that is located towards the distal end of the valve head. With this configuration, the valve head gently redirects the flow trajectory of the carbonated beverage exiting the nozzle from a substantially downward trajectory to a more horizontal umbrella like trajectory. It has been found that such a trajectory produces favorable results. The valve head preferably includes a base surface along the distal end of the valve head, and preferably a circumferential groove located between the base surface and the distribution surface. An O-ring is located in the circumferential groove and seats against the nozzle when the valve is closed to ensure that the pressure of pressurized carbonated beverage within the nozzle is maintained. In some systems, it may desirable to place a sealed optical sensor on the base surface of the valve head. The sensor is activated when the user presses the bottom of the open container against the sealed activation switch on the base surface of the valve head, thereby ensuring that the outlet port is in the vicinity of the bottom of the open container when the valve opens. 
     It may be desirable to electronically control the valve actuator, while the carbonated beverage is dispensing, and in turn control the positioning of the valve head relative to the outlet port on the nozzle while the carbonated beverage is dispensing in order to modify the flow characteristics of the dispensing carbonated beverage. For example, it may be desirable to flutter the positioning of the valve head in order to create timely turbulence and achieve a desired presentation of the carbonated beverage in the open container. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to the alignment of the valve stem within the nozzle and consequently the symmetrical positioning of the valve head with respect to the outlet port of the nozzle. It has been found that precise alignment, such as provided by a star-shaped hub in the nozzle for supporting the valve stem, is important for providing a proper dispensing umbrella in the pressurized system described in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. In such a pressurized system, the carbonated beverage remains pressurized until immediately before the valve is opened. In such systems, it is important to reduce the pressure before opening the dispensing valve. In addition to reducing pressure, it has been found that precise alignment of the valve head is also important in such a system for optimum pouring characteristics. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention should be apparent to those skilled in the art upon inspecting the drawings and reviewing the following description thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a carbonated beverage dispensing system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of the carbonated beverage dispensing system shown in FIG. 1 at a point in time in which carbonated beverage is dispensing from the system into an open container. 
     FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the preferred electronic control system for the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle prior, during, and subsequent to dispensing the carbonated beverage from the nozzle into the open container. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the region designated in FIG. 1 by arrow  5 — 5  which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the valve head incorporating a bottom activation switch. 
     FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the bottom activation switch being actuated and the valve open in order to dispense carbonated beverage from the nozzle into the open container. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the region in FIG. 7 designated by arrows  8 — 8  which illustrates the valve head configuration of the system in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing a bottom activation switch being actuated in order to open the valve and dispense carbonated beverage from the nozzle into the open container. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIGS. 11A through 11C show various embodiments of valve heads, each having a distinct configuration for the distribution surface on the valve head. 
     FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing showing an automated open container holder. 
     FIG. 13 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 12 which shows the open container being automatically lowered as it is being filled. 
     FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the region depicted by arrows  14 — 14  in FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating a possible pouring profile for the systems shown in FIGS. 12-14 in which the Y-axis represents the relative distance of the bottom of the open container from the outlet port of the nozzle with respect to time during filling. 
     FIGS. 16A through 16D show the preferred manner of adding ice into an open container being filled with carbonated beverage. 
     FIG. 17 is a schematic view of still another embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a carbonated beverage dispensing system  10  that maintains the carbonated beverage  12  in a pressurized state, i.e. at a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure such as 15 psi, when the valve  14  for the dispensing nozzle  16  is in a closed position. In FIG. 1, the source of carbonated beverage is designated by reference numeral  18 . A carbon dioxide source  20  is connected to the source of carbonated beverage  18  via line  22  in order to supply gas that forces the carbonated beverage out of the source container  18  as is common practice. The source container  18  would typically be a keg of malt beverage such as beer, or could be a source of carbonated water to which flavored syrup is mixed downstream in the case of soft drinks. FIG. 1 shows a valve  24  in line  22  that is electronically controlled by controller  26  in order to regulate the pressure within the source  18  of carbonated beverage. Alternatively, the system pressure is set manually, or by a conventional regulator on the carbon dioxide source. 
     The pressurized carbonated beverage is supplied from the source  18  of carbonated beverage through line  28  to a pressurized chamber  30 . Pressure transducer  29  monitors the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the pressurized chamber  30  and dispensing nozzle  16 , and outputs a signal to the electronic controller  26 . An in-line chiller  32  chills the carbonated beverage flowing through line  28  to a desired temperature. The in-line chiller  32  is controlled by the electronic controller  26 . As described later in connection with FIG. 3, the chiller  32  is preferably a zeroΔT freon bath chiller. The volume of the pressurized chamber  30  is relatively arbitrary, but in this embodiment is approximately one gallon. The dispensing nozzle  16  extends downward from the pressurized chamber  30 . The dispensing nozzle preferably has a diameter of ¾ to 2 inches, and has a length sufficient for bottom filling open containers which are typically used in connection with the system  10 . For example, the nozzle  16  may typically be 12 or more inches in length. 
     The valve head  14  is connected to a valve stem  34  which passes longitudinally along the center axis of the nozzle  16  and extends upward through the pressurized chamber  30 . An electronically controlled actuator  36 , such as a servo motor or a pneumatic actuator, is mounted to the top of the chamber  30 . The valve actuator  36  is connected to the valve stem  34  and selectively positions the valve head  14  with respect to the outlet port  38  of the nozzle  16 . The electronic controller  26  outputs a control a signal to the valve actuator  36  through line  56 . In the system shown in FIG. 1, a bottom activation switch  40  is provided along a base surface of the valve  14 . When the bottom  42  of the open container  44  presses the switch  40  upward, the switch  40  sends a signal through line  46  physically located in part within the valve stem  34  to the electronic controller  36 . 
     The system  10  also preferably includes an elastomeric bladder  48  mounted along one of the surfaces of the pressurized chamber  30 . A bladder actuator  50 , such as a servo motor or a pneumatic actuator, is connected to the elastomeric bladder  48 . As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bladder  48  is in contact with the carbonated beverage  12  in the pressurized chamber  30 . During operation of the system  10 , the electronic controller  26  controls the actuator  50  to move the elastomeric bladder  48  from the position shown at FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG.  2 . In the retracted position in FIG. 2, the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the chamber  30  and the nozzle  16  is reduced to a selected pressure in order to dispense the carbonated beverage through the outlet port  38  of the nozzle  16 . FIG. 1 also shows an adjustable flow restriction device  51  located in pressurized line  28  between the source  18  of the pressurized carbonated beverage and the chamber  30  and nozzle  16 . One purpose of the adjustable flow restriction device  51  is to create a time lag for the recovery of pressure within the nozzle  16  after the bladder  48  has been retracted. Another purpose is to maintain appropriate carbonation of the beverage upstream of the flow restriction device  51 . 
     An electronically controlled venting valve  52  is mounted to the pressurized chamber  30 . The venting valve  52  is opened in order to fill the pressurized chamber  30  and nozzle  16  with carbonated beverage during start up. 
     The system  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 operates generally in the following manner. The electronic controller  26  adjusts valve  24  in pressurized carbon dioxide line  22  in order to force carbonated beverage from the source  18  into pressurized line  28  or, as mentioned, the initial system pressure can be set manually or by a conventional regulator on the carbon dioxide source. A typical pressure for pressurized line  28  would be 15-30 psi, although this pressure is discretionary. The in-line chiller  32  chills the pressurized carbonated beverage to a desired temperature (for example, 36.5 degrees Fahrenheit for certain beers, or the surface temperature of ice added to the open container for soft drinks). The chilled and pressurized carbonated beverage then flows through the flow restriction device  51  and into the pressurized chamber  30  and nozzle  16  with the valve  14  in a closed position as shown in FIG.  1 . With the valve  14  closed, the pressure of the carbonated beverage in the nozzle achieves equilibrium pressure which is the same as the pressure in the pressurized line  28  and substantially greater than atmospheric pressure. 
     In order to dispense carbonated beverage into the open container  44 , the open container  44  is placed underneath the nozzle  16  with the outlet port  38  for the nozzle  16  proximate the bottom  42  of the open container  44 . The system  10  is then activated to initiate a dispensing cycle, for example by pushing the bottom  42  of the open container  44  against the activation switch  40  on the bottom of the valve head  14 , or in accordance with a barcode system such as disclosed in incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,732, or by some other push button or electronic control. After system activation, the dispensing valve  14  is maintained in a closed position and the electronic controller  26  initiates the dispensing cycle. First, the electronic controller sends a control signal through line  54  to the bladder actuator  50  to retract the elastomeric bladder  48  and reduce the pressure of the carbonated beverage  12  contained in the nozzle  16  and chamber  30  to a lesser pressure that is appropriate for controlled dispensing of the carbonated beverage from the outlet port  38  of the nozzle  16  into the open container  44 . Preferably, the retraction of the bladder  48 , FIG. 2, reduces the pressure of the carbonated beverage  12  in the nozzle  16  to a pressure slightly greater than atmospheric pressure, and in any event no more than  6  psi greater than atmospheric pressure. The valve head  14  is opened once the pressure of the carbonated beverage has been reduced to the selected dispensing pressure, thus allowing carbonated beverage to flow from the nozzle outlet port  38  into the open container  44  in a controlled manner as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Because the pressure of the carbonated beverage is known during the dispensing procedure, the amount of carbonated beverage filling the open container  44  accurately corresponds to the precise time period that the valve  14  is open. The dispensing valve  14  is closed after the predetermined time period. The presentation of the carbonated beverage within the open container  44  is likely to be extremely repeatable because the temperature and the dispensing pressure of the carbonated beverage are tightly controlled. Other features of the system  10  described in connection with other Figures help to improve the repeatability of the presentation of the carbonated beverage in the open container. 
     FIG. 4 is a plot illustrating the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16  as a function of time over the course of a dispensing a cycle. FIG. 4 shown by way of example that the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16  at time T=0, (i.e. before the dispensing cycle) is 15 psi. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure of the carbonated beverage in the nozzle is reduced from 15 psi to 1 psi prior to dispensing the carbonated beverage from the nozzle. The time period designated T 1  in FIG. 4 shows the pressure drop of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle form 15 psi to 1 psi. As mentioned, this occurs immediately before the valve  14  is opened. Once the pressure in the nozzle  16  is reduced to the desired dispensing pressure, i.e. 1 psi in FIG. 4, the valve  14  is opened to dispense the carbonated beverage. In FIG. 4, the valve  14  is opened during the time period designated T 2 . Note that FIG. 4 shows that the pressure during the time period T 2  is a constant pressure which in many applications is preferred, however, is not strictly necessary. At the end of the time period T 2 , the valve  14  is closed. The pressure on the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16  and the chamber  30  recovers during time period T 3 . In the system  10  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elastomeric bladder  48  is allowed to relax to the home position shown in FIG. 1 during time period T 3  after the valve  14  is closed. Subsequent dispensing cycles are not typically initiated until the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16  and the chamber  30  is fully recovered, however, this is not necessary (e.g., the bladder operation is controlled in response to the signal from the pressure transducer  29 ). It may be important to properly adjust the flow restriction device  51  in order to achieve constant or nearly constant pressure during the time period T 2 . That is, depending on the overall volume of the chamber  30  and nozzle  16 , an inadequate flow restriction  51  may allow a premature pressure rise in the nozzle  16  before it is time to close the valve  14 . An inadequate flow restriction  51  can be overcome by modulating bladder actuator  50 . 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the preferred chiller system  32 A, which is referred to herein as the zeroΔT chiller  32 A. In FIG. 3, the pressurized line  28  from the source of pressurized carbonated beverage flows through the evaporator  64 . The evaporator  64  is preferably a flooded, freon-bath heat exchanger, although other conventional heat exchangers such as tube-in-tube heat exchangers may be suitable. The preferred flood freon-bath heat exchanger  64  is sized so that, under all normal operating conditions, the heat exchanger  64  has sufficient chilling capacity in order that the temperature of the carbonated beverage flowing from the evaporator  64  matches the temperature of the freon bath. In this manner, the temperature of the pressurized carbonated beverage flowing into the chamber  30  and the nozzle can be precisely determined by the temperature of the freon bath. The temperature of the freon bath in the evaporator  64  is monitored by a pressure transducer  66  which transmits a signal to the electronic controller  26 . Block  68  in FIG. 3 which is labeled data input illustrates that the desired temperature of the carbonated beverage can be input as data into the controller  26 , e.g., through a keypad or from electronic memory, etc. In turn, the controller  26  adjusts the position of valve  70  to change the pressure in the flooded, freon-bath of the evaporator  64  in order to obtain the desired temperature for the freon-bath. The valve  70  shown in FIG. 3 is a three-way valve. The primary purpose of valve  70  is that of an expansion valve in the freon refrigeration cycle. However, valve  70  can be adjusted so that a portion or all of the freon flowing to the valve  70  bypasses the evaporator  64  and flows directly through line  72  to the compressor. Typically, it is desirable to bypass the evaporator  64  entirely when the system  10  is in stand-by mode (i.e., hot gas by-pass), and there is no carbonated beverage  28  flowing through the evaporator heat exchanger  64 . Utilizing such a bypass during stand-by mode is preferable to turning off power to the compressor because compressor start up times are significant and compressor duty life is severely shortened by repeated starting and stopping. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it may be desirable to provide a valve head  14  with a bottom activation switch  40 . The valve head  14  has a proximal end  74  that is attached to the valve stem  34 , and a distal end  76 . The diameter of the valve head  14  at the proximal end  74  is less than the diameter of the valve head at the distal end  76  as is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6. The valve head  14  includes a distribution surface  78  that contacts the carbonated beverage as it is stored in the nozzle  16  and as it flows through the outlet port  38  of the nozzle  16 . The valve  14  also includes a base surface  80  that is generally horizontal along the distal end  76  of the valve  14 . The valve head  14  is preferably made of stainless steel, and can be an integral component with the valve stem  34 , although this is not necessary for implementing the invention. A star-shaped hub  82  aligns the valve stem  34  within the nozzle  16 . It is desirable that the valve stem be accurately aligned in order for the dispensing carbonated beverage to form a full 360° curtain having substantially symmetric thickness. Inaccurate alignment will corrupt the symmetry of the curtain and result in sub-optimal dispensing. The stainless steel valve stem  34  and head  14  contains a longitudinal bore  84  that houses wires  46  which transmit signals from the activation switch  40 . The activation switch  40  is preferably an optical sensor  86  that is glued into the bore  84  along the base surface  80  of the valve head  14  such that the sensor  86  extends downward beyond the base surface  80  of the valve head  14 . An elastomeric seal  88  covers the switch  40  and is secured to the base surface  80  of the valve head using fasteners  90 . The fasteners  90  are counter sunk within groove  92  in the base surface  80  of the valve head. A spring  94  (or other elastic material) is located around the sensor  86  for the switch  40 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sensor  86  as well as the spring  94  reside primarily within a central recess  96  on the base surface  80  of the valve head  14 . In FIG. 5, the spring  94  provides biasing pressure against the seal  88 , and the sensor  86  measures the distance to the seal  88  in the open position. In order to close the switch  40 , the user pushes the open container  44  upward so that the bottom  42  of the container pushes upward against the seal  88  and the spring  94 . The sensor  86  measures the distance to the seal  88  in the closed position as shown in FIG. 6, and control signals are transmitted through wires  46  to the electronic controller  26 . In turn, the electronic controller  26  controls the opening and positioning of the valve head  14  with the respect to the outlet port  38  of the nozzle  16 . If a waterproof optical sensor  86  is used, the seal  88  and spring  94  are not necessary. In a system using a waterproof optical sensor, the optical sensor measures the distance to the bottom of the open container, rather than the distance to the spring-biased seal. 
     Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve head  14  includes a circumferential groove  98  that is located at the distal end  76  of the valve head between the distribution surface  78  and the base surface  80 . An O-ring elastomeric seal  100  is placed in the circumferential groove  98 . When the valve head  14  is closed, as shown in FIG. 5, it is important that the O-ring seal  100  seat against the nozzle  16  to form a tight seal that is capable of preventing the leakage of pressurized carbonated beverage. Note that in FIG. 5, the O-ring seal  100  seats directly against the outlet port  38  for the nozzle  16 . In some applications, however, it may be desirable to have the O-ring seal  100  seat directly against an inside wall of the nozzle  16 . 
     In many circumstances, such as the dispensing of malt beverages, it is desirable to greatly redirect the trajectory of the carbonated beverage more horizontally before dispensing. This is accomplished in accordance with the invention by using a valve head  14  in which the distribution surface  78  has a specialized geometry. In particular, a first portion of the distribution surface  102  near the proximal end  74  of the valve head  14  is sloped more steeply downward than a second portion  104  of the distribution surface  78  that is located closer to the distal end  76  of the valve head  14 . With this geometry, the valve head  14  gently redirects the flow of carbonated beverage when it initially flows towards the valve head  14 , yet continues to further redirect the flow at downstream portion  104  in order to achieve a more preferable dispensing trajectory. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 show a slightly different embodiment  110  of the invention. It should be understood that various components of the system  10  shown on FIG. 1 such as the chiller, the source of carbon dioxide  20 , and the source of carbonated beverage  18  are depicted generally by block  112  labeled “beverage” in FIG.  7 . In the system  110  shown in FIG. 7, the adjustable flow control device  51  of FIG. 1 has been replaced by a fixed flow control restriction  51 A. In addition, the chilled and pressurized carbonated beverage flows from line  28  through the fixed flow control restriction  51 A directly into the chamber defined by the nozzle  16 . The volume of carbonated beverage within the flow control nozzle  16  downstream of the flow control restriction  51 A in FIG. 7 can be less than the volume of the open container. In the system  110  shown in FIG. 7, the valve head  14 A is located within the nozzle  16  when the valve is closed as shown more specifically in the detailed view of FIG.  8 . It is important that the O-ring seal  100 A, FIG. 8, engage tightly against the inside surface  16 A of the nozzle when the valve head  14 A is in a closed position. Similar to the system  10  shown on FIG. 1, the system  110  shown in FIG. 7 has an electronically controlled valve actuator  36  that is connected to a valve stem  34  and controls the position of the valve head  14 A. The system  110  also includes a vent valve  52 A that is opened to initially fill the nozzle  16  with beverage. 
     One distinct difference between the system  110  shown in FIG.  7  and the system  10  shown in FIG. 1 is that the system  110  in FIG. 7 does not use an elastomeric bladder to reduce the pressure of carbonated beverage contained in the nozzle  16  prior to dispensing carbonated beverage from the nozzle  16 . Rather, upon initiation of the dispensing cycle (e.g., the engagement of activation switch  40  against the bottom  42  of the open container  44 ), the electronic controller  26  transmits a control signal through line  56  to instruct the valve actuator  36  (e.g. a servo motor or pneumatic actuator) to move the valve head  14 A downward within the nozzle  16  prior to opening the valve  14 A. This operation is illustrated in FIG.  9 . The phantom locations for the O-ring seal  100 A depicted by reference numerals  114  are an illustrative home location for the O-ring seal  100 A. The valve  14 A is located with the O-ring seal  100 A in the home position  114  prior to the initiation of the dispensing cycle, and the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16  is pressurized. Upon initiation of the dispensing cycle, the electronic controller instructs the valve actuator  36  to move the valve  14 A downward so that the O-ring seal  100 A is in an intermediate position identified by reference numbers  116 . At this point in the process, the valve  14 A is still closed inasmuch as the O-ring seal  100 A prevents the dispensing of carbonated beverage from the outlet port  38 A of the nozzle  16 . The purpose of moving the valve head  14 A from the home position  114  to the intermediate position of  116  is to slightly expand the size of the volume contained within the nozzle  16  and the flow restriction device  51  A in order to reduce the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16 . In this respect the system  110  operates substantially identically to the system  10  shown in FIG.  1 . After the pressure has been reduced within the nozzle  16 , the electronic controller  26  then opens that valve  14 A, FIG. 9, in order to allow carbonated beverage to dispense through the outlet port  38 A into the open container  44 . Note that the combined volume within the nozzle  16  and the fixed flow control restriction  51 A is probably smaller than the volume contained within the chamber  30  and nozzle  16  in the system  10  of FIG.  1 . Therefore it may be necessary during the dispensing cycle in the system  110  shown in FIG. 7 to open the vent valve  52 A momentarily in order to ensure that a proper dispensing pressure is achieved and maintained during the dispensing cycle. 
     FIG. 10 shows a system  210  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In system  210  shown in FIG. 10, the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16  is reduced prior to dispensing by a variable pressure valve illustrated as block  212 . In system  210 , when the bottom  42  of the open container  44  engages activation switch  40  to initiate a dispensing cycle, the electronic controller  26  transmits a control signal through line  214  to the variable pressure valve  212 . FIG. 10 shows the variable pressure valve  212  located in pressurized line  28  upstream of the flow restriction device  51 A, although it would be possible to locate the variable pressure valve  212  downstream of the flow restriction device  51 A, or implement the system without the flow restriction device  51 A. When the electronic controller  26  sends a signal to the variable pressure valve  212  indicating the initiation of the dispensing cycle, the variable pressure valve reduces the pressure within the nozzle  16 . Thereafter, the dispensing valve  14  is opened as with the earlier systems and  110 . If necessary, the venting valve  52 A can be opened during the dispensing cycle in order to ensure the appropriate dispensing pressure. 
     FIGS. 11A through 11C show three different valve head configurations. In FIG. 11A, the valve head  314  has a distribution surface  378  having a constant downward slope, i.e., is the shape of the valve head  314  in FIG. 11A is generally cone shape. An O-ring  300  seal is located within a circumferential groove between the distribution surface  378  and the base surface  380  as described above in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6. With the valve head  314  shown in FIG. 11A, the flow of carbonated beverage through the nozzle  16  is initially redirected in 360° as carbonated beverage impinges valve head  314  as depicted by arrow  382 . In order to minimize undesirable turbulence and foaming when the carbonated beverage impacts the valve head  314 , it is important that the slope of the distribution surface  378  be relatively steep in order to not agitate laminar flow. The trajectory of the carbonated beverage flowing along the valve head  314  as it dispenses into the open container  44  is generally in the direction represented by arrow  384  in FIG.  11 A. With a beverage dispensing trajectory as represented by arrow  384 , the trajectory distance for the carbonated beverage between the distribution surface  78  and bottom  42  of the open container  44  is given by the arrow X. The magnitude of distance X in FIG. 11A depends on the distance of the valve head  314  from the bottom  42  of the open container  44 . The trajectory angle of arrow  384  has a relatively steep decent, however. With the valve head  314  in FIG. 11A, the carbonated beverage impacts the bottom  42  of the container  44  at a relatively abrupt angle when the valve head  314  is located close to the bottom  42  of the open container  44 . 
     FIG. 11B shows a valve head  14  similar to that disclosed in FIG.  5 . In valve head  14  shown in FIG.  11 B and FIG. 5, the distribution surface  78  includes a first portion  102 , and a second portion  104 . Each portion  102 ,  104  is in the shape of the truncated cone. The slope of the distribution surface  78  of the first portion  102  descends more steeply than the slope of the distribution surface  78  of the second portion  104 . When the carbonated beverage flowing through the nozzle  16  initially impinges the first truncated cone portion  102  of the valve  14 , the flow of carbonated beverage is redirected in accordance with arrow  482 . As the carbonated beverage adjacent the valve distribution surface  78  continues to flow along the valve distribution surface  78 , it impinges the second truncated cone portion  104  which redirects the flow adjacent the valve  14  in accordance with arrow  484 . In this manner, valve  14  gently redirects the flow of carbonated beverage twice in order to obtain a flow trajectory that is less steep than the valve head  314  shown in FIG.  11 A. With the valve head  14  shown in FIG. 11B, the trajectory distance from the valve head distribution surface  78  to the bottom  42  of the open container  44  is given by arrow Y. Note that the magnitude of arrow Y in FIG. 11B is generally greater than the magnitude of arrow X shown in FIG. 11A because the trajectory angle of arrow  484  in FIG. 11B is more shallow than the trajectory angle of arrow  384  in FIG.  11 A. 
     FIG. 11C shows a valve head  414  in which the slope of the distribution surface  478  becomes continuously less steep as the distribution surface  478  extends from the proximal end  474  to the distal end  476  of the valve head  414 . When the carbonated beverage initially impinges the distribution surface  478 , it is gently redirected as depicted by arrow  483 , and it continues to be gently redirected to a less steep trajectory as illustrated by arrow  485 . The magnitude of the arrow labeled Z in FIG. 11C designates the trajectory distance of the carbonated beverage as it leaves the distribution surface  478  before it hits the bottom  42  of the open container  44 . Note that with the valve head configuration in FIG. 11C, it is possible that the trajectory of the carbonated beverage flowing from the valve head  414  be flatter than with the configurations shown in FIGS. 11B and 11A. 
     FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate a system  510  that has an automated container holder  512  is connected to a lifting actuator  514 . The lifting actuator  514  moves the container holder  512  between a fully raised position designated by FRP in FIG. 12 and a down position designated DP in FIG.  12 . The lifting actuator  514  is preferably driven by a servo motor or an electronically controlled pneumatic mechanism. The lifting actuator  514  receives a control signal from the electronic controller via line  516  in order to control the positioning of the container holder  512 . To use the system  510 , the user places the open container  44  on the platform while the platform is located in the down position DP, FIG.  12 . The system is then actuated either by a push button, by barcode reading means as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,732, or other activation means. The activation signal is provided to the electronic controller  26  via line  518 , FIG.  12 . Upon receiving the activation signal, the electronic controller  26  initiates the dispensing cycle. This initiation involves the reduction of pressure of the carbonated beverage in the nozzle  16  as discussed previously. Also, a control signal is transmitted through line  516  to the lift actuator  514  to lift the container holder from the down position DP to the filly raised position FRP. When the container holder  512  is positioned in the fully raised position, FRP, FIG. 12, the bottom  42  of the open container  44  is located proximate to the outlet port of the nozzle  16 . With the open container  44  in the fully raised position and the pressure appropriately reduced in the nozzle  16 , the electronic controller  26  transmits a control signal through line  56  to valve actuator  36  to open the valve  14  and begin dispensing carbonated beverage into the open container  44 . Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the system  510  is capable of lowering the container platform  512  as the open container  44  is being filled. It is desirable that the outlet port  38  remain submerged during the filling process (see FIG.  14 ). The positioning of the container holder  512  during the filling process is controlled by instructions from the electronic controller  26  via line  516  to the lifting actuator  514 . 
     In order to achieve a desired presentation for the carbonated beverage within the filled open container  44 , it may desirable to position the container holder during the filling process in accordance with a pre-selected electronic pouring profile. This feature is illustrated in FIG.  15 . Still referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the distance of the container holder  512  from the fully raised position, FRP, is displayed as a function  520  of time during an arbitrary filling cycle. The position of the curve  520  in FIG. 15 is referred to herein as the pouring profile. The pouring profile  520  is preferably stored electronically in memory that is accessible to the electronic controller  26 . The pouring profile  520  in FIG. 15 assumes that it take 2 seconds to fill the container  44 . As the container holder  512  moves from the fully raised position, FRP, at Time=0 to the down position, DP, at Time=2 seconds, intermediate motion rate and direction of the container holder  512  vary. In other words, while the open container  44  is being filled, the container may be lowered at slow rate, a fast rate, or may even be raised slightly in order to achieve the desired presentation. 
     In some applications, it may be desirable to selectively move and position the valve  14  with respect to the nozzle outlet port  38  while the carbonated beverage is dispensing from the nozzle  16 . In these applications, the selective motion and positioning of the valve  14  during the dispensing of beverage is preferably accomplished in accordance with a predetermined dispensing profile, which is stored electronically in memory accessible to the electronic controller  26 . In this manner, the electronic controller  26  can be programmed to cause the valve head  14  to flutter, or otherwise be selectively positioned and moved during the dispensing of carbonated beverage in order to vary dispensing flow characteristics. 
     FIGS. 16A through 16B illustrate a system similar to the system  510  shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, but further including a funnel  612  for adding ice  614  into the open container  44 . The funnel  612  preferably has an outlet  614 , through which the downwardly extending carbonated beverage nozzle  16  extends, such that ice is supplied circumferentially around the nozzle  16  into the open container, see FIG.  16 B. The ice  616  is added to the open container  44  before dispensing the carbonated beverage into the open container  44  or contemporaneously with adding the carbonated beverage into the open container  44 . As mentioned previously, it is important when adding carbonated beverage  12  and ice  616  into an open container  44  that the temperature of the carbonated beverage closely match the surface temperature of the ice  616  in order to reduce excessive foaming. While FIGS. 16A through 16B show the ice being added via a circumferential funnel  612 , it is not necessary that the ice be added circumferentially. For example, the ice could be added to the container using a chute or some other means which does not circumvent the nozzle  16 . Also, it would be possible to add the ice by hand, and still achieve efficient filling in accordance with the invention. 
     Referring to the specific apparatus shown in FIGS. 16A through  d,  the open container  44  is initially set into position on the container holder platform  512  with the platform in the down position DP as shown in FIG.  16 A. The electronic controller  26  then instructs the actuator  514  to move the container holder  512  to the fully raised FRP as shown in FIG.  16 B. Contemporaneously, the electronic controller  26  instructs the source of ice to discharge ice  616  into the funnel  612 , and eventually into the open container  44  as shown in FIGS. 16B and C. The funnel outlet  16  is sized slightly smaller than the typical opening for the container  44 . The electronic controller  26  is programmed to dispense carbonated beverage into the open container  44  while the ice is falling into the container  44  or shortly thereafter. Preferably, the container holder  512  and the open container  44  are lowered during the filling process as depicted in FIG. 16B so that the open container  44  filled with ice and carbonated beverage is ready for service. 
     Alternatively, it may be desirable to partially fill the container with ice before adding the carbonated beverage. In this case, the nozzle  16  will not be placed into the open container to a bottom filling position, rather it is placed within the open container above the ice. In order to avoid excessive foaming, it is important that the carbonated beverage be chilled to a temperature substantially equal to the surface temperature of the ice that was added into the open container. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a system  710  in accordance with still another aspect of the invention. The system  710  includes a second actuator  711  connected to the controller  26  by a line  712 . The actuator  711  serves to vertically move a piston  713  disposed around the valve stem  34  within the nozzle  16  above the flow inlet to the nozzle  16 . The piston  713  is generally circular in shape and includes a central opening  714  through which the valve stem  34  passes. To prevent the pressurized beverage from flowing upwardly past the piston  713 , the piston includes a pair of O-ring seals  715  and  716 . Seal  715  extends about the circumference of the central opening  714  in the piston  713  and engages the valve stem  34  to form a seal between the piston  713  and the valve stem  34 . Seal  716  extends about the outer circumference of the piston  713  and engages the inner surface of the nozzle  16  to form a seal between the nozzle  16  and the piston  713 . The piston  713  also includes a vent channel  717  extending through the piston  713  parallel to valve stem  34 . The channel  717  is connected to a venting valve  52   a  on the exterior of the system  710 . The pressure in the system  710  is monitored by a pressure transducer  719  located on the nozzle  16  and connected to the controller  26  by line  720 . In operation, the nozzle  16  is filled with the carbonated beverage  112 . Venting valve  52   a  allows the system to be purged of air during the filling process. After purging, the vent  52   a  is closed. The carbonated beverage fills the nozzle  16  until the desired beverage storage pressure is reached, as measured by transducer  719 . In order to dispense the carbonated beverage, the controller  26  activates actuator  711  to raise shaft  718  and the piston  713  in order to decrease the pressure within the nozzle  16 . When the pressure is sufficiently reduced within the nozzle  16  as measured by transducer  719 , the controller  26  then initiates actuator  36  to move the valve stem  34  and valve head  14  downwardly to dispense the beverage into the open container  44 . The transducer  719  continues to monitor the pressure of the carbonated beverage within the nozzle  16  during the pour. It is preferred that the controller  26  continues to transmit instructions to the piston actuator  711  to move the piston  713  during the pour in order to maintain an appropriate pressure within the nozzle  16  for pouring. 
     The invention has been described herein in connection with several embodiments, each including various features which may be desirable in various applications. It should be recognized that various alternatives and modifications of the invention are possible within the scope for the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be interpreted by reviewing the following claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention. Various alternatives and other embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as the invention.