Patent Publication Number: US-2013233890-A1

Title: Filter for a beverage dispenser

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a filter, and more particularly, to a filter for a beverage dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Beverage dispensers are widely used to dispense a beverage to a user. One type of a beverage dispenser includes a large vessel filled with a beverage and a spigot disposed toward a bottom of the vessel for dispensing the beverage. This type of beverage dispenser can be referred to as a gravity feed beverage dispenser because the beverage is dispensed from the vessel under the force of gravity. The vessel often includes fruit, berries, vegetables, spices, or other objects, such as ice, mixed with the beverage. For example, the vessel could be filled with sangria, which typically includes slices of fruit mixed with wine. 
     As the beverage is dispensed form the beverage dispenser, the fruit, berries vegetables, or other objects are drawn into the opening of the spigot and can clog the spigot such that the flow of the beverage out of the vessel through the spigot is interrupted or impeded. For example, it is not uncommon for the pieces of fruit to become lodge in the flow path of the spigot. Such clogs typically require insertion of a long mixing tool into the beverage in an attempt to dislodge the obstruction and restore the flow. In a worse case, the beverage must be displaced into another vessel so that the user can manually remove the clog. Such clogs can be an inconvenience and a burden to users of conventional beverage dispensers, and may dissuade users from using the beverage dispensers. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to dispenser spigot filters configured to mate with dispenser spigots and to filter fluid from a source to be outputted by the dispenser spigot. Exemplary embodiments of the dispenser filters can define an interior cavity that is in fluid communication with a fluid source, and can be configured to permit fluid to flow from the fluid source into the interior cavity while inhibiting at least some objects from flowing into the interior cavity. The dispenser filter can include an outlet configured to discharge the fluid collected within the interior cavity. 
     In one embodiment, a dispenser filter is disclosed. The dispenser filter has a body including a beverage filtering portion and a dispenser connector portion, and defines an interior cavity. The interior cavity of the body is in fluid communication with a beverage source through the beverage filtering portion. The beverage filtering portion permits a beverage to flow into the interior cavity from the beverage source and inhibits objects in the beverage from flowing into the interior cavity. The dispenser connector portion mates with a dispenser spigot to place the interior cavity in fluid communication with the dispenser spigot to discharge the beverage from the interior cavity of the body. 
     In another embodiment, a beverage dispensing system is disclosed. The system includes a beverage source, a dispenser, and a dispenser filter. The beverage source has an interior area configured to contain a beverage. The dispenser is configured to dispense the beverage from the beverage source. The dispenser filter is disposed in the interior area of the beverage source and mates with the dispenser. The dispenser filter has an interior cavity in fluid communication with the interior area of the beverage source to collect the beverage in the interior cavity. The dispenser filter has an outlet in fluid communication with the dispenser to discharge the beverage from the interior cavity of the dispenser filter. 
     In yet another embodiment, a method of filtering a beverage being dispensed from a beverage container is disclosed. The method comprises mating a dispenser filter with a dispenser spigot in an interior area of a beverage source configured to contain a beverage. The dispenser filter has an interior cavity in fluid communication with the interior area of the beverage source and that is in fluid communication with the dispenser spigot. The method also includes filling the interior of the beverage source with a beverage, collecting the beverage in the interior cavity of the spigot dispenser filter, inhibiting objects in the beverage from passing from the interior area to the interior cavity, and dispensing the beverage collected in the interior cavity through an outlet spout of the spigot dispenser filter. 
     In still another embodiment, a dispenser assembly for a beverage dispensing system is disclosed. The dispenser assembly includes a dispenser spigot section and a beverage filtering section. The dispenser spigot section has an actuating member and an outlet spout. The beverage filtering section has a body that defines an interior cavity. The body includes apertures and the interior cavity is in fluid communication with a beverage source through the apertures to permit a beverage of the beverage source to flow through the apertures into the interior cavity and to inhibit objects in the beverage from flowing into the interior cavity. The beverage filtering section is integrally formed with the dispenser spigot and the actuating member is moveable to selectively dispense the beverage from the interior cavity of the beverage filtering section. 
     In yet another embodiment, a kit is disclosed. The kit includes a container, a dispenser spigot, and a dispenser filter. The container defines an interior area. The dispenser spigot is configured to be in fluid communication with the interior area. The dispenser filter is configured to be disposed in the interior area of the container and secured to the dispenser spigot. The dispenser filter has a body that defines an interior cavity to be in fluid communication with the interior area of the container, to permit a beverage in the interior area to flow into the interior cavity, to inhibit objects in the beverage from flowing into the interior cavity, and to discharge the beverage from the interior cavity through the dispenser spigot. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure minimize and/or eliminate undesirable clogging of a beverage dispenser due to objects in the beverage being drawn into the beverage dispenser when the beverage is being dispensed. Exemplary embodiments prevent the objects in the beverage from reaching a inlet of the dispenser so that a fluid flow through the dispenser is not interrupted and/or impeded. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages provided by the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read together with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary dispenser filter. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the dispenser filter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is distal end view of the dispenser filter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser filter. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the dispenser filter of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispensing system. 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded side view of the beverage dispensing system of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary assembly of an unitary dispenser and dispenser filter. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser filter having a bulbous shape. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser filter having a rectangular shape. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser filter having a ring shape. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser with a tip portion devoid of apertures. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser filter that is devoid of a transition portion. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispenser filter that is devoid of a transition portion. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a dispenser filter configured to filter a beverage contained in a beverage source (e.g., a vessel or a container) of a beverage dispenser. The dispenser filter can include an interior cavity that is in fluid communication with a beverage source, and can be configured to permit a beverage to flow from the beverage source into the interior cavity while inhibiting at least some objects (e.g., pieces of food) in the beverage from flowing into the interior cavity. The dispenser filter can include an outlet configured to discharge the beverage collected within the interior cavity. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce or eliminate clogs that interrupt or impede an output of a beverage that includes pieces of food (e.g., fruit, vegetables, and spice) contained in a beverage dispenser. By including the dispenser filter between a beverage source and a dispenser spigot, the beverage flows from the beverage source to the dispenser spigot through the dispenser filter. The dispenser filter can prevent objects that could potentially clog the beverage dispenser from flowing to the dispenser spigot. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the dispenser filter can include apertures that can be sized to permit the beverage to flow into the filter, but can inhibit or minimize objects in the beverage from flowing into the filter. 
       FIGS. 1-3  show an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser spigot filter  10 . The filter  10  can be formed from elastic, flexible, semi-rigid, and/or rigid materials. For example, the filter  10  can be formed from silicone, rubber, latex, plastic, and/or any other materials suitable for contacting comestibles. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the filter  10  includes a body  12  having an outer surface  14  and an inner surface  16 , and defines an interior cavity  18 . The body  12  extends along a longitudinal axis L from a proximal end  20  to a distal end  22 . The body  12  can include a beverage filtering portion  24 , a dispenser connector portion  26 , and a transition portion  28  positioned between the filtering portion  24  and the connector portion  26 . The filtering portion  24  extends along the longitudinal axis L from the distal end  22  toward the transition portion  28  of the body  12 . The connector portion  26  extends along the longitudinal axis L from the proximal end  20  to the transition portion  28 . In the present embodiment, the body  12  can have a generally tubular or cylindrical shape with a center axis C. While the body  12  of the present embodiment is tubular or cylindrical, those skilled in the art will recognize that other shapes and/or configurations of the body  12  can be implemented. For example, in some embodiments, the body  12  of the filter  10  can have a generally bulbous shape ( FIG. 9 ), rectangular shape ( FIG. 10 ), ring shape ( FIG. 11 ), and/or any other suitable shape. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a tip portion  30  of the filtering portion  24  can be formed at the distal end  22  of the body  12  and can have a generally rounded or bull-nose profile and/or configuration such that the tip portion  30  generally tapers radially inward toward a center axis C of the body  12  from an intermediate portion  31  to the distal end  22 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the tip portion  30  can be truncated such that the tip portion  30  forms a wall  27  (e.g., a base of a cylinder) that extends substantially perpendicular to the filtering portion  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the tip portion  30  can include one or more fluid communication portions, e.g., apertures  34 , to facilitate fluid communication between the interior cavity  18  and an exterior of the body  12 . The apertures  34  can form inlets of the filter  10  and can be dimension to permit fluid to pass through the apertures  34 , but to limit, restrict, and/or prevent particulates from passing through the apertures  34 . For example, the apertures  34  can be dimensioned to limit, restrict, and/or prevent food particles, such as pieces of fruit, vegetables, seeds from fruit or vegetables, and/or other food particles. The apertures  34  can form openings, such as holes, slits, slots, and/or any other suitable openings to facilitate fluid communication between the exterior and interior of the body  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the apertures  34  can be formed in a symmetrical pattern (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) at the distal end  22  of the tip portion  30  and/or can extend between the tip portion  30  and a shaft portion  32  that extends from the intermediate portion  31  to the transition portion  28 . While the tip portion  30  of the present embodiment includes fluid communication portions, those skilled in the art will recognize that the tip portion  30  can be formed without fluid communication portions to inhibit fluid communication between the interior cavity  18  and the exterior of the body through the tip portion  30  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     The shaft portion  32  can have a generally uniform cylindrical shape disposed radially about the center axis C such that the radial distance from the center axis to the shaft portion  32  is generally constant. The shaft portion  32  can include fluid communication portions, e.g., the apertures  34 , distributed about a circumference of the shaft portion  32 . In some embodiments, the apertures  34  can be arranged in one or more patterns. For example, in the present embodiment, the apertures  34  can be arranged in a pattern with rows  36  that extend along the longitudinal axis L and that are formed about the circumference of the shaft portion  32 . The apertures  34  that form a first one of the rows  36  can be offset from the apertures  34  of the rows  36  that are adjacent the first one of the rows  36  such that apertures  34  in adjacent rows are longitudinally offset (i.e., not radially aligned). Having radially offset apertures  34  can provide structural integrity to the shaft portion  32  to minimize or prevent the shaft portion  32  from collapsing under a load place on the shaft portion  32  during operation when the shaft portion  32  is formed from, for example, silicone. While the present embodiment illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the apertures  34 , those skilled in the art will recognize that other arrangements of the apertures are possible. 
     The connector portion  26  can have a generally uniform cylindrical shape disposed radially about the center axis C and can include an outlet formed at the proximal end  20  of the body  12  to allow fluid in the interior cavity  18  to be discharged. The connector portion  26  can have an inner diameter  38  measured through the center axis C and across the inner surface  16 , an outer diameter  40  measured through the center axis C and across the outer surface  14 , and a thickness T c  (see  FIG. 5 ) measured radially between the outer surface  14  and the inner surface  16 . The thickness T c  can be generally uniform or can vary, and can be specified to provide structural integrity to the connector portion  26  to facilitate mating of the connector portion  26  to a dispenser spigot. In some embodiments, the connector portion  26  is configured to form a friction fit with a dispenser spigot. In some embodiments, the connector portion  26  can include interlocking members that mate with corresponding interlocking members of a dispenser spigot. For example, in some embodiments, the connector portion  22  can threadingly engage the dispenser spigot, form a snap fit with the dispenser spigot, or can be implemented using any other suitable mating techniques. 
     The transition portion  28  provides a transition between the filtering portion  24  and the connector portion  26 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer surface  14  of the body  12  in the transition portion  28  tapers radially inward toward the center axis from the connector portion  26  to the filtering portion  24 . While the present embodiment is shown with the transition portion  28 , those skilled in the art will recognize that in other embodiments the filtering portion  24  may interface with the connector portion  26  without a transition portion  28  ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner diameter  38  can be generally constant in the connector portion  26  and the shaft portion  32  of the filtering portion  24 , and the outer diameter  40  of the filtering portion  24 , the connector portion  26 , and the transition portion  28  can be different. The filtering portion  24  can have a thickness T f  measured radially between the outer surface  14  and the inner surface  16 . The thickness T f  can be specified to provide structural support to the filtering portion  24  to minimize and/or prevent the filtering portion  24  from collapsing under an operation load applied to the filter  10  during use. In exemplary embodiments, the thickness T f  can be less than or substantially equal to the thickness T c  of the connector portion  26  (T f ≦T c ). For example, in the present embodiment, the filtering portion  24  is at least half as thick as the connector portion  26  (T f ≦½(T c )). In exemplary embodiments, the thickness T c  can be greater than the thickness T f  to provide the connector portion  26  with a greater elastic contraction force so that the connector portion  26  contracts around a portion of a dispenser spigot. 
     A thickness T t  of the transition area  24  is measured radially between the outer surface  14  and the inner surface  16 . The thickness T t  can increase through the transition portion  28  from the filtering portion  24  to the connector portion  26 . In exemplary embodiments, the thickness T t  of the transition portion  28  can provide a reinforced interface between the filtering portion  24  and the connector portion  26  to reduce wear and tear on the filter  10  at the interface between the filtering portion  24  and the connector portion  26  from repeatedly engaging and disengaging the filter  10  with a dispenser spigot. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispensing system  50  and  FIG. 7  is a partially exploded side view of the exemplary beverage dispensing system  50  of  FIG. 6 . The beverage dispensing system  50  can be a gravity feed dispensing system, although those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the dispenser spigot filter  10  can be used with other types of beverage dispensing systems. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the beverage dispensing system  50  can include an exemplary embodiment of the filter  10 , a beverage source, e.g., beverage container  52 , and a dispenser spigot  54 . Exemplary embodiments can include a kit or article of manufacture that includes components of a beverage dispensing system, such as the beverage dispensing system  50 . For example, an exemplary kit can include an embodiment of the dispenser filter  10 , a beverage source (e.g., the container  52 ), and a dispenser spigot (e.g., the dispenser spigot  54 ), which can be assembled in one or more packages. 
     The beverage container  52  can have a bottom wall  56  and at least one sidewall  58  defining an interior area  60 . An opening  62  can be formed in the sidewall  58  and can receive the dispenser spigot  54  such that the dispenser spigot  54  extends through the opening  62  and into the interior area  60  of the container  52 . The dispenser spigot  54  can be secured to the side wall  60  via a seal, e.g., a rubber washer  64  ( FIG. 7 ), and a fastener, e.g., a nut  66 , which can threadingly engage the dispenser spigot  54 . In some embodiments, the dispenser spigot  52  can be integrally formed with the sidewall  58 . In some embodiments, the container  52  can include a top cover  68  that is at least partially removable to facilitate access to the interior area  60  of the container  52 , e.g., to fill the container  52  with a beverage  70  that can include objects  72 , such as pieces of fruit, vegetables, spices, ice, and/or other objects. 
     The dispenser spigot  54  can include a dispensing valve (obscured) that can be open and closed by an actuating member  74 . The actuating member  74  can be biased to a normally closed position. To open the valve, a user can actuate the actuating member  74  by applying a force to the actuating member  74 . When the user releases the actuating member  74 , the actuating member  74  can return to its default position to close the valve. In some embodiments, the actuating member  74  can be positioned to selectively lock the valve in the open position until the user applies a force to the actuating member  74  to close the valve. The dispenser spigot  54  can also include a fluid inlet tube  76  projecting longitudinally in a distal direction and an outlet spout  78  extending generally perpendicular to the inlet tube  76 . The outlet spout  78  can be positioned at a proximal end of the dispenser spigot  54 . The fluid inlet tube  76  can have an inner surface defining an inner diameter  82  and an outer surface defining an outer diameter  84  ( FIG. 7 ). The dispenser spigot  54  can receive a fluid to be outputted by the dispenser spigot  54  via the inlet tube  76  and the valve can be selectively open to dispense the fluid via the outlet spout  78 . A flange  82  can be disposed about the inlet tube  76  and positioned towards the proximal end of the inlet tube  76  to seat the dispenser spigot  54  on the side wall  58  of the container  52 . The flange  82  can have a larger diameter than a diameter of the opening  62  formed in the sidewall  58  such that the flange  82  cannot pass through the opening  62 . 
     The filter  10  can be secured to the inlet tube  76  of the dispenser spigot  54  by mating the connector portion  26  of the filter  10  with the inlet tube  76  of the dispenser spigot  54 . For example, the connector portion  26  can be urged onto the inlet tube  76  by sliding the inner surface  16  of the connector portion  26  over the outer surface  77  of the inlet tube  76  to engage the inlet tube  76  and form a friction fit between the filter  10  and the dispenser spigot  54 . For embodiments that are implemented with a resilient flexible material, such as silicone, the inner diameter  38  of the connector portion  26  can be less than or substantially equal to the outer diameter  84  of the inlet tube  76  so that the connector portion  26  is stretched radially outward when the inner surface  16  of the connector portion  26  engages the outer surface  77  of the inlet tube  76 . In some embodiments, the friction fit formed by the inner surface of the connector portion  26  and the outer surface  77  of the inlet tube  76  can form a fluid tight seal. The apertures  34  of the filter  10  can generally be smaller than a diameter of the inlet tube  76  and/or the valve opening such that the apertures  34  prevent objects that may clog the dispenser spigot  54  from entering the interior cavity  18  and the inlet tube  76 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the inlet tube  76  of the dispenser spigot  54  can be inserted through the opening  62  of the side wall  58  of the container  52  and the dispenser spigot  54  can be fastened to the side wall  58  using the nut  66 . The inlet tube  76  can be inserted into through the opening  62  until the flange  82  of the dispenser spigot  54  abuts the side wall  58  to seat the spigot dispenser  54  on the side wall  58 . In exemplary embodiments, the rubber washer  64  can be disposed about the inlet tube  76  and between the nut  66  and the inner surface  59  of the side wall  58  such that when the dispenser spigot  54  is fastened to the side wall  58  by the nut  66 , a fluid seal is formed between the dispenser spigot  54  and the side wall  58 . 
     The filter  10  can be secured to the inlet tube  76  before or after the inlet tube  76  is inserted through the opening in the side wall  58 . Once the filter  10  has been slid over the outer surface  77  of the inlet tube  76  and the dispenser spigot  54  has been attached to the sidewall  58 , the interior area  60  can be filled with the beverage  70 . The beverage  70  can include objects  72 , such as, for example, pieces of fruit, vegetables, spices, and/or ice. As the interior area  60  is filled with the beverage  70 , the beverage  70  flows through the apertures  34  into the interior cavity  18  of the filter  10 . When the user opens the valve of the dispenser spigot  54 , the beverage  70  flows through the apertures  34  in the filter  10  into the interior cavity  18  of the filter  10 , and then the beverage  70  in the interior cavity  18  flows through the inlet tube  76  and out of the outlet spout  78 . During use of the beverage dispensing system  50 , the objects  72  in the beverage  70  can be drawn toward the filter  10  and the apertures  34  of the filter  10  can limit or restrict passage of the objects  72  which are larger than the apertures  34  from the interior area  60  to the interior cavity  18  of the filter  10  so that the objects  72  do not clog the dispenser spigot  54 . Objects that fit through the apertures  34  are allowed to pass through the apertures  34  and into the interior cavity  18  of the filter  10 . Such objects  72  can be safely passed through the dispenser spigot  54  without clogging the dispenser spigot  54 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exemplary embodiment of an assembly  90  formed by a spigot dispenser section  92  and a spigot dispenser filter section  94 . In the present embodiment, the assembly  90  can be a single, continuous structure such that the inlet tube of the dispenser spigot and the dispenser filter can be a single unitary component. The filter section  94  can include a mating portion  96 , e.g., a threaded surface, configured to mate with a fastening member, e.g., a nut, to secure the assembly  90  to a wall of a beverage source, e.g., a container, so that the filter section  94  is disposed within the interior area of the container and the spigot section extends through an opening in the wall of the container and to an exterior of the container. In one embodiment, the spigot dispenser portion  92  can be implemented in a similar manner as an embodiment of the dispenser spigot  54  and the filter section  94  can be implemented in a similar manner as an embodiment of the filter  10 . The application and operation of the assembly  90  can be similar to an application and operation of the beverage dispensing system  50 . 
     While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is expressly noted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, but rather that additions and modifications to what is expressly described herein also are included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that the features of the various embodiments described herein are not mutually exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutations are not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.