Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application of a divisional application of patent application Ser. No. 14/338,444, filed Jul. 23, 2014 for “RECIRCULATING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSER”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for dispensing beverages. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for dispensing beverages in which the dispensed plain/carbonated water and/or product are maintained at a more consistent dispensing temperature than in known methods and systems. The present disclosure achieves the more consistent dispensing temperature by intermittent recirculation of the plain/carbonated water and, optionally, product as will be more fully described herein. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Currently, restaurants serve a variety of beverages such as carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. The state-of-the-art beverage systems/dispensers (“systems”) is such that such systems generally include a heat transfer system, a plumbing/manifold assembly, a valve/nozzle assembly and a carbonation system. The heat transfer system receives a supply of water and a supply of product (e.g., flavorings/syrups) that is cooled to a desired temperature. Some of the cooled water supply is transferred to the carbonation system where it is carbonated and thereafter returned to the heat transfer system for later transfer to the plumbing/manifold and valve/nozzle assembly for dispensing. Subsequently, chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product are transferred from the heat transfer system to the plumbing/manifold assembly from which it/they is/are pumped to the valve/nozzle assembly and dispensed on demand to an end-user (restaurant employee and/or customer) through the valve/nozzle assembly. 
         [0006]    Generally, the state-of-the-art systems are effective in maintaining the water/carbonated water/product within a reasonable dispensing temperature range. This is especially so when the beverage system/dispenser is under continuing regular use. However, when (as is common) there is a fluctuation in the consistency/time periods of use, the water/carbonated water/product may suffer from a wide variation in temperature ranges and, thus, the quality of the resulting product may be adversely affected. 
         [0007]    For instance, the state-of-the-art systems provide an optimal and consistent beverage temperature performance in the range of 33° F.-40° F. during normal operation, but during periods of low/non-use the temperature performance is adversely affected due to the fact that chilled plain/carbonated water and product are not moved from the plumbing/manifold assembly to the valve nozzle assembly. This non-moving combination of ingredients (“stagnant” ingredients) results in a deteriorating temperature profile over a period of time (e.g., generally greater than or equal to about 30 min.). The dispensed beverages from the system after the low/non-use periods will have a decreased quality (temperature/consistency) of the beverage. This is due to an increase in temperature of the stagnant beverage in the plumbing/manifold and the valve/nozzle assemblies (i.e., greater than about 40° F.). Indeed, product suppliers often set maximum dispense temperatures for their product (i.e., 40° F.-42° F., or below, for example). 
         [0008]    Attempts to avoid or overcome the increase in temperature of stagnant beverage in the plumbing/manifold and the valve/nozzle assemblies have been made. For instance, one method that has been used is chilling the area of the beverage system/dispenser in which the plumbing/manifold assembly and/or nozzle assembly is located. However, as can be appreciated, this can lead to significant unnecessary energy consumption, as well as increased manufacture costs. Alternatively, another method that has been used is continuous recirculation of the water/carbonated water from the plumbing/manifold assembly and/or nozzle assembly to the heat transfer system, and this method is commonly used in external chiller-based dispensing systems. However, these systems, likewise, consume a significant amount of energy due to the unnecessary (i.e., continuous) recirculation that recirculates product even when not necessarily needed. 
         [0009]    Thus, a need exists for methods and systems that overcome the shortcomings caused by the state-of-the-art methods and systems for maintaining desired product temperature, such as chilling the entire area of the beverage system/dispenser in which the plumbing/manifold assembly and/or valve/nozzle assembly is located or, alternatively, utilizing continuous recirculation methods. The present disclosure provides methods and systems that overcome these shortcomings and satisfied those needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present disclosure to provide methods and systems that maintain desired product temperature without cooling entire areas or sections of the system. 
         [0011]    It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide methods and systems that maintain desired product temperature without cooling by continuous recirculation. 
         [0012]    It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide methods and systems that can be adjusted to meet the temperature requirements often set by product suppliers. 
         [0013]    Is a still further object of the present disclosure to allow end users to set and regulate desired product temperature and automatically maintain a desired temperature. 
         [0014]    It is an additional object of the present disclosure to allow end-users to set and regulate desired product temperature based on product-dispense parameters that are chosen by the end-users. 
         [0015]    These and other objects of the present disclosure are met by the methods and systems disclosed herein that improve the quality (i.e., achieving constant target desired temperature) of the product that is dispensed after low/non-used times by intermittent recirculation of stagnant product that is in the plumbing/manifold and/or valve/nozzle assemblies. The methods and systems achieve this improvement by adding a timer/relay/controller to control activation and deactivation of the pump in the plumbing/manifold assembly. Preferably, the pump is either a pump with a backflow preventer/check valve and/or a unidirectional pump. The pump and backflow preventer/check valve, or unidirectional pump is, preferably, plumbed between the plumbing/manifold assembly and the heat transfer system. Contrary to the known methods and systems, the pump does not continuously recirculate beverage in the system. Rather, it employs one of the various methods and/or systems disclosed herein to intermittently recirculate beverage components, as required. The intermittent recirculation methods and systems maintain optimal and consistent temperatures of the dispensed product and reduce the energy usage of the pump. 
         [0016]    Among the methods and systems for periodically recirculating product are time-based methods and systems, pressure change-based methods and systems, temperature change-based methods and systems, electric current and/or voltage-based methods and systems, dispense-pattern-based methods and systems and combinations of any of the foregoing. Of course, one skilled in the art will understand that other methods and systems for recirculation can be envisioned and utilized based on the many embodiments disclosed herein. According to preferred aspects of the present disclosure, it is only the chilled plain water/chilled carbonated water in the plumbing/manifold assembly that is recirculated to the heat transfer system. The reason for this is that a large percentage of the dispensed product resides in the plumbing/manifold assembly, with only a small percentage of the dispensed product residing at any time in the valve/nozzle assembly (e.g., in the ratio range of 80/90% product in the plumbing/manifold assembly to 10/20% product in the valve/nozzle assembly). Of course, if desired, it is possible based on the present disclosure to recirculate the dispensed product that is in the valve/nozzle assembly as well. Similarly, according to the present disclosure, it is only the chilled plain water and chilled carbonated water that are recirculated to the recirculation pump for transfer to the heat transfer system for cooling. The reason for this is, likewise, that chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water comprise a large percentage of the dispensed product that resides in the plumbing/manifold assembly. Of course, if desired, it is possible, based on the present disclosure, to recirculate the product (e.g., flavoring/syrup) as well. 
         [0017]    One embodiment of the system of the present disclosure is a beverage dispensing system comprising a heat transfer system, a carbonation system, a plumbing/manifold assembly, a valve/nozzle assembly and a recirculation pump, wherein the recirculation pump is disposed between the plumbing/manifold assembly and the heat transfer system, wherein the recirculation pump is associated with a first device disposed between the recirculation pump and a power supply for the recirculation pump, and wherein the first device provides periodic power supply to the recirculation pump. Preferably, the first device comprises a device selected from a timer, a relay, a controller or any combinations of the foregoing. 
         [0018]    Other embodiments of the system of the present disclosure further comprise a second device disposed in association with the first device, wherein the second device senses a condition in the system, wherein the second device determines a parameter of the condition, and wherein the second device signals the first device to periodically supply power to the recirculation pump based on the parameter of the sensed condition. Preferably, the second device is selected from a pressure sensing device, a temperature sensing device, a current and/or voltage sensing device, a dispense-pattern sensing device and any combinations of the foregoing. In a further embodiment of the system of the present disclosure, the second device is disposed in association with one or more of supply lines between the plumbing/manifold assembly and the valve/nozzle assembly that provide chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product from the plumbing/manifold assembly to the valve/nozzle assembly, and the sensed condition is a condition in one or more of the supply lines. Preferably, in this embodiment the sensed condition is selected from the pressure, temperature, dispense-pattern and combinations of the foregoing in the one or more supply lines and any combinations of the foregoing. 
         [0019]    Alternatively, the second device is disposed in association with a power supply for the valve/nozzle assembly and the sensed condition is a condition of electric current and/or voltage supplied to the valve/nozzle assembly. Preferably, the parameter of the sensed condition is the absence of change in the electric current and/or voltage provided to the valve/nozzle assembly, indicating that the valve/nozzle assembly has not been activated. In preferred embodiments of the system of the present disclosure, the recirculation pump is selected from a unidirectional pump and/or a pump in association with a backflow preventer. The unidirectional pump serves to prevent the flow of recirculating chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water from the recirculation pump to the plumbing/manifold assembly until desired by allowing pumped material to flow in only one direction without needing additional devices in association therewith. Likewise, the backflow preventer in association with the pump serves to prevent the flow of recirculating chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water from the recirculation pump to the plumbing/manifold assembly until desired. 
         [0020]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of operating a beverage dispensing system comprising a heat transfer system, a carbonation system, a plumbing/manifold assembly, a valve/nozzle assembly and a recirculation pump, the method comprising disposing the recirculation pump between the plumbing/manifold assembly and the heat transfer system, associating the recirculation pump with a first device, disposing the first device between the recirculation pump and a power supply for the recirculation pump, controlling the power supply with the first device, and providing periodic power supply to the recirculation pump by the first device. Preferably, the first device comprises a device selected from a timer, a relay, a controller or any combinations of the foregoing. 
         [0021]    Another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure further comprises providing a second device, disposing the second device in association with the first device, sensing a condition in the system by the second device, determining a parameter of the sensed condition by the second device, signaling the first device by the second device to supply power to the recirculation pump based on the determined parameter of the sensed condition, determining a change in the determined parameter of the sensed condition, and stopping the supply of power to the recirculation pump based on the change in the determined parameter of the sensed condition. Preferably, the second device is selected from a pressure sensing device, a temperature sensing device, a current and/or voltage sensing device, a dispense-pattern sensing device and any combinations of the foregoing. In yet another embodiment of the method of the present disclosure, the method further comprises disposing the second device in association with one or more of supply lines between the plumbing/manifold assembly and the valve/nozzle assembly that provide chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product from the plumbing/manifold assembly to the valve/nozzle assembly and sensing a condition in one or more of the supply lines. Preferably, the sensed condition is selected from the pressure, temperature, dispense-pattern and any combinations of the foregoing in the one or more supply lines. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, the method includes disposing the second device in association with a power supply for the valve/nozzle assembly and sensing a condition of electric current and/or voltage supplied to the valve/nozzle assembly. Preferably, the method additionally comprises sensing a parameter of the condition of electric current and/or voltage, wherein the parameter comprises an absence of change in the electric current and/or voltage, and activating the recirculation pump based on the absence of change in the electric current and/or voltage. In preferred embodiments of the system of the present disclosure, the recirculation pump is selected from a unidirectional pump and a pump in association with a backflow preventer. The unidirectional pump serves to prevent the flow of recirculating chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water from the recirculation pump to the plumbing/manifold assembly until desired by allowing pumped material to flow in only one direction without needing additional devices in association therewith. Likewise, the backflow preventer in association with a pump serves to prevent the flow of recirculating chilled plain water and/or chilled carbonated water from the recirculation pump to the plumbing/manifold assembly until desired. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The foregoing and other benefits of the beverage dispenser of the present disclosure will become further apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed disclosure and the following Figures, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram showing the components of a state-of-the-art beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing the components of a beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in one embodiment of the present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing the components of a beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a second embodiment of the present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller in association with a pressure sensing device; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram showing the components of a beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a third embodiment of the present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller in association with a temperature sensing device; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing the components of a beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller in association with an electric current and/or voltage sensing device; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing the components of a beverage system/dispenser with a recirculation pump in a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure employing a timer/relay/controller in association with a dispense-pattern sensing device; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a chart showing pump on/pump off times and resulting product temperatures using the methods and systems of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    In the description of the Figures that follows, like elements will be denoted with like numerals throughout the Figures and description thereof. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a state-of-the-art beverage system/dispenser (“system”).  100  that includes a carbonation system  110 , a heat transfer system  120 , a plumbing/manifold assembly  130 , a valve/nozzle assembly  140  and a recirculation pump  150 . Carbonation system  110  is provided with a supply of carbon dioxide through line  112  from a carbon dioxide source (not shown). Heat transfer system  120  is provided with a supply of product through a product supply line  121  and a supply of water through a water supply line  122  (both from sources not shown). Heat transfer system  120  chills the product supply and water supply and transfers pre-chilled water through a product transfer line  114  to carbonation system  110 , where the pre-chilled water is carbonated. Thereafter, carbonated, pre-chilled water is transferred to heat transfer system  120  through a product transfer line  116 . Carbonation system  110  is, generally, provided with a separate power supply  118 . Heat transfer system  120  transfers chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product to plumbing/manifold assembly through product lines  124 ,  126  and  128 , respectively. Plumbing/manifold assembly  130  then transfers chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product to valve/nozzle assembly  140  through product lines  132 ,  134  and  136 , respectively. Valve/nozzle assembly  140  is, generally, provided with a separate power supply  142  that powers valve/nozzle assembly  140  to dispense chilled product through a product dispense line  144 . In the state-of-the-art method and system, recirculation pump  150  continually recirculates chilled plain water through product lines  152  and  154  from plumbing/manifold assembly  130  to heat transfer system  120  and, likewise, continually recirculates chilled carbonated water through product lines  156  and  158  from plumbing/manifold assembly  130  to heat transfer system  120 . From heat transfer system  120  chilled plain water, chilled carbonated water and chilled product are again transferred to plumbing/manifold assembly  130  through product lines  124 ,  126  and  128 , respectively. Because recirculation pump  150  is continually recirculating chilled plain water and chilled carbonated water from plumbing/manifold assembly  130  to heat transfer system  120 , recirculation pump  150  is powered from a source not shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , recirculation pump  150  is also shown associated with a backflow preventer  159  (not shown again in  FIGS. 2-6 , but could be used in those situation where recirculation pump is not a unidirectional pump). The power source for recirculation pump  150  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  could be part of power supply  118  for carbonation system  110 , part of power supply  142  for valve/nozzle assembly  140 , or a separate power supply. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a system  200 , in which all of the components of system  200  are essentially the same as in system  100  in  FIG. 1 . In addition,  FIG. 2  shows that system  200  includes a timer/relay/controller  210  that is connected to its own power supply  220 . Timer/relay/controller  210  is also connected to recirculation pump  150  via power line  240 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , and different than the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , recirculation pump  150  is powered only by power supply  220  that is controlled by timer/relay/controller  210 . Thus, power is supplied from power supply  220  via power line  240  to recirculation pump  150  according to the manner in which timer/relay/controller  210  is set. Recirculation pump  150  is turned off by timer/relay/controller  210  after completing one cycle of recirculation (i.e. activation time plus duration of time). Recirculation pump  150  repeats a cycle of recirculation based on turn on/turn off times and, thus, the recirculation cycle time, for each turn on/turn off determined by timer/relay/controller  210 . According to this embodiment of the present disclosure, the duration of one cycle of recirculation may be randomly set by the end-user (i.e., the establishment in which system  200  is installed). In turn, one cycle of recirculation can be determined easily through trial and error by the end-user to attain, e.g., the desired product temperature, whether mandated by a product supplier or by the end-user. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the duration of one cycle of recirculation may be adjusted according to parameters known to the end-user, such as time of day, outside temperature, and similar such parameters. The end-user would appreciate from experience that, for example, during peak use periods (such as lunch and/or dinner) one cycle of recirculation may occur less frequently (or not at all) than during non-peak use periods (such as mid-morning, mid-afternoon and/or late night). 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a system  300 , in which all of the components of system  300  are essentially the same as in system  200  in  FIG. 2 . System  300  is an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the activation and duration of timer/relay/controller  210  is not based upon a set time as is the case in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . Rather, the activation and duration of timer/relay/controller  210  (and thus the activation/duration of recirculation pump  150 ) is based on monitoring pressure changes in plumbing/manifold assembly  130 . As background, when a beverage is dispensed from valve/nozzle assembly  140  there is a pressure change (drop) in one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136 . According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a change in pressure in one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136  is detected by a pressure transducer/pressure switch  310  placed in association with plumbing/manifold assembly  130  which, in turn, is associated with timer/relay/controller  210  through a connection  312 . If there is no pressure change detected (meaning no product is being/has been dispensed by valve/nozzle assembly  140 ) by pressure transducer/pressure switch  310  after a set duration of time (for example, approximately 8-12 min. at 90° F. ambient temperature and 65% relative humidity), pressure transducer/pressure switch  310  activates timer/relay/controller  210  through connection  312 , and a recirculation cycle(s) of recirculation pump  150  will be performed, after which recirculation pump  150  will be turned off. Again, recirculation pump  150  continues to perform recirculation cycle(s) until such time as timer/relay/controller  210  is deactivated via connection  312  when pressure transducer/pressure switch  310  detects a pressure change in plumbing/manifold assembly  130 . By performing pressure sensing using pressure transducer/pressure switch  310 , timer/relay/controller  210  will be activated and deactivated by signals from connection  312 . Therefore, in some respects, one skilled in the art can envision that system  300  automatically responds to peak use periods and non-peak use periods because pressure changes in plumbing/manifold assembly  130  are indicative of use, and lack of use, respectively. Alternatively, timer/relay/controller  210  may be activated if there is no change in pressure in plumbing/manifold assembly  130  over different preset time intervals. For example, timer/relay/controller  210  may be activated if there is no change in pressure in plumbing/manifold assembly  130  for 1, 5 or 10 min., or for any other time desired, and kept activated for any time period chosen by the end-user until such time as a change in pressure is detected. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a system  400 , in which all of the components of system  400  are essentially the same as in system  300  in  FIG. 3 . System  400  is an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the activation and duration of timer/relay/controller  210  is not based upon a set time or pressure measurement. Rather, the activation and duration of timer/relay/controller  210  (and thus the activation/duration of recirculation pump  150 ) is based on monitoring temperature changes in plumbing/manifold assembly  130 . As mentioned above, the quality of dispensed beverages from valve/nozzle assembly  140  depends on the temperature(s) in one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136 , usually of all three lines. According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a change in temperature in one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136  is detected by a temperature sensor  410  placed in association with plumbing/manifold assembly  130  which, in turn, is associated with timer/relay/controller  210  through a connection  412 . If there is no temperature change detected (meaning that beverage quality is likely not affected) by temperature sensor  410  timer/relay/controller  210  is not activated through connection  412 , and recirculation cycle(s) of recirculation pump  150  will not be performed. If, however, temperature sensor  410  detects an increase in temperature above a set threshold temperature (set, e.g., by the end-user or mandated by a product supplier), a signal will be sent to timer/relay/controller  210  via connection  412 , timer/relay/controller  210  will be activated to start recirculation pump  150  to perform recirculation cycle(s). Again, recirculation pump  150  continues to perform recirculation cycle(s) until such time as timer/relay/controller  210  is deactivated via connection  412  when temperature sensor  410  detects that a desired reduction to a predetermined lower temperature is attained in one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136  of plumbing/manifold assembly  130 . By temperature monitoring and sensing using temperature sensor  410 , timer/relay/controller  210  will be activated and deactivated by signals from connection  412 . Therefore, in some respects, one skilled in the art can envision that system  400  automatically responds to environmental (i.e., ambient temperature at a point of use location of system  400 ) because temperature changes in plumbing/manifold assembly  130  can be indicative of such ambient conditions. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the temperature at which activation of timer/relay/controller  210  occurs and the temperature at which deactivation of timer/relay/controller  210  occurs can be selected according to particular needs. For example, the activation/deactivation temperature may be the same, e.g. 40° F., so that activation of timer/relay/controller  210  occurs when the measured temperature of plumbing/manifold assembly  130  goes above 40° F. and deactivation of timer/relay/controller  210  occurs when the measured temperature of plumbing/manifold assembly  130  reaches 40° F. More commonly however, the activation/deactivation temperature will be set as a range of temperatures, e.g. a 40° F. activation temperature and a 36° F.° deactivation temperature. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, use of temperature sensor  410  provides flexibility in the parameters used to attain satisfactory product quality. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a system  500 , in which all of the components of system  500  are essentially the same as in systems  300  and  400  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . System  500  is an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the activation/deactivation of timer/relay/controller  210  is not based upon a set time, pressure or temperature measurement. Rather, the activation/deactivation of timer/relay/controller  210  (and thus the activation/deactivation of recirculation pump  150 ) is based on changes in current and/or voltage supplied to and/or used by valve/nozzle assembly  140 . In this situation, this embodiment of the present disclosure is similar in concept to that of  FIG. 3  that measures pressure changes at one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136 , usually of all three lines of plumbing/manifold assembly  130 . The pressure changes at one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136  of plumbing/manifold assembly  130  indicate that valve/nozzle assembly  140  of system  300  is in use, and not requiring the recirculation provided by recirculation pump  150 . Likewise, current and/or voltage use indicates that valve/nozzle assembly  140  of system  500  is in use, and not requiring the recirculation provided by recirculation pump  150 . According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , a change in current and/or voltage use by valve/nozzle assembly  140  is detected by a current and/or voltage sensing device  510  placed in association with power supply  142  of valve/nozzle assembly  140 . Current and/or voltage sensing device  510  is also associated with timer/relay/controller  210  through a connection  512 . If there is no current and/or voltage change detected (meaning no product is being/has been dispensed by valve/nozzle assembly  140 ) by current and/or voltage sensing device  510  after a set duration of time (for example, approximately 8-12 min. at 90° F. ambient temperature and 65% relative humidity), current and/or voltage sensing device  510  activates timer/relay/controller  210  through connection  512 , and a recirculation cycle(s) of recirculation pump  150  will be performed, after which recirculation pump  150  will be turned off. Again, recirculation pump  150  continues to perform recirculation cycle(s) until such time as timer/relay/controller  210  is deactivated via connection  512  when current and/or voltage sensing device  510  detects a current and/or voltage change at valve/nozzle assembly  140 . By performing current and/or voltage change sensing using current and/or voltage sensing device  510 , timer/relay/controller  210  will be activated and deactivated by signals from connection  512 . Therefore, in some respects, one skilled in the art can envision that system  500  also can automatically respond to peak use periods and non-peak use periods because current and/or voltage changes at valve/nozzle assembly  140  are indicative of use, and lack of use, respectively. Alternatively, timer/relay/controller  210  may be activated if there is no change in pressure in plumbing/manifold assembly  130  over different preset time intervals. For example, timer/relay/controller  210  may be activated if there is no change in current and/or voltage pressure at valve/nozzle assembly  140  for 1, 5 or 10 min., or for any other time desired and kept activated for any time period chosen by the end-user until such time as a change in current and/or voltage is detected. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a system  600 , in which all of the components of system  600  are essentially the same as in systems  300 ,  400  and  500  in  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 . System  600  is an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the activation/deactivation of a timer/relay/controller  610  is not based upon a set time, pressure, temperature or current and/or voltage measurement. Rather, the activation/deactivation of timer/relay/controller  610  (and thus the activation/duration of recirculation pump  150 ) is based on monitoring and recording dispense-patterns of either plumbing/manifold assembly  130  or valve/nozzle assembly  140 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , dispense-patterns of plumbing/manifold assembly  130  are monitored, but one skilled in the art would appreciate that dispense-patterns at valve/nozzle assembly  140  would be useful as well for the same purpose. In this embodiment of the present disclosure, system  600  is equipped with a self-learning timer/relay/controller  610  that records use, and therefore beverage dispense-patterns, at one or more of product lines  132 ,  134  and/or  136 , usually of all three lines, of plumbing/manifold assembly  130 . Self-learning timer/relay/controller  610  records the dispense-patterns over a course of time (e.g. a week), and also the dispense-patterns during each day of the week, as indicated by a dispense-pattern metering device  620  via a connection  622  with self-learning timer/relay/controller  610 . Self-learning timer/relay/controller  610  thereafter is able to predict low/non-use periods during a week from that history. Self-learning timer/relay/controller  610  then activates recirculation pump  150  according to the dispense-patterns learned by self-learning timer/relay/controller  610 . Again, self-learning timer/relay/controller  610  recognizes low/non-use periods and the duration of same. Therefore, self-learning timer/relay/controller  610  will maintain recirculation pump  150  activated for a time sufficient, and in accordance with, the recognized low/non-used periods and their duration. Therefore, one skilled in the art can envision that system  600  automatically responds to peak use periods and non-peak use periods as learned over a period of time. Likewise, the periods of peak use and non-peak use may change over longer periods of time (e.g., seasonally) and self-learning timer/relay/controller  610  will accommodate such seasonal changes. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows resulting temperatures using various pump on/pump times according to the present disclosure. The target temperature of the embodiments shown in  FIG. 7  was an assumed maximum target temperature of 42° F. In the table shown in  FIG. 7 , test run. #1 reflects the increase in temperature above the maximum often set by a product supplier without any recirculation via the recirculation pump over a period of time of 30 min. Test runs. #2-10 show that using various pump on, and pump off times the target maximum temperature of 42° F. can be attained using the intermittent recirculation systems and methods according to the present disclosure. More particularly, assuming a maximum product temperature, that is often set, by a product supplier of 41° F., test runs. #3-10 attain this target temperature. Further, assuming a maximum product temperature set by product supplier of 40° F., test runs. #9-10 attain this target temperature. 
         [0039]    It should also be recognized that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. 
         [0040]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7