Patent Document

[0001]    This application is a U.S. National stage application of International Application PCT/US2014/071277 filed Dec. 18, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/920,867, filed Dec. 26, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Ice cooled beverage dispensers incorporate cold plates for cooling beverage components as they flow through serpentine pathways therein. The cold plate normally has tubes or coils of a suitable material, such as stainless steel, imbedded in a heat conducting casting, such as an aluminum casting which can be several inches thick. Cold plates have been utilized to chill conventional carbonators. The cold plate cools the carbonator unit by conduction such that the water within the carbonator unit is also chilled as it flows therethrough. Dispensed carbonation levels decrease as the temperature in the carbonator tank increase. Up until now, carbonator tanks in contact with the cold plate are arranged in a horizontal lay out. There are a variety of disadvantages to this arrangement including inconsistent carbonation levels. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a cooling system for use in beverage dispenser. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the beverage dispenser has a cold plate and a carbonator unit. The cold plate is positioned in thermal contact with the carbonator. 
         [0004]    One aspect is a cooling system for use in a beverage dispenser, the cooling system including: a cold plate having a top surface and a side surface; a carbonator arranged in a non-horizontal orientation to the cold plate, the carbonator having a sidewall, a lower uninsulated portion of the sidewall of the carbonator being in thermal communication with the side surface of the cold plate; and a fastener coupling the carbonator to the cold plate, the fastener having a lower thermal conductivity as compared to a thermal conductivity of the carbonator. 
         [0005]    Another aspect is a beverage dispenser including: a sweetener inlet; a still water inlet; a nozzle; a cold plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a portion of an ice storage area, the cold plate defining a portion of a fluid pathway between the sweetener inlet and the nozzle and a portion of a fluid pathway between the still water inlet and a carbonator; and the carbonator arranged in a non-horizontal orientation relative to the cold plate, the carbonator comprising a gas inlet, a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the still water inlet, and a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the nozzle, wherein the carbonator is in thermal communication with the second surface of the cold plate. 
         [0006]    A further aspect is a method for causing convection currents of a fluid within a carbonator, the method including: connecting a portion of the carbonator to a portion of a cold plate, the carbonator orientated at an angle relative to the cold plate; cooling the cold plate; causing, in response to the cooling of the cold plate, a temperature drop of the fluid proximate the portion of the carbonator connected to the portion of the cold plate; and causing, in response to the temperature drop, the fluid proximate the portion of the carbonator connected to the portion of the cold plate to change location within the carbonator, wherein the change in location causes convection currents of the fluid without external mechanical agitation. 
         [0007]    Yet another aspect is a cooling system for use in a beverage dispenser, the cooling system including: a cold plate; a carbonator in thermal communication with the cold plate, the carbonator arranged in a non-horizontal orientation with respect to the cold plate and in contact with a portion of the cold plate, the contact providing heat exchange therebetween; and a fastener adapted to couple the carbonator to the cold plate. 
         [0008]    Another aspect is a cooling system for use in a beverage dispenser, the cooling system including: a sweetener inlet; a still water inlet; a cold plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a portion of an ice storage area; a nozzle; and a carbonator comprising a gas inlet, a liquid inlet, and a liquid outlet, wherein the carbonator is in thermal communication with the cold plate, the carbonator being oriented in a non-horizontal orientation relative to and on a portion of the first surface of the cold plate. 
         [0009]    Yet another aspect is a method for constructing a cooling system, the method including: providing a cold plate; securing a carbonator to the cold plate such that the carbonator is in thermal communication with the cold plate; and configuring the carbonator in a non-horizontal orientation relative to a portion of the cold plate. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an example beverage dispenser in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is schematic top plan view of an example beverage cooling system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic front view of the beverage cooling system shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of the beverage cooling system shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an alternate beverage dispenser in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an example beverage dispenser  100 . In this example, the beverage dispenser  100  includes a carbonator  102 , micro ingredients  104 , macro ingredients  114 , a cold plate  108 , a still water input  110 , carbonated water  113 , and a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) input  112 . The still water input  110  and the CO 2  input  112  supply still water and CO 2  to the carbonator  102  to produce the carbonated water  113 . In this example, an external CO 2  tank is used to pump CO 2  to the carbonator  102  through input  112 . 
         [0017]    During operation, a user selects a beverage using a user interface. Examples of such an interface are described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/877,549 filed on Sep. 13, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. After the beverage is selected, the user actuates a mechanism (not shown) to dispense the beverage. 
         [0018]    During dispensing, a diluent such as carbonated water  113  or still water flows from the carbonator  102  or the still water input  110  to a nozzle  116 . In some embodiments, a macro ingredient  114 , such as a nutritive sweetener like high fructose corn syrup, flows to the nozzle  116 . Additionally, one or more micro-ingredients may be dispensed about the nozzle  116 . The various ingredients may flow from the nozzle  116  to form a “post mix” beverage. In other words, the ingredients remain separate until they are mixed about or within the nozzle  116  and are dispensed into a cup  118 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , a schematic of a beverage cooling system  200  is shown illustrating the features of the cold plate  108  and the carbonator  102 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a portion of the beverage dispenser  100  showing the cold plate  108  and a portion of the carbonator  102  attached thereon to chill the carbonator  102 . In one example, a portion of the cold plate  108  may include a contoured section  101  that may match a contour of the carbonator  102 . The cold plate  108  can be flat cast metal such as, but not limited to, extruded cast aluminum or stainless steel. The carbonator  102  may also be constructed of an aluminum or stainless steel material. Due to the thermal conductivity of the materials used to form the cold plate  108  and the carbonator  102 , the cold plate  108  is able to chill a portion of the contents of the carbonator  102 . 
         [0021]    In certain examples, the cold plate  108  may be arranged and configured with embedded coils or tubes therein for which fluids travel through to be chilled to an appropriate temperature before being served from the beverage dispenser  100 . In other examples, the cold plate  108  may include a heat exchanger having a plurality of fluidic channels integrated (e.g. monolithically formed) therein. The heat exchanger construction helps to increase the surface area to allow for more efficient heat transfer to occur. 
         [0022]    The cold plate  108  may be positioned within or form a portion of an ice retaining bin (not shown) such that a layer of ice water contacts the first surface  122 . The ice water causes heat exchange between the first surface  122  of the cold plate  108  and the ice water. Water can then flow through the cold plate  108  and be chilled prior to entering the carbonator  102 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the cold plate  108  includes a first surface  122 , a second surface  124  opposite the first surface  122 , and four sidewalls  126   a - d  there between each having a height substantially equal. In this example, the first surface  122  has a generally planer heat conducting surface. The carbonator  102  can be secured in a substantially vertical orientation using fasteners, such as, bolts  128 . The substantially vertical orientation can allow the carbonator  102  to be arranged and configured in a tilted or angled orientation. In some embodiments, the angle of the carbonator  102  can be arranged and configured to be about 45 degrees relative to the cold plate  108 . 
         [0024]    Still in other embodiments, the carbonator  102  may be arranged and configured to be oriented at an angle of about 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 degrees relative to the cold plate  108 . It is acknowledged that the degree of tilt or angle for the carbonator  102  may vary in other embodiments. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the carbonator  102  can be arranged and configured to be oriented in a non-horizontal orientation. Other orientations or positions may be possible in accordance with this disclosure. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, a lower portion  130  of a carbonator side wall  131  can be arranged and configured to mate to a portion of the first surface  122  of the cold plate  108  such that the lower portion  130  of the carbonator side wall  131  is cooled. 
         [0027]    The carbonator  102  can include insulated walls  132  to help minimize warming of the contents within the carbonator  102 . In other examples, fillers with high thermal conductivity may be sandwiched between the first surface  122  of the cold plate  108  and the lower portion  130  of the carbonator side wall  131  to help improve heat transfer between the cold plate  108  and the carbonator  102 . 
         [0028]    Typically during start up times, beverages may be less carbonated because of the overnight temperature rise in the carbonator  102 . Because a carbonator  102  that is warmed is not able to dissolve as much CO 2 , a lower quality (i.e., less carbonated) beverage can be dispensed. Chilling the carbonator  102  by using a portion of the cold plate  108  can increase the ability to dissolve CO 2  in the carbonator tank  120 . The more CO 2  dissolved can result in an increased beverage quality and consistency even during times of high demand because the carbonator  102  can produce and maintain soda with a higher CO 2  concentration. Providing cold water to the carbonator  102  can increase the carbonation level in the carbonator  102 . The carbonator  102  can be maintained at temperatures at or below 40° F. to make carbonated drinks with water. 
         [0029]    In one example, the top of the carbonator  102  can be in close proximity to the nozzle  116  such that the length of tubing Li between the carbonator  102  and the nozzle  116  can be significantly reduced. The reduction in length of tubing Li can reduce the amount of dead space or volume in the tubing and improve the quality of beverage being dispensed. The reduction of length of tubing Li can also help improve the beverage quality after the dispenser has been idle for some time. When the dispenser becomes idle without dispensing beverages, the ambient soda in the tubing can increase the average temperature of the dispensed beverage. Having the top of the carbonator  102  close to the nozzle  116  can help address this issue because the shorter tubing lengths under ambient conditions can lower the dispensed beverage temperature and increase the carbonation level of the dispensed beverage. Minimizing the length of tubing Li can help dispense colder beverages. 
         [0030]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the carbonator  102  is arranged and configured on a portion of the cold plate  108  in a substantially vertical orientation. In some embodiments, the cold plate  108  can be angled such that it slopes downward with the lowest point being at the bottom. In one example, the cold plate  108  can contact the carbonator  102  at the lower portion  130  of the carbonator side wall  131 . The carbonator  102  has minimal but sufficient contact with the cold plate  108  to allow the cold plate  108  to absorb heat from the carbonator  102 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a schematic side view of the beverage cooling system  200  is shown. 
         [0032]    In one example, fluid  135  next to the cold plate  108  can cool to about 34° F. such that its density decreases. This cooling can cause the fluid  135  next to the cold plate  108  to rise. The rising fluid  135  inside the carbonator  102  can be replaced by fluid  137  with a temperature of about 40° F., which can cause convection currents  140  to occur inside the carbonator  102 . The convection currents  140  help to churn the contents inside the carbonator  102  to achieve a more uniform temperature distribution within the carbonator  102  as the colder water rises to the top and the warmer water sinks to the bottom. 
         [0033]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the carbonator includes a body  103  that extends from a proximal end  105  to a distal end  107 . The distal end  107  of the carbonator  102  is arranged and configured on the cold plate  108  such that the depth of carbonated water is not as shallow thereby a more consistent carbonation level can be achieved. In addition, with the distal end  107  of the carbonator  102  on the cold plate  108 , the carbonator  102  remains accessible for performing maintenance or services thereon and can be more easily accessed for maintenance or services. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , a cap  134  may be secured (e.g., bolted) to the cold plate  108  to secure the carbonator  102  to the cold plate  108 . In one example, the cap  134  may be constructed of a plastic material. The plastic may be polypropylene, polyethylene, or other polymer based material. The plastic may help allow the cap  134  to act as insulation to minimize heat transfer from the carbonator  102 . The cap  134  being made of a plastic material may help allow the connection to have a degree of flexibility to allow the carbonator  102  and the cold plate  108  to move independently of one another. The movement may be caused by thermal expansion and contraction as well as vibrations due to dispenser operations. Other attachment techniques may be used, such as for example, diffusion, soldering, welding, adhesive, or combinations of these or other fasteners that act as an insulator. 
         [0035]    In other examples, a thermal paste may be used as a sealant around the cap  134 . The thermal paste may have a high thermal conductivity to conduct heat well. In certain examples, the thermal paste may be applied between the mating surfaces  122 ,  130  of the cold plate  108  and the carbonator  102  to help improve the heat transfer between the cold plate  108  and the carbonator  102 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of an example beverage dispenser  300 . In this example, the beverage dispenser  300  includes a carbonator  302 , beverage ingredients  304 , a cold plate  306 , a still water input  308 , carbonated water  310 , a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) input  312 , and a pre-chiller circuit  314 . 
         [0037]    In this example, the cold plate  306  is located adjacent a bottom of an ice bin (not shown) to enable heat transfer between the ice and beverage fluids. The still water input  308  and the CO 2  input  312  supply still water and CO 2  to the carbonator  302  to produce the carbonated water  310 . In this example, an external CO 2  tank is used to pump CO 2  to the carbonator  302  through input  312 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, during dispensing, a diluent such as carbonated water  310  or still water flows from the carbonator  302  or the still water input  308  across the cold plate  306  to a nozzle  316 . Cold still water is provided via local plumbing and sometimes in conjunction with a water booster to maintain consistent water pressure. The still water input  308  provides water to the pre-chiller circuit  314 . 
         [0039]    In the present example embodiment, there is a separate nozzle  316  for each beverage ingredient  304 . In one example, the beverage dispenser  300  may have one or more multi-flavor nozzles for dispensing more than one flavor of beverage. In other examples, the beverage dispenser  300  may have a combination of single flavor and multi-flavor nozzles. 
         [0040]    In some examples, the beverage ingredient  304 , may include a nutritive sweetener like high fructose corn syrup. The beverage ingredient  304  can be provided in a bag-in-box type configuration. The various ingredients remain separate until they are mixed about or within the nozzle  316  with cold water or carbonated water and are dispensed into a cup  318 . The beverage ingredient  304  is mixed with a diluent to produce a finished beverage. The beverage typically has a reconstitution ratio from about 3:1 to 6:1. 
         [0041]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: b