Beverage dispensing valve system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10399840-B2
Application number	US-201615133074-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 19, 2016
Priority date	Apr 19, 2016
Publication date	Sep 3, 2019
Grant date	Sep 3, 2019

Abstract

A post-mix beverage dispenser utilizing a beverage dispensing valve including a movable valve activation device is provided. The beverage dispensing valve can move the valve activation device to a predetermined activation position to dispense a fluid in response to a control signal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage dispensing valve system comprising:
a first liquid inlet connected to a first liquid source and a first liquid flow path;
a second liquid inlet connected to a second liquid source and a second liquid flow path;
a first flow regulator having a first core positioned in the first liquid flow path to open and close the first liquid flow path from the first liquid inlet to a first liquid outlet;
a second flow regulator having a second core positioned in the second liquid flow path to open and close the second liquid flow path from the second liquid inlet to a second liquid outlet; and
a movable valve activation device including:
a motor having an upwardly-extending motor shaft extending along a central axis of the beverage dispensing valve system;
a rotary arm having a fixed end attached to the motor shaft and a free end extending radially outward from the fixed end, wherein the free end is positioned vertically above the first core; and
an electromagnet fixed to the free end of the rotary arm,
wherein the movable valve activation device is movable to a first position adjacent the first core to attract the first core upwards to open the first liquid flow path and a second position adjacent the second core to attract the second core upwards to open the second liquid flow path, and

wherein the electromagnet is energized in response to an electronic input signal to attract the first core or the second core upwards.

2. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 1 , wherein the motor moves the movable valve activation device to the first position or the second position in response to a first electronic input signal.

3. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the motor rotates to move the movable valve activation device to the first position or the second position, and
wherein the shaft defines a rotation axis.

4. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 1 ,
wherein the motor rotates the movable valve activation device via the rotary arm.

5. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 3 , wherein an angular displacement between the first position and the second position is at least approximately 20 degrees about the rotation axis.

6. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 3 , wherein an angular displacement between the first position and the second position is from approximately 18 degrees to approximately 90 degrees about the rotation axis.

7. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third liquid inlet connecting to a third liquid source and a third liquid flow path; and
a third liquid flow regulator having a third core positioned in the third liquid flow path to open and close the third liquid flow path from the third liquid inlet to a third liquid outlet,
wherein the movable valve activation device is movable to a third position adjacent the third core to attract the third core upwards to open the third liquid flow path, and
wherein the electromagnet is energized in response to the electronic input signal to attract the third core upwards.

8. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid flow regulator includes a sleeve surrounding the first core and a spring to bias the first core to a closed position.

9. A post-mix beverage dispenser comprising:
a concentrate tube connected to a liquid concentrate source;
a diluent tube connected to a liquid diluent source;
a dispensing valve including:
a first flow regulator connected to the concentrate tube and a concentrate outlet tube;
a second flow regulator connected to the diluent tube and a diluent outlet tube; and
a moveable valve activation device including:
a motor positioned along a central axis of the post-mix beverage dispenser, the motor comprising an upwardly-extending motor shaft;
a rotary arm having a fixed end attached to the motor shaft and a free end extending radially outward from the fixed end; and
an electromagnet fixed to the free end of the rotary arm,
wherein the moveable vale activation device can be positioned adjacent the first flow regulator to open the first flow regulator to permit liquid concentrate flow from the concentrate tube to the concentrate outlet tube or adjacent the second flow regulator to open the second fluid flow regulator to permit liquid diluent flow from the diluent tube to the diluent outlet tube.

10. The post-mix beverage dispenser of claim 9 , further comprising:
a nozzle connected to the concentrate outlet tube and the diluent outlet tube, such that the liquid concentrate and the liquid diluent mix at the nozzle to dispense a beverage.

11. The post-mix beverage dispenser of claim 9 , wherein the motor moves the movable valve activation device to the first position or the second position in response to a first electronic input signal.

12. The post-mix beverage dispenser of claim 9 , wherein the shaft of the motor rotates to move the movable valve activation device to the first position or the second position, and
wherein the shaft defines a rotation axis.

13. The post-mix beverage dispenser of claim 9 ,
wherein the motor rotates the movable valve activation device via the rotary arm.

14. The post-mix beverage dispenser of claim 9 , wherein the first flow regulator and the second flow regulator are arranged along a curve.

15. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 14 , wherein an angular displacement between the first position and the second position is at least approximately 20 degrees about a center of the curve.

16. The beverage dispensing valve system of claim 14 , wherein an angular displacement between the first position and the second position is from approximately 18 degrees to approximately 90 degrees about a center of the curve.

Assignees

• Pepsico Inc

Inventors

• Balstad Robert W
• Chung Terry Tae-Il
• Koripoti Hari
• Rao P Mohan

Classifications

• B67D2210/0006

  Manifolds · CPC title

• F16K31/04

  using a motor · CPC title

• B67D2210/00091

  Bar management means · CPC title

• B67D2210/00089

  Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals · CPC title

• B67D1/0036

  based on the timed opening of valves · CPC title