US 11,378,433 B2 · Manifold style metering mechanism for use with beverage dispensing system

Abstract

An automated beverage dispenser include a metering manifold that contains a pair of mating manifold blocks forming as a generally rectangular cuboid element forming a minimized volume manifold block. A fluid conduit system, a sensor control system and a valve and actuator system are incorporated in and on the minimized volume manifold block. The fluid conduit system comprises a series of linear, interacting fluid channels including a central linear conduit containing a magnetic piston and forming an operative portion of a metering mechanism for providing a metered discharge of beer or beverage between the bulk storage and a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for a beverage specific controlled metered pour into a beverage container. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage comprising:

a bulk storage and distribution system for a pressurized beverage;
a metering mechanism in fluid communication with a beverage supply in operative connection with said bulk storage and distribution system, said metering mechanism for providing a specific selected volumetric discharge in continuous hydrodynamic fluid communication with a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for said beverage to be discharged in a series of uninterrupted specific selected volumetric discharges each in a controlled and metered manner as a continuous and uninterrupted fluid flow into a drinking container that is coordinated with the beverage being discharged;
said metering mechanism further comprising:
a first manifold block and a second manifold block formed as a generally rectangular cuboid element having a mating interface where said first manifold block and said second manifold block are affixed collinearly along a lateral centerline such as to form a minimized volume manifold block;
a fluid conduit system;
a sensor control system;
and
a valve and actuator system;
wherein said metering mechanism operatively utilizes pressure from said bulk storage as a motive force while maintaining a system pressure within said storage and distribution system between dispensing cycles.

6 more elements

A dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage having a bulk storage and distribution system for a pressurized beverage and a metering mechanism in fluid communication with a beverage supply in operative connection with said bulk storage and distribution system, said metering mechanism for providing a specific selected volumetric discharge in fluid communication with a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for said beverage to be discharged in a controlled and metered manner into a drinking container that is with coordinated the beverage being discharged, said metering mechanism further comprising:

a manifold block formed of two mating and sealing block elements as such as to form a minimized volume manifold block;
a fluid conduit system formed within the manifold block;
a metering piston formed within the manifold block and in fluid communication with the fluid conduit system;
a sensor control system in communication with the metering piston identifying a piston location and a piston speed;
and
a valve and actuator system in operational control of flow within the fluid conduit system;
wherein said metering mechanism operatively utilizes pressure from said bulk storage as a motive force while maintaining a system pressure within said storage and distribution system between dispensing cycles.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Manifold style metering mechanism for use with beverage dispensing system

Life of this patent

Manifold style metering mechanism for use with beverage dispensing system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20