Back to results
US 2010/0147874 A1Published application
Dispensing Mechanism Using Long Tubes to Vary Pressure Drop
AssigneePepsiCo, Inc.
InventorsPatrick J. Finlay, Kenneth A. Ritsher, James M. Collins, Andrzej Skoskiewicz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fountain-style carbonated soft drink dispenser includes a housing adapted to attach to a beverage container, an actuator for selectively opening a fluid conduit, and one or more long tubes that vary a pressure drop across the dispensing assembly and convey fluid. The resistance through the tube(s) is decreased as the pressure within the container decreases so as to maintain a substantially constant flow rate throughout dispensing.
Claims20
An assembly comprising:
- a housing adapted to attach to a container adapted to contain a pressurized fluid, the housing having a nozzle and a fluid outlet adapted to dispense pressurized contents;
- an actuator for selectively opening the fluid outlet of said housing;
- said actuator connected to said housing;
- and
- at least one tube communicating with the fluid outlet operatively connected to the nozzle and extending into the container;
- wherein the at least one tube is provided to vary resistance of fluid flow such that the fluid is dispensed from the container at a substantially constant flow rate regardless of the pressure in the container.
3 more elements
An assembly comprising:
- a housing adapted to attach to a container adapted to contain a pressurized fluid, the housing having a nozzle and a fluid outlet adapted to dispense pressurized contents;
- an actuator for selectively opening the fluid outlet of said housing;
- said actuator connected to said housing;
- and
- a varying means for varying the resistance such that the fluid is dispensed from the container at a substantially constant flow rate.
2 more elements
A method of dispensing fluid comprising:
- providing at least one tube through which fluid flows from a container, the at least one tube communicating with a fluid outlet and causing resistance of fluid flow from the container to the fluid outlet;
- selectively opening the fluid outlet;
- and
- varying the resistance caused by the at least one tube.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.