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US 6,719,175 B2Granted
Draft system for beverages
AssigneeIsland Oasis Frozen Cocktail Company, Inc.
InventorsRandall A. Mackenzie, Keith M. Crawford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for dispensing beverages, in particular for dispensing mixed drinks can be configured to be implemented in conjunction with existing draft systems, for example, draft systems for dispensing beer and the like. Pumps used to dispense the beverages can be powered by the pressurized gas used with the existing draft system. A dual pump system may be used wherein one pump can circulate or mix the beverage within its storage container, while the other pump can pump the beverage for dispensing from a tap.
Claims18
A system for dispensing a fluid product from a tap, comprising:
- a dispensing pump in fluid communication with a source of the fluid product and the tap, wherein opening the tap operates the dispensing pump to pump the fluid product from the source to the tap;
- and
- a mixing pump in fluid communication with the source of the fluid product, wherein operation of the mixing pump circulates the fluid product from the source, through the mixing pump and back to the source;
- wherein the dispensing pump and the mixing pump are operable by pressurized gas and exhaust gas from the dispensing pump operates the mixing pump.
1 more element
A system for dispensing a fluid product from a tap, comprising:
- a dispensing pump in fluid communication with a source of the fluid product and the tap, wherein opening the tap operates the dispensing pump to pump the fluid product from the source to the tap;
- a mixing pump in fluid communication with the source of the fluid product, wherein operation of the mixing pump circulates the fluid product from the source, through the mixing pump and back to the source;
- a shut off valve disposed between and in fluid communication with the dispensing pump and the tap, the shut off valve stopping the operation of the dispensing pump and the mixing pump when the fluid product in the source falls below a predetermined level;
- a bypass line in fluid connection between the shut off valve and the source of the fluid product;
- and
- a bypass tab operable to allow the fluid product to flow in the bypass line and to prevent flow to the tap, the flow causing operation of the dispensing pump and the mixing pump.
3 more elements
A system for dispensing a fluid product from a tap, comprising:
- a dispensing pump in fluid communication with a source of the fluid product and the tap;
- wherein opening the tap operates the dispensing pump to pump the fluid product from the source to the tap;
- a mixing pump in fluid communication with the source of the fluid product, wherein operation of the mixing pump circulates the fluid product from the source, through the mixing pump and back to the source;
- and
- a bleed line disposed between the dispensing pump and the tap to provide a controlled flow from an output port of the dispensing pump to the fluid product source, the controlled flow lowering a pressure at the output port to allow periodic operation of the dispensing pump and the mixing pump.
2 more elements
A system for dispensing a fluid product from a tap, comprising:
- a dispensing pump in fluid communication with a source of the fluid product and the tap, wherein opening the tap operates the dispensing pump to pump the fluid product from the source to the tap;
- a mixing pump in fluid communication with the source of the fluid product, wherein operation of the mixing pump circulates the fluid product from the source, through the mixing pump and back to the source;
- a return line connected between an output port of the mixing pump to the source of the fluid product;
- and
- a restrictor connected to an end of the return line within the source to increase a velocity of the fluid product returning to the source so as to facilitate mixing of the fluid product within the source.
2 more elements
A system for dispensing a fluid product from a tap, comprising:
- a pressurized gas operated dispensing pump connected between a source of the fluid product and the tap, wherein opening the tap results in a pressure drop in a discharge line connecting the dispensing pump to the tap, the pressure drop operable to allow pressurized gas to operate the dispensing pump to pump the fluid product from the source to the tap;
- and
- a pressurized gas operated mixing pump connected to the source, wherein exhaust gas from the dispensing pump operates the mixing pump to circulate the fluid product from the source, through the mixing pump and back to the source.
A system for agitating a fluid product comprising:
- a pressurized gas operated dispensing pump connected between a source of the fluid product and a discharge point of the fluid product;
- a bleed line disposed between the dispensing pump and the discharge point to provide a controlled flow from an output port of the dispensing pump to the source, the controlled flow lowering a pressure at the output port to allow periodic operation of the dispensing pump to compensate for the lowering of the pressure;
- and
- a pressurized gas operated mixing pump connected to the source, wherein exhaust gas from the dispensing pump operates the mixing pump to agitate the fluid product within the source.
1 more element
A system for dispensing and mixing a fluid product, comprising:
- a pressurized gas operated dispensing pump connected between a source of the fluid product and a discharge of the fluid product, wherein opening the discharge results in a pressure drop in a discharge line connecting the dispensing pump to the discharge, the pressure drop operable to allow pressurized gas to operate to dispensing pump to pump the fluid product from the source to the discharge;
- a bleed line disposed between the dispensing pump and the discharge point to provide a controlled flow from an output port of the dispensing pump to the source, the controlled flow lowering a pressure at the output port to allow periodic operation of the dispensing pump to compensate for the lowering of the pressure;
- a pressurized gas operated mixing pump connected to the source, wherein exhaust gas from the dispensing pump operates the mixing pump to circulate the fluid product from the source, through the mixing pump and back to the source to mix the fluid product;
- and
- a shut off valve disposed between the dispensing pump and the bleed line, the shut off valve stopping the operation of the dispensing pump when the fluid product in the source falls below a predetermined level.
2 more elements
A system for mixing a fluid product, comprising:
- a pressurized gas operated dispensing pump connected between a source of the fluid product and a discharge point of the fluid product;
- a shut off valve disposed between the dispensing pump and the discharge point, the shut off valve stopping the operation of the dispensing pump when the fluid product in the source falls below a predetermined level;
- a bypass line in fluid connection between the shut off valve and the source of the fluid product;
- a bypass tab operable to allow the fluid product to flow in the bypass line, the flow lowering a pressure at an output port of the dispensing pump to allow operation of the dispensing pump to pump fluid product from the source, through the bypass line and back to the source;
- and
- a pressurized gas operated mixing pump connected to the source, wherein exhaust gas from the dispensing pump operates the mixing pump to mix the fluid product within the source.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.