Apparatus and method for cooling a dispensed beverage
US7628023B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2006 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB67D1/0861
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for cooling a dispensed beverage. Direct cooling of the beverage is achieved by circulation of a refrigerant in contact with a reservoir that holds the beverage just prior to being dispensed. The reservoir is disposed within a dispense font. The open space within the font acts as an evaporator of a closed refrigeration loop thereby achieving cooling without having to use a separate heat transfer loop. A refrigeration subsystem is mounted directly adjacent the dispense font to provide a controlled flow of refrigerant to the open space within the font. Evaporated refrigerant is recycled in the refrigeration subsystem.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.