A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The sy
A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The system provides for precise measurement of each portion. An error alarm system warns an operator about beverage tank low level. A system for forcing the flashing of poor quality beverage. Recording of all delivery process events allows for operator or management review and control.
대표청구항▼
1. A dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage from a bulk storage and distribution system for a pressurized beverage, said dispensing and pour control system comprising: a beverage supply in operative connection with said bulk storage and distribution system;a spigot or tap for di
1. A dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage from a bulk storage and distribution system for a pressurized beverage, said dispensing and pour control system comprising: a beverage supply in operative connection with said bulk storage and distribution system;a spigot or tap for discharging said regulated beverage into and in coordination with a drinking container; anda metering mechanism in between and in fluid communication with both said beverage supply and said spigot or tap, said metering system including an unsealed volume in continuous hydrodynamic connection with said beverage supply and adapted for providing a series of uninterrupted specific selected volumetric discharges in fluid communication with said tap or spigot in a manner that provides for said beverage to be discharged as a series of individually metered volumes delivered as a continuous and uninterrupted fluid flow;wherein said metering mechanism operatively utilizes solely pressure from said bulk storage as a motive force while maintaining a system pressure through a continuous system fluid volume within said storage and distribution system between dispensing cycles. 2. The dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage of claim 1, wherein said metering mechanism comprises: a chamber forming an identified internal volume and adapted to function as a line pressure powered bi-directional metering volume, said chamber providing a defined internal volume;a free flowing piston contained within said internal volume in a reciprocating manner about a majority of the internal volume, wherein said piston comprises a pair of parallel face surfaces and circumscribed by a perimeter surface, said piston bifurcating said internal volume into separate hydraulically connected segments in a manner that allows the piston to move at a velocity coordinated with a movement of the beverage through the chamber;a closeable ingress or egress portal engaged to each respective end of the chamber; wherein successive discharges and speed of discharges from said defined internal volume are measured by a position and a speed of said piston and provides for a both a fluid communication input from said bulk storage and distribution system and a fluid communication output with a continuous metered discharge to said tap or spigot. 3. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein said fluid communication output in connection with the metered discharge and further comprises: a first flow splitter that directs a flow conduit from each egress portal;a second flow splitter that directs a flow conduit to each inlet portal;switching valving operatively connected between the input and outlet of said metering chamber for providing alternating flow paths through the metering chamber; wherein a flow through the metering chamber is thereby alternated in direction in a manner that prevents said free flowing piston from impinging against either end of said metering chamber. 4. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 3, further comprising an on/off valve between said metering mechanism and said tap or spigot for maintaining an elevated line pressure after dispensing a volume. 5. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein a desired beverage pour is approximately equal to a combination of a fraction of or a multiple of said defined internal volume. 6. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, said metering system further comprises at least a second fluid communication input from at least a second bulk storage and distribution system in fluid communication output with said metered continuous discharge to said tap or spigot; wherein said first fluid communication input and said at least a second fluid communication input mix within said internal volume, said defined internal volume further being approximately equal to a whole fraction of a total volume of a desired beverage pour for use in mixed or blended drinks. 7. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 2, wherein: said defined internal volume is a multiple of the volume of a desired beverage pour;said metered discharge is created by alternating line pressure a within said chamber; andmeasurement of said metered discharged is determined from the measured movement of said piston. 8. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 3, wherein said piston within said chamber is detected with sensors located along a shuttle path of said piston within said chamber for detecting the piston's location, position or speed along points of a length of said chamber sufficient to detect fractions of said metered discharge. 9. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 8, wherein said sensors are selected from the group consisting of: RF sensors; magnets; hall effect sensors; near field effect sensors; and IR sensors. 10. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 9, wherein said sensors are within or in proximity with said chamber and a sensor target is formed in or by said piston. 11. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 8, wherein a dispensed volume of said continuous metered discharge to said tap or spigot is selected from the group consisting of ½ fluid ounce increments. 12. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises, in combination: automated pouring and dispensing; andintegrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics. 13. A dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage from a bulk storage and distribution system for a pressurized beverage, said dispensing and pour control system comprising: a chamber forming an identified defined internal volume and having a first end opposite a second end;a piston contained within said internal volume, said piston being freely movable laterally, as urged, in a reciprocating manner about the internal volume between near said first end and near said second end;said piston having a pair of parallel face surfaces and circumscribed by a perimeter said piston bifurcating said internal volume into separate hydraulically connected segments in a manner that allows the piston to move at a velocity coordinated with a movement of the beverage through the chamber;at least one sensor for detecting said piston's location, position or speed;a closeable ingress or egress portal engaged to each said first end and said second end the chamber, said ingress or egress portals actively throttle fluid flow in a manner related to said at least one sensor's identification of said piston's detection; wherein said piston thereby functions as a line pressure powered bi-directional metering volume for identifying successive discharges from said defined internal volume as urged by said piston for continuously metering discharges between said bulk storage and distribution system and a tap or spigot. 14. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 13, wherein said metering mechanism operatively utilizes pressure from said bulk storage as a motive force for movement of said piston in conjunction with movement of said beverage while maintaining a system pressure within said storage and distribution system between dispensing cycles while said beverage is discharged as a series of individually metered volumes delivered as a continuous and uninterrupted fluid flow into a drinking container that is coordinated the beverage being discharged. 15. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 13, wherein said fluid communication output in connection with the metered discharge and further comprises: a first flow splitter that directs a flow conduit from each egress portal;a second flow splitter that directs a flow conduit to each inlet portal;switching valving operatively connected between the input and outlet of said metering chamber for providing alternating flow paths through the metering chamber; wherein a flow through the metering chamber is thereby alternated in direction in a manner that prevents a creation of any trapped fluid volumes within said metering chamber. 16. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 15, further comprising an on/off valve between said metering mechanism and said tap or spigot for maintaining an elevated line pressure after dispensing a volume. 17. The dispensing and pour control system of claim 13, wherein a desired beverage pour is approximately equal to a combination of a fraction of or a multiple of said defined internal volume.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (16)
Credle ; Jr. William S. (Stone Mountain GA), Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device.
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