Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A
PRODUCT DISPENSER WITH INCREASED INSULATIVE PROPERTIES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to product dispensing equipment and, more
particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods and an apparatus for
increasing the
insulative properties of product dispensers that include foam insulation.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the quest to be environmentally conscious, product suppliers are forcing
product
dispenser manufacturers to engage in their quest by placing new standards on
orders for
products on existing product lines. Product dispenser manufacturers must
comply with the
new design standards or lose sales. One new standard forces product dispenser
manufacturers to remove components that utilize HFC's in the manufacturing
process.
While the substitution of HFC components with components that do not utilize
HFC's in
the manufacturing process may seem routine, one of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize
that the substitution of randomly selected components based on alternative
criteria may
alter or hinder the performance of the product dispenser.
Illustratively, product dispenser manufacturers are no longer able to utilize
HFC
blowing agents for foams, and the simple substitution of a foam blowing agent
does not
always provide an equivalent thermal solution. By products of a product
dispenser with a
thermally less efficient foam may include increased ice usage to keep the cold
plate cool,
increased melt rate in the storage chamber, and ultimately, warmer drinks.
Further complications arise because the product dispenser is already designed
and
in production. Proposed design solutions must be workable in the current state
of the
product dispenser. As such, foam substitutions for a blown in place foaming
operation
that cures around components disposed in the foaming cavity will, most likely,
require a
blown in foam solution, as a modular form of the foam would not fit into areas
with
existing components. Further, not all variables of similar type arrangements
may be
manipulated. For example, increasing a thickness of a less-efficient foam
substitution is
not acceptable, as existing components often fit around a pre-existing foam
thickness. The
reworking of the mating components would be a costly endeavor, as multiple
components
would be affected, each of which includes design considerations, tooling
considerations,
planning considerations, and the like.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
2
Accordingly, a product dispenser that provides an increased thermal efficiency
without utilizing HFCs would be desirable by product dispenser manufacturers,
as well as
product suppliers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In accordance with the present invention, a product dispenser includes at
least one
vacuum insulation panel disposed around a vessel of the product dispenser,
such that a
chamber disposed within the vessel has an increased thermal efficiency. In a
first
embodiment, the product dispenser includes a first layer of vacuum insulation
panels
disposed adjacent to the exterior walls of the vessel to substantially
encapsulate the vessel,
thereby providing increased insulative properties to the chamber that houses a
product.
The product dispenser may further include additional layers of insulation
disposed over
the first layer. A subsequent layer of insulation may be constructed from
additional
vacuum insulation panels or an as-formed foam insulation, thereby providing a
composite
thermal solution.
The vacuum insulation panels provide any type of vessel of a product dispenser
with increased insulative properties. Illustratively, the composite insulation
may be
applied to a product chamber, vessels for ice water baths, refrigerated
cabinets, and the
like. The increased thermal efficiency of the vessel provides an extended
thermal
equilibrium profile, as less energy is dissipated per unit time. The increased
thermal
efficiency further provides for reduced run time for the product dispenser, as
refrigerated
chambers remain colder for longer periods.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a product
dispenser
utilizing at least one vacuum insulation panel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a product dispenser
including a vessel substantially encapsulated by vacuum insulation panels.
It is still further an object of the present invention'to provide a product
dispenser
including at least one layer of vacuum insulation panels disposed around the
vessel.
It is still yet further an object of the present invention to provide a
product
dispenser including a composite thermal barrier.
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will
become
evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following. Also,
it should be
understood that the scope of this invention is intended to be broad, and any
combination of
any subset of the features, elements, or steps described herein is part of the
intended scope.
of the invention.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
3
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1 a provides a perspective view of a product dispenser according to a
first
embodiment.
Figure lb provides an exploded view of the product dispenser according to the
first
embodiment.
Figure 1 c provides a section view of an insulated wall according to the first
embodiment.
Figure 1 d provides a flowchart illustrating the method steps of placing
vacuum
panel insulation onto the vessel of the product dispenser according to the
first
1 o embodiment.
Figure 1 e provides a section view of an insulated wall according to an
extension of
the first embodiment.
Figure 1 f provides an exploded view of the product dispenser including a
second
layer of vacuum insulation panels.
Figure 2a provides a perspective view of a vessel including a composite foam
wall
according to an extension of the first embodiment.
Figure 2b provides a section view of a composite foam wall according to the
extension of the first embodiment.
Figure 3a provides a perspective view of a product dispenser according to a
second
embodiment.
Figure 3b provides an exploded view of the product dispenser according to the
second embodiment.
Figure 3c provides a perspective view of the product dispenser with a
composite
foam wall according to an extension of the second embodiment.
Figure 3d provides a perspective view of a product dispenser that includes a
vessel
housing product and diluent lines according to a third embodiment.
Figure 3e provides a perspective view of the product dispenser including a
composite foam wall according to an extension of the third embodiment.
Figure 4a provides a perspective view of a product dispenser according to a
fourth
embodiment.
Figure 4b provides an exploded view of the product dispenser according to the
fourth embodiment.
Figure 4c provides a perspective view of the product dispenser with a second
layer
of insulation according to the fourth embodiment.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 . PCT/US2008/009266
4
Figure 5a provides a perspective view of vacuum insulation panels in proximity
to
a cold plate according to a fifth embodiment.
Figure 5b provides a section view of a product dispenser according to the
fifth
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein;
however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
exemplary of
the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is further to be
understood that
the figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated
to show
l0 details of particular components or steps.
In a simplest form, a product dispenser 100 includes a housing 110, and at
least
one product flow circuit 101 for receiving a product and dispensing the
product. The
housing 110 includes a vessel 105 supported by a frame assembly. The frame
assembly
provides structural support to the components of the product dispenser 100,
and may be
constructed from virtually any form of structural member made from commonly
available
structural materials, including steel, aluminum, plastics, and the like. In
this first
embodiment, the frame assembly is a welded steel frame.
The vessel 105 may be any form of product containment device, including tanks,
bins, liners, and the like, that includes or forms a chamber 106. The vessel
105 may be
constructed from virtually any form of material that is structurally adequate
to contain and
support a chamber 106 full of a particular product. In this first embodiment,
the vessel
105 is a liner formed from polypropylene. At a minimum, the vessel 105
includes the
chamber 106, an inlet 111, and an outlet 113 in communication with the chamber
106.
The inlet 111 is disposed at an upper end of the vessel 106, and has a cross
section
substantially as large as the product dispenser 100 for easy loading of
product into the
chamber 106. Alternatively, the large inlet 111 may be utilized to capture
product falling
from a product generator disposed above the product dispenser 100. The outlet
113 is
substantially smaller than the inlet 111, and may be disposed near a midpoint
of a front of
the product dispenser 100. The outlet 113 is utilized to dispense
predetermined amounts
of the product from the chamber 106.
The vessel 105 may further include a floor 126, a first wall 127, a second
wall 128,
a third wall 129, and a fourth wall 130. The floor 126 may be angled to aid
the movement
of product particles toward a dispense or a pick-up point. The first wall 127
extends
upward from the floor 126, and is attached to the second wall 128 and the
fourth wall 130.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
The third wall 129 also extends upward from the floor 126, and is connected to
the second
wall 128 and the fourth wall 130, thereby forming the chamber 106
therebetween.
One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the product
dispenser
100 may include a dispensing means to portion and move a predetermined
quantity of
5 product to the outlet 113. The dispensing means may be any form of product
portioning or
transferring device known in the art, including a paddlewheel. One of ordinary
skill in the
art will further recognize that the product dispenser 100 may include an
agitation means
disposed within the chamber 106, to engage the product, and break up clumps of
product
particles. The agitation means may be any form of agitation system commonly
utilized in
the art, including an agitator bar coupled to the paddlewheel.
In this embodiment, the term product dispenser is defined as a piece of
equipment
designed to dispense predetermined quantities of a product. Illustratively,
the product
dispenser 100 may house and dispense various forms of ice, dry products,
slurries, and the
like. In this first embodiment, the product dispenser 100 is an ice dispenser.
Additionally,
the term product flow circuit 101 may be defined as any product delivery and
dispensing
flowpath, including ice delivery paths, concentrate delivery paths, diluent
delivery path,
condiment delivery paths, dry product delivery paths, and the like. In this
first
embodiment, the product flow circuit 101 is a flowpath for storing and
delivering ice.
The product dispenser 100 may further include a chute disposed around the
outlet
113, and an activator 112 in communication with the agitation means. Upon
depression of
the activator 112, the agitation means rotates to break up and reset the
product disposed
within the chamber 106.
The product dispenser 100 may further include a first layer of insulation 123
on the
outer surfaces of the vessel 105. In this embodiment, the first layer of
insulation 123 is a
group of individually sealed vacuum panels that have a lower thermal
conductivity than
those normally utilized in the product dispensing industry. Illustratively, a
conventional
foam with a hydroflorocarbon free blowing agent has a thermal conductivity of
point one
three Watts/m=K, and a vacuum panel has a thermal conductivity of point zero
seven
Watts/m=K. The vacuum panels are formed by placing a polyurethane foam plank
117
into a malleable bag 118, evacuating the malleable bag 118 of air, and sealing
the
malleable bag 118 in the evacuated state. The sealed vacuum panel then
possesses the
desired decreased thermal conductivity. In this embodiment, the first layer of
insulation
123 includes a first vacuum panel 136, a second vacuum panel 137, and a third
vacuum
panel 138. The first vacuum panel 136 is of a shape complementary to an
exterior surface
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
6
131 of the first wall 127, and may be placed adjacent to the exterior surface
131, or may
be mounted to the exterior surface 131 using any suitable means, including
adhesives,
tapes, mechanical fasteners, and the like. Illustratively, in this embodiment,
the first
vacuum panel 136 is secured to the exterior surface 131 using an epoxy. As
shown in
Figure 1 c, the adhesion to the exterior surface 131 using epoxy minimizes the
possibility
of air pockets between the first vacuum panel 136 and the exterior surface
131.
Similarly, the second vacuum panel 137 is complementary in shape to an
exterior
surface 132 of the second wall 128. The second vacuum panel 137 is similarly
secured to
the exterior surface 132. The third vacuum panel 138 is complementary in shape
to an
exterior surface 133 of the third wall 129, and is similarly secured to the
exterior surface
133.
In cases where flat panels are not possible, an exterior surface may be
covered by a
group of vacuum panels to achieve a desired coverage. As shown in Figure 1 b,
a fourth
vacuum panel 138 is complementary in shape to a portion of an exterior surface
134 of the .
fourth wall 130, and is adhered to the complementary portion. A fifth vacuum
panel 140
is complementary in shape to a different portion of the exterior surface 134
of the fourth
wall 130, and is similarly secured to the complementary portion.
Illustratively, a sixth
vacuum panel 141 and a seventh vacuum panel 142 are also complementary to
portions of
the exterior surface 134 of the fourth wall, and are similarly secured to the
complementary
portions so as to substantially cover the exterior surface 134 of the fourth
wall 130. Still
further, an eighth vacuum panel 143 is complementary to an exterior surface
135 of the
floor 126, and is secured to the exterior surface 135 to substantially cover
the exposed
surfaces of the vessel 105.
As shown in the method flowchart of Figure 1 d, the process of increasing the
thermal efficiency of a vessel of a product dispenser commences with step 10,
wherein
vacuum insulation panels are placed adjacent to exterior surfaces 131 through
135 of the
vessel 105 to substantially cover all of the exterior surfaces 131 through
135. The process
then moves to step 20, wherein vacuum insulation panels are adhered to the
exterior
surfaces 131 through 135 of the vessel 105, thereby ensuring that air pockets
are removed
from between the vacuum insulation panels and the exterior surfaces 131
through 135 of
the vessel 105.
The product dispenser 100 may further include a lid 120 to close out the inlet
111
of the chamber 106 when not closed out by a product generator. The lid 120 may
also
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
7
include a top vacuum panel 144 complementary in shape to the lid 120 to fully
close out
the chamber 106.
On full assembly, the exposed surfaces of the vessel 105 are covered with
vacuum
panels having a decreased thermal conductivity, thereby increasing the thermal
efficiency
of the chamber 106, and maintaining product temperatures for longer periods.
The
product dispenser 100 may still further include a wrapper to close out the
product
dispenser 100, and protect the vacuum panels.
In operation, a product is placed into the chamber 106 for storage and
dispensing.
The lid 120 may then be placed onto the product dispenser 100 to thermally
isolate the
product disposed within the chamber 106. The product remains in the chamber
106 until
an operator depresses the activator 112. Upon the depression of the activator
112, the
dispensing means is powered to segment and deliver a predetermined portion of
the
product to the outlet 113 for delivery into a drink receptacle.
One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that a thickness of
the foam
plank, and the effective thickness of the vacuum insulation panel may be
increased or
reduced to adjust the thermal conductivity of the vacuum insulation panel. One
of
ordinary skill in the art will further recognize that additional layers may be
applied over
the existing layer of vacuum insulation panels, thereby further increasing the
thermal
efficiency of the chamber 106. As shown in Figure le, a second layer of
insulation 235
may be placed directly adjacent to the first layer of insulation 123 to
substantially double
the thermal effects of the first vacuum insulation panel 136. One of ordinary
skill in the
art will further recognize that any additional layers of vacuum insulation
panels may be
adhered to the underlying layers, and that additional layers are not limited
to the same
configuration as underlying layers. Figure 1 f provides an exploded view of
the product
dispenser 100 including a second layer of vacuum insulation panels, depicted
by numerals
236 through 244, disposed over the first layer of vacuum insulation panels.
Accordingly,
virtually any number of layers of vacuum insulation panels may be utilized to
provide an
acceptable thermal solution.
In an extension of the first embodiment, a product dispenser 150 includes all
components of the product dispenser 100, and like parts have been annotated
with like
numerals, however, the product dispenser 150 further includes a second layer
of insulation
235 disposed over the insulated vessel 105. As shown in Figure 2a, the product
dispenser
150 includes a vessel 105, and the first vacuum panel 136 through the eighth
vacuum
panel 143. The first vacuum insulation panel 136 through the eighth vacuum
insulation
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
8
panel 143 are secured to exterior surfaces of the vessel 105, exactly as shown
in the first
embodiment. The product dispenser 150 further includes an as-formed foam
insulation
151 disposed over the vacuum panels 136 through 143. The as-formed foam
insulation
151 may be any form of insulation commonly utilized in the product dispensing
industry
for its insulating properties, and extends substantially from the vacuum
panels secured to
the vessel 105, to a wrapper, thereby creating a composite insulating wall.
The addition of
the as-formed foam insulation 151 to the insulated vessel 105 creates a
composite thermal
barrier made up of the vacuum insulation panels 136 through 143, and the as-
formed layer
of foam insulation 151.
In this extension of the first embodiment, the as-formed foam insulation 151
is a
polyurethane foam having a thermal conductivity slightly greater than that of
the vacuum
insulation panels. As a composite, the effective thermal conductivity is lower
than that of
the polyurethane foam alone. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily
recognize foams
utilizing a hydroflorocarbon as a blowing agent have lower thermal
conductivities than
those utilizing non-hydroflorocarbon blowing agents. As such, a move from a
hydroflorocarbon blowing agent to a non-hydroflorocarbon blowing agent for a
foam
utilized in a product dispenser may negatively affect the thermal properties
of the product
dispenser.
Assembly of the product dispenser 150 is substantially identical to the
product
dispenser 100, except for the over molding of the as-formed foam insulation
151. After
application of the vacuum panels 136 through 143, to the exterior surfaces 131
through
135 of the vessel 105, the vessel 105 is placed into a foaming fixture. A two-
part foam is
then injected into the foaming fixture and allowed to cure. Upon curing, the
foam
hardens, and secures all contacting surfaces and objects in place. The as-
formed foam
insulation 151 cleanly and completely fills a void between the vessel 105,
vacuum
insulation panels 136 through 143, and the wrapper. As such, the vacuum panels
136
through 143, and any other components passing through the void are
substantially
encapsulated by the now cured as-formed foam insulation 151, as shown in
Figure 2b.
The as-formed foam insulation 151 secures the vacuum panels 136 through 143 in
place,
and further protects the vacuum panels 136 through 143 from incidental damage,
including
piercing, cutting, and loss of vacuum.
Operation of the product dispenser 150 is identical to that disclosed for the
product
dispenser 100, wherein a product is stored within the vessel 105 for
dispensing, and will
therefore, not be further disclosed.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
9
In a second embodiment, a product dispenser 200 is similar to the product
dispenser 150, and further includes at least one beverage flow circuit 201.
Beverage
dispensing circuits are well known in the art, and may be utilized in
quantities greater than
one. In this second embodiment, the product dispenser 200 includes a beverage
flow
circuit 201 utilizing a cold plate 215 having at least one concentrate line
216, and may
further include a diluent flow circuit 202 having at least one diluent line
217. The diluent
flow circuit 202 and the beverage flow circuit 201 may pass through the cold
plate 215 to
thermally condition fluids before dispensing.
The product dispenser 200 further includes a vessel 205 having a chamber 206.
The vessel 205 is similar in construction to the vessel 105, however, the
vessel 205 may be
adapted to dispense ice onto an upper surface of the cold plate 215, and
therefore, a floor
of the vessel 205 may include slots or openings that allow the transmission of
ice from the
chamber 206 to the upper surface of the cold plate 215. The vessel 205
includes a first
wall 210 having a first exterior surface 230, a second wall 211 having a
second exterior
surface 231, a third wall 212 having a third exterior surface 232, and a
fourth wall 213
having a fourth exterior surface 233. The product dispenser 200 further
includes vacuum
panels 136 through 142 as disclosed in the product dispenser 100. The product
dispenser
200 does not include the eighth vacuum panel 143 of the product dispenser 100,
as product
is dispensed through the floor or lower portion of the vessel 205. As shown in
Figure 3b,
the vacuum panels 136 through 142 are attached to the exterior surfaces of the
walls 210
through 213 to create a first layer of insulation 123, and to provide
increased insulatory
properties to the vessel 205.
The at least one diluent line 217 includes an inlet and an outlet, wherein the
inlet is
in communication with a diluent source, and the outlet is in communication
with a diluent
port of a product dispensing valve, and the at least one concentrate line 216
includes an
inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is in communication with a concentrate
source, and
the outlet is in communication with a concentrate port of a beverage
dispensing valve.
In operation, a diluent enters the diluent flow circuit 202 through the inlet,
flows
through the passes of the diluent line 217 disposed within the cold plate 215,
and to the
product dispensing valve. Similarly, a concentrate enters the beverage flow
circuit 201,
flows through the passes of concentrate line 216 disposed within the cold
plate 215, and
then flows toward the product dispensing valve. Upon a dispense command, the
concentrate and the diluent are dispensed through a nozzle. Operation of the
product flow
circuit 101 is identical in flow and form to that disclosed in the product
dispenser 100,
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
wherein a product is stored in the chamber 106, and dispensed through the
outlet 113 for
use.
In an extension of the second embodiment, the product dispenser 200 may
further
include a second layer of insulation 235 disposed over the first layer of
vacuum insulation
5 panels. The second layer of insulation 235 may be a second layer of vacuum
insulation
panels, or may be a layer of as-formed foam insulation 151. As shown in Figure
3c, an as-
formed foam insulation 151 is identical to that of the product dispenser 150.
The as-
formed foam insulation 151 permanently locates and supports any product lines
disposed
around the vessel 205, and creates a composite insulation platform, identical
to that shown
10 in Figure 2b. The increased thermal properties provide an increased thermal
efficiency for
the chamber 206.
In a third embodiment, a product dispenser 250 includes a concentrate flow
circuit
252, and a diluent flow circuit 253. The product dispenser 250 further
includes a vessel
260 having a first wall 271, a second wall 272, a third wall 272, a fourth
wall 274, and a
floor panel 275 that form a chamber 261. The concentrate flow circuit 252 is
connectable
to a concentrate source, and includes at least one concentrate line 255. The
diluent flow
circuit 253 is similarly connectable to a diluent source, and includes at
least one diluent
line 256. At least one diluent line 256 and one concentrate line 255 pass
through the
chamber 261 of the vessel 260. The diluent line 256 and the concentrate line
255 may
make multiple passes through the chamber 261 to provide adequate length for
desired
amount of heat transfer. The opposing ends of the diluent line 256 and the
concentrate
-line 255 are then connectable to a product valve for dispensing.
The product dispenser 250 further includes a refrigeration deck assembly 265
having a refrigeration circuit 266 disposed on a refrigeration deck 267. The
refrigeration
circuit 266 includes a compressor 268 disposed on an upper surface of the deck
267, and
refrigeration coils 269 disposed beneath the deck 267. The refrigeration deck
267 is of a
size complementary to the vessel 260, such that it may rest on top of the
vessel 260. The
refrigeration deck assembly 265 further includes a deck vacuum panel 285 that
is adhered
on a lower surface of the deck 267. The deck vacuum panel 285 is of a
construction
similar to previously disclosed vacuum panels in this invention. While this
deck vacuum
panel 285 is shown as a single component, one of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize
that the deck vacuum panel 285 may be constructed from multiple vacuum panels,
as
described herein, to work around components.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
11
The product dispenser 250 further includes vacuum insulation panels disposed
adjacent to exterior surfaces of the vessel 260. As shown in Figure 3d, a
first vacuum
panel 280 is adhered to an exterior surface 291 of the first wall 271, a
second vacuum
panel 281 is disposed on an exterior surface 292 of the second wall 272, a
third vacuum
panel 281 is disposed onto an exterior surface 293 of the third wall 273, and
a fourth
vacuum panel 283 is disposed on an exterior surface 294 of the fourth wall
274. A fifth
vacuum panel 284 is adhered to an exterior surface 295 of the floor panel 275
of the vessel
260. The vacuum panels 280 through 284 are secured to the vessel 260 in
similar fashion
to the product dispensers 100, 150, and 200. As such, the vacuum panels 280
through 284
substantially cover the exterior surfaces 291 through 295 of the vessel 260,
and increase
the insulative properties of the vesse1260 in the product dispenser 250.
On assembly, the refrigeration deck assembly 265 is placed onto the vessel
260,
such that the refrigeration coils 269 hang beneath the refrigeration deck 267
while within
the chamber 261. The chamber 261 is filled with water to create a water bath
that covers
approximately two thirds of the coils 269, the concentrate line 255, and the
diluent line
256. Once the refrigeration deck assembly 265 is in place, the vessel 260 is
substantially
encapsulated by the vacuum formed panels 280 through 285, thereby increasing
the
insulative properties of the chamber 261.
In operation, electrical power is supplied to the refrigeration circuit 266,
and the
temperature of the coils 269 drops below a freezing temperature. The decreased
temperature of the coils 269 forces ice to form the portions of the coils that
lies beneath
the water, and eventually forms an ice block. The ice block remains in the
water bath, and
is depleted as unchilled concentrate and diluent pass through the product
lines 255 and
256. If the ice block depletes to a minimum specified point, the refrigeration
circuit 266 is
reinitiated to build the ice block to a maximum level.
The product dispenser 250 that utilizes the vacuum panels 280 through 285 has
increased insulative properties, and thereby provides extended ice block life,
reduced
power consumption, and reduced thermal losses.
In an extension of the third embodiment, a product dispenser 251 includes all
components of the product dispenser 250, and accordingly, like parts have been
labeled
with like numerals. The product dispenser 251 further includes a second layer
of
insulation 235 disposed around the vessel 260. As shown in previous
embodiments, the
second layer of insulation 235 may be a second layer of vacuum insulation
panels, or an
as-formed foam insulation 291. In this specific example, the second layer of
insulation 235
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
12
is a layer of as-formed foam insulation 291 disposed about a vessel 260, and
the vacuum
panels 280 through 285. The as-formed foam insulation 291 forms a composite
thermal
barrier. Items disposed within a chamber 261 of the vessel 260 maintain
temperatures for
longer periods than a vessel as described in the product dispenser 250.
In cases where hydroflorocarbon blowing agents are replaced with non-
hydroflorocarbon blowing agents, the thermal properties of the vessel in the
product
dispenser are compromised, as foams utilizing non-hydroflorocarbon blowing
agents
typically has an increased thermal conductivity, and are not thermally
equivalent.
Accordingly, a composite thermal barrier constructed from vacuum insulation
panels and a
non-hydroflorocarbon blown foam creates product dispenser with increased
thermal
efficiencies.
All other aspects of the product dispenser 251 are similar to the product
dispensers
100, 150, and 251, and accordingly, will not be further disclosed.
In a fourth embodiment, a product dispenser 300 includes a diluent flow
circuit
353, and a vesse1360 having a first wal1371, a second wa11372, a third
wa11372, a fourth
wall 374, and a rear panel 375 that form a chamber 361. The chamber 361 is
suitable for
housing at least one product source 305 or diluent source, and may be
refrigerated. The
product dispenser 300 may further include a cover 308 for closing out the
chamber 361.
The cover 308 may be hingedly coupled to the product dispenser 300, so as to
form an
access door. In this specific example of the fourth embodiment, the product
dispenser 300
includes at least one diluent flow circuit 353 disposed within the product
dispenser 300. A
first end of the diluent flow circuit 353 is adaptable to a remote diluent
source, such that a
diluent is delivered to the product dispenser 300, and a second end is
adaptable to a mixing
or flow regulation device, such that the diluent is delivered for use or for
mixing with a
product from the product source 305. One of ordinary skill in the art will
readily
recognize that the diluent may be chilled utilizing any of the means disclosed
in the
previous embodiments, thereby conditioning the diluent disposed within the
diluent line
356.
The product source 305 may be any type of prepackaged form that contains a
product. Illustratively, the product may be a product requiring refrigeration,
a frozen
product, a shelf stable product, a concentrated product, such as commonly
utilized in
condiments, soups, teas, dairy products, and the like. The package of the
product source
may be virtually any form of packaging commonly utilized the dispensing area,
including
plastic bags, plastic containers, cartons, disposable containers, and the
sort. While this
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
13
fourth embodiment has been shown as a front-loading product dispenser, one of
ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that a chamber 361 may be disposed in
virtually any
configuration or direction. Illustratively, the cover 308 may be on a top of
the product
dispenser 300 to create a top-loading unit. Additionally, the product source
may include a
dispensing means attached to the product source, such that the product may be
dispensed
from the product source, while disposed within the chamber 361, thereby
eliminating the
risk of exposure to the ambient environment. The use of a product source
including a
dispensing means would further require a driving means disposed within the
chamber 361
to drive the dispensing means.
The product dispenser 300 further includes a first layer of insulation 123
made up
of a first vacuum insulation panel 310, a second vacuum insulation panel 311,
a third
vacuum insulation panel 312, a fourth vacuum insulation panel 313, a fifth
vacuum
insulation panel 314, and a cover vacuum insulation panel 315. In this
embodiment, the
first vacuum insulation panel 310 is disposed adjacent to the first wall 371,
the second
vacuum insulation pane1311 is disposed adjacent to the second wall 372, the
third vacuum
insulation panel 312 is disposed adjacent to the third wall 373, the fourth
vacuum
insulation panel 313 is disposed adjacent to the fourth wall 374, and the
fifth vacuum
insulation panel 314 is disposed adjacent to the rear panel 375, thereby
substantially
encapsulating the vessel 360 and the chamber 361. The cover vacuum panel 315
is
likewise disposed adjacent to the cover 308, such that the vesse1360 and the
chamber 361
are substantially encapsulated when the cover 308 is in a closed position. As
shown in the
previous embodiments, the encapsulation of the vessel 360 and the chamber 361
within
vacuum insulation panels provides increased thermal efficiency within the
chamber 361.
As disclosed in previous embodiments, the vacuum insulation panels 310 through
315 may be adhered to the adjacent walls to eliminate the possibility of the
air gaps
between the components. Additionally, a second layer of insulation 318 may be
placed
over the previously mounted vacuum insulation panels 310 through 315, to
further
increase the thermal properties of the of the vessel 360 and the chamber 361.
As disclosed
in previous embodiments, the second layer of insulation 318 may be comprised
of
additional vacuum insulation panels or an as-formed layer of insulation blown
around the
vessel 360 and the secured vacuum insulation panels 310 through 315.
In operation, the product dispenser 300 stores the product source 305 within
the
chamber 361, a product is dispensed from the product source 305, and mixed
with the
diluent from the diluent flow circuit 353 for delivery exterior to the product
dispenser 300.
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
14
In this specific example, the chamber 361 of the vessel 360 is refrigerated
utilizing any
means suitable, thereby maintaining an environment conducive to storing a
particular
product.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various configurations of
vacuum panel insulation are possible, including sizes of panels, thickness,
number of
layers, type of blowing agent, and the like. Further, the use of as-formed
foams in
conjunction with the vacuum insulation panels provides an increased thermal
efficiency
over the use of foams utilizing non-hydroflorocarbon blowing agents, thereby
providing
the ability to retrofit existing product lines designed with foams that
utilized
1o hydroflorocarbon blowing agents with foams that utilize non-
hydroflorocarbon blowing
agents.
While these embodiments have been shown with a single vessel, it should be
clear
to one skilled in the art that product dispensers that include multiple
vessels of varying
configurations are certainly possible, and therefore, should be construed as
part of this
disclosure.
While the previous embodiment include vacuum insulation panels disposed in
proximity to varying types of vessels of a product dispenser, it should be
clear to one of
ordinary skill in the art that the vacuum insulation panels may further be
utilized in other
locations of product dispensers to provide increased thermal efficiencies to
specific areas
of the product dispenser, including product circuits, cold plates, ice
passages, product
passages, reduced foam thickness areas, and the like. In this disclosure, a
reduced foam
thickness area may be defined as any portion of the product dispenser that
includes less
than normal foam thickness due to design considerations. Illustratively, a
product
dispenser 400 of a similar construction to embodiments including cold plates
is shown in
Figure 5a. In this example, the product dispenser 400 includes a cold plate
402, a wrapper
403, a first vacuum insulation panel 405, a second vacuum insulation panel
406, and a
third vacuum insulation panel 407. The first through third vacuum insulation
panels 405
to 407 may be of a shape complementary to outer edges of the cold plate 402,
such that the
edges of the cold plate 402 are in close proximity to the vacuum insulation
panels 405
through 407.
This embodiment further includes a vessel 401 disposed above the cold plate
402,
a vessel wall 411, and the wrapper 403 disposed around the product dispenser
400. Upon
assembly, the first through third vacuum insulation panels 405 through 407 are
disposed
between the cold plate 402 and the wrapper 403, and a layer of as-formed
insulation 409 is
CA 02690146 2009-12-07
WO 2009/017796 PCT/US2008/009266
disposed in a cavity between the wrapper 403 and the vessel wall 411, and
above the
vacuum insulation panels 405 through 407. As illustrated in Figure 5b, the
cross-section
illustrates that the distance between the cold plate 402 and the wrapper 403
may be less
than the distance between the vessel wall 411 and the wrapper 403, and
therefore a
5 reduced foam thickness area is created when the cavity is filled with an as-
formed foam.
The placement of the vacuum insulation panels 405 through 407 irito the areas
deemed
reduced foam thickness areas, for example, around the cold plate 402,
increases the
thermal efficiency of the cold plate 402, as well as the product dispenser
400.
While this example shows a single layer of vacuum insulation panels disposed
in
1 o proximity to a cold plate 402 to provide increased thermal efficiencies
for the cold plate
402 and the product dispenser 400, one of ordinary skill in the art will
readily recognize
that the same techniques previously disclosed are applicable to reduced foam
thickness
areas, and the like. One of ordinary skill in the art will further recognize
that vacuum
insulation panels and methods disclosed herein may provide increased thermal
efficiencies
15 in other locations. Illustratively, the vacuum insulation panels may
encapsulate product
passages thereby providing increased thermal efficiencies to product disposed
within the
product passages and further reducing the demand on a cooling system of the
product
dispenser.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing
preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only
and, as will
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives,
equivalents, and
variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present
invention. That
scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing
detailed
description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.
