Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PRESSURIZED BEVERAGE DISPENSER
FIELD
The present technology is a system for urging at least one beverage from a
conformable
package to a delivery tube for a spigot. More specifically, it is wine
dispensing system
that is pressurized by water.
BACKGROUND
Wineries and wine bars are starting to use bags of wine rather than bottles,
as the bagged
wine has a longer shelf life and the bags reduce waste. In some cases, the
wine bags
are housed in boxes and the wine is dispensed by gravity feed. In
establishments that
want to show their product offering, bars with numerous spigots are used, much
the way
a beer offering is displayed. The spigots are attached to tubing which leads
to the bagged
wine. Gas pressure is used to urge the wine to flow when a spigot is opened.
Examples
of such systems include Micro Matic0 and Torr Industry dispensers. Gas has a
lower
thermal conductivity than liquid, hence more energy is required to cool the
potable liquid,
as needed. The use of pressurized gas also requires either a cannister of
pressurized
gas, which is not energy efficient, is costly and needs to be changed on a
regular basis,
or a compressor to pressurize the gas, again which is not energy efficient.
The heat of
compression of a gas is greater than the heat of compression of a liquid,
hence more
energy is required in order to cool the gas and the potable liquid to be fed.
Examples of prior art systems include Micro Matic
https://www.micromatic.com/retail-
store/wine-on-tap which discloses a wine dispensing system that uses
compressed gas
to pressurize a cannister in which bagged wine is housed. The wine flows
through tubing
to an ice bath under pressure from the compressed gas in the cannister and
then to a
spigot. Alternatively, the cannister is housed in a refrigerator and flows
directly to the
spigot. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
Torr Industries https://torrindustries.com/dispensing-systems/slimtap-beverage-
delivery
discloses a wine dispensing system that uses compressed gas to pressurize a
cannister
in which bagged wine is housed. The wine flows through tubing under pressure
from the
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compressed gas in the cannister and then to a spigot. The cannister can be
stored in a
refrigerator. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent Application 20080093384 discloses a portable beverage
dispenser
includes a portable ice chest, a dispensing valve device, a pressurization
system, and a
line system. The line system couples one or more beverage containers in the
ice chest to
the pressurization system through one or more gas lines, and couples the
beverage
containers to the dispensing valve device through one or more beverage lines.
Actuating
the dispensing valve device opens a valve and allows the beverage to flow into
a cup
under force of the pressurization system. A retractor, such as a spring-loaded
reel, can
also be included to facilitate keeping the dispensing valve device close to
the ice chest
when not in use. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent 7,762,429 discloses a portable water cooler is designed
to accept
the placement of bagged fluid therein, leading to the connection of the bag of
fluid to a
fluid flow pathway, thereby allowing the fluid to be dispensed in a manner
such that the
fluid is segregated from the internal surfaces of the cooler. The portable
water cooler
generally includes an internal spike and external spigot through which fluid
may flow.
Systems and methods for dispensing bagged fluid from such a cooler, including
various
multi-bag systems and methods allowing for improved thermal control of fluids
being
dispensed, as well as increased selection of fluids dispensed from the same
portable
water cooler provide a high level of convenience. Gravity is used to dispense
the bagged
fluid, hence flow rates are low and the bagged fluid must be above the glass
receiving the
bagged fluid.
WO 2008005564A3 discloses that a system for dispensing a liquid beverage
comprises
a pressure sealed chamber having an interior environment, a compressible
container
containing the liquid beverage, the compressible container disposed inside of
the sealed
chamber, wherein the compressible container isolates the liquid beverage from
the sealed
chamber interior environment, an outlet for dispensing the liquid beverage in
the
compressible container, a gas source providing gaseous pressure in the sealed
chamber,
the gaseous pressure exerting force on an exterior surface of the compressible
container,
a pressure sensor disposed within the sealed chamber interior environment, and
an
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electronic controller controlling the gas source based on input from the
pressure sensor.
This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent 8,424,723 discloses a system and method for dispensing
fluids. A
preferred embodiment comprises a sealed tank, a bag containing fluid inside
the sealed
tank, an outlet for dispensing the liquid in the bag, and a pressure
generating device to
create pressure in the sealed tank. This dispenser requires a source of
pressurized gas.
United States Patent 4921135 discloses countertop pressurized beverage system
that
includes an outer housing, and an inner flexible Mylar bag containing a
potable liquid,
such as beer or a carbonated beverage, requiring pressurization. A closed
plastic
container capable of withstanding substantial pressure encloses the flexible
bag and is
mounted with the housing. A compressor supplies air to the closed plastic
container at a
pre-set level, in order to maintain carbonation in the potable liquid. A
thermoelectric
cooling unit is mounted on the bottom of the countertop unit to provide
cooling, to a plate
which is mounted in thermally conductive proximity below the closed plastic
housing at
the bottom thereof where the flexible bag rests against the bottom of the
plastic container.
A cap makes threaded engagement with mating threads on a wide mouth opening on
the
closed plastic container; and the cap has an inwardly extending central tube
around which
the mouth of the flexible bag is secured. A closure plug is threaded at the
center of the
cap, and a spigot assembly may be screwed into the closure cap and perforates
the inner
wall thereof, so that fluid may be dispensed from the flexible bag through the
spigot. A
spigot may be screwed into the center of the cap, thereby avoiding the need
for a closure
plug. Means other than perforation may be used by the spigot assembly to
disengage the
closure plug. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas.
United States Patent 3435990 discloses beverage dispensers, and in particular
to
dispensers intended for use with pre-packaged liquid beverages. In its
principal aspects
it includes a dispenser for home use and a system of operation by which it may
be
periodically refilled with disposable containers of fresh beverage liquid.
Gravity is used
directly and indirectly, through the weight of another bag on top of the bag
being emptied,
to dispense the bagged fluid.
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United States Patent Application 20110248035 discloses a bag-in-container
having an
inner layer forming a bag filled with a fluid, the bag being separable from an
outer layer
forming the container. The bag-in-container has a mouth fluidly connecting the
volume
defined by the bag to the atmosphere and separated therefrom by a seal. The
container
further having at least one space vent fluidly connecting the space between
inner and
outer layers and to the atmosphere. A vent provides a closure to control the
gas flow
between the space and the atmosphere. The space contains an amount of gas
(Vs,i) at
a pressure (Pi) insufficient to compress the bag to drive out more than 80% of
the fluid
contained therein. This dispenser requires a source of pressurized gas or air.
United States Patent Application 20160263601 discloses a liquid evacuation
system for
removing under controlled conditions a liquid, such as wine, juices, chemical
products
such as detergents, from a flexible pouch using a mechanical pumping
mechanism, such
as a piston pump or a diaphragm pump, attached to the pouch wherein when the
mechanical pumping mechanism is activated for the removal of liquid from the
pouch; the
liquid is removed from the pouch and a container is filled under controlled
conditions;
thereby avoiding air entrainment and the mechanical pumping mechanism is
deactivated
stopping the flow of liquid from the pouch. This dispenser requires a
mechanical pump
to directly urge the liquid from the pouch.
What is needed is a low energy potable liquid dispenser that relies on water
to provide
the pressure for urging the potable liquid from a pliable, compressible
container to a spigot
via tubing. It would be preferable if the potable liquid dispenser included a
drawer with a
large opening through which the pliable, compressible container could easily
be loaded.
It would be further preferable if bags of a range of sizes, for example,
larger than 20 Liters
could be loaded. It would be further preferable if the drawer included a
waterproof seal.
It would be further preferably if the seal was also a pressure seal. It would
be further
preferable if the potable liquid dispenser included a temperature control and
a pressure
control.
SUMMARY
The present technology is a low energy potable liquid dispenser that relies on
water to
provide the pressure for urging the potable liquid from a pliable,
compressible container
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to a spigot via tubing. The potable liquid dispenser includes a drawer with a
large opening
through which the pliable, compressible container can easily be loaded. Bags
of a range
of sizes, for example, 3 liters up to larger than 20 liters can be loaded. The
drawer
includes a waterproof seal. The seal is also a pressure seal. The potable
liquid dispenser
includes a temperature control and a pressure control.
In one embodiment, a hydraulic system for dispensing a liquid is provided, the
hydraulic
system comprising: a source of hydraulic fluid; a liquid-tight container; an
intake line
attached to and extending between the source of hydraulic fluid and the liquid-
tight
container; a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the intake line; a
pressure
regulating device in fluid communication with the intake line and an ambient
environment;
wherein the liquid-tight container includes a body that defines a tank which
includes an
opening with a top therearound, at least one liquid outlet in a wall of the
body, a lid which
is attached to the body and covers the opening in the tank, and a liquid-tight
seal between
the lid and the top.
In the hydraulic system, the liquid-tight seal may comprise a gasket on an
underside of
the lid and a lip on the top which mates with the gasket.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a cabinet, the cabinet housing the
liquid-tight
container.
In the hydraulic system, the liquid-tight container may be a drawer in the
cabinet.
In the hydraulic system, the cabinet may include upper and lower rollers which
are
disposed above and below the drawer.
In the hydraulic system, the rollers and cabinet may be configured to exert
pressure on
the lid when the lid is in the closed position.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a temperature controller in fluid
communication with the intake line.
In the hydraulic system, the source of hydraulic fluid may be tap water.
In the hydraulic system, the source of hydraulic fluid may be a reservoir and
the intake
line is a loop.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12
The hydraulic system may further comprise a solenoid valve in fluid
communication with
the loop.
In the hydraulic system, the reservoir, the loop, the pressure sensor, the
back-pressure
valve, the temperature controller and the solenoid valve may be housed in the
cabinet.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a microprocessor in electronic
communication
with the pressure sensor.
The hydraulic system may be configured to maintain a pressure of about 1 pound
per
square inch to about 15 pounds per square inch.
The hydraulic system may further comprise a compressible container which
contains the
liquid, the compressible container housed in the liquid-tight container and in
fluid
communication with the at least one outlet.
In another embodiment, a combination of a drawer and a cabinet for dispensing
a liquid
is provided, the drawer including a body that defines a tank including an
opening with a
top therearound, at least one liquid outlet in a wall of the body extending
into the tank, a
hydraulic fluid inlet in the wall of the body and extending into the tank, a
lid which is
attached to the body and covers the opening of the tank, and a liquid-tight
seal between
the lid and the top, the cabinet comprising a top, a bottom, a front, a back
and sides
extending between the top and the bottom and the front and the back, to define
an interior,
an opening in the front which is continuous with the interior, the interior
and opening
slidably housing the drawer.
In the combination, the liquid-tight seal may comprise a gasket on an
underside of the lid
and a lip on the top which mates with the gasket.
In the combination, the cabinet may include upper and lower rollers which are
disposed
above and below the drawer.
In the combination, the rollers and cabinet may be configured to exert
pressure on the lid
when the lid is in the closed position.
In the combination, the cabinet may house: a temperature controller which is
in fluid
communication with the tank; an intake line, which is in fluid communication
with the inlet;
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a pressure sensor which is in fluid communication with the intake line; and a
back-
pressure valve which is in fluid communication with the intake line.
In the combination, the cabinet may house a second pressure sensor which is in
fluid
communication with the tank.
In another embodiment, a method of dispensing a liquid is provided, the method
comprising:
-selecting a system that includes: a compressible container which contains the
liquid and includes an outlet; tubing which is connected to the outlet at a
first end
and a spigot at a second end; and a liquid tight vessel capable of
withstanding
about 15 pounds per square inch pressure, in which a hydraulic fluid and the
compressible container is housed;
-exerting a hydraulic pressure of about 1 pound per square inch to about 15
pounds
per square inch to the compressible container with the hydraulic fluid in the
liquid
tight container;
the hydraulic pressure urging the liquid through the tubing to the spigot; and
-dispensing the liquid with the spigot.
In the method, the hydraulic pressure may be exerted with a flow of tap water
into the
liquid tight vessel.
In the method, the hydraulic pressure may be exerted by pumping the hydraulic
fluid with
a pump into the liquid tight vessel.
FIGURES
Figure 1 is a schematic of the system of the present technology.
Figure 2 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of Figure 1.
Figure 3A is a schematic of the operating system of Figure 2 for heating or
chilling; and
Figure 3B is a schematic of the operating system of Figure 2 for chilling
only.
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Figure 4A is a perspective view of the cabinet and drawer in the closed
position; Figure
4B is a side view of the cabinet and drawer; and Figure 4C is a perspective
view of the
drawer in the open position.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the drawer in the open position.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the drawer in the open position.
Figure 7 is a back view of the cabinet frame and drawer.
Figure 8 is a schematic of the cabinet of the alternative embodiment of Figure
2.
Figure 9 is a schematic of the flow of the liquid in the embodiment of Figure
2.
Figure 10A is a schematic of the flow of water during normal operating mode of
the system
of Figure 3A; and Figure 10B is a schematic of the flow of water during a bag
replacement
mode.
Figure 11A is a schematic of the flow of water during normal operating mode of
the system
of Figure 3B; and Figure 11B is a schematic of the flow of water during a bag
replacement
mode.
Figure 12A is a perspective view schematic of the sprayer system for water in
the tank;
and Figure 12B is a perspective schematic of the drain system for water in the
tank.
Figure 13 is a perspective sectional view of the drawer of the present
technology.
DESCRIPTION
Except as otherwise expressly provided, the following rules of interpretation
apply to this
specification (written description and claims): (a) all words used herein
shall be construed
to be of such gender or number (singular or plural) as the circumstances
require; (b) the
singular terms "a", "an", and "the", as used in the specification and the
appended claims
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c)
the antecedent
term "about" applied to a recited range or value denotes an approximation
within the
deviation in the range or value known or expected in the art from the
measurements
method; (d) the words "herein", "hereby", "hereof", "hereto", "hereinbefore",
and
"hereinafter", and words of similar import, refer to this specification in its
entirety and not
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to any particular paragraph, claim or other subdivision, unless otherwise
specified; (e)
descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect
the meaning
or construction of any part of the specification; and (f) "or" and "any" are
not exclusive
and "include" and "including" are not limiting. Further, the terms
"comprising," "having,"
"including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e.,
meaning
"including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a
shorthand method
of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise
indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the
specification as if it
were individually recited herein. Where a specific range of values is
provided, it is
understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower
limit unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of
that range
and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is included
therein. All
smaller sub ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these
smaller ranges
are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the
stated range.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
Although
any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can
also be
used, the acceptable methods and materials are now described.
Definition:
Pressure regulating device ¨ in the context of the present technology, a
pressure
regulating device is a regulator or a back-pressure valve.
Detailed description:
A liquid dispensing system, generally referred to as 10 is shown in Figure 1.
The liquid
may be a potable liquid, or for example, but not limited to, wine, non-
alcoholic beverage
or a liquid medicament. The system 10 has a source of tap water 12, a
watertight
container 14 and a water line 16 leading from the source of tap water 12 to
the watertight
container 14. A first pressure sensor 18 is either inline or is on a parallel
line. The
operating pressure is kept at or below about 15 pounds per square inch (psi).
A pressure
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regulating device 22 ensures that the pressure doesn't exceed the threshold.
It is a
normally closed valve and leads to the ambient environment or optionally to a
bleed line
24. The first pressure sensor 18 is in mechanical communication with the back-
pressure
valve 22. A temperature controller 26, which may be a heater-cooler unit is
inline. A
second pressure sensor 28 is located on the watertight container 14 and
measures the
water pressure within the watertight container 14. A water tap 30 may be
inline and
located close to the inlet 32 of the watertight container 14.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the system generally referred
to as 38,
has a reservoir 40 which stores the water coming from the source of water 12.
The
reservoir 40 has a vent 42 to the ambient environment. It is part of a loop.
The water line
44 leading to the watertight container 14 has a solenoid valve 48 inline to
control the water
flow. It is normally closed and is under control of a microprocessor 50. A
back-pressure
valve 52 is on a parallel line 54. A first pressure sensor 58 is in electronic
communication
with the microprocessor 50. The heater-cooler unit 60 is inline and has a
temperature
controller 62 which is in electronic communication with the microprocessor 50.
The
location as shown in Figure 2 is not specific, as would be known to one
skilled in the art.
A pump 70 is inline and is downstream from the reservoir 40. The pump may be a
peristaltic pump or a centrifugal pump or the like. An optional filter 72 is
inline. A second
pressure sensor or indicator 74 may be on the watertight container 46.
In an alternative embodiment of the loop system 38, the liquid that urges the
liquid and
controls the temperature of the liquid need not be water and can be any
suitable liquid,
for example, but not limited to saline or other hydraulic fluid that has a low
heat of
compression and a high thermal conductivity as compared to air. For example,
it would
be preferable if the thermal conductivity was at least 25 times higher than
air and the heat
of compression was at least as low as that of water.
An alternative embodiment is shown in Figures 3A and B. Figure 3A is for red
wine and
Figure 3B is for white wine, with one being in one drawer and the other being
in another
drawer of the same cabinet. The two are separate units except for the fact
that they share
a heat exchanger 82. In the red wine system (Figure 3A [65 degrees F]), a
source of
water 12 is in fluid communication with the reservoir 40, which has a vent 42
to the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12
atmosphere. A heater 61 is in the reservoir 40 or is inline proximate the
reservoir 42. It
is in communication with the microprocessor 50. A temperature sensor 62 is
inline and is
in communication with the microprocessor 50. A check valve 76 is downstream
from the
heater 61 and is a 5 pounds per square inch (PSI) check valve 76. Continuing
downstream, an ultraviolet filter 78 and a particulate filter 80 are inline.
These are all on
the mainline 81. A first branch 86 is in fluid communication with the first
solenoid valve
48A and the second solenoid valve 48B, which leads back to the reservoir 40. A
second
branch 88 branches from the first branch 86 at the first solenoid valve 48A.
At least one
and preferably two pumps 70 are on the second branch 88. A pressure sensor 58
is
downstream from the pumps 70 and is in communication with the microprocessor
50. At
a third solenoid valve 48C, a third branch 90 branches from second branch and
returns
to the reservoir 40 via the second solenoid valve 48B, rejoining the first
branch 86. The
second branch 88 continues through the third solenoid valve 48C to a fourth
solenoid
branch 48D, through the heat exchanger 82 and to the airtight container 14.
The airtight
container 14 has a vacuum release valve 84. At the fourth solenoid valve 48D,
a chiller
bypass line 92 branches off to bypass the chiller 94. It rejoins the second
branch 88. A
pressure sensor 96 is inline on second branch 88. If the temperature of the
water is too
low, the heater 61 is turned on. If the temperature of the water is too high,
the flow is
through the heat exchanger 82, where cooling is derived from the water from
the white
wine system. All operations are under control of the microprocessor 50.
In an alternative embodiment the heater 61 or the heater-chiller 60 can be
replaced with
a heat exchanger.
In the white wine system 39 (Figure 3B [43 degrees F]), a source of water 12
is in fluid
communication with the reservoir 40, which has a vent 42 to the atmosphere. A
temperature sensor 62 is inline and is in communication with the
microprocessor 50. A
check valve 76 is downstream from the reservoir 40 and is a 5 pounds per
square inch
(PSI) check valve 76. Continuing downstream, an ultraviolet filter 78 and a
particulate
filter 80 are inline. These are all on the mainline 81. A first branch 86 is
in fluid
communication with the first solenoid valve 48A and the second solenoid valve
48B,
which leads back to the reservoir 40. A second branch 88 branches from the
first branch
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86 at the first solenoid valve 48A. At least one and preferably two pumps 70
are on the
second branch 88. A pressure sensor 58 is downstream from the pumps 70 and is
in
communication with the microprocessor 50. At a third solenoid valve 48C, a
third branch
90 branches from second branch and returns to the reservoir 40 via the second
solenoid
valve 48B, rejoining the first branch 86. The second branch 88 continues
through the
third solenoid valve 48C through the heat exchanger 82 and the chiller 94 and
to the
airtight container 14. The airtight container 14 has a vacuum release valve
84. A
pressure sensor 96 is inline on second branch 88. If the temperature of the
water is too
high for white wine, the chiller 94 is turned on. If the temperature of the
water is too low,
the flow is through the heat exchanger 82 where heat is derived from the water
from the
red wine system. All operations are under control of the microprocessor 50.
The watertight container 14 is shown in Figure 4A. It is in a drawer 98 in a
cabinet,
generally referred to as 100. The cabinet 100 has a top 102, sides 104, a
bottom 106, a
front 108 and a back 110 (the back 110 can be seen in Figure 4B) to define an
interior
112 (also in Figure 4B). The cabinet 100 is insulated. The drawer 98 defines a
tank 114.
As shown in Figure 4C, a lid 116 is releasably, and preferably hingedly
attached to the
top 118 of the drawer 98. Returning to Figure 4B,rollers 120 extend between
the sides
104 and are located between the underside 122 of the top 102 and the lid 116
and
between the bottom 106 of the drawer 98 and the upper surface 128 of the
cabinet base,
generally referred to as 130. Removable baffles 124 are located in the drawer
98 to
reduce sloshing of the liquid. The baffles 124 can be removed to accommodate
different
bag sizes. The rollers 120 exert pressure on the lid 116 when in the closed
position. As
shown in Figure 4C, the lid 116 has sides 132 that extend downward from the
top of the
lid 116. The sides 132 fit over the region of the sides 104 and front 108 of
the cabinet
108 that are in the vicinity of the top 118 of the drawer 98.
As shown in Figure 5, a compressible container 150 is located in the tank 114
and is
attached to a first liquid line 152. The liquid line 152 connects with a
spigot, where the
liquid is dispensed, as would be known to one skilled in the art. The
compressible
container 150 is preferably a bag, which can be as small as about 3 liters to
greater than
20 liters. The compressible container 150 is within the liquid which will urge
the liquid
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from the compressible container 150 and will control the temperature of the
liquid. A
drawer pull 154 is located on the front 156 of the drawer 98. This is an
alternative
embodiment in which the reservoir 40 contained in the drawer 98.
As shown in Figure 6, the lid 116 is attached to the top 102 of the drawer 98
with a hinge
158. The underside 162 of the lid 116 has a gasket 164 with a groove 166.
Retainers
168 hold the gasket 164 in the shape of a curved corner rectangle. The top 102
of the
drawer 98 includes a lip 170, which is in the shape of a curved corner
rectangle. In the
closed position, the lip 170 is mated with the groove 166 of the gasket 164.
The pressure
exerted by the rollers 120 ensure that the gasket 164 and lip 170 provide a
watertight seal
that is capable of maintaining a pressure of up to and including about 15 psi.
Extending
between the top 102 of the drawer 98 and the underside 162 of the lid 116 is a
strut 180
for holding the lid 116 in the open position. The reservoir 40 is contained in
the cabinet
100 and is not in the drawer 98.
As shown in Figure 7, multiple second liquid lines 182 are attached to outlets
200 in the
back 202 of the drawer 98. The multiple second liquid lines are preferably in
an
articulating harness. The multiple lines 182 allow for multiple bags of liquid
to be retained
in the drawer 98 and their contents be dispensed at the same temperature. The
water
line 16 terminates at a hose bib 204. The tap 30 is on the hose bib 204.
As shown in Figure 8, the cabinet 100 of the embodiment of Figure 5 houses the
reservoir
40, the solenoid valve 48, the microprocessor 50, the back-pressure valve 52,
the
pressure sensor 58, the temperature controller 62, the at least one pump 70
and the filter
72, in addition to the drawer 98. In another embodiment, the reservoir 40, the
solenoid
valve 48, the microprocessor 50, the back-pressure valve 52, the pressure
sensor 58, the
temperature controller 62, the pump 70 and the filter 72 are remote to the
cabinet 100. In
the preferred embodiment the reservoir 40, the solenoid valve 48, the
microprocessor 50,
the back-pressure valve 52, the pressure sensor 58, the temperature controller
62, the
pump 70 and the filter 72 are housed in the cabinet 100, outside of the drawer
or drawers
98.
As shown in Figure 9, the flow of liquid is from the compressible containers
150 through
spigots 300 to the first liquid lines 152 to outlets 304 on the inner surface
306 of the drawer
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98 to outlets 200 on the back 202 of the drawer 98, to a dispensing centre 308
via second
liquid lines 182, where the liquid is dispensed through spigots 312. The
preferred lines
152, 182 are Tygon0 tubing or food grade tubing, with an inside diameter of
about 3/16
inch to about 1/4 inch to about 1/2 inch, to provide a flow rate that will
fill a glass in about 3
to 5 seconds at a pressure of about 1 psi to about 15 psi. Multiple systems 10
can be
employed so that fluids of different temperatures are dispensed at the
dispensing centre
308.
The flow of water during the normal operating mode of the red wine system is
shown in
Figure 10A. The flow of water in the bag changing mode is shown in Figure 10B.
The flow of water during the normal operating mode of the white wine system is
shown in
Figure 11A. The flow of water in the bag changing mode is shown in Figure 11B.
As shown in Figure 12A, water entering into the tank 114, enters through a
water sprayer
system, generally referred to as 300. The sprayer system 300 is a tube 302
that is
disposed in the tank 114, proximate the top 102. The tube 302 has a plurality
of apertures
304 or spray nozzles, directed inward and downward towards the interior 112 of
the tank
114. As shown in Figure 12B, a drain system, generally referred to as 310 is
located at
the bottom 106 of the tank 114. The drain system 310 includes a plurality of
drain lines
312 that are connected to one another at a drain. The drain lines 312 include
perforations
314 through which the water flows.
As shown in Figure 13, the bags of wine are separated from the drain lines 312
by a
separation plate or grid 316. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid is wine
and the
urging liquid (hydraulic fluid) is water. The cabinet and drawer are stainless
steel.
While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is
presently
considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable
embodiment, it
is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the
disclosed
embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications
and
equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example
embodiment.
Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more
than routine
experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments
specifically
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12
described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope
of the
claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-12
