Patrick B Nelson

US Patent:

6397909, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Nov 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/704875

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141356, 141374, 141263

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. The carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle and the remainder of the system, until immediately prior to opening a valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. Prior to opening valve, the pressure of the carbonated beverage nozzle is reduced to an appropriate dispensing pressure, preferably slightly above atmospheric pressure, by slightly enlarging the nozzle volume.

US Patent:

6530400, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Feb 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/067524

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems International, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141 2, 141263, 141192, 141 18, 141356, 2221466

Abstract:

A carbonated beverage is conveyed from a source to a closed reservoir at a first pressure level. The pressure in the reservoir is controlled by selectively venting gas and adding pressurized gas to the reservoir to maintain the carbonated beverage at a second pressure level that is less than the first pressure level and substantially greater than atmospheric pressure. The carbonated beverage is dispensed from the reservoir into a serving container by reducing the pressure in the reservoir to substantially atmospheric pressure and then opening an outlet valve. During prolonged periods when dispensing is not occurring, the pressure in the reservoir may be increased to prevent degassing of the carbonated beverage. In that case, the reservoir pressure is reduced to the second pressure level before another dispensing operation.

US Patent:

6681594, Jan 27, 2004

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/317257

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems International LLC - Madison WI

International Classification:

F25B 4302

US Classification:

62471, 62389

Abstract:

An apparatus for cooling a fluid, such as a beverage, includes a housing with a closed chamber that forms bath of a refrigerant. A conduit for the beverage is coiled in the chamber and immersed in the refrigerant to transfer heat from the beverage to the refrigerant. The housing chamber is connected to a compressor and condenser of a standard refrigeration system to extract heat from the refrigerant drawn from the chamber and return the refrigerant to the housing. The refrigerant bath forms an efficient mechanism for cooling the beverage as it flows through the apparatus without requiring the beverage to remain stationary for a period of time.

US Patent:

6779685, Aug 24, 2004

Filed:

Dec 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/317258

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems International, LLC - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65B 304

US Classification:

222 1, 222 56, 222 61, 2221291, 222396, 222397, 222399, 2224021, 141356

Abstract:

A carbonated beverage is furnished from a source at a first pressure to a reservoir in which a quantity of the beverage is held a second pressure level that is less than the first pressure and greater than atmospheric pressure. When it is desired to dispense the carbonated beverage into a serving container, the reservoir is vented to the atmosphere so that the beverage is dispensed at substantially atmospheric pressure. The amount of carbonated beverage in the reservoir is sensed and when that amount drops below a first level, carbonated beverage is added from the source while the reservoir is vented to the atmosphere. The venting terminates when the amount of beverage in the reservoir reaches a second level. The beverage continues to flow into the reservoir thereafter for a predefined period of time causing the pressure to increase to the second pressure level.

US Patent:

62307673, May 15, 2001

Filed:

Jan 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/489693

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141264

Abstract:

A system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. Specialized valve configurations and operation techniques are implemented in order to achieve enhanced flow characteristics of the carbonated beverage dispensing into the open container. Preferably, the valve head has a distribution surface in which a portion of the distribution surface near a proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than the portion of the distribution surface that is located towards the distal end of the valve head. With this configuration, the valve head gently redirects the flow trajectory of the carbonated beverage existing the nozzle from a substantially downward trajectory to a more horizontal umbrella like trajectory. It has been found that such a trajectory provides particularly favorable results. In order to maintain a symmetrical umbrella flow pattern, a hub is provided within the flow nozzle to support and align that valve stem.

US Patent:

62761501, Aug 21, 2001

Filed:

Jan 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/489694

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

F25D 1700
F25B 1400

US Classification:

62177

Abstract:

A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container precisely controls the temperature of the carbonated beverages using an in-line zero. DELTA. T chiller. The chiller preferably includes a flooded freon-bath heat exchanger in which an output temperature of the carbonated beverage from the heat exchanger matches the temperature of freon within the heat exchanger under normal operating conditions. A pressure sensor measures the pressure of freon in the heat exchanger and a freon valve in the refrigeration circuit is electronically controlled in order to adjust the pressure of the freon and consequently the temperature of the freon in the heat exchanger. The optimum temperature for the carbonated beverage is selected either by choice, or in the case of carbonated beverages on ice to approximately the surface temperature of the ice in order to reduce foaming.

US Patent:

62342223, May 22, 2001

Filed:

Jan 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/489691

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141264

Abstract:

An automated open container holder automatically raises and lowers an open container in a carbonated beverage dispensing system. The holder is preferably a cantilevered horizontal platform which is driven vertically relative to an outlet port of a dispensing nozzle via an electronically controlled actuator during the dispensing cycle. The dispensing nozzle is designed to bottom fill the open container, and it is desirable that the outlet port of the nozzle be located proximate to a bottom of the open container at least until the outlet port is submerged. The container holder as well as the open container are selectively positioned in accordance with a preselected pouring profile such that for a given dispensing temperature, pressure and flow profile, the container holder selectively positions the open container. This allows the vendor or supplier to program a preferred or several preferred presentations for the beverage depending on the timing of preselected turbulence during the pour. It also allows for the automated optimum positioning of the open container for ice dispensing and pouring efficiency.

US Patent:

62376527, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Jan 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/489695

Inventors:

Patrick L. Nelson - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Dispensing Systems, Inc. - Madison WI

International Classification:

B65B 104

US Classification:

141263

Abstract:

A pressurized system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. The carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle and the remainder of the system, until immediately prior to opening a valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. Prior to opening valve, the pressure of the carbonated beverage nozzle is reduced to an appropriate dispensing pressure, preferably slightly above atmospheric pressure. The system also precisely controls the temperature of the carbonated beverage, preferably using an in-line zero. DELTA. T chiller. In addition, specialized valve configurations and operation techniques, as well as container positioning techniques, are implemented in order to achieve a desired presentation of the carbonated beverage in the open container.