US3665722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making a partially frozen beverage
Assignee: Cornelius Co
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Filing: 1970-09-29
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1990-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus by which liquid stored in a storage chamber passes through a filling line to a freezing chamber from which it is dispensed. The liquid in the storage chamber is continuously circulated by a circulation pump to withdraw liquid therefrom and to return it through a standpipe having a restricted outlet. When the temperature in the storage chamber increases to a predetermined point, such temperature is sensed to cause a valve to open in a return line that leads from the freezing chamber to the storage chamber whereby liquid in the storage chamber is partially replaced by refrigerated liquid which may include ice particles from the freezing chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard T Cornelius
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:29
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G9/00; A23G9/04; A23G9/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for refrigerating a liquid and for dispensing it as an edible or potable product, comprising: a. means having a freezing chamber for partially freezing the liquid; b. a dispensing valve connected to said means in communication with said freezing chamber; c. a separate supply vat having a liquid storage chamber; d. a filling line connecting a first point in said storage chamber to a first point in said freezing chamber, and arranged to keep said freezing chamber full of liquid; e. a return line connecting a second point in said freezing chamber to a second point in said storage chamber for returning some refrigerated liquid to said separate supply vat to cool liquid therein; and f. a valve in said return line for blocking liquid return and hence limiting cooling in said supply vat.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A device for refrigerating a liquid and for dispensing it as an edible or potable product, comprising: a. means having a freezing chamber for partially freezing the liquid; b. a dispensing valve connected to said means in communication with said freezing chamber; c. a separate supply vat having a liquid storage chamber; d. a filling line connecting a first point in said storage chamber to a first point in said freezing chamber, and arranged to keep said freezing chamber full of liquid; e. a return line connecting a second point in said freezing chamber to a second point in said storage chamber for returning some refrigerated liquid to said separate supply vat to cool liquid therein; and f. a valve in said return line for blocking liquid return and hence limiting cooling in said supply vat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 1 including a pump having an inlet connected to receive liquid from said first point in said storage chamber and an outlet connected to discharge into said filling line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 2 including a standpipe having a lower end connected to said pump outlet and an upper end disposed to discharge liquid within said storage chamber and to prOvide a back pressure at said pump outlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 3 in which said upper end of said standpipe is partially restricted so that the pressure in said filling line is constant for any level of liquid in said storage chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 4 including means responsive to the temperature of the stored liquid for controlling said valve in said return.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 1 including means responsive to temperature of the stored liquid for controlling said valve in said return line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said valve is a flexible tube arranged to be normally pinched flat at a point intermediate its ends under the control of a solenoid actuator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device according to claim 7 in which said tube is elastomeric.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 3 including a cover on said supply vat, the liquid discharging from said standpipe being so directed as not to engage said cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 3 in which said standpipe is an upward extension of a portion of said filling line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A device according to claim 1 in which said storage chamber is above said freezing chamber for enabling liquid in said storage chamber to apply a head pressure to said freezing chamber, a pump arranged to circulate liquid in said storage chamber and also having its outlet connected to said filling line, and means applying a back pressure to the outlet of said pump which augments said head pressure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 6 including a pump having an inlet connected to receive liquid from said first point in said storage chamber and an outlet connected to discharge into said filling line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 12 including a standpipe having a lower end connected to said pump outlet and an upper end disposed to discharge liquid within said storage chamber and to provide a back pressure at said pump outlet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 12 in which the temperature of the stored liquid is sensed adjacent to the outlet of said pump.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for refrigerating a liquid and for dispensing it as an edible or potable product, comprising: a. partially freezing a quantity of the liquid in a chamber; b. in accordance with demand, dispensing partially frozen product from the chamber; c. providing a storage supply of the unfrozen liquid; d. controlling the temperature of the stored liquid by selectively returning partially frozen product from the chamber to the storage supply of unfrozen liquid to cool it by comingling; and e. separately transferring unfrozen liquid from the storage supply to the chamber to replenish the returned product and any dispensed product.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for refrigerating a liquid and for dispensing it as an edible or potable product, comprising: a. partially freezing a quantity of the liquid in a chamber; b. in accordance with demand, dispensing partially frozen product from the chamber; c. providing a storage supply of the unfrozen liquid; d. controlling the temperature of the stored liquid by selectively returning partially frozen product from the chamber to the storage supply of unfrozen liquid to cool it by comingling; and e. separately transferring unfrozen liquid from the storage supply to the chamber to replenish the returned product and any dispensed product.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 15 including the step of continually hydrostatically pressurizing the chamber through a recirculated portion of the storage supply.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 16 including the step of maintaining the hydrostatic pressurizing of the chamber at a constant pressure for any level of liquid in the storage supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 17 including sensing the temperature of the stored liquid, and as a function thereof, regulating the returning of partially frozen product to the storage supply.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 15 including sensing the temperature of the stored liquid, and as a function thereof, regulating the returning of partially frozen product to the storage supply.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 15 in which the storage supply is above the chamber so as to apply a head pressure thereto, and continually hydrostatically augmenting said head pressure through a portion of the storage supply that is continually being circulated within the storage supply.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |