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.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container precisely controls the temperature of the carbonated beverages using an in-line zero&Dgr;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.

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&Dgr;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.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverage and ice 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 in order to dispense the carbonated beverage. Preferably, the carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle until immediately prior to opening the valve in order to maintain appropriate carbonation of the beverage. It is preferred that ice be added after the nozzle is located proximate the bottom of the open container. The ice dispenser includes a funnel located concentrically around the nozzle in order to supply ice around the nozzle into the open container. In order to avoid excessive foaming, it is important that the temperature of the carbonated beverage be chilled to approximately the surface temperature of the ice being added into the open container.

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.

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.