TEMPERATURE REGULATION DEVICE

Abstract

A temperature regulation device dispenses a fluid at a unique temperature. The device achieves the unique temperature by blending an ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of the fluid to form a blended temperature of the fluid. The cooled temperature of the fluid is reached by passing a portion of the ambient temperature fluid through a cooling apparatus. The cooled fluid and the ambient fluid can then be blended through a series of valves and choke lines to form the desired blended temperature for the fluid. A plurality of individual fluids can simultaneously pass through the device and have different dispensing temperatures based on adjustments to the blend between ambient temperature fluid and cool temperature fluid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/857,693 entitled “Compact Temperature Controlled Beverage Chiller” filed on 23 Jul. 2013 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a temperature regulation device for regulating temperature of fluids. More particularly, the invention relates to a temperature regulation device that dispenses a fluid at a unique temperature by blending an ambient and cooled temperature of the fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that wine and alcoholic beverages are generally fermented beverages that have enhanced flavors when drank at a specific temperature, such as an ice cold beer, or a white sparkling wine between 43°-43° Fahrenheit.

Typically, wine dispensers are devices designed to serve and preserve wines. Dispensers store stored wines at cool temperatures and oxygen is prevented from entering the bottle when pouring. Wine dispensers vary greatly in use and function, most commonly wine dispensers are used in restaurants and bars to prevent spoilage when selling wine by the glass. The dispenser has the additional benefits of controlling the amount of the pour limiting over pour.

The temperature of the wine or other beverage can be important. Storage is an important consideration for wine that is being kept for long-term aging. While most wine is consumed within 24 hours of purchase, fine wines are often set aside for long-term storage. Wine is one of the few commodities that can improve with age but it can also rapidly deteriorate if kept in inadequate conditions, including temperature.

It is known that wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine. The temperature that a wine is served at can greatly affect the way it tastes and smells. Lower temperatures will emphasize acidity and tannins while muting the aromatics. Higher temperatures will minimize acidity and tannins while increasing the aromatics.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary temperature regulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary ambient fluid intake portion, a cooled fluid intake portion, and a cooling intake portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary ambient valve control portion and an exemplary cooled valve control portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary temperature regulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate views of an exemplary beverage dispensing systems known in the art, where FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary beer dispenser, FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary bag in box wine distribution system, and FIG. 5C illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary keg distribution system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of fluid temperature regulation devices that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, a temperature regulation device may be configured to dispense a fluid at a unique temperature by blending an ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of the fluid to form a blended temperature of the fluid. The cooled temperature may be reached by passing a portion of the ambient temperature fluid through a cooling apparatus. The cooled fluid and the ambient fluid can then be blended through a series of valves and choke lines to form the desired blended temperature for the fluid.

In some embodiments, a plurality of valves may regulate the flow and distribution of the fluid through the cooling apparatus, and selectively blend the ambient fluid with the cooled fluid to reach a desired unique temperature for dispensing. In one embodiment, the device may dispense a plurality of fluids at a blended temperature that is different for each fluid, with each fluid passing through the same cooling apparatus and then blending with the respective ambient temperature fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid may include, without limitation, a beverage, a wine, a beer, a soda, a juice, and oil.

In some embodiments, the device may utilize a plurality of lines to carry the fluid through the device for dispensing at the blended temperature. An ambient fluid line carries at least a portion of the fluid to a dispensing line, maintaining the fluid at an ambient temperature. A cooled fluid line carries at least a portion of the fluid through a cooling apparatus, cooling the fluid to a cool temperature that is lower than the ambient temperature. The cooling apparatus may include a cooling intake portion and a cooling output portion that circulate a cooling composition, such as glycol, through the cooling apparatus.

In some embodiments, a junction may divert the cooled fluid line from the ambient fluid line, and to the cooling apparatus. An ambient fluid valve may regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through the ambient fluid line. A cooled fluid valve may regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through the cooled fluid line. Each valve regulates the respective flow independently to blend the ambient fluid with the cooled fluid to the desired unique temperature for dispensing through a dispensing line. In one embodiment, the device may dispense a plurality of beverages at different, blended temperatures through a plurality of dispensing lines. In another embodiment, the device may be small, portable, and configured to easily retrofit onto a standard beverage dispensing system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary temperature regulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, a temperature regulation device 100 may be configured to dispense a fluid at a unique temperature by blending an ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of the fluid to form a blended temperature for the fluid. The blended temperature represents an optimal temperature for the specific fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid may include, without limitation, a beverage, a wine, a beer, a soda, a juice, oil, and pre mixed cocktails Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the temperature that a wine is served at can greatly affect the way it tastes and smells. Lower temperatures will emphasize acidity and tannins while muting the aromatics. Higher temperatures will minimize acidity and tannins while increasing the aromatics. For example, without limitation, the device may simultaneously dispense a white wine at 44° Fahrenheit, a Rose wine at 48° Fahrenheit, and a red wine at 58° Fahrenheit.

The ambient temperature fluid is received from a fluid storage and passes through the device. A portion of the ambient temperature fluid may be diverted to a cooling apparatus in the device that lowers the temperature of the fluid. In one embodiment, the device may dispense a plurality of fluids at a unique temperature for each fluid, with each fluid passing through the same cooling apparatus. In another embodiment, the cooling apparatus lowers the temperature to about 40° Fahrenheit. The blending of the ambient temperature fluid and the cooled temperature fluid may occur while the fluid is flowing, and cease when fluid flow is not required. This creates a passive device that helps conserve energy when not in use.

In some embodiments, the device may utilize a plurality of lines to carry the fluid through the device for dispensing at the unique blended temperature. An ambient fluid line 102 carries at least a portion of the fluid through the device before blending with the cooled temperature fluid and finally dispensing through a dispensing line 108. The ambient fluid line passes through the device so as to maintain the fluid at an ambient temperature. In one embodiment, the ambient fluid line may include a ⅜″ stainless steel pipe. In some practical embodiment the fluid can be pumped or pushed through the line using mechanical pumps, pressurized gas or gravity.

In some embodiments, a cooled fluid line carries at least a portion of the fluid from the ambient fluid line through a cooling apparatus for purposes of cooling the fluid to a cool temperature that is lower than the ambient temperature. In one embodiment, the cooled fluid line may include a ⅜″ stainless steel pipe. In some embodiments, the ambient fluid line may comprise a first junction forms a T that directs the cooled fluid line towards the cooling apparatus for cooling the fluid, and directs the ambient fluid line to pass through the device while maintaining the ambient temperature. In some embodiments, a second junction may join the ambient fluid line with the cooled fluid line after the fluid has passed through the cooling apparatus. From the second junction, the blended temperature fluid may dispense through the dispensing line.

In some embodiments, the cooling apparatus serves to cool the ambient fluid flowing through the cooled fluid line to a preset temperature. The cooling apparatus may include a chiller that cools the ambient fluid with a glycol refrigeration system; thereby cooling the fluid to a cool temperature that is lower than the ambient temperature. In one embodiment, the cooling apparatus is primarily mechanical, having no electrical components. In this manner, the cooling apparatus may be retrofit onto existing cooling systems, such as those found in beer dispensing systems. Further, the cooling apparatus may be small and produce little heat, if any. In other embodiment ice water pumped from a chest cooler or similar vessel may be used as a coolant in place of glycol.

The cooling apparatus may include a cooling intake line 104 and a cooling output line 106 that circulate a cooling composition, such as propylene glycol, through the cooling apparatus. In some embodiments, the cooling composition arrives at a temperature below freezing. In yet another embodiment, the cooled fluid line passes through a series of propylene glycol filled coiled tubes in the cooling apparatus. However, the cooling composition may further include, without limitation, liquid coolant, ice water, Freon, and ice.

In some embodiments, a plurality of valves may regulate the flow and distribution of the fluid through the cooling apparatus. The valves may also selectively blend the ambient temperature fluid with the cooled temperature fluid to reach a desired blended temperature fluid for dispensing. The valves may include a solenoid actuated valve having a temperature sensor to regulate the flow of the fluid based on preset temperatures. An ambient fluid valve may regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through the ambient fluid line, and a cooled fluid valve may regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through the cooled fluid line. Each valve regulates the respective flow independently to blend the ambient fluid with the cooled fluid to the desired unique temperature for dispensing through a dispensing line. In other embodiments, the flow and/or blending may be controlled by spring actuation and/or electronic pressure control devices instead of valves.

In some embodiments, an ambient control portion 112 and a cooled control portion 114 may be configured to control the flow of the ambient and cooled fluid through the respective valve. The ambient control portion and the cooled control portion may include screws or knobs that are accessible from outside the device, and that control a respective valve or choke line. In one embodiment, the device may dispense a plurality of beverages at different, unique temperatures through a plurality of dispensing lines. In another embodiment, the device may be small, portable, and configured to easily retrofit onto a standard beverage dispensing system. In this manner, the fluid may be stored at a distance from the device at an ambient temperature without requiring chilling or cooling prior to dispensing from the device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary ambient fluid intake portion, a cooled fluid intake portion, and a cooling intake portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the device may receive the fluid and the cooling composition through a plurality of lines. The fluid may enter the device from a fluid storage through tubes. The fluid may reach the device at an ambient temperature. The cooling apparatus cools the fluid to a cooled temperature, and then blends the ambient and the cooled temperatures of the fluids to achieve a desired blended temperature. The cooling composition circulates through the cooling apparatus, entering through the cooling intake line, and exiting through the cooling output line.

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary ambient valve control portion and an exemplary cooled valve control portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, an ambient control portion and a cooled control portion may be configured to control the flow of the ambient and cooled fluid through the respective valve. The ambient control portion is labeled with a “W”, and the cooled control portion is labeled with a “C”. In one embodiment, the device may be positioned under a tap bar and connected to a glycol chilling line. The device may enable dispensing up to three wines, with each wine set at a desired temperature. In many practical applications, the control portion may be configured to have direct effect on flow at the tap; for example, the control portion may be configured to increase or decrease the flow at the tap.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary temperature regulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, a temperature regulation device schematic 400 represents the flow of an ambient fluid through the device. The device may be configured to dispense a fluid after blending an ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of the fluid to form the blended temperature for the fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid may arrive at an ambient intake portion 410 of the device. The ambient intake portion may include an initial entry point on the ambient fluid line. At the ambient intake portion, the fluid may be approximately at an ambient temperature, such as 74° Fahrenheit. An ambient fluid line carries at least a portion of the fluid through the device before blending with the cooled temperature fluid at an ambient output portion 412 of the device.

In some embodiments, a cooled fluid line 414 carries at least a portion of the fluid from the ambient fluid line through a cooling apparatus 420 for purposes of cooling the fluid to a cool temperature that is lower than the ambient temperature. A cooled fluid intake portion 416 receives the fluid at a first junction 402. A cooled fluid output portion 418 discharges the cooled fluid with the ambient fluid at a second junction 404. In some embodiments, an ambient fluid valve 406 may regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through the ambient fluid line, and a cooled fluid valve 408 may regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through the cooled fluid line. Each valve regulates the respective flow independently to blend the ambient fluid with the cooled fluid to the desired unique temperature for dispensing through a dispensing line.

In some embodiments, the cooling apparatus may be configured to cool the ambient fluid flowing through the cooled fluid line to a preset temperature. The cooling apparatus may include a chiller that cools the ambient fluid with a glycol refrigeration system. In one embodiment, the cooling apparatus comprises a heat exchanger having three 3/16″×0.010″ wall stainless steel tube coils. The cooling composition of glycol passes through the tube coils. A nylon string weave may separate each coil from the other. The coils may extend ½″ beyond compression fittings in a top end cap. The heat exchanger may further include a long ⅜″ glycol inlet tube terminating ½″ from the inside a heat exchanger tube, wherein 1½″ is exposed beyond a top plate assembly. A short ⅜″ glycol outlet tube terminates ½″ inside the top of the heat exchanger. This leaves 1½″ beyond the top assembly. A 4″×12″ long ABS tube serves to house the coil assembly. The heat exchanger may further include two 4″ end caps with one blank bottom end cap and one drilled and threaded end cap to accommodate compression fittings on top. Six 3/16″ threaded compression fittings are used for product tubing through the cap. Two ⅜″ threaded compressions are used for the glycol tubing.

In one embodiment, the cooling apparatus comprises a mixer. The mixer includes three 3/16″ barbed T fittings for the first junction for each of the three beverages. An additional three barbed T fittings make up the second junction. A nylon top plate assembly is drilled and threaded to accommodate external lines and choke line components. 3/16″ polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes are used for connecting the T fittings and line choke. Stainless steel clamps may be used as needed. In yet another embodiment, the cooling apparatus is housed in a rigid housing. The housing comprises a brushed stainless steel composition. The housing is drilled and formed to form the approximate dimensions of 5⅝″ width×5⅝″ depth×16″ height. The housing is insulated with a polyurethane spray foam and has a bottom cover of nylon or plastic.

In operation, the device may be initially oriented in a vertical direction and fastened to a dispenser with stainless steel adjustable screws. The cooling intake line and the cooling output line may then joined to the device. The cooling intake line may be joined with a center tube, and the cooling output line joined with an existing tube closest to the edge of the device. Any of the ambient fluid lines may then be attached to the ambient intake portion. The ambient fluid line may include a vinyl, clear line. The fluid may then be attached to an opposite end of the ambient fluid line. A prescreen filter may be attached between the device and the ambient fluid line. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a regular line cleaning may be necessary, even with the filter. The cooled fluid may be adjusted to flow through the chiller by rotating the cooled control portion (“C”), in a first direction. Simultaneously, the ambient fluid may be adjusted to flow through the device by rotating the ambient control portion (“W”), in a first direction. The fluid may be checked at the dispensing line. If too cold, the cooled control portion may be turned clockwise to reduce flow through the cooling apparatus. If too warm, the cooled control portion may be turned further counterclockwise to increase flow through the cooling apparatus.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate views of an exemplary beverage dispensing system known in the art, where FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary beer dispenser, FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary bag in box wine distribution system, and FIG. 5C illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary keg distribution system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, the device overcomes many of the problems found in a beverage dispenser 500 found in the prior art. The device is small, portable, and can retrofit on any beverage dispenser. As referenced in FIG. 5B, a beverage in a box dispenser schematic 502 represents a typical dispenser used for dispensing wines. The beverage in a box dispenser schematic does not blend the beverage at different temperatures, but rather chills each beverage individually and dependent on a beverage chiller 516. The beverage in a box dispenser receives one or more beverages from at least one beverage in a box 506 through at least one beverage intake line 508. The beverages arrive at an ambient temperature. The beverages pass through a temperature control unit 514 where the temperature is regulated for each individual beverage. The beverage chiller circulates a glycol through the temperature control unit for this purpose. After achieving a desired temperature, the beverage flows through at least one beverage output line 510, before being dispensed through at least one dispenser tap 512. In any case, the chiller must be operable whether the beverage is flowing, or not, due to the schematics of the prior art.

As referenced in FIG. 5C, a keg dispenser schematic 504 depicts a typical dispenser used for dispensing beer. The keg dispenser schematic does not blend the beverage at different temperatures, but rather chills each beverage individually and dependent on a beverage chiller 516. The keg dispenser receives one or more beverages from at least one keg 518 through at least one beverage intake line 508. The beverage may be forced through with a gas. The beverages arrive at an ambient temperature. The beverages pass through a temperature control unit 514 where the temperature is regulated for each individual beverage. The beverage chiller circulates a glycol through the temperature control unit for this purpose. After achieving a desired temperature, the beverage flows through at least one beverage output line 510, before being dispensed through at least one dispenser tap 512. In any case, the chiller must be operable whether the beverage is flowing, or not, due to the schematics of the prior art.

In one alternative embodiment, the blending process is automated, such that the temperature sensor in the valves senses the ambient temperature of the fluid and the cooled temperature of the fluid to manipulate the valves and also t o regulate the flow of cooling composition through the cooling apparatus. In another alternative embodiment, the cooling apparatus may be replaced by a heater, whereby the fluid is heated above the ambient temperature before dispensing. In yet another alternative embodiment, the fluid is a chemical, oil, salt water, or toxic composition.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least a portion of the novel method steps and/or system components of the present invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s) possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA), whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subset of the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoing embodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for the benefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the present invention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention may be configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means for and/or steps described that the applications designer will selectively decide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particular implementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction of the USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/or system components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g., without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/or located outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remaining method steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, a locally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typically required to be located/performed in the USA for practical considerations. In client-server architectures, a remotely located server typically generates and transmits required information to a US based client, for use according to the teachings of the present invention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the teachings of the present invention, which aspects of the present invention can or should be located locally and which can or should be located remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the following claim limitations that are construed under 35 USC §112 (6) it is intended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying out the claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented within the jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed or located remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under 35 USC §112 (6).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patent specification, and any material known to those skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6) functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC §112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitly include citations to such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a temperature regulation device for dispensing and regulating the temperature for a beverage by blending multiple temperatures of the beverage according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the temperature regulation device for dispensing and regulating the temperature for a beverage by blending multiple temperatures of the beverage may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the temperature regulation device for dispensing and regulating the temperature for a beverage by blending multiple temperatures of the beverage described in the foregoing were principally directed to a temperature regulation device that is configured to dispense a fluid at a unique temperature by blending an ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of the fluid to form a unique temperature of the fluid. implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to regulation of chemical temperatures in a laboratory by blending multiple temperatures of each chemical, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an ambient fluid line configured to carry a fluid at an ambient temperature;

a cooled fluid line configured to carry a portion of said fluid to a cooling apparatus, said cooling apparatus configured to cool said fluid to a cooled temperature,

an ambient fluid valve configured to regulate flow of said fluid before said cooling apparatus;

a cooled fluid valve configured to regulate flow of said fluid after said cooling apparatus,

wherein said valves regulate flow of said fluid from said ambient fluid line and said cooled fluid line to blend into a fluid having a blended temperature; and

a dispensing line configured to dispense said fluid at said blended temperature.

2. The device of claim 1, in which said fluid comprises a wine.

3. The device of claim 2, in which said device comprises a pump configured to force said fluid to flow.

4. The device of claim 3, in which said device comprises three ambient fluid lines.

5. The device of claim 4, in which said device comprises three cooled fluid lines.

6. The device of claim 5, in which said device comprises three dispensing lines.

7. The device of claim 6, in which said device comprises an ambient intake portion configured to receive said fluid at said ambient temperature, said device further comprising an ambient output portion configured to discharge said fluid at said cooled fluid valve.

8. The device of claim 7, in which said ambient fluid line comprises a first junction configured to join said ambient fluid line with said cooled fluid line before said cooling apparatus.

9. The device of claim 8, in which said ambient fluid line comprises a second junction configured to join said ambient fluid line with said cooled fluid line after said cooling apparatus.

10. The device of claim 9, in which said ambient fluid line comprises a line choke configured to work in conjunction with said ambient fluid valve and said cooled fluid valve to regulate flow of said fluid.

11. The device of claim 10, in which said ambient fluid valve and said cooled fluid valve comprise solenoid actuated valves.

12. The device of claim 11, in which said ambient fluid valve and said cooled fluid valve comprise temperature sensors.

13. The device of claim 12, in which said cooling apparatus comprises a glycol chiller.

14. The device of claim 13, in which said cooling apparatus comprises a cooling intake line and a cooling output line configured to circulate a cooling composition through said cooling apparatus.

15. The device of claim 14, in which said cooling composition comprises propylene glycol.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said dispensing line is disposed to join with a wine tap.

17. The device of claim 16, in which said device comprises brushed stainless steel composition.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said device is disposed to orient vertically relative to a beverage dispenser.

19. A device comprising:

means for orienting a temperature regulation device vertically in relation to a dispenser;

means for joining a cooling intake line to a cooling composition;

means for joining an ambient fluid line to a fluid storage;

means for carrying an ambient fluid through said ambient fluid line;

means for manipulating an ambient control portion;

means for regulating an ambient fluid valve;

means for carrying a portion of said ambient fluid through a cooling apparatus to form a cooled fluid;

means for manipulating a cooled control portion;

means for regulating a cooled fluid valve;

means for blending said cooled fluid with said ambient fluid; and

means for dispensing said blended fluid through a dispensing line.

20. A device consisting of:

an ambient fluid line configured to carry a fluid at an ambient temperature, said fluid comprising a beverage, said ambient fluid line comprising a clear polymer, said ambient fluid line further comprising a first junction configured to join said ambient fluid line with said cooled fluid line before a cooling apparatus, said ambient fluid line comprising a second junction configured to join said ambient fluid line with said cooled fluid line after said cooling apparatus;

a cooled fluid line configured to carry a portion of said fluid to said cooling apparatus, said cooling apparatus configured to cool said fluid to a cooled temperature, said cooling apparatus comprising a chiller, said cooling apparatus configured to carry a cooling composition for cooling said fluid;

an ambient fluid valve configured to regulate flow of said fluid before said cooling apparatus, said ambient fluid valve configured to be solenoid actuated, said ambient fluid valve comprising a first temperature sensor;

a cooled fluid valve configured to regulate flow of said fluid after said cooling apparatus, said cooled fluid valve configured to be solenoid actuated, said cooled fluid valve comprising a second temperature sensor

wherein said valves regulate flow of said fluid from said ambient fluid line and said cooled fluid line to blend into a fluid having a blended temperature; and

a dispensing line configured to dispense said fluid at said blended temperature, said dispensing line comprising a beverage tap.