Beverage dispenser using slurry ice heat transfer

摘要

A beverage dispenser that uses a slurry ice heat transfer approach to achieve a lower cost solution for controlling the temperature of a beverage to be dispensed. A cost effective heat transfer approach can be achieved by replacing the cold plate or refrigeration system of prior art beverage dispensers with a slurry ice bath. The invention provides a hopper into which a slurry ice bath is created. The hopper has an access door for receiving ice and an interior valve for dispensing either carbonated water or still water to form a slurry ice bath. Coils containing a beverage to be dispensed are submersed in the slurry ice bath. The slurry ice causes heat to transfer from the coils, thereby maintaining the coils at a certain temperature.

主权项

1. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a hopper having an access door, said hopper adapted to contain a slurry ice mixture; a first and second slope each coupled to the hopper by a hinge, the second slope extending beneath the first slope and being rigidly affixed to the access door; a valve opening inside the hopper to dispense a liquid into the hopper; an overflow drain attached to said hopper; beverage coils situated in said hopper, the beverage coils being submersed in the slurry ice mixture.