Method of and apparatus for dispensing a high volumetric flow rate of

Abstract

A method of dispensing includes the steps of carbonating a beverage, storing a supply of the carbonated beverage, conducting the carbonated beverage from the supply and into a circulation loop, circulating the carbonated beverage in a predetermined direction around the loop at a predetermined rate of volumetric flow, selectively dispensing carbonated beverage from the loop at a volumetric rate of flow greater than the circulation flow rate, reversing the direction of flow of carbonated beverage in the return part of the loop during the dispensing, and conducting carbonated beverage from the supply to the dispensing outlet in both the predetermined and reverse direction while cooling both the predetermined direction and reverse direction of flows; apparatus for dispensing includes a carbonator, a storage receptacle for carbonated beverage, a carbonated beverage circulation loop conduit having a pump, a delivery line, a return line, and one or more dispensing valves; a beverage supply conduit connects the storage receptacle to the return line and a beverage supply connector conduit connects the return line to the delivery line, a check valve in the connector conduit precludes beverage flow from the delivery line to the return line, and both of the delivery and return lines having cooling coils in a common heat sink.