Beverage dispenser

Abstract

Apparatus for storing water, especially purified water, for use in a beverage dispenser is provided with a microbiological agent to kill or deter microbiological growth and maintain the quality of the water. The agent is provided in a physical form to promote contact with the water and may be renewable to maintain effectiveness of the agent over a period of time. In one arrangement, the agent is contained in a cartridge 92 arranged in a re-circulation loop 89 through which the water in a reservoir 80 is passed and returned to the reservoir 80. The cartridge 92 and/or a carrier for the agent within the cartridge 92 may be replaceable to renew the agent. The agent may also be provided within the reservoir 80 and various arrangements for this are also disclosed.

1 . A beverage dispenser comprising:
 a water tank having a water inlet and a separate water outlet;   a microbiological agent comprising a biocide, a biostatic agent, or combination thereof;   a circulation means within or attached to the water tank, which circulation means comprises a recirculation loop; and   a source of a beverage component for mixing with water flowing from the water tank,   wherein the microbiological agent is disposed in the water tank and the circulation means is configured such that both water that flows into the water tank through the water inlet and water that flows into the water tank from the recirculation loop contact the microbiological agent before flowing out of the water outlet or before mixing with the beverage component.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the water tank comprises walls, which are formed of material in which the microbiological agent is present or onto which it is coated, and the circulation means further comprises an agitator provided in the water tank to promote increased contact between the walls and water therein. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the water tank comprises walls, which are formed of material in which the microbiological agent is present or onto which it is coated. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the recirculation loop includes a treatment station containing further microbiological agent. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the station includes a labyrinth to further increase contact time between the microbiological agent and the liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the microbiological agent is present in the water tank in or on a carrier, which carrier is in open-cell foam, fiber, or granular form having a surface area for contact with the liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the microbiological agent is incorporated in a plastics composition. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the tank is unvented and contains a collapsible membrane as a barrier to atmosphere. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the open-cell foam, fibers or granules are in the form of a layer through which the water must pass on its travel from the inlet to the outlet of the water tank. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 9 , wherein the layer is attached to the walls of the water tank. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the microbiological agent comprises a foam material used in a compressed state. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the recirculation loop includes a treatment station containing further microbiological agent. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the microbiological agent is renewable. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the microbiological agent is provided by a replaceable support medium. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage component is a beverage concentrate or carbonation. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the beverage component is selected from the group consisting of flavoring agents, coloring agents, and sweeteners. 
     
     
         17 . A method of dispensing a beverage from a post-mix beverage dispenser comprising:
 flowing water into a water tank of the post-mix beverage dispenser through a water inlet in the water tank;   recirculating the water in the water tank through a recirculation loop;   contacting the water from the recirculation loop with a microbiological agent to kill or deter microbial growth in the water to form treated water; and   mixing the treated water with a beverage component.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising flowing the treated water out of the water tank through a water outlet before mixing the treated water with the beverage component. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising carbonating the water. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the beverage component is selected from the group consisting of flavoring agents, coloring agents, and sweeteners.