U.S. patent number 3,863,810 [Application Number 05/404,307] was granted by the patent office on 1975-02-04 for plural sources beverage dispensing apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bar Mates Fluidic Systems, Inc.. Invention is credited to Sigurd A. Hanson.
United States Patent |
3,863,810 |
Hanson |
February 4, 1975 |
PLURAL SOURCES BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS
Abstract
A beveraging dispensing system for mixing and dispensing soft
drink syrup concentrates and mixing soda supplied under pressure to
a hand-held control and dispensing head having a plurality of
mechanically actuated control valves wherein displacement of the
valves is assisted by the pressure and flow of the mixing soda.
Inventors: |
Hanson; Sigurd A. (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Bar Mates Fluidic Systems, Inc.
(Los Angeles, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
23599092 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/404,307 |
Filed: |
October 9, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/129.1;
D7/398; 137/625.18; 137/606; 222/144.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
1/0084 (20130101); B67D 7/74 (20130101); Y10T
137/86558 (20150401); B67D 2210/0006 (20130101); Y10T
137/87684 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
5/56 (20060101); B67D 1/00 (20060101); B67d
005/56 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/129.1-129.4,144.5
;137/625.18,625.4,607,609,637 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Bartuska; Francis J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harris, Kern, Wallen &
Tinsley
Claims
I claim:
1. A soft drink dispensing system comprising:
a plurality of sources of syrup each maintained at a relatively low
pressure;
a source of soda maintained at a relatively high pressure;
a hand-holdable, fully mechanical valve control means having a
plurality of fluid inlets and a fluid dispensing head at a fluid
outlet thereof; and
conduit means connecting said plurality of syrup sources and said
soda source to different inlets of said valve control means;
and
said valve control means including
a housing,
a plurality of normally closed valves in said housing one for each
different syrup source and each including
a valve cavity extending from an outer surface of said housing,
a valve spindle in said cavity with an upper end portion exposed
beyond said outer surface,
upper, intermediate and lower spools on said valve spindle,
a first inlet port into a side of said cavity immediately below
said lower spool,
a second inlet port into a side of said cavity immediately above a
top of said intermediate spool and below said upper spool,
a first outlet port from a side of said cavity above said first
inlet port and below said intermediate spool,
a second outlet port from a side of said cavity below said second
inlet port,
a first seal on an inner wall of said cavity between said first
inlet and outlet ports slidably engaging an outer surface of said
lower spool to block fluid flow between said first inlet and outlet
ports when said valve is in its normally closed position and
releasing from said lower spool as said spindle is moved axially
into said cavity to define an open position for said valve,
a second seal on an inner wall of said cavity between said first
and second outlet ports slidably engaging an outer surface of said
intermediate spool to block fluid flow between said second inlet
and outlet ports and said first outlet port,
a third seal on an inner wall of said cavity between said second
inlet and outlet ports slidably engaging an outer surface of said
intermediate spool to block fluid flow between said second inlet
and outlet ports when said valve is in said closed position and
releasing from said intermediate spool as said valve is moved to
said open position,
a fourth seal on an inner wall of said cavity between said second
inlet and a top of said cavity slidably engaging an outer surface
of said upper spool to block fluid flow from said top of said
cavity, and
spring means for urging said valve spindle away from a bottom of
said cavity to said closed valve position, said spindle being
finger depressible in said cavity to said open valve position,
and
conduit means in said housing connecting said first inlet port to
said fluid inlet connected to said soda source, said second inlet
port to a fluid inlet connected to a syrup source and said first
and second outlet ports to said fluid dispensing head, whereby soda
at said relatively high pressure acts on the lower spool of each
valve to produce an upward force rapidly moving the valve from said
open to closed positions upon a release of its associated valve
spindle and an initial upward movement thereof in response to its
associated spring means.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises a
spring dimensioned for location in said cavity and being of a size
and weight just sufficient to develop a force for initially moving
said spindle away from a bottom of said cavity upon a release of
said valve spindle in said open position.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said spring means includes a coil
spring having coils in slidable engagement around a lower end
portion of said valve spindle and at least one upper coil
nonslidably engaged thereon for retaining said coil spring on said
valve spindle.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the axial length of said lower
spool along said valve spindle is less than the distance across
said first inlet port measured axially along said side of said
cavity.
Description
My invention relates to beverage dispensing systems and more
particularly to carbonated soft drink dispensing systems where the
soft drink is a mixture of a flavored syrup concentrate and
carbonated water both supplied under pressure to a hand-held
dispensing head.
Typically, such systems remotely locate the source of the beverage
ingredients and offer a choice of beverages. Provisions may be made
to select, direct, and control the flow of the selected beverage by
manipulation of a valve control and dispensing means which may be
hand-held.
Since the introduction of multiple beverage dispensers,
electromechanical valve mechanisms have been provided as a means
for controlling the flow of the beverage ingredients. The
mechanisms used have included solenoid armatures acting in direct
axial alignment with a movable valve element and impact type
solenoid valves utilizing intermediate linkages between the
armature of the solenoid and movable portions of the valves. In
theory, these designs have shared the common objectives of
providing a small, lightweight, reliable hand-held valve control
means having a plurality of valves for offering a selectivity of
beverages. In practice, however, these objectives have not been
fully or satisfactorily achieved primarily because of electrical
design problems. For example, because of size constraints,
designers have used electromechanical components of small size and
capable of generating only marginally effective forces for valve
actuation. A marginally sufficient force tends to result in slow
valve actuation speeds which tend to produce beverage dilution
since the high viscosity of the concentrated flavoring syrup
retards its flow through an only partially open valve while the
carbonated mixing soda is a freely flowing fluid through a
similarly only partially open valve. Further since mixing soda is
most often at a higher level of pressurization than the syrups in
order to maintain its carbonation, its rate of flow is typically
much higher than for any corresponding amount of syrup valve
opening which aggravates the problem of maintaining exactness of
proportion between simultaneously dispensed beverage ingredients.
The proportion control, of course, contributes to the palatability
and acceptance of the beverage.
Because of the only marginally effective forces generated by
small-sized electromechanical elements when operated at
conservatively rated current levels, designers have tended toward
reducing the safety margins of allowable current. This has lead to
perhaps the most frequent cause of electromechanical valve control
breakdown or inoperativeness, namely, control switch contact
erosion and solenoid coil burn out. Beyond such problems, it is of
course recognized that electromechanical valve mechanisms for
controling the flow of liquids as in a beverage dispensing system
are fraught with electrical shock hazards for the operators
thereof.
Accordingly, in view of the foregoing problems it is an object of
the present invention to provide a soft drink dispensing system
utilizing a hand-holdable valve control means free of electrically
controlled elements and their attendant problems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a soft
drink dispensing system of the foregoing character wherein the
actuation of a single control valve releases exact amounts of
flavored syrup concentrate and mixing soda by utilizing the
pressure of the mixing soda to assist the operation of the control
valve.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a soft
drink dispensing system of the foregoing character including a
valve control means of simple and rugged construction yet rapid
operation.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a soft
drink dispensing system of the foregoing character wherein the
valve control means includes a plurality of mechanically actuated
valves in a housing, each valve associated with a different source
of syrup and soda under pressure and each valve including a spindle
carrying a plurality of spools for directing the simultaneous flow
of syrup and soda to a dispensing head.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
soft drink dispensing system of the foregoing character wherein the
soda coacts with a lower spool on each spindle to assist in the
rapid closing of the valves upon release from an open
condition.
The foregoing as well as other objects and features of the present
invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the
following detailed description when considered with the drawing,
which, by the way of example only, illustrates one configuration of
a soft drink dispensing system embodying the features of my present
invention.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is an over-all pictorial and diagrammatic view showing the
soft drink dispensing system of my present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectioned view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a partially sectioned internal view taken along the line
3--3 in FIG. 1 showing a valve of my valve control means in its
closed position; and
FIG. 3B is a partially sectioned view similar to FIG. 3A showing a
valve of my valve control means in its open position.
Generally speaking, the illustrated form of my soft drink
dispensing system includes a plurality of beverage syrup sources
such as 10, 12 and 14, a source of carbonated water or soda 16, and
a fully mechanical valve control means 18. The concentrated syrups
in the sources 10, 12 and 14 are maintained at a low pressure
relative to the soda in the soda source 16 and all the sources are
located remote from the valve control means for separate connection
thereto by flexible conduit 20 housed in a hose structure 22. The
valve control means 18 includes a plurality of similar fully
mechanical valve 24 in a lightweight hand-holdable housing 26. The
housing 26 includes a plurality of fluid inlets 28 each connected
to a different conduit 20 and a fluid outlet means 30 connected to
a mixing and dispensing head 32. Each valve, such as 24a in FIGS.
3A and 3B, is associated with a different one of the syrup sources
and the soda source, and with a different push button 34 protruding
from a cover and retaining plate 36 located on top of the housing.
The valve 24 and porting in the housing 26 from the conduits 20 to
the mixing and dispensing head 32 are such that a manual depression
of the push button 34 associated with a valve such as 24a in FIGS.
3A and 3B produces a substantially instantaneous downward movement
of the valve to a fully open position to permit the simultaneous
and full flow of a syrup such as orange concentrate and soda
through the valve control means 18 to the head 32 for dispensing as
orange soda into a glass or cup. Similarly, a manual depression of
the push button 34 associated with another of the valves 24
produces a substantially instantaneous movement of that valve to a
fully open position to permit the simultaneous and full flow of a
different syrup such as cola concentrate, and soda through the
valve control means for dispensing a carbonated cola beverage at
the head 32. In each instance, a release of the valve by removal of
a downward force on the associated button 34 results in an
extremely rapid and automatic return of the valve to its normally
closed position. Such closing of the valves is assisted by coaction
of soda from the soda source 16 with a lower spool 38 carried on a
spindle 40 for each valve. As will be described in greater detail
hereinafter, the pressure assist provided by the soda acting on the
lower spool 38 of each valve allows for a highly compact design of
the valve control means free of electromechanical devices,
mechanical linkages, and/or heavy springs to effect the desired
valve movement with the valve control.
As previously indicated, each of the valves 24 is of a similar
construction and operates in a similar manner. Accordingly, only
the details of the valve 24a will be described hereinafter with
reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, it being understood that a similar
construction and operation is associated with each of the other
valves in the valve control means 18.
In more specific detail, and referring to the drawing, the valve
24a includes a cylindrical valve cavity 42 in the housing 26
receiving a movable valve body 44 comprising the spindle 40
carrying the spool 38 as well as spools 46 and 48. As depicted in
FIGS. 3A and 3B, depression of the valve body 44 from the closed
position in FIG. 3A to the open position in FIG. 3B permits soda
and syrup to simultaneously flow through porting in the housing 26
into the cavity 42 and past the spools to porting leading to the
fluid outlet 30 and dispensing head 32. A release of the valve body
44 results in a rapid and automatic return of the spindle 40 to the
closed position of FIG. 3A to block the flow of syrup and soda.
As illustrated, the valve cavity 42 extends downwardly through an
outer top surface 50 of the valve housing 26. While the cavity 42
may be of a generally uniform diameter it includes a bottommost
portion having a smaller diameter which forms a spring housing or
well 52. In addition four vertically spaced annular grooves 54, 56,
58 and 60 are formed in the side wall of the cavity. The location
and spacing between adjacent grooves divides the cavity 42 into
four distinct zones. A first zone 64 is formed below the
bottom-most groove 54 and includes the aforementioned spring
housing or well 52 and a cavity side wall opening designated as a
first inlet port 66 formed by an intersecting and horizontally
extending passageway 68 for conducting pressurized soda to the
valve cavity from an inlet port 28. A second zone 70 is formed
above the annular groove 54 and below the groove 56 and includes a
side wall opening or first outlet port 72 formed by an intersecting
and horizontally extending passageway 74 for conducting pressurized
soda away from the valve cavity to the oultet 30. A third zone 76
is formed above the groove 56 and below the groove 58 and includes
a side wall opening or second outlet port 78 formed by an
intersecting and horizontally extending passageway 80 for
conducting flavored syrup away from the valve cavity to the outlet
30. A fourth and uppermost zone 82 is formed above the annuler
groove 58 and below the groove 60 and includes a side wall opening
or second inlet port 84 formed by an intersecting and horizontally
extending passageway 86 for conducting flavored syrup to the valve
cavity from an associated inlet port 28. Each of the aforementioned
annular grooves carries an O-ring 62a-d for sealing and thereby
controlling the flow of either syrup and/or soda through the valve
24a relative to the position of the movable valve body 44 in the
cavity 42.
In this regard, in the movable valve body 44 the spools 38, 46 and
48 carried by the spindle 40 are located at lower, intermediate,
and upper positions along the spindle 40. Further, the spools are
dimensioned such that the spool 38 slidably engages and seals
against the O-ring 62a in the groove 54, the spool 46 against the
O-rings in the grooves 56 and 58, and the spool 48 against the
O-ring in the groove 60. In addition, the valve spindle 40 includes
a lower portion 88 below the valve spool 38 carrying a coil spring
90. An upper coil of the spring 90 has a natural diameter less than
the diameter of the lower spindle portion 88, thereby providing a
gripping force for retaining the spring in position on the spindle.
The length of the spring 90 is such that it normally extends
downwardly from the lower portion 88 into the spring well 52 to
engage a bottom thereof (see FIG. 3A). The weight and strength of
the spring 90 are such that the spring is only strong enough when
compressed in the well 52 to start upward movement of the spindle
from the open position of the valve shown in FIG. 3B toward the
closed position shown in FIG. 3A and in the absence of soda at the
inlet 64 to urge the spool 38 into nonsealing contact with the
lower O-ring 62a. In brief, the spring 90 is a small, light weight
spring. The well 52, of course, is sufficiently large to freely
receive the spindle end and spring combination. Only the bottom of
the well serves as a bottom limit for the free or bottom end of the
coil spring. It is not intended that the bottom end of the spindle
extension 88 make contact with the bottom of the well 52 as a means
for limiting the downward displacement of the valve body 44. Such
limitation of downward movement as well as upward movement is
provided by the cap 34 and retainer or cover plate 36.
In that regard, the valve retaining plate 36 is secured on the top
of the valve housing 26 and includes a plurality of circular holes
each having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of
an associated push buttom 34. The holes are formed in a
spaced-apart relationship corresponding to the location of the
valves 24 as shown in FIG. 1. A concentric and circular recess 92
is formed in the bottom surface of the valve retaining plate 36
relative to each push button clearance hole. The recess 92, in
cooperation with the top surface of the valve body serves to
restrict the axial displacement of the push button 34 and, in turn,
the displacement of the valve body 44.
In particular, the push button 34 is essentially a cap for fitting
over the end of the upper spool 48 of the valve body 44. As clearly
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B the push button 34 is of a "hat" shaped
cross section having a lower rim 94 of a larger diameter than the
upper cylindrical portion protruding upwardly above the top surface
96 of the valve retaining plate 36. The push button 34, in
cooperation with the valve retaining plate 36 and the top surface
of the housing, provides a means for limiting the axial translation
of the valve body 44. As shown in FIG. 3A, an upper annular surface
98 of the rim 96 and an annularly shaped surface 100 of the
retaining plate 36 are in contact. With such contact, the valve
body 44 is restricted from further axial displacement in an
upwardly direction thereby defining a closed position of the valve.
The downward displacement of the valve body 44 is similarly limited
by engagement of the rim 88 with the top surface of the valve
housing as shown in FIG. 3B. Here, a lower annular surface 102 of
the rim makes contact with the housing surface.
When considering the valve 24a in its closed position as shown in
FIG. 3A, several conditions relating to the position of the valve
body 44 within the valve cavity 42 are to be noted. The O-ring 62a
carried in the lower groove 54 is in sealing contact with the lower
spool 38 and pressurized soda fills only the inlet passageway 68
and the valve zone 64 immediately below the spool 38. The next
uppermost zone 70, and its associated soda outlet passageway 74 are
empty of pressurized soda. The O-ring 62b carried in groove 56
which defines the upper limit of zone 70 is in sealing contact with
the intermediate spool 46. At this time the syrup outlet passageway
80 and communicating cavity zone 76 are similarly free of
concentrated flavoring syrup due to the sealing of the O-ring 62c
carried in the groove 58 against the spool 46. Pressurized syrup
fills the passageway 86 and zone 82 located immediately above the
intermediate spool 46 and below the upper spool 48. It will be
noted that the O-ring 62d carried in the uppermost groove 60 is in
sealing contact with the uppermost spool 48 thus preventing leakage
of the syrup from the valve cavity. Since pressurized syrup
generates equal forces against the top sloping surface of the
intermediate spool 46 and the bottom sloping surface of spool 48
the pressurization of the syrup does not contribute toward
displacement of the valve body 44.
In order to achieve the full open valve condition as shown in FIG.
3B wherein the valve body 44 is fully displaced downwardly, it is
only necessary to initially overcome the opposing force generated
by the pressure of the soda bearing against the lower sloping
surface of the valve spool 38. In the fully open position the
O-ring 62a is no longer in sealing contact with the lower valve
spool and soda is free to flow from the inlet passageway 68 through
the zone 64 and upwardly into zone 70 and then through the outlet
port 70 and associated passageway 74. It will also be noted, that
when the valve body is displaced in the full open position, sealing
contact between the upper portion of the intermediate spool 46 and
the O-ring 62c is no longer maintained. Pressurized syrup is then
free to enter the upper zone 82 through inlet passageway 86 and
pass downwardly into zone 76 and then into the outlet passageway
80. It is to be noted that in the full open position the
intermediate spool 46 remains in sealed contact with the O-ring 62b
and thereby prevents an intermingling of the syrup and soda within
the valve cavity.
Both outlet passages 74 and 80 conducting soda and syrup
respectively away from the valve cavity terminate at an end of the
housing 26 in a hole pattern formed in the housing as shown in FIG.
2. The center hole is the terminal discharge opening of the
pressurized soda passageway while each of the outlying and smaller
diameter holes are terminal passageway openings for conducting
pressurized syrup. The dispensing head 32 is in sealed contact with
the end of the valve housing and includes the identical pattern of
openings at its inlet surface as shown in FIG. 2. The dispensing
head exit openings may be continued in the same pattern as shown in
FIG. 2 or may be arranged and directed so as to cause a mixing of
the pressurized soda and pressurized flavoring syrup upon exiting
from the dispensing head.
Turning now to the mechanical actuation of any given valve within
my valve control means 18; it has been shown that a simple downward
displacement of a single push button 34 is the only requirement to
change a given valve from a fully closed position to fully open. In
my experience I have found that the pressure of the mixing soda and
diameter of the valve spool 38 may be established so as to require
a maximum downwardly directed force upon the push button 34 of less
than approximately 3 pounds. Additionally, the valve control as I
have provided requires only small displacements of the valve body
44 for transition between its fully closed and fully open
positions. A small displacement of under one-eighth of an inch
accompanied by a relatively high working pressure of mixing soda of
approximately 100 psi and coupled with an elasticity inherent to
the flexible inlet conduit 20, provides an unique "feel" when a
valve body 44 is displaced to either its open or closed position.
Upon opening and just as an upper edge portion 104 of the lower
spool 38 clears contact with its O-ring 62a, the inrush of mixing
soda filling the subcavity zone 70 and its associated exit
passageway 74 causes a partial equalization of pressures between
top surface 106 of the valve spool 38 and its bottom surface 108
causing a sudden reduction in the amount of pressure required to
continue the displacement of the valve body 44 toward its fully
open position. The operator of my valve control then experiences
this sudden reduction in the amount of digitally applied force as a
momentary pulse. Thus, the valve I have provided insures transition
between a fully closed position and fully opened position as a
"snap-type" of action which insures uniform proportion control
between the flavored syrup concentrate and mixing soda. In any
other than an instantaneously opening valve for controlling the
flow of two fluids of dissimilar viscosity, the flow of the fluid
having heavier viscosity necessarily lags the flow of that fluid
with lesser viscosity. As applied to soft drink beverages an
overage of mixing soda, the fluid of less viscosity, directly
affects the palatability of the beverage.
In addition to the "snap-opening" characteristic of the valves of
my valve control means, I have provided a similar characteristic of
the valve upon moving to the fully closed position. In this
instance only a slight relaxation of the push button pressure
displacing the valve body 44 in its fully open position is
required. A momentary pulse, similar in nature to that as just
previously described as accompanying the displacement of the valve
body 44 from fully closed to fully opened position, accompanies the
displacement of the valve body from its fully open to fully closed
position. Upon a slight relaxation of digitally applied pressure to
the push button 34 the coil spring 90 responds by slightly
displacing the valve body 44 upwardly away from the limit stop
provided as part of the push button flange. At a point of upward
displacement approximately between 50 percent open and 50 percent
closed positions, the lower valve spool 38 commences to restrict
flow between the sloping surface 108 and the surface of the O-ring
62a. This restriction of flow has the effect of increasing the
pressure differential in the mixing soda as measured between the
inlet and outlet passageways intersecting the adjacent valve cavity
zones 64 and 70. This increase in differential pressure has the
effect of accelerating the displacement of the valve body 44 toward
its fully closed position due to the higher pressure of the inlet
mixing soda bearing against the lower surface of the spool 38. The
valve body 44, accelerated by the pressure of the mixing soda,
arrives at its point of uppermost travel while accelerating. The
rapid termination of acceleration is afforded by contact of the
push button annular surface 98 making contact with the
corresponding surface 100 of the valve retaining plate 36. Thus,
the instantaneous termination of upward displacement by the valve
body 44 is experienced as a momentary pulse by the operator of the
valve control. This rapid "shut-off" of the flowing concentrated
syrup and mixing soda has the desirable effect of terminating flow
of the two ingredients having dissimilar viscosities in a manner
which insures a balance of proportion between amounts of beverage
ingredients entering the outlet passageways 74 and 80.
From the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood
that the soft drink dispensing system of my present invention
provides for the convenient selection and dispensing of soft drinks
comprising a flavored concentrated syrup and a mixing soda. My
hand-held valve control provides for simple, direct acting, and
pressure assisted valve operation requiring only a slight amount of
thumb or finger movement and force for initializing valve
displacement toward its fully opened position, and having been
reached, requires only that the externally applied force be
momentarily removed to thereby enable the pressure of the mixing
soda to take over and displace the valve body to its fully closed
position.
Additionally, the precise valve operation afforded by the mixing
soda fluid pressure assist enables close proportionate beverage
ingredient control and eliminates the previously known problems
commonly associated with electromechanical valve control means.
While a particular embodiment of a soft drink dispensing system is
described in some detail herein, it is appreciated that changes and
modifications may be made in the illustrated form without departing
from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that
my present invention be limited in scope only by the terms of the
following claims.
* * * * *