Concentrate Dispenser With Supply Container Removable From Peristaltic Pump

Abstract

A dispenser designed to mix a relatively viscous concentrate contained in a disposable container removably mounted therein with a diluent and then dispense the resultant diluted mixture. A peristaltic type pump is used on a flexible conduit which is removably connected between the disposable container and a mixing nozzle assembly. The mixing nozzle assembly includes a valve arrangement for controlled mixing of the diluent with the concentrate in proper porportions immediately prior to exiting from the dispenser.

Description

The present invention involves a post-mix dispenser capable of handling relatively high density of viscous concentrates directly from a disposable container. The concentrate is delivered, in regulated flow to a mixing nozzle where it is mixed with the proper amount of diluent prior to being dispensed.

There are large numbers of dispensers presently on the market designed to dispense liquid foods such as orange juice, tomato juice, grape juice etc. Originally, the majority of them were of the pre-mix type wherein the liquid concentrate was placed in a large container or bowl into which was also added the proper amount of diluent. The diluent was manually pre-mixed with the concentrate prior to dispensing of the liquid food. Circulating means of some sort was usually required in order to keep the mixture uniform thereafter.

Presently, the use of post-mix dispensers have become popular because they have been found to be much more economical and efficient. In addition, they dispense a product vastly superior in flavor. The taste almost perfectly duplicates fresh fruit juice. The separate storing of the concentrate and the diluent also provides increased stability and a longer overall shelf life. It is also easier to properly mix, in the correct ratio, the concentrate and the diluent prior to being dispensed. Such eliminates the need for circulating means previously required. Circulating means besides being costly, furthermore do not insure a properly mixed product being delivered from the dispenser.

While it is well recognized that post-mix dispensers are preferable to the pre-mix type dispenser, as pointed out above, various disadvantages and inherent problems have been discovered with currently available post-mix type dispensers. The vast majority of them are designed to dispense concentrate only in the range of 42-51.degree. Brix. It is well known that the higher the Brix, the longer the storage life of the concentrate. For example, the storage life of 65.degree. Brix concentrate is approximately three months whereas concentrate of 42-51.degree. Brix has only a limited storage life of two to three weeks. Unfortunately, however, 65.degree. Brix concentrate is much more viscous. This creates a problem of waste when trying to transfer such high density concentrate from one container to another.

To date, all post-mix dispensers have been designed with permanently installed concentrate storage containers which are loaded by dumping from conventional cans. It should readily be apparent, that when dealing with a high density concentrate in the range of 65.degree. Brix, a considerable amount of concentrate is left in the conventional can.

Permanently installed concentrate storage containers also suffer the disadvantage of being difficult to clean and to meet sanitation requirements called for by the Food and Drug Administration or local health authorities. Cleaning difficulties are also one of the major reasons causing clogging of the machine and accounts for the majority of expensive and troublesome service calls experienced by distributors.

All of these problems present in prior art devices are solved in this invention which is directed to a post-mix type dispenser designed to have removably mounted therein a disposable and combined shipping and dispensing container. The problem of sanitation is further reduced by having various other structural elements coming in contact with the concentrate being designed to be disposable and removably mounted within the dispenser so as to avoid cleaning of these parts when a new supply of concentrate is added.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes a disposable dispensing container removably mounted within the dispenser so as to allow efficient installation and removal of the container.

Another object is to provide a post-mix dispenser including a combined disposable dispensing and shipping container which accomplishes the efficient dispensing of high Brix concentrate directly from the shipping container thereby eliminating waste.

Another object is to provide a post-mix type dispenser including a disposable dispensing container wherein the dispensing container is suitable for storage and shipping of a high Brix concentrate prior to use in the dispenser, thereby eliminating cleaning and sanitation problems associated with the container.

Another object is to provide a post-mix dispenser including a disposable dispensing container suitable for shipping and storage of a high Brix concentrate wherein the concentrate can be stored in the dispenser for relatively long periods.

Still another object is to provide a post-mix type dispenser wherein a plurality of variable size disposal dispensing containers may be removably mounted within the dispenser so as to provide for the dispensing of a plurality of different post-mix products.

A further object is to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes disposable means for conveying the contents of the dispensing container to the mixing area of the dispenser.

More specifically, it is an object to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes a disposable conduit means removably attached to the disposable dispensing container serving to channel the contents of the dispensing container to the mixing area of the dispenser in such a manner as to eliminate sanitation problems associated with the dispenser.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes a pump assembly for delivering the contents of the disposable dispensing container in a regulated fashion to the mixing area of the dispenser.

Another object is to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes a pump assembly movably mounted so as to move into and out of operative locking engagement with the flexible conduit means serving to channel the contents of the disposable dispensing container to the mixing area of the dispenser.

Another object is to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes a mixing nozzle assembly for receiving a predetermined amount of concentrate and diluent material.

Another object is to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes a mixing nozzle assembly comprising an adjustable valve for regulating the flow of diluent to the mixing area of the dispenser.

Another object is to provide a post-mix type dispenser which includes a flexible conduit means removably connected to each of the disposable dispensing container, pump assembly and mixing nozzle assembly such that the contents of the disposable dispensing container is channeled from the container to the mixing area of the dispenser in a regulated fashion.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

In accordance with the above cited objects, the present invention comprises a dispensing device primarily designed to dispense liquid foods such as juices or the like wherein the dispensed liquid is formed from mixing a relatively high density liquid concentrate with a diluent immediately prior to dispensing of the liquid from the device. More specifically a portable, disposable or "throw-away" type container is removably mounted within the dispenser and serves to store the liquid concentrate. In the preferred embodiment of this invention the container in which the concentrate is shipped is designed to serve as the disposable dispensing container. Accordingly, the shipping container of a concentrate so used must be adapted to allow for the attachment of a conduit means designed to direct the flow of a concentrate to the mixing area of the dispenser as will be explained in greater detail later. The dispenser itself is designed to have the dispensing container removably mounted therein such that a flexible conduit means is removably attached thereto and positioned in cooperating relation with a peristaltic type pump.

The peristaltic pump is part of the pump assembly which further comprises a rotatable shaft having a substantially helically mounted flange formed along the outer periphery of the shaft. The pump assembly further comprises a backup plate which may be positioned in cooperating relation with the rotating shaft. More specifically, both the rotating shaft and the backup plate are pivotally mounted so as to move into intimate operative engagement with the flexible conduit means extending from the disposable container. When in operative position the backup plate engages the flexible conduit in a supporting relation while the helical flange engages and accordingly deforms or depresses the flexible conduit means in a continuous descending fashion. This action of both the support plate and the helical flange serves to force the concentrate through the flexible conduit in a peristaltic fashion wherein the concentrate is delivered to a mixing nozzle assembly.

The flexible conduit is also removably attached to the mixing nozzle which is positioned to receive the regulated flow of concentrate. The mixing nozzle assembly includes an adjustable valve member which serves to regulate the desired amount of flow of diluent into a mixing area of the nozzle for proper mixture with the simultaneously admitted concentrate.

Accordingly, immediately prior to dispensing, the concentrate is mixed with the diluent in proper proportions to provide a desired taste, consistency and density of the product to be dispensed.

Upon emptying of the concentrate from the disposable container, means are provided to "unclamp" the pump assembly from the flexible conduit means. More specifically, the rotatable shaft and supporting backup plate are moved in a pivotal fashion away from one another by means of a reciprocally mounted plate which acts as a wedge-like member to disengage both the rotatable shaft and the backup plate from operative engagement with the flexible conduit means. After unclamping of the pump assembly the entire disposable dispensing container is removed along with the attached flexible conduit which also may be readily detached from the mixing nozzle assembly. A fresh supply of concentrate may be readily inserted in the dispenser merely by attaching a new flexible conduit to the container inverting the container, attaching the flexible conduit to the mixing nozzle assembly and re-engaging the pump assembly in operative engagement with the conduit as described above.

The present invention further includes piercing means which may be pivotally or movably mounted, by means of a spring biased lever, to puncture the bottom side of the installed disposable dispensing container after is has been inverted and mounted within the dispenser. This, of course, is necessary to allow proper flow of the concentrate out of the container and through the flexible conduit means.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a dispenser wherein a plurality of different sized dispensing containers may all be simultaneously mounted in removable fashion within the dispenser.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 1A are plan front views of the exteriors of different embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B are perspective views of a disposable dispensing container and an attached conduit means.

FIG. 3 is a top cross sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 showing the piercing means of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 showing the piercing means of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1 showing the mixing nozzle of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional top view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5 and shows details of the pump assembly.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the pump assembly in open unlocked position relative to the flexible conduit means.

FIG. 6B is a front view of the pump assembly of the present invention in operative engagement with the flexible conduit means.

FIG. 7 is a front cross sectional view of the pump assembly.

FIG. 8 is a top cross sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top cross sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top cross sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 5 showing the slide plate of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top cross sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 5 showing the adjustable valve interior.

FIG. 12 is a side view, partially in section, of the flexible conduit means.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the flexible conduit means.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In that the structural elements associated with each of the individual containers are essentially the same, specific reference will not be made to each of the structural elements associated with each of the separate containers and it is herein intended that a discussion of one cooperative set of elements will be representative of all.

The dispenser of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A as including an outer casing generally indicated as 10. As shown, the dispenser may be adapted to hold a plurality of different sized containers 12 which are removably mounted in an inverted fashion.

More specifically and with reference to FIGS. 2, 2A and 2B, the containers 12 are designed to hold the liquid concentrate. Accordingly, an important feature of the present dispenser is the capability of utilizing a disposable type container as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. It is intended that the liquid concentrate may be shipped or stored in container 12 and that provision be made in its structural design to allow it to act as a dispensing container. Therefore, a sealing means 14 which may be a pressure sensitive or tear away tape is provided to cover centrally located aperture 16 to prevent leakage of the concentrate from container 12 during shipping or storage. Before placing the disposable dispensing container 12 in the dispenser, the sealing means 14 is removed and a flexible conduit means 18 is inserted in aperture 16 as shown. With specific reference to FIG. 12 the flexible conduit means 18 is shown as having a connection generally indicated as 20 integrally formed at one extremity of the conduit means 18. The connection 20 includes a plurality of prongs 22 designed to be inserted into the container 12, such that an outwardly extending annular flange 24 remains on the exterior surface 26 of container 12 and serves as a sealing means when the container is removably mounted in the dispenser in an inverted fashion as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A, control buttons 13 are provided on the exterior of casing 10 and serve to activate the dispensing cycle when depressed by a user of the dispenser.

With specific reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 the present dispenser further includes a piercing means generally indicated as 28 and designed to pierce or puncture end surface 30 of dispensing container 12 once it is inserted in the dispenser.

Puncturing the dispensing container 12 in this or like fashion is necessary to relieve any negative pressure within the container which would of course impede the flow of the contents of dispensing container 12 through flexible conduit 18. The piercing means include at least one piercing member 32 pivotally mounted on shaft 34 which in turn is attached to mounting plate 36. Shaft 34 is connected to reciprocating shaft 38 by means of linkage 40 which is biased in the position shown in FIG. 4 by means of spring 42. Accordingly, as shaft 38 moves in the direction of arrow 44 (FIG. 4) link member 40, shaft 34 and piercing member 32 are all forced to rotate in a clockwise direction against the force of spring 42 thereby causing the piercing member 32 to pierce the end surface 30 of dispenser container 12 so as to provide the proper vent aperture.

Turning now to FIG. 5, the disposable dispensing container 12 is shown mounted in an inverted operative position on support plate 50. For the purposes of clarity flexible conduit means 18 is represented in broken lines as extending from dispensing container 12, in cooperative relation to pump assembly 52 and removably connected to mixing nozzle assembly generally indicated as 54.

Electric motor 56 is provided to operate pump assembly 52 by means of rotating drive shaft 58 which, in turn, rotates drive gear 60. Idler gear 62 is driven by gear 60 and, in turn, serves to rotate gear 64 which is attached to one extremity of rotatably mounted shaft 66. An outwardly extending flange 68 is mounted in a helical configuration along the periphery of shaft 66 and serves to provide pumping action by operatively engaging flexible conduit 18 as will be fully explained later.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B, 8 and 9, the pump assembly 52 further includes a backup or support block 70 arranged in cooperating relation with helical flange or thread 68 and shaft 66. Both shaft 66 and backup block 70 are mounted on arm members 72 and 74 respectively wherein these arm members are pivotally mounted on support plate 76 by means of support shaft 78 and 79 respectively. Spring member 81 is connected at each extremity to connecting members 82 and 84 which themselves are arranged in elongated slots 86 and 88 formed on support plate 76. Arm member 72 and 74 are biased to move towards each other into operative position as shown in FIG. 6. Idler gear 62 is also mounted on arm member 72 and is movable along with arm member 72 while maintaining engagement with both drive gears 60 and shaft gear 64.

Rotatable shaft 66 and therefore flange 68 may move into and out of operative clamping position along with backup block 70 in relation to flexible conduit means 18. This relationship is clearly shown in FIG. 6B wherein a longitudinal portion of flexible conduit means 18 abuts backup block 70 in supporting relation such that flange or thread 68 descends along the supported longitudinal portion of flexible conduit 18 as shaft 66 rotates. Flange 68 thereby depresses or deforms flexible conduit 18 as shaft 66 continuously rotates which in turn forces any liquid or concentrate within the flexible conduit 18 to pass therethrough is a peristaltic fashion.

As pointed out above, arm member 72 and 74 are movable into and out of what may be referred to as an operative clamping position relative to flexible conduit 18. This movable feature of the pump assembly is an important advantage in the present invention in that it readily allows the conduit means 18 and consequently the disposable dispensing container 12 to be easily connected to and removed from the pump assembly and therefore allows efficient installation and disposal of the dispensing container 12. This clamping and unclamping action of the pump assembly is provided by a reciprocal slide means (FIGS. 6 and 6A) which may be generally indicated as 73. The reciprocal slide means includes an elongated push arm 75 integrally attached to the main body portion of reciprocal plate 91. An elongated slot 77 is formed in the plate 91 and arranged to cooperate with bolt or fastening means 77a in a sliding relation. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, a wedge member 80 is connected directly to reciprocal plate 91 by means of connecting brackets 83 and 85. Wedge member 80 is arranged on reciprocal plate 91 such that the free extremity 87 of wedge member 80 is aligned between pivot arm 72 and 74 of the pump assembly. As clearly shown in FIG. 6A, reciprocation of reciprocal plate 91 causes extremity 87 of wedge member 80 to be forced between pivot arm 72 and 74 thereby pivoting rotatable shaft 66 and backup block 70 out of operative relation and into an unclamping position relative to flexible conduit 18. In order to facilitate the supporting and clamping of flexible conduit 18 by the backup block 70 and rotatable shaft 66, the block 70 and arms 72 and 74 have specifically configured arcuate surfaces 90 and 92, 94 respectively, which conform to the shape of flexible conduit 18.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the dispenser of the subject invention includes mixing means which comprises the mixing nozzle, as 54 designed to be removably connected, by means of the nipple 96, to one end of flexible conduit means 18. As is apparent, the action of pump assembly 52 forces concentrate through flexible conduit 18 in peristaltic fashion wherein the concentrate is continuously directed into the mixing nozzle 54 through channel 98 defined within nipple 96. The adjustable valve assembly 100 is threadably connected to the mixing nozzle 54 in such a manner as to direct diluent fluid from a supply (not shown) through conduit 102 and into the lower portion of channel 98 through orifice 101. It is important that the size of orifice 101 be such as to create a high velocity jet of diluent issuing into channel 98. This fact plus the positioning of orifice 101 so that the diluent enters channel 98 at a substantially right angle to the flow of concentrate, causes turbulence in the mixing area. Such turbulence is important in accomplishing proper mixing of diluent and concentrate. Additional turbulence and consequently more efficient mixing occurs due to another change in direction as the mixed product exits from conduit 112. The lower portion of channel 98 comprises the mixing area of the dispenser where proportions of the diluent are mixed with the concentrate flowing from flexible conduit 18. Additional turbulence is created by the mixed product flowing at substantially right angles into conduit 112.

As clearly shown in FIG. 11 valve element 104 is adjustably positioned relative to valve seat 106 by means of a threaded or like connection 108 such that the flow of liquid may be regulated as it passes through conduit 102 channel 110 and about valve element 104. Accordingly the amount of diluent entering channel 98 is regulated so as to correspond with the amount of liquid concentrate passing into channel 98 from flexible conduit 18 in order to establish the desired density and mixture of the liquid product being dispensed.

After mixture of the concentrate and diluent in the mixing area, the mixed liquid then passes through a delivery channel 112 and into the desired cup or vessel 114.

In operation, a cup 114 or like container is placed under the open end of conduit 112 of mixing nozzle 54. When the cup 114 is positioned, the person desiring to obtain the mixed product from the dispenser merely pushes button 13 of the appropriate product. This in turn activates electric motor 56 which causes the driving of gears 60, 62 and 64. The pump assembly 52 is thereby activated to rotate shaft 66 which causes helical thread 68 to operatively engage disposable flexible conduit 18. Consequently, the concentrate from container 12 is forced through the conduit 18 in peristaltic fashion and delivered to conduit 98 of nipple 96. Simultaneously, diluent material flows from a supply (not shown) into the adjustable valve structure 100 through conduits 102 and 110 and about valve element 104. Accordingly concentrate from conduit 18 and diluent from valve 100 enters the lower portion of conduit 98 which comprises the mixing area of the nozzle 54. After being mixed in proper proportions the product flows through conduit 112 into container 114 which has been properly placed by the operator of the dispenser.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser of the type designed to mix liquids of different densities, said dispenser of the type designed to mix liquids of different densities, said dispenser comprising:

a. a removably mounted dispensing container;

b. a pump assembly positioned in communicating relation with said dispensing container;

c. conduit means attached to said dispensing container and positioned to operably engage said pump assembly, said pump assembly is mounted to be movable into and out of operable engagement with said conduit means, such that said dispensing container and said conduit means are removable from said dispenser and

d. mixing means for combining the liquids prior to dispensing:

said pump assembly comprising a rotatable shaft including a flange substantially helically mounted about the periphery thereof and, a backup plate operatively positioned to engage said conduit means in supporting relation thereto; said shaft and said backup plate being pivotally mounted so as to be movable into and out of operative engagement with said conduit means; said flange arranged to continuously depress successive portions of said conduit means during rotation of said shaft, whereby liquid from said dispensing container is forced through said conduit means.

2. A dispenser as in claim 1 wherein said dispenser further comprises movably mounted piercing means positioned adjacent said dispensing container and serving to puncture said dispensing container when operatively positioned within the dispenser.

3. A dispenser of the type designed to mix liquids of different densities, said dispenser comprising:

a. a removably mounted dispensing container;

b. a pump assembly positioned in communicating relation with said dispensing container;

c. Conduit means attached to said dispensing container and positioned to operably engage said pump assembly, and

d. mixing means for combining the liquids prior to dispensing:

said mixing means comprising a valve assembly for adjustably regulating the flow of at least one of said liquids and nozzle means positioned in communicating relation with both said valve assembly and said dispensing container; said valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a valve element adjustably mounted within said assembly in cooperating relation to said valve seat; said valve assembly positioned in communicating relation to a source of said one liquid; whereby the flow of said one liquid is regulated by said valve assembly dependent upon the rate of flow of at least one other liquid through said nozzle means.

4. A dispenser as in claim 3 wherein said valve element is threadedly connected within said valve assembly so as to be adjustably positioned relative to said valve seat.

5. A dispenser as in claim 3 further comprising an orifice arranged in intercommunicating relation between said valve assembly and said nozzle means, said orifice being of sufficient size to form a jet flow of said one liquid into said nozzle means, said nozzle means comprising a first channel defining the flow of another of said liquids, said orifice arranged substantially perpendicular to said first channel, whereby turbulence is created by the joining of said one liquid to said other liquid.

6. A dispenser as in claim 3 wherein said nozzle means comprises: a first flow defining channel, a second channel communicating with said first channel and arranged substantially perpendicular thereto, whereby turbulence is created by a flow of liquid from said first channel to said second channel.

7. A dispenser of the type designed to mix liquids of different densities, said dispenser comprising:

a. a removably mounted dispensing container;

b. a pump assembly positioned in communicating relation with said dispensing container;

c. conduit means attached to said dispensing container and positioned to operably engage said pump assembly; and

d. mixing means for combining the liquids prior to dispensing:

said pump assembly including a rotatable shaft, an outwardly extending flange helically arranged along the periphery of said shaft and a backup plate positioned in cooperating relation to said shaft, said shaft and said backup plate movably mounted relative to said pump assembly so as to move said shaft and said backup plate into and out of operative relation to each other.

8. A dispenser as in claim 7 wherein said pump assembly further includes unclamping means comprising a reciprocally mounted plate positioned to move said shaft and said backup plate into and out of operative engagement with said conduit means.