U.S. patent number RE32,179 [Application Number 06/671,973] was granted by the patent office on 1986-06-10 for post-mix beverage dispensing system syrup package, valving system, and carbonator therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Coca-Cola Company. Invention is credited to William R. Fuerst, Jason K. Sedam.
United States Patent |
RE32,179 |
Sedam , et al. |
June 10, 1986 |
Post-mix beverage dispensing system syrup package, valving system,
and carbonator therefor
Abstract
A post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing system for use in
refrigerated cabinets includes a carbonator having a refillable
water reservoir, a CO.sub.2 system coupled to said carbonator, a
valving system, and a disposable package for containing and
dispensing the syrup of the post-mix beverage at a controlled rate
of flow. The water reservoir may be manually refilled from a water
pitcher. The CO.sub.2 system includes a cylinder which is also
disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and is coupled to the
carbonator. The valving system may include a plurality of
dispensing valves and mixing nozzles for dispensing different
selected beverages depending upon which of the valves is actuated.
In addition, carbonated water alone may be dispensed. The
disposable syrup package includes a plastic container having a flow
rate control tube therein and means in said flow rate control for
precluding spillage of syrup when the package temperature becomes
elevated from opening and closing the refrigerator door. The
disposable syrup packages are adapted for quick insertion into the
top of the valving system by inverting the syrup packages and
plugging them into a socket in the dispensing valve mechanism.
Inventors: |
Sedam; Jason K. (Dunwoody,
GA), Fuerst; William R. (Tucson, AZ) |
Assignee: |
The Coca-Cola Company (Atlanta,
GA)
|
Family
ID: |
26770980 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/671,973 |
Filed: |
November 16, 1984 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
84434 |
Oct 12, 1979 |
4306667 |
|
|
Reissue of: |
257945 |
Apr 27, 1981 |
04359432 |
Nov 16, 1982 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
261/26;
261/121.1; 261/DIG.7; 99/323.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
1/0021 (20130101); B67D 1/0074 (20130101); B67D
1/0079 (20130101); B67D 1/1279 (20130101); B67D
2210/00036 (20130101); B67D 2001/0089 (20130101); B67D
2001/0815 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
1/00 (20060101); B01F 003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;261/70,121R,26,DIG.7
;99/323.1 ;222/129.1,146C,83.5,481 ;137/389,392 ;426/474,477 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Chiesa; Richard L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch &
Birch
Parent Case Text
This application is a divisional, of copending application Ser. No.
084,434, filed on Oct. 12, 1979 which is now U.S. Pat. No.
4,306,667.
Claims
It is claimed:
1. A carbonator .Iadd.system .Iaddend.comprising:
a refillable water reservoir tank with a removable lid to permit
manual refilling thereof;
a carbonator tank disposed within said reservoir tank;
means for pumping water from said reservoir into said carbonator
tank;
means for introducing crbon dioxide gas into said carbonator
tank;
first liquid level detector means disposed in said reservoir tank
for sensing when the water level is therein falls below a
predetermined minimum level;
second liquid level detector means disposed in said carbonator tank
for sensing when said water level therein falls below a
predetermined minimum level; .Iadd.and .Iaddend.
control means responsive to both said first and second liquid level
detector means for enabling said means for pumping when said water
level in said carbonator tank falls below said predetermined level
and disabling said means for pumping when said water level in said
reservoir tank falls below said predetermmined level.[.;.]..Iadd..
.Iaddend.
.[.third liquid level detector means disposed in said reservoir
tank for sensing when the water level therein falls below a
predetermined minimum level; and
control means responsive to said third liquid level detector means
for disabling said pump means when water falls below said minimum
level..]. .Iadd.
2. A carbonator system comprising:
a refillable water reservoir tank with a removable lid to permit
manual refilling thereof;
a carbonator tank operatively connected to said reservoir tank;
means for pumping water from said reservoir tank into said
carbonator tank;
first liquid level detector means disposed in said reservoir tank
for sensing when the water level therein falls below a
predetermined minimum level;
second liquid level detector means disposed in said carbonator tank
for sensing when said water level therein falls below a
predetermined minimum level; and
control means responsive to both said first and second liquid level
detector means for enabling said means for pumping when said water
level in said carbonator tank falls below said predetermined level
and disabling said means for pumping when said water level in said
reservoir tank falls below said predetermined level..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a post-mix soft drink dispenser
system suitable for use in a refrigerator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, attempts have been made to provide post-mix dispenser
systems for use in refrigerators which are compact and easily
incorporated into existing refrigerators and which are capable of
dispensing post-mix soft drink beverages of suitable quality.
However, due to various design features of these prior art systems
the above objectives have never been satisfactorily achieved.
Examples of such systems can be found in the following U.S. Pat.
Nos. 2,785,546 to Bauerlein, issued Mar. 19, 1957; 2,894,377 to
Shikles, Jr. et al, issued July 14, 1959; 2,823,833 to Bauerlein,
issued Feb. 18, 1958; 3,292,822 to Crowder et al, issued Dec. 20,
1966; 3,756,473 to Donahue, issued Sept. 4, 1973; and 3,942,685 to
Lidner, issued Mar. 9, 1976.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,785,546, and 2,823,833 to Bauerlein, 3,756,473 to
Donahue, and 3,942,685 to Lidner disclose post-mix beverage
dispenser units designed for use in refrigerators. These dispenser
systems will selectively dispense either ice water, or a mixture of
syrup concentrate and water. There are no provisions in the systems
of Bauerlein for dispensing carbonated water or carbonated
beverages. In addition, the water for the systems of Bauerlein is
provided through a pipe which must pass through the wall of the
refrigerator making retro-fitting of the Bauerlein system somewhat
complex. One glaring disadvantage of the Bauerlein systems is that
the syrup concentrate is contained in a refillable container rather
than in a disposable syrup package, which creates cleaning problems
and unsanitary conditions.
The dispenser system described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,377 to
Shikles, Jr. et al has more versatile dispensing capabilities than
the dispenser systems of Bauerlein, Donahue and Lidner described
above, since it can dispense carbonated water and carbonated
post-mix beverages in addition to tap water and post-mix
combinations of tap water and syrup. However, the Shikles, Jr. et
al system still suffers from certain disadvantages. For example,
the Shikles, Jr. et al system requires an external water supply
which must be piped in through the walls of a refrigerator making
retro-fitting of the system more complicated than desirable. In
addition, although the syrup packages of Shikles, Jr. et al are
removeable, they are not as easily inserted into the system as
desirable, since several connections are necessary between the
syrup package of Shikles, Jr. et al and other components of the
system. Furthermore, the syrup package of Shikles, Jr. et al will
not provide the necessary controlled rate of flow needed to obtain
a high quality of beverage with the same proportions of carbonated
water and syrup for every beverage dispensed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,822 to Crowder et al disclosed in FIGS. 17 and
18 a post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser system contained within
the door of a refrigerator including a manually refillable water
reservoir for the carbonator and disposable syrup packages.
However, the method of inserting the syrup packages into the system
is somewhat cumbersome, the valving system has limited
capabilities, and the syrup is not dispensed at a satisfactorily
controllable rate of flow.
Prior to the present invention the use of a flow rate control tube
in the syrup container of a post-mix dispenser for providing an
even rate of flow of syrup from the container into a receptacle was
generally known. An example of a system of this type is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,533 to Nicholas. Nicholas discloses the
broad concept of providing a flow control tube 76 in the syrup tank
of a post-mix beverage system having its open or bottom end
precisely positioned-at a predetermined level above the discharge
opening of the tank in order to provide a substantially constant
rate of flow of the syrup being dispensed from the tank. The
Nicholas patent also discloses in FIG. 2 that the syrup tank of his
invention may be a disposable tin can that is filled at a central
distributing plant and delivered in a completely sealed condition
to the location of the dispensing system. As illustrated in FIG. 2
of Nicholas, the bottom of the tin can is rupturable by puncturing
elements associated with the dispenser valve and the top of the can
is provided with a knockout 118 into which stopper 74 and flow
control tube 76 is inserted just prior to the dispensing operation.
The flow control tube 76 is positioned within the container at a
predetermined position determined by graduations 124 on the flow
control tube which instructs an operator as to the proper position
of the tube for preselected different flow rates for syrups of
different Brix values.
Although, once the system of Nicholas is assembled, it operates in
a very satisfactory manner for controlling flow rate, it does
suffer from certain disadvantages. For example, in the Nicholas
patent the flow control tube is a completely separate item from the
syrup package which is shipped from the distributing plant to the
point of use. Thus, the flow control tube 76 in Nicholas system
requires special assembly at the point of use and skilled
adjustment of its position within the syrup container. While it
might be possible for an operator in a commercial establishment to
learn how to properly insert the flow control tube, the occasional
user of the system would have difficulty inserting the flow control
tube in the correct position for the different Brix values of
syrups to be dispensed. In addition, the syrup container of
Nicholas could be refilled through the knockout portion 118 which
would lead to problems of improper or inadequate sanitation. Still
further, if the temperature of the syrup container of Nicholas is
elevated, syrup will rise up tube 76 and spill over through the top
thereof.
Other examples of the use of flow control or vent tubes in syrup
packages can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,166 to Kuckens, issued
June 28, 1966 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,219 to Kuckens, issued Nov.
19, 1976. Each of these patents disclose inverted containers having
flow control vent tubes formed therein. However, the vent tubes in
each of these patents are completely open to the atmosphere. That
is, no means are provided for precluding the flow of liquid up the
vent tubes. Thus, at elevated temperatures the head-space of gas
above the liquid in the containers will create a back-pressure
forcing the liquid up the vent tubes causing spillage.
An additional U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,607 to Kuckens issued Apr. 30,
1974 discloses a syrup container 1 having a vent tube 11 therein
and a gas responsive check valve 12 in the top of vent tube 11. The
check valve 12 of Kuckens is provided to inhibit flow of syrup up
tube 11 when container 1 is being refilled in contrast to
precluding flow up the tube in response to container 1 being heated
to an elevated temperature. Applicant has discovered that the
location of valve 12 of Kuckens at the top of tube 11 is
unsatisfactory, if fluid flow up the tube 11 were to be caused by
an elevated container temperature. In such as case fluid might flow
substantially all of the way to valve 12 at the top of vent tube 11
before valve 12 closed. This would result in the accumulation of
syrup on the inner walls of tube 11 causing clogging and/or
contamination. Moreover, as stated hereinbefore, the Kuckens valve
12 is not disclosed as being provided to preclude flow up tube 11
in response to an elevated container temperature. In short, the
Kuckens syrup dispensing apparatus is not designed for use in a
refrigerator where the opening and closing of the refrigerator door
may cause elevated syrup package temperatures resulting in the
tendency of syrup to flow up the vent tube in response to those
elevated temperatures.
Check valves have also been used heretofore in vent tubes of
containers for dispensing products other than syrup. However, these
check valves were utilized to preclude spilling of liquid when the
container is inverted to an upright non-dispensing position. The
designers of these prior art devices were not concerned nor
cognizant of the problem of fluid spillage of liquid due to an
elevated container temperature and a resulting flow of liquid up
the vent tube. Examples of such prior art containers can be found
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 600,327 to Winters, issued Mar. 8, 1898;
2,283,652 to Schwarzkopf issued May 19, 1942; 2,336,313 to Swann
issued Dec. 7, 1943; and 2,822,962 to Poitras issued Feb. 11,
1958.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide a post-mix beverage dispenser system which operates
satisfactorily when contained in a refrigerator.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
post-mix beverage dispenser system which can be easily retrofitted
into an existing refrigerator.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-mix
beverage dispensing system for use in home refrigerators with no
need for water pipes passing through the refrigerator.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
compact dispenser valving system equipped with a multiplicity of
beverage dispensing options.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
disposable package for dispensing post-mix syrup with a controlled
rate of flow, which is completely assembled at the time of shipping
and requires no adjustment on the part of the user at the point of
use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
disposable package for dispensing liquids with a controlled rate of
flow which cannot readily be filled for reuse.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
syrup dispensing package including means to preclude overflow or
spillage in response to increases in the package temperature above
predetermined levels caused by opening and closing the door of the
refrigerator containing the package.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a
lightweight disposable package for dispensing liquids including
means for preventing damage to the package during shipping.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
disposable package for dispensing liquids with a controlled rate of
flow which is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture.
The objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a
post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing system including a
carbonator having a refillable water reservoir, a CO.sub.2 supply
system coupled with said carbonator, a valving system which
facilitates the selection of a multiplicity of beverages or a
combination thereof, and a disposable package for containing and
dispensing the syrup of the post-mix beverage at a controlled rate
of flow. The system is designed so that each of the component parts
which make up the system can be contained entirely within a
refrigerator.
The carbonating system includes a stainless steel carbonating tank
and a reservoir tank for storing a supply of water to be
carbonated. Water from the reservoir tank is fed through a tube or
conduit by a small motor and pump from the reservoir tank to the
carbonating tank. The carbonator tank in a preferred embodiment has
sufficient capacity to store enough carbonate water for two
six-ounce drinks ready to dispense on demand. Replacement of the
carbonated water supply in the carbonator tank begins immediately
as a drink is drawn from the dispensing valves via the pump and
conduit connecting the reservoir tank to the carbonator tank. Since
the replacement of carbonated water begins immediately, eighteen
ounces of product can be continuously drawn from a dispensing valve
before the carbonated water supply is exhausted. A like quantity
can be again drawn from the dispensing valve after waiting one
minute for replenishment of the carbonated water supply. The
carbonating system further includes water level controls in the
carbonating tank which cycles the motor and pump on and off, as
water is withdrawn from the dispensing valves. An additional safety
feature of the carbonating system is that the pump becomes
inoperative in the event that the water supply in the reservoir is
too low. This is because the pump is not self-priming when pressure
is in the tank. On start up, the carbonator must pump water into
the tank before CO.sub.2 is introduced which is desireable in order
to purge the carbonator tank of air.
Another significant feature of the carbonating system of the
present invention is that the carbonating tank is mounted so that
it is immersed in the water of the reservoir tank. The carbonating
tank and it's contents are therefore chilled to provide the coldest
beverage possible. Water replenishment in the reservoir tank is
accomplished manually by filling a water pitcher from a spigot,
removing a lid from the top of a reservoir tank, and manually
refilling the reservoir tank. This is a particularly significant
feature of the present invention in that no water pipes passing
through the walls of the refrigerator are required making
retro-fitting of the dispenser system of the present invention
relatively simple. However, if desired the water supply to the
reservoir tank can be piped in through the walls of the
refrigerator and a suitable control valve.
Carbon dioxide is delivered to the carbonator tank of the present
invention from a conventional CO.sub.2 cylinder through a pressure
regulator and a duck-bill check valve to a fitting in the top cover
of a carbonator tank. It then passes through a tube to the bottom
of the tank where it is dispersed into the water by a diffusion
device of a type well known in the art.
The valving system of the present invention in a preferred
embodiment includes at least three dispenser nozzles and three
associated sockets on the top of the valving system with a membrane
piercing device in each socket which will accept the neck of the
disposable syrup container in a simple one-step plug-in operation.
The valving system for each syrup container includes a pair of
valves of elastomeric sealing members in fluid communication with
the disposable syrup packages and carbonated water supplies,
respectively, and, a mixing chamber including a diffusing plate to
spread carbonated water over the interior of a removeable
dispensing nozzle. The syrup from the disposable packages is fed
through a tube which projects through a hole in the diffusion plate
to the region below said plate within the nozzle. The syrup tube in
the valving system has a replaceable restriction button at its
lower end which, together with the controlled hydraulic head in the
syrup package above provided by the flow rate control tube,
controls the rate of flow of the syrup. The replaceable restriction
button is sized to provide a constant flow of syrup. For example,
one of three buttons each with a specific orifice may be provided
to control the flow of high brix syrups, low brix syrups, or diet
syrups. The valving system may be actuated to obtain carbonated
water only or a selected flavor of post-mix carbonated beverage. An
additional dispensing valve may be provided for dispensing
uncarbonated ice water.
The disposable syrup package comprises a disposable plastic bottle
having relatively thin sidewalls, which incorporated, as a
substantially integral part thereof, a tube through one end of the
container precisely positioned within the container to establish a
controlled rate of flow of the syrup during dispensing. The tube
initially has one end extending through the bottom or closed end of
the plastic bottle and an opposite end which is open and positioned
at a predetermined distance from the discharge end of the bottle,
in order to develop an effective hydrostatic pressure head at the
point of said predetermined distance. The closed end of the tube is
recessed into the end of the bottle through which it extends in
order to protect the same from rupture during shipping.
In operation with a conventional post-mix syrup dispenser, the
plastic bottle or package of the present invention is inverted and
inserted into the sockets of the valving system against a sharp
piercing device. The piercing device ruptures a membrane extending
across the open end of the bottle to form a dispensing outlet. The
closed end of the flow control tubes is then ruptured or opened to
permit the flow of air into the tube. A pressure balance is then
created within the bottle as the liquid is withdrawn and replaced
by air, and from this point on, the tube in the bottle functions to
control the rate of flow of syrup at a substantially constant rate
as the contents of the bottle are dispensed.
In a preferred embodiment the flow control tube is provided with a
check valve adjacent the open end thereof to preclude syrup from
rising up the tube when a predetermined temperature level of the
package is exceeded caused by opening and closing the refrigerator
door. For temperature below this level the check valve does not
impede the flow of air down the tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects of the present invention and the attendant advantages
thereof will become more readily apparent by reference to the
accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially in section illustrating the
disposable package of the present invention just prior to insertion
into the valve seat of a beverage dispenser system;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in cross section illustrating the
details of the closure member for the open end of the disposable
package of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the disposable package of the
present invention illustrating a first embodiment of a means for
preventing damage to the end of the flow control tube of the
present invention during shipping of the package;
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the disposable package
of the present invention illustrating an alternate end
configuration of the package for preventing damage to the flow
control tube end;
FIG. 5 is a partial section of the flow control tube of the present
invention illustrating an additional preferred embodiment
thereof;
FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of still another embodiment of
the flow control tube of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a bottom end view of the flow control tube of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exterior of the carbonator
system of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view in perspective of the carbonator
water supply and reservoir system of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carbonator pump and power
station of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the CO.sub.2 cylinder and
regulator of the present invention used in conjunction with the
carbonator system of FIGS. 8-10;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one unit of the valving system of
the present invention;
FIG. 13A is an exploded view of the dispensing valve mixing nozzle
of the unit of FIG. 12;
FIG. 13B is a front view of the valve unit of FIG. 12;
FIG. 13C is a sectional view taken along line C--C of FIG. 13B;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the post-mix dispenser system of
the present invention mounted within a refrigerator such as is
commonplace in commercial food service establishments in many
foreign countries; and,
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a flow restriction button for
use in the valve unit of FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring briefly to FIG. 14 there is illustrated the post-mix
dispenser system of the present invention mounted within a
commercial type refrigerator R. A carbonating system CS and
CO.sub.2 tank rest on any one of the refrigerator shelves. The
valving system VS, syrup packages SP, and drip pan DP are mounted
on the inside of the door RD. If desired, the valving system could
be accessible from the outside of door RD, if built into the
refrigerator at the factory.
The valving system VS has a plurality of nozzles N1, N2, N3 which
dispense selected soft drinks in response to the actuation of
buttons B1, B2 and B3, respectively. A button BC is also provided
and upon actuation thereof carbonated water alone may be dispensed
through nozzle N2. A separate nozzle N4 and button BW are provided
for dispensing uncarbonated ice water.
SYRUP PACKAGE
The syrup package SP of FIG. 14 contains three disposable packages
of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7.
Referring in detail to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a disposable
package of the present invention generally indicated 10 depicted in
a position just prior to its insertion into a dispensing means
generally indicated D, such as a conventional post-mix
dispenser.
The disposable package 10 of the present invention includes a
plastic bottle or container 12 having thin sidewalls, a closed end
14 and an open end 16 defining a discharge opening of the
disposable package. The open end 16 is provided with a closure
member 20 including, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an outer closure
member 20A which snaps over the end 16 of container 12 and a
rupturable membrane such as a metal foil which is secured across
the inside or the end of the discharge opening defined by container
end 16. A flow control tube 18 is permanently secured at a
predetermined position within container 12 and has an open end 18A
positioned at a predetermined distance above the discharge opening
defined by open end 16 of the container, and a closed but sealed or
frangible end 18B which extends through the end portion 14 of the
container 12. The closed end portion 18B of tube 18 is disposed
within the confines or recess 22A defined by annular skirt member
22 of plastic or other suitable material which is secured to the
end of container 12, the recess may be formed as part of the
container 12.
The entire package generally indicated 10 in FIG. 1 is manufactured
as a substantially integral unit and is shipped as said unit to a
point of use as will be described more fully hereinafter. The tube
18 is permanently secured in a fixed position in end wall 14 by a
suitable adhesive, sealant or other bonding means. In the
alternative, tube 18 could be integrally molded or formed with the
end wall 14. A still further alternative is to form the container
12 of material which shrinks after molding, form a hole in the
bottom, insert tube 18 to a desired position, and allow the
container 12 to shrink around tube 18 to secure it in place.
The dispenser mechanism suitable for use in the present invention
is generally indicated D in FIG. 1 and is of the type generally
used for dispensing post-mix soft drink beverages. This dispenser
for example, may comprise a socket on the upper surface thereof
including an upstanding annular sidewall D1 and an O-ring seal D2.
Extending upwardly in the socket and located substantially
centrally thereof is a piercing device D3. The piercing device D3
is designed to puncture the rupturable membrand 20B sealed across
the open end of container 12, as container 12 is lowered or
inserted into the socket of the dispenser D. A dispenser lever D4
or other valve-actuating means is provided as is well known for
cooperation with a cup into which the post-mix beverage is to be
dispensed. A mixing nozzle C is provided should the liquid in the
package be mixed with another liquid such as carbonated water.
A preferred embodiment of a dispenser and valving system will be
described hereinafter with respect to
FIGS. 12 and 13 the illustration in FIG. 1 being only an
example.
Referring in detail to FIG. 3, there is illustrated in cross
section the annular skirt 22 of the package of FIG. 1 which is
suitably secured to closed end 14 of container 12 or is formed as
part of the container. The annular skirt 22 defines a recess 22A
into which closed end 18B of tube 18 is contained. Since end 18B of
tube 18 is frangible or sealed, it is necessary to provide skirt
22, in order to prevent rupturing or damage to end 18B or other
seal during shipping and storage of the disposable package 10. The
recess is also necessary so that the containers stand upright
during shipment, storage or display.
An alternate configuration for the tube end protection means of
FIG. 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes, in addition to the
annular skirt 22, a recessed portion 14A in the closed end 14 of
container 12 in which the tube end 18B is recessed. It can be seen
in both the embodiments of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, that if the
disposable package 10 of the present invention is dropped during
shipping, it will most likely land on annular skirt 22 and the
rupturing of tube end 18B will be prevented.
Applicant has found that the opened container 12, after stabilizing
at a refrigerated temperature and when subsequently warmed, by
opening and closing of the refrigerator door develops increased
pressure in the trapped head-space due to the expansion of the
head-space air. The increased head-space pressure will drive syrup
back up the tube 18 resulting in spillage through the open end 18B
at the top of the tube.
To counteract this effect, a suitable check valve is provided
within the container, preferably at the end of or within the flow
rate control tube 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5. One such check
valve may consist of a resilient seat RS against which acts as a
ball FB, suitably caged at C to prevent loss, which floats in the
syrup contained in the tube 18. The flotation provides the biasing
pressure to effect initial seating of the ball FB on the resilient
seat PS when the syrup is being driven up the tube by the increased
head-space pressure resulting from warming of the container and its
contents by opening and closing the refrigerator door. The biasing
pressure increases to effect a syrup-tight seal against seat RS as
head-space pressure becomes greater due to further warming, thereby
stopping the rise of syrup in the tube 18 and resultant
spillage.
If desired the cage C and valve seat RS can be integrally formed
with tube 18. For example, seat RS and cage C may each comprise
convex proturbences on the inside walls of tube 18 formed by
corrugations in the tube wall as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. This
greatly simplifies the fabrication of the check valve.
Prior art systems mentioned hereinbefore have no provision to
prevent spillage due to the expansion of the head-space air.
Although the check valve described in one type suitable for the
purpose, other means will be obvious to those skilled in the art,
such as reed or duck-bill types. The check valve must in no case
substantially impede the downward flow of the air through tube 18
which produces a balanced hydrostatic pressure at the desired
location within the container. Therefore, other check valves which
depend on mechanical means for bias in the closing direction must
be made in such fashion that the biasing force is very low.
Since the check valve is used only during the life of the
disposable container and is discarded along with the container
there is no need for sanitizing the check valve between periods of
use or between container changes. Judicious selection of materials
and of the dimensional relationship between the ball and the
resilient seat assures that the ball is covered with syrup when it
moves to the closed position urged by the syrup, thus avoiding
sticking of the valve while in use due to the drying of the
syrup.
In operation, the disposable package 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is
inverted into the position shown with open end 16 pointing
downwardly and is inserted into the socket in the dispenser D or
the valving system VS of FIGS. 12 and 13 to be described
hereinafter, whereby membrane 20B is punctured by piercing device
D3. Once in this position, frangible or sealed end portion 18B of
tube 18 is broken or opened to permit the entry of air therethrough
into container 12. As air flows through tube 18 into container 12
as the liquid is withdrawn, a pressure balance is created within
the container and from this point on functions to control the flow
of the syrup or other liquid at a constant rate from the container
through the dispenser mechanism D of FIG. 1 or valving system VS of
FIGS. 12 and 13 and into receptacle or cup C. A constant rate of
flow is achieved because tube 18 with air contained therein
establishes an effective hydrostatic pressure head at point 18A in
container 12 and thus, the flow rate of syrup from the container is
substantially constant.
The disposable syrup package of the present invention may be
manufactured with the tube 18 at different respective positions
depending on the Brix valve of the syrup to be contained
therein.
In other words, if a predetermined constant flow rate is desired,
it is necessary in determining the proper positioning of the open
end 18A of tube 18 to take into consideration the Brix value of the
syrup to be dispensed. However, the present invention offers the
advantage that the positioning of tube 18 is done only by skilled
and trained personnel in the manufacturing plant and not by an
unskilled operator in the field at the point of use.
The disposable package 10 may be manufactured of any suitable
materials. For example, the bottle 10 may be manufactured of thin
plastic or glass, although plastic is preferred. The flow rate
control tube 18 may also be manufactured of plastic or glass. The
annular skirt portion 22 may be fabricated from the heavy duty high
impact resistant plastic or rubber or formed as part of the
container itself. The rupturable membrane 20B provided in the open
end 16 of container 12 may be metal foil, plastic, or anay other
suitable material which will seal the end of the container without
contaminating its contents. If the membrane is plastic, it may be
heat sealed to the end of the container 12.
In the preferred embodiments of the present invention the closed
end 14 of the container is integral with the remaining portions and
the closed end of the tube 18B is frangible. However, other
modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. For example, the entire end wall 14 may comprise
a removable cap which is separable from the container.
CARBONATOR SYSTEM
The carbonator system for use in the post-mix dispenser of the
present invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 8-10 and is
illustrated as a component to the overall system in FIG. 14.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exterior of the carbonator
system housing and includes a water reservoir section WR and a
carbonator tank section CT. The water reservoir section is provided
with a removable water lid RL so that the water reservoir WR may be
manually refilled, such as by a pitcher filled with tap water and
so cubes or crushed ice may be placed therein. The carbonator tank
section includes a removable cover CT which provides access to the
carbonator tank CT and the carbonator power section of FIG. 10 to
be described hereinafter. Electric power is supplied to the
carbonator system through an electric power cord PC, this being the
only connector with devices outside the refrigerator required by
the system of the present invention. However, the power cord may be
fed through a hole in the conventional refrigerator door gasket of
the refrigerator making retro-fitting of the system very simple. Th
tube CW and G passing through the bottom of the carbonator system
housing illustrated in FIG. 8 are the carbonated water outlet and
the CO.sub.2 inlet of the system, respectively.
Referring in detail to FIG. 9 there is illustrated a diagrammatic
view of how the water reservoir WR and the carbonator tank CT fit
within the housing of the carbonator system of FIG. 8. As
illustrated, the carbonator tank CT is immersed within the water of
the water reservoir WR. This assists in cooling the carbonated
water formed in carbonator tank CT since the water in reservoir WR
is chilled by the refrigerator. In addition cubed or crushed ice
may be placed in reservoir WR. Therefore, the carbonator system of
the present invention provides for maximum chilling of the
carbonated water delivered to the valving system VS in the door of
the refrigerator. Many of the water lines and carbonated water tube
connections are not illustrated in FIG. 9 for clarity of
explanation. However, the low level water reservoir probe LLP in
reservoir tank WR and the carbonator tank liquid level probe TP are
illustrated. The details of operation of these probes LLP and TP
will be described further hereinafter.
Briefly, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the bottom of probe LLP is
positioned at a predetermined low water level above the bottom of
water reservoir WR. Probe LLP comprises an electrically conductive
member of electrode which completes an electrical circuit through
the water in tank WR to ground through a connection grounding the
walls of tank CT as long as water in tank WR is at least at the
level of the bottom of probe LLP. When the water in tank WR falls
below the level of the bottom end of probe LLP an electrical signal
is generated which indicates that the water in the reservoir WR has
fallen below a satisfactory level. An indicator light may be
provided to advise one to refill the water reservoir when the water
reaches this unsatisfactory level. When this occurs, power to the
motor pump arrangement of FIG. 10 to be described hereinafter can
not be supplied, thus shutting down the operation of the carbonator
until the supply of water in reservoir WR is replenished. Probe TP
in tank CT is also electrically conductive with its bottom end
positioned at a predetermined level above the bottom of tank TP.
Thus, as in the case of probe LLP, when the liquid level falls
below the level of the bottom end of probe TP, an open circuit
results between the probe and a grounded connection of tank CP
turning on the pump to be described hereinafter. When water again
reaches the bottom of probe TP a signal is generated which turns
the pump off.
FIG. 9 also illustrates other elements to be described in
connection with FIG. 10 including the provision of a power switch
PS on the front end of the carbonator system housing so that the
system can be manually shut on and off when desired.
Referring in detail to FIG. 10 there is illustrated an end view of
the carbonator end of the housing of FIG. 8 with the carbonator
tank cover CTC removed. As illustrated, the carbonator tank CT is
provided with a manifold head or lid CL through which various
connections to the CO.sub.2 gas, carbonator water outlet and
carbonator tank water supply are connected. See for example, the
tubes WC, G and WO for transmission of carbonated water, CO.sub.2
gas and water from reservoir WR, respectively. A duck-bill check
valve CCV is provided in the tube G for regulating the flow of
CO.sub.2 gas to the carbonator tank CT. A flow control valve FCV is
provided in the carbonated water outlet line WC at the fitting
between line WC and the carbonator tank top CL. Valve FCV may
comprise flow restricting buttons with bores of selected sizes for
different flow rates. Another duck-bill check valve WCV is provided
in water line WO between a motor and pumping system M-P to be
described hereinafter. A relief valve RV is provided in the top of
carbonator tank CL to limit the pressure in the carbonator tank to
a predetermined maximum safe level. A low water level probe LLP is
provided in water reservoir WR as described hereinbefore and a
water level carbonator tank probe TP is provided in the carbonator
tank CT. Both of these liquid level probes are electrically
connected to a solid state level control module SLC by suitable
wires. The motor and pumping system M-P has a water line WI in
communication with water reservoir WR for pumping water out of tank
WR in the carbonator tank CT on demand as determined by water level
probes LLP and TP, respectively. Carbonator tank probes TP is of a
similar nature to the water level LLP in reservoir WR. The bottom
end of probe TP is positioned at a predetermined level above the
bottom of a carbonator tank CT, (see FIG. 9) and when the water in
tank CT falls below that level an electrical circuit through probe
TP, the water, and a grounded wall of tank CT is open circuited.
This open circuit is sensed by solid state level control module
SLC. Module SLC then generates a signal to motor and pump M-P which
causes the motor and pump to draw water out of reservoir WR through
tubes WI, WO through check valve WCV and into carbonator tank CT
via a hydraulic spray nozzle HSN. Thus, the water in carbonator
tank CT is automatically replenished as its level falls below the
bottom of probe TP. When water again reaches the bottom of probe TP
a signal is generated through module SLC to turn pump M-P off.
Referring now in detail to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 the operation of the
carbonator system of the present invention will be briefly
described. Water reservoir WR is initially filled by removing lid
RL and a pitcher of water is poured into the reservoir. Power
switch PS on the front wall of the carbonator system housing is
then turned ON which enables all of the electrical water level
control circuit of the carbonator. Once power is supplied and a
proper water level is sensed by probe LLP in reservoir WR, motor
and pump M-P is energized drawing water out of the reservoir WR,
via tube WI, through pump M-P, tube WO, water check valve WCV, and
hydraulic spray nozzle HSN to fill the carbonator tank.
Simultaneously, CO.sub.2 gas is being fed through the tube G into
gas diffuser CD at the bottom of tank CT. When the valving system
to be described hereinafter is actuated, indicating that the
dispensing of carbonated water is desired, carbonated water flows
up dip tube DT through carbonated water tube WC and out of the
carbonated system to the valving system VS mounted on the door of
the refrigerator.
Carbonated water sufficient for two six-ounce drinks is stored in
the carbonator system in a preferred embodiment of the present
invention ready for dispensing on demand. However, replacement of
the carbonated water supply begins immediately by virtue of the
water level controls heretofore described as a drink is drawn from
the dispensing valve. Therefore, 18 ounces of product can be
continuously drawn from a dispensing valve before the carbonator
water supply is exhausted. A like quantity of carbonated water can
be dispensed after waiting for one minute.
Power is supplied to the carbonator system of FIGS. 8 to 10 via a
conventional three wire power cord PC intended to be plugged into
the duplex power recepticle. The power cord PC can be provided with
pressure sensitive adhesive on one of its flat surfaces so it can
be attached or secured outside and inside of the refrigerator. The
power cord PC is very thin and, therefore, entry into the
refrigerator may be accomplished through the refrigerator door
gasket making retro-fitting of the system of the present invention
very simple.
CO.sub.2 SYSTEM
Referring to FIG. 11 the CO.sub.2 system of the present invention
in a preferred embodiment may be a two pound aluminum cylinder GT
including a preset pressure regulator. Connection to the top of
cylinder GT and to the gas tube connection G of the carbonator
system may be by a pair of "football needle" valves FN to allow for
quick connecting and disconnecting when desired. In a preferred
embodiment the cylinder GT is mounted within the refrigerator, but
if desired, the cylinder may be mounted outside the refrigerator
and the gas tube passed through the refrigerator door gasket, as in
the case of the electrical power cord. In a preferred embodiment
the quantity of CO.sub.2 contained within the cylinder GT is
sufficient to carbonate 75 liters of product.
VALVING SYSTEM
Referring in detail to FIGS. 12 and 13 there is illustrated one of
the three units of the valving system VS of the present invention
previously described with respect to FIG. 14. The valving unit is
provided with a cylindrical socket SK at the top thereof for
receiving the neck portion 20 of the syrup package 10 described
hereinbefore. A seal S is provided around the upper periphery of
the socket SK to facilitate a tight connection with the neck 20 of
the syrup package. A mechanical piercing device MPD is provided in
the bottom of the socket, so that when a syrup package 20 is
plugged into the socket SK piercing device MPD punctures membrane
20B thus opening the syrup package. The main body of the valve unit
of FIG. 12 below the socket SK includes syrup valve SV and a
carbonated water valve CV. Each of these valves includes an
elastomeric or flexible valve member such as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,417,962 having a centrally mounted plunger SP and CP,
respectively. One end of the elastometric members is normally
seated against valve seat SVS and CVS, respectively, precluding the
flow of either syrup or carbonated water through the respective
valves. Each of these valves has a main valve body SVB for the
syrup and CVB for the carbonated water, which communicate through
bores 100 and 102, respectively, with a dispensing and mixing
nozzle to be described hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 13A to
13C. The mixing nozzles N1, N2, N3 are mounted on the bottom of the
valve unit illustrated in FIG. 12 in fluid communication with the
valve bodies SPB and CVB via the bores 100, 102 as best illustrated
in FIGS. 13B, 13C.
An actuation means for either both the syrup valve SV and
carbonated water valve CV, or the carbonated water valve alone is
provided. The actuation means includes an actuation bar AB hinged
on a pin HP at one end. At the opposite end of actuation bar AB
there is provided a push button such as one of push buttons
B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3 described hereinbefore with respect to
FIG. 14. If it is desired to dispense a carbonated beverage, one
must merely press one of the buttons B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3
which will cause the actuation bar AB to pivot about hinge pin HP
and press against valve plungers SP and CP, simultaneously. This
will cause the elastomeric members to unseat from valve seats SVS
and CVS, respectively, permitting the simultaneous flow of
carbonated water and syrup into the mixing nozzle through bores
100, 102 to be described hereinafter. A carbonated water button BC
is provided and passes through an aperture in actuation bar AB into
engagement with the carbonated water valve plunger CP. Thus, if one
wishes to dispense only carbonated water, button BC can be
individually pressed causing carbonated water alone to flow out of
the mixing nozzle of FIGS. 13A, 13B.
Referring to FIGS. 13A to 13C, there is illustrated the mixing
nozzle of the present invention which includes a main valve body
portion MVB mounted on the underside of the valve unit of FIG. 12
in communication with the syrup valve SV and carbonation water
valve CV. A syrup tube ST is provided in main valve body MVB and
communicates with the syrup valve SV via bore 100. Within syrup
tube ST there is provided a replaceable syrup restriction button
SRV with a bore 104 of a selected size. The size of bore 104 is
chosen for the different Brix values of syrup to be dispensed by
the particular dispensing unit buttons SRV illustrated in FIG. 15
are press fit into the end of tube ST. The bores 104 of replaceable
syrup buttons SRB in conjunction with the flow control tube 18 and
syrup packages 10 provide for an even controllable flow rate of
syrup out of the dispenser nozzle. A diffuser plate is provided
below the main valve body in nozzle N1, N2, N3 and is generally
indicated DP. The diffuser plate is utilized in a well known
fashion to diffuse the carbonated water passing through the nozzle.
An aperture in plate DP is indicated at DPA through which a syrup
tube ST passes so that the syrup does not pass through the diffuser
plate. Below the diffuser plate is dispenser nozzle N1, N2, N3
wherein the syrup and carbonated water are mixed in desired
proportions for dispensing the same into a cup or container held
below the nozzle.
The system having been thus described it should be understood that
many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
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