U.S. patent number RE35,780 [Application Number 08/326,174] was granted by the patent office on 1998-05-05 for constant ratio post-mix beverage dispensing valve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to IMI Cornelius Inc.. Invention is credited to David C. Anderson, David A. Hassell.
United States Patent |
RE35,780 |
Hassell , et al. |
May 5, 1998 |
Constant ratio post-mix beverage dispensing valve
Abstract
The present invention is a post-mix beverage dispensing valve
for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two liquid beverage
components. The present invention includes a valve main body having
a gear pump secured thereto. The gear pump includes two sets of
oval gears. One set of oval gears is in fluid communication with a
source of pressurized carbonated water, and the second set is in
fluid communication with a source of syrup. The valve body also
includes solenoid operated pallet valves for each of the beverage
components. Ratioing of the solenoid provides for simultaneous
opening of both pallet valves whereby the pressurized carbonated
water flows between the carbonated water gears and is swept thereby
through the valve body to the dispensing nozzle. One gear of each
gear pair is secured to a common rotating shaft. Pressurized
carbonated water provides for the rotation of the syrup gears,
thereby providing for the pumping of the syrup to the nozzle. The
gear pairs are sized so that the desired ratio between the beverage
components is maintained.
Inventors: |
Hassell; David A. (Anoka,
MN), Anderson; David C. (Anoka, MN) |
Assignee: |
IMI Cornelius Inc. (Anoka,
MN)
|
Family
ID: |
24520431 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/326,174 |
Filed: |
October 19, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
628818 |
Dec 17, 1990 |
05156301 |
Oct 20, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/129.2;
417/405; 137/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
1/0037 (20130101); G05D 11/008 (20130101); B01F
15/0218 (20130101); F04C 2/126 (20130101); B67D
1/107 (20130101); B67D 1/0031 (20130101); G05D
11/005 (20130101); B67D 1/12 (20130101); Y10T
137/2516 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B01F
15/02 (20060101); B67D 1/10 (20060101); B67D
1/00 (20060101); F04C 2/00 (20060101); F04C
2/12 (20060101); G05D 11/00 (20060101); B67D
005/56 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/129.1-129.4,133,135,136,145.1 ;137/98,99 ;417/405 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0326510 |
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Aug 1989 |
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EP |
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7929368 |
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Jul 1980 |
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FR |
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3929508A1 |
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Mar 1990 |
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DE |
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1074167 |
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Jun 1976 |
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IT |
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WO8804984 |
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Jul 1988 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Shaver; Kevin P.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hakanson; Sten Erik
Claims
We claim:
1. A constant ratio post-mix beverage dispensing valve
comprising:
a valve body, the valve body having a carbonated water channel
first portion and a syrup channel first portion, both first channel
portions extending partially through the valve body from first
portion first ends initiating at a valve body connecting end for
providing connection to sources of carbonated water and syrup
respectively and terminating at first portion second ends, and the
valve body having a carbonated water channel second portion and a
syrup channel second portion therein, both second channel portions
extending partially through the valve body from second portion
first ends and terminating at second portion second ends for
communicating with valve means, the valve means for regulating flow
of carbonated water and syrup from the sources thereof to a
dispensing nozzle,
the carbonated water second channel portion having a flow control
means therein,
.[.a plug releasably insertable into the valve body, said plug
including sealing means for sealing with the valve body, providing
access to the flow control means, and having a top surface forming
an interior surface portion of the carbonated water second channel
portion,.]. and
a gear ratioing means, the ratioing means having a housing for
retaining a carbonated water gear pair and a syrup gear pair
therein, one gear of each gear pair secured to a common drive
shaft, and the carbonated water gear pair rotating within a
carbonated water cavity and the syrup gear pair rotating within a
syrup cavity, and each cavity fluidly separate from the other and
having an inlet and an outlet, and the ratioing means sealably
securable to the valve body so that both the syrup cavity and the
carbonated water cavity inlets are in sealed fluid communication
with the carbonated water and syrup channel first portion second
ends respectively, and so that the syrup cavity and the carbonated
water cavity outlets are in sealed fluid communication with the
carbonated water and syrup channel second portion first ends
respectively so that the carbonated water and syrup can flow
through the ratioing means wherein a desired volume ratio between
the carbonated water and syrup is maintained as a function of the
relative size of the gear pairs to each other.
2. The dispensing valve as defined in claim .[.1.].
.Iadd.21.Iaddend., and the plug retained within the valve body by a
retaining plate secure to the valve body bottom side.
3. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 2, and the flow control
means comprising a flow control washer.
4. A constant ratio post-mix beverage dispensing valve,
comprising:
a valve body, the valve body having a carbonated water channel
first portion and a syrup channel first portion, both first channel
portions extending partially through the valve body from first
portion first ends initiating at a valve body connecting end for
providing connection to sources of carbonated water and syrup
respectively and terminating at first portion second ends, and the
valve body having a carbonated water channel second portion and a
syrup channel second portion therein, both second channel portions
extending partially through the valve body from second portion
first ends and terminating at second portion second ends for
communicating with valve means, the valve means for regulating flow
of carbonated water and syrup from the sources thereof to a
dispensing nozzle,
the syrup second channel portion having a flow control means
therein,
a plug releasably insertable into the valve body, said plug
including sealing means for sealing with the valve body, providing
access to the flow control means, and having a top surface forming
an interior surface portion of the syrup second channel portion,
and
a gear ratioing means, the ratioing means having a housing for
retaining a carbonated water gear pair and a syrup gear pair
therein, one gear of each gear pair secured to a common drive
shaft, and the carbonated water gear pair rotating within a
carbonated water cavity and the syrup gear pair rotating within a
syrup cavity, and each cavity fluidly separate from the other and
having an inlet and an outlet, and the ratioing means sealably
securable to the valve body so that both the syrup cavity and the
carbonated water cavity inlets are in sealed fluid communication
with the carbonated water and syrup channel first portion second
ends respectively, and so that the syrup cavity and the carbonated
water cavity outlets are in sealed fluid communication with the
carbonated water and syrup channel second portion first ends
respectively so that the carbonated water and syrup can flow
through the ratioing means wherein a desired volume ratio between
the carbonated water and syrup is maintained as a function of the
relative size of the gear pairs to each other.
5. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 4, and the plug
retained within the valve body by a retaining plate secured to the
valve body bottom side.
6. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 5, and the so flow
control means comprising a flow control washer.
7. A constant ratio post-mix beverage dispensing valve,
comprising:
a valve body, the valve body having a carbonated water channel
first portion and a syrup channel first portion, both first channel
portions extending partially through the valve body from first
portion first ends initiating at a valve body connecting end for
providing connection to sources of carbonated water and syrup
respectively and terminating at first portion second ends, and the
valve body having a carbonated water channel second portion and a
syrup channel second portion therein, both second channel portions
extending partially through the valve body from second portion
first ends and terminating at second portion second ends for
communicating with valve means, the valve means for regulating flow
of carbonated water and syrup from the sources thereof to a
dispensing nozzle,
the carbonated water second channel portion and the syrup second
channel portion each having a flow control means therein,
first and second plugs releasably insertable into the valve body,
said first and second plugs including sealing means for sealing
with the valve body, providing access to the flow control means in
the carbonated water channel portion and the syrup channel portion
respectively, and having a top surface forming an interior surface
portion of the carbonated water second channel portion and the
syrup second portion respectively, and
a gear ratioing means, the ratioing means having a housing for
retaining a carbonated water gear pair and a syrup gear pair
therein, one gear of each gear pair secured to a common drive
shaft, and the carbonated water gear pair rotating within a
carbonated water cavity and the syrup gear pair rotating within a
syrup cavity, and each cavity fluidly separate from the other and
having an inlet and an outlet, and the ratioing means sealably
securable to the valve body so that both the syrup cavity and the
carbonated water cavity inlets are in sealed fluid communication
with the carbonated water and syrup channel first portion second
ends respectively, and so that the syrup cavity and the carbonated
water cavity outlets are in sealed fluid communication with the
carbonated water and syrup channel second portion first ends
respectively so that the carbonated water and syrup can flow
through the ratioing means wherein a desired volume ratio between
the carbonated water and syrup is maintained as a function of the
relative size of the gear pairs to each other.
8. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 7, and the plugs
retained within the valve body by a retaining plate secured to the
valve body bottom side.
9. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 8, and the flow control
means comprising a flow control washer.
10. A constant ratio post-mix beverage dispensing valve,
comprising:
a valve body, the valve body having a carbonated water channel
first portion and a syrup channel first portion, both first channel
portions extending partially through the valve body from first
portion first ends initiating at a valve body connecting end for
providing connection to sources of carbonated water and syrup
respectively and terminating .[.of.]. .Iadd.at .Iaddend.first
portion second ends, and the valve body having a carbonated water
channel second portion and a syrup channel second portion therein,
both second channel portions extending partially through the valve
body from second portion first ends and terminating at second
portion second ends for communicating with valve means, the valve
means for regulating flow of carbonated water and syrup from the
sources thereof to a dispensing nozzle,
a gear ratioing means, the ratioing means having a housing for
retaining a carbonated water gear pair and a syrup gear pair
therein, one gear of each gear pair secured to a common drive
shaft, and the carbonated water gear pair rotating within a
carbonated water cavity and the syrup gear pair rotating within a
syrup cavity, and each cavity fluidly separate from the other and
having an inlet and an outlet, and the ratioing means having a pair
of inlet legs and a pair of outlet legs extending from a lower end
of the housing thereof, the inlet legs having channels extending
there through for fluidly communicating with the carbonated water
and syrup cavity inlets respectively, and the outlet legs having
channels extending there through for fluidly communicating with the
carbonated water and syrup cavity outlets respectively, and the
valve body having a ratioing means receiving top surface, and the
first channel second ends and second channel first ends terminating
on the top surface with carbonated water and syrup inlet leg
receiving apertures and carbonated water and syrup outlet leg
receiving apertures respectively, the apertures including sealing
means for providing fluid sealing with the inlet and outlet legs
when inserted therein so that the carbonated water and syrup can
flow through the ratioing means wherein a desired volume ratio
between the carbonated water and syrup is maintained as a function
of the relative size of the gear pairs to each other, and the
dispensing valve having releasable retaining means operable to
secure the rationing means to the valve body when the legs thereof
are inserted into the apertures.
11. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 10, and the carbonated
water second channel portion having a flow control means
therein.
12. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 9, and including a
plug releasably insertable into a bottom side of the valve body
opposite from the top surface, the plug including sealing means for
sealing with the valve body and the plug providing access to the
flow control means.
13. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 12, and the plug
having a top surface the plug top surface including a rounded
groove forming a smooth interior surface portion of the second
channel.
14. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 13, and the plug
retained within the valve body by a retaining plate secured to the
valve body bottom side.
15. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 14, and the flow
control means comprising a flow control washer.
16. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 10, and the syrup
second channel portion having a flow control means therein.
17. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 16, and including a
plug releasably insertable into a bottom side of the valve body
opposite from the top surface, the plug including sealing means for
sealing with the valve body and the plug providing access to the
flow control means.
18. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 17, and the plug
having a top surface the plug top surface including a rounded
groove forming a smooth interior surface portion of the second
channel.
19. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 18, and the plug
retained within the valve body by a retaining plate secured to the
valve body bottom side.
20. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 19, and the flow
control means comprising a flow control washer. .Iadd.
21. The dispensing valve as defined in claim 1 and further
including a plug releasably insertable into the valve body, said
plug including sealing means for sealing with the valve body and
for providing access to the flow control means. .Iaddend..Iadd.22.
The dispensing valve as defined in claim 21, and the flow control
means comprising a flow washer. .Iaddend..Iadd.23. The dispensing
valve as defined in claim 1 and the syrup channel second portion
having a flow control means therein.
.Iaddend..Iadd.24. A constant ratio post-mix beverage dispensing
valve comprising:
a valve body, the valve body having a carbonated water channel
first portion and a syrup channel first portion, both first channel
portions extending partially through the valve body from first
portion first ends initiating at a valve body connecting end for
providing connection to sources of carbonated water and syrup
respectively and terminating at first portion second ends, and the
valve body having a carbonated water channel second portion and a
syrup channel second portion therein, both second channel portions
extending partially through the valve body from second portion
first ends and terminating at second portion second ends for
communicating with valve means, the valve means for regulating flow
of carbonated water and syrup from the sources thereof to a
dispensing nozzle,
the syrup channel second portion having a flow control means
therein, and a gear ratioing means, the ratioing means having a
housing for retaining a carbonated water gear pair and a syrup gear
pair therein, one gear of each gear pair secured to a common drive
shaft, and the carbonated water gear pair rotating within a
carbonated water cavity and the syrup gear pair rotating within a
syrup cavity, and each cavity fluidly separate from the other and
having an inlet and an outlet, and the ratioing means sealably
securable to the valve body so that both the syrup cavity and the
carbonated water cavity inlets are in sealed fluid communication
with the carbonated water and syrup channel first portion second
ends respectively, and so that the syrup cavity and the carbonated
water cavity outlets are in sealed fluid communication with the
carbonated water and syrup channel second portion first ends
respectively so that the carbonated water and syrup can flow
through the ratioing means wherein a desired volume ratio between
the carbonated water and syrup is maintained as a function of the
relative size of the gear pairs to each other. .Iaddend..Iadd.25.
The dispensing valve as defined in claim 24, and the flow control
means comprising a flow washer. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. The dispensing
valve as defined in claim 24 and further including a plug
releasably insertable into the valve body, said plug including
sealing means for sealing with the valve body and for providing
access to the flow control means. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. The dispensing
valve as defined in claim 26, and the flow control means comprising
a flow washer. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to post-mix beverage
dispensing valves and, in particular, to post-mix beverage
dispensing valves that automatically maintain the proper ratio of
two beverage components.
2. Background of the Invention
Post-mix beverage dispensing valves that provide for the proper
ratioing of a mixture of, for example, carbonated water and syrup
to produce a dispensed beverage, are well known in the art. Such
prior art valves generally consist of a valve body having separate
channels therethrough for the delivery of beverage constituents
separately to a valving mechanism for ultimate delivery through a
mixing nozzle to a suitable receptacle. To provide for the proper
beverage mixture, post-mix beverage dispensing valves of this type
include flow controls in each of the beverage constituent lines.
The flow controls are generally of the piston, needle valve or flow
washer type. When properly adjusted, such flow controls maintain
the desired ratio or brix quite well. However, it has been found
that differences in ambient temperature, the delivery pressures of
the drink constituents and mechanical wear of the flow controls can
contribute to an improperly mixed drink.
A mechanical approach to automatic brix control is known wherein
doubling acting pistons are linked together so they operate
simultaneously. The proper ratio is maintained whereby the volumes
of the pistons are at the desired ratio, typically five to one for
a mixture of carbonated water and syrup. In this manner, five
volumes of water and one volume of syrup are pumped for each stroke
of the pistons in each direction. This approach works relatively
well when large volumes of, for example, water and syrup are mixed.
Difficulties have been experienced with respect to reduction in
size sufficient to fit within the dimensions of a typical post-mix
dispensing valve. In addition, such a system has proven to be
expensive to manufacture.
Other automatic ratioing approaches have been proposed wherein the
ambient temperature and/or pressures of the beverage constituents
are independently monitored and adjusted accordingly. However, such
systems suffer primarily from complexity and high cost.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to have a post-mix
beverage dispensing valve that automatically maintains the desired
ratio of beverage constituents and that is easy and inexpensive to
manufacture and operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a post-mix beverage dispensing valve that
automatically maintains the desired ratio between two beverage
components. The present invention includes a valve body having a
pair of beverage constituent fluid pathways extending therethrough
from an attachment end to a valving end. Pallet valves are provided
and operated by a single solenoid for delivering the beverage
constituents simultaneously to a beverage nozzle wherein they are
mixed and dispensed into a suitable receptacle. A gear pump is
releasably secured to the valve main body and includes a pair of
water and syrup inlets and a corresponding pair of water and syrup
outlets. The water inlet and outlet thereof are in fluid
communication with the water channel extending through the main
valve body. Likewise, the syrup inlet and outlet are in fluid flow
communication with the syrup channel. The gear pump includes two
pairs of elliptical or oval gears. The syrup inlet and outlet
channels are in fluid communication with one pair of syrup gears,
and the carbonated water inlet and outlet channels are in fluid
communication with the remaining pair of carbonated water gears.
One of the gears from each set is connected to and keyed to a
rotating axle and each of the remaining gears are free to rotate on
a fixed shaft. Each gear pair rotates in its own housing, fluidly
separate from the other gear pair.
In operation, pressurized carbonated water is provided to the
carbonated water inlet and is delivered centrally of the two
carbonated water gears for providing rotation thereof. The
carbonated water then flows out the carbonated water outlet to the
carbonated water channel for delivery to the pallet valve
mechanism. It can be understood that, as one of the gears of each
set is on a common rotating shaft, the pressurized carbonated water
provides for the driving force for the syrup gear pair. The gear
pairs are dimensioned such that, for each revolution of the gear
pairs, five volumes of water are delivered to the valve nozzle for
each one volume of syrup. It can now be appreciated that the
present invention automatically provides for the proper ratio
between the carbonated water and syrup by virtue of the
dimensioning of the gear pairs. Moreover, such ratio is maintained
regardless of the rotation rate of the gear pairs. In addition, as
the syrup gears act as a pump, it is not necessary to pressurize
the syrup for the delivery thereof to the value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be
understood by reference to the following detailed description,
which refers to the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view along lines 2--2 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view along lines 4--4 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 shows a top surface view of a flow control cavity plug.
As seen by referring to the various figures, the present invention
is generally designated by the number 10. Valve 10 includes a main
valve body 12 and valve housing or cover 13. Valve body 12 includes
an inlet water channel 14 having a inlet orifice 16 for fluid
communication with a pressurized source of carbonated water (not
shown). Valve body 12 further includes a carbonated water out
channel 17 and a flow control cavity 18 having a flow control plug
19 releasably inserted therein. As seen by also referring to FIG.
5, plug 19 includes a pair of O-rings 20 and a top surface 21
having a groove 22 formed therein. Valve body 12 includes a seat 23
for retaining a flow washer 24. .Iadd.Channel 17 provides for fluid
communication from cavity 18 to a pallet valve 25. .Iaddend.In a
similar manner, body 12 includes a syrup inlet channel 26 having an
orifice 28 for communication with a source of syrup (not shown).
Valve body 12 further includes a syrup outlet channel 30 and a
syrup flow control cavity 32. It will be understood that cavity 32
also includes a plug 19 as previously described, and may optionally
include a flow control means, as will be described in greater
detail below. Channel 30 provides for fluid communication from
cavity 32 to a syrup pallet valve 34.
A solenoid 36 is secured to valve body 12 and includes a operating
rod 38. A valve operating arm 40 is pivotally secured to valve body
12 and provides for contact with pallet valve arms 42. Pallet
valves .[.24.]. .Iadd.25 .Iaddend.and 34 are secured between valve
body 12 and a valve block 44. Valve block 44, as is known in the
art, includes separate seats upon which the pallet valves operate
for delivery of carbonated water and syrup to a nozzle 50. Nozzle
50 is secured to a lower plate 52 and includes a diffuser 54
therein for the mixing of the carbonated water and syrup prior to
dispensing into a suitable receptacle. In the present embodiment,
plate 52 is secured to body 12 by a plurality of screws (not shown)
and serves to hold block 44 securely therebetween.
Valve 10 includes a releasably mounted gear ratioing pump 60. Pump
60 is manufactured by Xolox, Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind., and consists
primarily of five separate sections: a carbonated water flow
section 62, a carbonated water gear pump housing section 64, a
spacer section 66, a syrup gear pump housing section 68, and a
syrup flow section 70. These five sections are held together by a
plurality of screws 72, and are sealed from each other by O-rings
74 extending through oval shaped grooves 75. Section 62 includes a
carbonated water inlet channel 76 having a gear housing delivery
orifice 78. In a similar manner, section 62 includes a carbonated
water outlet channel 82 having a housing outlet orifice 84. Section
62 includes a carbonated water inlet leg 88 and a carbonated water
outlet leg 90. Gear section 64 includes a figure-eight shaped
pumping cavity 92 and a pair of oval carbonated water gears 94a and
94b. Gear 94a is keyed to a drive shaft 96 extending between and
rotatively secured to sections 62 and 70. Gear 94b freely rotates
around a fixed shaft 98 extending between sections 62 and 70. Gear
section 68 includes a figure-eight shaped syrup pumping cavity 100
and includes a pair of syrup gears 102a and 102b therein. Gear 102a
is fixedly secured to shaft 96 and gear 102b freely rotates round
fixed shaft 98. Spacer section 66 includes a seal 104 for
preventing fluid communication along shaft 96 between either of
cavities 92 or 100. Housing section 70 is similar in structure and
function as section 62 and includes a syrup inlet channel 106
terminating with a syrup cavity orifice 108. Section 70 also
includes a syrup outlet channel 112 having a syrup pumping outlet
cavity orifice (not shown). It will be appreciated by those of
skill that the placement of the syrup cavity outlet orifice is the
same as that with orifice 78. Also, as with section 62, pump
section 70 includes a pair of legs and, specifically, a syrup inlet
leg 116 and outlet leg 118.
Legs 88, 90, 116 and 118 include narrowed end portions 120 and
semicircular grooves 124. Portions 124 provide for securing
cooperation with U-shaped rod 126 extending through a pair of bores
128 extending into main body portion 12. Legs 88, 90, 116 and 118
also include reduced diameter ends 129 for insertion through
O-rings 130. O-rings 130 rest on seats 131 at the bottom of leg
retaining orifices 132, 134, 135, and 136. The manner of securing
of pump 60 to valve body 12 can be understood whereby legs 88, 90,
116 and 118 are inserted into orifices 130, 132, 134, 136
respectively of body 12 whereby ends 120 thereof extend therein and
provide for sealing engagement with O-rings 130. Pump 60 is then
retained on valve body 12 by the insertion of rod 126 into cavities
128 for cooperating with leg grooves 124.
The operation of the present invention can be understood whereby
operation of solenoid 36, through movement of rod 38, provides for
simultaneous opening of pallet valves .[.24.]. .Iadd.25
.Iaddend.and 34 by depression of the operating arms 42 thereof by
arm 40. In this manner, the carbonated water and syrup can flow
through valve body 12 for dispensing out of nozzle 50.
Specifically, and as will be understood by those of skill, the
pressurized carbonated water is allowed to flow through channels 14
and 76 for delivery into cavity 92 through inlet 78. The carbonated
water thus causes the rotating of gears 94a and 94b, as it flows
there around in each half of cavity 92 to orifice 80. The direction
of rotation of gears 94a and b is indicated by arrows in FIG. 2.
Carbonated water then flows down channel 82 for ultimate delivery
into a suitable receptacle held below nozzle 50. As gear 94a is
keyed to rotating shaft 96, which in turn is keyed to gear 102a, it
will be understood that the pressure of the carbonated water also
provides for the simultaneous rotating of gears 102a and 102b and,
therefore, the pumping of the particular syrup. Thus, as gear pairs
94a, 94b, and 102a, 102b are proportioned so the desired ratio of
carbonated water and syrup is maintained, the proper ratio of the
two beverage components will be continually delivered to the pallet
valves. In the present invention, gears 94a and 94b have a large or
elliptical diameter of approximately 1.5 cm and a width of
approximately 0.6 cm. Thus, at a beverage dispensing flow rate of
1.5 oz. per second, gear pair 94a, 94b and 102a, 102b rotate at a
speed of approximately 50 cycles per second (Hz). Washer 22
provides for maintaining the rotational speed of the gears at
approximately 50 Hz. so that the desired flow rate is generally
maintained. It will be appreciated that various flow control means
can be used such as, a small orifice, a needle valve and so forth.
Thus, the flow control represented by washer 24 does not provide
for the .[.rotioing.]. .Iadd.ratioing .Iaddend.of the two beverage
components, but rather controls the rate of flow of the carbonated
water, and therefor the syrup, through the valve. It can be
understood that rounded groove 22 with valve body 12 forms a smooth
passage for the carbonated water for minimizing any decarbonation
thereof. Plug 19 is releasably secured between valve body 12 and
plate 52 and allows for access to washer 24 so various flow washers
can be used to allow for different flow regulation, as particular
equipment or conditions may dictate.
Syrup flow space 32 can also include a flow regulating means such
as a needle valve so the ratio between the syrup and carbonated
water can be adjusted for a given gear pump architecture. In this
manner, one gear pump could be used for a range of ratios of, for
example, 4.5/1.0 to 5.5/1.0. It can also be appreciated that gears
102a and b pump the syrup, and therefore, the syrup does not need
to be pressurized. Thus, the present invention has particular
utility with "bag-in-box" syrup systems.
It can be understood that as pump body 60 is quickly detachable
from valve body 12, the ratio of the beverage constituents can also
be altered by the complete interchanging of pump bodies wherein the
internal dimensions with respect to gearing and gear cavities
thereof are varied to provide for the different ratios, as
required.
It will be apparent to those of skill that various changes or
modifications can be made to the present invention without
exceeding the inventive scope thereof. For example, a gear pump
could be used that includes circular gears. In the present
invention elliptical gears were found to be preferred as the "sweep
thereof" provides for the pumping of a greater volume of liquid per
revolution as would be represented by the gear teeth alone of
circular gears. Also, drive shaft 96 could be operated by drive
means such as an electric motor to provide for the pumping of the
beverage constituents.
* * * * *