U.S. patent number RE33,943 [Application Number 07/104,436] was granted by the patent office on 1992-06-02 for post mix fruit juice dispenser.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Jet Spray Corp.. Invention is credited to William A. Arzberger, William H. DeCastro, Jr., Edward J. LaLumiered, Michael J. Riley.
United States Patent |
RE33,943 |
Arzberger , et al. |
June 2, 1992 |
Post mix fruit juice dispenser
Abstract
A post mix fruit juice dispenser having a refrigerated cabinet
at the top which houses separate containers for different juice
concentrates. The machine mixes potable water with the concentrate
on demand. The potable water is cooled in an ice bath at the rear
of the cabinet, and the same refrigeration system which cools the
ice bath provides a source for cooling air circulated in the
cabinet about the concentrate containers. The concentrate
containers and their discharge assemblies may be removed from the
machine for cleaning, but the containers may be replenished through
filling assemblies at the top of the cabinet without removing
them.
Inventors: |
Arzberger; William A.
(Medfield, MA), Riley; Michael J. (Alpharetta, GA),
DeCastro, Jr.; William H. (Sangerville, ME), LaLumiered;
Edward J. (Woburn, MA) |
Assignee: |
Jet Spray Corp. (Norwood,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
26801539 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/104,436 |
Filed: |
October 5, 1987 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
653497 |
Sep 21, 1984 |
04610145 |
Sep 9, 1986 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/127;
222/129.1; 222/146.1; 62/303; 62/390; 62/419 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
1/0028 (20130101); B67D 1/1247 (20130101); B67D
2210/00041 (20130101); B67D 2210/00157 (20130101); B67D
2210/00104 (20130101); B67D 2210/00149 (20130101); B67D
2210/00044 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
1/12 (20060101); B67D 1/00 (20060101); F25B
049/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;62/391,390,298,303,419,139,127 ;222/148,146.1,129.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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5513999 |
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Apr 1975 |
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JP |
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5187496 |
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Jul 1979 |
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JP |
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571199 |
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Jun 1980 |
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JP |
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56-95897 |
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Dec 1980 |
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JP |
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2065603 |
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Nov 1980 |
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GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Wayner; William E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A dual beverage dispenser comprising:
a base and a cabinet mounted on the base, said cabinet being open
toward the front,
two containers in the cabinet for storing beverage concentrate to
be mixed with water to make the two drinks to be dispensed by the
dispenser,
a hinged door for opening and closing the front of the cabinet,
an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet,
a stirrer having a propeller in the bath and a motor disposed above
the bath;
a refrigeration system including a compressor and condensor in the
base and an evaporator in the bath for reducing the temperature of
water in the bath,
a pair of dispensing nozzles secured to the base and means
connecting the respective nozzles to the different concentrate
containers in the cabinet,
a potable water circuit including an inlet for connecting a water
source to the dispenser and a cooling coil in the bath for cooling
the potable water, said circuit also including ducts connecting the
coil to the inlet and to the dispensing nozzles,
an air cooling coil forming part of the refrigeration system in
series with the evaporator in the bath and disposed outside the
bath in the cabinet,
means including a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the
cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the concentrate
containers in the cabinet to maintain the temperature of the
concentrates in the cabinet at a selected level,
and a mixing block in each nozzle for combining concentrate and
potable water before they are discharged from the nozzles.
2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 further characterized by
said cabinet having a top wall and a pair of openings in the top
wall for separately filling the containers in the cabinet.
3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 further characterized by
heat exchange plates connected to the motor and extending into the
bath for cooling the motor.
4. A beverage dispenser comprising
a base and insulating walls defining a cabinet on the base,
a liner in the cabinet defining a compartment,
a concentrate container in the compartment for storing beverage
concentrate to be mixed with water to make the drink to be
dispensed by the dispenser,
a dispensing nozzle secured to the base and means connecting the
dispensing nozzle to the concentrate container,
a refrigeration system including a water circuit having means for
connecting a water source to the dispensing nozzle and means for
cooling the water,
said refrigeration system including an air cooling coil immediately
adjacent the liner and within the cabinet,
said liner having a bottom wall with an elevated rear portion
adjacent the air cooling coil,
and means including a fan disposed below the elevated portion of
the bottom wall of the liner for circulating air in the cabinet
through the liner and about any containers within the liner.
5. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by
a pair of concentrate containers in the liner, and spaces between
the containers and between the containers and the liner walls for
circulating the cool air about the container.
6. A dispenser as defined to claim 4 further characterized by
a tray mounted in the liner for supporting the container above the
liner bottom wall.
7. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by
said means for cooling the water including a water bath in the
cabinet behind the air cooling coil, an evaporator in the
refrigeration system and mounted in the bath,
and a temperature probe in the bath responsive to ice build up in
the bath.
8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7 further characterized by
a motor in the housing and disposed above the bath,
and an impeller driven by the motor and disposed in the bath for
circulating water in said bath.
9. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by
means including electrodes in the wall of the container for sensing
when the concentrate in the container falls below a prescribed
level.
10. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by
a door on the front of the cabinet providing access to the interior
of the liner for introducing and removing the container to and from
the liner,
and openings in the top of the cabinet, and container for
replenishing concentrate in the container without removing the
container from the cabinet.
11. A dispenser as defined in claim 10 further characterized by
a cover on the top of the cabinet for closing the top opening
therein,
and a removable funnel in the opening and registering with the
opening in the top of the container.
12. A beverage dispenser comprising
a housing including a base and an insulated cabinet on the
base,
an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet,
two concentrate containers of different size mounted in the front
of the cabinet,
separate beverage discharge assemblies including mixing blocks
mounted on the housing and a dispensing nozzle for each
container,
a potable water system connected to the mixing blocks and having a
water coil in the ice bath,
a refrigeration system in the housing having an evaporator coil in
the bath and an air cooling coil adjacent the concentrate
containers, said evaporator coil cooling water in the bath so as to
cool potable water in the water coil,
a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the
air cooling coil and about the containers,
and means including a concentrate control valve and pump in each of
the beverage discharge assemblies for connecting the containers to
their respective mixing blocks.
13. A beverage dispenser comprising
a housing including a base and an insulated cabinet on the
base,
an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet and at least one concentrate
container in the front of the cabinet,
a beverage discharge assembly including a mixing block mounted on
the housing and having a dispensing nozzle,
a potable water system connected to the mixing block and having a
water coil in the ice bath,
a refrigeration system in the housing having a evaporator coil in
the bath and an air cooling coil adjacent the concentrate
container, said evaporator coil cooling water in the bath so as to
cool potable water in the water coil,
a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the
air cooling coil and about the container,
a door in the front of the cabinet for removing the container,
an opening in the top of the cabinet and the container for filling
the container without moving it from the cabinet,
means including a concentrate control valve in the cabinet for
connecting the container to the mixing block,
and means for releasably retaining the valve in the cabinet so that
it may be removed with the container.
14. A beverage dispenser comprising
a housing including a base and an insulated cabinet on the
base,
an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet and at least one concentrate
container in the front of the cabinet,
a beverage discharge assembly including a mixing block mounted on
the housing and having a dispensing nozzle,
a potable water system connected to the mixing block and having a
water coil in the ice bath,
a refrigeration system in the housing having an evaporator coil in
the bath and an air cooling adjacent the concentrate container,
said evaporator coil cooling water in the bath so as to cool
potable water in the water coil,
a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the
air cooling coil and about the container,
means including a concentrate control valve in the cabinet for
connecting the container to the mixing block,
and a flush line connecting the potable water system to the
concentrate control valve for cleaning the connection between the
concentrate container and the nozzle.
15. A dispenser as defined in claim 14 further characterized by
said potable water system including a solenoid valve in the housing
for controlling the flow of water through the system, and means
including a push handle on the housing for opening the solenoid
valve.
16. A beverage dispenser comprising
a base and insulating walls defining a cabinet on the base,
a liner in the cabinet defining a compartment,
a refrigeration system including an air cooling coil immediately
adjacent the liner and within the cabinet,
said liner having a bottom wall with an elevated rear portion
adjacent the air cooling coil,
and means including a fan disposed below the elevated portion of
the bottom wall of the liner for circulating air in the cabinet
through the liner and about any containers within the liner,
a water bath in the cabinet behind the air cooling coil,
an evaporator in the refrigeration system and mounted in the
bath,
a temperature probe in the bath responsive to ice build up in the
bath,
a motor in the cabinet and disposed above the bath,
an impeller driven by the motor and disposed in the bath for
circulating water in said bath,
and heat exchange plates connected to the motor and extending into
the bath for cooling the motor.
17. A beverage dispenser comprising
a base and an insulated cabinet mounted on the base, said cabinet
being open toward the front,
a container in the cabinet for storing beverage concentrate to be
mixed with water to make a drink to be dispensed by the
dispenser,
a door in the front of the cabinet for removing the container,
an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet,
a refrigeration system including a compressor and a condenser in
the base and an evaporator in the bath for reducing the temperature
of water in the bath,
a dispensing nozzle secured to the base and means connecting the
dispensing nozzle to the concentrate container in the cabinet,
a water circuit including an inlet for connecting a water source to
the dispenser and a water cooling coil in the bath for cooling the
water, said circuit also including ducts connecting the water
cooling coil to the inlet and to the dispensing nozzle,
an air cooling coil forming part of the refrigeration system in
series with the evaporator in the bath and disposed outside the
bath in the cabinet,
means including a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the
cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the concentrate
container in the cabinet to maintain the temperature of the
concentrate in the cabinet at a selected level,
and a mixing block in the nozzle for combining concentrate and
water before they are discharged from the nozzle.
18. A dispenser as defined in claim 17 further characterized by
an opening in the top of the cabinet and the container for filling
the container without removing it from the cabinet. .Iadd.
19. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base, at least one
concentrate container disposed in the cabinet,
door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for
insertion and removal of the container,
a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and
a dispensing nozzle,
a potable water source for providing potable water,
means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,
means for directing concentrate from the concentrate container to
said mixing chamber and including a valve having a first position
in which concentrate flows therethrough and a second position in
which the concentrate flow is inhibited while permitting potable
water flow therethrough for cleaning at least a portion of said
means for directing concentrate, and at least a portion of said
discharge assembly, between said valve and said dispensing nozzle.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A dispenser as defined in claim 19 wherein said
means for directing concentrate includes a concentrate pump
disposed downstream of said valve and adapted to be operated to
pump concentrate to the nozzle in the first position of the valve,
and to pump potable water to the nozzle in the second position
of
the valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A dispenser as defined in claim 20
wherein said valve includes manual selection means for selecting
one of said first and second positions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A
dispenser as defined in claim 21 including a support manifold
disposed between said valve and said concentrate pump. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A dispenser as defined in claim 22 including a flush line
coupling from a water control solenoid to the valve to introduce
potable water to the valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A dispenser as
defined in claim 23 wherein said valve is removable from the
support
manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A dispenser as defined in claim 24
including means supported from the manifold for retaining the valve
in position on the manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A dispenser as
defined in claim 19 wherein said source of cool potable water
includes an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet having a water coil
disposed in the ice bath. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A dispenser as
defined in claim 26 including a refrigeration system in the housing
having an evaporator coil in the bath. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A
dispenser as defined in claim 27 including an air cooling coil
adjacent the concentrate container, and a fan in the cabinet for
circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling coil and about
the
container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A dispenser as defined in claim 19
including at least a pair of side-by-side disposed concentrate
containers. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A dispenser as defined in claim 29
wherein one container is larger than the other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31.
A dispenser as defined in claim 19 including an ice bath at the
rear of the cabinet having a water coil disposed in the ice bath,
and a stirrer having a propeller in the bath and a motor disposed
above the bath. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A dispenser as defined in claim
31 including a temperature probe in the ice bath responsive to ice
build up in the bath to control the
level of ice build up. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A dispenser as defined
in claim 19 wherein said cabinet comprises an insulated cabinet.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A dispenser as defined in claim 19 wherein said
valve is a single valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A dispenser as defined
in claim 19 including a support manifold disposed downstream of
said valve and between said valve and said discharge assembly.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.36. A dispenser as defined in claim 35 wherein said
valve is removable from the support manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A
dispenser as defined in claim 36 including means supported from
said manifold for releasably retaining said valve in
position on said manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A dispenser as
defined in claim 19 including means for releasably retaining said
valve within said cabinet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A beverage dispenser
comprising;
a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,
at least one concentrate container,
means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,
outlet means connected to said concentrate container and through
which the concentrate can be drawn,
door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for
insertion and removal of the container,
a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and
a dispensing nozzle,
a potable water source for providing potable water,
means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,
means for coupling the outlet means of the concentrate container to
the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and water,
said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for
enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the
cabinet, said quick-disconnect means comprising engaging means for
slidably but releasably engaging the outlet means, and holding
means intercoupling said engaging means and said outlet means for
releasably holding said engaging means and said outlet means in
releasably fixed relative liquid-tight
position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A beverage as defined in claim 39
wherein said means in the cabinet upon which the container is
supported comprises
a tray. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. A beverage dispenser as defined in
claim 39 wherein said cabinet comprises an insulated cabinet.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 39
wherein; said engaging means is connected to the cabinet, and
said holding means comprises a member pivotably connected to said
engaging means and releasably engaging a plurality of projections
on said outlet
means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim
42 wherein; said engaging means comprises a support manifold, and
said member comprises a bail wire. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A beverage
dispenser as defined in claim 39 wherein said latter means includes
a valve connected to said outlet means for selectively restricting
flow from said outlet means, said door means being disposed on the
front of said cabinet. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. A beverage dispenser comprising:
a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,
at least one concentrate container,
means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,
said concentrate container having outlet means therefrom through
which the concentrate can be drawn,
door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for
insertion and removal of the container,
a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and
a dispensing nozzle,
a potable water source for providing potable water,
means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,
means for coupling the outlet means for the concentrate container
to the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and
water,
said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for
enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the
cabinet,
wherein said latter means includes a concentrate pump for drawing
the concentrate from the outlet means, said door means being
disposed on the front of the cabinet. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 45 further
including a valve coupled between said outlet means and said
concentrate pump. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. A beverage dispenser as
defined in claim 46 wherein
said valve is a single control valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. A
beverage dispenser as defined in claim 46 wherein said valve has a
first position in which concentrate flows therethrough and a second
position in which the concentrate flow is inhibited while
permitting potable water flow therethrough for cleaning at least
the connection between the valve and the nozzle. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 48 wherein said
valve includes manual selection means for selecting one of said
first and second positions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. A beverage
dispenser as defined in claim 49 including a support manifold
disposed between said valve and said concentrate pump. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 50 including a
flush line coupling from a water control solenoid to the valve to
introduce potable water to the valve.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.52. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 51
wherein said valve is removable from the support manifold.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.53. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 52
including bail means supported from the manifold for retaining the
valve in position on the manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. A beverage
dispenser as defined in claim 53 wherein said source of cool
potable water includes an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet
having a water coil disposed in the ice bath, including a
refrigeration system in the housing having an evaporator coil in
the bath, including an air cooling coil adjacent the concentrate
container, and a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the
cabinet over the air cooling
coil and about the container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. A beverage
dispenser comprising;
a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,
at least one concentrate container,
means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,
said concentrate container having outlet means therefrom through
which the concentrate can be drawn,
door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for
insertion and removal of the container,
a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and
a dispensing nozzle,
a potable water source for providing potable water,
means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,
means for coupling the outlet means of the concentrate container to
the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and water,
said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for
enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the
cabinet,
wherein said quick-disconnect means comprises a concentrate control
valve supported over a support manifold and wherein the valve is
readily disengaged from the manifold to enable removal of the
container from the
cabinet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56. A beverage dispenser comprising;
a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,
at least one concentrate container, wherein said container has a
top fill opening and wherein said cabinet also has a top fill
opening aligning with the fill opening on the container so as to
enable refilling of the container through the top of the
dispenser,
means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,
said concentrate container having outlet means therefrom through
which the concentrate can be drawn,
door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for
insertion and removal of the container,
a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and
a dispensing nozzle,
a potable water source for providing potable water,
means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,
means for coupling the outlet means of the concentrate container to
the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and water,
said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for
enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the
cabinet.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.57. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 56
wherein said door means is on the front of the cabinet and can be
opened during top filling so that the level of liquid in the
container can be viewed. .Iaddend.
Description
INTRODUCTION
This invention relates to beverage dispensers and more particularly
comprises a post mix fruit juice dispenser capable of
simultaneously dispensing two different beverages.
In accordance with the present invention juice concentrate is
stored and dispensed from a cabinet in the upper part of the
machine. The machine is capable of maintaining the concentrate at
40.degree. F. and provides individual removable containers for
separate concentrates. Access ports on the top of the machine
enable concentrate to be replenished without removing the
containers from the cabinet.
The same refrigeration system is used to maintain the temperature
of the concentrate at the reduced level and to chill the potable
water mixed with the concentrate on demand for a beverage. When the
concentrate falls below a certain level, sensors disable the
beverage discharge assembly for that particular beverage.
The dispenser is designed to offer two separate beverages, and the
concentrate containers are of different volumes so that an
increased capacity is provided for the more popular flavor.
The cabinet in which the concentrate containers are stored is well
insulated but is provided with convenient front access by means of
a hinged door so that the containers may be removed for cleaning or
replacement. Separate filling assemblies are provided in the
cabinet so that each of the concentrate containers may be
replenished without opening the door. The concentrate containers
along with their discharge assemblies can conveniently be removed
from the machine and the various parts may be easily disassembled
for cleaning.
A refrigeration system is provided which includes an ice bath in
the upper portion of the machine behind the cabinet liner which
houses the concentrate containers. The ice bath contains potable
water coils for effectively chilling the potable water, and the
refrigeration system which cools the bath also provides an air
cooling system in the cabinet through which air in the cabinet can
be circulated so as to maintain the concentrates at a reduced
temperature. The ice bath allows a large number of drinks to be
drawn from the machine over a short period of time with little or
no increase of the potable water temperature.
The various features of the dispenser referred to above cooperate
to provide a dispenser capable of supplying freshly reconstituted
natural fruit juices which are most healthful and tasty.
The invention will be more fully appreciated from the following
description read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a front elevation view, with parts broken away, of a
beverage dispenser constructed in accordance with this
invention;
FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of the beverage dispenser shown in
FIG. 1;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, of the beverage
dispenser shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the upper portion
of the beverage dispenser, taken along the section line 3--3 in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale
of one of the filling assemblies for introducing the beverage
concentrate to the dispenser, taken along section line 4--4 in FIG.
2;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the
section line 5--5 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the beverage discharge
assembly, taken along the section line 6--6 in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 6B and 6C are cross-sectional views of parts of the discharge
assembly, taken along the section lines 6B and 6C in FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the ice bath in the
upper portion of the dispenser, taken along section line 7--7 in
FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the probe in the
ice bath, taken along the section line 8--8 in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the beverage dispenser of this
invention and showing the manner in which a hook-up for remote
dispensing may be connected to it;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic drawing of the water system in the
dispenser;
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic drawing of the refrigeration system in
the dispenser; and
FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic drawing of the concentrate system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The beverage dispenser of this invention is a post mix machine
which combines beverage concentrate and cold water and discharges
the mixture on demand. Typically, the machine is used as a fruit
juice dispenser and in its preferred form is capable of dispensing
metered quantities of two separate fruit juices, for example orange
juice and grapefruit juice.
To provide the most healthful and tasty drink, the unit dispenses
freshly reconstituted natural fruit juice. The best results are
obtained by using juice concentrate which is frozen in the
processing plant and held in the frozen state until a day or so
before use, at which time it is removed from the freezer and placed
in a refrigerator where it is allowed to thaw and warm to
approximately 40.degree. F. The concentrate at that temperature is
introduced to the concentrate reservoir in the dispenser.
The beverage dispenser shown in the drawing is intended to be
placed on a countertop or table, and its overall dimensions are
approximately 27" high, 14" wide, and 23" deep. The dispenser
includes a housing 20 supported by four legs 22 attached to the
base 24 of the housing adjacent its four corners. Base 24 also
carries a drip tray 25. The housing 20 has a lower portion 26 which
contains a substantial part of the dispenser refrigeration system
including the compressor and condenser, as well as the dispenser
controls and part of the potable water system. The upper portion 28
of the dispenser has an insulated cabinet 36 closed at its front by
hinged door 30 and which contains at the front the two concentrate
containers 32 and 34. The door 30 is held closed by magnetic latch
31. The containers 32 and 34 are mounted in the insulated cabinet
36 in front of an ice bath 38 located at the rear of the upper
portion of the machine.
The various parts of the dispenser are described in detail below
under appropriate headings.
INSULATED CABINET
The cabinet 36 is accessible through the hinged door 30 carried by
the hinges 40 and is insulated at the top by top wall 42, at the
bottom by bottom wall 44, at the front by the insulation in door
30, at the back by rear wall 45 and on the sides by side walls 46
and 48. The cabinet contains a liner 50 which is open at the front
52 and which receives the two concentrate containers 32 and 34. The
bottom wall 54 of the cabinet has a lower front section 55 with a
drain hole 56 in its center and an elevated rear portion 58 that
slants downwardly toward the lower front section 55 of the bottom
wall 54. The drain hole 56 is aligned with the drain tube 57 that
may be connected to the drip tray 25. The elevated rear portion 58
of the bottom wall of the liner provides room in the cabinet for
the fan assembly 60. In FIG. 3 the assembly 60 is shown to include
a fan 62 supported for rotation on its vertical shaft 64 which
extends through the insulation 66 in the raised section 67 of
bottom wall 44 of the cabinet. As shown in FIG. 2, the fan assembly
is centered in the cabinet between the side walls 46 and 48. The
shaft 64 is driven by a motor 68 mounted in the recess in the lower
surface of the bottom wall 44 defined by the raised section 67. The
fan 62 circulates the air in the cabinet to assist in maintaining
the concentrates in the containers 32 and 34 at a reduced
temperature, preferably 40.degree. F. The cooling system is
described in greater detail below.
CONCENTRATE CONTAINERS
The concentrate containers 32 and 34 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are
not of the same size. Rather, container 34 has a substantially
larger capacity than the container 32 and is therefore used for the
more popular beverage. In the preferred form the larger container
is designed to hold 8.5 liters while the smaller container 32 will
hold 3.7 liters. The larger container 34 holds three 96 ounce cans
of concentrate while the smaller container 32 holds three 42 ounce
cans. Except for their width, the two containers 32 and 34 are
identical, and only container 34 is described below.
Each container 32 and 34 has a bottom wall having a lower incline
section 70 and an upper incline section 72 designed to fit above
the wall sections 55 and 58 of the liner 50. A metal tray 71 is
supported above the bottom wall section 55 of the liner 50 by the
horizontal supports 73 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and the lower
walls 70 of the containers 32 and 34 in turn sit on the tray 71.
The lower wall 70 of each container is fluted so as to provide a
stable platform for the containers. The flutes diminish in height
in a forward direction so as to form a horizontal surface which
aligns with the tray 71.
In FIG. 5 a ground wire 75 is shown connected to one of the post
supports 73, and the group wire through its post and tray 71 is
connected in circuit with the ground plate 77 disposed between the
two containers 32 and 34 in the cabinet liner 50. Each of the syrup
concentrate containers 32 and 34 are provided with stainless steel
electrodes 79 in their side walls adjacent the container bottom
wall 70. The electrodes 79 form part of the out-of-syrup sensing
circuit (not shown) which prevents an operator from discharging a
particular beverage when the syrup for that beverage falls below a
certain level. In FIG. 5 one probe 79 of each container is shown to
engage the ground plate 77 when the containers are in place, and
the other stainless steel electrodes of each container contact the
terminals 81 in the cabinet liner side wall 83. The terminals 81
are shown in FIG. 5 connected to conductors 83a. When the syrup
falls below the level of the stainless steel electrodes 79 as in
container 32 in FIG. 5, an infinite resistance is imposed between
the electrodes, which causes the control circuit (not shown) to
disable the solenoid and pump in the water and concentrate systems
described below for the beverage made of the concentrate in the
container 32. As a result, the operator cannot call for the
dispenser to deliver a drink made of that concentrate. On the other
hand, when the quantity of syrup is sufficient to immerse the
electrodes 79, the resistance between those electrodes is
diminished so as to enable the control circuit (not shown) to open
the valve. That condition is shown in container 34 in FIG. 5.
The front wall 74 of each container is stepped inwardly at the
bottom to form a recess 76 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, which
receives the upper portion of the valve assembly for dispensing the
concentrate. As shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG.
6A., the recess 76 of each container has an opening 78 which
supports a rubber connector 80 that telescopically receives an
intake tube 82 at its inner end within the container. The intake
tube 82 extends substantially to the bottom wall 70 of the
container so that it can draw substantially all of the syrup from
the container.
CONCENTRATE FILLER ASSEMBLY
Each container has a filler opening 86 in its top wall 88, defined
by an upstanding cylindrical flange 90 designed to be capped by a
cover-all lid when the container is stored with concentrate out of
the cabinet. The opening 86 is sufficiently large so that a hand
may be inserted for cleaning. The cylindrical flange 90 falls short
of the upper wall 92 of the cabinet liner 50 and the opening 94 in
that wall. In FIG. 3 a connector 96 is shown which registers with
the opening 94 in the top liner wall 92 and receives the
cylindrical flange 90 and seals against the bead 98.
In FIG. 4 the opening 94 in the top wall 92 of the liner 50 is
shown to register with filler port 100 in the insulated top wall 42
of the cabinet. The port 100 is defined by a dish-shaped plastic
sleeve 102 held in place by machine screws 104. Disposed in the
port 100 in a fill funnel 106 having a spout 107 which extends
through the opening 94 in the liner and into the cylindrical collar
90 in the container 34. The fill funnel 106 has a downwardly
extending skirt 108 at the top which rests upon the upper surface
of the insulating wall 42 as is clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In
order to fill the container 34, a juice concentrate package P
suggested in broken lines in FIG. 4 may be tipped to the position
shown in that figure and its contents may be poured through the
fill funnel 106 into it. The fill funnel is ordinarily closed by
top cover 110 which sits on the upper surface of the insulating top
wall 42 and which is insulated as shown at 112. A magnet 114
mounted in pocket 116 on the bottom of the cover retains the cover
in place.
CABINET COOLING SYSTEM
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the ice bath 38 sits on the
insulating bottom wall 44 behind the cabinet liner 50 containing
the concentrate containers 32 and 34. The ice bath includes a large
reservoir 120 having a bottom wall 122 and four vertical side walls
124. Refrigeration coil 126 lines the inside of the vertical side
walls 124 in closely spaced turns. A second coil 130 for the
potable water is disposed in the reservoir 120 inside the
refrigerated coil 126.
The refrigeration or evaporator coil 126 is shown in FIG. 11 to be
part of the refrigeration system 125. That system also includes a
condenser 127, compressor 129, drier 131 and heat exchanger 133
that are mounted in the base 24 of the machine. The coil 126 and an
air duct coil 180 described in detail below are disposed in the
cabinet 36 above the base 24.
To maximize the effectiveness of the coding of the potable water,
the coil 130 has parallel sections 132 and 134 as shown in FIGS. 2,
7 and 10. The two sections of the potable water coil are connected
to a T fitting 136 which in turn is connected by duct 138 to a
potable water inlet 140. As suggested in FIG. 10, the inlet duct
138 includes a vacuum breaker 142 and strainer 144. The two coil
sections 132 and 134 are reunited at the T fitting 146.
The ice bath reservoir 120 is filled with water to a level above
the top of the refrigeration coil 126 and the potable water coil
130, and the reservoir is covered by a plate 150 on top of which
agitator motor 152 is mounted. The agitator motor has a shaft 154
that extends into the water bath and carries a bladed impeller 156
that circulates the water about the potable water coils 130. The
plate 150 also carries a probe assembly 160 closely adjacent the
rear wall 124 of the reservoir 120 for monitoring the build-up of
ice in the bath. A pair of copper plates 162 connected to the motor
and which extend into the water bath between the two sections 132
and 134 of the potable water coil act as heat sinks to cool the
motor 152.
The probe assembly 160 is shown in detail in FIG. 8. It includes a
stainless steel probe rod 340 carried in an insulating sheath 342
which shields all but the tip 344 of the probe. The stainless steel
rod 340 is soldered at its upper end to the conductor 346 in turn
contained in jacket 348 which is also soldered to the top of the
sheath 342. The sheath 342 and wire jacket 348 prevent moisture
from contacting the upper end of steel probe rod 340 which could
short out the device.
The sheath 342 is carried by a neoprene bushing 350 which in turn
is mounted on the top plate 150 of the ice bath. The bushing is
held in place by a jamb nut 352 below the plate 150 and a lock nut
354. The probe assembly 160 senses whether sufficient ice has built
up on the inside of the ice bath reservoir 120 to maintain the
temperature of the potable water in the potable water coil 130 at
the desired temperature. Under normal conditions, the probe tip 340
is embedded in the ice as shown in FIG. 3 which has a higher
resistance than that of water, and the control circuit (not shown)
which is connected to the probe shuts off the compressor in the
refrigeration system in response to the high resistance imposed by
the ice about the tip. However, when the ice in the bath melts so
as to lower the resistance between the tip and the ground created
by the metal reservoir 120, the circuit will reactivate the
compressor and the refrigeration system to create more ice in the
reservoir until such time as the probe tip is again embedded in
ice. It is, of course, important that the compressor be turned off
when the ice build-up on the inside of the reservoir is sufficient
for cooling the potable water so as to prevent too much ice from
forming in the bath which would in turn freeze the potable water in
its coil 130. In use, perhaps eight or nine pounds of ice will
build up in the bath about the refrigeration coils, which will
chill the potable water as low as possible without freezing it.
Immediately in front of the reservoir 120 and behind the liner 50
is an air duct coil 180 which carries the refrigerant and is
connected in series with the evaporator coil 126. The air duct coil
180 has an array of cooling fins 182 for achieving forced
convection cooling of the cabinet. The fins are in the form of
vertical aluminum plates that support the tubing of the coil 180,
and the fins are disposed between the rear wall 183 of the liner 50
and the front side wall 124 of the reservoir.
In FIG. 3 arrows 184 suggest the path of cooling air for the
beverage concentrate. The fan assembly 60 moves the air in the
cabinet about a closed loop by pushing the air expelled by it
upwardly between the fins 182 of the air duct coil 180, through the
ports 186 at the upper end of the rear wall 183 of liner 50, across
the top walls 88 of the containers 32 and 34 and between their
adjacent side walls and about their remote side walls, down the
front of the containers behind door 30 and beneath the containers
and tray 71 and ports 189 to the fan assembly 60. The continuous
circulation of air cooled by the coil 180 serves to maintain the
temperature of the containers 32 and 34 and the concentrate in them
at the desired level.
BEVERAGE DISCHARGE AND VALVE ASSEMBLY
The water and concentrate circuits shown diagrammatically in FIGS.
10 and 12 comprise the beverage discharge assembly. As mentioned
above, the potable water system of FIG. 10 includes an inlet 140 to
the duct 138 which is interrupted by a strainer 144 and vacuum
breaker 142. The vacuum breaker 142 prevents back up from the
dispenser into the potable water supply.
The potable water leaving the two coil section 132 and 134 of the
potable water coil 130 in the ice bath are combined at the T
fitting 146 and directed into the duct 190 which again divides so
as to direct separate potable water supplies to both sections of
the dispenser, that is, the separate beverage discharge assemblies
for the separate juices whose concentrates are stored in the
containers 32 and 34. It will be noted in FIG. 1 that the container
32 is connected to its discharge system 192 and a separate
discharge system 194 is provided for the other container 34.
Typically, the assembly 192 would discharge grape or grapefruit
juice and assembly 194 would dispense orange juice. Each of these
assemblies requires its own potable water supply, and this is
provided by dividing the water from duct 190 into the two separate
subsystems 196 and 198 for the assemblies 192 and 194, respectively
(see FIG. 10). As the two assemblies are identical only one
assembly 194 is described and that is sometimes referred to as the
orange juice system.
The potable water from duct 190 is directed through a pressure
regulator 200 and demand solenoid 202, and the water course again
divides sending the potable water in one direction to the discharge
nozzle 238 of the discharge assembly 194 and in another direction
to the rinse circuit in the concentrate control valve 206 which is
described separately below. The pressure regulators 200 for each of
the two systems along with the vacuum breaker 142 may be located in
the upper portion of the housing above the ice bath reservoir 120
for easy access.
In FIG. 12 the concentrate system is shown diagrammatically to
include the concentrate container 34 which contains the
concentrated orange juice, a concentrate control valve 206
connected to the potable water rinse line by duct 210, a
concentrate pump 212, a mixing block 214 where the potable water
and concentrate are combined to reconstitute the natural fruit
juice, and the discharge nozzle 238. The mixing block 214 in FIG.
12 is shown to be connected to the main flow of water from the
water system of FIG. 10. The details of the various parts in the
water and concentrate systems are shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and
6A-6C.
In FIG. 3, the potable water system 198 is shown disposed beneath
the cabinet 36 in the lower portion 26 of the housing. The syrup
system is shown in that figure to extend from the container 34
downwardly from the cabinet 36 through the manifold 266 into the
lower portion 26 of the housing where it joins the potable water
system.
In FIGS. 3 and 6A the solenoid valve 202 in the discharge system
for orange juice is shown connected to the nozzle union 222 which
has an axial bore 224 and a radial tap 226, the latter being
connected to the rinse water flush line 228. The nozzle union is
mounted in the front wall 230 of the lower portion of the housing
20, and the part of the union which extends through the wall 230 is
connected by means of sliding sleeve 232 to the nozzle body 234.
The nozzle body 234 which sits outside the panel 230 has a
horizontal section 236 and a vertical nozzle 238, and a cap 240
closes the end of the horizontal passage 242 through the body. To
disconnect the nozzle body 234 from the unit, the slide sleeve 232
is moved to the left as shown in FIG. 6A so that it releases the
end of the nozzle union 222 and clears the O-ring 244.
A radical, vertical syrup inlet 246 has a passage 248 which
communicates with the axial passage 242 through the nozzle body at
the mixing block chamber 214. The syrup and potable water mix in
the chamber 214 and flow together through the axial passage 242 to
the nozzle 238.
An aeration vent 252 is formed in the nozzle body downstream of the
syrup inlet 246, and the vent is controlled by a knurled ring 254
mounted for rotation on the body 234. In FIG. 6B the ring 254 is
shown in a position which closes the vent 252, and it may be turned
approximately 90.degree. counterclockwise so that its shoulder 258
engages the stop 260 in which position the vent 252 is exposed.
Thus, the ring 254 serves as an on-off valve for controlling the
aeration of the beverage. When the vent 252 is open, the beverage
dispensed through the valve body 234 will develop a slight foam
(head), and when the vent 252 is closed, no foam will be
formed.
As is shown in FIG. 6C, the nozzle 238 is fluted in its interior
surface. The fluting which is axially directed serves to straighten
the flow of the beverage through the nozzle and to form a better
stream of liquid for dispensing.
The syrup system is connected to the potable water system through
the syrup inlet 246. The major elements of the syrup system which
were identified in connection with FIG. 12 are the concentrate
control valve 206 and the concentrate pump 212.
In FIG. 6A the intake 82 which is disposed inside the syrup
container 34 is shown to telescopically fit within the inner end of
the rubber connector 80 which extends through the container wall.
Connector 80 has a right angle bend with its downwardly extending
section 259 connected to the neck 260 of the body 262 of the
concentrate control valve 206. The body 262 of the concentrate
control valve is mounted in the dispenser by a bail wire 264
pivoted to the manifold 266 at 268. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that
the manifold 266 is mounted in the insulating wall 44 of the
cabinet. The concentrate control valve 206 has a tapered barrel 270
through which extends a radial passage 272 which may be brought
into registration with the inlet 274 of the concentrate control
valve in the neck 260. In FIG. 6A the passage 272 in the barrel 270
is shown disposed perpendicular to the inlet 274 and therefore the
valve prevents the flow of syrup to the pump 212. The position of
the barrel is controlled by the finger grip 276, that is, the
finger grip allows the operator to manipulate the barrel so as to
turn it from the position shown in FIG. 6A to a position at right
angles thereto wherein the passage 272 communicates with the inlet
274. This latter position is the normal running position for the
machine.
The barrel 270 also has an axially extending groove 280 in its
outer surface, which allows rinse water (potable water) to be
directed through the manifold 266 and pump 212 when the system is
to be cleaned. The flush tube 228 is connected to the manifold by
means of the fitting 282 disposed in the cabinet in the air passage
beneath the tray 71. As is apparent in FIG. 6A, when the barrel 270
of the concentrate control valve is in the position shown, rinse
water can flow from the flush tube 228 into the manifold passage
284, through the groove 280, and out the outlet 286 of the
concentrate control valve body 262 and through the manifold passage
266.
It will be noted that the upper end of the manifold 266 fits within
a recess 290 in the concentrate control valve body 262, and an
O-ring seal 292 prevents leakage of concentrate or rinse water
between the surfaces of the recess 290 and the outer surface of the
upper portion of the manifold. The manifold and concentrate control
valve as described above are held together by the bail wire 264
which clips over the ears 294 on the concentrate valve body 262. To
break the connection between the manifold and the concentrate
control valve body 262, the bail wire 264 must be pivoted
counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 6A so that the hook portion 298
releases the ears 294.
The lower portion 300 of the manifold 266 extends downwardly
through a liner bushing 302 which is mounted in the insulating
bottom wall 44 of the cabinet of the dispenser. The end 301 of the
manifold is connected to the inlet port 304 of the concentrate pump
212. As shown in FIG. 6A, the end 301 of the manifold is sealed in
the inlet port 304 by a series of O-rings 306.
The pump head 308 has an eccentric pump chamber 310 connected at
its top to the pump inlet 304. An impeller 312 having an array of
flexible vanes 314 is mounted for rotation in the pump chamber 310
and is driven by the shaft 316 of motor 318. The chamber is
eccentrically located with respect to the pump vanes to create a
low pressure area at the inlet 304 to enable the concentrate to
pass into the chamber. The concentrate is discharged from the pump
head through the port 320, 180.degree. displaced from the inlet
304. The outlet port 320 receives the radial inlet duct 246 which
forms a part of the nozzle body 234 as shown in FIG. 6A. It will be
noted in FIG. 6A that a pair of O-rings 322 are carried on the
outer surface of the inlet duct 246 and form a seal with the inner
surface of outlet 320. The pump head 308 carries a cover 324 which
closes the chamber 310. The cover 324 is held in place by mounting
screws 326 which also secure the head to the mounting plate 328 in
the lower portion of the dispenser.
In FIG. 1 a pair of push handles 360 are shown connected to the
dispensing systems for the separate beverages. The left handle 360
shown in that figure obviously controls the discharge of beverage
reconstituted from the syrup in container 32 while the right push
handle controls the dispensing of beverage reconstituted with the
syrup in container 34. The push handles 360 each carry a magnet 362
which in turn operate switches 363 in the lower portion of the
housing (see FIG. 6A). Those switches are in the control circuit
(not shown) and when closed complete the circuits for the
concentrate pump 212 and solenoid valve 202 in the syrup and
potable water lines of the respective systems. To draw beverage
from the dispenser, the operator need only push the selected push
handle toward the housing so as to actuate a particular switch
363.
In FIG. 9, a remote hook-up is shown which enables an operator to
discharge either of the beverages at a remote location. For that
purpose, a flexible sheath 370 is shown connected to block 372
having a pair of control switches 374 and 376. The sheath 370
carries flexible ducts 378 which are adapted to telescope over the
nozzles 238. An electrical cable 380 is also carried by the sheath
and plugs into the connector 382 on the front of the cabinet. The
electrical cable 380 allows the switches 374 and 376 to control the
respective solenoid valves 202 and pumps 212 for the potable water
and concentrate so as to dispense the appropriate beverage.
From the foregoing description, it is evident that the dispenser of
this invention is capable of conveniently dispensing two separate
reconstituted beverages. It provides a most convenient means of
storing under refrigerated conditions the concentrate from which
the reconstituted beverage is made. The machine maximizes the
freshness and taste of the beverage by mixing the concentrate and
refrigerated water only when there is a call for the beverage.
Furthermore, the same refrigeration system serves as the cooling
source both for the stored concentrate and the potable water.
The dispenser of this invention is very convenient to clean, for it
allows the storage containers 32 and 34 with their respective
concentrate control valves 206 to be readily removed from the
cabinet 36 and provides means for purging the concentrate line
between the control valve 206 and the nozzle body. To remove either
of the concentrate containers 32 and 34 with its respective control
valve 206, the control valve is turned to the rinse position (the
position shown for the barrel 270 in FIG. 6A) and the appropriate
push handle 360 or 362 is pushed so as to open the solenoid valve
202 to allow potable water to flush the system. When the flush
water runs clear, the push handle is released, the cover 110 of the
filter assembly along with the fill funnel 106 is removed, the bale
wire 264 is pulled forward to release the pins 294, and the valve
body 262 is pulled off the top of the manifold 266 which then
permits the concentrate container to slide out of the cabinet.
The openings 90 in the containers 32 and 34 are large enough to
permit the hand to be inserted inside so that the interior of the
container may be thoroughly washed. The rubber connector 80 can
very easily be disconnected from the neck 260 of the valve body
262, and the intake duct 82 can be removed from the inner end of
the connector 80 to permit those parts to be separately washed.
To clean the concentrate control valve 206, the control valve
barrel 270 is removed from the valve body 262 by sliding the clip
271 off the smaller diameter end of the tapered barrel 270 and
drawing the barrel out the front of the body. The pump 212 may also
be conveniently cleaned by disconnecting it from the lower end 301
of the manifold and removing the pump cover 324 by loosening the
screws 326. The loosening of the screws 326 also allows the entire
pump assembly to be removed from the dispenser. The nozzle body 234
may also be conveniently removed for cleaning merely by sliding the
sleeve 232 off the forward end of nozzle union 222.
Having described this invention in detail those skilled in the art
will appreciate that numerous modifications may be made of this
dispenser without departing from the spirit of this invention.
Therefore, it is not intended that the breadth of this invention be
limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described.
Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be
determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *