EP0253406A2 - Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device - Google Patents
Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0253406A2 EP0253406A2 EP87110380A EP87110380A EP0253406A2 EP 0253406 A2 EP0253406 A2 EP 0253406A2 EP 87110380 A EP87110380 A EP 87110380A EP 87110380 A EP87110380 A EP 87110380A EP 0253406 A2 EP0253406 A2 EP 0253406A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- concentrate
- water
- container
- dispensing
- valve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1284—Ratio control
- B67D1/1286—Ratio control by mechanical construction
- B67D1/1288—Multi-chamber piston pumps
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
- B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
- B67D1/0022—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
- B67D1/0027—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control
- B67D1/0029—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control based on volumetric dosing
- B67D1/003—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control based on volumetric dosing by means of a dosing chamber
- B67D1/0031—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control based on volumetric dosing by means of a dosing chamber in the form of a metering pump
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0043—Mixing devices for liquids
- B67D1/0044—Mixing devices for liquids for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
- B67D1/0046—Mixing chambers
- B67D1/0048—Mixing chambers with baffles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
- B67D1/0085—Dispensing valves electro-mechanical
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/10—Pump mechanism
- B67D1/101—Pump mechanism of the piston-cylinder type
- B67D1/105—Pump mechanism of the piston-cylinder type for two or more components
- B67D1/106—Pump mechanism of the piston-cylinder type for two or more components the piston being driven by a liquid or a gas
- B67D1/107—Pump mechanism of the piston-cylinder type for two or more components the piston being driven by a liquid or a gas by one of the components to be dispensed
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0081—Dispensing valves
- B67D2001/0087—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing
- B67D2001/0089—Dispensing valves being mounted on the dispenser housing operated by lever means
Definitions
- This invention relates to post-mix beverage dispensers and to dispensing valves for mixing together and dispensing a controlled ratio of syrup and carbonated water; more particularly, this invention concerns a volumetric ratio control device in the dispensing valve.
- This invention provides a relatively simple, inexpensive, post-mix valve that provides positive ratio control.
- This valve volumetrically controls the amount of syrup and soda that are mixed together.
- the volumetric ratio control device includes syrup and soda pistons connected together, associated syrup and soda chambers, and valves for controlling the flow to and from the chambers.
- the VRCD of this invention provides an improvement over known dispensing valves because it does not require high flowing pressures and because the pistons allow one liquid flow to compensate for fluctuations in the other liquid flow.
- the VRCD of this invention is simpler and less expensive than the new electrical ratio control valves because it is not concerned with (and does not measure) temperatures, viscosities, syrup characteristics of Reynolds numbers, for example.
- the VRCD is only concerned with repeatedly filling volumetric measuring chambers and then emptying the chambers into a mixing nozzle.
- VRCD can work with a variety of different post-mix syrup packages.
- Present pressurized post-mix dispensers require a source of pressurized syrup to operate correctly. This syrup can come from a pressurized figal or from a syrup pump that is connected to a bag-in-box package.
- the VRCD of this invention overcomes this shortcoming because it can work as a pressurized valve or as a valve/pump combination. When operated as a pressure valve, it can function properly with high pressure syrup or with low pressure syrup.
- the VRCD When operated as a valve/pump combination, it can empty the contents of a bag-in-box package, a vented package, or a very low pressure syrup package, without the use of a syrup pump.
- the VRCD also works with a gravity dispenser and will provide better ratio control than the gravity dispenser valves presently being used. To summarize, the VRCD will work with either a gravity dispenser or a pressurized dispenser. It will work with pressurized containers (figals) or non-pressurized containers (bag-in-box, syrup containers, etc.). Because the VRCD in this invention works with syrups at no pressure and at low pressures, the present invention also includes inexpensive, non-returnable, syrup containers including one that can operate at no pressure and ones that can be pressurized up to about 5 to 10 psig.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing system including a beverage dispenser, a dispensing valve, and a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container pressurized to about 5-10 psig.
- Figs. 1 - 5 show a dispensing valve 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the dispensing valve 10 can be mounted on a beverage dispenser 12 as shown in Fig. 14. Any one of a number of the dispensing valves 10 such as four, five or six, for example, can be mounted on the beverage dispenser 12.
- the syrup source can be a figal 14, a bag-in-box 16, a gravity tank 18 built directly into the beverage dispenser 12, or a non-returnable container 20 according to the present invention and described in more detail hereinafter.
- the valve includes a body 22 including separate soda and syrup passageways 24 and 26, respectively, therethrough, valve means 28 for controlling the flow through the passageways 24 and 26, a nozzle 30 for mixing together the soda and syrup and for dispensing the mixture therefrom, and a volumetric ratio control device (VRCD) 32 in said body for controlling the ratio of soda to syrup in the beverage dispensed from the valve 10.
- the valve 10 can include a cover 91 (see Fig. 14), if desired.
- the VRCD 32 includes a syrup piston 40, a soda piston 42 connected to the syrup piston 40, a pair of syrup chambers 44 and 46, a pair of soda chambers 48 and 50, two four-way valves 52 and 54, and two solenoids 56 and 58.
- the soda passageway 24 includes a passageway to each of the soda chambers 48 and 50
- the syrup passageway 26 includes a syrup passageway to each of the syrup chambers 44 and 46.
- the valve means for controlling the flow through the passageway includes the solenoids 56 and 58, one of which (58) is shown in Fig. 2 controlling an armature 60 in the syrup passageway 26.
- the armature When the armature is in the position shown in Fig. 2 (for example, with the solenoid 58 not energized), the syrup can flow through syrup inlet passageway 26, through a port 62 in the armature 60, through passageways 70 and 71, one of the syrup chambers 44 or 46, while at the same time syrup is flowing from the other of the chambers 44 or 46 through the passageway 64, then through the groove 66, and then into passageway 68 where it flows down into the nozzle 30 as shown in Fig. 2.
- the solenoid 58 When the syrup piston 40 reaches the end of its stroke, the solenoid 58 is energized to retract the armature 60 to provide communication between the inlet passageway 26 and the other syrup chamber through the passageways 64 and 65, while syrup is forced out of the other syrup chamber into the nozzle through passageway 71, then passageway 70, through groove 66 and then through passageway 68 to the nozzle 30.
- the same operation occurs on the other side of the dispensing valve with respect to the soda (or carbonated water).
- Fig. 3 shows the three ports 72, 73 and 74 providing communication with the passageways 70, 68 and 64, respectively, in a central member 76.
- Fig. 4 shows the port 62 and the groove 68 in the armature 60 of the solenoid 58.
- the solenoids 56 and 58 and the valves 52 and 54 direct syrup and soda to the left side of the pistons as shown in Fig. 5, while the pistons move from left to right causing the liquids on the right side of the pistons to be expelled into the mixing nozzle.
- the solenoids are energized to activate the valves and thus reverse the flow and cause the liquids on the left side of the pistons to be directed to the mixing nozzle.
- the pistons will preferably change directions several times each second. In order to change ratio in this type of valve, the pistons/chamber assembly must be replaced with a different sized assembly.
- An advantage of placing the VRCD directly in the dispensing valve is to reduce the number of water lines that would be required if the VRCD were placed, for example, upstream of the refrigeration system and the soda and syrup lines were kept separate up to the valve.
- FIG. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the VRCD of the present invention, and in particular one using four three-way valves rather than the two four-way valves used in the embodiments of Figs. 1-5.
- Figs. 6 and 7 show a volumetric ratio control device 80 that can be used in a dispensing valve such as the valve 10 of Figs. 1-5.
- Figs. 6 and 7 diagrammatically show the syrup piston 40, the soda piston 42, syrup chambers 44 and 46, and the soda chambers 48 and 50.
- the volumetric ratio control device 80 includes a soda-in conduit 82, a syrup-in conduit 84, a soda-out conduit 86 to a mixing nozzle 88, and a syrup-out conduit 90 to the mixing nozzle 88.
- the volumetric ratio control device 80 includes valve means for controlling the flow in the soda and syrup passageways including four three-way pilot-actuated poppet valves 92, 94, 96 and 98 controlled by a single solenoid-actuated pilot valve 100.
- the valve 100 is actuated by a solenoid 102.
- the solenoid-actuated pilot valve 100 uses pressurized soda as the pilot fluid.
- Fig. 6 shows the solenoid 102 in its energized condition such that the valve 100 is open to provide pressurized soda communication to the four three-way poppet valves 92, 94, 96 and 98 to position these valves in their orientation shown in Fig. 6 with the pistons 40 and 42 moving to the left as shown in Fig. 6.
- the solenoid 102 is de-energized allowing a spring to move the pilot valve to its position shown in Fig. 7.
- the soda line to the four three-way poppet valves is vented by the pilot valve 100 which causes the four three-way valves 92, 94, 96 and 98 to move to their position shown in Fig.
- Figs. 8 to 10 show a dispensing valve 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention which uses four three-way paddle valves 111, 112, 113 and 114 which are mechanically actuated by a single solenoid 116 having an armature 117.
- the valves 111 and 113 are syrup valves, and valves 112 and 114 are soda valves.
- the cross-section in Fig. 8 is taken through the syrup valves 111 and 113.
- the cross-section in Fig. 9 is taken through the valves 113 and 114.
- the dispensing valve 110 includes the syrup piston 40, the soda piston 42, syrup chambers 44 and 46, soda chambers 48 and 50, and the nozzle 30.
- the dispensing valve 110 includes a body 118 having a syrup passageway 120 and a soda passageway 122 therethrough.
- the solenoid 116 includes a spring (not shown) for forcing the armature 117 downwardly (as viewed in Fig. 8). When the solenoid is energized it pulls the armature 117 upwardly.
- Fig. 8 shows the pistons 40 and 42 moving to the left, the paddle valves 113 and 114 being opened by the solenoid 116 being energized to pull upon a lever arm 126 (as viewed in Fig.
- the paddle valves 111 and 112 are caused to close.
- the soda and syrup flows through the soda and syrup passageways into the rightmost chambers 50 and 46 filling those chambers, and the soda and syrup is at the same time forced out of the leftmost chambers to the nozzle 30.
- the solenoid 116 is de-energized, whereby the solenoid spring (not shown) forces the lever arm 126 down, reversing the above described li quid flow.
- Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic and schematic showing of a syrup piston 140, a soda piston 142, syrup chambers 144 and 145, and soda chambers 146 and 147.
- Fig. 11 also shows electrical circuit contact means 148 for detecting when the pistons 140 and 142 have reached the end of their stroke.
- the electrical contact means 148 can use microswitches 149 and 150 for energizing the solenoid means of the various valve means shown in the drawings of the previously described embodiments.
- Fig. 12 shows a variable flow rate system that can be used on any of the above described embodiments.
- This system includes a cup lever arm 151 located below a dispensing valve 10 and adjacent to the nozzle 30 as is well-known in the art for actuating a dispensing valve to dispense the beverage into a cup.
- cup lever arm 151 moves immediately energized a switch 152 to actuate the dispensing valve. This switch remains closed as long as the arm 151 is depressed.
- the cup lever arm 151 is also connected to a flow control 154 (through an arm 153) in the soda passageway 156 to the nozzle 30. If a high flow rate is desired, the cup lever arm 151 is pushed all the way back, whereby the flow control 154 provides a completely open passageway 156.
- the cup lever arm 151 is spring biased to its closed position shown in Fig. 12 and can be moved varying amounts to the right (as viewed in Fig. 12) to dispense beverage into a cup and to open the soda passageway 156 in varying amounts.
- the cup lever arm 151 is allowed to move toward its closed position whereby the flow control 154 moves into the passageway 156 to slow down the flow.
- the volumetric ratio control device of the present invention even though only one of the soda and/or syrup passageways to the nozzle is varied, the ratio remains constant, because when the piston slows down, it slows down the pumping of both the soda and the syrup and at the correct ratio.
- Fig. 13 shows a standard electrical circuit, including a holding circuit, for causing the soda and syrup pistons to reciprocate when the dispensing valve, including the VRCD, is energized.
- Fig. 13 shows the switches 152, 149 and 150, the solenoid 102 and relay CR-1. The operation of this standard circuit is well known and need not be described in any further detail herein.
- Fig. 14 shows an overall arrangement of a beverage dispenser 12 with one or more dispensing valves 10 according to any one of the embodiments of the present invention.
- the beverage dispenser 12 can be provided with a syrup supply from any one of a known type of syrup containers such as a figal 14, a bag-in-box 16, or a gravity tank 18.
- a syrup supply can also be provided in a non-returnable container 20 such as a plastic bottle.
- the container can be vented to atmosphere or preferably it can be a container that is capable of being safely pressurized to no higher than about 10 psig.
- the container 20 can be similar to the present two-liter PET bottles used for premix.
- the container 20 includes a lid 170 having a dip tube 172 extending down toward the bottom of the container 20 and a coupling for connection to the syrup line 21.
- the lid 170 also includes a one-way valve and fitting 174 for use in pressurizing the container 20 to its low pressure. It is noted that the pressure to which container 20 can be pressurized is much less than that to which a stainless steel figal 20 can be pressurized.
- the means for delivering the syrup to the dispensing valve is the suction created by the volumetric ratio control device; however, it can be useful to have small pressure in the container 20, if desired.
- the low pressure that is preferred to be used in the container 20 does no require the container to withstand any substantial pressures, whereby the container 20 can be made relatively inexpensively; that is, it can have relatively thin walls and a relatively inexpensive lid 170 that can be screw-threaded (or otherwise connected) onto the container 20 with a suitable O-ring or other seal structure.
- the container 14, 16 and 20 are connected in the usual, known, manner to the beverage dispenser 12; this is what is intended by the arrows on the ends of the syrup conduits.
- the dispenser 12 may or may not include a gravity tank 18.
- the non-returnable container 20 can alternatively be vented to atmosphere and not be under any additional pressure.
- the preferred water and concentrate are carbonated water and syrup, respectfully, this invention can also be used with plain water and with fruit juice concentrates, tea and coffee, for example.
- the solenoids are preferably pull solenoids, push solenoids can also be used.
- the soda and syrup pistons in the VRCD can be separate pistons joined together, or they can be one single member.
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Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to post-mix beverage dispensers and to dispensing valves for mixing together and dispensing a controlled ratio of syrup and carbonated water; more particularly, this invention concerns a volumetric ratio control device in the dispensing valve.
- Known post-mix dispensing valves control syrup and soda (carbonate water) flow with two mechanical flow controls that are adjusted independently of each other to achieve proper mixture ratio. If either flow control malfunctions or changes, the ratio will change because one flow control cannot compensate for the variations of the other. The mechanical flow controls, which require high flowing pressures (about 50 psig) to function properly, do not compensate for viscosity changes caused by temperature fluctuations. New electrical flow control valves including sensors and microprocessors are being developed to overcome these problems, however, they are relatively complicated and expensive.
- This invention provides a relatively simple, inexpensive, post-mix valve that provides positive ratio control. This valve volumetrically controls the amount of syrup and soda that are mixed together. The volumetric ratio control device (VRCD) includes syrup and soda pistons connected together, associated syrup and soda chambers, and valves for controlling the flow to and from the chambers. The VRCD of this invention provides an improvement over known dispensing valves because it does not require high flowing pressures and because the pistons allow one liquid flow to compensate for fluctuations in the other liquid flow. The VRCD of this invention is simpler and less expensive than the new electrical ratio control valves because it is not concerned with (and does not measure) temperatures, viscosities, syrup characteristics of Reynolds numbers, for example. The VRCD is only concerned with repeatedly filling volumetric measuring chambers and then emptying the chambers into a mixing nozzle.
- Another advantage of this VRCD is that it can work with a variety of different post-mix syrup packages. Present pressurized post-mix dispensers require a source of pressurized syrup to operate correctly. This syrup can come from a pressurized figal or from a syrup pump that is connected to a bag-in-box package. However, it is difficult with the present equipment to readily convert from one type of package to another. The VRCD of this invention overcomes this shortcoming because it can work as a pressurized valve or as a valve/pump combination. When operated as a pressure valve, it can function properly with high pressure syrup or with low pressure syrup. When operated as a valve/pump combination, it can empty the contents of a bag-in-box package, a vented package, or a very low pressure syrup package, without the use of a syrup pump. The VRCD also works with a gravity dispenser and will provide better ratio control than the gravity dispenser valves presently being used. To summarize, the VRCD will work with either a gravity dispenser or a pressurized dispenser. It will work with pressurized containers (figals) or non-pressurized containers (bag-in-box, syrup containers, etc.). Because the VRCD in this invention works with syrups at no pressure and at low pressures, the present invention also includes inexpensive, non-returnable, syrup containers including one that can operate at no pressure and ones that can be pressurized up to about 5 to 10 psig. Such low pressure containers could not previously have been used because of the high pressures required to make the known pressurized dispensing valves operate properly. It is also important to note tha t the VRCD of this invention can work with all of these different types of dispensers and syrup packages, and it can do so without making any adjustments to the dispensing valve, and without adding any auxiliary equipment (such as a syrup pump) to the valve or dispenser.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive, post-mix dispensing valve that can provide positive ratio control.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser and a beverage dispenser valve that work with a variety of different post-mix syrup packages and that do so without making any adjustments to the valve or adding any auxiliary equipment to the valve or to the dispenser.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser and a beverage dispenser valve that can readily convert from one type of syrup package to another.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser that can operate as a valve/pump combination that can empty the contents of a bag-in-box package or a non-returnable, low pressure or no pressure syrup package, without the use of a syrup pump.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing method using a dispensing valve incorporating a volumetric ratio control device for dispensing from a non-pressurizable, collapsible concentrate container without the use of a syrup pump.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser incorporating therein a volumetric ratio control device.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing system including a beverage dispenser, a dispensing valve, and a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container pressurized to about 5-10 psig.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-returnable, pressurizable syrup container for use with beverage dispensers and having sufficient strength to safely hold syrup under pressure no greater than about 5-10 psig.
- The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description below when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:
- Fig. 1 is a partly cross-sectional end view through a dispensing valve according to one embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a partly cross-sectional side view through the valve of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2 thereof;
- Fig. 3 is an elevational view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
- Fig. 4 is an elevational view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2
- Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4;
- Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the valves in the opposite position to that shown in Fig. 6;
- Fig. 8 is a partly cross-sectional side view of a dispensing valve according to another embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 9 is a partly cross-sectional end view of the valve of Fig. 8 taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;
- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the paddle valves used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9;
- Fig. 11 is a partly diagrammatic, partly schematic view of a volumetric ratio control device showing an electrical switch means associated therewith;
- Fig. 12 is a partial, cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve showing a variable flow control feature thereof;
- Fig. 13 is an electrical schematic of a circuit useful with the volumetric ratio control device of the present invention; and
- Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a beverage dispenser incl uding a dispensing valve according to the present invention, and showing the four different types of syrup containers useful therewith.
- With reference now to the drawings, Figs. 1 - 5 show a dispensing
valve 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispensingvalve 10 can be mounted on abeverage dispenser 12 as shown in Fig. 14. Any one of a number of thedispensing valves 10 such as four, five or six, for example, can be mounted on thebeverage dispenser 12. The syrup source can be afigal 14, a bag-in-box 16, agravity tank 18 built directly into thebeverage dispenser 12, or anon-returnable container 20 according to the present invention and described in more detail hereinafter. - Returning now to the dispensing
valve 10 of Figs. 1 - 5, the valve includes abody 22 including separate soda andsyrup passageways passageways nozzle 30 for mixing together the soda and syrup and for dispensing the mixture therefrom, and a volumetric ratio control device (VRCD) 32 in said body for controlling the ratio of soda to syrup in the beverage dispensed from thevalve 10. Thevalve 10 can include a cover 91 (see Fig. 14), if desired. - The
VRCD 32 includes asyrup piston 40, asoda piston 42 connected to thesyrup piston 40, a pair ofsyrup chambers soda chambers way valves solenoids soda passageway 24 includes a passageway to each of thesoda chambers syrup passageway 26 includes a syrup passageway to each of thesyrup chambers - The valve means for controlling the flow through the passageway includes the
solenoids armature 60 in thesyrup passageway 26. When the armature is in the position shown in Fig. 2 (for example, with thesolenoid 58 not energized), the syrup can flow throughsyrup inlet passageway 26, through aport 62 in thearmature 60, throughpassageways 70 and 71, one of thesyrup chambers chambers passageway 64, then through thegroove 66, and then intopassageway 68 where it flows down into thenozzle 30 as shown in Fig. 2. When thesyrup piston 40 reaches the end of its stroke, thesolenoid 58 is energized to retract thearmature 60 to provide communication between theinlet passageway 26 and the other syrup chamber through thepassageways passageway 71, then passageway 70, throughgroove 66 and then throughpassageway 68 to thenozzle 30. The same operation occurs on the other side of the dispensing valve with respect to the soda (or carbonated water). - Fig. 3 shows the three
ports passageways central member 76. Fig. 4 shows theport 62 and thegroove 68 in thearmature 60 of thesolenoid 58. - The
solenoids valves - An advantage of placing the VRCD directly in the dispensing valve is to reduce the number of water lines that would be required if the VRCD were placed, for example, upstream of the refrigeration system and the soda and syrup lines were kept separate up to the valve.
- Reference will now be made to Figs. 6 and 7 which show another embodiment of the VRCD of the present invention, and in particular one using four three-way valves rather than the two four-way valves used in the embodiments of Figs. 1-5.
- Figs. 6 and 7 show a volumetric
ratio control device 80 that can be used in a dispensing valve such as thevalve 10 of Figs. 1-5. Figs. 6 and 7 diagrammatically show thesyrup piston 40, thesoda piston 42,syrup chambers soda chambers ratio control device 80 includes a soda-inconduit 82, a syrup-inconduit 84, a soda-out conduit 86 to a mixingnozzle 88, and a syrup-out conduit 90 to the mixingnozzle 88. The volumetricratio control device 80 includes valve means for controlling the flow in the soda and syrup passageways including four three-way pilot-actuatedpoppet valves pilot valve 100. Thevalve 100 is actuated by asolenoid 102. The solenoid-actuatedpilot valve 100 uses pressurized soda as the pilot fluid. - Fig. 6 shows the
solenoid 102 in its energized condition such that thevalve 100 is open to provide pressurized soda communication to the four three-way poppet valves pistons solenoid 102 is de-energized allowing a spring to move the pilot valve to its position shown in Fig. 7. At this time the soda line to the four three-way poppet valves is vented by thepilot valve 100 which causes the four three-way valves pistons - Figs. 8 to 10 show a dispensing
valve 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention which uses four three-way paddle valves single solenoid 116 having anarmature 117. Thevalves 111 and 113 are syrup valves, andvalves syrup valves 111 and 113. The cross-section in Fig. 9 is taken through thevalves - The dispensing
valve 110 includes thesyrup piston 40, thesoda piston 42,syrup chambers soda chambers nozzle 30. The dispensingvalve 110 includes abody 118 having asyrup passageway 120 and asoda passageway 122 therethrough. Thesolenoid 116 includes a spring (not shown) for forcing thearmature 117 downwardly (as viewed in Fig. 8). When the solenoid is energized it pulls thearmature 117 upwardly. Fig. 8 shows thepistons paddle valves solenoid 116 being energized to pull upon a lever arm 126 (as viewed in Fig. 10), thus pushing down on the actuatingarms paddle valves paddle valves 111 and 112 are caused to close. The soda and syrup flows through the soda and syrup passageways into therightmost chambers nozzle 30. At the end of the stroke of thepistons solenoid 116 is de-energized, whereby the solenoid spring (not shown) forces thelever arm 126 down, reversing the above described li quid flow. - Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic and schematic showing of a syrup piston 140, a
soda piston 142,syrup chambers soda chambers pistons 140 and 142 have reached the end of their stroke. The electrical contact means 148 can usemicroswitches - Fig. 12 shows a variable flow rate system that can be used on any of the above described embodiments. This system includes a
cup lever arm 151 located below a dispensingvalve 10 and adjacent to thenozzle 30 as is well-known in the art for actuating a dispensing valve to dispense the beverage into a cup. - According to the invention shown in Fig. 12, movement of the
cup lever arm 151 immediately energized aswitch 152 to actuate the dispensing valve. This switch remains closed as long as thearm 151 is depressed. Thecup lever arm 151 is also connected to a flow control 154 (through an arm 153) in thesoda passageway 156 to thenozzle 30. If a high flow rate is desired, thecup lever arm 151 is pushed all the way back, whereby theflow control 154 provides a completelyopen passageway 156. Thecup lever arm 151 is spring biased to its closed position shown in Fig. 12 and can be moved varying amounts to the right (as viewed in Fig. 12) to dispense beverage into a cup and to open thesoda passageway 156 in varying amounts. As the cup approaches being filled, thecup lever arm 151 is allowed to move toward its closed position whereby theflow control 154 moves into thepassageway 156 to slow down the flow. By means of the volumetric ratio control device of the present invention, even though only one of the soda and/or syrup passageways to the nozzle is varied, the ratio remains constant, because when the piston slows down, it slows down the pumping of both the soda and the syrup and at the correct ratio. - Fig. 13 shows a standard electrical circuit, including a holding circuit, for causing the soda and syrup pistons to reciprocate when the dispensing valve, including the VRCD, is energized. Fig. 13 shows the
switches solenoid 102 and relay CR-1. The operation of this standard circuit is well known and need not be described in any further detail herein. - Fig. 14 shows an overall arrangement of a
beverage dispenser 12 with one ormore dispensing valves 10 according to any one of the embodiments of the present invention. Thebeverage dispenser 12 can be provided with a syrup supply from any one of a known type of syrup containers such as afigal 14, a bag-in-box 16, or agravity tank 18. In addition, according to the present invention, a syrup supply can also be provided in anon-returnable container 20 such as a plastic bottle. The container can be vented to atmosphere or preferably it can be a container that is capable of being safely pressurized to no higher than about 10 psig. Thecontainer 20 can be similar to the present two-liter PET bottles used for premix. Thecontainer 20 includes alid 170 having adip tube 172 extending down toward the bottom of thecontainer 20 and a coupling for connection to thesyrup line 21. Thelid 170 also includes a one-way valve and fitting 174 for use in pressurizing thecontainer 20 to its low pressure. It is noted that the pressure to whichcontainer 20 can be pressurized is much less than that to which astainless steel figal 20 can be pressurized. According to the present invention, the means for delivering the syrup to the dispensing valve is the suction created by the volumetric ratio control device; however, it can be useful to have small pressure in thecontainer 20, if desired. However, the low pressure that is preferred to be used in thecontainer 20 does no require the container to withstand any substantial pressures, whereby thecontainer 20 can be made relatively inexpensively; that is, it can have relatively thin walls and a relativelyinexpensive lid 170 that can be screw-threaded (or otherwise connected) onto thecontainer 20 with a suitable O-ring or other seal structure. - The
container beverage dispenser 12; this is what is intended by the arrows on the ends of the syrup conduits. Thedispenser 12 may or may not include agravity tank 18. - While the preferred embodiments of this invention have been described above in detail, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, while certain arrangements and designs of pistons and chambers have been shown, a wide variety of such pistons and chambers can be used as will be understood by one skilled in the art. Further, it is not necessary that the piston be a double-acting piston arrangement; it can alternatively be a single-acting piston using a return spring, for example. While the preferred
non-returnable container 20 is a rigid plastic bottle, a collapsible container such as a plastic bag similar to that used in the present bag-in-box containers 16 can also be used. Thenon-returnable container 20 can alternatively be vented to atmosphere and not be under any additional pressure. While the preferred water and concentrate are carbonated water and syrup, respectfully, this invention can also be used with plain water and with fruit juice concentrates, tea and coffee, for example. While the solenoids are preferably pull solenoids, push solenoids can also be used. The soda and syrup pistons in the VRCD can be separate pistons joined together, or they can be one single member.
Claims (24)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP92119357A EP0532062B1 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device |
EP92119358A EP0532063B1 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ration control device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US88854686A | 1986-07-18 | 1986-07-18 | |
US888546 | 1986-07-18 |
Related Child Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92119358.7 Division-Into | 1987-07-17 | ||
EP92119357.9 Division-Into | 1987-07-17 | ||
EP92119357A Division EP0532062B1 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0253406A2 true EP0253406A2 (en) | 1988-01-20 |
EP0253406A3 EP0253406A3 (en) | 1988-03-23 |
Family
ID=25393368
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92119358A Expired - Lifetime EP0532063B1 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ration control device |
EP87110380A Withdrawn EP0253406A3 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device |
EP92119357A Expired - Lifetime EP0532062B1 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92119358A Expired - Lifetime EP0532063B1 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ration control device |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92119357A Expired - Lifetime EP0532062B1 (en) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-07-17 | Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (3) | EP0532063B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2537519B2 (en) |
AT (2) | ATE130827T1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR8703743A (en) |
CA (1) | CA1317913C (en) |
DE (2) | DE3751624T2 (en) |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4886190A (en) * | 1986-10-29 | 1989-12-12 | The Coca-Cola Company | Postmix juice dispensing system |
EP0366431A1 (en) * | 1988-10-24 | 1990-05-02 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispenser system |
GB2205816B (en) * | 1987-04-24 | 1991-01-16 | Ag Patents Ltd | Apparatus and methods for dispensing beverages |
EP0466772A1 (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1992-01-22 | Fountain Fresh, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion |
WO1993025465A1 (en) * | 1992-06-05 | 1993-12-23 | The Coca-Cola Company | Device for volumetric dosing of products |
WO1994008886A1 (en) * | 1992-10-14 | 1994-04-28 | Condiment Master, Inc. | Electronic condiment dispensing apparatus |
US5388725A (en) * | 1993-11-24 | 1995-02-14 | Fountain Fresh International | Fluid-driven apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion |
WO2018064451A1 (en) | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-05 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing systems |
US11702331B2 (en) | 2019-05-03 | 2023-07-18 | Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc. | Beverage dispensing machines with dispensing valves |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2773552B1 (en) * | 1998-01-15 | 2000-02-25 | Aubreby Jean Pierre D | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ADDING A FOAM SUPPLEMENT TO A BEVERAGE CONTAINER CONTAINING A VOLUME OF BEER |
US9146564B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2015-09-29 | Deka Products Limited Partnership | Product dispensing system |
US11906988B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2024-02-20 | Deka Products Limited Partnership | Product dispensing system |
US7905373B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2011-03-15 | Deka Products Limited Partnership | System and method for generating a drive signal |
US11214476B2 (en) | 2006-03-06 | 2022-01-04 | Deka Products Limited Partnership | System and method for generating a drive signal |
US11634311B2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2023-04-25 | Deka Products Limited Partnership | Product dispensing system |
US10859072B2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2020-12-08 | Deka Products Limited Partnership | Product dispensing system |
US10562757B2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2020-02-18 | Deka Products Limited Partnership | Product dispensing system |
BRPI0816730A2 (en) | 2007-09-06 | 2019-09-24 | Deka Products Lp | product distribution system |
CN102387982B (en) | 2008-08-28 | 2014-09-17 | 德卡产品有限公司 | Product dispensing system |
NL2008659C2 (en) * | 2012-04-19 | 2013-10-29 | Groeneveld Transp Efficiency B V | Device for dispensing charges of a fluid. |
US11135345B2 (en) | 2017-05-10 | 2021-10-05 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | On demand dialysate mixing using concentrates |
US11504458B2 (en) | 2018-10-17 | 2022-11-22 | Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. | Ultrasonic authentication for dialysis |
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CA869389A (en) * | 1968-08-06 | 1971-04-27 | Diebel Howard | Drink dispensing apparatus |
US3640433A (en) * | 1969-07-11 | 1972-02-08 | Coca Cola Co | Beverage dispenser for metering a plurality of liquids |
US3991788A (en) * | 1975-08-28 | 1976-11-16 | Coffee-Mat Corporation | Fluid flow distributor for multi-choice vending machine |
EP0105526A2 (en) * | 1982-10-05 | 1984-04-18 | The Coca-Cola Company | A control device for a pneumatically-driven demand pump |
GB2146621A (en) * | 1983-09-15 | 1985-04-24 | Coca Cola Co | Post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser |
Family Cites Families (3)
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US3672389A (en) * | 1970-09-10 | 1972-06-27 | Automatic Sprinkler Corp | Liquid proportioning device |
US4684039A (en) * | 1984-03-28 | 1987-08-04 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispenser valve assembly system for use with pulpy citrus concentrate |
US4684332A (en) * | 1985-11-13 | 1987-08-04 | Product Research And Development | Ratio pump and method |
-
1987
- 1987-07-14 CA CA000542041A patent/CA1317913C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-07-17 BR BR8703743A patent/BR8703743A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-07-17 JP JP62177344A patent/JP2537519B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-07-17 EP EP92119358A patent/EP0532063B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-07-17 AT AT92119357T patent/ATE130827T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-07-17 AT AT92119358T patent/ATE130828T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-07-17 EP EP87110380A patent/EP0253406A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1987-07-17 EP EP92119357A patent/EP0532062B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-07-17 DE DE3751624T patent/DE3751624T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-07-17 DE DE3751625T patent/DE3751625T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA869389A (en) * | 1968-08-06 | 1971-04-27 | Diebel Howard | Drink dispensing apparatus |
US3640433A (en) * | 1969-07-11 | 1972-02-08 | Coca Cola Co | Beverage dispenser for metering a plurality of liquids |
US3991788A (en) * | 1975-08-28 | 1976-11-16 | Coffee-Mat Corporation | Fluid flow distributor for multi-choice vending machine |
EP0105526A2 (en) * | 1982-10-05 | 1984-04-18 | The Coca-Cola Company | A control device for a pneumatically-driven demand pump |
GB2146621A (en) * | 1983-09-15 | 1985-04-24 | Coca Cola Co | Post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4886190A (en) * | 1986-10-29 | 1989-12-12 | The Coca-Cola Company | Postmix juice dispensing system |
GB2205816B (en) * | 1987-04-24 | 1991-01-16 | Ag Patents Ltd | Apparatus and methods for dispensing beverages |
EP0366431A1 (en) * | 1988-10-24 | 1990-05-02 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispenser system |
EP0466772A1 (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1992-01-22 | Fountain Fresh, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion |
EP0466772A4 (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1992-03-25 | Fountain Fresh, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion |
US5381926A (en) * | 1992-06-05 | 1995-01-17 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing value and method |
WO1993025465A1 (en) * | 1992-06-05 | 1993-12-23 | The Coca-Cola Company | Device for volumetric dosing of products |
WO1994008886A1 (en) * | 1992-10-14 | 1994-04-28 | Condiment Master, Inc. | Electronic condiment dispensing apparatus |
US5429681A (en) * | 1992-10-14 | 1995-07-04 | Condiment Master, Inc. | Electronic condiment dispensing apparatus |
US5388725A (en) * | 1993-11-24 | 1995-02-14 | Fountain Fresh International | Fluid-driven apparatus for dispensing plural fluids in a precise proportion |
WO2018064451A1 (en) | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-05 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing systems |
EP3519349A4 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2020-09-09 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing systems |
US11713232B2 (en) | 2016-09-30 | 2023-08-01 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispensing systems |
US11702331B2 (en) | 2019-05-03 | 2023-07-18 | Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc. | Beverage dispensing machines with dispensing valves |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE130828T1 (en) | 1995-12-15 |
EP0532062B1 (en) | 1995-11-29 |
DE3751625T2 (en) | 1996-05-30 |
EP0532063A1 (en) | 1993-03-17 |
CA1317913C (en) | 1993-05-18 |
EP0253406A3 (en) | 1988-03-23 |
JP2537519B2 (en) | 1996-09-25 |
ATE130827T1 (en) | 1995-12-15 |
DE3751624D1 (en) | 1996-01-11 |
EP0532063B1 (en) | 1995-11-29 |
JPS6333298A (en) | 1988-02-12 |
DE3751625D1 (en) | 1996-01-11 |
BR8703743A (en) | 1988-03-29 |
DE3751624T2 (en) | 1996-07-18 |
EP0532062A1 (en) | 1993-03-17 |
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