AU677366B2

AU677366B2 - Dispenser

Info

Publication number: AU677366B2
Application number: AU53314/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Malcolm Reeve
Original assignee: PRECISION MEASURES Ltd
Current assignee: PRECISION MEASURES Ltd
Priority date: 1992-10-22
Filing date: 1993-10-22
Publication date: 1997-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-22
Also published as: AU5331494A; NZ257076A; WO1994009346A1

Description

DISPENSER

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to dispensing devices and means to control the dispensing of fluids.

Background of the Invention

5 Dispensers of fluids, such as spirits, require accurate control mechanisms. This arises from the high value of these fluids and government regulations which specify the volume entitlements of consumers when ordering those fluids. Such mechanisms also benefit the seller of fluids by guarding against over-pouring.

Typically, in hotels and clubs, spirit dispensers are provided at the bar. Current models of 0 these dispensers are supplied from individual bottles of spirit or from bulk supplies of spirit. Such dispensers are generally attached to a wall or other suitable structure and support bottles in an upside-down orientation. The bottles have their necks located in an upper part of the dispenser. As such, these dispensers are gravity fed. A lower part of these dispensers have an operating knob. When activated, the metering valve is caused to open, 5 initiating the pouring cycle. This may permit a predetermined amount of spirit to issue from the dispenser. Thereafter, the metering valve is closed. This may be achieved mechanically, electrically or electromagnetically.

Another form of dispenser uses a device which attaches to the neck of the bottle. By inverting the bottle either the fluid is caused to free flow or alternatively the device may o only permit a metered amount of fluid to be dispensed.

Yet another approach involves the provision of a hand-operated dispensing gun which is fed directly by pressurised fluid. However, the measured volume of fluid dispensed may vary depending upon d e fluid pressure, the dimensions of the fluid transport and dispensing means as well as environmental factors, such as temperature and pressure. 5 In Australian patent application 90032/91 a dispensing device is disclosed which aims to achieve a more accurate measurement of the spirit to be dispensed. A reservoir is provided above the measuring and dispensing chamber so that there is a substantially constant head of spirit. In this way the use of timing devices to allow predetermined amounts of spirit to enter the dispensing chamber becomes more accurate as the flow of spirit is not adversely 0 affected by the pressure of the incoming spirit or prevailing atmospheric conditions.

However, it is still evident that such devices do not deliver spirits in the desired quantities quickly enough. At present the delivery times are such that the barman needs to stand at the dispenser whilst doing nothing else and wait for either the spirit to be completely dispensed or alternatively for the measuring chamber to be filled for reuse. In either case the amount of spirit which can be served is limited by the nature of these products, therefore limiting the turnover which may be generated from the sale of spirits. This situation is worsened i the customer orders double nips of spirits.

Similarly, these current devices need to be dismantled when it is desirable to either inspect or clean the measuring mechanism.

Accordingly, investigations have been carried out in an attempt to reduce the dispensing time of fluids. In doing so, improvements have been made in the dispensing devices currently available. Likewise investigations have been carried out to simplify the construction of the measuring chamber to permit ready cleaning and repair.

Description of the Invention

According to a first aspect of this invention, a fluid dispenser is provided comprising: i) at least two measuring chambers, each including a) at least one inlet to receive fluid from a fluid source; and b) at least one outlet to dispense fluid; and ii) control means to cause at least one of the measuring chambers to dispense fluid to the outlet. According to another aspect of this invention, a fluid dispenser is provided comprising: i) at least one measuring chamber including at least two delivery chambers in parallel and having an inlet to receive fluid and an outlet to dispense fluid from the measuring chamber; and ii) control means to cause one or more of the dispensing chambers to dispense fluid to the at least one outlet of the measuring chamber.

With these arrangements it is possible to dispense single, double etc. volumes of fluid at and in the same time. Of course, if a single outlet is desired, the size of the outlet of the measuring chamber will be enlarged. For example, where the fluid dispenser is destined to provide single and double volumes, the outlet will be proportionally enlarged for rapid dispensing of both volumes. Preferably the volume of each of the measuring or dispensing chambers will be the same or substantially the same. In another preferred form of the above embodiments of the invention, the fluid dispenser further comprises a fluid reservoir communicating with the inlet of the measuring chamber, to supply fluid to the measuring chamber. Preferably the reservoir is connected to the measuring chamber such that it forms part of the removable unitary construction. In this way, when the fluids to be dispensed are spirits and therefore subject to stringent regulatory control, this critical part may be removed for testing or cleaning without the need to dismantle the rest of the fluid dispenser.

In another preferred form of the invention, a venting means is provided between an upper portion of the measuring chamber and an upper portion of the reservoir. This venting means permits the escape of air from the measuring chamber to the reservoir above its liquid level. Investigations have found that the measuring chamber is filled from the reservoir much quicker than without the venting means. It is believed that, as air does not have to escape up through the inlet to the measuring chamber at the same time as the incoming fluid, little turbulence results which enables the measuring chamber to be filled quicker than if air was present. Filling times have been reduced significantly.

Furthermore this venting means facilitates rapid delivery of fluid from the measuring chamber. Investigations have found that delivery speed is influenced by the unrestricted availability of air to replace the liquid being dispensed from the measuring chamber. Delivery times have been significantly improved. As stated in Australian patent application 90032/91, the use of a reservoir ensures that there are substantially constant conditions (such as fluid pressure and temperature) acting on the fluid, particularly relating to a controlled head of fluid being provided for metering means to maintain its integrity. In this respect such reservoir may be filled from any convenient source, e.g. a bottle or a bulk source of fluid. In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the dispenser further comprises monitoring means to monitor the level of fluid in the reservoir. Preferably the monitoring means is adapted to monitor the level of fluid in the reservoir at more than one level and to monitor distinctly different conditions in the reservoir. The monitoring means may be electrical or electronic means, float means, light means, sonic means or other suitable means. Preferably, when the monitoring means comprises electrical or electronic means, the monitoring means includes at least one probe and more preferably a series of probes located in predetermined positions in the reservoir. The monitoring means may further comprise a reference probe.

Typically, the probes will be adapted to produce a signal when the level of fluid in the reservoir goes above or below predetermined levels. The signal is adapted to arrest or initiate the supply of fluid through the inlet of the dispenser into the reservoir, depending on the level of fluid in the reservoir. In this respect, the dispenser may further include a valve, such as a solenoid valve, communicating with the inlet of the dispenser to open or close the supply of fluid into the inlet from an exterior source of fluid. Alternatively, the arresting or initiation of fluid supply may be effected by de-activating or activating pumping means delivering fluid to the dispenser.

Certain probes are preferably also adapted to send a signal to signal means to notify an operator of the conditions in the reservoir, such as when the level of fluid in the reservoir goes above or below predetermined levels. In particular, the signal means may be sent a signal when the level reaches a predetermined maximum level (overflow condition) or goes below a low level of the reservoir. Preferably the signal means is an audio and/or visual means, which may preferably be adapted to operate only if, after a predetermined period of time (such as 2 or 3 seconds) has elapsed, the condition giving rise to the signal has not been rectified. The dispenser may be further adapted so that, when the fluid level falls below a predetermined low level and, optionally, remains there for a predetermined period (e.g. a few seconds), the dispenser is adapted to prevent fluid from being dispensed. In this condition the monitoring means may cause the signal means to operate.

Examples of the above features are disclosed in Australian patent application 90032/91. Alternatively, the probes may be arranged to provide for the prevention of dispensing of any fluid if sufficient fluid is not present to constitute a full measuring chamber.

The presence of fluid is determined by the wetting of adjacent probes. A delivery cycle is possible to initiate providing these probes are submerged in fluid. When these probes do not sense the presence of fluid, a dispensing cycle cannot start. Should the probes sense the absence of fluid during a dispensing cycle, the control system allows for that cycle to be completed, but prevents the commencement of any further cycle.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the controlling means may be a valve and/or electronic system of the types disclosed in Australian patents 545,688, 530,039 and 579,575. Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be further illustrated with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a fluid dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention and incorporates a partial cross-sectional view at the top thereof; Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid dispenser of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative fluid dispenser according to the invention.

As shown in the drawings, dispenser 10 includes an inlet 11 into which a source of fluid is connected. A tamper-proof mechanism 12 is provided which attaches to, for example, the neck of a bottle. A locking ring 13 has a locking arm 14 which projects outwardly and downwardly into a lock 15 (as more clearly shown in Figure 2). As more clearly shown in Figure 1, the neck of the bottle has a valve mechanism inlet 11 which permits fluid to flow downwardly past valve 16 into a reservoir 17 when the bottle is attached to the dispenser 10.

Reservoir 17 has outlets 18 and 19 which communicate with the inlets 20 to chambers 21 and 22. Passageways 23 and 24 communicate between the reservoir 17 and an upper surface 25 of the chambers 21 and 22 adjacent inlet 20. The height of passageways 23 and 24 in reservoir 17 is such that those passageways are above the predetermined upper level of fluid permitted in reservoir 17.

The chambers 21 and 22 comprise sight glasses 26 and 27 and valve arrangements 28 more clearly shown in Figure 2. Separate valve arrangements 28 are associated with each chamber 21 and 22.

Valve arrangement 28 has two synchronised valves 29 and 30 which are situated on valve stems 31 and 32 respectively. A motor 33 drives a cam 34. As cam 34 is rotated by motor 33, it synchronously moves valves 29 and 30. A separate motor (not shown) could operate the valve arrangements 28. Other mechanical or electromagnet systems may be utilised to perform these functions, as illustrated in Figure 3.

As shown in Figure 2, valve 30 is in the open position allowing fluid to pass from reservoir 17 through inlets 20 into the sight glass 26. The fluid is prevented from leaving the chambers 21 and 22 as valve 29 seals opening 35. As cam 34 continues to rotate, inlet 20 is closed by valve 30 and opening 35 is unsealed by the movement of valve 29.

This permits the predetermined amounts of fluid to be dispensed through opening 35 to outlet 36. Preferably the cam arrangement may permit both inlet 20 and opening 35 to be momentarily closed at the same time to ensure no extra fluid is admitted to the chambers 21 and 22 as valve 29 unseals opening 35. This improves the accuracy of the predetermined amount which is subsequently dispensed.

The reservoir 17 and associated measurement chambers 21 and 22 may be of unitary construction. The thick black line shown in the drawings indicates the unitary construction A which can be removed from the dispenser 10 to permit servicing and cleaning. To remove unitary construction A, screw B is removed allowing construction A to be rotated to the left (as shown in Figure 2) and then downwardly to disengage the reservoir 17 from the dispenser 10.

5 Figure 3 shows an alternative valve arrangement to that shown in Figure 2, however, like components are given the same numerals.

Instead of a cam-operated actuation of the valve arrangement, a remote solenoid or mechanical alternative is used. A valve 39 having valve ends 38 and 46 is movable into and out of sealing engagement with inlet 37 and outlet 47 respectively. o The movement of valve 39 is achieved by pivoting of arm 42 about pivot point 44. The plunger 43 is connected to solenoid 45. Movement of plunger 43 of solenoid 45 causes pivoting of arm 42. Alternatively, the action of valve 39 may be achieved by other mechanical or electrical means.

Arm 42 has an end connected to valve 39 via a pin 41. Upward movement of arm 42 5 compresses spring 40 whilst simultaneously raising valve 39. Once the solenoid 45 is disengaged (e.g. after a predetermined period), the spring 40 causes the valve to open inlet 37 and close outlet 47. This action occurs extremely quickly to ensure the accuracy of the metered volume.

Again, unitary construction A can be removed from dispenser 10 to permit servicing and 0 cleaning.

The fluid dispenser of the invention allows rapid filling and dispensing of the measuring chamber. For example, refilling times for volumes of 15 ml and 30 ml have been reduced from 3.5 seconds and 5.5 seconds respectively to 3 seconds using a dispenser according to the invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows.

1. A fluid dispenser comprising: i) at least two measuring chambers, each including a) at least one inlet to receive fluid from a fluid source; and b) at least one outlet to dispense fluid from the chambers; and ii) control means to cause at least one of the measuring chambers to dispense fluid to the outlet.

2. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the measuring chambers have the same or substantially the same volume.

3. A fluid dispenser comprising: i) at least one measuring chamber including at least two delivery chambers in parallel and having an inlet to receive fluid and an outlet to dispense fluid from the measuring chamber; ϋ) control means to cause one or more of the dispensing chambers to dispense fluid to the at least one outlet of the measuring chamber.

4. A fluid dispenser according to claim 3 wherein the delivery chambers have the same or substantially the same volume.

5. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a fluid reservoir communicating with the measuring chamber to supply fluid to the measuring chamber.

6. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the fluid reservoir is disposed above the measuring chambers.

7. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the fluid reservoir and measuring chamber are a unitary construction.

8. A fluid dispenser according to claim 7, further comprising a housing in and upon which the fluid reservoir and measuring chamber are mounted.

9. A fluid dispenser according to claim 8 wherein the fluid reservoir and measuring chamber are removable from the housing.

10. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 9, further comprising venting means extending between an upper portion of the measuring chamber and an upper portion of the reservoir.

11. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the control means includes a solenoid-actuated valve or a mechanically actuated valve to open and close the inlet and outlet of the measuring chamber.

12. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 5 to 11, further comprising monitoring means to monitor the level of fluid in the fluid reservoir.