JPS63178990A - Drink distributing pump system with pressure controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to post-mix beverage dispensers, such as soft drinks and juices, and more particularly to an inexpensive positive displacement metering pump that uses a pressurized source of concentrate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Positive displacement pumps with non-return valves are known for use in juice post-mixing beverage dispensers, where the juice concentrate is not placed under pressure. Two such pumps include a double-acting water pump coupled to and driving a double-acting concentrate pump, the water pressure actuating the pump, and the pump chamber controlling or controlling the volume ratio of the two liquids. Due to the metering, we have the desired volume ratio of concentrate to water. However, such pumps have check valves that
"Blowout leakage" of concentrated liquid flowing directly through the pump
, and in fact are not used in pressurized sources of concentrate, in order to bypass the pump and thus the volume ratio control carried out by the pump.

When a pressurized reservoir is used, known methods of eliminating flow through a check valve require placing a spring loaded poppet valve at the concentrate outlet. The closing force of the poppet must be set a certain value greater than the maximum entry pressure; if the closing force is less than the maximum entry pressure and the higher pressure is held back, the non-metering Flow rate is generated. A disadvantage of this known mechanism is that the poppet also requires pressurizing the concentrate to a value greater than the closing force of the poppet. Operating the pump at high pressures greatly reduces the life of the pump components. The main objective of the invention is to maintain a backpressure slightly greater than the natural entry pressure.

Regarding the post-mix beverage dispensing system of the present invention, it is known to convert a pressurized juice dispensing system that does not use a metering pump to a system that uses a positive displacement pump;
However, in such known conversions, the expense, time and effort of converting a pressurized concentrate source to an aerated source is required, so that the concentrate cannot be placed under pressure.

It is the problem of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, so that such positive displacement metering pumps with check valves also require unacceptably large, heavy and expensive pumps. Instead, a pressurized source of concentrate is used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mixed beverage dispenser after being provided with a positive displacement concentrate metering pump having a non-return valve, together with means for preventing the "blow leakage" of concentrate from a pressurized source. Another object of the invention.

It is another aspect of the present invention to convert a pressurized juice dispensing system that does not use a metering pump to a system that uses a positive displacement pump, without the need and expense of converting a pressurized concentrate source to an aerated source. It is a purpose.

By pressurizing the outlet line to the inlet line pressure plus additional pressure, rather than pressurizing the outlet line to a set pressure that would require the pump to overcome an unnecessarily high outlet pressure, the positive displacement It is another object of the present invention to prevent "blowout" of concentrate in post-mix beverage dispensing systems that use metering pumps.

means for pressurizing the outlet line to a sum of the inlet line pressure and an additional pressure sufficient to prevent pressurized concentrate leakage through the check valve of the pump; It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-mix soft drink dispensing system that includes a pressurized concentrate source and a positive displacement concentrate metering pump that utilizes a check valve.

The present invention provides a post-mixing beverage dispenser using a positive displacement metering pump having a check valve and means for pressurizing an outlet line with pressurized fluid used to pressurize the concentrate. It is a further object of the invention.

a positive displacement metering pump with a check valve and for pressurizing the outlet line either with the pressure of the inlet line plus the additional pressure or with the pressure of the pressurized fluid used to pressurize the concentrate; a pressurizable canister coupled to the concentrate line with a pressurized source of concentrate;
ster), a means for holding and dispensing a quantity of flexible juice concentrate at a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a means for pressurizing the canister, and a means for pressurizing the canister;
It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-mix beverage dispenser system including a means for heating the concentrate in the concentrate line between the pump and the concentrate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A mixed beverage dispensing system uses a positive displacement concentrate metering pump with a check valve and a pressure control device associated with the pump, where the pump is used with pressurized concentrate. The system can be used with any type of beverage, such as juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, etc.

The pressure controller controls the flow of concentrate from the pressurized concentrate source.
Pressurize the outlet line to prevent leakage due to blow-out. In one embodiment, the outlet line is pressurized at the pressure of the inlet line plus an additional pressure. In another embodiment, the concentrate is pressurized with a fluid that pressurizes it. The controller applies fluid pressure and bias to close the poppet valve.
Includes a poppet valve in the outlet line with both springs.

The bias spring may be in or outside the concentrate flow and may have a fixed force or be adjustable. Is the fluid pressure the concentrate in the concentrate line?
or, for example, a fluid used to pressurize the concentrate in a concentrate supply vessel.

The invention also provides a positive displacement concentrate metering pump having a check valve, a pressure control device in which the pump is used with pressurized concentrate, and a pressurizable canister coupled to the concentrate line;
means for holding and dispensing a quantity of flexible juice concentrate at a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, means for pressurizing the canister, and means for dispensing the concentrate in a concentrate line between the canister and the pump; and a means for heating.

Preferred Embodiments The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention for a post-mix beverage dispensing system 10 that includes a positive displacement violet pump 12 with an associated pressure control device 14, where the pump 12 is simple and inexpensive. Although a check valve is used,
A pressurized concentrate source 16 can also be used.

The system 10 includes a pump 12 and a mixing chamber 2 having a nozzle 22 for dispensing the final beverage into a cup 24.
0 and includes a water line 18 coupled to 0.

A solenoid-controlled on/off valve 26 is also located in the water line 18 for opening and closing the water line to begin and end dispensing, respectively. A water flow meter 27 may also be included in water line 18 if desired to provide distribution control to system 10. That is, the flow meter is
It can be used in conjunction with suitable electronic devices to provide small, medium and large buttons to avoid manual filling. Cup actuation lever arm 29 also connects nozzle 22 to actuate a switch (not shown) that initiates dispensing.
provided adjacent to.

The system 10 also includes a pump 12 and a mixing chamber 2.
0 and includes a concentrate conduit 30 coupled to 0.

A preferred source of concentrate is pliable at freezer temperatures of about -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
A flexible bag 32 for the concentrate. At this temperature,
5+1 orange juice concentrate does not undergo a phase change;
The six fluid bags 32 are placed in a pressurizable canister 34 which is pressurized, for example with Co2 or air, from a pressurized line 36 and a pressure source 38. The heat exchanger 40 is
The temperature of the concentrate is preferably between about 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is placed between the canister 34 and the pump 12 to raise it to 0 degrees. Heat exchanger 40 includes a heating element 42, such as an electrical resistance element, and a water line 44, such as a recirculated soda water line 44, which is available in restaurants.

The pump 12 includes a pair of ice chambers 48 and 49 and a piston 50.
and a pair of concentrate chambers 52 and 53 and pistons 54 and 55.
are known types of positive displacement metering pumps, such as double-acting pumps. The water pressure moves the water piston 50, and the reciprocating motion moves the water piston 50.
) is controlled by a water control valve 56 actuated in a known manner, such as electrically, optically, or mechanically using extension of the connecting rod 62. Water piston 50 is coupled to concentrate pistons 54 and 55 by a coupling rod 62 for reciprocating the concentrate pistons.

The flow rate of concentrate through pump 12 is equal to
k billed) four check valves 64, 65, 66 and 67, such as non-return valves, and a pressure control device 'l1t14.
controlled by

If the concentrate was not under pressure, the concentrate pump would draw concentrate into one chamber and push it out of the other chamber during each reciprocating stroke, but would, for example, include a pressurized source. , without device 14, by pistons 54 and 55 moving to the left in FIG.
2 and 53, the pressure control device 14 prevents this.

The pressure control device 14 provides a sufficiently higher pressure on the outlet side of the concentrate chambers 52 and 53 than is present on the entry 1'' side to prevent such "blow leakage." Preferably, the outlet pressure is about 2-5 psi higher than the inlet pressure; the device 14 includes means for maintaining a higher pressure at the outlet than the inlet; the preferred control device includes an inlet block 82 on the inlet side; , an outlet chamber 84 on the outlet side, a poppet valve 80 in the outlet chamber, and a reciprocating pressure sensing element 88, chambers 84 and 8, respectively.
The spring force, including a pair of septa 90 and 92 at 2 and a bias spring 94 that forces element 88 toward the closed position, determines the Δp at which the outlet pressure exceeds the inlet pressure. Bulkheads 90 and 92 provide a seal to prevent leakage from conduit 30 and also allow liquid pressure to flow through element 88.
Provides an effective surface area that can be covered. The top portion of the pressure sensing element 88 serves as the valve element and seats on the valve seat 96 when the valve is closed. It will be placed. The valve maintains an outlet pressure higher than the inlet pressure and terminates flow when necessary.

Through the use of pressure control device 14, a simple and inexpensive pump 12 with a check valve is also used in a pressurized system.

The poppet valve in pressure control device 14 remains closed and prevents flow of concentrate from the pump until the concentrate outlet pressure exceeds the inlet concentrate pressure. The outlet pressure exceeds the inlet concentrate pressure only when the concentrate piston in the pump moves.

2 and 3 show another embodiment of the invention, in which the same pressure control device 14 shown in FIG. 1 is used with different pumps 100. FIG. Pump 100 is a linear pump with four check valves that control the flow through two chambers.
It is a small linear pump operated by a motor 102. Device 14 prevents "blow leaks" when using pressurized liquid sources. Pump 100 is used for concentrates in other metering systems than that shown in FIG. 1 to control the volume ratio of concentrate to water.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention of different pressure control devices 110, each comprising a single enclosure 112 separated by a partition 114 to the inlet 1 and outlet chambers 111 and 113. The septum is coupled to a rigid valve element 116 that rests on a valve seat 118 at an outlet conduit 120. The inlet conduit 122 includes, at the inlet block 111,
Each includes inlet and outlet boats 124 and 126, and outlet conduit 120 includes inlet and outlet boats 128 and 130 in outlet chamber 113.

The device 110 includes two chambers 142 and 144, two coupled pistons 146 and 148, and four check valves 15.
0.151. Prevents "blow leakage" of concentrate through pump 140 with 152 and 153.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention of a positive displacement metering pump 160 (shown schematically but with a check valve to control the flow rate) and a pressure control device 162. In FIG. 5, the device 162 uses a spring 164 outside the liquid flow path separated by a septum 166;
Spring 164 is then similar to that shown in FIG. 4 above, except that it is adjustable by screw 168 so that Δp can be varied as desired.

FIG. 6 shows that the system 180 uses a pressure control device 182 that is different from the device 14 of FIG.
A control unit W182 is coupled to the concentrate conduit 30 downstream from the pump 12, showing another embodiment of the present invention of a distribution system 180 that is identical to the illustrated system 10. device 18
2 includes an enclosure 184 divided by a partition 186 into a concentrate chamber 188 and a pressure chamber 190. The septum 186 is coupled to a rigid valve element 192 that rests on a valve seat 194; a bias spring 196 biases the pressure chamber 190 to exert a bias pressure on the valve element 192 that forces the valve element into an open position.
will be placed in Device 182 prevents "bleeding" of concentrate through pump 12.

FIG. 7 shows the dispensing system shown in FIG. 6, except that system 200 does not include a separate bag for containing the concentrate, but does include a concentrate reservoir 202 that includes a dip tube 204. shows another embodiment of the present invention of a distribution system 200 similar to
6 with a gas such as air from a pressurized air source (not shown). system 200
is preferably used for concentrates above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, in which case there is no need for a heat exchanger.

Advantages and objects of the present invention include converting the present juice dispensing system that uses a source of pressurized concentrate delivered directly to a dispensing valve without a metering pump to a system that uses a metering pump. It is known that, in known conversions, the source of pressurized concentrate is a "bleed-out" source of pressurized concentrate through a check valve of a known positive displacement metering pump.
converted to a vented, non-pressurized source to prevent

The pressure control device of the present invention prevents "blow leakage" of concentrate through the pump, thereby avoiding the time and expense of such conversion to a vented concentrate source.

It is known to pressurize the outlet line of a pump to a set pressure regardless of the inlet line pressure, but this is undesirable because it requires the pump to be very large, heavy and expensive. It becomes impossible to overcome the necessary high σ outlet pressure (ie, the sum of the maximum pressure reached by the inlet pressure and the additional pressure). By relating (or adjusting) the outlet pressure to the inlet pressure plus the additional pressure, the outlet pressure that the pump must overcome is minimized.

The present invention provides a pressurized source of concentrate, a positive displacement concentrate metering pump that uses a check valve, and
It would be clearly beneficial as a post-mix soft drink dispensing system to use a means for pressurizing the outlet line from the pump to prevent this. The only known methods of preventing "blow leakage" of pressurized concentrate through a pump are to use very expensive and complex positive control flow valves or to
or the use of a poppet valve in the outlet line to increase the outlet pressure to avoid "blow leakage", the poppet valve being able to overcome pressures that the pump is not commercially capable of. It is believed that positive displacement pumps have not previously been used in pressurized and mixed soft drink dispensing systems because of the high value setting, as they would have to be very large and expensive.

It will be obvious that various changes, modifications and variations may be made to the described preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Although the preferred embodiment and several other embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited to these, but it is contemplated that other pressure control devices may be used, e.g. Although the coupling is shown to be mechanical, this is not essential. Alternatively, there may be a sensor in the inlet line and electrically coupled to a pressurizing device in the outlet line. The invention also provides a positive displacement metering pump with a check valve in a post-mixing beverage dispenser with a pressure source, regardless of the type of beverage, e.g. juice, orange juice, soft drinks, coffee, tea, etc. Including using.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the beverage dispensing system of the present invention. 2 and 3 are partial cross-sectional views of a pump and pressure control device according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a partial schematic diagram of another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the invention. 10... Post-mixed beverage dispensing system 12...
. . . Positive displacement metering pump 16 . . . Concentrate source 20 . . . Mixing chamber 24 . . . Cup 27 . . . Water flow 1 meter 32 ...... Flexible bag 36 ... Pressurized pipe line 40 ... Heat exchanger

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. (a) Positive displacement concentrate having a check valve for controlling the flow of concentrate from an inlet line coupled to a pump to an outlet line coupled to the pump. (b) coupling the inlet line to a source of pressurized concentrate used in dispensing a beverage; (c) allowing the pressurized concentrate to pass through the check valve; pressurizing the outlet line of the pump to the pressure of the inlet line plus additional pressure to prevent blowout. 2. The method of claim 1, comprising adjusting the additional pressure as desired. 3. The pressurizing step includes placing a poppet valve in the outlet line, applying inlet line pressure to the valve in a direction to cause the valve to close, and applying inlet line pressure to the valve in a direction to cause the valve to open. and applying a bias spring force to the valve in a direction to cause the valve to close. 4. The pump is the concentrate side of a volume ratio control pump used in a post-mix beverage dispenser, the pump also comprising:
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, having a water side operated by water pressure. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the distributor is a juice distributor and the concentrate is a juice concentrate. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of joining comprises joining the inlet conduit to a pressurized canister containing a volume of flexible juice concentrate at a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less. . 7. (a) a water line coupled to a mixing chamber having a dispensing nozzle; (b) a concentrate line coupled to the mixing chamber; and (c) in the concentrate line and to the pump. a positive displacement concentrate metering pump having an inlet concentrate line from the pump, an outlet concentrate line from the pump, and a check valve for controlling the flow rate of the concentrate; (d) an inlet to the pump; and means for pressurizing an outlet line from the pump by the sum of line pressure and additional pressure. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, including means for adjusting said additional pressure. 9. The pressurizing means comprises a poppet valve in the outlet conduit;
means for applying an inlet line pressure to the poppet valve that causes the poppet valve to close; means for applying an outlet line pressure to the poppet valve that causes the poppet valve to open; and a biasing mechanism that causes the poppet valve to close. and means for applying a spring force to the poppet valve. 10. A pressurizable canister coupled to the concentrate line and means for holding and dispensing a quantity of pliable juice concentrate at a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and means for pressurizing the canister. and means for heating concentrate in the concentrate line between the canister and the pump. 11. A post-mix juice distribution system that uses a metering pump to deliver concentrate from a pressurized concentrate source to a mixing chamber that does not use a metering pump, without converting the pressurized concentrate source to an aerated source. (a) coupling the concentrate source as an inlet to a positive displacement metering pump having a check valve; (b) coupling an outlet line from the metering pump to a mixing chamber; (c) the sum of the inlet line pressure and the additional pressure to prevent "blow-through" of pressurized concentrate through the check valve of the pump; pressurizing the outlet line. 12. The method of claim 11, including the step of adjusting the additional pressure. 13. (a) a source of pressurized concentrate; (b) a positive displacement concentrate metering pump including a check valve for controlling the flow rate; (c) a mixing chamber; an inlet line to the inlet of the pump; (e) an outlet line from the outlet of the pump to the mixing chamber; and (f) an outlet line of the pump at the sum of the pressure in the inlet line and an additional pressure. and a pressure control device associated with the pump for pressurizing a post-mix soft drink dispensing system. 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, including means for adjusting said additional pressure. 15. A source of pressurized concentrate is coupled to the inlet conduit to a pressurizable canister and a means for holding and dispensing a quantity of flexible juice concentrate at a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less; 14. The apparatus of claim 13, including means for pressurizing the canister, and means for heating the concentrate in the inlet line between the canister and the pump. 16. (a) providing a positive displacement concentrate metering pump having a check valve for controlling the flow of concentrate from an inlet line coupled to the pump to an outlet line coupled to the pump; (b) coupling the inlet line to a source of pressurized concentrate used in the dispensing of beverages, the concentrate being in a rigid container under pressure of pressurized gas; (c) pressurizing the outlet line of the pump to the pressure of the pressurized gas plus an additional pressure to prevent the pressurized concentrate from blowing through the check valve; A method for dispensing a post-mixed beverage. 17. The pressurizing means includes arranging a poppet valve in the outlet conduit, applying the pressurized gas to the valve in a direction to cause the valve to close, and applying the pressurized gas to the outlet conduit in a direction to cause the valve to open. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising applying pressure to the valve and applying a bias spring force to the valve in a direction to cause the valve to close. 18. The pump is the concentrate side of a volume ratio control pump used in a post-mix beverage dispenser, the pump also having a water side actuated by water pressure. the method of. 19. Large amount of flexible 5+ at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit
Claim 16: coupling the inlet line to a canister containing 1 juice concentrate and heating the concentrate in the inlet line downstream from the canister and upstream from the pump. The method described in. 20, (a) a water line coupled to a mixing chamber with a dispensing nozzle; (b) a concentrate bag in a rigid container under pressure of pressurized gas; and (c) a concentrate coupling the bag to the mixing chamber. (d) an inlet concentrate line in the concentrate line and from the bag to the pump, an outlet concentrate line from the pump to the mixing chamber, and a flow rate of the concentrate; (e) means for pressurizing an outlet line from the pump with the pressure of the pressurized gas plus an additional pressure; Post-mixing beverage dispensing device. 21. The means for pressurizing includes a poppet valve in the outlet line, means for applying the pressurized gas to the poppet valve to force it closed, and applying outlet line pressure to the poppet valve. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising means for forcing the poppet valve to open and means for applying a bias spring force to the poppet valve to force it to close. 22. A pressurizable canister coupled to the concentrate line and means for holding and dispensing a quantity of flexible juice concentrate at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and means for pressurizing the canister. and means for heating concentrate in the concentrate line between the canister and the pump. 23. A post-mixing juice distribution system that delivers concentrate from a pressurized concentrate source to a mixing chamber without the use of a metering pump, without converting the pressurized concentrate source to an aerated source, using a metering pump. (a) coupling the concentrate source as an inlet to a positive displacement metering pump having a check valve; and (b) an outlet from the metering pump to a mixing chamber. (c) the pressure of the pressurized concentrate source is sufficient to prevent "blow leakage" of pressurized concentrate through the check valve of the pump; and pressurizing the outlet line to the sum of an additional pressure. 24. (a) a source of pressurized concentrate; (b) a positive displacement concentrate metering pump including a check valve for controlling the flow rate; (c) a mixing chamber; and (d) from the source. (e) an outlet line from the outlet of the pump to the mixing chamber; (f) an inlet line from the outlet of the pump to the mixing chamber; and a pressure control device associated with the pump to pressurize the outlet line of the pump.