CA1096345A - Fluid dispenser for reconstituting beverages and the like - Google Patents
Fluid dispenser for reconstituting beverages and the likeInfo
- Publication number
- CA1096345A CA1096345A CA324,120A CA324120A CA1096345A CA 1096345 A CA1096345 A CA 1096345A CA 324120 A CA324120 A CA 324120A CA 1096345 A CA1096345 A CA 1096345A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- nozzle
- punch
- fluid
- valve
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A device for reconstituting beverages by injecting fluid such as hot or cold water into a container having a granulated, powder or liquid food or beverage concentrate material therein comprises an electroresponsive valve coupled to a fluid supply, a combination nozzle and punch coupled to the valve outlet with a flexible tube, electro-responsive moan- for advancing the punch to penetrate the container and means for supporting the container so there will be an angle between the flow path of the fluid discharged from the nozzle and the axis or walls of the container during filling. Electric control circuitry is provided for timing the valve, punch and nozzle operations and for issuing a measured quantity of fluid to the container Containers adapted for being easily penetrated by the punch, for sanitary sealing and for being engaged in a self-supporting state during fillings are also provided.
A device for reconstituting beverages by injecting fluid such as hot or cold water into a container having a granulated, powder or liquid food or beverage concentrate material therein comprises an electroresponsive valve coupled to a fluid supply, a combination nozzle and punch coupled to the valve outlet with a flexible tube, electro-responsive moan- for advancing the punch to penetrate the container and means for supporting the container so there will be an angle between the flow path of the fluid discharged from the nozzle and the axis or walls of the container during filling. Electric control circuitry is provided for timing the valve, punch and nozzle operations and for issuing a measured quantity of fluid to the container Containers adapted for being easily penetrated by the punch, for sanitary sealing and for being engaged in a self-supporting state during fillings are also provided.
Description
1~963~
FLUID DISPENSER FOR RECONSTITUTING
. ~
BEV~R~.GES AND T~E LIKE
This invention relates to a machine for dispensing a measured quantity of fluid to a container in which there are granules, powder or liquids consti~uting food or beverage concentrate materials which are to be reconstituted by dis-solving them, respectively, in the water.
Devices of this general class are well known for dis-pensing reconstituted coffee, sweet drinks, soups and the like into containers in which the concentrated material is sealed. In prior devices, it is customary to actuate a sharp-ened punch which perforates the container to provide accessfor a separate filler tube through which the water is injected.
One of the problems with prior d:ispensing devices is that ade-quate mixing of the fluid and concentrated material is not ob-tained during the short interval during which the fluid is being injected. As a result, the user must often open the container and stir it or shake it to agitate it~ con~ents for thorough mixing. The mixing problem is more noticeable in connection with reconstituting soup and other more viscous and thick solutions.
Another problem in prior dispensing devices is their com-plexity which is accentuated by the requirement that there be devices for driving a punch and a filler spout or noz~le in-dependently so there are two parts which penetrate the con-tainer that must be kept clean and other~ise ~intained.
1~963~iS
Another problem with prior devices is ~hat the cup, bottle or other container which is to be filled is often not held in a fixed and stable condition during the filling operation. Usually, the container is just dropped by some mechanical means onto an open platform for the filling operation. Holding a container stable is especially desirable when the container must be punched before it can be filled.
There are kno~n types of fluid dispensers which use a sharp tipped nozzle that penetrates a container and admits fluid to it. U.S. Patent 2,939,381 to McBride and U.S. Patent 3,340,671 to Loo are exa~ples. Neither of these patents, however, disclose any means for producing turbulence in a container during filling, nor do they show the herein disclosed means for retaining the container.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing fluid into a material in a container for mixing with the contents thereof, comprising: a valve having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, means comprising a punch and nozzle, said nozzle having input means coupled with the output means of said valve and having output means for projecting a stream of fluid in a predetermined path, operator means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle relative to a container, holder means for receiving a cantainer and supporting the received container for receiving said punch and nozzle output means when advanced, with the container supported at an angle relative to said predetermined path of said fluid such that projected fluid will deflect from an inner surface of said container so as to produce a turbulent circulating motion in said fluid for enhancing mixing with the cantents of the container.
In preferred embodinents, the dispenser employs an
FLUID DISPENSER FOR RECONSTITUTING
. ~
BEV~R~.GES AND T~E LIKE
This invention relates to a machine for dispensing a measured quantity of fluid to a container in which there are granules, powder or liquids consti~uting food or beverage concentrate materials which are to be reconstituted by dis-solving them, respectively, in the water.
Devices of this general class are well known for dis-pensing reconstituted coffee, sweet drinks, soups and the like into containers in which the concentrated material is sealed. In prior devices, it is customary to actuate a sharp-ened punch which perforates the container to provide accessfor a separate filler tube through which the water is injected.
One of the problems with prior d:ispensing devices is that ade-quate mixing of the fluid and concentrated material is not ob-tained during the short interval during which the fluid is being injected. As a result, the user must often open the container and stir it or shake it to agitate it~ con~ents for thorough mixing. The mixing problem is more noticeable in connection with reconstituting soup and other more viscous and thick solutions.
Another problem in prior dispensing devices is their com-plexity which is accentuated by the requirement that there be devices for driving a punch and a filler spout or noz~le in-dependently so there are two parts which penetrate the con-tainer that must be kept clean and other~ise ~intained.
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Another problem with prior devices is ~hat the cup, bottle or other container which is to be filled is often not held in a fixed and stable condition during the filling operation. Usually, the container is just dropped by some mechanical means onto an open platform for the filling operation. Holding a container stable is especially desirable when the container must be punched before it can be filled.
There are kno~n types of fluid dispensers which use a sharp tipped nozzle that penetrates a container and admits fluid to it. U.S. Patent 2,939,381 to McBride and U.S. Patent 3,340,671 to Loo are exa~ples. Neither of these patents, however, disclose any means for producing turbulence in a container during filling, nor do they show the herein disclosed means for retaining the container.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing fluid into a material in a container for mixing with the contents thereof, comprising: a valve having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, means comprising a punch and nozzle, said nozzle having input means coupled with the output means of said valve and having output means for projecting a stream of fluid in a predetermined path, operator means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle relative to a container, holder means for receiving a cantainer and supporting the received container for receiving said punch and nozzle output means when advanced, with the container supported at an angle relative to said predetermined path of said fluid such that projected fluid will deflect from an inner surface of said container so as to produce a turbulent circulating motion in said fluid for enhancing mixing with the cantents of the container.
In preferred embodinents, the dispenser employs an
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electroresponsiv~ valve which has its input port coupled with a hot or cold water supply and its output port coupled with a flexible hose to a combination container punch and filler nozzle. Electroresponsive means are provided for advancing the punch into the container and for retracting the punch after the container has been filled. Means are provided for supporting the container so that there is an angle between the side walls or axis of the contalner and the line on which the fluid is projected from the punch nozzle so that a fluid circulatory action, turbulence and good mixing of the fluid and reconsti-tutable material is obtained. The covers of the containers may have deformable ridges which are inserted between holder runners on the machine that crease or indent the ridges to thereby secure the container during filling. The ridges or protuber-ances also act on a concealed switch to initiate a machine operating cycle when a container is inserted.
In high speed applications, where the fluid stream is projected at high pressure and velocity, it is desirable to include in the holder means a support surface for engaging the base of the container to ensure that it is not disengaged from the runners or equivalent gripping elements.
DE9CRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embcdiment of the dispensing machine with a bottle positioned therein for filling;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the machine shown in the preceding figure with its cover removed to show some of the essential mechanism;
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of a part of the machine shcwing the relationship of the combinatiQn filler nozzle and ~3-~963'i~i punch of the machine and a bottle container during fluid filling;
FIGURE 4 is a section taken along a line corresponding with 4-4 in FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of one type of container which is adapte~ for use with the dispensing machine;
FIGURE 6 is a diagram of the electric control circuitry for the machine;
FIGURE 7 is a timing diagram which is useful for explaining the operating sequence of the machine;
FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of an alternative embodime~t of a container cover and an alterna-tive type of holder for gripping the container cover;
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FIGURE 9 is a plan view, partly in section, as viewed in the direction of the arrows 9-9 in FIGURE 8, showing a container cover engaged by a holder; and FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary partial section as viewed in the direction of the arrows 10-10 in FIGURE 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIGURE 1, one version of the dispensing machine is seen to comprise a ba~e 10 which may be mounted on a tabletop 11. A removable housing 12 is secured on the base with screws such as those marked 1~. The housing is desirably formed of noncorroding material such as stainless steel or plastic.
The front of the housing overlaps an upstanding wall 1~ in which a control push button 15 is mounted. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, a container such as a bottle 16 is positioned for being filled with hot or cold water, usually, to produce a reconstituted beverage or soup, for e~ample, as the result of mixture of the water with suitable concentrated material held in the container. A holder member 17 for supporting container 16 during the filling operation i~ also evident in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2 shows t~he machine with cover 12 and some other parts omitted to reveal essential components of the machine.
The machine is seen to comprise a base plate 20 on which an electroresponsive valve assembly 21 is mounted. This may be a commercially available electrically actuated valve of a type which is commonly used in household clothes or dish ~ ~ 63(~5 washing machines. It comprises an adaptor 22 by which it may be mounted to base plate 20 w~th bolts such as the one marked 23. A pipe 24 is coupled with adaptor 22. ~his pipe may be connected to a source, not shown, of pressurized hot or cold water depending on whether the machine is to be used for making reconstituted hot or cold consumable mixtures. The valve shutoff elements are in body 25 of the assembly. An electromagnetic operator 26 is mounted to body 25. When electroresponsive operator 26 is electrically energized, valve 21 is opened to provide a flow path from its input pipe 24 to its output port which constitutes a tubular exten-sion 27 which is shown in hidden lines in FIGURE 2. When op-erator 26 is de-energized, the valve closes.
A flexible hose 28 is used to couple output port 27 of the valve to a combination nozzle and punch device 29. The nozzle extends through an opening 30 which is in a bottom wall 31 forming part of the base. Bottom wall 31 is general-ly planar and is disposed at an acute angle with respsct to horizontal. Holder 17 is mounted on the lower side of bot-tom wall 31 and it has a clearance opening for nozzle 29 cor-responding with hole 30. In this embodiment, nozzle 29 is a metal tube, preferably of stainless steel or plastic, which has its lower end cut at a bias as can be seen in FIGURF 3 to provide a sharp piercing tip 32. In this embodim~nt, the axis of the combination nozzle and piercing punch is vertical and the combination nozzle and punch is adapted for being ad-vanced or lowered and retracted or raised along a vertical line.
The axis of the nozzle, thereforè, is not perpendicular to inclined planar member 31 nor ~o the plane of container holder ~ 3~ ~
or guide 17. The axis of the nozzle and the plane of the con-tainer holder are at an angle with each other for the purpose of promoting turbulence and good mi~ing of the fluid and re-constitutable material in the container during filling as will be explained in greater detail later.
The holder 17 has a pair of opposed turned in edges con-stituting runners 18 and 19 which are substantiall~ parallel but converge slightly toward each other from the front to the rear of the holder 17. The neck or' other suitable portion of a container can be slid in between these runners for engaging the container tightly during filling.
IN FIGURE 2, the means for advancing and retracting noz-zle 29 is an electroresponsive solenoid operator 35. The op-erator includes a magnetic metal core 36 and a magnet coil 37 in which there is a plunger 38 that is attracted downwardly when a coil 37 is energized. Fastened to the lower end of plunger 38 is a U-shaped bracket 39 which engages and supports nozzle 29. Core 36 is fastened to a bracket 40 which is shown fragmentarily in FIGURE 2 but is visible in profile in FIGUR~ 3.
Bracket 40 is secured to planar plate 31 with screws such as the one marked 43 in FIGURE 3. Also mounted on the base in FIGURE 2 is a printed circuit board 44 on which the electric components for controlling this embodiment of the machine are placed as will be discussed later.
FIGURE 3 shows a plastic bottle 1~ held in place free of human hands and undergoing the fi].ling process. Thus, in FIGURE 3, plunger 38 of operator 35 has been driven downwardly in response to coil 37 having been energized. The sharpened tip 32 of nozzle 29 has conse~ently penetrated the cap or 34~j top of container 16. The container is supported by holder 17 with its axis at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of tubular nozzle 29, ~ stream of fluid 45 is being projected from the nozzle by virtue of valve 21 now being open, It will be noted that the stream 45 is projected against the inside wall ~urface 46 of the container so the fluid impinges on the , wall at an angle. The fluid then deflects off of the wall and has a circulating motion imparted to it to create turbu-lence as symbolized by the nebulous flow lines 47. This tur-bulence and circulation promotes substantially instantaneous mixing in the short interval during which fluid is projected into the container. Thus, when the container is slid off of the holder and guide 17, the reconstituted beverage or soup in the container will be thoroughly mixed and ready for consumption.
Note also in FIGURE 3 that there is a mini-switch 48 mounted in the machine adjacent the container filling station, This switch has an actuating detent 49 adjacent a pivotal arm 50 which has a tip 51. When the upper portion of the bottle 16 stri~es tip 51, switch 48 is actuated so as to enable opera-tion of the machine, The filling sequence is initiated by pressing push button 15 in the front of the housing as in FIG-URE 1, but the sequence is disabled at any time that switch 48 is not actuated by the presence of a container in the holder.
How these switches are involved in controlling the machine will be discussed in greater detail later in connection with FIGURE 6.
Some of the characteristics of a typical container, for being used with the FIGURES 1-4 embodiment of the machine~ and the holder 17 for the container will now be discussed in greater detail in reference to FIGUR~ ~. Container 16 ~s a lG963'~
bottle comprised of glass, a resin such as polyethylene, a thermo-foam insulating material or o-ther suitable material.
The body of the bottle has its walls 46 extending generally longitudinally and arranged to generate a circular, square or - 5 other cross sectional shape. The wall of the bottle converges conically as indicated at 52 and terminates in a mouth 5~.
The bottom of the container is transverse to its wall. The mouth is defined by shaping a region 54 convex outwardly to define the mouth opening 5~. A thin film of preferably plastic material 55 may be adhered to the upper edge of mouth defining annulus 54 to effect a sanitary and imperforate seal. In this example, the central longitudinal axis of the container 16 is perpendicular to the plane of the seal 55. Of course, when the nozzle is plunged down as in FIGURE 4, the seal film 55 is easily penetrated and continues to form a relatively tight seàl against the nozzle. The convex annular portion 54 is shaped to complement the long parallel spaced apart grooves which are defined by the curved shape of the internal margins of the holder 17. Convex portion 54 is an annular or circular portion with its margin shaped convexly in cross section but it should be understood that this region may be square or shaped other than circular. Thus, a user of the machine will insert the convex mouth end of the container into the open end of the holder 17, which is like a track, and push the container along the holder as in FIGUR~ ~ until the container comes to a stop at which time mini-switch 48 is actuated and the machine is enabled for operation. When the filling cycle is completeg the fluid is automatically shut off, and the nozzle is retracted so that the user may withdraw thè container from holder 17. At 1~9634~
this time, there will be an opening in the film for ~nsertion of a straw by the user or the film 55 may be peeled off and the contents of the container may be poured out. As will be ex-plained more fully later, the machine cannot be reactivated until the filled container is withdrawn and the machine is initialized through operation of mini-switch 48 by insertion of another container.
Bottles such as 16 and other containers may also be capped off with a foil, not shown, which is crimped over and around convex annulus 54 in the manner of a crown cap seal. Thin aluminum foil is suitable since it can be easily punctured with very little force from the combination nozzle punch 29.
Another type of container used with the new dispen~ing ma-chine is shown in FIGURE 5. It comprises a cup 60 which is substantially cylindrical and has a large mouth at it3 upper end normally covered by a cap 61. The cap may be a thin resin or other suitable material with a formed annular rim 62 that facilitates forming a press fit between cap 61 and cup 60.
Cups of the type shown in FIGURE 5 are especially adapted for use in making reconstituted soup and other hot beverages.
Thus, the cup body i9 preferably formed of a good insulating material such as rigid polystyrene foam. Cap 61 is provided with a neck 6~ which terminates in an integral outwardly con-vex annulus 64. The annulus defines an opening which is covered with an adhesive strip 65. This strip is preferably made of a non-fragmenting material such as polyethylene or adhesive backed metal foil. At least one corner 66 of strip 65 may extend ra-dially outward from annulus 64 to enable peeling off the strip to make a larger hole if desi~ed. In the alternative, 1~9~34~
particularly if the cup has been used to make reconstituted soup, where eating the contents of the cup with a spoon would be desired, cap 61 can be removed from the cup by grasping the neck 63 and imparting a force. It should be recognized that the convex annular portion 64 of the cap has a diameter which will permit it to slide between and finally be pinched and held by the ~lightly converged runners 18 and 19 o~ holder and guide device 17.
The electric circuitry involved in controlling the machine will now be described in reference to FIGURES 6 and 7. In the upper right region of FIGURE 6, the operating coil 26' or the electroresponsive device that controls valve 21 is shown. The coil is in series with the main terminals of a triac Q3 which has a control gate 71. One end of the coil is connected to an a-c source 72. As usual, the triac i~ triggered to a conductive state by applying a small signal voltage to its gate 71 in which case coil 26' becomes energized from the a~c source and valve 21 opens to permit fluid injection by nozzle 29.
Another triac Q2 has its main terminals in circuit with coil 37 of solenoid actuator 35. This actuator advances and re-tracts combination nozzle and punch 29. Triac Q2 and coil ~7 are in series and supplied from a-c source 72. Ordinarily, the a-c source voltage will be around 117 volts. Triac Q2 also has a gate terminal 73 to enable triggering the triac into a con-ductive state in response to a signal on its gate terminal 73.
The control circuit comprises three integrated circuittimers U2, U3 and U4 all of which are used in the mono~table multivibrator mode in this circuit. In the illustrated circuit, the timers may be considered to be integrated circuit type NE555.
~ 1~963~i Pin 3 of each timer is its output pin and pin 2 is its trig-gering pin. Typically, the output pins 3 are in a low volt-age state when the timers are quiescent and they switch to a high state during the timing cycle. A timing cycle is ini-tiated by momentarily grounding or applying a negative pulseto trigger pin 2. This results in output pins 3 going high at the beginning of a timing cycle.
The control circuit devices shown in FIGURE 6 including the d-c power supply 74 are all mounted on circuit board 44 as in FIGURE 2. The positive voltage terminal of the power supply marked ~V connects to similarly marked terminals in the circuitry of FIGURE 6 and to all of the pins 8 of the timers. The output voltage of the d-c power supply can be considered to be at the logic voltage level of 5 volts.
In FIGURE 6, the contacts of the disabling mini-switch 48 are shown closed as they would be when the mini-switch is actuated by a container being in the proper position in holder 17. Operation of push button 15 will initiate a filling cycle if switch 48 is closed. Thus, when push button switch 15 is closed momentarily, triggering pins 2 of timers U2 and U4 are effectively connected to ground through the push button switch and a diode CR2 and mini-switch contacts 48. Thus, these pins 2 which were held high by a voltage applied through resistor Rl exp~rience a negative going pulse in which case 2s their output pins 3 both go high to start their timing c~cles.
The high going signal on output pin 3 of U4 is transmitted through R9 to the control gate 73 of triac Q2, thus turning it on.
~ 34 ~
t~hen on, coil ~7 is energized at power line voltage ana noz-zle 29 is driven through the container cap as described earlier. Threshold sensing pin 6 of U4 and its capacitor discharge pin 7 are connected to one side of capacitor C6 whose other side is connected to ground. Charging ol this capacitor from the power supply through R7 would ordinarily occur when pin 7 goes high initially but in thi~ case, charging o~ C6 does not proceed to threshold voltage level.
The collector to emitter circuit of a transistor Ql is con-nected across C6. In this circuit, Ql is turned on to placea short circuit across C6 to thereby delay its char~ing toward threshold voltage for a predetermined interval. Thus, coil 37 remains energized and nozzle 29 remains advanced from the beginning to the end of the complete operating cycle. Momentary closing of the push button is illustrated in the hig'n going signal marked 78 in the FIGURE 7 timing waveforms. The time during which pin 3 of U4 is high is illustrated by the wave-form 75 in FIGURE 7.
Concurrently with pin 3 of U2 ~oing high after it is 2Q triggered simultaneously with U4, discharge of C3 through pin 7 of U2 is prohibited and C3 begins to charge through R~
toward its threshold voltage. The values of R~ and C3 are such that, in this example, threshold voltage will be reached in about 0.35 of a second. This is the amount of de~ay which is imposed before valve 21 may be operated to permit fluid flow. The delay assures that the container is in place and the nozzle has perforated it before fluid can begin to flow.
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At the end of the 0.35 secon~ delay period, U2 times out and its output pin 3 s~litches to a low state. This low or negative going signal is coupled through a capacitor C4 to the triggering pin 2 of U3, thus causing its output pin to go high. Upon this event, the high going signal is coupled through R10 to triac Q3 and the filler valve opens. At the same time~ the high signal i~ coupled through R8 to the base of Ql thus turning it on to maintain C6 in a discharged state for a predetermined time so that U4 can no~ time out and re-lo tract nozzle 29 when filling is under way.
The interval during which output pin 3 of U~ is main-tained high depends on the values of C5 and charging resistors R5 and R6. R6 is a variable resistor which permits adjusting or setting the time interval of U3 in accordance with the time required to fill a container or series of containers having the same volume. In other words, the fluid volume permitted is measured or controlled on the basis of flow time.
If fluid at a constant pressure is available at the input of valve 21, it will deliver ths same quantity from its output during constant repeatable time intervals. Adjustable resis-tor R6 permits setting the on time of timer U3 and, hence, the fill time. For t,he sake of illustration, we can assume that the values of R5 and R6 permit a timing range of O.5 second to 14 seconds. In this example, assume that U3 may time out in O.7 second which is the filling time after which its pin 3 will go low to cause triac Q3 to turn off. U3 has its triggering pin held high normally by a voltage applied through R4 from the supply. The timing waveform during which pin 3 of U2 is high is marked 76 in FIGURE 7 and the waveform indicating when pin 3 of U~ is high is marked 77.
-~4-1~ ~ 6 3'~ `
As indicated, when pin 3 of U~ goes low to terminate filling, the base of Ql is no longer forward biased in which case transistor Ql turns off. This allows C6 to charge toward threshold level. When threshold level is reached, it is sensed at pin 6 of U4 which responds by causing its output pin ~ to go low, thus removing the triggering signal from Q2.
This turns off triac Q2 and de-energizes coils 37, allowing - the combination nozzle-punch 29 to retract. By this time, however, the fluid has been turned off so the container may be withdrawn from the machine by the user. In this example, the values of R7 and C6 may be considered to be such that they keep pin 3 high for about 0.73 second after filling terminates. The fact that the punch timer U4 has a high out-put during the entire filling cycle is indicated by the wave-forms 75 in FIGURE 7.
In FIGURE 6, there is a capacitor C2 in the upper leftregion which charges when push button 15 is closed. This is a safety interlock which prevents a bottle or container ~rom being overfilled by running a second time for the same filled container. The disable switch discharges C2 through CR2, thus allowing the timers to trigger again for the next operation.
Now that achievetment of a desired and safe operating sequence has been illustrated as being accomplished with a particular electric timing circuit, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other circuiks may be devised for achieving essentially the same results.
~, :. -:- .
109~34~i Cyclic operation of the dispenser may be obtained by using a valve under the control of a multiple-state mechani-cal timsr, not shown. Timers are available which, after they are initiated or triggered, effectuate a delay interval and then open a valve which provides time for the container to be properly positioned in the dispenser before fluid is in-jected through the nozzle which is supplied from the valve.
These timers are also adapted for maintaining the flow through a valve for a settable interval so that the volume o~ fluid supplied to a container is controlled by the time the fluid is allowed to flow. These timers further feature a delay which allows for retraction of the nozzle before the container can be withdrawn from the dispenser What is perceived as the best mode for implementing the new features of the dispenser is illustrated in the FIGURFS
8-10 embodiment. The embodiment depicted in FIGURE 8 has a housing 85 which corresponds substantially with housing 12 in the previously described embodiment. The fluid flow control devices in the FIGURE 8 embodiment may be similar to those which have been discussed in connection with the other embodi-ments so they are not reproduced in FIGURE 8. This embodiment does use a tubular nozzle 86 which is subject to being ad-vanced and retracted on a vertical line as in the previous case. Nozzle 86 terminates at its lower end in a beveled perimetral edge 87 which is sharp enough to easily penetrate the cover assembly such as the one m~rked ~88 of a container such as the cup 89. The nozzle 86 is shown in its lowermost position in FIGURE 8 where it would be during the time that fluid is being injected into cùp 89. After nozzle 86 is ~9~3~1~
retracted upwardly, cup 89 is free to be withdrawn from the dispenser. Note that in the bottom of housing 85 there is a flexible seal 90 which fits closely to the periphery of the tubular nozzle 86 and assures that liquid cannot be splashed from the cup back into the housing.
In the FIGUR~S 8-10 embodiment, the cup holder is gen-erally designated by the reference numeral 91. This holder is designed for engaging a cup 89 by means of its lid or cover 88 which has means for being engaged by the holder. The cup cover assembly 88 and the holder 91 will now be described in detail.
First of all, we may note that the cup 89 is preferably made of a thermo-foam material which is rigid, lightweight but conducts heat very poorly so that a user e~periences no discomfort when handling a cup that is occupied by hot fluid.
The cups used in the dispenser may be made of other less rigid materials which conduct heat freely where filling with cold fluid i~ contemplated.
In this embodiment, the cover assembly 88 is made in two parts. The lower part consists of a thin metal foil 92 which is crimped at its circumferential margin 9~ and adhesive is preferably used at the interface of bent down margin 93 of the cover and the lip edge 94 of the cup to further assure that the foil cover will remain adhered to the cup body 89.
Initially, that is, after manufacture and after the solids are inserted in the cup 89 which are to be mixed with water in~ected with nozzle 86, the foil 92 is unperforated. When the nozzle 86 is driven downwardly for its sharpened tip 87 .
~9634~;
to puncture the foil, a flap 95 is formsd which i5 not severed from the flat foil area 92 so it cannot drop into the contents of cup 89.
Superimposed on the foil cover 92 i~ a thin, preferably pla~tic lid or cover part 96. This cover makeq a pre~q fit on foil cover 92 by reaqon of the margin3 97 of cover 96 being bent downwardly over the margin 93 of the foil cover.
A plan view of cover 96 appear~ in FIGURE 9. The cover 96 i~ comprised of a thin ~heet of pla3tic material such as rigid polyethylene on the order of .010 of an inch thick.
Any ~uitable plastic material may be u3ed for making the cover although it 3hould have properties which permit it to be qhaped by vacuum forming which i~ one of the meritq of the new cover 96. As can be ~een in FIGURE 9 particularly well, cover 96 has an upwardly extending oblong protuberance or ridge 98 which has a front end 100, a rear end 99 and ~ide~
: 101 and 102. Ridge 98, particularly its ends 99 and 100, can be ~een in FIGURE 8 where it iq evident that the ridge ri es from the plane of the cover. In thiq embodiment, the height of the end3 99 and 100 of the oblong ridge have the ~ame height as the side~ 101 and 102. A3 can be seen in FIGURE 8, the interior of the ridge 98 i~ hollow aq indicated by the reference numeral 10~. This make~ the ridge re~ilient when preqsure iq exerted on it~ opposite vertical ~ideq 104 and 105. As can be qeen in FIGURE 9, upstanding ridge 98 defines or bound~ a central rece~ 106 in the bottom of which there is an oblong perforation 107. An oblong portion of the under-lying foil 92 is visible through perforation 107. The nozzle 86 plunge~ through thi~ perfor~tion aq it penetrate~ foil 92 ~ ~ 6 3~1~
but it does not have to rupture the more rigid pla~tic mate-rial out of which the top cover 96 is made. Recess 106 pro-vides a means for catching any fluid that may splash out and the perforation 107 permit~ the fluid, if any is pre~ent, to be drained back into the cup. Holder 91 runners 110 and 111, a~ i3 evident in FIGUR~ 10, have an essentially z-~haped cross section. The~e runners are fastened to the bottom of housing 85. A~ can be seen in FIGUR~ 9, th~s runners are in substan-tial paralleli~m but they converge slightly toward each other from the left to the right in this figure to achieve a wedging action when the upstanding ridge 98 of the cover is in between the runners. Runner 110 ha3 a rounded edge 112 which extend~
toward a similarly rounded edge 113 on runner 111. When the oblong ridge 98 is pu~hed in between the runners 110 and 111 from their mouth end at the left in FIGURE 9, the rounded edges 112 and 113 indent the size of the ridge as evidenced by the dotted lines 114 and 115 in FIGURE 9. These indenta-tion~ 114 and 115 prevent the covered cup from falling away from the runners Of course, the ridge or upstanding protuberance 98 may have other configurations but, in any case, it i~ de~irable to have the ridge formed of a deformable material which can be indented reasonably easily when the cover is pu~hed between the runner~ by the user. A~ stated, thin polyethylene permit3 achievement of this purpose because of its resiliency and, in addition, it can be vacuum formed easily. The use of polyethylene is by way of illustration and not limitation, for other plastics having the above noted propertie~ could also be u~ed.
electroresponsiv~ valve which has its input port coupled with a hot or cold water supply and its output port coupled with a flexible hose to a combination container punch and filler nozzle. Electroresponsive means are provided for advancing the punch into the container and for retracting the punch after the container has been filled. Means are provided for supporting the container so that there is an angle between the side walls or axis of the contalner and the line on which the fluid is projected from the punch nozzle so that a fluid circulatory action, turbulence and good mixing of the fluid and reconsti-tutable material is obtained. The covers of the containers may have deformable ridges which are inserted between holder runners on the machine that crease or indent the ridges to thereby secure the container during filling. The ridges or protuber-ances also act on a concealed switch to initiate a machine operating cycle when a container is inserted.
In high speed applications, where the fluid stream is projected at high pressure and velocity, it is desirable to include in the holder means a support surface for engaging the base of the container to ensure that it is not disengaged from the runners or equivalent gripping elements.
DE9CRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embcdiment of the dispensing machine with a bottle positioned therein for filling;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the machine shown in the preceding figure with its cover removed to show some of the essential mechanism;
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of a part of the machine shcwing the relationship of the combinatiQn filler nozzle and ~3-~963'i~i punch of the machine and a bottle container during fluid filling;
FIGURE 4 is a section taken along a line corresponding with 4-4 in FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of one type of container which is adapte~ for use with the dispensing machine;
FIGURE 6 is a diagram of the electric control circuitry for the machine;
FIGURE 7 is a timing diagram which is useful for explaining the operating sequence of the machine;
FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of an alternative embodime~t of a container cover and an alterna-tive type of holder for gripping the container cover;
,....... --4--1~i963'~
FIGURE 9 is a plan view, partly in section, as viewed in the direction of the arrows 9-9 in FIGURE 8, showing a container cover engaged by a holder; and FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary partial section as viewed in the direction of the arrows 10-10 in FIGURE 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIGURE 1, one version of the dispensing machine is seen to comprise a ba~e 10 which may be mounted on a tabletop 11. A removable housing 12 is secured on the base with screws such as those marked 1~. The housing is desirably formed of noncorroding material such as stainless steel or plastic.
The front of the housing overlaps an upstanding wall 1~ in which a control push button 15 is mounted. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, a container such as a bottle 16 is positioned for being filled with hot or cold water, usually, to produce a reconstituted beverage or soup, for e~ample, as the result of mixture of the water with suitable concentrated material held in the container. A holder member 17 for supporting container 16 during the filling operation i~ also evident in FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2 shows t~he machine with cover 12 and some other parts omitted to reveal essential components of the machine.
The machine is seen to comprise a base plate 20 on which an electroresponsive valve assembly 21 is mounted. This may be a commercially available electrically actuated valve of a type which is commonly used in household clothes or dish ~ ~ 63(~5 washing machines. It comprises an adaptor 22 by which it may be mounted to base plate 20 w~th bolts such as the one marked 23. A pipe 24 is coupled with adaptor 22. ~his pipe may be connected to a source, not shown, of pressurized hot or cold water depending on whether the machine is to be used for making reconstituted hot or cold consumable mixtures. The valve shutoff elements are in body 25 of the assembly. An electromagnetic operator 26 is mounted to body 25. When electroresponsive operator 26 is electrically energized, valve 21 is opened to provide a flow path from its input pipe 24 to its output port which constitutes a tubular exten-sion 27 which is shown in hidden lines in FIGURE 2. When op-erator 26 is de-energized, the valve closes.
A flexible hose 28 is used to couple output port 27 of the valve to a combination nozzle and punch device 29. The nozzle extends through an opening 30 which is in a bottom wall 31 forming part of the base. Bottom wall 31 is general-ly planar and is disposed at an acute angle with respsct to horizontal. Holder 17 is mounted on the lower side of bot-tom wall 31 and it has a clearance opening for nozzle 29 cor-responding with hole 30. In this embodiment, nozzle 29 is a metal tube, preferably of stainless steel or plastic, which has its lower end cut at a bias as can be seen in FIGURF 3 to provide a sharp piercing tip 32. In this embodim~nt, the axis of the combination nozzle and piercing punch is vertical and the combination nozzle and punch is adapted for being ad-vanced or lowered and retracted or raised along a vertical line.
The axis of the nozzle, thereforè, is not perpendicular to inclined planar member 31 nor ~o the plane of container holder ~ 3~ ~
or guide 17. The axis of the nozzle and the plane of the con-tainer holder are at an angle with each other for the purpose of promoting turbulence and good mi~ing of the fluid and re-constitutable material in the container during filling as will be explained in greater detail later.
The holder 17 has a pair of opposed turned in edges con-stituting runners 18 and 19 which are substantiall~ parallel but converge slightly toward each other from the front to the rear of the holder 17. The neck or' other suitable portion of a container can be slid in between these runners for engaging the container tightly during filling.
IN FIGURE 2, the means for advancing and retracting noz-zle 29 is an electroresponsive solenoid operator 35. The op-erator includes a magnetic metal core 36 and a magnet coil 37 in which there is a plunger 38 that is attracted downwardly when a coil 37 is energized. Fastened to the lower end of plunger 38 is a U-shaped bracket 39 which engages and supports nozzle 29. Core 36 is fastened to a bracket 40 which is shown fragmentarily in FIGURE 2 but is visible in profile in FIGUR~ 3.
Bracket 40 is secured to planar plate 31 with screws such as the one marked 43 in FIGURE 3. Also mounted on the base in FIGURE 2 is a printed circuit board 44 on which the electric components for controlling this embodiment of the machine are placed as will be discussed later.
FIGURE 3 shows a plastic bottle 1~ held in place free of human hands and undergoing the fi].ling process. Thus, in FIGURE 3, plunger 38 of operator 35 has been driven downwardly in response to coil 37 having been energized. The sharpened tip 32 of nozzle 29 has conse~ently penetrated the cap or 34~j top of container 16. The container is supported by holder 17 with its axis at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of tubular nozzle 29, ~ stream of fluid 45 is being projected from the nozzle by virtue of valve 21 now being open, It will be noted that the stream 45 is projected against the inside wall ~urface 46 of the container so the fluid impinges on the , wall at an angle. The fluid then deflects off of the wall and has a circulating motion imparted to it to create turbu-lence as symbolized by the nebulous flow lines 47. This tur-bulence and circulation promotes substantially instantaneous mixing in the short interval during which fluid is projected into the container. Thus, when the container is slid off of the holder and guide 17, the reconstituted beverage or soup in the container will be thoroughly mixed and ready for consumption.
Note also in FIGURE 3 that there is a mini-switch 48 mounted in the machine adjacent the container filling station, This switch has an actuating detent 49 adjacent a pivotal arm 50 which has a tip 51. When the upper portion of the bottle 16 stri~es tip 51, switch 48 is actuated so as to enable opera-tion of the machine, The filling sequence is initiated by pressing push button 15 in the front of the housing as in FIG-URE 1, but the sequence is disabled at any time that switch 48 is not actuated by the presence of a container in the holder.
How these switches are involved in controlling the machine will be discussed in greater detail later in connection with FIGURE 6.
Some of the characteristics of a typical container, for being used with the FIGURES 1-4 embodiment of the machine~ and the holder 17 for the container will now be discussed in greater detail in reference to FIGUR~ ~. Container 16 ~s a lG963'~
bottle comprised of glass, a resin such as polyethylene, a thermo-foam insulating material or o-ther suitable material.
The body of the bottle has its walls 46 extending generally longitudinally and arranged to generate a circular, square or - 5 other cross sectional shape. The wall of the bottle converges conically as indicated at 52 and terminates in a mouth 5~.
The bottom of the container is transverse to its wall. The mouth is defined by shaping a region 54 convex outwardly to define the mouth opening 5~. A thin film of preferably plastic material 55 may be adhered to the upper edge of mouth defining annulus 54 to effect a sanitary and imperforate seal. In this example, the central longitudinal axis of the container 16 is perpendicular to the plane of the seal 55. Of course, when the nozzle is plunged down as in FIGURE 4, the seal film 55 is easily penetrated and continues to form a relatively tight seàl against the nozzle. The convex annular portion 54 is shaped to complement the long parallel spaced apart grooves which are defined by the curved shape of the internal margins of the holder 17. Convex portion 54 is an annular or circular portion with its margin shaped convexly in cross section but it should be understood that this region may be square or shaped other than circular. Thus, a user of the machine will insert the convex mouth end of the container into the open end of the holder 17, which is like a track, and push the container along the holder as in FIGUR~ ~ until the container comes to a stop at which time mini-switch 48 is actuated and the machine is enabled for operation. When the filling cycle is completeg the fluid is automatically shut off, and the nozzle is retracted so that the user may withdraw thè container from holder 17. At 1~9634~
this time, there will be an opening in the film for ~nsertion of a straw by the user or the film 55 may be peeled off and the contents of the container may be poured out. As will be ex-plained more fully later, the machine cannot be reactivated until the filled container is withdrawn and the machine is initialized through operation of mini-switch 48 by insertion of another container.
Bottles such as 16 and other containers may also be capped off with a foil, not shown, which is crimped over and around convex annulus 54 in the manner of a crown cap seal. Thin aluminum foil is suitable since it can be easily punctured with very little force from the combination nozzle punch 29.
Another type of container used with the new dispen~ing ma-chine is shown in FIGURE 5. It comprises a cup 60 which is substantially cylindrical and has a large mouth at it3 upper end normally covered by a cap 61. The cap may be a thin resin or other suitable material with a formed annular rim 62 that facilitates forming a press fit between cap 61 and cup 60.
Cups of the type shown in FIGURE 5 are especially adapted for use in making reconstituted soup and other hot beverages.
Thus, the cup body i9 preferably formed of a good insulating material such as rigid polystyrene foam. Cap 61 is provided with a neck 6~ which terminates in an integral outwardly con-vex annulus 64. The annulus defines an opening which is covered with an adhesive strip 65. This strip is preferably made of a non-fragmenting material such as polyethylene or adhesive backed metal foil. At least one corner 66 of strip 65 may extend ra-dially outward from annulus 64 to enable peeling off the strip to make a larger hole if desi~ed. In the alternative, 1~9~34~
particularly if the cup has been used to make reconstituted soup, where eating the contents of the cup with a spoon would be desired, cap 61 can be removed from the cup by grasping the neck 63 and imparting a force. It should be recognized that the convex annular portion 64 of the cap has a diameter which will permit it to slide between and finally be pinched and held by the ~lightly converged runners 18 and 19 o~ holder and guide device 17.
The electric circuitry involved in controlling the machine will now be described in reference to FIGURES 6 and 7. In the upper right region of FIGURE 6, the operating coil 26' or the electroresponsive device that controls valve 21 is shown. The coil is in series with the main terminals of a triac Q3 which has a control gate 71. One end of the coil is connected to an a-c source 72. As usual, the triac i~ triggered to a conductive state by applying a small signal voltage to its gate 71 in which case coil 26' becomes energized from the a~c source and valve 21 opens to permit fluid injection by nozzle 29.
Another triac Q2 has its main terminals in circuit with coil 37 of solenoid actuator 35. This actuator advances and re-tracts combination nozzle and punch 29. Triac Q2 and coil ~7 are in series and supplied from a-c source 72. Ordinarily, the a-c source voltage will be around 117 volts. Triac Q2 also has a gate terminal 73 to enable triggering the triac into a con-ductive state in response to a signal on its gate terminal 73.
The control circuit comprises three integrated circuittimers U2, U3 and U4 all of which are used in the mono~table multivibrator mode in this circuit. In the illustrated circuit, the timers may be considered to be integrated circuit type NE555.
~ 1~963~i Pin 3 of each timer is its output pin and pin 2 is its trig-gering pin. Typically, the output pins 3 are in a low volt-age state when the timers are quiescent and they switch to a high state during the timing cycle. A timing cycle is ini-tiated by momentarily grounding or applying a negative pulseto trigger pin 2. This results in output pins 3 going high at the beginning of a timing cycle.
The control circuit devices shown in FIGURE 6 including the d-c power supply 74 are all mounted on circuit board 44 as in FIGURE 2. The positive voltage terminal of the power supply marked ~V connects to similarly marked terminals in the circuitry of FIGURE 6 and to all of the pins 8 of the timers. The output voltage of the d-c power supply can be considered to be at the logic voltage level of 5 volts.
In FIGURE 6, the contacts of the disabling mini-switch 48 are shown closed as they would be when the mini-switch is actuated by a container being in the proper position in holder 17. Operation of push button 15 will initiate a filling cycle if switch 48 is closed. Thus, when push button switch 15 is closed momentarily, triggering pins 2 of timers U2 and U4 are effectively connected to ground through the push button switch and a diode CR2 and mini-switch contacts 48. Thus, these pins 2 which were held high by a voltage applied through resistor Rl exp~rience a negative going pulse in which case 2s their output pins 3 both go high to start their timing c~cles.
The high going signal on output pin 3 of U4 is transmitted through R9 to the control gate 73 of triac Q2, thus turning it on.
~ 34 ~
t~hen on, coil ~7 is energized at power line voltage ana noz-zle 29 is driven through the container cap as described earlier. Threshold sensing pin 6 of U4 and its capacitor discharge pin 7 are connected to one side of capacitor C6 whose other side is connected to ground. Charging ol this capacitor from the power supply through R7 would ordinarily occur when pin 7 goes high initially but in thi~ case, charging o~ C6 does not proceed to threshold voltage level.
The collector to emitter circuit of a transistor Ql is con-nected across C6. In this circuit, Ql is turned on to placea short circuit across C6 to thereby delay its char~ing toward threshold voltage for a predetermined interval. Thus, coil 37 remains energized and nozzle 29 remains advanced from the beginning to the end of the complete operating cycle. Momentary closing of the push button is illustrated in the hig'n going signal marked 78 in the FIGURE 7 timing waveforms. The time during which pin 3 of U4 is high is illustrated by the wave-form 75 in FIGURE 7.
Concurrently with pin 3 of U2 ~oing high after it is 2Q triggered simultaneously with U4, discharge of C3 through pin 7 of U2 is prohibited and C3 begins to charge through R~
toward its threshold voltage. The values of R~ and C3 are such that, in this example, threshold voltage will be reached in about 0.35 of a second. This is the amount of de~ay which is imposed before valve 21 may be operated to permit fluid flow. The delay assures that the container is in place and the nozzle has perforated it before fluid can begin to flow.
1~963~
At the end of the 0.35 secon~ delay period, U2 times out and its output pin 3 s~litches to a low state. This low or negative going signal is coupled through a capacitor C4 to the triggering pin 2 of U3, thus causing its output pin to go high. Upon this event, the high going signal is coupled through R10 to triac Q3 and the filler valve opens. At the same time~ the high signal i~ coupled through R8 to the base of Ql thus turning it on to maintain C6 in a discharged state for a predetermined time so that U4 can no~ time out and re-lo tract nozzle 29 when filling is under way.
The interval during which output pin 3 of U~ is main-tained high depends on the values of C5 and charging resistors R5 and R6. R6 is a variable resistor which permits adjusting or setting the time interval of U3 in accordance with the time required to fill a container or series of containers having the same volume. In other words, the fluid volume permitted is measured or controlled on the basis of flow time.
If fluid at a constant pressure is available at the input of valve 21, it will deliver ths same quantity from its output during constant repeatable time intervals. Adjustable resis-tor R6 permits setting the on time of timer U3 and, hence, the fill time. For t,he sake of illustration, we can assume that the values of R5 and R6 permit a timing range of O.5 second to 14 seconds. In this example, assume that U3 may time out in O.7 second which is the filling time after which its pin 3 will go low to cause triac Q3 to turn off. U3 has its triggering pin held high normally by a voltage applied through R4 from the supply. The timing waveform during which pin 3 of U2 is high is marked 76 in FIGURE 7 and the waveform indicating when pin 3 of U~ is high is marked 77.
-~4-1~ ~ 6 3'~ `
As indicated, when pin 3 of U~ goes low to terminate filling, the base of Ql is no longer forward biased in which case transistor Ql turns off. This allows C6 to charge toward threshold level. When threshold level is reached, it is sensed at pin 6 of U4 which responds by causing its output pin ~ to go low, thus removing the triggering signal from Q2.
This turns off triac Q2 and de-energizes coils 37, allowing - the combination nozzle-punch 29 to retract. By this time, however, the fluid has been turned off so the container may be withdrawn from the machine by the user. In this example, the values of R7 and C6 may be considered to be such that they keep pin 3 high for about 0.73 second after filling terminates. The fact that the punch timer U4 has a high out-put during the entire filling cycle is indicated by the wave-forms 75 in FIGURE 7.
In FIGURE 6, there is a capacitor C2 in the upper leftregion which charges when push button 15 is closed. This is a safety interlock which prevents a bottle or container ~rom being overfilled by running a second time for the same filled container. The disable switch discharges C2 through CR2, thus allowing the timers to trigger again for the next operation.
Now that achievetment of a desired and safe operating sequence has been illustrated as being accomplished with a particular electric timing circuit, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other circuiks may be devised for achieving essentially the same results.
~, :. -:- .
109~34~i Cyclic operation of the dispenser may be obtained by using a valve under the control of a multiple-state mechani-cal timsr, not shown. Timers are available which, after they are initiated or triggered, effectuate a delay interval and then open a valve which provides time for the container to be properly positioned in the dispenser before fluid is in-jected through the nozzle which is supplied from the valve.
These timers are also adapted for maintaining the flow through a valve for a settable interval so that the volume o~ fluid supplied to a container is controlled by the time the fluid is allowed to flow. These timers further feature a delay which allows for retraction of the nozzle before the container can be withdrawn from the dispenser What is perceived as the best mode for implementing the new features of the dispenser is illustrated in the FIGURFS
8-10 embodiment. The embodiment depicted in FIGURE 8 has a housing 85 which corresponds substantially with housing 12 in the previously described embodiment. The fluid flow control devices in the FIGURE 8 embodiment may be similar to those which have been discussed in connection with the other embodi-ments so they are not reproduced in FIGURE 8. This embodiment does use a tubular nozzle 86 which is subject to being ad-vanced and retracted on a vertical line as in the previous case. Nozzle 86 terminates at its lower end in a beveled perimetral edge 87 which is sharp enough to easily penetrate the cover assembly such as the one m~rked ~88 of a container such as the cup 89. The nozzle 86 is shown in its lowermost position in FIGURE 8 where it would be during the time that fluid is being injected into cùp 89. After nozzle 86 is ~9~3~1~
retracted upwardly, cup 89 is free to be withdrawn from the dispenser. Note that in the bottom of housing 85 there is a flexible seal 90 which fits closely to the periphery of the tubular nozzle 86 and assures that liquid cannot be splashed from the cup back into the housing.
In the FIGUR~S 8-10 embodiment, the cup holder is gen-erally designated by the reference numeral 91. This holder is designed for engaging a cup 89 by means of its lid or cover 88 which has means for being engaged by the holder. The cup cover assembly 88 and the holder 91 will now be described in detail.
First of all, we may note that the cup 89 is preferably made of a thermo-foam material which is rigid, lightweight but conducts heat very poorly so that a user e~periences no discomfort when handling a cup that is occupied by hot fluid.
The cups used in the dispenser may be made of other less rigid materials which conduct heat freely where filling with cold fluid i~ contemplated.
In this embodiment, the cover assembly 88 is made in two parts. The lower part consists of a thin metal foil 92 which is crimped at its circumferential margin 9~ and adhesive is preferably used at the interface of bent down margin 93 of the cover and the lip edge 94 of the cup to further assure that the foil cover will remain adhered to the cup body 89.
Initially, that is, after manufacture and after the solids are inserted in the cup 89 which are to be mixed with water in~ected with nozzle 86, the foil 92 is unperforated. When the nozzle 86 is driven downwardly for its sharpened tip 87 .
~9634~;
to puncture the foil, a flap 95 is formsd which i5 not severed from the flat foil area 92 so it cannot drop into the contents of cup 89.
Superimposed on the foil cover 92 i~ a thin, preferably pla~tic lid or cover part 96. This cover makeq a pre~q fit on foil cover 92 by reaqon of the margin3 97 of cover 96 being bent downwardly over the margin 93 of the foil cover.
A plan view of cover 96 appear~ in FIGURE 9. The cover 96 i~ comprised of a thin ~heet of pla3tic material such as rigid polyethylene on the order of .010 of an inch thick.
Any ~uitable plastic material may be u3ed for making the cover although it 3hould have properties which permit it to be qhaped by vacuum forming which i~ one of the meritq of the new cover 96. As can be ~een in FIGURE 9 particularly well, cover 96 has an upwardly extending oblong protuberance or ridge 98 which has a front end 100, a rear end 99 and ~ide~
: 101 and 102. Ridge 98, particularly its ends 99 and 100, can be ~een in FIGURE 8 where it iq evident that the ridge ri es from the plane of the cover. In thiq embodiment, the height of the end3 99 and 100 of the oblong ridge have the ~ame height as the side~ 101 and 102. A3 can be seen in FIGURE 8, the interior of the ridge 98 i~ hollow aq indicated by the reference numeral 10~. This make~ the ridge re~ilient when preqsure iq exerted on it~ opposite vertical ~ideq 104 and 105. As can be qeen in FIGURE 9, upstanding ridge 98 defines or bound~ a central rece~ 106 in the bottom of which there is an oblong perforation 107. An oblong portion of the under-lying foil 92 is visible through perforation 107. The nozzle 86 plunge~ through thi~ perfor~tion aq it penetrate~ foil 92 ~ ~ 6 3~1~
but it does not have to rupture the more rigid pla~tic mate-rial out of which the top cover 96 is made. Recess 106 pro-vides a means for catching any fluid that may splash out and the perforation 107 permit~ the fluid, if any is pre~ent, to be drained back into the cup. Holder 91 runners 110 and 111, a~ i3 evident in FIGUR~ 10, have an essentially z-~haped cross section. The~e runners are fastened to the bottom of housing 85. A~ can be seen in FIGUR~ 9, th~s runners are in substan-tial paralleli~m but they converge slightly toward each other from the left to the right in this figure to achieve a wedging action when the upstanding ridge 98 of the cover is in between the runners. Runner 110 ha3 a rounded edge 112 which extend~
toward a similarly rounded edge 113 on runner 111. When the oblong ridge 98 is pu~hed in between the runners 110 and 111 from their mouth end at the left in FIGURE 9, the rounded edges 112 and 113 indent the size of the ridge as evidenced by the dotted lines 114 and 115 in FIGURE 9. These indenta-tion~ 114 and 115 prevent the covered cup from falling away from the runners Of course, the ridge or upstanding protuberance 98 may have other configurations but, in any case, it i~ de~irable to have the ridge formed of a deformable material which can be indented reasonably easily when the cover is pu~hed between the runner~ by the user. A~ stated, thin polyethylene permit3 achievement of this purpose because of its resiliency and, in addition, it can be vacuum formed easily. The use of polyethylene is by way of illustration and not limitation, for other plastics having the above noted propertie~ could also be u~ed.
3~
l~hen the cover is inserred in the dispenser as in FIG-UR~ 8, the back portion 99 of the upstanding ridge 98 strikes the operating lever 117 of the fill cycle initiating mini-switch 118 When lever 117 is actuated, detent 119 plunges in to close switch 118. As in the case of the previously dis-cussed embodiment, when the cup 89 with its cover intact is withdrawn from between runners 110 and 111 of the holder, switch 118 is actuated again and the control system is placed in its initial state in readiness for its next use. The tip 121 of operating lever 117 extends through a hole 120 in the bottom of housing 85 so the tip is barely exposed between runnars 110 and 111 to minimize the chance of unauthorized or accidental operation of the switch.
In the FIGURE 8 embodiment, a further support 122 is provided for cup 89 during filling. Means, not shown, are provided for shifting support 122 upwardly or downwardly to enable restricting the dispenser to operation with a cup of a particular height The measured quantity of fluid deliv-ered by the dispenser during each filling cycle is coordinated with the cup size which the dispenser is adapted to accept.
Support 122 assures that the cup cannot fall away from its cover assembly during filling which is a dasirable safety feature in cases where hot fluid is being dispensed.
It should be noted that in the FIGURES 8-10 embodiment, the axis of the nozzle 86 is at an angle with respect to the axis of cup 89 so that the fluid injected into the cup will strike its sides and cause turbulent mixing as in the case of the previously described embodiment.
.
~ ~ ~ 6~ S
Although embodiments of the invention have been described in considerahle detail, such description is intended to be il-lustrative rather than limiting, for the invention may be variously embodied and i3 to be limited only by interpretation of the claims which follow
l~hen the cover is inserred in the dispenser as in FIG-UR~ 8, the back portion 99 of the upstanding ridge 98 strikes the operating lever 117 of the fill cycle initiating mini-switch 118 When lever 117 is actuated, detent 119 plunges in to close switch 118. As in the case of the previously dis-cussed embodiment, when the cup 89 with its cover intact is withdrawn from between runners 110 and 111 of the holder, switch 118 is actuated again and the control system is placed in its initial state in readiness for its next use. The tip 121 of operating lever 117 extends through a hole 120 in the bottom of housing 85 so the tip is barely exposed between runnars 110 and 111 to minimize the chance of unauthorized or accidental operation of the switch.
In the FIGURE 8 embodiment, a further support 122 is provided for cup 89 during filling. Means, not shown, are provided for shifting support 122 upwardly or downwardly to enable restricting the dispenser to operation with a cup of a particular height The measured quantity of fluid deliv-ered by the dispenser during each filling cycle is coordinated with the cup size which the dispenser is adapted to accept.
Support 122 assures that the cup cannot fall away from its cover assembly during filling which is a dasirable safety feature in cases where hot fluid is being dispensed.
It should be noted that in the FIGURES 8-10 embodiment, the axis of the nozzle 86 is at an angle with respect to the axis of cup 89 so that the fluid injected into the cup will strike its sides and cause turbulent mixing as in the case of the previously described embodiment.
.
~ ~ ~ 6~ S
Although embodiments of the invention have been described in considerahle detail, such description is intended to be il-lustrative rather than limiting, for the invention may be variously embodied and i3 to be limited only by interpretation of the claims which follow
Claims (19)
1. Apparatus for dispensing fluid into a material in a container for mixing with the contents thereof, comprising:
a valve having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, means comprising a punch and nozzle, said nozzle having input means and having output means for projecting a stream of fluid in a predetermined path, flexible tubular means for coupling the output means of said valve with the input means of said nozzle, first means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle relative to a container, holder means for holding a container in a position for being entered by said punch and nozzle output means when said nozzle is advanced, said holder means comprising elements disposed on opposite sides of the line of travel of said punch and nozzle for receiving and engaging a part of said container between them and for holding said container at an angle relative to said predetermined path of said fluid for projected fluid to deflect from an inner surface of said container in the direction of another inner surface thereof to thereby produce a turbulent circulating motion in said fluid for enhancing mixing with the contents of the container.
a valve having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, means comprising a punch and nozzle, said nozzle having input means and having output means for projecting a stream of fluid in a predetermined path, flexible tubular means for coupling the output means of said valve with the input means of said nozzle, first means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle relative to a container, holder means for holding a container in a position for being entered by said punch and nozzle output means when said nozzle is advanced, said holder means comprising elements disposed on opposite sides of the line of travel of said punch and nozzle for receiving and engaging a part of said container between them and for holding said container at an angle relative to said predetermined path of said fluid for projected fluid to deflect from an inner surface of said container in the direction of another inner surface thereof to thereby produce a turbulent circulating motion in said fluid for enhancing mixing with the contents of the container.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said punch and nozzle means are unitary and comprised of a tuba, the output end of said tube being cut at a bias to define a pointed end which serves as said punch.
3. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein:
said means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle and said means for opening and closing said valve are electroresponsive means, respectively, electric circuit means for controlling said electro-responsive means to effect a predetermined operational sequence when a container is in a proper position for being filled, said sequence being characterized by advancing said punch and nozzle means into said container, effecting a short time delay, opening of said valve for a predetermined time, closing said valve at the end of said time, effecting a short time delay and finally retracting said punch and nozzle means.
said means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle and said means for opening and closing said valve are electroresponsive means, respectively, electric circuit means for controlling said electro-responsive means to effect a predetermined operational sequence when a container is in a proper position for being filled, said sequence being characterized by advancing said punch and nozzle means into said container, effecting a short time delay, opening of said valve for a predetermined time, closing said valve at the end of said time, effecting a short time delay and finally retracting said punch and nozzle means.
4. The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the pressure of said fluid supplied to the input means of said valve is con-stant and the volume of fluid admitted to said container is determined by said predetermined time during which said valve is open.
5. The apparatus as in claim 1 including container means especially adapted to cooperate with said holder means, said elements of holder means comprising elongated means defining spaced apart parallel grooves, said container means having a mouth defined by a convex portion extending therefrom having a cross sectional shape substantially complementary to the shape of said grooves to enable said portion to fit into and be held by said grooves to thereby achieve holding of said container during filling.
6. The container as in claim 5 including:
a thin piece of material fastened to said container in such manner as to cap said mouth, said piece of material being disposed in alignment with said nozzle and punch means when said container is in position for being filled such that said nozzle and punch may perforate said material upon being advanced.
a thin piece of material fastened to said container in such manner as to cap said mouth, said piece of material being disposed in alignment with said nozzle and punch means when said container is in position for being filled such that said nozzle and punch may perforate said material upon being advanced.
7. The apparatus as in claim 1 including container means especially adapted to cooperate with said holder means, said elements of holder means comprising elongated means defining spaced apart parallel grooves, said container means comprising a cup composed of heat insulating material and a cover for enclosing said cup, said cover having a hollow extension including a mouth defined by a portion extending convexly therefrom and having a cross sectional shape substantially complemen-tary to the shape of said grooves to enable said portion to fit into and be held by said grooves to thereby achieve holding of said container during filling.
8. The container as in claim 7 including:
a thin piece of material fastened to said container in such manner as to cap said mouth, said piece of material being disposed in alignment with said nozzle and punch means when said container is in position for being filled such that said nozzle and punch may perforate said material upon being advanced.
a thin piece of material fastened to said container in such manner as to cap said mouth, said piece of material being disposed in alignment with said nozzle and punch means when said container is in position for being filled such that said nozzle and punch may perforate said material upon being advanced.
9. Apparatus for dispensing fluid into a container for mixing with the contents thereof where the container has generally longitudinally extending side wall means and a bottom generally transverse to said wall means, comprising:
valve means having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, an electroresponsive valve operator means operatively coupled with said valve means for opening and closing said valve means in response to energization and deenergization, respectively, combination punch and nozzle means having fluid input means coupled with the output means of said valve means, electroresponsive operator means operatively coupled with said combination means for advancing and retracting the same along a substantially vertical line in response to energization and deenergization, respectively, said nozzle being constructed and arranged for projecting fluid in a substantially vertical path when said valve is open, holder means for supporting a fillable container in a position for being intersected by said vertical path, said holder means including means for engaging and holding said container so its said side wall is at an angle with respect to said vertical line such that fluid projected by said nozzle when it is advanced will deflect from said wall and have circulatory motion imparted to it for enhancing mixing with the contents of said container.
valve means having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, an electroresponsive valve operator means operatively coupled with said valve means for opening and closing said valve means in response to energization and deenergization, respectively, combination punch and nozzle means having fluid input means coupled with the output means of said valve means, electroresponsive operator means operatively coupled with said combination means for advancing and retracting the same along a substantially vertical line in response to energization and deenergization, respectively, said nozzle being constructed and arranged for projecting fluid in a substantially vertical path when said valve is open, holder means for supporting a fillable container in a position for being intersected by said vertical path, said holder means including means for engaging and holding said container so its said side wall is at an angle with respect to said vertical line such that fluid projected by said nozzle when it is advanced will deflect from said wall and have circulatory motion imparted to it for enhancing mixing with the contents of said container.
10. The apparatus as in claim 9 including electric cir-cuit means for controlling said electroresponsive means to effect a predetermined operational sequence when a container is in a position for being filled, said sequence being char-acterized by advancing said punch and nozzle means into said container, effecting a short time delay, opening of said valve for a predetermined time, closing said valve at the end of said time, effecting a short time delay and finally retracting said punch and nozzle means.
11. The apparatus as in claim 9 including:
first switch means operable by said container being at a predetermined position in said holder means, second manually operable switch means mounted on said apparatus, electric circuit means for controlling said electro-responsive means, said circuit means being enabled to selec-tively energize said electroresponsive means for advancing said combination punch and nozzle means only in response to said first and second switch means being operated in the order stated.
first switch means operable by said container being at a predetermined position in said holder means, second manually operable switch means mounted on said apparatus, electric circuit means for controlling said electro-responsive means, said circuit means being enabled to selec-tively energize said electroresponsive means for advancing said combination punch and nozzle means only in response to said first and second switch means being operated in the order stated.
12. The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the pressure of said fluid supplied to said input means of said valve is con-stant and the volume of fluid admitted to said container is determined by said predetermined time during which said valve is open.
13. The apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said combination punch and nozzle means are unitary and comprised of a tube, the output end of said tube being cut at a bias to define a pointed end which serves as said punch.
14. Apparatus for dispensing fluid into a material in a container for mixing with the contents thereof, comprising:
a valve having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, means comprising a punch and nozzle, said nozzle having input means coupled with the output means of said valve and having output means for projecting a stream of fluid in a predetermined path, operator means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle relative to a container, holder means for receiving a container and supporting the received container for receiving said punch and nozzle output means when advanced, with the container supported at an angle relative to said predetermined path of said fluid such that projected fluid will deflect from an inner surface of said container so as to produce a turbulent circulating motion in said fluid for enhancing mixing with the contents of the container.
a valve having input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, means comprising a punch and nozzle, said nozzle having input means coupled with the output means of said valve and having output means for projecting a stream of fluid in a predetermined path, operator means for advancing and retracting said punch and nozzle relative to a container, holder means for receiving a container and supporting the received container for receiving said punch and nozzle output means when advanced, with the container supported at an angle relative to said predetermined path of said fluid such that projected fluid will deflect from an inner surface of said container so as to produce a turbulent circulating motion in said fluid for enhancing mixing with the contents of the container.
15. The apparatus as in claim 1, 9 or 14 wherein said holder means includes a surface disposed at an acute angle relative to horizontal for supporting a base of a container with the container at an acute angle relative to vertical, the line of travel of said punch and nozzle means being substan-tially vertical.
16. The apparatus as in claim 14 wherein said holder means includes elements disposed on opposite sides of the line of travel of the punch and nozzle for receiving and engaging a part of the container between them.
17. The apparatus as in claim 16 wherein said elements on opposite sides of the line of travel are runner means each having an edge that is presented toward the other and separated by the other by a distance which is slightly less than the width of a deformable part of said container so said runner edges will deform and grip said part when said container is inserted between said runners.
18. The apparatus as in claim 17 wherein the runner means have corresponding entrance ends spaced apart to define a mouth for insertion of said deformable part of said container between said runner means, said runner means converging toward each other away from said mouth by a small amount for producing a wedging effect on said deformable part as it is moved between said runner means.
19. The apparatus as in claim 16, 17 or 18 wherein said holder means further includes a surface disposed at an acute angle relative to horizontal for supporting a base of a container with the container at an acute angle relative to vertical, said runner means being disposed at an acute angle relative to horizontal corresponding substantially with the angle of said surface, and the line of travel of said punch and nozzle being vertical.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA324,120A CA1096345A (en) | 1979-03-26 | 1979-03-26 | Fluid dispenser for reconstituting beverages and the like |
| CA362,365A CA1113903A (en) | 1979-03-26 | 1980-10-14 | Fluid dispenser for reconstituting beverages and the like |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA324,120A CA1096345A (en) | 1979-03-26 | 1979-03-26 | Fluid dispenser for reconstituting beverages and the like |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1096345A true CA1096345A (en) | 1981-02-24 |
Family
ID=4113816
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA324,120A Expired CA1096345A (en) | 1979-03-26 | 1979-03-26 | Fluid dispenser for reconstituting beverages and the like |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1096345A (en) |
-
1979
- 1979-03-26 CA CA324,120A patent/CA1096345A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |