CA1132880A - Automatic changeover system for liquid dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention is directed to an automatic change-over system for stock rotation of liquids packages in plural collapsible bag-type reservoirs including an improved automatic change-over valve. The bag-type reservoirs are divided into primary and secondary groups, the primary group containing a supply of liquid product which is currently being dispensed and the secondary group containing a supply of liquid product which is held in reserve. An automatic change-over between the primary and secondary groups of bag-type reservoirs is effected in response to a vacuum created by an empty condition in the bags in the primary group. A pressure change in the system results from the deflation of the empty bag-type packages which switches the change-over valve. Thus, the change-over is caused by the characteristics of the flexible bags containing the liquid being dispensed and the valve mechanism which connects the primary group, the secondary group and a dispensing pump together.

Description

~3Z880 BACKGROUND OF ~HE INVENTION

Field of tfie Invention The present invention relates to a system for stock rotation of liquids, such as soft drink syrups, contained in collapsible bag-type reservoirs or replaceable packages. More specifically, t~e present invention relates to an improved auto-matic change-over valve for automatically switching between a primary supply reservoir and a secondary supply reservoir in response to an empty condition of the primary reservoir.

Description of the Prior Art Heretofore the stock rotation or changing of liquid bag packages such as milk, soft drink syrups or chemicals, has been accompl;~shed by manual methods. When the contents of a package are exhausted, the pump system was not supplied with liquid until the packages could be manually changed. This caused un-avoidable, unexpected and inconvenient delays in the dispensing operation. To provide for larger reserves many prior art systems connected packages in a parallel arrangement. However, this parallel arrangement does not provide for the necessary stock rotation required by many perishable food items such as milk and soft drink syrups. By contrast, conventional rigid type sealed packages have inlet and outlet openings and are often connected in series. However, this system also does not provide for a complete rotation of the liquid products since mixing occurs. Furthermore, if bag packages according to the present invention were connected in series, they would not pro-vide for reserve capacity but only a large initial capacity, since the bag packages would collapse equally unless assisted .

-la-by gravity~or otfier external means.
Automatic change~over devices for non-viscous liquids disposed in open or vented rigid containers are known in the prior art. However, tfiese devices are not satisfactory for automat~c stock . - 2 -rotation of viscous liquids contained in flexible bag packages.
Furthermore, many liquids tend to crystalize when exposed to air in open systems, this further complicates container rotation. Bag packages, according to the present invention, overcome the defi-ciencies of the prior art containers by providing a sealed and closed system to air and other outside contaminates.
For example, an automatic change-over system for gas con^
tained in a primary and secondary bank of storage tanks is dis-clo.sed in U.S. Patent No. 2,968,162 to Acomb issued January 17, 1961. The Acomb system effects a change-over from one ~roup of supply tanks to another in response to pressure changes caused by an empty condition of the tanks being dispensed. However, the Acomb system does not possess the necessary sensitivity to auto-matically dispense more viscous liquids, such as syrups, in a fast and reliable manner.
Another similar type of automatic change-over system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,825,027 to Henderson. In the Henderson system, the change-over sensitivity is enhanced by the provision of ball float valves 34, 36 in the respective primary and secondary supply circuits. The Henderson system works very well for dispensing liquid fuels of low viscosity, this being the purpose for which it was designed. However, the float valves tend to stick due to sugar build-up when the liquid being dispensed is s a viscous liquid such as soft drink syrups.
Another automatic change-over device for a liquid dispensin system is disclosed by Harvill, U.S. Patent No. 4,014,461 and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. Harvill discloses an automatic change-over system for stock rotation of a liquid product packaged in collapsible bag-type reservoirs. Ilow-ever, the automatic change-over valve employed in the system dis-closed by ~larvill is rather complicated and extremely bulky.

SUM;~I~RY OF Tl-l~ IVE.rJTIO~J

~ ccordinqly, i.t is a primary object of the present invention to provide a device whereby two separate systems of single or multiple packages may be rotated automatically as the product con-tained therein is dispensed, allowing for package changes to be made when time is availahle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatie change-over deviee having the nece9sary sensitivity for, dispensing viscous liquids such as syrup.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automa-ic change-over device suitable for dispensing liquic~s disposed in rlexible bag reservoirs.
A still '~rther object of the present invention is to pro-vide a.relat~vely simple, uncorplicated automatic change-over valve for sel~ctively switching between primary and secondary ~roups of ~ y~e reservoirs in response to a vacuum created by he em~t.- cor.~ition in the bags of the primary group.
The c~jee_s of the present invention are fulfilled in part ~y virtue o. the inventor's discovery that a relatively sir~ple, uncomplieated automatie ehange-over valve may be employed together with a plurality of eollapsible bag-type.paeka~es. The automatic;
ehange-over valve is eonneeted to a dispensin~ pump and to a primary group of flexible bag paekages and a secondary c3roup of flexible bag paclcages. The automatic eha~nge-over valve eonnects !
the dispensing pump initially to the primary group of flexible bag packages to deflate the flexihle baas while dispensing the product eontained therein. After t~ie product contained within the primary group of flexible hac3s is dispensed, a sinc31e cllec~
valve which ineludes a sprinc3 biased member is opened in response to a pressure differential on the opposite side thereof. There-after, ].iquid prod.ucts positionecl ~/ithin the seeondary flexiblebag packac~es wi.ll be dispensed from the system tllrough the auto~
matie change-over vAlve. Subsequently, the automatic change-over valve may he mAnually rotated so as to provicle a~ nob.structed `- 113Z880 ; 4 flo~ path between the seco~dary group of flexible bag packages ,and the dispensing pump. In this position, the primary group of flexible bag packages may be disconnected from the automatic change-over valve and replaced with full, fresh, flexible bag packages.
These and other objects will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinbelow. However, it should be understood jthat the detailed description and specific examples, while indica-ting preferred embodiments of the inventior, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skille~ in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~E DRAWINGS

The present invention will beco~e more fully understoo~ from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein;
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the dispensing system of the present invention with both the primary and secon-dary supply circuits in a full condition;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the system of Figure 1 illustrating the primary supply circuit in an e~pty condition and the secondary circuit in a full condition; and Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the -auto~atic change-over valve according to the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the automatic change-over valve which shows that orientation of ports relative ~;to each other does not have to be 90.

DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED E~I~ODIMENT~

Referring in detail to Figure 1, there is illustrated a pri-mary supply reservoir of flexible bag packages generally designated circuit A. A similar set of bag packages comprise a secondary . ``-' 113Z880 . - 5 -, .

supply reservoir and are generally designated circuit B. In the condition shown, these packages are both full prior to the commence ment of the dispensing operation.
Each of the bag packages include flexible bags 12 disposed within outer rigid boxes 14 of types that are well known in the art for containing milk, syrup or liquid chemicals of a similar nature.
The bag packages from primary circuit A or secondary circuit B, during a dispensin~ cycle, are selectively connected to a pump ¦P at outlet 0 through an automatic change-over valve generally indicated by character 10. The primary curcuit A is connected to an inlet IA of the automatic change-over valve 10 and secondary circuit B is connected to an inlet IB of the automatic change-over valve 10.
Change-over valve 10 includes three ports 15, 16 and 17. Th~
ort 15 provides a connection opening for attaching the circuit A.
rhe port 17 provides a connection opening for attaching the circuit B. The port 16 provides a connection opening to attach the pump P.
The change-over valve 10 includes three conduits 15A, 16A
and 17A which connect the ports, 15, 16 and 17, respectively, to rotary spool SP. The rotary spool SP is centrally disposed in th~
hange-over valve 10 and is designed to permit an unobstructed path etween two of the conduits. The rotary spool SP includes a spring iased valve member CA which include a ball 20 and a spring 22. It hould be noted, that an equivalent check valve, such as, an mbrella check, a duckbill check, or numerous other types of check alves could be employed in place of the check valve CA without eparting from the spirit or intent of the present invention.
Referring in detail to Figure Z, there is illustrated the dentical system to Figure 1, with the exception that the bags 12 n the primary circuit-A are in an empty state and are therefore eflated. As further illustrated in Figure 2, the deflation of bags

2 in the primary circuit A causes a significant pressure drop or acuum in the lateral conduit 15 and the condùit 16 w}lich causes the ~3Z880 ball 2Q of tfie check valve CA to open. Upon opening of the check valve CA a flow o~ l~quid product from the secondary circuit B is ~nit;~ated via the inlet IB, the conduit 17A, the conduit 16A to the pump P. In this manner, as will be further described hereinafter, an automatic change-over from the primary circuit A to the secondary circuit B is effected.
Upon automatically changing from the primary circuit _ to the secondary circ~lit B, the secondary circuit B then ~ecomes the primary circuit and the primary circuit A then b~x~e the secondary circuit. Once this automatic change-over has stabilized, the rotary spool valve SP is rotated for con-necting the lateral conduit 17A to the central conduit 16A. me rotation of the rot~ry spool valve SP can be effected manually and is rotated through 180.
After the rotary spool valve SP is rotated 180 so as to provide an unobstructed path between the lateral conduit 17A and the central conduit 16A, the ball 20 is positioned ad-jacent to the lateral conduit 15A to obstruct ~he path between the lateral conduit 15A and the other two conduits 16A and 17A.
While in this condition, the bag packages of what was the pri-mary circuit A can be refilled without having any detrimental effects on the dispensing cycle in progress.
The details of the assembly of the mechanical com-ponents of a preferred embodiment of the automatic change-over valve 10 of Figures 1 and 2 is illustrated in detail in Figure

3. As illustrated, the valve includes a common block or housing containing the necessary internal bores or conduits 15A, 16A
and 17A. The internal conduits provide a selective connection to either the inlet IA from circuit A or the inlet IB from c~rcuit B to the outlet O connected to a dispensing pump P.

113Z8~

D~sposed w~thin a transverse passage or bore is a rotar~ spool ~alve SP whtch may be rotated to selective dis-pensing positions fiy the knob K. The rotary spool valve SP is positioned within t~e transverse bore in a sealed condition by means of O-rings 24, 26 disposed adjacent to the upper and lower portions of the spool valve. In addition, a spring clip 28 retains the spool valve SP in the valve assembly so as to pro-perly al~gn the conduits 15A, 16A and 17A with the openings in the spool valve SP.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the check valve CA is dis-posed in a horizontal bore or passage in substantial alignment With the conduits 15A and 17A. In this position, liquid product positioned within the circuit A may be pumped therefrom through the spool valve SP and the outlet O to the pump P. As mentioned hereinabove, after the liquid product positioned within the circu~t A is exhausted, the pressure created within the system will bias the ~all 20 to the right thereby opening the conduit 17A for communication with the conduit 16A. In this manner, the liquid product positioned within the circuit B is in com-munication to ~e dispensed through the outlet O to the pump P.
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION
One can readily understand the operation of the auto-matic change-over valve in the system of the present invention with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1, both the pri-mary circuit A and the secondary circuit B are full. In this condition, the dispensing pump P easily removes liquid from the primary circuit A through the rotary spool valve SP in the posi-tion shown, since there is no major obstruction or pressure working in opposition to the pump P. Also, in this position it ~3~0 can fie ~ead~ly observed that the secondar~ circuit B is ob~
structed fiy t~e closed check valve CA. The pump P will continue to operate only from the pr~mary circuit A until all of the liquid product is exhausted.
Referring to Figure 2, when the flexible bags 12 of the primary circuit A are collapsed, the pump P in conjunction with the collapsed state of bags 12 creates a substantial pressure decrease or vacuum within the rotary spool valve SP so as to bias the ball 20 against the spring 22 in the check valve CA
opens, liquid from the bag packages in circuit B, which was initially the secondary circuit, can be pumped through the out-let o via the inlet IB, the conduit 17A, the rotary spool valve SP, the conduit 16A to the outlet O and the pump P.
During routine stock inventory or inspection of the bag packages, an attendant would become aware of the collapsed or empty state of the bags 12 in what was the primary circuit A. The rotary spool valve SP would then be rotated to change the primary designation and logic to circuit B. Circuit B now become the primary circuit and the rotary spool valve SP is rotated to a psoition wherein the ball 20 is engaged in the conduit 15A. The attendant can then remove the empty bag pack-ages from the circuit A without affecting the operation ~f the dispensing system in any way. New packages may be connected in circu~t A when convenient and when connected become the secondary -supply of liquid to be dispensed.
Thereafter, when the packages of the circuit B become empty and collapse into a deflated state, the check valve CA
will open in response to the vacuum created in the lateral passage 17A. Thereafter, liquid product within the circuit _ will flow through the conduit 15A, the open check valve CA and the rotary spool valve SP and through the conduit 16A to the .

~.~3ZH80 -8a-outlet ~ and tfie pump P. The process may be repeated over and oYer aga~n by sw~tcfitng the primary side with the rotary spool valve SP and changing the respective bag packages in circuits e Or ~.

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It should be understood, that the system described herein may be modified as would occur to one with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
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Claims (8)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an automatic change-over device for a liquid dis-pensing system including, first and second sets of at least one collapsible bag for containing a liquid to be dispensed, each of said collapsible bags having a first volume when full and deflating to a second volume when empty, and pump means for drawing said liquid out of said first or second sets of collapsible bags when in circuit with said first or second sets, respectively, the improvement comprising:
a change-over valve means in circuit between said first and second sets of bags and said pump means for providing selective communication therebetween, said change-over valve means including a single pressure sensitive check-valve which is normally closed for selectively providing an obstruction between said second set of bags and said pump means in an initial position and for selectively providing an obstruction between said first set of bags and said pump means in a second position, said single pressure sensitive check-valve means being opened in said initial position in response to a pressure change created by said second volume of said first set of bags, said single pressure sensitive check-valve means being opened in said second position in response to a pressure change created by said second volume in said second set of bags, and means for transferring by a force other than said pressure changes, said single pressure sensitive check-valve means between said initial and second positions to selectively provide said obstruction in either the initial or second positions.

2. In an automatic change-over device according to claim 1, wherein said single pressure sensitive check-valve means is a ball element biased to a normally closed position by spring means.

3. In an automatic change-over device according to claim 1, wherein said means for transferring comprises a rotatable valve element including a through conduit with said single pressure sensitive check-valve means operatively disposed therein and a central conduit in communication with said through conduit and said pump means.

4. In an automatic change-over device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said change-over valve means is a rotary spool.

5. In an automatic change-over device according to claim 1, wherein said change-over valve means is disposed in a hous-ing having first and second inlet passages coupled to said first and second sets of bags, respectively, said change-over valve means including a through conduit with said single pressure sensitive check-valve operatively disposed therein and a central conduit in communication with said through conduit and in communications with an outlet conduit coupled to said pump means.

6. In an automatic change-over device for a fluid dispen-sing system including housing means having first and second inlet passages and an outlet passage for communicating a fluid from said inlet passages to a dispensing device, the improvement comprising:
a rotatable valve element journalled in said housing and including a trhough conduit, a single pressure sensitive check-vavle means operatively disposed therein, and a central conduit in communication with said through conduit and said outlet passage, said valve element being rotatable between an initial position wherein said check-valve means controls fluid flow from one of said inlet passages to said outlet passage and a second position wherein said check-valve means controls fluid flow from the other of said inlet passages to said outlet passage, said single pressure sensitive check-valve means being normally closed for selectively providing an obstruction between said one of said inlet passages and said outlet passage in an initial position and for selectively providing an obstruc-tion between said other of said inlet passages and said outlet passage in said second position, said single pressure sensitive check-valve means being opened in said initial position in response to a predetermined pressure differential across said one of said inlet passages, said single pressure sensitive check-valve means being opened in said second position in response to a predetermined pressure differential across said other of inlet passages.

7. In an automatic change-over device according to claim 6, wherein said rotatable valve element is a spool.

8. In an automatic change-over device according to claim 6, wherein said single pressure sensitive check-valve means includes a ball element biased to a normally closed position by spring means.