CA1140505A - Liquid metering and blending apparatus - Google Patents
Liquid metering and blending apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1140505A CA1140505A CA000360566A CA360566A CA1140505A CA 1140505 A CA1140505 A CA 1140505A CA 000360566 A CA000360566 A CA 000360566A CA 360566 A CA360566 A CA 360566A CA 1140505 A CA1140505 A CA 1140505A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- beverage
- aspirator
- water
- valve
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An automatic, intermittently operable propor-tional mixing apparatus for a beverage dispensing machine having a holding tank for a beverage reconstituted from proportional volumes of water and liquid concentrate; said apparatus includes an aspirator, water delivery structure between the aspirator and a pressurized water service system, concentrate delivery structure between the aspirator and a static supply of concentrate, a beverage delivery structure extending from the aspirator to the tank, a normally closed solenoid operated on and off valve in the water delivery structure and a float actuated control switch arranged in the tank and operated to open the valve when the level of beverage in the tank drops below a predetermined minimum level and a manually adjustable pressure regulator and flow controller in the water delivery structure to adjust the aspirator and the resulting relative volumes of water and concentrate drawn through the aspirator.
An automatic, intermittently operable propor-tional mixing apparatus for a beverage dispensing machine having a holding tank for a beverage reconstituted from proportional volumes of water and liquid concentrate; said apparatus includes an aspirator, water delivery structure between the aspirator and a pressurized water service system, concentrate delivery structure between the aspirator and a static supply of concentrate, a beverage delivery structure extending from the aspirator to the tank, a normally closed solenoid operated on and off valve in the water delivery structure and a float actuated control switch arranged in the tank and operated to open the valve when the level of beverage in the tank drops below a predetermined minimum level and a manually adjustable pressure regulator and flow controller in the water delivery structure to adjust the aspirator and the resulting relative volumes of water and concentrate drawn through the aspirator.
Description
This inven~ion has to do with a proportional mixing apparatus for liquids and is particularly con-cerned with an attachment for a beverage dispensing machine to intermittently and automatically deliver proportional volumes of water and liquid beverage con~
centrate into a beverage holding tank of the machine.
BACK~ROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
In the beverage art, machines for holding, cooling and dispensing non-carbinated beverages have been in wide use for many years. The most common and widely used class of dispensing machine of the character referred to includes a box like housing engageable on a counter top and a transparent beverage holding tank supported atop the housing. The tank accommodates elements and~/or parts of a refrigeration uni~t, circulating pump and a dispensing valve. The holding tank has an open top which is normally closed by a removable cover. The circu~
lating pump operates to draw beverage from the bottom of the tank and delivers it to the top of the tank to flow down and about the interior surfaces thereof for aesthetic purposes and to keep the beverage mixed. The refrigeration unit serves to maintain the beverage in the tank chilled.
The dispensing valve is a simple on and off valve with an inlet side connected with the bottom of the tank and an outset side connected w~th suitable dispensing tubes which extend to a conveni~ent location at the exterior of the machine for directing beverage into drinking cups or glasses.
The valve includes a manually operable operating lever ~L~4~5i accessible at the ex~erior of the houseing. The discharge end of the dispensing tube occurs above a glass suppo-rting catch basin at the front o:E the housing and the operating lever includes a bar-like part at the front of the housing, rearward of and below the d:ispensing tube where it can be engaged to open the valve by cups or glasses manually advanced into beverage receiving position below the tube.
The principal shortcoming to be found in the above noted class of machine resides in the fact that the supplly of beverage in the holding tank must be periodîcally replenished. Such replenishing of beverage is ordinarily accomplished by removing the cover from the tank and pouring measured amounts of water and beverage concentrate into the open top of the tanks as by means of water pitchers, mixing cups and the like. Such an operation is not only awkward and difficult~ especially for persons with limited height, reach and/or poor coordina-tion, it is also an unpleasant operation for pat~ons of the establishment in which the machine is used to witness.
As a result of the above, it is common practice for the operators of such machines to avoid replenishing the supply of beverage in the tanks of such machines until it is absolutely necessary.
The above practice of waiting to replenish the supply of beverage in such a machine brings about an added serious adverse ef-fect. That effect is the inability of the machine to effectively and ade~uately chill large, unchilled volumes of newly introduced beverage instantly or even in a modestly short period of time. As a result, after the supply of beverage in such a machine has been let to diminish substantially and has been replenished, an excessive period of time n~us~ be let to pass to enable the refrigeration unit to chill the beverage and before adequately chilled beverage can be dispensed.
Another shortcoming found in the operation and use of the above noted class of machine resides in the fact that the required hand-measuring of the water and beverage concentrates is oftentimes improperly caTried out. It is not infrequent that insufficient or excessive volumes of concentrate will be used in establishing new batches of beverage, with the Tesult that the beverage is likely to be too weak or too strong. The use of insufficient volumes of concentrate and the dispensing and sale of weak beverage results in dissatisfied customers and a potential loss of trade, while the use of excessive volumes of concentrate and the dispensing of beverage which is too strong most generally results in the serious loss of profits.
As a result of the foregoing, there has been a long existing need and want for a simple, practical and effective means for automatically, intermittently mixing small measuTed volumes of water and liquid beverage concentrate and delivering the mixture directly into the holding tanks of beverage dispensing machines of the character referred to above, to maintain a full and ready supply of beverage at all times.
A further want and need has existed for a means of the general character referred to above which operates to conduct both water and beverage from remote, obscure 3n sources diTectly into the holding tanks of such machines, without the need to remove the covers from the tanks.
Still further, there has existed a want and need for a means of the character referred to which is such that small volumes of water and beverage con-centrate can be mixed and introduced into the holding tanks of the machines at frequent intervals whereby the volumes of unchilled liquids added ~o the tank at any one ^time is insufficient to warm or remove the chill from the previously established supply of beverage in the tanRs.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
An object and feature of my invention is to provide automatic means for receiving and mixing the water and beverage concentrate in predetermined volumes and for deliveIing the mixed water and concentrate, as newly constituted beverage, directly into the holding tank of a related beverage dispensing machine.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means of the character referred -to which connects with a pressurized water service system and utilizes the service water as the motive force for drawing and delivering fluid beverage concentrate from a remote concentrate supply.
Yet another object and feature of my invention is to provide a means which is such that the volume of concentrate drawn into the means is proportional to the volume of service water flowing into the means and wherein the concentrate and water are mixed within said means wheTeby newly reconstituted beverage flows from said means.
It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a means of the character referred to which includes a fluid aspirator with a low pressure upstream end and a downstream end, a concentrate duct extending between the concentrate supply and the low pressure end of the aspirator whereby the concentrate is drawn into and through the aspirator means by and with water directed through it, and beverage delivery means communicating with the downstream end of the aspirator means and ex~
tending into the holding tank of a related beverage dispensing machine.
A further object and feature of this invention is to provide a means of the character referred to above which includes a liquid level control switch responsive to the liquid level in the holding tank and a related solenoid operated on and off valve means to start and stop the flow of water and resulting flow of concentrate in response to the liquid level in the tank.
Still another object and feature of this inr vention is to provide a means of the character referred to which includes a manually adjustable pressure regulator between the water service and downstream end of the aspirator whereby the pressure and corresponding flow rate and volume of water and the corresponding flow rate and volume of concentrate flowing into and through the as~
pirator can be adjusted and accurately controlled.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide a means of the general character referred to which i5 small, neat and compact and such that it can be advantageously and effectively ~L~4~
engaged atop and supported by the holding tank cover o a related beverage dispensing machine.
Another object and featuTe of this inven~ion is to provide a means of the character referred to S including an elongate ver~ical beverage delivery tube which depends from the aspirator through an opening established in a related holding tank cover and thence into the holding tank to below the fluid level in the tank whereby beverage delivered into the tank does not splash and generate undesirable foam, noise and the like and a ~eans wheTein the switching means includes an elongate probe carried by and depending fTom the cover into the tank.
It is an object and feature of the present invention to provide a unitized means of the characteT
referred to above which is such that it can be attached and related to any standard, conventional non-carbonated beverage dispensing machine holding tank cover by simply making a pai~r of small holes in the cover to receive the beverage del~veTy tube and the probe depending from the unit and a structure wherein said tube and probe serve to releasably retain or pin the unit in position atop the tank cover.
The foregoing and other objects and eatures of my invention will be apparent and will be fully under-stood fTom the following detailed description of one typical form and carrying out of the invention throughout which description Teference is made to the accompanying : drawings:
DESCRIPTION OF THE ~RAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing machine with my invention related to it;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged ~etailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 5; and lS Fig. 7 is a view taken as indicated by line 7-7 on Fig. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated a typical non-carbonated beverate dispensing machine M.
The machine M is shown mounted or set on top of a counter 10 and includes a lower housing ll with a forwardly opening recess 12 to accommodate glasses or like receptacles into which beverage is to be delivered, A drQp tray 13 is provided at the bottom of the recess 12. A beverage dispensing tube 14 depends into the recess from the top thereof and a beverage dispensing valve actuator 15 is arranged in the recess between and rearward of the tray 13 and the tube 14.
~ ~ L~ 5~ 5 Arrallged and supported atop the housing 11 is a beverage holding tank T. The tank T can be established of a suitable transparent plastic material so that the beverage within the tank can be viewed, for display purposes, The tank T has an open top 16 which is normally closed by a substantially flat hori~ontal cover 17, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
The housing 11 serves to enclose and suppoTt the whole or parts of a recirculating pump means (not shown) to maintain the beverage in the tank T circulating and mixed and the whole or parts of a refrigeration means (not shown) to chill the beverage in the tank T.
The pumping means commonly includes a drive motor in the housing to OCCUT adjacent the bottom of the tank, a pump in.a well at the bottom of the tank and a magnetic drive coupling between the motor and the pump (not shown)~
The refrigeration unit commonly comprises a compressor and a condensor in the housi.ng and an evaporator coil which projects up from the housing into a cavity pro-vided in the bottom of the tank (not shown~, The housing 11 also houses a normally closed dispensing valve (not shown) which is connected with and between the tank T and the dispensing tube 14 and which is actuated OT opened by means o-f the above noted valve actuator '15, The machine ~f illustrated in the drawings and briefly described above is intended to show one typical class of machine with which my new proportional mixing apparatus can be advantageously and effectively related. The detaIls of construction and the design of the machine M can be varied widely without departing 5~
fTom or affecting the spirit of my invention, Accordingly, further detailed illustration and description of the machine M can and will be dispensed with.
From the following, it will be apparent that the proportional mixing apparatus that I provide is pre~
ferably such that it can be advantageously related to any beverage dispensing machine which includes a holding tank from which beverage is to be dispensed and which is such that the supply of beverage in the tank mus-t be periodically repleni~s-hed ~y the introduction of water and ~everage concentrate in predetermined volumetric ratios.
The proportional mixing apparatus P that I
provide, and which is shown in the drawings, includes an aspi:rator A, water deliverr means W to conduct water to the aspirator A, valve ~eans V and switching means S to start and stop the flow of wa-ter through the delivery means W, a manually adjustable pressure regulator R to adjust the pressure and corresponding flow rate and volume of water deli~vered into the aspirator, concentrate delivery me~ns C to conduct liquid beverage concentrate to the aspirator and beverage delivery means D communicating with and extending downstream from the aspirator and into the tank T.
The aspi~rator A and the several means C, D, S, V and W noted above are within or have parts or portions within a rectangular ~lock-like body B established of a suitable metal or plastic material. The body B is shown as having flat top and bottom s~des 20 and 21 ? flat front and Tear sides 22 and 23 and flat right-hand and left-hand ends or sides 24 and 25, ~L4V5~5i The aspirator A includes an elonage large diameter cylindrical aspirating chamber 30 with inlet and outlet or upstream and downstream ends 31 and 32;
an elongate, small diameter, cylindrical water nozzle S duct 33 with upstream and downstream ends 34 and 35 concentric with and extending axially from the upstream end of the chamber 30; and a lateral liquid or concen~
trate port 36 communicating with the upstream end of the chamber 30.
The aspirator A is arranged within the body B
with the chamber 30 and nozzle duct 33 extending sub-stantially hori.zontally and longitudinally thereof with their do~lstream ends disposed toward the right hand end 25 of the body, their upstream ends disposed toward the let-hand end 24 of the body and with the port 36 extendlng toward the rear side 23 of the body.
The downstream end of the chamber 30 communi-cates with the large diameter receiving chamber 40 in the body defined by the upper end portion of an elongate vertical cyli`ndrical bore 41 entering the bottom side 21 of the body.
The lower portion of the bore 41 below the receiving chamber 40 is a part or portion of the beverage delivery means D, which means, in addition to the bore 41 includes an elongate vertical, large diameter delivery tube 45 with an upwardly opening upper end portion threaded or otherwise securely engaged in the bore 41. The tube 45 depends freely from the body and has an open lower end.
The upstream end 34 of the nozzle duct 33 communi-cates with the downstream side of a vertical, upwardly ~L~4V5C~5 opening valve chamber 46 (of the valve means ~) which is established in the body from the top side thereof.
The port 36 is concentric and communicates with a horizontal forwardly extending concentrate inlet duct 47 of the means C, which enters the rear side of the body B.
The means C, in addition to the duct 47, includes an elongate, pre-ferably flexib:Le, suction hose 48. The hose 48 has a downstream end which is suitably coupled with or sealingly engaged in the duct 47 and a lower upstream end which extends to and is engaged in a supply of liquid beverage concentrate, as will herein-after be described.
With the structure thus far described, it will be apparent that when water, under pressure, is introduced in the upstream end of the nozzle duct 33 and flows there-through, a high velocity jet of water is directed longi-tudinally through the chamber 30 -From the upstream end to the downstream end thereof and that a minus pressure is established in the upstream end portion of the chamber 30, about the jet. The minus pressure established in the upstream end porti`on of the chamber is communicated with or established in the port 36 and in t~he hose 48 of the means C and operates or functions to draw liquid beverage concentrate from a related supply of concentrate through the hose 48 and the port 36. The concentrate flowing through the port 36 and into the chamber 30 combines and/or mixes with the jet of water flowing downstream through the chamber. The combined or mixed water ard concentrate establishes the desired beverage and the beverage thus 1140505 ll established flows freely from the downstream end of the chamber 30 into the receiving chamber 40. The beverage flowing into the chamber 40 ~lows freely downwardly ~rom within that chamber into and through the tube 45 of the means D and into the related tan~ T.
The valve means ~ related to and operable to start and stop the flow of water in and through the water supply means W and aspirator A can vary widely in -form without departing from the spirit o~ my invention.
In the case illustrated 7 the valve means ~ is an elrctrically operated or solenoid operated diaphragm-type on and off valve incorporated in the body B. The valve, in addition to the aforementioned vertical chamber 46 which communictes with the nozzle duct 33 o-~ the means A, includes an annulaT, upwardly opening inlet chamber 50 about the upper end of the chambeT 46 and communicating with a water inlet passage 51 entering the rear side 23 of the body; a flexible diaphragm 52 overlying the chamber 46 and 50; a bonnet 53 with a vertically extending tubular armature guide is releasably secured to the top of the body to overlie and hold the diaphragm in plaee. A vertical shiftable valving armature 54 is arranged within the guide.
A spring means (not shown) is arranged within the guide to normally yieldingly urge the armature 54 and the diaphragm 52 down in closed position where -flow of water ~rom the chamber 52 to the chamber 46 is stopped. ~inally, the valve includes an electro~magnetic co-il unit 55 carried by the bonnet and engaged about said g~lide and operable, when energized, to elevate the armature valving membeT 54 to an up or open position. ~hen the coil is energized and s thc member 54 is elevated, water, under pressure in the chamber 50, is free to lift the diaphragm and to flow from the chamber 50 into the chamber 46.
With the valve means V set forth above, it will be apparent that the valve can be opened and closed to start and stop the flow of water into and through the construction and that opeTation thereo~ can be effected by suitable switching means, such as that switching means S, w~ich will hereinafter be described.
It is to be noted and it will be apparent that the valve V illustrated and described above can be replaced by any one of a number of other common forms or types of electTically operated valve without materially affecting or departing from the spirit of my invention.
The water delivery means W, in addition to the duct 51 entering the rear side of the body, and communi-cating with the chamber 50 or i~nlet side of the valve means V includes an elongate water hose 56 with upstream and downstream ends. The downstream end of the hose is provided with a suitable coupling 57, screw threacled in a coupling receiving opening entering the rear si~e of the body and communicating with the duct 51. The other or upstream end of the hose(not shown) extends to and suitably connectes with a pressurized water service outlet or faucet (not shown) in the area or facility in which the construction is used.
The pressure regulator R, the function of which will hereinafter be described~ can be considered a part of the water delivery means W and can, as shown, be engaged in the hose 56, intermediate its ends and remote from the ~L~4~05 body or can be incorporated in the body or engaged between the downstream end of the hose and the body, as desired or as cirsumstances require. Since the regulator R that I utilize is a rather large and bulky item and would unduly enlarge the body if incorporated therein, or would be unsightly if connected directly with the body, it is preferred, for aesthetic reasons only, that it be arranged remote from the body, as shown.
In the preferred carrying out of my invention, the switch means S includes a fluid level responsive switch D and a manually operated master switch 81. The switch 80 is a float actuated magnetically operated reed switch unit or device such as is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The switch 80 includes an elongate, tubular, non~ferrous~ probe 82 with a closed lower end and a plug 83 engaged in and closing its upper end, a pair of elongate vertical non-ferrous resilient reeds 84 and 84' arranged within the probe in spaced parallel relationship and with their upper end portions exten~ing through the plug 83 to establish terminals at the top exterior of the probe. The lower end portions of the reeds are provided w~th normally spaced contact points 85. One reed (the reed 841) has an extension at its lower end on which a bar magnetic 86 is suitably fixed.
An annular non-ferrous float 87 is engaged about the exterior of the probe for free, vertical, longitudinal shifting relative thereto. The float 87 carries a ferrous ring 88.
In practice~ a suitable stop 87 is prov~ded at the lower end of the probe to releasably retain the float engaged about the probe.
5~5 The above switch construction is such that when the ring 88 is moved axially downwardly into a common radial plane with the magnet 86, the magnet, attracted to the ring, moves it related reed 84' toward S the reed 84, cl osIng the switch, The switch 80 here provided has a suitably wide operating range, that is, it is necessary that the float 87 and its ferrous ri`ng 88 move a substantial distance longitudinally of the probe and relative to:
the magnet 86 to effect closing and opening of the contacts 85. This wide range of operation is the result of the differences in the field gap between the magnet and the ring when the switch is in its open and closed posi`.tion.
The upper end portion of the probe 82 is engaged in a vertical through opening 90 provided in the body B with its terminals established by the upper end portions of the reeds, accessible at the top of the body. The terminals of the switch 80 are connected in or with one leg or an electrical power line L which ex~
tends ~rom the coil unit 55 to a suitable electric service outlet (not shown) in the area or facility in which the construction is used.
The remainder of the switch 80 depends freely from the body.
The master control switch 81 is a simple manually operable toggle switch or the like, connected in the power lineL in series with the switch 80 and is provided so that the power to the coil unit 55 can be positively shut off and the construction can be ta~en s out of service, when desired or when circumstances require.
It is to be noted that the several openings, ducts, chambers and ports within the body B are arranged and disposed so that they can be easily and effectively established in the body by su.itable drilling and plugging operations. ~urther, the construction of the body, with the several chambers, ducts, ports and/or passages established therein lends itself to inexpensive mass production through injection molding techniques and the like.
In furtherance of my invention, the block-like body B is provided with an inverted cup-like decorative cap 91 to obscure the valve structure V at and projecting upwardly from the top of the body, to obscure switching means S and to overlie and obscure the front, rear and end side surfaces of the body.
In practice, and as shown in the drawings, the switch 81 of the means S can be advantageously mounted within the cap 90 with its manually engageable actuator projecting through an opening in the cap for normal en-gagement at the exterior thereof.
In the preerred carrying out of my invention, the structure next includes a soft sponge rubber mounting pad 92 on the bottom of thebody B to engage the top sur-face of the holding tank cover 17 of the beverage dis-pensing machine M with which the body is related.
The top of the cover 17 is provided with an opening 93 in and through which the beverage delivery tube 45 of the means ~ is slidably engaged and an opening 94 in and through which the probe 82 of the switch 80 is slidably engaged. With the body tube and probe re-lated to the cover 17 as noted above, it will be apparent that the body is effectively retained in position, on top of the cover, by the tube and probe.
The tube 45, engaged through the openlng 93 depends freely from the cover 17 in-to the interior of the tank T to terminate in the lower portion of the tank, within the supply of beverage therein, whereby the beverage introduced into the tank is not allowed to splash and splatter about so that undesirable noise is not generated during operation of the construction and so that the newly introduced beverage is delivered into and comminglecl with old beverage in a predetermined and most effective manner.
The probe 82 depends from its related opening 94 in the top 17 to depend freely into the tank and into the supply of beverage therein.
In practice, a supply of concentrate is con-tained by a suitable vessel remote from the machine and the upstream end of the suction hose 48 of the means C
is extended into the vessel and into the supply of con~
centrate therein, In the case illustrated, the ~essel for the supply of concentrate is a glass bottle 100 supported on a shelf 101 beneath the counter 10 on which the machine M is supported. The bottle lO0 has a vented stopper 102 through which the upstream end portion of the suction hsoe 48 is engaged. The hose 48 extends down into the bottle to terminate in the bottom portion thereof.
In practice, since the supply of concentrate in the bottle 100 occurs a substantial distance below the means P atop the tank cover 17, a substantial hydro-static head pressure is established in the suction hose 48 between the bottle and the means P.
The head pressure in the suction hose, though substantial, is equal to but a fraction of the minus pressure that can be established in and by the aspirator means A when water is delivered to the aspirator means by the water delivery means W at the maximum or greatest pressure and flow rate afforded by the pressuri~ed water service with which the means W is connected. If the presure and rate of flow o:~ water into the aspirator means A is not reduced by the pressure regulator ~, the minus pressure generated in the aspirator means A will be excessive, excess concentrate will be drawn into the aspirator means, and the beverage delivered thereby will be excessively strong. Accordingly, in operation and in setting up and adjusting the structure that I provide, the regulator R is first adjusted or set to reduce the pressure and rate of flow of water entering the aspirator means A whereby a minus pressure, sufficient to overcome the hydrostatic head in the hose 48 is established in the aspirator means A, whereby concentrate is drawn up from the bottle or supply of concentrate to the aspirator means. ThereafteT, the regulator R is operated to increase the pressure and rate of water introduced into the aspirator means and to thereby increase the minus pressure in the aspirator means to that extent where the flow rate and/or volume of concentrate flowing into and through the aspirator mcalls A is sucll that thc beverage flowing from the aspirator means into the chamber 40 and thence through the means D into the tank T is of desired strength or ratio of concentrate and water.
The lower end of the probe 82 of the switch 80, which depends from the cover 17 into the beverage in the tank T, depends into the beverage a sufficient distance so that the float 87 about the probe is floated in the beverage and so that when the level of the beverage in the tank is at its top or uppermost point~ the ferrous ring 88 of the switch 80 is spaced vertically above and relative to the magnet 86 to a position where the force exerted between the magnet and the ring is insufficient to hold the resilient Teed 84' in a latera]ly displaced or biased closed position and allows the reed 84' to return and assume its normal open position.
When and as ~he liquid level in the tank T
drops, the ferrous ring 88 carried by the flow 87 moves downwardly toward the magnet 86 until such time as the gap between the magnet and the ring is reduced to that extent where the force of the magnetic field acting on the ring is sufficient to bias the resilient reed 8~' and move it to its closed position.
By suitably adjusting or varying the buoyancy of the float, as by increasing or decreasing its effective cross-section, the distance which the float must move to effect opening and closing of the switch 80 can be adjusted.
By so adjusting the operating range of the switch 80, it is both easy and practical to adjust and set the volume of beverage that is dispensed before the apparatus that .
.
5~)5 I providc is put into operation to replenish the supply of beverage. For example, where the holding tank T holds a minimum o~ two gallons of beverage, the means that I
provide can be adjusted and set so that the supply of beverage is replenished each time the supply is reduced by about one, two or three quarts, as desired or as circumstances require, In practice, the upper end portion of the beverage delivery t~lbe 45, above the level of beverage ln the tank T must be and is provided with a lateral anti-syphon vent opening 90 or an equivalent of such a vent opening, The opening 90 serves to prevent the tube 48 from filling with beverage and creating a reverse, syphon flow of beverage from the tank T, back through the body B, means C and into the bottle 100.
It is to be noted that with the i.nvention here provided, the only work required to be performed on the machine M is establishment of the tube and probe accomo-dating holes 93 and ~4 in the holding tank cover 17.
In practice, when`it is desired to service OT cl ean the machine M ? the tnk cover T with the means P
that I provide related to it ? can be easily and quickly removed from engagement with the tank T. Further, if it is desired that the means P be cleaned separately or that the cover 17 be cleaned separately, the means P
can ~e easily and quickly separated from the cover by si.mply removing the float 17 from the probe 82 and then manually lifting the body from engagement therewith,and extracting the tube 45 and probe 82 from within the openings 93 and 94 in the cover 17.
o~
It is to be noted and will be apparent from the foregoing that if desired, the aspirator A can be varied considerably in design and can, if desired, or if circumstances require, be replaced by any venturi-type of aspirating means which would function in sub-stantially the same manner as the aspirator A to attain the same end results.
It is to be further noted and it will be apparent that if desired, or if circumstances ~equire.
other common forms of float actuated switching devices might be substituted for the special form of switching device 80 illustrated and described above without materially affecting the novelty or departing from the spirit of my invention.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I provide a novel, simple, practical and effective means for automatically maintaining a full supply of properly reconsituted beverage in the holding tank of a non-carbonated beverage dispensing machine and that I have thereby effectively eliminated and/or overcome the majority of shortcomings and undesirable problems which have long been associated with a daily operation and use of such machines.
Having described only one typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and/or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and which fall within the scope of the following claims:
centrate into a beverage holding tank of the machine.
BACK~ROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
In the beverage art, machines for holding, cooling and dispensing non-carbinated beverages have been in wide use for many years. The most common and widely used class of dispensing machine of the character referred to includes a box like housing engageable on a counter top and a transparent beverage holding tank supported atop the housing. The tank accommodates elements and~/or parts of a refrigeration uni~t, circulating pump and a dispensing valve. The holding tank has an open top which is normally closed by a removable cover. The circu~
lating pump operates to draw beverage from the bottom of the tank and delivers it to the top of the tank to flow down and about the interior surfaces thereof for aesthetic purposes and to keep the beverage mixed. The refrigeration unit serves to maintain the beverage in the tank chilled.
The dispensing valve is a simple on and off valve with an inlet side connected with the bottom of the tank and an outset side connected w~th suitable dispensing tubes which extend to a conveni~ent location at the exterior of the machine for directing beverage into drinking cups or glasses.
The valve includes a manually operable operating lever ~L~4~5i accessible at the ex~erior of the houseing. The discharge end of the dispensing tube occurs above a glass suppo-rting catch basin at the front o:E the housing and the operating lever includes a bar-like part at the front of the housing, rearward of and below the d:ispensing tube where it can be engaged to open the valve by cups or glasses manually advanced into beverage receiving position below the tube.
The principal shortcoming to be found in the above noted class of machine resides in the fact that the supplly of beverage in the holding tank must be periodîcally replenished. Such replenishing of beverage is ordinarily accomplished by removing the cover from the tank and pouring measured amounts of water and beverage concentrate into the open top of the tanks as by means of water pitchers, mixing cups and the like. Such an operation is not only awkward and difficult~ especially for persons with limited height, reach and/or poor coordina-tion, it is also an unpleasant operation for pat~ons of the establishment in which the machine is used to witness.
As a result of the above, it is common practice for the operators of such machines to avoid replenishing the supply of beverage in the tanks of such machines until it is absolutely necessary.
The above practice of waiting to replenish the supply of beverage in such a machine brings about an added serious adverse ef-fect. That effect is the inability of the machine to effectively and ade~uately chill large, unchilled volumes of newly introduced beverage instantly or even in a modestly short period of time. As a result, after the supply of beverage in such a machine has been let to diminish substantially and has been replenished, an excessive period of time n~us~ be let to pass to enable the refrigeration unit to chill the beverage and before adequately chilled beverage can be dispensed.
Another shortcoming found in the operation and use of the above noted class of machine resides in the fact that the required hand-measuring of the water and beverage concentrates is oftentimes improperly caTried out. It is not infrequent that insufficient or excessive volumes of concentrate will be used in establishing new batches of beverage, with the Tesult that the beverage is likely to be too weak or too strong. The use of insufficient volumes of concentrate and the dispensing and sale of weak beverage results in dissatisfied customers and a potential loss of trade, while the use of excessive volumes of concentrate and the dispensing of beverage which is too strong most generally results in the serious loss of profits.
As a result of the foregoing, there has been a long existing need and want for a simple, practical and effective means for automatically, intermittently mixing small measuTed volumes of water and liquid beverage concentrate and delivering the mixture directly into the holding tanks of beverage dispensing machines of the character referred to above, to maintain a full and ready supply of beverage at all times.
A further want and need has existed for a means of the general character referred to above which operates to conduct both water and beverage from remote, obscure 3n sources diTectly into the holding tanks of such machines, without the need to remove the covers from the tanks.
Still further, there has existed a want and need for a means of the character referred to which is such that small volumes of water and beverage con-centrate can be mixed and introduced into the holding tanks of the machines at frequent intervals whereby the volumes of unchilled liquids added ~o the tank at any one ^time is insufficient to warm or remove the chill from the previously established supply of beverage in the tanRs.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
An object and feature of my invention is to provide automatic means for receiving and mixing the water and beverage concentrate in predetermined volumes and for deliveIing the mixed water and concentrate, as newly constituted beverage, directly into the holding tank of a related beverage dispensing machine.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means of the character referred -to which connects with a pressurized water service system and utilizes the service water as the motive force for drawing and delivering fluid beverage concentrate from a remote concentrate supply.
Yet another object and feature of my invention is to provide a means which is such that the volume of concentrate drawn into the means is proportional to the volume of service water flowing into the means and wherein the concentrate and water are mixed within said means wheTeby newly reconstituted beverage flows from said means.
It is an object and feature of my invention to provide a means of the character referred to which includes a fluid aspirator with a low pressure upstream end and a downstream end, a concentrate duct extending between the concentrate supply and the low pressure end of the aspirator whereby the concentrate is drawn into and through the aspirator means by and with water directed through it, and beverage delivery means communicating with the downstream end of the aspirator means and ex~
tending into the holding tank of a related beverage dispensing machine.
A further object and feature of this invention is to provide a means of the character referred to above which includes a liquid level control switch responsive to the liquid level in the holding tank and a related solenoid operated on and off valve means to start and stop the flow of water and resulting flow of concentrate in response to the liquid level in the tank.
Still another object and feature of this inr vention is to provide a means of the character referred to which includes a manually adjustable pressure regulator between the water service and downstream end of the aspirator whereby the pressure and corresponding flow rate and volume of water and the corresponding flow rate and volume of concentrate flowing into and through the as~
pirator can be adjusted and accurately controlled.
It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide a means of the general character referred to which i5 small, neat and compact and such that it can be advantageously and effectively ~L~4~
engaged atop and supported by the holding tank cover o a related beverage dispensing machine.
Another object and featuTe of this inven~ion is to provide a means of the character referred to S including an elongate ver~ical beverage delivery tube which depends from the aspirator through an opening established in a related holding tank cover and thence into the holding tank to below the fluid level in the tank whereby beverage delivered into the tank does not splash and generate undesirable foam, noise and the like and a ~eans wheTein the switching means includes an elongate probe carried by and depending fTom the cover into the tank.
It is an object and feature of the present invention to provide a unitized means of the characteT
referred to above which is such that it can be attached and related to any standard, conventional non-carbonated beverage dispensing machine holding tank cover by simply making a pai~r of small holes in the cover to receive the beverage del~veTy tube and the probe depending from the unit and a structure wherein said tube and probe serve to releasably retain or pin the unit in position atop the tank cover.
The foregoing and other objects and eatures of my invention will be apparent and will be fully under-stood fTom the following detailed description of one typical form and carrying out of the invention throughout which description Teference is made to the accompanying : drawings:
DESCRIPTION OF THE ~RAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing machine with my invention related to it;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged ~etailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 5; and lS Fig. 7 is a view taken as indicated by line 7-7 on Fig. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated a typical non-carbonated beverate dispensing machine M.
The machine M is shown mounted or set on top of a counter 10 and includes a lower housing ll with a forwardly opening recess 12 to accommodate glasses or like receptacles into which beverage is to be delivered, A drQp tray 13 is provided at the bottom of the recess 12. A beverage dispensing tube 14 depends into the recess from the top thereof and a beverage dispensing valve actuator 15 is arranged in the recess between and rearward of the tray 13 and the tube 14.
~ ~ L~ 5~ 5 Arrallged and supported atop the housing 11 is a beverage holding tank T. The tank T can be established of a suitable transparent plastic material so that the beverage within the tank can be viewed, for display purposes, The tank T has an open top 16 which is normally closed by a substantially flat hori~ontal cover 17, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
The housing 11 serves to enclose and suppoTt the whole or parts of a recirculating pump means (not shown) to maintain the beverage in the tank T circulating and mixed and the whole or parts of a refrigeration means (not shown) to chill the beverage in the tank T.
The pumping means commonly includes a drive motor in the housing to OCCUT adjacent the bottom of the tank, a pump in.a well at the bottom of the tank and a magnetic drive coupling between the motor and the pump (not shown)~
The refrigeration unit commonly comprises a compressor and a condensor in the housi.ng and an evaporator coil which projects up from the housing into a cavity pro-vided in the bottom of the tank (not shown~, The housing 11 also houses a normally closed dispensing valve (not shown) which is connected with and between the tank T and the dispensing tube 14 and which is actuated OT opened by means o-f the above noted valve actuator '15, The machine ~f illustrated in the drawings and briefly described above is intended to show one typical class of machine with which my new proportional mixing apparatus can be advantageously and effectively related. The detaIls of construction and the design of the machine M can be varied widely without departing 5~
fTom or affecting the spirit of my invention, Accordingly, further detailed illustration and description of the machine M can and will be dispensed with.
From the following, it will be apparent that the proportional mixing apparatus that I provide is pre~
ferably such that it can be advantageously related to any beverage dispensing machine which includes a holding tank from which beverage is to be dispensed and which is such that the supply of beverage in the tank mus-t be periodically repleni~s-hed ~y the introduction of water and ~everage concentrate in predetermined volumetric ratios.
The proportional mixing apparatus P that I
provide, and which is shown in the drawings, includes an aspi:rator A, water deliverr means W to conduct water to the aspirator A, valve ~eans V and switching means S to start and stop the flow of wa-ter through the delivery means W, a manually adjustable pressure regulator R to adjust the pressure and corresponding flow rate and volume of water deli~vered into the aspirator, concentrate delivery me~ns C to conduct liquid beverage concentrate to the aspirator and beverage delivery means D communicating with and extending downstream from the aspirator and into the tank T.
The aspi~rator A and the several means C, D, S, V and W noted above are within or have parts or portions within a rectangular ~lock-like body B established of a suitable metal or plastic material. The body B is shown as having flat top and bottom s~des 20 and 21 ? flat front and Tear sides 22 and 23 and flat right-hand and left-hand ends or sides 24 and 25, ~L4V5~5i The aspirator A includes an elonage large diameter cylindrical aspirating chamber 30 with inlet and outlet or upstream and downstream ends 31 and 32;
an elongate, small diameter, cylindrical water nozzle S duct 33 with upstream and downstream ends 34 and 35 concentric with and extending axially from the upstream end of the chamber 30; and a lateral liquid or concen~
trate port 36 communicating with the upstream end of the chamber 30.
The aspirator A is arranged within the body B
with the chamber 30 and nozzle duct 33 extending sub-stantially hori.zontally and longitudinally thereof with their do~lstream ends disposed toward the right hand end 25 of the body, their upstream ends disposed toward the let-hand end 24 of the body and with the port 36 extendlng toward the rear side 23 of the body.
The downstream end of the chamber 30 communi-cates with the large diameter receiving chamber 40 in the body defined by the upper end portion of an elongate vertical cyli`ndrical bore 41 entering the bottom side 21 of the body.
The lower portion of the bore 41 below the receiving chamber 40 is a part or portion of the beverage delivery means D, which means, in addition to the bore 41 includes an elongate vertical, large diameter delivery tube 45 with an upwardly opening upper end portion threaded or otherwise securely engaged in the bore 41. The tube 45 depends freely from the body and has an open lower end.
The upstream end 34 of the nozzle duct 33 communi-cates with the downstream side of a vertical, upwardly ~L~4V5C~5 opening valve chamber 46 (of the valve means ~) which is established in the body from the top side thereof.
The port 36 is concentric and communicates with a horizontal forwardly extending concentrate inlet duct 47 of the means C, which enters the rear side of the body B.
The means C, in addition to the duct 47, includes an elongate, pre-ferably flexib:Le, suction hose 48. The hose 48 has a downstream end which is suitably coupled with or sealingly engaged in the duct 47 and a lower upstream end which extends to and is engaged in a supply of liquid beverage concentrate, as will herein-after be described.
With the structure thus far described, it will be apparent that when water, under pressure, is introduced in the upstream end of the nozzle duct 33 and flows there-through, a high velocity jet of water is directed longi-tudinally through the chamber 30 -From the upstream end to the downstream end thereof and that a minus pressure is established in the upstream end portion of the chamber 30, about the jet. The minus pressure established in the upstream end porti`on of the chamber is communicated with or established in the port 36 and in t~he hose 48 of the means C and operates or functions to draw liquid beverage concentrate from a related supply of concentrate through the hose 48 and the port 36. The concentrate flowing through the port 36 and into the chamber 30 combines and/or mixes with the jet of water flowing downstream through the chamber. The combined or mixed water ard concentrate establishes the desired beverage and the beverage thus 1140505 ll established flows freely from the downstream end of the chamber 30 into the receiving chamber 40. The beverage flowing into the chamber 40 ~lows freely downwardly ~rom within that chamber into and through the tube 45 of the means D and into the related tan~ T.
The valve means ~ related to and operable to start and stop the flow of water in and through the water supply means W and aspirator A can vary widely in -form without departing from the spirit o~ my invention.
In the case illustrated 7 the valve means ~ is an elrctrically operated or solenoid operated diaphragm-type on and off valve incorporated in the body B. The valve, in addition to the aforementioned vertical chamber 46 which communictes with the nozzle duct 33 o-~ the means A, includes an annulaT, upwardly opening inlet chamber 50 about the upper end of the chambeT 46 and communicating with a water inlet passage 51 entering the rear side 23 of the body; a flexible diaphragm 52 overlying the chamber 46 and 50; a bonnet 53 with a vertically extending tubular armature guide is releasably secured to the top of the body to overlie and hold the diaphragm in plaee. A vertical shiftable valving armature 54 is arranged within the guide.
A spring means (not shown) is arranged within the guide to normally yieldingly urge the armature 54 and the diaphragm 52 down in closed position where -flow of water ~rom the chamber 52 to the chamber 46 is stopped. ~inally, the valve includes an electro~magnetic co-il unit 55 carried by the bonnet and engaged about said g~lide and operable, when energized, to elevate the armature valving membeT 54 to an up or open position. ~hen the coil is energized and s thc member 54 is elevated, water, under pressure in the chamber 50, is free to lift the diaphragm and to flow from the chamber 50 into the chamber 46.
With the valve means V set forth above, it will be apparent that the valve can be opened and closed to start and stop the flow of water into and through the construction and that opeTation thereo~ can be effected by suitable switching means, such as that switching means S, w~ich will hereinafter be described.
It is to be noted and it will be apparent that the valve V illustrated and described above can be replaced by any one of a number of other common forms or types of electTically operated valve without materially affecting or departing from the spirit of my invention.
The water delivery means W, in addition to the duct 51 entering the rear side of the body, and communi-cating with the chamber 50 or i~nlet side of the valve means V includes an elongate water hose 56 with upstream and downstream ends. The downstream end of the hose is provided with a suitable coupling 57, screw threacled in a coupling receiving opening entering the rear si~e of the body and communicating with the duct 51. The other or upstream end of the hose(not shown) extends to and suitably connectes with a pressurized water service outlet or faucet (not shown) in the area or facility in which the construction is used.
The pressure regulator R, the function of which will hereinafter be described~ can be considered a part of the water delivery means W and can, as shown, be engaged in the hose 56, intermediate its ends and remote from the ~L~4~05 body or can be incorporated in the body or engaged between the downstream end of the hose and the body, as desired or as cirsumstances require. Since the regulator R that I utilize is a rather large and bulky item and would unduly enlarge the body if incorporated therein, or would be unsightly if connected directly with the body, it is preferred, for aesthetic reasons only, that it be arranged remote from the body, as shown.
In the preferred carrying out of my invention, the switch means S includes a fluid level responsive switch D and a manually operated master switch 81. The switch 80 is a float actuated magnetically operated reed switch unit or device such as is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The switch 80 includes an elongate, tubular, non~ferrous~ probe 82 with a closed lower end and a plug 83 engaged in and closing its upper end, a pair of elongate vertical non-ferrous resilient reeds 84 and 84' arranged within the probe in spaced parallel relationship and with their upper end portions exten~ing through the plug 83 to establish terminals at the top exterior of the probe. The lower end portions of the reeds are provided w~th normally spaced contact points 85. One reed (the reed 841) has an extension at its lower end on which a bar magnetic 86 is suitably fixed.
An annular non-ferrous float 87 is engaged about the exterior of the probe for free, vertical, longitudinal shifting relative thereto. The float 87 carries a ferrous ring 88.
In practice~ a suitable stop 87 is prov~ded at the lower end of the probe to releasably retain the float engaged about the probe.
5~5 The above switch construction is such that when the ring 88 is moved axially downwardly into a common radial plane with the magnet 86, the magnet, attracted to the ring, moves it related reed 84' toward S the reed 84, cl osIng the switch, The switch 80 here provided has a suitably wide operating range, that is, it is necessary that the float 87 and its ferrous ri`ng 88 move a substantial distance longitudinally of the probe and relative to:
the magnet 86 to effect closing and opening of the contacts 85. This wide range of operation is the result of the differences in the field gap between the magnet and the ring when the switch is in its open and closed posi`.tion.
The upper end portion of the probe 82 is engaged in a vertical through opening 90 provided in the body B with its terminals established by the upper end portions of the reeds, accessible at the top of the body. The terminals of the switch 80 are connected in or with one leg or an electrical power line L which ex~
tends ~rom the coil unit 55 to a suitable electric service outlet (not shown) in the area or facility in which the construction is used.
The remainder of the switch 80 depends freely from the body.
The master control switch 81 is a simple manually operable toggle switch or the like, connected in the power lineL in series with the switch 80 and is provided so that the power to the coil unit 55 can be positively shut off and the construction can be ta~en s out of service, when desired or when circumstances require.
It is to be noted that the several openings, ducts, chambers and ports within the body B are arranged and disposed so that they can be easily and effectively established in the body by su.itable drilling and plugging operations. ~urther, the construction of the body, with the several chambers, ducts, ports and/or passages established therein lends itself to inexpensive mass production through injection molding techniques and the like.
In furtherance of my invention, the block-like body B is provided with an inverted cup-like decorative cap 91 to obscure the valve structure V at and projecting upwardly from the top of the body, to obscure switching means S and to overlie and obscure the front, rear and end side surfaces of the body.
In practice, and as shown in the drawings, the switch 81 of the means S can be advantageously mounted within the cap 90 with its manually engageable actuator projecting through an opening in the cap for normal en-gagement at the exterior thereof.
In the preerred carrying out of my invention, the structure next includes a soft sponge rubber mounting pad 92 on the bottom of thebody B to engage the top sur-face of the holding tank cover 17 of the beverage dis-pensing machine M with which the body is related.
The top of the cover 17 is provided with an opening 93 in and through which the beverage delivery tube 45 of the means ~ is slidably engaged and an opening 94 in and through which the probe 82 of the switch 80 is slidably engaged. With the body tube and probe re-lated to the cover 17 as noted above, it will be apparent that the body is effectively retained in position, on top of the cover, by the tube and probe.
The tube 45, engaged through the openlng 93 depends freely from the cover 17 in-to the interior of the tank T to terminate in the lower portion of the tank, within the supply of beverage therein, whereby the beverage introduced into the tank is not allowed to splash and splatter about so that undesirable noise is not generated during operation of the construction and so that the newly introduced beverage is delivered into and comminglecl with old beverage in a predetermined and most effective manner.
The probe 82 depends from its related opening 94 in the top 17 to depend freely into the tank and into the supply of beverage therein.
In practice, a supply of concentrate is con-tained by a suitable vessel remote from the machine and the upstream end of the suction hose 48 of the means C
is extended into the vessel and into the supply of con~
centrate therein, In the case illustrated, the ~essel for the supply of concentrate is a glass bottle 100 supported on a shelf 101 beneath the counter 10 on which the machine M is supported. The bottle lO0 has a vented stopper 102 through which the upstream end portion of the suction hsoe 48 is engaged. The hose 48 extends down into the bottle to terminate in the bottom portion thereof.
In practice, since the supply of concentrate in the bottle 100 occurs a substantial distance below the means P atop the tank cover 17, a substantial hydro-static head pressure is established in the suction hose 48 between the bottle and the means P.
The head pressure in the suction hose, though substantial, is equal to but a fraction of the minus pressure that can be established in and by the aspirator means A when water is delivered to the aspirator means by the water delivery means W at the maximum or greatest pressure and flow rate afforded by the pressuri~ed water service with which the means W is connected. If the presure and rate of flow o:~ water into the aspirator means A is not reduced by the pressure regulator ~, the minus pressure generated in the aspirator means A will be excessive, excess concentrate will be drawn into the aspirator means, and the beverage delivered thereby will be excessively strong. Accordingly, in operation and in setting up and adjusting the structure that I provide, the regulator R is first adjusted or set to reduce the pressure and rate of flow of water entering the aspirator means A whereby a minus pressure, sufficient to overcome the hydrostatic head in the hose 48 is established in the aspirator means A, whereby concentrate is drawn up from the bottle or supply of concentrate to the aspirator means. ThereafteT, the regulator R is operated to increase the pressure and rate of water introduced into the aspirator means and to thereby increase the minus pressure in the aspirator means to that extent where the flow rate and/or volume of concentrate flowing into and through the aspirator mcalls A is sucll that thc beverage flowing from the aspirator means into the chamber 40 and thence through the means D into the tank T is of desired strength or ratio of concentrate and water.
The lower end of the probe 82 of the switch 80, which depends from the cover 17 into the beverage in the tank T, depends into the beverage a sufficient distance so that the float 87 about the probe is floated in the beverage and so that when the level of the beverage in the tank is at its top or uppermost point~ the ferrous ring 88 of the switch 80 is spaced vertically above and relative to the magnet 86 to a position where the force exerted between the magnet and the ring is insufficient to hold the resilient Teed 84' in a latera]ly displaced or biased closed position and allows the reed 84' to return and assume its normal open position.
When and as ~he liquid level in the tank T
drops, the ferrous ring 88 carried by the flow 87 moves downwardly toward the magnet 86 until such time as the gap between the magnet and the ring is reduced to that extent where the force of the magnetic field acting on the ring is sufficient to bias the resilient reed 8~' and move it to its closed position.
By suitably adjusting or varying the buoyancy of the float, as by increasing or decreasing its effective cross-section, the distance which the float must move to effect opening and closing of the switch 80 can be adjusted.
By so adjusting the operating range of the switch 80, it is both easy and practical to adjust and set the volume of beverage that is dispensed before the apparatus that .
.
5~)5 I providc is put into operation to replenish the supply of beverage. For example, where the holding tank T holds a minimum o~ two gallons of beverage, the means that I
provide can be adjusted and set so that the supply of beverage is replenished each time the supply is reduced by about one, two or three quarts, as desired or as circumstances require, In practice, the upper end portion of the beverage delivery t~lbe 45, above the level of beverage ln the tank T must be and is provided with a lateral anti-syphon vent opening 90 or an equivalent of such a vent opening, The opening 90 serves to prevent the tube 48 from filling with beverage and creating a reverse, syphon flow of beverage from the tank T, back through the body B, means C and into the bottle 100.
It is to be noted that with the i.nvention here provided, the only work required to be performed on the machine M is establishment of the tube and probe accomo-dating holes 93 and ~4 in the holding tank cover 17.
In practice, when`it is desired to service OT cl ean the machine M ? the tnk cover T with the means P
that I provide related to it ? can be easily and quickly removed from engagement with the tank T. Further, if it is desired that the means P be cleaned separately or that the cover 17 be cleaned separately, the means P
can ~e easily and quickly separated from the cover by si.mply removing the float 17 from the probe 82 and then manually lifting the body from engagement therewith,and extracting the tube 45 and probe 82 from within the openings 93 and 94 in the cover 17.
o~
It is to be noted and will be apparent from the foregoing that if desired, the aspirator A can be varied considerably in design and can, if desired, or if circumstances require, be replaced by any venturi-type of aspirating means which would function in sub-stantially the same manner as the aspirator A to attain the same end results.
It is to be further noted and it will be apparent that if desired, or if circumstances ~equire.
other common forms of float actuated switching devices might be substituted for the special form of switching device 80 illustrated and described above without materially affecting the novelty or departing from the spirit of my invention.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I provide a novel, simple, practical and effective means for automatically maintaining a full supply of properly reconsituted beverage in the holding tank of a non-carbonated beverage dispensing machine and that I have thereby effectively eliminated and/or overcome the majority of shortcomings and undesirable problems which have long been associated with a daily operation and use of such machines.
Having described only one typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and/or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and which fall within the scope of the following claims:
Claims (10)
1. A proportional mixing device in combina-tion with a beverage dispensing machine having a beverage holding tank, said device is operable to intermittently deliver volumes of water with propor-tional volumes of liquid additive admixed therewith into the tank and includes a body with a surface in supported engagement with a wall of the tank above an upper liquid level in the tank, an elongate aspirator chamber with upstream and downstream ends within the body, a nozzle passage with a downstream end communicating with and concentric with the upstream end of the aspirator chamber, a water supply duct with a downstream end communi-cating with an upstream end of the nozzle passage and an upstream end connected with a water delivery means ex-tending to and connected with a pressurized water supply remote from the body and the machine, said water delivery means includes a manually adjustable pressure regulator controlling the pressure, volume and rate of flow of water into and through the aspirator chamber, a liquid additive port communicating with the upstream end portion of the aspirator chamber, concentrate delivery means including an elongate suction hose communicating with the port and a supply of liquid concentrate remote from the machine and below the tank thereof, a receiver chamber within the body communicating with the downstream end of the aspirator chamber, an elongate delivery tube with an upstream end communicating with the receiver chamber and a downstream end portion extending into and opening in the tank below the liquid level therein, said delivery tube has a vent opening downstream of the receiver chamber and above the liquid level in the tank.
2. The device set forth in Claim 1 which further includes a normally closed electrically operated on and off valve downstream of the nozzle passage, a power line extending from a power supply to the on and off valve and a normally open fluid actuated switch in the tank and connected in said power line and operating to close when the supply of beverage in the tank drops to a predetermined level therein.
3. The device set forth in Claim 2 wherein the on and off valve is a solenoid actuated valve arranged within said body and between the ends of the water supply duct.
4. The device set forth in Claim 2 wherein the fluid actuated switch in the tank is a float actuated switch.
5. The device set forth in Claim 3 wherein the fluid actuated switch in the tank is a float actuated switch.
6. The device set forth in Claim 1 wherein said wall of the tank is a substantially horizontal top wall with a top surface opposing said surface of the body and has a vertical through opening, said delivery tube is a substantially straight vertical tube with an upper end portion connected with the body in communication with the receiver chamber and engaged through said vertical through opening to orient and retain the body on said wall and to depend therefrom into the tank.
7. The device set forth in Claim 6 which further includes a normally closed electrically operated on and off valve downstream of the nozzle passage, a power line extending from a power supply to the on and off valve and a normally open fluid actuated switch in the tank and connected in said power line and operating to close when the supply of beverage in the tank drops to a predetermined level therein.
8. The device set forth in Claim 7 wherein the on and off valve is a solenoid actuated valve arranged within said body and between the ends of the water supply duct.
9. The device set forth in Claim 7 wherein the fluid actuated switch in the tank is a float actuated switch.
10. The device set forth in Claim 8 wherein the fluid actuated switch in the tank is a float actuated switch.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000360566A CA1140505A (en) | 1980-09-11 | 1980-09-11 | Liquid metering and blending apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000360566A CA1140505A (en) | 1980-09-11 | 1980-09-11 | Liquid metering and blending apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1140505A true CA1140505A (en) | 1983-02-01 |
Family
ID=4117917
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000360566A Expired CA1140505A (en) | 1980-09-11 | 1980-09-11 | Liquid metering and blending apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1140505A (en) |
-
1980
- 1980-09-11 CA CA000360566A patent/CA1140505A/en not_active Expired
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