CA1223571A

CA1223571A - Method and apparatus for dispensing a cold beverage

Info

Publication number: CA1223571A
Application number: CA000444036A
Authority: CA
Inventors: John R. Mcmillin
Original assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd; Cornelius Co
Current assignee: Cornelius Co
Priority date: 1982-12-27
Filing date: 1983-12-22
Publication date: 1987-06-30
Also published as: JPS59174494A; AU2287083A; NZ206710A; DE3346240A1; GB8334086D0; GB2133086B; BR8307139A; NL8304388A; GB2133086A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A cold beverage dispensing apparatus is powerable by compressed gas and has a thermally insulated cabinet having a cooling chamber con-taining a source of compressed gas and a water reservoir and a normally non-pressurized syrup fluidly connectible to a non-pressurized syrup tank in the chamber, a dispensing nozzle and a manual actuator are on the out-side of the cabinet, a pneumatic power valve is operable to connect the gas source to the pump and expel syrup to the nozzle, a pneumatic water valve servo is connected to all of the power valves and the opening of any power valve will effect operation of the servo and opening of the water valve, the pump is inside of the syrup tank and used propellant gas is vented inside the cabinet, a gas bottle and the syrup tanks are racked on the inside of a cabinet door and the power valves are pneumat-ically connected in series between the gas source and the water reservoir.
A method of dispensing cold beverage includes the steps of cooling water and syrup to just above freezing, pressurizing the water, transferring non-pressurized syrup under gravity into a non-pressurized syrup pump and concurrently dispensing water and syrup by opening a water valve and applying the compressed gas pressure upon beverage in the pump, and terminating dispensing by venting used gas into a common cooling chamber.

Description

/

, - `:`~ .
I, .
,.
BACYl:;ROUND OF lie INVENTION

Flailed O-- TOE MENTION
! This invention pertains to an apparatus and a method for dip-pcnsing cold post-mixed beverage using compressed gas for pneumatic pier of the dispenser.

THE PRIOR AWAIT
The accepted procedure ant structure for dispensing peacetime beverages utilizes stainless steel syrup tanks. The larks are filled nut a bottling or distribution center, pressurized, and then transported to 8 place of use. The tanks always remain pressurized and are connected to a carbon dioxide bottle and kept pressurized during dispensing. The tat size must be of about five gallons in order to be economically viable or the container cost per unit of volume becomes excessive. however, this five-gallon tank is quite heavy and its use it restricted to co~ercial distribution channels such as restaurants and bars. A continually pros-surized lark also requires an educated and knowledgeable veer who can con-neat and disconnect the pressurized trunks witliout leakage. The pressure lied tank must be returned after usage, far cleaning and refill for its next trip, and therefore Roy transportation over predetermined routes is a business necessity. The use of pressurized tanks does not lend itself to domestic beverage dispensers, the domestic distribution channels or to use by unskilled people.
n alternate to the usage of pressurized tanks it usage of a package culled the bag-in-box (JIB). The BIB it a plastic bag inside of a cardboard box. The bag it not pressurized and beverage it drawn out of the bug by a suction pump which may be electrical or gas powered. The BIB
has enjoyed limited success for soft drink syrups. there hove been many problems including pup failure, leakage, pump burn-out, seal failure, and other causes. The BIT his enjoyed Erector success as a retail pac'~nge for wLne9, where there has been no need to use a pup. The BIB ha been of 2-5 gallon in order to be an economically viable package, Smaller package sizes such as the sizes typically retailed, are not eco~o~icnlly ~'~

. _ _ _ .. ... .. _ _ /
Z2~5 I
effective. Plaid connection to a BIB hag been troublesome and leakage is all too frequent.
Attempts have been made to devise a compressed gas powered leverage dispenser that does not require electricity for power of beverage pups. There have been some technical successes but these examples are extremely complicated, failure-prone, and costly. These devices have nut been successful in the marketplace even when embodied as relatively expensive vending machines. These machines have been very difficult to jeep clean, very difficult to sanitize, and very difficult to repair.
Ike prior art also has never been able to integrate the beverage pump nod Yanks into a goof-proof and leak-proof package.

OBJECTS OF HO INVE~ION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved told beverage dispensing apparatus which is parboil by compressed gas.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved, simplified, and economical structure for a compressed gas parboil bevy erase dispenser.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved refrigeration and cabinet structure for a cold beverage dispenser.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-flavor pose-mlx beverage dispenser parboil by compressed gas and having u pneumatic servo system to open a water valve.
It it an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of dispensing peacetime beverage utilizing expressed gee for pumping syrup from a normally non-pressurized pump and syrup tank.
It is nun object of the present invention to provide 8 post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus that is technically and economy Cole suitable for use in a domestic household having no training in the art nod devices of beverage dispensing.

Siege OF r~VEI~O~
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, n cold beverage dispensing apparatus parboil by coursed gas has a

- 2 -. .

~35~
'/ , /
/ cabinet with cooling chamber containing a refrigeration evaporator, a . / source of compressed gas at a regulated pressure, a water reservoir, a non-pressurized syrup tank and a normally nonpressurized syrup pup fluidly connected to the tank; a nominal dosed water valve is connected to the reservoir, a dispensing nozzle is on the outside of the cabinet and is connected tote water valve and syrup pump, a pneumatic power valve is in between the gas source and the syrup pump, and a manual actuator is connected to the power valve to selectively effect connection of the gas source to the pump and to open the water valve.
In further accordance with the present invention, a pneumatically ` parboil multi-flavor pos~-mix beverage dispenser has a source of carbon dioxide guns, a source of cold carbonated water, a plurality of pneumat-icily parboil syrup pumps each of which is connected to a non-pressurized up tank, a water valve, a dispensing nozzle connected to the water valve nod the purpose pneumatic servo connected to open the water valve, n pour-amity of pneur,latic power valves for dispensing, each power valve having an inlet connected to the gas source, an outlet connected to a respective pump and the servo, a vent to atmosphere, a valve element normally con-netting the purr and servo to the vent, end a dispensing actuator which moves the valve element and connects the gas source to the pump and the servo for effecting concurrent syrup pumping and water flow to the nozzle.
A writhed of dispensing in accordance with the present invention includes the stops of cooling a reserve of utter and a tankful of non-pressurized syrup to just above freezing, pressurizing the water with comprosscd Easy transferring syrup by gravity from the syrup task into a non-pressurized syrup pup and Montanan the syrup in the purr at least as Cowl as the tank syrup, concurrently dispensing cooled utter and syrup at substantially the same pressure and tc~pcrature by connecting the compressed gas to the syrup pump and peppiness syrup at nod with the pressure of the gas while opening a uatcr valve nod propelllnz utter under the gas prcs3ure, combining the flows of syrup and uatcr to form a beverage, and terminating dispensing by closing the waler valve end disconnecting the gas from the pump and thcnvcntlnz cud gas Unto a coollsg chamber which commonly cools the rcsorvolr, tank nod pro.

- 3 -. . . _ _ . .

_ Jo ~L223~;7~

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIRE DRAWI~CS
I
FIG. 1 is a schematic of the fluid elements and connections of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing beverage;
FIG. 2 is a simplified elevationnl vleu in section through thy preferred structural embodiment of the present invention with fluid l~ne9 being omitted for the purpose of clarity;
lug. 3 is a downward looking section view through line III-III
Of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2 with a front door opened to show the contents of the cabinet.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2 with no e cover removed and sitting on top of the cabinet;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the buck side of the apparatus of JIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a detail sectional vie of a power valve in the spear-anus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view of a dlsconnccc structure in the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 it a detail view of a servo operated water valve in the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. lo is an elévational side view in partial section of a syrup tank and pump of the apparatus of FIG. 2;
IT. if is an elevation Al end view in partial section of the structure of FIG. to; and FIG. 12 is a Dow elevation Al detail view of the pump of the apparatus of FIGS. ? and lo AS Solon ON Tiff Dyes The principles of the present invention are particularly useful u~cu embodied in cold beverage dispensing apparatus schematically wrapper sensed in 2~G. 1 nod generally indicated by the numeral lo The appnrntus 10 bay a thermally insulated cabinet if having a cooling chamber 12 Wesley contains 8 compressed guns source 13, a water reservoir 14, nonpressurized syrup tanks 15 and normally nonpressurized syrup pump 16.

i - 4 -Lo . _ . . .

12~357 ./
The gas source 13 is a bottle having an integral pressure rug-iator 17 sea at a predetermined propellant pressure. The water reservoir 14 is n tonally conductive metal tank sized to hold a plurality of of valor, or en, to at Lotte 4 liter and preferably 20 liter or so. the rlscrvoir 14 is connected to the gas source 13 by a supply line 18 Rich e~;tc3ds through pneumatic dispensing power valves 19 from a sorter turn pus actor 20 connected to the rcj3ulator 17 . The riser-void 14 has a gas ret 21, a water inlet 22 connected to a water supply live 23 viny a ouzel check valve 24, a water filter 25 and shutoff dice 26. 1. per pulp 27 may be provided inside of the chamber 12 for fly the reservoir 14. A water dispensing line 28 leads from a water ought 33 of the rese~vDir 14 to a normally closed water valve 29 and then Jo on e~tern31 dispensing nozzle 30 which is on the outside of the cabinet 11. ye r~eser~Dir 14 water level is maintained well below the top of the rewarder 14 bar a conventional float and needle valve (not shown) and there is 2 propcll2mt gas head space 31 above the waler. on automatic pressure relief valve 32 it on top of the reservoir 14 in fluid commune location with the head space 31; the relief valve 32 vents to atmosphere in two cooling space 12.
Etch syrup tank 15 has a normally closed but removable filling cur 34 and a breather aperture 86 which vents the tank 15 to atmosphere within tune Cowan chamber 12 and which keeps the inside of the tank 15 non-prcssurize~ and at atmospheric pressure. leach power valve 19 has an inlet comprised of 8 first gas inlet 35 and a second gas inlet 36. The power leg 19 arc connected in series in the gag supply line 18 Thea the first inlet 35 of a first power valve lo being dirtily conncctec~ to the say Ursa 13, and a second outlet 36 of the last power valve 19 being ~::xmec~ed to tile head spice 31, and a second inlet 36 of the the first power lye 19 byway connected to a first inlet 35 of the second or next paver valve lo and 30 on until a second outlet 36 of the next to lust pry lye 19 is cnected to a first inlet 35 of the last power valve 19. J~ch pucker valve has an outlet split into 8 first outlet 37 and a stilt 38. h first outlet 37 is connected to a propell~t guns delve Lyle 31i v~Lich woes throuj3h a disconnect 40 to a respective syrup /

;) ~2235~

pump 16. Each second outlet 38 is connected by n servo propellant gas line 41 to a pneumatically operable servo 42 having a hammer 43 for forcing n valve anvil 44 to effect opening of the water valve 29. Within the servo 42 is a pneumatic OR lilac mechanism comprised of diaphragms 46 between the hammer 43 and the servo lines 41; a diaphragm is also between each pair of adjacent servo fines 41. Each power valve 19 has a vent 47 to atmosphere within the cooling chamber, and a valve clement 48 having a normal position in which the inlets 35, 36 and the gas source 13 are closed to the outlets 37, 38 and in which the vent 47 is fluidly connected to the outlets 37, 38 and thereby to a respective syrup pump 16. The valve element 48 it movable to an alternate dispensing position in which the inlets 35, 36 no the gas source 13 are fluidly connected to the outlets 37, 38, and to n respective syrup pump 16 and the servo 42, and in which the outlets 37, 38 are closed to the vent 47. The valve element 48 is spring biases and unsuitably and automatically returns to the normal posy ltivn. Each of the outlets 35, 36 has a fly restructure 49 which seems to keep the surge of propellant gee from blowing off unclamped and Eric-tonally secured propellant lines 39, 41.
A syrup dispensing line 50 QxteDds from a respective syrup pup 16 to the nozzle 30. Each dispensing line has an open disconnect 51 con-netted to a normally closed check valve and disconnect 52 in a further dispensing line 53 which is connected to an adjustable fly restructure 54 alongside the nozzle 30. Each syrup pump 16 has a syrup inlet 55 in fluid communication with the inside of a respective syrup tank 15, and a syrup outlet 56 to which a respective dispensing fine 50 it connected. A self-chcckin~ fill valve 57 allows syrup to fly into the pump 16 but prevents flow of syrup from the pump 16 back to the tax 15. The propellant line 39 it cv.~nected to a propellant port 58 and an expandable elastvmeric bladder 59 separates propellant gas from syrup. The pump 16 is preferably within the tank 15, and is insertable through and with drawable vet of the tax 15 whey the cover 34 is removed. An uF~ard extending pup handle 60 enables manual insertion and removal of the pun 16 with respect to the tax 15. Each tank 15 has a top wall 61 through which both the bevy erase dispensing line 50 and the propellant line 39 extend. The tank 15 has no openings below the top wall 61 and eke pump 16 it held against ... , - . -- . . .. .. .

235~L
-.
' tank bottom 62 by inwardly dimpled retainers 63 which frictionally en-gage the pump 16 but are flyable enough to allow the pump 16 to be man-ally pulled out by the handle 60. The nozzle 30 it mounted in a dispel-Yoga station 64 which it mounted on the outside of a neural closed cabinet door 65. The station 64 has a drip tray 65, downwardly depress-able actuator buttons 66 which enrage respective power valves 19 and effect pressurization of a selected pump 16 and the servo 42 to open the Tory Ynlve 29, and a removable nozzle cover 67 that normally covers the adjustable syrup flow restructures 54. The cabinet 11 includes a box 68 basins a back panel 69 upon which is mounted a refrigeration condenser 70.
A pair of equals 71 are mounted under the back panel 69 on opposite corners ant a pair of fold-out spacer handles 7Z are mounted on opposite corners sdja en an upper edge 73 of the back panel 69. The water reservoir 14, which is the heaviest single structure in the apparatus 10, it mounted adjacent the back panel 69 and the heavy refrigeration courser 74 is onward directly under the rescrvDir 14 and between the wheel 71 for stability. In the cooling chnmbcr lo is a U-shaped refrigerant evaporator 75 having extended logy 76 facing toward the cabinet door 65. The water reservoir 14 has a circular section when viewed from above and the length of each evaporator leg 76 is greater than a diameter of the reservoir 14 90 that the reservoir 14 is cGmplctcly within the evaporator 75 when viewed from above.
Cabinet hunks 77 pivoenlly mount the door 65 to one side edge of the box 68 and the door 65 is openable about a vertical axis defined by the hinges ` 77. On the inside of the door 65 is a tank rack 78 for the syrup tanks 15, and a bottle rack 79 for the gas source 13. At the top of the door 65 is a control ah umber Jo which houses the power valves 19, the servo 42 and the waler valve 29. The control chamber 80 it fluidly open to the cooling chamber 12, but/access and view arc blocked by a removable control chamber cover 81. The control chamber 80 is in direct fluid communication with the cooling chamber 12 and 19 considered to be part of eke cooling chamber 12.
. The spacers 10 Jay alternatively not be connected to a running Nat supply nod may be provided with a water vat 82 inside of the cooling ch3sber 12. The water vat OR connected eon an inlet of the pup Z7 and 35~

the pump 27 is under the control of a cDnvcntional water level control trot shown) for the reservoir 14. There is an advantage to the vat 14 it that it can be filled with ice and water to assist cooling and increase the cold drink capacity of the apparatus 10.
Fogs. 2 and 3 best show the efficient and effective arrangement the structure in the apparatus lo The evaporator 75 is positioned near the top of the cooling chamber 12 with the closed end of the U-shape it the fear with the legs 76 extending toward the door 65. The water ~ecer7~ir 14 is within the U-shaped evaporator 75 as best seen in FIG. 3, and the reservoir 14 is backed up against the back panel 69 while leaving root for the evaporator 75 and a downward flow of cold air between the back pull 69 and the reservoir 14, The syrup tanks 15 are supported by the tank racks 78 on the inside of the door 65. The tanks 15 are positioned side by side to one another at the open end of the U-shaped evaporator 75 which jives a static cooling preference to the reservoir 14 without the use of a fan. The gas bottle 13, which is preferably a bottle of high pressure carbon dioxide gas, is supported by the bottle rack 79 ox the inside of the door 65. The gas bottle 13 is supported closely adjacent to the axis of the hinges 77. The optional winter pump 27 is in the cooling chamber 12 under the reservoir 14. The optional water vat 82 may replace tube lowermost syrup tank 15 (if and when the vat 82 is used. The dispel-sung power valves lo, the servo 42 arid the water valve 29 are all in the control chamber 80 of the door 65. The chamber cover 81 conceals the tubing, valves nod various components in the control chamber 80 but lets vented propellant go into the cooling chamber 12. The downwardly depress-Blake actuators 66 arc connected to pivot and push in the valve elements 48. The downward force resisted by the buttons gives no lateral force to move the apparatus lo Dun the floor upon which it rest. The compressor 74 being under the reservoir 14 and laterally bctwccn the wheels 71, con-centratfsthe weight of the apparatus 10 just forward of the wheel 71 and a child may easily grasp the spacer handles 72 and Jove the apparatus 10 about. The spacer handlc9 72 also serve to space the apparatus lo off of bloodying vail for ensuring an upward convective elf flow over the cocQrc~sor 74 and condenser coil 70. PIGS. 2 and 3 are shown without Cubing for purposes of clarity.

^ 8 --!

Jo 23 Jo . /
`?-'/
In EGO. 4, the door 65 is shown opened and the syrup tank 15 r aye assay bottle 13 all swing out into a position of unobstructed Access on Shea the bottle 13 can be removed and/or caged and on which the talc Corey I eon be removed for easy willing w trout removal of the Sue 15 from the talc racks 78. The placement of the reservoir 14 and r erasure 74 adjacent' the back panel 69 each gives increased stability to the apparatus 10 when the door 65 is opened, so the apparatus will not I or for~Lrd.
In I S. the door 65 is shown closed with the nozzle cover 67 removed it the dispensing station ox, for access to the adjustable flow ' rusticators 54, Ed to the dispensing actuators 66 and the connection on the nozzle 67. me drip tray 65 is removable for disposal of its con-texts. the valve elements 48 are removable out the front upon removal of the actuator buttons 66.
lo . 6 shows the water inlets enabling connection to virtually all ~sunic~p~l water supplies. The water supply line 23 comes through the black panel 69 and runs down the beck panel 69 to one side of the eon-denser 70. the water line 23 has an external double cheek valve 24 to . prevent reverse flow of water back into a municipal supply, a water filter I 25 end a shutoff valve or disconnect 26. The water fine 23 it very fly-ill plastic tubing and is held in place by a clamp 83 which frictionally I grasps nod holds the filter 25. When the filter 25 is he'd by the clamp I 83, the push tubing is stretched taut. The water supply line 23 and it components are kept in place by the clamp 83 and ore protected from dye by the spacer handles 72. yet, the filter 25 may be pulled out of the eln~p 83 Imp the line 23 Pond its eompon~3ts may be moved to a position of else awoke for inspection, repair, connection or disconnection, clamming of the filter 25 or shut-off.
pneumatic power valve 19 19 shown in detail in IT 7. The ~pr~n~-biased valve element 48 is Shown in the normal position and is pushed rearward to the nltermlte dispensing potion. The flow re9trlctor 49 Imps with cl~pless tubing connection which ore held on the pump 16, the sex 42, end the power valve 19 by friction.
' ' I _ , 1 , Jig _ _ G

/

lye 'oevernge disconnect 51 is shown in detail in no. 8. The open disconnect 51 gongs apart from the neural dosed check SO to dls-convect the baronage dispensing fine 50 from the further line 53. The ad~~ctlble flow ~cstrictOrg 54 in the further line 53 are of the needle valve type. The Syria 42 and water valve 29 are detailed in JIG. 9.
Regardless of which servo propellant line 41 is pressurized, the hn~3er 43 it Ryan owe to nudge the anvil 44 and open the w~tcr valve 29.
Ike downpour 46 affects the OR logic device of the servo 42 by fluid ti~bcly separating servo embryo for each power valve 19 from other servo eyebrow.
So tax 15 and pump 16 are detailed in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.
one pup 16 is shun in it preferred locution inside of the tank 15. The fill cover 34 caners the breather 35 which keep the tank 15 non-pressurized.
ye eye ye dispensing lone 50 and the gas propellant line 39 both go Thea apertures in a top wall 61 of the tar and there are no apertures ox any Lint in the ton 15 so tint there is no possibility of leak. The put I is retched on tune bottom 62 of the tank 15 by the retainers 63 vowel are inward niacin dimples that hold the pump 16 to the bottom 62.
The Snoopy pup 16 has its inlet 55 in fluid eo~unication with the inside of the tweaks lo and a filling check valve 57 authentically open the inlet 55 to Lowe syrup flow into the pup 16 and automatically closes to prevent n OX from the pump 16 beck eon eke Yank 15. The beverage outlet 56 it eon-netted to the dispensing line 50 which has an open half of a disconnect So *Howe easily connects to or disconnects from the normally closed check Ynlve/d~sconnece 52. The bladder 59 divide eke inside of Lye pump 16 nod pumping chamber 84 and propellant ehnmber 85. A propellant pore 58 extends into the propellant ehn~her 85 and is connected to the propellant delivery line 39 which has a disconnect 40. on upward extending handle 60 enable r~nual insertion and removal of the pup 16 into and from the tank lo through the eon wall 61 when the cover 34 is removed.
In operation of the apparatus 10 and in the practice of the thud of the present iDvcntioD~ n co!aprc99ed gag Boyle 13, having either ca~psc~_;d carbon diDxidc is plnccd in the cooling cha~bcr 12 and c~n~n~s~d to tic supply fine 18. The gee boLtlc 13 has a tm=perproof Jo lZZ3571 preset pressure regulator 17 and the gas disconnect/connector 20 hook into an outlet of the regulator 17; no Betting ox pressures is required in the apparatus 10, and the regulator 17 goes with the bottle for refill and the regulator 17 is checked by the filler of the bottle 13. The rug-later 17 maintains a prcdctcrmincd and preset 25 PUKE pressure. Upon such connection, all of the power valves 19 and the waler reservoir 14 are supplied with gas pressure. The water supply fine 23 is connected and opened and the reservoir 14 is filled with water to the desired level while a head spice 31 of compressed gay is maintained above the water.
The water is sprayed into the reservoir 14 for carbonation, and a con-ventional porous stone (not shown) admits carbon dioxide gas at the bottom of the reservoir 14 if the apparatus 10 is making carbonated beverage.
Each syrup tank 15 it filled with beverage syrup. Examples of beverage syrups, sometimes galled concentrates, are concentrated syrups for the non-carbonated beverages such as fruit juices, punch, tea, net wines, cold coffee and dairy beverages. Examples of syrups for carbonated drinks include colas, lcmon-lime, orange, dietetic beveragc3 and the like. of alcoholic drinks are to be served, alcoholic beverage may be placed in the tank 15. During the initial fill of each tank 15, the retainers 63 hold the air filled pump 16 down on the bottom 21 80 the pump 16 does not float to the top of the tank 15 and turn upside down. To fill the pump 16, an actuator 66 is depressed and a valve clement 48 pushed in.
Compressed was it supplied to the pump 16 which inflates the bladder 59 and expels air from the pumping chamber 84. The actuator 66 it released and the valve clement 48 returns to its normal position and the pump propellant chamber 85 vents to atmosphere and the bladder 59 collapses as the beverage comes into the pumping chamber 84 under the influence of rivet from the non-pressurized tank 15. A second such priming actuator will usually purge air from the dispensing line 50 and the appear-anus 10 is pruned. It is necessary to likewise prime all of the pumps 16 and dispensing fines 50. when the refrigeration is turned on, the winter reservoir 14 is given a preference to the refrigeration cooling by virtue of a downdraft on three slowed, specifically left, back and right 3idc3, and the much smeller and less i portent syrup tanks 15 arc given what's left. When the apparatus 10 it cooled overnl~ht, thy water and syrups 1~3~
. , ,. /
` / Jill both be cooled to the same temp_raturc, just above freezing, or Ample 35F (1C). After being filled and cooled down, the adjustable flow regulator 54 is manually set to give a correct ratio of syrup flow to valor flow and the apparatus lo is ready to dispense post-m~x type beverages. The reservoir 14 and etch tank 15 hold at least a dny'a supply of cDolcd waler and syrup respectively.
In the dispensing of a serving of beverage, a selected actuator 66 is pushed down. The actuator 66 depresses a valve clement 48. The depressed valve clement fluidly connects the paver valve inlets 35, 36 to the outlets 37, 38 and thereby connects the gas source 13 to a respective pup 16 or a selected beverage, and to the servo 42. The power valve vent 47 is also dosed. The servo 42 opens the water valve 29 and water begins to now out of the nozzle 30 under the gas pressure which is maintained on the head space 31. when the valve element 48 is in the dispensing position, the gas source 13 is still fluidly connected to the reservoir I
through the actuated power valve 19. Simultaneously and concurrently, the some gas pressure it applied upon the pump 16 which immediately begins expelling syrup up to and owe of the nozzle 30. When the serving it come pletcd, the actuator button 66 is released and the spring-binsed valve clement 48 returns to its normal position which closes the inlets 35, 36 to the outlets 37, 38 and disconnects the cola?ressed gas from the servo 42 no the respective pump 16, and which connects the outlets 37, 38 to the Kent 47 and connects the pump 16 and servo 42 to atmosphere. Used pro-pollinate gas in the pump 16 and servo 42 immediately vents to atmosphere in the cooling chamber 12. The predcterrlined and identical head pressure in the crave 42 drops immediately because of the small volume, and it tax as Utah a law seconds for the propellant chamber to empty as the pumping chamber 84 refills with syrup. The syrup in the pump 16 us always main-tanked nut Lucy s cool as the syrup in tube tax. 15 so the water and syrup arc dispensed at substantially the same temperature and pressure. The flow of syrup and waler are combined at the nozzle 30 to form the cold pose~ixed beverage be it non-carbonated with cosl~pressed air or cnrbonatcd lath carbon Dodd gas. The transferring of syrup frond the tank 15 to the p- sup 16 is done entirely within the tank 15 and there is no possibility of Swiss OF contamir~tion.

I

I

~20 I

/ In the apparatus 10 as shown, there are four actuator 66 and paver valves 19, but only three syrup tanks 15 and pumps 16. The fourth actuator is and power valve 19 is for carbonated waler, or cold waler, only.
One of tithe owlets 38 OX the power valve 19 it connected to the servo 42, nod the other outlet 37 is plugged. The fourth actuator 66 and power valve 19 is an effective option for cooled water, be it flat or carbonated.
; For Shannon flavors, or cleaning or sanitizing of the syrup so and pups, tube disconnects 40, 51 are disconnected and the tank 15 and pug 16 roe from the apparatus 10. The norc~lly closed check assay I pretty seepage from the nozzle 30. The tank I and pump 16 ore cne?letely self-draining out of the fill opening and the dispensing ED 50 I the talk lo and pump 16 arc inverted. The retainers 63 hold the pup 16 when the tank it inverted. The pump 16 is easily removed from ! the Ann 15 and all tank 15 and pump 16 parts may be gleaned in a dish-¦ ashore.
She advantages of the apparaeug 10 and method of the present ~Ven~iDn are Snow. An outstanding feature 19 the silence of the apparatus 10. where is no cooling fan, no mechanical push-button or latches and the entry of compressed gas from thy power valves 19, servo 42 and ryes ervoir relief valve 32, end operation of the regulator 17 and the propellant end delivery fines and the pump 16 cannot be heard. The apparatus 10 is absol~tcly silent save for the compressor 74. The vcDting by the power valves 19 avid servo I of propellant into the cooling emery also 9eema to decrease frost build-up on the evaporator 75 Buckley the used propellant US it dry end it expels suture bearing air. The apparatus lo dispenses eslti~le flavors without the use of electric components or complicated prig The pneumatic and liquid connections have been reduced to a minimum, end the failure of any of these connection will not result in spillage.
The Swahili Moe of pneumatic and beverage line has been congested. The j nppar-tus 10 Jill work ulth carbonated or non-carbonated beverages. The apart 10 is a multiple flavor dispenser without electrical or mock-Noah 7 salacious, interlock nod mechanism, and without multiple water Allah end lines_ ho ratio of syrup to water 13 easily adjusted and 18 Roy assort nun rcp~atnble besiege the syrup and waler are nut the ante Jo . Jo temperature and pressure. The syrup tank 15 and ptDnps 16 are normally not pressurized; only the pumps are intermittently pressurized. If a ptmtp 16 leaks, the leakage stays in the tank lo. The tank 15 has Jo perjures to leak. The waler, of which more is used, gals priority to the refrigeration cooling. Ire talc 15 and pumps 16 are easily gleaned, and flavor changes are easy. lute syrup never contacts metal and there it no chance for metallic off-tastcs. The duality of beverage dispensed by the apparatus 10 is so excellent that the beverage can be depended upon to be comparable to beverage from a glass bottle. Most importantly, the apparatus 10 is ~tsablc in a domestic household because it it simple.
it is sanitary and not messy, it is foolproof and extremely reliable, it is leakproof, it is easily gleaned, it cannot explode, and it is easily diagnosed and repaired if not working as intended.
Although other advalttages may be found and realized and various and minor modifications may be sugEcsted by those versed in the art, be it understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent war-ranted herein, all such improvements as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Cold beverage dispensing apparatus powerable by compressed gas, comprising a) a thermally insulated cabinet having a cooling chamber containing 1) a refrigeration evaporator, 2) a source of compressed gas at a predetermined regulated pressure, 3) a water reservoir sized to hold a plurality of servings of water, 4) a non-pressurized syrup tank sized to hold a plurality of servings of syrup, said tank having a breather to atmosphere within the cabinet, and 5) a normally non-pressurized syrup pump having a syrup inlet in fluid communication with the syrup tank;

b) a normally closed water valve fluidly connected to an outlet of the reservoir;
c) a dispensing nozzle on the outside of the cabinet, said nozzle being fluidly connected to the syrup pump and the water valve;
d) a pneumatic dispensing power valve having an inlet connected to the gas source, an outlet connected to the syrup pump, a vent to atmosphere, and a valve element having a normal position in which the valve inlet is closed and the outlet and the syrup pump are fluidly connected to the vent, said valve element being selective movable to an alternate dispensing position in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet and the gas source is fluidly connected to the syrup pump, and in which the vent is closed; and e) a manually operable dispensing actuator on the outside of the cabinet, said actuator being operatively connected to move the valve element to the dispensing position and to effect opening of the water valve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the power valve vent is in the cooling chamber.

3. The apparatus of either of claims 1, or 2 in which the water reservoir has a relief valve venting to atmosphere within the cooling chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the syrup pump is inside of the syrup tank.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, including a pump gas line connecting the power valve outlet to the syrup pump and a syrup dispensing line connecting a syrup pump out-let to the nozzle, said lines entering into the syrup tank through a top of said tank.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, in which the tank has a retainer holding the pump on a bottom of the syrup tank.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, in which the pump has an upward extending handle inside of the tank.

8. The apparatus of either of claims 4, 6, or 7 in which a) the syrup tank has a normally closed and removable filling cover on a top of the tank;

b) a syrup dispensing line enters into the syrup tank through the top of the tank, and the syrup dispensing line has a disconnect outside of the tank and a normally closed check valve between the disconnect and the nozzle;

c) a rack inside of the cabinet and in the cooling chamber supports the syrup tank, the syrup tank being disconnectable by separation of the syrup delivery line disconnect and being removable from the rack and the apparatus; and in which d) the syrup pump has a filling check valve inside of and adjacent to a bottom of the syrup tank, the syrup tank and pump and that part of the syrup delivery line between the pump and the disconnect all being completely self-draining when removed from the apparatus and inverted.

9. The apparatus of either of claims 1, or 4 including an adjustable flow restructure in a syrup line from the pump to the nozzle, said restructure being on the outside of the cabinet and being immediately adjacent the nozzle, said restructure being concealed within a nozzle cover on the outside of the cabinet.

10. The apparatus of either of claims 1, or 4 in which the power valve outlet has a flow restructure upstream of a gas line connecting the power valve to the pump, said gas line being frictionally connected to both the power valve and the pump.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, including a pneumatic opening servo operatively connected to the water valve, and a gas line fluidly connecting the servo to the power valve outlet.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, in which the water valve servo is normally fluidly connected to the power valve vent.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the cabinet has a normally closed door, said syrup tank being mounted upon an inside surface of the door.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, in which the syrup tank has a normally closed and removable filling cover, the tank and cover being pivotable out of the cooling chamber and being unobstructively accessible when the cabinet door is fully opened.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the water reservoir has a circular profile when viewed from above, in which the evaporator has a U-shape when viewed from above, and in which the evaporator is larger than and is wrapped around at least half of the reservoir.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, in which each leg of the U-shaped evaporator is larger than a diameter of the reservoir, said reservoir being completely within the U-shaped section when viewed from above.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, including a pair of wheels along and under a lower edge of a back panel of the cabinet, a pair of spacer handles projecting rear-ward from adjacent an upper edge of the cabinet back panel, a refrigeration condenser on the back panel and in between the wheels and the spacer handles, and a water supply line extending through and down the outside of the cabinet back panel.

18. The machine of claim 17, including a cabinet door which comprises a front side of the cabinet, said nozzle being mounted on an outside surface of the door.

19. The machine of claim 17, in which the water reservoir is mounted in said cabinet adjacent to the back panel and just forward of the wheels.

20. The machine of claim 19, including a refrigeration compressor laterally between the wheels and directly under the water reservoir.

21. The machine of either of claims 17, 19, or 20 in which the dispensing actuator is a downwardly depressible push botton.

22. The machine of either of claims 17, 19, or 20 includ-ing a water filter and a water shut-off in the water supply line and in between the wheels and the spacer handles.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the compressed gas source is a supply of carbon dioxide gas.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, in which the supply comprises a carbon dioxide bottle and a pre-set carbon dioxide pressure regulator mounted in a gas bottle rack within the cooling chamber.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, in which the gas bottle, the regulator and the bottle rack are mounted on an inside surface of a cabinet door.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, in which the bottle, regulator and bottle rack are immediately adjacent a hinge upon which the door is pivotal mounted.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, for multi-flavors including a) a plurality of said syrup tanks;

b) a like plurality of said syrup pumps, each pump having its syrup inlet in fluid communication with a respective syrup tank;

c) a pneumatic valve opening servo operatively connected to the water valve;

d) a like plurality of said power valves, each power valve having its outlet fluidly connected to a respective syrup pump and to the servo.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, including a carbon dioxide gas supply line connecting the gas source to a gas filled head space above a water level in the water reservoir, said gas line extending through the power valves, said gas source being a source of carbon dioxide gas.

29. The apparatus of either of claims 27, or 28 in which the power valves are connected in series.

30. The apparatus of either of claims 27, or 28 in which each power valve has a first and second said outlet, the first outlet being in fluid communication with a respective syrup pump, and a second outlet being in fluid communication with the servo.

31. The apparatus of either of claims 27, or 28 in which the servo is mounted inside of a cabinet door.

32. The apparatus of claim 27 in which each power valve is individually connected to the servo, said servo having a pneumatic OR logic mechanism.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, in which the servo has a servo chamber for each power valve, and barriers fluid tightly separating the servo chambers from each other.

34. The apparatus of either of claims 27, 28, or 32 including a carbonated water power valve having a similar inlet, vent and valve element, said carbon-ated water power valve having an outlet connected only to the servo, said gas source being a source of carbon dioxide gas.

35. The apparatus of claim 23, including a water pump for filling the reservoir against the head pressure, said water pump being within the cooling chamber and underneath the evaporator.

36. A method of dispensing cold post-mixed beverage, comprising the steps of:

a) cooling a reserve of water to just above freezing, said reserve being a quantity of water normally sufficient for at least a day's total dispensing;

b) cooling a tankful of syrup at ambient pressure to substantially the same temperature as the cooled water, said tankful of syrup being a quantity of syrup normally sufficient for at least a day's total dispensing;

c) pressurizing the water with a head of compressed gas at a regulated predetermined pressure;

d) transferring by gravity a fraction of the syrup in the syrup tank into a normally non-pressurized compressed gas powerable syrup pump and main-taining the syrup in the pump at least as cool as syrup in the syrup tank;
e) concurrently dispensing cooled water and syrup at substantially the same pressure and temperature by 1) fluidly connecting the compressed gas to the syrup pump and propelling syrup from the pump to a dispensing nozzle with the head pressure, while 2) opening a water valve and propelling water with and under the head pressure to the dispensing nozzle;
f) combining the flows of water and syrup to form a cold post-mixed beverage; and g) terminating dispensing by closing the water valve and disconnecting the compressed gas pressure from the syrup pump, and then venting used com-pressed gas from the pump and into a cooling chamber within which the water reservoir, syrup tank and syrup pump are commonly cooled.

37. The method of claim 36, in which the step of trans-ferring is done entirely within the tankfull of syrup.

38. The method of claim 36, in which the post-mixed beverage is carbonated and in which the compressed gas is carbon dioxide gas.

39. The method of claim 38, including the step of fluidly connecting the carbon dioxide gas at the head pressure to a servo for opening the water valve, and effecting pneumatic opening of the water valve.

40. The method of claim 39, including the step of sim-ultaneously connecting the carbon dioxide gas to the syrup pump and the servo.

41. The method of claim 39, including the step of venting used carbon dioxide gas from the servo into the cooling chamber.

42. The method of either of claims 39, 40, or 41 in which the step of terminating dispensing includes the step of disconnecting the carbon dioxide head pressure from the servo.

43. A pneumatically powerable multi-flavor post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:
a) a source of carbon dioxide gas at a predetermined regulated pressure;
b) a source of cold carbonated water under pressure;
c) a plurality of non-pressurized syrup storage tanks, each syrup tank being sized to hold a quantity of syrup sufficient for dispensing a plurality of servings of post-mix carbonated beverage, each syrup tank having a breather to atmosphere;
d) a like plurality of pneumatically powerable syrup pumps, each pump having a syrup inlet in fluid communication with a respective syrup tank;

e) a normally closed water valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the carbonated water source;

f) a dispensing nozzle connected by a water dis-pensing line to an outlet of the water valve, and to an outlet of a respective syrup pump by a syrup dispensing line;
g) a pneumatic servo for opening the water valve;

h) a like plurality of pneumatic power valves for dispensing, each power valve having 1) an inlet in fluid communication with the carbon dioxide source, 2) an outlet in fluid communication with a respective syrup pump and with the servo, 3) a vent to atmosphere, and 4) a valve element movable from a normal position in which the inlet is closed to the outlet and the outlet is fluidly connected to the vent, to an alternate dispensing position in which the inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet and the outlet is closed to the vent; and i) a dispensing actuator connected to move a selected valve element from the normal position to the dispensing position.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, in which each syrup tank has therein a respective syrup pump.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, in which a carbon dioxide gas supply line connects the gas source to the water source, and in which the supply line extends through the power valves.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, in which the power valves are connected in series in the gas line.

47. The apparatus of either of claims 45, or 46 in which each power valve has first and second said inlets, a first inlet of a first power valve being directly connected to the gas source, a second inlet in the last power valve being connected to the head space, a second inlet of the first power valve being connected to the first inlet of the next valve and so on until a second inlet of the next to the last power valve is connected to a first inlet of the last power valve.

48. The apparatus of either of claims 43, 44, or 45 in which each power valve has a first and second said outlet the first outlet being in fluid communication with a respective syrup pump, and a second outlet being in fluid communication with the servo.

49. The apparatus of either of claims 43, 44, or 45 in which each power valve is individually connected to the servo, said servo having a pneumatic OR logic mechanism.

50. The apparatus of either of claims 43, 44, or 45 in-cluding a carbonated water power valve having a similar said inlet, vent and valve element, and also having an outlet in fluid communication only with the servo.

51. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the evaporator is on the back side of the water reservoir, and in which the syrup tank is mounted on the front side of the reservoir.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, in which the evaporator extends around each side of the water reservoir.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, in which the syrup tank is mounted on the door, the tank being pivotable out of the cooling chamber when the door is opened.