DE3610807A1 - BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH RESERVE AND A SIGNAL FOR NEARBY EMPTY CONDITION - Google Patents

Description

description

The invention relates to pressurized beverage dispensing systems and according to a preferred embodiment with a system for subsequent mixing, which has a device contains, which supplies a signal to indicate an almost empty state and a reserve supply of juice

Q has so beverages can continue to be dispensed until the juice container is replaced.

A dispensing outlet has to meet two operational requirements, which are almost completely contrary to each other: each juice container must be completely emptied (e.g. a "bomb") and the sale of beverages _{should not be interrupted due to CO 2} in the line and the beverage dispensing valve arrangement, that needs to be cleaned. The recommended practice for doing this is to spin the bombs to overcome this difficulty when this practice is followed. However, it is not always used. Such a procedure includes checking the level in the bomb by physical examination. When this is near empty, a full bomb is deployed in the juice line between the nearly empty and beverage dispensing valve assemblies. The almost empty bomb then promotes into the full bomb when the dispensing of beverages is continued. When the nearly empty bomb is completely empty, it can be removed.

If this recommended procedure is not followed, the bomb can remain in place with both the bomb and the juice line to the valve assembly _{filled with CO 2} and the valve assembly then atomizing

a mixture of carbonated water, juice and CO-. The operator must then control the entire juice system cleaning after connecting a new bomb, which may require a certain amount of man hours a loss of sales is to be accepted, CO “is lost and some loss of juice also occurs.

US Pat. No. 2,880,910 describes a display device for 'sold out' in a beverage dispenser, which contains an intermediate container 30 in which the liquid level is monitored in order to determine / if a Beverage supply container becomes empty, from which point no further dispensing is permitted. In U.S. PS 4 406 382 describes a system for signaling when a beverage container is empty.

The invention aims to provide a vending system for containers in which the aforesaid Difficulties in the prior art have been overcome.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system for completely emptying a bomb, the Dispensing of beverages can be continued without CO_ the valve arrangement or the juice line to the valve arrangement can reach.

In particular, a storage container is to be provided according to the invention, which has a reserve supply of juice in the juice line between the juice container and the valve arrangement and a device is to be provided indicating when the juice container is empty so that it can be replaced as soon as possible, whereby the operator continues to use beverages of the reserve supply can dispense into the container.

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According to the invention, a device should preferably be provided which generates a signal when the juice container has become empty and a device should also be provided which renders the valve arrangement ineffective, if and if the juice reserve in the storage container runs out, before a full juice container instead of the empty one has been installed.

According to the invention, a beverage dispensing system is specified in which juice (or, in the case of a premix, the carbonated beverage itself) under pressure through a juice line from a juice container to a beverage dispensing valve assembly is promoted. The system contains a container in the juice line that holds a supply of juice, a device that detects when the juice level in the storage container has reached a upper level falls, and includes means for providing a signal indicating that the juice container is empty and needs to be replaced. Here, beverages from the reserve supply in the storage container can be used during the exchange are issued. If the juice container is not replaced before the liquid level drops to a lower level falls, devices are provided which detect the fall of the juice level to such a lower level and make the valve assembly ineffective at this point.

The invention is explained in more detail below using examples with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which identical or similar parts are provided with the same reference numerals. In the drawing shows:

Figure 1 is a partially diagrammatic and partially schematic view of a beverage dispensing system according to the invention,
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Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the storage container according to the invention Depiction,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the storage container according to

Figure 2,

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the storage container according to FIG. 2 in a partial sectional view,

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the lid of the storage container of Figure 2 along the line 5-5 in Figure 4,

Figure 6 is an electrical circuit diagram of the level sensing and

Transmission arrangement according to the invention, and

Figure 7 is an electrical circuit diagram of the signal receiving and alarm control system according to the invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the beverage system according to the invention is designated as a whole by 10. In the preferred embodiment, the system 10 is a post-mixing system that includes a juice container 12 (such as a "bomb") connected by a juice line 14 to a beverage dispensing valve assembly 16 which is any conventional valve assembly such as for example the Dole SEV which has one magnet that controls the flow of carbonated water and another magnet that controls the flow of juice through to a mixing chamber and the dispensing of the nozzle. The valve arrangement 16 is usually one of several such valve arrangements which are provided on a beverage dispenser 18. The juice container 12 is through a CO ₂ line 20 by means of a

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usual CO_ container (not shown) pressurized.

Jp In addition to the usual components mentioned above In a beverage dispensing system, the invention has a storage container 22 which is connected to the juice line 14 is, a level sensing and transmission arrangement 24 and a signal receiving and alarm control arrangement 26. The level sensing and transmission arrangement is electronic Assembly unit and is accommodated in a housing 48 which is connected to the storage container 22 (see FIG. 2). the electronic devices for the signal receiving and alarm control arrangement 26 are accommodated in a housing 27, which is connected to the valve arrangement 16 or the beverage dispensing device 18 (see FIG. 1).

The reservoir 22 can be wall-mounted or any be attached to another structural part and the associated sensing and transmission assembly 24 in the housing 28 plugs into any nearby 120 volt AC outlet. The housing 48 has a test switch 49, a cleaning switch 84 and a warning light on a front part of the carrier 50 (see FIG. 2). The signal reception and alarm assembly 26 provided in housing 27 is included in the control circuit for the valve assembly 16 tied in using two prong connectors and it is at any nearby 120 volts Plug-in AC socket. The housing 27 has a buzzer 76, a warning lamp 74 and a reset switch 82.

The beverage dispensing system 10 according to the invention allows a trader to use the juice container 12 in the operating state to empty completely without any possibility 35

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there is that CO ₂ gas reaches the valve arrangement 16. The system gives him a warning both audibly and visually that the juice container 12 is becoming empty and then he can continue to fill drinks from the juice reserve supply in the storage container 22 (preferably about 880 cm ³ (30 ounces)). Thus, there is time to replace the juice container 12 without interrupting sales. If the juice reserve supply in the storage container 22 should run out before the juice container is replaced, a second alarm is generated and the valve arrangement 16 is disabled.

After a new juice container is installed, the dealer operates a cleaning switch 84 on the reservoir 22 (on the front portion of the carrier 50, as shown in Figure 2). As a result, the valve arrangement 16 is made ineffective and a magnetic CO_ vent overflow valve 58 is activated. The _{volume of CO 0} which is located in the storage container 22 and in the juice line 15 from the juice container 12 to the storage container 22 is vented to the environment when it is replenished with juice from the new juice container. When the juice level in the storage container 22 has risen again, the magnetic vent overflow valve 58 closes and the valve arrangement 16 is again ready for operation. The beverage dispensing system is then reset for the next work cycle.

The storage container 22 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. The storage container 22 contains a container 30 and a lid 32 which releasably and tightly seal an opening in the top of the container can. The lid contains three electrically conductive probes that extend from the lid into the container. These sensors are a sensor 34 for the upper level, a sensor 36 for the lower level and a Feeler 38 for the ground. The sensors 34 and 36 for the upper one

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and the lower level are isolated from the bottom or the distal end. The feeler 38 for the floor is longitudinal its entire length bare. When the liquid level drops to the upper level sensor, it is a predetermined reserve amount of juice in the storage container. A preferred amount is about 900 ml.

The lid also includes an inlet port 42 and an outlet port 44, which is connected to the juice line 14. The outlet port 44 is connected to the top of a dip tube 46 connected, which extends to the vicinity of the bottom of the container 30.

The level sensing and transmission assembly 24 is contained in a housing 48 which is connected to the reservoir

a flange 50 which is held between the lid and the container 30 is connected. Three electrical connections 52, 53 and 54 extend from the housing to the tops of the probes 34, 36 and 38. 20th

The cover 32 contains a vent opening 56 and a magnetic vent overflow valve 58, which is connected to this opening. An electrical connection 60 extends from the housing 48 to the magnetic vent overflow valve 58.

The level sensing and transmission arrangement 24 is shown schematically in FIG. 6 and in detail in FIG. This arrangement can be illustrated as three interacting functional blocks 62, 64 and 66. The juice level in the reservoir 22 is detected first and alarm points are second by the AC level sensors 34 and 36 detected together with the common mass sensor, which is also present in the container 30, the consists of a non-electrically conductive material such as plastic or glass. A CMOS quadruple NAND Schmitt trigger

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two-input ger (CD4093) is used with appropriate external components to determine the location of the juice level to determine in the reservoir 22 and the cleaning function with the magnetic vent overflow valve 58 control. The level status is forwarded to a second functional unit 64, which is a tone encoder. The coding is done with a TCM 5089 tone dialing chip, the is common in telecommunications. This generates a uniform tone for each alarm level. These sounds become one ME566 function generator connected to a frequency modulator (FM). The level state tone modulates the carrier tone of the function generator and is disconnected from the AC line with a capacitor Matching transformer coupled. The signal travels over the 120 volt AC line to receiver 26, which turns on the valve assembly 16 is located.

The signal receiving and alarm control arrangement 26 is shown schematically in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIG shown. It has three basic functional units 68, 70 and 72. The frequency-modulated signals that are supplied by the transmitter 24 and are coupled to the AC power line, are removed from the line by a Demodulator 68 with a transformer and frequency demodulation using an NE565 phase-locked loop decoupled and demodulated with appropriate external components. The output from this demodulator 68 is the Tone encoded by the tone dialing chip. The audio signal is fed to the second stage 70 of the receiver 26, which uses two tone decoders (NE567 P-L-L) (for one flavor). A chip is used to detect every single tone generated by the transmitter 24. The outputs from this stage 70 become the final alarm logic and control stage 72 supplied to the

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which generates operator alarm indications and controls the deactivation of the valve assembly 16 when the reservoir 22 reaches the lower level and also when the CO ^ venting takes place. This logical processing takes place with Using a CD4093 quad NAND Schmitt trigger chip two entrances.

In the normal operating state, the reservoir 92, the magnetically controlled vent overflow valve, is full 58 is closed and the valve assembly 16 is ready for use. When the juice container 12 is empty, the begins To fall juice level in the juice storage container 22, since the juice in the storage container is replaced by CO_ gas. The upper sensor 34 is extinguished by the liquid level and soon afterwards the lower sensor 36 is also extinguished, unless a new juice container is installed to replace the empty juice container 27. When the top Sensor 34 is deleted, an alarm occurs in which the light-emitting diodes 73 and 74 switch on (see FIGS. 6 and 7) and the alarm horn 76 is activated (see FIG. 7). Well is a Reserve supply of juice available in the storage container 22, the volume between the upper and lower sensor 34 and 36 corresponds. The dealer or the operator should now replace the juice container 12 with a new one Replace full juice container. To turn off the horn 76, the reset switch 82 on the housing 27 on the valve assembly pressed (see FIGS. 1 and 7B).

Should the supply amount in the storage container run out, which is detected by the lower sensor 36, the now is no longer covered with juice, the valve arrangement 16 is rendered ineffective (the relay contact 78 in FIG 7 is closed, whereby the triac 79 is made ineffective and thereby prevents the by the Becher actuated lever arm 80 in FIG. 1, the two magnets

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can excite in the valve assembly 16). If a new full juice container is used instead of the empty juice container 12 is connected, the cleaning switch 84 is pressed, thereby rendering the valve assembly 16 inoperative and activating the magnetic vent overflow valve 58 will. Now CO_ gas is released to the environment and it is replaced by juice until the upper sensor 34 is in contact with juice. At this point in time, the magnetically controlled vent overflow valve 58 is de-energized, the vent 56 is closed and the valve assembly 16 can operate again. The LEDs 73 and 74 are turned off. The system is now reset to its basic operating state.

The test switch 49 (see FIG. 2) on the housing 48 can print to check the functionality of the system. When the test switch is pressed, both the lamp 74 as well as the horn buzzer 76 on the receiver housing 27 are activated.

Although a preferred embodiment according to the invention has been explained, changes are of course possible. For example, the invention can be implemented in a system can be used with premixing as well as in a system with post-mixing. Furthermore, different Types and forms of signals are supplied. If the lower level is detected, instead of becoming ineffective of the valve arrangement, the juice line from the container to the valve arrangement can also be simply shut off or the valve in the dip line can be closed. Different amounts of reserve juice can be stored in the storage container 22 can be kept in stock. Other level-responsive systems than those previously described can also be used be used.

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Claims (13)

Claims 1. Beverage dispensing system working under pressure, characterized by: (a) a liquid line (14) carrying liquid from a pressurized liquid container (12) leads to a beverage dispensing valve assembly (16), (b) a liquid storage container (22), which with the Liquid line (14) is connected, (c) a device (34, 36, 38) which detects when the liquid level in the storage container (22) rises ή. TeWramm · rheminrius Munich ■ Telephone: (089) 98 3222 · Telex: 5 23 992 (abilz d) an upper level and then falls to a lower level, the reservoir (22) having a predetermined level Contains reserve liquid amount when the liquid level is at the upper level, (d) a device (24) which energizes a signaling device (74, 76) when the liquid level in the storage container (22) drops to the upper level to give an indication that the liquid container (12) is empty, wherein drinks can still continue to be dispensed without pressure-generating gas entering the valve arrangement (16) , and (e) means (78,79) allowing further flow of the liquid from the reservoir (22) to the valve assembly (16) prevents the liquid level in the storage container (22) from falling to the lower level. 2. Beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that g e that a beverage dispensing valve assembly (16) is provided which is connected to the outlet end of the liquid line (14), and that the prevention device comprises a device (78, 79) which makes the valve arrangement (16) ineffective. 3. Beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve arrangement (16) is an electrically operated valve assembly having a lever arm (18) operated by a cup, and that the means for disabling includes means (78, 79) for operating the actuated by the cup Lever arm (80) for exciting the valve assembly (16) prevented. 4. Beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the storage container (22) a container (30) with a tightly fitting lid (32) which is detachably connected to the top of the container (30) that three electrically conductive Sensors (34, 36, 38) extend from the lid (32) down into the container (30) that an outlet line (44) for the liquid from the lid (32) down to the vicinity of the bottom of the container (30) extends that a liquid inlet opening (42) is provided in the cover (32) and that a vent opening (56) is provided in the cover (32), which has a magnetically controlled valve (58) for opening and closing the vent opening (56). 5. Beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that g e that the detection device two electrically conductive sensors (34, 36, 38) in the storage container (22), which comprise an upper level sensor (34), a lower level sensor (36) and a ground sensor (38).
20th 6. Beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the signaling device has a Sound source (68, 70, 72) and manual means (82) which de-energize the sound source. 7. Beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that a device (58) is provided which discharges gas from the reservoir (22) when a new liquid container is attached to an inlet end the liquid line (14) is connected. 8. Beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that g e identifier Inet that the reserve amount of liquid is about 900 ml. 9. Beverage dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the liquid is juice, that the system is a system with subsequent mixing, that the gas is CO ₂ and that the reserve amount is about 900 ml. 10. Process for operating a beverage dispensing system, the liquid under gas pressure from a liquid container to a beverage dispensing valve assembly is promoted, wherein the beverage dispensing system has a warning device for the liquid container, if it is sold out and drinks can still be served, characterized by the following steps: (a) Conveying a liquid from a liquid container to a beverage dispensing valve arrangement a liquid line, (b) Providing a liquid storage container which is connected to the liquid line and into the Liquid is introduced from the liquid container and conveyed by the liquid to the valve arrangement will, (c) Detecting when the liquid level in the liquid reservoir has fallen to an upper level at which a predetermined reserve amount Liquid is present in the storage container when the liquid container empties into the storage container Has, (d) generating a signal when the liquid level has fallen to the upper level for an indication to give that the liquid container is empty, wherein Beverages continued using the reserve quantity can be dispensed to liquid in the storage container, (e) detecting when the liquid level in the storage container falls to a lower level, and (f) Preventing liquid from flowing from the reservoir to the valve assembly when the liquid level is reached is detected at the lower level in order to prevent gas from entering the valve assembly or from the liquid line enters from the reservoir to the valve assembly. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that in preventing further Liquid flow, the valve arrangement is made ineffective. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the signaling device has an audible Contains alarm and that it includes the step that the audible alarm can be switched off. 13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the system is a system with subsequent Mixing is that the liquid is juice, that the gas is CO- and that as a reserve amount is about 900 ml of juice is kept in stock.