DE3751625T2 - Beverage dispenser with quantity control device. - Google Patents

Abstract

A postmix valve for a beverage dispenser, including a volumetric ratio control device incorporated therein to provide positive ratio control. The device includes a syrup piston (40) and a soda piston (42) linked together, syrup (44) and soda (46) chambers, and valve means for controlling the flow to and from the chambers. The soda pressure drives the pistons. The valve means include four paddle valves (111, 112, 113, 114). This valve can be used with any of a figal, a bag-in-box, a gravity tank, or a non-returnable container under no pressure or under a low pressure of 5 to 10 psig.

Description

Background of the invention Field of the invention

The invention relates to dispensing devices for later-mixable beverages and dispensing valves for mixing and dispensing a controlled ratio of syrup and carbonated water. The invention relates in particular to a volume ratio control device arranged in the dispensing valve.

Description of the state of the art

Common late-mix dispensing valves control the flow of syrup and soda (carbonated water) with two mechanical flow controls that are independently adjusted to achieve the proper mix ratio. If either flow control fails or changes, the ratio changes because one flow control cannot compensate for the changes in the other. The mechanical flow controls, which require high flow pressures (approximately 50 psig) to function properly, do not compensate for viscosity changes caused by temperature changes.

To overcome these problems, new electrical flow control valves with sensors and microprocessors are currently being developed, but these are relatively complicated and expensive.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a relatively simple, inexpensive, late-mixing valve that provides proper ratio control. This valve volumetrically controls the amounts of syrup and soda mixed together. The volume ratio control device (VRCD) includes interconnected syrup and soda pistons, associated syrup and soda chambers, and valves for controlling flow to and from the chambers. The VRCD of the invention is an improvement over known dispensing valves because it does not require high flow pressures and the pistons allow one liquid stream to compensate for variations in the other liquid stream. The VRCD of the invention is simpler and less expensive than the new electric ratio control valves because it is not affected by (and does not measure) temperatures, viscosities, syrup properties, and Reynolds numbers. The VRCD only concerns the repeated filling of the volumetric measuring chambers and the subsequent emptying of the chambers into a mixing nozzle.

Another advantage of this VRCD is that it can work with a variety of different late-mix syrup packages. Current late-mix pressure dispensing devices require a source of pressurized syrup to operate properly. This syrup can come from a pressure vessel or a syrup pump connected to a bag-in-box package. However, with the current equipment, conversion from one type of package to another is difficult. The VRCD of the invention overcomes this disadvantage because it can operate as a pressure valve or as a combination valve and pump. When operated as a pressure valve, it can work properly with high pressure syrup or with low pressure syrup. When operated as a combination valve and pump, it can empty the contents of a bag-in-box package, a vented package, or a very low pressure syrup package without the use of a syrup pump. The VRCD also works with a gravity dispensing device. and provides better ratio control than the gravity dispensing valves currently in use. In summary, the VRCD works with either a gravity dispensing device or a pressure dispensing device. It works with pressure containers (cartridges) or non-pressure containers (bag-in-box, syrup containers, etc.). Since the VRCD of the invention works with non-pressure or low pressure types of syrup, the present invention also encompasses inexpensive disposable syrup containers including one that can work without pressure and one that can be pressurized up to about 5-10 psig. These low pressure containers could not be used heretofore because of the high pressures required for the known pressure dispensing valves to operate properly. It is also important to note that the VRCD of the invention can work with all of these different types of dispensers and syrup packages without any adjustments to the dispensing valve and without the addition of any auxiliary devices (such as a syrup pump) to the valve or dispenser.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive, late-mixing dispensing valve that can provide perfect ratio control.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispensing apparatus and a beverage dispensing valve that can operate with a variety of different late-mixing syrup packages without making any adjustments to the valve or adding any devices to the valve or dispensing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispensing device and a beverage dispensing valve that can be easily converted from one type of syrup package to another.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing valve for a beverage dispensing device that can operate as a combination valve and pump that can empty the contents of a bag-in-a-box package or a low-pressure or no-pressure disposable syrup package without the use of a syrup pump.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispensing method using a dispensing valve with a volume ratio control device for dispensing from a non-pressurizable, collapsible concentrate container without the use of a syrup pump.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing valve for a beverage dispensing device having a volume ratio control device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispensing system having a beverage dispenser, a dispensing valve, and a disposable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container pressurized to approximately 5-10 psig.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable pressurizable syrup container for use with beverage dispensing devices and having sufficient strength to safely contain syrup at a pressure of no more than about 5-10 psig.

Short description of the drawings

The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned end view through a dispensing valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned side view 2-2 of the valve of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 4;

Fig. 6 is a graphical view of another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a graphic view similar to Fig. 6 of the valves in the opposite position to Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a partially sectioned side view of a dispensing valve according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a partially sectioned end view 9-9 of the valve of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an oblique view of the embodiment of

Fig. 8 and 9 used poppet valves;

Fig. 11 is a partially graphical, partially schematic view of a volume ratio control device with an electrical switching device connected thereto;

Fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve with a variable flow control function;

Fig. 13 is an electrical schematic of a circuit for the volume ratio control device of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic view of a beverage dispenser incorporating a dispensing valve according to the present invention and showing the four different types of syrup containers usable therewith.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1-5 show a dispensing valve 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispensing valve 10 can be mounted on a beverage dispenser 12, see Fig. 14. Any desired number of dispensing valves 10, eg four, five or six, may be mounted on the beverage dispenser 12. In accordance with the present invention and as described in detail below, the syrup source may be a cartridge 14, a bag-in-box 16, a raised tank 18 built directly into the beverage dispenser 12, or a disposable container 20.

The dispensing valve 10 of Figs. 1-5 includes a body 22 with soda and syrup passages 24 and 26, respectively, extending therethrough, a valve assembly 28 for controlling the flow through the passages 24 and 26, a nozzle 30 for mixing the soda and syrup and dispensing the mixture, and a volume ratio control device (VRCD) 32 in the body for controlling the ratio of soda to syrup in the beverage dispensed from the valve 10. If desired, the valve 10 may include a cover 91 (see Fig. 14).

The VRCD 32 includes a syrup piston 40, a soda piston 42 connected to the syrup piston 40, two syrup chambers 44 and 46, two soda chambers 48 and 50, two four-way valves 52 and 54, and two solenoids 56 and 58. The soda channel 24 includes a channel leading to each of the soda chambers 48 and 50, and the syrup channel 26 includes a syrup channel leading to each of the syrup chambers 44 and 46.

The valve means for controlling flow through the channels includes solenoids 56 and 58, one of which (58) is shown in Fig 2 and controls an armature 60 in the syrup channel 26. When the armature is in the position shown in Fig. 2 (e.g. with the solenoid 58 de-energized), syrup can flow through the syrup inlet channel 26, through an opening 62 in the armature 60, through channels 70 and 71 and through one of the syrup chambers 44 or 46, while at the same time syrup from the other of the chambers 44 or 46 flows through the channel 64, then through the groove 66 and then into the channel 68 where it flows downward into the nozzle 30, see Fig. 2. When the syrup piston 40 reaches the end of its stroke, the solenoid 58 is energized and retracts the armature 60 to establish communication between the inlet channel 26 and of the other syrup channels through channels 64 and 65, while syrup from the other syrup chamber is forced into the nozzle through channel 71, then through channel 70, through groove 66 and then through channel 68 leading to nozzle 30. The same process takes place on the other side of the dispensing valve with respect to the soda (or carbonated water).

Fig. 3 shows the three openings 72, 73 and 74 which communicate with the channels 70, 68 and 64 respectively in a central member 76. Fig. 4 shows the opening 62 and the groove 66 in the armature 60 of the solenoid 58.

Solenoids 56 and 58 and valves 52 and 54 direct syrup and soda to the left side of the pistons, see Fig. 5, as the pistons move from left to right, causing the fluids on the right side of the pistons to be expelled into the mixing nozzle. When the pistons reach the right end of their travel, the solenoids are energized to operate the valves, thus reversing the flow and directing the fluids on the left side of the pistons to the mixing nozzle. In a properly sized valve, the pistons preferably change directions several times per second. To change the relationship in this type of valve, the piston and chamber assembly must be replaced by a differently sized assembly.

An advantage of locating the VRCD directly in the dispensing valve is the reduction in the number of water lines that would be required if, for example, the VRCD were kept upstream of the cooling system and the soda and syrup lines up to the valve were kept separate.

Figs. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the VRCD of the present invention, particularly one with four three-way valves instead of the two four-way valves used in the embodiments of Figs. 1-5.

Figures 6 and 7 show a volume ratio control device 80 that may be used in a dispensing valve such as the valve 10 of Figures 1-5. 6 and 7 schematically show the syrup piston 40, the soda piston 42, the syrup chambers 44 and 46, and the soda chambers 48 and 50. The volume ratio control device 80 includes a soda inlet line 82, a syrup inlet line 84, a soda outlet line 86 leading to a mixing nozzle 88, and a syrup outlet line 90 leading to the mixing nozzle 88. The volume ratio control device 80 includes valve means for controlling the flow in the soda and syrup channels including four remotely controlled three-way poppet valves 92, 94, 96, and 98 controlled by a single solenoid operated pilot valve 100. The valve 100 is actuated by a solenoid 102. The solenoid operated pilot valve 100 uses pressurized soda as the control fluid.

Fig. 6 shows the solenoid 102 in its energized state such that the valve 100 is open to provide pressurized soda communication to the four three-way poppet valves 92, 94, 96 and 98 to position these valves in their orientation shown in Fig. 6 with the pistons 40 and 42 moving to the left as viewed in Fig. 6. At the end of the piston's leftward stroke as viewed in Fig. 6, the solenoid 102 is de-energized allowing a spring to move the pilot valve to its position shown in Fig. 7. At this moment, the soda line leading to the four three-way poppet valves is vented by the pilot valve 100, causing the four three-way valves 92, 94, 96 and 98 to move to their position shown in Fig. 7 for use when the pistons 40 and 42 move to the right (as shown in Fig. 7). At this point, syrup and soda flow into the leftmost chambers and are pushed out of the rightmost chambers by the pistons to the mixing nozzle. This embodiment with the four three-way poppet valves is the presently preferred embodiment.

Fig. 8 to 10 show a dispensing valve 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention, which uses four three-way poppet valves 111, 112, 113 and 114, which are mechanically operated by a single solenoid 116 with an armature 117. The valves 111 and 113 are syrup valves, while the valves 112 and 114 are soda valves. The section in Fig. 8 goes through the syrup valves 111 and 113. The section in Fig. 9 goes through the valves 113 and 114.

The dispensing valve 110 includes the syrup piston 40, the soda piston 42, the syrup chambers 44 and 46, the soda chambers 48 and 50, and the nozzle 30. The dispensing valve 110 includes a body 118 with a syrup passage 120 and a soda passage 122 therethrough. The solenoid 116 includes a spring (not shown) that urges the armature 117 downward (as seen in Figure 8). When the solenoid is energized, it pulls the armature 117 upward. Fig. 8 shows the pistons 40 and 42 moving to the left with the poppet valves 113 and 114 opened by the energized solenoid 116 which is energized and exerts a pull on a lever arm 126 (as seen in Fig. 10). This forces the actuating arms 128 and 130 of the poppet valves 113 and 114 downward causing them to open. At the same time, the poppet valves 111 and 112 are caused to close. Soda and syrup flow through the soda and syrup passages into the rightmost chambers 50 and 46 and fill those chambers while simultaneously forcing soda and syrup from the leftmost chambers to the nozzle 30. At the end of the stroke of the pistons 40 and 42 to the left (as shown in Fig. 8), the solenoid 116 is de-energized, causing the solenoid spring (not shown) to push the lever arm 126 downward and reverse the fluid flow described above.

Fig. 11 is a graphical and schematic representation of a syrup piston 140, a soda piston 142, syrup chambers 144 and 145 and soda chambers 146 and 147. Fig. 11 also shows an electrical contact device 148 for detecting the end of stroke of the pistons 140 and 142. The electrical contact device 148 may use microswitches 149 and 150 to energize the solenoid devices of the various the valve devices shown in the drawings of the previously described embodiments.

Fig. 12 shows a variable flow rate system that can be used with any of the embodiments described above. This system includes a cup lever arm 151 below a dispensing valve 10 and adjacent to the nozzle 30, which is well known in the art for actuating a dispensing valve to dispense beverage into a cup.

According to the invention shown in Fig. 12, movement of the cup lever arm 151 immediately energizes a switch 152 to actuate the dispensing valve. This switch remains closed as long as the arm 151 is depressed. The cup lever arm 151 is also connected to a flow control 154 (via an arm 153) in the soda channel 156 leading to the nozzle 30. When a high flow rate is desired, the cup lever arm 151 is pushed back completely, causing the flow control 154 to provide a fully open channel 156. The cup lever arm 151 is spring-loaded to its closed position shown in Fig. 12 and can be moved to the right (as viewed in Fig. 12) by variable amounts to dispense beverage into a cup and open the soda channel 156 by variable amounts. As the cup approaches full, cup lever arm 151 is allowed to move to its closest position, causing flow control 154 to move into channel 156 to slow the flow. Although only one of the soda and/or syrup channels to the nozzle is changed, the volume ratio control device of the present invention keeps the ratio constant because as the piston slows, it slows the pumping of soda and syrup at the correct ratio.

Fig. 13 shows a standard electrical circuit with a holding circuit that causes the soda and syrup pistons to reciprocate when the dispensing valve containing the VRCD is energized. Fig. 13 shows the switches 152, 149 and 150, the Solenoid 102 and relay CR-1. The operation of this standard circuit is well known and need not be described in detail here.

Figure 14 shows an overall arrangement of a beverage dispenser 12 with one or more dispensing valves 110 in accordance with any of the embodiments of the present invention. The beverage dispenser 12 may be provided with a supply of syrup from any of a known type of syrup container, such as a cartridge 14, a bag-in-a-box 16, or a high tank 18. Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, a supply of syrup may also be provided in a disposable container 20, such as a plastic bottle. The container may be vented to the atmosphere or, preferably, may be a container that can be safely pressurized to no more than about 10 psig. The container 20 may be similar to the current two-liter polyethylene bottles used for premix. The container 20 includes a lid 170 with a dip tube 172 extending downward to the bottom of the container 20 and a coupling for connection to the syrup line 21. The lid 170 also includes a one-way valve and connector 174 for use in pressurizing the container 20 to its low pressure. It should be noted that the pressure to which the container 20 is pressurized is much less than that to which a stainless steel cartridge 20 can be pressurized. In accordance with the present invention, the means for delivering the syrup to the dispensing valve is the negative pressure created by the volume ratio control device. However, it may be useful to have a low pressure in the container 20 when required. However, the low pressure preferably used in the container 20 does not require the container to withstand significant pressures, thus allowing it to be manufactured relatively inexpensively. That is, it may have relatively thin walls and a relatively inexpensive lid 170 that can be screwed or otherwise connected to the container 20 using a suitable O-ring or other sealing structure.

The containers 14, 16 and 20 are connected in a conventional manner to the beverage dispenser 12, which is indicated by the arrows at the ends of the syrup lines.

The dispensing device 12 may include a raised tank 18. While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, it will be understood that variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, while certain arrangements and configurations of pistons and chambers are shown, a wide variety of such pistons and chambers may be utilized by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the piston need not be a double-acting piston arrangement. It may alternatively be a single-acting piston with, for example, a return spring. While the preferred disposable container 20 is a rigid plastic bottle, a collapsible container such as a plastic bag similar to that used in the present bag-in-a-box containers may also be used. The disposable container 20 may alternatively be vented to atmosphere and under no additional pressure. While the preferred water and concentrate are plastic water and syrup, respectively, the invention can be used with pure water and, for example, with fruit juice concentrates, tea and coffee. While the solenoids are preferably pull solenoids, push solenoids can also be used. The soda and syrup pistons in the VRCD can be separate pistons connected together or a single member.

Claims (4)

1. Dispensing valve for a beverage dispensing device, containing (a) a body (118) having a water channel (122) extending therethrough and a concentrate channel (120) extending therethrough; (b) a valve device for controlling the flow through the channels; (c) a nozzle (30) for mixing water and concentrate and for dispensing the mixture; (d) a double-acting volume ratio control device in the dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed by the dispensing valve, the device comprising a water piston (42) and a concentrate piston (40) connected to the water piston, the pistons being arranged in cylinders defining two water chambers (48, 50) and two concentrate chambers (44, 46), the channels including a water channel in fluid communication with each water chamber and a concentrate channel in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber; (e) said valve means comprising: four poppet valves (111, 112, 113, 114), one in each pair of water and concentrate channels, a single solenoid (116) capable of moving said pivotable lever arm (126) back and forth, said lever arm being connected to said four poppet valves for opening and closing them; and (f) means for energising the solenoid once per cycle of operation of the device. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the water is carbonated water and the concentrate is syrup. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the piston (40) moves back and forth from side to side in the dispensing valve body (22). 4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the valve device is arranged entirely in the body (22).