EP0228927A1 - Drink dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

This dispenser comprises a pressurised reserve (5) of a dilution liquid, preferably water, and at least one sealed container (21) containing a juice or concentrated extract to be mixed with the liquid in specific proportions in a mixing head (23) connected via separate pipes (24-25), respectively, to the water reserve and to the juice or extract container. The apparatus comprises an injector (57) extending the dilution-liquid supply pipe into the mixing head (23) and opening out axially into a chamber (50) having, in front of the end of the injector, a progressively narrowing cross-section (51), acting as a Venturi for accelerating the dilution liquid, the juice or concentrated-extract supply pipe (25) being connected to the chamber such that the reduced pressure created by acceleration of the liquid sucks out a specific quantity of juice which mixes with this liquid. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing drinks, in particular consisting of a dilution in water, preferably refrigerated, natural or gaseous, of a concentrated juice or of a fruit extract or the like, providing a mixture immediately. ready for consumption.

It is known that most drinks based on fruit juice or other similar substances are obtained by mixing in suitable proportions with a diluting liquid, usually water, an appropriate quantity of a concentrated extract, the mixture being conditioned. in the factory in appropriate packaging such as a bottle, can, quick-opening tin can, cardboard brick with sealed internal walls, glass or plastic container, etc. This results in the need for significant handling to such packaging, in particular in drinking places or other places where they are delivered or sold to consumers.

It is also known that certain manufacturers offer direct sales of concentrated juices, intended for family or individual consumption, however requiring that the consumer makes the appropriate mixture himself in the proportions indicated. However, this method requires manual intervention, the mixture produced being approximate and not allowing drinks to be obtained which always have the same characteristics of taste and composition.

The present invention aims to allow by means of an automatic dispenser a mixture always identical to itself of a juice or a concentrated extract and of a dilution liquid, from samples taken from reserves or containers containing sufficient quantities of both.

It also aims to provide a device that is simple to adjust, easy to maintain and has great operational safety, while also making it possible to deliver drinks suitable for immediate consumption and having rigorously constant qualities and compositions.

To this end, the dispenser according to the invention, comprising a reserve under pressure of a dilution liquid, preferably water, and at least one sealed container containing a concentrated juice or extract, to be mixed with the liquid in proportions determined in a mixing head connected by separate pipes respectively to the water reserve and to the juice or extract container and an injector extending into the mixing head the pipe for supplying the dilution liquid and opening axially into a chamber having, in front of the end of the injector a progressive narrowing of its section, playing the role of a Venturi for the speeding up of the dilution liquid is characterized in that the juice supply pipe or of concentrated extract is combined with the chamber so that the depression created by the speeding up of the liquid sucks up a determined quantity of juice coming to mix with this liquid, said pipe comprising a v stop ring comprising an obturator with axial displacement, blocking the passage of the juice in this pipe, the opening of the valve being carried out by displacement of this obturator under the effect of an external pusher caused by the tensioning during a fixed duration of an electromagnet.

In a particular embodiment of the in vention, the container of juice or concentrated extract is constituted by a flexible pocket, disposable after use, the stop valve being directly mounted at the lower end of this pocket held vertically and integral with it.

Thanks to these provisions and whatever the variant used, the electromagnet causes the pusher to move and actuate the shutter of the stop valve for an appropriate period of time, with the latter opening and the flow of a given amount of juice or extract. Advantageously, the shutter of the valve comprises an axial rod, provided at its end with a conical valve bearing on a seat provided in the body of the valve and applied to it either under the effect of a spring, either under the effect of an elastic membrane resting on the end of the opposite rod of the valve, so that, in the absence of control of the electromagnet, the valve is applied on its seat in blocking the passage of the juice through the valve.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dilution liquid injector comprises an elongated body provided with a calibrated axial passage, mounted in a stepped bore, formed in the mixing head so that it is in abutment against a shoulder of this bore and immobilized in position against the mixing head at the rear of the injector. Preferably, the axial passage of the injector is connected to a solenoid valve for controlling the flow of pressurized dilution liquid, mounted on the pipe for supplying the liquid to the mixing head.

Advantageously and according to another characteristic of the invention, the chamber in which the water and the juice are collected, comprises, downstream of its narrowing in section, a first elongated part which opens into a second cylindrical part, this communicating with the outside of the mixing head by a spout of generally conical shape.

Also and according to another characteristic of the invention, the dispenser usefully comprises an assembly in itself known for cooling the dilution liquid, comprising an exchanger-evaporator immersed in the liquid reserve, a thermostat, a condenser and a compressor. If necessary, the liquid reserve is in communication with an independent gasification device.

Preferably, the dilution liquid is brought to the upper part of the reserve through a pressure regulator and a flow regulator constantly adjusting the supply of the liquid, the latter being drawn off at the lower part of the reserve by the pipe. connected to the mixing head. An electropneumatic device with a pressure switch, actuated by a push-button controls a programmed electronic box ensuring, according to a determined sequence, on the one hand, the use of the solenoid valve mounted on the pipe for supplying the dilution liquid to the injector and on the other hand that of the electromagnet controlling the intermittent flow of the juice or concentrated extract.

According to another characteristic, the flow of juice or of concentrated extract can be manually adjusted by a screw engaged in a conduit connecting the outlet of the stop valve to the mixing chamber, the position of which partially closes the passage section.

According to another characteristic finally of the dispenser according to the invention, the reserve of dilution liquid and the container of juice or extract are placed in a closed protective box. Preferably, the box has several neighboring containers for juices different and a reserve of dilution liquid common to all of these containers, each of these being associated with a separate mixing head.

• - La Figure 1 est une vue schématique illustrant l'ensemble des composants entrant dans la réalisation de l'appareil considéré ;
• - La Figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale partielle à plus grande échelle de la tête de mélange utilisée conformément à l'invention.

Other characteristics of the distributor considered will appear further through the following description of an exemplary embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating all of the components involved in the production of the device considered;
• - Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view on a larger scale of the mixing head used in accordance with the invention.

In FIG. 1, the reference 1 generally designates a protective metal box or case, containing all of the components of the beverage dispenser according to the invention, this box mainly comprising an upper lateral wall 1a, a lower wall 1b, and support plate lc. The box 1 rests by means of adjustable height feet 2 on the ground 3 or on an appropriate plane support. The wall 1a advantageously comprises a lock access door, the rear part of the box can also be removable to allow access, for repair or maintenance, to the control members mounted in the box.

Inside the box 1, preferably in its rear part, located on the left of the drawing, the dispenser comprises a refrigeration unit 4 of conventional design, comprising a reserve 5 for a suitable volume of a dilution liquid 6, usually consisting of water. This reserve 5 is supplied with water by means of a conduit 7 connected to a pressure regulator 8 making it possible to adjust the latter as desired according to the conditions of use of the device. The regulator 8 is in turn joined to a flow regulator 9 intended to continuously adjust the flow rate of the liquid to a determined value. This passes through a tube 10, itself connected at its opposite end to a sealed passage 11 provided at the upper part of the reserve 5, allowing the latter to be permanently supplied so that it is always at a constant pressure determined.

Inside the reserve 5 is mounted the coil 12 of an exchanger-evaporator, the detail of which is of little importance in itself to the invention. This coil is connected by a line 13 to a compressor 14. In addition, the installation comprises, mounted under reserve 5, a condenser 15, cooled by means of a fan 16 driven by a motor 17. The installation comprises elsewhere an adjustment thermostat 18 and a thermometric measurement device 19. An electronic box 20 makes it possible to ensure the command and control of the various functions of the apparatus as described below.

Several containers 21 are also mounted inside the box 1 (only one of which appears in FIG. 1, the others preferably being placed next to it and at the same level), these containers each containing a volume 22 of a juice or a concentrated extract of fruit or the like, the dispenser of which according to the invention is arranged to dilute each time it is drawn off with an appropriate quantity of chilled water coming from the reserve 5. Each of these containers 21 can in particular be constituted by a flexible pocket, plastic or other, mounted in the box 1 and fixed therein at a suitable height by any suitable means.

For this purpose, reserve 5 on the one hand, the (or) container 21 on the other hand, are connected to a mixing head 23, by means of pipes 24 and 25 respectively, opening one and the other at the lower part of the reserve and of the container. In the event of parallel mounting of several receptacles similar to that designated at 21 in FIG. 1, the apparatus comprises as many mixing heads 23 as such receptacles, the reserve 5 being on the other hand common to all of them and comprising a corresponding number of pipes 24 in parallel. Each mixing head 23, the detail of which will be described in relation to FIG. 2, finally comprises a pouring spout 26 through which the mixture of water and concentrated juice flows, this mixture being produced in the head according to proportions maintained always equal to themselves, but which can nevertheless be adjusted beforehand at the will of the user, according to the nature of the juices, the characteristics of use established by the manufacturer and the taste of consumers.

We thus find in Figure 2, but on a larger scale, the mixing head 23 connected by its pipes 24 and 25 respectively to the water reserve and to the container of juice or extract to be mixed.

The head 23 is, for this purpose, joined to the pipe 25 by means of a stop valve 27, the body 28 of which is extended by a connecting end piece 29, coming to be embedded or screwed into the end. opposite the pipe 25. As a variant, provision could be made for the valve 27 to be directly fixed to the lower end of the reserve 21 and supplied with the latter by the manufacturer or supplier of the juices to be used. This end piece 29 communicates in the valve body 28 with a transverse passage 30 inside which is mounted a shutter comprising an axial rod 31, provided at one of its ends with a conical valve 32 bearing against a seat 32a of same profile of the body 28. At its opposite end, the rod 31 is in contact with a plate 33, glued or attached against the internal face of an elastic membrane 34 closing the rear part of the valve body 28. Optionally, if the elasticity of the diaphragm alone is not sufficient to ensure the retention of the valve on its seat and the return of the latter after having been deformed, provision may be made to place against the plate 33 a spring 35 pushing it towards the right of the drawing, in a position where the conical valve 32 of the rod 31 is supported on its seat 32a in the body 28. The body penetrates by embedding or other connecting means inside an open housing 37, provided in the opposite part 38 of the mixing head 23.

On its face opposite to the rod 31, the plate 33 is disposed in the immediate vicinity of the end of a rod 39 carried by the core 40 of an electromagnet 41, immobilized by means (not shown) against the face corresponding to a plate 42 integral with the head 23. The core 40 has outside of the electromagnet 41 a shoulder 43 adapted, when the latter is energized, to come to bear against a bearing 44 , forming a stop and limiting the displacement stroke of the rod 39 which, by pressing on the plate 33 against the spring 35, moves the conical valve 32 to the left, thereby freeing the momentary passage for a quantity appropriate juice or concentrated extract from the container 21 via the nozzle 29 and the transverse passage 30. The juice thus delivered then escapes from the valve body 28 to spread into a space 45 formed at the bottom of the housing 37, this space 45 communicating in turn through a hole 46 with a vertical duct 47. A vi s needle 48 with adjustable positioning engages in duct 47 allowing more or less to close the passage at the outlet from hole 46, thereby limiting the flow of juice or extract.

The duct 47 opens at its lower end into a chamber 50, comprising downstream a progressively decreasing section 51 playing the role of a Venturi, the chamber 50 extending beyond this section 51 by a first part in the form of an elongated duct 52. The latter communicates with a second cylindrical part 53, open downwards and in the orifice of which the spout 26 is screwed or fitted, having for this purpose a collar 54 extended by a conical tube 55 provided with a transverse shoulder 56.

Inside the chamber 50 is mounted according to the invention an injector 57, comprising three successive cylindrical parts 58, 59 and 60 respectively, of decreasing sections from one to the other and an axial calibrated passage comprising two parts abutments 61 and 62. The injector 57 is engaged in a bore 63 provided in the mixing head 23 so as to abut by a shoulder 64 against a facing bearing face 65 formed in the bottom of this bore. A seal 66 is disposed between the body of the injector and the wall of the bore 63. At its end opposite to the chamber 50, the injector 57 has a transverse flange 67 locked against the opposite face of the head 23 by means of a stop plate 68, immobilized by screws 69. Finally, in the extension of the passage 61 is embedded or screwed the end of the nozzle 70 of a solenoid valve 71, comprising a body 72 and a control solenoid 73, this solenoid valve being connected opposite to the water supply pipe 24, and making it possible to control the flow rate of the latter delivered into the chamber 50.

Returning to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the device is completed by means of a pneumatic pressure switch 74, controlled by a push button 75 and capable of delivering during a push on this button, a control signal transmitted by a connecting means 76 to the electronic box 20, so as to allow, according to a predetermined sequence, the control of the solenoid valve 71 and the electromagnet 41, the push button 75 being able to be actuated as desired either manually by keeping this button pressed until the desired quantity of drink is delivered, or automatically, a single pulse supplied by the push button 74 triggering the sequence of operations until the end of the cycle. As a variant, the push button 75 could be replaced by a pivoting lever, mounted on the mixing head and arranged to directly control the opening of the solenoid valve 71 and simultaneously of the electromagnet 41.

In one case as in the other, in fact, the command of the button firstly causes the opening of the solenoid valve 71 and the admission via the pipe 24, of an appropriate flow of chilled water into the injector 57. The pressurized water thus delivered then enters the chamber 50 and as a result of the narrowing of the section 51 of the latter, is accelerated in the duct 52 at the same time as it determines in the chamber 50, an effect appropriate depression. Simultaneously, the electromagnet 41 controls the movement of the rod 39 and consequently that of the valve 32 which emerges from its seat by opening the passage for a given quantity of juice or concentrated extract. Due to the vacuum created by the water flow, this quantity of juice is immediately sucked up and mixes intimately with the water in the duct 52 and then beyond the latter, in the cylindrical part 53, before being finally delivered by the spout 26.

A very simple beverage dispenser is thus produced, which makes it possible to obtain an exactly determined programmed mixture of a quantity of water and an additional proportion of juice or concentrated extract, exactly measured by the flow rate flowing from the stop valve during the period of time corresponding to the opening thereof. Similarly, the quantity of water supplied is strictly limited to that which flows during the opening phase of the solenoid valve. electropneumatic triggering the device. Furthermore, the structure of the device is such that it avoids the complicated systems of the prior systems necessary for cleaning the pipes. In particular, the electronic control can be programmed to control the solenoid valve for the passage of a single water flow, automatically cleaning the mixing head.

The device in question can naturally be adapted to the widest operating range, using a battery of different containers, each containing a separate juice and an associated mixing head, for which the electronic unit can program different operating parameters, depending on the nature of the juice and the proposals for the mixture to be produced.

Advantageously and as a general rule, the water pressure is adjusted by the regulator in the vicinity of 2.5 bars for a city water pressure of between 3 and 5 bars, the injector providing a calibrated water flow rate adjusted to 2.5 1 / min. The vacuum in the mixing chamber is chosen to be close to 0.8 bar.

Of course, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the example of embodiment more particularly described and represented above; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants. In particular, without departing from the scope of the invention, add to the device a gasification device, making it possible to mix carbonated water with the juice or concentrated extract. Of similarly, for other uses, the refrigeration device could be omitted, for example in the case of mixtures which do not require a cooled dilution liquid. In addition, the structure of the valves used, as well as the arrangement of the electronic control system could undergo many variants without modifying the characteristics of the invention.

Claims (13)

1 - Automatic drink dispenser, comprising a pressure reserve (5) of a dilution liquid, preferably water, and at least one sealed container (21) containing a concentrated juice or extract, to be mixed with the liquid in proportions determined in a mixing head (23) connected by separate pipes (24-25) respectively to the water reserve and to the juice or extract container and an injector (57) extending into the mixing head ( 23) the pipe for supplying the dilution liquid and opening axially into a chamber (50) having, before the end of the injector, a progressive narrowing of its section (51), playing the role of a Venturi for the setting in speed of the dilution liquid, characterized in that the supply pipe (25) of the juice or of concentrated extract is joined to the chamber so that the depression created by the setting in speed of the liquid sucks up a determined quantity of juice coming to mix with this liquid, l adite pipe (25) comprising a stop valve (27) comprising a shutter (31) with axial displacement, closing the passage of the juice in this pipe, the opening of the valve being carried out by displacement of this shutter under the effect an external pusher (39) caused by the energizing for a determined period of an electromagnet (41). 2 - Automatic drink dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the container of juice or concentrated extract consists of a flexible bag, disposable after use, the stop valve being directly mounted at the lower end of this pocket held vertically and integral with it. 3 - Automatic drink dispenser according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve shutter (27) comprises an axial rod (31) provided at its end with a conical valve (32) in support on a seat (32a) provided in the body (28) of the valve and applied to it either under the effect of a spring (35), or under the effect of an elastic membrane bearing on the end of the rod opposite the valve, so that, in the absence of pulses on the electromagnet (41), the valve (32) is applied on its seat by blocking the passage of the juice through the valve. 4 - Automatic drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the dilution liquid injector (57) comprises an elongated body provided with a calibrated axial passage (61-62), mounted in a stepped bore (63) formed in the mixing head (23) so that it abuts against a shoulder (64) of this bore and immobilized in a fixed position against the mixing head at the rear of the 'injector. 5 - Automatic beverage dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that the axial passage (61-62) of the injector (57) is connected to an electro-control valve (71) of the flow of pressure dilution liquid , mounted on the pipe (24) for supplying the liquid to the mixing head (23). 6 - Automatic drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the chamber (50) comprises downstream of its narrowing of section (51) a first elongated part (52) which opens into a second part cylindrical (53), the latter communicating with the outside of the mixing head by a pouring spout (26) of generally conical shape. 7 - Automatic drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an assembly (4) in itself known, for cooling the dilution liquid, comprising an exchanger-evaporator (12) immersed in the liquid reserve ( 5), a thermostat (18), a condenser (15) and a compressor (14). 8 - Automatic drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the liquid reserve (5) is in communication with a gasification device. 9 - Automatic drink dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the liquid is brought to the upper part of the reserve (5) by means of a pressure regulator (8) and a flow regulator (9) constantly adjusting the flow rate of the liquid, the latter being withdrawn from the lower part of the reserve by the pipe (24) connected to the mixing head. 10 - Automatic beverage dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an electropneumatic device with pressure switch (74), actuated by a pusher (75) controlling a programmed electronic box (20) ensuring according to a determined sequence, on the one hand, the implementation of the solenoid valve (71) mounted on the pipe for supplying the dilution liquid and to the injector and, on the other hand, that of the electromagnet ( 41) for controlling the intermittent flow of the juice or concentrated extract. 11 - Automatic drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the flow of juice or concentrated extract is manually adjusted by a screw (48) engaged in a conduit (47) connecting the outlet of the valve to the mixing chamber (50), the position of which progressively closes the passage section. 12 - Automatic drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the dilution liquid reserve (5) and the juice or extract container (21) are placed in a closed box (1). 13 - Automatic drink dispenser according to claim 12, characterized in that the box comprises several neighboring containers for different juices and a reserve of dilution liquid common to all of these containers, each of these being associated with a separate mixing head.

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