GB2049623A - Improvements in or Relating to Dispensing Machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for supplying a dispensing nozzle of a dispensing machine with a continuous supply of material to be dispensed, in which containers holding the material have two openable ends so that a first container can be attached to the dispensing nozzle and a second container can be attached to the first container. Preferably, the containers are of a disposable nature and the means of connection between the first container and the nozzle, and between the two containers, is by way of screw-threading. A connecting member may be provided between adjacent ends of the containers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Dispensing Machines This invention relates to dispensing means and is concerned with a method of, and means for, supplying the dispensing nozzles or the like of such machines with material, for example, a powder or a liquid, to be dispensed.

Although not limited in this respect, the method and means of the invention are particularly suitable for use in hot or cold beverage dispensing machines where ingredients, such as tea or coffee, sugar, or powdered milk are dispensed into a drinking vessel to which water is added.

In such machines, the or each dispensing nozzle, which presents a downwardly directed outlet, has attached-thereto, as by screwthreading, a reservoir containing the material to be dispensed, the arrangement being such that the material as it is used passes from the reservoir under gravity. The reservoirs for this purpose are generally thin transparent containers which are disposable. Thus, as a container becomes empty, it is unscrewed from the nozzle and replaced by a new or filled container.

Whilst the latter procedure is, in theory, quite satisfactory, it presents practical difficulties for the operator, i.e. the caretaker of the machine, and frequently results, where the machine is such as to dispense a plurality of different ingredients, in one or more of the ingredients not being available to the user of the machine.

In order to avoid, or reduce, the problem of the non-availability of ingredients, the operator of the machine must be able to judge the extent of use of the different ingredients and/or make frequent service calls to the machine. In addition, in order to maintain a continuous supply of the ingredients, the operator frequently finds it necessary to replace a container before it is completely empty. The result of this is that a number of partially full containers have to be stored and, in practice, the operator generally pours the remaining contents into a spare container until that container is full enough to use in the normal way as a full or new container.

The latter procedure is time-consuming and has the disadvantage that it is unhygienic in that the material is exposed to the surrounding atmosphere and other possible hazards. A further disadvantage of such exposure is the fact that, where the material is a powder, it will tend to absorb moisture and thereby become tacky with the result that it will stick to the dispensing nozzle. This will cause blockage of the nozzle and will adversely affect the metering capabilities thereof.

It is among the objects of the present invention to overcome, or substantially reduce, the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of supplying a dispensing nozzle with a continuous supply of material to be dispensed, which comprises attaching to the nozzle one openable end of a container which has two openable ends, and subsequently attaching, as and when required, a second container having one or two openable ends, to the other end of the first-mentioned container.

According to the invention furthermore, there is provided apparatus for supplying a dispensing nozzle with a continuous supply of material to be dispensed, which comprises a first container which is openable at both of its ends and is provided to be attached, by either of its ends, to the dispensing nozzle, and a second container which is openable at one or both ends, said end or ends being provided, directly or indirectly, to be attached to the free end of the first container.

Preferably, attachment of a container to the nozzle, and attachment of one container to another, is effected by screw-threading.

Preferably also, a screw-threaded coupling member is provided for use between adjacent ends of the containers.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing which shows a sectional elevation of the apparatus of the invention in its position of use in a dispensing machine.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a part of the framework F of a dispensing machine in which is supported a gravity-feed dispensing nozzle N of any suitable construction.

In accordance with the present invention, in order to supply the nozzle N with a continuous supply of material to be dispensed, there is provided a first reservoir or container 1 of the material to be dispensed, the container having, at each of its ends, an outlet opening 2 which is externally screw-threaded to receive a screw cap 3. Both of the screw caps of the first container 1 are, in use, removed as can be seen from the drawing.

Furthermore, as shown in the drawing, a second container 1 corresponding to that of the first container s provided, this container being attached, via a screw-threaded coupling member 4 to the first container.

The containers 1 are preferably of a thin transparent plastics material and are of a disposable nature, it being understood that, when filled, the containers are closed at both ends by the caps 3 for transportation and storage purposes.

In use, a filled container 1 is attached, after removing the cap 3 at one end, to the nozzle N which is formed with a screw-thread corresponding to that of the outlet opening 2.

When the container is empty, or preferably before it is fully emptied, the cap 3 at the upper or free end thereof is removed and the coupling member 4 is attached thereto. A fresh filled container is then attached to the coupling member 4 as is shown in the drawing, the cap 3 at the upper or free end thereof remaining in position. The contents of this container will then flow into the first container as the material in the latter is used.

When the second container is empty, or at any convenient time thereafter before the first container is empty, the second container is removed and replaced by a fresh filled container.

If desired, a third container may be attached, via a coupling member 4, to the second container.

This, however, is not necessary in order to achieve the object of the invention which, for all practical purposes, can be achieved with the containers stacked two high only.

Thus, it will be seen that, in carrying out the invention, a continuous supply of material is provided without unduly exposing the material to the atmosphere, and with very little effort on the part of the operator of the machine.

In practice, it may be found that, with continued use over a long period, the first container may become discoloured and appear to be dirty. In order to overcome this minor problem, the operator can occasionally attach a fresh container to the first container and then'remove the assembly with the nozzle N. He can then remove the nozzle and apply a cap 3 in place thereof. The container assembly can then be reversed and the nozzle attached to the free end of the fresh container. The assembly can then be replaced in the machine with the fresh container lowermost so that the discoloured container can be removed and disposed of. This operation can conveniently be carried out to coincide with the periodic operation of cleaning and disinfecting the nozzle N.

Although the invention has been described with reference to both containers being of a disposable nature and being open at both ends, it will be understood that this is not absolutely essential in order to achieve the object of the invention. Thus, the first container could be openended and may be of disposable or nondisposable type, but the second container need only be openable at one end. In this case, it will be necessary periodically to replace or clean the first container but otherwise the arrangement has all the advantages of the previously described arrangement.

Furthermore, although the means of attachment is described as being a screwthreaded arrangement, it is obvious that other means, for example, a bayonet type fitting, or a compression type fitting, could be used.

Claims (14)

Claims

1. A method of supplying a dispensing nozzle with a continuous supply of material to be dispensed, which comprises attaching to the nozzle one openable end of a container which has two openable ends, and subsequently attaching, as and when required, a second container having one or two openable ends, to the other end of the first-mentioned container.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the containers are of a disposable nature.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first-mentioned container is of a non-disposable nature and the second container is of a disposable nature.

4. Apparatus for supplying a dispensing nozzle with a continous supply of material to be dispensed, which comprises a first container which is openable at both of its ends and is provided to be attached, by either of its ends, to the dispensing nozzle, and a second container which is openable at one or both ends, said end or ends being provided, directly or indirectly, to be attached to the free end of the first container.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the end or ends of the containers are closed by caps.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the connections between the first container and the nozzle, and between the containers are by way of screw-threading.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein a coupling member is provided between the adjacent ends of the containers.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the containers are of a disposable nature.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first container is of a nondisposable nature and the second container is of a disposable nature.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the containers are of transparent material.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein'the containers are of a thin plastics material.

12. A method of supplying a dispensing nozzle with a continuous supply of material to be dispensed, substantially as hereinbefore described.

1 3. Apparatus for supplying a dispensing nozzle with a continuous supply of material to be dispensed, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

14. A dispensing machine having apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11.