GB2173172A

GB2173172A - Beverage dispensing system with reserve supply and near-empty signal

Info

Publication number: GB2173172A
Application number: GB08607944A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anderson Phillips
Original assignee: Coca Cola Co
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 1985-03-29
Filing date: 1986-04-01
Publication date: 1986-10-08
Also published as: GB2173172B; GB8607944D0; JPS61244794A; DE3610807A1; AU5492986A

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system 10 of the pressurized type including a reservoir 22 in the syrup tube 14 for holding a reserve quantity of syrup, means for detecting when the syrup in the reservoir falls to an upper level (34) and then to a lower level (36), means 24, 26 for providing a signal when the liquid level falls to the upper level to indicate that the syrup container is empty while allowing beverages to continue to be dispensed (at 16) from the syrup reserve, and means 24, 26 for disabling the valve assembly 16 if the syrup level in the reservoir falls to the lower level. 12 is a syrup reservoir pressurized by CO2 from line 20. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Beverage dispensing system with reserve supply and near-empty signal Field of the invention This invention relates to pressure-type beverage dispensing systems and in a preferred embodiment to a post-mix beverage dispensing system.

Description of the prior art A fountain outlet has two operational desires that are in almost complete opposition: to completely empty each syrup container (for example, a Figal), and to not be interrupted in the sale of beverages due to CO2 in the tubing and in the beverage dispensing valve assembly that must be purged. The recommended procedure for rotation of Figals solves this problem if it is followed; however, it is not always used. Such procedure includes checking the Figal level by physical examination and when it is near empty, inserting a full one in the syrup tube between the near empty one and the beverage dispensing valve assembly.

The near empty Figal will then transfer into the full Figal as beverages continue to be dispensed. When the near empty Figal has completely emptied, it can then be removed.

When this recommended procedure is not followed, the Figal is allowed to stay in place until both it and the syrup tubing to the valve assembly then sputters a mixture of carbonated water, syrup and CO2. The operator must then purge the entire syrup system after connection of a fresh Figal which costs him employee time, potential loss of sales, loss of CO2, and some syrup loss.

U.S. Patent 2,880,910 to Hanson, et al., discloses a sold-out indicating system for a beverage dispenser including an intermediate reservoir 30 in which the liquid level is monitored to determine when a beverage supply container becomes empty at which time no further dispensing is permitted.

U.S.. Patent 4,406,382 to Roth discloses a system for signaling when a beverage container becomes empty.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sold-out system for containers which avoids the above-mentioned problems in the prior art.

It is another object of this invention to provide a system for completely emptying a Figal while continuing to allow beverages to be dispensed and without allowing any CO2 to reach the valve assembly or the syrup tubing to the valve assembly.

Summary of the invention A beverage dispensing system is provided in which syrup (or, in a pre-mix application, the carbonated beverage itself), is fed under pressure through a syrup tube from a syrup container to a beverage dispensing valve assembly. The system includes a reservoir in the syrup tube for holding a reserve quantity of syrup, means for detecting when the syrup level in the reservoir falls to an upper level, and means for providing a signal indicating that the syrup container is empty and needs to be replaced, while still allowing beverages to be dispensed from the reserve supply in the reservoir.

If the syrup container is not replaced before the liquid level falls to a lower level, means are provided to detect the fall of the syrup level to such lower level and to disable the valve assembly at that time.

Brief description of the drawings An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein: Figure 1 is a partly diagrammatic, partly schematic view of a beverage dispensing system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the reservoir of the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of the reservoir of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a partly cross-sectional, side elevational view of the reservoir of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a bottom view of the lid of the reservoir of Figure 2 taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of the level sensing and transmitter system of the present invention; and Figures 7A and 78 form an electrical schematic diagram of the signal receiver and alarm control system of the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment With reference now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a beverage dispensing system 10 of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the system 10 is a post-mix system including a syrup container 12 (such as a Figal) connected by a syrup tube 14 to a beverage dispensing valve assembly 16, which can be any well-known valve assembly such as the Dole SEV, for example, having one solenoid controlling the flow of carbonated water and one solenoid controlling the flow of syrup therethrough to a mixing chamber and dispensing nozzle. The valve assembly 16 is usually one of several such valve assemblies mounted on a beverage dispenser 18. The syrup container 12 is pressurized through a CO2 line 20 by a standard CO2 container (not shown).

In addition to the above-mentioned well-known components of a beverage dispensing system, the present embodiment includes a reservoir 22 connected to the syrup tube 14, a level sensing and transmitter system 24 and a signal receiver and alarm control system 26. The level sensing and transmitter system electronics are mounted in a housing 48 connected to the reservoir 22 (see Figure 2). The signal receiver and alarm control system 26 electronics are mounted in a housing 27 connected to the valve assembly 16 or to the beverage dispenser 18 (see Figure 1).

The reservoir 22 can be mounted to the wall or any convenient structure and the associated sensing and transmitter system 24 in the housing 48 is plugged into any nearby mains, e.g. 120 VAC receptacle. The housing 48 has a test switch 49, a purge switch 84 and a warning light 74 on a front panel of the bracket 50 (see Figure 2). The signal receiving and alarm system 26 mounted in the housing 27 is connected into the valve assembly 16 control circuit with two 2-pin plugs and is plugged into any nearby 120 VAC receptacle. The housing 27 has a horn buzzer 76, a warning light 74 and a reset button 82.

In operation, the beverage dispensing system 10 allows a dealer to completely empty the syrup container 12, without any opportunity for CO2 gas to reach the valve assembly 16. It provides him with a warning, both audible and visual, that the syrup container 12 has emptied, and then allows him to continue to draw drinks from the syrup reserve in the reservoir 22 (preferably approximately 30 ounces (900 ml)). This allows time for the syrup container 12 to be changed without interrupting sales. Should the syrup reserve in the reservoir 22 be depleted prior to changing the syrup container, a second alarm is generated and the valve assembly 16 is disabled.

After a fresh syrup container is in place, the dealer operates a purge switch 84 at the reservoir 22 (on the front panel of the bracket 50 as shown in Figure 2). This disables the valve assembly 16 and activates a CO2 solenoid vent relief valve 58.

The CO2 volume that is in the reservoir 22 and in the syrup tube 15 from the syrup container 12 to the reservoir 22 is vented to the atmosphere as it is replaced by syrup from the fresh syrup container. When the syrup level in the reservoir 22 is replenished, the solenoid vent relief valve 58 closes and the valve assembly 16 is enabled. The beverage dispensing system is now reset for the next cycle.

The reservoir 22 will now be described with reference to Figures 2-5. The reservoir 22 includes a vessel 30 and a lid 32 that can be removably sealed to an opening in the top of the vessel. The lid includes three electrical conductance probes extending down from the lid into the vessel. These probes are an upper level probe 34, a lower level probe 36 and a ground probe 38. The upper and lower level probes 34 and 36 are insulated down to the bottom or distal end thereof. The ground probe 38 is bare along its entire length. When the liquid level falls to the upper level probe, there is a predetermined reserve quantity of syrup in the reservoir. A preferred quantity is 30 ounces (900 ml).

The lid 32 also includes an inlet port 42 and an outlet port 44 connected to the syrup tube 14. The outlet port 44 is connected to the top of a dip tube 46 that extends to near the bottom of the vessel 30.

The level sensing and transmitting system 24 is contained in housing 48 connected to the reservoir by bracket 50 held between the lid 32 and the vessel 30. Three electrical connections 52, 53 and 54 extend from the housing to upper portions of the probes 34, 36 and 38.

The lid 32 also includes a vent port 56 and a solenoid vent relief valve 58 connected thereto. An electrical connection 60 extends from the housing 48 to the solenoid vent relief valve 58.

The level sensing and transmitting system 24 is shown schematically in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figure 6 and can be viewed as three interrelated functional blocks 62, 64 and 66. The level of syrup inthe reservoir 22 is detected at first and second alarm points by the AC level probes 34 and 36 along with the common ground probe 38, which is also present in the vessel 30, which vessel is made of a nonelectrically conductive material such as plastic or glass. A CMOS quad 2-input NAND Schmitt trigger (CD4093) is used with appropriate external components to determine the status of the syrup level in the reservoir 22 and to control the purge function of the solenoid vent relief valve 58.

The level status is passed to the second functional unit 64, which is a tone encoder. The encoding is done with a TCM 5089 Tone Dialer Chip, commonly found in telecommunications systems. This generates a unique tone for each alarm level.

These tones are fed to an NE566 Function Generator that is connected as an FM Modulator. The level status tone modulates the carrier tone of the function generator and is coupled onto the AC line with a capacitor isolated matching transformer.

The signal travels over the premises' 120 VAC line to the receiver 26, located at the valve assembly 16.

The signal receiving and alarm control system 26 is shown schematically in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figure 7 and comprises three basic functional units 68, 70 and 72. The FM modulated signals generated by the transmitter 24 and coupled to the premises' AC wiring are decoupled from the line by a demodulator 68 with a transformer and FM demodulated by an NE565 Phase Locked Loop with appropriate external components. The output from this demodulator 68 is the tone that was encoded by the tone dialer chip. The tone signal is fed into the second stage 70 of the receiver 26, which uses (for one flavor) two tone decoders (NE567 P-L-L). One chip is used to detect each unique tone that is generated by the transmitter 24.The outputs from this stage 70 are fed to the final alarm logic and control stage 72, which generates the operator alarms and controls the shut-off of the valve assembly 16 if the reservoir 22 reaches the low level and also when CO2 venting is in progress. This logic is handled by a CD4093 quad 2-input NAND Schmitt trigger chip.

Under normal operations, the reservoir 22 is full, the solenoid controlled vent relief valve 58 is closed, and the valve assembly 16 is enabled.

When the syrup container 12 empties, the syrup level in the syrup reservoir 22 begins to fall as the syrup in the reservoir is replaced by CO2 gas. The upper probe 34 is cleared by the liquid level, soon followed by the lower probe 36 being cleared if a fresh syrup container has not been substituted for the empty syrup container 12. When the upper probe 34 is cleared, an alarm occurs, indicated by the LEDs 73 and 74 (see Figure 6 and 7) and the alarm horn 76 (see Figure 7). There is now a reserve quantity of syrup in the reservoir 22 available equal to the volume between the upper and lower probes 34 and 36. The dealer or operator should now be attempting to replace the syrup container 12 with a fresh, full syrup container. To silence the horn 76 the reset button 82 on the housing 27 at the valve assembly is pushed (see Figures 1 and 7B).

Should the reserve quantity in the reservoir be depleted, which is detected by the lower probe 36 becoming uncovered with syrup, the valve assembly 16 is disabled (the relay contact 78 in Figure 7 is closed which disables the triac 79 and prevents the cup actuated lever arm 80 in Figure 1 from energizing the two solenoids in the valve assembly 16). When a fresh, full syrup container is connected in place of the empty syrup container 12, the purge button 84 is pressed, which disables the valve assembly 16 and activates the solenoid vent relief valve 58. CO2 gas now vents to the atmosphere and is replaced by syrup until the upper probe 34 is contacted by syrup. At this time the solenoid control vent relief valve 58 is deenergizing thus closing the vent port 56 and the valve assembly 16 is enabled and the LEDs 73 and 74 are deenergized. The system is now back to normal operation.

The test button 49 (see Figure 2) on the housing 48 can be pushed to check that the system is operable. When the test button is pushed, the light 74 and the horn buzzer 76 at the receiver housing 27 should both be activated.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, it is understood that variations and modifications can be made therein, without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the invention can be used in a pre-mix system, as well as in a post-mix system. Further, different types and arrangements of signals can be provided. Also, when the lower level is detected, rather than disabling the valve assembly, the syrup tube from the reservoir to the valve assembly can simply be closed or a valve in the dip tube can be closed. Different quantities of reserve syrup can be used in the reservoir 22.

Other level sensitive systems than that specifically described above can be used.

Claims

1. A pressurized beverage dispensing system comprising: (a) a liquid tube for carrying liquid from a pressurized liquid container to a beverage dispensing valve assembly; (b) a liquid reservoir connected to said liquid tube; (c) means for detecting when the liquid level in said reservoir falls to an upper level and then to a lower level, said reservoir containing a predetermined reserve quantity of liquid when the liquid level is at said upper level; (d) means for energizing a signal device when the liquid level in said reservoir falls to said upper level, to provide an indication that said liquid container is empty while still allowing beverages to continue to be dispensed without allowing pressurizing gas to get into said valve assembly; and (e) means for preventing further flow of liquid from said reservoir to said valve assembly when the liquid level in said reservoir falls to said lower level.

2. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 including a beverage dispensing valve assembly connected to the outlet end of said liquid tube and wherein said preventing means comprises means for disabling said valve assembly.

3. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said valve assembly is an electrically operated valve assembly having a cup-actuated lever arm and wherein said disabling means includes means for preventing operation of said cup-actuated lever arm from energizing said valve assembly.

4. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said detecting means comprises three electrical conductance probes in said reservoir including an upper level probe, a lower level probe and a ground probe.

5. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said signal device includes a sound source, and including manual means for de-energizing said sound source.

6. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim including means for venting gas from said reservoir when a fresh liquid container has been connected to an inlet end of said liquid tube.

7. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said reserve quantity of liquid is substantially 900 ml.

8. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said reservoir includes a vessel with a sealed lid removably connected to the top of said vessel, three electrical conductance probes extending from said lid down into said vessel, an outlet tube for liquid extending down from said lid to adjacent the bottom of said vessel, a liquid inlet port in said lid, and a vent orifice in said lid having a solenoid controlled valve for opening and closing said vent orifice.

9. A beverage dispensing system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said liquid is syrup, said system is a post-mix system, said gas is CO2, and said reserve quantity is substantially 900 ml.

10. A beverage dispensing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of operating a beverage dispensing system of the type in which liquid is fed under gas pressure from a liquid container to a beverage dispensing valve assembly to provide such beverage dispensing system with a sold-out warning for the liquid container while still allowing beverages to continue to be dispensed, comprising the steps of:: (a) feeding liquid from a liquid container to a beverage dispensing valve assembly through a liquid tube; (b) providing a liquid reservoir connected to said liquid tube and feeding liquid from said liquid container to said liquid reservoir and from said liquid reservoir to said valve assembly; (c) detecting when the liquid level in said liquid reservoir has fallen to an upper level, at which level a predetermined reserve quantity of liquid remains in said reservoir and said liquid container has emptied into said reservoir; (d) energizing a signal when said liquid level has fallen to said upper level to provide an indication that said liquid container is empty, while allowing beverages to continue to be dispensed using said reserve quantity of liquid in said reservoir; (e) detecting when the liquid level in said reservoir falls to a lower level; and (f) preventing any further flow of liquid from said reservoir to said valve assembly when the liquid level is detected at said lower level to prevent gas from entering said valve assembly or said liquid tube from said reservoir to said valve assembly.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said preventing step comprises disabling said valve assembly.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein said signal device includes an audible alarm and including the step of disabling said audible alarm.

14. A method as claimed in claim 11, 12 or13 wherein said system is a post-mix system, said liquid is syrup, said gas is CO2, and including the step of providing substantially 900 ml of syrup in said reserve quantity.

15. A method of operating a beverage dispensing system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.