GB2178395A - Drink dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A drink dispensing apparatus (10) of the kind used for dispensing drinks by dispensing water and concentrate together, from respective supplies thereof, into a drinking vessel comprises a water tank (12), to which mains water is supplied by a solenoid valve (14), a pump (16) drawing water from the tank (12) along an outlet pipe (20) to a user-operable outlet valve (23). A pressure switch (24) is connected to the outlet pipe (20), and operates the apparatus in accordance with the sensed pressure in the pipe (20). The apparatus comprises a switch (S3) responsive to the quantity of water in the tank (12) to generate a control signal when the water in the tank is at or below a minimum level, to prevent dispensing of concentrate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Drink dispensing apparatus This invention relates to drink dispensing apparatus of the kind, hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified, wherein drinks are dispensed from an outlet of the apparatus by dispensing water and concentrate together, from respective supplies thereof. Conventional apparatus of the kind specified is commonly used in restaurants, snack bars and places of recreation.

In one type of apparatus of the kind specified, in response to a signal from a user, a predetermined amount of concentrate and water are supplied to an outlet from which they are dispensed into a drinking vessel provided by or for the user. In general, the water is provided from a mains water supply, and the concentrate (such as syrup) is provided by a local supply, for example, a gravity-feed system or an air pressure supply system. The strength of the dispensed drink is thus subject to variations due largely to mains water pressure variations. Thus, if for example, the water pressure rises, too much water will be supplied so giving a weak drink unacceptable to users, or, if the water pressure falls or fails altogether, too little water will be supplied, resulting in a strong, reduced-volume drink which may also be unacceptable to users.

Should the water pressure fail altogether, the apparatus will dispense substantially pure concentrate, which is very wasteful.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved apparatus of the kind specified.

According to the present invention there is provided a drink dispensing apparatus of the kind specified comprising a water tank into which water is admitted from a mains supply, and from which water is supplied to the outlet of the apparatus, and switch means responsive to the quantity of water in the tank and operative to generate a control signal when the water in the tank is at or below a minimum level, and means to prevent dispensing of concentrate in response to the control signal.

In this manner wasteful dispensing of concentrate is prevented when the mains water pressure is low or if the mains water pressure fails altogether, so that there is little possibility that the apparatus will dispense an excessively strong drink in such circumstances.

Additionally, by using the water tank in the apparatus, the pressure of water flowing to the outlet, via a pump if appropriate, is subject to less variation than might be the case using a direct inlet of mains water, so that more consistent dispensing of drinks is facilitated. For example, the dispensing of weak drinks in the event of unusually high water mains pressure may be avoided.

The minimum level may be a level below which operation of the apparatus is undesirable, and it may in fact be possible for the water level to pass below said minimum level.

Preferably, when the water attains a level at or below said minimum level, said or further switch means causes a water pump between the water tank and the outlet of the apparatus to be inoperative, so that dispensing of drinks is halted altogether. Thus there is little possibility that the apparatus will dispense a weak drink in the event of water pressure failure.

Preferably, when the switch means prevents dispensing of the concentrate, it causes a warning means to operate, to indicate to a user or other operative that the minimum water level has been attained, so that the user or operative may take corrective action or warn users that normal drink dispensing by the apparatus will not be possible, at least temporarily.

Preferably the warning means comprising a warning lamp, which may be at a location remote from the rest of the apparatus, and which may for example be plugged into an electrical output socket provided in a housing of the apparatus, the switch means providing a suitable electrical output signal at said output socket.

Preferably the apparatus comprises water inlet means which is open except when the tank is full or at a maximum level, so that water from the mains supply, if available, will flow into the tank, for example to raise the water above the minimum level.

Preferably when the water level is above the minimum level, the switch means is operative to permit dispensing of the concentrate, and preferably the further switch means is also then operative to switch on the water pump, so that normal drink dispensing can occur in response to a signal from a user.

However, if the inlet water supply fails, no refilling of the tank will occur and the warning means (e.g. the lamp) will stay on once the water level has descended to the minimum level.

Preferably the apparatus comprises additional switch means which causes the water inlet from the mains water supply to be cut off when said maximum water level has been reached in the tank.

Where a metered quantity of water and concentrate are to be provided, said quantity may be predetermined, so far as the water is concerned, by the volume difference corresponding to the difference between the maximum and minimum levels, so that dispensing ceases on attainment of the minimum level on dispensing each drink.

Alternatively, the tank may fill completely, whereupon additional inflow of water will not be able to occur, and such additional switch means will be unnecessary.

Preferably a pressure switch actuated by a user or a user's drinking vessel adjacent the outlet may be used to provide a signal to switch on or switch off the entire apparatus.

Preferably the switch means responsive to the quantity of water in the tank is responsive to the weight of water in the tank.

Preferably the tank is resiliently supported, undergoing increased downward movement in response to an increased quantity of water in the tank, and the switch means is responsive to said movement.

Said movement may cause relative movement between switches of the respective switch means and the actuating means, which movement causes the switches to be operated by the actuating means as and when the combined weight of the tank and the water attains or passes corresponding values.

Preferably the switches are mounted on a housing of the apparatus, and are operated by an actuator e.g. an actuator arm, carried by the tank, or vice versa.

Preferably the switches comprise a plurality of microswitches arranged side-by-side and having respective operating arms bent by the same or different amounts, as appropriate, so that they are operated by the actuator arm at the same or different positions of the actuator arm, as appropriate.

The concentrate may, for example, be syrup.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the components of drink dispensing apparatus embodying the invention, in a schematic manner; Figure 2 shows an electrical circuit used in the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of switch means of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawings, drink dispensing apparatus 10 is of the kind commonly used in restaurants, refectories, and places of recreation, for dispensing drinks by dispensing water and concentrate together, from respective supplies thereof, into a drinking vessel placed adjacent to an outlet of the apparatus by or for a user. Where carbonated drinks are to be supplied, a carbonating unit (not shown) may be included, to carbonate the water before it is dispensed. The apparatus 10 comprises a water tank 12, to which mains water is supplied via a solenoid valve 14. In use, a pump 16 driven by a motor 18 draws water from the tank 12 along a pipe 19, and drives it along an outlet pipe 20, through a one-way valve 21 and a flow regulator 22 to a user-operable dispense outlet valve 23.A pressure switch 24 is connected to the outlet pipe 20, and operates the apparatus 10 in accordance with the sensed pressure in the pipe 20, which pressure is determined by action of a user or a user's drinking vessel on the apparatus 10 at or in the vicinity of the dispense valve 23, as will hereinafter be described. In the apparatus 10, the concentrate is in the form of syrup which flows from a supply thereof (not shown) to the dispense outlet valve 23 via a pipe 25 passing through a syrup control solenoid 26, the syrup being supplied under pressure to the pipe 25 either due to air pressure, for example, or by a gravity-feed system. The tank 12 is at least partially supported relative to a housing 17 of the apparatus by a compression spring 15, and carries an actuating arm 11.The housing 17 carries three side-by-side microswitches namely a switch S3, a further switch S2, and an additional switch S1, the switches having respective operating arms against which the actuating arm 11 moves.

Each of the switches S1, S2, S3 is capable of being in either one or other of a respective pair of states and each switch switches between its states on attainment, or passage through, a corresponding position by the actuator arm 11, due to the attainment of, or variation through, a corresponding quantity of water in the tank 12. The height of the tank 12, and hence the position of the actuator arm 11, are determined by the quantity of water in the tank, since the tank is supported at a lesser height, on the spring 15, when there is a greater quantity of water in the tank.The arm 11 comprises a member 11 a welded to the tank 12 and a member 11 b adjustably attached to the member 11 the operating arms of the switches S1 to S3 being bent to respective extents so that the switches "switch" at respective appropriate heights of the tank 12, under action of the member 11 b.

As may be seen from Figure 2, the pressure switch 24 acts as a main on/off switch for the apparatus 10, in that the states of the switches S1 to S3 in fact determine what will happen when the pressure switch 24 becomes conductive, due for example to a user pressing a control button (not shown) on the apparatus adjacent the dispense valve 23, or pressing a drinking vessel against an operating lever of, or adjacent to, the valve 23 so as to cause a pressure reduction in the pipe 20 which signals the switch 24 to become conductive. The pump motor 18 is powered from a conventional 240 volt AC mains electricity supply having live, neutral and earth leads L,N,E respectively, as is the water inlet solenoid 14.A step-down transformer T1, powered from the mains supply, provides a 24 volts AC output which is used to power the syrup solenoid 26 or alternatively a warning lamp 30 (see later). The switches S2 and S3, while being separate switches controlling different parts of the circuit, are adjusted so as to "switch" states for essentially the same position of the actuator arm 11, and so they are effectively linked. (In any event, the switch S2 should "switch" for a water level at or below the level at which the switch S3 "switches".) The apparatus 10 may be located remote from the dispense valve 23 and/or the lamp 30.

In order to set up the apparatus 10, a mains water supply is connected to an outlet of the apparatus, via which the water may flow to the valve 14, and the pipe 20 is connected so as to be capable of carrying outflowing water to the valve 23, via a cooler 40, the valve 23 also being connected to the syrup supply.

The warning lamp 30, having its own power lead, is connected to an electrical output socket on the housing 17 of the apparatus 10, so as to be powered therefrom when appropriate.

The mains electricity supply is then switched on, the tank 12 at this stage being empty, with the switches S1 to S3 in the respective states illustrated in Figure 2, so that the switch S1 is conductive, thereby causing the valve 14 to permit inlet of water into the container 12, whilst the switch S2 in non-conductive so that the pump motor 18 is disabled, and the operating arm of the switch S3 occupies a position corresponding to a "syrup off" control signal in response to which power is not supplied by the switch S3 to syrup solenoid 26, so that flow of syrup to the valve 23 cannot occur, power instead being supplied by the switch S3 to the warning lamp 30 which lights to indicate to the user that the water level in the tank is low. Water will thus flow into the tank 12, and as the water level rises, the increased weight of water in the tank causes the tank to move downwards under that weight, supported on the spring 15, until a certain water level, referred to as the minimum level, is attained, whereupon the position of the arm 11 is such that it causes the switches S2 and S3 to change their respective states.Thus, where the switch 24 is conductive, in the case of the switch S2, the pump motor is caused to operate, whilst for the switch S3, the lamp 30 is deactivated, and power is applied instead from the switch S3 to the syrup solenoid 26, so permitting supply of syrup to the dispense valve 23. The switch S1 is unchanged, so that water continues to flow into the tank 12, provided that there is sufficient mains water pressure supplying the tank 12. When the water in the tank 12 has risen to another level, referred to as the maximum level, for example 2 pints higher than the minimum level, the arm 11 now causes the switch S1 to change state, so that the water inlet solenoid 14 is closed, and inflow of water ceases.

It will be appreciated that, if desired, the maximum level could simply be a full tank level at which the mains water pressure cannot force any more water into the tank, and also that the warning lamp 30 may be omitted (or changed for audible warning means) if desired, so that the lamp 30 and the solenoid 14 are, strictly speaking, accessories.

During normal use of the apparatus 10, after filling, a user actuates the pressure switch 24, for example, in a manner described above, such that syrup is wallowed to be supplied through the syrup solenoid valve, and water is pumped from the tank 12 by the pump 16, to the outlet dispense valve 23, from which the water and syrup are dispensed together into a drinking vessel provided by or for the user, so as to provide the desired drink for the user. As soon as water is drawn from the tank 12, the switch S1 reverts to its original state and the water inlet is opened, so that replenish ing water flows into the tank 12. Provided that the water level remains above the minimum level, water and syrup are dispensed in this manner for any number of users in succession.

Should there be a reduction in mains water pressure, or should the mains water pressure fail altogether, the water level will descend to said minimum level. When this happens, the switches S2 and S3 are caused, by the consequent position of the arm 11, to revert to the states shown in Figure 2, whereupon pumping of water ceases, and the syrup solenoid is shut-off, so that there is no possibility of an excessively strong drink being dispensed due to the relative lack of water.

If the water pressure has not failed altogether, water will still be able to enter the tank 12, but at a lower rate than usual, and as soon as the level has risen above said minimum level, the switches S2 and S3 again change state so as to cause the pump and syrup solenoid to dispense water and syrup while the water level remains above the minimum level.Thus should there be only a reduction in water pressure, the lamp 30 will illuminate briefly when the minimum level is reached, but the lamp should go out as soon as the level has risen slightly, or, in a limiting case in which the water stays only just above the minimum level and the drink is dispensed at a rate determined by the rate of water flow into the tank 12, the lamp 30 may flicker indicating that there is a water pressure problem even though drinks are still being dispensed.

Should the water pressure fail altogether, the water level will remain at the minimum level, no further drink will be dispensed, and the lamp 30 will remain illuminated, at least until a satisfactory water pressure from the mains has been restored.

In this manner, through avoiding dispensing of excessively-strong drinks in the event of reduced or failed water pressure, excessive dispensing of the syrup may be avoided, which is of great commercial benefit as the syrup is very expensive. Even in said limiting case, the strength of the drink should be substantially normal. Additionally, the warning lamp 30 provides an indication of water pressure problems, which can be a useful warning of potential contamination of the water due for example to road works which may have damaged the supply temporarily.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, relative movement between a spring-supported water tank and fixed or relatively fixed switch means have been described, some other means or configuration for sensing and responding to the quantity of water in the tank 12 may be adopted if desired.

The maximum and minimum water levels referred to above may conveniently be used, in a system in which water and syrup are dispensed in metered quantities, to predetermine the volume of drink dispensed each time the switch 24 is operated due to a signal from a user.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (16)

1. A drink dispensing apparatus of the kind specified, comprising a water tank into which water is admitted from a mains supply, and from which water supplied to the outlet of the apparatus, and switch means responsive to the quantity of water in the tank and operative to generate a control signal when the water in the tank is at or below a minimum level, and means to prevent dispensing of concentrate in response to the control signal.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein when the water attains a level at or below said minimum level, said or further switch means causes a water pump between the water tank and the outlet of the apparatus to be inoperative.

3. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein when the switch means prevents dispensing of the concentrate, it causes a warning means to operate.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein the warning means comprises a warning lamp.

5. Apparatus according Claim 4 wherein the warning lamp is plugged into an electrical output socket provided in a housing of the apparatus.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims comprising water inlet means which is open except when the tank is full or at a maximum level, so that water from the mains supply, if available, will flow into the tank.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein when the water level is above the minimum level, the switch means is operative to permit dispensing of the concentrate.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7 wherein when the said switch means is operative to permit dispensing of the concentrate, the further switch means is then operative to switch on the water pump.

9. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 6, 7 and 8 wherein the apparatus comprises additional switch means which causes the water inlet from the mains supply to be cut off when said maximum water level has been reached in the tank.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein switch means responsive to the quantity of water in the tank is responsive to the weight of water in the tank.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the tank is resiliently supported, undergoing increased downward movement in response to an increased quantity of water in the tank, and the switch means is responsive to said movement.

12. Apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein said movement causes relative movement between the switches of the respective switch means and the actuating means, which movement causes the switches to be operated by the actuating means as and when the combined weight of the tank and the water attains or passes corresponding values.

13. Apparatus according to Claim 12 wherein the switches are mounted on a housing of the apparatus, and are operated by an actuator carried by the tank, or vice versa.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein the switches comprises a plurality of microswitches arranged side-by-side and having respective operating arms bent by the same or different amounts, as appropriate, so that they are operated by the actuator arm at the same or different positions of the actuator arms as appropriate.

15. Apparatus of the kind specified, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.