GB2268925A

GB2268925A - Beverage dispenser.

Info

Publication number: GB2268925A
Application number: GB9215646A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kwong Kan Ng; Hak Man Wan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-07-23
Filing date: 1992-07-23
Publication date: 1994-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-23
Also published as: GB2268925B; GB9215646D0

Abstract

Apparatus for supplying beverage to a beverage dispenser which comprises a cabinet (1) incorporating a reservoir for a beverage and having dispensing means (2), (Figure 1) such apparatus comprising a housing (6) which is arranged to receive an exchangeable storage container for beverage, with the storage container (4) in an upright position, the said housing being adapted to be located beneath, and to support, the said cabinet of a dispenser, and an operating unit (7) arrange to seat on top of the said cabinet and having a pump (8) (Figure 3) and associated conduit means (13) for drawing up beverage from the said storage container and supplying the same to the reservoir in the cabinet, and control means (9) for the said pump which is arranged to operate by sensing the beverage level in the said reservoir. <IMAGE>

Description

"Beverage dispensers" This invention relates to beverage dispensers, e.g.

for water or soft drinks. Such dispensers are known which comprise a reservoir, with dispensing means such as a tap, to which water is supplied from an exchangeable storage container. The storage container is typically a large plastics container having a single filling and emptying spout located in its top, and a flat bottom on which it rests during transportation and storage. For use, the storage container, with its spout open, is lifted, inverted, and placed on top of the reservoir for water to flow into the reservoir, on demand, under gravity. As the storage container is large and heavy, typically of 22 litres capacity, this is not an easy operation. It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for supplying beverage to a beverage dispenser which comprises a cabinet incorporating a reservoir for a beverage and having dispensing means, such apparatus comprising a housing which is arranged to receive an exchangeable storage container for beverage, with the storage container in an upright position, the said housing being adapted to be located beneath, and to support, the said cabinet of a dispenser, and an operating unit arranged to seat on top of the said cabinet and having a pump and associated conduit means for drawing up beverage from the said storage container and supplying the same to the reservoir in the cabinet, and control means for the said pump which is arranged to operate by sensing the beverage level in the said reservoir.

With such an arrangement, when an empty storage container is to be replaced with a full one it is only necessary to disconnect the said conduit means from the empty container, remove the latter, locate a full container in the said housing, without having to lift the full container to any height or to invert it, and reconnect the conduit means. Clearly the fact that the full container does not have to be lifted to the level of the top of the said cabinet, or inverted, as in the past, makes the operation a great deal easier.

The said housing can be of any suitable form so long as it is capable of supporting the cabinet of the dispenser. Thus in a simple form it could be just an open framework of sufficient strength, not necessarily provided with a floor. In a more refined form it could be a cabinet with a floor and a door.

Preferably the said pump is a peristaltic pump as this enables the beverage to flow from the storage container to the reservoir without passing through any moving mechanical parts which might cause contamination.

Thus the said conduit means may then comprise a single flexible tube extending through the peristaltic pump and having an inlet end connectible to a said storage container and an outlet end for supplying beverage to the said reservoir.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a typical beverage dispenser with which apparatus according to the invention may be used; Figure 2 is a view of the dispenser of Figure 1 in combination with apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a more detailed view including the operating unit of the said apparatus.

Referring first to Figure 1, a typical dispenser for water comprises a cabinet 1 containing a reservoir and having two dispensing taps 2 above a drip tray 3, the taps dispensing heated and chilled water respectively. Water is gravity fed to the reservoir from a plastics storage container 4, typically of 22 litres capacity, which is located on top of the cabinet 1, in an inverted position, with its filling and emptying spout 5 received in an opening in the top of the cabinet.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, apparatus according to the invention comprises a housing 6, in this case in the form of a cabinet, which is adapted to house a storage container 4 and to support the cabinet 1 of the dispenser of Figure 1. An operating unit 7 of the apparatus comprises a box arranged to sit on top of the cabinet 1 and which houses a peristaltic pump 8, a drive motor therefor (not shown), and a float-operated switch 9 for controlling the pump, the float 10 of the switch being arranged to depend into the water in the reservoir of the dispenser. An on/off switch is indicated at 11 and a pilot light at 12. A silicone tube 13 extends through the pump 8 and has an inlet end 14 extending to the bottom of the storage container 4 and an outlet end 15 leading into the reservoir. A rubber stopper is preferably inserted in the mouth of the storage container, formed with two holes, one for the tube 13 and the other for admitting air and provided with a cotton filter. The weight of the operating unit 7, in particular taking into account the weight of the pump and its motor, will usually be such that it will rest stably on top of the cabinet without needing to be secured thereto.

Claims

Claims:

1. Apparatus for supplying beverage to a beverage dispenser which comprises a cabinet incorporating a reservoir for a beverage and having dispensing means, such apparatus comprising a housing which is arranged to receive an exchangeable storage container for beverage, with the storage container in an upright position, the said housing being adapted to be located beneath, and to support, the said cabinet of a dispenser, and an operating unit arranged to seat on top of the said cabinet and having a pump and associated conduit means for drawing up beverage from the said storage container and supplying the same to the reservoir in the cabinet, and control means for the said pump which is arranged to operate by sensing the beverage level in the said reservoir.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said pump is a peristaltic pump.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said conduit means comprises a single flexible beverage supply tube extending through the said peristaltic pump and having an inlet end connectible to a said storage container and an outlet end for supplying beverage to the said reservoir.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said pump is electrically powered and the said control means therefor comprises a float-operated switch having a float arranged to extend into the said reservoir in use.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.