GB2313158A

GB2313158A - Dispensing soda water

Info

Publication number: GB2313158A
Application number: GB9609937A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan P Gulliver; Jerry Russell
Original assignee: Totton Pumps Ltd
Current assignee: Totton Pumps Ltd
Priority date: 1996-05-13
Filing date: 1996-05-13
Publication date: 1997-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2016-05-13
Also published as: GB2313158A8; GB2313158B; GB9609937D0

Abstract

Soda water dispensing system comprises a mixing chamber 2, means 3,4 to supply the mixing chamber with water and carbon dioxide gas respectively to form soda water, a soda water chiller unit 6, and a pump 8 to pass the soda water from the chiller unit to the dispenser unit 7, the pump being a regenerative pump made of plastics material and driven by an electric motor (34, Fig 2) through a magnetic coupling 10. As shown, the pump impeller (21, Fig 3) is of thermoplastic material and comprises short, radial blades (22) cooperating with channels in pump body (18). The magnetic coupling comprises a driving magnet (30) disposed coaxially about a driven magnet (31) and separated therefrom by a plastics housing (23).

Description

SODA WATER DISPENSING SYSTEMS This invention relates to soda water dispensing systems and provides such systems with a relatively inexpensive and reliable pump.

According to the invention, a soda water dispensing system comprises a mixing chamber, means for supplying water to the interior of the mixing chamber, means for supplying CO2 gas to the interior of the mixing chamber, whereby the water and the CO2 mix to produce soda water, a soda water chiller unit, and a pump for passing the produced soda water to the dispenser unit, by way of the chiller unit, the pump comprising a regenerative pump of thermoplastics material, driven by an electric motor through a magnetic coupling means.

The pump of the system has several advantages, including: a) being a regenerative pump it can operate efficiently even though CO2 gas may be entrained in the soda water being pumped, b) being of plastics material, it is hygienic and is relatively inexpensive (particularly when compared with one of stainless steel) to manufacture, c) being driven by magnetic coupling means there are no glands associated with the rotor drive shaft where pumped liquid can leak.

The system may be provided with means for recirculating soda water in the pumping line.

Means may be provided whereby flavouring syrup is introduced to the dispenser unit, whereby a soda water/syrup mix is obtained.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a semi-schematic illustration of a soda water dispensing system in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of the regenerative pump of the system of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is an enlarged view, in perspective, of the pump impeller of the pump of Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1, a soda water dispensing system 1 comprises a mixing chamber 2, means in the form of a carbonating pump 3 for supplying water in spray form to the interior of the mixing chamber 2, and CO2 source means 4 and discharge line 5 for supplying gas to the interior of the mixing chamber 2.

The system 1 further comprises a soda water chiller unit 6, a soda water dispenser unit 7 with dispenser tap 11, and a regenerative pump 8 for passing the produced soda water to the dispenser unit 7, by way of the chiller unit 6, the pump being a regenerative pump of thermoplastics material, driven by magnetic coupling means 10.

The CO2 source means 4 comprise one or more bottles of pressurised CO2, a regulating valve and a pressure gauge. The CO2 gas is supplied to the mixing chamber 2 at about 100 Ibs per square inch (6.80 Atmospheres).

The mixing chamber 2 comprises a closed vessel. Water supplied by the pump 3 is sprayed into the vessel by a head 15.

The chiller unit 6 comprises a tank of cold water, a low temperature being maintained by a chiller coil 16 within which refrigerant is circulated by a refrigerant unit 17.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the regenerative pump 8 in more detail. The pump 8 comprises a pump body 18 having an inlet 19, and an outlet 20.

The pump body 18 is of a thermoplastic material.

The pump impeller 21 is of thermoplastic and comprises a turbine wheel with two axially-spaced rows of short radially extending passages or blades 22. The interior of the pump body 18 is formed with complementary channels (not shown).

The pump body 18 is carried by a magnet housing 23 and is sealed thereto by an O-ring 14. The pump body 18, and magnet housing 23, are secured to a mounting 25 by tie bolts 26 of Nylon. The magnet housing 23 is of thermoplastic.

The magnetic coupling means 10 comprise a rotatable drive magnet 30, an inner driven magnet 31 inside the magnet housing 23 and disposed about and separated therefrom by the housing 23. The magnet 31 is freely mounted on a stationary spindle 32. The magnets 30, 31 and spindle 32 are all of ceramic material such as strontium ferrite. A motor shaft 33 connects a variable speed electric drive motor 34 with the magnet 30, by way of a coupling disc 39.

The pump inlet 19 is connected to a supply line 35, by way of chiller coils 36, the pump outlet 20 being connected to an outlet line 37 which feeds the dispenser 7. A recirculation line 38 is also provided whereby, when the dispenser unit 7 is not in use, chilled soda water is returned to the supply line 35, before the chiller coils 35. This recirculation is particularly advantageous overnight, when soda water in the system would otherwise rise in temperature, because of non-use.

In practice, lines 35, coils 36 and line 37 would preferably comprise coaxial conduits whereby outward and return flows pass in counterdirection. For example, outward flow may take place within the inner conduit and inward flow between the inner and outer conduits.

The system 1 is provided with means 41 for introducing flavouring syrup to the dispenser unit 7, the means 41 comprising a pressurised source 39 of syrup and an outlet line 40 connected to the pump outlet line 37.

As aforesaid, the pump 8 of the system 1 has several advantages, including: a) being a regenerative pump it can operate efficiently even though CO2 gas may be entrained in the soda water being pumped, b) being of thermoplastics material, it is hygienic and is relatively inexpensive (particularly when compared with one of stainless steel) to manufacture, and c) being driven by magnetic coupling means there are no glands or other components where leaks of pumped liquid can take place.

The pump 8 is just as hygienic as one of stainless steel and is smaller also.

Claims

1. A soda water dispensing system comprising a mixing chamber, means for supplying water to the interior of the mixing chamber, means for supplying CO2 gas to the interior of the mixing chamber, whereby the water and the CO2 mix to produce soda water, a soda water chiller unit, and a pump for passing the produced soda water to the dispenser unit, by way of the chiller unit, the pump comprising a regenerative pump of plastics material, the rotor of the pump being driven by an electric motor through a magnetic coupling means.

2. A dispensing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic coupling means comprises a driving magnet disposed coaxially about a driven magnet and separated therefrom by a housing of plastics material.

3. A dispensing system as claimed claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the chiller unit comprises a tank for containing water, means for passing the produced soda water in heat exchange with the water, and controlled refrigeration means for cooling said water.

4. A soda water dispensing system, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A regenerative pump suitable for and intended for use in the system of any of the preceding claims.