JPS61273392A - Orifice disk inserting and removing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention relates to the manual insertion and use of replaceable flow rate ill III orifice discs into and from the syrup supply tube of a post-mix beverage dispenser. Relating to a device for removing.

Problems to be solved by conventional techniques and inventions 1981
Sedum published on December 22, 2016
It is desirable to utilize a replaceable flow control orifice disk of selected orifice size in the syrup supply tube of a post-mix beverage dispenser, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,667 to ) et al. Orifice size depends on syrup or flavor concentration,
A relative flow of water (still or carbonated) with which the syrup is to be mixed to form a post-mixed beverage.
ttve flow rate).

The use of replaceable orifice discs in syrup supply tubes is also disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,270,673 to Rodth.

Until now, when the orifice disc was to be placed within the syrup tube near the outlet end of the tube in the mixing chamber region of the dispensing valve assembly, at least a small It was common practice to use stainless steel discs with beveled edges. These discs are therefore force-fitted into the syrup tube by special tools, and since the syrup tube wall is plastic, damage to the tube wall may occur during its removal.
In most cases, the disks were destroyed and could not be reused.

This problem is solved by a replaceable orifice disk 100 mounted on the inside shoulder of a cylindrical plastic adapter 98.
This is avoided to some extent by the invention described in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 4,270,673 to Rodth, which discloses a cylindrical plastic adapter 98 with a cylindrical shape. This adapter is for syrup tube 8
2 and is fitted onto the outer end of the orifice disc 10
0 is fixed against the tube end. Therefore, with the Rhodes adapter there is no need to insert or remove orifice discs into or from the tube. However, the Rhodes adapter is attached to the outside of the syrup tube, takes up space within the valve assembly, and can interfere with surrounding components, making the adapter retrofitted to valve assemblies from various manufacturers. make it difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a device for inserting and removing orifice discs into and from syrup tubes without damaging the tube or the disc.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adapter for accurately mounting an orifice disc in a predetermined position within a syrup tube and supporting the disc in that position during operation of the dispenser.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adapter for retaining an orifice disc within a syrup tube that can be manually grasped by the operator's fingers and easily removed from the syrup tube. be.

It is an object of the invention that the orifice disk comprises a thin disk with an orifice having a selected diameter in order to provide a predetermined syrup flow rate in the mixing chamber for a predetermined Brix value; In an orifice disk insertion and removal device for inserting and removing a disk into or from the interior of a syrup tube associated with the mixing chamber of a post-mix beverage dispenser, comprising: a) an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the syrup tube; a cylindrical body comprising: a cylindrical body and an orifice disc to be inserted within the syrup tube; b) forming a socket for supporting a replaceable orifice disc; c) an inner, recessed, annular shoulder on one end of said cylindrical body adapted to rest on one end of said cylindrical body; a flange on the end provided that the body is inserted into the syrup tube to precisely position the orifice disc disposed in the socket in a fixed position inside the syrup tube; d) pulled by the operator; and a pull tab extending from the flange to permit manual removal of the cylindrical body and orifice disk from the syrup tube.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description and accompanying drawings given below, which are given by way of example only and therefore are not limiting of the invention.

EXAMPLE To explain in detail with reference to Fig. 1, gravity flow (Qra
The combination of a syrup container 10 is illustrated in diagrammatic form: the valve assembly includes a socket 16 for receiving the outlet end 14 of the container 10, a mixing chamber 22, and a dispensing nozzle 24. The orifice disk adapter 30 of the present invention is then inserted into a syrup supply tube ST that extends into the interior of the mixing chamber 22. With the exception of adapter 30, the general combination of FIG. 1 is illustrated in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,667 to Seda A (3edam) et al. A valve assembly including a socket, mixing chamber, nozzle and syrup tube is best illustrated in the cross section of FIG. 13B, and a gravity flow syrup container is illustrated in FIG. 1 thereof.

In the FIG. 1 illustration of the present invention, gravity flow syrup container 10 is illustrated in pending U.S. patent application Ser. It is of the type transferred to. container 1
0 has an openable end 12A with a removable cap on top and includes a flow control tube 12 integrally molded with the side wall of the container. When the cap is removed, atmospheric pressure is applied to the open end 12A and tube 12.
and is connected to a point 12B inside the container 10 just above the neck of the container. That is, the tube 12 is at the point 12
It opens into the container 10 at B, providing atmospheric pressure to the liquid within the container at that point. Point 12B is located a predetermined distance x1 above the bottom of syrup tube ST and a distance Y above any orifice disc 40 inserted within syrup tube ST.

It is important that orifice disk 40 is always positioned a distance Y from point 12B so that the fluid pressure head is a constant for determining the correct orifice size for the syrup brix being dispensed. Precise positioning of the orifice disk 40 is provided by the bottom flange 36 of the cylindrical adapter 30, as described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1 and as further described in Sedal patent no. 4.306.667, the valve assembly further includes a suitable syrup valve SP and a carbonated water valve CP. Contains. These valves are actuated simultaneously to provide syrup and carbonated water to the mixing chamber 22, with the syrup passing from the outlet opening 14 of the container 10 through the syrup valve SP1, the syrup tube ST, and the orifice disc 40 disposed therein. flows. To the extent necessary to facilitate an understanding of the present invention, US Pat. No. 4,306,667 to Sedum et al. is included herein by reference.

2 and 3, which illustrate the adapter 30 itself, the adapter 30 has a distal end.
endS) 32A and 32B. The diameter of the body portion 32 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the syrup tube ST to provide a press fit therein. The end 32A has an annular orifice disk 40 for supporting an orifice disk 40, such as stainless steel, with a central hole 40A of a size selected in relation to the Brix value of the syrup to be dispensed and the flow rate of the carbonated water to be mixed. The hole is counterbored to provide a shoulder 34. End 32B includes a flange 36 that acts as a stop when cylindrical body 32 is fully inserted into the end of syrup tube ST of FIG.

The flange 36 therefore acts as a stop for accurately positioning the orifice disc 4o at a distance Y below the atmospheric pressure head within the vessel 10.

The adapter 30 is made of plastic and is used not only to insert the orifice disc 4o into the syrup tube ST, but also to position the orifice disc 4o therein during a dispensing operation. There is. To facilitate easy removal of the orifice disc 4° and the adapter 30 from within the syrup tube ST, a pull-tab 38 is provided which has a central hole and which allows the adapter 3
The ring is shaped to facilitate insertion or grasping by the operator's fingers in order to easily remove the 0 from the syrup tube. In a preferred embodiment, pull-tab 38 is integrally molded with adapter 30 as an extension of flange 36 and
6 in substantially the same plane. Thus, when the adapter 30 is fully inserted into the syrup tube ST, the ring-shaped pull-tab 38 is flush with the flange 36 and in a position where it does not interfere with any other surrounding portion of the valve assembly. It is in. When it is desired to remove the adapter 30 from the syrup tube ST, the ring-shaped pull-tab 38 is operated.

is grasped by the fingers of a member of the staff and bent so that the entire adapter 30 is pulled out of the syrup tube in the longitudinal direction of its central axis.

will be done. The syrup container 10 has a Brix of 10.
Let's assume that it contains Coca-Cola syrup (a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company) having 8+0.4%.

The operator therefore tests the soda flow in the absence of syrup flow from nozzle 24. The operator then uses the following chart to determine the exact orifice size of the orifice disk 4o to be used by the measured soda flow rate over a 10 second period.

1. Soda flow measurement for 10 seconds Coca Cola Target Prix - 10.8 Soda flow for 10 seconds Orifice size 200 209
0.110210 219 0
．． 113220 229 0.11623
0 240 0.119241 250
0.122251 260
0.125261 270 0.128 For example, the measured flow of soda for 10 seconds is 20 per second.
If it is in the range of 0 to 2091, the orifice size is 0.
．． Disc 40 with 110 inches (approximately 2.7 am)
It will be understood from the table above that is a suitable choice. Therefore, the operator selects a disk 40 of this orifice size, places the disk 40 into the end 32A of the adapter 30 so that the disk 4o sits flush against the shoulder 34, and attaches the adapter 30 to the syrup tube. Insert into ST. The dispenser is thus ready to dispense a Coca-Cola beverage containing the correct mixture of Coca-Cola syrup and carbonated water.

At some point in the next time, if it is desired to adjust the valve mechanism and associated syrup tube to dispense syrup of different Brix values, simply grasp the ring-shaped pull-tab 38 with your finger: Remove from syrup tube ST: and select orifice disk 40 with appropriate orifice size for the selected new syrup brix. As previously mentioned, using the adapter structure of the present invention, this can be easily accomplished without damaging the interior of the syrup tube ST or the previously used orifice disc 40.

In another embodiment of the invention, the orifice disk 40 is integrally molded from plastic with the end portion 32A of the adapter 30 instead of using a separate stainless steel orifice disk.

The invention being thus described, the invention may be varied in many ways. It is clear that such changes are not considered a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such changes that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of how the orifice disk insertion and removal apparatus of the present invention is utilized in a combination gravity flow syrup container and valve assembly of a post-mix beverage dispenser; FIG. 3 is a top view of the orifice disk insertion and removal device of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing the orifice insertion and removal device in elevation; FIG. It is. 10... Syrup container 12... Tube 14... Discharge end 16... Socket 22... Mixing chamber 24... Distribution nozzle 30... Disc adapter 38... Pull tab 40... Orifice Days

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The orifice disk includes a thin disk having an orifice therein, the orifice directing a flow of syrup at a predetermined rate into the mixing chamber for a given Brix value. an orifice disk insertion and removal device for inserting or removing the disk within a syrup tube associated with the mixing chamber of the post-mix beverage dispenser; a) a cylindrical body with an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the syrup tube; provided that the cylindrical body and the orifice disc are to be inserted into the syrup tube; b) an inner, recessed, annular shoulder on one end of the cylindrical body forming a socket for supporting an exchangeable orifice disc; c) the opposite side of the cylindrical body; a flange adapted to rest on the end of the syrup tube; provided that the body is inserted into the syrup tube and secures an orifice disk disposed in the socket inside the syrup tube; d) a pull tab extending from the flange to permit manual removal of the cylindrical body and orifice disc from the syrup tube when pulled by an operator's finger; Featured device. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pull-tab is formed into a ring and has an opening into which an operator's finger can be inserted. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the pull-tab is flexible and normally located in the same plane as the flange until manually engaged and pulled by the operator's fingers. . 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical body is plastic and the pull-tab is integrally formed therewith. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the pull-tab is flexible and is normally located in the same plane as the flange until manually engaged and pulled by an operator's fingers. . 6. The orifice disk includes a thin disk therein, the thin disk having a diameter selected to provide a flow of syrup at a predetermined rate of a given Brix value into the mixing chamber. an orifice disk insertion and removal device for insertion into or removal from the interior of a syrup tube associated with a mixing chamber of a post-mix beverage dispenser, comprising: a) an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the syrup tube; a) a cylindrical body with a cylindrical body formed at one end of the cylindrical body, provided that the cylindrical body and the orifice disc are to be inserted into the syrup tube; b) formed at one end of the cylindrical body; c) a flange on the opposite end of the cylindrical body that rests on the end of the syrup tube, provided that the body is inserted into the syrup tube and the syrup accurately positioning an orifice disc disposed in a fixed position inside the tube; and d) for allowing manual removal of the cylindrical body and orifice disc from the syrup tube when pulled by an operator's finger. a pull-tab extending from the flange. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein said pull-tab is flexible and normally disposed in the same plane as said flange until manually engaged and pulled by an operator's finger. . 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the cylindrical body is plastic and the pull-tab is integrally formed therewith. 9. The device of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical body is plastic and the pull tab is integrally formed therewith. 10. A syrup supply container for feeding syrup by gravity through a syrup tube from an outlet opening of the container to an outlet opening of the syrup tube disposed in the mixing chamber of an underlying valve assembly, provided that the syrup container is 2
It has a flow control tube with two open ends, one
one open end provides atmospheric pressure to the interior of the container at the one open end, the one end being at a fixed, predetermined distance above the outlet opening of the syrup tube; and an orifice disk insertion and removal device for inserting and removing a disk into or from the outlet opening of the syrup tube, provided that the orifice disk is for a given Brix value of the syrup passing through the syrup tube. a) a thin disc with an orifice having a diameter selected to provide a flow of syrup at a predetermined rate; a cylindrical body with an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the syrup tube, provided that the cylindrical body and the orifice disc are to be inserted into the syrup tube; b) the cylindrical body; an orifice disc formed on one end of the body of the syrup tube; c) a flange on the opposite end of the cylindrical body adapted to rest on the end of the syrup tube; d) when pulled by an operator; d) when pulled by an operator; and d) when pulled by an operator. a pull-tab extending from the flange to permit manual removal of the cylindrical body and orifice disk from the syrup tube. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the pull-tab is ring-shaped and has an opening into which an operator's finger can be inserted. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the cylindrical body is plastic and the pull-tab is integrally formed therewith. 13. Claim 10, wherein said pull-tab is flexible and normally disposed in the same plane as said flange until manually engaged and pulled by an operator's finger.
Apparatus described in section. 14. The one end of the cylindrical body has an inner, recessed, annular shoulder forming a socket for supporting an exchangeable orifice disc. Apparatus described in section.