JPS63211489A - Post mixing juice distribution system - 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 the Invention The present invention relates to juice dispensing and in a preferred embodiment 5+1 at -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
Concerning the dispensing of orange juice from concentrate (ratio of 1 part concentrate to 5 parts water).

Description of the Prior Art Mixed orange juice dispensing systems are known. Orange juice concentrate is frozen and dispensed.

The restaurant removes the concentrate from the freezer and thaws the concentrate in the cooler before distribution. Restaurants must assess juice requirements at least two days in advance and place sufficient concentrate in the cooler. If the restaurant's rating is fraudulent or someone forgets, the restaurant runs out of melted concentrate. Also, often only a limited amount of cooler space is available for melting orange juice concentrate. When restaurants run out of molten concentrate, measures are also often taken to quickly thaw the frozen concentrate, but such measures are often inefficient and ineffective, and also sometimes reduce the resulting product. affects the taste. Orange juice concentrate is generally a 3+1 concentrate. The invention is used in a 5+1 concentrate. The reduced amount of water in the 5+1 concentrate prevents phase changes or freezing at typical refrigerator temperatures of -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. A 5+1 concentrate at freezer temperature does not flow easily under gravity. Fahrenheit 0 leather product containers will not spill product even if they are turned upside down. Also,
The product is very thick and the suction of the pump cannot pull the product out of the container. However, the product
Be flexible.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a post-mix juice distribution system for use with 5+1 concentrates at freezer temperatures.

Used at 5+1 concentrate at freezer temperature, the concentrate is placed in a flexible bag and the bag is placed in a pressurizable vessel that is pressurized to approximately 40 psig to force the concentrate out of the bag. It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-mix juice dispensing system.

increasing the concentrate temperature from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, forcing the melted concentrate into a metering device, and then delivering the melted and metered concentrate to a mixing chamber of a dispensing valve. It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-mix juice dispensing system for dispensing 5,011 concentrate at refrigerator temperatures.

The 5+1 concentrate at freezer temperature is placed in a flexible bag in a pressurizable container, forced out of the flexible bag by pressure, then passed through a heat exchanger, a metering device, and finally into the mixing chamber of the distribution valve. It is another object of the present invention to provide a post-mix juice dispensing system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a juice dispensing system for juices or syrups that are cooled but do not undergo a phase change from liquid to solid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A post-mix juice dispensing system for dispensing 5+1 concentrate from a flexible bag at freezer temperature comprises placing the bag in a rigid pressurizable container and applying pressure to the container to force the concentrate from the bag. pressurizing the concentrate, passing the concentrate through a heat exchanger to raise the temperature to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and metering the dissolved concentrate with water to control the mixing ratio. and then directing water and concentrate to a mixing chamber of the dispensing valve for dispensing the mixture as an orange juice beverage into a cup. The concentrate bag preferably has a dilag tube or dip tube with a slot larger than the bolus in the concentrate and an internal cross-sectional area much larger than the slot to facilitate concentrate flow and reduce pressure drop. Incorporate stripes.

The tube prevents the bag from blocking the internal passageway. The concentrate that comes out of the bag is -10 degrees Fahrenheit cold.

The heat exchanger uses recirculating soda water and heating elements to prevent the water from freezing. During reconstitution, a volumetric piston pump operated by heated water is incorporated for proper distribution of water and orange juice concentrate. Alternatively, water and orange juice concentrate are metered by the use of a flow meter to measure the water flow rate and a volumetric pump with a motor drive at a fixed speed to meter the concentrate. Control electronics, such as a microcontroller, regulate the water flow rate through the use of motorized control valves. The concentrate pump motor is adjustable and the control electronics also or alternatively adjusts the speed of the pump motor by the water flow rate. For the actual recomposition of metered water and concentrate,
Static or dynamic mixers may be incorporated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Like reference numbers in this case refer to like elements.

Referring to the present page, FIG. 1 shows the nozzle 1 of the mixing chamber 16.
2 shows a post-mixing juice dispensing system IO for dispensing the finished juice beverage from cup 14 to cup 14; The system IO delivers water and juice concentrate in the desired ratio, for example 5 parts water to 1 part concentrate, to the mixing chamber 16, where the final mixing of concentrate and water takes place.

Water is conveyed through water conduit 18 to metering device 20 and then to mixing chamber 16 .

The concentrate is placed in the concentrate bag 30 at a freezer temperature of about -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Bag 30 is preferably a non-returnable flexible bag.

The bag 30 is removed from the refrigerator and the pressure source (cO
, or a rigid pressurizable canister pressurized by a compressed air cylinder 34) and a pressure regulator 36.
ster) placed at 32. The pressure is not frozen due to the low water content (it has not undergone a phase change)
The flexible concentrate is forced through concentrate conduit 38 into heat exchanger 40 and then into metering device 20 and into mixing chamber 16 .

This design allows distribution of 5+1 concentrates at freezer temperature. The pliable concentrate is preferably placed in a flexible bag 30 and delivered to a cylindrical container 41 (see FIG. 4) to facilitate insertion of the bag 30 into the cylindrical canister 32. .

The restaurant simply inserts the freeze bag 30 directly from the freezer into the canister 32 without the need for heating.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of bag 30 showing dip tube or strip 42 coupled to outlet 43. FIG.

Dip strip 42 is connected to central passage 44 and passage 4.
a plurality of apertures 46 to 4; Opening 46 is sized to prevent bags from entering and blocking passageway 44, but large enough to allow pulp to pass through passageway 44. The large cross-sectional area of passageway 44 facilitates concentrate flow and reduces pressure drop due to friction.

Canister 32, shown in more detail in FIG. 6, includes a removable lid 48 that seals hermetically to a wall 49 of the canister. The lid 48 includes a fitting 50 for pressurizing the canister 32 (e.g., with CO2 or air).
and a concentrate pipe fitting 52 for coupling the outlet 43 of the bag 30 to the concentrate conduit 38.

As mentioned above, the concentrate in the bag 30 is preferably
+1 It is a concentrated liquid. The canister preferably has about 4
Pressurized to 0 psig. This pressure forces the concentrate from the bag into the heat exchanger 40, then into the metering device 20, and finally into the mixing chamber 16.

Heat exchanger 40 includes heat source 60 and may be any known type of heat exchanger and heat source. The heat exchanger preferably increases the temperature of the concentrate to about 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat source 60 is a thermally balanced electrical heating element.

The metering device 20 (which may be any known type of metering device) provides the proper distribution of water and orange juice concentrate. The device 20 uses two coupled dual-acting pistons in a volumetric piston pump for each of the water and concentrate conduits. The volume ratio of the ice compartment to the concentrate compartment is the same as the desired mixing ratio, for example 5:1 (water to concentrate).

A water piston is coupled to the concentrate piston so that pressurized water is used to operate both pumps.

The system of FIG. 1 also includes a microcontroller 6
4 includes an electromagnetic on/off valve 19 in the water line operated by. When it is desired to dispense a beverage, for example when cup 14 is connected to lever 15, microcontroller 64 causes valve 19 to open, and when dispensing is complete, it closes valve 19.

Additionally, the microcontroller 64 may also e.g.
In response to the sensed position of the piston, the inlet and outlet valves for water and concentrate to and from the metering device 20 are operated. Volumetric piston pumps are known and therefore need not be described in detail here.

FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, where the recirculating water conduit 59 is in heat exchange relationship with the concentrate conduit 38, in addition to using a separate heat source 60. water conduit 5
9 is a recirculating soda water line that can be used, for example, in restaurants. Heat source 60 prevents the water from freezing.

Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows the special metering device 20 used. FIG. 2 shows a water pump 65 with two coupled pistons, which in turn is a concentrate pump 66.
are connected to two connected pistons. The water pump water control valve 67 is mechanically operated by a linkage 68 connected to a reciprocating shaft 69 that connects two water pistons. The inlet and outlet valves 70 of the concentrate pump 66 are preferably controlled by a microcontroller 64 that is responsive to the sensed position of the concentrate piston. In FIG. 1, the sensing of the piston position is indicated at 62 and the control of the inlet and outlet valves is indicated at 61.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative means for metering water and orange juice concentrate. This means includes a flow meter 80 in the water conduit 18 to measure the water flow rate. Electrical pulses whose period is proportional to the water flow rate are input to the microcontroller 82. Volumetric pump 8
4 meters the concentrate through concentrate conduit 38. Concentrate pump 84 incorporates two chambers 86 and 87 with associated pistons 88 and 89. At each piston stroke,
One piston releases a fixed volume of concentrate, while an associated chamber is filled with concentrate. Motor 90 moves pistons 88 and 89. The motor speed may be constant. The water flow rate is controlled by a motor controlled valve 92 operated by a DC stepper motor 94.
controlled by a variable size orifice at. Microcontroller 82 controls motor 94 to adjust the water flow rate.

Alternatively, the motor 90 is connected to the microcontroller 8
2, the microcontroller is
To control the mixing rate, the water flow rate measured by flow meter 80 adjusts the speed of motor 90 to control the concentrate flow rate. Microcontroller 82 can also control both motor 90 and control valve 92.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention of a dispensing system 100 in which concentrate is delivered to a vented reservoir 102. FIG. 7 shows a water flow meter 105 coupled to the mixing chamber 103 and a DC stepper motor 1.
A water conduit 104 is shown having a motorized control valve 106 and an electromagnetically controlled on/off valve 110 operated by 08.

FIG. 7 also shows storage from the deflection vessel 116 in the pressurized canister 118 through the heat exchanger 120 (including heat source 99 and recirculating soda water line 101) and the electromagnetically controlled on/off valve 122. Concentrate conduit 114 is shown conveying flexible concentrate to vessel 102. Reservoir 102 includes high and low level indicators 126 and 128, respectively, coupled to a microcontroller 130 that opens and closes on/off valve 122 in response to signals from the level indicators. Concentrate conduit 132 mixes with water to form a final beverage that is dispensed from reservoir 102 to a flexure vane pump 134 (or, for example, a gerotor pump) and then into cup 138 through nozzle 136. Mixing chamber 103
Extends to.

In addition to controlling the concentrate level in the reservoir 102, the microcontroller 130 also controls the speed of a DC motor 140 with an encoder 142 and from the water flow meter 105 to control the concentrate flow rate. The water flow rate is controlled by controlling the electric water control valve 106 in response to the signal. Microcontroller 130 also includes a cup 138 that engages lever arm 152.
The electromagnetically controlled water on/off valve 110 is controlled in response to actuation of the dispensing system 100, as described above.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, the invention may be used with a variety of juices other than the preferred orange juice. The juice may also be thawed juice, such as thawed 3 + 1 juice.

That is, the invention is not limited to use with flexible 5+1 concentrates at refrigerator temperatures. Also, although the preferred temperature range is preferred, other refrigerator temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit may be used and the heat exchanger raises the temperature to any desired temperature above 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat exchangers also include water conduits in heat exchange connection, such as recirculating soda water lines available in restaurants.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic diagram of a post-mix juice dispensing system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram of another embodiment of a post-mix juice distribution system. FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional, partially schematic diagram of a metering system used in the system of the invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an orange juice concentrate container used in delivering and storing orange juice concentrate at freezer temperatures. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the concentrate bag, outlet and dip pipe. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the top of a pressurizable canister or vessel for holding a flexible concentrate bag. FIG. 7 is a partial schematic diagram of another embodiment of a post-mix juice dispensing system according to the present invention. 10... Distribution system 16... Mixing chamber 20... Metering device 32... Canister 38... Concentrate conduit 40... Heat exchanger 60... Heat source 64... Microcontroller patent Applicant: The Coker-Cola Company Drawings 1] (in J.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. (a) A pressurizable canister adapted to hold and dispense a quantity of flexible juice concentrate at a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less, and means for pressurizing the canister. (b) a nozzle and a mixing chamber for dispensing a beverage; (c) a concentrate conduit extending from the canister to the mixing chamber such that pressure in the canister forces concentrate into the concentrate conduit; (d) a water conduit extending into the mixing chamber; (e) means for heating concentrate in the concentrate conduit; and (f) controlling the ratio of water to concentrate delivered to the mixing chamber. and metering means in said conduit for reconstituting and dispensing juice. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said heating means includes said water conduit disposed in heat exchange relationship with said concentrate conduit. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said metering means comprises a volumetric piston pump in at least one of said concentrate conduit and said water conduit. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, including a volumetric piston pump in each of said conduits, wherein the ratio of pump volumes is the desired mixing ratio. 5. The metering means includes a microcontroller, a flow meter in the water line, and a motorized control valve in the water line, and the flow meter and the motorized control valve are coupled to the microcontroller. range 1
The equipment described in section. 6. a concentrate reservoir, means for automatically maintaining said reservoir filled with concentrate, and said concentrate conduit for conveying concentrate from said heating means to said reservoir, said storage during dispensing; and means for delivering a controlled volume of concentrate from the vessel to the mixing chamber. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the feeding means comprises a pump and a DC motor comprising an encoder coupled to the microcontroller. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pump is a flexible vane pump. 9. The apparatus of claim 1 including an electromagnetically controlled on/off valve in the water line. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressurizable canister includes a removable lid disposed on the canister and a pliable juice concentrate bag. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bag of concentrate is at a temperature of about -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure means comprises a pressurized source of CO_2 and a pressure regulator. 13. (a) a concentrate container; (b) a nozzle and mixing chamber for dispensing a beverage; (c) a concentrate conduit extending from the concentrate container; and (d) a water conduit extending to the mixing chamber. (e) a microcontroller; (f) means coupled to the microcontroller for directing a controlled volume of water through the water conduit to the mixing chamber; and (g) automatically transferring the reservoir to the concentrate. (h) a concentrate reservoir and means for transporting concentrate from the concentrate container to the reservoir; and means for delivering a controlled volume. 14. The water metering means comprises a water flow meter in the water line and a motorized control valve in the water line, the flow meter and the motorized control valve being coupled to the microcontroller. Apparatus according to scope 13. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the feeding means comprises a pump coupled to a DC motor with an encoder coupled to the microcontroller. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the pump is a flexible vane pump. 17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the feeding means comprises a pump coupled to a DC motor with an encoder coupled to the microcontroller. 18. (a) forcing a pliable juice concentrate at a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less from the bag into a concentrate conduit; (b) heating the concentrate in the concentrate conduit to a temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; (c) sending warmed concentrate to a metering device; (d) sending water to a metering device; and (e) sending a controlled ratio of water to concentrate to a mixing chamber. A method for reconstituting and distributing. 19. The juice is 5+1 orange juice and the pressing step is from about -10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
19. The method of claim 18, comprising placing the flexible bag of concentrate at a temperature of 10°C in a pressurizable container and pressurizing the canister with CO_2 at about 40 psig. 20. (a) delivering a juice concentrate to a reservoir and automatically maintaining the juice concentrate in the reservoir; and (b) delivering a metered volume of juice concentrate from the reservoir to a mixing chamber. (c) sending a metered volume of water to the mixing chamber in a predetermined ratio with respect to the metered volume of concentrate. 21. The concentrate delivery step comprises providing the concentrate conduit with a pump pulled by a DC motor with an encoder, and controlling the DC motor by a microcontroller, and in this case the water The feeding stage is
providing a water flow meter and a motorized control valve to the water conduit, both coupled to the microcontroller;
and controlling the control valve to provide a predetermined ratio of concentrate to water to the mixing chamber.