KR850001643B1 - Post-mix beverage dispensing system syrup package - Google Patents

Abstract

This package distributes beverages by a pre-controlled flowrate. One side of the syrup package(14) is closed tightly and the other side(16) is closed by a breakable metal(or plastic) plate, This plate breaks when the package is joined with the distributer(D). A flow control tube(18) is attached to the package in the same direction. To control the flowrate, the open side of the tube(18A) is attached at a distance from the breakable side of the package(16). A ball(FB) and check valve(RS) prevent overflow of syrup to the outside of the tube. Overflow occurs by the package temperature increasing over a controlled level. A hollowed bottom holder(22) protects the control tube.

Description

Syrup package for post mix beverage dispenser

1 is a partial cutaway perspective view illustrating the package of the present invention immediately before insertion into a valve seat of a beverage dispenser.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating in detail the sealing member of the open end of the package of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a package illustrating a first embodiment of a mechanism for preventing impact on the end of the flow control tubing inserted into the package while carrying the package of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the package illustrating the modification of the shape of the end of the package for preventing impact on the end of the flow control tubing used in the package of the present invention.

5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a flow control tubing used in combination in the package of the present invention.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a flow control tubing for use in the package of the present invention.

7 is a bottom view of the flow control tube of FIG.

8 to 9 (a), 9 (b), 9 (c) is illustrated to further implement the present invention, Figure 8 is a valve device used in combination with the syrup package of the present invention Perspective view of a single unit.

Fig. 9 (a) is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing valve mixing nozzle of the unit of Fig. 8, Fig. 9 (b) is a front view of the valve unit of Fig. 8, and Fig. 9 (c) is a sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 9 (b).

10 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the present invention, showing that the syrup pack cage for the post-mix beverage distributor of the present invention is installed in a commercial refrigerator.

11 is a side view of the flow restrictor button used in the valve unit of FIG.

The present invention relates to a syrup pack cage for a post-mix first beverage beverage dispenser suitable for use in a refrigerator.

Previously, there was a syrup package for a post mix dispenser for use in a refrigerator, and these were simply and easily combined and used in existing refrigerators, and were capable of distributing a suitable quality postmix soft drink. However, due to the various design forms of these conventional beverage dispensers, the above object cannot be satisfactorily achieved. Examples of such beverage dispensers can be found in the following US patents.

That is, 2785546 (Bauerline 1957.3.19), 2894377 (Chicles Jr. et al. (Hereinafter simply referred to as "Chicles Jr.") 1959.7.14), 2823833 (Bauerline, 1958.2.18), 3292822 ( Crowder, 1966.12.20), 3756473 (Donahum, 1973.9.4) and 3942685 (Leadner, 1976.3.9).

U.S. Pat. Nos. 2785546 and 2823833 (Bauerline), 3756473 (Donahue) and 3942685 (Leadner) have been published for postmix beverage distribution units designed for refrigerators. The beverage distributor having these syrup package cages can selectively distribute ice or concentrated liquid mixture of syrup and water. However, Bauerline's beverage distributors are not provided for dispensing carbonated water or soda. The water for the apparatus of the Bauerline is also provided through a pipe that must pass through the wall of the refrigerator, making the apparatus of the distributor of the Bauerline very complex.

One notable drawback of the Bauerline beverage dispenser is that cleaning concentrates and unsanitary conditions occur because the concentrated syrup is housed in a more refillable (reusable) container in the syrup package. The dispensing device described in US Pat. No. 2894377 to Schckles is capable of dispensing tap water, post-mix mixtures of tap water and syrups, and carbonated water and carbonated postmix beverages. Dispensing capacity is more diverse than beverage dispensing systems. But the devices of Schicles Jr. are also flawed. For example, the beverage dispenser of Schicles Jr. needs to supply water from the outside through a pipe through the wall of the refrigerator, making the dispenser device more complicated than necessary.

In addition, although the Syrups Jr. syrup package cage can be removed, many connectors are required between the Syscles Jr. syrup pack cage and other components of the beverage dispensing system, thus easily dispensing them as needed. Can't insert into In addition, Syckles Jr.'s syrup package does not provide the proper flow control ratio needed to obtain a high quality beverage at the same ratio of all the carbonated water and syrup dispensed. Crowder's U.S. Patent No. 3292822 (17 and 18) discloses a postmixed carbonated beverage dispensing device that includes a carbonized tank and a manual rechargeable tank for syrup packs and is housed in the door of a refrigerator.

However, it is very difficult to insert syrup packs into the device, the valve device is limited in capacity and the syrup cannot be dispensed with satisfactory flow control ratio. Prior to the present invention it is generally known to use a flow control tube in a syrup container in a postmix dispenser for uniformly flowing the syrup from the vessel to the vessel. An example of this type of device is disclosed in US Pat. No. 2708533 to Nicholas. Nicholas has unveiled a broad concept of installing a flow control tubing in the postmix beverage system that has its opening or bottom end exactly at a certain level above the outlet of the tank so that the syrup dispensed from the tank always flows at a constant rate. Nicholas' patent also discloses that the syrup tank of his invention is a disposable tin can, which is filled in a central distribution plant and distributed to the position of the dispenser's device in a fully milled state.

As illustrated in the publication of Nicholas (figure 2), the bottom of the tin can is ruptured by a dispenser valve and an assisting puncher, the top of which can be inserted therein with a stopper and flow control tubing just before dispensing operation. Installed with Knock Out. The flow control tube is placed in the vessel at a predetermined position determined by the scale on the flow control tube instructing the operator about the proper location of the tube for various preselected flow rates for the syrup of various Brix Values. Is located. Nicholas's device, once assembled, operates with very satisfactory flow rate control, but there are also many drawbacks. For example, the flow control tubing used in the syrup package in the Nicholas patent is an item that is completely separate from the syrup package that is transported from the distribution plant to use.

Therefore the flow control tubing in the Nicholas device requires special assembly at the point of use and skilled adjustment of its position in the syrup container. Thus, although commercial publications may reveal how proper insertion of flow control tubing in a package can be achieved, those who use the device occasionally may place the flow control tubing in a position appropriate for the various brix values of the syrup to be dispensed. As it is difficult to insert, the syrup container of Nicholas can also be refilled through the knockout, which results in inadequate or inadequate hygiene. In addition, as the syruppack cage in Nicholas rises, the syrup rises above the tub and spills over it. Other examples of flow control or breathable tubing in syrup pack cages can be found in US Pat. Nos. 3258166 (Cuckens, 1966.6.28) and 3991219 (Cuckens, November 19, 1976). These patents disclose inverted packages, each having a flow control breathable tubing formed therein. However, the breathable tubing in each of these patents is completely open to the atmosphere.

That is, no means are provided for preventing the liquid from overflowing the breathable tubing. Therefore, when the temperature rises, back pressure is generated in the gas upper space above the liquid in the package and the liquid flows over the breathable tubing. Another US Pat. No. 3,076,071 (Kukens 1974.4.30) discloses a gas cage check valve in the top of a breathable tubing and a package with a breathing tubing therein. Kuken's check valves are provided to prevent the syrup from overflowing into the tub when the package is refilled, while eliminating the overflow onto the tubing as the package is heated to raise the temperature.

Applicants have found that the valve position at the top of the tube is unsatisfactory, assuming that fluid overflow over the tube is caused by elevated package temperature. In such cases, the fluid must flow substantially forward through the valve on top of the breathable tubing before the valve is closed. As a result, syrup will accumulate on the inner wall of the tube and cause clogging or contamination. Furthermore, as mentioned above, it is not disclosed that the Kuken's valve is installed to prevent overflow on the tubing depending on the elevated package temperature.

In short, Kuken's syrup dispenser is intended for use in refrigerators where opening and closing of the refrigerator door raises the temperature of the syrup packaging, and consequently the syrup spills over the breathable tubing depending on the elevated temperature. It is not designed. Check valves are also used in breathable tubs for dispensing containers other than syrups. These check valves were also used to exclude liquid spillage when the vessel was immediately switched to a non-dispensing position. The designers of these prior art devices were not interested in finding out the problem of liquid spillage due to elevated package temperature and consequently the liquid spilling over the breathable tubing. Examples of such prior art containers are described in US Pat. You can find it.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a postmix beverage dispensing package that is fully assembled immediately upon transport and does not require adjustment on the part of use at the point of use, and has a controlled flow rate, and another object of the present invention for reuse. To provide a package for dispensing liquid that cannot be easily filled and has a controlled flow rate, another object of the present invention is to provide a package temperature above a predetermined level caused by opening and closing a door of a refrigerator in which the package is accommodated. By rising is provided a syrup distribution package comprising means for excluding overflow and loss. Another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable package for dispensing liquid, which is light and inexpensive to manufacture, and has a controlled flow rate. The objects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10, which illustrates the state in which the present invention is used. FIG. 10 illustrates a postmix beverage dispenser device using a syrup package of the present invention mounted in a conventional commercial refrigerator (R).

The carbonizer (CS) and the CO2 tank are mounted on any one of the refrigerator shelves, and the valve device VS, the syrup pack cage SP, and the drop tray DP, which will be described later, are mounted inside the door RD. It is. In addition, if necessary, if installed in the refrigerator (R) in the factory, the valve device may be installed to protrude to the outside of the door (RD). The valve device VS, which will be described later, has a plurality of nozzles (N₁) (N2) (N₃) for distributing the soft drink selected by the operation of the buttons B₁ (B2) (B3), respectively. In addition, the button BC is installed, and when it is operated, only carbonated water is distributed through the nozzle N₂. Separate nozzles (N 과) and buttons (BW) are installed for dispensing unmelted ice water. The syrup package SP shown in FIG. 10 described above accommodates three disposable packages of the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7.

1 shows a position just before insertion into a dispenser D, such as a conventional postmix dispenser, wherein reference numeral 10 denotes a disposable package of the present invention. The disposable package 10 of the present invention is made as a plastic bottle or container 12 having thin sidewalls and a closed end 14 and an opening end 16 forming a discharge opening, and the opening end 16 described above. ) Is a rupturable rupture film 20B such as a thin metal foil fixedly attached across the opening of the opening of the container 12 as shown in FIG. 2 and the outer cover member 20A covering the opening. It is installed with the sealing member 20 including a.

The flow control tube 18 integrally used in the syrup package cage 10 of the present invention is permanently fixed to a predetermined position in the container 12 and is formed by the opening end 16 of the container 12. It has an opening 18A located at a predetermined distance inside the outlet and extends through the closed end 14 of the container 12, and has a fragile closed end 18B. The end 18B of the flow control tubing 18 is disposed in a recess 22A formed in an annular support member 22 of plastic or other suitable material fixedly attached to the closed end 14 of the container 12. The recess may be formed as part of the container 12. The complete package, generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1, is manufactured as one unit that is substantially integrated and supplied to the place of use as each unit, as will be described in detail later. The flow control tube 18 is permanently fixed in position in the closed end 14 with a suitable adhesive, sealant or other adhesive means, or the tube 18 can be cast or molded integrally with the closed end 14. have.

In addition, the container 12 is formed as a material that shrinks after casting to form a hole in the bottom thereof, and the flow control tube 18 is inserted at the required position, and the tube 18 is fixed to fix the tube at an appropriate position. The container 12 may be manufactured by shrinkage fixing around the periphery. Dispenser mechanisms suitable for use in the present invention described above are roughly indicated as (D) in FIG. 1, which is a type generally used for postmix soft drink dispensing. This distributor D constitutes a socket on its upper surface, including for example a vertical annular side wall D 'and a part D2 in the zero ring. The drilling device D 3 extends upwards in the socket and is substantially centrally located. The puncturing device D₃ ruptures the rupturable ruptured membrane 20B that is sealed across the open end 16 of the container 12 when the container 12 descends into the socket of the dispenser D or is inserted. It is designed to be.

The dispenser lever (D ') or other valve actuation means, as is well known, is installed to work with the cup where the postmix beverage is dispensed therein. The mixing nozzle C was installed to mix the liquid in the package 10 with other liquids such as carbonated water. A preferred embodiment of the distributor D and the valve device VS will be described below in accordance with FIGS. 8 and 9, the example in FIG. 1 being merely one example.

FIG. 3 illustrates in detail in cross section the annular support member 22 of the package 10 of FIG. 1, which is suitably mounted to the sealing end 14 of the container 12 or formed as part of the container. The supporting member 22 forms a recess 22A for accommodating the end 18B of the flow control tube 18, and the end 18B of the flow control tube 18 is a fragile material. Since it is sealed, it is necessary to provide the supporting member 22 in order to prevent the end 18B or other sealing portion from being ruptured by impact during transportation and storage of the disposable package 10. The recessed portion 22A is also needed to stand the container vertically during transport, storage or display.

FIG. 4 illustrates another form of means for protecting the end 18B of the flow regulating tubing 18 of FIG. 3, forming an inner recess 14A in the closed end 14 of the vessel 12. As shown in FIG. If the disposable package 10 of the present invention is dropped during transportation, the annular support member 22 is generally in contact with the ground, thereby preventing the rupture of the tub end 18B. Applicants have found that when the container 12 is warmed again after it has stabilized at the cooling temperature, increased pressure develops in the upper space confined by opening and closing of the refrigerator door due to air expansion of the upper space. Increased pressure in the upper space causes the syrup to flow over the flow control tubing 18, resulting in leakage of the syrup through the opening 18A at the top of the tube.

In order to suppress this effect, a suitable check valve is provided in the vessel, and preferably at the end of or within the flow control tube 18 as illustrated in FIG. One such check valve is formed with a valve seat (RS) of an elastic body so that the bowl (FB) acts there, is trapped to prevent loss in the cage (C) and the flow control tube ( 18) suspended in syrup contained within. This float is caused by the ball FB above the valve seat RS of the elastomer when the syrup is transported over the flow control tube 18 by the increased superspace pressure caused by the opening of the refrigerator door and the container and its contents warming up. A bias pressure is applied to give this first mounted effect.

The excursion pressure is increased to have an effect on the syrup seal against the valve seat (RS) as the upper space pressure increases by continual warming, thereby raising the syrup in the flow regulating tube 18 and the resulting loss. Is stopped. If necessary, the cage C and the valve seat RS may be integrally formed with the flow control tube 18. For example, the valve seat RS and the cage C may be configured to be convex by partially deforming the wall of the flow control tube 18 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. This makes the assembly of the check valve very simple. Conventional devices are not equipped to prevent loss due to expansion of the upper space air.

The check valve described above is one type suitable for that purpose, but it is apparent to those skilled in the art that other means such as a lead or duck-bill type may be used. The check valve is another check dependent on mechanical means for deflection in the direction of closing the downward flow of air through the flow control tubing 18 which produces a balanced hydrostatic pressure at the desired position in the vessel. The valve should be constructed in such a way that the biasing force is very small.

The check valves are only used for the lifetime of the disposable package and are discarded with the container, eliminating the need to disinfect Czech valves between service periods or between container changes. The choice of material and relationship between the bowl and the elastic valve seat should be covered by the syrup when the bowl (FB) is pushed to the closed position by the syrup, thus avoiding the valve sticking by drying the syrup during use. Can be. In operation, the disposable package 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is reversed so that the opening end 16 is positioned downward, and the dispenser D or the valve device of FIGS. It is inserted into the socket in VS), and the rupture film 20B is ruptured by the punching device D3.

Once the fragile end 18B of the flow regulating tubing 18 is opened in this position, air can enter the vessel 12 through the tubing 18. If air flows into the vessel 12 through the tubing 18 as the liquid contracts, a pressure balance occurs in the vessel, and from a functional advantage, syrup or other liquid is removed from the vessel in FIG. Through the valve device VS of FIGS. A constant flow rate is achieved because the tub 18 with air therein installs an effective hydrostatic pressure head at the opening 18A in the vessel 12, so that the flow rate of the syrup from the vessel is actually constant.

The disposable syrup package 10 of the present invention may be manufactured to hold the tubs 18 in different positions depending on the brix value of the syrup to be accommodated therein. In other words, if a predetermined constant flow rate is required, it is necessary to take into account the brix value of the syrup to be dispensed to determine the proper location of the opening 18A of the tubing 18. In addition, the present invention provides the advantage that the positioning of the tub 18 can only be performed by a person skilled in the production plant, and not by an operator who is not skilled in the field. Disposable package 10 can be made of any suitable material.

For example, the package 10 may be made of plastic, but may be made of thin plastic or glass. The flow rate adjusting tube 18 is also made of plastic or glass. The annular support member 22 may be fabricated from strong high impact plastic or rubber or formed as part of the container itself. The rupturable bursting film 20B provided in the open end 16 of the container 12 may be a metal film, plastic or any other suitable material that seals the open end of the container without contaminating its contents. If the film is plastic, it may be heat sealed to the open end of the container 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closed end 14 of the container is integrated with the remaining portion, and the end 18B of the tubing is fragile. Moreover, it can also be converted into another shape within the technical idea and scope of this invention.

For example, the hermetic closure 14 may be comprised of a removable cap that can be removed from the container. On the other hand, FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate in detail one of the three units of the valve device VS used in combination with the syrup package 10 of the present invention already described with respect to FIG. The valve unit is installed together with the cylindrical socket (SK) on the upper portion to fit the sealing member 20, which is the neck of the syrup pack cage (10). Seal portion (S) is installed in the upper circumferential portion of the socket (SK) to help to closely connect with the neck portion of the syrup package cage (10). When a mechanical punching device MPD is installed at the bottom of the socket and the sealing member 20, which is the neck of the syrup pack cage, is inserted into the socket SK, the punching device MPD ruptures the rupture film 20B. As a result, the syrup package 10 is opened.

The main body of the valve unit of FIG. 8 located below the socket SK includes a syrup valve SV and a hydrocarbon water valve CV. Each of these valves comprises an elastic or flexible valve member as described in US Pat. No. 3,417,962, each having a centrally mounted flanger (SP) and (CP). One end of the elastic member is normally placed in the valve seat (SVS) and (CVS) respectively to prevent the flow of syrup or carbonated water through each valve. Each of these valves is a syrup main valve body (SVB) and a hydrocarbon water main valve, which are connected through holes 100 and 102, respectively, with the dispensing and mixing nozzles described later in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c). Retain the sieve (CVB).

The mixed nozzle (N₁) (N₂) (N₃) is composed of the syrup main valve body (SVB) through the holes 100, 102 as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c). It is installed at the bottom of the valve unit illustrated in FIG. 8 by fluid connection with the main valve body (CVB) for hydrocarbon water. In addition, actuation means for both valves of the syrup valve (SV) and the hydrocarbon water valve (CV) or for the hydrocarbon water valve are provided. This actuating means includes an actuating bar AB constituting a hinge as a pin HP at one end thereof. At the other end of the working bar AB, a pressing button, which is one of the pressing buttons B₁ (B2) (B₃) described in accordance with FIG. 10, is provided. When dispensing and discharging carbonated beverages, press one of the buttons (BB) (B₂) (B₃) and the operating rod (AB) will rotate around the pin (HP). At the same time, the valve plunger (SP) and (CP) will be pressed simultaneously. Lose.

In this case, the elastic members are separated from the valve seats SVS and CVS, respectively, and the carbonized water and the syrup flow simultaneously into the mixing nozzle through the holes 100 and 102 as described below. The hydrocarbon water button BC is inserted into a gap in the operating bar AB engaged with the hydrocarbon water valve plunge CP. Therefore, if only carbonated water is to be dispensed, the button BC is pressed individually so that only carbonized water flows out of the mixing nozzles of the ninth (a) and ninth (b) degrees.

9 (a) and 9 (c), the mixing nozzle including the main valve element (MVB) mounted below the valve unit of FIG. 8 in connection of the syrup valve (SV) and the hydrocarbon water valve (CV). To illustrate. The syrup tube ST is installed in the main valve body MVB and is connected to the syrup valve SV through the hole 100. In the syrup tube ST, a replaceable syrup limit button SRV is provided which holds the hole 104 of the selected size. The size of the hole 104 is selected for use with the various brix values of the syrup dispensed by the special dispensing unit limit button SRV illustrated in FIG. 11 pressed into the end of the syrup tube ST. A replaceable syrup button (SRB) hole 104 in the combination of the flow control tube 18 and the syrup package 10 is provided to allow the syrup to be adjusted out of the dispenser nozzle at a constant flow rate.

The diffusion plate DP is provided below the main valve element in the nozzle N₁ (N2) (N₃). The diffusion plate DP is used in a well-known shape for diffusing carbonized water passing through the nozzle. The gap DPA in the diffusion plate DP passes through the syrup tube ST to prevent the syrup from passing through the diffusion plate DP. Below the diffuser plate is a distributor nozzle (N₁) (N2) (N₃), where the syrup and carbonated water are mixed in the required proportions and distributed into cups or vessels placed under the nozzles. It is apparent from the foregoing description that various changes are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (1)

The syrup package 10 for distributing the syrup at a controlled flow rate includes a container 12 having an opening end 16 and a closed end 14 defining an outlet for dispensing the syrup, and the container 12. And a flow control tube 18 having an opening 18A and an end 18B closed with organic material, the flow control tube 18 described above being the length of the vessel 12 described above. In addition to extending in the direction, one end 18B of the tub 18 extends through the closed end 14 of the container 12, and the other opening 18A of the container 12 described above. The opening end 16 of the container 12 described above is positioned inside the container 12 at a predetermined distance so as to regulate the flow of the syrup discharged through the discharge port. Closed and electrical flow as a sealing member 20 having 20A) and a breakable bursting film 20B of thin metal foil Near the opening 18A in the cut tube 18, it operates in direct contact with the syrup overflowing over the tube 18, and the temperature of the electrical package 10 caused by the opening of the closed lid is reduced. Consists of a ball (FB), an elastic valve seat (RS), and a cage (C) to prevent the syrup from flowing out of the upper portion of the flow control tube (18) in response to the rise above the stationary level An annular support member 22 having a recessed portion 22A is provided in the lower portion of the package 10 to install a check valve and to protect the flow control tube 18 in the package 10 from the shock. Syrup package for the postmix beverage dispenser.

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