NZ257076A - Fluid dispenser with two metering chambers fed from single reservoir - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand No. 257076 International No. PCT/AU93/00545 Priority Date(s):...

Comptet# Specification Fited: .wtt.\!S>.\3.3... Claar. (6) .0.Q.v£.l.l.JM;..,»»lJ).^Jop.... •°.0. Journal No: NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: Dispenser Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: PRECISION MEASURES LTD, of Level 1, 6 Buckhurst Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia Ar>Ausvolioo £<_>^.pcvx_j . 1 2 5 ? 0/6 DISPENSER Field of the Invention The invention relates to dispensing devices and means to control the dispensing of fluids.

Background of the Invention Dispensers of fluids, such as spirits, require accurate control mechanisms. This arises from the high value of these fluids and government regulations which specify the volume entitlements of consumers when ordering those fluids. Such mechanisms also benefit the seller of fluids by guarding against over-pouring.

Typically, in hotels and clubs, spirit dispensers are provided at the bar. Current models of 10 these dispensers are supplied from individual bottles of spirit or from bulk supplies of spirit. Such dispensers are generally attached to a wall or other suitable structure and support bottles in an upside-down orientation. The bottles have their necks located in an upper part of the dispenser. As such, these dispensers are gravity fed. A lower part of these dispensers have an operating knob. When activated, the metering valve is caused to open, 15 initiating the pouring cycle. This may permit a predetermined amount of spirit to issue from the dispenser. Thereafter, the metering valve is closed. This may be achieved mechanically, electrically or electromagnetically.

Another form of dispenser uses a device which attaches to the neck of the bottle. By inverting the bottle either the fluid is caused to free flow or alternatively the device may 2 0 only permit a metered amount of fluid to be dispensed.

Yet another approach involves the provision of a hand-operated dispensing gun which is fed directly by pressurised fluid. However, the measured volume of fluid dispensed may vary depending upon the fluid pressure, the dimensions of the fluid transport and dispensing means as well as environmental factors, such as temperature and pressure.

In Australian patent application 90032/91 a dispensing device is disclosed which aims to achieve a more accurate measurement of the spirit to be dispensed. A reservoir is provided above the measuring and dispensing chamber so that there is a substantially constant head of spirit. In this way the use of timing devices to allow predetermined amounts of spirit to enter the dispensing chamber becomes more accurate as the flow of spirit is not adversely 3 0 affected by the pressure of the incoming spirit or prevailing atmospheric conditions.

However, it is still evident that such devices do not deliver spirits in the desired quantities quickly enough. At present the delivery times are such that the barman needs to stand at the 257076 2 "dispenser whilst doing nothing else and wait for either the spirit to be completely dispensed or alternatively for the measuring chamber to be filled for reuse. In either case the amount of spirit which can be served is limited by the nature of these products, therefore limiting the turnover which may be generated from the salo of spirits. This situation is worsened if the customer orders double nips of spirit.

Similarly, these current devices need to be dismantled when it is desirable to either inspect or clean the measuring mechanism.

Accordingly, investigations have been carried out in an attempt to reduce the dispensing time of fluids. In doing so, improvements have been made in the dispensing devices currently available. Likewise investigations have been carried out to simplify the construction of the measuring chamber to permit ready cleaning and repair.

Description of the invention According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided a dispenser to enable the dispensing of a spirit stored in a bulk source of the spirit, the bulk source being operatively connected to the dispenser, this dispenser including:- (a) a reservoir; (b) at least two measuring chambers each for dispensing a respective predetermined volume of the spirit; (c) each measuring chambcr being operatively connected to the reservoir by an inlet, there being a separate inlet for each measuring chamber; (d) each measuring chamber having an outlet to dispense fluid from that measuring chamber; (e) each inlet having an inlet valve therein, to selectively open and close each inlet; (0 each outlet having an outlet valve therein for selectively opening and closing each outlet, the outlet valves being able to be opened at the same time or separately to enable the dispensing of single or multiple volumes of the spirit; (£} for each measuring chamber the inlet valve and the outlet valve are both closed prior to the outlet valve opening; and (h) control means to control the operation of the inlet valves and the outlet valves to enable the measuring chambers to dispense spirit. 257 0 76 A Preferably, each measuring chamber is provided with a venting means extending between an upper portion of the measuring chamber to an upper portion of the reservoir. Advantageously, the venting means extends above a maximum permitted fluid level in the reservoir.

Preferably, the measuring chambers have substantially the same volume. Advantageously, there is a separate reservoir for each measuring chamber, each reservoir being disposed above its measuring chamber.

In a preferred construction, each measuring chamber and its reservoir are a unitary construction.

In this instance, there may be provided a housing In and upon which the unitary reconstruction is removably mounted.

It is preferred that the reservoir ha9 monitoring means to monitor the fluid in the reservoir. Furthermore, there may be provided a control means for each measuring chamber, the control means being selected from: a solenoid for controlling the operation of the inlet valve and the outlet valve; a cam adapted to be driven by a motor with the cam controlling the operation of the inlet valve; and the outlet valve, or any other suitable apparatus.

The venting means permits the escape of air from the measuring chamber to the reservoir above its liquid level. Investigations have found that the measuring chamber is filled from the reservoir much quicker than without the venting means. It is believed that, as air does not have to escape up through the inlet to the measuring chamber at the same time as the incoming fluid, little turbulence results which enables the measuring chamber to be filled quicker than if air was present. Filling times have been reduced significantly.

Furthermore this venting means facilitates rapid delivery of fluid from the measuring chamber. Investigations have found that delivery speed is influenced by the unrestricted availability of air to replace the liquid being dispensed from the measuring chamber. Delivery times have been significantly improved.

As stated in Australian patent application 90032/91, the use of a reservoir ensures that there aro substantially constant conditions (such as fluid pressure and temperature) acting on the fluid, particularly relating to a controlled head of fluid being provided for metering means to maintain its integrity. In this respect such reservoir may bo filled from any convenient source, e.g. a bottle or a bulk source of fluid. (followed by page 3a) ^rei 3a (ferably the monitoring means is adapted to monitor the level of fluid in the reservoir at more than one level and to monitor distinctly different conditions in the reservoir. The monitoring means may be electrical or electronic means, float means, light means, sonic means or other suitable means. Preferably, when the monitoring means includes electrical or electronic means, the monitoring means includes at least one probe and more preferably a series of probes located in predetermined positions in the reservoir. The monitoring means may further includc a reference probe.

Typically, the probes will be adapted to produce a signal when the level of fluid in the resorvoir goes above or below predetermined levels. The signal is adapted to arrest or (folloved WO *709346 PCT/AU93/00545 initiate the supply of fluid through the inlet of the dispenser into the reservoir, depending on the level of fluid in the reservoir. In this respect, the dispenser may further include a valve, such as a solenoid valve, communicating with the inlet of the dispenser to open or close the supply of fluid into the inlet from an exterior source of fluid.

Alternatively, the arresting or initiation of fluid supply may be effected by de-activating or activating pumping means delivering fluid to the dispenser.

Certain probes are preferably also adapted to send a signal to signal means to notify an operator of the conditions in the reservoir, such as when the level of fluid in the reservoir goes above or below predetermined levels. In particular, the signal means may be sent a 10 signal when the level reaches a predetermined maximum level (overflow condition) or goes below a low level of the reservoir. Preferably the signal means is an audio and/or visual means, which may preferably be adapted to operate only if, after a predetermined period of time (such as 2 or 3 seconds) has elapsed, the condition giving rise to the signal has not been rectified.

The dispenser may be further adapted so that, when the fluid level falls below a predetermined low level and, optionally, remains there for a predetermined period (e.g. a few seconds), the dispenser is adapted to prevent fluid from being dispensed. In this condition the monitoring means may cause the signal means to operate.

Examples of the above features are disclosed in Australian patent application 90032/91.

Alternatively, the probes may be arranged to provide for the prevention of dispensing of any fluid if sufficient fluid is not present to constitute a full measuring chamber.

The presence of fluid is determined by the wetting of adjacent probes. A delivery cycle is possible to initiate providing these probes are submerged in fluid. When those probes do not sense the presence of fluid, a dispensing cycle cannot start. Should the probes sense the 25 absence of fluid during a dispensing cycle, the control system allows for that cycle to be completed, but prevents the commencement of any further cycle.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the controlling means may be a valve and/or electronic system of the types disclosed in Australian patents 545,688, 530,039 and 579,575.

Description of the Piwings The invention will now be further illustrated with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a fluid dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention and incorporates a partial cross-sectional view at the top thereof; WO 94/09346 PCT/AU93/00545 Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the fluid dispenser of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative fluid dispenser according to the invention.

As shown in the drawings, dispenser 10 includes an inlet 11 into which a source of fluid is 5 connected. A tamper-proof mechanism 12 is provided which attaches to, for example, the neck of a bottle. A locking ring 13 has a locking arm 14 which projects outwardly and downwardly into a lock 15 (as more clearly shown in Figure 2). As more clearly shown in Figure 1, the neck of the bottle has a valve mechanism inlet 11 which permits fluid to flow downwardly past valve 16 into a reservoir 17 when the bottle is attached to the 10 dispenser 10.

Reservoir 17 has outlets 18 and 19 which communicate with the inlets 20 to chambers 21 and 22. Passageways 23 and 24 communicate between the reservoir 17 and an upper surface 25 of the chambers 21 and 22 adjacent inlet 20. The height of passageways 23 and 24 in reservoir 17 is such that those passageways are above the predetermined upper level 15 of fluid permitted in reservoir 17.

The chambers 21 and 22 comprise sight glasses 26 and 27 and valve arrangements 28 more clearly shown in Figure 2. Separate valve arrangements 28 are associated with each chamber 21 and 22.

Valve arrangement 28 has two synchronised valves 29 and 30 which are situated on valve 20 stems 31 and 32 respectively. A motor 33 drives a cam 34. As cam 34 is rotated by motor 33, it synchronously moves valves 29 and 30. A separate motor (not shown) could operate the valve arrangements 28. Other mechanical or electromagnet systems may be utilised to perform these functions, as illustrated in Figure 3.

As shown in Figure 2, valve 30 is in the open position allowing fluid to pass from 25 reservoir 17 through inlets 20 into the sight glass 26. The fluid is prevented from leaving the chambers 21 and 22 as valve 29 seals opening 35. As cam 34 continues to rotate, inlet 20 is closed by valve 30 and opening 35 is unsealed by the movement of valve 29. This permits the predetermined amounts of fluid to be dispensed through opening 35 to outlet 36. Preferably the cam arrangement may permit both inlet 20 and opening 35 to be 30 momentarily closed at the same time to ensure no extra fluid is admitted to the chambers 21 and 22 as valve 29 unseals opening 35. This improves the accuracy of the predetermined amount which is subsequently dispensed.

The reservoir 17 and associated measurement chambers 21 and 22 may be of unitary construction. The thick black line shown in the drawings indicates the unitary WO 94/09346 PCT/AU93/00545 construction A which can be removed from the dispenser 10 to permit servicing and cleaning. To remove unitary construction A, screw B is removed allowing construction A to be rotated to the left (as shown in Figure 2) and then downwardly to disengage the reservoir 17 from the dispenser 10.

Figure 3 shows an alternative valve arrangement to that shown in Figure 2, however, like components are given the same numerals.

Instead of a cam-operated actuation of the valve arrangement, a remote solenoid or mechanical alternative is used. A valve 39 having valve ends 38 and 46 is movable into and out of sealing engagement with inlet 37 and outlet 47 respectively.

The movement of valve 39 is achieved by pivoting of arm 42 about pivot point 44. The plunger 43 is connected to solenoid 45. Movement of plunger 43 of solenoid 45 causes pivoting of arm 42. Alternatively, the action of valve 39 may be achieved by other nvchanical or electrical means.

Arm 42 has an end connected to valve 39 via a pin 41. Upward movement of arm 42 15 compresses spring 40 whilst simultaneously raising valve 39. Once the solenoid 45 is disengaged (e.g. after a predetermined period), the spring 40 causes the valve to open inlet 37 and close outlet 47. This action occurs extremely quickly to ensure the accuracy of the metered volume.

Again, unitary construction A can be removed from dispenser 10 to permit servicing and 20 cleaning.

The fluid dispenser of the invention allows rapid filling and dispensing of the measuring chamber. For example, refilling times for volumes of 15 ml and 30 ml have been reduced from 3.5 seconds and 5.5 seconds respectively to 3 seconds using a dispenser according to the invention.

Claims (12)

9 5 7 0 7 : claims defining the invention are as follows: u "
1. A dispenser to enable the dispensing of a spirit stored in a bulk source of the spirit, the bulk Bource being operatively connected to the dispenser, the dispenser including: - (a) a reservoir; (b) at least two measuring chambers each for dispensing a respective predetermined volume of the spirit; (c) each measuring chamber being operatively connected to the reservoir by an inlet, there being a separate inlet for each measuring chamber; (d) each measuring chamber having an outlet to dispense the spirit from that measuring chamber; (e) each inlet having an inlet valve therein, to selectively open and close each inlet; (f) each outlet having an outlet valve therein for selectively opening and closing each outlet, the oudet valves being able to be opened at the same time or separately to enable the dispensing of single or multiple volumes of the spirit; (g) for each measuring chamber the inlet valveand the outlet valve are both closed prior to outlet valve opening; and (h) control means to control the operation of the inlet valves and the outlet valves to enable the measuring chambers to dispense the spirit.
2. A spirit dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein each measuring chamber is provided with a venting means extending between an upper portion of the measuring chamber to an upper portion of the reservoir.
3. A spirit dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein the venting means extends above: a maximum permitted fluid level in the reservoir.
4. A spirit dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring chambers have substantially the same volume.
5. A spirit dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein there is a separate reservoir for each measuring chamber, each reservoir being disposed above its measuring chamber.
6. A spirit dispenser as claimed in claim 5, wherein each measuring chamber and its reservoir are a unitary construction. 2 5 7076
7. 7. A spirit dispenser as claimed in claim 6, where there is provided a housing in and upon which the unitary construction is removably mounted.
8. 8. A spirit dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reservoir has monitoring means to monitor the fluid level in the reservoir.
9. 9. A spirit dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein there is provided a control moans for each measuring chamber.
10. 10. A spirit dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control means includes a solenoid for controlling the operation of the inlet valve and the outlet valve. ✓*
11. 11. A spirit dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control means includes a cam adapted to be driven by a motor, the cam controlling the operation of the inlet valve and the outlet valve.
12. 12. A spirit dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.