US2055923A - Carbonated liquid dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 29, 1936. w. c. BUTTNER ET AL CARBONATED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed June 22, 1934 i if Patented Sept. 29, 1936 PATENT vori-*ICE CABBONATED LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS William C. Buttner and Sherburne D, Levings, Winnetka, Ill., assignors to Bastian-Blessing- Company, Chicago, lll.

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a corporation of 1111-" Application June 22, 1934, Serial No. 731,943

'1 Claims. (Cl. 2254-30) The invention relates generally to beverage dispensing apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for dispensing carbonated water.

'It is Well known to those skilled in the artthat the palatabiiity and sparkling appearance of beverages made from a fiavoring syrup'and carbonated water depend upon a high content of carbonio acid gas in the completely prepared v beverage. Carbonated water. in order to contain many times its volume of carbonio acid gas, is normally maintained under a pressure of to 15G pounds. When the water is discharged directly to atmosphericA pressure, an excessive ebullition takes place with numerous undesirable results. Of these,v the most undesirable is the extreme loss of carbonio acid gas with the result that the -beverage is flat, non-sparkling and unpalatable. Another undesirable result is that with certain types of Syrups the excessive ebullition overflows the receptacle in which the beverage is served and carries with it a large portion of the syrup and water so that often times the receptacle is only `half full when the ebullition subsides. Also contributing to the loss of gas is the excessive agitation to which the water is subjected both in its discharge into the container and in the subsequent stirring or mixing of the drink.

It is a general object of the invention therefore to provide a novel and improved dispensing apparatus in which excessive ebullition and agitation of the water are prevented whereby a high carbonio acid gas content 'is maintained and a full receptacle of sparkling and palatable beverage results.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel method of dispensing a carbonated liquidby means of lwhich a. high carbonio acid gas content is maintained, the method including the steps of first reducing the pressure of they carbonated liquid to atmospheric'pressure and then discharging the liquid slowly into a receptacle by controlling the back pressure therein.

Another object is to provide a simple apparatus for practicing'the above method, more particularly, to provide a carbonated water dispens-v ing apparatus of such character having secured to its discharge spout a member adapted to constitutev a closure for a glass or the like, placed centrally thereof, said member forming a closure for a glass or the like placed beneaththe spout and disposed at an angle to the spout so that when the glass is positioned with.its edge held against the sealing surface of the member, the 5 discharge from the spout will strike the side of the glass at a slight angle and further prevent excessive ebullition of gas.

'Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description 10` view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 2. 2

Adior purposes of disclosure, the invention is shown in the drawing and will be described hereinafter as embodied in a dispensing-apparatus adapted to be attached to a conventional dispensing nozzle already installed. Generally 25 the apparatus comprises a measuring and pressure reducing device in combination with means operable to form with a glass or other receptacle a chamber in which a slight back-pressure is built up to prevent excessive ebullition when the carbonated water is flowed into the glass at reduced pressure.

The measuring and pressure reducing device may be of any conventional construction suitable for the purpose, the specii'lc construction dis- 35 closed being a preferred embodiment. Herein the device comprises a cylindrical container 5 having a bottom wall 6 with a threaded central aperture 1. Depending from the bottom wa1l'6 and threaded into the aperture 'I is an elongated 4 discharge spout 8, the upper end of which forms a valve seat 9.

A closure for the top of the container 5 forms a housing for valve means controlling the flow of carbonated water to the container and the re- 45 duction of pressure in the container at the time the water is discharged. This closure comprises a cast top wall I0 formed with a peripheral, in' wardly-projecting flange II fitting snugly within integrally with the top wall and extending beyond the periphery thereof, is a threaded socket I2 by means of which the device may be attached to the nozzle I3 of a conventional draft arm and the cylindrical side walls of the container 5. Cast 50 valve generally designated I4. The socket I2 55 'through the top wall I0 also constitutes the means for supporting the dispensing apparatus.

Leading from the socket; I2 is an inlet passage including a duct I5 terminating within a circular, upwardly opening recess I6 formed in the top wall I eccentrically thereof. Disposed diametrically opposite the terminous of the duct I and located concentrically of the top wall I0 is an aperture I1 affording communication between the container 5 and the recess I6. The inlet passage is completed by an inverted U-shaped duct I8 formed in a rotary valve member I9 positioned in the recess I 6, the duct I8 operating in one position of the valve member to connect the duct I5 and the aperture I1.

Means is provided within the container 5 automatically to close the discharge spout 8 in response to the influx of water from the draft arm I4. Herein this means comprises an elongated tube 20 threaded at its upper end into an annular, inwardly-projecting iiange 2I on the top wall I0. Reciprocable vertically within the tube 20 is a piston 22 having a rod 23 rigid therewith which carries at its lower end a valve 24 operable to seat 'on the upper end of the discharge spout 8 to close the opening therein. The piston 22 has a depression 25 in its upper surface and is normally retained in the upper portion of the tube 2U by means of a compression spring 26 abutting at one end against a shoulder of the piston and at the other end against a washer 21 secured in the lower end of the tube 20.

Formed in the tube 20 just below the annular flange 2|, are a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 28. These slots are so positioned and the piston 22 and its rod 23 are so proportioned that when the piston moves downwardly a distance permitting communication Between the aperture I1 and the slots 28, the valve member 24 rests upon valve seat 9 to prevent discharge of water from the container. Thus it will be seen that when the rotary valve member I9 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the aperture I1 communicates with the draft arm I4. The water in the passage then acts upon the piston 22 to move the same downwardly until the apertures 28 are uncovered, such movement of the piston also causing the member 24 to rest on the seat 9 and prevent discharge of water from the container. Once the valve member 24 is seated the pressure of water on the top surface thereof maintains the valve closed against the action of the spring 26 until the pressure in the container is reduced.

During the flow of water into the container 5, a certain amount of carbonio acidgas escapes therefrom and accumulates in the upper portion of the container. Means is provided herein for venting the free carbonio acid gas so accumulating and thereby also reducing the pressure on the water within the container. To that end the top wall IIl is provided with an aperture 29 (see Figs. 2 and 3) and with a duct 30 terminating at one end in the recess I6 diametrically opposite the aperture 29 and in a plane at right angles to a plane passing through the aperture I1 and duct I5. The duct 30 terminates at the other end in a vertically disposed tube 3I threaded into the top wall I0 and extending downwardly through the bottom Wall 6 where it vents to the atmosphere. The duct 30 and the aperture 29 are adapted to be connected by the duct I8 in the valve member I9 when the same is disposed in the position shown in Fig. 2, that is, at right angles to the position of Fig. 1. Thus rotation of the valve member I9 to the position of Fig. 2 rst cuts off thesupply of carbonated water to the container 5 and then connects the container to atmosphere to enable the free carbonic acid gas in the top thereof to escape.

The rotary valve member I9 is provided with a squared hub 32 which is received within a socket member 33 extending outwardly through a cap 34 threaded to the top wall II). The socket carries a suitable operating handle 35 which is secured thereon by a nut 36. A thumb screw 31 is threaded in the socket member 33 and abuts the hub 32 of the rotary valve to seat the same rmly on a washer 38 suitably apertured and interposed between the valve member and the bottom of the recess I6. If desired, spring means may be incorporated in the valve mechanism returning it to venting position to prevent the operator from permitting water to stand in the chamber and become stagnant.

As a result of the venting of the free carbonio acid gas accumulated in the top of the container 5, the pressure within the container 5 is reduced to atmospheric pressure enabling the spring 26 to move the piston 22 upwardly and open the discharge spout 8. The water in the container 5 then flows by gravity through the discharge spout 8 into a glass or other suitable receptacle 39 positioned beneath the spout. Because of the described method of drawing the carbonated water, the carbonio acid gas content is materially higher than when the water is discharged under high pressure directly into the glass 39.

It was found by experiment however, that even though the water is discharged into the bottom of the glass at atmospheric pressure, there is still excess ebullition with a result that much gas escapes, much of the beverage is carried out of the glass and when the effervescing subsidies, the glass is often only partially filled and the beverage has not been thoroughly mixed. Means is provided herein for preventing such excessive ebullition with its undesirable results and for properly mixing the water and syrup without mechanical stirring with its further loss of gas. This is effected by discharging the carbonated water into the glass 39 under a slight back-pressure and the means provided comprises simply a disk 40 having a hub 4I slidably mounted on the discharge spout 8. The disk constitutes a closure for the glass 39 and forms therewith a backpressure chamber. The disk is secured to the spout in the desired position by means of a set screw 42 and is preferably provided on its under surface with a pad 43 of resilient material to provide an effective seal for the top of the glass and to prevent breakage of the glass. As the carbonated water ows into the glass, any escaping gas will build up a back-pressure retarding the ow of water thereby causing the same to be discharged gently into the glass with very little agitation. The operator of the apparatus can control the back-pressure to insure continued flow of the water by merely tilting the glass slightly away from the disk. The rate of ow of water from the container 5 may also be iniiuenced by moving the valve member I9 to an intermediate position in which is closes both the inlet passage and the vent to atmosphere.

Further to insure the maintenance of a high gas content, the disk 40 is positioned at an angle with respect to the horizontal so that when the operator places the glass 39 against the disk, the spout 8 will be directed toward a side Wall of the glass rather than the bottom. As a result the anchoas carbonated water is caused to run gently down the side of the glass and thus has aminimum amount of disturbance.' Discharging the water down the yside of the glass also gives thereto a stirring motion thus mixing the syrup at the bottom of the glass with the waterand, in most instances, obviating the necessity of stirring with a spoon when the contents oi the glass is exposed to atmosphere.

'I'he operation of the apparatus is extremely simple, in i'act, because ot its feature of construction compelling the operator to follow a certain method in drawing the carbonated water, less4 skill and technique are required to insure a palatable beverage than with present apparatus. Assuming that the handle is in the position o! Fig. 2, that is, with the valve I9 closing the supply passage and venting the chamber I to atmosphere, preparing a beverage would involve the following simple operationsz--The valve is tlrst rotated to connect the chamber 5 to the supply of carbonated water. In the subsequent discharge the valve 24 automatically closes the spout B'and the discharge takes place with a minimum loss of gas because it is directed into'an air tight container and not directly to atmosphere.

When the chamber is full or the supply line pressure is equalized, the valve handle is returned to its initial position whereby the carbonated water supply is automatically cut-oi! and the chamber vented to atmosphere to reduce the pressure on the water. While the valve is so manipulated with one hand the operator places a glass under the discharge spout with its mouth against the disk 40. The tilt of the disk induces the operator to place the glass in the proper position below the spout, namely, with the water flowing down the side oi' the glass. Thus when the valve 24 opens automatically, as a result of venting of the chamber 5, the water iiows by gravity gently down the side of the glass. AIn this manner it has a minimum of agitation and also has a stirring action on the syrup or other solution in the bottom of the glass obviating the necessity of stirring the mixture with a spoon. There is thus a minimum loss of gas.

Not only is the ow of water without agitation because it is down the side of the glass but the flow is retarded and gentle because it is against a slight back-pressure built up in the glass closed by the seal established by pad 43 against the edge of the glass. The back-pressure may be regulated to maintain the flow by tilting the glass slightly away from the pad.

It is believed apparent from the foregoing that the use of the apparatus described will result in a sparkling, more palatable beverage than has been obtained heretofore. This result is obtained because the carbonic acid gas content oi the ilnished beverage is materially increased over regular soda draft arm dispensing and this increase is obtained regardless of how the operator may mix the drink A because the apparatus insures a high content of for venting the same, said pressure responsive means operating automatically upon venting oi the container to open the discharge spout and permit iiow trom the container by gravity, and a member secured to the spout and positioned to form a closure for a receptacle placed to receive the discharge from the spout and forming therewith a back-pressure chamber effective to prevent excessive ebullition. v

2. For use with a receptacle in which a beverage is served, a carbonated water dispensing apparatus comprising a container having an inlet opening for connection with a supply line and a downwardly projecting discharge spout, pressure responsive means within the container operating automatically to close said spout when said container is connected to the supply line, valve means for controlling the flow of high pressure water to said container and tor connecting the same to atmosphere to vent the container, said pressure responsive means operating automatically upon venting of the container to open the discharge spout, and a disk-like member secured to said spout and positioned to close the receptacle placed to receive the discharge from the spout and forming therewith a back-pressure chamber, the pressure of which is controlled by manipulation of the receptacle, effective to control the rate of discharge and thereby prevent excessive ebullition during discharge into the receptacle.

3. An apparatus for dispensing carbonated water comprising, in combination, a pressure reducing device having an elongated' discharge spout and a disk-like member mounted on' saidspout for adjustment longitudinally thereof and adapted to close the mouth of a receptacle receiving the discharge from said spout to form with the receptacle a back-pressure chamber, said member being disposed at an angle less than a right angleto said spout so that the discharge will be directed down a side wall of the receptacle.

4. An apparatus for dispensing carbonated water comprising, in combination, a pressure reducing device having a discharge spout and a disk-like member secured to said spout and adapted to form a closure for the mouth of a receptacle receiving the discharge from said spout, said member being disposed at less than a right angle to said spout at the point of attachment so that the spout will discharge against a side wall of the receptacle placed with its mouth against the disk.

5. An apparatus for discharging carbonated water from a high pressure source at atmospheric pressure into a receptacle held in a hand of an operator of the apparatus comprising a pressure reducing device for first drawing the carbonated water and reducing the pressure thereof to atmospheric pressure and then permitting iiow therefrom by gravity, and sealing means for the mouth oi the receptacle forming with the receptacle when positioned to receive the discharge from the device a back-pressure chamber the pressure of which is controlled by manipulation of the recep- 7. The method of dispensing carbonated water for use in mixing a beverage having a syrup base including the steps of discharging a measured 4- @osmose quantity of water into a. closed container, venting therein and controlling the back-pressure in the the container to atmosphere to reduce the presreceptacle by manipulation of the receptacle to sure of the water within the container to atmoscontrol the rate of ow of Water.

pheric pressure, owing the water in the container WILLIAM C. BU'I'INER.

by gravity into a receptacle containing the syrup SHERBURNE D. LEVINGS. 5 base and having a. slight back-pressure built up

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