US2415861A - Pressure operated mixed drink dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 18, 1947. c. c. BAUERLEIN 'ET Al. 2,415,861

PRESSURE OPERAYTED MIXED DRINK DISXENSER ,Filed Jan. 1,'1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb- 18, 1947- c. c. BAuERLr-:IN ETAL 2,4l561 PRESSURE OPERATED MIXED DRINK DISPENSER 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Jan. l,- 1945 l'llllllnig 'taste and uniformity of mixture.

Patented Feb. 1,8, 1947 UNITED- srArl-:s

' 'x 2,415,861 TENT-.10Ff1f. z

i' P'R'Essman oPERATEn mxEn Damn msrENsEn s Carl Bauerlcin, Glenc, and yWilliam Y Cramer, Jr., Chicago.. Ill., assignors to `The Dole Valve Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of s. t

Application January 1, 1945, SerialNo. 570,828 v 9 claims. (ci. 22e-zc) v'I'his'invention relates'to a drink dispenser and more particularly to a dispensing device of the type wherein one uid, such as a syrup, is arrangedA to be mixed with a-second carbonated liquid to form a carbonated beverage.

In the production of a beverage in which carbonated water is mixed with a ilavoring syrup, it is highly desirable that the uniformity of the resulting drink be maintained 'with fidelity in order to assure uniformity -in the taste'o'f each successive drink. The maintenance of the proper -proportions ofthe component liquids combined to form the drink is determinative of its resulting The proportions of the liquids employed in the drink are altered by such factors as changes in the pressure ofy the carbonated water and variations in the viscosity of the syrup.

In view of the-fact that it is usually desirable tdserve the drink -in av chilled condition, it is extremely important that the measuring and valving arrangement for the syrup be constructed and arranged in such a manner that the flow of syrup into the mixing area will not beunduly impeded.- It has been found extremely desirable to provide a valving and measuring arrangement for the syrup in which the syrup has only a very short flow passage following the point where the valve is opened into the area where it is mixed 4with the carbonated water.

It .is further desirable that a simple operating arrangement be provided for opening and closing the valves which mix the carbonated liquid with the syrup, and discharge the resulting mixture.

One of the-principal features and objects of the present invention is to provide a novel drink dispenser in which the valves are operated by fluid under pressure.

It is a further'object of the present invention to provide anovel drink dispenser for mixing 'a carbonated liquid with a ilavoring syrup in which the fluid pressure of the carbonated liquid is employed to open the syrup valve.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel drink dispenser in which the admission of carbonated liquid to the syrup mixing valve automatically opens the syrup valve and admits a predetermined quantity of syrup.

Another object of the present invention is to Milprovide a drink dispenser of novel construction 1- which is economical to manufacture and which is extremely effective and efcient in use.

Still another and vfurther object of the presentfinvention is to provide a'novel mixing valve unit for mixing two fluids together. i

It is'a further object of the present invention actenstic of our invention lare set for-tn with ticularity in the appended claims. Our invention itself, however, both as to itsmanner of construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, mayfbest be understood by reference to the .following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in section showing a drink dispensing device embodying the novel features of the present invention: Y

Figure .2 .is an enlarged fragmentaryv elevational view of the mixing vvalve unit of the drink dispenser shown in Figure l but with therespective parts in their beverage discharging position;

and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view partly in section of the carbonated liquid supply line showing -an electrically operated valve therein in place of Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings comprises a` casing or cabinet I0 having an outer shell II and an inner shell I2 spaced from each other by some suitable heat insulating material I3. The casing or cabinet I0 is arranged to accommodate a suitable temperature changing medium, such, for example, as ice, as well as to accommodate the mixing and dispensing apparatus now to be described.

Mounted in the base Wall I4 of the casing I0 is a collar I5 which supports the mixing and dispensing apparatus generally designated by the reference character I6. A carbonated liquid, such as carbonated Water, is supplied to the mixing and dispensing head I6 through a metal tubing I1 which is broken away for purposes of clarity of lillustration but which will be understood to be folded back and forth within the4 casing III and preferably along the interior surface of the base wall I4.

The tube I'I is of sulicient length within the bonated liquid is subjected to the influence of the temperature changing medium within the casing I0. One end of the tubing. I'I is connected to the mixing head I6 while the other end is connected to a member I8 which extends through the base wall I4 of the casing IIJ. The other end of the passage member I8 is connected to a carbonated liquid supply line I9 which is provided with a valve 2li therein. The valve 20 vmay be `of any suitable construction or design and is illustrated as being of the type wherein a push-button operatingmember 2l is arranged to'open the valve when the button 2I 4is manually pushed toward the valve proper.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated 1 in Figures 1 and 2 the drink dispenser is shown as being of a type wherein a ilavoring syrup is arranged to be mixed with carbonated water. The flavoring syrup is stored in a jar or syrup tank 22 which is mounted on top of the mixing and dispensing' unit I4. In a manner which will presently be explained, the syrup is arranged to be metered and fed to a region within the unit I3 where it is mixed with the carbonated water and then discharged through the lower end of the head 23 of the unit i4.

The unit i4 includes a housing member 24 having a shoulder 25 and a second shoulder 28 on the exterior surface thereof. The shoulder 25 is seated on a ange member 21 which is threaded into `the collar I and the base wall |4 of the casing I4. The lower end of the depending sleeve portion ci the housing 24 is both externally and internally threaded. A clamping ring 23 is threaded on the exterior surface thereof up against the intermediate angeportion 23 of the collar I5. This pulls the shoulder 25 tightly against the ange member 21. The ange member 21 is secured to the collar |5 by means of bolts 2l.

'l'.he discharge head 23 previously referred to is in the form of a sleeve having a flanged top 3|, and a tapered lower end 32 having a relatively large opening 33 at the extreme lower end thereof. The discharge head 23 is biased upwardly by means of a coil spring 34 which extends between a lower annular member 35 which is threaded into the housing 24 and an annular ring 3l which is an integral part of the head 23. A resilient sealing member 31 is disposed on the under side of the flanged top 3| and the ring or shoulder 36 of the head 23. The flanged top 3| makes a close sliding iit with the interior wall of the housing member 24 for a reason which will presently be explained.

. Flrmly secured within the main cylindrical portion of the discharge head 23 is an exteriorly threaded hollow member 38 which is open at the top and closed at the bottom by a bottom wall 39. The bottom wall 39 has a small opening 40 therein which lies opposite the end of an elongated valve member 4|. By virtue of the fact that the interior surface of the body portion of the head 23.is smooth, while the exterior surface of the member 33 is threaded, it will be seen that a spiral passageway 42 is provided by this construction.

The carbonated water supply tube I1 is connected into the housing 24 in the enlarged upper portion thereof. The portion of the housing 24 to which the tube |1v connects is provided with an interior passage 43 which opens into the space opposite the ilanged portion 3| of the discharge head 23. It will thus be apparent that whenl carbonated water is admitted into the tubing |1 by depressing the push-button 2| this water under pressure enters the interior passageway 43 of the housing 24 and pushes against the flange portion 3| of the discharge head 23. Since the discharge head 2'3 is slidably mounted within the housing 24, it will be moved downwardly against the action of the biasing spring 34. The downward movement of the discharge head 23 admits carbonated water to the region 44 immediately above the ange portion 3| (as shown in Figure 2), and is thus free to pass down through the capillary passage 42 to the lower end of the discharge head 23. A baiilemember, such, for example, as a wire screen 45, is disposed within the discharge head 23; at the point where the cylindrical body portion merges into the lower tapered portion 32. For a reason which will be discussed presently, this yeffects a nner mixture of the carbonated water and the ilavoring syrup.

In order to prevent the carbonated water from passing up from the region 44 betweenthe upper end of the member 38 and the inner wall of the housing 24, a sealing ring 46 is disposed in an annular recess 41. This annular recess 41 is preferably slightly shallower than the normal diameter of the resilient sealing ring 46, but slightly greater in width. This type of sealing allows a slight kneading action of the material forming the resilient sealing ring 46 and prolongs \`the life thereof, while at the same time providing amore effective seal. This latter effect is dueto the fact that any fluid under pressure seeping between the parts will only tend to com press the sealing ring in a direction parallel to its axis and expand it in a radial direction within its own plane. n

The syrup tank 22 which has previously been referred to, is secured in any suitable manner to the upper end of the homing member 24.

Mounted within the syrup tank 22 is a tubular screen portion 43 which is provided with a reinforcing ring 43 at its upper end. A cap 50 having a plurality of openings 5| therein, is secured to the top of the tubular screen 48. Within the tubular screen member 48 is a cup member 52' which is open at the top and which is provided with an annular series of openings 53 at the bottom. The lower end of the cup 52 is crimped in such a manner as to provide -a flange ring 54 which is seated on a ring member 55. This ring member 55 is preferably formed of a resilient material such as rubber or the like.

Mounted within the cup 52 is a coil spring 56. This coil spring 56 extends between the cap 50 and the bottom of the cup 52. The effect of the spring 56 is to bias the cup 52 in a downward direction thus causing it to be seated on the resilient seating member 55. This spring 56, however, is relatively light compared with the spring 34, and it will thus be understood that when no carbonated uid is flowing through the tube |1 the coil spring 34 has forced the flanged upper portion 3| of the discharge head 23 upwardly until it is seated against the inner shoulder 51 of the housing 24. This upward'movement of the discharge head 23 carries ,the member 38 with it, since the member 38 is press-fitted within the discharge head 23.. Upward movement of the member 38 causes the base wall 39 thereof to move into engagement with the elongated valve member 4| to close the opening 40. This base wall 39 is so positioned relative to the elongated valve member 4| that the opening 4U is closed prior to the time when the iianged upper portion 3| strikes the shoulder 51. The result is that the elongated valve member 4| which is carried through a universal connection 58 on the base wall 59 of the cup 52, carries the cup member 52 up off of the seat 55, as shown in Figure 1.y

Syrup passes through the screen member 48 and thence down past the seating ring 55 into the chamber 60 formed by the member 38. The capacity of the chamber 68 represents the desired amount of fiavoring syrup for each glass of carbonated beverage. When the elements are in the position as shown in Figure 1 nothing flows out from the discharge head due to the fact that the passage of uid is blocked by the seating engagement of the base wall 39 against the elongated valve member 4| and by the valve 20 being closed.

wher-a glass of carbonated beverage, isldesired. ne push-button 2i is depressed and carbonated water is admitted under pressure to the passageway 43 within the housing .24. This water under epres'sure. forces the Vdischarge head downwardly, thus freeing ltheopening 40 in the base wall 39, and permitting syrup topass through this opening. As the dischargehead 23 moves downwardly, the cup 52 is moved downwardly by its ownibiasing spring 56-and is seated on the 4seatingmember 55. No syrup can thus pass .from the syrup tank .22 through the tubular screen member 48 and .down into the discharge head. Only thefquantity of syrup withinthe chamber 60 can iiow through the opening 4l) irrespective of .howlong the valve 20 is maintained in its open lposition. assures an adequate quantity of syrup for each glass vof carbonated beverage. As the carbonated water passes down through the capillary passage i2, it mixes with the syrup owlng `through the opening d0 in the lower en d of the. discharge head 23. AThe resulting mixed drink or carbonated beverage is then discharged. through the lower opening 33 in the discharge vhead 23. A glass or some other suitabler receptacle is, of course, disposed below the opening 33 in order to receive the beverage being dispensed. A second baiiie or screenmember BI may be provided within the member 38 in the manner shown in Figures 1 and.2 of thedrawings. Figure 3 illustrates .a modification of the ernbodiment of the invention shown in Figures l and 2 of the drawings. More particularly, the manually operated valve 20 is replaced by an electrically operated valve 62 which is controlled through a solenoid or electromagnet 63. The electromagnet 63 is energized from a suitable source ofv electric energy represented by the power supply lines 66 and 65. The solenoid 63 is connected to the power supply line 65 through a conductor 66 and to the power supply line 6d through a conductor 61 and a push-button switch B8, which is preferably resiliently` biased. to its open circuit position by a spring diagrammatically represented at 69. push-button switch 68 the solenoid 63 is energized, which in turn opens the valve B2. This provides an extremely simple and easy remote control of the valve in the carbonated liquid supply line i9 when such is desired.

While we have shown particular embodiments of our invention, it will, of course, be understood that we do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and we, thereport to'V close the sa'meLand Isaid cup opening"` is free .from said valve member wheny saiddischarge head isv in Asaid lowerposition and saidportclosing member is liitedroi ofsaid port and said cup lopening is closed against the end `of s aid valve member when said'discharge head is in said upper position, said discharge head also including a nozzleportion below said cup-like member into .which syrup iiows when said cup opening is vfree 10 from said valvemember, and means for conduct- .inga carbonated liquid into said nozzle portion, whereby said carbonated liquid mixes with said syrup and the mixed beverage is then discharged from said nozzlel portion.: Y

2. A devicefor mixing a syrup vwith a carbonated liquid .fordjspensing a .carbonatedbeverage comprising a casing having d syrup tank mounted in an upper portion thereof, a mixing head housing mounted 'below` saidtank, a` discharge head 2b slidable `within saidlhousing lbetween upper and lower positions, saiddischarge Y,head including a cup-like member arranged .to receive syrup from said tank, said tank including a port opening` into said cup, a portclosing member, means resilient- 2'5 ly biasing said port closing` member into port closing position, said cup-like memberv having an opening in the base thereof; an elongated valve member projecting downwardly from said port closing member into proximity with said cup opening, said valve member being of such length that said port closing member isseated on said port to close the same and said cup opening is free from said valve member when said discharge head'is in said lower position and said port closing member is lifted off of said port and said cup opening is closed against the end of said valve member when said discharge head is in said upper position, said discharge head also including a nozzle portion below said cup-like member into 40 which syrup flows when said cup opening is free from said valve member, and means for conducting a carbonated liquid into said nozzle portion, valve means fory interrupting the ow of carbonated liquid -to said nozzle portion, and

Upon depI'eSSOn 0f the 45 means responsive to the iiow of carbonated liquid bonated liquid for dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising a casing' having a syrup tank mounted in an upper portion thereof, a mixing head housing mounted below said tank, a discharge head slidable within said housing between fOre, contemplate by the appended Claims t0 55 upper and lower positions, means biasing said cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A device for mixing a syrup with a carbondischarge head to said upper position, said discharge head including a cup-like member arranged to receive syrup from said tank, said tank including a port opening into said cup, a port ated liquid fOr dispensing a carbonated beverage closing member, means resiliently biasing said comprising a casing having a syrup tank mounted in an upper portion thereof, a mixing head housingvmounted below said tank, a discharge head slidable within said housing between upper and port closing member into port closing position, said cup-like member having-an opening in the base thereof, an elongated valve lmember pro.

jecting downwardly from said port closing memlower pOSitiOnS. vsaid discharge head including a b er into proximity with said cup opening, said cup-like member arranged to receive syrup from said tank, said tank including a port opening into said cup, a port closing member, means resiliently biasing said por-t closing member into port valve member `being of such length that said port closing member is seated on said port to close the same and said cup opening'is free from said valve member when said discharge head is in said closing position, said cup-like member having an lower position and said port closing member is opening in the base thereof, an elongated valve member projecting downwardly from said .port closing member into proximity with Said cupv opening, said valve member being of such length i that said port closing member is seated on said lifted oil of said port and said cup opening is closed against the end of said valve member when said discharge head` is in said -upper position, said discharge head also including Va nozzle portion below said cup-like member into which syrup meer . 7 flows when said cup opening is free from said valve member, and means for conducting a carbonatedliquid into said nozzle portion, valve means i'or interrupting the ilow ot carbonated liquid to said nozzle portion, and means responsive to the ilow of carbonated liquid to said nozzle' portion `for moving said discharge head from its said upper position to its said lower position.

4'. In a device for mixing a liquid with a iluid under pressure and for dispensing a mlgture of said liquid and iluid, a casing comprising a tank containing said liquid, a mixing chamber associated with said casing and connected to said tank, a discharge head slidable within said chamber, said discharge head including a cup-like member receiving liquid from said tank, said tank including a port communicating with said cup member, a port closing member, means resiliently biasing said port closing member into port closing position, said cup-like member also having a discharge opening and a! valve member cooperable with said discharge opening to open and clos'e the same, said valve' and port closing. members being so interrelated that said port is open and said discharge opening is closed when said discharge head is slid to one position and said port is closed and said discharge opening is open when said discharge head is slid to another position for the dispensing oi the mixture, said discharge head also having a nozzle portion below said cup-like member into which liquid flows when said discharge opening is free from said valve member, and lmeans for conducting said fluid under pressure into said nozzle portion for mixture with said liquid discharged into the nozzle portion from said discharge head and for operating said valve member to open said discharge opening and to release liquid from said cup-like member.

5. In a dispenser, including means for supplying iluid under pressure and liquid to be mixed and a discharge opening from which the mixture is dispensed, a control head between said supply means and said Adischarge opening including a receptacle for receiving a given charge of liquid and means responsive to the pressure of incoming iluid for releasing the charge from said receptacle for mixture with said uid in advance of passage through said discharge opening, said control head comprising a cup in which said receptacle ls slidably nested, said cup and receptacle being relatively movable in response to the admissionof iluid under pressure in said head for closing off the supply of liquid to said receptacle and for releasing the charge therein for delivery into said cup and to said discharge opening.

6. In a dispenser, including means for supplying fluid under pressure` and liquid to be mixed and a discharge opening from which the mixture is dispensed, a control head between said supply means and said discharge opening including a receptacle for receiving a. given Acharge of liquid and means responsive to the pressure of incoming iiuid for releasing-the charge from said receptacle for vmixture with said fluid in advance of ,passage through said discharge opening, said means responsive tothe pressure of incoming fluid for releasing the charge from said receptacle for mixture with said fluid in advance o! passage through said discharge opening, said receptacle having an vopening disposed over said discharge opening as well as a plug member for normally closing the same, said control head including spring means' for maintaining said receptacle opening closed by said plug member and which spring meansls arranged to be operated by the entry of fluid under pressure in said head whereby the Vreceptacle is moved out o! engagement with said plug member to close oi! the supply of liquid to said receptacle and to open said receptacle openingfor the discharge oi the contents o! the v iluid under pressure, a control head in said opening including an outer spring supported cup for receiving said iiuid under pressure, said outer cup having a dispensing opening. an inner cup slidably disposed in said outer cup for receiving liquid from said tank and provided with a discharge opening through which liquid is delivered to the inside of the outer cup -for combination with the iluid in advance of passage through said dispensing opening and means normally closing said discharge opening of the inner cup and establishing a communication between said inner cup and said tank. for supplying a given charge of liquid to said inner cup, said means being constructed and arranged to be operated by the pressure oi fluid admitted into said outer cup whereby the inner supply of liquid to said inner cup is shut oi and its discharge opening is opened to deliver the charge of liquid to the incoming fluid under pressure in advance of passage through said dispensing opening.

.9. In a dispenser including means for supplying uid under pressure and liquid to be mixed and a discharge opening from which the 'mixture is dispensed, a control head between said supply means and said discharge opening including. a receptacle for receiving a given charge of liquid and means'responsive to the pressure of incoming fluid for releasing the charge from said receptacle for mixture with said fluid in advance cimassage through said discharge opening, said control head including an outer fluid receiving cup in which said liquid receiving receptacle is disposed, and interrelated spring means for controlling the charging of said receptacle and the discharge of liquid therefrom in response to flow of fluid under pressure through said head.

CARL C. BAUERLEIN. WILLIAM F. CRAMER, Jn.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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