US2695117A - Beverage dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 23, 1954 DANIELS 2,695,117

BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1952 2 Sheet's-Sheet l 1954 P. J. DANIELS BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 2,695,11 E ERAG ISPENS NG AP ARATUS Paul J. Daniels, -Evanston, Ill, Application January 24, 1952,Serial-No. 268,104

8 Claims. ;(Cl. 222- 14 This invention relates generallyto fluid dispensers and more particularly to an improved dispensing apparatus especially adapted to the dispensingof beverages-such as milk or fresh'fruit juices.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my earlier filed application for Beverage Dispensing Apparatus, Serial No. 182,019, filed August 2 9, 195,0, Whieha 1j tion is incorporated herein by this reference.

The dispensing apparatus of this invention is intended primarily to dispense beverages which must be maintained in an absolute sanitary-condition in an original large container from the time ,the container is filled until the individual drinks are drawninto cups or othervessels. The dispensing apparatus of this invention may be used for other fluids than milk, cream, buttermilk or juices, such as coffee, tea, frozen custard, etc, forit is useful in any instance where it isdesired to dispensefiuid in small quantities froma large container which is sealed at all times.

Milk dispensers have been suggested which cannot be tampered with and which require that the original centainer be sealed at all times, but such dispensers equ-ire the use of a special type container having .a fiui utlet at the bottom and a flexible withdrawal tube attaehedto the outlet. Such containers impose a hardship on the dairy which suppliesthe milk, for the specialcontainers must be stocked and kept separate from the supply of standard containers. Moreover, these containers expose the dispensing tube and bottom outlet to the elements with possible contamination and if staekedone above the other during shipment or storage encounter the danger of damagingthe dispensing tube and outlet.

Accordingly, an important object of this invention is to provide a dispensing arrangement in which standard containers are used,' the beverage being withdrawn through the removable closure member provided for sealing the container instead of through an opening in the side or bottom of the container.

Another object is to provide an arrangement whereby the withdrawal tube may ,be sterilized and supplied with the closure member, the tube being securely attached thereto from the time the container is filled until all the fluid has been dispensed.

Another object is to provide a closure member having a flexible withdrawal tube securely attached to a dip pipe which extends to the bottom of a container permittingfiuid to be withdrawn by pumping, means being provided upon the closure member for protecting-the'flexible tube from damage.

Another object ,is to provide an arrangement whereby exactly measured quantities of fluid may be withdrawn from a container located in a refrigerated space in an upright position beneath a cup filling stat-ion.

A further object is to provide an improved metering pump or lift of the type which progressively compresses a portion of a tube woundin a circle to causeffluidto flow therethrough, the lift being so arranged that the tube may 'be easily threaded and unthreaded each time acontainer is emptied and replaced ;by a new container, the tube being removed and discarded when the container is empty.

A further object is to porting the end of the flexible 'diseharge tube ,at the cup filling station which not only holds the tube securely in position but also which reduces dripping to aminimum after the lift has stopped running, thereby insuring against over or underfilling.

provide an arrangement for sup- Other objects and advantages of thedispenser of this invention will, of course, present themselves to those familiar with the art on reading the following specificat on in conjunction with drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. .l .is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the dispensing apparatus, the cabinet door being shown in the open position to better illustrate the interior parts;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the container shown partially in section to show the details of a preferred form of closure element;

,Fig. 3 is a top view of the closure element;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of a preferred embodimentof the lift;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the lift and motor assembly;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section of the cup filling station; and

Fig. 7 is-a section taken on line 77 of Fig. 6.

A'fundamental concept of this invention is to provide a container and .a closure member therefor having a withdrawal tube in communication with the interior of the container. The tube, which may be formed of any flexible plastic or elastomer which does not contaminate the taste of the fluid being dispensed, is sterile and is permanently sealed at its outer end, remaining sealed until such time as it is desired to dispense fluid from the container. At this time the sealed end of the tube is cut off to permit fluid to be withdrawn. .The container may be either upright or inverted as described in my earlier application. However, it is preferred to employ anupright container, having a dip pipe which extends to a point near the bottom. To permit entry of air into the top of the container to replace the fluid as it is withdraWn the closure member is provided with a groove in the neck of the cover, or a small hole in the periphery of the neck if the cover used is an umbrella type cover.

A preferred embodiment of the dispenser It is shown in Fig. l of the drawings. The dispenser 10 comprises an insulated cabinet 11 whose interior is refrigerated, a fluid container 12 provided with a withdrawal tube 13 and ametering pump or lift 14 preferably driven by an electric motorlS (Fig. 5). It is alsocontemplated that conventional manual or coin-controlled switch apparatus may be employed to cause the motor to be rotated througha predetermined number of revolutions and dispense an exact quantity ef the fluid through the withdrawal tube 13 each time a manual switch is actuated or a coin is deposited. If desired, however, a simple switch may be employed, or the motor may be replaced .by'a hand crank, the operator observing the filling process so as not to overfill the container.

When it is desfed to dispense different quantities of beverage from the same dispensing apparatus a single withdrawal tube and motor driven lift may be used. Two manual switches are provided each of which controls a separate timer mechanism, the mechanism being adapted to operate the motor for different periods of time. Thus, for example, the samev dispenser can dispense-either five or eight ounce drinks as desired through the same tube.

The container 12 is received in the bottom of the cabinet 11 and the withdrawal tube 13 extends upwardly to the lift 1; 4. In Fig. l the tube is shown in the position it occupies after being Wound around the lift but prior to being run to the discharge station at the top of an alcove 16 (Fig. 6) provided in the front door 17 of the cabinet 11. As shown in Fig. 6 the alcove 16 is just large enough to receive the. cup 18 to be filled and may be provided with a drain at the bottom to carry off any overflow in case the cup 18 should spill or the dispenser should be operated'without a cup in the filling position. It is also contemplated that a conventional automatic. cup dispensing device may be incorporated in the apparatus to deposit .a 'cupbelow the end of the tube 13 each time the dispenser is actuated.

The-container 1 2, which is best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings is a conventional milk can having a relatively wide neck 21 surmounted by a conical flange 22. The closureor cap 23 can be a plug type cover as shown 1n Fig. l, but preferably in the present invention comprises a cylindrical element 24 receivable in the neck 21, a dish shaped element 25 welded to the top of the element 24 and a second cylindrical element 26 which extends upwardly above the element and protects the withdrawal tube 13 when it is coiled in the top of closure 23.

The withdrawal tube 13 is attached to the top of a dip conduit 36 which extends through the top of the closure to a point near the bottom of the container, preferably with the end resting on the bottom. The dip conduit has its lower end upset outwardly to provide a foot 37 and a notch 38 cut across it at the bottom at right angles to said feet. The nipple is a machine screw part of the shape shown silver soldered in place and the upper end of the dip conduit has a section rolled or necked down at 39 to a smaller diameter to prevent the tube from being pulled up through the cover.

The downwardly bent edges of the element 25 prevent the entry of foreign particles into the container during dispensing, when an upright container isvused, and, although the presence of a vent groove 29 in the wall of the cover eliminates the necessity of providing a vacuum release arrangement such as the flexible packing 27 described in my earlier application, the vacuum release arrangement of that application may be used if desired.

The withdrawal tube 13 which is attached to the end of the dip conduit 36, is coiled about the inside of the upper cylindrical element 26 during shipment or storage of the container as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The end of the tube 13 is sealed by a cylindrical plug 32 (Fig. 3) which is inserted therein at the time of manufacture. The outer end of the plug is preferably flush with the end of the tube to prevent its withdrawal, it being intended that the end of the tube be unsealed only by severing it above the plug 32.

To keep the entire surface of the tube clean a rubber boot or cover, such as are described in my earlier application, may be employed. However, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 it has been found satisfactory in most cases simply to leave the top of the element 26 open and provide several drain holes (not shown) through this element at the point where it is fastened to the member 25. This prevents the accumulation of liquid within the element 26.

The above described arrangement wherein the withdrawal tube 13 is housed in a hollow in the closure 23 and is connected through the closure to the interior of the container has proved particularly advantageous. One important advantage, of course, is the fact that the containers are standard and are the same as other containers not used for automatic dispensing. Thus in the case of milk the dairy does not have to maintain two different types of milk cans in stock but can merely supply the special closures with its conventional cans when the milk is to be automatically dispensed.

.A second important advantage is the fact that the cans can be stacked one on top of the other without any danger of damaging the withdrawl tube, because the larger base will fit readily over the closure of the can below with the tube fully protected. In the case of cans with the outlet at the bottom this cannot be done without danger of damaging the tube or breaking the nipple to which it is attached.

Another advantage of having the withdrawal means in the closure is the fact that should the tube 13 develop a leak, no fluid will be lost during shipment since the tube is above the liquid level. This last factor is also important from a taste contamination standpoint, because, with the tube out of contact with the liquid except during actual dispensing, the possibility of substances from the tube affecting the taste of the fluid is substantially reduced. This makes it possible to use more different materials for the tube than is the case where the tube is filled with liquid from the time the container is filled. This factor is particularly important with fruit juices whose taste is very easily contaminated because of the relatively high acidity involved.

The pump or lift 14 of this application is substantially different from that shown in my earlier application. The main dilference is in the fact that in the lift of this application the tube is wound about the inside of a hollow cylinder 40 and is acted upon by rollers 41 which are resiliently mounted to press outwardly against the tube 13. In the earlier application the tube was wound about the outside of a cylinder. The lift of this application is described only briefly herein, it being fully described and claimed in my copending application for Lifts, Serial No. 268,105, filed January 24, 1952.

An important feature of the lift 14 is the fact that the tube 13 makes less than a full revolution within the cylinder 40. This makes the operation of threading or installing the tube in the lift much simpler than in conventional lifts where more than one turn is used. To prevent pulsating flow as the rollers pass over the points at which the tube enters and leaves the cylinder, a novel arrangement is employed in that a strip of rubber 42 having substantially the same durometer of resilience as the tubing is fixed to the cylinder intermediate the two openings 43 through which the tube 13 enters and leaves the cylinder 40. This arrangement has been found not only to eliminate pulsing flow but also to increase the life of the lift substantially by eliminating oscillations of the rollers 41 on their pivoted eccentric hubs 44 as they rotate. The elimination of oscillations, of course, results in vibration free, quiet operation.

The rollers 41 are journalled upon the hubs 44 which are pivotally attached to a cross arm 45 on the end of the lift shaft 46. The hubs 44 are attached to the cross arm by screws 47 which also serve to support projecting arms 48 whose outer ends are slotted for attachment of a spring 50 which acts through the arms to urge the rollers 41 outwardly.

To install the tubing in the lift, the free end of the tube is first inserted in the opening 43 which appears on the left hand side in the drawings. This may be done very easily either by squeezing or stretching the tube to flatten it so that it may be pushed through the slot 51 or by pushing the sealed end through the round portion of the opening 43. The lift shaft 46 is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction to carry a roller 44 onto the tube, and as it is rotated the tube is inserted into the cylinder ahead of the roller.

As rotation continues the tube is caused to wrap around the cylinder until the other roller passes the right hand opening 43. Then it is a simple matter to insert the tube in the other slot 51 and into the other opening 43. As soon as this has been done the lift is assembled and ready to operate.

To remove a tube 13 from the cooperating parts similar procedure is followed, namely the removal of the tube from the left hand opening 43 followed by rotation of the cross arm 45 as the tube is pulled out of the cylinder until it is free to be removed from the other opening 43.

In installing the tube it is preferred to eliminate all slack in the length extending from the closure 23 to the lift.

This prevents any creeping of the tube during pumping.

The next step after threading the lift is to run the tube to the dispensing alcove 16. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6 the alcove 16 is located in the front of the door 17. The alcove is provided with insulation 52 as is the door. The inside of the alcove 16 is preferably lined with waterproof material, and a conventional drain may be employed. An opening 53 is provided in the top of the alcove for the tube 13. A unique arrangement is employed to prevent kinking of the tube at the edge of the opening 53 and to hold the tube ends securely in place. A saddle shaped metal element 54 is attached to the top of the alcove extending from the rear edge thereof to the opening 53. The upper surface of the element 54 is curved in one direction to approximately the curvature of the tubing as shown in Fig 7 and is curved in the other direction to provide a uniform curvature in the tubing as it enters the opening 53. A narrow band of metal 55 encircles the saddle element 54 approximately at the center to secure the tubing tightly in the element 54. As shown in Fig. 7 the band 55 is oval rather than round in order to follow the contour of the tubing which assumes an oval shape as it is bent.

The tube end is led into the alcove by initially slipping it underneath the ring 55 and is then passed downwardly through the opening 53 to dispose the end portion of the tube in a vertical position as indicated in Fig. 6. As soon as the tube end projects through the opening 53 the door 17 is closed and held shut by the latch 56 (Fig. l). The tube end is then pulled downwardly to remove any slack and the tube is severed just below the top of the alcove 16, preferably being cut off as indicated in Fig. 6.

Thus, once the door has been closed and the tube end cut off, it is impossible to open the door and again reinstall the tube in the alcove. This effectively prevents reuse of a given closure and tube on a second beverage container. Hence, sanitation is guaranteed.

The tube lead-in arrangement described above has been.

found not only to prevent kinking of the tube which might restrict the flow, but also to eliminate dripping from the tube end when the lift has stopped running. This is believed to be due to the fact that the particular curvature of the tube permits draining up to the high point Within the ring 55. At any rate, when this arrangement is used, dripping doesnt occur and the tube drains to the same extent each time the lift stops with the result that uniform quantities are dispensed each time the dispenser is actuated.

The operation of the dispenser is probably clear from the foregoing description of the compound parts, but the following rsum may prove helpful in understanding the invention:

Initially the containers 12 are washed, sterilized and filled with the liquid to be dispensed. The closures 23 and their dip conduits 36 are similarly sterilized, and a new sterile withdrawal tube 13 is attached to each, the end of each tube 13 being provided with a sealing plug 32. The tubes are then coiled as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in the closures 23.

After filling, the containers 12 are in condition to be distributed to the various locations at which the beverages are dispensed. When a container is to be installed in the dispenser 11, the operator merely places it in the compartment in the dispenser, uncoiling the tube 13 and guiding it to the lift 14. The tube 13 is then wrapped around the inside of lift cylinder 41) as described and led to the dispensing alcove 16. The sealed end is cut off and the apparatus is ready to dispense the beverage.

When the lift 14 is rotated, whether by hand or the motor drive, the beverage is pumped from the container 12 into a waiting cup 50 in which it is distributed to the customer. As the beverage is withdrawn from the container 12, air flows in past the closure 23 to replace the fluid, through suitable venting means as already described.

When the container is empty, the tube 13 is withdrawn from the lift and the container is replaced by a new container having its own closure member 23 and tube 13. The empty containers are then sent back to the dairy or other places at which they may be filled for reuse. A new withdrawal tube must be used each time the container is refilled, for the used tubes are not of sufficient length.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a very superior dispenser and closure arrangement has been provided which is completely sanitary and tamperproof, is convenient to use and fulfills the objects of this invention.

Various changes or modifications in addition to those set forth herein will present themselves to those familiar with the art and may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention whose scope is commensurate with the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a dispenser having a cup filling station, a flexible filling tube extending to said station above said container and a lift means acting intermittently upon said tube to progressively compress same upwardly to discharge liquid from said tube, an anti-drip tube supporting means at the top of said station comprising a saddleshaped element having two curves therein to define an approximate toroid, one of said curves defining an are along which said tube is to be bent and terminating along diverging lines and the other curve corresponding to the approximate sectional shape of the tube on being bent to follow the arc, means for holding said tube in said ele ment at the uppermost portion thereof, and a ring at the outlet end of said tube proximate to one end of said are for bending and holding the outlet end of the tube in vertical position at the end of said element.

2. For use in a dispenser having a cup filling station, a flexible filling tube extending to said station and means intermittently compressing said tube progressively over a portion of its length in one direction to pump liquid therethrough, an anti-drip tube supporting means at the top of said station comprising a saddle-shaped element having two curves therein to define a proximate toroid, one of said curves defining an are along which said tube is to be bent and terminating along diverging lines and the other curve corresponding to the approximate sectional shape of the tube when bent to follow the arc, means for holding said tube in said element at the uppermost portion thereof including a ring, one side of which follows the contour of said other curve, and means for bending and holding the outlet end of said tube from the curve of said are through a perpendicular position at the end of said arc.

3. In combination, a beverage container, a removable closure therefor having a nipple thereon defining an outlet opening, a dip conduit of sufficient length supported by said closure in telescoping relationship with said nipple to permit the lower end of the dip conduit to rest on the bottom of the container, shoulder means on the upper end of said dip conduit below said nipple for preventing upward withdrawal of the dip conduit through the nipple, a flexible withdrawal tube means attached at one end to the outer end of said dip conduit and overlapping said nipple to provide a seal between said clip conduit and nipple at said telescoping relationship and hold the dip conduit in place.

4. In combination, a beverage container, a removable closure therefor having a depression in its upper face and a nipple therein defining an outlet opening for the container, a dip conduit of suflicient length supported by said closure in telescoping relationship with said nipple to permit the lower end of the dip conduit to rest on the bottom of the container, said dip conduit having a shoulder thereon below said nipple for preventing upward withdrawal of the dip conduit through the nipple, the upper end of said dip conduit extending above the top of said nipple an appreciable distance, a flexible withdrawal tube means attached to the upper end of said dip conduit in sealed relationship therewith and overlapping said nipple to provide a seal between said dip tube and nipple at said telescoping relationship and hold the dip conduit in place.

5. The combination called for in claim 3 in which said closure includes an open-ended cylindrical element disposed on the top of said closure in which said withdrawal tube is disposed during storage of said container, said cylindrical element serving to protect said tube from mechanical damage.

6. The combination called for in claim 3 in which said closure includes means on the top thereof defining a support about which said withdrawal tube may be wound during shipment of the container.

7. The combination called for in claim 3 including removable plug means for sealing the other end of said withdrawal tube during storage and shipment.

8. The combination called for in claim 3 in which said dip conduit has outwardly turned feet on the bottom thereof to engage the bottom of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 365,327 Allen June 21, 1887 419,461 Lee Jan. 14, 1890 633,899 Peacock Sept. 26, 1899 910,015 Olson et al Ian. 19, 1909 955,342 Maxwell Apr. 19, 1910 1,123,361 Pease Jan. 5, 1915 1,390,539 Perkins Sept. 13, 1921 1,445,475 Berlow Feb. 13, 1923 1,493,498 Pluym May 13, 1924 1,667,342 Blaw Apr. 24, 1928 1,721,449 Hilmeke July 16, 1929 1,998,000 Doering Apr. 16, 1935 2,216,149 Weiss Oct. 1, 1940 2,275,607 Bramming Mar. 10, 1942 2,488,573 Wood Nov. 22, 1949 2,549,207 Kestenbaurn Apr. 17, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 217,513 Great Britain June 19, 1924

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