US2732105A

US2732105A - hillis

Info

Publication number: US2732105A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1956-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 1973-01-24

Description

Jan. 24, 1956 R. D. HILLIS 3 ,10

CARBONATED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM Original Filed June 26, 1950 4 Sheets-Shet 2 INVENTOR Pnuoown D. Huus 0 u BY /;4/QZ%Z ATTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1956 R. D. HlLLlS CARBONATED BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed June 26, 1950 l INVENTOR a BQNMPHD. Huus New ATR )RNFYS United States Patent GARBONATED' BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM 9 Claims. (Cl; ZZZ-386.5)

This application relateswtoa. carbonated beverage dispen'sing; system and is adiv-isionrof my copending' application S. N. 170,39=5, filed- June 26,- 1950.

Thisinventionhas particular reference to. the provision of a system whereby carbonated beverages can=be sold in such places as factories inapaper cups, thereby eliminating the-breaking. of glass bottles which are. usually sold in such places. Theproblem of broken glass is a-very seri ousione in many factories. Factory workerspurchasing softdrinks from. carts or. wagonspassingthrough the factories are extremely careless in the handling of the glass bottles. In many instances, a worker, after: consuming a bottled. beverage, will simply throw the bottle aside, breaking it on the floor,.with the result that workershave been. injured by broken glass and glass particles have found their wayinto products made in thefactories;

It. is recognized: that 'itwould be highly advantageous if factory workers could be supplied withbeverages dispensed in paper cups, thus completely eliminating the dangers and disadvantages occurring, through the breakingtof soft drinkbottles. However, thisprese'nts serious problems from a number of different standpoints. In the first place, itis extremely difiicult to pre mixa beverage syrup and carbonated water in large containers suitable for the dispensing of the'beverages, due to the fact that the-carbonated water tends very rapidly to go off'in foam. In the second place, the procedure involved in a workable system is extremely slow, and the time required for filling the large containers renders-it impracticable to use them for the purpose stated, Inthe third place, it is difficult to. provide a-suitablelarge containen ill=WhlCil the beverage can bepre-mixed andfrorn which. it can be readily dispensed, when desired.

- An. important object of the invention is toprovide a novel-apparatus. for the directdispensingrof carbonated beverages, from relatively large containers in paper cups or. theliken:

- A further object issto provide a novel'valve mechanism V connectibleto the tank after-it is filled-to provide for the dispensing ofv the premixed beverage.

A further object is toprovide a tank for the purpose stated in combination with a novel. type of. valve, one connectible to a source of pressure and the other connectible to a dispensing hose leading: toa suitable faucet; a pressure'source serving to maintainrthe mixed-beverage under pressure tomaintain a-pressurehead for dispensing the beverage. andtto prevent the foaming of the beverage so thatsa. uniform beverage. will be dispensed. to customers until the-tank is completely empty;

A further objectis to provide a novel valve mechanism of the character referred. to which. is insertable into a fitting carried by the beverage tank. and which is adapted to be turned tolock. the valve to the: tank, the turning I movement of thevalve: lQ-lOCklLln-POSlllOl'l: on the tank serving automatically to. openthe. tankto. communication with the dispensing pipe line or conduit;

Other objects andtadvantages of the present invention 2,732,105 Patented Jan. 24, 1956 will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings, I haveshown several embodiments of the invention. In this showing,

Figure l is a face view of a control box showing the cover removed,

Figure 2 is-an enlarged view showing the lower part of the control box, parts being shown in section,

Figure 3 is an enlarged central vertical fragmentary sectional view through the upper portion of a beverage container showing the filling head inposition thereon,

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a beverage container ready for the dispensing operation, a portion of the container being broken away,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken vertically through one of the keyed valvesused in conjunction with. the dispensing operation, the' section being taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure 4,.

Figure 6-is an underside perspective view of theupper portion of such valve device,

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view on line 77 of Figure 5,

Figure 8- is a side elevation of a dispensing container showing. a modified form of means for maintaining a beverage-in'thecontainer under pressurefor the dispens ing operation, and

Figure 9 isa diagrammatic view' of the wiring: system for the apparatus, parts of the latter being diagrammatia cally represented in association with the electrical control elements therefor.

Referringito Figure 3, the numeral 10 designates ap'or tionof a beverage container or tank used in conjunction with the presentinvention, these tanks being of suitable capacity, preferably five gallons. Each tank is provided with a head portion 11* having an upwardly extending cylindrical neck 12 which is closed either by a filler cap 13 as in FigureS-or by any suitable type of plain cap 14 asinFigure 4 when the beverage is to be dispensed.

The filler cap 13 is shownas having an inner cap portion-16'sealed with respect tov the-neck 1'2' as"at 17. Any suitable means. may be employed for locking the'cap in position, and in the present instance, the neck 12 is shown as being provided with lugs 18'engageab1e by struck in lips 1-9 formed on thedepending flange 20 of the cap 13. The particular structure of the cap and the means for securingitin position form-per some part of the-present invention.

A filler tube 25 extends through the inner cap 16preferably axially of the tank for the charging of the tank initially withgas and then with carbonated water in the manner described below. The tube 25 is closed at its lower endasat" 26 and is provided just" above its" lower end with. escape ports 27 for the radially outward flow particularly-of the carbonated water introduced into the tank. The tank- 10, the parts of the cap 13 other than the: seal 17', and the tube 251111 are formed of no'n-c'orrosive material and preferably stainless steel.

Inv the art of packaging carbonatedbeverages; the operation of releasing, pressures from the container'as the filling operation progresses is-known as: snifting. Thepresent apparatus employs such snifting means; Referring-to Figure-3, the cap element 16 hasprojecting thero through and welded thereto a snifting tube 30. This tube,. through suitable fittings such as an elbow 31 and union 32 is connected to a flexible hose 33-Ieading to the control box referred to below. The tube 25 is connected by an elbow 35 to a pipe section 36, the end of which is connected to one end of a flexible hose 37 also leading to the control.- box,

- A liquid operated switch is associated with the cap 13 for the purpose of automatically cutting. off the ad mission of carbonated water when the tank is full. This switch is shown in the present instance substantially in the nature of a conventional spark plug having a metal shell 40 and an insulating body 41, the latter of which is connected to a depending electrode 42. The electrode 42 is in the form of an internally threaded sleeve receiving the threaded upper end of the electrode proper 43 having a head 44 at its lower end, preferably polygonal, to facilitate the turning of the electrode 43 to adjust it longitudinally of the sleeve 42 and thus adjust the height of the head 44. A jam nut 45 is threaded on the electrode 43 to fix the latter in adjusted positions.

For the purpose of protecting the electrode 43 and associated elements from contact with any splashing liquid in the tank 10, a plastic or similar sleeve 46 surrounds all portions of the electrode as shown in Figure 3, being frictionally held in position by the head 44 and nut 45. A cable 48 leads to the plug 41 and is electrically connected through the binding post 49 at the upper end of the plug to the electrode elements in the same manner as in a spark plug. A second wire in the cable 48, as indicated by the numeral 50, is grounded on some portion of the tank or some metallic connection thereto, such as the elbow 35 as shown in Figure 3.

As further described in detail below, the tank is initially counter-pressured by carbon dioxide gas flowing downwardly through tube 25, and the snifter tube communicates with a control mechanism for disconnecting the source of gas pressure when a given pressure is reached in the tank 10. At such time, the tube 25 is connected to a source of carbonated water for the filling of the tank 10 in which a measured quantity of syrup previously has been placed. When the level of the liquid reaches a predetermined height, the liquid will ground the tank on the electrode head 44, thus completing a circuit to be described to cut olf the admission of carbonated water to the tank. Thereupon, the shifting operation becomes a purging operation to reduce pressure in the tank 10 to that of the atmosphere. Thereafter, the cap 13 can be removed and replaced with one of the caps 14 as in Figure 4, whereupon the tank is ready to be transported to the location of the dispensing operation and prepared for such operation.

For use in suitably connecting the tank to the necesi sary elements for the dispensing operation, the head portion 11 of each tank is provided with a pair of spaced sleeves and 61. These sleeves are set vertically through the head 11 and are welded in position as shown. One sleeve is associated with the means for introducing gas pressure for maintaining a dispensing pressure in the tank and the other sleeve is associated with the means for dispensing the beverage through a suitable faucet (not shown). In Figures 3 and 5, the sleeve 60 is shown and is associated with the beverage dispensing means, the sleeve 61 in Figure 4 being associated with the gas introducing means. Except as noted below, the means associated with the two

sleeves

60 and 61 are identical and the parts which are common to the two need not both be illustrated and described. One of the valve mechanisms associated with the

sleeves

60 and 61 is shown in detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

Referring to Figure 5, the numeral 64 designates a fitting threaded at its lower end in the upper end of the sleeve 60 and seating upon a sealing washer 65. The upper end of the fitting 64 is externally threaded for recep' tion in a cap 65 having a reduced externally threaded upper end 66 for a purpose to be described. Between the horizontal portion 67 of the cap 65 and the upper end of the fitting 64 is a plastic washer 68 which provides a sealing connection between the fitting 64 and cap 65 and which serves also as a valve seat. A valve 69 is arranged in the upper end of the fitting 64 and is of such polygonal form as to fit loosely in position to be relatively accurately guided in vertical movement while providing spaces for the flow of fluid therepast. The top of the valve is provided with an upstanding annular integral rib engageable against the plastic sealing member 68 to close communication therethrough. A convolute spring 71 urges the valve 69 toward closed position.

The valve device in Figure 5 is employed for the dispensing of the beverage, and to this end, it is provided with a dip tube 75 which extends substantially to the bottom of the tank 10 as shown in Figure 4. The dip tube extends through aligned

bores

76 and 77 formed in the sleeve 61 and at the lower end of the fitting 64, and an 0 ring 78 snugly engages the dip tube 75 to prevent leakage upwardly around this tube. The elements associated with the sleeve 61 are identical with the elements shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 except that the dip tube 75 and O ring 78 are omitted.

The upper end 66 of the cap 67 is internally threaded in an upper locking cap 80, and this cap retains in position an O ring 81 recessed into the upper end of the member 66 for a purpose to be described. The member 66 and cap are provided with aligned bores 82 and 83 respectively for a purpose to be described.

The cap 80 is provided with a reduced neck 85 above which is formed an outstanding flange 86 which is circular except that it is flattened at one side as at 87 as shown in Figure 7. The groove or neck 85 in conjunction with the flange 86 and its flattened side 87 provide means for locking to the mechanism just described a valve device which provides for the outward flow of beverage or the inward flow of gas for maintaining a pressure head in the tank.

The valve device referred to comprises a generally cylindrical body 90 in which is arranged a plug valve 91 preferably provided with a sealing sleeve 92 of flexible plastic or any other similar suitable material. The valve 91 is provided with an axial passage 93 which extends downwardly through a key tube 94 the lower end of which is slightly tapered to decrease in diameter to facilitate its insertion in position, and the lower extremity of the key tube is transversely slotted as at 95 to form fluid passages.

The upper end of the valve 91 engages a resilient washer 98, and the upper extremity of the sleeve 90 is provided with an external bead 99 similar to the formation of the head at the upper end of a conventional beverage bottle and preferably of the same size. This bead is adapted for connection with a crown cap 100, and the head 99 is preferably the same size as the head of an ordinary beverage bottle in order that a standard crown 100 may be employed. The cap 100, being preferably conventional, has a cork liner which engages the resilient washer 98, thus resiliently holding the valve 91 in posi' tion without binding the latter against turning movement.

The valve 91 is provided with a transverse passage 101 communicating with the upper end of the passage'93. A hose connecting nipple 102 is carried by the sleeve 90 and communicates with the passage 101. The nipple 102 is adapted for connection with a suitable hose 103 (Figure 4) leading to the beverage dispensing faucet.

At one side thereof, the sleeve 90 s provded wth a dependng porton 105 undercut as at 106 to receve the flange 86. The depending portion 105 (Figures 6 and 7) has a flat face 107 spaced from the axis of the tube 94 a distance equal to the similar spacing of the flat face 87 of the ,fiange 86. The valve 91 (Figures 6 and 7) is similarly provided with a depending portion 108 which, in the normal position of the parts as shown in Figure 7, has a flat face 109 aligning with the flat face 107, and these faces .under such conditions will lie in a common plane with the face 87 of the flange 86. The bore of the sleeve 90 in which the valve 91 is arranged extends downwardly past the projection or lip 108, whereupon the sleeve 90 extends under such projection or lip as at 110 (Figure 6) thereby forming the recess 106 as an arcuate groove (Figure 7) within the projection 105 for receiving the circular portion of the flange 86 when the sleeve grantee 90 is turned to lock the parts together as shown in Figure 5.

As previously stated, the elements associated with the two sleeves and 61 will be identicalexcept' that in connection with the sleeve 60, the dip tube and: O ring 78 are omitted. The same locking arrangement of the parts is provided, and the key sleeve 94 ineach case will unseat the valve 69 to afford communication between the interior of the tank 10- and the hose 103 associated with the nipple 102; A similar hose 112 is connected to the valve mechanism of the sleeve 60'for the introduction of an inert gas into the tank to provide the necessary dispensing pressure head. I

In Figure 8 of the drawings, there is shown a modified type of means for subjecting beverage in the container to a dispensing pressure. The apparatus previously described is employed in those localities where an inert gas ofa pure nature is. accessible at relatively low cost. It ordinarily is not desired to use air for the necessary pressure in factories, since such air frequently is contaminated. If it is desired to use air, the device shown in Figure 8 may be employed. In this case, the sleeve 61 associated with the gas inlet is provided with a short nipple 115 (Figure 8) and a thin highly elastic bladder 116- is connected to this nipple and normally is of the shape shown in solid lines in Figure 8. The bladder 116 may be subjected to air pressure to expand it to displace beverage from the tank for the dispensing operation It has been found that a bladder formed of the proper ma terial, such as some of the readily available. highly elastic 1 plastics, will expand to fill the tank substantially completely so as to provide for the substantially complete evacuation of the beverage from the tank 10'.

The control mechanism for the tank. filling operations. is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Such mechanismishoused within a suitable box 120 mounted against a. wall and normally provided with a cover (not shown) closing the face of'the box. A pipe 121 leads to a suitable source of carbonated water, such pipe extendingthrough the side of the box as shown in Figure 1 and thence-downwardly through the. box to an outlet nipple 122 connected to the hose 37 (see Figure 3). In the pipe 121 is arranged a valve housing 123 in which is arranged a poppet valve 124, this valve being normally biased to closed.

position and adapted to be opened upon energization. of a solenoid 125, the control means for which will be: described later.

Within the box 120 and preferably adjacent the: pipe 121 is arranged a smaller pipe 128 leading through a side wall of the box to a fitting 129 to which is connected a suitable pipe (not shown) leading to a source of carbon dioxide gas. The lower end of the pipe 128 is tapped. into the pipe 121 as at 130. Above the point 130 is arranged a valve housing 131 having a poppet valve. 132. therein normally biased to closed position and adapted to be opened upon energizationof a-solenoid 133, the circuit for which. will be describedlater. It will be apparent that when the valve. 132 isv opened and the valve 124,v is closed, carbon dioxide. gas will be supplied to the hose 37 and thence to the tank. 10. This gas is supplied in a manner fully described below to charge the tank 10 with an initial pressure to preventthe foaming of the carbonated water when the: latter is admitted. Whenthe proper pressure is reached in the tank, the valve 132 is closed andthe valve 124 is opened to fill the tank 10 with carbonated water, and these operations are all fully described below.

The snifter hose 33 (Figure 3) is. connected by a suitable fitting 135 to a pipe 136 within the box 120. This. pipe is provided. with a T 137, the branch 138 015 which is connected to a valve housing 139 by a. lateral.

extension 140 thereon having a passage 14].- theretlirbughtFigure 2). The passage 141 leads to-theinterior. of the. valve-housing 139 for communication-with; an annular passage 142 formed around a plug 143i The 6 plug 143 has a passage 1-44*ther e'through communicating with a-lower passage 145 in the valve body 1 39, the purpose 'of 'this' passagebeing described" below.

At the'upper end of 'thepassage 144,v there is formed a valve seat 146 engageable by a valve 147, and when this valve is opened in a' manner to be described, the passage 144 communicates with the annular space 142 through radial ports 148. l

The plug 143 extends upwardly above the valve" 147 for reception within an upper housing 150; the housings 139 and 150- being' clamped together relative to each other as at 151 (Figure 1). The housing 150 is provided with an axial bore 154 in which the upper end of the plug 143 extends, and within'this bore is arranged a compression spring 155 having an upper spriiig seat '156- carried by the stem 157 of the valve 147. 'I

The upper end of the valvestem 157 engages against a preferably metallic diaphragm 160 arranged and clamped between casing members 161 and 162', the low er casing member 161 being carried by the upper end of the housing 150'.- The upper casing section 162 is provided with an upper axial tubular extension 163 in which arearranged concentric compression springs 164 and 165', the two upper springs being employed for the purpose of lending stability to the operation of the diaphragm 160' under the variable pressures to which the diaphragm is subjected. The upper ends of the springs 164'and'165 seat against an adjusting'screw 166 threaded in the upper end of the tube 163. This screw is adjustable to predetermine the diiferential pressure conditions on opposite sides of the diaphragm 160' to determine the pressure beneath the diaphragm at which the valve 147 will open. A cap not 167 is threaded on the upper end of the tube 163.

The cap nut 167 and adjusting screw 166 are apentured for the passage therethrough of an axial stem 170 the lower end of which is fixed to the diaphragm 160'.- A cap 171- is threaded on the larger cap 167 and an 0 ring 172 is arranged therewithin to prevent leakage pastthe stern 170': The stem 170 operates a normally closed micro-switch 173 for a purpose to be described.

The underside'of' thediaphragm 160' is subject to pressures in thetank 10 through pipe 136 and passage 14 1, and through a bleed-port 175 drilled through the plug 143 to communicate between the annular passage 142 and the bore 154. The top of the diaphragm 160 is subject to pressure in the source of carbon dioxide gas, and: for this purpose, theinterior of the tube 163 is connected to the gas pipe 128 by a pipe 176.

The housing 150 is provided with a lateral extension 177 having a'passa'ge-178 communicating with the bore 154 and with an angular passage 178' having an en? larged threaded outer end' 179. A needle valve carried. by. a nut 18-1 is adapted -to' close the passage 1'78; A pressure" gauge may be threaded in the openingz179 and the needle valve 180 opened to determine the pressure to which the bottom face of the diaphragm is subjected.

The passage 145' of the valve housing 139 is connected by, asuitable fitting to a valve housing 186 having therein a poppet valve 187, normally closed, and adapted tobe: opened upon energiiation-of a solenoid 183 in a manner to be described. The other side of the: valve housing 18'6'is connected to one end of a pipe leading to a fitting 191 leading through the bottom of the-box 120 and preferably directly open to the atmosphere;

The

valves

147 and 187 control the pressure in the tank 10- during the filling operation, and" excess pressure is shifted off through-the pipe 190' as further described in detail below. The'appara tus'is provided with means operative atter the tank 10 has been filled for purging off the: pressure in the tank 10 so that upon reductionof such pressure to that of the atmosphere, the cap 13 (Figure 3) can be safely removed and replaced by the cap 14 ready for the dispensing operation. The means for purging the tank 10 is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As indicated above, one end of the run of the T 137 is connected to the pipe 136. The other end of the run of the T is connected by a pipe 195 to a valve housing 196. This housing has therein a poppet valve 197 normally closed and adapted to be opened upon energization of a solenoid 198. The other end of the valve housing 196 is connected by a suitable fitting 199 to one end of a pipe 200 tapped into the pipe 190 which, as stated above, is open at its lower end to the atmosphere. I

The electrical control system for the apparatus is shown in Figure 9. Two

main wires

204 and 205 are connected across a source of current, the wire 205 being shown as being grounded at 206 and the wire 204 being provided with a main control switch 207. circuit, and for example in the wire 205, is arranged a signal light 208 to give a visible indiction that the switch 207 is closed and the system as a whole operative. The wire 204 is connected to a wire 209 which leads to one terminal of a magnet 210. The other terminal of this magnet is connected to a wire 211 which is grounded as at 212 with a push button 213 interposed in the wire 211. Momentarily depressing the push button 213 obviously energizes the magnet 210 to attract the armature 214 to swing it in a clockwise direction from the inoperative position shown in Figure 9.

The armature 214 acts as a latch for an armature 216 of a magnet 217. When the magnet 217 is energized with the magnet 210 deenergized, the armature 216 will swing to the operative position shown and will remain in such position until the magnet 210 is again energized. The armature 216 is connected to the wire 204 as shown, and when the armature 216 is in the operative position shown, it engages a stationary contact 218 connected to one end of a wire 219 leading to one terminal of the solenoid 198 associated with the purge valve 196. The other terminal of the magnet 198 is grounded as at 220.

One terminal of the magnet 217 is connected by a wire 222 to a switch indicated by the numeral 223, this switch being constituted by the electrode head 44 (Figure 3) and the body of the liquid in the tank 10 when the latter rises to the level of the electrode head. This switch is grounded as at 224. this being the ground to which the wire 50 leads as in Figure 3.

The other terminal of the magnet 217 is connected to a wire 226 from which a branch wire 227 leads to a sta- I tionary contact 228 engageable by the armature 216 when the latter is released by the latching armature 214., The wire 226 has a branch 230 leading to a magnet armature 231 further referred to below. For the purpose of illustration in the diagrammatic showing in Figure 9, the wire 226 is shown as being connected to a switch arm 232 normally engaging a stationary contact 233 r The switch arm 232 is shown as being connected to and insulated from the stem of the valve 147 as at 234. Actually, from a structural standpoint, the stem carrying the switch arm 232 in Figure 9 will be the vertically slidable pin 170 as shown in Figure..?., and the switch elements constituted by the am 232 and contact 233 will be the micro-switch 173.

1 The contact 233 is connected by a Wire 236 to one terminal of a magnet 237, the other terminal of which is connected by a wire 238 to a ground 239. The gas valve operating solenoid 133 is connected in parallel across the

wires

236 and 238 by

wires

242 and 243 respectively. Also connected in parallel with the

wires

236 and 243 is a signal light 244 which obviously will be illuminated whenever the circuit is closed by the micro-switch. Referring for the moment to Figure 1, it will be noted that the two

signal lights

208 and 244 are carried by and project from one side of the box 120. The push button 213 In the main is conveniently arranged adjacent the signal lights and the mechanism for the push button switch and the wires for the signallights are housed within a small box 245 within the box 120. The

several magnets

210, 217 and 237 and their associated armatures may be housed within a relay box 246 within the box 120.

The armature 231 is associated with the magnet 237 and normally engages a stationary contact 250 connected to one end of a wire 251. This wire is connected by

branches

252 and 253 respectively to one terminal of each of the

solenoids

125 and 188. The second terminal of the solenoid 125 is connected by a wire 254 to a ground 255, and the second terminal of the solenoid 183 is connected by a wire 256 to the grounded wire 254.

Operation When a tank 10 is to be filled, a measured amount of syrup is placed in the tank, whereupon the tank is ready to be filled with the desired quantity of carbonated water to form the finished pre-mixed beverage. The cap 13 is secured in position on the top of the tank, and all of the electrical parts of the system will be in the conditions indicated in Figure 9. It will be understood that the keyed valves used in dispensing, one of which is shown in Figure 6, will be disconnected from the apparatus and the two valves 69, one of which is shown in Figure 5, will be in the upper positions seated against the washers 68, thus sealing the tank from the atmosphere.

The tank charging operation is now ready to be initiated. Assuming that the main control switch 207 (Figure 9) is closed. the operator will momentarily press the button 213, thus energizing the magnet 210, current flowing through

wires

204 and 209, through magnet 210 and to" ground through wire 211 and push button 213. The armature 214 will be attracted, thus releasing the armature 216 for movement out of engagement with the contact 218 into engagement with contact 228. In this connection, it will be noted that the water level switch will be open since there is no liquid in the tank 1.0 to ground the wire 222. it also will be noted that the closing of the switch 207 will have closed a circuit through wire 204, armature 216 and wire 219 through solenoid 198 to ground 220 to open the purge valve 197. Inasmuch as atmospheric pressure will have been present in the tank 10, the opening of the purge valve does not affect the operation and the circuit through the solenoid 198 will have been broken upon operation of the push button 213, the armature 216 moving away from the contact 218.

The engagement of armature 216 with contact 228 prepares the electrical control system to perform its intended functions. The current will how to armature 216 in the manner described, thence through contact 228,

wires

227 and 226 to the micro-switch represented by

elements

232 and 233, and the circuit at this point will be closed by virtue of the fact that the upper diaphragm chamber will be connected to the source of carbon dioxide under substantial pressure, for example from twenty-five to one hundred pounds per square inch, through

pipes

176 and 128. From the micro-switch, the solenoid 133, magnet 237 and signal light 234 will. be energized through the

various wires

236, 242, 243 and 238, the circuit for these elements being grounded as at 239. The energizing of the solenoid 133 opens the gas inlet valve 132 (see Figure 2) and accordingly, carbon dioxide gas from the source will flow through pipe 128 into pipe 12! below the closed water valve 124, and thence through hose 37 into the tank 10 in which it is discharged laterally through ports 27 (Figure 3). It may be noted at this point that upon the initial engaging of the armature 216 with the contact 228. the

solenoids

125 and 188 will be energized, but this is only a momentary energization since the closing of the circuit through magnet 237 will move the armature 231 to disengage it from the contact 250. The circuit through

solenoids

125 and 188 will be broken at the contact 250 so long as the solenoid 237 remains energized, as described below.'

The gas fiowing into the tank will charge the tank to a predetermined pressure less than that of the source of the carbon dioxide gas, the pressure differential being determined by the functioningof'the diaphragm-operated valve 147 (Figure 2).

The pressure in the source, communicated to the top of the diaphragm 166, will hold this diaphragm in its lower position with the valve 147 closed until the pressure in the tank 10 reaches the desired point. The underside of the diaphragm 16% will be subject to pressure in the tank 16 through bore 154-, port 175, annular space 142, port 141, pipe'1'3'6 and hose 33. The adjusting screw 166 is turned downwardly to tension the springs 164 and 165 to determine what pressure beneath the diaphragm 160 will be required to open the valve 147. This pressure maybe adj'ustedfor by connecting a pressure gauge to the opening 179- (Figure 2), opening the needle valve 180 and adjusting the screw 166 so that the shifting operation will occur at the desired'pressurewithin the tank 10.

As pressure is built up within the tank 10, the underside of the diaphragm 160' will be subject to progressively increasing pressures, and when the pressure beneath the diaphragm 160 reaches the point where the gas pressure and the tension of the spring 155 slightly overbalances the gas pressure above the diaphragm 160 and the tension of the springs 164 and 165, the diaphragm 160 will be moved upwardly to crack the valve 147 and to open the micro-switch and thus break the circuit at the contact 233 (Figure 9) and deenergize the solenoid 133, magnet 237 and signallight 244.

The deenergizing' of the magnet 237 releases its armature 231 for movement into engagement with the contact 250 to energize the solenoid 125 associated with the water inlet valve 124; and to energize the solenoid 188 associated with the gas outlet valve 187. The lattervalve is in series with the diaphragm-operated" valve 147. When the valve 147 is cracked and the valve 187 opened in the manner stated, gas from the top of'the tank 10 will flow from tube- 30 through hose 33 (Figure 3) and thence through pipe 136 into passage 141 from which it flows intothe annular passage 142 and thence through ports 148; past valve 147, through passage 145 and through the valve housing 186 to be discharged to the atmosphere through pipe 196. The valve 147 will be cracked only to the extent necessary to prevent the accumulation of gas pressure in the tank 10 above the predetermined pressure for which the diaphragm 160 has been adjusted.

The gas is thus permitted to escape under control as carbonated water flows into the tank 10. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that when the'prescure accumulatesin the tank 10 to the desired point, the solenoid 133 will be deenergized to close the gas inlet valve 132. The admission of gasinto the tank is cut off at the valve 132; Simultaneously, the magnet 237 will be d'eenergized and the armature 231 not only closes the circuit through solenoid 18'8 topermit the snifting'off of pressure past valve 187, but will also energize solenoid 125 to open the water valve 124 (see Figure 2). Accordingly, carbonated water from the source will now how through pipe 121, hose 37 andtube 25 to fill the tank with carbonated water. This water flows laterally from the tube 25- through ports 27 and' will be discharged laterally under pressure against the sides of the tank 10 to flow downwardly therealong. The arrangement of the tube 25' and ports 27 is preferred since it permits a relatively free rapid flow of Water to fill the tank 10 in a minimum length of time without substantial foaming of the water. In this connection, it may be pointed out that particularly in the mixing of carbonated water with syrups containing caramel, any appreciable agitation ofthe-syrup while the carbonated water is being brought into contact therewith will result in substantial foaming. With the filling: device referred to, the carbonated water flows downwardly along-the sides of the tank and floats ontop of thesyrup without'substantially agitating it.

As the water flows into the tank 10, it obviously displaces gas' from the tank, and this gascontinues to snift off-

past valves

147 and 187 the manner previously described, and-the diaphragm mechanism functions to maintain the same pressure head in the tank 10 as the incoming water displaces the gas. The maintenance of this pressure head prevents any appreciable foaming of the carbonated water, as is necessary in an apparatus of this character. The proper pressure diiferential between the source of carbonated water and the gas in the tank 10 is maintained at the proper point to permit free ingress of water while at the same. time preventing the foaming of the carbonated water. This pressure differential is preferably from ten to twenty pounds. It may be pointed out that with apressure differential of approximately twenty pounds, a tank 10 of ten gallons capacity can be filled in approximately twenty-eight seconds. This is. desirable where a large number of tanks are to be filled in. order that time may be saved. If time is not so essential, a pressure differential often pounds'can be maintained, inwhichcase it requires approximately one minute to fill the tank.

The flowing of the carbonated water into the tank will continue as will the shifting operation until the tank is filled to the point where the carbonated water contacts the electrode head 44 (Figure 3). The head 44 is preferably spaced from the top of the tank and is lower than the lower end of the tube 30 for a purpose to be described; The insulating plastic sleeve 46 preferably surrounds theelectrode 43 and head 44 to prevent the splash ing" of liquid against the electrode beforethe level of the liquid reachesthe desired point. When such point is reached; the electrode head 44 will be grounded through the carbonated water to the tank 10, the water actingas the switch. 223 (Figure 9) to close a circuitthrough wire 204,. armature 216', contact 228,

wires

227 and 226 and thence: through magnet. 217 and on to ground 224. The armamre. 216 will then be attracted toward the magnet 217 and will be. engaged by thelatching armature 214 to latch the armature 216 in the position shown in Figure 9. Thecircuit' for all of the main control elements, that is, all of the elements supplied with current through wire 226, except. the magnet 216, will be broken at the contact 228. The gas outlet valve 187 and water valve 124, previously opened by their solenoids, will now close, and the tank 10* will be closed completely to the atmosphere except through the purge valve described below.

The. closing of the. circuit by the water level switch through magnet 217 will close a circuit through contact 218', wire 219, purge valve solenoid 198 and ground 220. The purge valve'197 (see. Figure 2) will now open, and the pipe 136 leading from the tank 10 will now communicate with" the atmosphere through pipe 195, through valve casing 196 and

pipes

200 and 190. Pressure thus will be released from the tank: 10 to that of the atmosphere.

At. the time the water valve 124 is closed, there will be a; quantity of carbonated water trapped between this valveand the tank 10. Upon the opening of the purge valve 197, this. water will flow into the tank by gravity, thus raising the water level above the electrode head 44, the water level finally reaching a point slightly above the lower. end of the-tube. 30. During the initial purging operation, only gas will flow from the pipe 190 and its discharge nipple 191. The water level in the tank 10 will continue to. rise as stated until finally a little of the liquid will be purged from the system through the purge line. This liquid may be caught and disposed of in any manner and as soon. as this purging stops, the filled tank is ready to-beprepared for dispensing the beverage.

The pressure in the tank 10 having been reduced to that of the atmosphere by the purging operation, the operator will remove the fillingcap 13 and replace it with the cap- 14. Both valves 69 (Figure 5) being closed and the tank being sealed by the cap 14, the tank 10 may be inverted several times to mix the syrup and carbonated water. The tank is then ready for the dispensing of the beverage, it being understood that the tank will be maintained with the contents chilled at a proper dispensing temperature before the beverage is dispensed.

Suitable vehicles will be provided for carrying one or more of the tanks around a factory floor for the vending of paper cups filled with the pre-mixed beverage. Two of the fittings shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 are employed with each tank, one for dispensing the beverage and the other for introducing into the tank the desirable gas under pressure to maintain a dispensing pressure head. In this connection, it is pointed out that without the introduction of pressure gas, the gas escaping from the beverage in the tank will maintain sufiicient pressure to dispense the beverage. However, the gas content of the beverage will progressively decrease and the beverage will become progressively flatter and less palatable to the consumer. It is thus desired to supply a gas to the tank to maintain a dispensing pressure without loss of gas from the beverage. To this end, a tank of inert gas may be carried on the vehicle and the gas will be supplied to the tank 10 through any suitable conventional pressure control valve.

As indicated, when desired, inert gas may be employed, for example, nitrogen, carbon dioxide gas and even air, if pure and uncontaminated. The use of air, however, is not particularly recommended, since it is difficult to secure air of sufficient purity for the purpose. The source of gas pressure may be a tank, as stated, or the gas may be supplied to the tank through a suitable compressor.

Assuming that a suitable source of gas pressure is available, toegther with a suitable dispensing faucet and hose, the valve devices shown in the upper portion of Figure are connected in position on the caps 80 and locked relative to the flanges 86. The operation for each valve device is the same and only one need be referred to in detail. In the normal position of the parts as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the lateral passage 101 is turned ninety degrees from the outlet spout 102 and the flat faces 107 and 109 lie in a common plane. Each valve body 90 is arranged in position over its associated cap 80 with the tube 94 aligned with the bore 83, and with the flat face 87 of the flange 86 lying in the plane of the flat faces 107 and 109. The valve body 90 is then pushed downwardly to insert the tube 94 to the vertical limits shown in Figure 5. The tapering of the lower end of the tube 94 facilitates its insertion, particularly through the O ring 81, and as the tube 94 approaches its lower position, it will unseat the valve 69 as shown in Figure 5.

It will be assumed that suitable hoses are connected to the tube nipples 102, one hose leading to the source of gas pressure and the other to a dispensing faucet which will be closed. Obviously, the hose of the dispensing faucet will be connected with respect to the sleeve 60 which carries the dip tube 75, this tube being omitted from the sleeve 61 through which gas is introduced.

Having inserted the tube 94 to its lower limit of movement, the valve casing 90 will now be turned ninety degrees to bring the passage 101 of each valve 91 into alignment with its associated hose nipple 102. When this turning operation is performed, the flat face 87, engaging the flat face 109 of the projection 108, will hold the valve 90 stationary while the valve casing 90 is rotated. A circular portion of the flange 86 will then move into the recess 106, thus locking the valve casing 90 to the cap 80. When both valve devices have been inserted, the interior of the tank will be connected to the source of gas for maintaining a pressure head in the tank, and the dip tube 75 will be in communication with the hose leading to the dispensing faucet. The operator, as will be apparent, can then open the dispensing faucet to fill paper cups for customers.

The form of the invention shown in Figure 8 is particularly adapted for use where it is desired to employ air under pressure for effecting displacement of the beverage from the tank 10. The bladder 116 will be made of a thin highly elastic material, of which there are several available in the field of plastics. The introduction of air into the bladder 116 will expand it progressively as the beverage is dispensed, and if a suitable material is used, this bladder, when inflated to its limit, will substantially completely fill every portion of the tank 10 thus permitting a complete emptying of the tank 10 through the dispensing of the beverage. By the use of the bladder 116, air may be employed for displacing the beverage, even if the air is contaminated, since the air is kept out of contact with the beverage. Only the outside of the bladder 116 need be sterile and the outer surface of the bladder can be readily washed and sterilized.

It will be apparent that more than one tank of premixed beverage can be carried on the vehicle where demands for the beverage are relatively heavy. As soon as the tank is emptied, the operator can cut off the supply of pressure gas to the tank, remove the two valve devices by turning each valve body through an arc of ninety degrees and then lifting it, whereupon the valve devices can be connected in the manner previously described to another beverage tank.

The present apparatus is highly practicable in operation for the fully automatic filling, if desired, of large beverage containers for dispensing pre-mixed beverages, particularly, but not necessarily, in factories. In large factories, there is a substantial volume demand for carbonated beverages during working hours, and in a practicable system of this character, it is necessary that the tanks be rapidly filled in order to keep pace with the demand for beverages. The present system is very rapid in operation and large volumes of pre-mixed beverages may be made without foaming, and under complete control during all stages of filling the containers and dispensing the beverages therefrom.

The present system makes it highly practicable to satisfy the demands for carbonated beverages in factories through the sale of the beverages in paper cups. As previously stated, much trouble has been encountered in the sale of bottled beverages because of the breakage of bottles, which cannot be prevented because of accidents, carelessness of workers, etc. The breakage of bottles in factories has resulted in serious injuries to workers and even in the imbedding of glass particles in finished manufactured products, particularly in the rubber industry. This results in the shipping out of defective products, some of which cause injuries to consumers.

The apparatus is comparatively simple in construction considering its high production rate in filling the beverage tanks, and the apparatus is manufactured of relatively simple and easily obtainable parts. It is necessary to use nothing in connection with the apparatus except beverage syrups, carbonated water and carbon dioxide gas under pressure, all of which are standard products in beverage bottling plants. The present apparatus is particularly adapted for use in such plants although it will be obvious that it readily may be set up at a suitable point in a factory to fill beverage containers practically at the site of the sale of the beverage.

While the apparatus has been particularly described with respect to its use on vehicles to be moved through factories for the sale of the pre-mixed beverage, it will be apparent that its use is not so limited. For example, the filled tanks 10 may be used as a source of beverage in an automatic vending machine, no water connections being necessary and it being possible to provide a completely self-contained vending unit merely by providing in connection with the machine a filled tank 10 and a source of pressure for dispensing beverage from the container as the vending machine operates.

I claim:

1. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container, a pair of valve housings communicating with said container and each having a valve seat, a spring-pressed outwardly closing valve engageable with each seat, and a head for each valve body, each head having a downwardly extending, tubular member engageable with the associated valve to unseat it when the head is placed in position on the valve body, each head and the associated valve body having portions inter-engageable for locking eachhead in position on the associated valve body, each head having an aperture communicating with its tubular extension, one of said apertures being adapted for connection with a dispensing conduit and the other being adapted for connection with a source of gas pressure for displacing beverage from the container.

2. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including a cover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container and having a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to the container to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tube communicating at itsupper end with said valve housing and extending downwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said container having a locking shoulder, and a dispensing head movable axially into engagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageable beneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relative to said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubular extension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is in said operative position, said dispensing head having a dispensing nipple extending therefrom in communication with said tubular extension when said head is in said operative position.

3. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including a cover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container and having a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to the container to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tube communicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extending downwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said container having a locking shoulder, a dispensing head movable axially into engagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageable beneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relative to said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubular extension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is in said operative position, said dispensing head having a valve therein provided with a passage communicating at one end with said tubular extension, and a dispensing nipple carried by said dispensing head and normally out of communication with said passage, said head being rotatable to engage said portion thereof beneath said shoulder to move said head into operative position and said last-named valve being engageable by a portion of said head to prevent it from turning whereby turning movement of said dispensing head will communicate said nipple with said passage.

4. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including a cover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container and having a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to the container to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tube communicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extending downwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said container having a locking shoulder, a dispensing head movable axially into engagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageable beneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relative to said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubular extension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is in said operative position, said dispensing head having a dispensing nipple extending therefrom in communication with said tubular extension when said head is in said operative 14 position, and means'f'or'subj'ectingfthe interior of said container to an elastic fluid pressure for displacing fluid from said container whereby a beverage in said container will be dispensed through said dispensingnipple.

S". A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including a cover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container and having a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to the container to closed position and. biased to such position, a dip tube communicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extending downwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said container having a locking shoulder, a dispensinghead movable axially intoengagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageable beneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relative to saidvalve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubular extension. engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is in said operative position,v said dispensing head having a valve therein provided with' a passage communicating at one end with said tubular extension, a dispensing nipple carried by said dispensing head and normally out of communication with said passage, said head being rotatable to engage said' portion thereof beneath said shoulder to move said head into operative position and said last-named valve being engageable by a portion of said head to prevent it from turning whereby turning movement of said dispensing head will communicate said nipple with said passage, and means for subjecting the interior of said container to an elastic fluid pressure for displacing fluid from said container whereby a beverage in said container will be dispensed through said dispensing nipple.

6. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including a cover for sealing it, a valve housing carried by said container and having a valve seat therein, a valve movable outwardly relative to the container to closed position and biased to such position, a dip tube communicating at its upper end with said valve housing and extending downwardly into said container to a point adjacent the bottom thereof, said valve housing adjacent the end thereof remote from said container having a locking shoulder, a dispensing head movable axially into engagement with said valve housing and having a portion engageable beneath said shoulder to lock said head in operative position relative to said valve housing, said dispensing head having an axial tubular extension engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is in said operative position, said dispensing head having a valve therein provided with a passage communicating at one end with said tubular extension, a dispensing nipple carried by said dispensing head and normally out of communication with said passage, said head being rotatable to engage said portion thereof beneath said shoulder to move said head into operative position and said last-named valve being engageable by a portion of said head to prevent it from turning whereby turning movement of said dispensing head will communicate said nipple with said passage, a highly elastic bladder in said container, and means for introducing elastic fluid under pressure into said bladder to expand it and displace a beverage from the container through said dip tube and said nipple.

7. A beverage dispensing mechanism comprising a container including a sealing cap, and a pair of assemblies carried by said container adapted respectively for dispensing a beverage from the container and for subjecting the interior of the container to a beverage displacing elastic fluid pressure, each assembly comprising a valve housing having a passage therethrough, a valve seat formed in said housing, an outwardly closing valve engageable with said seat and biased to closed position, each valve housing at the end thereof remote from said container having an arcuate flange concentric with said housing to form a locking shoulder and flattened 15 at one side, a head adapted to be arranged coaxial with said valve housing, said head having a projection undercut arcuately to form a recess concentric with said arcuate flange, the projection of said head having a flat side spaced from the axis of said head a distance equal to the corresponding spacing of the flat side of said arcuate flange to slide therepast whereby, upon a turning movement of said head, said arcuate flange will move into said arcuate recess to lock said head to said flange in an operative position relative to said valve housing, a tubular axial extension projecting from said head and engageable with said valve to unseat it when said head is in operative position, and a nipple carried by said head and communicating with said tubular extension when said head is in operative position, the dispensing assembly having a dip tube extending substantially to the bottom of said container and communicating with the passage through said valve housing, the nipple of the other assembly being adapted for connection with a source of elastic fluid pressure to subject the interior of said container to an elastic pressure for displacing beverage in said container through the dispensing assembly.

8. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein the head of one of said assemblies has a rotary valve therein carrying said tubular extension, said rotary valve having a passage therethrough one end of which is axial and communicates with said tubular extension and the other end of which is radial and is normally disconnected from said nipple, said rotary valve having a projection normally lying in said arcuate recess and engageable with the flat face of said flange whereby, when said head is turned to operative position, said rotary valve will be held stationary and the nipple of said head will move into registration with the radial end of said passage.

9. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein the assembly for introducing elastic fluid pressure into said container is connected to a highly elastic bladder arranged in said container to be expanded by the elastic fluid under pressure to displace beverage in the container through the dispensing assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 377,313 Laumann Ian. 13, 1888 2,529,937 Hale Nov. 14, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,158 Great Britain July 26, 1901 369,974 Great Britain Mar. 24, 1932.