US2773681A

US2773681A - Portable soda fountain

Info

Publication number: US2773681A
Application number: US426404A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold R Robbins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-04-29
Filing date: 1954-04-29
Publication date: 1956-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1973-12-11

Description

Dec-11, 1956 H. R. RoBBlNs 2,773,681

PORTABLE SODA FOUNTAIN Filed April 29, 1954 United States Patent G 2,773,681 n PDRTABLE SODA FOUNTAIN Harold R. Robbins, Des Moines, Iowa Application April 29, 1954, Serial No. 426,404 Claims. (Cl. 261-93) My invention relates to apparatus for carbonating water to be used in beverages and one of the important objects of the invention is to provide such an apparatus for home use.

Another object of this `invention is to provide apparatus of the above class which embodies novel means for supplying gas from a commercially prepared container to a Water tank or box together with means for thoroughly mixing the gas and water.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus as described having associated therewith control means for simultaneously putting into operation the mixing device and gas discharging means with such control means being designed for selectively regulating the duration of operation of the mixing unit.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as here-` inafter more fully set forth, specically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of this invention partially broken away to more fully illustrate its construction,

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram showing the simple electric circuit employed, and

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the punch means for the gas cartridge taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings a container for water may be formed from any suitable material characterized preferably by lightness in weight so. as to be susceptible of easy portability. A filler cap 12 is mounted in the top central portion of the container and a spigot -14 is placed at the lower central portion of the front side 16 thereof. On the rear side 18 of container 10 I have mounted an electric motor 20 by means of suitable brackets 22 so that the motor shaft 24 extends into the interior of container 10 and carries a mixing blade 26 on the free end thereof as shown in Fig. 2.

Also on the back side 18 I have provided a transverse opening or hole to the interior of container 10 which is fitted with a watertight resilient washer-like member 28 adapted to frictionally receive a capsule or cartridge 30, containing carbon dioxide gas of a type commercially available for use in making carbonated beverages. Adjacent the position of cartridge 30 and also on back 18 there is attached a solenoid 32 having an arm 34 extending into the interior of container l0 where it is bent or otherwise formed into a U-shape to provide a punch member 36 having a pointed end 38 which terminates at a point that will be adjacent the inner end of cartridge 30 when the latter is inserted as described. Punch member 30 is provided with one or more surface grooves 40 that extend longitudinally thereon but terminate short of the pointed end 38.

perspective view illustrating a preferred.

A time switch means 42 is mounted to the rear 18 of container 10 and is electrically connectedv in series as at 44 to the solenoid 30 and motor 20 and is designed to connect` to a source of electric power (not shown) by means of plug 46. No invention per se is claimed in motor 20, solenoid 30 or switch 42 and it will be understood that many commercial types and forms are available from which suitable models can be` selected to perform the desired functions. Switch 42 should be of the type which closes circuit 44 when set `and which is designed so that it can be selectively set to operate for a predetermined time interval, after which circuit 44 willy be opened. Solenoid 30 is of a type in which arm 34 is normally yieldingly held in an extended position when not ener gized, and which whenrenergized will cause arm 34 to' retract.

This apparatus, as thus described and with switch 42, solenoid 30 and motor 20 electrically connected in series will operate in the following manner. Container 10 is first lled substantially with water through the top opening available byy removing filler cap 12. Cartridge 30 is then manually partially inserted into container 10 wherein it will be frictionally held by washer 28 and it will be understood that this cartridge is of a well known form requiring the end 48 to be punctured in order to release the gas. In this position, with plug 46 properly connected to a source of electric current,.switch 42 is set for theA desired period of operation. Being connected in series, electrically, motor 20 will commence operation immediately upon setting of switch 42 so that blade 26 is agitating the water in container 18 and simultaneously with this operation, solenoid will be energized so that the retraction of arm 34 results in punch 36 puncturing or perforating the end 48 of cartridge 30. Solenoid 30 will remain energized until circuit 44`is closed by switch 42, and, therefore, to assure the proper discharge of gas from the cartridge 30 into the water in container 18, the groove or grooves 40 in punch 36 have been provided. These grooves, as described do not extend to the point 38 so that the initial contact end of punch 36 has no surface indentations or grooves. However, once penetration is accomplished, that part of punch 36 containing the surface grooves 40 will be resting in the opening in cartridge end 40 to provide an adequate passageway or passageways for the escape of the gas. As soon as switch 42 has reached the time limit selected, circuit 44 will be opened so that motor 20 ceases operation and solenoid 30 returns to the position shown in Fig. 2. Thereafter, of course, the carbonated water thus formed can be withdrawn through spigot 14 as needed for mixing with other ingredients for the desired beverage. It should also be pointed out that any suitable variable resistance means such as a rheostat can be connected to motor 20 for controlling the speed of blade 26 without departing from the principle of this invention.

This entire apparatus is designed in an exceedingly compact unit adapted particularly for home and individual use as contrasted with commercial use. It, therefore, may be stored easily in the home refrigerator or used on outings and produces substantially the same result as thatv accomplished by the larger and more complicated structures of the commercial variety. Consequently, by virtue of its simple construction and usability as described a susbtantial savings and economy is afforded the user in preparing his own soft drinks, for example, since drink extract in bulk can be purchased at a major savings over the prepared bottled drinks which must otherwise be used.

It is submitted that the invention shown and described is aptly suited to achieve the purposes intended and is characterized by a combination of hiqhlv useful and mutually cooperating elements that combine their repower, an velectric motor ,connected to said electric circuit fordrivling said agitator means, a cartridge containingrcarbon dioxide gas, said cartridge being of the type requiring puncturing at one end .to release thegas therefrom, said; container provided with an opening into which said cartridgecan.bemanuallyjpartially inserted so that the puncturable ,end .thereof extends into -said container, anieleetrically operated punch means mountedon said container for puncturing said cartridge and connected to said electric circuit in'series with said'electric motor, and a manual.

lyoperated. switchv means in.saidelectric circuit whereby.-

operation of said punch means and said electric motor can be placedv into or out of operation simultaneously.

2. Apparatus for-carbonating water, comprising, a container for water having an inlet and valve controlled outlet for the water, anpagitator means mounted on said conn tainer so as to extend into the interior thereof, an electric circuit designed vfor connection Ato aV source ofV electric power, an electrick motorconnected to said electric circuit for driving said agitator means, a cartridge containing carbon;dioxide gas, saidcartridge being of the type requiring puncturingat one end to release the gas therefrom, saidv container provided with an opening into which said cartridge can be manually partially inserted so that the puncturableend thereof extends into said container, an electrically operated punch means mounted on said container for puncturing said cartridge and connected `to said electric` circuit in seriesV with. said electric motor, and a manually operated time control switch means in said .electric cir,v

cuit whereby operationof saidpunch means and said electric motor can beplaced into or out of yoperation sirnul taneously and can be. maintained in operating status'forv predetermined intervals.:

3. Apparatus for carbonating water, comprising, a conf tainer :for .water having an inlet and valve controlled outlet for. the water, an. agitator. means mounted on said container so as to extend into the interior thereof, an electric circuit designed-.for connection to a source of electric power, anxelectric-motor connected to said electricvcircuit for: drivingy said agitator` means, a cartridge containing carbondioxide gas, said. cartridge being of kthe ltype `requirin g puncturing at one end to release thegas therefrom,

said containerprovided with .an opening into which said cartridge can be manually partially inserted so that they puncturable end thereof extends into said container, an electrically operated punchrmeansmounted on said container-forpuncturingsaid cartridge and connected to said eleetriccircuit in series with. said electric motor, a manually operated switch means in said electric circuit whereby operation of said punch means -and said electric motor can be placed into or out of operation simultaneously, a Ypointed end on said punch member, and a surface groove in said punch member spaced inwardly from said pointed end.

4. Apparatus for carbonating water, comprising, a container for water having an inlet and valve controlled outlet for the water, an agitator means mounted on said container so as to extend into the interior thereof, an electric circuit designed for connection to a source of electric power, an electric motor connected to said electric circuit for driving said agitator means, a cartridge containing carbontdioxide gas, saidcar-tridge'being of thevtype requiring puncturing at one end to release the gas therefrom, said container providedwith an opening into which said cartridge can be manually partially inserted so that the puncturable end thereof extends into said container, an electrically operated punch means mounted on said container-,for puncturing said cartridge and connected to said electriccircuit in series with said electric motor, a manuale.

1yi operated switchA means in said electric circuit whereby operation of said punch means and said electric motor can be vplaced into. or out of operation simultaneously, a pointedendon, said punchmember, and a surface groove. in.

saidpunch member. spaced inwardly from said pointed end; the portion of said. punch member having said groove resting in the openingof said cartridge formed by they puncturingthereof unt-il saidpunch member is withdrawn. 5.-Apparatus,.for .carbonating water, comprising, a containerfor waterfhaving an inlet and. valve controlled outa letfor the water, an agitator means mounted on said container. so as to. .extend into the interior thereof, van

electric" circuit designed for connection to a source of electricpower, an electric motor connected to said electric circuit for driving said agitator means, av cartridge containing, carbon dioxide gas, said cartridge being of the typerequiringpuncturing atone end-to release the gas therefrom, saidcontainerprovided with an opening into `whichsaid .cartridge-can be manually partially inserted so that A.the .puncturableendthereof extends into said container, a solenoid on said container connected to said electriccircuit inseries'with ,said electric motor, an varm formed with a punch member connected to vsaid solenoidso that saidrpunch. member-is within. said container and disposed in..1ine.wit h .thefpuncturable endof `said cartridge,- said. lpunfchgmember normallyyieldiugly held out of engagement with said cartridge, said solenoid whenenergized retracting saidarm so. that said punch member punctures said cartridgefandrswitch means in said electric circuit to simultaneously energize or. deenergize Vrespectively -said electric motor and .said solenoid.`

ReferencesrCited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 620,963 Read Mar. 14, 1899 66,2;'499 Reenstierna Nov. 27, 1900 1,671,368v` Johann May 29, `1928 1,956,788 Blum May 1, 1934 12,073,273` Wetstein Mar. 9, 1937V 2,314,984 Hudson Mar. 30, 1943 2,391,003 Bowman D ec. 18,' 1945 FOREIGN VPATENTS 403,944 Italy May 14, 1943