US2807392A - Table model dispenser for beer and other beverages - Google Patents

Description

Se t. 24, 1957 F. CHANDLER 2,807,392

TABLE MODEL DISPENSER FOR BEER AND ,OTHER BEVERAGES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 17, 1953 llHl w 9 m 5 V N m JR F m T d A mw E Sept. 24, 1957 E. F. CHANDLER TABLE MODEL DISPENSER FOR BEER AND OTHER BEVERAGES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1953 P m R. n M6 1 MC 1 F O T a w 1Q E J HTTORNE 4 2,807,392 Patented Sept. 24, 1957 TAELE MODEL DISPENSER FOR BEER AND OTHER BEVERAGES Edward F. Chandler, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 17, 1953, Serial No. 342,939

7 Claims. (Cl. 22288) This invention relates to improvements in dispensing devices for liquids and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensing device in which a closed container of liquid is supported in a housing, and so constructed that the contents of the liquid container may be dispensed therefrom through a manually controllable tap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensing device in which there is a lightweight frame or housing arranged for releasable engagement with a can of liquid, so as to hold the same firmly in position for discharging its contents, a dispensing tap being carried by the frame and brought into communication through novel can opening or puncturing means, with the interior of the can, so that the user is able to dispense the liquid from the tap as he pleases, once the can is punctured, by the action of gravity force, or other force.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved dispensing device for liquid beverages, which is relatively small in size, compact in arrangement, and which consists of very few parts which are easily made and assembled, at low cost, so that it may be used by the average consumer of beverages right in his own home, or also in places where such beverages are dispensed in larger quantities, such as in taverns, restaurants, bars, and at picnics and other gatherings.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved liquid dispensing device which may be constructed in various sizes, to accommodate for example, a gallon can of beer, a half gallon can, or a larger or smaller can, depending upon the number of persons to be served, and from which any person may dispense or draw right from the tap, a. glass of beer or other beverage, in a fashion equal to that of a bartender in a tavern, and with equal facility and satisfaction.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved liquid dispensing device which is so simple in construction that it may be easily taken apart by anyone, without need forspecial tools, and cleaned thoroughly, so as to comply with the public health laws of all communities.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved table model beer dispensing machine in which lever means is provided so that after the contents of the can are dispensed therefrom, a simple movement of the actuating lever will release the can from engagement with the frame, and allow the same to be removed by gravity or otherwise, for replacement by another can.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel fluid dispensing device which maybe either used with gravity flow, or with induced flow under the influence of a source of pressurizing gas or the like, and which may also be used with gas upon the expansion of which a certain cooling effect on the beverage is brought about.

These and other objects andadvantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the i for dispensing a fluid beverage from a can.

accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the device.

Figure 2 is a right side elevational view of the device of Figure 1, showing how fluid may be dispensed into a glass or other container therefrom.

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the device seen in Figure 1, this being also in effect a right side elevational view of the device of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially on plane 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the can puncturing means in full lines in extended can punctured position, and in broken lines to indicate its retracted position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing a modified form of the invention, and including means for adding gaseous effect to the combination.

*Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken substantially on plane 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view showing a further modified form of the invention, with modified gasifying means.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a tap for use in connection with the invention device, and illustrating one construction for aerating the liquid stream from the ambient air.

The present invention relates particularly to devices It is thus a unit device to hold at least one can filled with liquid, the device being equipped with a dispensing cock or tap, and means being provided for easily and simply locking the can into the unit, sealed against leakage, when perforated to make the contents available at the tap. While usable for other products, the device is particularly adapted for dispensing beer and other malt beverages from metal cans. In this connection, beer, for example, may be served in substantially the same manner as tap beer at a tavern or restaurant bar. Canned beer and other beverages, are pressurized to a certain extent normally, and hence the flow upon opening the tap, is accelerated. Where there is suflicient residual pressure to force all of the contents from a can, or where the contents flows from the can by gravity, no auxiliary pressurizing means need be employed except, however, where such means is employed for cooling, carbonating and/ or aerating the product being served.

The unit may be designed to accommodate a can in a horizontal or upright position, or in an inclined position, at an angle to the horizontal, that is between the horizontal and the axis of the can. The illustrations are schematic and are not intended as working drawings, but rather are intended to show diagrammatically possible features and constructional details and mechanism, as the basis for assembly designs within the scope of the inventive idea.

Preferably a can of relatively large capacity, for example, of the order of about one gallon, more or less, is preferable, not as a limitation, but because of the ability to serve therefrom a number of people without the neces sity of changing to a newfilled can. Any suitable form of refrigeration may be included in the unit assembly, such, for example, as shown in my copending patent application, Serial Number 301,739, filed July 30, 1952, for Fluid Cooling and Carbonating Devices, now Patent No. 2,763,994, or other suitable means for this purpose.

Where structural simplicity and low cost are important factors, and Where the consumption of the contents of the can is reasonably rapid, the reserve cans may be stored in a domestic refrigerator to insure a low liquid temperature when placed in the unit. Similarly, due to the small size of the unit, it is also possible to place the entire unit tss c i hthc a ei ussiih q t i h n. th

- 3- refrigerator to keep it all cold and ready for instant use. In fact, if desired, the user can keep the unit and its can which is in dispensing position in the unit, right inside the refrigerator at all times, merely opening the door of the refrigerator when it is desired to draw off one or more glasses of beer or other beverage.

A guide means maybe employed for positioning a face of the can concentric on a ring-gasket against which the can rim is hermetically sealed by suitable means, such as a cam element which may be rocked by a convenient lever or handle, the cam preferably applying pressure to the can rim at the oppositecan face.

In order to understand clearly the nature of the invention and the best means for carrying it out, reference may now be had to the illustrations in the drawings of preferred embodiments, in which like numerals denote similar parts throughout the several views,

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, it is seen that there is a support frame including front and rear walls It) and 12, at least one of which may be flanged at the bottom to form feet 14 for further stability, and secured together in mutually spaced array and mutually parallel to each other by means of the lower tie bar or rod 16, engaged in bosses formed with openings 18 and 20 in the front and rear walls. A pair of mutually spaced tie rods or bars 22 and 24 also serve to maintain the spacing of the front and rear walls and 12, being similarly engaged in openings 26 formed through bosses in the wall surfaces.

Portions of the walls 10 and 12 may be cut away, as

at 28 and 30, to lighten the construction and weight,

forming legs at the bottom as seen in Figures 1 and 3, for improved stability, and,. where light gauge sheet metal is used for the walls 10 and 12,.it may be desired, for increased strength, to form ribs or beads therein in any well known manner. A can engaging base plate 32 is secured to the front wall 10 by any suitable means, such as a bolt or bolts 34 penetrating both members. A main housing 36 is carried by and preferably integral with the can engaging base plate 32, and is hollow as seen best in Figure 4, to define an interior chamber 38 inside its walls.

A closure cap 40 is threaded into the upper end of the main housing 36, and may be provided with a pressure relief valve or outlet, so that, when there is no gas pressure inside the can 42, ambient air .may be admitted into the main housing chamber and the interior of the can, to permit egress or outflow of the liquid contents thereof by gravity force alone.

It is seen that the can engaging base plate 32 overlies the rearward portion of the main dispensing housing 36, and where they thus overlap, an opening is out at 44 as seen in Figure 4, through both the base plate or wall 32 and the contiguous portion of the main dispensing housing 36, to allow movement throughthe opening of the can cutting and puncturing blade 46. The blade 46 is pivotally hung on the horizontal pivot shaft or pin 48, and is made fairly massive, preferably of steel so that its cutting edge 50 and cutting and puncturing point or hook 52 will be. able to easily penetrate into the wall 54 of a metal can 42 as the cutter element moves about its pivot 48 in the direction of the arrow 56, from the broken line retracted position at 46a to the full line extended position at 46.

From Figure 4 it is seen that the rearward edge of the cutter element 46, thatis, itsleftward edge is curved 'some what as at 58, to form a cam surface against which the turnable cam lever 60 bears as it turns with the cam actuating shaft 62 about the axis of shaft 62. The cutter element 46 is also cut away-at 64, not only to provide easy entrance of the cam lever onto the cam surface 58, but also so that when the cam lever 60 is turned in the direction of arrow 66 to retracted position, the cutter element is allowed to return by gravity to its broken line retracted position 46a without interference -by the cam lever.

The dispensing housing 36 is enlarged as at 68 to form an enlarged fluid passage chamber 70, and it is seen that the floor of the chamber slopes downwards at 72 to conduct the liquid from the can into the chamber without allowing it to gather in any depressions, and conducts it right to the opening 74 of the dispensing tap or spigot 76, which is threaded into the lower portion of the dispensing housing 36. The tap. 76 may be of any suitable well known construction, one example of which is illustrated, and may have a pair of mutually intersecting bores 78 and 86, as seen best in Figure 7, for interconnection by moving the handle 82 about the axis of shaft 84, openings in the shaft being arranged to afford communiction to allow liquid to pass through the tap when turned to a predetermined position. Such alignment openings may take different forms, as at 86, 86a, 86b, etc., the entire purpose being to be easily opened for flow of liquid when the handle is moved to one position, and then closed when the handle is retracted.

For aeration of the liquid, by means of ambient air, the tap 76d in Figure 8 may be used, this having a lower extension threaded to its nozzle 88, defining a chamber opening in turn on the converging outer nozzle 90, with air intake jetopenings 92, for injection of ambient air in the direction of the small arrows 94, for admixture with the fluid stream. As seendn Figure l, the lower portion of tap handle 82 may be U-shaped or bifurcated to extend over both sides of the tap body, and each of the legs of the handle is secured to its shaft 84 for turning the shaft with the handle.

As seen best in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the outer edge of the circular plate 32 is flanged or skirted as at 94, to receive and confine an annular or ring gasket 96, which may be made of rubber or other soft yielding gasket material, so that as was mentioned, when the flatter end of the can 42 is pressed against the base plate 32, its annular rim or end marginal edge is seated against the sealing gasket 96, and thus noliquid from the can can flow anywhere than into the chamber 70. The shaft 62 is journaled in the bearings or bosses and 102 which are integral with the dispensing housing 36, and extends in a rightward direction as seen in Figure 1, beyond bearing 109, and through the bore formed in the proximal end 104 of the actuating handle 106, so that the turning of the handle 106 will turn the shaft 62, the handle and shaft being mutually engaged by means of a radial pin 108.

The actuating handle 106 has a lever arm 110 integral therewith, and pivotally engaged by pin 112 with the forward end 114 of the connecting bar or rod 116, the rearward end 118 of which is in turn pivotally secured by pin 120 to the crank lever arm 122. The crank lever122 in turn is penetrated by the outer end of the cam actuating shaft 124, and secured to the shaft 124 for movement therewith, by means of the pin 126. From Figure 3 it is seen that the crank lever 122 has its hub 128 extending to the right, thus providing space for movement of the right end 118 of the connecting rod 116.

The cam actuating shaft 124 is journaled in upright bearings 130 and 132 formed in the upper extensions 134 and 136 of the rearward wall 12, although the extensions such as 134 may also be made separable from wall 12 if desired. At the right hand end of the shaft 124, as seen in Figure 3, a collar 140 is mounted on the shaft and secured thereto by a pin 142 or otherwise. In order to press the can 42 toward the left as seen in Figure 2, that is, against the sealing gasket 96 seated in the rim of the plate 32, I provide cam means carried on the rearward cam actuating shaft 124. Such cam means may be dual, and form part of the members 128 and 140, so that as the handle 106 is moved into its upright closed position shown in full lines in Figure 2, the cam presses against the rightward end of the can 42, sufficiently to seat it on the gasket 96. According to another form of the invention, I may mount a separate cam member 144 on a central portion of shaft 124, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, and secured to the shaft 124 for movement therewith by means of a pin 148. The shape of the cam member 144 is seen from Figure 2 to be suchthat as the shaft 124 is turned in a clockwise direction, the cam moves downwardly and leftwardly toward the can wall 150, pressing the can 42 leftwardly and seating its left end firmly on the ring gasket 96.

At the same time, such movement which has been brought about by movement of the main handle 106, simultaneously turns the cam 60 to the full line position shown in Figure 4, pressing the cutter element 46 rightwardly to the full line position shown in Figure 4, and puncturing the can 42 on its left end wall 54. Liquid from the can is thus free to flow out of the can into chamber 70, for being dispensed by the tap 76. Where beer or other liquid containing some gases is in thecan 42, then it will flow out of tap 76 easily and readily. However, where there is no more gas in the can, or where the liquid is not one which contains gases, then the valve 40 at the top of housing may be arranged either by loosening it to admit air to the interior of the housing and of'the can 42, or may be automatically arranged as a relief valve of any suitable well known construction, to admit air as needed so that the liquid from the can may flow out readily when tap 76 is opened.

When the can 42 has been entirely drained of its liquid contents, the user may simply pull main lever 106 in the direction of arrow 1160 seen in Figure 2, that is, toward the user, which will simultaneously disengage the cam 144 from pressure on the right end 150 of the can, permitting it to be removed from the device, and at the same time, will move internal cam 60 in a counterclockwise direction to retracted position, allowing cutter 46 to drop by gravity to its retracted broken line position at 46a in Figure 4, and out of engagement with the can 42. For compactness, the leg walls and 12 may be made so that they are formed in upper and lower sections, which hinge together, permitting the lower leg portions to fold up under the device, the attachment of shaft 16 being in that case also pivotal at each end. Although the cutter is shown in Figure 4 as at 46, it will be understood that according to another modified form of the invention, the cutter may be otherwise mounted, and may be either integral with the member 60, or mounted directly thereon, for movement therewith. Beer or other beverage'from the can 42 may be dispensed right into a glass 160 or other receptacle, and the glass of course may be of any desired size. Due to its small size, the entire unit may be placed in a refrigerator and kept there until used, and even during use, or only'the supply of extra cans may be stored there to keep them cold.

Referring now to Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8,'it is seen there that other modified forms of the invention are shown. In these forms, instead of placing the liquid filled can with its axis horizontal, the can 170 is preferably supported with its axis vertical, so that it rests upon its flat lower end 172, with its upper flat end 174 uppermost, and its circular side walls 176 in upright position. As shown, there is a lower main housing 178 formed with left and right walls 180 and 182 surmounted with a circular upstanding rim portion integral therewith as at 184, which in turn has an annular upwardly open groove or recess seat 186, adapted to form a seat for and receive snugly an annular ring gasket member 188 made of rubber or other suitable gasket material, upon which the annular rim 190 of the can 170 rests and is supported. A cam shaft 192 is supported in any suitable frame or support above the top portion of the can, and carries a cam member 194 mounted thereon for turning therewith about the aXis of shaft 192, the cam member having cam surfaces arranged so that when retracted there is ample room or clearance to insert the can or remove same, and so that when turned to the full line position shown, or even a little more, in a counterclockwise direction, the can 170 is firmly pressed downwardly into secure leakproof engagement with the ring gasket 188.

As seen best in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the balance of the lower housing 178 is shaped out by inclined walls 200 and 202, to define a liquid receiving and guiding chamber 204 into which the liquid from the can flows by gravity force when the can is punctured. A shaft 206 is journaled in any suitable bearings formed in the lower housing, such as at 208 and 210, and additional gaskets or other seals may be employed to block leakage of fluid in any well known manner. A can puncturing element 212 is mounted on the shaft 206 for turning therewith by means of handle 209 about the axis of the shaft, and is provided with an integral cutting and puncturing blade 216 of a shape suitable for cutting into the bottom wall 172 of the can so as to puncture it and allow the liquid contents thereof to flow out by gravity force, into the chamber 204, and thence to the inlet opening 218 of the tap 220.

While usable for other products, the devices here shown are particularly adapted for dispensing beer and other malt beverages from cans. In this connection, beer, for example, may be served in substantially the same manner as tap beer at a tavern bar. Canned beer and the like are pressurized to a certain extent by contained gases and hence the flow, upon opening the tap is accelerated. Where there is sufiicient residual pressure to force all of the contents from a can, or where the contents flows from the can by gravity, no auxiliary pressurizing means need be employed, except that, however, where such means is employed for cooling, carbonating and/or aerating the product being served. The unit may be designed to accommodate a can in a horizontal or upright position, or, the can may be set at an angle to the vertical. The illustrations are schematic and are not intended as working drawings, being rather intended to show diagrammatically possible features and mechanism details as the basis for assembly designs within the scope of the inventive idea.

Preferably a can of relatively large capacity, for example, of the order of say, one gallon, is recommended, not as a limitation, but because of the ability to serve therefrom a number of people without the necessity of changing to a newly filled can. Any suitable form of refrigeration may be included in the unit assembly, such for example as shown in my copending patent application, Serial No. 301,739, filed July 30, 1952, for Fluid Cooling and Carbonating Devices, of which this is a continuation. Where structural simplicity and low cost are important factors, and where the consumption of the cans contents is reasonably rapid, the reserve cans may be'kept in a domestic refrigerator to'insure a low temperature when placed in the unit.

A flask 222 of compressed gas or carbon dioxide, is removably placed in a housing 224 closed at one end by a wall 226 and containing an annular sealing gasket of rubber or the like at 228 to bear against and'form a sealing seat for the flask 222, so that when the end cap 229 is turned to push the flask 222 to the left, against the puncturing pin 230, which may be formed with an axial bore to allow the contents of the flask to flow therethrough, the compressed gas flows through pipe 232 to the dispensing tap 220. A push button 234 permits pushing in the shaft 236 and its pistons connected by the neck therebetween at 238 so that communication, normally blocked by the rightward piston portion is opened through the nozzle 240 opening into the venturi nozzle portion 242, to induce flow of the liquid downwards through the dispensing bore 246 and out of the tap.

A spring returns the button 234 to its outermost position shown. Turning the handle 82a will turn the shaft 84a so as to bring the aligning valve bore 86a into alignment with the bore'246, allowing the liquid to be dispensed therefrom.

Referring now to Figure 7, it is seen that here the construction differs from that of Figure 5, in that it uses a simple type of valve or tap 250, shown in open position, with a handle 82b for turning the valve shaft 84b, so that its communicating channel 86b is brought into open position. In this view, the gas containing flask 222a is disposed: removably in a rightward. end cap similar to that at pushing the flask to the left when needed. It also has a sealing gasket. 228a like that of Figure 5. Here, the housing 224a is secured directly to the underside of the wall 254 of the lower-housing 178a, and'the axially bored puncturingpin 230a allows gas from the flask toenter the chamber 256. and flow through bore 258 into the chamber 204a asshown. A screw valve shaft 260 is turnable to block entry of gas or to regulate the flow'thereof into the chamber 204a as needed, directly into the. fluid and thus to pressurize it for flow to the dispensing tap.

These small flasks of carbon dioxide gas are inexpensive and readily available, to insure draining the can. According to another modified form of the invention, the tapped beverage may be passed through a cooling coil of a small refrigerating unit to chill same, in which. event, it would not be necessary to first cool the cans and they may be stored warm.

Although I have described my invention in. specific terms, it will be understood that various changesmay be made insize, shape, materials and arrangement without departing from the spiritand scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid dispensing device comprising a main lower housing defining a sump chamber, an annular seat formed in an upper portion of said lower housing, gasket means carried by saidannular seat and being annular in contour, whereby a can end may be seated thereagainst, cam means acting from above for pressing said can into seating seala ing engagement with said gasket means and so as to be carried by said annular seat, tap means connected to drain said sump chamber upon opening of said tap means, and can puncturing means carried by said lower housing and constructed and arranged to puncture a lower wall of said canto allow the liquid contents thereof to drain by gravity into-said sump chamber for being dispensed by said tap.

2. Theconstruction according to claim 1, wherein said sump chamber comprises an inclined wall bottom sloping toward said tap, and wherein said can puncturing means comprises a shaft journaled in said lower housing and extending therefrom and therethrough, a canpuncturing blade carried by said shaft for turning therewith so as to puncture said can when in extended position, and a handle carried on an outerportion ofsaid shaft for turning same. i

3. The construction according to claim 2, wherein there is a chamber carried by said housing and defining a flask receiving recess for receiving a flask of compressed gas, flask puncturing means for puncturing said flask to allow the egress of its contained gas, gas conduction duet means for conducting said gas from said housing 224a having a 229. in Figure 5, for

flask chamber, injector means carried by said tap and including an injector jet, nozzle directed toward the venturi nozzle means of said injector means in the path of fluid flow to said. dispensing tap, and normally closed valve means. interposed in the connection between said gas conduction duct means and said injector means jet nozzle, so that upon opening said tap and opening said normally closed. valve means, the admission of high velocity gas from said flask causes acceleration of the fluid flow from said sump chamber through said tap.

4. The construction according to claim 2, wherein there is a flask receiving casing carried by said lower housing, and having aflask receiving recess formed thereinto receive a flask of compressed gas in the nature of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and the like, duct means communicating between said flask receiving recess and said sump chamber for conducting gas thereto, for pressurizing the same, and gas control valve means for regulating the flow of gas to said sump chamber.

5. In a device for dispensing a beverage from a can, a body portion for supporting a can, a gasket, means for removably looking a substantial portion of a face of the can in sealing contact with the gasket carried by said body portion while said can remains free from total enclosure, a dispensing tap carried by said body portion below said can, and means for perforating the said face of the can whereby the contents of the canmay be delivered by opening the tap.

6. The construction according to claim 5, wherein there is a. source of gas. under pressure and venturi gas mixing means. at said tap connected to said source of gas whereby upon opening the tap, gas from said source serves to mix with and accelerate the flow of beverage in the can out of the can.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,924,704 Bartholomew Aug. 29, 1933 2,184,397 Nelson Dec. 26, 1939 2,203,156 Kahn June 4, 1940 2,217,563 Sartain Oct. 8, 1940 2,322,808 Hothersall June 29, 1943 2,486,245 Bates Oct. 25, 1949 2,655,286 Barbaro Oct. 13, 1953

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