US3108718A

US3108718A - Beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3108718A
Application number: US834188A
Authority: US
Inventors: George E Seener
Original assignee: MULTIPLEX FAUCET CO
Current assignee: MULTIPLEX FAUCET CO
Priority date: 1959-08-17
Filing date: 1959-08-17
Publication date: 1963-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-29

Description

oct. 29, 1963 n G. E. SEENER 3,108,718

BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Aug. 17, 1959 S Sheets-Sheet 2 SWEEEE:

/NvE/ron: GEORGE E. .55E/VE HTToR-l G. E. SEENER BEVERAGE DISPENSER Oct.

Filed Aug. 17, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 A N V A/TOQ: GEORG/E 5ft-NEE, 5y WM,- Pgmdll H T'roRNE Ys United States Patent O This invention relates to beverage dispensers, and more particularly to that form of beverage dispenser which has a separate source for each of the syrup and carbonated` Water.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser having flow control means which reta-ins substantially the amount of carbon dioxide as originally added to the water, but which yet limits the amount of effervescence of the carbonated Water at the ow nozzle and further preserves the proper mixture of syrup and carbonated water. This control of the carbonation is made possible through ia novel valve `and stream straightener combination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which incorporates improved cooling characteristics with a minimum of refrigeration loss. According to the present invention, the nozzle and its hand-le incorporate a minimum of metal located externally of the cabinet.

Stili another object of the invention is to provide a beverage dispenser having an improved means for interconnecting -the nozzle and valve means with the syrup and water sources. Thus in the present invention, the nozzle and valve means are Wholly located beneath the wall of the container, connected directly to the cooling coil in the aluminum floor casting, thereby eliminating the necessity of cutting through a :side wall of the container for external location of the operating handle. This feature eliminates more than a minimum loss of the cooling ac.- comp'hshed within the casting and prevents the escape oi carbon dioxide gas which ordinarily accompanies the heating of a beverage.

Another object of the invention is -to provide a beverage dispenser which is very `sani-tary and easy to clean.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Additional objects will be apparent from the yfollowing description of the invent-ion.

ln the drawings:

FIGURE l is a front elevation View or" the beverage dispenser;

llGURE 2 is a view in section taken along the lines 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a view in section taken along the lines 3-3 ol' FIGURE l;

FGURE 4 4is a view in section taken along the lines i-fl of FiGURE l;

FlGURE 5 is a view in section similar to FIGURE 2 but enlarged to show only the relation of the container with the container top;

FIGURE 6 -is a partial view in section, also enlarged, showing the rear of the top as placed upon .the container;

FlGURE 7 is a partial view in section showing the lower front area of FIGURE 2 on enlarged scale.

FIGURE 8 is a partial view in section showing the syrup float control;

FGURE 9 is a partial view in section showing the lower front area of FlGURE 4 on an enlarged scale and with a section taken through the syrup path;

FGURE l is a partial view in section similar to FlG- URE 9, but with a section taken through the path of carbonated water;

FIGURE l'l is an enlarged view in section of a portion of the water side of the valve;

lhll Patented ci. 2Q?, i963 -liGURE l2 is `a partial view in section taken along the lines i-`-l2 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE `13 is an enlarged view in section of the stream straightener insert;

FGURE 14 is a bottom view of the valve box;

FIGURE l is an end view of the valve box taken from the right side of FlGURE `i4;

FGURE i6 is a plan view of the syrup orilice disk;

FGURE 17 is a view in section of a modification, similar to the view of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE '18 is a view in section of the modication, similar to the view of lFIGURE FiGURE i9 :is 'an enlarged view in section of a por-tion of the water valve of the modiiication; and

FIGURE 20 is yan end view of the valve box used in the modification.

The housing 2G of the present invention is illustrated as being generally rectangular in shape. The housing 2.0 is provided :with :a sheet metal base 2li, preferably of chrome for rust resistance and ease of cleaning. The base 2l comprises a continuous strip of sheet metal bent to conform to the bottom of the housing 2%; las illustrated, and having its

ends

22 and 23 terminated in separated relations-hip (as can be seen at FIGURE l).

The base 2.1 has ilanges 24 yby which it may be attached to the housing 2li in a well known manner, las by screws. The lower end of the base 2l also has ilanges lZ5. A plurality or" grommets 2o are attached to the flanges 25 to provide scratch eliminating feet to the dispenser. A brace 27 connected between the sides yadds rigidity to the base 21.

The base is completed by the attachment of a chrome plate '23 between the

ends

22 and 23 of the strip Zi.

The exterior of t.e housing 2i? includes a ilat plate bottom to which the langes Zd of the base 2l are attached.

The bottom plate 3u* has a flange 3d turned downwardly about most or" its perimeter. lt will be observed that the bottom plate 3d is cut away at its front edge 32 so that it can cooperate with other parts to form a ilat recess as will appear.

The outer sides of the housing 2i? are composed of a single, continuous metal sheet 33. The lower end 3d of the sheet 33 extends even with the flanges :il on the bottom plate 3d. The lianges 3l are welded to the sheet 33. As can be seen in FGURE l, the sheet 33 has a trapezoidal cut-out 35 at its front.

A sheet lmetal connection is made between the front side 33 and the bottom plate Eil as can be seen from FlGURES 1 and 2. This connection is in the form of a step cornprising a 'horizontal plate 36 and ya vertical plate 37, which cooperate to vform a recess 38 at the front of the cabinet for receiving the nozzle structure to be described. The

stepper sections

36 and 37 of the recess 38 have portions cut away (which are not visible because they are hidden by the nozzle structures) so that certain connections can be made through the housing.

A rubber or plastic channel-shaped border is glued to the juncture of the flange 3i with the side wall 33. The rub-ber channel 39 atiords protection against any possible sharp edges at that juncture. The channel 39 also serves as a bumper against glasses shoved againstv the housing.

The interior of the housing includes a cast aluminum `cold plate e3. The cold plate 43 has ya ilat top fili, which sacar/'ie fthe tiange 45 of the cast-ing d3. The inner wall i3 is spaced from the outer wall 33 as illustrated. 'Ehe inner wall 48 is of stainless steel shee metal construction, which is less expensive than aluminum. At the juncture of the inner wall 18 with the flange 45, in addition to the screws 49, a metal adhesive provides a water tight connection. Such adhesive is conventional.

The space at Ithe top 4between :the outer wall 33 and the inner wall 43 is spanned and closed by a continuous channel member 51) secured to each of the walls. A rubber molding 51 of the general cross-sectional shape illustrated in FiGURES 5 and 6 covers the top of the wall.

The space between :the walls 33 and d8 is lled with a well known insulating material 52, such as fibre glass or wall insulation.

A top 53 `for the housing 211 is formed of a bent plate having a rubber molding 5d covering its continuous lower edge. The rubber molding 5d seats upon the molding 51 when the top 53 is placed upon the housing 20. A handle 55 attached to the top 53 provides means for removing the top 53.

There -is provision for .two syrup containers in the present embodiment. inasmuch `as both containers and their dispensing machine are the same, only one will be described.

There is a round hole 6i) through the cold plate casting '43 to permit passage of an irregular shaped bushing 61. The bushing 61 projects both below the cold plate 43 and above it, and has a recess 62 through the top to receive the syrup dispenser. rI'he bushing 61 is threaded at its lower end 63 for engagement with a valve housing which will be described. An 0 ring 64 provides a fluid-tight seal with the valve housing. A shoulder 65 separates the lower portion from the upperportion of the bushing 61. The upper pontion is somewhat larger in diameter than the lower portion `63 and has external threads 66 so that a threaded ring 67 having ears 63 can be manually turned onto the upper pontion 66 of the bushing 61. When the bushing 61 has been threaded into the valve housing, rthe washer 67 is turned onto the upper threaded section 66 and 'tightened against the door de of the cold plate 43. This tightly secures the bushing 61. There is a rubber washer 69 between the washer 67 and the cold plate floor 44.

Ilhe syrup container 7G can be seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 as comprising two separate sections 71 and 7-2. The larger section 71 has a top 73 on it, and is formed integr-ally with the smaller, lower section 72. Between the sections '71 and 72, there is an annular shoulder 74. The lower section 72 has a small, circular spout 75 at the forward end of its bottom surface. The spout 75 tits within the recess 62 of the bushing 61.

A iloat assembly 76 sits upon the annular shoulder 74. The oat mechanism 76, which is not a part of the present invention, comprises a rubber seal 77 seated upon the annular shoulder 74. The seal 77 has a vent tube '73 passing through it.

There is another hole 79 through the seal 77. A shaft Si) is freely freoiprocable through the hole 79 and has a stop washer S1 at its top to limit the downwmd reciprofcation of the shaft 80. The lower end of the shaft 80 has an enlarged conical shape S2 which will not pass through the 4hole 79 but will seal that hole against duid passage when seated in `the bottom of ythe hole 79. .Attached tto the shaft di?, adjacent the enlarged section 82 is a float S3. The tloat 83 will, when in a lowered position, permit syrup to low into the lower chamber 72. When enough syrup has entered the lower chamber 72 that the float 83 rises seating the conical pontion 32 within the hole 79, the flow of syrup will be blocked through the hole '79. At that time, a predetermined head of syrup wiil exist over the lower spout 75, thereby afording a uniform rate of syrup flow for every syrup disi pensing operation. The tube 7S is a breather tube to permit air to escape as the lower chamber 72 fills each time.

As before mentioned, the syrup spout 62 opens into a bushing 61, which in turn is threaded into a valve housing S5. That valve housing 85 is illustrated in FGURES 14 and l5 as being of generally rectangular shape. There are two valve provisions within the housing, one for the syrup and one for the carbonated waiter. The one for the syrup will be described iirst with particular reference to FiGURE 9.

There is a chamber S6 communicating with the threaded opening 63 in the valve housing S5. 'Ihe rear end of the recess 86 has an access opening 87. The opening S7 Ahas threads 83 for engagement with a closure cap 159. The closure cap S9 has a spring seat 90 on i-t.

There is a long -bore 91 extending from the recess 86 to the front end 92 of the valve housing S5. The bore 91 also communicates with a downwardly extending recess 93 which opens into the bottom 94 of the valve housing 35. The recess 93 has an annular flange 9S laboutfits periphery. The llange 95 has extern-al threads 96 upon which Aa retainer 97 is threaded. The retainer 97 holds an orhice washer 98 between it and the flange 95. The orifice washer 98 has -a small hole 99 through it and through which the syrup passes. The washer 98 is readilyreplace-able by different washers having different sized ori ces.

A piston 103 is reciproeable within the bore 91. The

piston 163 has one end 1M enlarged so as yto lit fairly tightly within :the bore 91 and has a provision for an O ring 165 to provide a fluid type seal o the enlarged end 104 within the bore 91. The end 104 has a generally semi-hemispherical shaped end 166 which extends outside of the valve housing 8S.

A slender stem 1117 extends between the end 104 and the opposite end 108 of fthe piston 163. With reference also to FIGURE ll, the end 1118 has a frusto-conical section 1119 extending from the slender rod portion 107 to a maximum diameter slightly less than lthe diameter of the bore 91. An annular flange 110 is spaced from the frustoconical section 169 by a peripheral groove 111 in the end 108. A cylindrical stud 112 cooperates with the flange 11i) to define a spring seat 113 on the end 10S of the piston 103.

There is a resilient sealing washer 114 seated in .the groove 111. A compression spring 115 extends between the spring seat 9d on the cap 89 and the spning seat 113 on the end 1138 of the piston 103. The spring 115 tends to continuously urge the piston 1113 forward within the bore 91 causing the seal 114 tto normally seal off the recess 36 from the bore 91 against passage of syrup. When the piston 103 is moved rearwardly by a force against the forward end 1116 (in a manner to be described) the seal 114 breaks contact with the wall of the recess 86 so that syrup can pass from the recess 86 through the bore 91 into the recess 93 and through `the orice 99 of the washer 9S. The rate of flow of syrup through the orifice 99 will always be the same, drink after drink, because of the constant head of syrup above ethe syrup spout 7S.

The carbonated water dispensing mechanism #will now be described, with particular referece to FIGURES l0 and 13. (It is here to be observed that while the present embodiment is illustrative'of a dispenser having separate valve means for each of the syrup and the water, the concept is equally applicable to premix dispensers, that is, those in which the water and syrup are mixed before reaching the valve. For such dispensers, the same valving and stream straightener arrangement :could be used as is here described, while the separate syrup valving could be eliminated.)

A spiral tubing 12th is cast within the cold plate 43. A :carbonated fwater inlet 121 is connected to one end of the coil 121i (FIGURES l, 2, and 7). Thus, the carbonated water to be dispensed will circulate through the coil 12.0 so that it will be cooled by the ice which will have been placed within the housing 20.

A block 125 having a machined recess 126 is iitted within the cold plate casting 43, as illustrated in FIG- URES 9- and 10. The end of the tubing 126 not connected to the inlet 121 connects to a water outlet 127 within the block l125. The outlet 17.7 communicates with the recess i126.

The valve mechanism for the carbonated water which communicates with the recess 126 is similar to that for the syrup. As can ybe seen in FIGURE 10, there is a piston 128 having an enlarged forward end 129 with an O ring seal 138' for retaining liquid within the housing. The piston 128 is reciprocable within `a bore 131 in the valve housing 85, and has the frusto-conical end 132, a resilient sealing 'washer I133 and a spring seat 134.

Communicating with the recess 131 is a larger recess 135 opening to the back of the valve housing 43. The opening has threads 136 for a threaded engagement with a sealing cap 137. The sealing cap 137 has an O ring seal 13S between it and the recess 135. A compression spring 139 biases the piston 128 forwardly within the housing 43.

The closure cap 137 has an elongated end '149 of reduced diameter carrying an O ring seal. There is an oriiice 141 through the length of the cap 137, communicating the recess 135 with the end 135 or" the cap 137. T-'ne oriiice 141 being of smaller diameter than that of the cooling coil 127 serves to reduce pressure of the water within the recess 135. This `reduction in pressure partially conditions the water for being dispensed in a soft stream form as will be hereinafter explained in conjunction with a discussion `of the stream straightener.

The reduced end 140 of the cap 137 is of a size to fit tightly Within the recess 126 of the insert block 125. When so positioned, the O ring on the end 141i provides an effective seal against the passage of fluid so that all fluid which passes from the opening 127 will be through the elongated oriiice 141.

Referring to FIGURE 13, there is a hole 143 through the'bottom of the housing S5 and opening into the bore 131. The upper en'd of the hole `143 has a peripheral lip 144. rlhe lower end of the hole 143 comprises an annular flange 145 threaded to receive a water straightener retainer 146. The inner diameter of the retainer 146 is somewhat less than the diameter of the hole 143. The difference between the two diameters deiines a shoulder or rim 147. A cylindrical bushing 148 is seated upon the shoulder 147, and extends upwardly within the hole, terminating short of the rim 144.

A stream straightener is retained between the Ibushing 143 and the rim 144. The stream straightener has an elongated orice or tnbe 151 extending vertically from its upper end, and terminating at 152 short of its lower end.

The diameter of the stream straightener below the portion resting between the bushing 148 and the rim 144- is considerably reduced, as at 153. It is within this reduced section 153 that the orifice 1511 terminates.

There are -two horizontal orifices I154 and 154 communicating with the end 152 of the first oriiice 151. The orifices 154 Vand 154 'are at right angles to each other and generally at right angles to the first orifice 151. All oriiices are of approximately the same diameters, although this is not necessary.

The lower end 155 of the stream straightener 15)` is in the form of an inverted truste-conical coniiguration. This lower end 155 cooperates with the inner wall '156 of the retainer 145 to dene a restricted opening 157 It can be appreciated that the -path of carbonated water will be through the water inlet 121 to thereafter circulate through the spiral coil 120. The water then reaches the end 127 of the coil 120 and passes through the orifice 1411 in the closure cap 137. I-f the piston 1.23 has been moved rearwardly within the valve housing 43, the seal `1353 will have been separated from the valve housing permitting the water to flow past the recess into the bore 131. From the bore 131, the water passes through the oriice 151, through' the oriiices 154 and 154', and then is sprayed into the truste-conical shaped end 155 of the stream straightener 150. `In has ybeen found that for a water source pressure of from 70 to 120 p.s.i., the present valve and stream straightener arrangement will reduce the rate of flow to 5 ounces per four seconds. This reduction in the -iiow `of carbonated liquid greatly reduces the effervescence of the liquid as it is dispersed from the stream straightener, -thereby permitting a greater volume of beverage to be dispensed into a glass.

The bottom of the valve housing 43 has an annular lip 161i) surrounding both the syrup and the carbonated water outlet. A mixing bowl 161 of the shape clearly illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10 is presstit onto the lip 161i. The mixing bowl 161 has a ribbed opening 162 in its bottom through which the mixed uid may pass. Fluid from the syr-up outlet and the carbonated water outlet passes into the mixing -bowl and is well mixed before passing through the outlet 4162 into a glass.

A common operating handle 165 operates Iboth syrup and carbonated water valve pistons. The handle 165 is pivoted at 166 about two spring biased pins 167. The handle 165 has a turned up tiange 165 extending the width of the handle, so that when the handle is pivoted in the direction of the arrow about the pins 167, the ange 168 will force the valve pistons 103` and 128 toward the rear of the valve housing, for a dispensing operation in the manner before described.

It will be observed that inthe present arrangement the valve housing `85 `is located entirely beneath the housing walls, and has its openings communicating only with theV cold plate 43. Thus, boring through housing is eliminated.

In operation, the syrup container 711 is filled with syrup and the housing around the containers is -lled with crushed ice or ice cubes. Carbonated water is made available to the inlet 121 of the coil 120i.

The float arrangement '76 of the syrup container 7u assures that a predetermined head of syrup will beprovided above the container spout 75.

When the handle 165 is pivoted about the pins 167 the ange 16S forces the Valve pistons 103 and 1218 rearwardly in the housing -to cause both the syrup and the carbonated water to be delivered to the mixing bowl 161 as before explained. The mixture of syrup and carbonated water then passes through the outlet 162 in the mixing bowl 161 to a glass held beneath .the mixing bowl.

FIGURES 17 through 20 illustrate a modification of the invention which may be employed for a diierent housing arrangement. The essential elements and operation of the modification are the same as has been described for FIGURES 1 'through 16.

In this modification the housing 25u has a cold-plate 201 which is flatter than the cold-plate previously described. The syrup container 292 has its outlet spout 253 protruding through the cold-plate 201.

The valve box 2M has the geeneral shape illustrated in FIGURES 17, 18 and 20. This may be compared to the valve box or housing S5 shown in FIGURES 9, l0, 14 and l5. For the syrup sid-e there is threaded into the syrup end of the valve box a communicating tube 2115, having suitable `G-ring sealing Kmeans 2.56 and 267. The communicating .tube 255 has a passage 2113 through it which communicates with the syrup spout 2133 by means of a chamber 209' formed in an insert 210 in the coldplate 201.

The housing 2114 has two chambers or bores 211 and 212. In the chamber 211 is a piston 213, spring urged by a compression spring 214 in the manner already described for the previous modification, which upon being forced to the right by the operating handle 215 will unaloof/1e i. seat the sealing ring 216, thereby permitting syrup to flow past the valve.

There is an oriiice disc 217 having a small oriice 21.8 through which the syrup must pass before reaching the mixing bowl 219. The critica. disc is held .to the valve box 264 by a threaded retaim'ng cap 223, having a large hole 221 in it, secured to a threaded extensio-nZZ at the bottom of the valve box 264.

The water valve has 'the `same basic elements as that of the rst modification. There is a piston 223 reciprocable in the chamber 212 for introducing carbouatedwater to the stream straightener 224. (The stream straightener 223 is similar to that shown in FGURE 13 and described infra.) The stream straightener 224 is held .toV the valve box 2134 by a retainer 225 threaded onto a projection 26 beneath the valve box 264.

There is a tubular communicating connection 227 between the chamber 22d and the Water source '2255. il e inner end 229 of the communicating means 227 has a Hayes Diaphram assembly 239, which is schematically illustrated at F-GURE 19 and which of itself is not a part of fthe present invention. The Hayes Diaphragm is ernployed to maintain a constant Water pressure to the valve 222%, regardless of varying pressures at :the water source.

It will be observed that the essential difference between the two modifications of .the invention described is that the valve arrangement of the modification of FGURES 17 through 2O is located entirely forward of lthe housing, whereas the valve and nozzle arrangement of the first described embodiment is located partially beneath the housing and container.

Various changes and modication-S may be made within the process of this invention as :will be readily apparent to those skilled in 'the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as delined by :the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. AA beverage dispenser comprising a housing having a cast licor, a front wall and side walls attached to the loor; a syrup source; passage means opening into the casting and connected to the syrup source for passage of syrup Ithrough the casting; a -Water source; passage means opening into the casting and connected for passage of walter through the casting; the syrup and water passages having openings next to one another adjacent the front end of the floor and a discharge nozzle connected into the casting below the front wall, the discharge nozzle `having ports in its rearward side for connecting to open- Cit 2. In a beverage dis, e ser having means for dispensing syrup into a mixing bowl at a constant iiow rate for successive drinks: la carbonated Water'source; a valve between said source and the mixing bowl; a stream streig tener between the valve and the mixing bowl; said valve, when opened, admitting water from said source through said stream straightener; said stream straightener having a Vfirst tube through which .the water first ilows and a second tube angularly communicating with the first tube for changing the path of flow of the water as it leaves the iirst tube, a skirt below the second tube onto which water passing from the second tube falls; the axis of the `second tube being substantially perpendicular to the direction of `llow o Water past the skirt; and means for restricting the flow of Water past the skirt.

3. A stream straightener for a carbonated beverage dispenser; said stream straightener being connected to a arbonuted liquid source; said stream straightener comprising ya small passage for directing the flow of liquid in one direction and opening into another passage for directing the low of huid in a second direction; said second passage opening above a skirt por-tion of inverted frustoconical shape, the lower periphery of which cooperates with a cylindrical surface to define a restricted annular opening, the inner edge of lthe surface of the skirt portion being positioned immediately below the second passage opening with the outer edge of the skirt portion positioned below and outward of the inner edge and below the restricted annular opening, the axis of the second passage being at substantially right angles to the direction of iluid ilow past the skint, Ithe cylindrical surface extending upwardly from the restricted opening to a point opposite the second passage opening in the path of fluid from the second passage.

4. The stream straightener of claim 3 wherein `the orifrees andthe skirt portion are replaceable within the cylindrical surface' to Vpermit modification of the stream straightener characteristics.

References @Cited in the rile of this patent UNiTiD STATES PATENTS Canada Oct. 23, 1956

Claims

1. A BEVERAGE DISPENSER COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A CAST FLOOR, A FRONT WALL AND SIDE WALLS ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR; A SYRUP SOURCE; PASSAGE MEANS OPENING INTO THE CASTING AND CONNECTED TO THE SYRUP SOURCE FOR PASSAGE OF SYRUP THROUGH THE CASTING; A WATER SOURCE; PASSAGE MEANS OPENING INTO THE CASING AND CONNECTED FOR PASSAGE OF WATER THROUGH THE CASTING; THE SYRUP AND WATER PASSAGES HAVING OPENINGS NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER ADJACENT THE FRONT END OF THE FLOOR AND A DISCHARGE NOZZLE CONNECTED INTO THE CASTING BELOW THE FRONT WALL, THE DISCHARGE NOZZLE HAVING PORTS IN ITS REARWARD SIDE FOR CONNECTING TO OPENINGS IN THE SYRUP PASSAGE MEANS AND THE WATER SOURCE PASSAGE MEANS; THE DISCHARGE NOZZLE HAVING AN OUTLET THROUGH ITS LOWER SIDE AND HAVING PASSAGES THROUGH IT FOR COMMUNICATING THE PORTS WITH THE OUTLET; VALVE MEANS IN EACH PASSAGE AND A LEVER FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THE VALVE MEANS; THE LEVER BEING POSITIONED FORWARDLY OF THE FRONT SIDE OF THE HOUSING.