US3112114A - Sealing gasket for beverage dispensers - Google Patents

Sealing gasket for beverage dispensers Download PDF

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Publication number
US3112114A
US3112114A US59096A US5909660A US3112114A US 3112114 A US3112114 A US 3112114A US 59096 A US59096 A US 59096A US 5909660 A US5909660 A US 5909660A US 3112114 A US3112114 A US 3112114A
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United States
Prior art keywords
gasket
tank
flange
opening
body portion
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Expired - Lifetime
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US59096A
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William H Jacobs
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Individual
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Priority to US59096A priority Critical patent/US3112114A/en
Priority to GB9355/61A priority patent/GB932176A/en
Priority to DEJ19737A priority patent/DE1132463B/en
Priority to DEJ9525U priority patent/DE1873028U/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3112114A publication Critical patent/US3112114A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
    • F25D31/002—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0009—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with cooling arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/02—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces
    • F16J15/021—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing
    • F16J15/022—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing characterised by structure or material
    • F16J15/024—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing characterised by structure or material the packing being locally weakened in order to increase elasticity
    • F16J15/025—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing characterised by structure or material the packing being locally weakened in order to increase elasticity and with at least one flexible lip

Definitions

  • This invention relates to beverage dispensers of the type having a removable storage tank and a refrigerating element extending through an opening in the tank, and pertains more particularly to means for forming a liquidtight seal between the bowl and the refrigerating element.
  • Beverage dispensers of the general type here described include a stand, on which a refrigerating element is mounted, and a storage tank, having an opening to receive the refrigerating element, removably mounted on the stand.
  • the tank ordinarily has a dispensing valve for drawing off portions of the beverage from the tank, and may also be equipped with a circulating or agitating device.
  • Such dispensers are used in soda fountains, restaurants, and similar establishments.
  • the tank is removable to permit cleaning.
  • Some means is required for forming a liquidtight seal between the refrigerating element and the tank when the latter is in place on the stand. This seal is commonly provided by a gasket cemented or mechanically attached to the bowl.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a beverage dispenser employing a gasket constructed according to the invention, certain parts in the region of the gasket being shown in cross-section;
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view, somewhat enlarged, of the gasket as it appears when not installed;
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of the gasket taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
  • MG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section showing the gasket installed on the refrigerating element.
  • PEG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of the gasket with the tank installed.
  • the dispenser is mounted on a. stand 14) which houses the compressor and other equipment necessary for refrigeration and the drive for the circulating device. As these elements are not a part of the present invention they are not shown in detail.
  • the refrigerating element ill in the form of a cylindrical heat-conductive jacket containing coils for circulation of refrigerant, is mounted on the stand and projects upward from a drip pan 12 which forms the top wall of the stand.
  • the removable storage tank 13 is supported on the drip pan and has a circular opening in its bottom wall 13a through which the refrigerating element extends.
  • the sealing gasket generally indicated by the numeral '14, is disposed around the refrigerating element between the element and the edges of the circular opening in the bottom wall of the tank.
  • the dispenser also has an agitating or circulating pump l5, driven through a magnetic coupling by a suitable drive element in the stand.
  • the pump circulates liquid up "ice through a standpipe 16.
  • the tank also has a dispensing valve 17 for drawing off portions of beverage from time to time.
  • These parts may be constructed as described in my copending application Serial No. 48,036, filed August 8, 1960.
  • the tank has a cover 18.
  • the gasket 14 is made in one piece, of soft rubber or similar material, and has a generally tubular body portion 29, an inwardly extending flange 21, and an outwardly extending flange 22.
  • the body has a thickened portion Ztl'a on its upper inside part, and has a number of circumferential fins 23 around the outside.
  • Flange 21 has an upwardly projecting bead 24 around its inner rim
  • flange 22 has an upwardly projecting outer rim 25.
  • the inside diameter of body portion 20 is somewhat smaller than the outside diameter of the refrigerating element 11, and the inside diameter of flange 21 is still smaller.
  • this flange may project inwardly about a quarter of an inch from the body in the unstressed condition of the gasket.
  • the gasket is installed by pushing it down over the top of the refrigerating element. As this is done, flange 21 is stretched and bent upward, as indicated by the dotted outline 26 in FIG. 3. Body portion 24 ⁇ is also stretched, causing flange 22 to bend downward, as indicated by the dotted outline 27 in FIG. 3. When the gasket is in its final position, around the bottom part of the refrigerating element, it appears as shown in FIG. 4. Portion 20a is compressed by the element and forms a tight seal.
  • Flange 21 also embraces the element tightly, especially in the region of reinforcing rib 24. A liquid-tight seal is thus formed between the gasket and the refrigerating element.
  • the tank 13 is installed by lowering over the refrigerating element and pressing it down around flange 22 of the gasket.
  • the proportions of the gasket are such that its overall thickness when flange 22 is bent down and engaging fins 23, is greater than the spacing between the refrigerating element and the surrounding edge of wall 13a of the tank.
  • the tank is pressed down on to rim 25, which lies horizontal in its final position.
  • the resulting compression of fins 23 forces flange 22 tightly against the adjacent edge of wall 13a forming a liquid-tight seal when the tank is in place.
  • fins 23 are free to bend as well as yield to compression, it is easier to slide the tank on and off a gasket of this construction than it would be in the case of a solid gasket of comparable thickness.
  • the tank When the dispenser is to be cleaned, the tank is removed first, then the gasket is removed from the refrigerating element.
  • the gasket when removed, springs back to its original shape, leaving all its surfaces accessible for cleaning.
  • the portions of the tank and refrigerating element which engage the gasket are entirely exposed so that they may be thoroughly cleaned. There are no inaccessible joints or crevices.
  • This gasket construction eliminates the complicated moldings sometimes used around the tank opening. A simple flat rim around the opening is adequate for forming the seal.
  • a beverage dispenser the combination of a generally cylindrical refrigeration element, a removable tank having an opening through which said element extends, and an elastic sealing gasket surrounding said element and removably engaged with said element and tank; said gasket comprising a tubular body portion having an upper end and a first and a second flange extending from said upper end, said first flange extending axially upward and embracing said element, and said second flange extending downward around said body portion and through 3 said opening and engaging said tank, said first flange in the unassembled state of the gasket being adapted to extend inward to a diameter smaller than that of said cicment and said second flange being adapted to extend outward.
  • said body portion having at least one external circumferential fin spaced downward from the upper end of said body portion engaging said second flange.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)

Description

Nov. 26, 1963 w. H. JACOBS SEALING GASKET FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 28. 1960 W. H. JACOBS SEALING GASKET FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSERS Nov. 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1960 W y flifna nqy United States Patent 3,112,114 SEAUNG GASKET FGR BEVERAGE DISPENSERS William H. Jacobs, Brookline, Mass. (195 Bear Hill Road, Waltham 54, Mass.) Filed Sept. 28, 19-50, Ser. No. 59,096 3 Claims. (Cl. 277-205) This invention relates to beverage dispensers of the type having a removable storage tank and a refrigerating element extending through an opening in the tank, and pertains more particularly to means for forming a liquidtight seal between the bowl and the refrigerating element.
Beverage dispensers of the general type here described include a stand, on which a refrigerating element is mounted, and a storage tank, having an opening to receive the refrigerating element, removably mounted on the stand. The tank ordinarily has a dispensing valve for drawing off portions of the beverage from the tank, and may also be equipped with a circulating or agitating device. Such dispensers are used in soda fountains, restaurants, and similar establishments. The tank is removable to permit cleaning. Some means is required for forming a liquidtight seal between the refrigerating element and the tank when the latter is in place on the stand. This seal is commonly provided by a gasket cemented or mechanically attached to the bowl.
The principal of this invention is to provide a gasket which will effectively seal the junction between the tank and the refrigerating element in a beverage dispenser of the type here described. Another object is to provide a gasket which requires no cement or complicated mechanical attaching means and which may be readily separated from both the tank and the refrigerating element. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description.
in the drawings illustrating the invention:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a beverage dispenser employing a gasket constructed according to the invention, certain parts in the region of the gasket being shown in cross-section;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view, somewhat enlarged, of the gasket as it appears when not installed;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of the gasket taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
MG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section showing the gasket installed on the refrigerating element; and
PEG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section of the gasket with the tank installed.
The dispenser is mounted on a. stand 14) which houses the compressor and other equipment necessary for refrigeration and the drive for the circulating device. As these elements are not a part of the present invention they are not shown in detail. The refrigerating element ill, in the form of a cylindrical heat-conductive jacket containing coils for circulation of refrigerant, is mounted on the stand and projects upward from a drip pan 12 which forms the top wall of the stand. The removable storage tank 13 is supported on the drip pan and has a circular opening in its bottom wall 13a through which the refrigerating element extends. The sealing gasket, generally indicated by the numeral '14, is disposed around the refrigerating element between the element and the edges of the circular opening in the bottom wall of the tank.
The dispenser also has an agitating or circulating pump l5, driven through a magnetic coupling by a suitable drive element in the stand. The pump circulates liquid up "ice through a standpipe 16. The tank also has a dispensing valve 17 for drawing off portions of beverage from time to time. These parts may be constructed as described in my copending application Serial No. 48,036, filed August 8, 1960. The tank has a cover 18.
The gasket 14 is made in one piece, of soft rubber or similar material, and has a generally tubular body portion 29, an inwardly extending flange 21, and an outwardly extending flange 22. The body has a thickened portion Ztl'a on its upper inside part, and has a number of circumferential fins 23 around the outside. Flange 21 has an upwardly projecting bead 24 around its inner rim, and flange 22 has an upwardly projecting outer rim 25.
The inside diameter of body portion 20 is somewhat smaller than the outside diameter of the refrigerating element 11, and the inside diameter of flange 21 is still smaller. For example, this flange may project inwardly about a quarter of an inch from the body in the unstressed condition of the gasket. The gasket is installed by pushing it down over the top of the refrigerating element. As this is done, flange 21 is stretched and bent upward, as indicated by the dotted outline 26 in FIG. 3. Body portion 24} is also stretched, causing flange 22 to bend downward, as indicated by the dotted outline 27 in FIG. 3. When the gasket is in its final position, around the bottom part of the refrigerating element, it appears as shown in FIG. 4. Portion 20a is compressed by the element and forms a tight seal. Flange 21 also embraces the element tightly, especially in the region of reinforcing rib 24. A liquid-tight seal is thus formed between the gasket and the refrigerating element.
The tank 13 is installed by lowering over the refrigerating element and pressing it down around flange 22 of the gasket. The proportions of the gasket are such that its overall thickness when flange 22 is bent down and engaging fins 23, is greater than the spacing between the refrigerating element and the surrounding edge of wall 13a of the tank. The tank is pressed down on to rim 25, which lies horizontal in its final position. The resulting compression of fins 23 forces flange 22 tightly against the adjacent edge of wall 13a forming a liquid-tight seal when the tank is in place. However, because fins 23 are free to bend as well as yield to compression, it is easier to slide the tank on and off a gasket of this construction than it would be in the case of a solid gasket of comparable thickness.
When the dispenser is to be cleaned, the tank is removed first, then the gasket is removed from the refrigerating element. The gasket, when removed, springs back to its original shape, leaving all its surfaces accessible for cleaning. The portions of the tank and refrigerating element which engage the gasket are entirely exposed so that they may be thoroughly cleaned. There are no inaccessible joints or crevices.
This gasket construction eliminates the complicated moldings sometimes used around the tank opening. A simple flat rim around the opening is adequate for forming the seal.
What is claimed:
1. In a beverage dispenser: the combination of a generally cylindrical refrigeration element, a removable tank having an opening through which said element extends, and an elastic sealing gasket surrounding said element and removably engaged with said element and tank; said gasket comprising a tubular body portion having an upper end and a first and a second flange extending from said upper end, said first flange extending axially upward and embracing said element, and said second flange extending downward around said body portion and through 3 said opening and engaging said tank, said first flange in the unassembled state of the gasket being adapted to extend inward to a diameter smaller than that of said cicment and said second flange being adapted to extend outward.
2. The combination described in claim 1, said body portion having at least one external circumferential fin spaced downward from the upper end of said body portion engaging said second flange.
3. The combination described in claim 1, said second flange having a lip underlying said tank around said opening.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Pen-0w July 24, l95l

Claims (1)

1. IN A BEVERAGE DISPENSER: THE COMBINATION OF A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL REFRIGERATION ELEMENT, A REMOVABLE TANK HAVING AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH SAID ELEMENT EXTENDS, AND AN ELASTIC SEALING GASKET SURROUNDING SAID ELEMENT AND REMOVABLY ENGAGED WITH SAID ELEMENT AND TANK; SAID GASKET COMPRISING A TUBULAR BODY PORTION HAVING AN UPPER END AND A FIRST AND A SECOND FLANGE EXTENDING FROM SAID UPPER END, SAID FIRST FLANGE EXTENDING AXIALLY UPWARD AND EMBRACING SAID ELEMENT, AND SAID SECOND FLANGE EXTENDING DOWNWARD AROUND SAID BODY PORTION AND THROUGH SAID OPENING AND ENGAGING SAID TANK, SAID FIRST FLANGE IN THE UNASSEMBLED STATE OF THE GASKET BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND INWARD TO A DIAMETER SMALLER THAN THAT OF SAID ELEMENT AND SAID SECOND FLANGE BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND OUTWARD.
US59096A 1960-09-28 1960-09-28 Sealing gasket for beverage dispensers Expired - Lifetime US3112114A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59096A US3112114A (en) 1960-09-28 1960-09-28 Sealing gasket for beverage dispensers
GB9355/61A GB932176A (en) 1960-09-28 1961-03-14 Improvements in sealing gasket for beverage dispensers
DEJ19737A DE1132463B (en) 1960-09-28 1961-04-12 Seal for beverage dispensing devices
DEJ9525U DE1873028U (en) 1960-09-28 1961-04-12 SEAL FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSING DEVICES.

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US59096A US3112114A (en) 1960-09-28 1960-09-28 Sealing gasket for beverage dispensers

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3339934A (en) * 1965-02-23 1967-09-05 Jet Spray Cooler Inc Sealing grommet
US4933205A (en) * 1987-10-09 1990-06-12 Duley Walter W Laser etching of foam substrate
US4972061A (en) * 1987-12-17 1990-11-20 Duley Walter W Laser surface treatment
EP0535211A1 (en) * 1991-04-22 1993-04-07 Ebtech Inc Bottled water station with removable reservoir.
EP0619798A1 (en) * 1992-10-01 1994-10-19 Ebtech, Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir
US5390826A (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-02-21 Ebtech, Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir and manifolded support platform
FR2730542A1 (en) * 1995-02-10 1996-08-14 Gessil Extruded joint from viscous=elastic material for sealing on car bodywork
US20150351589A1 (en) * 2011-05-16 2015-12-10 Vita-Mix Management Corporation Blender base

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1235761B (en) * 1965-02-23 1967-03-02 Jet Spray Cooler Inc Beverage dispenser and sealing ring for beverage dispenser

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2561884A (en) * 1946-06-19 1951-07-24 Warren C Perrow Pipe joint
US2937065A (en) * 1956-01-09 1960-05-17 Zelma D Harza Water stop

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2561884A (en) * 1946-06-19 1951-07-24 Warren C Perrow Pipe joint
US2937065A (en) * 1956-01-09 1960-05-17 Zelma D Harza Water stop

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3339934A (en) * 1965-02-23 1967-09-05 Jet Spray Cooler Inc Sealing grommet
US4933205A (en) * 1987-10-09 1990-06-12 Duley Walter W Laser etching of foam substrate
US4972061A (en) * 1987-12-17 1990-11-20 Duley Walter W Laser surface treatment
EP0535211A1 (en) * 1991-04-22 1993-04-07 Ebtech Inc Bottled water station with removable reservoir.
EP0535211A4 (en) * 1991-04-22 1993-09-08 Ebtech, Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir
EP0619798A1 (en) * 1992-10-01 1994-10-19 Ebtech, Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir
EP0619798A4 (en) * 1992-10-01 1996-04-10 Ebtech Inc Bottled water station with removable reservoir.
US5390826A (en) * 1994-02-28 1995-02-21 Ebtech, Inc. Bottled water station with removable reservoir and manifolded support platform
FR2730542A1 (en) * 1995-02-10 1996-08-14 Gessil Extruded joint from viscous=elastic material for sealing on car bodywork
US20150351589A1 (en) * 2011-05-16 2015-12-10 Vita-Mix Management Corporation Blender base
US9844302B2 (en) * 2011-05-16 2017-12-19 Vita-Mix Management Corporation Blender base

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Publication number Publication date
DE1873028U (en) 1963-05-30
GB932176A (en) 1963-07-24
DE1132463B (en) 1962-06-28

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