US3691787A

US3691787A - Beverage fountain

Info

Publication number: US3691787A
Application number: US102708A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred W Kaufmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-30
Filing date: 1970-12-30
Publication date: 1972-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 1989-09-19

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an improved beverage fountain including a hollow pedestal, a bowl supported on the pedestal and an elevated receptacle supported above the bowl for discharging a beverage into the bowl. A motor-pump combination is mounted within the hollow pedestal, and the pump is connected to receive liquid from the bowl for pumping it into the elevated receptacle. A vertically disposed sleeve extends upwardly from the bowl for supporting the receptacle at its upper end, and the sleeve has a plurality of openings in its lower portion for allowing the flow of liquid from the bowl into the sleeve. A coolant cartridge or jar is mounted within the sleeve for cooling the liquid therewithin, whereby the resultant beverage fountain recycles the cooled beverage from the bowl to the elevated receptacle in a sanitary manner, wherein the beverage comes in contact only with the internal portions of the pump, the coolant cartridge, and the beverage receiving bowl and elevated receptacle.

Description

United States Patent 151 3,691,787 Kaufmann [4 1 Sept. 19, 1972 [54] BEVERAGE FOUNTAIN Primary Examiner-William J. Wye f [72] Inventor i zf m fig gg f 2,3 Ocean Attorney-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel .l. Lobato [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 102,708

Disclosed herein is an improved beverage fountain including a hollow pedestal, a bowl supported on the pedestal and an elevated receptacle supported above [52] Us. 6 20 3 1 2 27 he bowl for discharging a beverage into the bowl. A [51] Int Cl B67d 5/62 motor-pump combination is mounted within the hol- [58] Field of Search ..62/3l0 389 392 400- 239/17 P P and the Pump receive 7 99/38 liquid from the bowl for pumping it into the elevated receptacle. A vertically disposed sleeve extends upwardly from the bowl for supporting the receptacle at [56] References and its upper end, and the sleeve has a plurality of UNITED STATES PATENTS opennfgs in it; lctzwerl P011123 for allowilig thel flow of lqui tom 1: e ow Into e s eeve. coo ant car- 54,494 5/1966 Bonham ..239/22 tridge or jar is mounted within the Sleeve for cooling 1,020,569 3/1922 Needham ..239/23 the liquid therewithin whereby the resultant beverage 1,628,853 5/1927 Lornax ..222/146 fountain recycles the cooled beverage from the bowl 1,654,841 1/1928 Smith ..222/113 to the elevated receptacle in a Sanitary manner, 2,123,892 7/1938 Grady ..239/23 h i the beverage comes i Contact y with the 2,860,916 11/1958 Hynkon ..239/23 internal portions of the pump the coolant cartridge,

and the beverage receiving bowl and elevated receptam1 1 3,071,326 1/1963 Benak ..239/20 C e 2,490,694 1] 1970 Ashby ..239/18 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures i6 it: 1 Z /7 i4 5! A? 4r 60 7 66 5i v 54 24' 76 a N A 45 26 /Z ''r 2:: :Z' I! I I" I Z L j 113, [If lZZQ: :1"

i2 3 nn 3 4X o o o PATENTEUSEP 19 I912 3.691, 787

Illlll I'I'l IIIIIIIIIIIIP' 567 BEVERAGE FOUNTAIN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of beverage fountains are known in the art, but a common problem has been recognized with respect to such fountains in that their construction gives rise to a potential health hazard. This hazard may be caused, for example, by elements such as a motor or pump having external surfaces which come in contact with the beverage, which elements are often difficult to clean before and after the use of the beverage fountain.

Certain problems have also been recognized in the cooling of the beverage while it is being recycled within the fountain, as for example the dilution of the beverage caused by ice deposited therein, or the unsightliness of other cooling means which may be deposited in open view in the bowl of the device. Furthermore, when the motor is disposed so that the beverage contacts the outer surfaces of the motor, heat generated by the operation of the motor acts in opposition to the cooling medium thereby decreasing the efficiency of the fountain.

A principle object of this invention is to provide a beverage fountain assembly which overcomes these various drawbacks, while providing an esthetically attractive device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, there is provided a beverage fountain assembly having a hollow base or pedestal for housing a motor-pump combination, a bowl supported on the pedestal, a cylindrical enclosure extending vertically upward from the bottom of the bowl and surrounding an opening in the bowl which communicates with an intake port of the pump, and an elevated fountainhead in the form of a beverage receptacle having a conduit coupled to an outlet port of the pump for carrying the beverage, received into the pump from the bowl, upwardly into the receptacle. The elevated receptacle has openings therein which permit the liquid to fall back into the bowl so that it is continuously recycled by the pump. A cooling cartridge, comprising a container of frozen liquid, is supported within the enclosure, and the bottom of the enclosure has a plurality of openings therein permitting the liquid from the bowl to enter the enclosure where it is cooled by the cartridge. Thus, this preferred embodiment of the invention provides structure which is both esthetically desirable and functionally advantageous, and which provides a highly sanitary device in that the beverage does not come in contact with the outer surfaces of the motor-pump combination, whereby the beverage is not subjected to the heat generated within the motor, and wherein the cooling means is hidden within the enclosure extending upwardly from the bowl, said cooling means being easy to clean.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention. In such drawing:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a beverage fountain embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A beverage fountain 10 embodying the invention, as shown in the drawing, includes a container or bowl 12 supported on a hollow pedestal 14, a sleeve 16 mounted in the bottom of the bowl l2 and extending upwardly therefrom, the upper end of the sleeve defining a shoulder 17, an intermediate receptacle l8 sup ported on the shoulder 17 of the sleeve 16, and an upper beverage receptacle 20 supported on the intermediate receptacle 18. The pedestal 14 has an upper surface 22 which conforms in shape to a portion 24 of the lower surface of the bowl 12 to provide a strong support for the bowl. The bowl and pedestal are fastened together by nut and bolt combinations 26, which pass through their

engaging surfaces

24 and 22 and are sealed by washers 27, and which also serve to mount a vertical frame 28 to the bottom of the bowl and within the sleeve 16, said frame comprising a plurality of metal strips having their upper ends joined together, and having horizontally directed tabs 29 at their lower ends for receiving the nut and bolt combinations 26. A horizontally disposed support frame 30 is mounted to the lower ends of the upwardly extending strips of the frame 28 for supporting a coolant cartridge or jar 32 which rests on the support frame 30 between the upwardly extending strips of the frame 28 and within the sleeve 16. The jar has a removable cover as shown.

A plurality of openings 34 are provided in the lower end of the sleeve 16 for allowing the flow of beverage 36 from the bowl into the sleeve 16. Thus, the beverage within the sleeve seeks the same level as the beverage within the bowl, and comes into contact with the coolant jar or cartridge 32 which maintains the beverage at the desired temperature. The cartridge 32 comprises a covered container or jar for holding a quantity of ice or other cooling medium and is removable from the fountain for being cleaned or recharged. Preferably, the jar is made of an FDA approved material for reuse with foodstuffs, and comprises an easily cleaned polyethylene plastic.

A motor-pump combination including an electric motor 37 and a pump 38 are housed within the hollow pedestal 14 for pumping liquid from the bowl to the upper receptacle 20, and the pedestal has a plurality of openings 39 in its lower portion for allowing air to circulate within the pedestal to dissipate heat generated by the motor. The pump 38 has an intake port having an externally threaded conduit 40 which passes through aligned openings in the upper portion 22 of the pedestal l4 and the lower portion 24 of the bowl 12. A pair of nuts 42 are threadably received on the conduit 40, said nuts being tightened against a pair of washers 44, so that the conduit 40 is sealably fastened to the bowl and pedestal for allowing a flow of cooled beverage from the bowl into the pump 38. Thus, the pump 38 is suspended by the conduit 40, and the motor 37 is, in turn, suspended by the pump. The pump 38 is provided with an outlet port 46 connected to a rigid conduit 48 which passes through a sealed opening in the pedestal and

bowl portions

22 and 24, said opening being sealed by nuts 47 and washers 49, and said conduit 48 extending upwardly through the sleeve 16 alongside the cooling cartridge 32. A flexible conduit 50 is connected between rigid conduit 48 and a coupling conduit 52 which is fixed to the upper end of the frame 28. The upper end of the coupling conduit 52 is provided with external threads for threadably receiving a nut 54 which is sealably fixed to an opening in the lower portion of the upper receptacle 20, so that the beverage received into the pump through the conduit 40 is pumped upwardly into the upper receptacle 20.

The upper receptacle is provided with a plurality of openings 56, thereby functioning as a fountainhead discharging the beverage downwardly into the intermediate receptacle 18. Similarly, the intermediate receptacle 18 has a plurality of openings 58 having conduits 60 connected thereto for discharging the beverage back into the bowl. Thus, when the motor 37 is energized to drive the pump, the cooled beverage surrounding the cartridge 32 is continuously recycled through the fountain and the beverage can be withdrawn by merely holding a cup under one of the discharge conduits 60.

The intermediate receptacle 18 is provided with a downwardly projecting peripheral flange 66 through which the conduits 60 extend for discharging the beverage, and within which is mounted a plurality of light bulbs 68 for illuminating the fountain and indirectly lighting the bowl portion thereof. The electrical wiring 70 for the light bulbs 68 passes through an opening 72 in the sleeve 16, said opening being hidden from view by the flange 66. An electrical plug and receptacle assembly 74 is provided in the upper portion of the sleeve 16, and the electrical wiring from the receptacle is coupled downwardly through a liquid impervious conduit 76 which is sealed at 78 to an opening in the

portions

22 and 24 of the pedestal and bowl. The electrical wiring is coupled from the conduit downwardly through the pedestal 14 to a switch 80 which is actuable externally of the pedestal 14 for turning the lights ON or OFF.

In order to disassemble the fountain for cleaning purposes, or for recharging the cartridge 32, it is necessary merelyto unscrew the upper receptacle 20 from its threadable connection to the conduit 52, whereupon the intermediate receptacle 18 can be lifted off the shoulder 17 of the sleeve 16, and whereupon the sleeve 16 can be raised away from the frame 28, thereby exposing the cartridge 32 for replacement. As shown in FIG. 2, when the fountain is assembled, the lower end of the sleeve 16 merely rests in the bottom of the bowl 12, and is provided with an internally indented portion 82 for cooperation with studs 84, which project from the frame 28. Then, at the upper end of the fountain, the upper receptacle 20, when threadably received on the conduit 52, exerts a downward force on the intermediate receptacle 18, which in turn, exerts a downward force on the shoulder 17 of the sleeve 16, thereby holding it securely in place.

Thus, it can be seen that the combination described herein provides a beverage fountain having highly desireable aesthetic qualities, and providing a structure wherein all of the component parts which come into contact with the beverage can be easily cleaned, thereby providing a sanitary structure. For example, the external surfaces of the pump and motor are removed from contact with the beverage, and a highly efficient cooling means is provided by the sealed coolant cartridge 32 which can be easily replaced or removed from the fountain for cleaning.

What I claim is:

1. In a beverage fountain assembly including a hollow base, a container supported on said base, and a fountainhead supported above said container for discharging a liquid into the container, the improvement comprising: a motor-pump combination mounted within said hollow base and externally of said container, said pump having an inlet port and an outlet port; means providing communication between said inlet port and the interior of said container for supplying said pump with a liquid disposed within said container; conduit means connected between said outlet port and fountainhead for carrying liquid from said pump to said fountainhead; an upstanding tubular sleeve having a lower portion disposed within the interior of said container, said sleeve extending upwardly out of said container and having a plurality of openings in said lower portion thereof for allowing a flow of liquid from said bowl into said sleeve; and said lower portion of said tubular sleeve defining enclosure means for removably receiving therein a jar containing a cooling medium for cooling the liquid in said sleeve, a jar having a removable cover for containing a cooling medium and removably disposed in said lower portion of said sleeve, said means providing communication between said inlet port and container being disposed in position for said pump to take suction from a volume of cooled liquid contained in said lower portion of said sleeve and cooled by the cooling medium.

2. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an intermediate beverage receptacle supported on an upper portion of said sleeve, and in which said fountainhead comprises an upper receptacle for receiving liquid from said conduit means, said upper and intermediate receptacles having openings therein disposed to discharge liquid downward into said intermediate receptacle and said container, respectively.

3. In a beverage fountain assembly including a hollow pedestal, a bowl supported on said pedestal, an elevated receptacle, and means supporting said receptacle above the bowl for discharging a liquid into the bowl, the improvement comprising: a motor-pump combination mounted within said hollow pedestal, said pump having an inlet port and an outlet port; means connecting said inlet port to said bowl for supplying said pump with a liquid disposed within said bowl; conduit means connected between said outlet port and said elevated receptacle for carrying liquid from said pump to said elevated receptacle; said means supporting said elevated receptacle comprising a vertically disposed tubular sleeve having a lower portion received within said bowl and in contact with a lower portion of said bowl, said sleeve having a plurality of openings in its lower portion for allowing a flow of liquid from said bowl into said sleeve; and cooling means comprising a jar with a removable cover for containing a cooling medium removably mounted within said lower portion of said tubular sleeve for cooling the liquid therewithin.

4. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 3, in which said jar for containing a cooling medium comprises an easily cleanable plastic material.

5. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 3, further comprising an intermediate receptacle, and means supporting said intermediate receptacle between said bowl and upper receptacle, said upper and intermediate receptacles having openings therein disposed to discharge liquid downward into said intermediate receptacle and said container, respectively.

6. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 5, in which said intermediate receptacle has a depending peripheral flange and further comprising a plurality of lights disposed within said peripheral flange for illuminating said fountain. I

7. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 5, in which said intermediate receptacle has a depending peripheral flange, and said intermediate receptacle openings are disposed above the lowermost portion of said flange, and further comprising a plurality of conduits connected to said intermediate receptacles at said openings therein, said plurality of conduits extending through said flange at an elevation below said intermediate receptacle openings for discharging liquid from said bowl.

8. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 5, in which said means for supporting said intermediate receptacle comprises a shoulder defined by an upper portion of said sleeve, and further comprising frame means extending upwardly within said sleeve and fixedly mounted to said bowl, horizontal support means fixed to said frame for supporting said jar, said intermediate receptacle defining a central opening for receiving said conduit means therethrough, said conduit means being fixed to said frame means at an upper end thereof, and threaded means on said conduit means and upper receptacle for cooperation to cause said upper receptacle to bear against said intermediate receptacle, thereby pressing said intermediate receptacle against said sleeve shoulder, and pressing said sleeve against said bowl. 7

Claims

6. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 5, in which said intermediate receptacle has a depending peripheral flange and further comprising a plurality of lights disposed within said peripheral flange for illuminating said fountain.

8. A beverage fountain as set forth in claim 5, in which said means for supporting said intermediate receptacle comprises a shoulder defined by an upper portion of said sleeve, and further comprising frame means extending upwardly within said sleeve and fixedly mounted to said bowl, horizontal support means fixed to said frame for supporting said jar, said intermediate receptacle defining a central opening for receiving said conduit means therethrough, said conduit means being fixed to said frame means at an upper end thereof, and threaded means on said conduit means and upper receptacle for cooperation to cause said upper receptacle to bear against said intermediate receptacle, thereby pressing said intermediate receptacle against said sleeve shoulder, and pressing said sleeve against said bowl.