WO2000011533A9 - Distributeur de boissons glacees ou refrigerees a melange et remplissage de poudre automatique - Google Patents

Distributeur de boissons glacees ou refrigerees a melange et remplissage de poudre automatique

Info

Publication number
WO2000011533A9
WO2000011533A9 PCT/US1999/018967 US9918967W WO0011533A9 WO 2000011533 A9 WO2000011533 A9 WO 2000011533A9 US 9918967 W US9918967 W US 9918967W WO 0011533 A9 WO0011533 A9 WO 0011533A9
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
powder
iced
dispenser
liquid
tank
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/018967
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2000011533A1 (fr
Inventor
David H Erlandsen
Original Assignee
Er Ls Technology Llc Dr
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Er Ls Technology Llc Dr filed Critical Er Ls Technology Llc Dr
Priority to AU57795/99A priority Critical patent/AU5779599A/en
Publication of WO2000011533A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000011533A1/fr
Publication of WO2000011533A9 publication Critical patent/WO2000011533A9/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/717—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
    • B01F35/71805—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using valves, gates, orifices or openings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
    • B01F33/81—Combinations of similar mixers, e.g. with rotary stirring devices in two or more receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/712—Feed mechanisms for feeding fluids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/717—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
    • B01F35/7173—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using gravity, e.g. from a hopper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/75—Discharge mechanisms
    • B01F35/754—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer
    • B01F35/75455—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer using a rotary discharge means, e.g. a screw beneath the receptacle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/80—Forming a predetermined ratio of the substances to be mixed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/80—Forming a predetermined ratio of the substances to be mixed
    • B01F35/83—Forming a predetermined ratio of the substances to be mixed by controlling the ratio of two or more flows, e.g. using flow sensing or flow controlling devices

Definitions

  • Machines for producing iced or refrigerated beverages with a pastv consistency such as granita. are known in the prior art Generally these machines are constructed with a transparent tank which holds the iced or refrigerated beverage The iced or refrigerated be ⁇ erage is formed and maintained in a pasty consistency through the combined action of a heat-exchange element and a rotating stirrei The tank is provided with a dispensing cock from which the iced or refrigerated beverage is drawn An example of such an iced beverage dispenser is disclosed in U S Patent No 4 900,158
  • the basic principle of operation of the conventional iced beverage dispensei entails the conversion of liquid ingredients into a finished iced beverage in the transparent tank
  • the liquid ingredients may come in either a premixed liquid, concentrate liquid, or a powdered form
  • Premixed liquid ingredients are often introduced for freezing in the tank because they can be poured directly
  • liquid ingredients are ⁇ ery expensiv e
  • liquid ingredients have high shipping and storage costs due to their heavy weight and large v olume Liquid ingredients can also be very messy as they are often spilled and are hard to clean up
  • the quality of iced or refrigerated beverage from premixed liquid, or concentrate liquid ingredient is often considered less desirable than that of freshly mixed powdered ingredients Further, shelf life of premixed liquid is generally short
  • Powdered ingredients are preferable because they produce better tasting drinks and powder is often less expensive, less costly to ship, easier and less messy to mix and dispense and have longer shelf life than premixed liquid Despite these advantages, howev er, powder ingredients suffer from several drawbacks Namel , powdered ingredients must be premixed with liquid before being placed into the iced beverage dispenser and this process can be messy cumbersome and time consuming
  • An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an iced or refrigerated beverage machine which satisfies this need.
  • a mixer for mixing powder with liquid to form a liquid mixture.
  • a dispenser converts the liquid mixture into an iced or refrigerated beverage.
  • a controller activates the mixer for mixing the powder with the liquid and delivery of the liquid mixture to the dispenser, preferably responsive to the level of the mixture in a tank of the dispenser.
  • the iced beverage machine has a dispenser with a freezer and stirrer for freezing the liquid mixture, a container for the liquid mixture and an inlet to the container for receipt of the liquid mixture.
  • a cabinet houses the mixer and controller adjacent to the dispenser.
  • the mixer, controller and dispenser may be made together as one unit.
  • the mixer is located above the inlet to the dispenser, and a flexible tube allows the liquid mixture to flow down from the mixer to the container inlet and into the dispenser.
  • a preferred embodiment of the mixer includes a powder holding bin having a discharge spout, an externally threaded auger for dispensing powder from the powder holding bin.
  • a valve selectively supplies liquid.
  • a whipping chamber receives and mixes the powder and the liquid, and provides the mixture to the dispenser.
  • a controller controls the dispensing of the powder from the powder holding bin, the valve, and the mixing of the powder with the liquid.
  • a preferred embodiment of the mixer also includes a low powder level detector, which detects when the powder level in the powder holding bin is low and then generates a bell, buzzer, flashing light or other alarm to notify the attendant that the powder level is low and needs refilling. Without such a detector, the dispenser would be refilled with liquid only (when the powder is empty), diluting the remainder of the liquid/powder mixture in the dispenser and possibly resulting in a frozen hard mass that could damage the dispenser.
  • a preferred embodiment of the dispenser includes a tank having a lower end with a generally, horizontally extending, cylindrical shape, a cooling element with a cylinder telescopically fit into the lower end of the tank, a first cylindrical screw propeller coaxially disposed in the cylinder, and a second cylindrical screw propeller coaxially wound external to said cylinder, each of the first and second screw propellers being rotatably coupled to a motor, and a dispensing cock connected to the tank.
  • a preferred embodiment of the controller includes a power source, a probe coupled to the power source and extending into the tank of the dispenser, and a current sensor for detecting current flow through the probe, the current sensor controlling the mixing of the powder with the liquid and the delivery of the liquid mixture to the dispenser as a function of such detected current flow.
  • FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention:
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a mixer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention:
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a controller in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a combination of an iced or refrigerated beverage dispenser with an automated dry powder and liquid mixer and filler for the dispenser.
  • the combination may be manufactured as one unit.
  • a level controller for regulating the mixing of dry powder and liquid and the flow of the mixed dry powder and liquid into the beverage dispenser adds functionality which allows the beverage dispenser and liquid mixer to work together to provide an improved quality iced or refrigerated beverage from dry powder which is an improvement over systems of the past. With this approach the benefits of dry powder ingredients can be achieved without the disadvantages previously experienced with conventional systems.
  • FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown with three iced or refrigerated beverage dispensers 10a, 10b, 10c having dispenser tanks 22a, 22b, 22c for individually storing and dispensing three different iced beverages.
  • each dispenser 10a, 10b. 10c is connected to a separate controller (not shown), and a separate dry powder and liquid mixing assembly (mixer) 12a, 12b, 12c in a mixer and control cabinet 9 containing the appropriate liquid mix.
  • the front of each mixer is aligned facing its corresponding dispenser.
  • This configuration provides an economic approach to dispensing iced beverage drinks in a retail environment.
  • the precise number of dispensers and accompanying controllers and mixers is not critical to the present invention, and those skilled in the an will readily recognize that any number of dispensers with accompanying controllers and mixers may be employed depending upon the particular application.
  • a valve 13a. 13b and 13c on the front of each dispenser 10a, 10b. and 10c. respectively. lets the frozen mixture flow by gravity to a glass or the like for consumer use.
  • the iced beverage dispenser 10a for converting a liquid mixture into an iced beverage is connected to an automated dry powder and liquid mixer 12a.
  • the mixer 12a blends dry soluble powder with a liquid and delivers the mixed liquid combination to the dispenser 10a.
  • the mixer can mix and dispense any number of powder drink formulas, preferably the dry powder is powdered coffee and the liquid is water.
  • the mixing of the dry powder and liquid and the delivery of the mixture is regulated by a level controller in the iced or refrigerated beverage dispenser with automatic powder mixer and filler (See FIGs. 1 and 2).
  • An exemplary embodiment of a level controller 14a is shown in FIG. 5.
  • the level controller 14a initiates the mixing function in and delivery of mixed dry powder and liquid by the mixer 12a when the quantity of beverage in the dispenser 10a falls below a predetermined level.
  • the initiation of the mixing function by the level controller 14a causes the mixer 12a to immediately both blend the dry soluble powder with liquid and dispense a suitable amount of the combined liquid mixture into the beverage dispenser 10a, enhancing quality of the beverage.
  • the advantage of this automated approach is that a fairly constant amount of iced beverage can be maintained in the dispenser 10a so as to prevent the iced beverage from being depleted, and thereby avoiding the long and unproductive down time necessary to bring to temperature an entire new load of the mixed liquid.
  • a main control panel 17 is located on the control cabinet 9 and includes an array of buttons.
  • two vertically arranged buttons are provided for each dispenser 10a. 10b and 10c.
  • One button 15a, 15b, and 15c for each dispenser allows a user to manually operate the corresponding mixer 12a, 12b and 12c to fill its respective dispenser 10a, 10b and 10c, and the other button 16a, 16b, and 16c for each dispenser enables the automated feature of the level controller for the corresponding dispenser.
  • An electrical connection 18 is provided from a power source 80 (FIG.5) for a probe 20a. 20b and 20c for each dispenser 10a. 10b and 10c respectively.
  • the electrical connections and the buttons may be located and arranged in several different ways as desired.
  • each probe 20 is clipped on the top of and extends within the corresponding dispenser tank 22a, 22b, and 22c to monitor the iced beverage level.
  • the probe can be provided with a plug to connect to the power source or can be hard-wired directly to the power source.
  • a liquid inlet line 24 for feeding a liquid, preferably water, into the mixer 12 and. may be extended to a washout system for the dispenser 10.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the mixer 12a.
  • the mixer 12a includes a storage bin 26 for storing the powder. At the forward end of the bin 26 is a spout 28. The spout 28 is connected to an elbow 30. Situated below the elbow 30 is a splash guard 32. Connected to the splash guard 32 and located below it is a mixing bowl 34. Attached to the mixing bowl 34 is the liquid inlet line 24. Below the mixing bowl 34 is a whipping chamber 38. Situated within the whipping chamber 38 is a whipper propeller/impeller 40. The whipper propeller/impeller 40 is attached to a motor 42. Connected to the bottom of the whipping chamber 38 is a preferably plastic flexible outflow tube 44 for connection to the dispenser tank 22.
  • An auger 46 is positioned near the bottom of the storage bin 26 and extends rearwardly across the bottom from the spout 28.
  • the auger 46 is attached to a motor 48 at the rearward end, and the discharge end of the auger rotates in the discharge spout 28.
  • an agitator wheel 50 which stirs the powder so that it falls freely onto the auger 46, is mounted in the bin 26 for rotation on a shaft 52.
  • the wheel 50 has radially projecting paddles or fins 54 extending from its periphery and laterally projecting paddles or fins
  • the radially projecting fins 54 are engaged by the screw auger 46 which acts as a worm to rotate the wheel 50 on its shaft 52.
  • the speed at which the auger 46 turns relative to the flow rate of the liquid ingredients controls the strength of the beverage. Assuming that the speed of the auger 46 is held constant, decreasing the flow rate of the liquid leads to a stronger beverage, and increasing the flow rate of the liquid leads to a weaker beverage. Likewise, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the flow rate of the liquid can be held constant, in which case the faster the auger turns, the stronger the beverage is and the slower the auger turns, the weaker the beverage is. It is possible to electronically control the strength of the beverage by controlling the auger speed, the liquid flow rate or both.
  • One way to adjust the flow of liquid is to provide the liquid inlet line 24 with a valve 74 to control flow, and a flow regulator 75 to adjust the flow rate of liquid to the mixer 12a (See FIG. 2).
  • the flow regulator is manually adjustable from outside the control cabinet.
  • a flexible, resilient tube 36 is connected between the valve 74 and the mixer.
  • the flow regulator 75 includes a sleeve 1 10 mounted on the tube 36 with a screw type pin 1 12 mounted in a threaded hole through the sleeve to engage the tube.
  • the screw type pin 112 is accessible from the exterior of the control cabinet 9 to pinch or close the tube in order to adjust the flow of liquid through the tube to the mixer.
  • the accessible water regulator allows for proper proportions of mixing ratios of water with powder, i.e., some powders need to be mixed at 5 grams per ounce of liquid others at 7 grams, and others at 3 grams. With this regulator accessible for adjustment a variation of products can be used giving the unit additional flexibility in the field.
  • the auger 46 pushes the powder through the spout 28 and into the elbow 30. Gravity causes the powder to fall from the elbow 30. through the splash guard 32, and into the mixing bowl 34.
  • the liquid enters the mixing bowl 34, through the liquid inlet line 24, from an external source (not shown).
  • the liquid source may be an additional mixer combining several liquid ingredients, a conventional water supply line, or other sources known in the art.
  • the splash guard 32 prevents any of the liquid in the mixing bowl 34 from getting up into the elbow 30 or the bin 26 and contaminating the remaining powder.
  • the liquid carries the powder down from the mixing bowl 34 into the whipping chamber 38. Once inside the whipping chamber 38, the whipper propeller 40 mixes the powder and the liquid.
  • a powder level sensor 120 is mounted to the control cabinet in close proximity to the storage bin 26 to detect a low powder level in the bin 26.
  • the sensor is a capacitive proximity switch that detects and senses the level of product (powder) in the bins. When the powder level drops below the switch, a signal is sent to sound a bell, a buzzer, flashing lights or other alarm 122. Preferably, the alarm remains activated until an attendant manually shuts off the mixer. Alternatively, the mixer can be shut down automatically, if desired.
  • the preferred capacitive proximity switch includes a sensitivity tuning screw to tune out, metal, plastic, etc., allowing the sensor to home in on whatever type of product is used, even a liquid.
  • Capacitive proximity switches of the type discussed above are available from Efector, Inc., a subsidiary of IFM Electronics, of Exton, Pennsylvania (for example, a capacitive switch - type Kl having a 15 mm range).
  • the switch is closed when the powder level drops below the sensor, which activates the alarm.
  • ultrasonic sensors that work on sounds and/or vibrations
  • photo electric or photo cell sensors which use a lite source, such as a laser, and a receiver, or a lite source and a reflector, or a proximity type photo sensor, where the lite source and receiver are on same side
  • weight sensitive devices such as spring loaded mechanisms or scales using piezo electric load cells, or scales using LVDT, i.e., a Linear Variable Deviation Transformer.
  • the dispenser 10a is used to chill, freeze, maintain and dispense the iced beverage.
  • the dispenser tank 22a is preferably a plastic transparent container to facilitate viewing of the iced beverage by consumers.
  • a cooling element 58 in the shape of a cylinder is set horizontally, from front to back, near the bottom of the tank 22a. Within the cooling element 58, is an internal screw propeller 60. On the outside of the cooling element 58 is an external screw propeller 62. The two propellers 60 and 62 are attached to a motor 64 that is mounted on a chassis 65 containing additional motor and heat exchanger components and control electronics (see also
  • the propellers 60 and 62 are threaded in opposite directions to circulate the beverage around the cooling element 58 and throughout the dispenser tank 22.
  • the thread on one of the two propellers will propel the fluid from front to rear and the other will propel the fluid from rear to front. This will lead to a circulatory pattern that maximizes the thermal efficiency of the dispenser 10a.
  • a dispensing cock At the front of each of the tanks 22a, 22b and 22c respectively a dispensing cock
  • 13a, 13b and 13c allows dispensing of the beverage.
  • An exemplary dispenser 10a is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,900.158. the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein. It is foreseeable that other cooling and dispensing systems could be used, such as one with only one propeller, or with a non-cylindrical cooling element, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate alternative constructions.
  • the controller 14a serves to initiate, coordinate and sequence the mixing of the dry powder and liquid and the dispensing of the mixture by the mixer 12a.
  • the controller 14a constantly monitors the level of the beverage in the dispenser tank 22 and when the level gets below the probe 20. powers up the mixer 12a to mix the powder and liquid and fill the dispenser tank 22 with the mixture to the appropriate level, touching the bottom of the probe.
  • FIG. 5 schematically depicts one embodiment of the liquid level controller 14a.
  • the controller 14a includes a liquid level control board 65 and the power source 80.
  • the power source output at line 4. which in turn is connected to a control circuit in the form of the liquid level control board 65, and is clipped to the tank 22 of the dispenser 10a and extends down to the level at which the beverage is desirably to be maintained.
  • the dispenser itself may be grounded.
  • a base sensor (not shown) in contact with the beverage in the bottom of the tank 22, maybe connected to a power source output 69 and grounded at the control board at line 5.
  • the cooling cylinder 58 or other metal parts in contact with the liquid beverage in the dispenser 10a are grounded, or a ground for the electric circuit driving the dispenser can be connected to the dispenser to ground the probe.
  • One suitable liquid level control board 65 that performs adequately is commercially available from SSAC. Inc., of P.O. Box 1000. Baldwinsville, NY 13027. as part of their LLC1 series, Liquid Level Control, Solid State, Single Probe, Fill Type.
  • An exemplary controller 14a is also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5.713.214. the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in full herein.
  • control circuit on board 65 operates such that a relay 70 will remain in an unenergized position and no control signal will be applied to control line 71. If the beverage level drops below the probe 20, a fixed preset time delay is initiated in the board 65. At the end of the time delay, if the level of the beverage is still below the probe 20 then the relay
  • the valve 74 on the liquid inlet line 24 is opened, allowing liquid to flow from line 24. from an external source (not shown), to the mixing bowl 34.
  • the relay 70 will remain in this position until the level of beverage in the tank 22 reaches the probe 20 again. When this occurs, the relay 70 immediately de-energizes, thereby removing the control signal on line 71 to the mixer 12a (See FIG. 3). As a result, power is removed from the motors 42, 48, and the valve 74 of the liquid inlet line 24 is closed.
  • a user adjustable time delay relay 72 is connected between line
  • a of the liquid level control board 65 and the mixer 12a When the level of liquid drops below the probe 20 in the tank 22 and the preset time delay of the control board 65 has expired, a signal is sent from line A of the liquid level control board 65 for the mixer 12a to start mixing the dry powder and liquid ingredients and dispensing the mixture to the dispenser.
  • This signal triggers a timer of the time delay relay 72.
  • the time delay relay 72 At the end of the preselected time, for example 90 seconds, if the signal is still present from line A. then the time delay relay 72 will interrupt the signal so that the mixer shuts down completely and the automatic fill function will be terminated.
  • the time delay relay preferably relays a signal to sound a buzzer 75 or other alarm to signal workers to check the machine for a malfunction.
  • time delay relay may be reset by turning the mixer off and on again.
  • Time delay relays of the type discussed above are available from SSAC. Inc., of Baldwinsville, New York as part of their KRD series Digi-Timer.
  • the output is energized (relay is transferred) during the time delay.
  • the output is de-energized and remains de-energized until input voltage is removed. Removing input voltage resets the time delay and the output.
  • the mixer and control cabinet 9 is set behind the dispenser 10a, 10b and 10c and mounts the mixers 12a, 12b and 12c with their whippers 38 above the tank or container for each dispenser 10a. 10b and 10c.
  • the flexible plastic flow tube 44a, 44b and 44c for each of mixers 12a. 12b and 12c extends down from the outlet of the corresponding whipper 38 so that the mixed powder and liquid is drawn by gravity down into the tank or plastic container 22 of the corresponding dispenser. This allows easy retrofit of existing dispensers with the automatic powder mixing and filling of the container for each of the dispensers 10a, 10b and 10c. If space permits, the control cabinet 9 may be mounted on the counter behind the dispenser.
  • the control cabinet may also be provided with adjustable legs to adjust the height of the mixer relative to the dispenser. If desired, the control cabinet and/or mixer may be anchored to the dispenser for safety reasons. If desired, the mixer and dispenser may be combined into a single unit.
  • the mixer controls may be located in the dispenser chassis 65, the chassis may be extended rearward and upward to house the mixer components and/or the whippers 38 may be mounted in the dispenser tanks without the plastic tubes 44.
  • a washout system will be located on the control cabinet (See FIG. 2).
  • the washout system consists of a valve 82. the turn on turn off handle of which is exposed from the control cabinet 9, and which is attached to the liquid inlet line 24, to the mixing bowl 34.
  • the valve 82 opens into a cleaner line 84.
  • the cleaner line 84 terminates in a hose connector 86, on the left side of the control cabinet 9.
  • a hose 88 may be attached to the hose connector 86 which is long enough to reach the inside of any of the tanks 22a, 22b, and 22c.
  • the hose 88 preferably will have a controllable valve, 90 at the end to enable the user to turn on the water, wash out the tank, and turn off the water, right at the tank.
  • the washout system can be a typical hose/sprayer found in a home kitchen sink.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une machine à boissons glacées ou réfrigérées qui permet de préparer, de stocker et de distribuer des boissons glacées. La machine comprend un mélangeur à bac de mélange (34) et compartiment de fouettage (38) permettant de mélanger la poudre et le liquide pour former un mélange liquide, un tube de sortie flexible (44a) permettant d'acheminer le mélange vers un distributeur (10a), un élément d'échange thermique (58) dans le distributeur (10a) permettant de convertir le mélange en boisson glacée ou réfrigérée, et un organe de commande (14a) permettant d'activer l'opération de mélange de la poudre et du liquide et de réguler l'acheminement du mélange vers le distributeur.
PCT/US1999/018967 1998-08-20 1999-08-20 Distributeur de boissons glacees ou refrigerees a melange et remplissage de poudre automatique WO2000011533A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU57795/99A AU5779599A (en) 1998-08-20 1999-08-20 Iced or refrigerated beverage dispenser with an automated powder mixer and filler

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13819098A 1998-08-20 1998-08-20
US09/138,190 1998-08-20
US22654299A 1999-01-05 1999-01-05
US09/226,542 1999-01-05

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000011533A1 WO2000011533A1 (fr) 2000-03-02
WO2000011533A9 true WO2000011533A9 (fr) 2000-10-12

Family

ID=26835951

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/018967 WO2000011533A1 (fr) 1998-08-20 1999-08-20 Distributeur de boissons glacees ou refrigerees a melange et remplissage de poudre automatique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU5779599A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000011533A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3671020A (en) * 1970-10-09 1972-06-20 Brandt Automatic Cashier Co Apparatus for producing a beverage by mixing a powdered base including sugar and a cold liquid
US4488664A (en) * 1983-01-12 1984-12-18 Cleland Robert K Beverage dispensing machine
US4718579A (en) * 1986-05-27 1988-01-12 General Foods Corporation Beverage dispensing machine
IT1217923B (it) * 1988-06-24 1990-03-30 Ugolini Spa Macchina perfezionata per la produzione di granita
US5931343A (en) * 1996-12-24 1999-08-03 Grindmaster Corporation Beverage dispensing apparatus having consistent mix delivery of beverage to container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000011533A1 (fr) 2000-03-02
AU5779599A (en) 2000-03-14

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