Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
12Z~667
IN-HOME DRINK DISPENSER
Background of the Invention
This invention relates to carbonated beverages in
general and more particularly to a dispensing device for making
carbonated beverages in the home.
Consumers throughout the world consume large quantities
of carbonated beverages. Typically, carbonated beverages which
are consumed in the home are supplied to the consumer in either
cans or bottles. Typically, cans are supplied in 12 ounce sizes
and bottles in sizes up to two liters. A carbonated beverage is
made up of carbonated water to which there is mixed a juice or
syrup. A good tasting beverage requires good water, the proper
level of carbonation and the proper proportions between the syrup
and carbonated water. Thus, in the commercial production of
bottles or cans of carbonated beverages the equipment used
includes a carbonator for carbonating the water, a concentrate,
i.e., a juice or syrup, dispenser for dispensing the concentrate
in the proper quantities and mixing it with the carbonated water,
and a filling device for filling the mixed beverage into the
bottles. Also included is a chiller unit for chilling the water
to be carbonated. Carbonation is carried out by bringing carbon
dioxide and water into contact - -
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~12Z~6fi'7
wlth each other ln such a manner that the carbon dloxldedissolves lnto the water. Iyplcally the water ls over
carbonated slnce ln the step of dispensing into the bottles
or cans, a certain amount ls lost. Systems can be operated
5 ln which the water and syrup are mixed prlor to or after
carbonatlon.
In addltlon to bottled and canned carbonated
beverages, carbonated beverages are also dlspensed ln
restaurants, and at soda rountalns and the like. The de-
vlces used ror such dlspenslng are known as post mix dlspensers and include She same baslc elements as one ~lnds ln
a carbonatlon plant. In other words, they lnclude means ror
chllllng the water, carbonatlng equlpment ror lntroduclng
carbon dloxlde lnto the water, a Julce or ~yrup dlspenser
l~ .for dlspenslng metered amounts Or concentrate lnto the water
- and a tap ror dlspenslng the mixture Or concentrate and
water lnto a glass or cup. Typlcally, mlxlng of the con-
centrate and water ls carrled out at the tap.
Until recently, there has been very little at-
tentlon glven to ln-home carbonated beverage dlspensers.
Typlcal ln-home beverage dlspensers known in the prior art
were Or the type ln whlch the concentrate and carbonated
water were separately dlspensed. Thus, someone maklng a
drlnk would have to ~udge how much 6yrup to dlspense lnto a
given contalner, dlspense that syrup and then add carbonated
~ater. Obvlou~ly, a con~i~tent beverage ~a~ not obtained.
Po~slbly, because o~ dlr~lcult~e~ ln thls type o~ devlce,
Z~667
ln-home dispensers ror c rbonated beverages never became
popular. H~wever, the need ror such di~pensers should be
evldent. If, carbonated beverages are purchased ln cans,
~or example, when B can ls opened, lts contents should be
used as oon as possible, slnce any beverage le~t over wlll
lose lts carbonatlon. Large recloseable contalners to some
extent overcome thls problem. ~owever, even though these
contalners are recloseable~ arter a perlod Or time, thelr
contents wlll also lose ~ome Or their carbonatlon. Thus,
the abll$ty to ln efrect make car~onated beverages when and
in the quantltles needed ln the home would be o~ great
advantage. However, ror an ln-home dlspenser to be prac-
tlcal, and econom~cally reasible, lt must be relatlvely
lnexpenslve and easy to operate.
In addltlon to carbonated beverages, large amounts
o~ ~ulces and other rrult drlnks and large amounts Or hot
beverages are also consumed. In many lnstances, such bev-
erages are also made by mlxlng a concentrate wlth a dlluent,
~ust as a syrup or other concentrate ls mlxed wlth a dlluent,
e.g., carbonated water to make carbonated beverages. The
need ror such a dlspenser, where ln many lnstances near
sterlle condltions must be maintalned, should also be evident.
Wlth these needs ln mlnd, lt ls the obJect of the
present lnventlon to provlde an economlcal, e~lclent
~lspenslng unlt ror beverages whlch are made by mi~ing a
dilucnt wlth a concentrate ln partlcular rOr carbonated
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~221667
beverages.
~ urtherm~re, such a dlspenser should be capable
Or easlly dlspenslng any of a plurallty cf dlrrerent car-
bonated beverages ~uch as cola, diet cola, qulnlne water,
orange, rootbeer, beers, ~parkllng wines~ etc. In additlon,
such a dispenser should also be adaptable to dl~penslng
stlll beverages such as rrult drinks, Julces and wlnesj and
hot ln add~tlon to cold beverages. In addltlon, such a unlt
should be capable Or use ln the home.
Summary Or the Inventlon
The present lnventlon provldes such a dtspenser,
partlcularly userul as an ln-home dlspenser. The dlspenser
Or the present invention ls particularly compact, made o~
low cost materlals, and dèslgned ln a manner such as to
1~ mlnimize the expense, malntenance and the pressures requlred
wlthln the system. The dlspenser Or the present lnventlon
is adapted to be either e selr-standlng unlt whlch must be
perlodlcally rerllled with water, or to be a plumbed in unit
to whlch water ls ~upplled rrom the water malns. In ad-
d~tion, the dlspenser Or the present lnventlon can optlonallyinclude a chilling unit, or alternatively, may be chilled
using lce or the type Or coolant known as "Blue Ice" commonly
used ln cooler chests. Because Or the flexlbiltty Or the
de~ign Or the dlspenser Or the present lnvention a range Or
embodiments sulting the particular needs and the pocketbooks
Or varlous consumers ~ thus pos~lble.
The dispenser Or the present ~nvention contalns
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~:221667
all Or the elements necessary ln a carbonated drlnk dis-
penser packaged ln a partlcularly compact unit whlch permlts
ease Or dispenslng and ease Or lnterchange Or dlrferent con-
centrates to perm1t dispenslng as many different types Or
drinks deslred. The illustrated embodlment has the capa-
blllty o~ containlng two separate concentrate c~ntalners at
one tlme. However, as will be e~ident belowj the exchange
Or contalners ls partlcularly slmple and stralght rorward,
thus permlttlng the dlspenslng o~ many dl~rerent types o~
drinks wlthout a great deal Or er~ort. Thls ls accompllshed
prlmarlly through the use Or a unlque container deslgn which
ls the subJect Or application Serlal No.314J488 rlled on
October 9, 1981. Baslcally, the contalner ls constructed
wlth bullt ln valvlng means for dlspenslng the syrup. The
contalner cooperates wlth a valve, a rotary valve ln the
dlsclosed embodlment, whlch acts to carry out the runctlons
Or ventlng the concentrate contalner, supplylng a pres-
surizlng gas, e.g., carbon dloxlde under pressure, to the
concentrate contalner ror dlspenslng, and Or controlllng the
valve built lnto the contalner ror the dlspenslng Or con-
centrate. ~he deslgn Or the contalner and valve ls such
that mixlng occurs only outslde the dlspenser, whlch mlx~ng
18 Or an lntlmate nature produclng an excellent drlnk.
Furthermore, through thls deslgn dllute concentrate exlsts
only ln the drlnklng vessel thereby preventlng the rormatlon
Or mold on the unlt. Both ~he contalner and the rotary
~alve assembly are pre~erably made Or pla~tlc~ thereby
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lZ2~67
~acllltating molding Or the varlous parts.
As noted above, the dispenser of the present ln-
ventlon can be free-standlng or connected to water llnes.
It ls thought that a free-standing unlt ls more attractlve
to consumers at thls time and ror convenience, the car-
bonator shoul~ be capable Or belng removed. A number of
alternate carbonators are possible ror use wlth the present
tnventlon. However, in a rree-standlng unlt which must be
periodlcally refilled wlth water, the slmplest type Or
carbonhtor, a sealed vessel to whlch pressurized carbon
dloxlde ls ~upplled through a difruser wlthln a body of
water contalned ln lt>can be used. Thus, the system ln-
cludes a pressure vessel ror the water and lncludes means
ror admltting carbon dloxlde under pressure to the dirruser
rrom whlch lt bubbles through the water, a~y carbon dloxlde
not absorbed remalnlng ln a head space above tbe water.
Slnce thls container ls normally pressurlzed, it
ls necessary that sarety reatures be provided to prevent
danger to the user at the time Or rerilllng the water
contalner. Furthermore, it ls prererred that the water
container be removeable ror such purposes. ln accordance
wlth the present lnventlon the carbonator contalns a number
Or ~eatures to facllltate lts removal and rerllllng ln a
sare manner. Thl~ lncludes a design Or cover ror the
carbonator ~hlch 18 ea~y to use and prevents removal o~ the
co~er untll pressure wlthin the carbonator 18 re1eaBCd.
ThlB 18 accompll~hed by latchlng a reller ~al~e ln place as
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~zz~fi7
the cover is screwed on. The latch Or the relier valve
constitutes a ~top preven~lng turnlng o~ the cover untll
pressure ls released. Furthermore~ a unl~ue sealing ar-
rangement Or the cover ls provlded ln whlch seallng occurs
between the clrcumferential portlons Or the contalner and
the cap 50 that lt ls not necessary that the cap be turned
all the way ln to lnsure pressure tightness.
Slnce normally, durlng operatlon, *he carbonator
ls connected to a supply Or carbon dloxlde, means must also
be provlded to permlt such connectlon to be qulckly made and
disconnected. Thus, the dispenser of the present lnventlon
also lncludes a qulck release connectlon ~or the carbonator
whlch contalns approprlate valvlng means to shut Orr the
carbon dloxlde supply as the carbonator ls removed ~rom the
1~ dlspenser, and, at the same tlme~ the water supply from the
carbonator ls disconnected. Slnce lt ls necessary that
when the carbonator 18 ln place it be held ln contact wlth
the ~ulck release connection supplylng the carbon dioxide, a
speclal deslgn Or the handle lncludlng a pln ~or retalning
the carbonator ln place is provlded. The handle on the
carbonator ls a roldlng handle which when folded into place
inserts a pln lnto a base member on whlch the carbonator
sits, holdlng the carbonator ln place agalnst the connectlng
block contalnlng carbon dloxlde and water supply ports.
When the handle is extended to remove the carbonator the p~n
1s removed rrom the base member permittlng the carbonator to
be pullcd awsy. In accordance wlth an ~lternate embodiment
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12Z~L667
o~ the present lnvention the carbonator ls vertlcally mounted
on the qulck release connection thereby lnsuring proper
contact by means Or lts we~ght.
As noted ab~ve, carb~n dioxlde ls absorbed ln
water ~etter when the water ls chllled. Iwo posslbllltles
ror chllllng Or the water are provided. In a~cordance wlth
one embodlment, thermoelectrlc chllllng devlces are provlded
wlth the carbonator restlng on an assembly made Or ~uch. As
an alternatlve, the carbonator rests on a coollng contalner
whlch may contaln a coolant commonly known as "Blue Icen.
The contalner may be placed ln the rreezer, rrozen and then
lnse~ted under the carbonator. Addltlonal coollng may be
obtalned by elther placlng the carbonator, wlth water thereln
ln a rerrlgerator overnlght, and/or the placlng Or lce
wlthln the carbonator.
The system also lncludes a carbon dloxlde bottle
whlch ls provlded wlth a regulator. Wlthln the system, two
separate pressures are requlred, a hlgher pressure ror
carbonatlng the water and ~or drlvlng the carbonated water
to the tap, and a lower pressure ~or pressurlzlng the con-
centrate contalner. Thus, two stages o~ regulatlon are
regulred. Furthermore, the gas at the varlous pressure and
the carbonated water must be trans~erred throughout the
~ystem. Typlcally, ln exlstlng dlspensers, such 18 ac-
compllshed by tubes and ho~es. However, ln sccordance wlththe present lnventlon a unlque manlrold dc~lgn 18 provldcd
whlch permlts carrylng out esscntlally all or thc dlstr~butlon
lZZ16ti~7
Or materials using a sin~le manifold block. Only a single
tube connection between the manirold block and the carbon
dloxide cyllnder is requiredc Carbon dloxlde rrom the
cyllnder whlch ls regulated down to a pressure of 40 psi ls
supplled to the manirold whlch distributes lt to the qulck
dlsconnect coupllng to the carbonator. The qulck dlsconnect
coupllng ls a unit built into the carbonator whlch plugs
lnto the manlrold. Also, wlthin the manlfold ls a regulator
whlch reduces the pressure Or 40 psl to 5 psl ror use ln
pressurlzlng the concentrate contalner. The manlfold,
through the qulck dlsconnect coupll~g, also conducts the
carbonated water rrom the carb~nator to the dlspenslng tap.
Although the rotary valve used ror dispenslng can
be made as a separate unlt to plug lnto the manlrold, ob-
talnlng thererrom the carbonated water whlch it 1~ adaptedto dlspense, and the low pressure carbon dloxlde whlch lt ls
adapted to supply to the concentrate contalner, ln accordance
with the prererred embodlment, the manlfold and rotary valve
are made lnto a slngle compact unlt, rurther slmpllrylng the
constructlon o~ the dlspenser. Because the length Or the
runs are short wlthln the manlrold, pressure drops are
small and as the concentrate is not requlred to ~low wlthin
tubes a low pressure o~ 5 psl is all that 16 requlred ~or
pressurlzlng the concentrate contalner. In prlor art
deYlces, pressures o~ 40 p81 have been typlcally used ror
thls purpo~c.
The total unlt 18 dlsposcd on a base and 18
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lZZ~6fi~
enclosed by a plastic cover deslgned to allow easy heat
evacu~tlon. It is partlcularly compact, attractive, ~ani-
tary and lnexpens~ve.
Although the dispenser Or the present inventlon
ls dlsclosed prlmarlly as a unlt ror dlspenslng carbonated
beverages and also as an ln-home dl~penslng unlt~ lt ls not
llmlted to ~uch functions. Obviously, as wlll be~ome evident,
the dispenser, wlth appropriate modl~lcatlon, can also be
u~ed ln restaurants, ~oda ~ountalns and the llke. Furthermore,
ln addition to dlspenslng carbonated beverages ln whlch
carbonated water ls mlxed wlth a concentrate ~uch as a
rlavorlng ~yrup, qu$nlne concentrate or the llke, the ap-
paratus Or the present inventlon may also be used ror dls-
penslng ~tlll beverages and ror dlspensing hot beverages.
In other word~, lt 18 generally adaptable to dlspenslng any
beverage ln whlch a concentrate 18 mlxed wlth a dlluent.
The dlluent need not ~e stlll water or carbonated water
although ln most cases lt wlll. As alluded to above, by
disposlng the meterlng valve ror the concentrate wlthln the
package and dlsposlng the package above the dlspenslng
valve, the concentrate need not touch any part Or the
dlspensing apparatus. What thls means i8 that dllute
concentrate whlch, partlcularly when it is somethlng llke a
nutrlent contalning ~yrup, can encourage ln the growth o~
mold, never exlsts wlthln the machlne. Thls malntain~
~anitary condltlon~. Furthermore, the contalner 1~ par-
tlcularly adapte~ to ~llllng ~n a near ~terlle condltlon
~2Zl~i67
11
whlch may be Or partlcular lmportance with respect to ~ome
types Or hot and still drink~. In operation, when pres-
surlzed by a pressurlzing gas, whlch could be an lnert gas
such as n~trogen, where carbonation ls not desired, the gas
may be used t~ malntaln near sterlle condltlons and to
prevent oxldatlon and maintain ~lavor lntegrlty in the
apparatus over perlods Or t$mé. In ~uch a case, this
pressurlzed gas could, Or course, also pressurl~e the
dlluent supply. In other words, the various reatures o~ the
present lnventlon whlch glve lt lts ~lmpllclty and com-
pactness will be o~ advantage ln dlspenslng other types of
beverages, l.e., still cold and hot beverages~ ln addltlon
to cold carbonated beverages. For exEmple, the qulck dls-
connect connectlon Or the water supply, the manl~old design,
the valve and contalner deslgn each wlll perform the same
runctlons and glve the same advantages.
Brler Descrlptlon Or the Drawln~s
Flg. 1 i8 a block dlagram o~ the dlspenslng
~ystem o~ the present lnventlon.
20Flg. 2a ls a rront perspectlve vlew Or a dispenser
accordlng to the present lnventlon.
Flg. 2b ls a rear per~pectlve view o~ the dls-
penser Or Flg. 2a.
Fig. 3 ls a plan ~lew Or the dlspenser according
to Flgs. 2a and 2b.
Flg. 4 18 a plan Ylew Or the ~al~e O~ Flg. 15,
partlally cut away ~howlng tbe valve lntegral ~ith a manl~old.
~Z;~i~667
Fig. 4a is a drawing illustrating an alternate form of
valving at the connection between the manifold and carbonator.
Fig. 4b is a side elevation view of a valve core used
in the water valves of Fig. 4a.
Fig. 4c is a bottom view of the valve core of Fig. 4b.
Fig. 4d is a cross-sectional view of another
alternative form of valving at the connection between the
manifold and the carburator.
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation view of the pressure
reducing valve of Fig. 4 taken along line 5-5.
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a practical
embodiment of a package or container and a rotary valve according
to the present invention.
Figs. 6a, 6b and 6c are diagrammatic presentations
illustrating the three possible positions of the valve of Fig. 6.
Fig. 7 is a section along the lines 7-7 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 8 is a section along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 8 appears on a sheet with Fig. 5.
Fig. 9 is a section along the lines 9-9 of Fig. 4
illustrating the diluent flow channels. Fig. 9 appears on a
sheet with Fig. 5.
Fig. lO is a section along the lines 10-10 of Fig. 4
showing the valve of Figs. 4 and 6 in the dispensing condition.
Fig. 11 is a section along the lines ll-ll of Fig. 4
illustrating the camming action within the container. Fig. ll
appears on a sheet with Fig. 7.
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13
Fig. lla is an unfolded view of the camming slot of
Fig. 11. Fig. lla apepars on a sheet with Fig. 7.
Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the
dispenser showing the carbonator section.
Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation view of the carbonator
of Fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation view of a thermo-
electric cooling arrangement for the carbonator.
Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of the cooling system of
Fig. 14.
Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation view of the carbonator
lid of Fig. 12. Fig. 16 appears on a sheet with Fig. 12.
Figs. 17a-d are views of an alternate embodiment of a
closure for the carbonator lid.
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
valve adapted as a sink dispenser. Fig. 18 appears on a sheet
with Figs. 6a-6c.
Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of rotary valve for use in the present invention.
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view through a rotary
valve according to Fig. 19 and through an improved form of
container valve according to the present invention.
Fig. 21 is a bottom plan view of the arrangement of
Fig. 20.
Fig. 22 is an exploded elevation view, partially in
cross-section, of a form of diffusor.
Fig. 23 is a plan view of the diffusor of Fig. 22.
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13a
Fig. 24 is a plan view, partially in cross-section, of
a pneumatic actuator for operating a rotary valve according to
the present invention, showing the valve in the open position.
Fig. 25 is a section along line 25-25 of Fig. 24.
Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional plan view of the actuator
of Fig. 24 showing the valve in the closed position. Fig. 26 is
on a sheet with Figs. 22 and 23.
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Detalled Descr~ptlon Or the Inventlon
The present lnvention wlll be described ln detail
ln connectlon with an l~-home dlspenslng unlt particularly
adapted for carbonated be~erages. However~ ~he various
aspects Or the present lnventlon are al~o useful ln other
envlronments, ~uch as ln restaurants, ~da fountalns, etc.
Furthermore, ln additlon to belng use~ul ~or prepar~ng
carbonated drlnks, the dlspenser Or the present lnventlon
can also be used ~or making 8tlll drlnks, ~or example, for
mlxing a rrult Julce concentrate with water to make a Julce,
and alsc rOr mak~ng hot drlnks by mlxlng hot water with a
suitable concentrate.
Thus, Fig. 1 15 a generallzed block dlagram o~ a
system accordlng to the present lnvention. The system
lncludes a water ~ource 11. In more general terms, thls is
a source o~ dlluent whlch 18 later mlxed wlth a concentrate.
Although lt wlll, ln most csses, be water, other dlluents
mlght be used. Shown ln connectlon wlth the water source 1
an lnlet 13. The lnlet 13 may be an lnlet whlch is plumbed
lnto the plumblng Or the locatlon where the dlspenser 1~
used or may slmply be an openlng ln the water tank whlch
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permlts refilllng. The water rrom the water source is shown
passlng through a heat exchanger 15. Sh~wn assoclated wlth
the heat exchanger 15 i~ a cooling unlt 17 and a heatlng
unit 18. Co311ng can be supplled to the heat exchanger 15
by openlng a valve l9 and heatlng by openlng a valve 21.
In many lnstances, the heatlng or coollng wlll be assoclated
dlrectly wlth the water source or water tanX ll. In general
terms, the heat exchanger 15 and assoclated coollng 17 and
18 slmply comprlse means ror ad~ustlng the temperature Or
the dlluent.
~t the outlet Or the heat exchanger 15 ls a
carbonator 23. Carbonator 23 is supplied wlth carbon
dloxlde rrom a tank 25 through a reducing valve 26, a llne
27, and a manlrold 29. When in use carbonated water ls
6upplled over llne 33 to the manl~old 29. The manlfold 29
~upplles thls water or other dlluent to dlspenslng valve 35
ln accordance wlth the present lnventlon. Stlll water 18
~upplled over a line 34 to a mlxlng valve 31 at the manlrold.
Mlxlng valve 31 has a second lnlet supplied with carPonated
water rrom llne 33 and permlts supplylng to a dlspenslng
valve 36 any deslred proportlon or mlxture o~ stlll and/or
carbonated watèr. Al~o located at the dlspenslng valves 35
and 36 are container~ 37 rilled wlth a concentrate whlch 1~
to be mlxed wlth the dlluent. As wlll be more rully de~crlbea,
the metering valve ror concentrate 18 ln the contalner 37
and 1~ coupled to ana cooperates ~ith the ~lspenslng valves
35 and 36. That 1~, the contalner 37 ~lth the concentr~te
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lZ21~67
16
includes valving means to meter the amount Or concentrate ln
response t~ a relative movement Or two part~ o~ a contalner
broùght about by the dlspensing valves 35 and 36. The
~upply Or carb~n dioxlde over llne 27 is also used to pres-
~urlze the concentrate ln the contalner 37 arter belngcoupled through a reducing valve 39. Also ~hown i8 a line
40 coupllng carbon dioxlde to water source ll to supply the
dlluent at a constant pressure. As wlth the means ror
changlng the temperature Or the dlluent the carbonator may
0 al80 be built lnto the water contalner as ls the case ln the
embodlment to now be descrlbed. In that case, water ~ource
ll 18 also the carbonator. Furthermore, although carbon
dloxide ls shown as the pressurlzlng gas, ln embodlments
where carbonation ls not deslred, lt may be replaced by any5 lnert gas such as nitrogen.
m e Dlspensing System
The emb'odiment Or the dispenser of the present
lnventlon lllustrated ln perspectlve vlew ln Flgs. Za and
2b lncludes a supportlng structure 41 whlch 18 preferably Or
molded plastlc. Structure 41 includes a base 43 and an
upstandlng ~-shaped portlon 45. The T-shaped portlon 45
lncludes a top wall 47 rront and rear walls 49 and 51,
respectlvely, and a central dlvlder 53. At the one end o~
the unit, as be~t seen ln Fig. 2b, mounted to the base 43 ls
a ¢ooling unit 55. Shown in the coollng unit 55 are ven-
tllatlon openSngs 57 ~hlch communlcatc wlth a~ditlonal
~ntilation openlng~ 59 rormed in the base 43. Dlsposed
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atop the co~l~ng unlt 55 ls a dlluent tan~, e.g., a water
supply and carbonator tank 61 to be descrlbed in mDre deta~l
below. Surroundlng thi~ portlon Or the un~t is an lnsulated
cover 63 whlch has a depending rlange portlon 65 which
enga~es correspondlng llp 67 on the central portlon 45. As
wlll be descrlbed in more detail below, the carbona~or is
adapted to be easily removed and refllled wlth water when
necessary. As an alternatlve to a cooling unlt 55, a heating
unit, or comblned heatlng and cool~ng unlt9 can be provlded
to permlt the posslblllty Or dlspenslng elther cold or hot
drlnks.
At the other end Or the dlspen~ing apparatus,
supported on the base 43, 18 a tank of a pressurizlng gas,
e.g., a carbon dioxide tank, 68 sh~wn ln the phantom. The
carbon dioxlde tank 68 ls connected to a reducing valve 69
by means Or a qulck disconnect clamp 71 to permlt ease Or
replacement Or the carbon dioxlde bottle 68. Extending
through the divldlng wall 53 and 6ecured to a bracket 73
thereon by means Or screws or bolts 75 i8 a manirold 77
wh~ch will be described in detall below. The manlrold 77
distributes the pressurizlng gas and diluent, e.g., carbon
dioxlde and carbonated water. The rront portion Or the
man~rold 77 ls vlsible on ~lg. 2a. Integral wlth the manl-
~old are thO dispensing valves 79A and 79B to be described
ln detall below. Dlsposed above each o~ the dlspenslng
valves 79A and 79B 1~ a contalner 81 contalnlng thereln a
concentrate to be mlxed wlth the dlluent cupplled ~rom the
.... , .. . ... ~ .. . ~ .. .....
~2~6~i7
18
dlluent tan~ 61. Below valves 79A and 79B is a removable
tray B2 retalned magnetlcally, ror example, ror catching any
sp~llage. Tray 82 may be removed and rlnsed perlodlcally.
A~ain, although dlsclosed herelnarter as supplylng car-
bonated water, lt will be recognlzed that, by disconnecting
the carbonator apparatus, 8tlll bever~ges can be dlspensed,
and, by heatlng lnstead c~ coollng the dlluent, hot drlnks
can also be dlspensed. As wlll become more evldent below,
the contalners 81 are particularly adaptable to packaging
and storlng all types Or concentrate ln a sanltary manner.
Coverlng the carbon dloxlde tank 68 ls a ~econd
cover 83, whlch 61mllarly has a dependlng rlange B5 engaglng
a llp on the T-shaped central structure 45.
Flg. 3 ls a plan view Or the dlspenser o~ Flgs. 2a
and 2b with the covers 63 and 83 removed and the T-shaped
center sectlon 45 also removed ror clarity Or presentatlon.
In thls vlew, the C02 bottle 68 ~9 vislble together wlth lts
qulck dlsconnect clamp 71 an~ pressure regulator 69. The
pressure regulator is ~emi-rldlgly mounted and coupled by
tublng 87 to the manlrold 77. Portlons Or valves 79A an~
79B whlch are molded integrally wlth the manlrold are also
shown. Also shown ln cross sectlon ls the carbonator tank
61. The carbonator tank contalns a coupllng 89 whlch permlts
a qulck dlsconnect wlth the manirold 77.
Piessure regulator 69 reduces tbe carbon dloxlde
pre~sure to ~0 p~S. C02 at thls pre~ure 1~ ~ed through a
passage 91 ln the ~anlrold 77 to the dlsconnect coupllng 89.
. .
... ... . . . ... . - . .. . . . .. . . ..
.
667
19
From that polnt lt ~lows through tublng 90 to a restrictor
93, and thence to a dl~fuser 9~. Carbonated water is re-
moved rrom the carbonator tank through a llne 97 extending
to the bottom Or tank 61 and leadlng to the coupling 89
whence lt enters a pass~ge 99 ln the manlrold. Thls passage
connects wlth two ~maller passages 101 and 103, whlch lead
to outlet~ lD5 and 107, ln the portlon Or the valves whlch
18 lntegral wlth the manlrold. At each Or the outlets an 0-
rlng ~eal 109 ls provlded. Carbon dloxlde 18 al~o red
through a further pressure regulator 111 whlch ls bullt lnto
the manlrold 77, where the pre~sure i~ reduced to 5 psl.
From regulator 111 the carbon dloxlde rlows ln a passage 113
to whlch are connected two passages 115 and 117, whlch lead
to elongated openlngs 119 and 121 ln the portlon Or the
manlrold whlch comprlses part Or the valve. Agaln, ln each
case an 0-rlng seal 123 Or neoprene or the llke ls lnserted.
Although the manlrold can be màde Or varlous materlals, a
plastlc 18 prererred. Wlth such plastlc the manlrold can be
molded and any necessary machinlng carrled out to rorm the
varlous passageways.
The Man1rold
The manlrold 77 and the dlspenslng valves are
~hown ln more detall ln Fig. 4. At the lnlet ror carbon
dio~lde, a threaded rlttlng 125 18 provlded ln the manl~old.
As lllu~trated, thl~ communlcate~ wlth a channel 127 whlch
18 connecte~ dlrectly to the pas~a~e 91. Thls ls ~een ln
more det811 ln FlB. 5 whlch 18 a cro~ ~cctlon through the
prcs~ure regulator. In~erted lnto approprlate bore~ 129 and
. . .
. - ..... . ..
~2216G7
131 on the le~t ~ide Or the manifold 77, are tubular rlttlngs
133 and 135. ~hese are pre s ~itted into their respectlve
b~res 129 and 131. Fach contalns, threaded therein, a chec~
- valve9 e.g., ~ Schrader ~ype valve 137a and 137b respectlvely.
The ~lttings 133 and 135 insert lnto the quick dlsconnect
coupllng 89 ln the carbonator tank 61 and are ~ealed by 0-
rings 136. Wlthin a b~re 130 in the coupling ~9, mating
with the rlttlng 133, ls dlsposed an anvll 139 followed by a
check valve 141 which 15 blown open by C02 pressure ~rom
llne 91. In a bore 138 of the coupling B9 which mates with
the rlttlng 135 1~ inserted another Schrader valve 143. The
valve 143 abut~ against the valve 137b opening both valves
when the qulck dlsconnect coupllng 89 ls attached to the
~anlrold. Stmllarly, the anvll 139 opens the valve 137a.
In thi manner, when the carbonator ls dlsconnected rrom the
man~fold, there is a check valve ln both passages Or the
manlrold and ln both passages into the carbonator to prevent
release o~ pressure. The coupling 89 also contalns, at its
lnslde, threaded bore~ 144 and 146 ~or connectlng llnes 90
and 97 of Pig. 3.
Piq. 4a shows an improved form of valving.
~lthough the valving of Fig. 4 is operable, the valving
illustrated in Fig. 4a provides superior performance. Tests
with the type of valvinq shown in Fig. 4 showed that it gave
an undesirable flow restriction in the water outlet and the
presence of sharp edges resulted in energy dissipation and
de-gas~ing. With respect to the gas side, it was discovered
that a pressure-activated check valve would give superior
. .
.. .. , ~ , . .. . .. , . .. . . - . .. . - .- . . .
~''~'''''' '- " ' ~ '
. .
- . ' -:
iZZl~i7
21
performance t~ a Schrader valve of the type illustrated in
Fig. 4-
Referring to Fig. 4a, in the illustrated embodi-
ment the valv~ block 89A which is mounted to the diluent
tank 61 is, in this embodiment, a molded plastic part of
Lucite or the like rather than the stainless steel part of
Fig. 3 and 4. It is secured in place in an appropriate
opening in the tank 61 at a flat area 701 thereof by means
of a sealing gasket 703 on one side and a lock ring 705
on the other side. Block 8gA contains a threaded portion
144 for connection of a diffuser as previously. On the
outlet side, it contains a slotted portion 707 with an
internal O-ring seal 709 for insertion of a resin bed. A
resin bed of the type which can be used with the present
invention is disclosed in co-pending application Serial
No. 310,486 filed October 9, 1981 and assigned to the same
assignee as the present invention. As in the previous
embodiment, fittings 129 and 135 are inserted into the
manifold 77A in communication with lines 91 and 99, the
gas and water lines respectively. For reasons which will
be apparent below, fitting 135 is made of two parts, 719
and 717 which screw together. Part 717 is the one press-
fitted into the manifold 77A. O-ring seals 711 and 713
are provided for sealing purpose~
Inserted into the resting on the base of the
bore 725 is the flange of a duckbill valve 729. It $8
held in sealing contact by a member 731 made of ~tainless
steel ~creled into the threads 727. ~ember 731 contains
,,, . ., ., ,, ., . , .. . ._. .
~Z~6~7
2~
a flange 733 pressing against an O-ring 735 placed at
the base of the bore 720. Extending from the flange is
a pin 737 having a cross-bore 739 therein. This com-
municates with a central bore through the member 731
which communicates with the duckbill valve. The pin
737 acts against the schrader valve 133 which is as in
the previous embodiment. Rather than utilizing a duck-
bill valve, a ball and spring check valve could equally
well be used. The key requirement is that the valve be
one operated by the gass pressure to open and that it
act as a check valve to be closed against pressure from
inside the carbonator.
Another alternative to the duckbill valve is
the sleeve valve illustrated by Fig. 4d. This arrange-
ment takes the place of not only the duckbill valve butalso member 731 which holds the duckbill valve in place.
In effect, a member 780 of design similar to member 31
has a portion 781 extending below the threaded area.
Central bore 732 extends through this portion 781 with
flow controlled, both in thiscase and the previous case,
by the size of the opening 731 of the cross bore. Again,
an O-ring 735 is rpovided for sealing. Valve action is
accomplished by means of a radial port 783 extending to
the circumference of the extension 781 and an elastic
~leeve of water resistant material, preferably silicone
rubber, covering the extension 781.
.
~2Z16~i7
23
On the water side, in the manifold and in the o~ler 89A, a
type of valve which gives adequate flow, has smooth surfaces
and which does not contribute to energy dissipation or de-
gassing is used. Fig. 4b is an elevation view and Fig. 4c
an end view ~f the type of valve generally indicated as 731
used at these locations. The valve includes a stem 733 of
cylindrical cross-section. The stem extends from a conical
section 735. The conical section is shown in abutment with
an O-ring 737 to demonstrate the nature of the seal made by
the valve. In operation, lifting away from the O-ring 737
by movement of the stem 733 opens the valve. The conical
shape 735 provides self-centering. From the view of Fig. 4c,
the base of the conical section 735 is visible. The location
of the O-ring seal 735 seated thereon is also visible. As
illustrated, there are angled tWD semi-circular cuts made on ea~h
side of the valve core. Thus, from the botton view, one
can see the cuts 739. These terminate in a thin section 741.
In the upper portion on each side, a cut 743 is made extend-
ing from the cut 739 to a position above the base of the
conical section 735 so as to bridge that part. Thus, flow
from the bottom at the base 741 flows along the smooth sur-
faces past the conical section 735 and in an annular path
between the O-ring ?35 and the stem 733.
Referring again to Fig. 4a, at the base of the recess
721 a spring 745 is disposed. Similarly, within a central bore 747
in the coupling member 135, another spring 745 is disposed. The
spring ~eats against a threaded insert 717 which i8 screwed
.
~2216fi7
24
into the end of part 135. At the in~er end of the bore
747 in part 135 an O-ring 737 is disposed. Similarly, an
O-ring is contained in a recess in a member 747 screwed into
the threads 723. As illustrated, the ~ 733 of the two
5 valve c~res are abutting ~gainst one another, thereby
separating the conical parts from the O-r~gs 737. In the
assembled position shown, the spr ~ s745 are essentially
completely compressed. In this position, water flow from
the passageway 751 which communicates with the resin bed in
the carbonator tank flows past the two valves and eventually
reaches the water line 99 in the manifold.
The pressure reducing valve 111 is shown in more
detail in the cross section of Fig. 5 which is taken along
the line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Carbon dioxide at a pressure of 40
p5i reaches the channel 91 through the inlet passage 127
shown on Fig. 4. After passing through the pressure reducing
valve CO2 at 1 psi is fed to the channel 113 by means of
an outlet passage comprising a bore 145 in the manifold.
The manlrold ln an area above the bore 145 contalns a large
bore 147. Extendlng down rrom the bore 147 and in the
center thereor i8 a smaller bore 149. Thls bore lntersects
wlth the passage 91 contalnlng the 40 psl CO2. The
upper portlon of bore 149 18 threaded and contalns a qulde
and val~e seat 151. Gulde 151 gu~des a tube 153 attached to
a dlaphragm 155 by means Or a supportlng plate 157. The
diaphragm ls secured ln place between a body member 159
wh~ch may be lntegral wlth the manl~old, or lnserted lnto
the bore 147 and a cover plece 161 whlch ls screwed onto the
.. . - . ....... . -
~ .
~2216~
body 159. The actual valvln~ whlch carrles out the pressure
reduclng takes place between the gulde 151 whlch rorms a
valve ~eat and a valve member 163 conta~nlng in lts central
portlon a gasket 165. The valve member 163 abuts and ~eals
to the end o~ the tube 153 and 1~ blased outward by a ~prlng
167. The spring 167 tends to brlng the valve member 163
with its gasket 165 into engagement wlth the eat on the
gulde 151. Spaclng between the member 163 and the gulde 151
determines the amount Or gas whlch reaches a chamber 169
rrom whence lt rlows out the outlet bore 145. 0~ the coYer
p~ece 161 18 mounted an ad~ustment knob 171, havlng thereon
a threaded r~d 173 whlch acts on a nut 175 whlch 18 pre-
vented ~rom rotatlng by being contalned ln a sultable recess
ln the cover plece 161. Thus, rotatlon Or the knob 171
results ln llnear up and down motlon Or the rod 173. A
rlange 176 secured to the rod acts upon a blastng spring 177
whlch 18 dlsposed between rlange 176 and the dlsc 157 at the
dlaphragm 155. Thls arrangement wlth the sprlng 177, the
tenslon Or which 18 ad~ustable by the knob 171 and the
diaphragm, coupled to the tube 153 whlch operates the valve
member 163, results in the ~eating and unseatlng Or the
valve member 163 on the seat Or gulde 151 such as to maintain
the deslred pressure in chamber 169 ln accordance wlth the
blaslng pressure set ln wlth the spring 177. In thls manner,
by ad~ustlng the knob 171 the desired pressure Or 5 p81 1B
obtained at the outlet 1~5.
, , .
.. .. . . . . . . . .....
~2Z~667
~6
The Dispensing Valves And
Concentrate Contalners
The constructlon ~f the dispensing valves 79A and
79B, ~hown ln Fig. 2a can bes~ be understood first wlth
re~erence to F~gs. 6, 6a, 6b and 6c, ln additlon to Flg. 4.
In the illustrated embodlment, ~ach valve 18 made up o~ four
baslc parts. These lnclude a base portlon lBl whlch 1~
molded as part o~ the man~fold 77. However, lt shQuld be
recognized th~t such base portlons can be made 6eparately
with appropriate conne~tlons ror a carbon dloxlde pressure
llne 117 and a water lnlet llne 103.
Slnce both valves are ldentlcal, only the rlght
hand valve 79B wlll be descrlbed in detall. me base 181 of
the valve is a member contalning a large cyllndrlcal bore
182. At the bottom o~ this bore 18 located the lnlet opening
121 ror the carbon dloxlde wlth lts O-rlng seal 123 and the
lnlet opening 107 ~or the dlluent, e.g., carbonated water,
wlth lts OLrlng seal lO9. Also located ln the base portlon
: 18 a vent hole 183, an openlng 185 through whlch the con-
centrate, e.g., a syrup, wlll be dlspensed in a manner to be
descrlbed below, and a draln passage 187 ror the resldue Or
dlluent, e.g., carbonated water, arter lt has passed
through the valve. Inserted into the bore 182 is a central
rotating valve member 189. It is supported within the bore
182 ~or rotatlon thereln ln response to operatlon Or a
handle l91 and seals against O-rlngs lO9 and 123. Overlying
t~e central rotatable member ls an ad~ustment d1BC 193. The
ad~ustment dlsc remalns essentlally ~lxed but 1~ a~Justable
, . . ... ,., - .. - .. - . ~. -.- , . . .. .
. ~ ' .' - '''' .
~L2~;67
27
to take lnto account Blf~erent environmental condltlons ln
meterlng o~ the c~ncentrate. ~hls ad~ustment ls accompli~hed
by an adJusting screw 195. As can best be ~een ~rom refer-
ence to Figs. 4 and 6, the adJusting screw includes a knob
196 on the end Or a shaft 198. The ~hart passes through and
1~ rotata~le wlthin a threaded plug 197~ The threaded plug
197 15 ~crewed lnto a cover portlon 201 o~ the valve whlch
~lts over and retalns ln place central member 189 and ad~ustlng
dlsc 193. Near the end Or the sha~t 198 i~ a worm gear 199
which ls secured thereto. When lnserted lnto the cover
portlon 201, the end 203 o~ the shart l9B i~ ~upported for
rotatlon ln a bore 207, as best ~een on Fig. 4. The worm
gear 199 ls exposed through an openlng 194 and engages
appropriate threads 209 on the ad~ustment disc 193 per-
mltting a limlted degree Or rotatlon thereor. Once adJustedby the adJustment screw 195, however, the dlsc 193 remalns
~ixed.
A6 shown ln Flg. 6, contalner 81 lncludes a body
in the rorm Or a necked bottle 238 and a cap 230. Dlspenslng
Or the concentrate ~rom the contalner 81 is ln response to a
relatlve rotatlon Or lts cap 230 wlth respect to tabs 211 on
the neck Or bottle 238. Thls opens a valve ln contalner 81
and carrles out a metering actlon ln a manner to be de-
scrlbed more ~ully below. To accomplish thls rotatlon, the
cap 230 also contalns a tab 213. me tab 213 engages ln a
notch 215 in the central member 189. . me tabs 211 engage ln
notches 217 ln the ad~ustment dlsc 193. The central ~alve
membcr ~89 1~ arranged to rotate a glven amount to open the
. .
- :.
.
'
lZZ~;fi7
28
meterln~ valve wlthln the contalner by rotatlng cap 230
whlch ls engaglng the notch 215 ln the central valve member
189. Flne ad~ustment Or this meterlng ls possible by means
Or the ad~ustlng screw 195 whlch lncreases or decreases the
lnltlal 6ettlng Or the position of the cap 230 relatlve to
the body 23~ so as to vary the rate of rlow Or concentrate
~rom the contsiner upon a preset and subsequent rotatlon of
cap 230.
The dispensing valve perrorms three ~eparate
~unctlons. It perrorms a runctlon Or ventlng the container,
a runctlon o~ pressurlzing the contalner wlth the low pressure
carbon dioxlde and a ~unctlon o~ cau~lng the ~lmultaneous
dlspen61ng Or concentrate and diluent. ~he central valve
member 189 contalns a central bore 219 at the bottom Or
lS whlch there 18 provlded a cyllndrlcal member 221, contalnlng
a partlal bore 232 ln the upper portlon thereor, and sup-
ported by three struts 223. One Or the struts 223 contains
thereln a passage 225 which communlcates wlth the bore 232.
The other end o~ the passage 225 iB brought through to the
bottom Or the central valve member 189 and at a locatlon
permittlng allgnment wlth vent hole 183 and outlet 121 ln
the base member 181 Or the valve. As best seen rrom Flgs. 7
and 8 inserted withln the bore 232 i8 tubular member 227.
Thls tubular member communicates wlth a tube 22~ extendlng
to the bottom Or the contalner 81 (whlch wlll be the top
wlth the contalner 81 ln the lnverted posltlon ~hown) rOr
the purposes or ventlng and pressurizlng, ln a manner to be
more ~ully descrlbcd below.
~221667
29
Wlth reference to Flg. 6a, the po~ltlon o~ the
valve wlth the handle l91 rully to the lert ls shown. In
this posltion, contalners are lnserted lnto and removed rrom
the equlpment and the passage 225 is allgned wlth the vent
hole 183 permltting ventlng Or the contalner 81 through tube
229, tubular member 227, passage 225 and vent hole 183.
Thls corresponds to the cross ~ectlonal vlew of Flg. 7.
In the posltion shown ln Flg. 6~, which is a
qulescent posltlon Or a contalner ln the machlne, the
lnterlor o~ the container ls pressurized, but there ls no
rlow Or concentrate or dlluent ~rom the machlne, and the
contalner cannot be removed rrom the machlne, handle l91 ls
centered, the passage 225 ls overlylng the openlng 121 and
ls sealed by the 0-rlng seal 123. Thls admlt~ the low
pressure carbon dloxlde to the passage 225 rrom whence lt
can rlow through the tubular member 227 lnto the contalner
through tube 229, to pressurlze the contalner wlth a constant
pressure. In thls posltlon, the dlluent outlet 107 with lts
seal lO9, ls 6till covered by the bottom Or central valve
member 189. Thls corresponds to the cross ~ectlon o~ Flg.
8.
- Flnally, ln the posltlon shown ln Flg. 6c, whlch
18 the dlspenslng posltion in which concentrate and diluent
rlow rrom the machlne, and the container cannot be removed,
the handle l91 1~ all the way to the rlght, and an lnlet
opening 231 ln central valve member 189 18 allgned with the
openlng 107 to permlt a rlow Or dlluent, e.g., carbonated
~ater, through and out Or ~.he valvc. At thi~ tlme, because
.
.',
` ~2Z16~7
o~ the elongated openlng 121, the passage 225 18 stlll ln
communlcation wlth the carbon d~oxide ~upply to malntain
pressurizatlon of the container. Thls corresponds to the
cross section o~ Figs. 9 and 10. Movement o~ the handle l91
to the right takes place agalnst the blaslng rorce Or a
~pring 233 whlch ls arranged tG return the handle l91 to lts
mlddle posltlon.
Once pressuri~ed, lf it ls deslred to remove the
contalner wlth the concentrate and replace lt with another,
it i8 only necessary to move the handle l91 to the posltlon
shown ln Fig. 6a, to vent the contalner 81 to permlt re-
llevlng the pressure therein and allow removal.
The cross sectlon Or Flg. 10 ~hows the passage 225
stlll allgned with the opening 121 during dispensing. The
passages ~or the carbonated water ln thls posltlon, l.e.,
the posltion also 8hown ln Flg. 6c 18 lllustrated by Flg. 9.
__
~.
__
_ _
__
__
25 __
_
. .
i~2~6~i7
Shown is the passage 103 whlch communicateR wlth the openlng
107 whlc~ ls ~urrounded by the 0-rlng ~eal 109, seallng
agalnst $he rotary valve me~ber 189 and communicating wlth
the passage 231 thereln. The dlluent thus flows into a
pressure reduclng chamber 235, and thence out Or a ~pout
237~ whlch ~ 8 carrled by member 189. It will be appreclated
that ~pout 237 thererore moves wlth member 189 and because
lt pro~ects under the ba~e 181, the base ls prov~ded wlth a
lobe cutout 237A (F~g. 6), to permlt the spout to 80 mQVe .
The spout 18 dlrected at an angle to cause mlxln~ Or ~he
diluent and concentrate ~n a manner to be seen more clearly
below ln connectlon with Flg. 10. Chamber 235 ls deslgned
ror minlmum agitation o~ the diluent to prevent excesslve
loss Or carbon dioxide. The dimenslons o~ chamber 235 and
spout 237 are such that an adequate flow Or dlluent ls
malntalned, and that, wlth a predetermlned dlluent pressure,
the outlet rlow rate i6 ~u~ricient to obtaln the necessary
mlxlng wlth the concentrate wlthout excesslve foamlng. When
the handle 191 returns to the posit~on shown ln Flg. 6b, the
passage 231 overlles the draln passage 187 whlch has a
downward slope. Thu8, any diluent remsining ln chamber 235
can draln lnto a glass or cup placed below.
Rererrlng now to Fig~. 8 and 10, lt wlll be seen
that the bottle 238 ha~ a plug 239 ln lts neck. The plue
contalns a central bore 241 havlng a ~lopcd portlon, l.e.,
Or somewhat conlcal ~hape, 243 at ~t~ lnner en~. There i~
eentral pa~sagc 245 through the lnner end Or thc plug. The
. .
..... .. ..... . . . .
~22~67
plug ls Or ~enerally cyllndrlcal ~hape and 1B press ~itted
lnto the neck 247 Or the bottle 238. Alternatlvely it can
be m~lded a~ part Or the bottle ?38. At lts outer end, the
plug contalns a clrcumferentlal ~lange 249 which extends
beyond the neck 247 Or the bottle. Placed over the neck of
the bottle 1~ the cap 230. The cap contalns, ln its central
portlon, a cglindrlcally-shaped member 251 whlch termlnate~
ln a conlcal ~ectlon 252 at its inner end. Conical ~ection
252 abuts agalnst the tapered conlcal ~ectlon 243 Or the
plug 239. Inwardly extendlng member 251 contalns at the
lnner end thereor, a bore 253 lnto whlch ls lnserted the dlp
tube 229. ~he dlp tube extends through the open~ng 245 in
the plug wlth a spaclng. At the outer end Or the cap, ln
the center thereor, ls a larger bore 255 extendlng lnto
member 251 and communlcatlng wlth bore 253. At the inner
end Or this bore a check valve 257 is disposed. In the ca~e
Or the present embodlment, the check valve ls ln the rorm Or
a spllt ~eal valve. However, any other type Or check valve
can be used. The 8pl~ t seal check valve is held ln place by
a cyllndrlcal lnsert 259. me rlttlng 227 whlch ~s sur-
rounded by an O-rlng seal 260 to seal inside the cyllndrical
lnsert 259 ln cap 230, i8 lnserted lnto the center Or thc
lnsert 259 and acts agalnst the check valve 257 to open lt
permlttlng carbon dloxlde to rlow lnto the container through
the dlp tube 229. In the portlon Or the container abo~e the
jlut 239, the concentrate ~111 be contaln~d. The cooperatlon
between the plug 239 and the lnwar~ pro~ectlng member 251 on
.
~Z'3L6~:;7
33
the cap per~orm the valvlng action needed to dl~pense a
metered amount Or concentrate. The conical ~ur~ace 243 Or
plug 239 ~orms a valve seat for the conical tip 25~ of
member 251. It can be seen, that movement of the member 251
away rrom the plug 239 will permlt a ~low Or concentrate
around the dip tube 229 and into the area between the
~ember 251 and the plug 239.
What happens when 6uch movement occurs ls 11-
lu~trated by Fig. 10. As shQwn by the arrows 261, con-
centrate ~lows around the dip tube 229 and Into a space 263
between the plug 239 and the member 251. At the ~ame tlme,
the ~lange 249 has been llrted away rrom the cap 230 and an
openlng 265 ~ormed in the cap ls exposed. In the closed
condltlon, a double seal is provlded. First there ls the
~eal Oe~ween conlcal surraces 252 and 243, second i6 ~he
seal between ~lange 249 over openlng 265. Wlth the cap 230
~oved downward, concentrate can now ~low through opening 265
under the pressure whlch is maintalned ln the contalner
because Or the CO2 and drop, through a gap between the
struts 223 shown ~ig. 4, and Flg. 6c, lnto a cup 267, placed
below the dispenslng valve. The ~lowlng concentrate 269
rlows essentially stralght down. The diluent, e.g., the
carbonated water, flows from the spout 237 at an angle
lnter~ectlng the rlow Or concentrate in ~ree ~pace and
~lxlng with lt prSor to reachlng the cup 267.
As noted above, the valve wlthln contalner Bl i8
opened ~n response to rotatlon of lt~ cap 230 ~ith respect
. .
.. . . . ... . ..
~22~6fi7
34
to lts b~dy 238 brought about by rotatlon Or central valve
member 189 with respect to ad~ustment dlsc 193 whlch, once
ad~usted by ad~usting screw 195, remalns fixed durlng ~peratlon.
The manner ln which the rotary motlon Or ~he central valve
member 189 brings about a ~eparatlon of the plug 239 and the
member 251 ln the cap 230 ls best lllustrated by Figs. 11
and lla. In Flg. 11 the lnsertlon Or the tabs 211 into the
slots 217 in the ad~ustment rlng 193 18 lllustrated. AB
descrlbed above, thls holds bottle 238 rlxed. Furthermore,
the manner ln whlch the tab 213 on the cap 230 ls lnserted
lnto the slot 215 to cause the cap 230 to rotate wlth
central valve member 189 ls also evldent. The relatlonshlp
between these parts ls also lllustrated ln Flg. 6 and Fig.
4.
As lllustrated ln Flg. 11, the neck 241 Or bottle
238 contalns a palr Or opposed proJectlng nibs 271. ~hese
proJectlng nlbs rlt lnto cam 610ts or grooves 273 rormed on
opposlte sldes o~ the lnside Or cap 230.
A vlew o~ a portion Or the cap 230 unrolded 16
shown ln Flg. lla. On thls flgure, the ~hape Or the ~lots
273 18 evldent. me slot contalns a horizontal portlon 275
rollowed by a sloplng or angled portion 277. It can be seen
that, as the central valve member 189 i8 rotated, lt carrles
with it the cap 230 becau~e o~ the lnsertion or the tab 213
ln the 810t 215. Rotatlon whlle in the horizontal arca 275
o~ the slot wlll re~ult ln no relatl~e llnear up or ~own
motlon between the cap 230 ~nd the bottle 238, and thus the
. . ... ~ . ... ~ . .. . ... . . . . . .
~.Z~ i7
~5
valve ~ormed by the plug 239 and the member 251 remaln~
closed. Travel ln the horlzontal portlon 275 takes place
between the posltlons of central valve member lB9 shown in
Fig. 6a and 6b. However, with rurther rotatlon to the
position shown ln 6c the nibs 271 wlll begin to move lnto
the an~led portlon 277 causlng the pro~ectlon 251 to move
away ~rom the lnsert 239, in order to reach the posltlon
shown ln Flg. 10, to dlspen~e the concentrate at a preset
metered rlow rate. It wlll be arranged that the nlbs 271
wlll be ln a positlon ln the strlaght portlon 275 intermedlate
the ends thereof when the contalner ls ln the machlne and
the rotary valve ls ln the posltlon shown ln Flg. 6a, to
enable the ring 193 to be ad~usted ln both dlrections but
that movement Or the rotary valve to the Flg. 6b portlon
wlll not cause the nlbs 271 to rlde up the angled portlons
277. Also, the angled portlons 277 should be Or ~urriclent
length that the nlb~ lle between the ends Or the angled
portlon 277 when the machlne ls ln the Flg. 6c portlonJ
agaln, to permlt the ad~ustment Or rlng 193.
Also shown in cross sectlon ln Fig. 11 ls the worm
gear 198 Or the ad~ustment screw 195 Or FlBs. 4 and 6. It
ls evldentJ that the dlspenslng actlon, i.e., the opening Or
the valve ln the contalner takes place because Or a relatlve
movement between the cap 230 and the bottle 238. Durlng
normal operatlon, the bottle 233 ~s held ri~ed because o~
the lnsert~on Or thc tab~ 211 ln the slot~ 217 ln the ad~ustment
rlng 193. ThU8~ durlng normal dS~enslng the startlng
.. . . . . .... . . . .. . .. .. ..
~ 67
~ 6
positlon, l.e., when ln the posltlon Or Flg. 6b, o~ the nlbs
271 in ~l~ts 273 and the degree Or r~tatlon Or cap 230 by
means o~ the tab 213 ln the slot 215 ln the central valve
member 189 determlnes the degree o~ openlng Or the val~e,
l.e., the amount or travel Or nlbs 271 in the ~lopln~ portion
277. ~hls total amount of rotat~on movement of cap 210 ls
~lxed, in that movement Or the lever l91 Df Fig; 6c 16
llmlted by the sprlng 233. Normally, ror a glven concen-
trate, the tab 231 on cap 230 will be p~sltioned durlng
manuracture to glve a comblned horlzontal and sloped move-
ment whlch wlll result ln the desired amount Or valve based
on the viscosity o~ the concentrate at a ~tandard amblent
temperature, e.g., 20C. Alternatlvely, the posltion o~ tab
213 wlth respect to ~lots 273 may be rlxed and the angle Or
angled portion 277 Or slots 273 vaned to accommodate ma-
terlals wlth dirrerent vlscosltles. However, lr the drlnk
dlspenser 18 operated under amblent condltlons where a
hlgher or lower temperature exlsts, ~hls wlll erfect the
rlow rate ror a glven openlng Or the valve. For example,
although ln the temperate climates a temperature close to
20C. wlll normally be malntalned ln wlntertlme, ln the
summertime temperatures conslderably hlgher may occur. The
hlgher temperatures ln many cases wlll lower the vl~coslty
Or the concentrate and too much concentrate may be dispensed.
; 25 The adJustment screw 195 t8 utili~ed to solve this problem.
- I~ the user ~inds that too much or too llttle concentrate 1
belng dlspensed, the adJustment ~crew can be turned. ~hls
. .
.. .. ., .. .. , - , ~ , , - -
rotates the ad~ustment rlng 193 and ln efrect causes 8
relatlve rotatlon between the cap 230 and bottle 238 to ~las
the nlbs 271 in one dlrectlon or the other. In turn, thi~
means that f~r a glven rotation of the central val~e member
189 the nibs 271 wlll move up the angled or ~loped portlon
277 a greater or lesser extent. Thls in turn wlll control
the degree to whlch the valve ls opened. To enable the
ad~ustment to take place, the slots 277 must, as explalned
hereln be Or surflclent length.
The Operatlon o~ the Valve and Container
The operatlon o~ the dlspenslng valve wlll now be
explained. With rererence to Flg. 3 a carbon dloxide
bottle 67 will be ln place and the carbonator 61 will be
rllled wlth water which ls carbonated by passlng carbon
dioxlde through lt, the carbon d~oxlde being lntroduced through
the dirruser 95. The carbonator wlll be at the pressure Or
40 psi to whlch the pressure regulator 69 i8 set, i.e., this
pressure will be maintalned ln the head space above ~he
water ln carbonator 61. me detalled operatlon Or the
carbonator and the manner in which it i8 rer111ed will be
descrlbed below. Furthermore, the water in the carbonator
will have been cooled by the coollng means 55 shown on Fig.
2b. These, too, will be explained ln more detall below.
Low pressure, 5 psl carbon dloxide wlll be avallable in the
passage 113, and, becaùse Or the pres8urizat~on ln the
carbonator 61, carbonated ~ater under preB~ure will be
available ln the pastage 99. Thu~, at eacb o~ tbe valve a
.
~L2211i67
38
supply of carb~n dioxide wlll be avallable at the outlets
119 or 121 and a supply o~ carbonated water at the outlets
105 and 107. Containers o~ the desired concentrate are then
lnserted lnto the dlspenser. For example, the concentrates
may comprlse a syrup ~or ma~ing 80~t drinks ~uch as a cola,
orange ~oda, root beer, etc., or can comprlse, for example,
concentrate to ma~e quinlne water and 80 forth. In an
alternate embodlment where water i8 not carbonated, the
concentrate could be a rrult ~ulce concentrate~ or, where lt
ls desired to make a hot drlnk, ror example, a ~orree, tea
or hot chocolate concentrate.
Wlth the valve ln the Fig. 6a posltion, the
contalner 81 wlth the concentrate is inserted ln~o the valve
or valves (the illustrated embodlment includes two valve
mechanisms; however, a slngle valve or more than two could
be provlded). It iE inserted so that the tabs 211 are ln
the slots 217 and the tab 213 inserted lnto the slot 215, as
best seen rrom Figs. 6 and 11. As lt ls lnserted the member
227 wlll open the check valve 257 (Flg. B). At thls polnt,
the handle 191 wlll be in the posltlon shown in Fig. 6a and
the contalner vented. Thls wlll brlng the dip tube 229,
whlch 18 in communication with the inslde Or the container,
lnto commun~cation wlth the vent hole 183 through the passage
225 shown on Fig. 6a.
Next, the handlc 1~ moved to the posit~on ~hown ln
6b. Now the pas~age 225 1~ llned up wlth the outlet 123 ~nd
carbon ~ioxide pa~sec to the ~lttlng 227 and through the
. . . . . , ... .. .... .. . .. . - ~
.
~2Z~6~
39
check valve 257 and the dlp tube 229 into the bottle 238 to
pressurlze lt. During this operation, i.e., t~e movement
between the position of F~gs. 6a and 6b, the nlbs 271 move
ln the strai6ht sectlon 275 o~ the slot 273 ln the cap 230.
When it 16 deslred to dlspense a drink, the
handle 191 ls pushed to the rlght from the Fig. 6b posltion
to that shown ln Flg. 6c agalnst the force of the return
~prlng 233. In thls posltlon, the channel 225 is stlll
llned up with the opening 121 and the contalner remalns
pressurized. The water outlet 231 llnes up wlth the opening
107 and carbonated water ls dl~pensed rrom the spout 237
shown on Flgs. 9 and 10. The nlbs 271 have now moved into
the slanted ~ectlon 277 Or the slot 273 ln the cap 230.
Thls results ln tne cap being moved downward 80 that the
member 251 moves away from the plug 239, opening the meterlng
valve ror the concentrate whlch now rlows ln the dlrectlon
Or the arrows 261 shown on Flg. 10 lnto the space 263 and
thence out the hole 265 ln the cap and down toward a cup 267
ln a stream 269. The downward ~lowlng stream 269 lntersects
the stream 270 Or carbonhted water ln rree space causlng the
two to lntlmately mlx as they are dlspensed into the cup
267. When the deslred amount Or drink has been dlspensed,
the handle 191 ls released and returns to the posltion shown
on Flg. 6b. The bottle 238 remalns pressurlzed, but the
rlow Or concen~rate 18 stopped because Or the closln~ o~ the
~al~e thereln and the rlow Or carbonated water ~topped
because Or the movement Or the outlet 231 away ~rom the
openlng 107. Any water lert ln chamber 235 or inlet 231 o~
.
, , -,, - ,; - . . . . . .
~2z~67
Flg. 9 can draln both through pout 237 and draln outlet 187
to completely drain all dlluent. From thls polnt on,
additlonal drlnks can be dispensed slmply by moving the
handle l91 t~ the positlon shown ln Flg. 6c.
Assume ror the moment that the two concentrate
contalners 81 contain respectlvely cola and dlet cola.
Assume lt 18 now deslred to dispense quinlne water. One Or
the contalners 81 must thus be removed and replaced wlth
another containlng a quinlne water concen~rate. The con-
talner 81 to be removed is, o~ course, pressurlzed. To
relleve the pre~sure ln the contalner 81, the handle l91 i5
moved to the positlon shown ln Fig. 6a. In thls posltlon,
the contalner ls now vented, ventlng taklng place through
the passage 225 and the vent openlng 183. ~lth the pressure
relleved on the concentrate contalner 81 lt may now be
removed. As lt 18 removed, rererrlng to Flg. 8, lt 18
evldent that once lt ls llrted upward and the ~lttlng 227 18
no longer actlng agalnst the check valve 257, the check
valve 257 will close. Thls prevents any posslblllty of the
concentrate gettlng lnto and drlpplng out Or the dlp tube
229. The new contalner 18 then put lnto place arter whlch
the steps descrlbed above are rollowed.
Typlcally, the cola concentrate wlll be a relatlvely
thlck syrup whereas the qulnlne water concentrate wlll be
relatlvely thin. Thl6 requlres dlrrerent degrees Or openlng
o~ the valve made up by the member 251 and plug 239. The
nece~ary meterlng whlch muat be carrled out 1~ accompllshed
.,
.. .
, .. ,, -.~ . , . , ~ . ~ . . . .... . .
~-~z~
41
by adJusting the positloning o~ the tab 213 wlth respect to
~lot 273 on cap 23~ durlng manuracture. In other word~, in
the rest pos~tion, rererrlng to Flg. lla, ror a cola syrup
the nlb 271 wlll be close to the angled ~ection 277, but not
80 cl~e as to cause flow Or concentrate ~rom the contalner
when the rotary valve is in the Flg. 6b posltlon. On the
other hand, ror ~omething llke qulnine water lt-wlll be
placed rurther to the lert 80 that, with movement Or the
valve to the Flg. 6c posltlon, the nibs 271 wlll only ride
up on the angled portion a small amount. Alternatively,
thls control can be obtalned by uslng di~erent angles on
the angled portlon 277.
An alternate embodiment ~or the dispenslng valve
18 lllustrated in Flg. lB. In Rome cases lt may be deslred
to have the ~lspenslng unlt at a slnk. In 6uch a case, the
remalnder Or the above descrlbed apparatus would be dlsposed
below the slnk. In such a case, the valve would, Or course,
not be part Or the manlfold 77. Rather, rererrlng, ror
example, to Fig. 4, the llnes 113 and 99 wlll be brought out
rrom the manirold through suitable rittings 104 and 118
slmilar to rlttlngs 129 and 131, descrlbed above, containing
check valves. A qulck disconnect coupling such as the
eoupllng 89 may mate to these ~lttlngs with tublng extending
rom the coupllng to lnlets at the rotary valve 76C. ~alve
76C 18 ~lsposed on the end Or an angled arm 502 wlth a
¢ontainer 81 place~ thereon. me arm 1~ ~upported ror
rotatlon o~or a ~lnk 504. For e~ample, tSe openlne ln the
. ~, . .. ~ . . . .. . . . ....
.
i%2~
42
~lnk normally used ror a fipray attachment can be used. When
not in use, the arm 502 may be rotated counterclockwlse to
move the dlspenser out of the way lnto a locked posltlon.
When lt is deslred to dlspense, the arm 502 is moved to the
posltlon shown and dlspensln~ can be carrled out over the
slnk 80 that any splllage or dripp~ngs wlll be caught ln the
~lnk. Pre~erably, the arm 502 and at least the vlslble
parts Or the valve 76C ln thls case wlll be made Or a
material to match the slnk rlttlngs. Operatlon Or the valve
76C ~n con~unctlon wlth the conta~ner Bl ln all other respects
wlll be the same as descrlbed above. In thls embodlment,
and ln the prevlously descrlbed embodlments, the rate o~
~low Or the diluent can be controlled either by dlmensl~ning
Or the ~lze Or the d~luent tublng or passagesJ e.g., passage
103, or by the insertlon Or a llmltlng orlflce, for example,
at the lnner end Or the stub 131.
me varlous ad~antages both wlth respect to
construction and operatlon Or the dlspenslng arrangement
lncludlng the valve and contalner 6hould be evldent. It can
be made essentlally Or all plastlc parts whlch are easlly
molded. Other materlals can, Or course, be used. For
example, the bottle 238 may be made o~ glass or me*al. 8y
rorming the dispenslng valve in one plece wlth the manlrold
and throu&h the deslgn o~ a manlrold whlch essentlally
carrles the supply Or matcrlals to the valve, the need ror
numerous tubes and the dl~advantage~ assoclatcd therewlth
are a~olded. me deslgn Or the val~lng ln the contalner
~;2Z1~i~7
~ ~3
permits presettlng at the factory. wlth the adJustment ~crew
on the manlfold glving the ~lne adJustment neces~ary to take
care Or temperature varlatlons or personal taste. Further-
more, lt ls lmportant to note, wben rererrlng to Fig. 10,
that the concentrate passes dlrectly rrom the container into
the cup. It has been well establlshed~ that mold growth 1
llkely to occur with dilute syrup. With the dl6closed
dlspenslng arrangement the syrup i~ dlluted only after
leaving the dlspenser. Thi~ orrer~ great advantage over
most prior art dlspensers ln whlch mlxlng took place withln
the machine and which could lead to unsanitary condltlons.
The Carbonator and Coollng Sy~tems
The remainder Or the ~ystem ls also designed wlth
a vlew toward ease Or operatlon snd low co~t. The ract that
a quick dlsconnect coupllng 71 i8 provlded ror the carbon
dloxlde bottle 68 has already been noted. In addltion the
qulck dlsconnect nature Or the carbonator has also been
noted. The carbonator wlll now be explalned ln more detall
ln connection wlth Flg. 12 whlch ls an exploded perspectlve
vlew Or the dlspenser showlng the manner Or $nsertion and
removal Or the carbonator. In the dlsclosed embodlment Or
the drlnk dlspenser Or the present lnventlon, the unit is
rree-standing, i.e., lt i8 not connected to the plumblng.
It wlll be recognized that with respect to what has been
prevlously di6closed, l.e., with re6pect to the dispen~lng
arrangemcnt and the manlrold, sucb can bc ~qually well u~ea
ln a plumbed-ln or an automatlcally recharglng unlt ir
.. . .. . I . ~
lZ~16fi'7
44
provlded wlth the neces~ary controls, e.g., temperature,
level, etc. In the unit of Flg. 12r the carbonator 61
comprlses a metal tank 300 preferably Or stalnless steel or
alumlnum, havlng a lid 3~1 whlch ls removable in order to
re~ill the carbonator 61 wlth water. As prevlously ex-
plalned, the carbonator 61 lncludes a quick dlsconnect
coupllng 89 rrom which one line 90 lead~ through a restrlc-
tlon or ori~lce 93 to a dlsperslon block 950 Carbonated
water i8 rorced out Or the unlt through a llne 97. Also
lD ohown ln Flg. 12 ls the end Or the manlfold 73 wlth the two
connectlng rittings 133 and 135 proJecting thererrom. As
explalned in detail ln connectlon wlth Fig. 4, these lnsert
lnto approprlate bores ln the rittlnæ 89. As al~o explalned
ln connection wlth Flg. 4, there are valves both ln the
rlttlng 89 and the connectlng stubs 133 and 135 or.the
mani~old. Hence, when the tank 61 ls pulled away and dls-
connected ~rom the manlrold, the pressure wlthln the dls-
penslng unit, i.e., that pressurlzlng the contalners 81 and
the carbonated water ln the varlous passages, whlch ls under
pressure, and the gas under pressure belng red rrom the C02
tank are not released. W~thout such valvlng, carbonated
water would be released rrom the connectlng rittlng 135 and
the 40 psl carbon dioxlde would rlow rrom the fltting ~33.
~ At the same tlme, the valve~ wlthln the coupling
89 prevent the carbonated water under ~resbure rrom belng
discharged rrom ¢arbonator 61 and also pre~ent ~ny ~iocharge
through the carbon dloxidc lnlet. In order to ald ~n the
~ , . . .
.. . .. . ., .. , . . ; . . . .. , ~ .. . .
. . . .
~ 67
qul~k dlsconnect o~ the carbonator tank 61 and also ald in
handling lt when dlsconnected~ l.e., to permit rerllllng, a
foldlng handle 3~3 ls provlded. A ~lew o~ the handle 303 i6
also provided ln the cross sectlon o~ the carbonator ~hown
on Flg. 13. The handle lncludes a ~racket 305 which 18
attached vertically to the carbonator tank 300. Thls 1
essentlally a U-shaped bracket whlch contains a cutout
portlon 3~7 ln ~ts central portion, l.e., at thls portlon
only the base o~ the U ls present. The handle lttel~ com-
prlses two arm sectlons, an upper arm sectlon 309 and a
lower arm ~ectlon 311. me two arm sectlons are hlnged
together by ~eans Or a pln or rlvet 313. The upper arm
~ectlon 309 ls also hlnged to the upper part Or the bracket
305 by means of a pln or rlvet 315. The other end of the
lower arm 311 contalns a pin or rivet 317 whlch passes
through a slot 320 ~ormed ln the U-shaped bracket 305 near
lts bottom and ls retalned ln place by washer~ 319. Also
hinged to the pln 317 ls a downwardly extendlng retainlng
pln 321. In the position shown ln solld llnes on Flg. 13,
wlth the handle rolded agalnst the tank 300, the pln 321
extends through an appropriate hole 323 ln a ~upport plate
330 ln the top o~ the coollng untt 55. Thls, alon~ wlth the
lnsertion Or the connectlng ~tubs 133 and 135, lnto the
~lttlng 89, retalns the tank 61 ln the correct place agalnst
the tenslon Or the sprlngs ln the check ~alue~. Alter-
natl~ely, coupllng 89 could be on the bottom or ~ertlcallg
dl~posed on the slde Or carbonator 61 and the ~elght Or
.
.
46
carbonator 61 used to help to malntaln the connectlon.
When lt is desired to remove the tank, arter
removal of cover 63, the handle 303 ls moved to the position
shown ln dotted lines. The pin 317 slldes upward ln the
~lot 320 at the same tlme carrylng with lt the retainlng pln
321. It ls now posslble to remove the carbonator to rerill
lt wlth water.
Slnce the carbonator a~ter belng removed ror
rerllllng wlll stlll be under a pre~sure Or 40 p~i lt 16
essentlal that the pres~ure be released berore the cover 1
removed. Otherwlse~ the co~er could blow o~f posslbly
causing serlous ln~ury to the user. Furthermorej lt ls
lmportant that a good 6eal be malntalned between the cover
301 and the contalner 300. The present lnventlon provldes a
novel deslgn Or the mating Or the cover wlth the contalner
whlch both lnsures that the cover cannot be removed untll
the pressure 18 released, and at the same tlme lnsures that
the cover wlll always be adequately sealed, a~ter the car-
bonator ls refllled. The manner ln whlch the cover rlts
lnto the contalner 300 ls best lllustrated by Flgs. 12 and
13.
- The contalner 300 at lts top 351 tthe contalner
18 Or solid welded constructlon) has a stepped prorlle. It
has an upper recess 353 o~ rlrst lnternal dlameSer ln whlch
~ top ~langed sectlon 355 Or the coYer 301 re~t~. Followlng
thls 1~ a portlon 357 o~ ~omewhat ~maller lnternal dlamete~
contalnlng lnternal threadB 358. me ¢over 301 contaln~
~atchlng esternal threa~s 359 ~hlch cr~w lnto the threadc
.
. .. . ... .. .. .. . . . ..
.
.~ 667
35B but whlch extend to a greater depth on the lld than on the
portlon 357. This 6ection is followed by a ~ectlon 360 ~
still ~maller internal dlameter whlch contalns on lts vertlcal
~urface 361 an 0-ring seal 363. O-ring seal 363 seals
agalnst a cylindrical clrcumferentlal portion 365 of the
cover. Because cf the l~cation Or the seal 363, a radlal
rather than the conventlonal axlal type seal takes place.
What thl~ means ls that the carbonator will be sealed even
~r the cover ls not screwed on completely tlghtly, ln c~n-
trast, wlth an axlal seal, where good seallng depends on the
cover belng screwed on tlghtly. This essentlally eases
operatlon ror the user, typlcally a housewlfeJ and does not
requlre crltlcal allgnment or the appllcation o~ a certaln
a~.ount of pressure ln order to get good ~eallng.
In order to ensure that pressure ls released
berore the cover i8 removed, a rotatable handle 371, shown
on Flgs. 12 and 16, i8 provlded. Thls handle rotates to
operate a rellef valve 372, the lower portlon 373 Or whlch
ls vlslble in Flg. 13.
As shown ln Fig. 16, handle 37i 18 hlnged to a
plunger 377 by means o~ a pln 379. Plunger 377 has, ln a
recess 351 at its end, a rubber sealing disc 383. Thl~
seals agalnst a plastlc valve ~eat member 385 contalnlng a
central bore 380 ~hich is screwed lnto a threaded bore 387
ln the lld 301 and sealed agalnst the bottom Or lid 301 ~lth
~n 0-ring ~eal 390. A ~pring 375 bia~es the plunger 377
~galnst ~eat member 385. Rotatlon Or handle 371 upward
., .
~2;~
48
lifts plunger 377 orf seat member 385, by means o~ a larger
radius 388 at the handle end, to release the pressure ln the
car~onator 61 through a vent bore connectlng the biaslng
sprlng chamber to atmosphere. ~hls val~e also acts a~ a
afety valve ln that if the pres~ure exceeds an am~unt
determlned by biaslng spring 375, the plunger 377 will ll~t
Orr seat member 385 the pre~sure belng released through *he
vent bore as dlscussed above.
Thus, rotatlon o~ the handle 371 upward when lt 18
l~ deslred to rerlll the contalner, automatically opens the
valve to release the pressure. Unscrewlng o~ the cover 301
wlthout operatlng the handle 371 18 prevented by ha~ing the
handle 371 extend beyond the circumference o~ the uppermost
portlon 355 Or the cover. A cutout 378 ls ~ormed in the top
351 of the contalner 300 as best seen ln Flg. 12. When
cover 301 18 screwed lnto place, the han~le 371 snaps into
thls cutout 378. When one attempts to unscrew the cover
without lirtlng the handle 371 lt w~ll come lnto contact
with the edge 380 Or cutout 378 preventing rurther turning
until the handle i8 llrted and the pressure released.
Furthermore, because Or the pressure, turnlng wlll be Yery
dirricult, by hand, without ~irst releaslng the pressure.
Thls too ls a remlnder to operate handle 371. Finally,
should handle ~7 be broken ofr, or the ~ent valve ~all to
operate and someone use~ a wrench or the llke to generatc
enough torque to turn the cover ~hen the ve~sel 61 18 under
pres~ure, leakage past the threads, ~hlcb ~ tlll be
.. - . . . .
.~ 216~7
49
engaged when the ~eal at 0-rlng 363 ls broken, wlll bleed
the pressure of~ before the cover 301 ls free Or tank 300.
~lgs. 17a-d lllustrate an alternate embodlment Or
a closure ~or the carbonator l~d. Shown 18 a carbonator lld
301a wlth a cyllndrlcal openlng ~01 thereln. Inserted
withln the openlng ~01 ls an lnsert 503 havlng a ~rst
cyllndrlcal sectlon 505 press r~ tted lnto the openlng 501
followed by an outwardly flared ~ectlon 507 and a terminating
cylindr~cal sectlon 509.
The closure, or stopper mechanlsm, which ls
utllized to clo~e the openlng ln the cover 301a ls o~ a
nature slmllar to devlces used as stoppers for vacuum
bottles and also as boat plugs. However, as wlth the
prevlously descrlbed cover for the carbonator, lt 1~ necessary
that such a closure lncorporate means to lnsure that pres-
sure ls relleved berore the cover or stopper 18 removed, and
lt ls also deslrable that the closure be capable Or per-
rormlng as a pressure reller valve. The arrangement lllus-
trated on Figs. 17a-d accompllshes all of these runctlons.
The member whlch actually closes the openlng comprlses a
compresslble stopper Or rubber, ror example. The stopper,
whlch 18 Or cylindrical shape wlth a central bore 512, ln
the uncompressed state (See Flg. 17d), ls ritted over a tube
513. At lts lnner end tube 513 ~8 threade~. At the lnner
end o~ the stopper ls a washer 515 whlch 1~ hcld ln place by
a nut 517 screwed on to the threade~ cnd Or tube 513. ~he
~topper 511 18 compresscd between ~asher~515 and a ~ssher
~-2~66~
519 at the outer end Or the stopper, also ~lld oYer ~he *ube
513. T~e tube 513 contains a bore 521 in lts outer end
which terminates ln a conlcal valve sea~ 523. A smaller
bore 525 extends fr~m the val~e seat through to the inner
end cr the tube 513. At the end Or the tube pro~ecting
through the washer 519, the tube ls slotted to pro~lde two
d$ametrlcally opposed members or ears 527 and 529. Each of
the ears 527 and 529 contalns a hole 531 through the center
thereof. A bolt 533 on the end Or whlch 18 a nut 535 passes
1~ through these holes and through corrésponding holes 537 in
camn.ln~ means 539. Cammlng means ~39 comprlse a member o~
essential U-shaped cross-sectlon wlth two ldentlcal cam
~ur~aces 541 on the legs thereo~ on the end o~ which ls a U-
shaped lever arm 543. ~he cam surraces 541 act agalnst the
washer 519. In the position shown ln Fig. 17a, the distance
between the bolt 533 and the clrcumrerence Or the cam sur-
~ace 541 i8 a maximum. This ln turn causes the bolt and
wlth it the tube 513 to move outward compresslng the com-
pressible stopper 511. In the position shown ln Fig. 17c,
the radlus Or the cam surrace 541 remains essentlally the
same, stlll maintalning compression. Finally, ln Flg. 17d,
the dlstance between the bolt 533 and the rlattened portion
541a Or the cam sur~ace ls now reduced to permit the com-
presslble stopper to take the cyllndrlcal rorm shown ln Fl~.
17d and allow it~ removal.
What hss thl~ rar been descrlbed ~ a conventional
compresslble stopper ~rrangement typlca~ly u~ed ln ~acuum
bottles an~ a8 ~ boat plug. The primary ~lrrerence 1~ t~t
... .. . . . . . . .. . .. , ~ .. ~ . . . .. . . .. . .
~22~i6fi7
51
the conventlonal devlce does not have a hollow rod such as
the tube 513 but a s~lld rod.
In accordance with the present lnventlon, seate~
against the valve seat 523 ls a valve member 545 on the end
Or a rod 547. The rod extends, wlth a spaclng, through a
threaded plug 549, whlch i~ ~crewed into lnternal threads ln
the end Or the tube 513 and provldes a gulde ror rod 547.
Blaslng sprlng 551 18 dlsposed between the gulde 549 and the
valve member 545 blaslng the valve member against the seat
523. The end Or the rod 547 ls attached to an oval rlng
553. Between the two ears 527 and 529, a cam 555 is mounted
to bolt 533. Bolt 533, at least ln the central part thereorD
has a square cross-sectlon so that the cam 55~ turns wlth
the bolt and the cammlng means 539. Ears 527 and 529 are,
~- 15 Or course, mounted 80 that the bolt 533 turns wlthln them
e.g., the bolts is round where lt passes through ears 527
and 529.
In the posltion shown ln Fig. 17a, there 18 a
~light spaclng between the oval ring 553 and the cam 555.
Thls allows the biaslng sprlng 551 to blas the valve member
545 agalnst the seat 523 to prevent the passage o~ fluid.
The spring rorce ls selected to provlde a blaslng pressure
whlch will counteract the deslgn pressure within the vessel
wlth whlch the Glosure 18 usea. For example, when used ~n
the carbonator o~ the pre~ent lnventlon the 8prln6 would be
~et ror ~ pre6sure ~llghtly greater than 40 p~ r e~ce~lve
pre~sure bulld~ up withln the carbonator tank the val~e act~
~Zz~ 6`7
52
as a pressure rellef valve. The ~laslng force Or ~prlng 551
is o~ercome and the pressure wlthin the tank wlll ll~t the
valve member 545 Or~ the ~eat allowlng excess pressure to be
relie~ed. The fluid, e.g., carbon dloxide, under pressure
would rlow through the bore 52~ past the valve member 545
through the bore 521 e~caplng between the rod 547`and the
opening ln the guide member 549. In order to permit pres-
sure relle~, the rod ls dlsposed wlthin the guide member 549
wlth a small spacing. The nature or cam 555 18 such that ln
1~ the posltlon shown ~n Flg. 17a, the dlstance between the
axls of the bolt 533 and the cam surrace ls a minlmum. As
noted above, ln this posltlon there 1B a 611ght spacing
between the cam surface and the rlng 553. At the posltlon
shown ln Flg. 17c ln whlch the handle 543 has been rotated
through 90, a second, larger dlstance, results. Because of
this, the cam surrace comes lnto contact with ring 553
raislng the rlng and wlth lt, the rod 547. Thl8 llrtS the
valve member 545 rrom the ~eat 523 and allows a pressure
reductlon through the val~e whlch will take place at a
controlled rate based on the valve ori~ice and the cross-
~ectional area between ~he rod 547 and the hole in the guide
member 549. As noted aboveJ in thls posltlon, the cam
~urrace of cam 541 is stlll maintainlng the compressible
stopper ln the compressed state. F~nally, as shown ln Fl~.
17d, ~urther rotatlon Or the handle 543 relea8e8 the stopper
~hlle at the same tlme malntalnl~g the val~e member 545
ralsed rrOm the ~eat 523. ml8 results because the cam
. .
-- ....... .
~L~2Z~6fi7
53
~urrace of cam 555 is ~uch that betweer. the posltion shown
in Fl~. 17c and 17d ~t malntalns the ring at the ~ame
dlstance ~rom the axls of the bolt 533 holding the valve
open.
Carbonator Cooling System
As lllustrated ln Fl~ 12, ~ince the carbonator ls
cooled, the cover 63 will contain~ on lts lnsl~e, a layer of
lnsulatlon 325. Coollng ls accompll6hed one Or two way6.
In the embodlment shown on Fi6s. 12 and 13, coollng 18 done
utllizing a pan 327 o~ essentlally cyllndrical shape and
having a llp 329 at lts top. The pan 18 ~illed wlth what is
commonly known as "Blue Ice~, a type of material typlcally
used ror coollng ln plcnic coolers. The pan contalnlng the
Blue Ice sealed thereln ls placed ln a home freezer and
~5 rrozen prior to use. It ls then lnserted lnto the dispenser.
For th~s purpose, a support plate 330 havlng a clrcular
openlng 332 thereln to recelve the pan 327 ls provlded. The
plate 330 18 supported ln conventlonal ~ashlon on a rec-
tangular rrame 331 whlch rorms part Or the coollns unlt. In
. addltlon, the ln~lde or the rectangular rrame 331, thls
rrame restlng on the base 43 Or the d~spensing unit, con-
talns lnsulatlon 333 to prevent rapld meltlng Or the Blue
Ice.
Shown on Flg. 12 are ventllatlon holes 57 ln the
rectangular ~rame 331, and ~entllation holes 59 ln the base
~3. ~heso are not requlred ~lth thls type o~ coollng unlt
but rc u~e~ ~lth the coollng unlt to be~de~crlbc~ ~n ¢on-
nectlon ~lth Plg. 14 below. me plate 330 ln ~hlch the pan
!
~.z2~6~
327 15 lnserted 15 prererably 0~ a materlal wlth poor heat
conductiv~ty, such as p~lypropylene.
In the alternate embodiment shown in Flg. 14, the
dlspenser is provided with an electr~cal coollng unlt. Once
agaln, thls unlt ls lnserted in, or provided in con~unctlon
wlth, a plate 330, o~ poor heat conductl~lty. Agaln, the
plate contains an opening 323 ror the insertion of the pin
321 on the handle 303 Or the carbonator 61. The electrlcal
coollng unit lncludes, below a plate 335 Or good heat con-
ducti~ity, a plurallty Or thermoelectrlc coollng units 337.
The nature Or these unlts ~8 that there 18 a temperature
gradlent establlshed between the opposlng slde when elec-
trical current ls passed through them. The thermoelectrlc
unlts, whlch are essentlally Or a plate-like material, ha~e
their cold slde abuttlng agalnst the plate 335. Attached to
thelr warm slde are heat sinks 339. Below the heat sinks, a
ran 341 ls mounted ror establlshlng a rlow Or cooling alr to
remove heat rrom the heat sinks. Power ls supplied to the
ran and to the thermoelectrlc coollng unlts 337 by means Or
the power line 343. The clrcult o~ this unlt ls descrlbed
below ln connectlon wlth Flg. 15. When operatlng wlth such
a unlt cool alr ls drawn through openlngs 345 (Flg. 14)
below the ran, warm alr ls exhausted through the openlngs 57
and 59 shown on Figs. 12 and 2b.
Flg. 15 1~ a 8chematlc dlagram o~ the clrcult ror
the thermoelectrlc coollng elemento 337 Or Flg. 14. Thc
power ~upply cable 343 ha~ on lt~ end a ~lug ~01 to be
. .
.. .. .... , .. . , ~ . . . ......... .
.
~LZ~i67
plugged lnto a conven'clonal outlet to supply power at the
llne voltage to the coollng system. Fan 341 ls ccupled
across the two sides Or the AC p~wer llne 343. Also coupled
across the line ls the prlmary 403 o~ a transformer 405.
The secondary 407 of transformer 405 is coupled to two
diagonal~ 409 and 411 Or a ~ull wave rectlfier bridge 413
comprlsing diodes 414-417. At the other two dlagonal~ 419
and 421 Or the bridge, rectiried DC, at approx~mately 18
~olts 18 taken Orr. A capacltor 423 16 placed ln parallel
across the diagonals 419 and 421 to rllter the DC voltage.
The plurality Or thermoelectrlc coollng elements 337 are
arranged ln serles ln two groups. The first group 425
comprlses the elements 337 a-d ln serles, and the second
group 426 elements, 337 e-i, ln serles. The rree end of the
1~ thermoelectrlc element 337 a in group 425 i8 connected to
the bridge terminal 419. The ~ree end o~ the element 337d
ls coupled through a normally open relay contact 427 to the
opposite diagonal 421 Or bridge 413. The other group 426
has lts one end, the rree end Or element 3371, coupled to
the termlnal 421 Or the bridge 413, and ~ts other end, the
~ree end Or element 337e coupled through a se~ond 6et Or
normally open contacts 429 to the term~nal 419 Or thc
brldge. 5he end Or the element 337e coupled to the co~tacts
429 1~ also coupled through a set Or normally closed relay
2~ contacts 431 to the end Or the element 337d coupled to tbe
contact~ q27. Contact~ 427, 429 and 431 are oper~ted by
relay coil 433 ~hich 1B connected acro~B the eoondary 407
... . . . ., .. , . .. . . . . v . ...
56
o~ transrormer 405 ln serle~ wlth a switch 435.
In operatlon, once t~e plug 401 ls plugged into an
approprlate wall outlet and power ls being supplled over the
power line 343, the ran 341 will immedlately begin operatlng.
The llne voltage applied across the prlmary 403 of transformer
405 wlll be ~tepped down to approximately 12 volts whlch
will then be rectlried ln the brldge 413 to provlde a DC
voltage o~ approxlmately 18 volts at the output terminals
419 and 421 of the brldge. Thl8 DC ~ol~age wlll be ~moothed
and riltered by the capacltor 423. The polarlty o~ the DC
voltage 18 posltlve at the termlnal 419 and negatlve at the
termlnal 421. The thermoelectrlc elements 337a-3371 are
approprlately poled in accordance with these polarltles. In
the condltlon shown, wlth the swltch 435 open, the relay 433
wlll not be energlzed. Thus, contact 431 wlll be closed
and the contacts 427 and 429 opened as shown. The DC voltage
wlll rlow rrom the termlnal 421 through the serles clrcuit
425, through the closed relay contact 431, and the serles
clrcuit 426 back to the termlnal 419. In other words, ln
thls condltlon, all Or the thermoelectrlc elements 337a-3371
are ln series across the output Or brldge 413. The nature
Or the thermoelectrlc elements 18 such that thelr degree Or
coollng is proportlonal to the current. Furthermore, the
element~ are resl6tl~e in nature. Thus, ~ith all elements
~n serlcs, the current whlch 18 determlned by the ~um Or the
reslstanccs ~111 rlow. Typlcallg, thls current ~ approxlmately
8 amp~. Thls e6tabllshc~ a rlr~t, lo~cr lc~el Or coollng.
..
... . ... .
t~ ~)
l~Z~6~
When the swltch 435 1~ closed, the relay 433 is
energlzed openin~ conta~t 431 and closing contact~ 427 and
429. A~ a result, the two ~erles clrcult~ 425 and 426 are
now connected in parallel across the output termlnals 419
and 421 Or the brldge 413. The current flowlng through each
o~ the two parallel branches c~mprislng the serles clrcuit~
425 and 426 wlll now be determined by the number Or element6
ln each Or the serles clrcults. Slnce thls ~s a smaller
number ln each case than when all elements were connected ln
~eries, greater currents wlll rlow ln each Or the two par-
allel ~ranches. Th~s wlll then result in a greater coollng
er~ect. me thermoelectric coollng elements can be o~ the
type manu~act~red and 601d by Cambion Electrlc, Cambrld~e,
Mass .
Fig. 19 shows an im;~oved form of valve and manifold
according to the present invention. The arranBement is
essentially the ~ame as that shown in Fig. 6. The embodiment
of Fig. 19, however, is adapted ror easier molding and is also
adapted to be used with an impro~ed ~orm o~ valving mechanism
~n the container. Manifold 77a contains appropriate bores
182a to receive the rotating valve members 189a. As in the
previou~ embodiment, an inlet opening 105 ~or the diluent
surrounded by an 0 ring seal 109 and an inlet opening 119 ~or
tbe carbon dioxide surrounded by an 0 ring ~eal 123 are
providcd. The passages leading to the outlet~ 105 and ll9a,
port~on o~ithe pa~sage 115 a being vi~ible in Fig. 19 are
oolded into the manirold 77 ~uch that they are o~ U ~haped
cross ~e,c,t,lon. Thcy are then enolo~ed by an appropr~atc
cover piece ~hich i~ bonded intQ plaoe. The ~ame ~cheme i~
, .. .. ~ . . . . . . .
:lZ216fi7
58
is utilized in forming passages 225a and 235a in the central
rotating valve member 189a as will be seen beloqw. A central
opening 185a through which the spout 237a extends for dispens-
inB diluent and also from which the concentrate can be dispensed
is provided as in the previous embodiments. Also included is
a drainage slot 187a performing the same function as the
drainage slot 187 of FiB. 6. As can be seen from Fig.lg and
Figs. 2C and 21, the rotating valve mémber is molded to be
cup-like with an outer cylindrical wall 190 which rotates
within the opening 182a. Concentric therewith is an innerwall
192 which forms the opening in which the cap of the container
is inserted, as best seen in Fig. 20. Inner wall 192 contains
a slot 215a therein in which the tab 213a on a cap 230a is
inserted. As previously explained, as the central rotatable
member is rotated by means Or a handle 191a, the cap will
rotate therewith. Diposed over the base 181a and the rotat-
able central valve members 189a, and retaining them in place
is a cover 201a having slots 218 to permit the handles 191a
to extend therethrough. The cover contains a central opening
in whlch diametrically opposed slots 217a are formed to engage
tabs on the neck of the container. These take the place of
the similar slots 217 in the ad~ustment disc of Fig. 6. In
the present embodiment, ad~ustment by means of an ad~ustment
di~c i~ not carried out. Rather, all ad~ustment to take care
o~ temperature variations or the like oan be done by controll-
ing pres~ure or by u~ing temperaturo ~en~itive mean~ in the
outlet passage. Within the central val~e member 189a bet~een
the ~all~ 190 and 192, the expan~ion cbamber 235a, ror the
. .
.
.~ .
*;~
59
diluent is formed by two curved walls 236 and 238 respectively.
This chamber communicates with the spout 237a. The inlet to khe
chamber is thr~u~h an inlet op~ning 235b best seen on the bottom
plan view of FiB. 21. ~hen in the proper position, this over-
lies the diluent outlet 105. The wall 236, along with a wall
240 form the carbon dioxide chamber or passage 225a. Carbon
dioxide from the outlet 119 enters through an iniet opening 225c
and flows from the chamber 225a into a chamber 225b which is
formed in a strut 223a which extends from the wall 192. This
terminates in a central cyclindrical member 227a which is
adapted to be inserted into the central opening in the cap. An
additional solid strut 223b helps support the member 227a.
Member 227a is surrounded by an 0 rinB seal 260a. In order to
fully enclose the chambers 225a and 235a, a cover 194 is provided
which is welded in place onto the rotatable valve member 189a so
as to seal against walls 190 and 192 along with partition~ 236,
238, and 240.
Biasing of rotatable valve member 189a is by means of
a spring 233a and a suitable post 232 on the base 181a. This
biases the handle to the left as seen in Fig. l9 so that neither
opening 225c nor 235b are overlying their respective outlets 119
and 105. In this embodiment, there is no vent position. Rota-
tion Or the handle 191a to the right results in the opening 225c
first coming to overlie the slotted opening 119, whereafter,
with continued rotation, the opening 235b w~ll overlie the
outlet 105. In the pre~ent embodiment the container, ~hen
removed rrom the machine, remaln~ pres~urized. ~hus, venting is
not required.
~ZZ~66`-
Other than the lack of venting, and the lack Or an
adJustment disc, the emb~diment Or Fig. l9 is runctionally
identical to that of Fig. 6J The changes are made simply to
facilitate molding of the parts and to avoid the need to carry
out machining. The channel 225b is closed off by a cover
member 225d shown in Fig. ~0 but not in place in ~ig. 21 In
this way, the ma~or portion Or the central ~alve number 189a
can be molded whereafter the cover 194 can be put in place
along with the cover or insert 225d, both sealed in place so
as to provide the necessary chambers. Similar techniques are
used in molding the manifold 77a so as to rorm various needed
passages such as the passage 105a.
Figs. 20 and 21 also show a preferred valving arrange-
ment for the container. In the embodiment previously disclosed,
the rate Or concentrate dispensing was controlled by the amount
Or rotation. In the embodiment Or Figs. 20 and 21, the basic
control Or the amount Or concentrate beinB dispensed is by means
of the size o~ the opening 265a through the cap. This will be
sized according to the type of concentrate being dispensed. For
example, diet soda concentrate is much le~s viscous than syrups
containing sugar. Thus for diet concentrates the diameter Or
the bore opening 265a will be much smaller. Furthermore,
Yariou~ types Or check valves, which were previously tried,
failed to adequately seal against leakage Or a diet concentrate.
For this reason, the embodiment Or Fig. 20 u~e~ a po~itive
~huto~ Yalve rather than a check val~e. ~ berore, the cap i~
~ormed ~ith a central bore lnto which the gas outlet 227a ~s
in~erted and sealed by meana o~ the O ring seal 260a. Shls
. . . ~ .. ... . ... :. , . ... . ~ . .. . .
.
.
.
' ~L2~ifi7
6l
opening c~mmuntcates with a tu~e 229a. In the previous embodi-
ment, this was a dip tube which contained in it a check valve.
In the ~resent e~bodiment, this tube, which has a flat end,
seals against a cylindrically shaped seal member 242 preferably
made of food grade silicone rubber. The cap can be made of
polypr~pylene or l~w density polyethylene as may the plug 239a
which is inserted into the neck of the container 238a. The
cylindrical plug 242 is retained in a pro~ecting portion of the
plug made Or four equally spaced ribs 229A. The ribs extend
from an annular surface 244. Annular ~urface 244 seats against
an 0 ring 252a retained in a slot in the capO This prevents any
Or the concentrate, which will be surrounding the ribs 229a,
rrom Betting past this sealing point. In addition, a further 0
rinB seal 246 prevents leakage from the ~oint between the
insert 239a and the bottle 238a.
In operation, as previously, rotation of the cap 230a,
which contains slots 273a in which tabs 21la on the bottle 238
are inserted, the slots 273a being slanted as shown in Fig. ~lA,
resu;ts in the movement Or the cap 230a with respect to the
insert 239a. This simultaneously causes the tube 229a to
separate ~rom the cylindrical seal 242 to permit pressurizing
gas to reach the interior Or the container, and moves the
annular part 244 away ~rom the O ring seal 252a. As a result,
rlow Or the concentrate can reach the outlet 265a. To prevent
concentrate from escaping from below that point an additional O
ring ~eal 259a is provlded between surracea o~ the insert 239a
and the lnner portion Or the oap 230a. ~ these two surraces
move with respect to each other, the 0 ring seal maintains a
fi~
,
seal therebetween. In this embodiment, when the container is
first used, there will not be an elevated pressure in the
container until the cap is first rotated to open the valve
formed between the tube 229a and the member 242. However at the
same time as pressurizing takes place dispensing will com~nce
since a passage to the outlet 265a will be opened. This of
course only occurs on the first drink. It was thought that
there might be some deterioration in quality in this first
drink. However, tests have shown that t~ere is no noticeabie
difference even on the first drink of, fore example, 200m;.
This due to the fact that the pressurizing gas enters more
quickiy than the concentrate leaves. The sealing arrangement
shown ir. Fig. 20 has been found to be particularly effective
with all types of ~yrups. Although in the present embodiment~
the seal at the tube 229A is against a member made of silicon
rubber, by using plastic materials of different hardness for
tube 229A and the insert, it is possible for the seal to be
molded right into the ~nsert. The central rotatable valve
member can be made of Delrin, an Acetal homopolymer with the lid
201a and base 181a made of ABS plastic. With the low viscosity
of diet syrups, it has been found that a reduced pressure of one
PSI is preferred in the container. By proper sizing of the
outlet 265a along with this pressure, both diet and regular
- drinks can be dispensed. Furthermore, the tolerances estab-
lished in the industry for drinks of this nature are maintained
o~er an adequate range Or temperatures without rurther ad~ustment.
.. .. ..
.
~2Z~667
63
- Figs. 22 and 23 show a new form of diffuser.
The diffuser includes a base 801 containing an inlet
fitting 803 in which the line 90 from coupling 89 or 89A
(see Fig. 12) is fitted and sealed in conventional fashion
with a nut 807. The fitting opens into a chamber 809
communicating through apassageway 811 with a cavity 813
which, in turn, communicates through another passageway 815
with another cavity 817. As seen from the plan view of
Fig. 23, there is, in the center of each of the cavities,
which are of cylindrical cross-section, a raised area 819
containing a threaded hole 821. Also, there is recess 823
formed in each of the cylindrical spaces 813 and 817. The
recess 823 receives an O-ring 825. A Qealing washer
827 overlies the raised area 819. Shown in exploded view
above this area is a sintered plate or sintered disc
having thickness of approximately l/16th of an inch and
a 2-inch diameter. One is provided over each of the two
cavities 813 and 817. A stainless steel machine screw
833 is provided for securing the disc onto the body and
20 covering the cavities 813 and 819. The disc is made of
sintered stainless steel having a maximum 5-micron passage
size. This diffuser has been found to be particularly
efficacious in carrying out carbonation. The removable
disc permits disassembly of the difusser for purposes of
25 cleaning and hygiene. Preferably cavities 817 and 813
are shallow to permit gas entering therein to entrain
water which collects in the cavities thereby wetting the
pores of the diffuser and improving gas aiffusion character-
~stics.
' .:
.
6~i7
-64-
Figs. 24-26 illustrate a pneumatic actuator for
the valve 79 of Fig. 4 or Fig~19. For this purpose, a
portion of a linkage 901 is connected by means of a scr~w
903 to a portion corresponding to the actuating lever 191 of
Fig. 4. P~rtion 901 of the linkage is coupled through a
joint 905 to another linkage arm 907 connected through
joint 908 to a movable block 909. Block 909 is contained
within a suitable bore 911 and is coupled by a rod 913 to a
piston 915 disposed in a cylinder 917. The end of the
cylinder 917 adjacent to block 909 is sealed by a plug 919
which has a projection 921 at its end inserted into the
cylinder and sealing thereagainst with an O-ring 923 between
the cylinder wall and the plug. Another O-ring 925 seals
against the rod 913 attached to the piston. The piston,
itself, seals against the cylinder 917 by means of another
o-ring 927. Cylinder 917 has an inlet at each end, thus,
there is an inlet 931 and an inlet 933. To insure that
with the piston 915 at its end positions there is a space
for gas to be admitted to the cylinder, raised areas 935 are
formed at each of the piston. In the position shown in Fig.
24, gas is admitted through the passage 933, driving the
piston 915 to one end and operating valve 7g to dispense.
This is accomplished by pressing a button 937 extending
through an opening in the manifold. Button 937 iB an
extension of a rectangular member 939 containing a
.
,, . .. .. , . . ~
~.~2~67
-65-
cylindrical chamber 941. Member 939 slides in a suitable
recess formed in the manifold. There are two outlet passages
from chamber 941--an outlet 943 and and outlet 945 and in
the position shown the outlet 943 is aligned with passage
933, the junction between sealed with an O-ring 947.
5imilarly, there is an O-ring 349 surrounding the passage
945. Passage 931 is venting to the atmosphere because of
small gap between the member 939 and the opening in the
manifold. Carbon dioxide at the same pressure as is used in
the carbonator, is supplied through a fitting 951 screwed
into a suitable threaded bore in the manifold through a
passage 953 to a connecting piece 955 which is press-fitted
into the manifold. Connecting piece 955 contains a central
bore 957 which is in communication with the cavity 941 in
the member 939. As illustrated by Fig. 25, the cavity 941
is of cylindrical cross-section and seals against the
connecting tube 955 by means of an O-ring seal 959. Also
visible in this view are the seals 925 and 923 sealing the
cylinder 915. When the button is release, because of the
carbon dioxide pressure in the cavity 941, the button will
move outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 26. Now, the
passage 945 is aliyned with the passage 931 and carbon
dioxide is admitted to the other end of the cylinder 915
acting on the other side of piston 921 to immediately drive
the pi~ton ~nd with it the block 909, thereby moving linkages
.. .. ., , ., .. ~ , ., . . , . ..... .. . .. , . . . ~ .
~2Z~j6t7
-66-
907 and 901 to the position shown to close the dispensing
valve 79. The cylinder 915 on th~ other side of the piston
921 vents through the passage 933 and the gap formed between
member 939 and the recess in the manifold as indicated by
arrow 961 of Fig. 25. To prevent the ~utton 937 and more
importantly the block 909 and its associated linkage from
remaining in an operating position due to the lost of carbon
dioxide pressure, spring biasing is also provided. Thus,
there is a spring 963 biasing the member 937 outwardly into
the closed position. Similarly, a spring 965 biases the
lock 909 outwardly to move the valve to the closed position.
The diameter of cylindrical chamber 941 should
be kept small to minimize the force needed to push button 937.
The diameter of cylinder 915 should be as large as practical
taking into consideration the loss of gas on each operation.
The pneumatic arrangement provides a snap action on and off
control preventing the valve being partially on or off so
as to maintain a high quality drink.
. . . - ,. - - -
