Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACYl:;ROUND OF lie INVENTION
Flailed O-- TOE MENTION
! This invention pertains to an apparatus and a method for dip-
pcnsing cold post-mixed beverage using compressed gas for pneumatic
pier of the dispenser.
THE PRIOR AWAIT
The accepted procedure ant structure for dispensing peacetime
beverages utilizes stainless steel syrup tanks. The larks are filled
nut a bottling or distribution center, pressurized, and then transported
to 8 place of use. The tanks always remain pressurized and are connected
to a carbon dioxide bottle and kept pressurized during dispensing. The
tat size must be of about five gallons in order to be economically viable
or the container cost per unit of volume becomes excessive. however, this
five-gallon tank is quite heavy and its use it restricted to co~ercial
distribution channels such as restaurants and bars. A continually pros-
surized lark also requires an educated and knowledgeable veer who can con-
neat and disconnect the pressurized trunks witliout leakage. The pressure
lied tank must be returned after usage, far cleaning and refill for its
next trip, and therefore Roy transportation over predetermined routes
is a business necessity. The use of pressurized tanks does not lend
itself to domestic beverage dispensers, the domestic distribution channels
or to use by unskilled people.
n alternate to the usage of pressurized tanks it usage of a
package culled the bag-in-box (JIB). The BIB it a plastic bag inside of
a cardboard box. The bag it not pressurized and beverage it drawn out of
the bug by a suction pump which may be electrical or gas powered. The BIB
has enjoyed limited success for soft drink syrups. there hove been many
problems including pup failure, leakage, pump burn-out, seal failure,
and other causes. The BIT his enjoyed Erector success as a retail pac'~nge
for wLne9, where there has been no need to use a pup. The BIB ha been
of 2-5 gallon in order to be an economically viable package, Smaller
package sizes such as the sizes typically retailed, are not eco~o~icnlly
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effective. Plaid connection to a BIB hag been troublesome and leakage
is all too frequent.
Attempts have been made to devise a compressed gas powered
leverage dispenser that does not require electricity for power of beverage
pups. There have been some technical successes but these examples are
extremely complicated, failure-prone, and costly. These devices have nut
been successful in the marketplace even when embodied as relatively
expensive vending machines. These machines have been very difficult to
jeep clean, very difficult to sanitize, and very difficult to repair.
Ike prior art also has never been able to integrate the beverage pump
nod Yanks into a goof-proof and leak-proof package.
OBJECTS OF HO INVE~ION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
told beverage dispensing apparatus which is parboil by compressed gas.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved,
simplified, and economical structure for a compressed gas parboil bevy
erase dispenser.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved
refrigeration and cabinet structure for a cold beverage dispenser.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-
flavor pose-mlx beverage dispenser parboil by compressed gas and having
u pneumatic servo system to open a water valve.
It it an object of the present invention to provide an improved
method of dispensing peacetime beverage utilizing expressed gee for pumping
syrup from a normally non-pressurized pump and syrup tank.
It is nun object of the present invention to provide 8 post-mix
carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus that is technically and economy
Cole suitable for use in a domestic household having no training in the
art nod devices of beverage dispensing.
Siege OF r~VEI~O~
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, n
cold beverage dispensing apparatus parboil by coursed gas has a
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/ cabinet with cooling chamber containing a refrigeration evaporator, a
. / source of compressed gas at a regulated pressure, a water reservoir, a
non-pressurized syrup tank and a normally nonpressurized syrup pup
fluidly connected to the tank; a nominal dosed water valve is connected
to the reservoir, a dispensing nozzle is on the outside of the cabinet
and is connected tote water valve and syrup pump, a pneumatic power
valve is in between the gas source and the syrup pump, and a manual
actuator is connected to the power valve to selectively effect connection
of the gas source to the pump and to open the water valve.
In further accordance with the present invention, a pneumatically
` parboil multi-flavor pos~-mix beverage dispenser has a source of carbon
dioxide guns, a source of cold carbonated water, a plurality of pneumat-
icily parboil syrup pumps each of which is connected to a non-pressurized
up tank, a water valve, a dispensing nozzle connected to the water valve
nod the purpose pneumatic servo connected to open the water valve, n pour-
amity of pneur,latic power valves for dispensing, each power valve having
an inlet connected to the gas source, an outlet connected to a respective
pump and the servo, a vent to atmosphere, a valve element normally con-
netting the purr and servo to the vent, end a dispensing actuator which
moves the valve element and connects the gas source to the pump and the
servo for effecting concurrent syrup pumping and water flow to the nozzle.
A writhed of dispensing in accordance with the present invention
includes the stops of cooling a reserve of utter and a tankful of non-
pressurized syrup to just above freezing, pressurizing the water with
comprosscd Easy transferring syrup by gravity from the syrup task into
a non-pressurized syrup pup and Montanan the syrup in the purr at
least as Cowl as the tank syrup, concurrently dispensing cooled utter
and syrup at substantially the same pressure and tc~pcrature by connecting
the compressed gas to the syrup pump and peppiness syrup at nod with the
pressure of the gas while opening a uatcr valve nod propelllnz utter
under the gas prcs3ure, combining the flows of syrup and uatcr to form
a beverage, and terminating dispensing by closing the waler valve end
disconnecting the gas from the pump and thcnvcntlnz cud gas Unto a coollsg
chamber which commonly cools the rcsorvolr, tank nod pro.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIRE DRAWI~CS
I
FIG. 1 is a schematic of the fluid elements and connections
of the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for dispensing beverage;
FIG. 2 is a simplified elevationnl vleu in section through
thy preferred structural embodiment of the present invention with fluid
l~ne9 being omitted for the purpose of clarity;
lug. 3 is a downward looking section view through line III-III
Of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2 with
a front door opened to show the contents of the cabinet.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2 with
no e cover removed and sitting on top of the cabinet;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the buck side of the apparatus
of JIG. 2;
FIG. 7 is a detail sectional vie of a power valve in the spear-
anus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is a detail sectional view of a dlsconnccc structure in
the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 it a detail view of a servo operated water valve in the
apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. lo is an elévational side view in partial section of a
syrup tank and pump of the apparatus of FIG. 2;
IT. if is an elevation Al end view in partial section of the
structure of FIG. to; and
FIG. 12 is a Dow elevation Al detail view of the pump of the
apparatus of FIGS. ? and lo
AS Solon ON Tiff Dyes
The principles of the present invention are particularly useful
u~cu embodied in cold beverage dispensing apparatus schematically wrapper
sensed in 2~G. 1 nod generally indicated by the numeral lo The appnrntus
10 bay a thermally insulated cabinet if having a cooling chamber 12 Wesley
contains 8 compressed guns source 13, a water reservoir 14, nonpressurized
syrup tanks 15 and normally nonpressurized syrup pump 16.
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The gas source 13 is a bottle having an integral pressure rug-
iator 17 sea at a predetermined propellant pressure. The water reservoir
14 is n tonally conductive metal tank sized to hold a plurality of
of valor, or en, to at Lotte 4 liter and preferably 20 liter
or so. the rlscrvoir 14 is connected to the gas source 13 by a supply
line 18 Rich e~;tc3ds through pneumatic dispensing power valves 19 from
a sorter turn pus actor 20 connected to the rcj3ulator 17 . The riser-
void 14 has a gas ret 21, a water inlet 22 connected to a water supply
live 23 viny a ouzel check valve 24, a water filter 25 and shutoff
dice 26. 1. per pulp 27 may be provided inside of the chamber 12 for
fly the reservoir 14. A water dispensing line 28 leads from a water
ought 33 of the rese~vDir 14 to a normally closed water valve 29 and then
Jo on e~tern31 dispensing nozzle 30 which is on the outside of the cabinet
11. ye r~eser~Dir 14 water level is maintained well below the top of the
rewarder 14 bar a conventional float and needle valve (not shown) and
there is 2 propcll2mt gas head space 31 above the waler. on automatic
pressure relief valve 32 it on top of the reservoir 14 in fluid commune
location with the head space 31; the relief valve 32 vents to atmosphere
in two cooling space 12.
Etch syrup tank 15 has a normally closed but removable filling
cur 34 and a breather aperture 86 which vents the tank 15 to atmosphere
within tune Cowan chamber 12 and which keeps the inside of the tank 15
non-prcssurize~ and at atmospheric pressure. leach power valve 19 has an
inlet comprised of 8 first gas inlet 35 and a second gas inlet 36. The
power leg 19 arc connected in series in the gag supply line 18 Thea
the first inlet 35 of a first power valve lo being dirtily conncctec~ to
the say Ursa 13, and a second outlet 36 of the last power valve 19 being
~::xmec~ed to tile head spice 31, and a second inlet 36 of the the first
power lye 19 byway connected to a first inlet 35 of the second or next
paver valve lo and 30 on until a second outlet 36 of the next to lust
pry lye 19 is cnected to a first inlet 35 of the last power valve
19. J~ch pucker valve has an outlet split into 8 first outlet 37 and a
stilt 38. h first outlet 37 is connected to a propell~t guns
delve Lyle 31i v~Lich woes throuj3h a disconnect 40 to a respective syrup
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pump 16. Each second outlet 38 is connected by n servo propellant gas
line 41 to a pneumatically operable servo 42 having a hammer 43 for
forcing n valve anvil 44 to effect opening of the water valve 29. Within
the servo 42 is a pneumatic OR lilac mechanism comprised of diaphragms 46
between the hammer 43 and the servo lines 41; a diaphragm is also between
each pair of adjacent servo fines 41. Each power valve 19 has a vent 47
to atmosphere within the cooling chamber, and a valve clement 48 having
a normal position in which the inlets 35, 36 and the gas source 13 are
closed to the outlets 37, 38 and in which the vent 47 is fluidly connected
to the outlets 37, 38 and thereby to a respective syrup pump 16. The valve
element 48 it movable to an alternate dispensing position in which the
inlets 35, 36 no the gas source 13 are fluidly connected to the outlets
37, 38, and to n respective syrup pump 16 and the servo 42, and in which
the outlets 37, 38 are closed to the vent 47. The valve element 48 is
spring biases and unsuitably and automatically returns to the normal posy
ltivn. Each of the outlets 35, 36 has a fly restructure 49 which seems
to keep the surge of propellant gee from blowing off unclamped and Eric-
tonally secured propellant lines 39, 41.
A syrup dispensing line 50 QxteDds from a respective syrup pup
16 to the nozzle 30. Each dispensing line has an open disconnect 51 con-
netted to a normally closed check valve and disconnect 52 in a further
dispensing line 53 which is connected to an adjustable fly restructure 54
alongside the nozzle 30. Each syrup pump 16 has a syrup inlet 55 in fluid
communication with the inside of a respective syrup tank 15, and a syrup
outlet 56 to which a respective dispensing fine 50 it connected. A self-
chcckin~ fill valve 57 allows syrup to fly into the pump 16 but prevents
flow of syrup from the pump 16 back to the tax 15. The propellant line
39 it cv.~nected to a propellant port 58 and an expandable elastvmeric
bladder 59 separates propellant gas from syrup. The pump 16 is preferably
within the tank 15, and is insertable through and with drawable vet of
the tax 15 whey the cover 34 is removed. An uF~ard extending pup handle
60 enables manual insertion and removal of the pun 16 with respect to
the tax 15. Each tank 15 has a top wall 61 through which both the bevy
erase dispensing line 50 and the propellant line 39 extend. The tank 15
has no openings below the top wall 61 and eke pump 16 it held against
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tank bottom 62 by inwardly dimpled retainers 63 which frictionally en-
gage the pump 16 but are flyable enough to allow the pump 16 to be man-
ally pulled out by the handle 60. The nozzle 30 it mounted in a dispel-
Yoga station 64 which it mounted on the outside of a neural closed
cabinet door 65. The station 64 has a drip tray 65, downwardly depress-
able actuator buttons 66 which enrage respective power valves 19 and
effect pressurization of a selected pump 16 and the servo 42 to open the
Tory Ynlve 29, and a removable nozzle cover 67 that normally covers the
adjustable syrup flow restructures 54. The cabinet 11 includes a box 68
basins a back panel 69 upon which is mounted a refrigeration condenser 70.
A pair of equals 71 are mounted under the back panel 69 on opposite corners
ant a pair of fold-out spacer handles 7Z are mounted on opposite corners
sdja en an upper edge 73 of the back panel 69. The water reservoir 14,
which is the heaviest single structure in the apparatus 10, it mounted
adjacent the back panel 69 and the heavy refrigeration courser 74 is
onward directly under the rescrvDir 14 and between the wheel 71 for
stability. In the cooling chnmbcr lo is a U-shaped refrigerant evaporator
75 having extended logy 76 facing toward the cabinet door 65. The water
reservoir 14 has a circular section when viewed from above and the length
of each evaporator leg 76 is greater than a diameter of the reservoir 14
90 that the reservoir 14 is cGmplctcly within the evaporator 75 when
viewed from above.
Cabinet hunks 77 pivoenlly mount the door 65 to one side edge of the box
68 and the door 65 is openable about a vertical axis defined by the hinges
` 77. On the inside of the door 65 is a tank rack 78 for the syrup tanks 15,
and a bottle rack 79 for the gas source 13. At the top of the door 65 is
a control ah umber Jo which houses the power valves 19, the servo 42 and
the waler valve 29. The control chamber 80 it fluidly open to the cooling
chamber 12, but/access and view arc blocked by a removable control chamber
cover 81. The control chamber 80 is in direct fluid communication with
the cooling chamber 12 and 19 considered to be part of eke cooling chamber
12.
. The spacers 10 Jay alternatively not be connected to a running
Nat supply nod may be provided with a water vat 82 inside of the cooling
ch3sber 12. The water vat OR connected eon an inlet of the pup Z7 and
35~
the pump 27 is under the control of a cDnvcntional water level control
trot shown) for the reservoir 14. There is an advantage to the vat 14
it that it can be filled with ice and water to assist cooling and increase
the cold drink capacity of the apparatus 10.
Fogs. 2 and 3 best show the efficient and effective arrangement
the structure in the apparatus lo The evaporator 75 is positioned
near the top of the cooling chamber 12 with the closed end of the U-shape
it the fear with the legs 76 extending toward the door 65. The water
~ecer7~ir 14 is within the U-shaped evaporator 75 as best seen in FIG. 3,
and the reservoir 14 is backed up against the back panel 69 while leaving
root for the evaporator 75 and a downward flow of cold air between the
back pull 69 and the reservoir 14, The syrup tanks 15 are supported by
the tank racks 78 on the inside of the door 65. The tanks 15 are positioned
side by side to one another at the open end of the U-shaped evaporator 75
which jives a static cooling preference to the reservoir 14 without the
use of a fan. The gas bottle 13, which is preferably a bottle of high
pressure carbon dioxide gas, is supported by the bottle rack 79 ox the
inside of the door 65. The gas bottle 13 is supported closely adjacent
to the axis of the hinges 77. The optional winter pump 27 is in the cooling
chamber 12 under the reservoir 14. The optional water vat 82 may replace
tube lowermost syrup tank 15 (if and when the vat 82 is used. The dispel-
sung power valves lo, the servo 42 arid the water valve 29 are all in the
control chamber 80 of the door 65. The chamber cover 81 conceals the
tubing, valves nod various components in the control chamber 80 but lets
vented propellant go into the cooling chamber 12. The downwardly depress-
Blake actuators 66 arc connected to pivot and push in the valve elements
48. The downward force resisted by the buttons gives no lateral force to
move the apparatus lo Dun the floor upon which it rest. The compressor
74 being under the reservoir 14 and laterally bctwccn the wheels 71, con-
centratfsthe weight of the apparatus 10 just forward of the wheel 71
and a child may easily grasp the spacer handles 72 and Jove the apparatus
10 about. The spacer handlc9 72 also serve to space the apparatus lo off
of bloodying vail for ensuring an upward convective elf flow over the
cocQrc~sor 74 and condenser coil 70. PIGS. 2 and 3 are shown without
Cubing for purposes of clarity.
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In EGO. 4, the door 65 is shown opened and the syrup tank 15
r aye assay bottle 13 all swing out into a position of unobstructed Access
on Shea the bottle 13 can be removed and/or caged and on which the
talc Corey I eon be removed for easy willing w trout removal of the
Sue 15 from the talc racks 78. The placement of the reservoir 14 and
r erasure 74 adjacent' the back panel 69 each gives increased stability
to the apparatus 10 when the door 65 is opened, so the apparatus will not
I or for~Lrd.
In I S. the door 65 is shown closed with the nozzle cover 67
removed it the dispensing station ox, for access to the adjustable flow
' rusticators 54, Ed to the dispensing actuators 66 and the connection
on the nozzle 67. me drip tray 65 is removable for disposal of its con-
texts. the valve elements 48 are removable out the front upon removal of
the actuator buttons 66.
lo . 6 shows the water inlets enabling connection to virtually
all ~sunic~p~l water supplies. The water supply line 23 comes through
the black panel 69 and runs down the beck panel 69 to one side of the eon-
denser 70. the water line 23 has an external double cheek valve 24 to
. prevent reverse flow of water back into a municipal supply, a water filter
I 25 end a shutoff valve or disconnect 26. The water fine 23 it very fly-
ill plastic tubing and is held in place by a clamp 83 which frictionally
I grasps nod holds the filter 25. When the filter 25 is he'd by the clamp
I 83, the push tubing is stretched taut. The water supply line 23 and
it components are kept in place by the clamp 83 and ore protected from
dye by the spacer handles 72. yet, the filter 25 may be pulled out of
the eln~p 83 Imp the line 23 Pond its eompon~3ts may be moved to a position
of else awoke for inspection, repair, connection or disconnection,
clamming of the filter 25 or shut-off.
pneumatic power valve 19 19 shown in detail in IT 7. The
~pr~n~-biased valve element 48 is Shown in the normal position and is
pushed rearward to the nltermlte dispensing potion. The flow re9trlctor
49 Imps with cl~pless tubing connection which ore held on the pump 16,
the sex 42, end the power valve 19 by friction.
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lye 'oevernge disconnect 51 is shown in detail in no. 8. The
open disconnect 51 gongs apart from the neural dosed check SO to dls-
convect the baronage dispensing fine 50 from the further line 53. The
ad~~ctlble flow ~cstrictOrg 54 in the further line 53 are of the needle
valve type. The Syria 42 and water valve 29 are detailed in JIG. 9.
Regardless of which servo propellant line 41 is pressurized, the hn~3er
43 it Ryan owe to nudge the anvil 44 and open the w~tcr valve 29.
Ike downpour 46 affects the OR logic device of the servo 42 by fluid
ti~bcly separating servo embryo for each power valve 19 from other
servo eyebrow.
So tax 15 and pump 16 are detailed in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.
one pup 16 is shun in it preferred locution inside of the tank 15. The
fill cover 34 caners the breather 35 which keep the tank 15 non-pressurized.
ye eye ye dispensing lone 50 and the gas propellant line 39 both go
Thea apertures in a top wall 61 of the tar and there are no apertures
ox any Lint in the ton 15 so tint there is no possibility of leak. The
put I is retched on tune bottom 62 of the tank 15 by the retainers 63
vowel are inward niacin dimples that hold the pump 16 to the bottom 62.
The Snoopy pup 16 has its inlet 55 in fluid eo~unication with the inside
of the tweaks lo and a filling check valve 57 authentically open the inlet
55 to Lowe syrup flow into the pup 16 and automatically closes to prevent
n OX from the pump 16 beck eon eke Yank 15. The beverage outlet 56 it eon-
netted to the dispensing line 50 which has an open half of a disconnect
So *Howe easily connects to or disconnects from the normally closed check
Ynlve/d~sconnece 52. The bladder 59 divide eke inside of Lye pump 16
nod pumping chamber 84 and propellant ehnmber 85. A propellant pore
58 extends into the propellant ehn~her 85 and is connected to the propellant
delivery line 39 which has a disconnect 40. on upward extending handle 60
enable r~nual insertion and removal of the pup 16 into and from the tank
lo through the eon wall 61 when the cover 34 is removed.
In operation of the apparatus 10 and in the practice of the
thud of the present iDvcntioD~ n co!aprc99ed gag Boyle 13, having either
ca~psc~_;d carbon diDxidc is plnccd in the cooling cha~bcr 12 and
c~n~n~s~d to tic supply fine 18. The gee boLtlc 13 has a tm=perproof
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preset pressure regulator 17 and the gas disconnect/connector 20 hook
into an outlet of the regulator 17; no Betting ox pressures is required
in the apparatus 10, and the regulator 17 goes with the bottle for refill
and the regulator 17 is checked by the filler of the bottle 13. The rug-
later 17 maintains a prcdctcrmincd and preset 25 PUKE pressure. Upon such
connection, all of the power valves 19 and the waler reservoir 14 are
supplied with gas pressure. The water supply fine 23 is connected and
opened and the reservoir 14 is filled with water to the desired level
while a head spice 31 of compressed gay is maintained above the water.
The water is sprayed into the reservoir 14 for carbonation, and a con-
ventional porous stone (not shown) admits carbon dioxide gas at the bottom
of the reservoir 14 if the apparatus 10 is making carbonated beverage.
Each syrup tank 15 it filled with beverage syrup. Examples of beverage
syrups, sometimes galled concentrates, are concentrated syrups for the
non-carbonated beverages such as fruit juices, punch, tea, net wines,
cold coffee and dairy beverages. Examples of syrups for carbonated drinks
include colas, lcmon-lime, orange, dietetic beveragc3 and the like. of
alcoholic drinks are to be served, alcoholic beverage may be placed in
the tank 15. During the initial fill of each tank 15, the retainers 63
hold the air filled pump 16 down on the bottom 21 80 the pump 16 does
not float to the top of the tank 15 and turn upside down. To fill the
pump 16, an actuator 66 is depressed and a valve clement 48 pushed in.
Compressed was it supplied to the pump 16 which inflates the bladder 59
and expels air from the pumping chamber 84. The actuator 66 it released
and the valve clement 48 returns to its normal position and the pump
propellant chamber 85 vents to atmosphere and the bladder 59 collapses
as the beverage comes into the pumping chamber 84 under the influence
of rivet from the non-pressurized tank 15. A second such priming
actuator will usually purge air from the dispensing line 50 and the appear-
anus 10 is pruned. It is necessary to likewise prime all of the pumps 16
and dispensing fines 50. when the refrigeration is turned on, the winter
reservoir 14 is given a preference to the refrigeration cooling by virtue
of a downdraft on three slowed, specifically left, back and right 3idc3,
and the much smeller and less i portent syrup tanks 15 arc given what's
left. When the apparatus 10 it cooled overnl~ht, thy water and syrups
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` / Jill both be cooled to the same temp_raturc, just above freezing, or
Ample 35F (1C). After being filled and cooled down, the adjustable
flow regulator 54 is manually set to give a correct ratio of syrup flow
to valor flow and the apparatus lo is ready to dispense post-m~x type
beverages. The reservoir 14 and etch tank 15 hold at least a dny'a supply
of cDolcd waler and syrup respectively.
In the dispensing of a serving of beverage, a selected actuator
66 is pushed down. The actuator 66 depresses a valve clement 48. The
depressed valve clement fluidly connects the paver valve inlets 35, 36
to the outlets 37, 38 and thereby connects the gas source 13 to a respective
pup 16 or a selected beverage, and to the servo 42. The power valve vent
47 is also dosed. The servo 42 opens the water valve 29 and water begins
to now out of the nozzle 30 under the gas pressure which is maintained
on the head space 31. when the valve element 48 is in the dispensing
position, the gas source 13 is still fluidly connected to the reservoir I
through the actuated power valve 19. Simultaneously and concurrently,
the some gas pressure it applied upon the pump 16 which immediately begins
expelling syrup up to and owe of the nozzle 30. When the serving it come
pletcd, the actuator button 66 is released and the spring-binsed valve
clement 48 returns to its normal position which closes the inlets 35, 36
to the outlets 37, 38 and disconnects the cola?ressed gas from the servo 42
no the respective pump 16, and which connects the outlets 37, 38 to the
Kent 47 and connects the pump 16 and servo 42 to atmosphere. Used pro-
pollinate gas in the pump 16 and servo 42 immediately vents to atmosphere
in the cooling chamber 12. The predcterrlined and identical head pressure
in the crave 42 drops immediately because of the small volume, and it
tax as Utah a law seconds for the propellant chamber to empty as the pumping
chamber 84 refills with syrup. The syrup in the pump 16 us always main-
tanked nut Lucy s cool as the syrup in tube tax. 15 so the water and syrup
arc dispensed at substantially the same temperature and pressure. The
flow of syrup and waler are combined at the nozzle 30 to form the cold
pose~ixed beverage be it non-carbonated with cosl~pressed air or cnrbonatcd
lath carbon Dodd gas. The transferring of syrup frond the tank 15 to
the p- sup 16 is done entirely within the tank 15 and there is no possibility
of Swiss OF contamir~tion.
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/ In the apparatus 10 as shown, there are four actuator 66 and
paver valves 19, but only three syrup tanks 15 and pumps 16. The fourth
actuator is and power valve 19 is for carbonated waler, or cold waler, only.
One of tithe owlets 38 OX the power valve 19 it connected to the servo 42,
nod the other outlet 37 is plugged. The fourth actuator 66 and power valve
19 is an effective option for cooled water, be it flat or carbonated.
; For Shannon flavors, or cleaning or sanitizing of the syrup
so and pups, tube disconnects 40, 51 are disconnected and the tank 15
and pug 16 roe from the apparatus 10. The norc~lly closed check
assay I pretty seepage from the nozzle 30. The tank I and pump 16
ore cne?letely self-draining out of the fill opening and the dispensing
ED 50 I the talk lo and pump 16 arc inverted. The retainers 63 hold
the pup 16 when the tank it inverted. The pump 16 is easily removed from
! the Ann 15 and all tank 15 and pump 16 parts may be gleaned in a dish-
¦ ashore.
She advantages of the apparaeug 10 and method of the present
~Ven~iDn are Snow. An outstanding feature 19 the silence of the apparatus
10. where is no cooling fan, no mechanical push-button or latches and
the entry of compressed gas from thy power valves 19, servo 42 and ryes
ervoir relief valve 32, end operation of the regulator 17 and the propellant
end delivery fines and the pump 16 cannot be heard. The apparatus 10 is
absol~tcly silent save for the compressor 74. The vcDting by the power
valves 19 avid servo I of propellant into the cooling emery also 9eema
to decrease frost build-up on the evaporator 75 Buckley the used propellant
US it dry end it expels suture bearing air. The apparatus lo dispenses
eslti~le flavors without the use of electric components or complicated
prig The pneumatic and liquid connections have been reduced to a minimum,
end the failure of any of these connection will not result in spillage.
The Swahili Moe of pneumatic and beverage line has been congested. The
j nppar-tus 10 Jill work ulth carbonated or non-carbonated beverages. The
apart 10 is a multiple flavor dispenser without electrical or mock-
Noah 7 salacious, interlock nod mechanism, and without multiple water
Allah end lines_ ho ratio of syrup to water 13 easily adjusted and 18
Roy assort nun rcp~atnble besiege the syrup and waler are nut the ante
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temperature and pressure. The syrup tank 15 and ptDnps 16 are normally
not pressurized; only the pumps are intermittently pressurized. If a
ptmtp 16 leaks, the leakage stays in the tank lo. The tank 15 has Jo
perjures to leak. The waler, of which more is used, gals priority to
the refrigeration cooling. Ire talc 15 and pumps 16 are easily gleaned,
and flavor changes are easy. lute syrup never contacts metal and there
it no chance for metallic off-tastcs. The duality of beverage dispensed
by the apparatus 10 is so excellent that the beverage can be depended
upon to be comparable to beverage from a glass bottle. Most importantly,
the apparatus 10 is ~tsablc in a domestic household because it it simple.
it is sanitary and not messy, it is foolproof and extremely reliable, it
is leakproof, it is easily gleaned, it cannot explode, and it is easily
diagnosed and repaired if not working as intended.
Although other advalttages may be found and realized and various
and minor modifications may be sugEcsted by those versed in the art, be
it understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent war-
ranted herein, all such improvements as reasonably and properly come
within the scope of my contribution to the art.
-- 16 --
