Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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~iSE~Q~ OF 5~E I~E~IQ~
The present invention relates to a manually-
refillable water reservoir assembly capable of
being retrofit ~to a post-mix beverage dispenser
which is normally plumbed to a commercial water
supply. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a manually-refillable water reservoir
assembly for connection ~in line to a pressure pump
of thP water supply system associated with the
carbonator of a conventional post-mix beverage
dispenser.
Post-mix beverage dispensers designed for use
with city water supplies generally have pressure
pumps for delivering water to the carbonator
thereof from the commercial water supply. These
dispensers have predetermined water pressures and
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flow rates which are desirable for proper operation
of the system and the provision of a pressure pump
assures the supply of water to the dispenser at
these proper 1OW rates and pressures. An example
of such a post mix beverage dispenser is described
in U.S. Patent 4,496,080 to Farber, et al.,
assigned to the same assignee as the present
invention. In the Farber dispenser, the preferred
water pressure flowing to the carbonator thereof is
l bar gauge, and the preferred water flow rate to
the carbonator achieved by the turbine-type pum~
therein is 1.3 liters per minute.
In order to successfully retrofit a manually-
refillable water reservoir assembly to the water
inlet fitting of the Farber dispenser,or other
forms of dispensers generally designed for use with
a commercial water supply, it would be desirable to
utilize the existing water supply systems and
carhonators of those dispensers without any changes
thereto. That ist it would be de5irable to connect
th~ output of a manually-refillable water reservoir
assembly directly to the inlet of the dispenser
which is normally coupled to a commercial water
supply. However, in order to do this, the water
supply from the manually-refillable water reservoir
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assembly must be supplied at water pressures and flow
rates which are compatible with the water pre.ssure and
flow rates achieved by the pump within the dispenser.
To achieve compatible flow rates and pressures, it
is necessary to supply water from the manually-
refillable water reservoir through a pump which is
connected in series with the pump provided in the main
dispenser housing. Mowever, the connection of plural
pumps in series can pose problems in operation of the
respective pumps, unless each pump has an accurate flow
rate control means associated therewith. It would be
desirable to achieve compatible operation with respect
to flow rates and pressure in the respective pumps
without the need for sophisticated control systems
associated with the pumps.
SUMMARY_OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of an aspect of the
present invention to provide a manually-refillable water
reservoir assembly which may be retrofit to a post-mix
beverage dispenser which is normally supplied with water
from a commercial supply.
It is an object of an aspect of the present
invention to provide a manually-refillable water
reservoir assembly including a pumping system which is
compatible in operation with the pumping system
contained in the conventional post-mix beverage
dispenser.
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It is an object of an aspect of the present
invention to supply filtared tap water to a post-mix
beverage dispenser from a refillable reservoir.
It is an object of an aspect of the present
invention to provide a removable and refillable water
container for the reservoir assembly to thereby promote
sanitation and eliminate the potential of repetitive
refill in-place of the container.
It is an object of an aspect of the present
invention to provide a container for a water reservoir
assembly, refilled with water, and plugged into a socket
in the base assembly in a rapid and efficient manner.
It is an object of an aspect of the present
invention to provide a refillable container for a water
reservoir assembly which may be removed essentially
horizontally from the front of a beverage dispenser,
with the exception of a limited vertical movement to
unplug the same from a base assembly, so that all
ingredients for making a post-mix beverage, including
water, syrup and CO2 may be replenished from the front
of the dispenser cabinet.
An aspect of the invention is a post-mix beverage
dispenser comprising: a carbonator for generating a
supply of carbonated water; a f irst pump having an
inlet and an outlet for supplying water to the
carbonator at a predetermined pressure and flow rate; a
manually refillable water reservoir assembly; a second
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pump having an inlet coupled to said reservoir and an
outlet through which water is pumped from said reservoir
to said first pump at said predetermined pressure and
flow rate; and conduit means for connecting the inlet
of the first pump to the outlet of the second pump;
whereby water from the reservoir is pumped to the
carbonator by the first and second pllmps.
In one embodiment, an activated charcoal water
filter is provided in the conduit means between the
first pump and the second pump, to provide filtered
water to the dispenser. The pressure drop caused by the
presence of the filter in the conduit is compensated for
by the presence of the first pump between the filter and
the carbonator.
Another aspect of this invention is a manually-
refillable water reservoir assembly for supplying water
to the post-mix beverage dispenser at a pressure and
flow rate compatible with the operation of the water
system of the dispenser comprising a manually-refillable
water container including a sealable access opening
through which it is fillable with water, a discharge
spout in a bottom wall thereof, and a normally-closed
check valve in the discharg spout; and a water
processing system including a housing having a socket
for removably receiving the discharge spout of the
container, a pump having an inlet fluidly connected to
the dispenser, and an actuator in the socket for opening
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the check valve in response to the spout of the
container being plugged into the socket.
The container in the water reservoir assembly
has the sealable access means mounted in a sidewall
thereof; and a suitable vent is disposed in the same
sidewall just above the access opening. This location
of the vent assures that the vent is always above the
water level during either the ~illing or the dispensing
operation. That is, when the spout of the container is
plugged into the socket of the water processing system,
the vent is at the top above the water line of the
container. Likewise, when the container is placed on
its sidewall opposite to the access opening for
re~illing from a water tap, the vent is also in a
position above the water line. Therefore, the vent is
properly located in either of these respective positions
to assist in the dispensing or permit the refilling of
the water container.
Another aspect of this invenkion is as
follows:
A manually refillable water reservoir assembly
for supplying water to a post-mix ~everage dispenser at
a pressure and flow rate compatible with the operation
of the dispenser comprising:
a) a manually refillable water container
including,
1. a sealable access opening through
which it is fillable with water,
2. vent means including an aperture in
said sidewall above the access
opening, whereby the ape.rture is
above the watar level in said
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container during both the filling of
said container while resting on an
opposed side wall, and the
dispensing of water from said
container through said spout while
resting on the bottom wall thereof,
3. a discharge spout in a bottom wall
thereof normally closed, and
4. a normally closed chPck valve in the
discharge spout; and
b) water processing means including,
1. a housing having a socket for
removably receiving the discharge
spout of said container,
2. pump means having an inlet fluidly
connectPd to said socket and an
outlet for supplying water to said
dispenser, and
3. actuator means in said socket for
opening said check valve in response
to said spout of said container
being plugged into said socket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
~he objects of the present invention will become
more readily appareni by reference to the drawings
wherein like r~ference numerals refer to like partsO and
wharein;
Figure l is a perspective view of a post-mix
beverage dispenser illustrating a manually-refillable
water reservoir assembly of the present invention
attached to the left side of the dispenser cabinet;
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~ igure 2 is a left- and top-side perspective
of the manually-refillable water reservoir ascembly
of the present invention, exploded to show the
respective assembly portions prior to their
connection;
Figure 3 is a right- and top-side perspective
of the water reservoir assembly of Figure 2; and
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating
how the respective water supply systems of the
water reservoir assembly of the present invention,
and the post-mix beverage dispenser of a
conventional plumbed type, are interconnected in
accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
.
Referring to Figure 1, there is generally
indicated a post-mix beverage dispenser 10 of a
conventional type which is normally supplied with
water from a commercial water supply. The beverage
dispenser 10 may be of the type.disclosed in U.S.
Patent 4,496,080 to ~arber, et al. assigned to the
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same assignee of the present invention.
. Adjacent the left side of the beverage
dispenser 10, there is provided the manually-
refillable water reservoir assembly 14 of the
present invention, including a top water container
portion 16 and a base assembly 18, the details of
which will be described hereinafter with respect to
Figures 2 and 3. Attached to the right side of the
dispenser 1~ is an optional coin validator
mechanism 12. The validator mechanism 12 may be
used if the dispenser is located in a commercial
establishment unattend~d by operators. The
dispenser 10 is normally provided with a water
inlet ~itting on the back side of the cabinet
behind the selection panel SP, and the water
handling and carbonator system ~not shown).
Referring to Fiqures 2 and 3~ the water
reservoir assembly 14 includes a top container 16
having a base wall including a discharge spout 16A,
Disposed within discharge spout 16A is a ball check
valve lÇB which is normally closed when container
16 is filled with water, and positioned in the
orientation illustrated. Container 16 is
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preferably transparent, so that one may visually
observe the quantity of water in the container at
any given time. It is also clear from reference to
Figure 2 that the bottom wall on the interior of
container 16 slopes slightly toward the discharge
spout 16A to facilitate the gravity flow dispensing
of water through the spout once the check valve 16B
becomes open.
The water reservoir assembly also includes a
base section or assembly 18, including a
centrifugal pump P2, a socket 20, and an activated
carbon filter F. The pu~p P2 has an inlet 24 in
fluid communication with the socket 18A, and an
outlet 26 connected via a conduit C to the filter
F. Within the socket 18A, there is provided an
actuating stem 20 supported on a spider 22 for
operative interaction with the ball check valve 15B
in spout 16A. That is, when container 16 is
plugged into socket 18A with spout 16A, the
actuating ~tem 20 displaces ball check valve 16B
upwardly, permitting water to flow by gravity from
container 16 into socket 18A and the inlet 24 of
pump P2. Pump P2 will then pump this water through
filter F and conduit C, to the water fitting at the
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rear of the dispenser 10 and into the water system
of the dispenser 10, in a manner to be described
hereinafter with respect to Figure 4.
Also illustrated in Figure 3 is an access
opening 28 through one sidewall of the water
container 16, a threaded rim 30 surrounding access
opening 28, and a recessed annulus 32. Access
opening 28 is preferably large enough to permit an
operatorls hand to reach into the interior of the
container 16 for cleaning and sanitizing the same
A threaded cap 34 screws onto rim 30 to close the
access opening.
- A vent 16C is provided in the sidewall of
container 16 just above the access opening 28.
This location of vent 16C is very significant in
that the vent 16C will be located above the water
line within container 16 in all operative positions
of the container 160 For example, when the
container 16 is plugged into the base assembly 18,
the vent 16C is clearly above the water line within
the container, and therefore functions properly to
control the flow rate of water from the container.
However~ even in a position in which the container
is being refilled wherein the container will be
placed on its sidewall opposite to the opening 28,
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the vent 16C is stil:L disposed above the water line.
Therefore, the vent 16C is still in an advantageous
position with respect to refilling of the container.
That is, water will not run out of vent 16C.
Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which the
respective water systems of the water reservoir
assembly 14 and the post-mix beverage dispenser 10
are connected together in order to achieve
compatible flow rates and water pressures in the two
respective systems. The post-mix beverage dispenser 10
includes a carbonator CT to which water is supplied from
a pump Pl. The carbonator CT is also supplied with Co2
gas from conduit CB, as indicated, in a conventional
manner, and carbonated water is output through a conduit
CW. Pump Pl in the system illustrated is a turbine-type
pump which is operated in order to achieve a flow rate
of 1.3 liters per minute/ and a water pressure of 1 bar.
Both pumps may be coupled to a 3-port pressure sensor PS
which monitors pressure in inlet 24. A low-pressure in
inlet 24 indicates a low watex level. When such a
low-level signal is sensed, switch PS will shut down
both pumps. An alternate construction would place the
pressure sensor in conduit C.
In order to accurately match the flow rates and
pressures of the turbine-type pump Pl, it would normally
be necessary to provide sophisticated flow rate and
pressure control systems for the pump P2
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of the water reservoir assembly 14. However, in
accordance with the present invention, the pump P2
is a centrifugal pump ~hich has a sufficient amount
of slippage so that it will adjust to the flow rate
of the pump Pl regardless of the speed at which
pump P2 is operated~ Accordingly, when pump P2 is
operated in unison with pump Pl, the flow rates
controlled by pump Pl and the water pressure become
compatible throughout the system in spite of the
presence of the filter F, and in spite of the spee~
at which pump P2 is operated. Therefore, a totally
compatible water system is provided between the
water reservoir assembly 14 and post-mix dispenser
10, making it easy to retrofit the water reservoir
assembly to a conventional type of post-mix
beverage dispenser, as illustrated.
~ he centrifugal pump P2, for use in the
assembly of the present invention, may be a Gorman-
Rupp Industries, High-Speed Centrifugal Pump that
produces .5 gpm at 15 psi with maximum flow of 1
-- gpm and maximum head of 17 psi.
The activated charcoal filter F, utilized in
the assembly of the present invention, may be a
commercially-available type manufactured by
Omnipure Filter Company.
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It should be understood that the system and
assembly described hereinabove may be modified as
would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
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