Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
_ l - 1 3381 47
IN-HONE DRINR DI8PENSER
This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing beverages in
general, and more particularly to an improved in-home drink
dispenser, particularly useful in dispensing carbonated drinks
made of a mixture of a concentrate (e.g., a syrup) and a diluent
(e.g., carbonated water).
This application is a divisional of Application Serial
No. 523,341.
BACRGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In prior United States Patents 4,408,701; 4,328,909; 4,555,371;
4,363,424; 4,523,697; 4,520,950; 4,570,830; 4,564,483 and
4,664,292 various aspects of an in-home drink dispenser are
described. The dispensers disclosed therein have been found to
work quite well, particularly the embodiments utilizing gravity
feed of the concentrate, for example, the system disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 4,570,830. There are, however, certain problems
with these previous systems. One problem is in maintaining the
desired degree of carbonation in the drink. Another problem
encountered --------------------------------------------------
1 3381 47
-2-
is the spitting or sputtering which occurrs upon the
initial opening of the dispense valve due to a build up
of pressure.
The previously disclosed system included passages for
S the diluent in a manifold. There was an area between
the connection to a carbonator tank and the dispensing
valve where diluent was maintained when the carbonator
was disconnected from the system. If the diluent, e.g.,
carbonated water, was left in these passages for a long
period of time, it would, of course, lose its ~
pressurization and its carbonation. Although this is
not a major problem, it was felt desirable to avoid
this.
In an in-home drink dispenser, it is, of course,
important to know how much carbonated water is left and
also how much carbon dioxide is left. Knowing when one
is about to run out of carbon dioxide is of great
importance, particularly where a cylinder is not
immediately on hand. The carbonator can be refilled
with water and ice, however, if one runs out of carbon
dioxide, at a time when the supplier is not open for
business, it may be necessary to wait, possibly over a
weekend, to get a new cylinder. Thus, the need for an
indication of this level is particularly important.
Furthermore, in regard to the carbon dioxide cylinders,
since the cylinders are being handled by people not used
_ 3 _ l 338 1 47
to such, there is a need to take measures to protect the
cylinders and to provide for ease of use and insertion and
removal from the drink dispenser.
8UMNARY OF THE lNv~ lON
The present invention provides improvements in a particularly
attractive in-home drink dispenser which is easy for the consumer
to use and which provides a drink which has a proper and
repeatable strength and carbonation.
A number of features are incorporated into the preferred drink
dispenser which give it these qualities. In the first instance,
to avoid loss of carbonation when dispensing, a novel expansion
chamber is provided. This expansion chamber, which is kept cold,
is a gradually enlarging chamber which permits a gradual
expansion and lowering of pressure from the pressure inside the
carbonator tank of approximately 50 psi to atmospheric pressure
at the point where the diluent is discharged from the machine.
This, in combination with an arrangement in which it is insured
that the glass being filled is positioned so that discharge takes
place tangentially to the inside surface of the glass, leads to
maintaining the high level of carbonation which is achieved
within the carbonator.
Spitting and sputtering is avoided on initial startup of
- 1 3381 ~7
4--
the system by providing in the system, preceding the
expansion chamber, an anti-surge valve. This anti-surge
valve acts to reduce the pressure in the expansion
chamber to a level which will allow dispensinq, upon the
initial opening of the dispensing valve without spitting
or sputtering. In the illustrated embodiment, the
expansion chamber and anti-surge valve are installed
within the carbonator tank.
Furthermore, the dispensinq valve, itself, i.e., the
valve that opens to permit flow of the carbonated water
out into the qlass, is formed as part of the carbonator
rather than part of the dispense head. This means that
carbonated water no longer exists outside the
carbonator. The carbonator includes a connector block
by means of which it is coupled to a source of carbon
dioxide for carbonating, and within this connecting
block there is disposed a shuttle valve which acts as a
dispensing valve. The shuttle valve has a radial inlet
adapted to be coupled to the outlet from the carbonator
tank and an axial outlet.
A flexible rubber dispensing spout is held within a
cradle within the dispense head and is in an abutting
relationship with the shuttle valve, the shuttle valve
normally being biased to a closed position. As in the
previous dispenser, the concentrate, e.g., syrup is
dispensed directly from the syrup package by rotating
1 3381 47
the cap of the package to open a valve formed therein. This
rotation is accomplished by means of a pneumatic actuator which
rotates an annular disk, which engages the cap. In accordance
with the present invention, this actuator is also coupled to the
cradle holding the flexible spout. When the pneumatic actuator
is operated, it moves the cradle, causing the shuttle valve to
move inwardly to an open position to permit dispensing of the
carbonated water through the spout. Guide means are provided for
guiding the connecting block of the carbonator and insuring
proper alignment of both the gas connection, and the water outlet
connection which operates the shuttle valve. Included is a
locking apparatus to lock the carbonator in place when in proper
alignment. As with previous embodiments, the carbonator simply
slides in and out of position to allow ease of removal and
insertion when the carbonator needs to be refilled.
The present invention relates to the connection of the necessary
carbon dioxide cylinder to the system.
This is done with a connection which, when the connection is
made, opens a valve to allow a flow of carbon dioxide out of the
gas cylinder. In the connections disclosed in the aforementioned
patents, a connecting means which provided a relatively high
mechanical advantage was provided. This was thought necessary
at the time because of the high pressure acting on the probe
- 6 - l 3381 47
entering the cylinder, this pressure being too high for the
average person to operate against when inserting the cylinder.
This, of course, made insertion of the cylinder more difficult.
However, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention,
a very thin probe is utilized. Because the probe is so think,
the area on which the high pressure acts is materially reduced
and the force generated is not beyond that which the average
person can act against.
lo Thus, a simple connection with a fitting containing the probe
which also has pins which fit into appropriate slots on a member
secured to the top of the cylinder is utilized. In the
illustrated embodiment, the gas tank is suspended from the
fitting containing the probe, the fitting also containing a
pressure regulator. By so suspending the gas cylinder, it is
possible to measure its weight by providing an upward bias to the
probe fitting, using suitable springs.
In accordance with the preferred dispenser, the fitting to which
the gas cylinder is attached is supported rotatably within a
hood, the hood forming a lever which is biased upwardly. The
hood rotates on a shaft supported in a bracket which is attached
to a wall of the dispenser. Springs act between the bracket and
the hood to bias it upwardly. A mechanism, including a planar
member, which is guided in a curved slot, maintains the probe
vertical so that in any position the ---------------------------
~7~ 1 338 1 47
user can easily insert a gas cylinder onto the probe
without difficulty. The planar member which is quided
and which maintains the pin vertical is also provided
with indicators visible through a window to indicate the
degree of the fullness of the cylinder. A full cylinder
will act against the spring and pull the hood all the
way down. As the cylinder is used up, the hood will
begin to move upwardly until, when the cylinder is
completely empty, the hood will be fully up. In
accordance with the present invention, the spring is
adapted to begin moving the gas cylinder upward only
over the last part of the supply, e.g., the last ten
percent. Thus, as soon as movçment starts the user
knows that he is getting near the end of his supply.
The cylindrical member which engages the probe fitting
is formed with a pair of arms. The arms are aligned
with axial slots which are used for engaging pins
positioned on the probe fitting when locking the two
fittings together. By aligning the arms with the axial
slots, the user is given a guide and knows exactly how
to line up the gas cylinder to insert it onto the probe
fitting. Preferably, on the hood, there are alignment
markings and an arrow, indicating to the user the
direction in which to rotate the handles or arms so as
to lock the gas cylinder in place. In the illustrated
embodiment, there are holes at the ends of the arms
through which a finger can be inserted to hold the gas
- 8 - 1 3 3 8 1 4 7
cylinder.
Also, in the preferred embodiment, a cover is placed over this fitting for
decorative and protective purposes. The cover has a tear-away tab on the top
to allow access to the cylindrical member and fitting when attaching to the
probe fitting. The tab cover, however, provides protection during shipping and
remains in place until the cylinder is to be used.
Accordingly, the invention herein comprises in a carbonated drink dispenser
having a removable carbon dioxide cylinder, said cylinder having a neck and
disposed in said neck a check valve, and said dispenser having a fitting for
receiving said neck and adapted to engage and hold said neck, and a thin probe
to open said check valve and conduct gas out of said cylinder when said fitting
is manually connected to said neck without use of any mechanical advantage,
the improvement comprising said fitting comprising means to engage said neck
with a twist-lock action and a thin probe to open said check valve upon manual
connection of said cylinder neck and said fitting without the use of any
mechanical advantage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred in-home drink dispenser.
X''
r
-8a- 1 3381 47
FIG. 2 is a similar view showing the door to the carbaonator compartment and
CO2 compartment opened.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings illustrating the mating mounting assemblies for the
drink dispenser carbonator.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the carbonator and mounting assembly.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the mounting assembly in larger scale.
'
~ ~;
- 9 - 1 3381 47
FIG. 7 is a cross section through a portion of the mounting
assembly containing a bore for the shuttle.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the portion of the mounting
assembly containing the cross section of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the dispensing assembly and
dispensing head of the preferred drink dispenser.
FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway plan view of the dispenser
assembly.
FIG. 11 is a cross section through the dispensing head.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the actuating arrangement of the
dispense head.
FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a portion of the dispense head
showing the manner in which the cradle is guided.
FIGS. 14 and 15 are views showing additional details of the
actuator mechanism.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the syrup package for use in the
preferred dispenser.
FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the parts of the package of
FIG. 16.
-lo- 1 3381 47
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view through the package of
FIG. 16.
FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the assembly inserted
inside the carbonator.
FIG. l9A is an elevation view of this assembly partially
in cross section.
FIG. l9B is a plan view of this assembly.
FIG. 20 is a plan view partially in cross section of the
expansion chamber of FIG. 19.
FIG. 21 is a first cross section through the expansion
chamber of FIG. 20 taken along the lines 21-21.
FIG. 22 is a cross section along the lines 22-22 of FIG.
20.
FIG. 23 is a cross section along the lines 23-23 of FIG.
lS 20.
FIG. 24 is an elevation view of the expansion chamber.
FIG. 25 is a partial cross section through the feed line
and diffuser assembly within the carbonator.
- 11 - 1 3 3 8 1 4 7
FIGS. 26 and 27 are cross-sectional views of portions of the
diffuser assembly and resin bed.
FIG. 28 is a cross section through the resin bed showing its
connection to the chamber containing the anti-surge valve.
FIG. 29 is a cross section of the anti-surge valve of the
preferred dispenser.
FIG. 30 is an exploded view of the elements attached to the top
of the CO2 cylinder.
FIG. 31 is an elevation view partially in cross section showing
the manner in which the C02 assembly is attached to a probe
fitting in which is incorporated a regulator and also shows part
of the weighing mechanism.
FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the cylindrical member
which permits attachment to the probe fitting of FIG. 31.
FIG. 33 is an exploded view of the weighing mechanism of the
preferred dispenser.
FIGS. 34 and 35 are elevation views, partially in cross section
and partially in phantom showing the operation of the weighing
mechanism, FIG. 34 showing the weight -------------------------
-12- 1338 147
mechanism with an empty cylinder and FIG. 35 showing the
weighing mechanism with a full cylinder.
FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing one manner of
maintaining a tangential relationship between the
dispensing spout and a glass or cup irrespect of the
diameter of the cup.
FIGS. 37a-c show how this device maintains this
relationship for different sizes of cups.
DETAI~ED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of the improved in-
home drink dispenser of the present invention. FIG. 1
shows the drink dispenser 11 with its doors closed.
FIG. 2 shows the dispenser 11 with its carbonator door
13 and CO2 compartment door 15 opened, and the CO2
cartridge 17 and carbonator tank 18 removed. Also
visible in FIG. 2 is the syrup cartridge 19. The syrup
cartridge 19 is enclosed by a clear or smokey plastic
enclosure 21 to finish off the outward appearance of the
dispenser. The CO2 cylinder 17 has a cover 23 for ease
in handling and also for mounting into the dispenser in
a manner to be described below. The carbonator 18 has
an LCD li~uid level gauge 31 and a carbonator
connecting assembly 33. The connecting assembly 33 is
adapted to mate with an alignment pin 35 within the
1 338 1 4 7
-13-
compartment behind door 13. Below the pin 35 is a
locking mechanism 37 for locking the carbonator in place
once it is inserted.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show in more detail the carbonator
connecting assembly 33 and pin 35 along with the locking
assembly 37. The pin 35 and locking mechanism 37 are
contained within a molded base member 39 which is
mounted between upper wall 43 which abutts the top of
member 39 and lower wall 44 which extends below member
39. Walls 43 and 44 may be separate members or may be
joined along one end in which case the wall structure
will fit around base member 3~ of the carbonator
compartment. Member 39 has a rear wall 45 perpendicular
thereto from which pin 35 extends. Member 39 also has a
bottom wall 47 and a side wall 51. The side wall 51 is
actually the face of the actuator compartment depicted
in Fig. 9. As can be seen in Fig. 9, wall 51 may split
into two sections 51a and 51b. The locking mechanism 37
is installed in a recess formed by an L-shaped part 53
extending down from the bottom wall 47. Also extending
out from the rear wall 45 is a tubular fitting 55
containing an O-ring seal 57. Seen extending from the
end of the fitting 55 is a pin 59 which comprises the
tip of a Schrader type valve mechanism which in the
position shown is closed but which when then tip 59 is
pushed in will be opened. This tubular fitting is
coupled to the carbon dioxide supply cylinder throuqh an
1 3381 47
-14-
appropriate pressure reducing valve to supply carbon
dioxide to the carbonator 18 for carbonating the water
contained therein. The valve 55 mates with a
cylindrical fitting 61 on the carbonator connecting
assembly 33 seen in FIG. 4. The pin 35 fits into an
appropriately tappered bore 63 formed in carbonator
connecting assembly 33. Also seen on the carbonator
connecting assembly 33 is the outlet 65 for the carbon
dioxide leading into the carbonator 18 in a manner which
will be seen in more detail below. The water which is
carbonated leaves the carbonator and enters an inlet 67
in the carbonator connecting assembly 33 from which it
is conducted to an outlet spout which engages the
carbonator connecting assembly 33 in a manner to be
described in detail below.
Returning to FIG. 3, the locking mechanism comprises a
handle 69 mounted to a cylindrical member 71 having a
shaft 73 extending through the base of the L-shaped
member 53. In this manner, the handle 69 and
cylindrical member 71 are mounted for rotation about the
axis of the shaft 73. Formed in the surface of the
cylindrical member 71 is a cam 75. Cam 75 engages a
slot 77 in the rear wall of the L-shaped portion 53.
Extending upwardly from the cylindrical member is a stop
member 79. The stop extends through an appropriate
opening 81 in the bottom wall 47 of the member 39. The
cam 75 is formed such that rotation of the handle 69 in
-15- 1 338 1 47
a clockwise direction will result in the stop member 79
being moved in the direction of arrow 83 to the position
shown in dotted lines. In that position, it engages the
rear surface of the carbonator connecting assembly 33 to
lock the carbonator in place and prevent the pressure
present at the fitting 55 from blowing the carbonator
outwardly.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the carbonator 18 and the
carbonator connecting assembly 33. The outer body 25 of
the carbon-ator is made of molded plastic. Inserted into
the top of body 25 is a molded plastic ring 101. Into
the plastic ring 101 a stainless steel carbonator tank
103 is inserted. The tank 103 contains holes 105 and
107. When in place, these holes receive fitting 109 and
111. The fittings 109 and 111 are, respectively, the
carbon dioxide inlet and the carbonated water outlet.
They, respectively, are inserted into the openings 65
and 67 of the carbonator connecting assembly 33 seen in
FIG. 4.
The carbonator 18 is provided with a handle made up of a
portion 29b molded into the body 25 and another portion
29a inserted thereover. A liquid crystal strip 31
containing an adhesive backing is attached to the tank
103 through an opening 113 provided in the outer case 25
behind handle portion 29b.
-16- 1 3381 47
The liquid crystal strip 31 responds to temperatures
close to 0C, having one color for temperatures above
and another for temperatures below. The handle portions
29a and 29b are provided with opening so the strip 31
may be viewed therethrough. The carbonater is normally
filled with water and ice. Thus, strip 31 gives an
indication of water level in the tank.
The ring 101 contains threads to engage the lid 27.
Thus, the lip 115 of the tank is trapped between the
mounting ring 101 and the lid 27 to obtain a good seal.
The carbonated water outlet opening bore 117 can be seen
on the front of the carbonator connecting assembly 33.
Into bore 117 is inserted a shuttle valve assembly. At
the base of the bore 117, which is in communication with
the inlet 67 seen in FIG. 4, is inserted a biasing
spring 119. Next inserted is an O-ring seal 120 and a
shuttle member 121. The shuttle member 121 has an inlet
port 123 and an outlet port 125. From the bottom of the
carbonator connecting assembly 33 a guide and stop
member 127 for the shuttle member 121, a biasing spring
129 and a retaining disk 131 are inserted.
This assembly can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 6, 7
and 8. ~IG. 6 is an exploded view of the carbonator
connecting assembly 33 in larger scale, showing in more
detail the shuttle member 121 and O-ring seal 120. FIG.
7 is a cross section through the portion of the
-17- 1 338 1 47
carbonator connecting assembly 33 containing the bore
117. As can be seen, the inlet 67 from the carbonator
couples to a passage 135 terminating in an outlet
opening 137. The outlet opening 137 is surrounded by
the O-ring 120. The flat top portion 139 of the shuttle
member 121 slides against this O-ring. In the position
shown in FIG. 7, a seal is formed. There is no
connection to the inlet 123 in the shuttle member 121
and the O-ring seal 120 prevents escape of any
carbonated water. The spring 119, in this position, is
biasing the shuttle member 121 in an outward direction
up against the stop formed by the stop member 127.
As illustrated, stop member 127 is biased upwardly by
spring 129, held in place by the disk 131. These parts
are shown in exploded view in ~IG. 8. As illustrated in
the cross section of FIG. 7, the shuttle member 121 has
a cylindrical recess 141 in its rear portion into which
the spring 119 is inserted. The spring acts between
this point and the rear wall of the bore 117. To
provide the necessary stops, the bottom of the shuttle
member 121 has formed therein a slot 143. When the
shuttle member 121 is pushed inwardly against the
biasing force of spring 119, in a manner to be described
more fully below, the opening 123 is moved to a position
where it is aligned with the outlet 137. The outlet 137
and inlet 123 are sealed by the O-ring seal 120.
Carbonated water can then flow out of the outlet 125 to
-18- 1 3381 47
the dispensing apparatus which will be described in
detail below.
PIG. 9 is an exploded view of the dispensing assembly of
the drink dispenser of the present invention. It
S includes a base portion 201 of molded plastic. The base
portion between walls 43 and 44 of FIG. 3 and forms the
bottom wall 47, rear wall 45 and a portion of side wall
51 previously described. In addition, the L-shaped
portion 53 is integrally molded in this base. Thus, the
locking mechanism 37 is again illustrated as are the pin
35 and tubular fitting 55.
Formed in the base 201 is an annular wall 203 having an
annular base 205 with an opening 207 therein. A
rotatable annular disk 209 is inserted into the opening
so formed. This disk 209 is adapted to engage a valving
mechanism built into the syrup package in a manner to be
described more fully below.
~he base 201 also receives a pneumatic actuator 211
which includes a cylinder assembly 213 having an inlet
215 for receiving carbon dioxide to actuate it, a piston
217 which is inserted into the cylinder 213, a slide
member 315 for operating the rotatable disk 209 and a
biasing return spring 221. In a preferred embodiment a
second inlet 216 in cylinder 213 via tube 310 may be
used in addition to or in place of spring 221 to return
-19- 1 338 ~ 47
the piston to the unoperated position. Also forming
part of this actuating mechanism is a actuator for
opening the carbonator valving mechanism described in
connection with FIGS. 6-8. This includes a cradle 223
of molded plastic and a rubber insert 225 which forms
the carbonated water outlet (i.e., a spout). The cradle
and insert engage with the shuttle member 121 of FIGS.
6-8 in a manner to be described more fully below. The
cradle 223 is coupled to the slide member 315 by a pin
317 which is inserted into slot 319 formed in cradle 223
such that the carbonator water valve is operated at the
same time as the disk 209 is operated to open the valve
in the syrup package so that carbonated water and syrup
are simultaneously dispensed.
Also illustrated is a spool valve 231 and an actuating
mechanism 233 for the spool valve. Actuating mechanism
233 comprises a hinged arm which acts against the stem
235 on the spool valve to cause carbon dioxide supplied
over a line 309 to the valve to be coupled over a line
2~ 311 to the inlet 215 of the cylinder 213 to operate the
actuating mechanism. The pneumatic actuator 211,
rotatable disk 209, and cradle 223 are retained in
position by a cover 247 which is placed over the base
201. The base 201 is formed with clips 243 molded into
it so that the cover 247 will snap into place retaining
the various parts in their proper places. Alternately,
the base 201 and cover 247 may be fastened together with
1 3381 47
-20-
screw fasteners. An additional bottom cover 245 may
also provided for decorative and sanitary purposes.
FIG. 10 is a partially cut-away plan view of the
dispenser assembly. At the left of the Figure, the
aliqnment pin 35 is visible as is the fitting 55 with
O-ring 57. As illustrated, this fitting 55 is threaded
into a portion 301 formed in the base. Coupled to the
end of fitting 5S is a supply line 303 which extends to
a T-fitting 305. Gas from the cylinder 17 is supplied
to the T-fitting over line 307. The second branch 309
of the T-fitting goes to the spool valve 231, the outlet
of which, via line 311, is coupled to the inlet of the
cylinder 213. A piston rod 313 which forms a portion of
piston 217 is visible in this figure.
~eferring to FIG. 12, which is an exploded view of the
actuator arrangment. The actuator 233 which acts
against the stem 235 of the spool valve 231 is shown as
are the tubes 309, 310 and 311; tubes 310 and 311
connecting to the cylinder 213. As illustrated, the
piston rod 313 is coupled to a slide member 315. The
slide member 315 has a downwardly extending pin 317
which engages a slot 319 in cradle 223. Cradle 223 also
contains a slot 321 in its bottom, better seen in the
bottom view of FIG. 13. The slot 321 is also visible in
FIG. 11, which is a cross section through the dispensing
unit including cradle 223. As illstrated, slot 321 is
-21- 1 3381 47
placed over a rail 325 and rides thereon. At each end of
slot 321 are oppposed half cylindrical parts 323 which
engage rail 325 to guide cradle 223 and reduce friction.
At the end of the slide member 315 is a cross-shaped
projection 327 over which spring 221 fits. As can be
seen from FIG. 10, spring 221 abuts against a wall 331.
It biases the slide member 315 to the right thereby
biasing the piston within cylinder 213 in the same
direction. It also biases the cradle 223 by means of
pin 317 and slot 319-to the closed position shown in
FIG. 10. In addition to or in place of spring 221, a
second inlet 216 in cylinder 213 may be provided. The
inlet 216 is supplied with gas from cylinder 17 via tube
310 when spool valve 231 is not being actuated. The gas
is supplied to the side of piston 217 opposite to the
side supplied by inlet 215 and tube 311 so that member
315 and cradle 223 will be moved into the unoperated
position.
As illustrated by FIG. 12, rubber insert 225 is inserted
into a recess formed for that purpose in cradle 223. The
recess includes a horizontally extending portion 333 and
a portion 355 angled downwardly. This forms the
dispensing spout for the carbonated water and directs
the carbonated water stream into a cup which is placed
directly below the annular base 205 seen in ~ig. 9.
Positioning of the spout, i.e., its downward angle and
-22- 1 3381 47
relationship to the side of the cup are important for
good mixing and CO2 retention. The edge of portion 355
is visible in FIG. 10 within the annular ring 209.
In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, the manner in
which the rubber tubular member 225 rests within the
craddle 223 is illustrated. In this cross section, the
pin 317 within slot 319 is also visible.
The rotatable disk 209 contains a slot 351 which is
adapted to engage a tab on the cap of the syrup package.
The body of the syrup package contains another tab which
engages with the cover portion 247. (This is described
in more detail below). When a glass to be filled is
lifted up again the actuator 233 of ~IG. 12 and also
seen in FIG. 14, it presses against the stem 235
operating valve 231 to admit gas to the cylinder 213.
The gas in cylinder 213 moves the piston 217 which
cooperates with piston rod 313 to move the slide member
315 to the left, causing a rotation of the annular ring
209 thereby starting to open the valve in the syrup
package. Once the pin 317 reaches the other end of the
slot 319, it also begins to move the cradle 223. The
end of the tubular insert 225 prior to movement is
abutting against the the shuttle member 121. Thus, when
the cradle 223 begins to move, the tubular insert 225
forces shuttle member 121 to moved inwardly to bring the
inlet 123 of shuttle member 121 beneath the outlet 137
-23- 1 3381 47
to cause a flow of carbonated water through the tubular
rubber insert 225. Tubular insert 225 creates a seal
with the shuttle outlet 125 to prevent leakage (see
FIGS. 6, 7, 8). When the pressure on the actuator 233
is released, the force of the biasing spring 221 moves
the slide member 315 to the right, the gas in the
cylinder 213 now being vented. As noted above this
return can also be done pneumatically or with air
pressure instead of or in addition to the spring. This
begins immediately to close the valve in the package by
rotating the annular ring 209 and as the pin 317 reaches
the right hand side of the slot 319, returns the cradle
223 to the position shown in FIG. 10. The end of the
rubber insert 225 and its location with respect to the
point where the carbonator is inserted is visible in
FIG. 3.
FIGS. 14 and 15 show some additional details of the
actuator mechanism and the carbonator locking assembly.
The arm 69 and cylindrical member 71 are visible as is
the cam 75 and the cam slot 77. As illustrated, a
central shaft 73 is supported in a bearing formed within
a downwardly extending cylindrical member 361 having an
appropriate bore therethrough to permit rotation
therein. Mounted to the top of the shaft 73 is the stop
member 79. Member 79 moves up through the opening 81 so
as to lock against the carbonator when the handle 69 is
rotated to lock the carbonator in place. Also shown is
1 338 1 47
- -24-
the alignment pin 35 and the fitting 55 with its O-ring
57. As illustrated, the alignment pin can have a head
363 and be inserted through wall 365 and held in place
with a spring clip retainer 367. Also visible in the
view of FIG. 15 is the end of the tubular insert 225
which abuts against and seals to the end of shuttle
member 121 in the carbonator connecting assembly 33 and
acts to open shuttle member 121 therein in the manner
described above.
FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the syrup package of the present
invention. In the illustrated embodiment the syrup
package comprises three molded parts. The first of
these is a body or container having a bottom, side walls
and a top with a neck 403. At the base of a neck is a
tab 405. The second part is an insert 407. The insert
comprises a compensating chamber 409, at the top of
which there is formed a cylindrical portion 410 which,
as can be seen from the cross section of FIG. 18, forms
a recess 411. Inside the recess is a control plug 412
having an arrowhead cross section. Extending from this
cylindrical portion is a downwardly conically extending
portion 413 and then a another conical portion 415
extending slightly outwardly. Following this is another
conical portion 417, but now extending inwardly and
forming a baffle. This rests on a plurality of legs
419, which extend down to a portion of annular shape 421
having a U-shaped cross section. Within this portion
-25- 1 338 1 47
421 there is, thus, formed an annular recess 423. As
illustrated by the cross section of FIG. 18, the annular
cavity 423 receives the neck 403 of the container 401.
On the outside wall of portion 421 are formed three
projections 425. There is also provided an axially
upwardly projecting part 427 on the end of which there
is a tab 424 projecting radially outwardly. During
assembly, the tab 424 of portion 421 is brought into
abutment with the tab 405 at the base of the neck 403
and the two parts fastened together by gluing, welding,
mechanical locking, etc.
The final part of the syrup package is a cap-like member
431, having an air inlet tube 433 extending upwardly
therefrom. The air inlet tube terminates in a conical
portion 435 at the top 437 of the cap 431. In the
closed position shown, the top of the tube 433 seals
externally against the recess 411 and internally against
the arrowshaped control plug 412 at the top of the
compensating chamber 409. Formed in the cap 431 are
three cam slots 439. These engage with the projections
425 on portion 421. Also formed in the cap 431 is a tab
441.
As previously discussed, the tab 441 will engage in the
slot 351 in the annular ring 209 shown in FIGS. 10 and
12 for example. The tabs 405 and 429 will engage in an
appropriate slot 352 in the cover 247 shown in Fig. 9 so
~ -26- 1 33814 7
that the container is held fixed while the cap 431 can
rotate. As the cap 431 rotates, the tube 433 is moved
away from the recess 411 and the arrowshaped control
plug 412 to permit a flow of air into the container. At
the same time, the cap 431 is moved away from the insert
407 and a seal formed at point 451 between these two
members is broken permitting the flow of syrup through
an opening 453 in the cap 431.
Referrin~ to FIGS. 4 and 5, it was noted that there were
fittings 111 and 109 which couple, respectively, with a
gas outlet 65 of FIG. 4 and a water inlet 67 of ~IG. 4.
As described in connection with FIG. 5, these two
fittings pass through openings 107 and 105 in the
stainless steel carbonator tank 103. FIG. 19 is an
exploded view of the assembly within the carbonator
which these two fittings 111 and 109 mate. Figs l9A and
l9B are plan and elevation views of this assembly. The
gas inlet 109 is coupled to a fitting 501 which is in
the nature of an elbow fitting. The carbon dioxide is
coupled through an outlet 503 therefrom into a tubular
member 505 mounted to a cylindrical flange 507 on a base
member 509. Contained within the base portion of the
tubular member 505 is a slow-feed valve of the type
described in United States Application Serial No.
~>
~ I
i
~ -27- 1 3 3 8 1 4 7
550,455. A cover 511 is placed over the base 509. Gas
flows between the base and cover and out through two
diffusers 513 and S15. The diffusers are held in place
by gasketed bolts 517 which thread into threaded bosses
519 formed in the base 509 with gaskets 521 interposed
between the diffuser 513 and 515 and the cover 511 which
has provided therein openings 523 for that purpose. The
bolts 517 are provided with gaskets 518 to ensure that
no gas leaks around the bolts.
The carbonated water within the tank flows out through a
resin bed assembly 525, the outlet 527 of which is
coupled into an anti-surge valve assembly which is
inserted into a chamber 647 formed within member 529.
Resin bed assembly 525 is shown as having a sealed lid
539 to permit insertin~ new charges of resin as the old
resin is used up. The outlet 639 of the anti-surge
valve is positioned adjacent to the inlet 551 (see Fig.
21) of an expansion chamber 533 made up of a top half
535 and a bottom half 537 onto which is also molded the
gas inlet fitting 501. Preferably all of these parts
are of molded plastic and sealingly assembled to each
other in the manner indicated. The expansion chamber
535 terminates in an outlet 541 which couples with the
fittin~ 111 of FIG. 5.
X.
1 3381 47
-28-
The nature of the parts 535 and 537 can be better seen
with reference to FIGS. 20-26. Referring to FIGS. 20 and
24, the general nature of the expansion chamber is seen.
It has a generally spiral shape beginning at an inlet
551. The chamber gradually expands in size as it
spirals around, finally reaching the outlet 541. In the
cross section of FIG. 21, the inlet 551 is seen which
then expands to the size 553 after 180 degrees, to size
555 after another 180 degrees, and to size 557 after
another 180 degrees, which is the size being closest to
the size at the outlet 541.
The cross section of FIG. 22 shows the outlet fitting
541 and outlet bore 559 and also portions 561 and 563 of
the expanding chamber. Each of FIGS. 21 and 22 also
shows the member 529 which forms the chamber 647 into
which the anti-surge valve, to be described below in
connection with FIG. 29, is inserted. FIGS. 20, 23 and
24 also show the construction of the inlet 501 for gas.
Gas flowing into the inlet 501, i.e., into its bore 567
which is closed off on the opposite side by a disk 569,
seen in FIG. 20, then flows through a hole 571 into the
outlet fitting 503 and then into the tubular member 505
described above. Incoming gas flows through the passage
601 in tubular member 505 seen in FIG. 25. At the base
of member 505 the slow-feed or two-speed feed valve
assembly 603 is installed. Gas flows out of the bottom
of this assembly through openings 605 and 607 into the
1 338 1 47
-29-
space between base 509 and lid 511. It flows out of the
diffusers 513 and 515 held in place by gasketed screws
517 with gaskets 521 interposed between the cover 511
and the diffusers 513 and 515 seen in FIG. 19. In the
cross section of FIG. 27, the inlet 611 in the resin bed
can be seen along with a further view of the diffuser
assembly. Another view showing the diffuser assembly
and the resin bed container 525 is shown in FIG. 26.
Referring to FIG. 28, the resin bed assembly 525 can be
seen in more detail. Inserted sealingly within the
resin bed assembly is a cartridge 613 containing bea-ds
of resin for filtering and deionizing the water. Water
flows through the resin bed 613 to the top thereof and
then out of an outlet passage 615. This passage extends
radially to an axial passage 616 in a base portion 617-
of the member 529 which contains the anti-surge valve
sealingly inserted therein. Member 529 in turn is
attached to part 537 in the manner described above.
The anti-surge valve itself is illustrated in FIG. 29.
It includes a main body member 621. Retained within the
body 621 is a valve member 623, which is biased
downwardly by a spring 625. An insert 627 inserted into
the open end 629 of the body 621 acts as a stop limiting
the axial motion of the valve member 623. Extending
axially inwardly from this cover 627 are a plurality of
legs 631 on the ends of which is formed an annular valve
seat 633. Valve seat 633 mates with a sealing ring 635
-30- 1 3 3 8 1 4 7
of triangular cross section formed on the valve member
623. The base of valve member 623 in the center of the
sealing ring 635 contains a bore 637. The axial inner
end of the body 621 contains a bore 639. An O-ring seal
641 is provided between the valve member 623 and the
body 621. A further O-ring seal 643 is provided at the
axial inner end of the body 621 and, referring to FIG.
21, seals the body to the wall of the chamber 647 formed
by the member 529.
When the anti-surge valve of FIG. 29 is inserted into
the chamber 647, the bore 639 is aligned with the inlet
of opening 551, these two elements being of essentially
the same diameter so that there is a smooth flow
therebetween to avoid loss of carbonation. The purpose
of the anti-surge valve is to prevent surging and
spitting when the carbonated water valve (i.e., the
shuttle valve assembly) is first opened. The pressure
within the carbonator is, for example, 50 psi. This
pressure is reduced to atmosphere by the time the
carbonated water is discharged from the outlet spout.
It is the purpose of the spiral expansion chamber to
gradually expand the water flow to gradually reduce this
pressure so that a gradual reduction takes place without
the loss of carbonation. In addition, a smooth flow is
assured since sharp edges will break loose the carbon
dioxide bubbles, as will any turbulence. However, when
the shuttle valve assembly is closed, in the absence of
. 1 3381 47
-31-
an anti-surge valve, pressure builds up within the
expansion chamber. The anti-surge valve prevents
excessive pressure build up by closing when the sum of
the pressure in the expansion chamber and the pressure
of the biasing spring, typically 30 psi, e~uals the
pressure inside the carbonator. In this manner, a
reduced pressure, e.g., 20 psi, is maintained in the
expansion chamber and surge problems are reduced. Once
sufficient pressure builds up in the expansion chamber,
that pressure plus the spring pressure pushes the valve
member 623 downward such that the ring seal 635 seats
against the valve seal 633, preventing further pressure
build up. Once the shuttle valve assembly is opened,
the pressure within the expansion chamber and hence
above valve member 623 reduces allowing the pressure in
the carbonator to move valve 623 off its seat and flow
begins to occur through outlets 637 and 639. Water then
flows through the inlet 551, through the spiral
expansion chamber of FIG. 22 to the outlet 541.
~IGS. 30-32 illustrate the cover assembly for the carbon
dioxide cylinder 17 and its connection to a regulator
which also acts as a weighing mechanism. Referring to
FIG. 30, over the end of the gas cylinder 17 there is
placed first an O-ring seal 701, then a ~ember 703 which
has an inner washer-like portion overlying the neck
section 704 of cylinder 17, and is held in place by a
flange on threaded fitting 705, threaded into the
- 32 - 1 338 1 47
threads 707 within the neck section of the cylinder 17. The
fitting 705 contains a check valve which is operated when an
appropriately sized pin is inserted into its opening 709. Member
703 contains a central cylindrical portion 711 with two arms 713
at the ends of which rings 715 are formed as finger grips. As
best seen from FIG. 32, on the inside of the cylindrical portion
711 are formed two diametrically opposed axially extending slots
719 which lead to horizontal circumferentially extending locking
slots 720. The attachment is thus by a simple insertion and
twist-lock action. These are also shown in FIG. 31. A cover 23
is snapped over the member 703 to give the cylinder the finished
appearance illustrated in FIG. 1. The cover is shaped so as to
enclose the top of the cylinder and the member 703 and includes
side parts 721 with openings 723 which align with the openings
715. These openings permit a finger grip for ease in handling
of the cylinder. The cover 23 contains a tear-away top portion
725 with a tab 727 provided to tear off the cover to permit ease
of access to the fitting 709.
The handles 715 and 721 also act as an alignment means. As can
be seen from FIG. 32, the axial slots 719 are aligned with the
handle 721. Thus, when inserting these on a regulator assembly
729 which has a mating fitting 731 with projections 733 thereon,
for engaging in the slots 719 and 721, the handles can be used
for alignment purposes. The user simply lines up the handles
with the pins 733 and then rotates the handles 721 until they are
-33- 1 3381 47
in a predetermined position in which the cylinder is
locked in place against the fitting 731. The fitting
731 includes a hollow probe which fits into and seals
within the opening 709 and opens the valve therein to
permit the flow of carbon dioxide through the regulator
and into the rest of the system. However, the probe is
much thinner than previously employed to permit manual
connection of the cylinder 17 to the fitting 731.
The regulator 729 is also shown in FIG. 33 which is an
exploded view of the regulator and weighing assembly.
The fitting 731 of the regulator 729 with its pins 733
is visible at the bottom of the Figure. A shaft 735
extends out from both ends of the regulator. Shaft 735
on the left hand side contains a flat 737. A member 739
to be described in more detail below is placed over this
end of the shaft 735. The whole assembly, generally
indicated as 740 is inserted into a hood 741 containing
holes 743 on each side thereof for accepting the shaft
735. The shaft 735 on the left hand side is held in
place in a cylindrical recess 745 attached to the
regulator 729 by means of a cotter pin 747. Thus, after
the shaft 735 on the right hand side is inserted through
its hole 743, the recess 745 is aligned with the hole
743 on the left and the shaft 735 on the left hand side
is inserted and secured in place with cutter pins 747.
Thereafter the member 739 can be placed over the end of
the shaft 735. The hood 741 has a brim 749 containing
1 3381 47
-34-
thereon indicia 751 and 753 along with arrows 755. The
indicia indicate to the user the proper alignment for
the handles 721 in the position where the bottle is
inserted and the position where it is locked in place.
The hood 741 is held by an assembly 757. This includes
a U-shaped bracket 759 having holes 761 in its base for
mounting to the machine. Extending through the two legs
of this U-shaped bracket 759 is a shaft 763. At each
end of the shaft is a spring 765. This is a coil spring
containing arms 767 and 769 each of which are bent at
their ends so as to have a portion parallel to the axis
of the spring. The arm 767 contains an axially
extending portion 771. Portion 771 engages in one of a
plurality of holes 775 in the arm of the bracket 759.
The bracket 759 encloses the rear portion of the hood
741 with the shaft 763 extending through the opening
777. The inwardly extending portion 773 of spring arm
769 engages in holes 779. Thus, hood 741 rotates on
shaft 763 and is biased upwardly by spring 765.
FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate manner in which the weighing
mechanism operates. The previously mentioned member 739
comprises a planar member containing an arcuate slot 781
therein. The slot 781 slidably engages a pin 782
provided on the inside of one of the walls of the
cylinder compartment adjacent to the planar member. Its
purpose is to maintain
the axis of the fitting 731 vertical irrespective of the
- 1 3381 47
-35-
rotation of the hood 741. FIG. 34 shows the hood 741
rotated upwardly, corresponding to an empty bottle or no
bottle in place. FIG. 35 illustrates the hood 741
rotated downwardly with a full bottle in place. It will
be recognized, that the locus of shaft 735 moving
between the positions of FIGS. 34 and 35 will exhibit
curved motion and, were it not for the slot 781 and pin
782 and the rigid connection of the member 739 to the
shaft 735, which in turn is rigidly connected to the
regulator 729 and thus to the fitting 731, rotation of
the regulator 729 and fitting 731 would take place. It
is important that the axis of the fitting 731 be
maintained vertical so that CO2 bottles can be easily
removed and inserted. The springs 765, thus, tend to
bias the cover 741 upwardly into the position shown in
FIG. 34. The weight of a full CO2 cylinder acts against
this biasing action to bring the cover downward to the
position shown in FIG. 35.
The member 739 performs a second function, the function
of an indicator. At the bottom of the member 739 are
painted two areas 783 and 785. Area 783 is painted
green, for example, and area 785 is painted red. A
viewing window 787 is provided in the drink dispenser
housing through which the painted areas 783 and 785 can
be observed. With a full bottle, one looks through the
viewing window 787 and sees the green area 783. As the
bottle begins to empty, the red area 785 begins to
-36- 1 338 1 47
appear until, when all red, the bottle is essentially
empty. Preferably, the biasing force of the springs 765
is such that they operate only over the last ten percent
of carbon dioxide in the bottle. That is to say, only
when the bottle is, for example, 10 percent full will
the bottle become light enough so that the spring begins
to move the cover 741 upwardly. This gives a better
indication at the end of supply than would a linear
system which would be difficult to calibrate. The
biasing force of the spring 765 may be charged as needed
based on the users selection of the various holes 775 in
bracket 759.
FIGS. 36 and 37a-c illustrate one means of maintaining a
tangential relationship between the inside of the qlass
and the dispensing spout. Such a tangential
relationship is desirable so that the carbonated water
swirls around the glass in such a way as to mix the
water and syrup but in such a way as to not lose its
carbonation. Without such control, if, for example, the
stream of water impinges directly on an opposing wall of
the cup, this will cause a breakup of the bubbles of
carbon dioxide and a loss of carbon dioxide and the
drink will not taste as it should. Thus, there is
provided a surface 801 with a compound curve. This is
above the drip tray 803 in the area below the dispense
head. The glass is lifted up and guided along the
compound curve until it touches the actuator 233 causing
_37_ 1 3381 47
actuation in the manner described above and a flow of
water from the spout 225. As illustrated in FIGS. 37a-
c, because of the compound curve, irrespective of the
cup size, a flow of water that is more or less
tangential to the inside surface of the cup will occur.
