Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
; WO91/00~8 2 0 ~ 9 2 9 0 PCT/GB90/00~46
: APPARATUS FOR MAKIN& OR DISPENSING DRINKS
_
. This invention relates to apparatus for making or
dispensing carbonated drinks.
; 5
Apparatus for dispensLng carbonated drinks disclosed
in our earlier GB Patent 2,161,089 is primarily
- intended for domestic use. The water container is
~ .:
filled periodically according to demand. The number
of caxbonated drinks which it is intended to dispense
in the course of an evening is relatively small
compared with the demand that might be expected from
such apparatus installPd in a social club or public
- bar.
1~ ',
Accordingly, applicants have designed a new
carbonation apparatus which is particularly but not
exclusively useful in such an e~vironment. This has
led to considerable development of various facets of
the apparatus which are disclosed herein.
In the earlier apparatus concentrate (which is used ts
flavour drinks) was dispensed by pressurising the
concentrate (liquid) in the concentrata bottles so
~25 that the concentrate flowed through a dip stick to a
dispenser, that dispenser was provided with a valve
WO ~1/00~38 2 0 ~ ~ 2 9 ~
PCI /GB90/00946
- 2 _
arrangement. The valve arrangement was ~ctuated '-
~, mechanically when the user pushed a glass into a ,
dispensing compartment. The means by which the valve
arrangement was actuated included a mechanical
. . ~ .. ~.
~ ~5 selector (by which the desired flavour of concentr te
;~ ~as selected). That selector was required to be
~' aligned by the user with the valve arrangement for the
required concentrate before the glass (cup) was so
positioned in the dispensing compartment that it would
, 10 mechanically actuate the valve arrangement to dispense
concentrate (flavouring).
Such apparatus is perfectl~y satisfactory for its
intended use and environment. Ap,plicants now provide,
in one aspect of the invention, apparatus wherein for
volume usage drinks can be more rapidly dispensed tin
terms of the frequency of use~
.,
A further object is to provide in an embodiment means
for the selection of the concentrate to obtain the
flavour desired by the user without mechanically
xesetting a selector.
The invention, however, has a number of features and
aspects as will be described.
,,
'~ WO9~/00~8 2 ~ 9 ~ PCT~GB90/00946
Dispensing Drinks
. According to one aspect of the present invention there
is provided carbonation apparatus for dispensing
S carbonated drinks having a carbonation chamber and a
; gas supply, dispensing means for dispensing a given
; quantity of concentrate for flavouring carbonated
water to provide a drink is actuated by carbonation
gas. In this embodiment there is means for employing
the carbonation gas from the head space of the
carbonation chamber ~o actuate the dispensing means to
dispense concentrate. The dispensing means ~ay be
charged with concentrate by free flow from a
concentrate container in a first step prior to
dispensing in a second step.
In one embodiment, the dispensing means delivers a
measured quantity of concentrate and this is affected
~;` by a charge of carbonation gas and not by a
mechanically actuated valve. In an embodiment
: provision is made whereby the quantity of concentrate
dispensed may be different for different concentra~es.
The dispensing means may be adapted to deliver a
quantity which is related to the flavour of the
concentxate. This enables (as further explained
later) the ratio of concentrate to carbonated water to
WO91/00~8 2 0 5 9 2 9 0 PCT/~B90/00946
be varied as appropriate to the flavour being
selected. ` `
According to another aspect of the invention there is
pro~ided a dispensing mechanism for concentrate for
carbonated drinks comprising a concentrate chamber for
receiving concentrate through an opening thereto from
a concentrate container. An inlet valve meshanism for
a charge of carbonation gas. The carbonation gas-
actuating the dispensing mechanism to dispense said
~; quantity of concentrate. An outlet mechanism to
permit said quantity of co~centrate to be dispenced in
response to pressure exerted by the carbonation gas.
'~ .
In a preferred embodiment the dispensing mechanism
includes diaphragm means in the concentrate chamber,
the carbonation gas acting on the diaphragm means to
expel said quantity of concentrate.
- According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided car~onation apparatus having a dispensing
means actuated by the carbonation gas wherein the flow
of carbonation gas to said concentrate dispensing
means is controlled by a concentrat0 selection
mechanism for selecting the concentrate of tha~
dispensing mechanism. In an embodiment, the selection
WO9i/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 0 PCT/GB90/00946
mechanism is opexable to allow carbonation gas from
said dispensing means to be exhaus~ed to atmosphere
~hereby to permit recharging of the dispensing
mechanism with concentrate.
The selection mechanism may be operable to cause the
carbonation chamber to commence dispensing carbonated
water and the or a selected dispensing means to
commence dispensing concentrate in timed
relationship.
Low Co~t Syrup ~etering Unit
~ .
An object of one aspect of the invention is to provide
a low cost syrup metering unit, preferably a unit of
such low cost that it may be disposed of after use.
In one aspect, the invention provides a device for
discharging liquid comprising a housing defining a
me~ering chamber for receiving the liquid, at least a
portion of the housing being distortable by pressure
to open an outlet for discharge of the fluid in the
metering chamber.
WV91/00238 2 0 ~ ~ 2 9 ~ PCTtGBgo/OOg46
-- 6 --
Another aspect of tha invention provides a device for
discharging metered quantities of fluid comprising a
housing defining a metering~ chamber having opposed
wall m~ans which are movable apart under pressure to
open an outlet for discharging fluid from the
chamber.
In a further aspect) the invention provides a
concentra~e container for containing flavoured
concentrate for a carbonated drink, a metering device
mounted on said containex and adap~ed for discharging
concentrate therefrom in mete:red quantities, first
valve means between the meter:ing chamber and .the
concentrate container for pe~nitting concentrate to
flow from the container into the metering chamber
under gravity when the container is orientated with
the metering chamber below the container, ~nd a
second valve means arra~ged to open when the first
valve means is open to permit air to enter the
container and rise through the concentrate therein as
concentrate leaves the container and enters the
metering chamber.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a
container for containing concentrate or other liquid
to be dispensed and comprising first and second valves
WO91/00238 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
dispos~d in the region of a portion of the container
which is to be lowermost when dispensing liquid, the
firs~ valve being arranged to open to permit liquid to
leave the container under gravity and the second valve
being positioned higher than said first valve (when
said portion is lowermost) so as to open in response
to pressure reduction in the container as liquid
leaves the container, to permit entry of air in~o the
container.
.. ..
:
In yet a further aspect, the invention provides a
valve comprising a valve seat defining a passage
through which fluid may flow, a valve head engageable
with said seat to close the passage and movable away
from the seat to open the passage, a ligameI1t
connected to the valve head ancl extending through the
.passage, and a transversel~ extending stop eIement
attached to the lig~t at the opposite side of the
passage to the valve head for engaging an abutment
surface to limit the distance through which the valve
head may move away from the valve seat. Pre~era~ly,
the valve head ligament and stop member are
integrally moulded from synthetic plastics material.
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WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ 9 2 9 0 PCT/GB90/00946 --
- 8 -
The above aspect~ of the invention have the advantage
that the dispensing unit, concentrate supply and
v~.ve arrangements may be particularly inexpensi~e so
as to be disposable after use.^ Preferably, this low
cost dispensing unit is att~ached to a syrup container,
such as a box or bag-in-the-box containing syrup so
that the purchaser of replacement syrup containers
would obtain, with each one, a new di~pensing unit and
both the syrup con~ainer and dispensing.unit would be
disposed of after use.
:'
SYTUP Flo~ Control
A further aspect of the invention provides a
concentrate dispensing device for dispensing
concentrate in response to application of gas pressure
thereto, the device comprising outlet means which
pro~ides a relatively large outlet when ~he appliPd
gas pressure is relatively small and a relatively
smaller outlet when' the gas pressure is relatively
large. In this way, differencss be~ween the rate of
discharge of concentrate arising from application of
different gas pressures may be reduced or
eliminated.
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wo gl/0023a 2 ~ ~ 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
_ g _
Charging the Car~onation Chamber
For carbonation apparatus to be used in an environment
where the frequency of demand for drinks is high, it
S is desirable that the supply of water to the
carbonation chamber is continuous~
Accordingly, another aspect of ~he present invention
provides carbonation apparatus for dispensing
.. . .. _ . .
carbonated drinks having a carbonation chamber, water
supply means for filling the carbonation chamber with
water, a passage of said water from said water supply
means to said carbonation ch ~er requiring the water
to pass through a space into which the water supply is
discharged and from which space the water may then
flow to said carbonation cha~er whereby reverse flow
of carbonated water back into the water supply means
is prevented.
In an embodIment the space is defined by a water break
chamber and a passag~ from the water break chamber to
the carbonation chamber is controlled by a valve which
comprises a ball and cage arrangement opera~le to
close the passage when the water level has reached a
predetermined level. The ~all and cage arrangement is
particularly advantageous as the supply of water can
" . ' ' " . ' ' , . ~' ., , ' .'.'' . '.' ' ' ''i ' ' ' " ' ' '" ' ~ '
WO91/0023~ 2~5~29~
PCT/GBsO/00946 --
- 10 --
be arranyed to depress the ball and allow ~he flow of
water when required but when the supply is cut off the ~-
ball seals the passage. Such an arrangement is
particularly simple, reliable, and economic to
implement.
Changeover of Carbonation Gas
In carbonation apparatus for high volume usage it is-~
desirable to be able to change rapidly from one gas
supply to another during operation of the car~onation
apparat~!s without down time.
'
According to another aspect of t:he invention there is
provided a changeover mechanism for changing gas
supplies for use with a gas supply arrangement having
a first and second coupling means each with a f irst
and second gas flow control means as60ciated therewith
and adapted for connection to a fir~t gas supply,
20 first and second actuating members operable to permit
gas flow through said first and second gas flow
control means respectively, wherein said changeover
mechani~m is adapted to operate in one of two
conditions whereby in each of said conditions one of
said first and second gas actuating members is
repeatedly actuated, and changeover means switching
. . , . " ;. - .: ,, : :: . . : . : : :.:. ~ .:
W09l/OQ238 2~ 5 9 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
actuation from one to the other of said condi~ions
following detection that the gas supply associated
with the actuating member last actuated has reached
low pre~sure.
This changeover mechanism (an embodiment of which is
illustrated~ facilitates continuous operation of the
carbonation apparatus: an empty gas bottle can be
replaced when the carbonation apparatus is not in
use.
Variable Car~onation
As will be further explained in relation to an
embodiment, it is possible to arrange that the period
during which the water is carbonated in the
carbonation chamber is varied according to the nature
of the concentra~e. For thi~ purpose according to a
further aspect of the in~ention, there is provided
carbonation apparatus with a carbonation chamber and
agitating means for carbonating, con~rol means for
determining the carbonation period during which the
agitating means i~ operational, concentrate being
mixed with the carbonated water in the dispensed
drink, means for determining the carbonation period in
. . ..
WO9l/00238 ~ O ~ ~ 2 9 a PCT/CB90/00946
- 12 -
dependence upon an identification of the concentrate
to be dispensed.
Further aspects of the variable carbonation and its. ;
mode of implementation are described in a specific
embodiment. That specific embodiment also makes
provision for the concentrate containers to carry ~:
identification so that a suitably adapted apparatus
can have an indicator next to a selection button- -
indicating that the desired flavour is aYailable.
.~
Cooling the Concentrate :`
The cooling of the concentrate is facilitated in an
~15 emb~diment in an especially advantageous way.
According to a further aspect of the invention there
is provided carbonation apparatus for dispensing
flavoured drinks comprising ~ carbonation chamber
surrounded by a cooling jacket for the passage
therethrough of a cooling medium, a compartment for a
container of concentrate juxtaposed said cooling
jacket, wherein both cooling of the carbonation
chamber and cooling of the concentrate container is
achieved by thermal transfer to said cooling medium.
~he apparatus defined in the above statement is
WO91300Z38 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 13 -
especially advantag~ous for the cooling of *he
concentrate since the cooling arrangement takes
advantage of an efficient housing design and an
efficient layout of that design whereby the medium for
s cooling the carbonated water is also used for cooling
the concentrate. This enhances both the production of
the apparatus and the reliability thereof.
Further aspects of the present inventions will be- -
described with reference ~o ~he accompanying drawings.
Furthermore, further aspects will be apparent ~rom the
appended claims.
2mbodiments of the invention will now be described, by
way of example only, with reference to the
accompan,ying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a water
carbonation apparatus;
Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the carbonation
apparatus of Figure l;
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show sectional views of a
concentrate selection mechanism prior to selection,
. ;~ ., . . , . . . : . , .
: : ~
WO91/0023& 2~29~
P~/GB90/Oa946
- 14 -
during selection actuation, and subsequent to
selection actua~ion; `
Figures 4A and 4B show sectional views Qf a ::
concentrate dispensing mechanism before and after ~:;
filling the mechanism with concen~xate;
Figures SA, 5B and 5C show sectional views of an ~.
alternative embodiment of a concentrate dispensing
mechanism, with the mechanism full, empty, and filling .
with concentrate;
Figures bA, 6B show sectional views of an auto exhaust
valve mechanism with the valve member in two operating
positions;
Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a relief valve
mechanism;
Figure 8 shows a schematic view of carbonation
apparatus, similar to Figure 2, but including graphic
representation of refrigeration means and a
carbonation cham~er (the chamber being empty);
WO91/00238 ~ ~ 5 ~ ~ 3 ~ PcTtGBgo/no946
- 15 -
Figures 9A, 9~ show further sectional views of the
carbonation chamber of Figure 8 with the chamber water
level at two stages namely filling and full,
respectively;
Figure lO shows a sectional view o~ a water pressure
regulation mechanism of the apparatus of Figure 8;
Figure 11 shows a rear perspective view of the
carbonation apparatus with a changeover mechanism for
changing the carbonation gas applied between two gas
cylinders;
Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the changeover
mechanism of Figure 11 when a cover plate is
removed;
Figures 13a to h, 13i to 13p, and 13q to 13x
respectively show three phases of operation of the
changeover mechanism, namely continuous operation
using one gas cylinder, operation changing from one
gas cylinder ~o the other gas cylinder, and continuous
operation using the other gas cylinder;
"'~',,'' ~ ,, " ,'i , ""~ : "
WO91/00238 ~3~9 ~ PCTtCB90/00946
- 16 -
Yigure 14A shows a perspective view of the part of the
changeover mechanism by means of which the actuator
pins are reciprocated;
Figure 14B shows a side view of parts of the mechanism
of Figures 14A;
Figure 14C shows a perspective view of those parts of
the mechanism shown in Figure 14B;
~.
Figure lS shows another perspective view of the upper
part of the carbonation apparatus with the concentrate
vessels displaced to render visible a sensor means for
detecting carbonation requirements of different
lS concentrates;
Figure 16 shows a part of the carbonation appara~us of
Figure 1 which illustrates a compartment for
concentrate containers;
Fi~ure 17 shows a block diagram of ~he circuitry
included in the carbonation apparatus of Figure 1;
;
Figs. 18 to 21 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views
~25 of a dispensing device according to a f ~ her embodiment
2 ~ Q
WO91/00238 PCT/GB90/00946
- 17 -
of the invention, showing the de~ice in four different
conditions; ~:
Fig. 22 is a cross-section on the line V-V shown in
Fig. 18;
Fig. 23 is a perspective view, partly cut-away, of a
par~ of the device of Figs. 18 to 22;
Fig. 24 is an enlarged section through part of the
device shown in Figs. 18 to 22;
Fig. 25 is an enlarsed perspect:ive view of part of the
device as shown in Fig. 24;
Figs. 26 and 27,are views simllar to Figs. 19 and 20
but showing an alternative embodiment of the
invention; and
Fig. 28 is an enlarged sectional view through part of
the device shown in Figs. 26 and 27;
GE:NERAL DE:SCRIPTION OF APPARA~JS ( FIGURE 1
A watPr carbonation apparatus 10 for preparing drinks
WO9l/00238 2 0 ~ ~ 2 9 0 PCT/GB90/00946
la-
which combine carbonated water with an essence or
flaYouring is shown in Figure 1. The apparatus
comprises a housing 12, the lower section of which is
generally rectangular and which has an upper section
s comprising a central upper portion 13a extending
forwardly from a rear upper portion 13b which extends
alon~ the rear ~all of the housing. The upper
portions 13a and 13b define two compartments laterally
spaced either-side of the upper portion- 13a. ~hese
compartments have compartment covers 13c and
accommodate containers 14a to 14d (the presence of
which is illustrated schematically) for concentrate to
be mixed with carbonated water to provide the drinks
which are dispensed. The compartment covers 13c are
formed of a material (or lined with a material) having
selected thermally insulating properties in order to
insulate the containers 14 and the concentrate tXerein
from the ambient conditionsO The oontainers 14a to
14d may be of the bag-in-box construction (qee Fisures
4A/5A) in which the outer container is formed of a
rigid membrane such as caxdboard and the inner
container i5 formed from a foil of a material which
will be collapsible as the concentrate is dispensed
from the container through an outlet connecting member
(not shown). The containers 14 are arranged in pairs
14a,14b and 14c,14d as shown. ;^
, .,: ~ i ,
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 3 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
,.;
- 19 -
The upper portion 13a of the housing provides at the
front panel thereof a selection panel 16 which
accommodates selection buttons 18a to 18f for the
selection of a drink fla~oured with 2 particular
concentrate by buttons 18a to 18d and to permit
selection of still water or carbonated water (without
flavouring) by buttons 18e,18f respectively. Each of
the containers 14a to 14d are coupled to a concentrate
dispensing mechanism 20a to 20d respectively ~shown in
broken lines). When the user requires a drink he
places a glass or cup 22 below a mixing chamber 24 in
the form of a nozzle which communicates with a
carbonation chamber 26 (shown in broken line) and the
concentrate dispensing mechanisms 20a to 20d. The
glass 22 has to be placed in a dispensing compartment
28 which opens to the front of the housing 12. There
is a sensing m~chanism to detect whether a glass 22 is
presen~ in compartment 28 before the dispensing of
drinks.
Description of Figure 2
Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of ~he apparatus
10. A water supply 30 communicates by a water supply
line 32 with the carbonation chamber 26. Likewise a
gas supply tank or main reservoir 34 containing the
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WO91/00238 PCT/GB90/00946
2~5929~)
- 20 -
carbonation gas such as carbon dioxide, communicates
via a gas supply line 36 with the carbonation chamber
26. Both of these lines 32,36 are controlled by
valves (e.g. solenoid actuated valves) not shown.
Carbonation of the water takes place in chamber 26.
The apparatus may be arranged to operate such that the
chamber 26 is refilled with water immediately
following the dispensing of the previous drink so that
the chamber normally stands full of water. After the
carbonation step, the carbonation gas which remains in
the chamber may pass through exhaust lines 38,39.
Exhaust line 38 is controlled by a solenoid valve Sl
which operates to permit the gas to pass to an auto
exhaust valve V1, which in turn may pass the
carbonation gas via exhaust line 39 with a check valve
V2 to charge reservoirs, 40a to ~Od. Typically ~he
pressure of the carbonation gas in the gas supply 34
will be in the order of 6 to 7 bar (about 100 psig)
whereas the required pressure in the reservoirs 40a to
40d will be in the order of 2 to 3 bar (about 40
psig). The collective capacity of the foux reservoirs
40a to 40d is about four times that of the head space
in the carbonation chamber when it is full of
carbonated water. After charging the pressure in the
reservoirs 40 will be slightly above the level just
indicated due to the carbonation of the water itself
WO9l/00238 2 ~ 5 ~ 2 9 ~ PCT/~B90/00946
- 21 - `
since the carbonation gas in the water tends to
maintain the pressure in the head space. The
reservoirs 40a to 40d are themselves connected by a ~-
charge line 42 to a pressure relie~ valve V3 from
which the charge line 43 continues via the selection
buttons 18a to 18d (those buttons on panel 16 for the
selecting of flavours corresponding to the concentrate
in the containers 14a to 14d of Figure 1). Further
charge lines 44 run from each of the selection buttons
18 to a respective one of the concentrate dispensing
mechanisms 20a to 20d. As shown, the concentrate
dispensing mechanism 20a communicates with respective
concentrate container 14a. A glass 22 is shown
disposed below an outlet from the concentrate
dispensing mechanism 20a and a valve V4 of the
carbonation chamber 26.
The valve V4 is a~sociated with an arm 46 which is
pivotally connected to an actuating solenoid S2 and an
actuating member 48 for the pressure relief valve
V3.
OPERATION OF APPARAT~S OF FIGURE 2
Each selection button 18a to 18d selects a respective
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~
9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 2~ _
one of the concentrate containers 14a to 14d for a
particular flavour of the drink dispensed. The
selection buttons 18a to 18d are each associated with
a respective selection mechanism 50 (urther described
with reference to Figures 3A to 3C). Chamber 26 is
already charged with water. The respective
concentrate dispensing mechanism 20a i9 charged with
concentrate. Assuming that a glass 22 is in place
(i.e. in the compartment 28 of Figure 1) actuation of
the button 18a is possible. This actuation initiates
a cycle of the carbonation apparatus tto be further
de-~cribed). During the cycle, dispensing of
concentrate and carbonated water occurs as follows.
For the purpose of dispensing concentrate, carbonation
gas is caused to flow from the reservoirs 40 through
the charge line 42, the pressure relief valve V3 (when
actuated by the solenoid S2), the charge line 43, the
concentrate selection mechanism 50 (Figure 3)
associated with the button 18a through the further
charge line 44 to the concentrate dispensi~g mechanism
20a to dispense a measured quantity of the concentra~e
from the dispensing mechanism 20c which is charged by
the concentrate cont~iner 14a. Likewise during said
cycle, the solenoid S2 is actuated to open the valve
V4 to dispense carbonated water from the car~onation
chamber 26. The two liquids, the carbonated water and
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WO91/00238 2 ~ 5 ~ ~ 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 23 -
the concentrate, dispensed respeotively from the valve
V4 of chamber 26 and an outlet mechanism 82 of the
concentrate dispensing mechanism 20 are mixed as they ~:~
pass to the glass 22 (see the mixing chamber 24 of
Figure 1). Further details of the apparatus shown in
Figure 2 will become apparent from the description
below of Figures 3 to 7.
Concentrate Selection Mechanisms 50
One of the concentrate selec:tion mechanisms 50
associated wi~h the selection buttons 18a to 18d is
shown in Figures 3A to 3C whic:h illustrate various
stages of its operation. The concentra~e selection
mechanism 50 comprises the selection button 18a (see
Figures 1 and 2) which is carried by a shaft 52 having
a collar 52a. C~llar 52a is di~placeable between a
position in which it contacts front panel member 16
(see Figure 1) and a position in which i~ con~acts
panel ~ember 56 having an aperture 56a for the shaf
52. A locking plate 54 locks the button 18a with
collar 52a adj2cent panel 16 when no glass/cup is
present in dispensing compartmen~ 28 (Figure 1). It
is displaced (for example by a solenoid) when the
glass 22 is detected thereby enabling actuation of
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W091/00238 2 0 5 ~ 2 ~ O PCT/GB90/00946
- 2~ -
button 18a. Detection may be by way of a sensing
mechansim detecting a reflected light beam.
The panel member 56 formqoa front plate of a valve
chamber 60 which is further defined by a first valve
chamber housing 58.
Within the valve chamber 60 there is a movable
cylinder 62 having a main portion-62a of a diametex
such as to be a close fit in the cylindrical chamber
60 and sealed by means of an O-ring seal 62d. The
cylinder 62 further comprises a cam portion 62b and a
reduced portion 62c. The cam portion 62b is formed as
a conical reduction between the outer main portion 62a
and the inner reduced portion 62c. The cylinder 62
has a bore 62e for the passage of a piston member 64.
The piston member 64 is an extension of the shaft 52
and is of reduced diameter relatiYe thereto. It
extends thxough the bore 62e of the cylinder 62.
Piston member 64 is provided at its leading end with a
piston head 64a. Head 64a carries at its rearward face
(relative to the direction of forward travel of the
head 64a and the selection button 18a) an O-ring seal
64c~ O-ring seal 64c ensures a gas tight seal between
the piston 64 and the cylinder 62 in the position
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WOgl/00238 2 ~ O PCT/GB9o/OOg46
- ~5 -
(Figure 3A) in which the cylinder 62 abuts the panel
member 5~.
Above the first valve chamber housing 58 there i~
mounted a second and upper valve chamber housing 66
which defines an upper valve chamber 68 accommodating
a valve member 70. ~he chr mbers 60 and 68 communicate
via the passage 58b in housing 58. The valve member 70
` has a collar 70a, a depending spigot 70b and an
upstanding shaft 70c terminating in a conical cam 70d.
Within the ~alve chamber 68 the valve member 70 is
biased into a closed po~ition by a spring 72 and in
that position holds a diaphragm 74 in its closed
position. The valve member 70 is displaceable to
actuate a microswitch 76 by mean~ of the conical crIm
70d displacing a microswitch actuator 76a as shown in
Figure 3B. r
.
The chamber housing 58 has an inlet passage 58a which ~. .
communicates with the charge line 43. The chamber 68
has an outlet 6Ba ~hich communicates with a bore SBc
~hrough the housing 58 and thence to ~he charge line
~4. It will be recalled from Figure 2 that charge
lines 42,43 communicate with the reservoirs 40 nd
that tha chaxge line 44 communicates from the
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wo gl/0023g 2 0 5 9 2 9 0 Pcr/GB90/00946 -`
- 26 -
selection mechanism 50 to the appropriate concentrate
dispensing mechanism 20.
Operation of Concentrate Selection ~echanism 50 ~
S (Figures 3A to 3C) ~` .
The concentrate selection mechanism 50 as shown in
Figure 3A is in its rest position in which the button
18a projects through the selection paneI 16. The -
cyllnder 62 abuts the panel 56. The piston 64 is-
located such that the piston head 64a abuts the
cylinder 62 with the O-ring seal 64c interposed
therebetween to seal the same. In this situation the ~r
depending spigot 7Ob of the valve member 70 depends
through the passageway 58b of the housing 58 and is in
contact with the cam portion 62b sf the cylinder 62.
The diaphragm 74 is in its relaxed position and .:
maintained there by the collar 70a of the valve member
70. It will be clear that since the area of diaphragm
74 greatly exceeds the area of the passage 58B, gas
pressure in chamber 60 will no~ normally be able to
lift the diaphragm 74. Valve member 70 is biased into
that position by the spring 72 acting between the
collar and the upper wall of ~he housing 66 of valve
chamber 68. The diaphragm 74 so arranged prevents the
passage of carbonation gas from the chamber 60 passin~
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WO91/00238 2 0~ ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/~B90/00946
_ 27 -
through the passage 58b to the upper chamber outlet
68a from which it would then flow through the passage
58c to the charge line 44 and thence the concentrate
dispensing mechanism 20. Likewise, the exhaust of
gas from the dispensing mechanism 20 through the
chamber 60 and then to atmosphere ~ia the piston bore
69B (in the Figure 3B position of piston 64A) or via
~he charge line and relie~ valve V3 of Figure 2 is
prevented.
In the absence of user actuation of the selection
but~on 18a, ~ and if there is
no glass 22 in the dispensing compartment 28 (see
Figure 1~ then the locking plate 54 will be in the
po~ition illustrated in Figure JA. If a glass 22 is
placed in the compartment 28, then the loc~ing plate
54 is moved out of the path of the collar 52a on the
shaft 52, thereby enabling the selection button 18a to
be displaced.
In Figure 3B the selection 18a is displaced into its
selection position. Initially this causes displacement
of the shaft 52. After a period of free travel
corresponding to the thickness of the wall 56, the
shaft 52 abuts the cylinder 62 and displaces it. In
addition, the forward displacement of the shaft 52
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ O PCT/GB90/00946 -`
~ 28 -
causes displacement`of the piston 64 such as to cause
the piston head 64a to move away from the end 62c of
the cylinder. The displacement of the cylinder 62 has
caused a displacement of the valve member 70 in the
upper chamber 68. The cam portion 62b of the cylinder
62 has displaced the depending spigot member 70b of
the valve member 70 upwardly against the bias of the
spring 72 where it is held by the main portion 62a (of
the cylinder) which acts as a holding means therefor
until carbonation gas is supplied. This causes the
diaphra~m 74 to travel therewi.th and also causes the
upstanding shaft 70c to move upwardly.
As the carbonation gas ~from reservoirs 40) enters the
chamber 60 and thence through passage 58B to the
chamber 68 below the~diaphragm 74, then owing to the
area of the diaphragm 74 thls pressur~ whilst applied
is sufficient to maintain the raised position of the
diaphra~m 74 against the bias of spring 72.
The upward movement of the shaft 70c of valve member
70 causes actuation of the microswitch 76 by means of
the microswitch actuator 76a. Actuation of the
microswitch 76 operates a control circuit (not shown)
for timed operation of the various solenoids and
solenoid actuated valves.
.. .. .. . ..
. .
. ': ,, , , , , ~, . i .
.. . . . .. .
WO91/00238 2 0 ~ 9 ;~ 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 29 -
The user releases the selection but~on 18a. It
returns to its initial position as shown in Figure 3C
under the influence of the pressure in the chamber 60.
This pressure is due to the carbonation gas travelling
through the charge line 43 and the inlet passage 58a
- into the chamber 60. It then passes through the
passageway 58b into the chamber 68 below the diaphragm
74, through to the passageways 68a and 58c, and
thence to the charge _linie. 44 for the concentrate
dispensing mechanism 2G associated with that
concentrate selection mechanism ~0. As indicated
above, th~ diaphragm 74 is maintained in its raised
position (shown in Figure 3C) after the but~on 18a and
therewith the cylinder 62 has returned to the position
in which cylinder 62 abuts panel 56 and the portion
62a thereof no longerlholds the spigot 70b raised.
COnGen~rate Dispensing ~echanism 20 ~Figures 4At4B)
The construction and operation of the concentrate
dispensi~g mechanism 20 will now be described with
reference to Figures 4A and 4B. Four of these
mechanisms 20a to 20d are illustrated schematically in
Figure 1.
The upper surface of the lower housing sectio~ 12 1s
WO91/00238 2 ~ 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90~00946
- 30 -
contoured to receive these concentrate dispensing
mechanisms 20 in a releasable fashion. When in situ in
the housing, these mechanisms 20 couple the respective
concentrate container 14 to the mixing chamber 24 (see
Figure 1). .c`
In Figure 4A a concentrate container 14 is illustrated
only in part and the means of connection with the
concentrate dispensing mechanism 20 are not shown. As
mentioned with reference to Figure 1, the containers
14 can be of the bag in the box type with an outer
wall 15a, a liner 15b and an opening l5c. It
will be readily appreciatecl that a concentrate
container 14 of the bag in-box t:ype may ~e provided on
its lower surface with a removable strip below which
there is a pierceable strip into which a connecting
member (not shown) for coupling to the concentrate
dispensin~ mechanism 20 may be inserted. This
operation would occur with the dispensing mechanism 20
and concentrate container 14 out of the apparatus 10.
~he concentrate dispensing mechanism 20 is attached to
container 14 and then the assembly so formed placed in
the housing 12 with the concentrate dispensing
mechanism 20 located in a corresponding recess of the
housing (not shown) such that its dispensing outlet
me~hanism 82 registers with the mixing chamber 24
.
.... .
, .., , ~, . . .
~ , , . :,
WO 91/00238 ~ ' 9 ~ PCl'/GBgO/00946
- 31 -
tFigures 1 and 2). This positioning of the mechanism
20 in a corresponding recess also positively locates
the container 14.
The concentrate dispensing mechanism 20 comprises a
housing 78 defining a concentrate chamber 90 and a
outlet mechanism housing 82 communicating therewith.
Housing 78 defines an inlet passage 78a from the
concentrate container 14 to the chamber 80. This
inlet passage 78a terminates in a ~al~e mechanism
78b which controls the flow of conrentrate from tha
concentrate container 14 to the cha~ber 80. The valve
mechanism 78b comprises a cage 78c in ~hich a ball 78d
is captuxed hetween an outlet 78e. Outlet 78e is of
reduced area ~ompared with the a.rea of the passage 7~a
and a seat 78f at the upper level of the cage 78c. The
seat 78f is defined by an O-ring seal.
The ball 78b opens the passageway 78a in the absence
of concentrate in the cha~ber 80 by resting on the
outlet 78e ~hich forms a ~eat for this purpose. When
the ch~mber 80 is charged with the required ~olume of
concen~rate, the ball 78b is seated on the valve seat
78~.
The further housing 82 defines an outlet mechanism for
WO91/00238 2 0 5 ~ 2 9 0 PCT/GB90/00946
. -:
- 32 -
the passage of concentrate from the chamber 80 to a
mixing chamber 24 (see Figure 1). The body of the
housing 82 defines a first passageway 82a with an
enlarged bore 82L at the end thereof communicating
with the chamber 80 and also communicatiny with a
valve chamber 82b within the housing 82. Yalve
chamber 82b in turn communicates with an outlet
passageway 82c twhich in this embodiment is
horizontally inclined) which delivers concentrate via
its ou~let opening 82d (which in this embodiment is
vertically inclined) to the mixing chamber 24. The
horizontal and ~ertical inclinations can be varied to
suit the relative positioning of the dispensing
mechanism and the mixing chamber. The outlet
passage~ay 82c communicates with the interior of
chamber 82b by means of an annular passageway 82e
which ensures that all concentrate delivered to the
chamber 82b via the passageway 82a is expelled into
the pass~geway 82c. Within the valve cha~ber 82b, a
valve mechanism comprises a diaphragm 82f associated
with a valve member 82g biased by a spring 82i
arranged between an upper part of the housing 82 and a
valve collar 8~j on the member 82g. It will be seen
that the housing has an aperture 82k through which the
valve mem~er 82g projects when raised. The aperture
82k enables venting of air in the upper part of the
.. ~ ,; ','.. 'i, ,.,' :'' ', " " '
WO91~00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 ~ PCT/G~90/00946
chamber 82b when the diaphragm 82f is displaced due to
the pressure in the chamber 80. The venting of chamber
82b is merely to allow expansion of the diaphragm
8~f.
The chamber 80 communicates with a supply of
carbsnation gas from the reservoirs 40a to 40d via the
charge line 44 which is connected to an inlet valve
mechanism 84. Inlet valve mechanism 84 comprises an
inlet connection 84a, a passageway 84b and an outlet
valve 84c. The outlet valve 84c comprises a cage 84d
in which a ~all 84e is seated on a lower seat 84f in
Figure 4A or an upper seat 84g in Figure 4B.
As described with reference to Figure 2, carbonation
gas from the reservoirs 40 is usPd to dispense a
charge of concentrate from the chamber 80. W~en a
charge of carbonation gas is applied along the charge
line 44 through the valve mechanism 84, the
co~centrate in the chamber 80 is forced through the
outlet mechanism 82. At the same time ball 78d is
forced against seat 78f and prevents gas entering ~he
container 14.
, ., ................... , . , ~ ... , . , ;
.,.. , . --
WO91/00238 2~2~
PCTJGB90/00946
- 34 -
When the cha~'oer 80 is empty (or substantially so) and
vented to atmosphere via the mechanism 84 and the
charye line 44 and/or an associated concentrate
selection mechanism 50, concentrate may flow from the
concentxate container 14 into the chamber 80 under
gravity feed. The chamber 80 charges with concentrate
to the level sho~n in Figure 4B, which is a
predetermined level. The inlet ~alve mechanism 84 has
its ball ~4e displaced to an upper seat 84g thereby
preventing concentrate from leaving via mechanism 84
and the the charge line 44 (Figure 2). Similarly, the
ball 78d of valve 78b controlling the flow of
concentrate from the container 14 to the chamber 80 is
seated on the valve seat 78f. The outlet mechanism 82
also has its valve membex 82g and diaphragm 82f in its
closed position.
Thereafter, a charge of carbonation gas along the line
4~ drives the measured guantity of concentrate from
the chambex 80 throuyh the outlet mechanism 82 and
into the mixing chamber 24 (see Figures 1 and 2). The
valve 82g is opened by the pressure of the concentrate
.~hich is pressurised by the gas through valve
mechanism 84.
The dispensing of the concentrate from the chamber 80
WO91/0023$ 2 ~ ~ ~ 7~1~ PCT/GB90/Q0946
- 35 -
is synchronised with the dispensing of carbonated
wa~er from the carbonation chamber 26 by means of the
operation of the solenoid 52 of Figure 2.
~odified Concentrate Dispensi~g ~echanism 20'
(Figures 5~ to SC)
An alternative embo~iment of a concentrate dispensing
mechanism 20' is shown in Figures 5A, 5B and SC which
respectively show the chamber 80 when it is charg~d
with concentrate, when it is empty of concentrate~
and when it is charging with concentrate.
The same reference numerals will be employed in
describing Figures 5A to 5C as were used for like
parts in Figures 4A and 4B. In particular, the
container 14 is also of the bag-in-box type with an
outer wall lSa, a liner lSb and an opening lSc
(defined by a portion of the container wall as
shown).
One modification is that the cha~ber 80 in this
embodiment has a diaphragm 86. This also results in a
modification of the means for control of gas via the
inlet valve mechanism 84. It also changes the valve
78 for charging of concentrate from the COnGentrate
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ 9 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
~ - 36 -
container 14. The valve outlet mechanism 82 remains
the same and reference numerals 82,82a to 82k will not
be further explained.
In this embodiment, the inlet mechanism 84' has an
inlet passageway 84i which at its inner end
communicates with the chamber 80 where it has an
enlarged diameter outlet 84j. At its outer end, the
inlet passageway 84i communicates with the charge line
44. It is sealed at its axial end 84k and it has a
radially extending passageway 841 arranged between two
O-ring seals 84m. This arrangement at the end 84k of
the inlet valve mechanism 84 allows the mechanism 84
to be a push fit into the charye line 44. The O-ring
seals 84m ensure tha~ the pressure balances are such
that the valve mechanism 84' is not urged away from
the charge line 44.
Communication between the container 14 and the chamber
80 for the concentrate is via passageway 78a (as in
tha Figure 4 embodiment). In this embodimen~ the
inlet passage 78a accommodates a tubular member 78g
which is sealed therein by means of an O-ring seal 78h
and which at i~s lower end carries a radially
outwardly extending flange 78j from which there is a
depending skirt member 78i. The ~ubular member 78g is
WO91/00238 2 0 5 9 ~ ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 37 - ..
threadedly connected by means of threaded connections
78k to the housing 78 in the passageway 78a. As in
the Figure 4 embodiment the passageway so defined has :~
an O-ring seal 78f which forms a seat for the ball 78d
which acts as a ~alve member for the control of
concentrate from the container 14 into the chamber
80.
The tubular member 78g has a bore through which
concentrate flows from the concentrate container 14
into the chamber 80. ~he depending skirt member 78i
determines the volume of the chamber 80 whlch extends
radially outwardly thereof. This volume is the volume
of concentr~te which is dispensed through the ~:~
passageway 82a when the carbonation gas issues into
the chamber 80 abo~e the diaphragm 86 ~ia the inlet
passageway 84i. -
At its inner peri~hery the diaphragm 86 is secuxed
between the flange 78j and the housing 78. At its
outer periphery the diaphragm 86 is secured at the
location 781 between parts of the housing 78.
When, as shown in Figure SA, the chamber 80 is full
of concentrate the diaphragm 86 adopts a configuration
which conforms to the upper and side walls of the
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ 9 2 9 0 PCT/GB90/00946 --
- 38 -
chamber 80. After dischar~e of the concentrate
(Figure SB), the chamber 80 gas is exhausted via the
charge line 44 and the passageway 84i. Then ~he
chamber 80 starts to refill with concentrate (Figure
5C)o
The passage 84i communicates with the charge line 44.
When this is exhausted, the gas in the chamber 80
above the diaphragm 86 is exhaust d to atmosphere and
this allows the diaphragm 86 to occupy the position
shown in Figures SA and 5C.
In Figure 5C, the pre~sure in the chamber 8d is now at
ambient pressure and the concentra~e flows via the
passage 78a (reduced in diameter by the member 78g)
into the chamber 80 under gravitational flow. The
chamber then fills to the position shown in Figure 5A
where the ball 78d comes into contact with the seat
78f and clos~s the chamber 80. Valve 78b also
~0 prevents concentra~e re-entering container 14.
When a charge of carbonation gas is admitted ~hrough
valve mechanism 84, it causes the diaphragm 86 to be
forced downwardly to expel ~he concentrate from the
chamber 80. The diaphra~m i5 forced in~o the positiGn
shown in Figure 5B where- the chamber is emptied.
.. ,. , , . ~ .
. ~. , . :
- .: , . :........... ;: . . , . . : .. . ..
.: : . ., . , : . :. ,, -: ~. . : ,, ~ . . : ~ . ::
WO9l/0023~ 2 ~ 2 ~ O PCT/GB90/00946
- 39 - :
During the emptying of the chamber, the outlet
mechanism 82 is ac~uated by the pressure of the liquid ;~
concentrate which in turn is determined by the
pressure of the gas entering the upper part of th~
chamber, i.e. above the diaphragm 86.
The diaphragm has the advantage that it separates the
carbonation gas entering the chamber 80 through the
passageway 84i from the liquid concentrate in the
chamber 80. This avoids the issue of carbonation gas
through the dispenser outlet 82d which has been known
~o occur with the embodiment of Figure 4. ~he
separation also ensures that there is no possibility
of concentrate entering the inlet passageway 84i at
the enlarged diameter outlet ~4j. It also closes the
outlet passageway 82a (Figures SA and SB
respectively)O
The arrangement shown in Figures 5A to SC has the
dvantage that the capacity of the chamber 80 can be
modified by the appropriate selection of the depending
member 78i. Thus, for differen~ concentrates the
chamber volume can be varied in order that a different
ratio of concentrate to car~ona~ed water can be
dispensed through the mixing chamber 24 into the glass
22 (see Figure 1).
: - ~, . ... . . . .
. :. . ,: ..... ...
:. : ,. . ,, :. : .
. . : , . :.- . .. ~
WO91/00238 2 0 ~ 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB98tO0946
: ~ - 40 -
Auto Exhaust Valve V1 (Fiqures 6A,6B
The construction of the auto exhaust valve Vl of
Figure 2 will now be described with reference to
Figures 6A and 5B. The auto relief valve Vl comprises
a housing 90 with an inle~ passage 90a, and an outlet
passage 90b and an exhaust passage 90c. The housing
90 is defined by an inner cylindrical casins 90d, an
outer cylindrical casing 90e, these being joined at
one end by a first end plate 90f itself being
contoured to provide the outlet passage 90b and the
exhaust passage 90c. A second end plate 90g joins the
inner and outer cylindrical casi.ngs 90d and 90e at
their other end and defines the inlet end 90q of inlet
pas~ageway 90a. The inner cylindLrical casing 90d has a
first aper~ure 90h which is arranged near the inlet
end 90q of the passage YOa and which enables said
passage 90a to communicate with the interior of the
housing. ~he interior of the housing is designated ~he
chamber 90m. Likewise, at the inner end of the
passage 90a there is an aperture 90i which enables the
passage 90a to communicate with the chamber 90m.
Within the housi~g 90 there is a closed cylindrical
valve member 90j which is mounted on the inner
cylindrical casing 90d. The valve member 90; is
biased to close the aperture 90i by means of a spring
. ,: : , ,: , :;.: ,: .:,:.. :; :: .. , j . , , . ,.. , .. :., , :
WO91/00238 ~ PCT/~B90/00946
- 41 -
90k. Spring 90k is arranged between the housing and a
flange 90n. Flange 90n extends outwardly of the open
lower end 90x of the valve member 90j. The ~pring 90k
is arranged concentrically with an O-ring seal 901 at
the interior of the first end plate 90f and with the
exhaust passage 90c.
The inlet passage 9Oa is arranged to communicate with
the gas supply line 38 from the carbonation chamber 26 .
(Figure 2). The outlet passage 90b is axranged to
communicate wi~h the gas supply line 39 extending from
the auto exhaust valve V1 to the reservoirs 40. The
exhaust passage 90c enables the auto exhaust valve V1
to vent any ~urplus carbonation gas from the chamber
26 to atmosphere after the reservoirs 40 have been
charged.
:.
~peration oi th0 Auto ~xhaust Val~e ~1
The auto exhaust valve V1 has as its primary ~unction
to exhaust the surplus carbonation gas from the
carbonation chamber 26 after the reservoir~ 40 have
been charged. The gas from the carbonation chamber 26
is controlled by the solenoid valve Sl (Figure 2). It
enters the passage 90a and passes through the aperture
90i into the chamber 90m displacing the valve member
:.: , .: ;, :: ~ : : . ;:
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ 9 PCT/GB90/00946
- 42 -
90j. It also passes into chamber 90M via aperture
90H. The pressure drop across aperture 90H ensures
that there is a pressure differential across the valYe
member 90j whereby the valve member 90j is displaced.
It is necessary that the valve~ member 90j is a
sufficien~ly close fit on the cylindrical casing 90d
in order that this pressure differential is maintained
and that the pressure differential is not dissipated
by leakage therebetween.
As shown in Figure 6A the valve member 90j initially
seals the Aperture 90i. The exhaust passage 90~ is
then open and the carbonation gas can flow to
atmosphere via aperture 90h from passageway 90a to
chamber 90m and then passage 90c.
When valve mem~er 90j is displaced by the pressure of
the carbonation gas to close the exhaust passageway
90c, the gas will flow through the passage 90b to
charge the reservoirs 40 via the line 39. The valve
member 90j is temporarily maintained in the position
(shown in Figure 6B) where it closes the exhaust
passage 90c. It is held in that position until the
pressure differential across the aperture 90h falls
below the level at which it can hold the walve member
90j displaced against the action of spring 90k. This
:, ; . . . .: . . . ,:, . . . . ;
., : .. . . ' . . ,' , ` ! ` , , :
,' ': ' ' :' : : ' : ` : .':: '' `, ' . : .'
,, . ,: , , ' . :. , ': ' '.
.. .. .
WO91~0023X 2 ~ ~ 9 2 9 0 PCT/GB90~00946
- 43
oc~urs when the pressure of the surplus (waste)
carbonation gas from the carbonation chamber 26 is
substantially reduced for example to about 3 to 4 bar
(about 50 psis). Once the reservoirs 40 are charged,
any surplus carbonation gas passes through exhaust
passageway 90c as 500n as valve member 90j leaves
valve seat 901.
Multifunction _ressure Release Valve V3 (Fiq. 7)
The pressure relief valve V3 has a housing 100 which
defines a chamber 100a. A top wall 100b defines an
exhaust and valve passageway 100c in which a valve
shaft 100d is reciprocally displaceable. Valve shaft
100d has at its upper end a connector (which here is
in the form of a closed eyelet) for connection to the
solenoid S2 of Figure 2~ The valve shaft 100d carries
a valve member 100f and a valve collar 100g and
~erminates in its lower end 100i. The lower end 100i
in one position of the valve shaft 100d can depend
into a passageway 100j. The passageway 100; is
defined by the housing and extends through a
projecting connector 100k~ The projecting connector
100k is connected to the charge line 42 leading to the
~25 reservoirs 40 (see Figure 2). Another passageway 100m
extends through a projecting connector 100n which is
W091/00238 2 O ~ 9 2 ~ O PCT/GB90/OOg46
~ 44 ~ ::~
connected to a charge line 43 from the pressure relief
valve V3 to the concentrate selector mechanisms SO
with their buttons 18 (see Figure 2~. The valve shaft
lOOd is associated with a sealing ring lOOp which
surrounds the lower end lOOi thereof and is arranged
concentrically with the passageway lJOj at the chamber
outlet. Another sealing ring lOOq is arranged about
the valve shaft lOOd immediately above the ~alve
member lOOf and in contact therewith. The housing
further defines an outer extension lOOr of the valve
p~ssageway lOOc and an inner extension lOOs thereof.
The inner extension lOOs has a cavity lOOt at its
lower end. A val~e spring lOOh is arranged between an
inner surface lOOu of the top W2l11 lOOv and the collar .
lOOg so as to bias the valve shaft lOOd downwardly in
the chamber towards an interior surface lOOv of a
bottom wall lOOw. The passageway lOOm extends t~rough : :
a sidawall lOOx which is opposite the sidewall lOOy as
shown in Figure 7. The chamber lOOa itself may be
cylindric~1 and therefsre these references to opposite
sidewalls refer that wall as seen in cross-section.
The spring lOOh i5 arranged concentrically with the
passageway lOOc, the valve shaft lOOd, the valve
member lOOf, the valve collar lOOg, and the inwardly
depending extension lOOs.
. . : : ,: :~,: . : .,. ,: ::
wo sl~oa238 2 0 5 ~ 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- ~5 -
Operation of the Pressure Relief Yalve V3 :~
The operation of the relief valve V3 to pass
carbonation gas to the dispensing mechanisms 20 (see
Figure 2) is controlled by the displacement of the
shaft lOOd by the ~olenoid S2 (of Figure 2). It al50
acts to exhaust the dispensing mechanism and it also
acts as a pressure relief valve as will be
explained. . .
As shown in Figure 7 the valve shaft lOOd is in a
lo~er position in which the lower end lOOi i~ about to :
en~er the passageway lOOj and the O-ring lOOp ensures
that the val~e collar lOOg seals that passageway. If
one of the concentrate selection mecha~isms 50 of
Figures 3A to 3C is actuated~ to allow the flow of
carbonation gas from a dispensing mechanism 20 ~o flow
to exhaust, then that gas passes along the line 43 and
into the chamber lOOa of the pressure relief ~alve and
exi~ through the exhaust passageway lOOc.
When the solenoid S2 is actuated to charge the
dispensing mechanism 20 with a charge of carbonation
gas to dispense a measured quantity of coneentrate,
then the solenoid 52 raises the valve shaft lOOd. This
brings the valve member lOOf into a position
WO9l/00~38 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/OOg46
- 46 -
juxtaposed with the interior extension lOOs such that
~he O-ring seal lOOq is compressed in the caYity lOOt
thereof to seal the exhaust passageway lOOc.
Carbonation gas from the reservoirs 40 can then flow
along the charge line 42 into the paSsageway lOOj and
out through the passageway lOOm via charge line 43,
the selection mechanism 50 and to the di.spensing
mechanism 20 to thereby discharge a measured quantity
of concentrate. After a-timed interval the solenoid-S2
returns the shaft lOOd to its lower position tFigure
7) in wh~ch the passage lOOj is again sealed off.
This valve V3 also acts as a pressure relief valve in
the event of a malfunction causing the pressure in the
chaxge line 42 (and thus the passageway 100;) to
become excessively high, for example due to the
reservoirs 40 bçing charged to a pressure level well
beyond that required for driving the dispensing
mechanisms 20. In that event, the gas pressure acting
on the valve collar lOOg of the valve member lOOf
causes the valve member lOOf to be displaced thereby
permitting ~h~ gas to vent to atmosphere through ~he
exhaust passageway lOOc. This flow of gas through
passageway lOOc continues until the gas pressure in
charge line 42 is reduced to its desired level
,:. . : . . .: . "., , ::. . ,, , ,. . :.
, .. .... .. .. . . ...
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90iO0946
47 -
whereupon valve lOOf closes on the seat lOOp under the
bias of spring lOOh.
Carbonation Apearatus of Fiqures 8~ 9A and 9B
S
In Figure 8 there is a schematic diagram of a
carbonation apparatus (generally similar to that of
Figure 1). The carbonation chamber 110 is surrounded
by a cooling ~acket 120. Both the carbonation chamber
110 and the cooling jacket 120 are supplied with water
126 therein from a refrigerating tank 130. The tank
130 is refrigerated by means of the refrigerant
compressor 140. Re~rigerant circulates in the coil
142 which co-operates with the coil 144 in the tank
130 to chill the water supply. The tank 130 contains
water which is cycled via a supply line 134 and a pump
136 to the cooling jacket 120 and returns via a return
line 132. The water supply for the chamber 110 comes
from a mains supply at 150 via a flow controller 152
and a solenoid valve 154. It passes through the coil
144 in the tank 130 and along a supply line 156. It
issues through a water inlet 158 to an upper chamber
112 of the carbonation chamber 110. This upper
chamber 112 provides a water supply break between the
mains water supply 150 and the agitating chamber 114.
Upper chamber 112 is vented to a~mosphere through a
WO9l/00238 2 ~ ~ 9 ~ ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 48 -
vent 166. This upper chamber 112 has a baffle 118
which shields sensing means 160 from the water issuing
from the inlet 158. Within the agitating chamber 114
there is an inlet ~onduit 162 which houses a valve 164
S comprising a ball 166 and cage 168 for controlling the
flow of water into the chamber 114. Also within the
ch~mber 114 is an agitator means 170 for assisting in
the carbonation of khe water by mechanically
forcing carbonation gas from the.head-space above the
water downwardly into the body of the water. It has a
horizontal shaft 170a and vertical paddles 170b and is
driven by a motor tnot shown) under the control of a
control circuit (not shown). Netering me~ns 180
meters the level of the water in the chamber 114.
This metering means 180 compris~es a float valve 182
which is guided in a channel 184 as the water level
rises until the float valve lB2 itself comes into
contact with seal 186. At the same time an upper end
188 of the float valve 182 comes into contact with the
sensi~g means 160. The sensing means 160 is
electrically connected to ths control circuit which
sequences the operation of the apparatus. Valve means
190 control the flow of carbonated water from the
agitating chamber 114. This valve means 190 is
connected to a beam 192 which is pivoted at 194 and at
196. The valve means 190 is controlled by a solenoid
.,. : :- .. . :., ., ,:,. . . .
WO91/00238 2 0 5 ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 49 -
200. As the valve means 190 moves up, carbonated
water flows from the chamber 114 into a glass 22. A
reservoir 210 for the supply of carbon diaxide is
connected by means of a supply line 212 and a supply
line 214 to the inlet 216 at the agitating chamber
114. A further lin 218 from the supply line 212 (and
thus reser~oir 210) connects with a concentrate
dispensing mechanism 20 associated with a concentrate
container 220. The concentrate dispensing mechanism
20 (Figure l) is arranged to issue metered quan~ities
of concentrate ~flavouring or syrup) into the glass 22
simultaneously with the supply of carbonated water
from the tank 114. Dispensing mechanism 20 is shown
linked to concentrate container 220 by a concentrate
supply line 222- this arrangement is schematic and
reference is made to Fig,ures 4A,4B and 5A to C which
are intended to illustrate the relationship employed
in ~he apparatus of Figure 8 also.
The apparatus of Figure 9A includes the carbonation
chamber 100 of Figur 8. Components already described
have the same referencesO In Figure 9A, the water is
issuin~ from inlet 158. The ball 166 of the val~e 164
normally floats and is forced downwardly by the supply
of water. The supply of water through the upper
chamber 112 con~inues to maintain the ball 166 in a
' ; ` , , ' ' . ; . . I; . ', . ~ '; '. ; . . ~; ' ,; ': . r
wo sl/oa23s
2 0 ~ ~ 2 9 O Pcr~GBgo/oo946
-- so
depressed condition in which it cannot seat on an
O-ring seal 167. This is especially advantageous ~ince
the ball 166 and cage 168.afford a very efficient and
very inexpensive form o~ valve for controlling the
supply of water to the agitating chamber 114.
Termination of the flow of water into the chamber 114
via the upper chamber 112 occurs when the float valve
182 contacts the seal 186 ~as shown in Figure 9B)
simultaneously with the upper. end 186 of the float
val~e 182 actuating the sensing means 160. This
actuates the solenoid 154 ~Figure 8) to cut off the
water supply through the water inlet 158. During the
filling operation, the lower chamber 11~ is
continually vented by the upper chamber 112 through
the vent 116 to atmosphere. The upper chamber 112
provides a break in the water supply between the inlet
158 and the water in the chamber 114. Once the water
supplied through the inlet 158 ceases, communication
between the chamber 114 and atmosphere through the
vent 116 via the upper chamber 112 also ceases. The
appaxatus is then ready for the next stage of
operation which is the carbonation of the water in the
agitating chamber 114. This occurs when the carbon
dioxide from the container 210 is supplied via the
carbonation gas lines 212,214 and inlet 216. The
agitator means 170 is rotated for a finite durationO
: . : .; :, ,: . : .: , , .~ . . . . . .
WO9l/00238 2 ~ 5 9 2 9 0 PCT/G~90/00946
- 51 -
Thereafter the carbonation water can be dispensed
through the valve means l90 under the control of
solenoid 200 into a glass 22.
Flow Controller 152
Figure 10 shows the flow controller 152 of Figure 8.
In flow controller 152, water supplied to the inlet
224 passes into the flow controller 152 via a
regulator member 226 which has pass~geways ~herein 228
and 230. The passageway 228 extends axially of the
regulator member 226 along part of its length to where
it joins the passageway 230 which extends radially
thereof so as to issue at opposite sides. The
regulator member 226 is biased by spring 232 arranged
coaxially therewith. The chamber 234 within the
housing 236 fills with water which issu~s through the
outlet 238 about which the spring 232 extends
concentricallyO The end 226a of ~he regulator member
228 is of reduced diameter thereby to provide a seat
for spring 232. ~ :
The flow controller 152 operates in the following
manner: the increase in pressure at the inlet 224
25 . causes the regulator member 226 ~o move further across
the chamber 234 (to the right as shown in the drawin~)
WO91/00238 2 0 5 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/0094G
.~ - 52 -
towards the outlet 238 against the bias of the spring
232. This reduces the space between the regulator
member 226 and the outlet 238. This movement
effectively reduces the flow xate of water from the
outlet 238. Conversely, a reduction in the inlet
water pressure at the inlet 216 will allow the spring
232 to displace the regulator member 226 tto the left)
away from the outlet 238 and thereby increase the
space between the regulator member-226-and the outlet
23~o This latter action has the effect of increasing
the flow rate of water through the outlet 238 and the
flow from the chamber 234. Thus, the flow controller
152 cle~rly assists in regulating the water supply to
the chamber 110.
The Gas Supply_Ch~ er Mechanism
In Fi~ure ll there is shown the housing 12 of the
carbonation apparatus lO of Figure l~ In this rear
view, part of the housing casing is remo~ed. The
upper rear portion as in Figure 1 has a central
portion 13a and a rear portion 13b part of which
houses the changeover mech~nism 300. In this view it
will be seen that the changeo~er mechanism 300 is in
communication with gas supply bottles 302 and 304 for
the supply of carbonation gas (carbon dioxide) which
WO91/00~38 2 B~ 5 ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/G~90/00946
- 53 -
sit on respective bottle holders/supports 306,308 on
the interior base 310. The changeover mechanism 300
comprises a lower housing 312 which depends from an
upper housing 3200
'5
In Figure 12 a cover plate of the changeover mechanism
300 has been removed so that one side of the mechanism
within the housing 320 is visible. Within the housing
320 there are a pair of bottle connector housings 330
.
and 3~2. Each housing 330,332 is provided with a gas
flow coupling member 330a,332a and fastener means
330br332b and hose means 330c,332c for c~rrying the
carbonation gas to the carbonation chamber (26, Figure
2). The upper housing 320 itself has moulded openings
334 and 336 ~or the bottles 302 a:nd 304 (Figure 11).
Each housing 330,332 has an associated actuator lever
338,340 which i5 actuated to open a respective valve :
(not shvwn) in the housing 330,332 to allow ~he
passage of gas from a respective one of the bottles
302,304 via the respective coupling member 330a,332a
thr~ugh the valve and out through a hose 330c,332c. ;~
, ,~
A solenoid 342 is provided to drive the changeover
mechanism 300. This solenoid extends into the lower
housing 312 (also Figure 11). The solenoid 342 is
biased by a spring 342b acting upwardly on the collar
., . . . , .... ,. " , . . . . . . . -.
WO91/0~238 205~29~
RCT/GBgO/00946
- 54 -
342a. The solenoid 342 is connected to a transfer
member 344. It is the tran~fer member 344 which
determines which of the ac uator levers 338,340 is
depressed and therefore which of the bottles 302,304
supplies gas to the carbonation chamber.
~he transfer member 344 comprises a yoke member with
lower limbs 344a each having a boss 344b for
co-operation with a guide pin 344c about which it can
toggle. The guide pin 344c is guided in a guide slot
346 of the housing 320 which has a slot wall 346a.
The transfer member 344 also comprises upper limbs
344d. The upper limbs 344d carry a toggl~ member 348
with toggle arms 348a,b and a central boss 348c
through which extends a pivot pin 348d about which the
toggle member is pivotal. Toggle arms 348a,348b
each comprise a pair of wings which are spaced wider
than the width of the respective actuating levers
338,340. Toggle member 348 co-operates with toggle
actuators 368,372 (as will be described) which are
carried by ~or integral with) the actuating levers
338,340 and extend so as to be contacted by the toggle
member 348 when the arms 348a or 348b pass downwardly
relative to the respective actuating lever 338 or
340.
.. : ,: ., ,: :: :. ~ .. , : . . ............. :.
.: , . .
. .
WO91/00238 2 0 5 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- ~5 -
The guide pin 344c is constrained to follow the slot
346 in the housing 320. A further slot 352 is defined
by an aperture bound by a slot wall 35~a. The housing
320 supports a toggle guide 350 integral therewith
which has a generally inverted V-shape defined by
limbs 350a,b terminating at their lower end in
respective bosses 350c/d defining central apertures
350e,f through which actuator pins 360 are
reciprocated. The means for reciprocating the
actuator pins 360 will be further described in
relation to a separate actuator mechanism on the other
side of the changeover mechanism behind a wall 370.
A biasing member 362, which is resiliently deformable,
is associated with toggle member 348. The biasing
member 362 has a lower boss 362a attached to the
transfer member 344 and displaceable therewith~ The
upper end of the biasing member 362 comprise~ an upper
boss 362b which is coupled to the central boss 348c of
the toggle member 348 such that as the toggle member
is pivoted about its pivot pin 348d, so the
configuration of the biasing member 362 changes in a
resiliently deformable manner to be further
illustrated.
The toggle member 348 co-operates with stops 3~4 and
; . .: , , .
W~ 9l~00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 ~
P~r/GB90/00946
- 56 -
366 which are integral with the back plate 370 of the
hous ing 3 2 0 .
Operation of the Change ~er ~lechanism ( ~iç~es 13A
to 13:~)
The operation of the changeover mechanism and in
particular the portiorl thereof associated with the
transfer member 344 and the tog~le member 348 will now
be described with reference to Figures 13A to 13H, 13I
to 13P, and 13Q to 13X which as aforesaid show three
phases of operation of the changeover mechanism.
.
Turning to Figures 13A to 13H, these show continuous
operation using the actuator lever 338 whioh would
ac~uate the valve in housing :~30 (Figure 12 ) and
there~y use gas from the cylinder 302 (Figure 11 j .
In Figur~ 13A, the changeover mechanism 300 is in its
initial position in which the toggle member 348 sits
with its central boss 348c at the top of slo~ 352
(slot 352 is best seen in Figure 13D~. It will be
noted that the toggla 348 is biased so that the limbs
348a depends downwardly relative to the limbs 348b due
to the position of the biasing member 362 which is
flexed towards the limbs 348b. As the solenoid 342
: : . : . . . - : , : :: : ~ , . . .
WO91/00238 ~ ~ ~ 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 57 -
pulls the transfer member 344 downwardly ~as shown in
Figure 13B), the limbs 348a of the toggle member 348
contact toggle actuator 368 and acts as a cam follower
along same: it will be noted that the undersides of
S the limbs 348a and 348b are contoured, that is to
say, inclined upwardly towards the central boss 348c
at the middle of the toggle member ~o as to provide
these cam surfaces. As shown in Figure 13C, the boss
348c of.the toggle member is brought into contact with
the downwardly inclined limb 350a of the ~oggle guide
350. It can be seen from Figures 13~ and 13C that the
camming action of the toggle arms 348a on the stop 368
and the camming action of the ccntral boss 348c on the
toggle guide 350 take the transfer membex 344 towards
the lever 338 so that in the position shown in Fi~ure
13D the toggle member 348 is ~bout to actuate the
actuator lever 338. In Figu.ce 13D it will be noted
that the underside of the boss 348c (of the toggle
memb~r 34~ actually contacts togyle actuator 368 of
the actuator lever 338: the arms 348a are wider than
lever ~33 and thus do not contact same. At ~he same
stage, the toggle arms 348a ha~e proceeded do~nwardly
to a position in which the toggle actuator 368 is now
centred between the toggle arms 348a,b. In Figure
13E, the solenoid 342 has reached its downward limit
and the toggle member 348 is changing its orientation
. , . , , ~ ~ ,. . . .
WO gl/~0238
2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 Pcr/GB90/00946
- 58
after the toggle arms 348a ha~e contacted the stop 364
on the back plate 370 (Figure 12). This causes the
toggle member to pivot about the pin 348d and turn
clockwise. In making this cloc~wise movement, the
toggle member 348 causes the biàsing member 362 to
flip from the position (Figure 13D) in which it is
xesiliently deformably extending towards the limbs
348b to the position shown in Figure 13E in which it
is resiliently deformably extending towaxds the limbs
348a.
It will be noted that in Figure 13A, the actuator pins
360, which can proje~t through the bosses 350c and d
of the toggle guide 350, are retracted. When the
solenoid 342 is actuated to move downwardly as shown
in Figures 13B to 13D the pins 360 remain retracted.
The pins 360 remain retracted when the solenoid 342
starts its upward journey ~Figure 13F~. An ac~uator
mechanism for the actuator pins 360 ~ill only return
pins 360 if there is a gas supply issuing from the
appropriate gas bottle (in this case the bottle
302).
In Figure 13F, the pins 360 have been returned so that
they extend through the bosses 350c,d. Thus, as the
solenoid 342 and the transfer member 344 are raised,
WO91~00238 2 ~ 5 ~ 2 9 a PcT/G~90/nO946
59
the toggle member 348 comes into contact with one of
the pins 360O In this Figure 13F, it is the arms 348a
which contacts a pin 360. This causes the toggle
member 348 ~o make a coun~erclockwise motion again
causing the biasing member 362 to flip back into its
initial position as shown in Pigure 13G. The transfer
member 344 continues its upward movement into the
position shown in Figure 13H which corresponds to ~he
position in which it started in Figure 13A. The
actuator pins 360 are again retracted since the return
of the actuator le~er 338 to its initial position
shuts off the gas supply through the hose 330c.
The operation of the changeover mechanism 300 in
~15 changing from one gas cylinder 302 to the other gas
cylinder 304 (Figure 11) will now be ~escribed with
reference to Figures 13I to 13P. The sequence of
operations in Figures 13I to 13M are similar to those
shown in Figures 13A to 13E. The significan~ change
appears in Figure 13N when the solenoid 342 starts its
upward movement there is no actuator pin 360 at the
boss 350c of the toggle guide 350. In consequence,
~he toggle member 348 does not make the
counterclockwise motion which appears from Figures 13F
and 13G under the influence of actuator pin 360.
Instead, as the transfer me~ber 344 raises the
WO9l/OOZ38 2 ~ ~ 9 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90tO0946
- 60 -
(Figures 13N and 130) toggle member 348 maintain~
substantially the s~me attitude and t~e biasing member
362 remains biased towards the limbs 348a.
Consaquently, when the changeover mechanism 300 has
completed its cycle as shown in Figure 13P, the toggla
member 348 is now in an attitude where the limbs 348b
are below the limb 348a and the biasing member 362
extends toward the limbs 348a.
. . .
The operation of the chanyeover mechanism 300 with the
continuous operation using the gas cylinder 304 will
now be described with reference to Figures 13Q to 13X.
In this cycle, it is the actuat:ing le~er 340 which is
depressed. It will be noted tha1: the toggle member
348 is biased into a clockwise attitude in which the
limbs 348b depends below the ,limbs 348a. In its
initial position in Figure 13Q ths biasing member 362
is in a position in which it is deformed towards the
toggle arms 348a. By virtue of that initial
inclination, the toggle member 348 will actuate the
actuator lever 340 which causes the ~alve in housing
332 associated with the bottle 304 to be opened
(Figure 12). The sequence of operations follo~ed by
the changeover mechanism 300 through Figures 13Q to
13U are similar to those described with reference to
Figures 13A to 13E (or Figures 13I to 13M), except
.- :- ::: . . : ,:
: , : : , ,: :, ,: :
WO91/00238 ~ PCT/GB90/009~
- 61 - :
that in this instance i~ is the toggle arms 348B which
are actuating the le~er 340 and co-operating with
toggle actuator 372 thereby allowing use of the gas in
the cylinder 304.
The main difference now arises in Figure 13V where,
when the transfer member 344a rises, the actuator pin
360 is again present. However this time it is the
actuator pin 360 through the boss 350d which is
effective to co-operate with the arms 348b of the
toggle member 348. As it mo~es from Figures 13V to
13N, so the toggle me~ber 348 is rotated clockwise
causing the biasing member 362 again to flip from the :: .
position (Figure 13V) in which i~ is biased towards
the toggle arms 348b ~owards the position ~Fiyure 13N)
in which it is biased towards the toggle arms 348a.
The transfer member 344 continues its upward journey
to the position shown in Figure 13X in which the pins
360 are shown extended.
It will be seen that in the above sequence of
operations of the transfer member 344 together with
the toggle member 348, that it is ~he actuator pins
360 which detennine whether it is the toggle arms 348a
which contact the toggle actuator ~68 to actuate the
ac~uator lever 338 and thus the supply from bottle 302
.
'" t j
. " ' ' ". ' ' ' ~
. .
W091~00~8 2 0 5 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB9OtO0946
- 62 -
or whether it is the toggle arms 348b which contact
the toggle ac~uator 370 to actuate the actuator lever
340 and therefore the supply ~rom bottle 304. The
mechanism for withdrawing and extending the actuator
pins 360 will be further described.
Reciprocating ~echanism (Figures 14A to 14C)
The mechanism for reciprocating the actuator pins 360
of the changeover mechanism 300 is shown in Figures
14A to 14C.
In Figure 14A, the opposite side of the upper housing
320 of the changeover mechanism 300 is shown. On this
side a cover plate is removad to show the internal
mechanism for reciprocating the actuator pins 360.
This mechanism is separated from the mechanism shown
in Figure 12 by the back plate 370. In this Figure,
the hoses 330c and 332c (shown in Figure 12) for the
yas bottles 302,304 (shown in Figure ll) can be seen
~xtending from a shuttle valve 380. The openings 334
and 336 for the gas bottles 302 and 304 are again
shown.
.. . . . , : ::: . . . - ., .
WO91/00238 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 63 -
In terms of mountiny the mechanism for reciprocating
the actuator pins 360, the back pla~e 370 is provided
with the following features. The back plate 370 has a
pair of bosses 370a,b which are arranyed for the
securing of the cover plate (not shown). It has a
support 370c for mounting a shuttle valve 380. It has
a support 370d for mounting an actuator means 386. It
has supports 370e,f for a toggle mechanism 390. It
has apertures 370g (Figure l4C) which permit the
actuator pins 360 to reciprocate. These apertures
370g are aligned with the apertures 350e,f of the
bosses 350c,d in Figure 12. It is also provided with
further supports 370h for the toggle mechanism 390.
lS The shuttle valve as well as ha~ing the hoses 33~c and
332c connected thereto-, has further hoses 382 and 384.
The hose 382 connects the shuttle valve 380 with the
carbonation apparatus of Figures 1 or 8. The hose 384
connects the shuttle valve 380 with the actuator means
386.
The actuator means 386 is responsive ~o a pressure
signal from the shuttle valve 38~. The actuator means
386 comprises a plunger 386a which reciprocates
against the bias of an internal spring. Actuation
occurs when the gas pressure thxough the hose 384 is
: , ' . ~, '., '' ~, ' ' ' ~
.
wo gl/00~8 2 ~ 5 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 64 - -
sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring. The
plunger 386a is connected to a yoke 386b whioh carries
a shaft 386d for connection to a toggle mechanism 390.
The hose connector 386c receives the hose 384 from the
shuttle valve 380.
The toggle mechanism 390 comprises a first toggle
me~ber 390a which is pivotally connected to the shaft - :
386d of the actuator means 386 (Figure_ 14B).. The
toggle member 390a is itself fixedly connected to a
shaft 390b. The shaft 390b is journalled in the
supports 370e and f which extend from the back plate
370. ~he toggle shaft 390b has a pair of spaced ~ .
toggle membersor cranks 390c integral therewith. The
toggle members 390c carry a toggle shaft 390d which is
journalled thereto. The toggle shaft 3,90d has reduced
end portions 390f (Figure 14C) for the purpo~e of
being journalled to th~ toggle members 390c. These
end members 390f are integrally connected to a pair of
spaced toggle members 390e which themselves carry the
actuator pins 360.
Operation o~ the Reciprocating ~echanism (Figures
14A to 14C)
:~
The operation of the mechanism shown in Figures 14A to
. " . , . . . ,:. ,, . .. , , . ... . ~
WO9lJ00238 2~ 5 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 65 -
C will now be described. The shuttle valve 380 is
pneumatically switched but only when the condition in
one of the gas bottles 302,304 changes. Within the
housing of the shuttle valve 380 there i5 a
reciprocating valve member. Assuming that the gas
bottle 302 is in use and is supplying carbonation gas
under pressure, ~hen the shuttle valve will be
switched so that carbonation gas can pass through the
hose 330c into the shuttle valve 380 and exit through
.
the hose 382. At this time the shuttle valve within
the housing 380 will be positioned such as to seal off
and preve~t communication between the hose 332c for
the gas bottle 304 and the exit hose 382 carrying
carbona~ion gas to the carbo:nation apparatus. The
presence of carbonation gas within the shuttle valve
380 will ensure that the gas entlering through the hose
330c exerts a pressure signal t~rough the hose 384 to
permi~ opera~ion of the actuator means 386. ~he
actuator means 386 operates when the pressure of
carbonation gas through the hose 38~ is suf~icient to
overcome the bias of an internal spring which in the
absence of the carbonation gas holds the plunger 386a
retracted. The actuator means 386 in Figure 14A
retracts the actuator pins 360 whenever the gas
2S pressurP through hose 384 is insufficient to extend
the plunger 386a. In this way, we have the situation
., , . :. ...: .
., ; ~
WO91/00238 2 0 5 9 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 66 - '
depicted in Figures 13A to 13E in which the actuator
pins 360 are withdrawn. In the event that the actuator
means 386 detects pressurised gas through the hose
384, then as indicated in Figure 13E the actuator
means 386 extends its plunger 386a upwardly. This
actuates the toggle mechanism 390 ~o return the
actuator pins 360 to the position in which they extend
through the bosses 350a and b of Figure 12. This will
bring about the state of the changeover mechanism 300 - ~-
shown in Figures 13E and 13F in which the actuator
pins 360 are again extended.
',
Once the actuating lever 338 returns to its initial
po~ition (Figure 13F), then gas flow through hose 330c
(Figure 12) and hence hose 38~ ceases. In consequence
actuator means 386 retracts the actuator pins 360 as
shown in Figures 13G and H.
If the actuator means 386 does not receive a pressure
signal through the hose 384, then the actuator
mechanism does not permit the plunger 386a to be
upwardly extended. Then, the situation occurs as in
Figure 13M (and therefore Figure 13N) that the
actuator pins 360 are not extended and a changeover
may take place. When a changeover takes place, the
position of the shuttle valve within the shuttle valve
WO9l/00~8 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
~ 67 -
housing 380 will automatically be swikched over
because one of the hoses 330c,332c which will formerly
have been acti~e, will now be reduced to a very low
pressure status whereas the other of the hoses
330c,332c which was formerly inactive will carry the
pressure medium (iOe. the carbonation gas). In
consequence the shuttle valve within the shuttle valve
housing 380 will switch positions.
The operation of the actuator means 386 and the toggle
mechanism 390 i9 best appreciated from Figures 14B
and 14C. These Fi~ures clearly illustrate that as the
actuator means 386 extends ~nd retracts ~t plunger
386a, so the pins 360 will be retracted and extended
with respect to the apertures 370g of Figure 14C. In
consequence the actuator pins 360 will also
reciproc~te with respect to the correspondingly
aligned bosses 350a and 350b with their apertures 3SOc
and 350d in Figure 12.
It should be mentioned that if neither of the gas
bottles 302,304 axe charged with carbonation gas, then
the actuator pins 360 will not be extended but inst ad
will be continuously retracted. The changeoYer
mechanism will repeatedly changeover and keep
searching for a gas supply. It will be readily
. , . ~ , ,
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/CB90/009
- 68 ~
appreciated that it is possible to have illuminated
indicators indicating the status of the gas bottles so
that the user can be, warned when each of the gas
bottles 302,304 is emptied.
~:
Variable Carbonation
:
Reference is now made to the apparatus shown in Figure
which diagrammatically shows ,_the...apparatus of
Figure 1 with the concentrate containers 14a and 14b
displaced (to the left in relation ~o the drawing) in
order to illustrate the means by which the carbonation :
period for the c r~onation of water in ~he'carbonation
chamber 26 may be varied according to the nature of
the concentrate in the containers 14a to 14d. Like
reference numerals are used in ,FiguFe 15 as apply to
their counterparts in Figures 1 and 8~ parts bearing
~imilar reference numerals may not be described in
relation to this FigureO The illustration of Figure
15 ii~ schematic and therefore the housing 12 is shown
as having a planar support surface 12a to receive the
dispensing mechanisms 20a to 20d. In practice, the
support surface 12a is moulded to provide recesses for
~he dispensing mechansisms 20a to 20d. Likewise,
although the central upper portion 13a of the housing
is illustrated, the rearward upper por~ion 13b of
W~91~00238
t~ PCr/(:;B90/00946
~ 69 -
Figure 1 is not illustrated. In addition, the
carbonation chamber 26 is shown somewhat
diagrammatically and the valve means 190 lS shown as a
depending spout.
It is desirable to vary the degree of carbona~îon of
the water in the carbonation chamber 26 according to
the nature of the concentrate selected for the drink
to be dispensed into the glass 22 (Figure 1). The
duration for which the agitator means 170 (Figure 8)
operates, can be ~aried by varying the duration during
which the motor which drives the agitator means 170 is
driven according to a control circuit. In order to
vary the duration of the carbona$ion period or at
least the period during which the agitatox means are
operable, it is necessary to advise the control
circuit as to the nature of the concentrate being
dispensed.
Por this purpose, the apparatus of Figure lS comprises
sensors 400a,b,c and d and information carriers
410a,b,c, and d. The purpose of the sensors is to
obtain a signal which can be input to the control
circuit operating the motor for the agitator means
170. This signal may indicate whether the carbonation
wo gl/0023~
2 0 5 ~ 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 70 -
time period is to correspond to a given level of
carbonation: bands such as "low", "medLum" and "high"
may be designated. By providing the sensors 400a to d
in appropriate positions on the sidewalls 13c and 13d
of the upper housing central portion 13a, and
complementarily disposed information carries 410a to d
on the containers 14a to 14d it is possible to provide
such signals.
. . --- - -- - - ,~
It is important that the information carriers 410a to
d should be so disposed and of ~uch dimensions as to
be aligned with the sensors 400a to d. The physical
phenomena employed for this sensing operation may
vary. The main requirement is that the information
carriers contain the data, for example infonmation
indicating "low", "medium" or "high", can be
accurat~ly repxoduced on a small label which can be
applied to the container. It is readily apparent that
l~minates are available for such labels which may
comprise a surface carrier layer for carrying the
information and a base layer caxrying for example an
impact adhesive to be applied to the contain~r 14 and
that layer may, prior to application, be co~ered with
a removable masking layer. The information layer may
contain data in such forms as a coded magnetic strip
or a bar code or an electrically conductive strip or
WO9l/00238
~ 7.~ ~ PCT/GB90/0094b
- 71 -
light reflecting surface. The sensors 400a to 400d
will be adapted to ~read~' such information carriers
410a to d accordingly.
~gain, there are two possibilities. The sensors 400a
to d may either be capable of distinguishing between
information carriers bearing coded information so as
to indicate one of a plurality of levels of
carbonation (as in the example of "low~', "medium" and
"high" given abov~). Alternatively, the location of
the information carrier 410a to d may be varied
according to the degxee of carbonation re~lired and a
plurality of sensors for example a plurality of
sensors 400a may each be arranged in discrete
positions corresponding to the position of an
information carrier for a gi~en degree of
carbonation.
In ~he formex case where ~he information carriers 410
are coded to indicate different le~rels of carbonation
reguirement, th~ control circui-ry associated with the
sensors 400 will need to distinguish between different
signals. In the latter case where there are a
plurality of sensors 400 for each concentrate
con ainer 14, then the control circuitry will be
adapted to identify which of the respecti~e sensors
WO9l/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ ~ PC~ 90/009q~ ~
- 72 -
400al, 400a2, 400a3,.has received a sign~l from ~he
respective information carrier 410.
In a further development of the application of the use
of sensors 400 and infoxmation carriers 410, it is
possible to have in the control circuitry an
additional facility for indicating whether a
concentrate container placed in a particular position
for example the concentrate çontainer 14a, has a
secondary information carrier 410a~ indicating that it
contains a concentrate which is associated with a
label on the related selection button 18a: for
example, the concentrate container 14a could be
intended to dispense drinks with an orange flavour and
th0 selection button 18a cou.ld indicate that the
drinks dispensed by that buttqn had an orange flavour;
then the secondary set of sensors and information
carrier~ could be employed to :illuminate an indicator
as~ociated with the selection bu~ton 18a to indicate
that the orange fl2voured drinks were a~ailable to the
user.
,
Applicants have found that the quality of drink
dispensed varies accQrding to the carbonation period
and the particular conc~ntrate employed so that for
example a "cola" flavoured drink requires a different :
- : . : . . . ;., : . .: , :: .: . . :;: . . : ,
: . . : , ,, : . : .. .... . ... . . .
WO91~00238 2 0 5 ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 73 -
level of carbonation in the water to an "orange"
flavoured drink. ~he associated control circuitry
would be set up at the factory to predetermine the
carbonation periods according to the flavour of
concentra~e to be dispensed at the particular
positions indicated for the containers 14a to 14d.
Coolinq~ _oncentrate Containers
.... .. . .. . ..
Reference is made to Figures 1,8 and 15. In Figure 1
the containers 14 are within the compartment covers
13c which insulate the containers 14 from the ambient
conditions. In Figure 8 the carbonation chamber 110
and in particular the agitating chamber 114 is
surrounded by a cooling jac]cet 120 containing the
chilled water 126. The cooling jacket 120 receives the
chilled water from the refrigerating tank 130; The
outer walls of the cooling jacket 120 are made of
highly conductive material in order that the cooling
jacket 120 not only chills the water in the
carbonation cham~er 110, but al~o chills the
concentrate in the concentrate containers 14a to 14d.
lt will be seen ~hat containers 14 are in close
contact with the wall of the cooling jacket 120.
Turning to Figure 15, it will be seen that the wall
.. ', . . ' . . ! . ~, ,, ,' , 1,. . . .
..
W091~00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90tO0946
- 74 -
configuration of the upper central portion 13a of the
housing 12a allows the containers 14a to 14d (which
are further illustrated in Figures 4A and SA) with
correspondingly configured wall surfaces to be brought
into immediate contact. Within the compartments
described with reference to Figure 1 the seating of
~he containers 14 (and the dispensing mechanisms
coupled thereto in associated recesses previously
described3 assist in maintaining the required
relationship. By arranging for the outer wall of the
cooling jacket 120 i5 to be formed of highly thermally
conductive material, an arrangement is a~forded
whereby the concentrate in the containers 14a is very
effectively chilled by the s,ame medium that is
employed for chilling the car~onated ~ater. This
design is particularlly efficient and avoids
additional cooling systems which have been employed in
other drink dispensers, some of which involve
complicated ducting systems ~or circulating chilled
air. The aforementioned feature enhances the
operation of the carbonation apparatus whilst reducing
the engineering costs in providing for the cooling of
the concentxate in the concentrate containers.
WO 91/00~38 ~ PCI/GB90~00946
- 75 -
Turning to Figure 16, there is shown part of the
carbonation apparatus 10 of Figure 1, which
illustrates a compartment 13d for concentrate
con~ainers 14a,14b (of Figur~ 1). This compartment
13d has a groove 13e on the rear portion 13b of the
hou~ing to locate a top wall cover l~c (Figure l),
grooves 13f,13g on the rear portion 13b of the housing
and on the main housing 12 respectively to locat~
edges of a side wall of said cover 13c t and groove 13h
at the front o the housing 12 to locate a front wall
of the cover 13c.
The grooves 13g and 13h are bound by abutments (or
ridges) 17a and 17b. Further abutments 17c,17d extend
between the abutment (or ridge) 17a and a wall 121 of
the cooling jacket 120 (Fi~lre 8). ~butment 17c
divides the compartment 13d internally into two
sub-compartments for the containers 14a,14b. The
abutments 17a and b are shown as extending wholly
along the full length of the respective parts of the
housing 12. Likewise the abutments 17c,d are shown as
extending continuously between the groove 13~ and the
wall 121. It will be appreciated that these need not
be continuous, but that they oould be segmented (with
regular or irregular spaoing).
WO91/00238 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
~ - 76 -
The abutments 17a to 17d are for positively locating
the containers 14a,14b. Similar abutm~nts are
provided in the other compartment 13d on the opposite
side of the upper central portion 13a of the housing
for positively locating containers 14c,d.
In addition, Figure 16 shows recesses l9a,19b to
accommodate the dispensing mechanisms 20a,b (shown
schematically in Figure 1). Like recesses 19c,d (not
shown) are provided in the other compartment 13d for
dispensing mechanisms 20c,20d.
Control Cirsuit 500
A control circuit 500 is shown in block ~iagram in
Figure 17 in which a number of input means,are coupled
to a control unit 510 (which includes a
microprocessor~ to control outputs to a number of
acti~e components in the carbonation apparatus 10.
~he first input component is the start switch
referenced 76. The microswitch 76 is shown in Figure
3A and is actuated when a particular one of the
concentrate selector mechanisms 18a to 18f is actuated
by the user pressing a respective one of the buttons
on ths front panel 16 (Figure 1). The microswitch 76
:::: . :, , , :, .: ::
WO91/00238 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 77 -
sends a signal to the control unit 510 indicating that
a carbonation cycle should be initia~ed. The next
input component is the sensor which is arranged in the
dispensing compartment 23. As explained with
re~erence to Figures 1 and 3A it is necessary for the
user to place a glass 22 in the dispensing compartment
28 in order that the sensor sends a signal to the
control unit to indicate that a glass 22 is presen~
whereby the locking plate 54 actuated by a--solenoid
(not shown) is displaced from its Figure 3A position
to permit the chosen one of the selection buttons 18a
to f to be actuated.
The next input component is the sensor 160 associat2d
with the water meter means 180 ln Figure 8. When the
meter means 180 is in the position shown in,Figuire 8,
the signal via sensor 160 instructs the control unit
to start the water supply by mean~ of pump 154. When
the meter means 180 is in the position shown in Figuire
9B, the ~ignal from the sensor 160 instructs the
control unit to stop the supply of water and the
control unit S10 stops the pump 154.
The next input component is the chang~oYer mechanism
300. As mentioned in the description of the
changeover mechanism, the changeover mechanism may
i. : : . : . . ~ ~ .. . ~: . :
WO91/00238 PCTtCB90/00946
- 78 - : .
send a signal to the control unit 510 when the
changeover mechanism 300 changes condition tas
previously described~ in response ~o one of the gas
bottles reaching a low pressure level. The siynal to
the contxsl unit 510 will be used to illuminate an
indicator on panel 16 of Figure 1 (not shown)
indicating that the particular gas bottle 302 or 304
requires replacing.
. ._ . . -, ~
The next input components are the isensors 400a to d of
Figure 15 which detect the degree of carbonation
required by the concentrate container 14 in the
respective compartment 13d associated with the
particular sensor 400a to d. The control unit 510
will have timer circuits which are selected to output
a carbonation pe~iod to the agitating means 170: the
agitating means 170 will then be driven by its motor
for a period related to the desired carbonation
level.
The output components from the control unit 510 will
now be described. Solenoid Sl is shown in Figure 2
and controls the flow of redundant carbonation gas via
the line 38 from the carbonation chamber 26 to the
reservoirs 40a to 40d for subsequent use in dispensing
concentrate from a selected one of the concentrate
W091/00238 ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 79 -
dispensing mechanisms 20a to d. There is a timer
circuit in control unit 510 .whereby solenoid Sl is
opened for a finite period.
The output to locking plate 54 is actually to a
solenoid which displaces the locking plate 54 to
permit actuation of a selection button 18a to f once
it has been established by the sensor in compartment
28 that a glass or cup 22 is present. -~
The output to solenoid S2 is to control the solenoid
S2 in Figure 2 and thereby to control the pressure
relief valve V3 and the carbonated water dispensing
valve V4. The solenoid S2 is actuated to allow
carbonation gas from the reservoirs 40a to 40d through
the pressure relief valve V3 and the selection
mechanisms 50 (with their selection buttons 18a to d)
~o the dispensing mechanisms 20a to d thereby to
discharge a metered quantity of concentrate through
the outlet 82 of Figure 2 into the glass 22. The
solenoid S2 also opens the carbonated water dispensing
valve V4 to allow a volume of carbona~ed water to be
dispensed to the glass 22 in timed relationship with
the dispensing of the concentrate.
The output to the pump 154 actuates the water pump 154
- - ~ .~ :.: -- -
WO91/00238 2 ~ 5 ~ 2 9 0 PCTtGB90/00946
- 80 ~
in Figure 8 so that water from the water supply 150 is
pumped into the carbonation chamber 110 and more
particularly into the:water break ch~mber 112. As
aforementioned, the pumping of water is controlled by
the metex means 180 and the sensor 160.
The next output from the control unit 510 is to a gas
supply indicator lamp on panel 16 (not shown~ for
indicating in response to a siynal from the--changeover .
mechanism 300 that one of the gas bottles 302 or 304
`requires replacing.
The next output is to the motor of the agitating means
170 of Figure 8. As above-described, the motor will
be driven for a finite period according to the
required duration of the carbonation cycle in the
carbonation chamber 110. The duration of this period
is controlled by the con~rol unit 510 and as
abo~e-described, this may be controlled in response to
the input signals of the sensors 400.
The next output is to a concentrate indicator on the
panel 16 (not shown) which may indicate that a
container 14 is empty. An input to the control unit-
510 for this purpose co-lld be obtained from a sensor
associated with the dispensing mechanisms 20.
W~91/0~3$ ~ 2 ~ ~ P~T/~90/00~4
- 81 -
A further output signal gOe5 to pump 136 of Figure 8
which pumps water for the cooling jacket 120. The
control unit 510 will control the pumping of chilled
water to the cooling jacket 120 in accordance with a
predetermined program. It will be readily appreciated
that sensors may be provided ~or the purpose of
inputting signals giving temperature parameters to the
control unit S10.
The next output signal is to a solenoid controlling
the supply of carbonation gas in ~he line 36 in Figure
2. This signal charges the head space in the
carbonation chamber 114 of Figure 8 after that chamber
has been filled with water.
The control unit 510 contxols the sequence of the
cycle of operation of the carbonation apparatus 10.
Initially, it will be monitoring the input from the
sensor in the dispensing compartment 2B to ensure that
a glass 22 is present. Ass~ming that such a glass is
present, it will output a signal to the solenoid
controlling the position of the locking plate 54
(Figure 3A) whereby it is then possible for the user
to actuate one of the selection buttons 18a to 18f.
The actuation of a selection button 18 causes the
microswitch 76 (Figure 3A) to start the carbonation
WO9l~00238 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 82 -
cycle. Assuming that the carbonation chamber 114
(Figure 8) contains water`to the required level, the
first step then required is to charge the head space
with carbonation gas from the supply 34 (Figure 2). `~
This is achie~ed by outputting a signal to a solenoid
in the line 36 for gas to be supplied to the
carbonation chamber. When the carbonation chamber has
been charged with gas, the solenoid in line 36 i5
closed. Meanwhile the dispensing mechanism 20A
(Figure 4A) has been vented to atmosphere so that the
chamber thereof is charged with concentrate which has
flowed thereto under gravity from the container 14.
When the carbonation chamber has been charged with
gas, the control unit initiates a carbonation cycle
for the a~itator means 170 by outputting a signal to
the motor thereof for the required finite duration.
A~ker this perîod, the control unit sends ~ signal to
solenoid S2 whereby a charge of redundant carbonation
gas from the re~ervoirs 40a to d is allowed to pass
through the pressuxe relief valve V3 through the
selection mechanism 50 associated with the chosen
selection button 18 and to the dispensing mechanism 20
whereby a metered quantity of concentrate is dispensed
through the outlet 82 of Figure 2. In timed
relationship thereto the val~e V4 is opened so that
the carbonated ~ater flows from the carbona ion
WO9l/00238 ~ 3 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
~ 83 -
cha~ber into the glass 22~ It will be seen that in
this embodiment, the solenoid S2 is the means by which
the dispensing of both concentrate and carbonated
water is effected in timed relationship. Prior to the
dispensing of the carbonated water, the control unit
opens the solenoid Sl so that the redundant gas in the
head space of the carbonation chamber 26 (Figure 2) is
used ~o charge the reservoirs 40a to 40d.
.. .
~isposable Syrup Dispenser
Modified forms of syrup dispenser, which are low-cost
and disposable after use, are illustrated in ~iguxes
18 to 28. These may be employed instead of the units
shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
I
Figs. 18 to 25 show a concentrate supply device 2~
comprising a concentrate contai:ner 4~, such as a
liquid tight box, and a concentrate dispensing unit 6~
which is secured to the container 4' and is for
dispen~ing concentrate therefrom in metered
quantities. Initially, the coAtainer 4' is filled
with liquid concentra~e 8' to be dispensed although
each of Figs. 18 to 21 show that the container 4' has
already been partly emptied.
"': , ' ' ', : " :;. '.':-' ':: : '::,: ' ": :. .' ,' : '; . ., :
WO91/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 a PCT/GB90/00946
- 84 -
The dispensing unit 6' comprises a cylindrical side
wall 10' which is secured, as:by welding, to a disc
shaped upper wall 12' haVing an outwardly extending
flange 14' by which the`unit 6 is secured, again as by
welding, to a wall 16' of the container 4'. A lower
wall 18' of the unit 6' is carried by the cylindrical
wall 10~ and has a central circular aperture 20'
through which projects a stem 22', of circular
cross-section, carried by the upper -wall---12 .- A
flex.ible plastics diaphragm 24' of relatively flimsy
material is provided in the unit 6'. The diaphra~m
24', as best seen in Fig. 23, is of bag-like
construction and is of a size and shape such that, as
shown in Fig. 19, it may conform to the interior of
the walls 10' and 18~. The diaphragm is open at its
upper end and the upper edge 26' thereof~ is secured
between the walls 10' and 12~. The diaphragm 24~ has
an opening 28~ at its lower end and the perimeter of
the opening 28' of the diaphragm is secured as by
~20 welding kO the portion of the wall 18' surrounding the
aperture 20'. The diaphragm 24' accordingly divides
the int~rior of the unit 6' into two chambers 30' and
32'. The chamber 30' communicates with the in~erior
of vessel 4' through a passage 34~ which may be closed
by a one-way valYe 36' and the chamber 32' may receive
pressurised gas from a gas supply (not shown) through
wo 91/00238 ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/C~90/00946
- as -
a nipple 38~ into which the end of a gas supply pipe
40l (corresponding to pipe 44 of Fig. 2) may be
inserted. Preferably, the wall 12', flanges 16' and
stem 22' are formed as a fir~t unitary plastics
moulding and the wall 10', wall 18' and nipple 38'
are formed as a second unitary plastics moulding, the
two mouldings being secured together with the upper
edge 26' of the diaphragm 24' clamped therebetween.
The stem 22' is hollow to define a passage 42~ which,
at its lower end communicates with atmosphere, and
its upper end may communicate with the interior of the
con~ainer 4' through a passage 44' which may be closed
by a one-way ~alve 46"
A circumferential channel 48~ is provided on the
outside of stem 22' at a position near but spaced from
the lower end. The size of the opening 20' in wall
18' is such that the wall 18' extends into the channel
48' and normally contacts the stem 20' at a point 50'
~herain to foxm a seal. Four axial channels S2'
extend along the exterior of the portion of the s~em
20' below the circumferential chann~l 50'. The wall
18' is flexibly resilient so that it may bend from the
full line pos.ition shown in Fig. l9 in which a seal
is formed at point 50' to the chain dot~ed line
WO91~00238 2 0~ 9 2 9 O PCT/GB90/00946
- 86 -
position 54' shown in Fig. 19 in which the seal at
point 50l is broken and contact is made with the stem
at point 56l adjacent the uppèr end of the channel
52'. The xesilience of the wall 18' is sufficient to
permit the lower part of stem 22' to be pushed through
the aperture 20' during assembly.
The valve 36' is made of a unitary moulding of
synthetic plastics material and comprises a ball 60'
forming a valve head, a ligament 62' extending through
the passage 34' and a cross-bar 64' on the opposite
side of the passage 36' to the head 60' and acting as
a stop limiting the downwards movement of the head
60'. The ligament 62' is sufficiently flexible to
enable it to be bent so that the cross-bAr 64~ extends
generally parallel to the ligament to enable the
ligament and cross-bar to be threaded through the
aperture 34' during manufacture. The construction of
the valve 46~ is iden~ical to the valve 36' and thus
2G comprises a head 70', ligament 72' and cross-bar
74~.
.
The device illus~rated in Figs. 18 to 25 will normally
be supplied to customers with the container 4~ filled
with concentrate and the metering unit 6' empty. A
cap 76~ shown in broken lines in Fig. 18 only is
.
. - , , : ::
WO91/00238 ~ PCT/GB90100946
- 87 -
preferably included and is attached to the unit 6' by
a breakable seal (not shown) and covers the lower end
of the stem 22' and the nipple 38'. Tn order to use
the device, the customer removes the cap 76' and
inserts the device into a carbonating apparatus, not
described herein in detail, which is designed for
receiving the device 2'. The device 2' is inserted in
the carbonating apparatus in the "inverted" position
illustrated in Figs.l9 to 21 and the pipe 4~', which
is part of the carbonation apparatus, is in~er~ed
in~o the nipple 38' and forms a gas tight seal
therewith. At this point, the chamber 32' is not
pressurised and, as a result, liquid may flow under
gravity from the interior of the container 4' in~o the
ch~mber 30', the valve 36' opening for this purpose
as shown in Fig. 18. As liquid leaves the interior of
the container 4' and enters the ~hamber 30', pxessure
within the container 4' may reduce and as a result
atmospheric pressure acting on valva head 70' will
cause the valve 46' to open to permit air to bubble up
through the liquid in container 4' as indicated at 78'
in Fig.18. Of course, if ~he chamber 30' is filled
with air when the device is first used, the air in the
chamber 301 will first be transferred through the
. passage 3~' into the container 4' as liquid enters the
.. :,,: :. . . . . :
WO91/00~8 2 ~ 5 ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 88 -
chamber 30', in which the case ~h~ opening of the
~alve 46' may be delayed.
As shown in Fig. 19, after the chamber 30' has been
filed with liquid concentrate from the container 4~,
valve 46' closes. The unit 6' now contains a metered
quantity of liguid to be dispensed. ~s shown in Fig.
20, this me~ered quantity of liquid may be dispensed
from the unit 6' by permitting gas pressure to enter
chamber 32' through pipe 40'. The admission of such
gas is preferably controlled by a control and timing
system ~not shown) of the car~onation apparatus (not
shown) with which the device 2' is used, such as
that previously described. As the pressure in ch~mber
32' increase~, the resulting tendency of the liquid
in chamber 30' to be forced upwardly through the
pa~sagP 34~ causes the valve 36~ to close ~Fig; 20).
This pressure also causes wall 18' to flex downwardly
as shown in fig. 20 and in broken lines in Fig. 24,
thus allowing liquid in the chamber 30' to be
~isch~rged therefrom through the opening 20~in the
wall 18'. If the pressure in chamber 32' is
sufficiently high, the wall 18~ will be bent to the
chain dotted line position shown in Fig. 24 and the
liquid leaving the chamber 32l will pass through the
relatively small apertures defined by the channels 52
- ' : ,. .: ' ' .
WO91/00238 2 ~ 5 ~ 2 9 ~ PCT~GB90/00946
- 89 - ~;
and the edge of the wall l8' around the opening 20',
as indicated by arro~s 80' in Fig. 24. If the
pressure is some~hat lower than that necessary to
achieve this condition, contact will not be made at
point 56' be~ween wall 18~ and ~tem 22~ and as a
result, the outflow of liquid will not be cons~ricted
by the channels 52~. In this wayt variations in the
rate of outflow of liquid as a result of pressure
variations in chamber 32' may be reduced. . .~
,,
The press~1re in chamber 32~ is retained long enough to
substantially empty the chamber 30' of liqui~, at
which point, as shown in Fig. 21, the diaphragm 24'
ha6 reduced the volume of chamber 30' to near to zero.
Th~reafter, the pressure in chamber 32' may be
released and chamber 30' will again fill ,with
concentrate as shown in Figs. l8 and 20;
-~ ~,'.
T~e em~odiment shown in Figs. 27 to 28 is the same as
that of Figs. 18 to 25 except that the lower wall 18A'
of unit 6 ' is substantially rigid and, instead, the
upper wall 12A' is resiliently flexible and is thus
somewhat thinner than the wall 12'. Fig. 26 shows the
chamber filled with liquid 30' to be dispensed and
Fig. 25 shows the dispensing operation with the
chamber 32' pressurised. As can be seen, the wall
wo 91/00238 2 0 ~ ~ 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
-- ~0 --
12A' flexes upwardly to draw the stem 20~ upwardly
wi~h respect to the aperture 20' in wall 18A', thus
permitting liquid to ~e discharyed from the chamber
3~' through aperture 20'. The distance through which
the stem 20l moves upwardly relative to the wall 18'
depends upon the pressure in the chamber 32' so that,
when the pressure is high, the liquid is constrained
to flow through the restricted area defined by the
edge of the ~all 18A' around the aperture 20' and the
channels 52' whereas lower pressures cause the stem
20~ to assume intermediate position at which the area
available for the outflow of liquid is greater.
Various modifications are possible within the scope of
khe invention. For example, although it has been
assumed that the container 4' i~ of relati~ely rigid
material in the illustrated embodimen~s, thus
requiring provision for air to enter as the liquid
leaves (this provision being the valve 46~ in the
embodiment shown in the drawings), the invention can
be applied to so-called "bag-in-a-box" containers in
which the liquid is contained in a collapsible bag
located in a box. In this case, dispensing can be
achieved without the need for air to enter the bag :-
containing the liquid since this collapses under
atmospheric pressure as liquid is withdrawn.
-: :' ' ' ' . ' ~ , ' ;, ' ..................... " ' ' ' :~
: ~; :
W09l/00~38 ~ PCTtGB90/00946
-- 91 -- ,
The invention provide~ a highly advantageous and
inexpensive device for dispensing concentrate which
may be made sufficiently cheaply to be disposed of
after the liquid in the container with which it is
used has been consumed.
Figs. 18 to 25 show a concentrate supply device 2'
comprising a concentrate container 4', such as a
liquid tight box, and a concentrate dispensing unit 6'
which is secured to the container 4' and is for
dispensing cuncentrate therefrom in metered
quantities. Initially, the container 4' is filled
with liquid concentrate 8' to be dispensed although
each of Figs. 18 to 21 show that the container 4' has
already been partly emptied.
~he dispensing unit 6' comprises a cylindrical side
wall 10~ which is secured, as by welding, to a disc
shaped upper wall 12' having an outwardly extending
flange 14' by which the unit 6 is secured, again as by
welding, to a wall 16' of the container 4~. A lower
wall 18' of the unit 6' is carried by the cylindrical
wall 10' and has a central circular aperture 20l
through which projects a stem 22 7 r of circular
cross-section, carried by the upper wall 12'. A
flexible plastics diaphragm 24' of relatively flimsy
- i . , , :, .. : ",, ,., . :. . . . . . . .
WO91/00238 2 ~ 5 ~ 2 9 0 PCT/GB90/00946
- 92 ~
material is provided in~he unit 6'. The diaphragm
24', as best seen in Fig. 23, is of bag-like
construction and is of a size and shape such that, as
shown in Fig. 19, it may conform to the interior of
the walls 10' and 18'. The diaphragm is open at its
upper end and the upper edge 26' thereof is secured
between the walls 10~ and 12'. The diap~ragm 24l has
an opening 28' at its lower end and the perimeter of
the opening 28' of the diaphragm is secured---as-by
welding to the portion of the wall 18' surrounding the
aperture 20'. The diaphragm 24' acoordingly divides
the interior of the unit 6' into two chambers 30' and
32'. The chamber 30' communicates with the in~erior
of vessel 4' through a passage 34' which may be closed
by a one-way valve 36' and the cham~er 32' may receive
pressurised gas from a gas suppiy (not shown) ~through
a nipple 38' into which the end of a gas supply pipe
40' may be inserted. Preferably, the wall 12', flanges
1~' and stem 22~ are o~med as a first unitary
plastics moul~ing and the wall 10', wall 18' and
nipple 38' are formed as a second uni~ary plastics
moulding, the two mouldings being secured together
with the upper edge 26' of the diaphragm 24' clamped
therebetween.
The stem 22' is hollow to define a passage 42' which,
' '
WO91/00238 ~ 2 ~ ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 93 -
at its lower end communicates with atmosphere, and
its upper end may communicate with the interior of the
container 4' through a passage 44' which may be closed
by a one-way valve ~6'.
A circumferential channel 48' is provided on the
outside of stem 22' at a position near but spaced from
the lower end. The size of the opening 20' in wall
18' is such that the wall 18' extends into the channel-
~
48' and normally contac~s the stem 20' at a point 50
therein to form a seal. Four axial channels 52'
extend along the exterior of the poxtion of the stem
20' below the circumferential channel S0~. The wall
18' is flexibly resilient so that it may bend from the
full line position shown in Fig. 19 in which a sealis formed at point 50' to the chain dottedlline
position 54' shown in Fig. 19 in which the seal at
point 50~ is broken and contact is made with the s~em
at point 56' adjacent the upper end of the channel
52'. The resilience of the wall 18' is sufficient to
permit the lower part of stem 22' to be pushed through
the aperture 20' during assemhly~
The valve 36' is made of a unitary moulding of
~25 synthetic plastics material and comprises a ball 60'
forming a valve head, a ligament 62' extending through
WO91/00238 ~ 39 2 9 0 PCTtGB9~/00946
- 94 -
the passage 34~ and a cross-bar 64' on the opposite
side of the passage 36~ to the head 60' and acting as
a stop limiting the downwards movement of the head
60'~ The ligament 62' is sufficiently flexible to
S enable it to be bent so that the cross-bar 64' extends
generally parallel to the ligament to enable ~he
ligament and cross-bar to be threaded through the
aperture 34~ during manufacture. The construction of
. the.valve.46~ is identical to the valve 36'--and thus
comprises a head 70', ligament 72~ and cross-bar
74~O
The device illustrated in Figs. 18 to 25 will normally
be supplied to customers with the container 4' filled
lS with concentrate and the metering unit 6' empty. A
,cap 76' shown in broken lines in Fig. 18 only is
preferably included and is attached to the unit 6~ by
a breakable seal (not shown) and coYers the lower end
of the stem 22' and the nipple 38'. In order to use
the deviceS the customer re~oves the cap 76~ and
inserts the device into a carbona~ing apparatus, not
described herein in detail, which is designed for
receiving the device 2'. The device 2' is inserted in
the carbonating apparatus in the "inverted" position
illustrated in Figs.l9 to 21 and the pipe 40', which
is part of the carbonation apparatus, is inserted
- , . .. .
Wosl/oo238 ~ ~S~ 2 9 ~ PCT/GB90/00946
- 95 -
into the nipple 38' and forms a gas tight seal
therewith. At this point, the chamber 32' is not
pressurised and, as a result, liquid may flow under
gravity from the interior of the container 4' into he
chamber 30', the valve 36' opening for this purpose
as shown in Fig. 18. As liquid leaves the interior of
the container 4' and enters the chamber 30', pressure
within the container 4' may reduce and as a result
atmospheric pressure acting on val~e head-70~ will-
cause the ~alve 46' to open to permit air to bubble up
through the liquid in container 4' as indicated at 78~
in Fig.18. Of course, if the chamber 30' is filled
with air when the de~ice is first used, the air in th
chamber 30~ will first be transferred through the
passage 3~' in~o the container 4' as lîquid enters the
chamber 30', in which the case the opening of the
valve ~6~ may be delayed.
As shown in Fig. 19, after the chamher 30' has been
filed with liquid concentrate from the container 4',
valve 46~ closes. The unit 6' now contains a metered
quantity of liquid to be dispensed. As shown in Fig~
20, this metered quantity of liquid may be dispensed
~rom the unit 6' by permitting gas pressure to enter
chamber 32' through pipe 40'. The admission of such
gas is preferably controlled by a contxol and timing
, ., . . ,: .,, .
' ' ! ." .: , . ' : . :', . .
WOgl/00238 PCT/GB90/00946
2~29~
..;~
96 -
sys~em [not shown) of the carbonation apparatus (not
shown) with which the device 2' is used. Such a
system is described in our co-pending UK application
no. 8914420.8. As the .~ressure in chamher 32'
increases, the resulting tendency of the liquid in
chamber 30' to be forced upwardly through the passage
34' causes the valve 36' to close (Fig. 20) . This
pressure also causes wall 18~ to flex downwardly as
shown in fig. 20 and in broken lines in Fig. 24t -thus~
ln allowing liquid in the chamber 30~ to be discharged
therefrom through the opening 20'in the wall 18'. If
the pressure in chamber 32' is sufficiently high, the
wall 18' will be bent to t:he chain dotted line
position shown in Fig. 24 and the liquid leaving the
chamber 32~ will pass throuqh the relatively small
apertures defined by the channel.s 52' and the edge of
the wall 18' around the opening 20', as indicated by
arrows 80' in Fig. 24. If the pressure is somewhat
lower than that necessary to achieve this condition,
contact will not be made at point 56' between wall 18
and stem 22' and as a result, the outflow of liquid
will not be constri~ted by the channels 52~. In this
way, variations in the rate of outflow of liquid as a
result of pressure variations in chamber 32~ may be
reduced.
: .: . ~ ::.,.;:: :: " ,: ;: :.,: , : ~ ~
- ~ ~
WO91/00238 ~ Q 5 9 ~ 9 ~ PCT/GBgO/00946
- 97 -
The pressure in chamber 32' is retained long enough to:;
substantially emp~y the chamber 30' of liquid, at
which point, ~as shown in Fig. 21, the diaphragm 24'
has reduced the volume of chamber ~0' to near to zero.
Thereafter, the pressllre in chamber 32~ may be
released and chamber 30~ will again fill with -~ .
concentrate as shown in Figs. 18 and 20;
:
The embodiment shown in Figs. 27 to 28 is the same as
that of Figs. 18 to 25 except that the lower wall 18A'
of uni~ 6~ is substantially rigid and, instead, the
upper wall 12A' is resiliently flexible and is thus
somewhat thinner than the wall 12'. Fig. 2b shows the
chamber filled wi~h liquid 30' to be dispensed and
Fig. 25 shows the dispensi~g operation with the .
chamber 32' pressurised. As cam be seen, the wall,
12A' flexes upwardly to draw the stem ~0' upwardly
with respect to the aperture 20' in wall 18A', thus
permitting liquid to be discharged from the chamber
30~ through aperture 20~. The distance through which
the stem 20' moves upwardly relati~e to the wall 18'
depends upon the pressure in the chamber 32' so that,
when the prPssure is high, the liquid is constrained
to flow through the restricted area defined by the
edge of the wall 18A~ around the aperture 20l and the
channels 52' whereas lower pressures cause the stem
WO91~00238 2 0 5 ~ 2 9 PCT/GB90/00946
- 98 - :
20' to assume intermediate position at which the area ~:
available for the outflow of liquid is greater.
`:' '
Various modifications are possible within the scope of
S the invention. For example, although it has been
assumed that the container 4' is of relatively rigid
material in the illustrated embodiments, thus
requiring provision for air to enter as the liquid
leaves (~his provision being the valve 46'--in the
embodiment shown in the drawings), the invention can
be applied to so-called ~Ibag-in-a-boxl~ containers in
which the liquid is contained in a collapsible bag
located in a box. In this c:ase, dispensing can be
achieved without the need for ai.r to enter the bag
containing the liquid since this collapses under
~tmqspheric pressure as liquid is withdrawn.
The invention provides a highly advantageous and
inexpensive device for dispensing concentrate which
may be made sufficiently cheaply to be disposed of
after ~he liquid in the container with which it is
used has been consumed.
Figs. 18 to 25 show a concentrate supply device 2'
~S comprising a concentrate container 4', such as a
liquid tight box, and a concentrate dispensing unit 6'
, :. .. .
WO 91/00238 2 ~ ~ 9 2 9 0 PCI'/GB90/00946
_ 9~ _ ~
which is secured to the oontainer 4l and is for
dispensing concentrate therefrom in metered
quantities. Initially, the container 4' is filled ~:~
with Liquid concentxate 8' to be dispensed although
each of Figs. 18 to 21 show that the container 4~ has
already been partly emptied.
'', ~,'
The dispensing unit 6' comprises a cylindrical side
wall lO' which is secured, as by welding, to -a- disc
shaped upper wall 12' having an outwardly extending
flange 14~ by which the unit 6 is secured; again as by
welding, to a wall 16' of the container 4~. A lower
wall 18' of the unit 6' is carxied by the cylindrical
wall 10' and has a central circular aperture 20'
~15 through which projects a st~_m 22', of circular
crqss-section, carried by thla upper wall 12~. A
flexible plastics diaphragm 24' of relatively flimsy
material is provided in the unit 6'. The diaphragm
24~, as best sean in Fig. 23, is of bag-like
construction and is of a size and shape such that, as
shown in Fig. 19, it may conform to the interior of
the walls lO' and 18'. The diaphragm is open at its
upper end and the upper edge 26' thereof is secured
between the walls 10' and 12'. The diaphragm 24' has
an opening 28' at its lower end and the perimeter of
the opening 28' of the diaphragm is secured as by
. .
. .
WO91~00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 7~ 9 ~ ~ PCT~GB90/00946
- 100 -
welding to the portion of the wall 18' surrounding the
aperture 20'. The diaphragm 24' accordingly divides
the interior of the unit 6' into two chambers 30' and
32'. The chamber 30' communicates with the interior
of vessel 4' through a passage 34' which may be closed
by a one-way valve 36' ~nd the chamber 32' may receive
pressurised gas from a gas supply (not shown) through
a nipple 38' into which the end of a gas supply pipe
40' ~ay be inserted. Preferably, the wall 12', flanges
16~ and stem 22' are formed as a first unitary
plastics moulding and the wall 10', wall 18' and
nipple 38' are formed as a second unitary plastics
moulding~ the two mouldings being secured together
with the upper edge 26' of the diaphxaym 24' clamped
lS therebetween.
~he stem 22' is hollow to define a passage 42' which,
at its lower end communicates w;Lth atmosphere, and
its upper end m~y communicate with the interior of the
container 4' through a passage 44' which may be closed
by a one-way valve 46'.
A circumferential channel 48' is pro~ided on the
outside of stem 22' at a position near but spaced from
the lower end. The size of the opening 20' in wall
18~ is such that the wall 18~ extends into the channel
. . ., : . . : . ; ,
.. , . ,., , : ;:. . : ,. . : .:
WO91/00238 ~ 2 ~ ~; PCT/GB90/80946
- 101 -
48~ and normally contacts the stem 20' at a point 50~
therein to form a seal. Four axial channels 52'
extend along the exterior of the portion of the stem
20' below the circumferential channel 50'. Th~ wall
18' is flexibly r~silient so that it may bend from the
full line position shown in Fig. 19 in which a seal
is formed at point 50' to the chain do~ted line
position 54' shown in Fig. 19 in which the seal at
point . 50' is broken and contact is made with the stem
at point 56' adjacent the upper end of the channel
52'. The resilience of the wall 18' is sufficient to
permit the lower part of stem 22' to be pushed through
the aperture 20' during assembly.
The valve 36' is made of a unitary moulding of
synthetic plastics material and comprises a ball 60'
forming a valvP head, a ligament 62~ extending through
the passage 34' and a cross-bar 64' on thQ opposite
side of the passage 36' to the head 60' and acting as
a stop limiting the downwards movement of the head
60'. The ligament 62' is sufficiently flexible to
enable it to be bent so that khe cross-bar 64~ extends
generally parallel to the ligament to enable the
ligament and cross-bar to be threaded through the
aperture 34' during manufacture. The construction of
the valve 46' is identical to the valve 36' and ~hus
WO9l/0023~ 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 ~
PCT/GB90/00946 --
- 102 -
comprises a head 70~, ligament 72~ and cross-bar
74'.
The device illustrated in Figs. 18 to 25 will normally
S be supplied to customers with the container 4~ filled
with concentrate and the metering unit 6' empty. A
cap 76' shown in broken lines in Fig. 18 only is
preferably included and is attached to the unit 6' by
a breakable.seal (not shown) and co~ers the lower end --
of the stem 22' and the nipple 38'. In order to use
the device, the customer removes the cap 76~ and
inserts the device into a carbonating apparatus, not
descri~ed herein in detail, which is designed for
r~ceiving the device 2'. The dev.ice 2' is inserted in
the carbonating apparatus in the "inverted" position
illustra~ed in Figs.l9 to 21 and the pipe 40', which
is part of the carbonation apparatus, is inserted
into the nipple 38' and forms a gas tight seal
ther~with. At this point, the chamber 32~ is no~
pressurised and, as a result, liquid may flow under
gra~ity from the interior of the container 4' into th0
chamber 30~, the valve 36l opening for this purpose
as shown in Fig. 18. As liquid leaves the interior of
the container 4' and en~ers the chamber 30~, pxessure
within the container 4' may reduce and as a result
atmospheric pressure acting on valve head 70~ will
` ' '` " ' " '. ,, " ' ' .'. ~ '. ,:'' ',' ' ~ . . ' , , ', ' ' - :
WO91/00238 2 0 ~ ~ 2 ~ 9 PCT/GBgo/00946
- 103 - ;
cause ~he valve 46~ to open to permit air to bubble up
through the liquid in container 4' as indicated at 78'
in Fig.18. Of course, if the chamber 30' is filled
with air when the device is first used, the air in the
chamber 30' will first be transferred through the
passage 34' into the container 4' as liquid enters the
chamber 30', in which the case the opening of the
valve 46' may be dalayed.
.. .._ . -.
As shown in Fig. 19, after the chamber 30' has been
filed with liquid concentrate from the container 4',
~alve 46' closes. The unit 6' now contains a metered
quantity of liquid to be dispensed. As shown in Fig. .-
20, this metered quantity of liguid may be dispensed
from the unit 5' by permitting gas pressure to enter ;~
chamber 32' through pipe 40~. The admission of such
gas is preferably controlled by 2L control and timing
system (not shown) of the carbonation apparatus (not
shown3 w~th which the device 2~ is used such as
th~t previously-~e~cribed
s ~he pressure in chamber 32l
increases, the resulting tendency of the liquid in
chamber 30' to be forced upwardly ~hrough the passage
34' causes the valve 36' to close ~Fig. 20). This
pressure also causes wall 18' to ~lex downwardly as
shown in fig. 20 and in broken lines in Fig. 24, thus
,, ' ', ' . . , ' ' .,; ', , ' ' ' '. ' ~ ' ' " , , ' '," ' '`, '" . " ' " ' ' ' ' , ' " .
'' ' . ' " , ,' " , '"': " ,'''.'. '. ', , " ' ,' ' ' ' ' .,, ... '' '.' . " '. '" " ' .' ' .. .
WO91/0023~
~ -~ a ~ Pcr/GB90/oos46
- 104 -
allowing liquid in the chambar 30' to be discharged
therefrom through the opening 20'in the wall 18~. If
the pxessure in chamber 32' is sufficiently high, the
wall 18' will be bent to the chain dotted line
position shown in Flg. 24 and^`the liquid leaving the
chamber 32~ will pass through the relatively small
apertures defined by the channels 52' and the edge of
the wall 18' around the opening 20l, as indicated by
arrows 80' in Fig. 24. If the pressure is somewhat
lower than that necessary to achie~e this condition,
contact will not be made at point 56' between wall 18'
and stem 22' and as a result, the outflow of liquid
will not be constricted by the channels 52'. In this
way, variations in the rate of outflow of liquid as a
result of pressure variations in chamber 32' may be
reduced.
The pressure in chamber 32' is retained long enough to
substantially ~mpty the chamber 30~ of liquid, at
which point, as shown in Fig. 21, the diaphragm 24'
has reduced the ~olume of chamber 3n~ to near to zero.
Thereafter, the pre~sure in chamber 32' may be
released and chamber 30' will again fill with
concentrate as shown in Figs. 18 and 20;
The embodiment shown in Figs. 27 to 28 is the same as
WO9lt00238 2 ~ ~ 9 2 9 ~ PCT~GB90/00946
- 1~5 -
that of Figs. 18 to 25 except that the lower wall 18A'
of unit 6~ is substantially rigid and, instead, the
upper wall 12A~ is resiliently flexible and is ~hus
somewhat thinner than the wall 12'. Fig. 26 shows the
S chamber filled with liguid 30' to be dispensed and
Fig. 25 shows the dispensing operation with the
chamber 32' pressurised. As can be seen, the wall
12A' flexes upwardly to draw the stem 20' upwardly
with respec to the aperture 20' in wall 18A', thus
permitting li~uid to be discharged from the chamber
30' through aperture 20'. The distance through which
the stem 20' moves upwardly relative to the wall 18'
depends upon the pressure in the chamber 32' so that,
when the pressure is high, the liquid is constrained
to flow through the restricted area defined by t}le
edge of the wall 18A' around the aperture 20' and the
channels 52' wherea5 lower pressures cause the stem
20' to assume intermediate position at which the area
available for the outflow of liquid is greater.
Various modifications are possible within the scope of
the invention. For example, although it has been
assumed that the container 4' is of relatively rigid
material in the illustrated embodiments, thus
requiring provision for air to enter as the liquid
leaves (this provision being the valve 46' in the
W~91/00238 2 ~ ~ ~ 2 9 ~
PCT/GB90/00946
- 106 -
embodiment shown in the drawings), the invention can
be applied to so-called "bag-in-a-box" containers in
which the liquid is contained in a collapsible bag
located in a box. In this case, di~pensing can be
achieved without the need for air to enter the bag
containing the liquid since this collapses under
atmospherLc pressure as liquid is withdrawn.
The invention provides a highly advantageous and
inexpensive device for dispensing concentrate which
may be made sufficiently cheaply to be disposed of
after the liquid in the container with which it is
used has becn consumed.
,
.: . . : ;. , :.,, . .
