EP0478624A1 - Apparatus for making or dispensing drinks. - Google Patents
Apparatus for making or dispensing drinks.Info
- Publication number
- EP0478624A1 EP0478624A1 EP90909341A EP90909341A EP0478624A1 EP 0478624 A1 EP0478624 A1 EP 0478624A1 EP 90909341 A EP90909341 A EP 90909341A EP 90909341 A EP90909341 A EP 90909341A EP 0478624 A1 EP0478624 A1 EP 0478624A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- concentrate
- carbonation
- chamber
- gas
- valve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1277—Flow control valves
- B67D1/1279—Flow control valves regulating the flow
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
- B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
- B67D1/0022—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
- B67D1/0034—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component
- B67D1/0039—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component the controls involving at least two different metering technics
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0057—Carbonators
- B67D1/0069—Details
- B67D1/0074—Automatic carbonation control
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
- B67D1/1204—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed for ratio control purposes
- B67D1/1231—Metering pumps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1284—Ratio control
- B67D1/1286—Ratio control by mechanical construction
- B67D1/129—Means for changing the ratio by acting on structural parts
Definitions
- This invention relates to apparatus for making or dispensing carbonated drinks.
- Apparatus for dispensing 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 carbonated 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 installed in a social club or public bar.
- concentrate which is used to flavour drinks
- concentrate was dispensed by pressurising the concentrate (liquid) in the concentrate bottles so that the concentrate flowed through a dip stick to a dispenser, that dispenser was provided with a valve arrangement.
- the valve arrangement was actuated mechanically when the user pushed a glass into a dispensing compartment.
- the means by which the valve arrangement was actuated included a mechanical selector (by which the desired flavour of concentrate was 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 mechanically actuate the valve arrangement to dispense concentrate (flavouring).
- 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 resetting a selector.
- carbonation apparatus for dispensing 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.
- dispensing means for dispensing a given quantity of concentrate for flavouring carbonated water to provide a drink is actuated by carbonation gas.
- the dispensing means may be charged with concentrate by free flow from a concentrate container in a first step prior to dispensing in a second step.
- 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.
- the quantity of concentrate dispensed may be different for different concentrates.
- the dispensing means may be adapted to deliver a quantity which is related to the flavour of the concentrate. This enables (as further explained later) the ratio of concentrate to carbonated water to be varied as appropriate to the flavour being selected.
- 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 mechanism for a charge of carbonation gas 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 concentrate to be dispensed in response to pressure exerted by the carbonation gas.
- the dispensing mechanism includes diaphragm means in the concentrate chamber, the carbonation gas acting on the diaphragm means to expel said quantity of concentrate.
- carbonation 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 concentrate selection mechanism for selecting the concentrate of that dispensing mechanism.
- the selection mechanism is operable to allow carbonation gas from said dispensing means to be exhausted to atmosphere thereby 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.
- 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.
- the invention provides a device for discharging liquid comprising a housing defining a metering 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.
- a device for discharging metered quantities of fluid comprising a housing defining a metering chamber having opposed wall means which are movable apart under pressure to open an outlet for discharging fluid from the chamber.
- the invention provides a concentrate container for containing flavoured concentrate for a carbonated drink, a metering device mounted on said container and adapted for discharging concentrate therefrom in metered quantities, first valve means between the metering chamber and the concentrate container for permitting concentrate to flow from the container into the metering chamber under gravity when the container is orientated with the metering chamber below the container, and a second valve means arranged 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.
- the invention provides a container for containing concentrate or other liquid to be dispensed and comprising first and second valves disposed in the region of a portion of the container which is to be lowermost when dispensing liquid, the first 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 into the container.
- 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 ligament connected to the valve head and extending through the passage, and a transversely extending stop element attached to the ligament 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.
- the valve head ligament and stop member are integrally moulded from synthetic plastics material.
- this low cost dispensing unit is attached 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 dispensing unit and both the syrup container and dispensing unit would be disposed of after use.
- a syrup container such as a box or bag-in-the-box containing syrup
- a further aspect of the invention provides a concentrate dispensing device for dispensing concentrate in response to application of gas pressure
- the device comprising outlet means which provides a relatively large outlet when the applied gas pressure is relatively small and a relatively smaller outlet when' the gas pressure is relatively large. In this way, differences between the rate of discharge of concentrate arising from application of different gas pressures may be reduced or eliminated.
- another aspect of the 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 chamber 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 chamber whereby reverse flow of carbonated water back into the water supply means is prevented.
- the space is defined by a water break chamber and a passage from the water break chamber to the carbonation chamber is controlled by a valve which comprises a ball and cage arrangement operable to close the passage when the water level has reached a predetermined level.
- the ball and cage arrangement is particularly advantageous as the supply of water can be arranged to depress the ball and allow the 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.
- a changeover mechanism for changing gas supplies for use with a gas supply arrangement having a first and second coupling means each with a first and second gas flow control means associated therewith and adapted for connection to a first gas supply, first and second actuating members operable to permit gas flow through said first and second gas flow control means respectively, wherein said changeover mechanism 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 actuation from one to the other of said conditions following detection that the gas supply associated with the actuating member last actuated has reached low pressure.
- 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.
- the period during which the water is carbonated in the carbonation chamber is varied according to the nature of the concentrate.
- carbonation apparatus with a carbonation chamber and agitating means for carbonating, control means for determining the carbonation period during which the agitating means is operational, concentrate being mixed with the carbonated water in the dispensed drink, means for determining the carbonation period in dependence upon an identification of the concentrate to be dispensed.
- 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 available.
- carbonation apparatus for dispensing flavoured drinks comprising a 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.
- the apparatus defined in the above statement is especially advantageous for the cooling of the concentrate since the cooling arrangement takes advantage of an efficient housing design and an efficient layout of that design whereby the medium for cooling the carbonated water is also used for cooling the concentrate. This enhances both the production of the apparatus and the reliability thereof.
- Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a water carbonation apparatus
- FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the carbonation apparatus of Figure 1;
- Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show sectional views of a concentrate selection mechanism prior to selection, during selection actuation, and subsequent to selection actuation;
- Figures 4A and 4B show sectional views of a concentrate dispensing mechanism before and after filling the mechanism with concentrate
- Figures 5A, 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 6A, 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 chamber (the chamber being empty) ;
- Figures 9A, 9B 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 10 shows a sectional view of 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 to the other gas cylinder, and continuous operation using the other gas cylinder;
- Figure 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 15 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 concentrates;
- Figure 16 shows a part of the carbonation apparatus of Figure 1 which illustrates a compartment for concentrate containers
- Figure 17 shows a block diagram of the circuitry included in the carbonation apparatus of Figure 1;
- Figs. 18 to 21 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a dispensing device according to a further embodiment of the invention, showing the device 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 part 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 enlarged perspective view of part of the device as shown in Fig. 24;
- Figs. 26 and 27 are views similar to Figs. 19 and 20 but showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. 28 is an enlarged sectional view through part of the device shown in Figs. 26 and 27;
- a water carbonation apparatus 10 for preparing drinks which combine carbonated water with an essence or flavouring 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 comprising a central upper portion 13a extending forwardly from a rear upper portion 13b which extends along the rear wall of the housing.
- the upper portions 13a and 13b define two compartments laterally spaced either side of the upper portion 13a. These 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 therein from the ambient conditions.
- the containers 14a to 14d may be of the bag-in-box construction (see Figures 4A,5A) in which the outer container is formed of a rigid membrane such as cardboard and the inner container is 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.
- 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 flavoured with a 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).
- a concentrate dispensing mechanism 20a to 20d respectively (shown in broken lines).
- the user requires 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 mechanism to detect whether a glass ' 22 is present in compartment 28 before the dispensing of drinks.
- FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus
- a water supply 30 communicates by a water supply line 32 with the carbonation chamber 26.
- a gas supply tank or main reservoir 34 containing the 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 SI which operates to permit the gas to pass to an auto exhaust valve VI, which in turn may pass the carbonation gas via exhaust line 39 with a check valve V2 to charge reservoirs 40a to 40d.
- the 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 four reservoirs 40a to 40d is about four times that of the head space in the carbonation chamber when it is full of carbonated water.
- the reservoirs 40a to 40d are themselves connected by a charge line 42 to a pressure relief 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.
- 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 associated with an arm 46 which is pivotally connected to an actuating solenoid S2 and an actuating member 48 for the pressure relief valve V3.
- Each selection button 18a to 18d selects a respective 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 (further described with reference to Figures 3A to 3C) .
- Chamber 26 is already charged with water.
- the respective concentrate dispensing mechanism 20a is charged with concentrate.
- actuation of the button 18a is possible. This actuation initiates a cycle of the carbonation apparatus (to be further described) .
- dispensing of concentrate and carbonated water occurs as follows.
- 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 dispensing mechanism 20a to dispense a measured quantity of the concentrate from the dispensing mechanism 20c which is charged by the concentrate container 14a.
- the solenoid S2 is actuated to open the valve V4 to dispense carbonated water from the carbonation chamber 26.
- the concentrate selection mechanism 50 comprises the selection button 18a (see Figures 1 and 2) which is carried by a shaft 52 having a collar 52a. Collar 52a is displaceable between a position in which it contacts front panel member 16 (see Figure 1) and a position in which it contacts a panel member 56 having an aperture 56a for the shaft 52.
- a locking plate 54 locks the button 18a with collar 52a adjacent panel 16 when no glass/cup is present in dispensing compartment 28 ( Figure 1) . It is displaced (for example by a solenoid) when the glass 22 is detected thereby enabling actuation of button 18a. Detection may be by way of a sensing mechansim detecting a reflected light beam.
- the panel member 56 forms a front plate of a valve chamber 60 which is further defined by a first valve chamber housing 58.
- a movable cylinder 62 having a main portion 62a of a diameter 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 relative thereto. It extends through 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 ( Figure 3A) in which the cylinder 62 abuts the panel member 56.
- valve member 70 has a collar 70a, a depending spigot 70b and an upstanding shaft 70c terminating in a conical cam 70d.
- valve member 70 Within the valve chamber 68 the valve member 70 is biased into a closed position 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 means of the conical cam
- the chamber housing 58 has an inlet passage 58a which communicates with the charge line 43.
- the chamber 68 has an outlet 68a which communicates with a bore 58c through the housing 58 and thence to the charge line 44. It will be recalled from Figure 2 that charge lines 42,43 communicate with the reservoirs 40 and that the charge line 44 communicates from the selection mechanism 50 to the appropriate concentrate dispensing mechanism 20.
- the concentrate selection mechanism 50 as shown in Figure 3A is in its rest position in which the button 18a projects through the selection panel 16.
- the cylinder 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.
- the depending spigot 70b of the valve member 70 depends through the passageway 58b of the housing 58 and is in contact with the cam portion 62b of the cylinder 62.
- the diaphragm 74 is in its relaxed position and maintained there by the collar 70a of the valve member 70.
- valve member 70 is biased into that position by the spring 72 acting between the collar and the upper wall of the housing 66 of valve chamber 68.
- the diaphragm 74 so arranged prevents the passage of carbonation gas from the chamber 60 passing 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.
- the exhaust of gas from the dispensing mechanism 20 through the chamber 60 and then to atmosphere via the piston bore 69B (in the Figure 3B position of piston 64A) or via the charge line and relief valve V3 of Figure 2 is prevented.
- 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 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 diaphragm 74 to travel therewith and also causes the upstanding shaft 70c to move upwardly.
- 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.
- the user releases the selection button 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.
- the diaphragm 74 is maintained in its raised position (shown in Figure 3C) after the button 18a and therewith the cylinder 62 has returned to the position in which cylinder 62 abuts panel 56 and the portion 62a thereof no longer holds the spigot 70b raised.
- the upper surface of the lower housing section 12 is 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) .
- a concentrate container 14 is illustrated only in part and the means of connection with the concentrate dispensing mechanism 20 are not shown.
- the containers 14 can be of the bag in the box type with an outer wall 15a, a liner 15b and an opening 15c.
- a concentrate container 14 of the bag-in-box type may be 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 dispensing mechanism 20 may be inserted. This operation would occur with the dispensing mechanism 20 and concentrate container 14 out of the apparatus 10.
- the 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 mechanism 82 registers with the mixing chamber 24 ( Figures 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 80 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 valve mechanism 78b which controls the flow of concentrate from the concentrate container 14 to the chamber 80.
- the valve mechanism 78b comprises a cage 78c in which a ball 78d is captured between an outlet 78e.
- Outlet 78e is of reduced area compared with the area of the passage 78a 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 chamber 80 by resting on the outlet 78e which forms a seat for this purpose.
- the ball 78b is seated on the valve seat 78f.
- the further housing 82 defines an outlet mechanism for 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 communicating with a valve chamber 82b within the housing 82.
- Valve chamber 82b in turn communicates with an outlet passageway 82c (which in this embodiment is horizontally inclined) which delivers concentrate via its outlet opening 82d (which in this embodiment is vertically inclined) to the mixing chamber 24.
- the horizontal and vertical inclinations can be varied to suit the relative positioning of the dispensing mechanism and the mixing chamber.
- the outlet passageway 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 passageway 82c.
- 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 82j on the member 82g. It will be seen that the housing has an aperture 82k through which the valve member 82g projects when raised.
- the aperture 82k enables venting of air in the upper part of the 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 82f.
- the chamber 80 communicates with a supply of carbonation 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 ball 84e is seated on a lower seat 84f in Figure 4A or an upper seat 84g in Figure 4B.
- carbonation gas from the reservoirs 40 is used to dispense a charge of concentrate from the chamber 80.
- a charge of carbonation gas is applied along the charge line 44 through the valve mechanism 84, the concentrate in the chamber 80 is forced through the outlet mechanism 82.
- ball 78d is forced against seat 78f and prevents gas entering the container 14.
- concentrate may flow from the concentrate container 14 into the chamber 80 under gravity feed.
- the chamber 80 charges with concentrate to the level shown in Figure 4B, which is a predetermined level.
- the inlet valve mechanism 84 has its ball 84e displaced to an upper seat 84g thereby preventing concentrate from leaving via mechanism 84 and the the charge line 44 ( Figure 2).
- 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 member 82g and diaphragm 82f in its closed position.
- a charge of carbonation gas along the line 44 drives the measured quantity of concentrate from the chamber 80 through 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 which is pressurised by the gas through valve mechanism 84.
- the dispensing of the concentrate from the chamber 80 is synchronised with the dispensing of carbonated water from the carbonation chamber 26 by means of the operation of the solenoid 52 of Figure 2.
- FIGS 5A, 5B and 5C An alternative embodiment of a concentrate dispensing mechanism 20' is shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C which respectively show the chamber 80 when it is charged with concentrate, when it is empty of concentrate, and when it is charging with concentrate.
- the container 14 is also of the bag-in-box type with an outer wall 15a, a liner 15b and an opening 15c (defined by a portion of the container wall as shown) .
- the chamber 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 concentrate container 14.
- the valve outlet mechanism 82 remains the same and reference numerals 82,82a to 82k will not be further explained.
- 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 charge line 44.
- the O-ring seals 84m ensure that the pressure balances are such that the valve mechanism 84' is not urged away from the charge line 44.
- passageway 78a Communication between the container 14 and the chamber 80 for the concentrate is via passageway 78a (as in the Figure 4 embodiment) .
- the inlet passage 78a accommodates a tubular member 78g which is sealed therein by means of an O-ring seal 78h and which at its lower end carries a radially outwardly extending flange 78j from which there is a depending skirt member 78i.
- the tubular member 78g is threadedly connected by means of threaded connections 78k to the housing 78 in the passageway 78a.
- the passageway so defined has an O-ring seal 78f which forms a seat for the ball 78d which acts as a valve 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.
- the depending skirt member 78i determines the volume of the chamber 80 which extends radially outwardly thereof. This volume is the volume of concentrate which is dispensed through the passageway 82a when the carbonation gas issues into the chamber 80 above the diaphragm 86 via the inlet passageway 84i.
- the diaphragm 86 is secured 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.
- the diaphragm 86 adopts a configuration which conforms to the upper and side walls of the chamber 80.
- the chamber 80 gas is exhausted via the charge line 44 and the passageway 84i. Then the chamber 80 starts to refill with concentrate (Figure 5C).
- the passage 84i communicates with the charge line 44. When this is exhausted, the gas in the chamber 80 above the diaphragm 86 is exhausted to atmosphere and this allows the diaphragm 86 to occupy the position shown in Figures 5A and 5C.
- valve mechanism 84 When a charge of carbonation gas is admitted through valve mechanism 84, it causes the diaphragm 86 to be forced downwardly to expel the concentrate from the chamber 80.
- the diaphragm is forced into the position shown in Figure 5B where the chamber is emptied.
- the outlet mechanism 82 is actuated by the pressure of the liquid concentrate which in turn is determined by the pressure of the gas entering the upper part of the 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 to occur with the embodiment of Figure 4. The separation also ensures that there is no possibility of concentrate entering the inlet passageway 84i at the enlarged diameter outlet 84j. It also closes the outlet passageway 82a ( Figures 5A and 5B respectively) .
- the auto relief valve VI comprises a housing 90 with an inlet passage 90a, and an outlet passage 90b and an exhaust passage 90c.
- the housing 90 is defined by an inner cylindrical casing 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 casings 90d and 90e at their other end and defines the inlet end 90q of inlet passageway 90a.
- the inner cylindrical casing 90d has a first aperture 9Oh which is arranged near the inlet end 90q of the passage 90a and which enables said passage 90a to communicate with the interior of the housing.
- the interior of the housing is designated the chamber 90m.
- an aperture 90i which enables the passage 90a to communicate with the chamber 90m.
- Within the housing 90 there is a closed cylindrical valve member 90j which is mounted on the inner cylindrical casing 90d.
- the valve member 90j is biased to close the aperture 90i by means of a spring 90k.
- Spring 90k is arranged between the housing and a flange 9On. Flange 9On extends outwardly of the open lower end 90r of the valve member 90j.
- the spring 90k is arranged concentrically with an O-ring seal 901 at the interior of the first end plate 9Of and with the exhaust passage 90c.
- the inlet passage 90a is arranged to communicate with the gas supply line 38 from the carbonation chamber 26 ( Figure 2).
- the outlet passage 90b is arranged to communicate with the gas supply line 39 extending from the auto exhaust valve VI to the reservoirs 40.
- the exhaust passage 90c enables the auto exhaust valve VI to vent any surplus carbonation gas from the chamber 26 to atmosphere after the reservoirs 40 have been charged.
- the auto exhaust valve VI has as its primary function to exhaust the surplus carbonation gas from the carbonation chamber 26 after the reservoirs 40 have been charged.
- the gas from the carbonation chamber 26 is controlled by the solenoid valve SI ( Figure 2). It enters the passage 90a and passes through the aperture 90i into the chamber 90m displacing the valve member 90j. It also passes into chamber 90M via aperture 9OH.
- the pressure drop across aperture 9OH ensures that there is a pressure differential across the valve member 90j whereby the valve member 90 is displaced. It is necessary that the valve member 90j is a sufficiently 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.
- valve member 90j initially seals the aperture 90i.
- the exhaust passage 90c is then open and the carbonation gas can flow to atmosphere via aperture 9Oh from passageway 90a to chamber 90m and then passage 90c.
- valve member 90j When valve member 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 valve member 90j displaced against the action of spring 90k. This occurs 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 psig) . Once the reservoirs 40 are charged, 5 any surplus carbonation gas passes through exhaust passageway 90c as soon as valve member 90j leaves valve seat 901.
- 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 lOOd is reciprocally displaceable.
- Valve shaft lOOd is reciprocally displaceable.
- valve shaft lOOd carries a valve member lOOf and a valve collar lOOg and terminates in its lower end 1001.
- the 20 in one position of the valve shaft lOOd can depend into a passageway 100j.
- the passageway 100j 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
- Another passageway 100m extends through a projecting connector lOOn which is connected to a charge line 43 from the pressure relief valve V3 to the concentrate selector mechanisms 50 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 lOOj at the chamber outlet.
- Another sealing ring lOOq is arranged about the valve shaft lOOd immediately above the valve member 10Of and in contact therewith.
- the housing further defines an outer extension 10Or of the valve passageway 100c and an inner extension 100s thereof.
- the inner extension 100s has a cavity lOOt at its lower end.
- a valve spring lOOh is arranged between an inner surface lOOu of the top wall lOOv and the collar 10Og so as to bias the valve shaft 10Od downwardly in the chamber towards an interior surface lOOv of a bottom wall lOOw.
- the passageway lOO extends through a sidewall lOOx which is opposite the sidewall lOOy as shown in Figure 7.
- the chamber 100a itself may be cylindrical and therefore these references to opposite sidewalls refer that wall as seen in cross-section.
- the spring 10Oh is arranged concentrically with the passageway 100c, the valve shaft lOOd, the valve member lOOf, the valve collar lOOg, and the inwardly depending extension 100s. Operation of the Pressure Relief Valve V3
- the operation of the relief valve V3 to pass carbonation gas to the dispensing mechanisms 20 is controlled by the displacement of the shaft lOOd by the solenoid S2 (of Figure 2). It also acts to exhaust the dispensing mechanism and it also acts as a pressure relief valve as will be explained.
- valve shaft lOOd is in a lower position in which the lower end lOOi is about to enter the passageway lOOj and the O-ring lOOp ensures that the valve collar lOOg seals that passageway. If one of the concentrate selection mechanisms 50 of Figures 3A to 3C is actuated to allow the flow of carbonation gas from a dispensing mechanism 20 to flow to exhaust, then that gas passes along the line 43 and into the chamber 100a of the pressure relief valve and exits through the exhaust passageway 100c.
- the solenoid S2 When the solenoid S2 is actuated to charge the dispensing mechanism 20 with a charge of carbonation gas to dispense a measured quantity of concentrate, then the solenoid S2 raises the valve shaft lOOd. This brings the valve member lOOf into a position juxtaposed with the interior extension 100s such that the O-ring seal lOOq is compressed in the cavity 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 10Oj and out through the passageway lOOm via charge line 43, the selection mechanism 50 and to the dispensing 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 ( Figure 7) in which the passage 100j 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 charge line 42 (and thus the passageway 100j) to become excessively high, for example due to the reservoirs 40 being charged to a pressure level ' well beyond that required for driving the dispensing mechanisms 20.
- the gas pressure acting on the valve collar lOOg of the valve member lOOf causes the valve member lOOf to be displaced thereby permitting the gas to vent to atmosphere through the exhaust passageway lOOc.
- This flow of gas through passageway 100c continues until the gas pressure in charge line 42 is reduced to its desired level whereupon valve lOOf closes on the seat lOOp under the bias of spring lOOh.
- FIG 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 jacket 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. Refrigerant 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.
- an agitator means 170 for assisting in the carbonation of the 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 (not shown) under the control of a control circuit (not shown) .
- Metering means 180 meters the level of the water in the chamber 114. This metering means 180 comprises a float valve 182 which is guided in a channel 184 as the water level rises until the float valve 182 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 sensing means 160.
- the sensing means 160 is electrically connected to the 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 200.
- a reservoir 210 for the supply of carbon dioxide 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 line 218 from the supply line 212 (and thus reservoir 210) connects with a concentrate dispensing mechanism 20 associated with a concentrate container 220.
- the concentrate dispensing mechanism 20 ( Figure 1) is arranged to issue metered quantities 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 Figures 4A,4B and 5A to C which are intended to illustrate the relationship employed in the apparatus of Figure 8 also.
- the apparatus of Figure 9A includes the carbonation chamber 100 of Figure 8. Components already described have the same references.
- the water is issuing from inlet 158.
- the ball 166 of the valve 164 normally floats and is forced downwardly by the supply of water.
- the supply of water through the upper chamber 112 continues to maintain the ball 166 in a depressed condition in which it cannot seat on an O-ring seal 167. This is especially advantageous since the ball 166 and cage 168 afford a very efficient and very inexpensive form of 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 valve 182 actuating the sensing means 160. This actuates the solenoid 154 ( Figure 8) to cut off the water supply through the water inlet 158.
- the lower chamber 114 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 apparatus is then ready for the next stage of operation which is the carbonation of the water in the agitating chamber 114.
- the agitator means 170 is rotated for a finite duration. Thereafter the carbonation water can be dispensed through the valve means 190 under the control of solenoid 200 into a glass 22.
- FIG 10 shows the flow controller 152 of Figure 8.
- water supplied to the inlet 224 passes into the flow controller 152 via a regulator member 226 which has passageways therein 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 issues through the outlet 238 about which the spring 232 extends concentrically.
- the end 226a of the 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 causes the regulator member 226 to move further across the chamber 234 (to the right as shown in the drawing) 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 rate 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 (to the left) away from the outlet 238 and thereby increase the space between the regulator member 226 and the outlet 238. 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 clearly assists in regulating the water supply to the chamber 110.
- FIG 11 there is shown the housing 12 of the carbonation apparatus 10 of Figure 1.
- the upper rear portion as in Figure 1 has a central portion 13a and a rear portion 13b part of which houses the changeover mechanism 300.
- the changeover mechanism 300 is in communication with gas supply bottles 302 and 304 for the supply of carbonation gas (carbon dioxide) which 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 320. '5
- Each housing 330,332 is provided with a gas flow coupling member 330a,332a and fastener means 330b,332b and hose means 330c,332c for carrying the carbonation gas to the carbonation chamber (26, Figure 2).
- the upper housing 320 itself has moulded openings
- Each housing 330,332 has an associated actuator lever 338,340 which is actuated to open a respective valve (not shown) in the housing 330,332 to allow the passage of gas from a respective one of the bottles
- a solenoid 342 is provided to drive the changeover mechanism 300. This solenoid extends into the lower
- the solenoid 342 is biased by a spring 342b acting upwardly on the collar 342a.
- the solenoid 342 is connected to a transfer member 344. It is the transfer member 344 which determines which of the actuator levers 338,340 is depressed and therefore which of the bottles 302,304 supplies gas to the carbonation chamber.
- the 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 toggle 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.
- 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 352a.
- 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 comprises 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 364 and 366 which are integral with the back plate 370 of the housing 320.
- FIGS 13A to 13H show continuous operation using the actuator lever 338 which would actuate the valve in housing 330 (Figure 12) and thereby use gas from the cylinder 302 ( Figure 11).
- 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 slot 352 (slot 352 is best seen in Figure 13D) . It will be noted that the toggle 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.
- 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 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 so 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 toggle guide 350.
- the mechanism for reciprocating the actuator pins 360 of the changeover mechanism 300 is shown in Figures 14A to 14C.
- FIG 14A the opposite side of the upper housing 320 of the changeover mechanism 300 is shown. On this side a cover plate is removed 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.
- the hoses 330c and 332c shown in Figure 12
- the gas bottles 302,304 shown in Figure 11
- the openings 334 and 336 for the gas bottles 302 and 304 are again shown.
- the back plate 370 is provided with the following features.
- the back plate 370 has a pair of bosses 370a,b which are arranged 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 37Og ( Figure 14C) 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 37Oh for the toggle mechanism 390.
- the shuttle valve as well as having the hoses 330c 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 to a pressure signal from the shuttle valve 380.
- the actuator means 386 comprises a plunger 386a which reciprocates against the bias of an internal spring. Actuation occurs when the gas pressure through the hose 384 is sufficient to overcome the bias of the spring.
- the plunger 386a is connected to a yoke 386b which 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 member 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 37Oe and f which extend from the back plate 370.
- the 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 390d has reduced end portions 390f ( Figure 14C) for the purpose of being journalled to the toggle members 390c.
- These end members 39Of are integrally connected to a pair of spaced toggle members 39Oe which themselves carry the actuator pins 360.
- 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 is a reciprocating valve member. Assuming that the gas bottle 302 is in use and is supplying carbonation gas under pressure, then 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 prevent communication between the hose 332c for the gas bottle 304 and the exit hose 382 carrying carbonation gas to the carbonation apparatus.
- the presence of carbonation gas within the shuttle valve 380 will ensure that the gas entering through the hose 330c exerts a pressure signal through the hose 384 to permit operation of the actuator means 386.
- the actuator means 386 operates when the pressure of carbonation gas through the hose 384 is sufficient 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 pressure through hose 384 is insufficient to extend the plunger 386a. In this way, we have the situation depicted in Figures 13A to 13E in which the actuator pins 360 are withdrawn.
- 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 to 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.
- actuator means 386 retracts the actuator pins 360 as shown in Figures 13G and H.
- 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.
- Figure 13M Figure 13M
- Figure 13N Figure 13N
- the position of the shuttle valve within the shuttle valve housing 380 will automatically be switched over because one of the hoses 330c,332c which will formerly have been active, 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 (i.e. the carbonation gas). In consequence the shuttle valve within the shuttle valve housing 380 will switch positions.
- actuator means 386 and the toggle mechanism 390 are best appreciated from Figures 14B and 14C. These Figures clearly illustrate that as the actuator means 386 extends and retracts it 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 reciprocate with respect to the correspondingly aligned bosses 350a and 350b with their apertures 350c and 350d in Figure 12.
- Figure 15 diagrammatically shows the apparatus of Figure 1 with the concentrate containers 14a and 14b displaced (to the left in relation to the drawing) in order to illustrate the means by which the carbonation period for the carbonation of water in the 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 Figure 15 as apply to their counterparts in Figures 1 and 8: parts bearing similar reference numerals may not be described in relation to this Figure.
- the illustration of Figure 15 is schematic and therefore the housing 12 is shown as having a planar support surface 12a to receive the dispensing mechanisms 20a to 20d.
- the support surface 12a is moulded to provide recesses for the dispensing mechansisms 20a to 20d.
- the central upper portion 13a of the housing is illustrated, the rearward upper portion 13b of Figure 1 is not illustrated.
- the carbonation chamber 26 is shown somewhat diagrammatically and the valve means 190 is shown as a depending spout.
- the duration for which the agitator means 170 ( Figure 8) operates, can be varied 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 carbonation period or at least the period during which the agitator means are operable, it is necessary to advise the control circuit as to the nature of the concentrate being dispensed.
- the apparatus of Figure 15 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 time period is to correspond to a given level of carbonation: bands such as "low”, “medium” and "high” may be designated.
- the information carriers 410a to d should be so disposed and of such 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 information indicating "low”, “medium” or "high”, can be accurately reproduced on a small label which can be applied to the container.
- laminates are available for such labels which may comprise a surface carrier layer for carrying the information and a base layer carrying for example an impact adhesive to be applied to the container 14 and that layer may, prior to application, be covered 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 light reflecting surface.
- the sensors 400a to 400d will be adapted to "read" such information carriers 410a to d accordingly.
- 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 above) .
- the location of the information carrier 410a to d may be varied according to the degree of carbonation required 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 given degree of carbonation.
- the control circuitry associated with the sensors 400 will need to distinguish between different signals.
- the control circuitry will be adapted to identify which of the respective sensors 400al, 400a2, 400a3, has received a signal from the respective information carrier 410.
- the concentrate container 14a could be intended to dispense drinks with an orange flavour and the selection button 18a could indicate that the drinks dispensed by that button had an orange flavour; then the secondary set of sensors and information carriers could be employed to illuminate an indicator associated with the selection button 18a to indicate that the orange flavoured drinks were available to the user.
- the quality of drink dispensed varies according to the carbonation period and the particular concentrate employed so that for example a "cola" flavoured drink requires a different level of carbonation in the water to an "orange” flavoured drink.
- the associated control circuitry would be set up at the factory to predetermine the carbonation periods according to the flavour of concentrate to be dispensed at the particular positions indicated for the containers 14a to 14d.
- the containers 14 are within the compartment covers 13c which insulate the containers 14 from the ambient conditions.
- the carbonation chamber 110 and in particular the agitating chamber 114 is surrounded by a cooling jacket 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 chamber 110, but also chills the concentrate in the concentrate containers 14a to 14d. It will be seen that containers 14 are in close contact with the wall of the cooling jacket 120.
- the wall 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 5A) with correspondingly configured wall surfaces to be brought into immediate contact.
- the seating of the containers 14 and the dispensing mechanisms coupled thereto in associated recesses previously described) assist in maintaining the required relationship.
- the outer wall of the cooling jacket 120 is to be formed of highly thermally conductive material, an arrangement is afforded whereby the concentrate in the containers 14a is very effectively chilled by the same medium that is employed for chilling the carbonated water.
- This compartment 13d has a groove 13e on the rear portion 13b of the housing to locate a top wall cover 13c ( Figure 1), grooves 13f,13g on the rear portion 13b of the housing and on the main housing 12 respectively to locate edges of a side wall of said cover 13c, and groove 13h at the front of 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 ( Figure 8). Abutment 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 13g and the wall 121. It will be appreciated that these need not be continuous, but that they could be segmented (with regular or irregular spacing) . The abutments 17a to 17d are for positively locating the containers 14a,14b. Similar abutments 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.
- Figure 16 shows recesses 19a,19b to accommodate the dispensing mechanisms 20a,b (shown schematically in Figure 1).
- recesses 19c,d are provided in the other compartment 13d for dispensing mechanisms 20c,2Od.
- a control circuit 500 is shown in block diagram 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 active components in the carbonation apparatus 10.
- a control unit 510 which includes a microprocessor
- the 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 the front panel 16 ( Figure 1) .
- the microswitch 76 sends a signal to the control unit 510 indicating that a carbonation cycle should be initiated.
- the next input component is the sensor which is arranged in the dispensing compartment 28.
- the next input component is the sensor 160 associated with the water meter means 180 in Figure 8.
- the signal via sensor 160 instructs the control unit to start the water supply by means of pump 154.
- the signal from the sensor 160 instructs the control unit to stop the supply of water and the control unit 510 stops the pump 154.
- the next input component is the changeover mechanism 300.
- the changeover mechanism may send a signal to the control unit 510 when the changeover mechanism 300 changes condition (as previously described) in response to one of the gas bottles reaching a low pressure level.
- the signal to the control 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 sensors 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 period 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.
- Solenoid SI 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 dispensing mechanisms 20a to d.
- 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) to 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 carbonated 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 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 chamber 112.
- the pumping of water is controlled by the meter 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 signal 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.
- 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 control unit 510 and as above-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 could be obtained from a sensor associated with the dispensing mechanisms 20.
- a further output signal goes 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 5 predetermined program. It will be readily appreciated
- ⁇ that sensors may be provided for the purpose of inputting signals giving temperature parameters to the control unit 510.
- the next output signal is to a solenoid controlling the supply of carbonation gas in the 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 controls 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 28 to ensure that
- a selection button 18 causes the microswitch 76 ( Figure 3A) to start the carbonation cycle.
- the first step then required is to charge the head space with carbonation gas from the supply 34 ( Figure 2). This is achieved by outputting a signal to a solenoid in the line 36 for gas to be supplied to the carbonation chamber.
- the solenoid in line 36 is closed.
- 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.
- the control unit When the carbonation chamber has been charged with gas, the control unit initiates a carbonation cycle for the agitator means 170 by outputting a signal to the motor thereof for the required finite duration. After this period, the control unit sends a signal to solenoid S2 whereby a charge of redundant carbonation gas from the reservoirs 40a to d is allowed to pass through the pressure 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 valve V4 is opened so that the carbonated water flows from the carbonation chamber into the glass 22.
- the solenoid S2 is the means by which the dispensing of both concentrate and carbonated water is effected in timed relationship.
- the control unit Prior to the dispensing of the carbonated water, the control unit opens the solenoid SI so that the redundant gas in the head space of the carbonation chamber 26 ( Figure 2) is used to charge the reservoirs 40a to 40d.
- 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 concentrate therefrom in metered quantities.
- a concentrate container 4' such as a liquid tight box
- a concentrate dispensing unit 6* which is secured to the container 4' and is for dispensing concentrate therefrom in metered quantities.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 ' .
- the diaphragm 24' 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 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 • ⁇ O 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
- 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' (corresponding to pipe 44 of Fig. 2) may be inserted.
- a gas supply not shown
- 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 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 container 4' through a passage 44* which may be closed by a one-way valve 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' 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'.
- the wall 18' is flexibly resilient 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 dotted 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 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 identical to the valve 36' and thus comprises a head 70", ligament 72' and cross-bar 74'.
- the device illustrated 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 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' .
- 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.19 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 therewith.
- the chamber 32' is not pressurised and, as a result, liquid may flow under gravity from the interior of the container 4' into the chamber 30', the valve 36' opening for this purpose as shown in Fig. 18.
- pressure within the container 4' may reduce and as a result atmospheric pressure acting on valve 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.
- 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 delayed.
- valve 46' closes.
- the unit 6' now contains a metered quantity of liquid to be dispensed.
- this metered 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 carbonation apparatus (not shown) with which the device 2' is used, such as that previously described.
- 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 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 the chain dotted line position shown in Fig. 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 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 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 empty the chamber 30' of liquid, at which point, as shown in Fig. 21, the diaphragm 24' has reduced the volume of chamber 30' to near to zero. Thereafter, the pressure in chamber 32' may be released and chamber 30' will again fill with concentrate as shown in Figs. 18 and 20;
- Figs. 27 to 28 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 unit 6' is substantially rigid and, instead, the upper wall 12A 1 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 12A' flexes upwardly to draw the stem 20' 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 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 wall 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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 concentrate therefrom in metered quantities.
- a concentrate container 4' such as a liquid tight box
- a concentrate dispensing unit 6' which is secured to the container 4' and is for dispensing concentrate therefrom in metered quantities.
- 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.
- 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 flexible plastics diaphragm 24' of relatively flimsy material is provided in the 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.
- 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 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' and 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' may be inserted.
- 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 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 container 4' through a passage 44* which may be closed by a one-way valve 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' 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'.
- the wall 18' is flexibly resilient 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 dotted 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 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 identical to the valve 36' and thus comprises a head 70', ligament 72' and cross-bar 74'.
- the device illustrated 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 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'.
- 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.19 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 therewith.
- the chamber 32' is not pressurised and, as a result, liquid may flow under gravity from the interior of the container 4' into the chamber 30' , the valve 36' opening for this purpose as shown in Fig. 18.
- pressure within the container 4' may reduce and as a result atmospheric pressure acting on valve 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.
- 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 delayed.
- valve 46' closes.
- the unit 6' now contains a metered quantity of liquid to be dispensed.
- this metered 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 carbonation apparatus (not shown) with which the device 2' is used.
- a control and timing system not shown
- the carbonation apparatus not shown
- 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 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 the chain dotted line position shown in Fig. 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 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 constricted by the channels 52' .
- Figs. 27 to 28 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 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.
- the wall 12A' flexes upwardly to draw the stem 20' 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 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 wall 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.
- 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 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.
- 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 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 concentrate therefrom in metered quantities.
- a concentrate container 4' such as a liquid tight box
- a concentrate dispensing unit 6' which is secured to the container 4 ' and is for dispensing concentrate therefrom in metered quantities.
- 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.
- 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 flexible plastics diaphragm 24' of relatively flimsy material is provided in the 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.
- 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 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' and 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' may be inserted.
- 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 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 container 4' through a passage 44' which may be closed by a one-way valve 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
- the wall 18' is such that the wall 18' extends into the channel 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'.
- the wall 18' is flexibly resilient 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 dotted 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 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 identical to the valve 36' and thus comprises a head 70' , ligament 72' and cross-bar 74'.
- the device illustrated 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 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' .
- 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.19 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 therewith.
- the chamber 32* is not pressurised and, as a result, liquid may flow under gravity from the interior of the container 4' into the chamber 30' , the valve 36' opening for this purpose as shown in Fig. 18.
- valve head 70" 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 valve 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.
- 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 delayed.
- valve 46' closes.
- the unit 6' now contains a metered quantity of liquid to be dispensed.
- this metered .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 carbonation apparatus (not shown) with which the device 2' is used such as that previously—described.. :—As the pressure in chamber 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. 24, thus 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 the chain dotted line position shown in Fig. 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 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 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 empty the chamber 30' of liquid, at which point, as shown in Fig. 21, the diaphragm 24' has reduced the volume of chamber 30' to near to zero. Thereafter, the pressure in chamber 32* may be released and chamber 30' will again fill with concentrate as shown in Figs. 18 and 20;
- Figs. 27 to 28 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 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.
- the wall 12A 1 flexes upwardly to draw the stem 20' 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 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 wall 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.
- 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 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.
- 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 been consumed.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8914420 | 1989-06-23 | ||
GB8914420A GB2233960A (en) | 1989-06-23 | 1989-06-23 | Carbonated drink dispenser |
GB909009947A GB9009947D0 (en) | 1989-06-23 | 1990-05-02 | Dispensing device |
GB9009947 | 1990-05-02 | ||
PCT/GB1990/000946 WO1991000238A1 (en) | 1989-06-23 | 1990-06-19 | Apparatus for making or dispensing drinks |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0478624A1 true EP0478624A1 (en) | 1992-04-08 |
EP0478624B1 EP0478624B1 (en) | 1997-04-02 |
Family
ID=26295526
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP90909341A Expired - Lifetime EP0478624B1 (en) | 1989-06-23 | 1990-06-19 | Apparatus for making or dispensing drinks |
Country Status (12)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0478624B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3144686B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE151054T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5832490A (en) |
BR (1) | BR9007460A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2059290A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69030380T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0478624T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2100883T3 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1000662A1 (en) |
SG (1) | SG43899A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1991000238A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999065818A1 (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1999-12-23 | Isoworth Uk Limited | Drink dispenser, concentrate detector, and concentrate container |
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US7754025B1 (en) | 2000-06-08 | 2010-07-13 | Beverage Works, Inc. | Dishwasher having a door supply housing which holds dish washing supply for multiple wash cycles |
US6751525B1 (en) | 2000-06-08 | 2004-06-15 | Beverage Works, Inc. | Beverage distribution and dispensing system and method |
US7083071B1 (en) | 2000-06-08 | 2006-08-01 | Beverage Works, Inc. | Drink supply canister for beverage dispensing apparatus |
US6799085B1 (en) | 2000-06-08 | 2004-09-28 | Beverage Works, Inc. | Appliance supply distribution, dispensing and use system method |
US6836839B2 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2004-12-28 | Quicksilver Technology, Inc. | Adaptive integrated circuitry with heterogeneous and reconfigurable matrices of diverse and adaptive computational units having fixed, application specific computational elements |
US7752419B1 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2010-07-06 | Qst Holdings, Llc | Method and system for managing hardware resources to implement system functions using an adaptive computing architecture |
US7962716B2 (en) | 2001-03-22 | 2011-06-14 | Qst Holdings, Inc. | Adaptive integrated circuitry with heterogeneous and reconfigurable matrices of diverse and adaptive computational units having fixed, application specific computational elements |
US7653710B2 (en) | 2002-06-25 | 2010-01-26 | Qst Holdings, Llc. | Hardware task manager |
US7249242B2 (en) | 2002-10-28 | 2007-07-24 | Nvidia Corporation | Input pipeline registers for a node in an adaptive computing engine |
KR100848662B1 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2008-07-28 | 니콜 스콧 | Carbonation system and method |
US6577678B2 (en) | 2001-05-08 | 2003-06-10 | Quicksilver Technology | Method and system for reconfigurable channel coding |
US7046635B2 (en) | 2001-11-28 | 2006-05-16 | Quicksilver Technology, Inc. | System for authorizing functionality in adaptable hardware devices |
US8412915B2 (en) | 2001-11-30 | 2013-04-02 | Altera Corporation | Apparatus, system and method for configuration of adaptive integrated circuitry having heterogeneous computational elements |
US6986021B2 (en) | 2001-11-30 | 2006-01-10 | Quick Silver Technology, Inc. | Apparatus, method, system and executable module for configuration and operation of adaptive integrated circuitry having fixed, application specific computational elements |
US7215701B2 (en) | 2001-12-12 | 2007-05-08 | Sharad Sambhwani | Low I/O bandwidth method and system for implementing detection and identification of scrambling codes |
US7403981B2 (en) | 2002-01-04 | 2008-07-22 | Quicksilver Technology, Inc. | Apparatus and method for adaptive multimedia reception and transmission in communication environments |
US7328414B1 (en) | 2003-05-13 | 2008-02-05 | Qst Holdings, Llc | Method and system for creating and programming an adaptive computing engine |
US7660984B1 (en) | 2003-05-13 | 2010-02-09 | Quicksilver Technology | Method and system for achieving individualized protected space in an operating system |
US8108656B2 (en) | 2002-08-29 | 2012-01-31 | Qst Holdings, Llc | Task definition for specifying resource requirements |
US7937591B1 (en) | 2002-10-25 | 2011-05-03 | Qst Holdings, Llc | Method and system for providing a device which can be adapted on an ongoing basis |
US8276135B2 (en) | 2002-11-07 | 2012-09-25 | Qst Holdings Llc | Profiling of software and circuit designs utilizing data operation analyses |
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CH274188A (en) * | 1945-06-27 | 1951-03-31 | Coca Cola Co | Dispensing device for carbonated mixed drinks. |
GB678622A (en) * | 1950-01-19 | 1952-09-03 | Patrick Hubert Mathews | Improvements in or relating to liquid dispensing devices |
US2837246A (en) * | 1955-04-12 | 1958-06-03 | Kenco Products Corp | Self-contained liquid dispenser-downstroke discharge |
US3144177A (en) * | 1961-06-07 | 1964-08-11 | Cookson Maynard Charles Scott | Dispensers for syrups and like commodities |
US3377004A (en) * | 1966-10-03 | 1968-04-09 | Gen Mills Inc | Metered dispensing container |
DE1911525A1 (en) * | 1968-03-08 | 1969-10-02 | Stefani Roberto De | Pumping system with a pump attached outside a drilled well |
DE2715153A1 (en) * | 1977-04-05 | 1978-10-19 | Hermann Ruether | Pressurised beverage container and dispenser - uses pump or air bottle to pressurise flexible internal liq. holder bag |
IE47040B1 (en) * | 1977-08-08 | 1983-11-30 | Douwe Egberts Tabaksfab | Concentrate container and apparatus for dispensing concenttrates |
GB2078867B (en) * | 1980-06-25 | 1983-09-21 | Distillers Co Carbon Dioxide | Metering system for dispensing beer or other potable carbonated liquids |
JPS6022944B2 (en) * | 1980-11-10 | 1985-06-05 | 日本ゼオン株式会社 | Blood pump device |
-
1990
- 1990-06-19 JP JP50866690A patent/JP3144686B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-06-19 DK DK90909341.1T patent/DK0478624T3/da active
- 1990-06-19 AT AT90909341T patent/ATE151054T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-06-19 DE DE69030380T patent/DE69030380T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-06-19 AU AU58324/90A patent/AU5832490A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-06-19 BR BR909007460A patent/BR9007460A/en unknown
- 1990-06-19 WO PCT/GB1990/000946 patent/WO1991000238A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1990-06-19 SG SG1996004443A patent/SG43899A1/en unknown
- 1990-06-19 CA CA002059290A patent/CA2059290A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-06-19 ES ES90909341T patent/ES2100883T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-06-19 EP EP90909341A patent/EP0478624B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1997
- 1997-11-21 HK HK97102225A patent/HK1000662A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9100238A1 * |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999065818A1 (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1999-12-23 | Isoworth Uk Limited | Drink dispenser, concentrate detector, and concentrate container |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2059290A1 (en) | 1990-12-24 |
JP3144686B2 (en) | 2001-03-12 |
WO1991000238A1 (en) | 1991-01-10 |
EP0478624B1 (en) | 1997-04-02 |
SG43899A1 (en) | 1997-11-14 |
JPH04506329A (en) | 1992-11-05 |
HK1000662A1 (en) | 1998-04-17 |
ATE151054T1 (en) | 1997-04-15 |
DE69030380D1 (en) | 1997-05-07 |
ES2100883T3 (en) | 1997-07-01 |
DE69030380T2 (en) | 1997-10-23 |
DK0478624T3 (en) | 1997-04-21 |
BR9007460A (en) | 1992-06-16 |
AU5832490A (en) | 1991-01-17 |
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