WO1997047555A1

WO1997047555A1 - Multi-flavour beverage dispensing valve, particularly for dispensing soft drinks

Info

Publication number: WO1997047555A1
Application number: PCT/IL1997/000186
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Feldman
Original assignee: Selector Ltd.
Priority date: 1996-06-13
Filing date: 1997-06-10
Publication date: 1997-12-18
Also published as: AU2975897A; IL118646A0

Abstract

A carbonated soft drink post-mix dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser is supplied with carbonated water (14) and with a variety of syrups (51...56), all fed to a fixed plate-like member (10) with suitable supply passages (P1...P6). The passages are normally sealed against a movable plate-like member (16), being in a sliding engagement with the fixed member, and having two spaced-apart discharge passages (22a, 22b). The movable member is selectively moved into positions wherein one of its discharge passages becomes aligned with the carbonated water supply passage of the fixed member and its other discharge passage is aligned with any of the syrup supply passages. The selected syrup becomes flowingly admixed with the carbonated water, and dispensed through a common spout (22).

Description

MULΗ-FLAVOUR BEVERAGE DISPENSING VALVE, PARΗCULARLY FOR DISPENSING SOFT DRTNKS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beverage dispensers, and more particularly to dispensers used in bars, restaurants and the like public places

where a variety of beverages are served, such as "post-mix" carbonated soft drinks, as well as beer and juices

Presently, "post-mix" soft drinks serving batteries comprise a series of

dispensing valves, each connected to and supplied with carbonated water mixed with its specific flavored syrup to produce Coke, Sprite, Pepsi, etc The dispenser therefore includes a carbonated water generator, namely a supply

of water and a supply of pressurized C0₂ gas, and a respective number of

mixing units (for each flavor) The dispensing of a particular flavor is made by selecting one of the available dispensing valves

The object of the present invention is to provide a universal dispensing head, with a single dispensing valve associated with an automatic flavor or other sort of drinks (e g beer) selection system, the ordered beverage will

then be attained by a simple push-button operation

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According ^Ao the invention there is provided a dcsiπg apparatus for selectively dispensing mixtures of at least one main liquid with a plurality of different additive liquids, such as for the preparation of beverages of water or carbonated water mixed with syrups of various flavors, the apparatus

comprising a discharge member having inlets for receiving a supply of said

main and additive liquids , a smooth surface, an elongated outlet passage in the said surface communicating with a main liquid inlet, and a plurality of

outlet passages in said surface communicating each with a respective one of the additive liquid inlets, the passages being arranged in spaced angular

locations relative to the main liquid outlet passage; a selector member having a smooth surface sealingly fit to the surface of the discharge member, so that the outlet passages of the discharge member become sealed by the surface of the selector member during tight, gliding movement one over the other, first and second, distanced, dispensing passages formed through of the selector member, both communicating with a common, mixture dispensing outlet of the apparatus; and selectively operable displacing means for sealingly displacing the discharge and selector members relative to each other in a combination of rotational and radial directions along pre-set angular and longitudinal distances, between a shut-off position and positions

wherein mixtures of the main liquid with each one of the additive liquids are dispensed.

Preferably, the discharge member is stationary and the selector member

is coupled to the said displacing means, which may consist of any

conventional robot-type system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the ensuing

description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of the example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein

Fig 1a is a schematic perspective top view of a multi-passage discharge member provided according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Fig 1b is an inverted perspective view of the discharge member of Fig 1 a,

Fig 2a is a schematic perspective top view of a selector member

cooperating with the discharge member of Fig 1a,

Fig 2b is a perspective bottom view of the discharge and selector member of Fig 2a,

Figs 3a - 3h illustrate successive operational stages of a dispensing

cycle,

Fig 4 illustrates an operating system of the discharge and selector members assembly, and

Fig 5 shows an optional development of the discharge member DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As schematically shown in Figs. 1a and 1b there is provided a dispensing

member generally denoted 10 in the form of a disc (although not necessarily

so), having an upper surface 10a and a lower surface 10b. To the upper surface 10a there are connected syrup supply conduits S1 , S2, S3,..., S6,

communicating with passages denoted P1 , P2, P3,..., P6, respectively. As seen in Fig. 2b at least the mouth of all passages is of a squarish shape for a purpose to be explained below.

The conduits S lead to respective syrup supply reservoirs and the related

pumping installation (not shown) in any conventional manner.

About the center of the disc 10, at the lower surface 10b thereof, an incomplete circular recess 12 is formed. The recess communicates with carbonated water supply conduit 14.

Turning now to Figs. 2a and 2b, a disc-shaped selector member 16 is shown, comprising a carbonated water supply passage 18 and a smaller syrop supply passage 20. The passage 18 is off-centerally located, and both

passages 18 and 20 are radially aligned with respect to the geometrical center C of the disc.

Passages 18 and 20 communicate with a common beverage spout

member 22 through branches 22a and 22b, respectively, for filling a cup G

with the selected, post-mixed carbonated flavored or other beverage, as will

be explained below. The dispensing and selector members are complementary to each other in the sense that the upper surface 16a of the selector member 16 and the bottom surface 10b of the dispensing member 10 are smooth and adapted to

, form a sealing contact even during relative movement therebetween. The

surfaces are therefore preferably planar and made of ceramics as known in related fields such as in kitchen or bath sliding handle operated faucets.

The dispensing and selector members are assembled the form schematically shown in Fig. 4, namely being in tight contact, member 10

being fixed and member 16 is moveable.

To the end, the selector member 16 is coupled to a driving system (not shown) effective to impart thereto a controlled combination of radial as well as rotational movements. The combined movement is preferably computer controlled, programmed into the system and push-button operated to select the requested flavor of the beverage in the manner to be now described in conjunction with Figs. 3a to 3h.

Hence, let us assume that the initial position of the selector member 16 relative to the dispensing member 10 is such that carbonated water supplying passage 18 and the selected syrup supplying passage 20 are located relative to the carbonated water supplying recess 12 and to the syrup supplying

rectangular opening P1 of the member 10 as shown in Fig. 3a, namely both are shut. In order to fill the cup G by a mixture of carbonated water and the syrup S1 , (in the so call "post-mix" fashion) the following series of stages is performed

First, the selector member 16 is rotated ( in the clockwise direction) by a small angle, as seen in Fig 3b

Then, the selector member is radially moved until passage 18 enters

the space below the recess 12 (Fig 3c), so that the soda water starts to flow

and became dispensed through the dispensing spout 22.

Then the selector member 16 is rotated in the opposite direction to reach a point where passage 20 starts to enter the space overlapped by the

passage P1 (Fig.3d) The supply of the respective syrup S1 through passage 20 can be now controlled by the degree and duration of this partial overlapping, as shown in Fιg..3e, whereby soda water continues to be dispensed and admixed with the syrup S1 After a predetermined duration, sufficient to fill the cup G, the selector member 16 is gradually returned to the Fig. 3b position and then to its original position (Fig 3g), stopping the

dispensing of the beverage

It is advisable at this stage to rinse the passage 20 with its extension branch 22b by a short flash of soda water, preparing it for serving a syrup of a different flavor To this end, the selector member 16 is further moved (to the

right) whereby the passage 20 becomes overlapped by the soda water supplying recess 12, as shown in Fig 3h This will last only for a very shot

time sufficient for wash the residues of the syrup S1 from the inside of the

passage 20 This completes the cycle of serving beverage mixture with the syrup S1

Of course, the same cycle can be effected with respect to any other one of the syrups S2-S6..

The rotational as well as gliding movements of the selector member 16

may be accomplished in various manners and methods. In Fig. 4 there is thus

schematically shown that the selector member 16 is extended by a

maneuvering stick 30, coupled to a robot-based system 32 of any known type

Fig 5 illustrates a further development of the conceptual approach according the present invention In addition to the carbonated water supply recess 112, there may by provided one or more recesses 134 to 140 for supplying, say, ice cold water, hot water, juice and beer.

The invention thus offers a unique solution to the serious space and installation saving problem at bars and restaurants, in providing a unified

dispensing system of all major drinks that are usually served, all being

dispensed from one and the same spout, while selection of the requested drink is made by just pressing a suitable button on the operating console or

panel of a robot-type operated dispensing head

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications may be applied to the invention as heretofore

exemplified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in

and by the appended claims

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A dosing apparatus for selectively dispensing mixtures of at least one main

liquid with a plurality of different additive liquids, such as for the

preparation of beverages of water or carbonated water mixed with syrups of various flavors, the apparatus comprising:

A. a discharge member having --

(I) inlets for receiving a supply of said main and additive liquids;

(II) a smooth surface;

(III) an elongated outlet passage in the said surface communicating with a main liquid inlet; and

(IV) a plurality of outlet passages in said surface communicating each with a respective one of the additive liquid inlets, the passages being arranged in spaced angular locations relative to the main liquid outlet passage;

B. a selector member having --

(I) a smooth surface sealingly fit to the surface of the discharge member, so that the outlet passages of the discharge member become sealed by the surface of the selector member during tight, gliding movement one over

the other; (II) at least first and second, distanced, dispensing passages formed through the selector member, both leading to a common, mixture dispensing outlet of the apparatus; and

C selectively operable displacing means for sealingly

displacing the discharge and selector members relative to each

other in a combination of rotational and radial directions along pre¬ set angular and longitudinal distances, between a shut-off position and positions wherein mixtures of the main liquid with each one of the additive liquids are dispensed

2 The apparatus of the Claim 1 wherein the discharge member and the selector member surfaces are planar

3 The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein the discharge and selector members

are in the form of the discs, mounted in general axial alignment with respect to each other

4 The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein the discharge member is stationary

and the selector member is coupled to the said displacing means

5 The apparatus of Claim 4 wherein the displacing means includes a robot-based system

6 The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein the discharge member comprises

passages for supplying additional main liquids 7. The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the additional main liquids are cold water, hot water, juice and/or bear.