A post-mix beverage dispensing system is disclosed which comprises a syrup dispenser provided with a rupturable membrane which seals the discharge end thereof and a vent with a vent cap on the opposite end thereof. An opening device is provided comprising a cylindrical piercing knife and a socket for receiving the membrane seal end of the syrup container. Due to the unique structure of the opening device, the rupturable membrane is effectively pierced and displaced upon insertion thereof into the socket, thus providing unobstructed continuous flow of the syrup from the container into an associated valve body.
|
14. An opening device to be used in a post-mix beverage dispenser, together with a disposable syrup container, said container having a neck portion with an opening sealed by a rupturable membrane from which said syrup will flow when said membrane is ruptured, said device comprising a cylindrical piercing means surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said socket member having a discharge port at the bottom thereof, said piercing means and socket means forming an annular compartment surrounding said discharge port defined by the outer wall of said cylindrical piercing means and the inner wall of said socket member, for receipt of the neck of said container, said piercing means and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in said socket, the diameter of the outer wall of said piercing means being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the piercing means and the neck, and drainage means through said outer wall of said piercing meand for permitting syrup flow from said annular compartment to said discharge port, said piercing means having a cutting edge on a top end thereof.
17. A gravity flow, post-mix beverage dispenser comprising in combination:
a disposable syrup container terminating at one end in a neck sealed by a rupturable membrane and at the other end in a recessed vent opening having means for sealing said opening, and an opening device for said syrup container which comprises a cylindrical piercing means surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said socket member having a discharge port at the bottom thereof, said piercing means and socket member forming an annular compartment surrounding said discharge port defined by the outer wall of said piercing means and the inner wall of said socket member for receiving the neck of said container, said piercing means and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in said socket and the diameter of the outer wall of said piercing means being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the piercing means and the neck, and drainage means through said outer wall of said piercing means for permitting syrup flow from said annular compartment to said discharge port, said piercing means having a cutting edge on a top end thereof. 20. An opening device to be used in a post-mix beverage dispenser, together with a syrup container, said container having a neck portion with an opening sealed by a displaceable member from which said syrup will flow when said member is displaced, said device comprising a cylindrical pushing means surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said socket member having a discharge port at the bottom thereof, said pushing means and socket means forming an annular compartment surrounding said discharge port defined by the outer wall of said cylindrical pushing means and the inner wall of said socket member, for receipt of the neck of said container, said pushing means and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in said socket, the diameter of the outer wall of said pushing means being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the pushing means and the neck, and the inner wall of said neck and the outer wall of said pushing means being parallel, and drainage means through said outer wall of said pushing means for permitting syrup flow from said annular compartment to said discharge port, said pushing means having an actuator edge on a top end thereof.
5. A gravity flow, post-mix beverage dispenser comprising in combination:
a disposable syrup container terminating at one end in a neck sealed by a rupturable membrane and at the other end in a recessed vent opening having means for sealing said opening, and an opening device for said syrup container which comprises a cylindrical piercing means surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said socket member having a discharge port at the bottom thereof, said piercing means and socket member forming an annular compartment surrounding said discharge port defined by the outer wall of said piercing knife means and the inner wall of said socket member for receiving the neck of said container, said piercing means and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in said socket, the diameter of the outer wall of said piercing means being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the piercing means and the neck, and the inner wall of said neck and the outer wall of said piercing means being parallel, and drainage means through said outer wall of said piercing means for permitting syrup flow from said annular compartment to said discharge port, said piercing means having an angular truncated cutting edge with a pyramidal piercing element on the apex thereof, said piercing means being provided for displacing said rupturable membrane upon the insertion of the neck of the container into said compartment. 1. An opening device to be used in a post-mix beverage dispenser, together with a disposable syrup container, said container having a neck portion with an opening sealed by a rupturable membrane from which said syrup will flow when said membrane is ruptured, said device comprising a cylindrical piercing means surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said socket member having a discharge port at the bottom thereof, said piercing means and socket member forming an annular compartment surrounding said discharge port defined by the outer wall of said cylindrical piercing means and the inner wall of said socket member for receipt of the neck of said container, said piercing means and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in said socket, the diameter of the outer wall of said piercing means being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the piercing means and the neck, and the inner wall of said neck and the outer wall of said piercing means being parallel, and drainage means through said outer wall of said piercing means for permitting syrup flow from said annular compartment to said discharge port, said piercing means having an angular truncated cutting edge with a pyramidal piercing element on the apex thereof, said socket member being provided with a seal for securely receiving the neck of said syrup container into the compartment formed between said piercing means and socket member.
11. A gravity flow, post-mix beverage dispenser comprising in combination:
a disposable syrup container terminating at one end in a neck sealed by a rupturable membrane and at the other end in a recessed vent opening having a cap for sealing said opening, and an opening device for said syrup container which comprises a cylindrical piercing means surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said socket member having a discharge port at the bottom thereof, said piercing means and socket member forming an annular compartment surrounding said discharge port defined by the outer wall of said piercing means and the inner wall of said socket member for receiving the neck of said container, said piercing means and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in said socket, the diameter of the outer wall of said piercing means being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the piercing means and the neck, and the inner wall of said neck and the outer wall of said piercing means being parallel, and drainage means through said outer wall of said piercing means for permitting syrup flow from said annular compartment to said discharge port, said piercing means having a blade portion and a blunt portion, said blade portion puncturing said member along an arc commensurate therewith to form a flap, and said blunt portion precluding the puncturing of a portion of said membrane opposite thereto to form a hinge, whereby said flap is folded about said hinge against said inner wall of said socket member. 8. An opening device to be used in a post-mix beverage dispenser, together with a disposable syrup container, said container having a neck portion with an opening sealed by a rupturable membrane from which said syrup will flow when said membrane is ruptured, said device comprising a cylindrical piercing means surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said socket member having a discharge port at the bottom thereof, said piercing means and socket member forming an annular compartment surrounding said discharge port defined by the outer wall of said cylindrical piercing means and the inner wall of said socket member for receipt of the neck of said container, said piercing means and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in said socket, the diameter of the outer wall of said piercing means being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the piercing means and the neck, and the inner wall of said neck and the outer wall of said piercing means being parallel, and drainage means through said outer wall of said piercing means for permitting syrup flow from said annular compartment to said discharge port, said piercing means having a cutting edge with a blade portion and a flat blunt portion, said blade portion puncturing said membrane along an arc commensurate therewith to form a flap and said blunt portion precluding the puncturing of a portion of said membrane opposite thereto to form a hinge, whereby said flap is folded about said hinge against said inner wall of said socket member neck, said socket member being provided with a seal for securely receiving the neck of said syrup container into the compartment formed between said piercing means and socket member.
2. The opening device of
3. The opening device of
4. The opening device of claim 1 3, wherein said slot extends from said cutting edge to said discharge port of said socket member.
6. The dispenser of
7. The dispenser of
9. The opening device of
10. The opening device of
12. The dispenser of
13. The drainage of
15. The opening device of
16. The opening device of
18. The dispenser of
19. The dispenser of
21. The opening device of
23. An apparatus to be used in a post-mix beverage dispenser, together with a syrup container, said container having a neck portion, sealed by a displaceable member, from which said syrup will flow when said displaceable member is displaced, said apparatus comprising: a cylindrically-shaped opening device surrounded by a cylindrically-shaped socket member, said opening device having a discharge port at the bottom thereof; said opening device and said socket member forming an annular compartment, defined by the outer wall of said opening device and the inner wall of said socket member, for receipt of said neck of said container, said opening device and said neck being substantially concentric when the neck is in the said socket, the diameter of the outer wall of said opening device being only slightly less than the diameter of the inner wall of said neck, providing minimum clearance between the opening device and neck, and the inner of said neck and the outer wall of said opening device being parallel; and drainage means through said outer wall of said opening device for permitting syrup flow said annular compartment to said discharge port, whereby overflow of syrup from the top of said annular compartment is minimized. 24. The apparatus defined in claim 23, wherein said drainage means comprises a slot through the wall of said opening device. 25. The apparatus defined in claim 24, wherein said opening device further includes a top edge adapted to displace said displaceable member when said neck of said container is seated in said annular compartment. 26. The apparatus defined in claim 25, wherein said slot extends from said top edge to said discharge port. |
|||||||||||||||||||||
The present invention relates to a post-mix soft drink dispenser suitable for use in a refrigerated cabinet and more specifically to a syrup dispensing system therefor.
Heretofore, attempts have been made to provide syrup packages for post-mix dispenser systems which are compact and easily inserted into post-mix beverage dispensing systems. It is desirable that the syrup be dispensed from the package at a controlled rate of flow or at least with continuous flow and mixed with carbonated water to produce a carbonated beverage with a controllable quality. The use of a flow rate control tube in the syrup container of a post-mix dispenser for providing an even flow rate of syrup from the container into a receptable is generally known. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,533 to Nicholas. As illustrated in the reference patent, the bottom of the container is rupturable by a puncturing element associated with the dispenser valve and the top of the container is provided with a knock-out portion into which a stopper and flow control tube are inserted just prior to the dispensing operation.
An improved syrup package with an integral flow rate control tube is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,885 to Jason K. Sedam, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In this Sedam Patent, a piercing device within a socket is adapted to pierce a flexible membrane disposed across the discharge opening of an inverted syrup package.
With the use of prior puncturing devices associated with the syrup packages such as disclosed by Nicholas and Sedam, it is essential that the opening created in the package for the flow of the particular ingredient, such as syrup, be properly engineered so as to provide for a continuous and unobstructed flow of the syrup to the associated valve dispenser. If not properly configured and sized, these puncturing devices can cause blockage of syrup flow and the creation of irregular openings which effect the flow rate and continuity of distribution of the syrup and ensuing dispensing of the beverage.
Of course, even if the syrup package or container used in combination with a puncturing device does not have a flow rate control tube therein, it is still important that syrup flow from the container be continuous and unobstructed. For example, a syrup package merely having a vent hole in a wall opposite to the discharge opening and no flow tube will have continuous, but variable, flow under normal operating conditions. In order to maintain this continuous but variable flow, it is important that any puncturing device be properly configured and sized.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a syrup package and opening system for a post-mix soft drink dispenser which will overcome the above noted disadvantages.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an opening system for a dispenser unit which eliminates restrictions at the discharge port.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vented syrup package and opening system therefore which will provide for continuous and uninterrupted flow of the syrup.
Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser which is sanitary and cannot easily be refilled.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a syrup container and opening system wherein the container is an inexpensive disposable unit.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a knife and seal arrangement which effectively and reliably first seals off the discharge port and then pierces the closing membrane of a syrup package so as to preclude spilling and provide for unrestricted flow of the syrup through the discharge port.
Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide a combination of syrup package and opening system which is unique to the soft drink industry.
The foregoing objects and others are accomplished in accordance with the present invention, generally speaking, by providing an opening device which comprises a cylindrically-shaped socket provided with a sealing ring adapted to receive the neck of a syrup package or container, the discharge opening of the container being closed by a rupturable membrane , pushing means or displaceable member 13, with the end opposite the discharge opening having a vent 14 closed by vent cap 15. A protective screw-on closure 16 covers the neck and membrane 13 of the container when not in use. It should be understood that the syrup package disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,885 to Jason K. Sedam can be used in place of the container 11 of FIG. 3, if desired.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated the combination of the syrup container of FIG. 3 placed in operation with the opening device of the present invention. A bottle or container 21 having a neck 22 is inserted into socket 23 such that the seal retainer 24 and annular resilient seal 25 securely surrounds and seals the neck of the bottle. As insertion of the bottle neck continues, the cylindrical cutting device 26 pierces, cuts and displaces the membrane 26 27 as the container continues to be lowered or inserted into the annular chamber portion 31 formed between the socket 23 and piercing knife 26, such that the cut portion is folded or pushed back against the inner surface of the neck 22 opposite from drainage slot 6 (FIG. 1). The vent cap 28 is then removed from the vent 29 and the syrup from the bottle drains continuously through the discharge port of the socket and into the valve body 30. It is desirable that the membrane material of the bottle be heat-sealable to the opening of the container and made of a material which resists extrusion, so that a clean cut can be made. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is one sold under the Trademark Safe-Guard by 3M. The cylindrical knife or cutting device is designed for minimum clearance within the neck of the container so that the membrane will shear cleanly and reliably. The disposable syrup package or bottle 21 is constructed of relatively thin side walls and has an openable vent hole which provides for continuous flow of the syrup during dispensing. By opening the vent hole, an effective hydrostatic pressure head provides for the continuous and regular flow of the syrup. The closed end of the bottle or package in which the vent hole is provided is recessed in order to protect the bottle from rupture during shipping. If desired, the vent hole may be provided in the end of a flow rate control tube such as tube 18 of the aforementioned Sedam Patent.
The disposable package or bottle may be fabricated of any suitable material. For example, the bottle 11 of FIG. 3 may be manufactured of a thin plastic or glass, although plastic is preferred. The rupturable membrane 13 provided in the open end of the neck 12 may be a metal foil, plastic or any other suitable material which will seal the end of the container without contaminating its contents. If the membrane is plastic, it may be heat-sealed to the end of the container, which is preferred for ease of assembly. As mentioned above, it is desirable if the membrane is made up of a material which resists extrusion so that no tearing, but rather a clean cut, can be made.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
| 1241352, | |||
| 2031616, | |||
| 2058905, | |||
| 2698113, | |||
| 2751678, | |||
| 3200994, | |||
| 3404811, | |||
| 3685694, | |||
| 3957176, | Mar 12 1971 | Dynatron/Bondo Corporation | Disposable putty dispenser |
| 3995773, | Mar 06 1974 | Arctic Pac, Inc. | Flexible liquid containing and dispensing device |
| 4050611, | Jan 19 1976 | Device for filling crank case or transmission of internal combustion engine with oil | |
| 4076147, | May 04 1976 | Liquid container having a plastic film pouch and a piercing element to open the plastic film pouch | |
| 4149573, | Feb 03 1976 | Steiner American Corporation | Soap dispensing system |
| 4216885, | Oct 20 1978 | The Coca-Cola Company | Disposable package for dispensing liquids with a controlled rate of flow |
| 4267945, | Aug 06 1979 | STRIDE SEAL-BEST, INC | Liquid funnel and container piercing blade combination |
| 4306667, | Oct 12 1979 | The Coca-Cola Company | Post-mix beverage dispensing system syrup package, valving system, and carbonator therefor |
| 4314768, | May 05 1978 | Syrup feed system for drink distribution apparatus of the after-mixing type | |
| AU519675, | |||
| AU526182, | |||
| BE534496, | |||
| CH610854, | |||
| EP1595, | |||
| FR44671, | |||
| FR754739, |
| Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
| Jan 16 1986 | The Coca-Cola Company | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
| Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
| Jul 01 1991 | M171: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Year, PL 96-517. |
| Aug 07 1991 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
| Jun 30 1993 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
| Jun 30 1993 | RMPN: Payer Number De-assigned. |
| Jun 21 1995 | M185: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
| Jul 14 1998 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
| Jul 14 1998 | RMPN: Payer Number De-assigned. |
| Date | Maintenance Schedule |
| Sep 18 1993 | 4 years fee payment window open |
| Mar 18 1994 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Sep 18 1994 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
| Sep 18 1996 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
| Sep 18 1997 | 8 years fee payment window open |
| Mar 18 1998 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Sep 18 1998 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
| Sep 18 2000 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
| Sep 18 2001 | 12 years fee payment window open |
| Mar 18 2002 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
| Sep 18 2002 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
| Sep 18 2004 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |