Binary syrup system bag and valve

Abstract

A binary syrup system bag and valve for beverage dispensing including a pair of separate syrup bags holding two different syrup components, a single spout connected to both bags and a bag valve connected to the spout for opening or closing liquid communication to the bags. The spout and valve have two separate liquid flow channels therethrough, one for each bag. A quick-disconnect coupling is connected to the valve for opening the valve and allowing the syrup to be fed to a beverage dispenser. The connection of the valve parts and the connection between the valve and the spout are snap-fit, liquid-tight interference fits.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to beverage dispensing systems and in particular to a binary syrup system in which the syrup is provided in two separate containers holding two different syrup components rather than being provided in one single container. This allows certain component(s) to be separated from certain other component(s), until just prior to dispensing, when the two components are combined to form the complete syrup.

A large number of beverage dispensing systems are known for use with both sugar syrups and diet syrups, and for use with various types of syrup containers such as pressurized tanks (figals) and non-pressurized plastic bags (bag-in-box) used in conjunction with syrup pumps. The known bag-in-box bags include a spout and a valve connected to the spout for opening or closing liquid communication with the syrup in the bag. At the retail outlet a quick-disconnect coupling is attached to the bag valve to open it and to allow syrup to be fed to a beverage dispenser by means of a syrup pump connected between the bag and the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A binary syrup system for beverage dispensing including a pair of flexible, collapsible bags and at this time for a permanent attachment. The various snap-fits are made possible because of the use of circular cross-section passages and circular retaining flanges.

To properly orient the coupler 80 to the valve 40 so that the liquid flow channels will be in proper alignment and so that the cylinders 66 and 68 will be properly inserted into the sockets 67 and 69, a keyway is provided. A rib 110 in the valve body is received in a slot 112 in the plate 114 connected to the cylinders 66 and 68. FIG. 5 shows guide ribs 116 for the pins 71 and 73. It is understood that chamfered or tapered edges are provided at all snap-fit area.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a valve and coupler according to another embodiment of the present invention.

While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described above in detail, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Although the two bags are shown as being connected, this is not essential; they can be separated with the only connection being the spout.

Claims

1. A binary bag for use as a container for two syrup components to be dispensed through a beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a first and a second bag wall including a liquid-tight seam down the middle of said first and second bag walls thereby defining two chambers;

(b) a spout opening in said first bag walls directly in line with said seam, said seam being interrupted at said spout opening;

(c) a single spout, having a pair of separate liquid flow channels therethrough, disposed on said spout opening, with one of said flow channels in liquid communication with one of said chambers and the other flow channel in liquid communication with the other of said chamber, said spout having a diametric member diametrically disposed thereon;

(d) means for sealing the first and said second bag wall walls on said diametric member of said spout; and

(e) means for selectively withdrawing the two syrup components simultaneously from said chambers.

2. The bag as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for selectively withdrawing the two syrup components simultaneously comprises:

a valve connected to said spout, said valve having a pair of separate liquid flow conduits therethrough in liquid communication with a respective one of said liquid flow channels; and

means for moving said valve from closed to open position when said spout is coupled to the beverage dispenser.

3. The bag as recited in claim 2 wherein said valve is connected to said spout by snapping thereinto with a liquid-tight interference fit.

4. The bag as recited in claim 2 wherein said valve further comprises:

a pair of poppet valves each disposed in one of said liquid flow conduits;

means for attaching a quick-disconnect coupling to said valve; and

wherein said means for moving said valve from closed to open position comprises:

means coupled to said poppet valves for biasing said poppet valves in an open position when the quick disconnect coupling is attached to the means for attaching whereby the syrup components can be simultaneously withdrawn from each of said chambers.

5. The bag as recited in claim 1 including a single dip strip unit connected to said spout and including a pair of separate dip strips, one positioned in the interior of each of said chambers.

6. A binary syrup system for dispensing beverage prepared from two different syrup components comprising:

(a) a first and a second bag wall including a liquid-tight seam down the middle of said first and second bag walls thereby defining two chambers;

(b) a single spout connected partly to said first bag wall and partly to the second bag wall;

(c) a bag valve connected to said spout and being movable between open and closed positions; and

(d) said spout and valve each having a pair of separate liquid flow channels therethrough, one of said flow channels being in liquid flow communication with one of said chambers and the other of said flow channels being in liquid flow communication with the other of said chambers, said valve being connected to said spout by snapping thereinto with an interference fit therebetween and wherein said flow channels in said spout are sealed to those in said valve by said interference fit therebetween.

7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said spout is located on said seam.

8. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said flow channels all have circular cross-sections and wherein said valve connects to said spout by snapping thereinto with an interference fit therebetween and wherein said flow channels in said spout are sealed to those in said

valve by said interference fit therebetween. 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said bag valve comprises:

(a) a valve body;

(b) a spring retainer connector below said body;

(c) a pair of separate liquid flow channels through said body and said connector;

(d) said connector being connected to said body by a snap fit with a liquid-fit interference fit therebetween;

(e) a poppet valve in each of said channels between said body and said connector, a spring in each of said channels in said connector for biasing said poppet valve closed against a valve seat in said body, and a poppet activating pin attached to each poppet valve and extending upwardly through said channel in said body, said poppet valve being in a normally closed position when no coupler is attached to said valve; and

(f) said body including means for a hose coupler to said valve. 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said valve includes external screw

threads for connecting to a quick-disconnect hose coupling. 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 including a hose coupling connecting to said valve, said hose coupling including means for moving said valve from

its closed to its open position. 12. A method for dispensing two different syrup components from two separate containers therefor, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first and a second bag wall including a liquid-tight seam down the middle of said first and second bag walls thereby defining two chambers in a single bag-in-box box;

(b) providing a single spout on the seam down the middle of said first and second bag walls, the spout having a pair of separate liquid flow channels therethrough, each connected to one of said chambers, with one of said flow channels in liquid communication with one of said chambers and the other flow channel in liquid communication with the other of said chambers;

(c) connecting to said spout a valve having a pair of separate liquid flow conduits therethrough in liquid communication with a respective one of said the spout flow channels;

(d) attaching a quick-disconnect coupling to said valve; and

(e) moving said valve from a position in which the conduits therein are closed to a position in which the flow conduits are open in response to

the step of attaching the quick-disconnect coupling. 13. The method as recited in claim 12 including attaching a single dip strip unit to said spout with a pair of separate dip strips, one positioned in the

interior of each of said chambers. 14. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said connecting step comprising snapping said valve into said spout with a liquid-tight interference fit between the members defining said respective flow channels and the respective flow conduits.

15. The method as recited in claim 14 including attaching a quick-disconnect coupling to said valve, said attaching step including moving said valve from a liquid channel closed to a liquid channel open position.