Low-cost post-mix beverage dispenser and syrup supply system therefor

• US 4,711,374 A
• Filed: 09/16/1986
• Issued: 12/08/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Saunders, William J., Crosby, Samuel C., Gaunt, Loraine E., Bruffey, Robert D. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolla, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US06/907,821
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 222/129.1, 222/145, 222/129.2, 222/129.3, 222/129.4, 222/505, 222/509, 137/607, 137/637
• US Class Current: 222/129.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0079 having their own dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0089 operated by lever means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0815 with integral venting tube
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87692 With common valve operator

Abstract

A post-mix beverage dispensing system of a small size and capacity includes a minimal number of cabinet-mounted dispensing valve assemblies to be used in combination with a larger number of syrup valve adaptor assemblies. The adaptor assemblies are attached to removable syrup containers and are removable from the cabinet-mounted valve assemblies with the containers. The adaptor assemblies include syrup outlet tubes with flow-rate orifice plates matched to predetermined brix values of syrup flavors. A valve actuation assembly is provided which may selectively dispense either soda water alone or a carbonated post-mix beverage.

Claims

1. A valve assembly for selectively dispensing a carbonated post-mix beverage or carbonated water alone from a post-mix beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a syrup valve connected to a syrup supply;

(b) a soda valve connected to a source of carbonated water; and

(c) valve actuator means including a first lever for opening said soda valve and a second lever for opening said syrup valve, said first and second levers having pivot ends mounted on a pivot shaft and manually engageable actuation ends, said actuation ends being disposed in substantially the same plane, a portion of the actuation end of said first lever underlying a portion of the actuation end of the second lever in the direction of actuation, said second lever also having a protrusion in between said actuation end and said pivot end, said valve actuator means further comprising a rocker layer mounted about a second pivot shaft for operatively engaging the protrusion of said second lever, wherein said second pivot shaft lies below and substantially parallel to said first pivot shaft, whereby upon depression of said second lever the protrusion causes said rocker lever to pivot about said second pivot shaft and open said syrup valve causing syrup to be dispensed for mixing a post-mixed beverage;

whereby said first lever may be actuated independently of said second lever to open said soda valve, but actuation of said second lever also actuates said first lever, causing both said syrup and soda valves to open.