Bag-in-tank concentrate system for postmix juice dispenser

• US 4,901,886 A
• Filed: 05/13/1988
• Issued: 02/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Kirschner, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US07/193,848
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/95, 222/105, 222/29.1, 222/131, 222/143, 222/183, 222/325, 222/386.5, 222/387, 222/389, 222/501
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1234 to determine the total amount

Abstract

A postmix juice dispensing system for reconstituting and dispensing pliable orange juice at freezer temperatures including a pressurizable canister for pressurizing concentrate in a flexible bag and for forcing the concentrate out of the bag. The canister includes a slidable carrier therein for receiving the bag and locking the bag oulet fitting in a proper location to matingly connect to the canister inlet fitting.

Claims

1. A concentrate supply system for a postmix juice dispenser comprising:

(a) a pressurizable canister having an opening at one end and having a canister concentrate fitting at the other end thereof;

(b) a bag of concentrate having a bag outlet fitting and adapted to be received in said canister;

(c) a lid for said canister for closing said opening;

(d) a bag carrier adapted to slide inside of said canister and adapted to receive and hold said bag of concentrate;

(e) means for orienting said carrier in said canister to position said carrier in a predetermined orientation in said canister;

(f) bag outlet fitting holding means on said carrier for holding said bag outlet fitting in a predetermined position relative to said carrier;

(g) said bag outlet fitting holding means and said canister concentrate fitting being located relative to each other such that when said carrier is fully inserted into said canister with said bag supported therein, said bag outlet fitting will be matingly coupled to said canister concentrate fitting.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 including said bag being full of concentrate and being held in said carrier wherein said bag outlet fitting is held in said holding means.

3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 including means for orienting said bag in said carrier in a predetermined position therein.

4. A method for providing a supply of concentrate for a postmix juice dispenser comprising:

(a) providing a pressurizable canister having an opening at one end to receive a bag of concentrate and having a canister concentrate fitting at the other end thereof;

(b) providing a bag carrier adapted to slide inside of said canister and providing a bag of concentrate on said carrier;

(c) orienting said carrier in said canister in a predetermined position therein;

(d) providing said bag with a concentrate outlet fitting thereon, and attaching said outlet fitting to said carrier to hold said outlet fitting in a predetermined position thereon and in a predetermined position relative to said canister fitting such that when said carrier is fully inserted into said canister, said bag outlet fitting is matingly coupled to said canister fitting;

(e) fully inserting said carrier into said canister; and

(f) attaching a lid to said canister to close said opening.

5. A concentrate supply system for a postmix juice dispenser comprising:

(a) a pressurizable canister having an opening at one end and having a canister concentrate fitting at the other end thereof;

(b) a lid for said canister for closing said opening;

(c) a bag carrier adapted to slide inside of said canister;

(d) means for orienting said carrier in said canister to position said carrier in a predetermined orientation in said canister;

(e) holding means on said carrier for holding a bag outlet fitting in a predetermined-position relative to said carrier;

(f) said holding means and said canister concentrate fitting being located relative to each other such that when said carrier is fully inserted into said canister said holding means is adjacent to said canister concentrate fitting.