Bulk delivery system for carbonated beverages

• US 5,234,035 A
• Filed: 01/06/1992
• Issued: 08/10/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. (Chart Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Neeser, Timothy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US07/817,523
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/7, 141/9, 141/65, 141/66, 141/67, 141/104, 141/231, 141/248, 141/234, 141/382, 141/387, 141/389, 222/400.7, 222/400.8, 222/1
• US Class Current: 141/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/0238 utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on liquids in storage containers for dispensing beverages on draught B67D1/04
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/28 with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement

Abstract

A supply tank having a plurality of dip tubes extending therein is provided. One dip tube is provided for each storage tank that is to be filled by the supply tank. The dip tubes are of different lengths, and their lengths are related to the amount of syrup each dip tube is to deliver. A source of compressed gas communicates with the tank to force the syrup in the tank up the desired dip tube and into the delivery line connected to the onsite syrup storage tank. When the level of syrup in the tank falls below the end of the dip tube through which delivery is being made, the flow of fluid therethrough stops, and the compressed gas forces all of the syrup in the delivery line into the storage tank. By controlling the length of the dip tubes the amount of syrup delivered can be controlled.

Claims

1. A liquid supply device for delivering a predetermined amount of liquid to at least one use device, comprising:

(a) a tank for holding a supply of liquid;

(b) a plurality of dip tubes each of a different length and each having a first end extending into the tank a selected distance for delivering a predetermined amount of liquid from each of the plurality of dip tubes, said predetermined amount being equal to the volume of liquid between the first ends of the dip tubes and the surface of the liquid;

(c) means for propelling the predetermined amount of liquid through said plurality of dip tubes; and

(d) means for connecting one of said plurality of dip tubes to the at least one use device to allow liquid to flow thereto, said liquid flow automatically terminating when the liquid level in the tank falls below the first end of said one of said plurality of dip tubes, whereby only said predetermined amount of liquid is delivered and thereafter emptying the connecting means of liquid.

2. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the tank for retaining a supply of liquid comprises a vehicle mounted delivery tank.

3. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the means for propelling includes means for pressurizing the liquid in said tank.

4. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting includes a fill hose.

5. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of dip tubes includes a valve for controlling flow of fluid therein.

6. A liquid supply device for filling each of a plurality of use devices with a predetermined amount of liquid, comprising:

(a) a tank for holding a supply of liquid sufficient to fill all of said use devices;

(b) a plurality of dip tubes equal in number to the number of use devices to be filled extending into said tank, each of said dip tubes extending into said tank a different predetermined distance such that the amount of liquid supplied through each dip tube corresponds to said predetermined distance;

(c) valve means associated with said dip tubes for selecting one of said dip tubes for a particular the filling operation;

(d) means for delivering a compressed gas into said tank to force liquid through said selected one of said dip tubes, delivery of said liquid automatically terminating when the level of liquid in said tank falls below the end of the dip tube; and

(e) means for connecting said selected dip tube to one of the use devices.

7. The supply device according to claim 6, wherein the liquid is delivered from said dip tubes sequentially from the shortest to longest dip tube.

8. The supply device according to claim 6, wherein said tank is carried by a vehicle.

9. A syrup supply device for delivering syrup to a plurality of beverage delivery systems of the type having at least one syrup storage tank, comprising:

(a) a tank carried by a vehicle for holding a supply of syrup sufficient to fill the at least one storage tank of the plurality of beverage delivery systems;

(b) a plurality of dip tubes equal in number to the number of syrup storage tanks to be filled extending into said vehicle mounted tank, each of said plurality of dip tubes having a first end extending into said tank a different predetermined distance such that the amount of syrup supplied through each of said plurality of dip tubes is related to said predetermined distance, and a second end extending from said tank;

(c) valve means associated with said plurality of dip tubes for opening and closing the dip tubes;

(d) means for forcing syrup through said selected one of said plurality of dip tubes, delivery automatically terminating when the level of syrup in said vehicle mounted tank falls below the first end of said selected dip tube; and

(e) means for connecting said selected dip tube to one of the at least one storage tank.

10. A method of delivering precise amounts of liquid from a mobile tank to a use device comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a plurality of dip tubes, each extending into said vehicle mounted tank a different predetermined distance from the top thereof;

(b) connecting a selected one of said dip tubes to the use device with a hose;

(c) forcing the liquid from the tank through said selected dip tube to the use device, delivery of liquid automatically terminating when the level of liquid in the vehicle mounted tank falls below the end of said selected dip tube.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of forcing the liquid from the tank includes the sub-steps of:

(a) communicating a compressed gas source with the tank to force the liquid through said selected dip tube; and

(b) continuing to communicate the compressed gas with the tank after delivery of liquid to the use device, thereby to evacuate fluid from said hose.