Postmix beverage dispenser with water boost

• US 5,538,160 A
• Filed: 12/16/1994
• Issued: 07/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Ziesel, Lawrence B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kaufman, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US08/357,948
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 222/1, 222/61, 222/63, 222/64, 222/129.1, 222/129.2, 222/129.3, 222/129.4, 222/386.15, 222/394, 222/399, 137/119
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0057 Carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/12 Flow or pressure control devices or systems , e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2693 Pressure responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2698 Electrical control

Abstract

A water boost for a postmix beverage dispensing system in which the water pump for the carbonator is used to also pump water into the water boost tank by the use of a three-way solenoid valve and a control circuit.

Claims

1. A postmix dispensing system including:

(a) a postmix dispenser;

(b) a water line connected to said dispenser for feeding water to said dispenser;

(c) a water pump connected in said water line;

(d) a carbonator tank and a carbonated water line connected between said carbonator tank and said dispenser for feeding carbonated water to said dispenser;

(e) an air bladder water boost tank and a still water line connected between said boost tank and said dispenser for feeding still water to said dispenser;

(f) a pressure switch for sensing the pressure of still water fed from said boost tank to said dispenser;

(g) a carbonator level switch for sensing the level of water in said carbonator;

(h) a three-way solenoid valve having an inlet port connected to said water line, a carbonator outlet port connected to said carbonator tank and a water boost tank outlet port connected to said water boost tank, said valve having a first position in which it is open between said pump and carbonator tank and closed between said pump and boost tank and a second position the reverse of the first position, said valve being normally in said first position;

(i) an electrical control circuit for switching said three-way valve from its first to its second position to feed water to said boost tank when said pressure switch senses a pressure below a predetermined value and for switching said valve back to its first position the pressure sensed by said pressure switch reaches a predetermined higher pressure, and for turning on said pump when said level switch senses a predetermined low water level in said carbonator tank to feed water thereto and for turning off said pump when said level switch senses a predetermined higher level.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control circuit includes means for placing said valve in its first position when both of said tanks call for water thus providing carbonated-water priority.

3. A method for providing a still water boost for a postmix dispenser system including a carbonator having a water pump and a carbonator tank and a water line therebetween comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a three-way valve in said water line between said pump and said carbonator tank, said valve being normally open therebetween;

(b) providing an air bladder water boost tank in a water line from said valve to said dispenser;

(c) turning on said pump when said carbonator tank calls for water; and

(d) switching said three-way valve and turning on said pump when the water pressure from said boost tank falls below a predetermined value, thereby feeding water to said boost tank.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 including positioning said three-way valve in said normally open position when both tanks call for water to prioritize water to said carbonator tank.