Juice concentrate package for postmix dispenser

• US 5,615,801 A
• Filed: 05/18/1995
• Issued: 04/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: Schroeder, Alfred A., Getsy, Stephen B., Montgomery, Gregg S., Romanyszyn, Michael T. Jr., Wolfe, Joseph J., Wittig, Norman P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US08/443,985
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 222/51, 222/23, 222/325, 222/129.1-129.4, 222/145.1, 222/145.5, 222/145.6, 222/333
• US Class Current: 222/51
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0032 using flow-rate sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0044 for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0048 with baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/005 with means for converging streams
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0078 Ingredient cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0079 having their own dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0895 Heating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/10 Pump mechanism in general F04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/122 modulating a pumping rate
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1231 Metering pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1286 by mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1293 Means for changing the ratio by acting on commands
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0812 Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0817 with a venting orifice
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00031 Housing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00049 Pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2/1071 the inner and outer member having a different number of threads and one of the two being made of elastic materials, e.g. Moineau type
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 11/021 : of the piston type G01F11/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A disposable and recyclable juice concentrate package for a postmix juice dispenser includes a package housing connected to an integral mixing nozzle. The package housing includes a concentrate container housing sealed to a pump housing. A progressive cavity pump is located in the pump housing for feeding a continuous stream of concentrate to the nozzle for intimately and violently agitating and mixing the water and concentrate and dispensing the beverage. The package also includes a low level indicator and a product identification label.

Claims

1. A juice concentrate package for insertion into a postmix juice dispenser comprising:

(a) a package housing enclosing a concentrate chamber;

(b) said package housing including an upper container housing;

(c) said package housing including a lower pump housing;

(d) said container housing including an upper wall having a fill opening and side walls having a lower peripheral connecting edge surrounding a container housing bottom opening;

(e) said pump housing enclosing a pumping chamber and having a concentrate outlet opening and an upper peripheral attaching edge sized to mate with said connecting edge;

(f) said connecting edge being connected to said attaching edge in a liquid-tight seal;

(g) a fill plug installed in said fill opening with a liquid-tight seal, said fill plug including a one-way air vent valve that is normally closed to prevent liquid from escaping and that is adapted to open to allow air to enter into said container housing under reduced air pressure in said container housing occurring when concentrate has been pumped out;

(h) a progressive cavity pump including a rotor and a stator located in said pump chamber, a flexible bellows sealing the distal end of said stator to said pump housing adjacent said concentrate outlet opening, while allowing radial movement thereof, a stop connected to said pump housing and abutting a proximal end of said stator and preventing axial movement of said stator, said rotor including a drive shaft extending through a liquid-tight seal through said pump housing exteriorily of said pump housing; and

(i) a mixing nozzle connected to said pump housing and having a mixing chamber, a concentrate passageway leading from a concentrate inlet opening to a concentrate inlet port into said mixing chamber, a water inlet opening, a water passageway leading from said water inlet opening into said mixing chamber, said mixing nozzle including a valve downstream from said concentrate inlet opening adapted to close for separating said mixing chamber from said concentrate passageway when said pump is not pumping and for opening during pumping, and means for spreading the flow of concentrate into said mixing chamber into a thin stream and for directing incoming water against said thin stream for a high degree of mixing.

2. The package as recited in claim 1 wherein said container housing is rectangular in horizontal cross-section and includes two short walls and two long walls and including a stiffening rib inside said container housing and connected between said long walls.

3. The package as recited in claim 1 including a movable float element inside of said package housing for indicating the level of concentrate in said container chamber.

4. The package as recited in claim 3 wherein said float element is elongated and is hingedly connected at one end to said container housing and the other end is adapted to move between an upper position when the concentrate level is at or above said upper position, and a lower position as said concentrate level falls below said upper position.

5. The package as recited in claim 4 wherein said element includes a flag and said package housing includes a pocket for receiving said flag when said element falls to said lower position.

6. The package as recited in claim 5 wherein said pocket is narrower than the width of said package housing.

7. The package as recited in claim 6 wherein said pump housing includes a top wall and said pocket is in a top wall of said pump housing.

8. The package as recited in claim 7 wherein said hinged connection is on said top wall of said pump housing.

9. The package as recited in claim 1 including a label on an exterior wall of said package housing, said label including a reflective portion and a non-reflective portion.

10. The package as recited in claim 9 wherein said reflective portion is closer to the rear portion of said package housing than said non-reflective portion.

11. The package as recited in claim 1 wherein said fill plug is welded to said fill opening.

12. The package as recited in claim 1 wherein said fill plug is snap-fitted into said fill opening.

13. The package as recited in claim 1 including means for rotatably connecting said mixing nozzle to said pump housing whereby said mixing nozzle can extend upwardly for shipping and downwardly for operation.

14. The package as recited in claim 1 including tamper evidence means on the exterior of said package housing.

15. The package as recited in claim 1 wherein said housings are injected molded of polyethylene.

16. The package as recited in claim 15 wherein said element is gas-filled polyethylene.

17. The package as recited in claim 16 wherein said rotor is made of high density polyethylene and said stator is made of soft thermoplastic elastomer.

18. The package as recited in claim 1 wherein said attaching edge includes a groove and sealing beads and said connecting edge includes a tongue matingly fitting in said groove.

19. The package as recited in claim 18 wherein said groove includes a locking flange for holding said rib in said groove.

20. The package as recited in claim 1 wherein said spreading means is a mixing element located at said concentrate inlet port into said mixing chamber.

21. The package as recited in claim 20 wherein said element is free to move and floats up to seal said inlet port when said pump is turned off.