Soft drink dispensing machine with modular customer interface unit

• US 6,234,354 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola Company)
• Original Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
• Inventors: OʼBrien, Ellen Sandor, Phillips, Paul A., Schroeder, Alfred A., Edwards, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Willatt, Stephanie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/561,797
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 222/129.1, 222/129.2, 222/129.3
• US Class Current: 222/129.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0051 for mixing outside the nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/06 Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0877 Advertising means advertising in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0089 operated by lever means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00031 Housing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds

Abstract

A customer interface unit for a beverage dispensing machine facilitates configuration and assembly of the machine and reduces the amount of time required to fill orders for new equipment. The customer interface unit for soft drink machines of the disclosed embodiment facilitates reconfiguration of the machine and permits nozzles and associated plumbing to be added, removed, repositioned, repaired, or exchanged while in the field. These goals are accomplished by way of a modular construction which facilitates assembly and reconfiguration. The disclosed customer interface unit also includes a nozzle arrangement which facilitates visualization of the dispensing position by the customer, thereby minimizing the possibility of spillage.

Claims

1. A machine for dispensing beverages which comprise a mixture of water and flavored syrup, said machine comprising:

a support structure;

a plurality of valve trays mounted on said support structure in side-by-side relation, each of said valve trays having a plurality of predefined dispensing locations formed on a lower surface thereof; and

a nozzle mounted to said valve tray at one of said predefined dispensing locations.

2. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 1, wherein said plurality of valve trays comprises a plurality of substantially identical valve trays.

3. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of holes formed therein, wherein said holes are accessible through said valve trays, and wherein said beverage dispensing machine further comprises:

a water manifold having a plurality of outlet tubes, each of which is aligned with one of said holes in said support structure; and

a water connection block mounted to said support structure and having ports which couple to said outlet tubes of said water manifold.

4. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of holes formed therein, wherein said holes are accessible through said valve trays, and wherein said beverage dispensing machine further comprises:

a plurality of syrup conduits, each of which has an end aligned with one of said holes in said support structure; and

a syrup block mounted to said support structure and having ports which couple to said ends of said syrup conduits.

5. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 1, wherein said plurality of predefined dispensing locations formed on a lower surface of said valve tray are formed in a forward edge of said lower surface of said valve tray.

6. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 1, further comprising a front cover member pivotably mounted to one of said valve trays, said front cover member having a width equal to the width of said one of said valve trays.

7. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 1, wherein each of said dispensing locations has a predetermined, fixed width, and wherein said valve tray has a width which is a multiple of said predetermined fixed width of said dispensing locations.

8. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 1, further comprising exterior cladding, and wherein said plurality of valve trays comprise a frame to which exterior cladding is mounted.

9. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 3, wherein each of said valve trays comprises an upper tier which is horizontally and vertically spaced from said water connection block, and wherein said beverage dispensing machine further comprises electronic components disposed on said upper tier.

10. The beverage dispensing machine of claim 9, wherein said valve trays have side walls, and wherein said valve trays define openings in said side walls on said upper tier which align with like openings in a like valve tray disposed in side-by-side relation thereto, whereby electronic components which are too long to reside within a single valve tray can extend through said openings in said side walls across a plurality of valve trays.