Drink supply container having an end member supporting gas inlet and outlet valves which extend perpendicular to the end member

• US 7,708,172 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beverage Works, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Tanner, Roger, Ramsey, Christopher Paul, Crisp, Harry Lee III
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender; F. Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAAWAT, MUSSA A
• Application Number:
  US11/419,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20060219739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 222/399
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0034 for controlling the amount of each component
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0043 Mixing devices for liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0052 by means for directing respective streams together
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/006 Conventional carbonators
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0079 having their own dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0412 the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/08 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0801 of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0878 Safety, warning or controlling devices B67D1/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0889 Supports
• 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: B67D 2001/0812 Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0814 for upside down use
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00036 for use with or in refrigerators

Abstract

A drink supply container for a machine which dispenses beverages. The drink supply container includes an end member having a side wall and a support connected to the side wall. The support is substantially positionable in a plane. The drink supply container also has a gas inlet valve, a portion of which extends along an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the support. The drink supply container has a drink supply outlet valve, a portion of which extends along an axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the support.

Claims

1. A drink supply container for a machine which dispenses beverages, the drink supply container comprising:

a body having a first end, a second end and a liquid-holding space between the first end and the second end, the body configured to be positioned in the machine such that the first end is located below the second end;

an end member connectable to the first end, the end member having a side wall and a support connected to the side wall, the support being substantially positionable in a plane, the support defining a plurality of openings, each one of the openings being in fluid communication with the liquid-holding space when the end member is connected to the body;

a gas inlet valve connectable to the end member, the gas inlet valve positioned at one of the openings, a first portion of the gas inlet valve extending along a first axis, the first axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane when the gas inlet valve is connected to the end member, a second portion of the gas inlet valve fluidly connectable to a carbonated gas supply tube to enable carbonated gas to flow from the carbonated gas supply tube through the gas inlet valve and into the liquid-holding space; and

a drink supply outlet valve connectable to the end member, the drink supply outlet valve positioned at another one of the openings, a portion of the drink supply outlet valve extending along a second axis, the second axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane when the drink supply outlet valve is connected to the end member.

2. The drink supply container of claim 1, wherein the gas inlet valve has a securing member which is operable to secure the gas inlet valve to the support, the securing member having an inner wall which defines the portion of the gas inlet valve which extends along the first axis.

3. The drink supply container of claim 2, wherein the inner wall of the gas inlet valve has:

(a) a cylindrical shape;

(b) a first end at or near the support; and

(c) a second end which is located closer to the liquid-holding cavity than the first end of the inner wall.

4. The drink supply container of claim 1, wherein the portion of the drink supply outlet valve has a fluid director with a cylindrical shape.

5. The drink supply container of claim 4, wherein the fluid director has:

(a) a first end at or near the support; and

(b) a second end which is;

(i) located outside of the liquid-holding cavity; and

(ii) distanced apart from the first end of the fluid director.

6. The drink supply container of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the gas inlet valve has a plurality of flexible walls positioned within the liquid-holding cavity, the flexible walls being predisposed to be engaged with one another.

7. The drink supply container of claim 1, wherein the gas inlet valve includes a body defining a pressurizable cavity which is positioned within the liquid-holding cavity.

8. The drink supply container of claim 1, wherein the drink supply outlet valve includes a first engaging member and a second engaging member which co-act to form open and closed positions for the drink supply outlet valve.

9. A drink supply container for a machine which dispenses beverages, the drink supply container comprising:

a body having a first end, a second end and a liquid-holding space between the first end and the second end, the body configured to be positioned in the machine such that the first end is located below the second end;

an end member connectable to the first end, the end member having a side wall and a support connected to the side wall, the support being substantially positionable in a plane, the support defining a plurality of openings, each one of the openings being in fluid communication with the liquid-holding space when the end member is connected to the body;

a gas inlet valve connectable to the end member, the gas inlet valve positioned at one of the openings, a first portion of the gas inlet valve having a cylindrical wall which extends along a first axis, the first axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane when the gas inlet valve is connected to the end member, a second portion of the gas inlet valve fluidly connectable to a carbonated gas supply tube to enable carbonated gas to flow from the carbonated gas supply tube through the gas inlet valve and into the liquid-holding space; and

a drink supply outlet valve connectable to the end member, the drink supply outlet valve positioned at another one of the openings, a portion of the drink supply outlet valve having a cylindrical fluid director which extends along a second axis, the second axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane when the drink supply outlet valve is connected to the end member.

10. The drink supply container of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical wall of the gas inlet valve has:

(a) a first end at or near the support; and

(b) a second end which is located closer to the liquid-holding cavity than the first end of the cylindrical wall.

11. The drink supply container of claim 9, wherein the cylindrical fluid director has:

(a) a first end at or near the support; and

(b) a second end which is;

(i) located outside of the liquid-holding cavity; and

(ii) distanced apart from the first end of the fluid director.

12. The drink supply container of claim 9, wherein the second portion of the gas inlet valve has a plurality of flexible walls positioned within the liquid-holding cavity, the flexible walls being predisposed to be engaged with one another.

13. The drink supply container of claim 9, wherein the gas inlet valve includes a body defining a pressurizable cavity which is positioned within the liquid-holding cavity.

14. The drink supply container of claim 9, wherein the drink supply outlet valve includes a first engaging member and a second engaging member which co-act to form open and closed positions for the drink supply outlet valve.

15. A drink supply container for a machine which dispenses beverages, the drink supply container comprising:

a body having a first end, a second end and a liquid-holding space between the first end and the second end, the body configured to be positioned in the machine such that the first end is located below the second end;

an end member connectable to the first end, the end member having a side wall and a support connected to the side wall, the support being substantially positionable in a plane, the support defining a plurality of openings, each one of the openings being in fluid communication with the liquid-holding space when the end member is connected to the body;

a gas inlet valve connectable to the end member, the gas inlet valve positioned at one of the openings, a first portion of the gas inlet valve having a cylindrical wall which extends along a first axis, the first axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane when the gas inlet valve is connected to the end member, the cylindrical wall having;

(a) a first end at or near the support; and

(b) a second end located closer to the liquid-holding cavity than the first end of the cylindrical wall, and a second portion of the gas inlet valve fluidly connectable to a carbonated gas supply tube to enable carbonated gas to flow from the carbonated gas supply tube into the liquid-holding space; and

a drink supply outlet valve connectable to the end member, the drink supply outlet valve positioned at another one of the openings, a portion of the drink supply outlet valve having a cylindrical fluid director which extends along a second axis, the second axis extending substantially perpendicular to the plane when the drink supply outlet valve is connected to the end member, the cylindrical fluid director having;

(a) a first end at or near the support; and

(b) a second end located further from the liquid-holding cavity than the first end of the cylindrical fluid director.

16. The drink supply container of claim 15, wherein the gas inlet valve has a plurality of flexible walls positioned within the liquid-holding cavity, the flexible walls being predisposed to be engaged with one another.

17. The drink supply container of claim 15, wherein the gas inlet valve includes a body defining a pressurizable cavity which is positioned within the liquid-holding cavity.

18. The drink supply container of claim 15, wherein the drink supply outlet valve includes a first engaging member and a second engaging member which co-act to form open and closed positions for the drink supply outlet valve.

19. The drink supply container of claim 15, which includes a cover configured to be removably attached to the end member.

20. The drink supply container of claim 19, wherein the cover is configured to cover the gas inlet valve and the drink supply outlet valve.