Beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus

• US RE30,301 E
• Filed: 12/15/1975
• Issued: 06/10/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cornelius Co. (Minnesota) (IMI PLC)
• Original Assignee: Cornelius Co. (Minnesota) (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Zygiel, deceased, Alfred E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cline, William R.
• Application Number:
  US05/640,711
• Time in Patent Office: 1,639 Days
• Field of Search: 137/101.11, 137/210, 137/205.5, 137/212, 137/564.5, 137/607, 137/3, 137/609, 222/129.2, 222/132, 222/135, 222/207, 239/405, 261/DIG. 7
• US Class Current: 137/564.5
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/03 without auxiliary power
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2526 Main line flow displaces or entrains material from reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8597 Main line as motive fluid for follower-type feeder

Abstract

Disclosed is fluid mixing apparatus employing a metering chamber divided by a flexible diaphragm. Two fluids are simultaneously injected into a mixing nozzle. The ratio of fluids is controlled by a feedback line which translates pressure from the first fluid outlet to the second fluid and thereby maintains a relatively constant ratio between the head pressures on the two fluids.

Claims

1. swirling flow of liquid passing therethrough..]. .[.7. Apparatus for selectively mixing fluids comprising

a. first valve means for injecting a first fluid into a chamber adapted for directing said fluid in a downwardly directed stream

b. second valve means for injecting another fluid into said stream

c. a plurality of reservoirs for other fluids,

d. a plurality of metering chambers, one metering chamber being in fluid communication with one of said reservoirs,

e. means permitting fluid flow from each reservoir into the metering chamber in fluid communication therewith and preventing fluid flow from said metering chambers to said reservoirs,

f. by-pass means and switch valve means operative to selectively conduct said first fluid from said chamber to any of said metering chambers,

g. diaphragm means for separating said first fluid and other fluid in said metering chamber, and

h. means for conducting fluid from said metering chambers to said second valve means..]. .[.8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for conducting fluid from said metering chambers includes a conduit from each of said metering chambers to a second switch valve means operative to selectively switch any one of said conduits into fluid communication with said second valve means..]. .[.9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for simultaneously activating said switch valve means and said second switch valve means..]. .[.10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for conducting fluid from said metering chambers to said second valve means comprises a conduit from each metering chamber to said second valve means, each conduit terminating at a check valve which permits fluid to flow from said metering chamber to said check valve only when the pressure in said metering chamber is greater than atmospheric..]. .[.11. The method of mixing fluids comprising the steps of

a. injecting a first fluid into a first chamber having apertures therein for directing said fluid into a downwardly directed stream,

b. injecting a second fluid into said downwardly directed stream from a second chamber,

d. diverting fluid from said first chamber to said second chamber,

d. separating said first fluid and said second fluid by a flexible diaphragm, whereby said first fluid diverted to said second chamber exerts

2. pressure on said second fluid in said second chamber..]. .Iadd. 12. A beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus comprising:

(a) a dispensing head for mixing of water and beverage concentrate;

(b) a water line having one end for being connected to a supply of pressurized water, a normally closed dispensing valve selectively actuatable for control of flow of water through the line, and a water chamber downstream of the valve and having a partially obstructed outlet opening for developing a bypass pressure in the chamber during flow of water therethrough, the opening being in fluid communication downwardly through the dispensing head to ambient;

(c) a non-pressurizable reservoir for containing a supply of beverage concentrate;

(d) a normally non-pressurized metering chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir, said metering chamber being lower than the reservoir and fillable from the reservoir by the force of gravity upon concentrate in the reservoir;

(e) an automatic check valve between the reservoir and the metering chamber for allowing concentrate flow from the reservoir to the metering chamber under the force of gravity and for preventing concentrate flow from the metering chamber to the reservoir;

(f) a concentrate line connecting the metering chamber to the dispensing head, there being a valve in the concentrate line for controlling flow of concentrate therethrough;

(g) a bypass line connecting the water chamber to the metering chamber, for bypassing water from the water chamber to the metering chamber only under the bypass pressure formed by the flow of water through the partially obstructed opening and for intermittently pressurizing the metering chamber with the bypass pressure concurrently with and only upon opening of said dispensing valve; and

(h) a thin collapsible and expandable cylindrical diaphragm of thin, elastic and easily distortable rubber, said diaphragm being positioned in the metering chamber for physically separating concentrate and bypassed water, and being

(1) elastically distortably expandable under the bypass pressure and upon flow of bypassed water flowing into the metering chamber for pressurizing the concentrate in the mixing chamber and forcing concentrate through the concentrate line to the dispensing head, and being

(2) collapsible within the metering chamber and under the pressure of flow of concentrate under the force of gravity into the metering chamber, said metering chamber being completely fillable with concentrate upon such collapse of said diaphragm and without pressurization of the reservoir..Iaddend.