EP0253406A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device
Assignee: Coca-Cola Co
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Filing: 1987-07-17
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Granted: —
•
Expires: 2007-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A postmix valve for a beverage dispenser, including a volumetric ratio control device (48) incorporated therein to provide positive ratio control. The device includes a syrup piston (40) and a soda piston (42) linked together, syrup (44) and soda (46) chambers, and valve means (52, 54) for controlling the flow to and from the chambers. The soda pressure drives the pistons. The valve means can include, for example, two 4-way slide valves, four 3-way valves, or four 3-way poppet valves. This valve can be used with any of a figal, a bag-in-box, a gravity tank, or a non-returnable container under no pressure or under a low pressure of 5 to 10 psig. This invention also includes a non-returnable, pressurizable syrup container.
Inventors
- 👤 William S Credle, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:58
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/12; B67D1/1284; B67D1/1286; B67D1/1288; B67D1/0015; B67D1/0021; B67D1/0022; B67D1/0027; B67D1/0029; B67D1/003; B67D1/0031; B67D1/0042; B67D1/0043; B67D1/0044; B67D1/0046; B67D1/0048; B67D1/0081; B67D1/0085; B67D1/10; B67D1/101; B67D1/105; B67D1/106; B67D1/107; B67D2001/0087; B67D2001/0089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixtures therefrom; (b) incorporating a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of said water; (c) providing a non-pressurizable, collapsible concentrate container as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in said dispensing valve, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn by suction thereto from said source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixtures therefrom; (b) incorporating a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of said water; (c) providing a non-pressurizable, collapsible concentrate container as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in said dispensing valve, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn by suction thereto from said source.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (b) incorporating a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of said water; (c) providing a pressurized, concentrate container as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said source to said device in said dispensing valve, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto from said source.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (b) incorporating a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of said water; (c) providing a pressurized, concentrate container as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said source to said device in said dispensing valve, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto from said source.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (b) incorpo rating a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of said water; (c) providing a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container separate from and outside of said dispenser, as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in said dispensing valve, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn by suction thereto from said source.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (b) incorpo rating a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of said water; (c) providing a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container separate from and outside of said dispenser, as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in said dispensing valve, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn by suction thereto from said source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus comprising: (a) A beverage dispenser for dispensing a mixture of concentrate and water; (b) at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (c) a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes water and concentrate to be drawn thereto; (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device; (e) a collapsible, concentrate container located separate from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus comprising: (a) A beverage dispenser for dispensing a mixture of concentrate and water; (b) at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (c) a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes water and concentrate to be drawn thereto; (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device; (e) a collapsible, concentrate container located separate from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser for dispensing a mixture of concentrate and water; (b) at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (c) a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes water and concentrate to be drawn thereto; (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device; (e) a pressurized concentrate container located separate from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said concentrate container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
Apparatus comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser for dispensing a mixture of concentrate and water; (b) at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (c) a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes water and concentrate to be drawn thereto; (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device; (e) a pressurized concentrate container located separate from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said concentrate container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
153 words
6 . Apparatus comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser for dispensing a mixture of concentrate and water, comprising; (b) at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (c) a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that the operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes water and concentrate to be drawn thereto; (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device; (e) a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container located separate from the outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said container directly to said device such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
6 . Apparatus comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser for dispensing a mixture of concentrate and water, comprising; (b) at least one dispensing valve for mixing together concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (c) a volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that the operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes water and concentrate to be drawn thereto; (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device; (e) a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container located separate from the outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said container directly to said device such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as recited in Claim 6 and the method as recited in claim 3 wherein said container can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as recited in Claim 6 and the method as recited in Claim 3 wherein said container is under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
192 words
A dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough; (b) valve means for controlling the flow through said passageways; (c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (d) a double acting volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device including a water piston and a concentrate piston linked to said water piston, said piston being located in cylinders defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said passageways including a water passageway in fluid communication with each water chamber and a concentrate passageway in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber; (e) said valve means including four paddle valves, one in each of said pair of water and concentrate passageways, a single solenoid adapted to move a pivotable lever arm back and forth, and said lever arm being connected to said four paddle valves for opening and closing them; and (f) means for energizing said solenoid one for every cycle of operation of said device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
192 words
A dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough; (b) valve means for controlling the flow through said passageways; (c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (d) a double acting volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device including a water piston and a concentrate piston linked to said water piston, said piston being located in cylinders defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said passageways including a water passageway in fluid communication with each water chamber and a concentrate passageway in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber; (e) said valve means including four paddle valves, one in each of said pair of water and concentrate passageways, a single solenoid adapted to move a pivotable lever arm back and forth, and said lever arm being connected to said four paddle valves for opening and closing them; and (f) means for energizing said solenoid one for every cycle of operation of said device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
184 words
A dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough; (b) valve means for controlling the flow through said passageways; (c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (d) a double acting volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said passageways including a water passageway in fluid communication with each water chamber and a concentrate passageway in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber; (e) said valve means including a single solenoid, a pilot valve using water as the pilot fluid, and four 3-way poppet valves, two in each of the water and concentrate conduits between device and said nozzle, said solenoid being connected to said pilot valve, and said pilot valve operating said 3-way valves; and (f) means for energizing said solenoid once for every cycle of operation of said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
184 words
A dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough; (b) valve means for controlling the flow through said passageways; (c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (d) a double acting volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said passageways including a water passageway in fluid communication with each water chamber and a concentrate passageway in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber; (e) said valve means including a single solenoid, a pilot valve using water as the pilot fluid, and four 3-way poppet valves, two in each of the water and concentrate conduits between device and said nozzle, said solenoid being connected to said pilot valve, and said pilot valve operating said 3-way valves; and (f) means for energizing said solenoid once for every cycle of operation of said device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
134 words
A dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough; (b) valve means for controlling the flow through said passageways; (c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (d) a double acting volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said passageways including a water passageway in fluid communication with each water chamber and a concentrate passageway in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber; and (e) said valve means including two 4-way slide valves and solenoid means for actuating said slide valves.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
134 words
A dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough; (b) valve means for controlling the flow through said passageways; (c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom; (d) a double acting volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said passageways including a water passageway in fluid communication with each water chamber and a concentrate passageway in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber; and (e) said valve means including two 4-way slide valves and solenoid means for actuating said slide valves.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
27 words
The apparatus and the method as recited in Claims 1 to 6 and 9 to 11 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
173 words
A dispensing valve for use in a beverage dispenser for mixing together a quantity of water and concentrate in a predetermined and controlled ratio, and for dispensing the mixture therefrom comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway and a concentrate passageway extending therethrough; (b) a nozzle connected to said body and including means for mixing water and concentrate together and for dispensing the mixture therefrom; (c) said body including a volumetric ratio control device for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate fed to said nozzle, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder, said piston and cylinder defining a water chamber and a concentrate chamber, said passageways including a water passageway means in communication with said water chamber and a concentrate passageway means in communication with said concentrate chamber; (d) valve means in said body for controlling the flow through said passageways; (e) said piston being operated by the pressure of the water; and (f) solenoid means for operating said valve means in response to the movement of said piston.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
173 words
A dispensing valve for use in a beverage dispenser for mixing together a quantity of water and concentrate in a predetermined and controlled ratio, and for dispensing the mixture therefrom comprising: (a) a body including a water passageway and a concentrate passageway extending therethrough; (b) a nozzle connected to said body and including means for mixing water and concentrate together and for dispensing the mixture therefrom; (c) said body including a volumetric ratio control device for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate fed to said nozzle, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder, said piston and cylinder defining a water chamber and a concentrate chamber, said passageways including a water passageway means in communication with said water chamber and a concentrate passageway means in communication with said concentrate chamber; (d) valve means in said body for controlling the flow through said passageways; (e) said piston being operated by the pressure of the water; and (f) solenoid means for operating said valve means in response to the movement of said piston.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The valve assembly as recited in Claim 13 wherein said alve means includes four 3-way pilot-actuated poppet valves.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The valve assembly as recited in Claim 13 wherein said valve means includes two 4-way solenoid-actuated slide valves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The valve assembly as recited in Claim 13 wherein said valve means includes four 3-way paddle valves mechanically actuated by said solenoid means.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for converting a beverage dispenser from use with one type of syrup container to another comprising: (a) operating said beverage dispenser connected to a selected one of the types of syrup containers including figals, bags-in-box, or gravity tanks; (b) providing said beverage dispenser with a plurality of dispensing valves each including a volumetric ratio control device therein; (c) disconnecting at least one of said valves from said selected one type of container; (d) connecting said one valve to a different syrup container from the types of syrup containers including figals, bags-in-box, gravity tanks, or non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable containers that can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig; and (e) operating said one valve directly from said different syrup container, without adding any auxiliary equipment to the dispenser.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for converting a beverage dispenser from use with one type of syrup container to another comprising: (a) operating said beverage dispenser connected to a selected one of the types of syrup containers including figals, bags-in-box, or gravity tanks; (b) providing said beverage dispenser with a plurality of dispensing valves each including a volumetric ratio control device therein; (c) disconnecting at least one of said valves from said selected one type of container; (d) connecting said one valve to a different syrup container from the types of syrup containers including figals, bags-in-box, gravity tanks, or non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable containers that can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig; and (e) operating said one valve directly from said different syrup container, without adding any auxiliary equipment to the dispenser.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
74 words
A beverage dispensing system comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser including a dispensing valve; (b) said dispensing valve including a volumetric ratio control device therein; (c) a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container connected to said dispenser by a syrup delivery conduit, and said container being capable of safely holding pressure no greater than about 10 psig; and (d) said container being pressurized to a pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
74 words
A beverage dispensing system comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser including a dispensing valve; (b) said dispensing valve including a volumetric ratio control device therein; (c) a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container connected to said dispenser by a syrup delivery conduit, and said container being capable of safely holding pressure no greater than about 10 psig; and (d) said container being pressurized to a pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for operating a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with a dispensing valve including a volumetric ratio control device therein; (b) providing a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container capable of safely holding pressure no greater than about 10 psig; (c) connecting said container to said dispenser with a syrup delivery conduit; and (d) maintaining said container under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for operating a beverage dispenser comprising: (a) providing a beverage dispenser with a dispensing valve including a volumetric ratio control device therein; (b) providing a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container capable of safely holding pressure no greater than about 10 psig; (c) connecting said container to said dispenser with a syrup delivery conduit; and (d) maintaining said container under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
A non-returnable, pressurizable syrup container for use with beverage dispensers comprising: (a) a container; (b) a lid for said container; (c) said container and lid being capable of safely holding syrup under pressure no greater than about 10 psig; and (d) said lid including means for connecting a syrup conduit thereto for withdrawing syrup therefrom.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
A non-returnable, pressurizable syrup container for use with beverage dispensers comprising: (a) a container; (b) a lid for said container; (c) said container and lid being capable of safely holding syrup under pressure no greater than about 10 psig; and (d) said lid including means for connecting a syrup conduit thereto for withdrawing syrup therefrom.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container as recited in Claim 20 wherein said container is made of PET plastic.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container as recited in Claim 20 wherein said lid includes a dip tube connected thereto.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The container as recited in Claim 20 wherein said lid and container are screw-threadedly connected together and include means for sealing said lid and container together and for holding pressure up to about 10 psig.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The container as recited in Claim 20 wherein said lid includes valve connector means for allowing said container to be pressurized.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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