Dispenser assembly

Claim 2

Dispenser apparatus for dispensing a mixing beverage with a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, said dispenser assembly comprising: a. a mixing beverage inlet valve having a closed position preventing mixing beverage flow therethrough and an open position permitting flow through its outlet; b. a manifold conduit communicating with the outlet of said inlet valve and having first and second valves disposed therein; c. manually operable means for actuating said inlet valve with one of said first and second valves including a lever rotatable in a first plane to selectively engage one of said first and second valves and pivotable in a second plane to actuate said selectively engaged valve and said inlet valve; d. first and second containers for storing drink concentrates for said first and second valves respectively; and e. mixing and nozzle means connecting said first valve with said first drink container and said second valve with said second drink container for mixing and dispensing a selective drink concentrate in predetermined pRoportion to said mixing beverage when said manually operable means are actuated.

Claim 3

The dispenser apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mixing beverage constitutes water and said apparatus further includes a third valve in said manifold conduit and an associated conduit and nozzle therewith for dispensing water.

Claim 4

The dispensing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lever further includes a first and second cammed projection extending therefrom, said second cammed projection disposed further outwardly than said first, said inlet valve has a spring biased valve stem for actuating said valve and adjacent said second projection in all positions of said lever in said first plane and depressed by said lever when said lever is pivoted in said second plane, said first, second and third valves have shelves for actuating said valves which extend over said first projection when said lever is in a selected position, and said manually operable means further includes seating means to permit said lever to rotate and pivot about a fixed point thereon.

Claim 5

A dispenser assembly for use in dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, said dispenser assembly comprising nozzle means for dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, first mixing means for mixing water and a first drink concentrate, second mixing means for mixing water and a second drink concentrate, a plurality of conduit means including a first conduit means for conducting water to said nozzle means, second conduit means for conducting water to said mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate from the first mixing means to said nozzle means, and third conduit means for conducting water to said second mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate from the second mixing means to said nozzle means, first valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said first conduit means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said first conduit means to said nozzle means, second valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate to flow from said first mixing means to said nozzle means, third valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate to flow from said second mixing means to said nozzle means, and actuator means for operating a selected one of said valve means between the open and closed conditions to effect a flow either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of the drink concentrates to said nozzle means, said actuator means including a manually engageable selector member and mounting means supporting said selector member for movement between a selected one of a plurality of operating positions in each of which said selector member is associated with a selected one of said valve means, said mounting means also supporting said selector member for movement between an unactuated position and an actuated position when said selector member is in any one of said operating positions to enable said selector member to effect operation of a selected one of said valve means from the closed condition to the open condition to enable either water or a mixture of water and one of the drink concentrates to flow to said nozzle means and said mounting means includes means for supporting said selector member for rotational movement about first axis to a selected one of said plurality of operating positiOns and means for supporting said selector member for rotational movement about a second axis between said unactuated and actuated positions.

Claim 6

A dispenser assembly for use in dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, said dispenser assembly comprising nozzle means for dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, first mixing means for mixing water and a first drink concentrate, second mixing means for mixing water and a second drink concentrate, a plurality of conduit means including a first conduit means for conducting water to said nozzle means, second conduit means for conducting water to said mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate from the first mixing means to said nozzle means, and third conduit means for conducting water to said second mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate from the second mixing means to said nozzle means, first valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said first conduit means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said first conduit means to said nozzle means, second valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate to flow from said first mixing means to said nozzle means, third valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate to flow from said second mixing means to said nozzle means, and actuator means for operating a selected one of said valve means between the open and closed conditions to effect a flow either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of the drink concentrates to said nozzle means, said actuator means including a manually engageable selector member and mounting means supporting said selector member for movement between a selected one of a plurality of operating positions in each of which said selector member is associated with a selected one of said valve means, said mounting means also supporting said selector member for movement between an unactuated position and an actuated position when said selector member is in any one of said operating positions to enable said selector member to effect operation of a selected one of said valve means from the closed condition to the open condition to enable either water or a mixture of water and one of the drink concentrates to flow to said nozzle means and said mounting means includes means for supporting said selector member for rotational movement about first axis to a selected one of said plurality of operating positiOns and means for supporting said selector member for rotational movement about a second axis between said unactuated and actuated positions.

Claim 7

Dispensing apparatus for mixing a beverage with a concentrated beverage to produce a mixed beverage of various proportions thereof and dispensing same comprising: a. a first conduit having an upstream portion, a downstream portion and a throat portion interposed said upstream and downstream portions; b. means for supplying said mixing beverage to said upstream portion of said first conduit; c. means for supplying said concentrated beverage to said downstream portion of said first conduit at a first point therein adjacent said throat portion when and as said mixing beverage flows through said throat portion; d. a second conduit having an inlet connected to said upstream portion of said first conduit and an outlet connected to said downstream portion of said first conduit at a second point beyond said first point; and e. an adjustable valve in said second conduit regulating the flow of mixing beverage therethrough and correspondingly the flow rate of mixing beverage through said throat section.

Claim 8

Dispensing apparatus for mixing a beverage with a concentrated beverage to produce a mixed beverage of various proportions thereof and dispensing same comprising: a. a first conduit having an upstream portion, a downstream portion and a throat portion interposed said upstream and downstream portions; b. means for supplying said mixing beverage to said upstream portion of said first conduit; c. means for supplying said concentrated beverage to said downstream portion of said first conduit at a first point therein adjacent said throat portion when and as said mixing beverage flows through said throat portion; d. a second conduit having an inlet connected to said upstream portion of said first conduit and an outlet connected to said downstream portion of said first conduit at a second point beyond said first point; and e. an adjustable valve in said second conduit regulating the flow of mixing beverage therethrough and correspondingly the flow rate of mixing beverage through said throat section.

Claim 9

The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said adjustable valve comprises a rotatable knob having marked indicia thereon, a shaft secured at one end to said knob and sealing disposed in said second conduit, said shaft having a tapered end portion at its other end adjacent said outlet of said second conduit.

Claim 10

The dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said adjustable valve comprises a rotatable knob having marked indicia thereon, a hollow shaft secured at one end to said knob and sealing disposed in said second conduit, said shaft having an opening extending through one of its wall portions and adapted to be in and out of engagement with said outlet of said second conduit when said knob is rotated.

Claim 11

A dispenser assembly for use in dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, said dispenser assembly comprising nozzle means for dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, first mixing means for mixing water and a first drink concentrate, second mixing means for mixing water and a second drink concentrate, a plurality of conduit means including a first conduit means for conducting water to said nozzle means, second conduit means for conducting water to said first mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate from the first mixing means to said nozzle means, and third conduit means for conducting water to said second mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate from the second mixing means to said nozzle means, first valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said first conduit means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said first conduit means to said nozzle means, second valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate to flow from said first mixing means to said nozzle means, third valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate to flow from said second mixing means to said nozzle means, and actuator means for operating a selected one of said valve means between the open and closed conditions to effect a flow either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of the drink concentrates to said nozzle means, said actuator means including a manually Engageable selector member and mounting means supporting said selector member for movement between a selected one of a plurality of operating positions in each of which said selector member is asssociated with a selected one of said valve means, said mounting means also supporting said selector member for movement between an unactuated position and an actuated position when said selector member is in any one of said operating positions to enable said selector member to effect operation of a selected one of said valve means from the closed condition to the open condition to enable either water or a mixture of water and one of the drink concentrates to flow to said nozzle means and first bypass means for enabling the ratio of water to first drink concentrate mixed in said first mixing means to be varied, and second bypass means for enabling the ratio of water to second drink concentrate mixed in said second mixing means to be varied.

Claim 12

A dispenser assembly for use in dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, said dispenser assembly comprising nozzle means for dispensing either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates, first mixing means for mixing water and a first drink concentrate, second mixing means for mixing water and a second drink concentrate, a plurality of conduit means including a first conduit means for conducting water to said nozzle means, second conduit means for conducting water to said first mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate from the first mixing means to said nozzle means, and third conduit means for conducting water to said second mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate from the second mixing means to said nozzle means, first valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said first conduit means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said first conduit means to said nozzle means, second valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said second conduit means to said first mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the first drink concentrate to flow from said first mixing means to said nozzle means, third valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said third conduit means to said second mixing means and enabling a mixture of water and the second drink concentrate to flow from said second mixing means to said nozzle means, and actuator means for operating a selected one of said valve means between the open and closed conditions to effect a flow either water or a mixture of water and a selected one of the drink concentrates to said nozzle means, said actuator means including a manually Engageable selector member and mounting means supporting said selector member for movement between a selected one of a plurality of operating positions in each of which said selector member is asssociated with a selected one of said valve means, said mounting means also supporting said selector member for movement between an unactuated position and an actuated position when said selector member is in any one of said operating positions to enable said selector member to effect operation of a selected one of said valve means from the closed condition to the open condition to enable either water or a mixture of water and one of the drink concentrates to flow to said nozzle means and first bypass means for enabling the ratio of water to first drink concentrate mixed in said first mixing means to be varied, and second bypass means for enabling the ratio of water to second drink concentrate mixed in said second mixing means to be varied.

Claim 13

A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 8 further including first flow regulating means connected with said first bypass means for varying a flow rate of water through said bypass means reltive to the flow rate of water through said second conduit means, and second flow regulating means connected with said second bypass means for varying a flow rate of water through said second bypass means relative to the flow rate of water through said third conduit means.

Claim 14

A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first mixing means includes a first venturi means having an upstream end portion for receiving water from said second conduit means, a throat, and a mixing chamber downstream of said throat connected in fluid communication with a source of the first drink concentrate, said first bypass means including a conduit for conducting water from an area adjacent to the upstream end portion of said first venturi means to an area downstream of said throat, said second mixing means including a second venturi means having an upstream end portion for receiving water from said third conduit means, a throat and a mixing chamber downstream of said throat connected in fluid communication with a source of the second drink concentrate, said second bypass means including a conduit for conducting water from an area adjacent to the upstream end portion of said second venturi means to an area downstream of said throat of said second venturi means.

Claim 15

A dispenser assembly for use in dispensing a mixture of water and a selected one of plurality of drink concentrates, said dispenser assembly comprising a base member, first container means for holding a first drink concentrate, second container means for holding a second drink concentrate, first mixing means for mixing drink concentrate from said first container means with water, second mixing means for mixing drink concentrate from said second container means with water, first conduit means for conducting drink concentrate from said first container means to said first mixing means, second conduit means for conducting drink concentrate from said second container means to said second mixing means, first nozzle means for dispensing a mixture of the first drink concentrate and water, second nozzle means for dispensing a mixture of the second drink concentrate and water, third conduit means for conducting water to said first and second mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and drink concentrate from said first and second mixing means to said nozzle means, valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said third conduit means to at least one of said mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said third conduit means to at least one of said mixing means, guide means disposed on said base for guiding movement of said first and second container means relative to said base, each of said first and second container means being independantly movable relative to said base between a retracted position and an extended position projecting oUtwardly from said base to provide access to the interior of one of said container means when it is in the extended position, and wherein said first and second conduit means each include a first section of conduit connected with an associated one of said container means for movement therewith relative to said base, a second section of conduit connected with said base, and releasable coupling means for interconnecting said first end sections of conduit, each of said first sections of conduit and the associated one of said container means being movable toward said base when the associated one of said container means is in the retracted position to effect an interconnection of the associated first and second sections of conduit by one of said coupling means and away from said base to effect a disconnection of the associated first and second sections of conduit at said one coupling means to release the associated container means for movement from its retracted position to its extended position.

Claim 16

A dispenser assembly for use in dispensing a mixture of water and a selected one of plurality of drink concentrates, said dispenser assembly comprising a base member, first container means for holding a first drink concentrate, second container means for holding a second drink concentrate, first mixing means for mixing drink concentrate from said first container means with water, second mixing means for mixing drink concentrate from said second container means with water, first conduit means for conducting drink concentrate from said first container means to said first mixing means, second conduit means for conducting drink concentrate from said second container means to said second mixing means, first nozzle means for dispensing a mixture of the first drink concentrate and water, second nozzle means for dispensing a mixture of the second drink concentrate and water, third conduit means for conducting water to said first and second mixing means and for conducting a mixture of water and drink concentrate from said first and second mixing means to said nozzle means, valve means operable between a closed condition blocking a flow of water through said third conduit means to at least one of said mixing means and an open condition enabling water to flow through said third conduit means to at least one of said mixing means, guide means disposed on said base for guiding movement of said first and second container means relative to said base, each of said first and second container means being independantly movable relative to said base between a retracted position and an extended position projecting oUtwardly from said base to provide access to the interior of one of said container means when it is in the extended position, and wherein said first and second conduit means each include a first section of conduit connected with an associated one of said container means for movement therewith relative to said base, a second section of conduit connected with said base, and releasable coupling means for interconnecting said first end sections of conduit, each of said first sections of conduit and the associated one of said container means being movable toward said base when the associated one of said container means is in the retracted position to effect an interconnection of the associated first and second sections of conduit by one of said coupling means and away from said base to effect a disconnection of the associated first and second sections of conduit at said one coupling means to release the associated container means for movement from its retracted position to its extended position.

Claim 17

A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 11 further including first stop means connected with said base for blocking outward movement of said first container means when said first container means reaches the extended position during movement from the retracted position, and second stop means connected with said base for blocking outward movement of said second container means when said second container means reaches the extended position during movement from the retracted position.

Claim 18

A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 11 further including first stop means connected with said base for engaging a trailing wall of said first container means to block outward movement of said first container means when said first container means reaches the extended position during movement from the retracted position, and second stop means connected with for engaging a trailing wall of said second container means to block outward movement of said second container means when said second container means reaches the extended position during movement from the retracted position, said guide means including means for enabling the trailing walls of said first and second container means to move away from said base and clear of said first and second stop means.

Claim 19

A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 11 further including first drink strength control means for varying the ratio of the first drink concentrate to water in the mixture conducted from said first mixing means to said first nozzle means, and second drink strength control means for varying the ratio of the second drink concentrate to water in the mixture conducted from said second mixing means to said second nozzle means.

Claim 20

A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 11 further including first retainer means for releasably holding said first container means against movement relative to said base when said first container means is in the retracted position and the associated first and second sections of conduit are interconnected by one of said coupling means, second retainer means for releasably holding said second container means against movement relative to said base when said second container means is in the retracted position and the associated first and second sections of conduit are interconnected by another of said coupling means, said first and second retainer means being selectively operable to release said first and second container means for movement relative to said base to disconnect the associated first and second conduit sections while said first and second container means are in their retracted positions.

Claim 21

A dispenser assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first retainer means is connected with said first nozzle means and said second retainer means is connected with said second nozzle means, said first and second nozzle means being movable relative to said base to effect operation of said first and second retainer means to release said first and second container means for movement away from said base.

Claim 22

A multibeverage dispenser for mixing water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates and dispensing same, comprising: a. a water inlet valve having an inlet connected to a source of tap water and an outlet, a closed position preventing water flow therethrough and an open position permitting water flow out said outlet; b. a tempering tank having an inlet connected to said outlet of said inlet valve and an outlet; c. a manifold conduit connected to said outlet of said tempering tank and having a first and second valve disposed therein; d. manually operable means for actuating said inlet and a selected one of said first and second valves to allow tempered water to flow through said selected valve; e. first and second containers for storing drink concentrates for first and second valves respectively; f. means for mixing and dispensing one of said drink concentrates with its associated valve when said manually operable means is actuated, said mixing and dispensing means further including first and second nozzles and first and second conduit means connecting said first and second valves with said first and second containers and said first and second nozzles respectively and drip preventing means preventing beverage from dripping from said nozzles when said manually operable means is not actuated, said drip preventing means including a vented connection between said and second nozzles and said first and second conduit means respectively.

Claim 23

A multibeverage dispenser for mixing water and a selected one of a plurality of drink concentrates and dispensing same, comprising: a. a water inlet valve having an inlet connected to a source of tap water and an outlet, a closed position preventing water flow therethrough and an open position permitting water flow out said outlet; b. a tempering tank having an inlet connected to said outlet of said inlet valve and an outlet; c. a manifold conduit connected to said outlet of said tempering tank and having a first and second valve disposed therein; d. manually operable means for actuating said inlet and a selected one of said first and second valves to allow tempered water to flow through said selected valve; e. first and second containers for storing drink concentrates for first and second valves respectively; f. means for mixing and dispensing one of said drink concentrates with its associated valve when said manually operable means is actuated, said mixing and dispensing means further including first and second nozzles and first and second conduit means connecting said first and second valves with said first and second containers and said first and second nozzles respectively and drip preventing means preventing beverage from dripping from said nozzles when said manually operable means is not actuated, said drip preventing means including a vented connection between said and second nozzles and said first and second conduit means respectively.