US4585146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open top tank with flow rate control device therein
Assignee: Coca-Cola Co
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Filing: 1983-06-16
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2003-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A refillable syrup tank for use in a post-mix beverage dispenser including an open top through which the tank may be refilled and a discharge end at the bottom. A flow rate control assembly is mounted within the tank and includes a flow rate control tube extending from the top of the tank to a position spaced from the discharge opening. A diaphragm is connected between the bottom of the tube and the tank sidewalls. Weep holes are provided in the diaphragm to permit the flow of syrup therethrough.
Inventors
- 👤 Simon J. Richter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:46
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D3/00; B67D1/00; B67D1/0042; B67D1/0078; B67D1/08; B67D1/0801; B67D2001/0812; B67D2001/0814; B67D2001/0815
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for dispensing liquids with a controlled rate of flow comprising: a container with a top end, opened to the atmosphere, a bottom end with a discharge opening therein and sidewalls connecting said top and bottom ends; a flow rate control tube having a top end, opened to the atmosphere, adjacent the top end of said container and a bottom open end disposed at a predetermined distance above said discharge opening, said tube establishing atmospheric pressure at said bottom open end thereof after an initial dispensing interval; and diaphragm means extending between said flow rate control tube and said container sidewalls just above said bottom open end of said tube to establish said atmospheric pressure below said diaphragm means and to support said flow rate control tube within said container, said diaphragm means including weep hole means through which the liquid being dispensed may pass.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for dispensing liquids with a controlled rate of flow comprising: a container with a top end, opened to the atmosphere, a bottom end with a discharge opening therein and sidewalls connecting said top and bottom ends; a flow rate control tube having a top end, opened to the atmosphere, adjacent the top end of said container and a bottom open end disposed at a predetermined distance above said discharge opening, said tube establishing atmospheric pressure at said bottom open end thereof after an initial dispensing interval; and diaphragm means extending between said flow rate control tube and said container sidewalls just above said bottom open end of said tube to establish said atmospheric pressure below said diaphragm means and to support said flow rate control tube within said container, said diaphragm means including weep hole means through which the liquid being dispensed may pass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of said diaphragm means slopes downwardly from regions adjacent said tube to said container sidewalls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said weep hole means are disposed adjacent said container sidewalls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said weep hole means comprises a plurality of holes symmetrically spaced around said diaphragm means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said weep hole means comprises a plurality of holes symmetrically spaced around said diaphragm means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a post-mix beverage dispenser, an apparatus for dispensing syrup at a controlled rate of flow comprising: a container with a top end, opened to the atmosphere, a bottom end with a discharge opening therein and sidewalls connecting said top and bottom ends; a flow rate control tube having a top end, opened to the atmosphere, adjacent the top end of said container and a bottom open end disposed at a predetermined distance above said discharge opening, said tube establishing atmospheric pressure at said bottom open end thereof after an initial dispensing interval; and diaphragm means extending between said flow rate control tube and said container sidewalls just above said bottom open end of said tube to establish said atmospheric pressure below said diaphragm means and to support said flow rate control tube within said container, said diaphragm means including weep hole means through which the liquid being dispensed may pass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a post-mix beverage dispenser, an apparatus for dispensing syrup at a controlled rate of flow comprising: a container with a top end, opened to the atmosphere, a bottom end with a discharge opening therein and sidewalls connecting said top and bottom ends; a flow rate control tube having a top end, opened to the atmosphere, adjacent the top end of said container and a bottom open end disposed at a predetermined distance above said discharge opening, said tube establishing atmospheric pressure at said bottom open end thereof after an initial dispensing interval; and diaphragm means extending between said flow rate control tube and said container sidewalls just above said bottom open end of said tube to establish said atmospheric pressure below said diaphragm means and to support said flow rate control tube within said container, said diaphragm means including weep hole means through which the liquid being dispensed may pass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the upper surface of said diaphragm means slopes downwardly from regions adjacent said tube to said container sidewalls.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said weep hole means are disposed adjacent said container sidewalls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said weep hole means comprises a plurality of holes symmetrically spaced around said diaphragm means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said weep hole means comprises a plurality of holes symmetrically spaced around said diaphragm means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for supplying syrup to a post-mix beverage dispenser at a controlled rate of flow comprising the steps of: providing a syrup tank including a container with a top end open to the atmosphere, a bottom end with a discharge opening therein and sidewalls connecting said top and bottom ends; a flow rate control tube having a top open to the atmosphere end adjacent the top end of said container and a bottom open end disposed at a predetermined distance above said discharge opening, said tube establishing atmospheric pressure at said bottom open end thereof after an initial dispensing interval, and diaphragm means extending between said flow rate control tube and said container sidewalls just above said bottom open end of said tube to confine said atmospheric pressure below said diaphragm means and to support said flow rate control tube within said container, said diaphragm means including weep hole means through which the liquid being dispensed may pass; filling said tank with syrup through the top open end of said container; connecting said discharge end of said container with a dispensing valve mechanism of said post-mix beverage dispenser; and actuating said dispenser valve mechanism to cause said syrup to be dispensed therethrough.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for supplying syrup to a post-mix beverage dispenser at a controlled rate of flow comprising the steps of: providing a syrup tank including a container with a top end open to the atmosphere, a bottom end with a discharge opening therein and sidewalls connecting said top and bottom ends; a flow rate control tube having a top open to the atmosphere end adjacent the top end of said container and a bottom open end disposed at a predetermined distance above said discharge opening, said tube establishing atmospheric pressure at said bottom open end thereof after an initial dispensing interval, and diaphragm means extending between said flow rate control tube and said container sidewalls just above said bottom open end of said tube to confine said atmospheric pressure below said diaphragm means and to support said flow rate control tube within said container, said diaphragm means including weep hole means through which the liquid being dispensed may pass; filling said tank with syrup through the top open end of said container; connecting said discharge end of said container with a dispensing valve mechanism of said post-mix beverage dispenser; and actuating said dispenser valve mechanism to cause said syrup to be dispensed therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the upper surface of said diaphragm means slopes downwardly from regions adjacent said tube to said container sidewalls.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said weep hole means are disposed adjacent said container sidewalls.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said weep hole means comprises a plurality of holes symmetrically spaced around said diaphragm means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said weep hole means comprises a plurality of holes symmetrically spaced around said diaphragm means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |