[0001] The present invention relates to the dispensing of beverages. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a dosing device for dispensing so-called premixed
beverages, for example, fruit juices, lemonades, iced tea or cold chocolate.
[0002] By practice of the present invention there may be provided a simple and hygienic
dosing device for dispensing such liquid premixed beverages.
[0003] According to the present invention there is provided a dosing device for dispensing
a momentarily desired volume of premixed beverages when cooperatingly attached to
a container containing said premixed beverage, said dosing device comprising:
a housing provided with a discharge opening;
a plunger within said housing for stopping the outflow of said beverage from said
discharge opening when in rest position, said plunger being at least partially composed
of magnetizable material; and
a movably positioned magnet, said magnet being magnetically coupled to said plunger
in such a way that, by an appropriate mechanical displacement of said magnet, said
plunger is displaced thereby
enabling the outflow of said beverage from said discharge opening by gravity.
[0004] The movably positioned magnet may, for example, be an electromagnet. However, in
a preferred embodiment of the present invention the movably positioned magnet is a
permanent magnet. Very conveniently the movably positioned magnet, e.g. the permanent
magnet if used, may have the shape of a symmetrical cylindrical closed ring, the opening
of which is adapted to receive the lower part of the housing containing the plunger.
[0005] A practical and preferred manner of positioning the magnet is to encase -it in a
collar tightly enclosing the lower part of the housing containing the plunger, the
collar being provided with wings adapted to be mechanically engaged and.moved vertically
by the rim of a receptable for the beverage.
[0006] When the dosing device of the present invention is in position in a beverage dispenser
and is attached to a container in which is located the beverage to be dispensed, the
magnet plus collar may, for example, rest on a part of the body of the dispenser,
separate from the part of the body carrying the container with attached closing device.
However, a very much preferred and practical embodiment is that whereby the magnetic
coupling between the magnet and the plunger is of sufficient strength such that, when
the plunger is in the rest position, the collar encasing the magnet is kept floating
in the air.
[0007] A judicious choice of the dimensions of the magnet, of the housing and of the plunger,
as well as of the strength of the magnet, is of course necessary to ensure that the
magnet plus collar are indeed kept floating in the air when the plunger is in its
rest position. Such a choice will, however, not be difficult for those versed in the
art.
[0008] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying
drawing which is an exploded side view of an example of a dosing device according
to the present invention.
[0009] Referring to the drawing there is illustrated a plunger (1) which is in the form
of a hollow cylinder of ferritic stainless steel with radial outlets (2). The plunger
(1) is seated in a housing (3) which is provided with a groove (4) receiving a silicone
O-ring (5). A container (6) for the beverage is provided with a short cylindrical
outlet (7). After installing the silicone 0-ring (5) in the groove (4) and the plunger
(1) in the housing (3), the cylindrical outlet (7) of the container (6) is pushed
into the housing (3), whereby the 0-ring (5) functions as a seal.
[0010] The housing (3) has a conical portion (9) which has an opening (10) therein. When
the plunger (1) is seated in the housing (3) in the rest position, a silicone ring
(8) engages the inner walls of the conical portion (9) of the housing (3), thereby
impeding the flow of liquid from the opening (10).
[0011] The opening (10), which has a diameter of 8 mm, has a rim (11) which is 1 mm thick.
[0012] A magnet (12) is received by a collar (13) having a channel (14). After inserting
the magnet (12) into the channel (14) of the collar (13), a closing lid (15) is applied.
[0013] The collar (13) is provided with two flat wings (16) which have abutments (17) to
allow easy positioning of a receptable such as a glass.
[0014] In order to actuate the dosing device, the rim of the receptable is moved in a vertical
direction against the wings (16). The upward movement of the collar (13) is restricted
by abutments (18) engaging the outer'wall of the conical part (9) of the housing (3)
.
[0015] The upward movement of the magnet (12) and collar (13) causes the plunger (1) to
move upwards, thereby allowing the flow of liquid from the opening (10 ) ...In order
to stop the flow of liquid from the opening (10) the magnet (12) and collar (13) are
allowed to move downwardly such that the plunger (1) moves back to its rest position.
1. A dosing device for dispensing a momentarily desired volume of premixed beverage
when cooperatingly attached to a container containing said premixed beverage, said
dosing device comprising:
a housing provided with a discharge opening;
a plunger within said housing for stopping the outflow of said beverage from said
discharge opening when in rest posit.ion, said plunger being at least partially composed
of magnetizable material; and
a movably positioned magnet, said magnet being magnetically coupled to said plunger
in such a way that by an appropriate mechanical displacement of said magnet, said
plunger is displaced thereby enabling the outflow of said beverage from said discharge
opening by gravity.
2. A dosing device as claimed in claim 1, in which the magnet is a permanent magnet.
3. A dosing device as claimed in claim 1 of claim 2, in which the magnet has the shape
of a symmetrical cylindrical closed ring, the opening of which is adapted to receive
the lower part of the housing containing the plunger.
4. A dosing device as claimed in claim 3, in which the magnet is encased in a collar
tightly enclosing the lower part of the housing containing the plunger, said collar
being provided with wings adapted to be mechanically engaged and moved vertically
by the rim of a receptacle for said beverage.
5. A dosing device as claimed in claim 4, in which the magnetic coupling between the
magnet and the plunger is sufficiently strong such that, said plunger being in the
rest position, said collar in which is located the magnet is kept floating in the
air.
6. A dosing device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which said housing comprises
an upper cylindrical portion and a lower truncated conical portion ending in said
discharge opening having a rim, said plunger comprises an upper portion, tightly but
glidably filling in said upper cylindrical portion of said housing, and a lower truncated
conical portion provided with a flexible collar engaging the inner wall of said lower
conical portion of said housing, whereby, when said plunger is in the rest position,
and discharge of said beverage from said discharge opening is impeded and, when said
plunger is moved away from said discharge opening, said plunger is shaped in such
a way as to enable the through flow of said beverage by gravity.
7. A dosing device substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the
accompanying drawing.