[0001] This invention relates to counter top, postmix beverage dispensers, and in particular
to a low-cost, compact, versatile, multiflavor, convertible beverage dispenser.
[0002] A wide variety of different postmix dispensers are known, including those having
multiflavor valves and those having the selector buttons and nozzle at a notched corner
of the cabinet. It is also known to have a dispensing system in which some parts of
the dispenser are located above the counter and some parts are located below the counter.
[0003] EP-A-319348 discloses a beverage dispenser having the features of the opening part
of claim 1.
[0004] The present invention is characterised by the features of the characterising part
of claim 1.
[0005] In a preferred form the invention provides a low cost, compact, versatile, multiflavor,
postmix, convertible beverage dispenser which can be oriented in any one of several
different ways to fit into any available space in an outlet. If an outlet has room
for a dispenser, this dispenser will fit. This advantage can be used to reduce the
inventory of different sizes of dispensers presently needed to accommodate different
outlets. This dispenser can be oriented frontways or sideways by an easy change in
the location of the selector buttons. Alternatively, this unitary dispenser can be
separated into a dispense module and a refrigeration module. The refrigeration module
can be located below the counter and the dispense module can fit into a very small
place on a counter. This convertible dispenser can be used with figals or can be used
with bag-in-box with built-in syrup pumps. In addition, this convertible dispenser
can be easily modified to dispense different numbers of beverages.
[0006] In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 to 12 show a dispenser not in accordance with
the present invention but as disclosed in EP-A-319348, whilst Figs. 13 to 25 show
an embodiment of the present invention by way of example. In particular:-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible dispenser set up in its "frontways"
mode of operation;
Fig. 2 is a view identical to Fig. 1 but with the dispenser set up in its "sideways"
mode of operation;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Fig. 1 set up with only its narrow
dispense module on top of the counter and with the refrigeration module beneath the
counter;
Fig. 4 is an exploded, partly broken-away, perspective view of the dispenser of Fig.
1;
Fig. 5 is a partly cross-sectional side view of the convertible dispenser of Fig.
1;
Fig. 6 is a partly cross-sectional, partial side view of the dispenser of Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a partly broken away perspective view of the dispense module showing how
it is converted to the Fig. 3 mode of operation;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view through the flow control module;
Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the water connection when the dispense module
is connected to the refrigeration module;
Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the water connection when the dispense module
is separated from the refrigeration module;
Fig. 11 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 but of another embodiment that requires
much less space;
Fig. 12 is a front view of the dispense module of a still further embodiment;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a convertible dispenser
of the present invention;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the refrigeration module of the convertible dispenser
of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is a partly cross-sectional side view of the dispenser of Fig. 13;
Fig. 15A is a partially exploded, cross-sectional side view like Fig. 15 but showing
the modular condenser-fan and motor unit removed;
Fig. 16 is a partly diagrammatic, partly schematic flow diagram showing the water
and syrup circuits in the dispenser of Fig. 13 when the dispense and refrigeration
modules are connected;
Fig. 17 is a partly diagrammatic, partly schematic flow diagram showing the water
and syrup circuits in the dispenser of Fig. 13 when the two modules are separated;
Fig. 18 is a partly cut-away bottom perspective view of the nozzle and spout;
Fig. 19 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle;
Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional side view of the nozzle taken along line 20-20 of Fig.
19;
Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of the nozzle taken along line 21-21 of Fig.
19;
Fig. 22 is a partly cross-sectional side view of the dispense module of the dispenser
of Fig. 13 and also showing one end of the python;
Fig. 23 is an enlarged, partial, exploded view showing certain details of the connectors;
Fig. 24 is a partial, partially exploded top plan view of the refrigeration module
212 showing the connection to the other end of the python; and
Fig. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser housings for the dispenser
of Fig. 13 showing the connecting means therefor.
[0007] Referring now to Figs. 1 to 10, a dispenser 10 of the prior art included-a refrigeration
module 12 and a separate dispense module 14 which is removably attached to the refrigeration
module. In the preferred embodiment shown, the dispenser 10 has a single multiflavor
valve 16 with a single mixing and dispensing nozzle 18 for dispensing a beverage into
a cup 19 (Fig. 7), carbonated water line 22 and four syrup lines 24. The dispensing
valve 16 is in a notched corner of the dispenser 10 with the buttons on either of
the adjacent walls.
[0008] The dispenser 10 as shown in the drawings is set up for use with bag-in-box syrup
containers (not shown), although it can also be used with figals (not shown).
[0009] The dispenser 10 can be set up for operation on a countertop 11 (see Fig. 3) in any
one of the three modes of operation shown in Figs. 1, 2 or 3. To convert between the
modes shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it is only necessary to move the buttons 20 to change
places with the panel 96. To convert from either the Fig. 1 or 2 mode to the Fig.
3 mode, a small conversion kit is used. The dispense module 14 is separated from the
refrigeration module 12 and slightly rearranged (Fig. 7), the longer water and syrup
lines are attached, a different splash plate (flat instead of L-shaped) is attached,
and preferably a recirculating pump 134 and line are connected.
[0010] The refrigeration module 12 includes a housing 26, a lid 28, an ice-water tank 30,
a refrigeration unit 32, a carbonator unit 34, and four syrup pumps 36 mounted on
the sidewall 38. The lid 28 has air inlet vents 13 in a front portion thereof and
air outlet vents 15 in a rear portion thereof.
[0011] The refrigeration unit 32 is mounted on a refrigeration deck 40 that sits on top
of the tank 30. The unit 32 includes the usual equipment such as an evaporator coil
42, an agitator 44, condenser coils 46m compressor 48, ice bank control 50, and cooling
fan 52 operated by an agitator motor 54,
[0012] The carbonator unit 34 is mounted on a carbonator deck 56 and includes the usual
carbonator equipment including a carbonator tank 58, a water pump and motor 60, level
controller 62, and CO₂ inlet 64.
[0013] The refrigeration module 12 also includes the usual water cooling coils 66 and four
separate syrup cooling coils 68. The water goes to the pump 60, then to the water
cooling soils 66, then to the carbonator tank 58 and then to the multiflavor valve
16. The syrup goes from a bag-in-box container (not shown) to one of the four syrup
pumps 36, to a syrup cooling coil 68, and then to the multiflavor valve 16. Each pump
36 has a CO₂ inlet, a syrup inlet and a syrup outlet, for example, for a CO₂ operated
pump.
[0014] The dispense module 14 has a longer sidewall and shorter frontwall and includes a
dispense module housing 69, a dispense section 70, a separate hollow section 72, and
a lid 74. The hollow section 72 is generally U-shaped with an opening 76 in its rear
wall 78 to accommodate the syrup pumps 36, in the modes of operation shown in Figs.
1 and 2. The hollow section 72 is attached by bolts and nuts 80 to the refrigeration
module housing 26.
[0015] The dispense section 70 includes separate upper and lower portions 82 and 84, respectively,
and an L-shaped splash guard 88 in Figs. 1 and 2, and a flat splash guard 90 in Fig.
3. The lower portion is the drip tray unit and includes the drip tray 85 and the cup
rest 86. The drip tray unit can be connected to the hollow section 72 and/or to the
refrigeration module 12.
[0016] The upper portion 82 includes a shell 92 having an open top 93 and an open rear wall
94. The shell 92 is bolted to both the refrigeration module housing 26 and to the
hollow section 72 by bolts and nuts 80.
[0017] The upper portion 82 includes the selector buttons 20, a panel 96, and the single
multiflavor valve 16. In the arrangement of Fig. 1 when the dispenser 10 is arranged
frontways, the selector buttons 20 are placed in an opening 100 in a frontwall 98
of the dispense module 14, and the panel 96 is placed in an opening 102 in the sidewall
104. In the mode of operation shown in Fig. 2, the selector buttons 20 are placed
in the sidewall opening 102 and the panel 996 is placed in the frontwall opening 100.
In the separated arrangement of Fig. 3, the selector buttons 20 are placed in the
sidewall opening 102 as in Fig. 2.
[0018] The manner of changing the selector buttons 20 and panel 96 will now be described.
the openings 100 and 102 are identical in size and the buttons and panel can be handled
through the open top 93 (with the lid 74 off). Each of the panel and buttons use connected
to an identical mounting plate 106, so a description of one will suffice. The plate
106 has a flange 108 along its bottom edge that fits in a groove, and the plate has
a single slot 105 centrally located in its top edge to receive a bolt 107 connected
to the wall and on which a wing nut 109 is attached. The wires from the solenoids
of the flow control modules 110 to the buttons 20 are flexible and easily allow movement
of the buttons from one wall to the other.
[0019] The multiflavor valve 16 will now be described. The valve 16 includes the single
nozzle 18 and a plurality of separate, identical flow control modules 110, shown in
Fig. 10. One of the flow control modules 110 is for carbonated water an there are
four separate syrup modules 110, one for each of four syrups. A water line 112 extends
from the water flow control module 110 to a central opening in the nozzle 18, while
the four syrup lines 111, 112, 113, and 114 extend from a respective one of the flow
control modules 110 to a respective one of the circumferentially arranged openings
116 in the top of the nozzle 18.
[0020] Referring to Fig. 8, each of the flow control modules 110 includes a body 120 and
a liquid passageway 122 therethrough from an inlet port 124 to an outlet port 126.
A standard piston-spring flow control 128 is located in the passage. A solenoid controlled
valve 130 (including a solenoid, an armature, and a valve element movable onto and
off of a valve seat) controls the on-off flow through the module 110. An advantage
of this module is the fact that the inlet and outlet ports are on opposite faces and
have passageways whose axes are parallel, to provide ease of installation.
[0021] The operation of the two arrangements shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will thus be clear from
the above description. If only a very small countertop space is available, then the
dispenser 10 can be converted to a two-piece unit shown in Fig. 3 with only the very
narrow dispense module placed on top of the countertop 11.
[0022] This conversion from a one to two-piece unit can be easily done in the field with
the aid of a small break-away conversion kit containing the long water and syrup lines
132, a recirculating water pump 134 to be mounted on the refrigerator module housing
26, and a flat splash plate 90. To do the conversion, the lids are removed, the bolts
and nuts 80 are removed, the recirculating water pump 134 is mounted on the housing
26, and the lines 132 are installed. In addition, the two sections 70 and 72 of the
dispense unit are disconnected and then re-connected, using bolts and nuts 80 as shown
in Fig. 10. In this way, the openings in their rear walls are facing each other and
the dispense module has a smooth, clean, exterior surface. The drip tray is not connected
to the shell 92, but its is connected to a drip tray support that is connected to
the hollow section 72 and that extends under both sections 70 and 72 of the dispense
module as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This support is disconnected from the hollow section
70 and then reconnected to extend under the drip tray in Fig. 3.
[0023] Fig. 9 shows the standard set up for the water line for the Figs. 1 and 2 modes of
operation, and Fig. 10 shows the additional recirculating water line set up for the
Fig. 3 mode of operation. This provides cold water for the dispenser at all times.
[0024] Fig. 11 shows a dispense module 140 according to another embodiment similar to Fig.
3 except that the hollow section 72 is replaced (along with a different lid and drip
tray support) with a different hollow section 142 having much less depth than does
section 72. This embodiment would be used where only a very small countertop space
is available.
[0025] Fig. 12 shows another embodiment wherein the upper portion 82 of the dispense section
70 of the dispense module 14 is used by itself, by connecting it above a sink, such
as under an existing cabinet (it can alternatively be wall mounted).
[0026] Figs. 13-25 show a preferred embodiment of a convertible dispenser 210 of the present
invention. The dispenser 210 is similar to the dispenser 10 described above with the
following differences described below with reference to Figs. 13-25.
[0027] Figs. 13 and 14 show the air vent arrangement of the dispenser 210. The dispenser
210 includes a lid 228 having air inlet vents 229 and air outlet vents 230 in a front
portion and in a rear portion, respectively, of the lid 228. The refrigeration module
212 includes air inlet vents 233 in the upper portion of the sidewall 238.
[0028] When the refrigeration module 212 is attached to the dispense module 214, air flows
into the refrigeration module 212 through the air inlet vents 229, through the condenser
246, and out through the air outlet vents 230. When the modules 212 and 214 are separated,
however, the refrigeration module 212 may often be located in a confined space and
the air flow could go directly from the air outlet vents 230 into the inlet vents
229. This would cause the compressor motor to run more often, wear out more quickly
and could raise the drink temperature. Therefore, in this situation, the inlet vents
229 are covered by a plate 235 (of metal, wood or plastic, for example) and the air
then flows in the air inlet vents 233 and out the air outlet vents 230. It has been
found that this arrangement with the plate 235 avoids the problem mentioned above.
[0029] Figs. 15 and 15A show the preferred arrangement of the refrigeration module 212 including
a condenser 246 (or condenser coil), a cooling fan 252, a cooling fan motor 253, and
a separate agitator motor 255. The fan and fan motor are mounted together as an integral,
easily removable modular unit 257, including a bracket 259 which is held in place
by two screws 261. This arrangement permits the use of a larger condenser than in
the dispenser 10.
[0030] By simply removing the two screws 261, the entire unit 257 can be easily slid out
directly upwardly out of the dispenser 210 (after removing the lid 228). This also
provides easy access to the agitator motor 255 and other components including a transformer
mounted adjacent the motor 255. This feature is important because the dispenser 210
does not have a separate bonnet (or top half of the housing) as do many countertop
dispensers, so access has to be through the top opening when the lid is removed. Thus,
although the dispenser 210 is small and compact, the internal components are easily
accessible while the outside shell has a smooth, clean, and continuous surface providing
a large advertising surface and a neat appearance.
[0031] Figs. 16 and 17 show the water and syrup circuits for the dispenser 210, both when
the two modules are connected and when they are separated. Figs. 16 and 17 both show
a cooling coil 271 in the soda line 273 downstream from the carbonator tank 258. The
dispenser 210 also has the precooling coil 66 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. This precooling
coil 66 allows the use of a lower CO₂ pressure in the carbonator tank 258 and in fact
the use of the same pressure in the tank 258 that is needed to operate the syrup pumps
36. This allows for the elimination of a separate CO₂ pressure regulator for the carbonator
tank 258 and allows for the operation of the dispenser 210 with only the single CO₂
regulator 275 on the CO₂ cylinder 276.
[0032] Fig. 17 shows a recirculating soda line 277, a pump 279 and a motor 281 for driving
the pump, for use when the modules are separated. It is noted that this recirculating
line is entirely downstream from the carbonator tank 258. This pumping can be controlled
to turn on and off as desired but is preferably left on continuously. This recirculating
soda line provides a cold drink at all times, even through the refrigeration module
is located some distance away from the dispense module.
[0033] In Fig. 17, all of the syrup and soda and plain water lines between the separated
modules are preferably contained in an insulated python, normally about ten (10) feet
long.
[0034] Fig. 17 also shows a multiflavor nozzle 300, solenoid valves 285, flow controls 287,
flow washers 289, a chilled water bath 291, the carbonator tank 258, the CO₂ cylinder
276, the pressure regulator 275, the syrup pumps 36, the carbonator pump 293, and
the plain water line 295. Fig. 16 shows the same components except for the recirculating
soda system which is not used when the dispense and refrigeration modules are connected.
[0035] Figs. 18-21 show the preferred nozzle 300 of the present invention used in the dispenser
210, including a nozzle body 302 and a spout 304. The nozzle body has a water passageway
306 therethrough and four separate syrup passages, one of which 308 is show in Fig.
20. The water goes straight down from a water inlet port 309 through an axial passage
310 in the nozzle body until it splits into two radial passages 312 and 314 at right
angles to the axial passage 310. The passages 312 and 314 exit into an annular groove
316 from which the water hits the spout 304 and then flows down and out the spout
opening 318. The four syrup passages are similar to each other and each start at a
respective one of four separate syrup inlet ports 330, 331, 332 and 333 and continue
through the nozzle body as described below for passage 308. The syrup passage 308
splits into two separate passages 320 and 322 and exit out two separated, spaced-apart,
outlet openings 324 and 326 in a bottom wall 328 of the nozzle body 302. This nozzle
provides improved mixing, less stratification in the beverage cup, and reduced flavor
carryover. Any known method can be used to connect the spout to the nozzle such as
a bayonet connection using two flanges on the spout.
[0036] The hollow section 372 of the dispense module 214, referred to as the pump wrap because
it covers the syrup pumps 36, can be easily removed to provide access to the syrup
pumps by simply removing two screws 373 at the top thereof, and then lifting up to
clear two pins from two holes at the lower end of the section 372. The same pin-hole
arrangement is used to connect the drip tray unit 375 to the section 372 when the
modules are separated. The pin-hole arrangement is shown in Fig. 25. The hollow section
372 has two holes 500 and 502 and the refrigeration module has two mating pins 504
and 506. The drip tray has two pins 508 and 510 and the refrigeration module has two
mating holes 512 and 514. When the two modules are separated, the pins of the drip
tray connect with the holes 500 and 502 in the hollow section 372.
[0037] The dispenser 210 does not use the separate drip tray support of the dispenser 10
of Fig. 1. When the two modules are connected, there is preferably no connection between
the two sections of the dispense module.
[0038] The refrigeration module includes a recess 400 (see Fig. 15A) thereunder and a notch
402 in the sidewall 404 thereof to accommodate the CO₂ line, the water line and the
syrup lines. All of these lines come up through the recess and then under the drip
tray and into the hollow section.
[0039] The drip tray unit 410 includes the drip tray 412 and the cup rest 414.
[0040] The dispenser 210 can include legs, or not, as desired. If the refrigeration unit
includes legs, then legs are also used on the dispense unit but preferably on the
distal end thereof.
[0041] Referring now to Figs. 22-24, these show certain connection details and the python
300. When the dispense and refrigeration modules are separated, as described above
for both the embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig. 13, the long syrup and water lines 302
are preferably encased in a long insulated tube or python 300. Fig. 24 shows the end
of the python connected to the refrigeration module 212 and Figs. 22 and 23 show the
end connected to the dispense module 214. As shown in Fig. 22, the python preferably
extends through a hole 303 in the counter 304 on which the dispenser sits. Fig. 22
shows the fitting 306 for the recirculating soda line 277.
[0042] As shown in Fig. 23 a conduit 308 that goes into the multiflavor valve has a fitting
310 with an o-ring 312 and a groove 314. The end of a flexible line 316 includes a
mating coupling 318 that slides over the fitting 310. A pin 320 slides through two
holes 322 in the coupling 318 and into the groove 314 to hold the line to the conduit
308. The valve 110 is held to the wall 326 by sliding the conduit 308 down in the
Keyway 328 to lock the wall 326 between the fitting 310 and the rear of the valve
110. For simplicity, the valve 110 is not shown in Fig. 23. The connections to the
refrigeration module at the other end of the python are made the same way, as shown
in Fig. 24.
[0043] Fig. 24 also shows the return line and the pump 279 of the recirculating soda circuit.
The pump 279 is mounted on the lower outside surface of the refrigeration module.
The python extends up through the hollow section 72 of the dispense module 214. The
electrical lines are in the cable 330.
[0044] While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described above in detail,
it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, while the
preferred embodiment described above uses a multiflavor valve, this is not essential;
it can alternatively use separate dispensing valves for each beverage or any combination
of multiflavor and separate valves. In addition, while the preferred embodiment has
been described for use with bag-in-box, it can also be used with figals, in which
case the syrup pumps would not be included. The dispenser has been described for use
with four separate syrups; this number can easily be changed by changing the number
of flow control modules and syrup cooling coils. Other types and arrangements of the
selector buttons can also be used. Instead of moving the buttons in switching between
the Figs. 1 and 2 arrangements, buttons can be located permanently in both places,
with a cover over the ones not being used. As used herein, the term "convertible"
means a dispenser that can be converted in size and shape to fit in different available
spaces. In addition, when converting to the Fig. 3 mode, or preferably to the Fig.
11 mode, the hollow section 142 can be part of the dispense section with a hollow
section like 72 left connected to the refrigeration module. Also, the long lines can
be stored in the hollow section 72. This would make the conversion easier and could
avoid the need for a conversion kit. The dispense module can be made as a one-piece
unit, and when separated from the refrigeration module, an additional, separate panel
could be added to the open side that faces the refrigeration module when connected
thereto. The refrigeration system is preferably mechanical although a cold plate could
be used.
[0045] It will thus be seen that the present invention, at least in its preferred forms,
provides a unitary beverage dispenser which can be placed entirely on top of a counter
and oriented either frontways or sideways or which can be easily separated into a
refrigeration module placed below the counter and a small dispense module placed on
top of the counter; and furthermore provides a compact, multiflavor, low cost, versatile,
convertible postmix beverage dispenser; and furthermore provides a beverage dispenser
that can be easily modified to dispense different numbers of beverages; and furthermore
provides an improved flow control module and method for easily changing the numbers
of beverages to the dispensed; and furthermore provides a dispenser with two fronts,
which can be placed frontways or sideways, and having a small detachable dispense
module which can be placed by itself on top of a counter; and furthermore provides
a versatile dispenser that can be delivered to an outlet and that will fit in almost
any available space; and furthermore provides a single dispenser that is so versatile
that it can be used to reduce the need for an inventory of dispensers of different
sizes and having a vent arrangement that has one air flow when the refrigeration and
dispense modules are attached, and a different air flow when the modules are separated,
for improved performance; and furthermore provides a compact dispenser having a one-piece
wrap-around shell, a removable lid, a vertically oriented condenser and a modular,
easily removable condenser fan-motor unit that, when slid out, provides easy access
to the agitator motor and the transformer; and furthermore provides an improved multiflavor
nozzle; and furthermore provides a dispenser with an improved water circuit, including
one in which the soda or carbonated water is cooled again downstream from the carbonator,
and also one in which the soda is continuously recirculated, but not through the carbonator,
when the refrigeration module is remote; and furthermore provides a dispenser that
is small and compact and yet provides a large, smooth, uninterrupted advertising area
while also being less expensive to manufacture; and furthermore provides a dispenser
with a pre-cooling syrup coil whereby the syrup pumps and carbonator can use the same
pressure, thus eliminating one or two CO₂ pressure regulators.