GB2144396A - Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2144396A GB2144396A GB08320888A GB8320888A GB2144396A GB 2144396 A GB2144396 A GB 2144396A GB 08320888 A GB08320888 A GB 08320888A GB 8320888 A GB8320888 A GB 8320888A GB 2144396 A GB2144396 A GB 2144396A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- dispensing
- fluid
- header pipe
- level
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 88
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 11
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 11
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019219 chocolate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000016213 coffee Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000013353 coffee beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000008571 general function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000135 prohibitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000014347 soups Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/28—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with stationary measuring chambers having constant volume during measurement
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
- Beverage Vending Machines With Cups, And Gas Or Electricity Vending Machines (AREA)
Abstract
A counter-top drink dispensing apparatus (10) comprises a feed tank (12), a dispensing tank (14) connected to the feed tank by a pipe (16) in which is provided a solenoid valve (18) which is spring-biased to the open position and electrically energised to close. Dispensing tank (14) has a header pipe (20) extending upwardly to an open end (22) which is slightly above the maximum fluid level (24) in the tank (12). Dispensing tank (14) has an outlet pipe (26) with an outlet valve (28) which is solenoid operated. On opening the valve (18), the tank (14) and pipe (20) fill to the level of fluid in feed tank (12). When a drink is dispensed from valve (28), valve (18) is closed and the fluid level in pipe (20) initially rapidly falls, whereby the fluid head in this pipe has little overall effect on the rate of dispensing. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing fluids. One example of the application of the method and apparatus of the invention is to the dispensing of water in drinks dispensing machines, such as automatic vending machines for dispensing coffee, chocolate, soup and other beverages.
In the case of automatic or semi-automatic machines for dispensing beverages, the problem arises that where it is desired to provide a countertop machine (in other words a machine which is intended to be free-standing on the counter of a shop or bar or cafeteria) then the space available for providing the liquid dispensing apparatus is severely restricted.
Moreover, such counter-top drinks dispensing machines are usually not provided with a supply of mains water which automatically fills a reservoir whenever the water level in the latter falls. The usual arrangement for such counter-top apparatus is for the water reservoir to be manually filled as and when the person in charge perceives that such replenishment is necessary.
Accordingly, it often happens in existing apparatus of this kind that the water level in the main reservoir falls very much, or else the reservoir runs dry occasionally and in either case the water pressure available for dispensing purposes is seriously reduced and unless means is provided for offsetting this effect the result is that the quantity of liquid dispensed into the cup of the customer falls short of his or her expectations and customer relations problems ensue.
In the case of manually operated dispensing apparatus the problem raised by the falling head of water in the main tank can be readily offset by the user who makes a manual adjustment to ensure that the cup is properly filled. Thus, it is in automatic or semi-automatic apparatus that the main problem arises. Obviously, sophisticated means can be provided, at a correspondingly high cost, to offset such variations in fluid pressure.
However, in the case of counter-top dispensing apparatus, the cost of such sophisticated means such as level sensors and associated valves etc is prohibitive.
An aim of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for dispensing fluids offering improvements in relation to the problems identified above. It will be understood that the invention is by no means limited to automatic drinks dispensing apparatus nor to manually-filied apparatus since there are many other fields in which improvements in fluid dispensing may be applicable, and moreover in the field of drinks dispensing an improvement in relation to the problem of falling fluid head may well be applicable even to apparatus employing a mains water supply and automatic level control valves, to take care of the situation where, in emergencies or the event of a fall in water pressure associated with heavy user demand, the water level in the main reservoir falls appreciably.
According to the invention there is provided dispensing apparatus for fluids, the apparatus comprising a dispensing tank or vessel, the tank or vessel having a feed inlet and the apparatus having a dispensing outlet for fluid from the tank, characterised by a header pipe or duct extending upwardly from the tank to a level above the tank.
Preferably, the maximum volume of the header pipe which is filled with fluid during use is less than half the unit volume of fluid to be dispensed from the apparatus.
If possible the said volume of the header pipe should be less than one quarter of the unit volume of fluid to be dispensed and it is still further preferred if the said volume of the header pipe is less than one tenth of the said unit volume of fluid to be dispensed.
The feed inlet is preferably connected to a feed tank, and a controllable inlet valve or flow restrictor is provided between the feed tank and the dispensing tank or vessel.
The maximum fluid level in the feed tank is preferably higher than the maximum liquid level in the dispensing tank.
Preferably also, the header pipe or duct extends upwards to a level slightly above the maximum fluid level in the feed tank.
The volume of the feed tank is preferably at least twice and more preferably at least four times and if possible at least eight times the volume of the dispensing tank the volumes in question being the fluid capacity volumes of said tanks.
The dispensing tank may be provided within the feed tank and located at or adjacent the bottom surface of the feed tank with the header pipe extending upwardly from the dispensing tank to the region of the maximum liquid level in the feed tank.
The apparatus may be arranged for automatic or semi-automatic operation. The inlet valve may be arranged to close or restrict the flow between the feed and dispensing tanks or vessels before fluid is dispensed from the dispensing tank. The inlet valve or flow restrictor may be arranged to open automatically to re-fill the dispensing tank and the header pipe or conduit after dispensing has occurred.
The apparatus may be connected to a store tank or reservoir to dispense fluid into the store tank.
Fluid heating or fluid cooling means may be provided for fluid supplied to the store tank or reservoir. A mixing device may be provided to mix fluid dispensed from the dispensing tank with solids or liquids or powders to produce a beverage or other liquid or semi-liquid refreshment.
The invention also provides counter-top drink dispensing or vending apparatus comprising fluid dispensing apparatus as defined above.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of dispensing fluids comprising supplying a fluid to a dispensing tank or vessel until fluid passes out of the tank into a header pipe or duct extending upwards from the tank so that the fluid is at a level in said pipe or duct above the maximum fluid level in the tank, cutting off or restricting the supply of fluid to the dispensing tank or vessel, and dispensing fluid from the dispensing tank so that initially the fluid level drops in the header pipe and then the fluid level falls in the dispensing tank or vessel.
Preferably the volume of the fluid contained in the header pipe is less than half and if possible less than a quarter or an eighth or a sixteenth or a thirty-second of the volume of the dispensing tank or of the volume of the unit of fluid to be dispensed, whereby the time taken to empty the header pipe during dispensing is a small fraction of the total time to dispense the fluid.
According to the invention there is also provided any concept or feature or combination of features defined and/or described and/or illustrated in this specification and drawings.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;
Fig 1 shows, diagrammatically, dispensing apparatus comprising a feed tank, a dispensing tank and a header pipe, arranged with the dispensing tank outside the main tank; and Fig 2 shows similar dispensing apparatus but in which the dispensing tank is located within the feed tank.
As shown in Fig 1, dispensing apparatus 10 comprises a feed tank 12, a dispensing tank 14 connected to the feed tank by a pipe 16 in which is provided a solenoid valve 18 which is springbiased to the open position and electrically energised to close.
Dispensing tank 14 has a header pipe 20 sealed thereto in the upper surface of the tank, the header pipe extending upwardly to an open end 22 which is slightly above the maximum fluid level 24 in tank 12.
Dispensing tank 14 has an outlet pipe 26 provided with an outlet valve 28 which is solenoid-operated.
It is to be noted that header pipe 20 is sealed to dispensing tank 14 so that, with the liquid levels shown in Fig 1, water is forced from the dispensing tank into the header pipe until it reaches the same level as level 24 in feed tank 12.
Apparatus 10 forms part of a drink vending machine which further incorporates a store tank (not shown).
Fluid is dispensed from dispensing tank 14 through outlet pipe 26 and outlet valve 28 into the store tank where the fluid may be heated or cooled by an electric heater or refrigeration apparatus, according to the type of drink which the machine vends. From the store tank the dispensed fluid passes to mixing apparatus (not shown) which is likewise electrically operated and mixes the dispensed fluid with powders, solids or liquids to produce the desired beverage.
In use, fluid is manually tipped into feed tank 12 and reaches a certain level therein. Solenoid valve
18 is then opened and fluid passes through valve 18 into dispensing tank 14, fills the tank and passes up header pipe 20 until it reaches a level corresponding to that in the feed tank. All this time, solenoid operated outlet valve 28 is closed, then, solenoid inlet valve 18 is likewise closed and outlet valve 28 is opened whereupon the liquid from the dispensing tank is dispensed into the store tank and displaces a corresponding volume of fluid into the mixing apparatus and hence into the waiting cup (not shown) of a customer of the machine.
The dispensing action will now be examined a little more closely. After inlet valve 18 has been closed and outlet valve 28 has been opened, fluid is dispensed from the dispensing tank through the outlet pipe 26 and the outlet valve 28 under gravitational action and a corres ponding volume of air is drawn in through the open end 22 of the header pipe 20.
It is particularly to be understood that during the dispensing time, the initial period of dispensing results in the fluid level in header pipe 20 immediately falling until there is no fluid left in the header pipe, and then the fluid level in the dispensing tank 14 begins to fall. It will be appreciated that the smaller the cross sectional ares,land hence the smaller the internal volume) of header pipe 20, the quicker the fluid level will fall in the header pipe as soon as dispensing starts and hence, although the fluid level falls during dispensing, it falls so briefly in the initial dispensing stage that it has little effect on the overall pressure and hence on the overall volume of material dispensed.Clearly, the smaller the cross section of the header pipe, the quicker it will empty itself during dispensing so that the period of rapidly changing pressure or head is thereby quickly brought to an end.
In the embodiment of Fig 2, the main components of the dispensing apparatus correspond to those of Fig 1 and are distinguished by the addition of 100 to their reference numerals so that, for example, feed tank 112 in Fig 2 corresponds to feed tank 12 in Fig 1 and dispensing tank 114 corresponds to dispensing tank 14 in Fig 1, and so on.
The main difference between the embodiments of Fig 2 and Fig 1 is that in Fig 2, the dispensing tank 114 is arranged within the feed tank 112 with the header pipe 120 arranged in one corner of the feed tank and extending upwardly to the region of the top of the feed tank.
In this way, a particularly compact arrangement is achieved, while the general function of the apparatus is substantially unchanged. The compact form of the apparatus is particularly advantageous for use in counter-top dispensing machines.
The main advantage of the apparatus of the embodiments described above lies in the minimal effect on the volume of fluid dispensed which the change in the fluid level in the feed tank has. As the level in that tank falls, so the starting level in the header pipe falls, but this has a minimal effect on the volume of fluid dispensed since the fluid in the header pipe is eliminated in the first few seconds of dispensing.
Among modifications which could be made in the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention are the following:
1 Use of the apparatus in relation to machines other than drink dispensing machines
2 Use of any suitable valves and any suitable electrically, mechanical, manual or other method of control.
3 Use of the apparatus and method in relation to any desired fluid which will flow under gravity
4 The header pipe may be arranged with side outlets or downwardly facing outlets at its top end so that liquid reaching the end of the pipe at a high velocity is directed back into the dispensing tank.
5 The dispensing tank may be of any convenient shape, and the header pipe can be sealed to it at any convenient location. Indeed, the header pipe and the outlet pipe can be connected to the apparatus at any point on the downstream side of the inlet valve 18, and need not be directly connected to the dispensing tank 14 at all.
Claims (20)
1. Dispensing-aapparatus for fluids, the apparatus comprising a dispensing tank or vessel, the tank or vessel having a feed inlet and the apparatus having a dispensing outlet for fluid from the tank, characterised by a header pipe or duct extending upwardly from the tank to a level above the tank.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the maximum volume of the header pipe which is filled with fluid during use is less than half the unit volume of fluid to be dispensed from the apparatus.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the said volume of the header pipe is. less than one quarter of the unit volume of fluid to be dispensed.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein teh said volume of the header pipe is less than one tenth of the said unit volume of fluid to be dispensed.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the feed inlet is connected to a feed tank, and a controllable inlet valve or flow restrictor is provided between the feed tank and the dispensing tank or vessel.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the maximum fluid level in the feed tank is higher than the maximum fluid level in the dispensing tank.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the header pipe or duct extend upwards to a level slightly above the maximum fluid level in the feed tank.
8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the fluid capacity volume of the feed tank is at least twice and preferably at least four times or eight times the volume of the dispensing tank.
9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the dispensing tank is provided within the feed tank and located at or adjacent the bottom surface of the feed tank with the header pipe extending upwardly from the dispensing tank to the region of the maximum liquid level in the feed tank.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9 arranged for automatic or semi-automatic operation.
11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the inlet valve is arranged to close or restrict the fluid flow between the feed and the dispensing tanks or vessels before fluid is dispensed from the dispensing tank.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the inlet valve or flow restrictor is arranged to open automatically to re-fill the dispensing tank and the header pipe or conduit after dispensing has occurred.
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with a store tank or reservoir to dispense fluid into the store tank.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein fluid heating or fluid cooling means is provided for fluid supplied to the store aank or reservoir.
15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a mixing device is provided to mix fluid dispensed from the dispensing tank with solids or liquids or powders to produce a beverage or other liquid or semi-liquid refreshment.
16. A counter-top drink dispensing or vending apparatus comprising fluid dispensing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims
17. A method of dispensing fluids comprising supplying a fluid to a dispensing tank or vessel until fluid passes out of the tank into a header pipe or duct extending upwards from the tank so that the fluid is at a level in said pipe or- duct above the maximum fluid level in the tank, cutting off or restricting the supply of fluid to the dispensing tank or vessel, and dispensing fluid from the dispensing tank so that initially the fluid level drops in the header pipe and then the fluid level falls in the dispensing tank or vessel.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the volume of fluid contain in the header pipe is less than half and preferably less than a quarter or an eighth or a sixteenth or a thirty-second part of the volume of the dispensing tank or of the volume of the unit of fluid to be dispensed.
19. Dispensing apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A method of dispensing fluids substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08320888A GB2144396A (en) | 1983-08-03 | 1983-08-03 | Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08320888A GB2144396A (en) | 1983-08-03 | 1983-08-03 | Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8320888D0 GB8320888D0 (en) | 1983-09-07 |
| GB2144396A true GB2144396A (en) | 1985-03-06 |
Family
ID=10546725
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08320888A Withdrawn GB2144396A (en) | 1983-08-03 | 1983-08-03 | Method and apparatus for dispensing fluids |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2144396A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2269158A (en) * | 1992-07-30 | 1994-02-02 | Philip Arthur Pike | Liquid dispensing unit |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB357137A (en) * | 1930-06-13 | 1931-09-14 | Karl Gustaf Harry Gustafsson | Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing petrol and other liquids |
| GB689529A (en) * | 1950-03-31 | 1953-04-01 | William James Farquharson | Combination liquid dispenser and mixer |
-
1983
- 1983-08-03 GB GB08320888A patent/GB2144396A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB357137A (en) * | 1930-06-13 | 1931-09-14 | Karl Gustaf Harry Gustafsson | Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing petrol and other liquids |
| GB689529A (en) * | 1950-03-31 | 1953-04-01 | William James Farquharson | Combination liquid dispenser and mixer |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2269158A (en) * | 1992-07-30 | 1994-02-02 | Philip Arthur Pike | Liquid dispensing unit |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8320888D0 (en) | 1983-09-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |