Beverage dispenser with water cooler and concentrate adding device
Abstract
A beverage dispenser (11) is disclosed for use in combination with a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a cooling device (5) and a water bottle (1) and the beverage dispenser is intended to be positioned between the cooling device and the water bottle. The beverage dispenser comprises: a dispensing station (18), a dedicated water nozzle (17) for dispensing water at the dispensing station, a conduit (13) for supply of water from the water cooler to the water nozzle, a connector (22) for attachment to a container (12) comprising concentrate, a dedicated concentrate nozzle (16) for dispensing concentrate to the dispensing station, a conduit (23) for supply of concentrate from the container to the concentrate nozzle, and wherein the water nozzle and the concentrate nozzle are arranged such that water dispensed from the water nozzle and concentrate dispensed from the concentrate nozzle intersect, and wherein the angle (β) of the concentrate nozzle relative to the horizontal is from 25° to 90°, and the angle (α) of the water nozzle relative to the horizontal is from 45° to 90°.
Term
No projected expiry on record.
- Priority
- Filed
- Published
- Today
15 claims: 7 independent, 8 dependent
- 1Claims Zastrzeżenia patentowe 1. Dozownik (11) napojów przeznaczony do zastosowania w połączeniu ze schładzaczem wody, gdzie schładzacz wody zawiera urządzenie chłodzące (5) i butlę (1) z wodą, zaś dozownik napojów jest przeznaczony do umieszczenia pomiędzy urządzeniem chłodzącym a butlą z wodą, przy czym dozownik napojów zawiera:A beverage dispenser (11) for use in combination with a water cooler, where the water cooler comprises a cooling device (5) and a bottle (1) with water, and the beverage dispenser is arranged to be placed between the cooling device and the water bottle, the beverage dispenser contains: - a dosing station (19) on which the container (18) can be placed or held while the beverage is being dispensed, - stanowisko dozowania (19), na którym można umieścić lub trzymać pojemnik (18) podczas wydzielania napoju, - dedicated nozzle (17) of water for dispensing water at the dosing station (19), - dedykowaną dyszę (17) wody do dozowania wody na stanowisku dozowania (19) , - a pipe (13) for supplying water from the water cooler to the water nozzle (17), -przewód (13) do dostarczania wody ze schładzacza wody do dyszy (17) wody, - a connector (22) for attaching a container (12) containing the concentrate, - złącze (22) do dołączeniapojemnika (12) zawierającego koncentrat, - dedicated nozzle (16) concentrate for dosing the concentrate at the dosing station, - dedykowaną dyszę (16) koncentratu do dozowania koncentratu na stanowisku dozowania, - a conduit (23) for delivering the concentrate from the container (12) to the concentrate nozzle (16);- przewód (23) do dostarczania koncentratu z pojemnika (12) do dyszy (16) koncentratu;gdzie dysza (17) wody i dysza (16) koncentratu są tak rozmieszczone, że woda dozowana z dyszy wodyi koncentrat dozowany z dyszy koncentratu przecinają się i gdzie kąt (β) dyszy koncentratu względem poziomu wynosi od 25° do 90°, a kąt (a) dyszy wody względem poziomu wynosi od 45° do 90°;a także gdzie dozownik napojów nie zawiera komory mieszającej. where the nozzle (17) of the water and the nozzle (16) of the concentrate are arranged such that the water dispensed from the water nozzle and the concentrate dispensed from the concentrate nozzle intersect and where the angle (β) of the concentrate nozzle is from 25 ° to 90 ° and the angle (β) ( a) the water nozzle relative to the level is from 45 ° to 90 °;and where the beverage dispenser does not contain a mixing chamber.
- 4Dozownik napojów według dowolnego z poprzednich zastrz., w którym zarówno dysza wody jak i dysza koncentratu ma otwór dozowania a pozioma odległość (d) pomiędzy środkami otworów dyszy koncentratu i dyszy wody wynosi pomiędzy 5 a 20 mm. A beverage dispenser as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein both the water nozzle and the concentrate nozzle have a dispensing opening and the horizontal distance (d) between the centers of the nozzle holes of the concentrate nozzle and the water nozzle is between 5 and 20 mm.
- 6Dozownik napojów według dowolnego z poprzednich zastrz., w którym wewnętrzna średnica dyszy wody wynosi pomiędzy 2 a 15 mm, zaś wewnętrzna średnica dyszy koncentratu wynosi pomiędzy 0,5 a 10 mm. 6. The beverage dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal diameter of the water nozzle is between 2 and 15 mm and the inner diameter of the concentrate nozzle is between 0.5 and 10 mm.
- 7A beverage dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises a dedicated pump head (14) for pumping a concentrate from a container (12) to a concentrate nozzle (16). 7. Dozownik napojów według dowolnego z poprzednich zastrz., który zawiera dedykowaną głowicę (14) pompy do pompowania koncentratu z pojemnika (12) do dyszy koncentratu (16).
- 8Dozownik napojów według dowolnego z poprzednich zastrz., który zawiera dedykowaną głowicę (15) pompy do pompowania wody ze schładzacza do dyszy wody (17). A beverage dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes a dedicated pump head (15) for pumping water from a desuperheater to a water nozzle (17).
- 9Dozownik napojów według dowolnego z poprzednich zastrz., który zawiera co najmniej jeden pojemnik (12) zawierający koncentrat. A beverage dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises at least one container (12) containing a concentrate.
- 13A water cooler, which comprises a cooling device (5) and a bottle (1) with water, wherein a beverage dispenser (11) is disposed between the cooling device and the water bottle according to any of the claims. from 1 to 11. 13. Schładzacz wody, który zawiera urządzenie chłodzące (5) i butlę (1) z wodą, w którym pomiędzy urządzeniem chłodzącym a butlą z wodą umieszczony jest dozownik (11) napojów według dowolnego z zastrz. od 1 do 11.
Independent claims7
81 paragraphs in 5 sections, as filed
[0001] The present invention relates to beverage dispensers that are used with water coolers. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a beverage, a method for modifying a water cooler and flexible holding means for modifying a water cooler.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Water coolers can be found in many offices and workplaces. Typically, water coolers are used to provide the consumer with a cup of fresh water, cool or at ambient temperature. Such water coolers generally consist of a cooler housing on which the water bottle is placed in an inverted position. Typically, the casing housing includes a cooling device, a cold water tank and two taps with water, respectively for cold water and water at ambient temperature. Some of the water from the bottle is cooled by a cooling device and temporarily stored in the tank before delivery.
[0003] In general, in addition to water, the consumer may wish to have more beverage choices to quench his thirst. This would generally require placing an additional beverage dispenser in the office or a set of bottles containing, for example, fruit juice concentrates or syrups. However, the available floor space in offices is usually limited, and additional dispensers are expensive, and outside the surface, they consume a lot of energy for cooling. Therefore, there is a need for cheap beverage dispensers that can be mounted on existing conventional water coolers and using which other beverages can also be added in addition to water. Currently one of the more and more gaining on
The popularity of beverages is iced tea, as it is a refreshing beverage containing healthy antioxidants and may contain less sugar than regular non-alcoholic beverages.
[0004] A conventional way of preparing drinks in a dispenser is to dilute the concentrate with water. The concentrate is placed in a separate container and after mixing a fixed amount of concentrate with a fixed amount of water, a ready-to-drink beverage is obtained.
[0005] Numerous types of beverage dispensers and water coolers are available on the market.
[0006] US 2002/130140 describes a dispenser for serving water and / or juice.
[0007] GB 2 403 710 discloses a dispenser of fruit concentrate combined with a known water cooler. The dispenser contains means in which a conventional concentric bottle can be screwed into the neck in an upright position, after being turned into a vertical dispensing position. The dispenser is attached to the side of the water cooler.
[0008] US 2005/0121466 discloses an apparatus for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of a liquid, for example water and at least one liquid concentrate, comprising at least two fluid nozzles connected respectively to at least one liquid source to produce a first liquid stream in the air along the first a path and a second stream of liquid in the air along the second path, at least one concentrate nozzle connected to at least one liquid concentrate source to deliver the liquid concentrate stream in the air along the third path where the fluid nozzles and the concentrate nozzle are oriented with each other such that the first the path, the second path and the third path intersect above the container at one common point of intersection,thanks to which a mixture is formed as a result of the collision of appropriate streams and stream (planes).
[0009] Furthermore, beverage mixers and dispensers have been described that can use a conventional water cabinet in a bottle supporting a conventional bottle.
[0010] For example, US 3 723 851 discloses a beverage mixer and dispenser utilizing a water cabinet in a bottle that supports a water container and a plurality of containers with flavored liquids; all of these containers are arranged to gravitatively feed from them liquids; and a dispensing and mixing valve under all said containers; wherein said valve has a rotatable and reciprocable valve element that can be rotated to any of several selected ones
A location communicating with any of said containers with a flavored liquid; and said valve element may be operated in a reciprocal movement against the pressure of the spring in order to cause the said container to be combined with water and one of said flavor containers with a common mouth of said valve through which water and the selected flavoring liquid can be mixed and dispensed into the container serving to drink.
[0011] Unfortunately, the use of a common outlet for mixing flavor fluid and water, as described in US 3 723 851, can lead to contamination of the dispensing valve with the final beverage, which, unless complicated cleaning agents are used in the dispenser, can lead to hygiene problems and / or transferring the taste from one type of beverage to another. We have noticed that the use of cleaning agents in the dispenser intended for use with a water cooler increases the undesirable complexity, weight and cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a simple beverage dispenser that can easily be mounted on a conventional water cooler, thereby forming an additional selection of beverages for the consumer. Another object is to provide a beverage dispenser that is hygienic to minimize cleaning requirements. Another object is to provide a beverage dispenser that dispenses the beverage into the cup without splashing.
[0013] It is noted that one or more of these objectives can be achieved by a beverage dispenser that is mounted to a conventional water cooler, by placing it between the water bottle and the cooling device and which has a specific configuration of the dispensing means.
[0014] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a beverage dispenser to be used in combination with a water cooler, wherein the water cooler comprises a cooling device and a water bottle, and the beverage dispenser is arranged to be placed between the cooling device and the water bottle, the beverage dispenser being dispensed. It includes:
- dosing station,
EP2516319 B1
V12654PL00 / KK
- dedicated water nozzle for dispensing water at the dosing station,
- a pipe for supplying water from the water cooler to the water nozzle,
- a connector for attaching a container containing concentrate,
- dedicated concentrate nozzle with concentrate,
- a conduit for delivering a concentrate from a container to a concentrate nozzle, and wherein the water nozzle and the concentrate nozzle are arranged such that the water dispensed from the water nozzle and concentrate dispensed from the concentrate nozzle intersect, and where the angle (β) of the nozzle concentrate in relation to the level is from 25 ° to 90 ° and the angle (a) of the water jet in relation to the level is from 45 ° to 90 °.
In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preparing and dispensing a beverage into a container at a dispenser dosing station from a first embodiment, the method comprising the steps of dispensing a stream of water in the air from a water nozzle and a concentrate stream in the air from a concentrate nozzle where said jets are directed so that they intersect and mix in the air before coming into contact with the container.
[0017] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of modifying a water cooler using a beverage dispenser according to a first embodiment, which method comprises the following steps in any order:
- placing the dispenser between the cooling device and the water bottle;
- placing a conduit for supplying water so that it is in fluid communication with water in a water cooler;
- attaching the connector to the container to allow the concentrate to flow in a container into a container for supplying the concentrate.
[0018] In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a water cooler that includes a cooling device and a water bottle in which a beverage dispenser is arranged between the cooling device and the water bottle.
[0019] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a kit for modifying a water cooler, comprising a beverage dispenser according to a first embodiment, a conversion kit and written instructions on how to modify the water cooler with a beverage dispenser.
EP2516319 B1
V12654PL00 / KK
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0020] The present invention has one or more of the following advantages: a beverage dispenser can be easily attached to an existing water cooler and gives the consumer an alternative beverage choice. In addition, no additional beverage dispensing machine or attached bottles containing concentrates (fruit) are needed. One simple operation, by pressing one button on the beverage dispenser of the invention, the consumer receives a ready-to-drink beverage that is well-mixed, with optimal taste, because the dispenser provides the correct amount of water and concentrate to make a beverage with the correct composition. The beverage dispenser of the present invention uses water cooler devices, hence no additional cooling machine or cold water source is required, and there is no additional flooring needed for the beverage dispenser. Due to the design of the dispenser, the beverage dispenser may have minimal cleaning properties that make it a hygienic device. The beverage dispenser does not need a mixing chamber where water and concentrate are mixed. Typically, such a mixing chamber requires daily cleaning which is not required in the present invention. concentrate from the container in the beverage dispenser and water from the water cooler can be combined with dedicated nozzles, pump heads and lines. The streams of water and concentrate flowing out of the nozzles can be mixed in the air while dispensing the drink. All this can lead to the contamination of the beverage dispenser part. A mug that stands below the mixing point of streams
Definitions [0021] In the context of the present invention, the following terms have the following meanings.
• Beverage dispenser: device for use with a water cooler, where the water cooler contains a cooling device and a water bottle, and 5
The beverage dispenser is designed to be placed between the cooling device and the water bottle, and the beverage dispenser has a dispensing station on which a beverage other than water may be dispensed. Preferred beverage dispensers are those adapted for unstable placement between the device and the water bottle, where the term "unstable" means that the dispenser can be placed and removed without affecting the normal operation of the water cooler.
• Water cooler: A device that can cool and dispense water, and which may contain a water bottle and a cooler housing on which the water bottle is placed in an inverted position.
• Cooler housing: a structural element that supports the water cylinder and forms the base of the water cooler, includes a cooling device and includes a cold water container, and which optionally also may include taps for dispensing water.
• Cooling device: a device that cools water from a cylinder located in the cooler housing, usually towards its bottom.
• Conversion kit: provides means for matching the beverage dispenser to different types, configurations and brands of water coolers and cooler housings. • Batching station: a stand in the beverage dispenser or water cooler where a container can be placed or held (for example a disposable cup), while A drink is dispensed to it.
• Concentrate: a beverage precursor that can be diluted with water to obtain a tasty drink. Typically, the concentrate will have a particulate content of at least 3% by weight, more preferably at least 10% by weight, even more preferably at least 15% by weight, and most preferably between 20 and 80% by weight. In the context of the present invention, the term concentrate includes beverage precursors such as fruit juice concentrates, syrups (thick, viscous liquid containing large amounts of dissolved sugars and the like) and others. Furthermore, the invention also encompasses the use of diluents other than water, e.g. alcoholic beverages, milk or any other food liquid.
EP2516319 V12654EN00 / KK • Tea: material obtained from Camellia sinensis var. sinensis or Camellia sinensis var. assamica. Also includes rooibos tea obtained from Aspalathus linearis. The term "tea" is also intended to include a mixture of two or more of these materials. The "tea-based" concentrate is a concentrate that contains solid particles obtained from tea. Typically, the tea-based concentrate will contain at least 0.5% by weight of the tea particles, more preferably at least 1%, and most preferably from 3 to 50%.
Description of the drawings [0022] The invention is illustrated by drawings in which:
• Fig. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a water cooler;
• Fig. 2 shows a schematic drawing of the water cooler of Fig. 1, but modified by the embodiment of a beverage holder according to the invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of a portion of a beverage dispenser in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the beverage dispenser nozzles of Fig. 3.
• Fig. 5 shows the components of the modified water cooler from Fig. 2 before folding.
Water cooler and beverage dispenser [0023] The water cooler illustrated in Fig. 1 is a conventional water cooler that can be found in many offices and workplaces around the world. The illustrated water cooler comprises a bottle (1) with water and a housing (2) of the cooler on which the cylinder (1) is mounted with the water in the inverted position (i.e., the opening of the bottle at the bottom). The volume of the cylinder (1) with water can be, for example, up to about 20 liters. The casing (2) of the desuperheater can be considered as a cylinder (or box or any other shape), which typically includes a cooling device (5) on the bottom and a tank (6) containing cold water. In general, the cooling device (5) on the bottom and the tank (6) do not
They can be seen from the outside. Water flows through the pipes from the bottle (1) through the cooling device (5) to the cold water tank (6). The cups can be filled using taps (3) and (4) cold water and water at ambient temperature, respectively. Tap water (3) of cold water is supplied from the tank (6), while tap water (4) is not cooled and is supplied straight from the bottle (1). Some water coolers, except cold water and ambient water, may also give preheated water. In this case, the casing of the desuperheater will also contain a water heating system and a hot water tank. Fig. 1 does not show the wires, connections and valves between the various components of the water cooler. These parts would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.
[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention: a beverage dispenser (11) that is mounted on an existing water cooler. The beverage dispenser is located on the housing (2) of the desuperheater, and the bottle (1) with water is placed in an inverted position on top of the beverage dispenser (11). The beverage dispenser (11) is attached to the cooler housing via the conversion kit. By using such a conversion kit, the wires and other elements can be fitted between the beverage dispenser and the water cooler. The conversion kit includes means for fitting the beverage dispenser to different types, configurations and brands of water coolers and cooler housings.
[0025] A more detailed understanding of the relationship between the cylinder (1), the dispenser (11) and the housing (2) of the modified water cooler of Figure 2 can be obtained from Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the water bottle (1) comprises a neck ( 100) and the housing (2) of the desuperheater includes a recess (not shown) in its upper surface, which is shaped to place the neck (100) of the cylinder (1) with water and seal it with it. The beverage dispenser (11) in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5 has a projection (150) on its lower surface and a recess (not shown) on its upper surface. The protrusion (150) is shaped to mimic the exact shape and dimensions of the neck (100) of the cylinder so that the projection (150) can be placed and can form a sealed connection with the selection of the housing. Similarly, the selection of the dispenser is shaped like this,
Although the modified water cooler illustrated in Fig. 2 includes a single beverage dispenser (11), the water cooler may contain 1 to 4 beverage dispensers according to the invention, which are arranged between the cooling device and the water bottle. . Two or more beverage dispensers (11) can be mounted on the water cooler, thus giving the consumer a wider choice of beverages without the need for an additional floor surface or an additional cooling machine or water source. The beverage dispensers may be designed so that the dispenser may be in the form of a ring or cylinder. The beverage dispensers may be stacked and the second beverage dispenser may be placed on the first, and the water bottle is then placed on the second dispenser. The number of beverage dispensers per one water cooler is limited by the amount at which it is still practical to take the beverage cup from the dispenser and on what practical it is to exchange the bottle with water. Preferably, the number of additional beverage dispensers on the water cooler is between 1 and 3, more preferably 1 or 2. Another possibility is that the beverage dispenser be designed and built in the form of a wedge and for example 2 to 4 wedges together form a ring or cylinder. Each of the wedge shaped beverage dispensers then comprises elements according to the invention, as described below. In all these cases (beverage dispensers that are stacked or in the form of wedges), the conversion kit will be designed in such a way that water can be supplied from the water cooler to each of the beverage dispensers.
The beverage dispenser may be applicable in conjunction with existing conventional water coolers, and the beverage dispenser may be easily mounted to the cooler housing using a conversion kit. Furthermore, the present invention also includes a beverage dispenser that is integrated in the cooler housing, thereby forming an integral cooler housing and beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser and the water cooler then have the same characteristic features as in the case where the beverage dispenser is placed on top of the existing cooler housing. Also in this case, one or more beverage dispensers may be provided at the top of the existing casing housing with the integrated beverage dispenser. Therefore, another form of the present invention is a water cooler, wherein the at least one beverage dispenser according to the invention is integrated in the cooler housing and in which the dosing station is contained in the cooler housing. Preferably said 9
A water cooler in which at least one beverage dispenser according to the invention is integrated in the cooler housing may contain from 1 to 4 beverage dispensers according to the invention, which are arranged between the cooling device and the water bottle.
[0028] The beverage dispenser is illustrated in Fig. 2 with a container (18) placed in a dispensing station (19) ready to receive a drink dose, which is dispensed upon actuation of the button (20). The container (18) for use with the dispenser of the present invention may be any beverage container, and is preferably a cup, especially a disposable cup.
[0029] The beverage dispenser of the invention preferably comprises at least one container containing a concentrate, more preferably two or more containers containing a concentrate. In an embodiment that is schematically illustrated in Fig. 3, the beverage dispenser (11) comprises a container (12) in which the beverage concentrate is contained. The container (12) may be any container that is conventionally used for storing food liquids, e.g. a bottle. Typically, the capacity of the container is from 0.5 to 2 liters, although the container can have any volume as long as the container fits the dispenser. Preferably, at least one of the containers is a disposable plastic bag.
[0030] The beverage dispenser according to the invention comprises a connector for connection to a container containing a concentrate. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the container (12) is in fluid communication with the conduit (23) to feed the concentrate from the container (12) to a dedicated concentrate nozzle (16). The hose (23) is connected to the container (12) using the connector (22). The connector (22) may comprise any suitable mechanism for connecting the container to the beverage dispenser and the mechanism is adapted to the type of closure of the container (12). The concentrate is pumped through the concentrate conduit (23) via the first pump head (14).
[0031] Water can be supplied directly from the water bottle or source in the cooler housing. Preferably, the water supply line (13) is in fluid communication with the water in the water cooler. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the conduit (13) supplies cold water from the cold water reservoir (6) in the cooler housing (2) and the flow rate is controlled by the second pump head (15). In case the water cooler is equipped with
The hot water tank (13) can be connected to the hot water tank via a conversion kit.
[0032] The pump heads (14) and (15) can be driven by a single double-head pump or by two separate pumps, each with one pump head. When the button (20) is activated, the pump heads (14, 15) are started simultaneously, and the assumed quantity of concentrate flows out of the concentrate nozzle (16) as a stream into the air and the assumed amount of water flows out of the nozzle (17) of water in the form of a stream into the air. The nozzles (16) and (17) are oriented so that the two jets are mixed at a common point of intersection (21) prior to falling, already as a mixed beverage, into the container (18) standing in the dispensing station (19).
[0033] The relative positions of the nozzles (16) and (17) are optimized to obtain good mixing and to prevent the splashing of the beverage and to avoid the need for additional cleaning. The position of the nozzles is illustrated with reference to Fig. 4. The angle (a) of the nozzle (17) relative to the horizontal is between 45 ° and 90 °, preferably between 75 ° and 90 °, most preferably around 90 °, which means that the nozzle (17 preferably) ) is vertical or almost vertical. The angle (β) of the concentrate nozzle (16) relative to the horizontal is between 25 ° and 90 °, preferably between 45 ° and 75 °, most preferably between 50 ° and 60 °. It is particularly preferred that the angle (a) of the water nozzle is larger than the angle (β) of the concentrate nozzle. In order to ensure that the water released from the water nozzle and concentrate released from the concentrate nozzle will intersect, their arrangement is preferably such that
[0034] Preferably the diameter of the concentrate nozzle (16) is smaller than the water nozzle (17) in order to obtain a high discharge velocity from the concentrate nozzle (16) and the possibility of accurately directing the concentrate stream to the water stream. The inner diameter of the water nozzle (17) is preferably between 2 and 15 mm, even more preferably between 4 and 10 mm. The inner diameter of the concentrate nozzle is preferably between 0.5 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm.
[0035] The nozzles (16, 17), each of them, have a dispensing opening (16a, 17a), and the horizontal and vertical distances between the centers of the nozzle holes of the concentrate (16a) and the water nozzle (17a) can also be optimized to prevent splashing out .
Preferably, the brewing position the distance (d) between the centers of the openings (16a, 17a) is between 5 and 20 mm, more preferably between 5 and 15 mm. The vertical distance (h) between the centers of the openings (16a, 17a) is preferably between 0 and 20 mm, 11
Preferably, between 0 and 10 mm. Preferably also the opening (16a) of the concentrate nozzle (16) is located higher than the opening (17a) of the water nozzle (17).
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser comprises two or more containers con- taining a concentrate. Two or more containers, filled with various concentrates, connected to the pump heads, lines and nozzles, may be present in the beverage dispenser to give the consumer a greater choice that only a cup of water from the water cooler and one drink from the dispenser. Preferably each container (12) is connected to a dedicated pump head (14), a dedicated conduit (23) and a dedicated concentrate nozzle (16). Also preferably, a conduit (13) for supplying water from the water cooler is connected to a dedicated pump head (15) and a dedicated water nozzle (17). Each container can be connected to dedicated pump heads, lines and nozzles, analogously to the first container (12), to prevent cross-contamination between different flavors of concentrates. Consequently, the number of buttons (20) on the beverage dispenser is preferably at least equal to the number of containers in the beverage dispenser. The number of containers is limited by the space available inside the beverage dispenser and is preferably from 1 to 4, most preferably the number of containers is 2. Where multiple containers can be used, the dispenser will contain a plurality of connectors (22). Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the dispenser includes at least two connectors, where each connector is for connection to a container containing a concentrate. More preferably, the dispenser contains from 2 to 4 connectors. The number of containers is limited by the space available inside the beverage dispenser and is preferably from 1 to 4, most preferably the number of containers is 2. Where multiple containers can be used, the dispenser will contain a plurality of connectors (22). Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the dispenser includes at least two connectors, where each connector is for connection to a container containing a concentrate. More preferably, the dispenser contains from 2 to 4 connectors. The number of containers is limited by the space available inside the beverage dispenser and is preferably from 1 to 4, most preferably the number of containers is 2. Where multiple containers can be used, the dispenser will contain a plurality of connectors (22). Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the dispenser includes at least two connectors, where each connector is for connection to a container containing a concentrate. More preferably, the dispenser contains from 2 to 4 connectors. where each connector is for connection to a container containing concentrate. More preferably, the dispenser contains from 2 to 4 connectors. where each connector is for connection to a container containing concentrate. More preferably, the dispenser contains from 2 to 4 connectors.
[0037] In order to ensure a constant mixing ratio of water and concentrate, the pump heads (14, 15) are preferably applied to both liquids so that the flow rate is independent of the effect of gravity. To facilitate mixing, the pump heads can be operated in a constant flow rate mode or in a pulsed flow rate mode at the dosing of water and concentrate. Displacement pumps and peristaltic pumps can be used, where peristaltic pumps are most suitable for pulsed flow. Preferably, the water stream flows at a constant flow rate, whereas the concentrate stream is pumped in a constant or pulsed mode. Most preferably both the head (14) of the concentrate pump and the head (15) of the water pump operate in a constant flow rate mode when the beverage is dosed.
[0038] The volumes pumped out by the heads (14) and (15) depend on the required dilution ratio and the required total beverage volume and can be adjusted by the operator. Preferably, the concentrate is a tea-based concentrate from which, after dilution with water, a ready-made fresh and cold beverage in the form of an ice tea can be made. Preferably at least one of the containers (12) comprises a tea-based concentrate. If more than one container (12) is present, then the first concentrate may be a normal concentrate of iced tea, and the second concentrate may be any concentrate diluted to make a beverage. Examples of this are fruit juice concentrates or lemonade syrups and they can be sweetened using ordinary sweeteners, like sugar, be zerolub or low-calorie sweeteners, like aspartame or sucralose. The required dilution ratio depends on the concentrate concentration. The ratio of dilution of the concentrate in water is preferably between 1: 1 and 1:20 (by volume), more preferably between 1: 1 and 1:10 (by volume). The total volume of dispensed beverage can be adjusted and is preferably between 100 and 300 milliliters, more preferably between 150 and 250 milliliters per serving.
[0039] It should be noted that not all parts of the beverage dispenser such as conduits, connectors, valves and the electronic control unit are shown in the drawings. The omitted elements have been omitted for the sake of clarity, but they are obvious to a specialist in the field.
EXAMPLE [0040] The following non-limiting example illustrates the present invention.
[0041] A beverage dispenser (11) is shown schematically in Fig. 3, and mounted between the cooler housing (2) and the bottle (1) with water of a conventional water cooler (illustrated in Fig. 2). The height of the beverage dispenser was 20 cm, and the diameter was equal to the diameter of the cooler housing. The water was pumped from the cold water tank (6) in the cooler housing through the centrifugal pump and the pump head (15) - the flow rate was regulated via the outlet pipe diameter combination (13) and the water flow restrictor valve (not shown in Fig. 3) on the inlet side . With centrifugal pump and pump head (14)
A plastic 1 L bag containing a syrup of Lipton iced tea was combined. <sup>TM</sup> (Lipton Ice Tea Post-Mix syrup, dilution ratio 1: 8, offered by Unilever). The pipes were equipped with a water flow restrictor valve and one-way valve (not shown in Fig. 3). The diameters of the nozzles (16) and (17) and the heads (14) and (15) of the pump for concentrate and water were optimized to obtain a flow of 200 ml for 10 seconds. At a dilution ratio of 1: 8, this produced a flow rate of 133 ml / min for the concentrate and 1064 ml / min for water. the diameter of the water nozzle was 6 mm, and the diameter of the concentrate nozzle was 1 mm.
[0042] Various relative positions of the water nozzle (17) and the concentrate nozzle (16) have been tested, see Table 1, where the horizontal (d) and vertical (h) distances between the center of the nozzle openings (16a, 17a) as well as the angles ( α, β) inclination of the nozzles relative to the horizontal. In all cases, the arrangement of the nozzles was such that the openings (16a, 17a) were in the same vertical plane.
[0043] Table 1 Results of changing the arrangement of the nozzles (16) and (17) on the dispensing quality.
Table 1
<td>#</td><td>d (Mm)</td><td>h (Mm)</td><td>α</td><td>β</td><td>Flow</td><td>Score</td>
<td>1</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>50 °</td><td>90</td><td>pulsating water, pulsing concentrate</td><td>splashes</td>
<td>2</td><td>7</td><td>0</td><td>50 °</td><td>90</td><td>constant water, pulsating concentrate</td><td>good mixing, drops on the nozzle water</td>
<td>3</td><td>7</td><td>9</td><td>60</td><td>80</td><td>constant water, pulsating concentrate</td><td>good mixing</td>
<td>4</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>60</td><td>80</td><td>constant water, pulsating concentrate</td><td>good mixing, but splashing concentrate with a water nozzle</td>
<td>5</td><td>8</td><td>4</td><td>90</td><td>55 °</td><td>constant water, pulsating concentrate</td><td>good mixing, no splashing</td>
<td>6</td><td>8</td><td>4</td><td>90</td><td>55 °</td><td>solid water, solid concentrate</td><td>good mixing, no splashing</td>
[0044] d: horizontal distance between the centers of the nozzle openings h: vertical distance between the centers of the nozzle openings (where the concentrate nozzle is located higher than the water nozzle)
EP2516319 B1
V12654PL00 / KK a: angle of water nozzle relative to level (90 ° means vertical) β: angle of concentrate nozzle with respect to level (90 ° means vertical) [0045] Configurations 5 and 6 were configurations that were the best practical implementation of a beverage dispenser according to the invention.
Contents5
15 members in 10 offices
Priority claims3
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09180292 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 09180292 | – | – | – |
| EP20090180292 | – | – | – |
Members15
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011076520A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| JP2011131937A | Japan | A | |
| AR079655A1 | Argentina | A1 | |
| CN102762486A | China | A | |
| EP2516319A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EA201290538A1 | Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) | A1 | |
| US2013042941A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP5341869B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| CN102762486B | China | B | |
| EA022963B1 | Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) | B1 | |
| US9399570B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP2516319B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| PT2516319T | Portugal | T | |
| PL2516319T3This record | Poland | T3 | |
| BR112012015394B1 | Brazil | B1 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2516319
- Publication, DOCDB
- 2516319
- Publication, EPODOC
- PL2516319T
- Application
- 10784515
- Application, DOCDB
- 10784515
- Application, EPODOC
- PL20100784515T
Titles2
- English
- Beverage dispenser with water cooler and concentrate adding device
- Polish
- DOZOWNIK NAPOJÓW ZE SCHLADZACZEM WODY I URZADZENIEM DO DOZOWANIA KONCENTRATU
Classification
- CPC, 8
- B67D3/0029
- B67D1/0051
- B67D3/0009
- B67D3/0012
- B67D3/0019
- B67D3/0038
- Y10T29/49716
- Y10T29/53