Abstract:
A self-contained liquid storage, delivery, and automatic fill apparatus and method for a semi-frozen or chilled liquid beverage machine having a bowl to contain semi-frozen beverage. The apparatus includes a housing having at least one refrigerated storage cavity in the housing for receiving a bulk storage container of liquid beverage. The housing includes a planar surface, the planar surface adapted to support the beverage machine thereon. A fluid conduit is provided for passing the beverage from the bulk storage container to the beverage machine.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/650,586 filed Aug. 30, 2000 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/156,976 filed Oct. 1, 1999, entitled SELF-CONTAINED LIQUID STORAGE, DELIVERY, AND AUTOMATIC FILL APPARATUS and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention. 
     The present invention relates to the storage of bulk package aseptic beverage containers and to the automatic filling of semi-frozen or chilled liquid beverage dispensers. In particular, the present invention is directed to a self-contained apparatus and process for the refrigerated storage of bulk package aseptic beverage containers, delivery of liquid from the bulk package containers, and automatic filling of semi-frozen or chilled liquid beverage dispensers. 
     2. Prior Art. 
     Different types of semi-frozen and chilled liquid beverage dispensers are known. Often, these dispensers have a clear plastic container or bowl and produce the semi-frozen product from a liquid. These dispensers then store the product in a semi-frozen condition for dispensing. When the semi-frozen beverage is depleted, the bowl must be refilled. The top of the bowl is removed and liquid is replenished by an attendant. After the beverage dispenser has been refilled with liquid, a time period is required to reach the semi-frozen state. The beverage dispensers may be used for chilled beverages, frozen beverages such as lemonade, alcoholic drinks such as pifia coladas or margaritas, or semi-frozen beverages sometimes known as slushies. 
     The beverage device itself typically includes a cylinder within the bowl which is refrigerated with refrigerant. A helical blade continually moves across the external portion of the cylinder to scrape off frozen crystals formed by the refrigeration process. Accordingly, over time, the entire contents of the bowl becomes semi-frozen and the product is mixed while in the bowl. 
     As the product is dispensed, the level in the bowl is lowered. A film of the product may remain on the walls of the bowl above the then current level of the chilled or semi-frozen product. The film on the bowl is not in contact with the chilled or frozen zone, has a tendency to rise to ambient temperature and requires periodic cleaning. When it is desired to clean the dispenser, a cover on the bowl may be lifted off and then slid forward. Once the contents of the bowl have been removed, the bowl can be pulled forward to the front and removed for washing and cleaning. To refill, the liquid mixture must be poured from a bulk storage container into the open top by an attendant. The process to replenish and the process to clean are both time consuming. 
     The liquid may be packaged for storage and transportation in various ways such as in plastic containers or other packaging. 
     Bulk packaging for beverage products has existed for a considerable time period. One type of bulk package is known as a “bag&#39;n box”. A flexible inner storage membrane, such as a plastic, is retained within a rigid package such as a cardboard or corrugated box. The product packaged in this it format is typically shelf stable and capable of being pumped to a dispenser from a remote location. There are a plurality of systems to accomplish this result and usually include a rack for multiple bag&#39;n box storage devices at a remote location, at ambient temperature, utilizing pumps to move the product from the remote station to the dispenser. Existing delivery systems, however, are designed to deliver only high acid products. Such delivery systems are not filly refrigerated. The present invention is designed to deliver both high acid products and low acid aseptic products which are subject to special regulations by the FDA. Furthermore, the delivery system is fully refrigerated. 
     One type of beverage is packaged and transported in aseptic conditions. The aseptic process allows beverages to be formulated without preservatives which produces a superior quality beverage compared to conventional methods. Aseptic products are shelf stable until they are opened and at that time, they need to be consumed or refrigerated. 
     In recent years, bulk packaging systems have been developed for aseptic liquid products. The aseptic package functions only as a package device for transportation and does not function as a delivery system for the product. 
     It is also well known that the shelf space in convenience stores and restaurants is extremely valuable and its use must be maximized. Accordingly, making use of existing shelf space is desirable. 
     There remains a need to retrofit a liquid storage, delivery and automatic filling device to a semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser. 
     There is also a need to increase production capacity of a semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser beyond the capacity of the particular bowl and automatically fill the bowl from bulk storage. 
     There is also a need to decrease the downtime of a semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser device because of required replenishing of liquid by automatically refilling the liquid dispenser device. 
     There is also a need to decrease the downtime of a semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser device because of required periodic cleaning. 
     There is also a need to maintain the semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser in a nearly filled condition. 
     There is a further need to maintain the level of beverage product in a semi-frozen liquid beverage device to maintain consistency of the beverage delivered. 
     There is a further need to provide a self-contained apparatus that will be accessible to attendant personnel yet take up very little shelf space. 
     There is a further need to provide a self-contained liquid storage, delivery, and automatic fill apparatus that will retain liquid in refrigerated condition at all times from the bulk storage package through delivery and into a chilled or semi-frozen liquid beverage device. 
     There is a further need to provide a self-contained liquid storage, delivery, and automatic fill process that will promote hygiene in the refilling and cleaning process and will decrease handling of bulk storage containers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a self-contained liquid storage, delivery and automatic fill apparatus which will be used with a chilled or semi-frozen liquid beverage machine. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus will include a storage cavity located in a housing. 
     The present invention provides a retrofitable base unit which is used in combination with a liquid beverage dispenser. The base unit will rest on an existing shelf and be located beneath the dispenser so that the invention will make use of existing shelf space. The unit includes a main housing having at least one refrigerated storage cavity for receiving a bulk storage membrane container. 
     The housing also includes a drawer accessible from the front of the housing for locating the bulk storage membrane container. The drawer is preferably located on guide tracks for easy access to the cavity. 
     The cavity is refrigerated to retain the liquid product in refrigerated condition. The refrigeration system may include a compressor, an evaporator, a fan, condenser coils and a thermostat. The bulk storage container holds liquid product in a flexible membrane bag with an insertion point for selectively attaching a supply hose first end. The supply hose second end attaches to and is in fluid communication with a pump assembly which selectively or automatically moves liquid product to a beverage dispenser hopper. The feed tube first end is in fluid communication with a product pump assembly and moves the product through a feed tube by a communication mechanism tower assembly. 
     A water supply includes a water supply inlet, water coils which permit water to pass therethrough and be chilled in the refrigerated cavity, and a water pump assembly. Chilled water is transported through the feed tube via the tower assembly. The tower assembly provides chilled water and refrigerated product to the hopper. The tower assembly includes an upright housing which preferably extends along the side of the dispenser machine. The tower cap is positioned over the hopper such that the nozzle is in communication with the bowl. 
     An operation control panel interface includes a main power activation switch. The panel interface also includes a chilled water pump assembly and product mix pump assembly activation mechanism. 
     A sensor may be provided on the chilled water pump assembly and product pump assembly to sense when and how much respective chilled water and product have been delivered to the hopper. 
     The present invention provides a totally refrigerated environment for the liquid product from the plastic membrane bulk storage containers through the delivery system and into the beverage dispenser. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a self-contained liquid storage, delivery and automatic fill apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and a semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser exploded therefrom. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 with a storage drawer open and a bulk storage container in a loading position shown positioned with a semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the invention shown in FIG. 1 in position with the beverage dispenser. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective interior view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 with a drawer an open position. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned with a semi-frozen liquid beverage dispenser. 
     FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of a tower assembly of the apparatus in FIG. 1 depicting a tower cap housing removed from a tower assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention. 
     While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the invention&#39;s construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. 
     Like numbers in the drawings indicate like parts in various embodiments of the invention. 
     The present invention  10  provides a totally refrigerated environment for the bulk storage containers, provides for delivery of the liquid beverage from the bulk storage containers and provides for automatic filling of the beverage dispenser. 
     Referring to the drawings in detail and FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, a preferred embodiment of the invention  10  is provided. A retrofitable base unit  112  for use with chilled liquid beverage dispenser  114  is generally designed to dispense a beverage with a single dispense handle  116  and a single stainless steel hopper  118 . A cover for the hopper has been removed for ease of viewing. 
     The base unit  112  is not significantly wider than the beverage dispenser and is not significantly taller than the beverage dispenser. The base unit  112  will rest on an existing shelf and will be located beneath dispenser  114  with fluid communication mechanism  120  to hopper  118 . Accordingly, the invention does not have a large footprint and makes use of existing shelf space. 
     The unit  112  generally comprises a main housing  122  with at least one refrigerated storage cavity  124  for receiving bulk storage membrane container  126  which is discussed in greater detail below. In a preferred embodiment, main housing  122  includes drawer  128  accessible from front  130  of the housing  122  for locating bulk storage membrane container  126 . In a preferred construction, housing  122  is made from durable material such as, but not limited to, stainless steel. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrates the invention installed with the dispenser  114  with the lid over the hopper removed. 
     Referring to the drawings and FIG. 5 in particular, the unit  112  is shown with portions removed for clarity. Drawer  128  is preferably on guide tracks  132  and  134  for easy access to cavity  124 . Cavity  124  is thermally insulated. It is also contemplated that cavity  124  is thermally insulated in housing  122  from components which may produce heat, such as compressor  136  which will also be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Cavity  124  is refrigerated by known refrigeration system  138  such that cavity  124  is kept cool. The refrigeration system  138  will generally include, by way of example but not limited to, a compressor  136 , an evaporator  140 , a fan  142  , condenser coils  144  and a thermostat  146 . 
     Air plenum  148  is contemplated such that chilled air may pass from the cavity  124  into and through tower assembly  150  which will be discussed in greater detail below. In a preferred embodiment, compressor  136 , evaporator  140 , and fan  142 , are generally located inside of the housing  122 . Condenser coils  144  are preferably, but not necessarily, mounted in an upright fashion on top  152  of housing  122  such that they are generally hidden by dispenser  114  when dispenser  114  is installed with the base unit  112 . The condenser coils will, likewise, not take up additional shelf space. Refrigeration system  138  may be electrically powered by AC electrical service common wall socket electrical outlets. 
     Returning to a consideration of FIG.  1  and FIG. 5, bulk storage container  126  comprises liquid product mix  156  stored in flexible membrane bag  158  constructed from but not limited to plastic with insertion point  160  for selectively attaching to product supply hose  162  first end  164 . The flexible membrane bag  158  may initially be packaged and transported in a “bag&#39;n box” as previously described. To install, the plastic membrane is removed from the bag&#39;in box and attached to supply hose. 
     Product  156  supply hose  162  second end  166  generally attaches to and is in fluid communication with product mix  156  pump assembly  168  which selectively or automatically moves liquid product  156  to beverage dispenser hopper  118 . Product mix  156  feed tube  170  first end (not seen in FIG. 2) communicates with product mix  156  pump assembly  168  and moves product mix  156  through feed tube  170  via fluid communication means  120  tower assembly  150 , discussed in greater detail below. Product mix  156  pump assembly  168  may also be electrically powered by AC electrical service with common wall socket electrical outlets. 
     It is still further contemplated that a preferred embodiment of unit  112  includes a water supply  172  which includes water supply inlet (not shown), and water coils  174  which allow water to pass therethrough and be chilled in refrigerated cavity  124 . Water meter  176  determines the amount of chilled water  178  to hopper  118  by transporting chilled water  178  through chilled water feed tube  180  first end  182  to fluid communication means  120  via tower assembly  150 . It will be understood that in the event the product comes in a ready to use format, water will not be added. In that event, the water meter may be adjusted to stop the flow of water. 
     In a preferred embodiment of fluid communication, the tower assembly  150  generally provides chilled water  178  and refrigerated product mix  156  to hopper  118  of dispenser  114 . The tower assembly  150  includes an upright housing  184  which preferably extends along side of dispenser  114 , tower cap  186 , and removable tower cap housing  188  for access to interior  190  of tower cap  186 . 
     Tower cap  186  is generally positioned over hopper  118  such that nozzle  192  is in communication with hopper  118 . Another preferred construction of tower cap  186  further provides hinge assembly  194  for positioning tower cap  186  over hopper  118 . In a preferred embodiment, upright housing  184  and tower cap housing  188  are constructed from durable material such as but not limited to stainless steel. Upright housing  184  provides conduit  196  for product mix  156  feed tube  170 , chilled water  178  feed tube  180 , chilled air from air plenum  148  to pass into tower cap  186 . 
     Referring to the drawings and FIGS. 5 and 6 in particular, in a preferred embodiment tower cap  186  further generally includes chilled water  178  pump assembly  176 , solenoid  198  for activation of water pump assembly  176 , and mixing chamber  200 . 
     Mixing chamber  200  is in communication with chilled water  178  via water tube  180  second end  202  and product mix  156  feed tube  170  second end  204 . In operation, chilled water  178  and product mix  156  combine to a selective preset ratio in mixing chamber  200  where the resulting beverage is passed via nozzle  192  to dispenser  114  hopper  118 . In a preferred embodiment, tower cap  186  further includes level probe  206  for determining the beverage level in hopper  118 . 
     The chilled water  178  may also be used to flush the hopper and bowl during periodic cleaning of the beverage dispenser. 
     In summary, both liquid product and water are delivered through the tower to the hopper and bowl of the beverage dispenser. 
     A preferred embodiment of unit  112  includes an operational control panel interface  208  with main power activation switch  210  which selectively provides electricity to refrigeration means  138 , product pump assembly  168 , chilled water pump assembly  176 , panel interface  208 , and other electricity driven devices of unit  112 . It is also contemplated that panel interface  208  further includes chilled water  178  pump assembly  176  and product mix  156  pump assembly  168  activation means  212  which may be automatically programmed to fill hopper  118  when bowl  118  is at a specific level of beverage and indicator  214  for visual or audible notification to user that bag  156  is empty. 
     It is contemplated that a sensor (not shown) may be provided on chilled water  178  pump assembly  176  and product mix  156  pump assembly  168  to sense when and how much respective chilled water  178  and product mix  156  has been delivered to hopper  118 . Control panel interface  208  may further include refrigeration means  138  temperature control  216  such that cavity  124  is maintained at a desired temperature. It is also contemplated that locking mechanism  218  may be provided such that only an authorized user with a key could operate control panel interface  208 . 
     Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.