APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DRINKS

Abstract: Apparatus (2) for dispensing drinks comprises a closed vessel (7) which is of transparent material, and formed decoratively in the form of a glass. Fresh orange juice is chilled and circulated continuously through the vessel (7), from which it may be drawn off as desired, via a tap (12). With the apparatus (2) on a bar, customers see a glass full of orange juice and, because the juice is chilled, condensation forms on the outside of the glass and falls into a drip tray (9). The specification also discloses a novel apparatus for the bulk storage of a drink, wherein continuously circulating drink is returned to the bottom of a large reservoir, at an inlet point which is immediately adjacent a refrigerating coil at the base of the reservoir.

Description: APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING DRINKS This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing drinks, and is concerned particularly although not exclusively with apparatus for dispensing drinks which are especially susceptible to perishing - e.g., fresh orange juice. Fresh fruit juices are becoming increasingly popular. Many bars, cafes and restaurants have apparatus for storing fresh fruit juices in bulk and dispensing the juice. However, such apparatus is often required to be disposed on a bar top, where it may occupy a relatively large amount of va.luable space. Alternatively, if the juice is dispensed at a tap which is at a remote location from the bulk storage container, there is little evidence of the drink, to catch the eye of, and thereby attract, the potential customer. Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide apparatus for dispensing fresh fruit juices and other drinks, which may be improved in the foregoing respects. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for dispensing a drink, comprising a closed vessel, an inlet and an outlet to and from the vessel, so arranged that a drink may be circulated continuously through the vessel, via the inlet and outlet, with the vessel substantially full of the drink, and a dispensing valve for dispensing a drink when the vessel contains the drink. Said vessel is preferably a translucent or transparent vessel. Said valve may comprise a tap arranged to dispense a drink from the vessel. Said inlet and outlet may comprise an inlet duct and an outlet duct respectively, the outlet duct being formed with or communicating with a portion which restricts the flow of drink downstream of the vessel. The internal diameter of the outlet duct may be less than that of the inlet duct. The outlet duct may have a mouth which is disposed adjacent the top of said vessel. In such an arrangement, the outlet duct may comprise a pipe, the mouth of which is disposed at a distance from the inside top face of the vessel, which distance is equal to or less than the internal diameter of the outlet pipe, at its mouth. Said vessel may be a single skinned vessel and, in a preferred arrangement, said vessel has the form of a drinking glass. The apparatus may include a drip tray arranged to collect drips of water which forms as condensation on the outside face of said vessel, in use. The apparatus may include cooling means adapted to cool a drink which is circulated through the vessel, in use. The apparatus may include means for circulating a drink through the vessel „ Preferably, the apparatus includes a reservoir for bulk storage of a drink and connector means for connecting the reservoir to said vessel such that, in use, a drink may be circulated continuously through both the reservoir and said vessel. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for the bulk storage of a drink, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for a drink in bulk, a cooling element adjacent the base of the reservoir, an outlet for the discharge of drink from the reservoir, and an inlet for the input of drink into the reservoir, the inlet being disposed " adjacent said element such that, in use, the element serves as a baffle to cause turbulent mixing of the incoming drink with the contents of the reservoir. Preferably, the base of the reservoir is dished. Said outlet may be at or adjacent said base. The apparatus may include means for continuously circulating a drink through the reservoir. The apparatus may include refrigeration means for causing cooling of said cooling element. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for the bulk storage of a drink, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for a drink in bulk, an outlet for the discharge of drink from the reservoir, pump means for pumping drink out of the reservoir and through the outlet, diverter means for diverting the flow of drink from said outlet selectively into first and second flow parts, a flexible pipe which affords at least part of said second flow part, and nozzle means at a free end of said pipe, the arrangement being such that drink or a cleaning fluid may be discharged under pressure through the nozzle means, and be directed by an operative over the inside walls of the reservoir to facilitate cleaning thereof. Said pipe may be of a reduced diameter relative to said inlet. In such a case, the nozzle means may be defined by an open end of said pipe. The invention also extends to apparatus which is in accordance with both the first and second aspects of the invention, with both the second and third aspects of the invention, and with the first, second and third aspects of the invention. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates drink dispensing apparatus embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a bulk storage apparatus for a drink, taken on the line III - III of Figure 4; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 3, taken on the line IV - IV thereof. The apparatus shown in figures 1 and 2 comprises a bulk storage part 1 and a dispensing part 2 ' . The bulk storage part 1 comprises a reservoir 3, for the bulk storage of fresh orange juice. By way of example, the reservoir 3 may have a capacity of the order of 20' to 30 litres. Associated with the reservoir 3 is a refrigeration unit 4, which is adapted to cool the orange juice in the reservoir 3. The refrigeration unit 4 comprises a pump for. circulating the orange juice continuously through the reservoir 3 and the dispensing part 2, via pipes 5 and 6. The reservoir 3 and the refrigeration unit 4 may be of a conventional construction, or of the novel construction illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The dispensing part 2 comprises a closed transparent vessel 7 (e.g. of plastics or glass), which is in the form of a. drinking glass, and is mounted on a support block 8, the upper face of which communicates with the interior of the vessel 7. The rim of the vessel 7 affords a seal - with the upper surface of the support block 8 A in a fluid-tight manner. For example, the vessel 7 engages the support block 8 in a screw-threaded manner. The support block 8 is itself mounted within a first drip tray 9, which is adapted to be secured to the top surface of a bar, for example. A second drip tray 10 is connected to the first drip tray 9 by a member 11, and is disposed below a dispensing tap 12, which is mounted on the support block 8. The support block 8 is drilled to define an inlet duct 13, an outlet duct 14, and a dispensing duct 15, each of which ducts terminates in a respective port 16, 17 and 18, in the upper surface of the support block 8. A pipe 19 communicates with the outlet port 17 in a substantially fluid-tight manner, and extends upright, within the vessel 7. The mouth 20 of the pipe 19 is disposed just below the inside top face 21 of the vessel 7. The internal diameters of the pipe 5, inlet duct 13 and inlet port 16 are somewhat greater than the internal diameters of the pipe 19, outlet port 17, outlet duct 14 and pipe 6. The apparatus of Figures !l and 2 operates as follows. - : The pump in the refrigeration unit 4 continuously circulates orange juice through the circuit comprising the reservoir 3, pipes 5 and 6, and vessel 7. The refrigeration unit 4, under appropriate thermostatic nontrol, operates to maintain the orange juice within a desired temperature range. By way- of example, the tnermostat may have a cut-in point at " around 6°C, and a cut-out point at around 2°C. It is essential to circulate the orange juice continuously, to prevent it from deteriorating. It will be appreciated that, as the orange juice is circulated, it fills the vessel 7. This is partly due to the provision of the pipe 19, the mouth 20 of which is - / the effective outlet port for orange juice within the vessel 7. Also, because the diameters of the parts .5, 13 and 8 are greater than those of the parts 19, 14 and 6, there is a tendency to maintain orange juice within the vessel 7, under pressure. Because the vessel 7 is maintained full of orange juice, the circulation path for juice may be fully charged. This. means that the associated pump of the refrigeration unit 4 need not develop any significant head, and may therefore be of relatively modest capacity, even if the bulk storage part 1 is situated at a relatively great distance from the dispensing part 2. As the continuously circulating- orange juice is kept at a low temperature, there will be a tendency for moisture to condense on the outside of the vessel 7. Such moisture runs down into the drip tray 9, which in turn drains into the second drip tray 10, by a suitable arrangement - e.g., via a drainage pipe, or via the member 11, if appropriately formed. Orange juice is dispensed from the vessel 7 simply by operating the tap 12 which, when open, allows orange juice within the vessel 7 to drain out of the dispensing duct 15, via the port 18. The second drip tray 10 catches any drips from the tap 12, in a conventional manner. It may therefore be appreciated that, when the dispensing part 2 is mounted on a bar, and the cooled orange juice is continuously circulated through the vessel 7, the product is displayed to potential customers as a glass of orange juice. The formation of condensation on the outside of the vessel 7 makes the impression all the more realistic, and we have constructed an embodiment generally as illustrated which, at first glance, look very much like an actual glass of chilled orange juice, standing on the bar. As shown in Figure 1 , the vessel 7 may be furnished with appropriate decorations 22, such as an imitation straw, slice of orange, cherries etc. The first drip tray 9 may be contoured to resemble a drink mat, to add a further touch of realism. In this respect, it will be appreciated that the drip tray 9 may have an upper surface which comes almost up to the sides of the vessel 7 and/or support block 8. Thus, there is provided apparatus for dispensing orange juice in a very attractive and convenient way. The bulk storage part 1 may be disposed remotely from the bar, whilst the dispensing part 2 provides a most attractive presentation of the product, at the point of dispense. Although the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 is described as being a dispenser for orange juice, it will be appreciated that it may be equally well used and/or adapted for dispensing other fruit juices or any other drinks, especially but not exclusively those which tend to perish, unless they are continuously circulated. Although the vessel 7 is in the form of a glass, it may be in any other desired form, preferably translucent or transparent. Figures 1 and 2 show a single dispensing part 2 connected to the storage part 1. However, a plurality of dispensing parts such as 2, may be connected in series (or optionally in parallel) to the common storage part 1. As- an alternative to the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the inlet and outlet ducts 13 and 14, as well as the pipe 19, may be of the same internal diameter. A restriction is then placed in line with the outlet pipe 6, downstream of the dispensing part 2, to create the desired back pressure. As intimated above, .the apparatus 30 of Figures 3 and 4 is of novel construction, and may be used as the storage part 1 of Figure 1. The apparatus 30 comprises a reservoir 32 and a circulation and refrigeration unit 34. The reservoir 32 is of relatively large capacity - e.g. 20 to 30 litres, and contains, for example fresh orange juice 35. The reservoir 32 has a removable lid 36, whereby the reservoir may be topped up as desired. The base 33 of the! reservoir 32 is slightly dished, and at its lowest point there is provided an outlet 37 which leads via an outlet pipe 38 to a circulation pump 39. The pump 39 in turn supplies an outlet pipe 40 of the apparatus 30. A refrigeration coil 41 is disposed adjacent the base 33 of the reservoir, and is connected via coolant pipes 42 to a refrigeration unit (not shown) in the lower part 34 of the apparatus 30. An inlet 43 is disposed in a side wall of the reservoir 32, immediately adjacent a respective side of the refrigeration coil 41. In use, the outlet 40 and inlet 43 of the apparatus 30 are connected to, for example, the inlet and outlet pipes 5, 6 of the dispensing part 2 of Figures 1 and 2. The pump 39 operates to circulate orange juice continuously both through the vessel 7 of the dispenser and the reservoir 32. The general prejudice in the design of bulk drinks dispensers is to return warm drink at the top of 5 the reservoir. This is because the outlet is usually positioned at the base of the reservoir which, if the drink is properly maintained below 4°C (i.e. the maximum density point of water), is theoretically the warmest part of the reservoir, under static conditions. Thus, it 10 seems an obvious choice to return the relatively warm juice at a point which is as far away from the outlet as possible. However, we have found that, rather surprisingly, 15 returning the relatively warm orange juice through an inlet such as 43, immediately adjacent the refrigeration coil 41 , is actually more effective. This is because the refrigeration coil 41 serves as a baffle to incoming juice, thereby causing turbulent mixing thereof with the 0 juice that is already in the reservoir. Consequently, the juice in the reservoir 32 becomes thoroughly mixed, and avoids any appreciable warm or cold spots. Indeed, by adopting an arrangement as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, we have found it possible to dispense entirely * • with any separate agitator means in the reservoir 32, which agitator means is often provided in bulk drinks reservoirs of conventional construction. It is preferred that the pump 39 is a paddle 30 pump, which causes further agitation of the juice, as it passes through the pump. The throughput rate of the pump is preferably adjusted so as to circulate the orange juice at such a speed as to prevent the juice from freezing or separating, during circulation. 55 In addition to the outlet 37, there may be provided a further outlet adjacent thereto, for the purposes of draining the reservoir 32. Figure 4 is modified slightly from Figure 3, in that there is shown connected to the outlet 40 a two way valve 50, a first outlet of which is connected to the inlet pipe 5 for the dispenser part 1 of Figures 1 and 2, and the second outlet of which is connected to a flexible hose 52. Normally, the valve 50 is in the position illustrated in Figure 4, such that the flow of orange juice is directed through the inlet line 5, to the or each dispenser. However, when it is desired to clean the entire apparatus, the following procedure may be employed. Firstly, the valve 50 is switched" to its second position, and the pump 39 operated, to discharge the contents of the reservoir 32, via the flexible hose 52. The pump 39 is then switched off, and the or each vessel 7 (of Figure 1) is drained via its outlet tap 12, under the influence of gravity. Depending upon the relative heights of the storage part 1 and the dispensing part 2, the inlet and outlet lines 5 and 6 will normally be drained with one or other of the respective parts. In practice, it is generally found that the storage part 1 is disposed below the level of the dispensing part 2. The reservoir 32 is then partly filled with water, and the pump 39 switched on again. As the hose 52 is of relatively small diameter, water is forced out of the open end 53 thereof as a jet - i.e. the open end 53 serves as a nozzle. This jet of cleaning water is then directed by an operative over the inside walls of the reservoir 32, to facilitate cleaning thereof. When the reservoir 32 is sufficiently clean, the . water is then discharged via the hose 52 to a convenient receptacle. The whole system may then be charged with clean water, the valve 50 returned to its first position, 5 and the clean water circulated round the entire system, to wash it out. Subsequently, the valve 50 is turned to its second position, the water is emptied from the system via the hose 52, under the action of the pump 39, and the or each vessel 7 is drained via its respective tap 12. 0 Thereafter, the system may again be fully charged with fresh orange juice (or any other desired drink), being cleaned and ready for re- se. 5 Thus, it will be appreciated that the above described apparatus affords a particularly simple but effective method of cleaning the entire system. This can be especially important with perishable drinks such as fresh orange juice, which can be particularly susceptable 0 to bacterialogical action. It is desired that the valve 50 has few moving parts, so as to minimise the risk of juice being trapped therein. As an alternative to the valve 50, there may be 5 provided an ordinary ON/OFF tap, upstream of which there is provided a T-piece, to which the hose 52 is connected via a snap connector, having a one-way valve action. _ The invention is not restricted to the details of 0 the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to" any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification and/or drawings, or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process disclosed herein.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for dispensing a drink, comprising a closed vessel, an inlet and an outlet to and from the 5 vessel, so arranged that a drink may be circulated through the vessel via the inlet and outlet, with the vessel substantially full of the drink, and a dispensing valve for dispensing a drink when the vessel contains the drink. 0 2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said vessel is translucent or transparent. 3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein said 15 inlet and outlet comprise an inlet duct and an outlet duct respectively, the outlet duct being formed with or communicating with a portion which restricts the flow of drink downstream of the vessel. 204. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the internal diameter of the outlet duct is less that that of the inlet duct. 5. Apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the 2 outlet duct has a mouth which is disposed adjacent the top of said vessel. 6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the outlet duct comprises a pipe, the mouth of which is 30disposed at a distance from the inside top face of the vessel, which distance is equal to or less than the internal diameter of the outlet pipe, at its mouth. 35 7. Apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein said vessel has the form of a drinking glass. 8. Apparatus according to Claim 1 , including cooling means adapted to cool a drink which is circulated through the vessel in use. 9. Apparatus according to Claim 1, including a reservoir for bulk storage of a drink and connector means for connecting the reservoir to said vessel such that, in use, a drink may be circulated continuously through both the reservoir and said vessel. 0. Apparatus for the bulk storage of a drink, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for a drink in bulk, a cooling element adjacent the base of the reservoir, an outlet for the discharge of drink from the reservoir, and an inlet for the input of drink into the reservoir, the inlet being disposed adjacent said element such that, in use, the element serves as a baffle to cause turbulent mixing of the incoming drink with the contents of the reservoir. 11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein said outlet is at or adjacent said base. 12. Apparatus for the bulk storage of a drink, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for a drink in bulk, an outlet for the discharge of drink from the reservoir,- pump means for pumping drink out of the reservoir and through the outlet, diverter means for diverting the flow of drink from said outlet selectively into first and second flow.paths, a flexible pipe which affords at least part of said second flow path, and nozzle means at a free end of said pipe, the arrangement being such that drink or a cleaning fluid may be discharged under pressure through the nozzle means, and be directed by an operative over the inside walls of the reservoir to facilitate cleaning thereof. 13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein said pipe is of a reduced diameter relative to said outlet, and the nozzle means is defined by an open end of said pipe.

Inventors: PAXMAN NEIL ERIC, PAXMAN, NEIL, ERIC
Applicants: PAXMAN BRISTON COOLERS LTD, PAXMAN BRISTOW COOLERS LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B67D1
IPC codes: B67D1