Binary syrup metering system for beverage dispensing

Abstract: A binary syrup metering system (10) for beverage dispensing including a pair of syrup containers (12,14) holding different syrup components, a meter device (16) with two inlets (22,24) connected one to each container (12,14) and a single syrup outlet (26) connected to a dispenser (20). The metering device (16) includes a flow channel (34,36) therethrough for each component, means for equalizing the pressure in each channel (42,44,46,52), and a metering orifice (68,70) downstream from the pressure equalizing means. This pressure equalization in combination with the metering orifices (68,70) provides the necessary flow control and a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components when mixed to form the complete syrup.

Description: This invention relates to beverage dispensing systems and in particular to a binary syrup system in which the syrup is provided in two separate containers holding two different syrup components rather than being provided in one single container. This keeps certain component(s) separated from certain other components, until just prior to dispensing, when the two components are combined to form the complete syrup. A large number of beverage dispensing systems are known for use with both sugar syrups and diet syrups, and for use with various types of syrup containers such as pressurized tanks (figals) and non-pressurised plastic bags (bag-in-box) used in conjunction with syrup pumps. It is an object of this invention to provide a binary syrup system for a beverage dispenser. GB-A-2097687 discloses a binary syrup system for beverage dispensing comprising a metering device having two separate chambers forming a pair of flow channels, each having an inlet port and an outlet port for respective different syrup components. The present invention is characterised in that said metering device includes a housing having a chamber divided by a movable diaphragm into said two separate chambers and in that there is provided a throttle member connected to said diaphragm and including a first throttle portion movably positioned in a first throttle orifice and a second throttle portion movably positioned in a second throttle orifice, said throttling orifices being provided one in each of said separate chambers between said inlet and outlet ports, the throttle member being such that said throttle member moves in response to pressure changes in said chambers such that movement in one direction opens up one orifice while simultaneously closing down the other orifice and a metering orifice in each of said flow channels downstream from said throttle orifices, which, in combination with the pressure equalisation provided by said throttle orifices, provides substantially controlled flow and a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components. In a preferred embodiment of this invention the metering device is on the suction side of a syrup pump and relies on vacuum to create the flow controlling Δp (pressure differential). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the two different syrup components (components A and B) are preferably stored in a bag-in-box system using two two and one-half gallon bags placed in a single box. The two components are preferably combined in the ratio of 1:1 and the complete syrup is then fed to the dispenser for use as in the prior art. In a preferred embodiment, the syrup is a diet soft drink syrup using aspartame as the artificial sweetener. It has been found that aspartame loses some of its sweetness over time if it is in an acid solution (which the syrup is). Preferably, the aspartame is in component A and at least most of the acid is in component B so as to at least retard the degradation of the sweetener. The binary syrup system of a preferred embodiment of this invention thus includes the combination of a bag-in-box syrup container including two separate two and one-half gallon bags, a metering device, a syrup pump, and a beverage dispenser. The prior art system includes a single bag-in-box container with a single bag, a syrup pump and a beverage dispenser. The system of the present invention, because it uses two separate syrup containers, requires the additional equipment of a metering device to ensure that components A and B are combined in the correct ratio to form the complete syrup which is then fed to the pump and to the dispenser. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a binary syrup dispensing method comprising: (a) storing the syrup in two separate liquid syrup containers; (b) feeding the liquid from each container to separate inlet ports of a metering device (16) and connecting a common outlet port from said device to a beverage dispenser; and (c) controlling the flow through said metering device such that the liquid fed from the device out said common outlet port includes liquid from each of said containers in a constant, predetermined volumetric ratio, characterised in that said controlling step comprises feeding each of said liquids through a separate flow channel each having a throttling orifice therein and each orifice having a movable throttle element therein, connecting said elements together such that said elements will move in response to pressure differences acting thereon and such that movement of said elements will reduce the area of one throttle orifice while simultaneously increasing the area of the other throttle orifice to provide automatic pressure equalization, and then feeding each of said liquids though a metering orifice to control the flow and to provide a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components. Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the metering device of this invention; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the device of Fig. 2 taken along lines 3-3 thereof; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the device of Fig. 3 taken along line 4-4 thereof; and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the present invention. With reference now to the drawings, Figs. 1-4 show the preferred embodiment of this invention of a binary syrup system 10 including a pair of bag-in-box syrup bags 12 and 14 each holding a different component of the syrup (components A and B), a metering device 16, a syrup pump 18 and a beverage dispenser 20. The metering device 16 includes two inlet ports 22 and 24, one for each of the components A and B, and a single outlet port 26 for the complete syrup formed when components A and B are mixed in the correct ratio. Conduits 28 and 29 connect the containers 12 and 14 to the metering device 16, conduit 30 connects the metering device to the pump, and conduit 32 connects the pump to the dispenser. Any well-known bag-in-box, pump and dispenser can be used in this system. Although Fig. 1 shows, for ease of understanding, two separate boxes holding two separate bags, the preferred arrangement is a single box holding the two separate bags. The key to this system is the metering device 16 connected to the suction side of a syrup pump. This metering device includes two liquid passageways or flow channels 34 and 36 therethrough from the two inlet ports 22 and 24, respectively, means for equalizing the pressure of the two liquids, and a metering orifice 68 and 70 in each flow channel downstream from an equal pressure section of each channel. The pressure equalizing means includes a throttling orifice 38 and 40 in each channel in combination with a single movable throttle member 42 having throttle elements 44 and 46 positioned in the orifices 38 and 40, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the specific metering device 16 includes a housing 50 having a central chamber divided by a movable diaphragm 52 into equal pressure chambers 54 and 56 (these chambers are the equal pressure sections of the two flow channels 34 and 36). The throttle member 42 is connected to the diaphragm 52 by plates 58 and is accurately positioned in the throttle orifices 38 and 40 by guide holes 60 and 62. The throttle member 42 moves in response to pressure differences acting thereon such that movement of the tapered throttle elements will reduce the area of one orifice while simultaneously increasing the area of the other orifice to provide automatic pressure equalization in the section of the flow channels immediately downstream from the throttle orifices. Thus, any differences in pressure between the two liquids upstream from the throttle elements 44 and 46 will be compensated for by the movement of the throttle member 42, such that the pressure in chambers 54 and 56 will be the same. As mentioned above, each of the flow channels includes a metering orifice 68 and 70 downstream from the equal pressure chambers 54 and 56. The two flow channels merge or combine downstream from the two metering orifices to form a single flow conduit 71 for the complete syrup which then flows out of the metering device through outlet port 26. The metering orifices are preferably precision openings in stainless steel discs. These metering orifices, in combination with the pressure equalizing means, provides for controlled flow and a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components in the complete syrup flowing out of the metering device and into conduits 30 and 32. The passageways 34 and 36 also each include a check valve 64 and 66, respectively. The check valves prevent the flow of syrup back into the metering device. The metering device 16 also provides an automatic, built-in, sold-out feature. That is, when one bag is empty, the throttle member will move completely to one side shutting off the flow from the other bag, and because the one bag is empty, there will be no flow through the single outlet conduit 30. Thus, if one bag empties before the other, no further drinks can be dispensed. Fig 5. shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the syrup is provided in two separate figals 72 and 74 rather than in two bag-in-box containers. In this case, no syrup pump is needed. The present invention can be used with two syrup components in other ratios than 1:1. For example, one of the containers can have four gallons and the other can have one gallon. In such case, the orifices 68 and 70 would have to be replaced with other orifices having different sized openings. While the preferred embodiment separates an artificial sweetener from at least most of the acid, this invention can alternatively be used to keep other components separated, such as certain flavor ingredients. It is noted that the metering orifices 68 and 70 and/or the check valves 64 and 66 can be in a separate unit from the housing 50.

Claims: A binary syrup system (10) for beverage dispensing comprising a metering device (16) having two separate chambers (34,54,36,56) forming a pair of flow channels, each having an inlet port (22,24) and an outlet port (68,70) for respective different syrup components, characterised in that said metering device includes a housing (50) having a chamber divided by a movable diaphragm (52) into said two separate chambers and in that there is provided a throttle member (42) connected to said diaphragm (52) and including a first throttle portion (44) movably positioned in a first throttle orifice (38) and a second throttle portion (46) movably positioned in a second throttle orifice (40), said throttling orifices (38,40) being provided one in each of said separate chambers (34,54,36,56) between said inlet and outlet ports, the throttle member (42) being such that said throttle member (42) moves in response to pressure changes in said chambers (34,54,36,56) such that movement in one direction opens up one orifice (38,40) while simultaneously closing down the other orifice (38,40) and a metering orifice (68,70) in each of said flow channels (34,54,36,56) downstream from said throttle orifices (38,40), which, in combination with the pressure equalisation provided by said throttle orifices, provides substantially controlled flow and a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein first and second conduits are provided which are connected to the respective outlet ports (68, 70) of the chambers (54, 56) providing respective first and second fluid passageways. A system as claimed in claim 2, comprising a check valve (64,66) in each of said first and second passageways, said check valves preventing back-flow of fluid into said metering device (16). A system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, comprising a single syrup outlet conduit (71) connected at one end to both said first and second conduits. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other end of said single syrup outlet conduit (71) is connected to the suction end of a syrup pump (18). A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said syrup pump (18) is connected to a beverage dispenser (20). A system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a pair of bag-in-box bags (12,14), one connected to one each of said inlet ports (22,24). A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device comprises outlet passageways which include respective outlet ports (68,70), and a check valve (64,66) in each of said passageways, said check valves (64,66) preventing back-flow of fluid into said metering device (16). A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the throttle member (42) is arranged such that when there is no flow of liquid through one of said flow channels (34,36), the throttle member (42) shuts off the throttling orifice (38,40) of the other flow channel (34,36) so that there is no outflow from said metering device (16). A binary syrup dispensing method comprising: (a) storing the syrup in two separate liquid syrup containers (12,14); (b) feeding the liquid from each container to separate inlet ports (22,24) of a metering device (16) and connecting a common outlet port (26) from said device to a beverage dispenser (20); and (c) controlling the flow through said metering device (16) such that the liquid fed from the device out said common outlet port (26) includes liquid from each of said containers in a constant, predetermined volumetric ratio, characterised in that said controlling step comprises feeding each of said liquids through a separate flow channel (34,36) each having a throttling orifice (38,40) therein and each orifice (38,40) having a movable throttle element (44,46) therein, connecting said elements (44,46) together such that said elements will move in response to pressure differences acting thereon and such that movement of said elements will reduce the area of one throttle orifice (38,40) while simultaneously increasing the area of the other throttle orifice (38,40) to provide automatic pressure equalization, and then feeding each of said liquids though a metering orifice (68,70) to control the flow and to provide a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components. A method as claimed in claim 10 in which said controlling step comprises providing a flow channel section in said metering device (16) for each liquid having the same pressure, and feeding the liquid out from each of said sections through a separate metering orifice (68,70) and then combining the two liquid component downstream from said metering orifices (68,70) into a complete syrup to provide a constant predetermined volumetric ratio of the two syrup components in said complete syrup. A method as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein one of said containers (12,14) has a degradable ingredient and the other of said container has at least most of a degrading ingredient.

Inventors: HUGHES ROBERT D IV, KIRSCHNER JONATHAN, HUGHES, ROBERT D., IV, KIRSCHNER, JONATHAN
Applicants: COCA COLA CO, THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G01F13
IPC codes: B01F1, B01F3, B67D1, G05D11, A23L2