MODULAR MANIFOLD SYSTEM FOR POST-MIX AND PRE-MIX BEVERAGES DISPENSERS

Abstract: Modular manifold system for distribution of post-mix and pre-mix beverages, whose peculiarity consists in comprising several modular units connected to each other, of which only one connected to the external devices for supplying of still water and carbonated water. Each unit is able to supply, by choice of the user, or a dispensing pre-mix tap, or a post-mix tap with still water, or a post-mix tap with carbonated water or two post-mix taps with still water or carbonated water, allowing furthermore to modify the percentage of carbon dioxide diluted in the carbonated water.

Description: Modular manifold system for post-mix and pre-mix beverages dispensers The present invention relates to counter apparatuses for beverages dispensing and in particular to a modular manifold system for distribution of post-mix and pre-mix beverages. The word manifold system is used in the field of post-mix and pre-mix beverages distribution to indicate the part of the distributing apparatus comprised between the refrigerating device and die beverages dispensing front part and having the aim of feeding the taps of the dispensing front part with pre-mix beverages, syrups, still water and carbonated water necessary to obtain post-mix beverages. The word post-mix beverage indicates beverages prepared by die producer as syrup or concentrated beverage which need to be diluted with still water or carbonated water before being dispensed. The word pre-mix beverage indicates beverages to be dispensed as prepared by die producer. In die prior art manifold systems are constituted by units having as inlet the pipelines coming from the refrigerating system and carrying beverages, still water, carbonated water for diluting post-mix beverages, and die fluid (generally water) used for ώe cooling of the system. The manifold system depends on die type of dispensing front part to which the system has to be connected and in particular from me number and types of taps, such as post-mix taps with still water, post-mix with carbonated water and pre- mix, which such front part includes. The inconveniences of die modular manifold systems according to such prior art are basically due to the necessity to manufacture different types of units according to die number and types of the taps disposed on die dispensing front part, furdiermore once the apparatus has been mounted it is almost impossible to modify die types of taps on the dispensing front part. A further problem shown by the known systems is the maintainance which is difficult because, almost always, it is necessary to disassemble ie whole dispensing front part even when die problem concerns only a single line. Aim of die present invention is a modular manifold system which allows to obviate to die necessity of manufacturing different types of units according to the number and types of taps disposed on die dispensing front part. Other aim is to allow, once the apparatus has been mounted, to change the number and type of the taps on the dispensing front part. Further aim is to allow the mixing of still water and carbonated water inside die same system such to obtain a diluting water of die post-mix beverages with a gassing more suitable to the different types of beverages. Other aim is to facilitate the assembly manouvres and d e maintainance services. Not least aim is to obtain a modular manifold system of easy and inexpensive manufacture without using specialized workpeople or sophisticated technologies. These and further aims are achieved by die modular manifold system according to die invention constituted by at least two units connected to each odier, inside each unit two transversal channels being placed fit for being passed by die pre-mix beverages and die syrups for die post-mix beverages, such channels being outside communicating in order to be connected to outside feeding and dispensing devices, each unit comprising diree longitudinal channels fit for being passed by still water, by carbonated water and by die refrigerating fluid, and being said modular channels adjacent and communicating each odier, each unit comprising diree transversal channels outletting on said diree longitudinal channels and being outside communicating in order to be connected to outside feeding devices, each unit comprising regulating means which allow to choose which water, still or carbonated, dilutes die syrup, furthermore allowing the regulation of the inflow of the two types of water to a mixing chamber placed inside die same unit and communicating outside dirough suitable channels, each unit is further provided widi gate valves which allow die opening and die closing of d e channels fit for being passed by die pre-mix beverages and by die syrups. The present invention allows dirough its modular shape to feed a number of dispensing taps which can be freely varied. Thanks to the inner pipeline, to the regulating means and to die gate valves present on each unit, it is possible to vary the type of dispensing taps fed by die single unit. Furthermore it is possible, by means of the mixing chamber and of die regulating means placed on each unit, to mix still water and carbonated water in order to freely vary die gassing of d e post-mix beverage supplied by die single unit. Furdier characteristics and advantages of die invention will more clearly arise from ie following description, made by way of example not limitative, with reference to the enclosed drawings in which: - Fig. 1 shows an overall view of die manifold system widi die dispensing front part, it is further shown die disassembly of an intermediate unit (Fig. la); - Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a single unit and of d e side closing parts of die system; - Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are an axonometric view of a single unit; - Fig. 5 is an axonometric view, through a transversal section of die unit, of die mixing chamber, of its feeding channels, of the regulating elements and of die nonreturn valves; - Fig. 6 is an erlarged view of the regulating elements .and of die nonreturn valves shown in Fig. 5; - Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 are an axonometric view, dirough longitudinal sections of die unit, of die longitudinal and transversal channels passed by d e still and carbonated water and by die refrigerating fluid; - Fig. 10 is an axonometric view, through transversal sections of the unit, of die mixing chamber, of the closing element of die same and of its outlet; - Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are an enlarged view of die gate valves fit for closing die feeding channels of the beverages; - Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are an axonometric view, through transversal sections of the unit, of die feeding channels of the beverages and of die gate valves; - Fig. 15 shows die use of a single unit for feeding two taps with post-mix beverages; - Fig. 16 shows the use of an unit for feeding a tap with pre-mix beverage; - Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 show schematically the feeding pipeline network of a dispensing line carried out according to die present invention; - Fig. 19 shows schematically the feeding pipeline network of a dispensing line carried out according to die state of the art. A modular manifold system, as die embodiment shown in Fig. 1, has four modular units la, lb, lc and Id, each modular unit is constituted by a body 2 having substantially a parallelepid shape presenting on die transversal opposite faces the surface 11 which is raised according to surfaces 12a and 12b, die surface 21, die surface 22a and die 22b raised according to die 21, these surfaces allow die joint fixed connection between two modular units. The surface 13a has die holes 9a and 9c, similar holes (not shown in figure) are disposed on die surface 13b, the surface 60 has die holes 9b and 9d, whereas the surface 61 has the holes 9i and 91, the holes 9b, 9d, 9i and 91 being passing. The holes 9a, 9b, 9c and 9d allow dirough the passing pins 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd, which are L-shaped to facilitate the grip, to fasten the joint fixed connection between two modular units. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 at the terminal side parts of the system of modular units the two terminal parts 5 and 6 are placed. The part 5 has die surfaces 45a, 45b and 46 which are countershaped according to surfaces 12a, 12b and 11; die part 6 has die surfaces 56a, 56b and 55 which are countershaped according to surfaces 22a, 22b and 21. The surface 46a has die holes 9e and 9f, similar holes (not shown in figuϊe) are present on the surface 47b, the surface 57a has holes 9g and 9h, similar holes (not shown in figure) are on surface 57b, diese holes are used to fix to die body 2 die terminal parts 5 and 6 dirough die suitable passing pins working as a connector. As shown in figures 7, 8, 9 die body 2 is longitudinally crossed by diree channels having circular section 14, 15 and 16, wherein die channel 14 is d e channel passed by d e blow-by water for die cooling, the channel 15 passed by die still water and die channel 16 passed by die carbonated water, such channels outletting on die opposite surfaces 11 and 21, on die surface 21 corresponding to said channels diree annular grooves 34, 35 and 36 are carried out such diat die same channels 14, 15 and 16 project out widi a cylindrical portion, allowing in such a way die connection among die corresponding channels 14, 15 and 16 of two jointed modular units, die seal of die fluids passing dirough die channels and consequently through die modular units, is obtained dirough d e 0_rings 37a, 37b and 38. The outside feeding of the longitudinal channels 14, 15 and 16 is obtained dirough die transversal channels 17, 18 and 19, said channels outletting on the rear surface 60, diey are fed by external pipelines connected to die body 2 dirough die holes 52a and 52b. The channels 14, 15 and 16 of die units at die terminal side parts of die system have the terminal portions placed in contact outside respectively wid die parts 5 and 6 closed dirough a suitable cap (not shown in figure), the same condition is for die feeding channels 17, 18 and 19 of die intermediate units lb and lc of die embodiment shown in Fig. 1 which are closed widi suitable cap (not shown in figure). The channel 17 is constituted by two cylindrical portions 68 and 69 having circular section of different diameter, die channel 18 is constituted by two cylindrical portions 70 and 71 having circular section of different diameter and die channel 19 is constituted by two cylindrical portions 72 and 73 having circular section of different diameter, d e portions having die larger diameter 68, 70 and 72 outletting on die surface 60 and having die same lenght, the portions having the minor diameter 69, 71 and 73 outletting on d e corresponding longitudinal channels, die lenght of diese second portions depends on die distance of die axis of die longitudinal channel from the surface 60. The longitudinal channels 15 and 16, as shown in Fig. 5, can feed dirough die vertical cylindrical channels 26 and 27 having circular section the mixing chamber 28. The inflow of the still water and of the carbonated water into die mixing chamber 28 is controlled dirough die regulating means 23a and 23b and d e nonreturn valves 24a and 24b. The nonreturn valves are constituted by die spear valves 48a and 48b made in gummy resin, by the stems 49a and 49b and by die springs 50a and 50b. The spear valves 48a and 48b are constituted by a cylindrical drilled portion which houses a terminal part of die stems 49a and 49b, and by a truncated-cone portion, die spear valves rest on die beating annular surfaces 30a and 30b dirough die surfaces 29a and 29b having an overturned cone shape, diey can move axially inside die chambers 31a and 31b having a cylindrical shape widi circular section. The shape of die spear valves 48a and 48b allows diat die possible presence of fluid in die chambers 31a and 31b coming from the mixing chamber 28 squashs the same spear valves on the surfaces 30a and 30b preventing die passage of die fluid from the chamber 28 to the vertical feeding channels 26 and 27. A portion of the stems 49a and 49b and die springs 50a and 50b are housed inside die regulating means 23a and 23b. The means 23a and 23b have d e annular grooves 62a and 62b inside which die 0_rings 63a and 63b are housed, such regulating means can move inside die chambers 32a and 32b, bodi d e regulating means and d e chambers 32a and 32b have threaded surfaces (not shown in figure) which allow die axial movement of the same elements. The chambers 32a and 32b are carried out inside die cap 33 of d e mixing chamber 28. The terminal portions of the regulating means 23a and 23b facing die superior surface 41 of d e body 2 have d e diametral grooves 64a and 64b using which it is possible to vary d e axial position of the same elements inside die chambers 32a and 32b; such movement causes die changing of position of the spear valves 48a and 48b, die bigger is die displacement downwards of die means 23a and 23b dian it is minor the possibility of the spear valves to disjoin from die supporting surfaces 30a and 30b, obviously die extreme condition is die closing of die feeding channels 26 and 27 of die mixing chamber 28. The cap 33 of the mixing chamber 28 has a cylindrical shape and it is housed in die chamber 20, it has an almost circular section and it is constrained to die body 2 dirough d e screws 59a and 59b, in order to allow die seal of die chamber 28 in die annular groove 43 of die cap 33 d e O ring 44 is inserted. The mixing chamber 28 is connected through die vertical channel 53 having an elliptical section, to the transversal channel 54, such channel having a circular section projects out from the body 2 widi a cylindrical portion 74 housing die seats for possible sealing O rings for the connection with the outside dispensing devices. The body 2 is transversally crossed by die channels 39 and 40 shown in Fig. 13 and 14, beverages come to diese channels, in particular the syrup arrives to channel 39, whereas to channel 40 a syrup or a pre-mixed beverage can come. The channel 39 has a terminal portion 75 which comes out from the body 2 housing the seats for possible sealing 0_rings for the connection widi the outside dispensing devices. The channels 39 and 40 can be closed dirough d e gate valves 65a and 65b constituted by die caps 76a and 76b and -by the drilled cylindrical elements 77a and 77b made in gummy resin, connected to die caps 76a and 76b dirough a pivot (not shown in figure). The gate valves 65a and 65b move inside die chambers 67a and 67b, botii d e gate valves and d e chambers have direaded surfaces (not shown in figure) such to allow die axial movement of die gate valves, die axial position is controlled using die diametral grooves 78a and 78b disposed at die superior terminal portion of the caps 76a and 76b, die axial movement of die gate valves 65a and 65b causes die opening or die closing of die transversal channels 39 and 40, the seal is obtained dirough die 0_rings 66a and 66b carried by the caps 76a and 76b in die annular grooves 79a and 79b. Each described modular unit can be used to supply a pre-mix tap, in such case the transversal channel 39 will be closed using die gate valve 65b and die transversal channel 54 using die regulating means 23a and 23b in order to close d e vertical channels 26 and 27, it is furthermore inserted die adapter 7, shown in Fig. 15, constituted by a drilled plate 85 having a drilled truncated-cone portion 86 presenting die tiiread 87 in order to allow die connection with the rear threaded portion 25 of die tap 4. The unit can as alternative be used to supply one or two taps for post-mix beverages, in the first case only the transversal channel 39 is fed and die transversal channel 40 is closed dirough die gate valve 65a, in the second case the transversal channels 32 and 40 are fed and die outlet of die channel 40 is modified dirough the adapter 8, shown in Fig. 16, constituted by two cylindrical portions 80 and 88, of which die portion 80 having a larger diameter is housed in die channel 40, and the portion 88 having minor diameter projects out from die body 2 in order to be connected to the dispensing front part, in Fig. 16 it is furdier shown a tap 89 suitable to the dispensing of two post-mix beverages. It is possible to adapt die system to any dispensing front part combining opportunely the several units, being the system easy to change. The single unit can be used for post-mix non carbonated beverages or for post- mix carbonated beverages widi die possibility to regulate die dilution of die carbon dioxide inside die water using die regulating means 23a and 23b. As it is shown in Fig. 17 only die modular unit la, positioned at one terminal side part of the set of units, is connected directly to die cooling apparatus for the supplying of still water, dirough die pipeline 81 and for d e carbonated water dirough die pipeline 82, such modular unit la is further fed wid blow-by water dirough die pipeline 83a, water which is carried back to die cooling coils dirough die pipeline 83b connected to d e modular unit If placed at die odier terminal side part of die set, d e intermediate modular units lb, lc, Id and le are fed widi die still water, carbonated water and refrigerating water through die longitudinal channels 14, 15 e 16 which are connected between the modular adjacent units, whereas each unit is fed directly widi die respective pre-mix or post-mix beverages through die channels 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d, 84e and 84f. In Fig. 17 it is schematically shown a dispensing front part constituted by five post-mix taps 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3f and by die pre-mix tap 4, using the means 23a and 23b it is determined die opening or the closing of die longitudinal channels 15 and 16, as schematically shown in Fig. 18, the taps 3b, 3c and 3d being in such a way post-mix taps with still water, with carbonated water and widi diluted carbonated water and die tap 4 being a pre-mix tap mounted directly on a modular unit in which die channels 15 and 16 have been closed. The same dispensing front part is shown in Fig. 19 wherein die elements 90 and 91 are die units obtained according to die state of art. The unit 90 supplies the post-mix taps 3a and 3b widi still water coming from d e pipeline 81, die unit 91 supplies the post-mix taps 3c, 3d and 3e widi carbonated water coming from the pipeline 82, the cooling system is outside die units and die blow-up is obtained through die pipelines 83a and 83b, die beverages arrive to each tap coming from the pipelines 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d, 84e and 84f, die pre-mix tap 4 is mounted on a supporting member (not shown in figure) different from said units because it does not need diluition water. The modular units carried out according to die present invention allow to mount the post-mix taps directly on the single units through the holes 58a, 58b, 58c and 58d widiout die necessity of inserting intermediate valve bases having the aim to allow the interruption of die inflow of still or carbonated water and of die syrup when die taps are dismounted, die presence of the regulating means 23a and 23b and of the gate valves 65a and 65b allow to die same unit to carry out such operation. In case of maintainance service it is possible to remove and substitute the single modular unit as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. la widiout being forced to dismount d e adjacent units, tiianks to the simple connection system based upon the joint connection, which furthermore allows to prevent the use of possible intermediate joints increasing die sealing of the whole dispensing front part. The so conceived invention is suitable to variations and changing all belonging to die same inventive concept, furthermore all the details can be substituted with odier technically equivalent elements.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Modular manifold system for die distribution of pre-mix and post-mix beverages having as inlet die pipelines coming from the cooling system and carrying die beverages, the still water and carbonated water widi which die post-mix beverages will be diluted, and die fluid used for die cooling of die system characterized by die fact of being constituted by at least two modular units connected to each odier, being present inside each unit two transversal channels fit for being passed by the pre-mix beverages and by die syrups for the post-mix beverages, said channels being outside communicating in order to be connected to outside feeding and dispensing devices, each unit comprising diree longitudinal channels fit for being passed by die still water, die carbonated water and die refrigerating fluid, said channels of adjacent units being communicating each other, each unit comprising diree transversal channels outletting on said diree longitudinal channels and outside communicating in order to be connected to outside feeding devices, each unit comprising regulating means which allow to choose which water, between still water and carbonated water, dilutes die syrup, allowing furdiermore to regulate die inflow of die two types of water to a mixing chamber positioned inside die same unit and communicating outside dirough suitable channels, each unit further provided widi gate valves which allow die opening and die closing of channels fit for being passed by die pre-mix beverages and by the syrups. 2. Modular manifold system according to claim 1 ° characterized by die fact diat only die two units placed at die terminal side parts of die system are connected to said outside feeding devices of die still water, of carbonated water and die cooling fluid, whereas die intermediate units have said diree transversal channels outletting on said three longitudinal channels closed dirough suitable cap elements. 3. Modular manifold system according to claim 1 characterized by die fact that die connection among adjacent units is obtained engaging die faying surfaces between die same units in order to result complementary (countershaped) obtaining in such a way an engaging coupling without intermediate joints, die connection is furthermore allowed by suitable fastening means. 4. Modular manifold system according to claim 3° characterized by the fact tiiat said fastening means are constituted by passing pins working as connectors, said passing pins being L-shaped to facilitate the grip. 5. Modular manifold system according die claim 1 ° characterized by die fact diat the channels fit for being passed by die pre-mix beverages and by the syrups are orthogonal to die direction of die possible connection between adjacent units and tiiey cross completely the unit according to such direction. 6. Modular manifold system according to claim 1 ° characterized by die fact that d e channels fit for being passed by the pre-mix beverages and by the syrups in number of two are constituted by cylindrical portions having circular section. 7. Modular manifold system according to claim 1 ° characterized by the fact diat die longitudinal channels fit for being passed by die carbonated water, still water and die blow-by water in number of diree are constituted by cylindrical portions having a circular section. 8. Modular manifold system according to claim 1 ° characterized by die fact diat die regulating means which allow to choose which water dilutes the syrup and to regulate die inflow of die two types of water in the mixing chamber operate nonreturn valves to which control means are connected said valves and control means are housed in cylindrical chambers inside which tiiey can axially move. 9. Modular manifold system according to die claim 8° characterized by die fact diat said control means are constituted by cylindrical parts facing an external surface of the unit presenting corresponding to such terminal part at least one groove through which it is possible to modify die axial position of said control means and of the corresponding nonreturn valves. 10. Modular manifold system according to claim 1° characterized by die fact diat said gate valves are constituted by cylindrical parts facing outside die unit, tiiey are housed inside cylindrical chambers carried out in die unit and in which the gate valves can move axially, said gate valves furdier presenting at least one groove on the surface facing outside dirough which it is possible to modify the position of die same in die cylindrical chamber. 11. Modular manifold system according to claim 1° and any of the previous claims characterized by the fact diat a single unit can be used to feed indifferently only one post-mix tap with still water or only one post-mix tap with carbonated water or only one pre-mix tap or to feed two post-mix taps with still water or two post-mix taps with carbonated water, all diat being possible suitable positioning said gate valves and said regulating means. 12. Modular manifold system according to claim 1° and any of the previous claims characterized by the fact diat the dispensing taps are directly connected to the unit having said gate valves and said regulating means the aim of interrupting the inflow of water and/or beverages to die taps in case they are dismounted or are since a long time in non-use condition. 13. Modular manifold system according to claim 1 ° and any of die previous claims characterized by die fact diat die system is independent from die shape "of die dispensing front part to supply. 14. Modular manifold system according to claim 1° and any of die previous claims characterized by die fact diat it is possible to remove from die system for d e maintainance only one intermediate unit widiout operating on die adjacent units.

Inventors: PELLEGRINI ENRICA, PELLEGRINI, ENRICA
Applicants: PELLEGRINI ENRICA, PELLEGRINI, ENRICA
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B67D1
IPC codes: B67D1