Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to frozen beverage dispensing machines. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a beater bar for use in making a frozen beverage to dispense.

Frozen, including semi-frozen, food products are known to include a slush beverage from the partial freezing of a carbonated water and a syrup.

Frozen carbonated beverage (FCB) machines generally utilize a freezing cylinder for producing a slush beverage therein. An evaporator coil is wrapped around the exterior of the cylinder for cooling the cylinder and the contents therein. A scraper mechanism extends along the central axis of the cylinder and is rotated to scrape thin iced or frozen layers of the beverage or food product from the internal surface of the cylinder. A carbonator tank is used to produce carbonated water by the combination therein of water and pressurized carbon dioxide gas (CO<NUM>).

Various examples of FCB machines are known and disclosed in for example: <CIT>, entitled "Method of Dispensing a Refrigerated Beverage"; <CIT>, entitled "Method and Apparatus for producing and dispensing a Semifrozen Carbonated Beverage"; <CIT>, entitled "Frozen Carbonated Beverage Apparatus and Method and Control System Therefor"; <CIT>, entitled "Frozen Beverage Dispensing Machines with Multi-Flavor Valves"; <CIT>, entitled "Modular Refrigeration Subsystems for Frozen Carbonated Beverage Systems"; <CIT>, entitled "Frozen Carbonated Modulating Dispensing Valve and/or Flavor Injection"; and <CIT>, entitled "Adaptive Beater and Scraper Speed Control for Frozen Product Dispensers.

<CIT> discloses a controller for a drive motor for a scraper of a frozen product dispenser. The drive motor operates to rotate the scraper at selected ones of a plurality of different speeds within a freeze barrel of the dispenser.

<CIT> discloses an agitator for an apparatus comprising a shaft, a pair of outwardly extending arms on said shaft. Each shaft has at its free end a cylindrical bore parallel to said shaft provided with an open side section. The agitator further includes a scraper blade having a cylindrical formation pivotally mounted in each bore, and pin and groove means associated with one of said bores and one of said formations for locking said blade against axial movement with respect to said bores, said groove means being transverse.

<CIT> discloses a scraper blade which is made from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and uniformly filled with a reinforcing filler such as short glass fibers. The blade has a scraping edge of a substantially <NUM>-degree angle.

<CIT> discloses a scraper for the interior surface of a vessel having an inner shaft positioned within the vessel. A plurality of arms are disposed radially with respect to the inner shaft in parallel pairs. Scraping means for scraping the interior surface of the vessel mount to the plurality of peripheral shafts. The scraping means includes a lever having two pivotal arms, one pivotal arm encompassing a blade and the other pivotal arm having a spring means for urging contact between the blade and the inner surface of the vessel. The inner shaft may be constructed with sufficient flexibility to generally coincide with the deflected axis of imperfect vessels. <CIT> describes a describes a scraper for a vessel interior surface. <CIT> describes an automatic recovery system for frozen product machines.

A beater bar may be used with a beverage machine. Examples of a beater bar configured for use within a beverage machine include a shaft and a plurality of arms extending radially away from the shaft. An end cap of a plurality of end caps extends away from each arm of the plurality of arms. A scraper blade is secured to the plurality of arms by engagement with the plurality of end caps respectively secured to the plurality of arms.

In further examples of the beater bar each end cap includes an arm cap and the arm cap is configured to connect to an arm of the plurality of arms. Each arm of the plurality of arms includes a keyed projection. The arm cap includes a keyhole that is configured to receive the keyed projection of an arm of the plurality of arms. Each end cap includes a beam that extends away from the arm cap and connects the arm cap to a scraper cap configured to secure to the scraper blade. In each end cap, the beam joins the arm cap at an elbow and the scraper cap is configured to deflect towards an arm of the plurality of arms about the elbow. Each end cap is cantilevered from the arm to which the end cap is connected. The arm cap and the arm are co-axial and the beam extends at an acute angle relative to the arm cap and the arm. Each of the scraper caps may include a projection configured to engage the scraper blade. At least one projection of the scraper caps is keyed to define an orientation of the scraper blade relative to the plurality of arms. The arm cap includes a keyhole that is configured to receive a keyed projection of an arm of the plurality of arms. The keyhole of the arm cap corresponds to the orientation of the scraper blade defined by the projection of the scraper cap.

In further examples of the beater bar, the shaft and the arms are constructed of metal and the end caps are constructed of a polymer. The plurality of arms may be a first plurality of arms and the scraper blade is a first scraper blade. The beater bar may further include a second plurality of arms extending radially away from the shaft in a direction opposite the first plurality of arms. A second scraper blade may be secured to the second plurality of arms by end caps secured between each arm of the second plurality of arms and the second scraper blade. The end caps may include an arm cap configured to connect the end cap of an arm of the plurality of arms. A scraper cap may be configured to connect the end cap respectively to the first scraper blade or the second scraper blade. A beam may extend at an acute angle from the arm cap to the scraper cap. The scraper caps may be connected to the first scraper blade radially opposite from scraper caps connected to the second scraper blade.

Examples of a beverage dispensing system include a barrel configured to be cooled. A beater bar includes a shaft and a plurality of arms extending radially away from the shaft. A plurality of end caps, with an end cap of the plurality of end caps extending away from each arm of the plurality of arms. A scraper blade is secured to the plurality of arms by engagement with the end caps secured to each arm of the plurality of arms. A motor is coupled to the beater bar and configured to rotate the beater bar within the barrel.

In further examples of the beverage dispensing system, each end cap further includes an arm cap, a scraper cap and a beam. The arm cap is configured to connect the end cap to an arm of the plurality of arms. The scraper cap is configured to connect the end cap to the scraper blade. The beam extends at an acute angle from the arm cap to the scraper cap. Each arm of the plurality of arms includes a keyed projection and each arm cap includes a keyhole that is configured to receive the keyed projection of an arm of the plurality of arms. The plurality of arms may be a first plurality of arms, the plurality of end caps are first end caps and the scraper blade may be a first scraper blade where the beater bar further includes a second plurality of arms and a second scraper blade. The second plurality of arms extend radially away from the shaft in a direction opposite the first plurality of arms. The second scraper blade is secured to the second plurality of arms by second end caps secured between each arm of the second plurality of arms and the second scraper blade. Each second end cap may include a second arm cap, a second scraper cap, and a second beam. The second arm caps are configured to connect the second end caps to an arm of the second plurality of arms. The second scraper caps are configured to connect the second end cap to the second scraper blade. The second beam extends at an acute angle from the second arm cap to the second scraper cap. The motor may be configured to rotate the beater bar within the barrel in a first direction and when the beater bar rotates within the barrel in the first direction, the scraper blade trails the plurality of arms.

Various other features, objects, and advantages will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

The same numbers are used throughout the Figures to reference like features and like components.

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses, systems, and methods described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses, systems, and methods. Various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention discloses a beater bar (<NUM>) configured for use within a beverage machine (<NUM>), the beater bar (<NUM>) comprising:.

<FIG> is an example beverage dispensing machine <NUM> that dispenses a frozen beverage, and in an example, a semi-frozen carbonated beverage, to an operator. <CIT>, entitled "Frozen Beverage Dispensing Machines with Multi-Flavored Valves," and <CIT>, entitled "Modular Refrigeration Subsystems for Frozen Carbonated Beverage Systems," provide examples of frozen beverage dispensing machines which may incorporate the features as disclosed herein. The beverage machine <NUM> includes at least one valve <NUM> that receives a base fluid (e.g. a liquid/frozen slush fluid, a carbonated liquid/frozen slush fluid) and optionally an additive fluid (e.g. cherry flavoring syrup, vanilla flavoring syrup) and dispenses a beverage (e.g. a vanilla cherry flavored carbonated liquid/frozen slush mixed beverage) that includes the base fluid and the additive fluid. In other examples, the beverage dispensing machine <NUM> separately flavoring and/or coloring and/or other additives to the semi-frozen beverage at or about the valve <NUM>. The number of valves <NUM> included with the beverage machine <NUM> can vary.

<FIG> is a sectional view of an example of a beverage dispensing machine <NUM>. The frozen carbonated beverage is prepared and stored within a barrel <NUM> until the beverage is dispensed from the barrel <NUM> via the valve <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> is surrounded by heat transfer coils <NUM>. The beverage dispensing machine <NUM> operates to cool or heat the barrel <NUM> using the heat transfer coils <NUM>. A motor <NUM> is coupled to a beater bar <NUM> by a coupling shaft <NUM> that passes through a rotary barrel seal <NUM>. An expansion tank <NUM> is provided between a water supply and a barrel inlet <NUM> defined within the barrel <NUM>. The beater bar <NUM> includes scraper blades <NUM> attached thereto, best shown in <FIG>. In examples, the beater bar <NUM> is rotated at a fixed speed by the motor <NUM>. The barrel <NUM> is chilled to below freezing by the heat transfer coils <NUM> connected to a refrigeration system and beverage (carbonated or still) inside the barrel freezes on contact with an interior surface <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. The scraper blades <NUM> run across the interior surface <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>, scraping the frozen beverage from the interior surface <NUM> and accumulating the removed frozen beverage in the interior of the barrel <NUM> about the beater bar <NUM>. A control system (not depicted) monitors the power required for the motor <NUM> to rotate the beater bar <NUM> and the scraper blades <NUM> through the accumulated semi-frozen beverage. The monitored power consumption is then used to estimate the viscosity of the product within the barrel <NUM>.

The inventor has observed that upon installation, over time, or due to wear, the beater bar of the dispenser may become misaligned within the barrel <NUM>. The scraper blades of the beater bar are foils and the accumulated semi-frozen beverage within the barrel presses the scraper blades against the interior surface of the barrel, this imparts an oscillatory component that is transferred through the beater bar, amplifying the vibrations. This movement of the beater bar and the scraper blades can over time damage the weld seal within the barrel. Variation in the interior surface <NUM> either from construction or use of the barrel <NUM> places radially inward impact forces upon the scraper blades. These forces are transferred along a radius of the arms through the beater bar and result in further impacts between the opposite scraper blade and the barrel. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, ice formation inside the barrel provides force shocks on the beater bar as the scraper blade impacts these ice formations. A beater bar construction with improved performance with reduced wear is therefore disclosed.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a beater bar <NUM>. <FIG> is an end view of the beater bar <NUM>, while <FIG> is an end view of an isolated beater bar <NUM> without the scraper blades. An end wall <NUM> of the barrel <NUM> is depicted, while the rest of the interior surface <NUM> of the barrel <NUM> is shown in dashed lines. A motor <NUM> is coupled to the beater bar <NUM> by a coupling shaft <NUM> that passes through the rotary barrel seal <NUM> in the end wall <NUM>. The coupling shaft <NUM> connects to the shaft <NUM> of the beater bar <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may be constructed of stainless steel or aluminum. Arms <NUM> extend radially outwards from the shaft <NUM>. The arms <NUM> are also exemplarily constructed of metal. End caps <NUM> are connected to each of the arms <NUM> and the end caps <NUM> connect the scraper blades <NUM> to the arms <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the end caps <NUM> are formed integrally with the arms <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> operates to rotate the beater bar <NUM> connected thereto exemplarily in the direction of arrow <NUM>. In this direction of rotation, the arms <NUM> lead the rotation, while the end caps <NUM> extend behind the arms <NUM> relative to the direction of rotation. The scraper blades <NUM> lag the arms <NUM> in the direction of rotation indicated by arrow <NUM>. In examples, it will be recognized that the motor <NUM> may be operated to rotate the beater bar <NUM> in the direction opposite that of arrow <NUM>, for example for the purposes of maintenance, agitation, recirculation, or defrost operations.

The semi-frozen beverage has a viscosity generally greater than that of the same unfrozen beverage. Rigidity in the system of the shaft <NUM> and arms <NUM> moves the beater bar <NUM> through the semi-frozen beverage under the power of the motor <NUM>. A shaft <NUM> and arms <NUM>, which may be constructed of metal, provide this rigid system. However, as noted above, a rigid beater bar system has been found to transfer oscillations, impact forces, and positional shocks through the beater bar <NUM> to cause force and damage between the opposite scraper blade and the interior surface <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. The end caps <NUM> are exemplarily constructed of a polymer and/or plastic. The end caps <NUM> provide a resilient connection between the arms <NUM> and the scraper blade <NUM>. As will be described in further detail herein, the end caps <NUM> create a connection of the scraper blade <NUM> to the shaft <NUM> at a radius which is offset from a radius along which the arms <NUM> extend. Forces imparted to or by the scraper blades <NUM> thus occur along radii different from the radii of the arms <NUM>.

<FIG> is an isolated view of the beater bar <NUM> showing the shaft <NUM>, arms <NUM> and end caps <NUM>. <FIG> is an isolated view of the beater bar <NUM> showing the shaft <NUM> and the arms <NUM>. <FIG> are isolated views of the end caps <NUM>. The end caps <NUM> are exemplarily constructed of a polymer and/or plastic. The end caps <NUM> have an arm cap <NUM> which includes a keyhole <NUM>. The keyhole is configured to engage a keyed projection <NUM> on each of the arms <NUM>. In alternative embodiments wherein the end caps <NUM> extend integrally from the arms <NUM>, the arm cap <NUM> is formed with and extends from the same axis as the arms <NUM>. The arm cap <NUM> further includes a hole <NUM> which allows trapped air pressure to escape upon installation of the end cap <NUM> to the arm <NUM>, as well as allowing water interior of the arm cap to escape therefrom during freezing. The end caps <NUM> further include a beam <NUM> that exemplarily extends at an acute angle α relative to an associated arm <NUM> from the arm cap <NUM> to a scraper cap <NUM>, forming an elbow <NUM> which is resilient, but deformable, as described herein. In examples, the beam <NUM> extends at a <NUM> degree angle relative to the arm cap <NUM> and arm <NUM>. In other examples, the beam <NUM> extends at an angle between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. In still other examples, the beam <NUM> extends at an angle less than <NUM> degrees, while in other examples, the beam <NUM> extends at an angle less than <NUM> degrees. The scraper cap <NUM> includes a projection <NUM> that extends therefrom and is configured to engage a scraper blade <NUM>. The scraper cap <NUM> and the projection <NUM> are exemplarily arranged at a right angle relative to the beam <NUM>. This right angle between the scraper cap <NUM> and the beam <NUM> aligns the scraper cap <NUM> and the scraper blade <NUM> along a radius relative to the shaft <NUM> that offset from the radius of the arm <NUM> and the arm cap <NUM> by an angle β, wherein, in an example, angle α and angle β are complementary. It will be recognized that in other examples, the angle between the scraper cap <NUM> and the beam <NUM> may be an angle different from <NUM> degrees to an angle either greater or less than <NUM> degrees, the resulting angle α and angle β would be adjusted accordingly.

The beam <NUM> of the end cap <NUM> forms a cantilever relative to the arm <NUM>. As previously noted, the end cap <NUM> is exemplarily constructed of a polymer and/or plastic. In examples, the end cap <NUM> is constructed of a material with a more flexible elastic modulus compared to that of the arms and/or shaft of the beater bar <NUM>. The flexibility of the beam <NUM> is further defined by the thickness of the beam <NUM> roughly in the direction of the radius from the shaft <NUM>, or relatedly, in the direction of the scraper cap <NUM> relative to the beam <NUM>. That is, a thicker beam <NUM> in the direction of force transferred from the scraper blade <NUM> to the scraper cap <NUM> to the beam <NUM> will result in a stiffer beam.

As noted above, during operation of the beverage dispensing machine <NUM>, force in the radially outward direction from the semi-frozen beverage within the barrel and the rotation of the beater bar <NUM>, generally forces the scraper blades <NUM> into contact with the interior surface <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. The arms <NUM>, end caps <NUM>, and scraper blades <NUM> are further dimensioned to place the scraper blades <NUM> into contact with the interior surface <NUM> of the barrel <NUM>. The scraper blades <NUM>, running along the interior surface <NUM>, scrape newly-frozen beverage from the interior surface <NUM> and direct it to the interior of the barrel about the shaft <NUM> of the beater bar <NUM>. However, impact forces from the scraper blade hitting irregularities on the interior surface, hitting particular accumulations of frozen beverage or ice crystals, and operational oscillations, if transferred through the beater bar, can cause impacts and forces from the opposite scraper blades <NUM> against the interior surface of the barrel, potentially damaging the barrel and/or the beater bar. The end caps <NUM>, with the cantilevered beams <NUM> and scraper caps <NUM> oriented along a radius different from a radius of an associated arm <NUM>, act as dampers both to the incursion of these forces on one side of the beater bar, but also a dampen to the transmission of these forces on the opposite side of the beater bar.

Referring primarily to <FIG>, the arms <NUM> extend along radius Ra and the radially opposed scraper caps <NUM> extend along radius Rb, shown in dashed lines. Radius Ra and radius Rb are offset by the angle β, which can be determined using the angle α of the beam <NUM> with respect to the arms <NUM> and the length of the beam <NUM>.

In prior art configurations, impact forces from the scraper blades hitting irregularities on the interior surface would be transferred along Ra to the beater bar and the opposite scraper blade. In the present configuration, insofar as the end caps <NUM> are coupled to or formed integrally with the arms <NUM>, impact forces will still be transferred from the scraper blades <NUM> to the arms <NUM>. However, by orienting the scraper blades <NUM> and scraper caps <NUM> along the radius Rb via the end caps <NUM>, the impact forces which are experienced by the beater bar <NUM> along the radius Ra are a fraction of those experienced in prior art configurations. The relationship between the forces is approximately Fa = Fb * (cosβ), such that a force Fa experienced along Ra is equivalent to a force Fb experienced along radius Rb multiplied by cosβ. Insofar as the angle β is less than <NUM> degrees, the value of cosβ is less than <NUM> and greater than <NUM>, such that the force Fa is less than the force Fb experienced by the scraper blade <NUM> and the scraper cap <NUM>. The more acute the angle α between the arm <NUM>/arm cap <NUM> and the beam <NUM>, the greater the angle β, and thus, the more the impact force is diminished as it is transferred from the scraper blade radius Rb to the arm radius Ra.

By diminishing the force on one side of the beater bar <NUM>, the end cap <NUM> also dampers the transmission of these forces onto the opposite side of the beater bar <NUM>. The force Ft which is transferred to the opposite scraper blade <NUM> is approximately Ft = Fb * (cosβ)<NUM>, such that the force Ft experienced along radius Rb of the opposite scraper blade <NUM> and scraper cap <NUM> is diminished from by a factor of (cosβ)<NUM>.

Furthermore, insofar as the system is not perfectly elastic, the end caps <NUM>, being formed of a flexible elastic modulus, deform radially inward, the beam <NUM> pivoting at the elbow <NUM> when experiencing the impact force, thus converting the kinetic energy into thermal energy and absorbing a portion of the force that would have otherwise been transferred to the beater bar <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, it will be recognized that there may be two configurations of end caps <NUM>. <FIG> depicts an example of an end cap 38A a keyed projection 50A. <FIG> depicts an example of an end cap 38B having an unkeyed projection 50B. Similarly, the keyhole <NUM> in the arm caps <NUM> and projections <NUM> of the arms <NUM> are exemplarily keyed in opposite directions to delineate the respective positions on the beater bar <NUM> to which the keyed end caps 38A and the unkeyed end caps 38B are to be secured. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the scraper blades <NUM> are configured to secure to three end caps <NUM> secured to parallel arms <NUM> extending radially from the shaft <NUM>. The scraper blade <NUM> includes one keyed slot 52A and two unkeyed slots 52B. This enables the same design and part for the scraper blade <NUM> to be used in two different orientations, on the opposing sides of the beater bar <NUM>, and further helps to confirm to a servicing provider that the scraper blades <NUM> have been correctly installed on the beater bar <NUM>.

<FIG> presents a perspective view of the beater bar <NUM> extending between the motor <NUM> and the face plate <NUM>. The barrel is not depicted for clarity purposes. An outlet <NUM> through the face plate <NUM> is connected to a valve <NUM> (see <FIG>) and upon opening of such a valve, the semi-frozen beverage flows out of the barrel through the outlet <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> includes a tapered pin <NUM> that is received within a bushing <NUM> of the face plate, such engagement promotes the rotation of the beater bar <NUM> as driven by the motor <NUM>.

Citations to a number of references are made herein. In the event that there is an inconsistency between a definition of a term in the specification as compared to a definition of the term in a cited reference, the term should be interpreted based on the definition in the specification.

In the above description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different systems and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other systems and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives, and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A beater bar (<NUM>) configured for use within a beverage machine (<NUM>), the beater bar (<NUM>) comprising:
a shaft (<NUM>) configured to rotate in a direction of rotation (<NUM>);
a plurality of arms (<NUM>) extending radially away from the shaft;
a plurality of end caps (<NUM>), with an end cap of the plurality of end caps extending behind each arm of the plurality of arms relative to the direction of rotation; and
a scraper blade (<NUM>) secured to the plurality of arms by engagement with the plurality of end caps respectively secured to the plurality of arms.