BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the unit and bottles which may be disposed from the unit
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the beverage container driver unit
FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of an alternate opening to dispense beverages
FIG. 4 is a view of another alternate opening to dispense beverages
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the refrigeration system of the unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.
Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown, in schematic form, an embodiment of the present invention. A beverage dispenser 10 comprises a housing 12 having a slanted impeller platform 14 which is provided with curved surfaces 16 adapted to engage and cradle both lanes or rows of the curved surfaces of beverage bottles, cans or other containers 18. A spring 22 or other biasing means of any known and convenient sort can be located between the housing bottom 24 and the platform 14 to urge the platform 14 and the beverage containers 18 in an outwardly (here, upwardly) direction.
Curved restraining formations such fingers 30 are located at the upper end of the housing 12. Preferably, these restraining formations 30 are shaped to engage portions of the sides of the beverage containers 18. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the containers 18 are thus restrained within the dispenser 10, but the containers 18 are pushed or urged toward the removal opening A. The removal opening A is larger than the containers 18, and so the containers 18 can be conveniently and manually removed from the beverage dispenser 10 by simply pulling a container 18 through the opening A. When a container 18 is so removed, the spring 22 and platform 14 urge the remaining containers toward the removal opening A.
Turning to FIG. 3B there is shown, in schematic form, a door 34 that opens via a latch 35 to permit the beverage container 18 out of the beverage dispenser 10. FIG. 3C shows, in schematic form a side view of a door 34 that opens via a latch 35. The latch 35 can be located at any convenient position on the housing 12.
FIG. 4 shows, in schematic form, the open door 34 and the latch 35. An optional rubber bolt 37 will extend as the door 34 is opened further. The further the door 34 is opened, the further the rubber bolt 37 will extend. The rubber bolt 37 will make contact with the highest beverage can, 18 within the beverage dispenser 10, thereby forcing the beverage can 18 partially out of the unit 10.
Turning to FIG. 5 there is shown, in schematic form, the refrigeration unit 43 of the beverage dispenser 10. The refrigeration unit 43 houses the compressor 39, the fan 38, the heating exchanging coils 41A, the heat exchanging coils 41B, the expansion valve 40, and the electrical outlet plug 42. The compressor 39 is electronically operated through the current provided by the electrical outlet plug 42. The compressor 39 compresses the refrigerant gas by raising the refrigerant pressure and temperature allowing the heat exchanging coils 41A to dissipate the heat of pressurization. As the refrigerant cools it condenses in the heat exchanging coils 41A and then flows through the expansion valve 40. Once through the expansion valve 40, the refrigerant is moved from high pressure to low pressure in the heat exchanging coils 41B, thereby absorbing heat and making the beverage dispenser 10 cold. This cycle will repeat in order to continue keeping the beverage dispenser 10 cool at all times.
Patent Application
20080093376
