Claims
- 1. A refrigerated beverage dispenser comprising
- a base and a bowl on the base for storing refrigerated beverage,
- a first opening in the bottom of the bowl,
- an outlet tube mounted in the bowl and registering with the opening and with at least the major portion of its length being submerged in the refrigerated beverage when the bowl is filled with beverage, said tube being made of a material having a high thermal conductivity so as to provide a good heat exchange relationship between the beverage and the tube, allowing the tube to achieve the temperature of the beverage,
- a valve movable in the outlet tube within the portion of the tube positioned to be submerged in the beverage in the bowl,
- a port in the major outlet tube portion through which beverage in the bowl is discharged into and through the tube,
- a valve seat in the outlet tube downstream of the port and cooperating with the valve to control the discharge of beverage from the bowl,
- and an actuator operatively connected to the valve for unseating it from the valve seat to permit discharge of beverage from the bowl.
- 2. A dispenser as described in claim 1 wherein
- refrigeration means is operatively connected to the bowl for cooling the beverage in the bowl,
- and a circulator is disposed in the bowl for circulating the beverage in contact with the outlet tube to reduce the temperature of the tube.
- 3. A dispenser as described in claim 1 further characterized by
- a second opening in the bowl bottom,
- a push rod forming part of the actuator and operatively connected to the valve, and movable up and down in the second opening and extending out of the bowl,
- and a handle outside the bowl and connected to the rod.
- 4. A refrigerated beverage dispenser as defined in claim 3 further characterized by
- a bellows connected to the push rod and bowl for sealing the second opening to prevent beverage leaking from the bowl through said second opening.
- 5. A refrigerated beverage dispenser as described in claim 3 further characterized by
- a bellows secured to the bowl about the second opening and to the push rod for sealing the second opening so as to prevent beverage in the bowl from leaking out through that opening.
- 6. A refrigerated beverage dispenser as described in claim 5 further characterized by
- a detachable link joining the top of the valve and the push rod.
- 7. A beverage dispenser comprising
- a bowl for storing refrigerated beverage,
- cooling and circulating means in the bowl for the beverage,
- an opening in the bowl,
- an outlet tube made of a highly thermal conductive material removably mounted in the bowl and having a discharge end registering with the opening, substantially the full length of the tube being positioned in the bowl to be submerged in the refrigerated and circulating beverage in the bowl, the provide a good heat exchange relationship between the beverage and tube so that the tube can achieve the temperature of the beverage, said outlet tube defining a passage through which beverage in the bowl may be discharged,
- a seal between the tube and the inner surface of the bowl,
- a port in the tube that is disposed within the bowl for beverage to flow into the tube,
- a valve and seat in the tube downstream of the port for opening and closing the passage,
- and a valve actuator exterior of the bowl and connected to the valve.
- 8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7 further characterized by
- said discharge end extending below the bowl, and an insulation sleeve covering the portion of the tube exterior the bowl to isolate the tube from the ambient temperature.
- 9. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 7 further characterized by
- said tube being made of brass or similar material having a comparable thermal conductivity.
- 10. A dispenser as described in claim 9 further characterized by
- said valve having a cylindrical body movable up and down in the tube within the bowl,
- and an O-ring shut-off seal carried on the body and cooperating with the seat to control flow from the bowl through the passage.
- 11. A dispenser as described in claim 10 further characterized by
- a cylindrical well formed in the bottom of the bowl,
- and said opening being formed in the bottom of the well and with the seal between the tube and bowl lying within the well.
- 12. A dispenser as described in claim 11 further characterized by
- a vent passage in the valve body and extending vertically therethrough,
- a vent tube mounted in the passage and extending upwardly in the bowl above the maximum beverage level in the bowl,
- and said actuator being connected to the valve body by means of the vent tube.
- 13. A dispenser as described in claim 12 further characterized by
- a tubular support mounted in and extending through the bottom of the bowl and with its upper end disposed above the maximum beverage level in the bowl,
- a push rod slidable in the support,
- a link in the bowl releasably connected to the top of the rod and to the vent tube,
- and said actuator including a push handle mounted on and disposed below the bowl and connected to the push rod.
- 14. A dispenser as described in claim 13 further characterized by
- said link including a slot for releasably engaging the top of the vent tube,
- a collar on the link covering the top end of the support,
- a second slot in the collar,
- and a pin in the top of the connecting rod and engaging the second slot.
- 15. In a dispenser as described in claim 12,
- said link including a slot for releasably grasping the top of the vent tube,
- a collar on the link covering the top end of the support,
- a second slot in the collar,
- and a pin in the top of the connecting rod and engaging the second slot.
- 16. In a dispenser,
- a bowl for storing refrigerated beverage,
- an opening in the bowl,
- an outlet tube made of a highly thermal conductive material removably mounted in the bowl with a spout extending through the opening,
- a seal between the tube and the inner surface of the bowl,
- said tube designed to be submerged in the refrigerated beverage in the bowl,
- a discharge port in the tube within the bowl for beverage to flow into the tube and out the spout,
- a valve and seat in the tube downstream of the port for preventing flow of beverage from the bowl,
- a valve actuator exterior of the bowl and connected to the valve,
- said valve comprising a cylindrical plunger movable up and down in the tube within the bowl,
- and an O-ring shut-off seal carried on said plunger cooperating with the seat of said valve to control flow from the bowl,
- said opening being formed in the bottom of the well with an O-ring within the well forming the seal between the tube and bowl,
- a vent passage in the valve plunger and extending vertically therethrough,
- a vent tube mounted in the passage and extending vertically in the bowl above the maximum beverage level in the bowl,
- said actuator being connected to the valve plunger by the vent tube,
- a tubular support mounted in and extending through the bottom of the bowl and with its upper end disposed above the maximum beverage level in the bowl,
- a push rod slidable in the support,
- a link in the bowl releasably connected to the top of the rod and to the vent tube by slotted collars,
- and said actuator including a push handle mounted on and disposed below the bowl and connected to the push rod.
INTRODUCTION
This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 697,923 filed June 21, 1976, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (10)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
377521 |
Jun 1964 |
CHX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
697923 |
Jun 1976 |
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