Dispensing – Collapsible wall-type container – With casing or support
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-10-16
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Collapsible wall-type container
With casing or support
C222S129100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302299
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a bulk delivery and storage system for fluids and more particularly relates to a bulk storage device for soft drink syrup and a method for delivering and storing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Soft drink beverage dispensers, also known as soft drink fountains, mix soft drink concentrate, such as syrup, with a diluent, such as soda water. The typical soft drink fountain is capable of dispensing several different beverages or beverage flavors, either through a common nozzle assembly or through separate dispensing taps. In either case, the fountain draws in syrup from one or more syrup sources.
The syrup may be provided to a fountain customer in a number of different formats. Conventional methods include delivering the syrup in a disposable five (5) gallon “bag in box” (“BIB”) container or in a reusable five gallon tank. The bag in box container or the reusable tank provides the syrup to the fountain by a flexible hose or other types of connectors. Typically, a third party distributor delivers the syrup container to a customer while also delivering food items and condiments.
Another known method is to use refillable syrup receptacles located near the fountains. High volume customers may install bulk syrup receptacles of about 75 gallons or more to reduce the frequency of changing the syrup containers. These receptacles may be 75 gallon stainless steel pressure tanks. The receptacles are periodically filled via a tanker truck of some sort or by similar types of delivery means in 75 gallon increments. Such high volume customers may have several receptacles on the premises to insure a steady supply of syrup. Typically, there are two (2) receptacles per type or flavor of syrup at an outlet.
One drawback with known syrup receptacle designs is that the receptacles generally must be washed out and cleaned before each refilling. This cleaning process can be time consuming and may result in unacceptable down time for the customer. One or more fountain dispensers may be unavailable while the receptacles are being cleaned and filled. Further, because the customer may not want to have the receptacles cleaned at busy times of the day, delivery times and schedules may be complicated to arrange.
Another drawback is that the syrup receptacles may be inadvertently filled with the wrong type or flavor of syrup. Alternatively, the hoses running between the fountain and the receptacles may be inadvertently hooked up in the wrong order. In either case, the fountain may dispense the wrong type of beverage. Although the substitution of certain beverages may be readily apparent, i.e., a clear beverage for a dark colored beverage, other substitutions would not be as readily apparent to the customer.
Other drawbacks include the fact that known bulk syrup receptacles are generally dedicated to one type or flavor of syrup to ensure consistent taste. A customer therefore may not be able to vary easily the types of beverages offered. The receptacles are also costly to install and may take up more space than the same volume of BIB containers.
What is needed, therefore, is a simplified bulk syrup delivery, storage, and dispensing system that avoids the need for cleaning the syrup receptacles after each use, that avoids the down time common in the use of such syrup receptacles, and that prevents the inadvertent substitution of beverages. These goals must be accomplished in a reliable and low cost manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved bulk storage system for fluids supplied to a dispensing system by a fluid line. The bulk storage system includes a receptacle with a first portal and a second portal. A substantially nonpermeable bag is positioned within the receptacle for storing and dispensing fluids therefrom. The bag includes a first passageway positioned adjacent to the first portal of the receptacle and a second passageway positioned adjacent to the second portal of the receptacle. A support device is positioned adjacent to the receptacle. The first passageway of the bag is attached to the support device and the second passageway of the bag is attached to the fluid line such that fluids in the bag flow through the second passageway to the dispensing system.
Specific embodiments of the present invention include using a receptacle having an outer shell with a first end and a second end. The first portal includes this first end of the outer shell. The second end of the receptacle includes a bottom plate with a central drain. The second portal includes this central drain positioned within the bottom plate. The receptacle may be stainless steel, plastic, or a combination of the two.
The bag may be a flexible material such as linear low density polyethylene. The first passageway of the bag may include a spout attached to the bag and a hose connected to the spout or an extended bag section. The second passageway of the bag may include a spout. The bag may have a predetermined color. The color depends upon the type of fluid intended to be contained in the bag. The receptacle and the fluid line also may have this predetermined color.
The support device may include a manifold having a first valve and a second valve in fluid communication with each other. The first passageway of the bag may be attached to the second valve of the manifold such that fluids flowing through the first valve of the manifold pass through the second valve and the first passageway into the bag.
The first passageway of the bag may include a first passageway connector having a predetermined size. The second valve of the manifold also may include a manifold connector with this predetermined size. The predetermined size varies with the type of fluid intended to be placed in the bag. The second passageway of the bag also may include a passageway connector of a predetermined size. The fluid line also may include a line connector with this predetermined size. This predetermined size also varies with the type of fluid intended to be dispensed from the bag.
The present invention may further include a delivery system for providing fluids to the bag through the first passageway. The delivery system may include a delivery vehicle with a plurality of fluid compartments and a delivery hose for providing fluids from the plurality of fluid compartments to the bag. The support device may have a manifold such that the delivery hose and the first passageway of said bag are connected in fluid communication therethrough. The delivery hose may include a delivery hose connector of a predetermined size. The manifold also may include a manifold connector of the same predetermined size. The predetermined size again varies with the type of fluid intended to be delivered to the bag. The delivery hose also may have a predetermined color depending upon the type of fluid intended to be placed in the bag.
The method of the present invention provides for use of a storage receptacle with a beverage dispenser. A fluid line connects the storage receptacle and the beverage dispenser. The method includes the steps of placing a flexible bag with a first spout and a second spout within the storage receptacle; attaching the second spout to the fluid line; supplying fluids to the bag through the first spout; evacuating fluids from the bag to the beverage dispenser through the second spout and the fluid line; and removing the bag from the receptacle when the bag is exhausted. The fluid may be soft drink syrup. The receptacle may further include a manifold positioned adjacent thereto. The method then further includes the steps of attaching the first spout to the manifold and supplying fluids to the bag therethrough.
A further method of the present invention provides for using a plurality of color-coded storage receptacles for supplying syrup to a beverage dispenser. Each of the receptacles is to be lined with one of a plurality of color-coded bags and connected to the beverage dispenser by one of a plurality of color-coded fluid lines. The method includes the steps of selecting one of the color-c
Arjona Orlando
Baker Bradley P.
Cobb Alva Claude
Morley Kelli Jo
Schultz Richard B.
Derakshani Philippe
Sutherland & Asbill & Brennan LLP
The Coca-Cola Company
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