Dispensing – Jarring and/or vibrating – Movable or conveyer-type trap chamber
Patent
1989-06-21
1990-12-25
Huppert, Michael S.
Dispensing
Jarring and/or vibrating
Movable or conveyer-type trap chamber
222333, 222361, G01F 1110
Patent
active
049796500
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a metering arrangement for powdered materials, and particularly, but not exclusively, for metering measured quantities of powdered materials in beverage dispensers.
One problem encountered when metering powdered products for the preparation of beverages is that the powder grains tend to interlock in their respective storage containers, to form bridge-like incrustations or to form arches, thereby impairing the dispensing action of the metering means. This problem is particularly manifest when the surroundings are very humid, such that the powder grains will tend to agglomerate. Certain powdered ingredients are even more liable to form such incrustations or arches than others. The formation of a bridge-like incrustation may mean that the full measure of powdered ingredient is not portioned out which, particularly in the case of coin operated beverage dispensers, may cause irritation and result in lost working time and also in additional maintenance costs, since the fault has to be rectified by service personnel. These bridge-like incrustations may possibly be broken up or dispersed by rapping on the dispenser or by shaking the same. This may result in damage to the dispenser, however. There is thus a great need for metering or portioning apparatus which are capable of metering powdered beverage ingredients from a storage container without the formation of bridge-like or arched incrustations, even in highly humid environments or when handling materials which have a high tendency towards forming such arches.
Consequently, the object of the present invention is to provide a metering arrangement of the aforesaid kind in which arching of the powdered ingredients is prevented and the powdered ingredients are caused to sink down during the whole of the emptying process. A further object of the invention is to provide a reliable portioning or metering arrangement of simple construction which is relatively cheap to manufacture and which has low installation, maintenance and servicing costs.
These objects are achieved with a metering arrangement constructed in accordance with the present invention.
These and other advantageous features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a non-limiting exemplifying embodiment of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an automatic beverage dispenser comprising a storage container for powdered beverage ingredients and a metering arrangement according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a side view in larger scale of the metering arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the metering arrangement drive motor with associated motor attachments and operating slide;
FIG. 4 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the drive motor and motor attachment with the operating slide removed to show a microswitch;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an outfeed box intended for feeding out portions of powdered ingredients in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the outfeed box illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage dispenser 10 comprising a liquid container 12 for, e.g., hot or cold water located in a container space 14 and connected to a liquid supply arrangement not shown. Located at the front of the dispenser is an accommodation space 16 for accommodating a number of storage containers 18 for beverage ingredients. The dispenser is not limited to a specific number of containers, and may incorporate solely one container. When several containers 18 are provided, the requisite number of metering arrangements 20 are simply located adjacent one another. Each storage container is connected at the bottom thereof with an outfeed box 22, via which the storage container rests on a shelf 24 incorporating a discharge funnel 26. A cup or mug support plate 28 having a drip pan is located beneath the discharge funnel or funnels. The storage containers are secured by means of a fitti
REFERENCES:
patent: 2652176 (1953-09-01), Lime
patent: 2857083 (1958-10-01), Masterson
patent: 3439917 (1969-04-01), Bode
patent: 3955718 (1976-05-01), Von Holdt et al.
patent: 4629093 (1986-12-01), Le Molaire
Huppert Michael S.
Jede AB
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