US3643835A

US3643835A - Automatic liquid proportioner

Info

Publication number: US3643835A
Application number: US11132A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard G Popinski
Original assignee: NEDLOG CO
Current assignee: NEDLOG CO
Priority date: 1970-02-13
Filing date: 1970-02-13
Publication date: 1972-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-22

Abstract

An automatic liquid proportioner device for simultaneously feeding a predetermined amount of one liquid and a predetermined amount of another liquid into a beverage dispenser machine to provide a beverage comprising a mixture of said liquids.

Description

United States Patent Popinski 5] Feb. 22, 1972 [54] AUTOMATIC LIQUID PROPORTIONER 1,836,893 12/1931 Austin ..222/66 X 3,408,092 l0/l968 Appleton ..285/158 X [72] Invent Lem! Chwag 2,768,844 /1956 Shadeberg .1285/177 73 Assignee; The Nedlog Company, Chicago [IL 2,675,757 4/1954 Moore ..222/67 X [22] Filed: Feb. 13, 1970 [21] APP! NOJ 11,132 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E. Kocovsky R hn d U S A li i D t Attorney-Robert L. Slater, Jr. and Jerome Goldberg [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 739,806, June 25, 1968, Pat. N0. 52 u.s.c| ..222/56, 222/68 An automatic liquid Proportioner device for Simultaneously 511 int. Cl ..B67d 5/08 feeding a predetermined 81mm of liquid and a [58] Field of Search 222/56 63 66 67 68 129 l mined amount of another liquid into a beverage dispenser machine to provide a beverage comprising a mixture of said 222/133, 146 C, 285/177, 239, 397, 158, 137/399 liquids.

[56] References Cited 13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS Holstein ..222/67 X 35 g F j, 3a 3, as

I ll 26 I I i 22 20 l f I 33 32a 224 64 I 32 303 I I 24a H; 275 27 65|w3s -24 26a-- I l, I 29 29a I 2e- PAIENTED FEB 2 2 I972 SHEET 1 UF 3 v INVENTOR LEONARD e. POPINSKI ATTORNEY PAIENTEOFEB22 1912 3.643 .835

sum 2 [1F 3 '/I I 1 I [/1 H5VAC .-INVENTOR LEONARD G- POPINSKI PAIENIEilmze I972 3.643.835

sum 3 ar a ll/ll/I I/II/IIIIIIIIL ATTORNEY AUTOMATIC LIQUID PROPORTIONER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of the patent application entitled Automatic Liquid Feed Device, filed June 25, I968, Ser. No. 739,806 and maturing into U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,587.

This invention relates generally to a device for feeding a liquid into a container, and more particularly relates to an automatic device for simultaneously feeding predetermined quantities of at least two liquids into a container to provide a beverage comprising said liquids.

The subject invention is particularly suitable for use with noncarbonated beverage dispenser machines of the kind that continually circulate the beverage contained therein around a cooling surface. These dispensers are extensively used in soda fountains, lunchrooms, snackshops, and refreshment stands.

In the past, the beverages contained in these dispensers were prepared by manually pouring a predetermined quantity of a base or concentrate of a sweet flavored liquid and a predetermined quantity of water into the receptacle section of the dispenser. Although this was not a complicated task, substantial time and effort were nevertheless required. Quite often, the manual pouring of the liquids resulted in mixtures that were either too sweet or not sweet enough. Also, frequently in the summer months, the beverage dispensers would be empty for long periods until someone was available to fill the machine. Even after the dispenser was filled, it could not be used until the beverage had sufficient time to properly cool. Thus, the inefficiencies in the manual preparation of the beverage resulted in substantial losses in revenue.

Recently, automatic liquid feed devices were used to feed water and syrup or base liquid into beverage dispenser machines. A typical prior automatic liquid feed device comprised a chamber having a water compartment and a syrup or liquid base compartment. A pumping means pumped both the water and base from the chamber into the dispenser. A timer mechanism triggered on when the water level in the chamber was low, permitted water flow into the chamber for a preset interval of time. A red light indicated when the base liquid supply was empty. The liquid drive systems of these prior automatic devices were extremely complicated and susceptible to malfunction. Moreover, these devices required a substantial water pressure to operate. Consequently, they were generally not usable at high levels with respect to ground, where the water pressure would vary or was normally low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The automatic liquid proportioner device of this invention is adaptable for use with beverage dispenser machines. The device automatically feeds a predetermined amount of water simultaneously with a predetermined amount of a concentrate or base of a sweet-flavored liquid into a bowl of the beverage dispenser to provide a liquid mixture comprising the water and the base. Means are provided to automatically cause the water and base liquid to flow into the bowl when the liquid in the bowl of the beverage dispenser falls below a predetermined level and to stop the flow of water and base liquid when the liquid level in the bowl reaches a predetermined level.

Means are also provided to turn off the flow of base liquid and water into the bowl, when the container of base liquid is substantially empty.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide an automatic device for simultaneously feeding a predetermined amount of a liquid concentrate into a beverage dispenser.

Another object is to provide a device for automatically and simultaneously feeding the proper amount of water and a liquid concentrate into a bowl of a beverage dispenser device when the beverage in the bowl falls below a predetermined level and to stop the flow of water and concentrate when the beverage reaches the level.

Another object is to provide a reliable and simplified device for feeding a proportionate amount of two liquids, which is easily adapted for use with conventional beverage dispensers.

Still another object is to provide an automatic feed device which feeds water and a concentrate of a sweet flavored liquid to provide a refreshing beverage comprising a mixture of the water and concentrate.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the illustrations in the accompanying drawings and the following specification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective enlarged view of a liquid proportioner device connected to a beverage dispenser machine embodying the principles of the invention, for feeding liquids into the beverage dispenser machine;

FIG. 2 is sectional view with portions cut away, taken on the line 22 in FIG. I, viewed in the direction indicated, and showing the elongated rod of the main float means resting on a support member;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the concentrate liquid feed section and the water feed section of the proportioner device;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective viewof the water feed section of the proportioner device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rod portions of the main float means and the support member;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view with portions cutaway, illustrating the concentrate level control means;

FIG. 7 illustrates the electrical schematic for the proportioner device;

FIG. 8 illustrates alternate electrical circuitry for driving and controlling the proportioner device;

FIG. 9 illustrates a connector for connecting together two pieces of tubing having different internal diameters;

FIG. 10 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the part of the float means including the connector of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the beverage float means positioned in the bowl (shown fragmented) and supported by the support member; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the concentrate float means and showing the concentrate tank fragmented and sectioned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a machine for dispensing beverages particularly cold noncarbonated soft drinks. The machine 10 includes a lower section 12 containing a cooling mechanism and an upper bowl 14 comprising a transparent outer wall 15. A partition wall 16 divides the bowl'into two

compartments

17, 17 of substantially identical size. Compartment 17 contains a beverage 18, and compartment 17' contains a different flavored beverage 18'. A liquidproportioner device, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20 feeds the liquids comprising beverage 18 into compartment 17 and a similar proportioner 20' feeds the liquids comprising beverage 18' into compartment 17'. Since the proportioners 20, 20' are similar, the detail description will refer to the proportioner 20. Similar parts of the proportioner 20 with respect to the parts of proportioner 20 will be identified in the drawings with the same numeral and a prime (0) suffix.

The beverage 18 is a mixture of a predetermined amount of water mixed with a predetermined amount of concentrate or base flavored liquid 22 to provide a cool and refreshing flavored drink. Generally, for each unit volume of base liquid 22, a substantially greater volume of water is required to be added to provide the proper flavor for beverage 18. An agitator means indicated generally bynumeral 23 (FIG. 1) circulates the beverage around a refrigerated surface of a cold body or plate 23', thereby continually cooling and mixing the beverage 12. The agitator means 23 includes a sprayer means (not shown) which takes the cool beverage at the bottom of the bowl section and sprays it in an upward direction.

The proportioner device 20 comprises a concentrate liquid feed section 24 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and a water feed section 26 (FIG. 4) mounted in a housing 27 attached to a tank 28 (FIGS. 1 and 3). Tank 28 contains the concentrate liquid 22. The lower end 29 of the tank includes an outlet spigot 30. One end of a conduit 32 is connected to the spigot 30 and the opposite end thereof is attached to an input 33 of a pump means 34 (FIG. 3). The concentrate flows from the spigot to the pump means. When the tank 28 is empty, additional concentrate liquid should be poured in from the top end 35.

A flexible pipe 36 is connected to the output end 38 (FIGS. 1 and 3) of the pump means 34 and press fitted on the outer end of a liquid concentrate input terminal 39 which also extends inward from outer wall 18 into the beverage compartment 17.

The water feed section 26 includes a water regulator 40 and an electric water valve 42 also mounted inside housing 27 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

An input port 50 of the water regulator 40 is connected to an outlet conduit 54 from a water source (not shown), the inner end portion 55 of conduit 54 being shown cutaway (FIGS. 1. 3 and 4). A coupler 56 (FIGS. 3 and 4) connects the output port 57 of the water regulator 40 to an input 58 of the electric water valve 42. The valve 42 has an open position and closed position, for controlling respectively nonflow and flow of water into the machine 10. The opening and closing of the valve 42 is electrically controlled, as will be more fully described below.

The water regulator 40 includes a water pressure adjustment means 60. The inward and outward movement of the adjustment means 60 caused by a rotational force manually applied at the outer end 62 thereof, provides control of the water pressure appearing at the output port 57.

A conduit 64 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) which may be flexible is connected from an output 65 of the valve 42 and press fitted onto a water input terminal 66 extending outward from the outer wall and also inward therefrom into compartment 17.

A main float means indicated generally by reference numeral 68 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) controls the flow of water and concentrate into the beverage dispenser machine 10. The float means 68 comprises an elongated flexible rod portion 70 containing a level control switch 72 which may be a conventional mercury switch. Switch 72 has an on-position and off-position (shown in FIG. 7 in the off-position).

The rod portion 70 extends into compartment 17 through an opening 74 formed in the wall 15. The rod portion 70 is secured to the defining edge of opening 74 in a press-fit connection at its inner end 75.

Rod portion 70 is supported between the outer end 76 and the inner end 75 on a support member 77. The support member 77 is a single bendable metal piece formed into a shape of two opposed L-portions 78, 78' connected together by an intermediate portion 79 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5). Intermediate portion 79 operatively rests on the upper .edge of the partition wall 16 and L-portion 78 extends downward into compartment 17 and L-portion 78' extends downward into compartment 17'.

The level control switch 72 is press-fitted inside rod portion 70, inward and adjacent from the inner end 75. When the beverage 18 inside compartment 17 of bowl 14 drops below a predetermined level, rod portion 70 inclines downward (FIG. 5) and switch 72 moves to its on-position. The proportioner device is thereby automatically turned on" and the water and concentrate simultaneously flow into compartment 17. When the beverage in compartment 17 is being replenished so that the beverage level rises toward the aforesaid predetermined level, rod portion 70 is buoyed upward from its previous inclined position causing switch 72 to switch to its offposition, which automatically turns of the proportioner device 20.

A concentrate float means indicated generally by reference numeral 80 (FIG. 6) prevents the proportioner device 20 from operating when the concentrate is substantially empty inside tank 28. The concentrate float means 80, similarly constructed as the main float means 68, comprises an elongated flexible rod portion 82 tightly enclosing a concentrate level control switch 84, inward and adjacent the inner end 85 of the rod portion 82. The control switch 84 which may also be a conventional mercury switch, has an on-position and an offposition. When sufficient concentrate is in tank 28. the rod portion 82 is buoyed in an upward position and control switch 84 is in its on-position; and when tank 28 is substantially empty, rod portion 82 inclines in a downward direction (FIG. 6) and switch 84 moves to the off-position, which prevents any further operation of the proportioner device 20 until the concentrate supply is replenished.

Turning now specifically to FIG. 7, it will be seen that a transformer means 86 takes the 1 15 v., AC line voltage at the primary 87 and drops it to 12 v., AC at the secondary 88. Thus, the main level switch 72 and the concentrate control switch 84 receive a maximum of 12 v., AC across their switch contact terminals. An on-off power switch 89 connects line 1-ll5 v., AC line voltage to the transformer primary 87.

A relay means 90 including relay switch 91 and coil 92 control the connection of the l 15 v., AC line voltage to the pump means 34, and the water valve 42. As shown in FIG. 7, when the main level switch 72 moves to its on-position, 12 v. AC is impressed across coil 92 energizing relay means 90 and thereby causing relay switch 91 to close and connect line 1 of the 1 l5 v. AC to pump means 34 and water valve 42.

Therefore, when the rod portion 70 of the main float means 68 falls below a predetermined level, the main level switch 72 closes to its on-position and impresses 12 v., AC across the relay coil 92 causing the relay switch 91 to close; thereby con necting line 1 of the 115 v. AC to the pump means 34 and the electric water valve 42. With the power circuit closed, the pump means 34 operates and the water valve 42 opens. The pump means pumps the concentrate from tank 28 into the bowl l4 and the water simultaneously flows through valve 42 into the bowl 14 under the water pressure at output 57 originally set by the water pressure adjustment means 60 of the regulator 40. When the main float means 68 is buoyed upward with the addition of the concentrate and water and returns to the predetermined level, control switch 72 switches to its off-position, relay means 90 deenergizes, and relay switch 91 moves to its open-position and thereby disconnects the 1 l5 v., AC from the pump means 34 and water valve 42 causing the proportioner device 20 to stop operating. If the concentrate is substantially empty in tank 28, level control switch 84 moves to the off-position and the proportioner device will no longer operate until more concentrate buoys the concentrate float means upward, causing switch 84 to return to its on-position.

Turning now to FIGS. 9, l0 and 11, a connector 95 may be used to connect the various segments of the float means 68. Connector 95 comprises a small diameter section 96 for securing thereon a small diameter flexible sleeve 97, and a larger diameter section 98 for securing thereon a larger diameter flexible sleeve 99 (FIG. 10). Sleeve 97 provides the protective covering for the 12 v., AC electrical leads 100, 101, and the larger sleeve 99 defines the outer covering of the rod member 70 which houses relay 72. Small section 96 of connector 95 comprises a plurality of annular tapered grippers 102. Each gripper 102 varies in diameter and cross-sectional area perpendicular to the central axis. As shown, the minimum diameter and nonsectional area of each gripper 102 is on the side closest the outer end 104 of section 96. Larger sectiori 98 also comprises a plurality of tapered grippers 106, and each similarly increases in diameter and cross-sectional area from a minimum on the side closest the outer end 108 of section 98. The grippers 102 are substantially smaller than grippers 106. As shown,

sleeves

97 and 99 press fit over the

respective sections

96 and 98 to provide a secure and positive connection of the sleeves.

Connector 95 includes an elongated hollow opening 110 extending therethrough from outer end 104 to outer end 108. The leads 100, 101 as shown in FIG. pass through opening 1 10.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 12, a connector indicated generally by reference numeral 112 extends through the wall of the concentrate container 28. Connector 112 is preferably a metal material, soldered, welded or otherwise secured to container 28. The connector 112 comprises an inner portion 114 and an outer portion 116. A sleeve 97 pressflts over inner portion 114. A similar sleeve (not shown) to sleeve 97 pressfits over outer portion 1167 Still referring to FIG. 12, a connector 95' similar to connector 95 may be used to connect small diameter sleeve 97 with larger diameter sleeve 99 of the concentrate float means 80. Sleeve 97 provides the protective covering for the

electrical leads

118, 120 connected to relay 84, and the larger sleeve 99 defines the outer covering of the rod member 82 which houses relay 84. Sleeves 97',99 pressfit respectively over sections 96 and 98' of the connector 95.

Leads

118, 120 extend from relay 84 and pass through

connectors

95 and 112.

H6. 8 illustrates in an electrical schematic form an alternate embodiment in which similar parts to those of other figures are designated with the same numerals, and also the suffix c." The transformer means 86c steps down the line voltage to a low voltage such as 12 v., AC which is connected to the pump means 34c and the water valve means 420 when the main level control switch 72c is in the on-position and also the concentrate level switch is in the on-position. In this embodiment, the pump means and water valve would be required to operate from a 12 volt line whereas in the FIG. 6 embodiment it operates from a 115 v., AC line.

Still another embodiment within the contemplation of the invention is to connect the 115 v., AC directly through the main level switch 72 and concentrate level switch 84 to the pump means 34 and water valve 42 without dropping the voltage through a transformer.

The foregoing specification and description are intended as illustrative of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the following claims.

1 claim:

1. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one liquid, said feed means comprising:

a container for said one liquid;

a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the bowl;

a switch means having an on-position for causing said pump to pump said one liquid into the bowl and an off-position for preventing said pumping of the first liquid;

a main float control means extending inside said bowl, said float control means comprising a rod member enclosing said switch means, said rod member moving downward when the liquid level in the bowl falls below a predetermined level to cause said switch means to switch to the on-position from the off-position and moving upward when the liquid level increases to cause said switch means to switch from the off-position to the on-position;

tube means extending into the bowl; and

connector means for connecting said tube means to said rod member, the diameter of said rod member being substantially greater than said tube means, electrical cable from said switch means passing through the tube means to the outside ofthe bowl.

2. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one liquid, said feed means comprising:

a container for said one liquid;

a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the bowl when electrical power is connected to the pump;

a first switch means having an on-position and an off-position;

a main float means extending inside said bowl and including a first rod member encircling said first switch means;

a second switch means having an on-position and an offposition;

a second liquid float means extending inside said container and including a second rod member encircling said second switch means, said first rod member moving downward when the liquid level in bowl decreases below a predetermined high level to cause said first switch means to switch to the on-position for connecting electrical power to said pump means, said second rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said container falls below a predetermined low level to cause said second switch means to switch from the onto the offposition to prevent electrical power from being connected to the pump even when the beverage falls below said high level; and

a support means disposed at the top of said bowl, said support means extending underneath said rod member for providing support at a point between the inner and outer ends of the rod member.

3. The feed means of claim 2 wherein a partition wall separates said how] into two compartments, said support means being a single strip of bendable material comprising two opposed L-shaped portions connected together by an intermediate portion, one L-portion extending into one compartment and the other L-portion extending in the other compartment, said intermediate portion being supported by the upper edge of said partition wall.

4. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one liquid, said feed means comprising:

a container for said one liquid;

a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into said bowl section when electrical energy is connected to the a transformer means for converting an input primary voltage into a lower secondary voltage;

a relay means having a relay coil and a relay switch, said relay switch having a closed-position for connecting said primary voltage with said pump means;

a first switch means having an on-position and an off-position;

a main liquid float means extending inside said bowl and including a first rod member encircling said first switch means;

a second switch means having an on-position and an offposition;

a second liquid float means extending inside said container and including a second rod member encircling said second switch means, said first rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said bowl decreases below a predetermined high level to cause said first switch means to switch to the on-position to connect said primary to said relay coil for energizing the relay and closing said relay switch, said second rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said container falls below a predetermined low level to cause said second switch means to switch from the onto the off-position to prevent said relay switch from connecting said primary voltage to the pump means even when the liquid in said bowl falls below said predetermined high level.

5. The feed means of claim 4 wherein the first liquid float means comprises:

a small diameter tube and a larger diameter tube housing said second switch means; and

a coupling means having a small diameter section and a larger diameter section, said small tube fitting on said small diameter section and said larger tube fitting over said larger diameter section, each of the sections of said coupling means including a plurality of bevelled grippers increasing in cross-sectional area from the inner end to the outer end of the corresponding section.

6. The liquid feed device of claim 5, wherein a hollow connecting member extends inward from the inside surface of the container, said connecting member housing a plurality of bevelled grippers, each of said grippers increasing in crosssectional area from the inner end to the outer free end thereof, said small tube fitting over said connecting means, electrical leads extending through the connecting member to said first liquid float means.

7. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least one said liquid, said feed means comprising:

a container for said one liquid;

a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the said bowl section;

a transformer means for converting an input primary voltage into a lower secondary voltage;

a switching means;

a switch means having an on-position for connecting the secondary voltage to said switching means and an offposition for disconnecting the secondary voltage from the switching means, said primary voltage being connected and disconnected from the pump when the secondary voltage is connected and disconnected respectively from the switching means;

a main float control means extending inside said bowl, said float control means comprising a rod member enclosing said switch means, said rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said bowl decreases to cause said switch means to switch to the on-position from the offposition and moving upward when the liquid level increases to cause said first switch means to switch from the off-position to the on-position, said main float means further including a small diameter sleeve and a larger diameter sleeve covering said first switch means;

a connector means connecting the small sleeve with the larger sleeve, said connector means comprising a small diameter section secured to a larger diameter section, said small sleeve fitting over said small diameter section and said large sleeve fitting over said larger diameter section;

a support means disposed at the top of said bowl, said support means supporting the main float means at a point between the inner and outer ends of the rod member; and

a partition wall separating said bowl into two compartments, said support means being a single strip of bendable material comprising two opposed L-shaped portions connected together by an intermediate portion, one L-portion extending into one compartment and the other L- portion extending in the other compartment, said intermediate portion being supported by the upper edge of said partition wall.

8. The feed means of claim 1 wherein said connector means further comprises a plurality of small beveled grippers formed in the small diameter section and a plurality of larger bevelled grippers formed in the larger diameter section, said connector means having a central opening extending therethrough.

9. The feed means of claim 8 wherein the grippers of each section ofsaid connector means being annular in shape and increasing in diameter from the inner end to the outer end of the corresponding connector section.

10. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one liquid, said feed means comprising:

a container for said one liquid;

a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the bowl; a switch means having an on-position for causing said pump to pump said one liquid into the bowl and an off-position for preventing said pumping of the first liquid;

a main float control means extending inside said bowl, said float control means comprising a rod member enclosing said switch means, said rod member moving downward when the liquid level in the bowl falls below a predetermined level to cause said switch means to switch to the on-position from the off-position and moving upward when the liquid level increases to cause said first switch means to switch from the off-position to the on-position, said float control means further including:

a small diameter sleeve and a larger diameter sleeve housing said switch means; and

a connector means comprising a small diameter section secured to a larger diameter section, said small sleeve fitting over said small diameter section and said larger sleeve fitting over said larger diameter section and thereby connecting said sleeves together.

11. The feed means of claim 10, wherein said connector means further comprises a plurality of small bevelled grippers formed in the small diameter section and a plurality of larger bevelled grippers formed in the larger diameter section, said connector having a central opening therethrough.

12. The feed means of claim 11, wherein each of the grippers of said sections of the connector means is annular in shape and increasing in cross-sectional are from the smallest cross section on the side of the gripper nearest the inner end of the corresponding section.

13. The feed means of claim 12, wherein:

a second switch means, said second switch means preventing the operation of said pump means and said valve means when said one liquid falls below a predetermined low level;

a first liquid float means extends inside said container, and comprising a large diameter tube enclosing said second switch means, said tube inclining downward when said first liquid falls below said low level; and

a hollow coupling means having a small diameter section and a larger diameter section, a smaller tube fitting over the small diameter section and said large tube fitting over the larger diameter section, electrical leads passing through said small tube to said second switch means, each of said sections of the coupling means including a plurality of bevelled grippers, each of said grippers increasing in cross-sectional area from the side nearest the inner end to the side nearest the outer end of the corresponding section.

Claims

1. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one Liquid, said feed means comprising: a container for said one liquid; a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the bowl; a switch means having an on-position for causing said pump to pump said one liquid into the bowl and an off-position for preventing said pumping of the first liquid; a main float control means extending inside said bowl, said float control means comprising a rod member enclosing said switch means, said rod member moving downward when the liquid level in the bowl falls below a predetermined level to cause said switch means to switch to the on-position from the offposition and moving upward when the liquid level increases to cause said switch means to switch from the off-position to the on-position; tube means extending into the bowl; and connector means for connecting said tube means to said rod member, the diameter of said rod member being substantially greater than said tube means, electrical cable from said switch means passing through the tube means to the outside of the bowl.

2. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one liquid, said feed means comprising: a container for said one liquid; a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the bowl when electrical power is connected to the pump; a first switch means having an on-position and an off-position; a main float means extending inside said bowl and including a first rod member encircling said first switch means; a second switch means having an on-position and an off-position; a second liquid float means extending inside said container and including a second rod member encircling said second switch means, said first rod member moving downward when the liquid level in bowl decreases below a predetermined high level to cause said first switch means to switch to the on-position for connecting electrical power to said pump means, said second rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said container falls below a predetermined low level to cause said second switch means to switch from the on- to the off-position to prevent electrical power from being connected to the pump even when the beverage falls below said high level; and a support means disposed at the top of said bowl, said support means extending underneath said rod member for providing support at a point between the inner and outer ends of the rod member.

3. The feed means of claim 2 wherein a partition wall separates said bowl into two compartments, said support means being a single strip of bendable material comprising two opposed L-shaped portions connected together by an intermediate portion, one L-portion extending into one compartment and the other L-portion extending in the other compartment, said intermediate portion being supported by the upper edge of said partition wall.

4. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one liquid, said feed means comprising: a container for said one liquid; a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into said bowl section when electrical energy is connected to the pump; a transformer means for converting an input primary voltage into a lower secondary voltage; a relay means having a relay coil and a relay switch, said relay switch having a closed-position for connecting said primary voltage with said pump means; a first switch means having an on-position and an off-position; a main liquid float means extending inside said bowl and including a first rod member encircling said first switch means; A second switch means having an on-position and an off-position; a second liquid float means extending inside said container and including a second rod member encircling said second switch means, said first rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said bowl decreases below a predetermined high level to cause said first switch means to switch to the on-position to connect said primary to said relay coil for energizing the relay and closing said relay switch, said second rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said container falls below a predetermined low level to cause said second switch means to switch from the on- to the off-position to prevent said relay switch from connecting said primary voltage to the pump means even when the liquid in said bowl falls below said predetermined high level.

5. The feed means of claim 4 wherein the first liquid float means comprises: a small diameter tube and a larger diameter tube housing said second switch means; and a coupling means having a small diameter section and a larger diameter section, said small tube fitting on said small diameter section and said larger tube fitting over said larger diameter section, each of the sections of said coupling means including a plurality of bevelled grippers increasing in cross-sectional area from the inner end to the outer end of the corresponding section.

6. The liquid feed device of claim 5, wherein a hollow connecting member extends inward from the inside surface of the container, said connecting member housing a plurality of bevelled grippers, each of said grippers increasing in cross-sectional area from the inner end to the outer free end thereof, said small tube fitting over said connecting means, electrical leads extending through the connecting member to said first liquid float means.

7. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least one said liquid, said feed means comprising: a container for said one liquid; a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the said bowl section; a transformer means for converting an input primary voltage into a lower secondary voltage; a switching means; a switch means having an on-position for connecting the secondary voltage to said switching means and an off-position for disconnecting the secondary voltage from the switching means, said primary voltage being connected and disconnected from the pump when the secondary voltage is connected and disconnected respectively from the switching means; a main float control means extending inside said bowl, said float control means comprising a rod member enclosing said switch means, said rod member moving downward when the liquid level in said bowl decreases to cause said switch means to switch to the on-position from the off-position and moving upward when the liquid level increases to cause said first switch means to switch from the off-position to the on-position, said main float means further including a small diameter sleeve and a larger diameter sleeve covering said first switch means; a connector means connecting the small sleeve with the larger sleeve, said connector means comprising a small diameter section secured to a larger diameter section, said small sleeve fitting over said small diameter section and said large sleeve fitting over said larger diameter section; a support means disposed at the top of said bowl, said support means supporting the main float means at a point between the inner and outer ends of the rod member; and a partition wall separating said bowl into two compartments, said support means being a single strip of bendable material comprising two opposed L-shaped portions connected together by an intermediate portion, one L-portion extending into one compartment and the other L-portIon extending in the other compartment, said intermediate portion being supported by the upper edge of said partition wall.

9. The feed means of claim 8 wherein the grippers of each section of said connector means being annular in shape and increasing in diameter from the inner end to the outer end of the corresponding connector section.

10. In a beverage dispenser machine having a bowl section to contain a beverage for dispensing, a feed means for feeding at least one liquid into the machine, said beverage comprising at least said one liquid, said feed means comprising: a container for said one liquid; a pump means associated with the container and said bowl for pumping said one liquid from the container into the bowl; a switch means having an on-position for causing said pump to pump said one liquid into the bowl and an off-position for preventing said pumping of the first liquid; a main float control means extending inside said bowl, said float control means comprising a rod member enclosing said switch means, said rod member moving downward when the liquid level in the bowl falls below a predetermined level to cause said switch means to switch to the on-position from the off-position and moving upward when the liquid level increases to cause said first switch means to switch from the off-position to the on-position, said float control means further including: a small diameter sleeve and a larger diameter sleeve housing said switch means; and a connector means comprising a small diameter section secured to a larger diameter section, said small sleeve fitting over said small diameter section and said larger sleeve fitting over said larger diameter section and thereby connecting said sleeves together.

13. The feed means of claim 12, wherein: a second switch means, said second switch means preventing the operation of said pump means and said valve means when said one liquid falls below a predetermined low level; a first liquid float means extends inside said container, and comprising a large diameter tube enclosing said second switch means, said tube inclining downward when said first liquid falls below said low level; and a hollow coupling means having a small diameter section and a larger diameter section, a smaller tube fitting over the small diameter section and said large tube fitting over the larger diameter section, electrical leads passing through said small tube to said second switch means, each of said sections of the coupling means including a plurality of bevelled grippers, each of said grippers increasing in cross-sectional area from the side nearest the inner end to the side nearest the outer end of the corresponding section.