초록 ▼

A concentrated flavour dispensing machine having displacement pumps for delivering between a few millilitres and few ounces of fluids having a viscosity value between 1 to 4000 centepoise is described. The dispensing machine includes a cabinet for containing a multitude of displacement pumps, where

A concentrated flavour dispensing machine having displacement pumps for delivering between a few millilitres and few ounces of fluids having a viscosity value between 1 to 4000 centepoise is described. The dispensing machine includes a cabinet for containing a multitude of displacement pumps, where each displacement pump is in direct fluid communication with a respective storage tank, and a control panel having a programmable microprocessor mounted to the cabinet for receiving user selections and controlling each individual pump. Each displacement pump includes a stepper motor in engagement with a threaded drive rod for advancing a piston by any one of several predetermined distances to dispense a corresponding volume of fluid. The control panel receives a valid user selection for actuating one or more pumps to dispense the appropriate volume of a concentrated flavouring fluid. The microprocessor tracks the amount of fluid dispensed from each storage tank and alerts users and/or prevents further operation when reservoirs are close to empty to avoid null dispenses to customers. Various maintenance routines can be executed through the user interface, and dispense volumes and combination dispenses can be re-programmed manually or automatically.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A displacement pump for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid comprising: a cylindrical chamber coupled to a fluid dispensing outlet having a first one-way check valve, the cylindrical chamber defining an internal volume for storing at least the predetermined volume of f

What is claimed is: 1. A displacement pump for dispensing a predetermined volume of fluid comprising: a cylindrical chamber coupled to a fluid dispensing outlet having a first one-way check valve, the cylindrical chamber defining an internal volume for storing at least the predetermined volume of fluid; a fluid inlet coupled to the cylindrical chamber, the fluid inlet including a second one-way check valve; a piston slidable in the cylindrical chamber towards the fluid dispensing outlet; a threaded drive rod connected to the piston; a stepper motor in threaded engagement with the threaded drive rod, the stepper motor rotatable by a number of steps to slide the piston towards the fluid dispensing outlet by a distance corresponding to the predetermined volume; a guide tube having one end coupled to the cylindrical chamber and another end coupled to the steeper motor, the guide tube housing a portion of the threaded drive rod for shielding the portion of the threaded drive rod from contaminants, and a rod guide fixed to the threaded drive rod and slidable within the guide tube, the rod guide matingly engaging an inner surface of the guide tube to inhibit rotation of the threaded drive rod. 2. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the fluid dispensing outlet and the fluid inlet are integrated within a front flange, the front flange having a recessed portion for receiving the cylindrical chamber. 3. The displacement pump according to claim 1, further including a storage tank having a rigid fluid conduit coupled to the fluid inlet. 4. The displacement pump according to claim 3, wherein the storage tank includes an aperture for receiving fluid, and a tank cap for covering the aperture. 5. The displacement pump according to claim 4, wherein the tank cap is configured for sealing the aperture, the tank cap further including a third one way check valve for allowing entry of air into the storage tank while preventing exit of fluid vapor from the storage tank. 6. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the piston includes a piston seal. 7. The displacement pump according to claim 6, wherein the piston seal includes contact edge having a width to resist bowing. 8. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the guide tube has a length substantially equal to the length of the cylindrical chamber. 9. The displacement pump according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical chamber is constructed of acrylic. 10. The displacement pump according to claim 1, further including a sensor to detect when the threaded drive rod reaches a fully withdrawn position. 11. A dispensing system for providing a predetermined volume of fluid corresponding to a user selection, comprising: a user interface for providing electrical selection signals in response to the user selection; a microprocessor for receiving the electrical selection signals and accessing stored displacement pump calibration data in response to the electrical selection signals, the microprocessor calculating the predetermined volume of fluid to dispense corresponding to the electrical selection signals and the stored displacement pump calibration data, for providing pump control data; a pump driver for receiving the pump control data and providing motor drive signals; and, a displacement pump including a cylindrical chamber coupled to a fluid dispensing outlet having a first one-way check valve, the cylindrical chamber defining an internal volume for storing at least the predetermined volume of fluid, a fluid inlet coupled to the cylindrical chamber, the fluid inlet including a second one-way check valve, a piston slidable in the cylindrical chamber towards the fluid dispensing outlet, a threaded drive rod connected to the piston, a stepper motor in threaded engagement with the threaded drive rod, the stepper motor rotating in response to the motor drive signals by a number of steps to slide the piston towards the fluid dispensing outlet by a distance corresponding to the predetermined volume of fluid, a guide tube having one end coupled to the cylindrical chamber and another end coupled to the stepper motor, the guide tube housing a portion of the threaded drive rod for shielding the portion of the threaded drive rod from contaminants, and a rod guide fixed to the threaded drive rod and slidable within the guide tube, the rod guide matingly engaging an inner surface of the guide tube to inhibit rotation of the threaded drive rod. 12. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes a button panel for receiving the user selection. 13. The dispensing system according to claim 12, wherein the button panel is arranged to represent categories of variables. 14. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes an LCD panel. 15. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein user interface includes a communication port for receiving programming data. 16. The dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein the communication port includes a wired port. 17. The dispensing system according to claim 15, wherein the communication port includes a wireless port. 18. The dispensing system according to claim 11, further including a plurality of displacement pumps, and a relay system for selectively coupling the motor drive signals to one of the plurality of displacement pumps. 19. The dispensing system according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of displacement pumps is coupled to a corresponding plurality of storage tanks. 20. The dispensing system according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of displacement pumps and the corresponding plurality of storage tanks are contained within a cabinet. 21. The dispensing system according to claim 20, wherein the fluid dispensing outlet of each of the plurality of displacement pumps is coupled by a flexible tube to a nozzle cap mounted to the cabinet. 22. The dispensing system according to claim 21, wherein the nozzle cap includes a plurality of individual channels, each individual channel being coupled to one of the flexible tubes.