WO2011015902A1

WO2011015902A1 - Activating pin for filling and dispensing machines

Info

Publication number: WO2011015902A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/053439
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Frank Pateman; Carlos Kanterewicz; Yosef Shlomo Azarzar; Haim Schneider; Shmuel Reindorp
Original assignee: Sodastream Industries Ltd.
Priority date: 2009-08-06
Filing date: 2009-08-06
Publication date: 2011-02-10

Abstract

A home soda machine includes means to prepare beverages from at least the contents of a container associated with the home soda machine, and a hollow ended activating pin to initiate opening a valve of the associated container. A dispensing machine activation pin includes an activating tip to initiate opening a valve of a standard container associated with the dispensing machine, and a hollow center in the activating tip to avoid pressing a valve activation pin of a substandard diameter.

Description

ACTIVATING PIN FOR FILLING AND DISPENSING MACHINES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to home soda machines generally and to prevention of their use with non standard and/or counterfeit containers in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Home soda machines are known in the art. Such machines typically use replaceable containers to provide gases and/or liquids necessary for the soda making process. Such containers typically comprise a valve through which the containers are filled and/or emptied.

[0003] Fig. 1, to which reference is now made, illustrates a typical home soda machine 100 and container 110. It will be appreciated that home soda machines are well known in the art. Accordingly, for brevity and in order to avoid obfuscating teachings of the present disclosure, various elements typically found in a home soda machine and their associated containers are omitted from this disclosure.

[0004] Container 110 comprises a valve assembly 120. An activating pin 115 is situated within a recessed area 125 at the top of valve assembly 120. Home soda machine 100 comprises an activating pin 130 which is positioned to depress activating pin 115 when lowered. Activating pin 115 may or may not be an extension of the actual valve (not shown). In either case, there are many examples in the art as to how to initiate opening a valve by pressing on an activating pin 115. The positioning of activating pin 115 within recessed area 125 serves to prevent accidental activation and protects the mechanism from breakage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] There is provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a home soda machine including means to prepare beverages from at least contents of a container associated with the home soda machine, and a hollow ended activating pin to initiate opening a valve of the associated container.

[0006] Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hollow ended activating pin has a hollow center to avoid pressing a corresponding activating pin of a non associated container.

[0007] Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a diameter for the corresponding activating pin of the non associated container is less than a diameter of the hollow center.

[0008] Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hollow center is at least three millimeters in diameter.

[0009] Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the associated container includes an associated corresponding activating pin with a diameter wider than the hollow center.

[0010] There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dispensing machine activation pin including an activating tip to initiate opening a valve of a standard container associated with the dispensing machine, and a hollow center in the activating tip to avoid pressing a valve activation pin of a substandard diameter.

[0011] Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substandard diameter is less than a diameter of the hollow center.

[0012] Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hollow center is at least three millimeters in diameter.

[0013] Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing machine is a home soda machine.

[0014] Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing machine is a fuel dispensing machine. [0015] Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the standard container includes a valve activation pin of a standard diameter.

[0016] Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the standard diameter is greater than three millimeters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art home soda machine.

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a novel counterfeit resistant home soda machine, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figs. 3A and 3B are schematic illustrations of the machine of Fig.2 in operation.

[0021] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[0023] It will be appreciated that it may be in the interests of a seller of home soda machines 100 that customers continue to use authorized containers 110 that have been specifically designed for use with machines 100. Such continued usage would not only tend to contribute to financial gain for the seller, but it would also tend to provide a measure of protection for the consumer as well. For example, when dealing with counterfeit and/or non standard containers the likelihood of incidental damage to machines 100 may increase. It will also be appreciated that the contents of containers 110 may typically be under high pressure; under such circumstances non standard containers may even be dangerous to use. For example, containers 110 are typically filled with pressurized CO₂.

[0024] Applicants have realized that activating pin 130 may be shaped in such a manner as to generally prevent contact with activating pins 115 on some non standard containers 110. If such contact may be prevented, then activating pin 115 may not be pressed and the likelihood that non standard usage may decrease.

[0025] Reference is now made to Fig. 2 which illustrates a novel counterfeit resistant home soda machine 200 and container 210. Container 210 may comprise a valve assembly 220. A wide activating pin 215 may be situated within a recessed area 225 at the top of valve assembly 220. Home soda machine 200 may comprise a hollow activating pin 230 which is positioned to depress wide activating pin 215 when lowered. Home soda machine 200 may also comprise means as known in the art to prepare beverages using the ingredients in containers) 210.

[0026] It will be appreciated that wide activating pin 215 may be significantly wider than activating pin 115 (Fig. 1). In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, standard containers 210 may be equipped with such wide activating pins 215. Container 210 may be any suitable container that is equipped with a wide activating pin 215. An exemplary diameter for wide activating pin 215 may be 5 millimeters. Similarly, hollow activating pin 230 may also be wider than activating pin 130 (Fig. 1), and it may be cylindrical in shape with a hollow center 231. An exemplary diameter for hollow center 231 may be 3 millimeters.

[0027] Fig. 3 A, to which reference is now made, illustrates a hollow activating pin 230 in juxtaposition to a non standard container 110 with a valve assembly 120. Hollow center 231 may be positioned above the center of recessed area 125 such that when lowered (arrow 240), hollow activating pin 230 may not come in contact with activating pin 115. Instead, hollow activating pin 230 may straddle pin 115 without exerting downward pressure.

[0028] Fig. 3B, to which reference is now made, illustrates a hollow activating pin 230 in juxtaposition to a standard container 210 with a valve assembly 220. Wide activating pin 215 may be of sufficient diameter such that when hollow activating pin 230 may be lowered (arrow 240) it may come in contact with pin 215.

[0029] It will be appreciated that activating pin 230 may not be used to initiate the opening of non standard containers 110, thus preventing their unauthorized use with home soda machine 200. Similarly, the present invention may not be limited to home use; it may be implemented in other venues and scales of operation as well.

[0030] It will also be appreciated that the diameters of hollow activating pin 230 and wide activating pin 215 may be configured in accordance with requirements as need be. The present invention may not be limited to any specific set of diameters.

[0031] It will further be appreciated that containers 110 and 210 may contain any gas or liquid relevant to a home soda machine; the use of CO₂ in the description hereinabove may be exemplary.

[0032] Applicants have also realized that the present invention may not be limited to implementation with soda machines. The present invention may be configured for use with any apparatus designed to open and close container valves for the purposes of filling, refilling and dispensing of the contents. For example, the present invention may also be implemented as part of a fuel dispensing system. [0033] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS [0034] What is claimed is:

1. A home soda machine comprising:

means to prepare beverages from at least contents of a container associated with said home soda machine; and

a hollow ended activating pin to initiate opening a valve of said associated container.

2. The home soda machine according to claim 1 and wherein said hollow ended activating pin has a hollow center to avoid pressing a corresponding activating pin of a non associated container.

3. The home soda machine according to claim 2 and wherein a diameter for said corresponding activating pin of said non associated container is less than a diameter of said hollow center.

4. The home soda machine according to claim 2 and wherein said hollow center is at least three millimeters in diameter.

5. The home soda machine according to claim 2 and wherein said associated container comprises an associated corresponding activating pin with a diameter wider than said hollow center.

6. A dispensing machine activation pin comprising:

an activating tip to initiate opening a valve of a standard container associated with said dispensing machine; and

a hollow center in said activating tip to avoid pressing a valve activation pin of a substandard diameter.

7. The dispensing machine activation pin according to claim 6 and wherein said substandard diameter is less than a diameter of said hollow center.

8. The dispensing machine activation pin according to claim 6 and wherein said hollow center is at least three millimeters in diameter.

9. The dispensing machine activation pin according to claim 6 and wherein said dispensing machine is a home soda machine.

10. The dispensing machine activation pin according to claim 6 and wherein said dispensing machine is a fuel dispensing machine.

11. The dispensing machine activation pin according to claim 6 and wherein said standard container comprises a valve activation pin of a standard diameter.

12. The dispensing machine activation pin according to claim 11 and wherein said standard diameter is greater than three millimeters.