Syrup distribution system

Abstract

A syrup distribution system for fountain service wherein a sheet metal rack supports a plurality of bag/box syrup containers, each of which includes an outer corrugated cardboard box and an inner flexible film pouch or bag containing the syrup. The sheet metal rack includes a lower shelf for storing a plurality of extra syrup containers, while the middle and upper shelves are equipped with a manifold for connection to the syrup containers thereon. Each bag/box container is connected to the manifold via a connecting tube having a probe which punctures a seal in the container, and a check valve is utilized to control the flow of syrup from each container into the manifold. A bleeder valve is connected at one end of each shelf manifold to assist in purging air from the system, and syrup flows from the manifolds to a syrup distribution pump which supplies it to the fountain service head. In operation of the system, after the containers on one shelf of the rack are emptied of syrup, a valve at the syrup pump is switched to a second set of containers on a second shelf, thereby allowing replacement of the empty syrup containers on the first shelf.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.