Method and apparatus for preparing beverage transmission lines
OwnerMartin J. Abraham, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for preparing beverage transmission lines to form bundles that convey a drink product to a remote location includes the step of providing a plurality of spools that include a wound length of beverage conveying tubing each with a free end portion and unwinding the beverage tube from each spool by advancing the free end portion. The free end portions are transmitted through a plurality of templates that gather the tubing together. The tubing is then choked into a tight bundle while being continuously advanced at a set desired speed and along a generally linear path. The bundle is then spirally wrapped as it is being transported. The spiral wrapping can be achieved with a rotating spool that surrounds the bundle.
Claims24
A method of preparing beverage transmission lines to form bundles for conveying a drink product to a remote location, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a plurality of spools that each include a wound length of beverage conveying tubing, each with a free end portion;
- b) unwinding the beverage tubing from each spool by advancing the free end portion thereof;
- c) transmitting the free unwinding end portions of each length of tubing through a first template that gathers the tubing together;
- d) choking the unwinding tubing free end portions together with the template so that the tubing end portions are gathered together;
- e) continuously advancing the lengths of tubing at a set speed and along a elongated path;
- f) continuously wrapping the advancing lengths with a binding material that holds the advancing lengths of tubing together in a bundle;
- g) discharging the wrapped bundle into an elongated trough;
- h) covering the wrapped bundle with foam insulation;
- i) wherein in step "e" the tubing is pulled at it's free end with a cable.
An apparatus for forming an elongated continuous bundle of beverage lines for conveying beverage, comprising:
- a) a plurality of spools, each for holding a wound length of beverage tubing;
- b) a plurality of spaced apart templates for gathering the lengths of beverage tubing together;
- c) a choke for holding the plurality of lengths of tubing together;
- d) a machine frame rotatably supporting a rotary member about a center of rotation, the rotary member defining a plane and having an open center that allows the bundle to pass therethrough transversely to the plane of the rotary member;
- e) a tensile cable for applying tension to the bundle for advancing same;
- f) a trough that supports the bundle during wrapping;
- g) a spool of binding material that is mounted on the rotary member at a position spaced from the center of rotation;
- h) a pulling device for applying tension to the cable as it is advanced;
- i) motor drive means for rotating the rotating member.
An apparatus for forming an elongated continuous bundle of beverage conveying flowlines in a configuration that enables coolant to cool beverage contained in the flowlines continuously along the length of the bundle, comprising:
- a) a plurality of spools each for holding a wound length of tubing for conveying a beverage;
- b) at least one spool for holding a wound length of tubing for carrying coolant;
- c) means for advancing the lengths of tubing for conveying beverage and for carrying coolant, unwinding them from the spools;
- d) means for binding the lengths of tubing together in a bundle as they are advanced so that each beverage conveying tubing contacts the coolant conveying tubing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.