NZ616603A - Drink dispenser support holster - Google Patents

Abstract

616603 A drink dispenser support holster (1) is disclosed. The holster comprises a holster body (3) having a front portion (4) and a rear portion (5). The front (4) and rear (5) portions are releasably engage with each other to form a holster opening with upper rim shaped to mate with a head of the drink dispenser (2). The rim orientates a nozzle (10) of the drink dispenser toward the front portion (4). A clamping mechanism (22) is configured to releasably mount the front portion to a bar or a bench. The holster (1) is either configured to be mounted to the bar adjacent a bar drip tray or configured to releasably receive an attachable drip tray (30) so that when the drink dispenser (2) is engaged with theopening the nozzle (10) is oriented over the drip tray (30).

Description

Drink Dispenser Support Holster Field of the ion The invention relates to drink dispensers and, in particular, to a support holster for a drink dispenser.

Background of the Invention The invention has been developed primarily for use with a bar gun-type soft drink dispensers of which Wunderbar® and der America post-mixed drink dispensing guns are examples and will be described hereinafter with nce to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this application and is able for use with other drink dispensing guns such as those dispensing energy drinks or alcohol.

Soft drink or soda dispenses are very common items in places such as clubs, bars, hotels, and restaurants where a relatively large number of such drinks dispensed, whether to be consumed as soft drinks ought to be mixed with an alcoholic spirit. Historically, a cylinder containing a syrup was added to carbonated water for dispensing via a tap or a hand-held dispenser at the point of sale.

It is tood that the modern equivalent is to allow many different syrups to be individually dispensed via a single outlet at the point of sale. These systems may be relatively large benchtop systems or, perhaps more commonly, a drink dispensing ‘gun’ is used. In essence, this consists of an elongated handle having a nozzle at an outlet end and a flexible supply line at the opposite end. Multiple independent syrups are ed by respective lines disposed within the supply line.

Each syrup line terminates at a respective or valve disposed on the handle and these are actuated by te buttons. In use, a particular flavour or type of soft drink is selected and a corresponding button depressed causing the syrup of the selected r to flow.

Simultaneously, a stream of carbonated water is also allowed to flow. The syrup and carbonated water ratios are predetermined. The carbonated water and syrup mix at the nozzle or prior to being dispensed from the nozzle in predetermined proportions. 5460A-NZ [Link] http://www.wunderbar.com/ Well-known soft drink dispensers of such a type are the Wunderbar and Schroeder America systems. Details of the se soft drink dispensing guns can be found at www.wunderbar.com and the www.schroederamerica.com. In these s, a manifold device is provided into which the individual syrups and other liquid supply lines are fed. The manifold distributes the syrups or carbonated water when selected into the supply line whereby upon actuation of a corresponding button allows mixing of the syrup in the carbonated water to occur and the beverage to flow through the nozzle.

It will be appreciated that the nozzle of the known soft drink dispenser guns is subject to the s of a fast paced and relatively unhygienic environment, ally in bars. Since ges are dispensed directly into a consumers cup, the nozzle should be maintained in a clean state to avoid any contamination being able to be transmitted into the cup. To not only address the m of hygiene with the dispensing guns but also to provide a relatively stable placement position, two types of holders are relatively well-known and in use with the conventional soft drink dispensing guns, and both of these engage with the nozzle and/or head of the soft drink dispensing gun to retain it in the holder.

The first kind of known holder is simply an annular aperture to receive the nozzle portion so as to retain the gun by that engaged portion. Often, a part of a front portion of the annular aperture missing. The r aperture is lly intended to be mounted to be positioned so the annulus is substantially horizontal and a web member mounted to the annulus is provided for attaching to a bath surface or bench. Typically, this is simply screwed or bolted to a front edge of a bar or bench.

Whilst this type of holder advantageously provides some fixed location to retain the soft drink dispensing gun, it only engages with the nozzle portion or there about. In use, it is mounted to be most stable where the soft drink gun handle is horizontal or ed from the horizontal and the handle and supply line end of the handle extend outwardly from the bar or bench. This presents a hazard to workers around the location as this can be relatively easily d. This is ularly the case as the flexible supply line is relatively substantial and accidentally knocking that can cause the dispensing gun to become displaced. This is relatively common in busy bars with many staff and the most significant disadvantage of this is the potential contamination of the nozzle or nozzle region which can be transferred to the 5460A-NZ drinks of customers. It will also be appreciated that the soft drink dispensing guns are vely expensive items and they can also risk damage when accidentally dislodged from their holders, for example, by being bumped or knocked into.

Not only is it the case that these holders typically project the end of the handle portion at least with the flexible supply line away from the bar or bench which creates a hazard for staff, they also allow fluid leaking or dripping from the nozzle to fall directly to the floor below. A second type of holder has been developed to address at least the latter issue by sealing a bottom end of the annular hold on and connecting this with a drain tube. The Wunderbar® y that developed and sells a holder which is formed from a flat plate having boltholes will screw holes rear end and an aperture at a ding and to receive the nozzle of a soft drink sing gun. An end distal from the aperture include screw holes so that that end of the holder can be mounted to the bar or bench. The aperture resides at a front of the bench and the nozzle is retained in the same manner as the entioned first conventional holder.

The second holder additionally has a bottom n which engages underneath the re and is sealed. The bottom portion at a lower end includes a drain hose which can be directed as desired. Whilst this advantageously allows troops or leakage from the nozzle of the soft drink dispensing guns to be piped into a drain, sink or other location such as a bin or even the floor, the gun is still essentially retained by the nozzle and it projects from the bar or bench in the same manner as the first holder above and suffers from the same disadvantages. Those being that the gun can be relatively easily knocked out and hygiene at the nozzle becomes an issue.

Schroeder Amercia likewise provide a holder for their soft drink dispensing guns. This is much like the above described second type of holder except this is screwed or bolted to the underside of a bar or bench. A portion having an aperture for receiving the gun nozzle extends some distance in front of the bar and this design suffers from the same disadvantages as the second type of holder above.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a drink dispenser t holster comprising: 5460A-NZ a holster body having a front portion and a rear portion, said front and rear portions being releasebly engageable wherein each portion includes part of a holster opening such that when said front and rear portions are engaged said holster opening is formed and said opening es an upper rim, said upper rim being shaped to mate with a head of said drink dispenser such that said rim orientate a nozzle of said drink dispenser toward said holster body front portion; a clamping mechanism associated with the holster body front portion, said clamping mechanism configured to releasebly mount said holster body front portion to a bar or a bench from which drinks are ; wherein said holster is configured to releasably receive an attachable drip tray releasably mounted to said holster body front portion such that when said drink dispenser is engaged with said g said nozzle is oriented over said holster body front portion or said attachable drip tray. ing to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a drink dispenser support holster comprising: a holster body having a front portion and a rear portion, said front and rear portions being releasably engagable wherein each portion includes part of a holster opening such that when said front and rear portions are engaged said holster opening is formed and said opening includes an upper rim, said upper rim being shaped to mate with a head of said drink ser such that said rim orientate a nozzle of said drink ser toward said r body front portion; a clamping mechanism associated with the holster body front portion, said clamping mechanism configured to ably mount said holster body front portion to a bar or a bench from which drinks are served such that said holster rear portion is able from said front portion when said front portion is clamped to said bar or bench; wherein said holster is configured to be releasably mounted to said bar adjacent a bar drip tray such that when said drink dispenser is engaged with said g said nozzle is orientated over said holster body front portion or said bar drip tray. 5460A-NZ According to another aspect of the invention there is ed a beverage dispenser holster and drip tray combination, said combination comprising: a holster including: a holster body having a front portion and a rear portion, said front and rear ns being releasably ble wherein each n includes part of a holster opening such that when said front and rear ns are engaged said holster opening is formed and said opening includes an upper rim, said upper rim being shaped to mate with a head of said drink dispenser such that said rim orientate a nozzle of said drink dispenser toward said holster body front portion; a clamping mechanism associated with the r body front portion, said clamping mechanism configured to releasably mount said holster body front n to a bar or a bench from which drinks are served; and a drip tray ably mounted to said holster body front portion such that when said drink dispenser is engaged with said g said nozzle is oriented over said holster body front portion or said drip tray.

It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously ed a drink dispenser support holder that most advantageously retains the flexible supply line almost reducing the possibility of a passing staff member being able to knock the drink dispenser from the holster.

Furthermore, the holster opening is shaped so as to direct the nozzle of the drink dispenser toward or over the bar or bench to which the support holster is attached. Furthermore, the flexible supply line is directed substantially vertically downwardly and does not project outwardly away from the bar or bench. The drink dispenser support holster and tray combination further advantageously directs spillage or drips over a drip tray and importantly the nozzle does not touch surfaces as in the case of the prior art and so any contamination on the holder itself is not transmitted to the nozzle.

Yet further advantageously, the support holster can be used with or without a ted drip tray or a conventional bar drip tray. If used with a dedicated drip tray it can be removed if desired without removing the holster from the bar or bench. However, another advantage of the holster is that it can be easily moved to a new location on the bar as desired. 5460A-NZ Genesis of the Invention The genesis of the invention is a desire to provide a drink dispenser t holster that will overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with nce to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an elevated front perspective view of the drink dispenser t holster according to the preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the holster of Fig 1; Fig 3 is a rear elevated ctive view of the holster of Fig 1; Fig 4 is a front view of the holster of Fig 1; Fig 5 is a right-hand side view of the r of Fig 1; Fig 6 is a top view of the holster of Fig 1; Fig 7 is an elevated front ctive view of the holster of Fig 1 with a drip tray; Fig 8 is a front ctive view of the holster of Fig 7; Fig 9 is a rear elevated perspective view of the holster of Fig 7; Fig 10 is a front view of the holster of Fig 7; Fig 11 is a right-hand side view of the holster of Fig 7; Fig 12 is a top view of the holster of Fig 7; Fig 13 is an elevated front perspective view of the holster of Fig 1 retaining a drink dispenser; Fig 14 is a front perspective view of the holster of Fig 13; Fig 15 is a rear elevated perspective view of the holster of Fig 13; Fig 16 is a front perspective view of the holster of Fig 13; Fig 17 is a front view of the holster of Fig 13; Fig 18 is a top view of the holster of Fig 13; Fig 19 is an elevated front perspective view of the holster of Fig 7 retaining a drink dispenser; Fig 20 is a front ctive view of the holster of Fig 19; Fig 21 is a rear elevated perspective view of the holster of Fig 19; Fig 22 is a front view of the holster of Fig 19; Fig 23 is a right-hand side view of the holster of Fig 19; 5460A-NZ Fig 24 is a top view of the holster of Fig 19; Fig. 25 is a front perspective view of the r of Fig. 19; Fig. 26 is an elevated front perspective view of the holster of Fig. 19; and Fig.27 is an exploded view of the holster of Fig. 19.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings generally, it will be appreciated that like reference numerals have been used to denote like components. Figs. 1-6 show a first preferred embodiment of the drink ser support holster 1, and Fig. 27 is an ed view of this. Figs. 13 -18 show the support holster 1 together with a drink dispenser in the form of a soda or bar gun 2.

Reference is made generally to those drawings of the first embodiment.

Turning to the drawings of the first red embodiment, the drink dispenser support holster 1 includes a holster body 3. The body 3 is formed from two d plastic portions, a front portion 4 and a rear n 5. As best seen in Fig. 27, the front and rear portions 4 and 5 are releasably engagable with each other.

When engaged with each other, the front and rear portions 4 and 5 of the body 3 in ation form an opening 6. The opening 6 is formed from part holster openings 7 and 8 associated with the front and rear portions 4 and 5 respectively of the body 3.

The opening 6 includes an upper rim 9. The rim 9 is shaped to mate with a lower end or the handle generally of the soda gun 2. The upper rim is configured to orientate a nozzle 10 of the soda gun 2 toward the front portion 4 of the holster body 3.

The soda gun drink dispenser 2 of the preferred embodiments includes an elongate handle 11 that is d by a user to dispense a predetermined drink. The handle 11 is connected at a lower end to a flexible supply line 12. Although not y illustrated, the soda gun drink dispenser 2 includes a plurality of actuators 50, depression of one of which by a user causes a predetermined soda or soft drink to flow from the nozzle 10 depending on which button is actuated. In this way, any one of a number of different flavours of soft drink can be dispensed by the soda gun 2 and these are selected simply by depressing a corresponding button. 5460A-NZ ponding body engagement means 13 are disposed on a rear surface 14 of the front portion 4 of the body 3 and on a forward surface 15 of the body rear portion 5. The engagement means 13 are adapted to allow the body 3 to be formed from the engagement of front and rear body portions 4 and 5. As shown in the preferred embodiment, a pair of e levers 16 are mounted to the forward surface 15 of the rear n 5. The levers 16 are ated with clips or tabs 17 that releasably engage with apertures 18 forming the ment means 13 on the body front portion 4. Movement of the levers 16 causes the clip 17 to disengage with the res 18 allowing relative movement of the two portions 4 & 5.

Tracks 19 and corresponding rails 20 on the front 4 and rear 5 body portions respectively allow the portions 4 and 5 to slide relative to each other toward engagement. T he clips 17 can be slid to engage with apertures 18 or the clips 17 and apertures 18 disengaged so that in the red embodiments rear portion 5 is slid downwardly relative to the front portion 4 to separate each portion 4 & 5 of the holster body 3.

The levers 16 iently extend below a bottom 20 of the rear portion 5 to allow relatively convenient access. Furthermore, a pair of levers 16 is provided so that ional nt of both levers simultaneously is required in order to disengage the clips 17 from the apertures As best shown again in Fig .27, the front and rear portions 4 and 5 of the holster body 3 are separable to receive the soda gun 2 flexible supply line 12 within the opening 6 so as to be retained by the portions 4 and 5.

The holster opening 6 in the preferred embodiments includes a slightly tapered and d portion 21 to retain a lower portion of the handle 11. In the preferred embodiment, when engaged in the opening 6, an upper end of the handle portion extends above the rim 9 to expose the buttons or valve actuators 50.

A clamping mechanism 22 is associated with the front portion 4 of the holster body 3. The clamping mechanism includes a bracket 23 engaged at one end with the front portion 4 of the holster body 3. A bracket bottom portion 24 extends below the body front portion 4 by a predetermined distance. This includes an engaged screw thread 25 when is use is wound so 5460A-NZ that the bar or bench surface (not illustrated) has a bottom surface 26 of body front portion 4 pulled down towards it.

The bench or bar is engaged intermediate the bottom end 24 of the bracket 23 and the bottom e 25 of the front portion 4 and the screw thread is tightened accordingly. In this way, a bar or bench does not need to be drilled or tapped to retain the support holster as has been required by the known soda gun support holsters.

As best shown in the embodiment of Fig. 13, the t r 1 can be releasably mounted to a bar or bench and so far as the soda gun nozzle 10 projects toward or over front portion 4, the support holster 1 can be disposed over an existing bar drip tray (not illustrated). It will be appreciated that the body front portion 4 includes a forward surface 28 that projects outwardly from a front of the body front portion 4. The forward surface 28 is adapted to abut continue to the abutment surface 26 over or on the drip tray surface. Any liquid or fluid leaks from the nozzle 10 on to the front n 4 are directed over a drip tray where they can be gathered as the abutment e 26 s with the drip tray. Most preferably, the d surface 28 is sized so that the nozzle 10 extends at least to a forward point, and preferably a small ce over.

In another preferred ment of the invention shown in Fig. 7-12 and 19-24, and 27 the drink dispenser support holster 1 can advantageously include a detachable or integrated drip tray 30 but it may be able to be used without tray 30 as described above with reference to Fig. 1 or disposed over a drip tray that just sits on the bar. When not using tray 30 the holster 1 can be disposed on any desired portion of bar or bench to suit the needs of the establishment at that time.

The drip tray 30 includes a body 31 having a reservoir portion 32 and a back portion 33. The back portion 33 is adapted to sit under lower abutment surface 26 of the body front portion 4.

The forward surface 28 extends to or over the oir 32. A grill 34 is provided to prevent non-liquid matter penetrating into the reservoir 32.

It can therefore be seen that the drip tray 30 advantageously catches or collects spill fluid from the soda gun 2 whether this directly drips from the nozzle 10 over the reservoir 32 or down the front of the body front portion 4. 5460A-NZ As best shown in Fig. 27, the tray 30 includes a drain hose 35 d to drain the reservoir 32. The drain hose is in fluid communication with the reservoir 32 by means of an re 36. The end of the drain hose can then be located as desired, preferably over a sink or drain, for example.

In the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that the tray 30 is adapted to be releasably attached to the body front portion 4. In this way, if the soda gun 2 when entrained in holster opening 6 is required to be removed, levers 16 are moved to disengage clips 17 from apertures 18 and the body rear portion 5 is simply slid away. The body front n 4 and the drip tray 30 are retained to the bar or bench via the threaded screw 25.

From the entioned and the drawings, it can be seen the support holster 1 most advantageously aligns or orientates the soda gun nozzle 10 towards the bench minimising the opportunity to contact or contaminate it, it also gathers any spills and by nature the flexible supply line 12 is retained to prevent dropping of the soda gun 2. Further, the holster can be expediently dismantled for cleaning and can be easily moved from place to place.

In the preferred embodiments, as again best shown in Fig. 27, the support holster 1 includes a display window 40. The display window is configured to support a display panel 41 which is illuminated by lighting elements 42. The lighting ts are connected to a source of electrical power by means of wire 44. This is supported at a rear by display insert 45.

In this way, display panel 41 can have ising or other material which can be seen in relatively dark environments by means of lighting elements 42. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention, not illustrated, the display window may support an onic or LCD display panel or the display window 40 itself may be a screen such as an LCD screen or other illuminated display panel where power or communication signals are provided by electrical wires 44.

The foregoing describes only preferred embodiments of the present ion and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto t departing from the scope of the present invention. 5460A-NZ The term “comprising” (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of “including” or “having” and not in the exclusive sense of sting only of”. 5460A-NZ

Claims (16)

Claims 1.

1. A drink dispenser support holster comprising: a r body having a front n and a rear portion, said front and rear portions being releasably engageable wherein each portion includes part of a holster opening such that when said front and rear portions are engaged said holster opening is formed and said opening includes an upper rim, said upper rim being shaped to mate with a head of said drink dispenser such that said rim orientate a nozzle of said drink dispenser toward said r body front portion; a clamping mechanism associated with the holster body front portion, said clamping mechanism ured to releasably mount said holster body front portion to a bar or a bench from which drinks are served; wherein said holster is configured to releasably receive an attachable drip tray releasably mounted to said holster body front portion such that when said drink dispenser is engaged with said opening said nozzle is oriented over said r body front portion or said attachable drip tray.

2. A drink dispenser t holster comprising: a holster body having a front portion and a rear portion, said front and rear portions being releasably engagable wherein each portion includes part of a holster opening such that when said front and rear portions are d said holster opening is formed and said opening includes an upper rim, said upper rim being shaped to mate with a head of said drink dispenser such that said rim orientate a nozzle of said drink dispenser toward said holster body front portion; a clamping mechanism associated with the holster body front portion, said clamping mechanism configured to releasably mount said r body front portion to a bar or a bench from which drinks are served such that said holster rear portion is releasable from said front portion when said front portion is clamped to said bar or bench; wherein said holster is configured to be releasably d to said bar adjacent a bar drip tray such that when said drink ser is engaged with said opening said nozzle is orientated over said holster body front portion or said bar drip tray.

3. A drink dispenser support holster according to claim 1 or 2 adapted to receive a drink ser in the form of a soda gun or bar gun having an elongate handle portion connected 5460A-NZ to a flexible supply line at one end and having said nozzle at the other, said soda gun handle including a plurality of manually actuatable valves each adapted to dispense a liquid independently via said nozzle.

4. A drink dispenser support holster according to anyone of claims 1 to 3 n said holster body front portion on a rear surface and said holster body rear n of forward surface each include corresponding engagement means for retaining said body front and rear portions together.

5. A drink dispenser t holster according to claim 4 including one or more release levers mounted to said forward surface of said rear body portion, said levers associated with clips configured to ably mount said rear of said front body portion and said forward surface of said rear body n such that movement of said levers causes corresponding nt of said clips which age with said body front portion thereby facilitating separation of said front and rear body portions.

6. A drink dispenser support holster according to claim 5 wherein said levers extend below a bottom of said housing rear portion such that access to said levers is available from below said holster body.

7. A drink dispenser support holster according to anyone of claims 1 to 6 d to releasably retain a holster drip tray under a forward end of said body front portion, said drip tray configured to receive a drain hose at a rear of said holster drip tray wherein said hose extends at least to under said front portion for downward discharge.

8. A drink dispenser support holster ing to anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein said front and rear body portions are separable for placement of said flexible supply line intermediate said each part of said holster opening of said front and rear portions such that engagement thereof s said supply hose therebetween such a lower end of said handle or thereabout is seated on said holster opening upper rim and upwardly movably whereby said flexible supply line remains ly retained in said opening.

9. A drink dispenser support holster according to anyone of claims 1 to 8 wherein said front portion has a lower abutment surface projecting from a front of said front portion, said 5460A-NZ abutment surface configured to abut with an upper surface of a drip tray such that said front of front portion is level with or over said drip tray to direct fluid spilled from said drink dispenser over said front of said front body n into said drip tray.

10. A drink dispenser support holster according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein said opening includes one or more steps or tapered portions decreasing said opening size away from said upper rim.

11. A drink dispenser support holster according to anyone of claims 1 to 10 wherein said body front portion includes a removable front window configured to display information.

12. A drink dispenser support holster according to claim 11 ing lighting and/or visual display ts disposed adjacent said front window, said lighting or visual elements configured to be connected to a source of electrical power and/or visual display signals.

13. A beverage dispenser holster and drip tray combination, said combination sing: a holster including; a holster body having a front portion and a rear portion, said front and rear ns being releasably engagable wherein each portion includes part of a holster opening such that when said front and rear ns are engaged said holster opening is formed and said opening includes an upper rim, said upper rim being shaped to mate with a head of said drink dispenser such that said rim orientate a nozzle of said drink dispenser toward said holster body front portion; a ng mechanism associated with the holster body front portion, said clamping mechanism configured to releasably mount said holster body front portion to a bar or a bench from which drinks are served; and a drip tray releasably mounted to said holster body front n such that when said drink dispenser is engaged with said opening said nozzle is oriented over said holster body front n or said drip tray.

14. A combination according to claim 13 adapted to releasably retain said drip tray under a forward end of said body front portion and said drip tray is configured to receive a drain hose at a rear of said holster drip tray wherein said hose extends a least to under said front portion for downward discharge. 5460A-NZ

15. A combination according to claim 13 or 14 wherein said front portion has a lower abutment surface projecting from a front of said front portion, said abutment surface configured to abut with an upper surface of said drip tray such that said front of front portion is level with or over said drip tray to direct fluid spilled from said drink dispenser over said front of said front body portion into said drip tray.

16. A combination according to anyone of claims 13 to 15 wherein said drink dispenser t holster is in ance with anyone of claims 1 to 12.