The present invention relates to a frozen beverage dispensing apparatus. More particularly, it is intended that the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus of present invention will allow the mixing of additional beverages with frozen beverages at the time of purchase or as consumption by a user is required.

Background Art

Frozen beverage or "slushy" machines are well known in the prior art as a means by which frozen beverages can be stored and dispensed. Typically, a liquid, often containing a flavour, is poured into the storage and mixing containers of the machines and is stirred and frozen by the machine. Additionally, alcohol can be added directly into the containers with the flavoured liquid to provide alcoholic frozen beverages that may subsequently be consumed at a later time.

One of the problems associated with the prior art is the need to premix the alcohol in the container. Typically, as opposed to regular commercially packaged alcoholic beverages, an ethanol mix is added. This has a negative effect on the taste and quality of the final beverage. Further to this, an additional problem of the prior art is that it does not allow for the alcoholic beverage type to be changed during operation. Additionally, the alcoholic content of the produced frozen beverages cannot be controlled on a drink by drink basis, as the alcohol is added to an entire batch of drink at a time. This also does not allow for the provision of non-alcoholic drinks from the prior art apparatus. Rather, an entire dedicated non-alcoholic batch of the frozen beverage is required. This is not often a viable option at events at which frozen beverage machines are deployed. Another problem associated with the prior art is the adverse effect that the inclusion of the alcohol in the beverage mix has on the performance of the machine. The addition of the alcohol lowers the freezing point of the beverage and therefore the mix has a much lower temperature. This causes condensation on the outer surface of the beverage container which then freezes, resulting in the need to defrost, or dislodge the frozen condensate from, the outer surface for the beverage to be clearly seen. It also causes the machine to continually try and freeze the beverage, thereby overworking the machine beyond its designed limitations. Further, the mixing and storage containers of the frozen beverage machines of the prior art have a limited capacity in the order of about 5 litres. Once the storage container is refilled with the premix liquid, the machine can take up to 20 minutes to freeze the liquid before frozen beverages can continue to be dispensed. This presents a problem in service areas which typically go through high volumes of the frozen beverage in a short period of time, and the delay associated with refilling the containers can have a significant impact on the sales of the frozen beverages. This also increases pressure on the staff that must spend the time to refill the containers.

The frozen beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention has as one object thereof to overcome substantially one or more pf the abovementioned problems associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

The preceding discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. It should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application. Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Disclosure of the Invention

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a frozen beverage dispensing apparatus comprising at least one frozen beverage storage container having a first dispenser means coupled thereto and a second dispenser means to which a container of a further beverage may be coupled, wherein each dispenser means has provided thereon a nozzle arranged such that each nozzle may dispense beverage into a single receptacle substantially simultaneously.

Preferably, the frozen beverage storage container is a device which facilitates the stirring, freezing and dispensing of a liquid beverage.

Still preferably, the second beverage dispenser means is coupled to the first dispenser means such that actuating one thereof to dispense beverage causes the other to dispense beverage.

Still further preferably, the second dispenser means is operable by electronic means.

In one form of the present invention, the coupling of the second dispenser means is by way of an electronic coupling.

In a further form of the present invention the electronic coupling facilitates the transfer of a signal from the first dispenser means to the second beverage dispenser means, whereupon receiving the signal the second dispenser means will dispense a beverage. Preferably, the electronic coupling can be disconnected by a switch means to prevent the second dispenser means dispensing a beverage. Preferably, the second dispenser means has provided thereon a support means. The support means preferably has provided thereon a bottle receiving means.

In a still further form of the present invention there is provided a third dispenser means being substantially the same as the second dispenser means described hereinabove.

In a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided an external beverage storage container comprising at least one storage compartment having an external dispensing means coupled thereto, wherein the external dispensing means comprises a pumping means and a pipeline arranged such that the dispensing means may dispense beverage from one storage compartment of the external beverage storage container through the pipeline into at least one frozen beverage storage container.

Preferably, the external dispensing means is coupled to the first dispenser means such that actuating the first dispenser means to dispense beverage causes the external dispensing means to dispense beverage from the storage compartment of the external beverage storage container through the pipeline via the pumping means into at least one frozen beverage storage container.

Still further preferably, the pumping means is operable by electronic means.

In one form of the present invention, the coupling of the external dispensing means is by way of an electronic coupling. Preferably, the electronic coupling facilitates the transfer of a signal from the first dispenser means to the external dispensing means, whereupon receiving the signal the external dispensing means will dispense a beverage through the pipeline via the pumping means from the storage compartment of the external storage container. Preferably, the electronic coupling can be disconnected by a switch means to prevent the external dispensing means dispensing a beverage. In a still further form of the present invention there is provided a second storage compartment of the external storage container being substantially the same, as the first compartment of the external storage container described hereinabove.

In accordance with the present invention there is further provided an adaptor for a frozen beverage dispensing apparatus, the adaptor comprising a frame and a dispenser means, wherein the frame is proportioned so as to be supported on, over or substantially adjacent to an existing frozen beverage dispensing apparatus, such that a nozzle of the dispenser means of the adaptor is arranged to allow beverage therefrom to be dispensed into a receptacle substantially simultaneously with frozen beverage from the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus.

Preferably, the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus comprises a frozen beverage storage container which facilitates the stirring, freezing and dispensing of a flavoured beverage. Still preferably, the dispenser means of the adaptor is coupled to a dispenser means of the frozen beverage dispenser apparatus, such that actuating one thereof to dispense beverage causes the other to dispense beverage.

Still further preferably, the dispenser means of the adaptor is operable by electronic means. In one form of the present invention, the coupling of the dispenser means is by way of an electronic coupling.

In a further form of the present invention the electronic coupling facilitates the transfer of a signal from the dispenser means of the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus to the beverage dispenser means of the adaptor, where upon receiving the signal the dispenser means of the adaptor will dispense a beverage. Preferably, the dispenser means of the adaptor has provided thereon a support means. The support means preferably has provided thereon a bottle receiving means.

In a still further form of the present invention there is provided on the adaptor a further dispenser means being substantially the same as the other dispenser means provided thereon and described hereinabove.

The adaptor may further incorporate an external dispensing means as described hereinabove.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to two embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a frozen beverage dispensing apparatus in accordance with both a first and second embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

In Figure 1 there is shown a frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10 comprises two frozen beverage storage containers 12, 14 arranged side by side, each having a first dispensing means 16 and 18, respectively provided thereon. A second dispenser means 20 is provided to one side of one of the storage containers 12 and to which a container, for example a bottle 22, of a second beverage is coupled by way of a support means 24 and bottle receiving means 26. A third dispenser means 28 is provided to one side of the other frozen beverage storage container 14. The third dispenser means 28 is substantially similar to the second dispenser means 20 and like numerals denote like parts. The third dispensing means 28 may be provided with a container, for example a bottle 30, of a third beverage.

Each of the first dispensing means' 16 and 18 comprise a nozzle 32 and an actuating means, for example a lever 34, by which beverage from their respective containers 12 and 14 may be caused to pass through the nozzle 32. The nozzles 32 extend in a downward direction relative to the frozen beverage storage containers 12 and 14 to facilitate the pouring of beverage therefrom into a receptacle such as a glass (not shown). Each first dispensing means 16 and 18 further comprises a trigger mechanism, for example an electronic switch 36, from which a length of wiring 38 extends.

The second dispenser means 20 is provided with a nozzle 40 thereon, wherein the nozzle 40 is arranged such that an outlet 42 of the nozzle 40 is proximal to a nozzle of the first dispensing means 16. This arrangement is such that beverage may be released through both nozzles 32 and 40 at substantially the same time into the same glass.

The nozzle 40 of the third dispenser means 28 is arranged such that the outlet 42 thereof is proximal to the nozzle 32 of the first dispensing means 18. Again, this arrangement is such that beverage may be released through both nozzles 32 and 40 at substantially the same time into the same glass. The second dispensing means 20 and the third dispensing means 28 are both able to be set so as to dispense a preset amount of a beverage from the respective bottles 22 and 30 provided thereon when activated. Additionally, there is provided a switch means (not shown), for example a key switch, which can be employed to disconnect the electronic coupling between the first dispensing means 18 and either the second dispensing means 20 or the third dispensing means 28, to prevent either the second dispensing means 20 or the third dispensing means 28 from dispensing any beverage. The wiring 38 from each first dispenser means 16 and 18 passes to the second and third dispenser means 20 and 28, respectively. By this arrangement an electrical signal may be transferred, for example, upon operation of the lever 34 of the first dispenser means 16 from the switch 36 provided therein to the second dispenser means 20, whereupon receiving the signal the second dispenser means 20 will dispense a beverage. In a similar fashion operation of the first dispenser means 18 in turn operates the third dispenser means 28.

The support means 24 of the second and third dispensing means 20 and 28 are provided in a frame 44, or adapter, which extends behind the frozen beverage storage containers 12 and 14. The frame 44 defines two modules 46 and 48 able to be positioned to the outside of, and alongside, the respective storage containers 12 and 14. The frame further comprises at least a single intermediate portion (not shown) that is capable of locating and supporting the frame on an outer housing 50 of the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10. It is envisaged that the frame 44 is able to be removed from the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10. The adapter, or frame 44 and its associated components, constitutes a second embodiment of the present invention.

The frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10 further comprises a support portion 52 in which the necessary mechanical and electrical components are provided to allow the stirring and chilling of the liquid or beverage provided in each of the storage containers 12 and 14. At the base of the support portion 52 there are provided a pair of drains 54 arranged to catch and spillage or leakage from the nozzles 32 and 40.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10 still further comprises an external beverage storage container 56 comprising a first storage compartment 58 and a second storage compartment 60, each having a respective external dispensing means 62, 64 coupled thereto. Each external dispensing means 62, 64 has provided thereon a respective pumping means 66, 68 and a pipeline 70, 72 arranged such that the external dispensing means 62, 64 may dispense beverage from the storage compartments 58, 60 through the pipeline 70, 72, into respective frozen beverage storage containers 12, 14. The pumping means' 66, 68 are operable by electronic means. Preferably, the external dispensing means' 62, 64 are coupled to the first dispenser means' 16, 18 such that actuating the first dispenser means 16, 18 to dispense beverage causes each external dispensing means 62, 64 to dispense beverage from respective storage compartments 58, 60 through respective pipelines 70, 72 via their pumping means 66, 68 into respective frozen beverage storage containers 12, 14.

The coupling of each external dispensing means 62, 64 is by way of a respective electronic coupling 74, 76 which facilitates the transfer of a signal from the respective first dispenser means' 16, 18 to the external dispensing means' 62, 64. Upon receiving the signal the external dispensing means' 62, 64 will dispense a beverage through the respective pipelines 70, 72 via their pumping means 66, 68 from the respective storage compartments 58, 60 in turn to the respective frozen beverage storage containers 12, 14. Preferably, the electronic couplings 74, 76 can be disconnected by a respective switch means (not shown) to prevent the or each external dispensing means 62, 64 dispensing a beverage. In use, a user (not shown) wanting to dispense a beverage that contains both frozen beverage from, for example, storage container 12 will operate lever 34 of the first dispenser means 16 such that frozen beverage is passed from the storage container 12 through the nozzle 32 into a glass (not shown) held immediately therebelow. Generally simultaneously, the switch 36 is activated which passes a signal through the wiring 38 to the second dispenser means 20 that causes a predetermined volume of beverage to be passed from the bottle 22 through the nozzle 40 and outlet 42 into that same glass. This action is facilitated by the proximity of the nozzles 32 and 40, as noted hereinabove. Further generally simultaneously, the switch 36 passes a signal through the electric coupling means 74 to the external dispensing means 62, whereupon receiving the signal the external dispensing means 62 will dispense beverage through the pipeline 70 via the pumping means 66 from the storage compartment 58 to the storage container 12. Alternatively, the second dispensing means 20 and the external dispensing means 62 can be prevented from dispensing any beverage through use of the key switch described hereinabove to disconnect the electronic coupling means 38, 68.

The first dispenser means 18 is arranged to facilitate the generally simultaneous dispensing of beverage from storage container 14 and bottle 30, in the same manner described immediately above for the first dispenser means 16.

In this manner different frozen beverages may be provided in each of the storage containers 12 and 14, and the beverages in the bottles 22 and 30 may also be different, allowing different mixes to be provided. It is envisaged in most instances that the beverages stored in the storage containers 12 and 14 will be flavoured and frozen, whilst the bottles 22 and 30 will be branded alcoholic beverages. This will provide a level of confidence in the user and a purchaser that they are accessing a quality beverage and avoids the inadequate taste often provided by the use of pure ethanol in the flavour mixes of the prior art.

It is envisaged that each frozen beverage storage container may comprise any device that allows for the stirring and freezing of a liquid.

It is further envisaged that the frame 44, or the adapter, can readily be retrofitted to a pre-existing frozen beverage dispensing apparatus. The adapter may be reconfigured to accommodate a variety of different frozen beverage dispensing apparatus'. It is still further envisaged that the storage compartments 58, 60 will contain unfrozen flavoured beverage that may be added to the frozen beverage storage containers 12, 14. As the user dispenses a beverage that contains a volume of frozen beverage from storage container 14, for example, the operation of lever 34 of the first dispenser means 18 causes the passing of frozen beverage from the storage container 14 through the nozzle 32 whilst at the same time causing operation, through the electronic coupling 74, of the external dispensing means 62 and pumping means 66 such that a similar volume of beverage is passed through the pipeline 70 to the storage container 14. The relatively small volume of beverage being added to the storage container 14 is able to freeze relatively quickly as compared to a circumstance in which the entire volume of beverage is replaced at the one time. This allows the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10 of the present invention to continue operation for a significant period without pausing as new or fresh beverage can be added to the storage compartments 58 and 60 without interference to the operation of the apparatus 10. This will eliminate the need to frequently refill the frozen beverages containers 12, 14 during times of heavy use of the frozen beverage dispensing apparatus 10. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, it is to be understood that the number of storage containers 12 and 14 may vary without departing from the scope of the present invention, as may the number of dispensing apparatus' provided.