Patent Application
20090095770
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to machines for dispensing carbonated beverages, and is concerned in particular with a dual function dispensing head which insures a constant and fixed flow of each liquid component to the machine's diffusion and dispensing nozzle, coupled with on/off adjustment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional dispensing heads typically employ spring-loaded ceramic valves to control the flow of syrups and carbonated water to nozzles which serve to combine and dispense the liquids. The ceramic valves include mating sliding surfaces that are sensitive to variations in input pressures, liquid viscosities and sticky sugar syrups, resulting in non-uniform mix ratios and an uneven quality of the dispensed beverages. There are also much more expensive volumetric dispensing valves that electronically measure the flow rate of the carbonated water and then meter the syrup. These also suffer accuracy due to the variations in input pressures and viscosity.
In an attempt at alleviating this problem the conventional dispensing heads include means for manually adjusting flow rates to compensate for changing input pressures and viscosities. However, this entails constant attention and frequent recalibrations, and can lead to other problems, including accidental as well as intentional watering down of beverages by unscrupulous merchants.
In accordance with the present invention, a dual function liquid dispensing head comprises a housing defining multiple compartments aligned on parallel axes. Constant flow valves (“CFValves”) are arranged in the housing compartments. The CFValves, which are of the type described in Published Patent Application No. US 2008/0016365 A1, the description of which is herein incorporated by reference, comprise barrier walls extending transversely across the compartment axes to subdivide the compartments into head sections and base sections. Ports in the barrier walls are aligned with the compartment axes. Modulating assemblies internally subdivide the base sections into liquid chambers and spring chambers. The modulating assemblies have throttle pins projecting along the compartment axes and through the ports into the head sections. Flexible diaphragms support the modulating assemblies for movement in opposite directions along the compartments. Springs in the spring chambers are responsive to inlet liquid pressures in the head sections below threshold levels to maintain the modulating assemblies in closed positions against the barrier walls, thereby preventing liquid flow from the head sections via the ports into the liquid chambers. The springs are yieldably responsive to inlet liquid pressures in the head sections above the valve threshold levels to thereby accommodate movement of the modulating assemblies to open positions spaced from the barrier walls, with an accompanying liquid flow from the head sections via the ports into the liquid chambers. The throttle pins serve to modulate the sizes of the flow paths through the ports as an inverse function of variations in the inlet liquid pressures above the threshold levels, thereby maintaining the pressures and flow rates of the liquids delivered to the liquid chambers at substantially constant levels. The housing includes inlets connecting the head sections to external liquid sources, and outlets connecting the liquid chambers to a common nozzle assembly. A closure mechanism acts independently of the springs to maintain the modulating assemblies in their closed positions when the inlet liquid pressures are both above and below the threshold levels. The closure mechanism may be deactivated to thereby free the modulating assemblies for movement to their open positions in response to liquid inlet pressures in the head sections above the threshold levels.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
With reference initially to
As can best be seen in
The cap 17 defines a barrier wall 20 subdividing the compartment 14 into a head section 22 and a base section 24. An inlet 26 in the housing is adapted to be connected to a fluid supply (not shown), e.g. beverage syrup or carbonated water, having a pressure that can vary from below to above a threshold level. The inlet 26 and a central port 28 in the barrier wall 24 are aligned along the compartment axis A1. An outlet port 30 in the housing is aligned on a second axis A2 transverse to the first axis A1.
A modulating assembly 32 cooperates with the barrier wall 20 to subdivide the base section 24 into a fluid chamber 34 segregated from a spring chamber 36. In its closed position, the modulating assembly serves to prevent fluid flow through the valve when the fluid pressure at the inlet 26 is below the threshold pressure. When the fluid pressure at the inlet exceeds the threshold pressure, the modulating assembly shifts to an open position and serves to accommodate fluid flow through port 28 into fluid chamber 34 at a constant pressure and flow rate, and from there through outlet port 30. Either the outlet port 30 or a downstream orifice or flow restrictor serves to develop a back pressure in fluid chamber 34.
The modulating assembly 32 includes a piston 38 carried by a flexible annular diaphragm 40 for movement in opposite directions between its open and closed positions along axis A1.
A throttle pin 42 with a shaped head projects from piston 38 through the port 28 into the head section 22 communicating with inlet 26. The enlarged head on the throttle pin 42 has a tapered underside that coacts with a tapered edge surface of the barrier wall surrounding port 28 to modulate the size of the flow path through the port as an inverse function of the varying fluid pressure at the inlet 26, with the result being to deliver fluid through the fluid chamber 34 and outlet port 30 at a substantially constant pressure and flow rate, irrespective of variations in fluid pressure at the inlet, as well as variations in liquid viscosity.
A compression spring 44 in the spring chamber 36 is captured between an underside surface of piston 38 and the bottom wall 46 of the cup-shaped base 18. The spring 44 urges the modulating assembly 32 towards the barrier wall 20. When the fluid pressure at the inlet 26 is below the threshold pressure, spring 44 serves to hold the modulating assembly in its closed position, pressing the diaphragm 40 against a sealing ring 48 on the barrier wall 20, thus preventing fluid flow through the fluid chamber 34 to the outlet port 30. As the fluid pressure exceeds the threshold pressure, the resilient closure force of spring 44 is overcome, allowing the modulating assembly to move away from the sealing ring 48, into its open position, allowing the modulating function of the valve to commence. An opening 50 in the bottom wall 46 serves to vent the volume beneath diaphragm 40 to the surrounding atmosphere.
An actuating rod 52 projects through the bottom wall 46 to abut the base of piston 38. As can best be seen in
By manually engaging the handle 58 and pivoting the lever 56 in a counter clockwise direction, the rods 52 of both CFValves 16a, 16b are withdrawn simultaneously from the pistons 38 of the modulating assemblies 32, thus allowing both valves 16a, 16b to assume their flow control functions. Fluid pressures from inlets 26 will serve to overcome the biasing action of springs 44, thereby deflecting the diaphragms 40 away from the sealing rings 48 into their open positions, allowing a controlled flow of liquid to pass through fluid chambers 34 to outlet ports 30.
The liquids then pass through passages 64 to the machine's diffusing and dispensing nozzle 66. Both CFValves 16a, 16b are opened and closed simultaneously by the pivotal action of lever 56. A stop 68 limits counter clockwise movement of the lever 56.
An alternative embodiment of a dispensing head in accordance with the present invention is depicted at 110 in
Modulating assemblies 132 internally subdivide the base sections 124 into liquid chambers 134 and spring chambers 136. The modulating assemblies have throttle pins 142 projecting along axes A1 through the ports 128 into the head sections 122, and flexible diaphragms 140 which support the modulating assemblies for movement in opposite directions along the axes A1.
First springs 144 in the spring chambers 136 are confined between the diaphragms 140 and end walls 146 of the housing 112. At inlet liquid pressures below selected threshold levels in the head sections 122, the first springs 144 maintain the modulating assemblies 132 in closed positions with their diaphragms 140 pressed against the sealing rings 148 on the barrier walls 120, thereby preventing liquid flow from the head sections via ports 128 into the liquid chambers 134. The first springs 144 yieldably respond to inlet liquid pressures above the selected threshold levels in the head sections 122 by accommodating movement of the modulating assemblies 132 to open positions away from the barrier walls 120, with the diaphragms 140 spaced from the sealing rings 148. This allows liquid to flow from the head sections 122 via the ports 128 into the liquid chambers 134.
The throttle pins 142 have enlarged heads with tapered undersides that coact with tapered rims of the ports 128 to modulate the size of the flow paths through the ports as an inverse function of variations in the inlet liquid pressures. This modulating function maintains the pressures and flow rates of the liquids being delivered into the liquid chambers at substantially constant levels.
Inlets 126 in the housing 112 connect the head sections 122 to external liquid sources (not shown), and outlets 130 in the housing connect the liquid chambers 134 to a common nozzle 166 through which the several liquids are discharged.
A closure mechanism acts independently of the first springs 144 to override the modulating functions of the valves 116a, 116b by maintaining their modulating assemblies in closed positions when the inlet liquid pressures are both above and below the selected threshold levels.
The closure mechanism includes rods 152 provided at their inner ends with flat circular pads 152a and at their outer ends with heads 152b. The rods are axially movable along the axes A1 between holding positions at which the pads 152a are in contact with the diaphragms 140 of the modulating assemblies, and deactivated positions at which the pads are spaced from the diaphragms. Second springs 160 surround the rods 152 and are arranged concentrically within the first springs 144. The second springs 160 are captured between the pads 152a and the housing walls 146. The compressive forces of the second springs 160 override that of the first springs 144, and are sufficiently high to act via the rods 152 to hold the modulating assemblies 132 in their closed positions irrespective of whether the inlet liquid pressures are above or below the selected threshold levels.
The heads 152b of the rods 152 are mechanically coupled to a cross bar 156 forming the foot of a lever 158 pivotally connected to the housing 112 at 162. Lever 158 has a forked upper end mechanically coupled to the operating pin 168 of an electrically actuated solenoid 170.
Energizing the solenoid 170 serves to rotate the lever 158 in a clockwise direction, thereby overcoming the compressive forces of the second springs 160, resulting in the rods 152 being axially shifted from right to left as viewed in
Alternatively, instead of being remotely operated by solenoid 170, the lever 158 may be manually operated. Also, although each embodiment has been shown to include two CFValves, it will be understood that additional valves could be added and operated in similar tandem fashion.
In light of the foregoing, it will now be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in accordance with the present invention, multiple CFValves are arranged in tandem to deliver modulated liquid flows to a common nozzle or the like. The valves operate to insure that liquids are delivered at substantially constant pressures and flow rates, irrespective of variations in liquid inlet pressures and viscosities. The dimensions and physical characteristics of internal components, e.g., flexibility and resilience of the diaphragms 40, 140, dimensions of the ports 28, 128 and throttle pins 42, 142, compressive forces of the springs 44, 144, etc. are all factory preset and thus not susceptible to on site tampering.
This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/980,191 filed on Oct. 16, 2007.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60980191 | Oct 2007 | US |
