GB1591803A - Valve dispensing head - Google Patents

Description

(54) VALVE DISPENSING HEAD (71) We, VGL INDUSTRIES LIM ITED, a British Company formerly of 253-7, Burlington Road, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4NQ, and now at: - Cox Lane, Chessington Industrial Estate, Chessington, Surrey KT9 1SD do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to dispensing devices, especially vending machines, and particularly to a dispenser valve assembly for use in a vending machine dispensing beverages.

As is well-known, a beverage vending machine includes a number of containers each of which contains a beverage-forming ingredient in powder or particulate form. Thus, for example, a succession of containers may contain, respectively, tea, coffee, sugar, cream, chocolate and cocoa in powdered form. When a beverage is required, the user operates the machine which dispenses into a cup a measured charge of the required ingredients (for example coffee powder, sugar and cream) and then adds hot water to this powder mixture.

The powdered ingredients are normally contained in plastics containers, which are inverted in the vending machine and attached, at their neck or other outlet portions, to dispensing valve assemblies. The conventional valve assemblies are rigid, fairly expensive multi-part devices which are normally precision moulded from, for example, a high density plastics material. They comprise an outer sleeve which receives a lower valve body which is in turn attached to an upper valve body by means of a spacer sleeve and one or more spacer rings, the number of which in any particular case determines the length of the valve body and hence the amount of ingredient discharged in any one valve operation. The lower valve body provides, at its lower end, a valve seat for a stainless steel or other ball, and a second valve seat is provided by the lower end of the spacer sleeve.The upper valve body is provided with a screwthread, for threaded attachment to the neck of the ingredient container. In use the valve assembly is screw-threadedly attached to the ingredient container, which is then inverted and the valve assembly placed in the field of an electro-magnetic coil.

In the inoperative state the stainless steel ball is seated on the lower valve seat and beverage-forming ingredient is retained above it. When the electro magnetic coil is energised, the ball is caused to move off the lower valve seat and towards the upper valve seat, thus allowing a charge of powder to fall from the lower end of the outer sleeve, and blocking off the flow of powdered ingredient from the container. When the requisite charge of ingre dient has been freed, the ball is allowed to drop back onto its lower valve seat, to close the valve once again. A typical valve assembly of the type which is at present used is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying draw ings, Figure 1 being a schematic sectional view of the device as assembled, and Figure 2 being an exploded view of the device, showing the various components thereof.

In order that these presently used dispensing devices should be efficient, and should remain so, and also for purposes of hygiene, they should be regularly cleaned. Thus, the valve assembly should be removed, each day, from the coil and should be cleaned, at least to the extent of removing any powdered material which has accumulated around the steel ball.

Every fortnight or so, and certainly no less regularly than at monthly intervals, the entire dispensing head assembly should be dismantled, thoroughly cleaned and dried, and reassembled. Scrupulous drying of the parts is most important, since if any moisture is left in the valve assembly the beverage-forming ingredients, which are hygroscopic, will tend to "cake".

It is an unfortunate fact that the regular cleaning of the parts of a dispensing mechanism is often, indeed almost invariably, neglected, with the inevitable result that after a time the mechanism fails to function properly.

Thus it will be appreciated that there is considerable advantage in having a dispens ing assembly for a vending machine which eliminates completely any necessity for cleaning the dispensing head.

In our copending cognate British Patent Applications No: 50979/76 and 13851/77 (Serial No. 1,591,802) there is disclosed and claimed a disposable container and dispenser assembly for a vending machine, which assembly comprises a container body adapted to contain ingredients to be dispensed, and valve means for controlling the dispensing of said ingredients whereby the valve means is integral with, or substantially irreversably captive with, the container body so that the assembly can be removed from its operative location in said machine for disposal as a single unit. The valve means may include a valve member movable between an open position in which dispensing occurs and a closed position.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispense valve adapted for use in, and ready removal from, a vending machine, said valve comprising a valve body including means for attachment to a container for ingredients, a dispense channel in said body, a valve member, and a valve accommodating bore in said body and opening into said channel, said valve member being movable in said bore between a closed position obturating said channel and an open position; the arrangement being such that the quantity of ingredients dispensed from said channel is a function of the time the valve member is held in the open position.

The valve means, or at least a part of it, may be formed separately from the container body and lockingly attached thereto, and according to ancther embodiment of the invention there is provided a container having a neck collar provided with an annular groove, and a valve member comprising a valvecarrying sleeve comprising a number of resilient fingers each having a bead at or adjacent its free end for snap-fitting engagement in the groove on the neck collar.

Preferably all the components of the new container/valve member assembly are made from synthetic plastics material, with the exception of the valve weight. Since the assembly of the invention is intended for use in vending machines, wherein the opening and closing action of the valve is controlled by an electromagnetic coil, the valve weight is preferably made of a "magnetic" material having a high relative permeability, in order to obtain maximum coupling with the electro-magnetic coil, and hence minimise the coil power requirements. It is to be understood of course that this in no way precludes the use of less magnetic materials, which would require a higher coil power to operate satisfactorily.

Furthermore, a vending machine incorporating a container and dispensing assembly in accordance with the present invention can be more readily arranged to vary the amount of ingredient dispensed. Hitherto, such a variation has been effected by altering the length of the valve body in the manner described above. In the present invention, however, this can be achieved simply by varying the period of energisation of the coil.

The ingredients container may be blowmoulded, inj ection-moulded or otherwise shaped from a material or materials approved by the appropriate food legislation bodies, for example synthetic plastics or plastic filmmetallic laminates, and may take the form of a rigid or non-rigid container. In the case of a non-rigid container a supporting device will normally be used to suspend the container in the dispensing machine. In one embodiment of the invention the container is provided with an upstanding neck collar, around the base of which is formed an external inwardly-directed annular groove. The groove may, if desired, be surrounded by a baulk ring, integrally moulded with the container.

In a modification of this particular embodiment the series of resilient fingers may be provided on the neck collar each having a bead for snap-fitting engagement in an annular groove formed on the valve carrying sleeve.

An air valve may be provided on the container to equalise the pressure within the container as the ingerdient is dispensed. This prevents air bubbles "forming" the ingredient as it is dispensed and allows a smoother, better controlled ingredient flow.

The valve-carrying sleeve may be injection moulded or otherwise shaped from a suitable approved material, e.g. plastics, and is preferably cylindrical in shape and comprises a series of resilient fingers formed at one end and an outlet aperture at the other end defined by a frusto-conical wall. The resilient fingers may suitably be formed by injection moulding a hollow cylindrical sleeve having, at one end, an inwardly-directed annular bead, and then cutting the end portion of the sleeve with axially-directed, equiangularly-spaced cuts, the fingers being formed between adjacent cuts. Alternatively, and preferably the resilient fingers are formed during the moulding of the sleeve, by the use of a finned mould.

Each finger will be flexible towards and away from the axis of the sleeve independently of all the other fingers.

The different angles of the fingers allow assembly of the device with a relatively small force yet prevent dismantling except by means of much greater force. This provides a strong anti-tamper deterrent, and by varying the angles in conjunction with the finger dimensions, the assembly dismantle forces can be varied as required.

In yet a further modification the resilient fingers, formed on either the neck collar or the valve-carrying sleeve, are dispensed with in favour of a continuous annular bead on one or other component snap-fitting into an annular groove formed on the other component. Such a structure is only feasible when either the neck collar or the valve-carrying sleeve is made of sufficiently flexible material.

The valve itself, which is carried in the sleeve, is preferably a plastics moulding providing an internal passage of any cross-section, but preferably cylindrical, within which the valve weight may reciprocate. The valve suitably has a frusto-conical wall matching that of the sleeve, and, in operation, is held against the sleeve wall and an annular ledge formed internally of the sleeve by means of the free end of the container neck collar. For this purpose the valve body is suitably provided with an annular collar which rests upon the said ledge. This annular collar will contain an aperture, or apertures, through which ingredients may pass from the container to the sleeve. The valve will also contain a lower part through which the ingredient flows upon raising the valve weight.The port design is such that only a small area of the sleeve and valve weight are in contact with the ingredient when the valve weight is lowered, so that the valve weight mass can be reduced without sacrificing sealing performance. Reducing the valve weight mass effects a saving in coil power requirements. Placing the valve weight inside the valve body reduces the effect of the ingredient weight on the dispense flow and provides greater control over the dispensed ingredient quantity.

In a still further modification of the invention, the ingredient container is a flexible bag which is either integrally moulded with a more rigid neck collar or is clampingly secured to a separately formed neck collar.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of illustration only in Figures 3 to 11 ob the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view through a container/valve member assembly disposed in a vending machine; Figure 4 is an elevation of one end of the sleeve of the valve member of Figure 3 showing the fingers; Figure 5 is a section of the finger-end of the sleeve; Figure 6 shows the neck collar of the container adjacent the finger-end of the sleeve, before assembly; Figure 7 shows the attachment of a supplementary dispensing tube to the lower end of the assembly of Figure 3; Figures 8 and 9 show two assemblies wherein the ingredients container is a flexible bag which is clamped to a substantially more rigid; separately-formed neck collar; Figure 10 shows an anti-pilfer attachment for the valve member of Figure 3; and Figure 11 is a section through yet another container/valve member assembly.

Referring to Figure 3, the assembly comprises a container 101 having an upstanding neck collar 102 integrally moulded therewith.

Formed around the base of collar 102, externally thereof, is an annular groove 103.

The external wall of the collar 102 beneath the groove 103 is cylindrical. The internal wall is partly cylindrical and has a frustoconical portion 104.

Collar 102 is attached to a valve-carrying sleeve 105. This comprises a cylindrical wall 106 integrally attached to which is a frustoconical wall 107 defining an aperture 108.

At the other end of the sleeve from aperture 108 is a series of resilient fingers 109 formed by cuts 110 in the upper cylindrical part 111 of sleeve 105 (see Figure 4). At the outer end of each finger 109 is an inwardlydirected bead 112, having a shape which is complementary to that of annular groove 103, one form of which is shown in detail at the top of Figure 5 so that on assembly, the bead 112 on each finger 109 snaps into annular groove 103.

A valve 113 is contained in sleeve 105, and has a frusto-conical bottom wall in contact with the wall 107 of sleeve 105, and an annular collar 114 seated on a ledge 115 formed integrally of sleeve 105. A valve weight 116 reciprocates in an internal bore 117 formed in valve body 113. Bore 117 has an axial slot or slots to allow air to pass between the weight 116 and body 113 (and allow a snug fit between weight 116 and bore 117) and thus allow maximum impact force to be effected between weight 116 and sleeve -105 to cut off ingredient flow. Valve body 113 is held firmly in place by virtue of the collar 114 held between the free end of neck collar 102 and the ledge 115; O-ring 127 provides a seal between neck collar 102 and collar 114 and ensures close contact of collar 114 and ledge 115 regardless of reasonable tolerance variation between members 105, 102 and 113.

Collar 114 provides an aperture 118 through which the contents of the container 101 may flow into the sleeve 105 and through the aperture 108. A second O-ring 128 provides a flexible seal on aperture 108, for the dispensing of liquids. If desired a spring 129 may be located to act on weight 116 to provide a higher sealing force for use on dry or liquid ingredients as required and may be selected to provide a sealing bias to the weight 116 compatible with the ingredient to be dispensed.

In an alternative embodiment of the assembly of Figure 3 the valve weight 116 may be composed of an elastomer-encased magnetic material in which case the O-ring 128 can be omitted.

The sleeve 105 and valve 113 are mounted on the container 101 as shown in Figure 6.

As the sleeve is pushed towards the container the beads 112 contact the free end of the collar 102, and the fingers 109 are caused to splay outwardly. The beads 112 ride up the external wall of collar 102 until they snap into groove 103. Sleeve 105 is thereby held captive on collar 102. Additional security is provided by a security ring 119, moulded in tegrally with the container 101, which pre vents access to the tops of fingers 109 once they have become engaged with groove 103.

It is therefore not possible, or is possible only with very great difficulty, to "bend" a sufficient number of fingers 109 outwardly, so that the beads 112 are clear of groove 103, to separate the sleeve 105 from the con tainer 101 by pulling. Preferably the valve sleeve 105 has from 4 to 60 fingers 109, suit ably about 20 such fingers.

A push-on or screw-on cap 125 closes aper ture 8 (see Figure 3 during transport and is also used to prevent spillage of ingredient during dispenser replacement in the machine.

The cap remains in place on the full dis penser until it is in the machine and is re fitted to the empty container before removal from the machine. Instead of a cap, a plug or other internal stopper may be used.

The whole assembly is mounted in a vend ing machine so that the valve weight 116 can be actuated by an electromagnetic coil 126. The valve weight 116 is caused to reciprocate under the influence of coil 126, which is suitably driven by an ac 50Hz waveform modified to approximately halfwave by diode clipping. This form of drive produces a vibra tion of weight 116 greater than full wave ac, and reduces the tendency of some dry powder ingredients to "stack" or "clog" as they are dispensed.

In practice, the container 101 will be filled with the required ingredients, the valve body 113 and valve weight 116 inserted into sleeve 105 the sleeve 105 push-fitted to the container 101 and the dispenser head assembly or the entire package sealed in an impervious membrane, for example plastics film, by a vacuum-sealing, heat-sealing or self-sealing packaging process. The dispenser can also be provided with a tube 130 (see Figure 7) suitably mounted at the outlet end of sleeve 105, to lead ingredient to a central dispensing station. This dispensing tube is preferably protected from contamination during insertion in the machine by a strippable sheath 131, which is partially removed when the container and tube are fully installed in the machine.When the container is empty the remaining part of the protective sheath 131 is pulled over the end of the dispensing tube 130, sealing any ingredient in the tube, and allowing removal from the machine without mess. By this means the need to clean the dispensing station is much reduced.

Figure 8 shows a modification wherein the container 101 of Figures 3 to 7 is replaced by a flexible ingredient bag 132 which is attached to a separately-formed neck collar 133 by means of a flexible band 134. A recess 135, which houses the flexible band 134, is shaped to provide a locking action preventing bag movement if the bag is pulled during filling, assembly or use. After lling the bag 132, a valve-sleeve 136, having flexible fingers as described hereinbefore, is pushed over the bag/collar assembly and is located on the groove 137, thus retaining the valve and valve weight as before and forming a secondary locking of the bag 132 to the collar 133. Thus, due to the finger locking action described above, the sleeve is difficult to remove and also prevents removal of the bag from the collar.A flexible seal 138 provides a soft seat in the dispensing machine to prevent damage to the flexible bag. Alternatively, the groove 137 may be situated below the recess 135 (instead of above as shown in Figure 8) so that when the sleeve 136 is fitted to the collar piece 133, the bag-retaining band 134 is accessible.

Figure 9 shows a further method whereby a flexible bag 139 is held on a neck collar piece 140. In this case use is made of a locking collar 141. The locking collar 141 is flexible to allow engagement of lugs 142, and provides sufficient retaining force to prevent the bag being removed without tearing.

The bag is filled and a sleeve 143, having flexible fingers as described above, is pushed over the collar piece 140 and locked into groove 144, preventing removal of locking collar 141. Sleeve 143 retains the valve and valve weight as before.

Figure 10 shows, in cross-section, the lower end of a valve sleeve 107 which is fitted with an "anti-tamper" device. This comprises a hollow valve weight 145, the internal diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the dispensing aperture 108. It thus becomes difficult to insert a tool through aperture 108 at the right angle to enable weight 145 to be lifted.

A modified valve assembly is shown diagrammatically in Figure 11. A moulded plastics neck 147 is attached to a container 201 which may be of the rigid or the flexible type. A moulded sleeve having resilient fingers 148 is snap-fitted onto neck 147 in the manner described above for sleeve 105. The lower end of neck 147 is shaped as a "V" to engage a "V"-shaped groove 149 formed in sleeve 148 (this groove could alternatively be of semi-circular cross-section) to form a seal.

A valve body 150 is retained within neck 147 and sleeve 148 between an annular shoulder 151 formed on the wall of the neck 147.

and a frusto-conical wall 152 formed at the lcwer end of sleeve 148. Valve body 150 has a cylindrical bore 153 in which rests (as shown) a ball bearing valve weight 154 plugging dispensing nozzle 155 and port 156 in the valve body. Dispensing nozzle 155 extends through an aperture in a plate 160 which forms part of a dispensing machine.

When the valve weight 154 is lifted by means of a magnetic field the powdered contents of container 201 are permitted to flow from the container via a channel formed by ports 157 and 156 through nozzle 155. As before, the magnetic field holds weight 154 against the upper surface of bore 153 until it is switched off, whereupon the weight 154 falls under gravity to plug port 156 and nozzle 155, thus interrupting powder flow.

The amount of powdered material thus delivered is determined by the length of time the electro-magnetic coil is energised, and by the precise geometry of the dispensing ports, and can be varied by varying one or both of these variables.

Free flow of ingredient is obtained when the magnetic coil is driven by an approx.

halfwave a.c. waveform, which causes the ball weight 154 to reciprocate back and forth in the bore 153, thus "vibrating" the dispenser assembly and shaking the powder therein sufficiently to prevent it "stacking" or "clogging".

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A dispense valve adapted for use in, and ready removal from, a vending machine, said valve comprising a valve body including means for attachment to a container for ingredients, a dispense channel in said body, a valve member, and a valve accommodating bore in said body and opening into said channel, said valve member being movable in said bore between a closed position ob turating said channel and an open position; the arrangement being such that the quantity of ingredients dispensed from said channel is a function cf the time the valve member is held in the open position.

2. A valve according to claim 1 wherein said valve is solenoid operable and the valve member is magnetizable.

3. A valve according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the valve member is cylindrical or spherical.

4. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the valve member is coated with an elastomeric material.

5. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member is spring biassed to the closed position.

6. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bore comprises a plurality of grooves to allow air flow past the valve member during actuation.

7. A valve according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the valve member is caused to vibrate in use in the open position thereby to prevent clogging of the channel.

8. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the valve body comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a frusto-conical wall at one end defining a dispensing aperture.

9. A valve according to claim 8 wherein the valve member moves substantially coaxially with respect to the dispensing aperture, the diameter of the valve member being greater than that of the dispensing aperture.

10. An assembly of a container for ingredients and a valve according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein said means for attachment to said container is such that said valve and said container may be joined with facility but may only be separated with difficulty.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the container body has a neck collar and the valve comprises a valve-carrying sleeve each of said neck and said sleeve having interengagement means whereby said sleeve and said neck can be snapped together.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the interengagement means comprises an annular groove on one component, and a plurality of resilient fingers about a free end of the other component, each of said fingers having a bead adapted to engage with said groove so that on entering the grooved component within the annulus of the finger of the other component the bead on each finger snaps into the groove to lock components together.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the groove is disposed about the collar and the fingers are provided on the sleeve.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the groove is surrounded by a baulk ring.

15. A valve substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 3 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A disposable assembly of a valve and container for ingredients substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 3 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A vending machine comprising a valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the valve is solenoid operable, the valve member is magnetizable, and wherein said solenoid is driven by an approximately halfwave AC waveform thereby causing the valve member to vibrate in the open position.

18. A vending machine comprising a dispense valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 15.

19. A vending machine comprising an assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 14 and 16.

20. A method of dispensing an ingredient which comprises utilizing a vending machine accordng to either of claims 17 or 18.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (21)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. shown) a ball bearing valve weight 154 plugging dispensing nozzle 155 and port 156 in the valve body. Dispensing nozzle 155 extends through an aperture in a plate 160 which forms part of a dispensing machine. When the valve weight 154 is lifted by means of a magnetic field the powdered contents of container 201 are permitted to flow from the container via a channel formed by ports 157 and 156 through nozzle 155. As before, the magnetic field holds weight 154 against the upper surface of bore 153 until it is switched off, whereupon the weight 154 falls under gravity to plug port 156 and nozzle 155, thus interrupting powder flow. The amount of powdered material thus delivered is determined by the length of time the electro-magnetic coil is energised, and by the precise geometry of the dispensing ports, and can be varied by varying one or both of these variables. Free flow of ingredient is obtained when the magnetic coil is driven by an approx. halfwave a.c. waveform, which causes the ball weight 154 to reciprocate back and forth in the bore 153, thus "vibrating" the dispenser assembly and shaking the powder therein sufficiently to prevent it "stacking" or "clogging". WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A dispense valve adapted for use in, and ready removal from, a vending machine, said valve comprising a valve body including means for attachment to a container for ingredients, a dispense channel in said body, a valve member, and a valve accommodating bore in said body and opening into said channel, said valve member being movable in said bore between a closed position ob turating said channel and an open position; the arrangement being such that the quantity of ingredients dispensed from said channel is a function cf the time the valve member is held in the open position.

2. A valve according to claim 1 wherein said valve is solenoid operable and the valve member is magnetizable.

3. A valve according to either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the valve member is cylindrical or spherical.

4. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the valve member is coated with an elastomeric material.

5. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member is spring biassed to the closed position.

6. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bore comprises a plurality of grooves to allow air flow past the valve member during actuation.

7. A valve according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the valve member is caused to vibrate in use in the open position thereby to prevent clogging of the channel.

8. A valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the valve body comprises a cylindrical sleeve having a frusto-conical wall at one end defining a dispensing aperture.

9. A valve according to claim 8 wherein the valve member moves substantially coaxially with respect to the dispensing aperture, the diameter of the valve member being greater than that of the dispensing aperture.

10. An assembly of a container for ingredients and a valve according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein said means for attachment to said container is such that said valve and said container may be joined with facility but may only be separated with difficulty.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the container body has a neck collar and the valve comprises a valve-carrying sleeve each of said neck and said sleeve having interengagement means whereby said sleeve and said neck can be snapped together.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the interengagement means comprises an annular groove on one component, and a plurality of resilient fingers about a free end of the other component, each of said fingers having a bead adapted to engage with said groove so that on entering the grooved component within the annulus of the finger of the other component the bead on each finger snaps into the groove to lock components together.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the groove is disposed about the collar and the fingers are provided on the sleeve.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the groove is surrounded by a baulk ring.

15. A valve substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 3 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A disposable assembly of a valve and container for ingredients substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 3 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A vending machine comprising a valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the valve is solenoid operable, the valve member is magnetizable, and wherein said solenoid is driven by an approximately halfwave AC waveform thereby causing the valve member to vibrate in the open position.

18. A vending machine comprising a dispense valve assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and 15.

19. A vending machine comprising an assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 14 and 16.

20. A method of dispensing an ingredient which comprises utilizing a vending machine accordng to either of claims 17 or 18.

21. A vending machine substantially as

hereinbefore set forth with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.