GB2049622A

GB2049622A - Improvements in or Relating to Dispensing Nozzles

Info

Publication number: GB2049622A
Application number: GB7919033A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Parr D C
Current assignee: Parr D C
Priority date: 1979-05-31
Filing date: 1979-05-31
Publication date: 1980-12-31
Also published as: GB2049622B

Abstract

An anti-pilfer device for dispensing nozzles particularly of the type used in beverage dispensing machines comprises a pair of flat planar surfaces which are disposed at an angle to one another, and at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of the nozzle. The planar surfaces are in the form of flat elements disposed at 90 DEG to each other, the point of intersection of the elements being below the overall depth of the elements to present, in effect, a funnel. Radially extending support projections are provided to support the elements in spaced relationship with a surrounding cylindrical member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or Relating to Dispensing Nozzles This invention relates to dispensing nozzles, and particularly to an anti-pilfer device for such nozzles.

The nozzles with which the invention is concerned are of the type in which material, generally powder, to be dispensed is passed under gravity through a downwardly directed outlet under the control of a solenoid or otherwise operated ball valve.

Such dispensing nozzles are used, for example, in a beverage dispensing machine and are attached to reservoirs containing ingredients such as powdered tea or coffee, sugar, or powdered or liquid milk, for the purpose of dispensing metered quantities of the ingredients into a drinking vessel, such as a paper cup, to which is added a quantity of water.

It is well known that nozzles of this type have the disadvantage that the ingredients can be pilfered merely by inserting a rod-like implement, such as a pencil, into the nozzle outlet and raising the ball of the valve. Various means have been proposed to overcome this problem and the most common of these is the provision of a conical baffle, at a position between the ball valve and nozzle outlet, which allows the powder or liquid to pass out of the nozzle but prevents, or makes difficult, interference with the control valve of the nozzle.

In practice, it has been found that conical baffles, although generally satisfactory, present a relatively large "wet" or surface area and also cause the powder to be thrown radially outwards into contact with the inner walls of the nozzle. In addition, the powder is also thrown onto the radially disposed arms which are necessary to support the conical member within the nozzle.

The relatively large "wet" or surface area has the disadvantage that it reduces the speed at which the powder can pass through the nozzle. In addition, particularly with so-called sticky powders, there is the disadvantage that the powder tends to build up on the conical member, the inner surface of the nozzle wall, and on the radially disposed support arms. This also hinders the flow of the powder, and makes frequent clearing of the nozzle necessary.

It is among the objects of the present invention to avoid, or substantially reduce, the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided an anti-pilfer device for dispensing nozzles having a control valve for the material to be dispensed, the device comprising a pair of flat planar surfaces disposed at an angle to one another, and at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of the dispensing nozzle.

Preferably, the flat planar surfaces are generally semi-circular in plan view and thus present, in effect, a circular baffle element.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which, Figure 1 is a vertical section through a dispensing nozzle in position in a beverage dispenser and incorporating an anti-pilfer device according to the invention, the section through the anti-pilfer device being on the line 1-1 of Figure 2, Figure 2 is a plan view of the anti-pilfer device, and Figure 3 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, and partly in section, of the, anti-pilfer device.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a dispensing nozzle comprising a ball valve 1 which is provided to measure a predetermined quantity of a material to be dispensed which is stored in a reservoir 2 attached to the valve. The lower end of the valve 1 is formed with a restricted opening 3 presenting a first seating for a metal ball element indicated at 4.

The ball valve 1 is loosely supported within an outer casing 5 which has a downwardly directed outlet 6 of restricted cross-section. The uppermost end of the casing 5 has an annular flange 7 by which the casing, and thus also the ball valve 1, are loosely supported in an opening in a frame part 8 of a beverage dispenser.

The nozzle, apart from the ball element 4, is of non-magnetic material such as ABS or another synthetic plastics material, and is mounted within an annular solenoid-actuated magnetic controller of known construction and indicated at 9.

In use, material to be dispensed falls, under gravity, from the reservoir 2 into the ball valve 1 but is prevented from falling through the outlet 6 by the ball element 4. When it is required to dispense a measured quantity of the material, the controller 9 is operated to move, by magnetic attraction, the ball element 4 into engagement with a second seating (not shown). This stops further material from entering the ball valve 1 and allows the measured quantity of the material to pass through the outlet 6. By cutting off the magnetic force, the ball element 4 is returned to its first position in readiness for the next dispensing operation.

To prevent piifering of the material to be dispensed, an anti-pilfer device 10 is positioned within the casing 5 between the opening 3 and the outlet 6.

In accordance with the invention, the anti-pilfer device 1 0 comprises a pair of flat elements 11 each having a planar surface of generally semicircular formation. The elements 11 are disposed at an angle, preferably 900, to one another, and at an angle, preferably 450, to the central longitudinal axis of the dispensing nozzle, so that in plan view as shown in Figure 2 they present a substantially circular baffle corresponding to the opening 3 of the ball valve 1. It is preferred that, as is shown in the drawing, the elements 11 cross each other at a point which is below a mid position thereof so that the surface area of each element above the point of intersection is larger than that below said point.

The angular space, on each side of the central vertical plane of the device, between the elements 11 is provided with a vertically disposed reinforcing wall 12 by which the elements 11 are held in their relative positions. The walls 12, which lie in radial planes, are each formed with co-planar projections 13 by which the elements 11 are supported. If desired, additional projections 14 lying co-planar with the elements 11, may be provided for this purpose.

In the embodiment shown, the elements 11 are supported, in spaced relationship, within a cylindrical member 1 5 with the projections 13 and 14 being joined thereto. In this case, the cylindrical member 15 provides an annular abutment which supports the ball valve 1 within the casing 5. However, in other arrangements of dispensing nozzle, the projections 13 and 14 may be directly joined to, or arranged to co-act with, the inner surface of a wall forming another part of dispensing nozzle.

In practice, the device 10 is moulded in one piece from polythene or other synthetic plastics material and is slidably received, in the embodiment shown, in the casing 5 so as to be removable for cleaning purposes.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the position of the device 10 relative to the opening 3 and the outlet 6, is such as to divert any rod-like implement away from the opening 3 and thus also the ball element 4. Furthermore, by positioning the ball valve 1 within the loosely mounted casing 5 complete protection is provided against pilfering in that the ball valve 1 cannot be unscrewed from the reservoir 2.

In use, when a quality of material to be dispensed falls through the opening 3, it impinges on the elements 11 and is divided into two streams which tend to impinge upon one another when they leave the elements 11 and produce a single central stream which drops straight through the outlet 6 into a cup. Because of the reduced surface area compared with that of a conical baffle, the frictional area is less and therefore the material flows out of the outlet at a greater rate.Also, because the point of intersection of the elements 11 is below the halfway point of the overall depth of the elements, the elements form, in effect, a funnel in that the throretical cross-sectional area at the tops of the elements 11 is greater than that of the bottoms of the elements 1 This latter feature has the advantage that the falling material tends to be restricted to the area of the elements 11, and is not thrown outwards onto the projections 13 and 14, and onto the inner surface of the nozzle, where it is inclined to stick and cause clogging.

It will be appreciated that the anti-pilfer device of the present invention provides an improvement over the prior art devices and has the following advantages: 1. The "wetted" or surface area is less than that of a conical baffle.

2. The projections 13 and 14 supporting the elements 11 are not in the normal flow path of the material being dispensed and this enables stronger and more stable projections or supports to be provided since they do not interfere with the material flow.

3. The form of the device is such as to provide faster movement of the material therethrough.

4. The form of the device is such as to provide greater control over the material flow.

5. It is easier to produce.

Claims

1. An anti-pilfer device for dispensing nozzles having a control valve for the material to be dispensed, the device comprising a pair of flat planar surfaces disposed at an angle to one another, and at an angle to the central longitudinal axis of the dispensing nozzle.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the angle between the flat surfaces is 900 and the angle between each flat surface and the central longitudinal axis of the nozzle 450.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flat surfaces comprises substantially semi-circular elements which present, in plan view, a substantially circular baffle.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein vertical reinforcing walls extend between the innermost edges of the semi-circuiar elements.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the vertical walls are each formed with a supporting projection which is co-planar therewith.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each semi-circular element is formed with a supporting projection Lying co-planar therewith.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the supporting projections are fixed to a cylindrical member surrounding the semi-circular elements and in spaced relationship therewith.

8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the point of intersection of the semicircular elements is below a point which is halfway between the overall depth of the semicircular elements.

9. A dispensing nozzle comprising a valve for measuring a predetermined quantity of a material and having an opening for the flow of the material at its lower end, and an outer casing surrounding the valve and having an outlet at its lower end, wherein an anti-pilfer device as claimed in any one of ciaims 1 to 8 is positioned between said opening and said outlet.

10. A dispensing nozzle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the measuring valve is a magnetically controlled ball valve.

11. An anti-pilfer device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as shown in, the accompa'nying drawing.