GB2124707A

GB2124707A - Liquid-dispensing outlet

Info

Publication number: GB2124707A
Application number: GB08219478A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Clifford Evatt
Original assignee: MK REFRIGERATION Ltd
Current assignee: MK REFRIGERATION Ltd
Priority date: 1982-07-06
Filing date: 1982-07-06
Publication date: 1984-02-22
Also published as: NL8304384A; AU2277183A; GB2124707B

Abstract

To reduce the delivery pulsations of a peristaltic liquid pump for eg. milk, a chamber 24 through which the liquid passes from an inlet bore 21 to an outlet passageway 23 and spout 29 serves as "an air buffer chamber" by eg. communicating with the atmosphere through bores 26 and an annular recess 27 in a plug 25 that can be removed to facilitate cleansing. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensing outlet This invention relates to a dispensing outlet for use in dispensing liquid supplied to it from a peristaltic pump.

It is often advantageous to use a peristaltic pump for dispensing liquids, for example for hygienic reasons, but such a pump has the disadvantage that it supplies the liquids in pulses. This effect may be overcome by using a soft elastic-walled tube, such as silicone rubber, in the feed from the pump, but such tubes tend to be delicate and easily kinked and may need frequent replacement.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing outlet which will smooth the flow of liquid and thus avoid the need to use a soft elastic-walled tube.

The present invention consists in a dispensing outlet for receiving a supply of liquid from a peristaltic pump which includes an inlet passageway communicating with an outlet passageway leading downwardly to a spout and with a passageway of increased diameter forming a manometer type of well or chamber which in use serves as an air buffer chamber.

Preferably, the outlet passageway and spout and the air buffer chamber have a common vertical axis.

It is also preferred to permit limited air flow to and from the air buffer chamber, through or around a removable plug positioned and arranged to facilitate cleaning.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically one form of liquid dispensing outlet according to the present invention used in a milk dispensing system; Figure2 is a diagrammatical vertical section through the outlet shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a general view, partly cut away, of the outlet shown in Figure 1.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figure 1 shows a milk dispensing system which includes a supply of milk 11 housed in a refrigerated container 12, a dispensing outlet 13 and a peristaltic pump 14 connected by suitable conduits to the supply 11 and outlet 13 for pumping milk to the outlet 13. Suitable electrical controls (not shown) are provided for actuating the pump as and when required to dispense milk.

The use of a peristaltic pump results in the occurrence of pulses in the milk supply arriving at the outlet, but these are smoothed out or at least reduced by providing the dispensing outlet 13 with a manometer type of well and an air buffer arrangement.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the dispensing outlet 13 is in the form of a block 20 having a horizontal inlet bore 21 connected to conduit 22 supplying milk from the pump 13 and leading into a manometer type chamber 24 located above a vertical bore 23.

The upper end of chamber 24 is closed by a plug 25 having central bores 26 connected to an annular recess 27 in the plug 25 to permit restricted flow of air to and from the chamber 24 through the plug 25.

The bore 23 also extends downwardly to a spout 29.

With this arrangement the supply of milk in pulses from the pump 13 is evened out into a reasonably even flow from the spout 29 by the manometer type of well and the limited air buffering.

After each dispensing operation the outlet is able to drain completely by the flow of air through bores 26, thereby permitting a higher standard of hygiene.

Furthermore, the plug 25 is made removable so as to expose a straight through bore to the outlet 29 for easy cleaning with a brush.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the dispensing of milk it will be appreciated that it may be used with advantage in other applications whenever it is required to avoid the difficulties caused by pulses in the supply from a peristaltic pump.

CLAIMS (Filed on 6 July 1983) 1. A dispensing outlet for receiving a supply of liquid from a peristaltic pump, which includes an inlet passageway communicating with a chamber of increased diameter, which in use serves as an air buffer chamber, the chamber being connected to an outlet passageway leading downwardly to a spout.

2. A dispensing outlet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet passageway and spout and the air buffer chamber have a common vertical axis.

3. A dispensing outlet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet and outlet passageways and the chamber are formed by bores in a block.

4. A dispensing outlet as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the chamber is closed by means of a plug adapted to permit limited air flow to and from the chamber.

5. A dispensing outlet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plug is removable and is positioned and arranged to facilitate cleaning of the outlet.

6. A liquid dispensing system which includes a dispensing outlet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, a container for a supply of liquid, and a peristaltic pump for pumping liquid from the con tainertothe outlet.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Dispensing outlet This invention relates to a dispensing outlet for use in dispensing liquid supplied to it from a peristaltic pump. It is often advantageous to use a peristaltic pump for dispensing liquids, for example for hygienic reasons, but such a pump has the disadvantage that it supplies the liquids in pulses. This effect may be overcome by using a soft elastic-walled tube, such as silicone rubber, in the feed from the pump, but such tubes tend to be delicate and easily kinked and may need frequent replacement. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispensing outlet which will smooth the flow of liquid and thus avoid the need to use a soft elastic-walled tube. The present invention consists in a dispensing outlet for receiving a supply of liquid from a peristaltic pump which includes an inlet passageway communicating with an outlet passageway leading downwardly to a spout and with a passageway of increased diameter forming a manometer type of well or chamber which in use serves as an air buffer chamber. Preferably, the outlet passageway and spout and the air buffer chamber have a common vertical axis. It is also preferred to permit limited air flow to and from the air buffer chamber, through or around a removable plug positioned and arranged to facilitate cleaning. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows diagrammatically one form of liquid dispensing outlet according to the present invention used in a milk dispensing system; Figure2 is a diagrammatical vertical section through the outlet shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a general view, partly cut away, of the outlet shown in Figure 1. In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, Figure 1 shows a milk dispensing system which includes a supply of milk 11 housed in a refrigerated container 12, a dispensing outlet 13 and a peristaltic pump 14 connected by suitable conduits to the supply 11 and outlet 13 for pumping milk to the outlet 13. Suitable electrical controls (not shown) are provided for actuating the pump as and when required to dispense milk. The use of a peristaltic pump results in the occurrence of pulses in the milk supply arriving at the outlet, but these are smoothed out or at least reduced by providing the dispensing outlet 13 with a manometer type of well and an air buffer arrangement. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the dispensing outlet 13 is in the form of a block 20 having a horizontal inlet bore 21 connected to conduit 22 supplying milk from the pump 13 and leading into a manometer type chamber 24 located above a vertical bore 23. The upper end of chamber 24 is closed by a plug 25 having central bores 26 connected to an annular recess 27 in the plug 25 to permit restricted flow of air to and from the chamber 24 through the plug 25. The bore 23 also extends downwardly to a spout 29. With this arrangement the supply of milk in pulses from the pump 13 is evened out into a reasonably even flow from the spout 29 by the manometer type of well and the limited air buffering. After each dispensing operation the outlet is able to drain completely by the flow of air through bores 26, thereby permitting a higher standard of hygiene. Furthermore, the plug 25 is made removable so as to expose a straight through bore to the outlet 29 for easy cleaning with a brush. Although the invention has been described with reference to the dispensing of milk it will be appreciated that it may be used with advantage in other applications whenever it is required to avoid the difficulties caused by pulses in the supply from a peristaltic pump. CLAIMS (Filed on 6 July 1983)

1. A dispensing outlet for receiving a supply of liquid from a peristaltic pump, which includes an inlet passageway communicating with a chamber of increased diameter, which in use serves as an air buffer chamber, the chamber being connected to an outlet passageway leading downwardly to a spout.