GB2170781A

GB2170781A - Wine dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2170781A
Application number: GB08602173A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Start
Original assignee: Homark Associates Ltd
Current assignee: Homark Associates Ltd
Priority date: 1985-02-12
Filing date: 1986-01-29
Publication date: 1986-08-13
Also published as: GB8602173D0; GB2170781B

Abstract

Apparatus for use in dispensing predetermined quantities of wine from a "bag in a box" type container 17 comprises a pump 10 operated by a pivotable lever 12, the pump 10 being connected to the container 17 by a supply conduit 15 and a spring loaded vacuum relief valve 18 is provided in the conduit 15 or in the cylinder head of the pump 10 which prevents a predetermined vacuum being created in the pump 10 if the pump 10 is operated when the container 17 is in an empty collapsed state. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wine dispensing apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for use in dispensing a liquid from a container and particularly, but not exclusively, wine from a "bag in a box" type container.

In an establishment, such as a public house or a wine bar, where wine is sold by the glass, it is more and more desired that the wine be dispensed in measured quantities by a lever operated dispensing pump system which is similar to the beer pumps provided in such establishments.

If a container of the kind consisting of a collapsible bag contained within a box is connected directly to a piston and cylinder type pump operated by a lever, when the bag is empty it collapses and the operation of the pump by the lever creates a vacuum in the supply conduit from the container to the pump and, because the operator cannot see that the container is empty, operation of the operating lever by the operator can cause the pump to lock-up and force applied via the lever can damage the pump.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in dispensing a liquid from a container comprising a piston and cylinder type pump connected to a pivotable operating lever and having a supply conduit connectable to a collapsible container and a dispense outlet conduit, said supply conduit or said pump incorporating a spring loaded valve which is held closed by the spring when liquid is drawn along the supply conduit and into the pump by operation of the pump and moved against the force of the spring to an open position if a predetermined vacuum, greater than that of normal operation, is created in the supply conduit or pump to allow air at ambient atmospheric pressure to enter the conduit and pump.

With the apparatus according to the present invention, when the container is empty and collapsed, the pump when operated will merely pump air to the dispense conduit and the operator will appreciate that the container is empty and will not operate the pump until a fresh full container has been connected to the supply conduit and a vacuum will not be created in the supply conduit or pump which will lock-up the pump and no damage will be caused by operating the lever.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a wine dispensing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a section through the vacuum relief valve incorporated in the apparatus; and Figure 3 is a part-section through the cylinder of a pump incorporating a vacuum relief valve.

The wine dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1 consists of a piston and cylinder type single acting pump 10 having a piston rod 11 connected to an operating lever 12 which is pivoted at 13. The lever 12 has an operating handle 14. The pump 10 is connected to a supply conduit 15 and to a dispense conduit 16. The supply conduit 15 is connected to a container 17 which is of the type consisting of a flexible collapsible container contained within a box usually formed of cardboard.

Provided in the conduit 15 is a vacuum relief valve 18 which, as shown in greater detail in Figure 2, consists of a valve member 19 urged against a seat 20 by a spring 21, the spring 21 being located within a passage 22 which is open to the ambient atmosphere. It will be appreciated that the valve 18 can be incorporated into the pump 10.

When wine is to be dispensed, the lever 12 is moved about the pivot 13 by means of the handle 14 and the piston of the pump 10 pushes a predetermined amount of wine through the discharge conduit 16 and simultaneously draws a quantity of wine from the container 17 through the conduit 15 and valve 18. The valve member 19 is urged against the seat 20 by the spring 21. On the return stroke of the piston of the pump 10, the quantity of wine drawn from the container passes to the other side of the piston ready for discharge through the conduit 16 when the pump 10 is next actuated by the lever 12.

When the container 17 is empty the flexible container collapses and when the pump 10 is attempted to be operated by the lever 12, a vacuum is created in the conduit 15. When a predetermined vacuum is created the valve member 19 is pulled off its seat 20 against the force of the spring 21 and air at ambient atmospheric pressure flows into the conduit 15 thus destroying the vacuum and the pump 10 can be operated and is not locked up as it would be if the vacuum was maintained. Thus, air will be drawn into the pump 10 which will be exhausted via the conduit 16 and thus the operator will be aware that the container 17 is empty and needs replacing.

As shown in Figure 3, the vacuum relief valve 18 can be incorporated in the cylinder head 23 of the pump 10 instead of being provided in the supply conduit 15. The valve 18 is provided with a detachable cover 24 provided with a vent hole 25.

1. Apparatus for use in dispensing a liquid from a container, comprising a piston and cylinder type pump connected to a pivotable operating lever and having a supply conduit connectable to a collapsible container and a dispense outlet conduit, said supply conduit or said pump incorporating a spring loaded valve which is held closed by the spring when liquid is drawn along the supply conduit and into the pump by operation of the pump and moved against the force of the spring to an open position if a predetermined vacuum, greater than that of normal operation, is created in the supply conduit or pump to allow air at ambient atmospheric pressure to enter the conduit and pump.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the spring loaded valve is provided in a valve unit in

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Wine dispensing apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for use in dispensing a liquid from a container and particularly, but not exclusively, wine from a "bag in a box" type container. In an establishment, such as a public house or a wine bar, where wine is sold by the glass, it is more and more desired that the wine be dispensed in measured quantities by a lever operated dispensing pump system which is similar to the beer pumps provided in such establishments. If a container of the kind consisting of a collapsible bag contained within a box is connected directly to a piston and cylinder type pump operated by a lever, when the bag is empty it collapses and the operation of the pump by the lever creates a vacuum in the supply conduit from the container to the pump and, because the operator cannot see that the container is empty, operation of the operating lever by the operator can cause the pump to lock-up and force applied via the lever can damage the pump. According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for use in dispensing a liquid from a container comprising a piston and cylinder type pump connected to a pivotable operating lever and having a supply conduit connectable to a collapsible container and a dispense outlet conduit, said supply conduit or said pump incorporating a spring loaded valve which is held closed by the spring when liquid is drawn along the supply conduit and into the pump by operation of the pump and moved against the force of the spring to an open position if a predetermined vacuum, greater than that of normal operation, is created in the supply conduit or pump to allow air at ambient atmospheric pressure to enter the conduit and pump. With the apparatus according to the present invention, when the container is empty and collapsed, the pump when operated will merely pump air to the dispense conduit and the operator will appreciate that the container is empty and will not operate the pump until a fresh full container has been connected to the supply conduit and a vacuum will not be created in the supply conduit or pump which will lock-up the pump and no damage will be caused by operating the lever. Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a wine dispensing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a section through the vacuum relief valve incorporated in the apparatus; and Figure 3 is a part-section through the cylinder of a pump incorporating a vacuum relief valve. The wine dispensing apparatus shown in Figure 1 consists of a piston and cylinder type single acting pump 10 having a piston rod 11 connected to an operating lever 12 which is pivoted at 13. The lever 12 has an operating handle 14. The pump 10 is connected to a supply conduit 15 and to a dispense conduit 16. The supply conduit 15 is connected to a container 17 which is of the type consisting of a flexible collapsible container contained within a box usually formed of cardboard. Provided in the conduit 15 is a vacuum relief valve 18 which, as shown in greater detail in Figure 2, consists of a valve member 19 urged against a seat 20 by a spring 21, the spring 21 being located within a passage 22 which is open to the ambient atmosphere. It will be appreciated that the valve 18 can be incorporated into the pump 10. When wine is to be dispensed, the lever 12 is moved about the pivot 13 by means of the handle 14 and the piston of the pump 10 pushes a predetermined amount of wine through the discharge conduit 16 and simultaneously draws a quantity of wine from the container 17 through the conduit 15 and valve 18. The valve member 19 is urged against the seat 20 by the spring 21. On the return stroke of the piston of the pump 10, the quantity of wine drawn from the container passes to the other side of the piston ready for discharge through the conduit 16 when the pump 10 is next actuated by the lever 12. When the container 17 is empty the flexible container collapses and when the pump 10 is attempted to be operated by the lever 12, a vacuum is created in the conduit 15. When a predetermined vacuum is created the valve member 19 is pulled off its seat 20 against the force of the spring 21 and air at ambient atmospheric pressure flows into the conduit 15 thus destroying the vacuum and the pump 10 can be operated and is not locked up as it would be if the vacuum was maintained. Thus, air will be drawn into the pump 10 which will be exhausted via the conduit 16 and thus the operator will be aware that the container 17 is empty and needs replacing. As shown in Figure 3, the vacuum relief valve 18 can be incorporated in the cylinder head 23 of the pump 10 instead of being provided in the supply conduit 15. The valve 18 is provided with a detachable cover 24 provided with a vent hole 25. CLAIMS

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the spring loaded valve is provided in a valve unit in corporated in the supply conduit.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the spring loaded valve is incorporated in the cylinder head of the pump.

4. Apparatus for use in dispensing a liquid from a container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.