GB2171175A

GB2171175A - Liquid dispensing units

Info

Publication number: GB2171175A
Application number: GB08501840A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Buckley Easton
Original assignee: Mars GB Ltd
Current assignee: Mars GB Ltd
Priority date: 1985-01-24
Filing date: 1985-01-24
Publication date: 1986-08-20
Also published as: GB8501840D0

Abstract

A dispensing unit for use in situations where a downwardly directed jet of liquid, e.g. hot water, is required and where it is undesirable to direct the jet in any other direction includes an attitude-sensitive switch (11) which cooperates with the liquid dispensing control valve (7) to prevent liquid delivery in a direction more than a predetermined angle from the vertical. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid dispensing units This invention relates to liquid dispensing units for use in situations where a downwardly directed jet of liquid is required, but where it is undesirable or dangerous to direct the jet in any other direction.

Such a situation arises for example in the dispensing of beverages where there is a desire to employ a flexible hand-held hose and dispensing nozzle which can rapidly dispense, for example, hot water or hot beverages to many cups resting on a table or counter. This is a quicker method of dispensing than moving cups under a stationary dispensing head or pouring from a bulky kettle. The method can be hazardous since hot liquid is being pumped and, if the nozzle is lifted from the vertical, a horizontal jet can be produced which may cause the risk of scalding the user.

According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid dispensing unit comprising a portable dispensing head provided with an outlet for dispensing liquid, means for controlling the delivery of liquid to the outlet, and an attitude-sensitive switch cooperable with the control means to enable liquid delivery when the outlet directs liquid vertically downwards but to prevent liquid delivery when the outlet would otherwise direct liquid in a direction more than a predetermined angle from the vertical.

The attitude sensitive switch should be situated close to the dispense outlet and controls the delivery of liquid. For example, it may control a liquid delivery pump or a solenoid valve controlling the flow of liquid to the outlet, or both.

Preferably, the unit can be set to dispense a measured volume of liquid. The liquid can be measured by a flow meter or a timer but preferably a revolution counter is provided on the pump impellor for this purpose.

A preferred liquid dispensing unit according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional elevation of the liquid dispensing head and Figure 2 shows a control circuit of a complete unit, connected to a dispensing head.

Referring to Figure 1, the unit comprises a portable dispensing head provided with a tube (1) having dispensing nozzle (3) and surrounded by a hand grip (5). The tube (1) is connected through a control solenoid valve (7) to a flexible service conduit (9) for the supply of liquid to nozzle (3). An attitude sensitive switch (11) in the form of a mercury tilt switch is provided adjacent nozzle (3) and is wired in series with the power line to solenoid valve (7). A selector switch (13) is provided on the top of the handgrip to enable the user to select either a continuous flow of liquid or a predetermined measured shot of liquid. Thus the unit operates in two modes.

Referring to Figure 2, a dispensing head is shown as described and indicated generally at "H" and the head is connected by an interface connector (15) to a control circuit "C". The control circuit comprises a circuit board (17), a pump motor (19), a control device (21) and a relay (23, a and b). The pump motor (19) includes a volume flow measuring device in the form of an electrical, optical or magnetic pump impellor revolution counter which gives a feed-back signal (dotted line) to the control circuit (17). The solenoid valve (7) and relay (23) operate on low voltage d.c. whilst the pump motor can operate on any voltage a.c. or d.c., with a suitable control device (21) being chosen accordingly.

In continuous flow mode, the operation of the unit is as follows. With the nozzle in the operating position shown (vertically downwards), hot water is pumped through the service conduit (9), passes through the control solenoid valve (7) and out the dispensing nozzle (3). When however the head is tilted so that the nozzle (3) points in a direction more than (say) 30 from the vertical, the attitude sensitive switch (11) closes and supplies power to the solenoid valve (7) causing the latter two close. This immediately cuts off the flow of water. On returning the dispense nozzle to vertical, attitude-sensitive switch opens, the solenoid control valve re-opens and permits normal use of the device.

The mode selector switch (13) is of the momentary make style and so water is only delivered during the period of pressing the switch. This is of course unless the dispense head is tilted in which case the solenoid valve and pump are merely turned off - the pump circuit being interrupted by a relay (23).

In this manner, the danger of causing injury to people nearby is reduced since water can only be emitted in directions which define a cone having its axis vertical and a conical angle of 30".

When the measured shot mode is selected the control circuit (17) counts the output pulses from the motor and maintains power to the motor until the measured pulse count reaches a preselected number (this in turn relates to a given volume flow from the pump). Should the dispense head be tilted, relay (23) cuts the power to the motor (19).

Atime limit is included in the control circuit (17), should the period of flow interruption exceed some preset level. This is achieved by measuring the time period between pump output pulses and resetting the system if the present time is exceeded thus inhibiting completion of the measured water shot.

This should help prevent possible accidents should the dispense head be laid down before completion and left on a counter top to be picked up some period of time later by some unsuspecting person.

Suitable combinations of normally open and normally closed switches and valves can be interchanged to give the same effect.

It will, of course, be understood that the present invention has been described above by way of example only and modifications of detail can be made within the scope and spirit of the invention.

1. A liquid dispensing unit comprising a portable dispensing head provided with an outletfordispens- ing liquid, means for controlling the delivery of liquid to the outlet, and an attitude-sensitive switch

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Liquid dispensing units This invention relates to liquid dispensing units for use in situations where a downwardly directed jet of liquid is required, but where it is undesirable or dangerous to direct the jet in any other direction. Such a situation arises for example in the dispensing of beverages where there is a desire to employ a flexible hand-held hose and dispensing nozzle which can rapidly dispense, for example, hot water or hot beverages to many cups resting on a table or counter. This is a quicker method of dispensing than moving cups under a stationary dispensing head or pouring from a bulky kettle. The method can be hazardous since hot liquid is being pumped and, if the nozzle is lifted from the vertical, a horizontal jet can be produced which may cause the risk of scalding the user. According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid dispensing unit comprising a portable dispensing head provided with an outlet for dispensing liquid, means for controlling the delivery of liquid to the outlet, and an attitude-sensitive switch cooperable with the control means to enable liquid delivery when the outlet directs liquid vertically downwards but to prevent liquid delivery when the outlet would otherwise direct liquid in a direction more than a predetermined angle from the vertical. The attitude sensitive switch should be situated close to the dispense outlet and controls the delivery of liquid. For example, it may control a liquid delivery pump or a solenoid valve controlling the flow of liquid to the outlet, or both. Preferably, the unit can be set to dispense a measured volume of liquid. The liquid can be measured by a flow meter or a timer but preferably a revolution counter is provided on the pump impellor for this purpose. A preferred liquid dispensing unit according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional elevation of the liquid dispensing head and Figure 2 shows a control circuit of a complete unit, connected to a dispensing head. Referring to Figure 1, the unit comprises a portable dispensing head provided with a tube (1) having dispensing nozzle (3) and surrounded by a hand grip (5). The tube (1) is connected through a control solenoid valve (7) to a flexible service conduit (9) for the supply of liquid to nozzle (3). An attitude sensitive switch (11) in the form of a mercury tilt switch is provided adjacent nozzle (3) and is wired in series with the power line to solenoid valve (7). A selector switch (13) is provided on the top of the handgrip to enable the user to select either a continuous flow of liquid or a predetermined measured shot of liquid. Thus the unit operates in two modes. Referring to Figure 2, a dispensing head is shown as described and indicated generally at "H" and the head is connected by an interface connector (15) to a control circuit "C". The control circuit comprises a circuit board (17), a pump motor (19), a control device (21) and a relay (23, a and b). The pump motor (19) includes a volume flow measuring device in the form of an electrical, optical or magnetic pump impellor revolution counter which gives a feed-back signal (dotted line) to the control circuit (17). The solenoid valve (7) and relay (23) operate on low voltage d.c. whilst the pump motor can operate on any voltage a.c. or d.c., with a suitable control device (21) being chosen accordingly. In continuous flow mode, the operation of the unit is as follows. With the nozzle in the operating position shown (vertically downwards), hot water is pumped through the service conduit (9), passes through the control solenoid valve (7) and out the dispensing nozzle (3). When however the head is tilted so that the nozzle (3) points in a direction more than (say) 30 from the vertical, the attitude sensitive switch (11) closes and supplies power to the solenoid valve (7) causing the latter two close. This immediately cuts off the flow of water. On returning the dispense nozzle to vertical, attitude-sensitive switch opens, the solenoid control valve re-opens and permits normal use of the device. The mode selector switch (13) is of the momentary make style and so water is only delivered during the period of pressing the switch. This is of course unless the dispense head is tilted in which case the solenoid valve and pump are merely turned off - the pump circuit being interrupted by a relay (23). In this manner, the danger of causing injury to people nearby is reduced since water can only be emitted in directions which define a cone having its axis vertical and a conical angle of 30". When the measured shot mode is selected the control circuit (17) counts the output pulses from the motor and maintains power to the motor until the measured pulse count reaches a preselected number (this in turn relates to a given volume flow from the pump). Should the dispense head be tilted, relay (23) cuts the power to the motor (19). Atime limit is included in the control circuit (17), should the period of flow interruption exceed some preset level. This is achieved by measuring the time period between pump output pulses and resetting the system if the present time is exceeded thus inhibiting completion of the measured water shot. This should help prevent possible accidents should the dispense head be laid down before completion and left on a counter top to be picked up some period of time later by some unsuspecting person. Suitable combinations of normally open and normally closed switches and valves can be interchanged to give the same effect. It will, of course, be understood that the present invention has been described above by way of example only and modifications of detail can be made within the scope and spirit of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A liquid dispensing unit comprising a portable dispensing head provided with an outletfordispens- ing liquid, means for controlling the delivery of liquid to the outlet, and an attitude-sensitive switch cooperable with the control means to enable liquid delivery when the outlet directs liquid vertically downwards but to prevent liquid delivery when the outlet would otherwise direct liquid in a direction more than a predetermined angle from the vertical.

2. A liquid dispensing unit according to claim 1 wherein the control means includes a solenoid valve which is integral with the dispensing head and actuated by the attitude sensitive switch.

3. A liquid dispensing unit according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the control means includes a pump for delivering liquid to the outlet and controllable by the attitude-sensitive switch.

4. A unit according to claim 3 having further control means for delivering a predetermined volume of liquid on each actuation ofthe unit.

5. A unit according to claim 4wherein the pump is of a rotary type and includes a revolution counter for measuring the volume of liquid delivered.

6. A unit according to claim 4 or 5 further comprising timing means for inhibiting the completion of delivery of the predetermined volume when the delivery is interrupted by the control means cooperating with the attitude sensitive switch for more than a predetermined time.

7. A liquid dispensing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.