GB2335412A

GB2335412A - Fluid dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2335412A
Application number: GB9805657A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan David Somerfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-18
Filing date: 1998-03-18
Publication date: 1999-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-18
Also published as: GB9805657D0; GB2335412B

Abstract

A fluid dispenser has at least two chambers rotatable about a common axis so that the chambers on rotation can be successively charged and discharged. Trigger mains are provided to rotate the chambers and means 14,15 are provided to ensure that once dispensing has started it has to be continued until the relevant chamber has been completely discharged. Cover means (16, figure 5) are also disclosed for preventing contamination of the outlet of the dispenser when it is not being used.

Description

2335412 INTROVED FLUID DISPENSER

Introduction

In my UK patent GB 2286384, 1 described a fluid dispenser which is particularly suitable for use for dispensing lawful measures of alcoholic drinks.

A dispenser made in accordance with the teachings of my earlier application is illustrated at Figure 1. This dispenser provides two opposing chambers of pre-determined volume or measure, each with ports 1 and 1' to a central rotating valve 2. Operation of the trigger 3 causes the valve to rotate relative to the chambers through 18T. At each successive half-rotation of the valve, a measure of liquid from a bottle reservoir 4 flows into one chamber and the measure of liquid with which the other chamber had been charged on an earlier half-rotation is dispensed through spout 5.

The trigger mechanism in the device is progressive. If pressure on the trigger is initially applied and then withdrawn before reaching its end point, the trigger will rest in its partially depressed position. and the dispensing mechanism will remain in the position to which the partially depressed trigger has driven it. If the relative rotation of valve 2 and chambers 6 and 6' has been sufficient to align any part of port 1 or Fwith the opening in the chambers, fluid will flow from the chambers until a complete measure has been dispensed. In the arrangement earlier proposed. however, it was possible to interrupt that flow by pulling back the trigger, causine, the relative rotation of the valve 2 and chambers 6 and 6' to be reversed.

In some Jurisdictions. it is a regulatory requirement that spirit dispensers be designed so that, once a delivery has been triggered, it shall not be capable of being stopped until the delivery is complete. One objective of the present invention is to allow spirit dispensers made generally in accordance with my earlier patent application to be adapted to satisfy such regulatory requirement.

Electronic point-of-sale systems (EPOS systems') are being increasingly used in licensed premises. In my earlier application, I described optional electronic means (using magnets and a Hall effect device) whereby my dispenser would give an electronic signal at each operation of the dispensing mechanism and thus be suitable for use with EPOS systems. To ensure the complete integrity of the stock control record, it is necessary to have 100% correlation between the operation of the dispensing mechanism and measures dispensed. That level of correlation can assured if the device incorporates at least two forms of safeguard: one which prevents the operation of the mechanism if a full measure is not available for dispense; and the other which ensures that every d 1 spense is complete. There are currently available spirit dispensers which incorporate electromechanical operating means and which provide both forms of safeguard using electronic sensing and switching means. But such spirit dispensers have the disadvantage of requiring a power source at the point of installation to enable them to operate. In contrast, the spirit dispenser described in my earlier application requires no such power source. But, while my earlier application described optional means for providing the first safeguard, my earlier proposals did not provide the second safeguard. A second objective of the present Pae,e 1 invention is to allow mechanically operated spirit dispensers made generally in accordance with my earlier patent application to be adapted so that they provide 100% correlation between operation of the dispensing mechanism and measures dispensed, so making them suitable for use with EPOS systems.

If the output spout of a spirit dispenser is allowed to remain unprotected, the open spout mav attract fruit flies or other insects. This is unhygienic and particularly unacceptable where the invadina insect is sluiced into a customer's glass on a subsequent operation of the dispenser.

Means are well known for preventing the ingress of insects, and these typically involve the provision of a solid cap which protects the output spout, which cap Is temporarily withdrawn on the operation of the dispenser. The conventional design of such caps are inconsistent with the above-mentioned regulatory requirement which requires that once a delivery has been triggered it shall not be capable of being stopped until the delivery is complete: if a solid cap is allowed to revert to the position covering the output spout before a delivery is complete, the delivery will be stopped. A third objective of my invention is to provide means of protecting the output spout of a dispenser from the ingress of insects while allowing the dispenser to satisfy the above mentioned regulatory requirements.

The Invention According to a first aspect of my invention there is provided an improved spirit measure made generally in accordance with the teachings of my patent GB 2286384 with means for preventing the relative rotation of the chambers and the valve other than in the direction of normal operation, except to the marginal extent necessary to allow the release of the mechanism after an interlocking condition has occurred. According to a second aspect of my invention there is provided an improved spirit measure made generally in accordance with the teachings of my patent GB 2286384 with a cap mounted over its output spout. which is withdrawn when the dispenser is used. which cap diverts fluid through a protective mesh.

Embodiment of the Invention 1 now describe my invention bv reference to the following drawings, where: Figure 1 Is a general isometric view of a spirit dispenser made in accordance with my patent GB 2286384 with a partial cutaway showing its internal construction Figure 2 Is a cutaway isometric view of the spirit dispenser showing the float and trigger mechanisms (but excluding, for clarity, the rack 7).

- Figure 3 a cross sectional view of part of the valve and a ratchet Figure 4 shows cross sectional views of the trigger mechanism at three successive stages in the dispense cycle. Figure 5 show's a protective cap for the output spout, in its closed position (Figure 5a), its open position (FIgure 5b), and in cross section (Figure 5c).

Pap-e 2 Teeth (8, 14 and 14) are integrally molded with the valve 2 with teeth 14 and 14' (having the same profile as teeth 8 but being elongated in the direction of the axis of valve 2 as shown in Figure 3). When trigger 3 is pushed in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 1, rack 7 acts upon the teeth 8, 14 and 14' so as to rotate the valve in direction of the arrow. With rotation, the device dispenses fluld in the manner described above. On rotation, magnets 9 and 9' revolve with valve 2 and operate upon a Hall effect device 10, thus providing an electronic signal suitable for use with EPOS Systems.

When insufficient fluid is available to be dispensed from bottle 4, float 11 fails and wings 12 and 1Ton float 11 become engaged with lugs 13) and 13' so as to prevent tile rotation of the valve 2 relative to chambers 6 and 6. Fi ure 4a shows the position of the trigger mechanism at 9 10C this stage In the operational c., cle. At this stage, it is possible to reverse the rotation of the valve 2 (by pulling oil trigger 3) to the limited extent necessary to release the interference fit between the wings and lugs.

Where sufficient fluid is available to be dispensed from bottle 4, continued pressure on tr'ac,er 3 will result further rotation of valve 2 relative to chambers 6 and 6' at least to the p1 1 illustrated in Figure 4b. This shows the point in the operating cycle when no part of os tion 1 1 1 port 1 has vet beconle aligned with chamber 6 (which would allow the dispense to beszln) but elongated teeth 14 and 14' have passed ratchet 15. From this stage in the cycle ratchet 15 prevents rotation ofthe \alve -2 relative to the chambers 6 and 6' in am, direction other than that of normal Further pressure oil trigger 3 makes the rack 7 continue to act upon tile teeth 8 so as to rotate the valve in direction of the arrow to the position illustrated in figure 4c, showi.ng the point in the operating cycle immediately prior to the release of trigger 3.

A cap 16 is illustrated ill Figure 5. It is mounted on a hinge 17 and. when tile dispenser is not in use, is held b.,; a protrusion 18 of trigger 3) in the position covering the output spout 5 as shown in Figure 5a. There is an open path from output spout 5 but the Ingress of fruit flies and lar insects into the output spout is prevented by mesh 19. The lower edge of spout 5 is simi chamfered so that, when it rotates in the course of the dispenser's operation. cap 16 is pushed to the position shown in Figure 5b. In that position, fluid may freely flow directly, from output Spout 5 to a glass k Ithout passing through mesh 19, so avoiding the p)> slbllit. 01'd siodging any insects which may hake been trapped in the mesh. On the release ofthe trigger _3. cap 16 is pushed back by prot 111 s loll 18 to the position shown ill Figure 5a.

[f'trl,-,oer 3 is released bef'oi-e a full measure has been dispensed, all\ residual fluid ill tile dispenser is then dischaiged doxii tile path shown by the arrows in Figure -c and catises ob lolls 1 Ills both slunals that an incomplete meahure has been dell., ered Into the iass and also discourages the operator from again releasing the trigger early. Fhe)iiii,(,ed cap thus allows the dispenser to satisfy the above-mentloned regulator., requirement whIle id ng protection a-alnst the in,,ress of fruit flies or similar insects.

provi 1 Pai!e 3 4

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fluid dispenser which comprises: a main body having a

plurality of chambers of predetermined capacity which collectively rotate around two tubes on the same axis, each such tube having a port in its side wall positioned so that when one port is aligned with one chamber the other port is aligned with another chamber, the first tube being connectable to a supply reservoir and the second tube forming the discharge vent of the fluid dispenser; a trigger means for effecting the rotation of the chambers relative to the tubes, which trigger means is interlocked with the rotating elements of the dispenser so that a complete operation of the trigger rotates the chambers relative to the ports through a predetermined angle so that a chamber is in communication with a different port, and further operation of the trigger is prevented unless the relative movement between the chambers and the ports has been through predetermined angle, trigger means and operative to prevent a chamber which has been moved into at least partial alignment with the discharge vent from being returned to its initial position except by being moved through the position in which it has been aligned with the first tube.

said and means associated with the
2. A fluid dispenser which comprises:

a main body having a plurality of chambers of predetermined capacity which collectively rotate around two tubes on the same axis, each such tube having a port in its side wall positioned so that when one port is aligned with one chamber the other port is aligned with another chamber, the first tube being connectable to a supply reservoir and the second tube forming the discharge vent of the fluid dispenser; a trigger means for effecting the rotation of the chambers relative to the tubes, which trigger means is interlocked with the rotating elements of the dispenser so that a complete operation of the trigger rotates the chambers relative to the ports through a predetermined angle so that a chamber is in communication with a different port, and further operation of the trigger is prevented unless the relative movement between the chambers and the ports has been through said predetermined angle, and including a cap which when the trigger means is not operated covers the discharge vent.
3. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1, and including a cap which when the trigger means is not operated covers the discharge spout of the dispenser.
4. A fluid dispenser according to claim 2 or claim 2, wherein the discharge vent of the dispenser acts as a cam on the cap so as to move the cap away on rotation of the 6 chambers relative to the tubes caused by the trigger means.