GB2348869A

GB2348869A - Dispenser head

Info

Publication number: GB2348869A
Application number: GB9908601A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Johnston
Original assignee: MICROFLOW EUROP Ltd
Current assignee: MICROFLOW EUROP Ltd
Priority date: 1999-04-15
Filing date: 1999-04-15
Publication date: 2000-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-15
Also published as: GB2348869B; GB9908601D0

Abstract

A dispenser head comprises first, second and third parts 1, 2, 3 which together define a housing. The first 1 and second 2 parts are pivotally connected together, and may be moved between an open and a closed position. The third part 3 is a cap which is fitted over the first 1 and second 2 parts by a snap-fit mechanism, to hold them in the closed position. The snap-fit engagement means include internal formations (20, fig.3) on the cap arranged to engage with formations (21, fig. 4) on the first 1 and second 2 parts. Further formations (16, 17, fig.2) on the first 1 and second 2 parts prevent them from being moved with respect to one another in one direction, but permit relative pivotal movement when the third part 3 is removed. A drip tray support 9 may be secured to the first 1 and second 2 parts, comprising a cup portion 10 arranged to fit closely over one end of the first 1 and second 2 parts.

Description

A DISPENSER HEAD The present invention relates to a dispenser head for use particularly, but not exclusively, on a bar.

Bar mounted liquid dispenser heads are already well known. One, made by the applicants, is described in GB 2286818. It comprises front, rear and top parts which together form a housing. The front and rear parts are pivotally and separably connected together so that they may be pivoted with respect to each other between a closed and open position.

The top part comprises a cap which fits over the front and rear parts and is operative to hold those parts in the closed position. The top part is spring loaded by means of a rod, helical spring and washer arrangement operative to urge the top part over the front and rear parts.

Provision of the rod, spring and washer arrangement is costly and inconvenient.

The dispenser head described in GB 2286818 also includes a drip tray which is mounted by way of a supporting bracket. In practise this bracket must be formed from metal to give it sufficient strength, whereas the remainder of the dispenser head is preferably made from plastic. The use of differing materials increases the cost and difficulty of manufacture of the dispenser head.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved liquid dispenser head which overcomes, or at least addresses, the problems associated with existing dispenser heads.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser head comprising first, second and third parts which together define a housing, the first and second parts being pivotally connected together so that one may be pivoted with respect to the other between a closed and open position, the third part being operative to hold the other two parts together in the closed position characterised in that the third part is adapted to engage with the first and second parts with a snap fit.

Preferably, the third part comprises a cap which is fitted over the first and second parts to hold them in the closed position.

Preferably the third part inclues snap fit engagement means, which means may comprise an internal formation or formations arranged to engage with a respective formation or formations on the first and second parts.

The provision of a third part adapted for snap fit engagement with the first and second parts obviates the need for the cumbersome rod, spring and washer of the arrangement of GB 2286818.

The first and second parts may be pivotally and separably connected and preferably include formations preventing them being moved relative to one another in one direction to prevent their separation but permitting relative pivotal movement when the third part is released.

In one embodiment of the invention the first, second and third parts are respectively front, rear and top parts. All parts are moulded from plastic, preferably a polycarbon. The first and second parts are elongate and channel form. The pivotal connection is adjacent one end of the first and second parts and the formations are adjacent the other end. The formations comprise slots in one part and projections in the other part which are adapted to slide in the slots. Strengthening ribs are provided on the front and rear parts. Slots accepting the pivot between the two are defined by strengthened positions. The front part inclues means for displaying product information, particularly price.

There is preferably also provided a drip tray support, adapted to be secured to the front and rear parts, including means for supporting a drip tray. The drip tray support preferably comprises a cup portion arranged to fit closely over one end of the front and rear portions when in the closed position and locking means, preferably a screw or other fastening, to retain the drip tray support relative to the front and rear portions. The means for supporting a drip tray support preferably comprises two substantially parallel arms. The drip tray support is preferably moulded from plastic, for example a polycarbon. The rear part of the dispenser head preferably inclues a rib for drip tray location and support.

Where a drip tray support is provided which inclues a cup portion arranged to fit closely over one end of the first and second parts when in the closed position, it will be appreciated that the drip tray support will act to hold the parts in the closed position. It is hence not essential that the first and second parts may be pivotally and separably connectable. A pivot is not required to hold the parts in the closed position.

Preferably the dispenser head is a beverage dispenser head.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser head according to the invention with the cap and drip tray support shown displaced from the main body of the dispenser head; Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the top part of the dispenser head of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom part of the dispenser head of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a plan view of the dispenser head of Figure 1, with the cap removed; Figure 5 is an underplan view of the cap of the dispenser head of Figure 1; and Figure 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the dispenser head of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the dispenser head comprises front, rear and top parts respectively referenced 1,2 and 3 which together form a housing in which electrical control gear (not shown) controlling the discharge of liquid from the head is housed. Each part is moulded from synthetic plastics material. A polycarbon is preferred, but any other suitable plastics material may be used. The rear part 2 is elongate and of channel form cross-section. It is formed with two longitudinally extending slots 2a and 2b. 2b is a longitudinally extending slot into which a bracket (not shown) may be fixed by screws and associated washers (not shown). By loosening and retightening the screws the position of the bracket on the part 2 may be adjusted as desired. This in turn means that the height of the dispenser head in relation to a bar on which the head is to be fixed by means of the bracket may be altered as desired. 2a allows for entry of cable and dispensing pipe into the dispenser.

The rear part 2 is formed with laterally and longitudinally extending strengthening ribs 14 and 5 respectively. At the upper end of the rear part 2, adjacent the strengthening ribs 5, are disposed two projections 17 for a purpose to be described later. At its lower end, the rear part 2 defines slots 6 to accommodate a pivot. The outer legs 8 defining the slots 6 are enlarged to provide additional strength.

The lower end of the rear part 2 is drilled to accommodate screws for a drip tray support 9. The drip tray support 9 inclues a cap portion 10 arranged to fit closely over the lower end of the parts 1 and 2, when in the closed position. The cup portion 10 is drilled to accommodate screws to retain the support 9 on parts 2 and 3. When assembled, a screw 11 passes through a hole 12 in the cup portion 10 and into a hole 13 in part 2. Laterally extending rib 14 serves to locate the cup 10 when mounted on parts 1 and 2, by acting as a stop.

The drip tray support 9 also includes two substantially parallel arms 15 for supporting a drip tray (not shown). The support is arranged so that the support arms extend substantially at right angles to the front part 1.

The front part 1 is also a channel form section. Slots 16 are formed on the internal faces of the walls of the channel. These slots 16 are formed to receive the projections 17. An aperture 18 for receiving a dispenser nozzle 18 is formed through the front part 1 and a clip-on price/beverage plate 19 is disposed in a moulded in cavity in the front face of the part 1.

A pivot 7, comprising a rod, is disposed within the lower part of the channel section of part 1. When the parts 1,2 and 3 are assemble, the pivot 7 sits securely in the slots 6, and the projections 17 are located in the slots 16. The top part 3 holds the parts 1 and 2 together at their upper ends.

The top part 3 takes the form of a cap which fits over the parts 1 and 2 when they are in the closed position. The top part includes moulded internal lips 20 arranged to engage with moulded projections 21 formed on part 1, so that the top part 3 will fit over parts 1 and 2 with a snap-fit. To open up the housing, for example, to carry out maintenance work on the control gear inside, the top part 3 is lifted off parts 1 and 2, by overcoming the snap-fit. This releases the front part 1 from the rear part 2 at their upper ends and enables the projections 17 to be withdrawn from the slots 16 with the front part 1 pivoting about the pivot 7 received in slots 6. Until this withdrawal of projections 17 from slots 16 takes place, the front part cannot be moved longitudinally relative to the rear part and the unit remains stable and secure. There is no danger of the front part being lifted bodily off the rear part when the two parts are closed together with possible damage to the control gear. The two parts must be pivoted apart first.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, since the cup 10 fits closely over the lower end of parts 1 and 2 it will act to hold the parts in the closed position. An alternative embodiment is therefore possible without pivot 7 and slots 6. This leads to still further economy and ease of manufacture.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A dispenser head comprising first, second and third parts which together define a housing, the first and second parts being pivotally connected together so that one may be pivoted with respect to the other between a closed and open position, the third part being operative to hold the other two parts together in the closed position characterised in that the third part is adapted to engage with the first and second parts with a snap fit.
2. A dispenser head according to claim 1, wherein the third part comprises a cap which is fitted over the first and second parts to hold them in the closed position.
3. A dispenser head as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the third part inclues snap fit engagement means, which means comprise an internal formation or formations arranged to engage with a respective formation or formations on the first and second parts.
4. A dispenser head as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second parts are pivotally and separably connected and include formations preventing them being moved relative to one another in one direction to prevent their separation but permitting relative pivotal movement when the third part is released.
5. A dispenser head as claimed in claim 4, wherein the formations comprise slots in one part and projections in the other part which are adapted to slide in the slots.
6. A dispenser head as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first, second and third parts are respecuveiy front, rear and top parts.
7. A dispenser head as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a drip tray support, adapted to be secured to the front and rear parts, including means for supporting a drip tray.
8. A dispenser head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the drip tray support comprises a cup portion arranged to fit closely over one end of the first and second parts when in the closed position and locking means to retain the drip tray support relative to the front and rear portions.
9. A dispenser head as claimed in either claim 7 or 8, wherein the means for supporting a drip tray comprises two substantially parallel arms.
10. A dispenser head as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9 when appendant, directly or indirectly, to claim 6, wherein the rear part of the dispenser head inclues a rib for drip tray location and support.
11. A dispenser head substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.