GB2366787A

GB2366787A - An outlet valve for a liquid dispenser having a vent passage

Info

Publication number: GB2366787A
Application number: GB0114953A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Antony Edwards
Original assignee: Mitchell and Cooper Ltd
Current assignee: Mitchell and Cooper Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-20
Filing date: 2001-06-19
Publication date: 2002-03-20
Also published as: GB0114953D0; GB0015039D0

Abstract

An outlet valve 10 for a liquid dispenser chamber 18 has a valve member 14 and a valve seat at a port 16, and a vent passage 24 which allows air to enter the chamber 18 and displace liquid. The valve member 14 is preferably provided on a valve stem 12, disposed annularly around the stem 12. The vent passage 24 is also preferably disposed in the valve stem 12, which may comprise a hollow stem portion and one or more vent apertures 28 in the wall. The valve member 14 may be slidable on the stem 12 between a first position where it closes the vent passage 28 and a second position where it does not obstruct the vent passage 28, the limits of the sliding movement being provided by stop means 36 on the valve stem 12. The valve may be incorporated into a dispenser for attachment to a bottle, and the chamber 18 may be a measuring chamber.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> A Liquid Dispenser The present invention relates to a liquid dispensing mechanism adapted to fit to an opening of a container or bottle, and in particular to a dispensing mechanism for dispensing measured amounts of spirits.

It is known to dispense measured quantities of spirits, for example in a bar, utilising bottle mounted measuring and dispensing apparatus. Typically a bottle and its dispensing apparatus are attached in an inverted position to a bar shelf or wall so as to allow gravity assisted dispensing and filling of the dispensing apparatus. Due to the increasing number of different spirit types and brands typically required to be stocked in a bar, it is often not possible in the space available to mount all the bottles as described above. Hence it is usual only for bottles of the most popular spirit brands and types to be mounted thus, with less popular spirits being stored on the bar in their respective bottles and dispensed utilising traditional thimble measures.

Care must be taken when using a thimble measure so as to ensure that a full measure of spirits is dispensed thereby. It is therefore desirable for there to be provided a reliable bottle mounted dispensing apparatus which does not require the bottle and dispenser to be mounted in an inverted position and which is operable in a one handed manner by a bar person.

Attempts have been made to provide such a bottle mounted dispensing apparatus adapted for use when the bottle is held in an inclined position equivalent to that which would be used if liquid were to be poured directly from the bottle. In one such embodiment the dispensing apparatus is provided with liquid outlet valve in a lower portion thereof and an air inlet valve in an upper portion thereof. A problem with such an arrangement is that in the event that the apparatus is fitted incorrectly to the bottle, or the dispensing apparatus is held incorrectly, it is possible for the opposite to happen with liquid being passed through the air inlet valve. Use in this manner may lead to the dispensing of a continuous unmetered stream of spirits.

According to the present invention there is provided an outlet valve for a liquid dispenser, the valve including a valve member and a seat arranged at an outlet of a liquid dispenser chamber, the valve member being movable into and out of engagement with said seat so as to open and close said outlet and hence selectively permit liquid to flow through the outlet from the chamber, the valve further including a vent passage adapted to allow the ingress of air into said chamber as liquid flows through said outlet. The present invention provides a combined liquid outlet/air inlet valve arrangement which eliminates the need for a separate air ingress valve to be provided and hence alleviates the problems associated with having a separate air ingress valve identified above.

Preferably the valve comprises a valve stem and a valve member provided on said stem. The valve member may be annularly disposed around said stem. The vent passage is preferably provided in said valve stem. In a prefer-red embodiment the valve member is slidable on the stem between a first position where it closes the vent passage and a second position where it is spaced from and hence does not obstruct the vent passage. Movement of the valve member on the stem between said positions is limited by means of stops provided on the stem. The stops may be formed by a lip of the stem, stopping projections of the stem, or a combination of the two. The stopping means may be provided with sealing means so as to ensure a leaktight seal is effected between the valve member and the stem when the valve member is stopped by said stopping means. The sealing means may comprise an o-ring seal supported on the stem.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispenser comprising an inlet for attachment to a liquid container, a measuring chamber, an outlet for dispensing liquid from said measuring chamber and valve means operable to open and close said outlet wherein said valve means include a valve member and a seat arranged at said outlet of the chamber, the valve member being movable into and out of engagement with said seat so as to open and close said outlet, the valve means further including a vent passage adapted to allow the ingress of air into said chamber as liquid flows through said outlet. The valve means of the second aspect embody features of the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispenser comprising an inlet for attachment to a liquid container, a measuring chamber, an outlet for dispensing liquid from said measuring chamber and valve means operable to open and close said, outlet, wherein the valve means are provided on a stem extending through the measurement chamber, the liquid dispenser further including a trigger arranged, in use, to move said stem longitudinally to effect operation of said valve means. The trigger may be arranged to act directly on said stem. The stem may extend into and through the outlet. The stem may be provided with additional valve means. Such additional valve means may be operable to isolate the measuring chamber fTom the inlet.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a cross-sectional side view of a valve arrangement according to the present invention in a closed position; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the valve arrangement of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the valve arrangement in a partially open position; Figure-4 shows a perspective view the valve arrangement of figure 3; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the valve arrangement in a fully open position; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the valve arrangement of figure 5; Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention in a first operating position; and Figure 8 shows a cross-section side view of the dispensing apparatus of figure 7 in a second operating position.

Referring firstly to figures I to 6 there is shown a valve arrangement, generally designated 10, for use in a liquid dispenser and in particular a spirit dispenser. The valve arrangement comprises an elongate stem 12 upon which there is slidably mounted an annular valve member 14. The stem 12 and valve member 14 are, in use, operable to selectively open and close an outlet port 16 of a measuring chamber 18.

The stem 12 is movable towards and away from the outlet port 16 along an axis 20 extending through the port 16 by actuation means (not shown). The distal end 22 of the stem 12, which is to say the end of the stem 12 which extends into the outlet port 16, is hollow having a bore 24 with a base 26, and an aperture 28 positioned in the end face 30 of the stem 12. Two rectangular vent apertures 32 are provided adjacent the base 26, which vent apertures 32 are adapted to provide, under certain operating conditions, an air communication path between the bore 24 and the interior of the measuring chamber 18, In the embodiment shown there are provided two vent apertures 32 which are positioned opposite one another, however it will be understood that alternatively a single vent aperture, or a plurality of spaced apertures, may be provided.

The valve member 14 includes an annular seal member 34 which in use is adapted to provide a leaktight seal against the measuring chamber 18 around the outlet port 16. The valve member 14 is freely movable along a portion of the stem 12 corresponding substantially to the hollow portion thereof. The extremes of movement of the valve member 14 on the stem 12 are defined by an upper annular lip 36 and lower retaining projections 38 of the stem 12. Surrounding the upper lip 36 there is provided an o-ring seal 40. It will be noted that valve member 14 is movable between an upper position wherein it occludes and closes the vent apertures 32, and a lower position wherein the valve member 14 is remote from the vent apertures 32 such that they can be considered open.

Operation of the valve arrangement 10 will now be described. Figures I and 2 show the valve arrangement 10 in a closed position. Downward force applied to the stem 12 by the valve actuation means urges the upper lip 36 against the valve member 14 which in turn urges the seal member 34 against the measuring chamber 18. The seal member 34 prevents liquid within the chamber 18 escaping via the outlet port 16, while the o-ring seal 40 prevents leakage between the stem 12 and valve member 14, and further ensures a leaktight seal around the vent apertures 32.

Figures 3 and 4 show the valve arrangement 10 in a partially open position. Upward movement of the stem 12, indicated by arrow 42, by the valve actuation means moves

the stem 12 relative to the valve member 14. The valve member 14 remains in its seated position as the downward force applied thereto by liquid within the measuring chamber 18 is greater than the upward force applied to as a result of movement of the stem 12. The upward movement of the stem 12 moves the vent apertures 32 clear of the valve member 14, thereby opening an air inlet route to the measuring chamber 18 as indicated by arrow 44. Continued upward movement of the stem 12 firstly brings the retaining projections 38 into contact with the valve member 14 and subsequently lifts the valve member 14 from its seating position against the measuring chamber (Figures 5 and.6). A liquid outlet route from the measuring chamber 18 is thus formed as indicated by arrows 46. In practice upward movement of the stem 12 is achieved in one continuous movement such that opening of the air inlet route 44 is almost instantaneous with the opening of the liquid outlet route 46, Referring now to figures 7 and 8 there is shown a dispensing apparatus generally designated 100. The apparatus 100 includes a body 102 comprising upper and lower body members 104, 106 which are clamped together by a ring 108. The lower portion 110 of the lower body member 106 defines a spout 112 through which liquid, in use, may be dispensed. The upper body member 104 includes an inlet aperture 114. Extending from the inlet aperture 114 is a hollow tube 116 which, in use, extends into the neck of a bottle (not shown). The tube 116 is provided with resiliently deformable ribs 118 and an annular resilient seal 120 which enable a bottle to be fitted to the tube 116 along the axis indicated by broken line 117 in a leakproof manner. Overlying the upper body member 104 is a close fitting cup member 122. Extending from a lower edge of the cup member 122 is a trigger 124. The trigger 124 is arranged in such a manner that, when the apparatus 100 is fitted to a bottle, a person gripping the bottle at or near the neck thereof is able to reach and operate the trigger 124 with their index finger.

Within the body 102 there is provided a valve spindle generally designated 126. The spindle 126 at one end extends into the cup member 122 while the other end extends into the spout 112. The spindle 126 comprises an elongate core 128 having a solid cylindrical first portion 130 of uniform diameter, a solid cylindrical second portion 132 having a diameter greater than that of the first portion, and a hollow cylindrical third portion 134 having an outer diameter greater than that of the first and second portions 130,132. A stepped interface is provided between the first and second portions 130,132 which interface provides an annular ledge 136. At the interface between the second and third portions 132,134 there is provided an annular lip 138. The cup-like member 122 is connected to an actuation sleeve 140 through which the first portion 130 of the valve stem core 128 passes. The actuation sleeve 140 extends through an aperture 144 of the upper body member 104 coaxial with the valve stem core 128. The actuation sleeve 140 is provided with a peripheral flange 142 defining a spring seat. Disposed between the flange 142 and an upper portion of the upper body member 104 is a return spring 146. Surrounding the valve stem core 128 below the actuation sleeve 140 is a valve member sleeve 148. The valve member sleeve 148 includes an annular seal member 150 adapted to, in use, provide a leaktight seal against an annular seat 152 of the upper body member 104. An annular space 154 is provided between the valve member sleeve 148 and the valve stem core, which space 154 contains a spring 156. The spring 156 is seated between the aforementioned ledge 136 defined between the first and second portions of the 130, 132 of the valve stem core 128 and a facing ledge 158 of the valve member sleeve 148. Surrounding the valve member sleeve 148 intermediate the actuation sleeve 140 and the annular seal member 150 is a slidable non-return valve sleeve 160. The non-return valve sleeve 160 includes an annular seal member 162 adapted to, in use, provide a leaktight seal against an annular seat 164 of the upper body member 104. Actuation of the non-return valve sleeve 160 is achieved by the provision of a spherical roller 166 supported on an inclined seat 168. The inclined seat 168 surrounds, and is slidably supported upon, the valve member sleeve 148 in much the same manner as the

non-return valve sleeve 160. With the dispensing apparatus 100 in the position shown in figures 7 and 8 the roller 166 is urged down the inclined seat 168 towards the valve member sleeve 148 and into contact with an inclined skirt 170 of the non-return valve sleeve 160. The weight of the roller 166 thus biases the seal member 162 away from the seat 164. If however the dispensing apparatus 100 is inclined beyond an angle of degrees, then the roller moves the non-return valve sleeve upwardly relative to the valve member sleeve 148 and into contact with the seat 164. Liquid is thus prevented from flowing back into the bottle through the tube.

The third portion 134 of the valve stem core 128 is provided with a valve arrangement, generally designated 10, as described above in relation of figures I to 6 and including a valve member 14, seal 34 and vent apertures 32.

Operation of the dispensing apparatus 100 will now be described, Figure 7 shows the dispensing apparatus in a closed position, which is to say the valve arrangement 10 is closed and liquid cannot be dispensed through the spout 112. Liquid is however free to enter the body 102 from a bottle overlying the tube 116. The interior of the body 102 can be divided into a measurement chamber 172 corresponding substantially to the interior of the lower body member 106, and an accumulation chamber 174 corresponding substantially to the interior of the upper body member 104.

Actuation of the trigger 124 moves the cup-like member 122 upwardly relative to the upper body member 104 and further moves the actuation sleeve 140 upwardly with respect to the valve stem core 128, with the result that the return spring 146 is compressed. As the actuation sleeve 140 is lifted the spring 156 provided between the valve stem core 128 and the valve member sleeve 148 expands and moves the valve member sleeve 148 upwardly such that the seal member 150 contacts the seat 152 with the effect that the measurement chamber 172 is isolated from the accumulation chamber 174. Further movement of the trigger 124 brings the actuation sleeve 140 firstly into abutment with a stop 176 of the valve stem core 128 and subsequently lifts the valve stem core 128 as a whole. Initial lifting of the valve stem core 128 compresses the spring 156 provided between the valve stem core 128 and the now stopped valve member sleeve 148 and opens the vent apertures 32 in the manner described above.

Continued lifting of the valve stem core 128 allows the valve arrangement 10 fully open and permits the contents of the measurement chamber 172 to empty via the spout 112. This final position is shown in figure 8. For an embodiment of the invention wherein the trigger 124 and cup-like member 122 have a stroke of 9mm, the first 3mm of movement moves the seal member 150 to the seat 152 thereby isolating the measurement chamber 172 from the accumulation chamber 174, the next 3MM of movement opens the vent apertures 32, and the final 3mm. of movement opens the valve 10 fully.

Upon release of the trigger 124, the return spring urges the valve spindle as a whole back to the position shown in figure 7. As the valve member sleeve 148 unseats from the seat 152, liquid retained in the accumulation chamber 174 is able to flow into the measurement chamber 172 in readiness to be subsequently dispensed therefrom.

Claims

Claims 1. An outlet valve for a liquid dispenser, the valve including a valve member and a seat arranged at an outlet of a liquid dispenser chamber, the valve member being movable into and out of engagement with said seat so as to open and close said outlet and hence selectively permit liquid to flow through the outlet from the chamber, the valve further including a vent passage adapted to allow the ingress of air into said chamber as liquid flows through said outlet.
2. A valve as claimed in claim I wherein the valve comprises a valve stem and a valve member provided on said stem.
3. A valve as claimed in claim 2 wherein the valve member is annularly disposed around said stem.
4. A valve as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the vent passage is provided in said valve stem.
5. A valve as claimed in claim 4 wherein a distal portion of said stem is hollow, said hollow stem portion forming a part of said vent passage.
6. A valve as claimed in claim 5 wherein said hollow stem portion includes one or more vent apertures in a wall thereof
7. A valve as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6 wherein the valve member is slidable on the stem between a first position where it closes the vent passage and a second position where it is spaced from and hence does not obstruct the vent passage.
8. A valve as claimed in claim 7 wherein movement of the valve member on the stem between said positions is limited by stop means provided on the stem.

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9. A valve as claimed in claim 8 wherein the stop means are provided with scaling means so as to ensure a leaktight seal is effected between the valve member and the stem.
10. A valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein the sealing means comprises an o-riing seal supported on the stem.
11, A liquid dispenser comprising an inlet for attachment to a bottle, a measuring chamber, an outlet for dispensing liquid from said measuring chamber and valve means operable to open and close said outlet wherein said valve means include a valve member and a seat arranged at said outlet of the chamber, the valve member being movable into and out of engagement with said seat so as to open and close said outlet, the valve means further including a vent passage adapted to allow the ingress of air into said chamber as liquid flows through said outlet.
12. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim I I wherein the valve means comprises a valve stem and a valve member provided on said stem.
13. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 12 wherein the valve member is armularly disposed around said stem.
14. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the vent passage is provided in said valve stem.
15. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 14 wherein a distal portion of said stem is hollow, said hollow stem portion forming a part of said vent passage.
16. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 15 wherein said hollow stem portion includes one or more vent apertures in a wall thereof IT A liquid dispenser as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16 wherein the valve member is slidable on the stem between a first position where it closes the vent passage

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and a second position where it is spaced from and hence does not obstruct the vent passage. 18, A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 17 wherein movement of the valve member on the stem between said positions is limited by stop means provided on the stem. 19. A liquid dispenser as claimed in claim 18 wherein the stop means are provided with sealing means so as to ensure a leaktight seal is effected between the valve member and the stem, 20. A valve as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sealing means comprises an o-ring seal supported on the stem. 21. A valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings. 22. A liquid dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.