ITTO20120243A1 - VALVE FOR THE DELIVERY OF A BEVERAGE, IN PARTICULAR OF A HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATION APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

Description of the patent for industrial invention entitled:

â € œVALVE FOR THE DISPENSING OF A BEVERAGE, IN PARTICULAR OF A REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE FOR DOMESTIC USEâ €

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a valve for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a household refrigeration appliance, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention also relates to a respective refrigeration appliance for domestic use comprising said valve for dispensing a beverage.

In the following description, reference will mainly be made to a refrigerating appliance for domestic use, even if the present invention is not strictly limited to such an appliance.

In the state of the art, a refrigeration appliance is known, in particular for domestic use, of the type which includes a structure inside which at least one compartment is obtained for storing foodstuffs.

Usually, the refrigeration appliances known in the state of the art comprise two compartments having different temperatures, so as to allow at least two different states of conservation of the foodstuffs, in particular a refrigerator compartment suitable for storing fresh food at a temperature between 0 ° C and 10 ° C and a freezer compartment suitable for storing frozen foods at a temperature between -15 ° C and -30 ° C; such refrigeration appliances are commonly referred to by experts in the domestic refrigeration sector as â € œdouble doorâ € or â € œcombinedâ €, depending on the relative position between the two compartments. In a â € œdouble doorâ € refrigeration appliance, the freezer compartment is located above the refrigerator compartment, while in the â € œcombinedâ € refrigeration appliance the freezer compartment is located below.

In the state of the art, it is also known that a refrigeration appliance, in particular for domestic use, can comprise a device for distributing a beverage outside said refrigeration appliance, said device comprising a valve for dispensing the drink. Usually said valve is associated, directly or indirectly, with a tank positioned inside a compartment of the refrigeration appliance, in particular said tank being usually positioned in a refrigerator compartment; moreover, said valve is operated by an actuator element associated with it and positioned externally to the refrigeration appliance, said actuator element being operated by a user who wishes to have the beverage come out of the valve.

Refrigeration appliances equipped with these characteristics have been very common in the USA for decades; in fact, the refrigeration appliances common on the American market are equipped with distributors that are able to supply not only chilled water, but also ice and sometimes chilled drinks.

These refrigeration appliances are usually equipped with two doors side by side and are very bulky; one of the doors is associated with the distributor and the valve, which usually passes through the door in such a way as to protrude both towards the inside and the outside of the refrigeration appliance; moreover, on said door and towards the outside of the refrigeration appliance, there is usually a cavity where the valve or the pipes associated with it for dispensing the drink open, in said cavity being possible to place, for example , a glass or other collection container suitable for receiving the dispensed drink.

In Europe, refrigeration appliances with distributors began to spread quite recently. It should be noted that the European market requires products rather different from those of the United States, as much less bulky appliances are required (60 or 70 cm wide) and usually equipped only with chilled water supply; moreover, such products must have a low cost and therefore must use simple but effective technical solutions.

However, it has been noted that refrigeration appliances known in the state of the art involve some drawbacks, substantially due to the particular construction of the valve for dispensing the beverage. In fact, the valves known to the state of the art are made in such a way as to cause dripping of the beverage even when the user has already removed the collection container suitable for receiving the dispensed beverage.

It is clear that this dripping, in addition to causing useless waste of the beverage dispensed, can inevitably dirty both the refrigeration appliance and the area suitable for receiving it.

Consequently, said dripping of the valves known to the state of the art inevitably involves considerable inconvenience for the user.

Furthermore, the valves known to the state of the art are usually made in such a way as not to have a homogeneous outlet of the drink; It is clear that even this inconvenience is particularly annoying, as it can cause difficulties in correctly dispensing the drink and, consequently, contribute to increasing the possibility of dirtying the refrigeration appliance and the area suitable for receiving it with the drink itself.

Further drawbacks are constituted by the lack of versatility of the valves known in the state of the art, each of which is made in such a way as to be associated with a refrigeration appliance equipped with walls having very precise and determined measurements, without the possibility of associating said element valves having different sizes from the predetermined ones. In this context, the main purpose of the present invention is to indicate a valve for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a household refrigeration appliance, and a respective refrigeration appliance, suitable for overcoming the drawbacks previously described. , resulting particularly efficient and economical.

A further object of the present invention is to indicate a valve for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a household refrigeration appliance, made in such a way as to avoid or at least minimize a possible dripping of the beverage, in particular when the user has already removed the collection container suitable for receiving the beverage dispensed, avoiding both unnecessary waste of the beverage to be dispensed and dirtying the refrigeration appliance and / or the area suitable for receiving it. A further object of the present invention is to indicate a valve for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a refrigerating appliance for domestic use, made in such a way as to allow a homogeneous outlet of the beverage and, at the same time, a its correct delivery.

Another object of the present invention is to indicate a valve for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a household refrigeration appliance, made in such a way as to present a particular versatility, said valve being made in such a way to be associated also with elements having different measures from the predetermined ones.

In order to achieve these purposes, the subject of the present invention is a valve for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a refrigerating appliance for domestic use, and a respective refrigerating appliance, incorporating the characteristics of the attached claims, which form an integral part of this description.

Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description and from the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

- Fig. 1 shows a side section of a refrigeration appliance according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 represents an exploded view of a valve for dispensing said beverage according to the present invention;

- Figs. 3a and 3b show a sectional view of the valve of Fig. 2 respectively in a first and in a second operating condition; - Figs. 4a and 4b represent a perspective view respectively of a first and a second component of the valve according to the present invention;

- Figs. 5a and 5b represent the valve respectively without (Fig. 5a) and with (Fig. 5b) the second component shown in Fig. 4b.

Both this description and these drawings are to be considered for illustrative purposes only and therefore not limitative.

Turning to the description of the attached figures, Fig. 1 shows a schematic section of a refrigeration appliance, in particular for domestic use, according to the present invention and globally indicated with the numerical reference 1.

Said refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a structure 2 inside which at least one compartment 3, 4 is obtained for storing foodstuffs and able to be closed by at least one door 3P, 4P.

Preferably, said at least one compartment 3, 4 comprises:

- a refrigerator compartment 3, in particular suitable for storing fresh food at a temperature between 0 ° C and 10 ° C and capable of being closed by a first door 3P,

- a freezer compartment 4, in particular suitable for storing frozen foods at a temperature between -15 ° C and -30 ° C and able to be closed by a second door 4P.

It should be noted that the refrigeration appliance 1 shown in Fig. 1 is of the â € œcombinedâ € type, since the freezer compartment 4 is located below the refrigerator compartment 3; however, it is clear that the refrigeration appliance 1 according to the present invention can also be of a different type. Furthermore, in Fig. 1 the walls of the structure 2 are represented in such a way as to be rather thick, in order to indicate the presence of a layer of thermal insulating material; in general, the thickness of the insulating material depends on the type of cell (in practice, on the operating temperatures of the cell) and, of course, on the type of insulating material used; this is common and well known to the technicians of the sector.

The refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a device for dispensing a beverage, globally indicated with the numerical reference 5, said distributor device 5 being associated with the structure 2 of the refrigeration appliance 1, in particular with said at least one door 3P , 4P.

Said dispensing device 5 comprises a valve 10 for dispensing said beverage. In the example of embodiment referred to in Fig. 1, the valve 10 is associated with the first door 3P; in this embodiment, the valve 10 according to the present invention preferably also acts as a conduit for delivering the beverage outside the refrigerating appliance 1, in particular by leading the beverage to a niche 3N obtained on said first door 3P. However, it is clear that said valve 10 and said niche 3N can also be associated with other parts of the structure 2, as well as the valve 10 can be associated with a suitable duct (not shown in the figures) to lead the drink outside. of the refrigerating appliance 1 and in said niche 3N.

The valve 10 according to the present invention (and according to the example of embodiment of Fig. 1) is preferably associated with a tank 6 positioned inside the refrigeration appliance 1, in particular inside the compartment refrigerator 3; however, it is clear that valve 10 can also be associated, directly or indirectly, with the public drinking water distribution network.

Furthermore, the valve 10 is associated with an actuator element 7 positioned externally to the refrigeration appliance 1, preferably said actuator element 7 being of the type that can be operated by means of a thrust exerted by a user (for example, said thrust being carried out by means of a container collection tank, indicated in Fig. 1 with the reference C) which wishes to have the beverage come out of valve 10.

The valve 10 is shown in greater detail in Figures 2 to 3b, Fig. 2 showing an exploded perspective view and Figs. 3a and 3b showing a sectional view of the valve 10 respectively in a first and in a second operating condition.

Said valve 10 comprises a main body 20 comprising:

- a first portion 21 for the entry of the drink into said valve 10; - an intermediate portion 20I for the passage of said beverage into the valve 10, said intermediate portion 20I comprising at least one opening 20A which allows the beverage to exit from said intermediate portion 20I;

- a second portion 22 which develops substantially parallel to an axis A (shown with a dash-dot line in Figs. 3a and 3b) of the valve 10, a sealing element 23 being associated with said second portion 22 in proximity of a terminal part 22A thereof. Furthermore, the valve 10 comprises a lower body 30 associated with the main body 20 in such a way as to embrace said second portion 22 and said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I, said lower body 30 being able to slide axially (i.e. in a manner substantially parallel to said axis A of the valve 10) on said intermediate portion 20I and second portion 22 in such a way as to pass:

- from a first operating condition (shown in Fig.3a) in which an internal surface 31 of the lower body 30 cooperates with said sealing element 23 to prevent the beverage from escaping from said valve 10, - to a second operating condition (shown in Fig. 3b) in which at least one port L is identified between said internal surface 31 and said sealing element 23 (also shown in Fig. 3b) which allows the passage of the drink, and vice versa (that is to say, said body lower 30 is able to slide axially from the second operating condition to the first operating condition).

In accordance with the present invention, said valve 10 comprises a sleeve 40 equipped with:

- a first end 41 adapted to couple to said main body 20; - a second end 42 able to couple to said lower body 30, - an intermediate part 43 made of elastic material and able to pass from a substantially relaxed state, which occurs when the lower body 30 is in said first operating condition, to a state of contraction, which occurs when the lower body 30 is in said second operating condition, in said state of relaxation the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 allowing to create a depression suitable for preventing the formation of a dripping downstream of the € ™ sealing element 23.

In practice, when the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 contracts, it reduces the internal volume of the sleeve 40; on the contrary, when the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 extends, it increases the internal volume of the sleeve 40, consequently reducing the pressure inside said sleeve 40 and creating the depression suitable to prevent the formation of a dripping downstream of the sealing element 23.

Basically, said intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is positioned in such a way as to surround the intermediate portion 20I of the main body. Consequently, as can be seen above all from Figs. 3a and 3b, the valve 10 according to the present invention comprises:

- a first chamber 11 formed between the main body 20 and the sleeve 40, in particular formed between the intermediate portion 20I of the main body 20 and the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40,

- a second chamber 12 formed between the second portion 22 of the main body 20 and the internal surface 31 of the lower body 30,

said first chamber 11 and second chamber 12 being in communication with each other by means of a passage P present between the main body 20 and the lower body 30.

In particular, the intermediate portion 20I of the main body 20 has slightly smaller dimensions than those of the internal surface 31 of the lower body 30, said dimensions being such as to allow said passage P to be obtained; consequently, the dimensions of the passage P are such as to put said first chamber 11 and second chamber 12 in communication without however allowing the passage of the beverage from the second chamber 12 to the first chamber 11.

The particular provision of the sleeve 40 therefore allows to create a depression in the first chamber 11, in the passage P and in the second chamber 12 which contains the beverage to be dispensed, said depression being able to prevent the formation of a dripping downstream of the seal 23, in particular when the user believes that he has to interrupt the dispensing of the drink and determines the passage of the lower body 30 from the second operating condition (shown in Fig. 3b, i.e. a condition in which between the internal surface 31 of the lower body 30 and said sealing element 23 at least one opening L is identified, and in which the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is in a state of contraction) in the first operating condition (shown in Fig. 3a, i.e. a condition in which the internal surface 31 of the lower body 30 cooperates with the sealing element 23 to prevent the escape of the beverage from the valve 10, and in which the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is in a relaxed state).

In particular, said elastic material with which the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is made is a silicone material; moreover, said first end 41 and second end 42 are substantially made of the same material with which the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is made.

Preferably, said intermediate part 43 has a substantially bellows shape (as shown in Figures 2, 3a and 3b, 5a and 5b), in which the folds forming said bellows are more extended or elongated when the lower body 30 is in said first operating condition with respect to when it is in the second operating condition.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown in the figures), said intermediate part 43 can have a substantially ellipsoidal or spherical balloon shape, in said second operating condition said balloon is more compressed so as to present its internal volume reduced with respect to said first condition operational.

It is clear that the particular provisions of the present invention make it possible to indicate a valve 10 for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a refrigerating appliance 1 for domestic use, made in such a way as to avoid or at least minimize a possible dripping of the beverage. , in particular when the user has already removed the collection container C suitable for receiving the dispensed drink.

The valve 10 thus makes it possible to avoid both unnecessary waste of the beverage to be dispensed and to dirty the refrigeration appliance 1 and / or the area suitable for receiving it.

Consequently, the valve 10 according to the dictates of the present invention is particularly efficient and economical.

Preferably, the internal surface 31 of the lower body 30 comprises a narrowing 32 adapted to cooperate, in particular in said first operating condition, with the sealing element 23 in order to prevent the beverage from escaping from the valve 10.

As can be seen from Fig. 4a, which represents a perspective view of the main body 20, the second portion 22 of said main body 20 substantially has the shape of a rod and comprises at least one slot 22F which extends longitudinally on said second portion 22, in particular said at least one slot 22F being such as to be associated with said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I and to terminate at the sealing element 23.

Consequently, said at least one slot 22F allows to collect the beverage coming out of said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I and to lead it up to the sealing element 23.

In a preferred embodiment, the second portion 22 of the main body 20 comprises a plurality of slots 22F and said at least one opening 20A comprises a plurality of openings 20A, in particular the number of slots 22F being corresponding to the number of openings 20A; preferably, the number of slots 22F and openings 20A corresponds to four.

The particular shape of the second portion 22 of the main body 20 makes it possible to indicate a valve 10 made in such a way as to allow a homogeneous outlet of the beverage and, at the same time, its correct dispensing.

In fact, the provision of the slots 22F allows to obtain a flow of the beverage such as to rejoin downstream of the sealing element 23 and of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22; It is therefore clear that this reunification of the beverage streams flowing in the slots 22F makes the outlet and dispensing of the beverage homogeneous.

Preferably, the second portion 22 of the main body 20 comprises a groove 22S suitable for accommodating the sealing element 23, in particular said groove 22S extending substantially perpendicular to said at least one slot 22F; the provision of the groove 22S allows the sealing element 23 to be positioned correctly and safely.

In a preferred embodiment, when the lower body 30 is in said first operating condition (shown in Fig. 3a), the sealing element 23 is associated with the second portion 22 of the main body 20:

- at a first distance d1 from an outlet section 33 of the lower body 30, said first distance d1 being comprised between mm. 10 and mm. 30;

- at a second distance d2 from said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I, said second distance d2 being comprised between mm. 20 and mm. 40.

Furthermore, in said preferred embodiment, the internal surface 31 of the lower body 30 has a diameter d comprised between mm. 16 and mm. 20, in particular of about mm. 18, in the section between the end part 22A of the second portion 22 and said outlet section 33. In particular, said diameter d is substantially constant for the internal surface section 31 which is downstream of the end part 22A of the second portion 22.

It should be noted that said diameter d, first distance d1 and second distance d2 are shown in Fig. 3a by means of dashed lines.

These particular dimensions of the components of the valve 10 according to the present invention cooperate to avoid, or at least minimize, possible dripping of the beverage, in particular when the user has already removed the collection container C suitable for receiving the dispensed beverage, avoiding both a useless waste of the drink to be dispensed, both of dirtying the refrigeration appliance 1 and / or the area suitable for receiving it.

In fact, the optimal provision of the first distance d1 allows to reduce the volume of beverage downstream of the sealing element 23, reducing the time interval between the closing of the valve 10 and the end of dripping.

Furthermore, the particular sizing of the components of the valve 10 (that is to say, the forecasts of the first distance d1, the second distance d2 and the diameter d) allow to indicate a valve 10 made in such a way as to allow a homogeneous outlet of the beverage and, at the same time, its correct dispensing, since they prevent the flow of the beverage to be dispensed from being turbulent in the valve section 10 downstream of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22 and of the sealing element 23.

The valve 10 according to the present invention then comprises a spacer element 50 able to be associated with the first portion 21 of the main body 20 to make the valve 10 universal, i.e. suitable for being associated with elements of different sizes and / or with ports 3P, 4P of different thicknesses.

Said spacer element 50 substantially has the shape of a ring provided with a hole 50F (shown in Fig. 4b) for the passage of the beverage to be dispensed.

Furthermore, said spacer element 50 comprises fixing means 51 for obtaining a stable coupling thereof inside said first portion 21 of the main body 20; in particular, said fixing means 51 comprise a thread suitable for coupling with a corresponding thread obtained inside said first portion 21.

Preferably, the valve 10 according to the present invention comprises a first gasket G1 (shown in Fig. 2) which is positioned inside said first portion 21 before the spacer element 50 is associated with it.

Furthermore, the valve 10 according to the present invention can comprise a second gasket G2 (also shown in Fig. 2) to be positioned between the first portion 21 of the main body 20 and a further element to be associated with the valve 10.

The provision of the spacer element 50 allows to indicate a valve 10 made in such a way as to present a particular versatility, since said spacer element 50 allows to associate the valve 10 also with elements having different sizes from the predetermined ones; in fact, to associate the valve 10 with ports 3P, 4P of different thicknesses, it will be sufficient to use a spacer element 50 of dimensions suitable for a specific 3P, 4P port without necessarily having to use a specific valve 10 for this specific 3P, 4P port.

Figures 5a and 5b show the valve 10 according to the present invention associated with a tank 6 positioned inside a refrigeration appliance 1; in particular, said valve 10 is represented:

- in a first view in which it is associated with the tank 6, in particular with a mouth 6A of the tank 6, without the interposition of the spacer element 50 in the first portion 21 of the main body 20 (see Fig. 5a);

- in a second view in which it is associated with the tank 6, in particular with said opening 6A of the tank 6, with the interposition of the spacer element 50 in the first portion 21 of the main body 20 (see Fig. 5b).

By comparing Figures 5a and 5b it can be seen that, with a first length L1 of the valve 10 remaining unchanged, the use of the spacer element 50 allows to position an outlet section 33 of the valve 10 at a third length L3 from tank 6 greater than a second distance L2, said second distance L2 being the distance between the outlet section 33 and the tank 6 if the spacer element 50 is not used; consequently, it is clear that the use of a spacer element 50 of suitable dimensions allows the valve 10 to be adapted to 3P, 4P ports of different thicknesses, without necessarily having to use a specific valve 10 for each of said 3P, 4P ports of different thicknesses. Fig. 4b represents a perspective view of the spacer element 50 according to the present invention.

From this figure it can be seen that the spacer element 50 comprises maneuvering means 52 to allow a stable coupling of said spacer element 50 inside said first portion 21 of the main body 20; in particular, said operating means comprise at least a rectilinear portion 52 of said spacer element 50, in particular said rectilinear portion 52 being made in correspondence with the hole 50F of said spacer element 50; It is clear that said rectilinear portion 52 allows the use of a tool (not shown in the figures) for tightening the spacer element 50 inside said first portion 21, in particular said tightening being obtained thanks to the ™ action of the fastening means 51.

Returning to the description of figures 2 to 3b, it can then be noted that the valve 10 comprises at least one elastic element 60 associated with the lower body 30 and / or with the main body 20, said elastic element 60 exerting a thrust on the lower body 30 such as to allow it to pass from the second operating condition (Fig. 3b) to the first operating condition (Fig. 3a) and / or such as to keep it in said first operating condition, so as to prevent the beverage from escaping from the valve 10 by closing said at least one light L.

In a preferred embodiment, said elastic element 60 is associated with the lower body 30 by means of a connection element 61, in particular said connection element 61 comprising a housing 62 adapted to receive the elastic element 60.

Furthermore, the connection element 61 is preferably fixed to the external surface of the lower body 30 by means of second fastening means 63 known in the state of the art; for example, as shown in figures 3a and 3b, said second fixing means 63 comprise threads present on the lower body 30 and on the connection element 61 and which cooperate to obtain the fixing of the connection element 61 with the body lower 30; however, it is clear that the connecting element 61 can also be made in one piece with the lower body 30.

The elastic element 60 is then positioned in such a way as to abut against a wall 20P of the main body 20.

The valve 10 according to the present invention then comprises an external body 70 adapted to be associated with the main body 20 and to receive inside the elastic element 60 and at least partially said connection element 61, in particular said external body 70 comprising means of stop (not shown in the figures) designed to limit the movement of the assembly consisting of the elastic element 60, the connection element 61 and the lower body 30.

In the attached figures (in particular in Figs. 3a and 3b), said external body 70 is fixed to the main body 20 by means of third fastening means 71, in particular a thread which allows to obtain the fastening of these components; however, it is clear that such fastening can also be obtained by other fastening means known in the state of the art.

Preferably, the valve 10 according to the present invention then comprises a covering element 80 adapted to be fitted on said external body 70, said covering element 80 comprising at least one centering element 81 made of elastic material and having a substantially radial development with respect to the body of the cladding element.

Preferably, said at least one centering element 81 substantially has the shape of a ring or a fin which radially departs from the covering element 80; as can be seen from figures 2 to 3b, said at least one centering element 81 comprises a plurality of centering elements 81 which allow to perform an optimal positioning of the valve 10 in an opening (not shown in the figures) of the refrigeration 1.

Again from Figs. 3a and 3b it can be seen that the valve 10 according to the present invention comprises a coupling element 90 positioned between an actuator element 7 and said valve 10.

In particular, said coupling element 90 is made of a soft and / or elastic material, such as for example a sponge, of the open cell type or of the self-modeling type.

Said coupling element 90 is preferably positioned (as can be seen from Figs. 3a and 3b) in such a way as to at least partially surround the lower body 30 of the valve 10; moreover, said coupling element 90 is preferably positioned in contact with the connection element 61.

The particular provision of the coupling element 90 allows to obtain numerous advantages.

In fact, said coupling element 90 makes it possible to constitute a support surface for the actuator element 7, in such a way as to recover any tolerances and to prevent said actuator element 7 from remaining slack or vibrating (as would happen in the absence of of the coupling element 90), since the actuator element 7 in any case encounters the soft and / or elastic material of the coupling element 90.

Furthermore, the coupling element 90 allows to avoid undesired activations of the valve 10, since the soft and / or elastic material with which it is made requires that the activation of said valve 10 takes place only following an adequate thrust of the actuator element 7.

Hereinafter, a method of assembling a valve 10 for dispensing said drink will be described, in particular of a refrigerating appliance 1 for domestic use, said valve 10 being equipped with a main body 20 comprising:

- a first portion 21 for the inlet of the beverage into said valve 10, - an intermediate portion 20I for the passage of said beverage into the valve 10 and comprising at least one opening 20A which allows the beverage to exit from said intermediate portion 20I,

- a second portion 22 which develops substantially parallel to an axis A of the valve 10.

This method includes the following steps:

a) inserting said second portion 22 and said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I in a lower body 30;

b) associating a sealing element 23 to said second portion 22, in particular said sealing element 23 being positioned in proximity to an end part 22A of said second portion 22;

in such a way that said lower body 30 can slide axially on said intermediate portion 20I and second portion 22 in such a way as to pass from a first operating condition (shown in Fig.3a) in which an internal surface 31 of the lower body 30 cooperates with said sealing element 23 to prevent the beverage from escaping from said valve 10, to a second operating condition (shown in Fig. 3b) in which at least one port L is identified between said internal surface 31 and said sealing element 23 which allows passage of the drink, and vice versa.

In accordance with the present invention, the assembly method of the valve 10 according to the present invention comprises the following step: c) coupling a first end 41 of a sleeve 40 to said main body 20 and a second end 42 to said lower body 30, said sleeve 40 comprising an intermediate part 43 made of elastic material and able to pass from a substantially relaxed state, which occurs when the lower body 30 is in said first operating condition, to a contraction state, which occurs when the lower body 30 is in said second operating condition, in said state of relaxation the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 allowing to create a depression suitable for preventing the formation of a dripping downstream of the sealing element 23. Preferably, said pitch c) is followed by a step c1) to move the lower body 30 until the condition is found in which the internal surface 31 of the lower body 30 abuts with said sealing element 23; this allows to correctly find the first operating condition of the lower body 30 and the substantially relaxed state of said intermediate part 43 to achieve optimal closure of the valve 10, since the thrust of the elastic element 60 alone could be insufficient to obtain a correct distension of the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 and this could cause a loss of beverage on the part of the valve 10.

Furthermore, the assembly method of the valve 10 according to the present invention can include one or more of the following steps:

d) associating an external body 70 with the main body 20, in particular said external body 70 being fixed to the main body 20;

e) fitting a covering element 80 on said external body 60, said covering element 80 comprising at least one centering element 81 made of elastic material and having a substantially radial development with respect to the body of the covering element; f) inserting at least one elastic element 60 between said main body 20 and external body 70;

g) fixing to the lower body 30 a connection element 61 which allows to associate the elastic element 60 to said lower body 30, in particular said connection element 61 comprising a housing 62 suitable for receiving the elastic element 60;

h) associating a spacer element 50 with the first portion 21 of the main body 20.

In particular, said step h) can be carried out before a step i) of coupling the valve 10 to a dispensing device 5, in particular of a refrigeration appliance 1 for domestic use, for dispensing a drink, since said step h) makes it possible to make the valve 10 universal and suitable for being associated with doors 3P, 4P of different thicknesses; alternatively, said step h) can be preferably carried out before step a) of inserting said second portion 22 and said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I in a lower body 30.

However, it is clear that the above step h) can be carried out at any time during the assembly of the valve 10 according to the present invention.

Said step h) can be carried out by means of a step h1) to obtain a stable coupling of the spacer element 50 inside said first portion 21 by means of fixing means 51, in particular comprising a thread suitable for coupling with a corresponding thread obtained inside said first portion 21.

Furthermore, said step h1) of obtaining a stable coupling of the spacer element 50 inside said first portion 21 can be achieved by manipulating the maneuvering means 52 of the spacer element 50, in particular said operating means comprising at least a rectilinear portion 52 of said spacer element 50.

From the above description the characteristics and advantages of a valve for dispensing a beverage, and of the relative refrigeration apparatus, object of the present invention, are clear.

In fact, the particular provisions of the sleeve 40 according to the present invention make it possible to indicate a valve 10 for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a refrigerating appliance 1 for domestic use, made in such a way as to avoid or at least minimize a possible beverage dripping, in particular when the user has already removed the collection container C suitable for receiving the dispensed beverage. The valve 10 thus makes it possible to avoid both unnecessary waste of the beverage to be dispensed and to dirty the refrigeration appliance 1 and / or the area suitable for receiving it; consequently, the valve 10 according to the dictates of the present invention is particularly efficient and economical.

Another advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that the particular shape of the second portion 22 of the main body 20 allows to indicate a valve 10 made in such a way as to allow a homogeneous outlet of the beverage and, at the same time, its correct dispensing. In fact, the provision of said at least one slot 22F allows to obtain a flow of the beverage such as to rejoin downstream of the sealing element 23 and of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22; It is therefore clear that this reunification of the beverage streams flowing in the slots 22F makes the outlet and dispensing of the beverage itself homogeneous. A further advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that the optimal provision of the first distance d1 allows to reduce the volume of beverage downstream of the sealing element 23, thus speeding up the closing phase of the valve 10 or reducing the interval of time between the closing of the valve 10 and the end of dripping.

Furthermore, the particular sizing of the components of the valve 10 (that is to say, the forecasts of the first distance d1, the second distance d2 and the diameter d) allow to indicate a valve 10 made in such a way as to allow a homogeneous outlet of the beverage and, at the same time, its correct dispensing, since they prevent the flow of the beverage to be dispensed from being turbulent in the valve section 10 downstream of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22 and of the sealing element 23.

Another advantage of the present invention consists in the fact that the particular provision of the spacer element 50 allows to indicate a valve 10 made in such a way as to present a particular versatility, since said spacer element 50 allows to associate the valve 10 also with elements having different measures from those predetermined; in fact, to associate the valve 10 with ports 3P, 4P of different thicknesses, it will be sufficient to use a spacer element 50 of dimensions suitable for a specific 3P, 4P port without necessarily having to use a specific valve 10 for this specific 3P, 4P port.

However, it is clear that numerous variants are possible to the valve for dispensing a beverage, and to the relative refrigeration appliance object of the present invention, as well as it is clear that in its practical implementation the shapes and arrangements of the various details may be different, and the same can be replaced by technically equivalent elements, without thereby leaving the new areas inherent in the inventive idea.

It is therefore easy to understand that the present invention is not limited to the valve for dispensing a beverage, and the relative refrigeration appliance, previously described, but is subject to various modifications, improvements, substitutions of parts and equivalent elements. without however departing from the idea of the invention, as it is specified in the following claims.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Valve (10) for dispensing a beverage, in particular for a refrigerating appliance (1) for domestic use, said valve (10) being equipped with a main body (20) comprising: - a first portion (21) for the entry of the beverage into said valve (10); - an intermediate portion (20I) for the passage of said beverage into the valve (10), said intermediate portion (20I) comprising at least one opening (20A) which allows the beverage to exit from said intermediate portion (20I); - a second portion (22) which develops substantially parallel to an axis (A) of the valve (10), a sealing element (23) being associated with said second portion (22) in proximity to one of its end parts (22A), said valve (10) being equipped with a lower body (30) associated with the main body (20) in such a way as to embrace said second portion (22) and said at least one opening (20A) of the intermediate portion (20I), said lower body (30) being able to slide axially on said intermediate portion (20I) and second portion (22) in such a way as to pass: - from a first operating condition, in which an internal surface (31) of the lower body (30) cooperates with said sealing element (23) to prevent the beverage from escaping from said valve (10), - to a second operating condition, in which at least one port (L) is identified between said internal surface (31) and said sealing element (23) which allows the drink to pass, and vice versa, said valve (10) being characterized in that it comprises a sleeve (40) equipped with: - a first end (41) adapted to couple to said main body (20); - a second end (42) able to couple to said lower body (30), - an intermediate part (43) made of elastic material and able to pass from a substantially relaxed state, which occurs when the lower body (30) is in said first operating condition, in a state of contraction, which occurs when the lower body (30) is in said second operating condition, and vice versa, in said relaxed state the intermediate part (43) of the sleeve (40 ) allowing to create a depression suitable to prevent the formation of a dripping downstream of the sealing element (23). Valve (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said intermediate part (43) of the sleeve (40) is positioned in such a way as to surround the intermediate portion (20I) of the main body. 3. Valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a first chamber (11) obtained between the main body (20) and the sleeve (40), in particular obtained between the intermediate portion (20I) of the main body (20) and the intermediate part (43) of the sleeve (40) , - a second chamber (12) formed between the second portion (22) of the main body (20) and the internal surface (31) of the lower body (30), said first chamber (11) and second chamber (12) being in communication with each other by means of a passage (P) present between the main body (20) and the lower body (30). 4. Valve (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the intermediate portion (20I) of the main body (20) has slightly smaller dimensions than those of the internal surface (31) of the lower body (30), said dimensions being such as to allow to obtain said passage (P). 5. Valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said intermediate part (43) has a substantially bellows shape, in which the folds forming said bellows are more extended or elongated when the lower body ( 30) is in said first operating condition with respect to when it is in the second operating condition. 6. Valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said intermediate part (43) has a substantially ellipsoidal or spherical balloon shape, in said second operating condition said balloon is thus more compressed to have its internal volume decreased with respect to said first operating condition. 7. Valve (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface (31) of the lower body (30) comprises a constriction (32) adapted to cooperate, in particular in said first operating condition, with the element seal (23) in order to prevent the beverage from escaping from the valve (10). 8. Valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second portion (22) of the main body (20) substantially has the shape of a rod and comprises at least one slot (22F) which develops longitudinally on said second portion (22), in particular said at least one slot (22F) being such as to be associated with said at least one opening (20A) of the intermediate portion (20I) and to terminate at the sealing element (23 ). Valve (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the second portion (22) of the main body (20) comprises a plurality of slots (22F) and said at least one opening (20A) comprises a plurality of openings (20A ), in particular the number of slots (22F) being corresponding to the number of openings (20A). 10. Valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the lower body (30) is in said first operating condition, the sealing element (23) is associated with the second portion ( 22) of the main body (22) at a first distance (d1) from an outlet section (33) of the lower body (30), said first distance (d1) being between mm. 10 and mm. 30. Valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a spacer element (50) adapted to be associated with the first portion (21) of the main body (20) to make the valve (10) universal. Valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one elastic element (60) associated with the lower body (30) and / or with the main body (20), said elastic element (60) exerting a thrust on the lower body (30) such as to allow it to pass from the second operating condition to the first operating condition and / or such as to maintain it in said first operating condition.