TW201425204A - Beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure provides a beverage dispenser for mating with an inverted bottle containing a liquid beverage, comprising: a closure having an engagement portion for engaging with the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube for dispensing the liquid beverage, which is in fluid communication with the closure; a vent pipe, which is in fluid communication with the closure; a beverage valve assembly having a tubular beverage valve housing, which is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle, the beverage valve assembly is movable continuously between a first position and a second position, wherein when the beverage valve assembly is at a first position, both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; and when the beverage valve assembly is at a second position, both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

Description

Beverage dispenser

The present invention relates generally to beverage dispensers and, more particularly, to beverage dispensers having a pressure equalization system.

Beverages delivered to individual consumers have not been able to achieve a way that is efficient, cost effective and easy to remanufacture.

Typically, such beverage delivery is typically accomplished by a complex motorized beverage dispenser. Such devices are generally visible in restaurants and are acceptable to consumers. However, these devices are not suitable for some areas due to their large size and cost, or are not suitable due to the lack of power supply in these areas. Moreover, these devices typically have larger sized cans that are not commercially available on the market and therefore need to be operated at a higher cost.

Some beverage dispensers dispense beverages (eg, carbonated soft drinks (CSD)) from a larger sized bottle (eg, 2 liters) to a smaller sized container, such as a cup, via a tube attached to the larger sized bottle. Bag or bowl. However, during the operation of the dispenser, due to the vacuum generated in the larger size bottle, it is almost impossible to press and deform the bottle. It is not possible to pour all the drinks out of the bottle. Even in the case of CSD which can cause higher pressure in the bottle, the dispenser can only pour out the contents of the bottle at a lower temperature (for example, 4 ° C) at a lower and unstable flow rate. 3.

European Patent No. EP 0 559 924 A1 discloses a carbonated beverage dispenser having a can and a dispensing tube, the dispensing tube comprising a piercing end positioned at the bottom of the can and a dispensing end, wherein the piercing end is for Pierce the lid of a beverage container that is loaded into one of the cans. However, in the case where the can was not shaken, the CSD in the beverage container could not flow out.

A carbonated beverage dispenser is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,073,811. It operates by a complex pressurized gas supply in fluid communication with the beverage container. However, this dispenser has a large size and weight, is expensive, and cannot be carried.

The present invention provides an improved beverage dispenser having a pressure balancing system that delivers beverages in a manner that is stable and high speed and keeps beverages (e.g., CSD) fresh and clean.

The present invention provides a beverage dispenser for cooperating with an inverted bottle containing one of a liquid beverage, the beverage dispenser comprising: a closure having an engagement portion for engaging the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube, It is for dispensing the liquid beverage, the dispensing tube is in fluid communication with the closure; a vent tube in fluid communication with the closure; a beverage valve assembly having a user operable to selectively allow the liquid beverage to The bottle is delivered a tubular beverage valve housing, the beverage valve assembly being continuously moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the dispensing tube and the vent tube are both when the beverage valve assembly is in the first position The system is in a closed state; and when the beverage valve assembly is in the second position, both the dispensing tube and the vent tube are in an open state.

In an alternative embodiment, the vent tube has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the dispensing tube such that the vent tube can move within the dispensing tube and the vent tube extends to the bottom portion of the bottle; the dispensing tube is fixedly coupled To the closure. In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing tube is formed integrally with the closure.

In an alternative embodiment, the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the vent tube, the sealing valve being coupled to the beverage valve housing via a support portion, and the vent tube is in the lower region thereof The inner wall has an annular convex portion to form a valve seat for the vent pipe; the distribution pipe has an annular convex portion on the inner wall thereof to form a valve seat for the distribution pipe, and the through hole The air tube has an annular protrusion on its outer wall to form a sealing valve for the dispensing tube; wherein when the beverage valve assembly is in the first position, the sealing valve for the vent tube is pressed against The sealing valve for the valve seat of the vent tube and for the dispensing tube is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube such that both the dispensing tube and the vent tube are in the closed state When the beverage valve assembly is in the second position, the sealing valve for the vent tube leaves the valve seat for the vent tube and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube leaves for The valve seat of the dispensing tube is such that the dispensing tube and the vent tube are in the open state.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the venting tube are each coated with a rubber coating to enhance sealing.

In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing tube is provided with external threads on its outer wall and the beverage valve housing is internally threaded on its inner wall, and the external threads and the internal threads are mated with one another such that The beverage valve assembly is moveable between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing. In an alternative embodiment, an unloaded or preloaded spring is disposed between the closure and the beverage valve housing along the direction of movement of the beverage valve housing such that the beverage valve assembly is resistant to the spring force Moving between the first position and the second position. Thereby, the beverage dispenser in accordance with the present invention can be operated manually and/or automatically, and the dispensing rate of the beverage dispenser can be controlled by adjusting the displacement of the beverage valve assembly.

In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing tube has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the vent tube such that the dispensing tube is moveable within the vent tube; the vent tube is fixedly coupled to the closure. In an alternative embodiment, the vent tube is formed integrally with the closure.

Wherein the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the dispensing tube, the sealing valve is coupled to the beverage valve housing via a support portion, and the dispensing tube has a ring shape on the inner wall thereof in the lower region a convex portion to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube; the venting tube has an annular convex portion on an inner wall thereof to form a valve seat for the venting tube, and the dispensing tube has a wall on the outer wall thereof An annular projection to form a sealing valve for the vent tube; wherein the sealing valve for the dispensing tube when the beverage valve assembly is in the first position Pressing against the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent tube is pressed against the valve seat for the vent tube such that the dispensing tube and the vent tube are both in the The closed state; when the beverage valve assembly is in the second position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube is removed from the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve system for the venting tube The valve seat for the vent tube is removed such that both the dispensing tube and the vent tube are in the open state.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the venting tube are each coated with a rubber coating to enhance sealing.

In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing tube is provided with external threads on its outer wall and the beverage valve housing is internally threaded on its inner wall, and the external threads and the internal threads are mated with one another such that The beverage valve assembly is moveable between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing, wherein the external thread forms a threaded venting connection with the internal thread. In an alternative embodiment, an unloaded or preloaded spring is disposed between the closure and the beverage valve housing along the direction of movement of the beverage valve housing such that the beverage valve assembly is resistant to the spring force Moving between the first position and the second position, wherein at least one venting groove is disposed between the vent tube and the beverage valve housing. Thereby, the beverage dispenser in accordance with the present invention can be operated manually and/or automatically, and the dispensing rate of the beverage dispenser can be controlled by adjusting the displacement of the beverage valve assembly.

In an alternative embodiment, the vent tube is in fluid communication with at least one vent opening in the closure and the dispensing tube is dispensed with one of the closures The opening is in fluid communication, wherein the vent opening is separate from the dispensing opening, and the vent opening has a diameter of 1 to 5 millimeters, preferably 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter, and more preferably has a diameter of 1.4 to 1.6 millimeters.

In an alternative embodiment, the tubular beverage valve housing is coupled to an outlet tube.

The beverage dispenser according to the present invention achieves the technical efficacy of dispensing beverages in a stable and high speed and keeping the beverage (e.g., CSD) fresh and clean. In an alternative embodiment, the beverage dispenser is capable of dispensing beverages at a flow rate of 2 liters per minute. In some preferred embodiments, the beverage dispenser has a tube-in-tube configuration in which the vent tube is in the dispensing tube or the dispensing tube is in the vent tube. Due to the shape of the long straight tube/tube, it is easy to clean and clean the tube-in-tube configuration, which is a very important feature in the field of beverage dispensers.

The above summary is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting in any respect. In addition to the above-described aspects, embodiments, and features, further aspects, embodiments, and features may be understood by reference to the drawings and the detailed description.

1, 1', 1" ‧ ‧ closures

2, 2', 2" ‧ ‧ snorkel

3, 3', 3" ‧ ‧ distribution tube

4, 4', 4" ‧ ‧ beverage valve assembly

5, 5' ‧ ‧ chamber

6‧‧‧Export tube

7, 7', 7" ‧ ‧ preload springs

10, 10', 10" ‧ ‧ beverage dispenser

12, 12"‧‧‧ Sidewall/Meshing section

13‧‧‧ Ventilation opening

14‧‧‧Distribution opening

21‧‧‧ external thread

22‧‧‧ annular convex

23‧‧‧ Lower end surface

24, 24" ‧ ‧ annular convex

25, 25" ‧ ‧ annular convex

28, 28" ‧ ‧ stepped parts

29"‧‧‧Connectors

31‧‧‧ annular convex

32‧‧‧ annular convex

33‧‧‧Lower end surface

35, 35" ‧ ‧ annular convex

41‧‧‧ internal thread

42, 42" ‧ ‧ support section

43‧‧‧through hole

44, 44', 44" ‧ ‧ beverage valve housing

45, 45', 45" ‧ ‧ sealing valve

47, 47”‧‧‧ actuation section

100‧‧‧ bottle

101‧‧‧ bottle mouth

102‧‧‧ bottom part

103‧‧‧Liquid drinks

l, l1, l2‧‧‧ distance

1 shows a schematic side view of a beverage dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in cooperation with an inverted bottle containing a liquid beverage, wherein the beverage dispenser is shown in a cross-sectional view and the beverage valve assembly is The closed state causes the beverage in the bottle to fail to flow; FIG. 2a shows an overview of the beverage dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A side cross-sectional view in which the dispensing tube is disposed in the vent tube; FIG. 2b partially shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of the beverage dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the dispensing tube is disposed in the snorkel; A schematic side cross-sectional view of a beverage dispenser in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the dispensing tube is disposed in the vent tube; and FIG. 3 shows a schematic side cross-section of the beverage dispenser in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. View, wherein the vent line is disposed in the dispensing tube; Figures 4a-4c show the opening procedure of the beverage dispenser of Figure 3 in a schematic side cross-sectional view, wherein in Figure 4a, the beverage valve assembly is in the first position, wherein the dispensing Both the tube and the vent tube are in a closed state; in Figure 4b, the beverage valve assembly is in an intermediate position with the vent tube in an open state and the dispensing tube in a closed state; and in Figure 4c, the beverage valve The assembly is in a second position in which both the dispensing tube and the vent tube are in an open state.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this description. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate similar components unless otherwise indicated in the context. The illustrative embodiments and the drawings are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. The aspects of the invention can be readily understood, as generally described herein and illustrated in the drawings, A wide variety of configurations are available to configure, replace, combine, separate, and design, all of which are clearly contemplated herein.

1 shows a schematic side view of a beverage dispenser 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention mated with an inverted bottle 100 containing a liquid beverage 103. For the sake of clarity, the beverage dispenser 10 and bottle 100 are not drawn to scale. The beverage bottle 100 can be a large-sized soft drink bottle having a bottle mouth 101 (including a commercially available 1.5-liter or 2-liter bottle, or a bottle of 10 liters or more, but not limited thereto). The finish 101 can be attached to the closure 1 of the beverage dispenser 10 such that the bottle 100 can be supported by the dispenser 10 in an inverted position to dispense the liquid beverage 103 contained therein. Obviously, a beverage dispenser having a simple structure in accordance with the present invention can operate in a powerless manner. In addition, it can be used with most commercially available beverage bottles.

The bottle 100 has a bottle opening 101 at its top portion. Once the seal cap (not shown) of the bottle is removed, the beverage 103 contained in the bottle 100 can be dispensed via the via 101 by tilting the bottle 100 and tilting the finish 101 downward. The finish 101 can be a standard finish having an external thread that engages a sealing member (not shown in Figure 1) disposed in the closure 1. In an embodiment in accordance with the invention, the sealing member is internally threaded on the side wall 12 of the closure member 1. Additionally or alternatively, an additional seal (eg, a deformable sealing structure) may be provided in the closure 1 to ensure liquid tightness. In some examples, the bottle opening 101 of the bottle may have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the closure member 1, or it may have no external threads, or the mouth may have a specially designed cross-sectional shape. Therefore, in these examples, an insert (not shown) Illustrated) may be disposed in the closure member 1 to complementarily engage the bottle mouth 101 of the bottle and the side wall 12 of the closure member 1 and form a leak proof engagement. In a preferred embodiment, a support member (not shown) is provided to stably support the bottle in an inverted position.

A beverage dispenser 10 having a pressure balance system includes: a closure member 1 having an engagement portion for engaging the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube 3 for dispensing the liquid beverage, the closure and the closure member 1 Fluidly connected (ie, directly or indirectly attached to the closure 1 and in fluid communication with the bottle via a closure); a vent tube 2 in fluid communication with the closure 1; a beverage valve assembly 4, It has a tubular beverage valve housing 44 that is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser 10 can include an outlet tube 6 that is coupled to the outlet tube to facilitate guiding and dispensing the beverage. When the beverage valve assembly 4 is in the first position (as shown in FIG. 1), both the dispensing tube 3 and the vent tube 2 are in a closed state. When the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved to the second position (not shown in FIG. 1), both the dispensing tube 3 and the snorkel 2 are in an open state, and the liquid beverage 103 contained in the bottle 100 is dispensed. The tube 3 flows out of the bottle 100 and ambient air will automatically enter the bottle 100 via the vent tube 2 to balance the pressure between the interior and exterior (as will be explained in more detail below).

2a shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a beverage dispenser 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage dispenser 10 includes: a closure member 1 having an engagement portion 12 for engaging the mouth of the bottle; a tube 3 for dispensing a liquid beverage in fluid communication with the closure 1; a vent tube 2 in fluid communication with the closure 1; a beverage valve assembly 4 having a tubular beverage valve housing 44 that may be The user operates to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser 10 can include an outlet tube 6 that is coupled to the outlet tube to facilitate guiding and dispensing the liquid beverage. In a preferred embodiment, the closure member 1 has a larger diameter for easy gripping.

In this embodiment, the diameter d3 of the dispensing tube 3 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the vent tube 2, so that the dispensing tube 3 can move in the vent tube 2. As shown in Figure 2a, the vent tube 2 is fixedly attached to the closure 1 with its top portion. In an alternative embodiment, the vent tube 2 can be formed integrally with the closure 1. The beverage valve assembly 4 has a sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3. As shown in Fig. 2a, the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing pipe 3 has a T-shaped cross section. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 can be any other suitable sealing valve. The sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 is connected to the beverage valve housing 44 via a support portion 42. When the dispensing tube 3 is opened, the liquid beverage can flow through the support portion 42 and flow out. In one embodiment, the support portion 42 has a plate of a plurality of through holes 43 (as shown in Figure 2a). In another embodiment, the support portion 42 is a plurality (eg, four) of spaced apart webs that are coupled to the beverage valve housing 44 and the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 (as shown in Figure 2c). ). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the support portion 42 can be of any other suitable configuration. The dispensing tube 3 in the lower region has an annular projection on its inner wall 31 to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube 3. When the dispensing tube 3 is in the closed state, the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 is pressed against the annular projection 31 (for the valve seat of the dispensing tube 3) to form a leak proof engagement. The dispensing tube 3 has an annular projection 32 on its outer wall to form a sealing valve for the vent tube 2, and the vent tube 2 has an annular projection 22 on its inner wall to form a vent tube 2 one seat. When the vent pipe 2 is in the closed state, the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 is pressed against the annular projection 22 (for the valve seat of the vent pipe 2) to form a leakproof engagement. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that in order to ensure an advantageous leak-proof engagement, suitable application of the sealing valve of the dispensing tube 3 and the vent tube 2 and/or the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3 and the vent tube 2 is appropriate. Procedures and / or use appropriate materials. For example, in a preferred embodiment, a rubber coating can be applied to the sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3 and the vent tube; even so, it should be understood that it can be treated by other suitable means to improve sealing. .

In the present embodiment, the vent pipe 2 is provided with an external thread 21 on its outer wall, and the beverage valve casing 44 is provided with an internal thread 41 on its inner wall. As shown in Figure 2a, the external thread 21 and the internal thread 41 cooperate with each other such that the beverage valve assembly 4 can be moved between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing 44. In the present embodiment, the external thread 21 and the internal thread 41 are vented so that ambient air can enter the chamber 5 between the beverage valve housing 44 and the dispensing tube 3 via the threaded connection (as indicated by arrow A). Medium, and then air can enter the bottle when the vent tube 2 is opened.

For the embodiment shown in Figure 2a, the opening procedure is as follows: (i) when the beverage valve assembly 4 is in the first position (as shown in Figure 2a), for the dispensing tube The sealing valve 45 of 3 is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing pipe 3 and the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 is pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe 2, so that both the dispensing pipe 3 and the vent pipe 2 are (ii) when the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved upward by rotating the beverage valve housing 44, the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3 and thus the dispensing tube 3 is opened, and the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 is still pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe 2 and thus the vent pipe 2 is still closed; and (iii) when the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved upward by more than one At a distance l, the support portion 42 is pressed against the lower end surface 33 of the dispensing tube 3, and then the dispensing tube 3 is moved with the beverage valve assembly 4; when the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved to the second position At this time, the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 also leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe 2, and thus both the dispensing pipe 3 and the vent pipe 2 are in an open state. At this point, the liquid beverage flows from the opened dispensing tube 3 through the through hole 43 in the support portion 42 and flows out (as indicated by arrow B), while the ambient air enters the chamber 5 via the threaded vent connection. And then through the opened vent 2 into the bottle (as indicated by arrow A) to balance the pressure between the exterior and the interior. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that when the vent tube 2 is opened, even if a portion of the liquid beverage will flow through the snorkel 2, the portion of the liquid beverage will quickly fall into the bottom of the chamber 5. Air ventilation through the snorkel 2 is not hindered.

Figure 2b partially shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a beverage dispenser in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the embodiments of Figures 2a and 2b is as follows: In the embodiment of Figure 2b, the vent tube 2 is in fluid communication with at least one vent opening 13 in the closure 1 and the dispensing tube 3 is attached to the closure One of the dispensing openings 14 is in fluid communication with the venting opening 13 being separated from the dispensing opening 14. The vent opening 13 may have a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, and is preferably 1 to 3 mm, and more preferably 1.4 to 1.6 mm. Thereby it is advantageously possible to avoid unstable dispensing caused by air ingress and to reduce the diameter of the bubbles entering the bottle to prevent agitation of the beverage (which may unduly cause CO ₂ loss).

Figure 2c shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a beverage dispenser 10' in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the embodiment shown in Figures 2c and 2a is as follows: in the beverage dispenser 10' of Figure 2c, the vent tube 2 is on its outer wall and the beverage valve housing 44 does not have a mutual fit on its inner wall External and internal threads. Instead, a preload spring 7' (or no load spring) is disposed between the closure 1' and the beverage valve housing 44' along the direction of movement of the beverage valve housing 44' such that the beverage valve is total The 4' is movable between the first position and the second position against the spring force. One end of the spring 7' is pressed against the end surface of the closure member 1' or its receiving portion, and the other end is pressed against the end surface of the beverage valve housing 44' or its receiving portion 45'. In the present embodiment, at least one venting groove (not shown) is disposed between the vent pipe 2' and the beverage valve housing 44'. It can be easily understood that the at least one venting groove can also be disposed on the outer wall of the vent pipe 2' and/or can also be disposed on the inner wall of the beverage valve housing 44' such that ambient air can pass through the at least one venting groove. It enters into the chamber 5' between the beverage valve housing 44' and the dispensing tube 3' (as indicated by arrow A).

As noted above, Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c illustrate an embodiment of the beverage dispenser wherein the dispensing tube is disposed in a snorkel.

3 shows a schematic side cross-sectional view of a beverage dispenser 10" in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the vent tube 2" is disposed in a dispensing tube 3". The beverage dispenser 10" includes: a closure 1 "having an engaging portion 12" to engage the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube 3" for dispensing a liquid beverage that is in fluid communication with the closure 1"; a venting tube 2", which is closed and closed The piece 1" is in fluid communication; a beverage valve assembly 4" having a tubular beverage valve housing 44" that is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle. It will be readily appreciated that at least one opening (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the beverage valve assembly 4" to allow liquid beverage to flow out. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser 10" can include an outlet tube (not shown), the tubular beverage valve housing 44" is coupled to the outlet tube to facilitate guiding and dispensing the liquid beverage.

In the present embodiment, the diameter d2 of the vent pipe 2" is smaller than the diameter d3 of the dispensing pipe 3" so that the vent pipe 2" can be moved in the dispensing pipe 3". As shown in Fig. 3, the dispensing tube 3" is integrally formed with the closure 1". In an alternative embodiment, the top portion of a separate dispensing tube 3" is fixedly coupled to the closure 1". In the embodiment in which the vent line is disposed in the dispensing tube, if the snorkel extends only near the mouth of the bottle, the liquid beverage contained in the bottle may block the snorkel and prevent ambient air from entering the bottle. And therefore can not achieve the desired pressure balance. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vent tube 2" extends to the bottom portion 102 of the bottle 100. In an alternative embodiment, the vent tube 2" has a joint 29" to extend to the bottle A separate tube of the bottom portion 102 of the 100 is engaged.

The beverage valve assembly 4" has a sealing valve 45" for the vent tube 2". As shown in Figure 3, the sealing valve 45" for the vent tube 2" has a T-shaped cross section. Those skilled in the art It should be understood that the sealing valve 45" for the vent tube 2" can be any other suitable sealing valve. The sealing valve 45" for the vent tube 2" is coupled to the beverage valve housing 44 via a support portion 42" When the vent tube 2" is opened, ambient air can flow through the support portion 42" into the bottle. In one embodiment, the support portion 42" has one of a plurality of through holes (as shown in the figure) 2a)). In another embodiment, the support portion 42" is a plurality of (eg, four) spaced apart webs that are coupled to the beverage valve housing and the sealing valve for the vent tube 2" (shown in Figure 2c). ). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the support portion 42" can be of any other suitable configuration. The vent tube 2" in the lower region has an annular projection 24" on its inner wall to form a vent tube. 2" one seat. When the vent pipe 2" is in the closed state, the sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2" is pressed against the annular projection 24" (the seat for the vent pipe 2) to form a leakproof Engagement. The vent tube 2" has an annular projection 25" on its outer wall to form a sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3", and the dispensing tube 3" has an annular projection 35 on its inner wall. "To form a valve seat for the dispensing pipe 3." When the dispensing pipe 3" is in the closed state, the sealing valve for the dispensing pipe 3" is pressed against the annular projection 35" (for the dispensing pipe) 3" valve seat) to form a leak-proof engagement. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that in order to ensure an advantageous leak-proof engagement, a sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3" and the vent tube 2" and/or Appropriate procedures and/or use of suitable materials are applied to the valve seat of the dispensing tube 3" and the vent tube 2". For example, in one embodiment, it can be used in a dispensing tube 3" A rubber coating is applied to the sealing valve of the vent tube; even so, it should be understood that it can be treated by other suitable means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a preload spring 7" (or no load spring) is disposed between the closure member 1" and the beverage valve housing 44" along the direction of movement of the beverage valve housing 44" Interacting such that the beverage valve assembly 4" is movable between the first position and the second position against the spring force. One end of the spring 7" is pressed against the end surface of the closure 1" or The receiving portion is pressed against the end surface of the beverage valve housing 44" or its receiving portion 45". Or (not shown), the dispensing tube 3" is attached to the outer wall thereof and the beverage valve housing 44 "The inner wall is provided with external and external threads and internal threads so that the beverage valve assembly 4" can be moved between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing 44" .

Taking the beverage dispenser 10" of Figure 3 as an example, Figures 4a-4c show the opening procedure of the beverage dispenser 10" in a schematic side cross-sectional view, wherein in Figure 4a, the beverage valve assembly 4" is in the first position, wherein Both the dispensing tube 3" and the vent tube 2" are in a closed state; in Figure 4b, the beverage valve assembly 4" is in an intermediate position with the vent tube 2" in the open state and the dispensing tube 3" in the The closed state; and in Figure 4c, the beverage valve assembly 4" is in the second position with both the dispensing tube 3" and the vent tube 2" in an open state.

As shown in Figure 4a, the beverage valve assembly 4" is in the first position, wherein the sealing valve 45" for the vent tube 2" is pressed against the valve seat for the vent tube 2" and is used for the dispensing tube 3 The sealing valve is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing pipe 3" such that both the dispensing pipe 3" and the vent pipe 3" are in a closed state. As shown in Figure 4b, when the beverage valve assembly 4" moves up against the spring force, The sealing valve 45" for the vent tube 2" is separated from the valve seat for the vent tube 2" and thus the vent tube 2" is opened, and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3" is still pressed against the dispensing tube The 3" valve seat and thus the dispensing tube 3" is still closed. When the beverage valve assembly 4" moves up over a distance l1, the actuation portion 47" of the beverage valve assembly 4" is pressed against the snorkel 2" stepped portion 28" on the outer wall, and thus the vent tube 2" can be moved up with the beverage valve assembly 4". It can be readily appreciated that in embodiments that do not have an actuating portion 47" and a first step portion 28", alternatively, when the beverage valve assembly 4" is moved upward by more than a distance l2, the support portion 42" is depressed It abuts the lower end surface 23" of the snorkel 2", and thus the snorkel 2" can be moved upward together with the beverage valve assembly 4". As shown in Figure 4c, when the beverage valve assembly 4" is in the second position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3" also leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3", and thus the dispensing tube 3" and the passage Both the trachea 2" are in an open state. At this point, the liquid beverage flows from the opened dispensing tube 3" and flows out through at least one opening at the bottom of the beverage valve assembly 4" (as indicated by arrow B) And ambient air enters the bottle via the opened vent 2" (as indicated by arrow A) to balance the pressure between the exterior and the interior.

It should be understood that while the above description has been illustrated in connection with a beverage dispenser, the invention is also applicable to other liquid dispensers, such as soymilk dispensers, liquid sample dispensers. Those skilled in the art should understand that the terms "first" and "second" are used to distinguish only a plurality of similar technical features and not for sorting.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the systems and methods described above. The invention can be modified and altered in various different forms without departing from the invention. The spirit and scope of the patent application scope are attached.

1‧‧‧Closed

2‧‧‧ snorkel

3‧‧‧Distribution tube

4‧‧‧Beverage valve assembly

5‧‧‧ chamber

6‧‧‧Export tube

10‧‧‧Beverage dispenser

12‧‧‧ Sidewall/Meshing section

21‧‧‧ external thread

22‧‧‧ annular convex

31‧‧‧ annular convex

32‧‧‧ annular convex

33‧‧‧Lower end surface

41‧‧‧ internal thread

42‧‧‧Support section

43‧‧‧through hole

44‧‧‧Beverage valve housing

45‧‧‧ Sealing valve

Claims (11)

A beverage dispenser for mating with an inverted bottle containing a liquid beverage, the beverage dispenser comprising: a closure having an engagement portion for engaging a mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube for Disposing the liquid beverage, the dispensing tube in fluid communication with the closure; a vent tube in fluid communication with the closure; a beverage valve assembly having a user operable to selectively permit the liquid beverage to The bottle is dispensed in a tubular beverage valve housing, the beverage valve assembly being continuously moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the dispensing tube is when the beverage valve assembly is in the first position The vent tube is in a closed state; and when the beverage valve assembly is in the second position, both the dispensing tube and the vent tube are in an open state. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the vent tube has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the dispensing tube such that the vent tube is movable in the dispensing tube, and the vent tube extends to a bottom portion of the bottle; A dispensing tube is fixedly coupled to the closure or the dispensing tube is integrally formed with the closure. The beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the vent tube, the sealing valve being coupled to the beverage valve housing via a support portion, and the vent tube is The lower portion has an annular protrusion on the inner wall thereof to form a valve seat for the vent pipe; the distribution pipe has an annular protrusion on the inner wall thereof to form a a valve seat of the dispensing tube, the vent tube having an annular projection on an outer wall thereof to form a sealing valve for the dispensing tube; wherein when the beverage valve assembly is in the first position, The sealing valve of the vent tube is pressed against the valve seat for the vent tube and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube, such that the dispensing tube and the communication tube The trachea is in the closed state; when the beverage valve assembly is in the second position, the sealing valve for the vent tube leaves the valve seat for the vent tube and is used for the dispensing The sealing valve of the tube leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube such that both the dispensing tube and the vent tube are in the open state. The beverage dispenser of claim 3, wherein the sealing valve for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the venting tube are respectively coated with a rubber coating; and/or the dispensing tube is An outer thread is disposed on an outer wall thereof, and the beverage valve housing is internally threaded on an inner wall thereof, and the outer thread and the inner thread are coupled to each other such that the beverage valve assembly can be rotated by the beverage valve The outer casing moves between the first position and the second position. The beverage dispenser of claim 3, wherein a no-load or pre-load spring is disposed between the closure member and the beverage valve housing along a direction of movement of the beverage valve housing, such that the beverage valve assembly is Moving between the first position and the second position against the spring force. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the dispensing tube is smaller than the diameter of the vent tube, so that the dispensing tube can be in the venting The tube is moved; the vent tube is fixedly coupled to the closure, or the vent tube is integrally formed with the closure. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the dispensing tube, the sealing valve being coupled to the beverage valve housing via a support portion, and the dispensing tube is The lower region has an annular projection on its inner wall to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube; the vent tube has an annular projection on its inner wall to form a valve for the vent tube And the dispensing tube has an annular projection on the outer wall thereof to form a sealing valve for the venting tube; wherein the dispensing valve is used for the dispensing tube when the beverage valve assembly is in the first position a sealing valve is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the venting tube is pressed against the valve seat for the venting tube such that the dispensing tube and the venting tube are both In the closed state; when the beverage valve assembly is in the second position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the seal for the vent tube The valve system leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe, so that the distribution pipe and the vent pipe are both It is in the open state. The beverage dispenser of claim 7, wherein the sealing valve for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the venting tube are respectively coated with a rubber coating; and/or the dispensing tube is An outer thread is disposed on an outer wall thereof, and the beverage valve housing is internally threaded on an inner wall thereof, and the outer thread and the inner thread are coupled to each other such that the beverage valve assembly can be rotated by the beverage valve Outer casing Moving between the first position and the second position, wherein the external thread forms a threaded venting connection with the internal thread. The beverage dispenser of claim 7, wherein a no-load or pre-load spring is disposed between the closure member and the beverage valve housing along a direction of movement of the beverage valve housing, such that the beverage valve assembly is Moving between the first position and the second position against the spring force, wherein at least one venting groove is disposed between the vent tube and the beverage valve housing. The beverage dispenser of claim 6 or 7, wherein the vent tube is in fluid communication with at least one venting opening in the closure, and the dispensing tube is in fluid communication with one of the dispensing openings of the closure, wherein the venting The opening is separated from the dispensing opening, and the venting opening has a diameter of 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1 to 3 mm, and more preferably 1.4 to 1.6 mm. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispenser is manually and/or automatically operable, and the beverage dispenser is controllable by adjusting the displacement of the beverage valve assembly to control the beverage Delivery rate.