US1957082A - Beverage dispensing faucet - Google Patents

Description

May l, 1934. F. ysci-INEIBLIE BEVERAGE DISPENSING FAUCET Filed June 24, 1933 Patented May l, 1934 PATENT FFCE 13 Claims This invention relates to faucets for dispensing carbonated beverages such as beer and has for its principal object to provide improved valve mechanism which will prevent the entrapping of free lgas in the faucet body and its subsequent explosive discharge upon opening of the outlet valve. In drawing off carbonated beverages there is a. tendency for considerable gas to accumulate in the faucet because of the sudden interruption of the flow when the outlet valve is closed and because the faucet, which is ordinarily located at the highest point in the dispensing system, is apt to be at an appreciably higher temperature than the supply coils with which it is connected. Free gas and some liquid are thus entrapped in the body of the faucet. Immediately upon the opening of the outlet valve in known constructions this free gas escapes quickly, at the same time agitating the liquid within the faucet and carrying an appreciable quantity of it through the spout. The velocity of the gas is such as to create momentarily a reduced pressure within the body of the faucet thereby accelerating initially the rate of flow of the liquid from the source of supply. These undesirable conditions result in a substantial waste and make it impossible to draw off a carbonated beverage at a uniform rate of flow and under uniform pressure. This has been true even with the most skillful handling. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a faucet which will insure the drawing off of carbonated beverages by even an unskilled attendant at a uniform rate and under uniform pressure, there-- by eliminating the wastage and inconvenience heretofore experienced. In accordance with the invention the body of the faucet is provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve operable sequentially upon movement of the controlling handle so that the outlet valve shall first be opened venting the body of the faucet and the inlet valve shall next be opened to permit the free and uniform flow of beverage from the source of supply under the normal pressure of the system. The improved valve mechanism further provides for the closing of the inlet valve and the interruption of the flow of beverage before the outlet valve is seated thereby relieving the liquid within the body of the faucet from the pressure of the system at the time the outlet valve is closed. In order to provide further for free venting of the body of the faucet an independent channel is incorporated which establishes communication between the body of the faucet and the atmosphere just prior to the closing of the outlet valve. This separate ventl also provides for communication between the body of the faucet and the atmosphere at a time just prior to the opening of the inlet valve when the beverage is to be dispensed.

The advantages referred to as well as others will appear more fully hereinafter in connection with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a view in vertical section of an improved faucet mounted in a supporting wall, the position of the controlling handle when the faucet is opened being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation showing the inner end of the faucet body.

The improved faucet comprises generally an extended pipe a constituting the body of the faucet and a spout b which may be attached to the outer end of the pipe a by threaded engagement. The body of the faucet is shown as eX- tending through an opening in a wall c and supported by clamping members d and e threaded thereon and adapted to engage the front and rear surfaces of the wall, respectively. The inner end of the pipe a is connected to the supply pipe (not illustrated) of the beverage in accordance with the usual practice. A control handle for operation of the valve mechanism is supported on the faucet and illustrated at f. This handle may be swung rearwardly about a supporting pivot f to open the discharge valves in a manner which will appear later.

Within the pipe a adjacent to its inner end is formed a transverse wall a having a central opening constituting a seat for an inlet valve g. This valve is carried on a valve stem g which is slidable axially and guided in its movements by a bearing h threaded into the pipe a at its inner end. The bearing h has openings h therein to permit the free inovv of the beverage from the source of supply. A spring i is operatively interposed between the valve g and the bea-ring h and normally urges the valve to its seat on the transverse wall a. The spout b is formed with a valve seat b adjacent the outer end of the body a of the faucet. The seat b receives a discharge valve k which controls the flow of beverage from the interior of the body a through the spout. The stem ic of the discharge valve .7c is formed with an axial channel k2 for communication with the atmosphere and has threaded thereon a tubular member Z with the interior of which the channel k2 communicates. This arrangement permits the venting of the interior of the faucet and the a of the faucet.

relief or" pressure therein and also permits the draining out of any beverage which may be within the faucet either before the opening or after the closing of the inlet valve. The inner end of the tubular member Z is formed with a seat Z' which, upon rearward movement of the valve It, as viewed in Figure 1, is carried into engagement with a cooperating Valve g2 which is carried with the stem g of the inletI valve g. Between the transverse wall a within the pipe a and the tubular member Z is interposed operatively a spring m which normally urges the discharge valve k onto its seat la. Within the tubular member Z is disposed a check valve n which cooperates with an interior valve seat Z2 adjacent the inner end of the tubular member l. A spring o normally holds the check valve n on its seat. rThe valve g2 has formed therewith a central stem g3 which is disposed in line with the check Valve n and is normally spaced slightly therefrom.

In the broadest aspects of the invention it is contemplated that the operating mechanism shall bring about first the unseating of the discharge valve lc so that the interior of the body a of the faucet shall be Vented and that thereafter the inlet valve y shall be unseated to permit the free and uniform flow of the beverage from the source of supply. While the form of the operating mechanism to accomplish this desrable end may be varied by those skilled in the art the preferred embodiment will now be described. The spout b is shown as formed with a forwardly extending tubular section b2 which is coaxial with the pipe Within this tubular extension and centrally thereof is mounted slidably a hollow plunger p, the inner end p of which is tapered and is adapted to engage a similarly formed seat k3 in the outer end of the discharge valve k, when the plunger is moved rearwardly as viewed in Figure l. The outer end of the plunger p is secured to the end wall q of a tubular operating member q' supported slidably on the exterior of the tubular extension 'o2 of the spout. The operating member q is pivotally connected at q2 to the controlling handle f. A spring r is operatively engaged with the operating member q' so as to hold the plunger p normally retracted in relation to the valve 7c and resist yieldingly manual operation of the operating member q. Vents q3, q4, are formed in the tubular operating member q so as to maintain the interior of the plunger p in constant communication with the atmosphere. A stud b3 may be carried by the tubular extension b2 and extend into the vent slot Q4 so as to guide the operating member q, in its longitudinal movements and hold it against angular movement on the tubular extension.

The operation of the improved faucet will now be described. With the control handle in the position shown in full lines the tapered end p of the pltmger p is disengaged from its seat 7c3 and the upper part of the spout b is vented through the hollow plunger p.

When the control handle f is swung towards the position indicated in dotted lines, the operating member q will carry the plunger 1J rearwardly until valve end p is seated on the valve seat k3 of the discharge valve k. In this position, communication between the upper part of the spout b and the atmosphere through the vent plunger p is stopped. Continued movement will unseat the valve lc against the pressure of the retaining spring m carrying the tubular member Z rearwardly in the body of the faucet. Upon the unseating of the valve k, any gas or liquid within the hollow body of the faucet will tend to escape through the spout b but it is evident that it will not be under appreciable pressure because it is free from the pressure within the supply system. Continued movement of the tubular member Z rearwardly will bring the check valve n into engagement with the stem g3 of the valve g2 thereby unseating the check valve n against 'the pressure of the retaining spring o. The unseating of the valve n places the rear portion of the interior of the faucet body a in communication with the atmosphere through the central opening k2 of the valve 7c and the central opening in the plunger p, thereby affording a further vent to the atmosphere for the rear portion of the faucet. In this position gravity will cause any liquid remaining in the hollow body of the faucet to flow out through the spout b. Continued movement of the tubular member Z rearwardly will bring its seat Z into engagement with the valve g2 on the stem g' of the inlet valve g. In this position communication between the rear portion of the interior of the faucet body and the atmosphere through valve n, tubular member Z and central opening k2 of valve 7c and the central opening in the plunger p is stopped and no liquid can escape through the vent even when the inlet valve has been opened. Continued movement rearwardly of the tubular member Z and associated parts will bring about the unseating of the inlet valve g against the action of the spring z'. The beverage under the normal pressure of the supply system will then be free to flow outwardly through the body c of the faucet and into the discharge spout b. Since the interior of the body a has been vented before the flow of the beverage therethrough, free flow of the beverage at a uniform rate is assured and the liquid withdrawn into a receptacle is in the condition desired for consumption. At this time it may be assumed that the controlling handle f has reached the position shown in dotted lines. To cut olf the flow of the beverage the handle f is released whereupon all of the interengaged parts described will, under the urge of the several springs referred '9 to, move forwardly as viewed in Figure l. The inlet valve g will rst seat thereby cutting off the flow of beverage and relieving the interior of the body a of the faucet from the pressure of the system. The rear end of the tubular element Z will leave its seat at g2. At this moment the interior of the body a remains fully vented since the check valve n is also still unseated. Such liquid and gas as may remain within the body of the faucet a is substantially inert and at atmospheric pressure. Continued movement of the tubular element Z carries the check valve n out of engagement with the stem g3 permitting the check valve to seat under the pressure of its spring o. Further movement carries the discharge valve k onto its seat b and the plunger p out of engagement with the valve 7c, all of the parts then coming to rest as shown in full lines in Figure 1. Since the body a of the faucet may become comparatively warm when not in use it is possible that the gas therein may expand and thereby exert a small pressure. Since it is not subject to pressure within the system, however, this pressure is never appreciable and the venting arrangements and sequence of operations described insure positively that there will be no sudden spurt of gas and liquid through the spout when the discharge valve is subsequently opened, as in known structures.

Changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made while retaining the desired mode of operation, without departing from the invention so long as such modified designs fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge valve at one end thereof to control the outow of liquid, the discharge valve being formed with a channel for communication with the atmosphere, an inlet valve to control the inflow of liquid, and means to open the discharge valve in advance of the inlet valve.

2. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge valve at one end thereof to control the outflow of liquid, the discharge valve being formed with a channel for communication with the atmosphere, an inlet valve to control the inflow of liquid, means to open the discharge valve in advance of the inlet valve, and means to close the inlet valve in advance of the discharge valve.

3. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge valve at one end thereof to control the outflow of liquid, the discharge valve being formed with a channel for communication with the atmosphere, an inlet valve to control the inflow of liquid, means to open the discharge Valve, and means carried by the discharge valve and operatively engageable with the inlet valve to open the latter after the discharge valve has opened.

4. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section and a spout, a discharge valve within the body section adapted to control the flow of beverage from the body through the spout, the discharge valve being formed with a channel for communication with the atmosphere, an inlet valve within the body section at a point remote from the spout, means to support said valves coaxially, means to move the discharge valve from its seat, and means to engage the discharge valve operatively with the inlet valve to move the latter from its seat after the discharge valve has moved a predetermined distance.

5. In a beverage dispensing faucet including a body section, inlet and discharge valves controlling the inow of beverage to the body section and the outflow therefrom, respectively, said valves being mounted coaxially for longitudinal movement within the said body section and the discharge valve being formed with a channel for communication with the atmosphere, a plunger mounted coaxially with the discharge valve, means to move the plunger longitudinally to engage the discharge valve to unseat it, and means to connect the discharge valve with the inlet valve operatively to unseat the inlet valve upon predetermined movement of the discharge valve by the plunger.

6. In a beverage dispensing faucet including a body section, inlet and discharge valves controlling the inflow of beverage to the body section and the outflow therefrom, respectively, said valves being mounted coaxially for longitudinal movement within the said body section, a plunger mounted coaxially with the discharge valve,

means to move the plunger longitudinally to enhaving aligned central channels constituting a vent for the interior of the body section when the plunger is engaged with the discharge valve.

7. In a beverage dispensing faucet including a body section, inlet and discharge valves controlling the inflow of beverage to the body section and the outow therefrom, respectively, said valves being mounted coaxially for longitudinal movement within the said body section, av plunger mounted coaxially with the discharge valve, means to move the plunger longitudinally to engage the discharge valve to unseat it, means to eonnectthe discharge valve with the inlet valve operatively to unseat the inlet valve upon predetermined movement of the discharge valve by the plunger, said plunger and discharge valve having aligned central channels constituting a vent for the interior of the body section when the plunger is engaged with the discharge valve, a check valve carried with the discharge valve and normally closing communication between the interior of the body and the said channel through the discharge valve, and means carried with the inlet valve to unseat said check valve upon predetermined movement of the discharge valve.

8. In a beverage dispensing faucet including a body section, inlet and discharge valves controlling the inflow of beverage to the body section and the outflow therefrom, respectively, said valves being mounted coaxially for longitudinal movement within the said body section, a plunger mounted coaxially with the discharge valve, means to move the plunger longitudinally to engage the discharge valve to unseat it and means to connect the discharge valve with the inlet valve operatively to unseat the inlet valve upon predetermined movement of the discharge valve by the plunger, a tubular extension carried with the faucet, a tubular operating member slidably mounted on said tubular extension and carrying said plunger and a controlling handle to move said tubular operating member and plunger longitudinally.

9. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge valve at one end 120 thereof to control the outow of liquid, an inlet valve to control the inflow of liquid, and means to open the discharge valve in advance of the inlet valve, said means including a hollow plunger communicating with the interior of the faucet at 125 one end and with the atmosphere at the other end.

10. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge valve at one end thereof to control the outflow of liquid and having an axial channel, an inlet valve to control the 130 inflow of liquid into the hollow body section, and means to open the discharge valve in advance of the inlet valve, said means including a hollow plunger adapted to establish at its rear end communication with the axial channel of the dis- 135 charge valve and in communication with the atmosphere at its forward end.

11. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge valve at one end thereof to control the outflow of liquid and 140 formed with an axial channel, an inlet valve to control the inflow of liquid into the hollow body section, a tubular member carried by the discharge valve and in communication with the hollow body section at its inner end, a check valve in said tubular member, means to open the discharge valve in advance of the inlet valve and including a hollow plunger vented to the atmosphere at its forward end and adapted for communication with the channel of the discharge 150 valve, and means whereby in the rearward movement of the plunger, discharge valve and tubular member the check valve is unseated and the hollow body is vented to atmosphere through the tubular member, the discharge valve and the plunger.

l2, A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge valve at one end thereof to control the outflow of liquid, an inlet valve to control the inow of liquid, means to open the discharge valve in advance of the inlet Valve, said means including a hollow plunger communicating 'with the interior of the faucet at one end and with the atmosphere at the other end, and means to prevent the escape of liquid through said hollow plunger when the inlet valve 1S Open.

13. A beverage dispensing faucet including a hollow body section, a discharge Valve at one end thereof to control the outow of liquid and formed with an axial channel, an inlet valve to control the inflow of liquid into the hollow body section, a tubular member carried by the discharge Valve and in communication with the hollow body section at its inner end, means to open the discharge valve in advance of the inlet end, said means being vented to atmosphere, and a valve to close the inner end of the tubular member when the inlet valve is open.

FRANK SCHNEIBLE.

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