US2688339A

US2688339A - Dispensing mixing valve

Info

Publication number: US2688339A
Application number: US161385A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred H Dexter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-05-11
Filing date: 1950-05-11
Publication date: 1954-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 1971-09-07

Description

Sept. 7, 1954 F. H. DEXTER DI'sPENsING MIXING VALVE Fiied May 11, 195o Patented Sept. 7, 1.954

UNITED STATES `PATENT oFFlcE DISPENSING MIXING VALVE Fred H. Dexter, Monrovia, Calif.

Application Mayr 11, 1950, Serial No. 161,385

8 Claims. l

My invention relates to a dispensing valve and has particularlreference to a valve adapted to mix and dispense carbonated beverages, and is particularly useful in connection with carbonated and sweet water beverage dispensers such as the type illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 88,651, filed April 20, 1949, for a Low Pressure Carbonator.

In soft drink or carbonated beverage dispensers, it is highly desirable t mix a prepared syrup with carbonated water at the time of dispensing. It is therefore necessary to provide a valve which simultaneously dispenses carbonated water and the desired avoring syrup through a common orifice or chamber and in a turbulent manner so that a complete and thorough mixing occurs. It is therefore one of the objects of my invention to provide a mixing valve for dispensing soft drink beverages, which is automatic in dispensing the proper amount of flavored syrup along with the carbonated water, and which automatically meters the amount of syrup being introduced into the carbonated Water to produce a drink of the proper strength and consistency.

My invention can assume either one of two forms, that is, a slug type dispenser, or a continuous flow dispensing valve. By slug type, I means a valve which, when turned on to dispense a carbonated beverage, Will permit the dispensing of a measured quantity of syrup for each drink, and when the measured amount has been dispensed, no further syrup can flow therefrom.

This valve also insures a quality drink because when the supply of CO2 is depleted,` the syrup valve will not openI thereby informing the operator to replace the CO2 tank insuring the correct CO2 pressure in the drink. Most other dispensers will continue to operate With CO2 depleted from the carbonated water.

In large, busy, soft drink establishments, it is sometimes more economical from the standpoint of time, for the operator to dispense drinks by means of a continuous iiow from the mixing dispensing valve. It is therefore also among the objects of my invention, to provide a continuous flow valve which meters a continuous flow of syrup dependent upon the volume of water being dispensed therefrom.

Most soft drink syrups or flavors are comparatively sticky, viscous fluids. .A valve used for the dispensing thereof must therefore be frequently cleaned. It is a further object of my invention to provide a mixing valve for the dispensing of such drinks, which may be readily disassembled by an inexperienced operator in order to clean the same.

Other and further objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawings and specifications relative thereto.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a sectional side elevation of a mixing dispensing valve of the slug type embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure l, showing the same valve in open operating position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation of a continuous flow valve embodying the principles of my invention.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 4, showing the continuous Iiow valve in open operating position.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

In the following description of my invention, I will rst describe mea-ns for opening and controlling the flow of carbonated water and syrup into the mixing chamber and through the Valve, which said means is common to both the slug type and continuous flow dispensing valves. Reference will then be made to mechanism for obtaining the slug dispensing and continuous iiow dispensing.

The valves include a cylindrical housing I0 having a partition or diaphragm II disposed therein, thereby dividing the interior of the housing I0 into chambers I2 and I3. A nozzle I4 having a restricted opening I5 is secured to the lower end of the housing I0 by any suitable means and contains an O-ring gasket I6. The wall of the nozzle I4 is of suiicient thickness that when placed inside the shell IU as illustratedl a shoulder Il is defined.

The housing I0 and diaphragm Il are formed with a boreZ threaded at its outer end to receive a water supply pipe 2 I.

The diaphragm I I is also formed with a threaded radial bore 22 and a bore 23 communicating between the bore 22 and the bore 2U. The inner extremity of the bore 22 is formed with a peripheral flange 24 which, as will be seen, acts as a valve seat. A valve housing 25 is in threaded engagement with the bore 22 and is formed with a bore 2l which is adapted to receive a plunger 28.

The plunger 2B has a resilient valve face 29 and an O-ring packing 3D and is urged into engagement with the valve seat 24 by means of a coil spring 3 l. A handle 32 is threadedly engaged in the end of the plunger 28 so that the operator may grasp the handle 32 and pull the plunger outwardly to thereby open communication from the water pipe 2l to the interior of the bore 22.

A bore 33 communicates between the bore 22 and the under surface of the diaphragm II.

A valve member designated generally 35 is slidably disposed in the chamber I2 and is biased in an upward direction by means of a coil spring 36. A snap ring 3l is disposed adjacent the lower end of the housing I2 against which the spring 36 abuts. The Valve member 35 is formed with a cylindrical valve portion 38 and a valve 39.

The diaphragm II is formed with a cylindrical valve seat 4I adapted to t within the valve portion 38 with suiciently small clearance to prevent the natural flow of iiuids therethrough. A irictionally retained, removable sleeve 42 is disposed inside the valve seat 4I. The sleeve 42 is intended to eliminate turbulence in the flow of carbonated water and syrup as much as possible so that such drinks as Coca-Cola may be dispensed without excessive foaming or the creation of a head In other drinks, such as root beer, it is desirable to create a head The sleeve 42 would therefore be removed for such drinks.

The diaphragm I I is also formed with an axial bore fili through which extends a hollow valve stem 45. The valve stem 45 is slidably engaged over an axial boss 45 which acts as a guide for the valve 4i?. rlhe bore 44 communicates between the chambers I3 and I2. The bore 44 is also formed with a valve seat 4l' against which the valve 39 is adapted to seat to shut off the flow of syrup from the chamber I3 through the bore 44 into the dispensing chamber I2.

The valve stem 45 is formed with a threaded section 45a which receives in threaded engagement a metering `plug 48. Vertical positioning of the plug it by means of the threaded engagement changes the clearance between a face 49 of the plug It and a seat 53 concentric with the bore 44 and therefore controls the rate of ow of the relatively viscous syrup trapped inthe chamber i3.

4Vihe valve stem 45 is provided with a valve plate r having guides 53 and adapted to seat against a valve face 54 forming a part of the-upper end of the body i5.

Upon raising the valve member 35'to a closed position, the valve 39 seats against-the valvefface 4l and contacts the lower endof the stem'45, urging it upwardly tothereby permit the -syrup to iiow into the chamber I3, whic-hgthus contains a measured or predetermined slug of syrup.4

Upon urging the plunger 28outwardly, communication is established between the conduit 2li and the upper surface of the annular valve member 35. Pressure of the water urgesl the valve member S5 downwardly against the bias of spring 39 to open confimunication-into' the dispensing chamber I2 and to open communication between the chamber I3 and. the dispensing chamber so that the carbonated Water` and syrup will be simultaneously dispensed.

kUpon the downward movement of the valve 39, the stem 45 is permitted to drop downwardly" so that the valve plate 52 closes the upper end of the chamber I3 so that syrup contained in a syrup tray shown partially as 55, will be shut off, to thereby limit the size of the slug of syrup which can be dispensed in a given drink to that" quantity contained in the chamber I3'.

The continuous iiow type valve is shown' in Figures and 5. The automaticow valve'arrangement is identical with the slug'type previously described and similar numerals indicate 4 similar parts. The lprincipal dierence lies in the elimination of the valve stem 45, metering valve 43 and the valve plate 52, and the substitution therefor of a continuous flow valve.

The continuous ow valve comprises a stationary plate S5 gravitationally disposed in sealing engagement with the valve face 54 of the housing Eil. The plate G5 is formed with an axial bore 5t through which is disposed a tube 6l. The tube 5l is formed with a diaphragm 68 adjacent the lower end thereof and With a plurality of apertures 69 positioned above the diaphragm 58. Syrup iowing from the tray 56 may travel downwardly through the tube 61 and out the apertures 6! into the chamber I3.

The tube 'I is also formed with apertures 'II positioned below the diaphragm 58. An orice plate I2 is disposed in the end of the tube 51, and has an orifice 13" formed therein. Fluid, therefore, contained in the chamber I 3, may now downwardly into the dispensing chamber I2 through the apertures 'II and the orifice 'I3 and through open seatv 4l when the valve 39 is in open position.

It should be understood that the restriction of the oriiice 'I3 is greater than the restriction of the apertures 59 and "II, so that unless otherwise restricted, syrup may iiow into the chamber I3 faster than it can iioW out'the orice 13.

A iiow control oat valve is provided, which comprises a sleeve I5 disposed circumfcrentially around the tube 6l for free sliding engagement and is formed with apertures 'I6 adapted to register with the apertures 69 when the float valve is in a down position.

A iloat 8G is secured to the sleeve l5; as the chamber I3 fills with syrup, the float 80 raises the sleeve I5 so that the apertures 'I6 no longer register with the apertures E9 to thereby control the rate of flow of iluid or syrup through the tube 61 into the dispensing chamber I2. A conetant head is therefore maintained at all times in the chamber I3 so that .the rate offlow through the orifice I3 is constant.

A vent tube 8I extends upwardly from the plate 65 to permit the escape or return of air into the chamber I3 during dispensing or refilling operations. It will be understood that'the tube l8| extends upwardly above the surface of the syrup in the tray 55, andl that the operator need only grasp the tube 8| and lift upwardly in order to remove the constant flow valve assembly for cleaning purposes. It is not even necessary to remove the syrup from the tray.

The float El! is formedwith a downwardly directed annular skirt a which acts as a lstop to prevent closing of the aperture 'II by the sleeve 15. While Ihave herein shown and described. my invention in what I have conceived to be the .most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized thatv departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but

is to be accordedthe full scope of 'the claimsso as to embrace any-'and allequivalentdevices.4

Having thus described my. invention, what I claim .asnewand` desire-to secure by Letters Patent is:y

l; A valve Vforl mixing and-'dispensing carbonated drinks orthelilre, comprising a' housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into syrup `and mixing chambers, valve controlld'inlet `m'e'aris for admitting' carbonatedwater under pressure into said mixing chamber, said diaphragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture defining a communication between the said syrup and mixing chambers and a downwardly directed concentric annular flange, valve means movable between open and closed positions reciprocally 'disposed in said mixing chamber and responsive to the pressure of said carbonated water to open or close the said communication between the syrup and mixing chambers, discharge means from said mixing chamber, said syrup chamber having an opening to communicate with a source of syrup, and a second valve means responsive to the position of said rst valve means to open communication with said syrup supply when said rst valve means is in closed position and to close said communication when said rst valve is in open position, said second valve means comprising a valve plate positioned to control said opening and having a downwardly direct stem adapted to abut againsty said rst valve means and to move cooperatively therewith.

2. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks or the like, comprising a housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into syrup and mixing chambers, valve controlled inlet means for admitting carbonated water under pressure into said mixing chamber, said diaphragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture dening a communication between the said syrup and mixing chambers and a downwardly directed concentric annular flange, valve means movable between open and closed positions reciprocally disposed in said mixing chamber and responsive to the pressure of said carbonated water to open or close the said communication between the syrup and mixing chambers, discharge means from said mixing chamber, said syrup chamber having an opening to communicate with a source of syrup, a second valve means responsive to the position of said rst valve means to open communication with'said syrup supply when said rst valve means is in closed position and to close said communication when said first valve is in open position, said second valve means comprising a valve plate positioned to control said opening and having a downwardly directed `stem adapted to abut against said rst valve means, and a metering plug in threaded engagement with said stem positioned adjacent said diaphragm aperture to adjustably meter the ow of syrup therethrough.

3. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks or the like, comprising a cylindrical housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into upper and lower chambers, valve controlled inlet means for admitting carbonated water under pressure into said lower chamber, second inlet means for supplying syrup to said upper chamber, said diaphragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture dening a communication between the said upper and lower chambers and a downwardly directed concentric annular ange, an annular skirt disposed in frictional engagement with said annular flange and extending downwardly therefrom to control turbulence of water iiowing through the valve, valve means having an annular upwardly directed shoulder, reciprocally disposed in said lower chamber responsive to the pressure of said carbonated water against said shoulder to open or close the said communication between the syrup I and mixing chambers, discharge means from said mixing chamber, said syrup chamber having an opening to communicate with a source of syrup.

a second valve means responsive to the position of said first valve means to open communication with said syrup supply when said rst valve means is in closed position and to close said communication when said rst valve is in open position, said second valve means comprising a valve plate positioned to control said opening and having a downwardly directed stem adapted to abut against said rst valve means, and a metering plug in threaded engagement with said stem positioned adjacent said diaphragm aperture to adjustably meter the ow of syrup therethrough.

4. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks, comprising a housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into syrup and mixing chambers, inlet means for admitting carbonated water under pressure into said mixing chamber, said diaphragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture defining a communication between the said mixing and syrup chambers, valve means reciprocally disposed in said mixing chamber responsive to the pressure of said carbonated water to open or close the said communication between the syrup and mixing chambers, discharge means from said lower chamber, a tube extending upwardly from said diaphragm, through said syrup chamber and being in open communication at its upper end with a source of syrup, said tube being formed with a metering orice at its lower end in communication with said diaphragm aperture, a second diaphragm disposed in spaced relation above said metering orice, and radial apertures above and below said second diaphragm, a sleeve valve slidably disposed concentric with said tube and being adapted to control the flow of syrup through the apertures above said second diaphragm, and a oat secured thereto, responsive to the level of iluid in said upper chamber adapted to position said sleeve valve on said tube to control the ow of syrup into said syrup chamber.

5. A valve for mixing and dispensing carbonated drinks or the like, comprising a housing having a diaphragm dividing said housing into syrup and mixing chambers, valve controlled inlet means for admitting carbonated water under pressure into said mixing chamber, said diai phragm being formed with an axially disposed aperture dening a communication between the said syrup and mixing chambers and a downwardly directed concentric annular ange, an annular skirt in removable frictional engagement with the interior of said flange and extending downwardly therefrom to control turbulence of carbonated drinks being dispensed, valve means reciprocally disposed in said mixing chamber responsive to the pressure of said carbonated water to open or close the said communication between the syrup and mixing chambers, discharge means from said lower chamber, a tube extending upwardly from said diaphragm, through said syrup chamber and being in open communication at its upper end with a source of syrup supply, said tube being formed with a metering orice at its lower end in communication with said diaphragm aperture, a second diaphragm disposed in spaced relation above said metering orice, and radial apertures above Yand below said diaphragm, a sleeve valve slidably disposed concentric with said tube and being adapted to control the Ilow of syrup through the apertures above said second diaphragm, and a iioat secured thereto, responsive to the level of iiuid in said upper chamber adapted to position said sleeve valve.

6. A mixing valve comprising in combination,

a=housing forming a mixing chamber closed at one'l end by a partition, said partition havinga bore therethrough, the side of said partition opposite said chamber'being adapted to receive-rst fluid, said bore'providing a passage for said first fluid through said partition into said chamber, apiston slidably mounted in said chamber, a valve carried by said piston adapted to selectively open and close said bore tothe passage of first fluid in accordance with movement of said piston, bias means urging said piston toward said partition thereby to urge said valveinto boreclosing position, and means for admitting second iiuid to the face of said piston facing said partition, whereby pressure of said second uid moves said-piston againstV the bias, thereby to open saidbore andadmit rst fluid into said mixing chamber.

'7. A mixing Valve comprising in combination a'lhousing formingv a mixing chamber closedfat one end by a partition, said partition having'a bore therethrough, the side of said partition opposite said chamber being adapted izo-receive first fluid, said bore providing a passage'for` said first fluid through said `partition into said chamber, a piston slidably mounted in said chamber, a valve carried by said piston adapted to selectively open and close said bore to the passage of first fluid in accordance with movement of said piston, bias means urging said piston toward said partition thereby to urge said valve into bore-closing position, means for admitting second fluid to the face of said piston facing said partition, whereby pressure of said second fluid moves said piston against the bias, thereby to open said bore and admit lirst uid into said mixing chamber, passage means communicating between said piston face and said mixing chamber to pass second iiuid into said ymixing cham- 8i ber, andY discharge means from said mixing chamber effective to discharge from said mixing chamber a mixture of saidrfluids when second fluid pressure Visfapplied to -said piston face.

8. Incombination in a mixing valve, a housing-V forming a mixing chamber closed at the top by a partition and having a discharge opening at the bottom to emit a mixture of carbonated'water. and syrup, said partition having a bore therethrough, means for containing syrup against the upper surface of said partition, said bore providing a passage for syrup into said mixing chamber, a cylindrical flange depending from said partition into said chamber circunijacent the axis-of said bore, a piston having an annular portion reciprocablev in the annular space between said n-ange and said housing and having a central portion forming a valve adapted to close said borewhen said piston is 1n its upper position, auspring urging-,said piston upwardly therebyto bias said valve to closed position, and passage `means in said partition communicating with said annular. space andadapted to supply carbonated water under pressure to said annular space thereby to'depress said piston against the bias, toa point where said annular portion is below said flange, thereby admitting carbonated water to Said mixing chamber there to mix with syrup, 'admittedI toy said mixing chamber upon opening of said bore by the depression of said piston.

References Cited inthe le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1;630,695" England' May 31, 1927 2,453,004 Engstrom Nov. 2, 1948 2,537,119" Bauerlien` Jan. 9, 1951