VALVE FOR LIQUID DISPENSING SYSTEM

ROBINET DE SYSTEME DE DISTRIBUTION DE LIQUIDE

English Abstract

A valve for a liquid dispensing system includes a casing having an interior sidewall. A hollow dispensing pin is positioned within the casing. The dispensing pin has a first end, a second end, an exterior surface, and an interior flow passage. At least one radial dispensing passage extends from the interior flow passage through to the exterior surface at the first end of the dispensing pin. A first plunger is disposed between the interior sidewall of the casing and the exterior surface of the dispensing pin. The first plunger engages both the interior surface of the casing and the exterior surface of the dispensing pin. The first plunger is movable between a closed position blocking any flow through the at least one radial dispensing passage and an open position toward the second end of the dispensing pin spaced from the at least one radial dispensing passage.

French Abstract

Un robinet pour système de distribution de liquide comporte un boîtier équipé d'une paroi interne. Une tige de distribution creuse est installée à l'intérieur du boîtier. La tige de distribution est composée d'une première et d'une seconde extrémité, d'une surface externe, ainsi que d'un passage d'écoulement interne. Au moins un passage de distribution perpendiculaire perce la surface extérieure à partir du passage d'écoulement interne à la première extrémité de la tige de distribution. Un premier piston est situé entre la paroi interne du boîtier et la surface externe de la tige de distribution. Le premier piston engage la surface interne du boîtier et la surface externe de la tige de distribution. Il peut être mis en position fermée, dans laquelle il bloque tout écoulement par au moins un passage de distribution perpendiculaire, ou en position ouverte vers la seconde extrémité de la tige de distribution et éloignée d'au moins un passage de distribution perpendiculaire.

Claims

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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A valve for a liquid dispensing system, comprising:
a casing having an interior sidewall;
a hollow dispensing pin positioned within the casing, the dispensing pin
having a first end, a second
end, an exterior surface, and an interior flow passage, the dispensing pin
being movable relative to the casing;
at least one radial dispensing passage from the interior flow passage through
to the exterior surface at
the first end of the dispensing pin;
a first plunger disposed between the interior sidewall of the casing and the
exterior surface of the
dispensing pin and engaging both the interior surface of the casing and the
exterior surface of the dispensing
pin, the first plunger being movable relative to the casing and the dispensing
pin while maintaining the
dispensing pin stationary relative to the casing, the first plunger being
movable between a closed position
blocking any flow through the at least one radial dispensing passage and a
first open position toward the
second end of the dispensing pin spaced from the at least one radial
dispensing passage, and the dispensing
pin being movable relative to the casing between the closed position and a
second open position in which the
first end of the dispensing pin is moved outward from the first plunger; and
means for biasing the first plunger toward a normally closed position.
2. The valve as defined in Claim 1, wherein the first plunger is annular.
3. The valve as defined in Claim 1, wherein the first plunger is moved from
the open position to the closed
position by insertion of a coupling between the interior sidewall of the
casing and the exterior surface of the
dispensing pin.
4. The valve as defined in Claim 1, wherein the casing has an outwardly
extending mounting flange.
5. The valve as defined in Claim 1, wherein the means for biasing the first
plunger is a spring.
6. The valve as defined in Claim 1, wherein the dispensing pin is movable and
serves as a second plunger, the
dispensing pin being movable between a closed position recessed within the
casing in which any flow
through the at least one radial dispensing passage is blocked by the first
plunger and an open position in
which the first end of the dispensing pin on which the at least one radial
dispensing passage is positioned

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projects outwardly from the casing and is spaced from the first plunger, means
being provided to bias the
dispensing pin toward the closed position.
7. A valve for a liquid dispensing system, comprising:
a casing having a first end, a second end, an interior sidewall that extends
between the first end and
the second end, a liquid inlet positioned at the second end, an outwardly
extending mounting flange
positioned at the first end;
a hollow dispensing pin plunger centrally positioned within the casing, the
dispensing pin having a
first end, a second end, an exterior surface between the first end and the
second end, an interior flow passage,
and at least one radial dispensing passage from the interior flow passage
through to the exterior surface
toward the first end of the dispensing pin;
an annular plunger disposed between the interior sidewall of the casing and
the exterior surface of the
dispensing pin plunger and engaging both the interior surface of the casing
and the exterior surface of the
dispensing pin plunger, the annular plunger having a first end and a second
end, the annular plunger being
movable relative to the casing and the dispensing pin while maintaining the
dispensing pin stationary relative
to the casing, the first plunger being movable between a closed position
blocking any flow through the at
least one radial dispensing passage and an open position toward the second end
of the dispensing pin plunger
spaced from the at least one radial dispensing passage;
the dispensing pin plunger being movable relative to the casing and the
annular plunger between a
closed position recessed within the casing with any flow through the at least
one radial dispensing passage
blocked by the annular plunger and an open position in which the first end of
the dispensing pin plunger
projects from the casing past the first end of the annular plunger with the at
least one radial dispensing
passage spaced from the annular plunger; and
a spring positioned between the second end of the annular plunger and the
second end of the
dispensing pin plunger, the spring acting upon both the annular plunger and
the dispensing pin plunger to bias
them toward a normally closed position.
8. The valve as defined in Claim 7, wherein the annular plunger is moved from
the open position to the
closed position by insertion of an annular coupling between the interior
sidewall of the casing and the exterior
surface of the dispensing pin plunger.
9. The valve as defined in Claim 7, wherein the dispensing pin plunger is
moved from the closed position to
the open position by manipulation of a handle.

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10. The valve as defined in Claim 9, wherein the handle is a lever having a
fulcrum acting against the flange
on the casing.
11. The valve as defined in Claim 9, wherein the handle is detachable.
12. The valve as defined in Claim 7, wherein outwardly projecting stops are
positioned at the first end of the
dispensing pin plunger, the stops limiting relative movement of the dispensing
pin plunger and the annular
plunger.
13. The valve as defined in Claim 7, wherein a retaining ring is positioned at
the second end of the dispensing
pin plunger to retain the spring.

Description

CA 02441019 2003-09-15
1
TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Valve for liquid dispensing system
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a valve suitable for use in a liquid
dispensing system
which dispenses liquid from a container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are different types of liquid dispensing systems. Some liquid dispensing
systems require a valve, which can be manually activated by the user from a
normally closed
position to an open position. Other liquid dispensing systems require a valve
that, when
engaged with a coupling remains in an open position, but moves to a closed
position when
detached from the coupling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a valve construction which can be adapted
solely for
manual activation, can be adapted solely for use with a coupling or can be
adapted for dual
activation system.
2 0 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a
valve for a
liquid dispensing system which includes a casing having an interior sidewall.
A hollow
dispensing pin is positioned within the casing. The dispensing pin has a first
end, a second
end, an exterior surface, and an interior flow passage. At least one radial
dispensing passage
extends from the interior flow passage through to the exterior surface at the
first end of the
2 5 dispensing pin. A first plunger is disposed between the interior sidewall
of the casing and
the exterior surface of the dispensing pin. The first plunger engages both the
interior surface
of the casing and the exterior surface of the dispensing pin. The first
plunger is movable
between a closed position blocking any flow through the at least one radial
dispensing
passage and an open position toward the second end of the dispensing pin
spaced from the at
3 0 least one radial dispensing passage. Means is provided for biasing the
first plunger toward a

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normally closed position. This dispensing plunger is intended to be primarily
activated
through the use of a hose coupling or a pin coupling.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a
valve for a
liquid dispensing system which includes a casing having a first end, a second
end, and an
interior sidewall that extends between the first end and the second end. A
hollow dispensing
pin plunger is centrally positioned within the casing. The dispensing pin
plunger has a first
end, a second end, an exterior surface, and an interior flow passage. At least
one radial
dispensing passage extends from the interior flow passage through to the
exterior surface at
the first end of the dispensing pin plunger. The dispensing pin plunger is
movable between a
closed position recessed within the casing with any flow through the at least
one radial
dispensing passage blocked and an open position in which the first end of the
dispensing pin
plunger projects from the casing with the at least one radial dispensing
passage spaced from
the casing. A spring biases the dispensing pin plunger toward a normally
closed position.
This dispensing valve is intended to be primarily activated manually.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve
for a
liquid dispensing system which includes a casing having a first end, a second
end, and an
interior sidewall that extends between the first end and the second end. A
hollow dispensing
2 0 pin plunger is centrally positioned within the casing. The dispensing pin
plunger has a first
end, a second end, an exterior surface, and an interior flow passage. At least
one radial
dispensing passage extends from the interior flow passage through to the
exterior surface at
the first end of the dispensing pin. An annular plunger is disposed between
the interior
sidewall of the casing and the exterior surface of the dispensing pin plunger.
The annular
2 5 plunger engages both the interior surface of the casing and the exterior
surface of the
dispensing pin plunger. The annular plunger has a first end and a second end.
The annular
plunger is movable between a closed position blocking any flow through the at
least one
radial dispensing passage and an open position toward the second end of the
dispensing pin
plunger spaced from the at least one radial dispensing passage. The dispensing
pin plunger is
3 0 movable between a closed position recessed within the casing with any flow
through the at

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least one radial dispensing passage blocked by the annular plunger and an open
position in
which the first end of the dispensing pin plunger projects from the casing
past the first end of
the annular plunger with the at least one radial dispensing passage spaced
from the annular
plunger. A spring is positioned between the second end of the annular plunger
and the
second end of the dispensing pin plunger. The spring acts upon both the
annular plunger and
the dispensing pin plunger to bias them toward a normally closed position.
This dispensing
valve has dual means of activation, depending upon whether the dispensing pin
plunger or
the annular plunger is acted upon.
For this third aspect of the present invention, the valve can be activated
through the
use of a hose coupling or a pin coupling by initially removing a detachable
handle provided
for manually dispensing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the
following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the
drawings are
for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit
the scope of the
invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a top perspective view of a valve for liquid dispensing system
2 0 according to the teachings of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a bottom perspective view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1, in which
the
detachable handle has been removed;
2 5 FIGURE 5 is a front elevation view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1 in
a closed
position;
FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view, in section, of the valve illustrated in
FIGURE 1
in a closed position;
FIGURE 7 is a front elevation view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1, in an
3 0 open position;

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FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view, in section, of the valve illustrated in
FIGURE 1,
in an open position;
FIGURE 9 is a side elevation view, of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1
engaged
with a vertical pin coupling;
FIGURE 10 is a side elevation view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1
engaged
with a vertical pin coupling;
FIGURE 11 is a side elevation view of the valve illustrated in FIGURE 1,
engaged
with a vertical pin coupling;
FIGURE 12 is a side elevation view, in section, of the valve illustrated in
FIGURE
1, engaged with a hose coupling;
FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a container using the valve illustrated in
FIGURE 1 with the valve in a closed position;
FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a container using the valve illustrated in
FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of a container the valve illustrated in FIGURE
1,
with the valve engaged with a hose coupling;
FIGURE 16 is a side elevation view, in section, of the container illustrated
in
FIGURE 13.
FIGURE 17 is a front elevation view, in section, of a cooler using a
combination of
2 0 valves for a liquid dispensing system;
FIGURE 18 is a side elevation view, in section, of the cooler illustrated in
FIGURE
17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
2 5 The preferred embodiment, a valve for liquid dispensing system generally
identified
by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1
through 11.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:
Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, valve 10 has a casing 12 having an outwardly
3 0 extending mounting flange 14. Referring to FIGURE 3, casing 12 has an
interior sidewall

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16. A hollow dispensing pin 18 is positioned within casing 12 having a first
end 20 and a
second end 22. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, flow opening 23 are provided on
outwardly
extending mounting flange 14 to allow for the passage of liquid. Referring to
FIGURES 6
and 8, pin 18 has an exterior surface 24, an interior flow passage 26, at
least one radial
5 dispensing passage 28 from interior flow passage 26 through to exterior
surface 24 at first
end 20. In the illustrated embodiment, an annular plunger 30 is disposed
between interior
sidewall 16 of casing 12 and exterior surface 24 of pin 18, engaging both
interior sidewall 16
and exterior surface 24. Annular plunger 30 is movable between a closed
position illustrated
in FIGURES 5 and 6, blocking any flow through radial dispensing passage 28 and
an open
position illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8, toward second end 22 of pin 18 spaced
from radial
dispensing passage 28. In the illustrated embodiment, a spring 32 is provided
for biasing
first plunger 30 toward a normally closed position.
Referring to FIGURES 6, 8, 10 and 12, valve 10 is further adapted with stops
34, which
limit relative movement of pin 18 and plunger 30 and a retaining ring 36,
which retains
spring 32. Ring 32 is provided for biasing first plunger 30 toward a normally
closed position.
Depending upon the mode desired, valve 10 may operate such that pin 18 is
moved to open
flow, annular plunger 30 is moved to open flow or valve 10 may embody both.
Referring to
FIGURES 1 through 8, pin 18 is actuated manually with a handle 38. Handle 38
can be
detachable as will hereinafter be described. Referring to FIGURES 6 and 8,
handle 38
2 0 operates by way of a lever 40 and a fulcrum 42. Referring to FIGURES 10
and 12, annular
plunger 30 is actuated by way of a coupling 44 such that radial dispensing
passage 28 is
opened without movement of pin 18. Referring to FIGURES 9 and 10 coupling 44
is most
likely used in conjunction with an upstanding pin 45, although it can also be
used in with a
hose 46 as illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12. It will be appreciated that all
of the
2 5 illustrated embodiments show annular plungers 30 allowing both
possibilities. Referring to
FIGURES 13, 14, 15 and 16, valve 10 may be used in conjunction with liquid
containers 48
with bladders 50. Referring to FIGURES 1? and 18, valve 10 may also be used in
conjunction with coolers 52 such that a combination of modes of valve 10, one
with a handle
actuated pin 54 and another with a coupler actuated annular plunger 56 can be
used.
3 0 Referring to FIGURES 3 and 4, mounting flange 14 is provided with lockpins
58 to

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fit within a liquid container and guide protrusions 60 for axial and radial
alignment of
handle 38 during activation.. Hollow dispensing pin 18 that is positioned
within casing 12 is
configured to adopt handle 38 which can be pivoted by means of pivoting pins
62. Referring
to FIGURE 4, if necessary, handle 38 can be snapped off to detach it from
mounting flange
14.
Operation:
The use and operation of valve for liquid dispensing system 10 will now be
described
with reference to FIGURES 1 through 18. Referring to FIGURE 3, valve 10 is
provide
with a casing 12, mounting flange 14, retainer 36, spring 32, annular plunger
30, pin 18 and
handle 38. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, valve 10 is adapted such that casing
12 will
extend and fit within liquid container 48 as illustrated in FIGURES 13 through
16, or
extend and fit at the end of a liquid passage as illustrated in FIGURE 17, or
such that a
combination of modes are used as illustrated in FIGURE 18. Upon installation,
referring to
FIGURES 5 through 12, a user may open valve 10 either by leveraging handle 38
or
inserting coupling 44, overcoming biasing pressure of spring 32 so as to
either actuate
dispensing pin plunger 18 or annular plunger 30. Referring to FIGURE 4, handle
38 may be
detached to facilitate inserting of coupling 44. Referring to FIGURES 5
through 12, in either
case, liquid may then be dispensed through radial dispensing passage 28.
Although the illustrations show an embodiment that has both a dispensing pin
plunger and an annular plunger. It will be appreciated that the system would
operate with
only a dispensing pin plunger, if annular plunger were fixed; and the system
would operate
with only an annular plunger, if the dispensing pin plunger were fixed.
In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting
sense to
mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically
mentioned are
IlOt excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does
not exclude the
possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context
clearly requires
3 0 that there be one and only one of the elements.

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It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made
to the
illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as
hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Representative Drawing