Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02910818 2015-10-30
PINCH VALVE FOR LIQUID DISPENSER
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to pinch valves. More
particularly, the
-- present disclosure relates to pinch valves used in liquid dispensers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cleaning existing liquid dispenser pinch valves often requires
that the entire
assembly of the pinch valve be taken apart, using tools to remove fasteners,
prior to
-- cleaning. This requires time, tools, training, and tracking of the
fasteners so they do not get
lost. As such, the liquid dispensers can experience considerable downtime,
which can result,
for example, in coffee shops, in customers desiring cream dispensed in their
coffee, to wait
longer than necessary.
[0003] Additionally, existing pinch valves do not allow easy and
quick
-- removal/insertion of dispensing tubes when removing a spent liquid
container from a liquid
dispensing machine and installing a replacement liquid container.
[0004] Further, existing pinch valves often lack suitable control of
the volume of liquid
being dispensed.
[0005] Therefore, improvements in pinch valves are desirable.
SUMMARY
[0006] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a pinch
valve that comprises
a holder defining a recess; and an insert shaped to fit in the recess of the
holder. The insert
has an inner wall portion. The insert and the holder are structured for the
insert to be moved,
-- along an axis, from an installed position where the holder holds the
insert, to a removed
position, where the insert is removed from the holder. The holder and the
insert are
configured to receive a dispensing tube and to cooperate, when in the
installed position, with
a plunger assembly biased to push the dispensing tube against the inner wall
portion of the
insert.
[0007] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a pinch valve
that
comprises a holder defining a recess; and an insert shaped to fit in the
recess of the holder.
The insert has an inner wall portion. The insert and the holder are structured
for the insert to
be moved, along an axis, from an installed position where the holder holds the
insert, to a
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removed position where the insert is removed from the holder. The holder and
the insert are
configured to receive a dispensing tube. The pinch valve also comprises a
plunger movable
from a pinch position where the plunger pushes the dispensing tube against the
inner wall
portion of the insert, to a flow position where the plunger is retracted from
the inner wall
portion.
[0008] Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will
become apparent to
those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description
of specific
embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described,
by way of
example only, with reference to the attached Figures.
[0010] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid dispensing
machine fitted with
an embodiment of a pinch valve in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0011] Figure 2A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch valve of
Figure 1.
[0012] Figure 2B shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
of Figure 1, with
an insert of the pinch valve in a removed position, outside a holder of the
pinch valve.
[0013] Figure 3A shows a top front perspective view of the insert
shown at Figure 2B.
[0014] Figure 3B shows a back view of the insert shown at Figure 3A.
[0015] Figure 3C shows a top view of the insert shown at Figure 3A.
[0016] Figure 3D shows a bottom view of the insert shown at Figure
3A.
[0017] Figure 4A shows a bottom back perspective view of the holder
shown at
Figure 2B.
[0018] Figure 4B shows a back view of the holder shown at Figure 4A.
[0019] Figure 4C shows a top view of the holder shown at Figure 4A.
[0020] Figure 4D shows a bottom view of the holder shown at Figure
4A.
[0021] Figure 4E shows a top view of the insert of Figure 4A
installed in the holder of
Figure 4A.
[0022] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a liquid dispensing
machine fitted with
another embodiment of a pinch valve in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0023] Figure 6A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch valve
of Figure 5.
[0024] Figure 6B shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
of Figure 5, with
an insert of the pinch valve in an intermediary position and with a holder.
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[0025] Figure 6C shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
of Figure 5, with
an insert of the pinch valve in an open position.
[0026] Figure 7A shows a top front perspective view of the insert
shown at Figure 6A.
[0027] Figure 7B shows a back view of the insert shown at Figure 7A.
[0028] Figure 7C shows a top view of the insert shown at Figure 7A.
[0029] Figure 7D shows a bottom view of the insert shown at Figure
7A.
[0030] Figure 8A shows a top front perspective view of the holder
shown at Figure
6B.
[0031] Figure 8B shows a front view of the holder shown at Figure
8A.
[0032] Figure 8C shows a top view of the holder shown at Figure 8A.
[0033] Figure 8D shows a bottom view of the holder shown at Figure
8A.
[0034] Figure 8E shows a top view of the insert of Figure 6B
installed in the holder of
Figure 6B.
[0035] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a liquid dispensing
machine fitted with
another embodiment of a pinch valve in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0036] Figure 10A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch
valve of Figure 9.
[0037] Figure 10B shows a further perspective view of the pinch
valve of Figure 9,
with an insert of the pinch valve in an intermediary position and with a
holder.
[0038] Figure 10C shows a further perspective view of the pinch
valve of Figure 9,
with an insert of the pinch valve in an open position.
[0039] Figure 11A shows a top front perspective view of the insert
shown at Figure
10B.
[0040] Figure 11B shows a back view of the insert shown at Figure
11A.
[0041] Figure 11C shows a top view of the insert shown at Figure
11A.
[0042] Figure 11D shows a bottom view of the insert shown at Figure 11A.
[0043] Figure 12A shows a top front perspective view of the holder
shown at Figure
10B.
[0044] Figure 12B shows a front view of the holder shown at Figure
12A.
[0045] Figure 12C shows a top view of the holder shown at Figure
12A.
[0046] Figure 12D shows a bottom view of the holder shown at Figure 12A.
[0047] Figure 12E shows a top view of the insert of Figure 10B
installed in the holder
of Figure 10B.
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[0048] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a liquid dispensing
machine fitted with
another embodiment of a pinch valve in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0049] Figure 14A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch
valve of Figure 13.
[0050] Figure 14B shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
of Figure 13,
with an insert of the pinch valve in an intermediary position and with a
holder.
[0051] Figure 14C shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
of Figure 13,
with an insert of the pinch valve in an open position.
[0052] Figure 15A shows a top front perspective view of the insert
shown at Figure
14B.
[0053] Figure 15B shows a back view of the insert shown at Figure 15A.
[0054] Figure 15C shows a top view of the insert shown at Figure 15A.
[0055] Figure 15D shows a bottom view of the insert shown at Figure
15A.
[0056] Figure 16A shows a top front perspective view of the holder
shown at Figure
14B.
[0057] Figure 16B shows a front view of the holder shown at Figure 16A.
[0058] Figure 16C shows a top view of the holder shown at Figure 16A.
[0059] Figure 160 shows a bottom view of the holder shown at Figure
16A.
[0060] Figure 16E shows a top view of the insert of Figure 10B
installed in the holder
of Figure 14B.
[0061] Figure 17 show a top, front perspective view of yet another
embodiment of a
pinch valve of the present disclosure.
[0062] Figure 18 shows the pinch valve assembly of Figure 17, with
the insert in an
intermediary position.
[0063] Figure 19 shows the pinch valve assembly of Figure 17, with
the insert in an
open position.
[0064] Figure 20 shows the pinch valve assembly of Figure 17, with
the insert in an
open position.
[0065] Figure 21 shows front view of the pinch valve of Figure 17,
with the insert in
the open position.
[0066] Figure 22 shows a top view of the pinch valve of Figure 17, with the
insert
installed in a holder.
[0067] Figure 23 shows a perspective view of the pinch valve of
Figure 17, with the
insert ready to be removed from the holder.
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[0068] Figure 24 shows another perspective view of the pinch valve of
Figure 17, with
the insert ready to be removed from the holder.
[0069] Figure 25 shows a top view of the pinch valve of Figure 17,
with the insert
ready to be removed from the holder.
[0070] Figure 26 shows an embodiment of a plunger assembly in accordance
with
the present disclosure.
[0071] Figure 27 shows an exploded view of the plunger assembly of
Figure 26.
[0072] Figure 28 shows another embodiment of a plunger assembly in
accordance
with the present disclosure.
[0073] Figure 29 shows an exploded view of the plunger portion of the
plunger
assembly of Figure 28.
[0074] Figure 30 shows another embodiment of a plunger assembly in
accordance
with the present disclosure.
[0075] Figure 31 shows another embodiment of a pinch valve of the
present
disclosure with the plunger assembly of Figure 30.
[0076] Figure 32 shows a bushing used to align the plunger of Figure
30 with a
solenoid.
[0077] Figure 33 shows a top perspective view of holder of the pinch
valve of Figure
31.
[0078] Figure 34 shows a side view of holder of the pinch valve of Figure
31.
[0079] Figure 35 shows a bottom view of holder of the pinch valve of
Figure 31.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0080] The present description relates to a pinch valve for
dispensing liquids. The
pinch valve comprises a holder and an insert that fits in the holder. The
insert, the holder, or
both, define an aperture in which a dispensing tube can be installed. The
insert, the holder,
or both, also define a throttle region along which dispensing tube is deformed
and has a
reduced cross-section. When the pinch valve is in an open state, the flow of
liquid through
the dispensing tube is reduced compared to what it would be if the pinch valve
did not have a
throttle region. This reduced flow of liquid, caused by the throttle region,
allows for greater
dispensing accuracy with respect to the volume of liquid dispensed. Further,
the insert of the
pinch valve of the present disclosure can be easily removed from the holder to
allow for quick
and easy cleaning.
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[0081] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a liquid dispensing
machine 30 having a
refrigerated area 32 where a container of liquid to be dispensed (e.g., milk,
cream, etc.) can
be refrigerated. Also shown is a refrigeration unit compartment 34 where a
compressor and
condenser, used to refrigerate the refrigerated area 32, are housed. Further
shown in Figure
1 is an example of a pinch valve 36 in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0082] Figure 2A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch valve
36 where an
insert 38 is shown in an installed position where the insert 38 is installed
in a holder (not
shown). An axis 37 is also shown. As described further below, the insert 38
can be moved
along the direction defined by the axis 37 in order to remove the insert 38
from the holder.
Figure 2A also shows a part of a plunger 42, which will be described in detail
further below.
[0083] Figure 2B shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
36 where the
insert 38 is shown, in a removed position, outside the holder 40. Figure 2B
further shows the
plunger 42, the tip 44 of which is for pushing a dispensing tube (not shown),
installed in the
pinch valve 36, against an inner wall of the insert 38. The plunger 42 is part
of a plunger
assembly 46 that, in this embodiment, is a solenoid activated plunger assembly
(a solenoid
unit 39 is shown mounted to a bracket 47). Other types of plunger assembly can
be used
such as, for example, a manually activated plunger assembly, stepper motor
plunger
assembly, or any other suitable electro-mechanical plunger assembly.
[0084] The holder 40 can be secured to the liquid dispensing machine
30 through
any suitable means such as, but not limited to, fasteners (bolts, nuts,
screws, etc.).
[0085] Figure 3A shows a front perspective view of the insert 38. The
insert 38
defines a front opening 48, which, in collaboration with an opening defined in
the holder 40
(the opening defined by the holder 40 is described below), allows for a
dispensing tube (not
shown) to be easily installed in the pinch valve 36, and removed from the
pinch valve 36,
without requiring the dispensing tube to be unduly bent.
[0086] Figure 3B shows a back elevation view of the insert 38, which
has a top 50, a
bottom 52, sidewalls 54, and a window 56. The window 56 defined by the insert
38 is to allow
through, when the insert 38 is in the installed position, the tip 44 of the
plunger 42. The
insert 38 also defines a recessed bottom perimeter region 55 that allows the
insert 38 to be
held in the holder 40, when the insert 38 is in the installed position.
[0087] Figure 3C shows a top view of the insert 38. The front 58, the
back 60, the
sidewalls 54, and the opening 48 are shown in Figure 3C. Further, Figure 3C
identifies
where, along the back 60, the window 56 is located. To install a dispensing
tube in the insert
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38, the dispensing tube is placed at the opening 48 from where it is moved to
the position
identified at reference numeral 62. Once at position 62, the dispensing tube
is aligned with
the plunger tip 44, which can traverse the window 56 and push the dispensing
tube against
an inner wall portion 64 of the insert 38. The plunger 42 is configured to
generate sufficient
force for the plunger tip 44 pushing the dispensing tube against the inner
wall 64 to cause the
dispensing tube to collapse on itself and prevent liquid from flowing through
the dispensing
tube. In this position, the plunger 42 and plunger tip 44 can be said to be in
a pinch position,
from where they can move to a flow position where the plunger 42 and plunger
tip 44 are
retracted from the inner wall portion 64, the dispensing tube is no longer
collapsed onto itself,
and liquid can flow through the dispensing tube.
[0088] With reference to Figure 3C, the inner wall portion 64 and an
opposite wall
portion 65 define a throttle portion 61 of the pinch valve 36. When a
dispensing tube is
inserted at position 62, the dispensing tube will have a circular cross-
section from the top 50
of the insert down to where the inner wall portion 64 and the opposite wall
portion 65 begin,
which can be referred to as the throttle input section 57, shown at Figure 3B.
From the
throttle input section 57 down to the bottom 52 of the insert 38, the
dispensing tube will have
an oval-type cross-section. The throttle portion 61 allows for greater control
of the amount of
fluid being dispensed through the dispensing tube. Further, the pinch valve 36
can be
designed to have a throttle portion that has a width, which is the spacing
between the inner
wall portion 64 and the opposite wall portion 65, selected for any one of the
viscosity of a
specific fluid being dispensed, the material (e.g., KrytonTM or Surgical
Tubing) of the
dispensing tube being used, the inner diameter of the dispensing tube, the
outer diameter of
the dispensing tube, the thickness of the wall of the dispensing tube, or any
combination
thereof.
[0089] Figure 3D shows a bottom view of insert 38. Shown in this figure are
the
sidewalls 54, the recessed bottom perimeter region 55, the front 58, the back
60, the location
of the window 56, the opening 48, and the position 62.
[0090] Figure 4A shows a bottom perspective view of the holder 40, of
the pinch
valve 36 of Figure 2A. The holder 40 defines and opening 66, which, together
with the
opening 48 of the insert 38, allows for a dispensing tube (not shown) to be
easily installed in
the pinch valve 36, and removed from the pinch valve 36, without requiring the
dispensing
tube to be unduly bent and without requiring that the insert 36 be removed
from the holder
40.
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[0091] Figure 4B shows a back view of the holder 40 where the top 68,
the bottom
70, the back 72 and the sidewalls 74 are shown. Further shown is a channel 76
defined by
the holder 40. The channel is configured to allow therethrough the tip 44 of
the plunger 42.
This is shown clearly in Figure 2B.
[0092] Figure 4C shows a top view of the holder 40 where a recess 78,
defined by
the holder 40, is shown. Figure 4C also shows a shelf portion 41 onto which
the insert 38 is
positioned when the insert 38 is in the installed position. In this position,
the recessed bottom
perimeter region 55 (shown at Figure B and Figure 3D) of the insert 38 sits on
the shelf
portion 41. The recess 78 is located between inner sidewalls 43 and the inner
back wall 82.
Figure 4C also shows the sidewalls 74 of the holder 40, the back 72, and the
location of the
channel 76 along the back 72.
[0093] Figure 4D shows a bottom view of the holder 40 where the
channel 76, the
opening 66, the recess 78, the bottom 70, the inner sidewalls 43 and the
sidewalls 74 are
shown.
[0094] Figure 4E shows a top view of the insert 36 in the installed
position; that is,
installed in the holder 40. Shown in Figure 4E is the throttle portion 61,
defined as the space
between the inner wall portion 64 of the insert 38 and the opposite inner wall
portion 65 of
the insert 38.
[0095] When the insert 38 is in the installed position as shown at
Figure 2A, it can be
moved upwardly, along the axis 37 (also shown at Figure 2A) to a removed
position where
the insert is removed from the holder, as shown at Figure 2B. The removal of
insert 38 from
the holder 40, i.e., moving the insert 38 from the installed position to the
removed position
can be done by hand, without having to use any tools. Cleaning of the insert
38 through any
suitable means, for example, soap and water, can then be carried out and, once
clean, the
insert 38 can be put back in the holder 40. Further, as the dispensing tubing
does not come
in contact with the inner back wall 82 and the tapered walls 80 of the holder
40 (shown at
Figure 4C), there should be no accumulation of fluid on these surfaces, which
reduces the
amount of cleaning required and thereby minimizes the downtime of the liquid
dispensing
machine 30 of Figure 1.
[0096] Figure 5 shows perspective view of the liquid dispensing machine 30
of Figure
1 but this time having, in another example of a pinch valve in accordance with
the present
disclosure, a pinch valve 84.
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[0097] Figure 6A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch
valve 84 where an
insert 86 is shown in an installed position where the insert 86 is installed
in a holder (not
shown). In this embodiment, the holder and the insert 86 are dimensioned to
interfere with
each other when the insert 86 is in the installed position. The insert 86 is
thus held in the
holder by an interference fit.
[0098] Figure 6A also shows a dispensing tube 87 installed in the
pinch valve 84, and
a bracket 88 onto which the insert 86 can be pivotally mounted through
complementary
mating features defined by the bracket 88 and the insert 86. In this example,
the bracket 88
defines (or has) a cylindrical post 90 and the insert 86 defines a cylindrical
opening (not
shown) that receives the cylindrical post 90 when the insert is pushed down
from the
installed position to an intermediary position, as will be described further
below. Further
shown in Figure 6A is a portion of a plunger 92.
[0099] The pinch valve 84 can be secured to the liquid dispensing
machine 30, in
close proximity to where the dispensing tube 87 joins the container from which
fluid is to be
dispensed. As is known in the art, the storage of such containers prior to
being installed in a
liquid dispensing machine sometime leads to the dispensing tube being unduly
bent near
where the dispensing tube joins the container, which can cause a kink to be
formed in that
portion of the dispensing tube. Such a kink causes the dispensing tube to have
a reduced
cross-section in the kink region; the reduced cross-section produces a
diminished liquid flow
through the dispensing tube.
[00100] By securing the pinch valve 84 to the liquid dispensing
machine, close to
where the dispensing tube joins the container, and by installing the
dispensing tube in the
pinch valve, the kinked portion of the dispensing tube will be positioned, in
many cases,
within the pinch valve. The pinch valve will typically squeeze out the kink,
thereby allowing
for normal liquid flow through the dispensing tube. That is to say, the design
of the pinch
valve, namely the vertical length of the pinch valve and the diameter of the
passageway of
the pinch valve, traversed by the dispensing tube, causes the pinch valve to
reform the
kinked section and the dispensing tube to conform to the passageway.
[00101] Other embodiments of the present disclosure can also be
secured to a liquid
dispensing machine, close to where the dispensing tube 87 joins the container
from which
fluid is to be dispensed, in order to remove kinks from the dispensing tube.
[00102] Figure 6B shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
84 where the
insert 86, the bracket 88, and a holder 94 are shown. The insert 86 is shown
in the
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
intermediary position where the insert 86 is pivotally connected to the
bracket 88. Further
shown in Figure 66 is the tip 96 of the plunger 92. The tip 44 of the plunger
is for pushing a
dispensing tube (not shown), installed in the pinch valve 84, against an inner
wall of the
insert 86.
[00103] Figure 6C shows yet another perspective view of the pinch valve 84
with the
insert 86 pivoted 90 degrees to an open position. Pivoting the insert 86 to
the open position
can facilitate the insertion of a dispensing tube (not shown) in the pinch
valve 84 and can
also facilitate the removal of the dispensing tube from the pinch valve 84.
[00104] Figure 6C further shows a plunger assembly 100 that comprises
the plunger
98 and the tip 96 of the plunger.
[00105] The holder 94 and the bracket 88 can be secured to the liquid
dispensing
machine through any suitable means such as, but not limited to, fasteners
(bolts, nuts,
screws, etc.)
[00106] Figure 7A shows a top, back perspective view of the insert 86.
As shown in
Figure 7A, the insert 86 has a tab 102, which can facilitate the manipulation
of the insert 86
by a user. The insert 86 defines a top recess 110, which, as will be described
further below,
is to accommodate a dispensing tube.
[00107] Figure 7B shows a front elevation view of the insert 86 where
the top 104, the
bottom 106, and the sidewalls 108 are shown. Figure 76 also shows the top
recess 110 and
an inner wall portion 112.
[00108] Figure 7C shows a bottom view of the insert 86 where the inner
wall portion
112 is shown as well as part of the top recess 110. Also shown in Figure 7C is
a cylindrical
hole 114. The insert 86 can be pivotally connected to the bracket 88 (Figure
6A) by pushing
down on the insert 86 from the installed position to the intermediary position
to fit the
cylindrical post 90 into the cylindrical 114.
[00109] Figure 7D shows a top view of the insert 86 where the top
recess 110, the
inner wall portion 112, the sidewalls 108, and the tab 102 are shown.
[00110] Figure 8A shows a top front perspective view of the holder 94,
which defines
an opening 118 that allows passage to the tab 102 of the insert 106 as the
insert 86 is
inserted into and removed from the holder 94.
[00111] Figure 8B shows a front elevation view of the holder 94. The
holder defines a
recess 120 that aligns, in concert with the recess 110 of the insert 86 (see
Figures 7B), a
dispensing tube into the pinch valve 84. The holder 94 defines a channel 130
for the tip 96 of
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the plunger 98 to penetrate the pinch valve 84. Figure 8B also shows the top
122, the bottom
124, and the sidewalls 126 of the holder 94. The holder 94 also defines an
opposite wall
portion 113, which, when the insert 86 is in the installed position, is
opposite the inner wall
portion 112 of the insert 86.
[00112] Figure 8C shows a top view of the holder 94 where the recess 120,
the
opening 118, the opposite wall portion 113, and the sidewalls 126 are shown.
[00113] Figure 8D shows a back elevation view of the holder 94.
[00114] Figure 8E shows a top view of the insert 86 in the installed
position; that is,
installed in the holder 94. Shown in Figure 8E is a throttle portion 127,
defined as the space
between the inner wall portion 112 of the insert 38 and the opposite inner
wall portion 113 of
the holder 94.
[00115] To install a dispensing tube in the pinch valve 84, the pinch
valve is arranged
with the insert 86 in the open position shown at Figure 6C. The dispensing
tube is placed in
the holder 94 with the dispensing tube disposed to be aligned with recess 120
of the holder
94 and the recess 110 of the insert 86 when the insert 86 is moved back to the
installed
position by is pivoting the insert 86 from the open position to the
intermediary position shown
at Figure 6B, and from the intermediary position, moving the insert 86
upwardly to the
installed position. Once at the installed position, the dispensing tube is
aligned with the
plunger tip 96, which can push the dispensing tube against the inner wall
portion 112 of the
insert 86. The plunger 92 is configured to generate sufficient force for the
plunger tip 96
pushing the dispensing tube against the inner wall 112 to cause the dispensing
tube to
collapse on itself and prevent liquid from flowing through the dispensing
tube. In this position,
the plunger 98 and plunger tip 96 can be said to be in a pinch position, from
where it can
move to a flow position where the plunger 98 and plunger tip 96 are retracted
from the inner
wall portion 112 of the insert 86, the dispensing tube is no longer collapsed
onto itself, and
liquid can flow through the dispensing tube.
[00116] When the insert 86 is in the installed position as shown at
Figure 6A, it can be
moved upwardly, along an axis (in this embodiment, a vertical axis) to a
removed position. In
this embodiment of the pinch valve of the present disclosure, the vertical
axis along which
the insert is moved upwardly is parallel to the pivot axis defined by the
cylindrical post 90
shown at Figure 6A. The removal of the insert 86 from the holder 94, i.e.,
moving the insert
86 from the installed position to the removed position can be done by hand,
without having to
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use any tools. Cleaning of the insert 86 through any suitable means, for
example, soap and
water, can then be carried out and, once clean, insert 86 can be put back in
the holder 91.
[00117] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the liquid dispensing
machine 30 of
Figure 1 but this time having, in another example of a pinch valve in
accordance with the
present disclosure, a pinch valve 150.
[00118] Figure 10A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch
valve 150 where
an insert 152 is shown in an installed position where the insert 152 is
installed in a holder
(not shown). In this embodiment, the holder and the insert 152 are dimensioned
to interfere
with each other when the insert 152 is in the installed position. The insert
152 is thus held in
the holder by an interference fit.
[00119] Also shown in Figure 10A is a bracket 154 onto which the
insert 152 can be
pivotally mounted through complementary mating features defined by the bracket
154 and
the insert 152. In this example, the bracket 154 defines (or has) a
cylindrical post 156 and
the insert 152 defines a cylindrical opening (not shown) that receives the
cylindrical post 156
when the insert is pushed down from the installed position to an intermediary
position, as will
be described further below. Further shown in Figure 10A is a portion of a
plunger 158.
[00120] Figure 10B shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
150 where the
insert 152, the bracket 154, and a holder 160 are shown. The insert 152 is
shown in an
intermediary position where the insert 152 is pivotally connected to the
bracket 154. Further
shown in Figure 10B is the tip 162 of the plunger 158. The tip 162 of the
plunger is for
pushing a dispensing tube (not shown), installed in the pinch valve 150,
against an inner wall
of the insert 152. The plunger 158 and tip 162 of the plunger are part of a
plunger assembly
shown at reference numeral 164 in Figure 10C.
[00121] Figure 10C shows yet another perspective view of the pinch
valve 150 with
the insert 152 pivoted 180 degrees to an open position. Pivoting the insert
152 to the open
position can facilitate the insertion of a dispensing tube (not shown) in the
pinch valve 150
and can also facilitate the removal of the dispensing tube from the pinch
valve 150.
[00122] Figure 10C further shows the plunger 158, the tip 162 of the
plunger, and the
plunger assembly 164.
[00123] The holder 160 and the bracket 154 can be secured to the liquid
dispensing
machine 30 through any suitable means such as, but not limited to, fasteners
(bolts, nuts,
screws, etc.)
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[00124] Figure 11A shows a back perspective view of the insert 152. As
shown in
Figure 11A, the insert 152 has a tab 166, which can facilitate the
manipulation of the insert
152 by a user. The insert 152 defines a top recess 168, which, as will be
described further
below, is to accommodate a dispensing tube.
[00125] Figure 11B shows a front elevation view of the insert 152 where the
top 170,
the bottom 172, and the sidewalls 174 are shown. Figure 11B also shows the top
recess 168
and an inner wall portion 176.
[00126] Figure 11C shows a bottom view of the insert 152 where the
inner wall portion
176 is shown. Also shown in Figure 11C is a cylindrical hole 178. The insert
152 can be
pivotally connected to the bracket 154 (Figure 10A) by pushing down on the
insert 152 in the
installed position to fit the cylindrical post 156 into the cylindrical hole
178.
[00127] Figure 11D shows a top view of the insert 152 where the top
recess 168, the
inner wall portion 176, the sidewalls 174, and the tab 166 are shown.
[00128] Figure 12A shows a top front perspective view of the holder
160, which
defines an opening 180 that allows passage to the tab 166 of the insert 152 as
the insert 152
is inserted into and removed from the holder 160.
[00129] Figure 12B shows a front elevation view of the holder 160. The
holder defines
a recess 182 to align, in concert with the top recess 168 of the insert 152
(see Figure 11B), a
dispensing tube into the pinch valve 150. The holder 160 defines a channel 184
for the tip
162 of the plunger 158 to penetrate the pinch valve 150. Figure 12B also shows
the top 186,
the bottom 188, and the sidewalls 190 of the holder 160. The holder 160 also
defines an
opposite wall portion 192, which, when the insert 152 is in the installed
position, is opposite
the inner wall portion 176 of the insert 152.
[00130] Figure 12C shows a top view of the holder 160 where the recess
182, the
opening 180, the opposite wall portion, and the sidewalls 190 are shown.
[00131] Figure 12D shows a bottom view of the holder 160.
[00132] Figure 12E shows a top view of the insert 152 in the installed
position; that is,
installed in the holder 160. Shown in Figure 12E is a throttle portion 194,
defined as the
space between the inner wall portion 176 of the insert 152 and the opposite
inner wall portion
192 of the holder 160.
[00133] To install a dispensing tube in the pinch valve 150, the pinch
valve is arranged
with the insert 152 in the open position as shown at Figure 10C. The
dispensing tube is
placed in the holder 160 with the dispensing tube disposed to be aligned with
recess 182 of
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
the holder 160 and the recess 168 of the insert 152 when the insert is pivoted
back to the
intermediary position shown at Figure 10B. From the intermediary position, the
insert 152 is
moved upwardly to the installed position. Once at that installed position, the
dispensing tube
is aligned with the plunger tip 162, which can push the dispensing tube
against the inner wall
portion 176 of the insert 152. The plunger 158 is configured to generate
sufficient force for
the plunger tip 162 pushing the dispensing tube against the inner wall portion
176 to cause
the dispensing tube to collapse on itself and prevent liquid from flowing
through the
dispensing tube. In this position, the plunger 158 and plunger tip 162 can be
said to be in a
pinch position, from where it can move to a flow position where the plunger
158 and plunger
tip 162 are retracted from the inner wall portion 176, the dispensing tube is
no longer
collapsed onto itself, and liquid can flow through the dispensing tube.
[00134] When the insert 152 is in the installed position as shown at
Figure 10A, it can
be moved upwardly, along an axis (in this embodiment, a vertical axis) to a
removed position.
In this embodiment of the pinch valve of the present disclosure, the vertical
axis along which
the insert is moved upwardly is parallel to the pivot axis defined by the
cylindrical post 156
shown at Figure 10A. The removal of insert 152 from the holder 160, i.e.,
moving the insert
152 from the installed position to the removed position can be done by hand,
without having
to use any tools. Cleaning of the insert 152 through any suitable means, for
example, soap
and water, can then be carried out and, once clean, insert 152 can be put back
in the holder
160.
[00135] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the liquid dispensing
machine 30 of
Figure 1 but this time having, in another example of a pinch valve in
accordance with the
present disclosure, a pinch valve 200.
[00136] Figure 14A shows a close-up perspective view of the pinch
valve 200 where
an insert 202 is shown in an installed position in a holder (not shown). In
this embodiment,
the holder and the insert 202 are dimensioned to interfere with each other
when the insert
202 is in the installed position. The insert 202 is thus held in the holder by
an interference fit.
[00137] Also shown in Figure 14A is a button and bead unit 204, which
will be
described in more detail further below. The button and bead unit 204 is
integral with the
insert 202. The button and bead unit 204 includes a button 205. Figure 16A
further shows a
portion of a plunger 206.
[00138] Figure 14B shows a further perspective view of the pinch valve
200 where the
insert 202 and a holder 208 are shown. The insert 202 is shown in an
intermediary position
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
where the insert 202 is pivotally connected to the insert 208. A bead 207 of
the button and
bead unit 204 is also shown. Further shown in Figure 14B is the tip 210 of the
plunger 206.
The tip 210 of the plunger is for pushing a dispensing tube (not shown),
installed in the pinch
valve 200, against an inner wall of the insert 202. The tip 210 of the plunger
is part of a
plunger assembly.
[00139] Figure 14C shows yet another perspective view of the pinch
valve 200 with
the insert 202 pivoted 180 degrees to an open position. Pivoting the insert
202 to the open
position can facilitate the insertion of a dispensing tube (not shown) in the
pinch valve 200
and can also facilitate the removal of the dispensing tube from the pinch
valve 200.
[00140] Figure 14C further shows the plunger 158 and the tip 162 of the
plunger,
which are part of the plunger assembly 203. Figure 16C also shows the bead
207.
[00141] The holder 160 can be secured to the liquid dispensing machine
30 through
any suitable means such as, but not limited to, fasteners (bolts, nuts,
screws, etc.)
[00142] Figure 15A shows a top, back perspective view of the insert
202. As shown in
Figure 15A, the insert 202 has a tab 212, which can facilitate the
manipulation of the insert
202 by a user. The insert 202 defines a top recess 214, which, as will be
described further
below, is to accommodate a dispensing tube. Figure 15A further shows the
button and bead
unit 204, the button 205, and the bead 207.
[00143] Figure 15B shows a front elevation view of the insert 202
where the top 216,
the bottom 218, and the sidewalls 220 are shown. Figure 15B also shows the top
recess 214
and an inner wall portion 222.
[00144] Figure 15C shows a bottom view of the insert 202 where the
inner wall portion
222, the tab 212, the button 205, and the bead 207 are shown.
[00145] Figure 15D shows a top view of the insert 152 where the top
recess 214, the
inner wall portion 222, the button, and the tab 212 are shown.
[00146] Figure 16A shows a top, front perspective view of the holder
208, which
defines an opening 224 that allows passage to the tab 212 of the insert 202 as
the insert 202
is inserted into and removed from the holder 208. Also shown at Figure 16A is
a channel 209
defined by the holder 208. The channel 209 allows passage of the button 205
when the
insert 202 is moved from the installed position to the intermediary position.
[00147] Figure 16B shows a front elevation view of the holder 208. The
holder defines
a recess 226 to align, in concert with the top recess 214 of the insert 202
(see Figure 15B), a
dispensing tube into the pinch valve 200. The holder 208 defines a channel 228
for the tip
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
210 of the plunger 206 to penetrate the pinch valve 200. Figure 16B also shows
the top 230,
the bottom 232, and the sidewalls 234 of the holder 208. The holder 208 also
defines an
opposite wall portion 236, which, when the insert 202 is in the installed
position, is opposite
the inner wall portion 222 of the insert 202. Additionally, the holder 208
defines a button
housing 238 in which the button 205 of the insert 202 is received when the
insert 202 is in
the intermediary position shown at Figure 16B. The button 205 and the button
housing are
dimensioned to allow the button 205 to rotate in the button housing 238 when
the insert 202
is moved from the intermediary position to the open position shown at Figure
14C.
[00148] Figure 16C shows a top view of the holder 208 where the recess
226, the
opening 224, the sidewalls 234, the opposite wall portion 236, and the button
housing 238
are shown.
[00149] Figure 16D shows a bottom view of the holder 208.
[00150] Figure 16E shows a top view of the insert 202 in the installed
position; that is,
installed in the holder 208. Shown in Figure 16E is a throttle portion 240,
defined as the
space between the inner wall portion 222 of the insert 202 and the opposite
inner wall portion
236 of the holder 208.
[00151] To install a dispensing tube in the pinch valve 200, the pinch
valve is arranged
with the insert 202 in the open position shown at Figure 14C. The dispensing
tube is placed
in the holder 208 with the dispensing tube disposed to be aligned with recess
226 of the
holder 208 and the recess 214 of the insert 202 when the insert is pivoted
back to the
intermediary position shown at Figure 14B. From the intermediary position, the
insert 202 is
moved upwardly to the installed position. Once at that installed position, the
dispensing tube
is aligned with the plunger tip 210, which can push the dispensing tube
against the inner wall
portion 222 of the insert 202. The plunger 158 is configured to generate
sufficient force for
the plunger tip 162 pushing the dispensing tube against the inner wall portion
176 to cause
the dispensing tube to collapse on itself and prevent liquid from flowing
through the
dispensing tube. In this position, the plunger 206 and plunger tip 210 can be
said to be in a
pinch position, from where it can move to a flow position where the plunger
206 and plunger
tip 210 are retracted from the inner wall portion 222, where the dispensing
tube is no longer
collapsed onto itself, and liquid can flow through the dispensing tube.
[00152] When the insert 202 is in the installed position as shown at
Figure 14A, it can
be moved upwardly, along an axis (in this embodiment, a vertical axis) to a
removed position.
In this embodiment of the pinch valve of the present disclosure, the vertical
axis along which
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
the insert is moved upwardly is parallel to the channel 209 shown at Figure
16A. The
channel 207 also defines the pivot axis about which the insert 202 pivots when
moved from
the intermediary position (Figure 14B) to the open position (Figure 14C). The
removal of
insert 202 from the holder 208, i.e., moving the insert 202 from the installed
position to the
removed position can be done by hand, without having to use any tools.
Cleaning of the
insert 202 through any suitable means, for example, soap and water, can then
be carried out
and, once clean, insert 202 can be re-installed in the holder 208.
[00153] Figure 17 shows atop, front perspective view of yet
another embodiment of a
pinch valve of the present disclosure. The pinch valve 242 shown at Figure 17
has an insert
244 installed in a holder 246. The insert 244 defines a button and bead unit
248, which
comprises the button 249, configured to allow the insert 244 to be pushed
downward into an
intermediary position, shown at Figure 18. Figure 18 also shows a bead 250 of
the button
and bead unit 248. From the intermediary position shown at Figure 18, the
insert 244 can be
rotated or pivoted to an open position shown at Figures 19 and 20.
[00154] The holder 246 defines a channel 252 that guides the button 249 (or
allows
passage of the button 249) as the insert 244 is moved from the installed
position shown at
Figure 17 to the intermediary position shown at Figure 18. The channel 252 has
a diameter
that, in some embodiments, is reduced at the top portion 254 to prevent
passage of the
button 249. That is, to prevent the insert 244 from being removed by lifting
the insert 244
along the direction indicated by the arrow 256 (Figure 17). Figure 19 also
shows an inner
wall portion 260 of the insert 244, an arrow 264, and a groove 264.
[00155] Figure 21 shows a front view of the pinch valve 242
with the insert 244 in the
open position. The holder 246 defines a recess 258 that allows for passage of
a plunger tip.
The plunger tip is to collapse a dispensing tube against the inner wall
portion 260 (shown at
Figure 19) of the insert 244.
[00156] Figure 22 shows a top view of the insert 244 in the
installed position. That is,
installed in the holder 246. As in some of the other embodiments, the insert
244 and the
holder 246 define a throttle portion 262, which is defined as the space
between the inner wall
260 of the insert 244 and an opposite wall portion 261 of the holder 246.
[00157] To remove the insert 244 from the holder 246, the insert 244 can be
placed in
the open position shown at Figures 19 and 20. Then, the insert 244 is moved in
the direction
of the arrow 264 shown at Figure 19. Movement of the insert 244 is possible
due to a groove
266 (shown at Figure 19) defined by the holder 246 that allows passage of the
button 249
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,
CA 02910818 2015-10-30
when the insert 244 is moved from the open position to the position shown at
Figures 23, 24,
and 25, from which the insert 244 can be moved out of the holder 246 to a
removed position.
[00158] Figure 26 shows an embodiment of the plunger assembly 46
previously
shown, at Figure 2B, as part of the pinch valve 36 of Figure 1. The plunger
assembly 46 can
be used with any of the pinch valve embodiments described in the present
disclosure. The
plunger assemblies 100, 164, and 203 shown at Figures 6C, 10C, and 14C
respectively, are
similar to the plunger assembly 46. Other types of plunger assemblies can be
used without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, manually
activated plunger
assemblies, stepper motor plunger assemblies, or any other suitable electro-
mechanical
plunger assemblies can be used. The plunger assembly 46 comprises the plunger
42, the
plunger tip 44, a sleeve 132, a retaining ring 136, and a movable actuator
134. In this
embodiment, the movable actuator 134 is configured to fit into a solenoid core
(not shown)
which, when energized, creates a magnetic field that pulls the movable
actuator in the
direction of the arrow 138.
[00159] Figure 27 shows an exploded view of the plunger assembly 46 with a
helical
spring 140 and a threaded stud 142. The threaded stud 142 is fixedly secured
to the movable
actuator 134. The plunger 42 has defined therein threads that allow the
threaded stud 142 to
be screwed to the plunger 42. Prior to screwing the threaded stud 142 into the
plunger 42,
the helical spring 140 is placed over the threaded stud 142 and the sleeve 132
is placed over
the helical spring 140 and the threaded stud 142. The sleeve 132 has an insert
portion 138
that inserts into the plunger 142. The movable actuator 134 defines a groove
144 into which
the retainer ring 136 is secured. The retainer sleeve 132 abuts the retainer
ring 136.
[00160] In this arrangement, the helical spring 140 biases the plunger
42 away from
the movable actuator 132. This allows for the helical spring 140 to be pre-
loaded to a
predetermined spring pressure prior to further compression caused when the
dispensing
tube is inserted into a pinch valve, between the inner wall portion of the
insert and the
plunger tip 44. The advantages of having the helical spring 140 pre-loaded are
that there is
less travel required by the plunger to generate the required force, which
allows the movable
actuator to be well inserted into a solenoid for maximum pull back force when
the solenoid is
energized. Because the helical spring 140 is pre-loaded (compressed), the
plunger tip 144 is
pulled back to a lesser distance than in plunger assemblies where the distance
between the
plunger tip and the movable actuator is fixed. With the reduced travel of the
plunger tip 144,
comes a less violent closing sequence (where the plunger tip 144 collapses the
dispensing
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
tube against the inner wall portion of the insert), which reduces the impact
on the dispensing
tube and subsequently the splashing of the residual product in the dispensing
tube.
[00161] Figure 28 shows another embodiment of a plunger assembly 300
that can be
part of the pinch valve of the present disclosure. The plunger assembly 300
comprises most
of components of the plunger assembly of Figures 27 and 28, except that the
plunger 42 is
replaced with a plunger 302, to which a false wall 304 component is secured.
The false wall
component 304 cooperates with the opposite walls portions, shown in the
examples at Figure
4E (reference numeral 61), Figure 8E (reference numeral 127), Figure 12E
(reference
numeral 194), Figure 16E (reference numeral 240), and Figure 22 (reference
numeral 262),
to abut the dispensing tube located in the respective pinch valve. That is, a
given opposite
wall portion by itself abuts the dispensing tube along a length of the tube
equal to the height
of the opposite wall portion. However, using a plunger assembly that has a
false wall
component such as false wall component 404, causes the dispensing tube to be
abutted
along a length equal to the height of the opposite wall section plus the
height of the false wall
component. Having such an extended abutment length causes the normally
circular cross-
section of the dispensing tube to be deformed ¨ and to have a reduced cross-
section area ¨
along a greater length of the dispensing tube then when a plunger assembly
without a false
wall component is used. This can further diminish the flow of liquid from the
dispensing tube
and can improve dispensed liquid volume accuracy.
[00162] Figure 29 shows an exploded view of the plunger 302 of Figure 28.
In this
embodiment the plunger 302 defines an aperture 303 and includes a body 305,
the false wall
component 304, a plunger tip 306, and a pin 308. The false wall component 304
defines a
pair of opposite grooves 310. The pin 308 is dimensioned to fit through the
grooves 310 and
through the aperture 303 to secure the false wall component 304 to the body
305. When
secured to the body 305, the false wall component 304 can be moved back and
forth with
respect to the body 305, along the axis shown at 312. The false wall component
304 has
false wall portion 314 that is for abutting a dispensing tube. The false wall
portion 314 has a
height 316.
[00163] In some embodiments of the plunger assembly, the plunger can
have an
extended tip. Figure 30 shows such a plunger assembly 320, which has a plunger
322, with
an extended plunger tip 324. Also shown is a movable actuator 325.
[00164] Plunger assemblies with extended plunger tips, such as shown
at Figure 30,
can be used in pinch valves provided with a plunger cover. Figure 31 shows
such a pinch
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
valve 326, which comprises a holder 328, an insert 330, and the plunger
assembly 320. The
holder 328 defines a plunger tip cover 332. Figure 31 also shows a dispensing
tube 321 and
a solenoid 334, attached to a bracket 336. The top portion of the dispensing
tube connects to
a container (not shown) containing a liquid to be dispensed. When the pinch
valve 326 is in
an open configuration, liquid is dispensed out of the bottom of the dispensing
tube 321.The
holder 328 and the bracket 336 can be secured to a liquid dispensing machine
through any
suitable means such as, for example, screws, bolts, etc. The plunger assembly
can include a
bushing 338, which is secured to the bracket 336. The bushing allows for
precise alignment
of the movable actuator 325 (Figure 30) of the plunger assembly with the
solenoid 334. Such
alignment allows for greater pull back of the movable actuator upon energizing
the solenoid.
Figure 32 shows a perspective view of the bushing 338 and a partial view of
the movable
actuator 325.
[00165] Figure 32 shows a top, front perspective view of the holder
328, which
comprises the plunger tip cover 332. Figure 32 shows a side view of the holder
328, with the
plunger tip cover 332. Figure 33 shows a bottom view of the holder 328, with
the plunger tip
cover 332. The plunger tip cover 332 defines a recess 334, within which the
plunger tip 324
(Figure 30) can move.
[00166] Although the pinch valve embodiments described above used
either a shelf
defined in the holder to hold the insert in the holder in the installed
position, or an
interference fit to hold the insert in the holder in the installed position,
any other suitable type
of fit can be used. For example, the holder and the insert can held together,
in the installed
position, using a ball detent mechanism where a small ball bearing secured on
one of the
holder and insert is aligned, in the installed position, with a corresponding
indentation on the
other of the holder and the insert (the ball bearing is biased away from the
object ¨ the holder
or the insert ¨ to which it is secured). In another example, the insert and
the holder can be
held together, in the installed position, through a magnet assembly formed in
the insert an
holder (e.g., a small magnet in the holder can align with a magnetic material
in the insert
when the insert is in the installed position). In yet another example, the
insert can have
tapered outer walls and the holder can have tapered inner walls angled to abut
the tapered
outer walls to the insert when the insert is in the installed position.
[00167] Although, in some of the embodiments, pivoting of the insert
from the
intermediary position to the open position is enabled by a post defined on a
bracket
cooperating with an aperture defined in the insert, or by a button sitting in
a button housing,
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CA 02910818 2015-10-30
any other suitable mechanism that allows the insert to be pivoted from the
intermediary
position to the open position is also within the scope of the present
disclosure. That is, any
insert and holder pair that include complementary pivoting features that allow
the insert to be
pivoted with respect to the holder from the intermediary position to the open
position is within
the scope of the present disclosure, and, any insert and other part (e.g., a
bracket) that
include complementary pivoting features that allow the insert to be pivoted
with respect to the
other part from the intermediary position to the open position is within the
scope of the
present disclosure.
[00168] The insert and the holder of the pinch valve can be made of
any suitable
material such as, for example, acetal, high-density polyethylene, etc.
[00169] As described above, the present description relates to a pinch
valve for
dispensing liquids. The pinch valve comprises a holder and an insert that fits
in the holder.
The insert, the holder, or both, define an aperture in which a dispensing tube
can be
installed. Advantageously, the insert, the holder, or both, also define a
throttle region along
which dispensing tube is deformed and has a reduced cross-section. When the
pinch valve is
in an open state, the flow of liquid through the dispensing tube is reduced
compared to what
it would be if the pinch valve did not have a throttle region. This reduced
flow of liquid,
caused by the throttle region, allows for greater dispensing accuracy with
respect to the
volume of liquid dispensed. As a further advantage, the insert of the pinch
valve of the
present disclosure can be easily removed from the holder to allow for quick
and easy
cleaning.
[00170] In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation,
numerous details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.
However, it
will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not
required. In other
instances, well-known electrical structures and circuits are shown in block
diagram form in
order not to obscure the understanding. For example, specific details are not
provided as to
whether the embodiments described herein are implemented as a software
routine, hardware
circuit, firmware, or a combination thereof.
[00171] The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples
only.
Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular
embodiments by
those of skill in the art. The scope of the claims should not be limited by
the particular
embodiments set forth herein, but should be construed in a manner consistent
with the
specification as a whole.
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