VALVE FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID AND OPTIONALLY AERATING IT

Abstract

A valve for dispensing a liquid includes a housing, an internal liquid passage extending through the housing, a valve seat, a valve member movable between a closed position engaging the valve seat and an open position disengaging the valve seat, and a control member controlling movement of the valve member, which is movable between a first position in which it engages the valve member in its closed position, a second position in which the valve member is in its open position but still engaging the control member and a third position in which the valve member is in its open position and out of engagement with the control member. At least one air passage connects the outside of the valve with the internal liquid passage. The at least one air passage is closed in the first and second positions of the control member and is opened in the third position.

Claims

1. A valve for dispensing a liquid, comprising a housing, an internal liquid passage extending through the housing between an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat, a valve member which is movable between a closed position engaging the valve seat for closing the liquid passage and an open position disengaging the valve seat for opening the liquid passage, and a control member configured to control the movement of the valve member between its closed and open positions, wherein the control member which is movable between a first position in which it engages the valve member for keeping it in its closed position, a second position in which the valve member is in its open position but still in engagement with the control member and a third position in which the valve member is in its open position and out of engagement with the control member, wherein at least one air passage is defined between the valve member and control member to connect the outside of the valve with the internal liquid passage and wherein said at least one air passage is closed in the first and second positions of the control member and is opened in the third position of the control member.

2. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve member and housing have cooperating abutments to define the open position of the valve member.

3. The valve according to claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a circumferential step and the valve member comprises a circumferential protrusion for cooperation with said circumferential step.

4. The valve according claim 1, wherein the control member is biased to its first position.

5. The valve according to claim 4, wherein the control member is biased by a spring positioned between the housing and the control member.

6. The valve according to claim 5, wherein the spring is a compression spring.

7. The valve according to claim 4, wherein the valve member is biased to its open position, wherein the bias on the valve member is less than the bias on the control member.

8. The valve according to claim 7, wherein the valve member is biased by a spring positioned between the housing and the valve member.

9. The valve according to claim 8, wherein the spring is a compression spring.

10. The valve according to claim 1 wherein the control member is provided with at least one operating tab protruding outwardly through an opening in the housing.

11. The valve according to claim 10, provided with two operating tabs positioned diametrically opposite to each other.

12. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve member is provided with a liquid collector which in a liquid tight and movable manner engages the valve seat and which defines a first inner liquid channel that in the open position of the valve member communicates with a valve passage through the valve seat.

13. The valve according to claim 12, wherein the liquid collector has circumferential inner and outer surfaces, whereas the control member defines a second inner liquid channel communicating with the first inner liquid channel of the liquid collector and has a circumferential inner surface, whereas the at least one air passage is defined as an annular channel that extends between the circumferential outer surface of the liquid collector and the circumferential inner surface of the control member and that debouches into the second inner liquid channel, wherein in the first and second positions of the control member the circumferential inner surface of the control member in a sealing manner engages the circumferential outer surface of the liquid collector for closing said annular channel, whereas in the third position of the control member the circumferential inner surface of the control member disengages the circumferential outer surface of the liquid collector for opening said annular channel.

14. The valve according to claim 13, wherein the annular channel in the region where it debouches into the second inner liquid channel is provided with turbulators.

15. The valve according to claim 14, wherein the second inner liquid channel of the control member has a narrowed throat in the region where the annular channel debouches into it and wherein the turbulators are positioned immediately before said narrowed throat.

16. The valve according to claim 14, wherein the turbulators comprise a circumferential step in the circumferential inner surface of the control member.

17. The valve according to claim 13, wherein in at least one of the circumferential inner surface of the control member and the circumferential outer surface of the liquid collector longitudinal grooves are provided.

18. The valve according to claim 13, wherein the circumferential inner surface of the control member and the circumferential outer surface of the liquid collector taper for defining a tapering annular channel there between.

19. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is provided with a restrictor.

20. The valve according to claim 1, wherein a connector is provided at its inlet for allowing a liquid tight connection between the valve and a spigot or spout of a liquid reservoir.

21. The valve according to claim 12, wherein the liquid collector engages the valve seat through a deformable seal member attached both to the liquid collector and to the valve seat.

22. A liquid dispensing device for use with a flexible bag containing said liquid and having a spigot or spout connected thereto, the liquid dispensing device comprising a device housing for receiving the bag, which device housing is provided with a receiver configured to receive the spigot or spout, wherein the receiver comprises a valve according to claim 1 of which the inlet is provided with a connector configured to provide a liquid tight connection between the valve and the spigot or spout of the flexible bag.

23. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 22, wherein the valve is provided in an upper part of the housing and wherein the housing further is provided with a support member for the flexible bag, which support member is movable between a lowermost position remote from the valve for supporting a full bag and an uppermost position near to the valve for supporting a substantially empty bag.

24. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 22, wherein the support member has an inclined upper support surface sloping down to the side of the valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Hereinafter aspects of the invention will be elucidated while referring to the drawing, in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 in an exploded view shows an embodiment of the valve;

[0039] FIG. 2A shows a top plan view of the valve;

[0040] FIG. 2B shows a combined side elevational view (left) and a vertical cross section according to A-A in FIG. 2A (right);

[0041] FIG. 2C shows a section according to B-B in FIG. 2A;

[0042] FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of the valve;

[0043] FIG. 3A shows a vertical cross section according to FIG. 2C with the valve closed;

[0044] FIG. 3B shows a vertical cross section according to FIG. 2C with the valve open without aeration;

[0045] FIG. 3C shows a vertical cross section according to FIG. 2C with the valve open with aeration;

[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates a vertical cross section of an embodiment of a liquid dispensing device, and

[0047] FIGS. 5A-5C show vertical cross sections of an alternative embodiment of the valve in three different positions in correspondence with FIGS. 3A-3C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Firstly referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C, an embodiment of a valve for dispensing a liquid is illustrated. The valve comprises a housing with a housing top 1 and a lower housing 2. An internal liquid passage of which the constituent parts will be described below, extends through the housing 1,2 between an upper inlet 3 and a lower outlet 4 (both being parts of the internal liquid passage).

[0049] The housing top 1 internally is provided with a valve seat 5 which cooperates with a central cone 7 of a valve member 6 which (as will appear below) is movable between a closed position engaging the valve seat 5 for closing a valve passage 8 (which also is part of the internal liquid passage) and an open position disengaging the valve seat 5 for opening the valve passage 8.

[0050] The valve member 6 is provided with (or attached to) a liquid collector 9 which in a movable manner engages the outer face of the valve seat 5 (in the illustrated embodiment the liquid collector 9 engages the outside of the valve seat 5 not directly, but indirectly through the valve member 6) and which defines a first inner liquid channel 10 (also being part of the internal liquid passage) that in the open position of the valve member 6 (cone 7 disengaging the valve seat 5) communicates with the valve passage 8 through the valve seat 5.

[0051] It is noted that below (with respect to FIGS. 5A-5C) an alternative embodiment will be described in which between the liquid collector 9 (or valve member 6) and the outer face of the valve seat 5 a seal member is provided.

[0052] The valve further comprises a control member 11 for controlling the movement of the valve member 6 between its closed and open positions. As will appear further below, the control member 11 is movable between a first position in which it engages the valve member 6 for keeping it in its closed position (central cone 7 engaging the valve seat 5), a second position in which the valve member 6 is in its open position (central cone 7 disengaging the valve seat 5) but still is in engagement with the control member 11 and a third position in which the valve member 6 also is in its open position and further the liquid collector 9 is out of engagement with the control member 11, such that in this third position at least one air passage is opened for connecting the outside of the valve with the internal liquid passage.

[0053] The lower housing 2 comprises an internal circumferential step 12 cooperating with a circumferential protrusion 37 (of the liquid collector 9 of the valve member 6) for defining the open position of the valve member.

[0054] The control member 11 is biased to its first position (for closing the valve member) by a compression spring 13 positioned between the lower housing 2 and the control member 11.

[0055] It has been illustrated schematically in dotted lines in FIG. 2C that the valve member 6 (liquid collector 9) also may be biased to its open position by a compression spring 14 positioned between the housing top 1 and the valve member 6 (or liquid collector 9). Generally the bias on the valve member 6 (or liquid collector 9) is less than the bias on the control member 11.

[0056] The control member 11 is provided with two operating tabs 15 positioned diametrically opposite to each other and protruding outwardly through corresponding openings 16 in the lower housing 2.

[0057] The liquid collector 9 has circumferential inner and outer surfaces 17 and 18 (see FIGS. 2C and 3C) respectively (which in this embodiment taper in a downward direction). The inner surface 17 thus defines a narrowing shape of the first inner liquid channel 10.

[0058] The control member 11 defines a second inner liquid channel 19 (also defining part of the internal liquid passage of the valve) communicating with the first inner liquid channel 10 of the liquid collector 9. The control member 11 further has a circumferential inner surface 20 (in this embodiment likewise tapering) and an annular tapering channel 21 extends between the circumferential outer surface 18 of the liquid collector 9 and the circumferential inner surface 20 of the control member 11. This channel 21 debouches into the second inner liquid channel 19, just below the lower end of the liquid collector 9.

[0059] In the region where the annular channel 21 debouches into the second inner liquid channel 19, it is provided with turbulators. These turbulators are shaped as a circumferential step 22 in the circumferential inner surface 20 of the control member 11. Further it is clearly visible that the second inner liquid channel 19 of the control member 11 has a narrowed throat 23 in the region where the annular tapering channel 21 debouches therein. The turbulators (step 22) are positioned immediately before (above) said narrowed throat 23.

[0060] The circumferential inner surface 20 of the control member 11 is provided with longitudinal grooves 24 and the outlet 4 of the valve is surrounded by a restrictor 25. At the inlet 3 of the valve connector, for example, a thread 26 is provided for allowing a liquid tight connection between the valve and a spigot or spout of a liquid reservoir, such as a flexible bag.

[0061] The valve operates in the following manner: in the starting position (FIG. 3A) of the valve, the control member 11 is kept in its first position by the compression spring 13 in which a horizontally extending part 20′ of the circumferential inner surface 20 of the control member 11 in a sealing manner engages the circumferential outer surface 18 of the liquid collector 9 for closing the annular tapering channel 21. Further the valve member 6 with its central cone 7 is kept in engagement with the valve seat 5 for keeping the valve in its closed position, notwithstanding any liquid pressure P (or gravity). When the control member 11 (by pressing downwards the operating tabs 15) is moved down against the force of compression spring 13 (over distance h.sub.1) towards its second position (FIG. 3B) in which step 12 of the lower housing 2 engages protrusion 37 of the valve member 6, the valve member 6 with liquid collector 9 will move to its open position in which the central cone 7 has disengaged the valve seat 5 and liquid can flow through the valve passage 8, the first inner liquid channel 10 in the liquid collector 9 and the second liquid channel 19 in the control member 11 towards the outlet 4. In this position the part 20′ of the circumferential inner surface 20 of the control member 11 still engages the circumferential outer surface 18 of the liquid collector 9 in a sealing manner for closing the annular tapering channel 21. Thus, the valve is in a position for dispensing the liquid without aeration.

[0062] The movement of the valve member 6 away from the valve seat 5 may occur through gravity or the pressure of the liquid P at the inlet 3, but may also be aided by the compression spring 14, if provided.

[0063] Pressing the control member 11 further down (over distance h.sub.2), brings the control member 11 in its third position (for example a position according to FIG. 3C in which a circumferential edge 27 thereof engages a circumferential step 28 of the lower housing 2) in which the valve member 6 with its cone 7 remains in its open position free from the valve seat 5, and in which position further said part 20′ of the circumferential inner surface 20 of the control member 11 disengages the circumferential outer surface 18 of the liquid collector 9 for opening the annular tapering channel 21. As a result an air flow 29 through holes 38 in the lower housing 2 and through channel 21 is defined for connecting the outside of the valve with the internal liquid passage (specifically the second internal liquid channel 19). The air arriving via the channel 21 impinges on the circumferential step 22 for increasing the mixing effect. The liquid spraying out of the lower end 30 of the tapering first liquid channel 10 of the liquid collector 9 causes suction through a Venturi effect for sucking in the air through the channel 21 and a mixing will occur between liquid and air, leading to an aeration of the liquid. The lower part of the grooves 24 facilitate the transport of air bubbles that are formed where the liquid and air meet. The number, size and orientation of the grooves may vary.

[0064] Behind the throat 23 the expanding shape of the second inner liquid channel 19 promotes the mixing and the formation of a laminar liquid flow which finally will leave the valve through the restrictor 25 at the outlet 4.

[0065] In FIG. 3A the distance h.sub.1 defines the distance over which the control member 11 moves between its first and second positions, whereas in FIG. 3B the distance h.sub.2 defines the distance over which the control member 11 moves between its second and third positions. These distances may differ.

[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates a liquid dispensing device for use with a flexible bag containing said liquid and having a spigot or spout 32 connected thereto. This device comprises a housing 33 for receiving the bag, which housing is provided with a valve 34 the inlet 3 is provided with a connector (not shown in detail here, but for example embodied as a thread 26 as shown in FIGS. 2C and 3D) adapted for realizing a liquid tight connection between the valve 34 and the spigot or spout 32 of the flexible bag 31.

[0067] In this device the movement of the control member of the valve 34 is caused by an operating lever 36 which may be manipulated (for example rotated) manually and which by a transmission not indicated in detail, is connected to the control member.

[0068] The valve 34 is provided in the housing 33 and the housing further is provided with a support member 35 for the flexible bag, which support member 35 is movable between a lowermost position remote from the valve 34 for supporting a full bag and an uppermost position (illustrated in FIG. 4) near to the valve for supporting a substantially empty bag. The support member 35 has an inclined upper support surface sloping down to the side of the valve 34, such that it is assured that almost all liquid will reach the valve 34.

[0069] In FIGS. 5A-5C an alternative embodiment of the valve is shown in three different positions in correspondence with FIGS. 3A-3C (closed, open without aeration and open with aeration, respectively). This alternative embodiment basically has the same design as the previous embodiment, apart from a few differences of which the three most important ones are described below.

[0070] Firstly, one can see that in this embodiment the liquid collector 9 engages the valve seat 5 through a deformable seal member 39. This seal member 39 with an outer part 39′ is attached to the liquid collector 9 and with an inner part 39″ is attached to the valve seat 5. These outer and inner parts 39′,39″ are connected by a flexible web 40 allowing the relative movement between these outer and inner parts and thus between the liquid collector 9 and valve seat 5. It is noted, that the seal member 39 also may function in a manner similar to compression spring 14 illustrated in FIG. 2C.

[0071] Secondly, the lower end of the liquid collector 9 in the positions without aeration (FIGS. 5A and 5B) will, in a sealing manner, engage a shoulder 41 of the control member 11 for closing the channel 21 (thus at a position different from the embodiment according to FIGS. 3A-3C, especially at a lower position).

[0072] Finally, as yet another difference, the overall shape of the internal liquid passage has slightly changed for improving the Venturi effect. Such changes of the shape may be reflected in features such as, for example, different angles and distances between, and different diameters of parts.

[0073] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described before which may be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.