GB802592A - Beverage dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

802,592. Delivering measured quantities. GASKELL & CHAMBERS, Ltd. April 3, 1957 [April 12, 1956], No. 11124/56. Class 106(5) Apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of beverage comprises a cylinder 4, a piston 3, a spring 16 acting to impart relative movement to the cylinder and piston in a direction to cause the latter to occupy the inner end of the cylinder, valvecontrolled inlet and outlet openings 6, 7, means for supplying pressurized beverage to the inlet 6, and mechanism operated by the relative movement of the piston and cylinder for ensuring that when the inlet valve is open the outlet valve is closed and vice-versa. As shown, the cylinder 4 is slidably mounted on the stationary piston 3 which is provided with inlet and outlet passages 9, 10 leading from the inlet 6 and outlet 7 to the inner end of the cylinder. Each of the passages 9, 10 has a valve 11 connected through an adjustable stem 13 to a bell-crank 14, which is pivotally mounted on the piston and actuated by a pivoted over-centre spring plunger 21 arranged to be actuated in turn by a lever 18 provided with two rollers 19 co-acting with inclined slots 20 in the cylinder. When pressurized beverage is pumped through the inlet 6 (the outlet 7 being closed), the pressure forces up the cylinder, against the action of the spring 16, until it is arrested by an abutment, and at this stage the slots 20 act through the lever 18 and plunger 21 to reverse the position of the valves so that the beverage flows from the outlet port 7 under the action of the spring. An indicator may be provided so that an operator can maintain the upper part of the cylinder partially filled with beverage. When a greater rate of dispensing is required, two units may be mounted side-by-side so that one is charged while the other is discharged, or, when a power-operated pump is used, both inlets can be connected to the pump and a common 3-way valve-controlled outlet provided.