초록 ▼

A compression spring is formed of elastic material in a shape resembling a trumpet horn. Novel valve structures incorporate the trumpet horn spring as a component, the latter of which serves therein to make the valve self restoring and also to provide a fluid seal. One valve is principally applied t

A compression spring is formed of elastic material in a shape resembling a trumpet horn. Novel valve structures incorporate the trumpet horn spring as a component, the latter of which serves therein to make the valve self restoring and also to provide a fluid seal. One valve is principally applied to dispense pressurized fluid and the other is a simple gravity fed beverage tap.

대표청구항 ▼

A dispensing valve, comprising: a valve housing, with said housing having a first chamber accessible to a fluid container, an outlet through which fluid is to be dispensed and a passage between said first chamber and said outlet: a spring; actuator means; and stopper means; said spring, actuator mea

A dispensing valve, comprising: a valve housing, with said housing having a first chamber accessible to a fluid container, an outlet through which fluid is to be dispensed and a passage between said first chamber and said outlet: a spring; actuator means; and stopper means; said spring, actuator means and stopper means being disposed in said valve housing with said stopper means being coupled to said actuator means; said actuator means being movably mounted in said housing and having an unoperated position in which said passage is closed and an operated position in which said passage is open; said spring being of predetermined length and comprising a hollow body of elastic material having a trumpet horn shape, having an outwardly flared end portion and an axially extending passage therethrough with said spring biasing said actuator means to the unoperated position; said actuator means for applying a force on said spring in the direction of said spring axis upon movement of said actuator means to the operated position, wherein the length of said spring reduces and said flared end of said spring expands radially outwardly to temporarily store additional mechanical energy; said actuator means comprising: a shaft, said shaft having an axis and extending through said passage in said spring, and said shaft being mounted for movement in a direction along the axis of said shaft from an unoperated position to an operated position, responsive to movement of said actuator means from the unoperated position to the operated position; said stopper means, normally closing said passage between said chamber and said outlet, and, responsive to movement of said actuator means to the operated position, for opening said passage between said chamber and said outlet to permit fluid to pass through said passage and exit said valve housing; said housing passage including a second chamber, an interchamber passage extending between said second chamber and said first chamber and wherein said outlet is in fluid communication with said second chamber; and wherein said actuator means shaft extends through said second chamber, said interchamber passage, and into said first chamber with said shaft being disposed at least partially obstructing said interchamber passage; said shaft including: an elongate groove in an outer wall of said shaft, said groove being located at a predetermined position along the length of said shaft and extending a predetermined axial distance, said groove being normally accessible to only one of said chambers when said shaft is in the unoperated position and being accessible to both said first chamber and said second chamber when said shaft is moved to the operated position, whereby said groove provides a fluid passage between said first and second chambers.