초록 ▼

A beverage tapper shut-off mechanism includes a double acting solenoid, a locking mechanism, a dispensing tube, and a housing. The locking mechanism has a cam actuator, an upper thrust arm, a lower thrust arm, and a tube crusher. The lower thrust arm is pivotally connected to the tube crusher and th

A beverage tapper shut-off mechanism includes a double acting solenoid, a locking mechanism, a dispensing tube, and a housing. The locking mechanism has a cam actuator, an upper thrust arm, a lower thrust arm, and a tube crusher. The lower thrust arm is pivotally connected to the tube crusher and the upper thrust arm. The double acting solenoid is fastened to the housing, and the upper thrust arm is pivotally connected to the housing. The cam actuator is fastened to an actuation rod of the double acting solenoid. The cam actuator has an internal cam surface which controls the movement of the tube crusher. A modified dispensing tube has two sides which are molded to be substantially squeezed together. The double acting solenoid is operated by a control circuit. When a particular amount of beverage is needed, a button is pushed on the operational circuit. A pulse of current is sent to the double acting solenoid. The double acting solenoid will actuate and pull the cam actuator upward which will cause the tube crusher to release pressure on the modified dispensing tube. When the operational circuit times out, the double acting solenoid will actuate and push the cam downward. The pivot point of the upper and lower thrust arms will be locked into place within the locking area of the cam actuator.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [9.] A beverage dispensing shut-off mechanism comprising:an upper thrust arm;a lower thrust arm having one end which is pivotally connected to one end of said upper thrust arm;a tube crusher being pivotally connected to the other end of said lower thrust arm, said tube crusher being guid

[ I claim:] [9.] A beverage dispensing shut-off mechanism comprising:an upper thrust arm;a lower thrust arm having one end which is pivotally connected to one end of said upper thrust arm;a tube crusher being pivotally connected to the other end of said lower thrust arm, said tube crusher being guided within said housing;a cam actuator having an internal cam surface, said internal cam surface including a locking area, said locking area restraining said upper and lower thrust arms from movement when said pivotal connection is disposed in said locking area;a double acting solenoid having an actuation rod, said actuation rod being securely fastened to said cam actuator; anda dispensing tube being placed between said tube crusher and a support area of said housing, said tube crusher preventing the flow of a beverage through said dispensing tube when said double acting solenoid is in a closed position, said tube crusher allowing flow of a beverage through said dispensing tube when said double acting solenoid is in an open position.