US3800826A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Soft drink dispenser disconnect assembly
Assignee: MC CANN S ENG AND Mfg CO
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A fluid and electrical disconnect assembly for use with solenoid actuated soft drink dispensers having a disconnect block which is adapted for fluid and electrical communication with a dispenser assembly. The disconnect block carries a pair of male connectors which, when inserted in the dispenser head, make an electrical connection therewith. The disconnect block also carries a pair of fluid receiving tubes, each tube communicating with an individual valve chamber and valve. The valves are normally biased in the closed position. The dispenser head has a corresponding pair of fluid receiving tubes which are insertable into the valve chambers of the disconnect block and thereby open the valves for fluid flow therethrough. A releasable lock is carried by the dispenser head which holds the male connectors within the dispenser head thereby securing the head to the disconnect block in electrical and fluid communication therewith and allowing simple release therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Cann G Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:06
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/0042; B67D1/0043; B67D1/0044; B67D1/0046; B67D1/005; B67D1/0081; B67D1/0085; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/6184; Y10T137/8376; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87676; Y10T137/87684; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87965
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A disconnect assembly for removing the dispensing head from a soft drink dispenser which assembly comprises a disconnect block adapted to support said dispensing head, said block having at least two fluid inlets therein, a pair of valves communicating with said inlets, means for maintaining said valves in the closed position, and a pair of guide means extending from said block and said dispensing head having a pair of channels therein adapted to receive said guide means, a pair of electrical contacts, a portion of each of said contacts being disposed within the receiving channels, said portions being adapted to contact said guide means upon said guide means being inserted within said channels, and a pair of fluid inlets extending from said dispensing head and being adapted to communicate with said valves in said disconnect block, said inlets opening said valves upon being inserted therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A disconnect assembly for removing the dispensing head from a soft drink dispenser which assembly comprises a disconnect block adapted to support said dispensing head, said block having at least two fluid inlets therein, a pair of valves communicating with said inlets, means for maintaining said valves in the closed position, and a pair of guide means extending from said block and said dispensing head having a pair of channels therein adapted to receive said guide means, a pair of electrical contacts, a portion of each of said contacts being disposed within the receiving channels, said portions being adapted to contact said guide means upon said guide means being inserted within said channels, and a pair of fluid inlets extending from said dispensing head and being adapted to communicate with said valves in said disconnect block, said inlets opening said valves upon being inserted therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1 including means for maintaining said guide means within said receiving channels whereby said dispensing head is locked to said disconnect block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said valve and said valve maintaining means comprise a pair of valve chambers extending through said disconnect block and communicating with sAid inlets, each of said valve chambers having a forward end portion of reduced internal diameter, a valve ball disposed within each of said valve chambers and a spring member positioned within each of said channels for biasing said balls against said forward end portions of said valve chambers thereby maintaining said valves in a closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
242 words
A disconnect assembly for removing the dispensing head from a soft drink dispenser which assembly comprises a disconnect block adapted to support said dispensing head, said block having at least two fluid inlets therein, a pair of valves communicating with said inlets, said valves comprising a pair of valve chambers extending through said disconnect block and communicating with said inlets, each of said valve chambers having a forward end portion of reduced internal diameter, a valve ball disposed within each of said valve chambers, and a spring member positioned within each of said chambers for biasing said balls against said forward end portion of said valve chambers by maintaining said valves in a closed position, and a pair of guide means extending from said block and said dispensing head having a pair of channels therein adapted to receive said guide means, means for maintaining said guide means within said receiving channels whereby said dispensing head is locked to said disconnect block, a pair of electrical contacts, a portion of each of said contacts being disposed within the receiving channels, said portions being adapted to contact said guide means upon said guide means being inserted within said channels, and a pair of fluid inlets extending from said dispensing head and being adapted to communicate with said valves in said disconnect block, said inlets driving said valve balls to the rearward end of said valve chambers thereby opening said valves upon being inserted therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
242 words
A disconnect assembly for removing the dispensing head from a soft drink dispenser which assembly comprises a disconnect block adapted to support said dispensing head, said block having at least two fluid inlets therein, a pair of valves communicating with said inlets, said valves comprising a pair of valve chambers extending through said disconnect block and communicating with said inlets, each of said valve chambers having a forward end portion of reduced internal diameter, a valve ball disposed within each of said valve chambers, and a spring member positioned within each of said chambers for biasing said balls against said forward end portion of said valve chambers by maintaining said valves in a closed position, and a pair of guide means extending from said block and said dispensing head having a pair of channels therein adapted to receive said guide means, means for maintaining said guide means within said receiving channels whereby said dispensing head is locked to said disconnect block, a pair of electrical contacts, a portion of each of said contacts being disposed within the receiving channels, said portions being adapted to contact said guide means upon said guide means being inserted within said channels, and a pair of fluid inlets extending from said dispensing head and being adapted to communicate with said valves in said disconnect block, said inlets driving said valve balls to the rearward end of said valve chambers thereby opening said valves upon being inserted therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
145 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein each of said fluid inlets carried by said dispensing head is a tubular member having a projection extending outwardly therefrom to prevent said valve balls from sealing the open end of the fluid inlets and thereby preventing fluid flow therethrough. 6 The combination of claim 2 wherein said means for maintaining said guide means within said receiving channels comprises a groove disposed within each of said guide means, a locking member positioned across each of said receiving channels, said locking members being biased toward the central axes of the said channels so that upon inserting said guide means within said receiving channels, said locking members press into said grooves thereby maintaining said guide means within said receiving channels and means for forcing said locking members from said grooves whereby said dispensing head can be withdrawn from said disconnect block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
297 words
A disconnect assembly for removing the dispensing head from a soft drink dispenser which assembly comprises a disconnect block adapted to support said dispensing head, said block having at least two fluid inlets therein, a pair of valves communicating with said inlets, said valves comprising a pair of valve chambers extending through said disconnect block and communicating with said inlets, each of said valve chambers having a forward end portion of reduced internal diameter, a valve ball disposed within each of said drive chambers and a spring member positioned within each of said channels for biasing said valves against said forward end portions of said valve chambers thereby maintaining said valves in a closed position and a pair of guide means extending from said block, each of said guide means having a groove disposed therein and said dispensing head having a pair of channels therein adapted to receive said guide means, a locking member positioned across each of said receiving channels, said locking members being biased towards the central axes of said channels so that upon inserting said guide means within said receiving channels, said locking members press into said grooves thereby maintaining said guide means witHin said receiving channels, means for forcing said locking members from said grooves whereby said dispensing head can be withdrawn from said disconnect block, a pair of electrical contacts, a portion of each of said contacts being disposed within the receiving channels, said portion being adapted to contact said guide means upon said guide means being inserted within said channels, and a pair of fluid inlets extending from said dispensing head and being adapted to communicate with said valves in said disconnect block, said inlets driving said valve balls to the rearward end of said valve chambers thereby opening said valves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
297 words
A disconnect assembly for removing the dispensing head from a soft drink dispenser which assembly comprises a disconnect block adapted to support said dispensing head, said block having at least two fluid inlets therein, a pair of valves communicating with said inlets, said valves comprising a pair of valve chambers extending through said disconnect block and communicating with said inlets, each of said valve chambers having a forward end portion of reduced internal diameter, a valve ball disposed within each of said drive chambers and a spring member positioned within each of said channels for biasing said valves against said forward end portions of said valve chambers thereby maintaining said valves in a closed position and a pair of guide means extending from said block, each of said guide means having a groove disposed therein and said dispensing head having a pair of channels therein adapted to receive said guide means, a locking member positioned across each of said receiving channels, said locking members being biased towards the central axes of said channels so that upon inserting said guide means within said receiving channels, said locking members press into said grooves thereby maintaining said guide means witHin said receiving channels, means for forcing said locking members from said grooves whereby said dispensing head can be withdrawn from said disconnect block, a pair of electrical contacts, a portion of each of said contacts being disposed within the receiving channels, said portion being adapted to contact said guide means upon said guide means being inserted within said channels, and a pair of fluid inlets extending from said dispensing head and being adapted to communicate with said valves in said disconnect block, said inlets driving said valve balls to the rearward end of said valve chambers thereby opening said valves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein each of said fluid inlets carried by said dispensing head is a tubular member having a projection extending outwardly therefrom to prevent said valve balls from sealing the open ends of the fluid inlets and thereby preventing fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 8 including a pair of electrical contacts carried by said disconnect block, said contacts being in electrical contact with said guide means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said means for forcing said locking means from said grooves comprises a U-shaped release bar, each arm of said bar being in contact with one of said locking members, whereby upon forcing said U-shaped bar into said disconnect block, said locking members are disposed outwardly from said receiving channels thereby releasing said guide means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |