Dispenser with metering tube having outlet valve

Claim 1

Dispensing apparatus, comprising, in combination: a. a hopper having a bottom provided with an outlet, and an outlet pipe affixed to the bottom of the hopper and arranged extending from the hopper, the outlet pipe being arranged surrounding the outlet; b. a measuring tube housing in the form of a longitudinally extending tube provided with a pair of spaced, open ends, one of which open ends is provided with a restriction forming a valve seat and an enlarged portion arranged adjacent the one of the open ends and partially forming a wall of the tube, and an opening provided in the enlarged portion substantially at a right angle with respect to the one of the open ends, the enlarged portion spaced from one of the open ends a distance permitting the enlarged portion to form an abutment engaging a bottom of the hopper and limiting insertion of the one of the open ends into the outlet pipe associated with the hopper, the one of the open ends being sealingly inserted into the pipe outlet; c. a valve element movably arranged in the housing for selective movement toward and away from the one of the open ends and between sealing engagement with the fluid passing disengagement from the restriction forming the valve seat; and d. a spigot arranged for controlling flow from a freezing chamber associated with the hopper outlet pipe, and a solenoid connected to the valve element and to the spigot for being actuated by a flow permitting position of the spigot and unblocking the one of the open ends and maintaining a constant amount of a material passing from the hopper to a freezing chamber while preventing air from escaping from the freezing chamber to the hopper during blending of the material in the freezing chamber.