US5246031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow-control valve especially for gasified liquids
Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
•
Filing: 1992-07-24
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Granted: 1993-09-21
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Expires: 2012-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A flow-control valve especially for gasified liquids, for dispensing portions of carbonated water from a storage container for mixing with beverage concentrates in a beverage-vending machine comprises a valve housing, the interior of which broadens from an inlet opening to a chamber in which a membrane with an orifice is arranged orthogonally to the direction of the inflowing water. Water flowing into the chamber passes through the orifice in the membrane and displaces the latter toward a pin which is arranged on the opposite side of the membrane to the inlet opening adjacent to the orifice.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Eichler
- 👤 Bringfried Peglow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:15
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D7/00; G05D7/01; G05D7/0106; G05D7/0113; F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/14; F16K15/144; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7781; Y10T137/7784; Y10T137/7792; Y10T137/7834
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
In a post-mix beverage dispenser of flow-control valve for dispensing portions of carbonated water from a storage container for mixing with beverage concentrates, the improvement comprising: a valve housing, the interior of which broadens from an inlet opening to a chamber of a membrane with an orifice therein arranged orthogonally to the direction of the inflowing water, a pin with a conical tip defining a continuous conical surface aligned with the orifice and disposed in the chamber on the opposite side of the membrane to the inlet opening in close proximity to the orifice such that the water flowing into the chamber passes through the orifice in the membrane and displaces the membrane in the direction of the pin to change the effective size of the orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a post-mix beverage dispenser of flow-control valve for dispensing portions of carbonated water from a storage container for mixing with beverage concentrates, the improvement comprising: a valve housing, the interior of which broadens from an inlet opening to a chamber of a membrane with an orifice therein arranged orthogonally to the direction of the inflowing water, a pin with a conical tip defining a continuous conical surface aligned with the orifice and disposed in the chamber on the opposite side of the membrane to the inlet opening in close proximity to the orifice such that the water flowing into the chamber passes through the orifice in the membrane and displaces the membrane in the direction of the pin to change the effective size of the orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 1, wherein the chamber has on the opposite side to the inlet opening a bearing against which the membrane presses in response to a certain pressure of inflowing water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 1, wherein the pin is mounted orthogonally to the membrane and is adjustable along an axis orthogonal to the membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 3, wherein the pin is constructed as an adjustable screw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 4, wherein the pin has a stop limiting its adjustment travel in the direction of the membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 1, wherein the conical tip has an angle of 90°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 1, wherein the chamber inside the valve housing in the area of the membrane has a circular cross-section and that the orifice is arranged in the center of the membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 7, wherein the membrane is supported circumferentially at a given distance from its circular outer edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 1, wherein the chamber extends to the opposite side of the membrane from the inlet opening and forms a space communication with an outlet opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 9, wherein the outlet opening is angled with respect to the flow direction of the water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 10, wherein the outlet opening is angled at 90° with respect to the flow direction of the water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 11, wherein the outlet opening communicates into an outlet tube with a diameter larger than that of the outlet opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
80 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first housing component with the inlet opening and a second housing component with the outlet opening, the first housing component forming in its interior the chamber adjoining the inlet opening as well as a circular bearing for the membrane the second housing component forming in its interior a space open to the outlet opening as well as a bearing for the pin and a counter-bearing for the membrane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flow-control valve as in claim 13, wherein an outlet tube is integrated into the second housing component.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-09-20 | 1997-03-22 | 1997-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-20 | 2001-03-22 | 2001-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-20 | 2005-03-22 | 2005-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |