GB1578530A

GB1578530A - Assured measure dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB1578530A
Application number: GB1546276A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SINANAN ENTERPRISES Ltd
Current assignee: SINANAN ENTERPRISES Ltd
Priority date: 1977-04-14
Filing date: 1977-04-14
Publication date: 1980-11-05

Description

(54) ASSURED MEASURE DISPENSER (71) We, SINANAN ENTERPRISES LIMITED, a British Company of 130 Jermyn Street, London S.W.1., do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to devices for dispensing measured quantities of liquid from containers, such devices being adapted to be fitted into a mouth of a container.

Embodiments of the invention have particular application in the dispensing of spirits or other drinks, and conveniently take the form of so-called Optics for which the measuring operation is clearly visible to the customers by the use of a transparent sight glass for a measuring chamber. ("Optic" is a registered Trade Mark). It is generally desirable for operation to be such that, once a dispensing operation has started, filling of the measuring chamber cannot be initiated until dispensing is complete, and also that dispensing cannot begin until the measuring chamber is full. Provisions for achieving this using two latches and a float are described in our Patent No. 1,447,242.

It is an object of this invention to provide for such assured measure operation without the use of a float.

According to the invention there is provided a liquid dispenser comprising a housing sealingly securable to the mouth of a container and having a measuring chamber, valve means operable between a first position in which liquid flow by gravity is allowed into but not out of the measuring chamber and a second position in which liquid flow by gravity is allowed out of but not into the measuring chamber, latch means for latching the valve means in the first position until the chamber is filled to a predetermined level and for latching the valve means in the second position until the chamber is empty or emptied to a predetermined level, and latch control means responsive to movement of the valve means to the second position to set successive periods in which the valve means is latched in the second and the first positions, respectively.

Conveniently, the latch control means may include at least one part or member that is movable from one position to another on actuation of the valve means and has a controlled rate of return from said other to said one position.

Preferably the latch control means is gravity and/or spring-operated and may conveniently comprise a fluid valve preferably an air valve, with a small resistance to, preferably upward, movement towards the second position and a greater resistance to movement in the opposite direction towards the first position. The latch means may be magnetically operated, say comprising springloaded detents co-operating with ledges fixed relative to an actuator of the valve means.

The fluid valve for setting delay times may be separate from a control actuator or may be embodied directly by that actuator and guide means therefore.

An operating device for such magnetic detents conveniently runs in a deep annular groove, recess or space presented by spaced dependant skirts of a sight glass moulding constituting the measuring chamber and having a valve means actuator shaft run therethrough. Such an operating device will have suitable ferromagnetic metallic inserts displaceable therewith up and down in the groove to co-operate with magnets in arms of the detent means.

Such an operating device is conveniently engaged by part of a threaded member secured to the valve means actuator shaft and including a selectively opened aperture for the air valve stem, such aperture being normally closed and opened only when the valve means actuator reaches the second position of the valve means. This is readily achieved by a camming action on the sight glass moulding and/or a housing part for the latching means.

Alternatively, the operating device carrying the magnetic inserts mily provide diffe rcntial resistance to movement by virtuc of its own clearance in the annular or other spece in which it runs. A more viscous mcdium than air may then be prcfcrred.

Dispcnscrs embodying this invention also advantageously incorporate means for destroying the containcr to which they are attached. Such dispenscrs are the subject of our Patents Nos. 1,339,341, 1 443,697 and 1,447,242 previously mcntioncd in rclation to latching means. The preferred cutter arrangement is similar to that described in our Patent No. 1518551.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with refer cncc to the accompanying drawings in which Figure I is a partly sectional view of an optic type dispenser having a destructor mcchanism and to which assured measure means cmho(lying this invention is applicable; Figure 2 is a sectional view of one cmbod imcnt of assured measure means utilising an air valve; Figure 3 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a section on the line B-B of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a scction vicw of another embodiment of assured measure mcans;; Figures 6 and 7 are sectional views of a further embodiment.

In Figure l an optic type dispenser is shown having a sight glass 10 secured to an upper body part Il having a central bore slidably accommoditing a liquid feed and cuttcr-actuator tube in a liquid-tight seal 13.

The body part 11 l includes an air valve 14 which acts against a spring 1 5 and rclative to an air bleed passage 16 when a bobbin type actuator 1 7 is raised by a glass into which liquid is to he dispensed in the normal manncr.

in the position shown in Figure 1 . an aperturc 1 8 in the tube 1 2 is shown accommodating a retracted, pivotally mounted cutter 19 fitted within the housing l l and rotatable clockwise to bring its cutter edge through a corrcspondingly apertured sleeve 20 ovcr the upper part of the housing 11.Thc sleeve 20 is shown stepped to co-opcrate with a conventional bottle neck. and also serves to accommdate. via a seal 22. an enlarged head portion 23 of the tube 1 2. This hcad portion 23 is apertured at 24 and has a divided central through-bore e nablingspirits or other liquids to pass downwards towards the sight glass and air to pass upwards into the bottle.

The tube 12 is located against rotation by a pin 25 through both the sleeve 20 and the housing 11 engaging in a slot 26 in the tube 12.

The housing part 11 is threaded at 27 and screwed into a bottle neck adaptor 28 securely fitted to the bottle neck 21, for example using a "Magnaform" ring 29, see our Patent No. 1,468,654. The neck adaptor 28 is of a suitable plastics material as described in our copending applications and has an inset portion 30 at which it is cut by the cutter 19 when removing the optic device. In the position shown in the drawing with the tube at its lowermost position the cutter 19 is retracted.

On the first operation of the bobbin 17 the tube 12 will be raised to rotate and extend the cutter 19, which will remain in that position by abutmcnt against the side of the tube 12 and will not return to the position shown until removal of the optic dispenser and repriming of the cutter mechanism by depression of the head 23 into the sleeve 20.

The particular embodiment of assured measure dispensing mechanism as shown in Figure 2 compriscs a sight glass 10 moulded to present two spaced dependent skirts 35 and 36 the inner one of which slidably accommodates an actuator tube 37 for the bobbin mechanism 17. This bobbin comprises a first flanged inverted cup 38 screwed onto the upper end of the tube 37 and operative in conjunction with a seal retaining washer 39 and seal 40 to make liquid-tight contact with the bottom of the sight glass 10 and shoulders of the tube 37. This sealing action is aided by a spring 41 acting between a collar 42 secured to the tube by a lock nut 43 and a wiper seal rctainer 44 serving to secure a wiper seal 45 to the base of the skirt 36 and making a liquid tight seal on the tube 37.

The bobbin 17 also compiises a further flanged member 50 passing through an aperture in the top of the member 38 and biassed to extend therefrom by a spring 51. In operation the flanged member 50 serves to engage and seal against the lower edges of the tube 12 of Figure 1, first to operate the cutter 19 and then to make a liquid-tight seal to prevent further fluid entering the sight glass 10 until the actuator tube 37 rcaches its lowermost position shown in Figure 2.

The tube 37 at its lower end is equipped with a non-drip adaptor including a stepped sleeve 46 with inwardly chamfered lower cdges 47 to cooperate with a domed and centrally bored depression in a member 48 having arms by which a glass may raise the actuator tube 37 when presented to the optic device for filling. An interconnecting retaining collar 49 is shown intcr-coupling the parts 46 and 48.

In the annular space between the dependent skirts 35 and 36, there is mounted a control sleeve 55 having a tubular part within that annular space and a flange extension 56 having a bore through which passes a stepped actuator stem 57 of an air valve 60. The flange 56 is secured against the step of the actuator stem 57 by a spring clip 58.

The collar 42 secured to the actuator tube 37 also has a flanged extension 61, see Figure 3, fitted with a pivotally mounted flap or arm 62 spring biassed at 63 to the position shown where it covers an aperture registering with and capable of accommodating the reduced diameter extension of the air valve piston actuator 57. Other forms of flap could be used, for example a linearly slidable member with an upstanding position to cooperate in the cam action.

When the actuator tube 37 is raised the collar 42 rises with it, the arm 62 forces the air valve piston 57 upwards against return spring 65 within the cylinder of the air valve 60. A resilient valve member 66 allows ready egress of air, but is perforated to allow much slower return of air into the cylinder. The air valve piston 57 carries with it the control sleeve 55 which, at its cylindrical part, has suitable magnetic inserts for operating the latching means shown in Figure 4.

This latching means comprises two pivotally mounted latches 70 and 71 having ends shaped to cooperate with corresponding parts of the collar 42. The latch 70 serves to hold the actuator tube 37 in its uppermost position where liquid cannot enter the sight glass, but liquid therein can escape via ports 69 and the central bore of the actuator tube 37. One ferromagnetic insert in the control sleeve 55 therefore cooperates with a magnet in the latch 70 to hold the latter against a spring bias return and in engagement with the collar 42. Thereafter another ferromagnetic insert in the control sleeve 55 attracts a magnet in the latch 71 to cause the latter to move inwardly against spring bias to block raising of the actuator tube 37 to a position at which the ports 69 communicate with the sight glass chamber.Adequate time is thus required, first for emptying the sight glass 10 prior to release of the latch 70 while the sight glass is emptying, and then for filling the sight glass before release of the latch 71.

This time can be provided by the resistance of the air valve, which can be controlled by the perforations in the control member 66. A total period of eight seconds has been found to be suitable, half for emptying and half for filling the sight glass.

If desired the lower housing 68 secured to the sight glass 10 to enclose the assured measure control means may be filled with some fluid other than air, for example a silicone compound, in order to achieve a higher viscosity for operation with the desired dwell times.

It will be realised that the arm or flap 62 needs to be moved, for example by cam action on the interior of the housing or otherwise, when the actuator tube 37 is at or near the top of its full movement. Then, the air valve piston is free to move downwardly under gravity and the action of the return spring 65 to achieve the control times.

An alternative embodiment is indicated in Figure 5 where like reference numerals are used where appropriate. Here, however, instead of a separate air valve controlling the time of descent of the control sleeve 55, the fit of the sleeve 55 itself in the annular space between the skirt 35 and 36 is used to give an appropriate delay time. As can be seen a modified collar 42' is involved having upstanding shaped spring arms 78 with curved ends 79 for cooperating with a bead 80 on the base of the sleeve 55. In operation raising of the actuator tube 37 causes the curved ends 79 of the spring members 78 to engage the lower edge of the bead 80 to raise the control sleeve 55 until the upper edge of the bead 80 engages the lower edge of the skirt 35. Then, the arms 75 will be sprung outwardly over the edge of the skirt 35 to complete the movement required for dispensing.The latches will operate as before so that the tube 37 will be held in its uppermost position until control sleeve 55 has dropped sufficiently to remove the magnetic attraction holding the latch 70 in position. When the latter releases the spring 41 will force the actuator downwards pulling the spring member off the outer skirt 35 and past the bead 80 after which operation of the latch 71 will prevent raising of the actuator tube 37 until the control sleeve 55 has dropped to the appropriate extent under gravity.

Figures 6 and 7, parts that are the same as, or similar to parts of previous Figures are given the same or primed references.

In this embodiment too, there is no separate air valve, an appropriate delay being achieved by the fit of sleeve 55' in the slot or groove between the skirts 35 and 36. The lower end of the sleeve 55' has an external bead or flange 83 to co-operate with displaceable teeth 84 on upstanding leaf springs 85 mounted to collar 42'. Latch 70' has a tooth 86 also for co-operating with the bead or flange 83.

In operation, raising the optic arms and thus the collar 42' will bring the displaceable teeth 84 against the bead or flange 83 and raise the sleeve 55' until bead 83 meets the bottom of the skirt 35. Then, the teeth 84 will separate by flexing of the leaf springs 85, which are fairly weak, and ride up outside the skirt 35 to allow the sleeve 55' to drop at a rate determined by the flow of air into the slot between the skirts 35 and 36.

Appropriate operation of the latches will then occur in successive time periods with the teeth 84 falling rcadily past the bead or flange 83 when required.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A liquid dispenser comprising a housing scalingly securable to the mouth of a containcr and having a measuring chamber.

valve means operable between a first position in which liquid flow by gravity is allowed into but not out of the measuring chamber and a second position in which liquid flow by gravity is allowed out of but not into the measuring chamber latch means for latching the valve means in the first position until the chamber is filled to a predetermined level and for latching the valve means in the second position until the chamber is empty or emptied to a predetermined level, and latch control means responsive to movement of the valve means to the second position to set successive periods in which the valve means is latched in the second and first positions respectively.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the latch control means includes at Icast one part or member that is moveable from one position to another position on actuation of the valve means to its second position and has a controllcd rate of return from said other to said one position.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the latch means includes a first latch to allow or deny operation of the valve means from its second to its first position and a second latch to allow or dcny operation of the valve means from its first to its second position. and both latches are sequentially controlled as to their latching and release during return movement of said part or member.

4. A dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the latches e magnetically operated.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4.

wherein the latches are spring-biassed.

6. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 5, wherein cach latch includes a detent co-operating with a ledge fixed rclative to an actuator of the valve means.

7. A dispenser according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein an operating device for the magnetic latches is slidable in a groove, recess or space between dependent skirts of a sight glass moulding constituting the mcasur- ing chamber, and having a valve means actuator shaft slideable therethrough.

8. A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the operating device has ferromagnctic inserts to co-operate with mag ncts in or on arms of the latches.

9. A dispenser according to any priced ing claim, wherein the latch control means includes a fluid valve.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9.

wherein the fluid valve is an air valve.

11. A dispenser according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the fluid valve has an element presenting a smaller resistance to upward movement than to downward movement.

12. A dispenser according to claim 10 or claim 1, wherein the air valve is separate from but operated by the valve means.

13. A dispenser according to claim 12 with claim 8, wherein the operating device is moved by engagement of a member secured to the actuator shaft and including a selectively opened aperture for an operating stem of the air valve, which aperture is open only when the actuator shaft corrcsponds to the second position of the valve means.

14. A dispenser according to claim 13, wherein camming means are included to open said aperture.

15. A dispenser according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the air valve is incorporated in the valve means and/or the latching means.

16. A dispenser according to claim 15, wherein the air valve is reprcsented by a predetermined wiping or clearance fit of two parts.

17. A dispenser according to claim 16, wherein the two parts are matching section male and female parts of annular shape.

18. A dispenser according to claim 17 wherein a movable one of said parts includes magnetic means for operating the latching means or constitutes said operating device.

19. A liquid dispenser arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with refcrence to and as shown in Figures 2 to 4. or Figure 5, or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A dispenser according to any preceding claim further comprising a distructor mechanism for a container to be serviced.

21. A dispenser according to any preceding claim 1 9 further arranged and adapted to operated substantially or hercin described with preference to and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying dranvinas. (Provisional Specification) ~

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. then occur in successive time periods with the teeth 84 falling rcadily past the bead or flange 83 when required. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A liquid dispenser comprising a housing scalingly securable to the mouth of a containcr and having a measuring chamber.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4.

wherein the latches are spring-biassed.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9.

wherein the fluid valve is an air valve.