US3672479A

US3672479A - Apparatus for providing a predetermined volume of liquid

Info

Publication number: US3672479A
Application number: US77546A
Authority: US
Inventors: Owen J Schwertfeger; Frank D Brill
Original assignee: Seeburg Corp
Current assignee: Seeburg Corp
Priority date: 1970-10-02
Filing date: 1970-10-02
Publication date: 1972-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-27

Abstract

The intake orifice of a screw type valve is connected to a liquid reservoir. Mounted at the output orifice of the screw valve by detachable spring clips is a ball valve. The rate of liquid flow through the screw valve can be preset by adjustment of the handle of the screw valve. The ball valve may be actuated from an off to an on position for a preset period of time by an electrically actuated solenoid and linkage. The total volume of liquid flowing through the apparatus for each actuation of the solenoid is a function of the rate of liquid flow through the screw valve divided by the time of actuation of the ball valve.

Description

United States Patent Schwertfeger et al.

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PREDETERMINED VOLUME 0F LIQUID Inventors: Owen J. Schwertfeger, Chicago; Frank D.

Brill, Norridge, both of ill.

The Seeburg Corporation of Delaware, Chicago, Ill.

Filed: Oct. 2, 1970 Appl. No.: 77,546

Assignee:

US. Cl 194/13, 222/70 Field of Search ..l94/13; 251/68, 70, 129, 138; 222/70 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1964 Dyer ..222/70 3,313,317 4/1967 Mosier ..25l/l38 X 2,682,984 7/1954 Melikian et al.. ...222/70 X 2,645,448 7/1953 Bugg ..25l/l38 X Primary Examiner-Stanley l-l. Tollberg Attorney-Ronald L. Engel, Daniel W. Vittum, .lr., Gomer W. Walters and John A. Waters ABSTRACT The intake orifice of a screw type valve is connected to a liquid reservoir. Mounted at the output orifice of the screw valve by detachable spring clips is a ball valve. The rate of liquid flow through the screw valve can be preset by adjustment of the handle of the screw valve. The ball valve may be actuated from an ofi to an on position for a preset period of time by an electrically actuated solenoid and linkage. The total volume of liquid flowing through the apparatus for each actuation of the solenoid is a function of the rate of liquid flow through the screw valve divided by the time of actuation of the ball valve.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHZY I972 v 3,672,479 sum 10F s INVENTORS. OWE N J. SCHWERTFEGER FRANK D. EFF/LL APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PREDETERMINED VOLUME OF LIQUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a valve arrangement for permitting the flow of a predetermined volume of liquid, and more specifically, to a valve arrangement in a beverage vending machine for providing a predetermined volume of liquid to a cup in response to a vend selection made by a purchaser.

2. Description of the Prior Art Valve arrangements heretofore known to the art comprise a straight stroke plunger type valve arrangement. In the prior art devices, a spring loaded plunger seats against an annular valve seat about the output orifice of the valve. A soft sealable surface is provided on the plunger or on both the plunger and the annular seat. Normally, spring bias holds the plunger firmly against the annular seat thereby sealing the output orifice and preventing the flow of water. Actuation of the valve causes the plunger to move away from the annular seat thereby allowing liquid to flow through the output orifice. The total volume of liquid flowing through the prior art plunger type valve for each actuation is a function of the rate offluid flow through the orifice divided by the time of the plunger stroke. One type of prior art plunger valve provides an adjustment of the distance of travel of the plunger during each reciprocating stroke which thereby provides a means of adjusting the length of time the value is open during actuation.

The primary disadvantage of the prior art plunger valve is the high incidence of leaks in the valve caused by collection of mineral deposits on the annular seat or the plunger. Mineral deposits on the annular seat can result in damage to the soft sealing surface of the plunger thus increasing the size of the leak and necessitating repair costs. Further, the initial accumulation of mineral deposits on the annular seat causes a build-up of mineral deposits over a period of time thereby increasing the size of the leak. Consequently, it is necessary periodically to remove the prior art plunger valve for cleaning and maintenance. Since the plunger valve of the prior art vending machines is directly connected to a water reservoir, it is necessary to drain the water reservoir before this maintenance operation can be performed. The necessity of draining the reservoir results in increased costs of maintenance, increased down time, and causes substantial inconvenience since the vending machine is often located in a locality where there is no convenient means to dispose of the liquid in the reservoir.

A further disadvantage of the prior art plunger valves is the limited ability to adjust the volume of liquid that flows through the valve for each actuation of the plunger. As pointed out above, the total volume of liquid flowing through the prior art depends on the size of the output orifice and the time of the plunger stroke. In the prior art valves, the size of the orifice is fixed and the only means of adjusting the total volume of liquid flowing for each actuation is to adjust the time of the stroke of the plunger. Consequently, the prior art valve is extremely limited in its adjustability and consequently a change in the size of cups in the beverage vending machine often requires the installation of a new valve. Thus, the prior art plunger type valves are designed for specific cup volumes and adjustments are provided to vary the flow to compensate for such factors as the pressure of the liquid in the reservoir.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises the unique feature of a double valve arrangement. An upper metering means in the form of a metering valve is connected to a liquid reservoir in the vending machine. The upper metering valve is adjustable from a fully closed position to fully open, and further allows intermediate adjustment of the rate of liquid flow (volume of liquid per unit time) through the upper metering valve. Connected to the output orifice of the upper metering valve by detachable spring clips is a lower flow control means in the form of a ball valve arrangement. The lower ball valve arrangement can be actuated from a fully off to a fully on condition by actuation of a linked solenoid. The solenoid is actuated in response to a signal from the vending machine and operates to hold the ball valve open for a predetermined period of time.

The unique arrangement of the present invention obviates many of the disadvantages of the prior art plunger type valve arrangements. The lower ball valve arrangement is particularly advantageous in a vending machine since a double seal is provided at both the upper and lower portions of the ball. This double seal practically eliminates any possibility of leaks around the ball. Moreover, the rotating action of the ball acts to wipe the surface of the ball and seal clean as the ball rotates, thereby preventing the build-up of mineral deposits between the ball and the seal. Thus, the primary cause of leaks in the prior art plunger valves is eliminated by the present invention.

The upper metering valve in combination with the lower ball valve also provides the advantage of permitting complete closure of the upper metering valve while the lower ball valve is removed for cleaning and maintenance. Thus, it is not necessary to drain the reservoir of the vending machine while this repair and/or maintenance is performed. This is a decided advantage in a vending machine since, as pointed out above, it is not always convenient to drain the liquid reservoir of the vending machine while maintenance is being performed.

Moreover, in the present invention, the lower ball valve is joined to the upper metering valve by spring clips. These spring clips are easily detachable and allow the lower ball valve to be removed for cleaning and maintenance without the necessity for special tools. In addition, the lower ball valve of the present invention is structured to permit removal of all interior portions of the valve for cleaning and maintenance utilizing a simple screwdriver. Thus, the cost of equipping service personnel to perform maintenance on the present invention is substantially reduced.

As pointed out above, the prior art plunger type valves are extremely limited in their adjustability. The present invention, however, provides a wide range of adjustment and permits the present invention to be utilized in a variety of vending machines which require a diversity of volumes of liquid to flow for each vend operation. In the present invention, the full range of adjustment permitted by the upper metering valve pennits utilization of the valve to provide large or small volumes of liquid for each vend operation. This feature of adaptability of the present invention for a variety of different vending machines reduces the overall cost of the machine and the maintenance and repair costs since fewer repair and replacement parts are necessary.

Another feature of the present invention which provides substantial improvement over the prior art is the unique spring loaded solenoid linkage of the present invention. The spring loaded linkage of the present invention permits actuation of the lower ball valve from a fully off to a fully on condition regardless of the length of travel of the solenoid armature. This feature pennits more efficient operation of the solenoid and also reduces the overall cost of the apparatus since it is not necessary to provide a solenoid having a distance of armature travel equal to the required distance of linkage travel to rotate the ball valve to a fully open condition. Moreover, the spring loaded linkage of the present invention provides a cushioning effect when the solenoid is actuated, thereby reducing the wear on the valve stops, seals and packing around the shaft of the ball valve.

Thus, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from a liquid reservoir which reduces or eliminates the possibility of liquid leaks around the sealing surfaces of the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from a liquid reservoir wherein a wide range of volumes of liquid may be provided by simple adjustment of the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for providing a predetermined volume ofliquid from a liquid reservoir which allows repair and maintenance of the apparatus without the necessity of draining the reservoir. 7

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for providing a predetermined volume of liquid wherein portions of the apparatus may be removed for cleaning and maintenance without the necessity for special tools,

These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will hereinafter appear, and, for the purposes of illustration but not of limitation, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of, one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front plane view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a full sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front plane view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side plane view of the embodiment.shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a front plane view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 showing a variation of the activating linkage.

FIG. 7 is a front plane view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6 showing another variation of the actuating linkage.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the lower portion of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5,6, and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a valve apparatus 10 comprising an upper metering valve 12 and a lower ball valve 14. Upper metering valve 12 has an intake orifice 16 connected to a liquid reservoir (not shown) in the beverage vending machine by appropriate plumbing (not shown). The main body portion 18 of upper metering valve 12 forms a hollow cavity 20 within upper metering valve 12. Hollow cavity 20 is closed off by a cover plate 22 mounted to main body portion 18 by machine bolts 24.

Provided at the bottom of hollow cavity 20 is an output orifice 26. With reference to FIG. 1, positioned around the intake orifice 16 is an essentially annular tapered valve seat.28. Immediately adjacent to and opposed to annular valve seat 28 is a comating closure body 30. Closure body 30 is mounted to the end of a threaded shaft 32 which extends through cover plate 22. Attached to the opposite end of threaded shaft 32 is a valve handle 34. In FIG. 1, rotation of valve handle 34 moves closure body 30 in a horizontal direction to either seat closure body 30 against annular valve seat 28, thereby closing off intake orifice 16, or move closure body 30 away from annular valve seat 28, thereby opening intake orifice 16 permitting liquid flow. The opening of intake orifice 1 6 by moving closure body 30 in a downstream direction in FIG. 1 is advantageous since the collection of mineral deposits about the expanding hollow cavity 20 and annular valve seat 28 are thereby reduced. In FIG. 1, upper metering valve 12 is mounted to the wall of the beverage vending machine 36 by a support member 38.

With reference to FIG. 3, an annular valve seat 40 is provided about output orifice 26. Immediately adjacent and opposed to annular valve seat 40 is closure body 30 attached to ball valve 14. A spring clip 42 inserted over a flange 44 at the lower portion of main. body portion 18 of upper metering valve 12 and a flange 46 at the upper portion of lower ball valve 14 firmly secures lower ball valve 14 to upper metering valve 12.

Lower ball valve 14 comprises a generally cylindrical portion 48 having a more restricted portion 50 at the bottom thereof which forms a generally annular flange surface 52 within the hollow interior of cylindrical portion 48. Positioned inside cylindrical portion 48 and against annular flange surface 52 is lower ball valve seal 54. Positioned immediately above lower ball valve seal 54 is spherical ball 56 having through the center thereofa generally tubular passageway 58. FIG. 1 shows the tubular passageway 58 aligned in an essentially horizontal direction, and FIG. 3 shows tubular passageway 58 aligned in an essentially vertical direction.

Positioned immediately above and in contact with spherical ball 56 is upper annular ball valve seal 60. Resting against the upper surface of upper annular ball valve seal 60 is a cylindrical sleeve 62. Situated around cylindrical sleeve 62 and pressing against an outwardly extending flange portion 64 of cylindrical sleeve 62 is a coil spring 66. The upper portion of coil spring 66 rests against an annular recessed surface 68 of main body portion 18 of upper metering valve 12. The force exerted by coil spring 66 against flange 64 of sleeve 62 presses sleeve 62 against upper annular ball valve seal 60. This pressure causes both the upper annular ball valve seal 60 and the lower annular ball valve seal 54 to press firmly against spherical ball 56, thereby preventing the flow of liquid around the spherical ball 56.

Extending through the wall of cylindrical portion 48 of lower ball valve 14 is a shaft 70. Shaft 70 is engaged at one end to cylindrical ball 56 and attached to its opposite end is an actuator plate 72. Shaft 70 is retained in position by an annular plate 74 attached to lowerball valve 14 by machine screws 76.

The hollow interior portion of cylindrical sleeve 62 is in alignment with the output orifice 26 of upper metering valve 12. When spherical ball 56 is rotated so that tubular passageway 58 is in a vertical alignment, the hollow interior portion of cylindrical sleeve 62 is aligned with tubular passageway 58. This forms a passageway from output orifice 26 of upper metering valve 12 through cylindrical sleeve 62, through tubular passageway 58 and through restricted portion 50 of cylindrical portion 48 of lower ball valve 14. At the lower portion of restricted portion 50 is output orifice 78 of the lower ball valve 14.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuation means used in conjunction with the valve apparatus 10 of the embodiment shown in FlG. 1 is illustrated. A solenoid 102 is attached to an extension 104 of the wall of the'beverage vending machine 36. Connected to the armature (not shown) of the solenoid 102 is an actuator arm 106. Mounted to support member 38 by bracket 108-is a cantilever arm 110. Rotatably mounted to the end of cantilever arm 110 by a clip 112 is actuator arm support member 114. The opposite end of actuator arm support member 114 is pivotably attached to actuator arm 106 by pin 116.

The end of actuator arm 106 opposite the solenoid 102 is formed into a

yoke comprising arms

118 and 120.

Arms

118 and 120 are positioned around a pin 122 attached to actuator plate 72. A pin 124 is attached to actuator arm 106 above the yoke formed by

arms

118 and 120 and a coil spring 126 is looped at one end over pin 122 and looped at its opposite end' over pin 124. The tension in coil spring 126 tends to pull pin 122 to the top of the yoke formed by

arms

118 and 120.

Provided on actuator plate 72 are

protrusions

128 and 130. Mounted to the wall of the beverage machine 36 is a columnar stop 132.

Protrusions

128 and 130 are positioned and formed to engage with columnar stop 132. Affixed to protrusion 128 g of actuator plate 72 is a pin 134. Looped at one end over pin 134 is a coil spring 136. The opposite end of coil spring 136 is hooked over a cylindrical cantilever arm 138 which is affixed to the wall of the beverage vending machine 36. The force exerted by coil spring 136 tends to hold protrusion [28 of actuator plate 72 against columnar stop 132.

In its normally closed position, the tubular passageway 58in spherical ball 56 is aligned as shown in FIG. 1 in an essentially horizontal direction. In this position, the contact of upper annular ball valve seal 60 with spherical ball 56 forms a watertight seal which prevents the flow of liquid through the lower ball valve 14. Rotation of spherical ball 56 until the tubular passageway 58 is in essential vertical alignment forms a passageway through the hollow portion of cylindrical sleeve 62, tubular passageway 58, restricted portion 50 of cylindrical portion 48 of lower ball valve 14 to the output orifice 78. In this position, liquid can flow through the valve apparatus provided closure body 30 has been moved away from annular valve seat 28 of upper metering valve 12. Thus, liquid can flow from the reservoir (not shown) through the intake orifice 16 of the upper metering valve 12 between the annular valve seat 28 and the closure body 30 through output orifice 26, through the open passageway of lower ball valve 14 and to output orifice 78 oflower ball valve 14.

The rate offluid flow (volume of liquid per unit time) flowing through upper metering valve 12 is dependent upon the position of closure body 30 in relation to annular valve seat 28. Rotation of valve handle 34 permits movement of closure body 30 from a closed position in contact with annular valve seat 28 to a fully open position as shown in FIG. 1.

Spherical ball 56 is rotated from a closed position to an open position by electrical activation of solenoid 102 in response to an electric signal generated by the beverage vending machine after the proper denomination of coins is inserted in the machine by the purchaser. This electric signal activates solenoid 102 for a predetermined period of time, thus holding tubular passageway 58 in spherical ball 56 in a vertical alignment for that predetermined period of time. Once solenoid 102 is deactivated, force exerted by spring 136 rotates spherical ball 56 until tubular passageway 58 is in a horizontal alignment thereby closing lower ball valve 14 and terminating liquid flow.

The total volume of liquid flowing for each activation of solenoid 102 is a function of volume per unit time of fluid flowing through upper metering valve 12 divided by the time of actuation of solenoid 102. Thus, by adjustment of upper metering valve 12, a predetermined volume of liquid will flow for each actuation of solenoid 102.

As pointed out above, in its normal closed position, tubular passageway 58 of spherical ball 56 is in horizontal alignment as shown in FIG. 1. This alignment results from the action of coil spring 36 exerting force on pin 134 to rotate actuator plate 72 until protrusion 128 contacts columnar stop 132. Upon electrical activation of solenoid 102, armature (not shown) of solenoid 102 moves actuator arm 106 in a vertical direction. This vertical movement of actuator arm 106 causes

arms

118 and 120 to slide over pin 122 until the force exerted by coil spring 126 on pin 122 is greater than the force exerted by coil spring 136 on pin 134. At this time, the force exerted by spring 126 on pin 122 causes actuator plate 72 to rotate in a clockwise direction. Since actuator plate 72 is firmly attached to shaft 70 and shaft 70 is engaged with spherical ball 56, rotation of actuator plate 72 causes spherical ball 56 to rotate. The action of coil spring 126 against pin 122 causes actuator plate 72 to rotate in a clockwise direction until protrusion 130 contacts columnar stop 132. In this position, tubular passageway 58 in spherical ball 56 is in vertical alignment thus permitting liquid to flow through lower ball valve 14. Even after protrusion 130 is in contact with columnar stop 132 actuator arm 106 can continue to move in a vertical direction until the armature (not shown) of solenoid 102 has completed its full range of travel since spring 126 will flex to permit pin 122 to slide between

arms

118 and 120. However,

arms

118 and 120 are of sufficient length to retain pin 122 between them throughout the full range of travel of actuator arm 106.

Actuator arm support member 114 is provided to stabilize the upward movement of actuator arm 106 andhold actuator arm 106 in an essentially vertical position throughout its range of motion. In addition,'actuator arm support member 114 prevents actuator arm 106 from canting out of alignment and causing

arms

118 and 120 to bind on pin 122 or cause armature (not shown) to cant within solenoid 102.

Once solenoid 102 is deactivated, actuator arm 106 is free to move in a downward direction. As a result of force exerted by spring on pin 134, actuator plate 72 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction after deactiviation of solenoid 102 until protrusion 128 contacts columnar stop 132. In this position, the tubular passageway 58 of spherical ball 56 is in an essentially horizontal alignment thereby closing off lower ball valve 14 terminating the flow of liquid through the valve apparatus 10.

An alternative linkage arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, a cantilever member 200 is attached to actuator plate 72 by screw 202.

Holes

204 and 206 are provided in cantilever member 200 to fit over

pins

122 and 134 respectively on actuator plate 72 to rigidly affix cantilever member 200 to actuator plate 72. At the extremity of cantilever member 200 is a linkage member 208 pivotably attached by a pin 210. A return spring 212 is attached to the end of linkage member 208 adjacent pin 210. Return spring 212 provides bias force tending to rotate cantilever member 200 in a counterclockwise direction. Attached to linkage member 208 by screw 214 is adjustment linkage 216. One end of adjustment linkage 210 is attached to the armature of a solenoid (not shown). Provided in the opposite end of adjustment linkage 216 is an elongated hole 218 for receiving screw 214. Adjustment linkage 216 may be moved relative to linkage member 208 by loosening screw 214 and sliding adjustment linkage 216 until screw 214 is at a new position within elongated hole 218. Screw 214 can then be tightened to rigidly connect linkage member 208 and adjustment linkage 216 in the new position.

In FIG. 7, a cantilever member 220 is attached to actuator plate 72 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 6. However, provided in the end of cantilever member 220 are

pins

222, 224 and 226. A linkage member 228 may be alternatively attached to either

222, 224 or 226 (shown attached to pin 226 in FIG. 7). A return spring 212 is attached to the end of linkage member 228

adjacent pins

222, 224 and 226 and provides a spring bias pin tending to rotate cantilever member 220 in a counterclockwise direction. The opposite end of linkage member 228 is attached to the armature of a solenoid (not shown).

Adjustment of the degrees of rotation of the actuator plate 72 (and attached spherical ball 56) may be accomplished by the linkage arrangements shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, the total rotation of spherical ball 56 is controlled by adjusting the relative position of linkage member 208 and adjustable linkage 216. As pointed out above, loosening screw 214 permits adjustment of the relative position and consequently, the further screw 214 is positioned toward the top of elongated hole 218 the less rotation of the spherical ball 56 when the solenoid is actuated and the armature moves adjustment linkage 216 downward in a vertical direction.

In FIG. 7, the rotation of spherical ball 56 is adjusted by positioning linkage member over either

222, 224 or 226. FIG. 8 A, B and C illustrate the approximate alignment of the tubular passageway 58 in spherical ball 56 for each position of linkage member 228 on

pins

222, 224 and 226.

Position A in FIG. 8 represents the alignment upon actuation of the solenoid when linkage member 228 is positioned on pin 226. Correspondingly, positions B and C in FIG. 8 represent the alignment when linkage member 228 is positioned on

pins

224 and 222 respectively. Thus, with the linkage arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 it is possible to regulate the area of the opening between the annular ball valve seals 54 and 60 and the tubular passageway 58 and thereby adjust the flow of liquid (volume per unit time) through the lower ball valve 14.

Lower ball valve 14 may be removed for cleaning andmaintenance by merely inserting a screwdriver between spring clip 42 and

flanges

44 and 46 and disengaging

springs

126 and 136 from

pins

122 and 134 respectively. This allows lower ball valve 14 to be lowered from upper metering valve 12 and totally disengaged. To prevent liquid from freely flowing from output orifice 26 of upper metering valve 12 upper metering valve 12 may be closed by rotation of valve handle 34 until closure body 30 is in sealed engagement with annular valve seat 28 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 or in engagement with annular valve seat 40 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Thus, lower ball valve 14 may be removed for cleaning and maintenance without the necessity of draining the reservoir (not shown) connected to intake orifice 16 of upper metering valve 12.

Once removed, lower ball valve 14 may be dismantled for cleaning and maintenance by the use of a simple screwdriver. By removing machine screws 76, annular plate 74 may be removed from cylindrical portion 48 of lower ball valve 14. A groove (not shown) is provided on shaft 70 engages a key (not shown) in spherical ball 56. Thus, shaft 70 may be moved horizontally until it disengages spherical ball 56, although rotational movement of shaft 70 causes the groove and key to engage to rotate spherical ball 56. Once shaft 70 is removed, lower ball valve 14 may be inverted to permit cylindrical sleeve 62, coil spring 66 upper annular ball valve seal 60, spherical ball 56, and lower annular ball valve seal 54 to slide out of the hollow area formed by cylindrical portion 48 of lower ball valve 14. Thus, lower ball valve 14 may be completely dismantled for cleaning and maintenance utilizing only a simple screwdriver without the necessity of draining the reservoir of the beverage vending machine.

It should be understood that various changes, variations, and modifications may be effected in the details and operation of the present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from a liquid reservoir comprising:

a hollow valve body having an intake orifice connected to the reservoir and an output orifice;

closure means positioned inside said hollow valve body for sealing said hollow valve body to control the flow of liquid;

adjusting means for continuous variable positioning of said closure means to adjust the cross-sectional areaof opening between said hollow valve body and said closure means to permit a regulated flow ofliquid therebetween;

a hollow conduit attached at one end to said hollow valve body about the output orifice for channeling the flow of liquid from the output orifice;

spherical valve means positioned inside said conduit having a tubular opening through the center thereof, the tubular opening positioned with its center line approximately perpendicular to the center line of the hollow conduit, said spherical valve means thereby closing said hollow conduit and preventing the flow of liquid through said hollow conduit; and

rotating means for rotating said spherical valve means for a predetermined period of time in response to an external stimulus to a position whereby the tubular opening is approximately aligned with the center line of the hollow conduit to permit the flow of liquid through said hollow conduit,

whereby a predetermined volume of liquid may be provided in response to the external stimulus.

2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hollow conduit is attached to said output orifice of said valve body with a spring clip so that said hollow conduit may be disengaged from said valve body by removing the spring clip.

3. In a coin operated beverage machine having coin receiving means for receiving coins and issuing signals in response to the insertion of a predetermined total of coin denominations,

cup receiving means accessible from the outside of the machine, cup dispensing means for individually dispensing cups to the cup receiving means in response to a signal from the coin receiving means, means for inserting concentrated beverage into the cup in response to a cup being dispensed into the receiving means, and a reservoir for storing temperature controlled liquid, the improvement being a means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from the reservoir to the cup positioned in the receiving means comprising:

a hollow conduit having an intake orifice connected to the reservoir and an output orifice;

a closure means positioned inside said conduit for closing said conduit;

adjusting means for positioning said closure means to open said conduit and place said closure means in a desired position to regulate the cross-sectional area between said conduit and said closure means and permit a regulated volume per unit time of liquid to flow through said conduit;

a vertically aligned essentially cylindrical hollow channeling means having at the lower opening thereof an essentially annular flange restriction and having the upper opening thereof sealably positioned about the output orifice of said hollow conduit;

disengageable means for holding said channeling means in sealed engagement against said hollow conduit;

a lower essentially annular valve seat positioned inside said channel means adjacent to and against a flange restriction;

a spherical valve means positioned inside said channeling means and against said lower valve seat having a tubular opening through the center thereof, the center line of the tubular opening positioned approximately perpendicular to the center line of said hollow channeling means;

an upper essentially annular valve seat positioned inside saidchanneling means, against and immediately above said spherical valve means;

pressure means for pressing said upper valve seat against .said spherical valve means thereby pressing said valve means against said lower valve seat whereby a liquid tight seal between said spherical valve means and said valve seats is formed; and

rotating means for rotating said spherical valve means for a predetermined period of time in response to a time elapsed signal from the coin receiving means from a position whereby the center line of the tubular opening is approximately perpendicular to the center line of said channeling means to a position whereby the tubular opening is in alignment with said hollow channeling means thereby forming a channel for the flow of liquid,

whereby a predetermined volume of liquid is pennitted to flow into a cup positioned in the cup receiving means in response to a signal generated by the coin receiving means upon insertion of the predetermined total denomination of coins into the coin receiving means.

4. A means for 3, a predetermined volume of liquid as claimed in claim 3 wherein said rotating means comprises:

a rigid connector means having one end engaging said spherical valve means and the other end extending through an opening in the side of said channeling means;

an actuator means attached approximately perpendicular to the other end of the connector means;

spring means for rotating the actuator means and connector means until the tubular opening in the spherical valve means is approximately perpendicular to the center line of the cylindrical hollow channeling means thereby preventing liquid from flowing through said channeling means;

linkage means attached to said actuator means for rotating said actuator means in response to lineal movement of the linkage means in opposition to said spring means until the tubular opening is in alignment with the cylindrical hollow channeling means thereby permitting the flow of liquid through said channeling means; and

a motion producing means for producing lineal movement of the linkage means in response to a signal generated by the coin receiving means for a predetermined period of time,

whereby liquid is permitted to flow for a predetermined period of time in response to the signal from the coin receiving means.

5. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid as claimed in claim 4 wherein:

said motion producing means comprises a solenoid having an armature for moving in a lineal direction in response to electrical excitation of the solenoid by the coin receiving means; and

said actuator means comprises an essentially circular plate having a first pin extending from the flat side thereof opposite the side attached to the connector means, said first pin connected at a radial distance from the center thereof.

6. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid as claimed in claim 5, wherein said linkage means comprises:

a rigid member connected at one end to the armature of the solenoid and having formed in the opposite end of the rigid member a Y-shaped yoke having first and second arms and an opening therebetween, said arms positioned around and on each side of said first pin;

a second pin attached to the rigid member adjacent the Y- shaped yoke; and

a coil spring attached to the first pin at one end and the second pin at its opposite end;

whereby electrical excitation of the solenoid moves said rigid member in a lineal direction thereby causing said spring to exert force on said first pin thereby causing said actuator means to rotate and thereby causing said spherical valve means to rotate until the tubular opening is in alignment with the cylindrical hollow channeling means.

7. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from a liquid reservoir comprising:

a hollow cylindrical valve body having an intake orifice connected to the reservoir and an output orifice;

a spherical valve means positioned within said hollow valve body having a tubular opening through the center thereof for preventing the flow of liquid through said hollow valve body when the tubular opening is aligned approximately perpendicular to the center line of said hollow cylindrical valve body;

rotating means for rotating said spherical valve means;

actuating means for rotating said rotating means and said spherical valve means for a predetermined period of time in response to an external stimulus until said tubular opening is approximately in alignment with the center line of said hollow cylindrical valve body thereby permitting flow of liquid through said valve body; and

adjustable linkage means connected between said rotating means and said actuating means for varying the degree of rotation of said spherical valve means by said rotating means and varying the alignment of the tubular opening with said hollow cylindrical valve body thereby permitting adjustment of the volume of liquid flow per unit time through said hollow cylindrical valve body,

whereby a predetermined volume of liquid is permitted to flow from the reservoir in response to the external stimulus.

8. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid as claimed in claim 7, wherein said linkage means comprises an adjustable linkage member in operable association with the rotating means that permits adjustment of the relative rotation of the spherical valve means by corresponding adjustment of the linkage member.

9. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said linkage means comprises a fixed linkage member adapted to be attached to said rotating means at variable positions whereby the degree of rotation of the spherical valve means may be predetermined by the position at which the linkage member is attached to the rotating means.

* a: a: x

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from a liquid reservoir comprising: a hollow valve body having an intake orifice connected to the reservoir and an output orifice; closure means positioned inside said hollow valve body for sealing said hollow valve body to control the flow of liquid; adjusting means for continuous variable positioning of said closure means to adjust the cross-sectional area of opening between said hollow valve body and said closure means to permit a regulated flow of liquid therebetween; a hollow conduit attached at one end to said hollow valve body about the output orifice for channeling the flow of liquid from the output orifice; spherical valve means positioned inside said conduit having a tubular opening through the center thereof, the tubular opening positioned with its center line approximately perpendicular to the center line of the hollow conduit, said spherical valve means thereby closing said hollow conduit and preventing the flow of liquid through said hollow conduit; and rotating means for rotating said spherical valve means for a predetermined period of time in response to an external stimulus to a position whereby the tubular opening is approximately aligned with the center line of the hollow conduit to permit the flow of liquid through said hollow conduit, whereby a predetermined volume of liquid may be provided in response to the external stimulus.

3. In a coin operated beverage machine having coin receiving means for receiving coins and issuing signals in response to the insertion of a predetermined total of coin denominations, cup receiving means accessible from the outside of the machine, cup dispensing means for individually dispensing cups to the cup receiving means in response to a signal from the coin receiving means, means for inserting concentrated beverage into the cup in response to a cup being dispensed into the receiving means, and a reservoir for storing temperature controlled liquid, the improvement being a means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from the reservoir to the cup positioned in the receiving means comprising: a hollow conduit having an intake orifice connected to the reservoir and an output orifice; a closure means positioned inside said conduit for closing said conduit; adjusting means for positioning said closure means to open said conduit and place said closure means in a desired position to regulate the cross-sectional area between said conduit and said closure means and permit a regulated volume per unit time of liquid to flow through said conduit; a vertically aligned essentially cylindrical hollow channeling means having at the lower opening thereof an essentially annular flange restriction and having the upper opening thereof sealably positioned about the output orifice of said hollow conduit; disengageable means for holding said channeling means in sealed engagement against said hollow conduit; a lower essentially annular valve seat positioned inside said channel means adjacent to and against a flange restriction; a spherical valve means positioned inside said channeling means and against said lower valve seat having a tubular opening through the center thereof, the center line of the tubular opening positioned approximately perpendicular to the center line of said hollow channeling means; AN upper essentially annular valve seat positioned inside said channeling means, against and immediately above said spherical valve means; pressure means for pressing said upper valve seat against said spherical valve means thereby pressing said valve means against said lower valve seat whereby a liquid tight seal between said spherical valve means and said valve seats is formed; and rotating means for rotating said spherical valve means for a predetermined period of time in response to a time elapsed signal from the coin receiving means from a position whereby the center line of the tubular opening is approximately perpendicular to the center line of said channeling means to a position whereby the tubular opening is in alignment with said hollow channeling means thereby forming a channel for the flow of liquid, whereby a predetermined volume of liquid is permitted to flow into a cup positioned in the cup receiving means in response to a signal generated by the coin receiving means upon insertion of the predetermined total denomination of coins into the coin receiving means.

4. A means for 3, a predetermined volume of liquid as claimed in claim 3 wherein said rotating means comprises: a rigid connector means having one end engaging said spherical valve means and the other end extending through an opening in the side of said channeling means; an actuator means attached approximately perpendicular to the other end of the connector means; spring means for rotating the actuator means and connector means until the tubular opening in the spherical valve means is approximately perpendicular to the center line of the cylindrical hollow channeling means thereby preventing liquid from flowing through said channeling means; linkage means attached to said actuator means for rotating said actuator means in response to lineal movement of the linkage means in opposition to said spring means until the tubular opening is in alignment with the cylindrical hollow channeling means thereby permitting the flow of liquid through said channeling means; and a motion producing means for producing lineal movement of the linkage means in response to a signal generated by the coin receiving means for a predetermined period of time, whereby liquid is permitted to flow for a predetermined period of time in response to the signal from the coin receiving means.

5. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid as claimed in claim 4 wherein: said motion producing means comprises a solenoid having an armature for moving in a lineal direction in response to electrical excitation of the solenoid by the coin receiving means; and said actuator means comprises an essentially circular plate having a first pin extending from the flat side thereof opposite the side attached to the connector means, said first pin connected at a radial distance from the center thereof.

6. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid as claimed in claim 5, wherein said linkage means comprises: a rigid member connected at one end to the armature of the solenoid and having formed in the opposite end of the rigid member a Y-shaped yoke having first and second arms and an opening therebetween, said arms positioned around and on each side of said first pin; a second pin attached to the rigid member adjacent the Y-shaped yoke; and a coil spring attached to the first pin at one end and the second pin at its opposite end; whereby electrical excitation of the solenoid moves said rigid member in a lineal direction thereby causing said spring to exert force on said first pin thereby causing said actuator means to rotate and thereby causing said spherical valve means to rotate until the tubular opening is in alignment with the cylindrical hollow channeling means.

7. A means for providing a predetermined volume of liquid from a liquid reservoir comprising: a hollow cylindrical valve body having an intake orifice connected To the reservoir and an output orifice; a spherical valve means positioned within said hollow valve body having a tubular opening through the center thereof for preventing the flow of liquid through said hollow valve body when the tubular opening is aligned approximately perpendicular to the center line of said hollow cylindrical valve body; rotating means for rotating said spherical valve means; actuating means for rotating said rotating means and said spherical valve means for a predetermined period of time in response to an external stimulus until said tubular opening is approximately in alignment with the center line of said hollow cylindrical valve body thereby permitting flow of liquid through said valve body; and adjustable linkage means connected between said rotating means and said actuating means for varying the degree of rotation of said spherical valve means by said rotating means and varying the alignment of the tubular opening with said hollow cylindrical valve body thereby permitting adjustment of the volume of liquid flow per unit time through said hollow cylindrical valve body, whereby a predetermined volume of liquid is permitted to flow from the reservoir in response to the external stimulus.