Milk dispenser

US4651898A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• Michael H. Bell · Cape Coral, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 1984
• Grant date: Mar 24, 1987
• Expiry date: Dec 12, 2004

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B67D3/0019
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for dispensing simultaneously into a single receptacle milk from different sources in a milk dispensing cabinet. The cabinet comprises two adjacent compartments for different milk containers. Each container has a flexible outlet tube for the milk contained therein. The cabinet has a milk dispenser outlet controller comprising a channel defined by walls, which channel is normally vertically oriented and through which channel the outlet tubes from each milk container pass. The tubes are positioned a similar distance with respect to one of the walls of the channel. A pinch valve, having a surface parallel to that wall, is positioned on the opposite side of the tubes with respect to that wall. Its surface is movable in parallel fashion with respect to the wall to permit simultaneous opening or closing of the flow of milk through the tubes. When one of the milk container contains reconstituted powdered skim milk, the combined milk mixture dispensed into a glass by the system according to the present invention provides an economical, palatable milk substitute which can afford considerable savings for institutions.