Passive drawback valve for condiment dispensing
US6227420A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65B39/00
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A condiment drawback valve for a condiment dispensing system compensates for run-on from a depressurized pump during deactivation and draws back any hanging condiment left in the dispensing outlet of the system, thereby eliminating drips after the pump is stopped. The condiment drawback valve includes a continuous-flowing condiment channel fluidicly coupled between the pump and the dispensing outlet. A drawback chamber is in continuous fluid communication with the condiment channel. A spring is disposed in the drawback chamber. A piston is coupled with the spring and is movable to change the volume of the drawback chamber. When a flow gas is supplied to the pump to activate the pump during condiment dispensing, a portion of the gas is directed to the piston to push the piston against the biasing force of the spring and reduce the volume of the drawback chamber. When the flow of gas is terminated to deactivate the pump, the spring returns the piston to the rest position, increasing the volume of the drawback chamber and generating a suction to draw the condiment into the drawback chamber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.