Connector for a fluid dispenser
AssigneeCocktailsmachine Srl
InventorsMarco De Gasperi, Marcello De Gasperi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector for dispensing a fluid contained in a bag-in-box container is disclosed, that is usable in an automatic dosing an apparatus of ingredients for cocktails, in which the connector includes an assembly of several portions including a first assembly portion connected to the container and a second assembly portion connectable to a dispensing tube that is in turn connected to a peristaltic pump, the assembly including a first check valve that, when the connector is assembled, is opened by a pin that belongs to the assembly, and a second check valve that is opened during dispensing through the effect of a vacuum caused by the peristaltic pump, so that owing to the second valve the dispensing circuit is kept closed even when the first valve is open.
Claims16
A connector for a fluid dispenser, comprising an assembly with a first end configured for connection to a fluid container and a second end configured for connection to a fluid dispensing tube, said assembly defining a fluid passage from said first end to said second end, said assembly including:
- a first portion which includes said first end and a second portion which includes said second end;
- a first check valve configured with an opening movement towards said first end;
- a second check valve arranged between said first valve and said second end and configured with an opening movement towards said second end;
- a third portion arranged between said first portion and said second portion, said third portion having a pin projecting towards said first end, whereby, in an assembled configuration of said assembly, said pin interacts with said first valve to take said first valve into an open position.
A combination of a container with a connector for a fluid dispenser, the combination comprising an assembly with a first end configured for connection to a fluid container and a second end configured for connection to a fluid dispensing tube, said assembly defining a fluid passage from said first end to said second end, said assembly including:
- a first portion which includes said first end and a second portion which includes said second end;
- a first check valve configured with an opening movement towards said first end;
- a second check valve arranged between said first valve and said second end and configured with an opening movement towards said second end;
- a third portion arranged between said first portion and said second portion, said third portion having a pin projecting towards said first end, whereby, in an assembled configuration of said assembly, said pin interacts with said first valve to take said first valve into an open position,
- wherein said first portion is fluid-tight attached to the container containing a fluid to be dispensed.
An ingredient dosing apparatus, comprising:
- two or more containers each containing at least one ingredient;
- at least one dispensing unit connected to said two or more containers to dispense the ingredients so as to form a mixture;
- for each of said two or more containers, at least one dispensing pump to generate an ingredient flow from the respective container towards said at least one dispensing unit;
- characterized in that at least one of said two or more containers is provided with a connector to connect said at least one of said two or more containers to the respective dispensing pump, the connector including an assembly with a first end configured for connection to a fluid container and a second end configured for connection to a fluid dispensing tube, said assembly defining a fluid passage from said first end to said second end, said assembly including:
- a first portion which includes said first end and a second portion which includes said second end;
- a first check valve configured with an opening movement towards said first end;
- a second check valve arranged between said first valve and said second end and configured with an opening movement towards said second end;
- a third portion arranged between said first portion and said second portion, said third portion having a pin projecting towards said first end, whereby, in an assembled configuration of said assembly, said pin interacts with said first valve to take said first valve into an open position.
A method for preparing a mixture using an ingredient dosing apparatus having:
- two or more containers each containing at least one ingredient;
- at least one dispensing unit connected to said two or more containers to dispense the ingredients so as to form a mixture;
- for each of said two or more containers, at least one dispensing pump to generate an ingredient flow from the respective container towards said at least one dispensing unit;
- characterized in that at least one of said two or more containers is provided with a connector to connect said at least one of said two or more containers to the respective dispensing pump, the connector including an assembly with a first end configured for connection to a fluid container and a second end configured for connection to a fluid dispensing tube, said assembly defining a fluid passage from said first end to said second end, said assembly including:
- a first portion which includes said first end and a second portion which includes said second end;
- a first check valve configured with an opening movement towards said first end;
- a second check valve arranged between said first valve and said second end and configured with an opening movement towards said second end;
- a third portion arranged between said first portion and said second portion, said third portion having a pin projecting towards said first end, whereby, in an assembled configuration of said assembly, said pin interacts with said first valve to take said first valve into an open position,
- the method comprising holding open said first valve by said pin in said assembled configuration of said assembly, and opening said second valve due to a vacuum generated by the respective dispensing pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.