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US 12,668,480 B2Granted
Post-mix beverage fluids flow controller and accessories therefor
AssigneeLancer Corporation
InventorsPaul V. Watkins, Jr., Brandon Ojeda, Anthony Joseph Behe, Jr., Ricardo Abugarade Rodriguez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow control assembly, as particularly for use with a hand-held beverage dispenser of the bar gun class, provides ON-OFF flow control and regulated flow of beverage products and diluents to a hand-held beverage dispenser. The fluid flow controller includes a toolless (manually affixed) splash cover and an inlet connector retaining mechanism.
Claims11
A toolless (manually affixed) splash cover for a post-mix beverages fluid flow controller, said splash cover comprising:
- an enclosure having a plurality of sides, and a substantially closed bottom;
- and
- wherein:
- a first side of said enclosure includes a first plurality of frictional attachments, said first plurality of frictional attachments being configured to frictionally engage a structural feature of a post-mix beverages fluid flow controller;
- the structural feature of the post-mix beverages fluid flow controller, comprising a plurality of gussets extending from the post-mix beverages fluid flow controller;
- the first plurality of frictional attachments of the splash cover, comprising a plurality of tapered slots provided in the first side of the enclosure with each tapered slot being configured to receive therein one of the plurality of gussets thereby affixing the splash cover with the post-mix beverages fluid flow controller;
- and
- a second side of said enclosure includes a second plurality of frictional attachments, said second plurality of frictional attachments being configured to frictionally engage a structural feature temporarily affixed to said post-mix beverages fluid flow controller.
5 more elements
A fluid flow controller, comprising:
- an assembly body, comprising:
- a multiplicity of discrete fluid flow paths with each discrete fluid flow path being between a single provided fluid inlet port into the assembly body and a single provided outlet port from the assembly body, and
- a multiplicity of flow rate controller and shutoff valve pairs with each flow rate controller and shutoff valve pair being disposed within each discrete fluid flow path;
- and
- a splash cover, comprising an enclosure having a plurality of sides, and a substantially closed bottom, wherein:
- a first side of the enclosure includes a first plurality of frictional attachments, the first plurality of frictional attachments being configured to frictionally engage a structural feature of the assembly body,
- the structural feature of the assembly body, comprising a plurality of gussets extending from the assembly body,
- the first plurality of frictional attachments of the splash cover, comprising a plurality of tapered slots provided in the first side of the enclosure with each tapered slot being configured to receive therein one of the plurality of gussets thereby affixing the splash cover with the assembly body, and
- a second side of the enclosure includes a second plurality of frictional attachments, the second plurality of frictional attachments being configured to frictionally engage a structural feature temporarily affixed to the assembly body.
6 more elements
A fluid flow controller, comprising:
- an assembly body, comprising:
- a multiplicity of discrete fluid flow paths with each discrete fluid flow path being between a single provided fluid inlet port into the assembly body and a single provided outlet port from the assembly body,
- a multiplicity of flow rate controller and shutoff valve pairs with each flow rate controller and shutoff valve pair being disposed within each discrete fluid flow path, and
- a multiplicity of linear guides with each linear guide being formed about each fluid inlet port into the assembly body, wherein each linear guide comprises sidewalls defining a vertical channel of the linear guide;
- and
- a multiplicity of L-shaped clips with each L-shaped clip being insertable into each linear guide, whereby each L-shaped clip is configured to receive therethrough a barbed quick-connect fitting that inserts within one of the fluid inlet ports into the assembly body, further whereby each L-shaped clip is configured to engage the barbed quick-connect fitting, thereby installing a barbed quick connect fitting within each of the inlet ports into the assembly body, wherein each L-shaped clip comprises a slotted aperture including a through hole configured to receive therethrough a male quick-connector of a barbed quick-connect fitting and an intersecting through hole configured to snap fit about a barrel of the barbed quick-connect fitting.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.