Dispensing means

A beverage dispense apparatus comprising a dispense head (10, 20) having one or more outlets (11) for fluids to be dispensed, a fluid supply line (16, 17) to the head (10, 20) for each fluid, each outlet (11) being governed by a valve, and a valve actuation means (13, 14, 25, 26) to open and close each valve, characterised in that a flow sensor (18, 19, 32) is positioned in each fluid supply line and connected to a control means (15) which controls the valve actuation means whereby it actuates opening of its respective valve on receiving a start signal and actuates closing of the valve when the pre-determined amount of fluid flow has been achieved, and in that the valve (110) of each outlet comprising a housing containing a passageway (112, 131, 141, 151, 161) between an inlet (113, 132, 142, 152, 162) and an outlet (114, 133, 143, 153, 163)of the valve, a closure member (111, 130, 140, 150, 160) movable in the passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed to a second position in which the valve is fully open, the closure member (113, 130, 140, 150, 160) engaging the wall of the passageway (112, 131, 141, 151, 161) to seal the passageway, the wall of the passageway and/or the closure member defining at least one groove (116, 117;

• 137, 138;
• 147, 148;
• 157, 158;
• 167, 168), the groove having a transverse cross section that increases in area in the downstream or upstream direction, whereby movement of the closure member from the first position towards the second position opens a flow channel through the groove.