Fluid flow distributor for multi-choice vending machine
AssigneeCoffee-Mat Corporation
InventorLeo Kull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A selectively operated multiple output flow distributor includes a circular head block having a central input port and a plurality of peripherally spaced outlet ports terminating in a valve seat. A resilient circular diaphragm underlies the head block and is provided with raised valve-defining bosses registering with the outlet ports, and its border is sandwiched between the confronting peripheral border of the port block and an underlying block slidably carrying valve stems registering with each of the bosses and either spring-urged to a raised valve-closing position or unbiased to be retracted normally from the port in a valve-open position. A mechanism including either motivating solenoids or a hand or motor-controlled circular cam selectively actuates the valve stems to open or close respective valves.
Claims13
A fluid distributor device comprising a head member having a first face provided with an inlet port and a plurality of spaced first valve seats defining first outlet ports and a second valve seat defining a second outlet port, a flexible diaphragm hermetically sealed to said head member and having a second face confronting and axially spaced from said first face and having first and second valves registering with respective first and second valve seats and movable to closed and open positions engaging and disengaging respective valve seats, said first valves being normally in closed engagement with corresponding first valve seats and said second valve being normally in open disengagement with said second valve seat, and valve actuating means including a plurality of solenoids and means coupling each of said solenoids to a respective first valve for opening a corresponding first valve in response to the energization of said solenoid and means responsive to the opening of one of said first valves for closing said second valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.