Dispensing apparatus

Apparatus for dispensing cold drinks comprising:

• a line for supplying cold water for drinks adapted for continuous flow of water therethrough;
• a valve for dispensing water from said supply line, said valve comprising a valve body having an inlet interconnected with said line at a first point along said line, an outlet for delivery of water from the valve body into a cup, a delivery passage in the body for delivery of water from the inlet to the outlet, a valve seat in the body adjacent the outlet, and a valve member associated with the body movable between a closed position engaging the seat blocking flow of water through the outlet and an open position for flow of water through the outlet;
• and
• a system for maintaining a continuous flow of the cold water through said delivery passage and back to said line when the valve member is closed to assure having cold water on tap for being dispensed when the valve member is opened, comprising a return passage in the valve body interconnected with the delivery passage downstream from the inlet and upstream from but adjacent the valve seat and a return connection from said return passage to said supply line at a second point along said line downstream from said first point, and means for causing a pressure differential in the water between said first and second points such that, when the valve member is closed, cold water flows continuously from said first point along said line to the inlet, through said delivery passage, through said return passage and through said return connection back to the line at said second point along said line.