Abstract:
A mixing valve and method, in which two fluids under pressure are supplied to a non-electric valve, in which the fluids are mixed and dispensed. The dispensing of fluids is controlled by a spring activated member, which in a non-activated closed position prevents the passage of fluids out of the mixing valve and which in an activated open position permits the passage, mixing and dispensing of the fluid intakes. In one embodiment, a third fluid inlet, which is selectively opened and closed by a second spring activated member, permits the passage and dispensing of one of the two fluid intakes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to mixing valves for mixing and dispensing drinks and, more specifically, to a non-electric mixing valve and method activatable by pressure. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Mixing valves used to mix two fluid inputs and dispense them as a mixed soft drink are well known in the art. Prior art mixing valves are electrically powered, and utilize a compressor to force the ingredients to be mixed into the valve, where they can be mixed and dispensed. Electric mixing valves are relatively complicated and relatively expensive to manufacture. 
     A need therefore existed for a less expensive, less complicated mixing valve, capable of mixing soft drinks without the need for electric power. The non-electric mixing valve should be able to take advantage of the pressures created by carbonators and syrup pumps to activate the mixing and dispensing of the soft drink. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-electric mixing valve. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mixing valve that is pressure-activated. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a pressure-activated mixing valve capable of alternately dispensing non-carbonated water or carbonated water without the need for re-coupling the mixing valve. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a mixing valve is disclosed. The mixing valve comprises, in combination: a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with a mixing chamber and adapted to receive a first fluid under pressure; a second fluid inlet in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and adapted to receive a second fluid under pressure; and spring activated means located proximate an end of the first fluid inlet and having a non-depressed closed position and a depressed open position for alternately preventing each of the first fluid and the second fluid from departing the first fluid inlet and entering the mixing chamber and permitting each of the first fluid and the second fluid to depart the first fluid inlet and enter the mixing chamber. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for mixing and dispensing a drink is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with a mixing chamber and adapted to receive a first fluid under pressure; providing a second fluid inlet in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet and adapted to receive a second fluid under pressure; providing spring activated means located proximate an end of the first fluid inlet and having a non-depressed closed position and a depressed open position for alternately preventing each of the first fluid and the second fluid from departing the first fluid inlet and entering the mixing chamber and permitting each of the first fluid and the second fluid to depart the first fluid inlet and enter the mixing chamber; providing a first fluid under pressure to the first fluid inlet; providing a second fluid under pressure to the second fluid inlet; and depressing the spring activated means. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a right side view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a left side view of the mixing valve of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the mixing valve of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the mixing valve of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a first end view of the mixing valve of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a second end view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a second end view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a side, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a side, cross-sectional, partially exploded view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a side, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a side, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a side, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-9 and  11 - 12 , reference number  10  refers generally to an embodiment of the mixing valve of the present invention The mixing valve  10  generally comprises a first fluid inlet  12  and a second fluid inlet  14  located within a main body  15  of the mixing valve  10 , an activator  16  which releases fluids from each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14 , and a mixing chamber  18  in which fluid from each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  4  is received and mixed. Referring specifically to FIG. 9, other than the activator  16 , the main body  15  is preferably formed as a one-piece, machined plexiglass assembly having formed therein each of the first fluid inlet  12 , the second fluid inlet  14 , and the mixing chamber  18 . 
     Referring now specifically to FIGS. 8-9 and  11 - 12 , the flow of fluids through the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14  and into the mixing chamber  18  are described in more detail. The first fluid inlet  12  preferably comprises a substantially axial bore, having preferably four zones  20  of increased diameter. The second fluid inlet  14 , located above the first fluid inlet  12 , is angled downward sow as to enter and be in fluid communication with the first fluid inlet  12 . Fluid travelling through the second fluid inlet  14  and into the first fluid inlet  12  will continue to the mixing chamber  18  by passing through a third fluid inlet  24 , which third fluid inlet  24  preferably extends at a right angle from the first fluid inlet  12  into the mixing chamber  18 . Preferably, a brixing or mixing adjustment screw  25  (preferably comprising a {fraction (1/16)}″ set screw) is positioned within a threaded opening in the main body  15  extending into the third fluid inlet  24 , so as to permit adjustment of the amount of air entering the third fluid inlet  24 . A fourth fluid inlet  22  transports fluid from the first fluid inlet  12  to the mixing chamber  18 . The fourth fluid inlet  22  and the third fluid inlet  24 , like the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14 , are preferably formed as part of the one-piece, machined main body  15 . 
     Referring again specifically to FIG. 9, each zone  20  has an O-ring  26  positioned therein, for purposes of restricting fluid flow as explained herein. Referring now to the activator  16 , it is preferably a one-piece plastic assembly comprising a shaft  28  having narrow regions  30  and wide regions  32 , a button  34  with a lip  36  extending therearound, and a locating pin  38  extending from below the lip  36 . The activator  16  is positioned within the main body  15 , as shown in FIG. 9, by: (a) positioning a spring  37  about the shaft  28 ; (b) inserting the shaft  28  into the first fluid inlet  12 ; (c) inserting the locating pin  38  into a locating pin receiver  40 ; (d) positioning the spring  37  and button  34  within the receiving chamber  42 ; and (e) positioning an O-ring  44  above the lip  36  and within a channel  46  formed in the receiving chamber  42 , which O-ring  44  maintains the activator  16  within the main body  15  and keeps the spring  37  in a partially-closed position. 
     Referring now to the mixing chamber  18 , and still referring to FIG. 9, the mixing chamber  18  preferably has an interior threaded opening  48 , which opening  48  receives a mixer  50  having an exterior threaded surface  51  dimensioned to mate with the threaded opening  48 . The mixer  50  preferably has an O-ring  52  located inside the end of the mixer  50  that is inserted into the opening  48 , so as to help ensure efficient fluid communication between the mixing chamber  18  and the mixer  50 . The mixer  50  further comprises a mixing bar  52  located across the dispensing opening  54 , to further assist in mixing fluids from the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14 . Finally, a mixing housing  56  is preferably threadably coupled over the mixing chamber  18  to a threaded area  58  located on an exterior portion of the mixing chamber  18 . The mixing housing  56  serves to protect the mixing chamber  18  and mixer  50  during use, and further may be used to improve the overall appearance of the mixing valve  10  by being of a different color than other portions of the mixing valve  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, communication between the first fluid inlet  12 , the second fluid inlet  14 , and their associated fluid sources (not shown) may be accomplished in different ways. As shown in FIG. 10, such communication can be accomplished by inserting first ends of plastic tubes  58  into each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14 , with second ends of the plastic tubes  58  being inserted into the associated fluid sources (not shown). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, tube receivers  60  may be inserted into each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14 , which tube receivers  60  would then receiver tubes (not shown) leading to the associated fluid sources (not shown). To assist in creating a secure connection between the tube receivers  60  and each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14 , O-rings  62  may be positioned within expanded areas of each of the first fluid inlet  12  and second fluid inlet  14  as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the mixing valve  10 , referred to as a mixing valve  10 ′. The mixing valve  10 ′ is identical to the mixing valve  10  in all respects discussed above, and equivalent reference numbers are used to so indicate, except as noted herein. In this embodiment, the third fluid inlet  24  extends through the entire cross-section of the main body  15 , and has a zone  69  of increased diameter, into which is inserted an O-ring  71 . Furthermore, the second fluid inlet  14  branches into two portions, one of which ( 14   a ) enters the first fluid inlet  12  as described above and the second of which ( 14   b ) enters the third fluid inlet  24 . On a top portion of the main body  15 , at the opening of the third fluid inlet  24  opposite the mixing chamber  18 , a second activator  64  is located. The second activator  64  is preferably a one-piece plastic assembly comprising a shaft  66  having a narrow region  68  and a wide region  70 , and a button  72  with a lip  74  extending therearound. The second activator  64  is positioned within the main boy  15 , as shown in FIG. 10, by: (a) positioning a spring  76  about the shaft  66 ; (b) inserting the shaft  66  into the third fluid inlet  24 ; (c) positioning the spring  76  and button  72  within a threaded receiving chamber  78 ; and (d) threadably securing a collar  80  to the threaded receiving chamber  78  over the lip  74 . 
     STATEMENT OF OPERATION 
     Referring first to the mixing valve  10 , a fluid source is coupled to each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14 . This coupling is preferably accomplished using plastic tubes  58  inserted directly into each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14  as shown in FIG. 10, or using plastic tubes (not shown) inserted into tube receivers  60  in each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14  as shown in FIG.  11 . Preferably, the fluid coupled to the first fluid inlet  12  is a syrup, which syrup would be dispensed by a pump, which pumps typically generate in the range of 40 pounds of pressure. The fluid coupled to the second fluid inlet  14  is preferably carbonated water. Typically, a carbonator generates in the range of 80 pounds of pressure. Of course, other fluids may be used as desired. The pressures generated by the syrup pump and carbonator (not shown) will power the mixing valve  10 . 
     In its undepressed position, the activator  16  acts to prevent the passage of fluids from the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14  to the mixing chamber  18 . In this regard, when the activator  16  is undepressed, the wide regions  32  of the shaft  28  are aligned with O-rings  26  located within the zones  20 , so as to prevent the passage of fluid from the first fluid inlet  12  into the mixing chamber  18  or from the second fluid inlet  14  to the first fluid inlet  12 . When the activator  16  is depressed, the wide regions  32  move past the O-rings  26 , so that the narrow regions  30  are aligned with the O-rings  26 . This allows the fluid, which is under pressure by the syrup pump and carbonator, to move through the zones  20 , through the first fluid inlet  12 , into the mixing chamber  18 , and out of the mixing chamber  18  and into a beverage holder of some kind (not shown). 
     Referring now to the mixing valve  10 ′, a mixed drink comprising fluids passing through each of the first fluid inlet  12  and the second fluid inlet  14  may be dispensed in the manner described above with respect to the mixing valve  10 . The mixing valve  10 ′ further gives the user the flexibility to dispense only the fluid passing through the second fluid inlet  14 —in this case carbonated water. This is accomplished by use of the second activator  64 . In its undepressed position, the second activator  64  acts to prevent the passage of fluids from the portion  14   b  of the second fluid inlet  14  to the third fluid inlet  24  and into the mixing chamber  18 . In this regard, when the second activator  64  is undepressed, the wide region  70  of the shaft  66  is aligned with O-ring  71  located within the zone  69 , so as to prevent the passage of fluid from the portion  14   b  of the second fluid inlet  14  into the third fluid inlet  24  and into the mixing chamber  18 . When the second activator  64  is depressed, the wide region  70  moves past the O-ring  71 , so that the narrow region  68  is aligned with the O-ring  71 . This allows the fluid entering the second fluid inlet  14 , preferably carbonated water, which is under pressure by the carbonator, to move through the zone  69 , through the third fluid inlet  24 , into the mixing chamber  18 , and out of the mixing chamber  18  and into a beverage holder of some kind (not shown). 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.