EP2641865A2 - Vanne pour soutirage de boisson, en particulier pour réfrigérateur domestique - Google Patents

Vanne pour soutirage de boisson, en particulier pour réfrigérateur domestique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2641865A2
EP2641865A2 EP13159777.5A EP13159777A EP2641865A2 EP 2641865 A2 EP2641865 A2 EP 2641865A2 EP 13159777 A EP13159777 A EP 13159777A EP 2641865 A2 EP2641865 A2 EP 2641865A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
beverage
lower body
operating condition
main body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP13159777.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2641865A3 (fr
Inventor
Andrea Valeri
Rajasekhar Nukala
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Original Assignee
Indesit Co SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IT000247A external-priority patent/ITTO20120247A1/it
Priority claimed from IT000246A external-priority patent/ITTO20120246A1/it
Application filed by Indesit Co SpA filed Critical Indesit Co SpA
Publication of EP2641865A2 publication Critical patent/EP2641865A2/fr
Publication of EP2641865A3 publication Critical patent/EP2641865A3/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1256—Anti-dripping devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/14—Reducing valves or control taps
    • B67D1/1405—Control taps
    • B67D1/145—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction perpendicular to the valve seat
    • B67D1/1455—Control taps comprising a valve shutter movable in a direction perpendicular to the valve seat the valve shutter being opened in the same direction as the liquid flow
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0025—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with dispensing valves actuated by the receptacle to be filled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/02—Liquid-dispensing valves having operating members arranged to be pressed upwards, e.g. by the rims of receptacles held below the delivery orifice
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/04—Liquid-dispensing taps or cocks adapted to seal and open tapping holes of casks, e.g. for beer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/04—Liquid-dispensing taps or cocks adapted to seal and open tapping holes of casks, e.g. for beer
    • B67D3/043—Liquid-dispensing taps or cocks adapted to seal and open tapping holes of casks, e.g. for beer with a closing element having a linear movement, in a direction perpendicular to the seat
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F25D23/126—Water cooler

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a beverage dispensing valve, in particular for a household refrigeration appliance, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the present invention also relates to a respective household refrigerating appliance comprising said beverage dispensing valve.
  • a refrigeration appliance in particular for household use, of the type comprising a structure with at least one compartment formed therein for food preservation.
  • Refrigeration appliances known in the art typically comprise two compartments which are kept at different temperatures, thus providing at least two different food preservation states, in particular a refrigerator compartment suitable for preserving fresh food at a temperature between 0°C and 10°C and a freezer compartment suitable for preserving frozen food at a temperature between -15°C and -30°C; such refrigeration appliances are commonly referred to by those skilled in the art of household refrigeration as “double-door” or “combined” refrigerators, depending on the relative position of the two compartments. In a “double-door” refrigeration appliance, the freezer compartment is above the refrigerator compartment, whereas in a “combined” refrigeration appliance the freezer compartment is located at the bottom.
  • a refrigeration appliance in particular for household use, may include a device for dispensing a beverage outside said refrigeration appliance, said device comprising a beverage dispensing valve.
  • said valve is associated, whether directly or indirectly, with a reservoir located inside a compartment of the refrigeration appliance, in particular said reservoir being typically positioned in a refrigerator compartment; said valve is operated by an actuator element associated therewith and positioned externally to the refrigeration appliance, said actuator element being operated by a user wanting the beverage to exit the valve.
  • Refrigeration appliances with such features have been very common for decades in the USA; actually, the refrigeration appliances widespread on the American market are equipped with dispensers capable of dispensing not only refrigerated water, but also ice and, in some cases, refrigerated soft drinks.
  • These refrigeration appliances are usually fitted with two doors arranged side by side, and are therefore very bulky; the dispenser and the valve are associated with one door, the valve typically extending through the door, so that it protrudes both inside and outside the refrigeration appliance; furthermore, a recess is normally present on said door, outside the refrigeration appliance, where the valve or the associated ducts come out for dispensing the beverage; in said recess, the user can lay, for example, a glass or another container suitable for receiving the dispensed beverage.
  • valves known in the art are associated with an actuator element positioned externally to the refrigeration appliance, preferably said actuator element being operable via a thrust exerted by a user wanting the beverage to exit the valve.
  • valves known in the art lack versatility, in that each one of them is conceived for being associated with a refrigeration appliance with walls and/or elements having specific dimensions, without the possibility of associating said valve with walls and/or elements having different dimensions than the predetermined ones.
  • a further drawback of the coupling between the actuator element and prior-art valves is that the activation of said valve often occurs unintentionally, e.g. upon fortuitous contact with the actuator element by a user; it is clear that such undesired valve activation is particularly unpleasant and annoying, since it implies wasting beverage and soiling both the refrigeration appliance and the user.
  • valves known in the art are so realized as to cause beverage dripping even when the user has already removed the container suitable for receiving the dispensed beverage.
  • valves known in the art are usually so realized as to not ensure a homogeneous exit of the beverage; it is clear that also this drawback is particularly annoying, in that it may cause the beverage to be improperly dispensed, thus increasing the risk of spilling beverage on the refrigeration appliance and on the surrounding area.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a refrigeration appliance, in particular for household use, in accordance with the present invention, designated as a whole by reference numeral 1.
  • Said refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a structure 2 within which at least one compartment 3, 4 is obtained for preserving foodstuffs, which is adapted to be closed by at least one door 3P, 4P.
  • said at least one compartment 3, 4 comprises:
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a "combined" one, in that the freezer compartment 4 is located under the refrigerator compartment 3; it is however clear that the refrigeration appliance 1 according to the present invention may be of a different type as well.
  • Fig. 1 shows rather thick walls of the structure 2, to indicate the presence of a layer of thermally insulating material; normally, the thickness of the insulating material depends on the type of cell (i.e. on the cell's operating temperatures) and, of course, on the type of insulating material in use; this is common and well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a beverage dispensing device, designated as a whole by reference numeral 5, said dispensing device 5 being associated with the structure 2 of the refrigeration appliance 1, in particular with said at least one door 3P, 4P.
  • Said dispensing device 5 comprises a valve 10 for dispensing said beverage.
  • the valve 10 is associated with the first door 3P; in this embodiment, the valve 10 of the present invention preferably also acts as a duct for dispensing the beverage outside the refrigeration appliance 1, in particular by conducting the beverage to a recess 3N formed on said first door 3P.
  • said valve 10 and said recess 3N may be associated with other parts of the structure 2, and that the valve 10 may be associated with a suitable duct (not shown in the drawings) for conducting the beverage outside the refrigeration appliance 1 and into said recess 3N.
  • valve 10 is preferably associated with a reservoir 6 arranged inside the refrigeration appliance 1, in particular within the refrigerator compartment 3; it is however clear that the valve 10 may also be associated, whether directly or indirectly, with a drinking water distribution main.
  • valve 10 is associated with an actuator element 7 positioned outside the refrigeration appliance 1, said actuator element 7 being preferably of the type that can be operated via a thrust exerted by a user wanting the beverage to exit the valve 10 (e.g. said thrust being exerted by means of a container, designated by reference C in Fig. 1 ).
  • FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view
  • Figs. 3a and 3b show sectional views of the valve 10 in a first and a second operating conditions, respectively.
  • Said valve 10 comprises a main body 20 comprising:
  • the valve 10 comprises a spacer member 50, which is adapted to be associated with the first portion 21 of the main body 20 to impart a universal character to the valve 10, i.e. to make it suitable for being associated with elements of different sizes and/or doors 3P, 4P of different thicknesses.
  • Said spacer member 50 has substantially the shape of a ring having a hole 50F (shown in Fig. 4b , which is a perspective view of the spacer member 50) for the passage of the beverage to be dispensed.
  • said spacer member 50 comprises fastener means 51 for firmly coupling it within said first portion 21 of the main body 20; in particular, said fastener means 51 comprise a thread adapted to be coupled to a mating thread formed within said first portion 21.
  • the valve 10 preferably comprises a first gasket G1 (shown in Fig. 2 ), which must be positioned within said first portion 21 prior to associating the spacer member 50 with the latter.
  • valve 10 may comprise a second gasket G2 (also shown in Fig. 2 ) to be positioned between the first portion 21 of the main body 20 and a further element to be associated with the valve 10.
  • the provision of the spacer member 50 allows to provide a valve 10 which is so realized as to have particular versatility, in that said spacer member 50 allows the valve 10 to be associated also with elements of different sizes and/or with doors 3P, 4P of different thicknesses than the predetermined ones; in fact, in order to associate the valve 10 with doors 3P, 4P of different thicknesses, it will be sufficient to use a spacer member 50 having a size suitable for a specific door 3P, 4P, without necessarily having to use a specific valve 10 for that specific door 3P, 4P.
  • FIGS 5a and 5b show the valve 10 of the present invention associated with a reservoir 6 arranged inside a refrigeration appliance 1; in particular, said valve 10 is shown in:
  • Fig. 4b shows a perspective view of the spacer member 50 according to the present invention.
  • the spacer member 50 comprises operating means 52 to ensure a stable coupling of said spacer member 50 within said first portion 21 of the main body 20; in particular, said operating means comprise at least one straight portion 52 of said spacer member 50, in particular said straight portion 52 being located near the hole 50F of said spacer member 50; it is clear that said straight portion 52 allows using a tool (not shown in the drawings) for tightening the spacer member 50 within said first portion 21, said tightening being in particular obtained through the action of the fastener means 51.
  • valve 10 comprises a lower body 30, which is associated with the main body 20 in such a way as to encircle said second portion 22 and said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I, said lower body 30 being adapted to slide axially (i.e. substantially parallel to said axis A of the valve 10) over said intermediate portion 20I and second portion 22, so as to move:
  • said valve 10 comprises a coupling element 90 located between an actuator element 7 and said valve 10.
  • said coupling element 90 is made of a soft and/or elastic material, such as open-cell or self-modelling foam.
  • Said coupling element 90 is preferably located (as can be seen in Figs. 3a and 3b ) in such a position as to at least partially encircle the lower body 30 of the valve 10; also, said coupling element 90 is preferably placed in contact with a connection element 61 of the valve 10, in particular said connection element 61 being adapted to associate an elastic member 60 with the lower body 30 of the valve 10.
  • said coupling element 90 allows to constitute a support surface for the actuator element 7, so as to take up any construction tolerances and prevent said actuator element 7 from being loose or vibrating (which would be the case if the coupling element 90 were absent), since the actuator element 7 will meet the soft and/ or elastic material of the coupling element 90.
  • the coupling element 90 allows to avoid any undesired activation of the valve 10, since the soft and/or elastic material it is made of makes it necessary to exert an adequate thrust upon the actuator element 7 in order to activate said valve 10.
  • said valve 10 comprises a sleeve 40 having:
  • the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 contracts, it reduces the inner volume of the sleeve 40; when, on the contrary, the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 stretches, it increases the inner volume of the sleeve 40, thereby reducing the pressure within said sleeve 40 and creating a depression suitable for preventing dripping downstream of the sealing member 23.
  • said intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is so positioned as to encircle the intermediate portion 20I of the main body.
  • valve 10 according to the present invention comprises:
  • the intermediate portion 20I of the main body 20 has slightly smaller dimensions than the inner surface 31 of the lower body 30, said dimensions being such as to allow obtaining said passage P; as a consequence, the dimensions of the passage P are such that said first chamber 11 and said second chamber 12 are put in communication with each other, without however the beverage being allowed to flow from the second chamber 12 to the first chamber 11.
  • the special provision of the sleeve 40 thus allows a depression to be created in the first chamber 11, in the passage P and in the second chamber 12 that contains the beverage to be dispensed, said depression being adapted to prevent dripping downstream of the sealing member 23, in particular when the user wants to stop dispensing the beverage and causes the lower body 30 to move from the second operating condition (shown in Fig. 3b , i.e. a condition in which at least one gap L is formed between the inner surface 31 of the lower body 30 and said sealing member 23, and in which the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is in the contracted state) to the first operating condition (shown in Fig. 3a , i.e. a condition in which the inner surface 31 of the lower body 30 cooperates with the sealing member 23 to prevent the beverage from coming out of the valve 10, and in which the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is in the stretched state).
  • said elastic material that the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40 is made of is a silicone-based material; furthermore, said first end 41 and second end 42 are made of substantially the same material used for the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40.
  • said intermediate part 43 is shaped substantially like a bellows (as shown in Figures 2 , 3a and 3b , 5a and 5b ), wherein the folds of said bellows are more extended or elongated when the lower body 30 is in said first operating condition than when it is in the second operating condition.
  • said intermediate part 43 may have the shape of a substantially ellipsoidal or spherical balloon, in said second operating condition said balloon being more flattened and having a smaller inner volume than in said first operating condition.
  • valve 10 allows to avoid wasting beverage and soiling the refrigeration appliance 1 and/or the surrounding area.
  • valve 10 As a result, the valve 10 according to the teachings of the present invention turns out to be particularly efficient and economical.
  • the inner surface 31 of the lower body 30 comprises a narrowing 32, which is adapted to cooperate, in particular in said first operating condition, with the sealing member 23 to prevent the beverage from coming out of the valve 10.
  • the second portion 22 of said main body 20 substantially has the shape of a rod and comprises at least one slit 22F extending longitudinally along said second portion 22, in particular said at least one slit 22F being formed in such a manner as to be associated with said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I and to terminate at the sealing member 23.
  • said at least one slit 22F allows the beverage coming out of said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I to be collected and brought towards the sealing member 23.
  • the second portion 22 of the main body 20 comprises a plurality of slits 22F and said at least one opening 20A comprises a plurality of openings 20A, in particular the number of slits 22F corresponding to the number of openings 20A; preferably, the number of slits 22F and openings 20A is four.
  • the particular shape of the second portion 22 of the main body 20 allows to provide a valve 10 which is so realized as to ensure a homogeneous exit of the beverage and a proper dispensation thereof.
  • the presence of the slits 22F provides beverage flows that rejoin downstream of the sealing member 23 and of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22; it is therefore apparent that such rejoining of the beverage flows running through the slits 22F ensures that the beverage will flow out and be dispensed homogeneously.
  • the second portion 22 of the main body 20 comprises a groove 22S adapted to receive the sealing member 23, in particular said groove 22S extending substantially perpendicular to said at least one slit 22F; the provision of the groove 22S allows for a proper and safe positioning of the sealing member 23.
  • the sealing member 23 is associated with the second portion 22 of the main body 20:
  • the inner surface 31 of the lower body 30 has a diameter d comprised between 16 mm and 20 mm, in particular of about 18 mm, in the section comprised between the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22 and said outlet section 33.
  • said diameter d is substantially constant over the section of inner surface 31 downstream of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22.
  • Such particular dimensions of the components of the valve 10 according to the present invention cooperate to prevent, or anyway to minimize, a possible dripping of beverage, in particular when the user has already removed the container C suitable for receiving the dispensed beverage, so as to avoid wasting beverage and soiling the refrigeration appliance 1 and/or the surrounding area.
  • the optimal provision of the first distance d1 allows to reduce the beverage volume downstream of the sealing member 23, thus reducing the time interval between when the valve 10 closes and when dripping stops.
  • the particular dimensions of the components of the valve 10 allow to provide a valve 10 which is so realized as to ensure a homogeneous exit of the beverage and a proper dispensation thereof, in that they allow to prevent the flow of beverage that must be dispensed from becoming turbulent in the section of the valve 10 downstream of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22 and of the sealing member 23.
  • the valve 10 comprises at least one elastic member 60 associated with the lower body 30 and/or with the main body 20, said elastic member 60 exerting a thrust upon the lower body 30, such as to allow the latter to move from the second operating condition ( Fig. 3b ) to the first operating condition ( Fig. 3a ) and/or such as to hold it in said first operating condition, thus preventing the beverage, by closing said at least one gap L, from coming out of the valve 10.
  • said elastic member 60 is associated with the lower body 30 through a connection element 61, in particular said connection element 61 comprising a housing 62 adapted to receive the elastic member 60.
  • connection element 61 is preferably secured to the outer surface of the lower body 30 through second fastener means 63 known in the art; for example, as shown in Figures 3a and 3b , said second fastener means 63 comprise threads on the lower body 30 and on the connection element 61, which cooperate together to fasten the connection element 61 to the lower body 30; it is however clear that the connection element 61 may be formed as one piece with the lower body 30.
  • the elastic member 60 is positioned in such a way as to abut against a wall 20P of the main body 20.
  • the valve 10 further comprises an external body 70 adapted to be associated with the main body 20 and to house the elastic member 60 and, at least partially, said connection element 61, in particular said external body 70 comprising retaining means (not shown in the drawings) adapted to limit the movement of the assembly constituted by the elastic member 60, the connection element 61 and the lower body 30.
  • valve 10 preferably also comprises a covering element 80 adapted to be fitted onto said external body 70, said covering element 80 comprising at least one centering element 81 made of elastic material and extending substantially radially with respect to the body of the covering element.
  • said at least one centering element 81 is shaped substantially like a ring or a fin that extends radially from the covering element 80; as can be seen in Figs. 2 to 3b , said at least one centering element 81 comprises a plurality of centering elements 81 allowing the valve 10 to be optimally positioned into an opening (not shown in the drawings) of the refrigeration appliance 1.
  • valve 10 having a main body 20 comprising:
  • said method of assembly comprises the step a) of associating a spacer member 50 with the first portion 21 of the main body 20.
  • said step a) is carried out through a step a1) of obtaining a stable coupling of said spacer member 50 within said first portion 21 of the main body 20 through fastener means 51.
  • said step a1) is carried out by coupling fastener means 51 comprising a thread to a mating thread formed within said first portion 21.
  • step a1) of obtaining a stable coupling of the spacer member 50 within said first portion 21 may be carried out by acting upon operating means 52 of the spacer member 50, in particular said operating means comprising at least one straight portion 52 of said spacer member 50.
  • said method comprises the following steps:
  • the method of assembly of the valve 10 according to the present invention comprises the following step:
  • connection element 61 is adapted to associate an elastic member 60 with the lower body 30 of the valve 10.
  • the method of assembly of the valve 10 according to the present invention comprises the following step of:
  • said step e) is followed by a step e1) of moving the lower body 30 to a condition in which the inner surface 31 of the lower body 30 abuts on said sealing member 23; this allows to properly find the first operating condition of the lower body 30 and the substantially stretched state of said intermediate part 43 so as to optimally close the valve 10, in that the thrust of the elastic member 60 alone might be insufficient to ensure the proper stretching of the intermediate part 43 of the sleeve 40, thus causing beverage to leak from the valve 10.
  • the method of assembly of the valve 10 according to the present invention may further comprise one or more of the following steps:
  • said step a) may be carried out prior to a step 1) of coupling the valve 10 to a dispensing device 5, in particular of a household refrigeration appliance 1, for dispensing a beverage, in that said step a) allows to impart a universal character to the valve 10 and to make it suitable for being associated with doors 3P, 4P of different thicknesses; as an alternative, said step a) may preferably be carried out prior to step b) of inserting said second portion 22 and said at least one opening 20A of the intermediate portion 20I into a lower body 30.
  • step a) may be carried out at any moment while assembling the valve 10 according to the present invention.
  • the provision of the spacer member 50 according to the present invention allows to provide a valve 10 which is so realized as to have particular versatility, in that said spacer member 50 allows the valve 10 to be associated also with elements of different sizes and/or with doors 3P, 4P of different thicknesses than the predetermined ones; in fact, in order to associate the valve 10 with doors 3P, 4P of different thicknesses, it will be sufficient to use a spacer member 50 having a size suitable for a specific door 3P, 4P, without necessarily having to use a specific valve 10 for that specific door 3P, 4P.
  • the coupling element 90 allows the valve 10 to be optimally associated with the actuator element 7, in particular without leaving any space between the latter and the valve 10.
  • said coupling element 90 allows to constitute a support surface for the actuator element 7, so as to take up any tolerances and prevent said actuator element 7 from being loose or vibrating (which would be the case if the coupling element 90 were absent); it is apparent that such a provision ensures an optimal operation of the entire beverage dispensing device 10.
  • the coupling element 90 allows to avoid any undesired activation of the valve 10, in that the soft and/or elastic material it is made of makes it necessary to exert an adequate thrust upon the actuator element 7 in order to activate said valve 10.
  • the special provision of the sleeve 40 according to the present invention allows to provide a beverage dispensing valve 10, in particular for a household refrigeration appliance 1, which is so realized as to prevent, or at least to minimize, a possible dripping of beverage, in particular when the user has already removed the container C suitable for receiving the dispensed beverage.
  • the valve 10 thus allows to avoid wasting beverage and soiling the refrigeration appliance 1 and/or the surrounding area; as a result, the valve 10 according to the teachings of the present invention turns out to be particularly efficient and economical.
  • Another advantage of the present invention is that the particular shape of the second portion 22 of the main body 20 allows to provide a valve 10 which is so realized as to ensure a homogeneous exit of the beverage and a proper dispensation thereof.
  • the presence of said at least one slit 22F provides beverage flows that rejoin downstream of the sealing member 23 and of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22; it is therefore apparent that such rejoining of the beverage flows running through the slits 22F ensures that the beverage will flow out and be dispensed homogeneously.
  • a further advantage of the present invention is that the optimal provision of the first distance d1 allows to reduce the volume of beverage downstream of the sealing member 23, thereby speeding up the closing of the valve 10 and reducing the time interval between when the valve 10 closes and when dripping stops.
  • the particular dimensions of the components of the valve 10 allow to provide a valve 10 which is so realized as to ensure a homogeneous exit of the beverage and a proper dispensation thereof, in that they allow to prevent the flow of beverage that must be dispensed from becoming turbulent in the section of the valve 10 downstream of the terminal part 22A of the second portion 22 and of the sealing member 23.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Lift Valve (AREA)
EP13159777.5A 2012-03-19 2013-03-18 Vanne pour soutirage de boisson, en particulier pour réfrigérateur domestique Ceased EP2641865A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000247A ITTO20120247A1 (it) 2012-03-19 2012-03-19 Valvola per l'erogazione di una bevanda, in particolare di un apparecchio di refrigerazione di uso domestico
IT000246A ITTO20120246A1 (it) 2012-03-19 2012-03-19 Valvola per l'erogazione di una bevanda, in particolare di un apparecchio di refrigerazione di uso domestico

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2641865A2 true EP2641865A2 (fr) 2013-09-25
EP2641865A3 EP2641865A3 (fr) 2013-11-20

Family

ID=47877941

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13159777.5A Ceased EP2641865A3 (fr) 2012-03-19 2013-03-18 Vanne pour soutirage de boisson, en particulier pour réfrigérateur domestique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2641865A3 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015144244A1 (fr) * 2014-03-28 2015-10-01 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Ensemble de clapet de non-retour à sécurité améliorée pour l'utilisation dans un distributeur d'eau, et appareil de réfrigération le comportant

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL4872C (fr) * 1900-01-01
FR2677007B1 (fr) * 1991-05-31 1994-12-02 Sidel Conditionnement Bec de soutirage, machine de soutirage equipee de ce bec et procede de mise en óoeuvre de ce bec.
ITRN20010019A1 (it) * 2001-03-05 2002-09-05 Celli Spa Compensatore perfezionato per regolare il flusso di bevande in rubinetti di erogazione.
BRPI0401576A (pt) * 2004-04-13 2005-11-22 Multibras Eletrodomesticos Sa Válvula dispensadora de lìquido
TWI398399B (zh) * 2005-09-13 2013-06-11 Lesaffre & Cie 具有固定內管及可移動套筒之計量輸出閥

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015144244A1 (fr) * 2014-03-28 2015-10-01 Arcelik Anonim Sirketi Ensemble de clapet de non-retour à sécurité améliorée pour l'utilisation dans un distributeur d'eau, et appareil de réfrigération le comportant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2641865A3 (fr) 2013-11-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7992257B2 (en) Mounting structure of a door-handle for refrigerator
US20150115785A1 (en) Appliance and a handle assembly for an appliance
US10502477B2 (en) Refrigerator appliance
EP2728282A2 (fr) Réfrigérateur
US10301161B2 (en) Container-value subassembly for a beverage dispenser and refrigeration device having the container-valve subassembly
US20190331404A1 (en) Refrigerator door body and refrigerator having the same
KR20110090157A (ko) 홈바도어 및 이를 갖는 냉장고
EP2641864B1 (fr) Vanne pour soutirage de boisson, en particulier pour réfrigérateur domestique
US9828229B2 (en) Refrigerator and beverage supplying method using the same
KR101643641B1 (ko) 냉장고
US9920978B1 (en) Dispenser for a refrigerator
US7484643B2 (en) Liquid dispensing valve
EP2641865A2 (fr) Vanne pour soutirage de boisson, en particulier pour réfrigérateur domestique
CN105593624A (zh) 包括保鲜储藏格的冰箱
KR200482995Y1 (ko) 물 공급부를 구비하는 얼음 트레이
KR20130045445A (ko) 냉장고
KR101694401B1 (ko) 냉장고 냉기 유입구용 가스켓
US20160370104A1 (en) Refrigerator and beverage supplying method using the same
EP2642226B1 (fr) Appareil de réfrigération, notamment à usage domestique, comprenant un dispositif de distribution de boisson
US20180142940A1 (en) Home Appliance Device Comprising A Door And Home Appliance Device
KR20140075302A (ko) 냉장고
WO2018162027A1 (fr) Ensemble soupape amélioré destiné à être utilisé dans un distributeur d'eau d'un réfrigérateur
KR20220051600A (ko) 냉장고
EP2645027B1 (fr) Appareil de réfrigération, notamment à usage domestique, comprenant un dispositif de distribution de boissons et procédé d'assemblage associé
EP3853542B1 (fr) Dispositif de refroidissement comprenant un distributeur de boisson

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B67D 1/12 20060101AFI20131014BHEP

Ipc: F16K 23/00 20060101ALI20131014BHEP

Ipc: B67D 3/00 20060101ALI20131014BHEP

Ipc: B67D 3/02 20060101ALI20131014BHEP

Ipc: F25D 23/12 20060101ALI20131014BHEP

Ipc: B67D 1/14 20060101ALI20131014BHEP

Ipc: B67D 3/04 20060101ALI20131014BHEP

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20140519

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20161121

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: WHIRLPOOL EMEA S.P.A

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN REFUSED

18R Application refused

Effective date: 20181208