Importance

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Abstract

A valve particularly useful for regulating the flow of water in a beverage dispenser includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a water flow path there between; a diaphragm and a sealing ring against which the diaphragm may seal to close the water flow path through the valve, the area confined by the sealing ring being subject to pressure of water entering the housing inlet; a spring acting against the diaphragm to urge it against the sealing ring in opposition to force generated by pressure of water in the inlet; an inlet channel upstream of the sealing ring; and a throttling pin positioned in the inlet channel and responsive to movement of the diaphragm to partially block the inlet channel when the pressure in the inlet forces the diaphragm to open against the spring force, the movement of the diaphragm thus regulating the flow of water through the housing. The preferred valve is improved in several respects. The flow path through the valve is configured to minimize the breakout of carbonation when the valve is used for carbonated water. The sealing ring lies in a plane, and both the inlet and outlet are on the same side of the plane, with the outlet positioned so as to be at an angle of approximately 90.degree. compared to the inlet. A second valve of similar design but smaller, used to control the flow of syrup, can be nested so that the spring of the syrup valve is nested side the spring used to control the water valve.

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First Claim