Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a beverage dispensing head wherein a rigid plate is disposed over a mixing fluid valve stem and a plurality of base fluid valve stems. The plate has an opening located over each base fluid valve stem for receiving the associated base fluid valve stem therethrough. The plate has a rigid surface disposed over the mixing fluid valve stem. A mixing fluid button contacts the rigid surface of the plate so that, when the mixing fluid button is depressed, only the mixing fluid is dispensed. A first base fluid button covers the opening in the plate disposed over its associated base fluid valve stem. The first base fluid button also contacts the plate so that, when the button is depressed, the button depresses both the base fluid valve stem and the plate. The plate, in turn, depresses the mixing fluid valve stem. A second base fluid button includes a projection which extends through the opening in the plate without contacting the plate for depressing only its associated base fluid valve stem. A brixing valve used in the beverage dispensing device includes a first housing having a plurality of first tubes attached thereto and having first ends extending therefrom. Each first tube has a recess disposed on a side of its first end. A second housing has a plurality of second tubes attached thereto, a first end of each second tube being sized for slideably receiving the first end of an associated first tube therein. The first end of each second tube has an opening which aligns with the recess in its associated first tube when the first and second tubes are matingly engaged. A portion of a fastening clip extends through the opening in a second tube and into the recess in the first tube to lock to first and second housings together. To facilitate decoupling of the first and second housings, a cam is pivotably disposed on one of the first or second housings for pressing the other housing away when the cam is pivoted.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim