Importance

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Abstract

An improved valve assembly is provided for use in dispensing liquids, particularly such as flavored syrup and the like in a soft drink dispenser station. The valve assembly comprises a compact unit adapted to mount directly into the neck of a bottle containing a flavor syrup, wherein the bottle is designed for inverted installation into the dispenser station with the neck seated within a mating support socket. The valve assembly includes parallel dispense and vent ports, together with a dispense valve for regulating syrup outflow and a check valve for permitting air inflow. The dispense valve comprises the armature of a solenoid actuator, the coil of which is integrated with the support socket and adapted for connection to an electrical current for displacing the dispense valve to an open position and thereby permit gravity syrup flow from the bottle. The dispensed syrup volume is replaced by air drawn into the bottle through the vent port and an associated vent tube which projects a short distance into the bottle interior. The check valve, such as a duckbill type check valve, is mounted on the vent tube to permit low resistance air inflow into the bottle while preventing syrup backflow through the vent tube. The check valve is positioned a short distance above the dispense port such that syrup dispensing occurs under the influence of a relatively small and substantially constant pressure head.

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First Claim