Multi-solution dispensing valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pinch valve arrangement for use with at least two pinchable hoses, said valve comprising:
- a) at least two fixed pinch pins, one disposed on a first side of each pinchable hose;
b) at least two movable pinch pins, one disposed on second opposing side of each said pinchable hose; and
c) a linkage arrangement carrying said movable pinch pins, said linkage arrangement comprising a drive link having at least one of said at least two movable pinch pins extending therefrom and a driven link having at least one of a remaining of said at least two movable pinch pins extending therefrom;
d) said drive link and said driven link both being biased to a hose closed position in which said at least two movable pinch pins pinch and close said at least two pinchable hoses;
e) said driven link being movable relative said drive link, whereby actuation of said drive link by an operator moves said drive link through a first range of motion to a hose open position in which said at least one movable pinch pin is moved away from a corresponding at least one hose of said at least two hoses to open said at least one hose, while said driven link remains in said hose closed position; and
f) said drive link includes an engaging portion that, after movement of said drive link through said first range of motion, abuts against said driven link, whereby upon continued actuation of said drive link by an operator said drive link moves through a second range of motion in which said engaging portion drives said driven link to a hose open position in which said at least one remaining movable pinch pins is moved away from a corresponding at least one of a remaining hose of said at least two hoses to open said at least one remaining hose.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispensing valve arrangement is provided which includes a series of pinch valves and their respective deformable hoses. A pair of actuating mechanisms is provided so that some of the pinch valves first move to full flow position before other pinch valves move towards opened position to provide sequential operation and an additional feed which confluently merges and mixes with the feed from the first valves.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A pinch valve arrangement for use with at least two pinchable hoses, said valve comprising:
-
a) at least two fixed pinch pins, one disposed on a first side of each pinchable hose; b) at least two movable pinch pins, one disposed on second opposing side of each said pinchable hose; and c) a linkage arrangement carrying said movable pinch pins, said linkage arrangement comprising a drive link having at least one of said at least two movable pinch pins extending therefrom and a driven link having at least one of a remaining of said at least two movable pinch pins extending therefrom; d) said drive link and said driven link both being biased to a hose closed position in which said at least two movable pinch pins pinch and close said at least two pinchable hoses; e) said driven link being movable relative said drive link, whereby actuation of said drive link by an operator moves said drive link through a first range of motion to a hose open position in which said at least one movable pinch pin is moved away from a corresponding at least one hose of said at least two hoses to open said at least one hose, while said driven link remains in said hose closed position; and f) said drive link includes an engaging portion that, after movement of said drive link through said first range of motion, abuts against said driven link, whereby upon continued actuation of said drive link by an operator said drive link moves through a second range of motion in which said engaging portion drives said driven link to a hose open position in which said at least one remaining movable pinch pins is moved away from a corresponding at least one of a remaining hose of said at least two hoses to open said at least one remaining hose. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A pinch valve for providing a variable mixture of water and detergent, said valve comprising:
-
a) three pinchable hoses having upstream ends and downstream ends, said downstream ends of all three said hoses being connected to a mixing manifold; b) a source of water, said upstream end of a first of said three hoses being connected to said source of water to covey water to said mixing manifold; c) a source of detergent, said upstream ends of a second and a third of said three hoses being connected to said source of detergent to convey detergent to said mixing manifold; d) three fixed pinch pins, one disposed adjacent to each said hose and three movable pinch pins disposed adjacent to each said hose, opposite said fixed pinch pins, to selectively pinch and close each said hose; e) a drive link having a first and a second of said movable pinch pins extending therefrom to selectively pinch and close said first and second hoses; f) a driven link having a third of said movable pinch pins extending therefrom to selectively pinch and close said third hose; g) said drive link and said driven link both being biased to a hose closed position in which said three movable pinch pins pinch and close said three hoses; h) said driven link being movably mounted relative said drive link, whereby actuation of said drive link by an operator moves said drive link through a first range of motion to a hose open position in which said first and second movable pinch pins are moved away from said first and second hoses to open said first and second hoses, while said driven link remains in said hose closed position; and f) said drive link includes an engaging portion that, after movement of said drive link through said first range of motion, abuts against said driven link, whereby upon continued actuation of said drive link by an operator said drive links moves through a second range of motion in which said engaging portion drives said driven link to a hose open position in which said third movable pinch pin is moved away from said third hose to open said third hose. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification