Device for dispensing water in portions

Abstract

A device for dispensing water in portions, preferably hot water portions in a vending machine for beverages includes a water container ( 1 ), at least one outlet pipe ( 15, 16 ) connecting said water container ( 1 ) to the inlet of a pump ( 17 ), a feeding pipe ( 19 ) connecting the outlet of the pump ( 17 ) to a plurality of dispensing valves ( 30 to 34 ), which in turn are connected to said feeding pipe ( 19 ) through their respective inlet pipes ( 35 to 39 ), where each dispensing valve is adapted to dispense a water portion through an associated feed nozzle ( 40 to 44 ). The feeding pipe ( 19 ) is furthermore connected to a return valve ( 20 ) arranged at a level above the fluid level inside the water container ( 1 ), said return valve ( 20 ) in turn being connected to a return pipe ( 21 ) with an outlet opening ( 22 ) discharging into the water container ( 1 ). The dispensing valves ( 30 to 34 ) and the associated inlet pipes ( 35 to 39 ) and feed nozzles ( 40 to 44 ) are arranged at a level above the outlet opening ( 22 ) in the return pipe ( 21 ) of the return valve ( 20 ) and are connected to the feeding pipe ( 19 ) within a part adjacent the return valve ( 20 ), said part also being arranged at a level above said outlet opening ( 22 ).

1 . A device for dispensing water in portions, preferably hot water portions in a vending machine for beverages, where the device includes a water container, at least one outlet pipe connecting said water container to the inlet of a pump, a feeding pipe connecting the outlet of the pump to a plurality of dispensing valves, which in turn are connected to said feeding pipe through their respective inlet pipes, where each dispensing valve is adapted to dispense a portion of water through an associated feed nozzle, wherein the feeding pipe further is connected to a return valve arranged at a level above the fluid level inside the water container, said return valve in turn being connected to a return pipe including an outlet opening discharging into said water container, and that the dispensing valves and the associated inlet pipes and feed nozzles are arranged at a level above the outlet opening in the return pipe of the return valve and are connected to said feeding pipe within a part adjacent said return valve, said part also being arranged at a level above said outlet openings.  
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein all the dispensing valves and the associated inlet pipes and feed nozzles are arranged in such a manner that the flow direction of the fluid during the dispensing of a water portion everywhere is downward with an inclination differing from 0° and preferably exceeding or being equal to 10° relative to horizontal.  
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing valves are mounted on their respective mixing means, where one mixing means and the associated dispensing valve form a unit.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing valves are connected to their respective feed nozzles through an outlet pipe.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the dispensing valves are mounted on their respective mixing means, where one mixing means and the associated dispensing valve form a unit.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the dispensing valves are connected to their respective feed nozzles through an outlet pipe.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the dispensing valves are connected to their respective feed nozzles through an outlet pipe.