| 摘要 |
<p>The invention provides an apparatus for the improved dispensing of beverages, particularly carbonated beverages. The apparatus comprises a valve (18, 30) through which the beverage is to be dispensed, actuation means (14) to open and close the valve, means to propel the beverage from a source (22) thereof through the open valve to a dispense point (20), flow rate determining means (12) to monitor the rate of flow through the valve and pre-programmed control means (10) responsive to the flow rate data provided to it by the flow rate determining means, the control means (10) causing the actuation means (14) to vary the opening of the valve (18, 30) to provide a predetermined variable rate of dispense, wherein the valve (18, 30) comprises a housing (34) containing a passageway (24) between its inlet and its outlet, a closure member (16, 39) movable in the passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed to a second position in which the valve is fully open, the closure member (16, 39) sealingly engageable with the wall of the passageway, characterised in that the wall of the passageway or the closure member defines at least one groove (26, 45, 46), the groove having a transverse cross section that increases in area in the downstream or upstream direction, whereby movement of the closure member (16, 39) from the first position towards the second position opens a flow channel through the groove (26, 45, 46).</p> |
