BEVERAGE DISPENSER HAVING IMPROVED ACTUATOR MECHANISM

摘要

The present invention concerns an air pressure actuated valve for a beverage dis penser. The dispenser includes a plurality of beverage dispensing valves mounted thereto along a front end thereof. Each valve includes an air switch that is pneumatically opera ble to turn its associated valve on and off. An equal plurality of air actuators are secured to an elongate panel hingedly secured to the dispenser front surface. Each air actuato r includes a pressurized chamber and a pliable front surface. Flexible tubes extend between the air switches and the air actuators for communicating pneumatic pressure there betwee n. The air actuators include a graphics layer secured to the front surfaces thereof. In operation, an air actuator is depressed manually whereby pneumatic pressure created thereby in the pressurized chamber is communicated by the tube thereof to its particular air sw itch. The air switch then serves to operate a solenoid of the valve with which it is assoc iated, resulting in dispensing of the beverage. Release of pressure on the actuator fro nt surface breaks the electrical connection stopping dispensing.