U.S. patent number 3,675,820 [Application Number 05/111,254] was granted by the patent office on 1972-07-11 for liquid dispensing apparatus.
Invention is credited to George M. Newberry, Nicholas F. Wowk.
United States Patent |
3,675,820 |
Newberry , et al. |
July 11, 1972 |
LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS
Abstract
Apparatus for dispensing any of a plurality of liquids either
singly or in predetermined combinations either "automatically"
according to standard recipes or "manually" by selectively varying
the quantities of each liquid dispensed. The disclosed embodiment
is particularly directed to an alcoholic beverage dispenser and
mixer which is simple and economical in construction, using sturdy
and reliable electro-mechanical components, yet versatile in
operation by providing two relays between each solenoid valve
controlling flow of the respective liquids and a cam operated
microswitch controlling the time for which a voltage is provided to
the solenoid.
Inventors: |
Newberry; George M. (Kirkwood,
NY), Wowk; Nicholas F. (Kirkwood, NY) |
Family
ID: |
22337431 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/111,254 |
Filed: |
February 1, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/640; 222/134;
222/129.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
3/0003 (20130101); B67D 3/0012 (20130101); B67D
3/0019 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
3/00 (20060101); B67d 005/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/129.4,134,76,129.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Shannon, Jr.; John P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids singly or in
predetermined combinations, the proportions of each liquid in such
combinations being determined either automatically or selectively,
and apparatus comprising, in combination:
a. a plurality of supply lines, one for each liquid to be
dispensed;
b. a solenoid operated valve in each of said lines to control the
quantity of liquid dispensed therethrough as a function of the time
the valve is open;
c. electrical switching means controlling the voltage to operate
said valves;
d. cam means movable in a time controlled manner to operate said
switching means, and thereby said valves, in accordance with
movement of said cam means;
e. relay means interposed between said switching means and each of
said valves, actuation of said relay means being effective to
initiate movement of said cam means and to complete a circuit
between said switching means and said solenoids;
f. first manually operable means for selecting the liquid or
combination to be dispensed and actuating said relay means;
g. second manually operable means movable between a first position,
wherein the proportions of liquids in a selected combination are
determined automatically, and a second position, wherein said
proportions may be selectively determined; and
h. third manually operable means movable between a plurality of
positions to effect selection of said proportions where said second
means is in its second position.
2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said relay means
comprise a plurality of double pole, double throw relays, at least
two of which are associated with each of said solenoid valves.
3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein two of said relays
are associated with each of said solenoid valves, one being
actuable to complete the circuit between its associated solenoid
and said switching means when said second manually operable means
is in its first position and the other completing said circuit when
said second means is in its second position.
4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said one of said
relays is actuated by said first manually operable means in both
positions of said second manually operable means, and a latching
voltage for said one relay is provided through said other relay
only when said second manually operable means is in its first
position.
5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cam means
comprises a plurality of cams mounted for common movement by a
synchronous motor.
6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said switching means
comprises a plurality of individual microswitches, each having an
arm movable between first and second contacts by movement of an
associated one of said cams.
7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said arms are
arranged to receive a voltage while said motor is running, whereby
a voltage is received by the switch contact with which the arm is
in contact.
8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein selected ones of said
switch contacts are permanently connected to certain of said relay
means which complete a circuit between said selected contacts and
said solenoid valves when said second manually operable means is in
its first position, thereby actuating the solenoid for the time
during which said selected contacts receive a voltage.
9. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said third manually
operable means comprises multiple contact switch means, each
contact being connected to a different one of said microswitches,
whereby the setting of said multiple contact switch means is
effective to establish the one of said cams controlling actuation
of at least one of said solenoid valves with which said multiple
contact switch means is associated.
10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein a plurality of said
multiple contact switch means, separately settable and associated
with different ones of said solenoid valves, are provided.
11. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said multiple
contact switch means comprise wafer switches and said first
manually operable means comprise push button switches each
effective to actuate relay means to dispense a different one or
combination of said liquids.
12. The invention according to claim 1 and further including
counter means associated with each of said solenoid valves and
actuable therewith to indicate the cumulative quantity of liquid
dispensed by each valve.
13. The invention according to claim 1 and further including visual
indicating means associated with each liquid and actuable in
response to its associated liquid falling below a predetermined
level.
14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said visual
indicating means comprise an individual lamp bulb for each of said
liquids operated in response to photoelectric sensing means.
15. The invention according to claim 14 wherein said sensing means
comprise a light source and photocell, and each of said supply
lines includes a branch line containing an opaque float supported
between said light source and photocell by said liquid when the
latter is at or above said predetermined level.
Description
The present invention relates to liquid dispensing apparatus and,
more particularly, to apparatus for dispensing in selectable
quantities a plurality of liquids singly or in predetermined
combinations.
Many embodiments of apparatus for dispensing beverages are
presently known, including coin operated vending machines,
computer-controlled mixers for a wide variety of alcoholic
cocktails, and the like. Those directed primarily to automated or
semi-automated dispensing of alcoholic beverages have generally
tended to be either simple mechanical metering devices of limited
utility, or expensive and complicated electronic equipment. While
it is possible to construct automated systems which provide quick,
accurate mixing of virtually any number of different liquids, and
other features such as inventory control, billing, etc., with the
added cost and complexity which accompany increased versatility
such systems quickly become unsuitable for widespread use.
The present invention seeks to provide a system with sufficient
versatility to allow individual metered dispensing of any liquid
from a number of bottles, or combined dispensing from two or more
bottles for mixed drinks either automatically according to
preselected recipes or semi-automatically, allowing selective
variations of the quantities of each ingredient. The system is
constructed in modular form to allow simple and convenient
expansion from a capacity of only a few bottles to a virtually
unlimited number, depending on the needs of the particular
installation. The components are electro-mechanical in nature,
e.g., relays, solenoids, microswitches, etc., which are more
consistent and reliable over long time periods and repeated cycles
of operation than electronic components, such as transistors,
potentiometers, etc. The system is also much easier to service and
repair than comparable electronic machines, many of which require
oscilloscopes, for example. Replacement components are also
generally easier to obtain and no special tooling is required. The
manufacturing cost of a system constructed according to the present
disclosure is significantly lower than an electronically operated
system of comparable capacity.
The aforementioned objects and advantages, among others which will
become apparent as the description proceeds, are attained by the
construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts
exemplified in the illustrative embodiment described in the
following paragraphs and shown in the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suggested external construction
and control panel layout for the system;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view in section on the line 3--3 of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a front elevation detail, in vertical section, of
portions of the unit;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the cam-operated, micro-switch
timing means and refill indicators;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connections to
each of the push button switches on the control panel of FIG.
1;
FIG. 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of exemplary portions of the
relay network; and
FIG. 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic elevation of the refill
indication system .
The illustrated embodiment of the invention provides means for
holding six bottles and dispensing the contents thereof
individually or in certain combinations. As previously mentioned
and described in more detail hereinafter, however, the system is
constructed in a modular manner which allows the use of as many
bottles as desired while retaining the basic principles of
construction and wiring. It will be understood, therefore, that the
disclosed embodiment is subject to a wide variety of
constructions.
Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 is shown an enclosed
cabinet 10, having an upper portion 12 which opens to receive a
plurality of bottles, or other such containers, and lower portion
14. Cabinet 10 is supported on columns 16 or other suitable
supports so that glass 18 or other receptacle may be placed under
the discharge opening. Upper portion 12 may be open on the sides or
may include doors, etc. as desired, for styling and appearance.
Arranged on a panel of lower portion 14 are the controls for the
system, including on-off switch 20, mode selection switch 22, 12
mixed drink selection push buttons 24, and first and second groups
26 and 28 of single liquid selection push buttons. Portion selector
dials 30 and 32 are operative to change the amount of ingredients
dispensed from the first and second groups 26 and 28, respectively,
when mode selector 22 is in the "manual" position, as explained in
detail later.
FIGS. 2 and 3 show in greater detail the mechanical elements for
holding the bottles and dispensing the liquids therefrom. Platform
34 generally separates the upper and lower portions of cabinet 10
and has a hexagonal configuration for the illustrated six-bottle
embodiment. Platform 34 has six openings in which bottle holders 36
are inserted to receive the open ends of bottles 38. Each of bottle
holders 36 is connected by suitable tubing 40 to common discharge
opening 42 in lower wall 44 of cabinet 10. Solenoid operated valves
46 are interposed in each tube to control the flow of liquid
therethrough. The quantity of liquid dispensed through any of
valves 46 is a function of the inside diameter of tubing 40, the
head of the liquid and the time during which the valve is open. By
maintaining the former two constant for all bottles, dispensing may
be controlled solely as a function of elapsed time between opening
and closing of the valve. This, in turn, is dependent upon the time
of energization of the solenoid coil of the valve, which is
controlled by the timed closing and opening of a pair of switch
contacts.
FIG. 4 shows in greater detail the simple, yet effective means for
maintaining a constant head of fluid regardless of the amount of
liquid in the bottle. Bottle 38 is inverted and the open neck is
placed in holder 36, preferably tapered inwardly and down as
indicated at 48 to assist in placing the neck in the holder. Liquid
50 from the bottle fills tubing 40 as far as the valve and
partially fills holder 36 to form a reservoir around the neck of
bottle 38. The bottle is supported and spaced from the bottom of
holder 36 by spacer element 52, which may be essentially
star-shaped, for example, to allow liquid to flow freely from the
supported bottle. Since the bottle is closed at the bottom, the
liquid reservoir in holder 36 forms a seal so that no more air can
enter and thus no more liquid leave the bottle. As liquid is
disposed, the seal is broken momentarily and a sufficient amount of
air admitted to replace the liquid dispensed.
Switch contacts for energizing the solenoids are opened and closed
in a time-controlled manner by synchronous movement of a number of
cams, each operating a respective microswitch by connecting the cam
follower to the switch contacts in conventional fashion. The
general arrangement being well known, the cams and switches are
shown schematically in FIG. 5. The shaft of synchronous motor 54 is
connected to rotate collectively all of cams 56a- 56i at a known,
uniform rate. The cams have associated therewith microswitches 58a-
58i, respectively, each switch having an arm (60a- 60i) movable
between normally closed and normally open contacts by the cam
follower in the usual manner. Switch arms 60a- 60i are electrically
connected to one another and to motor 54 by a line 55 shown in FIG.
5 as ending at a terminal designated by the letter L. The normally
open contact of each of the switches are designated by the letters
A-I. Contact A is connected to power supply 62 which is connected
through fuse 64 and on-off switch S20 to a conventional 110v AC
source.
For illustrative purposes, the six liquids in the bottles are
assumed to be rye, gin, scotch, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth and
sour mix. The push buttons for selection of each of these
components, singly and in various combinations, are shown in FIG. 6
laid out in the same format as on the control panel of FIG. 1. The
names of the single components and mixed drinks are shown on the
respective push button effecting control thereof, as well as the
electrical connections of the switch terminals with the circuitry
of FIG. 7. The liquids are divided into two groups, viz., liquors
(rye, gin, scotch) and mixes (sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, sour
mix).
Details of the two modes of circuit operation will be explained in
connection with the selection of a particular mixed drink, i.e., a
Manhattan, consisting of rye and sweet vermouth. In the first
example, operation is described with switch S22 (seen also in FIG.
1) as shown in FIG. 7, i.e., in the open, or "automatic" position.
The solenoid coils for operating each of the six valves 46 are
shown in FIG. 7 with the name of the liquid controlled thereby. It
will be noted that there are two relays associated with each of the
six solenoids, a total of 12 relays, designated Ry1 - Ry12. The
relays are identical double pole, double throw type with a total of
eight terminals each. For convenience, the terminals of all relays
are numbered 1-8, with the notation for a particular relay used
where applicable to designate its respective terminals; that is, Ry
2-3 denotes terminal 3 of relay 2, etc. It will also be noted that
one side of all push button switches in group 24 (mixed drink) are
designated as connected to contact A, the normally open contact of
microswitch 58a, meaning that a voltage is present on one side of
these push button switches, as it is on contact A of microswitch
58a. One side of the single liquid push button switches in groups
26 and 28 are connected to terminal 3 of switch S22, for reasons
explained later.
The cycle is initiated by momentary depression of the Manhattan
push button, closing switch S7, a three pole switch having contacts
numbered, in FIG. 7, 1-6. (All push button switches are biased to
the open position and re-open as soon as released). Closing
contacts 3 and 6 of switch S7 completes a circuit from A to L,
thereby providing a voltage to operate motor 54. Thus, cams 56a -
56i begin to rotate and, due to the design of cam 56a, arm 60a is
immediately moved to normally open contact A. In fact, all of the
cams and followers are so positioned that the arms of all
microswitches are moved from the position shown, on the normally
closed contacts, to the normally open, just after initial rotation.
The motor will now continue to receive power, through contact A and
line 55, after switch S7 is released, removing power from terminal
L. Likewise, the arms of all the other microswitches 58b - 58i will
receive power from the time the push button switch is closed.
Contact 5 of Manhattan switch S7 is connected to Ry 1-1, thereby
providing power to the relay coil when S7 contacts 2 and 5 are
closed. This actuates relay Ry1, closing the normally open contacts
thereof, connecting Ry1-2 to Ry 1-3 and Ry 1-7 to Ry 1-6. Since
contact 5 of switch S7 is also connected to Ry 1-7, it may be seen
that a circuit will be completed through the normally closed
contacts of relay Ry2, from Ry 2-5 to Ry 2-6. The normally closed
contacts of all even numbered relays are likewise connected in
series with Ry 12-6 connected to L. Thus, since L will receive a
voltage through line 55, arm 60a and contact A, the connection
through the normally closed contacts of all even numbered relays
back to Ry1-1 insures that relay Ry1 will remain actuated after the
contacts of switch S7 have been allowed to open.
Terminal Ry 1-3 is connected to normally open contact D of
microswitch 58d and thus receives a voltage from contact A through
arm 58a, line 55 and arm 60d during the time that arm 60d is on
contact D, a function of the design of cam 56d. Ry 1-2 is connected
to Ry 2-4 and through the normally closed contacts of deactuated
relay Ry2 to Ry 2-3. The latter terminal is connected to one side
of the rye solenoid, thereby actuating the associated valve for the
time arm 60d is on contact D.
Contact 4 of switch S7 is connected to Ry 7-1, thereby actuating
relay Ry7 through switch contacts 1 and 4 when the Manhattan push
button is depressed. The normally open contacts are then closed,
connecting Ry 7-7 with Ry 7-6, the latter being connected to Ry 2-5
through the line indicated as "To Ry 7-6" on the right of relay
Ry5. This provides a latching voltage for relay Ry7 in the same
manner as for relay Ry1, through the series - connected even
numbered relays to terminal L. Terminal Ry 7-3 is connected to
contact G of microswitch 58g, and thus will receive a voltage
during the time arm 60g is on the normally open contact. Although
arms 60g, 60h and 60i are shown on the contact opposite that of the
other switch arms, this is due to the conventional cam design of
180.degree. programmable cam sets.
Terminals Ry 7-3 and Ry 7-2 are in electrical contact since relay
Ry 7 has been actuated. Terminal Ry 7-2 is connected to terminal Ry
8-4, and the latter to Ry 8-3 through the normally closed contacts
of relay Ry 8. Terminal Ry 8-3 is connected to terminal 1 of the
solenoid controlling the valve through which sweet vermouth is
supplied, solenoid terminal 2 being connected to the DC return.
Thus, the valve will be open to dispense a quantity of sweet
vermouth for the time arm 60g is in contact with terminal G, as
determined by cam 56g.
The operation just described takes place in response to depression
of one of the mixed drink push buttons (from group 24) when mode
selection switch 22 is in the "automatic" position, i.e., with S22
open as shown in FIG. 7. The proportions of each ingredient
dispensed are determined by the time for which the microswitch
contact to which the relay terminals are wired receives a voltage.
In the illustrated embodiment, terminal 3 of relays 1, 3 and 5 is
connected to the normally open contact of microswitch 58d, and
terminal 3 of relays 7, 9 and 11 to the normally open contact of
microswitch 58g. In FIG. 5 the cams are indicated as being so
designed with respect to the other parameters that ingredients are
dispensed in quarter-ounce increments when connected to the
microswitch contact controlled thereby. Thus, ingredients will be
dispensed in 2 to 1 ratios with the relays connected to
microswitches 58d and 58g as shown. These fixed connections
determine the recipes for mixed drinks with switch 22 in the
automatic mode and may be wired to provide the ingredients in the
most commonly used proportions. Although the illustrated
connections will provide all drinks in 2 to 1 ratios, the relays
may obviously be connected to the microswitches to provide, for
example, a 4 to 1 martini, a 3 to 1 Manhattan, a 2 to 1 sour,
etc.
An example of operation of the device with switch 22 in the manual
mode, to allow selective variation of the respective amounts of
mixed drink components, will now be described. With reference to
FIG. 7 placing S22 in the closed position connects each of the even
numbered relay solenoids directly to the DC return through S22
contacts 1 and 2. Contact 3 is connected to the input of all single
component push button switches (those in groups 26 and 28), thereby
providing a connection through closed contacts 3 and 4 of S22 to
the single component switches. Contacts 5 and 6 of S22 provide a
direct voltage supply to mode indicator lamp 66 on the front panel,
as shown in FIG. 1, to show that the switch is in the manual
mode.
Terminal 2 of each even numbered relay is connected to the arm of a
wafer switch, those for rye and sweet vermouth being shown in FIG.
7 and numbered 70 and 72, respectively. Arm 74 of switch 70, as
well as the wafer switch arms associated with relays Ry 4 and Ry 6,
is movable to any of the eight contacts shown by movement of
selector dial 30 on the front panel. Likewise, arm 76 of switch 72,
and those of the wafer switch arms to which relays Ry 10 and Ry 12
are connected, is movable by dial 32. Suitable indicia on the dials
indicates the amount of each ingredient selected, and/or the ratio
of such ingredient in the mixture. For example, setting arm 74 on
contact 2 and arm 76 on contact 7 will provide a Manhattan with 1
3/4 oz. of rye and one-half oz. sweet vermouth, or a 7 to 2 (3 1/2
- 1) Manhattan, each contact of the wafer switches being connected
to one of the normally open microswitch contacts.
After selecting the desired amounts of the respective components,
pushbutton switch S7 is depressed, thereby providing a voltage
through closed contacts 3 and 6 to motor 54 in the same manner as
in the automatic mode. Initial motor movement causes arm 60a to
move to normally open contact A, thereby providing power to the
motor and all microswitch arms after power is removed from terminal
L by opening of the push button switch. The voltage supplied
through switch S7 contacts 2 and 5 again serves to actuate relay
Ry1, thereby closing the normally open contacts between terminals
Ry 1-3 and Ry 1-2.
Since initial motor movement has moved arm 60d to the normally open
contact D of microswitch 58d, a voltage will be provided to
terminal Ry 1-3. This voltage will be transferred through terminals
Ry 1-2, Ry 2-4 and Ry 2-3 to actuate the rye solenoid, as in the
automatic mode. However, since switch S22 is now closed, a
connection is provided through the relay Ry 2 coil, diode CR1 and
S22 contacts 1 and 2 to the DC return. Thus, relay Ry2 will be
immediately actuated and open the normally closed contacts through
which the voltage to actuate the relay and the solenoid valve was
received. Actuation of relay Ry 2 closes the normally open
contacts, thereby connecting terminals Ry 2-2 & Ry 2-3, the
former being connected to wafer switch arm 74 which is assumed to
be set on contact 2 and thus is electrically connected to contact C
of microswitch 58c. Arm 60c has been moved to contact C by initial
motor movement and will therefore supply a voltage serving to
maintain relay Ry2 and the rye solenoid in the actuated state for
as long as cam 56c allows arm 60c to remain on contact C, i.e., for
the time required to dispense 1 3/4 oz. of rye through the solenoid
valve.
Meanwhile the closing of push button switch S7 contacts 1 and 4 has
provided a voltage to actuate relay Ry 7. The normally open
contacts between terminals Ry 7-2 and Ry 7-3 are now closed and a
voltage provided to terminal Ry 8-4 since microswitch arm 60g has
been moved to contact G which is connected to terminal Ry 7-3.
Since relay Ry 8 is not yet actuated, this voltage will pass
through the normally closed contacts to terminal Ry 8-3 and actuate
the sweet vermouth solenoid. The same voltage serves to actuate
relay Ry 8, however, since a path to the DC return is provided
through the relay coil and diode CR 4. Upon closing the normally
open contacts, terminals Ry 8-2 and Ry 8-3 are connected and a
voltage is provided from contact H of microswitch 58h, through
wafter switch arm 76 (assumed to be contact 7) and the normally
open contacts of relay Ry 8 to maintain the relay and the sweet
vermouth solenoid in the actuated condition until one-half ounce of
sweet vermouth has been dispensed at which time arm 60h will be
moved by cam 56h to the normally open contact.
It should be noted that actuation of the corresponding even
numbered relay removes the latching voltage for the initially
actuated odd numbered relay when the system is operated in the
manual mode, thereby disengaging altogether the automatic
dispensing circuit. Also, the single component push button switches
may be used only with switch S22 in the manual position since they
are connected to switch S22 contact 3 and thus receive voltage only
when S22 contacts 3 and 4 are closed. It is therefore possible to
select individually any quantity of a single component from 1/4
ounce to 2 ounces.
Also indicated in FIG. 7 is a simplified inventory system for each
bottle. The input terminal for the coil of each solenoid valve is
also connected to a synchronous motor, connected on the other side
to the DC return. Shown at the right of FIG. 7 is motor 78 arranged
to drive a counting device 80 of any convenient, known design. One
such arrangement is provided for each solenoid valve; since the
amount of liquid dispensed is a function of the time for which a
voltage is supplied to the solenoid coil and the same voltage is
supplied for the same time to the motor, counting device 80 can be
easily arranged to indicate the number of ounces dispensed through
the associated valve since the counter was last reset.
An additional feature of the system is illustrated in FIG. 8.
Tubing 40 is provided with a Y connection in advance of valve 46 to
provide a vertical portion of tubing 82 with open end 84. Opaque
float 86 is inserted in tubing 82 and is supported by the liquid
therein, which tends to remain at the same height as the liquid in
bottle holder 36. Bulb 88 is positioned on one side of float 86 and
photocell 90 on the other side, a lighttight enclosure indicated
diagrammatically by dotted lines 92 being provided so that light
can reach the photocell only when float 86 is removed from the path
of light from bulb 88. Photocell 90 is arranged in a circuit with
an appropriate power supply to act as a switching device for bulb
94 in response to light impinging on the photocell. Float 86 is of
such length and buoancy, and the branches of tubing 40 and 82 so
arranged with respect to valve 46 that at least an upper portion of
the float remains between bulb 88 and photocell 90 when any liquid
is removed from tubing 82 due to dispensing through valve 46. Only
when the liquid level falls below holder 36, or any other
predetermined height, does photocell 90 receive light to actuate
bulb 94.
In FIG. 5 a schematic circuit is shown for the refill indication
system, and in FIG. 1 refill bulbs 94 are shown adjacent the push
button switch for each of the separate liquid components. Bulb 88
is indicated in FIG. 5 as a resistance in a line directly connected
to the 28v DC power supply. Photocell 90 may conveniently be chosen
from a variety of commercially available devices of this type, the
most common of which are 6 volt devices. Thus, a 6v DC power supply
96 is shown in FIG. 5 and bulb 94, of course, is a 6v bulb.
Diodes CR1 - CR 6 are provided to prevent actuation of the even
numbered relays when switch S22 is in the automatic (open)
position. Since a voltage is present at one side of the relay Ry2
coil, for example, the relay would be actuated by being connected
to the DC return through the coil of relay Ry4 and the gin solenoid
but for diode CR2.
As mentioned at the outset, the system may be modified in a number
of ways and expanded to virtually any capacity while still
retaining the basic principles of the invention. For example,
rather than providing one selector dial for the liquor component
and one for the mix, a separate selector dial could be provided for
each wafer switch, thereby allowing different quantities of two
different mixes, for example, to be selected in a single mixed
drink. Likewise, only one wafer switch need be provided for all of
the liquors and one for all of the mixers, if desired. Drinks with
any number of components may be mixed by providing push button
switches having a number of contacts equal to the number of
components, plus a power contact. In any case, however, to provide
both automatic and manual operation, as those terms have been
defined herein, two sets of relays will be provided for each bottle
or ingredient to be used.
* * * * *