U.S. patent number 3,777,937 [Application Number 05/307,928] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-11 for proportional beverage dispensing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Richard S. Buck.
United States Patent |
3,777,937 |
Buck |
December 11, 1973 |
PROPORTIONAL BEVERAGE DISPENSING APPARATUS
Abstract
A fully automatic, push-button controlled, electrically powered
beverage dispensing apparatus for selectively withdrawing
predetermined quantities of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
from respective sealed containers and conducting them through riser
tubes to an elevated dispensing spout for simultaneous discharge
into a beverage glass or other receptacle.
Inventors: |
Buck; Richard S. (Wheeling,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
23191778 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/307,928 |
Filed: |
November 20, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/641; 222/399;
222/129.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
1/1234 (20130101); B67D 1/0036 (20130101); B67D
1/1243 (20130101); B67D 2001/0812 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
1/12 (20060101); B67D 1/00 (20060101); B67d
005/30 (); B67d 005/56 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/23,30,36,70,76,129.1,129.2,129.3,129.4,394,396,399
;137/82,212 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Reeves; Robert B.
Assistant Examiner: Bartuska; Francis J.
Claims
Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to
secure by letters patent is:
1. In a dispensing apparatus for delivering a liquid beverage
selected from a plurality of available liquids, in combination, a
container for each liquid and having a gas inlet and a liquid
outlet, a liquid discharge spout above the level of said
containers, a riser tube for each container separately and
individually connecting the liquid outlet thereof to said spout, a
selector valve means having a gas inlet and a plurality of gas
outlets, a gas line for each container separately and individually
connecting the gas inlet thereof to one of said gas outlets,
electrically actuated means effective when energized to supply gas
under pressure to the air inlet of said selector valve means for
selective distribution to said containers, relay means for
maintaining said gas supply means energized, time delay means
effective when actuated to deenergize said gas supply means after a
predetermined interval of time, and means responsive to the
incidence of back-up pressure in said gas line and effective when
such back-up pressure substantially equals the supported
hydrostatic head of the liquid column in the riser tube of the
selected container for actuating said time delay means.
2. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 1,
wherein said means for supplying gas under pressure to the selector
valve comprises a pump having its discharge side connected to said
gas line, and a normally deenergized electric motor operatively
connected to the pump in driving relationship, said time delay
means effective when actuated to energize said motor.
3. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 2
including, additionally, a normally deenergized solenoid-actuated
bleeder valve interposed in said gas line between the pump and
selector valve, said time delay means being effective when actuated
to energize the bleeder valve.
4. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 3,
wherein means are provided for regulating the interval of time
during which said time delay means remains effective, said latter
means being individual to each position of the selector valve.
5. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 4,
wherein additional and manually operable means, independent of said
selector valve means, are provided for regulating the interval of
time during which the time delay means remains effective.
6. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 4,
wherein shut-off valve means are provided for normally sealing the
individual riser tube and the individual gas line which extends
from at least one of said containers, and means are provided under
the control of said selector valve means for rendering said
shut-off valve means ineffective when the selector valve means is
manipulated for distribution of gas to such container.
7. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 4,
wherein said riser tube and gas line are in the form of lengths of
flexible tubing, and shut-off valve means are provided for formally
sealing the individual riser tube and gas line which extend from at
least one of said containers, said shut-off means comprising a
reaction anvil, a solenoid-actuated plunger movable between a
projected position wherein it engages said lengths of tubing and
forces the same against the anvil, and a retracted position wherein
it releases said lengths of tubing, spring means yieldingly biasing
said plunger to its projected position, and a normally deenergized
solenoid effective upon energization to retract said plunger, said
selector valve means being effective to cause energization of said
solenoid.
8. In a dispensing apparatus, the combination set forth in claim 4
including, additionally, manually operable means for energizing
said motor at will in overriding relationship with respect to said
time delay means.
9. A beverage dispensing apparatus for selectively and
simultaneously withdrawing liquid alcoholic beverages from a first
group of containers, and non-alcoholic liquid beverages from a
second group of containers and delivering them to a dispensing
spout which is disposed above the level of the containers, each
container having an air inlet and a liquid outlet, said apparatus
comprising: a riser tube for each container separately and
individually connecting the liquid outlet thereof to said spout, a
manually operable beverage selector valve means for each group of
containers and having an air inlet and a plurality of gas outlets,
an air line for each container separately and individually
connecting the gas inlet thereof to one of the gas outlets of its
associated selector valve means, a pump for each group of
containers and having its discharge side connected to one of said
air lines, a normally deenergized electric mtor for each pump, time
delay means individual to each motor and effective when actuated to
deenergize such motor after a predetermined interval of time, and
means responsive to the incidence of back-up pressure in each of
said gas lines and effective when such back-up pressure
substantially equals the supported hydrostatic head of the liquid
column in the riser tube of an associated and selected container
for actuating the associated time delay means.
10. A beverage dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 9,
wherein means are provided for regulating the interval of time
during which each time delay means remains effective, said latter
means being individual to each position of its associated selector
valve means.
11. A liquid dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein
additional and manually operable means, independent of the selector
valve means, are provided for regulating the interval of time
during which the time delay means which is associated with the
first group of containers remains effective.
12. A liquid dispensing apparatus as set forth in claim 11
including, additionally, manually operable means for energizing
each of said motors at will in overriding relationship with respect
to said time delay means.
Description
The present invention relates to liquid dispensing apparatus and
has particular reference to a fully automatic apparatus for
selectively dispensing predetermined quantities of either alcoholic
or non-alcoholic beverages, as well as effecting blends or mixtures
of such beverages in predetermined ratios.
The improved dispensing apparatus comprising the present invention
has been designed for use in the home for the dispensing and
serving of mixed drinks. The invention is however capable of other
uses and, if desired, the principles of the invention may be
employed, with or without modification as required, for the
retailing of individual drinks in a restaurant, bar, tavern or the
like. Irrespective however of the particular use to which the
invention may be put, the essential features thereof are at all
times preserved.
Heretofore, the manual dispensing of mixed drinks, whether in the
home or in a commercial establishment, is possessed of numerous
limitations, principal among which is the inability of the host or
bartender to measure and pour consistent amount of the selected
beverage components into the serving glass. Among the variable
factors which contribute toward such inconsistency are spillage,
under-filling or over-filling the measuring container (i.e. above
or below the measuring line), and amounts of alien residual
beverage components which may remain in the measuring container
from a preceding dispensing operation. Where the non-professional
or home bartender is concerned, lack of familiarity with the
correct beverage compoents for a given mixed drink, or the
proportions thereof, not only necessitates a time-consuming
investigation or inquiry before pouring operations are commenced,
but it frequently leads to the serving of strange tasting drinks.
In any event, the manual serving of drinks, whether mixed or
otherwise, entails a degree of skill which is not often exhibited
by the amateur bartender, to say nothing about the time that is
wasted in unsealing and resealing the various bottles or other
containers which are involved and restoring them to their proper
places on the shelf after pouring operations have been
completed.
The present invention is designed to overcome the above-noted
limitations that are attendant upon the manual dispensing of
drinks, particularly mixed drinks, and toward this end the
invention contemplates the provision of a novel, fully automatic,
electrically powered push-button controlled dispensing apparatus
for selectively pressurizing and withdrawing predetermined or
measured quantities of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from
respective sealed containers and conducting them through riser
tubes to an elevated dispensing spout, from whence they are
discharged simultaneously into a common drinking glass and thus
mixed for immediate consumption thereof. Pressure-sensitive means
are provided for sensing the hydrostatic head of liquid which
accumulates in the riser tube in order to compensate for the
inherent time delay which otherwise would take place due to the
increasing amount of air which enters the bottle as the liquid
therein becomes depleted. A rotary control knob is provided whereby
the measured quantity of each selected alcoholic liquid component
undergoing dispensing may be varied to increase or decrease the
"strength" of the particular drink which is to be mixed. A single
push button, when depressed, effects automatic proportional
dispensing operation, and a pair of selectively operable
push-buttons overrides the automatic proportional drink dispensing
operations and enables the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage
components to be selectively dispensed individually. A pair of
selector levers, which are associated with respective selector
valves, directional switches and timing devices, function to
establish communication between the selected beverage containers
and the dispensing spout, and also to establish the proper normal
strength ratio between the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic
beverages undergoing dispensing. The various pushbuttons, selector
valves, and the control knob are mounted on a control panel where
they are conveniently accessible to the operator.
The provision of a drink dispensing apparatus such as has briefly
been outlined above, and possessing the stated advantages,
constitutes the principal object of the present invention.
A further and important feature of the invention resides in the
provision of a novel selector switch assembly embodying a
directional valve by means of which fluid communication is
selectively established between the various pressurized beverage
containers and the dispensing spout, while at the same time
appropriate values of electrical resistance are selectively
introduced into a timing circuit by means of which varying periods
or durations of liquid flow through the aforementioned riser tubes
may be attained for the purpose of attaining the proper measurement
of beverages for effecting the selected mixture or blend of
beverages.
A further ancillary feature of the invention resides in the
provision of a novel solenoid-controlled shut-off or sealing valve
mechanism by means of which such containers as are used for
carbonated beverages may be sealed off from the atmosphere after a
given quantity of such beverage has been dispensed so that the
internal pressure which normally is inherent in such containers
will not be allowed to dissipate itself during in-between
dispensing operations during long periods of machine idleness. The
provision of a drink mixing apparatus which is extremely simple in
its construction and which, therefore, may be manufactured at a low
cost; one which is comprised largely of commercially available
components, thereby further contributing to economy of manufacture;
one which is comprised of a minimum number of parts, particularly
moving parts and which, therefore, is unlikely to get out of order;
one which is rugged and durable and which therefore will withstand
rough usage; one which is capable of ease of assembly and
disassembly for pruposes of inspection of parts, replacement or
repair; one which may be constructed as original equipment or which
is capable of being applied to existing drink serving
installations; one which requires no particular degree of skill for
its operation; one which is attractive in its appearance and
pleasing in its design; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted
to perform the services required of it, are further desirable
features which have been borne in mind in the production and
development of the present invention.
Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention, not at this
time enumerated, will readily suggest themselves as the nature of
the invention is better understood.
In the accompanying three sheets of drawings forming a part of this
specification, one exemplary embodiment of the invention has been
shown.
In these drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a drink mixing apparatus
embodying the present invention and showing the same operatively
installed in a beverage storing and serving cabinet;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged top perspective view of a pair of
panel-mounted selector switch assemblies which are employed in
connection with the invention;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the
vertical plane indicated by the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 and in the
direction of the arrows;
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective of the panel-mounted selector switch
assemblies which are shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the
line 5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of an exemplary control panel which may be
employed in connection with the invention; and
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary combined electric, pneumatic and hydraulic
circuit diagram, largely schematic in its representation, of the
apparatus.
Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG.
1, a drink-mixing apparatus constructed according to the present
invention is designated in its entirety at 10 and it is illustrated
as being operatively associated with a beverage-storing cabinet 12.
The cabinet 12 may be either the stationary or portable roll-away
type, or it may be supplanted by a conventional elongated
drink-serving bar on which the apparatus 10 is adapted to be
operatively supported or installed, the illustrated cabinet
constituting merely an exemplary environment for the apparatus.
In general, the dispensing of mixed drinks is predicated upon the
blending of an alcoholic beverage such as rye, scotch, gin and the
like with a non-alcoholic beverage, either carbonated or
non-carbonated, such as ginger ale, soda (carbonated water), orange
or other fruit juice, or alternatively, with low alcoholic
beverages such as sweet or dry vermouth. Accordingly, the cabinet
12 is designed for storage or enclosure of various containers 14
(herein disclosed in the form of bottles) which are maintained in
an upright condition at appropriate places within the cabinet 12.
The particular cabinet selected for illustration herein is of
rectangular box-like configuration and is provided with a bottom
wall 16, a top wall 18 which establishes a serving counter, side
walls 20, and a hinged front door 22. The various walls and door
establish an internal enclosure for the containers 14. The top wall
18 is provided with an upstanding pouring spout 24 for the
discharge of beverages which are withdrawn from the various
containers 14.
The drink mixing apparatus 10 likewise is of box-like configuration
and it embodies a casing 26 having an inclined hinged control panel
28 which is capable of being swung forwardly and outwardly as shown
in FIG. 4 to reveal the interior of the casing and also to provide
access to certain selector switch mechanism the nature of which
will be set forth presently.
Substantially all of the electric and pneumatic components of the
beverage dispensing system are enclosed within the casing 26 while
the hydraulic components are disposed exteriorly of such casing.
These latter components consist substantially entirely of lengths
of flexible tubing which have been designated collectively in FIG.
1 by the reference numeral 30 and which extend from the various
containers 14 to the dispensing spout 24.
As previously indicated, the present drink mixing apparatus is
adapted for use in the blending of alcoholic beverages with
non-alcoholic beverages in the production of so-called "mixed
drinks." Accordingly, two substantially duplicate sets of
electrical and pneumatic control devices are disposed within the
casing 26, one such set effecting withdrawal of liquid from the
containers 14 of alcoholic beverages, and the other set similarly
effecting withdrawal of liquid from the containers of non-alcoholic
beverages. The physical aspects of certain of the electrical and
pneumatic components which are involved in the present invention
and their specific placement within the casing 26 have not been
disclosed herein since these components are commercially available
items and any convenient arrangement thereof within the casing may
be resorted to. A schematic representation of such components
appears in FIG. 7 and this view will be relied upon largely to
disclose the nature and function thereof. Furthermore, since
duplicate sets of components are employed, only one such set is
portrayed in FIG. 7, although its relationship to the other set
will be described in detail. Among the illustrated components of
FIG. 7 are a pulsating air pump P, an electric motor M which is
operatively connected to the pump P in driving relationship, a
pressure switch PS, a solenoid-actuated bleeder valve BV, a
solenoid-actuated pinch off device PD, a plurality of relay magnets
RM1, RM2, and a delayed action relay magnet RM3, together with
their adjuncts. The illustrated set of components further includes
a pair of substantially identical beverage selector switch
assemblies 32 and 34, both of which appear in FIGS. 2 and 3. These
selector switch assemblies constitute one of the principal features
of the invention. In FIG. 7, one of these selector switch
assemblies, namely the assembly 32, is defined by a dotted
outline.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the aforementioned lengths 30 of
flexible tubing (which hereinafter will be referred to simply as
tubes) are connected to their respective bottles 14 by means of dip
tubes 36, which project through bottle stoppers 38. Additional air
inlet tubes 40 project through the stoppers and are connected
variously to the selector switch assemblies by flexible air tubes
42 in a manner and for a purpose that will be made clear
presently.
The function of the two selector switches 32 and 34 is to
selectively connect the pump P to the various bottles 14 so as to
pressurize the same and cause the beverages therein to rise through
the dip tubes 36 and flow upwardly through the riser tubes 30 to
the dispensing spout 24 for discharge of the selected beverage or
beverages. The function of the pressure switch PS is to sense the
hydrostatic head of liquid within the selected tubes 30 and, when a
full hydrostatic head has been attained so that the selected
liquids have filled the associated riser tubes 30, to effect
commencement of a timing cycle under the control of the relay
magnets RM1 and RM2 during which the liquids are actually
dispensed, and at the termination of which pouring operations are
completed. The function of the pinch-off device PD and delayed
relay magnet RM3 is to collapse the riser tubes 30 which are
associated with carbonated beverage containers 14 at the completion
of any given dispensing operation so that the inherent internal
pressure within the carbonated beverage will be maintained during
idle periods, thus preserving the carbonization thereof.
Considering now the nature of the two selector switch assemblies 32
and 34, a description of one of them will suffice for them both
since they are substantially of identical construction. These
assemblies are mounted on the back or inner side of the hinged
control panel 28 and they are conveniently maintained in spaced
apart relationship by means of a rectangular frame (FIGS. 2 and 4)
having top and bottom frame members 43 and 44, and interconnecting
side bars 45 and 46, the latter constituting functional elements of
the switch assemblies.
The switch assembly 32 involves in its general organization the
aforementioned and associated side bar 45 together with a sliding
switch carriage 48 (see also FIG. 3) from which there projects
upwardly and forwardly a selector lever 50 the upper end region of
which projects through an elongated slot 52 (FIG. 1) which is
provided in the control panel 28. A pointer 54 at the upper end of
the lever 50 is designed for register with certain beverage indicia
56 which may be provided on the face of the panel. The switch
assembly 32 functions both as a directional valve and as a circuit
making and breaking device. Accordingly, a series of spaced air
inlet openings or holes 57 extend through the side bar 44 and
receive therein nipple fittings 58 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to which the
terminal ends of associated tubes 42 are connected.
As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the carriage 32 is comprised of
upper and lower spacer shoes 60 and 62 which overlie and underlie
respectively the upper and lower edges of the side bar 45 and which
are connected together by a channel member 64. The aforementioned
selector lever 50 is integrally formed on the upper spacer shoe 60.
A retaining plate 65 is secured to the shoe 60 and overhangs the
upper edge of the side bar 45. Similarly, a retaining plate 66 is
secured to the shoe 62 and overhangs the lower edge of the side
bar. A flexible air line 68 (see also FIG. 7) has one end thereof
projecting through the base of the channel member 64 and the other
end of such air line is operatively connected to the discharge side
of the pump P, as well as to the pressure switch PS and bleeder
valve BV, in a manner and for a purpose that will be made clear
presently. A sealing strip or washer 70 is disposed within the
channel member and carries a nipple fitting 71 to which the
adjacent end of the air line 68 is operatively connected. Wear
plates 72 carried by the lower edge of the shoe 60 and the upper
edge of the shoe 62 slidingly engage the upper and lower edges of
the side bar 45 and insure accurate alignment of the nipple fitting
71 with the various inlet openings or holes 56 as the carriage is
moved along the side bar 45. A compression spring 73 bears at one
end against the base of the channel member 64 and at its other end
against the sealing strip or washer 70 and serves to yieldingly
bias the latter against the outer side of the side bar 45.
From the above description it will be apparent that by shifting the
switch carriage 48 longitudinally along the side bar 45, the
flexible air line 68 may be brought selectively into register and
fluid communication with the various air tubes 42 for
bottle-pressurizing purpose.
Insofar as the electrical functions of the switch assembly 32 are
concerned, a plurality of contact plates 74 (FIGS. 3 and 5) are
mounted on the inside face of the side bar 45 in longitudinally
spaced relationship and are designed to be successively traversed
by a single contact strip 75 which is mounted on the lower
retaining plate 66. Each contact plate 74 carries an electrical
resistance element in the form of a potentiometer 76 which is
electrically connected thereto. The various potentiometers 76 are
also electrically connected to a time delay mechanism TD (FIG. 7)
which is associated with the relay magnet RM2 and these
potentiometers function during operation of the apparatus to
introduce different values of resistance into the time delay
mechanism TD and thus establish different durations of beverage
pouring time for volumetric control of the quantities of the
liquids which are dispensed all in a manner that will become clear
when the operation of the apparatus is set forth.
The pressure switch PS is of the poppet valve type and includes a
cup-shaped casing or head 80 across the rim of which there extends
a diaphragm 82. An axially slidable poppet spool 84 is provided
with an enlarged head 86 which is secured centrally to the
diaphragm 82 and forces the central region of the latter against a
sealing annulus 88 which surrounds an inlet port 90, this port
being connected to the air line 68 by a branch air line 92. The
poppet spool 84 is yieldingly pressed against the diaphragm 82 by
means of a spring 94 while an adjustment screw 96 is provided for
regulating the pressure exerted on the diaphragm by the spring 94.
The poppet spool 84 is formed with an annular groove 97 therearound
into which there projects one end of a bell crank lever 98, the
other end of the lever being provided with an actuating finger 100
which cooperates with a pair of normally open contacts to close the
same in a manner and for a purpose that will be described
subsequently when the operation of the present beverage mechanism
is set forth.
The pressure switch PS per se is not novel and no claim is made
herein to any novelty associated with the same except insofar as
the function which it performs in association with the dispensing
apparatus is concerned. A valve of this type is shown and fully
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,041, dated Apr. 14, 1970 and
entitled "Pneumatic Sealing Control System for Strapping Machines"
and reference may be had to such patent for a full disclosure of
the nature of such valve. For purposes of discussion herein it is
deemed sufficient to state that the pressure switch affords a quick
and sudden activation of the contact-actuating finger 100 at such
time as the pressure within the air line 68 reaches a predetermined
maximum. Prior to the attainment of such a predetermined pressure,
the force of the spring 94 maintains the diaphragm 82 against the
annulus 88 and overbalances the total air pressure acting on the
circular area of the diaphragm and which is bounded by the annulus.
The diaphragm therefore remains in sealing engagement with the
annulus until such time as the predetermined pressure in the line
68 overbalances the pressure exerted by the spring 94. At this
time, the diaphragm is forced away from the sealing annulus 88 or
"cracks open," so to speak, whereupon the pressure of air at the
inlet port 90 may then act upon substantially the entire area of
the diaphragm, thereby rapidly forcing the poppet spool 84 axially
so that the bell crank lever swings in a clockwise direction as
viewed in FIG. 7, thereby closing the normally open contacts
associated therewith.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, the control panel 28, in addition
to being provided with the aforementioned lever-receiving slots 52,
is formed with suitable openings therethrough for projection and
exposure of a plurality of operating or start buttons including a
pair of manual start buttons MB and a single automatic start button
ASB. As will become apparent subsequently, depression of one of the
buttons MSB will result in the dispensing of a selected alcoholic
beverage, while depression of the other start button will similarly
result in the dispensing of a selected non-alcoholic beverage.
Depression of the button ASB will result in a cycle of operation by
means of which selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will
be dispensed simultaneously. A rotary control knob SS which is
associated with the panel 28 is effective upon manipulation thereof
to increase or decrease the quantity of alcoholic beverage
undergoing dispensing and will therefore be referred to hereinafter
as the "strength selector knob." A stop button SB projects through
the panel 28 and, when depressed, terminates all machine functions
regardless of the particular point in the machine cycle at which it
is depressed.
The bleeder valve BV (FIG. 7) is in the form of a conventional
solenoid-actuated shut-off valve having a solenoid winding w1
which, when deenergized, bleeds the air line 68 through a branch
line 102 to the atmosphere.
The pinch-off device PD embodies a solenoid winding w2 and an
associated armature 104, the latter being carried on an axially
shiftable plunger 106, the forward end of which is designed for
engagement with the flexible lines 30 and 42 leading from a
container or bottle 14 which contains a carbonated beverage. A
spring 108 normally urges the plunger 106 toward its effective
position wherein the plunger engages the lines 30 and 42 and
compresses the same against a reaction anvil 110, thus
"pinching-off" the two tubes and sealing the container against loss
of the inherent carbonation pressure.
Referring now to the schematic disclosure of FIG. 7, it is to be
noted that this disclosure is a fragmentary one and only three of
the seven beverage containers which are accommodated by the
selector switch 32 appear in this view. It will be understood of
course that a duplicate set of electrical and pneumatic
instrumentalities are associated with the selector switch 34, these
including a second motor M, pump P, bleeder valve BV, pressure
switch PS, manual start button MSB and a second set of
potentiometers 76, together with similar electrical and pneumatic
circuitry therefor. However, the automatic start button ASB and the
stop button SB are common to both sets of instrumentalities. To
facilitate the description of the operation it will be assumed that
the bottle 14 labeled "carbonated" contains a carbonated beverage
while the other two illustrated bottles 14 are non-carbonated
alcoholic beverages. To further facilitate description the three
illustrated bottles 14 in FIG. 7 are labeled (a), (b) and (c).
Assuming that it is desired to dispense beverage from the bottle 14
labeled (a) for the serving of a "straight" drink as distinguished
from a blend of beverages, it is merely necessary to set the
selector lever 50 to the appropriate indicia 56 on the control
panel 28, thus sliding the carriage 48 of the selector switch 32 to
a position wherein the tube 68 registers with the tube 42 leading
to the bottle, this being the position in which the carriage is
shown in FIG. 7. Thereafter, the manual start button MSB will be
depressed, thus closing the No. 1 contacts thereof and establishing
a circuit leading from the positive side of the line, through lead
11, No. 1 contacts of the start button MSB, leads 13, 15, 17, motor
M, and leads 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 back to the negative side of the
line. Energization of the motor M serves to drive the Pump P,
whereupon pressurized air flows through the air line 68, tube 42
and tube 40 of the bottle 14, thus pressurizing the contents of the
bottle and causing fluid to rise through the dip tube 36 and flow
through the riser tube 30 for pouring from the spout 24.
The aforementioned solenoid actuated bleeder valve BV is of the
normally open type so that when the winding w1 thereof is
deenergized the air line 68 is connected to the atmosphere through
the branch line 102. The winding w1 of the bleeder valve BV is
connected in electrical parallel with the motor M through a local
circuit 29, 31, so that each time the motor is energized the
winding w1 also is energized, thus blocking off the branch line
102.
When the manual button MSB is thus used, pouring operations are
observed and, when the desired amount of the beverage has been
poured, release of the manual button will open the No. 1 contacts
of such button and thus discontinue the previously described motor
circuit, as well as the local circuit for the bleeder valve BV, so
as to disable the pump P and terminate pouring operations. Opening
of the bleeder valve BV depressurizes the line 68 and allows the
liquid in the riser tube 30 to return to the bottle 14.
When it is desired to serve a mixed drink, i.e. a drink which is
comprised of two different ingredients, both selector switches 32
and 34 will be set to the appropriate beverage as indicated on the
panel 28, after which the automatic start button ASB will be
depressed, thus establishing a circuit from the positive side of
the line, through lead 33, No. 1 contacts of the button ASB, leads
35, 37, No. 2 contacts of the start button MSB, leads 39, 41, 15,
17, Motor M, leads 21, 23, 25, 27, back to the line. Again assuming
that the bottle labeled (a) is one of the two bottles selected for
the blended drink, energization of the motor M will effect rising
of the liquid in the riser tube 30 as heretofore set forth in
connection with the manual dispensing of liquid from such bottle.
However, inasmuch as depression of the automatic start button ASB
is only momentary, a holding circuit for the motor is provided.
Accordingly, depression of the button ASB also establishes a
circuit which extends from the power line through lead 33, button
ASB, leads 35, 51, 53, normally closed contacts of the relay magnet
RM2, lead 55, relay magnet RM1, and leads 57, 25, 27, back to the
line. Energization of the magnet RM1 serves to close its normally
open contacts, whereupon a holding circuit for the motor M will
extend from the line through lead 61, stop button SB, lead 63,
contacts of the magnet RM1, leads 67, 51, 37, No. 2 contacts of the
manual start button MSB (now closed), leads 39, 41, 15, 17, motor
M, and leads 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 back to the line.
With the motor M thus energized, air pressure is applied to the
selected bottle 14 (a) and fluid is caused to rise in the riser
tube 30 as previously set forth in connection with manual
dispensing operations. However, since pouring operation do not come
under the control of the operator during automatic operation of the
apparatus, it is necessary to provde a predetermined pouring time
interval for each of the ingredients undergoing pouring.
Furthermore, in order that the commencement of any given pouring
cycle shall not take place until the riser tube 30 for the selected
beverage has been filled with the beverage, the pressure switch PS
is provided. This switch senses the back-up air pressure which
exists within the line 68 incident to the hydrostatic head of
liquid in the riser tube 30 and, at such time as such pressure
attains, a predetermined maximum value which is calculated on the
basis of a column of liquid within the riser tube and which has
reached pouring spout level, the switch operates to initiate a
timing period during which liquid pouring operations may continue.
The timing period for any given beverage is a function of the ohmic
value of its associated potentiometer 76 when coupled with the
ohmic value of a variable resistor RS which is capable of being
adjusted by the strength selector knob SS. The various
potentiometers 76 and resistor RS are electrically connected to a
time delay device TD which is associated with the relay magnet RM2
and which functions to energize the magnet for a period of time
after pressure switch PS is actuated and maintains such magnet
energized for a length of time which is determined by the
aforementioned ohmic values of the potentiometers 76 and resistance
RS.
Assuming now that the liquid in the riser tube 30 for the bottle 14
(a) has reached the common pouring level which is indicated by the
dotted line 1--1 in FIG. 7, the back-up pressure in the air line 68
will be sufficient to actuate the pressure switch PS in the manner
previously described. AT this time the bell crank lever 98 will
close a pair of normally open contacts C1, whereupon a circuit will
be established from the line through lead 81, contacts C1, lead 83,
time delay device TD, and leads 85, 23, 25, 27 back to the
line.
Such energization of the time delay device sets an internal timing
cycle into effect, the duration of such cycle being a function of
the ohmic value of a local circuit which extends from the timing
device through lead 91, resistor RS, leads 93, 95, 97, resistor 76
(a), fixed contact plate 74, slidable contact strip 75, and lead 99
back to the time delay device. The combined value of the
resistances RS and 76 (a) being thus impressed upon the time delay
device, a duration of beverage pouring time is initiated such
pouring time being commensurate with the desired quantity of the
beverage which is to be poured from the spout 24.
At the conclusion of the timing cycle, the time delay device TD
functions to energize the magnet RM2, whereupon the contacts
associated therewith become open, thereby deenergizing the circuit
through the magnet RM1 and causing its contacts to become open.
Opening of these latter contacts causes opening of the
aforementioned holding circuit for the motor M and the bleeder
valve BV, whereupon the motor becomes deenergized while the valve
BV becomes open so as to bleed the line 68 to the atmosphere and
allow the liquid in the riser tube 30 to siphon back into the
bottle 14 (a). Various time delay devices are capable of being used
in connection with the relay magnet RM2, one such device being
manufactured and sold by Omnetics, Incorporated of Syracuse, New
York under the trade name Solid State Time Delay Relay, Model No.
MAR.
In order that the pressure of carbonation within such bottles 14 as
contain a carbonated beverage shall not be dissipated during a
period of machine idleness, each such bottle may have associated
therewith one of the aforementioned solenoid-actuated pinch-off
devices PD. In the exemplary illustration of FIG. 7, the device is
shown as being associated with the bottle 14 labeled (c). Normally,
the plunger 106 of the device remains spring-pressed against the
tubes which are associated with the bottle 14 (c) but, at such time
as the selector switch 32 is set so as to bring the air line 68
into communication with the air tube 42 leading from the bottle 14
(c) preparatory to initiation of beverage dispensing operations, a
finger 120 on the carriage 48 of the selector switch will effect
closing of a pair of contacts C2, whereupon a circuit will be
established from the line through lead 61, stop button SB, lead 63,
contacts of the relay magnet RM2 (now closed), leads 67, 51, lead
37, No. 2 contacts of the button MSB, leads 39, 111, contact C2,
lead 113, relay magnet RM3, and leads 115, 27 back to the line.
Energization of the magnet RM3 will effect closing of its
associated contacts, thus establishing a circuit which extends from
the line, through lead 117, contacts of the magnet RM3 (now closed)
lead 119, winding w2 of the device PD, and lead 121, back to the
line. Energization of the winding w2 will cause retraction of the
plunger 106, thus releasing the tubes 42 and 30 for beverage
pouring operations. At the completion of beverage pouring
operations, opening of the contacts of the relay magnet RM1 will
deenergize the circuit through the winding w2 but, since the magnet
RM3 is a delayed action magnet, its deenergization is delayed until
such time as the liquid in the tube 30 has drained back into the
bottle 14 (c).
If, during operation of the apparatus, it is desired at any time to
stop the operation of the same, depression of the stop button SB
will open the circuit which passes through the contacts of the
relay magnet RM1, thus deenergizing the aforementioned holding
circuit of the motor M and terminating the operation of the
apparatus in the manner previously described. The stop button is
thus available for use in the event of an emergency as, for
example, failure to place a serving glass beneath the spout 24.
It will be understood, of course, that at the time the automatic
start button ASB is depressed, the selector switch 34 which
controls selection of the non-alcoholic or low alcohol content
beverages will also have been set for the appropriate blend of
beverages. Energizing current is supplied to the duplicate set of
operating instrumentalities associated with the selector switch 34
from the positive side of the line, through a lead 125 which
extends to the No. 2 contacts of the automatic start button ASB and
from which contacts another lead 127 ties into such other set of
instrumentalities in the same manner as the lead 35. Similarly, a
lead 129 performs the same function in the duplicate system as does
the lead 63.
It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to
the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings
or described in this specification, or to the precise electric and
pneumatic circuitry which is disclosed herein as various changes in
the detail of construction may be resorted to without departing
from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, only insofar as the
invention has particularly been pointed out in the accompanying
claims is the same to be limited.
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