Fluid Mixed Drink Card Programmable Dispenser

Abstract

A mixed drink dispenser capable of very accurately dispensing and proportioning liquids in accordance with information punched on a card or on tape. A metered pressure air supply is connected to liquid supply bottles having individual valve controlled liquid line outputs to a dispensing head. The individual valves are controlled for predetermined time period fluid ingredient feed flow by time control turn-on, turn-off circuitry as selected by punched openings in a particular drink card inserted into the control module.

Description

This invention relates in general to systems for automatically dispensing mixed drinks, and in particular, to a punched card or tape time controlled liquid ingredient automatic mixed drink feed and dispensing system.

Many times, particularly when a bar is quite busy, the bartender and service from the bar may seem too slow. Further, when a good number of drinks are to be served to a table the first made drinks may sit around warming up and diluting with ice melting during the waiting period for the rest of drinks to be made before they are served to the table. Some automatic or semi-automatic mixed drink dispensing systems overcome some of these problems but may be subject to serving the wrong drink or mixing wrong ingredients if, for example, a wrong key is punched.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a mixed drink dispenser capable of automatically dispensing accurately proportioned drinks in minimum time.

Another object is to provide an automatic mixed drink dispenser with serving of a wrong drink or mixing of wrong ingredients at a minimum.

A further object is for such an automatic mixed drink dispenser to be subject to punched card or tape control.

Still another object is to use punched control cards or tapes including a picture of the drink to be served for drink identification and less error.

Features of the invention useful in accomplishing the above objects include, in an automatic mixed drink bar dispenser, a metered pressure source of consumable gas such as air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide or the like for supplying pressure regulated air to various liquid ingredient supply containers used in the system. Each liquid ingredient supply container has a fluid output supply line passed through a solenoid controlled value to a dispensing head. The individual solenoid valves are subject to predetermined time period close to open to close control by turn on turn off control circuitry as selectively activated by punched openings in a particular mixed drink card or tape inserted into a control module. Each card or tape carries the particular drink identification thereon either by printed name, number, and/or picture for ease of use and minimizing error.

Specific embodiments representing what are presently regarded as the best modes of carrying out the invention are illustrated in the accompany drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a partial block diagram of applicant's bar mixed drink dispenser;

FIG. 2, a typical mixed drink control card, with partial punched or cut-out openings for a particular specific drink pictured on the card, for insertion in a card control module of the mixed drink dispenser;

FIG. 3, a partial block and diagram showing of decoder system detail from the card control module section as seen partially in section from above; and,

FIG. 4, a schematic of a control card decoder and timing circuit used in the automatic mixed drink dispenser.

The mixed drink dispensing system 10 of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of liquid ingredient containers 11a through 11n, generally in the form of bottles, having output tubes 12a through 12n, respectively, extended to and through fluid flow turn on and turn off solenoid controlled valves 13a through 13n. The output tubes 12a through 12n extend on further from the valves 13a through 13n to a dispensing head 14. Metered pressure source 15, that may include an air compressor, an air tank, a pressure switch, and an air outlet meter regulator, supplies closely regulated pressure gas, meter regulated to 6 pounds for example, through gas pressure line 16. Line branches 16a through 16n extend from gas pressure line 16 through bottle stoppers 17a through 17n, along with output tubes 12a through 12n, to provide the pressure inducing metered ingredient flow out the output tubes through respective opened valves 13a through 13n to dispensing head 14. Valves 13a through 13n as solenoid valves are subject to selective opening and time interval control as determined by control through control module 20 that utilizes selected mixed drink control cards such as the typical card 21 shown by FIG. 2.

Card 21 is a typical card for selectively proportioning and dispensing eight different liquid ingredients in a mixed drink system such as that of FIG. 1. Actually the punched card 21 (or its punched tape equivalent) is for dispensing an Old Fashioned. The horizontal divisions on the card 21 are numbered for liquid ingredients to be dispensed, and the vertical lettered columns control the time each dispensing valve 13a through 13n is held on as activated via punched openings. The times typically are: A 1 second, B 2 seconds, C 3 seconds, and D 4 seconds. An Old Fashioned mixed drink contains liquid sugar syrup equal to 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, 4 dash drops of bitters fluid, 1/2 ounce of soda, and 1 and 1/2 ounces of whiskey. Looking at the card 21 the A-1 hole corresponds to the fluid bitters fluid valve being turned on for 1 second and metering 4 dash drops of bitters. The A-2 hole corresponds to sugar with 1 second valve actuation resulting in the equivalent of 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in the form of liquid sugar syrup being dispensed. The A-4 hole opens the soda valve for 1 second to thereby dispense 1/2 ounce of soda. The whiskey valve controlled by the B-7 hole is opened for 2 seconds to dispense 1 and 1/2 ounces of whiskey. The respective valves controlled to open are opened simultaneously and start dispensing the fluids when the selected mixed drink card is fully inserted in the card control module. They then stay on the respective times and turn off as controlled by the respective timing sections.

Referring also to FIG. 3 there is a 1 second timer A section 22, a 2 second timer B section 23, a 3 second timer section 24, and a 4 second timer D section 25 controlling respectively lights 26, 27 28 and 29. When the lights are made to shine within reflector sections 30, 31, 32 and 33 with reflecting surfaces shaped such as in parabola sections, shown from above in FIG. 3 and in parabola from in FIG. 4, to direct light toward a card 21' inserted in the card module 20. The card 21' is inserted between the light reflectors containing the lights and modified parabola reflector sections 34 through 41 containing photocells 42 through 49 such as appear in FIG. 4. It is of interest to note that a portion of card 21 or 21' still projecting from the card control module 20 when fully inserted carries a color picture of the mixed drink selected with that particular card. Further, the cards are made of opaque material such that when fully inserted, particularly card 21' as shown in FIG. 4, the lower card end blocks light coming from bulb 50 from photocell 51 mounted in reflector section 52 to immediately activate the timing and dispensing valve control circuitry.

Power for the timing and control circuitry is provided from an AC power supply 53, that may be swtiched on or off, through a transformer 54 to a diode rectifier circuit 55 having unfiltered positive and negative output DC power connections. The positive output is connected serially through resistor 56, a photocell 57 positioned adjacent light bulbs 50 within lamp directive shroud 58, and resistor 59 and through additional circuitry to the negative connection of the diode rectifier circuit 55. Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 60 has a anode connection to the positive terminal of the rectifier circuit 55, a gate connection to the junction of photocell 57 and resistor 59 and a cathode connection to the other end of resistor 59. Photocell 51 is also connected in parallel with resistor 59 between the gate and cathode electrodes of SCR 60. Thus, with card 21' inserted to block light of bulb 50 from photocell 51 the photocell is converted from low to high resistance and the gate bias immediately becomes such as to result in turn on of SCR 60 to conduction and thereby result in immediate turn on of bulbs 26, 27, 28 and 29. However, should bulb 50 be burned out or there be a break in the bulb lines between the positive and negative connections thereof to the rectifier 55 power supply then photocell 57 is converted from low resistance with light to high resistance with no light and the gate to base bias level of SCR 60 is so lowered as to result in starve turn off of the SCR with the next down fluctuation of the positive output of the unfiltered diode rectifier circuit 55. This prevents undesired turn on of the timing and valve control circuitry just because bulb 50 may be burned out or off for any reason with power still available from the rectifier circuit 55.

The cathode of SCR 60 is connected also through light bulbs 26, 27, 28 and 29 in parallel on through, respectively, diodes 61, 62, 63 and 64 anodes to the bulbs and cathodes connected to the anodes, respectively, of timing circuits SCR's 65, 66, 67 and 68 having cathodes connected to the negative output of the diode rectifier circuit 55. Further, the cathode of SCR 60 is connected additionally through resistor 69 to the anode of diode 70 having a cathode connection both through capacitor 71 to the negative output of the rectifier circuit 55 and also serially through resistors 72 and 73 to the negative output connection. The junction of resistors 72 and 73 is connected, respectively, to and through resistors 74, 75, 76 and 77 of the timing sections 22, 23, 24 and 25 to the connective junctions of the anodes of SCR's 78, 79, 80 and 81 and diodes 82, 83, 84 and 85. The cathodes of diodes 82, 83, 84 and 85 are connected respectively to the anodes of diodes 86, 87, 88 and 89 having their cathodes connected to the gates of SCR's 65, 66, 67 and 68. Thus, bias is provided for immediate turn on of SCR's 65, 66, 67, and 68 and the lights 26, 27, 28 and 29 with turn on to conduction of SCR 60.

The cathodes of SCR's 78, 79, 80, and 81 are connected to the negative side connection of the rectifier circuit 55 while the gate eletrodes thereof are connected to the junction of one base output electrode of each of the unijunction transistors 90, 91, 92 and 93 with, respectively, resistors 94, 95, 96 and 97 connected at their other ends to the negative side of rectifier circuit 55. The other base electrodes of the unijunction transistors 90, 91, 92 and 93 are connected, respectively, serially through resistors 98, 99, 100 and 101 and resistors 102, 103, 104 and 105 to the timing circuit voltage supply connection with the junction of resistors 72 and 73. The junctions of resistors 98 and 102, 99 and 103, 100 and 104, and 101 and 105 are connected, respectively, through zener diodes 106, 107, 108 and 109 to the negative side of rectifier circuit 55, and, respectively, serially through adjustable resistors 110, 111, 112 and 113 and capacitors 114, 115, 116 and 117 to the negative side of rectifier circuit 55. The junctions of resistors 110, 111, 112 and 113 with capacitors 114, 115, 116 and 117 are connected respectively to the emitter electrodes of unijunction transistors 90, 91, 92 and 93 in order that RC time constant developed voltages bias trigger the respective transistors 90, 91, 92 and 93 to provide a positive voltage output on the base electrodes connected to the gate electrodes of SCR's 78, 79, 80 and 81 providing turn-on to conduction therethrough. This lowers the voltage level at the anodes of the SCR's 78, 79, 80 and 81 and at the gate electrodes of SCR's 65, 66, 67 and 68 that shut off with the next cyclic lowering of the positive voltage out of the rectifier circuit 55 at the respective timings determined by RC time constants as determined with adjustable resistors 110, 111, 112 and 113 and by selected values of capacitors 114, 115, 116 and 117.

In addition to being connected to the anode of SCR 60 the positive unfiltered output of rectifier circuit 55 is connected to the anode of SCR 118 as the power supply to solenoid coils 119a through 119n of solenoid controlled valves 13a through 13n. The cathode of SCR 118 is also connected through, serially, resistors 120 and 121 to the junction of photocell 51, resistors 59 and 69, and the cathode of SCR 60, and the junction of resistors 120 and 121 is connected to the gate electrode of SCR 118. This provides for fast shut off of SCR 118 and sure turn off of any and all solenoid controlled valves 13a through 13n should, for example, a drink card 21' be pulled from card control module 20 while a drink is being dispensed before the timing cycle is complete. Diodes 122a through 122n are connected in parallel with the solenoid coils 119a through 119n to protect SCR's 123a through 123n that have anode connections to the coils from inductive voltage transients. The anodes of SCR's 123a through 123n are also connected serially through resistors 124a through 124n, photocells 42 through 49, respectively, and resistors 125a through 125n to connections with the cathodes of SCR's and the negative side of rectifier circuit 55. The junctions of the photocells 42 through 49, respectively, with resistors 125a through 125n are connected to the gate electrodes of SCR's 123a through 123n of which there are eight to match the number of photocells 42 through 49 in the embodiment of FIG. 4. During periods of time that light shines on individual photocells 42 through 49 through openings of a card 21', as long as the control circuitry is not deactivated by a control turn off state of either or both photocells 51 or 57, the respective SCR's 123a through 123n connected thereto are in the conductive state with turn off controlled by turn off at different times of the respective lights 26, 27, 28 or 29.

It should be noted that a cycle time control button or switch could be used in place of the light 50 photocell 51 and photocell 57 control for turn on turn off (detail not shown) with the remainder of the control circuitry substantially the same. Further, there could be more or less timer control sections than shown and more or less ingredient controls with correspondingly more or less photocell controlled solenoid valve sections.

Whereas this invention is herein illustrated and described with respect to a plurality of embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes may be made without departing from the essential contributions to the art made by the teachings hereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a fluid mixed drink dispenser capable of accurately dispensing and proportioning liquids in accordance with selected units of predetermined information for selected drinks, a plurality of liquid ingredient supply containers; pressure gas supply means connected in fluid pressure communication with each of said plurality of liquid ingredient supply containers; fluid output supply line means from each of said liquid ingredient supply containers extended to dispensing head means; individual solenoid valves positioned for time controlled on-off metered delivery of liquid ingredient supply from respective liquid ingredient supply containers; control circuity with a plurality of timing circuit sections; a plurality of light source means connected for individual time determined turn on turn off control by said plurality of timing circuit sections; light responsive elements in a plurality of individual solenoid valve control circuits; opaque media means having predetermined information located transparent opening means positionable between said plurality of light source means and said light responsive elements for time controlled dispensing of selective ingredients for a drink; wherein said opaque media means is a card with openings punched therethrough in a predetermined pattern corresponding with a selected drink to be dispensed as controlled by light shining through the openings in the card for the various and pre-programed times.

2. The fluid mixed drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein said card includes a picture of the drink selected and program dispensed thereby.

3. The fluid mixed drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein a receptacle supports said card in a circuit activating and control position; and drink dispensing cycle initiating means positioned for actuation by full insertion of said card in said receptacle.

4. The fluid mixed drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein a power supply is connected for supplying DC power to said control circuitry; a plurality of solid state gate controlled devices are included in said control circuitry; said plurality of timing circuit sections include RC time constant sections connected for developing bias voltages triggering respective timing control circuits from the on to the off states; and, wherein said power supply includes an AC power supply connection and an AC to DC rectifier having unfiltered power supply connections to said control circuitry; and wherein said plurality of solid state gate controlled devices include a plurality of silicon controlled rectifiers with anodes connected through circuit means to the positive side of said AC to DC rectifier.

5. The fluid mixed drink dispenser of claim 4, wherein said light responsive elements are photocells of relatively high resistance with no light impinging thereon and of relatively low resistance with light impinging thereon; and with an SCR in each individual solenoid valve control circuit having a gate electrode connected for an off biasing circuit control by a photocell.

6. The fluid mixed drink dispenser of claim 5, wherein a light source connected across said rectifier is positioned to shine toward a drink dispensing cycle initiating control photocell connected in biasing circuitry triggering a drink dispensing cycle when the light shining from said light source is blocked from the photocell; and said opaque media means including a portion postioned to block light of said light source when said opaque media means is moved into position for initiating a drink dispensing cycle.

7. The fluid mixed drink dispenser of claim 6, including a safety cut-off circuit with a photocell positioned for continuous exposure to said light source and connected in bias circuitry of a gate controlled device in power line means to time control circuit sections providing shut-off of power with shut-off of said gate controlled device in said power line means should said light source go off at any time.

8. The fluid mixed drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein said pressure gas supply is a metered pressure air source; and wherein said individual solenoid valves are positioned in said fluid output supply line means.