U.S. patent number 3,827,467 [Application Number 05/355,516] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-06 for fluid dispensing apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HH & T Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frederick A. Henley, Terry L. Henley, Donald I. Townsend.
United States Patent |
3,827,467 |
Henley , et al. |
August 6, 1974 |
FLUID DISPENSING APPARATUS
Abstract
A fluid dispensing apparatus simultaneously dispenses precise
quantities of various fluids according to a predetermined schedule
encoded onto a control card. The card has projections or bumps
thereon which engage trigger arms as the card is moved at a
constant speed through a channel past the trigger arms. The trigger
arms control a plurality of valves by unlocking over-center locking
arms which release previously pinched-off sections of resilient
tubing to release the various fluids controlled thereby. Completed
travel of the card causes reset of all the valves and terminates
dispensing of the fluids.
Inventors: |
Henley; Terry L. (Xenia,
OH), Henley; Frederick A. (Centerville, OH), Townsend;
Donald I. (Midland, MI) |
Assignee: |
HH & T Industries, Inc.
(Xenia, OH)
|
Family
ID: |
23397722 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/355,516 |
Filed: |
April 30, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/104; 222/2;
141/250 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
20/342 (20130101); B67D 3/00 (20130101); G07F
7/025 (20130101); G07F 13/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G07F
7/00 (20060101); G07F 7/02 (20060101); B67D
3/00 (20060101); G07F 13/06 (20060101); B65b
003/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;141/129,94,98,100-107,129,250-284,351-362 ;222/2,288 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bell, Jr.; Houston S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Biebel, French & Bugg
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of
fluids, comprising:
a. a plurality of means for supplying a corresponding plurality of
fluids,
b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each
of said supply means,
c. separate operating means for each of said valve means movable
between an operating position wherein the associated said valve
means are closed and a release position effecting opening of said
valve means,
d. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to
tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from
said operating position to said release position,
e. a control card having a leading edge and having actuating means
for said selected said trigger means located thereon in
predetermined spaced relations with said leading edge,
f. means defining a path for movement for said card in actuating
relation with said trigger means,
g. drive means for moving said card along said path at a
predetermined rate to cause said actuating means thereon to trip
predetermined said trigger means sequentially in accordance with
said spaced relations of said actuating means with said leading
edge of said card and thereby to effect opening of the
corresponding said valve means at corresponding predetermined
stages of the movement of said card along said path, and
h.means responsive to a predetermined extent of movement of said
card along said path for restoring all of said operating means to
operating position effecting closing of all open said valve
means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said operating means
includes an over-center locking means having a locked and an
unlocked position and having a trigger lever extending therefrom
adjacent the path of said movement of said card, wherein said
actuating means on said card comprise projections for tripping said
operating means by engaging selected said trigger levers to move
corresponding selected said over-center locking means over center
from said locked to said unlocked position, and wherein said
resetting means is operative to move said over-center locking means
back over center from said unlocked position.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply means
comprises a plurality of fluid containers and fluid conduction
means separately conducting the fluid from each said container to a
corresponding said dispensing control valve.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each said fluid conduction
means includes a trap to eliminate air within said means subsequent
to connection with a corresponding said container.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising air pressure supply
means for pressurizing the contents of each said container, and an
air check valve within each of said containers to prevent back flow
of the contents thereof into said air pressure supply system.
6. Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of
fluids, comprising:
a. a plurality of means for supply a corresponding plurality of
fluids,
b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each
of said fluid supply means,
c. each said valve means including a resilient tubing member,
d. means supporting at least a portion of each of said tubing
members in said apparatus,
e. separate closing means for each said tubing member including a
valve pin having an end movable against the corresponding said
supported tubing portion to close said tubing by pinching said
tubing against said supporting means,
f. separate operating means for each said valve closing means
movable between an operating position wherein said valve pin is
moved against said tubing to pinch said tubing against said tubing
support and thereby to close the associated said valve means, and a
release position releasing said tubing pinch and thereby effecting
opening of the associated said valve means,
g. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to
tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from
said operating position to said release position,
h. a control card having trigger actuating means thereon,
i. means for moving said card along a path causing said trigger
actuating means thereon to trip predetermined said trigger means in
predetermined sequence and thereby to effect opening of the
corresponding said valve means for dispensing predetermined
quantities of fluid through said valve means, and
j. means for restoring all of said operating means to operating
position effecting closing of all open said valve means following
dispensing of predetermined quantities of said fluids.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said valve pin has a radius of
curvature on said tubing closing end which is substantially the
same as that of the tubing outer wall rest diameter minus
approximately two tubing wall thicknesses, to pinch said tubing
closed by reversing the pressed portion thereof to complement the
configuration of the portion opposite said pin.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said operating means
includes an over-center locking means having a locked and an
unlocked position and having a trigger lever extending therefrom
for engagement by said card actuating means when brought into said
engaging relation therewith, wherein said actuating means on said
card comprises projections for tripping said operating means by
engaging selected said trigger levers to move corresponding
selected said over-center locking means over center from said
locked to said unlocked position, and wherein said resetting means
is operative to move said over-center locking means back over
center from said unlocked position.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fluid supply means
comprises a plurality of fluid containers and fluid conduction
means separately conducting the fluid from each said container to a
corresponding said dispensing control valve.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each said fluid conduction
means includes a trap to eliminate air within said means subsequent
to connection with a corresponding said container.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising air pressure supply
means for pressurizing the contents of each said container, and an
air check valve within each of said containers to prevent back flow
of the contents thereof into said air pressure supply system.
12. Apparatus for dispensing selected mixtures of a plurality of
fluids, comprising:
a. a plurality of means for supplying a corresponding plurality of
fluids,
b. separate valve means for controlling the flow of fluid from each
of said fluid supply means,
c. each said valve means including a resilient tubing member,
d. means supporting at least a portion of each of said tubing
members in said apparatus,
e. separate closing means for each said tubing member including a
valve pin movable lengthwise against the corresponding said
supported tubing portion to close said tubing by pinching said
tubing against said supporting means,
f. separate operating means for each said valve closing means
movable between an operating position wherein said valve pin is
moved against said tubing to pinch said tubing against said tubing
support and thereby to close the associated said valve means, and a
release position releasing said tubing pinch and thereby effecting
opening of the associated said valve means,
g. said operating means each including trigger means responsive to
tripping thereof to cause movement of said operating means from
said operating position to said release position,
h. a control card having a leading edge and having actuating means
for said selected said trigger means located thereon in
predetermined spaced relations with said leading edge,
i. means defining a path for movement for said card in actuating
relation with said trigger means,
j. means for moving said card along said path at a predetermined
rate to cause said actuating means thereon to trip predetermined
said trigger means sequentially in accordance with said spaced
relations of said actuating means with said leading edge of said
card and thereby to effect opening of the corresponding said valve
means at corresponding predetermined stages of the movement of said
card along said path, and
k. means responsive to a predetermined extent of movement of said
card along said path for restoring all of said operating means to
operating position effecting closing of all open said valve
means.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of said operating means
includes an over-center locking means having a locked and an
unlocked position and having a trigger lever extending therefrom
adjacent the path of said movement of said card, wherein said
actuating means on said card comprises projections for tripping
said operating means by engaging selected said trigger levers to
move corresponding selected said over-center locking means over
center from said locked to said unlocked position, and wherein said
resetting means is operative to move said over-center locking means
back over center from said unlocked position.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising subassembly
mounting means mounting at least said tubing support means, pin
means, and over-center locking means as an easily removable and
replaceable unitary subassembly in said fluid dispensing
apparatus.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising comb means having
said tubing support means therein, pin channel means mounting said
valve pins for movement therein, and slot means for said
over-center locking means movably receiving and supporting said
over-center locking means therein.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said fluid supply means
includes trap means to eliminate air from the fluid supplied by
said fluid means.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:
a. a common dispenser head for said fluids including means defining
a separate discharge outlet for each of said fluids, and
b. means connecting each said dispenser head outlet to a respective
said valve means for dispensing fluid received therefrom.
18. In a fluid dispensing apparatus including a plurality of
containers containing various fluids, and means for supporting a
receptacle for receiving fluids dispensed from the containers, the
combination comprising:
a plurality of individual flexible valve tubing members,
b. first fluid conducting means sepaately connected between
individual containers and corresponding said valve tubing members
for conducting the respective fluids from the containers to the
corresponding valve tubing members,
c. trap means on each of said first fluid conducting means to
eliminate air within said first fluid conducting means subsequent
to connection thereof with a corresponding container.
d. comb means,
e. means supporting at least a portion of each of said valve tubing
members in said comb means,
f. first guide means in said comb means defining a pin channel
opening adjacent and substantially perpendicularly to said
supported portion of each of said valve tubing members,
g. valve pin means in each said pin channel having an end movable
against said valve tubing member to close said tubing by pinching
said tubing against said supporting means,
h. over-center operating means for each said valve pin including
interconnected arms movable generally in one plane over center
between locked and unlocked positions, and connected to said valve
pin means to move said pins means simultaneously in substantially
the same said plane to close said valve means by pinching said
tubing against said comb means when said operating means is in said
locked position and to open said valve means by releasing said
tubing pinch when said operating means is in said unlocked
position,
i. second guide means in said comb defining a channel receiving
each said operating means in laterally guided relation limiting
movement of said operating means to said plane,
j. a dispenser controlling card,
k. valve trip means on said card,
l. trigger arm means engageable by said card trip means and
connected to each operating means to move each said operating means
independently over center from said locked position to said
unlocked position upon engagement and movement of the respective
said trigger arm by a corresponding said trip means on said
card,
m. card guide means mounted adjacent said comb for guiding said
card past said trigger arms to bring said trip means into
engagement therewith,
n. constant speed drive means for driving said card in timed
relation through said card guides and past said trigger arms to
cause each said trip means thereon to trip a corresponding one of
said trigger arms at a predetermined stage of the movement of said
card through said card guides to open each corresponding selected
said valve for a predetermined interval causing a correspondingly
timed dispensing operation for each such selected valve,
o. reset means for said valves mounted adjacent said operating
means to engage and move unlocked said operating means back over
center to said locked positions, closing the previously opened
valves,
p. means responsive to predetermined elapsed time and movement of
said card past said trigger arms for actuating said reset
means,
g. substantially constant pressure air supply means,
r. an air pressure supply manifold connected to the output of said
air supply means,
s. means connecting the contents of each of the fluid containers to
said air pressure manifold to pressurize the container
contents,
t. check valve means on each said air pressure connecting means to
prevent reverse flow of the fluid contents of the respective
containers back into said air pressure supply means,
u. separate fluid discharge means connected to each of said valve
means to conduct the fluid released thereby to a receptacle on the
receptacle supporting means, and
v. a common dispense head for the ends of said fluid discharge
means adjacent the receptacle causing each fluid separately issuing
into the receptacle to be discharged from a corresponding separate
opening in said common dispenser head.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein at least one of the
containers is an inverted bottle, and further comprising bottle cap
means having an outlet opening therethrough connecting with said
first fluid conducting means to supply the fluid contents from said
container to said conducting means for conduction to said valve
means, said air check valve being within said bottle, and said
bottle cap means also including connection means therethrough
connecting said air pressure supply means to said check valve means
within said bottle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fluid dispensing apparatus, and more
particularly to a device which can accurately, precisely, and
simultaneously dispense predetermined quantities of any selected
number of a substantial quantity of different liquids. The
invention is particularly directed to an apparatus for dispensing
mixed beverages, such as alcoholic drinks, although it is equally
applicable to other environments, such as paint mixing, where
predetermined quantities of different liquids must also be
accurately dispensed.
The prior art is full of devices directed to solving the problem of
automatically dispensing mixed drinks or other liquid concoctions.
The effort to mechanize the bartender in an inexpensive and
reliable fashion has engaged inventors for a long time, as may be
seen, for example, in such U.S. Pat. as Nos. 903,203, 1,600,170,
3,067,912, 3,119,485, 3,409,176, and 3,675,820.
Few if any of these devices, however, have met with widespread
acceptance. This has been due primarily to questions of cost (one
presently available device costing thousands of dollars),
versatility (most previous devices having been limited to but a
very few drinks) or both.
The high costs encountered by the prior art have been in part a
result of the use of complicated and expensive components, deemed
necessary to achieve commercial reliability. For example, high
quality electromagnetic control valves have often been specified.
However, not only has this resulted in high initial costs, but
service and maintenance costs have also been high when such
maintenance has become necessary.
Further, the program for dispensing each drink is usually internal
to the machine itself. The user simply pushes a button or turns a
selector for the desired drink. However, this places a limit on the
number of mixtures (drinks) available from the machine, and makes
additions of other combinations very expensive or impractical.
A need thus remains for an inexpensive yet highly reliable device
which can accurately dispense an almost unlimited variety of mixed
liquids. The device must be capable of withstanding continuous and
heavy usage, such as would be expected in commercial
establishments, must provide for inexpensive and rapid service and
maintenance, and must be capable of dispensing a theoretically
infinite variety of drinks according to the tastes and desires of
the individuals (patrons) being served.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention provides a fluid dispensing
apparatus in which control cards are provided with actuating means
such as individual bumps or projections thereon to control simple
and inexpensive mechanical trip valves. The valves accurately
dispense any of a wide variety of available liquids, in any desired
quantity within a practical range.
Each card is driven at constant speed through a card guide, and the
projections or other actuating means on the card trip small
mechanical valves to release the correspondingly selected
individual liquids. The actuating means on the cards are located at
selectively spaced locations to engage trigger arms which trip
over-center locking arms. The over-center locking arms open the
valves at predetermined intervals during the travel of the card
through the card quide, in accordance with the location of each of
the actuating means with respect to the leading and trailing edges
of the card. Thus when a large quantity of a given liquid is to be
dispensed, the corresponding actuating means is located near the
leading edge of the card to trip the valve early in the course of
the card travel (dispensing cycle). Where a small quantity of
another liquid is to be included, the corresponding valve actuating
means is near the trailing edge of the card, so that the valve is
tripped open only near the end of the cycle.
Thus as each card travels through its course in the control
mechanism of the liquid dispensing device, the valves are
sequentially opened at multiple stages to cause correspondingly
different timed dispensing operations. Predetermined quantities of
the various different liquids are dispensed substantially
simultaneously through all open valves.
At the end of the card travel, and hence at the end of the
dispensing interval or cycle, the leading edge of the card trips
means such as a sensitive micro-switch which actuates a solenoid to
move a common valve closing bar. The common closing bar
simultaneously engages all the overcenter locking arms, for the
various open valves, and resets the arm assemblies to close the
valves.
The dispensed liquids are supplied from a plurality of individual
containers, which may be the bottles in which the liquids were
originally supplied. The bottles are inverted in a slotted rack,
and a special bottle cap, having tubing thereon connected to the
corresponding valve in the valve assembly, is attached to each
bottle. The tubing includes an air trp so that when a bottle is
changed, air introduced into the tube near the cap will be expelled
into the bottle, to prevent air from entering the tubes, valves,
etc.
An air pressure pump supplies air to an air supply manifold to
pressurize the contents of each liquid container. Individual air
hoses connect from the manifold through the bottle caps to the
interiors of each container. An air check valve on the air hose
within each container prevents reverse flow of the liquid contents
back into the air pressure supply system. A constant bleed valve
releases air from the air pressure supply system to maintain a
constant air pressure therein.
The valve assembly itself is inexpensive, uncomplicated, and highly
durable. It may incorporate as many individual valves as desired,
according to the number of different liquids to be dispensed. In
the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, 19 valves are
incorporated into a common valve assembly.
The valve assembly includes a comb having a vertical hole
therethrough receiving each length of resilient elastomeric tubing.
A separate pin channel for each piece of tubing is provided in the
comb substantially perpendicular to the tubing channel itself. A
valve pin is movably received in each pin channel and can be slid
against the tubing to pinch the tubing closed against the wall of
the tubing channel in the comb. The flow of liquid through the
valve is thus controlled by pinching the tubing closed to close the
valve, or releasing the pinch to open the valve.
Movement of the pin is controlled by an over-center locking arm
assembly which, when moved donwardly, locks in a slightly over
center position while pressing the pin against the tubing, to close
the valve. A trigger arm attached to the over-center locking arm
assembly is engagable by the valve actuating means on the card to
urge the locking arm assembly upwardly over center to unlock the
arm assembly. When unlocked, the resiliency of the rubber tubing
and the pressure of the liquid within the tubing press the pin away
from the tubing, opening the valve and allowing the liquid to flow
therethrough.
As mentioned, when the dispensing cycle has been completed, the
card trips the resetting micro-switch to reset each valve. This
pinches the valve tubing closed again, terminating the dispensing
cycle. The dispensed liquids are conducted from the valve tubing to
a common dispenser head where each liquid issues separately into a
receptacle supported therebeneath.
For purposes of economy and compactness, each individual locking
arm assembly is wholly contained within its respective thin arm
channel in the comb. The thin arm channel permits the vertical
movement of the locking arm assembly, for locking and unlocking
thereof, and horizontal movement toward and away from the tubing,
to enable the pin to be moved into and out of the pinching
configuration. Lateral movement of the locking arm assembly is
prevented, however, by the narrowness of the arm channels in which
the arms are contained. Thus the pivots of the locking arm assembly
need not be strengthened against lateral movement. As a result,
they may not only be very much thinner, but are also much less
expensive to manufacture. Rivoted pivots, for example, would be
much more difficult to manufacture, more expensive, and much
bulkier.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved
liquid dispensing apparatus which is controlled by valve trip
projections incorporated into a dispenser controlling card; which
includes an uncomplicated valve having an over-center locking arm
assembly to press a pin against a supported length of resilient
rubber tubing to pinch the tubing to close the valve and to release
the pinch to open the valve; which includes a constant speed drive
mechanism and a card guide means to move each card having actuating
means thereon past trigger arms to trip the over-center locking arm
assemblies to open the valves at predetermined intervals for
causing correspondingly different timed dispensing operations at
multiple stages to dispense predetermined quantities of various
liquids substantially simultaneously; which may dispense any of a
wide variety of liquids and combinations thereof, in any desired
quantities; which includes a comb supporting the resilient tubing,
valve pins, and over-center locking arm assemblies as a unit, for
minimizing the size and cost thereof; in which the valve-comb
assembly provides for insertion and removal of the valve assembly
as a unit in the liquid dispensing apparatus, for ease and
efficiency of maintenance and service; in which the liquids may
easily be dispensed directly from the containers in which they are
sold without introduction of air into the valves and tubing of the
liquid dispensing system; and in which each liquid is served
directly from its individual tubing so that no rinsing is required
between servings.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from
the following description, the accompanying drawings and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic illustration of the liquid
dispensing apparatus of this invention, showing nineteen liquid
containers individually supplying liquid, and also showing the
front of the dispensing portion of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic schematic illustration of the supply and
control elements of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the valve assembly, dispenser
controlling card, and card drive means, showing the card being
driven downwardly through the card guides, and showing a trip
projection thereon engaging and about to trip a valve trigger arm,
the view being taken generally on line 3--3 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, taken on lines
4--4 of FIGS. 3 and 5;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, taken on line
5--5 of FIG. 4, and showing a valve assembly which has been tripped
to the open position;
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the dispenser nozzle showing the
hexagonal arrangement which is used to obtain high density packing
for the individual liquid outlets in the dispenser nozzle;
FIG. 7 is an illustration of a dispenser card programmed for
dispensing a martini, showing the card as it commences travel
through the card guides;
FIG. 8 is a side view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the
dimensional relationships between the dispenser controlling card,
card drive motor, valve reset micro-switch, and card trip
projections, which dimensions assure positive driving of the card
during the entire dispensing operation;
FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which two valve
assemblies are arranged on opposite sides of the card guides, and
appropriate valve trip projections are provided on each side of the
card for the respective valve assemblies;
FIG. 10 illustrates still another embodiment in which two or more
valve assemblies are arranged in tandem, and showing a drive belt
and pulley arrangement for continuing the positive drive of the
card as it moves through such a tandem configuration.
FIG. 11 shows the dual valve assembly of FIG. 9 in an off-set
configuration; and
FIG. 12 illustrates somewhat diagrammatically the corresponding
card valve trip projection arrangement for FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The liquid dispensing apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a
cabinet 12 enclosing a plurality of liquid containers 15.
Containers 15 may be any containers appropriate to the type and
quantities of liquids being dispensed. The embodiment of the
invention illustrated in FIG. 1 is a mixed drink dispenser for
dispensing alcoholic beverages, and the containers 15 are therefore
the original bottles in which the alcoholic beverages are commonly
distributed.
The containers 15 are supported in inverted position in slots in a
container rack 18, so that the liquid contents 19 are against
corresponding molded bottle caps 20. Each cap 20 has a liquid
discharge channel 23 therein connected to a corresponding flexible
tube 25 of rubber, vinyl, or other appropriate material. Tubes 25
serve as liquid conducting means which are separately connected to
the individual containers 15 to carry the liquids out of cabinet 12
through stainless steel nipples 26 (FIG. 2), from which the liquid
is then conveyed to a valve assembly 30 shown as located in a
separate housing 32 which may conveniently be mounted on the front
or top of cabinet 12.
Valve assembly 30 is a complete, unitary subassembly mounted for
easy removal in housing 32. The valve assembly includes a comb 33
provided with a plurality of tube supporting bores 34, and a
resilient tubing member 35 is received and supported in each of the
bores 34. Tubing members 35 are made of resilient material such as
silicone, Neoprene, or surgical gum rubber, for reasons which will
subsequently be explained. The upper corner portion of comb 33 at
its end remote from the tubing member 35 has multiple slots 36
therein defined by partitions 37 and outer walls 38.
The comb 33 supports a valve pin 40 for each piece of tubing 35,
each valve pin 40 being movable axially in a channel 41 which
extends substantially perpendicularly away from its associated tube
supporting bore 34. Each valve pin 40 is individually movable
toward and away from its corresponding tubing member 35, so that
the pin ends 42 which contact the respective tube members 35 are
individually able to pinch individual members 35 closed by pinching
the tubing against the wall of the corresponding tube supporting
bore 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4).
The tube-closing end 42 of each pin 40 has a radius of curvature
substantially the same as that of the outer diameter of the tubing
35, when free or at rest, minus two tubing wall thicknesses (see
FIG. 4). This pin end curvature pinches the tubing closed by
reversing the curvature of the pressed wall in such a way as to
complement the configuration of the portion opposite the pin, to
effect a complete closing pinch of the tubing. It should be noted
in this regard that a pin which is too small in diameter may simply
press through the tubing without pinching it closed; a pin with too
large a diameter may squash the tubing without pinching it closed;
a pin of correct diameter but incorrect end curvature may produce
similar results or damage the tubing. The pin diameter and end
curvature should therefore be selected as above, to produce a pinch
as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Individual movement of the valve pins 40 inwardly and outwardly of
the pin channels 41 is controlled by a plurality of over-center
locking arm assemblies, one for each pin 40 and corresponding
tubing member 35. Each over-center locking arm assembly includes a
trigger lever 44 mounted for rocking movement in one of slots 36 on
a pivot pin 45 which is in turn mounted in the partitions 37 and
outer walls 38 of comb 33. A complementary coupling arm 47 connects
each trigger lever 44 with its associated valve pin 40. At one end
of each arm 47 is a hinged disk portion 48 received for rocking
movement in a socket 50 at the rearward end of the associated valve
pin 40. A similar hinge disk portion 51 at the opposite end of each
arm 47 is similarly received in a socket portion 52 in the
associated trigger lever 44.
Each over-center locking assembly has a locked and an unlocked
position, as may be seen more particularly with reference to FIGS.
3 and 5. In the locked position (FIG. 3), hinge disk 51 is placed
slightly below an imaginary line between hinge disk 48 and pivot
pin 45. Pressure on the corresponding valve pin 40 tending to
release the tubing pinch, and hence to drive the pin toward the
locking arm assembly, will simply drive hinge disk 51, and the heel
53 of lever 44, against comb 33, preventing movement of the pin and
keeping the valve pinched closed. Since the tubing is a resilient
tubing, a constant pressure is maintained against pin 40, causing
heel 53 to be held continuously against comb 33. As a result, the
over-center locking arm assembly is maintained in a locked
position, and the tubing is continuously held in a closed or
pinched-off configuration.
To release the pinch, and hence to open the tubing, it is necessary
to apply only a very slight pressure to the outer end 55 of trigger
lever 44, in the same direction that heel 53 bears against comb 33.
Due to the considerable mechanical advantage provided by this
configuration, slight pressure applied to end 55 will readily
overcome the pressure on pin 40, and trigger lever 44 will pivot
about pivot pin 45, lifting hinge disk 51 away from comb 33 and
across the imaginary line between hinge disk 48 and pivot pin 45.
The over-center locking arm assembly will then be unlocked and will
quickly move to the position shown in FIG. 5, as a result of the
pressure of the resilient tubing 35 on pin 40. The slight movement
of trigger lever 44 therefore trips the over-center locking arm
assembly to release the tubing pinch, opening the tubing member 35.
The over-center locking arm assembly, valve pin 40, tubing member
35, and comb 33 thus form valve means having a closed, locked
position and an open, unlocked position.
Movement of the respective valve-opening arm assemblies to their
closed and locked position is effected by a reset mechanism
comprising a bar 60 carried by a pair of arms 61 pivoted on the
pivot pin 45 in straddling relation with comb 33. The reset bar 60
is operated through a link 62 having one end pivoted at 63 to one
of arms 62. The other end of link 62 is pivoted at 64 to a rid 65
so connected to the plunger of a solenoid 66 that when the solenoid
is energized, rod 65 is moved down and acts through link 62 to draw
bar 60 down sufficiently to push any trigger levers 44 which are in
unlocked position down to their locked position wherein they effect
closing movement of their respective valve pins 40. A spring 67
returns rod 65 and bar 60 to their raised positions ready for a new
cycle as soon as solenoid 66 is released.
Hinge disks 48 and 51 may be of any appropriate configuration
adequate to keep pin 40, arm 47, and lever 44 coupled together.
However, in the present embodiment which is directed to dispensing
of mixed beverages, compactness of the entire valve assembly 30 is
an important feature. In addition, the hinge members 48, 50, 51,
and 52 should be as inexpensive, yet reliable, as possible. Thus
for example, rivets are not used, but instead an even more compact
and less expensive hinge is provided.
As shown, the slots 36 in comb 33 allow vertical movement of the
over-center locking arm assemblies but prevent lateral movement
thereof. This makes possible the simple disk and socket
configurations for coupling arm 47 since the slots 36 are virtually
no wider than the thickness of each lever 44 and arm 47, and the
hinge discs are therefore unable to come out of their respective
sockets.
Another advantage of the construction is that, since the
partititions and outer walls 37 and 38 provide the necessary
lateral support for the valve-operating arm assemblies, the
individual parts of these assemblies can be made of relatively thin
stock which is simpler and less expensive to fabricate than would
be the case if these parts had to be laterally selfsupporting. This
in turn contribues to the compactness of the valve assembly, which
is also aided by staggering the bores 34, as shown in FIG. 4. The
respective valve pins 40 are of the proper lengths, of course, to
reach the corresponding tubing members 35. The net result is an
extremely compact valve assembly package 30.
A plastic dispenser controlling card 70, approximately 0.060 inch
thick, is arranged to operate selected valve pins 40 by tripping
selected over-center locking assemblies to open the corresponding
valves for predetermined intervals and thereby to release and
dispense the desired amounts of the particular liquids controlled
thereby. Dispenser controlling card 70 includes leading and
trailing edges 71 and 72, and it has a plurality of bumps or valve
trip projections 75 thereon. A pair of card guides 77 is mounted in
housing 32 in position to define a card chute which guides each
card 70 adjacent the ends 55 of trigger levers 44. Guides 77 are
formed of a low friction material such as nylon and are supported
in housing 32 by upper and lower tie bars 78. A card catcher tray
79 is located below guides 77 at the front of housing 32 to receive
each card 70 at the end of the dispensing cycle.
A constant speed card drive motor 80 is mounted on the front of
housing 32 and drives a shaft 81 on which a rubber sleeve 82 is
attached. Sleeve 82 is received in a slot 83 in one of the guides
77 to engage and drive card 70 at a constant speed downwardly
through the guides. The movement of the card through the guides
causes the valve trip projections 75 to engage and actuate the ends
55 of selected trigger levers 44. The projections 75 trip the
appropriate levers 44 independently and selectively, to move the
corresponding valve operating assemblies over center from locked to
unlocked positions as the respective trigger levers 44 are engaged.
The opening of the respective valves is controlled accordingly.
Thus when it is desired to dispense only one particular liquid,
there will be provided but one valve projection 75 on the card,
corresponding to the trigger lever 44 which controls the valve for
that liquid. Where a plurality of liquids are to be dispensed,
multiple appropriate projections 75 are provided.
Further, the quantity of liquid dispensed by each valve is a
function of the length of time that the valve is open. Thus when a
greater quantity of liquid is desired, the corresponding projection
75 will be located nearer the leading edge 71, of card 70, to
engage the respective trigger lever 44 at an earlier time. A lesser
quantity is dispensed by locating the corresponding projection 75
at a greater distance from leading edge 71 thus tripping the
corresponding valve at a later time.
In order to terminate the dispensing cycle, a micro-switch 85
senses the advancement of the leading edge 71 of card 70 and
activates the reset solenoid 66. The microswitch 85 is located a
predetermined distance along the path of card 70 through guides 77
(FIGS. 2 and 8) so that switch 85 is actuated only after card 70
has been driven by constant speed motor 80 for a predetermined
elapsed time and movement through guides 77.
To ensure positive opening of the desired valves as well as
affirmative termination of the dispensing cycle, the valve assembly
30, micro-switch 85, card valve trip projections 75, and drive
motor 80 are all spaced and located with respect to one another
such that first, the rubber drive sleeve 82 firmly engages and
drives each card 70 before a projection 75 reaches a trigger lever
end 55. Secondly, they are so spaced that the card leading edge 71
reaches the micro-switch 85 while the card is still firmly engaged
and driven by sleeve 82 (see FIG. 8). In this manner, the proper
opening and closing of the valves is assured, since the controlling
card is positively driven at all times when operating these
functions.
In order to assure that an adequate quantity of liquid will be
supplied in a reasonably short time, an air pressure source 100
(FIG. 2), such as an air tank or an air compressor, pressurizes the
contents of each of the containers through an air manifold 102
connected thereto. Individual air hoses 103 pass from manifold 102
to each bottle cap 20 and connect therethrough to air check valves
such as flapper valves 105 located within each bottle. The air
flapper valves are one-way valves which allow air to enter the
containers 15 but prevent reverse flow of the liquid contents 19
back into the air supply hoses 103. Where an air compressor pump is
used, an adjustable constant bleed valve 106 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is
utilized. It bleeds the air being pumped and thus serves as a
pressure regulator to maintain the desired air pressure within the
system.
In order to facilitate changing of the bottles without introduction
of air into the flexible tubes 25, each tube 25 is provided with an
air trap 110 (FIG. 2) which is simply a loop of tubing extending
well below the container rack 18. Thus when a particular container
15 is lifted out of rack 18 and cap 20 is removed therefrom, a
column of liquid always remains within trap 110. When cap 20 is
then attached to the replacement container and the replacement
container is inverted and placed in rack 18, the air which has
entered tube 25 and channel 23 simple rises into the new container,
and the tube 25 is once again full of liquid. Trap 110 thus
prevents entry of air into the tubing and valve system, and assures
proper travel of the liquids being dispensed.
The tubes 25 connect through nipples 26 to the lower ends of the
valve tubing members 35 so that the liquid 19 from containers 15 is
conducted in an upward direction through the individual valve
tubing members 35. In this way, air which may initially be present
in the valves is purged from the valves by the upward flow of the
liquid therethrough.
The upper or outlet ends of the tubing members 35 are connected
individually to flexible tubes 112 (FIG. 2) which conduct the
dispensed liquid from the individual valves to a common hexagonal
dispenser head 115 located at the front of housing 32, the head 115
being enclosed by the same hooded extension 116 on the front of
housing 32 which also conceals the motor 80. The ends 117 of tubes
112 in dispenser head 115 are all closely adjacent one another and
constitute separate discharge outlets for each liquid 19. The
hexagonal configuration of dispenser head 115 provides the densest
possible packing configuration for tube ends 117, minimizing the
size thereof.
A vertically adjustable receptacle support 120 receives a
receptacle 121, such as a beverage glass, beneath the dispenser
head 115 and hood 116. Support 120 locates the receptacle fairly
close to the outlets 117 as they discharge the individual liquids
into receptacle 121. The liquids thus do not mix with the other
liquids being dispensed until the liquids commingle in the glass or
receptacle 121. This eliminates the need for the discharge rinse
required in devices where the liquids pass through a common
discharge spigot.
FIG. 9 illustrates a variation of this invention in which two valve
assemblies 30 and 30' are operable by a single dispenser
controlling card 70'. In this case, the valve assemblies 30-30' are
mounted opposite one another on either side of the card chute
defined by card guides 77'. Assembly 30 to the left in FIG. 9 is
opened by the valve projections which extend to the left, and
assembly 30' on the right is operated by rightward projections. The
projections 75' themselves, as well as the corresponding trigger
levers 44-44' may be arranged in the same vertical tracks for the
two assemblies (that is, if there are nineteen valves in each valve
assembly 30-30', there would be nineteen vertical tracks on the
card).
Alternatively, twice as many vertical tracks may be used on the
card, and the valve assemblies 30-30' may be off-set as in FIG. 11,
providing individual vertical tracks on the card for each
individual valve. FIG. 12 illustrates the off-set valve projections
75' for the FIG. 11 configuration, schematically showing the
opposing, off-set trigger levers 44-44' being engaged by the
projections.
FIG. 10 shows another arrangement which increases the versatility
of the liquid dispensing apparatus by using a plurality of valve
assembly modules 30-30'. Here, the valve assemblies 30-30' are
operated in tandem, rather than opposite one another as in FIG. 9.
In the FIG. 10 configuration, the constant speed drive motor 80
includes a drive pulley 125 which operates a driven pulley 128 by
means of a drive belt 129. Driven pulley 128 rotates a second card
drive shaft 131 supported in a bearing 132 and having a rubber card
driving sleeve 134 similar to sleeve 82 on motor shaft 81. Sleeves
82 and 134, as well as the two valve assemblies 30-30', are spaced
to maintain positive, driven movement of card 70 as it moves
continuously from the first valve assembly past the second.
FIG. 10 shows the reset micro-switch 85 for the first or upper
valve assembly, and a similar micro-switch would be provided for
the lower assembly. Alternatively, one reset switch following the
lower assembly could function for both valve assemblies 30-30',
with the upper assembly continuing to dispense the selected liquids
until both assemblies were reset by the common switch. The valve
assemblies for the FIG. 10 tandem arrangement are preferably
staggered as shown in FIG. 11, so that individual valve trip
projections 75 may be provided on card 70 for each particular
trigger arm in each assembly.
As may be seen, therefore, this invention has numerous advantages.
Virtually any liquids may be dispensed by this apparatus with great
accuracy, and in virtually any desired quantity.
Card 70 and the valve trip projections 75 can be arranged to trip
the individual valves selectivey at the appropriate predetermined
time intervals to open one valve or as many valves as desired, at
any predetermined intervals. Apparatus 10 is thus able to perform
different dispensing operations simultaneously at various multiple
stages, to dispense predetermined individual quantities of the
liquids substantially simultaneously through the valves.
In the illustrated preferred embodiment used for dispensing mixed
alcoholic beverages, the invention has provided a very inexpensive
means for measuring liquids with great precision. Since surface
tension across the discharge outlets 117 keeps the outlets filled,
the apparatus is easily able to dispense as little as one drop,
which may be desired, for example, when bitters are called for.
Since the time of travel of card 70 through guides 77, the air
pressure in manifold 102, and the location on card 70 of the valve
trip projections 75 all determine the amount of liquid dispensed,
the quantities may be selected and adjusted with ease. The
arrangement of the containers 15, rack 18, and trap 110 allows
bottles to be changed readily and quickly without having to purge
the system of air each time.
The valve subassembly 30 is readily and easily removable from
apparatus 10 for quick service and maintenance. Down time is thus
minimized, since a substitute valve assembly 30 may quickly be
inserted simply by reattaching the tubing members 35 of the
replacement valve assembly 30. Further, startup after replacement
of the valve assembly is facilitated by the upward flow of the
liquid through the tubing members 35, which purges the air
therefrom rapidly and quickly.
Further, the number of moving parts and the complexity has been
absolutely minimized. Tubes 25 and 112 are made of three-eighths
inch inert vinyl tubing such as Tygon, since this type of material
has no effect on the flavor of the particular beverages being
handled, and provides long and reliable service. The tubing members
35 are made of three-sixteenths inch surgical gum rubber, Neoprene,
or silicone, since resiliency is important in the valve assembly
itself. As may easily be seen, however, members 35 are also very
easily replaceable so that if the resiliency of the tubing becomes
too low, rejuvenation of the valves may be accomplished at
extremely low cost. The low initial cost of fabrication, the high
reliability, and the low maintenance and replacement costs, are all
superior to solenoid and/or other mechanical valves commonly
employed in dispensing devices.
The present invention is shown as dispensing nineteen different
liquids, with a spare twentieth track shown on the card (FIG. 7).
The invention also includes a drink counter 145 to count the number
of drinks which have been dispensed. As will be apparent, the
number of possible drinks which this invention can dispense is
limited only by the number of cards 70 which can be prepared. No
internal programming of the apparatus itself is required, reducing
costs even further. The cost of adding additional drink combination
is minimal, since it is merely necessary to prepare the appropriate
additional card or cards. Further, when it is desired to include
additional types of liquid, it is within the scope of this
invention to provide additional valves in assembly 30 with a wider
card 70 having more projections 75 to accommodate the additional
valves. It is also within the scope of this invention to provide
projections 75 on both surfaces of card 70 (as in FIGS. 9, 11, and
12) to accommodate two or more valve assemblies face to face, to
operate valve assemblies in tandem (as in FIG. 10), and so on.
This invention provides complete standardization of the beverages
or other mixtures being dispensed, by giving precisely metered
amounts. It is therefore also valuable in such applications as
paint mixing, chemical analysis, and even in preparation of medical
liquids such as radio-active cocktails, etc. In commercial
establishments, this invention prevents cheating by assuring the
customer of the full amount of liquid for which he is paying, and
by keeping track of the number of drinks served.
Due to the long residence time of the various liquids within the
apparatus 10, it is not recommended that decomposable liquids, such
as orange juice and tomato juice, be dispensed. In the mixing of
alcoholic beverages, this is of no moment since the customer is
paying primarily for the alcohol, not the mixer. In fact, since the
apparatus measures the beverage very precisely, it is actually
preferable to devote the capacity of the invention exclusively to
the alcoholic portions of the beverages, reserving the mixers for
manual addition.
Where extremely wide variations in quantity and viscosity are
encountered, the diameters of tubings 25, 35 and 112 may be varied
to bring the dispensing times for the various liquids into a common
range. Alternatively, several different pressure heads may be
maintained on the respective contents in containers 15 to cause
differential dispensing within the same time range. Again, the
invention is thus readily adaptable to virtually any environment
where accurate and inexpensive dispensing of a variety of liquid
combinations is desired.
Other variations will occur to those skilled in the art upon
reading the present disclosure. For example, fluids such as gases
may also be controllably dispensed by the present invention. Card
70 may include illustrations and instructions for the particular
drink (or other mixture) which is to be dispensed, and may include
instructions regarding the ingredients and garnishments to be
included, as well as a photograph which shows the glass to be used
and how the drink should appear when served (see FIG. 7).
While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred
embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and
that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope
of the invention.
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