US3685692A - Automatic beverage dispenser with key control - Google Patents

Automatic beverage dispenser with key control Download PDF

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Publication number
US3685692A
US3685692A US64260A US3685692DA US3685692A US 3685692 A US3685692 A US 3685692A US 64260 A US64260 A US 64260A US 3685692D A US3685692D A US 3685692DA US 3685692 A US3685692 A US 3685692A
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Prior art keywords
beverage
switches
circuit
pulse
key
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English (en)
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Hansjorg Erne
Laszlo Halma
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Derby Anstalt
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Derby Anstalt
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/0041—Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/08—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred
    • B67D7/10—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred operated by keys, push-buttons or cash registers
    • B67D7/103—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred operated by keys, push-buttons or cash registers operated by keys
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/06—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
    • G07F13/065—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof for drink preparation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00081—Constructional details related to bartenders
    • B67D2210/00083—Access code recognition means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D2210/00028—Constructional details
    • B67D2210/00081—Constructional details related to bartenders
    • B67D2210/00091—Bar management means

Definitions

  • An automatic beverage dispenser operated by keys and provided with means for automatically dispensing a liquid and with means for providing a price indication and recordation for the drink chosen and a recordation of the number of drinks dispensed by each key holder. Means are provided for concurrently dispensing more than one drink without interfering with the dispensing of the other drink.
  • the electronic means including pulse counters are utilized to accomplish the above discribed functions.
  • This invention relates to an automatic beverage ing, often resulting in long waits for the customer. Such waits frequently results in customer dissatisfaction and annoyance. Further, in restaurants and the like, individual waiters may be called upon to mix and serve drinks. Frequently, they are inexperienced to such matters and the results of their efforts is often found wanting. In addition, it is important to keep a tally of drinks served for accounting purposes.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved liquid mixing and dispensing system.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system which is relatively simple in design and easy to operate.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a system which is capable of being concurrently operated by more than one key holder or opera- 1101'.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system including improved means for recording the amount and number of drinks dispensed by each key holder or operator.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide such a dispensing system including means for totaling the charges for the drinks mixed or dispensed by each key holder or operator.
  • an automatic liquid mixing dispensing capable of concurrently dispensing more than one drink without interfering with the dispensing of another drink.
  • Means are provided for simultaneously recording the number and amount of drinks dispensed to each key holder or operator and recording the corresponding monetary amounts.
  • Such a dispensing system is provided with electronic means, including pulse counters for accomplishing the above said functions. Further description of the principle of the present invention and an embodiment thereof will be set forth below.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic dispensing system constructed in accordance with the principles of 0 the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an end view of the dispensing system shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic diagrams of an embodiment of the electronic circuity suitable for use with the present invention.
  • the beverage dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a square housing 1.
  • a plurality of control keys and indicators will be described later, are mounted on a front panel 2 of the front portion of the housing 10.
  • a recess 3 is provided in front panel 2.
  • Six pipes or pipelines 4 through 9 terminate below the front panel 2 in recess 3 and dispense a beverage into containers or glasses 10 placed on a bottom platform portion formed in recess 3.
  • the pipes are arranged in two groups and 7, 8 and 9 forming the other.
  • the beverage dispenser system of the present invention is capable of being operated by six key holders or operators. In other words, unless the operator is in possession of the requisite key, the dispenser system cannot be operated.
  • a specific key is inserted in the corresponding keyhole or slot, a corresponding electronic circuit is energized for recording the amount of liquid dispensed and the type thereof. Additionally, the price of each drink dispensed for each waiter in accordance with the key hole operated is simultaneously recorded and totaled; lllustratively, the six key switches 11-16 are shown and mounted on the front of front panel 2, with each key switch being operated by one of six diflerent keys. A larger number of key switches can be accommodated, for which purpose six additional key holes 17 are provided in front panel 2, as shown in FIG.
  • Each key switch 11-16 has a respective warning light 18 associated with it, which lights up when the corresponding key switch is operated by the proper key.
  • 12 such signal lights 18 are provided corresponding to the capacity of 12 key switches.
  • a supplementary key switch 19 is provided on the front panel 2 to permit the dispenser to be operated by an attendant or other service personnel.
  • SIx pushbuttons 20-25 are mounted at the bottom of front panel 2 for selecting the beverage or liquid to be dispensed or poured, their number corresponding with that of the beverage pipes 4 through 9.
  • Pushbuttons 20 through 25 can also be designed to be luminous, thereby indicating when a specific beverage is being dispensed.
  • An indicator device 26 is mounted in the topmost portion of front panel or face plate 2.
  • the indicator device 26 includes three Nixie tubes 27, 28 and 29 which provide a visual indication of the price of the selected beverage when one of the keys 20 through 25 is depressed. The visual indication serves as a check to insure that the proper price is being charged for the selected beverage.
  • the operation of the beverage dispenser shown in FIG. 1 is as follows: On the assumption that none of the key switches is in its active position, namely that none of the signal lights 18 is lighted, the waiter fits his key into the relevant key switch 11 to 16 and then turns the key. The signal light 18 associated with the selected key switch lights up and thereby indicates that the automat is ready for selection and dispersing of the beverage. The key can now be turned back and withdrawn. The glass is then placed in the recess 3 beneath the group of pipelines 4 to 9 which will dispense the beverage to be selected, for example, under the group of pipes 4 to 6.
  • the desired beverage button in this instance, one of the buttons to 22, is then depressed and a very short time thereafter the annunciator or indicator device 26 shows the price of the selected liquor and the liquor itself flows from the pipeline into the glass.
  • the key can be turned back and withdrawn. After the glass has been filled, the flow of liquor is automatically stopped, the bulb lighting the pressed button goes out and thereby indicates that delivery of the liquor has been completed.
  • the present beverage dispenser is constructed that an additional beverage can be dispensed concurrently through the second pipeline group, that is, in one of the pipelines 7 to 9, although dispensing of the first beverage has not been completed.
  • the dispenser is so constructed that when the key is turned back, the corresponding signal light 18 and the price indicator 26 go out a predetermined time before the completion of the beverage delivery.
  • the same or another key switch can then be immediately operated, and after placement of an additional glass 10 beneath the second group of pipelines 7 to 9, one of the beverage buttons 23 to can be pushed for delivery of a subsequent drink.
  • the beverage dispenser includes counter mechanisms 31 and 32 within the housing 1, which can be read after lifting and unlocked shutter 33.
  • a first group of the counting mechanism includes twelve electromechanical registers 31, of which each one corresponds to key switches 11 to 16 and the further six key switches 17 not yet mounted according to FIG. 1. After the operation of a key switch and the pressing of a beverage button, the price of the selected liquor in dollars and units of a nickel, for example, is displayed on the counter mechanism 31 corresponding to the selected key switch and added to the previous registered total.
  • Each counter 31 accordingly shows the sum total of prices of the beverages taken from the machine by the holder of the key in dollars and cents and thus aids in the calculation of the waiters charge.
  • a further group of counter mechanisms includes six electromechanical registers 32, of which each register corresponds to one of the beverage buttons 20 to 25 of FIG. 1. On pressing one of the buttons 20 to 25, respectively and the consequent delivery of the selected drink, the appropriate counter increases by a step or unit each time, so that the registers 32 indicate the total of individual drinks issued or served according to the type of liquor.
  • Counters 31 and 32 may be of any other type such as electronic with associated NIXIE displays.
  • Adjusting mechanisms 36,37 and 38 are mounted inside housing or casing 1 behind a second lid 35 which can be locked in place by a key 34. These mechanisms include six groups each of three assigned preselector switches 36 for the beverage prices, namely, the price of a shot issued in each particular case. Each of the beverage buttons 20 to 25 in FIG. 1 corresponds to a group of three preselector switches 36.
  • the switches 36 are formed of preset disks 39 providing a display signal 40, which is moved by contact sectors (not shown) and rotates disk to display the desired numeral.
  • the rightmost disk of switch 36 has two positions with the numerals 0 and 5 for registering in nickel price units, while the two left disks each have 10 numerals for setting up dime or dollar units, so that the maximum beverage price that can be displayed is $9.95.
  • the shot price displayed by means of switch 36 is computed in one of the registers 31 on the one hand when the dispenser is operated and indicated in the indicator device or annunciator 26 (FIG. 1).
  • the setting mechanisms further include six adjusting controls or potentiometers 37, of which each is assigned to a particular beverage button 20 to 25 (FIG. 1) and the potentiometers can adjust the amount of liquid delivered for each shot in the manner hereinafter described.
  • a key switch 38 is provided which serves to electrically reset the registers 31 and 32 to zero and independently to disconnect the hereinafter described control device housed in casing 1 whenever a fault occurs, and to permit the delivery of the required drink only when one of the beverage buttons 20 to 25 is depressed and maintained in that position.
  • the same processes take place through the operation of the additional key switch 19 shown in FIG. 1 as with the operation of one of the key switches 11 to 16.
  • the difference consists in the fact that the key switch 19 blocks the computation of the individual beverage price in one of the registers 31 of FIG. 2 so that key switch 19 serves for the delivery of unbilled free drinks or operational tests of the automat or dispenser system.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 do not show supply containers for the beverages to be dispensed nor means for conveying the beverages from such containers to casing 1, which includes feed pipelines and gaseous pressure agents such as carbonic acid gas or nitrogen, since they are located outside the casing 1.
  • casing 1 does contain as mentioned hereinafter, solenoid valves for facilitating or interrupting the liquor feed from the containers to the pipelines 4 to 9.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b From the basic sketch of the correlative FIGS. 3a and 3b, a control circuit arrangement will now be described, housed in casing 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 which serves to carry out the described operational functions of the beverage dispenser as well as of desired lockages in the course of operations.
  • key switches 11 to 16 of FIG. 1 each include one contact 11' to 16' and a further contact 11" to 16" each, of which only contacts 11', 12' and 16' or l1", l2" and 16" are shown respectively, and the remaining similarly connected contacts are indicated by dots.
  • Each contact 11' and 16 lies in the transfer circuit between a inhibiting circuit 41 common to all contacts and a wiring section provided individually for each contact comprising the series connections of a storage unit 42 built as a bistable trigger circuit, of an amplifier 43 and to the electromagnetic counter mechanism 31 of FIG. 2 assigned to each key switch.
  • the signal light 18 (FIG. 1) assigned to the corresponding key switch is connected to the output of amplifier 43 in addition to the counter mechanism 31.
  • Each counter 31 has two terminals, of which one terminal each is connected to the output of the particular amplifier 43 and is constructed as a make-and-break connection for the counting process, while the other terminal of each counter is connected to a common line 44, over which counting impulses are fed simultaneously to all counter mechanisms 31.
  • each storage means or unit 42 is, additionally, connected over a line 45 to one input of a primary link circuit 46, which performs an OR-function.
  • the output of the OR-link circuit 46 on line 47 is supplied as one input to a two input AND circuit 48.
  • the second input of the AND circuit 48 is connected to the contacts 11" to 16" of key switch which are wired in parallel on a line 49 to the second input.
  • a fixed potential 50 which can be ground, for example, is connected to line 49 through the contacts 11 16-.
  • the output of the AND circuit 48 is connected over a line 51 to the input of the cut-off circuit 41.
  • Each storage 42 has a second input, these second inputs of all the storage means being connected to a common line 52 over which a reset signal is fed to the storage means 42.
  • Line 52 is connected to the output of a two input AND gate or circuit 53.
  • Wire 49 is supplied to one input of the AND gate 53, while a line 54 is connected to the other input and carries a reset signal as described hereinafter.
  • Cut-off 41 and gates 46, 48, 53 are provided for the purpose of preventing the effect of the operation of a key switch whenever another key switch has already been put in operation and the dispensing of a beverage thereby produced has not yet been terminated.
  • the pertinent closing contact 11 (FIG. 3a) is momentarily closed, whereupon a signal is sent by the cut'out 41 to the setting input of the storage means 42, so that the latter is gated into the working state, for which the output cut-off 41 must be unblocked a predetermined potential effecting the change of state of storage device 43 is provided through the closed contact 11'.
  • the AND circuit 49 is so constructed that it delivers such On signal whenever an Out signal is on its input line 47, this corresponding to the rest condition of all storage devices 42 (no storage 42 being set) and an In" signal is simultaneously present on its second input line 49, corresponding to the operating condition of key switch 11 (key switch 11 in operation).
  • the In signal generated by storage device 42 on its switching into its operating or set position is amplified in the amplifier 43.
  • the amplified output signal operates the signal light 18 and releases the register 31.
  • Counter pulses arriving over line 44 can now be counted in the register 31 of the key switch 11 but not in the other registers of the other switches 12 to 16.
  • the contacts 19' and 19" pertain to the supplementary key switch 19 of FIG. 1.
  • the contact 19' is in parallel shunted to any closing contact, such as contact 16' while the closing contact 19" is shunted across contacts 11" to 16".
  • Key switch 19 includes a third contact 19" constructed as a normally closed contact, disposed in the counter pulse line 44.
  • the setting of a storage device 42 and the locking occurs similarly to the way it does with one of the key switches 11 to 16.
  • the key switch 19 is turned the line 44 over which the counter pulses are supplied to register 31 is interrupted, so that the beverage dispenser is actually in operation but a price registration in any of the registers 31 is blocked.
  • the operating voltage of the register 31 and signal lights 18 can be disconnected by the opening of contact 19".
  • a reset signal is fed to the storage devices 42 by the AND circuit 53.
  • AND-gate 53 delivers a reset signal to line 52 whenever there is a simultaneous occurrence of the conditions that one input line of gate 53 has a reset signal and the other input line of gate 53 an out signal equivalent to the condition of no key switch operating so that a consecutive starting of the beverage dispenser is not possible if a first key has been left inadvertently inserted in its operative position.
  • the production of a restoration pulse on line 54 then occurs at the earliest when the pulse-counting process for registration of the price of the beverage delivered has been completed, as is explained hereunder.
  • a constantly running impulse generator 55 For production of the counting pulse a constantly running impulse generator 55, a multivibrator for instance, is provided, producing about 15 to 20 pulses per second.
  • a gate circuit 56 permits a number of impulses corresponding to the price of the dispensed beverage to enter line 44 over which the pulses are supplied to one of the registers 31 and to an electronic counter including elements 57, 58, 59.
  • This counter includes a flip-flop circuit 57, a first and second binarycoded decimal circuit 58 or 59, whereby the numeral channels 27, 28 and 29 of the annunciator 26 (FIG. 1) are connected in known manner to the binary outputs of the counter stanges. It is assumed in the foregoing embodiment that each counter pulse corresponds to a one-nickel unit.
  • the flip-flop circuit 57 accordingly counts units of one nickel (numeral indicators 0 and 5), the decimal stage 58 units of one dime (numeral indicators to 9) and decimal stage 59 units of one dollar (numeral indicators 0 to 9).
  • the binary outputs are carried over a 10 line bus 69 to the further portions of the present circuit arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3b.
  • Control of gate circuit 56 comes through the output signal of an OR-gate 61 comprising six input lines 62 to 67. A signal of one polarity on one of the input lines 62 to 67 generates an On signal on the output line which opens the gate circuit 54. When this input signal is removed, the gate circuit is again closed.
  • the On signal of the OR circuit 61 also trips an adjustable timing circuit 68 which can be a Miller integrator, for example, with an added Schmitt trigger connected thereto.
  • the On signal produces an instantaneous change of the output state of timing circuit 68.
  • the OR circuit 61 returns to the closed state, a signal appears at the output of timing circuit 68 after lapse of the adjusted time lag, over line 54, which beside resetting the coded storage device 42 also sets the electronic counters 57,58,59 and the number indicator tubes 27, 28, 29 back to zero.
  • the time lag of timing circuit 68 is so regulated that for purposes of verification, the price indication in number indicator tubes 27 28, 29 the state of operation in signal lights 18 will remain on for such time lag, whereby the keyholder who is operating the dispenser can check the operation.
  • the circuit portion shown in outline in FIG. 36 will assist the following explanation of the control of beverage dispensation and pulse counting for recording the beverage price (that is, the control of gate circuit 56 of FIG. 3a).
  • the beverage buttons to of FIG. 1 each have a normally open contact 20 to 25 whereby, in a similar manner as contacts 11' to 16 of the key switches, these contacts are placed between a common blocking circuit 69 or 69' and a plurality of storage devices 70, such as flip-flops.
  • a common blocking circuit 69 or 69' and a plurality of storage devices 70, such as flip-flops.
  • separate interceptors 69 or 69', respectively are assigned to the group of contacts 20, 21, 22 and to the group of contacts 23', 24, 25. For the time being only the group of contacts 20', 21', 22 will be considered.
  • an AND gate or circuit 71 is provided for opening the interceptor 69.
  • this delivers an On-signal only when there is no In signal present on any of the output lines 72 of the storage devices 70(no storage 70 coded), when the line 47 carries an In signal (one storage 42 coded according to FIG. 3a), and line 54 is supplying an In signal (counting run terminated, that is reset signal generated in accordance with FIG. 3a). If these conditions are not met, the operation of one of the beverage buttons 20, 21, 22' is ineffective. It is therefore not possible, to secure delivery of a beverage by pressing one of the buttons, if another button has already been pressed, and the pouring of the liquor thus started has not been completed.
  • delivery cannot be effectuated if no key switch has previously been operated and if the computation of the beverage price in one of the individual registers 31 (FIG. 2 and has not yet been completed, so that misrecording of the beverage price or a pouring without price registration cannot take place.
  • each storage device 70 is further connected to the lamp 73 mounted in each button 20, 21
  • each storage device 22' which lights up when the corresponding button is pressed and thereby codes in the appropriate storage device 70, that is, it delivers an In signal if the foregoing conditions are met and the blocking circuit 69 is unlocked.
  • the output of each storage device is further connected to one of the two inputs of AND gates 74, respectively.
  • each of the preselector switches 36 offers for this purpose two or four normally open contacts as the case may be, to which the 10 hinary output lines of counter 57, 58, 59 are connected and which are each also connected together through an individual interceptor diodes and across a resistance to a fixed potential.
  • the activation of the contacts follows through the adjustment wheels 39 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 and provided with a decimal numeral indicator 40, whereby the connection between the closings of the individual contacts and the setting of adjustment wheel takes place according to the same binary decimal code as that present in counter 57, 58, 59.
  • the timing circuit 75 is constructed as a monostable multivibrator which is brought dynamically into the quasistable state by the output signal of the selector switch 36 and thereby emits an In signal. After the interval adjustable by potentiometer 37 (FIG. 2), the multivibrator again returns to its stable condition and in this state delivers an Out signal.
  • each timing circuit 75 is connected in each case to the second input of the AND circuit 74, the output of which supplies a signal to lines 62, 63 or 64 if the appropriate storage device 70 produces an In signal, that is the storage is coded and at the same time the timing circuit 75 delivers an Out signal, that is it is in the steady state.
  • an output signal of one of the AND circuits 74 over one of the lines 62, 63, 64 operates an On signal at the output of the OR circuit 61 of FIG. 3a thus opening the gate circuit 56.
  • the electromagnetic counter 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3b) is connected through an amplifier 76 to the output of the timing circuit 75 and switches forward by one figure each time the timing circuit 75 swings from the stable to the quasistable state.
  • Timing circuit 75 also controls the amount of beverage issued.
  • a magnet 78 is connected through an amplifier 77 to the output of the timing circuit 75 and operates a valve 79.
  • the valve 79 has the beverage fed to it through a pipeline 80, while the beverage is delivered to the glass through the pipeline 4 also shown in FIG. I.
  • the amplifiers 76,77, the register 32 and the solenoid valve 78,79 are drawn individually only for the pushbutton contact 28. Identical elements are however also used for the pushbutton contacts 21' and 22', with the corresponding pipelines 5 and 6 for the delivery of additional beverages.
  • a line 81 leads from the output of each timing circuit 75 to the appropriate storage device 70. Such line serves to clear the storage device 70 dynamically, that is switch it back to its rest position when the timing circuit 75 switches back to its stable state.
  • each timing circuit 75 is connected to the appropriate storage device 70 through a further line 82, over which whenever the storage is not coded, that is whenever it is at rest, an interceptor signal travels from the storage to the timing circuit. This serves to prevent an unwanted tripping of the timing circuit and consequently an issue of beverage through fortuitous stray pulses or through a pulse of the preconnected preselector switch.
  • the On signal of the OR circuit 61 is supplied also to timing circuit 68 which after termination of the counting run, sets the counter 57,58,59 and the storage 42 back with an adjustable lag.
  • the In output signal of timing circuit 75 actuates magnet 78 of valve 79 through the amplifier 77, so that the required beverage now flows out of pipe or pipeline 4.
  • the In output signal steps the re gister 32 one numeral forward to record the shot issued.
  • the flow of beverage is then stopped again, when the timing circuit 75 swings back automatically from its quasi-stable state to its steady state, thereby deactivating magnet 78.
  • the duration of the quasi-stable state of timing circuit 75 thus measures the quantity of beverage poured and can accordingly be adjusted by means of potentiometer 37 (FIG. 2).
  • the pulse delivered on the swingback of timing circuit 75 into the steady state clears storage through line 81 so that the timing circuit is reset over line 82.
  • the AND circuit 74 now holds the Out signal of timing circuit again, so that after preliminary operation of a key switch by pressure of one of the buttons 20 to 25 and through that by setting of the relevant storage device 70, a pulse counting run and consequent issue of beverage can again be started.
  • FIG. 3a diagrammatically shows how this can be achieved in the present beverage dispenser as constructed.
  • the closing contacts 23', 24' and 25 of push buttons 23, 24 and 25 of FIG. 1 are, as previously described, connected to the interceptor 69'.
  • each normally open contact is connected to a storage device and to all other portions of the circuit, which are shown particularly in their relation to the closing contact 20' in FIG. 3b but for the rest of the closing contacts 23', 24 and 25' are only indicated as block 83.
  • a separate AND circuit 7i is provided, lines 47 and 54 again being connected to its inputs as are also lines 72' from the output of each of the storage devices contained in block 83.
  • the lines 65, 66, 67 are output leads from AND circuits corresponding to the gate circuits 74.
  • block 83 is connected to the bus were 68 for transference of the binary coded output signals of the counter 57, 58, 59 of FIG. 3a to analogous preselector switches contained in block 83.
  • the lines 7, 8 and 9 indicate the correspondingly denoted pipes or pipelines of FIG. I collected in one group.
  • this barrier can be unlocked even when one of the storage devices corresponding to the closing contacts 21, 22' is still coded in, that is when the pouring of the first shot is not yet completed.
  • line 54 is carrying an In signal (Counting run terminated). If then all the remaining conditions of lines 47 and 72' are met, as has been previously explained, then the delivery of a further shot over one of the pipelines 7, 8, 9 can be started by closing one of the closing contacts 23', 24, or by pressing one of the corresponding buttons 23, 24, 25 (FIG. 1), even when the pouring of the first shot over one of the pipelines 4, 5, 6 has not yet been completed.
  • Key switch 38 of FIG. 2 is provided for tapping off beverages from the machine in the event of breakdown of the switching arrangement described.
  • This key switch has a contact bank (not shown) which connects the contacts 20 to 25 of the beverage buttons directly to amplifier 77 and accordingly to the solenoid valve 78, 79, that is to an appropriate power source when the switch is in action.
  • the larger part of the circuitry, especially key switches 11 to 16, the beverage price recording mechanism including the counter 57, 58, 59 and the registers 31 as well as the automatic dispensing of the beverage issued is then out of commission.
  • one of the beverage buttons 20 to 25 (FIG. 1) must be pressed long enough until the required amount of beverage has gone into the container.
  • supplementary key switch 38 (FIG. 2) with a further contact bank, operated by an additional turn of the key.
  • Reset windings of registers 31 can be connected to the contact bank, so that the registers can be set back to zero after the computation of the total amount recorded by the registers.
  • the operative parts of the foregoing circuit described by means of FIGS. 3a and 3b can be readily constructed from known switching units, especially from integrated logical circuitry, wherein the signals hitherto mentioned are binary signals, of which one significant state is, for example, the earth potential and whose other state is a positive potential. It is an advantage to arrange the circuit elements assigned individually to one of the closing contacts 11 to 16 and 20' to 25 on a common plug-in printed circuit board and to provide corresponding sockets in the apparatus, so that the beverage dispenser can at any time be changed to accord with the then required control modifications (number of key switches, number of beverages dispensed) by simple addition, removal or interchange of the circuit boards.
  • the preselector devices 36 can also be advantageous to code the preselector devices 36 only in a quantity equivalent to the number of the price stages, thus for example only two preselector devices, and to assign one or the other preselector setting either permanently or commutably to each beverage switch.
  • an automatic beverage dispenser for dispensing drinks having a plurality of key-operated switches, each of said switches being actuated by a different key, a plurality of dispensing pipes for said drinks, a platform for at least one liquid container, said platform being located below said dispensing pipes, a plurality of beverage selector switches, said beverage selector switches being selectively operated to control the type of beverage dispensed through one of said pipes, and summing indicator means for additively registering and displaying monetary amounts corresponding to the beverages dispensed, an improvement wherein said indicator means includes a plurality of first pulse counters each associated with a different key-operated switch for counting pulses in a pulse train the length of which corresponds to the monetary amount of the beverage being dispensed, and for displaying the number of pulses counted, pulse generator means for continuously generating said pulses, gate means for controlling the length of said pulse trains, said gate means having a pulse input connected to the output of said pulse generator means, a pulse output connected to each of said first pulse counter
  • a beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 1 including a plurality of resettable stores, each of said stores being connected to a different key-operated switch and beverage selector switch for storing the operating state of the associated switch.
  • each of the first pulse counters comprises an inhibiting input connected to the output of the store of the associated key-operated switch for enabling said pulse counter when said store is set after actuation of said keytoperated switch.
  • a beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2 comprising at least one second locking circuit, said beverage selector switches being connected to said at least one second locking circuit, said second locking circuit being controlled by the output signal of a second AND-function circuit having a plurality of inputs, whereby the output signal of each of said AND-function circuits unlocks the associated locking circuit when concurrently only one beverage selector switch is actuated, one of said key-operated switches is actuated and the pulse counting is terminated.
  • each of said stores connected to a beverage selector switch has a further output connected to the associated first timing circuit for inhibiting said first timing circuit when said store is not set.
  • a beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control input of said gate means is connected to the output of a second OR-function circuit having a plurality of inputs, each input of said OR-function circuit being connected to the output of a different one of a plurality of third AND-function circuits, each of said third AND-function circuits having two inputs, one of said inputs of said third AND-function circuits being connected to the output of a different one of said stores associated with said beverage selection switches, the other input being connected to the output of the associated first timing circuit, whereby said gate means is enabled only when one of said stores of said beverage selector switches is set and said timing circuit is in its inactivated condition.
  • a beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2 comprising a first locking circuit, said operated switches being connected to said first locking circuit, said locking circuit being controlled by the output signal of a first AND-function circuit having a plurality of inputs, whereby the output signal of said first AND-function circuit unlocks said locking circuit when one of said key-operated switches is actuated and none of said stores is set.
  • said reset signal from said second timing circuit is supplied to said second pulse counter, to each of said second AND-function circuits and to one input of a fourth AND-function circuit having two inputs, the output of said fourth AND-function circuit being connected to reset inputs of said stores connected to said first set of contacts of said key-operated switches, and the second input of said fourth AND-function circuit being connected to said source of fixed potential via said second set of contacts of said key-operated switches, whereby at the earliest at the instant of the termination of the pulse counting in said first and second pulse counter one of said key-operated switches and one of said beverage selector switches can be actuated.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
US64260A 1969-08-15 1970-08-17 Automatic beverage dispenser with key control Expired - Lifetime US3685692A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1242969A CH514204A (de) 1969-08-15 1969-08-15 Getränkeautomat mit Schlüsselbedienung

Publications (1)

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US3685692A true US3685692A (en) 1972-08-22

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US64260A Expired - Lifetime US3685692A (en) 1969-08-15 1970-08-17 Automatic beverage dispenser with key control

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US (1) US3685692A (de)
AT (1) AT300604B (de)
BE (1) BE754691A (de)
CH (1) CH514204A (de)
DE (1) DE2032795A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2056873A5 (de)
NL (1) NL7011875A (de)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3884391A (en) * 1973-05-09 1975-05-20 Richard S Pauliukonis Automatic bar
US4011967A (en) * 1975-07-21 1977-03-15 The Vendo Company Electronic system device for control of ingredient dispensing in a cup beverage vendor
US4267942A (en) * 1979-06-20 1981-05-19 John B. Wick, Jr. Pharmaceutical dispensing cabinet
WO1985004157A1 (en) * 1984-03-14 1985-09-26 Meyer Ronald K Apparatus for automated assembly of flowable materials
US4549570A (en) * 1982-10-12 1985-10-29 Cook Kenneth D Waste disposal monitoring system
US4962866A (en) * 1988-11-04 1990-10-16 The Coca-Cola Company Non-attended, self-service cup vender
WO1993025466A3 (en) * 1992-06-08 1994-01-20 Azbar Inc Beverage dispensing system for a bar
WO1995005337A1 (de) * 1993-08-15 1995-02-23 Wilhelm Handke Gmbh Verfahren und vorrichtung zur überwachung einer getränkeabgabe, insbesondere in form einer schankanlage
NL9400026A (nl) * 1994-01-07 1995-08-01 Nedap Nv Contactloos personeelherkennings- en registratiesysteem.
WO1997003916A1 (en) * 1995-07-15 1997-02-06 Coca-Cola & Schweppes Beverages Limited Drinks-dispensing apparatus
US5731981A (en) * 1992-06-08 1998-03-24 Azbar, Inc. Beverage dispensing system for bar
WO2012040589A1 (en) * 2010-09-23 2012-03-29 Napa Technology Refrigerator door wine dispenser
USRE43771E1 (en) 2004-01-14 2012-10-30 Koncelik Jr Lawrence J Display device for beverage pitcher or coffee machine
US20230322540A1 (en) * 2022-04-06 2023-10-12 Danielle Johnson Cocktail Dispensing Assembly

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3528267A1 (de) * 1985-08-07 1987-02-19 Waldemar Fehn Zapfvorrichtung
AT386399B (de) * 1986-12-12 1988-08-10 Girlinger & Co Gmbh Ausgabevorrichtung fuer getraenke mit mehreren fluessigkeitsportionierern
DE4004089A1 (de) * 1990-02-10 1991-08-14 Digmesa Ag Verfahren und vorrichtung zur ueberwachung der getraenkeabgabe in gaststaetten oder dergleichen

Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2631755A (en) * 1947-04-09 1953-03-17 Robert W Woodward Liquid dispensing device
US2995275A (en) * 1958-11-21 1961-08-08 Clifford V Brice Key-controlled selective register and control mechanism for liquid dispensing pumps
US3428218A (en) * 1966-05-12 1969-02-18 Felix V Coja Liquid dispenser

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2631755A (en) * 1947-04-09 1953-03-17 Robert W Woodward Liquid dispensing device
US2995275A (en) * 1958-11-21 1961-08-08 Clifford V Brice Key-controlled selective register and control mechanism for liquid dispensing pumps
US3428218A (en) * 1966-05-12 1969-02-18 Felix V Coja Liquid dispenser

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3884391A (en) * 1973-05-09 1975-05-20 Richard S Pauliukonis Automatic bar
US4011967A (en) * 1975-07-21 1977-03-15 The Vendo Company Electronic system device for control of ingredient dispensing in a cup beverage vendor
US4267942A (en) * 1979-06-20 1981-05-19 John B. Wick, Jr. Pharmaceutical dispensing cabinet
US4549570A (en) * 1982-10-12 1985-10-29 Cook Kenneth D Waste disposal monitoring system
WO1985004157A1 (en) * 1984-03-14 1985-09-26 Meyer Ronald K Apparatus for automated assembly of flowable materials
US4628974A (en) * 1984-03-14 1986-12-16 Meyer Ronald K Apparatus for automated assembly of flowable materials
US4962866A (en) * 1988-11-04 1990-10-16 The Coca-Cola Company Non-attended, self-service cup vender
WO1993025466A3 (en) * 1992-06-08 1994-01-20 Azbar Inc Beverage dispensing system for a bar
US5731981A (en) * 1992-06-08 1998-03-24 Azbar, Inc. Beverage dispensing system for bar
US5769271A (en) * 1993-08-15 1998-06-23 Wilhelm Handke Gmbh Apparatus and methods for monitoring a beverage dispenser, in particular a counter system
WO1995005337A1 (de) * 1993-08-15 1995-02-23 Wilhelm Handke Gmbh Verfahren und vorrichtung zur überwachung einer getränkeabgabe, insbesondere in form einer schankanlage
NL9400026A (nl) * 1994-01-07 1995-08-01 Nedap Nv Contactloos personeelherkennings- en registratiesysteem.
WO1997003916A1 (en) * 1995-07-15 1997-02-06 Coca-Cola & Schweppes Beverages Limited Drinks-dispensing apparatus
US5967367A (en) * 1995-07-15 1999-10-19 Coca-Cola & Schweppes Beverages Limited Drinks-dispensing apparatus
USRE43771E1 (en) 2004-01-14 2012-10-30 Koncelik Jr Lawrence J Display device for beverage pitcher or coffee machine
WO2012040589A1 (en) * 2010-09-23 2012-03-29 Napa Technology Refrigerator door wine dispenser
US20120080445A1 (en) * 2010-09-23 2012-04-05 Nick Moezidis Refrigerator door wine dispenser
CN103261030A (zh) * 2010-09-23 2013-08-21 纳帕技术公司 冰箱门型酒分配器
CN103261030B (zh) * 2010-09-23 2015-09-16 纳帕技术公司 冰箱门型酒分配器
US9146054B2 (en) * 2010-09-23 2015-09-29 Napa Technology Refrigerator door wine dispenser
US20230322540A1 (en) * 2022-04-06 2023-10-12 Danielle Johnson Cocktail Dispensing Assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BE754691A (fr) 1971-01-18
FR2056873A5 (de) 1971-05-14
AT300604B (de) 1972-08-10
CH514204A (de) 1971-10-15
NL7011875A (de) 1971-02-17
DE2032795A1 (de) 1971-02-18

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