LIQUID DISPENSER AND RECORDER MEANS

• US 3,599,833 A
• Filed: 08/07/1969
• Issued: 08/17/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reichenberger Arthur
• Original Assignee: Reichenberger Arthur
• Inventors: REICHENBERGER ARTHUR
• Application Number:
  US04/858,234
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• US Class Current: 222/23
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/10 Pump mechanism in general F04
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1238 comprising means for detecting the liquid level in vessels to be filled, e.g. using ultrasonic waves, optical reflexion, probes
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/725 using negative pressure

Abstract

A liquor dispenser and recorder means particularly adapted for use in dispensing liquors in public barrooms, wherein a plurality of containers holding various priced liquors are provided with outlet fixtures cooperable with a stationary fixture engaging means, such that each outlet fixture of each container is physically distinctively cooperable with the engaging fixture so as to individually energize means for dispensing liquor from the respective container and for energizing a counter with respect to the value of the liquor in the respective container.

Claims

1. In a recorder means, the combination of:

a plurality of portable containers;

an outlet fixture coupled to each of said containers;

each of said outlet fixtures having a delivery spout extending away from a respective one of said containers;

a stationary fixture having outlet fixture engaging means sealingly engageable by respective spouts of said outlet fixture;

each outlet fixture having first identification means carried by each of said outlet fixtures and adapted to identify contents of respective containers;

said fixture engaging means having second identification means corresponding to and cooperable with said first identification means and adapted to cooperate in identification of said contents;

said fixture identification means being individually distinctive with respect to each container of said plurality of containers; and

a recorder means coupled to said second identification means and responsive to cooperation of said first identification means with said second identification means, all of said portable containers each being manually selectively and individually movable and engageable with said stationary fixture to accomplish identification and dispensation of material from each respective portable container.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a means is disposed and adapted to create a pressure differential with respect to the liquid contents of one of said containers, when a respective outlet fixture is engaged with said fixture engaging means, whereby liquid material is forced outwardly from said one of said containers.

3. In a liquid dispenser and recorder, the combination of:

a plurality of portable containers;

a dip tube coupled to each of said outlet fixtures and disposed in a respective one of said containers;

each dip tube having an open end disposed to receive liquid at a normally lower interior area of a respective one of said containers;

each of said outlet fixtures having a delivery spout extending away from a respective one of said containers;

each delivery spout communicating with a respective one of said dip tubes;

a stationary fixture having an outlet fixture engaging means sealingly engageable by respective spouts of said outlet fixtures;

each outlet fixture having first identification means carried by each of said outlet fixtures and adapted to identify contents of respective containers;

said fixture engaging means having second identification means physically corresponding to and cooperable with said first identification means and adapted to cooperate in identification of said contents;

said first identification means being individually distinctive with respect to each container of said plurality of containers;

all of said portable containers each being manually selectively and individually movable and engageable relative to said stationary fixture to accomplish identification and dispensation of material from each respective portable container;

a source of vacuum communicating with said fixture engaging means;

valve control means operable by engagement of said outlet fixture with said fixture engaging means;

a shutoff valve coupled with said control means and operable thereby;

said shutoff valve disposed to establish and shutoff communication of said source of vacuum with said fixture engaging means; and

a dispensing cavity communicating with said fixture engaging means and having a liquid outlet at its lower portion, whereby liquid is drawn from said container via said dip tube and into said dispensing cavity by said source of vacuum when said valve control means is operated upon engagement of a spout of one of said outlet fixtures with said fixture engaging means; and

a recorder means coupled to said second identification means and responsive to cooperation of said first identification means with said second identification means for recording the operation thereof and resultant dispensation of respective liquid from said liquid dispenser.

4. The invention, as defined in claim 3, wherein:

measuring means in said dispensing cavity is operable and coupled to said shutoff valve for shutting off said source of vacuum when a predetermined amount of liquid is drawn from one of said containers and into said dispensing cavity.

5. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein:

said shutoff valve is provided with vent means operable to vent said cavity and allow liquid to drain therefrom via said liquid outlet when said source of vacuum is shutoff by said shutoff valve.

6. The invention, as defined in claim 4, wherein;

recording means is responsive to the operation of said spout and said fixture engaging means for recording liquid drawn into said dispensing cavity and the dispensation of said liquid from said dispensing cavity.

7. The invention, as dEfined in claim 3, wherein:

measuring means in said dispensing cavity is operable and coupled to said shutoff valve for shutting off said source of vacuum when a predetermined amount of liquid is drawn from one of said containers and into said dispensing cavity; and

recording means responsive to engagement of said spout relative to said fixture engaging means and to the disposition of liquid in said dispensing cavity and the dispensation of liquid therefrom.

8. The invention, as defined in claim 7, wherein:

said measuring means is provided with a plurality of electrically responsive sensors therein, said shutoff valve being solenoid operated and coupled to said sensors;

said recording means also coupled to said sensors, whereby each unitary quantity of liquid dispensed from said cavity is measured and recorded before being released from said dispensing cavity.

9. The invention, as defined in claim 8, wherein:

a second solenoid valve in circuit with said sensors is disposed for controlling the flow of liquid from said outlet of said dispensing cavity.

10. In a liquid dispenser and recorder, the combination of:

a plurality of portable containers;

an outlet fixture coupled to each of said containers;

a dip tube coupled to each of said outlet fixtures;

each dip tube having an open end disposed to receive liquid at a normally lower interior area of a respective one of said containers;

each of said outlet fixtures having a delivery spout extending away from a respective one of said containers;

each delivery spout communicating with a respective one of said dip tubes;

a stationary fixture having a plurality of outlet fixture engaging means sealingly engageable with respective spouts of said outlet fixtures;

each outlet fixture having first identification means carried by each of said outlet fixtures; and

adapted to identify contents of respective containers;

said fixture engaging means having second identification means physically corresponding to and cooperable with said first identification means and adapted to cooperate in identification of said contents;

said first identification means being individually distinctive with respect to each container of said plurality of containers;

all of said portable containers each being manually selectively and individually movable and engageable relative to said stationary fixture to accomplish identification and dispensation of material from each respective portable container;

a source of vacuum communicating with said fixture engaging means;

electrical switch means operable by engagement of said spout of a respective outlet fixture with said fixture engaging means;

a solenoid shutoff valve in circuit with said switch means and operable thereby;

said solenoid valve disposed to establish and shutoff communication of said source of vacuum with said fixture engaging means; and

a dispensing cavity communicating with said fixture engaging means and having a liquid outlet at its lower portion;

whereby liquid is drawn from said container via said dip tube and into said dispensing cavity by said source of vacuum when said switch means is operable upon engagement of said first identification means with said fixture engaging means; and

recording means coupled to said second identification means and means responsive to operation of the foregoing liquid dispenser for recording the dispensation of liquid therefrom.

11. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein:

each of said outlet fixtures is provided with a vent passage therein disposed to allow a substantial pressure differential from occurring relative to dispensation of liquid from a respective container.

12. The invention, as defined in claim 2, wherein:

a seal means is disposed to effect a seal between anyone of said outlet fixtures and said stationary fixture.

13. The invention, as defined in claim 10, wherein:

measuring means is disposed in said dispensing cavity, said measuring means operable relative to said shutoff valve for shutting off said source of vacuum when a predeTermined amount of liquid is drawn from one of said containers and into said dispensing cavity;

said recording means is responsive to charging of said dispensing cavity;

said measuring means being provided with a plurality of electrically responsive sensors therein, said shutoff valve being solenoid operated and coupled to sensors;

said recording means also coupled to said sensors, whereby each unitary quantity of liquid dispensed from said cavity is measured and recorded before being released from said dispensing cavity.

14. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said fixture identification means comprises a portion of distinctive longitudinal disposition relative to each respective outlet fixture and switch means on said respective outlet fixture corresponding in position relative to the disposition of said portion.

15. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said fixture identification means comprises a portion of distinctive longitudinal disposition relative to each respective outlet fixture.

16. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said fixture identification means comprises an electrical switch means located on said fixture engaging means at a distinctive position relative to a respective switch operating means on said outlet fixture.

17. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said fixture identification means comprises an electrically operable means including an electrical capacitor having distinctive capacitance relative to each respective outlet fixture.

18. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said fixture identification means comprises magnetic means of distinctive character.

19. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said fixture identification means comprises electrically operable means including an electrical resistor having distinctive resistance relative to each respective outlet fixture.

20. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said fixture identification means comprises a spout portion of distinctive diameter relative to each respective outlet fixture.

21. The invention, as defined in claim 10, wherein:

measuring means is disposed in said dispensing cavity;

said measuring means disposed to be electrically operable and coupled to said solenoid valve for energizing said solenoid valve, and thereby shutting off said source of vacuum when a predetermined amount of liquid is drawn from one of said containers and into said dispensing cavity.

22. The invention, as defined in claim 21, wherein:

said solenoid valve is provided with vent means operable to vent said cavity and allow liquid to drain therefrom via said liquid outlet when said source of vacuum is shutoff by said shutoff valve.

23. The invention, as defined in claim 10, wherein:

measuring means in said dispensing cavity is disposed and operable electrically and coupled to said solenoid valve for energizing said solenoid valve and shutting off said source of vacuum when a predetermined amount of liquid is drawn from one of said containers and into said dispensing cavity;

said measuring means having a plurality of electrically responsive sensors therein;

said solenoid valve being coupled to said sensors and said recording means also coupled to said sensors, whereby each unitary quantity of liquid dispensed from said cavity is measured and recorded before being released from said dispensing cavity.

24. The invention, as defined in claim 23, wherein:

a second solenoid valve is disposed in circuit with said sensors and disposed for controlling the flow of liquid from said outlet of said dispensing cavity.

25. The invention, as defined in claim 11, wherein:

said vent passage is provided with a check valve normally open when the respective container is normally upright;

said check valve being normally closed when said container is inverted to prevent the loss of material through said vent passage when the respective container is inverted.

26. The invention, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

each of said outlet fixtuRes is provided with a vent port spaced from a delivery end of said outlet fixture, said vent port communicating with a respective outlet fixture, said vent port communicating with a respective outlet fixture at said delivery end of said vent port located externally of said respective containers.