Beverage dispenser with automatic cup-filling control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A beverage dispenser having an arrangement for automatically controlling the filling of a cup comprising:
- at least one source of beverage;
at least one valve means for controlling discharge of beverage from said source into the cup to be filled;
actuating means to cause said valve means to be energized to initiate dispensing of the beverage into the cup to be filled;
an electrically conductive member associated with the beverage dispenser and disposed to be positioned adjacent to and outside of the cup that is being filled;
circuit means electrically interconnecting said electrically conductive member and said valve means to thereby electrically interconnect said conductive member with beverage flowing through said valve means; and
control means for operating said valve means in response to a change in impedance between said electrically conductive member and the beverage, when the cup has been filled to a pre-determined level, to discontinue beverage flow to the cup.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic cup-filling control arrangement for beverage dispensers utilizes the spray or mist of liquid droplets, formed by flowing beverage striking beverage already in the cup, to complete an electrical circuit. This electrical circuit extends from an electrically conducting member, such as an actuating lever, to beverage flowing through a dispensing valve. When the mist of droplets permits a pre-established magnitude of current to flow between the actuating lever and the flowing beverage, which occurs when beverage in the cup reaches a pre-determined level, dispensing of the beverage is terminated.
53 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A beverage dispenser having an arrangement for automatically controlling the filling of a cup comprising:
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at least one source of beverage; at least one valve means for controlling discharge of beverage from said source into the cup to be filled; actuating means to cause said valve means to be energized to initiate dispensing of the beverage into the cup to be filled; an electrically conductive member associated with the beverage dispenser and disposed to be positioned adjacent to and outside of the cup that is being filled; circuit means electrically interconnecting said electrically conductive member and said valve means to thereby electrically interconnect said conductive member with beverage flowing through said valve means; and control means for operating said valve means in response to a change in impedance between said electrically conductive member and the beverage, when the cup has been filled to a pre-determined level, to discontinue beverage flow to the cup. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A beverage dispenser having an arrangement for automatically controlling the filling of a cup comprising:
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at least one source of beverage; at least one solenoid valve for controlling discharge of beverage from said source into the cup to be filled; an outer metallic structure associated with said solenoid valve, a continuous metallic path existing from said metallic structure to beverage passing through said solenoid valve; a power supply; an electrical connection from said metallic structure to one side of said power supply; a power switch to pass power to said solenoid valve when beverage is to be dispensed; an actuating lever to initiate dispensing of beverage; a flip-flop circuit responsive to said actuating lever to close said power switch when said solenoid valve is to be energized to dispense beverage; and an electrical circuit including said flip-flop circuit, said power supply, said electrical connection, said metallic structure and said metallic path to electrically interconnect said actuating lever and the beverage flowing through said valve during dispensing, said circuit being completed for current flow of a pre-established magnitude by droplets of beverage, which are produced by flowing beverage striking beverage in the cup when the cup has been filled to a pre-determined level, the current of said pre-established magnitude changing the state of said flip-flop circuit to open said power switch and de-energize said solenoid valve. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification