Liquid dispenser with automatic shut-off

• US 4,712,591 A
• Filed: 03/18/1986
• Issued: 12/15/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: McCann's Engineering & Manufacturing Company LLC (Ali Holding Srl)
• Original Assignee: McCann's Engineering & Manufacturing Company LLC (Ali Holding Srl)
• Inventors: McCann, Gerald P., Verley, Donald, Holoubek, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/840,895
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/95, 141/96, 141/192-229, 141/360-362, 141/85-88, 367/908, 73/293
• US Class Current: 141/88
• 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 1/127 Froth control B67D1/1411 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 367/908 Material level detection, e.g. liquid level

Abstract

A drink dispenser assembly used for filling receptacles when placed into a position to receive liquid dispensed from a nozzle comprises a valve which is controlled by a solenoid connected to an electric circuit, a switch operated at the will of the operator to actuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to open the valve and initiate a filling cycle, an assembly operative to suspend the receptacle below the nozzle, and an arm positioned proximate the receptacle when the receptacle is placed into a position to receive liquid, the arm operative to sense the filled condition of the receptacle and deactuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to close the valve and terminate the filling cycle.

Claims

1. A drink dispenser assembly for filling a receptacle when placed into a position to receive liquid dispensed from a nozzle comprising:

a valve,

a solenoid connected to an electric circuit,

said solenoid operative to open or close said valve,

a switch operated at the will of an operator to actuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to open the valve and initiate a filling cycle,

a tower assembly operative to locate the receptacle below the nozzle,

an arm attached to said tower assembly, said arm positioned proximate the receptacle when the receptacle is placed into a position to receive liquid, said arm including means for sensing the filled condition of the receptacle, said sensing means operative to deactuate said electric circuit and said solenoid to close said valve and terminate the filling cycle, said sensing means located outside of the receptacle and positioned below the top of the receptacle.

2. The drink dispenser of claim 1 including at least two feed lines controlled by valves, wherein the valves are opened or closed by the action of solenoids, which are actuated by the electric circuit, the feed lines joined in or below the nozzle.

3. The drink dispenser of claim 1, which includes a ramp operative with said tower assembly to position the receptacle below the nozzle in an inclined condition.

4. The drink dispenser of claim 3, wherein the ramp is operative to cause liquid dispensed into the receptacle to overflow the receptacle at a defined location.

5. The drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein the switch is a push switch.

6. The drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein the switch is a capacitance switch.

7. The drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein the switch is a inductance switch.

8. The drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein the switch is a temperature responsive switch.

9. The drink dispenser of claim 1, wherein the switch is a pressure sensitive switch.

10. A drink dispenser assembly used for filling cups when placed into a position to receive liquid dispensesd from a nozzle extending downwardly from a faucet assembly comprising:

a feedline within the faucet assembly,

a valve located in the feedline,

a solenoid operative with said valve, said solenoid operative to either close or open said valve,

a switch operated at the will of an operator, said switch operative to actuate an electric circuit and said solenoid to open the valve and initiate a filling cycle,

a base,

a ramp attached to said base, said base and said ramp operative to position the cup below the nozzle in an inclined condition,

a drain contained in said base,

arm means positioned next to the cup when the cup is placed into a position to receive liquid, said arm means having means for sensing the filled condition of the cup, said sensing means including means for deactuating said electric circuit and said solenoid to close said valve and terminate the filling cycle said sensing means positioned relative to the cup whereby overflow of liquid from the cup will contact the sensing means.

11. The drink dispenser of claim 10 which includes means for sensing the presence of the cup within the drink dispenser assembly to actuate the switch.

12. The drink dispenser of claim 10 including support means operative with the arm to maintain the cup stationary within the drink dispenser assembly.

13. The drink dispenser of claim 10 wherein the switch is a push switch.

14. The drink dispenser of claim 10 wherein the switch is a capacitance switch.

15. The drink dispenser of claim 10 wherein the switch is a inductance switch.

16. The drink dispenser of claim 10 wherein the switch is a temperature responsive switch.

17. The drink dispenser of claim 10 wherein the switch is a pressure sensitive switch.

18. A drink dispenser assembly used for filling a receptacle when placed into a position to receive liquid dispensed from a nozzle attached to a faucet assembly comprising:

a support tower operative to suspend the nozzle,

a base attached to said support tower,

a feedline operative to convey liquid to the nozzle,

a valve disposed in said feedline,

a solenoid operative with said valve,

an electric circuit operative with said solenoid to open or close said valve,

switch means for actuating said electric circuit and said solenoid to open said valve and initiate a filling cycle,

a ramp attached to said base, wherein said ramp is operative to position the receptacle below the nozzle in an inclined condition,

retaining means attached to said support tower for locating the receptacle below the nozzle,

means for sensing the filled condition of the receptacle, said sensing means including means for deactuating said electric circuit and said solenoid to close said valve and terminate the filling cycle, said sensing means positioned to receive overflow from the receptacle at a defined location below the rim of the receptacle.

19. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 18 which includes a drain operative with the base.

20. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 18 which includes a means for sensing the presence of a receptacle to actuate the switch to energize the electric circuit and the solenoid to open the valve and initiate the filling cycle.

21. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 18 which includes optic sensing means to determine the filled condition of the receptacle to deactuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to close the valve and terminate the filling cycle.

22. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 18 which includes sonic sensing means for sensing the filled condition of the receptacle to terminate the filling cycle.

23. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 18 which includes magnetic stripes imprinted upon the receptacle and means operative with the drink dispenser for reading the magnetic stripes and sense the presence of the receptacle.

24. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 23 wherein the sensing means includes a magnetic reader to sense the filled condition of the receptacle and terminate the filling cycle.

25. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 24 wherein the magnetic stripes are imprinted on the outside of the receptacle.

26. The drink dispenser assembly of claim 24 wherein the magnetic stripes are imprinted on the inside of the receptacle.

27. The drink dispenser of claim 23 wherein the reading means is operative to initiate the filling cycle when the receptacle is in a position to receive liquid.