Method of and apparatus for dispensing beverage into a tilted receptacle with automatic level responsive shut off

• US 4,974,643 A
• Filed: 06/27/1988
• Issued: 12/04/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cornelius Company The One Cornelius Place Anoka MN 55303-1592
• Original Assignee: Cornelius Co. (Minnesota) (IMI PLC)
• Inventors: Holcomb, Donald E., Kovar, Henry C., Bennett, Clay D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US07/212,400
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/86, 141/369, 141/128, 137/392
• US Class Current: 141/1
• 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 1/124 the flow being started or stopped by means actuated by the vessel to be filled, e.g. by switches, weighing

Abstract

A beverage dispenser has a housing, a dispenser head with an electrically conductive combination beverage receptacle actuator lever and dispensed beverage level probe, a control circuit connected to the probe and to a start switch actuatable by the probe and to a solenoid for a beverage valve, and a drip tray and receptacle support wherein the receptacle support is tilted rearward toward the probe to support a tilted receptacle against the probe and keep the lowest part of a tilted receptacle rim against the probe; an improved probe assembly has dielectric journal piece isolating the probe from a body of the dispensing head, and a heater element is provided for the probe and either continuously or intermittently heats the probe to keep it insect free and sanitary.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing beverage into an open topped receptacle with automatic shut-off of dispensing when beverage approaches the top of the receptacle, comprising:

(a) a beverage dispensing head having a beverage line with an inlet connectible to a supply of beverage and an outlet nozzle for dispensing of beverage into the receptacle, a normally closed valve in the beverage line, a solenoid operatively connected to open said valve, a dispensing switch operatively connected to activate the solenoid and start dispensing, and an automatic electrical control operatively connected to deactivate the solenoid and terminate dispensing;

(b) an electrically conductive elongate and generally vertical dispensed beverage level probe, said probe being operatively connected to said control during dispensing;

(c) means for electrifYing beverage dispensed into the receptacle, and

(d) receptacle support means below the nozzle for supporting an open topped receptacle in a tilted attitude with the lowest portion of a similarly tilted receptacle upper rim being adjacent the probe, so that an electrical signal to terminate dispensing will be sent in a loop through the dispensed beverage and the probe to the control upon the beverage dispensed into the tilted receptacle reaching or approaching the lowest portion of the receptacle rim and making contact with the probe.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said probe is an electrically conductive plastic lever extending downwardly below said nozzle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said probe is generally vertical, generally straight, and devoid of protuberances toward the receptacle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the receptacle support means is tilted at least 10 degrees.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the receptacle support means is a rearwardly tilted receptacle rest for engaging the bottom of the receptacle;

the tilted plane of the rest being below the probe.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which said electrifying means includes an electrical lead from said control and into the beverage line through a body of said dispensing head, and including dielectric means pivotally mounting and suspending said probe in said body for electrically isolating said probe from said body and said electrifying means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, including electrical heater means in thermal exchange relationship with said probe, so that said probe is electrically heatable to an elevated sanitizing temperature.

8. A method of dispensing beverage into an open topped receptacle comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a supply of beverage at a solenoid operated beverage dispensing head;

(b) placing an open topped beverage receptacle into contact against a generally vertical elongate electrically conductive beverage level probe which is positioned below a nozzle of the dispensing head;

(c) supporting the receptacle in a rearwardly tilted attitude with a receptacle support positioned under the nozzle, with a lowest portion of a similarly tilted receptacle upper rim being adjacent the probe;

(d) starting and continuing dispensing of beverage into the tilted receptacle;

(e) electrifying beverage dispensed into the tilted receptacle;

(f) sending an electrical signal that the tilted receptacle is filled to the lowest point of the tilted rim upon the dispensed beverage reaching the lowest portion of the rim and making contact with the probe, said signal being sent in a loop through the dispensed beverage and the probe to an automatic dispensing shut-off control;

(g) terminating dispensing automatically with the control upon receipt of the signal; and

(h) removing the filled tilted receptacle from the receptacle support and placing the filled receptacle upon a generallY horizontal surface and standing the cup upright, whereupon the beverage level in the receptacle shall become generallY parallel to and evenly spaced from the now generally horizontal receptacle rim.

9. The method of claim 8, including the step of engaging the lowest portion of the tilted outer surface of the tilted receptacle rim against the probe during the steps of dispensing and shut off.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein that part of the probe engageable against said rim is devoid of protuberances facing toward the receptacle.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the receptacle is tilted rearwards at least 10 degrees.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said receptacle is supported by a rearwardly tilted receptacle rest engaging a bottom of the receptacle, said receptacle rest facing towards the probe.

13. The method of claim 12, including the step of spacing up a front edge of the receptacle rest with at least one spacer installed under said front edge.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein a horizontal upper surface of dispensed beverage is electrified, said upper surface being within the tilted receptacle.

15. An improved method of making a receptacle filling beverage dispenser automatically shut off in response to the actual level of dispensed beverage in an open topped receptacle, having the steps of

providing a beverage dispenser with a beverage dispensing head having a body with a beverage line having an inlet connectible to a supply of beverage and an outlet nozzle for dispensing of beverage into the receptacle, a normallY closed valve in the beverage line, a solenoid operatively connected to open said valve, a dispensing switch operatively connected to activate the solenoid and start dispensing, an automatic electrical control operatively connected to deactivate the solenoid and terminate dispensing, and a receptacle rest below the nozzle;

providing an electrically conductive generally elongate and "generally" vertical dispensed beverage level probe below the nozzle and operatively electrically connecting it to said control during dispensing; and

providing means for electrifYing the beverage dispensed into the receptacle;

wherein the improvement comprises the further steps of;

tilting the receptacle rest rearwards toward the electrically conductive beverage level probe, for supporting a beverage receptacle tilted toward the probe with an upper rim of the receptacle being similarly tilted and having its lowest point proximate to the probe, so that the dispenser will automatically shut off when dispensed beverage reaches the lowest point of the receptacle rim and contacts the probe.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said receptacle rest is tilted 10 degrees.

17. The method of claim 15, including the steps of spacing up a front edge of a receptacle rest below the nozzle with spacers installed under said front edge, and supporting the tilted receptacle with a bottom of the receptacle resting upon the spaced up and tilted rest.

18. The method of claim 15, including the further step of providing an electric heater in thermal exchange relationship with the probe, for elevating the temperature of the probe and keeping it sanitary.

19. The method of claim 15, including the further step of providing said probe as a plastic electrically conductive probe.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said probe is movable away from said tilted receptacle rest upon placement of a receptacle on the rest.

21. In combination with a soft drink dispenser of the type having:

a solenoid controlled dispensing valve for discharging liquid into a beverage receptacle placed in a receiving position;

a control unit having probe means for making contact with the liquid dispensed into a receptacle placed in said receiving position when said liquid reaches a predetermined level in said receptacle, first means actuated by movement of a receptacle into said receiving position for actuating said solenoid controlled dispensing valve of said dispenser to discharge liquid into said receptacle and second means actuated by the contact of said liquid in said receptacle with said probe means when said liquid reaches said predetermined level for actuating said solenoid controlled valve of said dispenser to shut off the discharge of liquid;

the improvement comprising receptacle support means below the nozzle for supporting the receptacle in a tilted attitude with the lowest portion of a similarly tilted receptacle upper rim being adjacent the probe, so that an electrical signal to terminate dispensing will be sent in a loop through the dispensed beverage and the probe upon the beverage dispensed into the tilted receptacle reaching the predetermined level adjacent the lowest portion of the receptacle rim and making contact with the probe.

22. An automatic dispenser for filling beverage receptacles with liquid having receptacle supporting means for supporting said receptacles in a receiving position to receive said liquid, a liquid dispenser including a nozzle spaced above said supporting means and including a solenoid controlled valve for controlling the dispensing of liquid into a beverage receptacle placed in said receiving position, at least one contact member positioned to make electrical contact with the liquid dispensed into a receptacle in said receiving position when said liquid reaches a predetermined level, means activated bY the placement of a receptacle in receiving position on said supporting means for actuating said solenoid controlled valve to dispense liquid into said receptacle, and control circuit means electrically interconnecting said contact member and said solenoid controlled valve for actuating said valve to stop the dispensing of liquid into a receptacle in said receiving position when the liquid attains said predetermined level in said cup for making electrical contact with said contact member;

wherein said receptacle supporting means comprise structure below the nozzle for supporting an open topped receptacle in a tilted attitude with the lowest portion of a similarly tilted receptacle upper rim being adjacent the probe, so that an electrical signal to terminate dispensing will be sent in a loop through the dispensed beverage and the contact member to the control circuit means upon the beverage dispensed into the tilted receptacle reaching a predetermined level adjacent the lowest part of the tilted receptacle rim and making electrical contact with the contact member.

23. In an apparatus for automatically controlling the flow of liquid dispensed through a solenoid controlled valve into a receptacle placed in a receiving position, said apparatus including first means activated by the placement of said receptacle in said receiving position for initiating the flow of liquid dispensed through said valve and second means including a pair of contact members positioned to establish a path for electrical current therebetween through the liquid dispensed into said receptacle in receiving position when said liquid reaches a predetermined level in said receptacle for activating said valve to shut off the flow of liquid therethrough;

the improvement comprising

receptacle support means for supporting an open topped receptacle in a tilted attitude in the receiving position with a lowest portion of a similarly tilted receptacle upper rim being adjacent one of said contact members, so that an electrical signal to terminate dispensing will be sent in a loop through the dispensed beverage and the said one contact member to a shut off control upon the beverage dispensed into the tilted receptacle reaching the predetermined level adjacent the tilted lowest portion of the receptacle rim and making contact with the said one contact member.

24. In a beverage dispenser including:

a nozzle for discharging liquid;

a beverage receptacle supporting means positioned below said nozzle for receiving a receptacle having an upper rim;

a solenoid controlled valve for controlling the discharge of said liquid from said nozzle;

probe means engageable with the rim of said cup for making electrical contact with said liquid dispensed into said cup;

control circuit means electrically connecting said probe means and said solenoid control valve for actuating said valve to stop the dispensing of said liquid into said cup when said liquid attains a predetermined level in said cup; and

switch means for activating said solenoid controlled valve to initiate the dispensing of liquid into said receptacle;

the improvement comprising receptacle support means below the nozzle for supporting said beverage receptacle in a tilted attitude with the lowest portion of a similarly tilted said receptacle upper rim being adjacent the probe, so that an electrical signal to terminate dispensing will be sent in a loop through the dispensed beverage and the probe to the control circuit means upon the beverage dispensed into the tilted receptacle reaching the predetermined level adjacent the lowest portion of the tilted receptacle rim and making contact with the probe.

25. In a beverage dispenser for automatically controlling the filling of a receptacle, said dispenser having

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 receptacle to be filled;

an electrically conductive member associated with the beverage dispenser and disposed to be outside of and adjacent to an upper rim of the receptacle that is being filled;

circuit means for electrically interconnecting said electrically conductive member with dispensed beverage and control means for operating said valve means in response to a change in impedance between said electrically conductive member and the dispensed beverage, when the receptacle has been filled to a pre-determined level, to automatically discontinue beverage flow to the receptacle;

the improvement comprising receptacle support means for supporting an open topped said receptacle in a tilted attitude with the lowest portion of a similarly tilted said receptacle upper rim being adjacent the conductive member, so that an electrical signal to terminate dispensing will be sent in a loop through the dispensed beverage and the conductive member to the control means upon the beverage dispensed into the tilted receptacle reaching the predetermined level adjacent a lowest portion of the tilted receptacle rim and making contact with the conductive member.