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Control circuit and method for automatically dispensing beverages

  • US 5,228,486 A
  • Filed: 05/29/1992
  • Issued: 07/20/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A circuit for controlling the flow of beverage into a container having a lip through a dispenser wherein said dispenser comprises an electrically actuated dispensing valve;

  • said circuit comprising;

    cup switch means, sensing placement of said container in said dispenser, said cup switch means having an output adapted to assume a first state in the presence of engagement and a second state in the absence of engagement;

    first memory means having a first input receiving said cup switch output, a second input and a first memory means output, said first memory means output adapted to assume and hold a first state upon receiving a first state output from said cup switch means and said first memory means output adapted to assume and hold a second state upon receiving a first state output from said second input;

    said dispensing valve adapted to dispense beverage into said container when said first memory means output is in said first state and to not dispense beverage into said container when said first memory means output is in said second state;

    sensing means detecting when said container is filled with beverage having an output, said output being in a first state when said container is filled and in a second state when said container is not filled, said sensing means output being applied to said memory means second input;

    a first time delay means having an input connected to said first memory means output and an output, said output assuming a first state during a first time delay period after said first memory means output assumes a first state;

    first gate means having a first input connected to said cup switch output and a second input connected to said first time delay means output and having a first gate means output, said output adapted to be in a second state when said cup switch means output is in said first state and also for a period corresponding to said first time delay period after said first memory means output changes state from said second state to said first state, said first gate means output adapted to be in a first state when said cup switch means output is in said second state and said first time delay period after said first memory means output changes state from said second state to said first state after said first time delay period has expired, said output being applied to said first memory means second input whereby movement of said container away from said cup switch means will stop dispensing of beverages only after expiration of said first time delay period.

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