Automatic beverage dispenser

• US 5,454,406 A
• Filed: 05/13/1994
• Issued: 10/03/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Parmley, John W., Rejret, Richard L., Rantanen, William C., Searing, Lawrence G., Powers, Larry D., Weimer, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US08/242,512
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 141/1, 141/83, 141/94, 141/95, 141/198, 141/114, 222/639-641, 222/129.1, 222/504, 364/479, 137/624.11, 137/624.12
• US Class Current: 141/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1213 combined with a timer
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1234 to determine the total amount
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 With independent valve controller

Abstract

A dispenser is programmed to automatically dispense a beverage into a plurality of different size containers by storing therein a volume designation for each size container. The flow rate of beverage through the dispenser is determined. To do so, a user manually operates the dispenser to fill a given container with the beverage while the dispenser measures the filling time. The dispenser calculates a beverage flow rate from the volume designation for the given container and the filling time. Then the flow rate and volume designations are used thereafter by the dispenser to derive a dispensing time for each different size container. Thus the dispenser is able to derive dispensing times for each container size from filling only one of the containers. A unique dispenser valve also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of programing a beverage dispenser which includes a computer to automatically dispense a beverage into a plurality of containers of different sizes, steps of the method comprising:

storing into the computer a volume designation for each container of a different size;

using the beverage dispenser to fill a beverage container corresponding to a given volume designation stored in the computer;

the computer measuring an amount of time required to fill the beverage container of a known size;

the computer calculating a beverage flow rate from the given volume designation and the amount of time;

the computer deriving, from the flow rate and the stored volume designations, a dispensing time for each container of a different size; and

the computer thereafter using the dispensing time to control how long to dispense the beverage into a container.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the beverage dispenser has a input device that is operable by a user of the beverage dispenser to indicate whether too much beverage is being dispensed automatically into a container of a defined size;

and said computer is responsive to activation of the input device by decreasing the dispensing time for the container of the defined size.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the beverage dispenser has a input device that is operable by a user of the beverage dispenser to indicate whether not enough beverage is being dispensed automatically into a container of a defined size;

and said computer is responsive to activation of the input device by increasing the dispensing time for the container of the defined size.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of using the beverage dispenser to fill a beverage container comprises:

placing the computer into a programming mode;

the user entering a first command into the computer to initiate dispensing the beverage into the container of the defined size; and

the user entering a second command into the computer to terminate dispensing the beverage.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the step of measuring an amount of time comprises measuring a time interval between the first and second commands.

6. A method of operating a beverage dispenser to automatically dispense a beverage into containers of different sizes, steps of the method comprising:

(a) placing the beverage dispenser in a programming mode and then;

storing, in the beverage dispenser, a separate volume designation for each container of a different size;

manually activating the beverage dispenser to pour the beverage into a given container;

the beverage dispenser being responsive to the activating by starting a timer;

manually terminating the beverage dispenser pouring the beverage when an amount of beverage dispensed corresponds to a given volume designation;

the beverage dispenser responding to the terminating by stopping the timer;

the beverage dispenser calculating a beverage flow rate from the given volume designation and an amount of time indicated by the timer; and

(b) placing the beverage dispenser into a dispensing mode in which the beverage dispenser responds to a user'"'"'s command which designates a container of a given size is to be filled with beverage by performing the steps of;

deriving a dispensing time from stored volume designation for the container of the given size and the flow rate; and

dispensing the beverage for the dispensing time.

7. The method recited in claim 6 wherein the dispensing time is derived using a TRIM FACTOR which compensates for variation in an actual flow rate of the beverage;

and wherein after dispensing the beverage the method further includes responding to a user command by altering the TRIM FACTOR.

8. A beverage dispenser for automatically dispensing a beverage into containers of different sizes, said beverage dispenser comprising:

a tap having a valve that operates in response to a control signal;

an input device operable by a user of said beverage dispenser to enter commands;

a control circuit connected to said input device and said tap, and producing the control signal that is applied to operate the valve, wherein said control circuit includes;

(a) a first memory section that stores a volume designation for each container of a different size, the volume designation being received from said input device upon activation by the user;

(b) a mechanism connected to the input device and the valve to produce the control signal in response to a first command from said input device to begin dispensing the beverage, and thereafter to terminate producing the control signal in response to a second command from said input device;

(c) a timer coupled to said mechanism to measure a time interval between receiving the first and second command from said input device;

(d) a flow rate calculator coupled to said first memory section and said timer, and determining a beverage flow rate from a stored volume designation and time interval;

(e) a second memory section coupled to said flow rate calculator and storing the beverage flow rate; and

(f) a dispensing time calculator coupled to said first and second memory sections and deriving, from the flow rate and stored volume designations, a dispensing time for each container of a different size.

9. The beverage dispenser as recited in claim 8 wherein said control circuit further includes another mechanism which changes the dispensing time for a given size of container in response to a third command from said input device.

10. A beverage dispenser for automatically dispensing a beverage into containers of different sizes, said beverage dispenser comprising:

a coupling for receiving the beverage from a supply;

a spout having an inlet;

a resilient tube connecting said coupling to the inlet of said spout;

an actuator having an armature which is aligned with said resilient tube;

a valve member coupled to the armature, wherein said actuator in a deenergized state forces said valve member against said resilient tube to prevent the beverage from being dispensed, and said actuator in an energized state drives said valve member away from said resilient tube to allow the beverage to flow through the resilient tube;

a input device operable by a user of the beverage dispenser; and

a control circuit, responsive to a signal from said input device by energizing said actuator for a given period of time to allow the beverage to flow through said resilient tube, wherein said control circuit comprises

(a) a first memory section that stores a volume designation for each container of a different size which is to be filled with the beverage, each volume designation being received from said input device upon activation by the user;

(b) a mechanism connected to the input device and the valve, and producing the control signal in response to a first command from said input device to begin dispensing the beverage, and thereafter terminating the control signal in response to a second command from said input device;

(c) a timer coupled to said mechanism to measure a time interval between receiving the first and second command from said input device;

(d) a flow rate calculator coupled to said first memory section and said timer and determining a beverage flow rate from a stored volume designation and time interval;

(e) a second memory section coupled to said flow rate calculator and storing the beverage flow rate; and

(f) a dispensing time calculator coupled to said first and second memories and deriving, from the flow rate and stored volume designations, a dispensing time for each container of a different size.

11. The beverage dispenser recited in claim 10 wherein said tap includes an anvil on one side of said resilient tube and said actuator in the deenergized state pinches said resilient tube between said valve member and said anvil.