Drink dispensing machine

• US 5,913,454 A
• Filed: 04/09/1998
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jay T. Mchale
• Original Assignee: Jay T. Mchale
• Inventors: McHale, Jay T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P.
• Application Number:
  US09/057,885
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 222/2, 222/146.6, 222/113, 222/64-66, 222/23, 222/14, 222/30, 222/36-38, 40/331, 40/332, 40/547, 40/406, 40/407, 362/32, 362/96, 362/101, 362/253, 362/806, 194/210, 364/479.01, 364/479.02, 364/479.1, 364/479.11, 364/479.12, 364/479.14
• US Class Current: 222/2
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0041 Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/06 Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0875 Means for illuminating the beverage to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00091 Bar management means

Abstract

A controlled self-service drink dispensing machine including a refrigerated piping network for transporting beverages, such as wine and beer, from a central location to a plurality of remote dispensing consoles. A centrally located bartender terminal is electronically coupled to each of the remote dispensing consoles which are activated by magnetic credit/debit cards received in the remote consoles. A beverage transparent plastic delivery tube in each remote console is bracketed by a light emitting diode transmitter and receiver system that is electronically coupled to the bartender terminal to alert the bartender of a low keg by sensing the amount of air and/or bubbles flowing through the delivery tube.

Claims

1. A drink dispensing machine comprising:

a piping network interconnecting a central beverage container and a plurality of remote dispensing consoles;

a centrally located bartender terminal electronically coupled to each of the remote dispensing consoles;

a magnetic card adapted to be read by each dispensing console, the magnetic card being selectively programmed to activate a beverage dispensing valve on the console;

a transparent delivery tube disposed in fluid communication between the beverage container and dispensing valve; and

a light emitting diode transmitter and receiver system disposed on opposite sides of the transparent tube, the transmitter and receive system being electronically coupled to the bartender terminal, wherein air flowing through the delivery tube is sensed by the transmitter and receiver system and a signal is generated to alert the bartender of a low beverage supply in the container.

3. The drink dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein the beverage is beer.

4. The drink dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein the beverage is wine.

5. The drink dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein a plurality of central beverage containers are connected to the piping network.

6. The drink dispensing machine of claim 1 wherein the transparent delivery tube is formed of plastic.

7. The drink dispensing machine of claim 6 wherein the delivery tube is located in the dispensing console.

8. The drink dispensing machine of claim 7 wherein the delivery tube is coiled.

9. The drink dispensing machine of claim 8 further including an illuminated rod around which the delivery tube is coiled.

2. The drink dispensing machine of clam 1 wherein the piping network is refrigerated.