Drink machine

• US 6,375,043 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick T. Leblanc
• Original Assignee: Patrick T. Leblanc
• Inventors: LeBlanc, Patrick T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bomberg, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US09/714,403
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 222/129.1, 222/129.3, 222/129.4, 222/132, 222/145.5, 222/504
• US Class Current: 222/129.4
• 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

Abstract

An automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus wherein individual ingredients are combined according to pre-programmed recipes to produce a complete mixed drink. A single chip digital computer provides the control means to interact with the user, store recipes and calculate dispensation times. The computer calculates dispensation times based upon the relationship between gravity flow and liquid level in the ingredient containers. The control system is physically isolated from the dispensation means and operates by electromagnetic repulsion.

Claims

1. An automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of containers for holding and dispensing liquid ingredients, each of said containers having

i. a top end and a bottom end,

ii. an outlet in said bottom end of said container for dispensing liquid ingredients from said container,

iii. a control device for selectively controlling the flow of liquid dispensed from said container through said outlet, said control device including a valve for selectively closing said outlet to stop liquids from flowing therethrough and a solenoid for selectively opening and closing said valve, said valve having a permanent magnet connected thereto, and said solenoid having a plunger and a coil, said plunger being located inside of said coil, said plunger being rigidly connected to said coil to prevent said plunger from moving in said coil, said solenoid being adapted to repel said permanent magnet when electrical energy is supplied to said solenoid and said permanent magnet being attracted to said plunger when electrical energy is not supplied to said solenoid,

b. a chest for housing said containers, said chest having at least one outlet therein for discharging liquids dispensed from said containers,

c. a user interface device for selectively actuating each of said control devices to dispense ingredients from said containers to make said mixed drink.

2. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said valve is connected to the inside of said bottom end of said container by a hinge.

3. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said solenoid is connected adjacent to the outside of said bottom end of said container.

4. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said solenoid is connected adjacent to the outside of said bottom end of said container.

5. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said containers are located in a tray for supporting and aligning said containers in said chest.

6. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said solenoids are connected to said tray.

7. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said user interface device comprises:

a. a keypad for inputting user selection of a choice of said mixed drink;

b. a computer for accepting said inputting from said keypad and for actuating said control devices to dispense said ingredients from said containers to make said mixed drink.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said computer is a digital computer having a programmable memory containing a program for:

a. storing mixed drink recipes, said recipes indicating which of said containers are to be addressed and what amount of liquid ingredients stored in said containers are to be dispensed therefrom,

b. storing and updating the level of said liquid ingredients in said containers,

c. using said level to calculate the time required to dispense said liquid ingredients under the influence of gravity according to said recipes, and

d. directing said control devices associated with said containers to open said valves according to said programmed recipes and alert the user when the level of any of said liquid ingredients in said containers called for by said programmed recipes fall below a pre-programmed level.

9. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chest is located in a support stand.

10. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 9 wherein a catch pan is located inside said support stand beneath said chest for receiving said ingredients dispensed from said containers and conveying said ingredients to an outlet in said catch pan for conveying said ingredients into a user'"'"'s mixed drink container.

11. An automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus comprising:

a. a plurality of containers for holding and dispensing liquid ingredients, each of said containers having

i. a top end and a bottom end,

ii. an outlet in said bottom end of said container for dispensing liquid ingredients from said container,

iii. a control device for selectively controlling the flow of liquid dispensed from said container through said outlet, said control device including a valve for selectively closing said outlet to stop liquids from flowing therethrough and a solenoid for selectively opening and closing said valve, said valve having a permanent magnet connected thereto, and said solenoid having a stationary plunger which does not move inside said, said solenoid being adapted to repel said permanent magnet when electrical energy is supplied to said solenoid and said permanent magnet being attracted to said plunger when electrical energy is not supplied to said solenoid,

b. a chest for housing said containers, said chest having at least one outlet therein for discharging liquids dispensed from said containers,

c. a user interface device for selectively actuating each of said control devices to dispense ingredients from said containers to make said mixed drink.

12. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said valve is connected to the inside of said bottom end of said container by a hinge.

13. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said solenoid is connected adjacent to the outside of said bottom end of said container.

14. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said solenoid is connected adjacent to the outside of said bottom end of said container.

15. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said containers are located in a tray for supporting and aligning said containers in said chest.

16. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said solenoids are connected to said tray.

17. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said user interface device comprises:

a. a keypad for inputting user selection of a choice of said mixed drink;

b. a computer for accepting said inputting from said keypad and for actuating said control devices to dispense said ingredients from said containers to make said mixed drink.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said computer is a digital computer having a programmable memory containing a program for:

a. storing mixed drink recipes, said recipes indicating which of said containers are to be addressed and what amount of liquid ingredients stored in said containers are to be dispensed therefrom,

b. storing and updating the level of said liquid ingredients in said containers,

c. using said level to calculate the time required to dispense said liquid ingredients under the influence of gravity according to said recipes, and

d. directing said control devices associated with said containers to open said valves according to said programmed recipes and alert the user when the level of any of said liquid ingredients in said containers called for by said programmed recipes fall below a pre-programmed level.

19. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said chest is located in a support stand.

20. The automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus of claim 19 wherein a catch pan is located inside said support stand beneath said chest for receiving said ingredients dispensed from said containers and conveying said ingredients to an outlet in said catch pan for conveying said ingredients into a user'"'"'s mixed drink container.