ES1283256U - Automatic beverage dispensing machine with electronic payment gateway (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Machine for the automatic dispensing of beverages characterized in that it has an interface for interaction with the user and that allows payment by means of wireless electronic systems such as dataphone, NFC reader, RFID reader or similar. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Automatic beverage dispensing machine with electronic payment gateway

Technical sector

The purpose of this Utility Model application is to register a beverage vending machine that incorporates innovations and advantages compared to currently existing machines of the same type. More specifically, it comprises a complete system for dispensing beverages with the possibility of payment through electronic payment gateways. In addition, the circuit is automatically cleaned on a scheduled basis.

Background of the invention

The development of this machine is motivated by the growing use of electronic payment methods, which facilitate the elimination of the use of cash.

This vending machine allows the supply of beverages to the user in an automatic and controlled manner, reducing the personnel required for the service, since it only requires maintenance, cleaning and refilling tasks.

The machine has a product and desired volume selector, either through a button panel or through a touch screen. Once the selection has been made, payment is made through the gateway enabled for this purpose, which can accept credit or debit cards, NFC payments or even rechargeable wallet-type media, especially in order to avoid the possible purchase of alcoholic beverages. by minors.

Once the payment is confirmed, the product is supplied in the amount indicated.

Explanation of the invention

The machine can be made up of one or more beverage tanks, which will generally be of the barrel type. For hygienic separation of beverages, there will be a number of supply nozzles at least equal to the number of different beverages available. The supply as such of the beverages may be through the use of a compressed gas, or by direct mechanical pumping. Two or more warehouses of the same product may be interconnected to increase the quantity available for supply.

The beverage tanks may be contained in a cold room, or the liquid may pass directly before dispensing through a coil that regulates its temperature. This coil will have its own cold generation unit, and there may be a single coil or multiple coils, depending on the design of the unit.

The quantity supplied is controlled by a flow meter for each nozzle, which can also be equipped with pressure and flow regulators.

The warehouses will have a weighing system, which will allow warnings to be issued, also early, to stockers as products are consumed.

The container where the product will be dispensed will be provided by the consumer, so that the same glass can be reused repeatedly, in order to reduce the generation of waste. The machine will have sensors to ensure the placement of the recipient cup, which can be replaced by a button to start it when the customer deems it appropriate. The glass may have some type of identifier to prevent it from being confused with foreign elements that may affect the good service of the vending machine.

The machine will also have a tray for collecting liquids that may have overflowed, which will end up in a tank also with filling sensors. This tank can be replaced by a direct discharge to the outside for use if there is, for example, a collector type sewer or drain.

Another important novelty is that the machine has a system for cleaning the ducts and other elements through which the drinks circulate. After a certain number of uses or time (according to the desired programming), clean water will be pumped through the corresponding circuit, which will be collected or discarded according to the previous point. For this, the machine can have its own tank or it can be connected to a drinking water outlet. The pumping of this water to the circuit will be carried out at the point closest to the beverage tank, so as to ensure complete cleaning. A non-return valve in the connection to the beverage tank prevents water from reaching it.

The control and management of the machine is achieved through the corresponding electronics, powered by sensors and equipped with the actuators as described.

The machine will be supported by a structure that ensures its mechanical integrity, although the materials may be different depending on the finish.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to facilitate the understanding of the above, an illustrative drawing is attached (Figure 1), which is merely informative and does not completely define the model.

It is an isometric view of the assembly with some indications:

1. Beer barrel.

2. CO ² cylinder with pressure gauge.

3. Solenoid valve for circuit cleaning.

4. Stainless steel coil cooling unit.

5. Supply nozzle.

6. Cup support and liquid collection tray.

7. Deposit for waste.

8. Product and quantity selection touch screen.

9. Card payment system.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

As can be seen in the included drawing, one embodiment, which is not the only one, of the exposed assembly may consist of: a beer barrel, a CO ² cylinder, the cold unit, the selection and control system, the payment, a deposit for collecting liquid waste, as well as a self-supporting structure where they are located.

The keg is connected to the machine by a beer head that allows gas (CO ² ) to enter the keg and causes the beer to rise to the cooling coil. This head prevents the exit of CO ² and beer when it is not connected to the keg sprat. Immediately after said head, a water inlet allows the circuit to be cleaned from the sanitation network. The water inlet is controlled by a solenoid valve. The flow of beer through the assembly is controlled by a second solenoid valve, located at the inlet of the cooling unit.

Once the beer has passed through the cooling coil, it is led to the outlet nozzle, after passing through a flowmeter that not only verifies that the supply is actually taking place, but also measures the instantaneous flow.

Both the possible product overflows, as well as the cleaning water, are collected in the provided tank, which allows it to be extracted from the side.

All the control of the processes is carried out from a microprocessor that has a touch screen type interface so that the user can choose the amount of product they want, the number of fillings they want to acquire and the moment each filling begins. In this way, with a single payment several glasses can be filled. This interface also allows an authorized person to launch and schedule cleaning cycles.

Every time a purchase is made, the card payment terminal displays the instructions to follow and processes the payment. If it is correct, it returns the authorization to proceed with the supply to the control unit. This payment terminal is connected to the data network via WiFi or SIM.

The microprocessor will be in charge of sending the signals to the solenoid valves as appropriate, as well as reading the flowmeter information.

The cooling unit works independently, maintaining the necessary temperature thanks to a compressor and the corresponding sensors.

Claims (4)

1. Machine for the automatic dispensing of beverages characterized in that it has an interface for interaction with the user and that allows payment through wireless electronic systems such as dataphones, NFC readers, RFID readers or the like. 2. Machine according to claim 1 that can be connected to one or more beverage containers, either in series or in parallel. 3. Machine according to claim 1 that allows the cooling of beverages by means of one or more coils with a cold unit or by including the tanks in a cold room. 4. Machine according to claim 1 that allows cleaning its supply circuits in an automated manner.