GB2101088A - Beverage-dispensing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A beverage dispensing machine of the vending machine type has several ingredient-dispense stations. Each ingredient is stored in a replaceable cartridge and dispensation is controlled by an electromagnetically- operated ball valve. The user can control the amount of ingredient dispensed by pressing a button, the amount dispensed being controlled by the length of time the button is depressed. A preset maximum limit is applied to each button, for example corresponding to 'regular' and 'strong' concentrations. A microprocessor is included enabling the user to press the button discontinuously and the cumulative amount calculated and dispensed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Beverage-dispensing machine This invention relates to beverage-dispensing machines.

In many known forms of beverage dispensing machines ingredients are dispensed into plastics cups from containers under the control of electrically-operated valves. These valves include a valve body which stores a measured charge of the ingredient, and when the valve is actuated just this amount is dispensed. Such valves have the disadvantage that intermediate quantities of the ingredient cannot be dispensed without changing the valves, and thus a choice of concentrations of ingredients is not available to a user.

Some beverage dispensing machines have been proposed in which other types of valves are used which, when operated, allow the ingredients to flow continuously until the operating current is removed. In such machines control circuitry is included to shut-off the valve after a preset time. Typically the user is presented with three choices per ingredient, so that when the ingredient is coffee this may be dispensed in 'weak', 'regular' or 'strong' concentrations. The control circuitry sets the appropriate valve opening period for the selection made by the user. It will be appreciated that it is not desirable for the user to have unlimited control of the amount of ingredient dispensed, for obvious reasons in the case of a vending machine; but even when the beverage is free, it is undesirable since the user may not be able to judge the appropriate amount.

The present invention seeks to provide a beverage-dispensing machine in which the user is provided with a greater number of selectable ingredient concentrations than in the aforesaid examples.

According to the present invention there is provided a beverage dispensing machine including a valve operative to control the dispensation of an ingredient from a source; control means for the valve; and signalling means operable by a user of the machine; the control means being operable by a signal initiated by said signalling means so that the amount of ingredient dispensed is selectable by a user from a substantially continuous range of said amounts.

The machine may also include signal-processing means operative to limit the amount of ingredient dispensed in a single dispensing operation to below a preset amount.

In a preferred form the signalling means may be operated discontinuously by the user, the cumulative amount dispensed during the periods when the signalling means is operated being registered by said signal-processing means, and said limit to the amount of ingredient dispensed being applied to said cumulative total.

The signalling means may include a plurality of separate means for initiating a signal for operating the control means for a particular ingredient, each separate means being characterised by a different preset upper limit to the amount of ingredient that may be dispensed when it is operated by a user.

The ingredient may, for example, be coffee powder, and the means for initiating a signal may comprise a pair of touch sensitive buttons, actuation of either of which causes the valve to open, but the maximum amount dispensed by the actuation of the buttons corresponds respectively to normal and extra strength coffee.

Each button may however be actuated for a time less than the maximum to dispense a correspondingly less amount.

In a preferred embodiment a similar facility is provided for each of a number of ingredients.

The signal processing means may be a microprocessor which may also control the possible combination of ingredients dispensed in any one dispense operation.

The machine may conveniently be adapted for coin-operation.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded view of parts of a vending machine in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a block circuit diagram of control circuitry associated with the machine; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an algorithm in accordance with which a microprocessor in the circuitry operates.

Referring to Fig. 1, parts of a beverage vending machine are located on a chassis 1 constructed from stove-enamelled, mild steel sheet. A rear portion of the chassis 1 is a housing for a number of mechanical components of the machine. The housing part of the chassis is defined by a pair of corresponding side walls 2 each having a rectangular portion which forms a side of the housing, a forwardly-extending lower limb 3 and a forwardly-extending middle limb 4. The upper edges of the rectangular portions of the side walls are integral with a rectangular roof portion 5. The front of the housing is defined by a first rectangular front panel 6 joining the forward side edges of the rectangular portions of the side walls and the forward edge of the roof portion 5. The front panel 6 extends downwardly to the height of the forwardlyextending middle limbs of the side walls.A further front panel 7 extends between the lower edges of the middle limbs and the upper edges of the lower limbs 3. A base platform 8 is joined to the lower edge surfaces of the side walls 2, and a low rectangu lar-sided wall 9 is upstanding from the for ward edge region of the base platform 8 to form a rim between the forward edges of the lower limbs 3 of the side walls.

The middle limbs 4 extending forwardly from housing part of the side walls each comprise a corresponding rectangular portion terminating forwardly in an upwardly-angled portion 1 0. The forward edges of the upwardly angled portions 10 slope in a oblique plane angled forwardly in a downwards direction. These forward edges are joined by a generally-rectangular marginal plate 11 which receives a control panel 1 2.

A transverse plate 1 3 is joined to the lower edge surfaces of the middle limbs 4 and is angled upwardly at its forward end to conform with the angle of the lower edge surfaces of the middle limbs. The transverse plate 1 3 extends rearwardly into the housing part of the chassis and acts as a supporting shelf and shield for dispensing valves (not shown). The transverse plate 1 3 has four circular holes 1 4 on the horizontal portion thereof, equidistantly spaced in a line perpendicular to the two middle limbs 4. The holes 14 receive respective cylindrical valve housings, through which ingredients are dispensed to a user of the machine.Four moulded-plastics collars 1 5 are secured to the front panel 6 of the chassis and each overlies a corresponding one of the holes 1 4 in the transverse plate. The collars 1 5 each surround a valve assembly and a coil of wire 1 6 is wound around each collar and connected to a source of errf to act as an electro-magnet for operating the valve.

A cover plate 1 7 for the coils comprises a horizontal rectangular portion with four holes adapted to fit over the collars 1 5. Spacing blocks 1 8 are connected to the fixing brackets of the collars and these prevent the cover plate 1 7 from touching the coils. The cover plate is angled upwardly at its forward end and fits over the angled upper edge surface of the middle limbs 4 of the chassis side walls.

A dispensing platform for the machine is formed as part of a moulded plastics structure 20 which is shaped to surround the front and side of the chassis 1 beneath the middle limbs 4 of the side walls of the chassis. The plastics structure 20 has side walls 21 joined by a front panel 22 which are just slightly larger, but otherwise the same shape as the corresponding side walls 3 and front panel 7 of the chassis. The structure 20 includes a dispensing platform 23 extending horizontally from the lower edge of the front panel 22 and integral with a downwardly angled portion and a vertical front wall 24 fitting over the rim 8 on the base platform of the chassis. The rear vertical edges of the side walls of the plastics structure 20 are integral with a respective perpendicular, inwardly-directed strip 25 which engages the rearward facing edges of the chassis.A enamelled metal backplate is fitted over the rear of the housing portion of chassis and fixed by quick fasteners with socket heads. The backplate secures the strips 25 and hence the plastics structure 20 to the metal chassis.

Two troughs 26 and 27 are fromed integrally from the horizontal surface portions of the dispensing platform 23. These horizontal surface portions comprise narrow rims around the peripheries of the troughs 26 and 27. The trough 26 is oblong in outline and is located beneath the four holes 1 5 for the dispense valves. The other trough 27 is square in outline, has the same width as the oval trough 26, and is located beneath the right hand region of the transverse plate. The two troughs absorb spilled ingredients. The oblong trough 26 is closed and collects spilled ingredients powder. The square trough 27 collects liquid spillage and has a drain opening at its base for removing liquids from the trough. A sponge 28 is located at the base of the trough 27 to absorb the small amounts of liquid normally spilled.A cylindrical float 29 is freely placed in the trough 27. This float 29 has a magnetic core and when liquid accumulates in the trough 27 it floats on the surface of the liquid. A reed switch is connected to the machine chassis outside the wall of the trough 27 and is controlled by the magnetic core of the float 29 in its low position. When the float 29 rises the switch changes state and a signal is sent to the control circuitry; as will be described, and the machine is shut down to a safe condition. The machine reacts similarly if the float is removed.

Grilles 31 and 32, vacuum-formed from ABS plastics material, are fitted over the troughs 26 and 27. Each grille is composed of a number of parallel slats with a number of arcuate elements between the slats to give five circular outlines corresponding to the positions where plastics cup should be placed for it to be under a dispension valve and in the case of it grille 32, under the hot water nozzle.

The ingredient dispension mechanisms are not shown in the figure, but these comprise four valves located within the collars 1 5 -and the outlet portions of which project through the holes 14 in the transverse plate 13. Each valve is fitted beneath a disposable polypropylen cartridge containing a particular ingredient powder. Each valve includes a metal plug which is raised by the action of the magnetic field initiated by the electrical coil wound around the associated collar. The valve plug is raised off the valve seat and by supplying a varying voltage to the coil the valve plug is caused to vibrate against a stop in the valve body and this promotes the flow of ingredient powder through the valve. The quantity of ingredient powder dispensed is directly proportional to the time for which the coil is energised.

A top cover 35 formed from ABS plastics fits over the upper part of the housing portion of the chassis. The cover 35 comprises two side walls which are generally-rectangular apart from their forward-facing corner regions which are truncated. The upper horizontal edges of the side wall are integral with an horizontal roof portion; and the forward edge of the roof portion is integral with a sloping portion, the side edges of which are integral with the truncated upper corner regions of the side walls. A integral front portion extends from the angled roof portion down to a position short of the lower extremity of the side walls. This shape is adapted to fit over the chassis so that lower edge of the vertical front portion fits on the upper rim of the fasciareceiving front plate of the chassis.The top cover 35 is connected by hinges, adjacent its rear horizontal edge, to the chassis, and may be held in its open position by a self-latching stay. The cover is retained in its closed position by a single key-operated lock.

The external water supply to the machine is connected via a break tank 40 to prevent back syphonage into the external water supply. The inlet to the break tand 40 includes two high pressure solenoid valves 41 in series. The valves are fitted with flow restrictors and strainers and operated by 24 volts AC.

The valves are closed when power is switched off and their operation is under the control of the control system within the machine, 4 which is described below. The break tank includes two float switches. One switch provides an output signal to control shut off when the level of water is at the normal required level. The other switch is activated when the level of water falls below a low level, which is treated as a failure condition.

An overflow weir is provided on the break tank which communicates through a flexible hose 42 with the train in the trough 27 on the dispensing platform.

A pressure pump 43 operated by 200 volts AC is mounted beneath the break tank and receives water therefrom. The pump is controlled to operate when water is to be dispensed from the appropriate one of the dispense valves and is operative to provide a pressurised jet of water so that the ingredients can be fully mixed. The operation of the pump can be selected so that, for example, if a tea drink is selected the pump does not operate and a frothy drink can be prevented.

The outlet from the pump is connected by a flexible hose 44 to a water heating vessel 45.

This vessel 45 is made of glass and is encased in foam thermal-insulation surrounded by a cardboard carton with rectangular walls.

A stainless steel cap 46 extends over the vessel and is retained by wing nuts and straps and sealed with a neoprene gasket. The water inlet from the water pump 43 passes through an inlet orifice in the steel cap 46 and an outlet orifice is also taken through the cap 46.

A third orifice provides an air bleed connection 47. Within the heating vessel is a well for receiving a thermostat and a heating element rated at 2.5 KW. The heating element is provided with a manually resetable cut out switch which operates if the vessel overheats.

The outlet from the heating vessel 45 comprises a direct plunger type solenoid valve fitted with a 25 volts AC coil. The valve connects the heating vessel with a dispensing pipe 48 fabricated from flexible silicon-rubber tubing encased in thick foam rubber thermalinsulation and terminating in a stainless steel nozzle 49. The nozzle 49 is bent downwardly and is situated at the end of the ingredients dispensing line of valve assemblies and is located beneath the transverse plate of the chassis by a flange 50 fastened around the downwardly-bent portion of the nozzle. This nozzle forms the fifth dispensing outlet over the dispense platform and, in particular, over the square trough 26.

The control panel 1 2 comprising a rectangular, slotted, aluminium backing plate 51 fitted with an embossed, plastics membrane 52 with touch-sensitive switches beneath it.

The plate 51 has small holes, beneath which light-emitting diodes are connected. Four switch locations are spaced along the panel corresponding to the ingredients dispensing outlets. Each location has a coloured indicia panel indicating the ingredient, e.g. 'coffee' and beneath it two touch sensitive switches 53, indicating different strengths e.g. 'regular' and 'strong'. A further touch sensitive switch 54 at the end of the line of ingredients switches, and over the hot water nozzle controls the dispensation of water. The two LEDS beneath holes 55 at the end of the panel indicate 'power on' or 'help' respectively, the latter being illuminated when there is a fault.

The machine is controlled by a microprocessor unit mounted on a printed circuit board within the housing part of the chassis. There are some variable controls associated with the control circuitry and these positioned behind an opening cover 56 on the side of the chassis. Access to these controls can be obtained once the machine cover has been unlocked and raised by a key holder.

The circuitry incorporated within the machine is shown in block diagram form in Fig.

2. The main control element is a microprocessor 60, which in this example is a type 8039 made by INTEL. The microprocessor is connected via an input/output port 61 to receive information signals from, and send control signals to, a number of sensing and operating circuits in the machine. An integrated circuit EPROM 60a provides the microprocessor with information as to dispense times etc. and can be replaced when these times, or other parameters are changed.

The level sensing switches 62, 63 at the break tank detect respectively high and low water levels as is described above. The signals generated by the high-level switch is fed via a break tank control circuit 64, which prevents a bouncing signal being fed to the solenoid at the inlet valve.

The low-level switch 63 produces a signal when the water in the break tank falls below a minimum level, and this signal is also debounced by the control circuit 64. This signal, appropriately polarised is fed to one input of a gate circuit 65 at an input to the microprocessor. Another input signal to the gate circuit 65 comes from the drainer reed switch 66 indicating at overflow condition in the drainage well. The presence of either of these signals at the logic circuit 65 is transmitted to the microprocessor which in turn initiates a shut-down procedure and puts the machine into a safe condition.

Each of the coils controlling the dispensing valves has a control unit 67 connected to receive actuating signals from the input/output port 61 of the microprocessor. The connection between the coil and its AC supply is in series with a respective SCR in the control unit 67, the gate terminal of which is connected to the collector terminal of an PNP transistor. The signal from the microprocessor controls the conduction of this transistor, which in turn operates the gate of the SCR and causes the energisation voltage of the associated valve coil, to take the form of a half-wave rectified waveform.

Water dispensation is also controlled by a signal from the input/output port 61 of the microprocessor. A water outlet control circuit 68 controls the operating of the direct plunger-type solenoid valve fitted in the conduit from the water heater to the dispense nozzle.

The control circuit 68 includes an PNP transistor the base current to which is controlled by the signal from the microprocessor. The collector terminal of the transistor is connected to the gate terminal of a triac. The triac is in the energisation path to the solenoid and is switched from a blocking to a conducting state by the transistor under control of the microprocessor when hot water is to be dispensed. Water is dispensed in a predetermined amount which is set by a timer in the microprocessor. This amount corresponds to the size of cup used with the machine and is obtained by the user maintaining pressure on selection button, as is described below. Lesser quantities of water can be obtained by depressing the button for less than this maximum time.

An ingredient selection circuit connects a selector switch 69 to one input of the input/output port 61 to the microprocessor. The two operating conditions of this switch are used to inform the microprocessor which of two coffee ingredients are included in the machine, for example 'Executive' or 'Regular' varieties of coffee. In response to the signal from the switch the microprocessor adjusts the dispense time and other parameters as appropriate to the change of variety of coffee.

A BCD switch is also included in the ingredient selection circuit and this is operated by an installer of the machine via the opening in the side of the chassis when the tea ingredient is replaced by some other, e.g. soup powder The microprocessor, thus informed, revises the vending sequence so that for example if soup is dispensed, sugar cannot also be dispensed.

A pump control circuit 70 is connected to an output terminal of the port 61 and the signal from the port 61 controls the conduction of a transistor in the circuit. The collector /emitter path of the transistor is connected between + 5 volts supply rail and circuit ground; and an operating switch for the 240v AC pressure pump is connected to the collector terminal of the transistor. The pump is caused to operate by a signal from the microprocessor to the transistor during a dispensing operation and when a pressurised jet of water is appropriate to the drink being mixed.

As is described above, the touch-sensitive key board has two touch-sensitive switches for each ingredient and a further touch-sensitive switch for hot water supply. The hot water supply switch is connected directly to an input terminal of the input/output port 61. Each of the other eight touch-sensitive switches are connected to input terminals of the microprocessor.

The signals from the two switches associated with each ingredient represent choices by a user between two different quantities of the ingredient. In the case of the coffee switches, one represents a 'strong' measure and the other a 'regular' measure.

The durations of the signals from the touchsensitive switches for the ingredients are timed by the microprocessor. The microprocessor includes a timer that is set for a different value for each of the touch sensitive switches. When a switch is actuated the timer counts down from the time period for which it has been set and the microprocessor, prd- vided that no overiding signals are received, also causes the ingredient dispense circuitry to open the appropriate valve. The timer and the ingredient dispense circuitry are both stopped when the user stops actuating the switch, and are restarted if the switch is then operated again, until the timing period has cumulatively elapsed, then the dispensing of that ingredient is terminated by the microprocessor.

In this way the user can select any amount of the ingredient up to a preset limit simply by pressing the button for a time less than the maximum. If however one of the preset amounts i.e. 'regular' or 'strong' in the case of coffee is required the user merely maintains pressure on the button until no further ingre dient is dispensed.

Since the ingredients can be dispensed in cumulative amounts, the user can add amounts bit by bit until the desired quantity is dispensed.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of the sequence of operations executed by the microprocessor. The first decision is whether the operation is requested requires the insertion of coins. In the apparatus described above it has been assumed that the dispense is free, however a coin-operated version is described below. In the case of either a free dispense or a co.in operated dispense in which the coin insertion conditions are satisfied, the next step is the receipt by the microprocessor of a signal indicating the selection of a primary ingredient, for example, tea or coffee, and as long as there is a signal indicating that the selection button is still pressed, a signal is transmitted to open the appropriate ingredient dispense valve until a signal is received from the timer that the time period for which selection button has been pressed has elapsed.

If the selection button is released before the appropriate time period has elapsed the microprocessor looks to receive a signal indicating that a further ingredients button has been pressed. If not, it repeats its monitoring of the primary selection button and allows the valve to be reopened if the button is pressed again.

If another selection is made or if the time period for primary selection has accumulated, the microprocessor decides whether a secondary ingredient is appropriate for that primary ingredient. If so it executes a dispense procedure analogous to that carried out for the primary ingredient.

This secondary loop is then repeated for a second secondary ingredient.

At the end of this procedure a signal is expected from the hot water selection switch.

Upon receipt the microprocessor sets the water flag and a signal is transmitted to the water outlet circuit and hot water is dispensed as long as the switch is operated or until the preset maximum time has elapsed. At the end of this period the water flag is reset and all registers are cleared.

The machine can easily be modified for coin-operation. Typically this comprises the inclusion of two-denomination coin mechanism with facility for coin-rejection and coinlockout. The mechanism is contained within a bolt on housing with a cash draw, as shown in Fig. 1, by reference numeral 70. A coinmechanism control circuit is included in the circuitry of the machine, and this may be switched into operation by the operation of a switch also housed beneath the opening on the side of the chassis.

The machine may also be modified for use without a connection to a mains water supply.

For this purpose a base cabinet is included housing a removable water container, a 240 volts AC pump, a control unit, suction pipe and electrical connection to the processing circuitry.

Claims (10)

1. A beverage-dispensing machine including a valve operative to control the dispensation of an ingredient from a source; control means for the valve; and signalling means operable by a user of the machine; the control means being operable by a signal initiated by said signalling means so that the amount of ingredient dispensed is selectable by a user from a substantially continuous range of said amounts.

2. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1 including signal-processing means operative to limit the amount of ingredient dispensed in a single dispensing operation to below a preset amount.

3. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 2 wherein the signalling means may be operated discontinuously by the user, the cumulative amount dispensed during the periods when the signalling means is operated being registered by said signalprocessing means, and said limit to the amount of ingredient dispensed being applied to said cumulative total.

4. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the signalling means includes a plurality of separate means for initiating a signal for operating the control means for a particular ingredient, each separate means being characterised by a respective preset upper limit to the amount of ingredient that may be dispensed when it is operated by a user.

5. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means for initiating a signal comprises at least two touch sensitive buttons, actuation of either of which causes the valve to open, but the preset maximum amount dispensable by the actuation of the buttons corresponds respectively to different amounts of ingredients.

6. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the signal processing means is a microprocessor.

7. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 6 wherein the microprocessor also controls the possible combinations of ingredients dispensed in any one dispense operation.

8. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each valve comprises an electromagneticaily operated valve member movable from a valve seat by an applied emf to allow ingredient material to flow from said source for the time period during which the valve member is actuated.

9. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein a periodically varying emf is applied to actuate the valve member, causing the valve member to vibrate in its open position and thereby assist the flow of ingredient material through the valve.

10. A beverage-dispensing machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.