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US3884386A - Device for automatically supplying drinks and foodstuff - Google Patents

Device for automatically supplying drinks and foodstuff Download PDF

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Publication number
US3884386A
US3884386A US383149A US38314973A US3884386A US 3884386 A US3884386 A US 3884386A US 383149 A US383149 A US 383149A US 38314973 A US38314973 A US 38314973A US 3884386 A US3884386 A US 3884386A
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Prior art keywords
foodstuffs
zone
receptacle
blocking
removal
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US383149A
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English (en)
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Francisco Arin Urcola
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/30—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks
    • G06Q20/34—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices or networks using cards, e.g. integrated circuit [IC] cards or magnetic cards
    • G06Q20/342—Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
    • G07F17/0071—Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a cold condition, e.g. ice and ice cream
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F5/00—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks
    • G07F5/18—Coin-actuated mechanisms; Interlocks specially adapted for controlling several coin-freed apparatus from one place
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/02—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices
    • G07F7/025—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by keys or other credit registering devices by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/002—Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/10—Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S194/00—Check-actuated control mechanisms
    • Y10S194/906—Video cassette vendor

Definitions

  • FIG-1 PATENTED HAY 2 0 I975 SHEET 2 BF 5 DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING DRINKS AND FOODSTUFF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • the present invention refers to units designed for supplying drinks and foodstuffs, to the consumer with out the need for money pieces, coins or other elements.
  • the first mentioned devices do not constitute a part of this invention.
  • known devices are in almost all cases combined electrical and mechanical operable devices.
  • Such devices have certain drawbacks, of which the most important are: Sine they are mechanical, they should have metallic elements which, due to the fact that they are situated in a highly humid atmosphere, either become oxidized or must be adequately protected, thus making the product more expensive. Since the extraction of each bottle requires .a mechanical action, the devices have a construction which is highly complex and, therefore, not economical.
  • the unit in question is destined to supply chilled drinks, non-chilled drinks, chilled foodstuffs and nonchilled foodstuffs.
  • a single device can be contemplated for dispensing all four products, for only some of them, or only one of them.
  • the device of the inventor may be used in hotel, inn, hostel rooms and similar centers. This enables hotel managers to offer to their clients, at any hour of the day and night, drinks and foodstuffs, or either of the two, as they wish. If the device were unable to register the amount of consumptions, the same would become less interesting, since visual checks on consumption would have to be made, which would give rise to arguments between the hotel manager and the client. Therefore, necessary elements are incorporated in the units to permit the consumptions made by the clients to be controlled and registered.
  • the device reduces the cost of room service.
  • the device is destined to be placed in hotels, hostels and other centers.
  • the unit will be able to produce ice cubes besides chilling the bottles of drinks.
  • the bottles will be placed in the interior of the bar in such a way that the client can have easy access thereto.
  • the following variants are possible:
  • the unit can be made in such a way that the client should select, with the help of a switch, a keyboard or a push-button, the row or column from which the user desires to extract a bottle and thereafter effect the contemplated actions.
  • Each bottle will have a value which could be varied at will by the owner of the bar.
  • the client extracts any bottle, its value will be accounted for in units which could be multiples or fractions of the monetary unit of the country in which the device is installed.
  • the final result of accounting, for a bar and a client, will be the sum of the prices of all the bottles extracted by the client.
  • Registration or accounting can be made in the bar itself or in a centralized site, or in both places simultaneously.
  • the proposed system will register, furthermore, each drink consumed.
  • this registering element will receive information for all and each one of the Automatic Bars, in the following way: when a client takes a bottle, signals will be produced which will be delivered by the unit to the registering element which records the consumptions of the client. A signal indicating that a certain bottle has been consumed, will simultaneously be produced. This signal will be delivered by the unit to a registering element which will record the number of bottles of each type consumed.
  • the bottles are arranged in an assembly of ordinate receptacles, each bottle in a receptacle.
  • the assembly of receptacles will be situated in a cabinet provided with a mechanical and electrical double lock.
  • the cabinet will be placed in the corresponding room.
  • the client will be able to open the door of the bar and have access to same by making use of his key.
  • an extraction detector On effecting extraction, an extraction detector will be activated and the consumption made by the client will be detected. Each one of the detectors will activate an electronic device wherein a computer, which will permit choosing the price corresponding to each drink and varying it at the descretion of the proprietor of the Automatic Bar, is incorporated.
  • the electronic unit After extraction, the electronic unit will emit an electric signal proportional to the price of the withdrawn bottle. This signal willbe applied to a registering device which could be centralized with those corresponding to the remaining rooms or in the Automatic Bar itself, or in both places simultaneously.
  • the electronic unit supplies electronic signals proportional to the values of the extracted bottles, adding the prices of the successive consumptions made to the registering system. While the client has access to the room and has a key to the bar, all annotations affected in the registering system will be charged to him. The hotel manager will bill the difference between the annotations of the registering element when the client checked in and when he leaves the hotel.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention, divided into determined areas which manifest the interior arragement of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device which illustrates in detail the arrangement of an upper free zone and that of the zone destined to contain the foodstuffs, together with its extraction and detection devices.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the area of the receptacles which contain the chilled products and, besides its general arrangement, it also illustrates a feed network detector which blocks the receptacles when the electric energy supply fails.
  • FIGS. la-4g illustrate the elements of the assembly described in FIG. 3.
  • FIGS. Sa-Se illustrate a modified embodiment of a device having a single row of small receptacles.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the control assembly of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 represents five possible distributions of the automatic rectifier of the cooler or chiller for use in the device.
  • FIG. 1 destined to contain the ice cubes and their corresponding container, i.e., the interchanger of the cooling system, has been denominated as 1. This area will, in its major part, be free and will permit placing of glasses and various objects therein.
  • Zone 2 isdestined to contain the bottles and the extraction and detection devices.
  • Zone 2 can, in turn, be divided into two subzones, one of which will contain the cooled elements and the other will contain the noncooled elements.
  • Three variants are possible: (a) that all the elements are cooled; (b) that none of the elements are cooled; and (c) that some are cooled and others not. In this latter case, the zone 2 will be divided into two sub-zones having a thermal insulated separation therebetween.
  • zones 1 and 2 will be separated from the remainder of the system by means of thermal insulated walls, barely communicating with zone 3 for connecting the cold system of the interchanger.
  • interchanger is employed since, according to the present invention, three modes of producing cold have been contemplated: i.e., by compres sion, by absorption and by the Peltier effect.
  • Zone 4 will contain the electronic device itself which will be referred to as Processing device.
  • Zone 5 has been designed in such a way that the power generating element for producing cold is arranged therein. In view of the production system, the zone will be completely or partially occupied and if there is no refrigeration, then it will be empty.
  • Zone 3 has been designed in such a way that the radiator, which evacuates the heat energy withdrawn is arranged therein. In the case of producing cold by the Peltier effect it will really be a radiator. Zone 3 will generally be open at the portion corresponding to the bottom of the cabinet.
  • Zone I is empty, and both zones 1 and 2 are enclosed by a thermal insulating panel 6.
  • An additional thermal insulating panel may be provided to separate zone 2 into two sub-zones.
  • the lower sub-zone will contain the non-cooled drinks and the upper sub-zone will contain the cooled drinks.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a device having receptacles for 24 chilled drinks referenced with the letters a to x, and receptacles for 12 non-chilled drinks referenced with Roman numerals l to 12.
  • the number of drinks, or in general, foodstuffs, may be randomly varied as desired for a given model.
  • Panel 8 closes a cavity wherein electromagnets which provide blockage for withdrawal are arranged. These electromagnets will subsequently be described.
  • Plastic blocking members 9 are mounted to slide horizontally. If one of these members 9 is arranged on any LII receptacle, the bottle thereof cannot be withdrawn. It is necessary, in order to withdraw bottle, that the respective member 9 be displaced. According to FIG. 2, the bottles situated in receptacles c, j and q can be withdrawn. In order to withdraw any other bottle it is necessary to move the member 9 horizontally in the respective rows so that the corresponding cavity can be free.
  • Panels 8 secure blockage, independently of the position of member 9. It will be impossible to extract a bottle in the absence of operation of the electromagnets in panel 8, since the electromagnets will block the system in the manner subsequently described.
  • Panel 8 includes a switch having four positions.
  • the switch is optional and can be included in certain models.
  • the function of this switch, when it is included, will be the following:
  • Switch 10 should be in the position corresponding to the row in which the bottle to be withdrawn is placed.
  • the electromagnets corresponding to the other rows will be blocked in the same way as if network voltage does not exist.
  • the receptacles are made by means of the assembly of elements 14, 15, and 16 which constitute the body, and in which other elements of the assembly are inserted.
  • Element 17 has a length corresponding to the width of each row. This element is mounted for an ascending descending movement for which it is activated by means of electromagnets placed at its ends. When electric energy exists, element 117 will be at the upper position of its movement, and if no electric energy exists, element 117 will be at its lower position. In units having the mentioned switch 10, element 17 will be exclusively at the upper position, in the row corresponding to the position of switch 10. The elements 17 corresponding to the other rows, will be at their lower position. The role played by these elements is to block and to impede removal of the bottles, hampering the movement or tilting of element 13 which is the device which ultimately permits or impedes extraction of the bottle.
  • Elements 18 are electromagnets exclusively destined to activate elements 17. Their role is to raise or lower the same. There is a pair of electromagnets 18 for each row, one each arranged at each side of the receptacle assembly. If the unit is provided with a switch for the rows, the pair of electromagnets, corresponding to the chosen row together with the switch, will maintain their respective elements 17 in a raised position while the remaining pairs will maintain element 17 in a lowered position. If no switch exists all elements 17 will be maintained in the upper position.
  • element 13 The detailed form of element 13 is shown in FIG. 4f. However, referring to FIG. 3, a part of element 13 occuping a part of the receptacle corresponding to each bottle, is shown. Besides the visible part, element 13 has a hidden part which is covered by element in FIG. 3. In order to extract a bottle element 13 should tilt, thus leaving the entrance of the receptacle free. The hidden part of element 13 is such that when element 9 is situated on the receptacle, element 13 cannot tilt due to the fact that its hidden part will abut against element 9, for which reason tilting cannot take place.
  • Tilting of element 13 can only take place when element 17 is in a raised position, since when the same is in a lowered position the hidden part of element 13 will abut therewith and will, therefore, not tilt. Whether element 9 impedes tilting or whether element 17 impedes the same, movement of element 13 will be produced, but in no case sufficient to permit extraction of the corresponding bottle.
  • element 13 On studying the various detection systems, the use of which has been contemplated, element 13 will again be discussed since in some of these systems element 13 has the double role of detection and blockage.
  • Member 9 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4g. It is a member which slides between elements 15 and 14. Each row has the same amount of members 9 as receptacles, less one, in such a way that there is always one receptacle which is not blocked by means of a member 9.
  • the visible part of member 9 facilitates its pulling by the client and furthermore facilitates pointing out, due to absence, the available receptacle.
  • the hidden part 18, in the form of an L, is inserted in the second channel 19 of element 15, thus obstructing the path of the hidden part of element 13 and impeding its tilting. It should be noted that in FIG. 3, and for the sake of clarity, most of members 9 have not been shown and only a few of them have been illustrated. It should be clarified that all the rows will have as many members 9 as receptacles, less one.
  • FIG. 5 represents small sized receptacles. A superficial review of this figure points out that the same is similar to that representing large sized receptacles. The drawing was effected for a single row of small receptacles, and it is obvious that the arrangement of two or more rows does not substantially modify the system.
  • Element 20 is similar to that referenced 17 represented in the prior drawings. What has been stated with regards element 17 is applicable to element 20.
  • Element 21 is identical to element 15 already described in previous drawings, with the only difference being that some of its dimensions vary.
  • the side wall 22 of the receptacles has a single row. If the same were provided with various rows, its shape would correspond to 16 in the previous figures with slight modifications with regards dimensions.
  • Sliding member 23 is identical to member 9 described in previous figures with modifications concerning certain dimensions. What has been said up to the present moment and what will be said subsequently with regards member 9, applies to member 23.
  • the blocking tilting element 24 is identical to that referenced 13, with the exception of certain modifications with regards dimensions. What has been said up to the present moment as well as what will be said subsequently with regards element 13, is applicable to element 24.
  • FIG. 6 represents a blocking diagram of the assembly of the device for automatically supplying drinks and foodstuffs which has been repeatedly referred to as an automatic bar.
  • the two parallel lines of the upper part of the figure represent the network which will supply energy to the various parts of the system. Intakes for the different parts of the system are represented. With the exception of the energy supply, all the electric connections are represented single wired.
  • Zone 25' embraces all that contained in the dotted lines.
  • the cabinet comprises all the component elements of the automatic bar. Everything with regards its shape, dimension and distribution was previously stated. Therefore, further comments with regards to the same will not be made, and further discussion will now exclusively deal with certain features not yet mentioned:
  • Lock or closure Irrespective of the distribution of the shape, dimensions and even irrespective of the elements arranged in its interior and whether it cools or not, closure of the cabinet will be effected hermetically by means of joining.
  • Electric safety lock It will be an electromagnet activated by means of the very network which feeds the unit. When there is no network voltage, the door will be blocked and cannot be opened even though the mechanical device is unlocked.
  • the owner of the bar can, at will, activate the safety electric closure or lock from a control panel, in such a way that even when electric energy exists, the safety electric closure is activated and the door is blocked.
  • the mentioned general control panel will be provided with a switch for each automatic bar which will permit activation of the given unit from a distance, thereby impeding access to the bar even though the user is in possession of a key.
  • the zone 26 represents the cooling group and its corresponding elements. In the case in which the auto matic bar is not destined to contain chilled elements, such zone will naturally not be incorporated.
  • Type b Cooling by means of a compressor.
  • cold producing group will be absolutely conventional and can be any one of those manufactured by any of the many firms dedicated to the production of such elements. Due to the fact that the same are very widely known, there will not herein be provided a detailed description of such elements. However, it should be emphasized that the temperature will be regulated by means of a thermometer which will be connected to and disconnected from the compressor in an automatic fashion.
  • the cold producing group comprises:
  • a Peltier effect semiconducting element whose number of semiconductors, connection between the same and characteristics thereof will depend upon the cooling energy needs which, in turn, will dependupon the number of elements to be cooled. Due to the fact that this number can be varied as desired by the client, the energy needs can also be varied, for which reason the cooling capacity of the illustrated system will not be specifically limited.
  • a transformer to convert the feed voltage into another having an adequate value for feeding the rectifier.
  • the primary of the transformer will be connected to the general feed network of the unit.
  • the secondary will be connected to the automatic rectifier hereinafter described.
  • the primary has four intakes, the first, which is common, will be connected to one of the ca bles of the feed network; the second intake will be connected to the second cable if the voltage is of 1 10, thus being disconnected in all other cases, the third intake will be connected to the second cable if the voltage is of 220 and will be disconnected in the remaining cases, the fourth intake will be connected to the second cable if the voltage is of 380 and will be disconnected in the remaining cases.
  • Monophasic bridge having four diodes in the four branches and a thyristor in series with the charge.
  • a rectifying bridge exclusively formed by diodes and a triad in the primary of the rectifier.
  • a double wave rectifier having two thyristors and an intake in the secondary'of the transformer.
  • FIGS. 7a-7e illustrate the above five possible distributions. Technical and economic conditions will determine which one of the possible distributions should be adopted.
  • Temperature detector This will be arranged in the interior of the cooled zone. The electrical features of this device will vary according to the temperature in the interior of the cabinet. This sensing device will indicate the thermal state to the automatic rectifier which will deliver a voltage proportional to the derivations with regards the temperature desired to the charge.
  • a temperature selection control which permits choosing a temperature value between the possible minimum and maximum values.
  • the desired temperature value can be chosen.
  • the transformer will feed the rectifying group with a alternate, constant or variable voltage, depending upon the network.
  • the rectifying group will deliver to the Peltier effect semiconductor a continuous voltage having a variable average value and in such a way that the temperature in the cooled zone remains constant.
  • the Peltier effect semiconductor will produce, when fed by the previously mentioned continuous voltage, a cooling capability which will depend upon, even though not exclusively, the voltage applied thereto.
  • the calories corresponding to the cooling produced, plus those due to electric conduction, will be stored on the hot surface of the Peltier effect semiconductor which, by means of conduction, will be delivered to the radiator and the same, by means of radiation, to the atmosphere.
  • the Peltier effect semiconductor therefore, has one hot and one cold surface which conditions its physical arrangement in the element to be cooled.
  • the Peltier effect semiconductor is arranged in the intermediate wall between zones 1 and 2 of FIG. 1, in such a way that the cold surface is situated in the interior of zone 1 and the warm surface, as well as the radiator, are situated in the interior of zone 2.
  • zone 1 Also situated in zone 1 and placed on the Peltier effect semiconductor, there is :a small receptacle similar to the commercial cooler, in which the containers for the formation and storage of ice cubes are arranged.
  • the processing device 27 is the heart of the system.
  • FIG. 6 also represents a block diagram corresponding to the processing device 27 which comprises various blocks.
  • the description and functioning of the processing device 27 will be studied when analyzing each one of the parts constituting same, even though the processing device can be defined as an assembly of elements which, starting from the signal originated by the detectors 28, conventionally handles the sameand delivers a signal to the registering elements in the form of signals which can be assimilated by the same and considered in view of the energized detector 28.
  • Processing device 27 will be analyzed in view of its elements.
  • the pickup device 29 directly receives signals coming from detectors 28.
  • It comprises: a photoemitting feed rectifier, an amplifier-squarer for detecting the change in state of the photoreceptor and an impulse shaper.
  • a condensor feed circuit an impedance bridge, one branch of which is the condensor, an amplifier of the unbalanced current of the bridge when an unbalance is produced due to dielectric variation as a result of the withdrawal of a bottle, and an impulse shaper.
  • It comprises: a coil feed circuit; an amplifier for varying the induction produced by the extraction of the bottle, and an impulse shaper.
  • It comprises: a feed circuit, common to all detectors of the same type and of the same unit, an amplifier shaper circuit which, on varying the state of the contact from that which is sent, generates an electric impulse.
  • the impulse conveniently shaped will be delivered to the programming device 30.
  • Each detector 28 forming part of the bar should be activated when withdrawing the element corresponding to its receptacle. Any element should be able to be introduced in each receptacle. Such element introduced in a given receptacle should be variable at will. The price of the element corresponding to a receptacle should also be variable at will. If these are analizysed with regards drinks, it will be possible to introduce in a given receptacle a refreshment or a bottle of liquor, the prices of which may vary, and it will be possible to stipulate any price.
  • the owner of the bar should be able to give a value to the element offered in a given receptacle and should, furthermore, be able to vary such value at will. And this should apply to all the receptacles irrespective of their number.
  • the value given to the element deposited in each receptacle and, therefore, to that corresponding to each detector, will be referred to as specific weight.
  • the specific weight is 1, it will mean that if the corresponding detector 28 is activated, the processing device 27 will deliver the electric signal corresponding to l to the registering element 33.
  • This number can represent the monetary unit of the country in which the device is installed, a multiple or a submultiple.
  • 1 can mean l French franc or 10 pesetas or even half a dollar, etc.
  • 2 will mean the double, 3 the triple, etc.
  • the pickup devices 29 will send one electric impulse and only one for any detector 28.
  • the computor 30 is the device which receives the impulse from the pickup device 29 and allots thereto the specific weight. It has four functions:
  • each pickup device 29 Once a specific weight of each pickup device 29 is chosen, after an impulse is produced, the computer 30 will direct it to the corresponding memory device 31.
  • each memory management or individual memory will, in turn, have as many submemories or memory sub-managements as pickup devices 29 in the bar.
  • the functions of the memory are:
  • the computer 30 directs the correspond ing impulse to the adequate memory position or to the individual memory.
  • the memory as such, can be:
  • the memory carries out the various functions by means of the following elements:
  • Receiver This is merely an electronic circuit through which signals, coming from the pickup devices through the computer, reach the memory itself.
  • Memory This is the memory itself.
  • the memory systems which can be used in the different variants are:
  • Magnetic or ferrite memory in the multiple variants known.
  • Semiconductive electronic memory in any of its multiple variants known, such as tilting or flip-flop transistors, doors, unique or multiple integrated circuits, photoelectric devices with static or dynamic recording or reading even that of laser.
  • Generator 32 connected to a meter will definitely be an impulse generator.
  • the generator 32 comprises:
  • An impulse generator This can be electric or electronic and of any one of the well known types.
  • the amplitude, duration and frequency of the impulses have no limit and can be determined by the registering element used.
  • a digital meter It will be electronic and of any one of the well known types. In any case it will be a predetermined meter.
  • the digital meter will receive notification of the fact that a detector 28 has been activated by means of the already described chain. This notification is double since it indicates that a detector has been activated and also specifies the detector in question.
  • the meter is instructed to generate n impulses. On receiving this notification it orders the generator 32 to operate and it counts the impulses which the latter generates. When the predetermined digit :1 is reached it orders the generator 32 to stop and it automatically returns to zero, thus transmitting the information that the order has been obeyed, to the memory.
  • the meter receives information that two different detectors 28 have been activated, in cases where this is possible, charged with specific weights n and 2n, for example, the order is interpreted in the sense that 3n impulses should be counted and proceeds in the same way as previously stated ordering the generator to stop when the predetermined figure of 3n is reached.
  • n can naturally be a number between 1 and 99,999, even though in the usual models this number is limited to between 1 and 9.
  • Coder 34 is one of the variants of the unit and in reality is the meter described as an integral part of generator 32. As previously mentioned the unit presents the possibility of registering, besides the consumptions effected by a given unit, the total consumption made in the units installed in a single center, of each one of the drinks at the disposal of the user of the units.
  • the coder selectively acts and directs information coming from the generator to the registering elements 33 of the consumption made by each client or to the registering elements of the consumption which a group of clients make of a given drink.
  • Detectors 28 are designed to detect the withdrawal of elements contained in the receptacles by the client.
  • Photoelectric detector This will be comprised of a photo emitter and a photo receiver. Both the photo emitter and photo receiver can be any one of the usual type in the market not visible under light.
  • Capacitive detector Two of the opposite walls of each receptacle will be metallic and will be under tension.
  • the dielectric will be the air space contained be tween both.
  • the condenser formed by the two plates and the dielectric will have a capacity which will depend, amongst other things, upon the dielectric. Therefore, on-varying the dielectric the capacity will vary and through the corresponding pickup device detection of withdrawal will be made.
  • Inductive detector It is a coil which surrounds each one of the receptacles and which is passed by a current.
  • the free space in the receptacle will sometimes act as an air gap. When the air gap varies, due to the presence or absence of the element to be consumed, the flow will also vary. This variation in flow will be detected by means of a suitable pickup device.
  • Microswitch or switch detector This detector is a switch or microswitch of any of the usual types existing on the market. It will be arranged in the interior of each of the receptacles in such a way that when tilting occurs, due to the extraction of a bottle, the tilting piece 13 of FIG. 2 activates the same, giving the signal to the corresponding pickup device 29.
  • Reed-switch or magnet detector The two conductive metallic sheets arranged in the interior of a glass tube in which the vacuum has been made, are called a reed-switch. One of the metallic sheets is fixed while the other is movable and is necessarily made of a magnetic material.
  • the movable piece When the assembly is subjected to the action of a magnetic field, the movable piece is displaced and attracted by the same, opening the contact, if both sheets were joined, or closing the same, if the sheets were separated. Both sheets have an end to the exterior which can be used.
  • the reed-switch in units having the same, is arranged on the tilting element 13 or 24.
  • the ordinator used can be any one of the usual types on the market and its use is not confined to registering information coming from the automatic bars.
  • Access to the information contained in the ordinator can be effected by any one of the normal known means.
  • Registration by means of meters When registration is effected by means of meters, the processing device 27, as has already been seen, generates a number of impulses which will depend upon the activated detector 28. This will take place each time a detector 28 is activated.
  • thyristors for its basic elements: thyristors, thyratrons, transistors, integrated circuits, etc.',
  • Two meters are provided, one in the automatic bar and the other, for each bar, in a centralized panel.
  • said cabinet having therein a foodstuffs storage zone
  • said foodstuffs storage zone being divided into a plurality of separate receptacle means parallelly arranged in horizontal rows, each for storing therein an individual foodstuffs unit;
  • said cabinet having therein an electric energy zone adapted to be connected to a source of electric eny;
  • selectively operable and adjustable mechanical blocking means movably mounted at the front of each of said receptacle means for selectively blocking the removal from each of said receptacle means of the foodstuffs unit stored therein, said mechanical blocking means comprising a plurality of members mounted to slide horizontally along each of said horizontal rows of receptacle means, the number of said members in each of said rows being equal to the number of receptacle means in said each row, less one;
  • selectively controllable electric blocking means separate from said mechanical blocking means and connected to said electric energy zone for selectively blocking the removal from any of said receptacle 6 detection means associated with each of said receptacle means for detecting the removal therefrom of the respective foodstuffs unit and generating a signal representative thereof;
  • said cabinet having therein :a registering zone operatively connected to said electric energy zone and to said detection means for receiving therefrom said signal representative of the removal of any of said foodstuffs units.
  • said cabinet further has therein a cooling zone, at least a portion of said receptacle means of said foodstuffs storage zone being within said cooling zone; and a cooling unit storage zone containing therein a Peltier effect cooler means for cooling said cooling zone, said cooler means comprising a transformer having a primary and a secondary, a rectifier connected to said secondary, a temperature selector and detector connected to said primary, and a semiconductor element connected to said rectifier said said temperature selector and detector.
  • said cabinet having therein a foodstuffs storage zone
  • said foodstuffs storage zone being divided into a plurality of separate receptacle means parallelly arranged in horizontal rows, each for storing therein an individual foodstuffs unit;
  • said cabinet having therein an electric energy zone adapted to be connected to a source of electric energy;
  • selectively operable and adjustable mechanical blocking means movably mounted at the front of each of said receptacle means for selectively blocking the removal from each. of said receptacle means of the foodstuffs unit stored therein;
  • selectively controllable electric blocking means separate from said mechanical blocking means and connected to said electric energy zone for selectively blocking the removal from any of said receptacle means of the foodstuffs unit stored therein and for blocking such removal upon the failure of said source of electric energy
  • said electric blocking means comprising a plurality of longitudinal strips, one each extending within said cabinet parallel with one of said horizontal rows and positioned within eachof the receptacle means thereof, and electromagnet means connected to said electric energy zone and to each of said strips for selectively moving each of said strips from a first raised open position wherein removal of a foodstuffs unit from a receptacle means of the respective row is not blocked by the respective strip, to a second lowered blocking position wherein removal of a foodstuffs unit from a receptacle means of the respective row is blocked by the respective strip; detection means associated with each of said receptacle means for detecting the removal therefrom of the respective foodstuffs unit and generating a signal representative thereof; and said cabinet having therein a
  • a device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cabinet further has therein a cooling zone, at least a portion of said receptacle means of said foodstuffs storage zone being within said cooling zone; and a cooling unit storage zone containing therein a lPeltier effect cooler means for cooling said cooling zone, said cooler means comprising a transformer having a primary and a secondary, a rectifier connected to said secondary, a temperature selector and detector connected to said primary, and a semiconductor element connected to said rectifier and siad temperature selector and detector.
  • said cabinet having therein a foodstuffs storage zone
  • said foodstuffs storage zone being divided into a plurality of separate receptacle means parallelly arranged in horizontal rows each for storing therein an individual foodstuffs unit;
  • said cabinet having therein an electric energy zone adapted to be connected to a source of electric eny;
  • selectively operable and adjustable mechanical blocking means movably mounted at the front of each of said receptacle means for selectively blocking the removal from each of said receptacle means of the foodstuffs unit stored therein;
  • selectively controllable electric blocking means sepa rate from said mechanical blocking means and connected to said electric energy zone for selectively blocking the removal from any of said receptacle means of the foodstuffs unit stored therein and for blocking such removal upon the failure of said source of electric energy;
  • detection means associated with each of said receptacle means for detecting the removal therefrom of the respective foodstuffs unit and generating a signal representative thereof
  • said detection means comprising a tiltable element positioned in each of said receptacle means, each of said tiltable elements being in contact with the respective foodstuffs unit to be tilted forward thereby upon the removal thereof, said each tiltable element being positioned, upon tilting, to contact said mechanical and electric blocking means when said blocking means are arranged in blocking position; and signal generating means operable by said tiltable elements for generating said signal representative of the removal of said foodstuffs unit; and said cabinet having therein a registering zone operatively connected to said electric energy zone and to said detection means for receiving therefrom said signal representative of the removal of any of said foodstuffs units.
  • said cabinet further has therein a cooling zone, at least a portion of said receptacle means of said foodstuffs storage zone being within said cooling zone; and a cooling unit storage zone containing therein a Peltier effect cooler means for cooling said cooling zone, said cooler means comprising a transformer having a primary and a secondary, a rectifier connected to said secondary, a temperature selector and detector connected to said primary, and a semiconductor element connected to said rectifier and said temperature selector and detector.
  • said registering zone comprises a plurality of pickup devices, equal in number to the number of said signal generating means, for receiving said signals therefrom; a computer means for receiving said signals through said pickup devices; said computer having therein selector means for determining, for each signal, a specific weight value representative of the price of the respective foodstuffs unit and for generating an impulse representative thereof; a memory means for receiving the impulses from said selector means of said computer and for storing said impulses for a selected time; and register means for selectively registering all stored impulses from said memory means for a given device for a selected period of time.

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US383149A 1972-07-29 1973-07-27 Device for automatically supplying drinks and foodstuff Expired - Lifetime US3884386A (en)

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ES405376A ES405376A1 (es) 1972-07-29 1972-07-29 Dispositivo para suministro automatico de bebidas y alimen-tos.

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Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2627782A1 (de) * 1975-06-25 1976-12-30 Susumu Iida Verkaufsautomat
US4007853A (en) * 1975-08-01 1977-02-15 Marvin Hofmann Anti-theft dispensing rack
US4075463A (en) * 1976-03-04 1978-02-21 Yurramendi Eguizabal Jose Migu Device for automatically supplying drinks and foodstuffs
US4411351A (en) * 1980-10-03 1983-10-25 Marlene Lowder Bottle dispensing and control system
US4629090A (en) * 1984-03-17 1986-12-16 Robobar Limited Hotel room bar with optical sensing system
EP0249974A3 (fr) * 1986-06-20 1989-03-08 Staar Dev Co Sa Système de contrÔle de présence d'articles dans des appareils de vente à accès manuel libre.
EP0250379A3 (en) * 1986-06-19 1989-08-30 Aktiebolaget Electrolux A device for sensing the number of items stored in a compartment
EP0340420A1 (de) * 1988-04-21 1989-11-08 WMF Hogatron AG Vorrichtung zur Erfassung einer Gegenstandsentnahme an einer Selbstbedienungseinheit
US4884721A (en) * 1987-06-17 1989-12-05 Manfred Kirchler Cooling holder for hand-held whipped cream dispenser
US4893705A (en) * 1987-12-04 1990-01-16 Brown Leonard C Vending machine having plural compartments which are independently selected and controlled
US5133441A (en) * 1985-06-17 1992-07-28 Keyosk Corporation Video cassette vending machine
US5236103A (en) * 1991-10-01 1993-08-17 Unidynamics Corporation Food module
USD367196S (en) 1995-03-29 1996-02-20 Sambia Distributing Inc. Personal care cabinet
US5520941A (en) * 1990-08-10 1996-05-28 Veroost Bedrijfsontwikkeling B.V. Method for conditioned storage and sale of perishable foodstuffs
US6131399A (en) * 1997-12-04 2000-10-17 Hall; Donald M. Refrigerated vending machine
US6204763B1 (en) 1999-03-22 2001-03-20 Jujitsu Limited Household consumable item automatic replenishment system including intelligent refrigerator
US6259965B1 (en) 1999-06-09 2001-07-10 The Coca-Cola Company Cooler inventory management system with light guard
US6349244B1 (en) 1999-06-09 2002-02-19 The Coca-Cola Company Cooler inventory management system
EP1492062A1 (en) 2003-06-27 2004-12-29 Spid S.r.l. Integrated programmable system for identification and automatic management of pharmaceutical packets
US20070083288A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2007-04-12 Oppie Design As Minibar
US7418311B1 (en) * 2005-05-23 2008-08-26 Golf Concessions Llc Portable dispensing device for refreshments and sundries
US20090293501A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 Whirlpool Corporation Ice making in the refrigeration compartment using a cold plate
US20100258581A1 (en) * 2007-12-14 2010-10-14 Julian Picazo Serrano Automatic machine for weighing and dispensing loose products
US20110301749A1 (en) * 2010-06-04 2011-12-08 Pepsico, Inc. Networked vendor for workplace or controlled environment
WO2012046203A1 (en) * 2010-10-08 2012-04-12 CAÑETE, Héctor Oscar Automated dispensing device
US20120200385A1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-08-09 Apex Industrial Technologies Llc Direct access dispensing system
USD697740S1 (en) * 2012-12-10 2014-01-21 Tezio LLC Cosmetics organizer
US8893922B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-11-25 Feniks, Inc. Automated coffee vending kiosk and associated systems
USD728282S1 (en) * 2014-10-30 2015-05-05 Verivide Ltd. Cabinet for visual colour assessment

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1152638A (en) * 1914-01-27 1915-09-07 Judson B Hurd Key-controlled vending-machine.
US1309911A (en) * 1919-07-15 Vania
US3160720A (en) * 1961-07-14 1964-12-08 Electro Sound Corp Alarm system and switch means
US3310198A (en) * 1965-08-09 1967-03-21 Servade Mfg Corp Ltd Room service apparatus for dispensing articles and registering charges therefor
US3500649A (en) * 1968-05-10 1970-03-17 Charles Feldman Wine storage chest
US3749279A (en) * 1972-01-21 1973-07-31 Captain Int Ind Ltd Apparatus for dispensing articles and registering charges therefor

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1309911A (en) * 1919-07-15 Vania
US1152638A (en) * 1914-01-27 1915-09-07 Judson B Hurd Key-controlled vending-machine.
US3160720A (en) * 1961-07-14 1964-12-08 Electro Sound Corp Alarm system and switch means
US3310198A (en) * 1965-08-09 1967-03-21 Servade Mfg Corp Ltd Room service apparatus for dispensing articles and registering charges therefor
US3500649A (en) * 1968-05-10 1970-03-17 Charles Feldman Wine storage chest
US3749279A (en) * 1972-01-21 1973-07-31 Captain Int Ind Ltd Apparatus for dispensing articles and registering charges therefor

Cited By (36)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2627782A1 (de) * 1975-06-25 1976-12-30 Susumu Iida Verkaufsautomat
US4007853A (en) * 1975-08-01 1977-02-15 Marvin Hofmann Anti-theft dispensing rack
US4075463A (en) * 1976-03-04 1978-02-21 Yurramendi Eguizabal Jose Migu Device for automatically supplying drinks and foodstuffs
US4411351A (en) * 1980-10-03 1983-10-25 Marlene Lowder Bottle dispensing and control system
US4629090A (en) * 1984-03-17 1986-12-16 Robobar Limited Hotel room bar with optical sensing system
US5133441A (en) * 1985-06-17 1992-07-28 Keyosk Corporation Video cassette vending machine
EP0250379A3 (en) * 1986-06-19 1989-08-30 Aktiebolaget Electrolux A device for sensing the number of items stored in a compartment
EP0249974A3 (fr) * 1986-06-20 1989-03-08 Staar Dev Co Sa Système de contrÔle de présence d'articles dans des appareils de vente à accès manuel libre.
US4884721A (en) * 1987-06-17 1989-12-05 Manfred Kirchler Cooling holder for hand-held whipped cream dispenser
US4893705A (en) * 1987-12-04 1990-01-16 Brown Leonard C Vending machine having plural compartments which are independently selected and controlled
CH675645A5 (es) * 1988-04-21 1990-10-15 Hogatron Ag
EP0340420A1 (de) * 1988-04-21 1989-11-08 WMF Hogatron AG Vorrichtung zur Erfassung einer Gegenstandsentnahme an einer Selbstbedienungseinheit
US5520941A (en) * 1990-08-10 1996-05-28 Veroost Bedrijfsontwikkeling B.V. Method for conditioned storage and sale of perishable foodstuffs
US5236103A (en) * 1991-10-01 1993-08-17 Unidynamics Corporation Food module
USD367196S (en) 1995-03-29 1996-02-20 Sambia Distributing Inc. Personal care cabinet
US6131399A (en) * 1997-12-04 2000-10-17 Hall; Donald M. Refrigerated vending machine
US6204763B1 (en) 1999-03-22 2001-03-20 Jujitsu Limited Household consumable item automatic replenishment system including intelligent refrigerator
US6349244B1 (en) 1999-06-09 2002-02-19 The Coca-Cola Company Cooler inventory management system
US6259965B1 (en) 1999-06-09 2001-07-10 The Coca-Cola Company Cooler inventory management system with light guard
EP1492062A1 (en) 2003-06-27 2004-12-29 Spid S.r.l. Integrated programmable system for identification and automatic management of pharmaceutical packets
US20070083288A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2007-04-12 Oppie Design As Minibar
US20080234859A1 (en) * 2005-05-02 2008-09-25 Oppie Design As Minibar
US7418311B1 (en) * 2005-05-23 2008-08-26 Golf Concessions Llc Portable dispensing device for refreshments and sundries
US20100258581A1 (en) * 2007-12-14 2010-10-14 Julian Picazo Serrano Automatic machine for weighing and dispensing loose products
US8794014B2 (en) 2008-05-30 2014-08-05 Whirlpool Corporation Ice making in the refrigeration compartment using a cold plate
US20090293501A1 (en) * 2008-05-30 2009-12-03 Whirlpool Corporation Ice making in the refrigeration compartment using a cold plate
US20110301749A1 (en) * 2010-06-04 2011-12-08 Pepsico, Inc. Networked vendor for workplace or controlled environment
US10163293B2 (en) 2010-06-04 2018-12-25 Pepsico, Inc. Networked vendor for workplace or controlled environment
US9406187B2 (en) * 2010-06-04 2016-08-02 Pepsico, Inc. Networked vendor for workplace or controlled environment
WO2012046203A1 (en) * 2010-10-08 2012-04-12 CAÑETE, Héctor Oscar Automated dispensing device
US9694488B2 (en) * 2010-12-08 2017-07-04 Apex Industrial Technologies Llc Direct access dispensing system
US20120200385A1 (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-08-09 Apex Industrial Technologies Llc Direct access dispensing system
US11260524B2 (en) 2010-12-08 2022-03-01 Apex Industrial Technologies Llc Direct access dispensing system
USD697740S1 (en) * 2012-12-10 2014-01-21 Tezio LLC Cosmetics organizer
US8893922B2 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-11-25 Feniks, Inc. Automated coffee vending kiosk and associated systems
USD728282S1 (en) * 2014-10-30 2015-05-05 Verivide Ltd. Cabinet for visual colour assessment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1002010A (en) 1976-12-21
ES405376A1 (es) 1976-09-01
BE802988A (fr) 1973-11-16

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