US2810407A - Non-foaming self-cleaning automatic beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Description

1957 c. s. CARLISI ETAL 2,810,407

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed D60. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 m 6 0- BY /VTOR/VEY Oct. 22, 1957 c. s. CARLISI ETAL 2,810,407

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed D90. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 --Ia l CA/P/I/[A/S cm/s/ INVENTORS 84- 84o 2145 84* 100/5 KA/[R A 7TOR/VEV Oct. 22, 1957 c. s. CARLISI ETAL 2,810,407

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l 1 1082/ 110 114 1 m 0/ J C;

104 D/SCH/l R65 PLA TFORM T/MER M OTOR Bf VERA GE '6 8 '106 L1 0/50/71 sas/w/o G4/QA/E/V 5. CA/QA/S/ INVENTORS LOU/5 KL A? BY jam/,1 6 7nd 477'0/P/VEY Oct. 22, 1957 c. s. CARLlSl ETAL 2,

NON-FOAMING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Filed Dec. 1, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 10* T/MfR /136 CAR/14F N S. CARL /5/ INVENTORS [00/6 KA/E; 3

BY 477'o R/veY United States Patent NON-FOAIVIING SELF-CLEANING AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER Carmen S. Carlisi and Louis Klier, La Grange, 111.; said Klier assignor to said Carlisi Application December 1, 1955, Serial No. 550,295

8 Claims. (Cl. 141-90) almost unlimited. The problems involved in providing practical machines for the dispensing of beverages vary considerably with the nature of the beverage dispensed.

One problem encountered in dispensing certain beverages, such as beer or beer-like beverages, is the formation of an undesirable quantity of foam as the beverage is discharged into the cup. This condition is caused chiefly by the substantial drop of the beverage from the dispensing faucet to the bottom of the cup. During this drop the beverage is exposed to the air and, on striking the bottom of the cup, or the beverage already in the cup, more air is mixed in with the falling beverage. The excessive accumulation of air during discharge of the beverage causes the undesirable foaming to occur.

In present machines the beverage discharge pipe must be high enough to clear the cup. This makes a drop of at least the height of the cup inevitable. Additionally, in machines where the cup is gravity fed from the dispenser a greater clearance is necessary to permit the cup to drop into place from a magazine located at one side of the beverage dispensing pipe.

In the machine of the present invention there is provided a dispensing mechanism which materially reduces the formation of foam as the beverage is discharged into the cup. The drop of the beverage from the dispensing faucet to the bottom of the cup is reduced to a fraction of the height of the cup. This is accomplished by providiug means to bring the cup and discharging faucet into telescopic relationship as the beverage is dispensed into the cup.

In brief, in the preferred embodiment of the invention here shown a beverage dispensing faucet with a depending skirt is provided. A cup platform vertically movable between a down posit-ion and an up position is located below the faucet. The platformwhich is carried by a vertical rod extending downwardly through a bearing-is actuated by motor driven cam means on which the rod rides. An inclined chute is provided to guide cups from the cup container to the cup platform when it is in the down position. When the cup platform is in the up position with a cup in place, the cup is telescoped over the skirt on the dispensing pipe or faucet and the bottom of the cup is adjacent the bottom of the skirt. A pipe ring having discharge outlets and a valve is provided to cleanse the inner surface of the skirt with water after the beverage has been dispensed and the cup removed. The valve in the dispensing faucet, the discharge mechanism in the cup container, the platform motor and the water valve in the pipe ring, are electrically,

operated. A timer actuates switches to energize these fiatented Oct. 22, 1957 ice parts in sequence to discharge the cup, lift the platform, and discharge the beverage. A switch responsive to the operation of a door adjacent the cup platform actuates the skirt cleansing mechanism. 7

In operation the timer motor is energized by the insertion of a coin in the beverage dispensing'machine, The cycle of operation begins with the discharge from the cup container of a cup which slides down the cup chute to the cup platform. 'At this time the platform is elevated from the down position, where it received the cup, to the up position where the platform holds the cup in telescopic relationship with the beverage faucet. The beverage is then discharged into the cup and the platform descends to the down position. In this position the full cup can be conveniently removed from the machine when the door adjacent the platform'is raised. After removal of the cup the door drops and water from the pipe ring is sprayed over the inner surface of the faucet skirt to cleanse the skirt and valve mechanism.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a device which will automatically dispense beverage without foaming.

It is another object of the present invention to provide automatic dispensing mechanism where the vertical drop of the beverage to the container is small in relation to the cup height. g

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing mechanism which permits discharge of the beverage with "the cup in telescopic relation to the beverage discharge pipe or faucet. V

It is yet another object of "the present invention to provide an automatic beverage dispenser wherein the discharge pipe or faucet is automatically cleansed after each use.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing'machine in which the cup is automatically elevated to receive the 'b'everage and lowered to permit its insertion and withdrawal.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing machine having an automatic, coordinated cycle of operation in which the beverage is' dispensed without foaming and the discharge skirt is cleansed after each cycle.

Other and further obj'ects of the present invention include the attainment of an automatic beverage dispensing device which is simple in construction, reliable in operation, permits use of a simple cup'discharge chute,

achieves washing action without interfering withthe normal use of the apparatus by a patron, and utilizes'a jet washing mechanism that does not interfere with otherv parts of the mechanism;

The novel features which we believe to be characteristic of our invention are set forth with particularity in the ap'pendedclaimsl Our invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure l is aside elevational view of the dispensing mechanism of a beverage dispensing machine;

Figure 2 is a view through section 22 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view through section 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 isa view through section 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the beverage vending machine;

Figure 6 is a view of the timer motor showing its rotating cams 'and the switches they control; g Figure7 is a view of theplatform motor showing the cam operated seal-in switch and the platform actuating cam;

Figure-'8 shows the circuit diagram of the Water discharge mechanism;

Figure 9 shows the water discharge timer motor with the rotating cams and the switches they control when the beverage removal door is closed;

Figure 10 shows the cams and switches of Figure 9 when the beverage removal door is open; and

Figure 11 is a view from the inside of the cabinet showing the beverage removal door.

The parts relating to the beverage dispensing mechanism of a beverage vending machine are shown in Figure l. The faucet, shown generally at 10, has a cylindrical housing 12, having a boss 14, as shown in Figure 2. The beverage supply line 18 is received in the boss 14 and is connected to it by suitable fittings 20. A hole drilled through the boss provides a port 16 for receipt of the beverage into the faucet housing 12. The port 16 opens into an axially aligned cylindrical cavity 22, located in the lower portion of the faucet housing 12, as shown in Figure 1. That part of the housing 12 which forms the walls of the cavity 22 has a lower edge which slopes downwardly and outwardly from the cavity to the outer periphery of the housing to form the sloping shoulders 24.

In the upper portion of the housing 12, there is another cylindrical axial cavity 26, Which connects at its upper end to an internally threaded bore 28 at the top of the housing. The threaded bore receives an externally threaded cap 30, having a top surface 31 and a bottom surface 33. The cap 30 has a centrally disposed axial bore 32. An axial bore 34 having the same diameter as bore 32, connects the lower cavity 22 and the upper cavity 26.

A skirt 36, having an inner surface 36a and an outer surface 36b, depends from the bottom of the housing .12. The inner diameter of the cylindrical shaped skirt 36 is greater than the inner diameter of the lower cavity 22 to provide clearance for the operation of the valve 40 which seats on the sloping shoulders 24. a

The disc shaped valve 40 has sloping sides 42 to mate with the sloping shoulders 24 connecting the inner cavity 22 with the skirt 36. An annular groove 44, cut in the sides 42 of the valve, receives a sealing ring 46. The valve 40 is carried by a centrally disposed valve stem 48 attached normal to the disc shaped valve 40. In operation the valve stem is slideably received in the axial bores 34 of the housing 12 and 32 of the cap 30. At the end opposite the valve 40, a head 50 is connected to the valve stem; The head 50 has a pair of upstanding ears 50a mounted on a base 50b. The cars 50a each have a centrally disposed hole to receive a pin 50c. The base 50b has a centrally disposed hole normal to the base to receive the upper end of the valve stem 40. A set screw secures the valve stem in the valve stem head 50. A spring '54 carried by the valve stem 48 is located between the head 50 and the cap 30. At its lower end the spring 54 seats on the top surface 31 of the cap and at its upper endseats on the base of the head 50. This spring urges the valve stem upwardly in relation to the housing and brings the valve 40 into seated relationship with the sloping shoulders 24.

At the bottom of the upper cavity 26 a sealing material 56 is packed and held in place by washer 58. A spring 60, carried by the valve stem 48 between the washer S8 and the lower surface of the cap 33, urges the washer 58 downwardly to seal off the upper cavity 26 from the lower cavity 22.

The valve 40 is actuated, through the valve stem 48, by a solenoid 68 mounted on some suitable structure 64 in the beverage vending machine cabinet. The valve stem, and hence the valve 40, is linked to the solenoid by means of rocker arm 62. At one end of the rocker arm 62 a lug 62a, having a hole to receive a pin,fits between the ears 50a of the valve stem head 50. The pin 50c extends through the holes in the ears 50a and the hole in lug 62a to provide a swivelablejoint for the rocker arm and the valve stem head. A lug 62b, located between the two .bottom and spray its inner surface 36b.

ends of the rocker arm 62, is swivelably connected to a suitable structure 69 in the housing which provides a fulcrum for the rocker arm 62. Another lug 620 at the end of the rocker arm opposite lug 62a swivelably connects with the solenoid slug 66 which is slidably received in the solenoid 68.

Located below the faucet assembly is a disc shaped cup platform 70 having upwardly sloping sides 70a. The cup platform 70 is carried by a rod '72 connected normally to platform at the center point of its lower surface. A longitudinal groove 74 cut in the bottom of the rod, defines two legs 76 (see Figure 7). A small roller wheel 8 having an axle pin 82 carried in the groove. In operation the roller wheel bears on eccentric cam 134 which is rotated by motor 112 as shown in Figure l.

A rectangular shaped water tray 84 having sides 84a is located below the cup platform 79 as shown in Figures 1' and 4, The bottom of the water tray is divided by the two diagonals into four panels 84/) each of which slopes downwardly from the sides 84a to the center of the water tray. A drain channel 84c leads from the center portion of the bottom of the water tray to a drain (not shown). A circular upstanding flange 84:! is located' in the center of the water tray. Inside the circular flange 84d is an upstanding sleeve 34@ which slidably receives the rod carrying the cup receiving platform as shown in Figure l. The sleeve 86:: encircles an opening in the water tray and acts as a bearing for the vertically slideable rod 72. A circular perforated plate 84f with a centrally located hole fits over the center portion of the water tray with its outer periphery supported by the circular flange 84d and its inner rim supported by the upstanding sleeve 84c.

A ring 86 made of pipe snugly encircles the circular flange 84a. The ring is connected to the outer edge of the circular .fiange 84a by suitable clamps 86a. The pipe ring 86 has a plurality of holes 86!) spaced around the ring on its upper side, slightly inboard of the vertical ccnteriine of the pipe. The holes 36b must be positioned a distance off-center so that a stream of water discharged from the pipe will enter the skirt from the Additionally, the diameter of the ring must be large enough so that the discharged spray will clear the cup receiving platform when in the down position. The ring is joined by pipe 87 to valve 151. The valve 151, in turn, is connected 03/ pipe 89 to a source of water.

Located adjacent to the discharge faucet is a conventional cup container 100 which is capable of singly discharging cups 1G1 when the cup discharge switch 118 is closed. Directly below the cup discharge opening in the cup container 100 is located a cup chute 102. This cup chute 162 has an inclined plane 104 which serves to guide the cup from the cup container, under the force of gravity, to the cup receiving platform 70 when it is in the down cup receiving position, as shown in Figure 1.

Access to the cup receiving platform by the consumer is attained through a vertically sliding door as shown in Figure 11. The door is slideaoly received between two filler strips 93. The door is held in engagement with thefront of the cabinet by two backing strips 94 mounted on the filler strips and overlaying the door 92. A switch actuating rod is connected to the back surface of the door to engage the switch 138 when the door is in the down position.

The electrical system for the beverage dispensing mechanismis shown in Figures 5 and 8. As shown in Figure 5, alternating voltage is supplied to the system from source 104. Timer motor 106 is connected across the source in series with coin switch 108; A cam operated seal-in switch 119 is connected in parallel with switch 108...]The platform motor 112 is connected across the source, in series with the cam operated switch 114. The

cam operated seal-in switch 116 is connected in parallel with switch 114. The electrical components of the cup container and the beverage discharge solenoid areea ch connected across the source in series, respectively, with cam operated switches 118 and 120.

The method of energizing the cam operated switches is shown in Figure 6. The shaft 122 of timer motor 106 carries and rotates the actuating cams. Cam 124 is aligned with the actuates switch 110. Cam 124 has a small indentation 124a in its surface which, when aligned with the cam follower 110a on switch 110, permits the biased switch to revert to its normally open position. In any other position the cam depresses the cam follower 110a to close the switch 110. Cam 126 has two cars, 126a and 126b, 180 apart, which when aligned with the follower 114a on switch 114, close the switch. Cam 128, which has a single engaging ear 128a, is aligned with switch 118. The beverage discharging switch 120 is actuated by cam 130 which has a switch engaging surface 130a spanning an arc of the cam determined by the quantity of beverage to be discharged into the cup.

The platform motor 112 has a rotating shaft 113 which carries and rotates cams 132 and 134 as shown in Figure 7. The cam 132 has two indentations 132a and 132!) in its outer surface, spaced 180 apart, which when aligned with the cam follower 116a, allow the switch 116 to snap to its normal open position. In other positions of the earn the switch 116 is closed. The cam 134 is eccentrically mounted on the shaft 113 and the camming surface bears against roller wheel 80 carried by the cup receiving platform rod 72, as shown.

The circuit which controls the discharge of water from the pipe ring 86 is shown in Figure 8. Timer motor 136 is connected across the source of alternating voltage 104. The double pole single throw switch 138, having one pole 138a normally open and the other pole 138b nor mally closed, is connected in series with the timer motor 126 and source 104. Cam operated switches 140 and 142 are interposed between the poles 138a and 138b of switch 138, respectively, and source 104. As shown in Figure 9 the timer motor 136 has a rotating shaft 137 which carries and rotates cams 146, 148 and 149. Cam 146 has a short indentation 146a in its peripheral surface which, when aligned with the cam follower 140a of switch 140, permits that switch to snap to the open position. In any other position of the cam 146 the switch 142 is in the closed position. Cam 148 is aligned with switch 142 and has a single peripheral ear 148a or protuberance which, when engaged by the follower 142a on switch 142, throws that switch to the closed position. Cam 149 has a peripheral cam bearing surface 149a which engages the detent 151a of water valve 151 to permit the flow of water through the pipe ring 86 when portion 149a of cam 149 rides over detent 151a.

When a coin is inserted in the coin receiving slot (not shown) of the beverage vending machine the switch 108 is momentarily energized. This causes the timer motor 106 to begin its revolution and, as shown in Figure 6,

this rotates cam 124 a sufiicient amount to cause switch 110 to be closed by the camming action. With switch 110 closed the motor 106 will remain energized for a complete revolution even though switch 108 is opened. When the ear 128a on cam 128 engages the follower 118a of switch 118, a cup is dispensed from the cup container 100. The cup drops into the cup chute 102 and slides down the inclined plane 104 under the force of gravity. At this time the cup receiving platform 70 is in the down position as shown in Figure 1. The cup drops into the disc shaped cup receiving platform 70 at an angle but rights itself into an upstanding position in the center of the platform 70.

At this time one of the ears 12Gb on cam 126, which is rotated by the timer motor 106, engages the switch 114 as shown in Figure 6. This closes switch-114and temporarily energizes the platform motor 112'. This causes the motor shaft 113 to begin to rotate and turn cam 132-to close switch 116 as shown in Figure 7. With the switch 116 closed the motor 112 will continue to rotate, even though switch 114 is open, for one-half revolution. This causes the eccentric cam 134 to rotate from its down position, as shown in Figure 7, to its up position as shown in Figure 1. carries the cup receiving platform 70, bears against this eccentric cam 134, the cup receiving platform is raised to the up position. When the cam 134 has rotated 180 to bring the cup receiving platform to the up position, cam 132-will also have rotated 180 and the indentation 132a will be aligned with follower 116a of switch 116, opening the switch to stop the cup platform motor 112.

At this time the cam 130, carried by the shaft of the timer motor 106, will have rotated a distance to bring protuberance 130a into engagement with follower 120a to close the switch 120. This energizes the solenoid 68 and the slug 66 is drawn up, thereby depressing the valve stem 48 (see Figure 1). This drops the valve 40 from contact with the sloping shoulders 24 and beverage which has entered the lower cavity 22 through the beverage supply line 18 flows out through the skirt 36. After a sufficient quantity of beverage has been dispensed to fill a cup the protuberance a disengages follower 120a to open the switch 120 and hence deenergize solenoid 68. The spring 54 then urges the valve stem upward and the valve is once again brought into sealing relationship with the sloping shoulders 24 to stop the flow of beverage.

At this time the cam 126, carried by the shaft of the timer motor 106, has rotatedto the point where ear 126a closes switch 114 again to energize the platform motor 112. This momentary energization of motor 112 rotates the cam 132 to move the indentation 132a outof alignment with the follower 116a to once again close switch 116. This maintains energization of motor 112 until the earn 134 has made another half revolution. This causes the cup receiving platform to descend to the down position.

At this time the consumer raises the sliding door in the front of the cabinet to remove his drink. When the sliding door 92 is raised, the arm 95 is lifted off the pressure sensitive switch 138 and the switch then assumes its released position with pole 138a open and pole 138b closed (see Figures 8 and 11). At this time cam 148 is engaged with follower 142a on switch 142 to close that switch, as shown in Figure 9. With switches 142 and 138b closed the timer motor 136 is energized and cam 146 thereby rotated. After a moment of such rotation the follower a of switch 140 rides out of notch 146a of earn 146 and follower 142a of cam 142 rides off of protuberance 148a of cam 148. This closes switch 140 and opens switch 142 to interrupt the circuit to motor 136 and stop rotation thereof. After the consumer has removed his drink from the machine, he allows the door 92 to drop back to the closed position and'thereby causes arm 95 to bear against the switch 138. This closes pole 138a and opens pole 138b. Since switch 140 is at this time closed by reason of the previous conditioning rotation of the timer motor 136 that motor is again energized and the shaft 137 rotated. This rotates cam 149 to cause the protruding portion 149a toride on the detent 151a of valve 151 to open that valve. With valve 151'operi, a spray is discharged from the pipe ring 86 which is 'directed up into the inside of the skirt 36, cleansing the inner surface 36a of the skirt. Because the diameter of the pipe ring 86 is larger than the greatest diameter of the cup receiving platform 70, the spray of water discharged from the pipe ring up into theskirt clears the cup receiving platform when itis in the down position. As shaft 137 continutes to rotate; the detent 15 1a rides 01f of the portion 149a to terminate the spray action. The timer motor 136. continues to rotate'until follower 140a rides into the groove 146a to open switch 140 and interrupt the motor energizing circuit. Since Since the rod 72, which at this time the sliding door is in the down position pole 138a is closed and pole 138i; is open to stop the motor 136.

While we have shown and described specific embodiments of the present invention it will, of course, be evident that various modifications and alternative constructions may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof.

Specifically the actuation of the beverage discharge valve and the Water discharge valve may be achieved by other means so long as their actuation is coordinated in the operational cycle.

We therefore intend by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and alternative constructions as come within their true spirit and scope.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups and automatically cleansed by water from a source, the combination of: a faucet having an electrically operable discharge valve and a depending skirt within which beverage is discharged; a cup platform located below and in registration with the faucet, the platform carried by a depending rod coaxial with the faucet; electrically operated means to discharge cups singly onto said platform; a tray below the cup platform having an opening to slideably receive the rod; a motor'driven eccentric cam below the tray in engagement with the end of the rod to move the cup platform between an up position to sustain a cup in telescopic relation to the skirt and a down position to hold the cup in cleared position in relation to the skirt; a pipe ring connected to the source of water and having a plurality of discharge openings on its upper surface, the pipe ring being located below and coaxial with the skirt; timer control means to operate the dispensing mechanism in a sequence of operations comprising discharge of the cup from the container onto the cup platform, elevation of the platform to its up position, discharge of the beverage from the discharge valve, and descent of the platform to the down position; and means responsive to the removal of the cup from the cup platform to discharge streams of water momentarily from the pipe ring onto the inner surface of the skirt to cleanse the same.

2, In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups and automatically cleansed by water from a source, the combination of: a faucet having an electrically operable discharge valve and a depending skirt Within which beverage is discharged; a vertically movable cup platform below the faucet and adapted to hold cups in registered relation to the skirt; electrically operated means to discharge cups singly onto said platform; electrically driven cam operated means to vertically move the cup platform between an up position to sustain a cup in telescopic relation to the skirt and a down position to hold the cup in cleared position in relation to the skirt; means connected to the source of water to discharge a stream of water over the inner surface of the skirt to cleanse the same; timer control means to operate the dispensing mechanism in a sequence of operations'comprising discharge of the cup from the container onto the cup platform, elevation of the platform to its up position, discharge of the beverage from the discharge valve, and descent of the platform to the down position; and means responsive to the removal of the cup from the cup platform to actuate the water discharge means momentarily.

3. In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups and automatically cleansed by water from a source, the combination of: means defining a discharge valve for the beverage; skirt means depending from the first means to confine discharging beverage; a cup platform located in vertically movable position and adapted in up position to sustain a cup in telescopic relation to the skirt and in down position to hold the cup in cleared position in relation to the skirt; means operable to lift the cup to up position when beverage is discharged from the valve; and means connected to the source of Water operable to momentarily direct a flow of water onto the inner surface of the skirt after discharge of the beverage.

4. In a machine to dispense beverage automatically into cups, the combination of: a faucet having an electrically operable discharge valve and a depending skirt; a vertically movable cup platform below the faucet; electrically operated means to discharge cups singly onto said platform; electrically driven cam operated means to vertically move the cup platform between an up position to sustain a cup in telescopic relation to the skirt and a down position to holdthe cup in cleared position in relation to the skirt; and control means to operate the dispensing mechanism in a four .part cycle comprising discharge of the cup from the container onto the cup platform, elevation of the platform to its up position, discharge of the beverage from the discharge valve, and descent of the platform to the down position.

5. In a beverage dispensing machine, beverage dispensing mechanism comprising in combination: means defining a discharge valve for the beverage; skirt means depending from the first means; a vertically movable cup platform located below said first means; means to discharge cups singly onto said platform; means to vertically move the cup receiving platform between an up position to sustain a cup in telescopic relation to the skirt and a down position to hold the cup in cleared position in relation to the skirt; and means to operate the dispensing mechanism in a four part cycle comprising discharge of the cup from the container onto the cup receiving platform, elevation of the platform to its up position, discharge of the beverage from the discharge valve, and descent of the platform to the down position.

6. In a beverage vending machine having a beverage discharge valve which dispenses beverage in a cup to a consumer, and a source of fluid, a device to cleanse the valve comprising in combination: a pipe having a plurality of discharge holes; means connecting the pipe to the source of fluid; a valve in said means to control the flow of fluid in said pipe; and elements responsive to the removal of the cup of beverage by the consumer to actuate the valveand momentarily to discharge fluid from the pipe and direct a stream of cleansing fluid onto the beverage discharge valve.

7. In a machine to dispense beverage having a beverage discharge valve, an access door through which the beverage is removed by the consumer from the machine, and a source of cleansing fluid, a cleansing device to remove the beverage from the beverage discharge valve comprising in combination: a pipe having a plurality of discharge holes; means connecting the pipe to the source of fluid; a valve in said means to control the flow of fluid in the pipe; and elements responsive to the movement of the access door for beverage removal to actuate the valve and momentarily discharge the fluid from the pipe onto. the beverage discharge valve,

8. A machine to dispense beverages into a cup automatically, comprising in combination: a platform to receive cups; a beverage discharge valve located above and in registration with the platform; means to spray fluid onto the discharge valve to cleanse residual beverage therefrom; and elements responsive to the removal of the cup from the platform to actuate the fluid sprav means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,435,300 Holmquist Nov. 14, 1922 2,608,335 Rohdin Aug. 26, 1952 2,653,733 Rudd et al. Sept. 29, 1953

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