CA2071765A1 - Programmable portion control valve with secret access mode switching - Google Patents

Programmable portion control valve with secret access mode switching

Info

Publication number
CA2071765A1
CA2071765A1 CA 2071765 CA2071765A CA2071765A1 CA 2071765 A1 CA2071765 A1 CA 2071765A1 CA 2071765 CA2071765 CA 2071765 CA 2071765 A CA2071765 A CA 2071765A CA 2071765 A1 CA2071765 A1 CA 2071765A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
dispense
microprocessor
mode
switch means
valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2071765
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Karl A. Senghaas
David A. Hassell
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2071765A1 publication Critical patent/CA2071765A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01FMEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F13/00Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups
    • G01F13/006Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups measuring volume in function of time
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67DDISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08Details
    • B67D1/12Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A microprocessor based portion control beverage dispensing valve is described that can be switched between a dispense mode and a programming mode. In particular, such switching entails the activating of a plurality of switches in a certain order or combination. In this manner reprogramming of the valve can not occur accidentally or by the deliberate actions of individuals that do not know the access sequence.

Description

RI~CXGROI~U ~F ~HE XNVt~lrION 2 ~ 71 Fleld of the IIIvention ~T~ verltian relat~s ~o ~ mQthod an~i app~F~tu~ for cont~ollin~ a ~ink ~i~pen~er. ~eore pa~tic~larly~ ~chis invention rel~ m~thod a~cl apparakus for pro~an~in~ a drin~ pe!nser ~uring a prtsgr~ r~de and di~pens~ b~Yer~ a ~uncklon o~ ~ torgd volume~ic par~me~ d~a during a dispen~e ~ode.

De~ ription o the Prio _ Ar Drink dispellser~3 have generall~ taken one ~ thre~3 ~orm~;. Th~ ~ t form ~nval~res mechanic~,l lever~ ~hich respon~ ~o ~e pre~enc~ c:up ~nder a dispensing val~e. ~or ~3~11 operat4r t~ ~111 a gla~; of li~laisl, tlhe op~rator places ~ cup und~3r ~he ~1:;pen~ing ~al~re there~y dep~ sing the mec:hani~al leYer wh1chJ in ~u~rn, opens ~e disp~n~iing ~Llve and ~llo~ liqutd to pou~ into the cup~ In order ~o fll} the cup ~o ~he proper l~vel, ~he operato~ m~s~ devotç ~ull ~ention ~ ~h~ C~lp.
Althc~u~h ~he operator could f ill on~ Cup ~i~h OEach hand, thi~i typ~ ~E
drinlc dispen~ is very in~ic~ ent~

Tlle ~3econd ~orm iS a por~ion ~ rol whi ::h utili2~s a t3pray oi liquid be~n~ clisp13n~ed ~o c:c~le~ a link in an elec~ l c$:rcuit ~e~twe~ al~
a~tu~ting lever asld t.he ~ ~guid ~lowing thxs:~ugh the di~lpensing v~lv~. A
~u~p ix pla ::~d un~er th~ di~on~ing v~ thereby a~ua~ g the ac:~uatin~

~ .

: ' , , :
2~7~
```ever~ As ~h~ ui~ e~ ln ~h~ cuE~ ris~ e ~pray incr~se~;.
C~n~equently, the l~p~dan~e .i~ t~ lectric:al cir~it decr~as~s allaw$ng grea~.~r c~u~rent ~o f ls:~w through the electrical cir~uit . When a p~edete~in~ le~r~ cu~ erlt iB r~gach~d, ~h~ disE~n~ing val~re is ~hst of ~ . This ~ype of disp~n~er 1~ describ~ in detail I n U . S ~ Pat~nt 4, fi 417 6 ~ ~ ,3;o Ben~ett ~

Th~ third form ls a ~onlven1t~on~l portion ::on~rc~l ~ype ~ink di~pense~.
The pclr~ion oontrol type drink di5pel~er ope~a~es c>n ~. tim~ d~ sp~in~
cy~ whi~h a~sum2~ ::on~tant flu.i~ fl~w through the d~sp~n~ing v~lve. A
known c~ ~ïze and a knowII amouIlt o~ ice in th~ c~p are als~ a~u~ec~. A
dispenser timer ~ triggered by n~omenta~y as~uation o~ a ~?u~h ~utton $Dr a given drin3~ size. Th~ spensil~,g valvs ~tays ~pen ~ur~nr~ ~he dispensing cycle whic:h is ~im~d ~r the di~penser timer. Therafore, ~n ~p~r~to~ ma~ p~ a~ a cup u~cle~c th~ dlsp&nsing ~ralve, pre~ he~ push button for ~he desire~ ~rink size ~nd ~,ttend ~o o~h~ h~res whil~ th6 cu~ i~ b~in~ filled.

Howe~rer, ~any drinks cli gpens~ thI~ough ~hig ~yp~ oiE cll~pens~r ~e carbonated. ~he~e~o~f~, an operator maly b~ LQqUir~dL to il~ W t-he fo~m on the clrink to s3et~1~, a,~ter it- h~s ~en Lniti~Llly ~ ad P~ tlle dispenser, and ~hen t:~ manually ~op o~ ~h~ dri~ rhis i~ lne~i~

from the s~andpoint of the operatc~.

~71 7~ ~
'1~r thi~ ~rpe ~f dr~nk ~igpenser gener~lly utlli~e~3 individu~l trim~irlg pQtentiolne~er~ ~o vary ~ispense tim~ :Eor each drir~ e.
Therefor~) when ~hi~ typ~ of drin~ dispenaor is he~n~ inst~lled, the tri~ g p~ten~ ne~els mllst ~11 bç~ ~d~u~'ce~ to allow th~ proper volwhe of li~uid t~ b~ di~p~3ns~d f~r ~3~ch drin~ e. ~l~iO, ~e-~d~u~t~ent i~
oc:casionall~r requir~ ~c~ maiI~in proper oper~tion of ~he dlsp~n~r. A
m~la~u~t~d dispenser ~ e~;ulk, ~or inst;anc~, ln "shor~" ~ime~
~i~pensing cyc:le~; which ~a~il to fil 1 the cup ~11 th~ s~ay. Any re-a~u~ m~n~ also re~ire~ ad~u~tlng the ~i~ing poter~ meters.

Ti~in~ c~rec~ion required durillg in:g~allatic:n o~ re-ad~us~merlt ~ ally in~clllve~ dump1n~3 ths~ par~i~lly ~illed cuE: coII~ent, turnin~3 the tr~imming poten~iom~l~er ~or ~h~ ~.rirl}~ size ~.n~ a~lju.~;ted ~nd ro-Jct~elting th~
pu~h ~utton to s~ he ~3ired ~oLu~e bf lIquid is di~pen~sd.
Typi~ , acl~u~km~n~s ~alce ~era~. iteræti~n~ be~nre the trim~ng pot~3ntiometers are 3et E~rop~rly, rial and e*~r~r'~ procedurG~ rE~SUlt:g In undesi~a~le w~s~e of b~ e an~l ti~ Ad~u~tir~ ~.11 t~e l~quid di~pen~a6!rs in a r~3~aurant can waste an undesirable amoun~ o~ nd c~u~e g~ n~ o~ drink~ to k~e w~sted. I!herefore, there i~ a~ need ~C~r ~ drin~c di~ en~er whi~h ~a~
b~ auto~ o ~i~;pen~ h/3 p~ope~ vc~ o~ liguid while pourlng ~he ~ rs~ ~inlc from the di~p~n~3er ~ ~h~.t no beverag~ i~
wa~ted .

`:

.

2 ~
iditian~lly~ ince ~na.ny ca;r~onated b~verages are ~i~pen~ through drlnk d~pensaers, ~here is ~ n~ed for an au~:oma~ic clrinh; di~p~n~e:r whi~h fill~i a ~up, all~ws ~e ~am on thç~ drink c~ ~;et~le, and t~ps o~f the dr~ nk automa~ically .

In ad~it ion,r c~ nie~. m~:ans f~re need~ci ~or per~i~ n~ ea;~iy swi~hing of the valve por~ ontrol elec:~onics ~rom a di~p~n~ mode to pr~r~ g ~ wever, ~3uc::h swi~ching ~shou~ e r~iist~n~ to ~cid~n~al acti~Fatin~, and no~ apera~le }:~y rl~on-~er~ personnel.

~R~ OF ~HE INvE~rIo2~

The present ~n~renltion ~ on~roL ~y~tem fDr use wi~ a d~in~c ~liæp~n~ . Mod~ ~3w~ ~h m~ans ea~;Oses ~ho con~rol sy~tem ~o swiltc~
between ope~a'cion in a progr~.m l~od~ an~ a di~pense ~o~e., Volumetric paraDIeter mean~ p~o~i~e volume~ri~ p~amç~ter ~ata r~ nta~i~e o~
dl~p~ns~ad ~;rink v~lum~ MemQry mean:; ~toxe ~he ~ olumetri~:: par~me~e~
data ., ~:orltro~ neans ~ coupl~ to the ~ode xwl~c~h nl~An~ ~ the ~emvry means, ~nd the volumet;ric parameter m~:~.n~ auses th6~ volu~etr~c p~m~t~3r data ta be ~ored in the rnemory me~n:~ while th6! co~atr~ y~t~m i~ oper~ y in ~he proS~ra~ ~slods~ o, ~he c~on~ 1 ~eans causes drink ~olume ts~ b~ dispense~ a~ unc~ion u~ the ~;~ored ~vlu~ne~ri~ param~t~r tiata ~hil~ the cen~:rol ~ys~em i~ operat~n~ in ~he dl3pense Dnodle~

, 2 ~
~ an embodime~t of th~ ~r~3æe~ inv~ntion) th~ micropr~c~as~
programm~3d to :re3c~ognize ~ par~icul~r switch actlva~in~ ~el~auenc~ or combin2ltion ~hat i~ re~auirecl. ~4 en~e~ the ~og~m ~oci~. In thi~i ma2mer, r~progr~in~ of ~h~ ~nicroprv~e~3so~ i~ pc~aib~e onl.y b~ ~er~
personnel w1 th knowle~ge of ~he re~uixed se~lle~ce or c~. ThuS, accid~ntal ox o~herwi~;e ~.nw~ d an~ lnacc:urate valve op~r~tion and it~
a~t~ndan~ was~e ~ evera~e a.nd operz~tt~r ~ime i~ ~reatly r~uc:~d.

Fig. 1 is ~ block dia~ra~ cl~ khe control ~3y~am ~ e pre~nt inv~ntion ~
Fi~ a diagrzlm ~ a c3.i~:p~n~ ~ n~ t~wer .
i?i~. 3 is a ~l~w c:har~ of ~i~pen~ 3Rode op~ra~Lc:n o~ the pr~ent inven~ion .
Fig. 4 i~; a flqw char~ o~ progrann mo~e c-pe~ation o~ ~he presç!nt inven~ i on Fi~. 5 iB i3~ lk di~gr~m of a ~ur~he~ e~odi~ent o~ the pr~3s~an~
invention .
Fi~ howa a di~p~ns ~ ng v~l~e ha~rin~ ~ho contrul o~E the pr~ nt ir~v~ntion ~

Fl~ a ~lock di~ralE o~ c3n~rol s;yst~n lO of the present invention. Con;~ y2steln IU compr: ~s s--~ll drlnk ~ dil3pen~er .

~71'7 :~
~ ton 12, ~edi~ d~i~k size cf~ den~b~ tton 14, L~rge drink ~
~is~enser ~u~on 1~ ~n~ ext~ lar$~e c~lnk ~ e ~i~ penf~çlr lDu~on 18 ( ~olle~ti~rely re~erred ~o ~ size di~pen~r ~utton~ 12, 14, 1~ and 1~ ) .
Corltrc31 sys~E~m 10 al50 h~s ~:ancelJpo~ar (CtP~ ~witc~ 20, mode ~witch 2~, pull-wp re~ist~xf,; 2~,~, ide~ tion ~witches 26, t~er ~7, ~ontroller 2~, drink si:~ melnor}~ 32, i~vf~ D;~y me~c: ry 34 an~ in~r~ac~ 36 . ~ig .
al~ ~how~ pe~$e~ valve ~0 which ~ ally ~ dispenser valve in ¢o~e~ lly ~Yria~.l~.ble ~ p~3n~er a~emblsr.

Size disp~nsiny hu~ton~ 1~, 14~, lS and 1~, whi~::h ar~ c:o~mer~iallyr avail~ble push-~u~tPn~;; a~ce co~pled to C412~;ro~ 1~3r 2~ a~ mall ~n~u~ 3~, medium inpu~ 40, large input 4~ and extra larg~ inpu~ 44, re~pe~tively.
~lze disperlser bu~to~ , 14, 1~ and la are 2~1so ~ upl~ to pull~up resi~tor~ 24 ~hic3~ pull Lnp~ 38; 40" 4~ an:l 44 ~o a l~g~c high l~?vel when si~e ~ispen~er button8 ~, 14, 15 and 1~ ~re open~ When all~ of ~ut~on~ 1~, 14, 15 or l~ ~r~ clos~e~, the ~o~ e~pandlng input 3~, 4~, ~2 or 44 ~r~ pullecl to ~ l~glc: low level.

Sim1 larly~ canc:el~pour ~itc:h ~ an~. mo~ witch ~ are c:oupled ~o cc~t~olle~ ~B at c~ncel fpour inpu~ 4~ ~nd n~ocle in~t ~8 ~ Th~se input~

ar~ uplecl tq pull-up re~i8tor8 24.

C~ontroller ~8 is ~ microp~oc~ ;sor-ba~ controller which pe~iodi~ally ~: polls inE~u~!3 38-44. I~ecl on th~e inpu~ ontrc~ r ~8 cont~
c)p~;~tlol1. o~ di~lpen~;er ~ral~s 3Q ~ drink si:se ~ nory ~ and i~ell~ory : 7 :; ~

~ .

"~mory 34 as3 a flln~ n of a prog~r~ ored in prograrn memory 2~. A
plur~l~ty o I:~n~ro~ tem~ ,are ~pic~.lly u~ dr~n~c disp2n~ing t~wel~ such as ~rink di ~;perl~3ing ~ower 5 ~;ho~n in E~ ln ~hl e~odlmen~ 3p~n~31ng ~ower ~ 3 prs~vi.g~ed wi~h housing 6 which ~on-~ain~
~hre~ drinls d~ sperl3er valves ~not ~own~ h of w:hi c~ c1i0pens~ a ~i f ~erent ~Flavored drink .

Each ~rink dispen~;er Ya~ 9 operated by ~. se~pax~e contro~ ~y~te3n 10.
All o~ th~ c~on~rc~l sy~sk~m~ 10 a~e ~l~o houF~ n hou~3~ ng b ~ There;~o~e~
each ~petlse~ V~,1Ye has a cq~:~espan~ng ~mall ~ 13 dis~ense~ bllttan 1~, medium size disp~nser ~u~ton 1~ rge :~i;;e dispen~0r but~o~ 1~ ti~ t~i~
em~odimenk, c~nly ~hr~e drink si,rzes a.r~ o~ide~ ~;o extra l~ge ~tton 1 is sn~itted) an~ cancelJpour ~P~ ~wi~h 20~

D~ ~pen~ing t~er S ~1BC: hel~ pow,~r ~it,c::h ~1, cup ~r~y ~ an~l mo~e swi~h 2~ ~4q~ ~wit~:h ~2 ~witch2~ con~rol ~3yg e~ 10 in h~u~ing ~ between operati~ll in a program m~d~ ~desc~ e~ ~o~e f~ t~r~ ~nd c~per~t~n i~ a di~3pens~a mode.

Flg. 3 ~h~w~3 a ~low ~liag:~am o~ disp~ns~ mo~e ope:~atiLt~n~ ~o be~in operation in the di~p~nae modE3,, an operator ~ets mode ~itt:h ~ to di~penseO ~hi~ i~ incll~ate~ ~@ bl~c:X S1. lNe~t, ~he o~ atc:)r place~ ~up ~ ~ ~hown ~n Fig . ~ ) unti~3r ~he di~ipen~ valve whi~:h di~pense~ the de~ir:sd drin3c flavor, a~: indlc~ted by ~lack 53~ Thl3 operatc~r ~her~

2~7~
`~3que~t~: the ~i~e~ clrin~ size by px~ssin~ the ~r~re:pOnClin~ ~3i2e ~i~pe~ser but~on 12 /~ 14 t or 1~, Thi~ i~ indi~a~ed ~ ~lock SS .

Since c~ntroller 2B pol~.~; in~?u~s 3~-4~ ~ contr~ 2~ detects the drink re:;~ue~ y t;he opera~or ~5 ~ lc~gic l~W level on ~ corre~p~ndLng inpllt.
For ~ample, if the <~pe;rator ~e~ire~ ~ ~3~al~ <Irink to ~e illed, the DperatOr p~e~ drink a ~ bu~on 1~ . Cvnsl3~uen~1y, ~;mall inpu~
3~ i8 pulled to a log~c low le~ h~.g l~gl~: low l~vel ~ ~mal~L lnput 38 is d~c~si b~ control l~r ~ a~; indica~d by blocls 57 .

Upon detec::~lng lth4a re~3u.es~ for a ~mall drinl~, carltrqller 2~ retrieves volume data ~rom drink s~.z~ memory 3~ whi~:h wa~ p:~ogran~ed 1nto dr~nk ~ize meR~ y 3~ during ~he prog~am mode. ~he ~rolunlle da~-a r2E~reser~ the amount of time which dispenser valve 30 mu~t be s:pen to fill a s~ll cup~ This is indicat~d k~ }~l~ck 59 ~ te~ re~ri~lng ~he ~ol-lme data, c~n~roll~r ~ vp~ e:; d.i:ipe~sing v~lv~ 3~ as a unc~.on af ~h~ ~o1u~
clata tv proper1y fill cup 9. This i~ intlic~t~d ~ ~lock 61.

~o proper~y fil1 cup ~ controll~r 2~ operate~ pensln~ ~ra~re 30 ~ a ~unc~ n o~ ~he volu~e ~ta ln ~ut~st~n~leLlly three~ epsO Fir~t, cantrol~r ~8 a~t-la~e~3 disper~sin~ valve 30 ~or a mail~ i~e perisd durin~ which liquid ~ 8 allc~wed ~o pour intv ~u~ ~ ~ 5econ~a, contrc311er 2a ~e-actuate~ penE:in~ 3 30 for ~L s~le lt~me ~ iod dur3ng which ~ny foam~ uid in cU~ allowe~. to ~!set~Le. Finally, ~ontroller 28 re-ac:t:i2te~ dispen~ng valve 31) for a ~Op-Or~ time peri~d l:o top-o~f cup 2~7~
``. Con~rollRr ~ ~Doniko~3 ~ er ~7 ko tlme ~ho main~ he ~ettle arld 1khe t~p-o:E~ $im~ p~riods~ Al~ ~ these ~ime pe~ic)~3 are repre:~en~ed by the volum~ da~a retri~ved by con~roller ~ f~cnn drink ~i2e memory 32.

The ~pe~a~o~r wai~s lEor ~}~e ~up ~ be ~opp~d o~E and reD~ove2; the cup.
Thi~ its indica~ed b~r blocks ~3 ~n~ 651. ~f~er ~opping o~ the c~pr con~roller 2~ a~in ~ in~ t :~ pc~ll inpu~.s 38-48 for another d~i~k reque~3t "

Durin~ t~e pr~gr~rn mode, c:ontroller ag stvr~s v~lume ~at~ ~hich i~
~epr~e~entatiYe o~ ~h.e ~volulP~e of liquic~ to ~e ~spen~ied in re~pon~e to a dr~nk ~quest 33y an~ of a~ igpenger bu~tons 12, 14, lS vr 18. ~I!h~
volume da a i3 progra~ d by an c)pera~ur emd ~to~ed ~ cont~lL~r ~ in dr~ nk ~ize mems~ry 3~ .

Fig. 4 shows A flow c:h~r~ ~f p~o~l~am m~e op~arat~ o~E cO~oï ~y~m 10. ~o enter th~ prog~a~ mode, ~witch 2~ wi~che~. to program ~
it is cl~ed). q~ in~ica~ed ~y blc~ c 50~ ~A e c:antrol syste~ lO
is in the program mDI~ie ~ con~.rol gyg~em. 10 i5 ready ~o k~e progr~mecl ~ith ~olum~ d~ta.

~; To b~in p~ogram~in~, the operaltor ~l~.gt plaç~ ~up ~ under d~spense~
valve 30 ~ ~he~ dep~es~e~ a 8i:Z~ di~;peng~r bu~on 12, 14 ~ x 18 ~ rre:;pOnding ~o ~he 1:1rin~ ~;ize ~ e p~gra~med. ~For exa~ple, i~

: ~ cont~ y~3tem lg ~ o ~e pro~Fr~nms~l wl~h volume dat~ r~p:re~en~lng ~he : l D
~: :

`

~olume of ~ sm~ll drink, ~hen s~ size drink dispen~e~ tton ~
~epre~ hil~ the ope~ r h~ ne ~.esi;Cec~ ~ize di~pen~er bu ton depre~se~ di~pe~ger vi3~1v~3 3~ is actu~.ted allv~ing llqu.id ~o pcsur lnto cup ~. ~he opera~or keep~; t~e de~ e~l ~ize ~i~penser button d~pre~;0d until ~he foam in cup ~ r~3ache~ the brin~. T~en, ~he o~rator al$ows bu~on 12 ~o open ~h~reby ca~u~ing con~roller ~8 ~o d~-a~ ua~ ;pen~er lTal~e 30 for a t~ ne per~o~ which is ~ nq enough to all4w ~h~ ~a~ in i~e cup to !3ett~ These ~tep~3 are indl~::ated by b,loclcs ~ and 5~. Once the oarn has se~tled, ~he operator depre~ h~ des~red size di~pellse buttan again in order to t;Qp of X th~ drirlk. This is indi~ated ~y block During each of ~he~e E~ epa, ~on~rvller ~ moni~ors ti~er ~8 to ~ r~ln~
the l~ng~h o~ tlme eac:h s~ep tak~s. Controller ~8 æ~ore~ tim~ dak~
represerltirlg ~he tim~ oP each s~ep i:l drin~ ~iæe Inem~ 3~ hi5 t.il ~ata effec~ively lc~p~e~ he Y~lU~e ~ ~Irink ~ispç~ns~ y ~ p~n~e3:
~Jalve 30 during the initial ~ill æ~ep, ~hen ~he de~lred si~e di~e~se button is depr63ss~ad ~tho mal peri~d) clu~in~ th~ 3~t~10 ~tep, when ~he clesired ~ ea ~i~p~nse ~ut~on is no depre~e~ ( th~ settle time period~ and durin~ ~he top-off step~ ~7hen th~ desire size disp~nse ~uttnn i~ aga1n depre~sed ~the t~p~o~f ~ime per odj~ The settle ~im~
p~riod ~an ~e ~ im~ ~Eor ~ d;rink ~iz~:5 or pro~raD~ed in the se3me manrler as th~3 ma11-i11 and top-o~ ~i~ne p~rio~ils~ F~ ~he t1me data t.o ~e rel1ed ~p~n ar; an a~c:c:u:~a~e rep~en~atton oi~ ~h~a ~olum~ Gf lic~uicl di~pensed for numerous cErin~ r~ue~ ix a~3umed ~ha~ ~he volun~

2~ 7~
w rate c,f the d7cinX thrs~ug~ d:l:3p~n~3~r ~r~ e 30 reraalns ~ubs~antially ~on3t~nt The ~tepæ in the progra~ mo~.e are r~3p~a~ed until ~ntrol system ln ha~
~eell p:rogr~mmed with v~:>lume ~ata f~ al3. th~ a~allable ~:cink ~ize~i.
Onc~ çontrol sy~;~eD~ 10 has been progr~ d wi~h ~he ~e~irPd v~lume ~ tar ~nd ha~ st~e~ ~h~ d~ drink ~ e m~mo~ 3X f ~ode ~7it~h 2~ i9 ~et ~o di~peJI~e ~i~e.t ~e-t:3pe~e~) as~d ~03~01 sy~tem ~0 e~er~ ~he ~i~p~3rl90 `' mod~ e~ e~ above. Thi~ ecl by blo~l~s ~0 ~s~d 5~.

Con~ro1 ~y~em 10 is a~ao c::apa~ o~ ~u~oma~1c~ rackin~ d~
inYentory. ~ur~n~ opsara~ion, conkro11~r ~ stoxe~s inv{~n~ory ~zl,t~ in iny~ns:or~ mory 34. T~e inventory ~a~a repre~ant~ ~h~ volume o~ ~rin~
di~pen~e~ ~ro~ ~h~ par~i~ul~ 3pe~ 3gr ~ a 30 whi~ll is contrv11e~ by ~on~crol 5y5tÇ!li{l lO . I3:~entory memolc~ 3~ ~ ~ cap~ble o~ provid~ng in~ntory ~emor3! for only a 5ingle contr41 ~;yste~n 10 o~ f~ all con~ro1 ~tem~ 1~ in a sin~le di~pen~ ower 5 (i.e., ~or ~ YI~S). q~h~3 is ac~on~p1i~hEd ~ u~ zin~ identi~ic~tion s~i~ch~ wh~ch are operator-~t~31e ~ltche~ lthEIt ind~c~ to cor:~r411~r ~8 ~hiGh ~i~pon~er v~1Ye 30 ~i.e~, whi~h fl~or3 ~on~ro1 syst~m 10 i~; cont~o1~in~
~nd which d1~p~n~? tower ~ ~on~rol 8y~ten~ 10 ls~ }vs::at~d in~ Tn~
lden~f i catic:n in~armatit)n is ll~3ed, par~ cu1~r1y ~n a r~s~ u~ ~here no~e than one disp~nse ~o77er 5 i5 use~t t~ identify the ~volumQ o~ ~a~h ~1~vor of drink ~i~pensed and whlc::h ~ pense ~ wer it w~s ~i~p~n~e~

~' 2~ 7~
.
Canc0~p~ur ~witch 2~ allow~ t~L~ op~a;ca~or to c~ns::el ~ ~rin~ regue6t l~y ~i~ply depre~sin~ swi~ch ~0. WheFl ~;wi~h 20 i~ depre~s~d, con~-roller ~8 detect~ the logic low lev~l a~ inpu~: 4C ancl canf::el ~ any d~in~lc requ~
cu:rrelltly heing ~ul~illed by controller ~. Depre~s~ng SWitCil 20 ~auses disperl~er valve 30 ~o be dire~ly ac~l~ated and to dl~pens6! drlnlc until c:anc~lfpour switch ~0 i; re-opene~. ThiE3 allow~ a drink :r~gu~t to be <:~e~iclclen ~ ~he op~ara~ar ancl i~ al~o all:3wE; t~-ho op~ra~or to ~ u~
dl~pen~e ~rink~. Volu~e d~a ~r~e~p~ n~ t:a clrink~ spena~ hrouyh ac~ua~lon of cancel/po~lr ~ h ~ tore6il in in~0n~0~ mory 34 by cc:ntroller ~8.

Cvntrol ~y~tem lP i~ al~o pro~idecl with inker:~ac~ ~Ç~ l~h~s alto~
corltr~1 sy~;tem 10 to ~g coupl~ o ~ p:rinter, a r~ ni't~r or another ~on~roller ~o pro~dle volu~n~ an~ ~n~r~ntory ~dat~. There~r~, an operator u~ing ~o~trol ~3yst~m 10 ~ æ capabLe o~ auto~ati~ally ~rac:kir~ ventory ~3nd downlo~din~ all in~rentory da~a ~o ~no~h~r d~ e ~or :Lnventor~r o~t gen~r~ior~.

Ilue ~o ~he simplicit~ and ~ of control ~ys~am lO, ik ~an be cu~torQ1zed t~ ~,n~ u~l ~ispeJ~se~ h~u~ins~ ncl n~c~uin~ed dlre~t:ly l;~ehin~ the push buttons 1~ on a co~nercial d1spensin~ v~ ç~ 30 Corltrol sy~;tem 10 is capable o belng p~ g~d with s~ur~ac6~ mou}ll~
~c~ponents fc>r mlnL~3~uri2~:ing ~h~ clL~penæer hou~lng 6 ~ehlnd the push ~ut~on~. An ~ leà ~ir~ui~ b~ard ~ont~ining ~o~rol sy~tem lO 18 ~7~7~
~180 c~p~le of being conf ~ ly co~ted ~nd can be ~ncapsulat~d to wi~hstand acc:idental plum~in~ leaks.

In one preferr~d em~o~imen~, drin3s size memory 32 i~ an elec~rically eras~ble p;rog~mm~le rei~d only m~ 3Ep~o~ herePor~ ~ e~ren ~u~ing exten~e~ powe:~ ~u~ag~ , d~.nk 5iZe! mem~ry 3~ re~ h~ ~ol~e data which was st~red, in i~ ~uring oper~ivn in ~he pr~r~ m~d~. The part.~cular E:EP~0~ u~;e~i in ~he ~o~ t s~ in ~ cApal~le of beir~g reprogramsned appro~imat ly 1~,000 tim~.

~t ~hould be nv~ed that~ in ~his pr~f~rred ~nbo~imen / ~he volun~e cla~a .stored in clrink siz~ mem~r~7 3~ anti inven ory m~mor~,r 3.~ pro~ y ~im~r 27. Tim~ data p~4~ici~d b~ i.zne~ 27 i~i sul~ ially proportiona~
to volu~ E c3.rin~ disp~nsec~. This a~;umes ~. ~ub~t~ntial~y t::on~tant rate of flui~ ~low thr~ugh dispen~;eI~ vall~ 30. Nc~eYe~ rol~ne data coulcl e2~ e provi~led through o~cher me~n~ ~:u~ as a flow meter.

A ~uxthe~r es~odiment o~ the pr~ent ~ nvention is se~n in ~ ; 5 ~nd ~ .As seen in~ Fig. 5, con~rol 7~ 5 e~3~3en~ially ~ho ~a~ M5 seen ill Fîg.
1, excepl~ tha~ mode ~wi~ch ~ ~is elim~nated, and a visual lndicato~ 72, ~uch el~ an ~ , i.s ~ ed and ccm~rolled ~P~ p~ e~3~C>r 2~. ~n ~dditic~n, proce~æar 2~ programm~d to rec:ogni~e a parti~ula~ patt~ ndJor sequenC~ o~ opera~ion c)f the d.~ !3penæe~ ~witches 12, 14 ~ . Fc~r ~xampl~" simult~neo~ lec:~ion ~ swi~chex 1~ ancl 16 coul~l ~e ~e~nized ~y proc~s~r ~ as ~he? pa~ern sii~n~ling ~h~t the Ei~ogra~

2 a ~
mode is ~ ba entere~ tex whl~h ~he cl~ k di~p~n~e ~g~Ammin~ ~ould prc~¢eed as de~;crib~cl herein ~ov~. Procea~or ~ lnclud~ a wlnclnw o app~c~xiln~tely fi~een n~ .isecond~ :3a ~ha~ hb~olute sim7~ ans1~ of opera~ing the pa~ ul~r switches is nt)k :reguired. ~rhus, such a co~ln~tion o eiub~ ially si~ul . aneously olpera~ed ~lispensing ~wit~he~
cou~d preform the ~ e functio~ a~; a ~;I?e~ a~ e~.ic~e~ e switsh, ~her~for eliminating ~he neec~ for that partO In ~ddl~lon, this s~cre~
e~s to ~hç~ pro~rE~ ;node ~;erve~3 to better pr~ect corl~ra l lO ~o~
ac!¢îdental o~ d~ er~te en~oring o~ th~ pro~r~m by unauthox~zed persorls ~ as cc~uld occ~ur mor~3 easlly with th~ operating c~f 5p~C:i~l¢
m~de switch ~2. In th~a pr~rre~ form proce~E~or ~ op~ætes vi~u~l indic:~tor 7~ loca~ed on ~he ex~rior ~:oYer o~ ~he dispensing v~l~e.
Int~icatc~ 7~ preferably ~lashes ~hell ~h~ pr~ ~ nnode Lf~ on. In s:~pe~a~io~, ~he operatc)r then pushes the designated di~p~n~e ~utt~
st~nti~ simul~aneously t~ e~er ~he prog;ram ~od~ hen ent~red~
L~l~ 72 ~la;~hes an~l ~he pro~raD~ g can p~oceed as ~e~c:ri~e~ herein abo~re.
When the p~rosram~ing is co~npl~a canc:el pour ~wi~h 20 is op~rated ~
ret~r~ to ~he no~n~l dispentgin~ ~In4de~ I~ will be appreclat~d br those Of ~kill ~h~ h~ p~s~i~an~ invention ~ha~ ~he pre-d~t~in~d ~witch operating ~3~asas~nce could include an~ o~ a wl~e Ya:~ie~y of possi~ilitie~
~nvolYln~ operakin~ comblna~ion~3 of ~;witt:he~ , 16, 1~, or 20 C:4n~rvl sys~m l~ ~ capahle o~ ~p~xation ~n a progr~DI mode s:3 ~hal~
d~Lnk ~t~e~ c~an ~e pro~ran~ecl .Lnto th~ c~ rol sys~3m ~$thqut u~ing ~
trial ~n~ err~I~ technigue. This per~i~s a desire~ drink ~ e t~ be ~et 7 ~ ~
properly t~e ~ir~ e the d~in.k i~ fille~ There~ore, ~he Yolun~e of wast~3~ b~erage an~ the ~.~m~ reg[uir~d to ad~llst ~h~ ~lsp~ans~r ar~
~u~tanti~lly reduced. Thi:3 also i ncrF~a:3~s rep~a~ability and ~ u~cy ~he ~is~n~r.

~l~o~, ~oin~r~l sys~em 10 Rermi~s a ~c~am~ drink ~o ~ allt~matica~ ly ~opp~d o~ a~er th~ fo2~m ha~ set~lecl~ ,~.y3.i~ hi~ f~atur~ saYes tlm4~ ~nd ~ncrea~e~s ~he efficiency ~ the ~i3pen~r.

Add~ tion~lly, ~ontrol ~ m 10 ~3t2~in~ dr~ e ~nforma~3 on program~ec~ duri~ ~he pro~ n mode, wil~ ut on board b~tterl~s~ ev~n, dur~ng prolonged pow~r ou~in~. Thi~ n~lc~s op~r2~tir~y the clisp~n3er ~or~3 ~onvenlent and more rella~le.

Control sy~t~m 10 also s~ore~; inYen~ory infor~tion r~spre~e~tir~g the n,um~Rr of dlispensed ~rinks id~nti~ied 1~ penser ~ral~ Elav~r) ~nd di~:pen~;er t~wer. Th~ invent~r~ infc: rmatic~n also in~ludes ~rolun~e in~n;~atia~ :~e~resenti~ the v~lu~e ~ ink ~islpense~ ~hrough ~!~pr~sing ç~ncel~pour swi~c:h 20. ~rhis inven~o~sr in~ormatlon 1 ran~err~ble to a pr~ er, monitor vr other ~c~nt~ol ~y~te.s~ for a~

In ~di~iont contLol ~ys~tem lQ is ~;in~ple ~ Sffl~ hi~ allo~ it ~o e pacXaged easily in co~ercial di~ e~rs~ It i~; ~lx~3 c:~pable o~

~.~
:
........

. .

2~7~7~
l~eing covered ar enc:~psllla~e~ ~o pr~ren~ h~rm ~rom lRaky valve~ o~
plu~bing O

Moreover, ~he pre3en~ in~Tent~on can lncll~de a ~Is~ ret~ ac:~e~ op~ra~ing <~f ~he swi~ches th~r~of ~or ellmir~ ng ~h~ ne~ or ~ spes:i~ic ~ode switch aLn~ provi~ing for linl~itin~ the a~ uc~h pro~ram~Ling ~od~.

A~hough the preae~t inve~ h~,~ been ~e~cri~s~d with re~er~nc~ ~o pref~rre~ embo~imen~s, w~lk~ killed in the art will r~ ogniz~ ~h~-~han~e~ y be made ir forrn an~ ~etail wg~hout departi~g fr~ he ~pi~1t zlncl ~;cope of ~he ln~en~lon.

Claims (11)

1. A control for operating a liquid dispensing valve, comprising:
dispense switch means for causing the valve to dispense, programmable microprocessor means connected to the switch means and to means for operating the valve, and the microprocessor responsive to the switch means for opening the valve for dispensing therefrom for a pre-programmed period of time during the dispense mode and the microprocessor responsive to the switch means for changing the microprocessor from the dispense mode to a program mode during which program mode the dispensing period of time can be reset, the microprocessor differentiating between an operating of the dispense switch means for dispensing in the dispense mode and an operating of the dispense switch means for changing from the dispense mode to the program mode by a pre-determined operating sequence of the dispense switch means.
2. The control as defined in claim 1, and further including visual indicating means connected to the microprocessor for operating the visual indicating means when the microprocessor is in the program mode.
3. The control as defined in claim 2, and the visual indicating means secured to an outer housing of the valve.
4. The control as defined in claim 1, and further including cancel switch means connected to the microprocessor for canceling a program mode and returning to the dispense mode.
5. A control for operating a portion controlled beverage dispensing valve, comprising:
dispense switch means for causing the valve to dispense, programmable microprocessor means connected to the switch means and to means for operating the valve, and the microprocessor responsive to the switch means for opening the valve for dispensing beverage therefrom for a pre-programmed period of time during a dispense mode and the microprocessor responsive to the switch means for changing the microprocessor from the dispense mode to a program mode during which program mode the dispensing period of time can be reset, the microprocessor differentiating between an operating of the dispense switch means for dispensing in the dispense mode and an operating of the dispense switch means for changing from the dispense mode to the program mode by a pre-determined operating sequence of the dispense switch means.
6. The control as defined in claim 5, and further including visual indicating means connected to the microprocessor for operating the visual indicating means when the microprocessor is in the program mode.
7. The control as defined in claim 6, and the visual indicating means secured to an outer housing of the valve.
8. The control as defined in claim 5, and further including cancel switch means connected to the microprocessor for canceling a program mode and returning to the dispense mode.
9. A control for operating a portion controlled beverage dispensing valve, comprising:
dispense switch means for causing the valve to dispense, programmable microprocessor means connected to the switch means and to means for operating the valve, and the microprocessor responsive to the switch means for opening the valve for dispensing beverage therefrom for a pre-programmed period of time during a dispense mode and the microprocessor responsive to the switch means for changing the microprocessor from the dispense mode to a program mode during which program mode the dispensing period of time can be reset, the microprocessor differentiating between an operating of the dispense switch means for dispensing in the dispense mode and an operating of the dispense switch means for changing from the dispense mode to the program mode by a pre-determined operating sequence of the dispense switch means, and further including visual indicating means connected to the microprocessor for operating the visual indicating means when the microprocessor is in the program mode.
10. The control as defined in claim 9, and the visual indicating means secured to an outer housing of the valve.
11. The control as defined in claim 9, and further including cancel switch means connected to the microprocessor for canceling a program mode and returning to the dispense mode.
CA 2071765 1991-06-24 1992-06-22 Programmable portion control valve with secret access mode switching Abandoned CA2071765A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US71986491A 1991-06-24 1991-06-24
US719,864 1991-06-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2071765A1 true CA2071765A1 (en) 1992-12-25

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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CA (1) CA2071765A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2258216A (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19648493C2 (en) * 1996-11-22 2000-11-30 Kludi Armaturen Scheffer Vertr Method and device for reproducible dosing of fluids
SI1172329T1 (en) * 2000-10-25 2002-06-30 Stiegl Immobilien Vermietung Gmbh Drink-retailing apparatus
GB0515769D0 (en) 2005-07-30 2005-09-07 Otv Sa Fluid dispense apparatus

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4437499A (en) * 1981-05-11 1984-03-20 Everpure, Inc. Computer controlled sensor for beverage dispenser

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GB2258216A (en) 1993-02-03
GB9213168D0 (en) 1992-08-05

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