EP0983962B1 - Beverage dispenser with control of the presence of beverage holding container - Google Patents

Abstract

The device comprises levers (13,13') engaging the upturned storage container (5) and the support (9) for the nozzle (7) delivering the fluid to the dispensing element. The levers are spring-loaded (16,16') so that, without load, contact is made by elements (17,17') with the base (15). On removal of the container or the support electrical signals are fed to the electronic circuit (20) to power lights (18,19) on the front of the dispenser. The circuit includes a timing device to determine duration between removal of container and nozzle.

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for distribution of drinks of the type in which the drink is taken from a tank fed by the neck of a overturned container held in place by a receptacle and being able to communicate with said tank via an end piece secured to a support capable of being maintained on the device, when said neck is engaged on said tip when placing the container.

An apparatus of this type is described in the application for French patent n ° 97 - 12 128 in the name of the plaintiff (published 16-04-99 under the number FR-A-2 769 610), this document that can serve as a reference for the current state of the technical.

With such devices, used especially in businesses and therefore accessible to a fairly large number of people it can happen that negligently or omission of the container (in principle a bottle of at least 10 liters), not yet emptied, remains in place on the device during excessive time, which can favor a fermentation, bacteria development, decomposition of the product or other, detrimental to hygiene.

It can also be detrimental to the hygiene of leave the support and its tip for too long, because this part of the device must be regularly cleaned and disinfected, as well as the tank where the drink is taken, if it is not easily removable or, being removable, is however filled after each complete emptying, to be reused.

The object of the present invention is to avoid these situations and to make sure that the responsible for maintenance of the device and its supply either warned either by an alarm or by an indication specific, when it has to refill the device with a new container and / or clean or disinfect parts of the device (the nozzle and its support and possibly the tank and any pipes that connect it audit tip).

To do this, a device of the type defined at the beginning is characterized in that it comprises an installation of control including a presence detection set of said container, this assembly being connected to a system indicator via electronic circuit programmable, the latter being adapted to actuate said indicator system and to trigger it when certain conditions are fulfilled concerning the presence of said container on said receptacle.

Such an apparatus can also be characterized in that that said electronic circuit includes a first clock and in that said determined conditions relate to the time of presence of said container on said receptacle, said electronic circuit being adapted to trigger the indicator system when the time of presence of the container on the receptacle exceeds a first predetermined duration.

This first predetermined duration may be by example of 15 days, but may depend on the type of drink (water, fruit juice etc.)

As an alternative or in combination, the device can also be characterized in that said circuit electronic includes a counter and in that said conditions determined relate to the number of withdrawals or of placing said container on the receptacle, said electronic circuit being adapted to trigger the system indicator when said number reaches a quantity determined.

We can thus indicate to the operator that he must imperatively carry out cleaning and disinfection of parts of the device from a number of containers used, for example if the contents of a large number of containers has been consumed in a period of fairly short time, even if each container remains in flow for a period of time less than said first predetermined duration.

In all cases, it can be provided that said set detection is actuated directly by said container overturned during its installation on the receptacle, by example by a shoulder of the container, or that said detection assembly is activated indirectly by a movable flap suitable for being pivoted to an open position during the positioning of said container on its receptacle, like this will be better seen later.

As an additional variant or in combination with the above provisions, we can still take takes into account the time during which the nozzle and its support remained on the device without having been disinfected or cleaned.

For this purpose, a device of the type defined at the start can also be characterized in that it comprises a control installation comprising a detection assembly the presence of said tip support, this assembly being connected to an indicator system via a programmable electronic circuit, the latter being adapted to activate said indicating system and to cause its trigger when conditions are met determined regarding the presence of said tip support on the device.

In this case, the device can still be characterized in that said electronic circuit includes a second clock and in that said conditions determined relate to the time of presence of said tip support on the device, said electronic circuit being adapted to trigger the indicator system when the time to presence of said support on the device exceeds one second predetermined duration.

A device conforming to the above can still be characterized in that said tip support is consisting of a collar-shaped receptacle, which is suitable for being removably supported on a wall upper of said device. This is a provision known per se from French patent application n ° 97 - 12 128 mentioned at the beginning.

However, the invention can still be applied, in all its provisions, to devices in which said support of the nozzle is constituted by a separate bowl of said receptacle and suitable for being secured so removable below an upper wall of said device.

Whatever the embodiment of the device or its design, we can also foresee that the detection assembly includes detectors specific to establish or cut an electrical contact or detectors capacitive, optical or similar proximity switches.

As for the indicator system, it may include particular a visual or audible alarm activated during what we called above its "trigger".

This indicator system may also include a digital display of the time measured by the clocks or meter measurement, which will monitor the device permanently and possibly recommend a maintenance operation even before the triggering of the alarm.

Finally, it should be noted that the electronic circuit (printed circuit board or integrated circuit) can provide that said indicating system is automatically reset to zero after triggering and delivery of the set of detection in initial position.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation de face d'un appareil de distribution de boissons conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de sa partie supérieure en coupe transversale ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale partielle montrant la détection d'un retrait du récipient renversé ;
• la figure 4 est une vue semblable montrant la détection supplémentaire d'une extraction du support de l'embout ;
• la figure 5 est une vue d'ensemble, en élévation et de face, d'un appareil de distribution de boissons comportant des volets de fermeture permettant l'accès du goulot du récipient au réceptacle, et dans lequel le support de l'embout est constitué d'une cuvette distincte du réceptacle ; et
• la figure 6 est une vue partielle montrant l'application de l'invention à ce type d'appareil.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the schematic figures of the attached drawing in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic front elevational view of a beverage dispensing apparatus according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a view of its upper part in cross section;
• Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the detection of withdrawal of the overturned container;
• Figure 4 is a similar view showing the additional detection of an extraction of the support from the nozzle;
• FIG. 5 is an overall view, in elevation and from the front, of a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising closing flaps allowing access from the neck of the container to the receptacle, and in which the support for the nozzle is consisting of a bowl separate from the receptacle; and
• Figure 6 is a partial view showing the application of the invention to this type of device.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 includes a vertical box 1 whose front face 2 has a opening 3 to recovery tank 4 on the grid of which can place the cups intended to receive the drink contained in the overturned container 5. This is a bottle for example of rigid plastic, the capacity can be ten liters and the neck 6 is engaged on a nozzle 7 suitable for ensuring a air and water communication between bottle 5 and a intermediate tank (not shown) contained in the box 1. From this intermediate tank (possibly heated or refrigerated), the drink is sent to taps 8 of opening 3, as explained in detail in the aforementioned French patent application No. 9712 128. The end piece 7 is integral with a support 9 which in this embodiment simultaneously constitutes a receptacle in collar shape ensuring the installation of the neck 6 and on the flared part of which the container 5 is supported by its shoulders 10. This receptacle 9 takes support itself, by its peripheral edge 11, on an upper wall 12 of the box 1.

The control installation which does more precisely the object of the invention comprises as a detection assembly the presence of the container 5 in the service position on the device, an insulating push rod 13, for example in plastic material, on which is fixed a washer of stop 14 and which is slidably mounted in a plate fixed metallic common contact 15. A coil spring 16 is normally compressed between the washer 14 and the plate 15. Opposite the spring, the rod 13 carries a metal contact 17. When the overturned container 5 is normally in place on the receptacle 9, its shoulder 10 is supported on the free end of the rod 13, which passes through the upper wall 12 of the box 1; this presence of the container results in the fact that there is no of electrical contact between contact 17 and plate 15. On the contrary, when the container 5 is removed (see figure 3) the spring 16 pushes the rod 13 upwards by through the washer 14, and this causes the setting in electrical contact with contact 17 on plate 15.

Detection of the presence of the support 9 of the nozzle 7, supported by its peripheral edge 11 on the wall 12, is done in exactly the same way, by a rod pusher 13 'capable of sliding in the same plate 15 and on the free end of which normally rests the peripheral edge 11 of the receptacle - support 9. The elements of this detection assembly, being analogous to have been designated by the same references with the prime index. Thus, the presence of receptacle 9 on the device results in the opening of the electrical contact 15 - 17 '(figure 2), while its absence or withdrawal (which involves the removal of the overturned container 5) results by closing this contact (Figure 4).

Returning to Figure 2 we see that the contacts above 15, 17 and 17 'are connected to indicators 18 and 19 provided on the front face 2 of the box 1, via an electronic circuit 20, for example a card microprocessor-based printed circuit, which can be programmable and be provided with internal clocks and counters.

As already indicated above, these clocks can thus determine the respective times during which the contacts 15 - 17 and 15 - 17 'remained open, i.e. the respective times t1 and t2 during which the container 5 on the one hand, the support 9 for the nozzle on the other hand, stayed in place.

An alarm by lighting of indicator light 18 can thus be provided when the time t1 exceeds for example 15 days, while the first clock is automatically reset to zero as soon as container 5 is replaced, since for this do it is mandatory that contact 15 - 17 closes. Of even, another alarm by lighting of the indicator 19 can be provided when the time t2 of presence of the support 9 of the nozzle 7 exceeds another predetermined duration, by example 3 months, which requires cleaning or sterilization of these elements, the extraction of which entails automatically resetting the second clock to zero circuit 20, by closing the contact 15 - 17 '.

It goes without saying that visual alarms can be replaced or supplemented by audible alarms, and that the times t1 and t2 can be displayed digitally, from so, for example, that the person responsible for supply and maintenance of the device can predict the proximity of the alarm and prepare for intervene.

As also indicated above, the circuit electronic 20 can also include a counter recording the number of contact closings 15 - 17, that is to say the number of new implementations container 5, with indicator light 19 when this number reaches a predetermined amount, indicating the need to carry out a cleaning or even a replacement of certain parts of the device, for example replacement of the intermediate tank.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, we represented a device of the same type but in which the receptacle 9 of container 5 is fixed and integral with the upper wall 12 of the box 1, the end piece 7 then being integral with a support 9 ′, in the form of a removable bowl, secured below the wall 12, for example by sliding on a slide 25. Pivoting shutters 21, for example recalled by springs, are in position closing in the absence of container 5, and only open when placing this container in position overturned on the fixed receptacle 9. We put this special feature to detect the presence or the absence of a container 5 on the apparatus, providing actuation of a microswitch 22 connected to the circuit electronics 20, while another microswitch 23 also connected to circuit 20 detects the presence or the absence of the bowl 9 ′, which activates the microswitch by its sliding edge 24.

The operation of this control installation can be the same as in the first embodiment, this installation constituting only one of the variants possible.

The invention therefore provides the means to control perfectly the operating conditions of the device, and including hygienic conditions, making it much more unlikely unintentional omission of a container 5 for too long, or an omission of maintenance, cleaning or disinfection of certain sensitive parts of the device.

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus for dispensing drinks of the type where the drink is drawn off into a reservoir fed through the neck (6) of an inverted container (5) held in place by a receptacle (9) and able to communicate with the said reservoir by means of a mouthpiece (7) integral with a support (9, 9') adapted to be held on the apparatus, when the said neck (6) is engaged on the said mouthpiece (7) during the positioning of the container, characterised in that it comprises a control installation comprising an assembly (13 to 17) for detecting the presence of the said container (5), this assembly being linked to an indicator system (18 or 19) by means of a programmable electronic circuit (20), the latter being adapted to activate the said indicator system (18 or 19) and to cause it to be triggered when the designated conditions relating to the presence of the said container (5) on the said receptacle (9) are produced.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the said electronic circuit (20) comprises a first timer and in that the said designated conditions relate to the time (t1) the said container (5) is present on the said receptacle (9), the said electronic circuit (20) being adapted to trigger the indicator system (18) when the time (t1) the container (5) is present on the receptacle (9) exceeds a predetermined first duration.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the said electronic circuit (20) comprises a meter and that the said designated conditions relate to the number of withdrawals or positioning of the said container (5) on the receptacle (9), the said electronic circuit (20) being adapted to trigger the indicator system (19) when the said number reaches a determined quantity.
4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the said detection assembly (13 to 17) is activated directly by the said inverted container (5) as it is brought into place on the receptacle (9).
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterised in that the said detection assembly (13 to 17) is actuated directly by a shoulder (10) of the said container (5).
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the said detection assembly is actuated indirectly by a movable flap (21) intended to be pivoted towards an open position during the positioning of the said container (5) on its receptacle (9) .
7. Apparatus for dispensing drinks of the type in which the drink is drawn into a reservoir fed through the neck (6) of an inverted container (5) held in place by a receptacle (9) and able to communicate with the said reservoir by means of a mouthpiece (7) integral with a support (9, 9') adapted to be held on the apparatus, when the said neck (6) is engaged on the said mouthpiece (7) during the positioning of the container, characterised in that it comprises a control installation comprising an assembly (13' to 17') for detecting the presence of the said support of the mouthpiece, this assembly being connected to an indicator system (19) by means of a programmable electronic circuit (20), the latter being adapted to activate the said indicator system (19) and to cause it to be triggered when the designated conditions relating to the presence of the said support (9, 9') of the mouthpiece (7) on the apparatus are met.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterised in that the said electronic circuit (20) comprises a second timer and in that the said designated conditions relate to the time the said support (9,9') of the mouthpiece (7) is present on the apparatus, the said electronic circuit (20) being adapted to trigger the indicator system (19) when the time (t2) the said support is present on the apparatus exceeds a second predetermined duration.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 characterised in that the said support (9) of the mouthpiece (7) is constituted by a receptacle in the form of a collar, which is adapted to be supported in detachable manner on an upper wall (12) of the said apparatus.
10. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8 characterised in that the said support of the mouthpiece (7) is constituted by a distinct bowl (9') of the said receptacle (9) adapted to be wedged in detachably underneath an upper wall (12) of the said apparatus.
11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the detection assembly (13 to 17; 13' to 17') comprises detectors intended to establish or cut an electric contact.
12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the detection assembly comprises approach detectors.
13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the said indicator system comprises a visual alarm (18, 19) activated when the activator system is triggered.
14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the said indicator system comprises an audio alarm activated when the indicator system is triggered.
15. Apparatus according to claim 2 and one of the other claims, characterised in that the indicator system comprises a numerical display of the time measured by the timers.
16. Apparatus according to claim 3 and one of the other claims, characterised in that the indicator system comprises a numerical display of the measurements of the meter.
17. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the said indicator system is automatically reset to zero after it has been triggered and after the return of the detection assembly (13 to 17; 13' to 17') to the initial position.

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