ES1252804U - DRINK DISPENSER DRIVING DEVICE (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Beverage dispenser actuator device, in which the dispenser is constituted by a tap (G) and a lever (P) for activating said tap; where the actuator device is characterized by comprising: a protective body (1), comprising a through opening (2) where the tap (G) of the beverage dispenser is fixed, thus being protected; and comprising a guide profile (3) on one side of the body where a sliding arm with vertical displacement is fixed; a sliding arm, which is constituted by a central vertical post (4) that has a profile that fits with the guide profile (3) of the protective body; which at its lower end comprises a base platform (5) where a glass (V) or beverage container rests; and which at its upper end comprises a rotary joint (6); arm that moves vertically by the action of a pressure force on the platform exerted by a user with the glass (V); and A rotating head (8), which is fixed in the rotating joint (6) of the sliding arm with a rotating lower anchor (7), and which is constituted by a structure in the shape of a clamp where the lever (P) of the drink dispenser tap and that activates it when the sliding arm makes a vertical movement. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

DRINKING DEVICE FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSERS

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of an actuator device with which a user can open and close a beverage dispenser without having to touch any part of the body or the beverage dispenser or even the actuator itself. The invention is intended so that a user can directly support a glass on the actuator, and by exerting a force on said glass, the actuator opens the beverage dispenser, and that when it stops exerting said force, the beverage dispenser closes.

The invention falls within the different types of accessories that can be installed in a beverage dispensing equipment, and specifically, it is comprised within the devices that allow the said dispenser to be activated without having to manually operate it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, as a general rule, the taps are operated with one hand while holding the glass / bottle or similar container to be served with the other, so that there is physical contact with the tap or the dispenser. In addition, as it generally requires two hands to serve and in turn, this forces the glass / bottle or similar container to be placed in a specific position, so that the user can unintentionally touch with their own hand or the mouth of the glass. / bottle, the dispenser or the tap with the consequent contamination of the same. Another problem is that, as a general rule, the taps are not protected from external contaminations such as sneezing or micro-drops when speaking, being exposed at all times.

To try to solve these problems, as can be seen in fast food establishments or in some bars, solutions based on coupling a tab to the tap so that it protrudes from the dispenser and can be operated with one arm, while with the other hand, are known. arm holds the glass / bottle or similar container to pour the liquid. This solution is uncomfortable, it requires two extremities for its use, it forces us to adopt an uncomfortable position to use the dispenser, and, by not fixing the glass To be able to serve yourself, you run the risk of touching the dispenser, the taps or the protector with your hand or the mouth of the glass / bottle or similar container. By protruding the flange of the dispenser, you run the risk of breaking it or activating it inadvertently, and it can only be used on one tap since, if it is placed on both, due to its volume, when one actuates the other tap as well.

Actuator systems based on a presence sensor or detector are also known, which activates the dispenser when it detects the presence of a glass or bottle. However, these solutions are complex in terms of their internal mechanisms, and have the same problems previously described, except for the handling of the glass by the user.

Solutions based on the actuation of metering valves by means of a pedal are also known. These solutions, apart from complex internal mechanisms, are known to require disassembly of the dispenser for assembly and require the use of two extremities: in this case, foot and arm to serve. In the same way as in the previous solutions, by not fixing the glass / bottle you run the risk of touching the dispenser, the taps or the protector with the mouth of the glass. Likewise, since the pedal is outside the source, it can be actuated involuntarily when passing by it. For this reason, these solutions are not easy or quick to install in a dispenser, they require complex mechanisms, and they also have drawbacks in terms of activation.

Taking into account the solutions known in the state of the art, the present invention achieves an actuator device, which can be coupled to any type of beverage dispenser, and which makes it possible to avoid all the problems previously indicated, that is, a single hand to serve the liquid in the glass or container, therefore, it does not require two extremities; there is no physical contact with the dispenser or the tap since it is the glass / bottle that operates the mechanism; the mouth of the glass or bottle does not come into contact with either the dispenser or the tap, or with the protector or with the actuator system by forcing it to be placed in a specific position, thus avoiding possible contacts or contamination; the positioner / protector protects the tap from external contaminations such as sneezing or micro drops when speaking; the invention does not protrude from the dispenser so it cannot be actuated or broken when passing next to it; And it can be placed on both dispenser taps as it does not interfere with each other and is designed to be placed both ways.

Taking into account all the previous aspects, an actuator system for beverage dispensers such as that described in the present invention is not known, which improves and differs from any actuator system known in the state of the art, both in its structure , in its mechanism and in the benefits it allows to obtain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The actuator device for beverage dispensers object of the present invention is based on the need to present a system to avoid direct physical contact between the user and the liquid dispensers, and in this sense, the device consists of parts that are connected to each other. allow obtaining the previously mentioned advantage and, therefore, the device comprises:

- a protective body, which is fixed to the beverage dispenser, which is a body with a through opening where the tap of a beverage dispenser is fixed, and therefore, it allows to protect the tap from external contamination such as sneezing, micro-drops when speaking or contact with the hands, and where on one side of the body there is a guide profile where a sliding arm with vertical displacement is fixed; - a sliding arm, which has a vertical movement activated by the glass or beverage container, and which is constituted by a central vertical post, which has a profile that allows it to fit with the protective body; which at its lower end comprises a base platform where the glass or beverage container can be supported; and which at its upper end comprises a rotary joint;

- a rotating head, which is fixed with a lower rotating anchor that is fixed to the rotating joint of the sliding arm, and which is made up of a clamp-shaped structure where the activation lever of the drink dispenser tap is inserted, so that the lower anchor prevents it from coming out of the tap when it returns to its initial position.

The operating mechanism of the device of the present invention is such that initially the protective body is inserted into the tap of the beverage dispenser, and the lever is inserted into the clamp of the rotating head. In this way, the actuator device is fixed in any type of beverage dispenser. When a user wants to fill a glass or similar container with a drink, this glass is positioned on the base platform of the sliding arm, and the user exerts a force that lowers the glass, which causes the arm to move in a vertical movement. of descent, making the clamp turn the lever of the tap, and therefore, the tap opens and serves the drink, and that the glass can receive said drink from the tap.

This implies that it is the glass itself that causes the closing means of the tap mechanism to overcome, which generally consists of a spring that exerts force so that the lever closes the tap.

In turn, it fixes the mechanism to the faucet itself so that the placement of the glass / bottle or similar container is in a position that does not allow the mouth of the same to come into contact with the dispenser, the protector or fixer, thus avoiding pollution. It allows the component that is operated with the glass / bottle or similar container to slide up and down with a guide to be able to serve the liquid in the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base platform of the stick is has an ergonomic design that allows it to adapt to glasses, bottles or similar containers, and in turn a crescent shape with a raised center allows plastic glasses most commonly used, and that are very weak due to their material and construction, they do not deform when the mechanism is pressed.

At the middle height of the glass, projections can be placed on the vertical post of the sliding arm that allow the glass itself to be wrapped to increase its resistance and thus prevent it from deforming.

The vertical post may have stops to prevent the mouth of the glass or similar container from touching the mechanism or the dispenser, placing the glass in an ideal position to avoid unintentionally touching elements of the dispenser.

As previously commented, with the solutions and systems known in the state of the art, they cannot guarantee with total security that physical contact with the dispenser itself is avoided, increasing the risk of contamination, something that if achieved with the device object of the present invention. Likewise, said known systems are less practical when used, require the use of several members simultaneously (both arms or arm and foot) and are highly exposed to accidental activation due to their own design.

With the present invention, these problems are solved and the advantages are obtained that it is not necessary to use two extremities to activate the tap, but that only one is used. hand; there is no physical contact with the dispenser or the tap, since it is the glass that operates the mechanism; the mouth of the glass, which could be a contaminant, does not come into contact with the dispenser, or with the tap, or with the protector, or with the actuator system, by forcing it to be used in a specific position; the protective body protects the tap from external contaminations such as hand contact, sneezing or micro drops when speaking; the device allows the tap to be fully protected, not protruding, and therefore cannot be accidentally actuated when passing by the dispenser; and the present invention can be placed on the different dispenser taps individually, as it does not interfere with each other and is designed to be placed both ways.

It should be noted that, throughout the description and claims, the term "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics or additional elements.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

In order to complete the description and to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of figures and drawings is presented in which the following is represented by way of illustration and not limitation:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of how an actuator device for a beverage dispenser is installed, specifically, in a machine with two taps, where the tap of one of the dispensers is protected by the device object of the present invention, while that the other dispenser does not have the device.

Figure 2 shows an exterior side elevation view of the actuator device in rest position.

Figure 3 shows an exterior side elevation view of the actuator device in rest position, according to the previous figure, but where the position of the glass on the base platform is also represented, and how the dispenser tap is protected by the Protective body and tap lever is fixed on the swivel head.

Figure 4 shows an exterior side elevation view of the actuator device in a position in which the post of the sliding arm has been lowered by the action of a vertical force on the base platform, and which makes the rotating head move, so that the dispenser remains open.

Figure 5 shows an exterior side elevation view of the actuator device in rest position, according to the previous figure, where it is observed how when the user exerts a downward force on the vessel, the vertical post descends, which makes the rotating head rotates and, therefore, the lever lowers and the dispenser tap opens, allowing the drink to be served in the glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A MODE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.

One embodiment of the beverage dispenser actuator device object of the present invention, as can be seen in the figures, is a device comprising: - a protective body (1), comprising a through opening (2) where it protects and fixes the tap (G) of the drink dispenser, and which comprises a guide profile (3) on one side of the body where a sliding arm with vertical movement is fixed;

- a sliding arm, which is constituted by a central vertical post (4), which has a profile that fits with the guide profile (3) of the protective body; which at its lower end comprises a base platform (5) where a glass (V) or beverage container can be supported; and that at its upper end comprises a rotary joint (6); where the sliding arm has a vertical displacement activated by the glass or beverage container, and where the arm moves vertically by the action of a pressure force on the platform exerted by a user with the glass (V);

- a rotating head (8), which is fixed with a lower rotating anchor (7) that is fixed to the rotating joint (6) of the sliding arm, and which is made up of a clamp-shaped structure into which the lever is inserted (P) activation of the drink dispenser tap;

so that the operating mechanism of the device of the present invention is such that initially the protective body (1) is inserted into the tap (G) of the beverage dispenser, and the lever (P) is inserted into the clamp of the rotating head ( 8). In this way, the actuator device is fixed in any type of beverage dispenser individually; and that when a user wants to fill a glass (V) or similar container with drink, this glass (V) is positioned on the base platform (5) of the sliding arm, and the user presses said platform, that is, it exerts a vertical force that lowers the glass, which causes the vertical post (4) to move in a movement vertical descent, making the rotating head clamp (8) turn the lever (P) of the tap, and therefore, the tap (G) opens and serves the drink (B), and that the glass can receive said drink (B) from the tap; and therefore, this device ensures, on the one hand, the protection of the tap against possible contaminants, and allows a glass to be filled with drink avoiding direct physical contact between the user and the liquid dispensers.

Additionally, in an embodiment of the invention, the base platform (5) can have an ergonomic shape that facilitates and improves the position and support of the vessel (V), and in that it has a crescent shape with the raised center (9) of cup support; in the same way that the vertical post (4) may comprise some protective projections (10) of the vessel, which shelter and protect it against deformations, as well as allowing it to be positioned correctly; and where the vertical post (4) can comprise stops (11) that limit the movement of the post and prevent the mouth of the glass from touching any element of the dispenser, preferably the mouth of the tap, and therefore, avoid possible contamination.

Claims (4)

1 Beverage dispenser actuator device, in which the dispenser is made up of a tap (G) and a lever (P) for activating said tap; where the actuator device is characterized by comprising: a protective body (1), comprising a through opening (2) where the tap (G) of the beverage dispenser is fixed, thus being protected; and comprising a guide profile (3) on one side of the body where a sliding arm with vertical displacement is fixed; a sliding arm, which is constituted by a central vertical post (4) that has a profile that fits with the guide profile (3) of the protective body; which at its lower end comprises a base platform (5) where a glass (V) or beverage container rests; and that at its upper end comprises a rotary joint (6); arm that moves vertically by the action of a pressure force on the platform exerted by a user with the glass (V); Y a rotating head (8), which is fixed in the rotating joint (6) of the sliding arm with a rotating lower anchor (7), and which is constituted by a clamp-shaped structure into which the lever (P) of the drink dispenser tap and that activates it when the sliding arm makes a vertical movement. 2. - Beverage dispenser actuator device according to claim 1, wherein the base platform (5) is shaped like a half moon with the raised center (9) supporting the glass. 3. - Beverage dispenser actuator device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical post (4) comprises projections (10) for protection and positioning of the glass. 4. - Beverage dispenser actuator device, according to claim 1, wherein the vertical post (4) comprises stops (11) that limit the movement of the post.