GB1177421A - Improvements in or relating to Machines for Preparing and Dispensing Hot Potables - Google Patents

Abstract

1,177,421. Dispensing beverages. N. GOROS. 2 Jan., 1967, No. 108/67. Heading A4T. [Also in Division B8] A hot beverage dispenser which may be coin operated comprises a casing having a transparant door over the dispensing station and buttons selecting the type of drink and fitted with columns 112, Fig.4 of e.g. cylindrical foil containers 98, Fig. 11 of different infusion materials, the lowest resting on the cross flanges of open ended inverted-T guides 116. Beneath the guides an elongated trough 328 with legs 330 is oscillated on axle 332 by a motor via a cam crank linkage 364 and contains solenoids 346, Fig 11 with armatures 340 for swinging container pusher levers 322. Pressing a button momentarily energizes a solenoid beneath a selected column and the pusher is caught in spring 352 level with guide 116. The trough 328 is swung forward by its motor under the control of a circuit of relay, holding and switching devices so that the pusher displaces the lowest container on to a sloning shoot 370, Figs. 4, 11, which funnels it on to platform 380 Fig. 4 to actuate switch 402, the pusher then falling and the trough returning beneath the guides and operating limit switches. Switch 402 starts a cup dispenser whereby a cup falls along a shoot to the dispensing station and a motor driving cam crank 384 and kicker linkage 392, 394 in guide 396 whereby the container is moved on to a brewing anvil 142, Figs 4, 17 and displaces a previously used container. The anvil comprises a cup 218 with discharge 234 having a sprung perforated platform 238 supporting the container over a series of off-set tines 228. Above the anvil is a brewing jaw 144, Figs 17, 27 with a sprung seat 194, tines 180, a sealing ring 188 and hot water inlet 176, 172, and carried by differential pistons 148, 150 having the intermediate space vented at 160. Actuation of switch 402, energizes solenoids 430, 440 to open normally closed valve 1 and close normally open valve II whereby mains or a pump passes water to the ends of the different pistons to lower the jaw to seal and pierce the container within the anvil, the punctures allowing water to pass hot restraining infusion particles. An air pump 468 is now switched on under the control of a timer, solenoid 484 closes valve IV and solenoid 454 opens valve III, so that very hot water in metering tank 128, holding a cup-full is brought to near boiling point by flash heating or heater 132 and displaced via pipe 458, valve III and pipe 456 into the jaw, through the container punctures and infusion material to leave via anvil discharge 234 to be dispensed in the cup. The pump continues to blow air through the circuit to remove contamination until stopped by the timer. Valve I now closes, valve II opens, valve III closes and valve IV opens, so that large piston 150 is exposed to atmospheric pressure via pipe 436, valve II, pipe 442, storage tank 126 containing water heated to an intermediate temperature, pipe 444, check valve 446, pipe 458, tank 128, valve IV and drain pipe 480. Piston 148 exposed to supply water pressure rises, lifts the jaw off the anvil so that sprung platform 238 lifts the container off the tines and raises piston 150 to its adjustable stop 164, whereby the water displaced from the large piston cylinder, equal to a cup-full, is passed into the storage tank 126 to displace sufficient water refill metering tank 128. The apparatus is now ready for the next dispensing. Empty indicators for each column and means preventing initiation of a dispensing cycle if two buttons are simultaneously pressed, are provided.