GB1212382A - Coin operated water vending machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,212,382. Coin operated liquid dispensing apparatus. FOREMOST-MCKESSON Inc. 1 Feb., 1968, No. 5190/68. Heading G4V. In a vending machine for selectively dispensing either purified or mineral-containing water, mains supply water is purified (e.g. by distillation, or by filters and ion exchange means connected in series with an ultraviolet irradiator) and in response to coin-operated electrical means a predetermined quantity is pumped (Fig. 2) via a meter 52 and a check valve 54 to a mixing point where a controlled quantity of mineral solution 60 may be injected by an adjustable metering pump 64 according to the position of a selector means, which controls the position of a valve 58 to supply an outlet 16 or 22. In an alternative embodiment (Fig. 4) a by-pass line 461 is provided upstream of the purifying means, and sterilized, degasified and filtered mains water is re-injected via a solenoid valve 466, a manually adjustable valve 467 and a check valve 463, instead of mineral solution 60. Conductivity sensing and control means 530, 532 pulse a control valve 457 between partially and fully open positions to control water composition at an outlet 422. Means 122, 112 (Fig. 2) and 453 (Fig. 4) are provided to deactivate the dispensing means and illuminate warning lamps 34, 36 (Fig. 2) when the supply of purified water or mineral solution becomes too low, or when impurities in the purified water stream exceed a certain amount.