GB2107665A - Beverage-dispensing machines - Google Patents

Abstract

In a machine for dispensing beverages comprising a container dispenser and a plurality of dispensing stations for beverage ingredients, with a conveyor arranged to support a container received from the container dispenser and to present it sequentially at the beverage ingredient stations, the conveyor includes a length of flexible material 20, with which said support 10 is engaged extending between a pair of pulley wheels 15, 16, the advancement of the length of material causing the support to be conveyed as aforesaid, the length of material being advanced by a fixed roller, mounted and driven for rotation such that a surface thereof engages a surface of the flexible material, or one of said pulley wheels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Beverage-dispensing machines This invention relates to beverage-dispensing machines and in particular to systems wherein receptacles for beverages to be dispensed are conveyed within such machines.

In some types of vending machines beverage concentrates are included in pre-packed cups. For the machine to be able to offerthe user a selection of alternative beverages without requiring an equal number of dispensing outlets it is necessary that some means be provided for conveying the cups from respective stacks of cups with particular ingredients to a dispense location.

Another type of vending maching for dispensing beverages includes a number of containers of concentrated ingredients, for example, sugar, coffee and miik powder. Some means needs to be provided to enable various selected combinations of the ingredients to be fed into a dispensing receptacle such as a piastics or paper cup, and this operation is required to be co-ordinated with the deiivery of the cup, usually from a stack of such cups.

In some vending machines of this type the ingredients and water are discharged into a mixing bowl and from there into a plastics cup. Such machines suffer from a number of disadvantages, not least of which is the propensity of the outlet nozzles of the ingredient containers to become clogged with ingredients powder that has become damp. This is due to the hydroscopic nature ofthe ingredients concentrates and the close proximity of the water supply.

Our co-pending British Patent Application No. 2 013 622A describes and claims a vending machine comprising at least one container dispensing station for dispensing individual containers from a stack or store thereof, a plurality of ingredient dispensing stations, conveyor means including a carriage and associated container support means adapted and arranged to receive a container at said container dispensing station and to present said container sequentially at each ingredient dispensing station, control means for causing or allowing said container to receive a portion of at least one ingredient and a discharge station where the container, together with the ingredients, is disengaged from the support means.

The present invention particularly relates to a machine for dispensing beverages, herein referred to as being "of the kind described", having a plurality of dispensing stations for dispensing respectively individual containers or beverage ingredients, and a container discharge station; the machine comprising conveyor means including associated support means adapted and arranged to support a container received from a dispensing station, the conveyor means being operable to convey the carriage to present it sequentially at said dispensing stations; and means operative to disengage a container with its contained ingredients from the support means, and present it at said container discharge station.

According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a machine for dispensing beverages of the kind described, wherein the conveyor means comprises a length of flexible material extending between at least a pair of pulley wheels, the advancement of the length of material causing the support means to be conveyed as aforesaid, and wherein the length of material is advanced by a fixed roller, mounted and driven for rotation such that a surface thereof engages a surface of the flexible material, or one of said pulley wheels.

The roller may act in association with a further roller each being disposed on opposite sides of the flexible material, and the flexible material being pinched between the roller and the associated further roller.

The length of flexible material may be part of an endless belt disposed around said pulley wheels.

Alternatively, the length of flexible material may comprise a finite length of tape, each end being carried by a respective one of said pulleys acting as a spool for the tape. The fixed roller may frictionally engage the surface of the flexible material or one of said pulley wheels.

In one aspect of the invention, the pulley wheels may be toothed and the length of flexible material may have a series of holes spaced uniformly along its length, shaped and spaced to conform with the teeth of the toothed wheels by means of which the toothed wheels are enabled to engage and drive the flexible material.

In one embodiment of the invention in this aspect the length of flexible material is in the form of an endless loop, thus providing two runs between the toothed wheels, one of said runs being that along which the carriage is conveyed, the other having acting thereon spring loaded tensioning means, operative to maintain tension in the loop of flexible material.

The flexible material may comprise tape, for example, polypropylene tape. Alternatively, it may comprise a linked chain.

According to a further aspect of the present invention the flexible material is a finite length of tape, and the pulley wheels are spools on which the ends of the tape are wound, each spool being connected to an electric motor by means of which it may be driven.

The motors may be arranged to act to pull the tape in opposite directions, and may further include control means to control the operation of the motors such that only one operates at any given time, the other being allowed to slip during operation of the other.

In an alternative embodiment, movement of the tape may be accomplished with both motors operating in opposition, one motor being provided with more power than the other according to the intended direction of travel of the tape.

It will be appreciated that the opposing motor operating with reduced power will serve to maintain the tension of the tape.

The control circuitry may include a specific circuit arrangement for controlling the motors such that they operate in opposition as aforesaid.

The circuit arrangement may comprise an ac power supply, first and second circuit paths to each motor, the first circuit path allowing full wave ac from the power supply to reach the motor, and the second circuit path allowing half-wave rectified ac from the power supply to reach the motor, and means for switching the connections to the motors such that when one is energised via the first circuit path the other motor is energised via the second circuit path and vice versa.

The invention also includes a beverage-dispensing machine of the kind described, wherein the conveyor means includes a movable member engaged with said support means, the advancement of the movable member causing said support means to be conveyed as aforesaid, and comprising means for detecting the position of the support means including a series of first elements supported in spaced apart relationship with predetermined intervals between them, and a further element operative to interact with said first elements when said further element and a one of the first elements are moved relatively into proximity whereby an output signal is produced in response to said interaction, one of either said series of first elements or said further element being stationary while the other is supported for movement with the support means.The further element may be arranged to interact magnetically with said first elements.

Either said further element or said series of first elements may comprise magnetised material and the other being a device or devices operative to produce an electrical signal in response to the passage or presence of a magnetic field.

The or each said device operative to produce an electrical signal may be adapted to utilise the Hall Effect to produce the signal. The series of first elements may be situated on said movable member, the further element being fixed at a stationary position in the machine.

The movable member may comprise a length of flexible material extending between a pair of pulley wheels.

The movable member may comprise a length of a magnetisable tape extending between a pair of pulley wheels, said series of first elements are spaced along the length of the tape and comprise signals magnetically recorded on said tape, and the fixed element comprises a reading head adapted to produce an electrical signal in response to the passage of each of said magnetically recorded signals.

In another embodiment of the invention, the further element may be arranged to interact mechanically with said first elements.

The series of first elements may comprise a series of holes through said movable member and spaced along its length and said further element comprises a stationary pair of electrical contacts disposed on opposite sides of the movable member at least one of the contacts being a brush contact which is enabled to pass through a one of said holes when the hole passed between the contacts thereby completing an electrical circuit and producing said output signal.

In a further embodiment of the invention the series of first elements may comprise a series of mechanical-operated switches fixed at stationary locations with respect to the carriage and said further member comprises an operating member for the switches fixed for movement with said carriage. In those embodiments of the invention in which the conveyor means includes a rigid track and a carriage arranged to traverse said track, the series of mechanicallyoperated switches may be fixed to the track. The switches may comprises micro-switches or touchsensitive switches and the operating member on the carriage may comprise a roller supported to roll over the switches when brought into proximately therewith.

Alternatively, the switches may comprise spaced electrical contacts and the operating member on the carriage may be a wiper.

In another embodiment of the present invention the interaction between the further element and said first elements may be by sensing changes in electromagnetic radiation upon a sensor therefor. Thus said further element may be arranged to interact with said further elements by means of reflected radiation, with said first elements when said further element and one of the first elements are moved relatively into proximity, one of either said series of first elements or said further element being a light sensitive detector operative to produce a signal in response to said interaction, and one of either said series of first elements or said further element being stationary while the other is supported for movement with the carriage.

Following is a description by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of methods of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figures 1 to 9, excepting Figure 4 each show a perspective view of a respective conveyor for transporting cups within a vending machine; Figure 1 shows a conveyor with a belt drive in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 also shows a conveyor with a belt drive utilising sprocket wheels in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a conveyor with a tape drive and take-up mechanism in accordance with the third aspect of the present invenion; Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of circuitry which controls the power supply to electrical motors used in the conveyor shown in Figure 3; Figures 5 to 7 show conveyors each including an alternative form of travel detector based on magnetic sensing in accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention; ; Figures 8 to 11 show conveyors each including an alternative form of travel detector based on the mechanical operation of electrical switches in accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention; and Figure 12 shows a conveyor including a travel detector bases on the sensing of reflected radiation in accordance with the sixth aspect of the present invention.

In the Figures a conveyor for transporting cups inside a vending machine is shown. The conveyor may form part of a vending system machine as described in the published British Patent Application No. 2 013 622 referred to above. The conveyor comprises an L-shaped track formed by two rectangular sided limbs 2 and 3. The limbs 2 and 3 are disposed at a right angle but merge via a gently curved intermediate elbow portion of the track. The two limbs are of unequal length and the longer limb 2 of the track is disposed parallel to the front of the vending machine whereas the shorter limb 3 is parallel to the sides of the vending machine. The track has a cross-sectional shape of a narrow rectangle and is disposed such that the longer edges of th is rectangle are generally upright. Thus disposed a narrow track edge 4 is provided on the uppermost surface of the track.

A carriage 5 is adapted to ride on the track edge 4 and to follow a path of movement determined by the disposition of the track.

The carriage 5 comprises a yoke 6 seated over the track 1 with an upstanding stem 7 coplanar with the track and integral with one limb 8 of the yoke 6. The undersurface of the yoke is supported on the track by a roller (not shown in Figure 1). The limb 8 of the yoke 6 integral with the upstanding stem 7 extends down to the lower periphery of the track and has extending outwardly therefrom a connecting rod 9.

An arcuate band 10 extending around an arc of roughly 1900 constitutes the support for a cup to be conveyed and is connected to the carriage 5 via the connecting rod 9. The band 10 receives a tapered cup deposited from above and supports the cup about a circumferential line just below the rim of the cup.

The limb 8 of the yoke carries on its inner surface a horizontal support bracket 11 supporting the track 1.

Similarly the limb of the yoke extending adjacent the inner surface of the track 1 supports a further side roller 13 which is adapted to engage the inner surface ofthetrack 1. The rollers 12 and 13 maintain the carriage in alignment with the track and prevent it from tilting during movement along the track.

The drive means for transporting the carriage 5 along the track comprises a narrow endless length of tape 14 extending under tension around three pulley wheels 15 to 17. The tape and pulley wheels are arranged in a generally horizontal relationship and are situated on the inner side of the L-shaped track 1 and at a height just above the upper edge 4 of the track. Each of the pulley wheels 15 to 17 comprises a pair of circular plates 18 separated buy a hub 19. The tape contacts the hub of each wheel and is constrained by the plates 18 to remain in that position on the wheel. Pulley wheels 15 and 16 are situated just beyond the ends of the limbs 2 and 3 of the L-shaped track, and pulley wheel 17 is situated just inside the curved portion of the track.Thus one run 20 of the tape between the pulley wheels 15 and 16 extends along a path conforming to the L-shaped track 1, but spaced inwardly and upwardly therefrom. The other run 21 of the tape between the pulley wheels 15 and 16 is engaged by a springloaded tensioning pulley 22 operative to prevent slack developing in the tape belt.

The carriage 5 is connected to the L-shaped run 20 of tape by means of a connecting plate 23 fixed to the upper portion of the stem 7 of the yoke 6. This connecting plate 23 is flush with the tape and moves with it along its path between the pulley wheels 15 and 16 on the run 20 of the tape.

Two alternatives means are shown in Figure 1 for driving the tape around the pulley wheels. Both of these rely on the use of a roller driving the tape by a frictional engagement therewith. The first arrangement comprises a roller 24 secured to a fixed part of the vending machine situated so that its axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the pulley wheel 15 end of the shorter floor of the track. The cylindrical, rolling surface of the roller bears on the circumferential surfaces of the two upper and lower circular plates 18 of the pulley wheel so that rotation of the roller 24 causes the pulley wheel 15 to rotate in the opposite sense by frictional engagement.

The alternative means for driving the tape shown in Figure 1 comprises a pinch roller 25 which is composed essentially of two rollers having parallelspaced apart ases of rotation and whose cylindrical, rolling surfaces are separated by a small gap through which the tape passes. The rollers are rotated in opposite directions so that they co-operate to pinch the tape between them and drive it by a frictional engagement therewith.

In both these alternative arrangements the rollers are driven by electric motors which can be reversible electric motors so that the movement of the tape and hence the carriage can be reversed by reversing the direction of the electric motor or motors. Alternatively, either a further pinch roller acting on the pulley wheel 16 may be provided or in the version using the pair of pinching rollers, a further pair of pinching rollers may be provided at another position along the loop of tape. In these alternative constructions the rollers are made disengageble from the tap and adapted to rotate and drive the tape in opposite directions. Thus forward and reverse motions of the tape are accomplished by operating one or other of the roller means and disengaging the other.In another alternative arrangement the rollers can be provided in pairs without the means for disengagement but allowing one to slip when not energised.

Figure 2 shows a further track transportation system which includes the track 1 and carriage 5 arrangement and four pulley wheels disposed as described with reference to Figure 1. In this system an endless tape 30 is perforated with a series of equally spaced rectangular holes 31 along its length.

The pulley wheels 32 and 33 adjacent the free ends of the track 1 are provided with sprocket teeth engageable with the holes in the tape. The tape is driven by the sprocket wheel 32 which is controlled by a reversible electric motor. The tape is tensioned by a spring-loaded sprocket wheel 34 situated on the run 21 of the tape between the sprocket wheels 28 and 29. The sprocket wheel 34 is urged by a spring in a direction towards the curved portion of the track 1 and so acts to maintain the tape undertension.

As an alternative to the perforated tape 30 a linked chain may be used with appropriate modification to the teeth of the sprocket wheels.

Referring now to Figure 3 an alternative cup transportation system includes the track and carriage arrangement as described with reference to Figure 1 and also the pulley 15,16 and 17. A terminated length of tape 40 wound at either end around the pulley wheels 15 and 16 respectively acting as spools for the tape at the ends of the track.

This system employs two AC motors 41 and 42 driving respectively pulleys 15 and 16. Each motor is connected to a drive shaft on its respective pulley wheel to rotate that pulley wheel in a particular direction. These directions are such that operation of one motor pulls the tape in one direction and operation of the other pulls it in the opposite direction. Each of the motors is arranged to slip as the tape is pulled by the other of the motors.

In an improved version of this system the tape is maintained under tension by continually energising both motors so that they oppose one another. One of the motors is provided with less power than the other thereby allowing the tape to move whilst being kept continuously under tension. This arrangement of opposing drives may also be applied to the pinch roller systems described with reference to Figure 1, and to the sprocket wheel arrangement described with reference to Figure 2.

Figure 4 illustrates an electrical circuit that can conveniently be used to obtain the defferential power supply to the motors 41 and 42. One terminal of each of the motors is connected to one terminal of an ac power supply and the other terminal of each motor is connected via a respectively parallel combination of a triac 43a, 43b and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 44a, 44b to the other terminal of the power supply. Each motor is connected to the anode of the associated SCR. The two parallel combinations are connected between the junctions between the cathod of the SCR and the triac in each of the circuits. The gate terminal at the triac 43a associated with the motor 41 and the gate terminal of the SCR 44b associated with the motors 23 are both connected to a control terminal 45.The gate terminal of the triac 43b and the gate terminal of the SCR 44a associated with the motor 41 are both connected to a further control terminal 46. Application of a control voltage to either terminal 45 or 46 causes power supply to both motors. When terminal 45 is energised energisation of the motor 41 is via the triac 43a whereas motor 42 is energised through SCR 44b.

The motor 42 thus receives a halfwave rectified power supply which provides approximately half the power passed by the triac 43a. Thus the motor 41 is driven with twice the power of the motor 42 enabling the direction of pull of the motor 41 to predominate and control direction of movement of the tape 40.

The motor 42 acts in the reverse direction with sufficient power only to maintain the tape in tension.

When the control voltage is applied to terminal 46 rather than to terminal 45 the motor 42 becomes supplied with greater power than that supplied to motor 22. The direction of motion of the tape is thus reversed.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 12 a cup conveyor for transporting cups within a vending machine includes, a track 1 carriage 5 and pulley wheel arrangement substantially similar two the described with reference to Figure 1. In this conveyor a terminated length of tape 50 rather than an endless belt is used. The two ends of the tape are wound on respective ones of two vertically juxtaposed pulley wheels 51 and 52 which replace the pulley wheel 15 in the system described with reference to Figure 1.

The two pulley wheels 51 and 52 are releasably locked together for rotation one with another so that as the tape 50 is unwound from one of the pulley wheels it is wound on the other. Alternative methods of sensing the travel of the tape 50 are shown in Figures 5 to 12, and it should be understood that these are no limited to the particular type of drive mechanism in which by way of example they are shown embodied in the Figures.

Referring particularly to Figure 5 a series of small magnetic discs 60 are fixed to the outer side surface of the tape 50 at equal intervals. The tape 50 passes through a slot in a reading head 61 which contains Hall Effect transistors. The transistors conduct a current in one direction and the magnetic field produced by one of the magnetic discs 60 when it is in the reading head is orthogonal to this electric current. The Hall Effect produces a voltage mutually orthogonal to the magnetic field and the transistor current and this voltage indicates the proximity of one of the magnetic discs 60. The reading head is connected to a processing unit which on the basis of the signals produced in response to the Hall Voltages can judge the position of the tape and hence the cup by counting the number of instances that the magnetic disc pass the Hall Effect devices.The direction of movement of the tape can be sensed by noting the sequence in which the transistors within the reading head are activated.

In a further arrangement illustrated in Figure 6 a permanent magnet 62 is secured to the inner surface of the limb 8 of the yoke of the cup transporting carriage 5. A series of Hall Effect transistors 63 are fixed to the outer side surface of the track 1 at a height corresponding to the height of the permanent magnets on the yoke of the carriage. As the carriage moves along the track the permanent magnet 62 successively produces a Hall Effect voltage in the transistors 63 when it passes over them. Each transistor is connected to the processing unit so that the position of the carriage can be determined by the signal from the last activated transistor. The direction of movement can also be computed by noting the direction of succession of the activated transistors.

Referring now to Figure 7, in the system shown in this figure the tape 70 used to drive the carriage is impregnated or coated with magnetically responsive material and may be ofthe kind standardly used in magnetic recording apparatus. A series of electrical pulses are recorded at physical intervals along the length of the tape. A reading head 71 is located adjacent the tape and as a part of the tape passes the reading head the magnetically recorded pulses on that part of the tape are reproduced as electrical signals in the head 71. These pulses are fed to the processing unit and used to determine the position of the carriage.

Figure 8 shows another system for sensing the position of a carriage in a vending machine conveyor. This system employs a series of micro-switches 80 which may be either a lever or push button type. The micro-switches 80 are located at spaced intervals on the outer side surface of the track 1. The inner surface of the limb 8 of the carriage yoke includes a roller 81 disposed on an axle mounted on the carriage yoke. The axle of the roller is parallel with the height of the track and spaced therefrom so that the roller is in gliding contact with the surface of the track. It will be understood that a lever or other arrangement may be used in place of the roller. As the roller moves along the track with the carriage it contacts the micro-switches and depresses each in turn as it passes.The operation of each micro-switch completes an electrical circuit and causes on each occasion a signal to be transmitted to the processing unit which detects the position of the carriage on the basis of this information.

Figure 9 illustrates a further system which is similar to that shown in Figure 8 but in place of the micro-switches 80 on the track 1 there are located pairs of open contacts 90 protruding from the outer side surface of the track. The carriage yoke includes on the inner surface of the limb 8 a contact wiper 91 which, as it passes each pair of contacts, provides an electrical connection between them, thus completing an electrical circuit on each occasion and providing electrical signalsforthe processing unit.

Figure 10 shows an alternative system for sensing the position of the tape and hence the carriage, using electrical signals as the indication of the position. In this system the tape 100 is provided with a series of holes 101 at spaced apart positions along its length.

A pair of brush contacts 102 are disposed on either side of the tape and when an unbroken portion of the tape is between them electrical contact between the brushes is prevented. When one of the holes in the tape passes between the brushes 102 the brushes are allowed to fleetingly pass through the hole and make an electrical contact with the brush contact on the other side of the tape. The two brush contacts 102 are connected in an electrical circuit such that when they are allowed to contact an electrical signal is produced which is fed to the processing unit and used as a basis for calculating the position of the carriage.

Figure 11 illustrates a further system for sensing the location of the carriage and utilises the roller 110 on the inside surface of limb 8 of the carriage yoke.

Electrical switches 111 are located at spaced intervals on the outer side surface of the track. These switches are flexible rubber touch-sensitive switches and are activated by the passage thereover by the roller on the carriage yoke. The electrical signal produced thereby is utilised by a processing unit as in the above described examples.

Referring now to Figure 12, in this version of the cup transportation system the position of the tape is detected by a light sensing arrangement. In the system a reflective surface 120 is provided on the inner surface of the limb 8 of the carriage yoke and a series of light sensors 121 are located on the outer side surface of track 1 at spaced intervals and at a height corresponding to the height of the reflective surface on the carriage. It may be possible to use this system without a series of light sources, relying on the reflective light from the surface 120 on the carriage being sufficiently greater than the ambient light such that the light sensors 121 on the track detect the passage of the carriage be means of the increased light incident on the sensors as the reflective surface passes. In an environment where the reflective natural light is not sufficient to distinguish from the ambient light conditions then each sensor on the track may have an associated LED, fibre optic end, or other form of illumination so that light is received by reflection of lightfrom this source from the reflective surface on the carriage back to the sensor associate with that light source.

It will be appreciated that in the examples of the invention described above with reference to Figures 5 to 12 the electrical signals produced by the passage of the drive tape need not be fed to a processing unit but may alternatively be relayed directly to a motor control circuit or a solenoid controlling the dropping of cups.

Claims (30)

1. A machine for dispensing beverages of the kind described, wherein the conveyor means comprises a length of flexible material extending between at least a pair of pulley wheels, the advancement of the length of material causing the support means to be conveyed as aforesaid, and wherein the length of material is advanced by a fixed roller, mounted and driven for rotation such that a surface thereof engages a surface of the flexible material, or one of said pulley wheels.

2. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the roller acts in association with a further roller each being disposed on opposite sides of the flexible material, and the flexible material being pinched between the roller and the associated further roller.

3. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the length of flexible material is part of an endless belt disposed around said pulley wheels.

4. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the length of flexible material may comprises a terminated length of tape, each end being carried by a respective one of said pulleys acting as a spool for the tape.

5. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said pulley wheels are toothed and wherein the length of flexible material has a series of uniformly spaced holes along its length, shaped and spaced to conform with the teeth of the toothed wheels by means of which the toothed wheels are enabled to engage the flexible material.

6. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 5 modified by said flexible material being driven by means of at least one of said toothed wheels.

7. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the length of flexible material is in the form of an endless loop, and wherein spring loaded tensioning means is arranged to maintain tension in said flexible material.

8. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any preceding claim the flexible material is a tape, or a linked chain.

9. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the flexible material is a finite length oftape, and wherein the pulley wheels are spools on which the ends of the tape are wound, each spool being connected to an electric motor by means of which it may be driven.

10. A beverage-dispensing machanine as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each pulley is driven by a motor and wherein the motors are arranged to act to drive the flexible material in opposite directions, and further including control means to control the operation of the motors such that only one operates at any given time, the other being allowed to slip during operation of the other.

11. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein movement of the flexible material 15 accomplished with both motors operating in opposition, one motor being provided with more power than the other according to the intended direction of travel of the tape and the other serving to tension said flexible material.

12. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control means includes a specific circuit arrangement for controlling the motors such that they operate in opposition as aforesaid.

13. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein the circuit arrangement comprises an ac power supply, first and second circuit paths to each motor, the first circuit path allowing full wave ac from the power supply to reach the motor, and the second circuit path allowing half-wave rectified ac from the power supply to reach the motor, and means for switching the connections to the motors such that when one is energised via the second circuit path and vice versa.

14. A beverage-dispensing machine of the kind described, wherein the conveyor means includes a movable member engaged with said support means, the advancement of the movable member causing said support means to be conveyed as aforesaid, and comprising means for detecting the position of the support means including a series of first elements supported in spaced apart relationship with predetermined intervals between them, and a further element operative to interact with said first elements when said further element and a one of the first elements are moved relatively into proximity whereby an output signal is produced in response to said interaction, one of either said series of first elements or said further element being stationary while the other is supported for movement with the support means.

15. A beverage-dispensing device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said further element is arranged to interact magnetically with said first elements.

16. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein either said further element or said series of first elements comprises magnetised material and the other being a device or devices operative to produce an electrical signal in response to the passage or presence of a magnetic field.

17. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the or each said device operative produce an electrical signal is adapted to utilise the Hall Effectto produce the signal.

18. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the series of first elements is situated on said movable member, and the further element is fixed at a stationary position in the machine.

19. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any one of claims 14to 17 wherein said further element is carried by said movable member and the series of first elements is fixed at a stationary position within the machine.

20. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein the movable member comprises a length of flexible material extending between a pair of pulley wheels.

21. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in any one of claims 14to 20 wherein the movable member comprises a length of a magnetisable tape extending between a pair of pulley wheels, said series of first elements are spaced along the length of the tape and comprise signals magnetically recorded on said tape, and the fixed element comprise a reading head adapted to produce an electrical signal in response to the passage of each of said magnetically recorded signals.

22. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein said further element is arranged to interact mechanically with said first elements.

23. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 22 wherein the series of first elements comprises a series of holes through said movable member and spaced along its length and said further element comprises a stationary pair of electrical contacts disposed on opposite sides of the movable member at least one of the contacts being a brush contact which is enabled to pass through a one of said holes when the hole passed between the contacts thereby completing an electrical circuit and producing said output signals.

24. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 22 wherein the series of first elements comprises a series of mechanical-operated switches fixed at stationary locations with respect to the carriage and said further member comprises an operating member for the switches fixed for move mentwith said carriage.

25. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 24 wherein the conveyor includes a rigid track on which said carriage runs, and the series of mechanically-operated switches is fixed to the track.

26. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 25 wherein the switches comprise microswitches ortouch-sensitive switches and the operating member on the carriage may comprise a roller supported to roll over the switches when brought into proximity therewith.

27. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26 wherein the switches comprise spaced electrical contacts and the operating member on the carriage comprises a wiper.

28. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 14 wherein said further element is arranged to interact with said first elements by the sensing of changes in electromagnetic radiation upon a sensor.

29. A beverage-dispensing machine as claimed in claim 28 wherein said further element is arranged to interact with said further elements by means of reflected radiation, with said first elements when said further element and one of the first elements are moved relatively into proximity, one of either of said series of first elements or said further element being a light sensitive detector operative to produce a signal in response to said interaction, and one of either said series of first elements or said further element being stationary while the other is supported for movement with support means.

30. A beverage dispensing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and substantially as herein described with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.