GB2146621A - Post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin operated vending machine for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a selected type of post-mix beverage into a cup including a coin validator, a plurality of flavor concentrate supplies S1 etc, a source of carbonated water and selector switches for initiating the vending of a beverage of a selected flavor. Each flavor concentrate supply has an associated fluid propelled pump P for transporting the flavor concentrate to a dispensing nozzle 36 aligned with the cup. Control valves SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4, associated with each respective pump P1-P4 are selectively activated by the selector switches to provide propellant fluid selectively to a pump. A timer holds an activated control valve SV1 etc opened for a time period which permits a predetermined quantity of beverage to be dispensed, such that only one type of beverage can be dispensed in a given cycle, and the amount dispensed is independent of how long the selector switch remains depressed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coin-operated vending machine The present invention relates to a coin-operated vending machine for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a selected type of post-mix beverage into a cup. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control system for dispensing the flavour concentrate (syrup) portion of the beverage by means of fluid powered concentrate pumps.

One suitable type of post-mix beverage dispensing system which may be used in the coin-operated cup vending machine of the present invention is described in U.S. Patent 4,304,736 to McMillin, et al., issued December 1981 and assigned in part to the same assignee as the present invention. The postmix beverage dispensing system described in this patent generally includes a syrup pump for each of the types of post-mix beverages to be dispensed, which are propelled by the same CO2 gas utilized to form carbonated water to be mixed with the syrup. A gas propelled water pump is also provided which is powered by the CO2 gas and the CO2 gas exhausted from the water pump is fed into the carbonator tank to carbonate the water.

Each of the flavor concentrate (syrup) pumps of this patented system has an associated fluid propellant line coupled to the source of CO2 gas, and a manually actuatable gas control valve in each of those lines to facilitate the selective actuation of any desired syrup pump. These control valves include a manually-actuatable selector button which is depressed by an operator to simultaneously open the gas valve and a carbonated water valve. The selector button must remain depressed or be held by the operator, until the proper quantity of syrup and associated carbonated water is dispensed into a cup.

This type of control system works quite well for the post-mix beverage dispenser described in the aforementioned patent when it is used in a countertop cabinet in such locations as fast food restaurants or small businesses. However, substantial modification of the selector switches and control circuitry therefor is required to convert the above-described dispenser system for use as a coin-operated cup vending system.

The above-referenced patented system will be further described hereinafter by reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.

One prior art attempt to convert the abovedescribed system to a coin-operated cup vending machine was made by attaching a coin validator module to a countertop beverage dispenser unit.

Interface control circuity was provided to eliminate the need for holding the CO2 gas valves of the above-described system in a depressed state until a desired quantity of beverage was dispensed into a cup. To solve this problem, each syrup dispensing branch of the system was provided with an electric switch coupled to a timer, which was, in turn, coupled to a single 3-way solenoid valve disposed in the CO2 gas propellant conduit upstream of all of the syrup pumps so that the opening of this solenoid valve would enable the gas propellant line of all of the pumps and the closing of this solenoid valve would remove propellant gas pressure from all of the pumps. In this system, a vend cycle would proceed in the following manner.A customer would insertthe proper coinage for a cup of beverage in the coin validator, and when credit was established by the validator, an electrical signal would be generated through the interface control circuitry to open the single 3-way solenoid control valve upstream of all of the syrup pumps of the system, providing propellant fluid to their respective control lines, including the manually-operable CO2 gas valves. The consumer could then depress a selector switch associated with a desired beverage which would energize both the CO2 gas valve and the gas propellant line of the associated pump and the electric switch connected to the timer.The timer would permit the 3-way solenoid valve to remain open for a predetermined period sufficient to permit the dispensing of the proper amount of beverage into a cup, and at the end of the time period would close the 3-way solenoid valve, stopping the flow of syrup and venting all of the CO2 propellant lines connected to the respective syrup pumps to the atmosphere. The above-described system will be further described hereinafter in connection with Figure 3 of the drawings.

The above-described coin-operated system suffers from several disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the arrangement of the CO2 gas valves in each of the respective gas propellant lines requires that the selector button remain depressed throughout the dispensing cycle to permit the continued flow of syrup. This, of course, could cause problems with a consumer or customer not familiar with the operation of the machine. For example, the customer could push his finger on and offthe button, and each time, the syrup would stop and start until such time that the timer has determined that the cycle is complete and the 3-way solenoid valve would be closed. This would unnecessarily lengthen the dispensing cycle, or could result in dispensing less than a complete serving of beverage should the customer withdraw the cup prior to the completion of the vending cycle.In addition, since all four gas propellant lines of the respective syrup pumps of the above-described system are simultaneously enabled or pressurized through a single 3-way solenoid control valve downstream of all pumps, it is possible for a customer to press more than one selector switch at a time and simultaneously dispense more than one type of beverage into a cup, which is clearly undesirable.

Viewed from one aspect the present invention provides a coin-operated vending machine for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a selected type of post-mix beverage into a cup comprising: a) coin validator means for receiving coins and generating a credit signal when the value of coins received equals the price of a cup of said beverage; b) a plurality of flavor concentrate supply means, one for each said type of post-mix beverage, each of said supply means including, 1) a concentrate supply conduit connecting said supply means with a dispensing nozzle, and 2) pump means in said concentrate supply conduit for transferring flavour concentrate from said supply means through said conduit to said dispensing nozzle, said pump means being driven by a fluid propellant;; c) fluid propellant supply means selectively connectable to each said pump means for providing fluid propellant thereto; d) propellant control valve means between each of said pump means and said fluid propellant supply means for supplying fluid propellant to said pump means when open and venting fluid propellant from said pump means when closed; e) selector switch means including a selector switch for each said type of beverage and associated concentrate supply means, each said selector switch, when closed, opening an associated propellant control valve means to drive an associated pump means in the presence of a credit signal from said coin validator means;; f) timer means for holding said associated propellant control valve means open for a time period permitting said predetermined quantity of beverage to be dispensed into said cup in response to the closing of said selector switch, said propellant control valve means closing to vent the fluid propellant at the end of said time period; and g) a cup station for supporting a said cup in alignment with said dispenser nozzle.

Viewed from another aspect this invention provides, in a coin-operated vending machine for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a selected type of post-mix beverage into a cup including coin validator means for receiving coins and generating a credit signal when the value of coins received equals the price of a cup of said beverage, a plurality of flavor concentrate supply means, one for each said type of post-mix beverage, each of said supply means including a concentrate supply conduit connecting said supply means with a dispensing nozzle, and pump means in said concentrate supply conduit for transferring flavor concentrate from said supply means through said conduit to said dispensing nozzle, said pump means being driven by a fluid propellant, and fluid propellant supply means selectively connectable to each said pump means for providing fluid propellant thereto, the improvement comprising: a) propellant control valve means between each of said pump means and said fluid propellant supply means for supplying fluid propellant to said pump means when open and venting fluid propellant from said pump means when closed; b) selector switch means including a selector switch for each said type of beverage and associated concentrate supply means, each said selector switch, when closed, opening an associated propellant control valve means to drive an associated pump means in the presence of a credit signal from said coin validator means;; c) timer means for holding said associated propellant control valve means open for a time period permitting said predetermined quantity of beverage to be dispensed into said cup in response to the closing of said selector switch, said propellant control valve means closing to vent the fluid propellant at the end of said time period; and d) a cup station for supporting a said cup in alignment with said dispenser nozzle.

A preferred form of the present invention comprises a coin-operated vending machine with a conventional coin validator for generating credit signals when the value of coins received equals the prices of a cup of beverage to be dispensed in combination with a suitable control module which permits the selection of a desired flavor or type of beverage in response to the momentary actuation of a selector switch after the proper amount of coinage is deposited into the validator.The beverage dispensing system includes a plurality of flavor concentrate supply means, one for each of the types of post-mix beverages to be dispensed, each of said supply means including a concentrate supply conduit connecting said supply means with a dispensing nozzle aligned with the cup in which the beverage is to be served, and a fluid-propelled pump means in each of said concentrate supply conduits for transferring flavor concentrate from said supply means through said conduit to the dispensing nozzle. A supply of fluid propellant is selectively connectable to each of the concentrate (syrup) pumps for providing fluid propellant thereto through a propellant control valve disposed between each of the pumps and the propellant supply. The control valve supplies fluid propellant to the pump when open and vents fluid propellant from the associated pump when closed.A plurality of selector switches are provided, one for each type of beverage to be dispensed and the associated concentrate supply conduit; each said selector switch, when closed, opening an associated propellant control valve to drive an associated pump means in the presence of a proper credit signal generated by the coin validator. The selector switches are connected to a timer means provided for holding the associated propellant control valve means open for a time period permitting a predetermined quantity of beverage to be dispensed into the cup in response to the closing of a selector switch. At the end of the time period, the timer permits the actuated propellant control valve to close and vent the fluid propellant from the associated pump to the atmosphere. The vending machine includes a cup support station which has a cup automatically presented thereto for each vend cycle in alignment with the dispenser nozzle of the machine.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa perspective view of the cabinet of a coin-operated cup vending machine according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the prior art post-mix beverage dispensing system of U.S.Patent 4,304,736 to McMillin, et al., issued December 8,1981; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a prior art attempt to modify the syrup dispensing control mechanism of the patented dispensing system of Figure 2 for use as a coin-operated counter dis penser; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the syrup dispensing control system portion of an embodiment ofthe present invention illustrating the modifications made to the syrup dispensing system of Figures 2 and 3, to better adapt the fluid-propelled syrup dispensing systems thereof to coin-operated vending machines used in commercial locations having high consumer usage; and Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of the electrical control circuit which interfaces with the syrup dispensing control schematic of Figure 4.

Figure 1 illustrates the free-standing cabinetry of a coin-operated cup vending machine of the present invention. The cabinet is generally indicated CB, the sidewalls being formed of sheet metal and painted a suitable color with product-identifying logo thereon.

The front face of the vending machine includes an illuminated logo panel LP in the upper left-hand corner thereof and a control panel adjacent thereto including a plurality of product selector buttons SB1, SB2, SB3, SB4. The upper product selector button SB1 is much larger than the buttons SB2 to SB4, and is disposed adjacent to the coin slot CS. Generally, the selector button SB1 would be utilized for selecting a primary product such as "Coke", as compared to a secondary product such as "Sprite" (also a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company), which would be available in connection with one of the selector buttons SB2, SB3, SB4.In any event, the selector buttons SB1 to SB4 provide for the selection of up to four different post-mix beverages, and each button is associated with a different flavor concentrate (syrup) pump as will be discussed further hereinafter. A cup filling station is disposed below the selector buttons, behind a slidable transparent door D. Cups are automatically dispensed to this location for filling by the dispensing system of the present invention with the initiation of each vend cycle in a mannerto be discussed more fully hereinafter. Also illustrated on the face of the vending machine of Figure lisa conventional locking machine Land a coin return slot CR.

In accordance with the present invention, the vending machine cabinet CB of Figure 1 may have a gas powered post-mix beverage dispenser system of the general type illustrated in Figure 2 with the syrup dispensing system modified as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 to provide a coin-operated cup vending machine. Before turning to the modifications illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, an explanation will be made of the basic gas powered dispensing system of Figure 2 and a prior art modification of that system for coin-actuated operation, illustrated in Figure 3.

The gas-powered dispensing system of Figure 2 is fully disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,304,736 to McMillin, issued December 8, 1981,which is incorporated herein by reference. The apparatus 10 described therein includes a pneumatically-powerable pump 11, a carbonator 12, a propelled water conduit 13 connecting the water pump 11 to the carbonator 12, a gas conduit 14 connecting the water pump 11 to the carbonator 12 and a propellant gas exhaust conduit 15 connecting the water pump 11 to the carbonator 12.

The water pump 11 has a water inlet 16 connectible to a source of flat water. The flat water source may be either of a water container 17 having water under atmospheric pressure, or a pressurized municipal water supply 18 if municipal pressure is available and preferable to use as a supply. Closed and pressurized containers of water may be substituted forthe open container 17 if economically and/or hygienically preferable. A water outlet 19 connects the water pump 11 to the propelled water conduit 13. A gas inlet 20 in a pump control valve 21 connects the water pump 11 to the gas conduit 14, and gas outlets 22 from the control valve 21 connect with water pump 11 to the gas exhaust conduit 15.

Within the water pump 11 there is reciprocable double ended piston assembly 23 within a pair of cylinders 24L, 24R. The piston assembly 23 divides each of cylinders 24L, 24R into a gas power chamber 25 and a water pump chamber 26, while physically separating water from propellant gas. A bistable valve actuator mechanism 27 operatively connects the piston assembly 23 to the control valve 21.

The carbonator 12 is a pressure vessel having a reservoir 28 for carbonated water, and a gas space 29 above the reservoir 28. A level sensor 30 follows the water level up and down within the carbonator 12 and activates a switch 31 which is operatively connected to open a normally closed water inlet and fill valve 32 in the propelled water conduit 13. The carbonator inlet 33 has a restrictor spray nozzle 34 in the gas space 29 and in common fluid communication with both of the exhaust gas conduit 15 and the propelled water conduit 13 for common admittance of both water and carbon dioxide into the gas space 29 of the carbonator 12 as a fine spray.A carbonator outlet 35 is connected to a dispensing nozzle 36 by a carbonated water dispensing conduit 37 having a normally closed dispensing valve 38 connected to and under the operative control of a dispensing actuator 39 and a dispensing restrictor line 56 is physically sized for giving a predetermined volumetric rate of dispensing flow from the carbonator 12 into the dispensing nozzle 36.

The propelled water conduit 13 has an inlet end 40 connected to the pump water outlet 19, and a cooling coil 41 immersed in a refrigeration bath 42 of ice water and ice. Downstream of the normally closed fill valve 32, and upstream of the restrictor spray nozzle 34 is a turbulator 43 which is a series of baffles for violent churning and agitating flowing water and carbon dioxide gas in the water conduit 13. The propellant gas conduit 15 fluidly connects into the propelled water conduit 13 downstream of the fill valve 32 and upstream of the turbulator 43 and the restrictor spray nozzle 34. A carbonator filling flow control 57 is upstream of the turbulator 43 and the connection of the exhaust gas conduit 15 to the propelled water conduit 13, and preferably also upstream of the fill valve 32. The filling flow control 57 is structured or set to give a predetermined volumetric rate of water flow from the pump 11 into the carbonator 12 which is substantially less than a predetermined volumetric flow rate through the dispensing restrictor line 56. Check valves 44 in the exhaust gas conduit 15 preclude water flow from the water conduit 13 through the exhaust gas conduit 15 and into the pump 11 or its operating valve 21, as well as precluding flow of exhausted carbon dioxide gas back into the pump 11 after the gas has been used as the propellant.

A flat water dispensing conduit 45 has an inlet end 53 fluidly connected into the propelled water conduit 13 downstream of the cooling coil 41, and upstream of the carbonator fill valve 32 and flow control 57.

The flat water dispensing conduit 45 has a flat water flow control 58 structured or set to give a predetermined volumetric flow rate greater than the volumetric flow rate of the carbonator filling flow control 57 and at least equal to the normal volumetric rate of flow effected by the dispensing restrictor line 56, and a discretely operable, normally closed dispensing valve 46, which is operatively connected to be opened by an actuator 47. The flat water conduit 46 is connected to the dispensing restrictor line 56 of the carbonated water dispensing conduit 37 and both carbonated and flat water share the dispensing restrictor line 56 and a common water outlet 59 in the dispensing head 36.

The gas conduit 14 is connectibleto a high pressure source of carbon dioxide gas 48 and has a first outlet 49 connected to the water pump gas inlet 20, a propellant pressure regulator 50 for regulating a predetermined pneumatic propellant pressure at the pump 11, a second gas outlet 51 fluidly connected into the carbonator gas space 29, and a storage pressure regulator 52 for regulating a predetermined pneumatic storage pressure within the carbonator 12. An automatic venting valve 54, in fluid communication with the carbonator gas space 29 vents gas from the space 29 when the pressure in the carbonator 12 exceeds the preset pressure of the storage pressure regulator 52.

One of a plurality of concentrate dispensers 60 includes a pneumatically-powerable concentrate pump 61 which draws from a concentrate container 62. Power for the concentrate pump 61 comes from propellant carbon dioxide gas from the gas source 48. A concentrate gas conduit 63 to the concentrate pump 61 has an inlet conduit 64 fluidly connected to the main gas conduit 14 at pressure regulator 67.

A concentrate control valve 65 normally closes the concentrate gas inlet conduit 64 and vents the concentrate pump 61 to the atmosphere via an open port 66. The valve 65 and carbonated water dispensing actuator 39 are commonly actuatable by a selector button SB. When the concentrate control valve 65 is actuated by depressing the selector button SB, the vent 66 is closed and the conduits 63, 64 are fluidly connected, which fluidly connects the concentrate pump 61 to the concentrate propellant pressure regulator 67, which drives the pump.

Concentrate is then propelled from the pump 61 to the dispensing nozzle 36 through a concentrate dispensing conduit 68 having a cooling coil 69 in the refrigeration bath 42. The concentrate is then mixed with carbonated water in dispensing nozzle 36 from conduit 56 at outlet 59 to form a post-mix beverage to be served in the cup therebelow.

It should be understood that the system of Figure 2 illustrates only one concentrate supply system and associated concentrate pump 61. However, in actual commercial use, a plurality of concentrate supplies 62, pumps 61, control valves 65, and selector buttons SB are provided to give the customer a choice of flavors and types of post-mix beverages.

A prior art attempt to convert the above-described system of Figure 2 into a coin-operated cup vending machine was made by attaching a coin validator module to a countertop beverage dispenser unit.

This system is generally indicated in Figure 3.

Interface control circuitry TC is provided to eliminate the possibility of dispensing more than a predetermined quantity of syrup which was possible with the above-described system. To solve this problem, each syrup dispensing branch of the system is provided with an electric switch ESW coupled to timer/control module TC, which is, in turn, coupled to a single 3-way solenoid valve SV at input I disposed in the CO2 gas propellant conduit upstream of all of the syrup pumps P1, P2, P3, P4. The opening of this solenoid valve SV is initiated by the establishment of proper credit in coin validator CV. This enables the gas propellant lines GP1, GP2, GP3, GP4 of all of the pumps and the subsequent closing of this solenoid valve vents propellant gas pressure from all of the pumps through vent V.Closing of valve SV is controlled by the timer TC to limit the duration of a vend cycle. That is, the timer in TC generates a signal to close valve SV at the end of a predetermined time period.

In this system of Figure 3, a vend cycle would proceed in the following manner. A customer inserts the proper coinage for a cup of beverage in the coin validator CV, and when credit is established by the validator CV, an electrical signal is generated by the interface control circuitry TC to open the single 3-way solenoid control valve SV upstream of all of the syrup pumps P1-P4, providing propellant fluid to their respective gas propellant lines GP1-GP4, including the manually-operable gas selector valves GS1 - GS4. The consumer then depresses a selector button SB1,SB2, SB3 or SB4, associated with a desired beverage which simultaneously energizes both the associated gas valve GS1, GS2, GS3 or GS4 and the associated electrical switch ESW1, ESW2, ESW3 or ESW4 connected to the timer/control module TC.The timer therein permits the 3-way solenoid valve SV to remain open for a predetermined period following the closing of one of the electrical switches, which is only sufficient to permit the dispensing of the proper amount of beverage into a cup. At the end of that time period, module TC generates a signal to close the 3-way solenoid valve, stopping the pump being driven and venting all of the gas propellant lines GS1 - GS4 connected to the respective syrup pumps to the atmosphere through vent V.

It should be understood that the system of Figure 3 includes selector buttons SB1 - SB3 and electrical switches ESW1 - ESW3 (not shown) associated with gas valves GS1 - GS3 and pumps P1 - P3. Only the complete set of control switches in the circuit of pump P4 is shown for the sake of clarity.

The coin-operated system of Figure 3 suffers from several disadvantages. One disadvantage is that the arrangement of the manually-operable gas selector valves GS1 to GS4 in each of the respective gas propellant lines GP1 - GP4 requires that one of the selector buttons SB1 - SB4 remain depressed throughout the dispensing cycle to permit the continued flow of syrup. This, of course, could cause problems with a consumer or customer not familiar with the operation of the machine. For example, the customer could push his finger on and off a selector button, and each time, syrup flow would stop and start, until such time that the timer in TC has determined that the cycle is complete and the 3-way solenoid valve SV would close.This would unnecessarily lengthen the dispensing cycle, or could result in dispensing less than a complete serving of beverage should the customer withdraw the cup prior to the completion of the vending cycle. In addition, since all four gas propellant lines GP1 to GP4 of the respective syrup pumps of the Figure 3 system are simultaneously enabled or pressurized through a single 3-way solenoid control valve SV downstream of all pumps P1 - P4, it is possible for a customer to press more than one selector button SB1 - SB4 at a time and simultaneously dispense more than one type of syrup into a cup, which is clearly undesirable.

Figures 4 and 5, in combination, illustrate an improved syrup selection and dispensing system in accordance with the present invention. As in the above-described coin-operated system of Figure 3, the system of the present invention will be described, assuming the presence of four separate syrup pumps P1 - P4 for withdrawing four different types of syrup or flavor concentrate from separate syrup supplies, and selectively delivering them to a common dispensing nozzle 36 for mixing with carbonated water, to form a post-mix beverage to be served in a cup at the cup station behind the door D in the machine of Figure 1. CO2 gas for powering the dispenser system is supplied through gas propellant line GP from a CO2 cylinder such as 48, illustrated in the dispensing system of Figure 2.Coupled to the common gas propellant line or conduit GP are separate gas propellant lines GP1 to GP4 associated with the respective syrup pumps P1 to P4. Only pump P4 is illustrated in Figure 4 for the sake of clarity. As illustrated in Figure 4, each of the respective gas propellant lines GP1 to GP4 has an associated solenoid valve SV1 to SV4 disposed therein in series with the associated pumps P1 to P4.

These solenoid valves SV1 to SV4 are electrically actuated by the timer/control module TC' in response to the selective actuation of one of electrical switches SB1 to SB4 (Figure 5).

More specifically, a plurality of momentary electrical switches SB1 to SB4 illustrated in Figure 5 are coupled to the electrical input terminals 11 to 14 of solenoid valves SV1 to SV4 through a timer/control module TC'. Also coupled to timer/control module TC' is a coin validator means CV of any commercially-available type well-known in the art. Coin validator CV is operatively associated with the coin slot CS of the vending machine of Figure 1 for receiving coins and generating a credit signal when the value of coins received equal the price of a beverage serving to be dispensed.

Also connected to timer/control module TC' is an automatic cup dispenser of any form well known in the art for use in cup vending machines for automatically delivering a cup to the cup-filling station behind door D of the vending machine of Figure 1 at the commencement of each vend cycle. A power supply PS provides operating power to the entire control circuit of Figure Sthrough positive power line P and neutral line N.

The timer/control module TC' may be either a special ly-manufactu red integrated circuit control chip, including a timer and interfacing logic or a programmable microprocessor such as an Intel 8080 or other microprocessor chips which are readily available.

In operation, when a proper amount of coinage is inserted into coin slot CS of the vending machine of Figure 1 and proper credit is established by the validator CV, the consumer momentarily depresses a selected one of the switches SB1 to SB4. Since timer/control module TC' has received a credit signal from validator CV, the closing of one of these selector switches in the presence of this credit signal, permits the associated one of the solenoid valves SV1 to SV4 to be energized and opened, permitting propellant gas to drive one of the pumps P1 to P4.The timer/control module TC' is either specially designed or programmed to generate appropriate timing signals which will hold the energized one of the solenoid valves SV1 to SV4 open for a time period sufficient to permit the flow of a predetermined quantity of syrup through dispensing nozzle 36 into an aligned cup at the cup supporting station. Timer/control module TC' will also simultaneously cause the energization of carbonated water solenoid CWS in the carbonated water line of the dispensing system to mix a predetermined quantity thereof with the syrup, forming the desired post-mix beverage. At the end of the time period determined by timer/control module TC', the energized one of the solenoid valves SV1 to SV4 will close, opening the associated one of the vents V1 to V4, venting the propellant gas from the associated syrup pump.

It can be seen from the above description of the system of Figures 4 and 5 that a uniform quantity of the syrup and carbonated water will always be dispensed into a cup for each vend cycle, regardless of how long one of these selector switches SW1 to SW4 is depressed. Accordingly, there is no need for an operator or customer to hold the selector switches down in a depressed state in order to get a full serving of beverage. Furthermore, the timer/control module TC' may be designed or programmed to preclude any possibility of more than one syrup pump being actuated for each credit signal developed. Therefore, it is impossible with the system of the present apparatus to accidentally dispense more than one syrup into a cup simultaneously, as was possible with the prior art coin-operated vending system of Figure 3.

As further illustrated in Figure 4, the syrup supply to each of the pumps P1 to P4 may include first and second sets of syrup sources S1, S2, coupled through an automatic changeover valve AV. Examples of changeover valves appropriate for use as AV in the present system and associated bag-in-box syrup sources S1, S2 are described in U.S. Patents 4,014,461 to Harvill and 4,275,823 to Credle, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Although the syrup control and dispensing system of the present apparatus is described as being for use in conjunction with the prior art dispensing system of Figure 2, it should be understood that other forms of gas-powered post-mix beverage dispenser systems may be utilized in combination with the syrup control system of the present invention to provide a coin-operated cup vending machine within the scope of the present invention. For example, the single-action syrup pumps of the systems described herein may be replaced with double-acting, gas-powered syrup pumps. In addition, the source of gas power could come from other supplies than the C02 supply system utilized to carbonate the water.

Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in connection with coin-operated vending machines, it should be understood that other check control means may be utilized for the validator in the system of the present invention, such as credit card validators, currency validators, and equivalents thereof.

The system described herein may be further modified as would occurto one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. A coin-operated vending machine for dispens ing a predetermined quantity of a selected type of post-mix beverage into a cup comprising: a) coin validator means for receiving coins and generating a credit signal when the value of coins received equals the price of a cup of said beverage; b) a plurality of flavor concentrate supply means, one for each said type of post-mix beverage, each of said supply means including, 1) a concentrate supply conduit connecting said supply means with a dispensing nozzle, and 2) pump means in said concentrate supply conduit for transferring flavor concentrate from said supply means through said conduit to said dispensing nozzle, said pump means being driven by a fluid propellant; c) fluid propellant supply means selectively con nectable to each said pump means for providing fluid propellant thereto;; d) propellant control valve means between each of said pump means and said fluid propellant supply means for supplying fluid propellant to said pump means when open and venting fluid propellant from said pump means when closed; e) selector switch means including a selector switch for each said type of beverage and associated concentrate supply means, each said selector switch, when closed, opening an associated prop ellant control valve means to drive an associated pump means in the presence of a credit signal from said coin validator means; f) timer means for holding said associated propellant control valve means open for a time period permitting said predetermined quantity of beverage to be dispensed into said cup in response to the closing of said selector switch, said propellant control valve means closing to vent the fluid propellant at the end of said time period; and g) a cup station for supporting a said cup in alignment with said dispenser nozzle.

2. In a coin-operated vending machine for dispensing a predetermined quantity of a selected type of post-mix beverage into a cup including coin validator means for receiving coins and generating a credit signal when the value of the coins received equals the price of a cup of said beverage, a plurality of flavor concentrate supply means, one for each said type of post-mix beverage, each of said supply means including a concentrate supply conduit connecting said supply means with a dispensing nozzle, and pump means in said concentrate supply conduit for transferring flavor concentrate from said supply means through said conduit to said dispensing nozzle, said pump means being driven by a fluid propellant, and fluid propellant supply means selectively connectable to each said pump means for providing fluid propellant thereto, the improvement comprising:: a) propellant control valve means between each of said pump means and said fluid propellant supply means for supplying fluid propellant to said pump means when open and venting fluid propellant from said pump means when closed; b) selector switch means including a selector switch for each said type of beverage and associated concentrate supply means, each said selector switch, when closed, opening an associated propellant control valve means to drive an associated pump means in the presence of a credit signal from said coin validator means; c) timer means for holding said associated propellant control valve means open for a time period permitting said predetermined quantity of beverage to be dispensed into said cup in response to the closing of said selector switch, said propellant control valve means closing to vent the fluid propellant at the end of said time period; and d) a cup station for supporting a said cup in alignment with said dispenser nozzle.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of said flavor concentrate supply means comprises a collapsible bag for containing said concentrate disposed within a supporting box structure and a dip tube within said bag coupled to said pump means for withdrawing said concentrate from said bag.

4. A machine as claim in claim 3, wherein said flavor concentrate supply means comprises first and second sets of bags and automatic changeover valve means between said sets of bags responsive to the absence of concentrate in one of said sets for automatically connecting the other of said sets of bags to the associated pump means.

5. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said pump means is a single acting pump.

6. A machine as claim in any preceding claim, wherein said propellant fluid is CO2 gas.

7. A machine as claim in any preceding claim, wherein each of said propellant control valves is an electrically-activated solenoid valve responsive to electrical signals received from an associated one of said selector switches.

8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein said timer means is a solid state electrical timer.

9. A machine as claimed in claim 7 or 8, further including control circuit means responsive to the generation of said credit signal by said validator means for supplying electrical power to said selector switch means to be transferred by said selector switches when closed to the associated solenoid valve.

10. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a cup dispenser for automatically providing a cup at said cup station in alignment with said dispenser nozzle in response to the closing of any one of said selector switches.

11. A machine as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said post-mix beverage comprises a mixture of a selected flavor concentrate and water, further comprising: a) water supply means including, 1) a source of water, 2) a water supply conduit connecting said source of water said dispensing nozzle, 3) a water supply valve in said water supply conduit responsive to said timer means for opening said water supply valve for said time period in response to the closing of any one of said selector switches, and 4) water pump means driven by a fluid propellant for transferring water from said source through said conduit to said dispenser nozzle when said water supply valve is open.

12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein said propellant fluid for driving said water pump means is CO2 gas.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 11 or 12, further comprising: a) carbonator means for carbonating said water; b) a carbonated water supply conduit connecting said carbonator means to said dispenser nozzle; and c) a carbonated water supply valve in said carbonated water supply conduit responsive to said timer means for opening said carbonated water supply valve for said time period in response to the closing of any one of said selector switches.

14. A machine as claimed in claims 12 and 13, wherein said CO2 gas propellant which drives said water pump is exhausted into said carbonator means for carbonating the water therein.

15. A coin-operated vending machinesubstantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.