IE50975B1 - Beverage dispensing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for filling a drinking vessel to a desired level, irrespective of the lateral dimensions of the vessel includes means for supporting the vessel 29 below a delivery pipe 18 for the liquid 33, and a reflex sensor 19 comprising means 30 for directing a beam of radiation into the open mouth of the vessel and a detector 31 to detect the intensity of the radiation reflected from the surface 32 of the liquid. When the intensity of reflected radiation detected by the detector 31 reaches a given level, corresponding to the desired level of liquid in the vessel, a control module 23 associated with the reflex sensor 19 automatically de-energises a solenoid 24 which closes a valve 21 in the delivery pipe 18 and cuts off the supply of liquid to the vessel. If the liquid has a surface with a settlable nature, such as the frothy surface of a beer, the supply of liquid is automatically resumed when the level falls, preferably after a predetermined delay to prevent excessive topping-up operations.

Description

This invention relates to a machine for dispensing a liquid, for example a draught beverage, into a drinking vessel.

Known beverage dispensing devices are for the most part manually operated; the bartender monitors filling progress by eye while manipulating a stopcock. The operation is timeconsuming. In the special case of beverages such as stout, having a tall head of froth when poured, filling is normally done in two or more charges separated by a waiting period while the initial head subsides. This is even more time10 consuming.

Known automatic or semi-automatic beverage dispensing devices usually deliver a predetermined volume of beverage and are ill-adapted for filling vessels of different capacity or for topping up the drinking vessel. This limits their utility, in that firstly they are restricted to flat or low-froth beverages, and secondly they are restricted, for a given volume setting, to drinking vessels of one capacity only.

Ths objects of the invention include the alleviation or removal of the above recited disadvantages.

It is well known that drinking vessels, especially beer tumblers and the like, having different standard volumes are commonly made of different average diameters but to a standard height. Such vessels, when filled to the rated capacity and placed side by side on a level surface, have their free liquid surfaces all lying substantially in one horizontal plane. It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide a 50976 dispensing machine which can fill a drinking vessel to a given level irrespective of the average diameter of the vessel.

The invention accordingly provides a machine for filling a drinking vessel to a desired level, the machine comprising a delivery means for the liquid, means for supporting a vessel below the delivery means for receiving liquid from the latter, means for producing a flow of liquid from the delivery means into the vessel, means for directing a beam of radiation into the mouth of the vessel to strike the surface of a liquid therein, and means for detecting radiation reflected from the surface of the liquid and automatically responsive to a given intensity of the detected radiation to stop the flow of liquid, the vertical spacing between the radiation-detecting means and the vessel being such that the given intensity of detected radiation corresponds to the desired level of liquid in the vessel.

Preferably the delivery means comprises a pipeline connected to a reservoir of liquid, the pipeline having a stop valve, desirably a solenoid-operated stop valve (commonly called a magnetic valve) therein; the stop valve can be opened by the aforesaid flow-producing means and closed by the aforesaid flowstopping means.

Preferably the radiation-detecting and flow-stopping means is adjustable in respect of sensitivity to the detected radiation, so that the machine can be initially set up by means of a correctly filled drinking vessel placed in position thereunder, which vessel by definition will yield the said given intensity of reflected radiation.

Preferably the flow-stopping means is adapted to restore the flow of liquid if th® liquid surface, being of a settlable nature, settles below the said given level. Preferably means for delaying such restoration is incorporated in the - 3 50975 circuitry to reduce the number of topping-up charges necessary in filling, for example, a pint of stout.

Preferably the flow-producing means is automatically turned on by a first switch normally biased into an off (open) position and displaceable into a flow-producing (closed) position by the placement of a drinking vessel in position to be filled; a pushable microswitch is suitable.

In such case the flow-stopping means may comprise a second switch, normally closed, in series with the first switch and operable by means of a relay actuatable by a signal from the radiation-detecting means. For topping-up a drinking vessel the second switch can be repeatedly allowed to close and open until the given level of liquid persists for a period in excess of the time delay aforesaid.

The means for supporting the vessel preferably comprises a height-adjustable support located below the filling, beamdirecting and radiation-detecting means. This permits the machine to accommodate vessels of substantially different heights.

The invention will be understood in greater detail from the following description of a particular embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine for filling a 25 Fig . 2 drinking vessel, or two drinking vessels at choice; is an underneath perspective view of the machine of Fig. 3 Fig. 1; is a sectional side elevation of the machine of 30 Fig. 4 Fig. 1; is a simplified plan view of the machine of Fig. 1 with Fig. 5 the cover removed; is a detail, in front elevation, of the filling nozzles and reflex sensors of the machine of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a simplified combined block and circuit diagram of the major circuitry of the machine of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, a machine for filling a drinking vessel comprises a casing 1 detachably attachable to a bar counter 16 by means of a pair of clamps 2 to define a customer's aspect C and a bartender's aspect B. Attached to the casing 1 is a vessel-supporting tray 3 having height adjustment means 4 (Fig. 3) and drainage facilities including a removable perforated platform 5 and a drainage outlet 6. Behind the casing 1 is located a mains step-down transformer 7 to provide a 24 V A.C. operating supply for the machine.

The upper part of the casing 1 extends to form a cabinet 8 enclosing most of the mechanical and electrical components, and closed on top by a lid 9 which, like the tray 3, comprises drainage facilities including a removable perforated platform and a drainage outlet 11 (Fig. 3). The drainage outlets 6, comprise downwardly directed spigots which may be connected by plastics tubing (e.g. 12) to a slops reservoir. Filled drinking vessels may be placed temporarily on platform 10 for exterior drainage if necessary, and prior to being served.

The cabinet 8 has a sloping front panel 13 in which are mounted a double pole main on-off switch 14 for the 24 V A.C. supply, and a pair of equivalent manually operated 3-position lever switches 15 whose purpose will appear. The three positions are an upwardly directed manual filling position 15a, an automatic filling position 15b and a neutral or open switch position 15c between The cabinet 8 has a downwardly facing panel 17 which overhangs the tray 3 and in which are mounted a pair of filling units each unit comprising a liquid-dispensing nozzle 18 and a reflex sensor head 19. The nozzle 18 is connected by plastics tubing 20 co a respective solenoid-operated stop valve 21, to the inlet port of which further plastics tubing 22 is connected for feeding with beer under pressure from a reservoir (not shown). Each stop valve 21 is associated with a respective control - 5 97B module 23 incorporating a manually adjustable gain control switch and a time delay switch (these switches not shown).

Each stop valve 21 is operated by a respective solenoid 24.

The panel 17 also mounts indicator lamps 25, 25a and a push button normally open switch 26 for operating said indicator lamps. A further panel 27 provides a backdrop -to the tray 3 and mounts a pair of normally open microswitches 28 disposed for being closed by the placing of a drinking vessel 29 upon the tray 3 in the correct position for filling. A guide (not shown) may be mounted on the panel 27 or incorporated in the perforated platform 5 to assist correct placement of the drinking vessel.

The reflex sensor head 19 comprises an infra-red beam emitting element 30 and a detector element 31 arranged at opposed equal angles to the perpendicular to promote maximum capture of reflected radiation from a substantially horizontal reflecting surface such as that of a froth head 32 on the top of a charge of beer 33 in the drinking vessel 29 (Figs. 5 and 6) Referring now m particular to Fig. 6, wherein the same numerals as in the other figures have been used to denote the same elements, a common 3-pin plug 34 with a mains-on indicator lamp 35 and a 13 amp fuse 36, in use, supplies mains current to the step-down transformer 7. The main switch 14, fed from the transformer secondary at 24 V A.C., when closed, energises the machine. Power on may be checked by depressing the push button switch 26 causing the power on indicator lamp 25a to glow. Switch 26 also operates indicator lamps 25 to check continuity of the solenoid circuits. Power is fed via line 37 to the lever switch 15 which will normally be left in its neutral position 15c prior to commencing operation. The switch 15 may be moved to its manual filling position 15a thus feeding power directly to the solenoid 24 via line 38, opening the stop valve 21 and dispensing beer through the tube 20 and the nozzle 18 into the vessel 29. This permits conventional manual beer dispensing, terminable by moving the lever switch 15 back - 6 S0S7S to its neutral position 15c.

For automatic operation, the lever switch is shifted to the automatic filling position 15b, thereby feeding power via line 39 as far as the microswitch 28 (the first switch) which is closed by placing a glass on the platform 5 to complete the power supply via line 41 to the control module 23 (protected by a suitable fuse 40) and to the solenoid 24 via line 42, a normally closed switch 43 (the second switch) and line 45, thus opening the stop valve 21 and starting a flow of beer into the vessel 29.

While the filling of the vessel 29 proceeds, the control module 23 energises the infra-red emitting element 30 causing a beam 46 of radiation to be directed downwardly into the vessel 29. When the froth head 32 of the beer reaches the desired level in the vessel 29, the intensity of reflected radiation 47 received by the detector element 31 is sufficiently high to cause the signal sent by the detector element 31 to the control module 23 to open the second switch 43. In particular, the control module amplifies the signal from the element 31 and feeds the amplified signal to a relay or other servo-control element (not shown) which opens the second switch 43 to de-energise the solenoid 24, close the stop valve 21, and cut off the flow of beer into the vessel 29.

Should the froth head 32 subside, a time delay control (not shown) on the control module acts to hold the second switch 43 open until a predetermined time interval has elapsed, whereupon the switch 43 is released from said action, reverts to its normal closed condition and restores the flow of beer as described above. When the froth head 32 has again reached the desired level, the reflex sensor 19 acts as described above to cut off the flow of beer a second time. These operations can be repeated to complete the topping-up of the vessel 29. Removal of the full vessel 29 from the platform 5 by opening the first switch 28 prevents loss of beer in the interval before another drinking vessel is placed in position. - 7 50975 Preferably the sensitivity of the reflex sensor and control module to the detected radiation is adjustable, thereby permitting adjustment of the level of the beer at which the flow of beer is cut off. This facilitates the initial setting up” or callibration of the machine for the desired level of beer, as previously mentioned.

Suitable reflex sensors 19 constituting combined units for producing radiation and directing it in a beam, for detecting reflected radiation from a. surface struck by the beam, and for generating a servo-signal therefrom, are commercially available and marketed under the trade mark SYNATEL by Synatel Instrumentation Ltd., of Walsall Road, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 3TB, England, who also market solid state control modules 23 for use therewith. The control module contains circuitry for supplying electric current to the radiation generator of the reflex sensor, for adjusting the sensitivity of the photoelectric cell component thereof, for amplifying and transmitting the servo-signal received from the said component, and for adjusting the time delay aforesaid.

The above description with reference to Fig. 6 is limited to the circuitry etc. involved in filling one vessel at a time, and thus corresponds to one half of the machine of Figs. 1-5. The latter machine is adapted to fill two drinking vessels at a time, and it will be appreciated that certain mechanical and circuit elements, such as the transformer, described in connection with Fig. 6 do not need to be duplicated in constructing the machine of Figs. 1-5. The design of suitable and economical circuitry for the invented machine is well within the capacity of a person skilled in that art.

Furthermore a machine having more than two filling stations is clearly within the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the machine described above can fill beverages automatically to a desired level with consistent accuracy, without wastage, and in a hygienic fashion, while largely leaving the operator, such as a bartender, free for other duties. The machine is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, reducing staff requirements and labour especially for peak drinking times and for small establishments where one person has to do everything. It helps with the difficulty of getting staff to work unsocial hours.

The machine, in operation, is independent of the shape and configuration etc. of the drinking vessel, and independent of the characteristics of the material of said vessel; in particular it is independent of the light-transmittance, infrared radiation transmittance, colour density of said material. This is because the emitter and sensor are located above the position of the drinking vessel, and the beam is not intercepted in use by any part of the vessel itself.

Further the machine, in operation, is independent of the radiation transmission characteristics of the liquid to be dispensed. The filling level is precisely controlled regardless of the coloui density of said liquid, which may vary from transparent to matt black.

Perhaps the most important advantage of the machine of the invention is that it is adapted to control the filling level of liquid in a drinking vessel regardless of the physical state or characteristics of the bulk liquid in the reservoir and the supply line. The filling level is precisely controlled irrespective of the pressure and temperature of the liquid, and irrespective of the phase characteristics thereof, such as the proportion of gas entrained therewith in the form of froth, foam or otherwise.

Other advantages of the invention will be readily apparent.

Other applications than beer dispensing are obvious. Thus soft drinks, tea, coffee, soup, hot water (for coffee) etc. can be dispensed.

The invention is not limited by or to the details of the - 9 50975 specific embodiment described many of which can undergo considerable alteration without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus the electrical components need not necessarily be mounted in the cabinet 8 but may be remotely mounted and electrically connected to the sensor heads 19 which are mounted on stalks above the head of liquid.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMSi

1. A machine for filling a drinking vessel to a desired level, the machine comprising a delivery means for the liquid, means for supporting a vessel below the delivery means for receiving liquid from the latter, means for producing a flow of liquid from the delivery means into the vessel, means for directing a beam of radiation into the mouth of the vessel to strike the surface of the liquid therein, and means for detecting radiation reflected from the surface of the liquid and automatically responsive to a given intensity of the detected radiation to stop the flow of liquid, the vertical spacing between the radiation-detecting means and the vessel being such that the given intensity of detected radiation corresponds to the desired level of liquid ir. the vessel.

2. A machine according to Claim 1, wherein the radiationdetecting and flow-stopping means is adjustable in respect of sensitivity to the detected radiation so that the desired height to which a vessel is filled is correspondingly adjustable. j. A machine according to Claim 1 or 2, further including means for automatically turning on the flow-producing means by placement of a vessel into a position to be filled.

3. 4. A machine according to Claim 3, wherein the means for automatically turning on the flow-producing means includes a normally open first switch which is closed by contact with a vessel when the latter is placed into the filling position.

4. 5. A machine according to Claim 4, wherein the radiationdetecting and flow-stopping means includes a normally closed second switch in series with the first switch, the second switch being opened upon detection of the said given intensity of reflected radiation, the first and second switches being - 11 5097S connected in series between an electrically operated valve for the liquid and a power supply for the valve, both switches being required to be closed to produce a flow of liquid through the valve. 5

5. 6. A machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the radiation-detecting and flow-stopping means is adapted to restore the flow of liquid if the liquid surface, being of a settlable nature, settles below the given height.

6. 7. A machine according to Claim 6, wherein the flow 10 of liquid is only restored after a time delay thereby to limit the number of topping-up operations.

7.

8. A machine for filling a drinking vessel to a desired level substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 15

9. A method of filling a drinking vessel to a desired level substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.