US1634036A - Drink-dispensing machine - Google Patents

Description

June 2s, 1927;

J. H. MCLELLAN DRINK DISFENSING MCHINE mvtnon JAMES howm rFLlLum Afronnrxs June 28, 1927.

J. H. MGLELLMI DRINK DISPENSlNG MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 5' AFiled July 6, 1925v mvven-ron Mm.: nowmn n LcLL An AT'roRmzYa June 2851927 J. H. MCLELLAN DRINK DISPENSING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Uff@ L/ /NVEN TOR N N1. 45 CM n o N MMM w w H/M A .M JA

Patented June 28, 1927 y UNITED s'rATlISI PATENT.- OFFICE.

DBINX-DISPENSING MACHINE.

Ammann mamy e,

My invention relates to improvements in drink dispensing machines which has for 1ts particular objects the lling of acup and the delivery of the cup v1when filled, and for' the disposition ofA a further cup in position for filling subsequent to the insertion ofa coin into a' slot inthe machine.

The invention consists essentially of a supply tank, a cup e and means for feeding the cups into il ing position, behind :a closable pa1r of doors and as each c up 1s lilled for opening the doors and thrusting the filled cup into delivery position, as will be more fully described in the following specification, in which :F 4

Fig. 1 is a side view of my invention.

Figure 1* is an enlarged view of the cup carrier actuating" clutch.

Fig`2 is a longitudinal section showing the valve operating cam and the door operating mechanism. j

Figure 2A is a sectional view of one of the dash pots.

Fig. 3 is 'a plan view taken below the cup cage and feed ring,

' Ff ...4 is a fragmentary'side view showing t e driving mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectionlookin'gA towards the delivery recess.

' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section showing the cup carrier.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the cup arm spreader.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section showing the feed valve operating mechanism.

Figure 9 isa sideview of theinvention showingr the parts in the position assumed during operation.

- Figure 410 is a transverse sectional view of the cup carrier mechanism taken on the line 5-'5 of Figure 3. 1

. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the cup carrier ring.

Figure 12 is a front view of the'cup delivery recess showing the filled cup just re leased by the cup carrier.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken through the cup carrier ring showing the manner in which the rim of the `lowermost cup is pressed downwardly tovrelease it fromjthe cnn next above it.

In the drawings like ycharacters of refer-l ence lindicate. corresponding parts in each figura. .m f

, The numerals 1 `and 2 indicate longitudif 'the machine so-the cups may be carried 1925. semi no. 41,721.

nal trame members which are mounted u on a suitable base and are connected toget er by transverse members 3 andv4. On the rear endof the frame members 1 and 2 a.V

supply tank 5 is carried which is in communication with a feed tank 6 through a supply pipe 7 and a valve 8` having a deported upon the standards is an annular ring 14 having an internal thread 14:A which corresponds with and runs parallel to the thread of the head 13. The distance between the inside of these threads is equal to the diameter of the rim of the cups used n y their rims upon the threads and must pass completely around between the ring and the head before they are permitted to fall into filling position. The cups which are nested in columns are deposited in pockets 15 in a rotatable cage 15A mounted upon a vertical shaft 16 which extends through the column 12 and is provided at its lower end with a mitre pinion 17 driven by a corresponding gear 18 on the shaft 19. The nested cups which are usually of pressed and waxed `paper are apt to stick together and as a means for disconnecting the lowermost cup from the one immediately above it, the leaving end of the thread 14A of the annular ring 14 ,is sharply curved downwards as at 20,

' and immediately abovethis downward curve is' an'enlargement 2()A on the underside of the thread 14A forming a wedge which is adapted to enter between the rim of the lowermost cup and that ofthe cup next above it. to disrupt the adhesion' -caused by the nesting of the cups.

The thread of thehead 13 stops ata point` previousvto the leaving end 20 of the thread l14A as at 21, so as lto'leave no support fon the cup rim adjacent the head when the cup is in position to fall, but I provide a segment 22 pivotally mounted upon the column 12 which is adapted to-lie in substantial contact with the leaving end 21, of the thread to carry the cup rim. This segment is heldby gravity in normal lowered position as shown in Figure 1 by means of the push rod 23, the cranks 24 and 25 and the arm 26 on the clutch collar 69.

tion 28 outwards to in dotted lines in Figure 1 and in full line in Figure 5). A cup when in position to be lled rests u on the inner end of a cranked arm 32, whic when depressed by its weight holds the channel section 23 in alignment with the channel 27 so that the coin is allowcdto ,fait into the normally contracted section 26 to close an electric circuit by whichthe machine is operated, but if no cup is delivered to the cranked arm 32 the counterwei ht 33 raises the inner end of the arm 32 an through a connecting rod 34, shown in dotted lines in Fi e 5, swings the secgcrharge the coin from the channel 27 into the channel 31 whence it is returned into a suitable receiver accessible to the rson who sought to use the machine. ?he two parte forming the section 29 are each suitably connected' to wires with which the motor 35 is in circuit. The numeral 36 indicates the main sha upon which is keyed adjacent the frame member 1, a driving crank 37, see Figure 4,

having an inverted T-shaped rocker 38 mounted at its outer end. One leg of the rocker is provided with a dog 39 which is adapted to be held in contact with a ratchet wheel 40 by a. tension sprin 41 secured to the boss of the crank 37. e op site end of the rocker is pointed as at 42 is adapted to engage a notch 43 in a plate 44 mounted on a at spring 45 secured to the crank, and the centre leg 46 of the rocker is adaptedto strike the adjustable stud 47 of the lug 48 to disconnect the drive of the crankK 37 through the rocker 38 from the ratchet wheel 40 and reversely when striking the adjustable stud 49 of the lug 50 to disengage the pointed end 42 of the. rocker from the plate 44 to reinstate the driving connection.

The ratchet wheel 40 is freely rotatable u on the shaft and is attached to a worm w eel 51 which is driven by a worm 52 on the motor shaft 53. Therefore each o ration of the motor will rock the sha 36 throu h an arc rescribed between the studs 49 an 47 and providing a weight arm 54 upon theV shed when such movement is com leted the dog 39 will lift, allowing the sha -to rock hack to its starting position as shown. As the dog 39 is lifted the pointed end 42 of the rocker is brought into engage. ment with the notch 43 in which it is held until the centre leg 46 is brought into contact with the stud 49 which action frees the rocker 38 and allows it to return to engaging position with the ratchet wheel 40. Adjacent the opposite endvof the main shaft 36 is a crank 55, its outer end being operated by a tension spring 56 shown partly in dotted'line in Figure l, which serves to accelerate the rocking of the shaft back to its normal position.I

The numeral 57 indicates a crank having at its outer end a crank pin 58'and atv a point closer to the main shaft 36 a boss 59V through. which a sliding connecting rod60 has movement. This connectingid is provided with a stop collar 61 to'prevent its movement through the boss 59 in a forward direction beyond a predetermined point and at the outer end of the rod a pin 62 is provided from which a tension spring 63 extends to the boss 59 of the crank 57.' The opposite end of the connecting rod is coup ed to an outwardly spring pressed plunger 64 of a dash pot 65 of any suitable type which is adjusted to accomplish the outward movement of its plunger in a predetermined period and to make its inward movement quickly. In this case there is suicient time to allow a cup to be iled through the valve spout 9. The operation of said valve will be hereinafter described. -Y

The numeral 66 indicates a substantially horizontal crank extending forward from the main shaft 36 and having a pin 67 at its outer end which when the crank descends on the forward movement of the main shaft, thrusts back the arm 68 fulcrumed to the base of the frame member 2 and latches temporarily thereon as at 69. The numeral 70 indicates a drive clutch disc of any suitable type havingas many points of engagement as there are columns of cups in the cage and which is mounted on the shaft 19 to drive the cu cage 15A thro h the mitre pinionsl 'clutch ring is a crank 72 which in turn is coupled by a connecting rod 73 to the pin 58 of the crank 57- so that the forward movement of the main shaft and the crank 57 through these connecting parts imparts rotation to the cup cage 154L to carrv another column of nested cups over the filling position and to release the lowermost cup from the onenext above. The pin 26 projecting filling position.

' Ivalvel`8v consists'of a cylindrical casing 1112-1 enlargement 20A is then free to drop into The numeral indicates a tension spring through which the forward movement is im: parted through a crank 76 to a shaft 77. This movement is delayed until the plunger 64 is fully returned into the dash pot 65y when the pin 62 at the end of the connecting rod 60 comes into engagement with the lever 78 on the stub sha-ftA 79 and withdraws the stop 80 from the end 0f a further crank.v 81 on the shaft 77. A crank 82 on the shaft 77 is coupled by a rod 83 having a sliding movement through the bentl over outer en d of the arm 68 and having an adjustable nut 84 at its outer end, serves to release the pin 67 of the 'arm- 66 to permit the mainshaft 36 .to return to normal position.

The numeral 85 indicates a crank extending rearwardly of the frame from the main shaft 36 and having a' roller 86 at its outer end which is adapted to be resiliently engaged by a substantially triangular shaped cam 87 secured upon the shaft 77 so that, as the crank 85 is raised, the shaft 77 is per-. mitted to be rocked by the spring 75 in a .forward direction, and as it descends,l is

rocked in' an opposite direction. The numeral 88 indicates a dash pot which through its connecting rod 89 and a crank 90 is adapted to permit aA quick forward and a 'slow` return rocking movement to the shaft 77.

The numeral 91 indicates a crank upon the shaft 71 which through a short connecting rod 92 imparts a reciprocating movement to the plunger 93 of the vcup delivery mechanism which will be dealt with later. Upon the inner end of the stubl shaft 79 a crank 94, see Figures 1 and 3, is mounted, which actuates a push rod 95 which is vadapted to bearv during the latter part of its stroke, upon a crankA 96 mounted upon a horizontal shaft 97 to withdraw a pair of locking dogs 98 from corresponding recesses in the doors 99 at the rear of thedelivery recess 100. A connecting` rod 101 couples the outer end of the crank .94 to a short crank 102 secured toa short shaft 103 and journalled upon the top of the frame member 2, which shaft ca-rries an arm 105 which is adapted when actuated to depress the outer end of the valveplunger push rod 107, see Figure -8.

-Journalled above the transverse member is a. bell crank 106 having a rockingly mounted push rod 1.07 connected tothe upperl end of its Tvertical*L leg 108. The `lnriaontal leg 109 ofthe bell crank 106 is adapted to bearv upon' a `sliding pin 110 extending through the member 3, which pin `is actuated byemj ..111 .secured t0' the Shaft 36' The into which the supply. pipe 7 leads adjacent one end. A .port 113 (shown in dotted ligner in Figure 3) communicateswith the feed tank 6 and an outlet port 114 adjacent the opposite end communicates with the spout 9.

' The numeral 115 indicates a piston having a piston rod 116, the end of which isnormally engagedby one end of the push rod feed tank and the port 114 to the spout 9,

by a spring 117, so that as Vthe cam 111- raises the pin and through the bell crank 106 and push -rod 107 drives the piston rod 116 inwards, the piston 115'is disposed between the port 113 to the feed tank andJ the supply pipe 7, so as to permit the liquid pipe 118. The spout 9 is pivotally connected to the valve 8 and is normally offset from the delivery position shown in dotted line' in Figure 3. A pushv lrod connection 119A extends between the spout and the vertical leg 108 of the bell crank 106 for the purpose of swinging the spout into delivery positionl over the cup' as the' piston 115 is moved to permit the 'liquid to flow; therethrough..

The cup delivery mechanism generally indicated bythe numeral 120 is attached to the forward-end of the plunger ,93 whlch is car.

'ried in a slide block 121 on the transverse member' 3, which also carriesa pair of inclined rails 122 the purpose of .which will appear later. end of thev plunger 93 is a cylinder 123 in which is tted a hollow plunger 124 having opposed vertical slots 125 in its side walls Carriedv upon fthe forward and an aperture 126 which is adaptedto register normally with the core 127 o-f lthe plunger 93.y A pin 128 is carried in the side walls .of the cylinder 123 and extends 129 extends through the plunger' transversely adjacentits upper end, the ends `of which are adapted'to ride up the vrinclined rguides and to .withdraw the plunger 124 to its elevated position on the completion of the return stroke of the plunger 93.

Extending between the pin 128 and the poseof drawing the 'plunger 124downwards end "off'whi'cli is adaptedv to-cbe thrust -in'to 120 Ipin 129 is a. tension Yspring130 for'the pur'- in elevated position 'during'the greatergpart -1 70 107.. The piston is pressed outwards to nor` l mal positionbetween the port 113-from the- 110 throughthe slots 125 which form a'guide and also. a stop to limit the vertical move- -ment of the plunger 124. A further`p1n slide block 121 at the completion of -theforward stroke above mentioned to release the plunger 124 and allow it' to descend. Mounted upon the upper end of the plunger 124 is a pair of cup arms 133 which are carried upon a pivot pin 134. The cup arms are provided rearwardly of the pin 134 with tongues 135 which are engaged in a pair of slots 136 converging downward which are formed in a vertical plate 137 carried upon the forward end of the plunger 93. It @vill therefore be seen. that the plunger 124 on being released, acting in conjunction with the tongues 135 in the slots 136, willcause the cup arms 133 lto spread apart to release the cup and to enable the armsand the cup delivery mechanism to be withdrawn from the delivery recess 100, leaving the filled cup standing therein.

rlfhe doors 99. are both hinged upon a bolt 138 andare each provided with an outstanding lug 139 adjacent the hinging point. rlChe numeral 140 indicates a short crank upon the main shaft 36 having a-.pivotally mounted eyed boss or pin 141 at'its outer end, through which one end of a spring tensioned push rod 142 extends, the opposite endl of the push ro'd being'connected to a crank 143 on a shaft 144, which shaft is provided with a pair of arms 145 which are adapted to engage the lugs 139 of the doors 99 so that, as the forward movement ofthe shaft 36 takes place, the weight of the doors depresses the arms 145 andpushes the rod 142 v in an upwardly inclined direction and similarly as the shaft 36 is restored vto normal position and the other functions relative to the delivery of the filled cups are completed and also the cup operating mechanism returned to its starting position, the doors are closed by the upward movement of the arms 145 land locked by the locking dogs 98 'falling back into place. Simultaneously with these movements the lowermost cup above the cup arms 133 is permitted to fall into position between the arms and upon .the cranked arm 32'to put the coin channel section 28 in alignment with the channel 27v so 'thata further coin may e dropped to again closev the 'mo. tor circuit. l

The entire mechanism hereinbefor'e', describedis obviously enclosed in a casing (not shown) through which access is obtainable to the supply tank and coin receptacle, an'd is provided with suitable accessjto the coin receiving -and return channels.-

Having thus described the several parts of my invention and the functions of the various movement I' will now describe the (zo-ordination of those movements.

On the moto being started through closingv offthe, electric-circuit by the coin dropped into the channel 27, rotation is impartedto theratchet wheelq 40 and shaft 36 in -afcloekwise direction (viewing the nia- Achine from'the side shownin Figures 1 and 9) until the rocker 38 is released therefrom. During this movement the crank 57 on the shaft 36 through the clutch disc 70 and the mitre pinions 18 and 17 rotates the cup carrier 15 one quarter vof a revolution and disposes another column of cups over the cup arms 133 over thecranked arm 32. The lip of the lowermost cup of this column is 'de- Y tached from the one next above it by the turned lipv 20 of the thread 14A, the cup being prevented from falling by the opposite side of the lip being supported on the segment 22. It is desired to point out that on accountof the cups being-'formed to a similar taper and nested together, the lowermost cup of a column may be held in place by being supported at one side of the rim only. Simultaneous with the clockwise movement of the shaft 36 .the spout 9 is carried by Since the dog 39 on the overcome without affecting the operation l' ofthe shaft 36. The shaft 36 through-its crank 66 is held by the arm 68 against return until the plunger 60 has completed its inward stroke in the dash pot 65. The crank 85 is raised out of contact with the cam- 87 so that it is free to rotate'under the influence of the spring 75 and against the resistance of the dash pot 88 as" soon as the/stop 80I is lifted from the outer end of the crank 81. When sufficient time has elapsed for the filling of the eup, `the spring t'ensioned thrust of the rod 60 by the crank 57 has driven theplunger 64 into the dash pot 65 allowing the pin 62 to move the arm 78 and the stub shaft 79 in a` clockwise' direction. The shaft 79 during this movement swings in a likev man# i ner, the crank 78,A which: through the connecting rod 101 and its train of parts, re-

leases the valve plunger 116 allowing it to (resume its normal position to shut-.off theV ow to the cup an'd to o en communication from the tank 5 to the eed tank 6 'for refilling.

The same movement of the crank` 7 8 through the push rod 95 releases the lock.-

- ing dogs-598g@vthat, as"the rod 142 hasbeen release v"fr'oinjzthe` downward v pressure of the h crank aath weight of the-,arms 145 has t e' caused ,-then'ia-t'og drop,A thereby allowing the doors; '99 .to fall open v.to the position shown A in dotted-lines in Figure 5. Alsfthe arm l78- is carried to its ultimateffclockwise. position the tension lof Ithe spring? 75 impaitsclockposition by the falling ofthe weightedl arm` 54:. As the crank 81 is released the crank 82 withdraws thearm 6 8 from the pin 67 of the crank 66 freeing the shaft'36 for-return or anticlockwise movement under the influence of the weighted lever54 and the spring 56 at the pro er time. 'The rotation anticlockwise of the s aft 7 7 which is effected by the spring 75 raises the cam 87 so that the arm'85 may lnot fall before its appointed time, thus checking the return movement of the shaft '36. This movement also thrusts the cup delive mechanism forward-and carrying the fille cu between the doors 99 when it is 'de osite' in the delivery recess and released.

ubsequent to the above movement the inuence of the weighted arm' 54 in rotating the shaft 36 causes the roller 86 of thescrank 85 to bear upon the cam 87 to drive' i-t and vthe shaft 77 in an anticloclrwise direction against the resistance of the dash pot 88,si' multaneously withdrawing the cup delivery mechanism from the delivery recess. When,

the cup arms 133 are clear of the doors 39 pressure is applied by the crank 140 of the shaft 36 onto the rod 142 to close the doors. During the final return movement of the shaft 36 ythe pin 26 on the clutch collar en gages the crank 25 of the .cu dropping mechanism to permit a cup to all into po.- sit'ion for illin The inal return movement. of the sha t 77 permits the latch -arm 68 to assume its normal position and disposes the crank 81 into such a position as will allow the sha-ft 79 torotate and return the cranks 78 and 94 to .starting position. The return. of the crank 94 withdraws the push rod 95 and allows the latch 98 to fall into engagement to lock the doors of the delivily recess.

at I claim as my invention is:

l. A drink dispensing machine comprising a motive power adapted to be set in moother cup adjacent 'liquid valve after de,-

livery.

2. drink dispensin machine comprising a casing having a cu elivery'recess, a ca in which columns o cups Vareadapted to carried, a liquid valve, means for su porting a cu adacent thereto, means for. ischarging iqui into the cup from the valve, means for delivering the cup into the recess, and means as the cup is being delivered into the be fill the vfilled cu i *means 'for' re easing 'the fcup when so delivrecess for disposing another column of cups in position for dropping another cup onto 3. A drinkodispensingmachine comprising a casing having acup delivery recess, a rotatable cage in which colunms of nested cups are adapted to be carried, 'a liquid valve, a

vcup-support adjacent thereto, means for' discharging li uid'into the cup from the valve, means for elivering the cup 4from the support to the recess, andmean-sas the cup is being delivered into' the recess for imparting rotation to the cage and means as the' cup delivery means is withdrawn from the recess for dropping another cup onto the cupl support. l Ti.

4. In a drink dispensing machine having a cup filling and delivery means, arotatable cage'in which nested columns'of cups are adapted tobe carried, said cage being concentrically mounted above a threaded head, a ring having a thread coinciding with the thread of the head, the rims ofthe cups be.

in-gl adapted to be carried between the opposed threads, and means aftera column of cups in the cage makes one complete turn of said threads permitting the lowermost cup' .cage in which nested columns of-cups are adapted to be carried, said cage being concentrically mounted above a threaded head, a ring having xa thread coinciding with the thread of the head, the rims of the cups being adapted to be carried between the opthe .cage makes one complete turn of said threads vfor positively disconnecting the lowermost cup in the columnv from the one posed threads, means as a column of cups in next above it, and means for depositing said lowermost cup into position for filling.

6. In a, drink dispensing machine, comprising a casing having 'a cup ldelivery recess, means forcarrying a column of nested cups, a cup `support, a liquid supply valve,A

having a swinging spout normally disposed adjacentthe su port, meansfor disposing the spout to deliver liquid to' a cupu on the support, andmeans for' subsequently elivering the'cu finto the cup delivery recess.

VIn a rinkdispensing machine compris ing a casing having aclip delivery recess, means for carrying a column of cups, a liquid suppl .-valve, meansfonholding a cup to om the valve, means for car ing intoth'ccup delivery re ess,

'pising a casing having a cup delivery recess,

means for carrying a column o cups', a liquid supply valve, means for holding a cup to be lled from the valve, means for carry'- ing the i'illed-cnp into the cp delivery recess, 'means for releasing the cup lWhen so delivered and for returning the cup holding means into normal position, meansV :for depositing an empty cup: qfrom the column therein, said cup delivery means comprising a pair of arms adapted to embrace the cup,

to spread apart te release the en after delivery and to close to normal ho ding position to receive an empty cup.

9. In a drink disnensing machine comprising a casing having a cup delivery recess, a door normally closing entrance to the recess from the casing, means Within the casing for carrying a column of nested cups, a cup support, a liquid supply valve, means or filling the cup from the valve, means for opening vthe recess door and for delivering the lled cup thereshrongh, means for withdrawing the delivery means into ihe casing and for closing the doorV when so Withdrawn.

l0. ln a drink dispensing machine coming for carrying a, column of nested cups, a cup support, a. liquid supply valve, means for filling the cup from the valve, means for openin the recess door and for delivering the illed cup therethrough, means for Withdrawing the delivery means into the casing and for closing the door when so withdrawn, and means for locking the door,

l1. ln a drink dispensing machine comprising a casing and a delivery recess having a cup iilling and delivery means, means for carryin -aycoinmn of nested cups, a cup snpport, a' `quid supply valve adjacearlJ the snpport, means for opening the valve to fdl the cup, and means for closing said valve after a predetermined period, means for delivering the :filled cup into the recess, and means for disposing another cup in position to he filled aterrdelivery of the reviens one. Y

Dated at Vancouver, B, this 22nd day of June, 1925. Y

JAWS HOWARD MCLELLN.

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