US3567075A

US3567075A - Dispensing apparatus for a plurality of liquids to make a rainbow cocktail or the like

Info

Publication number: US3567075A
Application number: US853731A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dino Neri
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-08-28
Filing date: 1969-08-28
Publication date: 1971-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-02

Abstract

A motor-driven Geneva movement indexing device controls a horizontally positioned turret having a plurality of equiangularly spaced stations, at all except one of which is a releasably mounted structure serving as a cap for an inverted supply bottle, as well as a measuring means and a valve means. Each valve means, in turn, is operated by a cam fixed on the frame, to discharge into a funnel over a glass in whose mouth sits a flow spreader means directing the discharge along the inside surface of said glass. There is sufficient dwell at each stop of the turret to assure emptying of the measuring chamber. At normal rest condition of the apparatus, the blank station is over the glass. A push button switch is for starting a cycle of operation. Turret rotation automatically controls a switch to stop operation at the end of one revolution of the turret which is the duration of a cycle.

Description

United States Patent 72] Inventor Dino Neri 34-44 82nd St. Jackson Heights, New York, N.Y. 11372 [21] Appl. No. 853,731 [22] Filed Aug. 28, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [54] DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR A PLURALITY 0F LIQUIDS TO MAKE A RAINBOW COCKTAIL OR THE LIKE 15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. Cl. 222/ 129.4, 222/ 1 44 [51] Int. Cl. B67d 5/56 [50] Field ofSearch 222/129. 1, 129.3,129.4,144;221/ll3, 119,121,122

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 19,824 4/1858 Bigelow 222/144 903,203 11/1908 Kriwanek 222/129.4X

949,944 2/1910 OConnell 1,151,270 8/1915 .Iacovatos ABSTRACT: A motor-driven Geneva. movement indexing device controls a horizontally positioned turret having a plurality of equiangularly spaced stations, at all except one of which is a releasably mounted structure serving as a cap for an inverted supply bottle, as well as a measuring means and a valve means. Each valve means, in turn, is operated by a cam fixed on the frame, to discharge into a funnel over a glass in whose mouth sits a flow spreader means directing the discharge along the inside surface of said glass. There is sufficient dwell at each stop of the turret to assure emptying of the measuring chamber. At normal rest condition of the apparatus, the blank station is over the glass. A push button switch is for starting a cycle of operation. Turret rotation automatically controls a switch to stop operation at the end of one revolution of the turret which is the duration of a cycle.

%//25 24 /l 61 1 as PATENTED HAR 2m INVENTOR, Dino Neri,

ATTORNEY.

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR A PLURALITY F LIQUIDS TO MAKE A RAINBOW CQCKTAIL OR THE LIKE I The present invention relates to an apparatus adapted to pour a rainbow or pousse-cafe" cocktail. This drink is composed of several liquors of different specific gravities, poured in succession intoa' glass, heaviest first, whereby the concoction is stratfield, adjacent liquors being different in color.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus of the character mentioned, which includes a supply of individual liquors from which measured amounts are drawn off and dispensed in succession, so that a number of these cocktails can be served before the reservoirs need be replenished.

A further object thereof is to providea novel and improved apparatus of the nature described, which will work automatically, that is, upon merely pushing a button, the apparatus will operate, pour measured amounts of the respective liquors in succession, and then stop by itself in condition for the next push of the button for the repetition of the cycle of operation.

Another object thereof is to provide for changing the quantity of any liquid dispensed or to omit the dispensing of any of them during a cycle of operation.

A further object thereof is to provide for the proper spreading of the flow into the glass without s'plash and to assure no merging of liquid flowing into the .glass with the immediate previous layer.

A further object of this inventionis to provide a novel and improved dispensing apparatus having the mentioned attributes and which is simple in construction, reasonable in cost to manufacture, easy to manipulate and efficient in carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent disclosure proceeds.

For one practice of this invention, a rotatable turret on a vertical shaft, is positioned over a table which carries below it a motor-driven indexing means as' for instance a Geneva movement. The turret has a plurality of equi-angularly spaced spaced stations, at all but one of which is provided a releasably mounted structure serving as a cap for an inverted bottle holdng a supply of one of the liquors, and also as a measuring means and valve means; the operating member of the valve means extending below the turret to be met with a cam on the table near a discharge-receiving funnel which leads to a flow spreading means mounted on the underside of the table and adapted to sit into the mouth of a glass stood on a resilient shelf extending from a table leg. The Geneva movement shifts the turret in one direction, from station to station with sufficient dwell at each station to accomplish proper operation. In the normal rest position of the apparatus, the blank station is directly over the funnel. On the table are a normally open push button for starting, and a normally closed micro-switch controlled by turret movement for stopping the operation at the end of a cycle which requires one revolution of the turret.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a dispensing apparatus embodying the teachings of this invention. Several parts are omitted to attain clarity of illustration.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the turn table or turret shown fitted with the releasable units which serve as cap structures for the supply bottles, and include the measuring and valve means.

FIG. 3 shows the wiring diagram of the electrical circuit operating and controlling the apparatus.

FIG. is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, shown partly in section, of said apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of the apparatus, omitting many parts, but showing some not included in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the table member, which referring to FIG. 1, has the turret above it and the drive means as this below it. This top plan view does show the switches included in the circuit, the valve-operating 'cam, the discharge-receiving funnel which leads to the flow spreader and the support for the glass.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the flow spreader, drawn to the scale of FIG. 4. t I

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the bottle-receiving, valve and measuring structure. a

In the drawing, the dispensing apparatus shown designated generally by the numeral 15, comprises: a table or frame 14, above which is a turret 16 on a shaft 17 which is driven by an indexing device of the Geneva type 18, operated by an electric motor 19, which may require a speed-reduction device, not

shown; all driving mechanism being mounted below tabletop. The turret 16 is divided into eight equia-ngularly spaced sections, herein called stations, at all but one of which, the turret carries a releasably mounted structure denoted generally by the numeral 20, which serves as a cap for a bottle 21 held thereby in inverted position, as well as a measuring means and a valve means, which will be described in detail.

When the apparatus 15 is in normal rest condition, the blank station S is symmetrically over a discharge-receiving funnel 22 which leads to a flow'spreaderindicated generally by the numeral 23, whose tubular neck 24 is releasably mounted in the socket 25 in the undersurface of the table top, which may be by a bayonet lock type joint afforded by the fixed pin 26 and the segmental spiral channel 27. This socket 25 is communicative with the funnel 22 by virtue of the hole 28. The flow spreader 23 extends downwardly below the table top, and sets partly into a glass 29, which is stood on a resilient shelf 30 extending as a cantilever from a table leg 31. On the table are a normally open push button starting switch 32, a normally closed micro'switch 33, which is made to assume open condition by the arm 34 extending from the shaft 17, when the apparatus is in normal rest condition, which is the same condition it is in at the completion of a cycle of operation. Also on the table is a fixed cam denoted generally by the numeral 35, which is first reached by a station before arriving at discharge position over the funnel 22. The turret 16 revolves counterclockwise.

Each structure 20 comprises a body member which is here shown to be a rectangular block 36 having a laterally extending pin 37 which fits into a bore 38 in the turret body; the block fitting into a notch 39 in the turrets periphery, flush with the turrets upper surface, and extending below the turret. A knobbed set screw 39 engages thelocating pin 37 in an annular groove 40, therefor provided. This block may be of cast aluminum, having a downward central bore stopping short of bottom, but partitioned part way down with an annular seat 41, to define a lower chamber 42, and slightly counterbored from the top, to provide a seat 43 for the mouth rim of the bottle 21, whose neck tightly but releasably fits into the counterbore; the bottle being of plastic material having some resiliency, so the block fits the bottle neck as a cap thereon. The numeral 44 denotes a valve stem which passes spaced through the central hole 41' of the partitioning seat 41, and is of slightly reduced diameter, spacedthrough the hole 45 which is the outlet from the measuring chamber 42. The valve stem 44 extends upwardly into the bore: 38, where its end is reduced and carries secured thereto the rubber washers shown at 46 which normally hold the hole in the seat 41 closed, due to action of the stressed coil springs 47 which bias the stem downwardly. Said valve stem also extends downward out of the block body 36, where at bottom tip end, it has a head 48,

which is positioned to be intercepted by the cam 35, upon reduced lower end of said stem, in the space between said piece 50 and the block. The numeral 52 denotes a washer on the lower reduced end of the stem 44, and within the chamber 42 and normally across the discharge opening 45, to keep said chamber dust-proof. Said chamber which is for measuring the quantity of discharge, is vented by capillary hole 53 opening in the top surface of the block 36, where it has a counterbore 53. The bore 38 is vented by a capillary hole 54, which is communicative with a deep dent 55 in the wall of said bore, and opens in the top surface of said block, where it has a counterbore 54.

Heretofore, the flow of the discharge was directed directly into the glass, but was soon changed to be directed against the inside surface of the glass at one region. This has proven unsatisfactory. The former created splash, and the latter did not prevent mixing of successively poured liquids. I have remedied this by providing the flow-spreading or guide means 23, which distributes the discharge all around the inner wall of the glass, so the flow into the glass is sort of tubular. The tubular neck 24 is associated with a plug 56 which sets into the glass 29, to make an annular space 57 with the inside surface of the glass, which space may be deemed a thin ring of air space. The upper surface of the plug is either conical, or convex as shown. The apex of said plug has a conical teat 58 extending into the neck portion 24. The upper part of said plug extends into a receptaclelike member 59, having a peripheral upright wall and a bottom wall which is integral with the plug and is provided with the slots 60 therethrough, to make said receptacle communicative with the glass. The discharge from the apparatus, of course enters the tubular neck, which is provided with holes 61, to make it communicative with said container 59, which sets as a cover fitting onto the rim of the glass.

Referring to the circuit diagram of FIG. 3, the motor 19 is in circuit for connection to power mains by a usual connecting cord terminating in a connection plug 62, but said circuit has the starting switch 32 interposed therein. The stopping switch 33, is connected in parallel with said switch. At normal rest condition of the apparatus 15, the station S which is blank, is symmetrically over the funnel 22, the starting switch 32 is an open condition, and the arm 34 holds the stopping switch 33 in open condition.

To set up the apparatus 15, to be ready for operation, all the 1 structures 20 are removed from the turret 16, by first loosening the set screws 39, and then setting each of them on the supply bottles 21 as closure caps, whereupon the apparatus is reassembled so that the unit first to the left of station S,

holds the liquor supply of highest specific gravity, and theothers are mounted on the turret in counterclockwise order in succession, lower in specific gravity, so the unit immediately to the right of the blank station S, holds the liquor supply which is of the least specific gravity.

To make a rainbow cocktail, the glass 29 is set onto the resilient shelf 30, and guided to set against the fingers 64, so as to position the plug 56 into the glass, and the container member 59, atop the glasss rim. Of course, the glass is pushed down to flex the shelf, in order to accomplish this. Then the starting switch 32 is held closed a very short while to actuate the motor 19. As soon as the turret 16 moves, the arm 34 will move away from the operating member of the switch 33, whereupon such switch will assume closed condition before the starting switch 32 is allowed to open. The Geneva 18, movement will successively turn the turret, so each station carrying a laden unit will come to discharge position over the funnel 22, and dwell sufficiently for the measured contents filling the chamber 42 will be discharged. The speed of turret is of course suitable to allow the cam 35 to act on the valve stem 44 of the structure 20 approaching it, before reaching discharge position over the funnel 22.

The condition of the structure 20, before it reaches the cam, is shown in FIG. 4. The measuring chamber 42 is empty. The hole 41 which is its intake port is closed by the washer 46. The discharge port 45 is free from the washer 51 whose function is to close it. The bore 38, is of course filled with liquor from the supply bottle 21. As soon as the cam intercepts the head 48, and said head rides on the upper ca'm surface 35', the stem 44 of the valve is pushed upwards, whereupon the washer 51 closes the discharge port 45, and the washer 46 having moved upwards, the intake port 41 is opened, so liquor rushes in to fill the measuring chamber 42. Whenthe stem head 48 leaves he cam, the action of the springs 4Q will push the valve stem 44 downwards. At this time the said headis directly above the funnel 22, whereupon it is evident that the port 41 is closed, and the discharge port 45 is open, so the contents of the measuring chamber discharges into the funnel 22 and then downward into the neck 24, whence it'spreads onto the surface of the teat 58 and then further spreads out while it is flowing downward on the upper surface of the plug 56. The finely spread liquor is now guided through the air space in practically thin ring form onto the inner surface of the glass 29. This is repeated as each station comes to discharge position. When the blank station S, at the end of one revolution of the turret 16, is once again over the funnel as shown in FIG. 2, the arm 34 will open the switch 33, whereupon the motor 19 will stop, which is the completion of one cycle. The apparatus is now ready to repeat its performance for as long as the liquor supply lasts.

When the glass 29 is of a capacity of one ounce, which is a practical size, the combined capacities of the measuring chambers of all the unit structures 20, shall of course either equal or shall not exceed one ounce. Their individual capacities may differ. In the apparatus 15 shown, there is provision for seven liquors. If a lesser number is to constitute the concoction, then one or some of the units 20 are removed from the turret. Units 20 having measuring chambers of different capacity, may be interchanged in position on he turret, but their supply bottles shall replace one another, to maintain the specific gravity relationship of successive units.

To assure the correct positioning of the turret l6on the shaft 17, it is keyed thereto by a pin 65 through the shaft which fits into a groove 66 along a diameter so that when so set, the arm 34 holds the microswitch stopping switch 33, in open condition.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein set forth. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiment herein shall be deemed merely illustrative of the teachings of this invention.

Iclaim:

1. In a dispensing apparatus for a plurality of liquids to make a rainbow cocktail, the combination of a frame, a horizontally positioned turret mounted for rotation about an upright axis on the frame, a plurality of independent containers for liquids, each provided with an opening to discharge downwardly, valve structures carried in angularly spaced relation on the turret, one for each container each valve structure comprising a hollow body member having an internal partition forming an upper liquid receiving chamber and a lower measuring chamber of predetermined capacity; said partition being provided with an opening therethrough making said chambers communicative; said upper chamber having a top opening; said lower chamber having a bottom opening, an upright valve stem positioned through the opening in the partition; said stem extending into the upper chamber and downwardlyout of the bottom opening of the lower chamber and outwardly of said body; the openings through which said valve stem is positioned being larger than the cross section of said stem, a first valve element carried on the portion of said stem which extends into the upper chamber, adapted to close the opening in the partition when the said stem is moved downwards, a second valve element carried on the portion of said stem which is downwardly outwardly of the valve body, adapted to close said bottom opening when said stem is moved upwards,

means holding the stem for longitudinal sliding movement onthe valve body, spring means biasing said stem downwardly to a normal rest position where the opening in the partition is closed and said bottom opening is open, means communicatively connecting the discharge openings of the said containers with the said upper openings of said valve structures respec tively, whereby liquids in said containers will discharge only through said upper openings respectively; each valve body being provided with a vent leading from the upper region of the upper chamber and opening in the top region of the body member, and also with a vent leading from the upper region of the lower chamber and opening in the top region of the body member, a cam fixed on the frame, adapted to intercept the lower end of each valve stem in succession, one at a time, as the turret is rotated, and push upwards the valve stem passing it, whereby the opening in the partition of the valve structure passing the cam, is opened and its bottom opening is closed while the stem is contacted by the cam; the spring means associated with such moved stem, automatically returning such valve stem to its normal rest position when such valve stem leaves the cam,.whereupon any liquid in the lower chamber said stem isassociated with, will be discharged through the bottom opening, means to hold a glass in position on the frame, to receive the liquid discharged-through said bottom opening, and guide means on the frame, positioned at the mouth region of the glass, adapted to direct such discharge against the inner surface of the glass.

2. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each container is an inverted bottle; said valve structures being mounted as caps on said bottles, respectively.

3. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each valve structure is releasably mounted on the turret, at a predetermined position thereon.

4. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve stems are equi-angularly spaced about the axis of rotation of the turret; the aggregate of such angular distances being less than 360 and each such angular distance being an equal division of 360 5. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 4, including a means for moving the turret about its axis intermittently said angular distance with a dwell of predetermined duration between such movements.

6. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said means for moving the turret is a Geneva movement device.

7. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 5, including an electric motor for operating said means for operating the turret, a supply of electrical energy to operate said motor; one terminal of said motor being connected to one terminal of said supply, a conductor electrically connecting the other terminal of the motor to the other terminal of said supply, a first normally open switch and a second normally closed switch; said switches being connected in parallel and interposed in said conductor, and means moving with the turret for opening the second switch when said turret is at: a predetermined dwell position. Y

8. A dispensing apparatus as defined inclaim 7, wherein the second switch includes an operating element; said switch being fixedly mounted on the frame and wherein said means for opening the second switch being an element extending laterally from the axis of the turret, adapted to contact said element and move it to cause said second switch to open.

9. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the first switch is of the pushbutton-type type.

10. A dispensing device as defined in claim 4, wherein the number of valve structures is at least one less than the total number of said divisions included in 360 11. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the discharge guide means is a member shaped to spread a discharge received on it, to flow down, along and all around on the inner surface of the glass.

12. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the discharge guide means comprises a receptacle positioned above glass position, to receive the discharge; said receptacle having a bottom wall and a peripheral upright wall; a plug extending upwardly and downwardly from said bottom wall; the

upper surface of said plug sloping downwardly to the entire peripheral wall of the receptacle, andspaced therefrom; the

part of said plug which is below said bottom wall of the receptacle, sitting into the uppermost region of the glass when a glass is positioned on the apparatus; the lower portion of said lower plug part being of a size and shape that its entire periphery is very close to the inner surface of the glass when inside the glass; whereby a thin annular ring space is made to exist between the inner surface of the glass and the lower part of said plug; said bottom wall of the receptacle having openings therethrough in the space between the upper part of the plug and the peripheral wall of the receptacle; said openings being communicative with the glass through said annular space, when a glass is mounted on the apparatus.

13. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 12, including a tubular neck extending upwardly from the highest region of the upper part of said plug, adapted to receive the discharge; said neck being mounted on the frame; said neck, receptacle and plug parts constituting a unitary structure; said neck being provided with openings to direct the discharge onto the exposed upper surface of the plug.

14. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 13, including an upward extension of the plug, extending upwardly into said tubular neck in spaced relation therewi'thi the upper surface of said extension being sloped downwardly to the openings in the neck; such openings being below the top of said extension.

15. A dispensing apparatus as defined'in claim 13, wherein said neck is releasably mounted to the frame.

Claims

1. In a dispensing apparatus for a plurality of liquids to make a rainbow cocktail, the combination of a frame, a horizontally positioned turret mounted for rotation about an upright axis on the frame, a plurality of independent containers for liquids, each provided with an opening to discharge downwardly, valve structures carried in angularly spaced relation on the turret, one for each container each valve structure comprising a hollow body member having an internal partition forming an upper liquid receiving chamber and a lower measuring chamber of predetermined capacity; said partition being provided with an opening therethrough making said chambers communicative; said upper chamber having a top opening; said lower chamber having a bottom opening, an upright valve stem positioned through the opening in the partition; said stem extending into the upper chamber and downwardly out of the bottom opening of the lower chamber and outwardly of said body; the openings through which said valve stem is positioned being larger than the cross section of said stem, a first valve element carried on the portion of said stem which extends into the upper chamber, adapted to close the opening in the partition when the said stem is moved downwards, a second valve element carried on the portion of said stem which is downwardly outwardly of the valve body, adapted to close said bottom opening when said stem is moved upwards, means holding the stem for longitudinal sliding movement on the valve body, spring means biasing said stem downwardly to a normal rest position where the opening in the partition is closed and said bottom opening is open, means communicatively connecting the discharge openings of the said containers with the said upper openings of said valve structures respectively, whereby liquids in said containers will discharge only through said upper openings respectively; each valve body being provided with a vent leading from the upper region of the upper chamber and opening in the top region of the body member, and also with a vent leading from the upper region of the lower chamber and opening in the top region of the body member, a cam fixed on the frame, adapted to intercept the lower end of each valve stem in succession, one at a time, as the turret is rotated, and push upwards the valve stem passing it, whereby the opening in the partition of the valve structure passing the cam, is opened and its bottom opening is closed while the stem is contacted by the cam; the spring means associated with such moved stem, automatically returning such valve stem to its normal rest position when such valve stem leaves the cam, whereupon any liquid in the lower chamber said stem is associated with, will be discharged through the bottom opening, means to hold a glass in position on the frame, to receive the liquid discharged through said bottom opening, and guide means on the frame, positioned at the mouth region of the glass, adapted to direct such discharge against the inner surface of the glass.

4. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the valve stems are equi-angularly spaced about the axis of rotation of the turret; the aggregate of such angular distances being less than 360* and each such angular distance being an equal division of 360* .

5. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 4, including a means for moving the turret about its axis intermittently said angular distance with a dwell of predetermined duration between such movements.

7. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 5, including an electric motor for operating said means for operating the turret, a supply of electrical energy to operate said motor; one terminal of said motor being connected to one terminal of said supply, a conductor electrically connecting the other terminal of the motor to the other terminal of said supply, a first normally open switch and a second normally closed switch; said switches being connected in parallel and interposed in said conductor, and means moving with the turret for opening the second switch when said turret is at a predetermined dwell position.

8. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the second switch includes an operating element; said switch being fixedly mounted on the frame and wherein said means for opening the second switch being an element extending laterally from the axis of the turret, adapted to contact said element and move it to cause said second switch to open.

10. A dispensing device as defined in claim 4, wherein the number of valve structures is at least one less than the total number of said divisions included in 360* .

11. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the discharge guide means is a member shaped to spread a discharge received on it, to flow down, along and all around on the inner surface of the glass.

12. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the discharge guide means comprises a receptacle positioned above glass position, to receive the discharge; said receptacle having a bottom wall and a peripheral upright wall; a plug extending upwardly and downwardly from said bottom wall; the upper surface of said plug sloping downwardly to the entire peripheral wall of the receptacle, and spaced therefrom; the part of said plug which is below said bottom wall of the receptacle, sitting into the uppermost region of the glass when a glass is positioned on the apparatus; the lower portion of said lower plug part being of a size and shape that its entire periphery is very close to the inner surface of the glass when inside the glass; whereby a thin annular ring space is made to exist between the inner surface of the glass and the lower part of said plug; said bottom wall of the receptacle having openings therethrough in the space between the upper part of the plug and the peripheral wall of the receptacle; said openings being communicative with the glass through said annular space, when a glass is mounted on the apparatus.

14. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 13, including an upward extension of the plug, extending upwardly into said tubular neck in spaced relation therewith: the upper surface of said extension being sloped downwardly to the openings in the neck; such openings being below the top of said extension.

15. A dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said neck is releasably mounted to the frame.