US3586074A

US3586074A - Cup dispensing device

Info

Publication number: US3586074A
Application number: US727256A
Authority: US
Inventors: Irving F Snyder
Original assignee: Cornelius Co
Current assignee: Cornelius Co
Priority date: 1968-05-07
Filing date: 1968-05-07
Publication date: 1971-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-22
Also published as: GB1235233A; DE1904703A1

Abstract

A cup dispensing device includes a table having a subtable on which a cup is supported in alignment with filling means, the table being driven by a motor from a retracted position within a cabinet to a second position of greater accessibility for manual grasping of the cup, the cabinet having doors moved to an open position by such table, and there being a cup guide for aligning a cup with the filling means on the subtable, a portion of the cup guide being movable in response to table movement to provide a guide that encircles the cup during filling but releases the cup thereafter.

Description

United States Patent [54] CUP DISPENSING DEVICE 15Claims,9Dr-awingFi [52] 11.8. 141/271, 141/174 [51] 1nt.Cl. G07f13/l0 [50] FieldofSearch......... 141/173- [561 ReiereneesClteel UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,882,812 10/1932 Gunn 141/174 2,591,507 4/1952 Brous 141/174 2,726,026 12/1955 GouldetaL. 141/174X 2,782,810 2/1957 Richter 141/174.

2,808,918 10/1957 Shepard, Jr. et a1. 312/35 X 2,879,811 3/1959 Parraga 141/174 X 3,006,709 10/1961 Krey 312/324 X v3,221,780 12/1965 Cordray et al.... 141/174X 3,297,061 1/1967 Nimee 141/359 X 3,413,052 11/1968 Schoenmakers 312/35 X 3,460,593 8/1969 Niehaus et a1. 141/174 X Priniary Examiner-Laverne D. Geiger Assistant Examiner-Edward .l. Earls Attorney-44in, Sherman, Meroni, Gross and Simpson ABSTRACT: A cup dispensing device includes a table having a subtable on which a cup is supported in alignment with filling means, the table being driven by a motor from a retracted position within a cabinet to a second position of greater accessibility for manual grasping of the cup, the cabinet having doors moved to an open position by such table, and there being a cup guide for aligning a cup with the filling means on the subtable, a portion of the cup guide being movable in response to table movement to provide a guide that encircles the cup during filling but releases the cup thereafter.

PATENTEDJUHZZLBH 3586074 SHEET 1 UF 4 m ya @KWW'IURNEYS PATENIED JUH2 2 mm SHEET 2 OF 4 CUP DISPENSING DEVICE This invention relates generally to a beverage dispensing machine, and more specifically to structure by which a cup that has been vended is guided for being filled and is thereafter mechanically transferred to a position of accessibility.

Various types of cup dispensing structure have been provided on previous beverage dispensing machines. These have had one or more of the following problems inherent in their construction. Certain prior cup guides have not been able to accommodate cups having a wide range in size. Other cup guides to be reliable have required that the cup be dropped from a point straight above the dispensing station, or from a point where the drop angle is close to vertical. Certain prior cup guides have been of such construction as to make initial alignment a problem, as to induce cup bounce, and/or as to support cups in a cocked position. Prior cup guides have included encircling structure of a rigid type which has necessitated manual deformation of the cup to enable its removal from such cup guide, thereby frequently inducing spilling. Further, doors have been provided on cabinets which require manual actuation, and also it has been required that the hand of the person be inserted into a dispensing compartment to grasp the cup. With certain prior structures the person or customer needed two hands to perform the required acts, thereby precluding his grasping a cup in each hand.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pivotally supported table having a subtable on which the cup is filled, the table being motor driven so as to both open cabinet doors and as to deliver or serve the filled cup to the customer at a place of more ready access, such as substantially outside of the cabinet, the cup prior to filling being guided by a cup guide having a movable portion which is movable jointly with the table to release the filled cup.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing machine having an improved cup dispensing device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cup dispensing device which will shorten the time actually used in a vending cycle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cup dispensing device by which the likelihood of spillage is reduced.

Another object of the present invention is to providea cup dispensing device which will enable a customer to use the beverage dispensing machine with only one hand, thereby enabling such customer to grasp a cup in each hand from the machine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the type described which is sanitary, neat in appearance, and where any overflow will be concealed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cup dispensing device wherein the cup is positively retained while being filled and is thereafter mechanically released.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which preferred structural embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.

ON THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a beverage dispensing machine provided with a cup dispensing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view in enlarged scale, partly .in cross section, of the cup dispensing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit for the cup dispensing device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 2, partially broken away;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of filling means associated with the structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 with the cup dispensing device shown in an open position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VIl-Vll of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top view, partially broken away, of a second embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a cup guide which is modified from that shown in FIG. 2.

AS SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS The principles of this invention are particularly useful when embodied in a beverage dispensing machine which is equipped with means (not shown) for discharging individual cups for transfer by gravity to a dispensing station which forms a part of such dispensing machine, such dispensing station here comprising the cup dispensing device generally indicated by the numeral 10. The cup dispensing device 10 includes a table 11 which supports a subtable 12, the table II being normally enclosed by door means 13, and also including a cup guide 14.

A typical beverage dispensing machine includes a cabinet 16 which has an access aperture 17 normally closed by the door means 13, the aperture 17 being adjacent to a cup-filling means 18 shown in FIG. 5.

The subtable 12 and the adjacent portion of the table 11 may be constructed, as shown, to be free of any vertical openings, but if desired, drainage openings may be provided therethrough for accommodating any overflow. The tale It is provided with table support means in the form of a vertical pivot pin 19 acting between the table 11 and the cabinet 16. The vertical pivot pin 19 enables the table to be pivoted from a first, retracted, or return position as shown in FIG. 2 herein the subtable I2 and hence any cup is within the cabinet 16 in register with the filling means 18, to a second position where such cup is more accessible for grasping as shown in FIG. 6, wherein any cup on the subtable I2 is disposed at least partially outside of the cabinet 16.

The table 11 has a number of bearings 20 which pivotally support a horizontal shaft 21. The subtable 12 is fixedly secured to one end of the shaft 21 as by means of a pin 22, and the other end of the shaft 21 is provided with a switch actuating arm 23 for acting on a switch means 24 which in this embodiment is carried by the table 11. A torsion spring 25 acts between the horizontal shaft 21 and the table 11 to urge the subtable 12 to a slightly elevated position wherein the actuator arm 23 holds the switch means 24 in a closed-circuit position. Thus the subtable I2 is responsive to the weight of a cup and its contents in that the filled cup holds the switch means 24 open for purposes described below.

In this embodiment, the table 11 is arranged to actuate a limit switch means 26 including a first limit switch 27 and a second limit switch 28. The limit switch 27 is actuated by the table 11 when the table II is at its first or returned position, and the limit switch 28 is actuated by the table 11 when the table II is at its second or serving position.

A motor 29 (FIG. 3) has an output shaft 30 which in this embodiment supports a rotatable cam 31 which has a periphery that engages an edge 32 of the table 11, the cam 31 having a low level 33 and a high level 34 on its periphery which define the previously mentioned first and second positions of the table 11, respectively. A spring 35 may be provided to act between the cabinet 16 and the table II to urge the table 11 against the periphery of the cam 31. Another spring, described below, also has a similar function, and therefore the spring 35 could be omitted. In this embodiment, the rotatable cam 31 thus comprises a form of connecting means between the motor 29 and the table 11.

The door means 13 comprises a left door 36 and a right door 37 which jointly normally close the aperture 17. The

doors

36 and 37 open and close in response to movement of the table I1, and in this embodiment the doors are pushed open by the table 11. Each of the

doors

36, 37 is pivotable about a vertical axis defined by a pair of

support pins

38,38,

there being a spring 39 biasing each of the

doors

36, 37 in a closing direction and against the table II as best seen in FIG. 6. The spring acting on the door 36 also, acting through the table II, functions in the manner of spring 35 as described above to bias the connecting means in one direction. The

doors

36, 37 respectively are provided with cam means 40, 41 which engage the edge of the table II.

The cup guide I4 includes a movable portion 42, and the rest of the cup guide 14 is a stationary portion 43. The stationary portion 43 is fixedly secured to the cabinet 16, and the movable portion 42 is pivotally supported on the stationary portion 43 for movement between a closed or cup-embracing position shown in FIG. 2 and an open or noncup-embracing position shown in FIG. 6. In the cup-embracing position, the cup guide I4 is arranged to receive and to extend for over 180 about a cup so as to embrace it while it is supported on the subtable I2 and hence the table Ill, and while so embraced, the cup is thus held in alignment with the filling means I8. To support the movable portion 42, such movable portion is provided with an apertured hinge part 44 through which there extends supportingly a fulcrum 45 which forms a part of the stationary portion 43. The movable portion 42 is movable jointly with the table II as the table moves between its first and second positions, and thus the supporting

means

44, 45 enable pivoting of the movable portion about a vertical pivotal axis. The movable portion is provided with a means 46 which is controlled or acted on the table II for controlling or governing movement of the movable portion 42 of the cup guide 14, such means here comprising an arm 46. The table II acts through the arm 46 to hold the movable portion 42 in its cup-embracing position. As the table II pivots to the position shown in FIG. 6, the side or edge ofa filled cup lightly touches the movable portion 42 to swing it out of the way, the force required being virtually imperceptible in this embodiment.

Under the control of conventional coin-controlled apparatus, including a timer (not shown), a cup 47 (FIG. 4) is caused to be dropped from above into the cup guide I4 where it comes to rest on the subtable I2. The timer then energizes the filling means I3 to dispense a liquid into the cup 47, the weight of which opens the switch means 24. After the cup 47 has been filled, the timer, through one of its cams 48, closes a timer-actuated switch 49 which is connected in series with the motor 29, thereby initiating driving of the table II from said first to said second or serving position.

The limit switch 27 is connected in series with the limit switch 28 and such limit switch means jointly 26 are connected in parallel to the switch 49 whereby a holding circuit is provided. Thus during outward movement of the table II, such movement continues until the limit switch 28 is opened, and on return movement, such movement continues until the limit switch 27 is reopened. The switch means 24 that is governed by the subtable I2 is connected in circuit with the motor 29 by being connected in parallel with the switch 28 for the purpose of initiating return movement in response to the cups 47 being lifted from the subtable 12, thereby energizing the motor 29.

The table II is normally in the position shown in FIG. 2 and the

switches

24, 27, 28 and 49 are then in the position shown in FIG. 3. Filling of the cup 47 on the subtable I2 opens the switch 24, and then the timer-actuated switch 49 closes, as stated above, to energize the table-drive motor 29.

Switches

27 and 28 are of the normally closed type, so that the switch 27 closes before the timer switch 49 opens, thus providing a shunt circuit through the limit switches 27 and 25 across the timer switch 49. Opening of the timer switch 49 has no direct effect, and when the table 11 has moved outwardly enough to engage the outer limit switch 28, the shunt circuit is opened and the motor 29 stops with the table III in the serving position. when the cup 47 is removed from the subtable I2, the switch 24, of the normally closed type, recloses to bypass the then-open limit switch 28, reestablishing continuity of the shunt circuit through the

switches

24 and 27, thus restarting the motor to rotate the table cam BI, thereby enabling the spring 35 to return the table II. Motor operation continues until the table II engages the return limit switch 27, thus completing a cycle of operation and restoring the components to the positions illustrated.

If the subtable I2 is provided with no drainage apertures, it is preferable that a number of upstanding ridges 50 be provided so as to enable the cup to be supported at three or four points, thereby keeping the lower rim of the cup dry in case there has been any spillage as by overflow. With the cup disposed in a position of ready access as shown in FIG. 6, it may be grasped by either hand and on its being lifted, the table II is returned as described above. On return of the table, the rear edge thereof strikes the arm 46 shortly before the first or returned position is reached, and causes the movable portion 42 of the cup guide 14 to be returned to the position shown in FIG. 2. The dispensing station may be provided with a conventional drain SI shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6.

In FIG. 8, there is shown an alternate form of certain components identified by corresponding numerals with the suffix letter a added. In this embodiment, a table 11a and the motor 29 and provided with a connecting means 311a which comprises a pin and slot structure. The table Illa has a groove 511 and the motor is provided with an eccentric pin 52 received in the groove 51. Preferably, a roller 53 is carried by the pin 52 to minimize friction. Further, the limit switch means 26a com prises a single switch which has an actuator 54 that coacts with a cam 55 which rotates with the output shaft of the motor 29. The cam 55 has a switch actuating surface 56 aligned with the actuator 54, the actuating surface 56 thus being actually remote from the edge of the table IIa. The cam 55 has two portions 57, 57 of corresponding structure disposed diametrically of each other on the cam surface 56 for serving as detents that receive the actuator 54 of the limit switch means 26a.

Also, a switch means 24a is supported remotely from the table Ma and has an actuator 58, and the horizontal shaft 21 similarly has an arm 23a for coacting with the actuator 58. When the table Illa is in its first or returned position, the arm 23a is spaced a considerable distance from the actuator 58. In response to pivoting of the table IIa to its cup-serving position, the arm 23a is thereby pivoted into registration with the actuator 58.

In operation, the cup is dispensed onto the subtable I2 and on being filled, the shaft 211 is pivoted as described previously, thereby moving the arm 23a pivotally in an upward direction by a slight amount. As the table lla approaches its outer position, the arm 23a is in juxtaposition to the actuator 58 so that when the cup is lifted, the arm 23a will depress the actuator 58 for initiating return movement of the table Illa as described before.

When the motor 29 is first energized by the timer switch 49, the limit switch means 26a is open, and in response to a few degrees of pivoting of the table Ila, the limit switch 26a is closed as a holding circuit which is in parallel to the timer switch 49. The eccentric pin 52 is thus driven about the axis of the cam 55 in a clockwise direction, thereby applying a force to the side 59 of the groove and thus in opposition to the force of the door spring 39 which holds the groove side 59 against the roller 53. When the cam 55 has rotated about the actuator 54 drops into the diametrically opposite detent 57 to define the second or outermost position of the table Ila, thereby interrupting the motor circuit through the limit switch means 6a. On removal of the cup, the switch means 24a, connected in parallel with the limit switch means 26a, initiates return movement of the table lIa by again energizing the motor to enable it to drive another 180 to return the table 1 Ia to the position shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, there is shown an alternate cup guide 14a which includes a movable portion 42a, the rest of the cup guide 14a being a stationary portion 43a. The upper part of the stationary portion 43a encircles the falling cup, and the lower part of the stationary portion 43a partially embraces or encircles the cup 47 as it rests on the table II. The movable portion 42a is a wire form having horizontal arms 60 secured to a pivot pin 61. An Lishaped arm 46a is secured at the upper end to the arms 60, and includes a horizontal leg that is engaged by an edge of the table ll. A spring 62 acts on the movable portion 42a to urge it to an open or noncup-embracing position. Thus, as the table 11 moves to its outer position, the spring 62 swings the movable portion 42a of the cup guide 14 out of the way without relying on any force from the cup to act on such movable portion. However, in the event that some unforeseen type of sticking should take place, the edge of the filled cup' would still engage the adjacent part of the movable portion 420 to assist in moving it out of the way to enable the cup 47 to be grasped by a single hand without any deformation thereof needed to obtain its release. If desired, the spring 62 and the arm 46a could be reversed. With such structure, the table 11 acts on the arm 46a against the force of the spring 62 to positively drive the movable portion 42a from the cup-embracing position to the noncup-embracing position. On return of the table ll, the spring 62 would have in it sufficient energy to restore the movable cup guide portion 42a to the position illustrated in FIG. 9.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A beverage dispensing machine, comprising:

a. a cabinet;

b. means within said cabinet for filling a cup with the beverage;

c. a table for delivering the filled cup, said table being movably supported only for horizontal movement between a first position where the cup is supported in register with said filling means and a second position where the cup may be more readily grasped;

d. a motor secured to said cabinet and connected to move said table between said positions;

e. a subtable having an upper side for directly engaging the bottom of the cup, said subtable being supported on said table for vertical movement with respect to said table, said subtable having means responsive to the weight of the cup and part of its contents, and said subtable having a lower side engageable with the top of said table to limit its vertically downward movement; and

f. a switching circuit connected to said motor and including switch means governed by upward movement of said subtable for controlling return of said table in response to removal of the cup therefrom.

2. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1, in-

cluding:

a. a horizontal shaft movably secured to said subtable, said shaft being pivotally carried by said table; and

b. a radially extending arm comovably secured to said shaft for actuating said switch means by torsional forces acting through said shaft.

3. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 2, wherein said switch means governed by said subtable is supported remotely from said table, said radially extending arm being movable horizontally with said table to a position of operative alignment with the actuator of said switch means as said table moves to said second position.

4. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1, including:

a. door means carried by said cabinet and normally closing an access aperture therein;

b. means supporting said door means for pivoting about a vertical axis and including a spring biasing said door means in a closing direction;

c. said table being engageable with said door means to effect movement of said door means in an opening direction; and

d. said table being urged toward said first position by said door means spring. 5. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 4 in which said door means includes two separate doors respectively pivoted about horizontally spaced vertical axes, both of said doors being engageable by said table to effect said movement of said door means.

6. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 4 in which said door means has cam means on the inner side thereof engaged by an edge of said table during opening and closing of said door means.

7. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1 including:

a. a cup guide arranged to embrace the cup and to hold the cup in alignment with said filling means and on said subtable;

b. a portion of said cup guide being movable to a noncupembracing position; and

c. means connected to said movable portion of said cup guide and controlled by engagement with said table for controlling movement of said movable cup guide portion.

8. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 7 in which said means for controlling cup-guide-portion movement is an arm secured to said cup guide portion and acted on by said table.

9. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 8 in which said table, in acting through said arm, holds said movable portion in its cup-embracing position.

10. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 9, including a spring urging said movable portion toward its noncup-embracing position.

11. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1 including:

c. said table being engageable with said door means; and

d. the means by which said motor is connected to move said table being biased in one direction by said spring of said door means.

12. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1, in

which:

a. said switching circuit includes limit switch means for terminating operation of said motor as said table reaches said first and second positions; and

b. a switch cam rotatably driven by said motor and having a switch-actuating surface remote from said table and aligned to actuate said limit switch means to terminate said operation of said motor.

13. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 12 in which said actuation surface has two portions of corresponding structure respectively operative on one and the same actuator of said limit switch means for said table positions.

14. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1 in which the connection between said motor and said table comprises a pin rotatable about an axis eccentric to its own axis and projecting into a slot for driving said table and for defining each of said first and second positions of said table.

15. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 14 in which said pin is secured to said motor and said slot is provided in said table.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 586,074 bated June 22, 1971 Inventor(s) Irving F. Snyder It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

C01. 2, l. 28, change "tale" to --table--;

Col. 2, 1. 32, change "herein" to "wherein";

Col. 3, 1.71, change "when" to --When--;

Col. 4, 1. 22, change "and provided" to are provided";

Col. 4, l. 65, change 6 a to --26 Col. 5, 1., 2, change "Lishaped" to --L-shaped--; and

C01. 5, l. 52, change "movably" to comovably Signed and sealed this 21st day of March 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOT'ISCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050(1069] sCoMM Dc GOING pug 9 U.S GOVERNMENY HUNTING OFFICE 199 D-J8B-3!l

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing machine, comprising: a. a cabinet; b. means within said cabinet for filling a cup with the beverage; c. a table for delivering the filled cup, said table being movably supported only for horizontal movement between a first position where the cup is supported in register with said filling means and a second position where the cup may be more readily grasped; d. a motor secured to said cabinet and connected to move said table between said positions; e. a subtable having an upper side for directly engaging the bottom of the cup, said subtable being supported on said table for vertical movement with respect to said table, said subtable having means responsive to the weight of the cup and part of its contents, and said subtable having a lower side engageable with the top of said table to limit its vertically downward movement; and f. a switching circuit connected to said motor and including switch means governed by upward movement of said subtable for controlling return of said table in response to removal of the cup therefrom.

2. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1, including: a. a horizontal shaft movably secured to said subtable, said shaft being pivotally carried by said table; and b. a radially extending arm comovably secured to said shaft for actuating said switch means by torsional forces acting through said shaft.

4. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1, including: a. door means carried by said cabinet and normally closing an access aperture therein; b. means supporting said door means for pivoting about a vertical axis and including a spring biasing said door means in a closing direction; c. said table being engageable with said door means to effect movement of said door means in an opening direction; and d. said table being urged toward said first position by said door means spring.

5. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 4 in which said door means includes two separate doors respectively pivoted about horizontally spaced vertical axes, both of said doors being engageable by said table to effect said movement of said door means.

7. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1 including: a. a cup guide arranged to embrace the cup and to hold the cup in alignment with said filling means and on said subtable; b. a portion of said cup guide being movable to a noncup-embracing position; and c. means connected to said movable portion of said cup guide and controlled by engagement with said table for controlling movement of said movable cup guide portion.

11. A beverage dispensing machine according to claim 1 including: a. door means carried by said cabinet and normally closing an access aperture therein; b. means supporting said door means for pivoting about a vertical axis and including a spring biasing said door means in a closing direction; c. said table being engageable with said door means; and d. the means by which said motor is connected to move said table being biased in one direction by said spring of said door means.

12. A bEverage dispensing machine according to claim 1, in which: a. said switching circuit includes limit switch means for terminating operation of said motor as said table reaches said first and second positions; and b. a switch cam rotatably driven by said motor and having a switch-actuating surface remote from said table and aligned to actuate said limit switch means to terminate said operation of said motor.