WO2000029322A1

WO2000029322A1 - Liquid dispensing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2000029322A1
Application number: PCT/ZA1999/000124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis George Saunders
Original assignee: Louis George Saunders
Priority date: 1998-11-19
Filing date: 1999-11-19
Publication date: 2000-05-25
Also published as: AU2225900A

Abstract

A liquid dispensing apparatus is provided which has one or more measuring containers for tots, each of which is connected to a reservoir, and each of which has a solenoid valve so that each operation of the valve produces a signal which can be relayed to a computer so that each dispensing operation through the tot measurer can be recorded.

Description

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to dispensing apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of liquids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spirit liquors are conventionally served in measurement volumes commonly known as tots. Where these liquors are sold to the public, the tot is measured, supplied to the customer who then pays for each drink ordered or alternatively an account is run up and paid when the customer leaves the premises where the liquor is sold.

-Lo Control of the liquor has long been a problem with respect not only to measurement of the tots sold but in ensuring that the disbursed liquor is properly accounted and paid for.

Presently the most common method of dispensing liquor is by the use of optic dispensers. The use of these require the barman to discharge a measured quantity from a

15 transparent receptacle filled automatically from an inverted bottle of liquid. The advantage of these dispensers is quick service and the fact that the customer can see his premeasured tot dispensed into his glass and "short-totting" is difficult.

However these devices do not assist in any accounting or stock control methods.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

20 It is the object of this invention to provide a liquid dispensing apparatus which will facilitate the dispensing of measured quantities of liquid and also to maintain appropriate records relating thereto. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a container of predetermined size adapted for connection to a supply reservoir, an electrically controlled dispensing valve assembly for discharge from the container and a

5 computer connected to the solenoid to receive a signal on each operation of the solenoid valve and utilise that signal for record purposes.

The electrically controlled dispensing valve assembly will include at least a solenoid controlled valve and an electronic optic. These devices are referred to herein as solenoid controlled valves.

i _Q Further features of this invention provide for operation of the valve to be through a manual control button or automatically through the use a reader in the computer for data storage cards.

The invention also provides for automatic refilling of the container after each operation of the solenoid valve and for the recording effected by the computer to include a 5 running total of operations of the valves each operation resulting in a display of the cost of liquid disposed either for a single dispensing operation or of a controlled cumulative number of dispensing operations to provide a bill totalling the cost of a number of dispensed volumes of liquid.

The invention is particularly suitable for application in dispensing liquor for sale

20 and a liquor dispenser for such sales comprises a cabinet for storage of a removable reservoir of liquor having an outlet adapted for connection to a measuring container which in turn has an outlet controlled by a solenoid valve located above a support for a vessel into which the liquor is to be discharged.

The cabinet may have several separate reservoirs and associated solenoid valve 25 controlled containers and the computer programmed to accumulate information from these separate assemblies as desired. Variable illuminated displays can be carried on exposed surfaces of the cabinet the vessel supporting surfaces of which will be provided by suitable materials.

These and other features of this invention will become apparent from the following description of one embodiment and it will be understood that many variations may be provided which fall within the overall scope of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The example is illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the assembly; And Figure 2 is a front elevation.

DESCRIPTION OF MODES OF THE INVENTION

The dispenser (1) consists of a cabinet (2) made from suitable material such as wood or moulded plastic material or wood faces with plastics material as may be required to give a desired aesthetic effect. The cabinet (2) houses a plurality of plastic reservoirs (3) conveniently of six litre capacity. Each reservoir has an outlet tap (4) for connection through a short length of ducting (5) to a container of predetermined volume.

The container each form part of an assembly (6) which includes an outlet valve controlled by a solenoid. Below the outlet (7) of the assembly (6) is a supporting surface for a suitable vessel into which a measured quantity of liquid from the reservoir is to be dispensed.

The above arrangement is particularly suitable for use for the sale of liquor in bars or clubs.

The cabinet will also provide a display for electronically accumulated date and may also include a printer for transposing the displayed data into physical record form. The use of the solenoid valve enables electrical signals generated by its operation to be used through appropriate electronic, preferably microchip circuitry, to achieve a number of control functions necessary for the proper recording of liquor sales.

The activation of the solenoid valve can be effected by manual closing of a switch in the circuitry or through a reader provided to close the circuit in insertion of an appropriate data bearing card. Once activated the valve will permit a tot of liquor to be delivered from the container into a glass positioned on the cabinet below the assembly (6).

Once discharged the container will be automatically filled from the reservoir (3).

The activation will simultaneously generate a signal to electronically complete a number of recording functions. It will enable additions of the tot to the previously recorded number of tots dispensed from the reservoir.

It will allow the display on a screen of what has been dispensed and the price thereof.

The electronic circuitry will be computerised to transfer the information stored on the microchip to remote systems thus enabling a record of the number of tots physically dispensed to be matched to till takings.

The dispenser also makes provision for the user of the dispenser to be electronically identified before allowing a tot to be dispensed and can keep separate records for each user.

Provision has additionally been made for the dispenser to be converted into a vending machine activated by a reader and through the use of a smart card. Tots may only be dispensed if paid for by the amount being deducted off a prepaid amount residing on the smart card.

The dispenser may also be programmed to list and print out from a suitable printer individual sales or an accumulation of sales to the same person over a period of time. It will be appreciated that the dispenser recording system can be programmed to meet a wider variety of the liquor dispenser. Further, if desired, a standby power pack may be included to enable the apparatus to be used during any break in normal power supply

Claims

1. Liquid dispensing apparatus including one or more measuring container of predetermined volume each of which is adapted to be connected to its supply reservoir, each container having an electrically controlled solenoid dispensing valve for discharge from the container, and a computer connected to the solenoid to receive a signal corresponding to each operation of the solenoid and to utilise such signal for recording purposes.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 adapted for automatic use through a reader in the computer for data storage tokens or cards.

i _Q 3. The apparatus according to either of the above claims including automatic refilling means for the container.

4. The apparatus according to any of the above claims in which the computer is programmed with price data to give a running account of the number of dispensing operations carried out.

15 5. The apparatus according to any of the above claims in which the computer is programmed to record the sales by the same person.