WO2005080199A1 - Distributeur automatique commande par le consommateur - Google Patents

Distributeur automatique commande par le consommateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005080199A1
WO2005080199A1 PCT/US2004/001753 US2004001753W WO2005080199A1 WO 2005080199 A1 WO2005080199 A1 WO 2005080199A1 US 2004001753 W US2004001753 W US 2004001753W WO 2005080199 A1 WO2005080199 A1 WO 2005080199A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
machine
product
dispensing
mixer
water
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/001753
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Carlos Angel Nicosia
Santiago Luis Bernadi Moro
Original Assignee
Encore Enterprises International Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Encore Enterprises International Llc filed Critical Encore Enterprises International Llc
Priority to PCT/US2004/001753 priority Critical patent/WO2005080199A1/fr
Publication of WO2005080199A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005080199A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/06—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof
    • G07F13/065—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with selective dispensing of different fluids or materials or mixtures thereof for drink preparation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00—Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/40—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea
    • A47J31/401—Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea whereby the powder ingredients and the water are delivered to a mixing bowl
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/10—Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs with associated dispensing of containers, e.g. cups or other articles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an automatic dispensing machine for . selectively dispensing a plurality of products upon selection thereof by a user and, more particularly, the invention relates to an automatic consumer-operated dispensing machine for selectively preparing and processing food products, either dry products or flowable products, and for dispensing the products as final products ready for human consumption, wherein the machine comprises an automation circuit for providing a processing-dispensing cycle, a plurality of containers for dry products, a device for providing water or any other liquid for homogenizing with the dry product selected by the user, a mixer for mixing and heating or cooling the homogenized product to form a final product for human consumption, with the automation circuit also providing a washing cycle for washing the components of the machine in contact with the food product after dispensing the final product .
  • the food dispensing machine and vending machines are very well known and worldwide employed in several institutions, office buildings, the street, stores, colleges, universities, etc. These machines provide an way to access to the contained products by inserting a coin, a token, a bill or any other transaction element such as a credit or debit card.
  • the coffee vending machines for example, comprise one or more containers with powdered coffee, with each container being capable of providing a metered quantity of coffee, upon selection by a consumer, into a mixer.
  • the mixer comprises a closed receptacle with any kind of agitating means therein. Once the coffee is discharged into the mixer hot water is poured into the mixer and the agitator means are actuated for preparing the infusion, preferably a foamy infusion. Then, the infusion is dispensed through an appropriate spout provided with valve means. Once the infusion has been served into a cup, however, the inner walls of the mixer, as well as the conduits and valve means remain with rests of the infusion that are retained and adhered in such machine .components. This is obviously not convenient for keeping- a pure taste and- flavor for the next infusions and is inconvenient for healthy purposes.
  • Similar machines are employed for dispensing hot and cool infusions or beverages, wherein different and separate circuits may be necessary for handling the hot and cold water or other liquids.
  • some machines include one or more mixers provided with heating or cooling means in order to receive the water at room temperature and heat or cool the infusion or beverage just before serving the same into a cup for the consumer. That is, some mixers are used only for cold products and some others are used only for hot products, however, this does not overcome- the problem of rests adherence within the machine components .
  • the above drawbacks and obstacles caused that the known machines are preferably employed for serving hot or cold beverages but not both in the same machine. The same above problems of using the mixers for different products are present in the.
  • the machines for dispensing ice creams are provided with a plurality of containers for containing the several ice cream preparations, or flavors, in liquid conditions; then the liquid ice cream preparation is fed into an agitator provided with freezing means, such as a coil, and the final ice cream is. served into a cup for the consumer
  • the agitators or mixers of the ice cream machines remain with rests of an already served' ice cr-eam, with a flavor different from the flavor of a follow prepared ice cream. While the rests of several prior flavors alter the flavor of further flavors, no washing of the circuits and systems are provided in all the above machines for preserving the taste of the several flavor selected by the consumers .
  • the conventional machines for vending cold beverages generally comprise a stock of bottled or canned beverages that are dispensed upon selection by the consumer but not prepared into the machine. Even in the machines for preparing and dispensing ice creams, an operator is always necessary for serving the ice cream into a cup. It would be therefore convenient o have a machine with the capacity of preparing and processing hot and cold infusions and beverages, as well as ice creams, in an automatic manner.
  • an automatic machine for preparing and dispensing food products upon selection by a consumer, with the machine being provided with appropriate means for washing the inner circuits, conduits and components of the machine in contact with the dispensed product after each dispensing cycle of the machine .
  • dispensing machine for processing food products and dispensing the same as final food products for human consumption, the machine comprising an automation circuit including a consumer operated module for selecting the desired food product to be dispensed; a plurality of containers for containing dry products; a homogenizer, ovably mounted along a first mounting arm, for selectively receiving from the containers a food product selected by the consumer at the operating module; at least one water dispensing device for providing a metered amount of water into the homogenizer containing the selected product to obtain an homogenized product formed by the water and.
  • an automation circuit including a consumer operated module for selecting the desired food product to be dispensed; a plurality of containers for containing dry products; a homogenizer, ovably mounted along a first mounting arm, for selectively receiving from the containers a food product selected by the consumer at the operating module; at least one water dispensing device for providing a metered amount of water into the homogenizer containing the selected product to obtain an homogenized product formed by the water and.
  • At least one mixer having a proximal end with an inlet for receiving the homogenized product from the homogenizer, and a distal end- including an outlet dispensing valve, the mixer including a rotating shaft with mixing paddles for conditioning the homogenized product and forming a final product ready to be consumed; and a cup-support, movably mounted along a second mounting arm, for carrying a cup, placing the cup in a position for receiving the final product from the dispensing valve of the mixer, and bringing the cup ⁇ to a station accessible to be taken by the consumer.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective, partially cross- sectional and partially exploded view of a dispensing machine according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a side elevation, partially cross- sectional view of a container of the machine of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 shows a side elevation, partially cross- sectional view of a homogenizer of the machine of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 4 shows a diagram of an automation circuit according to the invention, employed in the machine of FIG. 1;
  • the machine of the invention is an automatic consumer-operated dispensing machine, indicated by general reference 1, for processing and/or preparing food products and dispensing the same as final products for human consumption.
  • the machine may prepare and serve all kinds of infusions, coffee, tea, cocoa and milk, ice creams, etc., either hot or cold products.
  • the machine may also dispense some aggregates and additives such as grated or sliced nuts, almonds, sweeteners, sugar, etc. some of them to be placed on the top of an ice cream, for example.
  • Dispensing machine 1 comprises a plurality of containers 2 for containing food components; not shown, preferably dry components but not limited there to, employed for preparing a final food product.
  • containers 2 are made of any appropriate material to keep the products hermetically isolated.
  • Each container 2 of the plurality of containers includes moto means 3 connected to a product conveying screw 4 that is mounted at the bottom of the container. When the motor is activated the screw rotates in order to dispense a metered quantity of product through a dispensing opening or spout 5 located at a front part of the container.
  • Device 6 preferably includes an electrically actuated valve 7 for metering the water delivered by the water dispensing device depending of the infusion or food product to be prepared.
  • a homogenizer 8 is movably mounted along a first mounting arm 9.
  • Mounting arm 9 is a pneumatic arm and homogenizer 8 controllably moves along arm 9 for selectively receiving from the containers a product selected by the consumer at the operating module.
  • Homogenizer 8 includes an upper funnel 10 for receiving the product from' the corresponding container 2 and a dispensing spout 11 for dispensing the homogenized product into the inlet of a mixer, as will be explained.
  • Homogenizer 8 is provided with mixing and homogenizing inner components 12, FIG.
  • Funnel portion 10 is also designed to receive from the water dispensing device a metered amount of water for homogenizing the selected product already contained in the homogenizer and the water. Thus, an homogenized product is obtained from the homogenizer. Also close and immediately below the path along which the homogenizer moves at least one mixer 13 is provided.
  • Mixer 13 has a proximal end 14 with .an inlet 15 for receiving the homogenized product from the homogenizer, and a distal end 16 including an outlet dispensing valve 17 for dispensing a mixed final product.
  • Mixer 13 comprises a closed container including a rotating shaft 18.
  • Shaft 18 may be actuated by motor means 20 located at the proximal end of the mixer.
  • motor means 20 located at the proximal end of the mixer.
  • the same is poured from valve 17 into a cup 21 that is retained in a cup-support 22 that ' is movably mounted along a second mounting arm 23.
  • Arm 23 like arm 9, preferably comprises a pneumatic arm for . controllably moving support 22 along the arm in order to place the support just below valve 17 for receiving the product into cup 21 and for moving the support containing the cup to a station, not shown, that is accessible to the consumer for taking the cup.
  • motor means 3, 20, homogenizer 8, shaft 18, arms 9, 23 and valve 17 are actuated and controlled by an automation circuit diagramatically depicted in FIG. .4.
  • Automation circuit is controlled by a Computer PC 24 or a programmable logic controller PLC 25.
  • the dotted lines connecting the PC and the PLC indicates this option, ' however, pre erred reference will be made in this description to the connections of the several components of the machine and the PLC.
  • the circuit includes a consumer operated module 26, preferably a touch screen connected to the PLC, for selecting the desired product to be dispensed.
  • any transaction element such as a coin, a bill, a token or, a card, should be used and inserted into the payment receiving module 27 also connected to the PLC.
  • the PLC controls first 9 and second 23 arms to move the homogenizer and cup-support along the arms, respectively, the conveying, screw at the bottom of the containers to meter a desired amount of product, the water electro-valve, the mixer and the cup- support.
  • the PLC has a port connected to motor means 3 for moving the conveying screw of each container, a port connected to first arm 9, a port connected to electrically operated valve 7, a port connected to homogeneizer 8, a port connected to motor means 20 for moving the shaft of the mixer, a port connected to outer dispensing valve 17, a port connected to second arm 23, and a port connected to cup-support 22.
  • the present machine is an automatic computer or PLC operated machine.
  • the machine may operate, under a product- processing or preparing cycle, for getting the selected product from the containers and the water and for homogenizing the mixed product and water in homogenizer 8. Then, the homogenized product is conditioned into mixer 13 the proximal end of which is also provided with a pressurized-air injecting nozzle 28, also connected to a port of the PLC, for providing controlled pressurized air into the mixer.
  • This air may be employed during the product-processing cycle, or product-preparing cycle, of the machine or, as will be seen below, during a washing cycle.
  • a washing cycle is provided in the machine and water dispensing device 6 with water electro-valve 7, is provided with the capacity of operating during this washing cycle.
  • valve 7 is connected to the PLC also for controlling the provision of water into the homogenizer and into the mixer and valve 17 for washing the machine, after each processing and dispensing cycle, that is, after the final product is dispensed into cup 21 •in the cup-support.
  • the inventive machine is provided with all the necessary components to operate automatically upon request of a consumer and includes the capability of washing all the parts of the machines that are in contact with the food product once a processing and dispensing cycle is over. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the. scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims .

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Beverage Vending Machines With Cups, And Gas Or Electricity Vending Machines (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un distributeur automatique commandé par le consommateur, qui traite des produits alimentaires et les distribue comme produits finis prêts à la consommation humaine. Ledit distributeur comprend un circuit d'automatisation pouvant être commandé par le consommateur, ce dernier y introduisant une pièce de monnaie et choisissant le produit voulu dans un module de sélection qu'il commande. Le produit choisi est extrait d'un des nombreux récipients contenant des produits secs, puis homogénéisé dans un homogénéisateur qui reçoit également de l'eau ou tout autre liquide d'un dispositif distributeur d'eau destiné à homogénéiser le produit et l'eau en un produit homogénéisé, lequel est versé dans un mélangeur équipé d'une valve distributrice afin d'obtenir un produit mélangé fini qui est servi dans un gobelet retenu sur porte-gobelet. Ledit distributeur comporte un cycle de lavage au cours duquel l'homogénéiseur et le mélangeur sont remplis d'eau provenant du distributeur d'eau destinée à laver la machine une fois le produit fini distribué.
PCT/US2004/001753 2004-01-22 2004-01-22 Distributeur automatique commande par le consommateur WO2005080199A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2004/001753 WO2005080199A1 (fr) 2004-01-22 2004-01-22 Distributeur automatique commande par le consommateur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2004/001753 WO2005080199A1 (fr) 2004-01-22 2004-01-22 Distributeur automatique commande par le consommateur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005080199A1 true WO2005080199A1 (fr) 2005-09-01

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2004/001753 WO2005080199A1 (fr) 2004-01-22 2004-01-22 Distributeur automatique commande par le consommateur

Country Status (1)

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008085643A3 (fr) * 2007-01-04 2008-10-23 Coca Cola Co Système et méthode de production de lait moussant à partir de poudre
WO2014117667A1 (fr) * 2013-02-01 2014-08-07 Zeng Weizhang Dispositif de séparation d'aliments automatique
CN105496208A (zh) * 2005-10-19 2016-04-20 瑞海文多斯服务股份公司 从可溶性产品制备饮料的方法和设备
EP3542681A1 (fr) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-25 CENZ Automation Co. Ltd. Appareil d'infusion de boissons
CN110301821A (zh) * 2018-03-20 2019-10-08 迅智自动化科技股份有限公司 饮品调制设备
WO2019218048A1 (fr) * 2018-05-18 2019-11-21 Sunveer Mann Machine de distribution de produits glacés mous à parfum au choix
CN110960087A (zh) * 2019-11-28 2020-04-07 斯贝乐电器（浙江）股份有限公司 全自动冰淇淋饮品一体机
CN114180229A (zh) * 2021-12-21 2022-03-15 黄伯兴 一种生产用降脂减肥茶储存装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5570816A (en) * 1994-12-08 1996-11-05 Labarbera, Jr.; George Dry baby formula maker
US5738153A (en) * 1995-11-03 1998-04-14 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Measuring and dispensing system for solid dry flowable materials
US6644359B1 (en) * 2000-04-05 2003-11-11 Keene Sanitary Supply, Inc. Tamper-proof chemical dispensing device for high security environments

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5570816A (en) * 1994-12-08 1996-11-05 Labarbera, Jr.; George Dry baby formula maker
US5738153A (en) * 1995-11-03 1998-04-14 E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Measuring and dispensing system for solid dry flowable materials
US6644359B1 (en) * 2000-04-05 2003-11-11 Keene Sanitary Supply, Inc. Tamper-proof chemical dispensing device for high security environments

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105496208A (zh) * 2005-10-19 2016-04-20 瑞海文多斯服务股份公司 从可溶性产品制备饮料的方法和设备
WO2008085643A3 (fr) * 2007-01-04 2008-10-23 Coca Cola Co Système et méthode de production de lait moussant à partir de poudre
RU2461349C2 (ru) * 2007-01-04 2012-09-20 Дзе Кока-Кола Компани Система и способ для получения вспененного молока из порошка
US8820214B2 (en) 2007-01-04 2014-09-02 The Coca-Cola Company System and method for producing foamed milk from powder
WO2014117667A1 (fr) * 2013-02-01 2014-08-07 Zeng Weizhang Dispositif de séparation d'aliments automatique
CN110301821A (zh) * 2018-03-20 2019-10-08 迅智自动化科技股份有限公司 饮品调制设备
EP3542681A1 (fr) * 2018-03-20 2019-09-25 CENZ Automation Co. Ltd. Appareil d'infusion de boissons
US11129500B2 (en) 2018-03-20 2021-09-28 CENZ Automation Co. Ltd. Beverage brewing apparatus
CN110301821B (zh) * 2018-03-20 2022-01-25 迅智自动化科技股份有限公司 饮品调制设备
WO2019218048A1 (fr) * 2018-05-18 2019-11-21 Sunveer Mann Machine de distribution de produits glacés mous à parfum au choix
US11490637B2 (en) 2018-05-18 2022-11-08 Sunveer Mann Flavour selectable frozen soft-serve confection dispensing machine
CN110960087A (zh) * 2019-11-28 2020-04-07 斯贝乐电器（浙江）股份有限公司 全自动冰淇淋饮品一体机
CN114180229A (zh) * 2021-12-21 2022-03-15 黄伯兴 一种生产用降脂减肥茶储存装置

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