US2994421A - Vending machine including electrical circuits and hydraulics therefor - Google Patents

Description

g- 1961 T o YINGST ETAL 2,994,421

VENDING MACHINE INCLUDING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND HYDRAULICS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 1, 1956 4 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTORG RA y/VO/Vfi 1.5005

BY Z a W ATTORNEY 1961 T o YINGST ETAL 2,994,421

VENDING MACHINE INCLUDING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND HYDRAULICS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 1, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 :F: E A

INVENTORS A54 y/vo/m A. 00 5 BY duz/ ATTORNEY Aug. 1, 1961 YINGST ETAI. 2 994,421

T. O. VENDING MACHINE INCLUDING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND HYDRAULICS THEREFOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 BY f . cub/u ATTORNEY Aug. 1, 1961 T. o. YINGST ET AL 2,994,421

VENDING MACHINE INCLUDING ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND HYDRAULICS THEREFOR INVENT OR 5 BY w ATTORNEY 4 Claims. (Cl. 19413) This invention relates to dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to a new and improved beverage vending machine of the type generally referred to in the trade as a cup machine, and employing the pre-mix principle. That is, it dispenses a beverage that has been prepared at a remote point and placed in the device for merchandising from suitable tanks or other receptacles.

More specifically, this application is concerned with the hydraulics embraced in a unique machine of this type; and the electrical circuits governing and controlling such device.

Heretofore, various pre-mix machines have been proposed, but such have not been generally successful because of the diificulty in handling a pre-mixed soft drink, it having been found that whereas ordinary carbonated water is diflicult enough to handle under automatic dispensing conditions in which the water is added to the syrup at a point approximating that where the actual dispensing occursthat is at the time the two substances enter the paper cup generally employed in such operationsthis being known as a post-mix machine; the difficulties are greatly increased and particularly such as relate to foaming, when the syrup and carbonated water are pro-mixed and then dispensed through necessary refrigerating, measuring and faucet apparatus.

In this connection, it will be noted that the problem of measurement has been a particularly serious one in the past, various expedients such as measuring cups, cylinders, piston and opposed piston, and other arrangements having been resorted to without any full degree of success, variations in temperature, syrup viscosity, timing, and other factors often leading to undesirable foaming, short or long measurements, and other conditions which are undesirable in a device that must be fully automatic, unattended, and serviced from a mechanical or electrical standpoint as seldom as possible, in view of increasing cost of maintenance of this type.

An object of this invention is to provide a pre-mix machine which is accurate and consistent at all times in the quality of the beverage that it dispenses.

Another object is to provide uniformity of flow in such a device.

Another object is to provide and maintain uniform high carbonation therein.

A still further object is to maintain a desired low temperature in a pre-mix cup machine.

Another object is to make possible simplicity in such a device.

Another object is to effect economy of manufacture and ease of servicing in a cup machine.

Another object is to provide suitable electrical circuits for such a device.

Another object is to provide a special holding circuit therein.

These and other objects made clear during the further progress of this specification are accomplished by means of the instant invention, a full and complete understanding of which is facilitated by reference to the drawings herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view, largely diagrammatic, of a premix cup machine of the instant type;

FIG. 2A is a partial wiring diagram of the machine of FIG. 1;

2,994,421 Patented Aug. 1, 1961 FIG. 2B is a continuation FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged Wiring diagram of the coin mechanism employed in the instant circuit;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the flow regulator employed by this device, and which is an important part of the hydraulic combination thereof;

FIG. 5 is a view in vertical cross-section of the structure of FIG. 4, taken along the line 5-5 thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 4.

Like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1, it will be seen that the instant device embraces cabinet 10, having a door 11 and conventional cup dispensing and coin handling apparatus, which are not shown because they do not constitute part of the instant invention.

Within cabinet 10 there is normally positioned a removable carbon dioxide tank 12, with which is associated a pressure regulator valve 13 and suitable gauges 14, said tank communicating through a pipe 15 with a plurality of so-called product tanks 16, which are connected in tandem through a series of intermediate pipes or tubes 17 to a discharge tube 18 communicating with a timer regulated, solenoid operated anti-jackpot valve 19, which in turn allows the carbonated beverage to enter a conventional cooling and refrigerating element 20 through pipe 21, which in turn passes the product through a flow regulator 22.

Special attention is now directed to element 22 (see FIGURES 4, 5, and 6), which comprises a casing or body portion 23 having a fitting 24, attached to one end thereof in conjunction with an O-ring 25, said fitting having an inlet 26. Slideably positioned within casing 23 against the tension of a coil spring 28 is a valve member 29, the end 30 of which tends to engage a seat 31 when the device is operating, and the other end of which is closed but for a sharp-edged metering orifice 27 located concentrically with inlet 26 and communicating therewith. One end of spring 28 engages a radially inwardly extending shoulder 29a of valve member 29, and the other end engages a seal member 32a slidable within the interior of body member 23. Seal member 32a is slidably adjustable by means of a screw 32 and a lock nut 33 to vary the tension of coil spring 28, and an O-ring 34 provides a desired seal as between the interior of the body member 23 and seal member 32a. An outlet 35 is positioned in body portion 23 and communicates with an opening 36 in a connecting member 37, which is secured to the top of the body portion as through suitable bolts 38, and receives discharge line 39 (FIGURE 1) which carries fluid being dispensed to a nozzle or a valve 40, where it is poured into paper cups or the like which have been simultaneously positioned in discharge area 41. The positioning of the cups is accomplished through a timing mechanism that is actuated by the insertion of a coin in conventional apparatus whereby certain circuits are energized in a manner described hereafter in connection with the electrical phases of subject invention. It will be noted that a carbonated beverage entering flow regulator 22 through inlet 26 exerts pressure against member 29 thereof and the tension of spring 28, and passes out through apertures 35 and 36, the extent of this flow however remaining substantially constant under varying pressure conditions and depending upon certain variable factors present, including pressure, temperature, carbonation, and others. The higher the pressure, the more valve 29 will tend to seat on 31 and restrict the flow; whereas with lessening pressure, and in the face of related factors, the valve tends to open, thereby insuring the passage of a uniform amount of fluid through the device during any of the wiring diagram of given period of time, and in the face of any given combination of factors in the hydraulic equation; i.e., the valve maintains the rate of flow of beverage substantially constant under varying conditions, thus making it possible to control the amount of beverage that is dispensed by means of a timer that opens valve or faucet 49 for predetermined periods of time. A series of bleed holes 42 formed in the sides of element 29 assist in cushioning the action of the regulator.

Faucet 40 may be of any desired type which insures the smooth and uniform passage of the beverage being dispensed with a minimum of foaming or other disturbance, a preferred form being depicted and described in the co-pending application of Buckley Crist, Serial Number 540,895, filed October 17, 1955, for Faucets, now Patent No. 2,915,278, Dec. 1, 1959.

Turning now to the electrical circuits herein involved (see FIGURES 2A, 2B and 3) it will be noted that the components are shown in the position they take when the apparatus is ready to deliver a drink, but before a coin has been inserted. Power for the electrical circuits is furnished through line plug A which is plugged into any suitable source of power. That side of the line entering the circuits through terminal 1 of line plug A is fused by fuse plug 65.

When a coin is inserted in the handling mechanism therefor, contacts 43 of the vending switch 44 (FIG. 3) are opened momentarily, contacts 44a of said switch being closed momentarily, after which contacts 43 are closed again, the switch resuming its original position. The momentary closing of contacts 44:: energizes the vending relay 45, the energization of which closes contacts 46 of the relay; opens contacts 47 thereof; and closes contacts 48.

The closing of contacts 46 of the vending relay 45 closes a holding circuit through the normally closed timer limit switch 49 (FIG. 2A), said switch remaining closed in the present application for a period of approximately seven seconds, after which it is open for about half a second and then closed again at the end of seven and one-half seconds, at which time the dispensing cycle has been completed.

Opening contacts 47 of the vending relay tie-energizes the magnets 50 of the coin mechanism (FIG. 3), making such inoperative as long as the relay is energized. These circuits are also opened by a normally closed, conventional cup empty switch 51, which prevents operation of the apparatus and returns coins when the cups are exhausted.

Closing the contacts 48 of the vending relay starts the timer motor 52, the circuit being completed through contacts 43 of the vending switch. The timer motor thus cannot start if a coin should stick in this switch and keep the contacts 44a closed, or prevent the contacts 43 from reclosing after initial energization. Said timer motor drives the cams that control the normally closed timer limit switch 49, a timer counter switch 53, a timer carrier switch 54, and a timer faucet switch 55. Timer motor 52 and the cam operated switches 49, 53, 54 and 55 are of conventional construction as shown, for example, in Patent No. 2,656,424, granted October 20, 1953, to P. G. Frerer et al. In the instant application, the timer motor operates at 8 r.p.m. and hence completes one revolution in seven and one-half seconds. Closing contacts 48 also energizes a cup solenoid 58 which actuates a cup mechanism to release a paper cup, which is suitably guided to position beneath the beverage faucet 40. In addition, the closing of contacts 48 completes a circuit from vending switch contacts 43 (FIGURE 3) through the relay contacts 48 (FIGURE 2B) to energize the timer regulated, solenoid operated anti-jackpot valve 19 (FIGURE 28) permitting the passage of the product from the product tanks 16 into refrigerating element 20.

The timer faucet switch 55 is open at the beginning of the cycle, and remains open for a period of about one second to give the cup mechanism time to operate and position a cup beneath the faucet. The faucet switch then closes, energizing the faucet solenoid 56 (FIG. 2B), and opening the valve of the faucet. The circuit for the solenoid is through the timer faucet switch, the contacts 46 of the relay, and the timer limit switch 49. The faucet is permitted to remain open for six seconds, thelength of time of the valve opening determining the amount of the beverage that is dispensed on each cycle. At the end of six seconds or other predetermined period, the timer faucet switch opens, the faucet solenoid is deenergized and the flow of the beverage through the faucet is stopped. Flow of the beverage may also be stopped when the timer limit switch 49 opens, opening of this switch deenergizing relay 45 and opening contacts 46, which deenergizes faucet solenoid 56.

The number of finished drinks dispensed is automatically counted by a counter 57 operating through the circuit which is completed through relay contacts 46, and the timer limit switch 49, and timer counter switch 53. The timer counter switch 53 is initially open and is momentarily closed at a point about midway of the cycle to energize the vending counter.

The timer carrier switch 54 is initially open when the operation starts, and remains open throughout the major portion of the cycle, but is closed just before the timer limit switch 49 is opened. When this occurs, the holding circuit through contacts 46 of the vending relay is opened, and the relay drops out. Contacts 47 of the relay then close while contacts 46 and 48 open. Opening of contacts 48 would stop the timer motor except for the fact that the timer carrier switch has previously been closed. The timer carrier switch completes the circuit to the timer motor until such has completed its revolution, whereupon the timer carrier switch opens stopping the motor and placing the system in condition for another cycle of operation.

We claim:

1. In a coin controlled liquid vending apparatus, having a supply of liquid under pressure, a conduit leading therefrom, an electric timing motor, a receptacle dispensing means for dispensing a receptacle to a predetermined position to receive the product dispensed by said appara tus, an electrical relay, a switch connected to said relay and actuated upon receipt of a coin in said apparatus to complete an electric circuit to said relay, said relay being energized in response to actuation of said switch, said receptacle dispensing means and said electrical timing motor being connected to said relay and being energized in response to actuation of said relay, the combination of a product dispensing means for controlling the discharge of liquid from said conduit, a normally closed anti-jack pot valve in said conduit, circuits for energizing and opening said anti-jack pot valve when said relay is energized, a product dispensing switch, a timer carrier switch and a limit switch, and means operably associated with said electrical timing motor to actuate said product dispensing switch, said timer carrier switch and said limit switch in succession whereby said product dispensing means is actuated in response to actuation of said product dispensing switch to dispense said product for a predetermined time interval beginning with actuation of said product dispensing switch after operation of said receptacle dispensing means, said timer carrier switch completing an electrical circuit to said timing motor to maintain said timing motor energized despite actuation of said limit switch and said limit switch breaking the electrical circuit to said relay established by said coin actuated switch to deactivate said receptacle dispensing means, said anti-jack pot valve being de-energized and closed upon opening of said timer carrier switch.

2. In a coin controlled beverage vending apparatus having an electric timing motor, a conduit adapted to be connected to a supply of beverage under pressure, a receptacle dispensing means for dispensing a receptacle to a predetermined position to receive the product dispensed by said apparatus, an electrical relay, a switch connected to said relay and actuated upon receipt of a coin in said apparatus to complete an electric circuit to said relay, said relay being energized in response to actuation of said switch, said receptacle dispensing means and said electrical timing motor being connected to said relay and being energized in response to actuation of said relay, the combi nation of a normally closed solenoid operated product dispensing valve for controlling the discharge of beverage from said conduit, a normally closed anti-jack pot valve in said conduit, circuits for energizing and opening said anti-jack pot valve when said relay is energized, a product dispensing switch, a timer carrier switch and a limit switch, and means operably associated with said electrical timing motor to actuate said product dispensing switch, said timer carrier switch and said limit switch in succession whereby said product dispensing valve is opened in response to actuation of said product dispensing switch to dispense said product for a perdetermined time interval beginning with actuation of said product dispensing switch after operation of said receptacle dispensing means and ending with the opening of said product dispensing switch, said timer carrier switch completing an electrical circuit to said timing motor to maintain said timing motor energized despite actuation of said limit switch and said limit switch opening the electrical circuit to said relay established by said coin actuated switch, the deenergizing of said relay also opening the circuit to said product dispensing valve, said receptacle dispensing means being deactivated and said anti-jack pot valve being de-energized and closed upon opening of said timer carrier switch.

3. In a coin controlled liquid vending apparatus having a supply of liquid 'under pressure, a conduit leading therefrom, a product dispensing valve for controlling the discharge of liquid from said conduit, an electrical timing means, a receptacle dispensing means for dispensing a receptacle to a predetermined position to receive the product dispensed, a coin actuated switch movable from a first position to a second position then back to said first position in response to receipt of a coin in said apparatus, and an electrical relay connected to said receptacle dispensing means, said coin actuated switch and said electrical timing means, said relay being responsive to movement of said coin actuated switch to said second switch position, and said receptacle dispensing means and said electrical timing means being actuated in response to actuation of said relay and return of said coin actuated switch from said second switch position to said first switch position, the combination of a normally closed anti-jack pot valve in said conduit, circuits for energizing and opening said antijack pot valve when said relay is actuated and said coin actuated switch has returned from said second switch position to said first switch position, an automatic pressure responsive rate-of-flow regulator means for regulating the product flow from said supply to maintain a substantially constant rate of flow through said conduit when both said anti-jack pot valve and said product dispensing valve are open, circuit means whereby failure of said coin actuated switch to return to said first switch position blocks actuation of said electrical timing means and said receptacle dispensing means and the opening of said anti-jack pot valve, means operably associated with and controlled by said electrical timing means to open said product dispensing valve a predetermined time after actuation of said receptacle dispensing means to delay dispensing of the product until the receptacle has reached its predetermined position and to maintain said product dispensing valve open for a predetermined length of time, and means operably associated with and controlled by said electrical timing means for de-energizing and closing said anti-jack pot valve after said product dispensing valve has closed.

4. In a coin controlled liquid vending apparatus having a supply of liquid under pressure, a conduit leading therefrom, a product dispensing valve for controlling the discharge of liquid from said conduit, an electrical timing means, a receptacle dispensing means for dispensing a receptacle to a predetermined position to receive the product dispensed, a coin actuated switch movable from a first position to a second position then back to said first position in response to receipt of a coin in said apparatus, and an electrical relay connected to said receptacle dispensing means, said coin actuated switch and said electrical timing means, said relay being responsive to movement of said coin actuated switch to said second switch position, and said receptacle dispensing means and said electrical timing means being actuated in response to actuation of said relay and return of said coin actuated switch from said second switch position to said first switch position, the combination of a normally closed anti-jack pot valve in said conduit, circuits for energizing and opening said antijack pot valve when said relay is actuated and said coin actuated switch has returned from said second switch position to said first switch position, circuit means whereby failure of said coin actuated switch to return to said first switch position blocks actuation of said electrical timing means and said receptacle dispensing means and the opening of said anti-jack pot valve, means operably associated with and controlled by said electrical timing means to open said product dispensing valve a predetermined time after actuation of said receptacle dispensing means to delay dispensing of the product until the receptacle has reached its predetermined position and to maintain said product dispensing valve open for a predetermined length of time, and means operably associated with and controlled by said electrical timing means for de-energizing and closing said anti-jack pot valve after said product dispensing valve has closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 911,005 Garman et a1. Jan. 26, 1909 2,198,487 Sisk Apr. 23, 1940 2,284,880 Nicholson June 2, 1942 2,393,004 Solinski Jan. 15, 1946 2,534,987 Price Dec. 19, 1950 2,540,856 Andrews et a1. Feb. 6, 1951 2,633,959 Von Stoeser Apr. 7, 1953 2,637,431 Harris May 5, 1953 2,657,628 Von Stoeser Nov. 3, 1953 2,744,672 Crist May 8, 1956 2,788,107 Garrard Apr. 9, 1957 2,800,141 Hedland July 23, 1957 2,800,152 Sloier July 23, 1957 2,838,205 Booth June 10, 1958 2,861,588 Cronk Nov. 25, 1958 2,872,939 Terry Feb. 10, 1959

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