WO1991014241A1 - Drinks dispensing machine - Google Patents

Drinks dispensing machine Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991014241A1
WO1991014241A1 PCT/GB1991/000356 GB9100356W WO9114241A1 WO 1991014241 A1 WO1991014241 A1 WO 1991014241A1 GB 9100356 W GB9100356 W GB 9100356W WO 9114241 A1 WO9114241 A1 WO 9114241A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cup
stack
cups
dispensing machine
drink
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/000356
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Edward Charles Alderson
John Paul Johndrow
David Brenton Austin
Original Assignee
Sankey Vending Limited
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 Sankey Vending Limited filed Critical Sankey Vending Limited
Publication of WO1991014241A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991014241A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F13/00Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing or fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
    • G07F13/10Coin-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

  • This invention is concerned with a drinks dispensing machine comprising a cup dispenser operable to dispense cups one-at-a-time from the bottom of a vertical stack of nested cups.
  • cups In a conventional drinks dispensing machine, cups, each of which has a projecting annular rim and a frusto-conical body portion are stored in the compact form of a stack of nested cups.
  • the cups are dispensed one-at-a-time from the bottom of the stack to. be filled with drink.
  • the lowermost cup of the stack is dispensed into a chute which guides the cup along a curved path downwards and sideways to a filling station where the cup comes - to rest beneath one or more spouts which are operable to fill the cup with drink.
  • This arrangement has the disadvantage that the chute has to be of -considerable height to enable the cup to be moved reliably under the spout.
  • the height required for the chute therefore, limits the height of the stack of nested cups and thereby limits the capacity of the machine.
  • the machine has an automatic mechanism for replenishing the stack of nested cups by adding further stacks to the top of the stack from which cups are dispensed
  • the height required for the chute also limits the height of the replenishing stacks.
  • the invention provides a drinks dispensing machine comprising a cup dispenser operable to dispense cups one-at-a-time from the bottom of a vertical stack of nested cups, cup transferring means movable between a cup-receiving position and a drink-receiving position thereof, and moving means operable to move the cup transferring means between its cup-receiving and drink-receiving positions in synchronisation with the operation of the cup dispenser, the cup transferring means comprising a pocket arranged, when the transferring means is in its cup-receiving position to receive a cup dispensed by the cup dispenser, and to retain the cup during movement of the transferring means to the drink-receiving position and while a drink is dispensed into the cup at the drink-receiving position, the cup being removable from the pocket by
  • the aforementioned chute is dispensed with so that a considerable saving in height can be achieved. Furthermore, cups are reliably and rapidly transferred to the filling station.
  • a single motor may operate the cup dispenser and provide said moving means. This arrangement simplifies synchronisation of the operation of the cup dispenser and the cup transferring means.
  • the pocket may, advantageously, be mounted on a horizontal slide for horizontal movement between its cup-receiving and drink-receiving positions.
  • the pocket may be moved by a crank driven by a rotary motor, the crank providing for the pocket to pause at the cup-receiving position.
  • the pocket may provide a U-shaped lip to support the rim of a cup. In this case, the cup is removed from the pocket by lifting it slightly away from the lip of the pocket and moving the cup through the open top of the U.
  • the dispensing means comprises a plurality of cams distributed around the stack, each cam being mounted on a gear which is turnable about a vertical axis and being meshed with an annular gear surrounding the stack so that, when the annular gear is turned about the longitudinal axis of the stack, the cams all turn simultaneously, the cams each providing a spiral lip which supports the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack, the action of turning the cams causing the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack to be released so that it falls away from the stack and introducing the lips of the cams beneath the rim of the lowermost but one cup so that the stack remains supported by the cams.
  • This is a known cup dispenser which is reliable in operation.
  • the machine also comprises stack replenishing means operable to add stacks to the stack from which the cups are dispensed when a predetermined number of cups remain in the stack.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical view of the door of a drinks dispensing machine, showing those mechanisms which are mounted on the door, looking from the inside of the machine and showing cup transferring means of the machine in its drink-receiving position;
  • Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the cup transferring means in a cup-receiving position
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of the mechanisms shown in Figures 1 and 2, showing a pusher thereof in a first position;
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the pusher in a second position thereof.
  • Figure 1 shows mechanisms of a drinks dispensing machine to the invention according which are supported on the inside of a front door of the machine.
  • the door supports a rectangular framework 10 which comprises two vertically-extending side walls 12, a horizontally-extending top plate 14 interconnecting upper ends of the side walls 12, a horizontally-extending bottom plate 16 interconnecting the lower ends of the side walls 12, and a horizontally-extending intermediate plate 18.
  • the machine comprises a cup dispenser 20 mounted on the upper surface of the intermediate plate 18 coaxially with a circular hole (not shown) through the intermediate plate 18.
  • the cup dispenser 20 is of the type which comprises a plurality of cams distributed around a vertical stack SI of nested cups (the details of the dispenser 20 are not shown in the drawings).
  • Each of the cams is mounted on a gear which is turnable about a vertical axis and is meshed with an annular gear surrounding the stack so that when the annular gear is turned about the longitudinal axis of the stack, the cams all turn simultaneously.
  • Each cam provides a spiral lip which supports the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack.
  • the action of turning the cams causes the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack to be released so that the lowermost cup falls away from the stack.
  • the rarning action also introduces the lips of the cams beneath the rim of the lowermost but one cup so that the stack remains supported by the cams.
  • Turning the annular gear in the reverse direction lowers the lowermost but one cup to the position formerly occupied by the lowermost cup ready to be dispensed in the next operation of the dispenser 20.
  • the cup dispenser 20 is operable to dispense cups from the bottom of a vertical stack SI of nested cups received thereby, the cups being dispensed one-at-a-time.
  • the stack SI extends through a circular hole (not shown) in the top plate 14 which is vertically aligned with the hole in the intermediate plate 18.
  • the cup dispenser 20 is operable by operation of an electric motor 22 which is mounted on the underside of the intermediate plate 18.
  • the motor 22 has an upwardly-extending driveshaft 24 which extends through a hole (not shown) in the intermediate plate 18.
  • a crank 26 is mounted on the driveshaft 24 to be turned by the motor 22.
  • the crank 26 is pivotally connected to a link 28 which is also pivotally connected to the annular gear of the dispenser 20. The arrangement is such that one complete turn of the crank 26 causes a back-and-forth movement of the annular gear of the dispenser 20 so that a cup is dispensed.
  • the drinks dispensing machine also comprises a cup transferring means movable between a cup-receiving position (in which it is shown in Figure 2) and a drink-receiving positon thereof (in which it is shown in Figure 1).
  • the cup transferring means comprises a carriage 30 which is slidable between the cup-receiving and drink-receiving positions along a horizontal slideway formed by two facing grooves 32 formed in upstanding edge portions 34 of the plate 16 (the edge portion 34 nearer to the viewer of Figures 1 and 2 has been omitted).
  • the carriage 30 comprises a pocket 36 which is open at the top to receive a cup and provides a U-shaped lip(not shown) arranged to support the rim of a cup.
  • a cup supported by the pocket 36 can be removed through the open portion of the U which points away from the viewer of Figures 1 and 2.
  • the motor 22 provides moving means of the machine operable to move the cup transferring means between its cup-receiving position and its drink-receiving position. This movement is in synchronisation with the operation of the cup dispenser 20, the synchronisation being assured as the motor 22 operates both mechanisms.
  • the motor 22 has a further driveshaft 38 extending downwardly therefrom.
  • the driveshaft 38 has a crank 40 mounted thereon which is pivotally connected to a link 42 which is also pivotally connected to the carriage 30. The arrangement is such that operation of the motor 22 to turn the crank 40 through one revolution also turns the crank 26 through one revolution.
  • the pocket 36 is arranged, when the carriage 30 is in its cup-receiving position, to receive a cup dispensed by the dispenser 20, i.e. the lowermost cup in the stack SI.
  • the pocket 36 is also arranged to retain the cup during movement of the carriage 30 to the drink-receiving position, beneath the spouts 44, and while a drink is dispensed into the cup at the drink-receiving position.
  • the cup containing the drink is removable from the pocket 36 as aforementioned. Between operations of the . motor 22, the carriage 36 rests at the drink-receiving position.
  • the drinks dispensing machine also comprises stack replenishing means operable to add cups to the stack SI of nested cups from which the cup dispenser 20 dispenses cups.
  • the stack replenishing means comprises a spring-loaded pusher 46 which is L-shaped in plan view (see Figures 3 and 4) having a first leg 46a and a second leg 46b projecting at right angles to the leg 46a.
  • the pusher 46 is pivotally mounted above the top plate 14 on hinges 48 located at the juncture of the legs 46a and 46b.
  • the pusher 46 is pivotally movable about the hinges 48, by the action of a spring (not shown) which acts between the leg 46a and a panel 50 of the door of the machine.
  • the pusher 46 pivots from a first position in which its leg 46a extends parallel to the plate 50 and its leg 46b projects between the stack SI and a second stack S2.of nested cups which rests on the upper surface of the top plate 14.
  • the pusher 46 is normally retained in its first position against the action of the spring by a latch 52 which hooks around the leg 46a.
  • the latch 52 is pivotally mounted on the plate 50 and can be pivoted out of engagement with the leg 46a by operation of a solenoid 54.
  • the solenoid 54 is arranged to be operated when a microswitch (not shown) associated with the cup dispenser 20 indicates that a predetermined small number, e.g. one or two, of cups remain in the stack SI.
  • Operation of the solenoid 54 allows the spring to pivot the pusher 46 through 90 degrees into a second position thereof (shown in Figure 4) in which the leg 46b extends parallel to the plate 50 and the leg 46 occupies the position formerly occupied by the leg 46b.
  • the leg 46a pushes the stack S2 across the top surface of the top plate 14 until it falls through the hole in the top plate into the remainder of the stack SI, the stack S2 being prevented from escaping in a direction away from the plate 50 (downwardly in Figures- 3 and 4) by a guide surface (not shown) supported by the interior of the machine.
  • Figure 4 shows the pusher 46 in its second position.
  • the pusher 46 is located to the right of the stack SI (viewing the drawings) and a further pusher 56 is located to the left of the stack SI to replenish the stack with a further stack S3 when the microswitch indicates that only one or two cups remain in the stack S2.
  • the pusher 56 and associated mechanisms are mirror images of the pusher 46 and its associated mechanisms, there being a first leg 56a, a second leg 56b, hinges 58, a latch 60 and a solenoid 62 (only the first position of the pusher 56 is shown in the drawings).
  • the stack S2 is added thereto and, when the stack S2 is nearly exhausted, the stack S3 is added thereto.
  • the pushers 46 and 56 are manually returned to their first positions in which they are retained by the latches 52 and 62.

Abstract

The machine comprises a cup dispenser (20) operable to dispense cups from a vertical stack of nested cups, cup transferring means (30, 36) movable between a cup-receiving position beneath the dispenser (20) and a drink-receiving position beneath spouts (44) of the machine for dispensing a drink, and moving means (22) for moving the cup transferring means between its positions in synchronisation with the operation of the dispenser (20). A single motor (22) constitutes the moving means and also operates the dispenser (20).

Description

DRINKS DISPENSING MACHINE
This invention is concerned with a drinks dispensing machine comprising a cup dispenser operable to dispense cups one-at-a-time from the bottom of a vertical stack of nested cups.
In a conventional drinks dispensing machine, cups, each of which has a projecting annular rim and a frusto-conical body portion are stored in the compact form of a stack of nested cups. The cups are dispensed one-at-a-time from the bottom of the stack to. be filled with drink. Conventionally, the lowermost cup of the stack is dispensed into a chute which guides the cup along a curved path downwards and sideways to a filling station where the cup comes - to rest beneath one or more spouts which are operable to fill the cup with drink. This arrangement has the disadvantage that the chute has to be of -considerable height to enable the cup to be moved reliably under the spout. The height required for the chute, therefore, limits the height of the stack of nested cups and thereby limits the capacity of the machine. Where the machine has an automatic mechanism for replenishing the stack of nested cups by adding further stacks to the top of the stack from which cups are dispensed, the height required for the chute also limits the height of the replenishing stacks.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinks dispensing machine of the type referred to in which the aforementioned chute is replaced by cup transferring means which does not require as much height as the chute. The invention provides a drinks dispensing machine comprising a cup dispenser operable to dispense cups one-at-a-time from the bottom of a vertical stack of nested cups, cup transferring means movable between a cup-receiving position and a drink-receiving position thereof, and moving means operable to move the cup transferring means between its cup-receiving and drink-receiving positions in synchronisation with the operation of the cup dispenser, the cup transferring means comprising a pocket arranged, when the transferring means is in its cup-receiving position to receive a cup dispensed by the cup dispenser, and to retain the cup during movement of the transferring means to the drink-receiving position and while a drink is dispensed into the cup at the drink-receiving position, the cup being removable from the pocket by an operator of the machine.
In a drinks dispensing machine according to the invention, the aforementioned chute is dispensed with so that a considerable saving in height can be achieved. Furthermore, cups are reliably and rapidly transferred to the filling station.
Advantageously, a single motor may operate the cup dispenser and provide said moving means. This arrangement simplifies synchronisation of the operation of the cup dispenser and the cup transferring means.
The pocket may, advantageously, be mounted on a horizontal slide for horizontal movement between its cup-receiving and drink-receiving positions. The pocket may be moved by a crank driven by a rotary motor, the crank providing for the pocket to pause at the cup-receiving position. The pocket may provide a U-shaped lip to support the rim of a cup. In this case, the cup is removed from the pocket by lifting it slightly away from the lip of the pocket and moving the cup through the open top of the U.
It is preferred that the dispensing means comprises a plurality of cams distributed around the stack, each cam being mounted on a gear which is turnable about a vertical axis and being meshed with an annular gear surrounding the stack so that, when the annular gear is turned about the longitudinal axis of the stack, the cams all turn simultaneously, the cams each providing a spiral lip which supports the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack, the action of turning the cams causing the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack to be released so that it falls away from the stack and introducing the lips of the cams beneath the rim of the lowermost but one cup so that the stack remains supported by the cams. This is a known cup dispenser which is reliable in operation.
It is preferred that the machine also comprises stack replenishing means operable to add stacks to the stack from which the cups are dispensed when a predetermined number of cups remain in the stack.
An example of a drinks dispensing machine in accordance with the invention is described hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:-
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical view of the door of a drinks dispensing machine, showing those mechanisms which are mounted on the door, looking from the inside of the machine and showing cup transferring means of the machine in its drink-receiving position;
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the cup transferring means in a cup-receiving position;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the mechanisms shown in Figures 1 and 2, showing a pusher thereof in a first position; and
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the pusher in a second position thereof.
Figure 1 shows mechanisms of a drinks dispensing machine to the invention according which are supported on the inside of a front door of the machine. The door supports a rectangular framework 10 which comprises two vertically-extending side walls 12, a horizontally-extending top plate 14 interconnecting upper ends of the side walls 12, a horizontally-extending bottom plate 16 interconnecting the lower ends of the side walls 12, and a horizontally-extending intermediate plate 18.
The machine comprises a cup dispenser 20 mounted on the upper surface of the intermediate plate 18 coaxially with a circular hole (not shown) through the intermediate plate 18. The cup dispenser 20 is of the type which comprises a plurality of cams distributed around a vertical stack SI of nested cups (the details of the dispenser 20 are not shown in the drawings). Each of the cams is mounted on a gear which is turnable about a vertical axis and is meshed with an annular gear surrounding the stack so that when the annular gear is turned about the longitudinal axis of the stack, the cams all turn simultaneously. Each cam provides a spiral lip which supports the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack. The action of turning the cams causes the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack to be released so that the lowermost cup falls away from the stack. The rarning action also introduces the lips of the cams beneath the rim of the lowermost but one cup so that the stack remains supported by the cams. Turning the annular gear in the reverse direction lowers the lowermost but one cup to the position formerly occupied by the lowermost cup ready to be dispensed in the next operation of the dispenser 20. The cup dispenser 20 is operable to dispense cups from the bottom of a vertical stack SI of nested cups received thereby, the cups being dispensed one-at-a-time. The stack SI extends through a circular hole (not shown) in the top plate 14 which is vertically aligned with the hole in the intermediate plate 18.
The cup dispenser 20 is operable by operation of an electric motor 22 which is mounted on the underside of the intermediate plate 18. The motor 22 has an upwardly-extending driveshaft 24 which extends through a hole (not shown) in the intermediate plate 18. A crank 26 is mounted on the driveshaft 24 to be turned by the motor 22. The crank 26 is pivotally connected to a link 28 which is also pivotally connected to the annular gear of the dispenser 20. The arrangement is such that one complete turn of the crank 26 causes a back-and-forth movement of the annular gear of the dispenser 20 so that a cup is dispensed.
The drinks dispensing machine also comprises a cup transferring means movable between a cup-receiving position (in which it is shown in Figure 2) and a drink-receiving positon thereof (in which it is shown in Figure 1). The cup transferring means comprises a carriage 30 which is slidable between the cup-receiving and drink-receiving positions along a horizontal slideway formed by two facing grooves 32 formed in upstanding edge portions 34 of the plate 16 (the edge portion 34 nearer to the viewer of Figures 1 and 2 has been omitted).
The carriage 30 comprises a pocket 36 which is open at the top to receive a cup and provides a U-shaped lip(not shown) arranged to support the rim of a cup. A cup supported by the pocket 36 can be removed through the open portion of the U which points away from the viewer of Figures 1 and 2.
The motor 22 provides moving means of the machine operable to move the cup transferring means between its cup-receiving position and its drink-receiving position. This movement is in synchronisation with the operation of the cup dispenser 20, the synchronisation being assured as the motor 22 operates both mechanisms. The motor 22 has a further driveshaft 38 extending downwardly therefrom. The driveshaft 38 has a crank 40 mounted thereon which is pivotally connected to a link 42 which is also pivotally connected to the carriage 30. The arrangement is such that operation of the motor 22 to turn the crank 40 through one revolution also turns the crank 26 through one revolution. This causes the carriage 30 to move out of its drink-receiving position (to the right, viewing Figure 1) into its cup-receiving position (Figure 2) in which the pocket 36 is directly beneath the cup dispenser 20 and in which the pocket 36 pauses because of the crank 40. While the carriage 30 is in its cup-receiving position, the dispenser 20 releases a cup which falls into the pocket 36 in which it is retained as the carriage 30 is moved back to its drink-receiving position as operation of the motor 22 continues. At the drink-receiving position, a drink is dispensed into the cup in the pocket 36 from spouts 44 supported by mechanisms of the machine not supported on the door thereof. For example, coffee may be dispensed from one of the spouts and milk from the other. Thus, the pocket 36 is arranged, when the carriage 30 is in its cup-receiving position, to receive a cup dispensed by the dispenser 20, i.e. the lowermost cup in the stack SI. The pocket 36 is also arranged to retain the cup during movement of the carriage 30 to the drink-receiving position, beneath the spouts 44, and while a drink is dispensed into the cup at the drink-receiving position. The cup containing the drink is removable from the pocket 36 as aforementioned. Between operations of the . motor 22, the carriage 36 rests at the drink-receiving position.
The drinks dispensing machine also comprises stack replenishing means operable to add cups to the stack SI of nested cups from which the cup dispenser 20 dispenses cups. The stack replenishing means comprises a spring-loaded pusher 46 which is L-shaped in plan view (see Figures 3 and 4) having a first leg 46a and a second leg 46b projecting at right angles to the leg 46a. The pusher 46 is pivotally mounted above the top plate 14 on hinges 48 located at the juncture of the legs 46a and 46b. The pusher 46 is pivotally movable about the hinges 48, by the action of a spring (not shown) which acts between the leg 46a and a panel 50 of the door of the machine. The pusher 46 pivots from a first position in which its leg 46a extends parallel to the plate 50 and its leg 46b projects between the stack SI and a second stack S2.of nested cups which rests on the upper surface of the top plate 14. The pusher 46 is normally retained in its first position against the action of the spring by a latch 52 which hooks around the leg 46a. The latch 52 is pivotally mounted on the plate 50 and can be pivoted out of engagement with the leg 46a by operation of a solenoid 54. The solenoid 54 is arranged to be operated when a microswitch (not shown) associated with the cup dispenser 20 indicates that a predetermined small number, e.g. one or two, of cups remain in the stack SI. Operation of the solenoid 54 allows the spring to pivot the pusher 46 through 90 degrees into a second position thereof (shown in Figure 4) in which the leg 46b extends parallel to the plate 50 and the leg 46 occupies the position formerly occupied by the leg 46b. During the movement, the leg 46a pushes the stack S2 across the top surface of the top plate 14 until it falls through the hole in the top plate into the remainder of the stack SI, the stack S2 being prevented from escaping in a direction away from the plate 50 (downwardly in Figures- 3 and 4) by a guide surface (not shown) supported by the interior of the machine. Figure 4 shows the pusher 46 in its second position.
The pusher 46 is located to the right of the stack SI (viewing the drawings) and a further pusher 56 is located to the left of the stack SI to replenish the stack with a further stack S3 when the microswitch indicates that only one or two cups remain in the stack S2. The pusher 56 and associated mechanisms are mirror images of the pusher 46 and its associated mechanisms, there being a first leg 56a, a second leg 56b, hinges 58, a latch 60 and a solenoid 62 (only the first position of the pusher 56 is shown in the drawings).
Thus, when the stack SI is nearly exhausted the stack S2 is added thereto and, when the stack S2 is nearly exhausted, the stack S3 is added thereto. Before re-loading the machine with cups, the pushers 46 and 56 are manually returned to their first positions in which they are retained by the latches 52 and 62.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A drinks dispensing machine comprising a cup dispenser (20) operable to dispense cups one-at-a-time from the bottom of a vertical stack of nested cups characterised in that moving means (22) is provided to move cup transferring , means (30) between a cup-receiving position and a drink-receiving position in synchronisation with the operation of the cup dispenser, the cup transferring means comprising a pocket (36) arranged when the transferring means is in its cup-receiving position to receive a cup dispensed by the cup dispenser, and to retain the cup during movement of the transferring means to the drink-receiving position and while a drink is dispensed into the cup at the drink-receiving position, the cup being removable from the pocket by an operator of the machine.
2. A drinks dispensing machine as claimed in claim 1, further characterised in that a single motor (22) operates the cup dispenser (20) and provides said moving means.
3. A drinks dispensing machine as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, further characterised in that the pocket (36) is mounted on a horizontal slide (32) for horizontal movement between its cup-receiving and drink-receiving positions.
4. A drinks dispensing machine as claimed in claim 3, further characterised in that the pocket (36) is moved by a crank (40) driven by a rotary motor (22).
5. A drinks dispensing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the pocket (36) provides a U-shaped lip to support the rim of a cup.
6. A drinks dispensing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the cup dispenser (20) comprises a plurahty of cams distributed around the stack of cups, each cam being mounted on a gear which is turnable about a vertical axis and being meshed with an annular gear surrounding said stack so that, when the annular gear is turned about the longitudinal axis of the stack, the cams all turn simultaneously, the cams each providing a spiral lip which supports the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack, the action of turning the cams causing the rim of the lowermost cup in the stack to be released so that it falls away from the stack and introducing the lips of the cams beneath the rim of the lowermost but one cup so that the stack remains supported by the cams.
7. A drinks dispensing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further characterised in that the machine comprises stack replenishing means (46) operable to add cups to the stack of nested cups from which the cup dispenser (20) dispenses cups.
8. A drinks dispensing machine as claimed in claim 7, further characterised in that the stack replenishing means (46) comprises a spring-loaded pusher having mutually perpendicular rotatable first and second legs (46a and 46b) which, upon rotation thereof, operates to push a further stack of nested cups into the position at which a said stack requires replenishment.
PCT/GB1991/000356 1990-03-08 1991-03-06 Drinks dispensing machine WO1991014241A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9005207A GB2241695B (en) 1990-03-08 1990-03-08 Drinks dispensing machine
GB9005207.7 1990-03-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991014241A1 true WO1991014241A1 (en) 1991-09-19

Family

ID=10672239

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/000356 WO1991014241A1 (en) 1990-03-08 1991-03-06 Drinks dispensing machine

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU7444291A (en)
GB (1) GB2241695B (en)
WO (1) WO1991014241A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1000627C2 (en) * 1995-06-22 1996-10-11 Koninklijke Olland Groep Bv Automatic drink-dispensing machine

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5390711A (en) * 1992-09-02 1995-02-21 Murphey; James D. Method and apparatus for making snow cones
ITPN20000024A1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2001-10-20 Necta Vending Solutions Spa AUTOMATIC BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH PERFECTED GLASS RELEASE MECHANISM
JP6394122B2 (en) * 2014-07-03 2018-09-26 富士電機株式会社 Cup supply device for cup beverage supply device
US11884437B2 (en) * 2021-08-10 2024-01-30 Rennco Llc Packaging machine and apparatus and method for feeding cups for packaging

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3119519A (en) * 1961-12-15 1964-01-28 Internat Vending Machines Inc Cup dispensing mechanism
FR2200568A1 (en) * 1972-09-20 1974-04-19 Mars Ltd
GB2042482A (en) * 1979-02-09 1980-09-24 Vgl Ind Ltd Cup dispense assembly
EP0084695A1 (en) * 1982-01-18 1983-08-03 General Foods Limited Movable selection carrier
EP0097593A1 (en) * 1982-06-21 1984-01-04 Muriel Renée Munier Apparatus for delivering cups for automatic beverage distribution machines
EP0303881A1 (en) * 1987-08-18 1989-02-22 Wittenborg A/S A method for brewing beverages in portions, such as freshly brewed coffee, in packages and an assembly for carrying out said method
US4840291A (en) * 1986-08-18 1989-06-20 Hillwell Manufacturing Inc. Container dispensing system
EP0339946A2 (en) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-02 General Foods Limited Method and apparatus for dispensing cups and vending machines for beverages

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2013622B (en) * 1977-12-14 1982-03-10 Vgl Ind Ltd Vending machines
GB2090821B (en) * 1981-01-07 1985-02-06 Gen Foods Ltd Vending apparatus
CA1220457A (en) * 1983-08-03 1987-04-14 Manfred Garbe Beverage dispenser and dispensing process
GB8810265D0 (en) * 1988-04-29 1988-06-02 Worthington M G Container dispensing apparatus

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3119519A (en) * 1961-12-15 1964-01-28 Internat Vending Machines Inc Cup dispensing mechanism
FR2200568A1 (en) * 1972-09-20 1974-04-19 Mars Ltd
GB2042482A (en) * 1979-02-09 1980-09-24 Vgl Ind Ltd Cup dispense assembly
EP0084695A1 (en) * 1982-01-18 1983-08-03 General Foods Limited Movable selection carrier
EP0097593A1 (en) * 1982-06-21 1984-01-04 Muriel Renée Munier Apparatus for delivering cups for automatic beverage distribution machines
US4840291A (en) * 1986-08-18 1989-06-20 Hillwell Manufacturing Inc. Container dispensing system
EP0303881A1 (en) * 1987-08-18 1989-02-22 Wittenborg A/S A method for brewing beverages in portions, such as freshly brewed coffee, in packages and an assembly for carrying out said method
EP0339946A2 (en) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-02 General Foods Limited Method and apparatus for dispensing cups and vending machines for beverages

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1000627C2 (en) * 1995-06-22 1996-10-11 Koninklijke Olland Groep Bv Automatic drink-dispensing machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2241695B (en) 1993-09-01
AU7444291A (en) 1991-10-10
GB2241695A (en) 1991-09-11
GB9005207D0 (en) 1990-05-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JPS5837198B2 (en) Device for selectively taking out cups from a stack of cups
AU627026B2 (en) Lid dispenser for an automated drinkmaker system
CA1220457A (en) Beverage dispenser and dispensing process
EP0087141B1 (en) A drinking cup feeding device for an automatic vending machine
EP0577293B1 (en) Method and apparatus for dispensing cups in beverage-vending machines
CA1330210C (en) Method and apparatus for dispensing cups and vending machines for beverages
EP0535855B1 (en) Cup dispenser
US2827927A (en) Beverage dispensing machine
EP0257751B1 (en) Vending machine for beverages
WO1991014241A1 (en) Drinks dispensing machine
US3283951A (en) Cup dispenser
US2925196A (en) Cup dispensing mechanism
GB1604306A (en) Beverage dispensing machines
EP0424580A1 (en) Container dispensing apparatus
US3648889A (en) Improvements in or relating to cup holders for beverage dispensing machines
EP3765398A1 (en) Device for automated beverage dispensing into vessels on a turntable, and corresponding method
US4456148A (en) Movable selection carrier
US3698601A (en) Magazine for dispensing machine
US3279650A (en) Multiple-stack cup magazine
GB2090821A (en) Vending apparatus
GB2123394A (en) Cup separator module and vending machine equipped therewith
US3169669A (en) Beverage dispensing machine
EP0084695A1 (en) Movable selection carrier
JP2002251670A (en) Cap feeder for cup type automatic vending machine
GB2254319A (en) Dispensing apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CA FI NO US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LU NL SE

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA