US 10,239,742 B2 · Semi-automated beverage dispensing machines and methods

Abstract

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A food product dispensing machine for dispensing food product, the food product dispensing machine comprising:

a food product dispenser;
a first cup holder that is configured to hold a first cup;
a first drive mechanism that is configured to move the first cup holder on a deck between a first staging position for receiving the first cup in the first cup holder and a common dispensing position for receiving food product from the food product dispenser;
a second cup holder that is configured to hold a second cup;
and
a second drive mechanism that is configured to move the second cup holder on the deck between a second staging position for receiving the second cup in the second cup holder and the common dispensing position;
wherein the first and second drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position.

4 more elements

A food product dispensing machine for dispensing food product, the food product dispensing machine comprising:

a food product dispenser;
a cup holder that is configured to hold a cup;
a drive mechanism that is configured to move the cup holder on a deck between a first staging position for receiving the cup in the cup holder and a dispensing position for receiving food product from the food product dispenser;
first, second and third driving magnets on the drive mechanism, the second and third driving magnets having a polarity that is opposite the first driving magnet;
first, second and third driven magnets on the cup holder, the second and third driven magnets having a polarity that is opposite the first driven magnet;
wherein the first driven magnet is magnetically coupled to the first driving magnet, the second driven magnet is magnetically coupled to the second driving magnet, and the third driven magnet is magnetically coupled to the third driving magnet;
wherein due to the polarities of the first, second and third drive magnets and polarities of the first, second and third driven magnets, the cup holder automatically aligns with the drive mechanism when the cup holder is placed on the deck.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Semi-automated beverage dispensing machines and methods

Life of this patent

Semi-automated beverage dispensing machines and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22