US 4,282,987 AGranted

Beverage dispensing and metering apparatus

OwnerRonald C. Thomas, Ronald G. Thomasinventors

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Abstract

A beverage dispensing and metering apparatus adapted to be mounted in a stationary cabinet structure or a portable suitcase-type housing, including an electrically driven liquid pump and push-button switch for each liquid or beverage to be dispensed. The electronic controls include a timer circuit to permit the dispensing of a predetermined amount of liquid during depression of the corresponding push-button. The control circuitry permits dispensing any amount of liquid less than the predetermined amount for the period the push-button is depressed. The control circuitry also permits the dispensing of amounts of liquid greater than the predetermined amount upon re-depression of the corresponding push-button. The control circuitry further includes interlocking circuitry for the push-button switches to permit the dispensing of only one liquid at a time. The portable modification of the beverage dispensing and metering apparatus includes a retractable spout and a photoelectric safety switch to permit dispensing of liquids only when the spout is protracted.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A beverage dispensing and metering apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of liquid pumps, each pump having an inlet and an outlet,
(b) an electric motor drivingly connected to each of said pumps,
(c) a liquid supply line in fluid communication with each of said pump inlets, each supply line being adapted to lead from a separate liquid storage container,
(d) a liquid dispensing line in fluid communication with each of said pump outlets,
(e) electrical power supply means,
(f) an individual electrical motor control circuit connected to a corresponding electric motor and to said power supply means,
(g) manually operable switch means in each of said motor control circuits,
(h) each said manually operable switch means comprising ganged first and second switches for simultaneous manual actuation between an open position for de-energizing said corresponding electric motor and a closed position for energizing said corresponding electric motor, and
(i) first interlocking circuit means for electrically coupling all of said first switches and second interlocking circuit means for electrically coupling all of said second switches, whereby manual actuation of only one of said switch means to its closed position will energize only its corresponding electric motor and simultaneously de-energize each of said other electrical motors, and simultaneous actuation of any two or more of said switch means to their open positions will simultaneously de-energize all said electric motors regardless of the positions of said other switch means.

6 more elements

A beverage dispensing and metering apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of liquid pumps, each pump having an inlet and an outlet,
(b) an electronic motor drivingly connected to each of said pumps,
(c) a liquid supply line in fluid communication with each of said pump inlets, each supply line being adapted to lead from a separate liquid storage container,
(d) a liquid dispensing line in fluid communication with each of said pump outlets,
(e) electrical power supply means,
(f) an individual electrical motor control circuit connected to a corresponding electric motor and to said power supply means,
(g) a manually operable switch in each of said motor control circuits shiftable between an open position for de-energizing said corresponding electric motor and a closed position for energizing said corresponding electric motor,
(h) a dispensing spout,
(i) each of said liquid dispensing lines having an outlet end portion contained within said spout,
(j) closure means for selectively closing and opening said spout,
(k) shut-off switch means operatively associated with said spout closure means and electrically connected to all of said motor control circuits,
(l) switch actuator means forming a part of said closure means for de-actuating said shut-off switch means when said closure means closes said spout for de-energizing all said motor control circuits, and for actuating said shut-off switch means when said closure means opens said spout for energizing all said motor control circuits.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/963,412Filed 24 Nov 1978
Granted: 11 Aug 1981
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B67D 1/1234
Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed: to determine the total amount
B67D 1/0006
The apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed: based on the timed opening of a valve
G01F 13/006
Apparatus for measuring by volume and delivering fluids or fluent solid materials, not provided for in the preceding groups: measuring volume in…
B67D 2001/0088
Being mounted on the dispenser housing: operated by push buttons