Beverage dispenser and automatic shut-off valve

An automatic shut-off valve for dispensing a beverage into a container, the automatic shut-off valve comprising:

• a) a detection circuit comprising at least two spaced conductors, the detection circuit wholly external to the container;
• and
• b) a controller controlling at least one power switching circuit, and connected to at least one electrically-operated solenoid valve,
• wherein a user may dispense a beverage by activating the power switching circuit to open the at least one electrically-operated solenoid valve, and the controller automatically shuts the at least one electrically-operated solenoid valve upon detecting a change in the detection circuit.

A method of dispensing a beverage with an automatic shut-off valve, the method comprising:

• a) providing a container having an open mouth;
• b) opening at least one electrically-operated valve to begin dispensing the beverage into the container;
• c) detecting a change in an electrical detection circuit wholly external to the container while dispensing the beverage;
• and
• d) automatically closing the electrically-operated valve upon detecting a change in the electrical detection circuit.

A method of dispensing a beverage into a container, the method comprising:

• a) providing a container;
• b) opening at least one solenoid valve to fill the container with the beverage;
• c) keeping the valve open by a pulse-width-modulation technique while operating a detection circuit wholly external to the container;
• and
• d) closing the valve automatically upon detecting a change in the detection circuit.

A method of dispensing a beverage, the method comprising:

• a) providing a beverage dispenser having at least one solenoid-operated valve;
• b) opening the at least one solenoid-operated valve to begin dispensing a beverage;
• c) using a pulse-width-modulation technique to hold the solenoid-operated valve open during a filling operation;
• and
• d) closing the at least one solenoid-operated valve upon a change in conductivity in a detection circuit comprising at least two spaced conductors, the detection circuit wholly external to a container for receiving the beverage.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a container, the beverage dispenser comprising:

• a) at least one mixing and dispensing valve for dispensing a beverage, the at least one mixing and dispensing valve comprising:
• i) at least one solenoid-operated valve for controlling a flow of at least one fluid;
• ii) a detection circuit comprising at least two spaced conductors, the detection circuit wholly external to the container and capable of detecting conductivity between the at least two spaced conductors;
• and
• iii) a controller that shuts off the at least one solenoid-operated valve automatically when beverage foam or liquid creates a conductive path between the at least two spaced conductors;
• b) a drip tray below the at least one mixing and dispensing valve;
• and
• c) a housing for mounting the drip tray and the at least one mixing and dispensing valve.