Vending machine for dispensing potable liquid
AssigneeUniversity of Victoria Innovation and Development Corporation
InventorsGeorge Kevin Emes, Jeffrey Douglas Kennedy, Colin Huw Bradley, Emmet Gamroth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A currency-operated liquid dispensing machine includes removable and replaceable containers such as carboys or bags that can be drained sequentially or in parallel. The containers are coupled to a furcated passage having an outlet. Such a vending machine dispenses metered quantities of water in response to an amount paid.
Claims26
A currency operated liquid dispensing machine for liquid retained in a plurality of removable and replaceable containers, said liquid dispensing machine comprising;
- a cabinet;
- a suitably selected holder housed in the cabinet, for releasably retaining the plurality of containers;
- a furcated passage comprising a main passage, an open end to define an outlet and a plurality of branches, each terminating in an inlet, said furcated passage to permit fluid communication between the plurality of containers and said outlet;
- said outlet being in communication with the ambient atmosphere, said outlet located to permit feeding of the liquid from the containers to said outlet;
- a plurality of terminally located liquid dispensing systems for releasably coupling said inlet to a container to permit the flow of liquid;
- a dispensing valve to stop and start the flow of liquid;
- a controller to determine the flow of liquid through said furcated passage and to selectively actuate said dispensing valve;
- a currency acceptor and processor for communication with said controller, wherein liquid is dispensed from said currency operated liquid dispensing machine in a metered volume in response to input of a selected value of currency;
- and
- a surge buffer, said surge buffer located to dampen surging of the liquid from said outlet.
A currency operated liquid dispensing machine for liquid retained in a plurality of removable and replaceable containers, said liquid dispensing machine comprising;
- a cabinet;
- a suitably selected holder housed in the cabinet, for releasably retaining the plurality of containers;
- a furcated passage comprising a main passage, an open end to define an outlet and a plurality of branches, each terminating in an inlet, said furcated passage to permit fluid communication between the plurality of containers and said outlet;
- said outlet being in communication with the ambient atmosphere, said outlet located to permit feeding of the liquid from the containers to said outlet;
- a plurality of terminally located liquid dispensing systems for releasably coupling said inlet to a container to permit the flow of liquid;
- a dispensing valve to stop and start the flow of liquid;
- a controller to determine the flow of liquid through said furcated passage and to selectively actuate said dispensing valve, wherein the branches of the furcated passage are in series, such that in use, one container is substantially drained before the next container begins to drain;
- and
- a currency acceptor and processor for communication with said controller, wherein liquid is dispensed from said currency operated liquid dispensing machine in a metered volume in response to input of a selected value of currency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.