US3133674A - Dispenser with selectively repeating cycle mechanism - Google Patents

Description

y 1964 s. H. A. SCHMAUS 3,133,674

DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 r I: N

no N

h N O I mi L |IIIHHIIHHH I in ||u| ull-llllllllllm INVENTOR IECFRJED HA.5CHMAUS ATTORNEY5 y 19, 1964 s. H. A. SCHMAUS 3,133,674

DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEAT ING CYCLE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 muml I w w "ulmmlu Hmm.

"1 9.2 SIEGFRJED H.A."5CHMAUS BY WW 9 241 ATTORNE 5 M y 1964 s. H. A. SCHMAUS DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 8, 1960 'mlllllh INVENTOR s l E6 FRIED H.A. ECHMAUS BY Wm 3 ATTORNEY S. H. A. SCHMAUS Filed Sept. 8, 1960 IIIIHHh 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 mnummg m I I I llllumlu INVENTOR SIEGFRIED H.A.SCHMAV5 BY ZRm ATT M y 1964 s. H. A. SCHMAUS DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 8, 1960 Q N 3" L0 E INVENTOR SIEGFRED ILA .$CHMAU ATTOZQZ S. H. A. SCHMAUS 7 May 19, 1964 DISPENSER WITH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 8, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Tic IO INVENTOR SHE'GFRI so HASCHMAUS BY Wm; M

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,133,674 DISPENSER WlTH SELECTIVELY REPEATING CYCLE MECHANISM Siegfried H. A. Schmaus, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Arnetek, Inc., a corporation oi Delaware Filed Sept. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 54 ,734 7 Claims. ((31. 222-70) The present invention relates 'to cocktail dispensers, and particularly to a new and improved cocktail dispenser for automatically dispensing one or more mixed drinks in succession.

An object of the invention is to provide a cocktail dispenser for dispensing one or more mixed drinks in succession.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser in which'the mixed drinks may have different quantities of each of a plurality of liquids.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a cocktail dispenser in which timing mechanism is provided for ensuring the dispensing of predetermined quantities of a plurality of liquids to form the desired drink.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser in which a drip cap may be provided adjacent the dispensing spout that is automatically opened at the beginning and closed at the end of a dispensing operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser having a hinged cover portion that encloses the operating mechanism of the dispenser and in which locking means is provided for preventing the unauthorized tampering with such operating mechanism.

In one aspect of the invention, a base having a standard thereon may support a plurality of bottles of liquid to be dispensed as a mixture. The bottles may be supported in inverted position at the top of tubular members, the bottom of which open into measuring cups. The cups may be readily changed so that diderent measured quantities may be employed in the ultimately mixed drink. Theremay be a reciprocable plunger within each measuring cup having a closure member at each end thereof and arranged such that in the lower position of the plunger, the measuring cup is open to the interior of the inverted bottle with the cup outlet closed; and, in the upper position of the plunger, the interior of the bottle is closed to the cup while the outlet from the cup is opened.

in another aspect of the invention, the outlets from the measuring cups may be connected to a common dispensing spout beneath which the glass to receive the drink may be placed. A drip cap may be hinged to the dispensing spout, and it may be automatically opened at the beginning and closed at the end of each dispensing operation.

in still another aspect of the invention, an electro mechanical control may be provided for automatically controlling the dispensing of a plurality of mixed drinks in succession while ensuring ample time between each for complete emptying of the measuring cups and the replacement of a full glass with an empty glass to receive the next succeeding drink of a succession of drinks being dispensed.

The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of a dispenser to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a side, partial sectional elevational view of Patented May 19, 1964 a dispenser to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of part of the mechanism shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken substantially along lines 4-4 of FIGS 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of linkage for operating the drip cap;

FIG. 5a is a view taken substantially along line 5a5a of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an electrical wiring diagram of the control for the dispenser;

FIG. 7 is a detail of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a portion of the locking mechanism;

PEG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FlG. 1D is a view taken substantially along line 10-40 of HQ. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l2l2 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line l3l3 of 8.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a dispenser including a base 1% having a hollow standard lit extending upwardly therefrom. The stand ard 1?. may include near its upper end a separate housing 13 enclosing mechanism for dispensing liquids from inverted bottles 14. The mechanism within each housing 113 may include a vertically reciprocable plunger having valve seats at each end, and arranged so that in the lower position of the plunger, the outlet 15 from a measuring or dispensing cup 16 is closed and the measuring cup 15 is open to the interior of its corresponding bottle 14. And, when the plunger is in its upper position, the interior of bottle 14 is closed to cup 16, while the outlet 15 of cup 16 is open to a conduit 17 leading to a dispensing nozzle 18. The operation of the plunger may be eiiected by the operation of a pivoted lever 19 (FIG. 2). The specific details of the above described mechanism form no part per se of the present invention. They maybe similar to: the dispensing mechanism shown, de scribed and claimed in application Serial No. 828,169, filed July 20, 1959, in the name of Siegfried H. A. Schmaus, now Patent No. 3,080,097.

From the foregoing it is evident that a plurality of bottles of various liquids may be supported by the standand 11 and that upon the simultaneous actuation of the pivoted levers 19 for each dispensing mechanism within housings 13*, predetermined quantities of liquid from each bottle 14 will pass through the nozzle 18 into a glass or other receptacle 2% for receiving the mixture. The measuring glasses 16 are readily changeable and, therefore, predetermined size glasses may be employed to vary at will the ratio of liquids dispensed to prepare the desired mixture within the receptacle 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dispensing lever 19 for one of the dispensing mechanisms may be pivotally connected to a link 21 that in turn is pivoted to the core 22 of a solenoid 23. Spring means 23 (FIG. 5a) between a stationary bracket 23" within standard 11 and the armature 22 urges the armature upwardly when the solenoid 23 is de-energized. A sleeve 24 may be connected to the lower end of the core 22, and it may receive a guide pin 25 (FIG. 3) that is rigidly fixed to the top wall of a housing 26 within the hollow standard 11. An arm 27 fixed to sleeve 24 may be provided with a bifurcated end 28, between the legs of which one leg 29 of a wire spring 30 (FIG. 4) may be supported. The other leg 31 of spring 30 is attached to the arm 27.

A vertically reciprocable shaft 32 may be mounted in slide bearings 33 and 34 (FIGS. 3 and 4) within the top and bottom walls of the housing 26. Spring means 35 may be fixed between the top wall of housing 26 and pin 36 attached to shaft 32 at a location normally causing spring 35 to urge shaft 32 upwardly. Ratchet teeth 37 may be formed at the upper end of shaft 32, and the leg 29 of spring 30 normally rests within one of said teeth. An additional spring 38 having its one end anchored to the top of housing 26, may include a leg 39 that also normally engages the teeth 37. From the foregoing it is evident that the above described structure produces a pawl and ratchet device, which upon each energization of the solenoid 23 causes the spring leg 29 to drive the shaft 32 downwardly against the action of spring 35; and, leg 39 of spring 38 retains the shaft 32 in each of its vertical positions when, upon deenergizing of solenoid 23, the arm 27 and spring 30 return to their upper normal positions.

In order to energize the solenoid 23 for one cycle of operations, a push button 40 may be mounted in the front wall of housing 26 and extend through an aperture in the one wall of standard 11. Other push buttons 41 and 42 may be mounted in housing 26 similarly to the mounting of button 40. The shafts 43 of all of the push buttons may include arms 44 for actuating switches 45, 46 and 47 sold under the trademark Microswitch. Each of the shafts 43 for the buttons 40, 41 and 42 may include a pin (FIG. 3) that rides within a slot 49 within a sleeve 50 through which shafts 43 slidingly extend. 'Ilhis arrangement prevents turning of theshafts 43 and consequently maintains the arms 44 thereof in line with the actuators for their corresponding switches 45, 46 and 47.

The switch 45 is different from switches 46 and 47 in that the latter two are locking switches, whereas switch 45 is not. Accordingly, switches 46 and 47 include additional actuators that are covered by leaf springs 51. A set screw dog 52 is mounted on shaft 32 in position such that when shaft 32 is lowered from its uppermost position by two successive energizations of solenoid 23, switch 46 if closed by push button 41 will be opened by dog 52. Another dog 53 may be located on shaft 32 in such position that when shaft 32 is lowered from its uppermost position by three successive energizations of solenoid 23, switch 47 if closed by push button 42 will be opened by dog 53.

In order to ensure that shaft 32 is always at its uppermost position when any of the buttons 40, 41 or 42 is pushed, each shaft 43 extends in parallel spaced relation through housing 26 and abuts against a plate 54 (FIGS. 2 and 4) that is pivoted along an axis 55 within the top and bottom walls of the housing 26. Shafts 43 abut plate 54 at points within a plane offset from the axis 55 so that pushing any button 40, 41, or 42, will cause plate 54 to pivot about axis 55.

The plate 54 may include an upwardly extending arm 56 that may lie in contact with the legs 29 and 39 of springs 30 and 38. Accordingly, pushing any button 40, 41 or 42 will pivot plate 54, thereby forcing legs 29 and 39 away from teeth 37, and spring 35 then raises shaft 32 to its uppermost position. Release of buttons 40, 41 and 42 permits the legs 29 and 39 to return to engagement with teeth 37.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a drip cap 57 is attached to one leg 58 of a U-shaped lever 59 that is mounted on a stationary pin 60 for pivotal movement. The pin 60 may extend outwardly from the line 17 leading to the outlet of the dispensing nozzle 18. A roller 61 may be journaled on a pin fixed to the leg of lever 59 opposite that supporting drip cap 57; and, a spring 62 between pin 60 and lever 59 urges the drip cap 57 into cooperation with the outlet of nozzle 18.

A link 63 (FIGS. and 5a) may be pivotally mounted within the hollow standard 1 1. An armature 64 of a solenoid 65 may have a pin 63' attached to it which may contact link 63 when the armature 64 moves down- Wardly upon energizing of the solenoid 65. The armature 64 is urged upwardly by spring means 64 between it and a stationary bracket 64". The opposite end of armature 64 is pivotally connected to a link 66 that is in turn connected to a link 19 of another dispensing mechanism for another bottle 14 of liquid. The free end of link 63 is provided with a pin 67 (FIG. 5) that rides in an elongated slot 68 in a link 69 that is fixed to one end of a shaft 70 that is journaled in a bearing 71 in a bracket within standard 11. Near the opposite end of shaft 70, a bar 72 may be fixed which may include a portion 73 that cooperates with the roller 61.

A dashpot means 74 may include a piston 75 that is connected to the link 63, and a cylinder 76 containing silicone fluid. The cylinder 76 may be stationarily mounted on a bracket 77 within standard 11. The construction and arrangement of the parts are such that upon energizing the solenoid 65, the link 63 turns clockwise, causing links 69 and portion 73 of bar 72 to turn counterclockwise (FIG. 5) to thereby remove dn'p cap 57 from the outlet of dispensing nozzle 18. Upon de-energizing of solenoid 65, spring means 64 raises armature 64, causing cap 57 to move clockwise about pivot 60 to close nozzle 18. The dashpot 76 retards this movement so that the cap 57 closes nozzle 18 slowly, thereby eliminating splashing of drops of liquid that may still be issuing from nozzle 18.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, when it is desired to start a period within which the apparatus is eifective, a key may be inserted within a lock 79' (FIG. 9) and turned. Turning the key within lock 79' effects the closing of a normally open switch 79 (FIG. 6). Pushing button 40 causes current to flow from L through the number 1 terminal of a terminal block 80, thence through a line 81, a normally open contact 82 that is closed by a cam 83 driven by a reversing motor 84, thence through a line 85, the number 7 terminal of block 80, a line 86, thence through closed contact 40, a line 87, the number 8 terminal of block 80, a line 87, coil 88 of a relay 89, a line 90, closed contact 79, a line 91, the number 3 terminal of block 80, the number 2 terminal of block 80, thence to L Coil 88 is thereby energized, closing contacts 92, 93 and 94 of relay 89.

Closing contact 94 holds coil 88 energized when the push button 40 is released. As previously explained, push button 40 is a releasable switch, whereas push buttons 41 and 42 are locking switches. The holding circuit for coil 88 extends from L through line 91, switch 79, line 90, coil 88, contact 94, a line 95, a normally closed contact 96, a line 97, line 81 to L Current also flows from L through line 91, contact 79, a line 98, the number 4 terminal of block 80, a line 99, motor 84, a line 100, contact 93, line 81 to L Motor 84 is of the synchronous type of limited torque which when energized will rotate in the direction it is permitted. And, when this limited torque is exceeded, the rotation of the motor will reverse. Accordingly, cam 83 rotates in a clockwise direction, allowing switch 82 to move to its upper position under the influence of spring means therein.

Simultaneously with the energizing of motor 84, current also flows through the jumper 101, the number 5 terminal of block 80, a line 102, solenoid 23, a line 103, the number 9 terminal of block 80, a line 104, contact 92, line 81 to L Furthermore, current also flows through a umper 105, the number 6 terminal of block 80, a line 106, solenoid 65, a line 107, the number 10 terminal of block 80, a jumper 108, line 104, contact 92, line 81 to L Accordingly, solenoids 23 and 65 are energized, causing the levers 19 (FIG. 2) to be actuated to cause the liquid within cups 16 to flow through lines 17 to the outlet 18, and the opening of drip cap 57 as previously described, thereby delivering the two liquids to cup 20.

There is another cam driven by motor 84, and it has a lobe 109. The lobe 109 may be adjustably preset relative to cam 83 as described in copending application Serial No. 699,963, filed December 12, 1957, in the name of John N. Storms, now Patent No. 3,031,102.

This provides a means for varying the time it will take lobe 109 to open contact 96. It is necessary that the time it takes lobe 109 to open contact 96 corresponds to a period that will ensure ample time for complete emptying of the measuring cups. When lobe 109 opens contact 96, the holding circuit for coil 88 is broken, causing contacts 92, 93 and 94 to open, and the opening of contact 96 imparts to motor 84 a torque in excess of its limit, causing it to reversely rotate. Opening contact 92 de-energizes solenoids 23 and 65, thereby causing the spring means 23 and 64 to raise their cores 22 and 64, respectively. Raising of core 22 causes lever 19 to close off communication between each one of the bottles 14 and its respective measuring p.

Raising of core 64 actuates its corresponding lever 19 in the same way that core 22 actuated its lever 19. Core 64 also actuates the linkage (FIG. 5) to close the drip cap 57 as previously described.

Motor 84 will be stopped by switch 96 and it will rotate counterclockwise until cam 83 moves contact 82 to its solid line position. As is known, synchronous motors of the type involved will operate, after being stopped, in the reverse direction upon receiving the next opposite pulse of alternating current. Accordingly, motor 84 is de-energized, causing it to stop and the circuit to be conditioned for another dispensing operation, with a single mixed drink having been dispensed into container 20.

Pushing button 41, the switch of which is self-locking, will cause the apparatus to repeat its cycle until the screw 52 (FIG. 3) opens switch 46. This will effect a single repetition of the cycle of operation of motor 84 so that two mixed drinks will be dispensed. Pushing button 42 will, in the same way, effect the dispensing of three drinks. As was previously described, the pushing of any of the buttons 40, 41 or 42 causes the pivoting of plate 54 to eifect the resetting of the pawl and ratchet mechanism 37, 29 and 39. 7

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 12, inclusive, a hood 1'12 may be mounted on a pivot axis 113 formed in two brackets 114 extending outwardly from the outside of standard 11. Brackets 115 may be fixed to the inner side walls of the hood 112 and may include angular elements 116 supporting headed fasteners 117, the heads of which are adapted to extend through holes 118 within the forward Wall of the standard 11.

Referring to FIG. 10, a slide bar 119 extending beyond each side of the standard 11 may be guided for reciprocative movement by bearings 120. The bar 119 may include key slots 121, the large hole of which, when aligned with the holes 118, permits the passage therethrough of the heads of fasteners 117, and the width of the slots of key slots 121 is such as to receive the shanks of fasteners 117. From the foregoing it is evident that with the parts in the condition shown in FIG. 10, the bar 119 locks the hood 112 in its closed position, and that movement of bar 119 to the right will permit pivoting hood 112 about its pivot axis 113.

In order to prevent unauthorized opening of hood 112, there is provided a vertically slidable bar 122 that is guided by a bearing within a bracket 123 on the inside of standard 11. Bar 122 may include a right angular flange 124 atits top, adapted to register with a slot 125 (FIG. 12) when the bar 119 is in its leftward position as shown in FIG. 10. The lower end of bar 122 may include a flange 126 (FIG. 9) adapted to cooperate with a cam 127 fixed to a shaft 128 that is rigidly fixed to the barrel 129 of lock 78. Spring means 130 and 131 may extend from bracket 123 to resiliently urge bar 122 upwardly and bar 119 leftwardly, so that upon turning a key in look 78, flange 124 will be automatically released from slot 125 but the application of force is required to move bar 119 rightwardly to unlock hood 112.

The cam 127 may include diametrically disposed notches 132 and 133 adapted to cooperate with a detent 134 formed in flange 126 to provide a click stop for the two positions of cam 127.

Although the various features of the dispensing apparatus have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose one embodiment of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others Without departing from the principles of the invention.

Operation In order to cause the cocktail dispenser to deliver one drink, button 40 is pushed inwardly causing plate 54 to rotate and to force spring legs 29 and 39 from engagement with the teeth 37 of shaft 32. Spring 35 connected to the shaft then raises the shaft to its uppermost position. This action returns the shaft to its starting position regardless of its previous condition. The pressing of button 40 also causes the closing of the electrical circuits to energize solenoids 23 and 65 as well as timing motor 84.

The energizing of solenoid 23 causes the downward motion' of shaft 32 to a predetermined position where it is held by spring 39 engaged with teeth 37. Solenoid 23 aiso operates lever 19 which releases the contents of the measuring cup of one of the bottles into dispensing nozzle 18. The energizing of solenoid 65 actuates lever 19 associated with it to release the measuring cup of the other bottle into the dispensing nozzle, Solenoid 65 also actuates mechanical linkage to swing drip cap 5'7 from its closure position with respect to dispensing nozzle 18. This enables the contents of the two measuring cups to pass from the opening of the dispensing nozzle into the receptacle disposed beneath.

The movement of timing motor 84 continues for a sufficient period to enable the contents of the measuring cup to be dispensed. After this period, cam 199 operated by the timing motor terminates the actuation of solenoids 23 and 65 and at the same time the timing motor reverses so that it returns to its starting position. As solenoid 65 is deenergized, dashpot 76 connected to the linkage of drip cap 57, retards its closing motion so that all of the liquid may be dispensed without contacting the closing drip cap.

If it is desired to dispense two instead of one drink from the cocktail dispenser, switch 41 is pressed inwardly. At this point the operation of the dispenser is the same as for the case when buttton 46 was pressed with the exception that button 41 is provided with a self-locking device so that the switch operated by the button 41 remains closed even after the button is released. Following the actuation of button 41, the dispenser will operate through the first cycle and dispense a single drink, however, at the end of the cycle, the dispenser will not shut down since self-locking button 41 causes the electrical circuit to remain energized even after the button is released. Consequently, upon the completion of the first cycle a second cycle will be initiated.

During the second cycle, the operation of the dispenser is substantially the same as that of the previous one. However, since plate 54 was not actuated at the beginning of the second cycle, shaft 32 does not return to its normal starting postion but instead is actutaed downwardly by solenoid 23 to an intermediate position where dog 52 engages leaf spring 51 of the self-locking switch and causes its release. The dispenser then completes the second cycle.

If three drinks are to be dispensed, button 42 is operated and the dispenser then will go through three cycles of operation in a manner similar to those following the operation of button 41.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with a valve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into a dispensing cup for delivery,

upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a cover for at least a portion of said container pivotally attached to said apparatus and having a latch normally holding it in the operative position to cover at least a portion of said container, and a key operated lock having a non-operative position at which said electrical circuit is open to prevent unauthorized use of the apparatus and whichsimultaneously locks said cover latch to prevent access to said liquid containers.

2. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with a valve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into a dispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a mechanically operated dispensing cup drip cover pivotally mounted and having a resilient means urging said cover to close and cover said cup exit and cover operating means actuated by said mechanism to swing away from said cup exit when the dispensing of liquid is commanded and return to its closed position thereafter.

3. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with a valve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into a dispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a mechanically operated dispensing cup drip cover pivotally mounted and having a resilient means urging said cover to close and cover said cup exit and cover operating means actuated by said mechanism to swing the cover away from said cup exit and when the dispensing of liquid is commanded return to its closed position thereafter, said drip cover operating means having a motion retarding means attached thereto slowing the rate at which said resilient means returns the cover to its closed position to prevent liquid splash and drip.

4. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with a valve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into a dispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a group of manually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signal said mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a ditferent number of liquid units, and means within said circuit and mechanism to cause said mechanism to sequentially and separately dispense the number of units manually ordered by the operation of the selected one of said operators.

5. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with a valve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into a dispensing cup for delivery upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operating of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a group of manually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signal said mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a diiferent number of liquid units, and means within said circuit and 8 mechanism to cause said mechanism to sequentially dispense the number of units manually ordered by the operation of the selected one of said operators and a key operated lock having a nonoperative position at which said electrical circuit is open to prevent unauthorized use of the apparatus.

6. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with a valve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into a dispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manual signal, the invention comprising a group of manually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signal said mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a different number of liquid units, and means within said circuit and mechanism to cause said mechanism to sequentially dispense the number of units manually ordered by the operation of the selected one of said operators, a cover for at least a portion of said container pivotally attached to said apparatus and having a latch normally holding it in the operative position to cover at least a portion of said container, and a key operated lock having a non-operative position at which said electrical circuit is open to prevent unauthorized use of the apparatus and which simultaneously locks said cover latch to prevent access to said liquid containers.

7. In a liquid dispensing apparatus having a liquid container with a valve controlled outlet gravitationally emptying liquid directly into a dispensing cup for delivery, upon command, from the exit of said cup into a liquid receiver and having an electrical circuit controlling and timing the operation of a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined unit of liquid upon a manual signal the invention comprising a group of manually operated signal operators with each operator arranged to signal said mechanism for the sequential dispensing of a different number of liquid units, and means Within said circuit and mechanism to cause said mechanism to sequentially dispense the number of units manually ordered by the operation of the selected one of said operators, a cover for at least a portion of said container pivotally attached to said apparatus and having a latch normally holding it in the operative position to cover at least a portion of said container, a key operated lock having a non-operative position at which said electrical circuit is open to prevent unauthorized use of the apparatus and which simultaneously locks said cover latch to prevent access to said liquid containers and a mechanically operated dispensing cup drip cover pivotally arranged to close and cover said cup exit and swing away therefrom when the dispensing of liquid is commanded and return to its closed position thereafter, said drip cover having a motion retarding means attached thereto slowing the rate at which the cover returns to its closed position to prevent liquid splash and drip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,047,339 Thomas July 14, 1936 2,064,995 Van Arsdel Dec. 22, 1936 2,550,942 Spangler May 1, 1951 2,778,387 Diehl Jan. 22, 1957 2,845,964 Harland Aug. 5, 1958 3,031,102 Storms Apr. 24, 1962 3,074,445, Rosen Jan. 22, 1963

Claims (1)

1. IN A LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS HAVING A LIQUID CONTAINER WITH A VALVE CONTROLLED OUTLET GRAVITATIONALLY EMPTYING LIQUID DIRECTLY INTO A DISPENSING CUP FOR DELIVERY, UPON COMMAND, FROM THE EXIT OF SAID CUP INTO A LIQUID RECEIVER AND HAVING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT CONTROLLING AND TIMING THE OPERATION OF A MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING A PREDETERMINED UNIT OF LIQUID UPON A MANUAL SIGNAL, THE INVENTION COMPRISING A COVER FOR AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO SAID APPARATUS AND HAVING A LATCH NORMALLY HOLDING IT IN THE OPERATIVE POSITION TO COVER AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER, AND A KEY OPERATED LOCK HAVING A NON-OPERATIVE POSITION AT WHICH SAID ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT IS OPEN TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE APPARATUS AND WHICH SIMULTANEOUSLY LOCKS SAID COVER LATCH TO PREVENT ACCESS TO SAID LIQUID CONTAINERS.

Images