US3685692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic beverage dispenser with key control
Assignee: Derby Anstalt
•
Filing: 1970-08-17
•
Granted: 1972-08-22
•
Expires: 1990-08-17
Abstract
Abstract An automatic beverage dispenser operated by keys and provided with means for automatically dispensing a liquid and with means for providing a price indication and recordation for the drink chosen and a recordation of the number of drinks dispensed by each key holder. Means are provided for concurrently dispensing more than one drink without interfering with the dispensing of the other drink. The electronic means including pulse counters are utilized to accomplish the above discribed functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Hansjorg Erne
- 👤 Laszlo Halma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:38
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/0041; B67D7/00; B67D7/06; B67D7/08; B67D7/10; B67D7/103; G07F13/00; G07F13/06; G07F13/065; B67D2210/00; B67D2210/00028; B67D2210/00081; B67D2210/00083; B67D2210/00091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
423 words
In an automatic beverage dispenser for dispensing drinks having a plurality of key-operated switches, each of said switches being actuated by a different key, a plurality of dispensing pipes for said drinks, a platform for at least one liquid container, said platform being located below said dispensing pipes, a plurality of beverage selector switches, said beverage selector switches being selectively operated to control the type of beverage dispensed through one of said pipes, and summing indicator means for additively registering and dispLaying monetary amounts corresponding to the beverages dispensed, an improvement wherein said indicator means includes a plurality of first pulse counters each associated with a different keyoperated switch for counting pulses in a pulse train the length of which corresponds to the monetary amount of the beverage being dispensed, and for displaying the number of pulses counted, pulse generator means for continuously generating said pulses, gate means for controlling the length of said pulse trains, said gate means having a pulse input connected to the output of said pulse generator means, a pulse output connected to each of said first pulse counters and to a second pulse counter, and a control input connected via logic circuit means to said beverage selector switches and to pulse count preselector switches associated with said beverage selector switches and connected to said second pulse counter for selecting a count corresponding to the monetary amount of the selected beverage, whereby said gate means is in its enabling condition on actuation of a first one of said keyoperated switches and subsequent actuation of a first one of said beverage selecting switches, and in its inhibiting condition on occurrence of an output signal of said pulse count preselector switches when said second counter assumes a counting state corresponding to the count selected by said pulse count preselector switches, a plurality of first adjustable timing circuits each associated with a different beverage selector switch for controlling a flow control member for the selected beverage to open said flow control member on occurrence of said output signal of said pulse count preselector switches for dispensing the selected beverage through one of said pipes, and again to close said flow control member on occurrence of an output signal of said associated timing circuit, and electronic interlocking means for the prevention of the effect of actuation of a second beverage selector switch at least until termination of the pulse counting in said first and second pulse counters brought about by the actuation of said first key-operated switch and said first beverage selector switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
423 words
In an automatic beverage dispenser for dispensing drinks having a plurality of key-operated switches, each of said switches being actuated by a different key, a plurality of dispensing pipes for said drinks, a platform for at least one liquid container, said platform being located below said dispensing pipes, a plurality of beverage selector switches, said beverage selector switches being selectively operated to control the type of beverage dispensed through one of said pipes, and summing indicator means for additively registering and dispLaying monetary amounts corresponding to the beverages dispensed, an improvement wherein said indicator means includes a plurality of first pulse counters each associated with a different keyoperated switch for counting pulses in a pulse train the length of which corresponds to the monetary amount of the beverage being dispensed, and for displaying the number of pulses counted, pulse generator means for continuously generating said pulses, gate means for controlling the length of said pulse trains, said gate means having a pulse input connected to the output of said pulse generator means, a pulse output connected to each of said first pulse counters and to a second pulse counter, and a control input connected via logic circuit means to said beverage selector switches and to pulse count preselector switches associated with said beverage selector switches and connected to said second pulse counter for selecting a count corresponding to the monetary amount of the selected beverage, whereby said gate means is in its enabling condition on actuation of a first one of said keyoperated switches and subsequent actuation of a first one of said beverage selecting switches, and in its inhibiting condition on occurrence of an output signal of said pulse count preselector switches when said second counter assumes a counting state corresponding to the count selected by said pulse count preselector switches, a plurality of first adjustable timing circuits each associated with a different beverage selector switch for controlling a flow control member for the selected beverage to open said flow control member on occurrence of said output signal of said pulse count preselector switches for dispensing the selected beverage through one of said pipes, and again to close said flow control member on occurrence of an output signal of said associated timing circuit, and electronic interlocking means for the prevention of the effect of actuation of a second beverage selector switch at least until termination of the pulse counting in said first and second pulse counters brought about by the actuation of said first key-operated switch and said first beverage selector switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 1, including a plurality of resettable stores, each of said stores being connected to a different key-operated switch and beverage selector switch for storing the operating state of the associated switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the first pulse counters comprises an inhibiting input connected to the output of the store of the associated key-operated switch for enabling said pulse counter when said store is set after actuation of said key-operated switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2, comprising at least one second locking circuit, said beverage selector switches being connected to said at least one second locking circuit, said second locking circuit being controlled by the output signal of a second AND-function circuit having a plurality of inputs, whereby the output signal of each of said AND-function circuits unlocks the associated locking circuit when concurrently only one beverage selector switch is actuated, one of said key-operated switches is actuated and the pulse counting is terminated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first timing circuits are monostable multivibrators arranged to be triggered by the output signal of the associated pulse count preselector switch, the output of each of said first timing circuits being further connected to a reset input of said stores connected to said beverage selector switches for resetting said switches when said first timing circuit reassumes its stable state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said stores connected to a beverage selector switch has a further output connected to the associated first timing circuit for inhibiting said first timing circuit when said store is not set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A beverage dispenser as claImed in claim 2, wherein said control input of said gate means is connected to the output of a second OR-function circuit having a plurality of inputs, each input of said OR-function circuit being connected to the output of a different one of a plurality of third AND-function circuits, each of said third AND-function circuits having two inputs, one of said inputs of said third AND-function circuits being connected to the output of a different one of said stores associated with said beverage selection switches, the other input being connected to the output of the associated first timing circuit, whereby said gate means is enabled only when one of said stores of said beverage selector switches is set and said timing circuit is in its inactivated condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 7, wherein a second adjustable timing circuit is connected to the output of said second OR-function circuit for generating a reset signal delayed with respect to the instant of enabling said gate means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 2, comprising a first locking circuit, said key-operated switches being connected to said first locking circuit, said locking circuit being controlled by the output signal of a first AND-function circuit having a plurality of inputs, whereby the output signal of said first AND-function circuit unlocks said locking circuit when one of said key-operated switches is actuated and none of said stores is set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein said key-operated switches have two sets of parallel contacts, a first set of contacts being connected to said stores and a second set of contacts being connected to a source of fixed potential, said first AND-function circuit having two inputs, one of said inputs being connected to said fixed potential via said second set of contacts, and the other input being connected to the output of a first OR-function circuit having several inputs each connected to a different one of said stores.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
132 words
A beverage dispenser as claimed in claim 10, wherein said reset signal from said second timing circuit is supplied to said second pulse counter, to each of said second AND-function circuits and to one input of a fourth AND-function circuit having two inputs, the output of said fourth AND-function circuit being connected to reset inputs of said stores connected to said first set of contacts of said key-operated switches, and the second input of said fourth AND-function circuit being connected to said source of fixed potential via said second set of contacts of said key-operated switches, whereby at the earliest at the instant of the termination of the pulse counting in said first and second pulse counter one of said key-operated switches and one of said beverage selector switches can be actuated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |