Semi-automated beverage dispensing machines and methods

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to food product dispensing machines, specifically semi-automated beverage dispensing machines.

BACKGROUND

The following patents are incorporated herein by reference in entirety:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,716 discloses a cold plate beverage dispenser having a cold plate that is oriented within a housing of a dispenser such that the fluid lines extending through the cold plate extend in a pattern, which prevents ice bridging from occurring at the back end of the device. The cold plate includes stainless steel wire coils within each water line along an end portion for turbulating the water as it passes therethrough to provide for enhanced heat exchange between the fluid, the cold plate and the fluid line end portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,369 discloses a beverage dispenser that provides desired ratios of mixed concentrate and diluent more accurately. The dispenser includes a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet for a concentrate; an inlet and an outlet for a diluent; and a reciprocating piston in a central passageway between the inlets and outlets. The piston is reciprocally movable between a first position in which flow to both outlets is blocked and a second position in which both outlets are open to flow. A flow rate sensor is for the concentrate and a flow rate sensor is for the diluent. The sensors are connected to a controller such that the diluent flow rate is adjusted by movement of the piston according to the concentrate flow rate to achieve a predetermined ratio of concentrate to diluent for the dispensed beverage.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,446 discloses a system and method for dispensing a predetermined portion of a beverage or drink additive using a cost effective portion control valve that replaces electrical components with mechanical components. A controlled portion of a beverage is dispensed when a lever is activated. A magnetically coupled linkage system can control the exact amount of fluid dispensed. A valve block contains a beverage input, a beverage outlet, and a valve seal. A lever arm is connected to the valve seal and connected to a magnetic housing containing a valve magnet. A yoke pivots about the valve block. The yoke contains a yoke magnet aligned to interface with the valve magnet. A lever arm return spring is connected to the lever arm and the valve block to bias the lever arm return spring to a resting position. As the yoke pivots beyond a predetermined distance, the yoke magnet separates from the valve magnet allowing the lever arm to return to the resting position closing the valve.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,045,323 discloses a process for dispensing a beverage into a cup including: providing a dispensing structure; providing a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure; providing a staging structure linked with the transportation structure; providing a control system linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism; providing a sensor mechanism linked with the control system, the sensor mechanism providing signals indicating the position of a cup; providing a cup identification system having an interactive display connected to the control system; picking a cup from a storage device and positioning it within a dispensing structure; dispensing ice and a beverage at separate locations within the dispensing structure; transporting the filled beverage to a staging structure; positioning the filled cup in the staging structure; and removing the filled cup from the staging structure for sale to a customer wherein the cup identification system and the display outputs visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup at every stage of the process.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,010,577 discloses a fountain beverage dispenser for constituting a beverage by mixture of a syrup and a diluent for the syrup. A highly concentrated beverage syrup supply and at least one diluent and syrup blending station are used for diluting the highly concentrated syrup with diluent before the diluted syrup is mixed with diluent in the final mixture of syrup and diluent delivered to a dispensing nozzle.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,017,485 discloses an ice dispensing system that includes an ice hopper structure including a plurality of walls having inner surfaces that define an inner volume storing ice therein. The ice hopper may include a drain. A cleaning structure is coupled to the ice hopper structure. The cleaning structure includes a pump linked to a spray mechanism positioned within the inner volume of the ice hopper structure. The spray mechanism disperses a liquid on an inner surface of the ice hopper structure during a cleaning cycle of the ice dispensing mechanism.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described herein in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or central features from the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In certain examples, a food product dispensing machine is for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine comprises a cup holder that includes a target element and a sensor that is configured to sense the target element. The cup holder is configured to hold the cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. A controller is configured to determine a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder.

In certain examples, a method is for determining cup size in a food product dispensing machine for dispensing food product. The method comprises placing a cup in a cup holder; sensing a remaining portion of the target element associated with the cup holder that is not obstructed by the cup; determining a size of the cup based on the remaining portion of the target element; and indicating the size of the cup to a user of the food product dispensing machine.

In certain examples, a food product dispensing machine is for dispensing food product. The food product dispensing machine includes a food product dispenser; a first cup holder that is configured to hold a first cup; a first drive mechanism that is configured to move the first cup holder on a deck between a first staging position for receiving the first cup in the first cup holder and a common dispensing position for receiving food product from the food product dispenser; a second cup holder that is configured to hold a second cup; and a second drive mechanism that is configured to move the second cup holder on the deck between a second staging position for receiving the second cup in the second cup holder and the common dispensing position. The first and second drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position.

In certain examples, a food product dispensing machine is provided with a cup dispenser having a first cup housing that is configured to hold a plurality of cups. The first cup housing has a first outlet through which a user can manually dispense cups. A first dispense sensor is configured to sense cups that are dispensed through the outlet. An indicator is coupled to the cup dispenser and configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user. The indicator comprises a plurality of lights. A controller is configured to receive beverage order data from a user and to control the indicator based on the cup dispenses sensed by the first dispense sensor and the beverage order data. The controller is configured to selectively control each light in the plurality of lights such that the plurality of lights indicates the remaining number of cup dispenses to the user. The controller is configured to calculate the remaining number of cup dispenses based on a difference between the cup dispenses sensed by the dispense sensor and a number of beverages in the beverage order data.

In certain examples, a food product dispensing machine comprises a cup holder configured to hold the cup, a first sensor that is configured to sense an attribute of the cup, and a controller that is configured to determine presence of a cup and/or a size of the cup based on the attribute of the cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure provides examples of food product dispensing machines that dispense a food product into a cup. The dispensing machines can include cup holders that move one or more cups from a staging position to a dispensing position where the cups are filled with the food product. The dispensing machine can be useful in high quantity food vending applications such as restaurants where multiple cups are quickly filled.

Referring toFIGS. 1-2, the dispensing machine10includes a cup dispenser90having one or more cup housings92a-92cfor storing stacks of cups15having different sizes. Each cup housing92a-92chas an outlet94from which the user or operator can manually dispense the cups15. A dispense sensor96and/or an indicator98are coupled to each of the cup housings92a-92c. To dispense a cup15, the user pulls on the lowermost cup15of the stack of cups. The dispense sensor96senses when the cup15is dispensed through the outlet94. The indicator98is coupled to the cup housing (see respective cup housings92a-92c) and is configured to indicate to the user a remaining number of cup dispenses (i.e. the remaining number of cup dispenses is the number of cups15still yet to be dispensed from the respective cup dispenser90, and more particularly from the respective cup housings92a-92c). The indicator98can include a display panel and/or a plurality of lights99. In one non-limiting example, a first dispense sensor96is coupled to a first cup housing92aand senses cups15dispensed through a first outlet94; a second dispense sensor (not shown) is coupled to a second cup housing92band senses cups15dispensed through a second outlet94; and a third dispense sensor (not shown) is coupled to a third cup housing92cand senses cups15dispensed through a third outlet94.

Each cup15that is dispensed from the cup dispenser90can be received in one of a plurality of cup holders20(see alsoFIGS. 3-4) which are removably coupled to the dispensing machine10, as will be further explained herein below. Each cup holder20is supported on a deck18and is movable along an associated radial path74on the deck18. Each radial path74is a straight line path. The respective radial paths74are radially spaced apart from each other. Each radial path74ends at a staging position70where the user places the cup in the cup holder20and a dispensing position72where the cup15receives food product from the food product dispenser14. (see alsoFIGS. 1 and 7). The dispensing position72is radially inwardly from the staging positions70, and the staging positions70form an arc about the dispensing position72. In the illustrated example, the dispensing position72is common for all cup holders20.

Referring toFIGS. 3-4, the cup holder20includes a base28, a front sidewall31, a rear sidewall33, and a target element22. The base28supports the cup15when the cup15is received by the cup holder20. The sidewalls31,33are coupled to the base28and extend axially away from the base28such that the front sidewall31is radially opposite the rear sidewall33. A top portion32of the front sidewall31and a top portion34of the rear sidewall33are on opposite sides of the cup15when the cup15is supported by the cup holder20. The front sidewall31defines an opening35. The target element22is coupled to or partially formed in the rear sidewall33. The front sidewall31and/or the rear sidewall33slope radially away from the base28. In some examples, a radially projecting top edge36and/or radially projecting side elements37are coupled to the front sidewall31and/or the rear sidewall33. In other examples, the sidewalls31,33include a plurality of spaced-apart openings35.

The cup holder20includes a plate40that is coupled to the base28by fasteners41. The plate40retains at least one driven magnet38in the base28. The plate40can include one or more protrusions39that are configured to contact the deck18and reduce friction between the cup holder20and the deck18as the cup holder20is moved along the deck18(seeFIG. 7). The plate40can retain a second and/or third driven magnets38in the base28of the cup holder20. The second and third driven magnets38have polarities that are opposite the first driven magnet38(seeFIG. 4depicting the first, second, and third driven magnets38with different polarities, respectively, where the letter “S” is for south and “N” is for north). The protrusions36can be semi-spherical in shape.

Referring toFIGS. 5-7, drive mechanisms60are positioned below the deck18and are configured to magnetically couple with the cup holders20, as described further herein below. Each drive mechanism60moves a respective cup holder20along an associated radial path74between the staging position70and the dispensing position72. In the illustrated example, each drive mechanism60includes a drive motor63, a lead screw assembly64, a drive body65, and a limit switch66. The drive body65is connected to a lead screw67of the lead screw assembly64. The drive motor63, which is connected to a power source130(seeFIG. 8), is configured to rotate the lead screw67such that the drive body65moves toward the dispensing position72. The drive motor63is also configured to rotate the lead screw67in an opposite direction such that the drive body65moves toward the staging position70. The limit switch66can turn off power to the drive motor63when the drive body65contacts the limit switch66.

The drive body65carries a driving magnet62which magnetically couples to driven magnets38when the cup holder20is placed on or adjacent to the deck18. InFIG. 7, the driving magnet62is magnetically coupled to the driven magnet38and the cup holder20is in the staging position70(the cup holder20is shown in solid lines while in the staging position70). As the drive motor63rotates the lead screw67, the drive body65and the cup holder20are caused to move along the radial path74toward the dispensing position72(the cup holder20is shown in dashed lines while in the dispensing position72). The drive body65can include a second and/or third driving magnet62that have polarities that are opposite the first driving magnet62(seeFIG. 6depicting the first, second, and third driving magnets62, wherein the letter “S” is for south and “N” is for north). In one example, the first driven magnet38magnetically couples to the first driving magnet62, the second driven magnet38magnetically couples to the second driving magnet62, and the third driven magnet38magnetically couples to the third driving magnet62. Thus, the driven magnets38are configured to magnetically couple with the driving magnets62and cause the cup holder20to rotate, “clock” into a predetermined orientation and/or automatically align with the drive mechanism60and/or the driving magnets62, due to the polarities of the magnets38,62. For example, when the cup holder20is moved toward the driving magnets62, the driving magnets62with north polarities resist the driven magnets38with north polarities and the driving magnets62with south polarities attract to the driven magnets38with north polarities, thus causing the cup holder20to rotate or “clock” to the predetermined orientation such that the driving magnets62with the north polarities are positioned close to the driven magnets38with south polarities and the driving magnets62with south polarities are positioned close to the driven magnets38with north polarities. In some examples, the first, second, and third driving magnets62can form a triangular shape.

Referring toFIG. 8, the dispensing machine10can be part of and controlled by a system111. The system111can include a computer controller116that is programmable and includes a processor112and a memory114. The controller116can be located with or remotely from the system111and can communicate with various components of the dispensing machine via wired and/or wireless links, as will be explained further herein below. AlthoughFIG. 8shows a single controller116, the system111can include more than one controller116. Portions of the methods described herein can be carried out by a single controller or by several separate controllers. Each controller116can have one or more control sections or control units. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the controller116can have many different forms and is not limited to the example that is shown and described.

In some examples, the controller116can include a computing system that includes a processing system, storage system, software, and input/output (I/O) interfaces for communicating with devices described herein. The processing system loads and executes software from the storage system, such as software programmed with a display and moving control method. When executed by the computing system, display software directs the processing system to operate as described herein to execute image display or notification on a display panel50such as light illumination, light colors, audible sounds, and/or vibrations. In another example, when executed by the computing system, movement software directs the processing system to operate the drive mechanisms60described herein to execute movement of the cup holders20on the deck18(seeFIG. 7).

The computing system may include one or many application modules and one or more processors, which may be communicatively connected. The processing system may comprise a microprocessor (e.g., processor112) and other circuitry that retrieves and executes software from the storage system. Processing system can be implemented within a single processing device but can also be distributed across multiple processing devices or sub-systems that cooperate in existing program instructions. Non-limiting examples of the processing system include general purpose central processing units, applications specific processors, and logic devices.

The storage system (e.g., memory114) can comprise any storage media readable by the processing system and capable of storing software. The storage system can include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The storage system can be implemented as a single storage device or across multiple storage devices or sub-systems. The storage system can further include additional elements, such as a controller capable of communicating with the processing system. The storage media can be a non-transitory or a transitory storage media.

In the illustrated example, the controller116communicates with one or more components of the system111via communication links113, which can be wired or wireless links. The controller116is capable of monitoring and controlling one or more operational characteristics of the system111and its various subsystems by sending and receiving control signals via the communication links113. It should be noted that the extent of connections of the communication links113shown herein is for schematic purposes only, and the communication links113provide communication between the controller116and each of the sensors, devices, and various subsystems described herein, although not every connection is shown in the drawing for purposes of clarity. The controller116can control the display panels50, and the controller116may coordinate display information on multiple display panels50.

The system111can include several modules. A user interface module119can allow the user or operator to control the dispenser14and/or fluid valves (not shown). For example, the user may interact with the display panel50(seeFIG. 1) to select a beverage and/or flavors, activate the dispenser14, and/or activate the drive mechanism60. The user interface module119may be connected to a remote (not shown), a control panel, a connection port, an existing point-of-service computer network, and/or the like. A control module121such as an internet or network module can connect the dispensing machine10to the internet. The control module121may also send beverage data to the user interface module119. The control module121can be wireless or wired, and the control module121can allow a remote user to control the components of the dispensing machine10.

Referring toFIGS. 5-7, the drive mechanisms60are controlled by the controller116(seeFIG. 8). For example, the controller116can regulate power from the power source130to the drive mechanisms60(seeFIG. 8).

Referring toFIG. 1, the dispensing machine10includes a first sensor44that senses presence and/or an attribute of the cup15in a cup holder20and sends a signal related to what is sensed to the controller116(seeFIG. 8). The controller116is configured to determine if a cup15is received by the cup holder20and/or verify the size of the cup15received by the cup holder20. Based on the size of the cup15determined by the controller116, the controller116is configured to activate the drive mechanism60to move the cup holder20to the dispensing position72and/or activate the dispenser14to dispense an amount of food product corresponding to the size of the cup15. The first sensor44can concurrently detect the presence of cups15in all cup holders20. Alternatively, the first sensor44can sense the presence of a cup15in a single cup holder20, such as a cup holder20positioned at the dispensing position72. The first sensor44senses the diameter of the cup15or any other attribute of the cup15(i.e. depth, circumference). The features described above, and later herein, expedite filling of cups15and increase the output of filled cups15from the dispensing machine10(e.g. activation of the drive mechanism60as soon as the presence and/or size of the cup15is determined decreases the amount of time a cup15remains unfilled).

Referring toFIG. 2, the dispensing machine10can include a second sensor45that senses the target element22(seeFIGS. 2-3). The second sensor45can sense in a direction B which is orientated toward the dispensing position72. When the cup holder20is in the dispensing position72, the second sensor45senses the target element22and sends a signal related to what is sensed to the controller116(seeFIG. 8). If a cup15is in the cup holder20, the second sensor45cannot sense portions of the target element22that are blocked by the cup15. As explained further herein below, the controller116can be configured to interpret the signal from the second sensor45and determine if there is a cup15in the cup holder20and if so, the size of the cup15in the cup holder20. Based on the size of the cup15determined by the controller116, the controller116activates the dispenser14to dispense an amount of food product corresponding to the size of the cup15to thereby adequately fill, without overfilling, the cup15in the cup holder20at the dispensing position72. The sensors44,45can be proximity sensors, cameras, light sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and/or the like.

In some examples, the controller116interprets the remaining portion of the target element22(e.g. the surface area of the target element22not blocked by the cup15while the cup15is in the cup holder20) sensed by the second sensor45to thereby determine the size of the cup15. The signal relayed by the second sensor45to the controller116can be an image of the target element22, data related to the amount of light reflecting from the target element22, and/or the like. The controller116can be configured to communicate with a memory114that stores a plurality of target element22surface area values (such as in a look-up table) that are correlated to sizes of the cups15, such as small, medium, and/or large. The controller116can be configured to compare the surface area of the remaining portion of the target element22sensed by the second sensor45to the plurality of area values in the memory114to thereby determine the size of the cup15. The controller116can account for the portions of the target element22blocked by the front sidewall31.

Referring toFIGS. 9-12, several views of the cup holder20without and with cups15are shown. InFIG. 9, the cup holder20is depicted without a cup15, the second sensor45senses most portions of the target element22through openings35in the front sidewall31. InFIG. 10, a small cup15is supported by the cup holder20such that the second sensor45senses remaining portions of the target element22near the top portion34of the rear sidewall33and the sides of the cup15. InFIG. 11, a medium cup15is supported by the cup holder20such that the second sensor45senses remaining portions of the target element22near the top portion34of the rear sidewall33(i.e. the remaining portions of the target element22are relatively smaller when compared to the remaining portions of the target element22when a small cup15is supported by the cup holder20). InFIG. 12, a large cup15is supported by the cup holder20such that the second sensor45does not sense the target element22because the large cup15obstructs all portions of the target element22from being sensed by the second sensor45.

In certain examples, the cup15need not be aligned in the center of the cup holder20for the second sensor45to correctly sense of the target element22or for the controller116to correctly determine of the size of the cup15. For example, the controller116can determine the size of the cup15in the cup holder20based on a cumulative area of the remaining portion of the target element22sensed by the second sensor45. Stated another way, if the cup15is not centered in the cup holder20, the second sensor45will detect the remaining portion of the target element22not blocked by the cup15regardless of the division of the remaining portion of the target element22such that the controller116can determine the size of the cup15in the cup holder20. In other examples, the controller can be configured to determine the size of the cup15in the cup holder20based on a total number of target elements22sensed by the second sensor45.

The controller116can be configured to utilize signals from the first sensor44, the second sensor45, and/or the dispense sensor96during the operation of the dispensing machine10to determine the presence and/or size of the cups15in the cup holders20. In certain examples, the dispense sensor96is configured to sense a dispense of a cup15from the cup dispenser90and send a signal to the controller116. After the user places the dispensed cup15into a cup holder20, the first sensor44senses presence and/or an attribute of the cup15in the cup holder20and relays a signal to the controller116, which determines the presence and/or size of the cup15(as described above). The drive mechanism60then activates to move the cup15toward the dispensing position72, where the second sensor45senses the target element22of the cup holder20(as described above). The second sensor45relays a signal (as described above) to the controller116which determines and/or verifies the size of the cup15in the cup holder20at the dispensing position72. The controller116then activates the dispenser14which dispenses an amount of food product corresponding to the size of the cup15. The drive mechanism60is then activated to move the cup15filled with food product in the cup holder20away from the dispensing position72. In certain examples, the first sensor44can be configured to sense the presence of the cup15in the cup holder20when the cup holder20is in the dispensing position72. The controller116can be configured to compare and/or verify the size and/or presence of the cup15in the cup holder20based on the signals received from the dispense sensor96, first sensor44, and/or second sensor45. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 8, the controller116can be configured to control the indicator98and/or lights99. During operation, the controller116can be configured to receive beverage data from the control module121and to control the indicator98based on beverage data and a number of cup dispenses sensed by the dispense sensors96. The controller116can be configured to selectively control each light99to indicate the remaining number of cup dispenses to the user from each cup housing92a-92c. The controller116then calculates the remaining number of cup dispenses based on the difference between a number of cups15already dispensed from the cup housings92a-92cand sensed by the corresponding dispense sensors96and a number of beverages in the beverage data.

Referring toFIGS. 13-21, which are individually discussed herein below, an example dispensing machine10includes a plurality of cup holders20a,20b,20c. The first cup holder20ais configured to hold a first cup15a, the second cup holder20bis configured to hold a second cup15b, and the third cup holder20cis configured to hold a third cup15c(seeFIG. 21).

As described above, drive mechanisms60(seeFIG. 6) under the deck18are configured to move the cup holders20a,20b,20calong first, second, and third radial paths74a,74b,74c, respectively, on the deck18between staging positions70a,70b,70c, respectively, and the common dispensing position72. The dispenser14is positioned inwardly from the staging positions70a,70b,70cand adjacent to the dispensing position72. For example, a first drive mechanism (seeFIG. 5) moves the first cup holder20aon the deck18between the first staging position70awhere the first cup15ais received in the first cup holder20aand the common dispensing position72where the food product is dispensed from the dispenser14into the first cup15a(seeFIGS. 19-21). Similarly, a second drive mechanism (seeFIG. 5) moves the second cup holder20bon the deck18between the second staging position70bwhere the second cup15bis received in the second cup holder20band the common dispensing position72where the food product is dispensed from the dispenser14into the second cup15b(seeFIGS. 15-17). Still further, a third drive mechanism (seeFIG. 5) moves the third cup holder20con the deck18between the third staging position70cwhere the third cup15cis received in the third cup holder20cand the common dispensing position72where the food product is dispensed from the dispenser14into the third cup15c(seeFIGS. 17-19).

FIGS. 13-21depict an example operational sequence for the dispensing machine10. This example includes three cup housing92a,92b,92c.

FIG. 13depicts a single light99on each cup housing92a,92b,92cilluminated by the controller116based on the beverage data received by the controller116. The illuminated lights99indicate to the user the number of cups15to be manually dispensed from each cup housing92a,92b,92c, respectively. In this example, one cup from each cup housing92a,92b,92cis dispensed by the user.

FIG. 14depicts a cup15adispensed from the third cup housing92cand placed in the first cup holder20a. Accordingly, the previously illuminated light99(seeFIG. 13) on the third cup housing92cis turned off by the controller116when the third dispense sensor detects the cup15adispensed from the third cup housing92c. The previously illuminated lights99on the first cup housing92aand the second cup housing92cremain illuminated which indicates to the user that one additional cup15from the first and second cup housing92a,92bmust still be dispensed.

FIG. 15depicts the cup15adispensed from the third cup housing92cplaced in the first cup holder20a(as described with respect toFIG. 14), the second cup15bfrom the first cup housing92aplaced in the second cup holder20b, and the third cup15cfrom the second cup housing92bplaced in the third cup holder20c. Accordingly, the lights99on the cup housing92a,92b,92care turned off by the controller116as the correct cups15a,15b,15care dispensed from cup housings92a,92b,92c, respectively, and sensed by the dispense sensors96.

FIG. 16depicts the second cup holder20bas it is moved along the second radial path74btoward the rear of the dispensing machine10from the second staging position70bto the dispensing position72. In the dispensing position72, food product is dispensed by the dispenser14into the cup15b.

FIG. 17depicts the second cup holder20bas it is moved along the second radial path74btoward the front of the dispensing machine10from the dispensing position72to the staging position70b. The user can remove the second cup15bfrom the cup holder20b.

FIG. 18depicts the third cup holder20cas it is moved along the third radial path74ctoward the rear of the dispensing machine10from the third staging position70cto the dispensing position72. In the dispensing position72, food product is dispensed by the dispenser14into the third cup15c.

FIG. 19depicts the third cup holder20cas it is moved along the third radial path74ctoward the front of the dispensing machine10from the dispensing position72to the staging position70c. The user can remove the third cup15cfrom the cup holder20c.

FIG. 20depicts the first cup holder20aas it is moved along the first radial path74atoward the rear of the dispensing machine10from the first staging position70ato the dispensing position72. In the dispensing position72, food product is dispensed by the dispenser14into the cup15a.

FIG. 21depicts the first cup holder20aas it is moved along the first radial path74atoward the front of the dispensing machine10from the dispensing position72to the staging position70a. The user can remove the cup15afrom the cup holder20a

As discussed herein above, the present disclosure includes examples of dispensing machines10. In one example, the dispensing machine10includes the cup holder20that comprises the target element22, the second sensor45that senses the target element22, and the controller116. The cup holder20is configured to hold the cup15such that the cup15prevents the second sensor45from sensing at least a portion of the target element22, and the controller116determines the size of the cup15based on the remaining portion of the target element22that is sensed by the second sensor45when the cup15is held by the cup holder20. The controller116is configured to communicate with a memory114that stores a plurality of area values that are correlated to sizes of the cup15, and the controller116is further configured to compare the remaining portions of the target element22to the plurality of area values to determine the size of the cup15.

In certain examples, the dispensing machine10includes the food product dispenser14, the first cup holder20aconfigured to hold a first cup15a, and the first drive mechanism60which moves the first cup holder20aon the deck18between the first staging position70awhere the first cup15ais received in the first cup holder20aand the common dispensing position72where the cup15areceives food product from the food product dispenser14. The dispensing machine10includes the second cup holder20bconfigured to hold the second cup15band the second drive mechanism (seeFIG. 5) that moves the second cup holder20bon the deck18between the second staging position70bwhere the second cup15bis received in the second cup holder20band the common dispensing position72where the cup15breceives food product from the food product dispenser14. The first and second drive mechanisms60travel along first and second radial paths74a,74b, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position72. The first cup holder20aretains first driven magnet38and the first drive mechanism60retains a first driving magnet62such that the first driving magnet38couples first cup holder20ato the first drive mechanism60through the deck18via magnetic attraction to the first driven magnet38.

In certain examples, the dispensing machine10includes the cup dispenser90having the first cup housing92awhich is configured to hold a plurality of cups15and the indicator98which is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user and comprises a plurality of lights99. The first cup housing92aincludes the first outlet94through which the user can manually dispense cups15and the first dispense sensor96which is configured to sense cups that are dispensed through the outlet94. The controller116is included with the dispensing machine10and is configured to receive beverage order data and to control the indicator98based on the cup dispenses sensed by the first dispense sensor96and the beverage order data. The controller116selectively controls each light99in the plurality of lights99such that the plurality of lights99indicates the remaining number of cup dispenses to the user, and the controller116calculates the remaining number of cup dispenses based on the difference between the cup dispenses sensed by the dispense sensor96and a number of beverages in the beverage order data.

The present disclosure thus provides methods of determining cup sizes for the dispensing machine10. The methods can include: placing the cup15in the cup holder20which is configured to hold the cup15such that cup15prevents the second sensor45from sensing at least a portion of the target element22which is included with the cup holder20; sensing a remaining portion of the target element22that is not obstructed by the cup15; and operating the controller116to determine the size of the cup15based on the remaining portion of the target element22. The methods may further include determining the size of the cup15by comparing the remaining portion of the target element22to a plurality of cup sizes that are correlated to sizes of the cup15.

In the present description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding. No unnecessary imitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses and systems described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatuses and systems. Various equivalents, alternatives, and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.