Abstract:
An audio dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser including a valve for regulating fluid flow through the audio dispensing valve and a switch in operative engagement with the valve for selectively activating the valve. The audio dispensing valve also includes an audio unit linked with the switch for providing audio information as the switch and valve are activated.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to dispensing equipment and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser that emits audible information therefrom. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Soft drink beverage dispensers are growing in popularity and availability. From fast-food restaurants to multiplex movie theaters, the use of soft drink beverage dispensers is expanding into many new commercial markets. As a result, more people than ever before enjoy today&#39;s convenience of selecting a beverage of choice from an array of different drink flavors. Typically, a beverage dispenser features several dispensing valves whereby each dispensing valve is assigned a single drink flavor. By placing a cup under a dispensing valve and activating its nozzle via a lever interface, the valve dispenses the desired flavored drink into the cup at a preset volume and temperature. 
   In these new commercial settings, however, many new consumer demands have been imposed on beverage dispensers. For example, there is a demand to design a beverage dispenser that can sufficiently indicate merchandising information to a large number customers. 
   Specifically, today&#39;s beverage dispensers only feature small visual indicators that display the availability of drink flavors on every dispensing valve so that an operator, by looking at a specific indicator, can access the appropriate dispensing valve to obtain the desired flavored drink. These indicators are often obscured by the other products that display visual merchandising information which may be cluttered around and/or on the beverage dispenser, thus, limiting the beverage dispenser&#39;s ability to convey its own message. As such, today&#39;s beverage dispensers are not configured to convey merchandising information to a large number of customers, especially through audio means. 
   Accordingly, a beverage dispenser that clearly and distinctly indicates merchandising information to a large number of customers is highly desirable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, an audio dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser, includes a valve for regulating fluid flow through the audio dispensing valve and a switch in operative engagement with the valve for selectively activating the valve. The audio dispensing valve includes an audio unit linked with the switch for providing audio information as the switch and the valve are activated. 
   The audio unit includes a sensor linked with the switch for activating the audio unit via a trigger signal generated thereof. Accordingly, the switch activates the valve as well as activates the audio unit&#39;s audio message via the trigger signal from the current sensor. The audio unit thus emits audible information via a sonic generator assembly linked with the sensor. 
   In particular, the sonic generator assembly includes an audio message memory unit for storing an audio message featuring audible information. On receiving the trigger signal, an audio control logic unit linked with the sensor and the audio message memory unit generates an acoustic signal. As such, the audio control logic unit retrieves the audio message from the audio message memory unit and places the audio message in a recognizable format for an acoustic signal emitter provided by the sonic generator assembly. The acoustic signal emitter linked with the audio control logic unit thus projects the acoustic signal from the audio dispensing valve via an audio amplifier and a loudspeaker. Additionally, a volume adjustment linked with the sonic generator assembly may be included for adjusting the output volume of the acoustic signal projected from the audio dispensing valve. 
   The acoustic signal emitter specifically includes the audio amplifier electrically linked with the audio logic control unit for receiving the acoustic signal from the audio control unit. The loudspeaker electrically linked with the audio amplifier is provided, whereby the audio amplifier provides sufficient power to the acoustic signal to drive the loudspeaker so that the acoustic signal is projected from the audio dispensing valve. 
   In accordance with the present invention, a method for providing audible information from an audio dispensing valve, includes storing an audio message containing audible information within an audio unit. The audio unit is linked with a switch and is thus activated by the switch. As such, an acoustic signal is generated by the audio unit and is projected from the audio dispensing valve via the audio unit. A volume adjustment may be linked with the audio assembly for adjusting output volume of the acoustic signal projected from the audio unit. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing valve and associated method for clearly and distinctly providing audible information therefrom. 
   Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating an audio dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser according to the preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an audio unit from an audio dispensing valve for providing audible information therefrom. 
       FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary current sensor  20  for voltage comparison and for generating a trigger signal therefrom to activate an audio unit. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various form; the figures are not necessarily to scale; and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps. 
     FIG. 1  depicts an audio dispensing valve  1  for a beverage dispenser (not shown). The audio dispensing valve  1  is electrically linked with a power source  10 , such as a generator or standard wall outlet, for receiving power therefrom. In the preferred embodiment, the audio dispensing valve  1  operates on twenty-four volts, stepped down, from the power source  10 . Additionally, as discussed in detail below, the audio dispensing valve  1  includes a power supply  15  for powering electronic circuitry. 
   The audio dispensing valve  1  includes a frame  45  for supporting the audio dispensing valve  1 . The audio dispensing valve  1  includes a nozzle  44  secured to the frame  45  for dispensing a desired flavored drink therefrom. 
   A valve  43  secured to the frame  45  and engagedly linked with nozzle  44  is provided for delivering beverage fluids to the nozzle  44 , whereby the beverage fluids combine to form a desired drink. In particular, beverage fluids, such as plain and/or carbonated water as well as beverage flavored syrup, are each delivered from a respective source (not shown) to the valve  43 . At least one valve inlet  43   a , formed by the valve  43 , is provided for receiving beverage fluids. 
   As such, the audio dispensing valve  1  includes a valve actuator  31  for closing and opening the valve  43  by covering and uncovering the valve inlet  43   a  from the flow of beverage fluids therethrough. In the preferred embodiment, the valve actuator  31  comprises a solenoid, whereby a solenoid plunger  32  is configured to cover and uncover the valve inlet  43   a  accordingly. 
   In operation, the valve actuator  31  is activated when a drink is desired from the audio dispensing valve  1 . Fluids are thus pumped from their respective sources to the valve  43 . When activated, the solenoid plunger  32  moves from a closed position, normally covering the valve inlet  43   a , to an open position which uncovers the valve inlet  43   a , thereby permitting beverage fluids to flow from the valve inlet  43   a  into the valve  43 . While flowing from the valve  43  out through the nozzle  44 , beverage fluids are combined to form the desired drink. 
   The audio dispensing valve  1  includes a switch  33  electrically linked with the valve actuator  31  for electrically engaging and disengaging the valve actuator  31 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the preferred switch  33  includes a contact element  34 . The audio dispensing valve  1  further includes a lever interface  41  for engagement with the switch  33 . 
   In particular, the preferred lever interface  41  provides a cam surface  40  for engagement with the contact element  34 . If a drink is desired, the lever interface  41  is manually displaced by an operator which, in turn, allows the cam surface  40  to contact and displace the contact element  34 . Accordingly, the contact element  34  moves the switch  33  from an electrically open position to an electrically closed position, whereby the valve actuator  31  is engaged and opens the valve  43  in the manner described above. 
   The audio dispensing valve  1  includes an audio unit  5  electrically linked and in engagement with the valve actuator  31  and the switch  33  for providing audible information therefrom. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a connector coupling  30  is provided for cooperatively engaging the audio unit  5  with the valve actuator  31  and the switch  33 , thereby forming a coupling circuit. Although a connector coupling  30  is preferred, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other suitable coupling means. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the power supply  15 , electrically linked with the power source  10 , is provided by the audio unit  5  for rectifying voltage associated with the power source  10 , preferably rectified to five volts. The power supply  15  provides power for the audio unit  5 . Inasmuch, the audio unit  5  includes a current sensor  20  for triggering an audio message from the audio unit  5 . 
   The coupling circuit includes a line  50  for electrically linking the power supply  15  with the current sensor  20 , thereby providing the current sensor  20  with a reference voltage. In the preferred embodiment, the current sensor  20  comprises a comparator although those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other suitable and equivalent means for triggering the audio message. Additionally, the coupling circuit includes a line  52  across connector coupling  30  for electrically linking the power source  10  with the valve actuator  31  and the current sensor  20  via the switch  33 . Moreover, the coupling circuit includes a return line  56  across connector coupling  30  for electrically linking the switch  33  with the current sensor  20 , thereby providing the current sensor  20  with a response voltage for comparison with the reference voltage. Accordingly, to complete the coupling circuit, the contact element  34  enables the switch  33  from an electrically open position to an electrically closed position, whereby the current sensor  20  generates a resulting trigger signal based on a voltage comparison. 
   Although those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other sensory means for generating a trigger signal therefrom,  FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary current sensor  20  for voltage comparison. In particular, the current sensor  20  of  FIG. 3  includes a comparator  20   c , preferably an operational amplifier, for comparing a reference voltage, Vref, with a response voltage, Vin. A current divider  20   b  electrically linked with the comparator  20   c  is provided to supply the reference voltage thereto. Moreover, a current transformer  20   a  electrically linked with the switch  33  and with the comparator  20   c  is provided to supply a response voltage indicating to the comparator  20   c  whether the switch  33  has been closed. Thus, the comparator  20   c  generates a trigger signal, Vtrig, if the response voltage, Vref, as compared to the reference voltage indicates that the switch is closed. 
   Accordingly, in operation, the current sensor  20  receives the reference voltage from the power source  10  via line  50 . The power supply  15  provides current to the current sensor  15  as well as the sonic generator assembly  22  via line  51 . Current also flows from the power supply  15  through the valve actuator  31  to the switch  33 , via lines  52  and  54  respectively. Thus, if a drink is desired, the lever interface  41  is manually displaced by an operator which, in turn, allows the cam surface  40  to contact and displace the contact element  34 , thereby closing the switch  33  to complete the coupling circuit. The complete coupling circuit provides enough power to engage the valve actuator  31  to open the valve  43 , thereby allowing for a desired drink to be dispensed from the nozzle  44  via the valve  43 . Furthermore, the complete coupling circuit establishes a response voltage across return line  56  that is received by the current sensor  20 . 
   The trigger signal is thus generated by the current sensor  20  based on a voltage comparison between the reference voltage and the response voltage. The trigger signal, Vtrig, in turn, triggers an audio message from the audio unit  5 . In short, when rendered in a closed position, the switch  33  activates the valve  43  via valve actuator  31  as well as activates the audio unit&#39;s  5  audio message via the trigger signal from the current sensor  20 . 
   The audio unit  5  further includes a sonic generator assembly  22  electrically linked with the current sensor  20  for receiving the trigger signal and generating an acoustic signal. As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2 , the preferred sonic generator assembly includes an audio control logic unit  22   a  electrically linked with the current sensor  20  for receiving the trigger signal. The preferred audio control logic unit  22   a  comprises a standard microcontroller and associated circuitry linked thereto, such as but not limited to a digital/analog converter or, alternatively, the microcontroller could include a digital to analog converter. 
   An audio message memory unit  22   b  electrically linked with the audio control logic unit  22   a  is provided for storing the audio message. In the preferred embodiment, the audio message is a prestored digital signal from which information can be conveyed to a large number of beverage consumers, especially merchandising information. 
   Upon receiving the trigger signal, the audio control logic unit  22   a  retrieves the audio message from the audio message memory unit  22   b . The audio control logic unit  22   a  then places the audio message into a format suitable for an acoustic signal emitter provided by the sonic generator assembly  22 . In particular, the audio message is converted from a digital signal to an audio analog or “acoustic” signal by the audio control logic unit  22   a , via a digital/analog converter. The acoustic signal emitter then projects the acoustic signal from the audio dispensing valve  1  in a manner so that the acoustic signal is recognized as the audio message stored in the audio message memory unit  22   b.    
   Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the acoustic signal emitter may by any suitable means, such as an electronic reed. In the preferred embodiment, the acoustic signal emitter comprises an audio amplifier  22   c  that is electrically linked with the audio control logic unit  22   a  and a loudspeaker  24  electrically linked to the audio amplifier  22   c . The audio amplifier  22   c  provides sufficient power to the acoustic signal to drive the loudspeaker  24 , thereby broadcasting the audio message over an area surrounding the loudspeaker  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the audio unit  5  may include a volume adjustment  26  electrically interposed with the audio amplifier  22   c  and the loudspeaker  24  for adjusting the output volume of the acoustic signal emitted by the audio amplifier  22   c , thereby ultimately adjusting the volume of the audio message broadcasted by the loudspeaker  24 . 
   Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing description, rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.