Patent GB-742411-A (GB)
Title: Machine for vending beverage in cups
IPC: B67D1/00
Filed: 1953-04-20
Abstract: 742,411. Dispensing liquids. BOOTH, J. J. April 20, 1953, No. 10818/53. Class 116. A mixed drink dispersing machine comprises means connecting a water chamber to a source of gas under pressure to deliver gas to the chamber below the level of water therein means connecting the chamber to a mixing and dispensing valve to deliver water to the valve from the chamber and means connecting the water chamber to a syrup tank to deliver gas from the chamber to the tank when the pressure difference between the chamber and the tank exceeds a predetermined value. The apparatus, Fig. 1, comprises a cabinet containing a tank 26 for carbonated water, a tank 27 for syrup, a gas cylinder 29 and a hinged door 11 mounting an operating handle extending from a controlling shaft 17 for the delivery of water and syrup for a predetermined time to a projected cup. The water tank, Fig. 14, is surrounded by a water coil 32 and a syrup coil 33 cooled by a gas, freon, from a refrigerator 44, circulating on the outside. The water inlet is controlled by a stop valve 58, and a float 60 pivoted to the top of the container. Carbon dioxide is introduced into a tube 68 and bubbles through a cylinder 69 in the water. The cooled carbonated water is withdrawn by a tube 61 and the cooled syrup is simultaneously withdrawn from the coil 33 both under the pressure of the gas. A valve housing connected to the top of the water tank and communicating therewith is also connected to the gas supply, with the water tank inlet pipe 68 or the syrup inlet pipe 90. The valve has two ball valves by means of which, as the pressure in the syrup tank is reduced on delivering syrup, a ball valve unseats to allow gas from the carbonator to flow to the syrup tank; if the pressure is greatly reduced in the syrup tank the gas flows directly from the gas cylinder to the tank by unseating a second ball valve which has a stronger spring. The syrup and water flow to a valve 25 operated by a timing device 24 and thence to an outlet 30. The liquids flow to a mixing chamber closed by a ball valve which is unseated by movement of a rod 111. Both liquid passages have non- return valves and the syrup passage has an adjustable needle valve. The rod 111 is operated to release the ball valve to deliver the liquid to the outlet 30 by movement of a sleeve 116 on a rod 115 which is moved longitudinally by operating the control shaft 17. On movement of the rod 115 the sleeve 116 engages a stop 117 which is controlled in its vertical and horizontal movement by springs 121 and 126 attached to the stop and valve housing. The stop has a slot through which passes a shaft 120 secured to the housing, the movement of the stop against the rod 111 causes the valve to unseat. The position of the sleeve on the shaft is adjustable to vary the length of time the valve is open. The shaft 115 extends into a conventional dash pot with hydraulic fluid, spring 136, piston 139 and tubular opening 152. Simultaneously with the opening of the valve a plate 200, Fig. 8, is operated to release a cup from one of two stacks. The cups 20 are in stacks, Fig. 1, over two openings 194, 195 in a plate 192 large enough to allow the cups to pass through, but are retained by the plate 200 having an elongated slot with semi-circular ends 204, 205 and projecting member 198, 199. The lowest cup in the stack over aperture 194 has a flange retained by the edge 204 of the plate 200 and the member 199 supports the lowest cup of the stack over the aperture 195. When the plate 200 is moved to the left the lowest cup of the stack 194 descends to the outlet shoot and member 198 retains the next lowest cup of the stack, the cup released by members 199 is retained by the edge 205 until the plate 200 is moved to the right. To release a cup which may be firmly fixed in the stack bent springs 211, 212 connected to the plate 200 and engaging cams on the fixed plate, are released to detach a cup. The machine may be coin freed and have an external lever for operating the shaft 17 which rotates a pinion 176 through a right angle. The pinion has spaced projections which are engaged by a projection 169 on a shaft slidable in a block 167 and having a rod carrying a pair of ears 162, 163 which engage the rod 115 between stops 164 and 165. The pinion is rotated by means of a pin slidably mounted in a bore in a block on the shaft 17. The pinion is retained for counter-clockwise movement only by means of a pawl, as the lever is returned to its original position the slidable pin retracts against spring pressure to pass beneath the projecting pin on the pinion 176. Should the block 169 not return to its original position after a drink is dispensed, the pinion 176 is locked against movement by a spring-urged slidable pin in the block 167. The movement of the pinion 176 on the operating shaft 17 also operates the cup dispensing device. A gear 224 engages the pinion 176 and has a projection 227 engaging in a slot 228 in a pivoted lever connected by suitable linkage to the slidable plate 200 which is reciprocated thereby and delivers the cups. The apparatus is equipped with usual coin feed mechanism.