Patent GB-817188-A (GB)
Title: Dispensing machine
IPC: G07F13/06
Filed: 1957-02-18
Abstract: 817,188. Beverage-dispensing apparatus. ADAMS CO., S. G. Feb. 18, 1957 [Feb. 28, 1956], No. 5464/57. Classes 27 and 106(5) [Also in Group XXX] An automatic machine for selectively dispensing one of several beverages comprises a number of canisters 400 arranged on a rotatable wheel plate 34 and filled with a powdered commodity such as tea, coffee or soup, means 67, 81 on each cannister for dispensing a measured quantity to a cup 271 delivered from a cup dispenser 181 when the wheel 34 has been rotated to bring_the selected canister to the lowest position and means for delivering to the cup hot water from a tank 224 and, if desired, cream or sugar from receptacles 241. Coin testing and freeing mechanism 172 of known type is provided. The wheel plate 34 is journalled in the door 18 of a cabinet 11 and an apertured indicator disc 28 and operating handle 33 are provided outside the door. Rotation of the plate in one direction only is ensured by a pawl 39. The canisters 400 have transparent rear walls 56 removably secured by a rubber seal 57 and the sides are shaped to ensure that the commodity is urged towards the measuring means 67, 81, where the capacity of the canisters is increased by increasing their length, inclined baffles are provided on the rear walls. A shaft 63 extends across each canister and carries an apertured disc 67 which carries material over an opening 69 normally closed by a rotary flap valve 83. The shaft is rotated by a motor Ml which can be lowered by a solenoid SO1 so that pins 109 engage a pin 64 on the shaft and the flap valve is rotated clear of the opening 69 by a solenoid S02. To vary the quantity delivered, the spacing of an S- shaped member 73, Fig. 11, from the disc 67 can be adjusted by a screw 74 which is accessible through the opening, 69 and a hole 76. A pair of similar dispensing devices for sugar and powdered cream are fixed on brackets 238 and each comprise a container 241 with a spout 249 and a motor M4 which rotates a spring 248 extending across the container and into the spout to cause discharge of the material. An additional larger spring 251 is provided in the cream container to prevent caking. For delivering hot water to a delivered cup supported in a cup well 196 behind a sliding door 202, a spout 229 is connected through a time-controlled and solenoidoperated valve S05, Fig. 14, to a hot-water tank 224 which is fed from reservoir 222 connected to water mains 217. A float 226 in the reservoir controls a switch S16 and a solenoidoperated valve SO4 on the mains. Steam from the hot water is removed by a hose 263 and fan 264 and the spouts 249 of the cream and sugar dispensing devices are protected from the suction of the fan by a collar 272. Water spilled from the cup well or overflowing through the pipe 233 from the reservoir 222 collects in a bucket 205 hooked over a spring-loaded lever 208 and, when the bucket is nearly full, the lever moves down with a snap action and operates a valve 216 and a switch S15 so that the water and power supplies are shut off. An exterior knob operates selector switches Sl, S2 to enable cream or sugar or both to be added to the beverage but, where the commodity in a canister in position for discharge is unsuitable for such an addition, cam members 132 appropriately positioned on the wheel plate 34 engage the switches S1, S2. The wheel plate is locked in a selected position by a lever 137 having a roller 139 engaging notches 140 in the plate 34, the lever being locked by another lever 142 until the latter is withdrawn by a solenoid SO3. The lever 137 also operates a switch S3 to prevent operation of the machine when the roller 139 is not in engagement with a notch 140. A motor M2, Fig. 15, through a lost motion coupling, drives a shaft 158 carrying cams 163, 164, 166, 167 and 168 which operate switches S4-S8 to control the sequence and timing of the various operations. The cams are in two parts, angularly adjustable relative to each other, to vary the period of engagement with a switch and thus the period of operation of, for example, the water valve S05 and the cream and sugar dispensers. A warning light indicates that the machine is empty or the waste bucket is full and another light is associated with a coin changer and, if the changer is empty, warns that the machine will accept only coins of the correct amount.