Patent GB-873959-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to liquid dispensers
Inventor: HELLYER JOHN TIRRELL
IPC: A47J31/56
Filed: 1958-01-09
Abstract: 873,959. Apparatus for making coffee, tea and the like. HELMCO Inc. Jan. 9, 1958, No. 917/58. Class 129. [Also in Group XVIII] A liquid dispenser, e.g. for making coffee, comprises a continuously open discharge spout 16 communicating with the upper part of a stationary tank 12 above the normal liquid level therein which tank is fed with liquid through a supply conduit 18 controlled by valve means 20, manually-operated means being provided for raising the liquid level in the tank to the spout and at the same time actuating the valve means to supply liquid to the tank. In the bottom of tank 12 there is an electric heating element 24 controlled by a thermostat 26, including a switch 27, a pressureresponsive diaphragm 28 and a temperaturesensitive bulb 29. A body 32 mounted in the upper portion of tank 12 is movable downwardly to cause the water to rise to the inlet end 16a of spout 16. Body 32 is connected by a support 34 to a pivoted lever arm 36 connected at its outer end 40 to a vertical lever member 42 whose lower end is pivoted to a horizontal inverted U-section lever 46 pivoted to base 10. Part of the upper surface 46a of lever 46 is cut away, the side walls being connected by a pin 52. A latch member 54 is pivoted on the outer end of plunger 57 of a fixed solenoid 58 and extends through the open top of lever 46, its lower end being pivoted to base 10. The latch member includes a lug 66 extending upwardly beyond its pivot 55 and connected to one end of a coil spring 68. The opposite end of the spring is connected to lever 42 by a bracket 70 connected by a second coil spring 72 to base 10. When solenoid 58 is de-energized, plunger 57 is withdrawn by spring 72 and latch member 54 is moved until it engages the pin 52 of lever 46. Thus spring 72 restores the linkage 46, 42, 36 and body 32. When lever 46 is depressed, it engages the plunger 79 of a switch 78. A platform 80 for a receptacle, e.g. a coffee pot, is pivoted at one side and has, at its other side a U-shaped bracket 87 engaging a roller 88 carried on an arm 89. Arm 89 is rigidly secured to rockshaft 90, journalled in a bracket on base 10 and extending rearwardly as a weight arm 93 carrying an adjustable weight 94. When a receptacle on platform 80 has been filled to a predetermined extent, it is pivoted thereby, tipping arm 93 which tips a plate 96 and closes a mercury switch 98 thereon. In operation, tank 12 is filled to the levelof Fig. 1 and thermostatically controlled element 24 is energized to bring the water to the predetermined temperature. A receptacle is then placed on platform 80 and lever 46 is depressed, lowering body 32 into tank 12 and opening valve 20 to cause water to be delivered from spout 16 by closing switch 78. When the required amount of water has been delivered, platform 80 pivots to move plate 96 and close switch 98 to energize solenoid 58 which disengages pin 52 from member 54 and allows the linkage to return to its original position. This in turn opens switch 78 closing valve 20 and de-energizing solenoid 58. On removing the receptacle, platform 80 returns to its original position. A pushbutton switch 99 is provided by means of which hot water may be delivered in unmeasured quantities.