Patent Publication Number: US-2021169265-A1

Title: Beverage vessel support apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application No. 1813479.1, filed on Aug. 17, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to beverage vessel support apparatus. More particularly, the disclosure relates to height-adjustable beverage vessel support apparatus for a beverage dispensing machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In beverage dispensing apparatus, it is desirable to position a beverage vessel such that the rim of the vessel is as close as possible to the beverage dispensing outlet to thereby reduce spillage and waste of beverage. It is known to provide a beverage vessel support which is height-adjustable to thereby allow the support&#39;s position to be adjusted to ensure that the beverage vessel rim is close to the dispensing outlet for a range of vessel heights. 
     However, a large range of different beverage vessel heights are available and it can be difficult to ensure that the height-adjustment of the support is adequate to accommodate a wide variety of beverage vessels. Furthermore, the range of positions possible with this variety of beverage vessels can cause difficulties in accurately sensing and controlling beverage dispensing, particularly for automatic or semi-automatic beverage dispensers. 
     Therefore, it will be understood that it is desirable to provide improvements to beverage vessel support apparatus. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect, there is provided a beverage vessel support apparatus for a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a height-adjustable beverage vessel support configured for supporting a beverage vessel at a plurality of different support positions; a beverage vessel support actuator configured for adjusting a height of the beverage vessel support; a beverage vessel rim detector arranged at a first vertical position and configured to determine whether an uppermost part of a beverage vessel supported by the beverage vessel support is at an appropriate position for a beverage to be dispensed into the beverage vessel; a first beverage vessel detector arranged at a second vertical position below the vertical position of the beverage vessel rim detector and configured to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support; and a second beverage vessel detector arranged at a third vertical position between the vertical positions of the beverage vessel rim detector and the first beverage vessel detector and configured to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support. 
     One or more of the beverage vessel rim detector, and the first and second beverage vessel detectors may be optical detectors. One or more of the detectors may be beam-break detectors, such as infrared light-level detectors having an emitter and receiver. 
     The plurality of support positions of the height-adjustable beverage vessel support comprise a lowermost support position and an uppermost support position, and a plurality of intermediate support positions between the lowermost and uppermost support positions. 
     When the beverage vessel support is at the lowermost support position, the first beverage vessel detector may be operable to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support. When the beverage vessel support is at the uppermost position, the second beverage vessel detector may be operable to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support. 
     The uppermost support position of the beverage vessel support may be above the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector, such that the first beverage vessel detector is inhibited from detecting the presence of a beverage vessel when the beverage vessel support is in the uppermost support position. 
     An upper portion of the plurality of intermediate support positions may also be above the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector, such that the first beverage vessel detector is inhibited from detecting the presence of a beverage vessel when the beverage vessel support is in an intermediate support position in the upper portion of the plurality of intermediate support positions. 
     In the uppermost support position and the upper portion of the plurality of intermediate support positions, the beverage vessel support may block the first beverage vessel detector, which may thereby inhibit detection of a beverage vessel with the first beverage vessel detector. 
     The uppermost support position of the beverage vessel support may be below the vertical position of the second beverage vessel detector, such that the second beverage vessel detector is operable to detect a beverage vessel on the beverage vessel support in the support position and, optionally, in an upper portion of the plurality of intermediate support positions. 
     The lowermost support position of the beverage vessel support may be below the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector, such that the first beverage vessel detector is operable to detect a beverage vessel on the beverage vessel support in the lowermost support position and, optionally, in a lower portion of the plurality of intermediate support positions. 
     The beverage vessel support apparatus may be configured such that when the beverage vessel support is at a support position below the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector, the first beverage vessel detector is used to detect the presence of a beverage vessel; and when the beverage vessel support is at a support position above the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector, the second beverage vessel detector is used to detect the presence of a beverage vessel. 
     The first beverage vessel detector may define a crossover position of the beverage vessel support. An upper portion of the plurality of positions of the beverage vessel support may be above the crossover position, and a lower portion of the plurality of positions of the beverage vessel support may be below the crossover position. At positions of the beverage vessel support below the crossover position, the apparatus may be configured such that the first beverage vessel detector detects the presence of a beverage vessel. At positions of the beverage vessel support above the crossover position, the apparatus may be configured such that the second beverage vessel detector detects the presence of a beverage vessel. 
     The beverage vessel support apparatus may further comprise a beverage vessel positioning element defining a preferred position for a beverage vessel on the beverage vessel support. One or more of the beverage vessel rim detector, and the first and second beverage vessel detectors may be configured or positioned to coincide substantially or approximately with a tangent of a beverage vessel having a circular cross-section, optionally a straight-sided cylindrical beverage vessel, when positioned in the preferred position. 
     In a second aspect, there is provided a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a beverage dispensing outlet for dispensing beverage into a beverage vessel; and a beverage vessel support apparatus according to the first aspect. The height-adjustable beverage vessel support is configured for supporting a beverage vessel at a plurality of different support positions relative to the beverage vessel dispensing outlet. The beverage dispensing outlet may be a beverage dispensing outlet of the beverage dispensing apparatus, or a beverage dispensing outlet of a beverage ingredient container. 
     According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of operating a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a beverage vessel support apparatus comprising: positioning a height-adjustable beverage vessel support at a lowermost support position; detecting, using a first beverage vessel detector at a first vertical position above the lowermost support position, whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support; detecting, using a beverage vessel rim detector, whether an uppermost part of a beverage vessel supported by the beverage vessel support is at an appropriate position for a beverage to be dispensed into the beverage vessel; and: a) dispensing a beverage if it is detected that a beverage vessel is present on the support and also that the uppermost part of the beverage vessel is at the appropriate position; or b) raising the beverage vessel support if it is detected that a beverage vessel is present on the support and also that the uppermost part of the beverage vessel is not at the appropriate position; then determining whether a support position of the beverage vessel support is above a vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector; and if it is determined that the support position is above the first beverage detector, detecting, using a second beverage vessel detector at a vertical position above the first beverage vessel detector whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support. 
     The method may further comprise detecting, during raising the beverage vessel support and using the beverage vessel rim detector, whether an uppermost part of a beverage vessel supported by the beverage vessel support is at an appropriate position for a beverage to be dispensed into the beverage vessel; and stopping the raising of the beverage vessel support if it is detected that the uppermost part of the beverage vessel is at the appropriate position; then dispensing a beverage. 
     If, after raising the beverage vessel support to an uppermost position, it is detected by the beverage vessel rim detector that an uppermost part of a beverage vessel supported by the beverage vessel support is not at an appropriate position for a beverage to be dispensed into the beverage vessel; then the second beverage vessel detector may be used to detect whether a beverage vessel remains present on the beverage vessel support. If it is detected that a beverage vessel remains present, then a beverage may be dispensed. 
     A controller may be provided to carry out the method of the second aspect described herein. 
     Any aspect may comprise any combination of the features and/or limitations referred to with respect to any of the other aspects described above, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive. 
     In another aspect, the invention may be a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a beverage dispensing outlet for dispensing a beverage; a movable support member having a top surface for supporting a beverage vessel below the beverage dispensing outlet, the movable support member comprising an inner telescoping element and an outer telescoping element; an actuation assembly operably coupled to the movable support member and configured to move the movable support member to modify a distance between the top surface of the movable support member and the beverage dispensing outlet; and wherein activation of the actuation assembly causes both the inner and outer telescoping elements to move simultaneously either towards or away from the beverage dispensing outlet. 
     In a further aspect, the invention may be a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing extending from a bottom end to a top end along a longitudinal axis; a beverage dispensing outlet for dispensing a beverage; a movable support member for supporting a beverage vessel below the beverage dispensing outlet, the movable support member comprising a first component and a second component; and an actuation assembly operably coupled to the movable support member so that upon activation of the actuation assembly the first component moves relative to the housing in one of a first vertical direction and a second vertical direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and the second component simultaneously moves relative to the first component in the same one of the first and second vertical directions. 
     In a still further aspect, the invention may be a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a housing; a beverage vessel support assembly comprising a support component that is detachably coupled to the housing, the support component comprising: a base member comprising a cavity, a top surface, and an opening in the top surface; and a movable support member at least partially positioned within the cavity of the base member; and an actuation assembly operably coupled to the movable support member and configured to move the movable support member relative to the base member between a plurality of support positions, wherein the movable support member extends through the opening in the base member and protrudes from the top surface of the base member in at least some of the plurality of support positions. 
     The aspects described above may provide a beverage vessel support apparatus for a beverage dispensing apparatus which can accommodate or permit the use of a greater range of beverage vessel sizes with automatic and safe operation. In particular, in order to provide automatic operation and beverage vessel positioning for vessels over a large range of vessel heights, a greater range of vertical movement of the beverage vessel support must be provided. However, this may mean that, at the higher elevations of the support required for small vessels, the beverage vessel support itself may block a beverage vessel sensor or otherwise inhibit its operation to detect the presence of a vessel. Accordingly, by providing a further beverage vessel detector at a higher vertical position, the presence of the vessel can still be verified during a vending operation to prevent vending if a vessel is removed during a vending operation. Furthermore, the aspects may allow for the use of very small vessels where the vessel rim would not reach the rim detector even in the highest support position, as the further beverage vessel detector may verify the presence of a vessel when the rim detector and lower vessel detector may be incapable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a beverage vessel support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the beverage dispensing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the beverage vessel support of the beverage dispensing apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is an exploded view of the beverage vessel support of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a partially exploded view of the beverage vessel support of  FIG. 3  illustrating a support component of the beverage vessel support detached from an actuation component of the beverage vessel support; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the beverage vessel support of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the beverage vessel support of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an inner telescoping element of a movable support member of the beverage vessel support of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the inner telescoping element of  FIG. 7  with a rotary element located therein; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of an outer telescoping element of the movable support member of the beverage vessel support of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 13  is a partially cut-away view of the beverage vessel support with the movable support member thereof in a lowermost position; 
         FIG. 14  is the partially cut-away view of the beverage vessel support of  FIG. 13  with the movable support member thereof in an uppermost position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of  FIG. 2  with the movable support member of the beverage vessel support in the lowermost position; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI of  FIG. 2  with the movable support member of the beverage vessel support in the lowermost position and with a vessel positioned on the movable support member; 
         FIG. 17  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 15  with the movable support member of the beverage vessel support in the uppermost position; and 
         FIG. 18  is the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 16  with the movable support member of the beverage vessel support in the uppermost position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a beverage dispensing apparatus  100  is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The beverage dispensing apparatus  100  comprises a beverage vessel support apparatus  200 , which will be described in more detail below. The beverage vessel support apparatus  200  comprises a beverage vessel support assembly  300  and a sensor apparatus  203 . The beverage dispensing apparatus  100  is generally configured to dispense beverages of various types into a beverage vessel (not shown) which is placed on a movable support member  202  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300  of the beverage vessel support apparatus  200 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  is configured to prepare hot beverages, such as coffee, for dispensing into a beverage vessel. In some examples, the beverages prepared by the apparatus  100  may be cold beverages, such as juices or chilled water. It should be understood that the present disclosure may be applicable to beverage dispensing apparatus or machines of many types. 
     The beverage dispensing apparatus  100  comprises a housing  110 , which is the main component of the beverage dispensing apparatus  100 . The housing  110  extends from a bottom end  111  to a top end  112  along an axis W-W. The housing  110  has an interior cavity that houses the electronics and other components that are required for proper operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  to create and dispense a beverage. In the exemplified embodiment, the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  receives a beverage ingredient container (not shown) in a container compartment  102  of the housing  100 . In a vending operation, heated water is pumped into the beverage ingredient container that is located within the container compartment  102 . As the heated water passes through the beverage ingredient in the beverage ingredient container, a beverage is made. The beverage (or prepared beverage) is the dispensed from the beverage ingredient container in the container compartment  102  through a beverage dispensing outlet  204  and into a beverage vessel which is positioned on the movable support member  202  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300 . 
     Accordingly, in the exemplified embodiment, the beverage dispensing outlet  204  is provided to position the ingredient container directly over the beverage vessel to deliver a prepared beverage to the vessel. In other embodiments, the prepared beverage may not be dispensed directly into the vessel from the container, and may be prepared within the apparatus  100  and directed, for example by a conduit system, to an alternatively configured beverage dispensing outlet of the apparatus  100  positioned above the beverage vessel support assembly  300 . Other configurations are also conceivable by one skilled in the art. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3-6 , the beverage vessel support assembly  300 , which is shown in isolation in perspective, exploded, top plan, and bottom plan views, respectively, will be described in greater detail. As noted above, the beverage vessel support assembly  300  generally comprises a support component  270  and an actuation component  271 . As best seen in  FIG. 4B , the support component  270  and the actuation component  271  are configured to be detached from one another, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below. 
     The support component  270  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300  comprises a base member  201  and the movable support member  202  on which a beverage vessel (or, simply, vessel) may be placed in order to vend beverage into the vessel, and these components will be described in greater detail below. The base member  201  comprises a base component  205  and a cover  206 . The base component  205  has a floor and sidewalls that collectively define a cavity  294  that is configured to retain an amount of liquid that may be dispensed from the beverage dispensing outlet  204  and not into a beverage vessel. The cover  206  closes the open top end of the cavity  294 . Furthermore, the cover  206  comprises a plurality of drainage apertures  208  that lead to the cavity  294  within the base member  201 . Thus, any part of a liquid/beverage that is dispensed and does not end up in the vessel/container may pass through the drainage apertures  208  in the cover  206  and flow into the cavity  294  of the base component  205  until the base component  205  is cleaned by a user/operator. The base member  205  may be designed with a pour spout  219  in one of its sidewalls to facilitate removal of liquid from the cavity  294 . In the exemplified embodiment, the cover  206  of the base member  201  also comprises an opening  207  and the movable support member  202  may extend through the opening  207  in the cover  206  of the base member  201 . Specifically, the movable support member  202  may be positioned within he cavity  294  of the base component  205  and a portion of the movable support member  202  may protrude through the opening  207  in the cover  206  of the base member  201 , depending on the particular height that the movable support member  202  is adjusted to as described herein below. 
     The base component  205  comprises a floor  227  and one or more lifting members  228  protruding from the floor  227 . In the exemplified embodiment, there are three of the lifting members  228 , but the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and fewer or greater than three of the lifting members  228  may be included in other embodiments. Each of the lifting members  228  comprises a follower member  229  that rides along a track a component of the movable support member  202  as described in more detail below. The base component  205  and all of its parts are stationary during operation of the movable support member  202 . Thus, the lifting members  228  are fixedly coupled to the floor  227  of the base component  205  and they do not move during operation of the apparatus. Specifically, the lifting members  228  have a role in the movement of the movable support member  202 , which will be described in greater detail below, but their role is achieved without the lifting members  228  being required to move. 
     Furthermore, as best shown in  FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 , the beverage vessel support assembly  300 , and more specifically the actuation component  271  thereof, comprises an actuation assembly  209 . The actuation assembly  209  comprises a plate member  260  (which includes an upper plate  260   a  and a lower plate  260   b  that are coupled together when the plate member  260  is assembled) as well as the components that operate to move the movable support member  202  between a lowermost position (see  FIG. 15 ) and an uppermost position (see  FIG. 17 ). Specifically, the actuation assembly  209  generally comprises a motor  216  and a gear train  218  that are operably coupled to the plate member  260 . More specifically, the motor  216  is located on a top surface of the plate member  260  and the gears of the gear train  218  are located on a bottom surface of the plate member  260 . Stated another way, the motor  216  is coupled to the upper plate  260   a  of the plate member  260  and the gear train  218  is coupled to the lower plate  260   b  of the plate member  260 . In the exemplified embodiment, the motor  216  and the gear train  218  are coupled to the plate member  260  of the actuation component  271  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300 . Specifically, when the upper and lower plate members  260   a ,  260   b  are coupled together, the motor  216  is coupled to the gear train  218 , as described in more detail below. The actuation component  271  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300  is configured to be positioned within the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  in a fixed manner Thus, while the support component  270  can be detached from the remainder of the beverage dispensing apparatus  100 , the actuation component  271  remains coupled to the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  at all times (although in other embodiments it may be possible to remove the actuation component  271  from the housing  110 ). 
     The gear train  218  is a rack and pinion-type gear train in the exemplified embodiment, but it could take on other forms in other embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, the gear train  218  generally comprises a driver gear  290  that is coupled directly to the motor  216  (when the upper and lower plates  260   a ,  260   b  are coupled together) so that the driver gear  290  rotates when the motor  216  is activated and rotating, two idler gears  291   a ,  291   b , and a driven gear  292 . The driven gear  292  interacts with a rack  293 , which is operably coupled to the movable support member  202  such that movement of the rack  293  due to interaction with the driven gear  292  causes the movable support member  202  to move between the lowermost and uppermost positions. The motor  216  is operably coupled to a power source (not shown) and there may be a switch between the motor  216  and the power source to control activation of the motor  216  and hence also height adjustment of the movable support member  202  as described herein. Other configurations for adjusting the height of the movable support member  202  are also conceivable, such as hydraulic or pneumatic actuation. Furthermore, the rack  293  could be replaced with another gear. Moreover, in the exemplified embodiment the rack  293  is arcuate shaped, but in other embodiments it could be linear while still achieving the same function described herein. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, each of the gears  290 - 292  of the gear train  218  lie in the same plane. Specifically, bottom surfaces of the driver gear  290 , the idler gears  291   a ,  291   b , and the driven gear  292  are coplanar. This helps to make the device with a low-profile while still enabling it to have the movable support member  202  as described herein. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-6  with a particular reference to  FIG. 4A , in the exemplified embodiment the movable support member  202  is a double-helix telescoping apparatus that enables the movable support member  202  to have a low profile when in the lowermost position while enabling it to more than double in height when extended to the uppermost position. In that regard, the movable support member  202  comprises an inner telescoping element  210  and an outer telescoping element  212  (the inner and outer telescoping elements  210 ,  212  may be referred to as a first component and a second component, whereas the first component could refer to either one of the inner and outer telescoping elements and the second component could refer to either one of the inner and outer telescoping elements). In the exemplified embodiment, the outer telescoping element  212  at least partially surrounds the inner telescoping element  210 , although a greater portion of the inner telescoping element  210  may be surrounded by the outer telescoping element  212  in the lowermost position ( FIG. 15 ) than the uppermost position ( FIG. 17 ). 
     Furthermore, the beverage vessel support assembly  300  also comprises a rotator assembly  214 . The rotator assembly  214  is positioned functionally between the actuation assembly  209  and the movable support member  202 . Thus, the actuation assembly  209  causes the rotator assembly  214  to rotate, which in turn causes the movable support member  202  to alter between the lowermost and uppermost positions as described further herein below. The rotator assembly  214  generally comprises an engagement plate  261  that interacts with the rack  293  to rotate the engagement plate  261 , a shaft  262  protruding from a top surface of the engagement plate  261 , and a rotator member  263  that interacts with the inner telescoping element  210  as described in more detail below. The engagement plate  261 , the shaft  262 , and the rotator member  263  are coupled together so that rotation of any one of those components results in rotation of all of those components. Thus, as the engagement plate  261  is made to rotate as described below, so too does the shaft  262  and the rotator member  263  rotate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 6 , the interaction between the gear train  218  and the rotator assembly  214  that causes the rotator assembly  214  to rotate will be described. In the exemplified embodiment, the engagement plate  261  is a round-shaped plate having a peripheral edge  264 . The peripheral edge  264  of the engagement plate  261  comprises a notch  265 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the rack  293  that is operably coupled to the driven gear  292  of the gear train  218  comprises a protuberance  295  that nests within the notch  265  in the peripheral edge  264  of the engagement plate  261 . Thus, as the rack  293  is made to move via interaction with the driven gear  292  of the gear train  218 , that movement is imparted to the engagement plate  261  due to the protuberance  295  of the rack  293  being located within the notch  265  of the engagement plate  261 . Thus, as the rack  293  rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the engagement plate  261  (and hence the entirety of the rotator assembly  214 ) moves the same amount in the same direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A, 8, and 9 , the rotator member  263  is coupled directly to a distal end of the shaft  262 . As a result, as the engagement plate  261  and the shaft  262  rotate due to the engagement between the engagement plate  261  and the rack  293 , the rotator member  263  also rotates. In the exemplified embodiment, the engagement plate  261  and the shaft  262  form a part of a unitary structure (see, for example,  FIG. 9 ) and the rotator member  263  is mechanically coupled to the shaft  262 . The rotator member  263  comprises a hub portion  266  and a plurality of engagement members  224  extending from the hub portion  266  in a circumferentially spaced apart manner Each of the engagement members  224  terminates in a distal edge  225  that, in the exemplified embodiment, is concave. The purpose of having the distal edges  225  of the engagement member  224  with a concave shape will be better understood from the description below regarding the interaction between the rotator member  263  and the inner telescoping element  210 . In alternative embodiments, the distal edges  225  of the engagement member  224  could be convex as will be discussed below as well. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the inner telescoping element  210  will be described in greater detail, followed by an additional description of  FIGS. 8 and 9  to describe the interaction between the rotator member  263  of the rotator assembly  214  with the inner telescoping element  210 . The inner telescoping element  210  is a cylindrical shaped structure (or more specifically a ring-shaped structure) in the exemplified embodiment having an inner surface  310  and an outer surface  311 . Furthermore, the inner telescoping element  210  extends from a bottom end  312  to a top end  313  along a central axis Z-Z. The inner telescoping element  210  is a hollow ring-shaped structure such that the inner surface  310  thereof surrounds an empty space. Furthermore, there are openings formed into the top and bottom ends  312 ,  313  of the inner telescoping element  210 . 
     The inner telescoping element  210  comprises a plurality of vertically extending protrusions  220  that extend from the inner surface  310  in a circumferentially spaced apart manner. In the exemplified embodiment, there are three of the vertically extending protrusions  220 , but more or less than three of the vertically extending protrusions  220  may be used in various different embodiments. Each of the vertically extending protrusions  220  extends from the bottom end  312  of the inner telescoping element  210  to the top end  313  of the inner telescoping element  210  in the exemplified embodiment, although the exact height of the vertically extending protrusions  220  may be modified in alternative embodiments. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the vertically extending protrusions  220  has a convex outer surface  221  that faces the central axis Z-Z of the inner telescoping element  210  to facilitate engagement between the distal edges  225  of the engagement members  224  of the rotator member  263  therewith, as described further below with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     In alternative embodiments, the vertically extending protrusions  220  could be replaced with vertically extending recesses or indents having the same geographical imprint. The vertically extending protrusions  220  are designed to engage with the concave distal ends  225  of the engagement members  224  whereas vertically extending recesses would be designed to engage with engagement members  224  if they had convex distal ends. Of course, other features could be provided as alternatives to the vertically extending protrusions  220  and the engagement members  224  while still ensuring that the rotator member  263  can be operably coupled to the inner telescoping element  210  as described herein. 
     The inner telescoping element  210  also comprises a plurality of ramp elements. Each of the ramp elements  226  extends along a portion of the inner surface  310  of the inner telescoping element  210  and as it extends circumferentially it also extends from the bottom end  312  to the top end  313  of the inner telescoping element  210 . Thus, the ramp elements  226  are helical in the exemplified embodiment. The ramp elements  226  protrude from the inner surface  310  of the inner telescoping element  210  and they comprise a top surface  314  and a bottom surface  315 . In the exemplified embodiment, there are three of the ramp elements  226  but in other embodiments different numbers of ramp elements could be used. Each of the ramp elements  226  extends between two adjacent ones of the vertically extending protrusions  220 . Thus, each of the ramp elements  226  has a first end  316  that is coupled to or adjacent to an outer surface of one of the vertically extending protrusions  220  and a second end  317  that is coupled to or adjacent to an outer surface of another one of the vertically extending protrusions  220 . The ramp elements  226  are helically arranged such that the first and second ends  316 ,  317  thereof are at different elevations. 
     Finally, the inner telescoping element  210  comprises a plurality of projections  230  that extend radially outward from the outer surface  311  of the inner telescoping element  210  at the top end  313  thereof. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the projections  230  protrudes from the outer surface  311  and/or from the top end  313  of the inner telescoping element  210 . The projections  230  are arranged in a circumferentially spaced apart manner. In the exemplified embodiment, there are three of the projections  230 , although more or less than three of the projections  230  may be used in other embodiments. The projections  230  interact with a portion of the outer telescoping elements  212  in order to facilitate the telescoping movement thereof during transition of the movable support member  202  between the lowermost and uppermost positions. 
     Turning again to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the interaction between the rotator member  263  of the rotator assembly  214  with the inner telescoping element  210  of the movable support member  202  will be described. The rotator member  263  is suspended within the interior of the inner telescoping element  210  due to its coupling to the shaft  262  as described above. Furthermore, the rotator member  263  is oriented so that each of the engagement members  224  of the rotator member  263  is aligned with one of the vertically extending protrusions  220  of the inner telescoping element  210 . More specifically, the concave distal edges  225  of each of the engagement members  224  is in contact with the outer surface  221  of one of the vertically extending protrusions  220 . Due to this contact, as the rotator member  263  rotates via its operable coupling to the gear train  218  and motor  216 , the inner telescoping element  210  also rotates. Furthermore, the inner telescoping element  210  will rotate the same amount/distance as the rotator member  263  due to the coupling of those two components to one another. 
     Moreover, as can be seen in  FIG. 8  (and also in  FIGS. 13 and 14  which will be described below), the lifting elements  228  of the base component  205  are in engagement with the ramp elements  226  of the inner telescoping element  210 . More specifically, the follower member  229  of each of the lifting elements  228  comprises a channel  239  (labeled in  FIGS. 4A, 9 and 14 ) within which the ramp elements  226  nest. As noted above, the lifting elements  228  and the follower members  229  thereof are formed integrally with the base component  205  and therefore they are fixed or non-movable. Therefore, as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates in a counterclockwise direction (due to its engagement with the rotatory element  263  that rotates), the inner telescoping element  210  is forced to move vertically upward. As the inner telescoping element  210  rotates in a clockwise direction, the inner telescoping element  210  is forced to move vertically downward. Specifically, because the ramp element  226  is helical, as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates, the engagement between the ramp elements  226  and the lifting elements  228  forces the inner telescoping element  210  to move vertically upwardly and downwardly dependent upon the direction of rotation of the inner telescoping element  210 . 
     Thus, as the inner telescoping element  210  is rotated clockwise, the lifting elements  228  engage with the ramp elements  226  and the inner telescoping element  210  is lifted vertically as it rotates and as the inner telescoping element  210  is rotated counterclockwise, the lifting elements  228  engage with the ramp elements  226  and the inner telescoping element  210  is lowered vertically as it rotates. As the vertically extending protrusions  220  extend vertically from the uppermost to the lowermost edges of the inner telescoping element  210 , the engaging portions  224  of the rotator member  263  remain in contact with the inner telescoping element  210  at all times during its vertical movement. It should be appreciated that the components of the rotator assembly  214  (the engagement plate  261 , the shaft  262 , and the rotator member  263 ) rotate, but they do not move vertically upwardly or downwardly. Rather, the inner telescoping element  210  moves upwardly/downwardly relative to the rotator assembly  214  and the rotator assembly  214  remains at the same elevation at all times. Stated another way, the movable support member  202  moves upwardly/downwardly but the rotator assembly  214  does not. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the outer telescoping element  212  will be described. The outer telescoping element  212  is generally cylindrical shaped, or more specifically ring-shape because it has a hollow interior. The outer telescoping element  212  comprises an inner surface  320  and an outer surface  321  and the outer telescoping element  212  extends from a bottom end  322  to a top end  323  along a central axis Y-Y. Because the outer telescoping element  212  is ring-shaped, the inner surface  320  thereof surrounds an empty space and there are openings in both the bottom and top ends  322 ,  323 . The outer telescoping element  212  comprises a plurality of tracks  232  on the inner surface  320 . More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment there are three of the tracks  232 , although more or less than three of the tracks  232  could be used in other embodiments. Each of the tracks  232  comprises a first protrusion  324  and a second protrusion  325  that are spaced apart from one another by a gap that forms a channel  326  of the track  232 . 
     Each of the tracks  232  are helical in that they extend around a portion of the inner surface  320  of the outer telescoping element  212  and as they extend circumferentially, they also extend at upwardly or downwardly (depending on the circumferential direction). Thus, the tracks  232  have a first end  327  that is located at or adjacent to the bottom end  322  of the outer telescoping element  212  and a second end  328  that is located at or adjacent to the top end  323  of the outer telescoping element  212 , with the first and second ends  327 ,  328  being circumferentially offset from one another. 
     The outer telescoping element  212  also comprises a first annular flange  329  extending radially inward from the inner surface  320  along the bottom end  322  and a second annular flange  330  extending radially inward from the inner surface  320  along the top end  323 . The first end  327  of the tracks  232  abut the first annular flange  329  and the second end  328  of the tracks  232  abut the second annular flange  330 . As will be described further below, the projections  230  of the inner telescoping element  210  ride along the tracks  232  within the channels  326  thereof and thus the first and second annular flanges  329 ,  330  prevent the projections  230  from being removed from the channels  326  of the tracks  232 . 
     Finally, the outer telescoping element  212  comprises an anti-rotation feature  331 . In the exemplified embodiment, the anti-rotation feature  331  is a protrusion extending from the outer surface  321  of the outer telescoping element  212 . Referring briefly to FIG.  1 , in the assembled beverage dispensing apparatus  100 , the anti-rotation feature  331  of the outer telescoping element  212  nests within a recess (or anti-rotation feature)  101  of the beverage dispensing apparatus  100 . This interaction between the anti-rotation feature  331  and the recess  101  ensures that the outer telescoping element  212  does not rotate. As will be appreciated from the description below, preventing rotation of the outer telescoping element  212  ensures that the outer telescoping element  212  is able to move vertically rather than simply spin in place. Thus, the engagement of the anti-rotation feature  331  in the vertically extending recess  101  (or guide track) prevents rotation of the outer telescoping element  212  and restricts its movement path to a purely vertical translation, preventing rotation. 
     Although the anti-rotation feature  331  is illustrated as a protrusion in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the anti-rotation feature  331  may be a recess and the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  may comprise a protrusion that interacts with the recess to prevent rotation of the outer telescoping element  212 . Other structural features are also possible for the anti-rotation feature  331  within the scope of the invention set forth herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, 4A, 4B, and 5 , a perforated cover element  215  is provided on the upper surface of the movable support member  202  onto which a beverage vessel may be placed during use. The perforations in the cover element  215  permit waste liquid to drain to the cavity  294  (i.e., a waste liquid compartment) of the base component  205 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII of  FIG. 5  through the support component  270  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300 . This view shows the interaction between the follower members  229  of the lifting members  228  and the ramp elements  226  of the inner telescoping elements  210 . The interaction between the rotator member  263  and the inner telescoping element  210  is also visible. However, the interaction between the projections  230  of the inner telescoping element  210  and the tracks  232  of the outer telescoping element  212  is not shown in this view, but that interaction is shown in and will be described with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 .  FIG. 12  is labeled with reference numerals consistent with the description provided above to provide an understanding of the interaction between all of the various components, features, and elements. A detailed description of each component will not be specifically provided with regards to  FIG. 12  in the interest of brevity. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the interaction of the components of the movable support member  202  and that rotator assembly  214  that enable the movable support member  202  to move vertically for height adjustment will be described.  FIG. 13  illustrates the movable support member  202  in the lowermost position and  FIG. 14  illustrates the movable support member  202  in the uppermost position. As can be seen, and as will be described again with reference to  FIGS. 15 and 17 , the movable support member  202  is configured to more than double in height in the uppermost position as compared to the lowermost position. When the components of the movable support member  202  are fully assembled, the inner telescoping element  210  is located within the interior of the outer telescoping element  212  and the rotator member  263  is located within the interior of the inner telescoping element  212 . These components are concentrically arranged in the exemplified embodiment. 
     As seen in these figures, the engagement members  224  of the rotator member  263  are in contact with the vertically extending protrusions  220  of the inner telescoping element so that any rotational movement of the rotator member  263  (which occurs due to its operable coupling to the gear train  218  and rack  293  via the engagement plate  261 ) will result in the same rotational movement of the inner telescoping element  210 . Furthermore, each of the ramp elements  226  of the inner telescoping element  210  are located within the channel  239  of the follower member  229  of one of the lifting members  228 . Thus, as the inner telescoping element  210  is made to rotate by the rotator member  263 , the ramp elements  226  of the inner telescoping element  210  ride within the channels  239  of the follower members  229  of the lifting members  228 , which causes the inner telescoping element  210  to move vertically upward. Specifically, the because the ramp elements  226  are helical such that their two ends are at different elevations, as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates it will be forced upwards so long as the ramp elements  226  are located within the channels  239  of the follower members  229  of the lifting members  228 . It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the follower member  229  could comprise a feature such as a protrusion or the like that nests within a helical channel or trackin the inner surface  310  of the inner telescoping element  210  with the same effect. 
     Furthermore, as seen in  FIG. 14  and mentioned previously above, the projections  230  of the inner telescoping element  210  are positioned within the tracks  232 , and more specifically within the channels  326  of the tracks  232 , of the outer telescoping element  212 . The projections  230  are prevented from being removed from the channels  326  of the tracks  232  by the first and second annular flanges  329 ,  330 . Moreover, the outer telescoping element  212  is prevented from rotating due to the interaction between the anti-rotation feature  331  of the outer telescoping element  212  and the recess  101  discussed above (not shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 ). As a result, as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates and moves upwardly, the projections  230  ride within the channels  326  of the tracks  232 , which causes the outer telescoping element  212  to also move upwardly. Thus, each upward movement of the movable support member  202  is doubled because both of the inner and outer telescoping elements  210 ,  212  move upwardly at the same time. The outer telescoping element  212  does not just move because the inner telescoping element  210  moves. Rather, the outer telescoping element  212  moves vertically relative to the inner telescoping element  210  as the inner telescoping element  210  is also moving vertically. Thus, if the inner telescoping element  210  moves vertically a first distance, the outer telescoping element  210  will move vertically a second distance which is greater than the first distance. 
     Specifically, as the movable support member  202  moves vertically upwards, a distance between the top end  313  of the inner telescoping element  210  and the top end  323  of the outer telescoping element  212  increases because the outer telescoping element  212  is moving relative to the inner telescoping element  210 . Similarly, as the movable support member  202  moves vertically downwards, the distance between the top end  313  of the inner telescoping element  210  and the top end  323  of the outer telescoping element  212  decreases because the outer telescoping element  212  is moving relative to the inner telescoping element  210 . 
     Furthermore, it should be appreciated that by reversing the direction of the motor, the components will rotate in the opposite direction to cause the movable support member  202  (the inner and outer telescoping elements  210 ,  212 ) to move downwardly instead of upwardly. Using the interaction and components noted above, the movable support member  202  is movable from the lowermost position ( FIG. 13 ) to the uppermost position ( FIG. 14 ) and any position therebetween. As should be appreciated, once the actuation assembly  209  is activated so that the motor  216  (and hence also the gears of the gear train  218 ) is rotating, both of the inner and outer telescoping elements  210  move simultaneously either towards or away from the beverage dispensing outlet  204 . 
     Accordingly, as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates and the projections  230  rotate, they are urged along the tracks  232 . As noted above, the outer telescoping element  212  does not rotate with the inner telescoping element  210  in the exemplified embodiment. Thus, the projections  230  urge the outer telescoping element  212  vertically upwards (or downwards) as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates. Specifically, as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates clockwise, the interaction between the projections  230  and the tracks  232  forces the outer telescoping element  212  to move vertically upwards because the tracks  232  are angled downwardly in the clockwise direction. Similarly, as the inner telescoping element  210  rotates counterclockwise, the interaction between the projections  230  and the tracks  232  forces the outer telescoping element  212  to move vertically downwards because the tracks  232  are angled upwardly in the counterclockwise direction. 
     As both the inner and outer telescoping elements  210 ,  212  have respective helical ramping, this arrangement will be generally described herein as a “double-helix” configuration. The helical tracks  232  and the helical ramps  226  are angled in opposite directions. Specifically, moving clockwise within the inner and outer telescoping elements  210 ,  212 , the helical ramps  226  are angled upwardly and the helical tracks  232  are angled downwardly. This configuration greatly increases the vertical distance that the movable support member  202  can travel with only a small angular rotation of the motor  216 . Accordingly, the movable support member  202  can accommodate a large range of vessel heights. Of course, although in the exemplified embodiment the movable support member  202  is formed in the double-helix configuration described above, it should be appreciated that other configurations for adjusting the height or vertical position of a beverage vessel support are also possible. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the arrangement and operation of the beverage vessel support apparatus  200  will be described with reference to the full beverage dispensing apparatus  100  rather than just the movable support member  202  thereof.  FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view of the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  as viewed on the plane shown in  FIG. 2  in the directions of the arrows XV-XV.  FIG. 16  shows a cross-sectional view of the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  as viewed on the plane shown in  FIG. 2  in the opposing direction as shown by the arrows XVI-XVI. The description below will include a discussion of the sensor apparatus  203  and the role it plays in the overall operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus  100 . 
     The beverage vessel support apparatus  200  comprises a height-adjustable beverage vessel support, in this case the movable support member  202  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300  described above. As discussed above, the movable support member  202  is height-adjustable such that it is configured for supporting a beverage vessel at a plurality of different support positions. In other words, the movable support member  202  can support a beverage vessel over a range of different vertical heights. The beverage vessel support apparatus  200  also comprises the actuation assembly  209  configured for adjusting a height of the movable support member  202 . An exemplary actuation assembly  209  is discussed above, but other types of actuators can be envisaged. As illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the movable support member  202  is arranged at its lowermost vertical position. When it is not performing a vending operation, the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  is configured to maintain the movable support member  202  at this lowermost position. 
     The sensor apparatus  203  of the beverage vessel support apparatus  200  comprises a beverage vessel rim detector  236  that comprises a rim emitter  236   a  and a rim receiver  236   b  configured on opposing sides of the beverage vessel support apparatus  200  at a vertical position proximate the beverage dispensing outlet  204 . The beverage vessel rim detector  236  is configured to determine whether an uppermost part of a beverage vessel supported by the beverage vessel support assembly  300  is at an appropriate position for a beverage to be dispensed into the beverage vessel. In particular, the rim emitter  236   a  emits light, such as infrared light which, when no obstruction is present between the rim emitter  236   a  and the rim receiver  236   b , is measured as an intensity at the rim receiver  236   b . If an object is placed between the rim emitter  236   a  and the rim receiver  236   b , then the intensity measured at the rim receiver  236   b  reduces, which indicates the presence of an object at the vertical position of the rim detector  236 . Thus, if the rim or uppermost part of a beverage vessel breaks the line-of-sight between the rim emitter  236   a  and the rim receiver  236   b , then this can be detected. This type of sensor emitter-receiver detector shall be referred to herein as a beam-break detector. 
     The beverage vessel support apparatus  200  further comprises a first beverage vessel detector  238  arranged at a low vertical position proximate the support surface of the movable support member  202 . The first beverage vessel detector  238  comprises a first emitter  238   a  and a first receiver  238   b  and operates as a beam-break detector in a similar fashion to the rim detector  236  described above. The first beverage vessel detector  238  is configured to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support  202 . It will be understood that, if a beverage vessel is placed on the beverage vessel support  202 , then this will break the line-of-sight between the first emitter  238   a  and the first receiver  238   b . An exemplary vessel V is illustrated in ghost-form in  FIG. 16  showing how a vessel may break the line-of-sight of the first beverage vessel detector  238  and be detected. 
     The beverage vessel support apparatus  200  further comprises a second beverage vessel detector  240  arranged at an intermediate vertical position between the vertical positions of the beverage vessel rim detector  236  and the first beverage vessel detector  238 . Like the other detectors  236 ,  238 , the second beverage vessel detector  240  comprises a second emitter  240   a  and a second receiver  240   b  and is configured as a beam-break detector. The second beverage vessel detector  240  is also configured to determine whether a beverage vessel is present on the beverage vessel support. 
     The plurality of support positions of the height-adjustable movable support member  202  comprise a lowermost support position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , and an uppermost support position as illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The movable support member  202  can also take a plurality of intermediate support positions between the lowermost and uppermost support positions shown. 
     As the beverage vessel support apparatus  200  defaults the movable support member  202  to the lowermost position shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16  when not vending a beverage, when a user places a beverage vessel on the movable support member  20 , this will always be detected by the lower first beverage vessel detector  238 , provided that the vessel is of sufficient height to break the line-of-sight of the detector  238 . The vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector  238  is configured such that most typical beverage vessels shall be detected. In this example, any beverage vessel of at least 50 mm in height shall be detected by the first beverage vessel detector  238 . Accordingly, any vessel over this minimum height will be detected when placed upon the beverage vessel support  202  in the lowermost position. Accordingly, the second beverage vessel detector  238  is redundant at this time and is not utilised to save power. 
     When a vending operation is requested by a user, the beverage vessel support apparatus  200  first checks, using the first beverage vessel detector  238 , that a beverage vessel has been placed on the movable support member  20 . If no vessel is detected, then the user may be presented with an alert, such as a visual or audio alert that the vend is not possible as no vessel is present or too small a vessel is present. If the presence of a vessel is detected by the first beverage vessel detector  238 , then the rim detector  236  is then utilized to determine whether the uppermost part or rim of the vessel is at an appropriate position for beverage to be dispensed. If the rim of the vessel is too low (or too far from the beverage dispensing outlet  204 , dispensing of the beverage into the vessel could cause the beverage to splash out of the vessel creating a mess. Thus, it is typically desirable to have the rim of the vessel located at or near the rim detector  236 . 
     If it is detected by the rim detector  236  that the rim is at the appropriate height, then the dispensing begins. However, if no rim is detected by the rim detector  236 , then the motor  216  is initiated to raise the movable support member  202 , as described in great detail above. For taller beverage vessels, only a small raising of the movable support member  202  may be required to cause the rim to be detected. If the rim is detected during raising of the beverage vessel support assembly  300 , then the motor  216  is deactivated. However, the presence of the vessel must now be re-verified in order to avoid dispensing beverage if the vessel was removed during the raising operation. For taller vessels, movable support member  202  may not have risen above the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector  238 , in which case the vessel presence can be re-verified by the same detector. However, for smaller beverage vessels, the beverage vessel support may have risen above the first beverage vessel detector  238 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18 , show the scenario in which the movable support member  202  has risen above the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector  238 . In such a situation, the first beverage vessel detector  238  is no longer able to determine whether a vessel is still present on the beverage vessel support assembly  300 , as it is now blocked by the movable support member  202 . In this particular configuration, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the vessel V is actually too short to be detected by the rim detector  236  and thus the movable support member  202  has risen to its uppermost vertical limit position. The range of positions of the movable support member  202  below the first beverage vessel detector  238  may be known as a lower portion of the positions, and the range of positions of the movable support member  202  above the detector  238  may be known as an upper portion of the positions. The vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector  238  may be known as a cross-over position, for reasons which will become apparent below. 
     An encoder or similar may be provided (not shown) in order to determine the height or vertical position of the movable support member  202 . If it is determined that, after stopping the raising of the movable support member  202  due to rim detection or reaching the uppermost limit position, the movable support member  202  is above the cross-over position where the first beverage vessel detector  238  is blocked, then it is determined that the second beverage vessel detector  240  must now be used. The uppermost support position of the movable support member  202  is below the vertical position of the second beverage vessel detector  240 , so the detector  240  may always be used to detect the presence of a vessel at all positions of the beverage vessel support assembly  300 . 
     Thus, the beverage vessel support apparatus  200  is configured such that when the movable support member  202  is at a support position below the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector  238  (a.k.a. the crossover position), the first beverage vessel detector  238  is used to detect the presence of a beverage vessel before dispensing beverage, and when the movable support member  202  is at a support position above the vertical position of the first beverage vessel detector  238 , then the second beverage vessel detector  240  is used to detect the presence of a beverage vessel before dispensing beverage. A controller may be provided to carry out the method of operation of the beverage dispensing apparatus, and in particular the beverage vessel support apparatus  200 , described herein. Accordingly, using the beverage vessel support apparatus  200  according to the present disclosure may provide a beverage vessel support apparatus  200  for a beverage dispensing apparatus  100  which can accommodate or permit the use of a greater range of beverage vessel sizes with automatic and safe operation. In particular, in order to provide automatic operation and beverage vessel positioning for vessels over a large range of vessel heights, a greater range of vertical movement of the movable support member  202  of the beverage vessel support assembly  300  must be provided. However, this may mean that, at the higher elevations of the support required for small vessels, the movable support member  202  may block a beverage vessel sensor or otherwise inhibit its operation to detect the presence of a vessel. Accordingly, by providing a further beverage vessel detector at a higher vertical position, the presence of the vessel can still be verified during a vending operation to prevent vending if a vessel is removed during a vending operation. Furthermore, the aspects may allow for the use of very small vessels where the vessel rim would not reach the rim detector even in the highest support position, as the further beverage vessel detector may verify the presence of a vessel when the rim detector and lower vessel detector may be incapable. In addition, as the movable support member  202  may block the first beverage vessel detector, the movable support member  202  may be used also be used to test that the beverage vessel support actuator is operating correctly, as the detector should give a positive after a predetermined operation of the actuator, such as a fixed number of motor revolutions. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the movable support member  202  may have a first height H1 measured from a bottom surface  199  of the base member  201  to a top surface  198  of the movable support member  202  when the movable support member  202  is in its lowermost position. Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 17 , the movable support member  202  may have a second height H2 measured from the bottom surface  199  of the base member  201  to the top surface  198  of the movable support member  202  when the movable support member  202  is in its uppermost position. In some embodiments, the second height H2 may be at least twice the first height H1. In other embodiments, the second height H2 may be more than twice the first height H1. Thus, a ratio of H2:H1 may be at least 2:1, or in other embodiments at least 2.1:1. In some embodiments, the first height H1 may be between 42 mm and 52 mm, and more specifically 45 mm an d 50 mm, and H2 may be between 95 mm and 105 mm, and more specifically between 98 mm and 102 mm. 
     Furthermore, in the lowermost position, the movable support member  202  has a third height H3 measured from a bottom surface  197  thereof to the top surface  198  thereof. In the uppermost position, the movable support member  202  has a fourth height H4 measured from the bottom surface  197  thereof to the top surface  198  thereof. Thus, a ratio of the third height H3 to the fourth height H4 may be at least 1.5:1 in some embodiments, or at least 1.6:1 in other embodiments, or at least 1.7:1 in still other embodiments. In some embodiments, the third height H3 may be between 63 mm and 73 mm, and more specifically between 65 mm and 70 mm, and the fourth height may be between 35 mm and 45 mm, and more specifically between 38 mm and 42 mm. 
     The beverage vessel support apparatus  200  further comprises a beverage vessel positioning element  242 , which defines a preferred position for a beverage vessel on the movable support member  202 . The beverage vessel rim detector  236 , and the first and second beverage vessel detectors  238 ,  240  may be configured or positioned to coincide substantially or approximately with a tangent of a beverage vessel having a circular cross-section, optionally a straight-sided cylindrical beverage vessel, when positioned in the preferred position. This may improve the detection of vessels which are transparent or translucent, as a thickest part of the vessel may be present between the detector emitters and receivers. 
     Thus, using the components described herein, the movable support member  202  can be height-adjusted so that its top surface  198  can be positioned at different elevations relative to a horizontal support surface on which the beverage dispensing apparatus  100  is positioned (such as a countertop or the like). Stated another way, the movable support member  202  can be height-adjusted so that its top surface  198  is located at varying distances below the beverage dispensing outlet  204 . As seen in  FIGS. 15 and 17 , movement of the movable support member  202  modifies a distance between the top surface  198  of the movable support member  202  and the beverage dispensing outlet  204 . Thus, in the lowermost position of  FIG. 15  the top surface  198  of the movable support member  202  is located a greater distance away from the beverage dispensing outlet  204  than in the uppermost position of  FIG. 17 . The top surface  198  of the movable support member  202  can be located at any position between the lowermost position of  FIG. 15  and the uppermost position of  FIG. 17  and thus the distance between the top surface  198  of the movable support member  202  and the beverage dispensing outlet  204  can be any distance between and including the distance shown in  FIG. 15  and the distance shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.