Patent Publication Number: US-2023141811-A1

Title: Beverage dispensing machine with cup dispenser

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The application claims priority of US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/277,359, filed on Nov. 9, 2021, the contents of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to beverage dispensing systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to automated beverage dispensing systems for automatically selecting and placing a cup, dispensing a beverage into the cup, and staging filled cups for delivery to a customer. 
     Automated beverage dispensing systems are known in the fields of fast and quick service restaurants. Automated beverage dispensing systems automate, or partially automate the act of filling cups with beverages to fulfill customer orders. 
     Examples of automated beverage dispensing systems are disclosed in the following patent references, which are hereby each incorporated by reference herein in their entireties: 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,279,652; 4,418,837; 4,426,017; and 5,518,149 all disclose examples of cup dispensing devices. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,045,323; 9,290,371; 9,944,472; 10,239,742; and 10,689,241 all disclose linear configurations for transport of cups for loading, filling, and/or staging by a beverage machine. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,053,359; 6,102,246; and 10,689,240 disclose carousel-style configurations for transport of cups for loading, filling, and/or staging by a beverage machine. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,669,732; 8,225,960; 9,204,734; 9,656,849; 10,515,327; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0273283; and U.S. Patent Application No. 17/493,257 all disclose other features which may be incorporated into examples of beverage dispensing machine as disclosed in further detail herein. 
     BRIEF DISCLOSURE 
     In an example of an automated beverage dispensing machine having a front and a back and a first side opposite a second side, a conveyance system defines a plurality of cup locations and operates to sequentially move the plurality of cup locations through a plurality of indexed locations. A cup dispensing machine is configured to receive a supply of cups. The cup dispensing machine is operable to dispense a cup to a cup loading location that coincides with an indexed location of the plurality of indexed locations. A beverage dispensing machine is configured to dispense a beverage at a beverage dispense location of the plurality of indexed locations. A computer associates an ordered beverage to a cup location of the plurality of cup locations. The computer maintains a record of a status of the cup location and the position of the cup location relative to the plurality of indexed locations. 
     An example of an automated beverage dispensing machine includes a front and a back and a first side opposite a second side. A conveyance system defines a plurality of cup locations each with a respective cup holder. The conveyance system operates to sequentially move the plurality of cup locations through a circuit comprising a plurality of indexed locations. A cup dispensing machine receives a first supply of cups at a first dispensing assembly. The first dispensing assembly includes a first selective release device. The first dispensing assembly coincides with a first indexed location of the plurality of indexed locations. The cup dispensing machine is configured to receive a second supply of cups at a second dispensing assembly. The second dispensing assembly includes a second selective release device. The second dispensing assembly coincides with a second indexed location of the plurality of indexed locations. The cup dispensing machine is operable to dispense a cup from the first supply of cups to a first cup location of the plurality of cup locations on the conveyance system at the first indexed location. The cup dispensing machine is operable to dispense a cup from the second supply of cups to a second cup location of the plurality of cup locations on the conveyance system at the second indexed location. 
     In additional examples of the automated beverage dispensing machine, the first dispensing assembly includes a first plurality of selective release devices including the first selective release device. The second dispensing assembly includes a second plurality of selective release devices including the second selective release device. Each of the selective release devices may include a cam body, a cam extending about the cam body, the cam having a cam edge. The cam may further include a leading cam surface and a trailing cam surface. A gear may extend about the cam body. A cup support flap may be connected to the cam body and extend radially away from an axis of the cam body. A beverage dispensing machine may be configured to dispense a beverage at a beverage dispense location of the plurality of indexed locations. A computer may associate an ordered beverage to a cup location of the plurality of cup locations and maintains a record of a status of the cup location and the position of the cup location relative to the plurality of indexed locations. 
     Each dispensing assembly may include a motor and a drive gear and a belt that operatively extends between the drive gear and the gear about the cam body of each of the selective release devices of a respective dispensing assembly. Movement of the belt by the drive gear simultaneously moves each of the cam assemblies by interaction with the respective gears of the cam assemblies. The cup support flap is constructed of an elastomeric material. The cup support flap is configured to deform to receive a supply of cups pushed therethrough to load the dispensing assembly with the first or second supply of cups. The cup dispensing machine is configured to upwardly tilt relative to the rest of the automated beverage dispensing machine to a loading configuration wherein the dispensing assemblies are accessible to receive the supply of cups through the dispensing assemblies past the selective release devices. A support chimney extends from each of the selective release devices. The support chimney is configured to receive a stack of cups there of the first supply of cups or the second supply of cups. Each dispensing assembly is positioned at a different height above the respective first and second indexed locations. Each dispensing assembly includes a dispensing chimney extending from the dispensing assembly in a direction of the first and second indexed locations, respectively, wherein the dispensing chimneys end at a same height above the respective first and second indexed locations. 
     An example of a selective release device for dispensing a cup includes a cam body. A cam extends about the cam body and radially away from the cam body. The cam includes a cam edge and a leading cam surface and a trailing cam surface. A resiliently deformable cup support flap radially extends from the cam body. 
     In further examples of the selective release device, a gear extends about the cam body. The selective release device includes a drive gear and a belt that engages the drive gear and the gear about the cam body. The drive gear moves the belt which in turn moves the cam body. The leading cam surface is located on a first side of the cam body in an axial direction and the trailing cam surface is located on a second side of the cam body in an axial direction. A lower cam surface is opposite the leading cam surface. The leading cam surface angles upwards in the axial direction above the lower cam surface from the cam edge. The trailing cam surface angles downwards in the axial direction from the lower cam surface. The lower cam surface is horizontal. The cam body defines a pocket and the cup support flap is seated within the pocket. The cup support flap and the cam body include axially aligned through holes. A lower cam surface opposite is opposite the leading cam surface in an axial direction, the leading cam surface angles upwards in the axial direction above the lower cam surface from the cam edge, and the cup support flap includes a flap projection that extends radially outward from the cam body. The flap projection includes an upper surface positioned below the lower cam surface in the axial direction. The flap projection includes an outer edge in the shape of an arc. An outer edge of the cup support flap is complementary with an outer edge of the cam to form an outer circumference of the cam assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an example of a beverage dispensing machine. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of the beverage dispensing machine. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the beverage dispensing machine. 
         FIG.  4    is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a detailed perspective view of the cup dispenser. 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a detailed view of an example of a selective release device. 
         FIG.  8    is a detailed perspective view of a cam assembly. 
         FIG.  9    depicts a cam assembly relative to cups to be dispensed. 
         FIG.  10    is a detailed view of a cam assembly without the support flap. 
         FIG.  11    depicts a process of loading cups into the dispensing assembly. 
         FIG.  12    depicts an example of a hinge system for the cup dispenser. 
         FIG.  13    is a system diagram of an example of a beverage dispensing machine. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DISCLOSURE 
     Examples of automated beverage dispensing machines are provided herein. These disclosed automated beverage dispensing machines include features or combinations of features directed to cup dispensing in an automated beverage dispensing. 
     Automated beverage dispensing machine cup dispensers present numerous challenges. Because an automated beverage dispensing machine requires supplies of multiple sizes of cups. Mechanisms within the cup dispenser select a requested cup and operate to dispense the cup. In part due to these mechanisms, the supplies of cups are held without visual feedback of the remaining cup supply. Additionally, the size and complexity of the cup dispenser presents a challenge to loading a new supply of cups, particularly for workers of lower height or upper body strength. The automated beverage dispensing machines and cup dispensers as disclosed herein provide solutions to these challenges. 
     In examples, a cup dispenser of the beverage dispensing machine provides enhanced user visual confirmation of the remaining supply of cups stored in the beverage dispensing machine. Positioning of these stored cups at the exterior of the beverage dispensing machine combined with transparent elements provides visual confirmation of cup supply. Location of the cup storage across the front of the beverage dispensing machine further places this visual confirmation in convenient location for user observation and monitoring. In examples, sensors may be arranged relative to the cup storage for each cup type/size and the supply monitored whereby an indication of low supply, for example illumination of a light or graphical user interface icon, may be made to indicate a low supply of cups, in addition to any enhanced visual confirmation of supply as noted above. 
     In examples, the cup dispenser includes features which promote the loading of cups into the dispenser, including tilting of the cup dispenser to facilitate loading and a selective release device which facilitates loading of an unturned stack of cups upwards through the selective release device. 
     In further examples, the cup dispenser is arranged to dispense cups of different sizes to different locations within the automated beverage dispenser. The automated beverage dispenser may include a carousel that defines a plurality of indexed locations and the cup dispenser dispenses cups of different sizes into different indexed locations. The automated beverage dispenser may further operate to maintain a record of cups dispensed into particular locations on the carousel. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an example of a beverage dispensing machine  10  which is configured as a “crew serve” dispensing machine to automatedly or semi-automatedly dispense beverages consistent with a customer&#39;s order. The beverage dispensing machine  10  is configured to provide automated cup selection, placement, ice dispensing, beverage dispensing, and staging of customer-ordered beverages in a fast or quick service restaurant setting. Automation of crew-served beverage fulfillment process as provided with the features of the disclosure herein can improve the speed of service and order completion accuracy. 
     The beverage dispensing machine  10  is defined by a front  12 , a back  14 , and sides  16 ,  18 . To facilitate operation in a restaurant configuration, the beverage dispensing machine  10  is both, observable, and configurable from the front. That is, the user interface  22 , which may include a graphical display  20 , the cup dispenser  24 , and the cup carousel  26  are positioned at the front  12  of the beverage dispensing machine  10 . As will be described in further detail herein, portions of the cup carousel  26  and the cup dispenser  24  are set forward of the user interface  22 . The cup dispenser  24  further is further observable and/or accessible from the front of the beverage dispensing machine  10  to facilitate observation of present levels of the cup supplies and loading thereof. 
       FIG.  2    is a front view of the beverage dispensing machine  10 . The beverage dispensing machine  10  includes an ice dispenser  28  of which an ice dispensing chute  30  is shown. The ice dispenser  28  exemplarily includes an ice bin associated with a cold plate, and may further include an auger or agitator which is operated to dispense a portion of the ice from the ice bin out through the ice dispensing chute  30  as described herein. The beverage dispensing machine  10  includes a beverage dispenser  32 , a nozzle  34  of which is shown. The beverage dispenser includes a plurality of fluid control valves which are operated to control the flow of pre-mixed beverages or beverage constituents. Fluid control valves may be operated to selectively dispense concentrated flavoring and a diluent fluid (e.g. still or carbonated water) from the nozzle  34  according to a drink order from a customer. 
     The cup dispenser  24  is configured to hold at least one if not more stacks of cups  36  in which the beverages are to be dispensed. In the example shown, the cup dispenser  24  includes four stacks  36   a - 36   d  of cups. Each of the stacks  36   a - 36   d  of cups may exemplarily be a different size, configured to hold a different volume of beverage. The stacks  36   a - 36   d  of cups may be arranged with one or more stacks positioned behind, or towards the back  14  of the beverage dispensing machine  10  from other stacks. Alternatively, the stacks  36   a - 36   d  may be arranged with one or more stacks positioned towards the front  12  of the beverage dispensing machine or towards the side  16 ,  18  of the beverage dispensing machine. That is, each of the stacks  36   a - 36   d  occupies a separate fixed location relative to the rest of the beverage dispensing machine. In the example depicted in  FIG.  2   , stack  36   a,  which exemplarily includes small (e.g. 12 oz) sized cups, is positioned towards the front of the beverage dispensing machine and medially, e.g. towards the midline  21  of beverage dispensing machine  10 . The stack  36   b,  which exemplarily includes medium (e.g. 16 oz) sized cups, is positioned towards the front of the beverage dispensing machine  10  and laterally, e.g. away from the midline  21  of the beverage dispensing machine  10 . The stack  36   c,  which exemplarily includes large (e.g. 21 oz) sized cups, is positioned behind stack  36   b,  and also laterally of the midline  21 . The stack  36   d,  which exemplarily includes extra-large (e.g. 32 oz) sized cups, is positioned behind stack  36   a  and also medially towards the midline  21 . As seen in  FIG.  3   , stack  36   b  is further positioned towards the back  14  of the beverage dispensing machine from the stack  36   a  and the stack  36   c  is positioned towards the front  12  from stack  36   d  and towards the back  14  from stack  36   b.  It will be recognized that these positions and examples are merely exemplary and non-limiting as to the order, position, and location of the respective cups and sizes of cups and associated cup dispensing assemblies, within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The cup carousel  26  further includes a plurality of cup holders  38  which are configured to receive a cup  36  therein. The cup holders  38  thus define the locations of any cups relative to the cup carousel  26 . The cup carousel  26  may further include a conveyor belt  40  to which the cup holders  38  are secured. A shelf  42 , for example with a drip tray  44  defined therein underlies the cup holders  38  and the cup carousel  26 . The shelf  42  and drip tray  44  serves to catch spilled beverage, ice, or debris so as not to interfere with the operation of the cup carousel  26  and the beverage dispensing machine  10 . Operation of a motor, exemplarily a servo motor, rotates the conveyor belt  40 , along with the cup holders  38  secured thereto about an exterior of the cup carousel  26 . The motor rotates the conveyor belt  40  to position the plurality of cup holders  38  at a plurality of successive indexed locations about the cup carousel  26 . 
       FIGS.  3  and  4    further depict the cup carousel  26 .  FIG.  3    is a side view of the beverage dispensing machine  10  and  FIG.  4    is a sectional view of the beverage dispensing machine  10  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG.  2   . The cup carousel  26  exemplarily includes ten cup holders. Each of the cup holders  38  are identified, e.g. cup holder #&#39;s 1-10. As previously noted, the cup carousel  26  operates to move the cup holders  38  through a sequence of indexed locations. The cup holders  38  are positioned at each of the indexed locations  48 , and which will be further identified as indexed locations  48   a - 48   j.  The plurality of indexed locations  48   a - 48   j  of the carousel  26  thus defines an endless circuit of indexed locations  48   a - 48   j  through which the cup holders  38  are moved. The cup holders  38  may be secured to the conveyor belt  40  with a dovetail connection, while other types of releasable connections may also be used. The beverage dispensing machine  10  is for example calibrated such that the positions each of the cup holders is known, for example by initially locating cup holders  1 - 10  respectively at indexed locations  48   a - 48   j.  The conveyor belt  40  may be a silicone or rubber belt or may be formed of a plurality of articulated sections. In examples, flexibility or articulation in the conveyor belt  40  may provide a degree of lateral flexibility which facilitates conformity of the conveyor belt about the gears at either end of the cup carousel  26 . 
     Indexed locations  48   a - 48   d  respectively coincide with the stacks  36   a - 36   d  of cups and therefore represent a plurality of cup loading locations. That is, a cup  36  dispensed from stack  36   a  of cups will drop into cup holder  38  positioned at indexed location  48   a.  A cup  36  dispensed from stack  36   b  of cups will drop into cup holder  38  positioned at indexed location  48   b.  A cup  36  dispensed from stack  36   c  of cups will drop into cup holder  38  positioned at indexed location  48   c.  A cup  36  dispensed from stack  26   d  of cups will drop into cup holder  38  positioned at indexed location  48   d.  Indexed location  48   e  coincides with the ice dispensing chute  30  of the ice dispenser  28 . Ice dispensed through the ice dispensing chute  30  will fall into a cup positioned at indexed location  48   e.  Indexed location  48   f  coincides with the nozzle  34  of the beverage dispenser. A beverage dispensed through the nozzle  34  will fall into a cup positioned at indexed location  48   f.  Indexed locations  48   g - 48   j  respectively represent a plurality of staging locations of the plurality of indexed locations. Indexed locations  48   g - 48   i  are the indexed locations at which the cups of the dispensed beverages are held until the cups of the dispensed beverages can be removed for delivery to the customer. 
       FIG.  5    is a detailed perspective view of the cup dispenser  24 .  FIG.  6    is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG.  5   . The cup dispenser  24  includes a plurality of cup dispensing assemblies  50 . Each cup dispensing assembly  50  is exemplarily configured for a specific size of cup. It will be recognized that a cup dispensing assembly  50  may be operable to dispense cups within a range of sizes, although in examples provided herein disclose features which may adapt a cup dispensing assembly  50  for optimal dispensing of a particularly sized cup for which the dispensing assembly  50  is designed. Each dispensing assembly  50  includes a selective release device  46  which, as disclosed herein, is adapted to singulate and dispense individual cups as instructed by the system. The selective release device  46  is also configured to receive a stack of cups from which the selective release device  46  subsequently dispenses cups. 
     The dispensing assembly  50  includes a frame  52  which exemplarily includes an upper frame  54  and a lower frame  56 . The upper frame  54  and the lower frame  56  each include an annular flange  58 , each of which extend respectively away from the upper frame  52  or the lower frame  54 . The annular flanges  58  may respectively define a space for the stack of cups through the selective release device, and may in examples described herein respectively connect to support chimneys  128  and dispense chimneys  130 . A plurality of cam assemblies  60  are rotatably positioned between the upper frame  54  and the lower frame  56 . The cam assemblies  60  rotate about axles  62  secured between the upper frame  54  and the lower frame  56 . The cam assemblies  60  extend partially interior of the annular flange  58 . The annular flange  58  is dimensioned to receive a stack of cups with a predetermined outer diameter therethrough while the cam assemblies  60  engage a lip of the cups as described herein. 
       FIG.  7    is a detailed view of an example of a selective release device  46 . The cam assembly  60  includes a cam assembly body  64 . The cam assembly body  64  includes a cam  66  and a pulley gear  68 . The cam assembly  60  further includes a cup support flap  100 . An electric motor  72  provides motive power to the selective release device  46 . The electric motor  72  is exemplarily controlled by a controller of the beverage dispensing machine  10 , and receives and operates according to one or more electrical signals upon which the motor  72  operates to advance the cam assemblies  60  as described herein to carry out a dispense of a selected cup. The electric motor  72  is connected to a drive gear  74 . Rotation sensor  76  is positioned relative to the motor  72  to detect for confirmation that the motor  72  has responded to an associated signal to operate to rotate the motor to dispense a cup from the selective release device  46 . A belt  78  wraps around the drive gear  74  and the pulley gears  68  of each of the cam assemblies  60  of the selective release device  46 . One or more rollers  80  may engage the belt  78  to facilitate a change of direction of the belt  78  towards the cam assemblies  60 . The belt  78  operates to distribute the motive power from the electric motor  72  to all of the cam assemblies  60  simultaneously. The belt  78  is exemplarily constructed of a rubber, synthetic rubber, or other elastomeric material and may include internally facing teeth (not depicted) that mesh with teeth of the respective drive gear  74  and the pulley gears  68 . The interconnection of the cam assemblies  60  by the belt  78  and the teeth of the belt  78  engaging the pulley gears  68  helps to evenly and simultaneously rotate the cam assemblies  60 . 
     A cam assembly  60  is shown in a detailed perspective view in  FIG.  8   .  FIG.  9    depicts the cam assembly  60  relative to cups  36  to be dispensed. The cam assembly  60  includes a cam assembly body  64 , a cam  66  and a pulley gear  68 . A through hole  82  is configured to accommodate the axle  62 . As will be described in further detail herein, the cam  66  rotates with the cam assembly  60  by the belt  78  moving about the pulley gear  68 . The cam  66  includes a cam ridge  92  extending outwardly from the cam body  64 . The cam  66  forms a leading cam edge  84  and a leading cam surface  86 . The cam  66  further includes a trailing cam surface  88 . The cam assembly  60  is configured to rotate in the direction of arrow  90 , in which as will be described in further detail herein. As the cam assembly  60  rotates, the leading cam edge  84  engages a cup to be dispensed above the lip  37  of the cup to be dispensed, between respective lips  37  of the first two cups in a stack of cups within the dispensing assembly  50 . As the cam assembly  60  continues to rotate, the leading cam surface  86  engages the lip  37  of the second cup  36  while a lower cam surface  94  of the cam  66  opposite the leading cam surface  86  engages the lip  37  of the first cup  36  which is the cup to be dispensed. The lower cam surface  94  is exemplarily horizontal, while the leading cam surface  86  angles upwards away from the lower cam surface  94 . As the cam assembly  60  rotates, the distance between the lower cam surface  94  and the leading cam surface  86  at the point of engagement with the lips  37  of the cups  36  increases. Engagement of the cam  66  between the lips  37  of the cups  36  forces the cups apart, providing a singulation of the cup to be dispensed from the second cup and the rest of the cups in the stack of cups. 
     As the cam assembly  60  further rotates, the lip  37  of the second cup is supported by an upper cam surface  96 , while the lip  37  of the cup to be dispensed is engaged by the trailing cam surface  88 . The trailing cam surface  88  angles downwardly from the lower cam surface  94 . This descending angle of the trailing cam surface  88  further separates the cup  36  to be dispensed from the rest of the cups of the stack, such that completion of a revolution of the cam assembly  60  about the axle separates the cup  36  from the stack of cups, and the cup  36  is able to fall therefrom by the force of gravity as will be described in further detail herein. It will be recognized that the dispensing assemblies  50  as shown and described include one or more of the cam assemblies  60  as shown and described. In the example shown in the Figures, the dispensing assemblies  50  each include four cam assemblies  60  which synchronously operate in the manner described above due to the common operative engagement with the belt  78  driven by the motor  72 . 
     Looking to  FIGS.  8  and  10   , the cam assembly  60  further includes a cup support flap  100 . The cup support flap  100  is exemplarily formed of an elastomeric material, or other material that is resiliently flexible. The cup support flap  100  includes a body  104  from which a flap projection  106  extends. A through hole  102  through the body  104  of the cup support flap  100  forms an annulus. The through hole  102  is in alignment with the hole  82  of the cam assembly body  64 , both of which are configured to receive the axle  62  therethrough. The flap projection  106  extends radially away from the annulus of the body  104  and exemplarily exhibits a shape of an arc, the arc of the flap projection  106  exemplarily matches the radius and arc of the cam  66  of the cam assembly  60 . At the start of a dispensing operation, the lip  37  of the cup  36  to be dispensed rests on the flap projection  106  of the cup support flap  100 . The flap projection  106  engages the lip  37  of the cup  36  to be dispensed and positions the lip  37  relative to the leading edge  84  of the cam  66 . The positions the cup  36  to be dispensed in a proper relationship with the cam  66 . An upper surface  108  of the flap projection  106  of the cup support flap  100  may be vertically spaced from the leading edge  84  and the lower cam surface  94  by a distance which is adapted to accept the lip  37  of the cup  36  to be dispensed. 
       FIG.  10    is a detailed view of the cam assembly  60  without the cup support flap  100 . As can be seen in comparison between  FIGS.  8  and  10   , the cam assembly body  64  defines a pocket  110  and the cup support flap  100  is received within the pocket  110 . The pocket  110  is exemplarily circular and is concentric to the cam body  64 . The pocket  110  may be defined by a shoulder  112  that extends radially interior from the cam body  64 . A pocket floor  115  extends between cam body  64 , and exemplarily from the shoulder  112 , to the hole  82 . The annular body  104  of the cup support flap fits interior of the shoulder  112  within the pocket  110  and rests on the pocket floor  115 . The cam body  64  includes a radial cut out  114  through which the flap projection  106  of the cup support flap  100  extends. The flap projection  106  is supported by a shelf  116  which extends radially outward from the pocket  110 , and may be co-planar with the pocket floor  115 . However, it is noted that as described herein, examples of the shelf  116  radially terminate at a distance interior of the radially external extent of the cam  66  and the flap projection  106 . 
       FIGS.  11 A-D  depict a process of loading cups into the dispensing assembly  50  as is described in further detail herein.  FIG.  11 A  provides a sectional view of a cup  36  being loaded into a dispensing assembly  50 , while  FIGS.  11 B -D 3  are detailed insets of the portion of  FIG.  11 A  denoted with line A-A, and focused about the cam assembly  60  that depict various operational stages while the cup  36  is loaded into the dispensing assembly  50 . While a single cup  36  is depicted in  FIGS.  11 A-D , it will be recognized that this process is reflective of an example of a dispensing assembly  50  in which the stacks of cups  36  are held in the upright or dispense orientation and the dispensing assembly  50  is loadable from the bottom, for example in the direction of arrow  118  in  FIG.  11 A . 
     In  FIG.  11 B , the cup  36  has been moved in the direction of arrow  118  until the lip  37  of the cup  36  hits an underside  120  of the flap projection  106 . It will be recognized that at this point of engagement between the lip  37  and the underside  120  of the flap projection  106 , that the lip  37  is in a same general plane as the shelf  116 . That is, the shelf  116  is radially exterior from the lip  37 . As the cup  36  is further moved in the direction of the arrow  118 , engagement of the lip  37  with the underside  120  of the flap projection  106 , places a force upon the flap projection  106 . The flap projection  106 , being constructed of an elastomeric or otherwise resiliently deformable material, deforms under this force, as shown in  FIG.  11 C . The deformation of the flap projection  106  exhibits in the flap projection deforming upwards in the direction of arrow  118 . In an example, the pocket  110  may be constructed and/or dimensioned with a tolerance which enables the flap projection  106  or the cup support flap  100  to move in the direction of arrow  118 . The flap projection  106  places a resistive force against the lip  37  of the cup  36 , however under further force in the direction of arrow  118 . The flap projection  106  is overcome and the lip  37  moves above the flap projection  106 , the lip  37  of the cup  36  now rests on the upper surface  108  of the flap projection  106  and the cup  36  is retained within the dispensing assembly  50  as the next cup to be dispensed therefrom as depicted in  FIG.  11 D . It will be recognized that to load the dispensing assembly  50  with more cups  36  the same process is repeated. It is further recognized that a plurality of cups forming a cup stack may all be moved in the direction of arrow  118  at the same time to load the dispensing assembly with an entire stack of cups in a single operative effort. 
     Reference is made back to  FIG.  3    as well as to  FIG.  12    in the context of the disclosure above with respect to  FIG.  11   . To load the dispensing assemblies  50  of the cup dispenser  24  from the bottom as described with respect to  FIG.  11   , the cup dispenser  24  is pivotable to a loading position shown in phantom lines and reference  124  in  FIG.  3    and as the cup dispenser  24  is shown in  FIG.  12   . In an example, the cup dispenser  24  is rotated about an angle  122  which may be between 10 degrees and 30 degrees, but in other examples, may be between 20 degrees and 25 degrees. A still further example may be 22 degrees, while other examples are outside of the 10-30 degree range. To achieve the movement of the cup dispenser  24  about this angle, the cup dispenser  24  may be connected to the beverage dispensing machine  10  by a hinge  126 . Furthermore, a gas spring  132  is secured between a frame  134  of the beverage dispensing machine  10  and the cup dispenser  24 . The gas spring  132  is biased to support at least a portion of the weight of the cup dispenser  24  when it is rotated about the hinge  126  to the cup loading position as exemplarily shown in  FIG.  12   . This maintains the cup dispenser  24  in the cup loading position, for example so that a worker can use two hands to insert the stacks of cups into the dispensing assemblies  50 . Other types of biasing devices may be used to support the cup dispenser  24  in the cup loading position. It will be recognized that when the cup dispenser  24  is moved back to the dispensing or operational position, the biasing force of the gas spring  132  or other device is overcome, and that the cup dispenser  24  may be latched or otherwise physically secured in the operational position. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  5   , the dispensing assemblies  50  of the cup dispenser  24  include further features to facilitate the dispense of cups within the beverage dispensing machine  10 . As described with respect to  FIG.  11   , a stack of cups  36  may be loaded into a dispensing assembly  50  from the bottom past the selective release device  46 . Because the stack of cups extends above the selective release device, it has been discovered that inclusion of a support chimney  128  that is secured to the annular flange  58  and extends upwards therefrom helps to maintain the stack of cups in alignment with the selective release device  46 . The support chimney  128  maintains the stack of cups in a vertical orientation. Additionally, it has been found that the operation of the selective release device  46  imparts an oscillating motion on the stack of cups. This oscillating motion may move cups of the stack of cups out of axial alignment with one another. If the stack of cups is out of axial alignment, the operation and function of the selective release device may be impaired. The support chimney  128  counteracts this motion, keeping the stack of cups upright within the support chimney  128 , this may maintain the weight of the stack of cups in axially alignment with the selective release device  46 , improving the singulation and dispense of an individual cup upon operation of the beverage dispensing machine  10 . 
     The dispensing assemblies  50  may also include dispense chimneys  130 . The dispense chimneys  130  are connected to the annular flange  58  secured to the lower frame  56 . As previously noted, the beverage dispensing machine  10  is configured to dispense beverages into a plurality of sizes of cups all dispensed from the cup dispenser  24 . Improvements to the consistency of the dispense of multiple cup sizes into the same cup holders  38  may be achieved with modifications to the cup dispensing assemblies  50  dependent upon the size of cup for which the cup dispensing assembly  50  is configured. As described above, the selective release device  46  engages the lip of a cup to be dispensed. The selective release device  46  may therefore be positioned at a vertical distance above the cup carousel  26  and the cup holders  38  such that the bottoms of each of the cups to be dispensed are the same height from the bottoms of the respective cup holders  38  into which the cups will be dispensed. This has been found to provide a consistent interaction between the cup and the cup holder  38  into which it is dispensed, independent of the actual size of the cups dispensed. Therefore, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the vertical position of the selective release device  46  may be defined dependent upon the size of cup to be dispensed from an individual cup dispensing assembly  50 . Additionally, with one or more of the selective release devices  46  positioned at different vertical positions, in some examples this may enable closer spacing of the selective release devices  46  as demonstrated by center point to center point distances between the selective release devices  46 . This may result in a reduction in the footprint area of the cup dispenser  24 . 
     The dispense chimney  130  is connected to the lower frame  56  at the annular flange  58 . Once a cup is singulated and dispensed from the selective release device  46 , the cup falls through the dispense chimney  130 . Given the differences in the height position of the selective release devices  46  as described above, the dispense chimneys  130  may exemplarily extend from each of the selective release devices to the nominal positions of the bottom of the cups, which may be even across all cup dispensing assemblies  50  due to the positioning of the selective release devices  46 . However, in other examples, the dispense chimneys  130  may extend for another distance as well from the selective release devices. 
     The dispense chimneys  130  provide two functions which may improve functioning of the cup dispenser. First, the dispense chimneys  130  help to axially align the dispensed cup with the cup holder  38  at the associated indexed location  48  as the cup falls from the selective release device  46  to the cup holder  38 . As noted above, the selective release device  46  may impart an oscillating motion on the cups, which may extend to the dispensed cup. The dispense chimney  130  thus keeps the cup falling in a straight path. Additionally, as the cup falls within the dispense chimney  130 , the dispense chimney  130  slows the flow of air around the falling cup, which in turn slows the cup as it falls into the cup holder. By slowing the cup as it falls into the cup holder, the force of the impact of the cup against the bottom of the cup holder is reduced causing a softer landing of the cup within the cup holder. This softer landing reduces instances of the cup bouncing out of the cup holder or otherwise moving to an unintended or misaligned position within the cup holder. In a still further example, the cup holder  38  may be fitted with a rubber, elastomeric, or other cushioned or deformable material in the bottom, which may further absorb the force of the cup falling into the cup holder, improving retention of the cup within the cup holder. 
       FIG.  13    is a system diagram of a beverage dispensing machine  10  as has been described herein. The beverage dispensing machine  10  includes a computer  150  which receives inputs from components depicted in  FIG.  13    and as previously described above. In response to the inputs, the computer  150  produces outputs and control signals to the components depicted therein such as to carry out the functions of the beverage dispensing machine  10  as described herein. The computer  150  is exemplarily a single board computer (SBC) which includes a microprocessor and associated computing components for e.g. power management, communication, and/or memory. The computer  150  executes computer readable code stored in a non-transient computer readable medium, causing the computer  150  to carry out the functions as described herein. 
     The computer  150  is configured to receive user inputs, including, but not limited to various orders of beverages to be dispensed. The order exemplarily includes both a beverage size (e.g. volume) and a type (e.g. premixed beverage or selection of flavoring and diluent). The beverage dispensing machine  10  may operate to receive an order input through a user interface  22  presented on a graphical display  20 . The computer  150  may be communicatively connected to the graphical display  20  to provide the graphical display  20  with instructions to operate to visually present the user interface  22  thereon. The graphical display  20  may further be a touch-sensitive graphical display operable to receive one or more user inputs of the beverage order and communicate those user inputs to the computer  150 . In a still further example, the computer  150  is communicatively connected to a point of sale (POS) system  152  into which customer orders are received and processed for fulfillment. A restaurant may include communication kiosks operable by either a customer or by a restaurant employee to enter the customer order into the POS system. In still further examples, the POS system may operate to receive customer orders placed through an online order system. While examples of such communication is provided in the present disclosure, including, but not limited to that provided in U.S. Pat. No. 10,689,240 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020/0273283, it will be recognized that other manners of communication of customer beverage orders into the beverage dispensing machine may be used. Once such orders are received by the POS system  152 , the orders are communicated to the computer  150  and the beverage dispensing machine  10  may operate as disclosed to automatedly fulfill the received customer orders. 
     As previously described, the beverage dispensing machine  10  operates to provide a series of indexed locations  48   a - j  and operates to advance the cup holders through this plurality of indexed locations to automate the beverage dispensing process. The computer  150  receives a signal from a sensor  154  indicating that the cup holder at the last staging location (e.g.  48   j ) of the plurality of indexed locations is clear of a cup. The beverage dispensing machine  10  is then ready to dispense a cup for a subsequent beverage order into this cup holder. The computer  150  provides an instruction to the motor  158  to advance the carousel  26  one increment to move each of the cup holders  38  from the indexed location in which the cup holder is currently located to a next subsequent indexed location of the plurality of indexed locations  48   a - j.  The computer  150  maintains a record, at a memory at a computer readable medium, which exemplarily includes the location of each identified cup holder, the current indexed location of each cup holder, and a status of each cup holder. The status of each cup holder may include if a cup is located therein, a cup size located therein, an ordered beverage to be dispensed or an identification of the dispensed beverage in the cup. 
     As previously described, the cup dispenser  24  may operate to dispense each of a plurality of differently sized cups at each of a plurality of cup dispensing locations. Continuing the example, if the customer order specifies a “small” cup size, exemplarily associated with indexed location  48   a,  then the cup dispenser  24  is operated by a control signal from the computer  150  to dispense a single small cup into the cup holder (eg. cup holder #1) located at the first indexed location  48   a.  The computer  150  updates the associated record accordingly to note that an empty small cup is now in cup holder #1 which is at indexed location  48   a.  If the customer order instead specifies another size of cup, then the cup dispenser  24  is operated to not release a cup until the cup holder #1 reaches the indexed location (e.g.  48   a - d ) associated with the selective release device for the specified cup size. The computer  150  updates the records for each of the cup holders/cup locations with each operation to advance the plurality of cup holders/cup locations to the subsequent indexed locations. 
     The motor  158  is operated to advance the plurality of cup holders/cup locations through the subsequent indexed locations. When cup holder #1, containing a cup therein, is advanced to the ice dispense location (e.g. indexed location  48   e ), the computer  150 , noting that the customer order associated with cup holder/cup location # 1  is a “small” size (e.g. volume) beverage that requires ice, provides instructional communications to the ice dispenser  28  to dispense a “small” size quantity of ice. The computer  150  updates the record for cup holder #1 to reflect a small cup filled with ice at indexed location  48   e.    
     The motor  158  is next operated by the computer  150  to advance the plurality of cup holders/cup locations to the subsequent indexed location (e.g. cup holder #1 at indexed location  48   e  is moved to indexed location  48   f ) which is the beverage dispense location, associated with the beverage dispenser  32 . The computer  150 , noting that the customer order associated with cup holder #1 is a “small” size cola beverage, provides instructional communications to the beverage dispenser  32  to operate the associated valves to dispense a cola beverage in the volume associated with a “small” size. The computer  150  updates the record for cup holder/cup location #1 to reflect a small cup filled with ice and cola at indexed location  48   f.    
     The motor  158  is next operated by the computer  150  to advance the plurality of cup holders/cup locations to the subsequent indexed location (e.g. cup holder/cup location #1 to indexed location  48   g ) which is the first staging location. While at any one of the plurality of staging locations, the dispensed beverage may be removed for delivery to the customer. However, the plurality of staging locations, provide the ability to aggregate dispensed beverages into a single customer order and removal from the beverage dispensing machine at one time (e.g. in quick succession of each other). As the beverage dispensing machine  10  operates to automatedly dispense further customer-ordered beverages, the motor  158  is operated by the computer  150  to advance the plurality of cup holders/cup locations to the subsequent indexed location (e.g. cup holder #1 to indexed location  48   h,  then  48   i,  then  48   j ). As noted above, if the cup at cup holder #1 is not removed by the time that cup holder #1 reaches indexed location  48   j,  then the sensor  154  will provide a signal to the computer  150  to hold on any further operations to the motor  158 , advancing the cup holders/cup locations to any subsequent indexed locations until cup holder #1 is clear and ready to receive a new cup for a subsequent customer order. 
     Citations to a number of references are made herein. The cited references are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. In the event that there is an inconsistency between a definition of a term in the specification as compared to a definition of the term in a cited reference, the term should be interpreted based on the definition in the specification. It is recognized that the examples provided herein as well as in the references incorporated by reference are examples of the disclosure and that still further combinations of the features of these individual disclosures are recognized to be made and are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     In the above description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. The different systems and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other systems and methods. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. 
     The functional block diagrams, operational sequences, and flow diagrams provided in the Figures are representative of exemplary architectures, environments, and methodologies for performing novel aspects of the disclosure. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies included herein may be in the form of a functional diagram, operational sequence, or flow diagram, and may be described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology can alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustrated in a methodology may be required for a novel implementation. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.