Improvements in and relating to the Delivery of Liquids, and Cups, Cans, or other Vessels therefor, and to the Return of such Vessels in Automatic Coin-freed Apparatus.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 9th Aug., 1889-Accepted, 9th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Delivery of Liquids, and Cups,
Cans, or other Vessels therefor, and to the Return of such
Vessels in Automatic Coin-freed Apparatus.
I GEORGE LAWRENCE of Latimer Road London W. in the county of Middlesex
Brewers Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to coin freed apparatus for the delivery of liquids hot or
cold and of receptacles such as cups or cans of paper metal or other material for
holding or receiving the same. The object of the invention is more especially to
retail by means of automatic coin freed apparatus milk or skim milk in a fresh cup
or receptacle for each delivery but it is also wholly and in part generally applicable to
the delivery of liquids by such machines and of holders or cups therefor.
A further object is to enable the machine to receive back such cups cans or
receptacles and return a certain amount of money or value therefor.
The apparatus may be so contrived that the cup is filled before or after delivery
that is to say that a cup may be taken from a column or aggregate of such cups
filled with the milk and afterwards delivered to the purchaser or may be delivered
empty to the purchaser and filled in his sight.
The improvement in the delivery of fresh or clean cups or cans to each person lies
mainly in the delivery of such cups in a condition or shape ready to receive the liquid
whether the cup be previously of the required shape or whether it be built up or
formed automatically into the shape required before delivery.
Thus such cups may be of paper or the like in convenient shape for use and nested
together in any suitable manner for instance to form a column from which one is
allowed to fall or is taken by the mechanism at or before the time of delivery.
Preferably the mechanism may release the lowest cup of the column which may bo
pushed or may fall down an inclined plane or otherwise into a suitable temporary
support or cup frame where it is filled.
If such support is in view of the purchaser the latter can watch the filling of the
cup and when full and the issue of liquid stops may take the same, the holder being
replaced and the soiled cup removed either by him or by the next purchaser before
operating the machine.
Similarly as in the case of cans or metal vessels. These after use may be placed in
some instances in a suitable receptacle in the machine so that they may be received by
the machine which may thereupon deliver a suitable coin or other value therefor.
In cases where such cans or vessels of value are used by the machine it will be
preferable to deliver same in the first instance only on or after placing a certain coin.
in the machine.
The holder or reservoir of liquid should be easily separable from the machine for
removal when empty or at stated intervals and replacement by a new one,
the fastening
being protected against unauthorized detachment. There is preferably a separate
meter for each reservoir so that all parts coming in contact with the milk or other
liquid delivered may be removed with the reservoir for cleaning purposes. In certain
instances however the meter may remain in the machine being detachable from the
reservoir. As a meter I preferably employ a chamber having suitable inlet and
outlet hole or holes, and of such size as to hold exactly the quantity to be delivered,
the said chamber having suitable valves for filling and discharging.
The following is a description of means for carrying the invention into effect.
The cups may be made of metal ware or of paper, in the former case the cups are
designed to be durable, and after proper scouring and cleansing to be used again and

page_text: again in the latter case they are designed to be used but once and to make them
sufficiently cheap it is necessary to make them of comparatively thin paper and to
strengthen them with metal. The metal work of such a cup will consist of a thin
metal or wire rim and also if desired, a metal bottom.
The cups, whether of metal or paper are provided with a projection or lugs (in the
latter case on the metal rim or bottom) or a projecting rim for the proper operating of
them by the mechanism of the machine.
The cups being nested together in a column as aforesaid may be supported within a
cylindrical shell having slots for the guidance and projection of the lugs aforesaid.
The column of cups may be supported by means of the lugs in the recesses of a.
moving ladder or rack or the equivalent thereof such as a belt with hooks or slots or
an endless chain so that the cups are properly supported and retained in place until
the releasing mechanism comes into action to cause them to be delivered to the
purchaser.
When the cups are loosely supported, one within the other the releasing mechanism
will be adapted to hold up the lowest and therefore the whole column of cups until it
is set in operation when a horizontal sliding movement will enable the fingers or
blocks supporting the lowest cup to be moved away from under the lugs or projections
of said cup while other fingers temporarily brought into action arrive under and
support the remaining cups. When each cup of the column is individually and
separately supported as by the ladder, belt, or chain or the like before referred to it
will be necessary for the releasing mechanism to operate the detachment of the lowest
cup which may be done by such horizontal or other movement of parts as shall knock
or push out the lug or support of the cup from its engagement with the ladder or its
equivalent.
The said cup will then fall into its temporary support, this may be a drawer or
sliding frame which may be drawn out after the shutter or the like covering in front
has been removed and the cup has been filled or it may be a rotary drum having a
recess or recesses to receive the cup falling therein and after being revolved by hand
deliver the filled cup at the opening in the front of the machine.
I prefer to arrange the operative mechanism so that after the coin is placed in the
slot (which is closed if the machine is empty) the continued movement of one hand
lever or the like will cause the cup to be released, the cock to be turned to open com-
munication between the meter and the delivery pipe the lifting of the outer guard
shutter and simultaneous shutting of an inner guard shutter over the cup holder and
the shifting out of the cup holder.
When cups of value are used the coin or coins to be paid into the machine will
represent the value of the cup and the price of the contents. The value of the cup
will then be returned by putting back the cup in a certain receiver therefor in the
machine. This may be done by providing in this part of the machine a column of
coins each representing the value of a cup; the latter placed in a receiver is caught
by the lugs thereon on a swinging lever moved by a hand lever back to a certain stop.
At or near this stop is a rod adapted to be touched by the bottom or other part of the
cup and be lifted exactly to a certain distance, its movement being sufficient to set in
action electrical or mechanical gear by which one of the coins aforesaid is pushed
into a chute and delivered to the purchaser.
The meter and reservoir may be connected with the machine as follows, the pipe
from the meter branches in two, one branch being the delivery pipe the other branch
the pipe connecting the meter to a union by which the reservoir may be attached. A
threeway or like cock being placed at the junction of the branches, the mechanism
controlling the delivery will operate by moving said cock. It is obvious that to
enable such a meter to be filled and emptied, an air hole is necessary therein and this
is closed by a float in the. meter.
Such a machine will deliver cold liquids. To enable the machine to deliver warm
liquids the delivery pipe may comprise in its length, a coil or tubular heater so that
the liquid is not kept warm, but is warmed only just before delivery.

page_text: The term cup in the foregoing is intended to comprise a can or vessel of any
shape.
HERBERT & Co.,
Agents to Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Delivery of Liquids, and Cups,
Cans, or other Vessels therefor, and to the Return of such
Vessels in Automatic Coin-freed Apparatus.
I GEORGE LAWRENCE of Latimer Road, London, W. in the County of Middlesex,
Brewers' Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to construct a machine 'which upon receipt of the
necessary coin shall retail or be capable of being operated by the purchaser to
retail a certain amount of liquid beverage in a fresh or clean cup or vessel for each
delivery.
A further object of the invention is to enable the machine to receive back such cup
or temporarily loaned vessel and return a certain coin or value therefor.
To these ends the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts
shown in the claims and carried into practice according to the following description
reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. I is a vertical
section of the apparatus showing the operating parts. Fig. 2 a plan view thereof.
Fig. 3 a sectional side elevation of the cup receiver mechanism. Fig. 4 is a similar
view of a modified construction thereof. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form
of cup delivery apparatus. Fig. 6 a side elevation of a part of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a
front elevation of the whole machine. Figs. 8 and 9 sectional elevations in planes at
right angles to each other of modified cup holding and releasing mechanism and
filling mechanism. Fig. 10 shows a detail of Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is another detail view
thereof, Fig. 12 is a vertical central section of the cup delivery apparatus Fig. 5, on
line A B and Fig. 13 is a similar sectional view on line CD Fig. 5.
It being practically essential in a machine of this kind that the movements of the
parts to be directly operated by the purchaser shall be as simple as possible so that
the operating of the machine is more certain and the latter less liable to be put out
of order, the machine illustrated is to bo operated by a single movement of a lever
this movement resulting in the delivery from the machine of a clean cup newly filled
with the liquid.
The cups are nested together in a column and supported within a cylindrical well
or other guides for retaining the column in correct position. The cups may be indi-
vidually supported or the column of cups may be supported by means of the bottom
cup gear being contrived in the latter instance to support the remainder of the column
when the lowest cup is delivered. The cups are all exactly similar and lugs or pro-
jections made thereon for the engagement of the releasing mechanism.
The cups may be made of metal ware or preferably for lightness and cleanliness
made of paper. To reduce the cost of the latter they may be made of a truncated
conical piece of paper or a flat piece cut to be rolled up and fastened in this shape the
same being held and rendered sufficiently rigid by a rim of metal, flat metal or wire.
The bottom may be of paper or metal. In Fig. 1 the projections necessary for
operating the release of the cup from the column N are two projecting lugs on the
rim of each cup, placed diametrically opposite to each other and the column of cups
may be guided by the said lugs between the bars 00. J' is a supporting frame on
which slides the bar H carrying the fingers, which in the usual position of of the bar
lie under and support the lugs of the lowest cup. The bar His caused to slide by
the lever E which is connected to the lever K by the link F. The lever K is con-
nected to the hand lever D and its outer end is provided with the recess J in which

page_text: engages the locking pawl, I having an inclined plane against which the pin G is
adapted to be pressed for lifting the pawl and unlocking the lever gear when the coin
is in the machine. A is the coin chute and B the chute connecting it to the pocket C.
The parts are proportioned so that when the coin is in the pocket the initial move-
ment of the lever D allowed by the recess J will enable the bar H to be slid along
sufficiently to carry the coin and with it the pin G far enough for the latter to have
arrived under and lifted the pawl I and so unlock the lever K before the end of the
slot J reaches the locking pawl 1. The further movement thus permitted to the lever
gear D, K, F, E, will move the fingers L from under the lugs of the lowermost cup
while other fingers on the bar H just have arrived below the lugs of the cup next
above so that the latter is held up while the lowermost cup falls into the receiver P.
Vis the reservoir containing the milk, skim milk or other liquid to be sold. H' is
a union for connecting the reservoir to the pipe communicating with the meter so
that the reservoir may be changed as often as necessary. I prefer to use a combined
union and valve so that the act of screwing in the union shall open the valve and the
unscrewing of the union close the valve. Otherwise a cock must be provided in the
section of pipe above the union. T fig. 2 is the meter which has the valve and float E'
fig. 1 in it; it is obvious that the float could be placed in the reservior V. the meter
is a closed chamber of the cubical content to hold exactly the amount of liquid to be
sold at each delivery. The meter T is placed at a lower level than the reservoir V to
enable it to fill it is provided with a single inlet and outlet at the base communicating
with the feed pipe and the delivery pipe U by the cock R the plug of which has two
passage ways affording alternate communication to the feed or to the delivery
according as it is turned by the lever Q and link S. The cock is at rest in the
position for communication of the meter and reservoir. An air hole in the top of
the meter closed by the float E' enables the meter to be filled and emptied. The
lever gear QS is so proportioned that after the cup has fallen into the receiver P the
continued movement of the handle D) and continued sliding of the frame H to which
the lever is connected will move the said lever gear to open the communication
between the meter and delivery pipe and the contents of the meter will flow into the
cup in the receiver P.
A window in the case will enable the purchaser to see this
operation completed. The final movement of the lever D will cause the receiver P to
move out and deliver the cup to the purchaser.
This movement is effected by the lever W against which the finger X arrives as
will be readily understood from Fig. 1.
Inasmuch as it is necessary to protect the said mechanism from being tampered
with or contaminated by mischieviously disposed persons shutters are provided by
which at all times through communication is closed to the inner mechanism. The
receiver is made as a sliding drawer with a recess for convenient holding of the cup
and preventing the same from falling over but not deep enough to prevent the easy
grasp of the cup by hand.
In the front of the machine therefore is the shutter Z to close the opening above
the drawer P. This shutter is cut out to afford passage for the drawer and cup when
raised. A lug on the framing of the machine carries the pivoted lever Y which
supports a pin or projection on the shutter Z. As the lever W commences its move-
ment and the drawer P is thrust out a lug thereon presses under and lifts the lever Y
and therefore the shutter Z, this lug riding along under the lever Y and maintaining
the shutter in its raised position until the drawer is again thrust back. In the mean-
time however, the lever W by means of a link B² has moved the lever B' and closed
the horizontal shutter A¹ above the space occupied by the drawer and cup therein.
The empty cup may be placed in a suitable receptacle with internal removable
receiver D. Springs arranged where required will return the parts to their original
positions on releasing the handle D. The coin will drop into a suitable coin tray
placed to receive it.
I prefer to combine with the float E' a shutter G' for the coin slot A connecting
them by suitable gear so that when the meter is empty, the com slit A is closed by a
chutter

page_text: The reservoir is provided with a lid which may be locked and in certain instances
may be fitted with a float to operate the shutter of the coin slot as aforesaid. Doors
are provided to the case of the machine to enable the reservoir and cups to be inserted
and the coin removed. The holders O may be fixed or movable.
Fig. 5 illustrates a modified construction of the mechanism for delivering the cup
of liquor when full and comprising also means for carrying the empty cup into the
base of the machine which may be rotary instead of shutter arrangements as shown in
Figs. 1 and 8, and will be connected by means of suitable lever or link through
lever E in Fig. 1 to handle D and in Fig. 8 to main spindle Z.
It consists essentially of a rotary turn table O' Fig. 10 with recesses for the cup
and means for revolving it. A (Figs, 5 and 11) is the front of the machine, B
represents in dotted lines the position of a cup just fallen from the column: B is the
cup in position to be taken by the purchaser. C and C are holes right through turn
table for receipt of empty cups from purchaser. The cup may be placed into hole (
when it will drop direct through the turn table and hole M in the base of the machine
into receiver (Fig. 13). D¹ is a ratchet wheel and I a pawl for preventing the rotation
of the table O' in the wrong direction; above the ratchet wheel I) is a toothed
pinion D (Fig. 13) gearing with the toothed wheel D (Fig. 5). The latter is
revolved by means of a pawl Fs and lever E¹ being connected to the main spindle Z,
Fig. 8, with a lever or link, motion being given to same by handle F of the machine.
The cup when empty may and can be placed in aperture P, when, upon the machine
being again operated it will be automatically received into the machine by being
rotated in said aperture until it comes to hole M in the base and falls into receptacle
beneath to receive it in columns, or other suitable manner or it may and can be placed
when empty into hole over which is fitted a suitable spring slide or door and
thence falls direct into said receptacle.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of turn table.
In the modification shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the column of cups is supported by
the rack W each cup being individually supported by means of a lug on the rim
thereof engaging in one of the recesses in the rack. The rack is free.to slide in the
guides XX. The construction of the mechanism is as illustrated to perform the
movements next to be described. The coin is placed in the slot A and falls into.
the pocket B. The initial movement allowed freely to the lever F and disc D
connected thereto, carries the pin E against the coin and moves the latter to lift the
locking pawl C which engages in the slot (in the disc D. This pawl being thus
unlocked owing to the presence of the coin, the disc D is free to revolve and on further
movement in the same direction deflects the lever G by striking it with the cam H.
The action releases the lowest cup by means of lever O, Fig. 8, to the end of which
is attached a block for the purpose of pushing off the lower cup, the said block
sliding on support P which is a bracket standing out from the side of machine upon
which also rests the handle or projection of the lowest cup which thereby holds up
the remainder of column. Wis a pin running through rack W, said pin running
through rack to better secure cups in place. The lowest cup is pushed from the
recess in rack by the said sliding piece and falls on to the sliding shutter K¹ which
in turn is withdrawn through the following action. By turning the handle F pin I
in disc Dis made to depress lever J pivoted at J¹ and connected at the lower end to
lever thereby lowering rod R which in turn by being lowered operates lever T
which is pivoted at U and which has a cam S affixed. The said cam being pressed
against rod R by spiral spring L' when the rod R is lowered right down, the cam S
rides over corner R₁ of rod R and brings with it lever T to which is attached, by
means of a pin which carries spring L', the shutter K' and withdraws the same towards
the front of machine and allows cup to fall. The front slide V is closed by the
turning of the levers J, Q, R, just in advance of shutter K³.
The part of this invention referring to the return of cups etc. to the machine and
the delivery of valve therefor is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
Dis a hand lever, the inner end of which is provided with a slot in which a pin on
the lever engages, so that a downward movement of the hand lever, causes the

page_text: lever to be raised until its movement is stopped by the fixed abutment C. On the
end of the lever C is pivoted a counterbalance fraině M extending usually before the
opening B and adapted to receive and bold the lugs on the cup A.
The insertion of the empty cup throws down the frame and upon moving down
the hand lever D the cup is carried up into the position shown in dotted lines. At
this part of the machine is arranged a sliding rod E usually held down by a spring so
that the bottom of the cup raised as aforesaid may strike the lower end of the said
rud and lift the same just sufficiently to set the lever gear G H I J in action to operate
the slide and shift the lowest coin of the column of coins K into the chute L and
so deliver it to the purchaser. On the lever C redescending the pawl N is struck by
the nose and the balance frame is vibrated to loose the cup which falls into the
receiver P. The slide F and lever gear return to their resting position by action
of a spring and the column of coins falls to bring the next coin in front of the slide F.
Fig. 4 illustrates a modification in the above mechanism. The pin E is designed
to make contact when raised in an electric circuit comprising an electric battery A
and electro magnet B. G is the armature and H I J lever gear connecting the
latter with the slide F. The passage of the current caused or permitted by such
contact aforesaid attracts the armature to the poles of the electromagnet and discharges
the coin by the movement so given to the lever gear and slide F.
This mechanism may be combined with the aforesaid cup and liquor delivery
machine in any desired manner.
The term cup used herein (unless inconsistent with the context) is intended to
comprise and signify a cup or a can or any other vessel for holding liquid what-
ever its form provided that such be capable of being nested more or less conveniently
together in a column.
When the machine is to deliver a hot liquor it is preferable to heat the portion
of liquor delivered just before the delivery and this may be done by passing the
liquor through a heated coil of pipe or tubular or other heater arranged in the course
of the delivery pipe. The reservior should be away from the ascending heated air
from the heater.
Where two or more liquids are to be delivered mixed, two or more meters,
reservoirs, cocks and delivery pipes are arranged to be operated by the mechanism as
before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
In automatic machinery for delivering liquids.
1. The method of boxing or arranging of cups and the like in a column whereby
the lowest cup may be released from the column by the mechanism and fall into position
for filling and delivering.
2. The improved cup construction as herein described of paper and metal with a
projecting lug or lugs for the purpose set forth.
3. The improved cup with a projecting lug or lugs constructed substantially
as described to be nested together and supported within guides or by a rack or
the like.
4. The combination of a column of nested cups with lateral lugs on the rims
thereof, guide plates for retaining said column by means of said lugs and a recipro-
cating mechanism for supporting the column, releasing the lowest cup and meanwhile
temporarily supporting the remainder of the column substantially as set forth.
5. The combination of a column of nested cups each with a lateral lug or handle
on the rim thereof, a ladder, rack or recessed holder for individually supporting
said cups and mechanism for releasing the lowest cup substantially as set forth.
6: In a machine the provision of a space for receiving a cup to be fitted with
shutters or doors and means for alternate closing and opening thereof whereby direct
access from without to the machine beyond said space and molestation of the mechanism
are always prevented.

page_text: 7. The combination of a reservoir, a meter, a connecting pipe thereto, a delivery
pipe and a cock of the nature described for alternate communication of the meter
with the reservoir and with the delivery pipe.
8. The provision of an air hole in the said meter in combination with a float for
closing the same.
9. The combination with the meter and float therein of a shutter for the coin slot
whereby the latter is closed when the meter is empty.
10. A machine in which all the movements necessary to deliver a cup filled with
liquid, such as the release of the cup, the filling of the same, the movement of the
doors or shutters and the delivery of the filled cup are operated by one hand lever
or equivalent simple hand device after insertion of the required coin into the
machine.
11. In a machine for delivery of matters in cups, vessels, or other holders of
value, mechanism whereby the machine is rendered capable of receiving back said cup
vessel or holder and returning a coin or value therefor.
12. A machine adapted to receive a cup, vessel or holder or device, necessary to
he temporarily loaned for the purposes of automatic sale of goods, said machine
being adapted also to return a coin or value to the operator therefor.
13. The mechanism hereindescribed and illustrated adapted to be set in operation
on receipt of a cup or the like and to deliver a coin therefor to the operator.
Dated this th 1900
HERBERT & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.