Patent Description:
More specifically, the invention relates to a beverage dispenser of the above type, designed and manufactured in particular to allow a user to control and adjust the dispensing of one or more beverages such as, for example, water, beer, soft drinks carbonated, non-carbonated beverages, and the like, in an optimal way.

In the following, the description will be directed to a beverage dispenser or distributor suitable for the restaurant sector (so-called "HORECA" sector), but it is quite clear that the same should not be considered limited to this specific use.

As is well known, beverage dispensers or distributors are currently widespread in venues such as, for example, bars, ice-cream parlors, fast-food or self-service restaurants, and the like. These dispensers can be operated manually by the users, to autonomously dispense one or more beverages.

In particular, these beverage dispensers generally comprise one or more activation/interruption buttons for activating or interrupting the dispensing of the respective beverages possibly selected by the user.

More in detail, when a beverage needs to be dispensed, the user can hold down the activation/interruption button associated with a respective beverage to activate its dispensing, filling the container such as, for example, a glass, positioned at a respective dispensing nozzle, until a desired filling level is reached. In this case, the dispensing is interrupted by releasing the activation/interruption button.

Alternatively, some beverage dispensers are designed to automatically fill the glass with the respective selected beverage, and according to a predefined quantity (so-called size), against a single press of the activation/stop button by the user. In these cases, normally, during the automatic dispensing of the beverage, the user can, however, press the same activation/interruption button a second time to interrupt dispensing of the beverage.

Furthermore, known solutions also comprise levers arranged below respective dispensing nozzles, for each beverage.

In particular, each lever can be operated by the user by exerting pressure, by means of the respective glass, on the same lever, to start dispensing the desired beverage. When this pressure is no longer present, dispensing of the beverage stops.

However, a drawback of these known solutions consists in the fact that they do not allow the user to precisely and effectively control the dispensing of the specific beverage. In fact, as mentioned, these solutions only provide for the possibility of activating or interrupting the dispensing of one or more beverages by using one or more buttons or levers that cannot be operated directly by the user, i.e., designed to be operated via the glass held by the user.

In addition, the use of buttons does not give the user a pleasant sensation during the dispensing act, such as that obtained using levers arranged in correspondence with the respective nozzles, and activated by pushing the glass, making it unpleasant for the user the delivery act itself, as well as impractical and controllable, as already mentioned above. A dispenser of beverages according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>.

In light of the above, it is, therefore, an object of the present invention providing a beverage dispenser, which can overcome the limitations of the solutions according to the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a beverage dispenser that is highly reliable, relatively simple to manufacture, and at competitive costs when compared to the prior art.

It is, therefore, specific object of the present invention a dispenser of beverages such as beer, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages and the like, comprising: a regulating unit for regulating the flow rate of at least one beverage, wherein said regulating unit comprises at least one regulating group having at least one lever operable by a user between a rest position, in which said at least one beverage is not dispensed, and at least one operating position, in which said at least one beverage is dispensed with a predetermined flow rate, and a dispensing unit operatively connected to said regulating unit, for dispensing said at least one beverage, wherein said dispensing unit comprises at least one first valve movable between a closed position and an open position to allow the dispensing of said at least one beverage with said predetermined flow rate; and at least one control logic unit connected to said at least one regulating group and said at least one first valve respectively, wherein each regulating group comprises a respective processing unit configured to send an electrical signal to said at least one logic control unit respectively, when said at least one lever is in said operating position, and wherein said at least one logic control unit is configured to: receive said electrical signal from said processing unit, and activate the opening of said at least one first valve for dispensing said at least one beverage.

According to the invention, said at least one lever is operable by said user between said rest position and a plurality of operating positions, wherein each operating position of said plurality of operating positions is associated with a respective predefined flow rate and a type of beverage which is also different with respect to each operating position of said at least one lever, so that, when said at least one lever is in one of said operating positions, the respective type of beverage with said predefined flow rate is dispensed.

Conveniently according to the invention, said at least one lever may be operable by said user between said rest position and a plurality of operating positions, wherein each operating position of said plurality of operating positions is associated with a respective flow rate of at least one type of beverage which is also different with respect to each operating position of said at least one lever, so that, when said at least one lever is in one of said operating positions, the respective type of beverage with said respective flow rate is dispensed.

Still according to the invention, said dispensing unit may comprise at least one second valve, connected to said at least one logic control unit and movable likewise between a closed position and an open position to allow the dispensing of at least one further beverage, such that, when said at least one lever is operated by said user from said rest position to an operating position of said plurality of operating positions, said at least one second valve switches from said closed position to said open position, allowing the dispensing of said at least one further beverage.

Always according to the invention, each processing unit may be configured to send a plurality of electrical signals to said at least one logic control unit respectively, when said at least one lever is in an operating position of said plurality of operating positions, such that said at least one logic control unit is able to activate the opening of each valve for dispensing said at least one beverage with said predefined flow rate and/or said respective flow rate.

Advantageously according to the invention, each processing unit may comprise a transducer configured to convert each operating position of said at least one lever into a respective electrical signal.

Still according to the invention, said transducer may be selected from: a selecting member, a potentiometer, a magnetic sensor, an ultrasonic position sensor and an inductive sensor.

Conveniently according to the invention, said at least one regulating group may comprise a first selecting member coupled to said lever, and a first switching device operable by said first selecting member, wherein when said lever passes from said rest position to an operating position related to one of said operating positions, said first selecting member interferes with said first switching device so as to switch its state.

Always according to the invention, said at least one control unit may comprise a second selecting member also coupled to said lever, wherein said second selecting member is rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to said respective first selecting member, and a second switching device operable by a respective second selecting member of a respective adjustment group, so that when one of said levers rotates from said rest position to a further operating position related to one of said operating positions, said second selecting member interferes with said second switching device so as to switch its state.

Advantageously according to the invention, each switching device may be operable by a respective selecting member.

Conveniently according to the invention, said lever may be capable of rotating according to a first direction of rotation or a second direction of rotation, opposite to said first direction of rotation.

Always according to the invention, each lever may comprise at least one haptic device for providing haptic feedback, such as vibrations and the like, to a user when operating the respective lever for dispensing at least one of said beverages.

Still according to the invention, said at least one haptic device may be capable of providing different haptic feedback depending on said predefined flow rate and/or said type of beverage.

In the various figures, similar parts will be indicated with the same reference numbers.

With reference to <FIG>, the dispenser of beverages such as water, beer, carbonated drinks, and the like, indicated as a whole with the reference number <NUM>, comprises a drip tray base <NUM>, a support column <NUM> fixed to said base <NUM>, a regulating unit <NUM> for regulating the dispensing of at least one of said beverages and a dispensing unit <NUM>, operatively connected to said regulating unit <NUM>, for dispensing at least one of said beverages.

It should be noted that, for the purposes of the present invention, the support column <NUM> could not be fixed to said base <NUM>, but simply arranged in proximity to said base <NUM>. In this case, said support column <NUM> can be fixed directly to the support <NUM> by means of fastening means such as, for example, clamps.

The drip tray base <NUM>, having a substantially rectangular shape, has a surface <NUM>, on which the receptacles or containers (not shown in the figures) are positioned, such as, for example, glasses and the like, to be filled with the respective beverages dispensed by said dispensing unit <NUM>.

In the embodiment described, said base <NUM> develops on a plane XY of a Cartesian reference system XYZ. However, in other embodiments, the base <NUM> can have a different shape, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

The support column <NUM> has one end 11A fixed to said base <NUM>, and another end 11B fixed to said regulating unit <NUM>.

In particular, as can be seen from <FIG>, the support column <NUM> develops in height, substantially in the direction of a Z-axis, perpendicular to the XY-plane of the Cartesian reference system XYZ.

With particular reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, said regulating unit <NUM> comprises a containment structure <NUM>' and a plurality of regulating groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, arranged inside said containing structure <NUM>, in which each regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is configured to regulate the flow rate of each beverage. The term "regulating" means both a continuous regulation of the flow, and a discrete regulation of the flow, and a simple on-off regulation, that is of generation and interruption of the flow.

In particular, in the present embodiment, said regulating unit <NUM> comprises a first regulating group <NUM> arranged close to a first side of said containment structure <NUM>', a second regulating group <NUM> arranged alongside said first regulating group <NUM>, a third regulating group <NUM>, arranged alongside said second regulating group <NUM>, and a fourth regulating group <NUM>, arranged close to a second side of said containment structure <NUM>', in which said second side is opposite said first side.

However, in other embodiments, the number and arrangement of said regulating groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be different from what is described.

Each regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> comprises a lever respectively indicated with the reference numbers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which can be operated manually by a user, a first selecting member <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> coupled to said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a second selecting member <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, also coupled to said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and at least one first switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> capable of switching from a closed or non-operating position, to an open or operating position and vice versa.

As can be seen from <FIG>, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> protrudes from a respective opening <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> formed in said containment structure <NUM>', so as to be easily gripped and operated by the user. This feature makes the dispensing act pleasant for the user.

In particular, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can pass from a rest position, in which the dispensing of the beverage is not active, to at least one operating position, in which said at least one beverage is dispensed with a respective flow rate and pressure.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be operated by the user effectively simulating the operation of a tap for beer and the like, capable of dispensing beer and the like by controlling, by actuation of the respective lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the flow of the liquid and of the carbon dioxide. In dispensers, the regulation of the dispensing tap is mechanical, and the activation of the lever allows the feeling of the fluid being dispensed. The dispenser <NUM> according to the present invention actually simulates this feeling.

In other embodiments of the present invention, each operating position of said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can correspond to respective functions.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is in an operative position, the dispensing of the beverage can be timed by, for example, a relay configured to open or close the electrical contacts, after a preset time interval has elapsed.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, when said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is in an operative position, the flow rate of the dispensed beverage can be predetermined on the basis of the size, or dimension, of the container to be filled.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a respective type of dispensed beverage can be associated with each operating position of said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Again, in one embodiment, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be operated between said rest position and a plurality of operating positions, in which each operating position of said plurality of operating positions is associated with a respective pre-definable range and a type of beverage, even different with respect to each operating position of the same lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Therefore, when said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is in one of said operating positions, the respective type of beverage is dispensed with this predefinable range. By way of example, for each operating position of said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> the same type of beverage can be dispensed with a different flow rate.

In another embodiment, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be operated between said rest position and a plurality of operating positions, in which each operating position of said plurality of operating positions is associated with a respective range of at least a type of beverage even different with respect to each operating position of the same lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Therefore, when said at least one lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is in one of said operating positions, the respective type of beverage is dispensed with said respective flow rate. By way of example, for each operating position of said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, a different type of beverage can be dispensed with the same flow rate.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include one or more haptic devices (not shown in the figures) for providing haptic feedback such as, for example, vibration and the like, to the user when the latter uses the respective lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to dispense a beverage. In this way, in fact, the user can perceive, through the touch, the level of pressure and flow rate associated with the specific dispensed beverage.

That is, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include at least one haptic device for providing haptic feedback, such as vibrations and the like, to a user when actuating the respective lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for delivery of at least one of these beverages.

By way of example, said haptic device can comprise a motor, an actuator or a piezoelectric sensor. However, in other embodiments, the number and type of said haptic devices can be different without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

In particular, each haptic device is capable of providing a different haptic feedback as a function of said predefinable flow rate and/or of said type of beverage to be dispensed.

With reference to <FIG>, each regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> comprises a respective bar <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, having a cylindrical section, which develops along the direction of a Y axis, perpendicular to said Z axis of the Cartesian reference system XYZ. In particular, the ends of each bar <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be fixed to the sides of respective structures (not shown in the figures) to guarantee the stability of the regulating groups <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

In the embodiment described, each selector member <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is a cam, such that, when the lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is rotated, the cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively associated interfere with a respective switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and allow the beverage to be dispensed.

However, in other embodiments, the type of said selecting member <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be different from what is described.

Furthermore, as will be better explained hereinafter, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is capable of rotating around the respective bar <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> according to a first direction of rotation R1 or according to a second rotation direction R2, opposite to said first rotation direction R1.

In addition, each first cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> has one end respectively fixed to said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and another end free to move and to contact said first switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> such as, for example, a switch and the like, thereby switching its state.

Similarly, each second cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> has one end respectively fixed to said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and another end free to move and to contact a second switching device <NUM>, <NUM> as, for example, a switch and the like, so as to switch its state.

In more detail, with reference to the <FIG>, each first cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is rotated with respect to the respective second cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (i.e., it is eccentric with respect to it) by a predetermined angle, so as to interfere at different times respectively with said first switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and with said second switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, activating the delivery of a specific beverage, as better described hereinafter.

In the present embodiment, said first regulating group <NUM> and said fourth regulating group <NUM> respectively comprise two switching devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, while said second regulating group <NUM> and said third regulating group <NUM> respectively comprise a switching device <NUM> and <NUM>.

However, in other embodiments, the number and type of said switching devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, may be different from what is described.

In other embodiments of the present invention, each regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can comprise, in addition or in place of said switching devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, one or more proximity sensors (not shown in the figures) such as, for example, magnetic sensors and the like, to detect the position of said lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, one or more encoders (not shown in the figures), or one or more resistors (not shown in the figures).

Each regulation group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> comprises a respective processing unit E0, E1, E2, E3 configured to respectively send an electrical signal to at least one logic control unit U0, U1, U2, U3, when at least one lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is in the operating position.

Furthermore, each regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> comprises a plurality of electrical connection means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> such as, for example, pins and the like, for connecting each switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to a respective control logic unit U0, U1, U2, U3.

Each logic control unit such as, for example, an electronic card, a computer or a plurality of computers, is configured to receive electrical signals from each processing unit E0, E1, E2, E3 of the respective regulation group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> when said switching devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in said operating position, and to consequently activate said dispensing unit <NUM> for dispensing beverages.

As said and as can be seen from <FIG>, the dispensing unit <NUM> is operatively connected to said regulating unit <NUM>, and comprises a plurality of valves 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B movable between a closed position and an open position to allow the dispensing of at least one beverage with a predetermined flow rate associated with respective dispensing nozzles for dispensing the beverages. In one embodiment of the present invention, said valves 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B can be solenoid valves of the on-off type, i.e., bistable or monostable. In this case, the valves 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B only allow the activation and interruption of the flow. In other embodiments, the valves 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B can be proportional solenoid valves, that is, they can regulate the flow rate in a continuous or discrete way of the flow passing through them.

Each control logic unit U0, U1, U2, U3 is capable of activating the opening of one or more valves 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B for dispensing the specific beverage through the respective dispensing nozzle.

In one embodiment, the dispensing unit <NUM> comprises a respective first valve 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A for each regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each first valve 30A, 31A, 32A, 33A is movable between a closed position and an open position to allow the dispensing of at least one beverage with a predetermined flow rate.

In another embodiment, the dispensing unit <NUM> also comprises a respective second valve 30B, 31B, 32B, 33B for each regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each second valve 30B, 31B, 32B, 33B is also movable between a closed position and an open position to allow the dispensing of at least one further beverage with a predetermined flow rate.

The operation of the beverage dispenser <NUM> described above is as follows.

Initially, each lever <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the respective regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is in said rest position, as can be seen from <FIG>. Furthermore, each first cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and each second cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> do not interfere respectively with said first switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and with said second switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, which are in said non-operating position.

Therefore, in this state or configuration said beverage dispenser <NUM> does not dispense any beverage by means of said regulating group <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Subsequently, in the event that the user requires a beverage that can be dispensed by the regulating group <NUM>, he/she actuates the lever <NUM>, rotating it according to said first direction of rotation R1, from said rest position to said operating position.

As said, in a further embodiment of the present invention, a rotation of said lever <NUM> according to said first rotation direction R1 from said rest position to an operating position of a plurality of operating positions can correspond to the dispensing of a type of beverage with a pre-definable flow rate.

The rotation of said lever <NUM> according to said first rotation direction R1 around the respective bar <NUM> allows said first cam <NUM> to contact said first switching device <NUM>, so as to switch its state from non-operating to operating.

On the other hand, following the same rotation of the lever <NUM>, as can be seen from <FIG>, the second cam <NUM> does not interfere with said second switching device <NUM>, which, therefore, remains in the inoperative state.

In fact, as mentioned, each first cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is rotated, i.e., the respective lobes are out of phase, with respect to the lobes of the respective second cam <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> by a predetermined angle, so as to interfere in different moments respectively with said first switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and with said second switching device <NUM>, <NUM>, activating the delivery of a specific beverage.

Therefore, when said first switching device <NUM> is in the operative state, an electrical signal is transmitted from the respective processing unit E0 of said regulation group <NUM> to said logic control unit U0, by means of respective electrical connection means <NUM>.

Consequently, said control logic unit U0 starts the dispensing of the beverage by sending a control signal for opening a respective valve 30A, 30B of the dispensing unit <NUM> associated with a respective first beverage. The opening of the valve 30A, 30B can be complete, or it can be adjusted according to the control signal sent by the logic control unit U0.

If, on the other hand, the user needs another beverage that can be dispensed from the same regulating group <NUM>, he/she holds the lever <NUM>, rotating it in the second direction of rotation R2, opposite to said first rotation direction R1, from said rest position to said operating position.

Also in this case, as anticipated, in a further embodiment of the present invention, a rotation of said lever <NUM> according to said second rotation direction R2 from said rest position to an operating position of a plurality of operating positions can correspond to the dispensing of a further type of beverage with a pre-definable flow rate.

As can also be seen from <FIG> referring to the fourth regulating group <NUM>, the rotation of said lever <NUM> around the respective bar <NUM> allows said second cam <NUM> to contact said second switching device <NUM>, so as to switch its status from non-operating to operating.

On the other hand, following the same rotation of the lever <NUM>, the first cam <NUM> does not contact said first switching device <NUM>, which therefore remains in the non-operating state.

Therefore, in analogy to the previous case, when said second switching device <NUM> is in the operating state, an electrical signal is transmitted from the respective processing unit E0 of said regulation group <NUM> to said logic control unit U0 by means of respective electrical connection means <NUM>, said logic control unit U0 starts dispensing the beverage by sending a control signal for opening a respective valve 30A, 30B of the dispensing unit <NUM> associated with a respective second beverage, different from the first beverage. Also in this case, similarly to the previous one, the opening of the valves 30A, 30B can be completed, or it can be adjusted according to the control signal sent by the logic control unit U0.

An advantage of the beverage dispenser according to the present invention is that it allows the user to easily access the levers of the regulating groups, positioned in the upper portion of the beverage dispenser, so as to manually adjust and manage the delivery of one or more beverages.

Claim 1:
Dispenser (<NUM>) of beverages such as beer, carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages and the like, comprising:
a regulating unit (<NUM>) for regulating the flow rate of at least one beverage, wherein said regulating unit (<NUM>) comprises
at least one regulating group (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having at least one lever (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) operable by a user between a rest position, in which said at least one beverage is not dispensed, and at least one operating position, in which said at least one beverage is dispensed with a predetermined flow rate, and
a dispensing unit (<NUM>) operatively connected to said regulating unit (<NUM>), for dispensing said at least one beverage, wherein said dispensing unit (<NUM>) comprises at least one first valve (30A, 31A, 32A, 33A) movable between a closed position and an open position to allow the dispensing of said at least one beverage with said predetermined flow rate; and
at least one control logic unit (U0, U1, U2, U3) connected to said at least one regulating group (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and said at least one first valve (30A, 31A, 32A, 33A) respectively,
wherein each regulating group (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a respective processing unit (E0, E1, E2, E3) configured to send an electrical signal to said at least one logic control unit (U0, U1, U2, U3) respectively, when said at least one lever (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is in said operating position, and
wherein said at least one logic control unit (U0, U1, U2, U3) is configured to:
- receive said electrical signal from said processing unit (E0, E1, E2, E3), and
- activate the opening of said at least one first valve (30A, 31A, 32A, 33A) for dispensing said at least one beverage, said dispenser of beverages being
characterized in that said at least one lever (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is operable by said user between said rest position and a plurality of operating positions,
wherein each operating position of said plurality of operating positions is associated with a respective predefined flow rate and a type of beverage which is also different with respect to each operating position of said at least one lever (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
so that, when said at least one lever (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is in one of said operating positions, the respective type of beverage with said predefined flow rate