US2000556A - Automatic drink vending machine - Google Patents

Description

May 7, 1935. T. BRADY AUTOMATIC DRINK VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1932 9 I i I ju nuim 2 60mm Brad BY;

ATTORNEY May 7', 1935. T. BRADY AUTOHATIC DRINK VENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 20, 1932 May 7, 1935. T BRADY 2,000,556

AUTOMATIC DRINK VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 20, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A'TI'ORNEY INVENTOR {fa/22a? 5r 5 q m i. 1/: 6 u M w T m m r m m .m m EU T a m M .\x O y i T Z 6 Z Patented May 7, 1935 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC DRINK VENDING MACHINE Thomas Brady, Caldwell, N. 1., assignor to Ross. M. Turner, New York, N. Y.

Application September 20, 1932, Serial No. 633,942

9 Claims. (Cl. 194-43) This invention relates, generally, to the ndhas been discharged and in synchronism with the ing of soft drinks; and the invention has r iliquid dispensing means. erence, more particularly, to a novel coin on- Still another object of the present invention trolled automatic vending machine for dispensing li s in t provision of a novel drink vending aplurality of carbonated soft drinks of various machine of the above character, wherein the coin 5 flavors. controlled cup and drink dispensing devices are Carbonated drink vending machines, as herep d by a single n id, h r y reducing toiore constructed, have usually been of rather the initial 00st of the m(l-Chine to a minimum, the complicated structure, thereby entailing considsaid machine having a movable p pp r erable expense in their manufacture and main- Platform responsive t0 the Weight of the Cup and 10 tenance. These machines, owing to their its contents for effecting the deenergization of plexity, are usually far from fool-proof and are Saidseleneid and the unlocking 0f e P 00111- more or less apt to get out of order, so that the psrtmsnt d when the p i fi same have not become popular. Other objects of this invention, not at this The principal object of the present invention time more P ul rly enumerated, will be 15 is to provide a novel and relatively simply corn ly understood from the following detailed descripstructed vending machine which is dependable in tioll the Sameoperation and is adapted for mixing and The invention is clearly illustrated in the acpensing variously flavored beverages of the careompanying dIe-Wing5,inWh1ChI 2o bonated water type, the said machine being of Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the novel cabinet design and arranged to be controlled by automatic drink vending machine of this invenmeans of a coin of a particular denomination, tinnwhereby the mixed beverages may be sold, as well 2 s a pla vi w of the structure shown in as dispensed, through automatic mechanical means and without the aid or attendance of an I Fig. 3 s an ed fragmentary, D 25 operator or sales person. tional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Another object of the present invention lies looking in the direction of the in the provision oi a novel vending machine or 4 is a fragmentary view taken substantially the above character in whlchall of the operating along line 44 of Fig- 3 looking in the direction 01 3Q mechanism is concealed and protected, and in the arrows. so

which the cup compartment is provided with a Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along line door which remains locked until the proper coin 5-5 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the has been inserted into a suitable coin receiving arrows. 2

aperture and the cup filled with the desired Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrates drink. the machine in operation just after a coin has Another object of the present invention is to been inserted thereinto.

provide a novel drink vending machine which is Fig. 'I is a view looking at the reverse side of the adapted to mix any one of several flavors or structure shown inFig. 6 and illustrates the pursy ups with a diluent, such as pro-cooled carbom chaser in the act of removing the filled cup.

49 ated water, and to supply this mixed drink to a Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram illustrating the oil cup, which, when filled to a predetermined point, cults involved. acts to automatically cause the shutting on of Fig. 9 is a schematic sectional view taken subthe supply of the drink and to also effect the stantially along 11:16 9-4 of Fig. 2. opening of the cup compartment door-so that Fig. 10 is a. fragmentary plan view with parts Still another object of the present invention is machine,

to Provide a novel drink vending machine of the Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in side elevation above character employing an individual dr kwith parts broken away of the mixing valve; ing recep acl di p n in m which p- Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in side elevation 5 tacle dispensing device is also controlled by the of th hi d coin omtml mechanism and is adapted to auto- Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line matically supply new and unused individual pal3-l3 of Fig. 6. per or (the: cups, beneath and in vertical align- Similar characters of reference are employed 'ment with the drink discharge nozzle at the bein all of the above described views to indicate ginnim or each operation and betore the liquid corresponding parts.

the Purchaser may reach in and get the 011D; broken away of the mixing valve employed in the 45 I Referring now to the said drawings, the reference numeral l designates the novel automatic drink vending machine of this invention ,as a whole. This machine comprises a cabinet 2 having front and back walls 3 and 4, side walls 5 and 6- and relatively narrow walls I and 8 interconmeeting the front and side walls. Cabinet 2 has a hollow translucent or transparent advertising device 9 at the top thereof within which is preferably contained a suitable electric light and on the exterior walls of which are depicted suitable advertising matter H. The front, side and interconnecting walls of the cabinet 2 are each provided with a compartment door I2, each of which doors is disposed substantially centrally 01' its respective wall.

Above each door is depicted the name of a respective drink, thereby designating the type of drink served through such door. Slightly to the right of each door I2 is provided a coin receiving aperture l3 of a size conforming to a particular denomination of coin, for example, a five cent piece. Further to the right of each door I2 is provided a used cup receiving aperture M of a shape adapted to receive a cup when the same is held in a vertical position. The used cup apertures l4 are symmetrically arranged with respect to the doors l2, thereby causing the cabinet 2 to have a neat and attractive appearance. In the form of the invention shown in the drawings, the cabinet is illustrated as having five cup compartment doors, adapting the same to serve five diiferent drinks, but it is to be understood that this cabinet may have a lesser or even greater number of such doors, if desired. Also, two cabinets may be arranged back to back when desired, thereby presenting a handsome appearance and enabling the sale of ten different carbonated drinks.

Substantially centrally disposed within the interior of the cabinet 2 is a casing I 5 (see Fig. 2) containing an electric refrigerator consisting of a refrigerator unit i6 (see Fig. 9) connected by piping I! to the cooling jacket l9 of a closed carbonated water cooler container i8. An expansion valve 20 is provided in piping H where this piping joins the cooling jacket 19 so that refrigerant expanding within jacket l9 will effect the cooling of the carbonated water 2| contained within water container l9. Carbonated water under pressure is supplied from a pressure tank 22, situated in the lower part of cabinet 2, by means of piping 23 to container l8, within which container the carbonated water is cooled to a relatively low temperature by the refrigerating action of the refrigerator unit.

Container I8 is provided with outlet piping 24 to the upper end of which is connected a plurality of branch pipes 25. The branch pipes 25 are adapted to conduct the cooled carbonated water to mixing valves 26, five oi which valves are illustrated in the drawings, corresponding to the number of diifering drinks dispensed by the machine. Valves 43 are included in pipes 25 adjacent the respective mixing valves 26 in order to shut oil the supply of cooled carbonated water to these valves,

- when desired. A plurality of removable jars 21 are contained within the upper part of cabinet 2, which jarsvare adapted to contain the various flavors or syrups dispensed by the machine. Jars 21 are mounted in inverted position with their necks 28 projecting downwardly into hoppers 29, which hoppers serve" to support the jars'and are illustrated'as having gaskets 30 for sealing the joint between the tops of the jars and the hoppers. Hoppers 29 aresconnected by pipes 41 to the mixing valves 26. The lower portions of hoppers 29 are illustrated as having valves 32 which permit the shutting ofl of the supply of syrup when desired.

One of the mixing valves 26 is shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11 and consists of a casing having a cylindrical valve recess 33 therein. within which is slidably contained a piston 34 that has a piston rod 35 extending therefrom. A coil compression spring 36 contained within recess 33 bears against the piston 34 and urges the free end of piston rod 35 against a. plunger 31 that is reciprocally mounted within a cylindrical recess 38 provided in the casing of valve 26. An annular stop shoulder 39 is provided within valve cylinder 33 for limiting the motion of piston 34 under the action of spring 36. With piston 34 abutting stopshoulder 39, the said piston serves to close a port 46 in the valve casing, which port communicates, by means of a passage 42, with one of the pipes 25 leading to the outlet piping 24.

A camming lever 44 is pivotally mounted upon a projection 45 formed on the casing of valve 26, which camming lever has. cams 46 formed thereon. One of the cams 46 is adapted, upon the turning of lever 44, downwardly, to effect the inward movement of plunger 31 and piston rod 35, thereby causing piston 34 to compress spring 36 and effect the opening of port 40 so that in use, carbonated water under pressure may flow from the pipe 25 through passage 42, port 40, and into cylindrical recess 33. The cylindrical recess 33 is provided with a relatively small aperture 49, which communicates through a short tube 49 to the interior of a small mixing chamber 50 formed in the casing of valve 26. Thus, the carbonated water under pressure within cylindrical recess 33 will flow through aperture 48 and tube 49 into the mixing chamber 50 when plunger 31 is depressed by the action of camming 4 .a second cylindrical recess 5| which extends parallel to the recess 33. Recess 5i has a piston 34 movable therein which is similar to piston-34. The piston rod 35 of piston 34 is urged against a plunger 31 by the action of the coil spring 36'. With piston 34' in engagement with an annular shoulder 39' under the action of spring 36', the said piston serves to close a port 52 which communicates, by means of a short tube 53, to the interior of the small mixing chamber50. Pipe 3| leading to one of the jars 21 is adapted to convey syrup into an aperture 54 which communicates with the cylindrical recess 5|. When plunger 31' is pressed inwardly by cam 46 of camming lever 44, piston 34 uncovers the port 39' so that syrup flowing through pipe 3|, passage 54 and cylindrical recess 5|, will enter port 52 and pass through tube 53 into the small mixing chamber 50 to be there intermixed with the pre-cooled carbonated water. From the small mixing chamber 50, the intermixed carbonated water and syrup will flow into a large tubular mixing chamber 55 which extends vertically downwardly from valve 26. A spout 56 is attached to the lower end of mixing chamber 55 and serves to conduct the intermixed syrup and carbonated water to a drinking cup aswill further appear.

The outer free end of camming lever 44 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a depending link 51 which has its lower end pivotally connected, as by a pin 58, to the upper end of an armature 58 that is adapted to telescope within a solenoid 80. Armature 58 is normally held in its upper and withdrawn position with respect to the solenoid 68 by means of a coil,

As especially shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the bracket 63 has a bell crank lever 64 pivotally mounted thereon as by means of a pivotal pin 13. One arm of bell crank lever 64 depends downwardly and is pivotally connected, as by a pivotal screw 85, to the operating arm 66 of a cup dispenser 61. The cup dispenser 8'1 is old and of well known construction and is thought to require no detailed description. The preferably waxed paper cups 68 of the dispenser 61 are confined in a vertical position, as by vertical rods 68, extending upwardly from the main portion of the cup dispenser. Each time the operating lever 66 is actuated, a cup 68 will be dropped vertically downwardly from this dispenser and past the discharge mouth of spout 56. The other arm of bell crank lever 84 is inclined upwardly somewhat to the horizontal, and has the upper end of a depending tension spring 18 connected to its free end portion. The lower end of spring 78 is connected to a screw H which is threaded into the depending link 51.

The tension ofspring 18 tends to turn bell crank lever 64 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, thereby tending to cause an operating movement of operating arm 68 of the cup dispenser 81. Movement of bell crank lever 64 under the action of tension spring 18 is normally prevented, however, by a roller stop 12 that is carried by the depending link 51 and engages the underside of the upwardly inclined arm of bell crank lever 88. When depending link 51 is pulled downwardly, however, as when solenoid 88 is energized, the roller stop 12 will move downwardly'as will also pin 1|, so that spring 10 will cause the actuation of bell crank lever 64, resulting in the operation of the cup dispenser 61. The cup dispenser 5'! thus acts to discharge a cup which falls downwardly past the drink discharge mouth of spout 58 and passes into the hollow interior of a cup embracing bracket 15. The cup then comes to rest in an upright position with its bottom resting upon a tipping platform or pan 14 and with its sides embraced by bracket '15.

The cup embracing bracket;v is of c-shape, as viewed in plan, and is open at the front so that a cup can be readily withdrawn therefrom,

although this bracket I5 serves to maintain the cup in an upright position upon the tipping platformor pan 14 until the user removes the same therefrom. The cup embracing'bracket 15 is supported at itsrear upon the upper end portion of a strut 16 which extends downwardly and through an aperture provided in the platform 14 and has a forwardly -directed flange at its lower end which is secured to a beam 11.

form or pan 14 is supported upon the lower portion of strut I8, as by means of a transversely extending angle bar I8 which is secured to the under-surface of the tipping platform and to the strut 16. The strut 16 thus serves to support the tipping platform 14 upon beam 11. Beam I1 is formed with transverse extensions 80 at its sides, which extensions have down-turned ears 80' at their ends, which ears are pivotally mounted upon a transversely extending pivotal rod 8|. Pivotal rod 8| has its ends supported by upwardly directed ears 83 formed at the sides of a horizontal bracket 82 which is attached to the easing i5.

Owing to the pivotal mounting of the beam 11 upon pivotal rod 8| carried by bracket 82, this beam and the platform 14 are adapted to turn somewhat about a horizontal axis. The beam 11 is provided with stop screws 85 and 85' near its ends, which screws, by engaging the bracket 82, serve to limit the turning or tipping movement of the beam TI and of the platform or pan 14. The beam 11 carries an adjustable weight 86 which may be nicely adjusted so that the tipping platform H will normally remain in a somewhat forwardly and downwardly inclined position, (see especially Figs. 4 to 6) with the stop screw 85' in engagement with the bracket 82. The weight 86 is so adjusted, however, that when a cup 68, resting upon the tipping platform 14, receives the desired quantity of drinking fluid. the weight of the cup and its contents will serve to tip theplatform 14 forwardly somewhat by overbalancing. the weight 88, thereby moving the screw 85 into engagement with bracket 82, as illustrated in Fig. 7.

The tipping platform or pan H is provided with flanges at its sides and with a V-shaped flange 81, which flanges project upwardly from the upper-surface of platform 14 and serve to conduct any liquid spilt upon this platform to a spout 88 formed in the forward portion thereof. Owing to the inclination of the platform or pan l4, liquid spilt thereon will flow naturally to spout 88 and will be discharged from this. spout into the flared upper end portion of a depending waste pipe 89, which serves to convey such spilt liquid downwardly and into a sump or pan 88 positioned at the bottom of the cabinet.

A mercury bulb switch 9| is mounted upon a clip 92 that is secured to the upper surface of platform 14 at the rear of panel 18. Mercury bulb switch 8| is so positioned with respect to the cup platform 14 that when this platform is in its normal slightly inclined position, i. c. with the stop screw 85' in engagement with bracket 82, the mercury within this bulb switch will engage the terminals of the switch so that, in effect,

this switch is closed. A lead 83 is connected to.

one terminal of mercury bulb switch 8| and a second lead 84 is connected to the other terminal of this mercury bulb switch. Lead 84 extends to one terminal of the solenoid 60, the other terminal of which solenoid is connected by a lead 85 to one lead 86 of a current supply line having a second lead 81.

A second mercury bulb switch 88 is mounted upon a clip 88 that is also secured to the upper surface of platform I4 at the rear of panel 18. Mercury bulb switch 88 is so positioned with respect to the cup platform 14, that when this platform is in its normal slightly inclined position, i. e. with the stop screw 85' in engagement with bracket 82, the mercury within thisbulb switch is out of engagement with the terminals of thls switch so that, in effect, this switch is open. When the platform I4 is tipped forwardly, however, under the weight of a filled cup 68, the mercury within bulb switch 98 will shift so as to complete a circuit across the terminals of this switch, as especially shown in Fig. 7, whereas the circuit through bulb switch 9i will be broken, owing to the flowing of the mercury away from the terminals of switch 9| when the platform tips forwardly.

One terminal of mercury bulb switch 98 is connected bya lead I00 to the supply lead 91. The other terminal of switch 98 is connected by a lead IM to one terminal of a door operating solenoid I02, the other terminal of which solenoid is connected by a lead I03 to the supply lead 98. The core I05 of door operating solenoid I02 is mounted upon a bracket I04 that is fixed to the casing I5. An armature I06 is adapted to telescope within the hollow interior of solenoid I02 and extends downwardly from this solenoid.

A depending racki0! is pivotally connected at its upper end, as by a pin I 08, to the armature I06 and has its lower end portion slidably guided ina slide bearing projection I09 formed on the bracket I04. A depending circular rod IIO has its upper end secured to the lower end of rack I01 and the lower end portion of this rod I I0 projects downwardly through the top of an air check cylinder III. The lower end of depending rod IIO has a check piston II2- fixed thereto for reciprocation within check cylinder III. The uper and lower portions of check cylinder III are provided with relatively small apertures I I3 and H3 which may be made adjustable as to size, if desired, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Apertures I I3 and H3 serve to check the movement of check piston I I2 within cylinder I I I and hence serve to check reciprocating movements of rack I0I in use. The teeth of rack I0! mesh with a gear H4 that is fixed upon a forwardly extending shaft H5. The rear end portion of shaft H5 is turnably mounted upon a bearing provided in the bracket I04, whereas the front end portion of this shaft is mounted in a bearing provided in an extension II6 of the bracket I04.

A sheave'.II'I is fixed upon the forward end portion of shaft I I5 and has a chain I I8 passing thereover. One end of the chain H8 is fixed to the periphery of sheave H1 and the other end of this chain is attached to a bracket II9 that is secured to the upper portion of a cup compartment door I2. The door I2 is adapted to slide upwardly in moving from closed to open position and is guided in its movement by vertical guides I25 attached to the inner wall surface of cabinet 2. Door I2 is preferably transparent and may be made, for example, of any suitable cellulosic material. A knob or handle I20 is shown attached to the lower central portion of the door I2, which handle projects outwardly of the cabinet 2. A transverse bar, such as an angle bar, extends across the lower rear portion of door I2 and has a horizontal flange I 2I projecting rearwardly of this door, which flange is adapted to cooperate with pivoted latches I22 which are pivotally these latches in a counterclockwise direction so that they will engage flange I2I and thereby serve to retain the door I2 in closed and locked condition. Latches I22 have rearwardly directed releasing projections I26 which are adapted to cooperate with a transversly extending bar I2'I carried by the forward portion of the cup platform I4. With the door I2 in closed position, as shown in Fig. 6-, and with the cup platform I4 in its normal position (i. e. with stop screw 85 engaging bracket 82) the latches I 22', by engaging the flange I 2 I, will serve to lock the door in closed position, while the releasing projections I26 are positioned immediately below the under surface of bar I21.

After a cup 68 has been filled with a predetermined quantity of drink, however, causing platform I4 to tip forwardly, as shown in Fig. '7, the transverse bar I2'I will act to move the releasing projections I26 downwardly, thereby turning latches I22 rearwardly about their pivotal connections with the bracket 82 and effecting the unlocking of the door I2. The forward tipping of the platform I4 also completes a circuit through mercury bulb switch 98, thereby effecting the energization of door operating solenoid I02 (see especially Fig. 8) and causing upward movement of armature I06, resulting in the turning of gear H4 and sheave III, to thereby raise door I2 to open position and permitting the purchaser to insert his hand, as shown in Fig. '7, and remove the filled cup.

The coin control mechanism consists of a depending flattened conveying tube I29 which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the coin receiving aperture I3 (see especially Figs. 3 to 7) The conveying tube I29 has an internal cross section substantially conforming to that of the denomination of coin used, i. e. when the coin is viewed edgeways, and this tube serves to convey the coins to the forward end portion of a pivoted beam I30. The coins are delivered so that their edges strike the beam I30, the faces of the coin extending transversely of the beam as shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 13. Beam I30 is pivotally supported substantially midway of its lengthas upon a pivotal pin I3I carried by a bracket I32 that is fixed to the casing I5. As especially shown in Fig. 13, the forward portion of beam I30 is provided with a slot I33 immediately underlying .the discharge end of tube I29. Slot I33 is of slightly lesser width than the diameter of a genuine coin intended to be used in the machine, so that fictitious coins of smaller diameter than genuine coins will fall through slot I33 and will not serve to turn the beam I30. A coin box I40 is provided below the forward end of beam I30 for receiving coins dr0pped.from this beam.

A genuine coin will not fall through the slot I33, but the edges of such a coin will strike the beam I30 at the sides of slot I33 and move the forward end of the same downwardly somewhat until this end of the beam engages the upper-"surface of the pivoted armature I34 of a holding coil I35. Armature I34 is pivoted at I39 upon the core frame of holding coil I35. A tension spring I43 pulls upon one end of armature I34 and urges the other end thereof upwardly and toward the under surface of beam I30. A suitable stop I44 serves to limit the upward turning movement of armature I34, thereby serving to hold this armature somewhat spaced from beam I30. The beam I30 is nicely balanced so that'the weight of a genuine coin will cause this beam to turn about the pivotal pin I3I until the turning motion of the beam is stopped bythe same contacting with beam I is preferably provided with an adjustable weight I 30 so that the same may be nicely balanced.

A mercury bulb switch I31 iscarried by a clip I30 which is attached to the under surface of beam I30. One terminal of mercury bulb switch I31 is connected to lead 93 while the other termi nal of switch I31 is connected by a lead I (see especially Fig. 8) to supply line lead 91. The mercury bulb switch I31 is so held by clip I38 that prior to the engagement of beam I30 by a coin, the mercury of this switch does not engage the terminals of the switch as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In use, the tipping of the beam I30, caused by the insertion of the proper coin into coin aperture I3, causes the mercury in bulb switch I31 to engage the terminals of this switch, thereby completing a circuit for holding coil I35. This circuit (see Fig. 8) is from supply lead 91, by way of lead I4I through switch I31, lead 03, switch 9|, lead 94, lead I42, holding coil I35, lead I43 and lead 95 to supply lead 96. Thus, as soon as a coin strikes the beam I30 causing the same to tip downwardly until stopp d by pivoted armature I34, a circuit is completed for holding coil I which immediately acts to draw armature I34 down to the core of this coil and causing beam I30 to tip still lower and effect the complete dislodgment of the coin from tube I29, which coin falls into box I40, as especially illustrated .in Fig. 6. The beam I30 is shown as having an iron piece I46 on the under surface thereof, which piece is attracted by the magnetism of the holding coil so that the beam I30 is held in its down tilted position shown in Fig. 6 after the coin has dropped from this beam.

The closing of switch I31 also completed a circuit for the solenoid 60. As especially shown in Fig. 8, this circuit extends from supply lead 91, through lead I4I, switch I31, lead 93, switch 9i, lead 94, solenoid 60, lead 95 to supply lead 96. The energization of solenoid 00 causes downward movementof armature 59 against the tension of spring SI. As armature 59 commences to move downwardly, the link 51 also moves downwardly so that the tension of'spring 10 causes movement of bell crank lever 64 and effects an operation of cup dispenser 81, resulting in the discharge of a cup from this dispenser 61, which cup falls downwardly and is received upon the cup platform 14. Continued downward movement of armature 50, causes the cams of camming lever 44 to press plungers 31 and 31' of mixing valve 20 inwardly. This action of the camming lever causes intermixed carbonated water and syrup to flow from valve 20 downwardly through mixing chamber 65 and through spout into the cup 68.

The mixed drink continues to flow into cup 68 until this cup is substantially filled, whereupon the weight of this cup and its contets causescup platform 14 to tip forwardly until stop screw 05 engages bracket 02. The forward tipping of platform 14 causes the opening of switch SI and effects the deenergization of solenoid as well as the deenergization of holding coil I35. The deenergization of solenoid 60 permits tension spring 6| to immediately return armature 59 to its upper position, thereby turning camming lever 44 upwardly to effect the shutting off of the supply of mixed drink through valve 20. At the same time, bell crank lever 64 is returned to its initial position ready for-another'operation of the cup dispenser. The deenergization of the holding coil I35 permits beam I30 to swing up wardly into its initial position, i. e. in abutting relation to the lower end of coin conveying tube I29.

The forward tipping of cup platform 14, due to the weight of the filled cup, also efiected the unlatching of latches I22 and likewise caused the closing of switch 08, resulting in the energization of door operating solenoid I02, which effects the raising of the door I2 so that the purchaser may insert his hand, as shown in Fig. 7, and remove the filled cup 08. When the purchaser removes the cup 08, the forward portion of cup platform 14 will turn or tip upwardly owing to the presence of weight 80, thereby opening switch 88 and reclosing switch SI. The opening of switch 98 permits the door I2 to descend by gravity, the dash pot III serving to suitably check the downward movement of the door.

When the door has reached its lowermost position, the latches I22 snap over the angle bar I2I, thereby locking the door in closed position and the apparatus is again in condition for another operation. The purchaser when through with his cup may insert the same in an upright position through one of the cup apertures I4 provided in the machine, andsuch cup will be conducted downwardly, while still in a vertical position, by a vertical guide tube I48 (see Figs. 3 and 5). The cup will thus fall in an upright position upon pan 90 and subsequently deposited cups will stack up upon this first cup, thereby forming a compacted mass of used cups which will require relatively little space within cabi-' net 2.

Since the machine of this invention is provided with five independently operating drink dispensing mechanisms, two or more differing drinks may be dispensed simultaneously so that a number of persons may have access simultaneously to the machine, thereby enabling the machine to have a large output of the various drinks. Owing to the use of the cooling jacket I9 surrounding the carbonated water reservoir 2 I, the drinks are supplied in a cold condition suchas would be obtained from an ordinary soda fountain. Applicant, by using the cooling jacket I8, also eliminates the multiplicity of complicated and expensive cooling colls as heretofore used in devices of this character.

It will be apparent that the door operating solenoid I02 and associated mechanism may be omitted, if desired, thereby simplifying the machine, in which event each door I2 will be opened by the purchaser grasping handle I20 and manually raising the door. After removing the filled cup of beverage, the purchaser will release the door handle, whereupon the door will close by gravity and will be locked in closed position by the latches I22.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely differ ent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined by the following claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

' 1. In a machine of the character described having a cup dispensing mechanism, a movable cup platform for receiving cups supplied from said cup dispensing mechanism, a mixed drink dispensing mechanism for feeding a mingled charge of liquids into a cup immediately after the latter reaches filling position on said platform, motive means for operating said dispensing mechanisms, a control circuit for said motive means, a switch carriedby said cup platform and included in said control circuit, said switch being responsive to movements of said platform for preparing for the closure of said control circuit, means for closing said circuit, also included -in said control circuit.

2. In a machine of the character described having a cup dispensing mechanism, a movable cup platform for receiving cups supplied from said cup dispensing mechanism, a mixed drink dispensing mechanism for feeding a mingled charge of liquids into a cup immediately after the latter reaches filling position on said platform, motive means for operating said dispensing mechanisms, a control circuit for said mo tive means, a switch carried by said cup platform and included in said control circuit, said switch being responsive to movements of said platform for preparing for the closure of said control circuit, and circuit closing means, also included in said control circuit, for completing the closing of said control circuit to thereby efiect operation of said dispensing mechanisms, said platform being movable under the weight of a filled cup to cause the opening of said first named switch, thereby opening said control circuit and causing said drink dispensing mechanism to shut off the supply of liquids to the cup.

3. In a machine of the character described having a cup dispensing mechanism, a movable cup platform for receiving cups supplied from said cup dispensing mechanism, a mixed drink dispensing mechanism for feeding a mingled charge of liquids into a cup immediately after the latter reaches filling position on said platform, motive means for operating said dispensing mechanisms, a control circuit for said motive means. a switch carried by said cup platform and included in said control circuit, said switch being responsive to movements of said platform for preparing for the closure of said control circuit, a circuit closing means, also included in said control circuit, for completing the closing ofsaid control circuit to thereby effect operation of said dispensing mechanisms, and a holding coil for holding said circuit closing means in closed position during the operation of said dispensing mechanisms, said platform being movable under the weight of a filled cup to cause the opening of said first named switch, thereby opening said control circuit and deenersizing said holding coil, thereby causing said drink dispensing mechanism to shut off the supply of liquids to the cup.

4. Ina machine of the character described having a cup dispensing means, a cabinet provided with a door, a cup platform pivotally mounted behind said door, two stops'for limiting the pivotal oscillating movement of said platform, one of said stops normally serving to position said platform in cup receiving position, said cup dispensing means serving to release a cup into filling position upon said platform,

means for feeding a liquid into the cup when in filling position, the weight of the cup when filled serving to turn said platform until stopped by the other of said stops, control means responsive to the movement of said platform under the weight of the filled cup for causing the shutting off of said liquid feeding means, and automatic door latch means actuated to unlatched position by the movement of said platform under the weight of the filled cup.

. 5. In a machine of the character described having cup dispensing means, a cabinet provided with a door, a cup platform pivotally mounted behind said door, stops for limiting the pivotal movement of said platform, one of said stops normally serving to position said platform in cup receiving position, means for closing a circuit, said cup dispensing means being responsive to the movement of said cup platform and to said circuit closing means for releasing a cup into filling position on said platform, means also responsive to the movement of said cup platform and to said circuit closing means for feeding a liquid into the cup when in filling position, the weight of the cup when filled serving to turn said platform until stopped by the other of said stops, the turning movement of said platform under the weight of the filled cup serving to cause the shutting off of said liquid feeding means.

6. In a machine of the character desciibed having a cup dispensing device for supplying cups to a movable cup platform, a liquid dispensing device for feeding charged liquids to a cup on said platform, a solenoid connected to said dispensing devices for operating the same, a pivoted beam, a source of current supply, a circuit for connecting said source of current supply to said solenoid, and switch means carried by said cup platform and by said pivoted beam and included in said connecting circuit, said switch means being responsive to the positions of said beam and said platform for controlling the operation of said solenoid.

7. In a machine of the character described having a cup dispensing device, a cabinet having a door, a pivoted cup platform contained within said cabinet behind said door, switches carried by said platform and operated by movement of said platform about its pivotal support, a pivoted beam, 9. switch carried by said pivoted beam and operated by the movement of said beam about its pivotal support, said cup dispensing device moving to supply cups to said cup platform, a liquid dispensing device for feeding charged liquids to a cup on said platform, a solenoid for operating said dispensing devices, a current supply circuit interconnecting the switch on said beam, one switch on said platform and said solenoid for supplying current to said solenoid, a door operating solenoid and-a second current supply circuit interconnecting the other switch on said platform with said door operating solenoid.

8. In a machine of the character described having a cup dispensing device, a movable cup platform, said cup dispensing device serving to supply cups to said platform, a liquid dispensing device for feeding charged liquids to a cup on said platform, a solenoid connected to said dispensing device for operating the same, a pivoted beam, 9. source of current supply, a circuit for connecting said source of current supply to said solenoid, switch means carried by said cup platform and by said pivoted beam and included in said connecting circuit, said switch means being responsive to the positionsof said beam and said platform for controlling the operation of said solenoid, and a holding coil connected in parallel with said solenoid, said holding coil operating upon said pivoted beam to retain said switch means in closed condition during the filling of a cup on said cup platform.

9. In a machine of the class described, a cabinet, a door in said cabinet, a pivotally mounted cup platform positioned behind said door, said platform being arranged to tip forwardly and downwardlyunder the weight of a filled cup thereon, a stop for limiting the forward and downward tipping movement of said platform, an

wardly and rearwardly when the Jfilled cup is removed from said platform, and a stop for limiting the upward and rearward tipping movement of said platform, said adjustable weight serving to determine the quantity of liquid in said cup when said platform tips forwardly and downwardly, and latches arranged to normally lock said door in closed position, the forward and downward tipping of said platform under the weight of a filled cup causing the release of said latches.

THOMAS BRADY.

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