Beverage dispenser for filling cups with automatic level responsive shut-off of dispensing
US4753277A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jun 28, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7306
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A beverage dispenser has a housing, a dispenser head with an electrically conductive combination cup actuator lever and beverage level probe, a control circuit connected to the probe and to a start switch actuatable by the probe and to a solenoid for a beverage valve, and a drip tray and cup rest wherein the cup rest is tilted rearward toward the actuator lever to hold a cup against the lever and keep the back of the cup rim against the lever. An improved actuator lever has a dielectric journal, an electrically conductive thin wall metal tube cantilevered probe extending down from a single fastener securing a control lead and the probe to the journal piece and the conductive probe is spaced from and is below the level of the valve body and lever fulcrum. A conductive plastic flow control is mounted in the valve body and a second control lead is connected to the electrically conductive flow control for providing a potential signal in the beverage. A heater element for the probe either continuously or intermittently heats the probe to keep it insect free and sanitary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.