Vending machine last drink sensor and dispensing apparatus
US4957220A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 6, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB67D1/1247
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A last drink sensor and dispensing apparatus for use in beverage dispensing bag-in-box vending machines is disclosed. The sensor and dispensing apparatus is disposed between the pump and dispensing nozzle of the vending machine and operates to sense the cessation of syrup flow from the pump caused by a depletion of syrup within the bag-in-box storage reservoir, and then activate the "sold out" selection light for the depleted fluid reservoir of the vending machine, trigger the coin changer mechanism of the vending machine to refuse coins for the "sold out" fluid selection, and also activate the timer of the vending machine to dispense the last full drink of the selected beverage from the vending machine.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.