Beverage dispensing control
US6058986A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7306
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An electronic control for an automatic filling beverage dispensing valve is shown. The dispensing valve includes a valve body, a flow control mechanism and a solenoid. The valve further includes an electrically conductive cup actuated lever for operating a micro-switch that is operatively connected to the electronic control of the present invention. The valve body includes a nozzle and a stainless steel electrical contact for providing electrical connection between the electronic control and the beverage as it flows through the nozzle into a cup. The electronic control of the present invention is microprocessor controlled and includes an internal signal generator which generates a signal independent of the input line frequency supplying the power to the control. This generated signal is buffered and applied to the dispensing cup lever while simultaneously being applied to a reference input of a phase-locked loop detector circuit. When beverage fills a cup to the rim thereof the beverage can flow over the rim and thereby provide an electrical continuity between the electrically conductive lever and the stainless steel contact within the nozzle. Thus, a signal is conducted to an inpu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.