Device and method for controlling the filling of a cup by a vending machine
US7950424B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S367/908
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device for controlling the filling of a receptacle with liquid by a drink vending machine. The device includes visual marking device for marking the liquid fill level in the receptacle, a device for emitting a signal towards the receptacle, a device for receiving an incident signal and which receives the incident signal returning from the receptacle and a controlling device configured for commanding the stoppage of filling on the basis of a variation of the incident signal. The receiving device includes a series of photoelectric receivers and at least one variable which is a displacement of a light incident signal measured by the receivers. The visual marking, emitter and receiver are displaceable en masse so as to make it possible to modify the marking of the level of fill in the receptacle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.