GB2276866A

GB2276866A - Electronic spirit dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2276866A
Application number: GB9405628A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Carter
Original assignee: Gaskell and Chambers Ltd
Current assignee: Gaskell and Chambers Ltd
Priority date: 1993-03-31
Filing date: 1994-03-22
Publication date: 1994-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-22
Also published as: AU677816B2; GB9405628D0; GB2276866B; NZ260160A; AU5906494A; GB9306708D0

Abstract

The spirit dispenser comprises a displaceable member 3 acting to close an inlet valve 5 or an outlet valve 7 respectively in each of its extreme positions and an electronic interlock device which operates a solenoid and indent to lock the displaceable member in each of its respective extreme positions. Upon initiation of a dispensing operation the displaceable member 3 is moved to its upper position and locked by the interlock device for a predetermined time period to allow a metered amount of spirit to be dispensed after which the displaceable member is allowed to fall to its lower position where it is again locked to prevent further operation of the dispenser until the metering chamber is refilled. The signal to release the interlock device when the displaceable member is in its lower position is produced by a liquid sensing device at the top of the metering chamber (either by electrical resistance or optical means). <IMAGE>

Description

Spirit Dispensers The present invention relates to spirit measures and dispensers.

It is a common requirement to ensure spirit beverages such as whiskey, brandy etc are dispensed accurately. This may be due to legislation or for stock control.

By far the most popular type of spirit dispenser comprises a device for coupling to an inverted bottle. The device has an operating arm which is displaced to allow liquid spirit to flow by moving seals respectively about an inlet and an outlet. When the outlet is 'open' the inlet is 'closed'.

Obviously, spirit measures must be accurate but also must incorporate a high degree of resistance to tampering. Traditionally, spirit measures have depended upon mechanical features to ensure security of operation. These mechanical features include cam arrangements and levers etc to ensure a 'click-over' of the operating arm. Thus, it is difficult for the inlet and outlet to be open simultaneously. However, it is still possible for a determined individual to tamper with the dispenser operation.

There is a requirement for a non-manipulative spirit measure or dispenser. The term "non-manipulative" in this context means that the measure, once operated, cannot be tampered with until it has fully dispensed all the liquid inside. Once this has taken place, the measure must refill fully whilst not allowing the operator to tamper with the operation. The measure will then reset ready for the next dispense.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a non-manipulative spirit measure or dispenser.

The cheapest and most effective way of achieving this objective is to design a system around an existing product. Thus, the embodiment of the present invention described is with respect to an OPTIC PEARL (RTM) spirit measure manufactured by Gaskell and Chambers Limited.

An OPTIC PEARL (RTM) measure is illustrated in the attached drawing marked PRIOR ART. An operating arm 1 is coupled to a shuttle assembly 3 having an inlet seal 5 and an outlet seal 7. The mechanical shuttle assembly 3 travels from a closed position (as illustrated) to an open position where the inlet seal 5 seals an inlet 9 and liquid can flow through an outlet. Thus, the measure fills with liquid spirit when in the closed position. But, the liquid spirit passes through the measure outlet whilst the inlet 9 is sealed. There is an almost instantaneous switch between sealed positions of the inlet and the outlet as the arm 1 is operated.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a spirit measure or dispenser including an operating arm arranged to initiate dispense, the arm including displaceable means within an inter-lock shuttle upon dispense to define a reset position of the displaceable means, the shuttle being displaceable by actuator means between an open shuttle position and a closed shuttle position, the displaceable means being captured in both the open and the closed shuttle positions such that the operating arm is disabled respectively until the measure is empty or full.

Preferably, the actuator means is a solenoid/ spring combination.

Preferably, the displaceable means is captured by a latch or detent mechanism.

Preferably, four measures or multiples are arranged as an integrated unit.

The measure may incorporate a liquid sensor.

This sensor may be a pair of electrical contacts arranged such that the electrical difference between liquid when full and air when empty is detected, the dispenser only being able to operate again once liquid is detected.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates in schematic side cross-section the spirit measure with an inter-lock shuttle in a reset position; Figure 2 illustrates the spirit measure configuration illustrated in Figure 1 from its front.

Figure 3 illustrates in schematic side cross-section the measure with the inter-lock shuttle sprung to capture a displaceable top lever of the spirit measure; Figure 4 illustrates the spirit measure configuration of Figure 3 from its front; Figure 5 illustrates in schematic side cross-section the measure with the inter-lock shuttle held in a 'down' configuration; and, Figure 6 illustrates the measure illustrated in Figure 5 from its front.

Consider Figures 1 and 2. A non-manipulative measure is operated by pushing an operating arm upwards until the arm clicks. Once this happens the measure automatically dispenses and refills.

The operating arm is coupled to a top lever 10 which enters an inter-lock shuttle 12 when the arm has clicked.

The interlock shuttle 12 is operated by a spring and solenoid 16 combination mounted on the side of a measure 18. The shuttle 12 is sprung to the reset position. In the reset position the lever 10 is not captured by a detent or latch mechanism. The lever 10 can move within the shuttle 12.

Consider Figures 3 and 4. On operation of the measure 18, the interlock shuttle 12 is sprung by the spring 14/solenoid 16 combination to capture the top lever 10 in the 'up' position through detent 15 upon a shoulder of the shuttle 12. This action activates a non-contact switch (not shown) or liquid level sensor that triggers a timer. This timer controls the dispense time of the measure 18 and cannot be interrupted. Thus, the top lever 10 cannot be moved until the timer has reset ie the time period specified completed. The measure 18 is consequently locked and cannot be tampered with during this time period.

Once the timer has reset, power is applied to solenoid 16 for a set time period determined by a second timer and is operated to push or pull the shuttle 12 dependent upon how the measure is configured into a 'down' position. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate this down position.

The solenoid 16 has forced the interlock shuttle 12 in the opposite direction to the spring 14 bias. In the down position the top lever 10 is again held by the interlock shuttle 12. Thus, preventing the measure operating again until it is completely refilled. After this second timer has reset, the solenoid 16 is de-activated and the spring 14 bias pressure forces the interlock shuttle 12 back to the reset position (Figures 1 and 2).

It will be appreciated that if power to an electrical solenoid 16 is cut or fails after operation of the measure 18, the lever 10 will be captured until power is reconnected. Thus, the measure 18 will not fill again and tampering by such action is eliminated.

The interlock shuttle 12 driven by solenoid 16 is designed to fit inside a standard OPTIC PEARL measure. However, problems may occur with the mechanical shuttle with the inlet and outlet seals not seating correctly. This problem is overcome by a special seal configuration with inlet and outlet seals suspended on a stainless steel spring (see Prior Art drawing). Thus, the spring 'takes up' any play or mis-alignment in the inlet and outlet seals and the inlet and outlet respectively. However, it will be appreciated that other 'take up' or adjustment arrangements may be used.

Typically, four measures or multiples will be connected to a common power supply and fabricated as an integrated unit. The power supply unit (PSU) may or may not be incorporated with the electronics to supply the multiple output channels ie: four measures. The measures will plug into adapted couplers on the measure bracket using male/female connectors. This is done to ensure reliability and ease any troubleshooting that may occur. The plug on the measure goes directly to the solenoid and to the non-contact switch or liquid level sensor.

A liquid sensing device can be incorporated in the measure to sense the dispense chamber is completely full. This liquid sensing device could use electrical resistance as its measurand and can be incorporated in control electronics for the measure.

The liquid sensing device could be used to adjust dispense/refill times through the control electronics of the measure.

Typically, the liquid sensing device comprises a pair of electrical contacts or pins held a fixed distance apart in the upper part of the chamber of the dispenser. These contacts may be gold, tin or platinum plated or made from stainless steel provided they are of food grade quality. The electrical resistance between these contacts is determined and monitored. Thus, as the electrical resistance changes between when the chamber is filled with liquid and when empty this measurand is determined and dispenser operation controlled.

It is possible to arrange that the timer of the dispenser determines time periods dependent upon the presence or absense of liquid in chamber. Thus, rather than the operation of the lever 10 simulating the timer, it is the detection of the chamber emptying by removing the liquid about and between the contacts as the chamber emptys that stimulates the timer. The lack of liquid between the contacts effectively breaks the electrical signal, this stimulates solenoid means similar to that already described to capture the lever 10 (up position) until dispense is completed then a burst of electrical power is made to force the solenoid means across to hold the dispenser in an open (down position) ie liquid let into the chamber of the dispenser only, until liquid is again detected by electrical resistance between the contacts.

It will be appreciated that it is important although not essential to have the contacts at the top of the chamber. As an illustration a typical contact position has been shown in the prior art drawings as A. Obviously, the separation of contacts is important and it has been found that a spacing of 18mm is adequate.

It will be understood that it may be convenient to provide usual means to indicate that the chamber is full or empty. Thus, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) may be arranged to provide green light when full and red when empty. Furthermore, the dispense may be linked to a digital display to illustrate the number of filling or emptying cycles that the dispenser has performed. This information may be useful for programmed maintenance/replacement and for stock control.

It should be understood that the control arrangements will normally be designed such that even if electrical power to the dispenser is cut, the controller will remember the stage at which the dispenser was in the dispenser/refill cycle. Thus, if the measure is empty then the sensing means must still detect liquid in the chamber before further dispense can be initiated.

The measure in accordance with the present invention can be incorporated in an electronic point of sale (EPOS) system.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A spirit measure or dispenser including an operating arm arranged to initiate dispense, the arm including displaceable means within an inter-lock shuttle upon dispense to define a reset position of the displaceable means, the shuttle being displaceable by actuator means between an open shuttle position and a closed shuttle position, the displaceable means being captured in both the open and the closed shuttle positions such that the operating arm is disabled respectively until the measure is empty or full.

2. A spirit measure or dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator means is a solenoid/spring combination.

3. A spirit measure or dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the displaceable means is captured by a latch or detent mechanism.

4. A spirit measure or dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein several measures or dispensers are arranged to operate as a single integrated unit with a common controller.

5. A spirit measure or dispenser as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the measure or dispenser includes liquid presense sensing means.

6. A spirit measure or dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein the liquid presense sensing means comprises two spaced electrical contacts arranged such that the variation in electrical resistance between when the measure or dispenser is substantially full of liquid and when empty can be detected.

7. A spirit measure or dispenser as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the sensing means determines that once absense of liquid is detected then the measure or dispenser may only operate again when liquid is detected in the measure or dispenser.

8. A spirit measure or dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.