Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1~963~
FLUID DISPENSER FOR RECONSTITUTING
. ~
BEV~R~.GES AND T~E LIKE
This invention relates to a machine for dispensing a
measured quantity of fluid to a container in which there are
granules, powder or liquids consti~uting food or beverage
concentrate materials which are to be reconstituted by dis-
solving them, respectively, in the water.
Devices of this general class are well known for dis-
pensing reconstituted coffee, sweet drinks, soups and the
like into containers in which the concentrated material is
sealed. In prior devices, it is customary to actuate a sharp-
ened punch which perforates the container to provide accessfor a separate filler tube through which the water is injected.
One of the problems with prior d:ispensing devices is that ade-
quate mixing of the fluid and concentrated material is not ob-
tained during the short interval during which the fluid is
being injected. As a result, the user must often open the
container and stir it or shake it to agitate it~ con~ents for
thorough mixing. The mixing problem is more noticeable in
connection with reconstituting soup and other more viscous
and thick solutions.
Another problem in prior dispensing devices is their com-
plexity which is accentuated by the requirement that there be
devices for driving a punch and a filler spout or noz~le in-
dependently so there are two parts which penetrate the con-
tainer that must be kept clean and other~ise ~intained.
-1-
1~963~iS
Another problem with prior devices is ~hat the cup, bottle
or other container which is to be filled is often not held in a
fixed and stable condition during the filling operation. Usually,
the container is just dropped by some mechanical means onto an
open platform for the filling operation. Holding a container
stable is especially desirable when the container must be punched
before it can be filled.
There are kno~n types of fluid dispensers which use a
sharp tipped nozzle that penetrates a container and admits fluid
to it. U.S. Patent 2,939,381 to McBride and U.S. Patent 3,340,671
to Loo are exa~ples. Neither of these patents, however, disclose
any means for producing turbulence in a container during filling,
nor do they show the herein disclosed means for retaining the
container.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided
apparatus for dispensing fluid into a material in a container for
mixing with the contents thereof, comprising: a valve having
input means for pressurized fluid and having output means, means
comprising a punch and nozzle, said nozzle having input means
coupled with the output means of said valve and having output
means for projecting a stream of fluid in a predetermined path,
operator means for advancing and retracting said punch and
nozzle relative to a container, holder means for receiving a
cantainer and supporting the received container for receiving
said punch and nozzle output means when advanced, with the
container supported at an angle relative to said predetermined
path of said fluid such that projected fluid will deflect
from an inner surface of said container so as to produce a
turbulent circulating motion in said fluid for enhancing mixing
with the cantents of the container.
In preferred embodinents, the dispenser employs an
2-
1~9G3'~X
electroresponsiv~ valve which has its input port coupled with
a hot or cold water supply and its output port coupled with
a flexible hose to a combination container punch and filler
nozzle. Electroresponsive means are provided for advancing
the punch into the container and for retracting the punch after
the container has been filled. Means are provided for supporting
the container so that there is an angle between the side walls
or axis of the contalner and the line on which the fluid is
projected from the punch nozzle so that a fluid circulatory
action, turbulence and good mixing of the fluid and reconsti-
tutable material is obtained. The covers of the containers may
have deformable ridges which are inserted between holder runners
on the machine that crease or indent the ridges to thereby
secure the container during filling. The ridges or protuber-
ances also act on a concealed switch to initiate a machine
operating cycle when a container is inserted.
In high speed applications, where the fluid stream
is projected at high pressure and velocity, it is desirable
to include in the holder means a support surface for engaging
the base of the container to ensure that it is not disengaged
from the runners or equivalent gripping elements.
DE9CRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the present invention:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embcdiment of
the dispensing machine with a bottle positioned therein for
filling;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the machine shown
in the preceding figure with its cover removed to show some of
the essential mechanism;
FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of a part of the machine
shcwing the relationship of the combinatiQn filler nozzle and
~3-
~963'i~i
punch of the machine and a bottle container during fluid
filling;
FIGURE 4 is a section taken along a line corresponding
with 4-4 in FIGURE 3;
FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of one type of container
which is adapte~ for use with the dispensing machine;
FIGURE 6 is a diagram of the electric control circuitry
for the machine;
FIGURE 7 is a timing diagram which is useful for
explaining the operating sequence of the machine;
FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section,
of an alternative embodime~t of a container cover and an alterna-
tive type of holder for gripping the container cover;
,....... --4--
1~i963'~
FIGURE 9 is a plan view, partly in section, as viewed
in the direction of the arrows 9-9 in FIGURE 8, showing a
container cover engaged by a holder; and
FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary partial section as viewed in
the direction of the arrows 10-10 in FIGURE 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In FIGURE 1, one version of the dispensing machine is
seen to comprise a ba~e 10 which may be mounted on a tabletop
11. A removable housing 12 is secured on the base with screws
such as those marked 1~. The housing is desirably formed of
noncorroding material such as stainless steel or plastic.
The front of the housing overlaps an upstanding wall 1~ in
which a control push button 15 is mounted. As illustrated
in FIGURE 1, a container such as a bottle 16 is positioned
for being filled with hot or cold water, usually, to produce
a reconstituted beverage or soup, for e~ample, as the result
of mixture of the water with suitable concentrated material
held in the container. A holder member 17 for supporting
container 16 during the filling operation i~ also evident in
FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 2 shows t~he machine with cover 12 and some other
parts omitted to reveal essential components of the machine.
The machine is seen to comprise a base plate 20 on which an
electroresponsive valve assembly 21 is mounted. This may be
a commercially available electrically actuated valve of a
type which is commonly used in household clothes or dish
~ ~ 63(~5
washing machines. It comprises an adaptor 22 by which it may
be mounted to base plate 20 w~th bolts such as the one marked
23. A pipe 24 is coupled with adaptor 22. ~his pipe may be
connected to a source, not shown, of pressurized hot or cold
water depending on whether the machine is to be used for
making reconstituted hot or cold consumable mixtures. The
valve shutoff elements are in body 25 of the assembly. An
electromagnetic operator 26 is mounted to body 25. When
electroresponsive operator 26 is electrically energized,
valve 21 is opened to provide a flow path from its input
pipe 24 to its output port which constitutes a tubular exten-
sion 27 which is shown in hidden lines in FIGURE 2. When op-
erator 26 is de-energized, the valve closes.
A flexible hose 28 is used to couple output port 27 of
the valve to a combination nozzle and punch device 29. The
nozzle extends through an opening 30 which is in a bottom
wall 31 forming part of the base. Bottom wall 31 is general-
ly planar and is disposed at an acute angle with respsct to
horizontal. Holder 17 is mounted on the lower side of bot-
tom wall 31 and it has a clearance opening for nozzle 29 cor-
responding with hole 30. In this embodiment, nozzle 29 is a
metal tube, preferably of stainless steel or plastic, which
has its lower end cut at a bias as can be seen in FIGURF 3
to provide a sharp piercing tip 32. In this embodim~nt, the
axis of the combination nozzle and piercing punch is vertical
and the combination nozzle and punch is adapted for being ad-
vanced or lowered and retracted or raised along a vertical line.
The axis of the nozzle, thereforè, is not perpendicular to
inclined planar member 31 nor ~o the plane of container holder
--6--
~ 3~ ~
or guide 17. The axis of the nozzle and the plane of the con-
tainer holder are at an angle with each other for the purpose
of promoting turbulence and good mi~ing of the fluid and re-
constitutable material in the container during filling as
will be explained in greater detail later.
The holder 17 has a pair of opposed turned in edges con-
stituting runners 18 and 19 which are substantiall~ parallel
but converge slightly toward each other from the front to the
rear of the holder 17. The neck or' other suitable portion of
a container can be slid in between these runners for engaging
the container tightly during filling.
IN FIGURE 2, the means for advancing and retracting noz-
zle 29 is an electroresponsive solenoid operator 35. The op-
erator includes a magnetic metal core 36 and a magnet coil 37
in which there is a plunger 38 that is attracted downwardly
when a coil 37 is energized. Fastened to the lower end of
plunger 38 is a U-shaped bracket 39 which engages and supports
nozzle 29. Core 36 is fastened to a bracket 40 which is shown
fragmentarily in FIGURE 2 but is visible in profile in FIGUR~ 3.
Bracket 40 is secured to planar plate 31 with screws such as
the one marked 43 in FIGURE 3. Also mounted on the base in
FIGURE 2 is a printed circuit board 44 on which the electric
components for controlling this embodiment of the machine are
placed as will be discussed later.
FIGURE 3 shows a plastic bottle 1~ held in place free of
human hands and undergoing the fi].ling process. Thus, in
FIGURE 3, plunger 38 of operator 35 has been driven downwardly
in response to coil 37 having been energized. The sharpened
tip 32 of nozzle 29 has conse~ently penetrated the cap or
34~j
top of container 16. The container is supported by holder 17
with its axis at an angle with respect to the vertical axis of
tubular nozzle 29, ~ stream of fluid 45 is being projected
from the nozzle by virtue of valve 21 now being open, It will
be noted that the stream 45 is projected against the inside
wall ~urface 46 of the container so the fluid impinges on the
, wall at an angle. The fluid then deflects off of the wall
and has a circulating motion imparted to it to create turbu-
lence as symbolized by the nebulous flow lines 47. This tur-
bulence and circulation promotes substantially instantaneous
mixing in the short interval during which fluid is projected
into the container. Thus, when the container is slid off of
the holder and guide 17, the reconstituted beverage or soup in
the container will be thoroughly mixed and ready for consumption.
Note also in FIGURE 3 that there is a mini-switch 48
mounted in the machine adjacent the container filling station,
This switch has an actuating detent 49 adjacent a pivotal arm
50 which has a tip 51. When the upper portion of the bottle
16 stri~es tip 51, switch 48 is actuated so as to enable opera-
tion of the machine, The filling sequence is initiated by
pressing push button 15 in the front of the housing as in FIG-
URE 1, but the sequence is disabled at any time that switch
48 is not actuated by the presence of a container in the holder.
How these switches are involved in controlling the machine will
be discussed in greater detail later in connection with FIGURE 6.
Some of the characteristics of a typical container, for
being used with the FIGURES 1-4 embodiment of the machine~ and
the holder 17 for the container will now be discussed in greater
detail in reference to FIGUR~ ~. Container 16 ~s a
--8--
lG963'~
bottle comprised of glass, a resin such as polyethylene, a
thermo-foam insulating material or o-ther suitable material.
The body of the bottle has its walls 46 extending generally
longitudinally and arranged to generate a circular, square or
- 5 other cross sectional shape. The wall of the bottle converges
conically as indicated at 52 and terminates in a mouth 5~.
The bottom of the container is transverse to its wall. The
mouth is defined by shaping a region 54 convex outwardly to
define the mouth opening 5~. A thin film of preferably plastic
material 55 may be adhered to the upper edge of mouth defining
annulus 54 to effect a sanitary and imperforate seal. In this
example, the central longitudinal axis of the container 16 is
perpendicular to the plane of the seal 55. Of course, when the
nozzle is plunged down as in FIGURE 4, the seal film 55 is
easily penetrated and continues to form a relatively tight
seàl against the nozzle. The convex annular portion 54 is
shaped to complement the long parallel spaced apart grooves
which are defined by the curved shape of the internal margins
of the holder 17. Convex portion 54 is an annular or circular
portion with its margin shaped convexly in cross section but
it should be understood that this region may be square or shaped
other than circular. Thus, a user of the machine will insert
the convex mouth end of the container into the open end of the
holder 17, which is like a track, and push the container along
the holder as in FIGUR~ ~ until the container comes to a stop
at which time mini-switch 48 is actuated and the machine is
enabled for operation. When the filling cycle is completeg the
fluid is automatically shut off, and the nozzle is retracted so
that the user may withdraw thè container from holder 17. At
1~9634~
this time, there will be an opening in the film for ~nsertion
of a straw by the user or the film 55 may be peeled off and the
contents of the container may be poured out. As will be ex-
plained more fully later, the machine cannot be reactivated
until the filled container is withdrawn and the machine is
initialized through operation of mini-switch 48 by insertion of
another container.
Bottles such as 16 and other containers may also be capped
off with a foil, not shown, which is crimped over and around
convex annulus 54 in the manner of a crown cap seal. Thin
aluminum foil is suitable since it can be easily punctured with
very little force from the combination nozzle punch 29.
Another type of container used with the new dispen~ing ma-
chine is shown in FIGURE 5. It comprises a cup 60 which is
substantially cylindrical and has a large mouth at it3 upper
end normally covered by a cap 61. The cap may be a thin resin
or other suitable material with a formed annular rim 62 that
facilitates forming a press fit between cap 61 and cup 60.
Cups of the type shown in FIGURE 5 are especially adapted for
use in making reconstituted soup and other hot beverages.
Thus, the cup body i9 preferably formed of a good insulating
material such as rigid polystyrene foam. Cap 61 is provided
with a neck 6~ which terminates in an integral outwardly con-
vex annulus 64. The annulus defines an opening which is covered
with an adhesive strip 65. This strip is preferably made of a
non-fragmenting material such as polyethylene or adhesive backed
metal foil. At least one corner 66 of strip 65 may extend ra-
dially outward from annulus 64 to enable peeling off the strip
to make a larger hole if desi~ed. In the alternative,
--10--
1~9~34~
particularly if the cup has been used to make reconstituted
soup, where eating the contents of the cup with a spoon would
be desired, cap 61 can be removed from the cup by grasping
the neck 63 and imparting a force. It should be recognized
that the convex annular portion 64 of the cap has a diameter
which will permit it to slide between and finally be pinched
and held by the ~lightly converged runners 18 and 19 o~ holder
and guide device 17.
The electric circuitry involved in controlling the machine
will now be described in reference to FIGURES 6 and 7. In the
upper right region of FIGURE 6, the operating coil 26' or the
electroresponsive device that controls valve 21 is shown. The
coil is in series with the main terminals of a triac Q3 which
has a control gate 71. One end of the coil is connected to an
a-c source 72. As usual, the triac i~ triggered to a conductive
state by applying a small signal voltage to its gate 71 in
which case coil 26' becomes energized from the a~c source and
valve 21 opens to permit fluid injection by nozzle 29.
Another triac Q2 has its main terminals in circuit with
coil 37 of solenoid actuator 35. This actuator advances and re-
tracts combination nozzle and punch 29. Triac Q2 and coil ~7
are in series and supplied from a-c source 72. Ordinarily, the
a-c source voltage will be around 117 volts. Triac Q2 also has
a gate terminal 73 to enable triggering the triac into a con-
ductive state in response to a signal on its gate terminal 73.
The control circuit comprises three integrated circuittimers U2, U3 and U4 all of which are used in the mono~table
multivibrator mode in this circuit. In the illustrated circuit,
the timers may be considered to be integrated circuit type NE555.
--11--
~ 1~963~i
Pin 3 of each timer is its output pin and pin 2 is its trig-
gering pin. Typically, the output pins 3 are in a low volt-
age state when the timers are quiescent and they switch to a
high state during the timing cycle. A timing cycle is ini-
tiated by momentarily grounding or applying a negative pulseto trigger pin 2. This results in output pins 3 going high
at the beginning of a timing cycle.
The control circuit devices shown in FIGURE 6 including
the d-c power supply 74 are all mounted on circuit board 44
as in FIGURE 2. The positive voltage terminal of the power
supply marked ~V connects to similarly marked terminals in
the circuitry of FIGURE 6 and to all of the pins 8 of the
timers. The output voltage of the d-c power supply can be
considered to be at the logic voltage level of 5 volts.
In FIGURE 6, the contacts of the disabling mini-switch
48 are shown closed as they would be when the mini-switch is
actuated by a container being in the proper position in holder
17. Operation of push button 15 will initiate a filling cycle
if switch 48 is closed. Thus, when push button switch 15 is
closed momentarily, triggering pins 2 of timers U2 and U4 are
effectively connected to ground through the push button switch
and a diode CR2 and mini-switch contacts 48. Thus, these
pins 2 which were held high by a voltage applied through
resistor Rl exp~rience a negative going pulse in which case
2s their output pins 3 both go high to start their timing c~cles.
The high going signal on output pin 3 of U4 is transmitted
through R9 to the control gate 73 of triac Q2, thus turning it on.
~ 34 ~
t~hen on, coil ~7 is energized at power line voltage ana noz-
zle 29 is driven through the container cap as described
earlier. Threshold sensing pin 6 of U4 and its capacitor
discharge pin 7 are connected to one side of capacitor C6
whose other side is connected to ground. Charging ol this
capacitor from the power supply through R7 would ordinarily
occur when pin 7 goes high initially but in thi~ case,
charging o~ C6 does not proceed to threshold voltage level.
The collector to emitter circuit of a transistor Ql is con-
nected across C6. In this circuit, Ql is turned on to placea short circuit across C6 to thereby delay its char~ing toward
threshold voltage for a predetermined interval. Thus, coil 37
remains energized and nozzle 29 remains advanced from the
beginning to the end of the complete operating cycle. Momentary
closing of the push button is illustrated in the hig'n going
signal marked 78 in the FIGURE 7 timing waveforms. The time
during which pin 3 of U4 is high is illustrated by the wave-
form 75 in FIGURE 7.
Concurrently with pin 3 of U2 ~oing high after it is 2Q triggered simultaneously with U4, discharge of C3 through
pin 7 of U2 is prohibited and C3 begins to charge through R~
toward its threshold voltage. The values of R~ and C3 are
such that, in this example, threshold voltage will be reached
in about 0.35 of a second. This is the amount of de~ay which
is imposed before valve 21 may be operated to permit fluid
flow. The delay assures that the container is in place and
the nozzle has perforated it before fluid can begin to flow.
1~963~
At the end of the 0.35 secon~ delay period, U2 times
out and its output pin 3 s~litches to a low state. This low
or negative going signal is coupled through a capacitor C4
to the triggering pin 2 of U3, thus causing its output pin
to go high. Upon this event, the high going signal is coupled
through R10 to triac Q3 and the filler valve opens. At the
same time~ the high signal i~ coupled through R8 to the base
of Ql thus turning it on to maintain C6 in a discharged state
for a predetermined time so that U4 can no~ time out and re-
lo tract nozzle 29 when filling is under way.
The interval during which output pin 3 of U~ is main-
tained high depends on the values of C5 and charging resistors
R5 and R6. R6 is a variable resistor which permits adjusting
or setting the time interval of U3 in accordance with the
time required to fill a container or series of containers
having the same volume. In other words, the fluid volume
permitted is measured or controlled on the basis of flow time.
If fluid at a constant pressure is available at the input of
valve 21, it will deliver ths same quantity from its output
during constant repeatable time intervals. Adjustable resis-
tor R6 permits setting the on time of timer U3 and, hence,
the fill time. For t,he sake of illustration, we can assume
that the values of R5 and R6 permit a timing range of O.5
second to 14 seconds. In this example, assume that U3 may
time out in O.7 second which is the filling time after which
its pin 3 will go low to cause triac Q3 to turn off. U3 has
its triggering pin held high normally by a voltage applied
through R4 from the supply. The timing waveform during which
pin 3 of U2 is high is marked 76 in FIGURE 7 and the waveform
indicating when pin 3 of U~ is high is marked 77.
-~4-
1~ ~ 6 3'~ `
As indicated, when pin 3 of U~ goes low to terminate
filling, the base of Ql is no longer forward biased in which
case transistor Ql turns off. This allows C6 to charge
toward threshold level. When threshold level is reached, it
is sensed at pin 6 of U4 which responds by causing its output
pin ~ to go low, thus removing the triggering signal from Q2.
This turns off triac Q2 and de-energizes coils 37, allowing
- the combination nozzle-punch 29 to retract. By this time,
however, the fluid has been turned off so the container may
be withdrawn from the machine by the user. In this example,
the values of R7 and C6 may be considered to be such that
they keep pin 3 high for about 0.73 second after filling
terminates. The fact that the punch timer U4 has a high out-
put during the entire filling cycle is indicated by the wave-
forms 75 in FIGURE 7.
In FIGURE 6, there is a capacitor C2 in the upper leftregion which charges when push button 15 is closed. This is
a safety interlock which prevents a bottle or container ~rom
being overfilled by running a second time for the same filled
container. The disable switch discharges C2 through CR2,
thus allowing the timers to trigger again for the next operation.
Now that achievetment of a desired and safe operating
sequence has been illustrated as being accomplished with a
particular electric timing circuit, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that other circuiks may be devised for achieving
essentially the same results.
~, :. -
:- .
-15-
109~34~i
Cyclic operation of the dispenser may be obtained by
using a valve under the control of a multiple-state mechani-
cal timsr, not shown. Timers are available which, after they
are initiated or triggered, effectuate a delay interval and
then open a valve which provides time for the container to
be properly positioned in the dispenser before fluid is in-
jected through the nozzle which is supplied from the valve.
These timers are also adapted for maintaining the flow through
a valve for a settable interval so that the volume o~ fluid
supplied to a container is controlled by the time the fluid
is allowed to flow. These timers further feature a delay
which allows for retraction of the nozzle before the container
can be withdrawn from the dispenser
What is perceived as the best mode for implementing the
new features of the dispenser is illustrated in the FIGURFS
8-10 embodiment. The embodiment depicted in FIGURE 8 has a
housing 85 which corresponds substantially with housing 12 in
the previously described embodiment. The fluid flow control
devices in the FIGURE 8 embodiment may be similar to those
which have been discussed in connection with the other embodi-
ments so they are not reproduced in FIGURE 8. This embodiment
does use a tubular nozzle 86 which is subject to being ad-
vanced and retracted on a vertical line as in the previous
case. Nozzle 86 terminates at its lower end in a beveled
perimetral edge 87 which is sharp enough to easily penetrate
the cover assembly such as the one m~rked ~88 of a container
such as the cup 89. The nozzle 86 is shown in its lowermost
position in FIGURE 8 where it would be during the time that
fluid is being injected into cùp 89. After nozzle 86 is
-16-
~9~3~1~
retracted upwardly, cup 89 is free to be withdrawn from the
dispenser. Note that in the bottom of housing 85 there is a
flexible seal 90 which fits closely to the periphery of the
tubular nozzle 86 and assures that liquid cannot be splashed
from the cup back into the housing.
In the FIGUR~S 8-10 embodiment, the cup holder is gen-
erally designated by the reference numeral 91. This holder
is designed for engaging a cup 89 by means of its lid or cover
88 which has means for being engaged by the holder. The cup
cover assembly 88 and the holder 91 will now be described in
detail.
First of all, we may note that the cup 89 is preferably
made of a thermo-foam material which is rigid, lightweight
but conducts heat very poorly so that a user e~periences no
discomfort when handling a cup that is occupied by hot fluid.
The cups used in the dispenser may be made of other less rigid
materials which conduct heat freely where filling with cold
fluid i~ contemplated.
In this embodiment, the cover assembly 88 is made in two
parts. The lower part consists of a thin metal foil 92 which
is crimped at its circumferential margin 9~ and adhesive is
preferably used at the interface of bent down margin 93 of
the cover and the lip edge 94 of the cup to further assure
that the foil cover will remain adhered to the cup body 89.
Initially, that is, after manufacture and after the solids
are inserted in the cup 89 which are to be mixed with water
in~ected with nozzle 86, the foil 92 is unperforated. When
the nozzle 86 is driven downwardly for its sharpened tip 87
.
-17-
~9634~;
to puncture the foil, a flap 95 is formsd which i5 not severed
from the flat foil area 92 so it cannot drop into the contents
of cup 89.
Superimposed on the foil cover 92 i~ a thin, preferably
pla~tic lid or cover part 96. This cover makeq a pre~q fit
on foil cover 92 by reaqon of the margin3 97 of cover 96 being
bent downwardly over the margin 93 of the foil cover.
A plan view of cover 96 appear~ in FIGURE 9. The cover
96 i~ comprised of a thin ~heet of pla3tic material such as
rigid polyethylene on the order of .010 of an inch thick.
Any ~uitable plastic material may be u3ed for making the
cover although it 3hould have properties which permit it to
be qhaped by vacuum forming which i~ one of the meritq of the
new cover 96. As can be ~een in FIGURE 9 particularly well,
cover 96 has an upwardly extending oblong protuberance or
ridge 98 which has a front end 100, a rear end 99 and ~ide~
: 101 and 102. Ridge 98, particularly its ends 99 and 100, can
be ~een in FIGURE 8 where it iq evident that the ridge ri es
from the plane of the cover. In thiq embodiment, the height
of the end3 99 and 100 of the oblong ridge have the ~ame
height as the side~ 101 and 102. A3 can be seen in FIGURE 8,
the interior of the ridge 98 i~ hollow aq indicated by the
reference numeral 10~. This make~ the ridge re~ilient when
preqsure iq exerted on it~ opposite vertical ~ideq 104 and
105. As can be qeen in FIGURE 9, upstanding ridge 98 defines
or bound~ a central rece~ 106 in the bottom of which there
is an oblong perforation 107. An oblong portion of the under-
lying foil 92 is visible through perforation 107. The nozzle
86 plunge~ through thi~ perfor~tion aq it penetrate~ foil 92
- 18 -
~ ~ 6 3~1~
but it does not have to rupture the more rigid pla~tic mate-
rial out of which the top cover 96 is made. Recess 106 pro-
vides a means for catching any fluid that may splash out and
the perforation 107 permit~ the fluid, if any is pre~ent, to
be drained back into the cup. Holder 91 runners 110 and 111,
a~ i3 evident in FIGUR~ 10, have an essentially z-~haped cross
section. The~e runners are fastened to the bottom of housing
85. A~ can be seen in FIGUR~ 9, th~s runners are in substan-
tial paralleli~m but they converge slightly toward each other
from the left to the right in this figure to achieve a wedging
action when the upstanding ridge 98 of the cover is in between
the runners. Runner 110 ha3 a rounded edge 112 which extend~
toward a similarly rounded edge 113 on runner 111. When the
oblong ridge 98 is pu~hed in between the runners 110 and 111
from their mouth end at the left in FIGURE 9, the rounded
edges 112 and 113 indent the size of the ridge as evidenced
by the dotted lines 114 and 115 in FIGURE 9. These indenta-
tion~ 114 and 115 prevent the covered cup from falling away
from the runners
Of course, the ridge or upstanding protuberance 98 may
have other configurations but, in any case, it i~ de~irable
to have the ridge formed of a deformable material which can
be indented reasonably easily when the cover is pu~hed between
the runner~ by the user. A~ stated, thin polyethylene permit3
achievement of this purpose because of its resiliency and,
in addition, it can be vacuum formed easily. The use of
polyethylene is by way of illustration and not limitation,
for other plastics having the above noted propertie~ could
also be u~ed.
-19-
3~
l~hen the cover is inserred in the dispenser as in FIG-
UR~ 8, the back portion 99 of the upstanding ridge 98 strikes
the operating lever 117 of the fill cycle initiating mini-
switch 118 When lever 117 is actuated, detent 119 plunges
in to close switch 118. As in the case of the previously dis-
cussed embodiment, when the cup 89 with its cover intact is
withdrawn from between runners 110 and 111 of the holder,
switch 118 is actuated again and the control system is placed
in its initial state in readiness for its next use. The tip
121 of operating lever 117 extends through a hole 120 in the
bottom of housing 85 so the tip is barely exposed between
runnars 110 and 111 to minimize the chance of unauthorized
or accidental operation of the switch.
In the FIGURE 8 embodiment, a further support 122 is
provided for cup 89 during filling. Means, not shown, are
provided for shifting support 122 upwardly or downwardly to
enable restricting the dispenser to operation with a cup of
a particular height The measured quantity of fluid deliv-
ered by the dispenser during each filling cycle is coordinated
with the cup size which the dispenser is adapted to accept.
Support 122 assures that the cup cannot fall away from its
cover assembly during filling which is a dasirable safety
feature in cases where hot fluid is being dispensed.
It should be noted that in the FIGURES 8-10 embodiment,
the axis of the nozzle 86 is at an angle with respect to the
axis of cup 89 so that the fluid injected into the cup will
strike its sides and cause turbulent mixing as in the case of
the previously described embodiment.
.
-20-
~ ~ ~ 6~ S
Although embodiments of the invention have been described
in considerahle detail, such description is intended to be il-
lustrative rather than limiting, for the invention may be
variously embodied and i3 to be limited only by interpretation
of the claims which follow
