US2647661A - Mechanism for dispensing liquid from a plurality of supply containers - Google Patents

Description

.Aug. 4, 1953 L. M. HARVEY MECHANISM FOR DISP 2,647,661 ENSING LIQUID FROM A PLURALITY OF SUPPLY CONTAINERS Filed June 26, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5& 1

INVENTOR. Zea M Harvey ltfornej 1953 L. M. HARVEY 2,647,661

MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING LIQUID FROM A PLURALITY OF SUPPLY CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2v Filed June 26. 1950 INVENTOR. 1e 0 /7. Ha)" Aug. 4, 1953 2,647,661

L. M. HAiQVEY MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING LIQUID FROM A PLURALITY OF SUPPLY CONTAINERS Filed June 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m WM Patented Aug. 4, 1 953 OFFICE MECHANISM FOR DISPENSING LIQUID FROM A PLURALITY OF SUPPLY CON- TAINERS Leo M. Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif. Application June 26, 1950, Serial No. 170,352 3 Claims. (01. 222-68) This invention is concerned with a mechanism for dispensing liquid and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, dependable, commercially practical structure serving to dispense liquid from separate receptacles or containers successively and in such manner that operation is switched from one container to the other when the first container has been emptied.

Liquid dispensers are employed in various devices or mechanisms and when employed in vending machines, or the like, they present a supply problem and, heretofore, have required considerable servicing. As an example, where liquid is to be dispensed from a sealed container that cannot be readily replenished by simply adding liquid thereto, a container may be partially full when the machine is serviced, making it necessary for the operator to elect whether he should remove the container and thus waste a quantity of liquid,

or leave a partially filled container in service, with the risk that it will become exhausted or emptied before the next servicing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine or mechanism of the general character referred to in which the liquid containers are individually sealed so that air is excluded from the liquid being dispensed.

A further object of the invention is to provide liquid handling apparatus of the general character referred to wherein the liquid carrying containers are expendable or of such simple, inexpensive construction as to make it commercially practical to discard them or dispose of them when exhausted of their supply of liquid.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of the general character referred to with control means governing the operation of prime movers that operate measuring dispensers and which acts in response to a reversing switch operated by a follower related to the container from which liquid is initially dispensed.

The machine embodying the present invention may include a plurality of containers which are preferably alike and which are preferably of the expendable type and such as to carry liquid s that it is sealed from exposure to air. In a typical example there are two like containers, each with a rigid body and a collapsible bag in the body, which bag carries the supply of liquid. Each container has a delivery fitting at its lower end and each delivery fitting supplies liquid to a measuring dispenser characterized by an inlet duct, a collapsible cell, an outlet duct, stop means operating to close the inlet duct, a cell actuator for collapsing the cell and an outlet valve conof a portion of the trolling flow through the outlet duct. An operating means is provided in connection with each measuring dispenser and may involve a prime mover in the form of an electric motor and a drive from the prime mover to the cell actuator, which drive preferably involves a speed reducing mechanism and may involve a crank device between the reducing mechanism and the cell actuator. A control governs the operation of the prime movers which are preferably energized from a single source of power, for instance, a power circuit energized by a battery or a generator. 'Ifhe power circuit is controlled by a selector switch operated by a follower cooperatively related to the container which is to be first in use. The selector switch establishes connection between the source of power and motor lines, one of which extends to each of the prime movers. A reversing means is provided for changing the relationship of the selector switch to the motor lines and motor switches are provided in the motor lines. Relays control the motor switches and each involves a coil operating when energized to close the motor switch and a holding switch in a relay holding circuit in which there are stop switches in series and cooperativelyrelated to the cell actuators. A starting switch, preferably manually operated, is provided in a starting circuit which initiates operation of the control means. The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made t the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View of a typical embodiment of the present invention, showing a follower applied to one liquid container of ,the mechanism, which container is shown partially full. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailedsectional View mechanism shown in Fig. 1, illustrating one measuring dispenser in elevation and partially operated while the other measur ing dispenser is shown in section and unactuated. Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. i. Fig. 4 is a View of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, being a view taken as indicated by line 44 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. .4.- Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan section taken as indicated by line E-6 on Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 1-1 on Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the outlet valve shown removed from. the other 3 parts, and Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the control means provided by the present invention.

The structure as provided by the present invention involves, generally, a frame A which may, in practice, vary widely in form and construction and which serves primarily as a mounting or carrier for the various other elements. A liquid upply means is supported by the frame and preferably involves separate liquid containers B and C. Each liquid container is connected with and supplies a measuring dispenser D and each measuring dispenser is provided with an op rating means E. A control means or system provided in connection with and serves to govern the action of the other elements and. illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

The machine illustrated throughout the drawings is suitable for handling a liquid that can be advantageously used in a vending machine or the like and which is best kept out of contact with air. For purpose of example the liquid supply means will be considered asinvolving a plurality of separate containers carrying liquid and in the drawings I show containers of an expe dable type and of like size and construction t is to understood and it will be apparent from the drawings and the following description that the invention may be utilized under conditions v idely different from those herein set forth, andthat in practice numerous variations can be resorted to 'as different working "conditions encountered. v

The two liquid containers, as shown throughout the drawings, being alike "I will describe one, 'it being understood that the description is equally applicable to both. The container in its general construction involves a body Iii, preferably rigid fin coiist u'ction, a collapsible bag l! holding liquid andcarried iii the body it, and outlet fitting 13 through which liquid is passed from the containerto'a measuring dispenser D. The particular body illustrated in thedrawings is a box-like s'tru 'ure'thati'fiay be advantageously constructed of senor the like, and is shown as involvi ve'r ical sides laa'oottom is and a top ii. The top it is detachable'or removable, being in the hatureof a lid,'a's "shown in 1 or the crawihgs, where it is shown removed or separated from its body. v

y The collapsible bag H'carries'a body of liquid Land in practice ma be formed of rubber or rubber-like inaterialso that itcontract's as liquid isdisp'enseo until it finally is fullycollapsed or in the bottom of the body H3, when all or practically all of the liquidha's been dispensed from it.

The outlet or delivery fitting it is shown a simple tubular element carried in an opening 1B provided through the bottom it of the body and having a depending portion that projects downwardly a substantial distance below the bottom is to receive a part of the measuring dis penser, as will be hereinafter described. The particular fitting l3 illustrated receives an outlet neckls that dependsfrom the bag I i "and the end portion Eli of the neck is is folded back around and up over the depending portion of the fitting l3, as clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The fitting can be secured to or made fast with the body of the container in any suitable manner. In the drawings I have shown flanges 2i and 22 that confine the fitting to the bottom 16 of the body and a rib or ridge provided at thelowermosten'd or the fitting to provide-a retaining'device for the dispenser part that is engaged'withthe fitting.

In the preferred construction, as where two containers are employed, the fittings are adjacent to sides of the bodies so the bodies can be arranged with the fittings close together, as shown throughout the drawings.

Each container supplies a measuring dispenser D and the relationship of the measuring dispensers may be such as I have fully described and claimed in my copending application entitled Liquid Dispenser, Serial No. 170,351 filed on even date herewith.

in the drawings each measuring dispenser is shown as involving, generally, an inlet duct a collapsible cell 2%, an outlet duct 2?, stop means 28 for stopping flow through the inlet duct, a cell actuator 29 for collapsing the cell 26 and an outlet valve 30 controlling flow through the outlet duct '21.

The inlet duct 25 may be a simple elongate tubular part with a receiving end portion 3| that can beexpanded around and engaged over the fitting 13 of the container that supplies the dispenser. The duct 25 is of such length as to connect the container and collapsible cell 26, which is of a predeterminedsize so that it has a definite capacity. The particular cell 26 shown in the drawings is an elongate tubular member with the inlet duct 25 joined to its upperend and the outlet duct 2'! joined to its lower end. The outlet duct 2! depends from the cell 2'5 and has a lower end portion 33 in the form of a discharge spout located to deliver liquid into a container Bil or the like. The spout is preferably held in the desired position by a suitable guide 33 In practice it is preferred that the ducts 25 and 2? be integrally formed with the cell 25 and that these parts he formed of a body of rubber, or the like, so that they have the desired physical characteristics and are inexpensive or" manufacture, mak ing them such that they can be dispensed with after one use in the machine The outlet valve was shown in Fig. 8 is a plug type valve arranged in the outlet duct 2"! so that it is embraced or snugly held in the outlet duct. A rib '33 in the outlet duct holds the plug valve in place and the valve has a liquid handling port system ill which opens at the lower end of the plug into the-spout portion 33. The structure is-such that when pressure is applied to liquid in the cell 25 following operation of the stop means-28 the duct 21 is expanded-away from the plug uncovering the port 21 so the liquid passes into the spout 33 and thusdischarges from the dispenser.

The stop means =28 is shown as involving a shiftable or reciprocating choke til carried on a stem 4| and operatedby a-spring 12. The spring (i2 normallyyieldingly urges the choke 43 toward the :inlet duct 25 and opposes a-stcp 53. When the stop 28 is in operation the chokedil pinches the duct 25 against the stop i3 and thus prevents passage of liquid through the duct.

The'cell actuator is shown as involving a pressure plate 45 carried reciprocating stem 46 and when his operated or advanced it compresses the cell 26 against an abutment t? which is prefera'blyiinthe formo'i aplate that occurs between the cells of the 'two dispensers. In the particular "mechanism "illustrated, wh'en the pressure plater lfi is retractediit holds the stop 28 'unactuated, and as it starts operation it allows the sprin 42 to move-the choke into operating engageinent with the duct 25 so that the-duct is closed before ressure isappliedtothe cell26.

There is a separate operating means for each cella'ctuator 29 and this means E preferably involves a prime mover in the form of an electric motor M and a drive between the motor and the stem 46 of the actuator 29, which drive preferably includes a speed reducing mechanism 50 and a crank mechanism The speed reducing mechanism and motor M are suitably supported from frame A and operating drive shaft 52. In the case illustrated the stem 46 of the cell actuator 29 is mounted by means of rollers 53 so that it is free to reciprocate. The crank mechanism shown in the drawings involves a crank disc 54 on the drive shaft 52 and a crank pin 55 on the disc 54 cooperating in or with a yoke 56 on the stem 46.

The control means provided by the present invention governs operation of the prime movers and is responsive to liquid in one of the containers. The control means is such that when the machine is started or put into operation, as by closing of a starting switch which may be coin controlled, manually operated, or actuated in any suitable manner, the motor driving one of the liquid dispensers will operate to complete one cycle of operation of the dispenser, thus causing liquid to be dispensed from one of the containers. Operation of the particular dispenser will be repeated each time the starting switch is closed until such time as the container serving that dis penser is empty, whereupon the action of the control means is reversed and the motor actuating the dispenser for the other container is put into service so it is operated each time the starting switch is closed.

The control means will be best understood from a consideration of the diagram, Fig. 9, where a suitable source of electrical energy is illustrated at 66. In practice a battery or generator can be employed to supply the desired operating current. A power circuit from the power source 6|] is carried by a line 6| which is under control of a selector switch 62 and a reversing means 63. The selector switch establishes or controls connection between the power line 6| and motor lines 64 that extend from the selector switch to the motors M. The reversing means 63 serves to change or reverse the relationship between the selector switch 6| and the motor lines 64 and 65.

In the particular case illustrated the selector switch 62 involves a shiftable contact 66 and two fixed contacts 61 and 68, the contacts 61 being connected to motor line 65 and the contact 68 being connected to motor line 64. The switch 62 is preferably such that the movable contact 66 is normally in an up or unactuated position where it engages contact 61, readying the circuit through the motor line 64, and when it is actuated it is in a down position and engages contact 61, readying the motor circuit through line 65.

An operator 16 is provided to actuate the contact 66 of selector switch 62 and in the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings it involves a follower 1| in the body ll] of the container which is to be operated first. The follower rests on the collapsible bag H in said container and has a stem 12 that projects upwardly through a guide 15 which may include a part 15 in the nature of a closure applicable to the top of the body in place of the top H removed when the container is put into use. An arm 16 projects from the stem 12 and carries an adjustable actuator 11 so that when the follower 1| reaches its lowermost position the shiftable element 66 is engaged and operated. This relationship of parts is best illustraed in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 9 of the drawings.

The reversing means 63 is provided as a means for conveniently gaining a reversal of the relationship between contacts 61 and 68 of the selector switch and motor lines 64 and 65. In the particular case illustrated the reversing means involves a plug construction having two female elements or sockets 86 and a single male element or plug 8|. The contacts of switch 62 are permanently connected with the three terminals of plug 8| and the power line 6| is connected to one terminal of each socket 86, the other terminals of the sockets being connected to the motor lines 64 and 65, the relationship of these two elements being opposite in the two sockets. Through this construction, when the plug 6| is engaged in one socket, as shown in Fig. 9, operation is effected through motor line 62, whereas when the plu is engaged in the other socket operation is effected through motor line 65. This construction enables the person handling or servicing the machine to set it so that whichever dispenser he elects is the first to be operated or put into service.

There are motor switches in and controlling the motor lines, there being a motor switch 64 in line 64 as it extends to the motor at the left in Fig. 9, and a switch 65 in the motor line 65 as it extends to the motor at the right in Fig. 9. Relays responsive to operation of a starting switch 89 control the motor switches, there being a relay for each motor switch. Each relay involves an operating coil which operates when energized to close the motor switch, and a holding switch 66 that closes with the motor switch and which is in a holding circuit carried by lines 81 and 88.

The starting switch 89 is in line 81 connected to power line 6| and the holding switches 86 of the relays are in line 88 that connects with power line 6| and is connected to the windings 85 of the relays through the holding switches 86 of the relays and through stop switches 95. The stop switches are in series in the line 88 and are cooperatively related to the dispensing machines or the operating means therefore so that when either dispensing machine completes a cycle of operation the holding circuit through line 88 is opened and the relays released so operation of the machine stops until the starting switch is closed.

In the case illustrated the stop switches are alike and each involves a stationary contact 96 normally engaged by a movable contact 91 that is tripped by a projection 98 on the disc 5| of one of the means E. The projection momentarily opens or operates the movable contact 91 as the cycle of operation is completed.

From the foregoing description it will be understood how the present invention provides a simple compact dependable mechanism that is highly desirable in a liquid vending machine. As a practical example the machine may be designed so that one container carries a supply of liquid about sufficient for operation between times that the machine is serviced. The machine may be started in operation with two containers both full, and with the follower applied to but one container and the reversing means engaged or set so that the dispenser of that container is operated each time the starting switch is closed. Each time the starter switch is closed, as by manual operation or through a coin control or as circumstances require, the dispenser related to the container having the follower combined therewith dispenses a predetermined quantity of meanness liquidsintoia-cup '34 \orthe like suitablmpositioned beneath the "dispensing mechanism of x-the machine. Thisoperation-ofthe machine will bearep'eate'd each time :the'starting switch ,is closed and until the supply f .-liquid v:has been exhausted from the said container equipped with the {fol- 1ower,=or until the. level 10f liquid in that=container reaches a predetermined "point, whereupon the follower operates the reversing :switoh. When the reversing l-switch is operated the :dispenser of the first mentioned "container is taken out 'of service and that of the -other-gor reserve container is put into service or imade ready x'for :operation. Any subsequent i closin of the .-starting switch results in operation'of the dispenser related ,to the reserve or second container. In a typical situation a limitediamountaof liquid will be dispnsed from the reserve container prior :to the machine being serviced, andwhen the machine is serviced the first mentioned (or emptied containerl is discardedand-a1new full container arranged in its place and theyiollower is applied to the second or reserve container -.-above referredto. R5 the machine is :thus serviced the reversingmeans is operated so that each time the starting switch is thereafter closedthe .dis pensin'g :mechanism related to the container bearing the follower .operates and thisoperating condition continues until, as; above described; the container equipped with :the EfOHQWEI becomes empty,whereuponthebperation is switched to the other. or iull'eontainer.

Jt-is important to-observe that the invention provides simple, inexpensive containers that can be easilyzapplied"to andremoved fromzthe machine, it being anticipated that containers with dispensing parts'such as the-inlet tubes-cells, and outlet-1 ducts, I be; provided; as units i to 1 be discarded, rather than reused. lhrough the controliprovided'iby theipresent invention the, liquid handled, which smay be valuable concentrate, is handled without 2 loss or waste, 1 and through the sealed container constructiomthatis,;;by= .employ-mg containers with collapsible liquidrcarrying -bagsflsuch concentrate can be: handled with- 'out deterioration :or contamination :by 'contact with air. -As:aipracticalaexample, :a coffee concentrate or -a x liquid containing volatile oils, 1701 other elements, ":can i=be :handled to r advantage and in a highly economical manner.

l-lavingidescribed onlyiaitypical preferred form and application-sofqmy invention,:I-.ido ;not avish to "be limited or restricted to :the specific .t'details herein'set torth, but wish' torreservecto'myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and ,,-iall within the scope of the following claims:

.Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, two expendable liquid carrying containers, an individual liquid measuring dispenser handling liquid from eachcork tainer, :a power operated means actuating each ,dispensen-and control means responsive to liquid in one container switching operation from the dispenser of said container to the dispenser of 1311160131161 container when ,a predetermined level of liquid is reached in said first mentionedcontainer, each container including :a rigid body andecQllapsib-Ie liquid carrying bagin the body.

,2. In combination, two expendable liquid carrying -,containers, an individual liquid measuring dispenser handling liquid -irom each container, ,a power {operated means actuating each dispenser, and control-means responsive tot-liquid in one container switching operation from the dispenser of said container to the dispenser-of the other container when a predetermined level of;liquid,is reached in said first mentionedcontainer, each container including a rigid body, atubular fitting carried by the body and depending therefrom, and a collapsible liquid carryingbag in the body and'having a neck engaged through the ,fitting and turned back to engage over the fitting.

:3..2In combination, two liquid carrying .containers, an individual liquid,- measuringdispenser handling liquid from each container, a power operated means actuating each dispenser, and control -1means responsive to liquid inone container switching operation from the dispenser, of said-container to the dispenser of the other .container when .a predetermined level: of liquid is reached vin said first .inentioned container, l each dispenser including, an inlet duct, -a collapsible cell, an outlet duct, stopineanscontrolling;flow through the inlet duct, ,an vioutlet valve controlling flow :through the outlet duct and an actuator; operating to collapse the cell, the Y ducts and cell .;being a ;continuous body of; rubber-like material.

-Rcferences'=Cited'-in thefile ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 12,146,729 Gav-in. Feb. 14,1939 225314 1399 Samiran ;Mar..:30, 1-943 152,394,431 {Curtis etlal. Feb. 5, i946

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