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CA2276927A1 - Dispenser as well as associated containers - Google Patents

Dispenser as well as associated containers Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2276927A1
CA2276927A1 CA 2276927 CA2276927A CA2276927A1 CA 2276927 A1 CA2276927 A1 CA 2276927A1 CA 2276927 CA2276927 CA 2276927 CA 2276927 A CA2276927 A CA 2276927A CA 2276927 A1 CA2276927 A1 CA 2276927A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
container
dispenser
outlet
code
cup
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2276927
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert Fricker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thermoplan AG
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2276927A1 publication Critical patent/CA2276927A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/44Parts or details or accessories of beverage-making apparatus
    • A47J31/4492Means to read code provided on ingredient pod or cartridge
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47JKITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J31/00Apparatus for making beverages
    • A47J31/40Beverage-making apparatus with dispensing means for adding a measured quantity of ingredients, e.g. coffee, water, sugar, cocoa, milk, tea

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)

Abstract

A dispenser, which is constructed as a coffee machine (10), has a base (15), on which at least one cup (22, 24, 26, 28) or the like can be placed below a coffee outlet (11), a hat steam outlet (16), a hot water outlet (17), a milk and/or a milk foam outlet (19). The cups (22, 24, 26, 28) able to be used for the coffee machine (10) are provided with a code, preferably a bar code (23, 23') and in the region in which the cup (22, 24, 26, 28) can be placed below the respective outlet, at least one reading unit (30) connected to an evaluation unit (35) is provided, by means of which the code on the cup (22, 24, 26, 28) placed on the base (15), is ascertained and then the corresponding coffee and/or the milk or the milk foam or the hot water is introduced in a predetermined quantity automatically, without pressing buttons, into the cup (22, 24, 26, 28). This allows a simplified operation of this coffee machine constructed as a dispenser.

Description

pispenser as well as associated containers The invention relates to a dispenser with one or more outlets for the measured removal of liquid or solid products, at least one container being able to be placed below the outlet or outlets, as well as associated containers.
A dispenser of the generic type, presently a coffee machine, which is used in particular in restaurants, is described in detail for example in Printed Specification EP-A 0 761 150. This coffee machine essentially comprises a housing, a base, various outlets as well as a control panel. The cups to be used are normally stacked on a rack placed beside the coffee machine. At the time of service, a waiter or in a self-service restaurant a customer first of all removes from the rack a coffee cup of the size according to the desired coffee.
After the cup has been placed under the coffee outlet, the waiter, or in the case of self-service the customer, must select a corresponding button, in order to dispense the desired coffee, such as for example a normal coffee with cream, a cappuccino, a coffee with milk, an expresso coffee or the like. In this case it is a drawback that a customer must first of all select the corresponding cup and then in a further step at the coffee machine again choose between different buttons, in order to receive the desired coffee.
In comparison therewith, it was the object of the present invention to improve a dispenser of the aforementioned type so that simplified operation is facilitated therewith, without in this case increasing the manufacturing costs of the dispenser.
i The object is achieved according to the invention by the features in the characterising part of Claim 7.
With this dispenser according to the invention, simplified operation thereof is achieved, without the manufacture becoming more complicated and thus more expensive.
Embodiments of the invention as well as further advantages thereof are described in detail hereafter with reference to the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a coffee machine according to the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the coffee machine according to Figure 1 with an outlined illustration of its control, Figure 3 is a view of the under side of a container provided according to the invention as a cup, Figure 4 is a view from above into the inside of a cup with a code an the base of the cup, Figure 5 is a side view of a cup with a code, and Figure 6 is a side view of a beaker with a code.
Figures 1 and 2 show a coffee machine 10 constructed as a dispenser, which is suitable in particular for use in the area of restaurants. The construction of such a coffee machine is comprehensively described for example in the aforementioned Printed Specification EP-A 0 761 150 and therefore is not described again in detail hereafter. The parts of this coffee machine 10 illustrated are essentially a housing 12, a coffee bean container 13 accessible from above, an outlet head with various outlets as well as a base 15. As the outlets, a coffee outlet 1 1, a milk or milk foam outlet 19, a hot water outlet 17 as well as a steam outlet 16 are arranged one beside the othsr on the front side of the housing 12, from which outlets the corresponding products can be dispensed. A cup 22 or the like may be placed on this base 15 under one of the outlets or under the two outlets 17 , 19 arranged close beside each other.
According to the invc;ntion, on the one hand according to Figure 3, the containers able to be used for the coffee machine 10, for which cups 22 are presently provided, are provided with a code, in particular a bar code 23, and on the other hand, according to Figure 1 or Figure 2, in the region iri which the cup 22 is able to be placed below the outlets 11, 16, 17, 19, at least one reading unit 30 connected to an evaluation device 35 is located, by means of which the coding of the cup 22 placed on the base 15 is ascertained and then the corresponding drink is introduced in a predetermined quantity automatically without pressing a button ~- into the cup 22.
In this coffee machine 1'0, the outlets 11, 19 are located closely one beside the other, whereas the hot water outlet 17 and steam outlet 16 are located at a distance apart and also at a distance from the outlets 11, 19, i.e. s cup must then be placed under the corresponding outlet, depending on the substance to be poured into the cup. However, as an alternative thereto, all the outlets could be located so close to each other that the cup must be placed solely at a certain centered point, for example below the outlets 11, 19. This would mean a further simplification of,the operation of the equipment.
In a very advantageous construction, the reading unit 30 is located in the base 7 5 of the coffee machine 10 and the bar code 23 is provided on' the under side 22' of the cup 22. The reading unit 30 is a commercially available bar code reader, which can be integrated in the base 15 constructed as a drawer able to be pulled out. The drawer advantageously surrounds the reading unit 30 securely mounted in the base 15 so that any liquid or the like falling onto the reading head of the reading unit provided in the base is guided into the drawer provided for collecting splashing liquid.
According to Figure 2, the reading unit 30 is connected by way of an electrical lead 36 to a diagrammatically illustrated evaluation unit 35. If the reading unit 30 is integrated in the drawer, it can be connected by a plug on the front side of the drawer to the lead part 36 in the housing 12, or, however, in place of this lead 36, a cable-free signal transmission, for example electromagnetic or optical, may also be provided. This reading unit 30 is constructed so that it first of ell recognises that a cup has been placed above it and secondly by means of the bar code determines which cup it is and which drink is effectively desired. The evaluation unit 35 in turn sends corresponding sig~tals by way of an electrical lead 31 to the control unit 14 of the coff~g machine 10, which then activates the corresponding unit, such as for example the coffee grinder (not shown in detail) for producing coffee.
A rack 20 is advantageously located beside the coffee m8chine 10, on which rack the cups are stacked according to the possible types. In the present embodiment, four vertical rows are provided, of which one is formed with cups 22 for coffee with cream or black coffee, the second with cups 24 for expresso coffee, the third with cups 26 for cappuccino and the fourth with cups 28 for tea. The cups of a rsspeetive type are provided with identical bar codes and preferably have the same dimensions. It will be understood that different bar codes are provided for the different types.
The method of operation of this coffee machine 10 according to the invention is such that a user first of all takes the desired cup from the rack 20 according to the inscription 21, for example from the row with the cups 22 for coffee with cream. Then the cup it placed under the corresponding outlet, presently under the coffee outlet 11. After depositing the cup, the reading unit 30 recognises this, it then reads the bar code and sends corresponding signals to the evaluation unit 35, by which the code is then identified. By way of the control unit i 4, the corresponding devices in the coffee machine are consequently controlled, such as for example the coffee grinder and then the device for producing the coffee.
In this above-described dmbodiment, in which a coffee machine is illustrated as the dispenser, the products are the typical products used therein. However, within the scope of the invention, drinks, such as fruit juices, mineral waters, but also cream, ice-cream or solid products, such as popcorn or the like may also be provided as products.
According to Figure 3, the bar coding 23 is located on the under side 22' of the cup 22. This may be a conventional coding, which is stuck to the cup base, burnt-in, cast therein or applied in some other way.
In the cup 22 according to Figure 4, the coding 23' is contained on the inside in the base 22" of the cup. The reading unit would then be located in a corresponding manner Fibove the cup in the outlet head with the outlet 11 or 19.
Figure 5 shows another variation of a location of a code 43, which is located on the outer side wall of a cup 42. The code lines are in this case arranged horizontally. However, they could also be aligned upwards or obliquely. Then the reading unit would not be located in the base 15 of the coffee machine, but advantageously in the front side of the housing 12. The bar coding could in principle also ba guided around the cup. Thus the reading unit could determine the coding without the cup having to be aligned exactly therewith.
Figure 6 shows a beaker 62, in which, in contrast to the cups according to Figures 3 to 5, the code according to the invention is produced by a cross 63 or the like applied by hand or mechanically, on one of the empty areas 64', 65', 66', 67', 68' located on the right, for which inscribed areas 64, .65, 66, 67, on the left are associated with the desired drinks. For example, before being filled with the drink, these cups 62 may be marked at the cash-desk with the corresponding cross 63 in one of the areas 64' to 68'. Then' the beaker 62 may be placed .by the user under the outlet on the dispenser. A reading unit then ascertains the desired drink by means of the cross 63 applied and brings about a corresponding control of the drinks dispenser, so that the desir~d drink is emptied in a defined quantity into the beaker 62.
In principle, for the code, the beaker 62 could also be provided with a magnetic strip, which is charged with the necessary information at the cash-desk or the like, which is then read by the reading unit. In principle, the number of filling quantities paid for and to be dispensed could also b~ recorded on the magnetic strip and after dispensing at the apparatus, be subtracted by a filling quantity.
In place of the elongated bar codes, annular bar codes could also be provided.
The coding may be achieved by a magnetic strip or other electronic or optical recognition means. For example, the coding could also take place solely by ascertaining the diameter of the defined cup base.
In principle, the coffee machine with this arrangement according to the invention could be produced in a simplified manner in so far that . buttons no longer have to be provided far the various types of use. Naturally, such buttons could also be provided, so that if necessary cups not for the type of use marked by the coding, can be filled.
With the dispenser, also only one outlet could be provided, with which for example the same product, but in differently measured quantities, would be dispensed.

Claims (12)

1, Dispenser, with one or more outlets (11, 16, 17, 19) for the measured removal of liquid or solid products, at least one container (22, 42, 62) being able to be placed below the outlet or outlets, characterised in that the containers (22, 42, 62) able to be used for the dispenser are provided with a code, preferably a bar code (23, 23'), that in the region in which the container (22, 42, 62) can be placed below the respective outlet (11, 16, 17, 19), at least one reading unit (30) connected to an evaluation unit (35) is located, by means of which the code on the respective container (22, 42, 62) can be ascertained and then the product to be dispensed can be introduced in a predetermined quantity automatically, without pressing a button, into the container (22, 42, 62).
2. Dispenser according to Claim 1, characterised in that the containers (22, 42, 62) for a certain product are provided with identical bar codes, whereas different bar codes are provided for the different products to be removed, in which case drinks such as fruit juices, coffee, tea or any mixture of drinks, milk foam, cream or a solid product such as popcorn or the like may be provided as the products for example.
3. Dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the reading unit (30) is constructed so that it automatically recognises when a container (22, 42, 62) is placed above or beside it and that it reads the bar code.
4. Dispenser according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the reading unit (301 is connected by way of an electrical lead (36) to an evaluation unit (35) and the latter is connected to a control unit (14) of the dispenser.
5. Dispenser according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that an indicator or warning sound is provided if the reading unit cannot ascertain the code on the container in a trouble-free manner.
6. Dispenser according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the dispenser is built without operating buttons for dispensing the corresponding product.
7. Dispenser according to Claim 1, which is constructed as a coffee machine (10), with a base (15), on which at least one container, preferably a cup (22, 24, 26, 28) or the like can be placed below a coffee outlet (11), a hot steam outlet (16), a hot water outlet (17), a milk and/or milk foam outlet (19), characterised in that the bar code (23, 23') is located on the under side, side or on the inside of the container (22, 42, 62) and the reading unit (30) is contained in the base (15), on the front side of the housing (12) or in the outlet head of the coffee machine.
8. Dispenser according to Claim 1, characterised in that all the outlets provided for a device for the measured dispensing of liquid or solid products are located close beside each other so that the container to be filled can be positioned solely at a single defined location.
9. Container for a dispenser according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that tha container is provided with at least one code, preferably a bar code (23, 23').
10. Container according to Claim 9, characterised in that the code is located on the under side (22') of the cup (22, 24, 26, 28), on the side or inside, preferably in the base of the cup.
11. Container according to Claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the coding takes place by a mark applied manually or mechanically to the container, for example a cross (63).
12. Dispenser according to Claim 11, characterised in that the mark, far example the cross (63) or the like, is produced on one of the empty areas (64', 65', 66', 67', 68'), with which inscribed areas (64, 65, 66, 67, 68) with the desired products are associated.
CA 2276927 1998-07-07 1999-06-30 Dispenser as well as associated containers Abandoned CA2276927A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH19981441/98 1998-07-07
CH144198 1998-07-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2276927A1 true CA2276927A1 (en) 2000-01-07

Family

ID=4210540

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2276927 Abandoned CA2276927A1 (en) 1998-07-07 1999-06-30 Dispenser as well as associated containers

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0972481A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2276927A1 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150047509A1 (en) * 2013-08-15 2015-02-19 2266170 Ontario Inc. Capsule Identification System
US9428328B2 (en) 2011-09-01 2016-08-30 2266170 Ontario Inc. Beverage capsule
US9428329B2 (en) 2013-08-20 2016-08-30 2266170 Ontario Inc. System for making capsule containing a dosing agent
US10117539B2 (en) 2010-01-19 2018-11-06 Nestec S.A. Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising an identification code
US10314319B2 (en) 2013-11-20 2019-06-11 2266170 Ontario Inc. Method and apparatus for accelerated or controlled degassing of roasted coffee
US10336531B2 (en) 2014-03-21 2019-07-02 2266170 Ontario Inc. Capsule with steeping chamber

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7223427B2 (en) * 1999-06-21 2007-05-29 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Beverage maker interface
IT1316874B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2003-05-12 Brasilia Spa EQUIPMENT FOR QUICK DISPENSING OF COFFEE-BASED INFUSIONS OR OTHER INFUSION BEVERAGES
AUPR199300A0 (en) * 2000-12-10 2001-01-11 Barista Holdings Pty Ltd Liquid beverage dispenser
DE10116239A1 (en) * 2001-03-31 2002-10-17 Eugster Frismag Ag Romanshorn Machine-readable identifier, system for its detection and test methods for the machine-readable identifier
US7637205B2 (en) 2002-08-28 2009-12-29 Niro-Plan Ag Dispensing device for drinks
CA2414870A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-20 Labatt Brewing Company Limited Beverage dispensing system and apparatus
DE20307666U1 (en) 2003-05-16 2004-09-23 Wmf Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik Ag beverage system
DE202004002163U1 (en) 2003-10-02 2004-04-22 Trinczek, Wolfgang Vending Machine
ATE356570T1 (en) 2004-05-04 2007-04-15 Datalogic Spa DEVICE FOR PREPARING A DRINK FROM A CARTRIDGE, WITH ACTIVATION AFTER READING AN OPTICAL CODE ON THE CARTRIDGE
DE102004050365A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-27 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH beverage maker
EP2259706B1 (en) * 2008-03-06 2013-09-25 Bunn-O-Matic Corporation Brewer system including pervasive rfid sensing for servers
US20150305548A1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2015-10-29 Nestec S.A. Food or beverage production system
JP2016507260A (en) * 2012-12-21 2016-03-10 ネステク ソシエテ アノニム Food or beverage production system
WO2014095985A1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Nestec S.A. Beverage production system
WO2014096082A1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2014-06-26 Nestec S.A. Food or beverage production system
CN109431280A (en) * 2019-01-11 2019-03-08 广州技诺智能设备有限公司 A kind of coffee machine and its control method and system
IT201900018605A1 (en) * 2019-10-11 2021-04-11 Rancilio Group Spa System comprising a coffee machine and a coffee grinder

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2625348A1 (en) * 1987-12-29 1989-06-30 Masaki Hideo Objects bearing a bar code and data identification method
US5094153A (en) * 1990-04-23 1992-03-10 Edward Helbling Coffee machine with product selectivity
JPH05151450A (en) * 1991-12-02 1993-06-18 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Cup type beverage vending machine
US5390711A (en) * 1992-09-02 1995-02-21 Murphey; James D. Method and apparatus for making snow cones
US5566732A (en) * 1995-06-20 1996-10-22 Exel Nelson Engineering Llc Beverage dispenser with a reader for size indica on a serving container
EP0761150B1 (en) 1995-08-30 1999-12-29 Thermoplan Ag Coffee machine

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10117539B2 (en) 2010-01-19 2018-11-06 Nestec S.A. Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising an identification code
US9428328B2 (en) 2011-09-01 2016-08-30 2266170 Ontario Inc. Beverage capsule
US20150047509A1 (en) * 2013-08-15 2015-02-19 2266170 Ontario Inc. Capsule Identification System
WO2015021557A1 (en) * 2013-08-15 2015-02-19 2266170 Ontario Inc. Capsule identification system
US9428329B2 (en) 2013-08-20 2016-08-30 2266170 Ontario Inc. System for making capsule containing a dosing agent
US10351277B2 (en) 2013-08-20 2019-07-16 2266170 Ontario Inc. Process for making a capsule containing a dosing agent
US10611507B2 (en) 2013-08-20 2020-04-07 2266170 Ontario Inc. Capsule with control member
US10314319B2 (en) 2013-11-20 2019-06-11 2266170 Ontario Inc. Method and apparatus for accelerated or controlled degassing of roasted coffee
US10336531B2 (en) 2014-03-21 2019-07-02 2266170 Ontario Inc. Capsule with steeping chamber

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EP0972481A1 (en) 2000-01-19

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