초록 ▼

An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transduc

An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes at least two piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level, and for generating signals corresponding to the travel time of the ultrasonic energy. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. The system can include two separate transmitter and receiver crystals, or in a preferred embodiment two transmitter-receiver pairs of crystals.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for automatically filling a container with a beverage comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser including a beverage dispensing nozzle located above a container supporting grate; (b) a pair of ultrasonic energy transmitters mounted on said dispenser for transmitting ultrasonic energy down to

An apparatus for automatically filling a container with a beverage comprising: (a) a beverage dispenser including a beverage dispensing nozzle located above a container supporting grate; (b) a pair of ultrasonic energy transmitters mounted on said dispenser for transmitting ultrasonic energy down toward said container supporting grate located below said beverage dispensing nozzle; (c) a pair of ultrasonic energy receivers mounted on said dispenser, separate from and spaced apart from said transmitters and positioned for receiving ultrasonic energy reflected back up from the direction of said grate and from generating signals corresponding to the travel time of the ultrasonic energy; (d) control circuit means using said generated signals for automatically detecting the presence of any container placed on said grate and below said nozzle; and (e) said control circuit means including means using said generated signals for controlling the filling of any container placed on said grate with beverage from said nozzle.