초록 ▼

A liquor dispensing apparatus is provided for accurately dispensing a standard volume of a liquor, such as a spirit. The apparatus includes a metering reservoir having an air inlet, a liquor inlet and a liquor outlet. A plurality of level sensors are provided in a side wall of a reservoir for sensin

A liquor dispensing apparatus is provided for accurately dispensing a standard volume of a liquor, such as a spirit. The apparatus includes a metering reservoir having an air inlet, a liquor inlet and a liquor outlet. A plurality of level sensors are provided in a side wall of a reservoir for sensing the level of liquor remaining in a chamber of the reservoir. Compressed air, which enters chamber via air inlet, is used to discharge liquor from the reservoir through liquor outlet. A controller controls the discharge of liquor from the chamber and the refilling of the chamber in response to sensing signals from the level sensors. Solenoid valves control the flow of compressed air and liquor into/from the reservoir under the control of controller. Advantages include few moving parts, low maintenance and low manufacturing costs.

대표청구항 ▼

[ The claims defining the invention are as follows:] [1.]1. A liquor dispensing apparatus comprising:a metering reservoir having an air inlet, a liquor inlet and a liquor outlet provided therein, said air inlet being provided in an upper region of the reservoir and said liquor outlet being provided

[ The claims defining the invention are as follows:] [1.]1. A liquor dispensing apparatus comprising:a metering reservoir having an air inlet, a liquor inlet and a liquor outlet provided therein, said air inlet being provided in an upper region of the reservoir and said liquor outlet being provided in a lower region of the reservoir wherein, in use, air supplied under pressure to the air inlet is used to force liquor to be discharged from the reservoir via said liquor outlet;a plurality of level sensors provided in the reservoir for sensing the level of liquor remaining in the reservoir, including a first sensor for sensing when the volume of liquor in the reservoir is at a first level, and a second sensor for sensing when the volume of liquor in the reservoir has fallen to a second level, wherein there is a predetermined difference in volume between the first and second levels;controller means for controlling the discharge of liquor via the liquor outlet in response to sensing signals from said level sensors whereby, in use, an accurately metered, discrete and predetermined quantity of alcoholic liquor is dispensed;a first control valve connected to the air inlet for controlling the supply of compressed air to the reservoir in response to a control signal from said controller means, and wherein said first control valve is provided with an air outlet communicating with the air inlet of the reservoir, an air intake communicating with a source of compressed air and an air exhaust communicating with atmosphere, said first control valve having two modes of operation, namely a refilling mode in which air escaping from within the reservoir via said air inlet is directed to atmosphere via said air exhaust, and a discharge mode in which compressed air entering said air intake is directed into the reservoir via said air inlet; anda second control valve connected to the liquor outlet for dispensing of liquor from the reservoir in response to a control signal from said controller means.