GB835285A - A machine adapted to dispense a beverage - Google Patents

Abstract

835,285. Tea or coffee-making machines. SUPREME AUTOMATIC VENDING CO. Ltd. Jan. 31, 1958 [Feb. 1, 1957], No. 3686/57. Class 129. A machine for preparing tea or coffee from tea leaves, coffee grounds or " instant " coffee powder includes a reciprocating slider 58 (Fig. 10), formed with an open-bottomed cavity 59 and moved over a supporting surface 60 between three positions C, A, B in which, respectively the cavity 59 is charged, water is passed through it to infuse the drink, and the spent leaves or grounds are discharged. In the construction illustrated cavity 59 is normally in the position C where it receives a measured charge of tea leaves. It is subsequently moved into position A and locked by vertical movement of the supporting plate 60 effected by a cam (not shown) while superheated water from a cistern 51 is passed through the cavity to deliver to a pipe 89 leading through a condenser to a cup-dispensed at a station 18 (Fig. 2). Refrigerated milk and syrup may simultaneously be supplied through suitable meters. In the position B the spent leaves are ejected by a plunger 70. When a cup at station 18 (Fig. 2), has been filled a microswitch operated by the platform on which it rests starts a motor 17 to raise a shutter 19 by a ratchet and pinion 21, 22 to allow access to the drink. Removal of the cup causes the motor 17 to be reversed to lower the shutter. The space above the water in the cistern 51 is filled with compressed air from a pump 54 and the electric coils heating it are controlled by a pressure-sensitive switch 53. The heating coils are switched off if the water falls an abnormally low level. Delivering cups.-Each time the access shutter 19 is lowered a shaft 6 is rotated through one-sixth of a turn so causing the lowest cup to be detached from one of several magazines 4 by a pair of helices 7. The machine may be coin freed as described in Specification 831,389.