Electro-pro, Inc.

Eric D Skell

Daniel G Skell

Michael A Manthei

Thomas D Tagliapietra

An automatic container detection and fill control device includes a number of transmitter and receiver pairs arranged generally in parallel such that a transmission from a given transmitter is directed downwardly toward an interior of a container when present in a dispensing station. At least a portion of the transmission is capable of reflection toward a given receiver. A control circuit is connected to the transmitter and receiver pairs to periodically activate a given transmitter and monitor a corresponding receiver. Preferably, the control circuit includes a microprocessor programmed and capable of determining both container presence and a product Fill level by detecting and differentiating signal strengths of reflected transmissions, and activating and deactivating a dispenser in response thereto. The control is capable of detecting the size of a container and dispensing product until the container is considered full. The control includes the ability to detect the presence of foam in a dispensed product, allow the foam to subside, and top off the product in the container. The device provides consistent container detection and fill level control regardless of ice content, prevents the waste of product due to spillage, provides truly hands free operation to allow an operator to perform other chores during the dispensing cycle, all at a very attractive cost.

Control method and apparatus to detect the presence of a first object and monitor a relative position of the first or subsequent objects such as container identification and product fill control

Control method and apparatus to detect the presence of a first object

A method and apparatus is provided to detect the position of an object, such as a container, in a target window using the concept of triangulation of energy radiation. A transmitter emits a pulse of energy in response to a periodic clock pulse which is at least partially reflected off the container positioned in the target window and into a receiver, forming an optical triangle. The signal produced by the receiver is checked to ensure that the energy indicative signal is synchronous with the periodic clock pulse to eliminate errant energy sources. The presence of a synchronous signal indicates the presence of an object in the target window wherein subsequent action may be taken, such as dispensing beverage and/or ice into a container within the target window. The invention is incorporated into a dispensing valve and may have the transmitter and receiver mounted vertically or horizontally. The invention is disclosed in an integrated, modular dispensing valve assembly incorporating all the components to accommodate easy retrofitting, and replacement of existing manually operated dispensing valves. The invention also includes the option of adding additional transmitter and receiver pairs to provide a level control to disable dispensing once the dispensed product reaches a given level in the container.

Triangulation position detection with fill level control

Triangulation position-detection and integrated dispensing valve

A method and apparatus is provided to detect the position of an object, such as a container, within a multidimensional target space above which is a dispensing spigot to dispense water, ice, or other beverage. The dispenser control is also applicable to other applications, for example, dispensing soap in response to the detecting of human hands. The system has a transceiver emitting pulses of ultrasonic waves, a portion of which are reflected by the object in the target space and detected by the transceiver, and a processing circuit for determining the relative strength of the reflected signals and the time it takes an ultrasonic wave to be emitted, reflected, and received by a transceiver. The received signal is checked to determine if the amplitude of the reflected ultrasonic wave is consistent with an object occupying the target space. A timer circuit creates a timing window which further defines the target space. When a reflected ultrasonic wave has large enough amplitude and occurs within the timing window, a dispensing signal is produced. An instant OFF stops dispensing as soon as the object begins to leave the target space, thereby preventing spillage.

Dispenser control with ultrasonic position detection

A method and apparatus is provided to detect the position of an object, such as a container, in a target window using the concept of triangulation of light radiation. A transmitter emits a pulse of light in response to a periodic clock pulse which is at least partially reflected off the container positioned in the target window and into a receiver, forming an optical triangle. The target window has the volumetric shape of two intersecting cones and therefore provides three axes detection. The signal produced by the receiver in response to receiving a light input is filtered to remove weak signals and checked to ensure that the light indicative signal is synchronous with the periodic clock pulse to eliminate errant light sources. The presence of a synchronous signal indicates the presence of an object in the target window wherein subsequent action may be taken, such as dispensing beverage and/or ice into a container within the target window.

Triangulation position detection method and apparatus

A dispensing method and apparatus is provided to detect the presence of a container and determine the relative size of the detected container and automatically dispense a product into the detected container while monitoring the fill level of the product in the container. Dispensing is automatically discontinued when the fill level nears the top of the container. The present system also provides a timed delay to allow settling of the dispensed product and thereafter dispenses to top-off the product in the container.

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Hubertus, WI, United States of America

Eric D Skell