Crane Company

Unidynamics Corporation

Umc Industries, Inc.

Franklin D Newkirk

Gregory Glen Stettes

Robert J Reese

Leonard A Ficken

Andrew F Poag

Gerald Joseph Podgorny

William Koeneker

John P Huffman

George Russell Fink

Ronald P Petersen

Frank W Krockenberger

Mark R Henning

Pieter Wilhelmus Werner Bouwkamp

Mark S Schmitz

Charles James Pomeroy

The present invention relates to the mixing of dry beverage mixes with water. It presents an apparatus for whipping a fluid slurry comprising of an inlet for receiving an unwhipped fluid slurry, a whipping chamber connected to the inlet for whipping the unwhipped fluid slurry, an impeller located in the whipping chamber, one or more indentations in the surface of the whipping chamber, wherein the impeller induces fluid turbulence that produces a whipped fluid slurry when the impeller rotates above the indentations, and an outlet for discharging the whipped fluid slurry.

System for whipping a fluid slurry and method therefore

A filter paper roll support apparatus for a coffee vending machine, having a fixed arm and a pivotable arm spaced from the fixed arm for supporting opposite ends of a support roll on which the paper roll is mounted for rotation. The pivotable arm is hinged and spring biased towards the fixed arm. A spacing element is formed in each of the arms to engage the opposite sides of a roll of filter paper to keep it from rubbing on the main bodies of the arms.

Coffee vending machine filter paper support

A table-top coffee vending machine providing slide-out storage containers for easy filling and removal, a compact fast acting coffee brewing system and a filter paper cutting and storage system. A plurality of storage containers for ground coffee, hot chocolate ingredient and condiment are provided in a rack system that allows the group containers to be slid out of the machine cabinet on telescoping rails to allow easy filling and removal of the containers. The brewing method includes simultaneously supplying water and coffee grounds to a brewer, stopping the supply of both, allowing the mixture to steep and then beginning to remove the mixture from the brewer while reinitiating the supply of water to the brewer for a sufficient time to supply a complete cup of coffee at a cup station. The filter paper cutter cuts lengths of paper from a continuous supply of filter paper after it is used in the brewer to filter the coffee. The cutter is saw-toothed and a paper clamping mechanism is used to clamp the paper in the area where it is to be cut. The cut lengths of paper are collected in a removable tray and are compressed into a stack by a sweeper bar that is activated in conjunction with the cutter action.

Table-top coffee vending machine and method

An ice making device including a control system to regulate the dispensing of manufactured ice to a hopper for subsequent dispensing into a container such as a cup. The control system senses a low level of ice in the hopper and initiates a signal that is sent to a controller. The controller initiates a time delay that prevents discharge of ice from the ice making device to the hopper until a monitored variable about the ice meets a predetermined value. When the value is reached, additional ice is dispensed to the hopper. Such an ice making device has use in combination with a beverage dispensing device.

Apparatus and method for making and dispensing ice

A table-top coffee vending machine providing slide-out storage containers for easy filling and removal, a compact fast acting coffee brewing system and a filter paper cutting and storage system. A plurality of storage containers for ground coffee, hot chocolate ingredient and condiment are provided in a rack system that allows the group of containers to be slid out of the machine cabinet on telescoping rails to allow easy filling and removal of the containers. The brewing method includes simultaneously supplying water and coffee grounds to a brewer, stopping the supply of both, allowing the mixture to steep and then beginning to remove the mixture from the brewer while reinitiating the supply of water to the brewer for a sufficient time to supply a complete cup of coffee at a cup station. The filter paper cutter cuts lengths of paper from a continuous supply of filter paper after it is used in the brewer to filter the coffee. The cutter is saw-toothed and a paper clamping mechanism is used to clamp the paper in the area where it is to be cut. The cut lengths of paper are collected in a removable tray and are compressed into a stack by a sweeper bar that is activated in conjunction with the cutter action.

An ingredient mixing apparatus and moisture reduction system for a liquid vending machine which is capable of mixing a predetermined portion of dry ingredient with a liquid and vending the resultant mixture. The ingredient mixing apparatus includes a mixing bowl which has a cylindrical upper portion and conical lower portion with an outlet spout at the bottom. The liquid is injected into the bowl at a tangent so that it swirls about the bowl for mixing. The dry ingredient is dropped into the top of the bowl simultaneously with the liquid injection so that the two mix before leaving the bowl through the bottom. A top cap is provided for the mixing bowl with a depending wall extending adjacent the inner cylindrical surface of a portion of the bowl. A divider wall also supported by the cap extends down into the mixing bowl to divide it into two sections. Suction is provided on the second section to remove steam or vapor and airborne dry ingredient from the bowl. The moisture reduction system includes a series of mixing bowls and a manifold that removes the steam and dry ingredient from the mixing bowls.

Ingredient mixing bowl and moisture reduction system for a vending

A hot beverage brewing and dispensing machine having a brewing cylinder for receiving a hot liquid and a beverage product for brewing, a base member beneath the brewing cylinder with a brewed liquid outlet through which beverage brewed in the brewing chamber can flow, a seal between the base member and a bottom end of the brewing cylinder with a filter material therebetween for sealing the cylinder during brewing when the brewing cylinder is brought into engagement with the filter material, a filter feed mechanism, a tube for supplying liquid and a chute for supplying beverage product to an upper portion of the brewing cylinder, and a conical dispersing surface disposed at the upper portion of the brewing cylinder upon which the liquid and beverage product impinge from their supply means and which disperses the liquid and beverage product as they fall to a bottom portion of the brewing cylinder washing the cylinder walls. A peristaltic pump is connected to the outlet in the base member for extracting the brewed liquid from the brewing cylinder and dispensing it at a cup station. A movable cup stand is provided to allow a carafe to be positioned in the cup station for filling.

Hot beverage brewing apparatus

An additive overflow reduction system for an automatic vending machine of the hot beverage type which has storage containers for additives such as dry creamer arid sugar and which feeds the additives to a mixing bowl by use of an auger-type feed mechanism. The system includes a reduced area outlet and a minimized volume of product retained adjacent the outlet to allow as little volume of product as practicable to remain in the area of the opening after material has been feed from the opening. A portion of the last flight of the auger is disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the auger to reduce the force on the retained product that would otherwise tend to force the product out of the opening if the machine is vibrated or bumped.

Additive overflow reduction system for an automatic vending machine

A mixing device and overflow evacuation system for a vending machine which is capable of mixing a predetermined portion of dry ingredients with a liquid and vending the resultant mixture. The mixing bowl is generally conically shaped and open at its upper end with an annular cap covering the upper end with a central opening which permits the dry ingredient to be dispensed into the mixing bowl therethrough. The liquid is injected so as to cause the liquid to move in a generally spiral path around the mixing bowl and the dry ingredient is injected into the path of the liquid so that the two are mixed. The mixing bowl is provided with baffles in the lower portion thereof which break up the flow and cause the mixture to pass through an outlet spout. The evacuation system includes a vacuum tube connected to the upper portions of each of the mixing bowls to remove steam therefrom when hot liquids are being used. In the case of a clogged mixing bowl, the overflow system will remove the liquid and transport it to a catch basin to prevent an overflow of the liquid in the machine.

Ingredient mixing bowl and evacuation system

A coffee bean delivery and grinding system for producing a charge of ground coffee comprising a bin and hopper for storing coffee beans, an auger being at least partially disposed in the bottom of the hopper, and a grinder having grinding wheels driven by a grinder motor. An auger motor is connected to one end of the auger for turning the auger to convey coffee beans from the hopper to the grinder. A control mechanism is provided for operating the grinder motor and the auger motor during the cycle of operation of the system. The end of the auger opposite the motor is located generally in an opening in the grinder housing such that the end of the auger is adjacent the grinding wheels for feeding coffee beans to the grinding wheels upon initiation of rotation of the auger.

Coffee bean delivery and grinding system

Flood control apparatus for a beverage vendor of the type comprising a cabinet and a water supply system including a line for bringing water into the cabinet to provide water for beverages and a valve in the line, the apparatus comprising a pan located beneath components of the water supply system within the cabinet for collecting water discharged upon a failure of any of the components, the pan having a portion free to move down under the weight of water collected in the pan and a switch actuated by said portion of the pan when it moves down for closing the valve to cut off the supply of water.

Growing community of inventors

Florissant, MO, United States of America

Franklin D Newkirk