Automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus

Abstract

An automatic mixed drink dispensing apparatus includes a housing including a secured liquor receiving zone which receives a plurality of liquor containers. The housing also receives syrup containers, a water container, and a carbon dioxide container. An ice chest is mounted in the upper portion of the housing and has a liquid chilling apparatus in the bottom thereof. A dispensing head is mounted on the housing and extends into a mixed drink preparation zone. Drains extend from a point in the mixed drink preparation zone beneath the dispensing head and from a point in the bottom of the ice chest to a drain pan slidably supported in the bottom of the housing. Liquor pumps function to withdraw liquor from the liquor containers and to discharge the liquor through the dispensing head. The syrup containers are pressurized with carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide container, whereby syrup is caused to flow through the liquid chilling apparatus and through the dispensing head. A water pump withdraws water from the water container and directs the water through the liquid chilling apparatus and through the dispensing head. The water pump also directs water into a carbonating apparatus which supplies carbonated water. The flow of the various liquids through the dispensing head is regulated by solenoid-actuated valves which are in turn controlled by electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry responds to actuation of push-buttons individual to particular mixed drinks to select the liquids necessary in formulating a desired mixed drink and to actuate the valves to effect discharge of the proper amount of each liquid through the dispensing head.