Liquid Dispensing Apparatus And Method

Abstract

A new and improved liquid dispensing apparatus and method wherein a plurality of various liquids, such as for example, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, each stored in separate containing means, are selectively chosen and permitted to flow or be drawn from the containing means into a glass or other receptacle in response to predetermined flow regulation imposed by a dispensing control apparatus to form desired combinations and mixes of the liquids.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of this invention is beverage dispensing apparatuses and methods for forming desired combinations and mixes of liquids.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the prior art apparatuses for dispensing desired combinations of liquids and beverages, such as those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,305,132; 3,409,176; and 3,428,218, complex electronic circuitry and control mechanisms were used in the apparatus to regulate and control the valves and other devices required to combine such liquids. The complex electronic circuitry and control mechanisms were costly to assemble and maintain and the likelihood of failure or malfunction of the apparatus was greater in view of the complex circuitry and mechanisms. Detailed training of the operators and maintenance personnel for the dispensing apparatus was required. The valves used to regulate the flow of desired ingredients were comparatively slow to operate, and an accurate mix of ingredients was difficult to obtain.

In the push-button operated dispensing apparatuses of the prior art, such as those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,305,132 and 3,428,218, inadvertent actuations of an undesired button by the operator during actuations of the selected buttons, or while the selected combination was being formed or poured, often created an undesired or inaccurate mix of beverages or liquids, and caused undesirable waste of ingredients.

These prior art apparatuses relied upon pneumatic pressure to force the beverages from containers into the glasses where the mixes were formed, requiring pressurization of the containers before the beverages could be moved, causing the operation of the apparatus to be relatively slow, and accurate control of the proportions of ingredients to be difficult to attain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and improved beverage dispensing method and apparatus wherein a plurality of beverages or liquids desired in a mixture are extracted from separate containing means and selectively permitted to pass or flow into a receptacle in response to predetermined flow regulation. The flow regulation is imposed by a new and improved dispensing control apparatus, which permits accurate quantities and proportions of the desired beverages to flow into the receptacle, and prevents undesired components from being inadvertently drawn or passed into the mixture. The dispensing control apparatus includes a new and improved dispensing control means which regulates the operation of the dispensing control apparatus according to control indicator means thereon correlating to a preselected desired beverage or liquid mix.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved beverage dispensing apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved beverage dispensing method.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved beverage dispenser in which accurate proportions and quantities of desired ingredients of a mixed drink, beverage or liquid are selectively permitted to pass into a beverage or liquid receptacle in response to flow regulation imposed by a new and improved beverage or liquid dispensing flow control apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved beverage or liquid dispensing flow control apparatus which permits only preselected ingredients of a mixed beverage or liquid to flow into a receptacle in which the beverage or liquid is being mixed under regulation imposed by a new and improved dispensing control means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the beverage or liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a portion of a container used in the beverage or liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken in elevation, of a beverage or liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the beverage or liquid dispensing control portion of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5, 10, 11, 11A, and 12 are isometric views of a plurality of dispensing control members of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an alternative embodiment of the beverage or liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an alternative embodiment of the beverage or liquid dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view, taken in section, of an alternative beverage or liquid dispensing control portion of the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation, partly in section, of an alternative beverage or liquid dispensing control portion of the apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings, the letter a designates generally a new and improved beverage or liquid dispensing apparatus which mixes preselected ingredients such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, mixes, sodas, tonics, sweeteners, flavorings, coloring fluids or other liquids and the like in desired and accurate portions, permitting such ingredients, controlled by a new and improved dispensing control apparatus D, to pass into a suitable glass, cup, snifter or other suitable receptacle R for the desired drink or mixture of liquids.

The beverage dispensing apparatus A includes generally a containing means C for holding the beverages or liquids, the dispensing control apparatus D, and a plurality of conduits T connecting the containing means C for moving the beverages or liquids in response to a means to initiate movement thereof to the dispensing apparatus D.

CONTAINING MEANS

The containing means C may be a container 10 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9) mounted with the remainder of the dispensing apparatus to be discussed hereinbelow, or a plurality of containers 19 (FIG. 6) which may be, for example, the bottles or other containers in which the respective ingredient beverages or liquids were purchased, or other suitable containers.

The container 10 may be made of plastic, polyethylene or other suitable synthetic resin or other material, and is illustrated as including two side wall members 10f and 10g (FIG. 1), a top wall member 10h and a base member 10i enclosing a plurality of compartments 11, each of which retains and houses one of the ingredient liquid or beverages B to be mixed and dispensed by the apparatus A. The beverages B in the compartments 11 are segregated from each other by horizontal partitions 12 and vertical partitions 13 which are impervious to the beverages or liquids therein.

The compartments 11 are preferably larger in horizontal cross-sectional area than in vertical cross-sectional area, making each of the compartments a rectangular box with a larger horizontal surface area than vertical surface area, so that extraction (in a manner to be later discussed) of a given amount of beverage B therefrom will cause a relatively small decrease in the depth of the beverage B, which in turn causes a slight decrease in the hydrostatic pressure of beverage B, permitting more accurate control of the mix of ingredients in the operation of the invention to be discussed later.

A plurality of inlet conduits 11a, each of which leads to a separate compartment 11, are mounted to a rear wall 10a of container 10 adjacent apertures 10b (FIGS. 2 and 7) in such rear wall to allow beverages to be introduced into the compartments 11.

An inlet opening 11b is formed at the end of inlet conduit 11a to allow replenishment of the liquids or beverages B in the compartments 11. The inlet openings 11b are maintained open in the beverage dispensing apparatus A during the operation of the invention to be later described, in order to maintain substantially atmospheric pressure therein, and to prevent air locks from forming in the conduits T. When the dispensing apparatus A is not in operation, the inlet openings 11b may be sealed to prevent evaporation and consequent loss of the beverages B from the compartments 11. The compartments 11 containing carbonated beverages B therein may be additionally pressurized to prevent such beverages or liquids from becoming flat or stale.

Each of the inlet openings 11b (FIG. 1) may be connected with a selectively actuated valve (not shown) and additional inlet tubing (not shown) which connect the compartments 11 to larger beverage storage containers (not shown) of replenishment supplies of beverages B, if desired. Automatic refilling of the compartments 11 from the replenishment containers can then be accomplished by a level sensing means such as a float (not shown) being mounted in the compartment 11. Upon the beverage level in the compartment 11 reaching the predetermined replenishment level, the level sensing means is actuated by the float to close an electrical circuit (not shown) and causes the selectively actuated valve to open allowing movement of replenishment quantities of the beverage by pumping, gravity flow or other suitable techniques from the replenishment container through the inlet tubing into the desired compartment 11.

The level sensing means might also be used to ration and limit the amount of beverage or liquid, particularly alcoholic beverages, extracted at any one time from the dispensing apparatus A, by sensing when the level in a compartment 11 has changed corresponding to such an amount being extracted, and thereafter deactivating the means to thereby form a pressure differential or other means to activate relative movement of the beverage with respect to the conduits T.

An alternate rear wall 110a (FIG. 1A) for the container 10 includes a plurality of beverage inlet chases or conduits 111a formed therein. An inlet aperture 111b is formed in the top surface 110e of rear wall member 110a for each inlet conduit 111a, and each of the inlet apertures 111b is connected through a selected one of the inlet conduits 111a and an aperture 110b to a preselected compartment 11, to allow replenishment of the beverages in the compartments 11. Each of the inlet apertures 111b may be connected by the inlet tubing and selective actuated valves to beverage storage containers to allow replenishment of the beverages B in the compartments 11 as discussed above.

A pressurization inlet conduit 115 may be formed in a suitable wall of the container 10, for example rear wall 110a (FIG. 1A) for maintaining substantially atmospheric pressure on each of the compartments 11 for reasons previously set forth to permit passage of air through an inlet aperture 115a, and the conduit 115 to individual pressurization apertures 115b in each of the compartments 11.

The pressurization inlet conduit system may be divided into a first pressurization inlet conduit (not shown) similar to conduit 115, but including pressurization outlet apertures 115b in only the compartments 11 containing alcoholic beverages b, and a second pressurization inlet conduit (not shown), having outlet apertures 115b in the compartments 11 for mixes and other non-alcoholic beverages B. Each of the two pressurization inlet conduits may be connected to an inlet valve to selectively regulate the amount of pressurization permitted in the compartments 11 and thereby selectively vary the relative proportions of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages with respect to each other.

A front wall 10c of the container 10 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) includes a plurality of outlet passageways 10d, one for each compartment 11, passing therethrough. The passageways 10d are located substantially adjacent the upper surface 12a of the lower horizontal partition 12 (FIGS. 2 and 7) of each compartment 11 to allow the hydrostatic pressure of the beverage or liquid B to assist in the extraction of the beverage B contained in such compartment 11.

An attachment arm member 10e (FIGS. 1 and 2) integrally mounted to the front wall member 10c, extends substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom and sealingly engages a conduit plate 20, in which the conduits T have been formed.

In a selectively positioned container C-1 (FIG. 7), used in the apparatus A-1 wherein the beverages B are caused to move relative to the conduits C and dispensing control apparatus D by adjustment of the positions of such container C-1 in a manner to be later described, each compartment 11 is further divided by a partition 12e into two sub-compartments, an upper compartment 11c, and a lower compartment 11d. An aperture 12b in the partition 12e allows passage of the beverage B from the upper compartment 11c into the lower compartment 11d to maintain the level of beverage B in the lower compartment 11d substantially full. Each of the apertures 12b is substantially the same distance from the front wall 10c so that the hydrostatic pressure of the liquids or beverages B contained in each of the lower compartments 11d is substantially equal during the operation of dispensing apparatus A-1 to be set forth hereinbelow.

CONDUITS

The conduits T may be integrally formed in the conduit plate 20 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9), and conduit plate 720 (FIG. 7), or may be individual flexible tubes 29a (FIG. 6) of plastic, rubber, or other suitable material depending upon the containing means being utilized in the embodiment of the beverage dispensing apparatus A of the present invention.

When individual containers 19 (FIG. 6) for beverages are used, a selected tube 29a is inserted into such container to a depth wherein the open end (not shown) of the tubing 29a is beneath the surface of the liquid or beverage B contained therein. The selected tube 29a is then sealingly inserted into a selected aperture 55a, corresponding to the particular beverage in the container 19, in an upper plate 55 of a support bracket 520 of the dispensing control apparatus D. Similar tubing 29a connects each of the containers 19 of other beverages to other individual apertures 55a, for dispensing of the liquids or beverages in the operation of the invention to be set forth hereinbelow.

When conduits T are integrally formed in the conduit plate 20 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9), such conduit plate 20 is made of plastic, synthetic resin or other suitable material in the configuration of an inverted "L," and is formed by an upright member 20a integrally mounted to an outwardly extending support member 20b, for mounting the dispensing control apparatus D.

A plurality of chases or conduits 21 (FIG. 1), equal in number to the compartments 11 in the container, are formed along a surface 20c of upright member 20, and a surface 20d of support member 20b, which engages the front wall 10c and the attachment arm member 10e, respectively, of the container 10.

The conduits 21 are formed beginning at a lower end 21a (FIG. 1) adjacent a corresponding outlet passageway or aperture 10d in the front wall 10c (FIG. 2) and extend upwardly along the surface 20c to an elbow 21c (FIG. 1) and extend horizontally at 21b along the surface 20d (FIG. 2) to an elbow 21d. A vertical tube 21e (FIGS. 2 and 3) extends downwardly from the elbow 21d through a dispensing aperture 21f (FIGS. 2 and 3).

In the embodiments wherein the beverages B are caused to move relative to conduits T towards and through the dispensing control apparatus D by means of a pneumatic pressure differential, set forth hereinafter, an evacuation outlet tube 23 is formed through the support member 20b at an aperture 23a (FIG. 3) and extends past an elbow 23b through the member 20b to an aperture 23c (FIG. 1 or 3). Tubing or other suitable connecting means is sealingly mounted at the aperture 23c and connects a vacuum pump (not shown) or other suitable means for forming a pressure differential between the compartments 11 and the dispensing apparatus D.

When the beverages or liquids B are caused to move relative to the conduits 721 towards and through the dispensing control apparatus D in the dispensing apparatus A-1 (FIG. 7) by means of adjustment of the position of the containers 11 with respect to the dispensing apparatus D, as set forth hereinbelow, a conduit plate 720 (FIG. 7) is utilized, and is sealingly mounted along a surface 720c to the wall 10c of the container C-1. A plurality of chases or conduits 721 are formed in the surface 720c in a like manner to the chases 21, extending along the surface 720c to an elbow 721d from which elbow a tube 721e extends to a dispensing aperture 721f.

DISPENSING CONTROL APPARATUS

The dispensing control apparatus D of the present invention includes a dispensing control head H and a dispensing control means P, and may also include a dispenser actuating switch S.

Dispensing Control Head H

The dispensing control head H may be a stationary dispensing head H-1 (FIG. 7), a hingeably movable dispensing head H-2 (FIGS. 2 and 3), a bellows mounted dispensing head H-3 (FIGS. 6 and 6A), a hydraulic or pneumatic dispensing head H-4 (FIG. 8), and an electric dispensing head H-5 (FIG. 9).

Each of the dispensing heads H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5 may be interchangeably mounted from a support member 20b and used with the containing means 10 and conduit plate 20 (FIGS. 1-5), as well as mounted from a support bracket 520 (FIGS. 6 and 6A) when used with the individual containing means 19.

The stationary dispensing head H-1 (FIG. 7) does not move from its mounted position on the mounting plate 720. A holding groove G for the dispensing means P is formed in the conduit plate 720 and extends transversely to the conduits 721. A sealing gasket 726 of rubber or other suitable material with matching apertures (not numbered) therethrough corresponding to the dispensing apertures 721f is fixedly mounted to a surface 720g of the conduit plate 720 adjacent the groove G. A dispensing means P such as a card is inserted in the groove G adjacent the gasket 726, and is held in such position by a plurality of shoulders 721h and 721i. The shoulders 721h and 721i and friction between the inserted control means P and the gasket 726e, hold and position the card P in sealing engagement within dispensing control head H-1, permitting passage of beverages B only through preselected dispensing apertures 721f which match preselected apertures in the dispensing control means P. An annular space 728 is provided in the conduit plate 720 beneath the card P and an annular gasket 29 may be provided, if desired, to sealingly engage a glass or other suitable receptacle R, and to allow proper positioning of such glass or receptacle R adjacent the dispensing apparatus D.

In the stationary dispensing control head H-1, the friction created by extended use and sealing engagement between the gasket 726 and the dispensing control card P may occasionally cause wear on the gasket 726 as a result of insertion and removal of such dispensing control card P. In cases of extensive use such as a commercial operation, it may be desirable to provide a movable dispensing control head. The dispensing control heads H-2 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4), and H-3 (FIG. 6) are suitable for this purpose.

In the hingeably movable dispensing control head H-2, a plurality of lugs 20f are mounted to a lower surface 20e of the support member 20b and extend downwardly therefrom. A mounting jaw 24 is pivotally mounted to the lug 20f at a rear end 24a and an outlet aperture 28 is formed in the jaw 24. An annular gasket 29 (FIG. 3) of rubber or other suitable material is sealingly mounted to the lower surface of the jaw 24, with a suitable rim or flange 24b (FIG. 2) formed extending downwardly therefrom assisting to hold such gasket 29 in position. An annular gasket 26a with a passageway 23d (FIG. 3) therein communicating with the aperture 23a of outlet tube 23 (FIG. 3) is mounted along the upper surface of the jaw 24 around the periphery of the aperture 28. A gasket 26, with apertures therein corresponding to the dispensing apertures 21f, is sealingly affixed to the lower surface 20e of the support member 20b. O-rings or other suitable sealing means may be mounted adjacent each of the dispensing apertures 21f and used in place of the gasket 26.

The jaw 24 depends as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 from the support. The jaw 24 may be manually pivoted about pin 24g to an operating position (FIG. 2) where the gaskets 26 and 26a sealingly engage, position and hold the preselected dispensing control means P, such as a card, during dispensing of the desired preselected liquid or drink, or such jaw 24 may be mechanically pivoted into the operating position by suitable levers or gears (not shown).

A V-shaped holding bracket 40 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) assists in positioning of the receptacle R beneath dispensing head H and is mounted extending outwardly from the upright member 20a of conduit plate 20. An actuating switch S is mounted on an upper surface 40a of holding bracket 40, and an actuating arm 41 of switch S is engaged by an outer surface of the receptacle R when the receptacle is properly positioned in the holding bracket 40 beneath the dispensing control head H-2.

The switch S may also be connected for actuation upon closure of the jaw 24 and sealing engagement of the dispensing control means P between the jaw 24 and the support member 20 of the dispensing control head H-2.

The movable dispensing control head H-3 (FIGS. 6 and 6A) is similar to the mounting head H-2 with like parts bearing like numbers, and is illustrated as being mounted beneath a support member 520 which is mounted by bolts or screws 50a, or by gluing or other suitable techniques to a wall or other suitable mounting surface.

The support member 520 includes an upright plate 520a which is mounted along the wall. The upright plate 520a is similar in construction to the upright plate 20a, except that no conduits T need be formed in the plate 520a. Also, since the plate 520a need not cover the face plate of the container 10, as is the requirement of plate 20a, the dimensions of plate 520a need not be as large as plate 20. An upper mounting plate 55 is integrally mounted to the upright plate 520a and extends substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom. A holding bracket 40 performing the same function as the holding bracket 40 of FIG. 2, is mounted to an intermediate portion of the upright plate 520a and extends substantially horizontally outwardly therefrom in the same direction as upright plate 55.

The movable dispensing control head H-3 includes a bellows or collapsible wall 54 of rubber of other suitable material sealingly mounted at an upper end to, and extending downwardly from, the upper plate 55 for mounting at a lower end with movable jaw 524. The movable jaw 524 is suspended beneath the upper plate 55 from the bellows 54. The bellows 54 sealingly encloses a chamber 59 in which the dispensing apertures 523f of the tubing 29 and a plurality of sealing gaskets 26 and 26a are contained. A groove 524a, in which the dispensing control means P is inserted on top of the gasket 26a, is formed in the upper surface of the jaw 524 adjacent a space in the bellows 54 which allows passage of the means P therethrough. A sealing gasket 29 is mounted beneath the jaw 524 to permit proper positioning of the receptacle R and sealing engagement of the receptacle R with the jaw 524.

An evacuation outlet aperture 523 is formed through the upper plate 55, and passageways 23b and 23c connect the chamber 59 to the space enclosed between the receptacle R and the jaw 524. The outlet aperture is connected to a vacuum pump or other suitable means (not shown) to create a pressure differential and initiate relative movement of the beverage or liquid B with respect to the tubing 29a and containers 19.

An actuating switch S is mounted atop the upper plate 55, with an actuating plunger or arm 541 thereof extending downwardly through an aperture 55b in the upper plate 55. Positioning a receptacle R beneath the movable dispensing head H-3 and making a slight upward movement will move actuating arm 541 sufficiently upwardly to cause the actuating switch S to initiate operation of the vacuum pump, which evacuates the chamber 59 and the interior of the receptacle holding the means P in sealing engagement against the gasket 26 and sealingly engaging the receptacle R against the gasket 29.

In the hydraulic dispensing control head H-4 (FIG. 8), like parts thereof to the movable dispensing heads H-2 and H-3 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6) bear like identification numerals. Each of the conduits 21 have a chamber 821g formed therein at the end of conduit 21c, with the chamber 821g connected by a conduit 21e to the dispensing apertures 21f. A beveled sealing edge 821h is formed at the junction between the chamber 821g and the conduit 21e to accommodate a tapered sealing end 70a of a tumbler 70, made of plastic or other suitable material.

A first portion 70b of the tumbler 70 mounted above the tapered sealing end 70a passes from the chamber 821g through an aperture 11d formed in the attachment arm member 810e to a chamber 61. An O-ring 11b or other suitable means sealingly isolates the chamber 61 from the chamber 821g along the connecting aperture 11d. A second portion 70c of the tumbler 70, mounted above the first portion 70b along a surface 70e passes upwardly from the chamber 61 through an aperture 11c formed in the attachment member 810e. An O-ring 11a or other suitable means sealingly maintains pressurization in the chamber 61. A sensing pin 70d of the tumbler 70 is mounted atop the second portion 70c of the tumbler 70.

An insertion groove 11f is formed in the attachment member 810e for insertion of the dispensing control means P-1, with a holding notch 12 insuring firm and accurate positioning of the control means P-1 in the groove 11f.

A hydraulic or pneumatic pump N, actuated in conjunction with the vacuum pump (not shown) when the receptacle R has engaged actuating arm 41 of the switch S, is sealingly connected by tubing 60a to a conduit 60b formed in the attachment member 810e leading to the chamber 61. The pump N, when actuated, forces a fluid, gas or liquid, into the chamber 61 which acts upon the surface 70e of tumblers 70 and exerts an upward force on the tumblers 70. If an aperture or orifice 80a is formed in the dispensing control means P-1 above the sensing pin 70d, upward movement of the tumbler 70 is permitted, removing the tapered sealing end 70a thereof from sealing engagement with the beveled edge 821h, allowing movement and passage of the beverage B from the chamber 821g and through the dispensing aperture 21f under the influence of the vacuum pump or other pressure differential into the receptacle R. The tumblers 70 may also be forced against the dispensing control means P-1 by suitable mechanical actuating means, if desired.

The orifice 80a need not pass completely through the control means P-1 (as is shown in FIG. 8), and may comprise indentations or sensing fingers or nodules. The depth of such indentations or holes, or taper of the edges thereof, can be selectively varied in different control means P-1 to control the upward movement of tumblers 70 and thereby regulate the amount and rate of flow of beverage B being mixed under control of such cards out of the chamber 821g into the receptacle R.

In the electric dispensing control head H-5 (FIG. 9), like parts to those of FIG. 8 bear like identifying numbers. The beverage B in the compartment 11 passes through the passageway 10d into the conduit 21a, past the elbow 21c, through conduit 11b into the chamber 821g. A tumbler 70, if not actuated in a manner to be set forth below, seals the chamber 821g and dispensing aperture 21f along the beveled edge 821h with its tapered sealing end 70a, preventing passage of beverage from the chamber 821g through the dispensing aperture 21f into the receptacle R.

Selective actuation of the tumblers 70 is provided in the electric dispensing control head H-5 by a card-sensing monitor M, into which the preselected dispensing control means P-2 representing the desired beverage is inserted. The control means P-2 may be moved past a stationary sensor (not shown) by a conveyor belt or suitable rack and pinion gears (not shown), or it may be stationary with respect to the sensor while the indicator means on the card are being sensed. The sensor used in the card-sensing monitor M may sense the presence or absence of electrically conductive strips, magnetic strips or chips, resistances, or other circuit components on the control means P; it may sense the presence or absence of film strips photo-electrically coded on the control means P; or it may sense the presence or absence of code information by means of electric contact brushes and a conductive drum or plate between which the card is inserted. The technique monitor M utilizes depends upon the particular type of control means to be discussed later mounted with the control means P to indicate the preselected beverage. The monitor M may be mounted so that the control means P may be either horizontally or vertically inserted therein.

A conductor 75 is provided for each sensor and electrically connects such sensor to a preselected solenoid 77 mounted with the attachment member 810c and enclosing a preselected tumbler 970. Each of the tumblers 970 has circumferentially mounted thereto a metal slug or collar 970e. When the card monitor M senses the preselected coded control indicia on the inserted control means P, an electrical signal is sent over the conductor 75 energizing the solenoid 77 which exerts an electromagnetic force drawing the metallic slug 970e and the tumbler 970 upwardly, removing the tapered sealing end 70a from sealing engagement with the beveled edge 821h, allowing the beverage B in the chamber 821g to pass through the dispensing aperture 21f into the receptacle R.

The card sensing monitor M may also contain an actuating switch S-1 (not shown) similar in construction to the switch S, which actuates when the dispensing control means P is correctly inserted into the monitor M.

Dispensing Control Means

The dispensing control means P of the present invention bears selected indicators thereon in a coding arrangement corresponding to preselected ingredient beverages which are caused to be moved in the dispensing apparatus from the containing means C through conduits T and the dispensing control apparatus D into the receptacle R in desired proportions to mix and form the desired mixed drink or beverage.

The dispensing control means P may be an orifice member P-1 (FIGS. 5 and 8), or an electrical control card P-2 (FIGS. 10, 11, 11A and 12).

The orifice member P-1 (FIG. 5) is a mounting means, preferably a plate member 80, made of plastic, synthetic resin or other suitable fluid-impervious, insoluble material although a cube, block, cylinder or other configuration may also be utilized. The member 80 has indicators comprising a plurality of orifices or apertures 80a and 80b formed at preselected locations therein and passing therethrough in a coding arrangement of positions in the plate member 80 wherein such apertures are in alignment with the dispensing apertures 21f of the dispensing head H-1 (FIG. 7), the movable dispensing heads H-2 (FIGS. 2 and 3), and H-3 (FIG. 6), and the hydraulic/pneumatic dispensing head H-4 (FIG. 8), when the orifice card P-1 is correctly positioned beneath such dispensing head. The preselected locations of the orifices 80a correspond to the desired ingredients of the beverage B in a coding arrangement by permitting passage of the desired ingredient beverages B through the conduits T and out of their individual dispensing apertures 21f into the receptacle R while the absence of other orifices 80a in the plate member 80 obstructs the dispensing apertures 21f of the undesired ingredients. The proportion of the selected ingredients is controlled by the size and taper of the orifices. An identification means 80d is applied to the member 80 to indicate the particular coding arrangement on the card P-1.

As an example coding arrangement, the plate member 80 with orifices 80a and 80b therein is the dispensing control card for a "Manhattan." The leftmost orifice 80a (FIG. 5) is designed to limit the flow of the ingredient whiskey through the orifice card P-1, while the other orifice 80b which is mounted beneath the third leftmost (FIG. 1) dispensing aperture when inserted (FIG. 3) controls the vermouth ingredient. The compartment 11 connected to the leftmost dispensing aperture 21f contains whiskey. The compartment 11 connected to the third dispensing aperture 21f contains vermouth.

The plate member 81 with orifices 81a and 81b therein is the dispensing control card for a "Martini." The leftmost orifice 81a is formed in the same location on plate member 81 as the vermouth orifice 80a on plate member 80, and similarly permits the flow of vermouth through the dispensing control apparatus D. The orifice 81b is in a location on the card which is beneath the second rightmost dispensing aperture 21f in the dispensing control apparatus D. Gin is introduced into the compartment 11 leading to such dispensing aperture.

Other ingredients such as other alcoholic beverages, mixers, soda, tonic, water, sweeterners, flavorings, etc. are introduced into other compartments in accordance with the coding arrangement for other selected mixtures of beverages desired to be formed.

The dispensing control means may be stored in a rack or other suitable storage area, preferably where the name of the beverage mix to be formed, in accordance with the coding arrangement of orifices on such means, is visible.

The plate members 80 and 81 thus permit the ingredient beverages B in the containers connected to the conduits 21 (FIG. 1) to pass through orifices into the receptacle R, permitting a preselected beverage mix to be formed in the receptacle R. The edges of the plate member 80 adjacent the orifices 80a may be tapered to control the flow of beverage and proportions of the ingredient beverages, if desired. Additionally, the size or diameter of individual orifices 80a may be increased or decreased to control the flow rate and thus the proportions of the ingredient beverages B.

The orifices 80a and 80b in the orifice card P-1 used in the hydraulic/pneumatic dispensing head H-4 (FIG. 8) correspond to the desired beverages B by permitting selected tumblers 70 to move upwardly and open the dispensing apertures 21f permitting the desired beverages B to be moved from the conduits 21 through the chambers 821g into the receptacle R to form the preselected beverage mix. As discussed above, the orifices 80a may not pass completely through the card P-1, thus permitting only partial upward movement of the tumbler 70, restricting the amount of flow of beverage out of the chamber, 821g to control the proportions of ingredients, as for example in a dry martini.

The electrical control means P-2 (FIGS. 10, 11, 11A and 12) are inserted in the monitor M (FIG. 9) and control selected solenoids 77 to permit preselected beverages to pass through the dispensing head H-5 into the receptacle R and form the desired beverage mix.

The control means P-2 has electrical control means mounted thereon at predetermined locations to control the operation of solenoids 77 permitting desired combinations of ingredient beverages to be formed in the receptacle R. The electrical control means may be resistors (FIG. 10) or other circuit components; conductive or magnetic strips (FIG. 11); grooves (FIG. 11A) through which electrical contacts pass to engage an electrically conductive drum or plate in the monitor M; or selectively darkened or shaded film strips (FIG. 12) to be sensed by photo-electric cells in the monitor M.

In the dispensing control means P-2 (FIG. 10), a non-conductive plate member 82 is partitioned into a number of longitudinal strips or regions, in preselected ones of which resistances 82b are soldered at conductive terminals 82a and electrically connect such terminals. The number of regions corresponds to the number of ingredient beverages B available in the container C for selection. The resistances 82b are soldered on regions corresponding to the desired ingredients. An identification tag or code indicative of the desired beverage mixture may be formed along a portion 82d of the plate 82. The control means P-2 is inserted into a monitor M (FIG. 9) wherein fixed electrical contacts (not shown), one set for each solenoid 77, are applied to the card. The presence of a resistance 82b electrically connecting selected pairs of such contacts completes a monostable multivibrator, or one-shot, circuit (not shown) wherein the mangitude of the resistance 82b controls the duration of the pulse output of the one-shot. The output of each of the one-shots energizes a selected one of the solenoids 77 permitting passage of beverage B, corresponds to the region of the card in which such resistance is placed, out of the chamber 821g into the receptacle R for the duration of the pulse. Thus, the presence of a resistance in a particular card indicates that a corresponding beverage is desired, while the magnitude of such resistance controls the relative proportion of such beverage with respect to the ingredients. Monostable multivibrators are well-known electrical circuits to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are discussed, for example, in Millman and Taub, "Pulse, Digital and Switching Waveforms," McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York Chapter 11. (1965)

The dispensing control means P-2 of FIG. 12 has a plurality of openings 85a therein, one for each of the ingredient beverages B in the dispensing apparatus A. Opaque, translucent, or semi-translucent film strips or squares 85b are mounted to the openings 85a. The monitor M (FIG. 7) has suitable photo-electric cells and lamps (not shown) which are mounted within the monitor M so that the dispensing control means P-2 is inserted therebetween. The light passes from the lamps through the film strips 85b in accordance with their transparency, causing a corresponding voltage output from the photo-electric cells, which voltage actuates a voltage-sensitive gate, thyristor, thyratron, silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) or other suitable electronic control device which when actuated allows the solenoid 77 to be energized, permitting selected beverages B to pass from the dispensing control head H-5 into the receptacle R. The intensity of the light transmitted controls the time that such solenoids 77 are energized, controlling the relative proportions of the ingredient beverage.

The surfaces of non-conductive plate members 83 and 84 of dispensing control means P-2 of FIGS. 11 and 11A are divided into a plurality of regions, one for each of the beverages in the containing means. Conductive strips 83a (FIG. 11), magnetized strips (not shown), or longitudinal grooves 84a (FIG. 11A) are formed in the regions corresponding to the desired ingredient beverages. The plate member 83 is then movably passed beneath a plurality of pairs of sensing contacts (not shown) or other suitable sensing means, one for each region of the card, in the monitor M (FIG. 9). An electrical circuit is completed between selected pairs of contacts by the conductive strips 83a, energizing selected solenoids 77 in the dispensing control head H-5. The length of time each of the solenoids 77 is energized corresponds to the length L of the corresponding conductive strips 83a on plate member 83, since the time the sensing contacts are electrically connected by the strips 83a as the plate member 83 passes beneath such sensing members is governed by the length of the strip 83a. If magnetized strips are used in place of conductive strips 83a, a magnetic sensing means which would actuate and energize solenoids 77 would be used in place of electrical sensing contacts.

The plate member 84 is movably passed between a plurality of pairs of sensing contacts (not shown) or other suitable sensing means, one for each ingredient beverage B, in the monitor M. Presence of a groove 84a in the plate member 84 permits electrical connection between the sensing contacts, completing a circuit energizing the solenoids 77 in the dispensing control head H-5. The length of the grooves 84 controls the length of time that such sensing contacts are in connection as the plate member 84 passes through the monitor M, correlating to the length of time the solenoids 77 are energized, controlling the proportion of the desired ingredient beverages B.

Movement of Beverages

The beverages B are caused to move relative to the conduits T and dispensing control apparatus D by a pressure differential between the atmospheric pressure in the containing means C and a partial vacuum within the receptacle R, or by adjusting the relative position of the containers and the dispensing control apparatus with respect to each other.

The pressure in the compartments 11 for the beverages B in the containing means 10 (FIGS. 2, 8 and 9 ) is kept at substantially atmospheric pressure by the inlet of air provided through the inlet conduits 11a (FIG. 2) or 115 (FIG. 1A). When the receptacle R is sealingly engaged with gasket 29 beneath the dispensing head H, the interior of the receptacle R consiitutes an air tight space, also sealing the dispensing apertures 21f and the conduits 21 (FIGS. 2, 8 and 9).

A suitable vacuum pump, such as for example, Goodwin Air Pump Model 41175, or Metaframe Pump Cat. No. 82, is provided and is sealingly connected to the aperture 23c which is connected through the evacuation tubing 23 to the space within the receptacle R. The vacuum pump when activated by actuation of the switch S, begins extracting the air sealingly enclosed within the evacuation tubing 23, receptacle R, and conduits 21, creating a partial vacuum within the receptacle R and a pressure differential between the atmospheric pressure in the compartments 11 and the partial vacuum within the receptacle R, intiating relative movement of the beverage B through the conduits 21 and dispensing head H into the receptacle R.

The pressure in the individual containers 19 (FIG. 6) is also maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure. The evacuation tubing 523 in dispensing head H-3 by a suitable vacuum pump as discussed above, creates a partial vacuum within the receptacle R and the chamber 59, evacuating the chamber 59 and contracting the bellows 54 and raising the movable jaw 524 until the inserted card P is sealingly held between the gaskets 26 and 26a, completing the sealing enclosure formed by the bellows 54. The partial vacuum causes the initiation of relative movement of the beverages B with respect to the tubing 29 and dispensing apertures 521f into the receptacle R.

When position adjustment initiates relative movement of the beverages B, the conduit plate 720 of the container C-1 is pivotally mounted at an axle or other suitable means 796a to a plurality of raised lugs 796 on a desk, table, cabinet, bar or other suitable surface 798. The containing C-1 is supported by a brace 795 or other suitable member along the base member 10i in a first position where the dispensing control apparatus D, particularly the dispensing apertures 721f, are elevated with respect to the outlet passageways 10d of the compartments 11 in the containing means C-1, preventing the beverages from moving relative to the container C-1.

The container C-1 can be pivotally moved to a second position (FIG. 7, dotted lines) wherein the conduit plate 720 is supported by a brace 797, and the outlet passageways 10d are elevated with respect to the dispensing apertures 721f, permitting the hydrostatic pressure of the beverages B in the compartments 11d to force the beverages B, whose correlating dispensing apertures 721f are not blocked by the inserted dispensing control card P, into the receptacle R.

OPERATION OF INVENTION

Considering now the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, each of the compartments 11 is filled with a preselected ingredient beverage B. The compartment 11 selected for a particular ingredient is connected by the conduit 21 communicating therewith to the dispensing aperture 21f corresponding to the coding arrangement of apertures 80a in the orifice cards P-1.

After the compartments 11 are filled, a person desiring a preselected mix, chooses an appropriate receptacle or glass and places ice, olives, lemon peels and other required auxiliary ingredients therein. The appropriate dispensing control card P is selected, and mounted against the gasket 26a (FIG. 3) of movable jaw 24. The identification means serves also to insure that the correct side of the card P is facing upwardly and thus insure that the dispensing apertures 21f of the desired ingredients are open and those of undesired ingredients are blocked. The jaw 24 is then actuated to move the control card P upwardly to engage the gasket 26 adjacent the dispensing apertures 21f, and the receptacle R is sealingly engaged against the gasket 29. The actuating arm 41 of the switch S is then actuated, activating the vacuum pump, creating a partial vacuum in the interior of receptacle R and causing a pressure differential between the interior of such receptacle and the compartments 11. The beverages B in the compartments 11 whose conduits 21 are open at their respective dispensing apertures 21f because of the orifices 80a and 80b in the dispensing control means P then move under the influence of such pressure differential into the receptacle R.

When the desired amount of beverage mix is formed in the receptacle R, the vacuum pump is turned off by removing the receptacle R from engagement with the actuating arm 41 of switch S. The movable jaw 24 pivots downwardly outwardly upon removal of the receptacle R from beneath it, and the dispensing control card P is removed and returned to storage.

As other beverage mixes are desired, other control means P are selected and inserted in the dispensing control head H-2, and receptacles R are mounted therebeneath to receive the desired mix of ingredient beverages B.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 operates in the same manner as that of FIGS. 1-5, except that the switch S which activates the vacuum pump is actuated, after the dispensing control card P has been inserted into the groove 524a, once the receptacle R has sealingly engaged the gasket 29, by making a slight upward movement of the receptacle R and movable jaw 524 to engage the actuating arm 541 of the switch S. The vacuum pump is turned off by removal of the receptacle R which interrupts the partial vacuum formed in such receptacle beneath the movable jaw 524 and in the chamber 59, allowing such movable jaw to drop to a position (FIG. 6A) where the actuating arm 541 of the switch S is no longer engaged therewith.

In the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 7, the container C-1 is moved to its first position (FIG. 7) atop brace 795 and is filled in the same manner as the container C (FIGS. 1-5). The beverage B in the upper compartments 11c drains into and fills the lower compartments 11d, insuring that the hydrostatic pressure of beverage in each lower compartment 11d is substantially the same when the container C-1 is in the second position. A preselected one of dispensing control means P bearing the coding arrangement of orifices correlating to the preselected mix of ingredient beverages B is inserted in the holding groove G in the dispensing head H-1. A receptacle R containing ice and other desired materials for the mix such as cherries, fruit, olives and the like is then held beneath the gasket 29. The container C-1 is then pivotally moved to its second position on brace 797 (dotted lines of FIG. 7), where the hydrostatic pressure of the beverages in the compartments 11d forces the beverage through the conduits 721 past the selected dispensing apertures 721f in the dispensing head H-1 into the receptacle R. When the receptacle R is filled to a desired level with the preselected mix, the container C-1 is returned to its first position atop brace 795 and the beverage B in the lower compartments 11d is replenished from the beverage B in the upper compartments 11c.

In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, one of the dispensing control means P-1 representing the desired beverage mix is inserted into place in the holding groove 12 atop the attachment arm member 810e. A suitable receptacle R is then placed beneath the dispensing head H-4 adjacent gasket 29, engaging the actuating arm 41 of the switch S which activates the hydraulic pump N and the vacuum pump. The hydraulic pump N pressurizes the chamber 61, forcing the tumblers 70 which are beneath orifices 80a or indentations in the dispensing control card P upwardly, creating a space between the tapered sealing end 70a and the beveled sealing edge 821h of chamber 821g, allowing the pressure differential created between the compartments 11 and the interior of the receptacle R to initiate relative movement of the beverages B therein relative to the respective conduits 21 connected therewith towards the corresponding dispensing apertures 21f and the receptacle R. When the desired level of mix is in the receptacle R, the receptacle R is removed, deactivating the vacuum pump and the hydrostatic pump N and ceasing movement of the beverages through the conduits 21 and out of the dispensing apertures 21f.

In the operation of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, an electrical dispensing control means P-2 is inserted in the monitor M. The sensing means in such monitor then operates in the previously discussed manner, sending an electrical signal activating the vacuum pump and sending signals over conductors 75 energizing preselected solenoids 970 for preselected ingredient to pass through the conduits 21 and chambers 821g out of dispensing apertures 21f into the receptacles R. When the desired amount of mix has been formed in the receptacle R, the control means P-2 is removed, deactivating the vacuum pump, allowing the actuated tumblers 970 to return to sealing engagement and ceasing the flow of ingredient beverages in the conduits 21.

Other methods may be utilized to initiate relative movement of the beverages B with respect to the conduits T. For example, the container C-1 may be made portable and placed on a shelf or cabinet with a suitable dispensing control head H elevated with respect to the container C-1. When a mixed drink is desired, the selected dispensing control means P is inserted, and the container C-1 grasped and lifted by hand to a position where the beverages B in the container C-1 are elevated with respect to the dispensing control head H, permitting the hydrostatic pressure of the beverages in the container C-1 to force such beverages through the selected dispensing apertures 721f into the receptacle R.

The dispensing control heads H-4 and H-5 are also operable with containers C which are elevatedly mounted above such dispensing control heads, permitting the hydrostatic pressure of the beverages B in the containers to initiate relative movement of such beverages.

The dispensing control means P may be modified to bear several coding arrangements thereon, each selectively engageable one at a time with the dispensing control head H to selectively permit one preselected mixture of ingredient beverages B to be formed, and also to bear information for billing and accounting purposes.

Also, the container C may have empty indicator lenses mounted on the face of each compartment thereof. Pen lights would then be mounted at the upper rear of each compartment 11. When beverage or liquid B is in the compartment, the liquid refracts the light rays from the light preventing the rays from reaching the lenses. When the compartment becomes nearly empty, the light rays are able to reach the lens, indicating that such compartment is empty.

The apparatus A may also be used to mix other combinations and mixtures of liquids in addition to beverages, such as chemical ingredients paints, varnishes and shellacs.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. A dispensing apparatus for forming pre-selected mixes and combinations of beverages or liquids by permitting selected ingredients to pass into a suitable receptacle, comprising:

a. conduit means for separately conveying each of the ingredients for selection and mixing:

b. beverage or liquid dispensing control means having dispensing apertures one of each of which communicate with one of each of said conduit means for selectively permitting the pre-selected ingredients to pass from said respective dispensing apertures into the receptacle, and for blocking passage of undesired ingredients at said respective dispensing apertures, comprising a beverage dispensing control member including pre-selected indicia for enabling preselected ingredients to pass into the receptacle;

c. movable holding means for receiving said dispensing control member wherein said member selectively blocks pre-selected apertures and permits flow of ingredients through pre-selected apertures into the receptacle; and

d. means for initiating relative movement of the ingredients from said conduit means into the receptacle said dispensing control means enabling the selected ingredients to pass through pre-selected apertures into the receptacle.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said means for initiating relative movement comprises:

means for forming a pressure differential between said containers and said dispensing apertures through said conduits and for moving the preselected ingredients into the receptacle.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein said conduit means comprises:

a plurality of flexible tubes, at least one of each of said tubes connecting one of the ingredient containers to said dispensing control means.

4. The structure of claim 2, further including:

containing means integrally mounted with said conduit means and said dispensing control means, said containing means including individual segregated compartments for each of the ingredients.

5. The structure of claim 4, further including:

a. inlet means integrally formed with said containing means for the ingredients; and

b. pressurization inlet means integrally formed with said containing means.

6. The structure of claim 1, further including:

a. means for electrically sensing the indicia on the dispensing control member; and

b. means responsive to said electrical sensing means for opening selected dispensing apertures in accordance with said indicia.

7. The structure of claim 1, further including

hydraulically actuated means for sensing the indicia on the dispensing control member and for opening selected dispensing apertures in accordance with said indicia.

8. The structure of claim 1, further including

pneumatically actuated means for sensing the indicia on the dispensing control member and for opening selected dispensing apertures in accordance with said indicia.

9. The structure of claim 1, further including:

mechanically actuated means for sensing the indicia on the dispensing control member and for opening selected dispensing apertures in accordance with said indicia.

10. The structure of claim 1, further including:

a plurality of beverage dispensing control members, each member bearing distinguishing indicia corresponding to the particular ingredients of the desired mixtures such member represents.

11. The structure of claim 1, further including:

a. means responsive to positioning of the receptacle adjacent said apertures for actuating said movement initiating means;

b. said movement initiating means comprising means for forming a pressure differential in the receptacle relative to the container; and

c. movable holding means responsive to the pressure differential for positioning said dispensing control member adjacent said dispensing apertures wherein the difference in pressure draws the preselected ingredients from said conduit means through said apertures into the receptacle.

12. A dispensing control means for controlling a beverage dispensing apparatus wherein pre-selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or other liquids are moved through individual dispensing apertures into a receptacle to form desired mixes and combinations, comprising:

a. control indicator means corresponding to a predetermined desired combination of ingredients to be mixed by the apparatus for controlling the dispensing control means comprising a plurality of indicator means located on said mounting means in alignment with selected dispensing apertures of the apparatus when said mounting means is adjacent thereto, said plurality of indicator means comprising openings through said mounting means to permit passage of the pre-selected ingredient through the dispensing apertures into the receptacle; and

b. mounting means for said control indicator means.

13. The structure of claim 12, further including

identification means mounted with and designating the predetermined combination of ingredients corresponding to the indicator means, said identification means designating the proper position of said mounting means relative to the dispensing apparatus.

14. The structure of claim 12, wherein said control indicator means comprises:

a plurality of indicator means located on said mounting means in alignment with selected dispensing apertures of the apparatus when said mounting means is adjacent thereto, said plurality of indicator means comprising openings of preselected dimensions and taper through said mounting means to permit passage through the dispensing apertures of desired proportions of the preselected ingredients into the receptacle.

15. A method of forming pre-selected mixes and combinations of liquids or beverages by selectively passing selected ingredients of beverages or liquids through dispensing apertures into a suitable receptacle, comprising the steps of:

a. initiating relative movement, in response to positioning the receptacle adjacent the dispensing apertures, of the ingredients from their respective containers by forming a pressure differential in the receptacle relative to the containers;

b. separately conveying each of the ingredients from their respective containers to individual dispensing apertures for selection and mixing;

c. selectively permitting pre-selected ingredients to pass from the respective dispensing apertures, in response to control from a dispensing control member, into the receptacle to form the pre-selected mix;

d. holding the dispensing control member adjacent the dispensing apertures responsive to the pressure differential; and

e. simultaneously blocking passage of the undesired ingredients at their respective dispensing apertures to prevent undesired ingredients from passing into the pre-selected mix.

16. The method of claim 15, including the step of

positioning the dispensing control member, containing preselected indicia corresponding to preselected ingredients of the desired mixture, adjacent the dispensing apertures, to selectively permit passage of the desired ingredients into the receptacle and block simultaneously the passage of undesired ingredients.

17. The method of claim 16, including the steps of:

a. electrically sensing the preselected indicia on the dispensing control means; and

b. opening selected dispensing apertures in acoordance with the results of said electrical sensing step, to permit passage of the preselected ingredients into the receptacle.

18. The method of claim 16, including the steps of:

a. hydraulically actuating a sensor of the preselected indicia on the dispensing control means;

b. sensing the preselected indicia; and

c. opening selected dispensing apertures in accordance with the results of said sensing step to permit passage of the preselected ingredients into the receptacle.

19. The method of claim 16, including the steps of:

a. pneumatically actuating a sensor of the preselected indicia on the dispensing control means;

b. sensing the preselected indicia; and

c. opening selected dispensing apertures in accordance with the results of said sensing step to permit passage of the preselected ingredients into the receptacle.

20. The method of claim 16, including the steps of:

a. mechanically actuating a sensor of the preselected indicia on the dispensing control means;

b. sensing the preselected indicia; and

c. opening selected dispensing apertures in accordance with the results of said sensing step to permit passage of the preselected ingredients into the receptacle.

21. The method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said step of positioning a dispensing control means having preselected indicia includes the step of:

a. choosing a member having selected dispensing openings therein; and

b. matching the selected dispensing openings with the selected dispensing apertures to permit passage of the preselected ingredients into the receptacle.

22. A dispensing apparatus for forming pre-selected mixes and combinations of beverages or liquids by permitting selected ingredients to pass into a suitable receptacle, comprising:

a. conduit means for separately conveying each of the ingredients for selection and mixing;

b. beverage or liquid dispensing control means having dispensing apertures one of each of which communicates with one of each of said conduit means for selectively permitting the pre-selected ingredients to pass from said respective dispensing apertures into the receptacle, and for blocking passage of undesired ingredients at said respective dispensing apertures;

c. containing means integrally mounted with said conduit means and said dispensing control means, and maintaining each of the ingredients in individual segregated compartments; and

d. means for initiating relative movement of the ingredients from said conduit means into the receptacle said dispensing control means enabling the selected ingredients to pass through pre-selected apertures into the receptacle, comprising:

1. means for supporting said containing means in a first position wherein said dispensing control means is elevated with respect to said containing means;

2. means for supporting said containing means in a second position wherein said containing means is elevated with respect to said dispensing control means; and

3. means permitting movement of said containing means between said first position and said second position.