FOODSTUFF VENDING APPARATUS EMPLOYING IMPROVED SOLID-STATE TYPE CONTROL APPARATUS

摘要

Apparatus for vending liquid based foodstuffs in which conventional electromechanical cam-operated dispensing devices are replaced by solid-state control means such as a microprocessor and cooperating memory means containing a stored program for effecting selection of the desired liquid based foodstuff, and programmed dispensing of the ingredients of the selected liquid foodstuff into a common receptacle in accordance with a desired sequence. The quantity of each ingredient is accurately regulated by the program in combination with switch means and may be easily and readily adjusted to dispense the desired quantities through the use of the highly simplified settable switches which provide for accurate adjustments in dispensed quantities over a wide range without in any way requiring modification of the operating program. The program is automatically reset upon the occurrence of any undervoltage condition or a situation in which the limit of program steps is exceeded, or in the event that spurious signals are erroneously accepted as valid, to reinitiate the entire program cycle for dispensing the selected liquid based foodstuff.