SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED DETECTION IN BEVERAGE DISPENSING MACHINES Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC A47J31/40 

FIELD: beverage preparation devices.

SUBSTANCE: system for automated detection in beverage dispensing machines suitable for receiving at least a first and second type of exchangeable supply pack (9; 113) adapted to contain a product to be supplied in the operation of the system equipped with means (1) for automatically performing presence of supply detection. In particular, the detection of the presence and the contents of exchangeable supply packs (9; 113) in beverage dispensing machines is automated. A pack-in-place detection is provided by emitting light and measuring the presence of the emitted light on one light detector (7, 75), the system determines the absence or the correct/incorrect placement of the supply pack. A product availability detection is provided by detecting the intensity of light coming through a transparent element in the first type of supply pack (9) by another light detector (5; 65, 69; 143, 145), the system identifies the degree of product presence in the first type of supply pack (9), while with the second type of supply pack (113) the product availability is not detected and assumed to be available.

EFFECT: invention provides for a reliable and possibly also failsafe distinction between individual signals generated by the first and second detectors, when a transmitter is used.

23 cl, 23 dwg, 2 tbl