Cup holder for a beverage vending machine

Abstract

A cup holder designed to be installed in a beverage vending machine to support a single cup in a filling station and / or in a withdrawal station; the cup holder has a vertical axis and comprises a frame and a cup holding device supported by the frame and defining a cup holding area designed to be occupied by a cup when the cup is supported by the cup holding device. The cup holder further comprises an electric actuator kinematically coupled to the cup holding device to move the cup holding device so as to adapt the size of the cup holding area to the size of the cup, and which is mounted on the frame via quick engagement / disengagement means configured to enable the electric actuator to be easily and quickly mounted on / detached from the cup holder's support through a few simple operations.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application, whose parent application application number is 202080088018.5 (international application number is PCT / IB2020 / 059822), the application date is October 19, 2020, and the invention title is "Cup Holder for Automatic Beverage Vending Machine".

[0002] This patent application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 19204194.5, filed on 18 October 2019, and Italian Patent Application Nos. 102020000024493 and 102020000024496, filed on 16 October 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a cup holder that is advantageously, but not exclusively, used in beverage vending machines, which are described below with reference to vending machines without loss of generality. Background Technology

[0004] In the field of vending machines, it is known that a cup dispenser is arranged inside a beverage vending machine to feed a single cup to a cup filling station, where the single cup is filled with a beverage, and if necessary, sugar is added and a stirring blade is added.

[0005] Typically, a cup dispenser includes a tower or disc conveyor belt cassette comprising a rotatable support mounted to rotate about a vertical axis and a plurality of tubular containers mounted about the vertical axis on the support, these tubular containers being designed to accommodate a corresponding stack of cups. In use, the support rotates about the vertical axis so that one tubular container is positioned at a time in a cup release station, where a cup release device separates the individual cup from the bottom of the stack and guides it appropriately through a chute into a cup holder, from which the user manually removes the cup after it has been filled with beverage.

[0006] Typically, each tubular container is equipped with a corresponding cup release device, and the cup holder is individual and shared for all tubular containers, and the cup holder can be stationary in the filling station or can be moved between the cup receiving point and the cup filling station.

[0007] The need to transport cups of different sizes has led manufacturers to equip tower boxes with tubular containers of different diameters and to use adjustable release devices so that the size of the release device can be modified according to the size of the cup contained in the corresponding tubular container.

[0008] Therefore, in order to distribute cups of different sizes, a cup holder is needed that can receive and hold cups of different sizes securely.

[0009] The known solutions to this problem are essentially applied in two ways, either alternatively or in combination: equipping vending machines with cup holders of different sizes and / or using a cup holder with a shape (usually funnel-shaped) that can hold cups of various sizes.

[0010] For example, a solution of the first type is disclosed in EP 2 369 559 A1, and the disadvantage of this solution is that it is too large due to the space occupied by the cup holder and, in particular, the space required for the movement of the cup holder.

[0011] For example, a second type of solution is disclosed in EP 1 974 328 A1, and the disadvantage of this solution is that the cup holder is less stable when the cup is in the cup holder compared to a cup holder with a shape designed to connect only to cups of a given size. In addition, the range of cup sizes that the cup holder can accept is quite limited.

[0012] Another issue with cup holders is their routine maintenance. Cup holders require frequent cleaning by the operator, which is natural given their function; during use, spilled beverages from outside the cups easily reach the holder when the cups are filled. The need for frequent cleaning stems from the fact that deep cleaning typically requires removing the holder and rinsing it thoroughly with water. However, this operation is often quite complex due to the presence of electrical components on the holder (e.g., actuators designed to move the holder), and for this reason, cup holders often undergo surface cleaning limited to parts accessible to the operator without requiring removal from the holder, resulting in unsatisfactory hygiene. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to provide an improvement that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings.

[0014] According to the present invention, a cup holder for a beverage vending machine, as claimed herein, is provided. According to the present invention, a cup holder is provided, designed to be installed in a beverage vending machine to support a single cup in a filling station and / or a dispensing station; the cup holder has a vertical axis and includes a cup holding device that defines a cup holding area intended to be occupied by the cup when the cup is supported by the cup holding device, and the cup holding device includes a plurality of cup holding members operated by an electro-actuator to slide in corresponding radial directions relative to the axis, so that the size of the cup holding area is adapted to the size of the cup to be supported; the cup holder further includes a transmission device that drives the electro-actuator... The actuator is kinematically connected to the cup holder, and the transmission includes a oscillating member coaxial with the axis and connected to the electric actuator via a kinematic linkage designed to convert rotational motion received from the electric actuator into reciprocating oscillating motion of the oscillating member about the axis. The oscillating member is also connected to the cup holder via a kinematic linkage designed to convert the reciprocating oscillating motion of the oscillating member into synchronous reciprocating linear motion of the cup holder in a corresponding radial direction. The cup holder also includes electronic controls. A system for controlling the movement of the cup-holding member, and thus controlling the size of the cup-holding area; the electronic control system includes: a sensing system mounted and configured to generate an electrical output to allow determination of the size of the cup-holding area; and an electronic control unit electrically connected to the sensing system to receive the electrical output of the sensing system and electrically connected to the electric actuator to supply electrical control signals to the electric actuator, and the electronic control unit is programmed to control the electric actuator based on the electrical output of the sensing system to adapt the size of the cup-holding area to the size of the cup to be supported by moving the cup-holding member. The sensing system includes a magnetic angular position sensor device designed and mounted to provide an electrical output indicating the absolute angular position of the oscillating member and thus the absolute radial position of the cup holding member; the magnetic angular position sensor device includes: - an axially magnetized permanent magnet having a magnetization axis and mounted to rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the magnetization axis of the permanent magnet in response to rotation of the oscillating member; and - a magnetic angular position sensor arranged in a fixed position near the permanent magnet to provide an electrical output indicating the angular position of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective top view of a cup holder for a beverage vending machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 From Figure 1 A three-dimensional view taken from below the cup holder.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the cup holder; some parts have been removed for clarity.

[0018] Figure 4 It is shown in the form of a floor plan. Figure 3 Details.

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A detailed perspective view from below, with the scale of the detail magnified and some parts removed for clarity.

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A detailed, three-dimensional top view, the scale of which has been enlarged and some parts removed for clarity.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A detailed exploded view.

[0022] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The following are examples of installations in different locations. Figure 7 The details are enlarged and some parts have been removed for clarity. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to produce and use the invention. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles described can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments described and shown, but should be given the widest scope of protection according to the described and claimed features.

[0024] Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In the event of conflict, this specification (including the definitions provided) shall be binding. Furthermore, these examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0025] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments described herein, reference will be made to specific embodiments and they will be described using particular language. The terminology used herein is intended only to describe the purposes of particular embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0026] In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a cup holder for a beverage vending machine (not shown).

[0027] The cup holder 1 is typically arranged in a cup filling station and associated with a cup dispenser (e.g., a cup dispenser of the type described and shown in the applicant’s patent WO 2017 / 158555 A1) to receive a single cup 2 from the cup dispenser at a time and hold the cup 2 below one or more nozzles arranged for dispensing ingredients of a beverage.

[0028] Typically, the cup filling station coincides with the cup removal station where the user removes the cup 2 filled with beverage, and for this purpose, the cup holder 1 is shaped to allow the cup 2 to slide laterally out of the cup holder. In a variant, the cup removal station does not coincide with the cup filling station, and the cup holder 1 is mounted to move between the cup filling station and the cup removal station.

[0029] The cup holder 1 includes a frame 3 shaped to define a cup drop channel 4 having a vertical axis 5. Preferably, the cup drop channel 4 has a longitudinal opening at least at its lower end, and preferably has an angle width of approximately 90°.

[0030] The cup holder 1 also includes a slide rail 7 mounted on the frame 3, and the slide rail is designed to receive cups 2 from the cup dispenser during use and feed cups 2 to the entrance of the cup drop channel 4 in a position as central as possible relative to the axis 5.

[0031] Finally, the cup holder 1 includes a cup holding device arranged in the cup drop channel 4 (conveniently arranged at the exit of the cup drop channel) to hold the cup 2 fed into the cup drop channel 4 each time.

[0032] The cup holding device includes a plurality of cup holding members 8 that define a holding region A coaxial with axis 5 between them, and the holding region is designed to be occupied by the cup when the cup 2 is supported by the cup holding members 8.

[0033] The cup retaining member 8 is slidably mounted on the frame 3 to slide relative to the axis 5 in the corresponding radial direction, so as to widen or reduce the retaining area A according to the size of the cup 2 to be retained.

[0034] In order to move the cup holding member 8, the cup holder 1 includes an electric actuator 9 and a transmission device 10, which is designed and arranged to convert the rotational motion from the electric actuator 9 into synchronous linear motion of the cup holding member 8 along the corresponding radial direction.

[0035] As shown in the attached figure, the frame 3 includes an upper housing 3a and a lower housing 3b that are interconnected, and the electric actuator 9 is a gear motor mounted on the upper housing 3a.

[0036] The transmission device 10 is housed between the upper housing 3a and the lower housing 3b and preferably includes a crank and slotted connecting rod mechanism, wherein clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the wheel 11 about a rotation axis 12 parallel to the axis 5 is transmitted to the oscillating member 13, which is mounted to oscillate about the axis 5 in response to the rotation of the wheel 11 and is kinematically coupled to the cup retaining member 8 so as to convert its own oscillating motion about the axis 5 into reciprocating linear motion of the cup retaining member 8 along the corresponding radial direction.

[0037] Specifically, the swing member 13 that controls the radial sliding motion of the cup holding member 8 is defined by an arcuate section coaxial with the axis 5. The swing member extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis 5 and slidably engages with a curved guide 14 formed in the frame 3 (specifically in the underground semi-shell 3b) and coaxial with the axis 5.

[0038] Preferably, the rotational movement of the swing member 13 about axis 5 is also guided by a plurality of sliders, which are carried by the lower half-shell 3b and slidably engaged with corresponding curved grooves formed in the swing member 13.

[0039] The cup holding member 8 is mounted on the swing member 13 and distributed along an arc of approximately 270° (preferably evenly distributed) so as to define the aforementioned longitudinal opening corresponding to the cup falling channel 4 and having an opening of similar extent between the two cup holding members 8 arranged at the free end of the swing member 13.

[0040] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, each cup holding member 8 includes a guide slider 15 that extends radially relative to the axis 5 and slidably engages with a corresponding track 16 formed in the frame 3 (specifically in the lower half-shell 3b).

[0041] Each cup retaining member 8 also includes an arc-shaped cup engagement portion 17, which is connected to the radially inner end of the associated guide slider 15 and, together with the other cup engagement portions 17, defines the aforementioned retaining area A.

[0042] The oscillating member 13 controls the cup retaining member 8 via a cam mechanism. For this purpose, the oscillating member 13 is equipped with a plurality of longitudinal slots 18, each of which is arranged to face a corresponding guide slider 15 and is slidably engaged by an associated follower or pin 19 carried by the corresponding guide slider 15.

[0043] The groove 18 is oriented relative to the radial direction such that, in response to the rotation of the swing member 13 about the axis 5, the cup holding member 8 moves radially from or toward the axis 5 according to the rotation direction of the swing member 13.

[0044] The swing member 13 moves via the wheel 11 by means of a pin-groove connection structure, which is designed to convert the continuous rotation of the wheel 11 into the reciprocating swing motion of the swing member 13 about the axis 5 as described, and to convert the swing of the swing member 13 into the radial translation of the cup retaining member 8.

[0045] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the wheel 11 is supported by the lower housing 3b and kinematically connected to the output 9a of the electric actuator 9 via a shaft 32, which is arranged on the bottom wall of the housing of the electric actuator 9.

[0046] Specifically, the shaft 32 is integral with the wheel 11 and extends upward from the center of the wheel 11 parallel to the axis 5 through the upper wall 34 of the upper half housing 3a until the shaft engages with the bushing 33 coaxial with the axis 12.

[0047] The free end of the shaft 32 has a prismatic shape and extends from the bushing 33 to engage the output 9a of the electric actuator 9, thereby angularly connecting the electric actuator to the wheel 11 and transmitting motion to the oscillating member 13.

[0048] On the side opposite to shaft 32, wheel 11 carries offset pin 20 parallel to axes 5 and 12, and the offset pin is slidably engaged in a straight groove 21 formed in the swing member 13.

[0049] According to different embodiments (not shown), the swing member 13 is not defined by an arcuate section, but by a ring coaxial with axis 5, and the cup holding member 8 is distributed along the entire swing member 13 to hold the cup 2 along the entire outer periphery of the cup 2. Therefore, in this case, the opening 6 is absent, and the cup 2 is not manually removed directly from the cup holder 1 by the user, but is released onto the surface of the cup removal compartment by radially opening the cup holding member 8. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the cup holder 1 may be provided with at least one movement in a direction parallel to axis 5, such that it can be raised and lowered to allow the cup 2 filled with beverage to be more easily released onto the support surface of the cup removal compartment.

[0050] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the electric actuator 9 is mounted on the half-shell 3a by means of a quick-connect / disconnect device 35 designed to allow the electric actuator 9 to be easily and quickly installed and removed with a small number of simple operations, thereby enabling the operator to separate the electronic components from the cup holder 1 and wash the rest of the cup holder 1 with water without any risk of damaging the cup holder.

[0051] According to the preferred embodiment shown, the quick engagement / disengagement device 35 includes a bayonet coupling 36 and a lever release mechanism 37 configured to be manually operated by an operator and moved from a locked configuration to a released configuration. In the locked configuration, the lever release mechanism prevents the actuator 9 from being removed from the frame 3. In the released configuration, the lever release mechanism allows the operator to move the electric actuator 9 relative to the frame 3 so that the bayonet coupling 36 disengages and the electric actuator 9 is completely separated from the frame 3.

[0052] According to the preferred embodiment shown, the bayonet connector 36 includes a tab 38 that extends laterally from the outer surface of a sleeve 39 that extends from the bottom wall of an electric actuator 9, surrounds the output portion 9a, and is coaxial with the axis 12 and freely mounted on a bushing 33 when the electric actuator 9 is mounted on the frame 3.

[0053] The bayonet connector 36 also includes an L-shaped groove 40 supported by the frame 3 and shaped to be passed through by the tab 38 during the installation and removal of the electric actuator 9, so that the bayonet connector 36 is locked and unlocked accordingly.

[0054] Specifically, the groove 40 is defined by a protrusion 41 extending from the wall 34 of the half-shell 3a near the bushing 33, and is shaped to define a vertical section and a horizontal section of the groove 40. The vertical section is designed to be passed through by the tab 38 due to the movement of the electric actuator 9 in a direction parallel to the axis 12, and the horizontal section is designed to be passed through by the tab 38 due to the rotation of the electric actuator 9 about an axis parallel to the axis 12.

[0055] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the lever release mechanism 37 includes a pin 42 that is mounted to slide through the wall 34 in a direction parallel to the axis 12, and when the electric actuator 9 is mounted on the frame 3, the pin engages a hole 43 in the bottom wall of the actuator 9.

[0056] The lever release mechanism 37 also includes an actuating lever 44 that extends laterally to the pin 42 and is expediently coupled (specifically rigidly coupled) to the pin 42 so as to drive the pin 42 in response to manual operation of the actuating lever 44 by an operator.

[0057] Specifically, the actuator 44 can be manually moved from a normal rest position to a release position. In the normal rest position, the actuator 44 is held in an elevated position by a spring (not shown), and the pin 42 extends beyond the upper surface of the wall 34 and engages the hole 43. In the release position, the actuator 44 is lowered so that the pin 42 cannot extend beyond the upper wall 34, leaving the hole 43 vacant and allowing the electric actuator 9 to be removed due to the disengagement of the bayonet coupling 36. That is, the rotation of the electric actuator 9 is adapted to move the tab 38 along the horizontal section of the groove 40, and the translation of the electric actuator 9 in a direction parallel to the axis 12 is adapted to move the tab 38 along the vertical section of the groove 40 until the electric actuator 9 is completely separated from the frame 3.

[0058] To reinstall the electric actuator 9 on the frame 3, the operator does not need to reset the actuator rod 44 to the release position, because it is sufficient to orient the electric actuator 9 so that the tab 38 is aligned with the vertical section of the groove 40 and moved to the wall 34.

[0059] The bottom wall of the electric actuator 9 is shaped such that when the electric actuator 9 moves to the wall 34 to move the tab 38 along the vertical section of the groove 40, a portion of the wall 34 contacts the pin 42 and lowers the pin so that the pin does not interfere with the subsequent rotation of the electric actuator 9 to move the tab 38 along the horizontal section of the groove 40.

[0060] The horizontal section of the groove 40 is sized such that when the tab 38 reaches the end of its stroke and the bayonet coupling 36 is in the locked position, the pin 42 aligns with the hole 43 and engages the hole under the thrust of a spring (not shown), which resets the actuating rod 44 and the pin 42 therewith to the rest position.

[0061] The cup holder 1 also includes an electronic control system 22 for controlling the operation of the cup holder 1. The cup holder 1 is configured to determine the initial configuration of the cup holder 1 when it is installed, and to adjust the size of the holding area A during use to fit the size of the cup 2 to be used, and to dynamically correct the position of the cup holding member 8 to compensate for any offset that may occur after a certain period of use due to various reasons (e.g., wear or dirt).

[0062] In embodiments where the swing member 13 has an annular shape, the electronic control system 22 is also configured to operate the cup holding members 8 such that they are configured to release a cup 2 filled with beverage onto a support surface of a cup removal compartment and to engage a cup holding configuration that holds an empty cup 2.

[0063] The electronic control system 22 includes:

[0064] -Sensing system 23, installed and configured to output electrical output so as to allow determination of the dimensions of holding area A; and

[0065] - Electronic control unit 24, electrically connected to sensing system 23 to receive its electrical output, and electrically connected to electric actuator 9 to provide it with electrical control signals, and the electronic control unit is programmed to control electric actuator 9 based on the electrical output of sensing system 23 so that the size of holding area A is adapted to the size of cup 2 for holding the selected beverage.

[0066] Specifically, the sensing system 23 includes a magnetic angular position sensor device 27, which is designed and mounted to output an electrical output indicating the absolute angular position of the swing member 13 and thus the absolute radial position of the cup holding member 8.

[0067] For this purpose, the magnetic angular position sensor device 27 includes:

[0068] - An axially magnetized permanent magnet 25, having a magnetization axis B, is mounted to rotate about a rotation axis C orthogonal to and passing through the magnetization axis B of the permanent magnet 25 in response to the rotation of the oscillating member 13; and

[0069] - A magnetic angular position sensor 26 is arranged in a fixed position near the permanent magnet 25 so as to output an electrical output (preferably digital type) indicating the angular position of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 25.

[0070] The permanent magnet 25 is expediently a cylindrical magnet, which is carried by the shaft 28 of the gear 29 mounted on the frame 3 to rotate about a rotation axis C parallel to the axis 5, and the gear meshes with a toothed section 30 formed along the edge of the swing member 13.

[0071] The permanent magnet 25 is inserted into a hole formed at the free end of the magnetic angular position sensor 26 on the shaft 28 and has an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis C and coincident with the magnetization axis B.

[0072] The magnetic angular position sensor 26 is mounted on a printed circuit board 31, which is housed in a fixed position inside the housing of the electric actuator 9 and arranged to be aligned with the rotation axis C.

[0073] Gear 29 includes a plurality of teeth with a constant pitch. In one possible embodiment, gear 29 includes 18 teeth with a pitch of 20°. In different embodiments, gear 29 may include more or less than 18 teeth to have a pitch of less than or greater than 20°.

[0074] Since the number of teeth of gear 29 determines the corresponding number of possible discrete angular positions at which gear 29 can be arbitrarily connected to the toothed section 30 of the swing member 13 when the cup holder 1 is installed, the electronic control unit 24 is programmed to determine the initial configuration of the cup holder 1 when it is installed, which is defined by the initial size of the holding area A when the cup holder 1 is installed.

[0075] For this purpose, in one embodiment, the electronic control unit 24 is programmed as follows:

[0076] -The current absolute angular position of the permanent magnet 25 is determined based on the electrical output of the magnetic angular position sensor 26.

[0077] - Energize the electric actuator 9 until the electronic control unit 24, based on the current absolute angular position of the permanent magnet 25, detects:

[0078] The first rotational direction of the permanent magnet 25 is reversed, caused by the reversal in the swing direction of the swing member 13, and indicates that the swing member 13 has reached the absolute angular position at the end of the first stroke. This absolute angular position at the end of the first stroke corresponds to the radial position at the end of the first stroke of the cup holding member 8, and therefore corresponds to the minimum or maximum size of the holding area A of the cup 2.

[0079] The second rotation direction of the permanent magnet 25 is reversed, which is caused by the reversal of the swing direction of the swing member 13, and indicates that the swing member 13 has reached the second stroke end absolute angular position relative to the first stroke end absolute angular position. This second stroke end absolute angular position corresponds to the second stroke end radial position of the cup holding member 8, and therefore corresponds to the other dimension between the minimum and maximum dimensions of the cup holding area of ​​the cup 2.

[0080] - Determine the initial absolute angular position of the permanent magnet 25 when the electric actuator 9 is energized, and determine the first and second final absolute angular positions of the permanent magnet 25 corresponding to the first stroke end absolute angular position and the second stroke end absolute angular position of the swing member 13.

[0081] -Based on the first and second final absolute angular positions (specifically, the absolute values ​​of the differences between them) corresponding to the first and second final absolute angular positions of the permanent magnet 25 and the first and second final absolute angular positions of the oscillating member 13, the range of stroke or angular distance of the oscillating member 13 in response to a complete rotation of the wheel 11 is determined, and

[0082] -Based on the angular displacement of the permanent magnet 25 from the initial absolute angular position to the first final absolute angular position corresponding to the first swing reversal of the swing member 13 and the determined stroke or angular range of the swing member 13, the initial configuration of the cup holder 1 when it is installed is determined, and thus the initial size of the holding area A is determined.

[0083] In different embodiments, in addition to energizing the electric actuator 9 to cause the oscillating member 13 to perform its full stroke or angular range in response to a complete rotation of the wheel 11, so as to reach the first stroke end absolute angular position and the second stroke end absolute angular position, and then determining the stroke or angular range of the oscillating member 13 in response to a complete rotation of the wheel 11 based on the first stroke end absolute angular position and the second stroke end absolute angular position, the stroke or angular range of the oscillating member 1 can also be stored in the electronic control unit 24, and the electric actuator 9 can be energized until the electronic control unit 24 detects a reversal of the first rotation direction of the permanent magnet 25.

[0084] Therefore, in this embodiment, only the initial absolute angular position of the permanent magnet 25 when the electric actuator 9 is energized and the first final absolute angular position of the permanent magnet 25 corresponding to the first stroke end absolute angular position of the swing member 13 are determined. This first final absolute angular position is adopted when the first swing direction reversal of the swing member 13 is detected. Therefore, the initial configuration of the cup holder 1 is determined based on the angular displacement of the permanent magnet 25 from the initial absolute angular position to the first final absolute angular position corresponding to the first swing reversal of the swing member 13 and the stored stroke or angular range of the swing member 13.

[0085] The electronic control unit 24 can also be programmed as follows:

[0086] -The number of teeth on gear 29 corresponding to the angular displacement of the part closer to permanent magnet 25 from the initial absolute angular position to the first final absolute angular position is determined based on the pitch between the teeth.

[0087] - The angular displacement of the permanent magnet 25 from its initial absolute angular position to its first final absolute angular position is determined based on the number of teeth and the pitch between the teeth of the determined gear 29.

[0088] Finally, the electronic control unit 24 is programmed to adjust the size of the holding area A to fit the size of the cup 2 to be used, based on the initial size of the holding area A when the cup holder 1 is installed and based on the pitch between the teeth of the gear 29.

Claims

1. A cup holder (1) designed to be installed in a beverage vending machine to support a single cup (2) in a filling station and / or in a withdrawal station; the cup holder (1) has a vertical axis (5) and comprises a cup holding device (8) defining a cup holding area (A) intended to be occupied by the cup (2) when supported by the cup holding device (8), and comprising a plurality of cup holding members (8) operated by an electric actuator (9) to slide in respective radial directions with respect to the axis (5) to adapt the size of the cup holding area (A) to the size of the cup (2) to be supported; the cup holder (1) further comprises a transmission device (10) kinematically connecting the electric actuator (9) to the cup holding device (8), and comprising a swinging member (13) coaxial with the axis (5) and coupled to the electric actuator (9) via a kinematic linkage designed to convert a rotary motion received from the electric actuator (9) into a reciprocating swinging motion of the swinging member (13) about the axis (5), and coupled to the cup holding members (8) via a kinematic linkage designed to convert the reciprocating swinging motion of the swinging member (13) into a synchronous reciprocating rectilinear motion of the cup holding members (8) in respective radial directions; the cup holder (1) further comprises an electronic control system (22) to control the movement of the cup holding members (8), and therefore the size of the cup holding area (A); the electronic control system (22) comprises: a sensing system (23) installed and configured to generate an electric output to allow determining the size of the cup holding area (A); and an electronic control unit (24) electrically connected to the sensing system (23) to receive the electric output thereof, and to the electric actuator (9) to supply electric control signals thereto, and programmed to control the electric actuator (9) based on the electric output of the sensing system (23) to adapt the size of the cup holding area (A) to the size of the cup (2) to be supported by moving the cup holding members (8); the sensing system (23) comprises a magnetic angular position sensor device (53) designed and installed to provide an electric output indicative of the absolute angular position of the swinging member (13), and therefore of the absolute radial position of the cup holding members (8); the magnetic angular position sensor device (53) comprises: - an axially magnetized permanent magnet (25) having a magnetization axis (A) and installed to rotate about a rotation axis (B) perpendicular to the magnetization axis (A) of the permanent magnet (25) in response to the rotation of the swinging member (13); and - a magnetic angular position sensor (26) arranged in a fixed position close to the permanent magnet (25) to provide an electric output indicative of the angular position of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (25).

2. Cup shelf (1) according to claim 1, wherein The magnet (25) is a cylindrical magnet carried by a shaft (28) of a gearwheel (29) mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation (B) parallel to the axis (5) and engaged with a toothed section (30) formed along an edge of the oscillating member (13).

3. The cup holder (1) according to claim 2, wherein The electronic control unit (24) is further programmed to determine an initial configuration of the cup holder (1) defined by an initial size of the cup holding area (A) at the time of installation of the cup holder (1).

4. The cup holder (1) according to claim 3, wherein To determine the initial configuration of the cup holder (1), the electronic control unit (24) is further programmed to: - determine a current absolute angular position of the magnet (25) based on the electric output of the magnetic angular position sensor (26), - energize the electric actuator (9) until the electronic control unit (24) detects, based on the current absolute angular position of the magnet (25): o a reversal of the first direction of rotation of the magnet (25) caused by a reversal of the oscillation direction of the oscillating member (13) and indicative that the oscillating member (13) has reached a first end-of-stroke absolute angular position corresponding to a first end-of-stroke radial position of the cup holding member (8) and, therefore, to a minimum size or a maximum size of the cup holding area (A) of the cup (2), and o a reversal of the second direction of rotation of the magnet (25) caused by a reversal of the other oscillation direction of the oscillating member (13) and indicative that the oscillating member (13) has reached a second end-of-stroke absolute angular position opposite to the first end-of-stroke absolute angular position, corresponding to a second end-of-stroke radial position of the cup holding member (8) and, therefore, to the other size between the minimum size and the maximum size of the cup holding area (A) of the cup (2), - determine an initial absolute angular position assumed by the magnet (25) at the time of energization of the electric actuator (9) and corresponding to the first absolute angular position and to the second absolute angular position of the magnet (25) to the first end-of-stroke absolute angular position and to the second end-of-stroke absolute angular position of the oscillating member (13), - determine a range of stroke or angular travel of the oscillating member (13) in response to a complete rotation of the wheel (11) based on the difference between the first absolute angular position and the second absolute angular position of the magnet (25) corresponding to the first end-of-stroke absolute angular position and to the second end-of-stroke absolute angular position of the oscillating member (13), and - determine the initial configuration of the cup holder (1) based on the angular displacement of the magnet (25) from the initial absolute angular position to a first final absolute angular position corresponding to the first end-of-stroke absolute angular position of the oscillating member (13) and on the determined range of stroke or angular travel of the oscillating member (13).

5. The cup holder (1) according to claim 3, wherein To determine the initial configuration of the cup holder (1), the electronic control unit (24) is further programmed to: - store a range of travel or angular travel of the oscillating member (13) in response to one complete rotation of the wheel (11), - determine a current absolute angular position of the magnet (25) based on the electrical output of the magnetic angular position sensor (26), - energize the electric actuator (9) until the electronic control unit (24) detects, based on the current absolute angular position of the magnet (25): o a reversal of the first direction of rotation of the magnet (25), which is caused by a reversal of the oscillation direction of the oscillating member (13) and indicates that the oscillating member (13) has reached a first travel end absolute angular position, which corresponds to a first travel end radial position of the cup holding member (8) and thus to a minimum dimension or a maximum dimension of the cup holding area (A) of the cup (2), - determine an initial absolute angular position assumed by the magnet (25) at the time of energization of the electric actuator (9), and the first absolute angular position of the magnet (25) corresponds to the first travel end absolute angular position of the oscillating member (13), and - determine the initial configuration of the cup holder (1) based on the angular displacement of the magnet (25) from the initial absolute angular position to a first final absolute angular position corresponding to the first travel end absolute angular position of the oscillating member (13) and the stored range of travel or angular travel of the oscillating member (13).

6. A beverage vending machine comprising: a cup dispenser designed to release a single cup (2); and a cup holder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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