Device for filling cups, and method for ordering beverages and dispensing them into cups using the device

Abstract

The invention relates a device for filling cups comprising a tray configured to support cups (16) to be filled as well as a dispensing system (28) which comprises at least one dispensing head (32) as well as at least one Cartesian robot, supporting the dispensing head (32), configured to move it in a vertical direction and at least a first horizontal direction, each dispensing head (32) supporting at least two outlet tubes (36.1, 36.2) via each of which exits a liquid to be poured into the cups (16) aligned in a top view in at least one direction forming an offset angle α greater than or equal to 10° with a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. This solution makes it possible to automate the preparation of an order. The invention also relates to a method for ordering beverages and dispensing them into cups using such a filling device.

Description

[0001] Cup filling device, method for ordering and dispensing beverages into cups using said device

[0002] The present application relates to a cup filling device and to a method of ordering and dispensing beverages into cups using said device.

[0003] According to one embodiment, a method for ordering and distributing drinks comprises an ordering step, a payment step, an order preparation step and then a final order distribution step.

[0004] According to one operating procedure, to complete the ordering step, each customer addresses a server and provides them with a list of drinks. This list of drinks includes drinks of different types, with capacities that may vary from one drink to another. To reduce the amount of waste, the customer has reusable cups that do not necessarily all have the same capacity and which they give to the server at the same time as ordering.

[0005] Generally, the payment step is dematerialized to eliminate the handling of money.

[0006] With the order list in mind, the server collects the cups and prepares the order. He then fills the cups one by one, filling each one with the correct volume and the correct drink.

[0007] Once the order is ready, the distribution step consists of the server bringing the cups from the customer's order back to the counter.

[0008] These different steps, which are relatively long, tedious and a source of errors for the server, prove problematic during festive, musical, cultural or sporting events for which a large number of orders must be processed in a short period of time.

[0009] To optimize this ordering and distribution process, in the case of fast food, the ordering step is dematerialized like the payment step. Thus, the customer chooses the products he wants at a terminal or on an online merchant site. Once the list of products is established, the customer pays electronically and receives in return an order number. The list of products is then transmitted to a preparation station at which a person collects one by one, at different points, the selected products and gathers them on a tray. Once the order is ready, the order number associated with this list of products is displayed and the customer who placed the order is invited to collect it.

[0010] Although this solution could be applied to beverage distribution, order preparation is still manual.

[0011] To automate order preparation, some drinking establishments are equipped with an automatic dispensing device to better control the dispensed volume. According to one embodiment, an automatic dispensing device comprises, in the upper part, a storage area for the different bottles of beverages to be dispensed, each of them being connected to a dosing pump and then to a distribution network configured to convey the selected volume of liquid to a dispensing station. This type of device generally only allows the filling of a single glass at a time. It is therefore not suitable for dispensing a large number of orders in a short period of time.

[0012] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a cup filling device comprising a tray configured to support cups to be filled as well as a dispensing system configured to fill the cups, characterized in that the dispensing system comprises at least one dispensing head as well as at least one Cartesian robot, supporting the dispensing head, configured to move it in a vertical direction and at least a first horizontal direction, each dispensing head supporting at least two outlet tubes via each of which a liquid to be poured into the cups emerges, each outlet tube having a rectilinear tubular section and a center, the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the two outlet tubes being aligned in at least one direction forming an offset angle a greater than or equal to 10° with a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

[0014] The filling device makes it possible to automatically fill the cups and automate the preparation of the order, which makes it possible to increase the number of orders processed in a given time. Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container equipped with a plurality of cup filling devices illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cup filling device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a portion of a distribution system illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0018] Figure 4 is a front view of a dispensing head of a cup filling device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0019] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the dispensing head seen in Figure 4, Figure 6 is a bottom view of the dispensing head seen in Figure 4,

[0020] Figure 7 is a top view of a tray of a cup filling device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0021] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a cup holder of a cup filling device illustrating one embodiment of the invention,

[0022] Figure 9 is a top view of the cup holder seen in Figure 8,

[0023] Figure 10 is a section along line XX of the cup holder visible in Figure 9,

[0024] Figure 11 is a schematic representation of a refreshment circuit of a cup filling device illustrating an embodiment of the invention, Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a dispensing circuit of a cup filling device illustrating an embodiment of the invention, Figure 13 is a side view of an outlet tube illustrating an embodiment of the invention,

[0025] Figure 14 is a top view along arrow V14 of Figure 13 of the outlet tube, Figure 15 is a bottom view along arrow V15 of Figure 13 of the outlet tube. According to one embodiment, a beverage point of sale 10 comprises at least one cup filling device 12. According to one configuration, the beverage point of sale 10 comprises at least one parallelepipedal container 14, of the maritime container type for example, having at least one lateral face 14.1 at least one opening 14.2 in which at least one filling device 12 is positioned.

[0026] According to a configuration given as an example and not as a limitation, the container 14 has on each of its two lateral faces 14.1 two openings 14.2 at the level of each of which three filling devices 12 are provided.

[0027] According to one application, the filling devices 12 are used to dispense draught beer, the dispensed beer being able to have different volumes (25 cl, 33 cl, 50 cl) and be flavored with different aromas (lemon, peach, strawberry or others). According to a non-limiting example, a filling device 12 makes it possible to dispense two different volumes of beer, the beer being for each of them plain (without flavor) or flavored with three different aromas for example. Of course, the invention is not limited to this example.

[0028] According to one application, the dispensed beverages are filled into reusable cups that may have different capacities. As illustrated in Figure 4, a cup 16 has a bottom 16.1 having a given diameter and a slightly frustoconical side wall 16.2 with a certain height. According to one configuration, each cup 16 has, projecting from the lower face of the bottom 16.1, a circular rib 16.3 in the extension of the side wall 16.2. These cups 16 exist in several formats, a first format, suitable for containing 33 cl, having a first diameter (of the order of 7 cm) and a first height (of the order of 11.5 cm) as well as a second format, suitable for containing 50 cl having a second diameter (of the order of 8.5 cm) and a second height (of the order of 15 cm).The second format allows you to pour both volumes into the cup, while the first format only allows you to pour the smaller volume.

[0029] For the purposes of this application, the term cup covers any container of liquid used for drinking.

[0030] According to an embodiment visible in Figure 2, a filling device 12 comprises a substantially parallelepipedal base 18 having an upper surface, at least one tray 20 configured to support the cups 16 to be filled and positioned at the upper face of the base 18, a substantially parallelepipedal head 22 positioned directly above the base 18, a dispensing space 24 interposed between the base 18 and the head 22 as well as a column 26 connecting the base 18 and the head 22. According to one arrangement, the base 18 and the head 22 have approximately coplanar front faces 18.1, 22.1, positioned substantially at the level of the lateral face 14.1 of a container 14 when the filling device 12 is integrated in the container 14. The base 18 and the head 22 have substantially identical horizontal sections and the column 26 extends across the entire width of the base 18 and the head 22.

[0031] The filling device 12 comprises a distribution system 28 which comprises at least one Cartesian robot 30 (visible in FIG. 3) supporting at least one distribution head 32 and configured to move it in three orthogonal directions, a first longitudinal direction X substantially perpendicular to the front faces 18.1, 22.2, a transverse direction Y horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X as well as a vertical direction Z substantially perpendicular to the first two directions and to the plate 20. The Cartesian robot 30 is positioned in the head 22.

[0032] According to a configuration visible in Figure 3, the Cartesian robot 30 comprises four uprights 34.1 oriented in the vertical direction Z, a substantially horizontal frame 34.2 connected to the four uprights 34.1 by sliding connections, at least one crosspiece 34.3 parallel to the longitudinal direction X and connected by sliding connections to two sides of the frame 34.2 parallel to the transverse direction Y as well as a carriage 34.4 connected to the crosspiece 34.3 by a sliding connection. According to this configuration, the frame 34.2 can translate in the vertical direction Z, the crosspiece 34.3 can translate relative to the frame 34.2 in the transverse direction Y and the carriage 34.4 to which the distribution head 32 is connected is movable relative to the crosspiece 34.3 in the longitudinal direction X. The Cartesian robot 30 comprises actuators for generating the movements of the frame 34.2, the crosspiece 34.3 and the carriage 34.4 as well as an automaton to control the actuators.

[0033] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the Cartesian robot 30. According to a simplified variant, the latter is configured to move the dispensing head 32 in the vertical direction Z and at least one horizontal direction of movement (longitudinal or transverse X, Y).

[0034] The distribution system 28 comprises a plurality of outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 supported by the distribution head 32. Each outlet tube 36.1 to 36.3 has a first end

[0035] 38.1 facing downwards and a second end 38.2 facing upwards and connected to a flexible liquid supply conduit 40. According to one arrangement, each outlet tube

[0036] 36.1 to 36.3 has at its second end 38.2, a rectilinear tubular section having a vertical axis and, at its first end 38.1, a J-shaped tubular section and an outlet orifice 42 through which the liquid exits. The shape of the J and that of the outlet orifice 42 are configured so that the jet of liquid leaving the outlet orifice 42 forms with a horizontal plane an angle of less than 45°. Thus, the jet of liquid leaving the outlet orifice 42 is projected towards the side wall 16.2 to limit the formation of foam. The outlet tube may be metallic in order to be refreshed before, during and after the passage of the liquid in order to limit the creation of foam. The dimensions of a J-shaped tube are more than 100 mm long and have an internal diameter greater than 6 mm.

[0037] Of course, this tube can be bent in three dimensions to obtain a size allowing the liquid to be deposited less than 70mm from the bottom of several cup models in order to limit the creation of foam.

[0038] According to an embodiment visible in figures 13 to 15, the outlet tube 36 has a first end 38.1 oriented downwards via which the liquid to be served exits as well as a second end 38.2 oriented upwards via which the liquid to be served enters.

[0039] This outlet tube 36 has a substantially constant circular section between the first and second ends 38.1, 38.2, with an internal diameter Di of the order of 14, 12, 10, 8 or 6 mm and an external diameter De of the order of 16, 14, 12, 10 or 8 mm respectively. This outlet tube 36 has a first rectilinear section 92 which extends from the second end 38.2 as well as a second helical section 94 which extends between the first section 92 and the first end 38.1. The second helical section 94 has an external winding diameter Dee of the order of 50 mm. Thus, the centers of each cross section of the second helical portion 94 of the outlet tube 36 follow a helix of radius R of the order of 19 mm in top view. This winding diameter allows the outlet tube 36 to be inserted into the smallest cups.In operation, the second helical section 94 is positioned coaxially with the side wall of the cups. This arrangement helps to reduce foaming during filling. In one configuration, the second helical section 94 extends over one revolution. Of course, it could extend over several revolutions.

[0040] The pitch of the second helical section 94 is as small as possible so that the axis A36 of the outlet tube 36 at the first end 38.1 forms an angle A of less than 20° with a horizontal plane, as illustrated in FIG. 13. This arrangement helps to reduce the formation of foam during filling. According to one configuration, the second end 38.2 is positioned in a plane perpendicular to the axis A36 of the outlet tube 36. The first end 38.1 is positioned in a plane PI forming an angle Al with a plane perpendicular to the axis A36 of the outlet tube 36 of between 10 and 45°. This arrangement helps to reduce the formation of foam during filling.

[0041] The outlet tube 36 has a height H of the order of 225 mm. This dimension makes it possible to fill large cups, while positioning the first end 38.1 close to the bottom of the cup to avoid the formation of foam during filling.

[0042] Whatever the embodiment, each rectilinear tubular section has a center which corresponds to the point of intersection between the vertical axis of the rectilinear tubular section and a horizontal plane.

[0043] The dispensing system 28 comprises at least two outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.2 supported by the dispensing head 32, the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the two outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 being aligned in at least one direction forming an offset angle a greater than or equal to 10° with a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of movement of the dispensing head 32. For example, if the dispensing head 32 moves in the longitudinal direction X, the two outlet tubes are aligned in a direction forming with the transverse direction Y an offset angle a greater than or equal to 10°. This arrangement makes it possible to position the cups in a staggered pattern on the tray 20, which makes it possible to reduce the travel of the dispensing head 32 and to increase the filling rate.

[0044] According to an optimized configuration, each distribution head 32 comprises first, second and third outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 arranged so as to form a V in a horizontal plane, the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the first and third outlet tubes 36.1, 36.3 being aligned in the transverse direction Y, the center of the rectilinear tubular section of the second outlet tube 36.2 being offset in the longitudinal direction X relative to the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the first and third outlet tubes 36.1, 36.3 so that each straight line passing through the center of the rectilinear tubular section of the second outlet tube 36.2 and one of the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the first and third outlet tubes 36.1, 36.3 forms with the transverse direction Y an offset angle a greater than or equal to 10°. Of course, the invention is not limited to this configuration for the number of output tubes.For example, the distribution system 28 may include five outlet tubes arranged in a W-shaped top view.

[0045] As illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, the dispensing head 32 comprises at least one branch 44, which extends between first and second ends 44.1, 44.2, oriented in a direction which forms an angle substantially equal to the offset angle a with the transverse direction Y as well as a vertical passage hole 46.1 to 46.3 for each outlet tube 36.1 to 36.3, the latter being positioned at the ends of each branch. According to one arrangement, the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 all have the same outside diameter and each passage hole 46.1 to 46.3 has a diameter identical to the outside diameter of the outlet tube which it receives. In operation, the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 are fixed relative to the dispensing head 32.

[0046] When the distribution system 28 comprises three outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3, the distribution head 32 comprises two branches 44, 44' connected to each other and forming a V as well as three through holes 46.1 to 46.3 positioned at the ends of the branches 44, 44'. Each of the branches 44, 44' forms with the transverse direction Y an angle substantially equal to the offset angle a.

[0047] To ensure better support of the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3, the distribution head 32 comprises, at the level of each passage hole 46.1 to 46.3, a significant thickness T32, at least twice greater than the thickness T32' of the branches 44, 44' between the passage holes 46.1 to 46.3. This embodiment makes it possible to increase the length of the passage holes 46.1, 46.2 without, however, excessively increasing the mass of the distribution head 32.

[0048] As illustrated in Figure 6, the distribution head 32 comprises, for each passage hole 46.1 to 46.3, a secondary passage hole 48 used to channel at least one tube of a cooling circuit.

[0049] According to an embodiment visible in Figure 12, the distribution system 28 comprises, for each outlet tube 36.1 to 36.3, a distribution circuit 50 which extends from a liquid reservoir 52, such as a beer keg for example, to the outlet tube 36.1 to 36.3, this distribution circuit 50 comprising a dosing system 54 for the dispensed liquid to control the quantity of liquid poured into each cup as well as a tapping 56 via which an additive such as a syrup for example is introduced if necessary. In addition, the distribution circuit 50 comprises, for each additive used in particular to flavor the beer, a syrup reservoir 58, a syrup dosing system 60, a tube 62 connecting the syrup reservoir 58 and the syrup dosing system 60 as well as a collector 64 connecting the different syrup dosing systems 60 to the tapping 56.

[0050] The distribution system 28 also comprises an automaton, for controlling the different dosing systems 54, 60, which can be common to the Cartesian robot 30.

[0051] According to an arrangement given as an example and not as a limitation, the liquid reservoirs 52 are provided under the base 18, the different dosing systems 54, 60 and the automaton are positioned in the head 22 and the distribution circuit 50 runs in the base 18, in the column 26 then in the head 22.

[0052] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the distribution circuit 50.

[0053] According to an embodiment visible in Figure 11, the distribution system 28 comprises a cooling circuit 66 configured to maintain the distributed liquid at a cool temperature between each liquid reservoir 52 and the corresponding outlet tube 36.1 to 36.3.

[0054] This cooling circuit 66 comprises at least one zone juxtaposed with the distribution circuit 50 or at the level of which the distribution circuit 50 is immersed. According to one arrangement, the cooling circuit comprises a first zone 66.1 at the base 18, a second zone 66.2 at the level of the column 26, a third zone 66.3 at the level of the head 22, a fourth zone 66.4 at the level of the distribution head 32, a supply 68.1 of cooling fluid, an outlet 68.2 of cooling fluid as well as a circuit 68.3 configured to convey the cooling fluid from the supply 68.1 to the distribution head 32 via the first, second, third and fourth zones 66.1 to 66.4 then from the distribution head 32 to the outlet 68.2.

[0055] Of course, the invention is not limited to this embodiment for the refresh circuit 66.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the filling device 12 comprises a rinsing system 70 for the cups 16 positioned at the upper surface of the base 18.

[0057] The filling device 12 may comprise a single tray 20 or several juxtaposed trays 20 positioned at the upper surface of the base 18. According to a first embodiment, each tray 20 is fixed and secured to the base 18. According to another embodiment, at least one tray 20 is movable relative to the base 18 and can be used to serve the cups. According to this last embodiment, the tray 20 is placed on or above the upper surface of the base 18.

[0058] Regardless of the embodiment, each tray 20 comprises indentations 72, one for each cup, arranged in a staggered pattern. Thus, the indentations 72 are sufficiently spaced apart to be able to accept all cup formats. When the cups 16 positioned in the indentations 72 are all large-format cups, their upper edges are slightly spaced apart.

[0059] Each plate 20 comprises an upper face F20, substantially horizontal, oriented towards the head 22, a lower face opposite the upper face and each imprint 72 is in the form of a cylindrical orifice passing through the plate and opening at the level of the upper and lower faces.

[0060] The number of prints 72 on a 20 tray corresponds to a multiple of the number of output tubes 36.1 to 36.3.

[0061] Each tray 20 comprises a single group of prints 72 or several groups of prints. In FIG. 7, the tray 20 comprises two groups G1 and G2 of prints each comprising a number of prints 72 corresponding to a multiple of the number of outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3, the groups of prints G1, G2 being offset from each other in the transverse direction Y.

[0062] Each group of indentations Gl, G2 comprises several rows of indentations RI, R2, R3 parallel to the longitudinal direction X, the number of rows being equal to the number of outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 present on the distribution head 32, the indentations 72 of the different rows being offset in the same way as the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.2 supported by the distribution head 32. According to one embodiment, the distribution head comprising three outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3, each group Gl, G2 comprises three rows RI, R2, R3. All the rows comprise the same number of indentations 72.

[0063] In the presence of several odd rows RI, R3, the latter have indentations 72 aligned along several lines parallel to the transverse direction Y. Similarly, in the presence of several even rows, the latter have indentations 72 aligned along several lines parallel to the transverse direction Y. According to one arrangement, a straight line passing through the center of each indentation 72 of an even row and the center of an indentation 72 of the nearest odd row forms with the transverse direction Y an angle substantially equal to the offset angle a.

[0064] Thus, the cups 16 positioned in the cavities 72 of the same group G1, G2 are filled by the same dispensing head 32 which moves step by step in the longitudinal direction X to successively fill the cups 16 at each step, the dispensing head 32 filling a cup 16 positioned at each row of cavities R1, R2, R3. According to this embodiment, the dispensing head 32 fills three cups 16 at each step.

[0065] The same dispensing head 32 can fill the cups 16 positioned in the cavities 72 of several groups G1, G2. In this case, after having filled the cups 16 positioned in the cavities of a group G1, the dispensing head 32 translates in the transverse direction Y to fill the cups 16 positioned in the cavities of another group G2. Alternatively, the dispensing system 28 comprises as many dispensing heads 32 as there are groups of cavities G1, G2.

[0066] According to a first configuration, the cups 16 are directly positioned in the indentations 72. In this case, each indentation 72 has a diameter greater than the smallest section of the cups of the largest format and less than the largest section of the cups of the smallest format.

[0067] According to a second configuration visible in Figures 2, 8 to 10, the filling device 12 comprises, for each cavity 72, a cup support 74 positioned in the cavity 72 and configured to support cups of different formats. Thanks to the cup supports 74, the position of the upper edge of the cups 16 is perfectly known.

[0068] As illustrated in Figures 8 to 10, each cup holder 74 comprises a wall of revolution 76 which has an axis A76 and extends between upper and lower edges 76.1, 76.2 as well as a bottom wall 78 substantially perpendicular to the axis A76, positioned between the upper and lower edges 76.1, 76.2 and configured to receive a single cup 16 at a time. The wall of revolution 76 has an outer face F76 configured to fit into a recess 72 and immobilize the cup holder 74 relative to the tray 20.

[0069] To determine the position of the bottom wall 78 relative to the upper surface F20 of the tray 20, the cup support 74 comprises at least one stop 80, projecting relative to the outer face F76, configured to bear against the upper face F20 of the tray 20. According to one configuration, the stop 80 is in the form of a collar 80.1 which extends over the entire periphery of the outer face F76. According to one arrangement, the collar 80.1 is positioned at the upper edge 76.1 of the revolution wall 76 and has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the indentations 72, the revolution wall 76 having an outer diameter just below the collar 80.1 substantially equal to or slightly less than the diameter of the indentations 72.

[0070] According to one arrangement, the bottom wall 78 has a through orifice 82 making it possible to prevent the accumulation of liquid in the cup holder 74.

[0071] Each cup holder 74 is configured to hold a cup 16 and prevent it from tipping over.

[0072] The bottom wall 78 is offset relative to the upper edge 76.1 of the revolution wall 76 so as to delimit with the latter a housing configured to receive the lower part of a cup 16.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the revolution wall 76 has an inner face F76' which flares out from the bottom wall 78 towards the upper edge 76.1. All the cups having a slightly truncated cone shape, this flared shape makes it possible to fit the lower part of each cup.

[0074] According to one configuration, the bottom wall 78 comprises, at its upper face F78 oriented towards the upper edge 76.1, at least one circular rib 84 projecting relative to the upper face F78 and having an internal diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bottom 16.1 of the cups of a first format. Each circular rib 84, 84' may be continuous over its entire circumference or comprise at least one cutout 86, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0075] According to a first arrangement, the bottom wall 78 has several circular ribs 84, 84', one for each cup format, each of them having an internal diameter adapted to the lower section of the cups of a format. According to this arrangement, the ribs 84, 84' have different heights which increase as a function of the diameter of the circular ribs. According to another arrangement, each circular rib 84, 84' of a cup support 74 has a height substantially equal to the height of a circular rib 16.3 of a cup. For each cup format, the bottom wall 78 comprises two circular ribs 84, 84' spaced apart by a distance substantially equal to the thickness E of a circular rib 16.3 of the cups of a first format. Thus, the circular rib 16.3 of the cups of a first format fits and is immobilized between two circular ribs 84, 84' of the cup support 74.The number of circular ribs 84, 84', their spacing and their shape are configured so that the circular ribs of the cups of each format can fit together and be immobilized between two circular ribs 84, 84' of a cup holder 74.

[0076] Of course, the invention is not limited to these embodiments to avoid the tilting of the cups positioned in the cup holders 74.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the filling device 12 is configured to fill different cup sizes. Thus, a single order can include a list of drinks with different volumes, each of them adapted to a given cup size.

[0078] For this purpose, the filling device 12 comprises a system 88 for indicating the format of the cups to be positioned at each imprint 72, making it possible to avoid pouring a volume of liquid into a cup greater than its capacity. This indication system 88 is managed by an automaton which may be the one managing the different dosing systems 54, 60 and the Cartesian robot 30.

[0079] According to one configuration, the indication system 88 comprises a screen 88.1 on which the cup format of each imprint 74 is displayed. For information purposes, the screen 88.1 is positioned at the front face 22.1 of the head 22 of the filling device 12. According to this configuration, each imprint 72 of the tray is displayed on the screen 88.1 in a certain manner depending on the format of the cup to be placed there. According to one embodiment, each imprint 72 is represented in the form of a disc 90 on the screen 88.1, the discs 90 being distributed on the screen 88.1 in the same manner as the imprints 72 on the tray 20, the discs having different diameters depending on the format of the cup to be positioned at each imprint 72. Alternatively, the discs 90 are displayed in different colors depending on the formats of the cups.Thus, the discs 90 associated with cups of a first format are represented in a first color, those associated with cups of a second format are represented in a second color different from the first and so on.

[0080] According to another configuration, the indication system 88 comprises a light indication associated with each imprint 72, the light indication being configured to change color depending on the format of the cup to be positioned in the imprint 72 associated with the light indication. Thus, the light indication associated with an imprint at which a cup of a first format must be positioned lights up in a first color, that associated with another imprint at which a cup of a second format must be positioned lights up in a second color different from the first and so on.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the light indication may be a light point, such as at least one light-emitting diode for example, configured to change color depending on the format of the cup to be positioned.

[0082] According to another embodiment, the light indication associated with each imprint 72 comprises several light points, such as light-emitting diodes, of different colors, only one of the light points illuminating depending on the format of the cup to be positioned.

[0083] According to another embodiment, the light indication is obtained by projecting a light flux onto each indentation 72 which has a color varying according to the format of the cup 16 to be positioned in the indentation 72. According to this embodiment, the filling device 12 comprises at least one light source configured to generate a light flux at each indentation 72. According to one arrangement, the filling device 12 comprises a light source for each indentation 72 positioned at the head 22, each light source being configured to emit a light flux towards the indentation 72, the color of the light flux varying according to the format of the cup 16 to be positioned.

[0084] According to another embodiment, the filling device 12 comprises an order management system comprising a centralized control as well as, for each cup holder 74, at least one light indication integrated into the cup holder 74. According to this embodiment, at least a portion of each cup holder 74 is made of a translucent material configured to diffuse light and each cup 74 comprises at least one light-emitting diode integrated into the translucent portion. According to one arrangement, the revolution wall 76 is made of a translucent material. Each cup holder 74 comprises at least one group of light-emitting diodes of different colors which light up depending on the information to be indicated. Thus, the different information is each associated with a different color from one information to another. The cup holder 74 can be configured to indicate several pieces of information simultaneously.Thus, as illustrated in Figure 8, the cup holder 74 comprises a first part 96.1 corresponding to a first angular sector of the circumference of the wall of revolution 76 configured to indicate, using a color code, information of a first type, such as the type of drink, as well as a second part 96.2 corresponding to a second angular sector of the circumference of the wall of revolution 76 configured to indicate, using a color code, information of a second type, such as the order to which the cup positioned on the cup holder 94 belongs.

[0085] According to this embodiment, each cup holder 74 includes electronics configured to communicate with the centralized control and generate the color of each light indication.

[0086] The indication system 88 can also be used to differentiate the different drinks poured. For example, each disc 90 associated with each indentation 72 is displayed with a given diameter varying according to the format of the cup 16 to be positioned in the indentation 72 and a given color varying according to the nature of the drink poured into the cup 16 positioned in the indentation 72.

[0087] The filling device 12 can be used to implement a method for ordering and dispensing drinks which comprises an ordering step, a payment step, an order preparation step and then a final order dispensing step.

[0088] According to one operating mode, the ordering step is dematerialized. Each customer can, on a website or a terminal, create an account and place an order. For each order, the customer chooses a list of drinks with the desired volume for each of them. For each drink, the customer can specify the chosen additive. For example, the customer can choose several cups of beer by specifying for each cup the desired volume and the desired flavor, plain, peach, lemon, strawberry or other. Each order is assigned an order number which is communicated to the customer.

[0089] The customer can pay at the time of ordering or when collecting their order. Payment is preferably electronic.

[0090] The preparation step can be carried out by the customer or a server. During this step, the cups 16 are positioned on the tray 20 according to the arrangement indicated by the indication system 88. Beforehand, if necessary, the cups 16 are rinsed using the rinsing system 70. Once the cups 16 are correctly positioned, the automaton of the filling device 12 controls a movement of the dispensing head 32 so as to position the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 above a first series of cups 16 of a first group G1, then a translation of the dispensing head 32 downwards so that the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 are positioned in the cups and their outlet orifice 42 in line with the side walls of the cups. Following this, the automaton pours the appropriate volume into each of the cups.Once the cups of the first series have been filled, the automaton commands a translation of the dispensing head 32 upwards, a translation of the dispensing head 32 in the longitudinal direction X so as to position the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 above a second series of cups 16, then a translation of the dispensing head 32 downwards so that the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 are positioned in the cups 16 and their outlet orifice 42 in line with the side walls of the cups 16. Following this, the automaton pours the appropriate volume into each of the cups 16. These operations are repeated until all the cups 16 of the first group G1 are filled. The automaton then controls a movement of the dispensing head 32 until the outlet tubes 36.1 to 36.3 are positioned above a first series of cups of a second group G2.The operations carried out to fill the cups 16 of the first group G1 are repeated to fill the cups of the second group G2. When all the cups are filled, the order number associated with each ready order is displayed and, for each order number, the customer who placed this order is invited to collect it.

[0091] The filling device 12 allows the cups to be automatically filled and the preparation of the order to be automated, which makes it possible to increase the number of orders processed in a given period of time.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Cup filling device comprising a tray (20) configured to support cups (16) to be filled and a dispensing system (28) configured to fill the cups (16), characterized in that the dispensing system (28) comprises at least one dispensing head (32) and at least one Cartesian robot (30), supporting the dispensing head (32), configured to move it in a vertical direction and at least a first horizontal direction (X), each dispensing head (32) supporting at least two outlet tubes (36.1, 36.2) via each of which a liquid to be poured into the cups (16) exits, each outlet tube (36.1 to 36.3) having a rectilinear tubular section and a center, the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the two outlet tubes (36.1 to 36.3) being aligned in at least one direction forming an offset angle a greater than or equal to 10° with a second horizontal direction (Y) perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (X).

2. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each dispensing head (32) comprises first, second and third outlet tubes (36.1 to 36.3), the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the first and third outlet tubes (36.1, 36.3) being aligned in the second horizontal direction (Y), the center of the rectilinear tubular section of the second outlet tube (36.2) being offset in the first horizontal direction (X) relative to the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the first and third outlet tubes (36.1, 36.3) so that each straight line passing through the center of the rectilinear tubular section of the second outlet tube (36.2) and one of the centers of the rectilinear tubular sections of the first and third outlet tubes (36.1, 36.3) forms with the second horizontal direction (Y) an offset angle a greater than or equal to 10°.

3. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tray (20) comprises several indentations (16) configured to each receive a cup (16).

4. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the impressions (16) are grouped in at least one group (G1, G2), each group of impressions (G1, G2) comprising several rows of impressions (RI, R2, R3) parallel to the first horizontal direction (X), the number of rows being equal to the number of outlet tubes (36.1 to 36.3) present on the dispensing head (32), all the rows comprising the same number of prints (72), the prints (72) of the different rows being offset in the same way as the outlet tubes (36.1 to 36.2) supported by the distribution head (32).

5. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 4, characterized in that each indentation (72) is in the form of a cylindrical orifice passing through the plate (20) and in that the dispensing device comprises, for each indentation (72), a cup support (74) which comprises a wall of revolution (76) having an axis (A76) and extending between upper and lower edges (78.1, 78.2) as well as a bottom wall (78) positioned between the upper and lower edges (76.1, 76.2) and configured to receive a cup (16), the wall of revolution (76) being configured to fit into an indentation (72).

6. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each cup support (74) comprises a stop (80), projecting relative to the outer surface (F76) of the revolution wall (76), configured to bear against the upper face of the tray (20).

7. Filling device according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the bottom wall (78) comprises, at its upper face (F78), at least one circular rib (84) projecting relative to the upper face (F78) and having an internal diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the bottom (16.1) of the cups of a first format.

8. Filling device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that each cup holder (74) comprises at least one light indication.

9. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each outlet tube (36.1 to 36.3) has, at its downwardly oriented end (38.1), a J-shaped section and an outlet orifice (42), the shape of the J and that of the outlet orifice (42) being configured so that a jet of liquid leaving the outlet orifice (42) forms an angle of less than 45° with a horizontal plane.

10. Filling device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each outlet tube (36) comprises a first end (38.1) via which the liquid to be poured into the cups exits, a second end (38.2), a first rectilinear section (92) which extends from the second end (38.2) as well as a second helical section (94) which extends between the first section (92) and the first end (38.1).

11. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the axis (A36) of the outlet tube (36) at the first end (38.1) forms an angle of less than 20° with a horizontal plane and in that the first end (38.1) is positioned in a plane forming an angle with a plane perpendicular to the axis (A36) of the outlet tube (36) of between 10 and 45°.

12. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution system (28) comprises, for each outlet tube (36.1 to 36.3), a distribution circuit (50) which extends from a liquid reservoir (52) to the outlet tube (36.1 to 36.3) and comprises a dosing system (54) configured to control the quantity of liquid poured into each cup as well as a tapping (56) via which an additive is introduced, if necessary.

13. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized the distribution system (28) comprises a cooling circuit (66) configured to maintain the distributed liquid at a cool temperature between each liquid reservoir (52) and the corresponding outlet tube (36.1 to 36.3).

14. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling device (12) is configured to fill different cup formats and in that the filling device (12) comprises a system (88) for indicating the format of the cups to be positioned at each imprint (72).

15. Filling device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the indication system (88) comprises a screen (88.1) on which the cup format of each imprint (74) is displayed.

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