WO2003066511A1

WO2003066511A1 - A dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2003066511A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000107
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Vok; Peter Vok
Original assignee: Bar Master Corporation Pty Limited
Priority date: 2002-02-04
Filing date: 2003-02-04
Publication date: 2003-08-14
Also published as: AUPS027802A0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drink dispenser for supplying drinks. The drinks dispenser includes an input (16, 26) for receiving a drink selection indicating the type and size of at least one drink to be supplied, a supply (10, 27), for supplying each selected drink, and a controller (3) responsive to the input drink selection to control the supply of each drink from the supply. This allows drinks to be dispensed at the touch of a button. In addition to this, the drinks dispenser includes a transaction system (3) for recording each drink supplied and generating an invoice.

Description

A DISPENSER

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluids, and in particular to a drink dispenser capable of supply drinks and generating a corresponding invoice automatically.

Description of the Prior Art

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Presently, in establishments where drinks are ordered and dispensed, a variety of methods are used to record the orders and dispense the drinks. Typically, for example, in a bar, the customer supplies a list of drinks to the barman. The barman will then prepare the drinks, and once this has been completed enter details of the drinks into a transaction system to allow a total for the drinks to be charged.

A number of problems exist with system however. In particular, the drinks generally have to be prepared manually. Thus for example, in the case of beer, it is typical for the barman to have to control the operation of the pump to ensure that the correct amount of drink is poured. Similarly, in the case of spirits, the barman has to use a measure, such as optics or a shot measure, to ensure the correct volume of drink is prepared. This is time consuming as it means the barman must prepare each drink individually in sequence.

In addition to this, once the drinks have been prepared the drinks typically have to be charged. In this case, the barman usually has to remember which drinks have been served to allow the drinks to be charged correctly. This, in turn leads to mistakes in charging drinks, which can lead to drinks being uncharged. In addition to this, it is also possible for the barman to prepare and serve drinks without charging for them, which can lead to a loss of money for the establishment. A solution to certain aspects of these problems has been proposed in AU 60758/98. This document describes a system that allows users to enter an order detailing drinks and food to be supplied. The system then uses this information to automatically generate an invoice corresponding to the entered order, hi this case, to prevent drinks and food been incorrectly supplied, each user must supply a respective identifier before drinks are supplied. This allows the entered orders to be correlated with food and drinks supplied to each user, thereby allowing thefts to be detected.

However, in this case, the drinks are still dispensed in the traditional manner using manually operated pumps, pouring, or the like. Accordingly, the barman or the like will still have to spend time inputting the order into a transaction system, as well as preparing the drinks, which can be a time consuming process.

Summary of the Present Invention

In a first broad form the present invention provides a drink dispenser for supplying drinks, the drinks dispenser including: a) An input for receiving a drink selection, the drink selection indicating the type and size of at least one drink to be supplied; b) A supply, for supplying each selected drink; c) A controller responsive to the input drink selection to control the supply of each drink from the supply; and, d) A transaction system for: i) Recording each drink supplied; and, ii) Generating an invoice, the invoice representing the cost of the supplied drink(s).

Typically the supply includes: a) At least one output for supplying the drink; b) A controller for controlling the supply of the drink; and, c) One or more drink supplies, each drink supply being adapted to supply a respective drink in response to signals from the controller.

As one possible option, at least one of the drink supplies includes: a) A bottle containing a respective drink; and, b) A magnetic lock, the magnetic lock being adapted to cooperate with the output to dispense the fluid in response to signals from the controller.

In this case, the output usually includes a flow meter coupled to the controller, the controller being adapted to : a) Generate a signal causing the output to release the magnetic lock; b) Monitor the quantity of drink dispensed in accordance with signals received from the flow meter; and, c) Generate a signal causing the output to reapply the magnetic lock, thereby preventing further drink being supplied, when a predetermined amount of drink has been supplied.

The magnetic lock typically further includes an identifier representative of the respective drink, the output being adapted to determine the identifier.

In this case, the input can be coupled to the output and can be adapted to determine the type of drink from the determined identifier.

Alternatively, the input can also further include input buttons for selecting the type of drink, the controller being adapted to confirm that the determined identifier corresponds to the selected drink before the drink is dispensed.

In either case, the input typically includes input buttons for indicating the size of the drink to be supplied.

As an alternative however, at least one of the drink supplies includes: a) A reservoir containing a respective drink; b) A closeable flow path from the reservoir to the output; c) A flow meter coupled to the controller, the controller being adapted to: i) Generate a signal causing the flow path to the respective drink reservoir to be opened; ii) Monitor the quantity of drink dispensed in accordance with signals received from the flow meter; and, iii) Generate a signal causing the flow path to be closed when a predetermined quantity of the respective drink has been supplied.

Each reservoir can be coupled to a respective output.

In this case, each output can include a sensor for detecting the presence of a drinking receptacle, the input being adapted to determine the type of drink in accordance with signals from the sensor.

Alternatively, the input can include input buttons for selecting the size of the drink, each output including a respective set of input buttons, the input being adapted to determine the type of the drink in accordance with the set of input buttons used to select the size of the drink.

The input could also include input buttons for selecting the size of drink.

In all the above-mentioned cases, the controller is preferably coupled to a store, the store including an indication of the predetermined quantity for each respective size of each drink.

Usually, the transaction system includes: a) A store for storing an indication of the cost of each drink; b) A display; and, c) A processor, the processor being adapted to: i) Determine the drinks supplied; ii) Determine the cost of each of the supplied drinks from the store; and, iii) Cause an indication of the cost of the drinks to be displayed on the display.

hi this case, the processor usually determines the drinks supplied from the controller. This may be achieved by having the controller implemented by having the processor execute appropriate applications software.

Additionally, the display may include a printer for printing an invoice.

The processor can advantageously be further adapted to operate as the controller, the processor being coupled to the input to determine the drink selection therefrom.

Generally, the input is further adapted to receive and validate an identifier representative of a respective user and the transaction system being adapted to generate the invoice for the respective user upon request.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of first example of a system for implementing the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the processing system used in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of second example of a system for implementing the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of third example of a system for implementing the present invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of fourth example of a system for implementing the present invention; and,

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of fifth example of a system for implementing the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A first example of a system according to the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

As shown in Figure 1, the system includes four reservoir dispensers 1A, IB, 1C, ID, and two of bottle dispensers 2A, 2B, which are coupled to a processing system 3 via a communications network 4.

In this example, whilst four reservoir dispensers 1 and two bottle dispensers 2 are shown, any number of reservoir dispensers and/or bottle dispensers may be provided in the system and this number is shown merely for the purposes of explanation.

In any event, each reservoir dispenser 1 consists of a reservoir 10 for containing a respective drink to be dispensed. The reservoir 10 is coupled via a flow path 11 to an outlet 12 which is adapted to supply drink to a glass or other receptacle as shown by the dotted lines at 13. A valve 14 is provided in the flow path to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir 10, with a flow meter 15 being provided to measure the volume of the dispensed drink.

In addition to this, each reservoir dispenser includes an associated input 16 which includes a number of input buttons 16_l5 16₂, 16₃, 16₄ for selecting drinks as will be described in more detail below.

i the case of the bottle dispensers 2, each bottle dispenser includes a recess 20 coupled via a flow path 21 to an output 22. The output 22 is adapted to allow drink to be supplied to a glass or other receptacle as shown by the dotted lines at 23.

hi use the flow path includes a valve control 24 and a flow meter 25 for measuring the volume of drink dispensed. An input 26 is also provided included input buttons 26_ls 26₂, 26₃, 26 for controlling the dispensing of drinks as will be described in more detail below.

h the case of the bottled dispensers, each bottle dispenser 2 is adapted to receive a bottle containing a respective drink, as indicated by the dotted lines 27, in the recess 20. This is achieved by mounting a magnetic lock 28 on the bottle as shown. In use, when positioned in the recess 20 the magnetic lock 28 is adapted to cooperate with the valve control 24 to allow the magnetic lock to be released, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the recess 20 and the flow path 21 into the receptacle 23.

In use, the dispensation of drinks is controlled by the processing system 3, using the inputs 16, 26 to select the drink to be dispensed. This is achieved by having the processing system 3 operates to control the valves 14 and the valve controllers 24 to control the dispensation of drinks from the reservoirs 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D and the bottles 27. This is achieved in accordance with signals from the flow meters 25 and the inputs 16, 26, as will be described in more detail below.

It will be appreciated from this however that the processing system 3 must be adapted to receive signals via the communications network 4 and process these before transferring control signals to the valves 14 and the valve controls 24. .

An example of a suitable processing system is shown in more detail in Figure 2. As shown the processing system 3 includes a processor 30, a memory 31, and I/O device 32, and an interface 33, which are coupled together via a bus 24. The interface 33 is designed to allow the processing system to communicate via the communications network 4 and accordingly the type of the interface 33 will depend on the nature of the communications network. Thus for example, if the communications network is an Ethernet LAN, the interface may be an Ethernet card, or the like.

It will be appreciated from this that the processing system may be any form of processing device, such as a network server, a personal computer, a lap-top or the like. Operation of the system will now be described.

hi order to dispense a drink from one of the reservoir dispensing systems, the user, such as a barman or the like will place an appropriate sized receptacle 13 under one of the outlets 12. h doing this, the barman will select the outlet 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D which is connected to the reservoir 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D containing the desired drink. Thus it will be appreciated that by having each reservoir 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D contain a different drink, this allows each reservoir dispenser 1A, IB, 1C, ID to dispense a respective drink. Thus for example, each reservoir 10 may contain a different type of beer or the like.

Having selected the appropriate output 12, the barman can select an appropriate one of the input buttons 16_l5 16₂, 16₃, 16₄ from the input 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D of the selected reservoir dispenser 1A, IB, 1C, ID. In use, each one of the input buttons is adapted to correspond to a different size of drink, such as a schooner, a midi, a pint, or a half-pint. It will be appreciated however that any number of different sizes may be specified and thus for example, it is possible for the input 16 to include any number of buttons, each of which corresponds to a respective size of drinks.

On selecting the respective input button \6_\, 16₂, 16₃, 16₄, a signal is transferred via the communications network 4 to the processor 30. The processor 30 uses the received signal to determine the quantity of drink that should be dispensed. This is typically achieved by having the processor access a look up table (LUT) stored in the memory 31.

The LUT would indicate for each input button \6_\, 16₂, 16₃, 16₄ of each input 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D the volume of drink that should be dispensed. It will be appreciated that in the majority of cases, as the volume of drink corresponds to a set volume such as a pint, or the like, the LUT will be identical for each of the reservoir dispensers 1A, IB, 1C, ID. As a result, it is typically only necessary to have one look-up table for each of the reservoir dispensers, although this need not be the case.

In any event, having determined the volume of drink to be dispensed, the processor 30 then operates to open a respective one of the valves 14. This causes the desired drink to flow from the respective reservoir 10A, 10B, IOC, 10D via the flow path 11 and the output 12, into the receptacle 13.

As the drink is dispensed, the respective flow meter 15 measures the flow of the drink and generates a signal representative of the volume of drink dispensed. This signal is transferred via the communications system 4 to the processor 30, which monitors the volume of drink dispensed and compares this to the predetermined volume obtained from the LUT, as outlined above. Once the predetermined volume of drink has been dispensed, the processor 30 operates to shut the valve 14 causing the flow of fluid to stop.

Accordingly, in this manner the user is able to dispense a predetermined volume of a selected drink by simply pressing one button.

Operation of the bottle dispensers 2 occurs in a similar manner. Thus, for example, the user will firstly select the bottle 27 containing the desired drink and then place this in the recess 20 of one of the bottled dispensers 2. The user will then select one of the input buttons 26_l5 26 , 26₃, 26₄, corresponding to the volume of drink to be dispensed. It will be appreciated that in this case for example there may only be two input buttons corresponding to one or two spirit measures, as appropriate.

hi any event, once the user has selected an appropriate one of the input buttons 26_l5 26₂, 26₃, 26₄ a signal is transferred via the communications network 4 to the processor 30. The processor 30 again performs a look-up accessing an LUT stored in the memory 31 to determine the volume of drink that should dispensed.

The processor 30 then activates the valve control 24, which is typically a magnetic system adapted to cooperate with the magnetic lock 28 placed on the bottle. As a result, the magnetic lock is opened causing liquid to be dispensed via the flow path 21 and the outlet 22 to the receptacle 23. Again the processor 30 monitors signals generated by the flow meter 25 to determine the volume of drink that has been dispensed. Once the predetermined amount of drinks have been dispensed, the processor 30 operates to activate the valve control 24, causing the magnetic lock 28 to shut, thereby stopping further drink being dispensed.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described system allows a predetermined volume of drink to be dispensed at the touch of a button.

In addition to this however the processing system 3 can also be adapted to determine the cost of the dispensed liquid. Thus, in this example, the memory 31 would include an LUT indicating the cost of each drink. In particular, the LUT will indicate the cost for each size for each type of drink.

Thus, when a drink is dispensed, the processor 30 will determine the cost of the dispensed drink. This is achieved by determining the type of drink dispensed depending on the respective input 16 A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 26 A, 26B used and then using the volume of drink dispensed to calculate the total cost of the drink. The processor 30 is adapted to add together the cost of any drinks dispensed for a given order, thereby allowing the total value of all the dispensed drinks to be determined.

It will therefore be appreciated that the processing system 3 could be adapted for use as, or coupled to, a transaction system that is able to receive payment for the drinks. The processor 30 can therefore itemise a drink order setting out details of the size and type of each drink ordered together with the cost. A total cost can then be calculated and displayed to the user on the I/O device 32, which would typically be formed from a display, a printer, or the like.

In addition to allowing a barman to generate an invoice automatically this will also allow detailed records of each transaction performed to be stored in the memory 31 for subsequent audit purposes or the like. li ¬

lt will be appreciated in the above description that it is not possible to uniquely determine the type of drink dispensed from a bottle 27 solely on the basis of which drinks dispenser 2 is used to dispense the drink. Accordingly, it could be arranged such that a separate drink dispensing system 2 is provided for each type of drink, or for selected types of drinks each of which have the same price.

Alternatively however the magnetic lock 28 can be provided with a coded magnetic signature which can be used to uniquely identify the bottle. The magnetic signature could be detected by the valve control 24 and an indication of this transferred to the processing system 3. This would allow the processing system to determine the type of drink contained in the respective bottle 27.

In order to achieve this, the memory 31 would be provided with a list of the magnetic signatures, and details of the drink associated with each signature. Each magnetic lock 28 would therefore have to be fitted to a bottle containing a respective type of drink to thereby ensure that drinks are identified and charged for correctly.

A number of alternative examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. hi each of these examples, like reference numerals will be used to denote similar features shown in Figure 1.

As shown in the example of Figure 3, each of the flow-paths 11 are interconnected. As a result, a single outlet 12 is provided to supply drinks from each of the reservoirs 10. hi this example, the desired drink type is again selected by choosing an appropriate one of the inputs 16. Thus for example, if the drink contained in the reservoir 10A is to be dispensed, then an input button 16ι, 16₂₎ 16_3; 16₄ of the input 16A would be selected. Again, the input 16 A, 16B, 16C, 16D used will allow the drink to be uniquely identified by the processor 30. This ensures that the correct volume of drink is dispensed and the correct price is charged.

Similarly, in this case, the bottle dispensers 2 also have interconnected flow paths 21 allowing different drinks to be dispensed from the outlet 22. hi this case, the type of drink dispensed will depend on which input 26A, 26B is selected, in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the reservoir dispensers 1.

In the third example of the present invention shown in Figure 4 the number of inputs 16 A, 16B, 16C, 16D are replaced with a single input 16 as shown. The single input 16 however includes additional buttons 19 A, 19B, 19C, 19D, that may be used to select from which reservoir 10 A, 10B, IOC, 10D the drink is dispensed from. In use, the user will therefore select one of the buttons 19 to determine the type of drink to be dispensed and then use one of the buttons 16_1; 16_2j 16_3; 16₄ to select a corresponding drink volume. Operation of processing system will then be as described above with respect to Figure 1.

In the case of the bottle dispensers 2 (only one of which is shown for clarity) a drink type can also be provided as shown at 29A, 29B, 29C, 29D. In this example, it will be appreciated that selecting the type of drink will allow the processor 30 to determine the type of drink that should be dispensed. Accordingly, when a bottle 27 is placed in the recess 20 of the respective bottle dispenser, the valve control 24 can be used to determine the magnetic signature of the associated magnetic lock 28.

Determining the signature will allow the processor 30 to confirm that the drink in the bottle 27 corresponds to the drink selected using the input buttons 29. This can be used to prevent the incorrect drink being dispensed by mistake.

A fourth example of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 5. In this example, the system again uses a single input 16 to select the volume of drink to be dispensed, hi this example however, a respective sensor 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D is associated with each reservoir dispenser 1A, IB, 1C, ID. The sensors 40 are adapted to detect the presence of a glass or other receptacle 13 under a respective one of the outlets 12. Accordingly, the sensor could be formed from a pressure, optical sensor or the like.

In this case, the user selects the respective size of drink required by pressing one of the buttons 16i_, 16_2; 16_3j 16₄. Having selected the size of drink the user then places a glass or other receptacle 13 under the outlet 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D corresponding to the required drink. The respective sensor40A, 40B, 40C, 40D will detect the presence of the receptacle 13 and transfer an indication of this to the processor 30.

This allows the processor 30 to determine the type of drink to be dispensed thereby allowing the drink to be dispensed as described above.

Again, similar sensors 41A, 41B are provided for the bottle dispensers 2 to allow the processor 30 to determine from which bottle dispenser a drink is to be dispensed.

A fifth example of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 6.

hi this example, each of the inputs 16 has an associated sensor 50 provided therewith. The associated sensor 50 is adapted to read an identity tag associated with each respective user of the system. The identity tag, which may be in the form of a magnetic, radio frequency (RF) tag or the like is adapted to uniquely identify the user.

Accordingly, in this example when a user wishes to order a respective drink the user will first be required to present their identity tag to the respective the sensor 50. The sensor 50 will then transfer an indication of the tag identity to processor 30.

The processor 30 will access an LUT stored in the memory 31 that lists the identity of each user associated with each tag. Assuming that the tag is a valid tag associated with the system the processor 30 will then allow a drink to be dispensed in the manner described above. The cost of this drink will then be calculated and added to a respective list associated with a respective user.

In this example, this allows the user to dispense a number of drinks from different reservoir or drink dispensers 1, 2 ensuring that each of the drinks will be added to the respective users order list. This allows many different users to use the system simultaneously whilst each user is presented with a respected list of the drinks they have dispensed.

When the user then wishes to generate an invoice or the like, the user will present their tag to an associated sensor 51 that is coupled to the processing system 3. The sensor 51 will determine the tag identity and use this to display the drinks supplied to the respective tag identity.

This allows the barman to dispense measured drinks at the touch of a button and then generate an invoice or bill generated by presented their associated tag to the sensor 51. It will be appreciated that this can significantly reduce the time taken for a barman to dispense drinks and generate the associated bill this therefore leads to an improvement in bar efficiency, thereby in turn leading to cost savings.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. All such variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art, should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope that the invention broadly appearing before described.

Thus for example, it will be appreciated that features of each of the examples may be combined, so that the tag system described with respect to Figure 6 could be used in each of the other examples. A further variation is that whilst the above describes the dispensation of drinks, the system could be used to dispense any fluid in a controlled manner.

Furthermore, in the examples described above, the system is shown as being formed from a number of discrete components. Thus, for example, the system is formed from a four reservoir dispensers 1A, IB, 1C, ID, and two of bottle dispensers 2A, 2B, which are coupled to a processing system 3 via a communications network 4. However, it is possible to integrate each of these elements into a single device. Thus, in this case, a single housing would be provided to contain at least the outputs 12 from each of the reservoir dispensers 1 and optionally the outputs 22 from the bottle dispensers 2. The housing would also incorporate the inputs 16, and optionally the inputs 26, as well as the processing system 3. This allows the processor 30 to be connected directly to the inputs 16, 26 via an appropriate input/output interface 34, thereby obviating the need for the communications network 4. The housing may also include a cash register system, typically at least partially implemented by the processor 30.

This variation on the above examples, therefore provides a self contained integrated system that is capable of dispensing measured drinks and producing a corresponding invoice or bill, in the manner described above with respect to Figures 1 to 6.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) A drink dispenser for supplying drinks, the drinks dispenser including: a) An input for receiving a drink selection, the drink selection indicating the type and size of at least one drink to be supplied; b) A supply, for supplying each selected drink; c) A controller responsive to the input drink selection to control the supply of each drink from the supply; and, d) A transaction system for: i) Recording each drink supplied; and, ii) Generating an invoice, the invoice representing the cost of the supplied drink(s).

2) A drink dispenser according to claim 1, the supply including: a) At least one output for supplying the drink; and, b) One or more drink supplies, each drink supply being adapted to supply a respective drink in response to signals from the controller.

3) A drink dispenser according to claim 2, at least one of the drink supplies including: a) A bottle containing a respective drink; and, b) A magnetic lock, the magnetic lock being adapted to cooperate with the output to dispense the fluid in response to signals from the controller. 4) A drink dispenser according to claim 3, the output including a flow meter coupled to the controller, the controller being adapted to: a) Generate a signal causing the output to release the magnetic lock; b) Monitor the quantity of drink dispensed in accordance with signals received from the flow meter; and, c) Generate a signal causing the output to reapply the magnetic lock, thereby preventing further drink being supplied, when a predetermined amount of drink has been supplied. 5) A drink dispenser according to claim 4, the magnetic lock further including an identifier representative of the respective drink, the output being adapted to determine the identifier. 6) A drink dispenser according to claim 5, the input being coupled to the output and being adapted to determine the type of drink from the determined identifier.

7) A drink dispenser according to claim 5 or claim 6, the input including input buttons for indicating the size of the drink to be supplied. 8) A drink dispenser according to claim 6 or claim 7, the input further including input buttons for selecting the type of drink, the controller being adapted to confirm that the determined identifier corresponds to the selected drink before the drink is dispensed.

9) A drink dispenser according to claim 2, at least one of the drink supplies including: a) A reservoir containing a respective drink; b) A closeable flow path from the reservoir to the output; c) A flow meter coupled to the controller, the controller being adapted to: i) Generate a signal causing the flow path to the respective drink reservoir to be opened; ii) Monitor the quantity of drink dispensed in accordance with signals received from the flow meter; and, iii) Generate a signal causing the flow path to be closed when a predetermined quantity of the respective drink has been supplied.

10) A drink dispenser according to claim 9, each reservoir being coupled to a respective output. 11) A drink dispenser according to claim 10, each output including a sensor for detecting the presence of a drinking receptacle, the input being adapted to determine the type of drink in accordance with signals from the sensor.

12) A drink dispenser according to claim 10, the input including input buttons for selecting the size of the drink, each output including a respective set of input buttons, the input being adapted to determine the type of the drink in accordance with the set of input buttons used to select the size of the drink.

13) A drink dispenser according to claim 9 or claim 10, the input including input buttons for selecting the size of drink.

14) A drink dispenser according to any of claims 2 to 13, the controller being coupled to a store, the store including an indication of the predetermined quantity for each respective size of each drink. 15) A drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the transaction system including: a) A store for storing an indication of the cost of each drink; b) A display; and, c) A processor, the processor being adapted to: i) Determine each drink supplied; ii) Determine the cost of each supplied drink from the store; and, iii) Cause an indication of the cost of the drink(s) to be displayed on the display.

16) A drink dispenser according to claim 15, when dependent on claim 2, the processor determining the drinks supplied from the controller.

17) A drink dispenser according to claim 15 or claim 16, the display including a printer for printing an invoice.

18) A drink dispenser according to any one of claims 14 to 17, the processor being further adapted to operate as the controller, the processor being coupled to the input to determine the drink selection therefrom.

19) A drink dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the input being further adapted to receive and validate an identifier representative of a respective user, the transaction system being adapted to generate the invoice for the respective user upon request. 20) A drink dispenser for dispensing drinks, the drink dispenser being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.