CA1308081C - Orange juice dispensing system - Google Patents
Orange juice dispensing systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1308081C CA1308081C CA000550489A CA550489A CA1308081C CA 1308081 C CA1308081 C CA 1308081C CA 000550489 A CA000550489 A CA 000550489A CA 550489 A CA550489 A CA 550489A CA 1308081 C CA1308081 C CA 1308081C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- concentrate
- pump
- flow rate
- motor
- controlling
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
- B67D3/04—Liquid-dispensing taps or cocks adapted to seal and open tapping holes of casks, e.g. for beer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
- B67D1/1234—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed to determine the total amount
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components
- B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
- B67D1/0022—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed
- B67D1/0027—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control
- B67D1/0029—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control based on volumetric dosing
- B67D1/0032—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control based on volumetric dosing using flow-rate sensors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/0042—Details of specific parts of the dispensers
- B67D1/0043—Mixing devices for liquids
- B67D1/0044—Mixing devices for liquids for mixing inside the dispensing nozzle
- B67D1/0046—Mixing chambers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
- B67D1/1204—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed for ratio control purposes
- B67D1/1211—Flow rate sensor
- B67D1/1215—Flow rate sensor combined with a counter
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
- B67D1/1204—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed for ratio control purposes
- B67D1/1211—Flow rate sensor
- B67D1/1218—Flow rate sensor modulating the opening of a valve
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
- B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed
- B67D1/1204—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed for ratio control purposes
- B67D1/1211—Flow rate sensor
- B67D1/122—Flow rate sensor modulating a pumping rate
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0801—Details of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
- B67D2001/0812—Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
- B67D2001/0814—Bottles, cartridges or similar containers for upside down use
- B67D2001/0817—Bottles, cartridges or similar containers for upside down use with a venting orifice
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An orange juice dispensing system including a peristaltic pump driven by a d.c. motor for pumping concentrate through a concentrate conduit to a mixing chamber of a dispensing valve, a water line for feeding water to the mixing chamber and including a flow meter and a motorized control valve therein, sensors connected to the pump for sensing concentrate flow rate, and a microcontroller receiving signals from the pump sensors and the water flow meter for controlling the mixture ratio and flow rate by controlling the motorized control valve in the water line and the d.c. motor connected to the concentrate pump. The concentrate is preferably contained in a non-returnable, plastic, semi-rigid container.
An orange juice dispensing system including a peristaltic pump driven by a d.c. motor for pumping concentrate through a concentrate conduit to a mixing chamber of a dispensing valve, a water line for feeding water to the mixing chamber and including a flow meter and a motorized control valve therein, sensors connected to the pump for sensing concentrate flow rate, and a microcontroller receiving signals from the pump sensors and the water flow meter for controlling the mixture ratio and flow rate by controlling the motorized control valve in the water line and the d.c. motor connected to the concentrate pump. The concentrate is preferably contained in a non-returnable, plastic, semi-rigid container.
Description
ORANGE JUICE DISPENSING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND_OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a system for reconstituting and dispensing juice, and in a preferred embodiment thereof to an orange juice dispensing system that controls the mixture ratio and flow rate.
Descr ption of the Prior Art Postmix orange j~ice dispensing systems are known; however, such known systems do not provide a satisfactorily controlled mixture ratio. For example, it is known to use constant pressure on a concentrate reservoir to provide a constant flow rate.
However, the desired result is not achieved because orange juice concentrate viscosity changes with the season, and with the types of oranges picked, and also because pressure regulators vary slightly which also varies the flow rate. It is also known to use a peristaltic pump for the concentrate, however, it has been found that such pumps are limited in the distance that they will pull concentrate because of the viscosity of the concentrate. It is also known to use gravity feed of concentrate from a reservoir located above the dispensing valve, and to use an automatic flow control refill system for the reservsir. However, such systems occupy a large area of counter space, which is often not acceptable.
: ` ~
73~8081 It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a system for reconstituting and dispensing juice that solves the problems in the prior art mentioned above.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a juice dispensing system using a peristaltic pump for the concentrate with sensors for detecting flow rate therethrough, a flow meter in the water line, and a microcontroller for controlling one of the concentrate or water flow to maintain the desired mixture ratio.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide such a juice dispensing system using a d.c. motor controlling the pump, a mctorized control valve in the water line, and a microcontroller to control mixture ratio and flow rate.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a juice dispensing system in which the juice is contained in a rigid, non-returnable plastic container that is connected to the pump to provide a gravity head and that is vented to atmosphere.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for reconstituting and dispensing juice, and in a preferred embodiment thereof orange juice, including a container for the juice concentrate, a peristaltic pump to which the juice container is connected to provide a gravity head for the peristaltic pump, a d.c. motor for driving the peristaltic pump, means for sensing the flow rate through the pump, a flow meter in the water line for measuring the water flow rate, a motorized control valve in the water line and a microcontroller receiving the signals from the pump's sensors and the flow meter for controlling the mixture ratio and the flow rate by controlling the speed of the d.c. motor and the motorized control valve. The container is preferably a plastic, semi-rigid, non-returnable bottle such as the well known PET soft drink bottles. However, a reusable container can also be used.
;
'''~
. .
~ 30808 1 Another aspect of this invention is as follows:
Apparatus for reconstituting and dispen~ing juice comprising:
~ a) a pump having a variable speed drive motor connected thereto and having an inlet port for receiving juice concentrate;
(b) a mixing chamber for mixing water and concentrate and for dispensing the mixture therefrom as a beverage;
(c) a concentrate conduit extending from said pump directly to said mixing chamber with no control valve or flow meter therein;
(d) a water line connected to said mixing chamber and a motorized, variable flow, control valve in said water line;
(e) f:irst means for sensing the water flow rate and second means for sensing the speed of the pump and thus the concentrate flow rate; and (f) a microcontroller for controlling the mixture ratio of the beverage dispensed from said mixing chamber, said microcontroller being connected to said first and second sensing means for receiving signals therefrom, to said motor for controlling the speed thereof and therefore the concentrate flow rate through said pump, and to said motorized, variable flow control valve in said water line for controlling the water flow therethrough.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description below when read in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
the Fig. is a partly diagrammatic, partly schematic illustration of a system for reconstituting and dispensing orange juice in accordance with the present invention.
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TE~E PREFERRED EMBODIMEN:TS
The present invention will now be described in d~tail with reference to the attached drawing wherein the Fig. shows a dispensing system 10 wherein juice concentrate and water are fed through a concentrate conduit 12 and a water line 14, respectively, to a mixing chamher 16 having a nozzle 18 for dispensing the resulting beverage into a cup 20.
The juice concentrate is preferably delivered to a restaurant in a semi-rigid, non-returnable, plastic container 22 having a spout, fitting, opening or neck 24. The neck 24 connects to an inlet port 25 of a peristaltic pump 26. The container 22 is vented to atmosphere (such as by an opening 21 in the neck 24 large enough to admit air but not large enough to allow liquid to flow therethrough) and is oriented (inverted) to provide a gravity head for the peristaltic pump 26. A motor 28, preferably a d.c. motor, is connected to and drives the peristaltic pump 26. One or more sensors 30 detect the movement of the pump's rollers (not shown). The period between the sensing of the rollers is proportional to the concentrate flow rate. The sensors 30 are connected to a microcontroller 32 which includPs control electronics for sensing the period of the peristaltic pump 26 and the concentrate flow rate.
A flow meter 40 is connected in the water line 14 for measuring the water flow rate. Pulses from the flow meter are ~ "' ,'~" . ' proportional to the water flow rate. The flow meter is connected to the microcontroller 32 w~ich contains control electronics for sensing the flow meter pulses.
. The microcontroller 32 compares the water flow meter pulses and the peristaltic pump pulses. The peristaltic pump 26 is driven by a d.c. motor 28 and the microcontroller 32 can vary the speed of the peristaltic pump's d.c. motor. The control of the peristaltic pump can thus provide the desired volumetric flow rate of concentrate to maintain the desired mixture ratio.
In a preferred embodiment, the water line 14 also contains a motorized control valve 42, operated for example, by a d.c.
stepping motor 43. The microcontroller 32 can control the mixture ratio and ~low rate by controlling both the d.c. motor 28 and the motorized control valve 42. In addition, the water line 14 includes a solenoid controlled on-off valve 45 controlled by the microcontroller 32. The on-off valve 45 is opened when a lever arm 17 is actuated and the valve 45 is closed when the juice dispensing is completed.
The actual reconstituting of the metered water and concentrate is done in the mixing chamber 16 therein. The resulting beverage is then dispensed through the nozzle 18 into a cup 20. The reconstituting can use either a static or a dynamic mixer.
It is also preferred to provide a digital display 44 connected to the microcontroller 32 which continuously displays the mixture ratio being controlled by the microcontroller 32 so that an operator can tell at a glance if the dispensing system 10 . .. , ,,~.. ... . .-. ,, :
is operating properly. If the display changes from a desired ratio to an unacceptable ratio (for example, when the container 22 becomes empty), the operator can manually turn off~the system 10, or alternatively the microcontroller can include means for automatically terminating further flow of water and concentrate.
In an alternative embodiment, the system 10 can include the motorized control valve 42, but no d.c. motor 28 (some other motor means can be used to drive the pump 26). The mixture ratio is then controlled by controlling just the motorized control valve 42.
While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described in detail, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, while a particular co~centrate container is described, others can be used. For example, a rigid bottle can be used or a flexible bag-in-box can be used with suitable coupling means, and for a rigid bottle, with suitable vent means. Other means can be used for the flow meter, control valve, gravity head and pump port than the particular ones shown.
BACKGROUND_OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to a system for reconstituting and dispensing juice, and in a preferred embodiment thereof to an orange juice dispensing system that controls the mixture ratio and flow rate.
Descr ption of the Prior Art Postmix orange j~ice dispensing systems are known; however, such known systems do not provide a satisfactorily controlled mixture ratio. For example, it is known to use constant pressure on a concentrate reservoir to provide a constant flow rate.
However, the desired result is not achieved because orange juice concentrate viscosity changes with the season, and with the types of oranges picked, and also because pressure regulators vary slightly which also varies the flow rate. It is also known to use a peristaltic pump for the concentrate, however, it has been found that such pumps are limited in the distance that they will pull concentrate because of the viscosity of the concentrate. It is also known to use gravity feed of concentrate from a reservoir located above the dispensing valve, and to use an automatic flow control refill system for the reservsir. However, such systems occupy a large area of counter space, which is often not acceptable.
: ` ~
73~8081 It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a system for reconstituting and dispensing juice that solves the problems in the prior art mentioned above.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a juice dispensing system using a peristaltic pump for the concentrate with sensors for detecting flow rate therethrough, a flow meter in the water line, and a microcontroller for controlling one of the concentrate or water flow to maintain the desired mixture ratio.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide such a juice dispensing system using a d.c. motor controlling the pump, a mctorized control valve in the water line, and a microcontroller to control mixture ratio and flow rate.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a juice dispensing system in which the juice is contained in a rigid, non-returnable plastic container that is connected to the pump to provide a gravity head and that is vented to atmosphere.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for reconstituting and dispensing juice, and in a preferred embodiment thereof orange juice, including a container for the juice concentrate, a peristaltic pump to which the juice container is connected to provide a gravity head for the peristaltic pump, a d.c. motor for driving the peristaltic pump, means for sensing the flow rate through the pump, a flow meter in the water line for measuring the water flow rate, a motorized control valve in the water line and a microcontroller receiving the signals from the pump's sensors and the flow meter for controlling the mixture ratio and the flow rate by controlling the speed of the d.c. motor and the motorized control valve. The container is preferably a plastic, semi-rigid, non-returnable bottle such as the well known PET soft drink bottles. However, a reusable container can also be used.
;
'''~
. .
~ 30808 1 Another aspect of this invention is as follows:
Apparatus for reconstituting and dispen~ing juice comprising:
~ a) a pump having a variable speed drive motor connected thereto and having an inlet port for receiving juice concentrate;
(b) a mixing chamber for mixing water and concentrate and for dispensing the mixture therefrom as a beverage;
(c) a concentrate conduit extending from said pump directly to said mixing chamber with no control valve or flow meter therein;
(d) a water line connected to said mixing chamber and a motorized, variable flow, control valve in said water line;
(e) f:irst means for sensing the water flow rate and second means for sensing the speed of the pump and thus the concentrate flow rate; and (f) a microcontroller for controlling the mixture ratio of the beverage dispensed from said mixing chamber, said microcontroller being connected to said first and second sensing means for receiving signals therefrom, to said motor for controlling the speed thereof and therefore the concentrate flow rate through said pump, and to said motorized, variable flow control valve in said water line for controlling the water flow therethrough.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description below when read in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
the Fig. is a partly diagrammatic, partly schematic illustration of a system for reconstituting and dispensing orange juice in accordance with the present invention.
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TE~E PREFERRED EMBODIMEN:TS
The present invention will now be described in d~tail with reference to the attached drawing wherein the Fig. shows a dispensing system 10 wherein juice concentrate and water are fed through a concentrate conduit 12 and a water line 14, respectively, to a mixing chamher 16 having a nozzle 18 for dispensing the resulting beverage into a cup 20.
The juice concentrate is preferably delivered to a restaurant in a semi-rigid, non-returnable, plastic container 22 having a spout, fitting, opening or neck 24. The neck 24 connects to an inlet port 25 of a peristaltic pump 26. The container 22 is vented to atmosphere (such as by an opening 21 in the neck 24 large enough to admit air but not large enough to allow liquid to flow therethrough) and is oriented (inverted) to provide a gravity head for the peristaltic pump 26. A motor 28, preferably a d.c. motor, is connected to and drives the peristaltic pump 26. One or more sensors 30 detect the movement of the pump's rollers (not shown). The period between the sensing of the rollers is proportional to the concentrate flow rate. The sensors 30 are connected to a microcontroller 32 which includPs control electronics for sensing the period of the peristaltic pump 26 and the concentrate flow rate.
A flow meter 40 is connected in the water line 14 for measuring the water flow rate. Pulses from the flow meter are ~ "' ,'~" . ' proportional to the water flow rate. The flow meter is connected to the microcontroller 32 w~ich contains control electronics for sensing the flow meter pulses.
. The microcontroller 32 compares the water flow meter pulses and the peristaltic pump pulses. The peristaltic pump 26 is driven by a d.c. motor 28 and the microcontroller 32 can vary the speed of the peristaltic pump's d.c. motor. The control of the peristaltic pump can thus provide the desired volumetric flow rate of concentrate to maintain the desired mixture ratio.
In a preferred embodiment, the water line 14 also contains a motorized control valve 42, operated for example, by a d.c.
stepping motor 43. The microcontroller 32 can control the mixture ratio and ~low rate by controlling both the d.c. motor 28 and the motorized control valve 42. In addition, the water line 14 includes a solenoid controlled on-off valve 45 controlled by the microcontroller 32. The on-off valve 45 is opened when a lever arm 17 is actuated and the valve 45 is closed when the juice dispensing is completed.
The actual reconstituting of the metered water and concentrate is done in the mixing chamber 16 therein. The resulting beverage is then dispensed through the nozzle 18 into a cup 20. The reconstituting can use either a static or a dynamic mixer.
It is also preferred to provide a digital display 44 connected to the microcontroller 32 which continuously displays the mixture ratio being controlled by the microcontroller 32 so that an operator can tell at a glance if the dispensing system 10 . .. , ,,~.. ... . .-. ,, :
is operating properly. If the display changes from a desired ratio to an unacceptable ratio (for example, when the container 22 becomes empty), the operator can manually turn off~the system 10, or alternatively the microcontroller can include means for automatically terminating further flow of water and concentrate.
In an alternative embodiment, the system 10 can include the motorized control valve 42, but no d.c. motor 28 (some other motor means can be used to drive the pump 26). The mixture ratio is then controlled by controlling just the motorized control valve 42.
While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described in detail, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, while a particular co~centrate container is described, others can be used. For example, a rigid bottle can be used or a flexible bag-in-box can be used with suitable coupling means, and for a rigid bottle, with suitable vent means. Other means can be used for the flow meter, control valve, gravity head and pump port than the particular ones shown.
Claims (7)
1. Apparatus for reconstituting and dispensing juice comprising:
(a) a pump having a variable speed drive motor connected thereto and having an inlet port for receiving juice concentrate;
(b) a mixing chamber for mixing water and concentrate and for dispensing the mixture therefrom as a beverage;
(c) a concentrate conduit extending from said pump directly to said mixing chamber with no control valve or flow meter therein;
(d) a water line connected to said mixing chamber and a motorized, variable flow, control valve in said water line;
(e) first means for sensing the water flow rate and second means for sensing the speed of the pump and thus the concentrate flow rate; and (f) a microcontroller for controlling the mixture ratio of the beverage dispensed from said mixing chamber, said microcontroller being connected to said first and second sensing means for receiving signals therefrom, to said motor for controlling the speed thereof and therefore the concentrate flow rate through said pump, and to said motorized, variable flow control valve in said water line for controlling the water flow therethrough.
(a) a pump having a variable speed drive motor connected thereto and having an inlet port for receiving juice concentrate;
(b) a mixing chamber for mixing water and concentrate and for dispensing the mixture therefrom as a beverage;
(c) a concentrate conduit extending from said pump directly to said mixing chamber with no control valve or flow meter therein;
(d) a water line connected to said mixing chamber and a motorized, variable flow, control valve in said water line;
(e) first means for sensing the water flow rate and second means for sensing the speed of the pump and thus the concentrate flow rate; and (f) a microcontroller for controlling the mixture ratio of the beverage dispensed from said mixing chamber, said microcontroller being connected to said first and second sensing means for receiving signals therefrom, to said motor for controlling the speed thereof and therefore the concentrate flow rate through said pump, and to said motorized, variable flow control valve in said water line for controlling the water flow therethrough.
2. The apparatus as recited in Claim 1 wherein said second sensing means comprises sensors in said pump for detecting the concentrate flow rate therethrough, and wherein said motor is a d.c. motor.
3. The apparatus as recited in Claim 1 wherein said fist sensing means comprises a flow meter in said water line for measuring the water flow rate and wherein said microcontroller is connected to said flow meter and receives signals therefrom.
4. The apparatus as recited in Claim 3 wherein said second sensing means includes sensors in said pump for detecting the concentrate flow rate therethrough, wherein said motor is a d.c. motor and wherein said microcontroller includes means for maintaining said desired ratio by controlling both said d.c. motor and said motorized control valve.
5. The apparatus as recited in Claim 4 wherein said microcontroller also includes means for controlling the total flow rate to said mixing chamber.
6. The apparatus as recited in Claim 4 including a semi-rigid, nonreturnable concentrate container connected to said pump, and means for venting said container to atmosphere.
7. The apparatus as recited in Claim 6 wherein said container is connected to said pump in an inverted position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US92437986A | 1986-10-29 | 1986-10-29 | |
| US924,379 | 1986-10-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1308081C true CA1308081C (en) | 1992-09-29 |
Family
ID=25450148
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000550489A Expired - Lifetime CA1308081C (en) | 1986-10-29 | 1987-10-28 | Orange juice dispensing system |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0266202A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2604760B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR880005026A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU606895B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1308081C (en) |
| IE (1) | IE872900L (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ222324A (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5033644A (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1991-07-23 | Tentler Michael L | Precision dispensing of varying viscosity fluids in a prescribed mix ratio |
| GB2242181B (en) * | 1990-03-20 | 1994-02-02 | Whitbread & Co Plc | A fluid dosing and mixing system |
| WO1991017950A2 (en) * | 1990-05-14 | 1991-11-28 | The Coca-Cola Company | Beverage dispenser with automatic ratio control |
| DE4108586A1 (en) * | 1991-03-14 | 1992-09-17 | Schenk Helga | ARRANGEMENT FOR PUMPING AND DISPENSING HIGH VISCOSITY LIQUIDS OR THE LIKE |
| DE9105439U1 (en) * | 1991-05-02 | 1992-09-03 | Magnus Gmbh, 5630 Remscheid, De | |
| JPH09301496A (en) * | 1996-05-09 | 1997-11-25 | Sanyo Electric Co Ltd | Device for controlling dilution ratio of box stored bag drink |
| GB2407310B (en) * | 2000-06-01 | 2005-06-08 | Imi Vision Ltd | Apparatus to control fluid flow rates |
| WO2002070396A1 (en) * | 2001-03-02 | 2002-09-12 | H.J.P. Patents Pty Ltd | Pump monitoring system |
| BRPI0816730A2 (en) * | 2007-09-06 | 2019-09-24 | Deka Products Lp | product distribution system |
| WO2015181742A1 (en) * | 2014-05-27 | 2015-12-03 | O.D.L. S.R.L. | Post-mix beverage dispenser |
| US11702331B2 (en) * | 2019-05-03 | 2023-07-18 | Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc. | Beverage dispensing machines with dispensing valves |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1245156B (en) * | 1962-02-16 | 1967-07-20 | Licentia Gmbh | Arrangement for automatic mixing of liquids |
| CH449427A (en) * | 1965-10-22 | 1967-12-31 | Schnyder Conrad W | Pump for pumping liquid or pasty substances in portions |
| DE1909012A1 (en) * | 1969-02-22 | 1970-11-19 | Sprctra Analyzer Corp | Mixing device |
| DE2557961C3 (en) * | 1975-12-22 | 1978-08-31 | Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen | Liquid pumping system for a liquid jet recorder |
| DE2918054A1 (en) * | 1978-05-05 | 1979-11-15 | Goglio | SYRUP FEEDING DEVICE FOR A BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH ADDITIONAL MIXING |
| US4216885A (en) * | 1978-10-20 | 1980-08-12 | The Coca-Cola Company | Disposable package for dispensing liquids with a controlled rate of flow |
| US4487333A (en) * | 1982-02-26 | 1984-12-11 | Signet Scientific Co. | Fluid dispensing system |
| GB8324882D0 (en) * | 1983-09-16 | 1983-10-19 | Schweppes Ltd | Beverage dispensing systems |
| US4703770A (en) * | 1984-09-21 | 1987-11-03 | Jet Spray Corp. | Dispenser control circuitry |
-
1987
- 1987-10-28 CA CA000550489A patent/CA1308081C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-10-28 IE IE872900A patent/IE872900L/en unknown
- 1987-10-28 NZ NZ222324A patent/NZ222324A/en unknown
- 1987-10-29 EP EP87309573A patent/EP0266202A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1987-10-29 AU AU80470/87A patent/AU606895B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1987-10-29 JP JP62271967A patent/JP2604760B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-10-29 KR KR870012020A patent/KR880005026A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0266202A1 (en) | 1988-05-04 |
| AU606895B2 (en) | 1991-02-21 |
| JP2604760B2 (en) | 1997-04-30 |
| KR880005026A (en) | 1988-06-27 |
| AU8047087A (en) | 1988-05-05 |
| NZ222324A (en) | 1989-09-27 |
| IE872900L (en) | 1988-04-29 |
| JPS63178989A (en) | 1988-07-23 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4955507A (en) | Orange juice dispensing system | |
| US11767214B2 (en) | Liquid food dispenser system and method | |
| CA1308081C (en) | Orange juice dispensing system | |
| US4795061A (en) | Apparatus for providing water and syrup in a predetermined ratio to a beverage dispenser | |
| US20210017011A1 (en) | Custom beverage creation device, system, and method | |
| US9365405B2 (en) | Beverage dispensing system | |
| US5000352A (en) | Beverage dispensing apparatus | |
| US9850118B2 (en) | Bag-in-box pump system | |
| US4042151A (en) | Beverage mixing and dispensing machine | |
| JPH0349834B2 (en) | ||
| JPH024697A (en) | Post-mixing juice distributing system | |
| US5154319A (en) | Apparatus for the dispensing of liquids in measured amounts | |
| AU651953B2 (en) | A drive device in a liquid-dispensing apparatus, especially an automatic beverage dispenser | |
| GB2101090A (en) | Dispensing container | |
| EP0078828B1 (en) | Apparatus for sampling of liquid | |
| US6568565B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for dispensing product | |
| EP0266201B1 (en) | Postmix juice dispensing system | |
| US5402914A (en) | Beverage dispensing device | |
| US4509863A (en) | Apparatus for mixing milk with flavoring and fluoride | |
| EP0736483B1 (en) | Concentrate dosing device for fruit juice dispensers | |
| US3220608A (en) | Beverage dispensing system | |
| AU661832B2 (en) | Dispenser | |
| NZ231499A (en) | Post mix juice dispenser: reservoir automatically maintained at full level | |
| GB2195985A (en) | Liquid dispenser with pump |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |