CA1317913C

CA1317913C - Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device

Info

Publication number: CA1317913C
Application number: CA000542041A
Authority: CA
Inventors: William S. Credle, Jr.
Original assignee: Coca Cola Co
Current assignee: Coca Cola Co
Priority date: 1986-07-18
Filing date: 1987-07-14
Publication date: 1993-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-18
Also published as: EP0532063A1; BR8703743A; ATE130827T1; DE3751625D1; ATE130828T1; EP0532063B1; EP0253406A3; JPS6333298A; DE3751624T2; DE3751625T2; EP0532062B1; DE3751624D1; EP0532062A1; JP2537519B2; EP0253406A2

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A post-mix dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser, including a self-contained volumetric ratio control device incorporated therein to provide positive ratio control. The device includes a single piston in a single cylinder, syrup and soda chambers, and self-contained direct acting electrical solenoid valve means for controlling the flow through the volumetric ratio control device and the reciprocating action of the piston. The soda pressure drives the piston. This post-mix dispensing valve can be used with any of a figal, a bag-in-box, a gravity tank, or a non-returnable container under no pressure or under a low pressure of 5 to 10 psig. This invention also includes a non-returnable, pressurizable syrup container.

Description

-` 1 3 1 79 1 3 BEVER~G~ DISPENSER SYSTEM USING VOLUNETRIC R~TIO
CONTROL DEVIC~
B~CKGROUND OF T~ INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates to post-mix beverage dispensers and to post mix dispensing valves ~or mixing together and dispensing a controlled ratio of syrup and carbonated water; more particularly, this inv~ntion concerns a post-mix dispensing valve including inside of the dispensing valve itsel~ a sel~ contained, double-acting piston-cylinder volumetric ra~io control device with a direct acting electrical solenoid c~ntrol valve means.
Dsscription of the Prior Art Known post-mix dispensing valv~s (alternatively known in the art as dispensing heads or faucets) control syrup and soda (carbonated water) flow with two mechanical ~low controls that are adjusted independently of each other to achieve proper mixture ratlo. If either flow control malfunctions or changes, the ratio will change because one ~low control cannot compensate for the variations of the other. The mechanical ~low controls, which require high flowing pressures (about 50 p5ig) to function properly, do not comp~nsate ~or viscosity changes caus2d by temperature fluctuations.
New electrical ~low control valves including sensors and microproce~sors are being developed to overcome th~se problems, however, they are r~latively compllcated and expensive.
~.S. Patent 2,427,42~ to Waite shows a beverage dispenser using a double-acting piston-cylinder unit which is very large and complex and requires a complex and large electrical-hydraulic pilot operating mechanism to turn an eight-way valve. This large piece o~
equipment is many times too large to fit inside a present day post-mix dispensing valve which at the `` 1317913 largest has dimensions o~ about 3"x5'~x6". Waite al50 does not have a single piston in a single cylinder and has a very large residual storage capacity ~uch that a casual drink would be unacceptably warm (an acceptable S cool drink iB one whose temperature is below 40F~.
U.S. Patent 2,736,466 to Rodth shows a liquid metering and dispensing device that also has an electrical-mechanical pilot operating mechanism with a cam actuator which in turn operates four double-acting valves. Rodth's device is also not self-contained inside o~ a post-mix dispensing valve, and hi~ water chamber has a large volume that is not emptied at each stroke. Rodth employs check valves in his syrup line and thus, he cannot use a pressurized syrup because the æyrup would just "blow-through" the check valves.
S~MMAR~ OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a relatively simple, inexpen~ive, post-mix dispensing valve that provideR
positive ratio control. This post-mix dispensing valv~
volumetrically controls the amount of syrup and ~oda that are mixed together. The disp~nsing valve includes a sel~-contained volumetric ratio control devlc~ (VRCD) with a self-contained direct acting electrical solenoid valve control means and includes syrup and soda piston~
connected tog~ther, as~ociated syrup and soda chambers, and valves for controlling the flow to and from the chambers. The VRCD of this invention provides an improvem~nt over known dispensing valves b~cause it doe~
not require high ~lowing pressures and becau~e the piston~ allow one liquid flow to compensate ~or fluc~uations in the other liquid flow. The VRCD of thi~
invention is simpler and le~s expensive than the new electrical ratio control valves because it is not concernQd with (and does not measure) temperatures, viscosities, syrup characteristics or Reynolds numbers, for example. The VRCD is only concerned with repeatedly -` 1 3 1 79 1 3 filling volumetric measuring chamber~ and then emptying the chambers into a mixing nozzle.
Another advantage of this VRCD is th~t it can work with a variety of different post-mix syrup packages.
Present pressurized post-mix dispensers require a source of pressurized syrup to operate correctly. This syrup can come from a pressurized ~igal or from a syrup pump that is connected to a bag-in-box package. However, it is difficult with khe present eq~ipment to readily convert from one type of package to another. The VRCD
of this invention overcomes this shortcoming because it can work as a pressurized valve or as a valv~/pump combination. When operated as a pressure valve, it can function properly with high pressure syrup or with low pressure syrup. When operated as a valve/pump combina~ion, it can empty the contents of a bag-in-box package, a vented package, or a very low pressure syrup package, without the use of a syrup pump. The VRCD also works with a gravity dispenser and will provide better ratio control than the gravity dispenser valves presently being used. To summarize, the VRCD will work wi~h either a gravity dispenser or a pressurized dispenser. It will work with pressuriz~d aontainers (~igals~ or non-pressurized containers (bag-in~box, syrup containers, etc.). Because the VRCD in this invention works with syrupR at no pressure an~ at low pr~sures, the present invention al o includes inexpensive, non~returnabla, syrup containers including one that can operate at no pressure and ones that can ~e pressurized up to about 5 to 10 psig. Such low pressure containers could not previously have been used because of the hi~h pressures required to make the known pressurized dispensing valves operate properly. It i also impvrtant to note that the VRCD of this invention ; 35 can work with all of these different types of dispenseræ
: and syrup packages, and it can do so without ~aking any ' , "` 1 3 1 79 1 3 adjustments to the dispensing valve, and without adding any auxiliary equipment (such as a syxup pump) to the valve or dispen~er.
The post-mix dispansing valve of this invention includes a self-contained VRCD and valve control means;
the term "self-contained" means that the VRCD and valve control means are located inside o~ the post-mix dispensing valve itself. In addition, the valve control means is direct acting, meaning that there is no separate, additional pilot operating mechanism.
Further, the syrup piston is of uniform diameter rath~r than having the syrup piston connected by a stem to the water pi~ton. This helps solve th~ casual drink problem because lt eliminates the volume of water that would otherwise remain in the water chamber.
It is an object of an aspect o~ the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive, post-mix dispensing valve that can provide positive ratio control.
It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser and a beverage dispens~r valve that work with a variety of di~erent post-mix syrup packages and that do so without making any adjustments to the valve or adding any auxiliary : 25 equipment to the valve or tn the dispenser.
It is an object o~ yet another aspect oP tha present invention to provide a ~everage dispenser and a beverage dispenser valve that can readily convert from one type of syrup package to another.
I~ is an object o~ a still further aspec~ o~ the present invention to provid~ a dlspensing valve for a beverage dispenser that can operate as a valve/pump combination that can empty ~he contents o~ a bag-in-box package or a non-returnable, low prassure or no pressure syrup package, without the use of a syrup pump.

~ ' It is an object of a ~urther aspect o* the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing method using a dispensing valv~ incorporating a volumetric ratio control devise ~or dispensing from a non-pressurizable, 5 collapsible concentrate container without the use of a syrup pump.
It is an object of a further aspect of the present invention to provide a dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser incorporating therain a volum~tric ratio 19 control device.
It is an obj ect of yet another aspect o the present invention to provide a beverage dispensing system including a beverage dispen~er, a dispensing valve, and a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container pressurized to about 5-10 psig.
It is an object of a ~urther aspect of the present invention to provide a non-returnable, pressurizable syrup container for use with beverage dispensers and having su~fici~nt strength to safely hold syrup under pressure no greater than about 5-10 psig.
It is an object of an additional aspect o~ the present invention to provide a post-mix di~pensing valve including a self-contained VRCD and valYe control mean~.
Xt is an object of y~t another aspect of the present inYention to provide a post-mix dispen~ing ~alve with a VRCD including a direct acting electrica}
solenoid valve control means.
It is an object o~ still anothar aspect of the present invention to proYide a post-mix di~pensing valve including a self-contained VRCD with a piston cylinder unit including a single piston having a water portion and a syrup piston portion in which the syxup piston portion has a uniform diameter to help solve the casual drink problem by eliminating a volume of water that would otherwise remain in the water chamber.

' , 1 31 7~ 1 3 More particularly, thi5 invention provides a beverage dispensing valve ~or dispensing a beverag~ into a cup and adapted to be mounted on a post-mix beverage dispenser compri~ing:
~a) a post-mix beverage dispensing valve including a body having a water passageway tharethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough, (b) said di~pensing valve including a nozzle connected to said ~ody for simultaneously dispensing water and concentrate from said dispensing valve;
~ c) a ~elf-contained volumetric ratio control device located entirely inside o~ said bo~y of said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concantrate in the beverage dispensed from said nozzl~, and including a water passage therethrQugh in communication with said water passageway and a separate concentrate passage therethrough in communication with said concentrate passageway;
(d) said water passageway extending from a water inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle:
~ e~ said concentrate pa~sageway extsnding from a concentrate inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle;
~ f) ~aid volumetric ratio control device i~cluding a single reciprocatable pi ton located in a single cyllnder, s~id cylinder having a central, larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions, one on each side o~ said water portion, said piston having a central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter soncentrate pi~ton portions, one on each side o~ said wat~r piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter throughout their entire length for displacing water ~or ..

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"` 1317913 providing improved casual drink performance, said pi~ton separating s~id cylinder into a pair o~ separate larg~r diameter water chambers and a pair of separate smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said piston being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be ~orced therefrom and al80 causes concentrate to be drawn thereto ;
(g) said water passageway being in communication with ~ach of said water chambers:
(h~ said concentrate passageway being in communication with each of said concentrate chambers;
and (i) self-contained, direct acting electrlcal solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ra~io control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure o~
the water in said water passageway, Further, this invention provides an apparatus comprising:
(a) a post-mix beverage dispenser;
(b) a plurality of post-mix beverage dispensing valves mounted on said dispenser ~or separately receiving concentrate and water and ~or mixing together the concentrate and water in a predetermined ration and for dispensing ths mixture therefrom as a beverag~ into a cup;
(c) ~ach of said post-mix dispensi~g valves comprising:
~1) a post-mix beverage dispensing valve including a body havlng a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough, B

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(2) said dispensing valve including a nozzle connected to said body for simultaneously dispensing water and concentrate from said dispensing valYe;

(3) a sel~-contained volumetric ration control device located entirely inside o~ said body o~ ~aid dispen~ing val~e for controlliny the ratio of water to concentrate in th~
bevera~ dispensed from said nozzle, and including a water passage ther~through in communication with said water passag~way and a separate concentrate passaye therethrQugh in communication with said concentrate passageway;

(4) said water passageway extending from a water inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle;
; (5) said concentrate passageway extending ~rom a concentrate inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle;
(6) said ~olumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable pi~ton located in a single cylinder, ~aid cylinder ha~ing a central, larger diameter water portion and two smaller diamet~r concentrate portion~, one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a entral largar diametar water piston portion and two æmall r diameter concentrate pi~ton portions, one on each side of said water piston portion~ each of said concentrate piston portions being ~ cylindrical and naving a uniform d~ameter : : 35 throughout their entire length for di~placing ~; wa~er ~or providing improved ca~ual drink ~B
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'' ' ' ' -~` 1317913 performance, said piston separating said cylinder in~o a pair of separate larger dia~eter water chambers and a pair of separat~ smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said piston being op~rated by the pressure of the water such that opsration of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to ba drawn thereto;
(7) said water passageway being in communication with each of said water chambers;
(8~ said concentrate passageway being in communication with each of said concentrate chambers; and (9) self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve mean~ located entirely inside of ~aid body o said dispensing valve for controlling the flow o~
water and concentrate through sai~ volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the : reciprocating movement of said pi~ton in response to the pr~ssure of the wate~ in said water passageway.
Furthermora, this invention provides a method ~or dispensing a cup o~ beverage comprising a mixture oP
concentrate and water comprising the ~eps o~:
(a) providing a countertop bev~rage disp~nser with a plurality of post-mix dispensing valv~s each attached to the front of the dispenser ~or separa~ely receiving conce~trate and water and for mixing tog~ther said concentrate and water and for dispensîng said mixture therefrom;
(b) incorporating a self~contained, compact, multicycle, volumetric ratio control devic~ compl~t~ly ~ B
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inside each of said bodies o~ said dispensing valves to control the rat.io of water to concentrate dispensed rom each of said dispPnsing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of said water and said device operating through a plurality of reciprocating cycles ~or each cup of beverage dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire lenyth for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate : 25 through said volumetric ratio control device and ~or controlling the reciprocating mov~ment of said piston in respon~e to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (c) providing a non-pressurizable, collapsible concentrate container as a source for said concentrate and conn~cting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in each of said dispensing valves, such that each operating cycle of said dev.ice under the pre~sure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also cau~es conc~ntrate to be drawn by suction thereto from said source.

Additionally, this invention provides a method for di~pensing a b~verage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of (a) providing a counter top beverage di~penser with a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(b) incorporating a self-contained volumetric ratio control device completely inside of each of said bodies of said di~pensing valv~s to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from each of ~aid dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure o~ said water, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder! said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side o~ said wat~r portion~ said piston having a corresponding ¢entral larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each o~ said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter alonq their entire length for providin~
improved ca~ual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger dia~eter water chamb~r~ and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve mean~ located e~tirely inside : of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said : volumetric ration control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in respon~e to the pr~s~ure o~ the water in said water pa~sageway; and (c) providing a pressurized, concentrate container as a sour~e ~or said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said source to said device in each of said dispensing valves, such that each operating cycle of ~aid device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced there~rom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto from said source.
Further, this invention provides a method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of~
~ a) providing a counter top beverage dispenser with a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the ~ront of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and ~or mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
. (b) incorporating a self-contained volumetric ratio control device completely inside of each o~ said bodies of dispensing valves to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from each of said dispen~ing valv~s, said device being operated by the pressure of said water, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each sid~ o~ said water portion, said piston hav.ing a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two small~r diameter concentrate piston portions one on each ~ide o~
said water piston portion, aach of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter "~

concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-containedr direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely in~ide of said hody of said dispensing valve for controlliny the flow o~ water and concentrate through said vol.umetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to ths pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (c) providing a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container separake from and outside of said dispenser, as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in each of said dispensin~ valves, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of -~aid water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn by suction thereto from said source.
Further, this invention provides an apparatus comprising:
(a) a countertop beverage dispenser for dispensing a cup of beverage comprising a mixture o~
concentrate and water;
(b) a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the fro~t of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and ~or mixing together said concentrate and water and ~or dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(c) a compact, multicycle~ self-contained volumetric rativ control device located completely inside of ~ach of said bodies of said dispensing valve~
for controlling the ratio of water ts concentrate in the mixture beinq di~p~nsed fro~ each of said dispen~ing valves, said device being operated by the pressure Or the water such that operation of said device caus~s a predetermined ratio of water to Foncentrate to be ~orced .
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therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston havillg a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller di~meter concentrate piston portions one on aach side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved ~asual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair o~ larger diameter water chambers and a pair of ~maller diameter concentrate cha~ers, said volumetric ratio control device al50 including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow o~ water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (d) means for connecting a water condu.it to said device:
~ P) a collapsible, concentrate container located separate from and outside o~ said dispenser; and (~) a concentrate conduit connected from said container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from ~aid container to said device by suction.
Furthermore, this invention provides an apparatus comprising:
~a) a countertop beverage dispenser for dispen~ing a cup of beverag~ comprising a mixture o~
; concentrate and water:

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(b) a plurality of post-mix dispensing valveæ
each attached to the ~ront of the di~penser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
~ c) a compact, multicycle, self-contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each of said bodies of said dispensing valve6 for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the : 10 mixture being dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation o~ said device causes a predet~rmined ratio of water to concentrate to be ~orced therefrom and also cause concentrate to be drawn thereto said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portion~ one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concen~rate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uni~o~n diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual dr.ink per~ormance, said piston separating ~aid cylinder into a pair of larger diameter wat~r chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also includin~ a self~contained, direct acting electric~l solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of watar and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the r2ciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure og the water in said water pas~ageway: and 1317C~13 (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device;
(e) a pressurized concentrate conta.iner located separat~ from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate condui~ connected from said concentrate container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Additionally, this inven~ion provid~s an apparatus comprising:
(a) a countertop beverage dispenser for dispensing a cup of beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water;
(b~ a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves sach attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture thererom:
(c) a compact, multicycle, self contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each o~ said bodies of said dispensing valves for ontrolling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said devic~ cau~es ~
: predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to b~ forced therefrom and also cause~ water and concentrate to be drawn thereto, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter wat~r portivn and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller di~meter concentrate piston portions one o~ each side o~
said water piston portion, each of ~aid conc~ntrate B

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piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink per~ormance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger d.iameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate cha~bers, ~aid volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely insid~
of said body of said disp~nsing valve for controlliny the ~low of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating move~ent of said piston in response to the pressure o~ the water in said water passageway; and (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device;
te) a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container located separata ~rom and outside of said dispenser: and (f) a concentrate conduit connected ~ro~ said container directly to said device such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.
Further, this invention provides a compact post~mix dispensing valve for mounting on the front o~ a countertop beverage di~penser comprising (a) a body including a wa~er passageway therethrough and a sepa~ate concentrate passageway therethrough;
(b) self~contained, direct acting valve means located completely inside of said body of said ~ispensing valve ~or controlling the flow through ~aid passageways;
(c) a nozzle con~ected to said body for mixing tog~ther water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture th2refrom:

~B -(d) a double acting sel~-contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of said body o~ ~aid dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed ~rom ~aid dispensing valve, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one vn each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a unifo~m diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and ~or controlling the : 25 reciprocating movement of said pi~ton i.n re~pcn~e to th~
presaure of the water in said water passageway; and ~e) said valve means including two ~-way slide valve~ and solenoid means for actuating said slide valves.
Furthermore, this invention provides a compact post-mix dispensing valva ~or nounting on front of a countertop beverage dispenser for mixing togeth~r a quantity o~ water and concentrate in a predetermined and controlled ratio, and for dispensing the mixture therefrom comprising:

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(a) a body including a water passageway and a concentrate passageway extending therethrough;
(b) a nozzle connected to said body and including means for mixi~g water and concentrate S together and for dispensing the mixture therefrom;
(c) said body including a self-contained volume~ric ratio control device completely inside of said body ~or controlling the ratio of water to concentrate fed to said nozzle, said device in~luding a single reciprocatable piston in a single cylinder having a water chamber of larger diameter and a concentrate chamber of small~r diameter, said piston ceparating said cylinder into two water chambers and two concentrate chamb~rs, said passageways including a water passageway means in communication with said water chamber and a concentrate passageway means in communication with said concentrate chamber;
(d~ self-contained direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located completely insid~ of said body for controlling the flow through said passageways;
(e) said piston being operated by the pressure o~ the water: and (f) solenoid m~ans for operating aid valve means in response to the movement o~ said piston.
~ddi~ionally, this invention provides a method comprising:
~a) converting a countertop beverage dispenser having a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of ths dispenser Prom use with one type of syrup container to another comprising:
(b) operating said beverage dispenser connected to a selected one of the types of syrup containers including figals, bags in-box, or gravity tanks;
: 35 (c) providing each of said bodi~s ~f said dispensing valves with a compact, multicycle, )~:
, self-contained volumetric ratio contro} device located completely inside of each of said dispensing valves therein, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire len~th for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valva means located entir~ly inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement vf said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway: and ~d) disconnecting at least one of said valve~
~rom said selected one type of container;
~e) connecting said at least one valve to a di~ferent syrup container from the types o~ syrup containers including ~i.gals, bags-in-bvx, gravity tanks, or non-returnable, rigid, pressurizabl~ containers that can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig;
and (f) operating said one valve directly from said different syrup container, without adding any auxiliary equipment to the dispenserO

Further, thiR invention provide~ a method ~or operating a bsverage dispenser comprising~
(a) providing a beverage dispenser wi~h a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each including a self-contained, volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each of said body o~ said dispensing valves, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a cQntral larger diameter water portion and two smaller diam~ter concentrate portions one on each side of said w~ter portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diamcter concentrate piston portion~ one on each ~ide of said water piston portion, each o~ said concentrate pistvn portions baing cylindrical and having a uni~orm diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a sel-contained, direct acting electric~l solenoid valve means located entirely in ide of said body o~ said dispensing valve .Por controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement o~ said piston in response to the pressure o~ the water in said water passageway;
(b) providing a non-returnable, ri~id, pressurizable syrup container capable of sa~ely holding pressur~ no greater than about 10 p9ig;
(c~ connecting ~aid container to said dispenser with a ~yrup delivery conduit; and (d) maintaining said container under pressure ln the range o~ ~rom about 5 to 10 psig.

22 l 3l 7 9l 3 Additionally, this inventio~ provides a dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising:
(a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate pas~ageway therethrough (b) valve means for controlling t,he flow through said passageways;
(c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture ther~from;
(d) a double acting volu~etric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ration of water to concentrate in the bPv~rage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said de~ice including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said water passageway being in fluid communication with each water chamber and said concentrate passageway being in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber;
(e) said valve means including a single solenoid, ~ pilot valve using water as the pilot fluid,and ~our 3-way poppet valves, two in each o~ said water and cQncentrate passageways between the ratio control device and said no~zle, said solenoid being connected to ~aid pilot valve, and said pilot valve operating said 3-way valves, each one of said ~our 3-way poppet valves being connected in said passageways to control the ~low to and rom a respective ~ne of said ~our c~ambers; and (f) means for energizing said solenoid once for every cycle o~ operation o~ said d~vice.
Finally, this invention pro~ides a dispensing valve for use in a beverage dispenser for mixing together a quantity o~ water and concentrate in a predetermin~d and controlled ratio, and for dispen~ing the mixture thereof ; 35 comprising:
-; -~ ' ~
,., ~.

1 31 7q 1 3 (a) a body including a water passageway and a concentrats passageway extending therethrough;
(b) a nozzle connected to said body and including means for mixing water and concentrate together and for dispensing ~he mixture therefrom;
(c) said body including a volumetric ratio control device ~or controlling the ratio of water ~o concentrate fed to said nozzle, said device includiny a reciprocatable piston in a cylind~r, ~aid piston and cylinder defining a pair of water chambers and a pair of concentrate chambers, said water passageway being in communication with said water chamber and said concentrate passageway bein~ in communication with said concentrate chamber;
(d) valve means in said body for controlling the ~low through said passageways, said valve mean~
including a pilot valve which uses water as a pilot ~luid;
(e) said piston being operated by the pressure of the water;
(f) solenoid means for operating said pilot valve in response to the movement o~ ~ai~ piston; an~
(g) wherein said valve means includes four 3-way poppet valves which are actuated by said pilot valve, two of said four 3-way poppet valves being connected in~ aid water passageway and the o~her two o~
~aid four 3-way poppet valves being connected in said concentrat0 passag~way to control the flow to and from a respective one of said four chambers.
BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRh~ENGS
The present invention will be ~ore fully understood from the detailed description below when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wh~rein like re~erence numerals refer to like elements and wherein:
Fig~ l is a partly cross-sectional end vi~w through ~. .

a dispensing valve according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a partly cross-sectional side view through the valve of Fig. 1 taken along line 2-2 thereo~;
Fig. 3 is an elevational view taken alang line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an elevational view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a schematic view of ~he embodiment shown in Fiqs. 1 to 4;
Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the valves in the opposite posi~ion to that shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a partly cross-sectional side view of a dispensing valve according to another embodiment of the : present in~ention;
Fig. 9 is a partly cross-sectional end view o~ the valve of Fig. 8 taken along line 9-g of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view o~ the paddle valve~
used in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 and 9;
Fig. 11 is a partly diagrammatic, partly schematic 25 Vi9W of a volumetric ratio control d~vice showiny an electrical switch means associated therawit~l;
Fig. 12 i~ a partial, cross-sectional view of a dispensing valve showing a variable ~low control feature thereof;
~ig. 13 is an electrical schematic of a circuit useful with the volumetric ratio control device o~ the present inventio~; and Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view o~ a be~erage dispenser including a dispensing valve accordiny to the pre~ent invention, and showing the four diferPnt types of syrup containers use~ul therewikh.

~ `:

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25 1317ql3 1)13TAILEl~ DESCP~IPTION OF TH~ PREFERRED~EMBODX~S
With reference now to the drawings, Figs. 1 - 5 show a dispensing valve 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispensing valve 10 can be mounted on a beverage dispenser 12 a~
shown in Fig. 14. Any one of a numbsr of the dispensing ~alves 10 such as ~our, five or six, for example, can be mounted on the beverage dispenser 12. The syrup source can be a figal 14, a bag-in-box 16, a gravity tank 18 built directly into the beverage di~p~nser 12, or a non-returnable container 20 according to the pre ent invention and described in more detail hereinafter.
Returning now to the dispensing valve 10 oX Figs. 1 - 5, the valve includes a body 22 including separate soda and syrup passageways 24 and 26, respectively, therethrou~h, valve means 28 for controlling the flow through the pa~sageways 24 and 26, a nozzle 30 for mixing together the soda and syrup and for dispensing the mixture therefrom, and a volumetric ratio control device ~VRCD) 32 in said body ~or controlling the ratio of soda to syrup in the beverage dispensed from the valve 10. The valve 10 can include a cover 91 (see Fig.
143, if desired.
The VRCD 32 includes a syxup piston 40, a soda piston 42 connected to the syrup piston 40, a pair o~
syrup chambers 44 and 46, a pair of soda chambers 48 and 50, two ~our-way valve~ 52 and 54, and two solenolds 56 and 58. The soda passageway 24 includes a passageway to each o~ the soda chambers 48 and 50, and the syrup passageway 26 includes a syrup passageway to each o~ the syrup chambers 44 and 46. The VRCD thus includes a single piston in a single cylinder, with the cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diame~er concentra~e por ions on each side of the water portion. The piston has a corresponding ~ central larger diameter water pi~ton pvrtion and two : . , ~ ` .
`~

:

1 31 7~ 1 3 smaller diameter concentrate piston portions, one on each side of the water piston portion. Each of the concentrate piston portions is cylindrical and has a uniform diameter along its entire length ~or displacing water for providing improved casual drink p~rformance.
The valve means for controlling the flow through the passageways includes the solenoids 56 and 58, one of which (58) is shown in Fig. 2 controllin~ an armature 60 in the syrup passageway 26. When the armature is in the position shown in Fig. 2 ~for example, with the solenoid 58 not energized), the syrup can flow thxough syrup inlet passageway 26, through a port 62 in the armature 60, through passageways 70 and 71, one of the syrup chambers 44 or 46, while at the same time syrup is flowing from the other o~ thP chambers 44 ox 46 through the passageway 64, then through the groove 66, and then into passageway 68 where it f~ows down into the nozzle 30 as shown in Fig. 2~ When the syrup piston 40 reaches the end of its stroke, the solenoid 58 is energized to retract the armature 60 to provide communication between the inlet passageway 26 and the other syrup chamber through tha passageways 64 and 65, while syrup i~ forced out of th~ other syrup chamber into the nozzle through passageway 71, th2n passageway 70, through gxoove 66 and then through passageway 68 to th~ nozzle 30. The same operation occurs on the other sid~ o~ the dispensing valve with respect to the soda (or carbonated water).
Fig. 3 shows the three ports 72, 73 and 74 providing communication with the passageways 70, 6~ and 64, respectively, in a c~nkral member 76. Fig. 4 shows the port 62 and the groove 6~ in the armature 6G of the solenoid 58.
The solenoids 56 and 58 and the valves 52 and 54 direct syrup and soda to the left side of the pistons as shown in Fig. 5, while the pistons move ~rom left to :
, ` 1317913 ~7 right causing the liquids on the right side of the pistons to be expelled into the mixing nozzle. When the pistons reach the right-hand end o~ their travel, the solenoids are energized to activate the valves and thus revers~ the flow and cause the liquids on the left side of the pi~tons to be directed to the mixing nozzle. In a properly sized valve, the pistons will preferably change directions several times each second. In order to change ratio in this type o~ valve, ~hQ
pistons/chamber assembly must be replaced with a di~ferent sized assembly.
An advantage of placing the VR~D directly in the dispensing valve is to reduce the number o~ water line~
that would be required if the VRCD were placed, for example, upstream of the refrigeration system and the soda and syrup lines were kept separate up to the valve.
Re~erence will now be made to Figs. 6 and 7 which show another embodiment of the VRCD of the present invention, and in particular one using fou~ three-way valves rather than the two four-way valves used in the embodiments of Figs. 1-5.
Figs. 6 and 7 show a volumetric ratio control device 80 that can be used in a dispensing valve such a~
the valve 10 o Figs. 1-5. Figs. 6 and 7 diagrammatically show the syrup piston 40, the soda piston 42, syrup chambers 44 and 46, and the ~oda chambers 48 and 50. The volumetric ratio control device 80 includes a ~oda-in conduit 82, a syrup-in conduit 84, a soda-ouk conduit 86 to a mixing nozzle 88, and a syrup-out conduit 90 to the mixing nozzle 8B. The volumetric ratio control device 80 includes valve means for controlling the flow in the ~oda and syrup ; passageways including four thxee-way pilot-actuated poppet valves 92, 94, ~6 and 98 controlled by a single solenoid-actuated pilot valve 100. The valve 100 is ~g ~8 actuated by a solenoid 102. The solenoid-actuated pilot valve 100 use~ pressurized soda as the pilot ~luid.
Fig. 6 shows the solenoid 102 in its ener~iz~d condition such that the valve 100 is open to provide pressurized soda communication to the ~our three-way poppet valves 92, 94, 96 and 98 to position these valves in their orientation shown ln Fig. 6 with the pi~tons 40 and 42 moving to the let as shown in ~ig. 6. At the end of the stroke o~ the pi~3ton to the left a5 shown in Fig. 6, the solenoid 102 is de-energized allowing a spring to move the pilot valve to its position shown in Fig. 7. At this time the soda line to the ~our three-way poppet valves is vented by the pilot valve 100 which causes the four three-way valves 92, 94, 96 and 98 to move to their position shown in Fig. 7 for use when the pistons 40 and 42 are moving to the right (as ~hown in Fig. 7), at which time the syrup and soda flow into the leftmost chambers and are ~orced by the pistons out of the rightmost chambers to the mixing nozzle. This embodiment with the four three-way poppet valves is presently the preferred embodiment.
Figs. 8 to 10 show a dispensing valve 110 according to another embodiment o~ the present inventio~ which use~ four three~way paddle valves 111, 112, 113 and 114 25 which are mechanically actuated by a cingle ~olanoid 116 having an armature 117. The valves 111 and 113 are ~yrup valves, and valves 112 and 11~ are soda valve~.
~he ~ross-~ection in Fi~. 8 is taken through the syrup valves 111 and 113. The cross-section in Fig. 9 is taken through th~ valves 113 and 114.
The dispensing valve 110 lncludes the syrup piston : 40, the soda piston 42, syrup chambers 44 and 46, soda chambers 48 and 50, and the nozzle 30. The dispensing valve 110 includes a body 118 having a syrup passageway 120 and a soda passageway 122 therethrou~h. The ~olenoid 116 includes a spring (not shown) ~or ~orcing B

. ~.

the armature 117 downwardly (as view~d in Fig. 8). When the solenoid is energized it pulls the armature 117 upwardly. Fig. 8 shows the pistons 40 and 42 moving to thQ left, the paddle valves 113 and 114 being opened by the solenoid 116 being energized to pull upon a lever arm 126 (as viewed in Fig. 10), thus pushin~ down on the actuating arms 128 and 130 of the paddle valves 113 and 114 thu~ causing them to open. At the same time, the paddle valves 111 and 112 are caused to close. The soda and syrup flows through the soda and syrup passageways into the rightmost chambers 50 and 46 filling those chambers, and the soda and syrup is at the same time forced out of the leftmost chambers to the nozzle 30. At the end of the stroke of the pi~tons 40 and 42 to the left (as viewed in Fig. 8), the solenoid 116 is de-energized, whereby the solenoid spring (not shown) forces the lever arm 126 down, reversing the above described liquid flow.
~ig. 11 is a diagrammatic and schematic showing of a syrup piston 140, a soda piston 142, syrup chambers 144 and 145, and soda chambers 146 and 147. Fig. 11 also shows electrical circuit contact mean~ 148 ~or detecting when the pistons 140 and 142 hav~ reached the end of their stroke. The electrical contact means 148 c~n use microswitches 149 and 150 for energizing the solenoid means of the various valve means shown in th~
drawings o~ the previously described embodim~nts.
Fig. 12 shows a variable ~low rate system that can be used on any of the above described embodiment~. This 3~ system includes a cup lever arm 151 located below a dispensing valve 10 and adjacent to th~ no2zle 30 a~ is well-known in the art for actuating a dispensing valYe to dispense the beverage into a cup.
According to the inv~ntion shown in Fig. 12 r mo~ement of the cup lever arm 151 immediately energizes a switch 152 to actuate t~e dispensing valve. This `` 1 3 1 79 1 3 switch remains closed as long as the arm 151 is depressed. The cup lever arm 151 is also connected to a flow control 154 (through an arm 153) in the soda pass~geway 156 to the no~zle 30. I~ a high flow rate ~s desired, the cllp lever arm 151 i8 pushed all the way back, whereby the flow control 154 provides a completely open passageway 156. The cup lever arm 151 is spring biased to its closed po~ition shown in Fig. 1~ and can be moved varying amounts to the right (as viewed in Fig.
1~ 12) to dispense beverage into a cup and to open the soda passag~way 156 in varying amounts. As the cup approaches being filled, th~ cup lever arm 151 is allowed to move toward its closed position whereby th~
flow control 154 moves into the passageway 156 to slow down the flow. By means of the volumetric ratio c.ontrol device of the present invention, even though only one of the soda and/or syrup passageways to the no~zle is varied, the ratio remains constant, because when the piston slows down, it slows down the pumping o~ both the soda and the syrup and at the correct ratio.
Fig. 13 shows a standard electrical circuit, ; including a holding circuit, for causing th2 soda and syrup pistons to reciprocate when the dispensing valve including the VRCD is energized. Fig. 13 shows the s~itches 152, 149 and 148, the solenoid 102 and relay CR-l. The operation o~ this standard circuit is well known and need not be described in any further detail herein.
Fig. 14 ~hows an overall arrangement of a beverage di~penser 12 with one or more dispensing valv~s 10 according to any onP of the embodiments of the present invention. The beverage dispens~r 12 can be provided with a syrup supply from any one of a ~nown type of syrup containers such as a figal 14, a bag-in-bvx 16. or a gravity tank 18. In addition, according to the present invention, a syrup supply can also be provided B

.

.
~ . .

-`-` 1317913 in a non-returnable container ~0 such as a plastic bottle. The container can be vented to atmosphere ~r preferably it can be a container that is capable of being safely pressurized to no higher than about lo psig. The container 20 can be similar to the present two-liter PET bottles used for premix. The container 20 includes a lid 170 having a dip tube 172 extending down toward the bottom of the container 20 and a coupling for connection to the syrup line 21. The lid 170 also includes a one-way valve and fitting 174 for use in pressurizing ~he container 20 to its low pressure. It is notad that the pressure to which container 20 can be pressurized is much less than that to which a stainles~
steel figal 14 can be pressurized. According to the present invention, the means for delivering the syrup to the dispensing valve is the suction created by the volumetric xatio control device; however, it can be useful to have a small pressure in the container 20, i~
desired. However, the low pre~sure that is preferred to be used in the container 20 does not re~uire the container to withstand any substantial pressures, whereby the container 20 can be made relatively inexpensively; that is, it can have relatively thin walls and a relatively inexpensive lid 170 that can be screw-threaded (or otherwise connected) onto the container 20 with a suitahle 0-ring or other seal structure.
The containers 14, 16 and 20 are connected in the usual, known manner to the beverage dispenser 12; this 30 i5 wha~ is intended by ~he arrows on the ends of the syrup conduits. The dispenser 12 may or may not include a gravity tank 18.
: While the preferred embodiments of this invention have been described above in detail, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of ~ . , .

32 l 31 791 3 the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, while certain arrangements and designs of pi tons and chambers have b2en shown, a wide variety of such pistons and chambers can be ueed as will be understood by one skilled in the art. Further, it is not necessary that the piston be a double-acting piston arrangement; it can alternatively be a single-acting piston using a raturn spring, for example. While the preferred non-returnable container 20 is a rigid plastic bottle, a collapsible container ~uch as a plastic bag similar to that used in the present bag-in-box containers 16 can also be used. The non-returnable container 20 can alternativ~ly be vented to atmosphere and not be under any additional pressure.
While the preferred water and concentrate are carbonated water and syrup, respectfully, this invention can also be used with plain water and with fruit juice concentrates, tPa and coffee, for example. While the solenoids are preferably pull solenoids, push solenoids can also be used. The soda and syrup pistons in the VRCD can be separate pistons joined together, or they can be one single member.

.~

1317ql3 32a S~PPi~.M~TaRY ~IS~IQ~R~
It is to be noted that the pre~ent day post-mix dispensing valves have a maximum volume of les~ than about 90 cubic inches, that is, having dimensions of about 3"x5"x6" for the housing of the post~mix dispensing valve, not including the nozzle or spout that extends down below the dispensing valves. Thus, the sel~-contained VRCD and valve control means o~ the present invention are contained w~thin a poGt-mi~
dispensing valve having a volu~e no greater than about 90 cubic inches. The maximum pre~erred size for the concentrate chamber and the water chamb~r is approximately 0.5 fluid ounces total with a breakdown of about 0.42 fluid ounces for the soda ~nd 0.08 ounces for the syrup. In a pre~erred configuration o~ the post-mix dispensing valve of this invention the VRCD goes through approximately twelve complet~ cycles ~or a 12-ounce drink. It i9 noted that the post-mix dispensing valve of this invention has a r~sidu~l volume of approximately one ounce of total soda and syrup in the dispensing valve itself. It is an important aspect of this invention to minimiz~ the casual drink problem. It is further noted that the soda or carbonated water or water control means of this invention could use on~ four-way valvs, two three way valves or ~our two-way valve~ while the preferred configuration useq two three~ay valves.
It is also notad that for the syrup control either a on~
our-way valve, 2 two-thre~-way valve or a four two way valve or four check valveR could be used while the preferred embodiment uses four check valves.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing valve for dispensing a beverage into a cup and adapted to be mounted on a post-mix beverage dispenser comprising:
(a) a post-mix beverage dispensing valve including a body having a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough, (b) said dispensing valve including a nozzle connected to said body for simultaneously dispensing water and concentrate from said dispensing valve;
(c) a self-contained volumetric ratio control device located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said nozzle, and including a water passage therethrough in communication with said water passageway and a separate concentrate passage therethrough in communication with said concentrate passageway;
(d) said water passageway extending from a water inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle;
(e) said concentrate passageway extending from a concentrate inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle;
(f) said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central, larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions, one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions, one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter throughout their entire length for displacing water for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of separate larger diameter water chambers and a pair of separate smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said piston being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto;
(g) said water passageway being in communication with each of said water chambers;
(h) said concentrate passageway being in communication with each of said concentrate chambers;
and (i) self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway.

2. Apparatus comprising:
(a) a post-mix beverage dispenser:
(b) a plurality of post-mix beverage dispensing valves mounted on aid dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together the concentrate and water in a predetermined ration and for dispensing the mixture therefrom as a beverage into a cup;
(c) each of said post-mix dispensing valves comprising:
(1) a post-mix beverage dispensing valve including a body having a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough;
(2) said dispensing valve including a nozzle connected to said body for simultaneously dispensing water and concentrate from said dispensing valve;
(3) a self-contained volumetric ration control device located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said nozzle, and including a water passage therethrough in communication with said water passageway and a separate concentrate passage therethrough in communication with said concentrate passageway;
(4) said water passageway extending from a water inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle;
(5) said concentrate passageway extending from a concentrate inlet passageway in said body through said volumetric ratio control device and then to said nozzle;
(6) said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central, larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions, one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions, one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter throughout their entire length for displacing water for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of separate larger diameter water chambers and a pair of separate smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said piston being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto;
(7) said water passageway being in communication with each of said water chambers;
(8) said concentrate passageway being in communication with each of said concentrate chambers; and (9) self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway.

3. A method for dispensing a cup of beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a countertop beverage dispenser with a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(b) incorporating a self-contained, compact, multicycle, volumetric ratio control device completely inside each of said bodies of said dispensing valves to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of said water and said device operating through a plurality of reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (c) providing a non-pressurizable, collapsible concentrate container as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in each of said dispensing valves, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to by drawn by suction thereto from said source.

4. The method as recited in Claim 3 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

5. A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a counter top beverage dispenser with a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(b) incorporating a self-contained volumetric ratio control device completely inside of each of said bodies of said dispensing valves to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of said water, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ration control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (c) providing a pressurized, concentrate container as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said source to said device in each of said dispensing valves, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto from said source.

6, The method as recited in Claim 5 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

7. A method for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a counter top beverage dispenser with a plurality of post mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(b) incorporating a self-contained volumetric ratio control device completely inside of each of said bodies of dispensing valves to control the ratio of water to concentrate dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of said water said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (c) providing a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container separate from and outside of said dispenser, as a source for said concentrate and connecting a concentrate conduit directly from said container to said device in each of said dispensing valves, such that each operating cycle of said device under the pressure of said water causes concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn by suction thereto from said source.

8. The method as recited in Claim 7 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

9. The method as recited in Claim 7 wherein said container can safely hold pressure no higher than about

10 psig.
10. The method as recited in Claim 7 including maintaining said container under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.

11. Apparatus comprising:
(a) a countertop beverage dispenser for dispensing a cup of beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water;
(b) a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(c) a compact, multicycle, self-contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each of said bodies of said dispensing valves for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said waker portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device:

(e) a collapsible, concentrate container located separate from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.

12. The apparatus as recited in Claim 11 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

13. Apparatus comprising:
(a) a countertop beverage dispenser for dispensing a cup of beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water;
(b) a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(c) a compact, multicycle, self-contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each of said bodies of said dispensing valves for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes concentrate to be drawn thereto, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device;
(e) a pressurized concentrate container located separate from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said concentrate container directly to said device, such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.

14. The apparatus as recited in Claim 13 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

15. Apparatus comprising:
(a) a countertop beverage dispenser for dispensing a cup of beverage comprising a mixture of concentrate and water;
(b) a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser for separately receiving concentrate and water and for mixing together said concentrate and water and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(c) a compact, multicycle, self-contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each of said bodies of said dispensing valves for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the mixture being dispensed from each of said dispensing valves, said device being operated by the pressure of the water such that operation of said device causes a predetermined ratio of water to concentrate to be forced therefrom and also causes water and concentrate to be drawn thereto, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (d) means for connecting a water conduit to said device;
(e) a non-returnable, pressurizable, rigid concentrate container located separate from and outside of said dispenser; and (f) a concentrate conduit connected from said container directly to said device such that the concentrate is drawn from said container to said device by suction.

16. The apparatus as recited in Claim 15 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

17. The apparatus as recited in Claim 15 wherein said container can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig.

18. The apparatus as recited in Claim 15 wherein said container is under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.

19. A compact post-mix dispensing valve for mounting on the front of a countertop beverage dispenser comprising (a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough;
(b) self-contained, direct acting valve means located completely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow through said passageways;
(c) a nozzle connected to said body for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(d) a double acting self-contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (e) said valve means including two 4-way slide valves and solenoid means for actuating said slide valves.

20. The apparatus as recited in Claim 19 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

21. A compact post mix dispensing valve for mounting on front of a countertop beverage dispenser for mixing together a quantity of water and concentrate in a predetermined and controlled ratio, and for dispensing the mixture therefrom comprising:
(a) a body including a water passageway and a concentrate passageway extending therethrough;
(b) a nozzle connected to said body and including means for mixing water and concentrate together and for dispensing the mixture therefrom;
(c) said body including a self-contained volumetric ratio control device completely inside of said body for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate fed to said nozzle, said device including a single reciprocatable piston in a single cylinder having a water chamber of larger diameter and a concentrate chamber of smaller diameter, said piston separating said cylinder into two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said passageways including a water passageway means in communication with said water chamber and a concentrate passageway means in communication with said concentrate chamber;
(d) self-contained direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located completely inside of said body for controlling the flow through said passageways;
(e) said piston being operated by the pressure of the water; and (f) solenoid means for operating said valve means in response to the movement of said piston.

22. The valve assembly as recited in Claim 21 wherein said valve means includes two four-way solenoid-actuated slide valves.

23. A method comprising:
(a) converting a countertop beverage dispenser having a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves each attached to the front of the dispenser from use with one type of syrup container to another comprising:
(b) operating said beverage dispenser connected to a selected one of the types of syrup containers including figals, bags-in-box, or gravity tanks;
(c) providing each of said bodies of said dispensing valves with a compact, multicycle, self-contained volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each of said dispensing valves therein, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway; and (d) disconnecting at least one of said valves from said selected one type of container;
(e) connecting said at least one valve to a different syrup container from the types of syrup containers including figals, bags-in-box, gravity tanks, or non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable containers that can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig;
and (f) operating said one valve directly from said different syrup container, without adding any auxiliary equipment to the dispenser.

24. A method for operating a beverage dispenser comprising:
(a) providing a beverage dispenser with a plurality of post mix dispensing valves each including a self-contained, volumetric ratio control device located completely inside of each of said body of said dispensing valves, said volumetric ratio control device including a single reciprocatable piston located in a single cylinder, said cylinder having a central larger diameter water portion and two smaller diameter concentrate portions one on each side of said water portion, said piston having a corresponding central larger diameter water piston portion and two smaller diameter concentrate piston portions one on each side of said water piston portion, each of said concentrate piston portions being cylindrical and having a uniform diameter along their entire length for providing improved casual drink performance, said piston separating said cylinder into a pair of larger diameter water chambers and a pair of smaller diameter concentrate chambers, said volumetric ratio control device also including a self-contained, direct acting electrical solenoid valve means located entirely inside of said body of said dispensing valve for controlling the flow of water and concentrate through said volumetric ratio control device and for controlling the reciprocating movement of said piston in response to the pressure of the water in said water passageway;
(b) providing a non-returnable, rigid, pressurizable syrup container capable of safely holding pressure no greater than about 10 psig;
(c) connecting said container to said dispenser with a syrup delivery conduit; and (d) maintaining said container under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.

25. A dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser comprising:
(a) a body including a water passageway therethrough and a separate concentrate passageway therethrough;
(b) valve means for controlling the flow through said passageways;
(c) a nozzle for mixing together water and concentrate and for dispensing said mixture therefrom;
(d) a double acting volumetric ratio control device in said dispensing valve for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate in the beverage dispensed from said dispensing valve, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder defining two water chambers and two concentrate chambers, said water passageway being in fluid communication with each water chamber and said concentrate passageway being in fluid communication with each concentrate chamber;
(e) said valve means including a single solenoid, a pilot valve using water as the pilot fluid,and four 3-way poppet valves, two in each of said water and concentrate passageways between the ratio control device and said nozzle, said solenoid being connected to said pilot valve, and said pilot valve operating said 3-way valves, each one of said four 3-way poppet valves being connected in said passageways to control the flow to and from a respective one of said four chambers; and (f) means for energizing said solenoid once for every cycle of operation of said device.

26. The apparatus as recited in claim 25 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

27. A dispensing valve for use in a beverage dispenser for mixing together a quantity of water and concentrate in a predetermined and controlled ratio, and for dispensing the mixture thereof comprising:
(a) a body including a water passageway and a concentrate passageway extending therethrough;
(b) a nozzle connected to said body and including means for mixing water and concentrate together and for dispensing the mixture therefrom;
(c) said body including a volumetric ratio control device for controlling the ratio of water to concentrate fed to said nozzle, said device including a reciprocatable piston in a cylinder, said piston and cylinder defining a pair of water chambers and a pair of concentrate chambers, said water passageway being in communication with said water chamber and said concentrate passageway being in communication with said concentrate chamber;
(d) valve means in said body for controlling the flow through said passageways, said valve means including a pilot valve which uses water as a pilot fluid;
(e) said piston being operated by the pressure of the water;
(f) solenoid means for operating said pilot valve in response to the movement of said piston; and (g) wherein said valve means includes four 3-way poppet valves which are actuated by said pilot valve, two of said four 3-way poppet valves being connected ins aid water passageway and the other two of said four 3-way poppet valves being connected in said concentrate passageway to control the flow to and from a respective one of said four chambers.

CLAIMS SUPPORTED BY THE SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE

28. The beverage dispensing valve claimed in claim 1, in which said body has a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of the water and consentrate chambers having a maximum value of 2.0 fluid ounces, said beverage dispensing valve operating through a plurality of reciprocating cycles for each dispensing operation.

29. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, in which the body has a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of the water and concentrate chambers having a maximum value of 2.0 fluid ounces, said apparatus operating through a plurality of reciprocating cycles for each dispensing operation.

30. The method claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a body with a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

31. The method claimed in claim 30, wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

32. The method claimed in claim 5, in which each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a body with a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

33. The method claimed in claim 32 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

34. The method claimed in claim 7, in which each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, and said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

35. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

36. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein said container can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig.

37. The method as recited in claim 34 including maintaining said container under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.

38. The apparatus claimed in claim 11, in which each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a body with a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, said device operating through a plurality of reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, and said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

39. The apparatus as recited in claim 38 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concetrate is syrup.

40. The apparatus claimed in claim 13, in which each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a body with a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, said device operating through a plurality of reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, and said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

41. The apparatus as recited in claim 40 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

42. The apparatus claimed in claim 15, in which each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a body with a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, said device operating through a plurality of reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, and said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

43. The apparatus as recited in claim 42 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

44. The apparatus as recited in claim 42 wherein said container can safely hold pressure no higher than about 10 psig.

45. The apparatus as recited in claim 42 wherein said container is under pressure in the range of from about 5 to 10 psig.

46. The dispensing valve claimed in claim 19, in which the valve has a volume of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

47. The apparatus claimed in claim 46 wherein said water is carbonated water and said concentrate is syrup.

48. The dispensing valve claimed in claim 21, in which the body has a size of less than about 90 cubic inches.

49. The dispensing valve claimed in claim 48 wherein said valve means includes two four-way solenoid-actuated slide valves.

50. The method claimed in claim 23, in which each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a body with a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.

51. The method claimed in claim 24, in which each of said plurality of post-mix dispensing valves has a body with a size of less than about 90 cubic inches, the total volume of both of said water and concentrate chambers being no greater than 2.0 fluid ounces, said piston making a plurality of complete reciprocating cycles for each cup of beverage being dispensed, and said volumetric ratio control device having a residual volume of water and concentrate no greater than about one fluid ounce for improved casual drink performance.