초록 ▼

An ultrasound liquid level detector system for automatically controlling the dispensing of a post-mix beverage, including microprocessor-controlled circuitry for monitoring and implementing the automatic dispensing process. The microprocessor is interfaced with an ultrasonic transducer which transmi

An ultrasound liquid level detector system for automatically controlling the dispensing of a post-mix beverage, including microprocessor-controlled circuitry for monitoring and implementing the automatic dispensing process. The microprocessor is interfaced with an ultrasonic transducer which transmits ultrasonic wave energy towards the container to be filled and receives reflected ultrasonic wave energy, the characteristics of which are analyzed within the microprocessor to implement control functions of the automatic dispensing process. Dispensing automatically begins as a container is inserted under the ultrasonic transducer into a proper position beneath a post-mix beverage dispenser nozzle. The transducer continuously measures the distance between the top or lip of the container and a liquid/foam interface of a carbonated beverage being dispensed into the container. Dispensing stops when the transducer senses a predetermined level of carbonated beverage within the container. In addition, dispensing is initially stopped before the liquid level reaches the top of the container to allow for dissipation of foam on the top of a carbonated beverage and dispensing is reinitiated to top off the level of beverage adjacent the top of the container. The disclosed system also utilizes the ultrasonic transducer to measure the level of ice within the container prior to dispensing and precludes dispensing of the beverage if the level of ice exceeds a predetermined limit. The system also has additional safeguards programmed into the microprocessor to preclude operator errors such as triggering of the dispenser system by devices other than the container to be filled.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of automatically filling containers of any size with material and determining the size of the containers filled, comprising the steps of: initiating the flow of material into a container; directing a burst of wave energy toward a top edge of the container from a location above the container

A method of automatically filling containers of any size with material and determining the size of the containers filled, comprising the steps of: initiating the flow of material into a container; directing a burst of wave energy toward a top edge of the container from a location above the container; measuring the time it takes for wave energy reflected from said top edge to return to said location; directing a burst of wave energy toward a support surface which supports a container being filled from a position above the support surface; measuring the time it takes for wave energy reflected from said support surface to return to said position; and comparing the respective times that it takes the wave energy reflected from said top edge and support surface to return to said location and position to determine the size of a container being filled.