초록 ▼

This invention provides a system and a method of economically and efficiently dispensing frozen beverages within a desired range of consistency in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. A sensor is used to monitor the level of the beverage in a container for providing the fr

This invention provides a system and a method of economically and efficiently dispensing frozen beverages within a desired range of consistency in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. A sensor is used to monitor the level of the beverage in a container for providing the frozen beverage. The beverage is cooled by a cooling device which has a cooling capacity. A flow regulating device is used to regulate the flow rate of the beverage to the container. A controller is coupled with the sensor and the flow regulating device to regulate the flow rate of the beverage in response to the monitored beverage level and the cooling capacity of the cooling device. When properly tuned to match the cooling capacity of the cooling device with the flow rate of the beverage into the container, the controller maintains the desired consistency of the frozen beverage, while automatically refilling the beverage container to within a desired range of levels.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for automatically filling a container for providing a beverage that is at least partially frozen, the system comprising:a delivery line coupled with the container for delivering a beverage to the container;a flow regulating device coupled with the delivery line t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A system for automatically filling a container for providing a beverage that is at least partially frozen, the system comprising:a delivery line coupled with the container for delivering a beverage to the container;a flow regulating device coupled with the delivery line to regulate the flow of the beverage to the container;a cooling device operatively coupled with the container for cooling the beverage in the container so that the beverage is at least partially frozen, the cooling device being a power-driven cooling device having a cooling capacity;a sensor coupled with the container for sensing a level of the beverage in the container; anda controller coupled with the sensor for receiving a sensor signal indicating the level of the beverage in the container, the controller coupled with the flow regulating device for automatically controlling the flow regulating device to regulate the flow rate of the beverage delivered to the container in response to the sensor signal received from the sensor and the cooling capacity of the cooling device so as to maintain the at least partially frozen beverage in the container to within a desired range of consistency.