초록

Methods and apparatus for cold carbonation are provided in which a carbonator (13) having one or more segments is provided. A sensor (14) is provided that can be accessed from a side of a dispenser (10).

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser having a first side, wherein the first side is not a top or bottom side of the dispenser, comprising: a cold source; a carbonator; a sensor coupled to the carbonator, the sensor sensing carbonator water levels; and an access space in the first side of the dispe

What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser having a first side, wherein the first side is not a top or bottom side of the dispenser, comprising: a cold source; a carbonator; a sensor coupled to the carbonator, the sensor sensing carbonator water levels; and an access space in the first side of the dispenser through which the sensor is accessible. 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first side comprises a front side of the dispenser at which beverages are dispensed. 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the carbonator is positioned so that the sensor is removable through the access space. 4. The dispenser of claim 1, and further comprising a pre-carbonation chilling circuit coupled to the carbonator. 5. The dispenser of claim 1, and further comprising a post-carbonation chilling circuit coupled to the carbonator. 6. The dispenser of claim 1, and further comprising a pre-carbonation chilling circuit coupled to the carbonator and a post-carbonation chilling circuit coupled to the carbonator. 7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the carbonator is at least partially within the cold source. 8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a probe assembly. 9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cold source comprises a cold plate. 10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the carbonator is positioned so that the sensor is removable through the access space. 11. The dispenser of claim 10, wherein the carbanator is at least partially within the cold plate. 12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cold source comprises an ice/water bath. 13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the carbonator is positioned so that the sensor is removable through the access space. 14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein the carbonator is at least partially within the ice/water bath. 15. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor, in operation, is located at least partially within the carbonator, and wherein the sensor is removable from the carbonator through the access space. 16. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor, in operation, is located at least partially within the carbonator, and wherein the sensor is removable from the carbonator as it is removed through the access space.