초록 ▼

A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure a

A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure and on information related to the identified concentrate. The valves are controlled so that the concentrate and diluent reach target flow rates. The target flow rates satisfy a target ratio of diluent to concentrate. If the actual flow rates cannot reach the target flow rates, then the target flow rates are modified to satisfy the target ratio. The structure of the concentrate valve is designed to accommodate proportional metering of any one of the various concentrates.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage formed by mixing a diluent and a concentrate at a target ratio, said apparatus comprising: a diluent flow control valve formed of a first valve seat and a first poppet received within said first valve seat, said first poppet having a sim

We claim: 1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage formed by mixing a diluent and a concentrate at a target ratio, said apparatus comprising: a diluent flow control valve formed of a first valve seat and a first poppet received within said first valve seat, said first poppet having a simple shape; and a concentrate flow control valve formed of a second valve seat and a second poppet, said second poppet having a more compound shape than the shape of said first poppet. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second poppet is formed of two or more sections of simple shapes serially connected. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second valve seat is of a simple shape of dimensions complementary to one of the two or more sections forming said second poppet. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein one of the two or more sections forming said second poppet is used in conjunction with said second valve seat to control the flow rate of a first concentrate and another of the sections is used to control the flow rate of a second concentrate having a different viscosity than that of the first concentrate. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first poppet has a simple conical shape and said second poppet is formed of at least two conical sections of different sizes and serially connected.