초록 ▼

The present disclosure relates to a system, method and apparatus for controlling the flavor of a beverage produced from a concentrate, based on the conductivity of the beverage being produced. The apparatus includes a conductivity sensor which provides a controller with real time conductivity data f

The present disclosure relates to a system, method and apparatus for controlling the flavor of a beverage produced from a concentrate, based on the conductivity of the beverage being produced. The apparatus includes a conductivity sensor which provides a controller with real time conductivity data from the beverage being served. The controller is capable of comparing the real time conductivity data to a preprogrammed range of conductivity readings and adjusting a variable speed pump to keep the real time conductivity data within the preprogrammed range.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A beverage producing apparatus for controllably combining a concentrate and a dilution material to produce a beverage, the beverage producing apparatus comprising: means for delivering concentrate; means for delivering dilution material; a controller operatively coupled

The invention claimed is: 1. A beverage producing apparatus for controllably combining a concentrate and a dilution material to produce a beverage, the beverage producing apparatus comprising: means for delivering concentrate; means for delivering dilution material; a controller operatively coupled to and operatively controlling the concentrate delivering means and the dilution material delivering means; means for detecting conductivity; a mixing chamber for combining the concentrate and the dilution material; orienting at least two conductivity probes in a horizontally spaced apart orientation in the mixing chamber for detecting conductivity at a horizontal location in the mixing chamber; and the conductivity means being operatively coupled to the controller for providing conductivity information relating at least a mixture of the concentrate and dilution material, the controller operatively controlling the dispensing of concentrate and dilution material to maintain the conductivity of the mixture in a desired conductivity range. 2. A method for controlling dispensing of a beverage, the method comprising the steps of: providing means for delivering concentrate; providing means for delivering dilution material; providing a controller operatively coupled to the concentrate delivering means and the dilution material delivering means; providing a mixing chamber for receiving the concentrate and the dilution material; providing means for detecting conductivity; positioning the conductivity detecting means in a horizontal orientation in the mixing chamber; initiating dispensing of a beverage by sending a signal to the controller; controllably dispensing the dilution material from the dilution material delivering means to the mixing chamber; dispensing the concentrate from the concentrate delivering means to the mixing chamber; mixing the concentrate and dilution material in the mixing chamber to produce the beverage; pooling the concentrate and dilution material prior to dispensing in an area proximate to at least a portion of the conductivity detecting means; detecting the conductivity of the beverage at a horizontal location in the mixing chamber prior to dispensing; and controllably adjusting at least one of the concentrate and dilution material when the conductivity is not at least one of a predetermined level and range. 3. A system for controllably dispensing beverages and maintaining a beverage dispensed thereby within a desired conductivity range, the system comprising: means for delivering concentrate; means for delivering dilution material; a controller operatively coupled to and operatively controlling the concentrate delivering means and the dilution material delivering means; a mixing chamber for receiving and combining the concentrate and the dilution material; means for detecting conductivity including at least two conductive probes; orienting the at least two conductive probes in a horizontally spaced apart orientation in the mixing chamber for detecting conductivity at a horizontal location in the mixing chamber; and the conductivity means being operatively coupled to the controller for providing conductivity information relating to at least a mixture of the concentrate and dilution material, the controller operatively controlling the dispensing of the concentrate and dilution material to maintain the conductivity of the mixture in a desired conductivity range. 4. A beverage producing apparatus for controllably combining a concentrate and a dilution material to produce a beverage, the beverage producing apparatus comprising: a controllable concentrate dispensing assembly; a controllable dilution material dispensing assembly; a mixing chamber for receiving and combining the concentrate and dilution material; a controller operatively coupled to and operatively controlling the concentrate dispensing assembly and the dilution material dispensing assembly; a conductivity detector including at least two conductive probes; orienting the at least two conductive probes in a horizontally spaced apart orientation in the mixing chamber for detecting conductivity at a horizontal location in the mixing chamber; and the conductivity detector being operatively coupled to the controller for providing conductivity information relating at least a mixture of the concentrate and dilution material, the controller operatively controlling the dispensing of concentrate and dilution material to maintain the conductivity of the mixture within at least one of a predetermined conductivity level and a predetermined conductivity range. 5. A method for controlling dispensing of a beverage, the method comprising the steps of: providing a controllable concentrate dispensing assembly; providing a controllable dilution material dispensing assembly; providing a controller operatively connected to the concentrate dispensing assembly and the dilution material dispensing assembly; providing a mixing chamber for receiving the concentrate and the dilution material; providing a conductivity detector; positioning the conductivity detecting means in a horizontal orientation in the mixing chamber; initiating dispensing of a beverage by sending a signal to the controller; controllably dispensing the dilution material from the dilution material delivering means to the mixing chamber; dispensing the concentrate from the concentrate delivering means to the mixing chamber; mixing the concentrate and dilution material in the mixing chamber to produce the beverage; pooling the concentrate and dilution material prior to dispensing in an area proximate to at least a portion of the conductivity detecting means; detecting the conductivity of the beverage at a horizontal location in the mixing chamber prior to dispensing; and controllably adjusting at least one of the concentrate and dilution material when the conductivity is not at least one of a predetermined level and range. 6. A system for controllably dispensing beverages and maintaining a beverage dispensed thereby within a desired conductivity range, the system comprising: means for delivering concentrate; means for delivering dilution material; a mixing chamber for receiving and combining the concentrate and the dilution material; a controller operatively coupled to and operatively controlling the concentrate delivering means and the dilution material delivering means; means for detecting conductivity including at least two conductive probes; orienting the at least two conductive probes in a horizontally spaced apart orientation in the mixing chamber for detecting conductivity at a horizontal location in the mixing chamber; and the conductivity means being operatively coupled to the controller for providing conductivity information relating to at least a mixture of the concentrate and dilution material, the controller operatively controlling the dispensing of the concentrate and dilution material to maintain the conductivity of the mixture in a desired conductivity range.