Abstract: Apparatus for mixing fresh water with CO.sub.2 gas to produce carbonated water in a cooled storage tank, includes a space located along the wall of the storage tank adjacent the cooling coils of a cooling system where water flow is partially or fully impeded so that ice can crystallize during the formation of an ice bank in the storage tank. In one configuration, the space is provided by a small section of open pipe mounted on the storage tank wall in the area of the cooling coils. Another configuration includes an apertured structure of rectangular cross section located on the tank wall. Still another configuration consists of an outward projection of a section of the wall of the storage tank which extends between two cooling coils, with an apertured plate covering this projection. Such a space can also be realized by a roughened wall section surface in the immediate vicinity of the cooling coils.

Abstract: Carbonator apparatus used in connection with a postmix beverage dispenser system includes a water delivery branching circuit for the water fed under pressure from a fresh water source and which is used to fill a storage tank for carbonated water produced therein and to supply fresh water to a recirculating type of fresh water cooling structure which includes a water circulating coil located in the bottom of the storage tank and/or a water channel guide located on the outside of the storage tank. The branching system selectively enables fresh water to be fed into a carbonator storage tank where the water is blended with CO.sub.2 gas or is guided around it while being cooled without being carbonated so that either cooled carbonated water or non-carbonated water is delivered to a mixing station along with a drink concentrate.

Abstract: Apparatus including a circulating pump inside a carbonator tank which blends CO.sub.2 with still water and which is started and stopped for predetermined time periods in repetitive cycles having an on/off ratio ranging between 1:10 and 1:20. A timing circuit controls the operating and non operating times of the circulating pump so that sufficient carbonation of the water with CO.sub.2 gas is achieved along with the formation of an ice bank on the cooled wall of the storage tank. During intervening periods when the circulating pump is not operating, the carbonated water arranges itself in layers according to its density so that the relatively warmer water sinks while the colder water together with any ice particles or small pieces of ice floating therein join together, becoming fixed to the ice bank in the upper portion of the carbonator.

Abstract: Apparatus which accelerates the cooling of the stored water cooled in the storage tank after a refilling operation so that it corresponds to the temperature that is normally reached after a relatively long water storage period. The apparatus includes a carbonator tank having at least one spray opening in the water feed line leading into the head-space region of the carbonator storage tank and where the spay opening is directed to the side walls of the tank in the vicinity of an ice bank formed on an upper inner wall surface thereof. An additional spray opening is oriented so that it points directly at the water surface and by a relatively simple valving arrangement both downward and/or lateral sprays can be implemented.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage preparation and dispensing unit includes a carbonator tank coupled to a feed water branching circuit. The branching circuit selectively feeds fresh water from a pressurized fresh water source to the storage tank where the water is mixed with CO.sub.2 gas and is fed to a concentrate mixing station or it feeds fresh water through a heat exchanger which is coupled to the cooled carbonated water of the carbonator tank to cool a supply of fresh water which is then delivered to the same mixing station along with the proper concentrate of the proper amount. A selected beverage is delivered to a dispensing station and can either be a carbonated beverage or a non-carbonated beverage depending on the desire of the consumer.

Abstract: A carbonator having a cooling system which is controlled by a controller responsive to input signals generated by an ambient temperature sensor, an ice thickness sensor and a water level sensor. After an initial ice build up following first turn-on of the system and depending on the ambient temperature sensed by the temperature sensor, the cooling system will turn on for a predetermined ON period followed by a predetermined OFF period. These ON and OFF periods are variable as a function of ambient temperature as sensed by the temperature sensor and will recycle in absence of any carbonated water removed. If, however, water removal takes place, the OFF period is interrupted and system turn-on will occur the next time a signal from the ice sensor is received and the ON and OFF cycle as determined by the system controller will resume unless it is again interrupted by another water removal signal from the water level sensor.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a cooking surface preferably having a plurality of cooking locations. A cooktop frame to be inserted into a kitchen work counter surrounds the cooking surface and has a frame leg protruding above the cooking surface. The frame leg has an outer leg surface extending downward in the inserted position of the cooktop. Control devices for the cooking locations are disposed at least on the frame leg. The control devices include at least one operating device disposed on the outer leg surface of the frame leg.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a horizontal cooking surface having boundary sides and preferably a plurality of cooking locations. A narrow control surface is disposed at an angle relative to the cooking surface along at least one of the boundary sides of the cooking surface. The control surface slopes upwardly, is oriented toward the cooking surface and directly adjoins the cooking surface in a flush manner, at least substantially seamlessly. Operating and/or indicator devices and at least one heating element are provided for the at least one cooking location. A cooktop frame supports the cooking and control surfaces, the at least one heating element, and the operating and/or indicator devices.

Abstract: In a post-mix beverage dispenser system including beverage concentrate containers and a storage tank for the supply of diluent through an electromagnetically actuated valve, the beverage concentrate is provided to the mixing station in a series of individual pulsed portions by a reciprocating piston pump coupled to the containers for the beverage concentrate. An electromechanical control circuit is also provided for rhythmically opening and closing the electromagnetic valve for a pulsed supply of diluent in synchronism with the pulsed delivery of the beverage concentrate for providing a mixture of precise proportions.

Abstract: A water-conducting household appliance includes a liquid container having a static content level, a fill control device, a cycle control unit, an inflow valve to be opened by the cycle control unit and closed by at least one of the fill control device and the cycle control unit, an evacuation pump, a switch having a switching position in which the switch turns on the evacuation pump and selectably closes the inflow valve, and a chamber hydraulically communicating with the liquid container and having an opening for the entry of water. A safety device for the appliance includes a safety level switch device having a float disposed in the chamber, the float having a switching position in which the float acts upon the switch, and the float having a position of repose in which the float is kept at a distance above the static content level and in which the float acts upon the switch to switch off the evacuation pump.

Abstract: In an appliance having a relatively low voltage control section controlling one or more AC power loads through switch devices such as triacs, the triacs are gated sequentially within each half cycle such that the peak load on the low voltage control circuitry caused by gating the plural triacs is equal to the load created by gating only a single triac. Distribution of the gating of plural triacs is accomplished through the use of a timing circuit or microprocessor, or RC timing circuits having differing time constants.

Abstract: A flow-control valve especially for gasified liquids, for dispensing portions of carbonated water from a storage container for mixing with beverage concentrates in a beverage-vending machine comprises a valve housing, the interior of which broadens from an inlet opening to a chamber in which a membrane with an orifice is arranged orthogonally to the direction of the inflowing water. Water flowing into the chamber passes through the orifice in the membrane and displaces the latter toward a pin which is arranged on the opposite side of the membrane to the inlet opening adjacent to the orifice.

Abstract: An assembly for regulating the flow of liquid includes a housing made of a first, second and third housing part. The housing parts being placed immediately following one another in the flow direction. The second of three housing parts constitutes a component of a discharge shutoff valve and a component of a flow regulating valve into which a flow-through conduit is integrated between the discharge shutoff valve and the flow regulating valve immediately following it in the flow direction. The assembly includes no freely moving parts and is distinguished by a compact construction.

Abstract: The storage tank for providing liquids to a unit further processing these liquids comprises in its bottom area a plug-in connection for a drawing unit, and in the area of this elastically designed plug-in connection, a pivot bearing is placed offset to the centroidal axis of the storage tank and relative to the centroidal axis, an elastic block with an evaluating element is placed relative to the pivot bearing.

Abstract: A dosing unit for concentrate in a post-mix beverage dispenser is described which includes an enclosed cylinder space, and a pump piston with a bore running parallel with the axis. A control piston which is in contact with the input side shutoff of the cylinder space is disposed within and movable longitudinally of the bore in the pump piston. The control piston includes an intake opening, and in contact with the pump piston, forms an outlet opening, where the intake and the outlet openings are alternately opened or closed through axial movement of the control piston with respect to the cylinder space and the pump piston. The control piston movement is restricted with respect to the accelerator piston and constrained by axial impact points, so that an axial movement forced upon the control piston causes an impulse in both directions to open or close the intake or the outlet openings, after which by carry-over of the particular impact, the pump piston is moved axially the same distance.

Abstract: For enhanced cooling power in a beverage vending machine the compressor is arranged in a recess of the apparatus housing, and the condenser in the form of a coil-shaped tube, is arranged in a convection shaft connected to the recess. One wall of the shaft is formed by the rear wall of the housing. Inside the shaft the tube coil of the condenser is disposed diagonally upwards in the direction of the rear wall of the apparatus housing.

Abstract: A carbonator tank in a post-mix beverage dispenser is provided with an electrically powered circulating pump. The pump is mounted in an opening in the bottom of the tank and includes a flow-through channel for dispensing carbonated liquid from the tank through the housing of the pump. The tank includes a cooling coil for forming an ice bank around the interior walls. The heat generated by the pump motor precludes the freezing of the carbonated water in the flow-through channel.

Abstract: An assembly, especially for a beverage-vending machine with a container for the storing, cooling and carbonating of water including two measuring electrodes arranged in the container at differing horizontal and vertical distances from an electrically conductive inner wall of the container connected to ground, one of these in the area of the ice layer under formation. The measuring electrodes obtain resistance values for the ice and/or water that arise between the electrode and the inner wall of the container. In order to cool the water independently from its physical-chemical composition, potentials corresponding to the resistances are derived and are supplied to a differential amplifier. Depending on a size comparison of the two resistance values, a cooling apparatus that affects the contents of the container is switched on or off.