Abstract: An automatic ratio control system for a single or multiflavor post-mix beverage dispensing valve of a beverage dispenser including a flow meter in each syrup and water conduit, a temperature sensor in each syrup conduit, an adjustable flow control in each syrup and water conduit, an automatic flow control adjuster, and an electronic control system including a microprocessor and appropriate software for adjusting a particular flow control when a measured flow rate falls outside of a range of preferred flow rates.

Abstract: A low cost, multiflavor, compact, versatile, convertible beverage dispenser that can be installed in any one of several different orientations so as to be able to fit in almost any available space. This dispenser can operate frontways or sideways and has a dispense module that is separable from a refrigeration module and that can go on top of a counter while the refrigeration module goes below. This dispenser can be used with either figals or bag-in-box and can be easily modified to dispense different numbers of beverages. When used with bag-in-box the dispenser includes built-in syrup pumps. The dispenser can also be used with a separate, additional narrower dispense module, when the built-in dispense module is too wide for a particular installation.

Abstract: A postmix valve for a beverage dispenser, including a volumetric ratio control device incorporated therein to provide positive ratio control. The device includes a syrup piston and a soda piston linked together, syrup and soda chambers, and valve means for controlling the flow to and from the chambers. The soda pressure drives the pistons. The valve means preferably includes four solenoid valves for the water circuit and four one-way valves and a pressure regulator for the syrup circuit. The valve includes means for varying the total flow rate of the beverage being dispensed.

Abstract: A postmix beverage dispenser valve including a fluidic oscillator flowmeter in conjunction with a master controller and a flow control valve such as a proportional solenoid. The frequency of the syrup oscillations in the fluidic oscillator is linearly related to the syrup velocity and thus to the volume flow rate. Various sensors can be used to detect the fluid oscillations with the preferred one being a piezo electric film transducer having a protective coating and used with a flex cavity in the conduit wall. A pressure compensation device can be used to isolate the solenoid armature from varying syrup pressures.

Abstract: A frontal separator method and apparatus for separating particles from fluids, such as microorganisms from juice, and for providing a sample of juice having a concentrated number of microorganisms therein for ease of detection thereof, comprising a hollow, rotatable, perforated, cylindrical rotor mounted inside of a spaced-apart outer case with an annular separation chamber therebetween. The fluid with particles to be separated therefrom is fed into the separation chamber, the fluid flows through the holes in the rotor and exits through an outlet port while the particles exit from a waste port of the separation chamber. The outer casing preferably also rotates with the rotor, and the holes, which have a diameter substantially greater than that of the particles, are preferably at an angle to a radius of the rotor.

Abstract: A tamper evident device for use on a soft drink syrup container (a figal) comprising a one-piece body including a pair of spaced-apart arms with a socket on the distal end of each arm, the socket including internal locking teeth to lock onto a plug of the syrup container. The sockets include fracture zones and must be broken to be removed. A handle portion joins the two arms and includes a large flat upper surface for use in applying a label thereon identifying the syrup in the container.

Abstract: A collapsible bag for use in containing and dispensing a liquid, such as in a bag-in-box arrangement, and a method for making the bag. Prior to sealing together two bag walls to form the bag, a one-piece spout and evacuation strip unit is attached to the outside surface of one bag wall and one or more openings are provided through the bag wall in liquid communication with a plurality of liquid channels in the strip. The two bag walls are then sealed together to form the bag and the evacuation strip provides liquid passageways for the liquid in the bag to flow to the spout to achieve complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag as the bag collapses.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispenser having a single flavor or a multiflavor automatic beverage dispensing valve (faucet) and including a system for preventing the dispensing of a warm casual drink. The automatic dispenser includes an on-board computer having a timer circuit to purge the warm water in the uncooled portion of the water line between the cooling apparatus and the dispensing valve whenever a drink is requested and no drink has been dispensed for a particular period of time. The warm water is purged or drained out for a period of time needed to purge the warm water from the uncooled portion of the water line. In another embodiment, a temperature sensor is included in the water line and the warm water purging terminates when the temperature falls to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser valve system in which the mixture ratio is controlled by continuous modulation of the solenoid valves. The solenoid valves have movable stop means (or push rods) that control the travel of the armature, which in turn controls the position of a needle valve with respect to the valve seat to gradually change the flow opening and thus the syrup and water flow rates. A microprocessor uses the movable stop to adjust the syrup and/or water flow rate to deliver the proper ratio of syrup to water based on the flow of water and syrup as measured by flow meters. In addition, the total flow rate from the nozzle can be controlled and varied in relation to the distance the cup lever arm is depressed; thus, the flow rate can be made slow at the beginning and end, and fast in-between.

Abstract: A piston-sleeve assembly for a flow control for a beverage dispenser in which the piston and sleeve are preferably injection molded. A rolling diaphragm provides a seal between the piston and sleeve. The piston includes flow control pads biased into contact with the sleeve.

Abstract: A post-mix dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser, including a self-contained volumetric ratio control device incorporated therein to provide positive ratio control. The device includes a single piston in a single cylinder, syrup and soda chambers, and self-contained direct acting electrical solenoid valve means for controlling the flow through the volumetric ratio control device and the reciprocating action of the piston. The soda pressure drives the piston. This post-mix dispensing valve can be used with any of a figal, a bag-in-box, a gravity tank, or a non-returnable container under no pressure or under a low pressure of 5 to 10 psig. This invention also includes a non-returnable, pressurizable syrup container.