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 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.

Abstract: A beverage concentrate container includes an integrally connected piston pump as a concentrate dosing unit. The container and piston pump are insertable into rigid support within a beverage dispenser cabinet for mechanical interconnection with a drive mechanism for the pump. The container and pump combination (syrup package) are fabricated from materials which are disposable.

Abstract: In a post-mix beverage dispenser a heat conducting plate assembly couples the bottom wall of a carbonator tank to the side walls of beverage concentrate storage tanks for the bi-directional transfer of heat therebetween. The cold temperature of the carbonator tank including an ice bank therein chills the concentrate to help achieve a suitable serving temperature of a finished drink. The higher temperature of the concentrate helps warm the bottom area of the carbonator tank in the region of an outlet opening to preclude freezing of carbonated water in the outlet opening.

Abstract: The water supply pump for a carbonator of a post-mix beverage dispenser is provided with a differential pressure valve which, when the pump is in operation and there is a pressure difference that is below the normal delivery pressure drop between the pump intake and discharge sides, opens a vent valve located on the pump discharge side.

Abstract: An apparatus for the metered dispensing of beverage concentrate includes a storage container with a discharge opening and a dosing chamber assembly attached to the discharge opening. The dosing chamber assembly includes a chamber housing with an input opening communicating with the discharge opening of the container, an output opening and a sliding control valve displaceable in the chamber to alternately open and close the input and output openings of the chamber housing. The container includes an outer rigid shell and a flexible foil bag therein which varies in volume with pressure changes therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for the metered dispensing of beverage concentrate includes a storage container with a discharge opening and a dosing chamber assembly attached to the discharge opening. The dosing chamber assembly includes a chamber housing with an input opening communicating with the discharge opening of the container, an output opening and a sliding control valve displaceable in the chamber to alternately open and close the input and output openings of the chamber housing. The container includes an outer rigid shell and a flexible foil bag therein which varies in volume with pressure changes therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling the contents of a vessel in which refrigerant is passed through pipelines placed as a coil alongside the outer wall of the vessel, the pipelines in the areas of the starting end and of the finishing end of the coil are fastened upon the vessel by clamping elements and laid under tensile stress alongside the vessel.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for regulating the filling and refilling of containers with liquids, such as a carbonator vessel, and comprises a liquid container and an electronic circuit for reading the liquid level in the container at a single level and generating a level signal corresponding to the liquid level sensed, and in the event the level falls below a predetermined level, causes a flow regulator controlled by a timer to provide a refilling with an overshoot so as to permit the liquid level to rise to a second predetermined level above the first predetermined level so that the volume of the head space and pressure within the container is held substantially constant.

Abstract: An electromagnetic assembly including an electromagnetic coil wound on a core of ferromagnetically conductive material. A temperature protection circuit includes a fuse which breaks when the electromagnetic assembly becomes overheated. The fuse is thermally coupled to pole pieces of the assembly and is in electrical circuit with the coil.

Abstract: Electromagnet system for influencing a dipper armature forms part of a closing unit. A solenoid coil with a U-shaped magnetic core for influencing a dipper armature is mounted on a cylindrical core and has on each end a flat pole piece, each of which is connected to the cylindrical core so as to be connected mechanically and conduct magnetically. The U-shaped magnetic flux element of the electromagnet system is mounted with its two pole pieces on support bars of the recipient housing. Stop lugs are mounted on the field spool and are locked in position with appropriately shaped parts of the recipient housing.

Abstract: A circulation pump system in a storage vessel for liquids, more particularly in a carbonizing tank of a beverage dispenser in which soda water, a mixture of CO.sub.2 gas and fresh water, is chilled and stored under pressure for withdrawal via an outlet connection. The circulation pump is mounted directly above the discharge port of the storage vessel so that the small amount of heat released by the circulation pump is utilized to keep the outlet opening free of ice.

Abstract: A piston system is used as a pressure-independent flow-volume-regulating valve in which the piston divides the piston chamber into two sections which communicate with one another via a flow-throttling zone and, dependent upon pressures applied which are opposed on the piston by restoring forces, affects control orifices. The restoring force for the piston is guided over a compensating member for temperature-dependent expansions.

Abstract: A water-carbonation system having a pressurized tank which is preferably cooled, a water supply and a CO.sub.2 gas supply. The CO.sub.2 gas supply has a pressure-reducing valve assembly in the supply line. The valve of this assembly is maintained in a closed position by the gas pressure in the tank. However, when this pressure falls below a predetermined limit, the valve will move to an open position to vent the tank to the atmosphere. A signal may be used in conjunction with the valve to notify an operator of the drop in pressure. The valve may also be manually operated to vent the tank. This water-carbonation system can be used in beverage dispensers in which the carbonized water is mixed with beverage concentrates to prepare a beverage that is ready for consumption.

Abstract: A circuit for the control of a refrigeration circuit for at least two refrigeration areas such as the carbonated water supply and beverage concentrate chamber of a beverage dispenser. Priority cooling of one area is achieved by use of a combinational logic circuit in conjunction with refrigeration-requirement sensors so that the CO.sub.2 water supply will be cooled first regardless of a requirement for the cooling of the concentrate chamber.

Abstract: An easy to use system for connecting a bottle-type, gas containing pressurized vessel to a gas-withdrawal unit includes a valve assembly mounted on the pressurized vessel. A longitudinal axis of this valve assembly is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pressurized vessel resulting in an offset outlet design. The system also includes a housing with slotted links for guiding and holding the pressurized vessel as well as a centering device located in front of the gas-withdrawal unit for aiding alignment of an outlet of the valve assembly with an inlet port of the gas-withdrawal unit. A pivot lever is also provided to press and hold the outlet of the valve assembly gastight against the inlet port of the control unit.

Abstract: Metering valve, including a substantially vertically-disposed tubular housing, the housing having an upper and a lower end, the lower end of the housing having a valve seat formed thereon and an outlet opening formed therein, a cap being integral with the upper end of the housing and having an impact surface formed thereon, a substantially tubular ram being axially liftable by a magnetic force field in the housing, the ram having an upper and a lower end, the lower end of the ram having a sealing cone formed thereon and the ram having drainage ports formed therein in vicinity of the sealing cone, the drainage ports being operable to leak fluid below the ram when the ram is lifted, the upper end of the ram being operable to adjoin the impact surface of the cap when the ram is lifted, and the valve seat having at least one selectively operable air inlet formed therein being associated with the outlet opening.

Abstract: Container assembly for beverage concentrates, including a container having an opening formed therein, a carrier disposed in the opening, a membrane-type seal disposed in the opening sealing the carrier to the container, a reusable measuring device having an end section for attachment to the container at the opening, at least one tab projecting from the end section for punching through the seal, and at least one barbed hook disposed on the at least one tab being solidly snappable-in on the carrier when attaching the measuring device to the container at the opening, the measuring device being detachable from the container after being attached exclusively by pulling the carrier from the opening.