Abstract: A fountain beverage dispenser for constituting a beverage by mixture of a beverage syrup and a diluent for the syrup is characterized by use of a highly concentrated beverage syrup supply and at least one diluent and syrup blending station for diluting the highly concentrated syrup with diluent before the diluted syrup is mixed with diluent in the final mixture of syrup and diluent delivered to a dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A fountain beverage dispenser for constituting a beverage by mixture of a beverage syrup and a diluent for the syrup is characterized by use of a highly concentrated beverage syrup supply and at least one diluent and syrup blending station for diluting the highly concentrated syrup with diluent before the diluted syrup is mixed with diluent in the final mixture of syrup and diluent delivered to a dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A fountain beverage dispenser for constituting a beverage by mixture of a beverage syrup and a diluent for the syrup is characterized by use of a highly concentrated beverage syrup supply and at least one diluent and syrup blending station for diluting the highly concentrated syrup with diluent before the diluted syrup is mixed with diluent in the final mixture of syrup and diluent delivered to a dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A fountain beverage dispensing system is characterized by delivering a beverage base and a diluent for the beverage base to a dispense nozzle, adding one or more of flavors, colors and s additives to the beverage base and diluent to provide a fountain beverage, and delivering the fountain beverage into a cup for service to a customer.

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 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 microprocessor based control system including an electrical unit attached to a postmix beverage dispensing valve for performing the three functions of: portion control, reminding the operator to check the ratio, and adjusting the ratio. The portion control operation can be identical to known portion control devices. The reminder function can turn on a light every two weeks, for example. In the ratio adjusting function, the operator puts a single cup under the valve, pushes "Small" to dispense syrup for a predetermined time period which should result in the dispensing of a predetermined volume of syrup, measures the volume actually dispensed by comparing it to the desired volume, then adjusts the syrup flow control accordingly, and repeats the process until the exact predetermined volume is dispensed, and then repeats the steps for water using the same cup but a different predetermined volume indicia. The flow rate can accurately be set at the same time as the ratio.

Abstract: A microprocessor based control system including an electrical unit attached to a postmix beverage dispensing valve for performing the three functions of: portion control, reminding the operator to check the ratio, and adjusting the ratio. The portion control operation can be identical to known portion control devices. The reminder function can turn on a light every two weeks, for example. In the ratio adjusting function, the operator puts a single cup under the valve, pushes "Small" to dispense syrup for a predetermined time period which should result in the dispensing of a predetermined volume of syrup, measures the exact volume actually dispensed, and then adjusts the syrup flow control accordingly until the exact predetermined volume is dispensed, and repeats the operation for water in the same cup but to a different predetermined volume. The flow rate can accurately be set at the same time as the ratio.

Abstract: A multiflavor beverage dispenser comprises a microprocessor system for controlling the ratio of diluent to concentrate of a post-mix beverage. The system includes a compact flow rate control module for selectively controlling the flow rates of liquids in a plurality of flow passages leading to nozzle assemblies of the dispenser. Each flow rate control module includes a single stepper motor connected to a rotary spool valve for selectively controlling the flow rate of the liquids. The microprocessor system utilizes variable reference signals which are ramped to approximately correspond to the actual flow rate of the liquid towards a target in order to reduce overshoot values of the flow rates. A scaling function is provided by the microprocessor system to adjust target flow rates between pours in order to achieve consistent controlled ratios of the beverage being dispensed.

Abstract: A system for improving carbonation in post-mix beverage dispenser carbonators, including the method of automatically venting the headspace in a carbonator tank to atmosphere at predetermined times and for a predetermined length of time. This system eliminates most of the air from the headspace and provides a significant improvement in carbonating efficiency, in-line carbonation and in cup carbonation.

Abstract: A system for improving carbonation in post-mix beverage dispenser carbonators, including the method of automatically venting the headspace in a carbonator tank to atmosphere at predetermined times and for a predetermined length of time. This system eliminates most of the air from the headspace and provides a significant improvement in carbonating efficiency, in-line carbonation and in cup carbonation.