Abstract: A control for a beverage dispenser monitors operation thereof to sense a beverage sold out condition. The control senses the voltage demand of a pump motor as it pumps the beverage from a source thereof to a dispensing valve. If the sensed voltage is high, that indicates the pump is encountering resistance and fluid is present. Conversely, if the sensed voltage use is low, that is taken to indicate that the pump is not pumping any liquid and that the container is empty. A software routine is used to sense the average current requirements during dispensing and adjust the reference voltage for the normal full reservoir pump current value based on a historical average thereof as indicated by a predetermined number of prior dispense cycles. The control uses the adjusted reference voltage as a base for determining a sold out condition.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method that regulates the size of an ice bank (50) and that prevents short cycling of the compressor (30) therefor and operation thereof at undesired voltages. A microprocessor based control circuit (10) includes a circuit for sensing line voltage (14) combined with an ice bank sensing circuit (18, 20). The ice bank sensing circuit is of the conductivity sensing type wherein the electrical conductivity between two probes (P1, P2) is sensed. The microprocessor (16) continually monitors the probes (P1, P2) to determine if refrigeration is needed or not, and continually senses the line voltage to determine if that voltage is within the design limits of the refrigeration compressor (30). The voltage sensing circuit (14) can also sense if power has been interrupted where the voltage drops to zero.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with an out of syrup detector is described. The detector analyzes the electrical current drawn by a solenoid valve controlling the flow of syrup. Parameters of the current are compared to known parameters indicative of proper back pressure and known parameters indicative of an out of syrup condition.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing system for delivering syrup from a supply reservoir to one or more dispensing stations and to one or more drink dispensing units at each station including a syrup dispensing valve for the syrup in the reservoir. The syrup is adapted to be delivered from the reservoir at the delivery pressure generated by the reservoir pump and which, in light of a pressure drop between the reservoir and dispensing station or stations, may or may not provide a predetermined syrup dispensing pressure required at the dispensing station for dispensing a predetermined quantity of syrup through the dispensing valve to provide the desired syrup to soda water ratio in a dispensed drink.

Abstract: A paint tinting system includes a plurality of colorant dispensing subsystems interconnected with a clear filler dispensing subsystem. Recipes maintained within a microprocessor control the dispensing of fixed volumes of colorant into dispensing tubes with such volumes being maintained between volumes of clear filler. Valve actuation introduces the colorant into a can of base paint, along with sufficient clear filler to assure a full measure of paint is generated. The subsystems provide for recirculation of the colorants and clear filler to assure that the same remain homogenous at the time dispensing is required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a flavoring syrup within a soft drink dispenser are disclosed. Syrup generation tanks receive sugar and water and combine the two to create a saturated solution constituting a sweetening syrup. The sweetening syrup is passed to a dispensing head. A flavoring agent is also presented at the dispensing head, as is a supply of soda or carbonated water. Dispensing of the sweetening syrup, flavoring agent, and soda is controlled by valves associated with each of the ingredients. The brix of the sweetening syrup is determined as a function of the temperature of the sweetening syrup, such brix being determinative of the amount of sweetening syrup dispensed to assure a proper brix level of the resulting drink.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system for a soft drink dispenser employs a microphone adjacent a cup into which ice and soft drink are to be dispensed. The microphone senses sounds made by ice pieces dropping into the cup and converts the sounds to electrical signals. These electrical signals, characteristic of the masses of the pieces of ice dropping into the cup, are tallied during the dispensing cycle and the dispensing cycle is then terminated when the tally reaches a predetermined level, indicating that an appropriate compliment of ice has been dispensed.

Abstract: A syrup dispensing assembly is provided for a soft drink dispenser. This assembly includes a plurality of syrup supply sources in communication with a plurality of syrup pumps. Each of the pumps is interconnected with a common manifold connected at one end to a source of CO.sub.2 gas under pressure, and at the other end by a vacuum pump. Actuation of a valve allows the gas pressure source to pressurize the pumps for dispensing. Closure of that valve and actuation of the vacuum pump allow the pumps to refill with syrup from the syrup supply sources. The system can operate with any of various types of syrup supplies, as well as combinations of such supplies.

Abstract: A soft drink dispenser is provided with a first electrical probe within the syrup dispensing line, and a second electrical probe a fixed distance below the dispensing head. Upon actuation of the syrup dispensing valve, the two probes determine the amount of time required for syrup to pass the distance from the dispensing head to the second probe. This time is a function of flow rate of the syrup and, accordingly, of the brix of the resulting drink. This flow rate can then be adjusted by adjusting the time period that syrup is dispensed, or the pressure head under which the dispensing is achieved, or a restriction within the dispensing line. Such adjustment brings the brix of the soft drink to the desired level.

Abstract: A syrup dispensing system provides dual dispensing lines to a dispensing head and drawn from a single pump. The lines are interconnected by means of a suitable manifold or other connector to allow intercommunication between the two. A single valve is interposed between the connector and the dispensing pump. Each of the dispensing lines extends upwardly to an apex and then downwardly to the dispensing head, with the dispensing head and apex being above the top syrup level of the pump. By venting the pump to atmosphere after termination of a dispensing cycle and then opening the dispensing valve, syrup backflows to the pump and past the respective apexes to prevent unwanted dripping of syrup during quiescent periods of the syrup dispensing system.

Abstract: A carbonation system for a soft drink dispenser in which water is precooled and then introduced into an insulated tank where it is subjected to pressurized carbon dioxide. A pressure transducer monitors the pressure within the tank, with the dispensing of soda from the tank being regulated on a timed basis as a function of such pressure. The tank is periodically emptied and refilled to assure that the soda generated therein is fresh.

Abstract: A syrup dispensing system for use in a soft drink dispenser. Sensors are placed in the syrup dispensing flow path to measure the rate of flow of the syrup at the commencement of a dispensing cycle. In a first embodiment of the invention, a regulatable pressure source is then adjusted during the remainder of the dispensing cycle to assure that a full measure of syrup is dispensed. In another embodiment of the invention, the period of time during which the dispensing valve in open is then modified as a function of the flow rate to assure that a full measure of syrup is dispensed.

Abstract: A soft drink dispenser capable of rapidly dispensing carbonated beverages with minimized foaming action. The syrup and soda are dispensed separate from each other and allowed to mix upon the ice in a cup placed beneath the dispensing head. The dispensing of the syrup and soda is staged to minimize foaming while achieving optimum beverage taste. Syrup is dispensed from individual pumps which communicate with a bulk supply. The syrup is consolidated in the pumps, preventing waste or the introduction of "slugs" into the dispensing line. The temperature of the syrup is monitored and compensation is made during the dispensing cycle to accommodate changes in viscosity. In generating soda, water is precooled and then introduced into an insulated tank where it is subjected to pressurized carbon dioxide. In the pour head, a cluster of soda orifices are peripherally encompassed by syrup orifices, certain of which are angled to cause the syrup to convolute the stream of soda.

Abstract: A soft drink dispenser is provided with an electrical circuit path defined between the syrup and soda streams and the cup receiving the drink. By interrupting the path and then reestablishing it, the level of the reservoir of beverage within the cup can be instantaneously determined and the volume of beverage to then be dispensed to achieve a full measure of beverage within the cup, without overflow, can be attained.

Abstract: A syrup dispensing system in which a pump is actuated at a preset clock rate under a fixed pressure head. The clock rate and pressure head are tailored to accommodate the lowest operating temperature for the system and, accordingly, the thickest syrup. A preset amount of syrup is dispensed on each clock cycle such that a constant rate of syrup flow is attained.

Abstract: A soft drink dispenser capable of rapidly dispensing carbonated beverages with minimized foaming action. The syrup and soda are dispensed separate from each other and allowed to mix upon the ice in a cup placed beneath the dispensing head. The dispensing of the syrup and soda is staged to minimize foaming while achieving optimum beverage taste. Syrup is dispensed from individual pumps which communicate with a bulk supply. The syrup is consolidated in the pumps, preventing waste or the introduction of "slugs" into the dispensing line. The temperature of the syrup is monitored and compensation is made during the dispensing cycle to accommodate changes in viscosity. In generating soda, water is precooled and then introduced into an insulated tank where it is subjected to pressurized carbon dioxide. In the pour head, a cluster of soda orifices are peripherally encompassed by syrup orifices, certain of which are angled to cause the syrup to convolute the stream of soda.

Abstract: A carbonation system employing a pneumatic pump which operates off of a pressurized source of carbon dioxide which is itself employed for the carbonation process. The pneumatic pump serves as both a precarbonation chamber and a reservoir for receiving water from a low pressure source and subsequently transferring precarbonated water to a carbonation tank. Sensors within the pneumatic pump assure that a proper volume of water is maintained within the precarbonation chamber and available for transfer to the tank. Both the pneumatic pump and the carbonation tank operate off of the same supply of pressurized carbon dioxide, but the pressure provided to the tank is slightly less than that presented to the pneumatic pump.

Abstract: A soda system for soft drink dispensers which includes an auxiliary tank adapted for maintaining a reservoir of cold soda for immediate dispensing, which soda is also recarbonated in the auxiliary tank. A recirculating pump passes soda from a carbonation unit sequentially to various dispensing stations for a return to the circulating pump. Interposed in the soda path is an auxiliary tank from which the dispensing of soda is actually made. The auxiliary tank communicates with a source of pressurized carbon dioxide to maintain a head of that gas therein for purposes of recarbonating the soda while providing the pressure head for dispensing the soda. Shunt lines are provided in communication with soda dispensing lines to assure that even the soda within the dispensing lines is recirculated and refreshed.

Abstract: Restaurant guest check or the like, comprising perforations which divide the check into at least three (3) portions. The first portion is for listing items purchased in a first category, such as food, the second portion is for listing items purchased in a second category, such as alcoholic beverages, and the third and smallest portion is for indicating the total price of all items purchased. Also disclosed is a tractor feed sheet comprising tractor feed strips along either side and a plurality of transversely extending weakened portions which divide the sheet into individual blank checks as above described. A patron's printed guest check is generated by computer. Food items are printed in the first portion, alcoholic beverage items in the second portion and the total price in the third portion.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for wine has a first reservoir which holds an inverted bottle of wine and a second reservoir connected to the first reservoir through a check valve for holding a supply of wine received from the first reservoir. A solenoid actuated valve is interposed in a wine dispense line connected to the second reservoir. A source of pressurized nitrogen gas is connected to both the first and second reservoirs for supplying the discharge pressure for dispensing the wine from the second reservoir upon actuation of the solenoid, and for maintaining a nitrogen enriched atmosphere in contact with the wine at all times in the reservoirs to prevent secondary fermentation of the wine in the reservoirs by the oxygen in the air. Nitrogen is supplied automatically to the first reservoir through a demand control valve each time wine is removed from the second reservoir to occupy the space vacated by the dispensed wine.