Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.

Charles E Bennett

Antonio J Jepson

Richard A Martindale

Juha K Salmela

James M Tuyls

This invention provides a system and a method of mixing and dispensing a beverage from a beverage concentrate. The flow of the beverage concentrate into a mixing device for mixing water with the beverage concentrate is monitored to detect a low flow situation indicating the need to replace the beverage concentrate supply bag. The system automatically controls the flow of mixed beverage out of the mixing device in response to the detected flow of beverage concentrate. In a specific embodiment, a pressure switch is provided to monitor the pressure of the flow of beverage concentrate into the mixing device. When the pressure sensed by the pressure switch falls below a preset minimum pressure, the pressure switch activates a flow regulating device coupled to the outlet of the mixing device to shut off the flow of beverage from the mixing device. This prevents or minimizes the dispensing of beverages of improper mix ratios from the mixing device. After the beverage concentrate supply bag is replaced, the pressure in the flow of concentrate will build. When the pressure switch senses a pressure that rises to or above the preset minimum pressure, it automatically opens the flow regulating device to the flow of beverage out of the mixing device.

Beverage mixing system

This invention provides a system and a method of mixing and dispensing a beverage from a beverage concentrate. A mixing device receives a beverage concentrate and water, and employs a static mixing device to mix the concentrate and water to produce a beverage in a closed system. Flow regulators precisely control the flows of the beverage concentrate and water to achieve the desired mixing ratio. The carbonation system may include a pump for pumping the beverage from the mixing device to a carbonator, a refrigeration unit, a beverage dispenser, or other. A transformer is coupled with the pump and one or more solenoid valves in the mixing device. The transformer receives power from the pump motor to activate the solenoid valves to allow flow of the beverage out of the mixing device only when the pump is powered. When the pump is shut off, the power to the transformer is terminated and the solenoid valves are switched off to stop the flow of the beverage out of the mixing device. Alternatively, a level sensor is used to sense the liquid level in the carbonator tank. A liquid level control is coupled with the level sensor and with the transformer, and sends a signal to the transformer to activate the solenoid valves to flow beverage into the tank when the level sensor senses a liquid level below a preset minimum level. After the liquid level in the tank reaches a sufficient level, the liquid level control shuts off the transformer to stop the flow of beverage out of the mixing device. A sampling port is provided in a bypass line coupled to the beverage conduit in the mixing device to provide real time monitoring of the beverage for consistency and mixing ratio. The flow regulators can be adjusted in real time to achieve and maintain the desired mixing.

Autofill system with improved automixing

A piston is movable to reciprocate in a chamber. The piston has a transfer check valve which permits condiment flow only in a direction from an inlet side of the chamber to an outlet side of the chamber. The inlet side of the chamber includes an inlet coupled to a condiment source. The outlet side of the chamber includes an outlet with an outlet check valve. When the piston is moved from the outlet side to the inlet side of the chamber, the transfer check valve is open to permit condiment flow from the inlet side to the outlet side of the chamber, and the outlet check valve is closed to accumulate condiment therein. Upon accumulation of a desired amount of condiment in the outlet side of the chamber, the piston is moved from the inlet side to the outlet side of the chamber. During that time, the transfer check valve is closed and the outlet check valve is open to dispense the accumulated condiment in the outlet side of the chamber. At the same time, condiment is flowed into inlet side of the chamber. The amount of condiment transferred to the outlet side of the chamber is determined by the piston stroke, and can be controlled to produce a consistent amount for each cycle of accumulating and dispensing condiment. The cycle is repeated to provide dispensing action with simple portion control. The outlet check valve and transfer check valve may be elastomeric check valves.

Portion control dispensing pump

This invention provides a system and a method of economically dispensing hot beverages at precise temperature ranges in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. An on-demand heater is used to heat water to a preset temperature range. The hot water is circulated to a dispensing head and recirculated back to the heater by a recirculation pump to provide a continuous flow of hot water. A supply of beverage concentrate is flowed into the dispensing head by a peristaltic pump. Upon activation of a button, the hot water is flowed into a nozzle of the dispensing head to create a vortex-like flow. The beverage concentrate is injected into the vortex-like flow and mixed with the hot water to form the hot beverage which is dispensed from the dispensing head.

Hot beverage dispensing system

This invention provides a system and a method of economically and efficiently dispensing frozen beverages within a desired range of consistency in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. A sensor is used to monitor the level of the beverage in a container for providing the frozen beverage. The beverage is cooled by a cooling device which has a cooling capacity. A flow regulating device is used to regulate the flow rate of the beverage to the container. A controller is coupled with the sensor and the flow regulating device to regulate the flow rate of the beverage in response to the monitored beverage level and the cooling capacity of the cooling device. When properly tuned to match the cooling capacity of the cooling device with the flow rate of the beverage into the container, the controller maintains the desired consistency of the frozen beverage, while automatically refilling the beverage container to within a desired range of levels.

Autofill system for frozen beverages

The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiment(s) from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a condiment conduit which includes a draw-back valve to prevent condiment buildup on the delivery nozzle. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.

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Sacramento, CA, United States of America

Charles E Bennett