Beverage dispensing machine

Abstract

An attachment unit removably engaged on the open top of the supply tank of a beverage dispensing machine and operating to mix together metered quantities of powdered beverage concentrate and water and to deliver a resulting beverage into the tank when the liquid level in the tank lowers to a predetermined low level and until the level rises to a predetermined high level. The unit includes a housing with a support flange engaged on the rim of the tank, a concentrate hopper within the housing and having a downwardly opening discharge duct, an auger in the hopper, an electric motor rotating the auger to move concentrate to the duct, a mixing chamber between and communicating with said duct and supply tank, a water service system, an elongate nozzle connected with the system and opening into the chamber, an electrically operated on and off valve and a valving device between and connected with said system and nozzle and controlling the flow of water to and through the nozzle, a liquid level sensing device depending from the housing into the tank and including low and high liquid level responsive switching devices, a control circuit connected with and between said motor, valve and switching devices to energize the motor and actuate the valve open when the low liquid level responsive switching device operates in response to low liquid level in the tank and to deenergize the motor and actuate the valve closed when the high liquid level responsive switching device operates in response to high liquid level in the tank.