Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-22
2001-10-09
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S052000, C222S064000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299020
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to dispensing equipment and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a sensor system for a beverage dispenser that reliably detects fluid regardless of the beverage fluid type.
2. Description of the Related Art
Beverage dispensers often operate by combining beverage fluids to form a desired drink, such as lemonade, orange juice, cola, and the like. Typically, a beverage concentrate is combined with a mixing fluid, such as water, to form a desired drink. The beverage dispenser draws each of the beverage fluids from a respective external source.
As such, the desired drink is dispensed from the beverage dispenser through a dispensing valve. Beverage fluid lines are provided by the beverage dispenser to ultimately deliver each beverage fluid from the external source to the dispensing valves.
Beverage dispensers, and in particular juice dispensers, often include a conductivity sensor system for detecting beverage fluids travelling from an external source to respective beverage fluid lines. Inasmuch, if little or a lack of fluid is detected for a particular beverage fluid, the beverage dispenser will indicate that such beverage fluid needs to be sufficiently replenished to thus continue operation.
In many instances, however, a conductivity sensor system is difficult to maintain and does not provide reliable measurements. For example, a conductivity sensor system sensing the amount of beverage concentrate in an external source often furnishes an empty indication although there is beverage concentrate remaining. Furthermore, beverage concentrate for viscous juices such as orange juice often accumulates on a conductivity sensor system's measuring probes such that these probes do not operate properly and require frequent cleaning. Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a beverage dispenser sensor system that reliably detects fluid for any beverage fluid type and that requires little need for maintenance and recalibration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A beverage dispenser sensor system for detecting beverage fluid in a beverage dispenser includes at least a first sensing Unit in engagement with the beverage dispenser for detecting fluid and for generating a first sensing unit measurement signal and a processor linked with the first sensing unit for receiving the first sensing unit measurement signal. The beverage dispenser sensor system further includes an indicator that announces the beverage fluid needs replenishing if the processor assesses from the first sensing unit measurement signal little or a lack of beverage fluid in the beverage dispenser. Furthermore, the beverage dispenser sensor system may include a second sensing unit in engagement with the beverage dispenser for detecting fluid and for generating a second sensing unit measurement signal received by the processor to determine little or a lack of beverage fluid in the beverage dispenser.
The first sensing unit includes a phototransmitter linked with the processor and in engagement with the beverage fluid within the beverage dispenser for emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal through the beverage fluid. The first sensing unit further includes a photodetector linked with the processor and in engagement with the beverage fluid within the beverage dispenser for receiving the electromagnetic radiation signal.
The second sensing unit includes a first electrode and a second electrode each in engagement with beverage fluid within the beverage dispenser and linked with the processor. The first sensing unit further includes an electrolyte, which is the beverage fluid in the beverage dispenser, intermediate the first and second electrodes for establishing a conducting path therebetween.
A method for detecting beverage fluid in a beverage dispenser includes the steps of linking at least a first sensing unit with the beverage dispenser, linking a processor with the first sensing unit, measuring fluid in the beverage dispenser with the first sensing unit, and generating a first sensing unit measurement signal, whereby the signal is received by the processor. Furthermore, the method may include the steps of linking a second sensing unit with the beverage dispenser, linking the processor with the second sensing unit, measuring fluid in the beverage dispenser with the second sensing unit, and generating a second sensing unit measurement signal, whereby the signal is received by the processor. The method further includes the steps of emitting an electromagnetic radiation signal through the beverage fluid with a phototransmitter of the first sensing unit, and capturing the electromagnetic signal with a photodetector, thereby detecting beverage fluid; and establishing a conducting path between first and second electrodes of the second sensing unit via an electrolyte to detect beverage fluid. The method still further includes the step of transmitting the indicator signal from the processor to an indicator linked with the processor, whereby the indicator announces that beverage fluid needs to be replenished if the processor assesses from the indicator signal little or a lack of beverage fluid in the beverage dispenser.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser sensor system that reliably detects fluid for any beverage fluid type and that requires little need for maintenance and recalibration.
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3662924 (1972-05-01), Crandall et al.
patent: 4319568 (1982-03-01), Tregoning
patent: 4503994 (1985-03-01), Pyle
patent: 5852946 (1998-12-01), Cowger
patent: 6112946 (2000-09-01), Bennett et al.
Chadwell Thomas J.
Sudolcan Paul S.
Buechner Patrick
Lancer Partnership Ltd.
Makay Christopher L.
Shaver Kevin
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