AU5424890A - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

AU5424890A – Microprocessor based ratio adjustment and portion control system for postmix beverage dispensing valves
– Google Patents

AU5424890A – Microprocessor based ratio adjustment and portion control system for postmix beverage dispensing valves
– Google Patents
Microprocessor based ratio adjustment and portion control system for postmix beverage dispensing valves

Info

Publication number
AU5424890A

AU5424890A
AU54248/90A
AU5424890A
AU5424890A
AU 5424890 A
AU5424890 A
AU 5424890A
AU 54248/90 A
AU54248/90 A
AU 54248/90A
AU 5424890 A
AU5424890 A
AU 5424890A
AU 5424890 A
AU5424890 A
AU 5424890A
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
syrup
water
ratio
circuit
control
Prior art date
1989-04-03
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Granted

Application number
AU54248/90A
Other versions

AU620243B2
(en

Inventor
George H. Hoover
Roger C. Whigham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Coca Cola Co

Original Assignee
Coca Cola Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1989-04-03
Filing date
1990-04-02
Publication date
1990-11-05

1990-04-02
Application filed by Coca Cola Co
filed
Critical
Coca Cola Co

1990-11-05
Publication of AU5424890A
publication
Critical
patent/AU5424890A/en

1992-02-13
Application granted
granted
Critical

1992-02-13
Publication of AU620243B2
publication
Critical
patent/AU620243B2/en

2010-04-02
Anticipated expiration
legal-status
Critical

Status
Ceased
legal-status
Critical
Current

Links

Espacenet

Global Dossier

Discuss

Classifications

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING

B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught

B67D1/08—Details

B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers

B67D1/1284—Ratio control

B67D1/1295—Ratio defined by setting flow controllers

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING

B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught

B67D1/0015—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components

B67D1/0021—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers

B67D1/0022—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed

B67D1/0034—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component

B67D1/0035—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component the controls being based on the same metering technics

B67D1/0037—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught the beverage being prepared by mixing at least two liquid components the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers the apparatus comprising means for automatically controlling the amount to be dispensed for controlling the amount of each component the controls being based on the same metering technics based on volumetric dosing

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING

B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught

B67D1/08—Details

B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers

B67D1/1202—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed

B67D1/1204—Flow control, e.g. for controlling total amount or mixture ratio of liquids to be dispensed for ratio control purposes

B67D1/1211—Flow rate sensor

B67D1/1218—Flow rate sensor modulating the opening of a valve

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING

B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

B67D2210/00—Indexing scheme relating to aspects and details of apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught or for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes

B67D2210/00028—Constructional details

B67D2210/00081—Constructional details related to bartenders

B67D2210/00091—Bar management means

Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC

Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T137/00—Fluid handling

Y10T137/8593—Systems

Y10T137/86389—Programmer or timer

Y10T137/86397—With independent valve controller

Description

MICROPROCESSOR BASED RATIO ADJUSTMENT AND PORTION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR POSTMIX BEVERAGE DISPENSING VALVES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to postmix beverage dispensing valves and in particular to a microprocessor based unit for attachment to such valves for providing ratio adjustment, portion control, and a reminder to check the ratio.
Previously, multi-chambered cups have been used to measure the ratio of syrup to water in a postmix beverage dispensing system. These multi-chambered cups are normally used in connection with a common, well-known syrup separator such as the syrup separator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,446 to Liolios et al. A form of this multi-chambered cup is shown as syrup graduate 142 in Fig. 8 of the Liolios et al patent.
In the multi-chambered cup graduates of the type disclosed in the Liolios et al patent, a separate graduate must be provided for each syrup ratio. The syrup is adjusted to the correct ratio by adjusting the dispensing nozzle until the water and syrup levels are equal. One disadvantage of this system is the need to provide a different graduate for each water/syrup ratio.
This problem was corrected in another type of prior art graduate, also of the multi-chambered cup type, which has ratio graduations imprinted on one fluid chamber into which syrup is disposed and a water-level line imprinted on the other fluid chamber into which water is dispensed. Thus, the operator could fill the water chamber to a predetermined level and then read the water/syrup ratio from one of a series of syrup ratio graduations which corresponds to the level of the syrup in the syrup chamber. One problem with this type of system is that it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the measurement. Also, it is difficult for the operator to turn off the water and syrup at precisely the proper moment to align the water level with the water-level line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved system for adjusting ratio in postmix beverage

dispensing valves, and which will also serve as the portion control and will additionally remind the operator to check the ratio.
It is another object to provide an easy way to adjust the ratio.
It is a further object to adjust ratio without the need to first install a syrup separator.
It is a still further object to adjust ratio without reducing flow rate and to accurately set the flow rate at the same time.
It is another object to adjust ratio without wasting syrup.
It is a still further object to adjust ratio using only one volume cup for all ratios.
These and other objects of this invention are achieved by use of a microprocessor based unit that can be attached to a postmix beverage dispensing valve either as OEM equipment or as a retrofit. The unit can fit inside the valve cover and can operate on the 24VAC commonly available in fountain-dispensers. It can be retrofit on existing valves and performs the three functions of: portion control, a reminder to check ratio, and as an easy way to adjust the ratio.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description below when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a.partly broken-away perspective view of a standard postmix valve showing the unit of this invention installed thereon;
Fig. 2 is an electrical schematic of the circuit used in the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a-plan view of the circuit board used in this invention; and
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 1 , and 8 are a flow chart of the software program used in this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, the system of this invention includes an electrical control 10 that can fit inside of a valve cover 12 of a postmix beverage dispensing valve 14. The valve 14 includes a water circuit 16, a syrup circuit 18, a water solenoid 20, a syrup solenoid 22, water and syrup flow controls 24 and 26, respectively, small, medium, large, extra large, and pour/cancel buttons 28, 30, 32, 31 and 33 respectively, and a nozzle 34.
The control 10 is a microprocessor based device which obtains its operating power from the 24VAC which is commonly available in fountain dispensers. It can be retrofit on existing valves, such as a fast flow valve and will perform the three functions of portion control, reminder to check ratio, and ratio adjustment.
The control 10 serves at the portion control for the valve 14. Its operation as a portion control is identical to the operation of known portion control devices currently available with the following features: a. Portion sizes (dispensing times) are taught to a controller 36 by getting into the program mode and dispensing a correct size drink; b. The portion control can be taught to perform a timed, top-off routine.
The control 10 reminds the operator every one or two weeks to check the ratio. A timer 38, called the “prompt timer,” is implemented in the software of the control microprocessor U2. It runs as long as power is connected to the unit. Every fifteen minutes the “prompt timer” stores its current value in the non-volatile memory of the microprocessor U2. When a power failure occurs, the value in the “prompt timer” itself is lost. When power is restored, the “prompt timer” begins timing from the last value that was stored in the non-volatile memory.
When the control 10 is installed, switch #4 on DIP switch #SW3 is set in the ON position if the customer wants to be prompted every week to check the ratio. If the customer wants to be prompted every two weeks to check the ratio, switch #4 on DIP

switch #SW3 is set in the OFF position. The “calibrate” light D3 which is visible to the operator at the location 40 shown in Fig. 1 on the front panel of the valve cover 12, is turned on by the microproceεy~pr U2 and buffer U1A, when the “prompt timer” value is greater than on week or two weeks depending upon the ]setting of switch #4 on DIP switch #SW3.
The microprocessor U2 turns off the “calibrate” light and resets the “prompt timer” when the operator performs a ratio check as described below.
The control 10 provides an easy way to adjust the ratio of the dispensing valve 14.
When the operator presses the “Small” button 28 (or SW6), the large button 32 (or SW8), and the “Pour/Cancel” button 33 (or SW1) simultaneously, the control 10 goes into the “Check Ratio Mode.”
While in the “Check Ratio Mode,” if the operator presses the “Small” button 28, the microprocessor U2 will turn on the syrup solenoid valve 22 for a calculated period that should allow two ounces of syrup to be delivered through the nozzle 34. The operator can measure the actual syrup dispensed into cup 42 and adjust the syrup flow control 26 accordingly so that two ounces are delivered.
When the large button 32 is pressed, while in the “Check Ratio Mode,” the microprocessor U2 will turn on the water solenoid 20 for a calculated period of time that should allow ten ounces of water to be delivered. The operator can measure the actual water dispensed in cup 42 and adjust the water flow control 24 accordingly so that ten ounces of water are delivered.
The calculated time to turn on the water and syrup solenoids is based on the desired flow xate and the desired mixture ratio. The formula is:
• seconds to dispense 2 ounces of syrup = 2 (Ratio +1)
Flowrate
• seconds to dispense 10 ounces of water = 10 Ratio +1)
Ratio x Flowrate
Where Ratio = desired volume ratio of water to syrup Flowrate = desired drink flow rate in ounce per second

The desired ratio is set by the operator at installation with switches 1 through 4 on DIP switch SW4. When switch 1 is ON and switches 2, 3, and 4 are OFF, the ratio is set for 4.75:1. When switch 2 is ON and switches 1, 2 and 4 are OFF, the ratio is set for 5:1. When switch 3 is ON and switches 1, 2, and 4 are -OFF, the ratio is set to 5.25:1. When switch 4 is ON and switches 1, 2, and 3 are OFF, the ratio is set for 5.5:1.
The desired flow rate is set by the operator at installation with switches 1 through 3 on DIP switch SW3. When switch 1 is ON and switches 2 and 3 are OFF, the flow rate is set for 2 ounce/ second. When switch 2 is ON and switches 1 and 3 are OFF, the flow rate is set to 2.5 ounce/second. When switch 3 is ON and switches 1 and 2 are OFF, the flow rate is set for 3 ounce/second.
When both the water and syrup have been checked, the prompt timer is reset.
Using this method to adjust the ratio and flow rate has several advantages over the conventional method. For example, it is not necessary to install a syrup separator to check the ratio. The use of such a separator can change the valve’s behavior causing inaccurate adjustment.
Also, the flow rate is accurately set at the same time as the ratio.
In addition, syrup isn’t wasted while the water flow is being adjusted.
Also, only one volume cup is needed for all ratios.
Fig. 2 shows the microprocessor U2, the five operating buttons on the front panel of the valve cover 12, namely, the pour/cancel button 33(SW1), the large button 32 (SW8), the medium button 30(SW7), the small button 28 (SW6), and the extra large button 31 (SW5).
Fig. 2 also shows the water and syrup solenoids 20 and 22, respectively.
The circuit of Fig. 2 operates as follows: Twenty four volts AC is provided to diodes D5, D6, D7 and D8 which act as a full wave bridge rectifier providing approximately 35 UDC to capacitor C3 which filters the pulsating DC.

Integrated circuit U3 regulates the 35 UDC to 5 UDC which is the logic supply voltage to the circuit.
Diodes D4 and D9, resistor RIO, and capacitor C8 are used to hold the reset line low on the microprocessor U2 until the 5U logic supply is within tolerance.
The microprocessor U2 scans switches SWl through SW8 for inputs. The microprocessor controls the value solenoids through buffers UIF and UID which drive opto isolators U4 and U5 respectively. Opto isolators U4 and U5 control triacs 2 and l, respectively, which control power to the syrup and water solenoids. The microprocessor also controls indicator lights Dl through D3 through buffers UIC, UIB, and UIA respectively.
Fig. 3 shows the component side of the circuit board 44 which is located inside the front panel of the valve cover 12 as shows in Fig. 1. The circuit board includes all of the components shown on the schematic diagram (Fig. 2) except push button switches SWl, SW8, SW7, SW6, and SW5 which are located on the front of valve cover 12.
The operation of the control system of the present invention can best be understood by reference to Figs. 4-8 which are a flow chart of the control system. Referring to Figs. 4-8.
Fig. 4 shows the main program which scans the keyboard and monitors the prompt timer. Once a key is pressed control is transferred to another sheet depending upon the key that is pressed.
Fig. 5 describes the operation of the unit when the Pour/Cancel button SWl is used to pour a drink. Once the Pour/Cancel button SWl is released control is transferred back to the Main program in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 describes the operation of the unit when a Small, SW6, Medium, SW7, Large, SW8, or Extra Large, SW5, switch has been pressed. In this mode, the unit turns the solenoids on for a preprogrammed time. The solenoids will be turned off after the preprogrammed time has elapsed or after the Pour/Cancel button has been pushed. In both cases control is transferred back to the main program in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 describes the operation of the unit in the brix check mode. This mode is used to adjust the ratio or brix of the valve. Control as transferred to this module from the main program in Fig. 4 when the Small, Large, and Pour/Cancel buttons are pressed simultaneously. Control is transferred back to the Main program in Fig. 4 when the Pour/Cancel button is pushed or when there has been no operator activity for 15 seconds.
Fig. 8 describes the operation of the unit in the portion set mode. This mode is used to set the programmed pour times for each portion size. Control is transferred to this program module from the main program in Fig. 4 when the program button is pushed. Control is returned to the main program when the program button is pushed again or when 5 seconds has elapsed without operator action.
While the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described above in detail, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (1)

What is claimed is:

1. In a postmix beverage dispensing valve including a valve body, a valve cover including a front panel, a water circuit through said body, a syrup circuit through said body, a Iwater solenoid controlling flow through the water circuit, a syrup solenoid controlling flow through the syrup circuit, an adjustable water flow control, an adjustable syrup flow control, a plurality of cup size selection buttons and a Pour/Cancel button on said front panel, and a nozzle for dispensing a beverage mixture of syrup and water, the improvement comprising:
(a) a control system for easily adjusting the ratio of water to syrup;
(b) said control system including a microprocessor based control circuit mounted inside said cover;
(c) said circuit including:
(i) means for dispensing water for a predetermined period of time, and (ii) means for dispensing syrup for a predetermined period of time; and
(d) a volume measuring cup having a water level mark and a syrup level mark, whereby the water and syrup flow controls can be adjusted if the dispensed water and syrup volumes do not identically match said marks.

AU54248/90A
1989-04-03
1990-04-02
Microprocessor based ratio adjustment and portion control system for postmix beverage dispensing valves

Ceased

AU620243B2
(en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

US332644

1989-04-03

US07/332,644

US5062555A
(en)

1989-04-03
1989-04-03
Microprocessor based ratio adjustment and portion control system for postmix beverage dispensing valves

Publications (2)

Publication Number
Publication Date

AU5424890A
true

AU5424890A
(en)

1990-11-05

AU620243B2

AU620243B2
(en)

1992-02-13

Family
ID=23299181
Family Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

AU54248/90A
Ceased

AU620243B2
(en)

1989-04-03
1990-04-02
Microprocessor based ratio adjustment and portion control system for postmix beverage dispensing valves

Country Status (10)

Country
Link

US
(1)

US5062555A
(en)

EP
(1)

EP0417268B1
(en)

JP
(1)

JPH03505564A
(en)

AU
(1)

AU620243B2
(en)

BR
(1)

BR9006282A
(en)

CA
(1)

CA2029890A1
(en)

DE
(1)

DE69005749T2
(en)

ES
(1)

ES2048488T3
(en)

PH
(1)

PH27139A
(en)

WO
(1)

WO1990011962A1
(en)

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1994-04-04
1997-02-11
Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
Fixed-quantity drink vending machine

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(en)

1994-05-13
1995-10-03
Eaton Corporation
Automatic beverage dispenser

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(en)

1995-05-09
2000-11-21
Capmatic Ltd.
Apparatus for sequentially dispensing flowable materials

JP3627407B2
(en)

1996-11-11
2005-03-09
富士電機リテイルシステムズ株式会社

Beverage dispenser

US5960997A
(en)

1997-08-12
1999-10-05
Multiplex Company, Inc.
Beverage dispensing apparatus

US7077290B2
(en)

2002-05-17
2006-07-18
Pepsico, Inc.
Beverage forming and dispensing system

WO2012145649A1
(en)

2011-04-22
2012-10-26
Pepsico, Inc.
Beverage dispensing system with social media capabilities

US9218704B2
(en)

2011-11-01
2015-12-22
Pepsico, Inc.
Dispensing system and user interface

MX2017002096A
(en)

2014-08-15
2017-08-14
Flow Control LLC
Automatic fill control technique.

US11702331B2
(en)

2019-05-03
2023-07-18
Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
Beverage dispensing machines with dispensing valves

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(en)

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1961-05-02
Bastian Blessing Co
Soda fountain beverage dispenser

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(en)

1971-08-26
1974-07-16
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Means for automatically dispensing preselected volumes of a beverage

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1971-11-18
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1978-11-24
1981-08-11
Thomas Ronald C
Beverage dispensing and metering apparatus

US4293008A
(en)

1979-12-10
1981-10-06
The Coca-Cola Company
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1981-01-19
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(en)

1986-07-18
1990-10-30
The Coca-Cola Company
Beverage dispenser system using volumetric ratio control device

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(en)

1987-10-29
1990-11-22
Coca-Cola Company, The
Beverage dispensing system

1989

1989-04-03
US
US07/332,644
patent/US5062555A/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1990

1990-03-24
PH
PH40294A
patent/PH27139A/en
unknown

1990-04-02
AU
AU54248/90A
patent/AU620243B2/en
not_active
Ceased

1990-04-02
ES
ES90906561T
patent/ES2048488T3/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1990-04-02
WO
PCT/US1990/001741
patent/WO1990011962A1/en
active
IP Right Grant

1990-04-02
EP
EP90906561A
patent/EP0417268B1/en
not_active
Expired – Lifetime

1990-04-02
JP
JP2506141A
patent/JPH03505564A/en
active
Pending

1990-04-02
DE
DE69005749T
patent/DE69005749T2/en
not_active
Expired – Fee Related

1990-04-02
BR
BR909006282A
patent/BR9006282A/en
unknown

1990-04-02
CA
CA002029890A
patent/CA2029890A1/en
not_active
Abandoned

Also Published As

Publication number
Publication date

AU620243B2
(en)

1992-02-13

PH27139A
(en)

1993-03-16

DE69005749T2
(en)

1994-07-21

EP0417268A1
(en)

1991-03-20

EP0417268B1
(en)

1994-01-05

US5062555A
(en)

1991-11-05

ES2048488T3
(en)

1994-03-16

JPH03505564A
(en)

1991-12-05

WO1990011962A1
(en)

1990-10-18

DE69005749D1
(en)

1994-02-17

CA2029890A1
(en)

1990-10-04

BR9006282A
(en)

1991-08-06

Contact information