Title:
CONCENTRATE LEVEL SENSING
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2007070037
Kind Code:
B1
Abstract:
A beverage system includes a pump that draws a set mount of a flavored concentrate into a mixing chamber through a conduit for mixing with water to form a beverage. A sensor detects when the amount of the flavored concentrate in the conduit or in the container is low or out. The sensor includes two wings each including a recessed surface that together defines a circular space. A portion of the conduit is received in the circular space. Each of the wings includes an ultrasonic potion that emits ultrasonic waves that are non-intrusive. When the amount of flavored concentrate in the conduit is low, air bubbles are generated in the flow along the conduit and/or a vacuum is created in the conduit to draw the conduit away from the recessed surface. The ultrasonic waves detect either of these two features, indicating that the amount of the flavored concentrate is low.
Inventors:
MINARD JAMES J (US)
BUSH MARK E (US)
BUSH MARK E (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2005/045129
Publication Date:
August 02, 2007
Filing Date:
December 12, 2005
Export Citation:
Assignee:
CARRIER COMMERICAL REFRIGERATI (US)
MINARD JAMES J (US)
BUSH MARK E (US)
MINARD JAMES J (US)
BUSH MARK E (US)
International Classes:
B67D7/08; B67D7/70; B67D7/74; B67D7/78; B67D7/84
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