Self-contained beverage proportioner unit
AssigneeKlockner KHS, Inc.
InventorsDerek Deubel, Jay C. Steinbrecher, Peter N. Schultz, Raymond Woo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-contained, modular proportioner unit includes a frame, a water handling assembly supported by the frame, a syrup handling assembly supported by the frame, and a controller supported by the frame. Each of the water handling assembly, the syrup handling assembly, and the controller are mounted in close relationship with one another, thereby minimizing the size of the proportioner unit.
Claims20
A self-contained proportioner unit for use in a beverage blending system including a water source and a syrup source, the self-contained proportioner unit comprising:
- a frame configured to be distinct and separate from the beverage blending system, such that the self-contained proportioner unit can be moved independently of the beverage blending system;
- a water handling assembly supported by the frame and configured to be coupled to the water source;
- a syrup handling assembly supported by the frame and configured to be coupled to the syrup source;
- a controller supported by the frame and operable to control a flow of water through the water handling assembly and a flow of syrup through the syrup handling assembly;
- and
- an outlet fluidly connected to the water handling assembly and the syrup handling assembly and configured to be coupled with the beverage blending system to discharge blended beverage;
- wherein the self-contained proportioner unit blends syrup and water using mass flow metering technology.
A method of bypassing an integral proportioner of a beverage blending system, the integral proportioner communicating at an inlet end with a water supply of the beverage blending system and a syrup supply of the beverage blending system, and the integral proportioner communicating at an outlet end with a product tank of the beverage blending system, the method comprising:
- breaking communication between the integral proportioner and the water supply;
- breaking communication between the integral proportioner and the syrup supply;
- breaking communication between the integral proportioner and the product tank;
- providing a self-contained proportioner unit having a frame configured to remain distinct and separate from the beverage blending system, such that the integral proportioner need not be removed from the beverage blending system;
- providing communication between the self-contained proportioner unit and the water supply, such that water from the water supply bypasses the integral proportioner;
- providing communication between the self-contained proportioner unit and the syrup supply, such that syrup from the syrup supply bypasses the integral proportioner;
- and
- providing communication between the self-contained proportioner unit and the product tank, such that syrup and water blended by the self-contained proportioner unit are directed into the product tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.