Beverage proportioner apparatus

A proportioner apparatus for mixing together at least two fluids in controlled, preselected proportions, comprising:

• first and second fluid, inlet reservoirs;
• first and second fluid inlet means coupled respectively for delivering fluids to the first and second reservoirs;
• first and second outlet means coupled respectively with said reservoirs for receiving a flow of fluid therefrom;
• each said inlet means having a control valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough in response to predetermined control signals, and each said reservoir having level sensing means therein for producing said predetermined control signals in accordance with the level of fluid therein;
• orifice-defining means associated with at least one of said outlet means for, together with the level of fluid in the associated reservoir, controlling the rate of flow of fluid through the outlet means;
• a third, outlet reservoir located beneath the first and second reservoirs and an inlet conduit for delivering fluid to said third reservoir and extending thereabove;
• said first and second outlets being coupled together downstream of said at least one orifice-defining means for feeding the respective fluids therefrom into said inlet conduit to be intermixed, and means for preventing stratification of the fluids in said inlet conduit for facilitating the intermixing of fluids therein for delivery to the third reservoir.

A proportioner apparatus for mixing together at least two fluids in controlled, preselected proportions, comprising:

• first and second fluid inlet reservoirs;
• first and second fluid inlet means coupled respectively for delivering fluids to the first and second reservoirs;
• first and second outlet means coupled respectively with said reservoirs for receiving a flow of fluid therefrom;
• each said inlet means having a control valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough in response to predetermined control signals, and each said reservoir having level sensing means therein for producing said predetermined control signals in accordance with the level of fluid therein;
• and orifice-defining means associated with at least one of said outlet means for, together with the level of fluid in the associated reservoir, controlling the rate of flow of fluid through the outlet means, said orifice-defining means comprising a plate-like member having a through orifice of selectable size and mounting means for holding said plate and for removably introducing said plate into the outlet means for restricting the fluid flow therethrough to said through orifice;
• whereby any desired one of a plurality of different flow rates may be achieved by selection and placement in said outlet means of a removable mounting means having a plate with an orifice of a size selected to achieve the desired flow rate;
• wherein at least one of said reservoirs has parallel and spaced top and bottom walls and sidewalls means joining the top and bottom walls;
• said inlet means comprising an inlet conduit extending through said top wall and said outlet means comprising an outlet conduit extending from an outlet opening in said bottom wall;
• said top wall having an opening aligned with said outlet opening for receiving said mounting means;
• said mounting means comprising an elongate member having a transverse member at an upper end thereof relative to said reservoir for suspending said elongate member from said top wall opening, said elongate member being of sufficient length to extend through the reservoir and to said outlet opening, and a plate-carrier member coupled with a lower end of said elongate member for holding said plate and positioning the smae within said outlet means.