Beverage dispenser

Abstract

A mixing valve is shown for mixing a concentrate fluid with a diluent fluid in a desired ratio. A single actuator is used to open and close both the diluent and concentrate flows by operation of a shaft. A diaphragm extends around the shaft and defines fluidly separate upper and lower chambers within a valve body. Inlets to the upper and lower chambers are connected to sources of the concentrate and diluent, respectively. The upper and lower chambers each have outlets fluidly connected to a mixing and dispensing nozzle. The actuator moves the shaft from a fully extended closed position to an intermediate t retracted open position to open the lower chamber outlet to the mixing nozzle to initiate diluent flow. The actuator is then moved to a fully retracted position and then reciprocated between the fully retracted and intermediate retracted position whereby the diaphragm serves to pump the concentrate from the upper chamber to the mixing nozzle. Non-return valves are placed in the inlet and outlet of the upper chamber. The non-return valves allow the concentrate to flow only from the source thereof to the mixing nozzle during the pumping thereof. Flow sensors are placed in each of the concentrate and diluent flows and are connected to an electronic control. The control provides for determining total combined dispensed volume of the diluent and concentrate and stopping dispensing at desired predetermined total volumes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.