Multiple brand ice beverage dispenser

Abstract

A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages includes a touch panel assembly, removable fittings in a carbonator, a carbonator probe, and a carbonator pump assembly removable from a front of the beverage dispenser. The touch panel assembly includes a light source for backlighting a user interface and providing the dispenser with a visual presence. Electrode traces in the touch panel assembly detect interruptions in electrode fields and are accepted as user inputs for dispensing a beverage. A controller conducts the lighting, dispensing, and reconfiguring operations for the flavor selection areas on the user interface. The touch panel assembly further includes provisions for increasing a user interface area to increase visibility of a particular flavor, as well as bonus flavors on a beverage dispenser. The removable fittings each include an orifice for entry of water to be carbonated into the carbonator. The carbonator probe is a single wire probe with timed refill.

1 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A carbonator, comprising:
 a carbonator tank;
 a probe assembly, the probe assembly including a probe and a probe body; and 
   a controller in communication with the probe body and the probe, wherein the controller takes resistive measurements between the probe and the probe body at predetermined intervals, and further wherein the controller refills the carbonator tank responsive to a predetermined sequence.   
     
     
         58 . The carbonator of  claim 57 , wherein the time required to refill the carbonator tank is five point four seconds. 
     
     
         59 . The probe of  claim 57 , wherein the probe assembly further includes a guide tube to locate the probe during use. 
     
     
         60 . The carbonator of  claim 59 , wherein the guide tube includes drain/fill ports to minimize uneven draining when submerged. 
     
     
         61 . The carbonator according to  claim 57 , wherein the predetermined sequence includes three successive readings indicative of a gas in the carbonator tank. 
     
     
         62 - 69 . (canceled)