Post-mix beverage dispensing system syrup package, valving system, and carbonator therefor

Abstract

A post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing system for use in refrigerated cabinets includes a carbonator having a refillable water reservoir, a CO 2 system coupled to said carbonator, a valving system, and a disposable package for containing and dispensing the syrup of the post-mix beverage at a controlled rate of flow. The water reservoir may be manually refilled from a water pitcher. The CO 2 system includes a cylinder which is also disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and is coupled to the carbonator. The valving system may include a plurality of dispensing valves and mixing nozzles for dispensing different selected beverages depending upon which of the valves is actuated. In addition, carbonated water alone may be dispensed. The disposable syrup package includes a plastic container having a flow rate control tube therein and means in said flow rate control for precluding spillage of syrup when the package temperature becomes elevated from opening and closing the refrigerator door. The disposable syrup packages are adapted for quick insertion into the top of the valving system by inverting the syrup packages and plugging them into a socket in the dispensing valve mechanism.

It is claimed: 
     
       1. A carbonator .Iadd.system .Iaddend.comprising: a refillable water reservoir tank with a removable lid to permit manual refilling thereof;   a carbonator tank disposed within said reservoir tank;   means for pumping water from said reservoir into said carbonator tank;   means for introducing crbon dioxide gas into said carbonator tank;   first liquid level detector means disposed in said reservoir tank for sensing when the water level is therein falls below a predetermined minimum level;   second liquid level detector means disposed in said carbonator tank for sensing when said water level therein falls below a predetermined minimum level; .Iadd.and .Iaddend.   control means responsive to both said first and second liquid level detector means for enabling said means for pumping when said water level in said carbonator tank falls below said predetermined level and disabling said means for pumping when said water level in said reservoir tank falls below said predetermmined level.[.;.]..Iadd.. .Iaddend.   .[.third liquid level detector means disposed in said reservoir tank for sensing when the water level therein falls below a predetermined minimum level; and   control means responsive to said third liquid level detector means for disabling said pump means when water falls below said minimum level..]. .Iadd.   
     
     
       2.  A carbonator system comprising: a refillable water reservoir tank with a removable lid to permit manual refilling thereof;   a carbonator tank operatively connected to said reservoir tank;   means for pumping water from said reservoir tank into said carbonator tank;   first liquid level detector means disposed in said reservoir tank for sensing when the water level therein falls below a predetermined minimum level;   second liquid level detector means disposed in said carbonator tank for sensing when said water level therein falls below a predetermined minimum level; and   control means responsive to both said first and second liquid level detector means for enabling said means for pumping when said water level in said carbonator tank falls below said predetermined level and disabling said means for pumping when said water level in said reservoir tank falls below said predetermined level..Iaddend.