Patent ID: 6685059
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: A47J,B67D

Abstract:
A beverage dispensing apparatus, comprising:a dispensing device; a reservoir containing concentrate; a concentrate pump distributing the concentrate; a sensor that detects when the concentrate in said reservoir is depleted, said concentrate pump drawing the concentrate from said reservoir through said sensor; at least one valve distributing diluent; a hot water tank; a heating source in said hot water tank that heats water in said hot water tank as a diluent, said at least one diluent valve distributing hot water from said hot water tank; an air ejector assembly that removes air from hot water distributed by said at least one diluent valve; and a controller that (a) controls said at least one diluent valve and said concentrate pump to respectively control distribution of diluent and the concentrate, (b) controls said sensor to detect when the concentrate in said reservoir is depleted, and (c) controls said heating source to heat the water in said hot water tank, wherein said at least one diluent valve and said concentrate pump distribute the diluent and concentrate, respectively, into said dispensing device to form a mixture that is dispensed from said dispensing device.