Patent ID: 6761284
Filing Date: 2004-07-13
Classification: B67D

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in detecting a level of material in a beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser having a food concentrate hopper formed of material which is at least partially transparent, the apparatus comprising:a controller for controlling operation of at least a portion of a beverage dispenser; a sensor assembly including a light source and a light detector; the light source and light detector being in close proximity to one another, the detector detecting a beam emitted from the source when the beam is reflected; the sensor assembly positioned on an exterior of the hopper in proximity to the external surface of a hopper for transmitting a beam into a wall of a hopper and receiving a signal through the wall; a comparator coupled to the sensor assembly for receiving a signal from the detector; and output from the comparator coupled to the controller for controlling operation of the beverage dispenser.