Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing a flavored beverage. The apparatus comprises a hopper adapted to hold a common base powder and having a hopper outlet, the hopper being operative to dispense the base powder via the hopper outlet in accordance with a powder dispense signal, and a water dispenser having a water outlet, the water dispenser being operative to dispense water via the water outlet in accordance with a water dispense signal. The apparatus further comprises a flavor dispensing unit adapted to store a plurality of supplies of flavoring syrups, the flavor dispensing unit being operative to dispense via at least one flavor dispensing outlet at least one of the flavoring syrups in accordance with a respective one of a plurality of flavor dispense signals. A mixing unit is adapted to receive and admix base powder from the hopper outlet, water from the water outlet, and the at least one of the flavoring syrups from the at least one flavor dispensing outlet to produce the flavored beverage. Also, the apparatus comprises a control unit operative to produce the powder dispense signal, the water dispense signal, and the plurality of flavor dispense signals in response to user actuation indicative of a selected beverage flavor and a desired beverage volume. The control unit is operative to generate the water dispense signal in accordance with the desired beverage volume, to generate the powder dispense signal in accordance with at least the desired beverage volume, and to generate the at least one flavor dispense signal in accordance with both the desired beverage volume and the selected beverage flavor.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/671,615 to Bertone, filed on Sep. 29, 2003, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/164,571 to Bertone, filed on Jun. 10, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/629,449 to Bertone, filed on Jul. 31, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,120. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for dispensing beverages constituted from hot water, powder and flavouring syrups. More particularly, the invention relates to automated dispensing apparatus to produce a hot beverage, such as hot chocolate, hot cappuccino, hot powdered teas and the like, from a heated water supply, a base powder and a flavouring syrup selected from one or more of a plurality of syrups.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0003]     Heretofore, hot beverages such as hot cappuccino and hot chocolate have been typically dispensed from automated dispensing apparatus having a product container, a boiler to heat water, a solenoid dispense valve, and a mixing system. Where the drink is a hot drink product, the flavouring product is typically a powder. Consequently, the powdered drink constituent, for example cappuccino, is maintained within a product hopper container. Where a variety of flavours are dispensed from the apparatus, a corresponding product hopper container is utilized for each flavour variety. When the product is to be dispensed, an activation button is depressed and the selected powder is dispensed from its hopper container into the mixing system. At the same time, a hot water solenoid valve opens to allow the entry of hot water into the mixing system. The powdered flavour, for example cappuccino, is mixed with the water and dispensed through the mixing system. As each of the available flavouring powders is maintained in a separate hopper, there are consequently several hoppers required to provide for the choice of drinks available from the dispenser. Thus, with the aforementioned dispensing systems available in the market today, the flavouring powders, for example, the cappuccino powders are pre-flavoured with a variety of flavourings. For example, providing a French vanilla cappuccino flavour requires French vanilla cappuccino powder and an associated product hopper container; an amaretto cappuccino flavour would be dispensed from the amaretto cappuccino powder product hopper container; and an Irish cream cappuccino flavour would be dispensed from the Irish cream cappuccino powder product container and so forth. An example of the type of multi-flavour beverage dispensers available is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,553 to Ford which provides a powdered beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus having three powdered flavour product hoppers each with associated mixing and dispensing apparatus.  
         [0004]     Where the operator desires to offer a variety of flavours, generally three flavours are made available. Providing a multi-flavour dispenser capable of dispensing three flavours is considered the maximum number of flavours that can conveniently be dispensed from a multi-flavour dispenser. For multi-flavour dispensers, a three-flavour dispenser has become a standard multi-flavour dispense product offering in the industry. The reason that the industry standard has been limited to three flavours, is that to add an additional new flavoured cappuccino to the machine, the dispenser will become bigger and wider. For example, the average hot drink or cappuccino dispensers available are approximately 14″ wide. For a single flavour dispenser, a large product hopper container is provided which provides the greatest possible number of drinks dispensable without requiring refilling servicing. When a multi-flavour product dispenser is provided, multiple product hopper containers are provided with a consequent decrease in the storage volume available to any one product. Thus, when the variety of product flavours available increases to three, the product hopper size for each individual product flavour is decreased. Consequently, the dispenser apparatus must be refilled more frequently to refill each of the smaller product hopper containers as they become emptied, unless, of course, the identical number of drinks of each flavour is dispensed.  
         [0005]     To provide additional flavours beyond three requires the operator to purchase an additional unit to hold additional product hopper containers and associated equipment including an additional dispense valve, additional mixing system—in essence, a second dispenser apparatus. However, in the food service industry, counter space is a valuable commodity. Therefore, the operators are not inclined to add any additional flavours to support extra drink flavouring choice beyond three because the equipment to provide extra choices beyond three would take up too much additional counter space. Put another way, the incremental increase in returns from providing an extra flavour is not justified by the added revenues obtained from the use of additional counter space. As a result, the operator has turned away some customers who may appreciate alternate flavours because it wouldn&#39;t be worth the extra expense of taking up additional counter space.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with a broad aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for dispensing a flavored beverage. The apparatus comprises a hopper adapted to hold a common base powder and having a hopper outlet, the hopper being operative to dispense the base powder via the hopper outlet in accordance with a powder dispense signal, and a water dispenser having a water outlet, the water dispenser being operative to dispense water via the water outlet in accordance with a water dispense signal. The apparatus further comprises a flavor dispensing unit adapted to store a plurality of supplies of flavoring syrups, the flavor dispensing unit being operative to dispense via at least one flavor dispensing outlet at least one of the flavoring syrups in accordance with a respective one of a plurality of flavor dispense signals. A mixing unit is adapted to receive and admix base powder from the hopper outlet, water from the water outlet, and the at least one of the flavoring syrups from the at least one flavor dispensing outlet to produce the flavored beverage. Also, the apparatus comprises a control unit operative to produce the powder dispense signal, the water dispense signal, and the plurality of flavor dispense signals in response to user actuation indicative of a selected beverage flavor and a desired beverage volume. The control unit is operative to generate the water dispense signal in accordance with the desired beverage volume, to generate the powder dispense signal in accordance with at least the desired beverage volume, and to generate the at least one flavor dispense signal in accordance with both the desired beverage volume and the selected beverage flavor.  
         [0007]     In accordance with another broad aspect, the invention provides a method of producing a flavored beverage. The method comprises the step of receiving user actuation indicative of a selected beverage flavor and a desired beverage volume. The method further comprises using a dispenser apparatus to produce the flavored beverage by performing the steps of: i) supplying water in an amount dependent on the desired beverage volume; ii) supplying a base powder in an amount dependent on at least the desired beverage volume; iii) supplying at least one flavoring syrup from at least one of a plurality of flavoring syrup supplies in an amount dependent on the desired beverage volume and in a distribution corresponding to the selected beverage flavor; and iv) admixing the base powder, the water, and the at least one flavoring syrup to produce the flavored beverage.  
         [0008]     A detailed description of embodiments of the invention will now be provided with reference to the attached drawings in which like reference numerals have been used for like features of the embodiments throughout the various figures of the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectioned side view of a multi-flavoured hot drink dispenser in accordance with a specific example of implementation of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  without the front door.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the mixer apparatus of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectioned view of a flavouring dispenser nozzle in accordance with a specific example of implementation of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the flavouring dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the flavouring dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectioned view of an alternate embodiment of a flavouring dispenser nozzle.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the flavouring dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the flavouring dispenser nozzle of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view in partial cross section of an alternate embodiment of a multi-flavoured hot drink dispenser.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a flavour supply system for use with a multi-flavoured hot drink dispenser.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12A  is an elevation view of the flavour supply system of  FIG. 12 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the dispenser shown without a front door and providing an integrated additive liquid flavour supply.  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of the additive liquid flavour cradle portion of  FIG. 13  in which the liquid additive pouches are placed.  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged perspective view of the liquid additive system in accordance with a first variant, one control has been included for simplicity, the side wall of the liquid additive chamber has been removed in order to view the liquid additive source of supply and supply pouch cradle  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is a close up side view of a second variant of the liquid additive system, depicting multiple liquid additive controls and lines coupled to an inline manifold of the hot water supply.  
         [0026]      FIG. 17  is an enlarged perspective view of the liquid additive system in accordance with the second variant of  FIG. 16 , one control has been included for simplicity, the side wall of the liquid additive chamber has been removed in order to view the liquid additive source of supply and supply pouch cradle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 18  is a schematic view of an additive line with a first variant.  
         [0028]      FIG. 19  is a schematic view of an additive line with a second variant. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a partial cross-sectioned side view of a multi-flavoured hot drink dispenser constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The dispenser is generally depicted by reference numeral  10  and uses a base powder dispensing system comprising a hopper  12  to hold a base powder. Typically, the base powder will be an unflavoured base powder and the flavour of the hot drink that will be produced will be provided by a flavouring syrup. It will be understood, however, that the base powder may also be a hot chocolate drink powder that is further flavoured by a selected flavouring syrup. The hopper  12  has been cross-sectioned in this view to show internal components. Hopper  12  contains an auger drive  14  which is activated by auger motor  16  to dispense powder out of the powder dispensing nozzle or hopper dispenser outlet  18 . Auger motor  16  is controlled and powered by main control board  20 . Main control board  20  is electrically coupled to a keypad  80 , the backside of which is visible at  22  on the inside of the door  24  of the dispenser. Contained within hopper  12  are agitators  13  that rotate when auger  14  is activated such as to cause the powder contained within the hopper  12  to become loose and free and available for pickup by auger  14 .  
         [0030]     The length of time during which auger  14  will be driven by the auger motor  16  depends on the type and size of drink selected by the user via the keypad  80 . The auger  14  controls the amount of base powder that will be dispensed and will depend on the size of drink selected and the type of beverage product flavouring. The amount of base powder dispensed may be pre-set to yield the optimal consistency and taste of the hot drink product dispensed. The amount of base powder dispensed by auger  14  can be varied for each and every one of the drink selections the user makes.  
         [0031]     Both the base powder and water enter a mixing system where they are mixed and blended together. The mixing system may include a vacuum funnel  34  which is attached to a blower system  38 . The blower system  38  is employed to extract any powder particles that may be dispersed into the air as the powder is dispensed from the hopper dispenser outlet  18  into the mixing system. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the vacuum funnel  34  is connected to a vacuum discharge line  36 . Vacuum discharge line  36  may be a flexible tubing which extends between vacuum funnel  34  and blower  38 . When activated, blower  38  draws air from vacuum funnel  34  and expels that air via tube  36  and blower  38  outward from the mixing apparatus through a discharge outlet and generally in the direction of arrow  40 . Thus the vacuum system is activated to extract any powder particles that may be dispersed into the air as the powder is dispensed from the hopper dispenser outlet  18  and expel such powder particles from the dispenser  10  through the discharge outlet.  
         [0032]     The dispenser  10  also includes a hot water dispensing system which is provided to reconstitute the base powder drink constituent. The hot water system comprises a boiler  42  to hold and provide a means for heating the water. The boiler  42  has been shown in sectioned view in  FIG. 1  to better illustrate its construction. A heater control  44  senses the temperature of the water and controls the energization of the heating elements  46  which are submersed in the water. A fresh water supply  48  is connected to a source of pressurized domestic water. Water flow into boiler  42  is controlled by means of a level sensing valve  50  that maintains the water level within boiler  42 . The boiler  42  includes a dispense valve  52  which is controlled by control board  20  and includes a solenoid means to activate dispense valve  52  to open and close the water supply between boiler  42  and the hot water dispense line  54 . Hot water dispense line  54  is connected to mixing funnel  32  whereby when dispense valve  52  is opened, hot water is dispensed into mixing funnel  32  where it will flow into whipping chamber  30  to be mixed with the base powder dispensed thereinto from hopper dispenser outlet  18 . The duration and, therefore, the amount of water dispensed by dispensing valve  52  is controlled by main control board  20  and will vary depending on the size of the beverage which the user has selected by depressing a selection key on the keypad  80  on the exterior of the front door  24 .  
         [0033]     When the base powder is dispensed from hopper  12 , whipper motor  26  is also activated causing whipper blade  28  to rotate within whipping chamber  30 . Whipping chamber  30  has been shown in cross-sectioned form to show whipper blade  28 . The base powder emanating from the powder hopper dispenser outlet  18  falls into the mixing funnel  32  where it passes therethrough into whipping chamber  30 . Both the base powder and the hot water entering into the mixing system, which is comprised of mixing funnel  32 , whipping chamber  30  and, in the present embodiment, vacuum funnel  34 , come into mixing contact therein to enable the hot water and the base powder to intermix thoroughly. The mixing funnel  32  and whipping chamber  30  may be constructed from a plastic material as, preferably, is the whipping blade of whipper  28 . Thus, the dispensing of a hot beverage by depressing a button on keypad  80  will result in the simultaneous activation of dispensing valve  52 , auger motor  16 , whipper motor  26  and blower  38 . The associated control lines extending to and from control board  20  and the electrical apparatus under its control are shown in  FIG. 1  for clarity. Also controlled by control board  20  is the flavouring system, one flavour of which is shown by way of example in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0034]     The apparatus of the flavouring system uses a liquid flavouring syrup contained within flavour containers, such as a flavour container  56 . Flavour container  56  is in communication with a pump system  58  via supply line  60 . When activated by control line  62 , the liquid flavour syrup from the flavour container  56  is dosed into discharge line  64  where it is transported to be dispensed with the hot drink emanating from discharge nozzle  66  of the dispenser. As will be appreciated, the flavour discharge line  64  will be filled with the flavouring syrup when the dispenser  10  is set up and in use. Therefore, the quantity of flavouring syrup discharged by pump system  58  into one end of discharge line  64  will cause a corresponding amount of flavouring syrup to be discharged from the flavour discharge line  64  at the dispenser nozzle. In this way, the exact dosage or metering of the flavouring syrup into the drink dispensed is controlled. Flavour lines  64  pass through the frontal portion of dispenser  10  where they are supplied to the dispensing system of the dispenser.  
         [0035]     In the arrangement of the flavour system shown in  FIG. 1 , the flavour pump system  58  and associated flavour syrup containers  56  are disposed below counter  68 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, other suitable locations for the flavour syrup containers  56  and pump system  58  remote from the dispenser  10  can be used as well. For example, on a wall  70  behind the dispenser  10  or within the interior of the door  24  of the dispenser  10 . Another embodiment of a flavour dispensing system that is wall mounted will be explained in more detail with reference to  FIG. 12 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a hot drink dispenser  10 . The dispenser  10  has a front door  78 , which is shown in the closed position in  FIG. 2 . Located on the front door  78  is a keypad  80  which includes a plurality of keys  82  which are user actuable to initiate dispensing of a hot drink from the dispenser  10 . The selected drink is requested by depressing one of the keys  82  located within the keypad  80 . The keypad  80  provides separate keys to enable the user to select the desired beverage. The keys  82  enable the user to select what size, for example, small, medium or large, and what flavour drink the user wishes to be dispensed. The keypad  80  is in communication with the main control board  20  by means of a control line  84  shown for example in  FIG. 1 . The keypad  80  can include a display  86  to provide information to the user like, for example, any messages that the control board  20  is programmed to display. The keypad  80  can also be used as a means to program the control board  20  by providing a keyed lock or setup key sequence. When the key sequence is depressed, the control board  20  is placed in programming mode, for example, to set drink parameters such as hot water amount, base powder amount, flavouring amount and so forth.  
         [0037]     Based on the drink selection made by the user as indicated by depressing a selected key of keypad  80 , the user selection is communicated to control board  20 . Control board  20  then initiates a dispense sequence to control the operation of dispenser  10 . The control sequence includes determining and dispensing the quantity of base powder to dispense for the selected beverage, the quantity of water that is required for the selection and the type and quantity of flavouring syrup required for the selection. The control can be effected by control board  20  based on a portion controlled basis. That is to say, when the user depresses a key  82  to make a selection, the control board  20  doses out the hot drink ingredients to produce a hot drink of the size and flavour selected by the user. Alternately, the keys  82  of keypad  80  can be adapted to dispense a drink on a push and hold basis. That is to say, the selected drink flavour will be dispensed for as long as the user depresses the selected key  82  of keypad  80 . In either event, the drink is dispensed into a cup  88 . In this specific embodiment, cup  88  rests on a drip tray  90  adapted to support the cup  88  and provide a catch basin for any overflow.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the drink dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the front door removed for clarity. Hopper  12  extends to substantially occupy all of the upper interior space of the dispenser  10  allowing hopper  12  to hold as generous a supply of base powder as the dimensions of dispenser  10  permit. As there is only one large hopper  12  in the dispenser  10 , the maximum amount of base powder practicable for a given dimensioned dispenser  10  is facilitated, consequently reducing the frequency of the need to refill powder into the dispenser  10 . Also shown in the figure are flavour lines  64  that pass through the frontal portion of dispenser  10  where they are supplied to the dispensing system of the dispenser.  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a close up view of the dispenser in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention. The dispenser has a flavouring dispenser nozzle  92  which attaches to the dispenser nozzle exit  66  of the whipping chamber  30 . Flavouring dispenser nozzle  92  has a plurality of flavour supply ports  94  extending from and in communication with the main discharge passage formed by the main body of the flavouring dispenser nozzle  92 . The flavouring dispenser nozzle  92  is dimensioned to be slidingly, grippingly retained on exit dispensing nozzle  66  of the mixing chamber  30 . The number of flavour supply ports  94  provided on flavouring dispenser nozzle  92  will be determined by the number of flavours which it is desired to be dispensed by the dispenser  10  to which it is fitted. Each flavour syrup arrives at the flavour dispensing nozzle  92  via its associated flavour discharge line  64  and each flavour discharge line  64  passes through the front portion of the dispenser as shown. For example, two flavour lines  64  are shown in  FIG. 3  and four flavour lines  64  are shown in  FIG. 4 . Preferably, the pass through location of flavour line  64  includes a grommet  96  for protection of the flavour line  64 . Hot water is supplied to the dispensing apparatus from the hot water dispenser line  54 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows the flavouring dispenser nozzle  92  in cross-sectioned view for clarity of understanding its nature of construction. The flavouring dispenser nozzle  92  may be constructed from a plastic material. The stems forming flavour supply ports  94 , on the flavour supply port inlet portion  93  extending from the dispenser nozzle  92 , may be tubular and have an outside diameter dimensioned to frictionally engage the inner diameter surface of the flavour discharge lines  64  when coupled thereto. The outlet portion  95  of each flavour supply port  94  is proximal to the outlet of the passage, generally depicted by arrow “A” formed by the main body of the dispenser nozzle  92 . The flavouring dispenser nozzle  92 , or flavouring connector, provides a number of flavour supply ports  94  which stem from the location where the flavouring is supplied to the hot drink before it is dispensed from the dispenser. Thus the flavouring connector port configuration is adapted to present a point of entry for the flavour which will not permit cross-contamination of one flavour with another. The flavouring connector can be with a varied number of stems  93  and corresponding supply ports  94  to enable any practical number of flavour ports to be provided to add the flexibility of providing for additional flavours.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show a top and bottom view respectively of the flavour connector  92  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0042]     While the depiction of the embodiment of the flavour connector  92  shown in  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7  show the flavour supply ports  94  extending into the interior volume of the passage “A”, it will be understood that the body of the connector  92  forming passage “A” may be constructed to provide a smooth circular interior surface shape with the stems  93  extending along the exterior of the connector  92 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is an alternate embodiment of the flavour connector  92  of  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, stems  93  forming the flavour supply ports  94  a positioned proximal to each other in the central region of passage “A” of the flavour connector  92 . In this embodiment, as with the embodiment of  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7 , the discharge or outlet  95  of each flavour supply port  94  is proximal to the exit or discharge of the passage “A” formed by the connector  92  to prevent contamination or cross-mixing of the flavouring syrups from one dispense cycle to the next.  
         [0044]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show a top and bottom view respectively of the flavour connector  92  of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0045]     As will be understood, it is possible to permit a combination of flavours to be supplied to the hot drink to be dispensed. That is, multiple flavours can be mixed into one beverage. For example, should a customer want a French vanilla and Irish cream cappuccino mix, the dispenser apparatus can proportionately add mixes of each of the flavours into the hot drink dispensed to satisfy the customer request.  
         [0046]     The apparatus and control of the present invention permit an operator to purchase a base unit that can include a number of flavours, for example, four flavours. Additional flavours may be added to the system without requiring additional counter space by simply attaching a flavouring dispenser nozzle  92  that is provided with the number of flavour supply ports  94  to accommodate the additional flavours desired. Each flavour will require appropriate supply apparatus including a flavour discharge line  64 , a pump  58 , a supply line  60  and the flavour syrup itself in a flavour container  56 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 11  shows an alternate embodiment of the dispenser  10  which does not have a powder vacuum discharge system. The other elements of the system remain the same. In this embodiment, the flavouring system also includes a pumping system  58  for each flavour syrup  56  that is to be dispensed by the dispenser  10 . When a selection button on the keypad  80  is depressed, the selected flavour for the hot drink to be dispensed is provided to the dispenser  10  by means of the pump system  58 . A plurality of pumps  58  is provided corresponding to the selected plurality of flavouring syrups  56  to be available as flavours for dispenser  10 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 12  shows an alternate embodiment of the apparatus to deliver the flavour syrups to the dispenser. The arrangement of  FIG. 12  provides an elevated location for the flavour syrup containers  56 , only one of which is shown in the figure, to provide sufficient head or distance between the flavour container  56  and the mixing apparatus  28 ,  32 ,  34 , and  66  to permit gravity feed of the flavouring syrup. The flavour supply line  60  leads to an aseptic control valve  72 . Control valve  72  meters the flavouring fluid supplied to the flavour discharge line  64  thereby to control the quantity of flavouring syrup delivered to the dispensing apparatus. In this embodiment of the flavour delivering system, each syrup flavour tube, only one of which  60  is shown in figure, runs through its own independent aseptic valve  72  or pinching mechanism. The valve mechanism  72  can include a normally closed valve, for example, a spring-loaded push-pull solenoid actuated rod  74  and backstop  76  which is shown in enlarged view in  FIG. 12A . The pinch mechanism  72  is used to stop the flow of flavouring syrup to the dispenser apparatus. When the pinch mechanism  72  is at rest, all of the spring load of the solenoid actuated rod  74  is applied to the tubing to close it off from fluid communication between supply line  60  and flavour discharge line  64 . Thus, compression spring  75  forces the rod  74  against the backstop  76  to pinch the tube shut. When the dispenser apparatus is activated in response to the selection made by the user, the solenoid actuated rod  74  will be activated by the control board  20  (of  FIG. 1 ) via control line  62  for a predetermined period of time to allow a metered dose amount of flavouring syrup from the flavour container  56  to enter into flavour discharge line  64 . As the flavour syrup enters the discharge line  64 , it will be drawn by gravity into and toward mixing apparatus  66  to supply a metered dose of flavouring syrup to the drink being dispensed.  
         [0049]     The apparatus of the present invention can also include sensors to monitor the hot drink ingredient supplies. The sensors work in conjunction with the main control board  20 . Thus, the apparatus of the invention serves the needs of the service operators by including apparatus designed to inform a user when the dispenser apparatus is out of any product. The dispenser  10  preferably includes sensors to produce activation enable and activation disable signaling which is used to enable and to prevent the commencement of a product dispense cycle. When activation disable signaling is produced, there is insufficient drink ingredients to produce the selected drink.  
         [0050]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , for the sensor apparatus provided for the base powder, the base powder hopper  12  rests on a weight sensor  104  which is set to a threshold amount to sense when the base powder product has run low. When the low level has been reached, a disable condition is signaled via sensor line  162  to the main control board  20  which causes the main control board  20  to deactivate a dispense cycle for all of the selection keys  82  on key pad  80 . All keys  82  are deactivated since the base powder is used to make all of the beverages that can be selected from the selection keypad  80 . When the weight of the base powder hopper  12  falls below the pre-set threshold, the sensor signaling on line  102  may also cause the main control board  20  to produce a message on the keyboard display  86  to announce to the user that product is not available. On the other hand, when the base powder hopper rests weight sensor  104  with a sufficient weight to exceed the threshold amount, the weight sensor  104  will produce an activation enable signal that causes the main control board to activate a dispense cycle for all of the selection keys  82  on key pad  80 .  
         [0051]     Also, each individual flavouring syrup container  56  is equipped with a sensor mechanism to sense when the flavouring syrup pouch or container is empty. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , each pouch or container  56  is suspended from a weight sensor  100 , which measures the weight of the flavouring syrup container  56 . In the embodiment relying on a weight sensor, when the weight of the flavour container  56  falls below a pre-set threshold, main control board  20  is signaled via sensor line  102  with an activation disable signal. The activation disable sensor signaling on line  102  causes the main control board  20  to produce a message on the keypad display  86  to announce to the user that the selected product is not available. The activation disable sensor signaling on line  102  also causes main control board  20  to de-activate and ignore the corresponding drink selection switch or key  82  depressed by the user on the keypad  80 . Therefore, if a selected flavour syrup is empty, the corresponding beverage cannot be dispensed. On the other hand, when the weight of the flavour container  56  is above the pre-set threshold, main control board  20  is signaled via sensor line  102  with an activation enable signal thereby permitting the unimpeded dispensing operation of the dispenser  10 . Alternatively, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 15-19 , the flavour supply lines include a vacuum switch  126  which measures the pressure in the supply line extending between the flavour pouch  122  and pump  128 . When the flavour pouch  122  is empty, operation of pump  128  will induce a vacuum in the supply line and the main control board  20  will be signaled with a flavour empty signal.  
         [0052]     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , hot beverage dispenser  10  is shown with an open front door  14 . Upon opening the front door  14  the user has access to the base powder hopper  12 , which can be removed, refilled and cleaned. Also evident is, the hot beverage mixing system which comprises the vacuum funnel  34 , the mixing funnel  32  where the hot water is introduced to the powdered beverage, and the whipping funnel  30  where the powder and water are whipped together. The user also gains access to the liquid additive compartment  138 . Housed within the liquid additive compartment  138  are multiple (from 1 to 8 or more) additive pouch cradles  120 . The cradles  120  are designed so that they can easily slide in and out of the flavor compartment  138 . This facilitates the loading of full liquid additive pouches  122  and the discharging of empty liquid additive pouches  122 .  
         [0053]     For the purpose of this embodiment, we are referring to a source of liquid additive as a flexible pouch  122 , which can vary in size and volume. As can be seen in  FIG. 18 , connected to the flexible pouch  122  on one end is a female fitment  124  with guide ridges  125  on each side. The pouch and fitment system facilitate the loading and unloading of pouches because a reusable male fitment  142  connected to the inlet end of the liquid additive tube  134  can easily be inserted and extracted from the female fitment  124  on the flexible pouch  122 . To facilitate the exchanging of pouches  122 , each of the cradles  120  has been designed with an entry slot  140  which is dimensioned to firmly engage the ridges  125  on the female fitment  124  of the pouch cradle  120 . This prevents the fitment  124  from moving in and out of the cradle so that the male fitting  142  can be easily inserted. It is understood that alternate sources of liquid additives can be implemented other than a flexible pouch such as described.  
         [0054]     In operation the user depresses one or more of the switches  82  on door  14  corresponding to the selected flavour drink and the control board  20  regulates the on/off time of the solenoid valve  52 , which opens and allows hot water to flow through the hot water supply line  54 . The control board  20  also regulates when the liquid additive system  150  will be activated, what part will be activated, for how long and in what sequence.  
         [0055]      FIG. 16  depicts an enlarged view of the hot water supply line  54 , the auger motor  16  which drives powder out of the powder hopper/container  12  (not in view). Also in view are the hot water boiler  42  and a side view of the liquid additive compartment  138 . Also in view is the liquid additive system  150  which is made up of a plurality of pumps  128 , vacuum switches  126  and check valves  132 . One pump, vacuum switch and check valve is provided for each corresponding flavour cradle  120  of the liquid additive compartment  138  to supply the selected liquid additive to manifold  136 . For clarity, the tubes connecting valves  132  to manifold  136  have been omitted in this figure.  
         [0056]     Referring to FIGS.  17  to  20 , details of the liquid additive system are shown for each of the corresponding flavour cradles  120 . For each flavour, the liquid additive system  150  comprises a pump  128  in fluid communication with a source of liquid additive  122  by means of an additive outlet/female fitment  124 . The male fitting  142  is connected to the inlet of the additive line  134 . A vacuum switch  126  is mounted perpendicularly to the additive line  134  between the source of liquid additive  122  and a pumping means  128 . The vacuum switch  126  is used to sense when the additive pouch  122  is empty, in which case the vacuum switch  126  activates a signal that is sent back to the main control board  20  which returns a signal to stop operation of the respective pump  36  attached to the empty additive pouch  122 . A signal is also sent to the user via the control board  20  and a flashing light or message is produced on a display screen  17 , informing the operator that the pouch  122  is empty. It is important to note that the vacuum switch  126  represents one means of detecting if the pouch  122  is empty and relaying that fact to the user and that other means to achieve this are plausible. Installed inline with the additive line  134  are an adjustable valve  130  which can be used to regulate flow and a check valve  132  which maintains the system air tight.  
         [0057]     Referring to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , continuing past the check valve  132 , the additive line  134  can be constructed according to two different variants.  
         [0058]     A perspective view of a first variant is depicted in  FIG. 15 , and the schematic view is depicted in  FIG. 18 . From the check valve  132 , the liquid additive line  134  continues through the machines chassis at  144  and is connected to the dispense tip  92 , shown in  FIG. 18 . As is evident in  FIG. 15 , only the components required for one liquid additive have been shown for simplicity. A portion of the additive compartment  138  side wall has been removed in order to view the cradle  120  housing the additive pouch  122 . Normally, the additive system will be made up of multiple additive pouches  122 , cradles  120 , additive lines  134 , pumps  128 , check valves  132 , etc. The multiple additive lines  134  will be connected to an equal number of inlet ports  93  on the dispense tip  92  as shown in  FIGS. 5 through 10  and  FIG. 18 . Therefore, each liquid flavour additive is injected into one main base beverage stream. Due to the nature of the design, the scenario depicted in this variant prevents any cross contamination of liquid additives.  
         [0059]     In operation, the first variant functions as follows. The user depresses the appropriate switch(es)  82  on the keypad  80  on the front door of the apparatus, selecting the beverage type they desire. The control board  20  activates the solenoid valve  52 , which expels water from the hot water boiler  42  through the hot water supply line  54 . The control board  20  also activates the auger motor  16 , which expels powder from the hopper  12  into the mixing system  34 ,  32 ,  30 . The water and powder is expelled at a pre-determined rate pre-programmed into the control board  20 . The water and powder could be expelled for a predetermined amount of time other wise known as PORTION CONTROL, but not necessarily. The alternative is known as FREE FLOW or PUSH AND HOLD, which means that as long as the button is depressed, water and powder are being expelled. (These represent functions involved in the production of the base hot beverage). Under a PORTION CONTROL set up, based on the push button  82  depressed, the respective liquid additive system is activated by the control board  20 . The liquid additive from the pouch  122  is injected into the stream of mixed hot powder beverage via the dispense tip  92 . It is injected at a predetermined time during the base hot beverage production cycle, in order to increase the mixing and eliminate the possibility of cross contamination. In the instance when PUSH AND HOLD is implemented, the liquid additive is pulsed into the base hot beverage stream at dispenser tip  92  in order to attain the proper mix. For example, at a minimum an 8 oz beverage is produced, we can further reduce the beverage production down to one finished ounce of hot beverage which consists of powder, water and liquid additive. Since the base beverage flow rate is predetermined we can inject the required additive for one ounce of finished product. Therefore, if the flow rate is 1 oz/second for every second that the user depresses the button, the system will inject a proportional number of millilitres of liquid additive into the stream of hot water. Due to the fact that the ratio of hot water to liquid additive is very (high approximately 58-1), the time to inject the additive will be in milliseconds. Since the apparatus provides one main base hot beverage line and a plurality of liquid additives, this scenario permits to eliminate cross contamination of liquid additives.  
         [0060]     A perspective view of a second variant is depicted in  FIG. 16 , and the schematic view is depicted in  FIG. 19 . From the check valve  132 , the liquid additive line  134  outlet is connected to an additive manifold  136  through which manifold the hot water supply passes. The manifold is designed with multiple inlet ports  152  equal to the number of liquid additive lines  134 . The manifold  136  is installed inline with the hot water supply line  54  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . Each of the inlet ports  152  is in communication with the water supply line  54 .  
         [0061]     In operation the second variant functions as follows. The user depresses the appropriate switch(es)  82  on the keypad  80  on the front door of the apparatus, selecting the beverage type they desire. The control board  20  activates the solenoid valve  52  which expels water from the hot water boiler  42  through the hot water supply line  54 . The control board  20  also activates the auger motor  16  which expels powder from the hopper  12  into the mixing system  34 ,  32 ,  30 . The water and powder is expelled at a pre-determined rate pre-programmed into the control board  20 . As in the first variant, the water and powder could be expelled for a predetermined amount of time other wise known as PORTION CONTROL, but not necessarily. Alternatively, FREE FLOW or PUSH AND HOLD could also be implemented in the second variant. In the case of variant two under a PORTION CONTROL set up, based on the push button  82  depressed, the respective liquid additive system is activated by the control board  20 . The liquid additive from the pouch  122  is injected through the liquid additive manifold  136  into the stream of hot water flowing through the hot water supply line  54 . In the instance when PUSH AND HOLD is implemented, the liquid additive can be pulsed into the hot water stream at additive manifold  136  in order to attain the proper mix.  
         [0062]     Now that the invention has been described, numerous modifications, substitutions and equivalents will become apparent to those skilled in the art. The scope of the invention is not to be limited by the embodiments disclosed herein but is defined by the claims appended hereto.