SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FROZEN BEVERAGES

摘要

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for making a frozen beverage are disclosed. In the systems, a mixing stage mixes water and syrup to form a mixture. An ingredient flow path upstream the mixing stage feeds the water and syrup to the mixing stage. The ingredient flow path includes at least one ingredient sensor and an adjustable liquid flow control device. A mixture flow path receives the mixture downstream the mixing stage and includes a mixture sensor. An electronic control system is in connected communication with the ingredient sensor, mixture sensor, and adjustable flow control device, stores a target value associated with a brix, and is configured to achieve the target value by adjusting liquid flow through the liquid flow control device based on flow detected by the ingredient and mixture sensors. A freezing stage downstream the mixture flow path at least partially freezes the mixture.

主权项

1. A frozen carbonated beverage making system comprising:
an ingredient flow path that feeds water and syrup to a mixing stage that mixes the water and syrup to form a mixture, the ingredient flow path including (i) at least one ingredient sensor positioned along either a water or syrup flow path that detects a property of the water or syrup and (ii) at least one adjustable liquid flow control device that adjusts liquid flow through the ingredient flow path; a mixture flow path that receives the mixture downstream the mixing stage, the mixture flow path including a mixture sensor that detects a property of the mixture; at least one carbon dioxide flow path that feeds carbon dioxide to the frozen carbonated beverage making system, the at least one carbon dioxide flow path including an adjustable gas pressure controller that detects and regulates the carbon dioxide gas pressure of the system; an electronic control system: (i) in connected communication with the at least one ingredient sensor, mixture sensor, at least one adjustable liquid flow control device, and the adjustable gas pressure controller; (ii) storing target values associated with a brix and a carbonation pressure and; (iii) configured to achieve the target values by adjusting liquid flow through the at least one liquid flow control device based on the property detected by the ingredient and mixture sensors and by adjusting carbonation pressure through the at least one adjustable gas pressure controller; and a freezing stage downstream the mixing stage.