METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BEVERAGE BLENDING AND PROPORTIONING

摘要

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for improving quality and increasing syrup yield within a typical beverage proportioning system (50). The invention controls the proportional blending as a function of the mass flow of the components input to the propor- tioner (50). The mass flow determination is made by Coriolis-type mass flow meters (54, 60) positioned within the feed lines (52, 58) for the water and syrup, respec- tively. From this mass flow determination an adjusted volumetric flow value for each component is determined by a master controller (68). The ratio of the calculated volumetric flow of the water to the syrup is used to determine a signal to control the proportional blending. The controller (68) sends a signal to an actuator (70) which adjusts a valve (72) for the water flow into the blending portion of the proportioner (50). The controller (68) also determines the accuracy of the adjustment and the efficiency of the overall blending and proportioning system.