METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR METERING BEVERAGE CONCENTRATES

摘要

A method and apparatus for the automatic dosing of a beverage concentrate in a beverage vending machine, wherein a reservoir (1) containing the concentrate to be dosed is connected to the passive section of a diaphragm pump, the latter section comprising a resilient appendix (3) for holding liquid provided with a first non-return valve (7) opening into the interior of the appendix (3) and a second non-return valve (9, 10) opening to its outside. The force exerting section of the diaphragm pump is carried integrally with the body of the vending machine and is shaped so as to tally with and receive the passive section of the pump by simple insertion without requiring disassembly of the force exerting section or distortion of the passive section. The passive section is normally fixedly connected to the reservoir, the latter elements together forming a disposable unit.