Timothy William Bethuy

US Patent:

6449966, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Oct 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/959180

Inventors:

Timothy W. Bethuy - Cedar MN
Douglas P. Goulet - Big Lake MN

Assignee:

IMI Cornelius Inc. - Anoka MN

International Classification:

G01R 2708

US Classification:

62139, 62 59, 324706

Abstract:

An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto Both the operation of the compressor and the water pump are controlled by the microprocessor wherein the programming thereof provides for adequate hysteresis protection so that short cycling of the compressor and water pump is avoided.

US Patent:

6644343, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Sep 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/244905

Inventors:

Timothy W. Bethuy - Cedar MN
Douglas P. Goulet - Big Lake MN

Assignee:

IMI Cornelius Inc. - Anoka MN

International Classification:

F16K 2118

US Classification:

137392, 62188, 73304 R, 236780, 340620

Abstract:

An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto. Both the operation of the compressor and the water pump are controlled by the microprocessor wherein the programming thereof provides for adequate hysteresis protection so that short cycling of the compressor and water pump is avoided.

US Patent:

6807460, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Dec 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/028800

Inventors:

William J. Black - Bethel CT
Timothy W. Bethuy - New Fairfield CT
Jeffrey C. Thon - Appleton WI
Edward G. Beistle - Appleton WI
Andrew D. Nelson - Appleton WI

Assignee:

PepsiCo, Inc. - Purchase NY

International Classification:

G06F 1700

US Classification:

700244, 700241, 700239, 222 23, 222 52, 222 54, 222 71

Abstract:

A beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispenser which forms and dispenses a beverage and a processor for monitoring the beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser operates under various parameters including a first parameter that is indicative of the quality of the beverage to be dispensed and a second parameter that is indicative as to when routine maintenance is to be scheduled. The processor monitors the various parameters under which the beverage dispenser operates and determines whether the first parameter is outside of a predetermined range. If the first parameter is outside the predetermined range, the processor sends a signal regarding a request for immediate repair service. The second parameter is also monitored and the routine maintenance is scheduled based thereon.

US Patent:

6854282, Feb 15, 2005

Filed:

Nov 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/704421

Inventors:

Timothy W. Bethuy - Cedar MN, US
Douglas P. Goulet - Big Lake MN, US

International Classification:

F25C001/00

US Classification:

62138, 2221466

Abstract:

An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto. Both the operation of the compressor and the water pump are controlled by the microprocessor wherein the programming thereof provides for adequate hysteresis protection so that short cycling of the compressor and water pump is avoided.

US Patent:

7077290, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Apr 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/412681

Inventors:

Timothy W. Bethuy - New Fairfield CT, US
William J. Black - Bethel CT, US
Brian T. Cahill - Oak Creek WI, US
Andrew D. Nelson - Appleton WI, US
Peter D. Mehn - Oshkosh WI, US

Assignee:

PepsiCo, Inc. - Purchase NY

International Classification:

B67D 5/56

US Classification:

222 23, 222222, 222 54, 222 59, 2221291

Abstract:

A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure and on information related to the identified concentrate. The valves are controlled so that the concentrate and diluent reach target flow rates. The target flow rates satisfy a target ratio of diluent to concentrate. If the actual flow rates cannot reach the target flow rates, then the target flow rates are modified to satisfy the target ratio. The structure of the concentrate valve is designed to accommodate proportional metering of any one of the various concentrates.

US Patent:

7156259, Jan 2, 2007

Filed:

Sep 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/940142

Inventors:

Timothy W. Bethuy - New Fairfield CT, US
William J. Black - Bethel CT, US
Brian T. Cahill - Oak Creek WI, US
Andrew D. Nelson - Appleton WI, US
Peter D. Mehn - Oshkosh WI, US

Assignee:

Pepsico, Inc. - Purchase NY

International Classification:

B67D 5/08
B67D 5/56

US Classification:

222 57, 222 59, 2221292

Abstract:

A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure and on information related to the identified concentrate. The valves are controlled so that the concentrate and diluent reach target flow rates. The target flow rates satisfy a target ratio of diluent to concentrate. If the actual flow rates cannot reach the target flow rates, then the target flow rates are modified to satisfy the target ratio. The structure of the concentrate valve is designed to accommodate proportional metering of any one of the various concentrates.

US Patent:

7171993, Feb 6, 2007

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/118657

Inventors:

Timothy W. Bethuy - New Fairfield CT, US
Andrew D. Nelson - Appleton WI, US
Gary Blank - Neenah WI, US
Anthony V. Salsich - Appleton WI, US

Assignee:

PepsiCo, Inc. - Purchase NY

International Classification:

B65B 1/30

US Classification:

141198, 141 95, 141360, 141362, 137392, 222641

Abstract:

A beverage dispenser for filling a container preferably has a nozzle through which the beverage is discharged and a pivoting lever located underneath the nozzle that detects the placement of a container so as to regulate the actuation of the dispenser. A conductive probe is in line with the discharged beverage stream, the lever also being conductive. A signal generator generates a varying-over-time signal that is applied to the probe or lever. As a result of beverage overflowing the container, the beverage stream establishes a conductive path between the probe and lever. The signal through this conductive path is compared to the signal produced by the signal generator. If the signals are substantially identical for a select period of time, the dispensing system is considered to be in an overflow state, and beverage dispensing is terminated.

US Patent:

7669737, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Sep 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/235239

Inventors:

Timothy W. Bethuy - New Fairfield CT, US
William J. Black - Bethel CT, US
Brian T. Cahill - Oak Creek WI, US
Ronald Schilling - Waterford WI, US
Paul Novotny - Saint Francis WI, US
Fabio Nebbia - Giarole, IT
Giovanni Perucca - Casale Monferrato, IT

Assignee:

Pepsico, Inc. - Purchase NY

International Classification:

B67D 5/56

US Classification:

2221291, 222132, 222135, 2221445

Abstract:

A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.