Connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector for use in a beverage dispense system, the connector defining a conduit for connecting a beverage line to a beverage supply. The connector comprises an electrical sensor (e.g. a capacitive sensor) for measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the connector conduit. The electrical parameter and/or changes in the electrical parameter can be used to detect bubbles in the beverage and/or identify the type/brand of beverage.

1 .- 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A connector for use in a beverage dispense system, the connector defining a conduit for connecting a beverage line to a beverage supply, the connector comprising an electrical sensor for measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the connector conduit, wherein the sensor comprises a downstream electrode spaced and electrically insulated from an upstream electrode. 
     
     
         50 . A connector according to  claim 49  wherein the downstream electrode is spaced and electrically insulated from the upstream electrode by an insulating spacer. 
     
     
         51 . A connector according to  claim 49  wherein the sensor is adapted to apply an input voltage and/or current to one of the upstream/downstream electrodes, and comprises a measuring transducer for detecting a resultant electrical signal in the other upstream/downstream electrode to that to which the input current/voltage is applied. 
     
     
         52 . A connector according to  claim 51  wherein the sensor is adapted to apply an input voltage and/or current to the downstream electrode and the measuring transducer is connected to the upstream electrode. 
     
     
         53 . A connector according to  claim 51  wherein the measuring transducer is provided on a PCB, the PCB being mounted within the connector or within a housing on an outside surface of the connector. 
     
     
         54 . A connector according to  claim 49  wherein the sensor comprises a processor operable to generate an output signal for blocking the beverage line when sensor measures a predetermined value/change of the electrical parameter. 
     
     
         55 . A connector according to  claim 49  wherein the electrodes extend into or partly define the connector conduit. 
     
     
         56 . A connector according to  claim 49  wherein the upstream electrode comprises an upstream probe and the downstream electrode comprises a downstream probe, each probe extending from the insulating spacer into the connector conduit. 
     
     
         57 . A connector according to  claim 49  comprising a substantially L-shaped body defining an L-shaped connector conduit wherein the sensor is located at or around an elbow of the L-shaped connector conduit. 
     
     
         58 . A connector according to  claim 57 , wherein one of the upstream or downstream probes extends substantially axially within a first branch of the L-shaped connector conduit, and the other one of the upstream or downstream probes extends perpendicularly across a second branch of the L-shaped connector conduit such that the two probes are parallel. 
     
     
         59 . A connector according to  claim 49  wherein the downstream electrode and upstream electrode each comprise a respective tubular electrode each encircling and defining part of the connector conduit, the upstream tubular electrode being spaced and electrically insulated from the downstream tubular electrode by a tubular insulating spacer encircling and defining the connector conduit between the electrodes. 
     
     
         60 . A connector according to  claim 49  wherein the upstream and downstream electrodes are spaced from one another by at least 8 mm, preferably by at least 10 mm and optimally by around 55 mm. 
     
     
         61 . A beverage dispense system a beverage dispense system comprising a beverage flow path for transporting beverage between a beverage supply and a dispensing site, wherein the beverage dispense system comprises an electrical sensor for measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the beverage flow path, wherein the sensor comprises a downstream electrode spaced and electrically insulated from an upstream electrode by an insulating spacer. 
     
     
         62 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 61  wherein the sensor is adapted to apply an input voltage and/or current to one of the upstream/downstream electrodes, and comprises a measuring transducer for detecting a resultant electrical signal in the other upstream/downstream electrode to that to which the input current/voltage is applied. 
     
     
         63 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 62  wherein the sensor is adapted to apply an input voltage and/or current to the downstream electrode and the measuring transducer is connected to the upstream electrode. 
     
     
         64 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 62  wherein the measuring transducer is provided on a PCB, the PCB being mounted within the connector or within a housing on an outside surface of the connector. 
     
     
         65 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 61  wherein the sensor comprises a processor operable to generate an output signal for blocking the beverage flow path when sensor measures a predetermined value/change of the electrical parameter. 
     
     
         66 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 61  wherein the electrodes extend into or partly define the beverage flow path. 
     
     
         67 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 66  wherein the upstream electrode comprises an upstream probe and the downstream electrode comprises a downstream probe, each probe extending from the insulating spacer into the beverage flow path. 
     
     
         68 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 66  wherein the downstream electrode and upstream electrode each comprise a respective tubular electrode each encircling and defining part of the beverage flow path, the upstream tubular electrode being spaced and electrically insulated from the downstream tubular electrode by a tubular insulating spacer encircling and defining the beverage flow path between the electrodes. 
     
     
         69 . A beverage dispense system according to  claim 61  wherein the upstream and downstream electrodes are spaced from one another by at least 8 mm, preferably by at least 10 mm and optimally by around 55 mm. 
     
     
         70 . A method of detecting bubbles within a beverage flow path extending between a beverage supply and a dispensing site in a beverage dispense system, the method comprising measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the beverage flow path using an electrical sensor, the sensor comprising a downstream electrode spaced and electrically insulated from an upstream electrode and wherein the method comprises applying a current and/or voltage to one of the upstream/downstream electrodes of the sensor. 
     
     
         71 . A method according to  claim 70  comprising generating an output signal for blocking the beverage flow path when a predetermined value or change in value of the electrical parameter is measured. 
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 70  comprising applying an input current/voltage to the downstream electrode to generate a resultant electrical signal in the upstream electrode.