Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container includes an emitter mounted within the ice storage container and a detector mounted directly opposite from the emitter. A pulse circuit drives the emitter such that it outputs a pulse train that triggers the detector. A receiver circuit outputs a signal responsive to the detection of the pulse train by the detector. A controller activates an ice maker responsive to the output of the receiver circuit.

Abstract: A component configuration for enhancing the serviceability of a dispenser includes a platform positionable on the housing of the dispenser. A refrigeration unit mounts at a center and rear portions of the platform. An electronic control is disposed within a housing that is mounted at a center portion of the platform adjacent to the refrigeration unit. The electronic control housing permits access to the electronic control from the front of the dispenser. An evaporator coil of the refrigeration unit includes concentric coil sections defined by an inner coil section, an intermediate coil section, and an outer coil section.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ice includes a bin and a shroud that contains a recess for housing a wheel. The shroud mounts to a front wall of the bin and includes a chute that communicates exterior to the bin. The shroud further includes a curved plate that directs ice into the recess so that the wheel can raise the ice to the chute. A plate mounts at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin to direct ice onto the curved plate of the shroud. A discharge chute assembly mounts to the ice bin and communicates with the chute of the shroud to permit the delivery of the ice exterior to the bin. A gear motor drives the wheel to facilitate the lifting of the ice to the chute of the shroud. Alternatively, in a combination ice and beverage dispenser, the plate mounted within the bin is replaced with a cold plate mounted within the bin at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin.

Abstract: A post mix beverage dispensing nozzle includes a housing that contains a diffuser. The nozzle connects to a dispensing valve for dispensing a viscous beverage syrup that must be mixed with a mixing fluid, such as water, before dispensing. The diffuser comprises a plurality of interconnected plates with the top plate contacting the beverage syrup entering the nozzle to direct the beverage syrup radially outward in a thin sheet. As the beverage syrup expands radially outward past the surface of the top plate, the mixing fluid shears the beverage syrup and forces it to cascade down the remaining plates of the diffuser. The top plate of the diffuser forces the beverage syrup into a thin sheet to expose a maximum surface area of the beverage syrup to the water, while the cascading effect created by the remaining plates results in vigorous mixing that produces a dispensed beverage having the desired mix ratio between mixing fluid and beverage syrup.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a housing that defines a cooling chamber and has dispensing nozzles mounted thereon, a water line positioned in the bottom of the cooling chamber for communicating water to the dispensing nozzles, product lines mounted in the front of the cooling chamber for communicating product to the dispensing valves, a refrigeration unit mounted over the cooling chamber that includes an evaporator coil extending into the cooling chamber, and an agitator motor mounted over the cooling chamber for driving an impeller located within the cooling chamber. The cooling chamber contains a cooling fluid, a portion of which freezes about the evaporator coil during the operation of the refrigeration unit to form a frozen cooling fluid slab.

Abstract: A pump includes a quick connect interface that attaches to any drink dispensing to allow the mounting of the pump without the necessity of connection devices such as threaded fittings and/or clamps. The quick connect interface includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port connects to a product source to deliver product into the pump, while the outlet port connects the pump to a product dispensing apparatus. Both the inlet and outlet ports include a flow regulator that prevents the flow of product from the quick connect interface when the pump is removed. The housing also has a gas port that connects to a gas source to deliver gas into the pump. The gas port includes a flow regulator that prevents the escape of gas from the gas source when the pump is removed. Additionally, the pump includes a counter that measures the volume of fluid pumped by the pump.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes a relief valve comprising an valve seat, a needle within the valve seat, a spring forcing the needle within the valve seat, a set screw pressing the spring against the needle and a spacer for mounting the set screw to the housing of the positive displacement pump. The relief passages are formed at the intersection of the valve sleeve and the piston. The valve seat threadably connects within the relief valve passageway to prevent the erosion of the passageway. The valve seat may be constructed from a plastic, hard rubber, or metal material and include a rubberized seal secured at one end of the valve seat. When the valve seat erodes to a point where it provides an insufficient seat for the needle, it is removed from within the relief valve passageway and replaced with a similar valve seat.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a modular dispensing tower which may be positioned remote from both the product and the cooling unit or, alternatively, may be mounted onto the cooling unit housing using quick connect couplings. When positioned remote from the cooling unit, the modular dispensing tower connects to the cooling unit through an insulated trunk line which allows positioning of the modular dispensing tower up to twenty five feet away from the cooling unit. Additionally, the modular dispensing tower comprises an insulated manifold which operates to significantly decrease the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. The manifold houses a plurality of product conduits which are positioned against a carbonated water conduit which works in a recirculation system to greatly reduce the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. Furthermore, the modular dispensing tower may reside on the countertop or may be mounted onto the edge of the countertop in order to save countertop space.

Abstract: A cold plate includes a recessed area in its underside so that its inner tubes will not migrate away from its top surface during its casting process. By restricting the movement of the tubes during the casting process, the cold plate has tubes located close to its top surface, thereby improving the heat transfer between fluids flowing through the tubes and ice placed over the cold plate to act as a heat sink. As a result, the cold plate allows drinks to be dispensed that are colder and retain more carbonation.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing nozzle which dispenses beverages at a high volume flow comprises a housing which includes a body and cap having an opening therein connected to the top of the body, a conduit in the lower portion of the body, a diffuser residing over the conduit, and a diffuser plate positioned about the diffuser. The nozzle connects to a standard electric valve which communicates with both a beverage syrup source and a mixing fluid source. The diffuser includes a passageway which communicates with the beverage syrup source to deliver beverage syrup into a mixing chamber defined by the interior of the conduit. The exterior surface of the diffuser and the interior surfaces of the body and cap define a first channel which communicates with the mixing fluid source. The exterior surface of the conduit and the interior surface of the body define a second channel.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispensing apparatus which allows the dispensing of beverages from a modular dispensing tower which may be positioned remote from both the product and the cooling unit. The modular dispensing tower is connected to the cooling unit through an insulated trunk line which allows its positioning up to twenty five feet away from the cooling unit. Additionally, the modular dispensing tower comprises an insulated manifold which operates to significantly decrease the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. The manifold houses a plurality of product conduits which are positioned against a carbonated water conduit which works in a recirculation system to greatly reduce the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. Furthermore, the modular dispensing tower may reside on the countertop or may be mounted onto the edge of the countertop in order to save countertop space.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing both ice and chilled beverages, and more particularly an improved chilled beverage dispenser which has larger ice storage capacity and which incorporates an improved system of dispensing ice. The improved ice storage and dispensing system utilizes a circular rotating tray and a paddle wheel positioned in an intermediate cone chute to dispense ice efficiently and in a regulated flow in combination with chilled beverages.

Abstract: The present invention is a drink dispenser of the evaporator coil electric refrigeration system type which provides for an increased drink dispensing capacity. The present invention is provided with insulator pads affixed to the evaporator coils to prevent the ice bank from forming against a portion of the tank walls, and to provide a channel between the lower and upper portions of the tank to create an increased circulation of cooling liquid about the ice bank. That increased circulation increases the amount of heat that can be exchanged between the product lines and the cooling liquid, thereby increasing the amount of drinks that may be dispensed below a temperature of 40.degree. F.

Abstract: A complete self-contained drink and ice dispensing system which is portable and fulfills all the drink dispensing needs of a drink server is provided. All the components necessary to dispense a drink including ice are housed in a single compact unit which is extremely space efficient. These components include an ice maker which resides above a storage bin and a cold plate resting in the bottom of the storage bin. The ice maker supplies both the ice dispensed with the drinks as well as the ice used to cool the cold plate. Situated between the product source and cold plate are pumps which pump product to dispensing valves for dispensing into cups. Additionally, a water pump and carbonator are positioned between a water source and the cold plate to provide the carbonated water dispensed with the product. The product source, water source, water pump, carbonator, product pumps, cold plate, and dispensing valves are all fluidly connected by product lines.

Abstract: A bonnet for covering the top of a beverage dispensing apparatus, particularly a carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus. The bonnet is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular enclosure and assembled from first and second members, the first member being formed into the side walls and one end of the bonnet and the second member being formed to comprise the top edges of the sides and end of the bonnet as well as the top thereof. In this manner, the first member can be painted one solid color and the second member can be painted a second color such that the second color of the second member becomes the top border of the side wall of the bonnet, thereby simplifying the application of the trademark and graphics, as well as the assembly, of the bonnet.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser of the post mix type having evaporator coils configured in a particular manner to form a slab of ice within a cooling chamber, the formation of which slab of ice is controlled by a thermostat so that a vertically oriented passage is formed in the center of the slab to allow the rotation of an impeller shaft. With the cooling chamber and a passage for connecting with dispenser valves being insulated beneath and beside the compressor and other heat generating components of the cooling unit, the impeller is thus able to operate beneath the ice slab to circulate cooled water around beverage conduits that are layered in a compact configuration, the overall arrangement of the beverage dispenser being compact and resulting in a easily serviceable beverage dispenser having a low profile while also providing a relatively large ice bank and enabling optimum heat exchange between the beverage conduits and the slab of ice without causing freezing of the beverages.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser mixing nozzle comprising a housing defining a chamber, a dispensing orifice in the housing communicating with the chamber at a first end, a liquid supply source in fluid connection with the chamber at a second end of the chamber, a plurality of baffles substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the housing, and removable circumferential support members for suspending the baffles within the chamber. A method for mixing and dispensing liquid is also provided.

Abstract: A cold plate apparatus for use as a part of a beverage dispensing machine with an ice storage container. The apparatus is designed to be placed in the bottom of the ice storage container where ice may reside on the top surface of the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a block of aluminum through the interior of which run coils of tubing for carrying beverage liquids and having appropriate inlets and outlets. The apparatus provides means for optimizing the heat transferred from the beverage liquids to the ice. Means area also provided which minimize the time any accumulated layer of water due to the melting of ice resides on top of the apparatus.

Abstract: A valved fluid connection apparatus is disclosed. When mounted within an opening of a fluid container, the apparatus seals the fluid inside the container until an actuating barrel is inserted to open a valve which allows fluid to exit from the container. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in flexible bags containing fluid juice with high pulp content as a fluid pathway with wide clearances is established when the valve is opened.