Abstract: A dispensing machine mixing device has a base fastenable to the chassis of a dispensing machine, a bearing in the base, a shaft rotatably mounted in the bearing, a shaft seal on the front of the base, a mixing impeller on the front of the shaft and to the front of the seal, and a reduced size housing secured to the base; the housing has an integral tubular wall holding the seal to the base and defining the circumference of a mixing chamber within which is the impeller, a front end wall, a mixed fluid outlet from the bottom of and to the front of the mixing chamber, a fluid inlet conduit generally on the axis of rotation of the impeller, and a funnel to the front of the mixing chamber and above the inlet conduit; a common wall portion forms part of both the funnel and the mixing chamber wall, and part of a lower funnel wall forms part of the inlet conduit and is exposed to the mixing chamber; the inlet conduit to the mixing chamber expands in cross-section toward the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A carbonator has a pressure vessel, a nozzle for introducing water and carbon dioxide into the vessel, a water level control including a reed switch and a magnetic float for sensing the level of water and operating the reed switch; a novel housing encloses the level control and provides a unidirectional fluidically affected delay in sensing and control response to a rising water level during filling of the carbonator; the housing has a water chamber which encloses the level sensing float, a water inlet into the water chamber near the level of a maximum desired water level in the vessel, a water outlet from the bottom of the water chamber, and a check valve in the water outlet for allowing flow of water out of the water chamber and for precluding flow of water into the water chamber from the water outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing and dispensing a beverage has a mixing head, a water line having a partially restricted outlet for backing up water pressure, a concentrate chamber having a diaphragm, a bypass line from the water line to the chamber for bypassing water from the water line against the diaphragm and forcing concentrate to the mixing head, and an open drain in the bypass line for exhausting water from the concentrate chamber; also disclosed is a method of mixing and dispensing a beverage in which pressurized water is first used to propel concentrate and then exhausted out a drain.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine has an exterior cabinet and a beverage preparation and dispensing apparatus mounted within the cabinet; the cabinet has a base having a bottom, short side and rear panels of the same height, a cantilevered tall side panel and a structural cross member connecting the top of the short side panel to the tall side panel; a lockable cabinet door of the same height as the tall side panel is pivotally hinged to the tall side panel; a removable cabinet top cap is removably mounted on top of the base and has a top panel, tall and short side panels which are atop of the short and tall base side panels respectively, a front faceplate above the cabinet door and cup dispenser tubes projecting through the face plate; fasteners inside of the cabinet normally secure the top cap to the base and the fasteners are accessible when the door is opened for releasing the top cap from the base; the beverage dispensing apparatus is a module mounted to the cross member and is above the level of the base sh

Abstract: A mixing and dispensing machine for combining fluid diluent and concentrate has a concentrate dispenser, a diluent line, a mixing device having a rotatable mixing impeller and into which the dispenser and diluent line direct ingredients, a single electric motor for driving both of the concentrate dispenser and the mixing device, a reduction gear box connecting the motor to the concentrate dispenser with a slip coupling, and a coupling connecting the motor directly to the mixing device; the coupling is an elongate tube of elastomeric material having a mass greater than the combined mass of the mixing impeller and its shaft and serves as a flywheel, dampener, thermal isolator and electrical isolator between the motor and the mixing device.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage including a source of propellant gas, a reservoir for beverage to be dispensed, one or more dispensing valves connected to the reservoir, a propellant gas conduit for applying a first gaseous propellant pressure upon beverage supply vessels and for applying a second and lesser gaseous propellant pressure upon beverage in the reservoir, a beverage supply conduit for transferring beverage from a supply vessel to this reservoir and normally closed valves in the beverage supply and gas conduits, which valves are controllable by a level sensor in the reservoir; the apparatus also features structure for automatically switching from one supply vessel to another as vessels become emptied; a method of dispensing includes the steps of providing a supply of carbonated beverage, applying a first propellant pressure upon the supply, selectively transferring beverage from the supply to a reservoir, applying a second and lesser propellant pressure upon the reservoir and dispens

Abstract: A liquid dispensing pump is disclosed and is powerable by pressurized fluid intermittently applied to the pump, the pump has a pumping chamber, a pressurizing chamber, a movable member for transferring pressure to the pumping chamber, a fluid conduit to the pressurizing chamber for applying pressure to the pump, a valve in the conduit for preventing reverse flow of fluid and an open drain in fluid communication with the pressurizing chamber; any fluid used to power the pump is exhausted out of the drain both during and after pumping.

Abstract: An adjustable compressed gas pressure regulator of the diaphragm and spring type has a spring seat mounted between the spring and the adjuster and the regulator body has a limit stop to engage and stop adjustment displacement of the spring seat prior to complete compression of the spring.

Abstract: A coin operable vend mechanism has a frame, a token counter mounted on the frame, a vend release mechanism mounted on the frame and operably connected to the token counter, and a token acceptor removably mounted in the frame and atop of the token counter; the token acceptor has an internal token identifying structure and a return for improper tokens and is held in the frame by a tongue and groove structure which is held together by a lock which is accessible only when the mechanism is removed from a vending machine; the token counter and vend release mechanism are both attached to the frame by common mounting structure.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing valve for pressurized beverages having a faucet portion, a rear portion having a flow control and a check valve portion fluidly connecting the faucet and rear portions enabling removal of the faucet portion while the rear and check valve portions are under pressure; the check valve portion has a check valve which is actuatable by a valve element in the faucet for dispensing of beverage and may have structure for adjusting the flow control in the rear portion.

Abstract: A food mold is disclosed which has a flexible sanitary liner and a rigid holder for the liner, the liner has a rim for securement to the holder and a cup shaped portion for forming food to a predetermined shape, the cup is flexibly and resiliently movable for discharge of food from the mold when the mold is turned upside down; the holder may include a finger actuatable valve for control of flow of air into a space between the liner and holder, for control of movement of the cup and release of the molded food product, and the liner may have a weight attached to the cup for automatically retracting the cup when the mold is turned from an inverted emptying to a normal upright filling position.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing and dispensing a beverage has a mixing head, a water line having a partially restricted outlet for backing up water pressure, a concentrate chamber having a diaphragm, a bypass line from the water line to the chamber for bypassing water from the water line against the diaphragm and forcing concentrate to the mixing head, an open drain in the bypass line for exhausting water from the concentrate chamber, and a self-actuatable valve in the drain for closing the drain during dispensing; also disclosed is a method of mixing and dispensing a beverage in which pressurized water is first used to propel concentrate and then exhausted out a drain.

Abstract: A swivel caster is disclosed having a mounting plate, swivel yoke, swivel bearing, a wheel on the yoke, and structure which will locate and cammingly index the yoke and plate in a predetermined relative radial position and cammingly release the index in response to a torque force between the yoke and the plate.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system has a water line to be connected to a source of water, a refrigeration evaporator line extending through and along a length of the water line, and a thermostatic control that has a sensing element extending along refrigerated portions of the water line.

Abstract: A coin tester for testing the diameter of coins is disclosed and has a trackway for coins to roll through, a journal positioned lateral to the trackway, and a ball in the journal which ball projects into the trackway and is moveable in the journal by a properly sized coin for passage of the coin; if the coin is of less than proper size, the ball will force the coin out of the trackway; also disclosed are double and triple trackway configurations.

Abstract: A nestable merchandise cart including a rear frame and hinged side frames which pivot outwardly until limit stops are engaged, and a movable shelf which, when in place to support a load, locks the side frames into positions generally perpendicular to the rear frame. The shelf can be raised and stored, which releases the side frames to pivot outwardly and form a tapered nest into which a like cart will fit nestingly. The side frames may be biased outwardly by springs and pivot outwardly automatically when the shelf is raised, and may also pivot inwardly against the rear frame to a collapsed position suitable for high density packing and shipment of the cart.

Abstract: A process is provided in which a regulated flow of water is refrigerated, and a source of concentrated orange juice at atmospheric pressure is also refrigerated and is metered and combined with the water under pressure in a refrigerated blending and storage device along with nitrous oxide gas, and the resulting mixture is transferred to a separate freezing chamber where water is frozen from the mixture as pure ice. The mixture is dispensed from the freezing chamber to atmospheric pressure so that the nitrous oxide gas breaks out of the semi-frozen produce to render it fluffy.

Abstract: A special replaceable filled container for use in a dispenser, the container having a diaphragm closure, wherein a portion of the closure is to be movably controlled to modulate the flow of the contents such as particulate material therefrom.