Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package are provided in which an evacuation device (26) and a fitment (20) are attached to a sheet of flexible material (16). The sheet of flexible material (16) is formed into a package that is filled and sealed.

Abstract: A self-cleaning prefilter system generally includes a system inlet 11, a sediment filter 13 having a selectively openable drain port 18, a chemical injector 21, a pressure accumulator 28 having a upper chamber 31 in open fluid communication with the filter outlet 16, and a system outlet 12. A controller 33 in communication with a plurality of valves (V1, V2, V3) initiates a backwashing mode such that upon opening of the drain valve V3, fluid within the upper chamber 31 of the pressure accumulator is driven back towards the sediment filter to backwash the filter screen thereof. Contemporaneously, chemicals within the chemical injector 21 are driven along with the backwash flow via capillary 24.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.

Abstract: A self-cleaning pre-filter system generally comprises a system inlet; a sediment filter having a filter inlet in selective fluid communication with the system inlet, a selectively openable drain port and a filter outlet, separated from the filter inlet and the drain port by a filter screen; a pressure accumulator having a first chamber in open fluid communication with the filter outlet and having a sealed second chamber containing a compressible medium, the first chamber and the second chamber being separated one from the other by a flexible diaphragm; and a system outlet in selective fluid communication with the filter outlet and the first chamber. A controller operates valves to periodically back flush the sediment filter utilizing energy stored in the pressure accumulator. Any detritus removed from the filter screen during the back flush process is immediately discharged from the system through the drain port.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.

Abstract: A unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a canister for storing a product. A pump housing formed integrally with the canister contains a progressive cavity pump that pumps product from the canister to an outlet chamber of the pump housing and out an outlet from the chamber. A product dispenser for use with the unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a housing, a chamber in the housing for receiving the package, and a motor within the housing for driving the progressive cavity pump of the package. An alternative product dispenser includes a housing having a chamber for receiving a product canister wherein the chamber facilitates communication of product from the canister to a pump chamber. A progressive cavity pump mounts within the pump chamber for pumping product from the canister out an outlet from the pump chamber. A motor within the housing drives the progressive cavity pump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a product includes a support housing, a disposable or non-disposable pump, a disposable product package connectable to the pump, a pump driver connectable to the pump, and a dispensing station on the support housing. The dispensing station supports the pump driver and is adapted to receive the pump and disposable product package. The disposable product package and the pump driver connect to the pump. The pump driver operates the pump to draw product from the disposable product package. When the disposable product package is empty, the disposable product package and the pump if disposable are removed from the dispensing station and disposed.

Abstract: A unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a canister for storing a product. A pump housing formed integrally with the canister contains a progressive cavity pump that pumps product from the canister to an outlet chamber of the pump housing and out an outlet from the chamber. A product dispenser for use with the unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a housing, a chamber in the housing for receiving the package, and a motor within the housing for driving the progressive cavity pump of the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispenser for use with a disposable juice concentrate package that includes an integral progressive cavity pump and a mixing nozzle. The dispenser can read a product I.D. label on the package to automatically change ratios as packages are switched and a low liquid level indicator in the package to both warn the operator and to then provide automatic shut-off. A controller adjusts the pump motor speed in response to signals from a water flow meter to provide excellent control of ratio, even as water pressure changes. An easy lift-out refrigeration deck is located over an ice-water bath tank capable of holding 27 pounds of ice.

Abstract: A postmix beverage dispenser including a housing, a water bath, a refrigeration system, a concentrate package compartment, a cooling system for the compartment, and a potable water circuit including a cooling coil in the water bath. The concentrate packages are preferably bag-in-box packages with a flexible tube, and the dispenser includes a peristaltic pump driven by a gearhead motor with an encoder. A flow meter in the potable water line feeds information to the control system which controls the pump speed to control ratio. A ratio card is inserted into a slot in the door to tell the control system the ratio to use for each BIB package. A removable water nozzle improves mixing. An improved subassembly and method for making it is described. The potable water cooling coil is above the evaporator coil and separately removable from the water bath.

Abstract: A disposable and recyclable juice concentrate package for a postmix juice dispenser includes a package housing connected to an integral mixing nozzle. The package housing includes a concentrate container housing sealed to a pump housing. A progressive cavity pump is located in the pump housing for feeding a continuous stream of concentrate to the nozzle for intimately and violently agitating and mixing the water and concentrate and dispensing the beverage. The package also includes a low level indicator and a product identification label.

Abstract: A disposable and recyclable juice concentrate package for a postmix juice dispenser includes a package housing connected to an integral mixing nozzle. The package housing includes a concentrate container housing sealed to a pump housing. A progressive cavity pump is located in the pump housing for feeding a continuous stream of concentrate to the nozzle for intimately and violently agitating and mixing the water and concentrate and dispensing the beverage. The package also includes a low level indicator and a product identification label.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispensing system for dispensing a finished beverage directly from a pliable beverage concentrate having an ice point at or near freezer temperatures, with little or no conditioning. The system preferably uses a one-piece, unitary, disposable package that includes both the concentrate container and a positive displacement metering pump. The disposable package is placed in the dispenser which automatically connects the pump to a pump motor. A mixing nozzle is connected to the metering pump and a water line is connected to the mixing nozzle. Upon pushing a load button, the dispenser automatically feeds compressed air on top of a piston in the concentrate container to force concentrate into the pump. The dispenser automatically reads an indicator on the package to set the pump speed in response to the type of concentrate in the package. The dispenser requires no cleanup or sanitization and allows rapid flavor change.

Abstract: A mixing and flushing device for use on a proportioning pump of a juice tower dispenser. The device includes a housing having a water inlet connected to the pump water outlet, a concentrate inlet connected to the pump concentrate outlet, a flushing water inlet, a mixing chamber, and a single outlet from the mixing chamber. A poppet valve at the concentrate inlet to the chamber feeds the concentrate in a thin annular stream where it is hit by the water. The flushing water hits the poppet valve and automatically forces it closed during cleaning.

Abstract: A system for automatically identifying the desired concentrate to water ratio of a juice product in a concentrate container inserted into a juice dispenser and for automatically switching the ratio control system to the desired ratio. The system includes a product ratio I.D. member having ratio indicia on the fill plug of the container and a sensor in the dispenser. The sensed information is used by the ratio control system in the dispenser to change the pump motor speed to provide the desired ratio.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispensing system for dispensing a finished beverage directly from a pliable beverage concentrate having an ice point at or near freezer temperatures, with little or no conditioning. The system preferably uses a one-piece, unitary, disposable package that includes both the concentrate container and a positive displacement metering pump. The disposable package is placed in the dispenser which automatically connects the pump to a pump motor. A mixing nozzle is connected to the metering pump and a water line is connected to the mixing nozzle. Upon pushing a load button, the dispenser automatically feeds compressed air on top of a piston in the concentrate container to force concentrate into the pump. The dispenser automatically reads an indicator on the package to set the pump speed in response to the type of concentrate in the package. The dispenser requires no cleanup or sanitization and allows rapid flavor change.