Abstract: In a beverage dispensing nozzle, a cap member includes first, second, and third beverage syrup inlet ports coupled to a respective first, second, and third beverage syrup sources and a mixing fluid inlet port coupled to a mixing fluid source. A first annulus coupled with the cap member includes discharge channels, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the discharge channels for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle. A second annulus disposed within the first annulus and coupled with the cap member includes discharge channels, wherein the second beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the discharge channels for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle. A third annulus disposed within the second annulus and coupled with the cap member includes discharge channels, wherein the third beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the discharge channels for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with an improved component configuration for enhancing serviceability as well as increasing both the beverage dispensing capacity and the quantity of beverage dispensed at a cooler temperature while maintaining a compact size. The beverage dispenser includes a housing defining a cooling chamber having a cooling fluid contained therein, a water line, a product line, a rechill line substantially submerged within the cooling fluid, a carbonator within the cooling chamber coupled with the water line and a carbon dioxide gas source, dispensing valves mounted on the housing and coupled to the product lines and to at least one of the rechill line and the water line to deliver a beverage, and a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooling fluid. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil substantially submerged within the cooling fluid.

Abstract: An anorectal apparatus for insertion in an anorectum including a body and a passageway extending through the body. The anorectal apparatus protects the anal canal, the perianus, and the perineum from direct and prolonged contact with fecal material such that the anorectal apparatus is continuously inserted in the anorectum. Inasmuch, the body includes a contact head in engagement with the anorectum and a flange, extending from the contact head, in engagement with the anal canal. Fecal material is thus discharged from the rectum, via the passageway, by traveling from the contact head through the flange. It should be added that the anorectal apparatus is preferably shaped to accommodate the biological contouring of the anorectum.

Abstract: A modular flow controller for controlling fluid flow, including a flow control assembly for establishing a desired flow rate. The flow control assembly includes a flow adjustment interface rendered in a substantially horizontal position for receiving a control input to establish a flow rate. The modular flow control assembly includes a valve assembly in operational engagement with the flow control assembly for discharging a desired quantity of fluid from the modular flow controller. The modular flow controller is preferably applied to a beverage dispenser's dispensing valve assembly, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a faucet plate. Accordingly, due to the configuration of the modular flow controller, it is unnecessary to secure the modular flow controller to the faucet plate for operation thereof. The modular flow controller includes a drink integrity locking unit for preventing access to a flow adjustment interface.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser nozzle assembly for increasing availability of drink flavors dispensed therefrom, includes a first, a second, and a third beverage fluid line for carrying a first beverage fluid, a second beverage fluid, and a third beverage fluid therein, respectively. A dispensing nozzle unit linked with the first, the second, and the third beverage fluid lines is provided for receiving and combining the third beverage fluid with the first and/or the second beverage fluids, thereby producing a desired drink for discharge by the nozzle assembly. This single dispensing nozzle unit thus accommodates a large number of beverage fluid lines, thereby enhancing the availability of drink flavors dispensed from the nozzle assembly. Moreover, the nozzle assembly includes a multi-port fitting device and a swivel fitting device for facilitating coupling of a dispensing nozzle unit with a large number of beverage fluid lines.

Abstract: An insulation panel includes a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side, a second side, a third side opposite the first side, and a fourth side opposite the second side. The first, second, third, and fourth sides define a perimeter of the panel. The insulation panel also includes a first conduit and a second conduit internal with respect to the first and second surfaces and extending between the first and third sides. The insulation panel further includes a third conduit and a fourth conduit internal with respect to the first and second surfaces and extending between the second and fourth sides. The conduits remove moisture that accumulates underneath the panel. Moreover, the insulation panel includes a slit extending from the perimeter to the first, second, third, and fourth conduits for discharging water accumulated within the insulation panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and measuring axially extending defects in ferrous tube includes a magnetizing coil for inducing a longitudinal magnetic field in the ferrous tube. Linear magnetic transducers are used to detect parallel non-linking flux leakage that occurs from axially extending defects. An analog to digital converter digitizes the measured signals representing the amount of parallel non-linking flux leakage detected. A processor subtracts signals typical of ferrous tube with no axially extending defects from the measured signals. The processor further processes the resulting signals after subtraction, by separating the alternating AC components from the constant DC components to remove the effects of perpendicular flux leakage, which may exist in the measured signals. The processor then calculates the percentage of missing material due to the axially extending defects by applying a proportionality equation to the remaining DC components of the measured signals.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes an ice supply unit for increasing the ice availability of the dispensing system and a moveable ice gate assembly coupled with the ice supply unit for transporting ice from the ice supply unit about the dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a dispensing system ice storage unit coupled with the movable ice gate assembly of the ice supply unit for receiving ice therefrom. The ice supply unit includes an ice supply unit housing, an ice collection bin disposed in the ice supply unit housing for receiving ice, and an automatic ice maker assembly positioned within the collection bin for supplying ice thereto. The movable ice gate assembly is positioned substantially centrally within the ice collection bin and includes a post for channeling ice therethrough and a movable gate unit linked and in movable engagement with the post for discharging ice received from the post out the movable ice gate assembly.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser sensor system for detecting beverage fluid in a beverage dispenser includes at least a first sensing unit in engagement with the beverage dispenser for measuring fluid and for generating a first sensing unit measurement signal and a processor linked with the first sensing unit for receiving the first sensing unit measurement signals. The beverage dispenser sensor system further includes an indicator that announces the beverage fluid needs replenishing if the processor assesses from the first sensing unit measurement signal little or a lack of beverage fluid in the beverage dispenser. Furthermore, the beverage dispenser sensor system may include a second sensing unit in engagement with the beverage dispenser for measuring fluid and for generating a second sensing unit measurement signal received by the processor to determine little or a lack of beverage fluid in the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with an improved component configuration for enhancing serviceability as well as increasing both the beverage dispensing capacity and the quantity of beverage dispensed at a cooler temperature while maintaining a compact size. The beverage dispenser includes a housing defining a cooling chamber having a cooling fluid contained therein, a water line, a product line, a rechill line substantially submerged within the cooling fluid, a carbonator within the cooling chamber coupled with the water line and a carbon dioxide gas source, dispensing valves mounted on the housing and coupled to the product lines and to at least one of the rechill line and the water line to deliver a beverage, and a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooling fluid. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil substantially submerged within the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A flow director system for transporting ice to a desired locale includes a conduit system and a gas flow gate assembly coupled with the conduit system for directing ice to the desired locale along a desired path defined by the conduit system. The gas flow gate assembly includes a plurality of flow gates disposed along the conduit system and a flow gate controller linked with the plurality of flow gates, whereby the flow gate controller opens and closes the flow gates to route ice flow along the conduit system. In addition, the flow director system preferably includes an ice maker for delivering ice into an ice container. The ice container, in turn, includes a plurality of interface apertures for channeling ice from the ice maker to the conduit system. Moreover, in operation, a gas flow is established through the ice container between the interface apertures to prevent ice blockage about the ice container.

Abstract: A refrigeration sealing system for a refrigeration unit includes a trap-process tube coupled with and in communication with a compressor of the refrigeration unit for receiving refrigerant from a refrigerant source. The trap-process tube defines a passageway through which refrigerant flows from the refrigerant source to the compressor. The refrigeration sealing system for a refrigeration unit further includes an annular plug disposed within the passageway. The annular plug defines a bore for facilitating the flow of refrigerant through the passageway. The annular plug is further deformable to seal the passageway of the trap process tube.

Abstract: An ice supply system includes a dispenser system, an ice bagger system, and an ice transport system for providing a supply of ice. The ice transport system is operatively linked with the dispenser system for transporting ice to the dispenser system and with the ice bagger system for transporting ice to the ice bagger system.

Abstract: A composition for delaying the cross-linking of water soluble polymer solutions includes a boron source suspended by an organophilic clay in a solution of a non-aqueous solvent. One process of manufacturing the composition includes the steps of first suspending the organophilic clay in the non-aqueous solvent and then suspending the boron source in the organophilic clay-non-aqueous solvent suspension. Another process of manufacturing composition includes the steps of first mixing the boron source and the organophilic clay to form a dry mixture and then suspending the dry mixture of the boron source and the organophilic clay in a non-aqueous solvent. In a method of hydraulically fracturing a formation, a water soluble polymer solution with a pH between about 8.5 and 12.5 and the boron source suspended by the organophilic clay in the solution of the non-aqueous solvent are pumped into the formation under sufficient pressure to cause a fracture in the formation rock.

Abstract: An aseptic product dispensing system generally includes a sanitary connection assembly interposed in fluid communication with a substantially conventional aseptic product source and a substantially conventional product dispenser. The sanitary connection assembly is provided with an automated cleaning system whereby a combination of pressurized gas, flushing fluid and/or sanitizing solution may be injected into, and thereafter evacuated from, the sanitary connection assembly.

Abstract: A composition for delaying the cross-linking of water soluble polymer solutions includes a boron source suspended by an organophilic clay in a solution of a non-aqueous solvent. One process of manufacturing the composition includes the steps of first suspending the organophilic clay in the non-aqueous solvent and then suspending the boron source in the organophilic clay- non-aqueous solvent suspension. Another process of manufacturing composition includes the steps of first mixing the boron source and the organophilic clay to form a dry mixture and then suspending the dry mixture of the boron source and the organophilic clay in a non-aqueous solvent. In a method of hydraulically fracturing a formation, a water soluble polymer solution with a pH between about 8.5 and 12.5 and the boron source suspended by the organophilic clay in the solution of the non-aqueous solvent are pumped into the formation under sufficient pressure to cause a fracture in the formation rock.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser system includes a dispensing valve and an additive injector assembly linked with the dispensing valve. The additive injector assembly includes an injector unit for introducing additive flavoring to beverage fluid passing through the additive injector assembly from the dispensing valve. Moreover, a nozzle assembly linked with the additive injector assembly is provided by the beverage dispenser system for receiving beverage fluid and additive flavoring from the additive injector assembly. A base beverage with additive flavoring is thus dispensed from the beverage dispenser system via the nozzle assembly.