Abstract: A modular ice delivery system includes a beverage dispenser unit for dispensing beverages therefrom and an ice delivery unit linked with the beverage dispenser unit for supplying ice to the beverage dispenser unit. A docking pathway formed between the ice delivery unit and the beverage dispenser unit is provided for operatively linking the ice delivery unit with the beverage dispenser unit. The modular ice delivery system may further include an ice capacity booster unit linked with the ice delivery unit, ultimately, for supplying ice to the beverage dispenser unit. A docking pathway formed between the ice delivery unit and the ice capacity booster unit is also provided for linking the ice capacity booster unit and the ice delivery unit. In effect, each docking pathway enables the modular ice delivery system to be broken down into modular units commensurate with varying demand for ice.

Abstract: An anti-reactivation safety device for an electrical load-bearing device, including a power input line for delivering current from a power source across the anti-reactivation device to the load-bearing device. A current transfer switch positioned along the power-input line is provided. The current transfer switch includes a switch for engagement in an open position and in a closed position to thereby control the flow of current across the power-input line. The anti-reactivation safety device further includes a power return line. A latch circuit, linked with the power return line and with the current transfer switch, is provided for biasing the switch in an open position and in a closed position. The latch circuit includes a current divider. The anti-reactivation safety device includes a load sensor circuit for selectively engaging the latch circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying to a user attributes of a computer workstation includes a processor, user controls for controlling a pointer, a display device, and a database. The processor first displays a template area on the display device and then retrieves the attributes of the computer workstation from the database. After retrieving the attributes, the processor displays icons representing the attributes in the template area displayed on the display device.

Abstract: A dispensing valve mounting assembly includes a housing having a beverage syrup inlet communicating with a beverage syrup outlet and a first mixing fluid inlet and a second mixing fluid inlet communicating with a mixing fluid outlet. The dispensing valve mounting assembly further includes a beverage syrup valve assembly disposed in the housing. The beverage syrup valve assembly is movable from a first position that interrupts communication between the beverage syrup inlet and the beverage syrup outlet to a second position that permits communication between the beverage syrup inlet and the beverage syrup outlet. The dispensing valve mounting assembly still further includes an inlet switch assembly disposed in the housing.

Abstract: A radiation sensing system for detecting electromagnetic radiation and transmitting a sensory signal therefrom includes a body, a radiation sensor inserted substantially into an outlet portion of the body, a plug inserted substantially into an inlet portion of the body, a lens placed over the inlet of the plug, and a cap secured over the inlet portion of the body. A method for making the radiation sensing system includes forming the body from an inexpensive material, forming the radiation sensor and inserting it substantially into the outlet portion of the body, forming the plug from material resistant to radiation damage and inserting it substantially into the inlet portion of the body, placing the lens over the inlet of the plug, and forming a cap and placing it over the inlet portion of the body.

Abstract: A support assembly, a knife support assembly operatively linked with the support assembly, and a control system assembly operatively linked with the support assembly and with the knife support assembly deliver an adhesive sheet into a mold. The support assembly includes a side clamp and a center clamp. An adhesive sheet assembly, in cooperative engagement with the support assembly, feeds a continuous supply of adhesive sheet to the support assembly. Accordingly, the adhesive sheet travels across the support assembly and is clamped by the side clamp for cutting by the knife support assembly. The side clamp moves the cut adhesive sheet from the support assembly and, along with a side clamp rib brace coupled with the side clamp, positions the sheet in the mold. The center clamp maintains the remaining adhesive sheet in a position relative to the support assembly ensuring that the side clamp optimally clamps the adhesive sheet upon returning to the support assembly.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide precooling system, linked with a carbon dioxide source and with a carbonator, for aiding in carbonated water formation includes a carbon dioxide line linked with the carbon dioxide source at an inlet and with the carbonator at an outlet. As such, carbon dioxide travels from the carbon dioxide source, across the carbon dioxide line, and to the carbonator. The carbon dioxide precooling system includes a cooling device in cooperative engagement with the carbon dioxide line. The cooling device sufficiently cools the carbon dioxide within the carbon dioxide line prior to entering the carbonator thereby aiding in the formation of carbonated water within the carbonator.

Abstract: A cement composition includes cement, water in an amount from about 30% to 200% by weight of cement, and an interpolymer latex in an amount from about 10% to 50% by weight of cement. The interpolymer latex includes at least one conjugated diene monomer having 4 to 8 carbon atoms in an amount from about 5% to 95% by weight of the interpolymer latex, at least one vinyl aromatic monomer having 8 to 12 carbon atoms in an amount from about 5% to 95% by weight of the interpolymer latex, and a copolymerizable functional monomer in an amount from about 0.5% to 50% by weight of the interpolymer latex. A method of making a cement composition involves placing the above ingredients in a suitable mixer well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and mixing the ingredients until they form the cement composition.

Abstract: A premix dispensing valve assembly for a beverage dispenser includes a housing which includes an inlet to deliver premix fluid, a compensator within the housing for subjecting a controlled pressure drop on the premix fluid which includes an outlet communicating exterior to the housing, and a regulator within the housing for applying a variable dampening effect against high fluid pressures that accompany the premix fluid upon entry into the premix dispensing valve assembly. The regulator is cooperatively linked to the inlet of the housing and communicates with the compensator. As such, integrating the regulator with the compensator optimally allows for premix fluid to maintain a constant pressure and, thus, prevent complications arising from loss of carbonation. The premix dispensing valve assembly further includes a premix delivery channel within the housing for communicating premix fluid from the inlet of the housing to the regulator.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser system for forming a desired beverage, includes a beverage dispensing assembly and a carbonator cartridge unit removably secured to the beverage dispensing assembly for providing a supply of carbonated water to the beverage dispensing assembly. The beverage dispenser system includes a connector for removably securing the carbonator cartridge unit to the beverage dispensing assembly. A carbonated water line, linked with the carbonator cartridge unit and linked with the beverage dispensing assembly, is provided for delivering carbonated water from the carbonator cartridge unit to the beverage dispensing assembly. The beverage dispensing assembly provides beverage fluid lines so that beverage fluids flowing therein are combined within the beverage dispensing assembly and are ultimately dispensed from the beverage dispensing assembly as the desired beverage.

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 integrated tubing assembly for carrying fluids through a beverage dispenser system and for uniformly cooling fluids carried therein includes a compound tube with two opposing ends. The compound tube is linked with a first and a second inlet from the beverage dispenser system for receiving fluids therefrom and linked with a first and a second outlet from the beverage dispenser system for delivering fluids thereto. Accordingly, the compound tube includes a core tube in communication with the first inlet at one end and with the first outlet at the opposing end for carrying fluids therethrough. The compound tube further includes an outer tube in communication with the second inlet at one end and in communication with the second outlet at the opposing end for carrying fluids therethrough. As such, the outer tube is annularly disposed about the core tube.

Abstract: A random problem generator selects a formula from a database of formulas, randomly generates an initial condition necessary to solve the selected formula, and generates a question involving the selected formula and the randomly generated initial condition. A random problem generator further randomly selects a cation from a table of cations, retrieves the cation name from the table of cations, randomly selects an anion from a table of anions, and retrieves the anion name from the table of anions. The random problem generator balances the charges of the cation and the anion and determines the subscripts for the cation and the anion. The random problem generator places the cation and anion together to form a chemical formula and the cation name and anion name together to form a chemical name. The random problem generator additionally generates either a question supplying the chemical name and asking for the chemical formula or supplying the chemical formula and asking for the chemical name.

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating water contained at a dam site includes a force main pipe for receiving water from a dam site water reservoir therethrough and a dam aeration assembly in communication with the force main pipe. The dam aeration assembly, via an array of aerators, aerates water delivered from the force main pipe and introduces the aerated water into a dam site discharge waterway.

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. An inner housing including a chamber is coupled to the cap member. A first annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a first annular beverage syrup channel with the inner housing, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the first annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern. A second annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a second annular beverage syrup channel with the first annulus, wherein the second beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the second annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern.

Abstract: A nested expansible socket includes a first socket member and a second socket member coupled to the first socket member whereby the second socket member fits within the first socket member and telescopes relative to the first socket member. The self-adjusting socket further includes a third socket member coupled to the second socket member whereby the third socket member fits within the second socket member and telescopes relative to the first and second socket members.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a rocking motion to the legs and torso of a user includes a base, a leg rest removably mounted on the base to support the legs of the user, and a drive system positioned within the base for driving an upper portion of the base to impart a rocking motion to the user.

Abstract: In a beverage dispensing nozzle, a cap member includes a first beverage syrup inlet port coupled to a first beverage syrup source and a mixing fluid inlet port coupled to a mixing fluid source. The cap member further includes a flavor additive port coupled to a flavor additive source. An inner housing including a chamber is coupled to the cap member. A first annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a first annular beverage syrup channel with the inner housing, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the first annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle. The first annulus further includes a flavor additive passageway, wherein the flavor additive inlet port communicates flavor additive to the flavor additive passageway for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a dispensing nozzle for dispensing product. A cooling system cools the product prior to communicating the cooled product to the dispensing nozzle. The beverage dispenser further includes a product source, and a flow controller positioned prior to the cooling system for regulating the delivery of product from the product source to the cooling system.