Abstract: A liquid container comprising a multi-layer container including a wall made up of a main layer and a separate, delaminatable inner layer, a container opening at the top for filling and evacuation and a plurality of air vents extending completely through the main layer and terminating at the inner layer, such that the inner layer delaminates when liquid is evacuated by suction. The inner layer is thicker at the top end of the container and the air vents have a larger size opening at the bottom of the container, both to prevent premature collapse of the top end of the inner layer. The inner layer is also at least partially predelaminated during (or right after) manufacturing to assist ease of delamination during use.

Abstract: An ice chest for a cold plate or drop-in type beverage dispenser wherein the cold plate includes a carbonator integral therewith and the ice chest also includes an aluminum casting as a side wall of the ice bin with prechill cooling coils embedded therein for prechilling the water before it is fed to the carbonator. The cold plate includes a semi-cylindrical sleeve extending downwardly therefrom and forming part of a carbonator housing. The sleeve is in intimate heat exchange contact with both the cold plate and the carbonator for cooling the carbonator.

Abstract: A low cost, multiflavor, compact, versatile, convertible beverage dispenser that can be installed in different orientations so as to be able to fit in available space. This dispenser can operate frontways or sideways by virtue of a cup-receiving, beverage dispensing recess located at the corner of a front wall and a side wall and a button panel that can be placed above the recess on either the front or side wall.

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.

Abstract: A postmix beverage dispenser having the appearance of a stainless steel brewed tea urn. A postmix dispensing valve is mounted inside the tea urn and is operated by a handle located on the front of the tea urn. A nozzle extender is inside the handle body and connects to the nozzle of the dispensing valve. The handle body and nozzle extender are easily manually removed without tools from outside the tea urn.

Abstract: A lever arm assembly for a beverage dispensing valve including a valve including a housing including a cover and a bottom plate, a switch means inside said cover for turning on said valve to dispense a drink, a lever arm chamber for receiving a lever arm and said lever arm connected to said valve and being movable between a rest position in which the switch means is actuated and an actuating position in which said switch means is actuated, and means for holding said lever arm in a rest position. The lever arm including a cup contacting portion extending down below said valve, a pivot pin and a switch actuating portion extending above said pivot pin and into the valve housing. The housing including a lever arm opening to allow said valve actuating portion and said pivot pin to be inserted into said lever arm chamber, such that the lever arm can move freely between its rest and actuating positions, and a pivot pin recess for receiving and holding said pivot pin.

Abstract: A noise reduction method using a muffler for connection to the air inlet of an air compressor including an imperforate, hollow housing enclosing a chamber, air inlet and outlet openings in the housing, an air inlet tube in the housing connected to the air inlet opening and an air outlet tube in the housing connected to the air outlet opening, both tubes extending over half the length of the chamber, and the openings in the distal ends of the tubes facing in the opposite directions.

Abstract: A syrup container system for post-mix beverage dispensing systems comprising filling a blow molded, multi-layer PET container with syrup and connecting the container to a post-mix beverage dispenser through a syrup pump. The PET container includes a release agent such as a layer of EVOH located outside of the inner PET layer and an air vent partway through the container wall terminating at the inner PET layer or at the adjacent release layer, so that the inner PET layer can separate from the remainder of the wall and collapse around the remaining syrup as it is withdrawn, without the need for venting the syrup chamber to atmosphere. The PET container also includes a polyethylene closure sealing the container opening and a coupling for connecting to a quick-disconnect coupling on the distal end of a syrup line. The PET container is disposable and recyclable.

Abstract: A syrup container system for post-mix beverage dispensing systems comprising filling a blow molded, multi-layer PET container with syrup and connecting the container to a post-mix beverage dispenser through a syrup pump. The PET container includes a release agent such as a layer of EVOH located outside of the inner PET layer and an air vent partway through the container wall terminating at the inner PET layer or at the adjacent release layer, so that the inner PET layer can separate from the remainder of the wall and collapse around the remaining syrup as it is withdrawn, without the need for venting the syrup chamber to atmosphere. The PET container also includes a polyethylene closure sealing the container opening and coupling means for connecting to a quick-disconnect coupling on the distal end of a syrup line. The PET container is disposable and recyclable.