Abstract: The present invention concerns a caser for quickly organizing variously sized containers into a plurality of predetermined patterns and then simultaneously filling an equal plurality of individual cases with that predetermined number of products. The caser of the present invention includes two parallel in-feed conveyors each delivering a single file continuous stream of containers to a loading area. Clamp and sensor means provide for regulating a predetermined number of containers into a pattern forming area from each conveyor. After a pattern is formed by an alternating pusher means that provides for pushing the group of containers either right or left to a position over one of two loading areas. Each loading area includes trap door means and a gripper head assembly. Each gripper head assembly includes a plurality of gripper heads each for gripping one of the plurality of patterns of containers. The gripper heads provide for gripping the containers and lowering them into cases after the trap door means open.

Abstract: A juice dispensing system which includes a first station and a second station is provided. The first station includes a housing and dispensing valve extending therefrom for dispensing juice product into a cup. The dispensing valve includes an inlet for receiving water and juice concentrate, mixes the water and the concentrate to form the product and then dispenses the juice products A first conduit extends through the housing to provide water to the inlet at the dispensing valve, while a second conduit provides juice concentrate to the inlet supply at the dispensing valve. The juice concentrate is stored in a juice concentrate reservoir at a second station, the second station being at a remote distance from the first station. A peristaltic pump is disposed within the second conduit for creating a suction which draws the juice concentrate from the juice concentrate reservoir and further meters the juice concentrate to the dispensing valve.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage dispenser is provided with a station for dispensing chilled still water. The dispenser includes an adapter block which is easily installed in place of a standard dispensing valve, blocks the soda delivery tube and accepts chilled water from a syrup delivery tube for dispensing through a standard spigot.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a combination ice chute and ice bin covering door for directing ice into the ice storage area of an ice or beverage dispenser. The ice chute cover is pivotally secured to a top surface of the beverage dispenser so that it can move from a closed position to an ice directing/loading position. In the closed position the ice chute cover serves to cover an opening to the ice storage area of the dispenser. A handle on the chute cover can be grasped to manually swing it between both positions. In the ice loading position a portion of the chute extends outward of the perimeter of the beverage dispenser. In operation, the handle is used to move the chute cover from the closed position to the loading position. A bucket of ice can then be lifted so that the open end thereof rests on the lip of the chute cover. The bucket can then be tipped upward so as to empty its ice contents onto the bottom surface of the chute cover.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a plurality of beverage dispensing valves mounted thereto along a front end thereof Each valve includes an air switch that is pneumatically operable to turn its associated valve on and off. An equal plurality of air actuators are secured to an elongate panel hingedly secured to the dispenser front surface. Each air actuator includes a pressurized chamber and a pliable front surface. Flexible tubes extend between the air switches and the air actuators for communicating pneumatic pressure there between. The air actuators include a graphics layer secured to the front surfaces thereof. In operation, a front surface an air actuator is depressed manually whereby pneumatic pressure created thereby in the pressurized chamber is communicated by the tube thereof to its particular air switch. The air switch then serves to operate a solenoid of the valve with which it is associated, resulting in dispensing of the beverage.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cart having a base and three sidewalls extending there around and upward therefrom. Four wheels are secured at bottom corners of the sidewalls to provide for easy mobility of the cart. A pair of partial doors are hingedly secured to and extend along end edges of two opposing sidewalls for permitting partial coverage of a fourth side of the cart. Each partial door includes a spring biased manually operable pin for cooperating with a plurality of slots in the cart base. In this manner the doors can be positioned from an orientation substantially coextensive with a front edge of the cart base, to positions wherein the doors are oriented inwardly of the cart loading interior space. Each door is secured to its respective sidewall in a manner wherein it can be lifted a distance sufficient to lift the pin thereof free from and above the base slots.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for attaching to a bottle for permitting the sanitary extraction of fluid there from through the use of pressurized air. The extraction device herein includes two major parts, a flow regulating portion and a flow actuating portion. The flow regulating portion is secureable to the neck end of the bottle and includes valve mechanisms for regulating and directing the flow of liquid and air. The actuating portion is releaseably securable to the regulating portion and includes structure for opening the liquid flow valve mechanism, for directing air flow from an outside source to the air valve mechanism and for directing the flow of the liquid contents out of the bottle. The flow actuating mechanism is also further constructed so that the flows of air and liquid are maintained fluidly separate from each other.

Abstract: A shelf slide and shelf using a plurality of such slides is shown. The slides are releasably securable to wire supports used to form a display shelf. The slides are made of an extruded material having a lower coefficient of friction than the shelf wires and facilitate the movement of product on the shelf from the rear of the shelf to the front of the shelf under the force of gravity. A universal mounting device for permitting the use of a particularly sized shelf with existing shelf support framework where the existing framework is not sized to support the particularly sized shelf. An air baffle mountable on each shelf is also shown for reducing air flow around the shelves for preventing frost formation on refrigerated products.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an ice directing chute mechanism including a slide portion and a housing portion. The slide portion is securable to an ice dispensing machine. In particular, the slide is securable to a regulated opening of the dispenser. The regulated opening includes a door means that is operable between a closed and open position by an operating mechanism such as, a solenoid. The solenoid is activated by a switch electrically connected thereto whereby contacting of the switch results in operating the solenoid to open the door. The door is positioned between an ice retaining bin of the dispenser and the slide portion. A housing portion is releasably secured to and pivotally suspended from the slide portion. Together, the slide and housing portions define an ice channel ending with a downward directed dispense orifice. The housing portion includes a surface portion thereof for contacting the switch that operates the solenoid.

Abstract: A piston based flow control is shown for use in a high flow beverage dispensing valve. The piston thereof includes a top perimeter edge structure that allows for continuity of liquid flow during high flow applications and particularly during the initiation of a high flow dispensing so as to eliminate chattering of the piston.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a tubing end fitting and a method of forming thereof wherein the fitting is formed out of the tubing itself. In a first step, the tubing end is compressed in a linear direction and shortened forming a first annular ridge extending around the tubing spaced from the end of the tube by a small tube portion. At the same time, the small tube portion diameter is reduced slightly. The small tube end portion is again compressed slightly in a linear direction initiating the formation of a second annular ridge spaced from the first annular ridge, while at the same time again slightly reducing the diameter of the remaining tubing end portion. In a third step the tubing end is again compressed in a linear direction completing the formation of the second annular ridge. In a fourth step the remaining tube end portion is flared outwardly forming an o-ring receiving groove between the second annular ridge and the tube end.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cooling coil configuration that permits an extended length of coil in a smaller total volume of water bath utilized, than is seen in such coils in the prior art. The coil of the present invention is made from a continuous length of stainless steel tubing that is bent in a manner to provide for the desired configuration. In one embodiment, the full coil is made up of four sub-coils generated by bending the tube through a plurality of consecutive 180 degree or semi-circular arcs having straight tubular portions intervening there between. In order of bending, there is a first large arc, a second medium sized bend of smaller circular diameter than the large bend, three consecutive small bends all of the same size and of a further smaller diameter than the medium bend, a further medium sized loop the same dimension as the previous medium one, and ending with a large loop, again of the same dimension as the first large loop.

Abstract: A carbonator comprising a tube cylinder having a closed and an open end. A disk is removably retained in the open end for providing access into the interior volume thereof. The disk provides for mounting thereto of water and carbon dioxide gas inlets, a carbonated water outlet, a safety relief valve and a water level sensor. A rigid retaining wire is bent into a square configuration wherein radiussed corners thereof cooperate with slots in the open end of the cylinder to retain the disk therein. Manipulation of the retaining wire provides for removal of the disk from the cylinder when the carbonator is not pressurized.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing liquid and gas proof sealing between a metal rod and a plastic housing molded there around. The rod includes a plurality of annular intrusions or protrusions along a length thereof. The plastic material is formed around the rod and the annular intrusions or protrusions. After the plastic material has cooled the rod is translated linearly with respect thereto whereby the annular intrusions or protrusions cause a cold flow movement or disruption of the plastic material. This movement results in a liquid and gas tight sealing between the rod and the plastic housing. The invention herein has particular application for liquid level sensing probes located within gas pressurized vessels. In such examples the rod or rods are used for sensing liquid level by means of electrical conductivity with the sensed liquid.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement principally for ice bank control using a single probe (9) allowed to resonate at its natural resonant frequency. That resonant frequency is different when ice has adhered to the probe and this is detected to indicate ice growth in the ice bank. A resonator/detector (11) oscillates the probe for short periods of time at regular intervals, which allows ice to form about the probe when not in oscillation.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing valve is shown that provides for assembly thereof substantially manually. This easy assembly is provided for by a plurality of snap fitting component structures. A nozzle is also shown that provides for higher flow rates. Lever operated and electronic operated embodiments of the valve are also shown. The valve is also particularly designed to provide for an electronic switch/control module separate from the valve housing cover. The valve further includes improved banjo valves and accompanying seat structures to provide for increased fluid flow and for fluid flow that is less turbulent.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser having a quickly removable drain tray. The drain tray having a perimeter edge depending to a bottom surface. The bottom surface angled in a direction towards a drain thereof. The drain having a short extended portion for cooperative insertion into a drain tube. The drain tube secured to the beverage dispenser, and the beverage dispenser including a drain tray receiving portion and a drain tray clearance area. The drain tray easily removed from or placed into the beverage dispenser by vertical translation for removing or inserting the extended portion within the drain tube.

Abstract: The present invention is a post-mix beverage dispensing valve for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two liquid beverage components. The present invention includes a valve main body having a gear pump secured thereto. The gear pump includes two sets of oval gears. One set of oval gears is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized carbonated water, and the second set is in fluid communication with a source of syrup. The valve body also includes solenoid operated pallet valves for each of the beverage components. Ratioing of the solenoid provides for simultaneous opening of both pallet valves whereby the pressurized carbonated water flows between the carbonated water gears and is swept thereby through the valve body to the dispensing nozzle. One gear of each gear pair is secured to a common rotating shaft. Pressurized carbonated water provides for the rotation of the syrup gears, thereby providing for the pumping of the syrup to the nozzle.