Abstract: An ice cooled beverage dispensing apparatus including an L-shaped cold plate having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The cold plate includes a plurality of beverage lines extending there through and, in particular, extending in a serpentine fashion through the horizontal portion and vertically through the vertical portion thereof. The beverage lines providing for fluid connecting between a plurality of beverage dispensing valves and liquid sources of beverage constituents. The dispenser of the present invention includes a carbonator integral with the cold plate and located generally at the juncture of the vertical and horizontal portions. The integral carbonator provides for a reservoir of cooled carbonated water thereby lessening the thermal demand on the cold plate.

Abstract: The dispenser herein has a cold plate forming a bottom of an ice retaining bin. A bin liner is formed of two parts, a flat carbonator and a remaining U-shaped sheet metal wall structure. The carbonator and sheet metal structure when secured together form the bin liner, which, in turn, is secured to and around a perimeter edge of the cold plate and extends upward therefrom. In particular, the carbonator includes a flange integral therewith and extending from a portion of a perimeter edge thereof. A portion of the flange extends along the bottom of the carbonator for securing thereof to the cold plate, and further flange portions extend along opposite vertical carbonator edges for securing to corresponding vertical edges of the bin liner sheet metal portion. In an alternate embodiment a flat container is retained within a vertical portion of an L-shaped cold plate. A bin liner is secured to a horizontal portion of the cold plate and to the vertical portion thereof for forming an ice retaining bin.

Abstract: The present invention shows a beverage dispenser of the type utilizing a tower standing above a counter top surface. A plurality of beverage supply lines are connected to a mounting block secured to a top surface of the counter top. The mounting block includes a plurality of receptacles providing releasable securing of a plurality of beverage line modules thereto. The beverage line modules are retained within the tower and each include an insulation block formed around a pair of beverage lines. The beverage lines terminate on one end thereof with valve receptacle ends for connecting to a plurality of dispensing valves, and on opposite ends with plugs for releasable insertion into the receptacles. The modules can be conformed to provide for beverage dispensers of varying numbers of beverage valves wherein the number of valves is equal to or less than a number of receptacles in the mounting block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically loading successive layers of similarly shaped objects, such as newspaper bundles and the like, into wheeled carts. The bundles are first delivered at a controlled rate from a source thereof to a device that arranges and delivers the objects in organized groups to an initial loading position. The organized group is then moved onto a carrier from the loading position. The carrier then moves from its loading position to a position within the wheeled cart. A blocking plate serves to prevent the objects from moving with the carrier as it move back to its initial loading position wherein the objects are deposited in the cart. The cart is held on a lift and is first moved to a top loading position for receiving the first layer of bundles and subsequently lowered the needed amount for receiving successive layers of bundles.

Abstract: A peg bar display device includes an elongate rectangular channel for retaining a plurality of display pegs therein. An interior area of the rectangular channel receives an elongate stop that rests on the pegs within the channel interior area for preventing rotation thereof. A straddle support is also shown having a central upper rod and a pair of lower rods below and extending on either side of the central rod parallel thereto. The straddle support provides for supporting products thereon wherein fight and left symmetrical portions of the product straddle the upper rod on either side thereof and where bottom ends of the right and left portions rest on the lower rods.

Abstract: A narrow profile substantially flat carbonator is shown, consisting of a pair of cold drawn sheet metal halves. Each half defines corresponding alternating seams and ridges and are welded together around a perimeter them of and along each corresponding seam. When both halves are welded together the ridges define an interior plurality of vertical interior columns, which columns are fluidly interconnected with top and bottom interior channels. The too channel includes a pressure relief valve, a carbon dioxide inlet fitting, a water inlet fitting, and a level sensor fitting for retaining a level sensor. A plurality of carbonated water lines extend from the bottom of the carbonator and up along and closely adjacent a side of the carbonator. The carbonated water lines terminate at a point above the carbonator and provide for direct securing to a beverage dispensing valve.

Abstract: A ratchet driven continuous chain accumulator conveyor and an accuumulating and retrieval system includes a frame having a pair of continuous chains. The chains are mounted on sprockets on either end of the accumulating conveyors and run in upper and lower chain channels. A hydraulic drive cylinder is supported by the frame of each accumulating conveyor and includes gravity dogs on an operable piston end thereof. The gravity dogs provide for imparting a ratcheting motion to each pair of chains through extension and retraction of the drive cylinder. Each accumulating conveyor includes a plurality of lift means along the length thereof for lifting cases from contact with the driving chains for relieving weight pressure thereon. The accuumulating and retrieval includes a computer control and loading mechanisms for automatically loading the accumulator conveyors with product.

Abstract: The present invention is a compressed gas cylinder carrier for retaining and transporting a plurality of such cylinders. The carrier includes a cage or framework having a base and top interconnected by a plurality of vertical bars. The base includes slide rails on which is slideably mounted a sled that can move between opposite ends of the carrier within the framework thereof. The sled has a base and a sidewall portion integral there with and extending upward there from. The sled base and sidewall form a cylinder retaining space. One carrier end has a hinged door for providing access to the interior of the carrier. A strap extends around the sled and is engaged through an adjustable buckle secured to the door. The top end of the carrier has a roof structure for forming a forklift receiving cavity. In operation, the present invention is sized to retain a plurality of compressed gas cylinders.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser having a flat carbonator along one end of an ice bank cooled water bath tank. A plurality of syrup coils are arranged along an interior surface of the carbonator. An evaporator extends around a central perimeter of the water bath tank creating a central opening through which an agitator shaft and blade extend for operation by an agitator motor. The agitator shaft extends at an angle into the tank for directing a flow of water towards the carbonator. The tank includes ridges on a bottom surface thereof for directing water upward towards the carbonator and syrup coils and away from a bottom perimeter of the ice bank.

Abstract: A double sided primed circuit board is shown wherein one side is etched for receiving a plurality of surface mounted components constituting a control circuit. In one embodiment the control circuit provides for regulating the operation of a plurality to the beverage dispensing valves. An op-amp monitors the conductor for sensing the operation of the beverage dispensing valves as a function of a voltage drop there across. The conductor operates as a resistor, and any heating thereof that occurs as a result of the operation of the beverage dispensing valves is dissipated over the entire surface area of the circuit board. The control circuit also operates a dump valve for periodically dumping beverage if any of the valves have not been operated for a set period of time. The control circuit deactivates the operation of the dump valve during any sensed operation of one of the beverage dispense valves.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser of the cold plate type as shown wherein the cold plate is oriented within a housing of a dispenser such that the fluid lines extending through the cold plate extend in a pattern for preventing ice bridging occurring at the back end of the device. The cold plate also includes stainless steel wire coils within each water line along an end portion thereof for turbulating the water as it passes there through to provide for enhanced heat exchange between the fluid and the cold plate and the fluid line end portion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device sequence for burning waste oil and includes a circulating system having a pump for circulating the oil therein and a heater for heating the oil to a suitable combustion temperature during this circulation. A combustion oil system is included for diverting a portion of the circulating oil to an atomizing gun for combination therein with a source of atomizing air. The air and oil mixture is injected through an injection orifice into a suitable combustion chamber for ignition and burning therein. A linear actuator is included having a rod with a needle end that is operated by the actuator in a linear manner along the central axis of the atomizing gun for extending through the injection orifice for providing mechanical cleaning thereof and for regulating oil flow there through.

Abstract: A bi-directional ratchet conveyor is shown including a carrier bar slideably mounted centrally of a frame and operated by a power cylinder. The carrier bar has a first plurality of gravity dogs pivotally secured along a first side thereof, and a second plurality of gravity dogs secured along a second side thereof oriented in an opposite direction from the first plurality of gravity dogs. Dog operating rods are slideably secured to each side of the carrier bar for independently operating the first and second plurality of dogs between active and neutral positions. Each dog operating rod is operated by a separate pneumatic cylinder. When the first plurality of dogs are maintained in an active position, the second plurality of dogs are maintained in a neutral position, thereby providing for movement of goods in one direction along the conveyor through repeated extension and retraction of the power cylinder.

Abstract: A bi-directional ratchet conveyor is shown including a carrier bar slideably mounted centrally of a frame and operated by a power cylinder. The carrier bar has a first plurality of gravity dogs pivotally secured along a first side thereof, and a second plurality of gravity dogs secured along a second side thereof oriented in an opposite direction from the first plurality of gravity dogs. Dog operating rods are slideably secured to each side of the carrier bar for independently operating the first and second plurality of dogs between active and neutral positions. Each dog operating rod is operated by a separate pneumatic cylinder. When the first plurality of dogs are maintained in an active position, the second plurality of dogs are maintained in a neutral position, thereby providing for movement of goods in one direction along the conveyor through repeated extension and retraction of the power cylinder.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing valve is shown having a quick disconnect mounting and easily detachable valve cover housing and valve actuating lever. The quick disconnect includes a body having a pair of parallel shafts extending therethrough. A pair of lock plates are secured on each end of the shafts. The locking plates each include a pair of locking tabs that cooperate with similarly sized locking pockets or areas on the valve main body. The valve also includes modular brix/flow control components to provide for quick adapting of the valve over a wide range of desired flow and/or brix parameters. An adjustable nozzle is shown for adjusting the flow rate of beverage there from with respect to the operating flow rate.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser is shown and includes an insulated water bath tank for retaining a plurality of beverage heat exchange coils. The coils deliver the beverage to a plurality of beverage dispensing valves. The water bath tank includes an area for holding an ice retaining basket. The dispenser includes a top access door for permitting removal and replacement of the basket from the tank. An overflow drain serves to maintain the water in the tank at a desired level, and an agitator provides for agitation thereof. In operation, the basket is first removed and filled with ice. The basket is then placed into the tank and the access door closed. Water in the bath is displaced by the basket and ice, and any that rises above the overflow drain level is dispensed there through. The agitator causes movement of the water for faster cooling thereof by heat exchange with the ice, and therefore, faster heat exchange cooling of the beverage coils in the water bath.

Abstract: A newspaper bundle handling system is shown and includes a bundle arranging and loading apparatus for arranging and loading successive layers of newspaper bundles on a wheeled cart. The present invention also includes a conveying mechanism for conveying empty carts to the loading apparatus and for subsequently conveying loaded carts away from the loading apparatus.

Abstract: A nozzle for a post-mix beverage dispensing valve is shown for optimizing flow at flow rates above 3.5 oz./sec. The nozzle includes a first diffuser plate followed by a central flow piece having a frusto-conical outer water flow surface and an interior syrup flow channel. Second and third diffuser plates follow the frusto-conical portion. The second and third diffuser plates have perimeter edges that contact the inner surface of a nozzle housing so that the carbonated water must flow through holes in the diffusers. In this manner the gradual reduction of pressure of the carbonated water to atmospheric can be controlled in part by increasing the surface area of the holes in each successive diffuser.

Abstract: An ice cooled beverage dispenser with a cold plate and a tubular ice bin liner has an upstanding rim around a periphery of the cold plate. The bottom edge of the liner is pressed into and seated to the rim, and an L-shaped bracket is fastened to the outside of the liner and to the rim for positive securement of the liner to the cold plate in a sanitary and leak proof manner; a method of making the beverage cooler is also provided.