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.

Abstract: A bag valve and spout for a bag-in-box bag wherein the bag valve is all plastic and recyclable. The bag valve is caused to rotate inside of the spout as a result of the hose connector being a screw threadedly connected to and disconnected from the bag valve. In the open position, holes in the bag valve align with holes in the spout, and vice versa for the closed position.

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 an inner delaminatable PET layer and an outer PET layer and an air vent partway through the container wall terminating at the inner PET layer, so that the inner PET layer can separate from the outer layer and collapse around the remaining syrup as it is withdrawn, without the need for venting the syrup chamber to atmosphere.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 an outer PET layer and a deliminatable inner PET layer and an air vent partway through the container wall terminating at the inner PET layer, so that the inner PET layer can separate from the outer layer and collapse around the remaining syrup as it is withdrawn, without the need for venting the syrup chamber to atmosphere.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 method for supplying syrup to a post-mix beverage dispensor comprising filling a blow molded, multi-layer PET container with syrup and connecting the container to the post-mix beverage dispenser through a syrup pump. The PET container includes an outer PET layer and a delaminatable inner PET layer and at least one air vent partway through the container wall terminating at the inner PET layer, such 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.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing valve for dispensing syrup and soda in the desired ratio without the need for flow controls for periodic adjustment of the ratio. The valve includes a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the soda and a pump for dispensing metered quantities of syrup. The pump preferably includes a chamber within a ceramic sleeve having first and second distal ends and a double-acting ceramic piston mounted for reciprocating sliding movement within the sleeve. A solenoid valve control system including a pair of solenoid valves controls syrup flow through the pump, in response to signals from the flow meter. The valve preferably also includes a syrup flow regulator. The valve can include a single externally manually adjustable flow rate control to vary the dispensing flow rate to any desired value.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage dispenser includes a chiller connected at an inlet to a water source and at an outlet to a cool water inlet of a mixing valve. The water source further supplies ambient temperature water to a warm water inlet of the mixing valve. The mixing valve receives the two water streams and mixes them to produce a constant temperature output water stream at an outlet. A carbonator receives the constant temperature output water stream to carbonate it. A dispensing unit including a cooling unit connects to a beverage syrup product source and the carbonator to cool the carbonated water and beverage syrup and dispense them into a suitable container, thereby forming a carbonated beverage drink. Additionally, an ice maker connects to the output of the mixing valve to receive the constant temperature output water stream to make the ice dispensed with the carbonated beverage drink.

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.