Abstract: A bar gun handle having a housing assembly including an inlet in fluid communication with a valve bore, an outlet in fluid communication with the valve bore and in further fluid communication with an output nozzle, a valve element operatively mounted in the valve bore to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the output nozzle, with an actuator coupled to the valve element, and a cladding layer disposed on a side of the bar gun handle that substantially covers the side of the bar gun handle. The present invention also includes a kit used to provide a protective cladding to a bar gun handle.

Abstract: Reconfigurable control systems for beverage dispensers, beverage dispensers with a reconfigurable control panel, beverage dispensers that sequence the dispensing of beverage fluids that make up a selected beverage, beverage dispensers that allow for the dispensing of user customized beverages, and related methods for dispensing a beverage fluid are provided. A reconfigurable control system includes a control panel having multiple sensing regions, user reconfigurable switches used to select a control panel configuration, and a control unit operatively coupled with the control panel and the user reconfigurable switches. Each of the sensing regions is assigned to a key of the selected control panel configuration or deactivated. The keys of the selected control panel configuration receive user input to select a beverage and/or a beverage additive.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and distributing sauce is disclosed. The apparatus may include a mixing-pump device coupled a linear arm for distributing sauce over a rotating turntable. The turntable may include an improved gripping device for coupling to a pan. The apparatus may also include a self-expelling concentrated sauce vat which couples to the mixing-pump device. The apparatus may also include a self-expelling concentrated sauce cassette which couples to the mixing-pump device.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing sauce is disclosed. The method and system may include retrieving runtime parameters from memory or from user input, for distributing sauce onto pizza dough from an arm positioned over a turntable. The method and system may include coordinating turntable speed, sauce dispensing speed, and arm movement speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and distributing sauce is disclosed. The apparatus may include a mixing-pump device coupled a linear arm for distributing sauce over a rotating turntable. The turntable may include an improved gripping device for coupling to a pan. The apparatus may also include a self-expelling concentrated sauce vat which couples to the mixing-pump device. The apparatus may also include a self-expelling concentrated sauce cassette which couples to the mixing-pump device.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a flowable product at or above a preset elevated temperature through a dispensing outlet. Such an apparatus includes a pot in which to house the product. The dispensing apparatus also includes a pump coupled between the pot and the dispensing outlet to pump the flowable product from the pot to the dispensing outlet. A rope heater configured to heat the pot may also be included in the dispensing apparatus. The pot may have a movable lid, which may vacuum seal the product against the exterior environment. The lid is designed to scrape any food product residue off the vertical walls of the pot, while also maintaining the vacuum as it moves into the pot. The pot may have a check valve to prevent product spilling when the pot is lifted out of the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved retention of O-rings and easier O-ring replacement by using an O-ring retainer in a bar gun. Furthermore, the assembly of the butterfly plates of the bar gun is improved by using molded ball bearing clusters that fit in recesses in the butterfly plates, thus eliminating the welding of the balls to the butterfly plates and the need to purchase such precise and intricately small balls. The O-ring retainer and molded ball bearing cluster are preferably made from bearing quality acetal plastic materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a butterfly plate assembly for a bar gun that includes a ball cluster bearing sized and dimensioned to operationally couple the butterfly plates with an interior surface of a handle upon which the ball cluster bearing rests. The welding of the steel balls to the butterfly plates and the need to purchase such precise and intricately small balls is eliminated by using the molded ball bearing clusters that are shaped and dimensioned to fit in the recesses in the sockets of the bar gun handle.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The dispensing apparatus has a product container for holding the fluid; a chamber including a dispensing cylinder having an inlet and an outlet; an inlet check valve disposed at the inlet of the chamber, the inlet check valve being openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction through the inlet check valve into the chamber; an outlet check valve disposed at the outlet of the chamber, the outlet check valve being openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction from the chamber out through the outlet check valve; an outlet spout connected with the outlet of the outlet check valve for receiving the fluid from the outlet check valve; a spring-biased piston configured for sliding movement in the dispensing cylinder, the piston being smaller than the dispensing cylinder thus providing a clearance; and a bypass backflow opening disposed in the dispensing cylinder above the spring-biased piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a flowable product from a product package through a dispensing outlet at or above a preset elevated temperature is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector that provides secure and convenient connection to a product container. In one embodiment, an apparatus for providing fluid flow connection to a container opening of a container comprises a connector including a proximal end, a distal end, a flow passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and at least one side opening extending from an external surface of the connector to the flow passageway, the side opening being disposed between the distal end and the proximal end. The connector is configured to be inserted into the container opening and to be movable between a closed position and an open position. The side opening is blocked by an internal surface of the container opening in the closed position. The side opening is at least partially open to an interior of the container to permit fluid flow between the interior of the container and the flow passageway of the connector in the open position.

Abstract: An illuminated bar gun, having a first housing portion; a second housing portion dimensioned to connect with the first housing portion and form a unitary body; a recess formed in one or both of the first and second housing portions; and an illumination source fitted within the recess. The present invention also provides an illuminated beverage dispensing handle, having a first portion and a second portion; cavities formed in the first portion and a recess formed in said second portion; and an illumination source fitted inside the cavity, the recess, or both.

Abstract: A modular fitting for use with a commercially-available fluid or pneumatic switch, such as solenoid valves. The modular fittings disclosed can be aggregated to form a resulting modular fitting assembly according to the number of fluid circuits desired. The modular fittings include one or more coupling features that provide the ability to couple adjacent modular fittings.

Abstract: A sanitary collection device for a beverage dispenser that provides an improved and larger collection area as compared to a cylindrical holster; and separation between the dispensing nozzle of the beverage dispenser and collection surfaces of the sanitary collection device such that the dispensing nozzle is prevented from contacting a possibly contaminated surface of the sanitary collection device. The present invention also provides for easy cleaning of the sanitary collection device and its drip cup, since the drip cup can be easily removed without the use of tools to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement.

Abstract: A component system kit for assembling a dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The kit includes one or more inlet fittings, the inlet fittings configured to deliver a fluid from a fluid source; a pump body configured to connect with the one or more inlet fittings; an outlet elbow configured to connect with the pump body; and one or more outlet fittings configured to connect with the outlet elbow.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a nonremovable tube fitting or member for insertion into a container to access the interior of the container. In one embodiment, the fitting includes a hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end. The hollow body is partially insertable from the distal end through the opening of the container. The hollow body includes a proximal cap near the proximal end. The proximal cap is larger in size than the opening of the container. The hollow body includes a hole extending from the proximal end in a direction toward the distal end for receiving the tube through the hole. A capture member is coupled with the hollow body. The capture member is movable between an expanded position and a contracted position. The capture member in the contracted position has a lateral dimension sufficiently small to be inserted through the opening of the container. The capture member moves to the expanded position upon insertion into the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a more robust article dispensing apparatus that is relatively simple in construction and usage for dispensing articles in a clean and protective environment. More specifically, the apparatus accepts, separates, and dispenses articles from a nested stack of articles such as beverage cup lids one at a time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a pierce fitting or member for penetrating a container to access the interior of the container. The pierce fitting is configured to cut a flap through the surface of the container. In one embodiment, a device for penetrating a container to access an interior of the container comprises a pierce member including an external surface and an internal surface forming a hollow interior extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end has a slanted surface with a pierce leading edge on a first side between the external surface and the internal surface. The external surface expands outwardly in a region proximal of the distal end in a direction toward the proximal end except on a second side opposite from the first side.