Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fluid dispenser for dispensing landscape maintenance fluids or the like which contain products such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. The fluid dispenser injects the fluids directly into the mainstream of an irrigation system. The dispensing system operates by shunting a portion of the main irrigation water stream through a bypass to the dispenser containing the product to be dispensed. The water dilutes the product to be applied, and is injected back into the main irrigation stream by the back pressure of the irrigation system. When the irrigation is completed, the fluid flow in the main irrigation stream is reduced or terminated and the pressure drops. After the pressure drops, the fluid ceases to be diverted to the container, and the main irrigation stream drains.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus provides quick-connect coupling between a fluid source such as a condiment source and a pump. In specific embodiments, the coupling apparatus comprises a tube, and a fluid source connector coupled to an end of the tube and configured to releasably connect to the fluid source. A quick-connect coupler is coupled to another end of the tube and is configured to releasably connect to the pump inlet fitting of the pump. The quick-connect coupler includes a spring-loaded member being biased by a spring toward a locked position to lock the quick-connect coupler to the pump inlet fitting and being movable to a release position to release the quick-connect coupler from the pump inlet fitting. The quick-connect feature conveniently allows the pump to be easily and quickly disconnected from the dispensing system for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a rotary sauce dispensing apparatus for applying a sauce on a receiving surface such as a pizza dough. In one embodiment, a system for producing a flow of a sauce to a dispenser comprises a rotating table configured to support and rotate the receiving surface thereon around an axis generally perpendicular to the receiving surface for receiving the sauce, and a sauce dispensing member having a dispensing outlet disposed above the rotating table to dispense the sauce on the receiving surface disposed on the rotating table. The sauce dispensing member is movable between an edge position above an outer edge of the receiving surface and a center position above a center of the receiving surface. A sauce pumping device is configured to deliver a flow of the sauce to the sauce dispensing member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a rotary sauce dispensing apparatus for applying a sauce on a receiving surface such as a pizza dough. In one embodiment, an apparatus for dispensing a sauce on a receiving surface comprises a rotating table configured to support and rotate the receiving surface thereon around an axis generally perpendicular to the receiving surface for receiving the sauce. A sauce dispensing member has a dispensing outlet disposed above the rotating table to dispense the sauce on the receiving surface disposed on the rotating table. The sauce dispensing member is movable between an edge position above an outer edge of the receiving surface and a center position above a center of the receiving surface. A controller is coupled with the sauce dispensing member and configured to control a speed of movement of the sauce dispensing member between the edge position and the center position to form a layer of sauce on the receiving surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a rotary sauce dispensing apparatus for applying a sauce on a receiving surface such as a pizza dough. In one embodiment, an apparatus for producing a flow of a sauce to a dispenser comprises an accumulator including an accumulator chamber with an accumulator inlet to receive and store the sauce and a dispense member configured to dispense the sauce from the accumulator chamber out through an accumulator outlet, and a pump configured to pump the sauce through the accumulator inlet to the accumulator chamber. A diverter valve is coupled with the accumulator and being movable between a closed position to close the accumulator outlet and an open position to open the accumulator outlet. A control member is coupled with the pump, the diverter valve, and the accumulator.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a chamber cavity having an inlet with an inlet check valve and an outlet with an outlet check valve. The outlet check valve is openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction from the chamber cavity out through the outlet check valve. The inlet check valve is openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction through the inlet check valve into the chamber cavity. A plunger is movable in the chamber. When the plunger is moved from a dispense position to a fill position away from the outlet and inlet check valves, it opens the inlet check valve and closes the outlet check valve and draw fluid through the inlet check valve into the chamber cavity. When the plunger is moved from the fill position to the dispense position toward the outlet and inlet check valves, it closes the inlet check valve and opens the outlet check valve and dispense fluid from the chamber cavity out through the outlet check valve.

Abstract: This invention provides a condiment dispensing apparatus of economically and effectively dispensing condiment by controlling condiment pump activation and opening and closing of the dispensing outlet without requiring electronic circuitry. The apparatus employs pneumatic devices to open and close the dispensing outlet and to drive the condiment pump and a mechanical mechanism to synchronize pump activation and opening and closing of the dispensing outlet. In a specific embodiment, a pneumatically driven valve is coupled to the pump for activating the pump after it is moved to at least partly open the dispensing outlet during a valve opening step and for deactivating the pump after it is moved to partly close the dispensing outlet during a valve closure step. The delay in pump activation during the valve opening step and the lead in pump deactivation during the valve closure step avoid excessive pressure buildup to ensure smooth operation of the apparatus in dispensing the condiment in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body including a valve cavity with an inlet and an outlet. The valve body has a valve seat in the valve cavity. The valve seat has a flow passage disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A valve stem is movable in the valve cavity between an open position and a closed position. The valve stem includes a substantially rigid shaft and a resilient shell. The resilient shell is generally tubular, and is injection molded around a portion of the shaft. The resilient shell includes a sealing surface which is spaced from the valve seat with the valve stem in the open position and which is pressed against the valve seat to block the flow passage between the inlet and the outlet with the valve stem in the closed position. The resilient shell includes a spring cavity. A resilient spring hat has a spring seat. The resilient spring hat is disposed in the valve cavity with a press fit against an inner surface of the valve cavity to seal the valve cavity against leakage.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method of mixing and dispensing a beverage from a beverage concentrate. The flow of the beverage concentrate into a mixing device for mixing water with the beverage concentrate is monitored to detect a low flow situation indicating the need to replace the beverage concentrate supply bag. The system automatically controls the flow of mixed beverage out of the mixing device in response to the detected flow of beverage concentrate. In a specific embodiment, a pressure switch is provided to monitor the pressure of the flow of beverage concentrate into the mixing device. When the pressure sensed by the pressure switch falls below a preset minimum pressure, the pressure switch activates a flow regulating device coupled to the outlet of the mixing device to shut off the flow of beverage from the mixing device. This prevents or minimizes the dispensing of beverages of improper mix ratios from the mixing device.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method of mixing and dispensing a beverage from a beverage concentrate. A mixing device receives a beverage concentrate and water, and employs a static mixing device to mix the concentrate and water to produce a beverage in a closed system. Flow regulators precisely control the flows of the beverage concentrate and water to achieve the desired mixing ratio. The carbonation system may include a pump for pumping the beverage from the mixing device to a carbonator, a refrigeration unit, a beverage dispenser, or other. A transformer is coupled with the pump and one or more solenoid valves in the mixing device. The transformer receives power from the pump motor to activate the solenoid valves to allow flow of the beverage out of the mixing device only when the pump is powered. When the pump is shut off, the power to the transformer is terminated and the solenoid valves are switched off to stop the flow of the beverage out of the mixing device.

Abstract: A condiment drawback valve for a condiment dispensing system compensates for run-on from a depressurized pump during deactivation and draws back any hanging condiment left in the dispensing outlet of the system, thereby eliminating drips after the pump is stopped. The condiment drawback valve includes a continuous-flowing condiment channel fluidicly coupled between the pump and the dispensing outlet. A drawback chamber is in continuous fluid communication with the condiment channel. A spring is disposed in the drawback chamber. A piston is coupled with the spring and is movable to change the volume of the drawback chamber. When a flow gas is supplied to the pump to activate the pump during condiment dispensing, a portion of the gas is directed to the piston to push the piston against the biasing force of the spring and reduce the volume of the drawback chamber.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device includes a dispensing spout disposed at the mouth of a bottle. A single-piece, disposable security strap is used to secure the spout to the bottle to prevent unauthorized removal of the spout to dispense drinks. The spout has a distal portion with a spout opening and a proximal shoulder larger in cross-sectional than the distal portion. The security strap includes a strap ring having an opening configured to surround and capture the proximal shoulder of the spout. The strap further includes at least a pair of connecting portions extending from the strap ring. Each connecting portion has an affixing member at an end. At least one of the affixing members has a self-adhering surface for adhering to the exterior of the bottle. To dispense the beverage, the strap is broken and discarded.

Abstract: A piston is movable to reciprocate in a chamber. The piston has a transfer check valve which permits condiment flow only in a direction from an inlet side of the chamber to an outlet side of the chamber. The inlet side of the chamber includes an inlet coupled to a condiment source. The outlet side of the chamber includes an outlet with an outlet check valve. When the piston is moved from the outlet side to the inlet side of the chamber, the transfer check valve is open to permit condiment flow from the inlet side to the outlet side of the chamber, and the outlet check valve is closed to accumulate condiment therein. Upon accumulation of a desired amount of condiment in the outlet side of the chamber, the piston is moved from the inlet side to the outlet side of the chamber. During that time, the transfer check valve is closed and the outlet check valve is open to dispense the accumulated condiment in the outlet side of the chamber. At the same time, condiment is flowed into inlet side of the chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method of economically dispensing hot beverages at precise temperature ranges in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. An on-demand heater is used to heat water to a preset temperature range. The hot water is circulated to a dispensing head and recirculated back to the heater by a recirculation pump to provide a continuous flow of hot water. A supply of beverage concentrate is flowed into the dispensing head by a peristaltic pump. Upon activation of a button, the hot water is flowed into a nozzle of the dispensing head to create a vortex-like flow. The beverage concentrate is injected into the vortex-like flow and mixed with the hot water to form the hot beverage which is dispensed from the dispensing head.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method of economically and efficiently dispensing frozen beverages within a desired range of consistency in a continuous manner suitable for large-scale high-volume usage. A sensor is used to monitor the level of the beverage in a container for providing the frozen beverage. The beverage is cooled by a cooling device which has a cooling capacity. A flow regulating device is used to regulate the flow rate of the beverage to the container. A controller is coupled with the sensor and the flow regulating device to regulate the flow rate of the beverage in response to the monitored beverage level and the cooling capacity of the cooling device. When properly tuned to match the cooling capacity of the cooling device with the flow rate of the beverage into the container, the controller maintains the desired consistency of the frozen beverage, while automatically refilling the beverage container to within a desired range of levels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiment(s) from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a condiment conduit which includes a draw-back valve to prevent condiment buildup on the delivery nozzle. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiment(s) from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a condiment conduit which is valveless to thus prevent splatter of the delivered condiment due to entrained gas. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of dispensing heated condiment from a condiment source. The condiment is flowed through a heater hose, and the temperature of the condiment is controlled within a predetermined range by sensing the temperature of the condiment in the hose and controlling the operation of the heater hose to maintain the temperature of the condiment within the predetermined range which results in the dispensing of condiment at a desired temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a condiment dispensing system for dispensing condiment and the like which includes a gas operated pump for moving condiment(s) from a condiment source to a delivery nozzle through a condiment conduit which includes a draw-back valve to prevent condiment buildup on the delivery nozzle. A gas-operated pump is controlled at the delivery nozzle to effect delivery of the condiment.