Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser has a diluent manifold that dispensing a first diluent, a second diluent, or a mixed diluent to a beverage dispensing valve that receives and dispense the first diluent, the second diluent, or the mixed diluent with a concentrate from a concentrate source. The diluent manifold has a first inlet configured to receive the first diluent, a second inlet configured to receive the second diluent and an outlet that dispenses the first diluent, the second diluent, or a mixed diluent comprising the first diluent and the second diluent. A flow control spool is included that selectively permits the first diluent, the second diluent, or both the first diluent and the second diluent to convey through the diluent manifold such that the first diluent, the second diluent, or the mixed diluent dispenses from the outlet.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing valve includes a housing defining a chamber with an inlet for receiving a fluid and an outlet for dispensing the fluid. A piston is located in the chamber and subjected to a fluid pressure exerted by the fluid received via the inlet. The piston is moved axially in the chamber by the fluid pressure such that the piston determines a flow characteristic of the fluid dispensed via the outlet. A plunger is received in the chamber, and the fluid pressure tends to move the piston towards the plunger. A spring tends to move the piston away from the plunger, against the fluid pressure. The plunger is axially registered in the chamber in discrete plunger positions, and each plunger position sets a discrete limit on axial movement of the piston thereby determining a predetermined flow characteristic of the fluid dispensed via the outlet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a food substance dispenser includes a first cleaning solution reservoir configured to contain a first cleaning solution. A second cleaning solution reservoir is configured to contain a second cleaning solution. At least one pump is fluidly connected to the first and second cleaning solution reservoir and to at least one flexible tube of the dispenser. A controller is communicatively connected to the at least one pump and operates the pump to selectively circulate the first cleaning solution and the second cleaning solution through the flexible tubing of the dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine includes a valve body configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid and dispense the first fluid through a first orifice and the second fluid through a second orifice. A first valve seal is movable to open and close the first orifice, and a second valve seal is movable to open and close the second orifice. An arm is pivotally coupled to the valve body, and pivoting of the arm relative to the valve body moves the first valve seal and the second valve seal and thereby opens the first orifice and the second orifice. The machine also includes a solenoid valve configured to pivot the arm, and a handle with a leg that is pivotable into and between a rest position in which the valve seals are closed and an active position in which the valve seals are open. As the handle moves from the rest position to the active position, the leg acts on the solenoid valve such that the arm pivots and the valve seals open.

Abstract: Systems and methods of custom condiment dispensing include a reservoir of base condiment and a plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A first pump is pneumatically connected to the reservoir of base condiment. The second pump is pneumatically connected to at least one flavoring reservoir of the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A nozzle is fluidly connected to the reservoir of base condiment and fluidly connected to the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. The nozzle is configured to simultaneously dispense the base condiment and at least one flavoring therethrough. A controller receives the user selections of the base condiment and the at least one flavoring and operates the first pump and the second pump to dispense base condiment and at least one flavoring.

Abstract: A cooling system for rapidly cooling a beverage comprises a cooling channel configured to convey a beverage from upstream to downstream and a nozzle. The cooling channel includes an inner peripheral surface and the nozzle sprays the beverage on the inner peripheral surface such that the beverage is conveyed by gravity along the inner peripheral surface. The beverage cools as the beverage is conveyed by gravity along the inner peripheral surface such that the beverage is cooled by condensation and convection. The nozzle is further configured to reduce the pressure of the beverage such that the beverage cools due to expansion and reduction of pressure. The cooling system can also include a cooling media circulation system, a cooling media refrigeration system, and a post-chill coil.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a food substance dispenser includes a first cleaning solution reservoir configured to contain a first cleaning solution. A second cleaning solution reservoir is configured to contain a second cleaning solution. At least one pump is fluidly connected to the first and second cleaning solution reservoir and to at least one flexible tube of the dispenser. A controller is communicatively connected to the at least one pump and operates the pump to selectively circulate the first cleaning solution and the second cleaning solution through the flexible tubing of the dispenser.

Abstract: Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing valve includes a manifold that receives and dispense a first liquid and a second liquid. The manifold has a first flow channel through which the first liquid is conveyed and a second flow channel through which the second liquid is conveyed. A first shutoff assembly has a valve seal on a leg disposed in the first flow channel and a second shutoff assembly has a valve seal on a leg disposed in the second flow channel. A handle assembly is coupled to the first shutoff assembly and the second shutoff assembly and movement of the handle assembly simultaneously moves the leg of the first shutoff valve and the leg of the second shutoff valve into an open position such that the first liquid flows through the first flow channel, the second liquid flows through the second flow channel, and the first liquid and second liquid mix downstream to form a mixed beverage.

Abstract: Systems and methods of custom condiment dispensing include a reservoir of base condiment and a plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A first pump is pneumatically connected to the reservoir of base condiment. The second pump is pneumatically connected to at least one flavoring reservoir of the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. A nozzle is fluidly connected to the reservoir of base condiment and fluidly connected to the plurality of flavoring reservoirs. The nozzle is configured to simultaneously dispense the base condiment and at least one flavoring therethrough. A controller receives the user selections of the base condiment and the at least one flavoring and operates the first pump and the second pump to dispense base condiment and at least one flavoring.

Abstract: Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing head includes a housing having a front, a rear, and a base that extends between the front and the rear. A mixing nozzle is configured to dispense a flow of beverage via the base. A valve is configured to control the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle, and a switch is movable into and between a closed position in which the valve opens the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle and an open position in which the valve closes the flow of beverage via the mixing nozzle. A lighting module disposed in the housing is configured to illuminate the front of the housing and the base of the housing when the switch is moved into the closed position.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine which defines a service opening through which beverage dispensing equipment is accessible to an operator includes a service door on a housing that is movable between an open position, such that the beverage dispensing equipment is accessible to an operator via the service opening, and a closed position, such that the service door closes the service opening so that the beverage dispensing equipment is inaccessible to the operator. A display panel on the service door displays operational characteristics of the beverage dispensing equipment. When the service door is in the open position the display panel is maneuverable so that the display panel is angled towards the service opening so that an operator can view the display panel while accessing the beverage dispensing equipment via the service opening.

Abstract: An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.

Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.

Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.