Abstract: A carbonation apparatus includes a pressure vessel includes a cap that has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The carbonation device also includes a seal. The seal includes a labyrinth preventing contact of a liquid within the pressure vessel with the cap during a carbonation process. A locking mechanism removably locks the cap and seal and antifoam device relative to the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A controller for a drive motor for a scraper of a frozen product dispenser operates the drive motor to rotate the scraper at selected ones of a plurality of different speeds within a freeze barrel of the dispenser, in accordance with the values of sensed operating parameters of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for rotation of the scraper at speeds appropriate for, but no greater than required for, the then existent operating condition of the dispenser.

Abstract: To defrost one barrel of a two barrel FCB dispenser, a refrigeration system defrosts the one barrel, while neither defrosting nor chilling the other barrel, for either a selected time or until a frozen beverage is drawn from the other barrel, whichever occurs first. Once the selected time or beverage draw occurs, the refrigeration system chills the other barrel until beverage within it is properly frozen, while neither defrosting nor chilling the one barrel. Once beverage in the other barrel is properly frozen, the refrigeration system resumes defrosting the one barrel, whereupon the foregoing cycle is repeated until defrost of the one barrel is complete, at which point the refrigeration system chills the one barrel to refreeze product in it. The arrangement keeps beverage in the other barrel properly frozen during defrosting of the one barrel.

Abstract: Systems and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispensing unit, at least one diluent source, and at least one flavoring source. An amount of beverage product to dispense is calculated and a beverage product including at least one diluent and at least one flavoring is dispensed. An actual diluent-to-flavoring ratio is calculated based upon at least one value from the sensing unit during the dispense of the beverage product.

Abstract: A device is for cleaning an automated blender that includes a body that axially extends between a first end and a second end. The automated blender includes a base, a blender blade that axially moves towards and away from the base, and a splash shield that moves between a closed position and an open position. The first end of the body configured to receive the blender blade when the blender blade moves toward the base. The rotation of the blender blade causes rotation of the body which cleans an interior surface of the splash shield. The device may also include an alignment portion and a bearing which allows the body to translate radially as the body rotates. The device may also include a retainer plate coupled with the body which allows the body to translate vertically with respect to the bearing.

Abstract: Shown are devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea. The devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea utilize steam, heated liquid, agitation, and recirculation.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a staging structure linked with the transportation mechanism. A control system is linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism. A sensor mechanism is linked with the control system. The sensor mechanism provides signals indicating the position of a cup. A cup identification system having an interactive display is connected to the control system. The display has visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser that uses a slurry ice bath to achieve heat transfer from coils containing a beverage. The invention provides a hopper into which a slurry ice bath is created. The hopper receives ice from an ice bin via an ice chute. The ice bin contains a rotating agitator for pushing ice down the ice bin. Coils containing a beverage to be dispensed are submersed in the slurry ice bath. Ice passing through the ice chute and into the hopper floats to the surface of the water in the hopper. As the agitator rotates, it continues to push ice down the ice chute, which in turn raises the water level of the water in the hopper. The water level then reaches an equilibrium level, where the buoyant force of the ice in the water will prevent additional ice from falling through the ice chute.

Abstract: A batch carbonation apparatus includes a housing defining a vessel cavity. The housing includes an agitation mechanism. The pressure vessel includes a cap that has a CO2 inlet and a CO2 outlet is provided. The pressure vessel also includes a seal. The pressure vessel is moveable into an out of the vessel cavity. A locking mechanism is provided and is attached to the agitation mechanism to removably lock the cap and seal relative to the pressure vessel. A CO2 source is connected to a plurality of valves where each valve has a differing pressure. A selection toggle is attached to the housing. A control mechanism is coupled to the plurality of valves. A user selects a desired carbonation level using the selection toggle and CO2 is introduced to the pressure vessel at a specified pressure wherein the agitation mechanism agitates liquid within the pressure vessel forming a carbonated beverage having a selected carbonation level. Also disclosed is a process of forming a carbonated beverage in a batch.

Abstract: Systems and method for beverage dispense from a plurality of users include a beverage dispenser with a touch-sensitive graphical display. A computer of the beverage dispenser receives touch event data points and identifies one or more GUI sections of a plurality of GUI sections associated with the received touch event data points. The computer further operates to interpret a touch event input and provide a command responsive to the input to an associated dispensing unit.

Abstract: The cup storage device includes a tube having opposing dispensing and terminal ends and inner and outer surfaces that define an inner volume. The inner volume receives cups stacked upon each other and stores them. The cup storage device includes a plurality of resilient cup restraining members disposed on the inner surface of the tube at the dispensing end. The cup restraining members extend from a mounting end proximate the inner surface of the tube to a contact end. A guide structure is positioned on the inner surface of the tube. The guide structure defines a recess. The contact ends of the plurality of cup restraining members are disposed within the recess.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a beverage includes the steps of: providing a housing having a plurality of reservoirs of beverage concentrate each reservoir having a concentrate pump and flexible conduit terminating in a nozzle; providing a plurality of drivers driving said concentrate pumps; providing diluent to the pumped concentrate to produce a beverage; providing a multiple dispense head accepting the plurality of nozzles; selecting a flexible pouch and bringing it into alignment with a nozzle in a filling position where it is filled via an opening; closing said opening and dispensing said filled sealed flexible pouch; wherein the filling position is a fixed position and wherein said nozzles are movable relative to the filling position such that any one of said plurality of nozzles can be presented at said filling position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage dispense apparatus that maintains syrup containers in a housing, thereby eliminating plumbing required by prior art Bag-in-Box dispensers.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a refrigeration system for chilling beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser. The refrigeration system has a compressor coupled to an evaporator for chilling the beverage, and a controller determines the amount of chilling that must be provided by the refrigeration system to chill the beverage and adjusts cut-in and cut-out beverage temperature set-points for the compressor accordingly. Advantageously, the cut-in and cut-out set-points are adjusted to beverage temperature values such that the chilling capacity of the refrigeration system is made to closely match to the amount of chilling required by the beverage, and also such that on/off cycles of the refrigeration system are decreased.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea. The devices and methods for brewing and steeping tea utilize steam, heated liquid, agitation, and recirculation.

Abstract: A batch carbonation apparatus includes a housing defining a vessel cavity. The housing includes an agitation mechanism. The pressure vessel includes a cap that has a CO2 inlet and a CO2 outlet is provided. The pressure vessel also includes a seal. The pressure vessel is moveable into an out of the vessel cavity. A locking mechanism is provided and is attached to the agitation mechanism to removably lock the cap and seal relative to the pressure vessel. A CO2 source is connected to a plurality of valves where each valve has a differing pressure. A selection toggle is attached to the housing. A control mechanism is coupled to the plurality of valves. A user selects a desired carbonation level using the selection toggle and CO2 is introduced to the pressure vessel at a specified pressure wherein the agitation mechanism agitates liquid within the pressure vessel forming a carbonated beverage having a selected carbonation level. Also disclosed is a process of forming a carbonated beverage in a batch.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes the need for an apparatus and method for creating carbonated beverages having a customizable carbonation level. The invention uses a CPU to control an inlet valve which connects a tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to a vessel containing the beverage to be carbonized. The tube connecting the tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to the vessel contains an orifice for reducing the carbon dioxide's flow rate, thereby increasing control over the amount of carbon dioxide introduced to the vessel. A motor agitates the vessel, causing the carbon dioxide to become absorbed in the beverage. Then, an outlet valve causes excess pressure to drain from the vessel. An outlet orifice causes the pressure to release gradually, thus preventing the beverage from foaming.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes the need for an apparatus and method for creating carbonated beverages having a customizable carbonation level. The invention uses a CPU to control an inlet valve which connects a tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to a vessel containing the beverage to be carbonized. The tube connecting the tank of pressurized carbon dioxide to the vessel contains an orifice for reducing the carbon dioxide's flow rate, thereby increasing control over the amount of carbon dioxide introduced to the vessel. A motor agitates the vessel, causing the carbon dioxide to become absorbed in the beverage. During the pressurization process, the pressure inside the vessel is monitored by the CPU to determine whether more CO2 should be added to the vessel. An outlet valve causes excess pressure to drain from the vessel. An outlet orifice causes the pressure to release gradually, thus preventing the beverage from foaming.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system includes an ice hopper structure including a plurality of walls having inner surfaces that define an inner volume storing ice therein. The ice hopper may include a drain. A cleaning structure is coupled to the ice hopper structure. The cleaning structure includes a pump linked to a spray mechanism positioned within the inner volume of the ice hopper structure. The spray mechanism disperses a liquid on an inner surface of the ice hopper structure during a cleaning cycle of the ice dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A fountain beverage dispenser for constituting a beverage by mixture of a beverage syrup and a diluent for the syrup is characterized by use of a highly concentrated beverage syrup supply and at least one diluent and syrup blending station for diluting the highly concentrated syrup with diluent before the diluted syrup is mixed with diluent in the final mixture of syrup and diluent delivered to a dispensing nozzle.