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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using sample test container filled with beverage, a penetrator holder, a penetrator and release means is disclosed. In the method a sample, is drawn into the test container and the penetrator dropped into the sample, and a reading of the stiffness of the sample is made based on the depth of penetration of the penetrator onto the sample.

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.

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 product storage and handling system for a beverage dispenser is characterized by a cabinet in which a plurality of bins are removably supported on one or more shelves that may be slid into and out of the cabinet. Each bin is for containing a removable container of liquid beverage component, a fluid valve of which container extends downward through and is releasably secured against vertical movement in a lower opening in the bin. A connector coupled to a fluid line leading to a beverage valve of a beverage dispenser is arranged to be conveniently fluid coupled with and decoupled from the fluid valve of the bag. When a shelf of slid out of the cabinet, the bins supported by it may, if desired, be lifted off of and replaced on the shelf for during replacement of a depleted bag of liquid beverage component. Alternatively, the bins may remain supported on the shelf during replacement of a depleted bag of liquid beverage component.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a predetermined portion of a beverage or drink additive using a cost effective portion control valve that replaces electrical components with mechanical components. The present invention dispenses a controlled portion of a beverage when a lever is activated. A magnetically coupled linkage system can control the exact amount of fluid dispensed. A valve block contains a beverage input, a beverage outlet, and a valve seal. A lever arm is connected to the valve seal and connected to a magnetic housing containing a valve magnet. A yoke pivots about the valve block where the yoke contains a yoke magnet aligned to interface with the valve magnet. A lever arm return spring is connected to the lever arm and the valve block to bias the lever arm return spring to a resting position. As the yoke pivots beyond a predetermined distance, the yoke magnet separates from the valve magnet allowing the lever arm to return to the resting position closing the valve.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser that uses a slurry ice heat transfer approach to achieve a lower cost solution for controlling the temperature of a beverage to be dispensed. A cost effective heat transfer approach can be achieved by replacing the cold plate or refrigeration system of prior art beverage dispensers with a slurry ice bath. The invention provides a hopper into which a slurry ice bath is created. The hopper has an access door for receiving ice and an interior valve for dispensing either carbonated water or still water to form a slurry ice bath. Coils containing a beverage to be dispensed are submersed in the slurry ice bath. The slurry ice causes heat to transfer from the coils, thereby maintaining the coils at a certain temperature.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for a frozen product dispenser is controlled to have a variable cooling capacity that is determined by variable cooling load demands of the dispenser. This is accomplished, in part, by providing the refrigeration system with a variable speed compressor and one or more adjustable expansion valves for metering refrigerant to associated evaporators that are heat exchange coupled to associated freeze barrels of the dispenser, and by controlling the metering setting of the expansion valves and the speed of operation of the compressor in accordance with the cooling load demands of the dispenser. The arrangement provides for efficient operation of the refrigeration system from an energy standpoint and for a reduction in on/off cycling of the system.

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: Apparatus for handling and filling flexible pouches in which a feeder mechanism 300 delivers a chain of interlinked flexible pouches 200 to a selector mechanism 600 comprising a linear actuator 602 and selector head 604 operable to detach the leading pouch 200 from the chain of pouches and move the selected pouch 200 to a station for removing a cap from the pouch 200, filling the pouch 200 with liquid, re-attaching the cap and releasing the pouch for dispense.

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 structure. 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 process for dispensing a beverage into a cup comprising the steps of : providing a dispensing structure; providing a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure; providing a staging structure linked with the transportation structure; providing a control system linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism; providing a sensor mechanism linked with the control system, the sensor mechanism providing signals indicating the position of a cup; providing a cup identification system having an interactive display connected to the control system; picking a cup from a storage device and positioning it within a dispensing structure; dispensing ice and a beverage at separate locations within the dispensing structure; transporting the filled beverage to a staging structure; positioning the filled cup in the staging structure; removing the filled cup from the staging structure for sale to a customer wherein the cup identification system and the display outputs v

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a predetermined portion of a beverage or drink additive using a cost effective portion control valve that replaces electrical components with mechanical components. The present invention dispenses a controlled portion of a beverage when a lever is activated. A magnetically coupled linkage system can control the exact amount of fluid dispensed. A valve block contains a beverage input, a beverage outlet, and a valve seal. A lever arm is connected to the valve seal and connected to a magnetic housing containing a valve magnet. A yoke pivots about the valve block where the yoke contains a yoke magnet aligned to interface with the valve magnet. A lever arm return spring is connected to the lever arm and the valve block to bias the lever arm return spring to a resting position. As the yoke pivots beyond a predetermined distance, the yoke magnet separates from the valve magnet allowing the lever arm to return to the resting position closing the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing a selected beverage into a flexible pouch 8, sealingly closing the pouch 8 and dispensing the closed pouch 8. The apparatus comprises a housing 4 adapted to, in use, accept a plurality of reservoirs 10 of beverage concentrate. Each reservoir 10 has a concentrate pump 12 provided with a diluent inlet and a mixer for mixing pumped concentrate with diluent to produce a mixed beverage. Leading from each pump 12 is flexible conduit 14 terminating in a nozzle 68 for dispensing the mixed beverage.

Abstract: An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. At least one water orifice is linked to a water source and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice atomizes water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide solenoid valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is opened and closed for a predetermined portion of a drink dispense time providing a volume of carbonated and non-carbonated fluid which upon mixing achieves a desired carbonation level.

Abstract: A recovery system for a frozen product dispenser accommodates automatic recovery and continued operation of the dispenser in response to the output torque of a beater bar and scraper assembly drive motor exceeding a selected upper limit due to transient conditions. A controller monitors the output torque of the drive motor and, upon sensing an output torque in excess of the selected upper limit, shuts off the drive motor and operates a refrigeration system to defrost a freeze barrel within which the beater bar and scraper assembly is rotated, for a time sufficient to defrost product in the barrel. The controller then turns on the drive motor, operates the refrigeration system to refreeze product in the barrel and continues to monitor the output torque of the drive motor. The foregoing operation is repeated several times, if and as necessary, before a system error is generated.

Abstract: A freeze type dispenser having a refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, expansion means and evaporator in the form of one or more freeze chambers in an enclosure is provided with a sub-cooler or auxiliary coil. The sub-cooler is located downstream of the condenser but upstream of the expansion means and is supplied with condensed refrigerant liquid. The sub-cooler is located adjacent the freeze chamber enclosure to prevent or reduce condensation of the same, without adversely affecting, and in fact increasing cooling performance or capacity.

Abstract: A drip tray is attached to a beverage dispenser below a splash panel of the dispenser by a releasable latching mechanism that permits the drip tray to be removed from and replaced on the dispenser while the splash panel remains in place on the dispenser.

Abstract: Apparatus for mixing two fluids has separate supply lines for delivering the fluids to a mixing head. Flow rate of fluid in one supply line is monitored by arranging a pressure transducer to measure a pressure drop across an orifice in an orifice plate arranged in the supply line and a controller is responsive to the detected flow rate to control flow rate of fluid in the other supply line to achieve a desired flow ratio of both fluids at the mixing head for producing a mixed fluid having the correct proportions of both fluids. The fluids may be a concentrate syrup and a plain or carbonated water to produce a beverage.