Abstract: An ice chest (10) with beverage lines (18) in a cold plate (12) is provided in which the inlets and outlets of the cold plate beverage lines are coupled to fittings (16) that accommodate coupling to a wide range of beverage tubing sizes. Also provided are the cold plate (12) and fittings (16).

Abstract: A fluid line connector arrangement includes a first connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement, as particularly configured to efficiently connect and secure fluid line fittings to a hand-held beverage dispenser, and a second connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement, as particularly configured to efficiently connect and secure a fluid line fittings to a beverage fluid source.

Abstract: A flow control assembly, as particularly for use with a hand-held beverage dispenser of the bar gun class, provides ON-OFF flow control and regulated flow of beverage products and diluents to a hand-held beverage dispenser. The fluid flow controller includes a toolless (manually affixed) splash cover and an inlet connector retaining mechanism.

Abstract: A valve arrangement establishes passage from a dedicated beverage product flow path to the valve arrangement to a dedicated beverage product flow path from the valve arrangement. The valve arrangement further establishes passage into the valve arrangement of a user selectable one of a plurality of diluent flow paths, while blocking passage into the valve arrangement of each of the plurality of diluent flow paths other than the one of the plurality of diluent flow paths. The valve arrangement still further establishes passage from the one of the plurality of diluent flow paths to the fixed diluent flow path from the valve body. The valve arrangement establishes passage into the valve arrangement of a user selectable one of the plurality of diluent flow paths functionally independent of establishing passage to the fixed diluent flow path of the one of the plurality of diluent flow paths.

Abstract: A dispensing system (10) and related methods are provided in which a cup (22) is partially filled with a beverage at a first dispensing point (14a), and the cup is topped-off at a second dispensing point (14b).

Abstract: A cartridge valve (22, 94) and system (10) are provided in which the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a regulator (44, 96) and a solenoid (42, 100) which may have an adjustable stroke to facilitate stable flow control. Also, the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a quick and easy installation and removal fitting (30 and 32).

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method are provided in which, upon failure of the primary user input device (30), an alternative user input device and/or alternative feedback device is activated to receive beverage selections and/or provide feedback.

Abstract: A cup dispenser (10) and associated methods are provided in which the cup dispenser (10) is tiltable (including rotation) between a dispensing position and a loading position. In the loading position, cups are easily loaded into the cup dispenser (10). A rolling-element bearing (30) may, among other mechanisms, be employed to facilitate the movement.

Abstract: A nozzle (10) and associated methods are provided in which a base fluid flows by a check valve (22) and is directed by a plurality of flow directors (42) into a diluent flow path. The check valve (22) closes the flow of base fluid when the base fluid is no longer demanded.

Abstract: A cartridge valve (22, 94) and system (10) are provided in which the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a regulator (44, 96) a flow ring (67), and a solenoid (42, 100) which may have an adjustable stroke to facilitate stable flow control. Also, the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a quick and easy installation and removal fitting (30 and 32).

Abstract: An adjustable flow restrictor includes a nut, an adjustment screw, and a sleeve. The adjustment screw installs into the nut whereby the adjustment screw and the nut define a pathway therebetween. Adjustment of the adjustment screw relative to the nut varies the pathway with respect to a length thereof. The sleeve fits over the adjustment screw and mates with the nut in order to define a chamber with an outlet. The pathway receives therein a liquid conveyed to the nut and communicates the liquid to the chamber for exit therefrom via the outlet. Adjusting the length of the pathway sets the volumetric flow rate of the liquid traversing the pathway such that the liquid exiting the outlet flows therefrom at a desired volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring and maintaining a beverage dispenser (10) are provided in which an array of flow control icons (60) is presented on the same page as functional sections (62-68). The functional sections (62-68) allow assignment of a beverage component to a flow control element corresponding to a selected flow control icon, and other functions to be performed in connection with the assigned beverage component or flow control element.

Abstract: A post-mix drink dispenser includes a mixer body securable to a drink dispensing system and having at least one beverage concentrate inlet and outlet sheltered within a downwardly open cavity in the bottom thereof; a diluent channel formed exterior to the cavity and about a lower sidewall of the mixer body; and a nozzle housing securable in place about the mixer body. The dispenser includes an air channel formed in a wall portion of the nozzle housing, a diffuser to organize flows of diluent along the interior surface of the nozzle housing, or both a vent and a diffuser. The air channel includes provisions to impede ingress of diluent, and to contain flow through the channel of liquid beverage components. The diffuser may be formed unitary with the nozzle housing, or may be selectively removable from the drink dispenser.

Abstract: An arrangement for selective removal of a mixer assembly from a hand-held beverage dispenser includes a handle body housing a piping system for dispensing post-mix beverages and a toe plate for dependently supporting the mixer assembly. Upwardly projecting mounting bosses have central orifices running end-to-end therethrough, and extending at the bottom end through the toe plate. Each orifice is axially aligned with a mounting hole of a mixer assembly as operably supported by the tow plate, and releasable fasteners provided top-to-bottom through the orifices engage the mounting holes to affix the mixer assembly to the toe plate.

Abstract: A hand-held beverage dispenser includes a handle body, within which multiple valve units are contained. Two sets of fluid flow paths are provided into the handle body. The sets of fluid flow paths are mutually exclusive one to the other. Each flow path of the first set is in fluid communication with each valve unit, whereas only a predetermined one of the second set of fluid flow paths is in fluid communication with each valve unit. Each valve unit includes a flow control valve and a selector valve. The selector valve determines on an ad hoc basis which of the first set of flow paths will be utilized at any given time, while the flow control valve provides single action simultaneous ON-OFF control of fluid flows through both the selected flow path and the predetermined flow path. A failsafe ensures correct operation of the selector valve of each valve unit.

Abstract: A post-mix drink dispenser includes a mixer body securable to a drink dispensing system and having at least one beverage concentrate inlet and outlet sheltered within a downwardly open cavity in the bottom thereof; a diluent channel formed exterior to the cavity and about a lower sidewall of the mixer body; and a nozzle housing securable in place about the mixer body. The dispenser includes an air channel formed in a wall portion of the nozzle housing, a diffuser to organize flows of diluent along the interior surface of the nozzle housing, or both a vent and a diffuser. The air channel includes provisions to impede ingress of diluent, and to contain flow through the channel of liquid beverage components. The diffuser may be formed unitary with the nozzle housing, or may be selectively removable from the drink dispenser.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method are provided in which, upon failure of the primary user input device (30), an alternative user input device and/or alternative feedback device is activated to receive beverage selections and/or provide feedback.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring and maintaining a beverage dispenser (10) are provided in which an array of flow control icons (60) is presented on the same page as functional sections (62-68). The functional sections (62-68) allow assignment of a beverage component to a flow control element corresponding to a selected flow control icon, and other functions to be performed in connection with the assigned beverage component or flow control element.

Abstract: A valve arrangement establishes passage from a dedicated beverage product flow path to the valve arrangement to a dedicated beverage product flow path from the valve arrangement. The valve arrangement further establishes passage into the valve arrangement of a user selectable one of a plurality of diluent flow paths, while blocking passage into the valve arrangement of each of the plurality of diluent flow paths other than the one of the plurality of diluent flow paths. The valve arrangement still further establishes passage from the one of the plurality of diluent flow paths to the fixed diluent flow path from the valve body. The valve arrangement establishes passage into the valve arrangement of a user selectable one of the plurality of diluent flow paths functionally independent of establishing passage to the fixed diluent flow path of the one of the plurality of diluent flow paths.

Abstract: A cooling system for a dispensing station includes a modular manifold that incorporates into the dispensing station. The modular manifold includes a recirculation block, an interface block, one or more expander blocks, and one or more spacer blocks that interconnect to produce the modular manifold. The modular manifold includes a recirculation line that couples at an inlet with a cooling fluid system to receive a cooling fluid therein and at an outlet with the cooling fluid system to deliver the cooling fluid from the modular manifold to the cooling fluid system. The modular manifold couples with a drink source and with a drink outlet of the dispensing station such that a drink flowing through the modular manifold from the drink source transfers heat to the cooling fluid circulating through the recirculation line resulting in a chilling of the drink prior to a dispensing thereof from the drink outlet.