Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a control system electrically connected with a beverage dispenser, a proximity sensor, and a touch-sensitive display. The control system causes the touch-sensitive display to display an advertising state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is not present at the beverage dispensing system and a beverage selection state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is present. The control system further causes the touch-sensitive display to display a pour state after a beverage choice selection is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the beverage selection state. The control system still further causes the beverage dispenser to deliver the beverage choice after a pour request is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the pour state.

Abstract: An ice chest system includes an ice chest and first, second, third, and fourth legs removably securable with the ice chest. The ice chest includes a top, a bottom, and first, second, third, and fourth sides defining an ice bin. First and second pins are mechanically connected with the first, second, third, and fourth sides at each end thereof. The first, second, third, and fourth legs each include a first surface having first and second engagement slots and a second surface having first and second engagement slots. Securing the first, second, third, and fourth legs with the ice chest includes engaging the first and second engagement slots of the first, second, third, and fourth legs with the first and second pins of the first, second, third, and fourth sides.

Abstract: An adapter that integrates an icemaker with a beverage dispenser includes a base defining a passage therethrough and at least a first bracket. The base includes a first rail and a second rail, and a top of the base may support thereon at least a portion of the icemaker. The first bracket includes a first rail engagement member engageable with the first rail and a second rail engagement member engageable with the second rail. The bracket inserts within the passage of the base such that the first rail element member engages the first rail and the second rail engagement member engages the second rail. The bracket is movable along the first and second rails to accommodate icemakers having different dimensions.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a control system electrically connected with a beverage dispenser, a proximity sensor, and a touch-sensitive display. The control system causes the touch-sensitive display to display an advertising state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is not present at the beverage dispensing system and a beverage selection state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is present. The control system further causes the touch-sensitive display to display a pour state after a beverage choice selection is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the beverage selection state. The control system still further causes the beverage dispenser to deliver the beverage choice after a pour request is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the pour state.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a control system electrically connected with a beverage dispenser, a proximity sensor, and a touch-sensitive display. The control system causes the touch-sensitive display to display an advertising state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is not present at the beverage dispensing system and a beverage selection state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is present. The control system further causes the touch-sensitive display to display a pour state after a beverage choice selection is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the beverage selection state. The control system still further causes the beverage dispenser to deliver the beverage choice after a pour request is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the pour state.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a control system electrically connected with a beverage dispenser, a proximity sensor, and a touch-sensitive display. The control system causes the touch-sensitive display to display an advertising state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is not present at the beverage dispensing system and a beverage selection state when the proximity sensor indicates a user is present. The control system further causes the touch-sensitive display to display a pour state after a beverage choice selection is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the beverage selection state. The control system still further causes the beverage dispenser to deliver the beverage choice after a pour request is made through the touch sensitive display during the display of the pour state.

Abstract: A flow regulator system includes a flow regulator placed within a fluid flow path to maintain fluid flow therethrough at a desired flow rate. The flow regulator includes a flow washer having an orifice therethrough and a regulator body that receives the flow washer. At fluid pressures between a first fluid pressure and a second fluid pressure, the flow washer rotationally deforms to decrease or increase the size of the orifice, thereby maintaining the desired flow rate. When fluid pressure is greater than or equal to the second fluid pressure, the flow washer contacts a portion of the regulator body to prevent further rotational deformation of the flow washer. In addition, the flow washer radially compresses or expands to increase or decrease the size of the orifice, thereby maintaining the desired flow rate.

Abstract: An automated ice dispenser (30) decouples the action of agitating ice stored in an ice bin (69) and the action of dispensing the ice and, additionally, uses a controlled action to dispense the ice. Agitation is achieved with a horizontally mounted agitator (91). Ice is dispensed with a horizontally mounted auger (124). The ice dispenser (30) uses the force created by the auger (124) to push the ice through an opening (71) and out of the bin (69), making the dispensing more consistent and providing the ability to overcome clumping. By making the agitation action independent of the dispensing action, the incidence of clumping is reduced. Agitation is controlled by software, whereunder the agitator (91) turns on based on the cumulative run time of the auger (124). Auger run time and agitation time (as well as other configurable parameters) are adjustable by DIP switches (134) on a control board (133).

Abstract: A used transportation tube is replaced with a new transportation tube by moving a lever of a coupler from an engaged position to a disengaged position such that a fitment of the transportation tube releases a keg valve assembly. The fitment is removed from a top end of the coupler, and the transportation tube is removed from a faucet and tower of a beer dispensing system. A new transportation tube is inserted into the tower and faucet of the beer dispensing system. A fitment of the new transportation tube is inserted through the top end of the coupler and into a bore of the coupler. The lever is moved from its disengaged position to its engaged position, whereby the lever pushes the fitment downward within the bore such that the fitment opens the keg valve assembly thereby facilitating beer flow from the keg through the transportation tube.

Abstract: A creamy foam beer dispensing system includes a coupler removably securable with a keg, a transportation tube, and a faucet having a handle coupled with a plunger communicating with the transportation tube. The handle is movable among a closed position, an open position, and a creamy foam position. In the closed position, the handle maintains the plunger squeezed against the transportation tube such that no beer flows from the faucet. In the open position, the handle lifts the plunger substantially, completely off the transportation tube such that beer flows smoothly from the faucet. In the creamy foam position, the handle lifts the plunger off the transportation tube a distance such that an aperture created in the transportation tube produces creamy foam flow from the faucet.

Abstract: A drink dispenser includes a housing defining a chamber that contains a cooling fluid therein. A refrigeration unit is disposed within the housing. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil extending into the cooling fluid such that a frozen cooling fluid bank forms about the evaporator coil. An agitator is disposed within the housing. The agitator extends into the cooling fluid for circulating the cooling fluid about the frozen cooling fluid bank. Dispensing valves mounted onto the housing dispense drinks from the drink dispenser. An electronic control system is disposed within the housing. The electronic control system is coupled with the agitator such that the electronic control system cycles the agitator between an agitator on period and an agitator off period. Cycling the agitator between an agitator on period and an agitator off period promotes stable growth of the frozen cooling fluid bank.

Abstract: A nozzle system for use with a multi-flavor beverage dispenser includes a mixing chamber having a fluid outlet therefrom; a diluent injector configured to deliver a mixing fluid from without to within the mixing chamber; and a number of concentrate injectors configured to independently deliver a fluid concentrate from without to within the mixing chamber. The concentrate injector each have associated therewith a self-sealing dispensing valve configured to substantially limit fluid flow through its respective concentrate injector to from without the mixing chamber to within the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A creamy foam beer dispensing system includes a coupler removably securable with a keg, a transportation tube, and a faucet having a handle coupled with a plunger communicating with the transportation tube. The handle is movable among a closed position, an open position, and a creamy foam position. In the closed position, the handle maintains the plunger squeezed against the transportation tube such that no beer flows from the faucet. In the open position, the handle lifts the plunger substantially, completely off the transportation tube such that beer flows smoothly from the faucet. In the creamy foam position, the handle lifts the plunger off the transportation tube a distance such that an aperture created in the transportation tube produces creamy foam flow from the faucet.

Abstract: A filtration system includes a filter assembly removably coupled with a manifold. The coupling of the filter assembly coupled with the manifold aligns an intake port of the filter assembly with an inlet tube of the manifold and communicates a flow tube of the filter assembly with an exit tube of the manifold. The filter assembly pushes a shut-off valve of the manifold from its normally closed position to its open position. Liquid then flows into the filter assembly from the inlet tube of the manifold and filtered liquid flows into exit tube of the manifold from the flow tube of the filter assembly. The filter assembly further pushes a pressure relief valve of the manifold from its normally open position to its closed position.

Abstract: An automated ice dispenser (30) decouples the action of agitating ice stored in an ice bin (69) and the action of dispensing the ice and, additionally, uses a controlled action to dispense the ice. Agitation is achieved with a horizontally mounted agitator (91). Ice is dispensed with a horizontally mounted auger (124). The ice dispenser (30) uses the force created by the auger (124) to push the ice through an opening (71) and out of the bin (69), making the dispensing more consistent and providing the ability to overcome clumping. By making the agitation action independent of the dispensing action, the incidence of clumping is reduced. Agitation is controlled by software, whereunder the agitator (91) turns on based on the cumulative run time of the auger (124). Auger run time and agitation time (as well as other configurable parameters) are adjustable by DIP switches (134) on a control board (133).

Abstract: A mixer assembly includes a mixer body and a mixer cover coupled to the mixer body. The mixer body includes an inner wall defining a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The inner wall includes a plurality of protrusions disposed on top of the inner wall that form a plurality of passes therebetween. The mixer body further includes a shell disposed around the inner wall that forms a diluent chamber between the inner wall and the shell. Diluent entering the diluent chamber flows through the plurality of passes and into the mixing chamber for mixing with product entering from the inlet of the mixing chamber. Mixed product exits the mixer body from the outlet of the mixing chamber. The mixer cover includes an angled shelf that closes out the diluent chamber and extends over the plurality of passes such that diluent entering the diluent chamber moves through the plurality of passes along the angled shelf and into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.

Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.

Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.