Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pumping and dispensing are provided in which a peristaltic pump (16, 64) pumps liquid from a package (12), and may be integrated in a dispenser (10). The peristaltic pump (64) is adapted for improved accuracy, cleaning, and maintenance. Also provided are improved tubes (18) for peristaltic pumping that are coupled to self-sealing dispensing valves (92, 104, 110, 120).

Abstract: A drip tray sanitizing system includes a pump connectable to a sanitizer solution container and a valve connectable to a diluent source. A spray manifold disposed in the drip tray receives a mixture of the two streams and sprays the mixture into the drip tray in a prescribed routine to produce a sanitizing or cleansing effect. Methods for using the drip tray sanitizing system include manual, semi-automatic, and automatic sanitizing, as well as manual and automatic rinsing. The semi-automatic and automatic sanitizing routines require the use of a controller. Use of this apparatus in a product dispenser may widen the range of products and product concentrates available for use with a product dispenser.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: A multiple-temperature beer dispensing system (10) (and related methods) is provided in which a plurality of beer sources (12) are coupled to a plurality of taps (16). Heat exchangers (18) may be disposed between one or more of the beer sources (12) and one or more of the taps (16). Beer temperatures may be controlled with a controller (30), sensors (32) and valves (34). Also provided is system (50) that allows a single tap (16n) to dispense beer at more than one temperature. Also provided is a controlled temperature storage chamber (100) and a tube bundle (70).

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: A reconstituting device including a control system reconstitutes product concentrates. The reconstituting device is further able to pre-wet a mixing device of the dispense circuit, dispense the reconstituted product, and rinse the mixing device during a dispense interval without affecting the mix ratio of the reconstituted dispense. Pre-wetting and rinsing of the mixing device of the dispense circuit is accomplished by moving a portion of a concentrate dispense from an earliest and a latest dispense interval to a mid-range dispense interval, thereby flowing reconstituting fluid alone during the earliest and latest dispense intervals. Pre-wetting allows the reconstituting fluid to form a boundary layer on contact surfaces of the mixing device. Rinsing is accomplished by flowing reconstituting fluid through the mixing device after the mixing sequence of the dispense is completed. The control system may conduct the pre-wet or the post-rinse sequence, or may conduct both within a same dispense.

Abstract: A displacement sensing device transduces deflection of a body disposed around a conduit into complementary signals indicative of the amount of displacement experienced by the conduit. The displacement sensing device includes a cuff and a sensor disposed on an outer periphery of the cuff, and may further include a controller in communication with the sensor, such that the controller receives signals from the sensor and compares the current signals to a normal operating range. The normal operating range may be predetermined or derived based on trends, thereby allowing the controller to adapt to any product disposed within the conduit. Once the range is determined, the controller is able to discern when the product system is out of product, or operating at elevated pressures. In alternative embodiments, a pumping device or an inductor may generate a recognizable wave pattern that may be monitored to determine if the product system contains product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cold carbonation are provided in which a carbonator (13) having one or more segments is provided. A sensor (14) is provided that can be accessed from a side of a dispenser (10).

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for an oval carbonator employ an oblong housing to provide an improved gas/water interaction area within the confines of the carbonator. The increased cross sectional area provides a larger water surface area, whereby an increased amount of the pressurized gas is exposed to the increased surface area. Further advantages of the oval carbonator include a simplification of the tubing bundles that are cast into the cold plate. The oval carbonator consolidates the volumes previously used by the carbonator, thereby allowing the tubing bundles to be consolidated. Consolidation of this type translates into reduced manufacturing time and increased savings due to the simplified design.

Abstract: An icemaker adapter is suitable for use with different beverage dispensers available from different beverage dispenser manufacturers. The icemaker adapter includes a first member movably engaged with a second member, and a passage therebetween. The first and second members move toward or away from each other to adjust for a dispenser depth dimension. In use, the icemaker adapter resides on top of a beverage dispenser and above a storage chamber of the beverage dispenser. An icemaker is mounted onto a top portion of the icemaker adapter, such that ice from a dispensing zone of the icemaker falls through the passage to a storage chamber of the beverage dispenser. In alternative embodiment, the icemaker adapter adjusts for a side-to-side dimension of the beverage dispenser. In still another embodiment, the icemaker adapter adjusts in two perpendicular directions to accommodate by a width and a depth of the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A mixing assembly includes a mixing insert and a mixer housing that form a cavity when mated. The mixing insert includes orifices that penetrate the mixer insert. An inner vessel receives a product concentrate from a product concentrate source and the cavity receives a reconstituting fluid from a source, such that the reconstituting fluid is forced to exit the cavity through the orifices. Upon exiting the orifices, the reconstituting fluid engages the product concentrate stream, thereby reconstituting the product concentrate. The reconstituted product is then dispensed and evacuated from an end of a mixed product outlet tube, typically exterior to a protected environment, such as a chamber of a product dispenser. The mixing assembly includes varying mixing inserts to provide variable forms of engagement techniques.

Abstract: An intelligent volumetric module for use in metering pressurized syrup to a drink dispenser machine comprises a solenoid driven metering system for controlling liquid flows from a pressurized syrup container and a controller for controlling operation of said solenoid driven metering system according to uniquely addressed instructions received from the drink dispenser's system controller. The controller comprises a self-addressing capability, wherein serial communication to all but one non-addressed volumetric module is disrupted while a first address is assigned to that one module. Communication is the enabled along a serial bus to a next non-addressed module, to which a second address is assigned. The process continues until each volumetric module is assigned a unique address and connected to the serial communication bus.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.

Abstract: An intelligent volumetric module for use in metering pressurized syrup to a drink dispenser machine comprises a solenoid driven metering system for controlling liquid flows from a pressurized syrup container and a controller for controlling operation of said solenoid driven metering system according to uniquely addressed instructions received from the drink dispenser's system controller. The controller comprises a self-addressing capability, wherein serial communication to all but one non-addressed volumetric module is disrupted while a first address is assigned to that one module. Communication is the enabled along a serial bus to a next non-addressed module, to which a second address is assigned. The process continues until each volumetric module is assigned a unique address and connected to the serial communication bus.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cold carbonation are provided in which a carbonator (13) having one or more segments is provided. A sensor (14) is provided that can be accessed from a side of a dispenser (10).

Abstract: An audio dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser including a valve for regulating fluid flow through the audio dispensing valve and a switch in operative engagement with the valve for selectively activating the valve. The audio dispensing valve also includes an audio unit linked with the switch for providing audio information as the switch and valve are activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a beverage dispensing nozzle equipped with at least one flow director dispenses at lower flowrates. In a first embodiment, a single flavor beverage dispensing nozzle equipped with at least one flow director segments the flow and reduces the cross sectional area of the fluid stream, thereby forcing product to move downward. A second embodiment provides an improvement to an existing beverage dispensing nozzle, by adding at least one flow director in an annular channel of the beverage dispensing nozzle. The addition of the at least one flow director in the annular channel provides the beverage dispensing nozzle with the ability to dispense product at lower flowrates by increasing the velocity component of the exiting product. The exiting product now has sufficient energy to separate from the beverage dispensing nozzle. Methods for using the beverage dispensing nozzles with the at least one flow director are also presented.