Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus comprises a system for dispensing a base beverage including a control for controlling dispensing of a quantity of the base beverage, and a system for dispensing at least one flavoring for admixture with the dispensed base beverage. The flavoring dispensing system has a valve for controlling dispensing of the flavoring and a control operable in response to actuation of the beverage dispensing system control to dispense base beverage for opening the valve to dispense flavoring simultaneously and throughout dispensing of the base beverage with a constant volume ratio of base beverage and flavoring.

Abstract: A cooling/dispensing system for cooling and dispensing a beverage. A refrigeration system having an evaporator in a cooling tank cools the fluid in the tank and has a compressor connected to the evaporator for cooling the evaporator. A beverage dispensing system includes a carbonator tank in heat exchange relationship with the fluid in the cooling tank, the carbonator having a first input port connected to a gas supply, having a second input port connected to a liquid supply and having a output port, the carbonator for carbonating the liquid from the liquid supply flowing through the carbonator to produce a carbonated liquid product. A dispenser dispenses the beverage and a beverage conduit connected to the output of the carbonator and connected to the dispenser provides the carbonated liquid product to be dispensed as the beverage. A condition sensor senses a condition of the refrigeration system or of the beverage dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A modular beverage cooling and dispensing system comprising a plurality of beverage cooling and dispensing modules, and a single power module containing a single compressor for servicing all of the beverage cooling and dispensing modules. Each beverage cooling and dispensing module comprises a housing, a tank within the housing for holding a liquid, an evaporator in the tank for chilling the liquid, and at least one beverage conduit positioned in the tank for exposure to the chilled liquid to cool beverage flowing through the conduit. A dispensing head is connected to the beverage conduit for dispensing beverage. Refrigerant lines connect the compressor of the power module and the evaporators of the beverage cooling and dispensing modules. The power module is physically separate from the beverage cooling and dispensing modules so that the power module may be placed at a convenient location remote from the beverage cooling and dispensing modules.

Abstract: A modular beverage cooling and dispensing system comprising a plurality of beverage cooling and dispensing modules, and a single power module containing a single compressor for servicing all of the beverage cooling and dispensing modules. Each beverage cooling and dispensing module comprises a housing, a tank within the housing for holding a liquid, an evaporator in the tank for chilling the liquid, and at least one beverage conduit positioned in the tank for exposure to the chilled liquid to cool beverage flowing through the conduit. A dispensing head is connected to the beverage conduit for dispensing beverage. Refrigerant lines connect the compressor of the power module and the evaporators of the beverage cooling and dispensing modules. The power module is physically separate from the beverage cooling and dispensing modules so that the power module may be placed at a convenient location remote from the beverage cooling and dispensing modules.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing cold drinks comprising a cold water supply line in which cold water is flowing continuously, a valve comprising a valve body having passaging, an inlet for delivery of cold water from a first point along said supply line to the passaging, a main outlet for dispensing of cold water from the passaging, a valve member for the main outlet, and an auxiliary outlet for return of cold water from the passaging to a second point along the supply line downstream from the first point, and a Venturi in the supply line for causing a pressure differential in the cold water between the first and second points along the supply line for continuous flow of the cold water from the supply line through the passaging and the auxiliary outlet back to the supply line when the valve member is closed, thereby to assure having cold water on tap in the passaging for being dispensed when the valve member is opened.

Abstract: Apparatus for reconstituting citrus fruit juice concentrate with water and dispensing the reconstituted juice into a cup comprising a refrigeration chamber for holding a container of concentrate above its freezing temperature, and structure for continuous circulation of cold carbonated water through the chamber, the container having an outlet for the concentrate and an inlet for air under pressure for pressurizing the concentrate. The apparatus further comprises dispensing valve structure with a mixing nozzle, a first passage for the flow of concentrate to the nozzle, a second passage for the flow of water to the nozzle and structure for regulating the pressure of tap water supplied to the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for signaling emptying of a beverage storage container of a beverage dispensing system before any substantial amount of gas enters the delivery line between the container and a dispensing valve. No signal system components are in the container; instead, a fitting is mounted in the delivery line adjacent the container with two electrodes spaced from and electrically insulated from one another within the fitting for contact with the beverage. Sensing circuitry determines whether beverage bridges the two electrodes and causes signaling on non-bridging of the two electrodes by beverage in the line to indicate that the container is empty.