Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser having all components within an insulated housing is provided. The beverage dispenser can include an insulated housing with interior compartments that contain all complementary for dispensing a beverage, a carbonated beverage, and ice. The interior compartments can contain a concentrate source, a concentrate pump, an ice bin, an ice dispensing mechanism, a refrigeration system, a diluent pump, and a carbonation system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method may be configured for detecting selection between a hot version and a cold version of a beverage, causing opening of a first of a plurality of valves and closing of a second of the plurality of valves for providing water to a first of a plurality of mixing chambers based on the selection, causing delivery of beverage concentrate to the first mixing chamber, controlling a flow rate of the water and a flow rate of the beverage concentrate into the mixing chamber for mixing of the water with the beverage concentrate in a controlled ratio to create the beverage, and dispensing the beverage from the mixing chamber.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide levels in an open-container beverage are measured by transferring a quantity of the beverage to a vessel. A closure is secured onto the vessel to form an enclosed volume containing the beverage. A probe is inserted through the closure to contact the beverage, and a sample is transferred from the vessel to a measurement instrument to determine the carbon dioxide level. The methods allow for significantly greater precision and reliability in measuring carbonation levels of open-container beverages relative to currently available techniques.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system with a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and non-carbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.

Abstract: A product display may include a product swatch frame having a plurality of convex surfaces extending towards a front surface and defining product swatch support surfaces configured to support a swatch including a product identifier; and a flange configured to position the swatch provided between an adjacent pair of convex surfaces. A product merchandising system may include a housing having a front surface; and a product display disposed proximate the front surface.

Abstract: A merchandise display system for storing and dispensing merchandise is provided. The merchandise display system includes an outer housing, a transparent front door, a refrigeration unit, and a door that includes an extended canopy. The merchandise display system also includes a front grille for a refrigeration system having a surface adjacent a curved surface.

Abstract: Advertising accessories for bar guns are disclosed. An advertising accessory for a bar gun may include a frame and a front face extending from one side of the frame. A user interface void may be formed in the frame. The frame may be configured to mate with a user interface of a bar gun. A clip extending from the front face may engage a nozzle surface of the bar gun to couple the advertising accessory to the bar gun.

Abstract: A merchandise dispensing system for storing and dispensing food products, consumables, and beverages may include a plurality of modules, such as a food module, a consumables module, a beverage module, and one or more container modules. The modules may be positioned adjacent each other or connected to each other to form a merchandise dispensing system.

Abstract: A product merchandising system includes a housing having a top surface, two side surfaces spaced apart from one another defining a width-direction of the housing, and a front surface and rear surface spaced apart from one another defining a depth-direction of the housing. The system includes a product support system configured to support rows of products along a width of the housing, each row disposed at a position along the depth of the housing, the first row being towards the front surface of the housing. A cooling system includes a cooling system including a cooling heat exchanger generating an airflow, a deflector configured to direct the airflow through the cooling heat exchanger and towards a bottom of the housing, and a nozzle below the deflector and configured to direct the airflow towards a bottom of the housing through an outlet aperture and between a first two rows of products.

Abstract: A modular dispensing unit comprising a frame having a front side, back side, two sidewalls, a top wall, an intermediate wall and a bottom wall; a first enclave and a second enclave within the frame; a first beverage dispenser located in the first enclave; a second beverage dispenser located in the second enclave; an ice dispenser positioned between the first and second enclaves; and an ice dispenser housing surrounding substantially the entire ice dispenser. The ice dispenser housing may have two sidewalls and a front wall, the front wall having an opening allowing access to an ice outlet of the ice dispenser.

Abstract: A dispensing system may be configured to dispense a custom product based on a user selection. The user selection may be provided via a user interface of the dispensing system. The user interface may simultaneously display selectable icons for the available types of products (e.g., types of beverages) and other icons for modifying a chosen product (e.g., a flavoring or additive to a beverage, such as a sweetener or a cherry flavoring). The user interface may receive input from a user in order for the user to select a custom product (e.g., a custom drink) and the dispensing system may dispense the custom product to the user.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser ingredient level detection system is disclosed. The system may include a container with a wall, a canister, a capsule, an infrared emitter, and an infrared receiver. The canister may be disposed within the container at a first distance from the wall and may be configured to hold a beverage ingredient. The capsule may be disposed on an interior surface of the wall. The infrared emitter and the infrared receiver may be disposed within the capsule and the infrared receiver may be configured to transmit infrared light rays and the infrared receiver may be configured to detect infrared light rays reflected by the beverage ingredient in the canister to determine whether a pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister. The capsule may absorb infrared light rays that are not indicative of whether the pre-determined amount of the beverage ingredient is within the canister.