Abstract: A bottle. The bottle may include an expanded rear end, an offset spout, and a substantially flat side positioned between the expanded rear end and the offset spout.

Abstract: A container for holding ground coffee or tealeaves. The container may include a body and a lip extending from the body. The lip may include a top substantially flat surface and a width of no more than about 2.6 millimeters (about 0.1 inch).

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for brewing a beverage from a container of brewable material into a receptacle. The beverage dispenser may include a source of hot water, a nozzle for injecting the hot water into the container such that the hot water flows through the container and a brewed beverage flows into the receptacle, a source of a secondary fluid, and a valve for flowing the secondary fluid into the receptacle so as to mix the secondary fluid with the brewed beverage.

Abstract: A pod for holding an amount of mixable material. The pod may include a circular sidewall and a base. The base may include a number of apertures. A substantially stiff filter paper may be positioned about the base.

Abstract: A vending machine face has a number of modules that are mechanically fastened to an underlying frame. These modules can be easily removed and replaced in the field so that the appearance of a vending machine can be changed with promotions, new interactive pieces can be added, the location of the vend selection buttons can be changed, recessed display compartments can be used and/or different light boxes with various graphics can be inserted and removed. This arrangement will provide for the ability to completely change the appearance of the vending machine on site. The vending machine can be customized for specific account location and can be switched from one promotion to another relatively easily. A frame for holding the modules is provided. The frame and modules be a door for the vending machine. This door can be flat or have a contoured, undulating outer face. Also, the door can be rectangular or have other shapes as desired.

Abstract: A portable carbonator includes a built-in CO.sub.2 supply system which operates on disposable gas generating cartridges. The system requires no electrical power and is self-sufficient and automatic. CO.sub.2 gas is generated by a chemical reaction between reagents which carbonates and/or propels the water. Whenever carbonated water is drawn, the reagents react and generate more CO.sub.2 so as to maintain a constant pressure of the carbonated water.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling the contents of a vessel in which refrigerant is passed through pipelines placed as a coil alongside the outer wall of the vessel, the pipelines in the areas of the starting end and of the finishing end of the coil are fastened upon the vessel by clamping elements and laid under tensile stress alongside the vessel.

Abstract: A circuit for the control of a refrigeration circuit for at least two refrigeration areas such as the carbonated water supply and beverage concentrate chamber of a beverage dispenser. Priority cooling of one area is achieved by use of a combinational logic circuit in conjunction with refrigeration-requirement sensors so that the CO.sub.2 water supply will be cooled first regardless of a requirement for the cooling of the concentrate chamber.

Abstract: An automatic change-over system for stock rotation of liquids packaged in plural collapsible bag-type reservoirs is described. The bag-type reservoirs are divided into primary and secondary groups, the primary group containing the supply of liquid being dispensed and the secondary group containing the liquid supply held in reserve. Automatic change-over between the primary and secondary groups of bag-type reservoirs is effected in response to a vacuum created by the empty condition in the bags in the primary group. The pressure change in the present system is the result of the deflation of the empty bag-type packages. Thus, the change-over is caused by the characteristics of the flexible bags containing the liquid being dispensed.

Abstract: A cargo conveying apparatus on a motor truck is described which is capable of moving cargo on the motor truck in a rotational manner by means of a series of conveying mechanisms, and wherein substantially all of the area of the truck bed is utilized without producing a dead space on the motor truck bed while performing loading and unloading operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing one or more post-mix beverages is described. A gravity type dispenser having a plurality of valves which alternatively dispense syrup or concentrate with either carbonated or sweet water. The carbonated and sweet water are supplied from a carbonating and cooling assembly. Cooling of the sweet water is performed by passing the sweet water through a coil emersed in the carbonated water tank. The rate of carbonation of the water is assisted by a rotary agitator which is intermittently energized in synchronism with the beginning of the dispensing operation. The syrup storage tanks and carbonating assembly are in thermal contact to facilitate cooling of the syrup in the dispenser. Additional automatic controls are provided for maintaining the water level and ice bank thickness, and thus, the temperature of the carbonated water in the carbonating assembly within predetermined limits.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the volume of a liquid delivered in bulk to an outlet storage tank is described. A portable weigh apparatus is provided for transportation to each outlet by the delivery truck. The measuring apparatus includes a plurality of jacks for lifting the storage tank, load cells for sensing the load generated by the lifted storage tank, and a display unit for providing a direct readout of the volume of liquid dispensed into the storage tank. In one embodiment the measuring apparatus comprises a portable wheeled cart. In a second embodiment the measuring apparatus comprises a device of lightweight, foldable construction, which can be lifted and carried by hand from the delivery truck to a position below the storage tank.

Abstract: A gravity feed controlled beverage dispenser is described wherein an improved electric motor operated pump is employed in cooperation with a storage container so as to thoroughly mix without causing foam and aeration of a dispensable fluid which is positioned within the container and lift the dispensable fluid from the container to a predetermined level in a cavity located in the upper part of the pump, and maintain it there to provide a constant level for accurate gravity feed control of the dispensable fluid from the container to a dispensing nozzle where it is discharged through the dispensing nozzle along with another fluid in a blended beverage mixture of pre-selected portions. One of the features of the beverage dispenser is the ease and accessibility of major components, including the pump, to be hand removed for efficient servicing and cleaning. The beverage dispenser is low in cost and of simple, reliable construction.

Abstract: A cold water-soluble tea concentrate or tea powder that when reconstituted gives a tea of improved astringency and color without turbidity is produced from tea extracts, and preferably black tea extracts, by treating the tea extract or tea cream with appropriate enzymes.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the internal pressure strength of glass bottles is described. The system utilizes water as a pressure test medium which is introduced into the test bottles and pressurized to predetermined pressure levels in stepped increments. Pressurization of the water is effected by a gas driven piston in the water supply line. A plurality of pressure control switches in the water supply line step the water pressure through said predetermined levels. A control circuit is provided for sequentially actuating said pressure switches for predetermined durations. Indicator means are provided on a control panel to indicate the test pressure level under which the test apparatus is operating at any given time, (i.e., guage), as well as the test pressure levels passed (i.e., lamps).

Abstract: A hydration drying process is described for producing an improved free-flowing, non-hygroscopic food and/or beverage powder. The process involves the admixing of a juice concentrate with a predetermined amount of anhydrous dextrose in an agitating device until the desired degree of dryness is achieved. If desired, the rate of hydration of the dextrose molecules can be expedited by subjecting the mixture to a hydration enhancing step at a low temperature either during or after agitation of the mixture. When compared to conventional drying processes, the present invention is more economical, retains desirable volatiles, and develops negligible off-flavors during processing.