Abstract: A carbonator tank assembly is disclosed for use in a beverage machine that dispenses a carbonated beverage therefrom. The carbonator tank includes walls defining a carbonator tank interior. A probe assembly is provided for coupling in a gaseous and fluid-type manner to the walls of the carbonator tank. The probe assembly has no floats but includes electrical, elongated probes having removed ends configured to extend into the interior of the carbonator tank and near ends exposed exteriorly. An electronics module is adapt to fluidly enclose an electronics assembly therein and to receive an electrical cable carrying electrical energy from a remote source. Elements within the electronics module receive the electrical energy from the cable and provide it to the electrodes extending from the walls of the electronics module into the carbonator tank. The electrodes and the electronics module are adapted to removably couple to the probe assembly.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing assembly which has one or more urns to which a manual, post-mix valve is engaged, on front walls thereof. The urn or urns do not contain fluid, rather, at least, a pair of fluid lines carrying pressurized fluid to the post-mix valve, which may be a “T” valve. The two fluid lines carry fluid from a first and a second fluid source, typically pressurized, which sources are remote from the urn or urns. If the assembly is comprised of more than one urn, it may include a base, designed to hold the urns in side-by-side alignment.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is adapted to mix together a concentrate fluid with a base fluid. In certain implementations, the apparatus includes a cool fluid trunk line carrying the base fluid, a manifold, an in line and an out line extending between the cool fluid trunk and the manifold, a python and a bar gun assembly fluidly connected to the downstream side of the manifold by a plurality of conduits contained in the python, the apparatus including a recirculation channel having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet and outlet ports of the recirculation channel are fluidly connected to respective in and out conduits in the python, the said in and out conduits being fluidly connected respectively to the in line and the out line of the cool fluid trunk line via the manifold.

Abstract: Multi-flavored beverage dispensing may be achieved by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, a system for dispensing a combination of externally supplied flavor concentrates and water may include a housing, a lid, a base, a valve, and a flow control assembly. The valve may include a dispensing nozzle, a handle, and a sensor activated by movement of the handle, the valve adapted to separately receive a flavor concentrate and water and mix the two fluids in the nozzle before dispensing. The flow control assembly may include a multiplicity of paired mechanically adjustable flow control elements and dispensing controllers. The flow control assembly may be controlled by a touch-sensitive control panel and a computer. The touch-sensitive control panel may be adapted to receive user flavor selections, and the computer may control the dispensing controllers responsive to user touches of the control panel and manipulation of the handle.

Abstract: A carbonator tank assembly is disclosed for use in a beverage machine wherein the beverage dispensed therefrom is a carbonated beverage. The carbonator tank includes walls defining a carbonator tank interior. A probe assembly is provided for coupling in a gaseous and fluid-type manner to the walls of the carbonator tank. The probe assembly has no floats but includes elongated probes having removed ends configured to extend into the interior of the carbonator tank and near ends exposed exteriorly. An electronics module is adapt to fluidly enclose an electronics assembly therein. The electronics module includes walls adapted to receive an electrical cable carrying electrical energy from a remote source. Elements within the electronics module, such as integrated circuits, receive the electrical energy from the cable and provide it to electrodes extending from the walls of the electronics module.

Abstract: A modular beverage dispenser for engagement with bag-in-box or other source of pressurized concentrate and a pressurized ambient water source, such as city water, is provided. The dispenser has a housing having housing walls, the walls defining an interior space, the interior having interior walls defining a multiple of interior spaces. The housing engages either a flange (configured to engage a perimeter of a countertop drop-in cutout) or legs configured to depend downward from the housing to support the same above a support surface. An ice container is provided for receiving ice therein configured to engage the housing so as to be substantially within the interior space. A cold plate is provided with a multiplicity of cold plate contained fluid lines therein adapted to engage the ice container so as to be cooled by the contents thereof. A carbonator is located in a first interior space. A carbonator pump and motor is located in a second interior space.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is adapted to mix together a concentrate fluid with a base fluid. In certain implementations, the apparatus includes a cool fluid trunk line carrying the base fluid, a manifold, an in line and an out line extending between the cool fluid trunk and the manifold, a python and a bar gun assembly fluidly connected to the downstream side of the manifold by a plurality of conduits contained in the python, the apparatus including a recirculation channel having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet and outlet ports of the recirculation channel are fluidly connected to respective in and out conduits in the python, the said in and out conduits being fluidly connected respectively to the in line and the out line of the cool fluid trunk line via the manifold.

Abstract: A modular beverage dispenser for engagement with bag-in-box or other source of pressurized concentrate and a pressurized ambient water source, such as city water, is provided. The dispenser has a housing having housing walls, the walls defining an interior space, the interior having interior walls defining a multiple of interior spaces. The housing engages either a flange (configured to engage a perimeter of a countertop drop-in cutout) or legs configured to depend downward from the housing to support the same above a support surface. An ice container is provided for receiving ice therein configured to engage the housing so as to be substantially within the interior space. A cold plate is provided with a multiplicity of cold plate contained fluid lines therein adapted to engage the ice container so as to be cooled by the contents thereof. A carbonator is located in a first interior space.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing assembly which has one or more urns to which a manual, post-mix valve is engaged, on front walls thereof. The urn or urns do not contain fluid, rather, at least, a pair of fluid lines carrying pressurized fluid to the post-mix valve, which may be a “T” valve. The two fluid lines carry fluid from a first and a second fluid source, typically pressurized, which sources are remote from the urn or urns. If the assembly is comprised of more than one urn, it may include a base, designed to hold the urns in side-by-side alignment.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus may be adapted to mix together a concentrate fluid with a base fluid. In particular implementations, an apparatus may include a trunk line carrying the base fluid, a manifold, an inline and an outline extending between the trunk and the manifold, a python and a bar gun assembly fluidly connected to the downstream side of the manifold by a plurality of conduits contained in the python, wherein the apparatus includes a recirculation channel having an inlet port and an outlet port fluidly connected to respective in and out conduits in the python, the said in and out conduits being fluidly connected respectively to the inline and the outline of the cool fluid trunk line via the manifold, the beverage dispensing apparatus further including a plurality of product lines, a mixing mechanism and a dispensing outlet.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is disclosed, typical of prior art beverage dispensing systems, in that it is designed to dispense fluids, such as syrup and/or soda and water, from a bar gun. The bar gun is connected by a multiplicity of lines to a manifold and flow control assembly. The manifold and flow control assembly, in turn, receives a number of different fluids, typically syrup, water and soda, under pressure from a number of different pressurized containers. Applicants' novel system includes schematics, typically in the form of adhesive labels, applied to the dispensing system, typically on the manifold and flow control assembly, which schematics illustrate the button arrangement on the handle, and the inlet port layout on the handle, and relate the same, using words, symbols or a combination, to indicia identified ports on the manifold and flow control assembly.

Abstract: An O-ring retainer is disclosed that is integral with a valve stem of a valve. The valve is intended to move in a valve chamber, which valve chamber has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. When manually actuated, the valve moves between a first position, where it is seated against walls of the valve chamber and prevents flow through the chamber, and a second unseated position where it allows flow of the fluid through the chamber between the inlet and the outlet. An O-ring, used in conjunction with the valve and the valve chamber, is maintained in place by an outward projection from the valve stem, which projection is located just below the normally seated O-ring. Thus, if the O-ring becomes unseated, the projection, upon movement of the valve towards the seated position, bumps the O-ring back into its normal position.

Abstract: Various systems, processes, and technique may be used to achieve beverage dispensing. In particular implementations, a beverage dispensing system may include a flow controller, a venturi-type mixer, and a dispensing faucet. The flow controller may be adapted to regulate water flow rate therethrough. The venturi-type mixer may be coupled to the flow controller and to a beverage concentrate syrup supply conduit. The mixer may be adapted to draw beverage concentrate syrup in response to water flowing through the mixer and begin mixing the beverage concentrate syrup with the water, the mixture of beverage concentrate syrup and water forming a beverage. The beverage dispensing faucet may be coupled to the mixer and adapted to receive the mixture and dispense the beverage.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is disclosed, typical of prior art beverage dispensing systems, in that it is designed to dispense fluids, such as syrup and/or soda and water, from a bar gun. The bar gun is connected by a multiplicity of lines to a manifold and flow control assembly. The manifold and flow control assembly, in turn, receives a number of different fluids, typically syrup, water and soda, under pressure from a number of different pressurized containers. Applicants' novel system includes schematics, typically in the form of adhesive labels, applied to the dispensing system, typically on the manifold and flow control assembly, which schematics illustrate the button arrangement on the handle, and the inlet port layout on the handle, and relate the same, using words, symbols or a combination, to indicia identified ports on the manifold and flow control assembly.

Abstract: A bar gun assembly for receiving a multiplicity of fluid carrying tubes carrying a multiplicity of fluids, for example, flavored syrup and soda water, therein. The bar gun assembly has a handle having a handle body. The handle body is a multiplicity of ports and fluid channels therein. A supply line connector assembly engages the supply lines and the handle body. A backing plate assembly engages openings in the fluid chambers of the handle body to seal fluid therein. A nozzle assembly engages at least some of the fluid channels in the handle. The backing plate has a multiplicity of O-ring retainers fixedly engaged therewith.

Abstract: A bar gun assembly for receiving a multiplicity of fluid carrying tubes carrying a multiplicity of fluids, for example, flavored syrup and soda water, therein. The bar gun assembly has a handle having a handle body. The handle body is a multiplicity of ports and fluid channels therein. A supply line connector assembly engages the supply lines and the handle body. A backing plate assembly engages openings in the fluid chambers of the handle body to seal fluid therein. A nozzle assembly engages at least some of the fluid channels in the handle and provides for mixing the syrup and the soda water. The nozzle assembly includes walls adapted to substantially coat an inner wall of a nozzle housing with a first fluid and a lower portion of the inner wall with a second fluid.

Abstract: Applicants provide a post-mix hot tea dispenser which foregoes the use of electrical elements in the flow control circuits. Applicants provide a dispenser with a manually operated T-valve mounted to the front of a housing. The housing contains mechanical (non-electrical) flow control elements to provide a measured flow of a concentrate and a diluent in the proper proportion to the post-mix valve.

Abstract: Bar guns having a body constructed from a multiplicity of color contrasting laminated acrylic sheets. The bar gun body has a nozzle, a heel, and a button assembly. Internal parts, including pistons, engage fluid channels in the bar gun body to control the flow of fluid to the bar gun nozzle.

Abstract: A device for controlled delivery of pressurized fluids from a multiplicity of pressurize fluid sources having a multiplicity of pressurized fluid lines engaged therewith to a bar gun. The device comprises a flow control assembly with a multiplicity of flow channel assemblies. Each flow channel assembly has a high pressure tube receiving port adapted to receive a fluid pressure line from a high pressure fluid source. Each flow control assembly has an on/off valve and flow control structure downstream thereof. The flow control structure may be self-adjusting or mechanical control. The flow control assembly includes a housing for engaging the fluid flow channel assemblies thereon. A manifold assembly is adapted to engage the flow control assembly. The manifold assembly includes a multiplicity of connector fittings, each having an upstream and a downstream end.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing valve includes a downspout assembly having a body having walls with a slot therein. The downspout assembly has a channel, an upper and a lower opening, with the slot in the channel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly includes a lateral member typically extending laterally from the downspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinch member may partly enclosed within the lateral member and dimensioned to move partially through the slot. A handle and the pinch member moves the pinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may engage the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm at least partially through the slot of the body. A flexible insert is dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of the body, the insert having an open top and an open bottom.