Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and beverages. A beverage tower may be provided that has a small footprint and that is capable of dispensing a wide variety of flavor doses and blended beverages. The beverage tower may include a flow control module that controls the flow rate of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower and a switch module that includes a plurality of switches that may be selectively opened and closed to control the flow of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower to a point of dispense. A flavor dose or blended beverage may be dispensed by the beverage tower in accordance with user input that is provided to the beverage tower via a control panel. The user input may specify a desired beverage additive, a desired cup size, and an indication of whether a flavor shot or a blended beverage is desired.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a mixing apparatus for mixing a flowable material comprises a first body having a first mating surface and a plurality of first cavities formed on the first mating surface. The plurality of first cavities are arranged along a first path to provide a variation in depth measured from the first mating surface. A second body has a second mating surface configured to mate with the first mating surface of the first body. The second body includes a plurality of second cavities formed on the second mating surface. The plurality of second cavities are arranged along a second path to provide a variation in depth measured from the second mating surface. The first mating surface of the first body is mated with the second mating surface of the second body to align the first path with the second path. The first cavities fluidicly communicates with the second cavities to form an internal flow path from an inlet through the first cavities and second cavities to an outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a flowable product. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a dispenser housing having a product outlet extending from the dispenser housing to dispense the flowable product from the product package; and a bellows pump having a pump inlet, a pump outlet, and bellows disposed between the pump inlet and the pump outlet. The pump outlet is coupled to the product outlet of the dispenser housing. The pump inlet is configured to be coupled to the product package outlet of the product package. An actuation lever is coupled with the bellows pump. The actuation lever protrudes to an exterior of the dispensing housing and being movable to compress the bellows of the bellows pump in a compressed position and expand the bellows of the bellows pump in an extended position to pump the product from the product package to the product outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a flowable product at or below a preset low temperature. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a refrigerated container in which to dispose the product package. The container includes a gas outlet and a return gas inlet. A dispenser housing has a dispenser gas inlet coupled with the gas outlet of the refrigerated container to receive a cool gas from the refrigerated container, and a dispenser gas outlet coupled with the return gas inlet of the refrigerated container to return the cool gas to the refrigerated container. A product outlet extends from the dispenser housing to dispense the flowable product from the product package. A product flow line is disposed in the dispenser housing and coupled between the product package and the product outlet.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus provides quick-connect coupling between a fluid source such as a condiment source and a pump. In specific embodiments, the coupling apparatus comprises a tube, and a fluid source connector coupled to an end of the tube and configured to releasably connect to the fluid source. A quick-connect coupler is coupled to another end of the tube and is configured to releasably connect to the pump inlet fitting of the pump. The quick-connect coupler includes a spring-loaded member being biased by a spring toward a locked position to lock the quick-connect coupler to the pump inlet fitting and being movable to a release position to release the quick-connect coupler from the pump inlet fitting. The quick-connect feature conveniently allows the pump to be easily and quickly disconnected from the dispensing system for cleaning or replacement.