Abstract: A frozen product dispenser is characterized by at least two product freeze barrels for receiving product therein and for freezing the product for dispensing, and a refrigeration system for chilling the at least two barrels. The refrigeration system has at least two evaporators for and heat transfer coupled to each barrel, separate and controllable expansion valves each having an outlet coupled to an inlet to an inlet to an associated one of the evaporators, at least two compressors having outlets coupled to inlets to the expansion valves and inlets coupled to outlets from the evaporators, and at least one condenser in fluid circuit between outlets from the compressors and inlets to the expansion valves.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is characterized by an ice/beverage dispenser and a remote beverage tower. The dispenser has a cold plate, a carbonator pump and a carbonator tank and the tower has a carbonator tank. To chlll the tower carbonator tank, a dosed loop fluid circuit extends between and heat exchange couples the dispenser cold plate and the tower carbonator tank. The dispenser carbonator pump can be used to circulate water through the closed loop circuit or a carbonator pump for the tower can be used for the purpose. A valve arrangement is provided for and as part of the dispenser cold plate to conveniently enable the dispenser to be switched between stand-alone operation and operation as a base unit for the remote tower. Arrangement is also made to cause ice agitation at the dispenser in response to drinks dispense at the remote tower to maintain a supply on the cold plate.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is characterized by an ice/beverage dispenser and a remote beverage tower. The dispenser has a cold plate, a carbonator pump and a carbonator tank and the tower has a carbonator tank. To chill the tower carbonator tank, a closed loop fluid circuit extends between and heat exchange couples the dispenser cold plate and the tower carbonator tank. The dispenser carbonator pump can be used to circulate water through the closed loop circuit or a carbonator pump for the tower can be used for the purpose. A valve arrangement is provided for and as part of the dispenser cold plate to conveniently enable the dispenser to be switched between stand-alone operation and operation as a base unit for the remote tower. Arrangement is also made to cause ice agitation at the dispenser in response to drinks dispense at the remote tower to maintain a supply on the cold plate.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is characterized by an ice/beverage dispenser and a remote beverage tower. The dispenser has a cold plate, a carbonator pump and a carbonator tank and the tower has a carbonator tank. To chill the tower carbonator tank, a closed loop fluid circuit extends between and heat exchange couples the dispenser cold plate and the tower carbonator tank. The dispenser carbonator pump can be used to circulate water through the closed loop circuit or a carbonator pump for the tower can be used for the purpose. A valve arrangement is provided for and as part of the dispenser cold plate to conveniently enable the dispenser to be switched between stand-alone operation and operation as a base unit for the remote tower. Arrangement is also made to cause ice agitation at the dispenser in response to drinks dispense at the remote tower to maintain a supply on the cold plate.

Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.

Abstract: A control system for an icemaker for an ice/beverage dispenser is responsive to both a sensed level of ice in an ice bin of the dispenser and to a customer ice usage profile to operate the icemaker at such times as to build ice for the ice bin just before and in sufficient time and quantity to meet an anticipated demand for ice. The control system may be programmed manually or automatically through use of adaptive algorithms, with ice usage patterns that identify the days and times of day when demands for ice will occur, and the control system then operates the icemaker in accordance with such ice usage patterns.

Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is characterized by an ice/beverage dispenser and a remote beverage tower. The dispenser has a cold plate, a carbonator pump and a carbonator tank and the tower has a carbonator tank. To chill the tower carbonator tank, a closed loop fluid circuit extends between and heat exchange couples the dispenser cold plate and the tower carbonator tank. The dispenser carbonator pump can be used to circulate water through the closed loop circuit or a carbonator pump for the tower can be used for the purpose. A valve arrangement is provided for and as part of the dispenser cold plate to conveniently enable the dispenser to be switched between stand-alone operation and operation as a base unit for the remote tower. Arrangement is also made to cause ice agitation at the dispenser in response to drinks dispense at the remote tower to maintain a supply on the cold plate.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing head for a beverage dispenser admixes diluent and syrup for dispensing into a cup. The dispensing head has a nozzle with a diluent receiving surface that leads downward to a juncture of the surface with an outlet from the nozzle. Diluent delivered to the dispensing head is introduced onto the diluent receiving surface for flow along the surface to and past the juncture. Syrup delivered to the dispensing head is emitted in the nozzle as a plurality of discrete streams directed toward and against diluent at the juncture for admixture with the diluent. The admixture of diluent and syrup then exits the dispensing head nozzle through the nozzle outlet for being dispensed into the cup.