Abstract: Devices for monitoring a bioreactor are configured for in-situ or ex-situ analysis. Noise from polarization dependent loss is addressed with a polarizer and reference photodetector for detecting a swept wavelength signal from a tunable laser spectrometer after transmission on a optical fiber but before a sample detection region.

Abstract: A method involves receiving a clippable coupon message representing a selection by a user of an item, assigning an entry to a folio for the user, and tracking for a coupon usage from the folio. A computer program stored on computer readable medium is also described. The program has a module to receive a clippable coupon message and a module to track clippable coupon usage.

Abstract: An ice cooled beverage dispensing apparatus including an L-shaped cold plate having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The cold plate includes a plurality of beverage lines extending there through and, in particular, extending in a serpentine fashion through the horizontal portion and vertically through the vertical portion thereof. The beverage lines providing for fluid connecting between a plurality of beverage dispensing valves and liquid sources of beverage constituents. The dispenser of the present invention includes a carbonator integral with the cold plate and located generally at the juncture of the vertical and horizontal portions. The integral carbonator provides for a reservoir of cooled carbonated water thereby lessening the thermal demand on the cold plate.

Abstract: An ice cooled beverage dispensing apparatus including an L-shaped cold plate having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The cold plate includes a plurality of beverage lines extending therethrough and, in particular, extending vertically through the vertical portion of the cold plate. The beverage fluid lines provide for connecting between a plurality of beverage dispensing valves and the cold plate. A heat tube extends partially into the cold plate vertical portion and terminates with an evaporative cooling tube portion adjacent a carbonated water manifold extending adjacent the beverage dispensing valves. A carbonator is integral with the cold plate and located generally at the juncture of the vertical and horizontal portions. Metal thermal jackets cover the portions of the beverage fluid lines extending between the cold plate and the beverage dispensing valves. In operation, the heat tube provides for evaporating cooling of the manifold.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispensing valve having an exterior housing consisting of a main housing cover and an access plate slideably engageable therewith. The access plate houses electronics for controlling the operation of the valve wherein the electronic control is electrically connected to a power source and an operating solenoid through a plug connection. The plug connection provides for complete removal of the access plate from the remainder of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for electronically controlling the size of an ice bank, particularly as used in beverage dispensing equipment. A single pair of probes provide for both establishing a reference conductivity value of the water so that the present invention is adaptable to a wide variance in water qualities. In addition, the single pair of sensors also provide for sensing the physical size of the ice bank.

Abstract: The present invention is a post-mix beverage dispensing valve for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two liquid beverage components. The present invention includes a valve main body having a gear pump secured thereto. The gear pump includes two sets of oval gears. One set of oval gears is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized carbonated water, and the second set is in fluid communication with a source of syrup. The valve body also includes solenoid operated pallet valves for each of the beverage components. Ratioing of the solenoid provides for simultaneous opening of both pallet valves whereby the pressurized carbonated water flows between the carbonated water gears and is swept thereby through the valve body to the dispensing nozzle. One gear of each gear pair is secured to a common rotating shaft. Pressurized carbonated water provides for the rotation of the syrup gears, thereby providing for the pumping of the syrup to the nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage cooling, carbonating and dispensing apparatus has a refrigerator cabinet having a cold air cooling chamber, a cold beverage reservoir and carbonator in the cooling chamber, an outlet from the reservoir to a dispensing valve, and a spring-like helically coiled thermally conductive precooler secured to a beverage inlet of the reservoir, the precooler is suspended in the cold air chamber and has a substantial restriction to flow of beverage therethrough so that the refilling flow into the reservoir is very slow and is cooled to about 40 degrees F. (4.4 degrees C.) before admittance into the reservoir, so the entire contents of the reservoir can be dispensed without warmup or loss of carbonation.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing system includes a probe assembly for automatically shutting off dispensing when dispensed beverage reaches a predetermined level. Upon initial shut-off, a waiting period occurs during which the foam portion at top of the beverage is allowed to settle. At the end of the wait period, an additional top-off period is initiated during which beverage is again dispensed to top-off the beverage to the desired level.

Abstract: A multiple flavor post-mix beverage dispensing apparatus with a dispensing head having a nozzle, a normally closed water valve, a first normally closed primary syrup valve, a water line, and a primary syrup line, has a second normally closed primary syrup valve in a primary syrup line in series with the first valve, an alternative syrup line having a normally closed alternative syrup valve, a primary actuator switch for concurrently opening the water valve and both primary syrup valves while the alternative syrup valve is closed or dispensing only a primary beverage, and a second actuator switch for concurrently opening the water valve and alternate syrup valve while the second primary syrup valve remains closed for dispensing only an alternative beverage; an alternative construction has the same beverage componentry with a single actuator switch and a multiple pole double throw switch for selecting actuation circuitry for the primary beverage or the alternative beverage, an indicator light indicates which be

Abstract: A rotary type oven for articles of food having a broiling zone with a radiant electrical heater, a baking zone and a toasting zone having a convective electrical heater; the oven is of the helical track type with the zones being one above another.

Abstract: A method of heating a food article of the layered type having a crust and a topping of a higher specific heat than the crust, an example of which is a pizza, has the steps of placing the food while in a refrigerated state into an oven, then broiling the topping, then baking the crust and the topping, and lastly toasting the crust; also disclosed is a rotary type oven having a broiling zone with a radiant electrical heater, a baking zone, and a toasting zone having a convective hot air electrical heater; the oven may be of the helical track type with the zones being one above another.

Abstract: A rotary food oven includes a heatable oven chamber, an annular trackway of helical form inside of the chamber and a rotatable reel for advancing food packages around the trackway, the trackway is formed of a disc of sheet metal having perforations for radiant and convective passage of heat and is of a simplified construction, the reel has drive rods rotatable about a circular path and about their own axis for imparting epicyclic movement of circular food packages around the trackway, and the reel and trackway are removable from the oven chamber for cleaning and service.

Abstract: The present invention is a post-mix beverage dispensing valve for accurately maintaining the proper ratio of two liquid beverage components. The present invention includes a valve main body having a gear pump secured thereto. The gear pump includes two sets of oval gears. One set of oval gears is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized carbonated water, and the second set is in fluid communication with a source of syrup. The valve body also includes solenoid operated pallet valves for each of the beverage components. Ratioing of the solenoid provides for simultaneous opening of both pallet valves whereby the pressurized carbonated water flows between the carbonated water gears and is swept thereby through the valve body to the dispensing nozzle. One gear of each gear pair is secured to a common rotating shaft. Pressurized carbonated water provides for the rotation of the syrup gears, thereby providing for the pumping of the syrup to the nozzle.