Abstract: A drink dispensing system having sets of faucet dispensers, ice storage bins adjacent to the sets of faucet dispensers, respectively, a common carbonator and circulation pumps associated with fluid circuits provide circulating flow through cold plates defining bottoms to the ice storage bins. Flow may be in parallel or in series to each of the separate stations. The circulating system is illustrated to be for the carbonated water supply while noncirculating supply systems provide noncarbonated water and syrup to the dispensing stations. Circulating systems for bar guns using a cold plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water pressure booster apparatus which can be employed for the dispensing of beverages. The booster can be combined as a carbonator and water pressure booster apparatus for holding both carbonated and non-carbonated water at elevated pressures, for the dispensing of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. The apparatus has a tank including a tank chamber with a booster chamber therein. The two chambers are separated by a flexible membrane such that the elevated pressure is essentially the same in the two chambers. The booster chamber is removable through an access port in the tank. A valve provides inlet water to the tank chamber and the booster chamber. The location of the membrane controls the valve between charging of the two chambers. The valve is a spool valve with one end coupled to the membrane. The quantities of water in the two chambers controls activation of a pump which provides charging water to the chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water pressure booster apparatus which can be employed for the dispensing of beverages. The booster can be combined as a carbonator and water pressure booster apparatus for holding both carbonated and non-carbonated water at elevated pressures, for the dispensing of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. The apparatus has a tank including a tank chamber with a booster chamber therein. The two chambers are separated by a flexible membrane such that the elevated pressure is essentially the same in the two chambers. The booster chamber is removable through an access port in the tank. A valve provides inlet water to the tank chamber and the booster chamber. The location of the membrane controls the valve between charging of the two chambers. The valve is a spool valve with one end coupled to the membrane. The quantities of water in the two chambers controls activation of a pump which provides charging water to the chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water pressure booster apparatus which can be employed for the dispensing of beverages. The booster can be combined as a carbonator and water pressure booster apparatus for holding both carbonated and non-carbonated water at elevated pressures, for the dispensing of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. The apparatus has a tank including a tank chamber with a booster chamber therein. The two chambers are separated by a flexible membrane such that the elevated pressure is essentially the same in the two chambers. The booster chamber is removable through an access port in the tank. A valve provides inlet water to the tank chamber and the booster chamber. The location of the membrane controls the valve between charging of the two chambers. The valve is a spool valve with one end coupled to the membrane. The quantities of water in the two chambers controls activation of a pump which provides charging water to the chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed are combined carbonator and water pressure booster apparatuses for holding both carbonated and non-carbonated water at elevated pressures, for the dispensing of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. Such apparatuses may comprise a tank including a carbonated chamber and a non-carbonated chamber, wherein the two chambers are separated by a diaphragm, bladder, or piston such that the elevated pressure is essentially the same in the two chambers. The apparatus can also comprise a retrofittable add-on tank for use with an existing carbonation unit.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system that fits inside a completely filled standard beverage container with minimal displacement of the beverage level. A fastener attaches the dispenser to the spout portion of the container. An inflatable bladder pressurizes the beverage at all times. Pressure tubing connects the bladder to a pressure sensor and a pressure source. A pin controls the flow of gas through the pressure tubing. Gas can flow into the bladder when the dispenser is attached to the container. Gas is purged out of the bladder and pressure tubing before the dispenser is removed from the container. A draw tube conducts the beverage under pressure from the container, through beverage exit tubing, out to be dispensed.

Abstract: A flow control valve for maintaining a selected and constant flow rate over a range of liquid delivery pressures is disclosed which includes a housing, a cavity defined within the housing, an input channel in fluid communication with the cavity, the input channel adapted to transport liquid into the cavity, an output channel in fluid communication with the cavity, the output channel adapted to transport liquid from the cavity, an adjustment member receivable into the housing, a spring operative with the adjustment member, a sleeve, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures defined therein, the sleeve disposed within the cavity, a piston sized to fit within the sleeve, the piston adapted for reciprocal movement in the sleeve, the piston operative to vary the operational size of the apertures in the sleeve, the spring adapted to impart a force upon the piston to move the piston in a direction away from the sleeve, a membrane positioned between the sleeve and the piston, the membrane attached at one end to the

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system including an air evacuating apparatus is disclosed. The liquid dispensing system includes a dispensing mechanism and an air evacuating apparatus. The air evacuating apparatus includes a primary pump, a reservoir, an inlet in the reservoir operative to introduce liquid into the reservoir, an outlet in the reservoir operative to transport liquid from the reservoir to the primary pump, a level sensor operative to ascertain the level of liquid in the reservoir, an auxiliary pump, and a controller responsive to output from the level sensor to selectively control operation of the auxiliary pump to remove gas from the reservoir. The primary pump is operative to transport a dispensable liquid from a storage container to the dispensing mechanism.

Abstract: A drink dispenser assembly used for filling receptacles when placed into a position to receive liquid dispensed from a nozzle comprises a valve which is controlled by a solenoid connected to an electric circuit, a switch operated at the will of the operator to actuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to open the valve and initiate a filling cycle, an assembly operative to suspend the receptacle below the nozzle, and an arm positioned proximate the receptacle when the receptacle is placed into a position to receive liquid, the arm operative to sense the filled condition of the receptacle and deactuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to close the valve and terminate the filling cycle.

Abstract: A drink dispenser assembly used for filling receptacles when placed into a position to receive liquid dispensed from a nozzle comprises a valve which is controlled by a solenoid connected to an electric circuit, a switch operated at the will of the operator to actuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to open the valve and initiate a filling cycle, an assembly operative to suspend the receptacle below the nozzle, and an arm positioned proximate the receptacle when the receptacle is placed into a position to receive liquid, the arm operative to sense the filled condition of the receptacle and deactuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to close the valve and terminate the filling cycle.

Abstract: A combination lock is disclosed which is adapted to be attached to a counter or wall which has liquid dispensing lines disposed therein. The combination lock is further adapted to receive a nozzle assembly, which is operative to dispense fluids. The combination lock has multiple channels which are aligned with opposing multiple channels in the nozzle assembly when fitted to the combination lock. A movable locking element will in a first position permit removal of the nozzle assembly and in a second position simultaneously fix the nozzle assembly to the combination lock and permit fluid to flow from the multiple channels in the lock into the multiple channels in the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A low liquid level float control apparatus particularly adapted for use in vessels or tanks containing a fluid of the type utilized in liquid vending machines is disclosed. An electronic control unit has a probe section extending downwardly therefrom containing a reed switch, which is activated by the passage of an annular magnet vertically along the probe section. A second magnet is secured about the lower most portion of the probe section and is adjustable along the probe section thereby increasing the switch delay time, thus reducing the possibility of intermittent on-off operation of associated pump elements.