Abstract: A multi-flavor valve capable of dispensing at least three flavors of beverages is provided. The valve includes a single-piece injection-molded valve body having at least three syrup flow paths and a water flow path. The valve also includes at least three syrup flow path solenoids for respectively opening and closing the at least three syrup flow paths, and one water flow path solenoid for opening and closing the water flow path. The three syrup flow path solenoids are positioned in the corresponding syrup flow paths, and the water flow path solenoid is positioned in the water flow path, within the valve body. The valve also has at least three beverage flavor switches for selecting any one of the three beverage flavors for dispensation.

Abstract: A drop-in beverage dispensing unit and ice bin combination having a beverage dispenser and an ice bin assembly. The beverage dispenser can have a tower assembly onto which dispensing valves are mounted. An ice bin lid provides access to the ice stored within the ice bin assembly and aids in protecting the ice from contamination while it is stored within the ice bin assembly. A drain pan is located below the dispensing valves to catch any spillage and direct it to the drain piping. The drain pan can have a primary drain pipe and a secondary drain pipe. The ice bin assembly can have an outer wall structure and an inner wall structure. The outer wall structure can be seamless.

Abstract: A mobile beverage dispensing unit includes a replaceable syrup module, a replaceable liquid module, and a replaceable mixing module. The replaceable mixing module creates a beverage by mixing liquid that is dispensed from the replaceable liquid module and syrup that is contained in the replaceable syrup module to create a beverage. The mobile beverage dispensing unit may contain a replaceable dispensing module that dispenses the beverage that is formed in the replaceable mixing module. A plumbing module may connect the replaceable liquid module and the replaceable syrup module to the replaceable mixing module and may also connect the replaceable mixing module to the replaceable dispensing unit. A user may cause the beverage to be dispensed from the replaceable dispensing module by operating a dispensing mechanism that controls the flow of the beverage.

Abstract: A product delivery system for delivering a product from a storage area to a dispensing area, such as for use in a vending machine. The product delivery system may include a vacuum holding device, a robotic positioning system, a reel and cable system, and a controller. A feature is the provision of a picker head with a built-in vacuum generating source that may be carried by a robotically movable arm system.

Abstract: A beverage and ice dispenser that dispenses both beverages and cubed or crushed ice. Beverages are dispensed from dispensing heads. Cubed ice is stored in a bin. A duct leads from the bin. The duct has first and second outlet openings. A chute leads from the outlet openings. The chute has a single discharge opening from which ice from both duct outlet openings is discharged. An ice crusher is between a first outlet opening and the chute. A gate opens and blocks the flow path from the second opening into the chute. When cubed ice is desired, the gate is spaced from the second opening so that cubed ice is discharged from the duct and chute. When crushed ice is desired, the gate closes the second opening. Ice flows out of the first opening, is crushed by the ice crusher and discharged through the chute.

Abstract: A multi-flavor valve capable of dispensing at least three flavors of beverages is provided. The valve includes a single-piece injection-molded valve body having at least three syrup flow paths and a water flow path. The valve also includes at least three syrup flow path solenoids for respectively opening and closing the at least three syrup flow paths, and one water flow path solenoid for opening and closing the water flow path. The three syrup flow path solenoids are positioned in the corresponding syrup flow paths, and the water flow path solenoid is positioned in the water flow path, within the valve body. The valve also has at least three beverage flavor switches for selecting any one of the three beverage flavors for dispensation.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing hot water, a beverage concentrate and cold water, as well as one or more additives. The hot water and cold water are supplied at a predetermined flow rate at a predetermined proportion, regardless of the pressure of the water supply. A water heater supplies the hot water within a specified pressure range and without significant entrapped air.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing hot water, a beverage concentrate and cold water, as well as one or more additives. The hot water and cold water are supplied at a predetermined flow rate at a predetermined proportion, regardless of the pressure of the water supply. A water heater supplies the hot water within a specified pressure range and without significant entrapped air.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing hot water, a beverage concentrate and cold water, as well as one or more additives. The hot water and cold water are supplied at a predetermined flow rate at a predetermined proportion, regardless of the pressure of the water supply. A water heater supplies the hot water within a specified pressure range and without significant entrapped air.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a mixing chamber for mixing hot water, a beverage concentrate and cold water, as well as one or more additives. The hot water and cold water are supplied at a predetermined flow rate at a predetermined proportion, regardless of the pressure of the water supply. A water heater supplies the hot water within a specified pressure range and without significant entrapped air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enhancing the carbonation efficiency of an ice-chilled beverage dispenser. The system includes a beverage dispenser having an ice bin, a pre-chill coil proximate a portion of a store of ice in the ice bin; and an under-counter assembly having a carbonator in fluid flow communication with the pre-chill coil, and a pump for pumping water through said system. Water flows through the pre-chill coil prior to flowing through the carbonator. The present invention provides various methods of converting existing ice-chilled beverage dispensers including installing a pre-chill coil proximate to a store of ice in the ice bin so that water flows through the pre-chill coil before it flows through the carbonator. Another method includes diverting the flow of water from a water chill coil to the carbonator, instead of a plain water valve to which fluid originally flowed from the water chill coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing carbonated beverages includes a housing, an ice bin, a carbonator and a cold plate. The ice bin is disposed within the housing for storing ice and is surrounded by thermal insulation. The carbonator is disposed within the housing adjacent the ice bin and receives water and CO2 gas to form carbonated water. The thermal insulation is disposed between the carbonator and the ice bin such that the ice bin is thermally isolated from the carbonator. The cold plate is chilled by the ice in the ice bin and includes pre-chilling coils for cooling the water to be supplied to the carbonator and post-chilling coils for cooling the carbonated water flowing from the carbonator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for enhancing the carbonation efficiency of an ice-chilled beverage dispenser. The system includes a beverage dispenser having an ice bin, a pre-chill coil proximate a portion of a store of ice in the ice bin; and an under-counter assembly having a carbonator in fluid flow communication with the pre-chill coil, and a pump for pumping water through said system. Water flows through the pre-chill coil prior to flowing through the carbonator. The present invention provides various methods of converting existing ice-chilled beverage dispensers including installing a pre-chill coil proximate to a store of ice in the ice bin so that water flows through the pre-chill coil before it flows through the carbonator. Another method includes diverting the flow of water from a water chill coil to the carbonator, instead of a plain water valve to which fluid originally flowed from the water chill coil.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing carbonated beverages includes a housing, an ice bin, a carbonator and a cold plate. The ice bin is disposed within the housing for storing ice and is surrounded by thermal insulation. The carbonator is disposed within the housing adjacent the ice bin and receives water and CO2 gas to form carbonated water. The thermal insulation is disposed between the carbonator and the ice bin such that the ice bin is thermally isolated from the carbonator. The cold plate is chilled by the ice in the ice bin and includes pre-chilling coils for cooling the water to be supplied to the carbonator and post-chilling coils for cooling the carbonated water flowing from the carbonator.