Abstract: A dual temperature beverage dispenser for providing a variety of beverages, both hot and cool from a small, high capacity, coin-activated unit. The dispenser includes a removable operating module which can be stored for safekeeping separate and apart from a water storage unit which becomes inoperative when the operating module is removed. The water storage unit includes a hot water heater including a tank and a storage tank for ambient water oriented above the hot water heater tank for gravity flow of ambient water to the hot water heater tank when required and for gravity flow to a discharge point in the operating module to enable ambient or cool water to be obtained without payment or beverage to be obtained from the dispenser by use of an appropriate coin or token.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for use in a broad range of commercial food service operations which will consistently, accurately, economically and rapidly dispense beverages over extended periods in a dependable and substantially maintenance-free manner. The dispenser includes a cannister/auger assembly providing a completely closed product delivery path with absolute positional immobility. The dispenser also includes a system for dispersing moisture from the product delivery area which will assure complete removal of moisture. The beverage dispenser includes an adjustable device coupled to the auger to enable variation in the beverage strength while maintaining machine simplicity and a rapid water temperature recovery rate with the beverage dispenser being capable of simple, fool-proof, instantaneous disassembly.

Abstract: A demand preparation soluble coffee urn utilized as a replacement for conventional roasted coffee urns and constructed in a manner to closely simulate a roasted coffee urn as to size, shape, appearance, exterior configuration and provided with plumbing and electrical fittings to enable it to occupy the same position as a roasted coffee urn, thereby facilitating the use of freeze-dried coffee in institutional feeding operations, restaurants, fast food shops, cafeterias, coffee shops, diners, and the like. The soluble coffee urn includes a structure for storing and dispensing coffee powder, mixing it with hot water and discharging coffee into a cup or other suitable receptacle upon demand, that is, as long as an actuating handle is operated and to provide single or double-sided service with one or more products, including hot water, being dispensed from either or both sides of the urn.

Abstract: Automatic dispensing apparatus for dispensing predetermined quantities of different beverages from one dispensing station, the invention comprises a housing having a water supply subsystem located therein for supplying either hot or cold water to the dispensing station for ejection into a cup, the housing further having a plurality of dry powder beverage base containers, each container having a powder metering mechanism for ejecting a predetermined quantity of powder into a delivery chute, the delivery chute directing the powder into the cup for mixing with the hot or cold water. Portions of the powder metering mechanisms remote from the containers and upper portions of the delivery chutes, one delivery chute being provided for each container to avoid cross-contamination, are disposed within a warm air enclosure to prevent moisture contamination of the dry powders.

Abstract: A controller in the form of an insert for a microwave oven having apertures or openings therein, each of which is provided with an adjustable closure for controlling the amount of radiation reaching food being heated or cooked in the oven. The controller unit includes a radiation-opaque shield or panel supported in elevated relation to the bottom of the microwave oven with the apertures being provided in the panel at desired positions with the apertures being of different sizes and having closure members to enable the size of the apertures to be varied for more effectively controlling the amount of radiation engaging food products placed under the controller. A positioning attachment is provided for the controller unit to enable it to be placed accurately in the oven and to adjust the controller to a proper position for various commercially available microwave ovens.

Abstract: A powdered foods dispenser capable of dispensing multiple powdered foods for mixing with water externally of the dispenser for effective use in institutional meal service areas. The dispenser includes supply canisters for powdered foods and a dispensing mechanism associated therewith which is electrically operated for discharging a predetermined quantity of powdered food into an external receptacle with the dispensing mechanism for each powdered food being controlled by a manually actuated pushbutton and adjustable timer for controlling the quantity of powdered food dispensed. In one embodiment of the invention, as many as six different powdered foods may be dispensed with a supply of hot water also being available. In another embodiment of the invention, only two powdered foods, such as coffee and tea, are dispensed with the dispenser being convertible from free operation to coin controlled operation.