Abstract: A beverage quality security apparatus for a post-mix beverage dispenser including a concentrate supply compartment for supporting concentrate containers in dispensing positions, an access door to the compartment and protrusions on the inside of the access door which fit into recesses in the containers when the door is closed. The door also must actuate a limit switch when the door is closed before the dispenser can be electrically energized to dispense a selected beverage.

Abstract: A manually-refillable water reservoir assembly, which may be retrofit to a post-mix beverage dispenser to supply water from the reservoir instead of from a commercial water supply, includes a manually-refillable water container which plugs into a base assembly. The base assembly includes a socket for receiving the container, and the container includes a side opening for filling and a vent placed above the same operative when both filling the container while resting on it's side, and in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A manually-refillable water reservoir assembly, which may be retrofit to a post-mix beverage dispenser to supply water from the reservoir instead of from a commercial water supply, includes a manually-refillable water container which plugs into a base assembly. The base assembly includes a socket for receiving the container, a centrifugal pump and a water filter. The beverage dispenser contains a turbine-type pump for supplying water to a carbonator at a predetermined pressure and flow rate. The inherent slippage in the centrifugal pump permits the flow rate and pressure of water supplied to the dispenser to adjust to that of the turbine-type pump.

Abstract: A Post-mix beverage dispenser cabinet including a carbonator, water reservoir, flavor concentrate containers and a CO.sub.2 cylinder disposed therein. The flavor concentrate containers and CO.sub.2 cylinder are disposed adjacent a front wall of the cabinet. A water entrance chute extends from the front wall to the water reservoir. The flavor concentrate containers, CO.sub.2 cylinder and water may be manually introduced at the front wall of the cabinet.

Abstract: A Post-mix beverage dispenser cabinet including a carbonator, water reservoir, flavor concentrate containers and a CO.sub.2 cylinder disposed therein. The flavor concentrate containers and CO.sub.2 cylinder are disposed adjacent a front wall of the cabinet. A water entrance chute extends from the front wall to the water reservoir. The flavor concentrate containers, CO.sub.2 cylinder and water may be manually introduced at the front wall of the cabinet.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser unit for use in small offices or small-volume locations is described. Flavored syrup is supplied to the unit from disposable sealed syrup packages which are plugged into a dispenser valving system. CO.sub.2 is supplied to the unit carbonator system in returnable containers which also may be quickly plugged into a CO.sub.2 valving system.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser unit for use in small offices or small-volume locations is described. Flavored syrup is supplied to the unit from disposable sealed syrup packages which are plugged into a dispenser valving system. CO.sub.2 is supplied to the unit carbonator system in returnable containers which also may be quickly plugged into a CO.sub.2 valving system. A thermoelectric refrigeration system may be provided to decrease noise and the number of moving parts or a mechanical freon system may be used. The unit construction may be modular for ease of repair. The cabinet is injection-molded from plastic. Water is supplied to the unit for mixing with the CO.sub.2 and syrup from a water reservoir which may be manually filled. The refrigeration system cools the water in the reservoir, as well as the syrup packages and carbonator tank.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing system is disclosed which comprises a syrup dispenser provided with a rupturable membrane which seals the discharge end thereof and a vent with a vent cap on the opposite end thereof. An opening device is provided comprising a cylindrical piercing knife and a socket for receiving the membrane seal end of the syrup container. Due to the unique structure of the opening device, the rupturable membrane is effectively pierced and displaced upon insertion thereof into the socket, thus providing unobstructed continuous flow of the syrup from the container into an associated valve body.

Abstract: A system for the remote monitoring of vending machines and for automatically communicating conditions at the vending machines to a central computer complex is described. Each vending machine is provided with a microprocessor which monitors and stores data within that machine and transmits the data to the central computer complex either immediately or at scheduled call-in times. The distributed logic between the vending machine microprocessors and the central computer complex provides various alarm function signals and aids in inventory control and efficient route planning for the supply and maintenance of the machines. In a preferred embodiment the data is transmitted between the central computer complex and each vending machine over telephone lines.

Abstract: A post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing system for use in refrigerated cabinets includes a carbonator having a refillable water reservoir, a CO.sub.2 system coupled to said carbonator, a valving system, and a disposable package for containing and dispensing the syrup of the post-mix beverage at a controlled rate of flow. The water reservoir may be manually refilled from a water pitcher. The CO.sub.2 system includes a cylinder which is also disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and is coupled to the carbonator. The valving system may include a plurality of dispensing valves and mixing nozzles for dispensing different selected beverages depending upon which of the valves is actuated. In addition, carbonated water alone may be dispensed. The disposable syrup package includes a plastic container having a flow rate control tube therein and means in said flow rate control for precluding spillage of syrup when the package temperature becomes elevated from opening and closing the refrigerator door.

Abstract: A post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing system for use in refrigerated cabinets includes a carbonator having a refillable water reservoir, a CO.sub.2 system coupled to said carbonator, a valving system, and a disposable package for containing and dispensing the syrup of the post-mix beverage at a controlled rate of flow. The water reservoir may be manually refilled from a water pitcher. The CO.sub.2 system includes a cylinder which is also disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and is coupled to the carbonator. The valving system may include a plurality of dispensing valves and mixing nozzles for dispensing different selected beverages depending upon which of the valves is actuated. In addition, carbonated water alone may be dispensed. The disposable syrup package includes a plastic container having a flow rate control tube therein and means in said flow rate control for precluding spillage of syrup when the package temperature becomes elevated from opening and closing the refrigerator door.

Abstract: A CO.sub.2 supply system for a carbonator includes a CO.sub.2 cylinder containing a combination of liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide under pressure at approximately 900 p.s.i.g., an openable end including a valve element disposed in an elongated extension of that end, an adaptor socket for receiving the elongated extension and supporting the cylinder, a pressure regulator connected to the adaptor and a hose coupling the same to a carbonator tank and an elongated tube extending from the open end of the cylinder toward a closed end thereof and terminating at a position spaced from the closed end. The elongated tube is open at both ends to permit the flow of liquid or gas therethrough, depending on the orientation of the CO.sub.2 cylinder. In order to dispense CO.sub.2 gas to a carbonator, the CO.sub.2 cylinder is disposed with its open end down and plugged into the adaptor socket. In this position, CO.sub.2 gas is present in the head space of the CO.sub.2 cylinder adjacent the closed end thereof.

Abstract: A post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing system for use in refrigerated cabinets includes a carbonator having a refillable water reservoir, a CO.sub.2 system coupled to said carbonator, a valving system, and a disposable package for containing and dispensing the syrup of the post-mix beverage at a controlled rate of flow. The water reservoir may be manually refilled from a water pitcher. The CO.sub.2 system includes a cylinder which is also disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and is coupled to the carbonator. The valving system may include a plurality of dispensing valves and mixing nozzles for dispensing different selected beverages depending upon which of the valves is actuated. In addition, carbonated water alone may be dispensed. The disposable syrup package includes a plastic container having a flow rate control tube therein and means in said flow rate control for precluding spillage of syrup when the package temperature becomes elevated from opening and closing the refrigerator door.

Abstract: A disposable package for dispensing liquids with a controlled rate of flow is described, such as for syrup for use with a post-mix soft drink dispenser. The disposable package includes a thin walled plastic or glass container with a closed end and an open end defining a discharge opening with a flow rate control tube positioned in said container in a predetermined position. The flow rate control tube has a closed rupturable, openable or frangible sealed end, which extends through the closed end of the container, and an open end, which is disposed at a predetermined distance within the container from the position of the discharge opening. The discharge or open end of the container is sealed by a removable cap and a rupturable membrane. The sealed end of the flow rate control tube may be contained within a recessed portion of the container adjacent the closed end thereof to protect the sealed end from rupture during shipping of the disposable package.

Abstract: A post-mix carbonated beverage dispensing system for use in refrigerated cabinets includes a carbonator having a refillable water reservoir, a CO.sub.2 system coupled to said carbonator, a valving system, and a disposable package for containing and dispensing the syrup of the post-mix beverage at a controlled rate of flow. The water reservoir may be manually refilled from a water pitcher. The CO.sub.2 system includes a cylinder which is also disposed within the refrigerator cabinet and is coupled to the carbonator. The valving system may include a plurality of dispensing valves and mixing nozzles for dispensing different selected beverages depending upon which of the valves is actuated. In addition, carbonated water alone may be dispensed. The disposable syrup package includes a plastic container having a flow rate control tube therein and means in said flow rate control for precluding spillage of syrup when the package temperature becomes elevated from opening and closing the refrigerator door.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing system is disclosed which comprises a syrup dispenser provided with a rupturable membrane which seals the discharge end thereof and a vent with a vent cap on the opposite end thereof. An opening device is provided comprising a cylindrical piercing knife and a socket for receiving the membrane seal end of the syrup container. Due to the unique structure of the opening device, the rupturable membrane is effectively pierced and displaced upon insertion thereof into the socket, thus providing unobstructed continuous flow of the syrup from the container into an associated valve body.