Abstract: A valve particularly useful for regulating the flow of water in a beverage dispenser includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a water flow path there between; a diaphragm and a sealing ring against which the diaphragm may seal to close the water flow path through the valve, the area confined by the sealing ring being subject to pressure of water entering the housing inlet; a spring acting against the diaphragm to urge it against the sealing ring in opposition to force generated by pressure of water in the inlet; an inlet channel upstream of the sealing ring; and a throttling pin positioned in the inlet channel and responsive to movement of the diaphragm to partially block the inlet channel when the pressure in the inlet forces the diaphragm to open against the spring force, the movement of the diaphragm thus regulating the flow of water through the housing. The preferred valve is improved in several respects.

Abstract: An ice crusher is attached to an ice dispenser or to a combined ice and beverage dispenser. The ice crusher occupies minimal space in order to fit the dispenser into an existing space on a serving counter or in a beverage dispensing area. The ice crusher may also elevate the ice. In embodiments using this technique, the outlet of the ice from the ice crusher is higher than the ice inlet. As the ice flows from a source of ice, such as an ice bin, the ice is elevated while it is being crushed. The ice then flows from the outlet of the ice crusher down an ice chute or other outlet of the ice crusher, into a cup or container as desired. Other embodiments convey the ice without lifting it, and still other embodiments dispense either crushed or cubed ice, as the consumer may select. In one embodiment the selected crushed ice or cubed ice are both dispensed though the same ice dispensing chute.

Abstract: A selection manifold for use for use with a beverage dispenser apparatus for dispensing both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages and including a plurality of dispensing valves with a syrup and a water line feeding each dispensing valve further comprising a selection manifold connected between at least one of the water lines and sources of both carbonated and non-carbonated water, the manifold having a selecting mechanism allowing a user of the apparatus to easily switch between directing carbonated and non-carbonated water through the water line to the dispensing valve. In a preferred embodiment, the selection mechanism includes a portion that enables a viewer to easily determine whether carbonated or non-carbonated water is selected. In another preferred embodiment, the selection mechanism includes a lock to prevent inadvertent switching of the mechanism.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser modular manifold routes carbonated water and non-carbonated water to a plurality of outlet ports for dispensing water for mixing with syrup and dispensing a beverage. A selector allows a store owner or manager to set the manifold to dispense one of carbonated water and non-carbonated water for each mixing and dispensing nozzle in the beverage dispenser. The manifold may be combined with similar manifolds to provide as many dispensing stations as desired in a beverage dispenser. Syrup modular manifolds may also be included.

Abstract: An ice dispensing apparatus having a storage bin with a paddle wheel which moves the ice from a storage bin to a delivery chute. An arcuate door is utilized to selectively open and close the delivery chute. A drip pan is provided on the outside of the chute to collected the melt water from the ice which is in the delivery chute.