Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a beverage dispensing nozzle equipped with at least one flow director dispenses at lower flowrates. In a first embodiment, a single flavor beverage dispensing nozzle equipped with at least one flow director segments the flow and reduces the cross sectional area of the fluid stream, thereby forcing product to move downward. A second embodiment provides an improvement to an existing beverage dispensing nozzle, by adding at least one flow director in an annular channel of the beverage dispensing nozzle. The addition of the at least one flow director in the annular channel provides the beverage dispensing nozzle with the ability to dispense product at lower flowrates by increasing the velocity component of the exiting product. The exiting product now has sufficient energy to separate from the beverage dispensing nozzle. Methods for using the beverage dispensing nozzles with the at least one flow director are also presented.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for securing at least one component to an anchoring component piece includes an abutment plate for contact with the anchoring component piece and a plate contactor notch disposed on the abutment plate for contact with at least one component. In particular, the plate contactor notch includes a clutching surface for contact with at least one component. The locking apparatus further includes a slide aperture disposed on said abutment plate for facilitating attachment of the abutment plate to the anchoring component piece. The slide aperture, in turn, includes a slide aperture correction slot for facilitating resilient displacement of the abutment plate as well as includes a slide aperture mounting slot for receiving a mounting screw that attaches the abutment plate to the anchoring component piece.

Abstract: A dispenser with features for enhanced maintainability generally comprises a lower unit having therein an ice bin; an upper unit atop the lower unit for providing an interface for dispensing ice from the ice bin to the public; a conveyor having and inlet in the ice bin and an outlet in the upper unit; an ice distributor in a lower portion of the ice bin for conveying ice within the ice bin to the inlet; and a drive motor operably associated with the ice distributor, the drive motor being located in a space above the lower unit for ready access. A plurality of optical emitter assemblies are disposed upon a wall of the ice bin and a plurality of optical receiver assemblies are oppositely disposed upon a second wall of the ice bin. Each optical emitter assembly comprises an emitter housing and a selectively removable emitter body comprising an optical source. Each optical receiver assembly comprises a receiver housing and a selectively removable receiver body comprising an optical receiver.

Abstract: In a beverage dispensing nozzle, a cap member includes first, second, and third beverage syrup inlet ports coupled to a respective first, second, and third beverage syrup sources and a mixing fluid inlet port coupled to a mixing fluid source. A first annulus coupled with the cap member includes discharge channels, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the discharge channels for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle. A second annulus disposed within the first annulus and coupled with the cap member includes discharge channels, wherein the second beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the discharge channels for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle. A third annulus disposed within the second annulus and coupled with the cap member includes discharge channels, wherein the third beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the discharge channels for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A modular flow controller for controlling fluid flow, including a flow control assembly for establishing a desired flow rate. The flow control assembly includes a flow adjustment interface rendered in a substantially horizontal position for receiving a control input to establish a flow rate. The modular flow control assembly includes a valve assembly in operational engagement with the flow control assembly for discharging a desired quantity of fluid from the modular flow controller. The modular flow controller is preferably applied to a beverage dispenser's dispensing valve assembly, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a faucet plate. Accordingly, due to the configuration of the modular flow controller, it is unnecessary to secure the modular flow controller to the faucet plate for operation thereof. The modular flow controller includes a drink integrity locking unit for preventing access to a flow adjustment interface.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser nozzle assembly for increasing availability of drink flavors dispensed therefrom, includes a first, a second, and a third beverage fluid line for carrying a first beverage fluid, a second beverage fluid, and a third beverage fluid therein, respectively. A dispensing nozzle unit linked with the first, the second, and the third beverage fluid lines is provided for receiving and combining the third beverage fluid with the first and/or the second beverage fluids, thereby producing a desired drink for discharge by the nozzle assembly. This single dispensing nozzle unit thus accommodates a large number of beverage fluid lines, thereby enhancing the availability of drink flavors dispensed from the nozzle assembly. Moreover, the nozzle assembly includes a multi-port fitting device and a swivel fitting device for facilitating coupling of a dispensing nozzle unit with a large number of beverage fluid lines.

Abstract: A modular flow controller for controlling fluid flow, including a flow control assembly for establishing a desired flow rate. The flow control assembly includes a flow adjustment interface rendered in a substantially horizontal position for receiving a control input to establish a flow rate. The modular flow control assembly includes a valve assembly in operational engagement with the flow control assembly for discharging a desired quantity of fluid from the modular flow controller. The modular flow controller is preferably applied to a beverage dispenser's dispensing valve assembly, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a faucet plate. Accordingly, due to the configuration of the modular flow controller, it is unnecessary to secure the modular flow controller to the faucet plate for operation thereof. The modular flow controller includes a drink integrity locking unit for preventing access to a flow adjustment interface.

Abstract: A modular flow controller for controlling fluid flow, including a flow control assembly for establishing a desired flow rate. The flow control assembly includes a flow adjustment interface rendered in a substantially horizontal position for receiving a control input to establish a flow rate. The modular flow control assembly includes a valve assembly in operational engagement with the flow control assembly for discharging a desired quantity of fluid from the modular flow controller. The modular flow controller is preferably applied to a beverage dispenser's dispensing valve assembly, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a faucet plate. Accordingly, due to the configuration of the modular flow controller, it is unnecessary to secure the modular flow controller to the faucet plate for operation thereof. The modular flow controller includes a drink integrity locking unit for preventing access to a flow adjustment interface.

Abstract: A modular flow controller for controlling fluid flow, including a flow control assembly for establishing a desired flow rate. The flow control assembly includes a flow adjustment interface rendered in a substantially horizontal position for receiving a control input to establish a flow rate. The modular flow control assembly includes a valve assembly in operational engagement with the flow control assembly for discharging a desired quantity of fluid from the modular flow controller. The modular flow controller is preferably applied to a beverage dispenser's dispensing valve assembly, wherein the dispensing valve assembly includes a faucet plate. Accordingly, due to the configuration of the modular flow controller, it is unnecessary to secure the modular flow controller to the faucet plate for operation thereof. The modular flow controller includes a drink integrity locking unit for preventing access to a flow adjustment interface.

Abstract: In a beverage dispensing nozzle, a cap member includes first, second, and third beverage syrup inlet ports coupled to a respective first, second, and third beverage syrup sources and a mixing fluid inlet port coupled to a mixing fluid source. An inner housing including a chamber is coupled to the cap member. A first annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a first annular beverage syrup channel with the inner housing, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the first annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern. A second annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a second annular beverage syrup channel with the first annulus, wherein the second beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the second annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle in an annular flow pattern.

Abstract: In a beverage dispensing nozzle, a cap member includes a first beverage syrup inlet port coupled to a first beverage syrup source and a mixing fluid inlet port coupled to a mixing fluid source. The cap member further includes a flavor additive port coupled to a flavor additive source. An inner housing including a chamber is coupled to the cap member. A first annulus disposed within the chamber of the inner housing defines a first annular beverage syrup channel with the inner housing, wherein the first beverage syrup inlet port communicates beverage syrup to the first annular beverage syrup channel for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle. The first annulus further includes a flavor additive passageway, wherein the flavor additive inlet port communicates flavor additive to the flavor additive passageway for discharge from the beverage dispensing nozzle.