Abstract: An orange juice dispensing system including a pump driven by a d.c. motor for pumping concentrate through a concentrate conduit to a mixing chamber of a dispensing valve, a water line for feeding water to the mixing chamber and including a flow meter and a motorized control valve therein, sensors connected to the pump for sensing concentrate flow rate, and a microcontroller receiving signals from the pump sensors and the water flow meter for controlling the mixture ratio and flow rate by controlling the motorized control valve in the water line and the d.c. motor connected to the concentrate pump. The concentrate is preferably contained in a nonreturnable, plastic, semi-rigid container.

Abstract: A disconnect for coupling a postmix dispenser juice concentrate line to a bag valve of a juice concentrate bag-in-box container. The disconnect includes an open passageway therethrough with no areas or elements therein that can trap concentrate with pulp. The disconnect includes a hollow body with a juice concentrate passageway therethrough, a stationary poppet valve therein, a movable sleeve with a valve seat, and a spring biasing the sleeve into contact with the valve to close the passageway. The spring is located adjacent the outside of the sleeve to keep the spring out of the passageway.

Abstract: A liquid flow control solenoid valve for a beverage dispensing system wherein a rolling diaphragm seal is used between a needle valve and the valve body and the increased hydraulic forces on the needle valve caused by the rolling diaphragm are balanced by using a needle valve that is tapered in a direction to create a force on the needle valve in the direction opposite to the force created by the rolling diaphragm, so that the hydraulic forces are balanced and a smaller solenoid can be used to operate the valve.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispensing system for reconstituting and dispensing pliable 5+1 orange juice at freezer temperatures of from about -10.degree. F. to 0.degree. F., including a pressurizable canister for pressurizing concentrate in a flexible bag and for forcing the concentrate through a concentrate conduit into a heat exchanger, then into a metering device and then into a mixing chamber where the concentrate mixes with water fed also through a metering device.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispensing system for reconstituting and dispensing pliable 5+1 orange juice at freezer temperatures of from about -10.degree. F. to 0.degree. F., including a pressurizable canister for pressurizing concentrate in a flexible bag and for forcing the concentrate through a concentrate conduit into a heat exchanger, then into a metering device and then into a mixing chamber where the concentrate mixes with water fed also through a metering device. The dispensing system includes a remote, under-the-counter refrigeration system with a recirculating water chiller for chilling the concentrate reservoir in the dispenser, a water tank, a pressurizable concentrate canister in the tank, and a potable water heat exchange coil in a cold water bath to cool the potable water to be used in the dispenser.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispensing system for reconstituting and dispensing pliable 5+1 orange juice at freezer temperature of from about -10.degree. F. to 0.degree. F., including a pressurizable canister for pressurizing concentrate in a flexible bag and for forcing the concentrate through a concentrate conduit into a heat exchanger, then into a metering device and then into a mixing chamber where the concentrate mixes with water fed also through a metering device. The mixing chamber includes a magnetic mixer, preferably in combination with a mixer with no moving parts.

Abstract: A data acquisition and processing system for a post-mix drink dispenser which automatically determines and correlates the number, size and flavor of drinks poured from a plurality of valve assemblies to specific periods of time within a given day or week of a period of interest, and correlates the actual volume of syrup and water dispensed for the same period.

Abstract: A carbonator system consisting of a holding tank divided into an upper and lower chamber may be used on earth or in the microgravity conditions of outer space. A first embodiment involves first introducing water and then carbon dioxide into the lower chamber of the holding tank. Pressure is then exerted on a moveable piston in this tank to cause the piston to reduce the volume of the lower chamber housing the carbon dioxide and water. This action plus the action of an agitator, drives the carbon dioxide into solution. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein carbon dioxide is first introduced into the lower chamber of the holding tank. Water is next introduced into this lower chamber such that it is completely filled with both water and carbon dioxide. While the water is being introduced, an agitator is used to aid mixing of this water and carbon dioxide to form carbonated water. The agitator may consist of a bar contained within the lower chamber of the holding tank.

Abstract: In a post-mix beverage dispenser in which the concentrate is metered (or portioned) by a positive displacement metering pump having check valves, the improvement of a pressure control device for pressurizing the outlet line from the pump to prevent "blow-thru" of pressurized concentrate through the check valves of the pump, whereby the dispenser can be inexpensively used with a pressurized concentrate source. In addition, a post-mix beverage dispensing system including such metering pump and pressure control device and also including a pressurized canister holding pliable 5+1 juice concentrate at a temperature below 32.degree. F., and a heater for heating the concentrate in the concentrate line.

Abstract: A juice dispensing system for dispensing pulp-containing juice from a container to a dispensing valve. The end of the juice conduit that connects to the juice container includes a shut-off valve connector. The shut-off valve connector includes a housing having a chamber therein, a sleeve is mounted in the chamber for back and forth movement therein between open and closed positions, the sleeve has a juice passageway therethrough, a spring is located in the chamber for biasing the sleeve to its closed position, and a coupling member is connected to the housing for coupling the shut-off valve connector to a spout of the juice container, which causes the sleeve to move to its open position providing fluid communication from the juice container to the dispensing valve. The valve connector is simple and inexpensive and free of any obstructions or areas which can trap pulp.