Abstract: A bar gun having a configurable display is disclosed. The bar gun includes a housing portion having an internal cavity. A mixing mechanism is disposed in the internal cavity and is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid lines. A spout having an opening is in fluid communication with the mixing mechanism to discharge fluid received from the mixing mechanism. The configurable display is coupled with the housing. The configurable display can include a display window and an illumination source configured to emit illumination to back light the display window. The configurable display can also include an electronic display.

Abstract: A locking access plug for a valve return spring for a beverage dispensing gun handle is disclosed. The locking access plug enables the compression and retention of the valve return spring and enables the retention of the locking access plug in the body of the handle until it is acted upon for the purpose of its removal; for example, for the servicing of the handle. A beverage dispensing gun having such a locking access plug can both keep a valve return spring in compression as well as interface with a sealing o-ring that seals between the locking access plug and the beverage dispensing gun handle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a pouring device for a container for the dosing of liquid. The pouring device has various features intended to ease use, including an improved removal and attachment system and a system to identify and visually illustrate selected pour sizes. In a specific embodiment, the pouring device has a colored light or LED indicator system that allows the user to quickly and easily confirm the selected pour size. Embodiments may also include one or more features that ease attachment and removal of the pouring device to a liquid container, such as a replaceable cork system.

Abstract: A bar gun handle having a housing assembly including an inlet in fluid communication with a valve bore, an outlet in fluid communication with the valve bore and in further fluid communication with an output nozzle, a valve element operatively mounted in the valve bore to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the output nozzle, with an actuator coupled to the valve element, and a cladding layer disposed on a side of the bar gun handle that substantially covers the side of the bar gun handle. The present invention also includes a kit used to provide a protective cladding to a bar gun handle.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.

Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a bar gun includes a support surface configured to interface with a bar gun to support the bar gun when stowed in the holster, a housing coupled with the support surface and surrounding a dispensing nozzle of the bar gun when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, and an ultraviolet light source configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.

Abstract: A locking access plug for a valve return spring for a beverage dispensing gun handle is disclosed. The locking access plug enables the compression and retention of the valve return spring and enables the retention of the locking access plug in the body of the handle until it is acted upon for the purpose of its removal; for example, for the servicing of the handle. A beverage dispensing gun having such a locking access plug can both keep a valve return spring in compression as well as interface with a sealing o-ring that seals between the locking access plug and the beverage dispensing gun handle.

Abstract: A flow control device for a bar gun manifold. The flow control device includes a sleeve and an actuating member. The sleeve is monolithically formed of an elastomeric material. The sleeve includes a cylindrical outer surface, a through hole oriented transverse to the sleeve axis of rotation, a first raised portion that encircles the sleeve and is shaped to provide a seal between the sleeve and the manifold body, and a first interface shaped to connect the sleeve to the actuating member. The actuating member includes a second interface shaped to interface with the first interface. The first and second interfaces are shaped to transfer rotation of the actuating member about the sleeve axis of rotation to the sleeve to reorient the through hole relative to a fluid passage of the manifold body.

Abstract: A bar gun having a configurable display is disclosed. The bar gun includes a housing portion having an internal cavity. A mixing mechanism is disposed in the internal cavity and is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid lines. A spout having an opening is in fluid communication with the mixing mechanism to discharge fluid received from the mixing mechanism. The configurable display is coupled with the housing. The configurable display can include a display window and an illumination source configured to emit illumination to back light the display window. The configurable display can also include an electronic display.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and beverages. A beverage tower may be provided that has a small footprint and that is capable of dispensing a wide variety of flavor doses and blended beverages. The beverage tower may include a flow control module that controls the flow rate of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower and a switch module that includes a plurality of switches that may be selectively opened and closed to control the flow of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower to a point of dispense. A flavor dose or blended beverage may be dispensed by the beverage tower in accordance with user input that is provided to the beverage tower via a control panel. The user input may specify a desired beverage additive, a desired cup size, and an indication of whether a flavor shot or a blended beverage is desired.

Abstract: A bar gun handle having a housing assembly including an inlet in fluid communication with a valve bore, an outlet in fluid communication with the valve bore and in further fluid communication with an output nozzle, a valve element operatively mounted in the valve bore to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the output nozzle, with an actuator coupled to the valve element, and a cladding layer disposed on a side of the bar gun handle that substantially covers the side of the bar gun handle. The present invention also includes a kit used to provide a protective cladding to a bar gun handle.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and beverages. A beverage tower may be provided that has a small footprint and that is capable of dispensing a wide variety of flavor doses and blended beverages. The beverage tower may include a flow control module that controls the flow rate of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower and a switch module that includes a plurality of switches that may be selectively opened and closed to control the flow of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower to a point of dispense. A flavor dose or blended beverage may be dispensed by the beverage tower in accordance with user input that is provided to the beverage tower via a control panel. The user input may specify a desired beverage additive, a desired cup size, and an indication of whether a flavor shot or a blended beverage is desired.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus provides quick-connect coupling between a fluid source such as a condiment source and a pump. In specific embodiments, the coupling apparatus comprises a tube, and a fluid source connector coupled to an end of the tube and configured to releasably connect to the fluid source. A quick-connect coupler is coupled to another end of the tube and is configured to releasably connect to the pump inlet fitting of the pump. The quick-connect coupler includes a spring-loaded member being biased by a spring toward a locked position to lock the quick-connect coupler to the pump inlet fitting and being movable to a release position to release the quick-connect coupler from the pump inlet fitting. The quick-connect feature conveniently allows the pump to be easily and quickly disconnected from the dispensing system for cleaning or replacement.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and a method of mixing and dispensing a beverage from a beverage concentrate. A mixing device receives a beverage concentrate and water, and employs a static mixing device to mix the concentrate and water to produce a beverage in a closed system. Flow regulators precisely control the flows of the beverage concentrate and water to achieve the desired mixing ratio. The carbonation system may include a pump for pumping the beverage from the mixing device to a carbonator, a refrigeration unit, a beverage dispenser, or other. A transformer is coupled with the pump and one or more solenoid valves in the mixing device. The transformer receives power from the pump motor to activate the solenoid valves to allow flow of the beverage out of the mixing device only when the pump is powered. When the pump is shut off, the power to the transformer is terminated and the solenoid valves are switched off to stop the flow of the beverage out of the mixing device.