Abstract: An apparatus for low volume dispensing of soft drinks preferably uses no mechanical refrigeration equipment, depending instead on heat transfer from a bin of ice to cool water and soft-drink syrup for beverages. A heat-exchange plate desirably includes transfer lines for incoming water to and from a carbonator. A portion of the heat exchange plate, or a second heat exchange plate, includes transfer lines for syrup and for carbonated water. The carbonated water is used to cool the syrup through the second heat exchange plate, and is also mixed with the syrup to dispense a soft drink. Heat from the incoming water and syrup is removed by melting ice in the ice bin, which may be replenished as needed.

Abstract: A dispenser for soft-drinks and ice has an integral ice maker. The compressor and condenser for the ice making refrigeration system are located remotely from the ice making apparatus. Thus, the dispenser with an integral ice maker does not emit noise and heat from the compressor and condenser in the customer service areas where ice and soft drinks are dispensed. Refrigerant vapor is drawn from a receiver and is used for defrosting in the harvest portion of the ice making cycle. The dispenser also has an internal heat exchanger for cooling carbonated water and syrup prior to dispensing a soft drink. There is also an ice maker and dispenser, having a refrigeration system in which ice-making components and an ice dispenser are located near a customer-service area, while the hot and noisy refrigeration components are located remotely.

Abstract: An apparatus for low volume dispensing of soft drinks preferably uses no mechanical refrigeration equipment, depending instead on heat transfer from a bin of ice to cool water and soft-drink syrup for beverages. A heat-exchange plate desirably includes transfer lines for incoming water to and from a carbonator. A portion of the heat exchange plate, or a second heat exchange plate, includes transfer lines for syrup and for carbonated water. The carbonated water is used to cool the syrup through the second heat exchange plate, and is also mixed with the syrup to dispense a soft drink. Heat from the incoming water and syrup is removed by melting ice in the ice bin, which may be replenished as needed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for the volumetric measuring and dispensing of ice from a holding bin. The ice is desirably in a crushed or cubed state and is agitated during storage to prevent its freezing into a solid block. When a volume of ice is desired, a user activates the machine to dispense the desired amount. As the ice is dispensed, it rotates a wheel that provides a volumetric measurement and closes a door to the holding bin when the proper amount is dispensed.

Abstract: A dispenser for soft-drinks and ice has an integral ice maker. The compressor and condenser for the ice making refrigeration system are located remotely from the ice making apparatus. Thus, the dispenser with an integral ice maker does not emit noise and heat from the compressor and condenser in the customer service areas where ice and soft drinks are dispensed. Refrigerant vapor is drawn from a receiver and is used for defrosting in the harvest portion of the ice making cycle. The dispenser also has an internal heat exchanger for cooling carbonated water and syrup prior to dispensing a soft drink. There is also an ice maker and dispenser, having a refrigeration system in which ice-making components and an ice dispenser are located near a customer-service area, while the hot and noisy refrigeration components are located remotely.

Abstract: An apparatus for low volume dispensing of soft drinks preferably uses no mechanical refrigeration equipment, depending instead on heat transfer from a bin of ice to cool water and soft-drink syrup for beverages. A heat-exchange plate desirably includes transfer lines for incoming water to and from a carbonator. A portion of the heat exchange plate, or a second heat exchange plate, includes transfer lines for syrup and for carbonated water. The carbonated water is used to cool the syrup through the second heat exchange plate, and is also mixed with the syrup to dispense a soft drink. Heat from the incoming water and syrup is removed by melting ice in the ice bin, which may be replenished as needed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for the volumetric measuring and dispensing of ice from a holding bin. The ice is desirably in a crushed or cubed state and is agitated during storage to prevent its freezing into a solid block. When a volume of ice is desired, a user activates the machine to dispense the desired amount. As the ice is dispensed, it rotates a wheel that provides a volumetric measurement and closes a door to the holding bin when the proper amount is dispensed.

Abstract: A system for transporting ice pieces or the like from a primary bin to one or more satellite bins is disclosed. A dispenser forms a charge of ice pieces in a precharge chamber, which is then transferred by air assist to a delivery tube. A driver member is provided to engage and move the substantially defined charge of ice pieces to the selected satellite bin. The driver member is propelled by a differential pressure within the tube. This permits the defined charge to be exposed only to the low pressure side and insulated from the high pressure propelling medium to minimize breakage and melting during delivery. Before reaching the satellite bin, the piston is reversed to shuttle back to the home position. The satellite bins are connected in series and delivery of a charge to an intermediate bin is provided by moving a tube section out of alignment with the delivery tube. Lubrication and continuous cleaning is performed by the driver member sweeping minimal residual water from melting ice.