Abstract: A beverage dispensing system has a plurality of dispensing faucets, each of which is supplied with carbonated water (soda) and a selected flavor of syrup. The syrups and soda are chilled upstream of the faucets, and after chilling the soda is introduced into a manifold from which it is distributed to each faucet. In order that a warm beverage will not be dispensed from a faucet as a result of the soda becoming warm downstream from the point of chilling upon the system standing idle for a period of time, soda is withdrawn from the manifold either continuously or periodically to maintain the soda downstream from the chilling point in a cold state.

Abstract: A control system for an icemaker and ice dispenser operates the icemaker to periodically harvest ice for introduction into a hopper of the ice dispenser whenever the hopper is less than full. During and in response to initiation of each harvest cycle, and independent of the level of ice in the hopper, the ice in the hopper is briefly agitated twice, once shortly after harvesting begins and again toward completion of the harvest cycle, such that the second agitation and the cycle end at about the same time. A thermostat senses the level of ice in the hopper, and when ice reaches the level of the thermostat, the icemaker is turned off.

Abstract: An icemaker and ice dispenser combination is characterized by an air sparge system for percolating air through water in the icemaker as the water is being frozen to ice in order to produce clear ice. The air is obtained from an ice storage hopper of the ice dispenser, and after percolation through the water in the icemaker, the air is returned to the hopper for recirculation between the hopper and icemaker. By virtue of the arrangement, the air is free of outside contaminants and may be used over and over again to maintain clear ice, and since the air is chilled by ice in the hopper, increases are obtained in the cooling cycle efficiency of the icemaker. The icemaker includes an improved air diffuser that uniformly percolates air through the water.

Abstract: A flaked ice dispenser comprises a hopper for reception of a mass of small particles of ice, the hopper having a circular upper portion and a polygonal shaped lower portion the corners of which extend outwardly of the upper portion, an impeller which is rotatable in the hopper and has a conical body and equally spaced arms extending radially therefrom, and an ice diverting assembly at an outlet from the hopper. The round upper hopper portion allows ice in that portion to rotate without substantial resistance, the corners of the lower portion allow for displacement of ice therein from the main mass thereof, and the diverting assembly facilitates movement of ice through the outlet. The dispenser enables flaked ice to remain in free flowing form without agglomeration and to be readily dispensed.

Abstract: A cold plate system for an ice dispenser is characterized by an ice pan in communication with a potable ice hopper through an ice feed conduit. A cold plate is in the ice pan, and the arrangement is such that ice in the hopper is transported through the conduit to the ice pan to surround the cold plate. This maintains the ice in the hopper free from any contamination by the cold plate and in a sterile condition for dispensing into beverages, yet ensures that the cold plate will be continuously surrounded by ice, without manual intervention, to properly cool beverages flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A cold plate system for an ice dispenser is characterized by an ice pan in communication with a potable ice hopper through an ice feed conduit. A cold plate is in the ice pan, and the arrangement is such that ice in the hopper is transported through the conduit to the ice pan to surround the cold plate. This maintains the ice in the hopper free from any contamination by the cold plate and in a sterile condition for dispensing into beverages, yet ensures that the cold plate will be continuously surrounded by ice, without manual intervention, to properly cool beverages flowing therethrough.