Abstract: A pressure regulator that regulates the pressure at which carbon dioxide is introduced to water in a carbonated beverage system based on the temperature of the water. The regulator may be capable of operating in a first mode in which the carbon dioxide pressure varies substantially linearly over a first water temperature range, and a second mode in which the carbon dioxide pressure is substantially constant over a second water temperature range. A first flow path having a relatively small gas flow capacity may serve as a pilot to control the gas flow through a second flow path having a larger gas flow capacity.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to a tool for gripping, which may include a first member and a second member pivotally coupled at a joint. The joint may at least partially house a first element, a second element, or both the first and second elements.

Abstract: A unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a canister for storing a product. A pump housing formed integrally with the canister contains a progressive cavity pump that pumps product from the canister to an outlet chamber of the pump housing and out an outlet from the chamber. A product dispenser for use with the unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a housing, a chamber in the housing for receiving the package, and a motor within the housing for driving the progressive cavity pump of the package. An alternative product dispenser includes a housing having a chamber for receiving a product canister wherein the chamber facilitates communication of product from the canister to a pump chamber. A progressive cavity pump mounts within the pump chamber for pumping product from the canister out an outlet from the pump chamber. A motor within the housing drives the progressive cavity pump.

Abstract: A dispensing valve includes a platform, a product inlet supported on the platform, and a product outlet supported on the platform. A flow rate controller receives product from the product inlet and communicates product to the product outlet. A paddle arm disposed at an outlet from the flow rate controller moves from a closed position stopping product flow to an open position allowing product flow. The paddle arm includes a base and a seal mounted on the base. The base includes a lever portion, a seal-retaining portion, and a seal retaining support ridge disposed on the lever portion. The seal includes an outer sealing member supported on the base at the seal retaining support ridge and an inner sealing block supported on the seal-retaining portion. An actuator moves the paddle arm to its open position, while a biasing mechanism returns the paddle arm to its closed position.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing beverages may include a support structure and a plurality of valve trays mounted on the support structure in side-by-side relation. The machine may also include a connection block disposed on each of the plurality of valve trays, where each connection block may be configured to receive a first supply of a diluent and a second supply of a diluent. A valve may be disposed on each connection block, and each valve may be configured to be selectively movable between the first supply, the second supply, and a closed position. A nozzle may be mounted to each of the valve trays at a predefined dispensing location, and each nozzle may be configured to selectively receive diluent from the first supply and the second supply.

Abstract: A dispensing valve includes a platform, a product inlet supported on the platform, and a product outlet supported on the platform. A flow rate controller receives product from the product inlet and communicates product to the product outlet. A paddle arm disposed at an outlet from the flow rate controller moves from a closed position stopping product flow to an open position allowing product flow. The paddle arm includes a base and a seal mounted on the base. The base includes a lever portion, a seal-retaining portion, and a seal retaining support ridge disposed on the lever portion. The seal includes an outer sealing member supported on the base at the seal retaining support ridge and an inner sealing block supported on the seal-retaining portion. An actuator moves the paddle arm to its open position, while a biasing mechanism returns the paddle arm to its closed position.

Abstract: A unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a canister for storing a product. A pump housing formed integrally with the canister contains a progressive cavity pump that pumps product from the canister to an outlet chamber of the pump housing and out an outlet from the chamber. A product dispenser for use with the unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a housing, a chamber in the housing for receiving the package, and a motor within the housing for driving the progressive cavity pump of the package. An alternative product dispenser includes a housing having a chamber for receiving a product canister wherein the chamber facilitates communication of product from the canister to a pump chamber. A progressive cavity pump mounts within the pump chamber for pumping product from the canister out an outlet from the pump chamber. A motor within the housing drives the progressive cavity pump.

Abstract: A unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a canister for storing a product. A pump housing formed integrally with the canister contains a progressive cavity pump that pumps product from the canister to an outlet chamber of the pump housing and out an outlet from the chamber. A product dispenser for use with the unitary one-piece, disposable package includes a housing, a chamber in the housing for receiving the package, and a motor within the housing for driving the progressive cavity pump of the package.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system for providing a beverage from a plurality of beverage concentrate sources. The beverage dispensing system includes a nozzle, a modular diluent valve for supplying diluent to the nozzle, a plurality of modular volumetric concentrate valves each in fluid communication with one of the beverage concentrate sources, and an electronic control board. The electronic control board determines the diluent flow rate through the modular diluent valve and instructs one of the modular volumetric concentrate valves to supply a predetermined volume of a beverage concentrate to the nozzle based upon the diluent flow rate.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing beverages may include a support structure and a plurality of valve trays mounted on the support structure in side-by-side relation. The machine may also include a connection block disposed on each of the plurality of valve trays, where each connection block may be configured to receive a first supply of a diluent and a second supply of a diluent. A valve may be disposed on each connection block, and each valve may be configured to be selectively movable between the first supply, the second supply, and a closed position. A nozzle may be mounted to each of the valve trays at a predefined dispensing location, and each nozzle may be configured to selectively receive diluent from the first supply and the second supply.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes an ice supply unit for increasing the ice availability of the dispensing system and a moveable ice gate assembly coupled with the ice supply unit for transporting ice from the ice supply unit about the dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a dispensing system ice storage unit coupled with the movable ice gate assembly of the ice supply unit for receiving ice therefrom. The ice supply unit includes an ice supply unit housing, an ice collection bin disposed in the ice supply unit housing for receiving ice, and an automatic ice maker assembly positioned within the collection bin for supplying ice thereto. The movable ice gate assembly is positioned substantially centrally within the ice collection bin and includes a post for channeling ice therethrough and a movable gate unit linked and in movable engagement with the post for discharging ice received from the post out the movable ice gate assembly.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system for providing a beverage from a plurality of beverage concentrate sources. The beverage dispensing system includes a nozzle, a modular diluent valve for supplying diluent to the nozzle, a plurality of modular volumetric concentrate valves each in fluid communication with one of the beverage concentrate sources, and an electronic control board. The electronic control board determines the diluent flow rate through the modular diluent valve and instructs one of the modular volumetric concentrate valves to supply a predetermined volume of a beverage concentrate to the nozzle based upon the diluent flow rate.

Abstract: A modular ice delivery system includes a beverage dispenser unit for dispensing beverages therefrom and an ice delivery unit linked with the beverage dispenser unit for supplying ice to the beverage dispenser unit. A docking pathway formed between the ice delivery unit and the beverage dispenser unit is provided for operatively linking the ice delivery unit with the beverage dispenser unit. The modular ice delivery system may further include an ice capacity booster unit linked with the ice delivery unit, ultimately, for supplying ice to the beverage dispenser unit. A docking pathway formed between the ice delivery unit and the ice capacity booster unit is also provided for linking the ice capacity booster unit and the ice delivery unit. In effect, each docking pathway enables the modular ice delivery system to be broken down into modular units commensurate with varying demand for ice.

Abstract: A carbonator and plain water booster includes a tank and a bladder mounted within the tank that separates the tank into a carbonated water chamber and a plain water chamber. The carbonated water chamber connects to a water source and a CO.sub.2 source to facilitate the forming of carbonated water, while the plain water chamber connects only to the water source. The pressure of the carbonated water and CO.sub.2 gas within the carbonated water chamber expands the bladder into the plain water chamber, resulting in the pressurizing of the water within the plain water chamber. That pressurization allows the dispensing of plain water with a beverage syrup at a pressure sufficient to maintain a proper mix ratio between the plain water and the beverage syrup.

Abstract: An apparatus permits a drink dispensing system to dispense more than one non-carbonated beverage. The drink dispensing system includes a housing supporting dispensing valves, a syrup source communicating through syrup lines, and a water source communicating through a water line. The apparatus includes first and second interfaces mounted onto the housing. A bridge connects the first interface with the second interface to permit the water line to service dispensing valves mounted on both the first and second interfaces. The bridge includes a telescoping feature that facilitates variable spacing between the first and second interfaces.

Abstract: A postmix juice dispensing system for dispensing a finished beverage directly from a pliable beverage concentrate having an ice point at or near freezer temperatures, with little or no conditioning. The system preferably uses a one-piece, unitary, disposable package that includes both the concentrate container and a positive displacement metering pump. The disposable package is placed in the dispenser which automatically connects the pump to a pump motor. A mixing nozzle is connected to the metering pump and a water line is connected to the mixing nozzle. Upon pushing a load button, the dispenser automatically feeds compressed air on top of a piston in the concentrate container to force concentrate into the pump. The dispenser automatically reads an indicator on the package to set the pump speed in response to the type of concentrate in the package. The dispenser requires no cleanup or sanitization and allows rapid flavor change.

Abstract: A pump includes a quick connect interface that attaches to any drink dispensing to allow the mounting of the pump without the necessity of connection devices such as threaded fittings and/or clamps. The quick connect interface includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port connects to a product source to deliver product into the pump, while the outlet port connects the pump to a product dispensing apparatus. Both the inlet and outlet ports include a flow regulator that prevents the flow of product from the quick connect interface when the pump is removed. The housing also has a gas port that connects to a gas source to deliver gas into the pump. The gas port includes a flow regulator that prevents the escape of gas from the gas source when the pump is removed. Additionally, the pump includes a counter that measures the volume of fluid pumped by the pump.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a modular dispensing tower which may be positioned remote from both the product and the cooling unit or, alternatively, may be mounted onto the cooling unit housing using quick connect couplings. When positioned remote from the cooling unit, the modular dispensing tower connects to the cooling unit through an insulated trunk line which allows positioning of the modular dispensing tower up to twenty five feet away from the cooling unit. Additionally, the modular dispensing tower comprises an insulated manifold which operates to significantly decrease the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. The manifold houses a plurality of product conduits which are positioned against a carbonated water conduit which works in a recirculation system to greatly reduce the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. Furthermore, the modular dispensing tower may reside on the countertop or may be mounted onto the edge of the countertop in order to save countertop space.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing nozzle which dispenses beverages at a high volume flow comprises a housing which includes a body and cap having an opening therein connected to the top of the body, a conduit in the lower portion of the body, a diffuser residing over the conduit, and a diffuser plate positioned about the diffuser. The nozzle connects to a standard electric valve which communicates with both a beverage syrup source and a mixing fluid source. The diffuser includes a passageway which communicates with the beverage syrup source to deliver beverage syrup into a mixing chamber defined by the interior of the conduit. The exterior surface of the diffuser and the interior surfaces of the body and cap define a first channel which communicates with the mixing fluid source. The exterior surface of the conduit and the interior surface of the body define a second channel.

Abstract: The cup locator includes a plurality of non-concentric rings placed one on one top of the other from smallest to largest. A backstop is integrally formed at the rear of the cup locator. Different sized beverage cups will be properly positioned with respect to the nozzle of the beverage dispenser and the cup lips will be properly positioned within an acceptable range of positions with respect to an ultrasonic transducer.