Abstract: A beverage dispenser is disclosed which utilizes an ice water precooler. The beverage dispenser utilizes a rectangular ice bin having an aluminum cold plate in the bottom. The cold plate includes at least one vertical aperture to permit waste liquid from melting ice to run into a waste liquid tank below the ice bin. A helical concentric tube having an inner conduit substantially concentric with an outer conduit is placed in the waste liquid tank and preferably submerged in ice water. A source of beverage is coupled to the inner most conduit of the concentric tube and thereafter to a serpentine passage through the cold plate. A pump is utilized to force ice water from the waste liquid tank through a second serpentine passage in the cold plate, through the outer conduit of the concentric tube and back to the waste liquid tank. An overflow drain is utilized to limit the level of fluid within the waste liquid tank.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is disclosed. The ice making apparatus includes a compartment enclosing an ice cube freezing form and a refrigeration system. A fresh water reservoir within the compartment is utilized to provide water for the ice cube freezing form and a drain within the compartment removes excess fluid which results from overflow and ice melting during ice removal. An ice cube storage bin is also provided with a drain for removal of fluid from melting ice. Waste fluid from both drains is coupled to one end of one of a pair of helical concentric conduits and a source of fresh water is coupled through the other concentric conduit to the fresh water reservoir, in order that the fresh water may be substantially precooled prior to ice making. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an overflow reservoir is provided so that excess fluid from each drain is coupled to a waste drain.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system further cools the beverage where it is dispensed at a considerable distance from the beverage storage container. The beverage conduit between the storage and dispensing sites is carried in a bundle located within an insulated jacket conduit. The bundle also contains parallel chilled liquid lines through which chilled liquid is circulated. A concentric coil is located at the dispensing site. A manifold connects the parallel beverage and chilled liquid lines to the concentric coil and to the dispensing valve.