Abstract: In connection with a beverage dispensing machine, an automatic self-fill control apparatus for the machine for controlling the filling of the liquid tank, which liquid tank is fed with a combination of water and a concentrate syrup adapted to be mixed with the water within the tank. A sensor member is disposed in the tank in a position so as to be responsive to the rise and fall of liquid in the tank. Pump means are provided adapted to pump the syrup to the tank. Control of water flow to the tank is also carried out. The sensor member has a low probe for detecting a low predetermined level of liquid in the tank and a high probe for detecting a high predetermined level of liquid in the tank and adapted to respectively generate low and high probe signals.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and controlling the concentrate of a juice product in which the product is made up of a juice concentrate and water. The concentrate is dispensed by pump operation and the water is dispensed by solenoid operation. The system basically provides for the control of the solenoid and the pump and for the initiation of a dispensing cycle so as to initiate operation of the solenoid and pump substantially at the same time. A timer responds for operating the solenoid and pump over a preselected dispensing period. The control of the pump to provide concentration control is provided by a speed control circuit having multiple selectable positions for providing multiple pump speeds so as to in turn provide variable concentration of the final dispensed juice product.

Abstract: A post mix fruit juice dispenser having a refrigerated cabinet at the top which houses separate containers for different juice concentrates. The machine mixes potable water with the concentrate on demand. The potable water is cooled in an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet, and the same refrigeration system which cools the ice bath provides a source for cooling air circulated in the cabinet about the concentrate containers. The concentrate containers and their discharge assemblies may be removed from the machine for cleaning, but the containers may be replenished through filling assemblies at the top of the cabinet without removing them.

Abstract: A non-carbonated beverage dispenser having an in-bowl whipper assembly which includes a housing disposed in the bowl and immersed in the beverage, a magnetically driven impeller in the housing, and a discharge passage from the housing connected to the spigot of the dispenser to discharge the whipped beverage from the bowl. The whipper is rotated at 4000 rpm or above, and the height of the impeller blades is made very small (in the order of 1/32 to 1/16 inch) to produce very fine and uniform bubbles in the beverage without uncoupling the magnetic drive.

Abstract: The timer controls a dispensing machine and in particular controls the dispensing cycle for a product such as coffee, a beverage, or instant mashed potatoes. The control includes regulation of the water portion of the cycle and the solid or powder portion of the cycle. The timer is controlled by a plurality of touch switches each coupling via a resistor network to the control logic of the timer. The control logic is preferably CMOS-type having a high input impedance permitting use of a resistor network of high resistance to limit current flow especially under fault. The touch switches control functions such as "hot water", "large portion", "small portion", "stop", and "push and hold".

Abstract: The timer controls a dispensing machine and in particular controls the dispensing cycle for a product such as instant potatoes by temporally regulating the water portion of the cycle in conjunction with the solid or powder (potato granules or pearls) portion of the cycle. The water flow is usually controlled using a solenoid or the like while the quantity of potato is regulated by an auger and associated drive motor. The dispensing cycle is initiated by a pre-rinse period wherein only water flows. During the main part of the cycle both water and product flow into a mixing area. The cycle ends with a post rinse period that is either positive or negative; positive when the product flow stops first and negative when the water flow stops first. For multiple portions, rather than extending the length of the main part of the cycle, the timer provides for repeating the basic cycle a number of times that relates to the desired portion.

Abstract: A refrigerated beverage dispenser particularly designed to handle perishable beverages such as milk wherein the bowl has an opening in the bottom wall through which a spout extends that is part of the outlet tube mounted in the bowl and submerged in the beverage. The outlet tube is made of a good heat conductive material such as brass and the refrigerated beverage in the bowl is circulated over the surface of tube to maintain the tube temperature at the temperature of the beverage. A valve is mounted in the outlet tube, and a port is provided in the outlet tube upstream of the valve through which beverage in the bowl may discharge through the spout. A push handle mounted outside the bowl is connected to a push rod that extends through a tubular support in the bowl, and the push rod is coupled to the valve.

Abstract: A reconstituted food dispenser for such foods as cereal, mashed potatoes and the like wherein a housing is provided having a platform on which is supported a container of the food in a reconstitutable form. The container has a discharge opening on which a metal block is mounted, and the metal block in turn has a passage which communicates with the discharge opening. A second passage is also provided in the block, which receives hot air from a tube in the housing. A funnel mounted on the housing immediately below the discharge end of the passage in the block receives hot water from a water heater in the housing and receives the reconstitutable food from the container, and the two are mixed and discharged from the funnel. The food may be in the form of flakes, granules, powder, etc.

Abstract: A coin-operated liquid dispensing machine having a vending control mechanism which may be conveniently altered to accept a different coin or series of coins to reflect different vending prices that are to be charged. In the disclosed arrangement vending prices of 5.cent., 10.cent., 15.cent., 20.cent., 25.cent. and 30.cent. are selectable. The control mechanism includes a timer motor for driving three cams each having electrical circuitry associated therewith including cam contact switches. The first cam is a stepping cam, the second an override cam and the third cam controls a dispensing gear motor. The electrical circuitry also includes 5.cent. and 10.cent. switches and associated relays, a relay by-pass switch, and manually operated blocking structure associated with each coin slot (5.cent. and 10.cent. slot).

Abstract: A coffee machine for dispensing automatically individual cup portions and pot size portions of coffee, as well as dispensing continuous flow of coffee and continuous flow of hot water comprising a housing with a hot water tank, a freeze-dried coffee concentrate hopper, and a mixing assembly for receiving the hot water and concentrate. A heating device is associated with the discharge passage from the hopper to prevent caking of the particles at the outlet, which would interfere with the proper metering of the coffee concentrate.

Abstract: A post mix fruit juice dispenser having a refrigerated cabinet at the top which houses separate containers for different juice concentrates. The machine mixes potable water with the concentrate on demand. The potable water is cooled in an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet, and the same refrigeration system which cools the ice bath provides a source for cooling air circulated in the cabinet about the concentrate containers. The concentrate containers and their discharge assemblies may be removed from the machine for cleaning, but the containers may be replenished through filling assemblies at the top of the cabinet without removing them.