Abstract: A dispenser for relative rapid cooling or heating of the contents of a liquid storage container provides a receptacle for receiving the liquid storage container therein and positioning a thermal transfer portion of the liquid storage container in thermal conductive relationship with a thermal conduction pad associated with the receptacle. Thermal energy is effectively and efficiently transferred from the thermal conduction pad to the liquid in the liquid storage container. The thermal conduction pad is controlled to provide and maintain the desired temperature to the liquid. The liquid is dispensed directly from the container. Various types of containers can be used in the dispenser, with a special bag-in-box container having a inner container and outer box with thermal conduction windows in the box to provide good heat transfer between the thermal conduction pads and the inner container constituting an aspect of the invention. A special rigid container can also be used.

Abstract: A refrigerated beverage dispenser. A beverage container is carried in a covered refrigerated housing that includes a heat exchanger for maintaining beverage at a predetermined temperature. A dispensing tube provides a conduit for the beverage. To dispense the liquid, a pressure differential is produced whereby the pressure on the liquid in the container is greater than the pressure at a dispensing port.

Abstract: A beverage container which preserves a beverage and dispenses the beverage using a pressurized gas; comprising a beverage storage section having a liquid outlet, an outer wall, which covers an outer periphery of the beverage storage section and is separated from the beverage storage section by a hollow section, and a gas outlet which communicates the hollow section and an outer area; wherein the hollow section is filled with a pressurized gas.

Abstract: A refill system and method of use for a beverage dispenser. The refill system includes a fill tube coupled to the water bath generally at an upper portion to dispense water into the water bath. The tube is configured for coupling to a dispense nozzle of the beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser can be operated to dispense water only when the fill tube is coupled to the nozzle. The beverage dispenser can be controlled to prevent dispensing of product into the water bath when the fill tube is attached to the nozzle. An overflow tube may be provided and may be used to monitor the level of water retained in the water bath.

Abstract: An agitator motor assembly is removable from a front of an ice dispenser for servicing, thereby eliminating the need to gain entrance into a storage bin to uncouple the agitator motor assembly from an agitator bar assembly. The ice dispenser includes the storage bin having a port, the agitator bar assembly disposed within the storage bin, and the agitator motor assembly mounted to a front of an exterior portion of the bin. A shaft of the agitator motor assembly engages the agitator bar assembly through the port, such that the agitator motor assembly rotates the agitator bar assembly when powered. The agitator motor assembly further includes a fastening device that passes through a bore in the shaft and engages the agitator bar assembly, thereby coupling the agitator motor assembly to the agitator bar assembly. A method for removing the agitator motor assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A substance communication coupling system includes a substance connector component for communication of a substance with another substance connector component. A substance switch is provided for selectively permitting communication of the substance between the substance connector components. The substance switch is activated to transfer a substance from a substance source to a substance consumer in response to a proximity sensor engaging a proximity target.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with plural dispensing heads from which different beverages are dispensed. The dispenser has an ice bin from which ice is dispensed. A motor drives an agitator internal to the ice bin. The motor is removably attached to the ice bin by locking pins for easy removal and replacement. Waste ice and beverage is collected in a drip pan. The drip pan is insulated to prevent condensate from collecting around the outer surface of the drip pan. A carbonator is mounted to a front of the dispenser to provide carbonated water. Consequently, the carbonator is easily accessible for maintenance or replacement. Carbonated or non-carbonated water flows through a common manifold to the individual dispensing heads. By setting a manifold valve member associated with each dispensing head, the type of water supplied to the dispensing head, either carbonated or non-carbonated, is selectively set.

Abstract: An appliance dispenser includes a housing defining a recess. The housing includes a receptacle support member and a fixed funnel. An ice dispensing passage extends through the fixed funnel and operably connected with an ice bin. A variable funnel includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adjacent the fixed funnel. The distal end is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: An automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine, a first ice moving device with cutting members positioned within the receptacle to move ice from the receptacle to a second ice moving device, wherein the ice is subsequently transferred to a removable container.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, an ice and water dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing ice and water through the door, the ice and water dispenser including a multifunction dispensing actuation pad having a plurality of actuation points and wherein ice or water is dispensed upon selectively applying a pressure to one of the plurality of actuation points on the dispensing actuation pad. A method of operating a refrigerator includes the steps of providing a refrigerator and selectively applying pressure to at least one of a plurality of actuation points on a dispensing actuation pad of the refrigerator to select an ice and water dispenser function.

Abstract: A system and method that portably stores, refrigerates, and dispenses a viscous, semi-solid food product. Cannoli cream is held in an open-top hopper with a lower outlet tube that is removably received inside an insulated and cooled portion of the dispenser housing through a door with an opening for the lower outlet tube. A horizontal dispensing nozzle is attached to the lower outlet tube from outside the door. The hopper is positioned under a piston assembly that moves a piston plate through the top of the hopper with a screw-jack. The piston assembly functions to pump cannoli cream from the hopper through the dispenser nozzle.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet having at least one door, an ice dispenser operatively connected to one of the at least one door having an opening for dispensing ice, an ice storage receptacle for storing ice disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice crusher, an ice transfer mechanism for moving ice from the ice storage receptacle to the ice crusher, an ice chute for conveying ice from the ice crusher to the ice dispenser, and an intrusion barrier positioned within the ice chute to assist in preventing objects entering the ice chute through the ice dispenser from reaching the ice crusher without stopping ice flow through the ice chute. The ice dispenser may include a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being spaced apart from the second switch, and the ice dispenser adapted to require simultaneous activation of the first switch and the second switch to dispense ice.

Abstract: A frozen drink maker is provided having an ice shaving unit with a rotatable ice chute. A plurality of blender units are positioned about the ice shaving unit, each having a removable blender jar for receiving shaved ice therein. A programmable controller is operably connected to the ice shaving unit and each of the blender units for controlling the operation of the ice shaving unit and the blender units. The programmable controller includes a plurality of preprogrammed routines to make a plurality of different frozen drink, wherein the programmable controller can be selectively set to make one of the plurality of frozen drink in each of the blender jars.

Abstract: A countermount, provided with a jacket (13) and a passage (16), wherein the jacket is provided with a supply (14) and a discharge (15) for a cooling fluid and the passage extends between an inlet and a tap, wherein within the passage a beverage line is provided which extends at least between the inlet (17) and the tap (7), wherein between at least a part of a wall of the passage and the beverage line, a temperature regulating space (24) and/or a temperature regulating element (80) is provided.

Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.

Abstract: An ice-containing member having a plurality of interior chambers separated by substantially radially-extending chamber walls. A base is disposed below the ice-containing member and includes an ice-dispensing aperture. A lid is adjacent to the ice-containing member and operable between a first position. The lid is in abutting contact with the ice-containing member and a second position. The lid is spaced a predetermined distance from the housing.

Abstract: A dispensing system suitable for dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator is disclosed.

Abstract: A recirculation loop for a beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system has a fluid supply, a cold plate, a valve/manifold assembly, and a bar gun connected to the valve/manifold assembly. The recirculation loop draws off fluid being carried from the cold plate to the valve/manifold assembly and, having a pump as part thereof, pumps some of that fluid to a point just upstream of the cold plate. In this manner, the recirculation loop keeps fluid cool, even when the bar gun is not dispensing beverages therefrom, for long periods of time. That is, the pump runs independent of the bar gun and is typically on all the time, so that fluid in the line from the cold plate to the valve/manifold assembly stays chilled.

Abstract: A refrigerator has a freezing chamber at the bottom, and a refrigerating chamber over the freezing chamber. The refrigerator includes an ice making unit and an ice dispenser mounted in a refrigerating chamber door that allows ice to be dispensed without opening the door. A sub-PCB is mounted in the refrigerating chamber door for controlling operations of the ice making unit and the dispenser. A cold air supply duct supplies cold air from a cold air supply unit to the ice making unit.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute.

Abstract: A water dispenser is provided for dispensing hot water, cold water, and carbonated water, all of which is filtered. The dispenser includes a housing defining a front dispensing face, a rear face, opposite side walls and a bottom wall. A filter is mounted in the housing and has a rear end connectable to a source of water and a front end accessible at the front face of the housing to facilitate replacing the filter. A dispensing faucet is disposed at the front face of the housing. A hot water tank is located at one side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a hot water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering hot water thereto. An ice bank assembly is located at an opposite side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a cold water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering cold water thereto. A compressor is mounted on the bottom wall of the housing and is coupled to one end of the ice bank evaporator.

Abstract: An ice cube machine that generates ice cubes having an alcohol content of at least 2-5%. The ice cube machine operates at temperatures of no greater than 0° F., and typically at least 0° F. or colder. An ice dispensing system monitors the amount of ice cubes dispensed from the machine and can determine the amount of alcohol dispensed from the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and dispensing aerated and/or blended products, such as food products.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing blended iced beverages is characterized by a cabinet for storing a plurality of supplies of beverage ingredients and a refrigeration system for chilling an interior of the cabinet to chill the beverage ingredient supplies. A duct extends between the cabinet interior and a remote point of delivery of the beverage ingredients and a tubing bundle extends from the supplies and through the duct to the delivery point to deliver beverage ingredients from the supplies to the delivery point. The interior of the duct is chilled to chill the tubing bundle and beverage ingredients in the tubing bundle, so that chilled beverage ingredients are always provided to the point of delivery, even when the machine is idle for an extended period of time. Various techniques are provided for chilling the interior of the duct.

Abstract: A dispenser for flowable foodstuffs comprises a rigid shell in which a flexible container for the foodstuff and an inflatable reservoir are received. The container has a connector for attaching a nozzle through which foodstuff is dispensed by inflating the reservoir to apply pressure to displace foodstuff from the container. The nozzle is provided with a valve that is operable to open and close the nozzle and is linked to an air compressor for inflating the reservoir. Inflation pressure is increased as the foodstuff is dispensed up to a maximum pressure less than the burst strength of the container.

Abstract: An automated ice vending apparatus and method including an ice generating machine capable of producing enough ice to sufficiently keep full a first receptacle positioned beneath the ice generating machine, a plurality of augers positioned at least partially within channels on the lower portion of the receptacle to move ice from the first receptacle to a second receptacle with a second ice moving mechanism, which in turn moves the ice to a third, substantially inclined, ice moving mechanism, wherein the ice is subsequently transferred to a removable container.

Abstract: A device for preparing drinks, in particular, cooled drinks. Also disclosed is a multi-way coupling for use in a device for cooling drinks and a method for cleaning a device for preparing drinks.

Abstract: A glue dispenser includes an injector, a controller, a gas conduit and a dispensing head. The injector includes a glue conduit and a heat sink assemble. The controller controls a gas volume input to the glue conduit. The gas conduit is connected with the controller and the injector. The dispensing head is connected with the glue conduit for dispensing glue. The heat sink assemble defines a through hole connecting the gas conduit and the glue conduit. The glue dispenser maintains the glue conduit at a stable temperature.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is adapted to mix together a concentrate fluid with a base fluid.

Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a beverage dispenser including a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies a carbonated beverage to the outside a primary cooling device 13, a secondary cooling device 30, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling which allows these components to cool the carbonated beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 into a supercooled state at a temperature of a solidifying point or less. The heat exchanger 16 supplies the carbonated beverage in the supercooled state to release the supercooled state in the outside, and the carbonated beverage on standby for serving in a portion of the beverage supply circuit 7 cooled by at least the heat exchanger 16 for supercooling is maintained in an unsaturated state.

Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a carbonated beverage as a supercooled beverage. According to the present invention, there is disclosed a beverage dispenser including a carbonator 51 for manufacturing carbonated water; a beverage supply circuit 7 for supplying a carbonated beverage manufactured by the carbonator 51 to the outside; a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling; and a primary cooling device 13, the carbonator 51 mixes a carbonic acid gas supplied from a gas regulator 54 which supplies a pressurized carbonic acid gas, syrup and diluting water to manufacture the carbonated beverage, and the heat exchanger 16 for supercooling cools the carbonated beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 into a supercooled state at a temperature of a solidifying point or less to release the supercooled state in the outside.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for use in dispensing a liquid comprising a container, for example a box (1), for housing a flexible bag (5), the flexible bag having a bag wall with an interior surface for storing the liquid. A spout (6) disposed through the bag wall for dispensing liquid from the bag. The container comprises a tear-off portion (4) positioned near the base of the container to provide an opening (7) to allow the spout project from the container, and allow the bag to be substantially pulled out of the container, so that the spout projects substantially under the base level of said container in use. In a further embodiment there is provided a refrigerated housing for the inventive container for dispensing a liquid.

Abstract: A insulated cooler includes a thermally insulated storage compartment and a water storage chamber mounted thereon and preferably formed integrally therewith. A water spout communicates with the water storage chamber to permit water to flow from the storage chamber for washing hands and the like when in areas without running water. A soap dispenser is mounted on the cooler to facilitate the washing process. An external carrier may also be mounted on the cooler for carrying various items which do not need to be stored within the insulated storage compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are provided. More particularly, the refrigerator is provided with a dispenser having a cavity for a cup, dispenser doors that open and close the cavity, and a door driver positioned in the dispenser that drives the dispenser doors. The dispenser doors may be automatically controlled to open and close, thereby improving cleanliness and an exterior appearance of the refrigerator by reducing dust accumulation in the dispenser during periods of non-use.

Abstract: The water cooler A comprises a water cooler body 1, a water storage tank 2 arranged in the water cooler body 1, and a container fitting member 3 detachably fitting a container B arranged on an upper end of the water storage tank 2 so that the water in the container B fitted to the container fitting member 3 can be supplied to the water storage tank 2. The water storage tank 2 is divided into upper and lower water storage parts 2a, 2b by a partition plate 4. The upper and lower water storage parts 2a, 2b partially connect and communicate with each other. A cooling pipe 8 is arranged on the lower water storage part 2b so that the water in the lower water storage part 2b can be cooled. The water in the upper water storage part 2a and the water in the lower water storage part 2b can be taken out separately.

Abstract: An automatic water cooler replenishing system for a free standing water cooler, having an internal reservoir. The system includes a pump having an inlet port and an outlet port configured for collecting water from a supply bottle and dispensing water into the reservoir. The pump is selectively powered and automatically controlled. A relay is provided for automatically controlling the operation of the pump. The relay is configured to receive an electric signal and control the pump. A fill control assembly and a low water shut-off assembly are electrically connected to the relay. The fill control assembly is configured to detect at least one water level, in the reservoir and signal the relay to energize or de-energize the pump. The low water shut-off assembly is configured to detect a low water condition in the supply bottle and signal the relay to de-energize the pump.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing soft serve frozen food product, such as soft serve ice cream and the like, provides the ability to select the fat content or other characteristic of the ice cream dispensed from the machine.

Abstract: A portable ice bucket apparatus for storing and dispensing ice includes: (a) an upper bucket portion including an insulated bucket with an opening at the top of the bucket and an ice body chute opening in a bottom wall of the bucket; (b) a motorless lower stand portion, the upper bucket portion being detachably attachable to the stand portion; (c) a dispensing mechanism including a movable gate flap within the bucket portion, a spring-loaded lever, and a gate shaft and a dispensing lever within the stand portion, the dispensing lever being coupled to the gate shaft, the gate shaft being coupled to the spring-loaded lever, the gate shaft being coupled with the gate flap; and (d) a water drainage and collection mechanism including a reservoir in the stand portion, and preferably a drain valve; wherein the movable gate flap in a closed position substantially covers the ice body chute opening.

Abstract: A water cooler includes a reservoir with an inlet and an outlet. The water cooler is separated into two compartments by a wall containing at least one opening allowing fluid communication between the compartments. A cooling element extends from a bottom surface of the reservoir through the bottom compartment and through the wall and into the top compartment. Water enters the top compartment through an inlet where it is cooled before flowing into the bottom compartment through any openings in the wall. Water exits the bottom compartment through an outlet.

Abstract: An ice bucket is provided that includes an ice chamber, a dispensing tube, a base, and a sliding dispenser. The ice chamber has a chamber opening in a bottom wall. The dispensing tube is fixed to the bottom wall in communication with the chamber opening. The base has a base opening and a stabilizing bar. The sliding dispenser has a front lip, a depressed tray section, and a slider opening. The sliding dispenser is positioned through the base opening on the stabilizing bar so that an appendage of the dispensing tube is received in the depressed tray section. The sliding dispenser is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The slider opening, in the retracted position, is blocked by the stabilizing portion. However, the slider opening, in the extended position, is unblocked by the stabilizing portion.

Abstract: A beverage device includes a body having a temperature control unit outputting a temperature by a conduit unit. At least one temperature conducting device is received in the body and connected to the conduit unit, keeping the at least one temperature conducting device at a first predetermined temperature. At least one tank receives a beverage and is in connection with the conduit unit of the at least one temperature conducting device to keep the beverage at a second predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A frozen beverage freezer machine is provided with two side-by-side freezer cylinders containing different flowable frozen beverage products. Draw valves are provided to draw the beverages separately for dispensing separately from the two beverage freezer cylinders. An additional draw valve, generally centered relative to the freezer cylinders, is provided to draw beverages from the two cylinders simultaneously for dispensing a mix of the two beverages. Clog breaker blades are coupled to the center draw valve assembly to inhibit clogging of passageways from the frozen beverage cylinders to the center valve, to facilitate reliable flow and mixing of the two beverages when the center valve is opened to dispense the mix into a user's receiver cup.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute oriented closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, a liquid dispensing actuator oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator and the ice dispensing chute, and a liquid dispensing chute oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, and the liquid dispensing actuator. The ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, the liquid dispensing actuator, and the liquid dispensing chute are arranged in a serial order, along a vertical plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door within which the cavity exists, from a relatively deep position within the cavity to a relatively shallow position within the cavity or the front of the cavity.

Abstract: An appliance includes a dispenser having a water valve for controlling a flow of water through the dispenser and a flowmeter for measuring the amount of water dispensed through the dispenser, and a controller operatively coupled to the water valve and the flowmeter. The controller is configured to receive an input relating to a target volume of water, adjust the target volume for a volume error correction to obtain an adjusted target volume, wherein the volume error correction is based on a flow rate, open the water valve, determine a total volume dispensed using the flowmeter, and close the water valve when the total volume dispensed equals the adjusted target volume.

Abstract: A cleaning wipes container having one or more panels and a lid that covers an opening. The opening provides access to an interior storage space defined by the one or more panels. The interior storage space is configured to receive a wipes cartridge. The container also has a viewing area on at least a portion of one panel. The viewing area provides a target surface to join a transferable label. The transferable label includes indicia that relate to a characteristic of a type of cleaning wipes in the wipes cartridge. The indicia are viewable from outside the container.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system and method for dispensing a beverage comprising water from a water source. Some embodiments of the beverage system can include a housing, an inlet adapted to be coupled to the water source, a concentrate source containing concentrate, a dispensing outlet, a fluid line, and a valve. The dispensing outlet can dispense at least one of water and the concentrate. The fluid line can fluidly couple the water source and the dispensing outlet. The valve can be positioned to supply any desired amount of concentrate in a range of concentrate amounts from the concentrate source to the fluid line. The range of concentrate amounts can correspond to a range of water amounts flowing through the fluid line to produce a corresponding range of beverage amounts dispensed from the dispensing outlet.

Abstract: Device for cooling drinks with a drink supply container (30a, 30b) for a water-comprising drink, a cooling medium supply container (22) for holding at least one cooling medium, —dosing means adapted to dose a quantity of drink and a quantity of cooling medium required for cooling the dosed quantity of drink, a mixing chamber (36) for successively collecting a quantity of drink and a quantity of cooling medium respectively dosed by the dosing means, and—at least one stirring element (39), which stirring element is positioned relative to the mixing chamber (36) such that the stirring (39) element is adapted to generate a vortex in the drink present in the mixing chamber, wherein the stirring element (39) is also adapted to mix together drink present in the mixing chamber (36) and cooling medium present in the mixing chamber (36), wherein the cooling medium in the mixing chamber (36) undergoes a phase change to the gaseous state and/or an adiabatic expansion while cooling the drink.

Abstract: A portable draft bar has an insulated chamber with an open top, an insulated cover for the open top, and a horizontal shoulder on the inside wall near the top. A rigid panel fits on the shoulder. At least one beverage tap mounted on the panel extends above the open top, with a drip tray below the tap outlet. A cooling coil within the chamber connects the tap inlet to a pressurized beverage container, with chamber ice cooling the coil. When not in use, the panel may be inverted and returned to the shoulder. With the cover in place and the container disconnected, the device is secure and transportable.

Abstract: A device for brewing batches, such as, but not limited to, relatively small one or two cup batches, of coffee from water and liquid coffee concentrate, preferably shelf stable. The size of the device, preferably similar to an automatic drip coffee maker, allows the device to be conveniently utilized in the home, an office, a hotel suite, or hospitality area or the like. The device includes a metered volumetric mix valve assembly that, when activated, admits simultaneously or sequentially a finite volume of water and liquid concentrate to a mixing chamber or conduit where they are mixed and then dispensed to a container such as a carafe, cup, mug or the like. Mixing can take place in one or more of the mixing chamber or conduit and the container in which the water and concentrate are dispensed. In this manner, repeatable beverage solutions are obtained.