Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided including a cabinet housing a liquid reservoir open at its upper end and readily releasable from engagement with the evaporator coil of a refrigeration unit for removal from the cabinet. The reservoir is surrounded by insulation which may be removed in sections. The dispenser also includes a removable valve assembly with inlet couplings press-fit to the reservoir outlets and to the inlets and outlets of a hot tank removably suspended below the valve assembly and liquid reservoir. The valve body is formed with separable parts connected together along a parting line to facilitate opening for cleaning. The valve operating lever for the hot water discharge is provided with a safety interlock catch to prevent inadvertent discharge of hot water from the valved faucet.

Abstract: A cooling system for post-mix beverage dispenser includes an ice bath tank for holding a liquid, a refrigeration circuit for cooling the liquid in the ice bath tank, a concentrate storage area, and a cooling circuit coupled to the ice bath tank, for cooling the concentrate storage area. A pump in the cooling circuit transfers the liquid from the ice bath tank to a coil in the concentrate storage container. The circuit returns the liquid to the ice bath tank and creates the turbulence necessary for the liquid to freeze evenly in the tank. Thus, an agitator assembly is not necessary. A fan in the concentrate storage area circulates air over the coil. The pump can be selectively coupled to drain the tank.

Abstract: A thermoelectric water-chiller system for cooling bottled water, and including a mixing valve which enables dispensing of chilled water, room-temperature water, or a mixture of chilled and room-temperature water. Components needing periodic cleaning are readily removable from the system. A fan-cooled thermoelectric-chip assembly is used to form an ice block which chills the water, and a variable-speed fan is controlled by a temperature sensor to slow the fan speed when chilling to a desired temperature is achieved, and to maintain the ice block at an optimum size.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided including a cabinet housing a liquid reservoir open at its upper end and readily releasable from engagement with the evaporator coil of a refrigeration unit for removal from the cabinet. The reservoir is surrounded by insulation which may be removed in sections. The dispenser also includes a removable valve assembly with inlet couplings press-fit to the reservoir outlets and to the inlets and outlets of a hot tank removably suspended below the valve assembly and liquid reservoir. The hot tank may be pivoted down and shifted away from the valve assembly to facilitate removal of the latter. The valve operating lever for the hot water discharge is provided with a safety interlock catch to prevent inadvertent discharge of hot water from the valved faucet. The hot tank drain is also provided with a recessed cam-operated compression valve to facilitate authorized draining of the hot tank with a suitable cam engaging tool but to preclude inadvertent draining of the hot tank by a child.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station includes a removable reservoir for drop-in installation into and lift-out removal from a station housing. The reservoir is constructed from a lightweight molded plastic or the like to have an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle. A bottom wall on the reservoir includes an upwardly recessed portion defining an inverted receiver cup for slide-fit reception of a chiller probe provided as part of a refrigeration system on the station housing. One or more faucet valves are provided to extend through openings in a front wall of the station housing for dispensing water from the reservoir.

Abstract: A machine dispenses viscous, chilled alcoholic beverage and has a housing forming an enclosure with side, top and bottom surfaces. The side, top and bottom surfaces are of such dimension to form a housing of a size to be placed on the countertop of a bar and the like. A refrigeration cooling unit is contained within the enclosure and includes a compressor, condenser and evaporator coil. A beverage faucet is mounted on the side surface of the housing and a manifold is mounted in a top portion of the housing. A cooling tank is mounted at a vertical height above the beverage faucet. Beverage is received from the manifold into the tank. At least a portion of the evaporator coil extends within the tank for cooling alcoholic beverage contained therein. A beverage delivery tube connects between the cooling tank and the beverage faucet for delivering cooled beverage by gravity flow from the cooling tank to the beverage faucet. At least one bottle mount extends from the manifold upward through the housing.

Abstract: A bottled water station includes an improved dispenser faucet for use in dispensing chilled water from a station reservoir, wherein the improved faucet is designed to substantially eliminate formation of condensation on externally exposed surfaces of the faucet structure. The dispenser faucet comprises a delivery conduit having a rear end adapted for removable mounting onto the reservoir and a front end projecting forwardly therefrom to a spigot having a manually operable valve member. The front end of the delivery conduit is surrounded for a substantial portion of the length thereof by a substantially sealed annular air gap wherein this air gap provides an insulation chamber which is effective to reduce or eliminate condensation on exposed external surfaces of the faucet.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station is provided of the type including a removable reservoir for drop-in installation into a station housing, wherein the reservoir is adapted for slide-fit engagement with a manifolded support platform for coupling the reservoir to at least one temperature control device and to at least one faucet valve for dispensing. The reservoir is constructed, in the preferred form, from a molded plastic or the like to have an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water supply bottle. The reservoir, upon drop-in installation into the station housing, is supported upon the manifolded support platform, wherein the reservoir and platform include mating slide-fit connectors for coupling the reservoir to temperature control devices such as a chiller probe for chilling water within the reservoir, and/or a hot water tank for heating a portion of the water coupling from the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station includes a removable reservoir for drop-in installation into and lift-out removal from a station housing. The reservoir is constructed from a lightweight molded plastic or the like to have an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle. A bottom wall on the reservoir includes an upwardly recessed portion defining an inverted receiver cup for slide-fit reception of a chiller probe provided as part of a refrigeration system on the station housing. One or more faucet valves are provided to extend through openings in a front wall of the station housing for dispensing water from the reservoir.

Abstract: A modular beverage cooling and dispensing system comprising a plurality of beverage cooling and dispensing modules, and a single power module containing a single compressor for servicing all of the beverage cooling and dispensing modules. Each beverage cooling and dispensing module comprises a housing, a tank within the housing for holding a liquid, an evaporator in the tank for chilling the liquid, and at least one beverage conduit positioned in the tank for exposure to the chilled liquid to cool beverage flowing through the conduit. A dispensing head is connected to the beverage conduit for dispensing beverage. Refrigerant lines connect the compressor of the power module and the evaporators of the beverage cooling and dispensing modules. The power module is physically separate from the beverage cooling and dispensing modules so that the power module may be placed at a convenient location remote from the beverage cooling and dispensing modules.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for distributing and dispensing a potable liquid are claimed. The apparatus comprises a faucet, and a storage tank. A conveying channel is provided for sanitarily conveying potable liquid from an outside source to the tank. The conveying channel includes a sanitary fitting containing an inlet channel. The fitting provides a detachable sanitary connection between the conveying channel and the source. A mechanism for draining free-standing liquid from the inlet channel is also provided. The inlet channel of the fitting terminates at a first coupling which contains an acme sanitary thread. A flow producing mechanism cooperates with the tank and the faucet for causing a flow of liquid from the tank upon the opening of the faucet. A discharge channel is connected to the faucet at one end and connected to receive the flow of liquid at its other end. The discharge channel conveys the flow of potable liquid to the faucet. The source comprises a vehicle with a supply tank mounted thereon.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser of the cold plate type as shown wherein the cold plate is oriented within a housing of a dispenser such that the fluid lines extending through the cold plate extend in a pattern for preventing ice bridging occurring at the back end of the device. The cold plate also includes stainless steel wire coils within each water line along an end portion thereof for turbulating the water as it passes there through to provide for enhanced heat exchange between the fluid and the cold plate and the fluid line end portion.

Abstract: A bottled water station is provided for selective dispensing of uncarbonated and carbonated water. The station includes an upper water reservoir adapted to receive water from an inverted supply bottle. The upper reservoir is mounted in stacked relation on a lower carbonator reservoir, and uncarbonated water is dispensed from the upper reservoir via a first dispense conduit extending through the carbonator reservoir and a multiported fitting thereon to a first faucet valve. A portion of the uncarbonated water is diverted from the first dispense conduit and is supplied with a carbonating gas through the multiported fitting to the carbonator reservoir to form carbonated water. The carbonated water is dispensed in turn through a second dispense conduit connected between the multiported fitting and a second faucet valve. A chiller, coil of a suitable refrigeration system is wrapped about the upper and lower reservoir for simultaneous chilling of the water contained therein.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station includes a removable reservoir for drop-in installation into and lift-out removal from a station housing. The reservoir is constructed from a lightweight molded plastic or the like to have an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle, and an internal baffle plate which subdivides the interior of the reservoir into upper and lower chambers. A ratchet nut is carried at the underside of the reservoir for slide-fit engagement with a mating ratchet member when the reservoir is drop-in installed into the station housing, wherein the ratchet member releasibly retains the reservoir in intimate seated contact with a chiller plate unit for chilling water within the lower reservoir chamber. Separate faucet valves are assembled with the reservoir, to extend through openings in a front wall of the station housing, for individual dispensing of chilled water from the lower reservoir chamber and room temperature water from the upper reservoir chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for serving beer at proper CO.sub.2 content and proper temperature for best taste, comprises a draft tower for distributing beer at the proper gas content and at the proper temperature. A plurality of beer barrels connected in series are in turn connected to the draft tower by a pipeline. A CO.sub.2 gas cylinder is connected to the barrels for supplying gas at an elevated pressure sufficient to move the beer from the barrels along the pipeline to the tower. A heater is provided for heating the barrel to an elevated temperature above the proper temperature for taste, so that the gas content in the barrel does not rise above the proper gas content under the influence of possibly elevated pressure needed to convey the beer. Near or at the draft tower, the beer is recooled to the proper temperature and thus served at a proper temperature and with the proper gas content.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station is provided of the type having a removable reservoir for drop-in installation into and lift-out removal from a station housing. The reservoir is constructed from a lightweight molded plastic or the like to have an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle. A bottom wall on the reservoir includes an upwardly recessed portion defining an inverted receiver cup for slide-fit reception of an upstanding chiller probe provided as part of a refrigeration system on the station housing. A vent path is provided to vent the space between the chiller probe and the receiver cup during drop-in installation or lift-out removal of the reservoir. However, when the reservoir is seated in a fully installed position, the vent path is closed and a vapor seal prevents air circulation into the space between the chiller probe and the receiver cup, to correspondingly prevent undesired formation of condensation and/or frost.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station includes a removable reservoir for drop-in installation into and lift-out removal from a station housing. The reservoir is constructed from a lightweight molded plastic or the like to have an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle. A bottom wall on the reservoir includes an upwardly recessed portion defining an inverted receiver cup for slide-fit reception of a chiller probe provided as part of a refrigeration system on the station housing. A vapor seal prevents air circulation into the space between the chiller probe and the receiver cup, to correspondingly prevent undesired formation of condensation and/or frost. One or more faucet valves are provided to extend through openings in a front wall of the station housing for dispensing water from the reservoir.

Abstract: A two-piece mobile bar which may house a beverage cooling and dispensing system for dispensing cold beverages through a multi-valved gun operated by a bartender stationed behind the bar. The first piece is a base unit defined by vertical end walls bridged by upper and lower sections, the upper section being joined to the end walls at corresponding positions below the upper edges of the end walls. The space between the upper and lower sections is divided into open cells which receive beverage and other containers. The upper section is provided with a sink in which a cold plate is seated, the cold plate having coils embedded therein in heat exchange relationship with ice covering the plate. The coil inputs are coupled to the containers and the outputs to the gun, whereby beverages passing through the coils are cooled before being dispensed. Coupling is effected by a network of hoses which extend through a shallow region contiguous with the front side of the unit.

Abstract: An ice cooled beverage dispensing apparatus including an L-shaped cold plate having a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The cold plate includes a plurality of beverage lines extending therethrough and, in particular, extending vertically through the vertical portion of the cold plate. The beverage fluid lines provide for connecting between a plurality of beverage dispensing valves and the cold plate. A heat tube extends partially into the cold plate vertical portion and terminates with an evaporative cooling tube portion adjacent a carbonated water manifold extending adjacent the beverage dispensing valves. A carbonator is integral with the cold plate and located generally at the juncture of the vertical and horizontal portions. Metal thermal jackets cover the portions of the beverage fluid lines extending between the cold plate and the beverage dispensing valves. In operation, the heat tube provides for evaporating cooling of the manifold.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station includes a removable reservoir module for simple drop-in installation into a station housing and to cooperate with station components to provide a selected plurality of water supplies at different temperatures for individual dispensing. The preferred reservoir module comprises a lightweight reservoir of molded plastic or the like having an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle, and an internal baffle plate which divides the interior of the reservoir into upper and lower chambers. A fitting on a lower end of the reservoir permits sealed reception of a chiller probe into the lower chamber, wherein the chiller probe is provided as part of a refrigeration system on the station housing. In addition, a fitting on the lower end of the reservoir interconnects water from the upper reservoir chamber with a heated water tank on the station housing.

Abstract: A relatively simple and compact beverage chilling device for providing uniform beverage temperatures in a post-mix beverage dispensing system regardless of the duration between usages. Chilled plain or carbonated water is circulated in an insulated conduit between a cooler and a dispensing tower with portions drawn off at selectively operated dispensing heads. Flavored syrups are supplied to the dispensing heads within the same insulated conduit. A thermal mass disposed in close proximity to the dispensing heads provides a heat transfer medium from the syrups to the chilled water.

Abstract: A cold plate for cooling different beverages drawn from supply cylinders, the cold plate being formed by a rectangular base over which is a run-off roof defined by sloping end and side sections. Embedded in the cold plate are cooling coils terminating in input and output terminals that project from the underside of the base, the coil inputs being coupled by upstream lines to respective supply cylinders, the coil outputs being coupled by downstream lines to a soda gun to selectively dispense the beverages. The cold plate is received in the well of a thermally-insulated sink having an open bottom bordered by a rectangular ledge. The base of the cold plate is seated on the ledge in spaced relation to the sides of the well to define a gutter in which there is a water drain. The sink is filled with ice cubes that cover the exposed surfaces of the cold plate and are in heat-exchange relationship with the cooling coils to cool the beverages flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An improved bottled water station includes a removable reservoir module for simple drop-in installation into a station housing and to cooperate with station components to provide a selected plurality of water supplies at different temperatures for individual dispensing. The preferred reservoir module comprises a lightweight reservoir of molded plastic or the like having an open upper end for receiving and supporting an inverted water bottle, and an internal baffle plate which divides the interior of the reservoir into upper and lower chambers. A fitting on a lower end of the reservoir permits sealed reception of a chiller probe into the lower chamber, wherein the chiller probe is provided as part of a refrigeration system on the station housing. In addition, a fitting on the lower end of the reservoir interconnects water from the upper reservoir chamber with a heated water tank on the station housing.

Abstract: A modular liquid dispensing apparatus having a housing with a reservoir for holding liquid. A readily replaceable liner is positioned within the reservoir to minimize the need for sanitizing the reservoir. The liquid dispensing apparatus is modular in that it can be field converted to dispense hot water, cold water and/or room temperature water depending on the desires of the end user.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a semi-frozen confection of the present invention has a freezing cylinder for main ingredient of the semi-frozen confection, and a syrup refrigerating cylinder installed in the vicinity of both a semi-frozen confection dispensing conduit and the freezing cylinder. Accordingly, when preparing a semi-frozen confection composed of, e.g., ice cream and syrup to be served in a cone, rise in the temperature of the ice cream caused by the syrup may be restrained, thereby enabling the semi-frozen confection produced to retain its shape. The apparatus further has a microcomputer for controlling the rotating speed of at least one of the mixers respectively housed in the freezing cylinder and in the syrup refrigerating cylinder. This permits the proportion of, e.g., the ice cream and syrup composing the semi-frozen confection to be varied as desired.

Abstract: In a post-mix beverage dispenser a heat conducting plate assembly couples the bottom wall of a carbonator tank to the side walls of beverage concentrate storage tanks for the bi-directional transfer of heat therebetween. The cold temperature of the carbonator tank including an ice bank therein chills the concentrate to help achieve a suitable serving temperature of a finished drink. The higher temperature of the concentrate helps warm the bottom area of the carbonator tank in the region of an outlet opening to preclude freezing of carbonated water in the outlet opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispensing system for providing the parallel connection of a plurality of refrigeration sources responsible for the cooling of associated beverages dispensed from a plurality of dispensing valves. A coolant fluid, such as carbonated water, is cooled by each refrigeration unit and is then co-mingled in a common outflow manifold prior to distribution to each of the valves. Likewise, each similar beverage cooled by each refrigeration unit can be co-mingled in a particular manifold before distribution to each of the dispensing valves. Thus, the failure of one refrigeration unit does not to require the shut-down of a valve or valves, as carbonated water and beverages cooled thereby are co-mingled with the carbonated water and same beverages continuing to be cooled by the remaining functioning refrigeration units prior to delivery thereof to the valves.

Abstract: For separating cooled and uncooled water in a refrigerated bottled drinking water cooler well, a floating receiving reservoir floats in the well and has an upper edge resting on or above a surface of water in the well, the reservoir having an open top surface and being supplied by uncooled water from a mouth of a drinking water bottle turned upside down and submerged in the reservoir. A conduit communicates the reservoir with a first water outlet as the floating reservoir moves up and down in the well. Drawing water from the first outlet causes a level of uncooled water in the reservoir to be lowered until air enters the mouth and water from the bottle is emitted into the receiving reservoir. Drawing water from a second outlet connected to the well causes a level of the surface of water in the well and thus of the uncooled water in the floating reservoir to drop until air enters the mouth and water overfills the receiving reservoir pouring over the upper edge into the well.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for maintaining cold carbonated water in a beverage dispensing device so that unacceptably warm water is not dispensed therefrom. A modified beverage dispensing apparatus is shown including a carbonated water supply, a cold plate, a cabonated water supply line extending through the cold plate, and in fluid communication with a carbonated water plenum immediately adjacent and in fluid communication with a plurality of beverage dispensing valves. An electronic control device connected to a temperature sensing thermostat located in the plenum and to a solenoid discharge valve of the plenum. The control device is also connected to a temperature sensing thermostat in the cold plate and to a pressure sensor located in the line between the source of compressed carbon dioxide and the carbonated water reservoir.

Abstract: A stackable, lightweight water dispenser bottle and method of using a plurality of such bottles in conjunction with a conventional water cooler is disclosed. The bottle comprises a generally parallelepipedal container body with rounded edges and corners with a plurality of dimples in a top portion and complementarily shaped protuberances on a bottom portion. The top portion has a central depression therein with a round hole surrounded by a cylindrical collar sealed by a screw-on cap. A neck portion rising from a central depression in the bottom portion terminates in an opening communicating with the interior of the container body and is sealed with a plastic cap after the water bottle is filled. A first such water bottle can be inverted and sealingly inserted into the opening at the top of a water cooler to partially fill the cooler.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing ice creams, wherein a freezing cylinder is constituted such that a liquid mix supplied from a mix tank is stirred in a stirring apparatus that is installed in the inside of the freezing cylinder, and refrigerated so as to complete ice creams, any amount of which can be dispensed through a dispensing port. For the cleaning and sterilization of the inside of the cylinder, the inside is heated by reversing the flow of heat media which are to be circulated through the refrigerating part of the cylinder to dissolve and automatically withdraw the ice creams in the cylinder, then cleaned several times by supplying and discharging hot water, to and from the inside, and after that sterilized by supplying hot water to the inside, and discharging the water from it.

Abstract: A system for cooling beer to be dispensed from a container housed in a preliminary air cooled environment that is cooled with a primary heat exchanger includes a first flowline for dispensing beer from the container and an auxiliary heat exchanger having a glycol reservoir for receiving the first flowline, the first flowline traversing the reservoir in heat exchange relation therewith. The second flowline includes at least a pair of side-by-side internal bores having a first bore in fluid communication with the first flowline downstream of the glycol reservoir and a second bore carrying glycol from the reservoir in close proximity and in heat exchange relation with beer in the first bore, the second flowline being extended in length so that beer and glycol can travel to remote positions away from the container. A spigot is provided for dispensing the beer at the remote position after transmitted thereto via the second flowline.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for maintaining cold carbonated water in a beverage dispensing device so that unacceptably warm water is not dispensed therefrom. A modified beverage dispensing apparatus is shown including a carbonated water supply, a cold plate, carbonated water supply line extending through the cold plate, and in fluid communication with a carbonated water plenum immediately adjacent and in fluid communication with a plurality of beverage dispensing valves. An electronic control device connected to a temperature sensing thermostat located in the plenum and to a solenoid discharge valve of the plenum. The control device is also connected to a temperature sensing thermostat in the cold plate and to a pressure sensor located in the line between the source of compressed carbon dioxide and the carbonated water reservoir.

Abstract: A dispenser for housing large (for example, 5-gallon) bottled drinking water containers having a generally narrow mouth (for example, 1-2 inches in diameter) provides a cabinet having a lower end portion adapted to receive the bottle in an upright fashion so that the flat base of the bottle sits upon the lower floor portion of the cabinet and the upper open-mouth portion extends upwardly. A pump suctions water from the bottle and transmits it to a first reservoir positioned at the uppermost portion of the cabinet. The first reservoir is an ambient temperature reservoir for containing ambient temperature water such as is typically used in cooking or the like. A second cold water reservoir is contained generally below the first reservoir and receives flow therefrom via a duct which extends through the central portion of the second reservoir. The duct transmits ambient water to the second reservoir and beyond to a spigot which is affixed to the external cabinet portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser of the post mix type having evaporator coils configured in a particular manner to form a slab of ice within a cooling chamber, the formation of which slab of ice is controlled by a thermostat so that a vertically oriented passage is formed in the center of the slab to allow the rotation of an impeller shaft. With the cooling chamber and a passage for connecting with dispenser valves being insulated beneath and beside the compressor and other heat generating components of the cooling unit, the impeller is thus able to operate beneath the ice slab to circulate cooled water around beverage conduits that are layered in a compact configuration, the overall arrangement of the beverage dispenser being compact and resulting in a easily serviceable beverage dispenser having a low profile while also providing a relatively large ice bank and enabling optimum heat exchange between the beverage conduits and the slab of ice without causing freezing of the beverages.

Abstract: The plumbing module is a self-contained fully operational unit which provides the capabililty of supplying both hot or room temperature and refrigerated water or other beverages. The module may be adapted without significant modification to a wide range of products and uses, including bottled water coolers, drinking fountains and beverage dispensers. A dual parallel condenser coil in the refrigeration system takes approximately one-half the space of conventional coils and provides adequate heat dissipation without requiring forced air cooling fans.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for maintaining in optimum hygienic condition the food mixture in the storage compartment and/or the delivery area of an espresso ice-cream or whipped cream delivering machine. The storage compartment and/or the delivery area are treated by UV light or with ozone, preferably acting in an area closed by a door which acts on the light or the supply of ozone.

Abstract: A water sending and dispensing system includes a cabinet (10) in which a water container (12) is disposed. The water container (12) has a fluid-impermeable wall (14) and a filtered opening (18). A draw tube (32) and a refill tube (20) are sealably inserted through the filtered opening (18). The upper end (24) of the refill tube (20) is attached to a refill chamber (28) that allows the easy refill of the container (12). An upper end (36) of the suction tube (32) is connected to an inlet (38) of a pump (40), which is preferably of the self-priming, pressure demand, diaphragm type. An outlet (42) of the pump delivers water to the exterior. This water is preferably delivered at an elevated pressure, allowing the use of a water supply of superior quality in conventional appliances remote from the cabinet (10).

Abstract: A carbonated beverage dispenser has an improved carbonated water distribution manifold for evenly and reliably distributing carbonated water from a single carbonator and cooling structure to a plurality of post-mix dispensing valves without decarbonation, flow restriction, foaming or other deficiencies. The improved carbonated water distribution manifold is fabricated of stainless steel and has a tubular inlet fitting, a plurality of tubular outlet fittings, a distribution plenum in between the inlet and outlet fittings with the plenum having a generally planar inlet wall into which the inlet fitting extends, a generally planar outlet wall into which the outlet fittings individually extend, additional plenum walls adjoining the inlet and outlet walls and jointly forming the plenum with there being an interior carbonated water distribution chamber inside the plenum, and in which all of the inlet and outlet fittings are welded to the inlet and outlet walls respectively from inside of the distribution chamber.

Abstract: A water cooler comprising a support base having a top wall with a top opening therein. A refrigerating coil is located inside the base and supported a predetermined distance from the top opening. A one-piece removable well having a liquid retaining reservoir and a support flange wall, is removable supported on the top wall of the support base with the support flange in support contact on the top wall and the reservoir extending through the top opening with a lower portion of the reservoir disposed internally of the refrigerating coil and in close fit therewith. The reservoir has an upper portion with separating means being provided for separating the lower and upper portions and permitting liquid flow therebetween. The support flange is provided with a support wall disposed about the reservoir for supporting a liquid container having a bottle neck. The container is supported in an inverted position with the bottle neck extending into the upper portion of the reservoir above the separating means.

Abstract: A modular booth structure is provided which is particularly useful in merchandising of food and drink items. The booth comprises a free-standing base portion comprising a plurality of vertical panels arranged to form a rectangular enclosure, a door in one of the panels, a plurality of cabinet units disposed within the enclosure and against the panels, with each of the cabinet units having a substantially planar top surface forming a countertop within the enclosure. The base includes a first plumbing system comprising a sink, a supply of water for the sink, a heater unit for heating water delivered to the sink, means for delivering water to the sink, and a holding tank for collecting water discharged from the sink. A second plumbing system is also provided which comprises a supply of water for a beverage dispenser, a supply of carbon dioxide for a beverage dispenser, and means for delivering water to the beverage dispenser.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for cooling a beverage having a primary cooling means located between an inlet and an outlet of a beverage dispensing apparatus. The primary cooling means has a cooling assembly comprising an expansion chamber into which refrigerant can be introduced and flow paths through the chamber for the beverage. One flow path forms part of a secondary cooling means. The secondary cooling means is located in heat exchange relationship with the beverage. The secondary cooling means includes refrigerant circulating means having a supply line coupled to one end of the one flow path. A heat exchanger is located in heat exchange relationship with the beverage and is located in the outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing beverages permit the use of water as a coolant and utilize parasitic cooling from a walk-in cooler. At least one supply tube for a beverage leads from a container for that beverage through a cooling manifold to a dispensing tap through a conduit assembly. The conduit assembly includes a tube which enwraps one or more beverage lines and a second tube which enwraps the first tube. Coolant passes between the first tube and the beverage lines to keep the beverage lines at a desired temperature from the walk-in cooler to the remote dispensing tap. At the tap, the coolant enters a passage between the first or intermediate tube and the outer tube and returns to the walk-in cooler. In the cooler, there coolant passes through a cooling coil positioned at the discharge for the primary cooler refrigeration system. A pump in the cooler provides the necessary energy to circulate the coolant through the system.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser apparatus includes a syrup compartment in which a plurality of inverted flavor concentrate containers are plugged into sockets associated with selectively actuatable dispensing nozzles. The containers are also supported by snapping the sidewalls thereof into conformally shaped cooling fins. The fins and containers are properly dimensioned so that a snap-fit results therebetween. The cooling fins are directly attached to a thermally conductive plate which is in direct thermal contact with a water reservoir. Water within the reservoir is chilled by a suitable refrigeration device disposed therein. A carbonator tank is also disposed within the water reservoir. An agitator assembly rests on top of the water reservoir and includes an impeller, a heat sink and a pair of ice detecting probes which extend into the water.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing frosted cocktails and other frosted drinks. The drinks consist of a slush containing a liquid, frozen crystals of the liquid and other ingredients. The slush is circulated continuously between a freezing station and a dispensing head, and the product is available for delivery in relatively large quantities at all times.

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 multi-compartment jug (1) is provided with an exterior peripheral wall (3) and an interior generally cylindrical wall (6) of substantially lesser diameter than the exterior wall. The walls are joined by a plurality of partitions (9) to thereby form a plurality of individual compartments (11) for storing liquids or the like. The interior wall forms a separate central compartment (12) for receiving ice which functions to cool the contents of the other compartments. Each peripheral storage compartment (11) is provided with its own separate lid (16), with the lids being seatable on the respective outer and inner walls. When the lids are in place, a cap or cover (29) is secured downwardly over the inner wall which biases the inner lid portions against a seat (27) disposed on the inner wall, thus automatically locking the lids in place. The inner lid portions are provided with tabs (32) to facilitate manual removal of the lids when they are unlocked.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing a freshly mixed cup of juice or other beverage made from concentrate mixed with water immediately prior to the dispensing, comprising a generally U-shaped water reservoir, the water in which is kept at an essentially constant level by means of a proximity switch interacting with a solenoid valve located in the principal water supply. Coils of a refrigerant unit are disposed in the reservoir to chill the water to a temperature above the freezing point, and one or more concentrate tanks are located between the arms of the U-shaped reservoir, so that the concentrate will be chilled to, and maintained at, a desired temperature. Modular pump units are utilized for pumping concentrate into a mixing chamber, with a power driven impeller utilized in the mixing chamber to effect a mixing of concentrate with a suitable quantity of water from the reservoir.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser unit for use in small offices or small-volume locations is described. Flavored syrup is supplied to the unit from disposable sealed syrup packages which are plugged into a dispenser valving system. CO.sub.2 is supplied to the unit carbonator system in returnable containers which also may be quickly plugged into a CO.sub.2 valving system. A thermoelectric refrigeration system may be provided to decrease noise and the number of moving parts or a mechanical freon system may be used. The unit construction may be modular for ease of repair. The cabinet is injection-molded from plastic. Water is supplied to the unit for mixing with the CO.sub.2 and syrup from a water reservoir which may be manually filled. The refrigeration system cools the water in the reservoir, as well as the syrup packages and carbonator tank.

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.