Abstract: A counter top beer dispensing tower structure including a thermo insulating jacket structure with a top wall, a flat counter top engaging bottom wall, rear and side walls, a flat vertically and laterally extending front wall and a body insulating material at the inner surfaces of the walls, a metal cold plate within the body of insulating material, a plurality of laterally spaced dispensing valve mounting parts carried by and projecting forwardly from the plate and accessible at the front wall, a plurality of elongate tubular beer conducting coils in the plate, each beer conducting coil has a downstream end portion connected with a related valve mounting part and a vertical upstream end portion depending from the plate and bottom wall to extend through a primary opening in a related counter and to connect with the downstream end on of related beer conducting line, and elongate tubular glycol coil unit within the plate and having vertical upstream and downstream end portions depending from the plate and the ja

Abstract: A beer-dispensing apparatus including a source of cooled pressurized gas-ladened beer, an elongate beer delivery line extending from the source of beer to a remote beer-dispensing station, a normally closed beer-dispensing valve at the beer-dispensing station, a liquid glycol chilling and recirculating unit, a heat exchanger beer delivery structure including an elongate beer-conducting balance line smaller in inside diameter than the beer delivery line and connected with and extending between the beer delivery line and the valve, an elongate glycol-conducting tube extending longitudinally of and in heat transfer relationship with the balance tube and connected with the glycol chilling and recirculating unit to cause chilled glycol to continuously circulate through it; a thermally insulated heat-storing aluminum body about the balance and glycol tubes; glycol flowing through the glycol tube progressively lowers the temperature of beer flowing downstream through the balance tube to the valve.

Abstract: A beverage cooling system has an ice storage bin having a mechanical agitator disposed therein. The ice storage bin includes an opening at a bottom portion thereof, and the mechanical agitator is actuable to mechanically agitate ice in the ice bin and mechanically force ice through the opening. An ice guide is disposed adjacent the opening in the ice storage bin. A cold plate is disposed adjacent the ice guide. The cold plate has an inclined upper surface thereof and includes at least one beverage line disposed underneath the upper surface. The ice guide is positioned to deflect and guide ice onto the inclined upper :surface of the cold plate, wherein the ice is moved along the upper surface by mechanical force provided by an actuation of the agitator.

Abstract: An improved cold plate structure including a plurality of like horizontally disposed, elongate, sinuously formed liquid-conducting heat transfer tubing units of stainless steel tubing having laterally spaced elongate runner portions and recurvate end portions extending between related ends of adjacent runner portions; said units are arranged in vertical stacked relationship with each other; a plurality of tie bars tightly binding the units in stacked relationship with each other with their adjacent runner and end portions in tight substantially uniform heat-conducting contact with each other and having elongate horizontal upper and lower spacer portions extending transverse the stacked units in pressure bearing engagement therewith; a body of aluminum cast about the units and tie bars and defining a flat horizontal top icing surface that is tangential with upper edges of the upper spacer portions of the tie bars and a lower surface that is tangential with lower edges of the lower spacer portions of the tie ba

Abstract: A machine dispenses chilled alcoholic beverage and has a housing forming an enclosure and outer surface. A refrigeration unit is contained within the housing and includes a compressor, condenser and evaporator coil. A beverage faucet is mounted on the outer surface of the housing and at least one inclined beverage container is mounted on the housing. A manifold is mounted in the housing for receiving beverage from the inclined beverage container. A beverage delivery tube is contained within the housing and operatively connects to the beverage faucet and manifold for delivering beverage from the manifold to the beverage faucet. A portion of the beverage delivery tube extends coaxially within the evaporator coil to form a chilled beverage line so that the beverage flowing through the beverage delivery tube is chilled.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser provides uniformly chilled carbonated beverages during peak demand and off-peak demand. The dispenser includes a soda and syrup chiller, beverage dispensing heads and a vacuum insulated tower assembly between the chiller and the dispensing heads.

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 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: 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: A method and apparatus is provided for dispensing beer from a keg without excess foaming wherein the keg and beer temperatures and fluid pressures are controlled such that beer is dispensed at predetermined temperatures at substantially atmospheric pressures even over a wide range of atmospheric temperatures. Beer is supplied under pressure from the keg to a constricted flow line which abruptly decreases flow pressure. A portion of the constricted flow line is immersed in a refrigerating bath to reduce beer temperature. The length of the constricted flow line to the dispensing nozzle is sufficient long and its internal diameter sufficiently smooth that beer flow therethrough is stabilized to significantly reduce turbulence. Beer pressure drop through the nozzle is minimal and beer flow is relatively laminar.The portion of the constricted line immersed in the refrigerating bath is formed from coiled tubing. The bath fluid is recirculated and the bath temperature is sufficiently low as to cause ice to form.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adaptable for use with bottled water dispensing systems thermoelectrically cools the bottled water contained in a bottle which is positioned in a water receptacle within a housing. The bottled water cooling units include a heat sink having a plurality of fins, preferably of a corrugated configuration, secured to and extending outwardly from the first side of a base plate. At least one thermoelectric chip, being connectable to an electrical energy source and having a cold side and a hot side, is bonded to the second side of the base plate, wherein the cold side of the chip is in contact with the water receptacle to lower the temperature of the water contained in and flowing through the receptacle, and the hot side of the chip is in direct contact with the heat sink base plate. A fan is provided to circulate air through the plurality of fins of the heat sink.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is provided which utilizes a modified refrigerator/freezer unit, and a tower mounted on top of the refrigerator. Fluid lines run from pressurized bottles inside the refrigerator to dispensing valves mounted on the tower. Artificial ice extends from the freezer unit into the tower. The dispensing system utilizes the refrigerator section of the refrigerator/freezer to chill the beverage lines and reservoirs contained within the refrigerator, and the freezer section to chill the beverage lines extending into the tower.

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: A method of and apparatus for dispensing both particulate ice and cold beverage wherein a common supply of ice is used firstly for dispensing and then secondly for cooling of the beverage. A pair of co-axial rotors are co-rotated about a common vertical axis by a single motor, the upper rotor dispenses particulate ice off of an annular upper bottom. All ice that falls through the open center of the upper bottom irreversibly falls down upon a cold plate and the lower rotor moves the fallen cooling ice on the cold plate for enhanced cooling.

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 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.

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: An ice-cooled gravity beverage dispensing system in which the ice used for cooling the syrup and the water can also be used as portable ice in the drink. The syrup compartment is completely separated from the ice bin and access to the syrup compartment is provided only when the syrup compartment cover has been moved to a position covering the ice bin. A cooling syrup tube embedded in the ice bin cold plate and having a particular diameter allows flash cooling of the syrup.

Abstract: A cardioplegia system in which cardioplegia medication or a mixture of arterial blood and medication is delivered to the heart of a patient undergoing open heart surgery. A cooling system incorporates flat coils vertically disposed in upright tanks in which the level of cooling liquid is controlled and thus the percentage area of the coil which is immersed. This permits the control of the cooling while isolating the blood or medication from the cooling system.

Abstract: Syrup tanks in a beverage dispenser having a cold water bath are cooled by circulating water from the water bath through a coil disposed adjacent to the syrup tanks in heat exchange relationship therewith. In the preferred embodiment, the coil is located between adjacent rows of syrup tanks to maximize heat transfer.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having a chilled water dispensing service area accessible from the exterior of the cabinet with a vertically extending water supply storage tank and filter cartridge assembly located in the fresh food compartment with the filter cartridge coextensive with one vertical edge of the tank positioning the cartridge upper inlet adaptor integral tube positioned adjacent an upper outlet of the tank. The tank has a serpentine storage volume comprising a plurality of substantially horizontal extending passes connecting the tank inlet and outlet with the tank uppermost pass extending at an inclined axis toward the tank outlet. The adaptor tube axis is inclined downwardly so as to be complementary to the upwardly inclined axis of the tank outlet whereby chilled water from the tank is purged of air and filtered just prior to being dispensed at the service area.

Abstract: Improved liquid ingredient temperature control apparatus is provided for use with post-mix beverage vending machines which ensures that the beverage ingredients dispensed are maintained at desirable cool temperatures notwithstanding continual or intermittent supply replenishment of the ingredients with quantities thereof initially at ambient temperature. Removable, apertured tank partitions are employed for dividing the ingredient tanks into separate upper and lower zones in restricted partial communication so that any warm ingredients added to the upper zones thereof are prevented from freely admixing with the cool ingredients within the lower zones and thus raising the temperature of the latter. Liquid removal conduits in communication with the lower tank zones are operable to selectively draw volumes of cooled ingredients therefrom as required, thus permitting like volumes of the warm ingredients thereabove to migrate to the lower zones through the apertured tank partitions.

Abstract: A portable electrically refrigerated water cooler is adapted for year-round outdoor use by means of a thermostatically controlled heating cable wrapped about the water-containing components, and a similarly controlled heating element immersed in the water reservoir. A combined faucet-switch unit permits cool water to be pumped through the faucet for immediate use and prevents contaminants from entering the water when the switch is off.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous mixing of blood plasma with additives, such as alcohol, comprises an elongated cylindrical chamber with inner and outer coolant chambers disposed adjacent thereto with an intermediate product chamber containing an impeller. Plasma and at least one additive are introduced into the product chamber in the vicinity of the impeller which mixes the blood plasma and additives. The blood plasma and additives then flow through the product chamber where they are cooled by a refrigerant flowing in the inner and outer cooling chambers. The mixed and cooled blood plasma and additives then flow from an outlet in the product chamber. A method is disclosed of continuously supplying a flow of blood plasma and desired additives in predetermined proportions and mixing and cooling the continuous flow of the combined blood plasma and additives.