Imi Cornelius, Inc.

Imi Vision Limited

The Coca-cola Company

Other

Restaurant Technology Inc.

Control Components, Inc.

Mcdonald's Corporation

Douglas P Goulet

Timothy W Bethuy

John J Hunter

Eugene V Stepanov

Steven T Jersey

Lawrence Blair Ziesel

Daniel S Quartarone

Jimmie L Coffey

Elvis S Zimmer

Kenneth S Weinaug

Gary V Paisley

James D Vogel

Brian A Babson

Christopher H Verdugo

Greg A Petrie

Ulrich Fink

Ehab Jaleel

Ronald E Grimm

Stephen J Czeck

Joseph W Bartoletti, Sr

Adelbert L Schurman

Eugene Stepanov

Jonathan Lee Schaumann

Thomas L Dischinger

Henry Victor Holec

A valve trim for a pressure reduction valve containing a plurality of high hydraulic flow resistance flowpaths therethrough. Each flowpath comprises at least two inlets () and at least one impingement zone () having two zone inlets () and two zone outlets (). The zone inlets () communicate with the inlets () and are arranged substantially 180 degrees to one another. The two zone outlets () are arranged substantially perpendicular to the zone inlets () such that flow entering the two zone inlets () mutually impinges on itself creating an area of high energy loss, and thereafter separates and exits through the zone outlets ().

Fluid control

A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of a vortex flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central vortex chamber and having three tangential inlet passages is provided. As the fluid flows through the inlet passages and enters the vortex chamber the flows start to turn and impinge upon one another, i.e., the flow entering via inlet passage will impinge upon the flow entering via inlet, the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet and the flow entering inlet will impinge on the flow entering inlet. As the flow entering vortex chamber impinges on another fluid flow as opposed to a wall of the flowpath the vortex can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion. The flow from the inlets combine in a radial flow within the vortex chamber and exit via the outlet which is substantially axial to the vortex chamber.

A valve having a trim comprising a plurality of impingement flowpaths, each flowpath comprising a central impingement chamber and having three radially directed inlet passages is provided. As the fluid floes through the inlet passages and enters the impingement chamber the flow starts to turn and impinge upon one another at a substantially central point within the impingement chamber and exit together via the outlet which is substantially axial to the impingement chamber. As the flows entering the impingement chamber impinge on one another as opposed to a wall of the flowpath, the impingement can be used to create a flowpath with reduced erosion.

A dispense tap for a frozen beverage machine has a transition section defining a tapered bore with an inlet for frozen beverage from a freeze barrel of the machine and an outlet for frozen beverage controlled by a valve operable by a handle. The handle is rotatable to allow frozen beverage to flow from the transition section through a dispense cavity in the valve for exiting the tap. The outlet has a cross-section greater than the cross-section of the inlet which prevents ice conglomerating and forming a plug in the bore of the transition section.

Dispense valve

An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto. Both the operation of the compressor and the water pump are controlled by the microprocessor wherein the programming thereof provides for adequate hysteresis protection so that short cycling of the compressor and water pump is avoided.

Electronically controlled beverage dispenser

An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto Both the operation of the compressor and the water pump are controlled by the microprocessor wherein the programming thereof provides for adequate hysteresis protection so that short cycling of the compressor and water pump is avoided.

A water system for a beverage dispenser connected to a conventional water source. The water system includes a water tank with a volume of water and a volume of air. The water tank is connected to the conventional water source. A pump is connected to water tank so as to provide the water to the beverage dispenser.

Water tank and pump system

A mounting block for use with a beverage dispenser system having a pump and a pump accessory. The mounting block includes a frame and a manifold. The manifold includes a number of ports and a line connecting the ports, such that the pump and the pump accessory can plug into the ports for fluid flow therebetween via the line.

Mounting block for syrup pump and accessories

An automated system for preparing and delivering postmix beverages in response to one or more drink orders being entered from a remote point of sale unit or a local keypad and including: a postmix beverage preparation assembly for dispensing ice and a selected postmix beverage into a cup; an oblong carousel type conveyor assembly including a plurality of upwardly open cup holders which are driven by a motor driven belt so as to pass beneath a cup dispensing station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a plurality of pick-up stations; a cup storage and dispenser assembly including a bi-directionally rotatable turret upon which is mounted a plurality of different sized cup supply tubes for holding a respective stack of beverage cups; and a pneumatic vertically driven cup gripper/extractor mechanism having a pair of pneumatically operated gripper arms which operate to remove a cup from a selected supply tube on the turret and placing the extracted cup into an empty cup holder which is then transported past the dispensing stations and then to a pick-up station on the conveyor for manual removal by an attendant.

Automated beverage system

An automated system for preparing and delivering postmix beverages in response to one or more drink orders being entered from a remote point of sale unit or a local keypad and including: a postmix beverage preparation assembly for dispensing ice and a selected postmix beverage into a cup; an oblong carousel type conveyor assembly including a plurality of upwardly open cup holders which are driven by a motor driven belt so as to pass beneath a cup dispensing station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a plurality of pick-up stations; a cup storage and dispenser assembly including a bidirectionally rotatable turret upon which is mounted a plurality of different sized cup supply tubes for holding a respective stack of beverage cups; and a pneumatic vertically driven cup gripper/extractor mechanism having a pair of pneumatically operated gripper arms which operate to remove a cup from a selected supply tube on the turret and placing the extracted cup into an empty cup holder which is then transported past the dispensing stations and then to a pick-up station on the conveyor for manual removal by an attendant.

A beverage dispenser includes an outer housing having a water bath tank therein and a refrigeration retaining component area therein positioned directly adjacent and next to the water bath tank. A refrigeration chassis provides for retention and carrying of a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser and powered cooling fan and an evaporator. The chassis and refrigeration components form a U-shape wherein one 'leg' thereof consists of a rectangular sheet metal frame for retaining the compressor and condenser and the other leg consists of the evaporator. The bridge or end portion of the U-shape consists of a horizontal top plate portion of the chassis and the fluid connection between the evaporator and the condenser. The evaporator is suspended from the horizontal top plate. The U-shape of the chassis and refrigeration components facilitates a method of manufacture. In particular, a carbonator, syrup cooling coils and a water cooling coil are first positioned in the water bath tank at an end thereof adjacent the end of the housing on which a plurality of beverage dispensing valves are secured. The assembled chassis with refrigeration components secured thereto is then lifted and lowered into the dispenser housing wherein the evaporator is placed into the water bath tank along an end thereof opposite from the carbonator and cooling coils, and where the compressor and condenser are placed into the refrigeration component retaining area.

Beverage dispenser

The present invention comprises a tubing end fitting and a method of forming thereof wherein the fitting is formed out of the tubing itself. In a first step, the tubing end is compressed in a linear direction and shortened forming a first annular ridge extending around the tubing spaced from the end of the tube by a small tube portion. At the same time, the small tube portion diameter is reduced slightly. The small tube end portion is again compressed slightly in a linear direction initiating the formation of a second annular ridge spaced from the first annular ridge, while at the same time again slightly reducing the diameter of the remaining tubing end portion. In a third step the tubing end is again compressed in a linear direction completing the formation of the second annular ridge. In a fourth step the remaining tube end portion is flared outwardly forming an o-ring receiving groove between the second annular ridge and the tube end.

Tubing end and method for forming

The present invention comprises a cooling coil configuration that permits an extended length of coil in a smaller total volume of water bath utilized, than is seen in such coils in the prior art. The coil of the present invention is made from a continuous length of stainless steel tubing that is bent in a manner to provide for the desired configuration. In one embodiment, the full coil is made up of four sub-coils generated by bending the tube through a plurality of consecutive 180 degree or semi-circular arcs having straight tubular portions intervening there between. In order of bending, there is a first large arc, a second medium sized bend of smaller circular diameter than the large bend, three consecutive small bends all of the same size and of a further smaller diameter than the medium bend, a further medium sized loop the same dimension as the previous medium one, and ending with a large loop, again of the same dimension as the first large loop. The loops are collapsible partially within each other in a manner that conserves the total volume thereof.

Beverage cooling coil

A carbonator comprising a tube cylinder having a closed and an open end. A disk is removably retained in the open end for providing access into the interior volume thereof. The disk provides for mounting thereto of water and carbon dioxide gas inlets, a carbonated water outlet, a safety relief valve and a water level sensor. A rigid retaining wire is bent into a square configuration wherein radiussed corners thereof cooperate with slots in the open end of the cylinder to retain the disk therein. Manipulation of the retaining wire provides for removal of the disk from the cylinder when the carbonator is not pressurized.

Growing community of inventors

Big Lake, MN, United States of America

Douglas P Goulet