Lancer Partnership, Ltd

The Coca-cola Company

Jeffrey A Blansit

Alfred A Schroeder

Harlan R Davis

Robert D Hughes, Iv

John Vira

John D Santy

Gabriel Dominguez

Marion A Mushinski

A drip tray sanitizing system includes a pump connectable to a sanitizer solution container and a valve connectable to a diluent source. A spray manifold disposed in the drip tray receives a mixture of the two streams and sprays the mixture into the drip tray in a prescribed routine to produce a sanitizing or cleansing effect. Methods for using the drip tray sanitizing system include manual, semi-automatic, and automatic sanitizing, as well as manual and automatic rinsing. The semi-automatic and automatic sanitizing routines require the use of a controller. Use of this apparatus in a product dispenser may widen the range of products and product concentrates available for use with a product dispenser.

Method and apparatus for sanitizing a product dispenser drip tray

A dispenser with features for enhanced maintainability generally comprises a lower unit having therein an ice bin; an upper unit atop the lower unit for providing an interface for dispensing ice from the ice bin to the public; a conveyor having and inlet in the ice bin and an outlet in the upper unit; an ice distributor in a lower portion of the ice bin for conveying ice within the ice bin to the inlet; and a drive motor operably associated with the ice distributor, the drive motor being located in a space above the lower unit for ready access. A plurality of optical emitter assemblies are disposed upon a wall of the ice bin and a plurality of optical receiver assemblies are oppositely disposed upon a second wall of the ice bin. Each optical emitter assembly comprises an emitter housing and a selectively removable emitter body comprising an optical source. Each optical receiver assembly comprises a receiver housing and a selectively removable receiver body comprising an optical receiver. Modular flow control valves are adapted for substantially simultaneous electrical and fluid connection with mounting blocks on the upper unit.

Dispenser with features for enhanced maintainability

Beverage dispenser

A pulsation dampener for beverage dispensers and fountain equipment decreases the irregularities in concentrate flow from a single action pump and volumetric dispensing valve combination within a beverage dispenser. The pulsation dampener includes a tube for functionally connecting a pump to a valve, thus providing a flow line between the pump outlet and the valve inlet. The pulsation dampener can also provide a flow line between other beverage equipment functional modules or equipment installed between the pump and the valve. The tube retains and collects concentrate flow from the pump outlet to maintain a minimum fluid pressure on the valve inlet. A retainer around the tube prevents the internal fluid pressure within the tube from exceeding the maximum elongation stress of the tube material. Clamps at each end of the retainer, secure the retainer around the tube. Connectors between the pump and the tube, and between the tube and valve provide a liquid-tight fitting for the pulsation dampener operating in a beverage dispenser or fountain equipment. Material properties of the tube are compatible with the concentrate preventing chemical attack on the tube material. Elastic properties of the tube and the retainer combine to oppose the internal fluid pressure of the concentrate within the tube, thus creating a minimum fluid pressure at the valve inlet.

Pulsation dampener for beverage dispensers and fountain equipment

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Jeffrey A Blansit