Multiple brand ice beverage dispenser

Abstract

A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages includes a touch panel assembly, removable fittings in a carbonator, a carbonator probe, and a carbonator pump assembly removable from a front of the beverage dispenser. The touch panel assembly includes a light source for backlighting a user interface and providing the dispenser with a visual presence. Electrode traces in the touch panel assembly detect interruptions in electrode fields and are accepted as user inputs for dispensing a beverage. A controller conducts the lighting, dispensing, and reconfiguring operations for the flavor selection areas on the user interface. The touch panel assembly further includes provisions for increasing a user interface area to increase visibility of a particular flavor, as well as bonus flavors on a beverage dispenser. The removable fittings each include an orifice for entry of water to be carbonated into the carbonator. The carbonator probe is a single wire probe with timed refill.

1 - 65 . (canceled) 
     
     
         66 . A beverage dispenser, comprising:
 a housing; and   a carbonator pump assembly disposed within a front portion of the housing, wherein the carbonator pump assembly is accessible from a front of the housing.   
     
     
         67 . The beverage dispenser according to  claim 66 , wherein the carbonator pump assembly includes a carbonator pump. 
     
     
         68 . The beverage dispenser according to  claim 66 , wherein the carbonator pump assembly includes a pump motor. 
     
     
         69 . (canceled)