Post mix fruit juice dispenser

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dual beverage dispenser comprising: a base and a cabinet mounted on the base, said cabinet being open toward the front,   two containers in the cabinet for storing beverage concentrate to be mixed with water to make the two drinks to be dispensed by the dispenser,   a hinged door for opening and closing the front of the cabinet,   an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet,   a stirrer having a propeller in the bath and a motor disposed above the bath;   a refrigeration system including a compressor and condensor in the base and an evaporator in the bath for reducing the temperature of water in the bath,   a pair of dispensing nozzles secured to the base and means connecting the respective nozzles to the different concentrate containers in the cabinet,   a potable water circuit including an inlet for connecting a water source to the dispenser and a cooling coil in the bath for cooling the potable water, said circuit also including ducts connecting the coil to the inlet and to the dispensing nozzles,   an air cooling coil forming part of the refrigeration system in series with the evaporator in the bath and disposed outside the bath in the cabinet,   means including a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the concentrate containers in the cabinet to maintain the temperature of the concentrates in the cabinet at a selected level,   and a mixing block in each nozzle for combining concentrate and potable water before they are discharged from the nozzles.   
     
     
       2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 further characterized by said cabinet having a top wall and a pair of openings in the top wall for separately filling the containers in the cabinet.   
     
     
       3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 further characterized by heat exchange plates connected to the motor and extending into the bath for cooling the motor.   
     
     
       4. A beverage dispenser comprising a base and insulating walls defining a cabinet on the base,   a liner in the cabinet defining a compartment,   a concentrate container in the compartment for storing beverage concentrate to be mixed with water to make the drink to be dispensed by the dispenser,   a dispensing nozzle secured to the base and means connecting the dispensing nozzle to the concentrate container,   a refrigeration system including a water circuit having means for connecting a water source to the dispensing nozzle and means for cooling the water,   said refrigeration system including an air cooling coil immediately adjacent the liner and within the cabinet,   said liner having a bottom wall with an elevated rear portion adjacent the air cooling coil,   and means including a fan disposed below the elevated portion of the bottom wall of the liner for circulating air in the cabinet through the liner and about any containers within the liner.   
     
     
       5. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by a pair of concentrate containers in the liner, and spaces between the containers and between the containers and the liner walls for circulating the cool air about the container.   
     
     
       6. A dispenser as defined to claim 4 further characterized by a tray mounted in the liner for supporting the container above the liner bottom wall.   
     
     
       7. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by said means for cooling the water including a water bath in the cabinet behind the air cooling coil, an evaporator in the refrigeration system and mounted in the bath,   and a temperature probe in the bath responsive to ice build up in the bath.   
     
     
       8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7 further characterized by a motor in the housing and disposed above the bath,   and an impeller driven by the motor and disposed in the bath for circulating water in said bath.   
     
     
       9. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by means including electrodes in the wall of the container for sensing when the concentrate in the container falls below a prescribed level.   
     
     
       10. A dispenser as defined in claim 4 further characterized by a door on the front of the cabinet providing access to the interior of the liner for introducing and removing the container to and from the liner,   and openings in the top of the cabinet, and container for replenishing concentrate in the container without removing the container from the cabinet.   
     
     
       11. A dispenser as defined in claim 10 further characterized by a cover on the top of the cabinet for closing the top opening therein,   and a removable funnel in the opening and registering with the opening in the top of the container.   
     
     
       12. A beverage dispenser comprising a housing including a base and an insulated cabinet on the base,   an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet,   two concentrate containers of different size mounted in the front of the cabinet,   separate beverage discharge assemblies including mixing blocks mounted on the housing and a dispensing nozzle for each container,   a potable water system connected to the mixing blocks and having a water coil in the ice bath,   a refrigeration system in the housing having an evaporator coil in the bath and an air cooling coil adjacent the concentrate containers, said evaporator coil cooling water in the bath so as to cool potable water in the water coil,   a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the containers,   and means including a concentrate control valve and pump in each of the beverage discharge assemblies for connecting the containers to their respective mixing blocks.   
     
     
       13. A beverage dispenser comprising a housing including a base and an insulated cabinet on the base,   an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet and at least one concentrate container in the front of the cabinet,   a beverage discharge assembly including a mixing block mounted on the housing and having a dispensing nozzle,   a potable water system connected to the mixing block and having a water coil in the ice bath,   a refrigeration system in the housing having a evaporator coil in the bath and an air cooling coil adjacent the concentrate container, said evaporator coil cooling water in the bath so as to cool potable water in the water coil,   a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the container,   a door in the front of the cabinet for removing the container,   an opening in the top of the cabinet and the container for filling the container without moving it from the cabinet,   means including a concentrate control valve in the cabinet for connecting the container to the mixing block,   and means for releasably retaining the valve in the cabinet so that it may be removed with the container.   
     
     
       14. A beverage dispenser comprising a housing including a base and an insulated cabinet on the base,   an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet and at least one concentrate container in the front of the cabinet,   a beverage discharge assembly including a mixing block mounted on the housing and having a dispensing nozzle,   a potable water system connected to the mixing block and having a water coil in the ice bath,   a refrigeration system in the housing having an evaporator coil in the bath and an air cooling adjacent the concentrate container, said evaporator coil cooling water in the bath so as to cool potable water in the water coil,   a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the container,   means including a concentrate control valve in the cabinet for connecting the container to the mixing block,   and a flush line connecting the potable water system to the concentrate control valve for cleaning the connection between the concentrate container and the nozzle.   
     
     
       15. A dispenser as defined in claim 14 further characterized by said potable water system including a solenoid valve in the housing for controlling the flow of water through the system, and means including a push handle on the housing for opening the solenoid valve.   
     
     
       16. A beverage dispenser comprising a base and insulating walls defining a cabinet on the base,   a liner in the cabinet defining a compartment,   a refrigeration system including an air cooling coil immediately adjacent the liner and within the cabinet,   said liner having a bottom wall with an elevated rear portion adjacent the air cooling coil,   and means including a fan disposed below the elevated portion of the bottom wall of the liner for circulating air in the cabinet through the liner and about any containers within the liner,   a water bath in the cabinet behind the air cooling coil,   an evaporator in the refrigeration system and mounted in the bath,   a temperature probe in the bath responsive to ice build up in the bath,   a motor in the cabinet and disposed above the bath,   an impeller driven by the motor and disposed in the bath for circulating water in said bath,   and heat exchange plates connected to the motor and extending into the bath for cooling the motor.   
     
     
       17. A beverage dispenser comprising a base and an insulated cabinet mounted on the base, said cabinet being open toward the front,   a container in the cabinet for storing beverage concentrate to be mixed with water to make a drink to be dispensed by the dispenser,   a door in the front of the cabinet for removing the container,   an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet,   a refrigeration system including a compressor and a condenser in the base and an evaporator in the bath for reducing the temperature of water in the bath,   a dispensing nozzle secured to the base and means connecting the dispensing nozzle to the concentrate container in the cabinet,   a water circuit including an inlet for connecting a water source to the dispenser and a water cooling coil in the bath for cooling the water, said circuit also including ducts connecting the water cooling coil to the inlet and to the dispensing nozzle,   an air cooling coil forming part of the refrigeration system in series with the evaporator in the bath and disposed outside the bath in the cabinet,   means including a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the concentrate container in the cabinet to maintain the temperature of the concentrate in the cabinet at a selected level,   and a mixing block in the nozzle for combining concentrate and water before they are discharged from the nozzle.   
     
     
       18. A dispenser as defined in claim 17 further characterized by an opening in the top of the cabinet and the container for filling the container without removing it from the cabinet. .Iadd.   
     
     
       19.  A beverage dispenser comprising: a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base, at least one concentrate container disposed in the cabinet,   door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for insertion and removal of the container,   a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and a dispensing nozzle,   a potable water source for providing potable water,   means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,   means for directing concentrate from the concentrate container to said mixing chamber and including a valve having a first position in which concentrate flows therethrough and a second position in which the concentrate flow is inhibited while permitting potable water flow therethrough for cleaning at least a portion of said means for directing concentrate, and at least a portion of said discharge assembly, between said valve and said dispensing nozzle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A dispenser as defined in claim 19 wherein said means for directing concentrate includes a concentrate pump disposed downstream of said valve and adapted to be operated to pump concentrate to the nozzle in the first position of the valve, and to pump potable water to the nozzle in the second position of   
     
     
        the valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  A dispenser as defined in claim 20 wherein said valve includes manual selection means for selecting one of said first and second positions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A dispenser as defined in claim 21 including a support manifold disposed between said valve and said concentrate pump. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A dispenser as defined in claim 22 including a flush line coupling from a water control solenoid to the valve to introduce potable water to the valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A dispenser as defined in claim 23 wherein said valve is removable from the support 
     
     
        manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  A dispenser as defined in claim 24 including means supported from the manifold for retaining the valve in position on the manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A dispenser as defined in claim 19 wherein said source of cool potable water includes an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet having a water coil disposed in the ice bath. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A dispenser as defined in claim 26 including a refrigeration system in the housing having an evaporator coil in the bath. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A dispenser as defined in claim 27 including an air cooling coil adjacent the concentrate container, and a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling coil and about the 
     
     
        container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29.  A dispenser as defined in claim 19 including at least a pair of side-by-side disposed concentrate containers. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A dispenser as defined in claim 29 wherein one container is larger than the other. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A dispenser as defined in claim 19 including an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet having a water coil disposed in the ice bath, and a stirrer having a propeller in the bath and a motor disposed above the bath. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A dispenser as defined in claim 31 including a temperature probe in the ice bath responsive to ice build up in the bath to control the 
     
     
        level of ice build up. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  A dispenser as defined in claim 19 wherein said cabinet comprises an insulated cabinet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A dispenser as defined in claim 19 wherein said valve is a single valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A dispenser as defined in claim 19 including a support manifold disposed downstream of said valve and between said valve and said discharge assembly. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. A dispenser as defined in claim 35 wherein said valve is removable from the support manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A dispenser as defined in claim 36 including means supported from said manifold for releasably retaining said valve in 
     
     
        position on said manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38.  A dispenser as defined in claim 19 including means for releasably retaining said valve within said cabinet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A beverage dispenser comprising; a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,   at least one concentrate container,   means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,   outlet means connected to said concentrate container and through which the concentrate can be drawn,   door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for insertion and removal of the container,   a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and a dispensing nozzle,   a potable water source for providing potable water,   means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,   means for coupling the outlet means of the concentrate container to the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and water,   said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the cabinet, said quick-disconnect means comprising engaging means for slidably but releasably engaging the outlet means, and holding means intercoupling said engaging means and said outlet means for releasably holding said engaging means and said outlet means in releasably fixed relative liquid-tight   
     
     
        position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40.  A beverage as defined in claim 39 wherein said means in the cabinet upon which the container is supported comprises 
     
     
        a tray. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41.  A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 39 wherein said cabinet comprises an insulated cabinet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 39 wherein; said engaging means is connected to the cabinet, and said holding means comprises a member pivotably connected to said engaging means and releasably engaging a plurality of projections on said outlet   
     
     
        means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43.  A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 42 wherein; said engaging means comprises a support manifold, and said member comprises a bail wire. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 39 wherein said latter means includes a valve connected to said outlet means for selectively restricting flow from said outlet means, said door means being disposed on the front of said cabinet. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.     A beverage dispenser comprising: a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,   at least one concentrate container,   means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,   said concentrate container having outlet means therefrom through which the concentrate can be drawn,   door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for insertion and removal of the container,   a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and a dispensing nozzle,   a potable water source for providing potable water,   means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,   means for coupling the outlet means for the concentrate container to the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and water,   said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the cabinet,   wherein said latter means includes a concentrate pump for drawing the concentrate from the outlet means, said door means being disposed on the front of the cabinet. .Iaddend.   
     
     
       .Iadd.46.  A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 45 further including a valve coupled between said outlet means and said concentrate pump. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 46 wherein 
     
     
        said valve is a single control valve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48.  A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 46 wherein said valve has a first position in which concentrate flows therethrough and a second position in which the concentrate flow is inhibited while permitting potable water flow therethrough for cleaning at least the connection between the valve and the nozzle. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 48 wherein said valve includes manual selection means for selecting one of said first and second positions. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 49 including a support manifold disposed between said valve and said concentrate pump. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 50 including a flush line coupling from a water control solenoid to the valve to introduce potable water to the valve. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.52.  A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 51 wherein said valve is removable from the support manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 52 including bail means supported from the manifold for retaining the valve in position on the manifold. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 53 wherein said source of cool potable water includes an ice bath at the rear of the cabinet having a water coil disposed in the ice bath, including a refrigeration system in the housing having an evaporator coil in the bath, including an air cooling coil adjacent the concentrate container, and a fan in the cabinet for circulating air in the cabinet over the air cooling 
     
     
        coil and about the container. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55.  A beverage dispenser comprising; a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,   at least one concentrate container,   means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,   said concentrate container having outlet means therefrom through which the concentrate can be drawn,   door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for insertion and removal of the container,   a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and a dispensing nozzle,   a potable water source for providing potable water,   means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,   means for coupling the outlet means of the concentrate container to the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and water,   said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the cabinet,   wherein said quick-disconnect means comprises a concentrate control valve supported over a support manifold and wherein the valve is readily disengaged from the manifold to enable removal of the container from the   
     
     
        cabinet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56.  A beverage dispenser comprising; a housing including a base and a cabinet on the base,   at least one concentrate container, wherein said container has a top fill opening and wherein said cabinet also has a top fill opening aligning with the fill opening on the container so as to enable refilling of the container through the top of the dispenser,   means in the cabinet and upon which the container is supported,   said concentrate container having outlet means therefrom through which the concentrate can be drawn,   door means on the cabinet for providing access to the container for insertion and removal of the container,   a discharge assembly including means defining a mixing chamber and a dispensing nozzle,   a potable water source for providing potable water,   means for coupling the potable water to said mixing chamber,   means for coupling the outlet means of the concentrate container to the mixing chamber to enable mixing of concentrate and water,   said latter means for coupling including quick-disconnect means for enabling ready removal of the concentrate container from the cabinet.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.57.  A beverage dispenser as defined in claim 56 wherein said door means is on the front of the cabinet and can be opened during top filling so that the level of liquid in the container can be viewed. .Iaddend.