Abstract:
A modular dispensing unit comprising a frame having a front side, back side, two sidewalls, a top wall, an intermediate wall and a bottom wall; a first enclave and a second enclave within the frame; a first beverage dispenser located in the first enclave; a second beverage dispenser located in the second enclave; an ice dispenser positioned between the first and second enclaves; and an ice dispenser housing surrounding substantially the entire ice dispenser. The ice dispenser housing may have two sidewalls and a front wall, the front wall having an opening allowing access to an ice outlet of the ice dispenser.
Abstract:
Aspects of the invention described herein provide an apparatus and method for networked vending. According to embodiments described herein, a vending machine is provided that may be installed and managed by the venue in which it is installed. Consumers may purchase vending products from the vending machine using cashless accounts managed by an external device in communication with the vendor. The venue may manage the inventory for the vending machine by placing orders for single product inserts to be loaded in the vending machine.
Abstract:
A multi-flavor valve capable of dispensing at least three flavors of beverages is provided. The valve includes a single-piece injection-molded valve body having at least three syrup flow paths and a water flow path. The valve also includes at least three syrup flow path solenoids for respectively opening and closing the at least three syrup flow paths, and one water flow path solenoid for opening and closing the water flow path. The three syrup flow path solenoids are positioned in the corresponding syrup flow paths, and the water flow path solenoid is positioned in the water flow path, within the valve body. The valve also has at least three beverage flavor switches for selecting any one of the three beverage flavors for dispensation. The valve further includes an electronics module electrically connected to the solenoids and to the beverage flavor switches, the electronics module causing one of the syrup flow path solenoids to open the corresponding syrup flow path of the syrup corresponding to a selected flavor switch, and causing the water flow path solenoid to open the water flow path, thereby causing the multi-flavor valve to dispense the selected beverage flavor.
Abstract:
A method of forming a label for a container is provided. The method comprises extruding at least one layer to form the label, increasing the surface energy of the label, and securing the label to a container with an adhesive. The texture can be formed onto the label by embossing, chemically etching or exposing the label material to UV radiation. The texture helps improve the adhesion of the label to the container. In another example, the label can be provided with a primer or an EVA heat seal coating to improve the adhesion of the label to a container.
Abstract:
The disclosure concerns a system including a multi-tower modular dispensing system comprising at least a first dispensing head and a second dispensing head at a counter, a transfer unit located remotely from the counter, piping extending from the transfer unit to the counter, the transfer unit comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources, the centralized ingredient system configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the counter, the piping comprising a main micro bundle, the main micro bundle comprising at least two separate beverage ingredient lines.
Abstract:
Food products comprising a solid comestible component, wherein the solid comestible component has an oil content less than or equal to about 15 grams/ounce; and a fat-emulsifier component topically applied to the solid comestible component, wherein the fat-emulsifier component comprises an edible fat component; and an emulsifier component with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value less than or equal to about 9 or a lecithin component with an acetone insolubles (AI) percentage in the range of from about 20 to about 90 and a phosphatidylcholine (PC) percentage of from about 20 to about 90, wherein the emulsifier component or lecithin component is dispersed or solubilized in the edible fat component. Methods of producing such food products by dispersing or solubilizing the emulsifier component or lecithin component in the edible fat component to obtain the fat-emulsifier component; and topically applying the fat-emulsifier component to the solid comestible component.