Integrated beverage and ice dispenser assembly

Abstract

A beverage dispenser with plural dispensing heads from which different beverages are dispensed. The dispenser has an ice bin from which ice is dispensed. A motor drives an agitator internal to the ice bin. The motor is removably attached to the ice bin by locking pins for easy removal and replacement. Waste ice and beverage is collected in a drip pan. The drip pan is insulated to prevent condensate from collecting around the outer surface of the drip pan. A carbonator is mounted to a front of the dispenser to provide carbonated water. Consequently, the carbonator is easily accessible for maintenance or replacement. Carbonated or non-carbonated water flows through a common manifold to the individual dispensing heads. By setting a manifold valve member associated with each dispensing head, the type of water supplied to the dispensing head, either carbonated or non-carbonated, is selectively set.

Description

RELATIONSHIP TO EARLIER FILED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 573,426, filed May 21, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention is generally related to a beverage dispenser used to dispense different blended beverages and ice. More particularly, this invention is related to a beverage and ice dispenser that is easy to maintain.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]At restaurants or other locations, a beverage is often delivered from a dispenser in the form of a blend of syrup and water. Depending on the beverage, the water may or may not be carbonated. An advantage of dispensing beverage in this form is that the syrup containers and water supply occupy significantly less space than is otherwise required to store the same volume of beverage in individual containers. Providing beverage from a dispenser likewise eliminates the need for the establishment to have to deal with the waste formed by the empty individual conta...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]This invention is directed to a new and useful beverage dispenser that dispenses both ice and different types of beverages. The beverage dispenser of this invention includes an insulated drip pan. This feature of the invention substantially reduces, if not eliminates, the formation of condensate around the pan.

[0011]A cold plate is provided for chilling both the water and syrup prior to their discharge from a dispensing head. A layer of foam sealing secures the cold plate to the dispenser structural member to which the cold plate is mounted. The foam thermally insulates the cold plate from the dispensing head structural member to prevent the formation of condensate around the structural member.

[0014]The above and other features, independently and collectively, minimize the time and effort required to maintain the beverage dispenser of this invention.

Problems solved by technology

While known beverage and ice dispensers work reasonably well, there are a few disadvantages associated with their use.

In particular, many known beverage dispensers are difficult to maintain.

This condensate forms an unattractive puddle adjacent the dispenser.

Some beverage dispensers are so constructed that, once manufactured, this change is difficult, if not impossible, to make.

When it is possible to make this change, often a lengthy amount of time is required to replumb the connections to an individual dispensing head.

Due to the relatively cold temperature of the cold plate, condensate has a tendency to form inside the dispenser around the cold plate.

Still other problems are associated with the motor associated with the ice bin.

Due to the loads to which this motor is exposed, it often requires maintenance.

In known dispensers, the motor is attached in such a way that its removal is a difficult task that may take an extensive amount of time to perform.