Method and apparatus for a beverage dispenser

• US 8,251,259 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2011
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lancer Partnership Limited (Hoshizaki Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lancer Partnership Limited (Hoshizaki Corporation)
• Inventors: Edwards, William A., Kolodziejcyk, Roger Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Nicolas, Frederick C.
• Application Number:
  US13/199,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20120048887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 2221291-1294, 222/146.6, 222/131, 222/146.1, 222/183, 222/108, 222/144.5, 62389-390
• US Class Current: 222/129.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/06 Mountings or arrangements of dispensing apparatus in or on shop or bar counters shop or bar counters per se A47F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00047 Piping
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, comprising:

a lower unit including a lower product circuit;

at least one tower unit disposed on the lower unit, wherein the at least one tower unit includes an upper product circuit connected with a dispense point disposed on the at least one tower unit, further wherein the upper product circuit is connectable with the lower product to form at least one product circuit that delivers a drink to the dispense point for dispensing therefrom;

a tower structure surrounding the at least one tower unit, the tower structure being securable with the lower unit, wherein the tower structure comprises;

at least one vertical structure,

a crossbar,

an outer skin, and

a cap, wherein the at least one vertical structure is securable with the lower unit and the cross bar provides lateral support, and further wherein the outer skin and the cap close out the sides and rear of the at least one tower unit; and

the tower structure is adapted for removal from the lower unit without disabling the product circuit.

2. The product dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising:

a splash plate closing out a front of the at least one tower unit, thereby closing out the at least one tower unit.

3. The product dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the tower structure is utilized for merchandising by placing advertising materials onto the tower structure.

4. The product dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the tower structure secures to the at least one tower unit, thereby providing an integral tower.