Methods and devices for dispensing a cooled beverage are provided. One embodiment of methods includes the steps of mixing a diluent and a concentrate to make a diluted solution. The diluted solution is carbonated to yield a carbonated solution. The carbonated solution is cooled to below 0° C. to produce the cooled beverage, and the cooled beverage is dispensed through a nozzle. A device for dispensing a cooled beverage, where the cooled beverage comprises a diluent having a freezing point at STP includes an upstream cooler that pre-cools a supply of diluent to a temperature above the freezing point. A mixer mixes the pre-cooled diluent with a concentrate to make a diluted solution. A downstream cooler further cools the diluted solution to below the freezing point. A dispenser dispenses the downstream-cooled solution to atmosphere. The temperature of the cooled beverage is below the freezing point when dispensed.

A beverage dispenser includes a plurality of dispensing heads. A cold plates includes a plurality of fluid lines running therethrough. An ice bin is in thermal contact with the cold plate. A carbonator extends vertically from the cold plate with a lower end of the carbonator in thermal contact with the cold plate. A plurality of fluid lines extend from the cold plate to the plurality of dispensing heads.

A beverage dispensing machine includes a countertop for a conveyor that carries a plurality of cup holders around a track. A front side of the beverage dispenser machine is accessible by an operator to remove cups from the plurality of cup holders. A cup tower has a plurality of cup dispenser tubes that are each configured to hold a respective stack of cups. A cup grabber is movable up and down into and between a raised position in which the cup grabber is positioned to grab a cup from one of the stacks of cups and place a cup into one of the plurality of cup holders.

A cooling system for use in a beverage dispenser, the cooling system including: a cold plate having a top surface and a side surface; a carbonator arranged in a non-horizontal orientation relative to the cold plate, the carbonator having a sidewall, a lower uninsulated portion of the sidewall of the carbonator being in thermal communication with the side surface of the cold plate; and a fastener coupling the carbonator to the cold plate, the fastener having a lower thermal conductivity as compared to a thermal conductivity of the carbonator.

A beverage dispensing machine includes a countertop for a conveyor that carries a plurality of cup holders around a track. A front side of the beverage dispenser machine is accessible by an operator to remove cups from the plurality of cup holders. A cup tower has a plurality of cup dispenser tubes that are each configured to hold a respective stack of cups. A cup grabber is movable up and down into and between a raised position in which the cup grabber is positioned to grab a cup from one of the stacks of cups and place a cup into one of the plurality of cup holders.

A chilling reservoir for providing in-line carbonation in a beverage dispenser includes a housing having a first beverage material pathway extending therethrough. The first beverage material pathway may have a flow inlet arrangement and a flow outlet arrangement. The chilling reservoir also includes a heat exchanger arrangement that is positioned and configured to be selectively operated to chill beverage material passing through the first beverage material pathway. The chilling reservoir also includes a carbonation chamber operably positioned in the first beverage material pathway of the housing. The carbonation chamber may be configured to removably receive therein a carbonator.

A beverage dispensing machine includes a countertop for a conveyor that carries a plurality of cup holders around a track. A front side of the beverage dispenser machine is accessible by an operator to remove cups from the plurality of cup holders. A cup tower has a plurality of cup dispenser tubes that are each configured to hold a respective stack of cups. A cup grabber is movable up and down into and between a raised position in which the cup grabber is positioned to grab a cup from one of the stacks of cups and place a cup into one of the plurality of cup holders.

Methods and devices for dispensing a cooled beverage are provided. One embodiment of methods includes the steps of mixing a diluent and a concentrate to make a diluted solution. The diluted solution is carbonated to yield a carbonated solution. The carbonated solution is cooled to below 0? C. to produce the cooled beverage, and the cooled beverage is dispensed through a nozzle. A device for dispensing a cooled beverage, where the cooled beverage comprises a diluent having a freezing point at STP includes an upstream cooler that pre-cools a supply of diluent to a temperature above the freezing point. A mixer mixes the pre-cooled diluent with a concentrate to make a diluted solution. A downstream cooler further cools the diluted solution to below the freezing point. A dispenser dispenses the downstream-cooled solution to atmosphere. The temperature of the cooled beverage is below the freezing point when dispensed.

Disclosed are cooling devices for beverage dispensing systems. The devices include and utilize a slurry of granules and a liquid in order to facilitate heat transfer in the cooling device.

A cooling system for use in a beverage dispenser, the cooling system including: a cold plate having a top surface and a side surface; a carbonator arranged in a non-horizontal orientation relative to the cold plate, the carbonator having a sidewall, a lower uninsulated portion of the sidewall of the carbonator being in thermal communication with the side surface of the cold plate; and a fastener coupling the carbonator to the cold plate, the fastener having a lower thermal conductivity as compared to a thermal conductivity of the carbonator.