Patent ID: 8893926

Claim:
A beverage dispensing machine comprising: a plurality of supply containers, wherein each container is configured to contain a liquid beverage component; a container valve on each container for dispensing the liquid beverage component; a shelf that supports the plurality of supply containers; at least one dispense valve that is configured to dispense the liquid beverage components from the plurality of supply containers to a user; a plurality of pumps that are configured to pump the liquid beverage components from the plurality of supply containers to the at least one dispense valve; a plurality of flexible supply tubes that supplies the liquid beverage components from the plurality of supply containers to the plurality of pumps; wherein each supply tube in the plural iv of flexible supply tubes has a first end and a second, opposite end, wherein the second end is connected to a pump in the plurality of pumps; at least one manifold for distributing cleaning fluid, the manifold being disposed on the shelf between a pair of containers in the plurality of containers, wherein the manifold comprises opposite sides and a pair of outlet ports located on the opposite sides; and a plurality of adapters on the first ends of the plurality of flexible supply tubes, wherein each adapter is located between one of the container valves and one of the outlet ports, and wherein each adapter is interchangeably connectable to the one of the container valves and the one of the outlet ports; wherein the manifold further comprises an inlet port that is in fluid communication with the pair of outlet ports, wherein the inlet port configured to receive a cleaning fluid from a source of cleaning fluid; wherein connecting the plurality of adapters to the plurality of container valves and then operating the plurality of pumps allows for dispensing of the liquid beverage components via the at least one dispense valve; and wherein connecting the plurality of adapters to the outlet ports allows for cleaning of the manifold, plurality of adapters, plurality of flexible supply tubes, plurality of pumps and the at least one dispense valve with the cleaning fluid.