An apparatus for dispensing a predetermined volume of a warm liquid includes a heater, a pump and a temperature sensor sensitive to the temperature of the liquid upstream of the heater. A controller is arranged to receive upstream temperature data from the temperature sensor, calculate the amount of energy required to reach a desired final temperature, energize the heater for a calculated period of ON time, and dispense liquid for a calculated period of time that is at least partly contemporaneous with the calculated period of ON time. After the heater has been de-energized, the dispensed liquid removes residual heat so that the average temperature after dispensing the predetermined volume is the desired final temperature.

The disclosure concerns a system including a modular dispensing system comprising a first module comprising a cold engine assembly, and a second module comprising a hot engine assembly. The system comprises a carbonator configured to dissolve carbon dioxide in water to form carbonated water. The cold engine assembly comprises a cold bath. A cold liquid mixer is configured to mix a concentrate and the carbonated water to form a cold ready-to-drink liquid. The hot engine assembly comprises a hot tank. A hot liquid mixer is configured to mix the hot water from the hot tank and a powder to form a hot ready-to-drink liquid. In an aspect, the cold engine assembly and the hot engine assembly form a single dispensing unit.

A soaking structure for a coffee maker, including a coffee maker funnel, a basket filter, a discharge hood and a spring clamp, a liquid inlet is formed on the top end of the funnel, and the funnel is a hollow chamber within which the basket filter is placed; a groove is formed on the bottom of the basket filter, the top of the discharge hood is located within the groove, and there is a gap between the discharge hood and the groove; a first liquid outlet is formed on the top of the discharge hood; a tail end of the discharge hood is clamped on an inner side of the liquid outlet of the coffee maker funnel; and, the spring clamp is located on the bottom of the discharge hood and clamped at a water outlet of the coffee maker funnel.

The invention relates to a device for preparing baby food, in particular baby formula or baby purees. The invention also relates to the use of a corresponding device for preparing a solution or suspension, or baby food, and to a metering and sterilizing pouch and a preparation unit for a corresponding device.

The invention concerns a beverage preparation assembly (1) comprising: a container (2) for storing a water soluble beverage powder, said container comprising a tank (21) and a powder outlet (22), a dissolution chamber (3) for preparing a beverage from the water soluble beverage powder and a diluent, said dissolution chamber comprising at last one diluent inlet (31) and a beverage outlet (32), a chute (4) for guiding the water soluble beverage powder from the powder outlet (22) of the container to the dissolution chamber (3), an air outlet (5) configured for evacuating air from the dissolution chamber (3), wherein the powder outlet (22) is connected to the chute (4) by a conduit (6), and wherein the powder outlet (22), the conduit (5), the chute (4) and the dissolution chamber (3) are connected together through airtight connections, and wherein said assembly comprises an air inlet (8), said air inlet being positioned above the chute (4) only.

The invention concerns a method for producing a beverage by dissolution of soluble beverage powder with water in a beverage preparation apparatus, said apparatus comprising at least one chamber (1) for receiving and mixing a dose of soluble beverage powder with water, said chamber comprising : an opened top to receive the dose of soluble beverage powder, and a lateral side wall (11) said lateral side wall comprising a water inlet (2), and a bottom wall (12), said bottom wall comprising a beverage outlet conduit (3), and said method comprising the steps of: a) introducing water through the water inlet (2) to wet the internal surface of the funnel of the bottom wall, then b) stopping the introduction of water, then c) introducing the dose of soluble beverage powder in the chamber, then d) introducing water in the chamber to dissolve the powder.

An automatic cooking apparatus includes a main housing, a drinking water supply unit, a cooking apparatus and a controller. The drinking water supply unit includes a drinking water tank and a drinking water supplying apparatus including a water delivering unit connected to the drinking water tank. At least one drinking water outlet is provided on the main housing and is connected to the water delivering unit. The cooking apparatus includes a food storage tank and a cooking unit. The cooking unit includes a pot and a heater thermally communicated with the pot. The controller is electrically connected to the drinking water supply unit and the cooking apparatus, and operates the automatic cooking apparatus on at least one of a water supplying mode and a cooking mode.

Systems and methods for customizing beverage profiles, such as customizing beverage pods via input received via web-based portals or interfaces, are described. For example, the systems and methods may provide users with interactive interfaces that facilitate the reception of user input regarding the customization of a beverage, such as the customization of a nutritional or flavor profile of a beverage, such as a smoothie.

The apparatuses described herein provide a portable, pod-based beverage maker, such as an apparatus that makes smoothies and other similar beverages from pod-based ingredient mixtures. The apparatus provides an easy and simple way to combine ingredients in pods with water, ice, and other mixing liquids.

Systems and methods for customizing beverage profiles and associated consumption programs, such as customizing smoothie pods to be used in making smoothies and other beverages, are described. For example, the systems and methods may receive or obtain information associated with a user's previous, current, and/or future activities (e.g., workouts or training sessions), a user's sleep activities, a user's current mental acuity or sharpness, a user's health or fitness, and so on, and determine or create a beverage profile for the user based on the information for the user. Further, the systems and methods may communicate and/or facilitate interactions with various online health or wellness programs.