An apparatus (20) for dispensing an additive into a liquid in a container comprises a support structure (22) and a container holder (28), supported by the support structure (22), for holding a container (21) containing a liquid. The apparatus (20) also includes a capsule holder (38) for holding a capsule (40) containing an additive, for example a liquid, semi-liquid or powder, and a manipulator device (41) which is operable to manipulate the capsule (40), for example by crushing it, to thereby dispense the additive into the liquid in the container (21).

An automated beverage brewing apparatus is provided including a controller for identifying a volume of bloom water and a bloom time for preparing a brewed beverage. A user interface provides at least one input to the controller. The controller is configured to vary the volume of the bloom water based on a type of brewed beverage and a size of brewed beverage input via the user interface.

A flavorant container for use in a beverage system is provided. The flavorant container can be retained by a beverage system to dispense flavorant, which can be mixed with carbonated and/or uncarbonated water. In one embodiment, the flavorant container includes a container, a cap, and one or more features located on the cap. The features can include an inlet that is able to receive pressurized air, and an outlet that is able to dispense a flavorant when the inlet receives the pressurized air. The features can also include at least one raised protrusion that is capable of being retained by a complimentary pattern located on a beverage system in order to properly seat the flavorant container in the beverage system.

A liquid dispensing system having a handheld liquid dispense device with a body portion and a dispensing head. The dispensing system includes an ingredient system located remotely from the handheld liquid dispense device, piping extending from the ingredient system to the handheld liquid dispense device, the ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources and configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a beverage from the handheld liquid dispense device. The dispensing system may also include a user interface device configured to receive a first user selection for a beverage and a second user selection for an ingredient modifying the beverage.

The disclosure generally relates to a system for dynamically generating a second formula for a beverage based on a first formula for the beverage, a modification, and a formula generation policy. The second formula may indicate components for the beverages, measures of the components, and/or a sequencing order for the components. Based on the second formula, the system can build computer-executable instructions for automated dispensing systems and route the computer-executable instructions to the automated dispensing systems. By routing the computer-executable instructions to the automated dispensing systems, the system may cause the automated dispensing systems to build the beverage.

A milk-frothing apparatus for preparing high quality micro-foamed milk for coffee drinks consistently and at high volume. A machine having one or more steaming stations includes an elevator at each station with an elevator-mounted steaming wand have a precise angle at the discharge end. The elevator-mounted steaming wand is configured to travel from an upward stowed status to a downward deployed status to insert the discharge end of the elevator-mounted steaming wand into milk inside a pitcher precisely located on the machine. A steam boiler is hydraulically coupled to the elevator-mounted steam wand via flexible tubing and an infrared sensor monitors the temperature of the pitcher during a downward deployed status. An LCD screen with operator controls and displays oriented to coincide spatially with the elevator indicate different operational settings selected by the user and related to machine operation.

Shown and described is a device (100) for dosing and/or preparing a mixture of substances, in particular a medium or a buffer, the device (100) comprising: at least one first container (102), which is designed to receive at least one solid component, at least one first dosing device (104) for dosing the at least one solid component, the first dosing device (104) being connected to or can be connected to the first container (102), at least one fluid connection (110, 110′) to connect to at least one second container (103, 103′), which is designed to receive at least one fluid, and/or a fluid line for supplying a fluid, and at least one second dosing device (108, 108′) for dosing the at least one fluid, the second dosing device (108, 108′) being connected or connectable to the second container (103, 103′) or to the fluid line, respectively. the fluid line, wherein the at least one second container (103, 103′) and/or the at least one second dosing device (108, 108′) are replaceable and are developed as disposable articles, and/or wherein the at least one first container (102) and/or the at least one first dosing device (104) are replaceable and are developed as disposable articles.

A method of operating a beverage preparation machine that permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

A method for forming a dissolvable freeze dried coffee is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of freezing a liquid coffee concentrate and freeze drying the frozen liquid coffee concentrate until a hard outer crust is formed which may have a hardness greater than or equal to an interior portion of the freeze dried coffee.

A system and method for producing an extract from an extraction material by means of an extraction agent comprises a supply line for the extraction agent, a heating device, a brewing device for the extraction material and an extract collection container. The supply line contains a measuring element and at least one volumetric flow control element for the volumetric flow of the extraction agent. In addition, the temperature of the heated extraction agent can be measured by means of the measuring element. The system comprises a control unit, the control unit containing a dosage regime for the heated extraction agent for the brewing device. The dosage regimen can be selected by means of an input device, whereby the volumetric flow control element can be set according to the dosage regimen and is monitored via the measuring element.