Anti-dripping system for a beverage dispensing device (100), the device comprising a container compartment (20) where a fluid (1) is stored, an air entry (13) through which air can be provided into the device (100) and a processing compartment (10) where fluid optionally together with air is pumped and possibly foamed, the processing compartment (10) comprising a pumping element (11) for pumping fluid and possibly air and a foaming element (12) for foaming fluid and air; the pumping element (11) comprising two moveable parts with respect to each other arranged in such a way that their relative movement in a certain direction pumps fluid by suction from the container compartment (20) and optionally also air from the air entry (13) respectively into the processing compartment (10); the foaming element (12) comprising at least a movable part and a static part movable with respect to each other, said parts driving the fluid optionally together with air through a gap (123) providing a certain level of shear stress which allows mixing and/or foaming, the pumping element (11) being configured to reverse the direction of the relative movement of the moveable parts after each dispensing operation so that any remaining fluid not dispensed is sent back to the container compartment (20) thus avoiding dripping.

A system, method, and apparatus for producing an ingredient foam such as milk foam for use with other products such as beverages. An ingredient dispensing assembly is included for receiving one or more ingredients from an ingredient dispensing apparatus, processing the ingredients and dispensing a general uniform, consistent foam. The ingredient dispensing assembly includes a whipping chamber, an output nozzle, and an insert retained within cavities defined by the whipping chamber and output nozzle. The internal surfaces of the chamber and nozzle cavities in combination with the insert provide passages defining a mixing zone, a shredding zone communicating with the mixing zone, and a deceleration zone communicating with the shredding zone. The assembly passes at least one ingredient through the zones to dispense foam from an exit port of the outlet nozzle. The system includes apparatus and methods for reducing the dissociation of foam dispensed form the exit port.

A device for discharging fluids includes a container, to be opened and closed, which forms an interior space of the device for accommodating a spray medium; a capsule connector means in order to establish a fluidic connection between an exchangeable capsule filled with gas and the device; a discharge opening through which the spray medium can be discharged from the device interior space upon actuating the device. A pressure regulator is provided in order to guarantee the discharge of the spray medium, for example, in the form of hot chocolate, at a uniform pressure.

A device for discharging fluids includes a container, to be opened and closed, which forms an interior space of the device for accommodating a spray medium; a capsule connector means in order to establish a fluidic connection between an exchangeable capsule filled with gas and the device; a discharge opening through which the spray medium can be discharged from the device interior space upon actuating the device. A pressure regulator is provided in order to guarantee the discharge of the spray medium, for example, in the form of hot chocolate, at a uniform pressure.

A device for frothing a liquid includes a tube-shaped housing with an inner surface having a curved periphery. At least one inlet is arranged in a lateral area of the housing for letting in the liquid and a frothing gas, and may have a tangential orientation with respect to the curved periphery of the inner surface of the housing. End faces of the housing are open and function as outlets of the device, where a longitudinal axis of the housing may extend in a horizontal direction. Rings may be provided inside the housing for keeping a rotating flow inside the housing during a period of time which is sufficiently long for a frothing process to take place in an effective manner.

A dispensing unit includes a product reservoir configured to store a food product, a dispensing nozzle configured to dispense the food product from the product reservoir, and an aerator including a first stationary mixing rod and a second stationary mixing rod, the aerator disposed upstream of the dispensing nozzle to aerate the food product before the food product is discharged from the dispensing nozzle.

A container having pressurized gas, the container includes an outlet, a liquid substance, a first gas dissolved in the liquid substance; and a noble gas. The liquid substance and the first gas are dispensed from the outlet when the container is oriented in a first position, and at least 90% of gas that is dispensed from the outlet when the container is oriented in a second position includes the noble gas.

A container having pressurized gas, the container includes an outlet, a liquid substance, a first gas dissolved in the liquid substance; and a noble gas. The liquid substance and the first gas are dispensed from the outlet when the container is oriented in a first position, and at least 90% of gas that is dispensed from the outlet when the container is oriented in a second position includes the noble gas.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for infusing a product component, comprising the steps of: placing the product component into a container; positioning into the product component an expansion agent, the expansion agent comprising at least one of a liquid form and a solid form; pressure sealing the container; forming, through a phase change of the expansion agent, gas bubbles of the expansion agent in the product component; and forming a gas phase propellant of the expansion agent in the container, where the product component is permeated with the expansion agent, such as where the product component is a cream, fat, dairy product, and/or milk substitute.

The invention comprises a method and apparatus for infusing a product component, comprising the steps of: placing the product component into a container; positioning into the product component an expansion agent, the expansion agent comprising at least one of a liquid form and a solid form; pressure sealing the container; forming, through a phase change of the expansion agent, gas bubbles of the expansion agent in the product component; and forming a gas phase propellant of the expansion agent in the container, where the product component is permeated with the expansion agent, such as where the product component is a cream, fat, dairy product, and/or milk substitute.