Fluid mixture dispensing systems, devices and methods are disclosed. A device includes a set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a mixing area configured to receive at least one ingredient from the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a pressure source, an accumulator chamber, a set of valves, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the set of valves to pressurize the accumulator chamber using the pressure source. The controller is further programmed to operate the set of valves to set a pressure in at least one of the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs using the accumulator chamber.

Among other things, a chiller for chilling water to be dispensed as part of beverages includes a tank configured to contain a cooling mass for chilling the water. A first tube in the tank is configured to be immersed in the cooling mass and to carry the water along a path from a source towards a location where the chilled water is to be dispensed as part of the beverages. A second tube is configured to be immersed in the cooling mass and to carry a coolant along a recirculation path from a coolant source and back to the coolant source. The coolant has a sufficiently low temperature to cause a frozen mass to be formed as part of the cooling mass within the tank and in the vicinity of the second tube. The first tube and the second tube are configured and positioned relative to one another within the tank so that the frozen mass occupies at least 30 percent of the volume of the cooling mass in the tank but does not touch the first tube.

A system and method may present, by a first application being executed by an electronic device, a first user interface that enables a user to select a food item and/or non-food item for purchase at a retail establishment. In response to receiving, by the first application, a request from the user using the first user interface to purchase a beverage at the retail establishment, a second application may be linked with the first application. A data repository inclusive of selectable beverage options available for dispensing by a beverage dispenser at the retail establishment may be accessed. The second application may present a second user interface for selection of a selectable beverage option. A selected beverage instruction code representative of a selected beverage may be generated and communicated to the beverage dispenser at the retail establishment to cause the beverage dispenser to be configured for dispensing the selected beverage.

A shutoff switch for dispensing mixed beverages is presented. The shutoff switch includes a syrup inlet receiving syrup and a syrup outlet dispensing the syrup to a pump. The shutoff switch also includes a water inlet receiving water, and a water outlet dispensing the water to a either the pump or a dispensing point. Two distinct inlets and outlets for syrup and water prevent the syrup and water being mixed in the shutoff switch. The shutoff switch further includes a pressure responsive member that deforms based on pressure changes in the shutoff switch. When the deformation of the pressure responsive member reaches a threshold, an electrical gate in direct communication with the pressure responsive member opens, turning of a pump of the beverage dispensing system. Valves in either chamber of the shutoff switch can also be used as a redundant mechanical way to stop flow in the system.

A mixed supplement beverage vending machine includes a housing having a base and a front side. The front side includes a display screen and an input mechanism. A user platform extends forwardly from the base. A dispensing mechanism includes an outlet disposed on the front side of the housing. An ingredient sensor is operably connected to a mixing mechanism. A weight sensor is configured to detect the weight of an individual standing on the user platform. The vending machine includes a control module that determines the weight of a via the weight sensor, calculates an ingredient profile based upon the weight of the user, mixes the ingredients of the ingredient profile via the mixing mechanism to form a beverage, and dispenses the beverage via the dispensing mechanism. The vending machine can include a wireless transceiver for remote operation and communications with external wireless devices.

A method for cooling a mixed beverage formed with one or more beverage components includes circulating a refrigerant through a heat exchanger having a phase change material to cool a beverage component and sensing a temperature of the refrigerant. The method further includes detecting a first instance when the sensed temperature of the refrigerant equals a threshold refrigerant temperature, detecting a second instance when the sensed temperature of the refrigerant equals the threshold refrigerant temperature, and stopping circulation of the refrigerant when the second instance is detected.

A system and method for guiding the assembly of a food or beverage item including a number of components is disclosed. The system includes a starting point device having a controller. The starting point device is operable to receive the details of the food item, which includes the components required to create the food or beverage item. The controller is in communication with multiple dispensers and bins that each include one or more of the components and an indicator. The controller activates the indicators associated with each of the components of the food or beverage item either sequentially or simultaneously to indicate to the staff member all of the components that need to be added to the food or beverage item. As each component is added, the indicator is deactivated until all of the components have been added. Once the food or beverage item is created, the controller indicates that the next food or beverage item can be created.

A system for a smart refrigerator including a refrigerator assembly, ice assembly, produce assembly and beverage mixer assembly is disclosed. The refrigerator assembly includes a refrigerator having storage compartments for perishable goods. The refrigerator further includes an ice compartment for the ice assembly and a produce compartment for the produce assembly. The beverage mixer assembly is also stored within the refrigerator. Displays are provided on the refrigerator for communication and education of the users. The ice assembly includes an ice maker to provide ice to a mixer of the beverage mixer assembly. The produce assembly includes produce containers storing the needed produce for the desired drinks and provides the produce to the mixer. The ice cubes and produce are processed, and a beverage is provided to the user with the beverage mixer assembly. Dieting is facilitated for users as healthy food options become readily available with the smart refrigerator.

A shutoff switch for dispensing mixed beverages is presented. The shutoff switch includes a syrup inlet receiving syrup and a syrup outlet dispensing the syrup to a pump. The shutoff switch also includes a water inlet receiving water, and a water outlet dispensing the water to a either the pump or a dispensing point. Two distinct inlets and outlets for syrup and water prevent the syrup and water being mixed in the shutoff switch. The shutoff switch further includes a pressure responsive member that deforms based on pressure changes in the shutoff switch. When the deformation of the pressure responsive member reaches a threshold, an electrical gate in direct communication with the pressure responsive member opens, turning of a pump of the beverage dispensing system. Valves in either chamber of the shutoff switch can also be used as a redundant mechanical way to stop flow in the system.

A method for providing blended consumer goods to a user by using a blending device (BD) that is adapted to store at least two starting goods blendable into a blended consumer good comprises: recording (REC) selection data concerning selections of the blended consumer goods by the user; recording response data provided by the user concerning responses to the selected blended consumer goods; and processing (COD1-COD5, PP, DA) the data to prioritize presentation (SP, AUI) of blended consumer goods on a user interface (BD, UCD) for selection by the user. A data processing device (DPD, BD, UCD) comprises a data processing unit and a data storage (DB) for storing the recorded data and/or the processed data, wherein the data processing device is adapted to perform the method. A system comprises the data processing device and at least one blending device. The invention is particularly useful for blending fragrances, food, or beverages.