Machines, devices, and methods for generating and dispensing mixed beverages are disclosed. An exemplary beverage machine includes a liquid storage container, an additive ingredient chamber, a mixing chamber, a piston for providing fluid movement into and/or out of the mixing chamber, and a cooling system. The cooling system may be configured to recycle heat rejected from the liquid storage container to provide a heat source for warming a mixed beverage contained in the mixing chamber, in addition to other functions and components.

The invention relates to a cartridge housing comprising a diluting means, especially a water supply, a mixing chamber in which the diluting means and a beverage and/or food substrate are mixed, and an outlet. The cartridge housing is fitted with a hollow rod such that the sealing film of the cartridge is pierced as soon as the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge housing, thereby creating the flow connection between the cartridge and a mixing chamber.

The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.

A beverage dispenser includes a housing, a first pouch, a cutting mechanism, a water source, and a pump. The housing has at least a first receptacle. The first pouch has a beverage content for seating in the first receptacle and has an opening area thereon for opening the pouch. The cutting mechanism for opening the first pouch in the opening area of the pouch in order to allow the contents thereof to evacuate from the pouch. The water source is coupled to the housing permitting water to mix with the contents of the pouch. The pump coupled to the water reservoir for transferring water from the water reservoir to the vicinity of the first receptacle such that water from the water reservoir mixes with the contents of the pouch. The opening area of the pouch permits cutting or slicing of the pouch with the cutting mechanism.

A liquid dispense system has a container having an open end and a sidewall defining a container interior, and a fitment enclosing the open end of the container. The sidewall has at least one vent. The fitment has a hollow body with a partition extending across an interior of the hollow body, the partition having at least one aperture. The fitment further has a valve connected to the partition and being movable between a normally-closed position and an open position. The at least one vent is covered by a protective membrane configured to filter air that enters the container interior as liquid is dispensed from the container interior when the valve is in the open position.

The invention relates to a cartridge comprising a wall region, to one end of which a connection region is connected, which is closed particularly with a membrane, and on the opposite end of which optionally a bottom region is provided, the wall region and optionally the bottom region containing a cavity which receives a beverage and/or food substrate.

The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a drink in a drink preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filed with a drink substance (7), and a cartridge receiver (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the drink substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), and said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receiver (10) of the cartridge system (1), the drink preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a drink (70).

The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a drink in a drink preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filed with a drink substance (7), and a cartridge receiver (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the drink substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), and said cartridge receiver (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receiver (10) of the cartridge system (1), the drink preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a drink (70).

Disclosed is a system for producing a beverage, in particular a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge that has a reservoir tilled with a beverage substance, a beverage preparation unit with a cartridge receptacle into which the cartridge can be rcvcrsibly inserted, and a cartridge discharge device which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir into a mixing chamber; furthermore, the beverage preparation unit comprises a fluid supply which opens into the mixing chamber, or the system includes a movable plunger which is placed inside the reserv oir and can be transferred from a starling position into a final position by means of the cartridge discharge device.

Disclosed is a system for producing a beverage, in particular a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge that has a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, a beverage preparation unit with a cartridge receptacle into which the cartridge can be reversibly inserted, and a cartridge discharge device which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir into a mixing chamber; furthermore, the beverage preparation unit comprises a fluid supply which opens into the mixing chamber, or the system includes a movable plunger which is placed inside the reservoir and can be transferred from a starting position into a final position by means of the cartridge discharge device.