Cooler control system for a beverage dispense system 1 having a beverage line (2) extending from a beverage source to a dispense site via a cooler (6). The cooler control system comprises: a controller (51) for adjusting the cooling of the beverage line; a flow rate sensor (41) measuring the flow rate in the beverage line, a temperature sensor (40); and an electronic control unit (31) for receiving a signal from the temperature sensor and/or the flow rate sensor and sending a signal to said controller. Cooler monitoring system comprising: at least one sensor (45) for monitoring energy consumption of the cooler (6); and an electronic control unit for receiving a signal from the at least one energy consumption sensor and for sending a signal to a remote location when energy consumption increases above a predetermined maximum value.

A beverage maker may include a fermenter having a space therein to make a beverage; a fluid tank configured to contain fluid; a fluid supply pump connected with the fluid tank; a flow rate detection sensor disposed in a channel connected with the fluid supply pump to detect a flow velocity or a flow rate of fluid which is discharged through the channel by the fluid supply pump; and a controller configured to perform a plurality of operations related to making of a beverage or cleaning of an inside of the beverage maker. The controller may be configured to when an operation requiring a supply of fluid is ongoing from among the plurality of operations, turn on the fluid supply pump to discharge fluid contained in the fluid tank; detect a lack of fluid in the fluid tank based on a first flow velocity or a first flow rate detected by the flow rate detection sensor; and generate a fluid replenishment request for the fluid tank based on a result of detecting.

A beverage maker may include a fermenter having a space therein to make a beverage; a fluid tank configured to contain fluid; a fluid supply pump connected with the fluid tank; a flow rate detection sensor disposed in a channel connected with the fluid supply pump to detect a flow velocity or a flow rate of fluid which is discharged through the channel by the fluid supply pump; and a controller configured to perform a plurality of operations related to making of a beverage or cleaning of an inside of the beverage maker. The controller may be configured to when an operation requiring a supply of fluid is ongoing from among the plurality of operations, turn on the fluid supply pump to discharge fluid contained in the fluid tank; detect a lack of fluid in the fluid tank based on a first flow velocity or a first flow rate detected by the flow rate detection sensor; and generate a fluid replenishment request for the fluid tank based on a result of detecting.

A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (100) has: a beverage directing guide (10) for directing by the directing guide (10) beverage (100) to an area (2) for placing a user-recipient; and a beverage processing unit (5) having a unit outlet (51) via which liquid (100,101) is passed from the beverage guide (50) to the directing guide (10) that is located below the unit outlet (51). The directing guide (10) has a flow cavity (10a), a bottom (10b) and sidewalls (10c) such that the bottom (10b) and the sidewalls (10c) delimit the flow cavity (10a). The directing guide (10) has an inflow penetrator (12) for acting on a flow of beverage (100) delivered by the unit outlet (51) onto the penetrator (12) prior to reaching the bottom (10b) of the flow cavity (10a).

A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (100) has: a beverage directing guide (10) for directing by the directing guide (10) beverage (100) to an area (2) for placing a user-recipient; and a beverage processing unit (5) having a unit outlet (51) via which liquid (100,101) is passed from the beverage guide (50) to the directing guide (10) that is located below the unit outlet (51). The directing guide (10) has a flow cavity (10a), a bottom (10b) and sidewalls (10c) such that the bottom (10b) and the sidewalls (10c) delimit the flow cavity (10a). The directing guide (10) has an inflow penetrator (12) for acting on a flow of beverage (100) delivered by the unit outlet (51) onto the penetrator (12) prior to reaching the bottom (10b) of the flow cavity (10a).

A system for transporting beverage includes a container, an output port, a first length of tubing, a first gas source, and a valve. The container has a volume of beverage disposed therein. The first length of tubing has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the container. The second end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the output port. The first gas source is fluidly coupled to the container via a second length of tubing. The second gas source is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The valve has at least a first port and a second port. The first port of the valve is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The second port is fluidly coupled to a clearing fluid source.

A system for transporting beverage includes a container, an output port, a first length of tubing, a first gas source, and a valve. The container has a volume of beverage disposed therein. The first length of tubing has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the container. The second end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the output port. The first gas source is fluidly coupled to the container via a second length of tubing. The second gas source is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The valve has at least a first port and a second port. The first port of the valve is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The second port is fluidly coupled to a clearing fluid source.

A liquid dispensing system comprises a container enclosing a chamber. A flexible bag in the chamber contains a first liquid. First and second conduits are contained in the chamber. The first conduit connects the chamber to an outlet port in the container were the second conduit connects the bag to the first conduit. A supply source introduces a pressurized second liquid into the chamber. The first conduit serves to direct an exiting flow of the second liquid from the chamber to the outlet port, with the pressurized second liquid serving to collapse the bag and expel the first liquid contained therein via the second conduit to the first conduit for mixture with the exiting flow of the second liquid. The second conduit lacks flow restrictions, such as metering orifices or the like.

A method is provided for cleansing a hot beverage dispensing device (1), the device including at least one water inlet (11), a hot beverage preparation module (2) located downstream of the water inlet, and a beverage outlet (26) downstream of the beverage preparation module, a second rinsing step (S2) The method includes a first rinsing step (S1), a second rinsing step (S3). In the first rinsing step at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a first rinsing fluid temperature. In the treatment step (S2) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are treated with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid having a temperature that is higher than the first rinsing fluid temperature. In the second rinsing step (S3) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a second rinsing fluid temperature.

A method is provided for cleansing a hot beverage dispensing device (1), the device including at least one water inlet (11), a hot beverage preparation module (2) located downstream of the water inlet, and a beverage outlet (26) downstream of the beverage preparation module, a second rinsing step (S2) The method includes a first rinsing step (S1), a second rinsing step (S3). In the first rinsing step at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a first rinsing fluid temperature. In the treatment step (S2) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are treated with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid having a temperature that is higher than the first rinsing fluid temperature. In the second rinsing step (S3) at least part of the beverage preparation module and the beverage outlet are rinsed with a rinsing fluid having a second rinsing fluid temperature.