A system and method a method may include receiving (i) beverage composition data of a requested beverage, and (ii) a user identifier of a user requesting the beverage. Responsive to receiving an instruction to dispense the requested beverage, the requested beverage may be dispensed. The beverage composition data may be stored in a dispensed beverage data record. A verification as to whether or not the dispensed beverage is a qualified beverage pour may be performed. Responsive to determining that the dispensed beverage is a qualified beverage pour, a counter may be increased. Responsive to determining that the counter value crosses a threshold value, a first message may be communicated to a mobile electronic device of the user, otherwise, a second message may be communicated to the mobile electronic device. The first or second message may be displayed on the mobile electronic device

A system and method a method may include receiving (i) beverage composition data of a requested beverage, and (ii) a user identifier of a user requesting the beverage. Responsive to receiving an instruction to dispense the requested beverage, the requested beverage may be dispensed. The beverage composition data may be stored in a dispensed beverage data record. A verification as to whether or not the dispensed beverage is a qualified beverage pour may be performed. Responsive to determining that the dispensed beverage is a qualified beverage pour, a counter may be increased. Responsive to determining that the counter value crosses a threshold value, a first message may be communicated to a mobile electronic device of the user, otherwise, a second message may be communicated to the mobile electronic device. The first or second message may be displayed on the mobile electronic device

Described herein is an automated beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage into a cup based on an order. The automated beverage dispenser may include a conveyor and a plurality of functional stations along the conveyor route. Exemplary stations include a cup singulation or placement station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a sealing station for covering the top of the cup with a liquid tight film. Related methods are described.

The present disclosure relates to a sealing unit (8, 8', 108) for sealing an opening in a wall of a container for storing, transporting, and serving a liquid, for instance a beverage, the sealing unit (8, 8', 108) comprising: - an outer housing and an inner housing (20,40) defining a gas flow passage (38') arranged between an outer surface of the inner housing and an inner surface of the outer housing. The inner housing (20) is movable in axial direction between a first axial position wherein the gas flow passage (38') is closed and gas is prevented from flowing into the container or out of the container and a second axial position wherein the gas flow passage (38') is open and gas is allowed to flow in a generally axial direction (P.sub.A1) into the container or out of the container, further comprising a biasing element arranged between the outer housing (20) and inner housing (40) and configured to urge the movable inner housing (20) to move to the first axial position. Inside the movable inner housing a liquid flow passage (37', 37", 37'") is defined, wherein the inside the liquid flow passage a liquid seal unit (65,65') is arranged.

A consumable item dispenser and method may include an ingredient storage unit configured to store a consumable ingredient used to produce consumable items by the dispenser. A sensor may be configured to sense an amount of consumable ingredient remaining to be dispensed. An input/output unit may be configured to communicate data over a communications network. A processing unit may be in communication with the sensor, and be configured to authenticate an electronic device associated with an operator and register the electronic device associated with the operator. A determination as to whether an amount of the ingredient in the ingredient storage unit is at or below a threshold level. The processing unit may generate a notification indicative that the ingredient is at or below a threshold level, and communicate the notification to the operator in response to being generated.

An apparatus for the storage, dispensing and transport of large water bottles. The apparatus has a base and two vertical supports extending upward therefrom. Between the two vertical supports is at least one cage that supports a large water bottle and is hingedly attached to the vertical supports such that the cage is in a substantially vertical position for transport and storage and can be tipped at an angle for dispensing water. A second water bottle cage that is the same structure as the top cage but cut in half and situated in a horizontal position can be placed below the first water bottle cage for storage and transport.

A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.

An automated system for venting gas from a FOB is provided replacing a conventional manual venting button at the top of a FOB with a remotely controlled vent (bleed) valve attached to the FOB. After that the venting button is reinstalled in parallel with the vent valve. The automated vent valve can be implemented as a solenoid or pneumatic valve and is controlled by a controller. A tube connects FOB's vent outlet with a waste bucket. When the FOB is vented, a mix of gas, foam, and beverage is expelled from the FOB chamber and deposited in this waste bucket.

Keg sensors and keg sensor assemblies are disclosed. In some embodiments, the keg sensor may include a main body and a first connector attached to the main body and configured to be connected to a keg dispensing coupler. The keg dispensing coupler may be configured to be moved between a closed position and an open position; The keg sensor may additionally include a second connector attached to the main body and configured to be connected to a valve of a keg. The keg sensor may further include a sensor assembly attached to the main body and configured to detect one or more operating parameters of liquid dispensed, via the keg dispensing coupler, from the keg through the keg sensor. In some embodiments, the keg sensor assembly may include a keg sensor and a stack cage assembly. The stack cage assembly may include a cage sized to surround the keg sensor.

An ice bath comprising a container, a refrigeration coil for causing liquid in the container to turn to ice, a pipe for carrying liquid to be cooled by the ice bath for dispense and a plurality of conductive probes for measuring ice thickness, wherein the conductive probes are provided between at least part of the refrigeration coil and the pipe for carrying liquid to be dispensed such that a first one of the conductive probes is provided closer to the refrigeration coil at least two other conductive probes, and thereby the at least two other conductive probes are provided closer to the piping than the first conductive probe, and wherein the second and third probes are equidistant from the refrigeration coil, the ice bath further comprising means for measuring the conductance between the first probe and the second probe, the first probe and the third probe, and the second probe and the third probe.