Systems and methods for beverage dispensing are disclosed herein. The beverage dispensing system can receive a connection request to pair a mobile computing device with a beverage dispensing device via a network. The connection request can include an identifier that can be verified to match a current identifier associated with the beverage dispensing device. The beverage dispensing system can generate a session between the mobile computing device and the beverage dispensing device that replicates a user interface of the beverage dispensing device on the mobile computing device. The beverage dispensing system can receive inputs from the mobile computing device during the session to obtain configuration parameters for a beverage and dispense the beverage from a nozzle based on the configuration parameters.

A flow sensor includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid. A diaphragm assembly is configured to be displaced whenever the fluid within the fluid chamber is displaced. A transducer assembly is configured to monitor the displacement of the diaphragm assembly and generate a signal based, at least in part, upon the quantity of fluid displaced within the fluid chamber.

Flow control assemblies are provided. The flow control assemblies include a cap having a flow control system with an inlet port having an inlet valve and an outlet port having an outlet valve, wherein the flow control system achieves a Dosing Accuracy (DA) of about 100 or less according to the following formula: $\mathrm{DA}=\left[\frac{\left(\mathrm{Po}-\mathrm{Pc}\right)}{\left(\mathrm{Vd}-\mathrm{Ls}\right)}\right]$
where, Po is a pressure to open the outlet valve (mmH.sub.2O), Pc is a pressure to close the outlet valve (mmH.sub.2O), Vd is a diameter of the outlet valve (mm), and Ls is a length of the valve opening (mm).

A material dispensing device, a material output volume detecting device, and a related damper device for use in an automated beverage preparation apparatus are disclosed. The material output volume detecting device includes: a damper device arranged to operably buffer liquid material flowing therethrough; and a flowmeter arranged to operably measure the flow of liquid material outputted from the damper device. The damper device includes: a damper base having a material entrance hole, a material exit hole, and a material buffer chamber positioned between the material entrance hole and the material exit hole; a diaphragm covered on the material buffer chamber; and a fastening element positioned on the diaphragm and having a hollow portion. When the volume of liquid material within the material buffer chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, the diaphragm deforms to protrude outward, so that a part of the diaphragm enters the hollow portion of the fastening element.

Described is an assembly that provides a passageway for a beverage line connected between a beverage vessel contained within a cabinet, and a beverage tap secured to a tabletop accessory located on a top surface of the cabinet. When the accessory is secured to both the cabinet and a tabletop accessory, the accessory provides: (i) a passageway for the beverage line while (ii) stabilizing and maintaining the tabletop accessory in a stationary and fixed position relative to the cabinet. The accessory may include an upper connector (fastened to the tabletop accessory) having a female shaft for engaging a male shaft of a lower connector (fastened to the cabinet).

A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet with a food storage chamber defined in the cabinet. The refrigerator appliance also includes a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet. The door includes an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, wherein the inner surface faces towards the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position and the outer surface faces away from the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position. The refrigerator appliance also includes a dispenser assembly with a plurality of liquid sources fluidly coupled to the dispenser assembly and a multi-fluid tube. Each liquid source of the plurality of liquid sources is fluidly coupled to the dispenser assembly through the multi-fluid tube.

A system and method for dispensing a beverage includes the detection of a presence of a cup underneath a nozzle, and in response to the detected presence of the cup, a target fill height is calculated. The controller operates to begin a dispense of a beverage into the cup. A beverage fill height determined and compared to a target fill height. When the beverage fill height exceeds the target fill height, the controller operates to stop dispensing the beverage into the cup.

Systems and methods for developing a recipe using a network of beverage synthesis devices are disclosed. A disclosed method includes transmitting, from a network architecture, the recipe to at least two beverage synthesis devices in the network of beverage synthesis devices. The recipe is compatible with the network of beverage synthesis devices for synthesis into a beverage. The method further includes receiving, at the network architecture, information from the at least two beverage synthesis devices. The method further includes modifying, subsequent to receiving of the information and using the network architecture, the recipe to produce a modified recipe. The method further includes transmitting, from the network architecture, the modified recipe to the network of beverage synthesis devices. The modified recipe is compatible with the network of beverage synthesis devices for synthesis into a modified beverage.

A consumer operable retail beverage container filling arrangement for use in a retail environment is provided, comprising a housing, a beverage dispensing unit for dispensing a beverage, comprising a retail beverage container holder for receiving and holding a retail beverage container, wherein the beverage dispensing unit is at least partially provided in the housing, a consumer interaction module for receiving a consumer input and generating a consumer control signal based on the received consumer input, and a dispensing controller arranged for receiving the consumer control signal and controlling the beverage dispensing unit to dispense the beverage in accordance with the consumer control signal.

A beverage dispensing unit includes a dispensing valve configured to be fluidly coupled to at least one beverage source, one or more ingredient pumps configured to be fluidly coupled to one or more ingredient sources, a dispensing manifold fluidly coupled to the dispensing valve and the one or more ingredient pumps, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a recipe from a user, wherein the recipe indicates an amount of each ingredient of one or more ingredient sources. The controller is further configured to operate the one or more ingredient pumps to inject one or more of the ingredients into the dispensing manifold according to the recipe, and open the dispensing valve to allow a volume of beverage from the beverage source to flow through the dispensing manifold. The volume of beverage mixes with the one or more ingredients in the manifold and flushes the ingredients out of the manifold.