A post-mix beverage dispenser having all components within an insulated housing is provided. The beverage dispenser can include an insulated housing with interior compartments that contain all complementary for dispensing a beverage, a carbonated beverage, and ice. The interior compartments can contain a concentrate source, a concentrate pump, an ice bin, an ice dispensing mechanism, a refrigeration system, a diluent pump, and a carbonation system.

A beverage dispensing apparatus including at least one multiple lever-switching assembly where the lever assembly has a plurality of levers and valves configured to dispense fluids, flavorings, syrups, and optionally pressurized gas through one or more channels in each of the assemblies. The levers are part of a mechanical hydraulic system, that is not reliant on electrical connections to control or regulate the dispensing of fluids. Each set of levers can operate independently or in combination with other levers on the assembly, and can further actuate individual valves or more than one valve within the body of each assembly.

Applicants have created an improved multi-flavor food and/or beverage dispenser including an improved nozzle for injection of flavored liquids into a base liquid. The apparatuses and systems described herein can be used with different food and beverage products including, but not limited to, frozen carbonated beverages, frozen alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, frozen yogurts, frozen ice creams and other dispensable food and beverage products.

A system and method to supply nitrogen gas is provided. Ambient air is compressed and stored in a storage receiver and then nitrogen is separated from the compressed air in a nitrogen membrane separation unit. The separated nitrogen is stored in a nitrogen storage tank under pressure and released through a pressure control valve. The system is confined to a small footprint and is useful as a nitrogen source where conventional compressed nitrogen tanks are a safety or space issue. Systems to prepare nitrogen infused beverages are also provided.

An individual frozen drink dispenser includes a housing having a base configured to support a blender cup, a dispensing chamber disposed above the blender cup and configured to support a frozen beverage container containing frozen ingredients suitable for preparing a frozen drink, at least one dispensing mechanism configured to move from a pre-dispense position to a dispense position in which the dispensing mechanism drives the frozen ingredients from the frozen beverage container into the blender cup, and a drive mechanism coupled to the housing and configured to drive the movement of the dispensing mechanism from the pre-dispense position to the dispense position. A method of preparing a frozen drink is further disclosed.

A beverage dispenser includes a nozzle to dispense a beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a camera to capture an image of the beverage as the beverage is dispensed from the nozzle. The camera has a field of view that includes the beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a light source that illuminates the field of view of the camera. The beverage dispenser further includes a computer. The computer analyzes the image of the beverage and determines a characteristic of the beverage.

The invention relates to a system for hygienically reconstituting and delivering food preparations, such as drinks, comprising a metering and mixing device connected to a container containing a base liquid, in the form of a package configured to be connected to a base station. The metering and mixing device comprises a pump for metering the liquid, a diluent intake and a mixing chamber. Coupling means are provided for providing the diluent supply and the means for driving the liquid pump.

Devices for dispensing beverages, particularly multiple differing beverages from a dispensing nozzle, are provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a multiple beverage dispensing device includes a dispensing array attached to a dispense point isolation device within a dispensing nozzle, the dispensing array facilitates flow of a beverage base and at least one beverage additive into the dispensing nozzle and the dispense point isolation device isolating discharge of beverage additive to prevent cross-contamination and color-carryover caused by the residual traces of beverage additive often associated with conventional dispensing devices. In many embodiments, the dispense point isolation device further includes one or more isolation features, including any or all of a recess, trough, notch, raised ridge or tubular projection around an exit orifice of the beverage additive flow channel so as to further isolate release of the beverage additive and further inhibit cross-contamination and color-carryover.

A method prepares and dispenses a beverage with a dispensing device. The device includes a housing with a beverage unit having a liquid line, a pressure controller to control liquid line pressure, and an ingredient container receiving means. The content of the ingredient container is in fluid communication with a liquid line to mix the ingredient container contents with a base liquid in the liquid line. The device further includes an ingredient container identification unit and a processor coupled for controlling the pressure controller. The method includes providing an ingredient container in the device, identifying the ingredient container, providing a base liquid, and mixing the contents of the ingredient container with the base liquid dispensing the prepared beverage. The pressure in the liquid line changes from a first pressure level to a second pressure level by the pressure controller during mixing and dispensing of the beverage.

A beverage dispensing device prepares and dispenses a beverage. The dispensing device includes a housing which has a beverage unit with a liquid inlet and a beverage outlet. The beverage unit has a receiving means for at least one container containing a unit dose of concentrated beverage ingredient to be dispensed, and an ingredient discharge. The beverage unit has a liquid line. The liquid line first section extends from the base liquid inlet to receiving means liquid inlet to guide base liquid into the unit dose of beverage ingredient through the beverage discharge into the liquid line second section that extends from the ingredient discharge to the beverage outlet. A mixing chamber is defined in the liquid line. Temperature regulating means are provided in the mixing chamber or in that the mixing chamber comprises an inlet for pressurized fluid for expanding said fluid in said mixing chamber.