A fitment for a package for preparing a beverage connectable to a machine for supplying sanitized liquid to the package is disclosed. The fitment includes a sealing portion and a housing and a fluid connector for fluidly connecting to the machine and to supply liquid inside the container. Also disclosed are packages containing same and methods of producing and using same.

Systems and methods are provided for dispensing ice and at least one liquid, and related cleaning processes. In one embodiment, the system comprises an ice bin for storing a quantity of ice particles, a dispensing tube for carrying at least a first liquid, and a discharge chute in communication with a discharge outlet, wherein the discharge chute is disposed upstream of the discharge outlet. An outlet end of the dispensing tube is positioned within a portion of the ice bin at a location aligned above the discharge outlet. The ice particles and the first liquid are dispensed through the discharge outlet separately or at the same time.

The disclosure concerns a dispensing system having a multi-tower modular dispensing system that includes at least a first dispensing head and a second dispensing head at a counter and a transfer unit located remotely from the counter. Piping extends from the transfer unit to the counter. The transfer unit includes a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources. The centralized ingredient system is configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the counter. The piping includes a main micro bundle that includes at least two separate beverage ingredient lines.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for automating the cleaning and sanitizing processes of a food dispensing machine. The systems and methods may be set to run automatically and may keep a dispensing system cleaned and sanitized for an extended time. The systems and methods disclosed are designed to make cleaning easier for the operator, shorten the overall cleaning time, reduce the amount of labor involved, and improve the convenience, reliability, and repeatability of the cleaning processes.

The disclosure concerns a system including a modular dispensing system comprising a first module comprising a cold engine assembly, and a second module comprising a hot engine assembly. The system comprises a carbonator configured to dissolve carbon dioxide in water to form carbonated water. The cold engine assembly comprises a cold bath. A cold liquid mixer is configured to mix a concentrate and the carbonated water to form a cold ready-to-drink liquid. The hot engine assembly comprises a hot tank. A hot liquid mixer is configured to mix the hot water from the hot tank and a powder to form a hot ready-to-drink liquid. In an aspect, the cold engine assembly and the hot engine assembly form a single dispensing unit.

This invention relates to a beverage delivery vending system that provides the consumer with the option of choosing ingredients of their choice, using a computer touchscreen that is connected to a computing system. The ingredients chosen are delivered using a frozen food delivery system. The ingredients are blended using a blending system and dispensed through solenoid valves and into a disposable cup, which is dispended by a cup-dispenser unit. The ingredients are mixed inside the disposable cup using a sanitary mixer. The consumer has the option of payment for the drink in cash, by debit card, and/or credit card.

An in-line fluid purification system uses a jacket (26) surrounding a fluid passageway (28), formed of a UV transmissive material. The jacket (26) may be surrounded by a UV reflective material (30). UV radiation (20) is coupled into the jacket (26), and the jacket (26) disperses and reflects the radiation over the entire cross section of the passageway (28). In this way, UV illumination of the full cross section of a fluid passageway (28) is ensured.

A removable liquid transport assembly configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The removable liquid transport assembly preferably includes a liquid manifold, a valve assembly and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly is configured such that liquid can flow in a first direction through the removable liquid transport assembly to permit a liquid to be dispensed from a liquid dispenser and liquid can flow in a second direction back to a liquid storage container to prevent damage to one or more components of the liquid dispenser.

A method for sanitizing a beverage dispenser apparatus includes filling fluid in at least a hot beverage tank of a beverage dispensing apparatus, heating the fluid in the hot beverage tank to a predetermined temperature range, configuring the drain valve to a closed state, activating a primary sanitation cycle by causing the heated fluid from the hot beverage tank to flow through at least a first subset of components of the beverage dispenser apparatus and terminating the primary sanitation cycle when at least one predetermined condition is satisfied. A secondary sanitation cycle is activated by causing the heated fluid from the hot beverage tank to flow through at least a second subset of components of the beverage dispenser apparatus.

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.