A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.

A dispensing system may be configured to dispense a custom product based on a user selection. The user selection may be provided via a user interface of the dispensing system. The user interface may simultaneously display selectable icons for the available types of products (e.g., types of beverages) and other icons for modifying a chosen product (e.g., a flavoring or additive to a beverage, such as a sweetener or a cherry flavoring). The user interface may receive input from a user in order for the user to select a custom product (e.g., a custom drink) and the dispensing system may dispense the custom product to the user.

A liquid product distribution network includes a liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus for operation in association with a tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus. The liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the keg. A tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus senses flow of a liquid through a tap includes a tap handle radio transmitter device for fitting within and protected by a tap handle and a low-energy consumption tap handle radio/processing module. A mobile communications device with geographic position sensing device and/or said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus passively and without user interaction within the liquid product distribution network, without using network uplink/gateway circuit devices for sensing and reporting fluid storage, flow, and financial operations relating to the distribution of said liquid product throughout the liquid product distribution network.

A fountain has: a water source; a housing; a vortex chamber defined within the housing, the vortex chamber connected to receive water from the water source; a bubble chamber defined within the housing and connected to receive water from the vortex chamber and cause air bubbles to percolate within the bubble chamber; and a water outlet defined in the bubble chamber. A fountain has: a water source; a housing; a vortex chamber defined within the housing, the vortex chamber connected to receive water from the water source; a second chamber defined within the housing and connected to receive water from the vortex chamber; and a plurality of water outlets defined in the second chamber.

A liquid product distribution network includes a container distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus associated with a container. The apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the container. The apparatus includes a battery power supply unit fitted within and protected by the top or bottom chime. The apparatus further includes a unique identifier associated with the sensing and reporting device. The apparatus further includes a mobile communications device is configured to identify the container based on the unique identifier associated with the sensing and reporting device embedded therein, and receive and process the radiofrequency signals from the radiofrequency signal transmission circuitry of the identified container passively and without user interaction, for monitoring the physical properties and location of the container.

Beverage dispensing assembly, including a tapping column and a tap connected to the tapping column at a first end thereof, wherein the tapping column includes a first and a second channel, in fluid communication near the tap, and a beverage line extending through one of the first and second channels and connected to the tap, wherein the assembly includes a first part and a second part for connecting the tap to the column, the second part at least partly surrounding the first part, wherein the first part is made of a first material and the second part is made of a second material, the second material having a heat conductivity which is higher than the heat conductivity of the first material, wherein the beverage line is connected to the first part and the second part extends into and/or forms part of a wall of a chamber into which the first and second channel open, forming the fluid connection.

A beverage dispensing system is provided. The beverage dispensing system can include a nozzle module connected to a beverage dispenser housing. The nozzle module can be vertically and/or horizontally spaced from a beverage dispenser valve and nozzle.

A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.

A liquid product distribution network includes a keg distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus for operation in association with a tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus. The keg distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the keg. A tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus senses flow of a liquid through a tap includes a tap handle radio transmitter device for fitting within and protected by a tap handle and a low-energy consumption tap handle radio/processing module. A mobile communications device with geographic position sensing device and/or said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus passively and without user interaction within the keg distribution network, without using network uplink/gateway circuit devices for sensing and reporting fluid storage, flow, and financial operations relating to the distribution of said liquid product throughout the liquid product distribution network.

A dispensing system may be configured to dispense a custom product based on a user selection. The user selection may be provided via a user interface of the dispensing system. The user interface may simultaneously display selectable icons for the available types of products (e.g., types of beverages) and other icons for modifying a chosen product (e.g., a flavoring or additive to a beverage, such as a sweetener or a cherry flavoring). The user interface may receive input from a user in order for the user to select a custom product (e.g., a custom drink) and the dispensing system may dispense the custom product to the user.