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.

An environmentally friendly fuel distribution station includes an upper canopy, said upper canopy including a fuel tank and an outer shell enclosing said fuel tank, a plurality of supporting columns supporting said upper canopy and said fuel tank, a fuel distribution interface suspended from said upper canopy, said fuel distribution interface selectively distributing fuel from said fuel tank during a fueling operation, and a convenience store suspended from at least one of the upper canopy and one or more of the plurality of supporting columns.

An beverage mixing device is may comprise a controller in electronic communication with a sensor, the controller configured to: determine a drink type based on receiving sensor data from the sensor, and mix a pre-mixed composition with a carbonated water or a non-carbonated water based on the drink type.

Cartridge loaders for fluid mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing system comprises an interface surface, a cartridge receiver carriage, and an actuator configured to depress the cartridge receiver carriage towards the interface surface to load a cartridge. The fluid mixture dispensing system is configured to apply continuous downward pressure on the cartridge towards the interface surface when the cartridge is loaded and is in contact with the interface surface.

Cartridge loaders for fluid mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing system comprises an interface surface, a cartridge receiver carriage, and an actuator configured to depress the cartridge receiver carriage towards the interface surface to load a cartridge. The fluid mixture dispensing system is configured to apply continuous downward pressure on the cartridge towards the interface surface when the cartridge is loaded and is in contact with the interface surface.

A liquid dispenser having immersive motion graphics is provided and includes a base portion, a display portion, a liquid supply portion and an electrical control portion, where the display portion is disposed in an accommodating space formed by the base portion, such that when the electrical control portion controls the liquid supply portion to inject a liquid into a target object located in the accommodating space, the electrical control portion simultaneously controls the display portion to display a motion graphic in the accommodating space to generate an interaction between the motion graphic and the liquid. Therefore, consumers can be informed of rich beverage information and be provided with an immersive experience via the display of the motion graphic.

A beverage dispenser includes a plurality of dispensing heads. A cold plates includes a plurality of fluid lines running therethrough. An ice bin is in thermal contact with the cold plate. A carbonator extends vertically from the cold plate with a lower end of the carbonator in thermal contact with the cold plate. A plurality of fluid lines extend from the cold plate to the plurality of dispensing heads.

A robust hot beverage level display system and method for use in a hot beverage dispenser (12) having a sensing element (105), a level display (28), a controller (50) and an elongate probe carrying at least one elongate electrically conductive trace (202) made from annealed rolled copper with a macrocrystalline structure with elongate, metal, granule-like, cohered metal elements that are aligned with each other in parallel relationship (FIGS. 25 and 28), and an electronics module housing (108), for protectively surrounding the controller (50), formed from a pair of housing sections (109, 110) with a pair of mating connective surfaces (220, 224), potting material with adhesive properties (226) filling the housing (108) and protectively enveloping the controller (218, FIG. 39) and display (217, FIG. 3), and a gapless, voidless adhesive layer made of a contiguous, comingling of cured adhesive and cured potting material interposed between the mating surfaces (220,224).

A liquid dispenser for dispensing a consumable liquid from a container. The dispenser includes a cabinet configured to receive one or more containers in an inverted position such that liquid is induced by gravity to flow out of an open interior of the container though a dispensing opening. A positive pressure valve assembly is mounted to the dispensing opening of the container prior to insertion of the container into the cabinet. The valve assembly includes a cap connected to the dispensing opening and a discharge tube extending from the cap. A flow restrictor of the valve assembly is positioned to selectively open and close the discharge tube to control the flow of liquid from the container. A one-way valve is positioned between the open interior of the container and a supply of air. The one-way valve allows air flow into the container as the fluid is discharged to maintain a positive pressure within the container.

A beverage dispense fount apparatus (1) suitable for dispensing beverages such as beers or ciders with the addition of additives such as sweeteners and flavourings. The apparatus (1) comprises a beverage inlet (2) connectable to a beverage supply; a beverage outlet (3) configured to dispense beverage into a beverage container; a supply line formed between the beverage inlet (2) and the beverage outlet (3); one or more additive containers (13), each removably mounted within the apparatus and each in fluid connection with a separate additive dispensing line (14); a dispensing pump (15) for each additive container (13) to dispense additive through the additive dispensing lines (14); and a controller for controlling dispensing of additives from the fount apparatus (1). The apparatus (1) may comprise a video screen (9) for interactive video display to customers and a touch screen (10) for controlling operation of the apparatus (1). A video screen (9) may display videos determined on the basis of the beverage dispensed. The apparatus (1) may comprise data storage and communication means that allow information on customers and beverages dispensed to be collected, remotely stored, and analysed.