Provided is a portable, self-contained beverage apparatus. The beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly.

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.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.

The present invention provides a liquid dispensing apparatus, for use with a first container where a first liquid is contained, comprising: (a) a second container where a second liquid is contained, said second container is provided with a container outlet for dispensing said second liquid; and (b) a utility potion, comprising: an outlet, for dispensing liquid; a first inlet, collaboratively operating with a pressure valve for intaking said first liquid enabling a first passageway; and a second inlet, operatively working with said container outlet, enabling a second passageway for controllably intaking said second liquid from said second container to said second inlet.

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.

An automated beverage preparation apparatus includes: multiple pumps for extracting multiple fluid materials stored in multiple material containers, and pushing the extracted fluid materials to move forward; a fluid output device coupled with the multiple pumps and arranged to operably dispense fluid materials to a beverage container; a user control interface arranged to operably generate a control command; a processing circuit arranged to operably generate a corresponding control signal according to the control command; and a pump control circuit arranged to operably control the multiple pumps according to the control signal. The pump control circuit conducts a layered drink making operation under control of the processing circuit to cause the fluid output device to dispense different fluid materials to the beverage container, so as to automatically form a layered drink/gradient drink having at least two color layers within the beverage container.

An automated beverage preparation apparatus includes: multiple pumps for extracting multiple fluid materials stored in multiple material containers, and pushing the extracted fluid materials to move forward; a fluid output device coupled with the multiple pumps and arranged to operably dispense fluid materials to a beverage container; a user control interface arranged to operably generate a control command; a processing circuit arranged to operably generate a corresponding control signal according to the control command; and a pump control circuit arranged to operably control the multiple pumps according to the control signal. The pump control circuit conducts a sparkling drink making operation under control of the processing circuit to cause the fluid output device to dispense different fluid materials to the beverage container in order, so as to automatically form a sparkling drink/aerated drink with a predetermined flavor within the beverage container.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are shown. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.

Provided is a portable, self-contained beverage apparatus. The beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly.