The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.

The present application provides a beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system may include a first valve connected to a rigid form by way of a first tube positioned through a valve cover and a second valve connected to a second tube positioned through the valve cover and exiting the valve cover without being in connection with the rigid form.

A method of selecting and dispensing a custom beverage in a contactless manner using a mobile electronic device. The method includes launching a microsite on the mobile electronic device. The method further includes receiving a beverage selection via the microsite on the mobile electronic device, and receiving a selection of a volume of the custom beverage to be dispensed via the microsite. The method further includes generating a QR code via the microsite, wherein the QR code corresponds to the beverage selection and the volume selection and displaying the QR code on a display of the mobile electronic device such that when the QR code is read by a reader of a beverage dispenser, the selected beverage is dispensed in the selected volume based on the QR code.

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 cartridge system (1) for producing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filled with a beverage substance (7), and a cartridge receptacle (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receptacle (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), the cartridge receptacle (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receptacle (10) of the cartridge system (1), the beverage preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a beverage (70).

Disclosed is a system for producing a beverage, in particular a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge that has a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, a beverage preparation unit with a cartridge receptacle into which the cartridge can be reversibly inserted, and a cartridge discharge device which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir into a mixing chamber; furthermore, the beverage preparation unit comprises a fluid supply which opens into the mixing chamber, or the system includes a movable plunger which is placed inside the reservoir and can be transferred from a starting position into a final position by means of the cartridge discharge device.

Disclosed is a system for producing a beverage, in particular a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge that has a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, a beverage preparation unit with a cartridge receptacle into which the cartridge can be reversibly inserted, and a cartridge discharge device which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir into a mixing chamber; furthermore, the beverage preparation unit comprises a fluid supply which opens into the mixing chamber, or the system includes a movable plunger which is placed inside the reservoir and can be transferred from a starting position into a final position by means of the cartridge discharge device.

A consumable item dispenser and method may include an ingredient storage unit configured to store a consumable ingredient used to produce consumable items by the dispenser. A sensor may be configured to sense an amount of consumable ingredient remaining to be dispensed. An input/output unit may be configured to communicate data over a communications network. A processing unit may be in communication with the sensor, and be configured to authenticate an electronic device associated with an operator and register the electronic device associated with the operator. A determination as to whether an amount of the ingredient in the ingredient storage unit is at or below a threshold level. The processing unit may generate a notification indicative that the ingredient is at or below a threshold level, and communicate the notification to the operator in response to being generated.

A representative method for producing and dispensing chilled water includes: receiving, by a stand-alone apparatus, a flow of water; filtering, within the stand-alone apparatus, the flow of water to produce filtered water; producing, within the stand-alone apparatus, ice from a first portion of the filtered water; cooling, within the stand-alone apparatus, a second portion of the filtered water with the ice to form chilled water in response to a user input corresponding to a request for chilled water; and dispensing the chilled water from the stand-alone apparatus in accordance with the user input.

The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.