The invention relates to a cartridge housing comprising a diluting means, especially a water supply, a mixing chamber in which the diluting means and a beverage and/or food substrate are mixed, and an outlet. The cartridge housing is fitted with a hollow rod such that the sealing film of the cartridge is pierced as soon as the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge housing, thereby creating the flow connection between the cartridge and a mixing chamber.

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 post-mix beverage dispenser utilizing a beverage dispensing valve including a movable valve activation device is provided. The beverage dispensing valve can move the valve activation device to a predetermined activation position to dispense a fluid in response to a control signal.

A refrigerator includes a water tank which stores water, a carbon dioxide cylinder which stores carbon dioxide, a dispenser module which accommodates an external container and supplies the carbon dioxide and the water to the external container, and a controller which supplies the water to the external container and supplies the carbon dioxide to the external container when supplying the water is completed.

A valve for dosing and mixing two fluids includes two respective inlet ducts, a double chamber for controlling the flows, at least one actuator configured to regulate the flow rates of the two fluids to be mixed, an electronic control unit and a Brix degrees optical sensor, arranged on the mixing duct of the mixture of the two fluids and operatively connected to the electronic control unit. The optical sensor is configured to send a measurement and control signal to the electronic control unit to drive the actuator so as to proportionally control the flow rates of the two fluids and, therefore, regulate the mixing ratio of the two fluids.

The present application provides a dispensing nozzle assembly. The dispensing nozzle assembly may include a core module assembly and an injector ring assembly surrounding the removable core module assembly. The injector ring assembly may include a number of first paths surrounding the core module assembly and extending to a dispensing ring and a number of second paths surrounding the first paths and extending to the dispensing ring.

A drink dispenser system includes an ingredient supply container including a beverage ingredient, and a source of water. An ingredient supply sensor is operatively associated with the ingredient supply container and configured to sense when the ingredient supply container is empty or nearly empty and generate a signal indicative of the empty or nearly empty state. A handheld dispenser in fluid communication with the ingredient supply container and the source of water includes an indicator. A controller communicates with the ingredient supply sensor and is configured to cause activation of the indicator in response to the signal from the sensor indicative of the empty or nearly empty state.

The invention relates to a cartridge housing comprising a diluting means, especially a water supply, a mixing chamber in which the diluting means and a beverage and/or food substrate are mixed, and an outlet. The cartridge housing is fitted with a hollow rod such that the sealing film of the cartridge is pierced as soon as the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge housing, thereby creating the flow connection between the cartridge and a mixing chamber.

The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.

The invention relates to a cartridge comprising a wall region, to one end of which a connection region is connected, which is closed particularly with a membrane, and on the opposite end of which optionally a bottom region is provided, the wall region and optionally the bottom region containing a cavity which receives a beverage and/or food substrate.