The present invention discloses a beverage dispenser, including: an inlet connected to a water source; an outlet for dispensing the water to a user vessel; at least one filter element having an input and an output for filtered water; a pump for pumping water to the input of the filter element; a flow sensor connected between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the flow sensor determines the actual flow rate of the water; at least one water preparation element connected between the output for outputting filtered water and the outlet and adapted to prepare the water for drinking by a human, wherein the water preparation element comprises a water preparation rate input by which the water preparation rate of the water preparation element can be controlled; and a controller connected to the water preparation rate input of the water preparation element and the flow sensor, wherein the controller controls the water preparation rate of the water preparation element by a signal to the water preparation rate input such that the water preparation rate is proportional to the actual flow rate.

The present invention relates to a beverage dispenser that includes: an inlet connected to a water source; an outlet for dispensing the water to a user vessel; at least one filter element having an input and an output for filtered water; a mineralization device coupled between the output for filtered water of the filter element and the outlet of the beverage dispenser; a controller; and at least one ion concentration sensor connected to the controller and arranged downstream of the output of the mineralization device, wherein the ion concentration sensor is adapted to determine the concentration of predetermined type of ion in the water; wherein the controller is adapted to determine the actual ion concentration of at least one predetermined ion type by the at least one ion concentration sensor.

Gas injection apparatuses include a gas module, a coupling module, and a blending module. The gas module has a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a first gas sub-chamber that is in fluid communication with the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The coupling module has a second gas sub-chamber, and is couplable with the gas module such that the first gas sub-chamber and the second gas sub-chamber together form a primary gas chamber having a first cross sectional size. The blending module is couplable to the coupling module and has a gas reduction chamber that is fluidly connected to a fluid dispensing passageway by a gas delivery orifice. The gas reduction chamber has a second cross sectional size that is less than the first cross sectional size, and the gas delivery orifice has a third cross sectional size that is less than the second cross sectional size.

A flow-type carbonization device includes: a first pipe, in which beverage to be carbonized and carbon dioxide flows and a second pipe, in which beverage to not to be carbonized flows. At least one turbulence generation element is arranged in the first pipe. The first and second pipes are in thermal communication such that heat from a fluid flowing in the second pipe heats the first pipe for sterilizing the first pipe. In one embodiment, the first and second pipe are arranged concentrically.

A home beverage dispensing device for dispensing servings of a beverage, having a vessel for holding a volume of liquid. This vessel may be equipped with a refrigeration unit, or may be comprised of a removable pitcher that may be put in an external refrigerator. This invention is equipped with a radio communications controller to provide for the ability to communicate over radio frequencies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. The mixing structure also receives the optionally chilled liquid from vessel for holding a volume of liquid, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.

A carbonized water dispensing device is provided with a carbonized water conditioning chamber, which conditioning chamber is provided downstream of the carbonator and upstream of the carbonized water dispensing outlet, for receiving a mixture of carbonized water mixed with unresolved CO.sub.2. The conditioning chamber is dimensioned to hold a single serve of carbonized water with a headspace, and which carbonized water conditioning chamber is provided with an outlet valve and a gas outlet. The carbonized water dispensing device is configured to, upon receiving a beverage dispensing order, provide the empty carbonized water conditioning chamber with a single serve volume of carbonized water, and hold the single serve of carbonized water prior to dispensing the single serve volume of carbonized water.

A system comprising, a pressurized container including hollow portion and outer portion, pressurized container maintains pressure level in the hollow portion, transport system including two conduits, one transport being coupled to an interface and a valve port, the interface coupled to the hollow portion, the interface maintains pressure level in the hollow portion, one valve port allows flow of liquid volume through one conduit to a dispensing interface via another valve port, an external container is airtight and operable to dispense another liquid volume stored within, another conduit is coupled to the external container and further valve port to refill the liquid volume via the valve, pressure regulation system connected to pressurized container, pressure regulation system including a pressure conduit extending from outer portion through a pressure interface, pressure regulation system operable to compress liquid volume in the environment and a control system controls the valve and pressure regulation system.

A shutoff valve system for dispensing beverage from an open source syrup tank is presented. The shutoff valve system includes a syrup inlet receiving syrup from the open source syrup tank and a syrup outlet dispensing the syrup to a pump. The shutoff valve also includes a water inlet receiving water, and a water outlet dispensing the water to a dispensing point. Two distinct inlets and outlets for syrup and water prevent the syrup and water being mixed in the shutoff valve. The shutoff valve system further includes an actuator rod that is configured to block the water outlet in response to a pressure change at the syrup inlet, where the pressure change is caused by air flow from the syrup inlet.

A system and method to prepare and dispense a N.sub.2 or N.sub.2/CO.sub.2 gas infused chilled beverage is provided. The beverage may be any non-carbonated liquid and in one embodiment the beverage is coffee. The dispensed N.sub.2 or N.sub.2/CO.sub.2 gas infused chilled coffee has a unique appearance and enhanced flavor and aroma. The system may be provided as a self-contained unit.

According to one or exemplary embodiments, there is provided a Gas Infusion Module that is a compact, inexpensive, adjustable, and easy to clean apparatus for infusing a beverage, such as coffee or tea, with a gas. The Gas Infusion Module controls the mixing of the gas with a liquid beverage in a homogenization element. To achieve an enhanced homogenization of gas and liquid, first the Gas Infusion Module regulates the pressure of gas that will enter the homogenization element and mix with the liquid. Additionally, the liquid and gas mixture passes through an outlet check valve which forces greater homogenization of the aerated fluid before it is dispensed for consumption.