Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage vending machine and its operation are described. An embedded computer interface allows consumers to create their own drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dispensed in a container. The beverages may be made from hot water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with various flavors of syrup, sweeteners and nutritional supplements. Identification may be presented and the computer recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer's account to determine funds available and previous drink selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dispense area.

The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

A carbonation device for beverages includes a carbonation tank to receive a beverage to be carbonated and carbon dioxide so as to generate a carbonated beverage, carbonated with the carbon dioxide, and a dispensing device in fluid communication with the carbonation tank to dispense, through a duct, the carbonated beverage to a container for carbonated beverages, the carbonated beverage flowing along the duct in a flow direction. The carbonation device further includes a carbonation sensor associated with the duct and having a radiation source to generate a radiation which strikes the duct along an irradiation direction incident to the flow direction. The carbonation sensor also includes a first photodiode placed on the irradiation direction from a side opposite to the radiation source with respect to the duct, or as an alternative, a second photodiode placed along a diffusion direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction.