A fluid dispensing apparatus includes: a cap, a container, a cover on the cap for regulating flow of fluid from the container on which the cap is secured through the cap; a seat for receiving the cap or the container to which the cap is secured therein; second securing means for securing either the cap or the container to which the cap is secured to the seat; a probe located within the seat for protruding through the cover when the cap or a container to which the cap is secured is received in the seat, and thereby permitting access to the interior of the container; a gas conduit for charging a container associated with the cap with gas; a gas valve for regulating flow of gas through the gas conduit; and a sensor for sensing whether a container or cap is secured to the seat which sensor causes the gas valve to open when the container or cap is secured to the seat; and close when the container or cap is not secured to the seat.

A machine (1) for preparing beverages and presenting a plurality of beverage concentrate cartridges (2) provided to collect a respective beverage concentrate (3), and a concentrate discharge device (4) adapted so that can interact with each one of said beverage concentrate cartridges (2), whereby said beverage concentrate cartridges (2) are provided so that the beverage concentrate (3) is discharged, from the discharge part (22) of each of said beverage concentrate cartridges (2), directly to the exterior of said machine (1), in particular into a beverage recipient (A) that can be placed on the discharge zone of a service disposition (11), without touching in any other part of the machine (1). Also, a process for preparing beverages based upon the machine (1) for preparing beverages.

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

A new and improved touchless flowable product dispenser which is to be utilized to reduce the amount of bacteria and germs transmitted when a customer wishes to dispense a flowable product, such as, for example, various condiments into a container. This invention allows large quantities of the flowable product to be stored and dispensed without customer contact, thereby reducing the risk of germ and bacteria transmission inside of a restaurant, particularly during infectious disease events or calendar seasons.

An apparatus for making a combination liquid includes a housing, a first container, an opening mechanism for opening the container, a chamber with an outlet, a liquid reservoir, and a pump.

Proposed is a cartridge system for making a beverage, the cartridge system being insertable into a beverage preparation machine and comprising: a cartridge that includes a reservoir filled with a beverage substance; and a cartridge receptacle that is connected to the cartridge; the cartridge receptacle includes a mixing chamber fluidically connectable to the reservoir, and a fluid feed line extending into the mixing chamber; the cartridge has a cartridge wall; characterized in that the cartridge wall includes a flange for attaching a sealing element.

Cartridge loaders for fluid mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing system comprises an interface surface, a cartridge receiver carriage, and an actuator configured to depress the cartridge receiver carriage towards the interface surface to load a cartridge. The fluid mixture dispensing system is configured to apply continuous downward pressure on the cartridge towards the interface surface when the cartridge is loaded and is in contact with the interface surface.

Cartridge loaders for fluid mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing system comprises an interface surface, a cartridge receiver carriage, and an actuator configured to depress the cartridge receiver carriage towards the interface surface to load a cartridge. The fluid mixture dispensing system is configured to apply continuous downward pressure on the cartridge towards the interface surface when the cartridge is loaded and is in contact with the interface surface.

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

The disclosure generally relates to an automated modular dispensing platform for creating customized beverages (e.g., using various sauces, syrups, sweeteners, colors and/or flavors added to a base beverage). The automated dispensing platform may simultaneously aggregate beverage modifiers or ingredients (e.g., sweetener, flavor, and/or color) and facilitate automated, efficient cleaning cycles for modular beverage dispensers.