A machine for mixing and dispensing beverages includes a single manifold and a randomizing beverage activator. The manifold connects a set of upright beverage holders, each holding a different, already prepared beverage, to a dispensing outlet. The activator dispenses at least two beverages from the set of the beverage holders by randomizing an attribute of a drink. The attribute is chosen from an amount of the beverages and the beverage holders. Modified caps can be used for the beverage holders. The activator determines a dispensing ratio for beverages and converts the dispensing ratio to a dispensing time per beverage holder. The ratio defines the number of time segments each beverage holder is activated.

A container 100 containing material 140 such as hops for flavouring a beverage is disclosed, the container 100 being formed from liquid impermeable material and comprising an inlet 110 for receiving beverage to be flavoured, an outlet 120 for dispensing flavoured beverage and a compartment 130 within the container, configured to allow liquid to pass between the inside of the container and the inside of the compartment 130, the compartment 130 containing and retaining material, further comprising means configured to allow compression of the material in the compartment. Also disclosed is a dispenser 500 for dispensing a beverage flavoured from the container 100 and methods of extracting flavour from hops and of flavouring beverages.

A beverage dispenser with a variable pressure regulator cap assembly that includes a high pressure cavity defined by a cap body. The high pressure cavity receives pressurized gas from a compressed gas reservoir. A low pressure cavity is connected to the high pressure cavity via a high pressure gas passageway. The low pressure cavity defines a low pressure gas passageway that penetrates the cap body. A piston seat is positioned on a high pressure cavity side of the high pressure gas passageway. A piston regulates introduction of the pressurized gas into the high pressure gas passageway. A diaphragm is positioned between an ambient pressure cavity and the low pressure cavity and translates the piston relative to the piston seat. A main spring is positioned between a diaphragm and a spring hat. Rotation of the drive screw translates the spring hat to affect compression of the main spring against the diaphragm.

A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients.

Container of a bag-in-container type, wherein a neck region of the container is provided with at least one opening extending substantially radially there through, into a space between the outer container and an inner container adjacent thereto, wherein: the neck region is provided with coupling elements, preferably at opposite sides of the at least one opening, seen in circumferential direction, for coupling of a connecting device to the container for introducing a pressure fluid through the at least one opening into a space between the inner and outer container; and/or the at least one opening is provided with or forming part of a first coupler for coupling a pressure fluid feed line to the opening, for pressurizing a space between the inner and outer container.

The invention relates to 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, the cartridge receptacle including a mixing chamber that can be brought in fluidic connection to the reservoir and a fluid feed line extending into the mixing chamber, wherein the cartridge system has a sealing element, characterized in that the cartridge can be reclosed with the aid of the sealing element.

A connector assembly controllably couples a box having a plurality of containers containing a liquid, is provided. Each container has a fitment. The connector assembly includes a housing, a valve assembly, actuator and a locking plate. The valve assembly includes a plurality of fitment receptacles. The actuator is rotatably coupled to the housing and is movable between an open position, a closed position and an engaged position. The locking plate assembly includes a plurality of opening corresponding to each fitment. The opening has a first diameter when the actuator is in the open position. The first diameter of the opening is configured to allow entry of the fitments into the opening. Movement of the actuator from the open position to the closed position closes the opening to a second diameter.

Containers for use in a beverage system are provided. The containers include a container body defining an interior hollow chamber, and having an opening leading to the interior hollow chamber, and a cap covering the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap also has an outlet port having an outlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap has a collar positioned around the inlet port, the collar has an inner surface with at least a portion configured to circumferentially engage a seal having an outer diameter in a range of about 7 mm to 8 mm.

Ingredient containers for use in a beverage carbonation system are provided. The ingredient container includes a container body defining an interior hollow chamber, and a cap coupled to the opening of the container body. The container body has an opening leading to the interior hollow chamber and a cross-section with a major axis defining a width that is greater than a minor axis defining a depth. The cap has an inlet that is sealed to retain fluid within the container and that is configured to open to allow gas to be injected into the interior hollow chamber. The cap has an outlet that is sealed to retain fluid within the container and that is configured to open to allow fluid within the container to flow out through the outlet valve. The inlet and the outlet are aligned along a first axis that extends parallel to the minor axis of the container body.

A bottled water dispenser is disclosed that includes a water bottle, a cold tank, and an ozone generator, which is fluidly coupled to a Y-connector. The dispenser includes a first tube that is fluidly coupled to a first port of the Y-connector, with the first tube being configured to deliver ozone gas to the cold tank. The dispenser further includes a second tube that is fluidly coupled to a second port of the Y-connector, with the second tube being configured to deliver ozone gas to the water bottle. The ozone gas is effective to sterilize and prevent biofilm formation within the interior areas of the cold tank and water bottle. The dispensers further include an in-line flow restrictor positioned in-line with either the first tube or second tube, which helps balance the flow of ozone that is delivered to the cold tank and water bottle.