A fermentation and aging apparatus may include a fermentation tank defining an accommodation space in which a beverage is accommodated, a refrigerant cycle device configured to cool the fermentation tank and the beverage, a temperature sensor mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the fermentation tank, and a controller configured to control driving of the refrigerant cycle device based on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and a predetermined storage temperature, check a remaining amount of the beverage accommodated in the fermentation tank, and reset a storage temperature of the beverage when the checked remaining amount is lower than a predetermined reference amount.

A beverage cooler that includes a housing defining an interior space adapted to hold a beverage container; a refrigeration system for cooling the interior space of the housing; and at least one opening in a sidewall panel for receiving a conveyance therethrough whereby the conveyance is connectable to the beverage container and a dispensing unit located remote from the beverage cooler. The beverage cooler may have exterior dimensions which define a width of less than 24 inches (61 cm), a front-to-back depth of less than 25 inches (63.5 cm) and a height of less than 35 inches (88.9 cm). Such dimensions would allow the beverage cooler to be installed in a standard 24 inch cabinet opening below a countertop.

A free-standing appliance may include a cabinet, a water source, an icemaker, an ice bin, a cold water line, and one or more other features. The icemaker may be mounted within the cabinet downstream from the water source to receive water therefrom. The ice bin may be disposed within the cabinet downstream from the icemaker to receive ice therefrom. The cold water line may be mounted to the cabinet and define a cold water outlet downstream from the water source in fluid isolation from the icemaker.

This invention relates to a beverage delivery vending system that provides the consumer with the option of choosing ingredients of their choice, using a computer touchscreen that is connected to a computing system. The ingredients chosen are delivered using a frozen food delivery system. The ingredients are blended using a blending system and dispensed through solenoid valves and into a disposable cup, which is dispended by a cup-dispenser unit. The ingredients are mixed inside the disposable cup using a sanitary mixer. The consumer has the option of payment for the drink in cash, by debit card, and/or credit card.

A beverage dispensing system includes a cabinet with a dispensing station. The cabinet includes therein a refrigeration system, a cooling fluid system, and a refrigerated compartment having therein a cooling system and a beverage source coupled with the dispensing station. The cooling fluid system circulates a cooling fluid through the refrigeration system such that the refrigeration system cools the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid system further normally circulates the cooling fluid through the dispensing station to cool beverage therein. The cooling fluid system directs the cooling fluid from the dispensing station to the cooling system when necessary to cool the refrigerated compartment. A beverage fluid system resides in the cooling fluid system between the beverage source and the dispensing station such that the cooling fluid system cools beverage flowing through the beverage fluid system prior to delivery of beverage to the dispensing station for dispensing therefrom.

A dispensing apparatus has: a freezing cylinder; a water flowpath; a first controllable valve along the water flowpath; a syrup flowpath; and a second controllable valve along the syrup flowpath. The flowpaths merge as a water/syrup flowpath to the freezing cylinder. The first controllable valve and the second controllable valve each have: a valve body having a cartridge compartment, an inlet to the cartridge compartment, and an outlet from the cartridge compartment; and a valve cartridge. The valve cartridge has: a cartridge body mounted in the cartridge compartment; a valve element carried by the cartridge body; and a solenoid carried by the cartridge body and coupled to the valve element to drive movement of the valve element. The valve element is shiftable between a first condition permitting communication between the inlet and the outlet and a second condition blocking communication between the inlet and the outlet.

A wine dispenser that includes a wine refrigerator unit having at least two independent temperature-controlled compartments, each one of the two compartments having a plurality of supports to support a wine container, and a wine dispenser unit residing atop the wine refrigeration unit, the wine dispenser unit including a plurality of fountain heads, each one of the plurality of fountain heads being connected to a respective fluid-tight wine supply line that extends from the fountain head to an interior of a respective one of the two independent temperature-controlled compartments.

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

A system prepares and dispenses non gas-infused and gas-infused beverages including a gas source, a pressurizable container connected to the gas source to receive a first flow of gas, a gas infusion tank connected to the gas source to receive a second flow of gas, a first dispensing tap that receives a portion of preprocessed beverage stored in the pressurizable container that flows under pressure from a portion of the first flow of gas to dispense a non gas-infused beverage from the first dispensing tap, and a second dispensing tap that receives gas-infused beverage from the gas infusion vessel to dispense the gas-infused beverage by the second dispensing tap, the gas-infused tank receiving a portion of the preprocessed beverage from the pressurizable container to infuse the preprocessed beverage in the gas infusion vessel with at least a portion of the second flow of gas.