An automated fountain beverage dispensing system comprises a main body attachable to a beverage dispenser, a cup holding unit having a plurality of cup holders for holding cups, a first rail provided on the main body, a first slider arranged to slide on the first rail for extracting and moving a predetermined cup, a second rail provided on the main body, a second slider arranged to slide on the second rail, and a robotic arm unit mounted with the second slider for holding and moving the selected cup. The robotic arm unit is configured to fill the cup with a beverage by pressing one of the plurality levers of the beverage dispenser depending on what type of beverage is selected from a touch screen provided on the main body or via a POS system. The robotic arm unit is further configured to leave the filled cup in a predetermined position.

An automated drink preparation apparatus that is operable to assist in the preparation of mixed drinks such as but not limited to cocktails. The automated drink preparation apparatus further includes a housing having an interior volume. Operably coupled to the housing is a drink glass conveyor system that is operable to transport drink glasses disposed thereon. Disposed within the interior volume of the housing is a plumbing system containing a plurality of storage vessels, a delivery tube network and a mixing assembly. The mixing assembly further includes a mixing chamber and a multi-port solenoid valve. Mounted to the exterior of the housing is a display screen providing access to the operating software of the automated drink preparation apparatus. An age verification module is mounted to the housing and is operable to facilitate commencement of a self-service mode. A remote interface is further included.

Food product dispensing machines and methods for dispensing food product into a cup. The food product dispensing machine includes a cup holder having a target element, a sensor that senses the target element, and a controller. The cup holder is configured to hold a cup such that the cup prevents the sensor from sensing at least a portion of the target element. The controller determines whether a cup is present in the cup holder and/or a size of the cup based on a remaining portion of the target element that is sensed by the sensor when the cup is held by the cup holder. Drive mechanisms are configured to move the first and second cup holders along first and second radial paths, respectively, with respect to the common dispensing position. An indicator is configured to indicate a remaining number of cup dispenses to the user.

A cup dispensing system in an automated dispensing beverage dispensing system receives a first supply of cups at a first dispensing assembly with a first selective release device and receives a second supply of cups at a second dispensing assembly with a second selective release device. The first and second dispensing assemblies respectively coincide with first and second indexed locations on a cup conveyance system. The cup dispensing system operates to dispense a first cup from the first dispensing assembly to the first indexed location and a second cup from the second dispensing assembly to the second indexed location.

An apparatus for preparing custom-ordered beverages is disclosed. The apparatus includes cup dispensers, beverage dispensing systems having dispensing heads, two cup-transfer mechanisms, two pick-up stations, and a disposal bin. Each of the pick-up stations includes a conveyer and a set of beverage pick-up windows. The first cup-transfer mechanism transports a cup from a cup dispenser to a dispensing head to fill the cup with beverage. The second cup-transfer mechanism transports the cup with filled beverage to one of two pick-up stations. A conveyer at one of the two pick-stations moves the cup with filled beverage and stops to present it at each pick-up window at one of the two pick-stations. If a customer does not pick the cup within an allocated amount of time, it will be dropped into the disposal bin.

Described herein is an automated beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage into a cup based on an order. The automated beverage dispenser may include a conveyor and a plurality of functional stations along the conveyor route. Exemplary stations include a cup singulation or placement station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a sealing station for covering the top of the cup with a liquid tight film. Related methods are described.

A beverage production system is provided that includes a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups and a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage. The beverage production system also includes a turntable assembly having a central axis, an inner turntable including a row of cup receptacles, and an outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable. The inner turntable configured to rotate about the central axis to align the cup receptacles of the row with the cup dispensing station and the beverage dispensing station. The turntable assembly configured to align an opening in the turntable assembly with a cup receptacle in the row, the opening adjacent the outer turntable. The beverage production system also having an actuator configured to move a cup positioned in the cup receptacle in the row onto the outer turntable.

The present disclosure relates to an automatic beverage vending machine. The vending machine includes at least one beverage maker operable for making at least one beverage. The vending machine further includes a receiving station operable for receiving at least one cup at an exterior of the vending machine and moving the cup to an interior of the vending machine. The vending machine further includes a conveying mechanism operable for transferring the cup from the receiving station to the beverage maker in order to receive the beverage into the cup. The vending machine further includes a controller connected to the beverage maker, the receiving station and the conveying mechanism, and operable for coordinating movement of receiving the cup, transferring the cup and dispensing the beverage into the cup.

Described herein is an automated beverage dispensing system for dispensing a beverage into a cup based on an order. The automated beverage dispenser may include a conveyor and a plurality of functional stations along the conveyor route. Exemplary stations include a cup singulation or placement station, an ice dispensing station, a beverage dispensing station, and a sealing station for covering the top of the cup with a liquid tight film. Related methods are described.

A beverage production system is provided that includes a turntable assembly comprising a central axis. The turntable assembly further includes an inner turntable and an outer turntable disposed circumferentially about the inner turntable. The beverage production system also includes a cup dispensing station configured to dispense cups onto one of the inner or outer turntables. The beverage production system also includes a beverage dispensing station configured to dispense a beverage into the cups.