A drink vending apparatus comprises a housing, one or more ingredient cartridges removably coupled to the housing, a mixing container, a dispensing nozzle, and a control unit. A user provides user commands from a smart device to the control unit that comprises drink requests from the user. In response thereto, ingredients are dispensed from one or more of the ingredient cartridges into the mixing container, and the mixed ingredients are dispensed from the mixing container into a receptacle.

A drink vending apparatus comprises a housing, one or more ingredient cartridges removably coupled to the housing, a mixing container, a dispensing nozzle, and a control unit. A user provides user commands from a smart device to the control unit that comprises drink requests from the user. In response thereto, ingredients are dispensed from one or more of the ingredient cartridges into the mixing container, and the mixed ingredients are dispensed from the mixing container into a receptacle.

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for conducting a social interaction. A first user account may be associated with a first beverage container. A second beverage container may be detected as being proximate to the first beverage container. A second user account associated with the second beverage container may be accessed to identify a commonality between the first and second user accounts. The commonality may be objective and/or subjective information or data about the users of the first and second beverage containers. Information indicative of the commonality may be displayed on an electronic display of at least one of the beverage containers. The electronic display may be flexible such that it conforms to a curvature of the beverage container.

Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for a beverage dispensing system configured to form one of a plurality of available types of carbonated and non-carbonated beverage types in response to a user selection.

The adapter of the present disclosure includes a circuit board with a processor and a switch thereon and a reader or transceiver connected to the board. With the adapter, a technician can retrofit an existing beverage machine to upgrade the dispensing and payment systems associated therewith. Existing beverage machines include a locking circuit that is key-enabled. This circuit allows an owner or technician to selectively allow and prevent beverage and/or ice from being dispensed. A technician can install the adapter of the present disclosure into the existing locking circuit. The board and transceiver of the adapter will detect when a user is authorized to obtain beverages, and close the circuit to enable this. To dispense beverage and/or ice, a user will present a valid credential to the board and transceiver. When no authorized user provides a valid credential, no beverage can be dispensed. The adapter can use a number of communication technologies to determine authorization. The adapter of the present disclosure can also include or work in conjunction with a mobile app on a user's device, that can check with a server to ensure that the user has paid for the beverage. A method of operating a beverage dispensing machine and retrofitting a beverage dispensing machine is also provided.