A carbonation machine may include a carbonation head, a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket, and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head.

An adapter for a canister filling system includes a body having an opening that is shaped to enable insertion of a valve of a gas canister for holding a pressurized or liquefied gas, into an interior space of the body, leaving a sealed gap between at least a portion of a lateral aspect of the valve and an internal surface of the body facing the interior space; and at least one channel that is configured to conduct pressurized or liquified gas from a canister filling system into the sealed gap in the interior space, so as to reach one or more lateral exterior ports of the valve of the gas canister that open laterally to a longitudinal axis of a body of the gas canister, when the valve is inserted in the interior space, to facilitate filling of the gas canister with the pressurized or liquified gas through said one or more lateral exterior ports of the gas canister.

A carbonation machine may include a carbonation head, a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket, and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head

An adapter for a canister filling system includes a body having an opening that is shaped to enable insertion of a valve of a gas canister for holding a pressurized or liquefied gas, into an interior space of the body, leaving a sealed gap between at least a portion of a lateral aspect of the valve and an internal surface of the body facing the interior space; and at least one channel that is configured to conduct pressurized or liquified gas from a canister filling system into the sealed gap in the interior space, so as to reach one or more lateral exterior ports of the valve of the gas canister that open laterally to a longitudinal axis of a body of the gas canister, when the valve is inserted in the interior space, to facilitate filling of the gas canister with the pressurized or liquified gas through said one or more lateral exterior ports of the gas canister.

An apparatus for autonomously cooking a food product and dispensing said food product into a container, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a plurality of cooling chambers, a plurality of cooking chambers, a plurality of storage chambers, a plurality of primary dispensing chambers, and a plurality of secondary dispensing chambers disposed in a column arrangement within the apparatus; at least one food container disposed within at least one of the plurality of cooling chambers; a plurality of mixer augers disposed within the at least one food container; a series of induction plates adapted to be heated by a series of induction energizers, the series of induction plates and induction energizers being associated with each cooking chamber; and roller conveyor tables disposed throughout the pluralities of primary and secondary dispensing chambers, the roller conveyor tables being adapted to traverse the container such that to receive the cooked food product.

A carbonation machine may include a carbonation head, a holder that is configured to hold a gas canister, the holder comprising a connector with a socket configured to enable linear insertion of a valve of the canister into the socket, the socket including a seal with at least one lateral opening to enable fluidic flow between one or more laterally oriented ports of the valve and a conduit of the holder while preventing leakage of gas from the fluidic flow, and a holding mechanism configured to hold a lateral projection from the canister after insertion of the valve into the socket such that the valve remains in the socket, and an activation mechanism configured to operate the valve to release the gas from the canister when inserted into the socket so as to enable the gas to flow via the conduit to the carbonation head

A method for making a customized beverages in a beverage maker is provided using a filtered water system for processing pressurized potable water. The filter system is monitored to allow for certification of a filter system performance for a claimed contaminant reduction up through 320 gallons of use while providing NSF/ANSI Standard 42 or NSF/ANSI Standard 53 health claims when operated at a flow rate of at least 0.50 gallons per minute (gpm).

Hydraulic unit for a carbonation apparatus (2) having a carbonator (3) and a pump (10). The hydraulic unit (1) has a body made of polymeric material (20) defining a plurality of ducts (21-26), which comprise a duct (21) to convey water to the carbonator (3), a duct (22) to add a gas to the carbonator (3), and at least one duct to draw water (24, 25, 26) from the carbonator (3). The body made of polymeric material (20) can also define a fluidic connection interface (30), configured for mounting the body made of polymeric material (20) at at least one upper end (3 a) of the carbonator (3). The body made of polymeric material body (20) can also define at least one inlet (23.sub.IN) and at least one outlet (26.sub.OUT) configured for connection to an outlet (11b) and an inlet (11a), respectively, of the pump (10) of the carbonation device (2).

A method for making a customized beverages in a beverage maker is provided using a filtered water system for processing pressurized potable water. The filter system is monitored to allow for certification of a filter system performance for a claimed contaminant reduction up through 320 gallons of use while providing NSF/ANSI Standard 42 or NSF/ANSI Standard 53 health claims when operated at a flow rate of no more than 0.50 gallons per minute (gpm).

A water output device is provided. The water output device comprises a housing mechanism; a water purification mechanism, which comprises a water purifier located within the housing mechanism; a refrigeration mechanism, which comprises a compressor located within the housing mechanism; a tank assembly, which comprises a first tank mechanism configured for providing hot water, and second tank mechanism configured for providing ice water and soda water; the first tank mechanism comprises a hot water tank in communication with the water purifier; the second tank mechanism comprises a ice water tank in communication with the water purifier, a soda water tank located within the ice water tank, a water pump in communication with the ice water tank and the soda water tank respectively, and a cooling pipe spirally extended into the ice water tank.