Patent classifications
B67D1/0039
APPARATUS FOR THE PREPARATION AND DISPENSING OF POST-MIX CARBONATED DRINKS
Apparatus (10) for the preparation of aerated drinks, comprising: an aerator stage (20) comprising: a removable aerator bottle (30) defining a chamber (32) for receiving a liquid to be aerated; an aerator bottle interface (40) operative to engage the removable aerator bottle (30) and seal the chamber (32) thereof; a gas inlet line (60) operative to fluidly connect a gas source (50) to the aerator bottle interface (40); and a gas supply mechanism (70) for controlling supply of gas from the gas source (50) to the aerator bottle interface (40) via the gas inlet line (60); an aerated liquid dispenser stage (100) comprising: an aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110); a liquid outlet line (120) operative to fluidly connect the aerator bottle interface (40) to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110) to allow aerated liquid to flow from the chamber (32) of the removable aerator bottle (30) to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110); and a liquid flow controller (130) for controlling discharge of aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle (30) to the aerated liquid dispenser outlet (110) via the liquid outlet line (120); and a flavouring liquid dispenser stage (200) comprising: a flavouring liquid dispenser (210) comprising a flavouring liquid dispenser outlet (212), wherein the flavouring liquid dispenser (210) comprises a flavouring liquid dispenser mechanism (214) that is activated by gas pressure; and a gas outlet line (220) including a gas outlet (222) provided in the aerator bottle interface (40); wherein the apparatus further comprises a pressure control stage (240) comprising: a gas reservoir (250) connected to the gas outlet line (220) and operative to store pressurised gas received from the removable aerator bottle (30) during an initial aeration step; and an exhaust mechanism (242) operative to vent gas from the removable aerator bottle (30) during a subsequent venting step in order to lower the level of gas pressure in the removable aerator bottle (30) prior to discharge of the aerated liquid from the removable aerator bottle (30) via the aerated liquid dispenser stage (100).
BEVERAGE DISPENSER HEAD FOR MIXING CONCENTRATE, DILUENT AND ADDITIVE
A dispenser head for in-line mixing and dispensing of beverages, which may be carbonated or nitrogenated. The dispenser head comprising a pump, a dilution mechanism, an additive mechanism, and outlet nozzle and optionally a regulation system. In use, the pump can pump concentrate liquid for the liquid product from a concentrate source to the dilution mechanism; the dilution mechanism can receive diluent liquid suitable for the liquid product from a diluent source, operable to mix the diluent liquid and the concentrate liquid and provide diluted concentrate liquid; and the additive mechanism can receive additive fluid for the liquid product from an additive source, to combine the diluted concentrate liquid and the additive fluid. The regulation system comprises a pump regulator means for regulating the quantity of concentrate liquid pumped into the dilution mechanism within the dispense period; a diluent quantity regulator means for regulating the flow of diluent liquid into the dilution mechanism; and an additive quantity regulator means for regulating the flow of additive fluid into the additive mechanism. Preferably, the dispenser head is a unitary device, which may be supplied attached to a vessel containing the concentrate.
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR POST-MIX DRINK DISPENSING
A post-mix drink dispenser includes a mixer body securable to a drink dispensing system and having at least one beverage concentrate inlet and outlet sheltered within a downwardly open cavity in the bottom thereof; a diluent channel formed exterior to the cavity and about a lower sidewall of the mixer body; and a nozzle housing securable in place about the mixer body. The dispenser includes an air channel formed in a wall portion of the nozzle housing, a diffuser to organize flows of diluent along the interior surface of the nozzle housing, or both a vent and a diffuser. The air channel includes provisions to impede ingress of diluent, and to contain flow through the channel of liquid beverage components. The diffuser may be formed unitary with the nozzle housing, or may be selectively removable from the drink dispenser.
BEVERAGE SUPPLYING DEVICE
A beverage supplying device comprising: a touch panel for receiving an operation for selecting a main syrup constituting a main beverage, and a topping syrup added as flavoring to the main beverage; a second syrup solenoid valve for opening and closing a passage for supplying the topping syrup that is stored under pressure in a syrup tank; a second syrup pump for intermittently supplying the topping syrup while the second syrup solenoid valve is open, the second syrup pump being provided to the passage for supplying the topping syrup between the syrup tank and the second syrup solenoid valve; and a nozzle for producing the main beverage by mixing the main syrup with water or carbonated water at a prescribed ratio, and producing a beverage by mixing the topping syrup with the main beverage without diluting the topping syrup.
Beverage dispensing machine
Machines, devices, and methods for generating and dispensing mixed beverages are disclosed. An exemplary beverage machine includes a liquid storage container, an additive ingredient chamber, a mixing chamber, a piston for providing fluid movement into and/or out of the mixing chamber, and a cooling system. The cooling system may be configured to recycle heat rejected from the liquid storage container to provide a heat source for warming a mixed beverage contained in the mixing chamber, in addition to other functions and components.
FLUIDIC OUTFLOW UNIT AND ASSOCIATED USES
In order to simplify the creation of fluidic outflows in the widest possible range of application situations, a fluidic outflow unit (1) is provided in which fluid flows from various sources (3) are guided via respective flexible connection elements (6) to different discharge elements (4) and/or different flow control elements (5) of the outflow element (1). The use of the flexible connection elements (6) ensures that the outflow unit (1) can be arranged in different installation spaces (14) inside an item of furniture (13) or a sanitary object, in such a way that the installation space (14) itself does not need to form a water duct.
Beverage supplying device
A beverage supplying device includes a touch panel for receiving an operation for selecting a main syrup constituting a main beverage, and a topping syrup added as flavoring to the main beverage. The device further includes a second syrup solenoid valve for opening and closing a passage for supplying the topping syrup that is stored under pressure in a syrup tank and a second syrup pump for intermittently supplying the topping syrup while the second syrup solenoid valve is open, the second syrup pump being provided to the passage for supplying the topping syrup between the syrup tank and the second syrup solenoid valve. The device further includes a nozzle for producing the main beverage by mixing the main syrup with water or carbonated water at a prescribed ratio, and producing a beverage by mixing the topping syrup with the main beverage without diluting the topping syrup.
Fluid Dispensing Apparatus and Method
An example apparatus includes a housing including an inlet and an outlet. The example apparatus also includes a rotor defining a bore. The rotor is disposed in the housing. The example apparatus further includes a piston disposed in the bore. A motor is operatively coupled to the rotor to rotate the rotor from a first position to a second position. The bore is to be in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet when the rotor is in the second position.
Capsule-based alcoholic beverage forming apparatus and components thereof
An alcoholic beverage forming apparatus operable to dispense an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor, proof, temperature, and volume mixes water and alcohol with a flavor medium to form an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor that may be dispensed from the apparatus. The apparatus includes a capsule holder, a water supply reservoir and an alcohol supply reservoir. The reservoirs are operable to respectively supply water and alcohol to a mixing manifold of the apparatus to such that the water and alcohol are combined in the mixing manifold to form an alcoholic beverage mixture which is subsequently mixed with a flavor medium contained in an interior of a beverage capsule. A dispenser is operable to dispense an alcoholic beverage therefrom during operation of the alcoholic beverage forming apparatus.
CUSTOM BEVERAGE CREATION DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD
A system for dispensing fluid is provided in which a first fluid cartridge and a second fluid cartridge each comprise a first spout at corresponding fluid outlets, and wherein a docking location is provided for docking each of the fluid cartridges such that the first spout is adjacent the second spout. The system may further comprise a drop sensor for detecting a number of drops dispensed from the fluid cartridges at a drop detection location. The docking location may define a specific orientation for any cartridge docked at the docking location, and the cartridges may be wedge shaped and may each taper towards their corresponding spouts. Also provided is a fluid cartridge comprising a cartridge housing, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet above a fluid fill level, and a syphon for transporting fluid from inside the cartridge to the fluid outlet.