A beverage-making apparatus includes a container including a container body that includes heat-insulating material and has an opening that provides access to an interior of the container body. The container further includes: a container cover configured to open and close the opening of the container body, and at least three channels connected to the container and that are communicative with the interior of the container body. The at least three channels include at least one first channel and a second channel that are communicative with a beverage ingredient pack mounted in the interior of the container body, the beverage ingredient pack configured to hold first beverage-making ingredients. The container further includes a third channel that is communicative with a space formed in the interior of the container body between a wall of the container body and the beverage ingredient pack mounted in the interior the container body.

Methods and devices for dispensing a cooled beverage are provided. One embodiment of methods includes the steps of mixing a diluent and a concentrate to make a diluted solution. The diluted solution is carbonated to yield a carbonated solution. The carbonated solution is cooled to below 0? C. to produce the cooled beverage, and the cooled beverage is dispensed through a nozzle. A device for dispensing a cooled beverage, where the cooled beverage comprises a diluent having a freezing point at STP includes an upstream cooler that pre-cools a supply of diluent to a temperature above the freezing point. A mixer mixes the pre-cooled diluent with a concentrate to make a diluted solution. A downstream cooler further cools the diluted solution to below the freezing point. A dispenser dispenses the downstream-cooled solution to atmosphere. The temperature of the cooled beverage is below the freezing point when dispensed.

A system is for infusing liquid with a gas to form a gas-infused beverage. The system has a tank with first and second cavities. A refrigeration circuit refrigerates the tank and the contents of the first and second cavities. The liquid is supplied to the first cavity and cooled therein by the refrigeration circuit and then supplied to the second cavity and infused with gas therein to thereby form the gas-infused beverage. The gas-infused beverage is then supplied to a beverage outlet for dispensing to a user.

A method and dispensing apparatus for dispensing one or more liquids from a liquid storage container operably connected to the dispensing apparatus. The one or more liquids may include cold water, cold carbonated water, hot water and/or ambient temperature water. The dispensing apparatus preferably is a self-contained dispensing apparatus, i.e., a dispensing apparatus having its own source of liquid. The dispensing apparatus further preferably includes a housing storing a first cooled liquid reservoir and a second cooled liquid reservoir. The first cooled liquid reservoir preferably stores cold water and the second cooled liquid reservoir preferably stores cold carbonated water. A thermal link preferably connects the first cooled liquid reservoir and the second cooled liquid reservoir to cause thermal energy to be transferred between the first cooled liquid reservoir and the second cooled liquid reservoir.

The invention relates to a device for providing a treated fluid, in particular of drinking water, comprising a treatment device with at least one treatment container for treating the fluid and a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the fluid in the at least one treatment container, preferably for cooling it, wherein at least one pre-temperature control device is provided with at least one container for the temperature control of the untreated fluid, wherein the container has an inlet for non-temperature-controlled, untreated fluid and an outlet where temperature-controlled, untreated fluid can be supplied, and that the temperature control device is designed such that a) the temperature-controlled, untreated fluid in the direction of flow prior to treatment by the treatment device can be temperature-controlled by the temperature control device for the treatment device, or b) the untreated fluid can be temperature-controlled by the temperature control device before and/or during treatment in the treatment device and/or when the treated fluid is withdrawn from the treatment device.

A gas-liquid mixing device of a beverage is provided. The gas-liquid mixing device has a container, a liquid inlet pipe, a gas inlet pipe and a liquid discharging pipe configured to discharge liquid, wherein the container is provided with a refrigeration evaporator; the container is further internally provided with a liquid precooling pipe; the liquid entering at the earliest enters the container through the liquid precooling pipe and is stored in the container and cooled by the refrigeration evaporator; the cooled liquid precools the liquid entering the liquid precooling pipe subsequently; the precooled liquid in the container is mixed and dissolved with entering gas; the container is further internally provided with a liquid molecule expander comprising a precooling liquid container inlet and a collision wall; the precooled liquid is ejected to the collision wall through the precooling liquid container inlet.

Methods and devices for dispensing a cooled beverage are provided. One embodiment of methods includes the steps of mixing a diluent and a concentrate to make a diluted solution. The diluted solution is carbonated to yield a carbonated solution. The carbonated solution is cooled to below 0? C. to produce the cooled beverage, and the cooled beverage is dispensed through a nozzle. A device for dispensing a cooled beverage, where the cooled beverage comprises a diluent having a freezing point at STP includes an upstream cooler that pre-cools a supply of diluent to a temperature above the freezing point. A mixer mixes the pre-cooled diluent with a concentrate to make a diluted solution. A downstream cooler further cools the diluted solution to below the freezing point. A dispenser dispenses the downstream-cooled solution to atmosphere. The temperature of the cooled beverage is below the freezing point when dispensed.

A carbonation tower for containers of household appliances, more specifically for appliances for the automatic preparation of instant drinks, which has been developed to provide more optimized operation and use and efficient than those achieved with the known similar. Said carbonation tower including a substantially elongated body included of at least one pipe provided with at least two holes and said pipe secured to a base including at least a nozzle, said cooperating base further including a lid of a lower compartment; said lid further including at least one toroidal contoured rib cooperating with at least one lower nozzle of the container, and wherein the water and the carbon dioxide are sucked by the upper edge of the pipe and/or the holes and expelled in a path orthogonal to the suction axis through the at least one nozzle.

A chilling reservoir for providing in-line carbonation in a beverage dispenser includes a housing having a first beverage material pathway extending therethrough. The first beverage material pathway may have a flow inlet arrangement and a flow outlet arrangement. The chilling reservoir also includes a heat exchanger arrangement that is positioned and configured to be selectively operated to chill beverage material passing through the first beverage material pathway. The chilling reservoir also includes a carbonation chamber operably positioned in the first beverage material pathway of the housing. The carbonation chamber may be configured to removably receive therein a carbonator.

Methods and devices for dispensing a cooled beverage are provided. One embodiment of methods includes the steps of mixing a diluent and a concentrate to make a diluted solution. The diluted solution is carbonated to yield a carbonated solution. The carbonated solution is cooled to below 0? C. to produce the cooled beverage, and the cooled beverage is dispensed through a nozzle. A device for dispensing a cooled beverage, where the cooled beverage comprises a diluent having a freezing point at STP includes an upstream cooler that pre-cools a supply of diluent to a temperature above the freezing point. A mixer mixes the pre-cooled diluent with a concentrate to make a diluted solution. A downstream cooler further cools the diluted solution to below the freezing point. A dispenser dispenses the downstream-cooled solution to atmosphere. The temperature of the cooled beverage is below the freezing point when dispensed.