The present disclosure relates to automatic drink preparation. The apparatus can be communicatively coupled to ordering tablets and user interfaces for requesting cocktails. The apparatus can include a nozzle with a first pipe having a first diameter, a second pipe having a second diameter, and a third pipe having a third diameter. Each pipe can be fluidly coupled to a tube. Each tube can be fluidly coupled to a peristaltic pump that can pump fluids such as soda, alcohol, or syrup. The apparatus can include a first conveyor and a second conveyor to convey containers to the nozzle. The nozzle can move along a gantry to position above either of the conveyors, and the pumps can pump fluids through the tubes to the pipes in the nozzle for release into the containers.

Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage vending machine and its operation are described. An embedded computer interface allows consumers to create their own drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dispensed in a container. The beverages may be made from hot water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with various flavors of syrup, sweeteners and nutritional supplements. Identification may be presented and the computer recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer's account to determine funds available and previous drink selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dispense area.

A temperature-controlled beverage dispenser is disclosed, which provides a cold plate having disposed therein beverage lines and refrigerant lines. The refrigerant lines may be connected to a cooling system, such as a heat exchanger, which is configured to remove heat from the cold plate. The beverage lines may be connected to a beverage supply for dispensing a desired beverage. Valves and a pressure sensor in the refrigerant line are connected to a microprocessor. At regular intervals, the microprocessor closes the valves, waits a short time, and then takes a pressure reading, which corresponds to a temperature. If the temperature falls below a desired value, then the cooling system is shut off. This permits the microprocessor to closely control the temperature of the beverage being dispensed.

A stirrer includes a stirring shaft; a plurality of mixing wings extending from the lower end of the stirring shaft and spaced from each other around the stirring shaft; and a conical hub connecting the lower ends of the mixing wings.

A cooling system for a beverage comprises an enclosure for housing a beverage container, a cold plate through which the beverage flows, and a refrigeration system that controllably cools the enclosure and the cold plate in a differential manner. In preferred embodiments, preference is given during normal operation to cooling the cold plate, and only cooling the enclosure when the cold plate is determined to be at or below a desired temperature. In some embodiments a special defrost cycle warms the cold plate while continuing to cool the enclosure. Controls can be mechanical, electronic or any combination of the two, and preferably utilizes information from both pressure and temperature sensors.

A cooling system for a beverage comprises an enclosure for housing a beverage container, a cold plate through which the beverage flows, and a refrigeration system that controllably cools the enclosure and the cold plate in a differential manner. In preferred embodiments, preference is given during normal operation to cooling the cold plate, and only cooling the enclosure when the cold plate is determined to be at or below a desired temperature. In some embodiments a special defrost cycle warms the cold plate while continuing to cool the enclosure. Controls can be mechanical, electronic or any combination of the two, and preferably utilizes information from both pressure and temperature sensors.

A beverage dispenser is for dispensing a consumable beverage. A processing line having a fluid path with an input end is fluidly connectable to a source container of liquid for receiving liquid from the container via a driving force, and for processing the liquid into the consumable beverage to be dispensed. A Venturi injector is provided along a fluid segment of the fluid path of the processing line, the Venturi injector being configured for selectively and adjustably injecting gas bubbles into the consumable beverage to alter at least one resulting parameter of the consumable beverage to be dispensed. The beverage dispenser also includes a tap fluidly connectable to an output end of the fluid path of the processing line for receiving the consumable beverage with at least one resulting parameter having been altered, and for selectively dispensing the consumable beverage via an activation of the tap.

A beverage dispenser system with remote ingredients handling. The beverage dispenser system includes at least one dispenser having a nozzle. Micro-ingredients and macro-ingredients are remotely positioned such as under the counter or in a back room to physically separate the micro-ingredients and macro-ingredients from the dispenser. Pumps or metering devises for providing the micro-ingredients and the macro-ingredients are also physically separated from the dispenser. The beverage system may also include a heat exchanger for cooling the macro-ingredients as well as still water and carbonated water. The heat exchanger may be positioned in the dispenser, on the dispenser, under the counter, or within the counter.

A water purifier may include a water tank divided into a first water tank in which water is storable and a second water tank in which water is storable; a water temperature regulator positioned between the first water tank and the second water tank so as to contact water stored in the first water tank and water stored in the second water tank, and configured to change a temperature of the water stored in the first water tank and a temperature of the water stored in the second water tank; a first water outlet valve configured to output the water stored in the first water tank; and a second water outlet valve configured to output the water stored in the second water tank.

A beverage dispenser includes a cold plate with a plurality of fluid lines running through it. A cover includes a carbonator housing and a hopper cradle, with a cover aperture extending through the hopper cradle. The cover and cold plate together define a cooling chamber. An ice hopper, which has a hopper aperture, is connected to the cover at the hopper cradle, aligning the hopper aperture with the cover aperture so that cubed ice in the ice hopper can fall through the hopper aperture onto the cold plate. A carbonator is received through the cover into the carbonator housing.