A beverage infusion apparatus includes: beverage infusion apparatus comprising: (a) an infusion module for infusing a nitrogen containing gas into a beverage to form a gas infused beverage, wherein: (i) the infusion module comprises a gas draw venturi device for drawing the nitrogen containing gas into the beverage as a result of flow of the beverage through the gas draw venturi device to form the gas infused beverage; (b) a dispensing valve for dispensing the gas infused beverage and constructed to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein: (i) the open position permits dispensing of the gas infused beverage from the beverage infusion apparatus; (ii) the closed position prevents dispensing of the gas infused beverage from the beverage infusion apparatus; and (iii) the dispensing valve is constructed to move between the open position and the closed position by a user of the beverage infusion apparatus; and (c) a pump constructed to move the beverage, under pressure, from a beverage reservoir, through the dispensing valve to the dispensing valve. A method of forming a gas infused beverage at a location of purchase of the gas infused beverage is provided.

A water dispensing apparatus includes a hot water module configured to heat supplied water using an induction heating method, a water supply pipe configured to supply water to the hot water module, a flow rate control valve provided on the water supply pipe to control a flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module, a flow rate sensing device provided on the water supply pipe to sense the flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module, and a controller configured to increase an opening speed of the flow rate control valve when the flow rate of supplied water sensed through the flow rate sensing device is equal to or less than a set flow rate.

An embodiment relates to an automatic water supply device comprising: a container seating portion, one side of which is open such that a container is placed; a water intake member arranged on the upper portion of the container seating portion so as to supply the container with a liquid; a container height measuring unit and a water level measuring unit arranged to be adjacent to the water intake member, respectively; and a control unit for comparing the height of the container, which is measured by the container height measuring unit, and the water level, which is measuring by the water level measuring unit, thereby checking whether the water level inside the container reaches a preset height or not, and adjusting the water level inside the container using the result of the checking, wherein the container height measuring unit comprises a plurality of first optical sensors for sensing both ends of the upper end of the container, and can measure the height of the container in response to the result of sensing by the first optical sensors.

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.

Various systems, processes, and techniques may be used to achieve beverage dispensing. In particular implementations, a beverage dispensing system may include a housing, a water inlet, a dispensing faucet, and a tray. The housing may include a base and at least one vertically extending wall that defines an inner cavity at least at the top of the housing. The water inlet and the dispensing faucet may be coupled to the housing. The tray may be adapted to couple to the housing and be suspended in the inner cavity. The tray may have walls and a lower surface that define a cavity adapted to hold a beverage concentrate container, the lower surface being slanted relative to the base of the housing when the tray is coupled to the housing. The lower surface may have an connector fitting adapted to receive a beverage concentrate conduit.

An ice-making water purifier includes a water tank unit, an instantaneous heating device, an extraction member, an ice-maker, a supply pump, an ice-making water inlet passage, an ice-making water supply valve, a flow rate sensor, and a controller configured to control driving of the supply pump and the opening and closing of the ice-making water supply valve such that purified water corresponding to a predetermined supply amount of ice-making water is supplied to the ice-maker on the basis of a flow rate value measured by the flow rate sensor. The controller controls the opening and closing of the channel such that purified water is preferentially supplied to the instantaneous heating device among the instantaneous heating device and the ice-maker.

A beverage infusion apparatus includes: beverage infusion apparatus comprising: (a) an infusion module for infusing a nitrogen containing gas into a beverage to form a gas infused beverage, wherein: (i) the infusion module comprises a gas draw venturi device for drawing the nitrogen containing gas into the beverage as a result of flow of the beverage through the gas draw venturi device to form the gas infused beverage; (b) a dispensing valve for dispensing the gas infused beverage and constructed to move between an open position and a closed position, wherein: (i) the open position permits dispensing of the gas infused beverage from the beverage infusion apparatus; (ii) the closed position prevents dispensing of the gas infused beverage from the beverage infusion apparatus; and (iii) the dispensing valve is constructed to move between the open position and the closed position by a user of the beverage infusion apparatus; and (c) a pump constructed to move the beverage, under pressure, from a beverage reservoir, through the dispensing valve to the dispensing valve. A method of forming a gas infused beverage at a location of purchase of the gas infused beverage is provided.

A drink making device including a hood, a base configured to support at least four bottles, a tower connecting the base and the hood; and a dispenser for dispensing a beverage. The hood includes at least four attachment connectors. Liquid from the bottles is selectively pumped through the connectors through the dispenser to dispense a beverage.