A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages and process may include a fluid container containing a fluid ingredient, a conduit fluidly connected to the fluid container, and an electrical conductivity sensor. The electrical conductivity sensor may be (i) fluidly connected to the conduit, and (ii) configured to sense an electrical conductivity of the fluid ingredient flowing through the conduit. The electrical conductivity sensor may further be configured to output (i) a first electrical signal in response to sensing an air bubble, and (ii) a second electrical signal in response to not sensing an air bubble.

Systems, apparatus and methods are described herein for dispensing a carbonated beverage. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first cylinder that defines an interior region that can contain a volume of carbonated water and a first piston separating the interior region. A second cylinder is coupled to the first cylinder and defines an interior region and a second piston separating the interior region and operatively coupled to the first piston. The interior region of the second cylinder can contain a volume of beverage concentrate. A flywheel assembly is operatively coupled to the first cylinder and to the first piston and can control a predetermined ratio of a volume of carbonated water from the first cylinder and a volume of beverage concentrate from the second cylinder to be dispensed when a force is exerted on the piston by a flow of carbonated water through the first cylinder.

The present application describes a product mixing device. The product mixing device includes an ingredient combination chamber and means for agitation positioned about the ingredient combination chamber. The ingredient combination chamber includes a diluent inlet, a number of macro-ingredient inlets, a number of micro-ingredient inlets, and an outlet.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages and process may include a fluid container containing a fluid ingredient, a conduit fluidly connected to the fluid container, and an electrical conductivity sensor. The electrical conductivity sensor may be (i) fluidly connected to the conduit, and (ii) configured to sense an electrical conductivity of the fluid ingredient flowing through the conduit. The electrical conductivity sensor may further be configured to output (i) a first electrical signal in response to sensing an air bubble, and (ii) a second electrical signal in response to not sensing an air bubble.

A beverage dispenser and process of dispensing a beverage may include pumping a micro-ingredient from a micro-ingredient container via a fluid path toward a nozzle to dispense a beverage inclusive of the micro-ingredient. The micro-ingredient may be reverse pumped via the fluid path back to the micro-ingredient container to cause an air bubble in the fluid path to be pushed into the micro-ingredient container.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing either a hot or cold beverage, for example tea, from a common mixing chamber and a method for making and/or operating the same is disclosed. The dispense has a source of hot water, usually a heater, and a source of water, a refrigeration system to cool the water and one or more sources of flavor. The hot or cold water, or both can be provided to the common or same, mixing chamber and mixed assisted with a static and/or dynamic mixer and then dispensed. The last portion of the water is used to rinse for the next beverage. Flavor or syrup pump current is sensed to provide the appropriate amount of flavor concentrate to a known quantity of water to form a beverage of appropriate strength or syrup.

Systems, apparatus and methods are described herein for dispensing a carbonated beverage. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first cylinder that defines an interior region that can contain a volume of carbonated water and a first piston separating the interior region. A second cylinder is coupled to the first cylinder and defines an interior region and a second piston separating the interior region and operatively coupled to the first piston. The interior region of the second cylinder can contain a volume of beverage concentrate. A flywheel assembly is operatively coupled to the first cylinder and to the first piston and can control a predetermined ratio of a volume of carbonated water from the first cylinder and a volume of beverage concentrate from the second cylinder to be dispensed when a force is exerted on the piston by a flow of carbonated water through the first cylinder.

A beverage dispenser is disclosed herein. The beverage dispenser may include a housing configured to house at least one beverage container therein. The beverage container may include an identification tag associated therewith. At least one identification tag reader may be disposed within the housing. The identification tag reader may be configured to detect the identification tag associated with the beverage container. The beverage dispenser also may include a user interface disposed about an exterior of the housing. The user interface may include at least one beverage identification area that corresponds to the beverage container. At least one controller may be in communication with the at least one identification tag reader and the user interface. The controller may be configured to update the beverage identification area based at least in part on the identification of the beverage container by the identification tag reader.

A beverage dispenser and process of dispensing a beverage may include pumping a micro-ingredient from a micro-ingredient container via a fluid path toward a nozzle to dispense a beverage inclusive of the micro-ingredient. The micro-ingredient may be reverse pumped via the fluid path back to the micro-ingredient container to cause an air bubble in the fluid path to be pushed into the micro-ingredient container.

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.