A smart energy-saving device for automatic blending drinks, adopted to inject beverages into at least one beverage cup that comprises a bar code, comprises: beverage barrels; manifolds; at least one ice-storing device including at least one ice outlet, at least one servomotor, a stirring rod, and at least one thruster; beverage stations; collection mechanisms including ring structures, ice inlets, water inlets, and beverage tubes; and a control module including flowmeters, water valve switches, beverage-cup-weight sensors, beverage-barrel-weight sensors, at least one ice-beverage-barrel-weight sensor, pressure sensors, bar code readers, infrared scanners; and a controller.

A method of operating a beverage preparation machine that permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

A beverage preparation machine permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Among other things, beverages are dispensed from one or more beverage dispensers based on selections made by users. Information about the dispensing of the beverages is sent to a central server where it is used to manage a variety of functions including replacement of depleted supplies of components. Various features of the beverage dispensers enable the beverages that are dispensed to be uniform and appealing to users.

A method of operating a beverage preparation machine that permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

A smart energy-saving device for automatic blending drinks, adopted to inject beverages into at least one beverage cup that comprises a bar code, comprises: beverage barrels; manifolds; at least one ice-storing device including at least one ice outlet, at least one servomotor, a stirring rod, and at least one thruster; beverage stations; collection mechanisms including ring structures, ice inlets, water inlets, and beverage tubes; and a control module including flowmeters, water valve switches, beverage-cup-weight sensors, beverage-barrel-weight sensors, at least one ice-beverage-barrel-weight sensor, pressure sensors, bar code readers, infrared scanners; and a controller.

Systems and methods for dispensing a product from a dispensing kiosk are provided. An example system can include: a first tank at a first location, and storing skim milk and connected to a first conduit; a second tank at the first location, and storing milk fat and connected to a second conduit; and a dispensing kiosk at a second location remote from the first location, the dispensing kiosk comprising: a terminal receiving a request, the request including a type and an amount of a product for purchase; a dispensing station adapted to receive a container, the dispensing station comprising a filling tube extended into the container for providing the product into the container based on the type and the amount in the request; a scanner adapted to read a machine-readable code on the container placed in the dispensing station; and a labeling mechanism configured to print and apply a label to the container in the dispensing station, the label including at least one of the type, the amount, a price, and a fill date of the product.

Among other things, beverages are dispensed from one or more beverage dispensers based on selections made by users. Information about the dispensing of the beverages is sent to a central server where it is used to manage a variety of functions including replacement of depleted supplies of components. Various features of the beverage dispensers enable the beverages that are dispensed to be uniform and appealing to users.

Among other things, beverages are dispensed from one or more beverage dispensers based on selections made by users. Information about the dispensing of the beverages is sent to a central server where it is used to manage a variety of functions including replacement of depleted supplies of components. Various features of the beverage dispensers enable the beverages that are dispensed to be uniform and appealing to users.

Among other things, beverages are dispensed from one or more beverage dispensers based on selections made by users. Information about the dispensing of the beverages is sent to a central server where it is used to manage a variety of functions including replacement of depleted supplies of components. Various features of the beverage dispensers enable the beverages that are dispensed to be uniform and appealing to users.