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.

Proposed is a cartridge system (1) for producing a beverage, said cartridge system (1) being insertable into a beverage preparation machine (3), wherein: the cartridge system (1) includes a cartridge (2), which has a reservoir (6) filled with a beverage substance (7); and a cartridge receptacle (10) connected to the cartridge (2), said cartridge receptacle (10) having a mixing chamber (8) that can be fluidically connected to the reservoir (6); and including a fluid supply (12) that leads to the mixing chamber (8); the cartridge system (1) further comprising an identification means for identifying the cartridge system in the beverage preparation machine (3).

The heterogeneous contents mixing container includes a first container formed therein with a content storage space and a container coupling space separated from each other; a second container coupled to the first container and formed with an inlet and a coupling portion; a first discharge unit installed in the first container to discharge stored contents; a second discharge unit installed in the second container to discharge stored contents; and a push button configured to operate the first and second discharge units and formed with first and second discharge passages and first and second outlets which are connected to the first and second discharge units, respectively, wherein the container coupling space of the first container and the inlet and the coupling portion of the second container deviate to one side from a center between the first and second containers, and the second discharge is connected to the second discharge passage.

A dosing pump for dosing metered amounts of liquid product, includes an inlet adapted to be fluidly connected to a storage container, an output adapted to be connected to a beverage dispensing machine for receiving metered amounts of liquid product, and a dosing chamber arranged for transferring a liquid from the inlet to the output. The dosing chamber is at least partly filled with a liquid different from the liquid product. The different liquid can be a cleaning fluid, or be food compliant. The dosing pump can be included in an exchangeable supply pack filled with the liquid product for connecting to a beverage dispensing machine, and the output can be adapted to be brought into fluid connection with a beverage dispensing machine. When associated with a beverage dispensing machine, the dosing pump can be operated to allow the different fluid to be pumped through the beverage dispensing machine prior to a first dosing cycle of liquid product.

The present invention is directed towards a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising at least one beverage dispensing module and a base unit upon or within which the or each module is positioned. Each module comprises a container housing a beverage reservoir and a beverage dispensing arrangement comprising a dispensing valve operable to be selectively opened to dispense beverage from the reservoir. Each module further comprises valve sensing means operable to determine when the dispensing valve is opened and provide a valve status signal indicative of whether the dispensing valve is opened. Each module further comprises communication means in communication with the valve sensing means and arranged to receive the valve status signal. The base unit comprises a base-module receiver operable to communicate with the communication means of one or more modules to receive the valve status signal therefrom. The apparatus is particularly suitable for alcoholic beverages.

A pouch for use in a beverage dispenser is a soft pouch having a liquid or slurry contents stored in a compartment thereof. The pouch has a front panel, a rear panel, and a base panel. The front and rear panels are joined together by a common seal around their side edges and an upper edge thereof. An upper portion of the pouch has a top edge, upper side edges and rounded shoulders that are connected to the side edges of the front and rear panels. The top edge has a width that is narrower than the pouch width. The pouch is formed of a laminated material.

Disclosed is a system for producing a beverage, in particular a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge that has a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, a beverage preparation unit with a cartridge receptacle into which the cartridge can be reversibly inserted, and a cartridge discharge device which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir into a mixing chamber; furthermore, the beverage preparation unit comprises a fluid supply which opens into the mixing chamber, or the system includes a movable plunger which is placed inside the reservoir and can be transferred from a starting position into a final position by means of the cartridge discharge device.

An additive dispensing system for a refrigerator that includes a reservoir configured to contain an additive and an additive outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir. The additive dispensing system is configured to be connected to a refrigerator and is operable to selectively dispense an amount of additive to water dispensed from the refrigerator. The additive dispensing system may be connected to a water filtration system of the refrigerator such that the additive dispensing system may dispense the amount of additive into filtered water dispensed from the refrigerator.

The invention relates to a system for hygienically reconstituting and delivering food preparations, such as drinks, comprising a metering and mixing device connected to a container containing a base liquid, in the form of a package configured to be connected to a base station. The metering and mixing device comprises a pump for metering the liquid, a diluent intake and a mixing chamber. Coupling means are provided for providing the diluent supply and the means for driving the liquid pump.

A beverage dispenser has a housing in which a first liquid inlet is connectable to a base liquid source. The housing also contains a second liquid inlet connectable to a base liquid source or to a pressurized gas source and a pair of jet mixers. First and second liquid lines connect the respective first and second liquid inlets and jet mixers. A first ingredient container contains a first beverage ingredient, the pod or capsule provided in a first ingredient container receiving means, and a second ingredient container containing a second beverage ingredient, the ingredient container provided in a second ingredient container receiving means. The first and second ingredient containers are configured such that upon providing a liquid stream in the respective liquid lines, the beverage ingredient is discharged from the ingredient container into the liquid stream. A beverage outlet is in liquid communication with the jet mixer.