A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage from one or more beverage units. Each of the beverage units includes a respective beverage unit outlet, and a respective support structure supporting beverage and orienting the respective beverage unit outlet. The dispenser includes a refrigerator in which the beverage unit(s) are receivable; a respective inlet, within the refrigerator, for each of the beverage units; at least one a dispensing outlet for dispensing beverage into drinking vessels; one or more fluid paths from the inlet(s) to the dispensing outlet(s); a guide arrangement co-operable with the support structure(s) to guide the beverage unit(s) so that each respective beverage unit outlet co-operates with its respective inlet to form a respective dry break connection through which beverage is conveyable on route to the dispensing outlet(s) via the fluid path(s).

A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage from one or more beverage units. Each of the beverage units includes a respective beverage unit outlet, and a respective support structure supporting beverage and orienting the respective beverage unit outlet. The dispenser includes a refrigerator in which the beverage unit(s) are receivable; a respective inlet, within the refrigerator, for each of the beverage units; at least one a dispensing outlet for dispensing beverage into drinking vessels; one or more fluid paths from the inlet(s) to the dispensing outlet(s); a guide arrangement co-operable with the support structure(s) to guide the beverage unit(s) so that each respective beverage unit outlet co-operates with its respective inlet to form a respective dry break connection through which beverage is conveyable on route to the dispensing outlet(s) via the fluid path(s).

A fluid dispenser includes a containing case having an inner containment cavity for containing a first fluid to be dispensed, which is delimited by at least one pair of walls which have a membrane-like structure, at least one first wall of which is placed in contact with the fluid to be dispensed, a second wall of said pair at least partly surrounding the first wall. The dispenser further includes a closable hollow space, positioned between the first wall and the second wall; and a second fluid which, introduced in the hollow space and interacting with the first wall, imparts to the fluid to be dispensed a movement towards an outlet of the case and a simultaneous action at least of expelling to the outside of the case the gases present in the containment cavity.

A beverage distribution system for preparation of espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, including a drinking recipient (1, 1′), for example of glass, cup, or similar type, a beverage discharge disposition (2) operatively associated with a beverage preparation device (3), whereby the beverage discharge disposition (2) is provided so that the beverage discharge flow impinges, along a direction opposite to the gravity force and with a given flow pressure, and a flow regulation mechanism (13) on the drinking recipient (1, 1′), whereby the drinking recipient (1, 1′) presents a recipient retention mechanism (17) provided so that the drinking recipients (1, 1′) can only be placed on the recipient placement support (22) in one or two previously defined angular extensions with relation to the beverage discharge disposition (2).

A beverage distribution system for preparation of espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, including a drinking recipient (1, 1′), for example of glass, cup, or similar type, a beverage discharge disposition (2) operatively associated with a beverage preparation device (3), whereby the beverage discharge disposition (2) is provided so that the beverage discharge flow impinges, along a direction opposite to the gravity force and with a given flow pressure, and a flow regulation mechanism (13) on the drinking recipient (1, 1′), whereby the drinking recipient (1, 1′) presents a recipient retention mechanism (17) provided so that the drinking recipients (1, 1′) can only be placed on the recipient placement support (22) in one or two previously defined angular extensions with relation to the beverage discharge disposition (2).

A method is provided for cooling a beverage in a container, the container being provided in contact with a cooling contact body thermally conductively coupled to a cooling element. The method comprises operating the cooling element and obtaining an ambient temperature of the environment outside the container and the cooling contact body. Based on the ambient temperature, a cut on temperature is defined and a temperature value indicative of a temperature of the beverage is obtained. The cooling element is operated if the temperature is larger than the cut on temperature until an end criterion is met. A higher ambient temperature may require more cooling of the beverage to ensure the temperature of the beverage is maintained between acceptable boundaries. A higher environmental temperature, requiring more cooling, means faster switching on or off. By using a switch on temperature based on the ambient temperature, more efficient cooling may be established.

A beverage dispenser having a beverage-level indicating system. The beverage dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing head arranged on the housing for dispensing a beverage into a beverage container. The beverage dispenser further includes a beverage-level sensor arranged on the housing and which determines a beverage level within the beverage container without contacting the beverage within the beverage container, a beverage-level indicator that provides a visual indication of the beverage level within the beverage container, and a control unit that causes the beverage-level indicator to indicate the beverage level within the beverage container based on the beverage level as determined by the beverage-level sensor.

Systems and methods, including a system for metering, mixing, and dispensing liquids, such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic liquids and solutions, are provided. In one instance, the system includes a controller operatively coupled to a first pump and a second pump. The first pump and the second pump are coupled to a first liquid source and a second liquid source, respectively. The controller controls flow rates at each of the first pump and the second pump. The system includes a valve coupled to a source supply of a third liquid, including pressurized carbonated water. The system includes a fluid connector coupled to the first pump, the second pump, the valve, and a dispenser. The connector receives the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, such that a fourth liquid, including a combination of the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, is dispensable from the dispenser.

The present application thus provides a beverage dispensing system for combining a micro-ingredient and a diluent. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle and a remote micro-ingredient storage system positioned at a distance from the nozzle. The remote micro-ingredient storage system may include a stirring reservoir in communication with the nozzle to agitate the micro-ingredient therein.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a vessel, the beverage dispenser including a vessel-receiving region in which the vessel is locatable for receiving beverage; and a sensor arrangement for providing signals based on which a distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel, when located in the vessel-receiving region, and the sensor arrangement can be determined, wherein a volume of beverage to be dispensed into the vessel can be determined based on the determined distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel and the sensor arrangement.