A flow control module is provided. The flow control module includes a housing as well as an on/off solenoid assembly and a proportional solenoid assembly mounted to the housing. A flow body is situated within the housing and is interposed between the on/off solenoid assembly and the proportional solenoid assembly. The flow body provides for flow management of a flow of fluid through the housing.

Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.

A beer dispenser having a nozzle for positioning above a container and dispensing beer into the container. The dispenser includes at least one imaging device for generating at least one image of the dispensed beer, and a processor. The processor determines a measured foam height and a liquid upper surface from the at least one image of the dispensed beer, and adjusts a distance between the nozzle and the liquid upper surface as the beer is dispensed to control the measured foam height.

A system for dispensing beverages into a receptacle controls both the dispense flow rate of a carbonated beverage and also uses bottom filling of the receptacle to limit entrainment and bubble formation during the dispense process. More particularly, the present application provides for using two separate flow paths for dispensing beverage with a first path employed initially for a low flow rate and a second path employed thereafter to fill the receptacle.

A beverage dispensing machine includes a dispensing valve having a first flow path configured to dispense a first fluid and a second flow path configured to dispense a second fluid such that the first fluid and the second fluid mix downstream and form a mixed beverage. A flow control device regulates flow rate of the first fluid through the first flow path, and a shutoff valve selectively closes to stop flow of the first fluid through the first flow path. A sensor is configured to sense the flow rate of the first fluid, and a controller automatically controls the flow control device to adjust the flow rate of the first fluid and thereby obtain a desired fluid ratio of the mixed beverage.

A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.

A beer dispenser having a nozzle for positioning above a container and dispensing beer into the container. The dispenser includes at least one imaging device for generating at least one image of the dispensed beer, and a processor. The processor determines a measured foam height and a liquid upper surface from the at least one image of the dispensed beer, and adjusts a distance between the nozzle and the liquid upper surface as the beer is dispensed to control the measured foam height.

A beverage supplying device comprising: a touch panel for receiving an operation for selecting a main syrup constituting a main beverage, and a topping syrup added as flavoring to the main beverage; a second syrup solenoid valve for opening and closing a passage for supplying the topping syrup that is stored under pressure in a syrup tank; a second syrup pump for intermittently supplying the topping syrup while the second syrup solenoid valve is open, the second syrup pump being provided to the passage for supplying the topping syrup between the syrup tank and the second syrup solenoid valve; and a nozzle for producing the main beverage by mixing the main syrup with water or carbonated water at a prescribed ratio, and producing a beverage by mixing the topping syrup with the main beverage without diluting the topping syrup.

Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.

A system for dispensing beverages into a receptacle controls both the dispense flow rate of a carbonated beverage and also uses bottom filling of the receptacle to limit entrainment and bubble formation during the dispense process. More particularly, the present application provides for using two separate flow paths for dispensing beverage with a first path employed initially for a low flow rate and a second path employed thereafter to fill the receptacle.