The present disclosure relates to liquid dispensing arrangements, and particularly to arrangements for distribution of a dispensed liquid.

A system and method for dispensing a beverage includes the detection of a presence of a cup underneath a nozzle, and in response to the detected presence of the cup, a target fill height is calculated. The controller operates to begin a dispense of a beverage into the cup. A beverage fill height determined and compared to a target fill height. When the beverage fill height exceeds the target fill height, the controller operates to stop dispensing the beverage into the cup.

A system and method for dispensing a beverage includes the detection of a presence of a cup underneath a nozzle, and in response to the detected presence of the cup, a target fill height is calculated. The controller operates to begin a dispense of a beverage into the cup. A beverage fill height determined and compared to a target fill height. When the beverage fill height exceeds the target fill height, the controller operates to stop dispensing the beverage into the cup.

A consumer operable retail beverage container filling arrangement for use in a retail environment is provided, comprising a housing, a beverage dispensing unit for dispensing a beverage, comprising a retail beverage container holder for receiving and holding a retail beverage container, wherein the beverage dispensing unit is at least partially provided in the housing, a consumer interaction module for receiving a consumer input and generating a consumer control signal based on the received consumer input, and a dispensing controller arranged for receiving the consumer control signal and controlling the beverage dispensing unit to dispense the beverage in accordance with the consumer control signal.

A dispensing apparatus is described having a beverage source, containing a carbonated beverage liquid, and a dispensing tap. The dispensing apparatus includes a dispense tube disposing the beverage source in fluid communication with the dispensing tap and an infusion chamber arranged in connection with the dispense tube and configured to infuse an infusing ingredient with the carbonated beverage liquid. The dispensing apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to determine a level of carbon-dioxide in the liquid downstream of the infusion chamber. The dispensing apparatus includes a carbon-dioxide source coupled to the dispense tube via a valve. The dispensing apparatus further includes a control unit configured to operate the valve to allow flow of carbon-dioxide gas based on the determined level of carbon-dioxide in the carbonated beverage liquid, so as to bring the level of carbon-dioxide to a pre-defined level.

A dispenser and methods for dispensing a material into a receptacle comprises a dispenser outlet for dispensing material into the receptacle; a support for receiving a receptacle; at least one lateral sensor positioned to laterally sense a receptacle received on the support; an upper sensor positioned to sense a receptacle received on the support from above; and a controller operatively connected to the lateral and upper sensors. The controller is configured to sense the presence of a receptacle received on the support, calculate the volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle from data received from the lateral and upper sensors, and control the volume of material dispensed from the dispenser outlet into the receptacle based upon the calculated volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage and to a beverage preparation device (1), such as a beverage dispenser, for simpler and more efficient sanitization of water. The beverage preparation device (1) comprises: a buffer tank (2) having a tank body for storing an amount of water, a recirculation line (20) configured to allow water circulating out of and back into the buffer tank (2) to form a recirculation path together with the buffer tank (2), a UV lamp (40) arranged for irradiating UV light at a position along the recirculation path to sanitize the water, a cooling unit (3) for cooling the water within the buffer tank (2), a discharge line (23) for discharging the water from the buffer tank (2) via a discharge outlet (24), and a pump (26) for selectively circulating water along the recirculation path or the discharge line (23) towards the discharge outlet.

The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system stores a fluid that is consumed as a beverage. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system measures the stored fluid. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system refills the fluid when the volume of the stored fluid falls below a previously determined level. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system heats the stored fluid at a previously determined temperature.

Consumption safety and quality assurance features for fluid mixture dispensing systems, such as a beverage dispensing device, are disclosed. A disclosed beverage dispensing device includes a final dispense chamber and a dispenser for the final dispense chamber. The beverage dispensing device is configured to mix a beverage and store the beverage in the final dispense chamber prior to a final dispense of the beverage from the beverage dispensing device. The beverage dispensing device is further configured to determine at least one parameter of the beverage. The dispenser is locked if the at least one parameter does not satisfy an expected standard and unlocked if the at least one parameter does satisfy the expected standard. The expected standard can be a safety standard or a quality standard.

A system and method for dispensing a beverage includes the detection of a presence of a cup underneath a nozzle, and in response to the detected presence of the cup, a target fill height is calculated. The controller operates to begin a dispense of a beverage into the cup. A beverage fill height determined and compared to a target fill height. When the beverage fill height exceeds the target fill height, the controller operates to stop dispensing the beverage into the cup.