Abstract: The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: Embodiments and associated aspects of the disclosure permit regulation of dispense of a product in a self-serve environment via, at least in part, reconciliation of a product order originated in an access device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, and a product selection effected at a product dispenser configured to fulfill the product order.

Abstract: The present application provides a cooler for cooling a beverage fluid flow. The cooler may include a thermoelectric cooling device in communication with a fluid heat exchanger with the fluid flow therein and a water permeable membrane. The cooler further may include a fan positioned about the water permeable membrane for evaporative cooling therein.

Abstract: The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: The present application describes a product dispenser, such as a beverage dispenser. The product dispenser may include a nozzle, a first pump in fluid communication with a beverage base source and the nozzle, a second pump in fluid communication with a flavoring source and the nozzle, and a user interface for receiving a request for a beverage. The user interface may include a product button that represents a beverage base, and an additive button that represents a flavor, wherein in response to a first selection of the product button and a second selection of the additive button, the user interface may be adapted to instruct a dispense of the beverage base and the flavor to the nozzle at a given flow rate.

Abstract: A system for producing a customized beverage or beverage concentrate is disclosed. The system comprises a personalization server and a distribution machine communicatively coupled to the personalization server. The personalization server is configured to receive need and want information associated with a consumer, analyze the need and want information, apply a plurality of rules to the analyzed need and want information, and produce one or more customized beverage or beverage concentrate recipes based on the analysis of the need and want information and the application of the plurality of rules. The distribution machine is configured to receive the one or more customized beverage or beverage concentrate recipes from the personalization server and produce and deliver at least one customized beverage or beverage concentrate based on the one or more customized beverage or beverage concentrate recipes to the consumer by combining one or more beverage ingredients.

Abstract: The present application describes a product mixing device. The product mixing device includes an ingredient combination chamber and means for agitation positioned about the ingredient combination chamber. The ingredient combination chamber includes a diluent inlet, a number of macro-ingredient inlets, a number of micro-ingredient inlets, and an outlet.

Abstract: The present application provides a beverage dispensing system using a sweetener. The beverage dispensing system may include a sweetener source with the sweetener therein, one or more rotating or stationary components positioned about a flow of the sweetener, and a component wash system positioned about the one or more rotating or stationary components to wash off the sweetener thereon.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods for providing dynamic ingredient matrix reconfiguration in a product dispenser. In one example, a method for configuring a dispenser apparatus may include determining one or more current associations between some or all of a plurality of ingredient packages and one or more of a plurality of dispensing devices associated with the dispenser apparatus. The method may include determining whether a current association of the one or more current associations has changed with respect to at least one previous association between some or all of the plurality of ingredient packages and one or more of the plurality of dispensing devices, and in response to ascertaining that the current association has changed, modifying an association table based at least on the one or more current associations, the association table being representative of the at least one previous association.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a composition comprising storing at least one acid in an acid storage container, storing at least one acid-degradable component in a component storage container, and mixing the at least one acid from the acid storage container and the at least one acid-degradable component from the component storage container such that the at least one acid and the at least one acid-degradable component mix together to form the composition. A method and apparatus for providing a selected beverage from a plurality of selectable beverages comprising storing a number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates separately in a respective number of beverage component storage containers and in response the selection of the selected beverage, automatically dispensing, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, any combination of at least two or more of the number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates and a diluent.

Abstract: Embodiments and associated aspects of the disclosure permit regulation of dispense of a product in a self-serve environment via, at least in part, reconciliation of a product order originated in an access device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, and a product selection effected at a product dispenser configured to fulfill the product order.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for providing a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can provide a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. The system can include a code generation module operable to receive data associated with a plurality of product recipes; and generate a machine readable item with a combined recipe including the plurality of product recipes, wherein the machine readable item configures a product dispenser to dispense the combined recipe.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for providing dynamic ingredient matrix reconfiguration in a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can include an ingredient matrix operable to receive one or more ingredient packages within respective locations. In addition, the system can include a controller in communication with the ingredient matrix and operable to execute a set of instructions operable to receive information associated with one or more ingredient packages. Furthermore, the controller can be operable to determine at least one location within the ingredient matrix for a selected one or more ingredient packages, and output the at least one location within the ingredient matrix for insertion of selected one or more ingredient packages.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for providing a promotion for a combined product dispensed from a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can provide a promotion for a combined product dispensed from a product dispenser. The system can include a code generation module operable to receive data associated with a plurality of product recipes; and generate a machine readable item with a promotion identifier, and a combined recipe including the plurality of product recipes, wherein the machine readable item configures a product dispenser to promote and dispense the combined recipe.

Abstract: The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: The present application describes a product dispenser. The product dispenser may include at least one macro-ingredient source, at least one micro-ingredient source positioned about the dispenser, a diluent source, a dispensing valve, a number of pumps or metering devices, and a user interface. The user interface receives a request for a product type and instructs the pumps or metering devices to dispense a predetermined type and ratio of macro-ingredients, micro-ingredients, and diluent to the dispensing valve for a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can include systems and methods for providing a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. In one embodiment, a system can provide a combined product for dispensing from a product dispenser. The system can include a code generation module operable to receive data associated with a plurality of product recipes; and generate a machine readable item with a combined recipe including the plurality of product recipes, wherein the machine readable item configures a product dispenser to dispense the combined recipe.