Abstract: A unit for the preparation of cold, purified and carbonated water. The unit comprises a connection for a water supply; an optional sterilisation unit, e.g. in the form of a unit comprising at least one water inlet and at least one hot water outlet for discharging purified water. Further, there is a cooling unit comprising at least one hot water inlet and at least one cold water outlet; a carbonation unit comprising at least one inlet for introducing carbon dioxide into the cold, purified water so as to prepare cold, purified and carbonated water; and a water outlet for the delivery of the cold, purified and carbonated water from the pre-module to a freezing unit of an ice-making unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for use in preparing a beverage including the steps of introducing a vegetable and/or fruit substance into a liquid, which is at an elevated temperature and for the infusion of the said substance therein, allowing the product of the infusion to cool, and then freezing the cooled infused liquid into readily separable ice blocks.

Abstract: Ice-making apparatus comprising water deliver means, a colouring station arranged to impart colour to water received from the water delivery means and a freezing station for forming readily separable blocks of ice from the coloured water formed at the colouring station and for selectively discharging the readily separable blocks of ice into a storage means so as to present ice of a required colour, or combination of colours, the freezing station can advantageously employ open ended shaping elements, and associated freezing elements, allowing for the freezing of water therein so as to form a block of ice of an appropriate shape defined by the shaping element, and to subsequent allow for the removal of the shaped ice block from the lower open end thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for use in preparing a beverage including the steps of introducing a herbal substance into a liquid, which is at an elevated temperature and for the infusion of the said substance therein, allowing the product of the infusion to cool, and then freezing the cooled infused liquid into readily separable ice blocks.