Abstract: Ingredient containers for use in a beverage carbonation system are provided. The ingredient container includes a container body defining an interior hollow chamber, and a cap coupled to the opening of the container body. The container body has an opening leading to the interior hollow chamber and a cross-section with a major axis defining a width that is greater than a minor axis defining a depth. The cap has an inlet that is sealed to retain fluid within the container and that is configured to open to allow gas to be injected into the interior hollow chamber. The cap has an outlet that is sealed to retain fluid within the container and that is configured to open to allow fluid within the container to flow out through the outlet valve. The inlet and the outlet are aligned along a first axis that extends parallel to the minor axis of the container body.

Abstract: Containers are provided and include a container body having an opening extending into a hollow interior, and a cap extending across the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve configured to couple to a fluid source such that fluid can be delivered through the inlet valve to pressurized the hollow interior of the container body. The cap also has an outlet port with an outlet valve having a cracking pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration to dispense fluid from the hollow interior, and a closing pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration to prevent fluid from passing therethrough. The cracking pressure is greater than the closing pressure.

Abstract: Containers are provided and include a container body having an opening extending into a hollow interior, and a cap extending across the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve configured to couple to a fluid source such that fluid can be delivered through the inlet valve to pressurized the hollow interior of the container body. The cap also has an outlet port with an outlet valve having a cracking pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration to dispense fluid from the hollow interior, and a closing pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration to prevent fluid from passing therethrough. The cracking pressure is greater than the closing pressure.

Abstract: A flavorant container for use in a beverage system is provided. The flavorant container can be retained by a beverage system to dispense flavorant, which can be mixed with carbonated and/or uncarbonated water. In one embodiment, the flavorant container includes a container, a cap, and one or more features located on the cap. The features can include an inlet that is able to receive pressurized air, and an outlet that is able to dispense a flavorant when the inlet receives the pressurized air. The features can also include at least one raised protrusion that is capable of being retained by a complimentary pattern located on a beverage system in order to properly seat the flavorant container in the beverage system.

Abstract: A beverage system and methods for preparing flavored beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage system includes a housing, a flavorant system, and a processor. The housing includes a mixing chamber configured to operably couple to a fluid reservoir and pressurized gas source. The processor is disposed in the housing and can be configured to cause, in response to at least one input, the separate dispensing of a fluid and a flavorant into a receptacle. The processor can also cause the delivery of gas from the pressurized gas source to the mixing chamber, where it can be used to form a carbonated fluid.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a carbonation assembly, a carriage assembly, and one or more flavorant containers. The beverage dispensing device can also include a controller with a UI to allow a user to customize aspects of a beverage. These customizable aspects can include fluid volume, carbonation level, flavorant type, and/or flavorant amount. Based on the customized aspects of the beverage, the beverage dispensing device can dispense an amount of carbonated or uncarbonated water, and can dispense a type and amount of flavorant. Illustrative embodiments of flavorant containers are also provided.

Abstract: Containers are provided and include a container body having an opening extending into a hollow interior, and a cap extending across the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve configured to couple to a fluid source such that fluid can be delivered through the inlet valve to pressurized the hollow interior of the container body. The cap also has an outlet port with an outlet valve having a cracking pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration to dispense fluid from the hollow interior, and a closing pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration to prevent fluid from passing therethrough. The cracking pressure is greater than the closing pressure.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a carbonation assembly, a carriage assembly, and one or more flavorant containers. The beverage dispensing device can also include a controller with a UI to allow a user to customize aspects of a beverage. These customizable aspects can include fluid volume, carbonation level, flavorant type, and/or flavorant amount. Based on the customized aspects of the beverage, the beverage dispensing device can dispense an amount of carbonated or uncarbonated water, and can dispense a type and amount of flavorant. Illustrative embodiments of flavorant containers are also provided.

Abstract: Flow control assemblies are provided. The flow control assemblies include a cap having a flow control system with an inlet port having an inlet valve and an outlet port having an outlet valve, wherein the flow control system achieves a Dosing Accuracy (DA) of about 100 or less according to the following formula: DA = [ ( Po - Pc ) ( Vd - Ls ) ] where, Po is a pressure to open the outlet valve (mmH2O), Pc is a pressure to close the outlet valve (mmH2O), Vd is a diameter of the outlet valve (mm), and Ls is a length of the valve opening (mm).

Abstract: A siphon for use in a brew basket includes a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material. The first portion has a first passageway and an outlet. The first passageway is fluidly coupled to said outlet. The second portion has a second passageway and is removably coupled to the first portion. The first passageway and said second passageway form a flow path extending from an interior of the brew basket to the outlet.

Abstract: A siphon for use in a brew basket includes a first portion formed from a first material and a second portion formed from a second material. The first portion has a first passageway and an outlet. The first passageway is fluidly coupled to said outlet. The second portion has a second passageway and is removably coupled to the first portion. The first passageway and said second passageway form a flow path extending from an interior of the brew basket to the outlet.