Abstract: A system or method for carbonating a liquid includes receiving, in a sealed container of a carbonator of a drink dispenser system, a predetermined amount of liquid, identifying a predetermined carbonation level associated with a flavoring material, and setting a target pressure of the sealed container based on the predetermined carbonation level. The target pressure is selected from a plurality of different target pressures. The system or method also can include releasing pressurized carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide source into the sealed container holding the predetermined amount of the liquid therein until an internal pressure of the sealed container is substantially equal to the target pressure. The system or method can also include dispensing, into a drink container, the flavoring material and the liquid from the sealed container of the carbonator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for draining a component of a beverage forming system such as a coffee brewer. A tank used for holding and/or heating a beverage precursor liquid may be automatically drained. A beverage forming machine including a drain system may be self-contained in that the liquid drained from the tank is held by another tank that is part of the beverage forming machine. The tank into which the drained liquid is deposited may be removable from the beverage forming machine.

Abstract: In a method for carrying out the distribution and administration of promotional offers, electronic coupons are loaded into portable electronic devices having displays. The users present portions of the electronic coupon data on the displays at retail locations where the displayed information is optically scanned into registers or retail computers. A coupon distribution and administration service may operate a server on the global computer network for purposes of publishing promotional offers and tracking the downloading, usage and redemption of the promotional offers.