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: The present invention relates to a beverage making machine comprising a first beverage making cartridge comprising at least one of a gas source portion, the gas source portion contains a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged to store the gas emitted from the solid gas source. The beverage making machine further comprising a second beverage making cartridge comprising at least one of a micro ingredient, a beverage diluent receptacle for receiving a beverage diluent liquid, a dissolver dissolves portion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluent liquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of at least one of the micro ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid, to form a beverage. Exemplary embodiments include a computer control arranged to receive a beverage selection from a consumer and control the beverage making machine to form beverages.

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: A beverage nozzle for mixing at least a first beverage ingredient and a second beverage ingredient into a homogeneous mixture is disclosed herein. The beverage nozzle may include a housing having a first portion and a second portion. A first inlet may be in fluid communication with the housing. The first inlet may be configured to provide the first beverage ingredient to the housing. A second inlet may be in fluid communication with the housing. The second inlet may be configured to provide the second beverage ingredient to the housing. The beverage nozzle also may include a mixing core disposed within the housing. The mixing core may be configured to mix the first beverage ingredient and the second beverage ingredient into the homogeneous mixture. An outlet may be disposed about the housing. The homogeneous mixture may exit the housing by way of the outlet.

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: The present disclosure relates to a canister connection apparatus designed to efficiently and easily connect a pressurized canister to an external system.

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: A display device includes a base structure, a plurality of modules coupled to the base structure, where each of the modules include a plurality of actuator assemblies. Each of the actuator assemblies is individually controllable to move the actuator assemblies between a retracted state and a plurality of extended states. A controller is coupled to each of the modules and is programmed to control the actuator assemblies to move the actuator assemblies between the retracted state and the plurality of extended states.

Abstract: Benzene derivatives of the formula (I); wherein R1 and R2, are the same or different and independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl, —CHO, —CH2OR3, —CH(OR4)(OR5) and —COOR6, wherein R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkylcarbonyl or arylcarbonyl, or wherein R4 and R5 together form an alkylene group and wherein R6 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl and aryl, are prepared in a process, which comprises: reacting a furan derivative of formula (II): wherein R1 and R2 have the meanings above, with ethylene under cycloaddition reaction conditions in the presence of an acid solvent to produce the benzene derivative, wherein the acid solvent is a carboxylic acid and is present in a weight ratio acid solvent to furan derivative from 1:1 to 250:1.

Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a merchandiser. The merchandiser may include an ambient compartment with at least one ambient product therein, a temperature controlled compartment with at least one temperature controlled product therein, and a rotary internal transport system within the temperature controlled compartment so as to dispense a temperature controlled product in response to an ambient product being placed therein.

Abstract: Methods of preparing highly purified steviol glycosides, particularly rebaudiosides A, D and X are described. The method includes expression of UDP-glucosyltransferases from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, which are capable converting certain steviol glycosides to rebaudiosides A, D and X. The highly purified rebaudiosides A, D and X, are useful as non-caloric sweetener in edible and chewable compositions such as any beverages, confectioneries, bakery products, cookies, and chewing gums.

Abstract: The present application provides a vendor for vending a number of products. The vendor may include a cooler and a vending device positioned within the cooler. The vending device may include a number of product shelves with a number of product gates and one or more product locking systems that permit the removal of only one product at a time from the product gates.

Abstract: A beverage making machine includes a first beverage making cartridge including at least one of a gas source portion, the gas source portion contains a solid gas source that through sublimation emits a gas, and a gas storage tank arranged to store the gas emitted from the solid gas source. The beverage making machine further includes a second beverage making cartridge includes at least one of a beverage ingredient, a beverage diluent receptacle for receiving a beverage diluent liquid, a dissolver dissolves portion of the gas, from the gas storage tank, into the beverage diluent liquid, and a dispenser selectively dispenses a predefined ratio of at least one of the beverage ingredient and the beverage diluent liquid, to form a beverage. Exemplary embodiments include a computer control arranged to receive a beverage selection from a consumer and control the beverage making machine to form beverages.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for determining and managing an inventory. The position of an object in an inventory may be determined by utilizing an interrogator to send multiple request signals to a tag attached to the object. Each of the request signals may be communicated by the interrogator at a different frequency. The interrogator may then receive multiple reply signals from the tag. The interrogator may then determine the position of the tag (and thus the object) along a transmission line from phase measurements of the reply signals. A dispenser inventory may be managed. The dispenser may identify an ingredient packaging to be inserted into an ingredient matrix of the dispenser. The dispenser may then receive a user input of a location within the ingredient matrix where the identified ingredient packaging has been inserted.

Abstract: There is provided a method of regulating the formulation of a multi-component product comprising a product attribute profile, the method comprising providing a first and second component of the product, each component having a component attribute profile; supplying to a product formulation zone the first component and the second component in a desired ratio and combining the first and second components together to provide the product or a precursor thereof to yield a target product attribute profile; responsive to a change or predicted change in at least one component attribute profile, supplying information concerning the attribute change to a data processing apparatus and calculating with respect to that change an adjustment in the ratio to reduce the deviation of one or more attributes of the product attribute profile from the target product attribute profile. A production system is also provided.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser system with remote ingredients handling. The beverage dispenser system includes at least one dispenser having a nozzle. Micro-ingredients and macro-ingredients are remotely positioned such as under the counter or in a back room to physically separate the micro-ingredients and macro-ingredients from the dispenser. Pumps or metering devises for providing the micro-ingredients and the macro-ingredients are also physically separated from the dispenser. The beverage system may also include a heat exchanger for cooling the macro-ingredients as well as still water and carbonated water. The heat exchanger may be positioned in the dispenser, on the dispenser, under the counter, or within the counter.