Abstract: Apparatus for blending and dispensing liquids, e.g., beverage concentrate and water, using cylinders and pistons, the apparatus including magnetic position sensors to terminate piston strokes, a mixing chamber including repeated flow restrictions and flow diverters, a beverage concentrate bag having an engageable structure at its top and a drainage portion at its bottom, a two-piece fitting for connecting the concentrate bag to a supply line to a cylinder, a bag support structure movable between an operational position in which the bag is suspended and a loading position in which the bag is supported along its side, a multiple piece piston rod threadedly connecting a piston between rod pieces, and a symmetrical arrangement of ports and an annular groove to symmetrically distribute liquid between a cylinder end wall and a piston against it.

Abstract: A liquid discharge nozzle that dispenses liquid upon demand in a quantity that matches the volumetric capacity of the cup used to activate the nozzle. The nozzle has a first and second pair of diametrically opposed switch members that are disposed radially inwardly and outwardly, respectively, of an annular divider wall that depends to a bottom wall of the nozzle housing. The rim of a cup having a diameter less than the diameter of the divider wall engages the radially inwardly disposed switch members. The switch members, when so engaged or activated, make a call for service which results in the dispensing of the correct volume of liquid for that cup. The rim of a cup having a diameter greater than the diameter of the divider wall engages the radially outwardly positioned switch members which switch members when actuated cause liquid to be dispensed into the cup in the proper amount for that cup.