Abstract: An apparatus (20) for dispensing an additive into a liquid in a container comprises a support structure (22) and a container holder (28), supported by the support structure (22), for holding a container (21) containing a liquid. The apparatus (20) also includes a capsule holder (38) for holding a capsule (40) containing an additive, for example a liquid, semi-liquid or powder, and a manipulator device (41) which is operable to manipulate the capsule (40), for example by crushing it, to thereby dispense the additive into the liquid in the container (21).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for dispensing a flowable product from a collapsible container (12) comprising an air-tight cavity (14) and an opening (16). The apparatus (10) includes a reservoir (18) comprising a chamber (20) for storing flowable product, the chamber (20) comprising a product inlet (22) for receiving flowable product delivered from the air-tight cavity (14) of a connected collapsible container (12) through the opening (16) thereof, and a product outlet (24) for the flowable product. A piston (46) is positioned inside the chamber (30) and is movable to vary the volume of the chamber (30), for example between a first position defining a maximum chamber volume and a second position defining a minimum chamber volume.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump (10) comprises a drivable rotor (14), having at least one pressing member (15), and a cylindrical stator (12) in which the rotor (14) is rotatable. Flexible tubing (22), having an inlet side (24) and an outlet side (26), extends circumferentially around the cylindrical stator (12) against an inner wall (12a). The peristaltic pump (10) includes a radially deformable ring (28) positioned between the rotor (14) and the circumferentially extending flexible tubing (22). The ring (28) is deformed by the pressing member (15) upon rotation of the rotor (14) and this compresses the flexible tubing (22) against the inner wall (12a) of the cylindrical stator (12) to convey liquid along the flexible tubing (22). The radially deformable ring (28) includes a ring anchor (30) which prevents rotation of the radially deformable ring (28) during rotation of the rotor (14).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for dispensing a flavored, optionally alcoholic, beverage, is housed in a cabinet (16) and comprises a dispensing outlet (12) connectable to a beverage supply and a plurality of different liquid beverage flavorings, the dispensing outlet being configured to dispense the beverage and one or more of said flavorings into a drinking container. An actuating member (44) is operable to initiate dispensing of the beverage and one or more of said flavorings from the dispensing outlet. The apparatus includes a selector (42) configured to receive a user input selection of one or more of the beverage flavorings to be dispensed and a control unit (40). Upon user operation of the actuating member (44), the control unit (40) operates a pump (24a-f) to supply a selected one or more of the flavorings to the dispensing outlet based on the user input selection.