Abstract: A cartridge adaptor system may include a puncturing device; a nozzle adaptor including: a puncture port configured to receive the puncturing device; a nozzle coupling portion configured to releasably couple to a beverage dispenser nozzle; and a cartridge coupling portion configured to releasably couple to a cartridge containing a beverage ingredient; and a cartridge holster having a receiving portion for receiving a portion of the cartridge. The puncturing device may be configured to puncture the cartridge thereby releasing the beverage ingredient.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for parallel and scalable processing of messages containing telemetry data at an administrator system. The administrator system can receive a large number of messages containing telemetry data from many dispenser machines in a short amount of time. To receive and process those messages, the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide a message queuer to queue the messages (or at least the telemetry data in the messages) in a plurality of queues and a different thread or process for each of the plurality of queues. Each thread or process can pull messages out of its assigned queue in order and process the telemetry data of the messages. The threads or processes can run on one or more central processing unit cores at the administrator system. This setup allows for horizontal scaling in terms of message processing throughput.

Abstract: A vending machine with a reduced vertical height and footprint has a horizontal roller surface system for delivering vending products. The horizontal roller system includes actuated rollers and trays that move on top of the rollers. The products are present on top of the trays; the rollers actuate to deliver the trays, and the products, to a delivery portal. Some embodiments of the vending machine have a transparent top to allow the interior of the vending machine, and particularly the roller surface, to be visible from the exterior of the vending machine. The reduced height and size of the vending machine enables it to be placed in locations that are unavailable to conventional vending machines.

Abstract: A stackable pallet display system includes a tray portion having a rectangular bottom wall, corner posts extending upward from corners of the tray portion and an interior divider panel extending upward from the tray portion. The tray, corner posts and interior divider wall of the system can be folded from blanks of material.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a nozzle to dispense a beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a camera to capture an image of the beverage as the beverage is dispensed from the nozzle. The camera has a field of view that includes the beverage. The beverage dispenser further includes a light source that illuminates the field of view of the camera. The beverage dispenser further includes a computer. The computer analyzes the image of the beverage and determines a characteristic of the beverage.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a method for tracking the quality of a beverage produced according to a batch process that includes adding ingredients to water to form a batch, measuring the density of the batch in real time using an in-line density device, monitoring changes in density of the batch, detecting deviations from the batch process based on the changes in density, and correcting for any detected deviations from the batch process in real time. Other aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of detecting inhomogeneity in real time for a batch process for producing a beverage. Other aspects of the disclosure include a method of tracking addition of ingredients for producing a beverage in a batch process includes sequentially adding a plurality of ingredients to water according to a standard recipe to form a batch and correcting for any detected deviations from the recipe in real time.

Abstract: A beverage ingredient pod for releasing beverage ingredients into a bottle to create a mixed beverage includes a liquid-ingredient chamber, a solid-ingredient chamber, a frangible membrane between and separating the liquid-ingredient chamber and the solid-ingredient chamber, and a rigid piercer that extends to a point toward the frangible membrane. Upon a force applied to the beverage ingredient pod, a portion of the pod collapses and drives the rigid piercer through the frangible membrane. This mixes contents of the liquid-ingredient chamber with contents of the solid-ingredient chamber and releases the mixed contents from the beverage ingredient pod into a bottle below that is filled with a liquid, creating a mixed beverage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed that, in some aspects, provide for a cost-reduced touch sensitive user interface including a static printed display. The methods and systems may include providing illumination to guide a user through interaction with a touch sensitive user interface. The methods and systems may include a configurable printed display. Further aspects are disclosed providing use of a cost-reduced touch user interface in a beverage dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is provided. The beverage dispensing system can include a nozzle module connected to a beverage dispenser housing. The nozzle module can be vertically and/or horizontally spaced from a beverage dispenser valve and nozzle.

Abstract: Unattended beverage dispensers configured to dispense one or more beverages after authenticating a customer and associating the customer with a customer account. An unattended beverage dispenser may include a user interface with a biometric sensor configured to identify a biometric characteristic of a customer. A controller associated with the unattended beverage dispenser may authenticate a customer based on a biometric characteristic and associate the authenticated customer with a customer account. After authenticating a customer, the controller may allow beverage dispensing from the unattended beverage dispenser in accordance with a beverage dispensing rule associated with the customer's account.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing compositions, such as beverages, are provided. A beverage dispenser may be configured to receive input corresponding to a selection of a beverage, and in response, a graphical representation of the beverage at a display device. The beverage dispenser may receive additional input corresponding to an adjustment of an amount of an ingredient of the selected beverage, and in response, the graphical representation of the beverage may be updated. The graphical representation of the beverage may include graphics depicting the beverage container, the volume of liquid in the beverage container, and the adjusted ingredient.

Abstract: A modular system for blow molding a container. The system may include a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion and second portion may each include a shell, a mold removably coupled to the shell, and a top plate. The third portion may include a base and a base mold. The molds may be 3D printed. The molds together may define a blow mold cavity. The modular system may be used at lab scale, pilot scale, or full production scale. The molds may be durable and smooth enough for full production scale. Some embodiments are directed methods for making a modular system for blow molding a container.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing valve may include an inlet to receive carbonated water, a nozzle shell, and an outlet downstream of the nozzle shell configured to dispense a finished beverage. The nozzle shell may include an aperture open to ambient pressure environment. A method for dispensing a beverage may include flowing carbonated water through an inlet of a beverage dispensing valve, lowering the pressure of the carbonated water sufficient to promote carbon dioxide nucleation, flowing the carbonated water through a chamber vented to environment such that a portion of carbon dioxide nucleated is off-gassed, and introducing a beverage ingredient when the carbonated water reaches a sufficiently low carbonation level. A beverage dispensing nozzle may include an inlet configured to receive carbonated water from a beverage dispensing valve, a nozzle shell including an aperture open to ambient pressure environment, and an outlet downstream of the nozzle shell configured to dispense a finished beverage.

Abstract: A vending machine includes two horizontal lead screws, a vertical lead screw, first and second motors, a shelf, a delivery cup, and a delivery area. The first and second motors drive the horizontal lead screws and the vertical lead screw, respectively. The vertical lead screw moves horizontally along the horizontal lead screws. The shelf contains a product and has a movable gate to hold the product on the shelf. The delivery cup moves vertically along the vertical lead screw and has a solenoid and a plunger. The solenoid activates the plunger, which opens the gate to dispense the product onto the delivery cup. An outer door of the delivery area isolates the delivery area from outside the vending machine when closed and provides access to the product from outside the vending machine when open. A mechanical interaction between the delivery cup and the delivery area opens the outer door.