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.

Abstract: A metal bottle assembly adapted for use on a plastic bottling includes a metal bottle with an outsert assembled on the neck portion of the bottle. The outsert may be constructed from plastic material and may be fixed to the bottle using an interference fit. The outsert enables the bottle to be placed on a plastic bottling line with minimal or no modifications to the bottling line. The outsert also ensures that the metal bottle is not damaged by handling on the plastic bottling line. In some embodiments, the outsert is designed to elastically deform as it is pressed on the neck of a pre-formed metal bottle and therefore create the interference fit between the outsert and the bottle. In some embodiments the outsert is retained on the neck of the bottle through the interference fit alone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filling a beverage container with a carbonated fluid at ambient temperature while minimizing foam formation are provided. The carbonated fluid can maintain a laminar flow through the filling machine.

Abstract: A contactless autofill dispenser includes a housing and a dispense area for receiving a cup. The dispenser includes a supply of consumable product disposed within the housing. The dispenser includes an outlet connected to the supply and extending from the housing into the dispense area for dispensing the consumable product into the cup. The dispenser includes a controller disposed within the housing and connected to the supply, wherein the controller is configured to control dispensing of the consumable product from the outlet. The dispenser includes a time of flight sensor attached to or with a direct line of sight into the dispense area and connected to the controller.

Abstract: Non-electric fountain beverage dispensers for dispensing a variety of beverages without the use of electricity. The non-electric fountain beverage dispenser may include a gas container for storing a pressurized gas, a base liquid storage container for storing a base liquid, and a gas supply line that communicates pressurized gas from the gas container to the base liquid storage container and to a syrup storage container. Non-electric beverage dispenser further includes a mechanical dispensing valve in fluid communication with the base liquid storage container and the syrup storage container by means of a base liquid supply line and a syrup supply line, respectively, such that the mechanical dispensing valve is capable of selectively dispensing a mixture of the base liquid and the syrup. Non-electric fountain beverage dispenser further includes a non-electric cooling unit for cooling the base liquid without the use of electricity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel sweetener composition of improved taste of the sweetener (e.g., reduced bitterness and/or astringency, and improved overall sweet quality of the composition); food and beverage products containing the same; and methods of making the same.

Abstract: A water-filtration system includes four distinct porous media through which water is sequentially routed in a compact, self-contained four-stage filtration process. The porous media improves water quality by removing unwanted contaminants from the water and adding minerals and compounds to the water to improve water taste. A housing contains the the porous media. The housing includes connection points for incoming and outgoing water. The water-filtration system may be inserted into a water line upstream of a desired source of high-quality water, or may be integrated directly into an appliance or device that requires high-quality water.