Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine includes a dispensing valve having a first flow path configured to dispense a first fluid and a second flow path configured to dispense a second fluid such that the first fluid and the second fluid mix downstream and form a mixed beverage. A flow control device regulates flow rate of the first fluid through the first flow path, and a shutoff valve selectively closes to stop flow of the first fluid through the first flow path. A sensor is configured to sense the flow rate of the first fluid, and a controller automatically controls the flow control device to adjust the flow rate of the first fluid and thereby obtain a desired fluid ratio of the mixed beverage.

Abstract: A heat transfer system for heat treatment of a food product includes an enclosure with a food product inlet and a food product outlet. At least one conveyor extends into the enclosure from the food product inlet. At least one heat source is arranged relative to the at least one conveyor. A ramp at least partially extends below the at least one conveyor.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a source of a base fluid, a source of a concentrate, and an assembly configured to receive and dispense the base fluid and the concentrate together as a mixed beverage having a predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. An actuator is configured to control flow of the base fluid and the concentrate to the assembly. The assembly is configured to premix a first portion of the base fluid with the concentrate to form a premixed concentrate, and to then dispense a combination of the premixed concentrate and a second portion of the base fluid as the mixed beverage having the predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. The actuation of the actuator causes an uninterrupted dispense of the base fluid and the concentrate from the source of the base fluid and the source of the concentrate, respectively, to the assembly, and from the assembly to a consumer of the mixed beverage.

Abstract: An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing containers. The dispensing system includes a storage chamber configured to hold the containers available for dispensing. A release device is coupled to the storage chamber to release the containers therefrom. An input device is configured to receive an order to dispense specific containers from the containers stored within the storage chamber, where the specific containers include at least two individual containers having different shapes. A tray receives the specific containers released from the storage, where the specific containers when released form a nested stack on the tray, and where the nested stack has a stacked height. A control system is operative coupled to the input device and the release device, where the control system determines a sequence for dispensing the specific containers from the order so as to minimize the stacked height of the nested stack on the tray.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a source of a base fluid, a source of a concentrate, and an assembly configured to receive and dispense the base fluid and the concentrate together as a mixed beverage having a predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. An actuator is configured to control flow of the base fluid and the concentrate to the assembly. The assembly is configured to premix a first portion of the base fluid with the concentrate to form a premixed concentrate, and to then dispense a combination of the premixed concentrate and a second portion of the base fluid as the mixed beverage having the predetermined base fluid-to-concentrate ratio. The actuation of the actuator causes an uninterrupted dispense of the base fluid and the concentrate from the source of the base fluid and the source of the concentrate, respectively, to the assembly, and from the assembly to a consumer of the mixed beverage.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing machine includes a dispensing valve having a first flow path configured to dispense a first fluid and a second flow path configured to dispense a second fluid such that the first fluid and the second fluid mix downstream and form a mixed beverage. A flow control device regulates flow rate of the first fluid through the first flow path, and a shutoff valve selectively closes to stop flow of the first fluid through the first flow path. A sensor is configured to sense the flow rate of the first fluid, and a controller automatically controls the flow control device to adjust the flow rate of the first fluid and thereby obtain a desired fluid ratio of the mixed beverage.

Abstract: An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.

Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.

Abstract: An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing containers. The dispensing system includes a storage chamber configured to hold the containers available for dispensing. A release device is coupled to the storage chamber to release the containers therefrom. An input device is configured to receive an order to dispense specific containers from the containers stored within the storage chamber, where the specific containers include at least two individual containers having different shapes. A tray receives the specific containers released from the storage, where the specific containers when released form a nested stack on the tray, and where the nested stack has a stacked height. A control system is operative coupled to the input device and the release device, where the control system determines a sequence for dispensing the specific containers from the order so as to minimize the stacked height of the nested stack on the tray.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.

Abstract: An insert for use with a beverage dispenser includes a diffuser having an upstream end configured to receive the first base fluid, a downstream end with an outlet configured to dispense the first base fluid, and a center bore extending between the upstream end and the downstream end along an axis. A stem is disposed in the center bore of the diffuser and has a first end configured to receive a second base fluid and an opposite second end with an outlet configured to dispense the second base fluid. The outlet of the diffuser is upstream from the outlet of the stem such that the first base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the diffuser mixes with an additive fluid before the second base fluid dispensed from the outlet of the stem mixes with the additive fluid.

Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.

Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and methods of beverage dispensing include a dispenser with a beverage valve and a purge valve. The beverage valve is connected the dispenser body and is actively operable to control a flow of a base beverage into a flow path of the dispenser. The purge valve is selectively operable to control a flow of a purge substance into the flow path. A nozzle is configured to mix a flavoring from a flavoring nozzle with a base beverage from the beverage valve prior to dispensing a mixture of the flavoring and the base beverage from the nozzle.

Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.