Abstract: A dispensing unit for mixing and dispensing a beverage which consists of several constituents, including syrup. The unit dispenses beverage from a bottle having a bottom outlet portion and through a syrup path controlled by a manually operable valve. A gas path in the dispensing unit supplies gas into the bottle for urging the syrup from the bottle and into the syrup path. An additional liquid is permitted to flow to a mixing chamber along with the syrup where they are mixed.

Abstract: In a beverage dispensing unit which includes a storing unit (32), a conducting arrangement (43) for conducting a beverage from the storing unit, and a cabinet (38), the storing unit comprises a portable tank which is removable from the cabinet. The conducting arrangement includes an end portion (47) which is detachably connected to the tank. The end portion is held to the cabinet to be radially movable in relation to a connecting axis defined by the cabinet. Preferably, the cabinet comprises guiding arrangement (41, 42) for guiding the tank substantially along the connecting axis. The beverage dispensing unit further comprises a controlling unit (60) for controlling dispensation of the beverage. For adjusting a flow rate of the beverage in a beverage path (62, 63, 64) which is opened and closed by a valve (75), the controlling unit comprises an adjusting member (82) having an end (82b) covered with an operating member (90) which operates the valve.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing system including a cabinet having top, front, back, side and bottom panels for housing various components is disclosed. The components of the system include a carbonator for producing carbonated water by mixing cooled potable water with CO.sub.2. Potable water is stored in a portable tank means and is supplied to the carbonator through a first pipe. The portable tank is easily detachable from the cabinet. The system further includes a cooling reservoir containing cooled water. A serpentine section of the first pipe, along with the carbonator is disposed in the cooling reservoir. A CO.sub.2 tank supplies CO.sub.2 to the carbonator. Syrup packages dispense a selected syrup. Carbonated water from the carbonator, cool water from the portable tank, and syrup from the syrup packages are mixed in a valve and dispensed through a nozzle. The cooled water may be continuously supplied to the carbonator through the first pipe.

Abstract: Automatic regular coffee vending machine including ground coffee powders or coffee beans of different varieties stored in different chambers, separately. When one or more varieties are selected by selection-key operation, coffee powder or powders of the selected variety or varieties are supplied by a predetermined amount into a coffee extractor together with hot water of a predetermined amount, so that a cup of straight coffee of the selected variety or a cup of blended coffee of the selected varieties can be served from the machine. The coffee concentration can be selected by operation of concentration-selection keys, and coffee with cream and/or sugar also can be obtained by cream and/or sugar selection keys which are controlled by a memory storing data on the various supply amounts. When coffee beans are stored in the chambers, the selected amounts of beans are ground in a coffee mill before delivery to the coffee extractor.

Abstract: A brewing apparatus includes a vertically movable cylinder with an open top and bottom, a piston mounted for reciprocation down into such cylinder and a heated liquid supply device for discharging brewing liquid into the open top of the cylinder. A brewing cavity is horizontally reciprocal beneath the cylinder between a brewing position and a discharge position. A ground beverage material supply delivers material into the brewing cavity when the cavity is disposed at a material supplying position located intermediate the brewing position and the discharge position. A seal element which is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the piston to obtain sealing between the piston and cylinder comprises a ring portion affixed to the piston and the flange portion extending radially outwardly from the end portion of the ring portion. A cut out space is formed on the inner surface of the flange portion which connects with the ring portion.

Abstract: A vending machine for selling foods contained in cups (cup-foods) is provided with an apparatus for cooking the foods in the cup. The cooking apparatus comprises a cooking chamber and a hot water feeding device. A door of the cooking chamber may be opened only during a predetermined time period after each cup food is sold and is locked during other time periods. The hot water feeding device is operable only during a time period when the door of the cooking chamber is closed during a predetermined time period after the each cup food is sold. The hot water feeding device is operated by the operation of a cook selection button to pour hot water into the cup which is put in the cooking chamber. The predetermined time period during which the door may be opened is determined by a timer and the time period of the operation of the hot water feeding device, which is shorter than this predetermined time period is determined by another timer.