Abstract: Cartridge loaders for fluid mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing system comprises an interface surface, a cartridge receiver carriage, and an actuator configured to depress the cartridge receiver carriage towards the interface surface to load a cartridge. The fluid mixture dispensing system is configured to apply continuous downward pressure on the cartridge towards the interface surface when the cartridge is loaded and is in contact with the interface surface.

Abstract: Cartridge loaders for fluid mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing system comprises an interface surface, a cartridge receiver carriage, and an actuator configured to depress the cartridge receiver carriage towards the interface surface to load a cartridge. The fluid mixture dispensing system is configured to apply continuous downward pressure on the cartridge towards the interface surface when the cartridge is loaded and is in contact with the interface surface.

Abstract: Dispensing sequences for beverage mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. A disclosed method for operating a beverage mixture dispensing system includes flowing a first solvent from a first reservoir to a mixing area of the beverage mixture dispensing system, dispensing concentrated ingredients into the mixing area to combine the first solvent from the first reservoir with the concentrated ingredients to form an intermediate mixture, flowing the intermediate mixture to a mixing chamber of the beverage mixture dispensing system, flowing a sweetening liquid from a second reservoir to the mixing chamber, without flowing the sweetening liquid through the mixing area, to combine the sweetening liquid from the second reservoir with the intermediate mixture to form a beverage, and dispensing the beverage from the mixing chamber. A disclosed device is configured to execute this method. A disclosed computer-readable medium includes instructions for a device to execute this method.

Abstract: Ingredient cartridges and associated fluid mixture dispensing devices are disclosed herein. An ingredient cartridge can include a recyclable fluid storage portion, a recyclable shell at least partially surrounding the recyclable fluid storage portion, and a sturdy portion attached to the recyclable shell and having a device mating interface for a cartridge mating interface on the fluid mixture dispensing device. The cartridge mating interface can be a sliding cartridge mating interface meant to interface with a cartridge that slides into the device. The sliding cartridge mating interface can include a first anchor for receiving a mating interface of a cartridge, a second anchor for receiving a mating interface of the cartridge, and a rail surface. The first anchor and the second anchor can extend from the rail surface. The first anchor and the second anchor can be the tallest protrusions on the rail surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sanitizing a fluid mixture dispensing system are disclosed. One system comprises at least one reservoir for storing a substance, a mixing area, and a controller. The controller is programmed to cause the system to execute a mixing cycle and a cleaning cycle. During the mixing cycle the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to prepare an ingestible fluid mixture. During the cleaning cycle, the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to sanitize the mixing area.

Abstract: A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.

Abstract: Ingredient dispensing systems and methods in a fluid mixture system using a monitored chamber pressure are disclosed. One system includes a chamber, an inlet to the chamber, a set of ingredient reservoirs, in the chamber, storing a respective set of ingredients and sealed by a respective set of valve, a pressure source, and a controller. The system is programmed to set a pressure of the chamber using the pressure source and the inlet to the chamber. The system is also programmed to dispense, using the pressure, at least two ingredients from the respective set of ingredients by actuating at least two valves from the respective set of valves.

Abstract: A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.

Abstract: Fluid mixture dispensing systems, devices and methods are disclosed. A device includes a set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a mixing area configured to receive at least one ingredient from the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a pressure source, an accumulator chamber, a set of valves, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the set of valves to pressurize the accumulator chamber using the pressure source. The controller is further programmed to operate the set of valves to set a pressure in at least one of the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs using the accumulator chamber.

Abstract: Reservoirs for fluid mixture dispensing devices, and fluid mixture devices adapted to include such reservoirs are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing device includes a controller programmed to actuate a set of valves and at least one pump to dispense a fluid mixture, having a final dispense volume, from the fluid mixture dispensing device. The fluid mixture dispensing device also includes a reservoir with a chamber with at least one inlet for receiving a liquid ingredient, a bottom of the chamber, which is continuously sloped towards a lowest point of the chamber, and a spout at the lowest point of the chamber. The chamber is shaped so that when the fluid mixture is in the chamber the fluid mixture flows laminarly out of the spout.

Abstract: Reservoirs for fluid mixture dispensing devices, and fluid mixture devices adapted to include such reservoirs are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing device includes a controller programmed to actuate a set of valves and at least one pump to dispense a fluid mixture, having a final dispense volume, from the fluid mixture dispensing device. The fluid mixture dispensing device also includes a reservoir with a chamber with at least one inlet for receiving a liquid ingredient, a bottom of the chamber, which is continuously sloped towards a lowest point of the chamber, and a spout at the lowest point of the chamber. The chamber is shaped so that when the fluid mixture is in the chamber the fluid mixture flows laminarly out of the spout.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sanitizing a fluid mixture dispensing system are disclosed. One system comprises at least one reservoir for storing a substance, a mixing area, and a controller. The controller is programmed to cause the system to execute a mixing cycle and a cleaning cycle. During the mixing cycle the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to prepare an ingestible fluid mixture. During the cleaning cycle, the substance is dispensed from the at least one reservoir to the mixing area to sanitize the mixing area.

Abstract: Ingredient dispensing systems and methods in a fluid mixture system using a monitored chamber pressure are disclosed. One system includes a chamber, an inlet to the chamber, a set of ingredient reservoirs, in the chamber, storing a respective set of ingredients and sealed by a respective set of valve, a pressure source, and a controller. The system is programmed to set a pressure of the chamber using the pressure source and the inlet to the chamber. The system is also programmed to dispense, using the pressure, at least two ingredients from the respective set of ingredients by actuating at least two valves from the respective set of valves.

Abstract: Fluid mixture dispensing systems, devices and methods are disclosed. A device includes a set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a mixing area configured to receive at least one ingredient from the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs, a pressure source, an accumulator chamber, a set of valves, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate the set of valves to pressurize the accumulator chamber using the pressure source. The controller is further programmed to operate the set of valves to set a pressure in at least one of the set of pressurized ingredient reservoirs using the accumulator chamber.

Abstract: A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.

Abstract: A fluid mixture dispensing system using a membrane to seal multiple reservoirs is disclosed. The multiple reservoirs each contain a respective ingredient. The reservoirs are coupled to respective orifices in a plate. The respective ingredients are dispensable via the respective orifices. The membrane seals the respective orifices. The ingredients are dispensed into one or more channels formed between the membrane and the plate. In specific embodiments, the membrane is an integral part of a cartridge which contains the multiple reservoirs. In specific embodiments, the cartridge includes an inlet and an outlet. A solvent flows from the inlet to the outlet through the one or more channels, and the ingredients are dispensed into the solvent in the one or more channels.

Abstract: Solvent cartridges for fluid mixture dispensing devices are disclosed. One disclosed solvent cartridge comprises a solvent chamber exposed to atmospheric pressure, a straw located in the solvent chamber and in air-tight fluid communication with a filter assembly along a line of air-tight fluid communication, a sealed device interface in air-tight fluid communication with the filter assembly along the line of air-tight fluid communication, and a filter located in the filter assembly. The filter is positioned across the line of air-tight fluid communication to filter solvent from the solvent chamber.