Abstract: A system for preparing and dispensing a nitrogen-infused beverage includes a chilled water delivery subsystem, a beverage concentrate subsystem including a beverage concentrate fluidically coupled to a beverage pump, and a nitrogen delivery subsystem. The system includes a nitrogen infuser having a first input fluidically coupled to the nitrogen delivery subsystem and one other input fluidically coupled to the beverage pump. A flavor concentrate subsystem includes a flavor concentrate fluidically coupled to a flavor pump. The system also includes a kegerator tower assembly, and a flavor manifold having a first input fluidically coupled to an output of the nitrogen infuser, one other input to the at least one flavor pump, and an output fluidically coupled to an input of the kegerator tower assembly. A controller controls the beverage pump and the flavor pump. A computer coupled to a camera, and configured for instructing the controller to prepare the beverage.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing both soft-serve ice cream and frozen ice-cream-based beverages to consumers. The machine includes a power management system having a controller, a master relay for controlling power supplied to a first component, slave relays for controlling power supplied to second and third components, and a current sensor for sensing a current draw of the machine. The machine also includes a flavoring plate for providing flavoring to a dispensed ice cream product. The plate includes an orifice for extruding the product, a channel extending around the orifice, two or more ports in fluid communication with the channel, and one or more gates in communication with the channel and the orifice. Each of two or more ports is configured to introduce one of a flavoring fluid or a cleaning fluid to the channel.

Abstract: A system for preparing and dispensing a nitrogen-infused beverage includes a chilled water delivery subsystem, a beverage concentrate subsystem including a beverage concentrate fluidically coupled to a beverage pump, and a nitrogen delivery subsystem. The system includes a nitrogen infuser having a first input fluidically coupled to the nitrogen delivery subsystem and one other input fluidically coupled to the beverage pump. A flavor concentrate subsystem includes a flavor concentrate fluidically coupled to a flavor pump. The system also includes a kegerator tower assembly, and a flavor manifold having a first input fluidically coupled to an output of the nitrogen infuser, one other input to the at least one flavor pump, and an output fluidically coupled to an input of the kegerator tower assembly. A controller controls the beverage pump and the flavor pump. A computer coupled to a camera, and configured for instructing the controller to prepare the beverage.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing both soft-serve ice cream and frozen ice-cream-based beverages to consumers. The machine includes a power management system having a controller, a master relay for controlling power supplied to a first component, slave relays for controlling power supplied to second and third components, and a current sensor for sensing a current draw of the machine. The machine also includes a flavoring plate for providing flavoring to a dispensed ice cream product. The plate includes an orifice for extruding the product, a channel extending around the orifice, two or more ports in fluid communication with the channel, and one or more gates in communication with the channel and the orifice. Each of two or more ports is configured to introduce one of a flavoring fluid or a cleaning fluid to the channel.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing both soft-serve ice cream and frozen ice-cream-based beverages to consumers. The machine includes a power management system having a controller, a master relay for controlling power supplied to a first component, slave relays for controlling power supplied to second and third components, and a current sensor for sensing a current draw of the machine. The machine also includes a flavoring plate for providing flavoring to a dispensed ice cream product. The plate includes an orifice for extruding the product, a channel extending around the orifice, two or more ports in fluid communication with the channel, and one or more gates in communication with the channel and the orifice. Each of two or more ports is configured to introduce one of a flavoring fluid or a cleaning fluid to the channel.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing both soft-serve ice cream and frozen ice-cream-based beverages to consumers. The machine includes a power management system having a controller, a master relay for controlling power supplied to a first component, slave relays for controlling power supplied to second and third components, and a current sensor for sensing a current draw of the machine. The machine also includes a flavoring plate for providing flavoring to a dispensed ice cream product. The plate includes an orifice for extruding the product, a channel extending around the orifice, two or more ports in fluid communication with the channel, and one or more gates in communication with the channel and the orifice. Each of two or more ports is configured to introduce one of a flavoring fluid or a cleaning fluid to the channel.

Abstract: An auxiliary A/C power supply system for use with a high power vending machine requiring more current at start up than is provided by a standard 110 volt, 15-16 amp service. The system includes an A/C controller including a microprocessor that selectively engages an inverter powered by a battery bank to provide auxiliary power on a cycle determined by the A/C controller according to the type of vending machine and according to environmental conditions such as ambient temperature, altitude and battery charge.

Abstract: An auxiliary A/C power supply system for use with a high power vending machine requiring more current at start up than is provided by a standard 110 volt, 15-16 amp service. The system includes an A/C controller including a microprocessor that selectively engages an inverter powered by a battery bank to provide auxiliary power on a cycle determined by the A/C controller according to the type of vending machine and according to environmental conditions such as ambient temperature, altitude and battery charge.

Abstract: A cup dispenser that dispenses a wide range of cup sizes and cup types. The dispenser comprises a suctioning device that adheres cups by creating a sufficient pressure differential to overcome the weight of a cup to be dispensed. The suctioning device is attached to a mechanism for raising and lowering the same and is thereby lowered to receive a cup and subsequently raised to dispense it. Other embodiments for dispensing cups include a belt that tightens around a cup and a pair of biasing pins that exert pressure against the walls of a cup.