Abstract: A gas infusion tank for a beverage machine includes a tank body defining a holding space for accommodating beverages. A mixing element includes a mixing chamber, an ascending pipe, and a descending pipe. A top of the ascending pipe is fluidly connected to the mixing chamber and a bottom of the ascending pipe has a liquid inlet. The liquid inlet is fluidly connected to the holding space. A top of the descending pipe is fluidly connected to the mixing chamber and a bottom of the descending pipe includes a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the nozzle. A gas intake hole connects the holding space with the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A switch system for controlling dispensing from a dispensing system. A frame is coupleable to the dispensing system and has a front and back. A lever extends between a pivot and pressing ends and is pivotally coupled to the frame, being pivotable between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. A resilient member between the lever and the back of the frame extends between an anchor and a contact region. The anchor region is coupled to the frame and the contact region is closer than the anchor region to the lever. A roller is pivotally coupled to the contact region. The resilient member biases the lever towards the non-dispensing position via the roller. An electronic switch is between the lever and the back of the frame. The electronic switch is actuated to cause dispensing when the lever is pivoted into the dispensing position.

Abstract: A switch system for controlling dispensing from a dispensing system. A frame is coupleable to the dispensing system and has a front and back. A lever extends between a pivot and pressing ends and is pivotally coupled to the frame, being pivotable between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. A resilient member between the lever and the back of the frame extends between an anchor and a contact region. The anchor region is coupled to the frame and the contact region is closer than the anchor region to the lever. A roller is pivotally coupled to the contact region. The resilient member biases the lever towards the non-dispensing position via the roller. An electronic switch is between the lever and the back of the frame. The electronic switch is actuated to cause dispensing when the lever is pivoted into the dispensing position.

Abstract: A gas injection assembly for injecting a gas into a liquid to form a solution includes a vessel that receives the liquid, a flow channel that conveys the liquid from the vessel through an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet that is configured to dispense the solution, and a sparger having a porous surface positioned in the flow channel such that the liquid flows across the porous surface and the porous surface injects the gas into the liquid as the liquid flows across the porous surface.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a refrigeration system for chilling beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser. The refrigeration system has a compressor coupled to an evaporator for chilling the beverage, and a controller determines the amount of chilling that must be provided by the refrigeration system to chill the beverage and adjusts cut-in and cut-out beverage temperature set-points for the compressor accordingly. Advantageously, the cut-in and cut-out set-points are adjusted to beverage temperature values such that the chilling capacity of the refrigeration system is made to closely match to the amount of chilling required by the beverage, and also such that on/off cycles of the refrigeration system are decreased.

Abstract: A gas injection assembly for injecting a gas into a liquid to form a solution includes a vessel that receives the liquid, a flow channel that conveys the liquid from the vessel through an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet that is configured to dispense the solution, and a sparger having a porous surface positioned in the flow channel such that the liquid flows across the porous surface and the porous surface injects the gas into the liquid as the liquid flows across the porous surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using sample test container filled with beverage, a penetrator holder, a penetrator and release means is disclosed. In the method a sample, is drawn into the test container and the penetrator dropped into the sample, and a reading of the stiffness of the sample is made based on the depth of penetration of the penetrator onto the sample.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a refrigeration system for chilling beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser. The refrigeration system has a compressor coupled to an evaporator for chilling the beverage, and a controller determines the amount of chilling that must be provided by the refrigeration system to chill the beverage and adjusts cut-in and cut-out beverage temperature set-points for the compressor accordingly. Advantageously, the cut-in and cut-out set-points are adjusted to beverage temperature values such that the chilling capacity of the refrigeration system is made to closely match to the amount of chilling required by the beverage, and also such that on/off cycles of the refrigeration system are decreased.

Abstract: A device is for cleaning an automated blender that includes a body that axially extends between a first end and a second end. The automated blender includes a base, a blender blade that axially moves towards and away from the base, and a splash shield that moves between a closed position and an open position. The first end of the body configured to receive the blender blade when the blender blade moves toward the base. The rotation of the blender blade causes rotation of the body which cleans an interior surface of the splash shield. The device may also include an alignment portion and a bearing which allows the body to translate radially as the body rotates. The device may also include a retainer plate coupled with the body which allows the body to translate vertically with respect to the bearing.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a refrigeration system for chilling beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser. The refrigeration system has a compressor coupled to an evaporator for chilling the beverage, and a controller determines the amount of chilling that must be provided by the refrigeration system to chill the beverage and adjusts cut-in and cut-out beverage temperature set-points for the compressor accordingly. Advantageously, the cut-in and cut-out set-points are adjusted to beverage temperature values such that the chilling capacity of the refrigeration system is made to closely match to the amount of chilling required by the beverage, and also such that on/off cycles of the refrigeration system are decreased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using sample test container filled with beverage, a penetrator holder, a penetrator and release means is disclosed. In the method a sample, is drawn into the test container and the penetrator dropped into the sample, and a reading of the stiffness of the sample is made based on the depth of penetration of the penetrator onto the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using a sample test container filled with beverage, a penetrator holder, a penetrator and release means is disclosed. In the method a sample, is drawn into the test container and the penetrator dropped into the sample, and a reading of the stiffness of the sample is made based on the depth of penetration of the penetrator onto the sample.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a refrigeration system for chilling beverage to be dispensed by the beverage dispenser. The refrigeration system has a compressor coupled to an evaporator for chilling the beverage, and a controller determines the amount of chilling that must be provided by the refrigeration system to chill the beverage and adjusts cut-in and cut-out beverage temperature set-points for the compressor accordingly. Advantageously, the cut-in and cut-out set-points are adjusted to beverage temperature values such that the chilling capacity of the refrigeration system is made to closely match to the amount of chilling required by the beverage, and also such that on/off cycles of the refrigeration system are decreased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using a sample test container filled with beverage, a penetrator holder, a penetrator and release means is disclosed. In the method a sample, is drawn into the test container and the penetrator dropped into the sample, and a reading of the stiffness of the sample is made based on the depth of penetration of the penetrator onto the sample.