Abstract: Described herein is a beverage system that is configured to produce beverages having different characteristics, such as different levels of carbonation including producing substantially non-carbonated beverages and carbonated beverages with a single machine. The beverage system includes a beverage appliance and a beverage container. The beverage container includes a beverage material, which can include a flavoring ingredient for a target beverage. The beverage appliance is used to access the beverage material from the beverage container and produce the target beverage. The beverage appliance and beverage container are adaptable to produce the target beverage having any of a range of carbonation levels or other characteristics.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly that can include first and second elements is provided. The first element can define a first outlet through which a first liquid is dispensed. The second element can define a second outlet through which a second liquid is dispensed. The first liquid can form an internal liquid stream when dispensed through the first outlet. The second liquid can form an annular liquid column around the internal liquid stream when dispensed through the second outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly that can include first and second elements is provided. The first element can define a first outlet through which a first liquid is dispensed. The second element can define a second outlet through which a second liquid is dispensed. The first liquid can form an internal liquid stream when dispensed through the first outlet. The second liquid can form an annular liquid column around the internal liquid stream when dispensed through the second outlet.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly that can include first and second elements is provided. The first element can define a first outlet through which a first liquid is dispensed. The second element can define a second outlet through which a second liquid is dispensed. The first liquid can form an internal liquid stream when dispensed through the first outlet. The second liquid can form an annular liquid column around the internal liquid stream when dispensed through the second outlet.

Abstract: Described herein is a beverage system that is configured to produce beverages having different characteristics, such as different levels of carbonation including producing substantially non-carbonated beverages and carbonated beverages with a single machine. The beverage system includes a beverage appliance and a beverage container. The beverage container includes a beverage material, which can include a flavoring ingredient for a target beverage. The beverage appliance is used to access the beverage material from the beverage container and produce the target beverage. The beverage appliance and beverage container are adaptable to produce the target beverage having any of a range of carbonation levels or other characteristics.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly that can include first and second elements is provided. The first element can define a first outlet through which a first liquid is dispensed. The second element can define a second outlet through which a second liquid is dispensed. The first liquid can form an internal liquid stream when dispensed through the first outlet. The second liquid can form an annular liquid column around the internal liquid stream when dispensed through the second outlet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for energy recovery in desalination or other systems are provided to transfer the pressure energy from one fluid to anther fluid. A system for energy recovery with a container comprises two sections separated by one or plurality of flexible impermeable diaphragms and pressures of the two fluids in the two sections are transmitted during the cyclical filling and pumping operations, as well as flow control valves. As one embodiment, two flexible impermeable tubes operable to receive two fluids of different pressures respectively connect to flow control valves. The first fluid and the second fluid are separated by the flexible impermeable diaphragm formed by the flexible tubes. Cyclical inflows of the two fluids transmit the higher pressure of one fluid to the other through the diaphragm and transfer the energy from one fluid to the other.

Abstract: Methods and systems for energy recovery in desalination or other systems are provided to transfer the pressure energy from one fluid to anther fluid. A system for energy recovery with a container comprises two sections separated by one or plurality of flexible impermeable diaphragms and pressures of the two fluids in the two sections are transmitted during the cyclical filling and pumping operations, as well as flow control valves. As one embodiment, two flexible impermeable tubes operable to receive two fluids of different pressures respectively connect to flow control valves. The first fluid and the second fluid are separated by the flexible impermeable diaphragm formed by the flexible tubes. Cyclical inflows of the two fluids transmit the higher pressure of one fluid to the other through the diaphragm and transfer the energy from one fluid to the other.