BOTRISTA, INC.

Methods, systems, and devices for blending beverage ingredients together with ice, such as producing a smoothie or other iced blended beverage, are disclosed. For example, the disclosed technology provides a system for blending liquid and ice within a blender cup chamber. The blender cup includes a lid integrated with a funnel for directing ingredients into the chamber, and a lid base with indentations around the edge of the base for pouring blended beverage from the blender cup into, for example, one or more serving cups. A blending component is integrated with the chamber for blending ice and beverage ingredients in the chamber. The system includes a processor and memory, which executes instructions for beverage ingredient dispensing, blending, and cleaning operations.

Systems and methods for operating a mesh network of beverage robots with one or more core vending locations are disclosed herein. For example, the method can include receiving an order for a beverage to be prepared by one or more beverage robots in a first vending location, wherein the beverage is associated with a recipe that is specific to a second vending location. Once received, the method can include retrieving the recipe for the beverage to allow the beverage robot(s) to prepare the beverage according to customer expectations at the second vending location and scheduling the beverage to be prepared by one of the beverage robot(s) in the first vending location. In some embodiments, the method includes scheduling the beverage to be prepared close to a planned and/or estimated pick-up time for the order.

A mesh network of food and/or beverage robots, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. For example, a method of operating a beverage robot at a vending location can include analyzing ingredients for beverages and determining if the quality of the ingredient has changed. The method can also include determining an acidity level or a sweetness level of an ingredient. The method can also include adjusting at least one ingredient in the recipe of the beverage based on the determined acidity level or sweetness level.

Systems, devices, and methods for beverage preparation in portions. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage system including: a fluid feeder configured to discharge a fluid; an ingredient feeder configured to discharge one or more ingredients; a mixing chamber having a dispensing opening, the mixing chamber configured to receive the fluid and the one or more ingredients; a dispenser configured to control dispensing from the mixing chamber via the dispensing opening; and a controller or control circuit programmed to perform operations including: receiving from a user a selection for a beverage; and producing the beverage automatically in portions.

Beverage systems, devices, and methods with cleaning features. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage system including: a fluid feeder configured to discharge a fluid; a mixing chamber having a dispensing opening, the mixing chamber configured to receive the fluid; a dispenser configured to control dispensing from the mixing chamber via the dispensing opening; and a controller or control circuit programmed to perform operations including: receiving an instruction for a cleaning process; and causing the cleaning process to be performed. In some embodiments, the beverage system may further include a cleaning solution feeder configured to discharge one or more cleaning solutions for cleaning at least a portion of the system.

Systems, devices, and methods for beverage preparation in portions. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage system including: a fluid feeder configured to discharge a fluid; an ingredient feeder configured to discharge one or more ingredients; a mixing chamber having a dispensing opening, the mixing chamber configured to receive the fluid and the one or more ingredients; a dispenser configured to control dispensing from the mixing chamber via the dispensing opening; and a controller or control circuit programmed to perform operations including: receiving from a user a selection for a beverage; and producing the beverage automatically in portions. Different portions of the beverage may include different target ingredients.

Systems, devices, and methods for beverage preparation. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage system including: a fluid feeder configured to discharge a fluid; an ingredient feeder configured to discharge one or more ingredients; a mixing chamber having a dispensing opening, the mixing chamber configured to receive the fluid and the one or more ingredients; a mixer configured to mix the fluid and the one or more ingredients in the mixing chamber; a dispenser configured to control dispensing from the mixing chamber via the dispensing opening; and a controller or control circuit programmed to perform operations including: receiving from a user a selection for a beverage; and producing the beverage automatically.

Systems, devices, and methods for decorating cups are described herein. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cup decoration system including an ingredient container and a cup decorating device. The cup decoration device can include a nozzle, a pump, a motor, and a controller. The nozzle can be coupled to receive ingredients, include an outlet, and be configured to be positioned adjacent to or partially inside a cup to be decorated. The pump can be coupled to drive the ingredients through the outlet of the nozzle. The motor can be coupled to rotate the nozzle relative to the cup. The controller can be operably coupled to the pump and the motor, and be configured to operate the pump and the motor such that the nozzle dispenses the ingredients onto an inner surface of the cup via the outlet to create a layer having a predetermined pattern.