CN114072352B

CN114072352B - System for detachably connecting to a beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: CN114072352B
Application number: CN202080029615.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 诺姆·齐斯曼; 哈达斯·弗里什伯格; 迈克尔·佩雷茨本-阿舍; 伊兰·埃尔卡拉特; 亚历山大·弗莱舍克
Original assignee: Strauss Water Ltd
Current assignee: Strauss Water Ltd
Priority date: 2019-04-18
Filing date: 2020-04-16
Publication date: 2024-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-16
Also published as: IL266134A; WO2020212983A1; CN114072352A; IL266134B

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for removable connection to a beverage dispenser for removable connection of various accessories to an outlet module of the beverage dispenser. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system comprising an adapter and an accessory, e.g. a beverage additive unit, for detachably connecting the accessory to a dispenser via the adapter.

Description

System for detachably connecting to a beverage dispenser

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a detachably connected system for detachably connecting various accessories to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems including a detachable adapter and an accessory (e.g., a beverage additive unit) for detachably connecting the accessory to a dispenser via the adapter.

Background

References deemed relevant to the background of the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

-US 7,645,381

the admission of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that the references are in any way relevant to patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Background

Beverage dispensers, such as water dispensers (e.g. those described in US 7,645,381), soft drink dispensers or even dispensers comprised in a refrigerator, are known. Typically, the addition of additives, such as nutrients or flavors, to the dispensed water or beverage is performed by a user adding the additives separately from a separate container to the drinking glass or receiving container, either before or after the beverage is dispensed into the glass or receiving container. In other systems, the additive may be contained in a designated container and the dispenser configured for dispensing the additive into the beverage through the electronically controlled system during dispensing.

In such a system, the container may be built into the dispenser, or may be in the form of a different replaceable container. However, connecting the additive container to the dispenser is typically accomplished by built-in adapter(s) or by piping connecting the container to the dispenser. This type of connection often results in a series of operations being required by the user when installing or removing the container from the dispenser, which may also involve dismantling the elements of the dispenser to allow for the installation or removal of the container. Furthermore, containers of a beverage flow system directly coupled to a dispenser may lead to undesired contamination of the beverage flow line and/or undesired accumulation of additives in the flow line over time.

General description

The present disclosure relates to systems for fitting onto beverage dispensers that are capable of removably attaching or connecting various accessories to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser. The system of the present disclosure is designed to allow the dispensing module of the dispenser to have additional functionality, allowing the user to selectively change the functionality of the outlet module in a convenient manner with minimal installation requirements. For example, the system may allow a user to removably attach various accessories (e.g., extension tubes) to the dispensing module, thereby extending the dispensing outlet and allowing beverage (e.g., water) to be dispensed into a vessel remote from the dispenser. Another exemplary system allows for the detachable connection of an additive unit that allows for the addition of a desired additive to a beverage according to user needs without the need for a beverage flow line coupling the additive container to the dispenser. Exemplary additives may be minerals, flavors, food supplements, flavoring concentrates, vitamins, nutrients, and the like.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system detachably connected to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser for dosing an additive into a beverage, the system comprising an adapter unit and a beverage additive unit. The adapter unit is configured to be detachably connected to a dispensing module of the beverage dispenser and is configured to fit onto or into an outlet module of the dispenser such that a dispensing outlet of the dispenser is received within the adapter. The beverage additive unit is detachably connected to the adapter unit and can be replaced according to the needs of the user. For example, when a different additive is desired, a user may remove one beverage additive unit from the system and replace it with another without having to disassemble parts of the dispenser. Furthermore, as will be described below, the system allows for a physical separation between the beverage additive unit and the beverage dispensing outlet, thereby avoiding the need to clean the dispensing outlet or dispensing line of the dispenser, as no residue or surplus additive remains in the flow system of the dispenser. Thus, the system is able to prevent undesired contamination of the beverage flow line by the additive or undesired accumulation of residual additive in the beverage flow line.

It should be noted that the beverage additive unit comprises: an additive container containing an additive, the additive typically being in liquid form (e.g., suspension, solution, emulsion, microemulsion, pure component in liquid form, loose gel, etc.); a dosing unit (dosing unit) in fluid communication with the additive container; and an actuation member for operating the dosing unit and causing a dose of additive to be dispensed from the container into an additive dispensing nozzle in fluid communication with the dosing unit.

In some embodiments, the beverage additive unit comprises a pump unit having a pump inlet in liquid communication with the additive container and a pump outlet. The pump has an operating state and a rest state, the pump being biased to the rest state, for example by a biasing mechanism such as a spring. The pump outlet is in fluid communication with the additive dispensing nozzle; the additive dispensing nozzle may be positioned adjacent to the beverage outlet of the beverage dispenser when the additive unit is received in the adapter unit. The actuation member is user operable and is configured for switching the pump from the deactivated state to the operational state.

A non-limiting example of a pump unit is a dispensing pump; however, other types of pumps (e.g., electrically controlled pumps) are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the pump unit may include a piston member that is fitted within a piston bore in which the piston may reciprocate axially. The piston member has a hollow shaft with a piston plug at a front end thereof, the hollow shaft having a front aperture defined in the piston plug and a rear opening defining the pump outlet. A dosing chamber is defined between the pump inlet and the piston plug, a front orifice of the piston member opening into the dosing chamber. The piston member is axially reciprocable between a forward position corresponding to the operational condition, in which the front surface of the piston plug is adjacent the pump inlet, and a rearward position corresponding to the inactive condition, in which the front surface of the piston plug is remote from the pump inlet. The piston member is biased to the rearward position.

The transition of the piston member from the rearward position (corresponding to the deactivated state of the pump unit) to the forward position (corresponding to the operating state of the pump unit) is caused by an actuation member rigidly coupled to the rear portion of the pump unit; axial depression of the actuating member causes axial movement of the piston member, thereby displacing the piston member from the rearward position to the forward position. In some embodiments, such actuation may be user-operated (e.g., by pressing a user-operated button).

Since the dosing chamber is defined between the pump inlet and the piston plug of the piston member, an axial displacement of the piston member changes the volume of the dosing chamber. As will be described below, when the dosing chamber is full of additive, pressing on the actuating member and displacing the piston member to its forward position will cause the volume of the chamber to decrease, causing the additive to be forced out of the chamber through the front orifice, into the hollow shaft, and from there to the pump outlet. When the piston member is moved back to its rearward position, the volume of the chamber increases, allowing a new dose of additive to be drawn into the chamber from the additive reservoir through the pump inlet.

The dose of additive to be dispensed is thus determined by the volume of the dosing chamber and the degree of displacement of the piston member within the dosing chamber.

In some embodiments, the front orifice has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the pump inlet. This difference in diameter causes a pressure gradient to form along the chamber as the piston member is displaced from the forward position to the rearward position. This pressure gradient creates a pumping effect causing liquid additive to be pumped from the additive container into the dosing chamber.

The pump inlet may comprise a seat portion configured to react with the flow restricting element, the flow restricting element being displaceable to a seat engaging position when the piston member is in its forward position. When the piston member is in its forward position, the flow restricting element is pushed against the seat by the pressure developed in the cavity due to the reduction in the volume of the cavity (when the cavity is filled with liquid additive), thereby preventing the additive from flowing from the additive container into the dosing cavity. When the piston member is in its rearward position, the flow restricting element is biased to the seat-out position by a pressure gradient formed along the cavity due to the difference in diameter between the pump inlet and the front orifice of the piston member, such pressure gradient causing a suction effect. Thus, when the piston member is in its rearward position, the additive is allowed and caused by said pressure gradient to flow from the container into the dosing chamber.

The additive container may be rigid, i.e. have a defined constant volume.

However, in other embodiments, the additive container may be elastic or semi-elastic. In the case where the additive container is elastic (or semi-elastic), the dosing unit may comprise a plunger having a proximal end associated with the actuation member and a distal end in contact with the wall of the elastic additive container. Such a plunger may have a distal position and a proximal position and be biased to the proximal position such that pressing the plunger in a distal direction against the actuation member will cause the wall to elastically deform, thereby dispensing a dose of additive contained in the additive container. In such embodiments, a biasing element, such as a coil spring, may be fitted around the stem of the plunger, thereby biasing the plunger to its proximal position.

In some embodiments, the additive container may be housed within the beverage additive unit in a manner that allows the additive container to be removed from the additive unit and replaced by a user. Alternatively, the additive container may be an integral part of the beverage additive unit, e.g. defined as an interior space within the additive unit. The container may be refilled. In some embodiments, the entire beverage additive unit may be disposable.

To enable a user to connect the beverage additive unit to the adapter unit, in some embodiments the beverage additive unit may comprise a connection element for detachable connection to the adapter unit.

As mentioned above, the adapter unit is configured for detachable fitting onto or into an outlet module of the beverage dispenser, thereby enabling a user to selectively attach various functional units (such as beverage additive units) to the dispenser.

In some embodiments, the adapter unit may be configured for snap fitting onto or into the outlet of the beverage dispenser. The adapter unit may comprise an attachment recess configured for fitting into or onto an outlet module of the beverage dispenser such that, once the beverage additive unit is fitted into the adapter, the beverage additive unit is positioned within the adapter so as not to interfere with the operation of the dispensing outlet of the beverage dispenser and/or not to couple to the outlet of the beverage dispenser.

For this purpose, the adapter unit generally comprises an adapter opening for receiving a mating connection element of the beverage additive unit. Once the connecting element of the beverage additive unit is fitted into the adapter opening, the dispensing nozzle of the beverage additive unit is typically positioned adjacent to the beverage outlet of the dispenser, enabling dispensing of the additive during operation of the beverage dispenser, however without the need to couple the additive unit to the beverage flow line of the dispenser.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a beverage additive unit for removable connection to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser, as described herein. The beverage additive unit comprises: an additive container; a pump unit having a pump inlet disposed within the additive container and a pump outlet, the pump having an operational state and a deactivated state and being biased to the deactivated state, the pump outlet being in fluid communication with the additive outlet; and an actuation member for switching the pump from the deactivated state to the operating state.

An adapter for removable connection to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser to allow attachment of various functional elements to the dispenser is also an aspect of the present disclosure. The adapter includes an attachment recess configured for fitting into or onto an outlet nozzle of a beverage dispenser (e.g., the attachment recess is sized to receive the outlet nozzle of the beverage dispenser), and an accessory opening for receiving and positioning the accessory unit substantially vertically below the outlet nozzle.

The adapter is configured to receive various accessories having different functions, such as the beverage additive unit disclosed here. Another example of an accessory for attachment to an adapter is a tube configured to be in liquid communication with an outlet of a beverage dispenser once the accessory is received in the adapter, such as a flexible tube or a rigid tube, which may or may not be telescoping. The function of such a tube fitment is to extend the dispensing outlet of the beverage dispenser, for example to allow filling of a vessel having a size that does not allow fitting into or below the outlet of the beverage dispenser.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a better understanding of the subject matter disclosed herein and to illustrate how the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A-1B are top isometric and top views, respectively, of a removable adapter unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A-2B show a beverage dispenser with an adapter connected to an outlet module (fig. 2A) and a beverage dispenser without an adapter (fig. 2B).

3A-3B illustrate top isometric views of an additive unit configured for removable connection to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser via an adapter according to embodiments of the present disclosure; fig. 3A is an isometric view from a front top view and fig. 3B is an isometric view from a rear top view.

Fig. 4A shows the additive unit of fig. 3A-3B in a side view.

Fig. 4B-4C are cross-sections of the additive unit of fig. 4A taken along line IV-IV in a deactivated state (fig. 4B) and an operational state (fig. 4C).

Fig. 4D is a cross-section of the cell of fig. 4A along line IV '-IV'.

Fig. 4E is a cross-section of the cell of fig. 3A along line IV "-IV".

Fig. 5A illustrates a side view of an exemplary accessory configured to be received within the adapter of fig. 1A-1B.

Fig. 5B-5C are longitudinal sections of the system of fig. 5A in a retracted state (fig. 5B) and an extended state (fig. 5C).

Fig. 6A-6C are perspective views of another exemplary accessory (fig. 6A) configured to be received within an adapter (fig. 6B and 6C) according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

As mentioned above, the present disclosure relates to systems for removable fitting to beverage dispensers that enable a user to temporarily connect various accessories to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser, thereby providing further functionality to the beverage dispenser.

A detachable adapter unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in fig. 1A-1B. The adapter unit 100 is configured for removable fitting to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser (e.g., a water dispenser). The adapter 100 includes an outlet attachment recess 102 defined in an adapter body 104. The groove 102 has an axial opening (i.e., an open end along the axis 103). In this particular non-limiting example, the recess is defined by rails 106 extending generally parallel to the axis 103, each rail having a protruding member 108, the protruding member 108 protruding into the opening of the recess, and each rail being configured for engagement with a wall 111 of the outlet module of the beverage dispenser (best seen in fig. 2B) once the adapter is fitted into the dispenser in the direction indicated by arrow 112, and thus attached to the outlet module.

The adapter 100 further comprises an outlet nozzle receiving space 110, which outlet nozzle receiving space 110 accommodates one or more outlet nozzles 113 of the beverage dispenser (as better seen in fig. 2A) once the adapter 100 is assembled to the outlet module. Thus, the adapter is configured for fitting onto and attaching to the outlet module without interfering with the function of the outlet nozzle.

The adapter further comprises an accessory opening 114, which accessory opening 114 is positioned vertically below (along the vertical axis 105) the outlet nozzle receiving space 110. As will be described below, the accessory opening 114 is configured to receive an accessory such that once the accessory is received within the accessory opening, the accessory is positioned and held vertically below the beverage outlet nozzle. Thus, a separation is created between the nozzle and the accessory such that the accessory does not interfere with the operation of the beverage nozzle, but water can be supplied to the accessory from the nozzle if desired.

As mentioned above, the adapter is configured to receive various accessories, each accessory providing a different additional function for the outlet module.

One example of an accessory according to the present disclosure is a beverage additive unit 200 visible in fig. 3A-4E. The beverage additive unit 200 includes a dowel pin 202 that is sized to be received in the accessory opening 114 (visible in fig. 2A) such that when the accessory is fitted into the adapter, the accessory is fixed in a position vertically below the outlet nozzle, but does not interfere with the function of the outlet nozzle (i.e., allows beverage/water to be freely dispensed from the nozzle even though the beverage additive unit is attached to the adapter).

The beverage additive unit 200 further includes a cavity 204, the cavity 204 being configured to engage and receive the body 104 of the adapter. The walls 206 of the cavity are configured with internal tracks 208, which internal tracks 208 are designed to engage with mating external tracks 118 formed on the external face of the adapter 100, such that when an additive unit is slid into the adapter unit in the direction indicated by arrow 207, the internal tracks 208 are allowed to slidingly displace on the external tracks 118. When the additive unit is fitted into the adapter, the protrusions 116 formed on the outer surface of the adapter body 104 are received in mating cutouts 210 formed at the rear end of the cavity 204, thereby securing the additive unit to the adapter.

The additive unit 200 includes an additive container 212 contained within the additive unit 200. The container 212 (best seen in fig. 4B-4C) may be a separate container, i.e. a container made to be contained within the additive unit. Alternatively, the container may be an integral part of the additive unit, for example defined as an interior space within the unit. The container may be refilled, for example, via user port 214; however, it is also envisaged that in case the entire additive unit is disposable, the container will be sealed (without user accessibility).

Visible in detail in fig. 4B-4C is a dosing unit for dosing and dispensing an additive from an additive container. The dosing unit, generally indicated at 220, includes a pump assembly 222, the pump assembly 222 having a pump inlet 224, the pump inlet 224 being connected to a conduit 225, the tip of the conduit 225 being disposed within the additive container 212 so as to provide fluid communication between the pump assembly and the additive container. The pump assembly further comprises a pump outlet 230 (visible in fig. 4D) connected to an additive outlet 228 defined at the bottom of the additive unit. When the additive unit is secured within the adapter, the additive outlet 228 is designed to be positioned close to the outlet nozzle 113 of the beverage dispenser, allowing a user to dispense the additive directly into the vessel to be filled with the beverage, but without coming into contact with the beverage outlet of the dispenser, thereby preventing unwanted contamination of the beverage outlet by the additive.

The pump assembly 222 includes a piston member 232 that is fitted within a piston bore 234. The piston member has a hollow shaft 236, the hollow shaft 236 extending along a front-to-rear axis 238 and having a front aperture 240 and a rear opening 242 connected to the pump outlet. The front orifice 240 typically has a smaller diameter than the pump inlet 224 to allow a pressure gradient to form along the dosing chamber 246 during pump operation, as will be explained below.

The pump assembly further includes a hollow piston plug 244 attached to the front portion of the shaft having a front aperture 240, wherein the front aperture 240 is defined in a front wall of the piston plug. A dosing chamber 246 is defined between the pump inlet 224 and the piston plug 244, with the front orifice 240 opening into the dosing chamber. Since both the shaft 236 and the piston plug 244 are hollow, a fluid flow line is also formed between the additive container and the additive outlet, between the pump inlet and the pump outlet. The piston member reciprocates axially along an axis 238 between a rearward position shown in fig. 4B and a forward position shown in fig. 4C.

The pump assembly 222 is rigidly connected to an actuation member 248, the actuation member 248 being configured to be axially displaced in the direction of arrow 250 when pressed thereon by a user. Since the piston assembly is rigidly connected to the actuating member 248, pressing on the actuating member 248 will cause the piston member to be axially displaced to the forward position, switching the pump assembly into the operational state. As can be seen in fig. 4E, the actuation member 248 is also associated with a biasing member (e.g., spring 252) located within the additive unit that returns the actuation member 248 to the non-operational position when pressure is released from the biasing member; since the pump assembly 222 is rigidly connected to the actuation member, this also biases the pump assembly to its rearward position.

In the exemplary embodiment, pump inlet 224 includes a seat portion 254, and seat portion 254 is configured to receive a flow restriction element 256 (e.g., in the form of a ball). When the piston member 232 is in its forward position, the flow restricting element 256 is displaceable to a seat engaging position (as shown in fig. 4C) in which the flow restricting element is pushed against the seat, thereby preventing the flow of additive from the additive container into the dosing chamber. When the piston is in its rearward position, the flow restricting element 256 is displaced to the seat-out position by a pressure gradient formed along the dosing chamber due to the difference in diameter between the pump inlet 224 and the front orifice 240 of the piston member 232.

In operation, the transition of the piston member 232 from the rearward position (corresponding to the deactivated state of the pump unit) to the forward position (corresponding to the operational state of the pump unit) is effected by an actuating member 248, which actuating member 248 is rigidly coupled to the rear portion of the pump unit; axial depression of the actuating member 248 in the direction of arrow 250 causes axial movement of the piston member 232, thereby displacing the piston member from the rearward position to the forward position.

Since the dosing chamber 246 is defined between the pump inlet 224 and the piston plug 244 of the piston member 232, axial displacement of the piston member changes the volume of the dosing chamber. When the dispensing chamber is full of additive, pressing on the actuating member and displacing the piston member to its forward position will cause the volume of chamber 246 to decrease, forcing the additive contained in the chamber to be dispensed out of chamber 246 through front orifice 240 into hollow shaft 236 and from hollow shaft 236 to rear opening 242 connected to pump outlet 230. The reduced volume of the chamber due to displacement of the piston member also creates an internal pressure within the chamber (as the additive is typically in the form of an incompressible liquid), causing the flow restricting element 256 to be pushed against the seat 254, thereby preventing the flow of additive from the additive container into the dosing chamber. This allows the amount of additive dispensed to be limited by the change in volume of the dispensing chamber 246, thereby enabling the amount of additive added to the beverage to be limited and controlled.

When the piston member 232 is displaced back to its rearward position (e.g., when pressure is released from the actuating member 248, by the biasing force of the spring 252), the volume of the chamber 246 increases and pressure is released from the flow restricting element 256, allowing the flow restricting element 256 to disengage from the seat. This allows a new dose of additive to be drawn from the additive container 212 into the cavity through the pump inlet 224 due to the pumping effect caused by the pressure gradient created in the cavity 246 due to the size difference between the pump inlet 224 and the front orifice 240.

In this manner, the volume of the dispensing chamber 246 determines the maximum dose of additive to be dispensed in a single operating cycle.

Another accessory configured for fitting into an adapter is shown in fig. 5A-5C. In fig. 5A-5C, an adapter 300 having a structure similar to that of adapter 100 is configured for removably connecting an extension tube, generally indicated at 304, configured to be placed in fluid communication with an outlet of a beverage dispenser once an accessory is received in the adapter. Similar to the additive unit 200, the extension tube 304 includes a locating pin 302, which locating pin 302 is configured to be received in an accessory opening 306 formed in the adapter 300, thereby locating the accessory vertically below the beverage outlet of the dispenser. The extension tube may include a tube assembly 308, the tube assembly 308 comprising a plurality of sections, in this example three sections, 308A, 308B, 308C, telescopically fitted one into the other, the tube assembly allowing a user to vary the length of the extension tube as desired. The function of such a tube fitment is to extend the dispensing outlet of the beverage dispenser, for example, to allow filling of a vessel having a size that does not allow fitting into or below the outlet of the beverage dispenser. It is also contemplated that tube assembly 308 may permit rotational displacement (along arrow 312) about axis 310.

Another accessory 400 that functions similarly to extension tube 304 is shown in fig. 6A-6C. The accessory 400 is a detachable flexible tube 402 (shown in folded form) configured to be directly connected to the outlet nozzle 113 by a detachable adapter 404, the detachable adapter 404 being used to detachably connect the tube 402 to the outlet nozzle 113 of the beverage dispenser. The adapter 404 includes an attachment recess 406, the attachment recess 406 being configured for fitting over an outlet nozzle (not shown). In another example (not shown), the adapter 404 may be snap fit or rotated into the nozzle 113 or onto the nozzle 113. The adapter 404 has an outlet nozzle receiving space 408, which outlet nozzle receiving space 408 is configured to receive a beverage outlet nozzle of the dispenser once the adapter is fitted into the outlet 113 or onto the outlet 113. The adapter further comprises an accessory opening, such as a tube receiving opening 410, the tube receiving opening 410 for detachably receiving a first end 412 of the flexible tube 402 such that, once connected into the adapter 404, the first end is positioned substantially vertically below the outlet nozzle 113, thereby allowing beverage to be directed from the outlet nozzle through the tube 402 for filling a container remote from the dispenser with beverage. In this particular example, the first end 412 of the tube 402 and the adapter 404 are configured for association via mating L-shaped recesses 414A and 414B formed in the first end 412 and the adapter 404, respectively. However, any other suitable detachable attachment configuration is contemplated as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system for detachably connecting to a beverage outlet module of a beverage dispenser for dosing an additive, the system comprising:

a detachable adapter unit for fitting on or in the outlet module, and

a beverage additive unit detachably connected to the adapter unit, the beverage additive unit comprising:

the additive container is provided with a plurality of openings,

a dosing unit in fluid communication with the additive container; and

an actuation member for operating the dosing unit and causing a dose of additive to be dispensed from the additive container into an additive dispensing nozzle in liquid communication with the dosing unit;

the beverage additive unit comprises:

a pump assembly having a pump inlet in fluid communication with the additive container and a pump outlet, the pump of the pump assembly having an operational state and a deactivated state and being biased to the deactivated state, the pump outlet being in fluid communication with the additive dispensing nozzle, the actuation member being configured for switching the pump from the deactivated state to the operational state;

the pump assembly is a dispensing pump and includes a piston member that fits within a piston bore, the piston member having:

a hollow shaft having a piston plug at a front end thereof, the hollow shaft having a front aperture defined in the piston plug and a rear opening defining the pump outlet; and

a dosing chamber defined between the pump inlet and the piston plug, the front orifice of the piston member opening into the dosing chamber,

the piston member is axially reciprocable within the piston bore between a forward position and a rearward position corresponding to the operational state and the deactivated state of the dispensing pump, respectively, the piston member being biased to the rearward position.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the front orifice has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the pump inlet.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump inlet includes a seat portion configured to react to a flow restricting element that is displaceable to a seat engagement position for preventing the flow of additive from the container into the dosing chamber when the piston member is in its forward position, and biased to a seat disengagement position when the piston member is in its rearward position, allowing the flow of additive from the container into the dosing chamber.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuation member is coupled to a rear portion of the dispensing pump, whereby depressing the actuation member causes axial movement of the piston member to displace from the rearward position to the forward position.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the actuation member is a user operated button.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the additive container is resilient and the dosing unit comprises a plunger having a proximal end associated with the actuation member and a distal end in contact with a wall of the additive container, the plunger having a distal position and a proximal position and being biased to the proximal position such that pressing the plunger in a distal direction on the actuation member causes the wall to elastically deform, thereby dispensing a dose of additive held in the additive container.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein a biasing element fits around the stem of the plunger, thereby biasing the plunger to the proximal position.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the beverage additive unit comprises a connection element for detachable connection to the adapter unit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter unit is configured for snap-fitting into the outlet module of the beverage dispenser.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the adapter unit comprises an attachment recess for receiving a mating connection element of the beverage additive unit.

11. The system of claim 1, configured to receive the beverage additive unit such that when the beverage additive unit is received in the adapter unit, the additive dispensing nozzle and a dispensing outlet of the dispenser are separated from each other.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter unit is detachably connected to the outlet module of the beverage dispenser.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the beverage additive unit is disposable.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the additive container is configured to contain an additive in liquid form.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the additive is in a liquid form of a pure ingredient selected from the group consisting of suspensions, solutions, and emulsions, microemulsions, and liquid forms.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of minerals, flavors, food supplements, flavoring concentrates, vitamins, and nutrients.

17. The system of claim 7, wherein the biasing element is a coil spring.

18. A beverage additive unit for removable connection to an outlet module of a beverage dispenser, the unit comprising:

the additive container is provided with a plurality of openings,

a pump unit having a pump inlet disposed within the additive container and a pump outlet, the pump of the pump unit having an operational state and a deactivated state, the pump being biased to the deactivated state, the pump outlet being in fluid communication with the additive outlet;

a user-actuatable member for switching the pump from the deactivated state to the operational state;

the pump unit is a dispensing pump and includes a piston member that fits within a piston bore, the piston member having: