A dispense control system for a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispensing assembly defines a base plane for receiving a container. A dispense control system includes an emitter for directing a beam of energy toward the container and the base plane and a receiver for detecting a projection of the beam of energy in an image plane of the receiver. The dispense control system may be configured to obtain a measured displacement of the projection when the container is positioned on the base plane, and an actual height of the container or a liquid level within the container may be determined from the measured displacement of the projection.

A beverage dispenser includes an inlet for drawing a liquid from a source and an outlet for outputting a beverage to a portable user vessel. A demineralization device demineralizes the liquid from the source and has an input and an output. The input of the demineralization device is coupled with the inlet. A beverage preparation device has an input and an output. The input of the beverage preparation device is coupled with the output of the demineralization device and the output of the beverage preparation device is coupled with the outlet. The beverage preparation device, the outlet, all active components and all passive components downstream of the demineralization device contacting the beverage are made of a biological inert material, particularly a biological inert metal, on any surface contacting the water. All couplings of the beverage dispenser are manufactured such that stagnation even of small quantities of beverage is avoided.

A water spout sanitary cover is provided. The cover is disposable and is configured to fit over a portion of the water spout to provide a sanitary layer. The cover may prevent microbial transfer between the spout, water, and a vessel being filled with water. The cover is disposable, and replaceable, and may be provided in a stacked dispenser.

A needle for accessing a container having a closure, such as a cork of a wine bottle. The needle includes one or more lumens which may have a screen to resist passage of materials over a threshold size from a distal end of the lumen to a proximal end. The screen may help allow a cork to reseal after the needle is withdrawn from the cork, help resist blockage of an opening to the lumen (whether with cork or other material) and/or help prevent foreign matter from interfering with operation of one or more portions of the dispenser (such as cork particles preventing valve from opening or closing).

According to the invention, in order to create a container (1) for receiving beverages, in particular a drinks container or drinks cup, at least comprising a base (2) and a circumferential wall (3) projecting approximately perpendicularly from the base (2), which can be produced particularly inexpensively, can be filled within a minimum time and can be securely sealed after the filling, the wall (3) has openings (4) via which the container (1) can be filled with a beverage, wherein the openings (4) can be closed after the filling via a sealing means that is/can be applied from outside to the outer surface of the wall (3). The invention also relates to a device that can fill a container of this type with a corresponding beverage, such as beer or a soft drink, within a minimum time, said device being simple to operate, inexpensive and simple to produce and having a long service life.

A refrigerator contains a dispenser for ice and/or liquid. A dispenser housing covers an opening in an outer shell of the refrigerator. The dispenser housing delimits a dispenser recess that extends outward and upward over an upper edge of the opening and is assembled from at least one main part, which extends from a lower edge of the opening over a rear wall to a front edge of a ceiling of the dispenser housing, and a filling part, which extends from the front edge to an upper edge of the opening.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a smart water dispenser and a control method thereof. The smart water dispenser includes: a mechanical switch, an electronic switch and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether water usage is normal according to ON/OFF states of the mechanical and the electronic switches; if so, to indicate a water discharged volume detection unit to collect a water discharged volume; and otherwise, to turn off the electronic switch and transmit a play instruction to a voice playback unit. The control method includes: detecting states of the mechanical switch and the electronic switch in real time; determining whether the mechanical switch is in the ON state when the electronic switch is switched from the OFF state to the ON state; if so, turning off the electronic switch and outputting a prompt voice; and otherwise, collecting the water discharged volume when the mechanical switch is switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

A dispensing system having a treatment cartridge utilizing linear translation of the treatment cartridge within the manifold to actuate a valve to dispense a fluid. To dispense the fluid, a person pushes their glass or other container against a dispensing lever that translates the treatment cartridge within the manifold causing a cam surface on the filter's circumferential exterior to actuate a valve sending the fluid from the valve though the treatment cartridge and out a dispensing orifice in the treatment cartridge into the glass.

A beverage dispensing system for selectively dispensing a beverage in a vehicle includes a vehicle that has a cabin and an outer surface. A refrigerator is positioned within the vehicle and the refrigerator contains and cools a beverage. A dispensing unit is fluidly coupled to the refrigerator and the dispensing unit selectively dispenses the beverage. The dispensing unit is positioned within the cabin to be accessible to a driver of the vehicle. A charging unit is coupled to the vehicle thereby facilitating the charging to be exposed to sunlight. The charging unit converts sunlight into electrical energy and the charging unit is electrically coupled to the refrigerator and the dispensing unit.

An autofill system for a container where the liquid fill level is adjustable. A proximity sensor is used in conjunction with an adjustable displacement caused by the weight of the liquid to provide for an autofill system with a user selectable liquid fill level.