A fluid line monitoring and control assembly for detecting foaming and terminating flow in a beverage line includes a valve and a flow meter, which are insertable in-line with a conduit connecting a storage vessel to a dispensing tap, such that the valve is positioned proximate to the storage vessel. The valve can close the conduit to prevent flow of a beverage therethrough. The flow meter quantifies flow and can detect at least one parameter indicative of each of a liquid state and a foam state of the beverage and generates first and second signals, corresponding thereto. A controller receives the first signal and the second signal from the flow meter. Foam in line programming code positioned on the controller enables the controller to selectively actuate the valve to close the conduit upon receipt of the second signal. The valve limits flow of the beverage in the foam state past the valve.

An example system includes an incompressible, airtight pressurized container operable to maintain a pressure level in an internal pressurized environment, a transport system including at least two liquid transport conduits, and a mixing component, the two liquid conduits each being releasably coupled to a pressurized container interface coupled to the pressurized container and a dispensing interface, each liquid transport conduit including a controllable valve to enable or disable a flow of the liquid volume, the pressurized container interface capable of maintaining the pressure level, the mixing component being coupled to the at least two liquid transport conduits and the dispensing interface, a pressure regulation system connected to the pressurized container, the pressure regulation system operable to exert and maintain the pressure level within the pressurized container to enable compression of the first compressible liquid volume, and a control system operable to control the controllable valves and the pressure regulation system.

A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The attachment mechanism may comprise an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, and a valve assembly. The engagement assembly may generally receive the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. The piercing portion may generally pierce the cartridge, thereby releasing the contents of the cartridge into the container. The valve assembly may generally open upon engagement of the cartridge with the attachment mechanism. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage.

A post-mix beverage dispenser utilizing a liquid concentrate in a self-pressurized container is provided. The beverage dispenser includes a connector and flow control valve to regulate the pressure of the liquid concentrate in the system. The liquid concentrate and diluent are mixed at the nozzle of the post-mix beverage dispense.

Coupler device 100 for fluidly connecting a beverage chamber of a beverage container to a beverage dispensing line. The coupler device comprises a beverage conduit 80 extending between an inlet which is configured for being connected to a first dispensing line part attached to the beverage container and an outlet 82 which is configured for being connected a second dispensing line part attached to a dispenser. The beverage conduit 80 includes a horizontally extending beverage conduit section 83 that defines a horizontal flow path for the beverage, wherein, at the beverage conduit section, the coupler device comprises a reflux valve arranged for preventing a reflux flow of beverage through the beverage conduit from the outlet to the inlet of the coupler device. The reflux valve includes a movable valve element 84 which is movable relative to the beverage conduit section along the horizontal flow path for enabling a beverage pressure surge in the dispensing line to travel across the valve.

A plastic beer keg includes an outer container and a liner having a neck portion and a body portion. A removable lid is secured over an opening of the container to enclose the liner. A locking ring secures the neck portion to the lid. The neck optionally includes a neck ring which interlocks with the opening through the lid to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The locking ring optionally includes ratcheting teeth engaging ratchet teeth on the lid to prevent inadvertent loosening of the locking ring. The liner may be suspended from the lid by the neck when empty.

Among other things, beverages are dispensed from one or more beverage dispensers based on selections made by users. Information about the dispensing of the beverages is sent to a central server where it is used to manage a variety of functions including replacement of depleted supplies of components. Various features of the beverage dispensers enable the beverages that are dispensed to be uniform and appealing to users.

A dispensing apparatus (20; 300; 400) comprises: a freezing cylinder (40); a water flowpath (526); a first controllable valve (130) along the water flowpath; a syrup flowpath (528), merging with the water flowpath and proceeding as a water/syrup flowpath (552) to the freezing cylinder; and a second controllable valve (132) along the syrup flowpath. The first controllable valve and the second controllable valve each comprise: a valve body (144; 432) having a cartridge compartment (164,166), an inlet (176) to the cartridge compartment, and an outlet (178) from the cartridge compartment; and a valve cartridge (162). The valve cartridge comprises: a cartridge body (200) mounted in the cartridge compartment; a valve element (222) carried by the cartridge body and shiftable between a first condition permitting communication between the inlet and the outlet and a second condition blocking communication between the inlet and the outlet; and a solenoid (224) carried by the cartridge body and coupled to the valve element to drive movement of the valve element.

A valve comprises a body having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. A shuttle is shiftable between: a first position permitting communication between the first inlet and the outlet and blocking communication between the second inlet and the outlet; and a second position permitting communication between the second inlet and the outlet and blocking communication between the first inlet and the outlet. One or more permanent magnets are positioned to bias the shuttle away from a neutral position between the first position and the second position, wherein the valve further comprises: one or more electromagnets positioned to, in at least one condition of energization, counter said bias.

A beverage dispensing nozzle includes a housing having an upper end opposite a lower end, and an inlet at the upper end that is configured to be placed in communication with a source of a base liquid. The beverage dispensing nozzle further includes a chamber within the housing and in communication with the inlet. An aerator is in communication with the chamber, and the aerator includes a plate having apertures. A flavor inlet valve is in communication with a source of a flavoring and is arranged downstream of the aerator. The flavor inlet valve is configured to dispense the flavoring into the housing. The beverage dispensing nozzle additionally includes a nozzle tip arranged at the lower end of the housing.