A water purifier comprising a pre-treatment filter connectable to an inlet flow path; an auxiliary filter including a filter cap and a filter body, connectable to a first connection flow path; a membrane filter including a filter cap and a filter body, so that water discharged from the auxiliary filter is introduced through a second connection flow path; a post-treatment filter including a filter cap and a filter body, so that water discharged from the membrane filter is introduced through a third connection flow path; a branch flow path that branches off from an upstream side of the first connection flow path and merges on a downstream side of the first connection flow path; an electrolysis module arrangeable along the branch flow path; and an opening/closing valve arrangeable along the first connection flow path so that water flows to the first connection flow path or the branch flow path.

A water-dispensing device includes a cold water tank and a fill valve. The tank is in selective fluid communication with a water intake via the fill valve. The device further includes a cold dispensing valve, a spigot in selective fluid communication with the tank via the cold dispensing valve, an ozone generator in fluid communication with the tank, and a drip tray positioned beneath the spigot. The drip tray is in fluid communication with a drain via a drain hose. A controller is configured to perform a cleaning operation by: (i) activating the ozone generator to ozonate water stored in the tank, (ii) opening the cold dispensing valve to empty the tank by dispensing the ozonated water from the tank through the spigot and into the drip tray, and (iii) upon determining the tank is empty, opening the fill valve to refill the tank.

A water-dispensing device includes a cold water tank and a fill valve. The tank is in selective fluid communication with a water intake via the fill valve. The device further includes a cold dispensing valve, a spigot in selective fluid communication with the tank via the cold dispensing valve, an ozone generator in fluid communication with the tank, and a drip tray positioned beneath the spigot. The drip tray is in fluid communication with a drain via a drain hose. A controller is configured to perform a cleaning operation by: (i) activating the ozone generator to ozonate water stored in the tank, (ii) opening the cold dispensing valve to empty the tank by dispensing the ozonated water from the tank through the spigot and into the drip tray, and (iii) upon determining the tank is empty, opening the fill valve to refill the tank.

A method for controlling sterilization of a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing accommodating components for generating cold water and/or hot water; a water chute which protrudes from a front surface of the housing and includes a water outflow part extending downward; and a light emitting element which is mounted inside the water chute corresponding to an upper end of the water outflow part and emits ultraviolet rays for sterilization, and the method includes when a sterilization mode is started, turning on the light emitting element for a first set time and to emit ultraviolet rays through the water outflow part; and after the lapse of the first set time, turning off the light emitting element for a second set time to stop emission of ultraviolet rays, in which a sterilization cycle is defined as a sum of the first set time and the second set time, in which the sterilization mode is started at the same time when the water purifier is powered on, and in which the first set time is set such that the sterilization mode is performed for one day so that the amount of ultraviolet rays emitted to the outside of the water outflow part is less than 3 mJ/cm.sup.2 during the accumulated on time of the light emitting element.

A dispensing system including: a pressure vessel with an inlet and an outlet; a first CF Valve coupled to the inlet; a second CF Valve coupled to the outlet; a bag with elements in the bag coupled to the outlet and located inside the pressure vessel; and a pressure source coupled to the first CF Valve where the first CF Valve pressurizes the pressure vessel via the pressure source to transport elements in the bag to the second CF Valve via the outlet and the second CF Valve dispenses the elements to a dispensing area.

A dispensing system including: a pressure vessel with an inlet and an outlet; a first CF Valve coupled to the inlet; a second CF Valve coupled to the outlet; a bag with elements in the bag coupled to the outlet and located inside the pressure vessel; and a pressure source coupled to the first CF Valve where the first CF Valve pressurizes the pressure vessel via the pressure source to transport elements in the bag to the second CF Valve via the outlet and the second CF Valve dispenses the elements to a dispensing area.

A system for transporting beverage includes a container, an output port, a first length of tubing, a first gas source, and a valve. The container has a volume of beverage disposed therein. The first length of tubing has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the container. The second end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the output port. The first gas source is fluidly coupled to the container via a second length of tubing. The second gas source is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The valve has at least a first port and a second port. The first port of the valve is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The second port is fluidly coupled to a clearing fluid source.

A system for transporting beverage includes a container, an output port, a first length of tubing, a first gas source, and a valve. The container has a volume of beverage disposed therein. The first length of tubing has a first end and a second end. The first end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the container. The second end of the first length of tubing is fluidly coupled to the output port. The first gas source is fluidly coupled to the container via a second length of tubing. The second gas source is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The valve has at least a first port and a second port. The first port of the valve is fluidly coupled to the first length of tubing. The second port is fluidly coupled to a clearing fluid source.

A dispenser system includes a first container configured to contain a first fluid, a second container configured to contain a second fluid, a faucet coupled with the first container and the second container via first and second hoses, respectively, and including first and second switches installed on the faucet, and a controller configured to control dispensing of the first and second fluids through the faucet. When the first switch is turned on while the second switch is turned off, the controller dispenses the first fluid to the faucet through the first hose. When the first switch is turned off while the second switch is turned on, the controller dispenses the second fluid to the faucet through the second hose. The dispenser system is configured and dimensioned to prevent cross contamination between the first and second hoses.

A dispensing system including: a pressure vessel with an inlet and an outlet; a first CF Valve coupled to the inlet; a second CF Valve coupled to the outlet; a bag with elements in the bag coupled to the outlet and located inside the pressure vessel; and a pressure source coupled to the first CF Valve where the first CF Valve pressurizes the pressure vessel via the pressure source to transport elements in the bag to the second CF Valve via the outlet and the second CF Valve dispenses the elements to a dispensing area.