Systems and methods are provided for dispensing ice and at least one liquid, and related cleaning processes. In one embodiment, the system comprises an ice bin for storing a quantity of ice particles, a dispensing tube for carrying at least a first liquid, and a discharge chute in communication with a discharge outlet, wherein the discharge chute is disposed upstream of the discharge outlet. An outlet end of the dispensing tube is positioned within a portion of the ice bin at a location aligned above the discharge outlet. The ice particles and the first liquid are dispensed through the discharge outlet separately or at the same time.

A beer line dispensing and cleaning system has a keg tapping head for connection to an outlet of a beer keg. A beer dispensing line is connected between the keg tapping head and a beer dispensing tap. An electrolytic ozone generator has a water inlet for connection to a water supply and an ozone water outlet for connection by an ozone water line to the beer dispensing line for delivery of ozone water through the beer dispensing line to sanitize the beer dispensing line.

The invention relates to an appliance for the automated preparation of beverages, comprising a dispensing element (1), which comprises a plurality of dispensing openings (2) for dispensing individual beverage ingredients, and also comprising a washing device (3) for dispensing a washing fluid, wherein the washing device (3) is arranged in a retaining region (5) at a location remote from the dispensing element (1), wherein the washing device (3) can be removed from the retaining region (5), and wherein an accommodating region (4), which is designed to accommodate at least part of the washing device (3), is provided on the dispensing element (1), wherein a valve element (2) is provided, said valve element comprising a flushing-fluid inlet (23), an ingredients inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (25), which is connected to at least one dispensing opening (2), wherein the flushing-fluid inlet (23) opens out into a flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients inlet (24) opens out into an ingredients channel, and wherein the flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients channel come together to form a common fluid channel, which opens out into the fluid outlet (25).

The invention relates to an appliance for the automated preparation of beverages, comprising a dispensing element (1), which comprises a plurality of dispensing openings (2) for dispensing individual beverage ingredients, and also comprising a washing device (3) for dispensing a washing fluid, wherein the washing device (3) is arranged in a retaining region (5) at a location remote from the dispensing element (1), wherein the washing device (3) can be removed from the retaining region (5), and wherein an accommodating region (4), which is designed to accommodate at least part of the washing device (3), is provided on the dispensing element (1), wherein a valve element (2) is provided, said valve element comprising a flushing-fluid inlet (23), an ingredients inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (25), which is connected to at least one dispensing opening (2), wherein the flushing-fluid inlet (23) opens out into a flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients inlet (24) opens out into an ingredients channel, and wherein the flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients channel come together to form a common fluid channel, which opens out into the fluid outlet (25).

An example of a beverage dispenser includes a nozzle and a valve coupled upstream of the nozzle. A sensor is operable to detect an object within a detection zone and provide a signal representative of a distance between the object and the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a sub-zone from a plurality of sub-zones within the detection zone in which the object is located. The valve is controlled between an open condition to dispense the substance through the nozzle and a closed condition based upon the determined sub-zone.

A refrigerator for drinks is provided. The refrigerator may include a cabinet having a storage compartment therein, and a dispenser nozzle disposed to be at least partially exposed outside the cabinet. A pump connection line being able to increase pressure in a drink container by delivering high-pressure air into the drink container and a tank connection line preventing oxidation of the drink in the drink container by delivering an unreactive gas into the drink container may be disposed in the cabinet. Accordingly, two functions of discharging a drink and preventing oxidation may be individually performed, so consumption of an unreactive gas may be reduced.

A refrigerator for drinks is provided. The refrigerator may include a cabinet having a storage compartment therein, and a dispenser nozzle disposed to be at least partially exposed outside the cabinet. A pump connection line being able to increase pressure in a drink container by delivering high-pressure air into the drink container and a tank connection line preventing oxidation of the drink in the drink container by delivering an unreactive gas into the drink container may be disposed in the cabinet. Accordingly, two functions of discharging a drink and preventing oxidation may be individually performed, so consumption of an unreactive gas may be reduced.

A drink making device including a hood, a base configured to support at least four bottles, a tower connecting the base and the hood; and a dispenser for dispensing a beverage. The hood includes at least four attachment connectors. Liquid from the bottles is selectively pumped through the connectors through the dispenser to dispense a beverage.

A water purifier includes a raw water flow path into which raw water is introduced, a clean water flow path connected to the raw water flow path and having a water discharge nozzle disposed at an end, a filter device disposed in the clean water flow path, and to which a filter is installable to filter the raw water, a drain flow path branched off from the clean water flow path between the filter and the water discharge nozzle and connected to a drain port to drain water in the clean water flow path to outside, a drain valve configured to open or close the drain flow path, and a controller configured to determine a remaining life of the filter on a point in time at which the filter has been replaced and control the drain valve to perform a cleaning operation based on the remaining life of the filter.

A beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a receptacle, means for opening a beverage dispenser, a thermoelectric cooler, an aeration component, and a discharge nozzle. The housing has a flow path. The receptacle is for receiving a beverage container that houses a beverage and for discharging wine into the flow path. The means for opening the beverage container is for releasing beverage from the beverage container. The thermoelectric cooler is positioned in the housing for one of chilling or warming the beverage along the flow path. The aeration component is for aerating wine in the flow path. The discharge nozzle is coupled to the flow path for dispensing the beverage from the housing.