System for dispensing a liquid to a user, comprising: a container, a liquid, a dispenser, arranged to receive and hold the container in a dispensing position, and comprising a control unit user, a valve connected to the container, and connected to the control unit to selectively release or stop a flow of the liquid out of the container, characterized in that: upon releasing at least a part of the liquid, the container is deformable, the valve releasing a flow of the liquid out of the container, and upon releasing at least another part of the liquid, the valve releases a flow of liquid out of the container, and allows a flow of gas into the container.

A fluid dispenser can include a body defining a passageway from an inlet to an outlet, a fluid container configured be received by the body such that the fluid in fluid communication with the inlet, and a contactless valve in fluid communication with the outlet and configured to selectively dispense fluid from the fluid container. A contactless valve configured to dispense a liquid can include an actuator configured to move a plug between a closed position in which the plug prevents the flow of liquid through valve body, and an open position in which liquid can be dispensed through an outlet. The valve can include an activation sensor, a presence sensor, and a controller configured to control the actuator and in electrical communication with the activation sensor and the presence sensor.

Systems and methods are provided for a valve shut-off system of a medical device. In one embodiment, the valve shut-off system of the medical device includes a first pin movable between a first position where a valve is opened and a second position where the valve is closed, the first pin including a slot, and a second pin having a mating geometry with the slot of the first pin, the second pin adjustable between a locked position that holds the first pin in the first position and an unlocked position that enables movement of the first pin between the first position and the second position.

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and the refrigerator includes a cabinet configured to form a storage space, a door configured to open and close the storage space, a dispenser configured to be formed on a front surface of the door, a water tank configured to be provided detachably from the door above the dispenser and including a drain port for discharging stored water, a pipe part configured to communicate with the water tank to form a passage for discharging water, and a water intake valve including a valve body that slides along the longitudinal direction of the pipe part and opens and closes an opening and closing surface of the pipe part, in which the valve body includes an extension part configured to extend from one surface of the valve body toward an inner surface of the passage, and a leak prevention ring configured to be provided around the extension part to seal between the pipe part and the valve body in a state where the opening and closing surface is closed by the valve body.

Apparatus for dispensing a beverage in which a bottle containing the beverage is placed in a cradle and a portion of the beverage flows into a heat exchanger in which the beverage is heated or cooled to a desired temperature. The heat exchanger may be divided into at least two zones with the beverage being heated or cooled to the desired temperature in an inlet zone and the beverage being maintained at the desired temperature in an outlet zone.

A fluid dispenser for a refrigerator having a dispenser housing; a dispenser frame pivotally mounted within the dispenser housing, the dispenser frame with a front face and two side faces and a first gear disposed on one of the side faces; an actuator with a paddle and a lever, the lever interlocking with the dispenser frame such that when the paddle is pushed, the lever causes the dispenser frame to pivot forward; a flexible tube; a fixed compression jaw mounted onto the dispenser housing behind the flexible and compressible tube; a movable compression jaw having a jaw end and a pivot end, the jaw end mounted in front of the flexible tube, the pivot end having a second gear which interlocks with the first gear, such that when the paddle is pushed the first gear rotates the second gear moving the movable jaw away from the flexible tube is provided.

An adapter and a method of operation of the adapter. The adapter is configured for use with a faucet of a beverage dispenser to facilitate reduced touching of the dispenser or touchless use of the faucet. The adaptor includes a body having a faucet handle engaging portion, a fulcrum portion, at least one extending portion, and a cup engaging portion. A nozzle clearance area is defined generally between the cup engaging portion and the fulcrum portion. The method of operation provides attachment of the adaptor to the faucet without the need for tools, fasteners, adhesives, or the like. The method of fabrication allows for the adaptor to be fabricated from a generally planar piece of material and manufactured to provide the structure as defined.

A switch system for controlling dispensing from a dispensing system. A frame is coupleable to the dispensing system and has a front and back. A lever extends between a pivot and pressing ends and is pivotally coupled to the frame, being pivotable between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. A resilient member between the lever and the back of the frame extends between an anchor and a contact region. The anchor region is coupled to the frame and the contact region is closer than the anchor region to the lever. A roller is pivotally coupled to the contact region. The resilient member biases the lever towards the non-dispensing position via the roller. An electronic switch is between the lever and the back of the frame. The electronic switch is actuated to cause dispensing when the lever is pivoted into the dispensing position.

A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a housing configured to dispense liquid into a container, the housing having an outlet for dispensing liquid into the container. The liquid dispenser includes a proximity sensor disposed proximate to the outlet and configured to detect the container when the container is disposed proximate to the outlet; a light source disposed proximate to the outlet and configured to emit a beam of light to identify a location of liquid to be dispensed from the outlet; and a processor configured to determine whether the container is disposed proximate to the outlet based on an output signal from the proximity sensor; and illuminate the light source to project the beam of light towards an opening of the container based on the output signal from the proximity sensor, to inform a user of a location of liquid to be dispensed from the housing.

An overmolded valve is provided for use in a container having a throat. The valve is inserted into the throat of the container and prevents liquid from flowing from the container during shipment or storage. When the container is inverted for use with a dosing and/or dispensing apparatus, the valve remains closed until it is opened by an upward force to permit liquid to flow from the container, by gravity, to the dosing and/or dispensing apparatus. The valve closes when the upward force is removed. A pair of plastic semi-helical springs urge the valve to the closed position.