A beverage dispenser has an actuation lever which is mounted in a dispenser recess in such a way as to be able to pivot about an axis, at least one lighting device, and at least one optical waveguide, which extends from the lighting device, for illuminating the dispenser recess. A light exit is provided on the actuation lever, and the optical waveguide connects the lighting device to the light exit on the actuation lever.

A docking device for mechanically connecting an upper container module of a multipart container for a fluid and a lower container module of the multipart container. The docking device includes an upper docking segment, which is fastenable using an upper connecting means on opening of the upper container module, and a lower docking segment, which is fastenable using a lower connecting means on an opening of the lower container module so that fluid moves from the upper container module through a channel of the docking device into the lower container module, or moves due to buoyancy and/or due to pressure from the lower into the upper container module, if at least one valve body movable by means of an actuating assembly is in an open valve body position. An upper channel section is arranged in the upper docking segment and a lower channel section is arranged in the lower docking segment. The actuating assembly is actuatable so that it is movable from an open valve body position into a closed valve body position or from a closed valve body position into an open valve body position. The actuating assembly includes at least one blocking assembly comprising at least one blocking means that is moved into a blocking position during the docking process

The apparatuses and methods disclosed herein, along with contemplated variants thereof, provide several advantages over known systems for actuating the faucet of a beverage server. In conventional designs, a faucet of a beverage server is provided in the lower portion of a reservoir, such that a beverage from the reservoir is distributed to the spigot through a gravity-driven process. In operation, many of these servers are utilized as service industry coffee servers for restaurants and banquet halls. Employees who are handling the brewing equipment will often place servers used with the brewing equipment directly in a sink for cleaning or filling, such that the base of that sink acts as a horizontal surface. Absent the ability of the lever assembly to fold into an up position, this operation would result in putting unnecessary force on the lever assembly. Accordingly, a multi-position, hands-free actuation system is disclosed herein.

The present disclosure provides a metered dosing assembly configured to dispense a volume of fluid into a container that is selectively sealed by a closure valve having a closure valve member that is movable between sealed and unsealed positions with respect to the container. The metered dosing assembly includes a housing having an interior cavity. A valve is locatable at an end of the housing. The valve includes a valve member, a pin extending from the valve member, and at least one spring leg attachable to the valve member. The pin extends from the valve member and is configured to engage the closure valve member of the closure valve to move the closure valve member to the unsealed position and move the valve member to an open position with respect to the housing. When the valve member is moved to the open position and the closure valve member is moved to the unsealed position, fluid communication is made between the metered dosing assembly and the container.

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.

A refrigerator utilizes a dispenser control with a multi-function control paddle to perform multiple dispenser functions in response to different types of actuation of the control paddle. The control paddle may be positioned below one or more dispenser openings and pivotable in multiple directions about one or more axes such that placement of a container below the one or more dispenser openings and against different actuation regions of the control paddle will initiate different dispenser functions.

Improvements in a single serve point of consumption beverage dispensing valve is disclosed. The valve includes a fresh water input fitting, a carbonated water inlet fitting a vacuum pump that transfers concentrated from a flavor bullet and diffuses the concentrate with water an optionally carbonation to provide a consistent mixture. The flavor bullet manifold is self-cleaning to eliminate flavor cross-contamination. An initiation lever starts the mixing, diffusion and dispensing that is monitored and controlled with a micro water flow metering system that controls flow solenoids and dispensing of the mixed beverage.

A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.

A refrigerator utilizes a dispenser control with a multi-function control paddle to perform multiple dispenser functions in response to different types of actuation of the control paddle. The control paddle may be positioned below one or more dispenser openings and pivotable in multiple directions about one or more axes such that placement of a container below the one or more dispenser openings and against different actuation regions of the control paddle will initiate different dispenser functions.

A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.