A docking device for mechanically connecting an upper and a lower container module of a multipart container. The docking device includes an upper docking segment which is fastenable on an opening of the upper container module, and a lower docking segment which is fastenable on an opening of the lower container module. Fluid is configured to move from the upper container module into the lower container module. An upper docking region of an upper channel section and/or an upper docking segment and a lower docking region of a lower channel section and/or the lower docking segment can be arranged in such a way that the fluid flows through an externally leak-tight channel in an open valve body position. An actuating assembly is arranged in the upper channel section and/or in the lower channel section.

An exemplary mobile wine tasting system may include a vehicle, e.g., a van or other automobile capable of transporting and serving at least one wine product, and at least one wine dispenser installed on the vehicle. The wine dispenser may be configured to dispense the at least one kind of wine to at least one of an interior compartment of the vehicle and an exterior of the vehicle. Accordingly, wine tasting experiences may be brought directly to customers, as opposed to requiring individuals to travel to a winery, bar, or tasting room.

A decanter arranged to permit storage of wine or other beverage while isolated from ambient air and employing a variable size beverage storage volume. A valve may control flow past a piston as the piston is moved relative to a container to adjust a size of the beverage storage volume.

A signaling apparatus paces a free pour count and choreographs a movement to stop pouring. The apparatus emits a first signal after an approximately 200-ms time interval and a series of subsequent signals every approximately 400-ms thereafter. The first time interval approximates a first time, measured from a moment the sensor detects the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second time needed to react to a signal and stop the pour. The 400-ms time interval approximates the time required to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout. In one embodiment, the signaling apparatus emits sequential pulses according to the pattern Y-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red, wherein each pulse represents a quarter-ounce increment, the green pulse represents a standard pour, and the red pulse represents a full pour.

A refrigerator appliance having a quick fill dispenser to rapidly fill a container. The refrigerator may include a water storage receptacle. The water storage receptacle may be in fluid communication with a water filter. The water storage receptacle may dispense water at a flow rate greater than the flow rate entering the water storage receptacle. A valve may be downstream of the water storage receptacle.

A dispenser can include: an optional water source inlet; a plurality of supplement cartridges including a supplement composition; at least one dispenser fluidly coupled with the optional water source inlet and plurality of supplement cartridges; a formulation mechanism operably coupled with the optional water source inlet and supplement cartridges, wherein the formulation mechanism is configured for regulating fluid flow from the optional water source inlet and the supplement cartridges to the dispenser; an input device configured to receive input from a user; and a dispenser controller. The dispenser controller can be configured to: receive identification information from a user via the input device; obtain a supplement dosage formulation for the user based on a personalized supplement protocol; and control dispensing of water and supplement composition(s) to provide the supplement dosage formulation to the user.

This invention relates to a beverage delivery vending system that provides the consumer with the option of choosing ingredients of their choice, using a computer touchscreen that is connected to a computing system. The ingredients chosen are delivered using a frozen food delivery system. The ingredients are blended using a blending system and dispensed through solenoid valves and into a disposable cup, which is dispended by a cup-dispenser unit. The ingredients are mixed inside the disposable cup using a sanitary mixer. The consumer has the option of payment for the drink in cash, by debit card, and/or credit card.

A modular fluid-dosing system includes at least one hosting structure, a logic module and several dosing modules set up to add one or more fluids in one or more dosing points during a process, where an exact amount of a substance is necessary, using a manifold system. One of the dosing modules may be a dedicated module, specifically designed to add one reagent within one dosing point. Additionally, one of the dosing modules may be a multiplexor module, which permits the adding of the same fluid along several dosing points in a sequential manner. This is a flexible system that can have different configurations, combining dedicated and multiplexor modules that are required according to the needs of the process. Dosing modules are installed on support devices that permit reconfiguring the system structure according to the needs of the dosing process without affecting the internal design of the distribution system.

A water dispensing apparatus includes a hot water module configured to heat supplied water using an induction heating method, a water supply pipe configured to supply water to the hot water module, a flow rate control valve provided on the water supply pipe to control a flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module, a flow rate sensing device provided on the water supply pipe to sense the flow rate of water supplied to the hot water module, and a controller configured to increase an opening speed of the flow rate control valve when the flow rate of supplied water sensed through the flow rate sensing device is equal to or less than a set flow rate.

A device for measuring in real time the volume of a partially upturned bottle has a sleeve that extends around the upturned bottle with an open distal end and a closed proximal end. An accelerometer in the device determines the vertical direction and the angle between the vertical direction and the longitudinal axis of the bottle. Another accelerometer measures the force exerted by the bottle in the direction of the longitudinal axis. These parameters are used to calculate the total mass and volume of the upturned bottle. A dimmable screen displays the total mass, total volume, change in mass and/or change in volume.