A liquid dispensing device includes a needle. The needle is adapted to penetrate a container without tearing out a portion of the container. The portion of the container is near a point of penetration on the container. The liquid dispensing device includes a motion control system. The motion control system is configured to rotate the needle while the needle penetrates the container.

Disclosed is an automated smart water purification and dispensing apparatus for providing purified water to a plurality of users. The water dispensed by the automated smart water purification and dispensing apparatus employs an ION purification means and an Ozone purification means for the incoming water from the water supply. The automated smart water purification and dispensing apparatus includes a display means for providing visual information and an audio output means for providing audio information to users. The subscribers of a water-dispensing scheme proposed by a central computerized controller can receive water using a storage container having an optical code that can be read using an RFID reader of the automated smart water purification and dispensing apparatus. The central computerized controller communicates with a central server in real time for transferring information about the subscribers and for controlling water dispensing accounts associated with each of the subscribers.

Systems and methods for dispensing chilled wine using a dispensing appliance. The appliance generally comprises a housing or enclosure protecting internal components and providing a chilled chamber for wine storage and an unchilled chamber for electric and other components. An airtight wine “silo” containing a packaged wine is insertable into a cradle in the chilled chamber for attaching to a fluid connector system. The user operates a handle to control wine flow. Identifiers on the silo may be read and transmitted to a server, where learning algorithms can suggest alternative wines the user may like based on user feedback about prior wines used with the appliance.

An additive dispensing system for a refrigerator that includes a reservoir configured to contain an additive and an additive outlet in fluid communication with the reservoir. The additive dispensing system is configured to be connected to a refrigerator and is operable to selectively dispense an amount of additive to water dispensed from the refrigerator. The additive dispensing system may be connected to a water filtration system of the refrigerator such that the additive dispensing system may dispense the amount of additive into filtered water dispensed from the refrigerator.

A receptacle for storing, pressurizing, and dispensing packaged beverages. The receptacle includes an airtight chamber with a removable lid, wherein the joint between the lid and the chamber is also airtight. A gas valve allows for the inflow and outflow of gas, and a tap port and tap stem allow the beverage to be dispensed without breaking the seal of the chamber. A pressure relief valve allows for more rapid depressurization. The chamber can be used at high and low pressures, such as a partial vacuum, to prevent oxidation of a number of open beverages, such as beers, wines, and sodas. A pressure gauge port coupled with an optional pressure gauge allows a user to verify the appropriate pressure for the type of beverage being preserved. The gas valve may be disposed on a base of the receptacle, as may the pressure relief and/or the pressure gauge port.

A liquid dispensing device is provided for use with a flexible bag containing said liquid and having a spigot connected thereto, which device comprises a housing for receiving the bag, which housing in its upper part is provided with a receiver for receiving the spigot. The receiver houses a valve assembly defining there through a liquid channel, wherein the liquid channel has an inner end adapted for, in a liquid-tight manner, connecting to the spigot of the flexible bag and wherein the liquid channel closer to its opposite outer end is provided with a valve which is movable between a closed position for preventing a flow of the liquid and an open position for dispensing the liquid and wherein further a member is provided for keeping said spigot in a permanent open position. A valve assembly for use in the liquid dispensing device is provided as well.

A refrigerated consumable-liquid dispenser. A consumable-liquid container is carried in a covered refrigerated housing that includes a heat exchanger for maintaining consumable-liquid at a predetermined temperature which may be pre-selected depending on the type of consumable-liquid being carried. A dispensing tube provides a conduit for the consumable-liquid. To dispense the consumable-liquid, a pressure differential is produced in response to the user command, whereby the pressure on the liquid in the container is greater than the pressure at a dispensing port. User command may be achieved without physical contact with the consumable-liquid dispenser, for sanitary and health related considerations.

Disclosed is a refrigerator and, more particularly, to a refrigerator including a water tank provided at a refrigerator door to store water therein. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment, a door provided at the cabinet, a water tank separably coupled to the door, an inlet port formed in the door to allow water, stored in the water tank, to be introduced into the door, a support structure provided at the door to support the bottom of the water tank, a fixing unit provided at the door to fix the water tank, and a handle provided at the water tank to enable separation of the water tank from the fixing unit.

A beverage dispensing device includes a container for a liquid beverage to be dispensed, a beverage dispensing line, and a gas line. A keg connector connects the keg interior with the dispensing and gas lines by coupling the keg connector to a container closure. A storing compartment has means for receiving at least two containers. An elongated tapping column is fixed to the top plate and provided with a tapping valve element. The means for receiving at least two containers permits container storage in a dispensing position with its longitudinal axis forming a storing angle of ±30° with respect to the top plane. The keg connector has a height measured along the longitudinal axis between the container's bottom end, and the furthest point of the keg connector coupled to the closure of the connector is not more than 5% greater than the height of the container without keg connector.

A dispenser for dispensing milk from a bulk container. The dispenser is mounted outside of a refrigerator and the bulk container is stored within the refrigerator. The dispenser is provided with means for conveying the milk from the bulk container to a pouring spout. Several bulk containers may be connected together to form a large bulk container of milk that is kept refrigerated in its entirety.