A flexible pouch and valve assembly is provided for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The flexible pouch and valve assembly are receivable within a relatively rigid housing, and are adapted to cooperate with a pump for pumping discrete portions of substance from the pouch and through the one-way valve to dispense the substance therefrom. The assembly comprises a flexible pouch defining therein a variable-volume storage chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for aseptically storing therein multiple portions of the substance. A one-way valve of the assembly includes a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through the valve body and/or the valve seat.

A machine dimensioned so as to be placed on the countertop of a bar for dispensing chilled alcoholic beverage includes a housing forming an enclosure with a beverage faucet having a handle mounted on its front outer surface. The enclosure provides a cooled interior section and a noncooled interior section. Heat-generating portions of a refrigeration cooling unit are contained in the noncooled interior portion. The cooled interior portion provides a beverage container mount configured to removably receive a stopper shaft of a bottle stopper which is fluidly connected via a manifold so an inclined beverage container can supply beverage to a beverage storage tank. A portion of an evaporator coil of the refrigeration cooling unit is located within the beverage storage tank for further cooling the alcoholic beverage. Chilled alcoholic beverage is transferred from the beverage storage tank to the beverage faucet via a beverage delivery tube fluidly connecting the beverage storage tank to the beverage faucet.

Bottom-loading bottled water dispensers are disclosed that include hot water sanitizing capabilities (and, optionally, UV light sanitizing features). The dispensers include a water bottle that is operably connected to a pump that is configured to extract water from the bottle and force the water through one or more tubes and into a cold tank. The cold tank includes an evaporator that is configured to chill the water in the cold tank. The dispensers further include a hot tank that is fluidly coupled to the cold tank through one or more tubes, with the hot tank being attached to a heating element that is configured to heat the water in the hot tank. In addition, the dispensers include an electronic control board that is configured to heat a volume of water contained in the cold tank above a defined threshold temperature and for a defined period of time that is effective to sanitize the internal surfaces of the cold tank.

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator including a removable discharge nozzle. The dispenser assembly includes a dispenser body, a water supply flow path and a removable discharge nozzle removably supported by a storage part formed in the dispenser body. The removable discharge nozzle is coupled to an extension hose can be pulled out of the dispenser body by a user for dispensing water. The removable discharge nozzle includes a discharge flow path, a rotating shaft installed in the discharge flow path, an opening/closing member, and a discharge button for user manipulation.

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator includes a dispenser body, a water supply flow path and a removable discharge nozzle removably placed in a storage part formed in the dispenser body. The removable discharging unit is coupled to an extension hose and can be pulled out of the dispenser body by a user for dispensing water.

A drinking water dispenser includes a cold water tank and a hot water tank. A cold water outlet pipeline connects the cold water tank to a cold water outlet. A hot water outlet pipeline connects the hot water tank to a hot water outlet. A first pipeline connects an inlet pipeline to the cold water tank. A circulation pump circulates hot water in a disinfection mode. The first pipeline is connected to the cold water tank through a vertical pipe installed in the cold water tank with an open upper end. A second pipeline connects the inlet pipeline to the hot water tank. A circulation pipeline connects the hot water outlet pipeline to the cold water outlet pipeline. A check valve is installed in the circulation pipeline allowing water to flow only from the hot water outlet pipeline to the cold water outlet pipeline.

A refrigerator utilizes a quick fill dispenser that incorporates a fluid storage receptacle that is easily removable for cleaning and/or dispensing independently of the refrigerator, and that is coupled to a dock through a combined inlet/outlet through which the receptacle is filled and fluid is dispensed through the receptacle. A dock closure may also be used to inhibit fluid flow through the combined inlet/outlet when the fluid storage receptacle is removed.

A bottled water dispenser is disclosed that includes a water bottle, a cold tank, and an ozone generator, which is fluidly coupled to a Y-connector. The dispenser includes a first tube that is fluidly coupled to a first port of the Y-connector, with the first tube being configured to deliver ozone gas to the cold tank. The dispenser further includes a second tube that is fluidly coupled to a second port of the Y-connector, with the second tube being configured to deliver ozone gas to the water bottle. The ozone gas is effective to sterilize and prevent biofilm formation within the interior areas of the cold tank and water bottle. The dispensers further include an in-line flow restrictor positioned in-line with either the first tube or second tube, which helps balance the flow of ozone that is delivered to the cold tank and water bottle.

A bottled water dispenser is disclosed that includes a water bottle, a cold tank, and an ozone generator, which is fluidly coupled to a Y-connector. The dispenser includes a first tube that is fluidly coupled to a first port of the Y-connector, with the first tube being configured to deliver ozone gas to the cold tank. The dispenser further includes a second tube that is fluidly coupled to a second port of the Y-connector, with the second tube being configured to deliver ozone gas to the water bottle. The ozone gas is effective to sterilize and prevent biofilm formation within the interior areas of the cold tank and water bottle. The dispensers further include an in-line flow restrictor positioned in-line with either the first tube or second tube, which helps balance the flow of ozone that is delivered to the cold tank and water bottle.

The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; a first valve (20, 20) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and a control unit (30) which is connected to the minimum level sensor (26, 26) and the pump (16) and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump (16) and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit (30) is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump (16), a liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) together. has been deleted and The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, including: a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; a first valve (20, 20) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and a control unit (30) which is connected