A pinch valve for a liquid-dispensing unit or machine has a pinch valve body to which is pivotally secured a closure in a clamshell arrangement. The valve body and the closure define a passageway that can hold a liquid-dispensing tube when the pinch valve is in a closed configuration. The axis about which the closure pivots is perpendicular to the passageway.

This invention relates to a fitment assembly used for dispensing liquids from flexible bags. The connector engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector. The external valve body through circumferentially placed apertures allows for substantially complete drainage of the flexible bag.

A dispensing apparatus (20; 300; 400) comprises: a freezing cylinder (40); a water flowpath (526); a first controllable valve (130) along the water flowpath; a syrup flowpath (528), merging with the water flowpath and proceeding as a water/syrup flowpath (552) to the freezing cylinder; and a second controllable valve (132) along the syrup flowpath. The first controllable valve and the second controllable valve each comprise: a valve body (144; 432) having a cartridge compartment (164,166), an inlet (176) to the cartridge compartment, and an outlet (178) from the cartridge compartment; and a valve cartridge (162). The valve cartridge comprises: a cartridge body (200) mounted in the cartridge compartment; a valve element (222) carried by the cartridge body and shiftable between a first condition permitting communication between the inlet and the outlet and a second condition blocking communication between the inlet and the outlet; and a solenoid (224) carried by the cartridge body and coupled to the valve element to drive movement of the valve element.

A drinking water supply device configured to discharge water based on a pressure of water supplied from a water supply source is provided. The drinking water supply device may include at least one discharge flow path that allows water supplied from the water supply source to flow therein, a discharge valve provided in the at least one discharge flow path, at least one cock provided in an end of the at least one discharge valve, the discharge valve including a sensor that generates a discharge signal to open the at least one discharge valve, a lever coupled to the at least one cock and operated by pushing and pulling, and a controller that controls the at least one discharge valve and the sensor. The discharge signal may be generated in the sensor when a switch of the sensor is pressed by a predetermined region of the lever.

A beverage dispensing nozzle includes a housing having an upper end opposite a lower end, and an inlet at the upper end that is configured to be placed in communication with a source of a base liquid. The beverage dispensing nozzle further includes a chamber within the housing and in communication with the inlet. An aerator is in communication with the chamber, and the aerator includes a plate having apertures. A flavor inlet valve is in communication with a source of a flavoring and is arranged downstream of the aerator. The flavor inlet valve is configured to dispense the flavoring into the housing. The beverage dispensing nozzle additionally includes a nozzle tip arranged at the lower end of the housing.

A dispensing unit for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container having a tapping column fixed to and extending normal to the top surface of a top plate with an opening and forming an elbow is disclosed. The column has an elongated inner channel bringing in fluid communication the support plate with a tapping pinch valve located in a tapping head at the elbow. The tapping pinch valve has jaws for receiving in pinching relationship the outlet end of the dispensing line and controlling flow of liquid by varying the distance between the jaws from a closed to an open position. A flexible dispensing line, having inlet and outlet ends, extends in the channel. The outlet end engages the pinch valve, and the inlet end connects to a keg. A device for opening the channel includes the pinch valve so a distance larger than the open position separates the jaws.

Liquid dispensing systems which automatically sanitize the liquid and liquid-contacting parts of a liquid dispensing system, by periodically flushing the system with a sufficiently heated, liquid and/or gas.

A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products includes a plurality of supply containers containing a basic mixture and deformable wall, so the space occupied by each first container depends on a quantity of basic mixture therein. A processing container includes a stirrer and thermal treatment system, operating with one another to convert the basic mixture into a liquid or semi-liquid product. A connecting system connects the supply containers to the processing container to transfer the basic mixture from one of the supply containers to the processing container and includes a plurality of pneumatically operated closing valves, where each of the valves is associated with one of the supply containers and can be activated and deactivated independently of the remaining valves to allow the placement of one of the containers in connection with the processing container.

A cartridge valve (22, 94) and system (10) are provided in which the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a regulator (44, 96) and a solenoid (42, 100) which may have an adjustable stroke to facilitate stable flow control. Also, the cartridge valve (22, 94) includes a quick and easy installation and removal fitting (30 and 32).

A mounting assembly includes a beverage mounting assembly having a housing. The housing has a housing wall that surrounds a cavity. A valve body is connectable to the beverage mounting assembly. The valve body is connectable to the beverage mounting assembly via a clip. The clip is insertable into both the housing and the valve body to connect the valve body to the beverage mounting assembly. At least one actuator is disposed in the cavity of the housing. The actuator rotates from a closed position to an open position that actuates pressure to the valve body from a liquid source. The actuator is separate from the clip that connects the housing to the valve body.