A beer dispensing faucet is configured to be attached to a shank connector. The shank connector has a connecting member and an internal passageway having an outlet opening positioned within the connecting member. The dispensing faucet has a housing defining a central conduit having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The housing defines a valve seat in the central conduit and further has an aperture in communication with the central conduit. The inlet opening is dimensioned to correspond in size to the outlet opening of the internal passageway and further configured to be positioned in confronting relation to the outlet opening of the internal passageway. The housing has a connecting member configured to cooperate and connect to the connecting member of the shank connector. A valve stem is positioned in the aperture. The valve stem has a first position wherein the valve stem is engaged with valve seat to define a closed faucet position. The valve stem has a second position away from the valve seat to define an open faucet position.

Containers are provided and include a container body having an opening extending into a hollow interior, and a cap extending across the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve configured to couple to a fluid source such that fluid can be delivered through the inlet valve to pressurized the hollow interior of the container body. The cap also has an outlet port with an outlet valve having a cracking pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration to dispense fluid from the hollow interior, and a closing pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration to prevent fluid from passing therethrough. The cracking pressure is greater than the closing pressure.

A material dispensing device, a material output volume detecting device, and a related damper device for use in an automated beverage preparation apparatus are disclosed. The material output volume detecting device includes: a damper device arranged to operably buffer liquid material flowing therethrough; and a flowmeter arranged to operably measure the flow of liquid material outputted from the damper device. The damper device includes: a damper base having a material entrance hole, a material exit hole, and a material buffer chamber positioned between the material entrance hole and the material exit hole; a diaphragm covered on the material buffer chamber; and a fastening element positioned on the diaphragm and having a hollow portion. When the volume of liquid material within the material buffer chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, the diaphragm deforms to protrude outward, so that a part of the diaphragm enters the hollow portion of the fastening element.

A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet with a food storage chamber defined in the cabinet. The refrigerator appliance also includes a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet. The door includes an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, wherein the inner surface faces towards the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position and the outer surface faces away from the food storage chamber when the door is in the closed position. The refrigerator appliance also includes a dispenser assembly with a plurality of liquid sources fluidly coupled to the dispenser assembly and a multi-fluid tube. Each liquid source of the plurality of liquid sources is fluidly coupled to the dispenser assembly through the multi-fluid tube.

Beverage dispensing assembly (1), comprising a dispenser (2) and a beverage container (3), wherein the beverage container (3) has a neck portion (7) and a shoulder portion (8) adjacent the neck portion (7), wherein the neck portion (7) is provided with at least an outflow opening and at least one gas inlet opening (9) and wherein the dispenser (2) comprises a housing (4), wherein the housing (4) is provided with a receptacle (5) for receiving at least part of the container (3), wherein the container (3) is positioned in the dispenser (2) with the neck and shoulder portion (7, 8) facing downward, such that the neck portion (7) and at least part of the shoulder portion (8) are received in the receptacle (5), wherein part of the shoulder portion (8) extends close to and/or is in contact with a wall of the receptacle (5), wherein preferably a lid (12) is provided over the container (3), enclosing a part of the container (3) extending outside the receptacle (5).

A backblock includes a body with a cavity connected to an inlet and an outlet. A spindle is positioned with a first end within the cavity and a second end with a tab exterior of the body. A latching plate is configured for translative movement relative to the body. The latching plate includes a keyhole with a bore and a channel. The bore is dimensioned to receive the spindle and the channel is dimensioned to receive the tab. The latching plate has a first latch position proximate to the body and a second latch position spaced apart from the body. When the tab is in alignment with the channel, the latching plate can translate to the second latch position about the tab. When the tab is out of alignment with the channel, the tab retains the latching plate in the first latch position.

The present invention discloses a beverage distribution system, in particular a system for preparing espresso coffee and similar aromatic beverages, comprising a drinking recipient (1, 1′), for example of the glass, cup or similar type, a beverage discharge disposition (2) operatively associated to a beverage pressurization device (3), whereby said beverage discharge disposition (2) is provided so that the beverage discharge flow impinges, with a given flow pressure, to a flow regulation disposition (12) in the base region (11) of said drinking recipient (1, 1′) along a direction opposite the gravity force, whereby said beverage apparatus (3) further comprises purge means (26) adapted so that provide the circulation of a purge flow through at least part of said beverage discharge disposition (2), optionally also through a drinking recipient (1, 1′) operatively engaged thereon.

A beverage dispenser uses-high ratio concentrates to mix on-demand beverages. The high-ratio concentrate is pre-mixed with an alkaline water to allow for improved blending performance in the final beverage. The beverage recipe may be customized by the user to suit personal tastes. Aspects of the beverage dispenser also may include the ability to dispense room temperature, chilled, heated, sparkling, or highly alkaline beverages. Operation of a user interface to receive a beverage order includes the ability to display and employ user interfaces present on both a display on the beverage dispenser and an application on a mobile device. In some aspects, both user interfaces may be used simultaneously to receive user input. Methods of dispensing a beverage using the beverage dispensing systems are also discussed.

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 damper device for use in an automated beverage preparation apparatus is disclosed. The damper device includes: a damper base having a material entrance hole, a material exit hole, and a material buffer chamber positioned between the material entrance hole and the material exit hole; a diaphragm covered on the material buffer chamber; and a fastening element positioned on the diaphragm and having a hollow portion. When the volume of liquid material within the material buffer chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, the diaphragm deforms to protrude outward, so that a part of the diaphragm enters the hollow portion of the fastening element.