A hand-held beverage dispenser includes a handle body, within which multiple valve units are contained. Two sets of fluid flow paths are provided into the handle body. The sets of fluid flow paths are mutually exclusive one to the other. Each flow path of the first set is in fluid communication with each valve unit, whereas only a predetermined one of the second set of fluid flow paths is in fluid communication with each valve unit. Each valve unit includes a flow control valve and a selection valve. The selection valve determines on an ad hoc basis which of the first set of flow paths will be utilized at any given time, while the flow control valve provides single action simultaneous ON-OFF control of fluid flows through both the selected flow path and the predetermined flow path.

The present application provides a beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system may include a first valve connected to a rigid form by way of a first tube positioned through a valve cover and a second valve connected to a second tube positioned through the valve cover and exiting the valve cover without being in connection with the rigid form.

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.

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 switch system for controlling dispensing from a dispensing system. A frame is coupleable to the dispensing system and has a front and back. A lever extends between a pivot and pressing ends and is pivotally coupled to the frame, being pivotable between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. A resilient member between the lever and the back of the frame extends between an anchor and a contact region. The anchor region is coupled to the frame and the contact region is closer than the anchor region to the lever. A roller is pivotally coupled to the contact region. The resilient member biases the lever towards the non-dispensing position via the roller. An electronic switch is between the lever and the back of the frame. The electronic switch is actuated to cause dispensing when the lever is pivoted into the dispensing position.

A hand-held beverage dispenser includes a handle body, within which multiple valve units are contained. Two sets of fluid flow paths are provided into the handle body. The sets of fluid flow paths are mutually exclusive one to the other. Each flow path of the first set is in fluid communication with each valve unit, whereas only a predetermined one of the second set of fluid flow paths is in fluid communication with each valve unit. Each valve unit includes a flow control valve and a selector valve. The selector valve determines on an ad hoc basis which of the first set of flow paths will be utilized at any given time, while the flow control valve provides single action simultaneous ON-OFF control of fluid flows through both the selected flow path and the predetermined flow path. A failsafe ensures correct operation of the selector valve of each valve unit.

An arrangement for selective removal of a mixer assembly from a hand-held beverage dispenser includes a handle body housing a piping system for dispensing post-mix beverages and a toe plate for dependently supporting the mixer assembly. Upwardly projecting mounting bosses have central orifices running end-to-end therethrough, and extending at the bottom end through the toe plate. Each orifice is axially aligned with a mounting hole of a mixer assembly as operably supported by the tow plate, and releasable fasteners provided top-to-bottom through the orifices engage the mounting holes to affix the mixer assembly to the toe plate.

Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.

The present invention provides a refrigerator door body with a water dispenser and a water intake passage arranged thereon. A water intake assembly of the water dispenser comprising: a water inlet component, a water outlet component, a valve core and a water intake handle. The water intake handle has one end pivotally connected to the refrigerator door body and is provided with a through hole. When the water intake assembly is in a closed status, there is no acting force between the water outlet component and the through hole in the water intake handle; and the other end of the water intake handle is pressed such that one end, pivotally connected to the refrigerator door body, of the water intake handle is rotated. The water outlet component is displaced axially relative to the water inlet component and thus the water intake assembly is in an open status.

A modular beverage-dispensing assembly, as provided herein, may include a housing, a compressed gas tank mounted to the housing, and a plurality of discrete beverage containers, and a multipath gas valve or multipath liquid valve for dispensing a liquid from one or more of the beverage containers.