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.

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.

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 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 pinch valve has an insert housed in a holder. The insert and the holder are shaped to receive a dispensing tube and the insert can rotate within the holder and around the dispensing tube. The insert can be rotated to have the pinch valve in a release configuration where the insert can be moved downward and out of the holder to allow for cleaning of the insert and holder.

A dispensing apparatus has: a freezing cylinder; a water flowpath; a first controllable valve along the water flowpath; a syrup flowpath; and a second controllable valve along the syrup flowpath. The flowpaths merge as a water/syrup flowpath to the freezing cylinder. The first controllable valve and the second controllable valve each have: a valve body having a cartridge compartment, an inlet to the cartridge compartment, and an outlet from the cartridge compartment; and a valve cartridge. The valve cartridge has: a cartridge body mounted in the cartridge compartment; a valve element carried by the cartridge body; and a solenoid carried by the cartridge body and coupled to the valve element to drive movement of the valve element. The valve element is 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.

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.

According to the invention, in order to create a container (1) for receiving beverages, in particular a drinks container or drinks cup, at least comprising a base (2) and a circumferential wall (3) projecting approximately perpendicularly from the base (2), which can be produced particularly inexpensively, can be filled within a minimum time and can be securely sealed after the filling, the wall (3) has openings (4) via which the container (1) can be filled with a beverage, wherein the openings (4) can be closed after the filling via a sealing means that is/can be applied from outside to the outer surface of the wall (3). The invention also relates to a device that can fill a container of this type with a corresponding beverage, such as beer or a soft drink, within a minimum time, said device being simple to operate, inexpensive and simple to produce and having a long service life.

A cold plate includes a cold plate body. A tubing system is embedded within the cold plate body. The tubing system includes a prechill circuit, a plain water postchill circuit fluidly connected to the prechill circuit, and a carbonated water postchill circuit fluidly connected to the prechill circuit.