A method and apparatus cleans plurality of beverage dispensers which sit in respective holsters. Cleaning solution conduits are oriented to spray cleaning solution towards respective tops of holsters. One or more fluid valves alternatively permit and block said cleaning solution to flow to said cleaning solution conduits, respectively. A power supply flow signals to the fluid valve, respectively, wherein the valve transitions between permitting and blocking flow responsive to transitioning of the flow signals, respectively. A transmitter signals the power supply to transition the flow signals to cause the fluid valve to permit the cleaning solution to flow to the cleaning solution conduits.

Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle includes a housing adapted to receive a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle and an ultraviolet light source bent around the housing to surround at least a portion of the housing. The ultraviolet light source generates and emits germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.

The disclosure concerns a system including a multi-tower modular dispensing system comprising at least a first dispensing head and a second dispensing head at a counter, a transfer unit located remotely from the counter, piping extending from the transfer unit to the counter, the transfer unit comprising a centralized ingredient system having a plurality of beverage ingredient sources, the centralized ingredient system configured to supply beverage ingredients to the piping for the dispensing of a first beverage at the counter, the piping comprising a main micro bundle, the main micro bundle comprising at least two separate beverage ingredient lines.

Disclosed is an apparatus for beverage line cleaning that enables an easy and traceable cleaning process. The apparatus and system can optimize the cleaning process by dynamically monitoring and using remote connections in order to perform an effective cleaning process.

Appliances (100) for preparing and dispensing beverages, such as beers, featuring a transparent window (110) that allows a user of the appliance to view the beverage in a chamber of the appliance as that beverage is being prepared are disclosed. The chamber in which the beverage is prepared can be either an integral part of the appliance or a disposable chamber that can be removed and replaced with a new disposable chamber after one or more servings of a beverage has been prepared in the disposable chamber. The appliances can have methods for cleaning the chamber, or the chamber can be self-cleaning. If the chamber for preparing the beverage is a disposable container, it may come with a concentrated beverage already prepackaged in the container, and the casing of the container can prevent oxygen and light from penetrating the container and affecting the concentrated beverage contained within.

A refrigerator may be provided with a dispenser which includes a nozzle pipe; a light source that radiates ultraviolet light from one end of the nozzle pipe to an inner space of the nozzle pipe, a window that is provided between the one end of the nozzle pipe and the light source, and a liquid supplying hose barb connected to the nozzle pipe via an elbow. Liquid exiting the elbow swirls as ultraviolet light is irradiated onto the liquid.

Methods for realizing an aseptic connection between a valve unit and a tank container having an inliner are provided whereby, a disinfection unit which includes the valve unit is positioned around the spout of the tank container. The valve unit is then disinfected by exposing the valve unit to a disinfection fluid and/or to electromagnetic radiation while the valve of the valve unit is in an open position. After having closed the valve, an end portion of the valve unit is pressed against a closure element that blocks the spout of the inliner, to thereby establish fluid communication between the inner environment of the inliner and the interior of the valve unit. The disinfection unit is then removed and the valve unit is fastened to the tank container to ensure an aseptic connection between the valve unit and the tank container.

A refrigerator equipped with a water tank that is easily accessible to a user and a method of using the same. A water dispenser is installed on the front side of a refrigerator. A water tank coupled to the water dispenser is detachably installed on a lower inner inside of a refrigerator door such that a user can conveniently observe the state of the water tank and access the water tank for maintenance and refill thereof.

Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a bar gun includes a support surface configured to interface with a bar gun to support the bar gun when stowed in the holster, a housing coupled with the support surface and surrounding a dispensing nozzle of the bar gun when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, and an ultraviolet light source configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.

A refrigerator equipped with a water tank that is easily accessible to a user and a method of using the same. A water dispenser is installed on the front side of a refrigerator. A water tank coupled to the water dispenser is detachably installed on a lower inner inside of a refrigerator door such that a user can conveniently observe the state of the water tank and access the water tank for maintenance and refill.