Disclosed is a hot water discharging apparatus. A hot water discharging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a water heater for heating water that has flowed into hot water, and discharging the hot water; and a hot water discharge unit that is connected to the water heater so that the hot water discharged from the water heater is discharged to the outside, wherein the water heater is provided with an outlet through which the hot water is discharged, the hot water discharge unit includes a hot water discharge member connected to the outside so that the hot water is discharged to the outside, and the water heater may be disposed so that the outlet is located higher than the hot water discharge-side end of the hot water discharge member.

Systems and methods, including a system for metering, mixing, and dispensing liquids, such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic liquids and solutions, are provided. In one instance, the system includes a controller operatively coupled to a first pump and a second pump. The first pump and the second pump are coupled to a first liquid source and a second liquid source, respectively. The controller controls flow rates at each of the first pump and the second pump. The system includes a valve coupled to a source supply of a third liquid, including pressurized carbonated water. The system includes a fluid connector coupled to the first pump, the second pump, the valve, and a dispenser. The connector receives the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, such that a fourth liquid, including a combination of the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, is dispensable from the dispenser.

Systems, apparatus and methods are described herein for dispensing a carbonated beverage. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first cylinder that defines an interior region that can contain a volume of carbonated water and a first piston separating the interior region. A second cylinder is coupled to the first cylinder and defines an interior region and a second piston separating the interior region and operatively coupled to the first piston. The interior region of the second cylinder can contain a volume of beverage concentrate. A flywheel assembly is operatively coupled to the first cylinder and to the first piston and can control a predetermined ratio of a volume of carbonated water from the first cylinder and a volume of beverage concentrate from the second cylinder to be dispensed when a force is exerted on the piston by a flow of carbonated water through the first cylinder.

The present invention provides a connector (18) for use in a beverage dispense system (1), the connector (18) defining a conduit for connecting a beverage line (2) to a beverage supply (4). The connector (18) comprises an electrical sensor (21) (e.g. a capacitive sensor) for measuring an electrical parameter of a beverage within the connector conduit. The electrical parameter and/or changes in the electrical parameter can be used to detect bubbles in the beverage and/or identify the type/brand of beverage.

A contactless autofill dispenser includes a housing and a dispense area for receiving a cup. The dispenser includes a supply of consumable product disposed within the housing. The dispenser includes an outlet connected to the supply and extending from the housing into the dispense area for dispensing the consumable product into the cup. The dispenser includes a controller disposed within the housing and connected to the supply, wherein the controller is configured to control dispensing of the consumable product from the outlet. The dispenser includes a time of flight sensor attached to or with a direct line of sight into the dispense area and connected to the controller.

A touchless beverage dispensing valve assembly includes a nozzle and a valve configured to control a flow of a substance through the valve to the nozzle. A solenoid is configured to operate the valve between open and closed conditions. A trigger sensor includes an optical sensor and a controller. The controller executes a trigger sensor control module to receive an output from the optical sensor and operate the solenoid to control the valve between the open condition and the closed condition. A feedback device is operable to selectively provide a visual indication an operational status of the valve.

A pressure relief blow-out plug includes a body including an inboard end and an outboard end, and an inboard flange extending radially outwardly from the inboard end of the body. A package includes a container including a wall having interior and exterior surfaces, and a pressure relief passage extending along a longitudinal passage axis and having a circumferential passage surface extending through the wall between the interior and exterior surfaces, wherein the pressure relief blow-out plug is carried in the pressure relief passage.

A drink station is provided with an alkaline filter cartridge in fluid communication with an ambient temperature water line provide alkaline water, and with a chilled water mixed with the alkaline water at a spigot to provide chilled alkaline water. A hot water heating element is located below the spigot so hot water flows upward for dispensing from the spigot, with a vent line between the heating element and spigot helping hot water to flow from the spigot to the heating element. A refrigeration system and a carbonation system is also provided. The refrigeration system uses the ice-bank technology. A submersible agitator pump improves heat exchanged between ice-bank and water by forced convection. The agitator pump operating based on the temperature of the drinking water. A figure eight evaporator coil can provide two cylindrical ice banks and two chilled water coils to increase the chilled water capacity.

A beverage system that produces a fermented beverage from two or more liquid streams, includes a first source including an ultra-high gravity beverage at a pressure of 82.7 kPa to 1034.2 kPa; a second source including a carbonated and/or nitrogenated water at a pressure of 82.7 kPa to 1034.2 kPa and and a temperature of 0° to 8°; a mixing point that allows mixing of the ultra high gravity beverage to blend with the carbonated and/or nitrogenated water to produce a fermented beverage; and a fluid line fluidly coupled to the mixing point and configured to allow the fermented beverage to flow to a dispensing tap. The fluid line has a length of 0.3048 m to 45.72 m and an inner diameter of 3.2 mm to 15.9 mm for at least a portion of the line.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a vessel, the beverage dispenser including a vessel-receiving region in which the vessel is locatable for receiving beverage; and a sensor arrangement for providing signals based on which a distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel, when located in the vessel-receiving region, and the sensor arrangement can be determined, wherein a volume of beverage to be dispensed into the vessel can be determined based on the determined distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel and the sensor arrangement.