A dispensing tap for liquids includes a body connected to the neck of a container, a dispensing head with an outlet or mouth, and a throat connecting the body to the dispensing head. A shut off valve is configured for sealing engagement with the mouth of the dispensing head, and a piston is axially guided within the dispensing head. The piston includes a peripheral seal slidably engaged with an interior surface of the dispensing head, and a valve stem coupled to the shut off valve. The piston is selectively actuable between a normally closed position an open position. A vent is in communication with an interior of the body and the vent is opened and closed with movement of the piston and shut off valve.

A tap is described for delivering liquids from a container comprising: a main body to be placed at the delivery end of the container; a valve inserted between a lower fastening body and the main body, which comprises slits to ensure the air-tightness allowing liquids to pass only when opening the tap; the lower fastening body to be placed on the delivery end of the container; and an upper plug placed over the main body; the main body comprises a tamper evident warranty ring integrated and removable when first opening the tap; and the upper plug is assembled on the main body and anchored to the warranty ring integrated in the main body.

A container for dispensing a liquid includes a body and a piercing device. The body includes an interior storage volume, an outlet through the first wall for dispensing the liquid, a first track disposed in a first side wall of the body, and a second track disposed in a second side wall of the body, the second side wall opposite the first side wall. The piercing device can be slidably coupled to the body and includes a first rail configured to slide within the first track, a second rail configured to slide within the second track, and a piercer that includes a piercing end. The piercer can slide from a first position to a second position to pierce the body and create a vent opening.

Dispensing systems for delivering a product from the inside of a container to a receptacle, cup, or container include valve systems and other dispensing configurations to reduce mess, parts, and costs associated with such dispensing systems.

A tap apparatus including a container coupling portion including a liquid inlet portion, a body portion, and a plug valve portion. The body portion includes a liquid outlet portion, wherein the liquid outlet portion is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet portion of the container coupling portion. The plug valve portion is configured and arranged to be seated within the body portion, wherein the plug valve portion is configured and arranged to be moved relative to the body portion between an open position, in which a liquid is free to flow from the liquid inlet portion and out through the liquid outlet portion, and a closed position, in which liquid from the liquid inlet portion is prevented from flowing out through the liquid outlet portion. The body portion also includes a plurality of flow channels provided in an interior surface thereof.

A container assembly is disclosed. The container assembly includes a container that contains a volume. Selected portions of the container assembly may be removable. A spigot assembly may be removed and associated with a filter assembly.

Systems and methods for preparing and dispensing food contents, typically molten chocolate. In one aspect, a method for treating chocolate includes placing a quantity of chocolate in a pressure-controllable environment; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit; decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr; and holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 5 Torr for a predetermined period of time. Additional steps may include decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr at an average rate of about 8 Torr per minute; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of about 2 degrees Fahrenheit per minute; and/or heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of no more than 1 degree Fahrenheit per minute.

A tap assembly 10 with a hollow tap body 16 which defines a dispensing chamber 24 leading to an outlet arrangement 26. A valve assembly with a valve element 18 is provided to selectively open an inlet into the dispensing chamber 24. A push button 20 is provided which operates the valve assembly, and which defines an operating chamber 28, with the push button movable into the operating chamber. A connecting member is provided extending from the push button 20 through the operating chamber. A seal 39 is provided to prevent liquid passing from the dispensing chamber 24 to the operating chamber.

A package including a fitment for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag is disclosed. The fitment is secured to the bag and includes a compressible bulb and a piercing member that are coupled together. In two embodiments the fitment is configured so that the piercing member pierces through a wall of the bag to dispense the bag's contents through an outlet port of the fitment. One of those embodiments includes a separate valve to open and close the outlet port. Another embodiment does not include a separate valve to open and close the outlet port. A third embodiment makes use of a fitment connected to a filling gland of the bag and which is in communication with the interior of the bag. That third embodiment includes a frangible seal forming part of the fitment and which is pierced by the piercing member to dispense the liquid from the bag.

A water discharging device includes a body including a first water channel connected to a water supply source, and a second water channel connected to the first water channel and to an external entity; and an opening and closing portion including a first opening and closing member opening and closing a first opening and closing hole formed in the first water channel, and a second opening and closing member opening and closing a second opening and closing hole formed in the second water channel. The first opening and closing member moves along the first water channel to open and close the first opening and closing hole as the second opening and closing member moves in the second water channel to open and close the second opening and closing hole.