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 system and method for dispensing beverage from a container, such as wine from a wine bottle. Dispensing may be automatically controlled based on a detected orientation of the container, e.g., dispensing may occur when a bottle is tilted as if to pour from the bottle and stopped when the bottle is oriented upright. Dispensing may be stopped when the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis even while in a pour orientation. A remaining amount of beverage in the container and/or an amount of pressurized gas used to drive dispensing may be detected and beverage dispensing controlled accordingly.

A machine for making an individual drink. The machine includes a pressure source, a store defining a plurality of housings, a plurality of removable containers each immobilized, in a service position, in a respective housing. Each container includes a receptacle containing an ingredient, and an upstream emptying valve allowing the ingredient to be caused to exit to the outside of the receptacle by an increased pressure generated inside the receptacle by the pressure source. The machine includes a chamber to receive the ingredients extracted from the containers, via the upstream emptying one-way valves, because of the increased pressure, so as to make the drink. The machine includes a control module able to command the increased pressures in the containers as a function of a desired composition for the drink.

A nozzle for dispensing a beverage includes a nozzle head having a base liquid inlet configured to receive a base liquid and a flavoring inlet configured to receive a flavoring. The nozzle further includes a diffuser assembly that is in fluid communication with the base liquid inlet and which includes a diffuser plate having a plurality of peripheral openings through which the base liquid flows. The nozzle further includes a receptacle that is in fluid communication with the diffuser assembly and the flavoring inlet. The receptacle of the nozzle includes an inner wall, and the peripheral openings of the diffuser assembly are arranged so as to direct flow of the base liquid along the inner wall of the receptacle. The receptacle further includes an outlet through which the flavoring and the base liquid are dispensed.

The vehicular water-dispensing method incorporates a water recovery process, a water STT process, and a discharge process. The water recovery process: a) converts water contained in a gas phase in the atmosphere into water in a liquid phase; b) initially treats the converted liquid phase water to remove microorganisms and other chemical contaminations; and c) transports the initially treated liquid phase water to the water STT process. The water STT process: a) receives and stores the initially treated (liquid phase) water from the water recovery process; b) subsequently treats the stored water with a final treatment to remove microorganisms and other chemical contaminations; and, c) transports the treated stored water to the discharge process. The discharge process: a) receives the water from the water STT process after the final treatment; and, b) controls the discharge of the water received from the water

A valve for dispensing metered volumes of fluid includes a valve body configured to interface with a container holding a fluid. The valve body defines a fluid lumen that extends along at least a portion of the length of the valve body. A valve tip is in communication with the fluid lumen. An actuator is positioned within the valve body. A plunger is positioned within the valve body and in communication with the fluid lumen. The plunger is moveable by the actuator to open the fluid lumen. The plunger is biased in a closed direction. The valve includes a valve cap and a controller that is configured to activate the actuator to dispense a volume of fluid from the valve.

A bottom feed portable bottle filling station includes a cart having a frame that defines a top surface and an inside space into which a liquid storage tank is positioned. A pump unit is in fluid communication with the tank to supply liquid stored within the tank to a liquid distribution chamber. A plurality of bottom-feed dispensers is in fluid communication with the liquid distribution chamber and each of the dispensers includes a valve and nozzle that are controlled by a switch. The nozzle and switch are positioned along the bottom wall of the dispenser and engage a removable water bottle having a bottom-feed valve along the bottom end.

An appliance for making a drink individually. The appliance includes a plurality of containers. Each container includes a vessel and a head screwed onto the vessel. A base defines a plurality of housings each receiving a container, and being provided with a housing outlet and a pressurizing inlet connected with a drain valve and a pressurizing valve of the container, respectively. A funnel is mounted under the housing outlets. Structure transfers by pressurization, into the funnel, ingredients contained in the containers housed in the housings. The vessel and the head of at least one container include polarizing surfaces of the vessel and of the head, respectively, configured to form, together, a container polarizing surface that can cooperate with a housing polarizing surface to ensure a predetermined positioning of the container with respect to the housing.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling a water purifier delays the operating time of an agitator at an early stage of a current refrigerating cycle operation when a supercooled state has occurred in an immediately previous refrigerating cycle operation step.

A dispensing nozzle assembly is provided including a nozzle member provided with one or more dispensing apertures to allow fluid to be dispensed therefrom in use. Closure means are provided on or associated with the nozzle member and movable relative thereto between a closed position, wherein the closure means closes the dispensing apertures and fluid cannot be dispensed from the dispensing apertures, and an open position, wherein the closure means are moved at least partially clear of the dispensing apertures and fluid can be dispensed through the dispensing apertures in use. Switch means are moveable between an “on” position for allowing fluid to flow into the nozzle member for dispensing through the dispensing apertures in use, and an “off” position for preventing fluid flowing into the nozzle member in use. The switch means are arranged such that movement of the closure means relative to the nozzle member moves or actuates the switch means between the on and off positions in use.