An apparatus configured to store and dispense liquid from a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus preferably includes a storage container for storing the liquid retaining bag. The liquid storage container and the liquid retaining bag are preferably housed in the bottom of a water cooler. The storage container includes a base, an upper opening and at least one wall extending upwardly from the base and defining a hollow cavity. The hollow cavity is sized to receive a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus further includes a liquid transport conduit for transporting liquid from the liquid retaining bag to a dispensing location. A guide and retaining member is operably associated with the storage container. The guide and retaining member is preferably configured to guide the liquid transport conduit from a first location to a second location. The second location is an operating position in which at least a portion of the liquid transport conduit extends into the liquid retaining bag and the first location is a location where no portion of the liquid transport conduit is within the liquid retaining bag. Preferably, the guide member and the storage container are configured such that the liquid transport conduit can be positioned in a third location where the liquid retaining bag can be removed from the storage container while at least a portion of the liquid transport conduit is connected to and held in place by the guide and retaining member. The third location is preferably between the first location and the second location.

A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The attachment mechanism may comprise an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, and a valve assembly. The engagement assembly may generally receive the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. The piercing portion may generally pierce the cartridge, thereby releasing the contents of the cartridge into the container. The valve assembly may generally open upon engagement of the cartridge with the attachment mechanism. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage.

A device for dispensing individual servings of a cold beverage, either having a refrigeration unit to chill the beverage or a removable pitcher that may be put in a refrigerator. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. A dispensing mechanism puts pressure on the cartridge or the pouch to break the pressure rupturable seal or diaphragm to discharge the concentrate into a mixing structure. The mixing structure also receives chilled liquid from the refrigeration unit or the pitcher, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.

The invention relates to a modified valve apparatus that resides on/in a pressurized vessel/container in which automatically releases pressure upon removal using a specialized tool, thus reducing the possibility for bodily/property damage as well as allowing access into the vessel/container.

The present application provides a bag in box connection valve for a pouch spout connected to a flexible pouch of a bag in box. The bag in box connection valve may include a ratchet body with a pair of ratchet teeth lines, a quick disconnect ratchet coupling with a spout opening, and a pair of ratchet arms with a pair of ratchet arm teeth lines. The pair of ratchet teeth line and the pair of ratchet arm teeth lines cooperate to raise and lower the ratchet body onto the pouch spout positioned within the spout opening.

A liquid dispensing device includes a liquid extraction system that extracts a liquid from a container. The liquid dispensing device includes an identification system that identifies a type of the liquid. The liquid dispensing device includes a liquid preservation system that prevents degradation of the liquid. The liquid may be wine or other liquids.

A beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a receptacle, means for opening a beverage dispenser, a thermoelectric cooler, an aeration component, and a discharge nozzle. The housing has a flow path. The receptacle is for receiving a beverage container that houses a beverage and for discharging wine into the flow path. The means for opening the beverage container is for releasing beverage from the beverage container. The thermoelectric cooler is positioned in the housing for one of chilling or warming the beverage along the flow path. The aeration component is for aerating wine in the flow path. The discharge nozzle is coupled to the flow path for dispensing the beverage from the housing.