A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.

A refrigerator includes a body, a storage chamber, a door, a water tank to store clean water, a carbonated water production module mounted to a back surface of the door while including a carbon dioxide gas cylinder stored with carbon dioxide gas, and a carbonated water tank to produce carbonated water through mixing of the clean water with the carbon dioxide gas, a dispenser including a dispensation space formed at the door, a carbonated discharge line to connect the carbonated water tank and the dispensation space, so as to retrieve the carbonated water in the dispensation space, and a clean water discharge line to connect the water tank and the dispensation space without passing through the carbonated water tank, so as to retrieve the clean water in the dispensation space, and a carbonated water regulator to maintain a discharge pressure of the carbonated water at a predetermined pressure.

A closure for a beverage keg is provided, comprising an outer housing wall defining at least a portion of a valve housing and an inner duct that is located within the outer housing wall. The inner duct extends through at least a portion of the valve housing to define a flow path through the closure. The outer housing wall and the inner duct are integrally formed together as part of a single housing component.

An effervescent liquid dispenser for a carbonated beverage is disclosed that includes a container containing liquid to be dispensed receiving pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source, becoming a pressurized liquid, the pressurized liquid becoming an effervescent liquid upon being dispensed from the container; and a dispense valve that is positionable in a first position for permitting pressurized gas to be received in a vessel to become the pressurized gas source, the dispense valve selectably movable between the first position and a second position, the dispense valve being secured to the container in the second position in response to the vessel receiving pressurized gas, the vessel becoming the pressurized gas source for the dispenser; wherein the container complies with 27 C.F.R. 5.46 (1999) and conforms with 49 C.F.R. 173.306 (1976).

A closure (1) for a beverage keg (90), comprising an inlet for admitting a pressurised gas into a headspace of the beverage keg (90) and a venting aperture (27) separate from the inlet. The venting aperture (27) is configured to provide fluid communication between the headspace of the keg (90) and an exterior of the closure (1). The closure (1) is provided with a barrier (29) that is welded to the closure (1) and configured to seal the venting aperture such that the closure (1) is able to retain the pressurised gas within the keg (90) in an unvented configuration. The barrier (29) is configured to rupture and/or to become at least partially detached from the closure (1) by internal pressure from within the keg (90) in order to switch the closure (1) into a vented configuration in which the venting aperture (27) is no longer sealed by the barrier (29).

A system is provided for dispensing and storing liquid, such as wine. The system may include a dip tube coupled to a flexible bladder in an airtight manner. The dip tube may include a dip tube head and a perforated dip tube extension extending from the dip tube head into the contents of the flexible bladder.

In an approach for pouring control, a processor recognizes that a user requests material from a dispenser with a container. A processor evaluates the container via one or more sensors. A processor determines that the user is allowed to receive the material. A processor, in response to determining that the user is allowed to receive the material, triggers the dispenser to pour the material into the container. A processor monitors the dispenser pouring the material. A processor determines that an anomaly is detected during pouring the material. A processor, in response to determining that the anomaly is detected during pouring the material, signals the dispenser to stop the pouring.

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods relating to transfer of fluids to/from containers and/or storage/transport of fluids in containers. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises a container including a fitment having an opening. The apparatus may include a valve within the fitment. The valve may be configured to inhibit fluid flow out of the container. The apparatus may also include a transfer tube configured to be positioned through the opening of the fitment. The transfer tube may engage and open the valve to thereby provide an open passage to/from the container.

A system for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized beverage container, the system including an interface having a housing, a tap assembly, a dip tube, a carry handle, and a receiving section. The housing is configured to fasten to a neck portion of a beverage container. The tap assembly rigidly extends from the housing and has a tap handle and a passageway configured to allow a beverage to pass through the tap assembly and out a dispensing end of the tap assembly when the tap handle is activated. The dip tube extends from a first side of the housing and is coupled to the passageway of the tap assembly. The carry handle extends from the housing. The receiving section is configured to receive a pressure regulator and includes an opening extending from a second side of the housing through the first side of the housing.

Systems for filling and dispensing free-flowing contents into and out of a container, the container comprising: a top and a bottom, a plurality of vertical walls extending between the bottom and the top, an ice portal disposed in the top, the ice portal having a removable cap for filling an ice chamber with ice, a removable container cap, a tube vertically disposed in the container cap, the tube extending between a beverage bag and a gate valve above the container cap, an air hose disposed in the container cap parallel with the tube, an air bag attached to a bottom end of the air hose, the air bag being adjacent to the beverage bag, such that a volume between the bags and an interior of the plurality of vertical walls is the ice chamber, and a beverage flow portal protruding longitudinally from a side of the gate valve.