B67D1/1277

Fluid dispensing systems and methods
11753293 · 2023-09-12 · ·

A dispenser system includes a first container configured to contain a first fluid, a second container configured to contain a second fluid, a faucet coupled with the first container and the second container via first and second hoses, respectively, and including first and second switches installed on the faucet, and a controller configured to control dispensing of the first and second fluids through the faucet. When the first switch is turned on while the second switch is turned off, the controller dispenses the first fluid to the faucet through the first hose. When the first switch is turned off while the second switch is turned on, the controller dispenses the second fluid to the faucet through the second hose. The dispenser system is configured and dimensioned to prevent cross contamination between the first and second hoses.

Ingredient containers for use with beverage dispensers
11745996 · 2023-09-05 · ·

Containers are provided for use with a beverage dispensing device. The container can include a container body defining a hollow interior and a cap. The cap can have an end wall with a first collar and a second collar projecting therefrom, and first and second recesses surrounding the first and second collars and formed in a surface of the end wall. The first collar has an inlet valve therein, and the second collar has an outlet valve therein, and the first and second collars are spaced apart from one another.

AUTOMATED FLUSHING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSING
20230138611 · 2023-05-04 · ·

Kegs of beer may be connected in parallel alongside one or more valves that connect to a flushing fluid supply. When a beer is selected, the associated beer valve opens so that beer can be dispensed. After a pour is completed, the system automatically flushes the beverage tubing line clean by opening a flushing fluid valve, allowing flushing fluid to cleanse the line. This flushing of the line enables the system to dispense a beer from a recently flushed line for each pour, and/or dispense many different beers because leftovers of a beer from an earlier pour do not contaminate the line for later pours. The system is also configured to measure the time poured based on information from a sensor in a dispenser (e.g., a tap handle). The time poured and a measured flow rate are used to calculate the total price to charge a customer for the beer.

Proportional valve

The present invention relates to a proportional valve (1), particularly for fluid dispensing devices, comprising a main body (3) in which an inlet conduit (5) for an inlet fluid to said proportional valve (1) and an outlet conduit (7) for a fluid leaving said proportional valve (1) are defined, said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) being in fluid communication with each other, said proportional valve (1) comprising at least one shutter element (9) arranged between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) adapted to intercept said fluid, said shutter element (9) comprising a movable fluid sealing element (90) adapted to intercept said fluid at one of said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) and a lever element (92) associated at a first end with said movable fluid sealing element (90) and at a second end with an actuator device (11), said lever element (92) being hinged about said main body (3) at a fulcrum point (94) arranged between said first end and said second end of said lever element (92), said actuator device (11) being configured for moving said lever element (92) of said shutter element (9) around said fulcrum point (94) so as to move said movable fluid sealing element (90) between an opening position in which the fluid communication between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) is allowed and a closing position in which the fluid communication between said inlet conduit (5) and said outlet conduit (7) is prevented. According to the invention, said actuator device (11) comprises an actuator element (13) made of a shape memory material which can be operated progressively to move said lever element (92) of said shutter element (9) around said fulcrum point (94) so as to proportionally vary the degree of opening of said movable fluid sealing element (90) between said opening position and said closing position, and vice versa, the variation of said degree of opening of said movable fluid sealing element (90) allowing the regulation of the flow rate of said fluid exiting from said outlet conduit (7).

Dual-mode fluid connector capable of being switched between different operating modes
11814280 · 2023-11-14 · ·

A dual-mode fluid connector includes: a hollow connecting element, comprising a chamber inside the hollow connecting element; a material tube, positioned on the hollow connecting element and connected through the camber; a cleaning tube, positioned on the hollow connecting element and connected through the camber; a head portion, positioned on one terminal of the hollow connecting element and having a connecting opening, wherein the connecting opening can be detachably connected to a material container; a rear portion, positioned on another terminal of the hollow connecting element and having a through hole; and a rod, inserted into the chamber via the through hole.

Magnetically controlled valve using a blocking device and a movement device

Examples disclosed herein relate to conduits, devices, systems and methods, which may include a hollow element including an inner surface and an outer surface which allows for a passage of one or more of one or more fluid elements and one or more gaseous elements, a constraining element with one or more openings and one or more non-open elements, one or more blocking elements configured to stop the passage of the at least one of the one or more fluid elements and the one or more gaseous elements when the one or more blocking elements are in a first position relative to the one or more openings, and a movement device configured to move the one or more blocking elements to a second position relative to the one or more openings which allows for the passage of the one or more fluid elements and the one gaseous elements through the one or more openings in the constraining element.

Auto-water shut-off for an external door water dispenser
11560299 · 2023-01-24 · ·

A refrigerator including a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser unit is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receptacle. The dispenser unit includes a receptacle support, a dispensing system, a sensor system with at least a first sensor and a second sensor. A control unit electrically coupled to the dispensing system and sensor system. The dispensing system is configured to operate the first sensor to determine the receptacle height and the second sensor to determine the liquid height within the receptacle. The control unit determines when to stop filling the receptacle based on the two measurements. A method for detecting when to shut off the dispensing unit when dispensing liquid into a receptacle.

Distributor

The disclosure herein discloses a distributor, which includes a keg head, a valve element, an elastic member, and a valve element switch configured to control the valve element to act. The keg head is provided with a liquid inle, a liquid outlet, and a valve element mounting hole. The valve element includes a control portion controlling the communication or disconnection between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet and a switch connecting portion configured to be connected to the valve element switch. The valve element is provided with a first matching body. The valve element switch is provided with a second matching body. The elastic member acts on the valve element such that the first matching body tends to move to abut against the second matching body. According to the disclosure herein, the valve element is in floating connection to the valve element switch.

Water purifier

A water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing accommodating components for generating cold water and/or hot water; and a water chute which protrudes from a front surface of the housing, in which the water chute includes a water cock through which cold water or hot water flows; and a light emitting element which is mounted on the water cock to emit ultraviolet rays, in which the water cock includes a water inflow part which extends in a transverse direction and has a water inflow passage formed therein; and a water outflow part which extends in a direction intersecting the water inflow part at an end of the water inflow part and has a water outflow passage formed therein, in which the light emitting element is disposed on the upper side of the water outflow part, and in which the water outflow passage includes a sloping part having a shape in which a cross-sectional diameter thereof gradually decreases toward the lower end thereof.

Touchless water dispensing control system for water supply device and water dispensing control method using same
11434123 · 2022-09-06 · ·

Proposed is a touchless water dispensing control system, wherein water dispensing operation is possible without requiring physical contact between a user and a water supply device. In an embodiment, proposed are: a touchless water dispensing control system for a water supply device, the water dispensing control system including at least two water dispensing valves, a touchless locking operation module detecting an approaching object, a touchless water dispensing operation module detecting the approaching object, and a controller comparing a user's gesture patterns received from each of the locking operation module and the water dispensing operation module with a preset condition and controlling operation of the water dispensing valves on the basis of a result of comparison; and a water dispensing control method using the same.