Apparatus and methods according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise a fluid reservoir configured to provide a user with access to the fluid while the user is in bed. In one embodiment, the fluid reservoir may comprise a body suitably configured to be positioned near the bed while allowing the user to receive fluid from the reservoir without having to sit up or get out of bed. In one embodiment, the fluid reservoir may comprise a flexible delivery conduit having a valve at one end that allows the user to ingest the fluid when desired.

A dispensing system including a container and a dispenser. In some embodiments, the container includes a container body, a dispensing opening, and a seal over the dispensing opening. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a base, a drawer, a piercing tube, and a dispensing tap. In some embodiments, the base is configured to receive the container. In some embodiments, the drawer is moveable relative to the base between a first position and a second position. In some embodiments, the piercing tube is coupled to and moveable with the drawer. In some embodiments, the dispensing tap is in fluid communication with the piercing tube. In some embodiments, the piercing tube is configured to pierce the seal of container when the container is received in the base and the drawer is moved from the first position to the second position.

A dispensing system includes a container, a holder, and a signal processing module. The container includes a body configured to store a liquid and a conductive strip coupled to an outer surface of the body. The holder is configured to receive the container. The holder includes an electrical contact configured to contact the conductive strip when the container is received in the holder. The signal processing module is in electrical communication with the electrical contact. The signal processing module is configured to receive signals from the electrical contact to determine a level of liquid within the container body based on the signals when the container is received in the holder.

A dispenser base for use with a dispenser for delivering a liquid from an inverted supply bottle is disclosed. A top portion of the dispenser base is where the inverted supply bottle is supported. The dispenser base has a rim. A foot is formed at a bottom portion of the dispenser base. A bottle collar engages the top portion of the dispenser base. The bottle collar is adapted to engage the inverted supply bottle positioned on the bottle collar. A gap in a side of the bottle collar enables a dispenser valve coupled to the inverted supply bottle to be lowered directly downward into the bottle collar engaged upon the dispenser base.

A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a housing configured to dispense liquid into a container, the housing having an outlet for dispensing liquid into the container. The liquid dispenser includes a proximity sensor disposed proximate to the outlet and configured to detect the container when the container is disposed proximate to the outlet; a light source disposed proximate to the outlet and configured to emit a beam of light to identify a location of liquid to be dispensed from the outlet; and a processor configured to determine whether the container is disposed proximate to the outlet based on an output signal from the proximity sensor; and illuminate the light source to project the beam of light towards an opening of the container based on the output signal from the proximity sensor, to inform a user of a location of liquid to be dispensed from the housing.

A beverage dispensing system for use with a beverage container includes a base with lower, side and upper external surfaces, a vertically-inclined bore within the base extending a first pre-defined distance into the base from the upper external surface and defines an upper opening in the base, a horizontally-inclined bore within the base extending into the base from the side external surface and defining a side opening in the base connected to the vertically-inclined bore forming a continuous internal channel, an outlet valve secured at the side opening in the base, an adapter assembly accessible from the upper opening in the base including a rigid cap, elastic sleeve and vent line. A flexible tubing extending through the continuous internal channel connects the outlet valve to the adapter assembly.

Systems and methods are provided for a valve shut-off system of a medical device. In one embodiment, the valve shut-off system of the medical device includes a first pin movable between a first position where a valve is opened and a second position where the valve is closed, the first pin including a slot, and a second pin having a mating geometry with the slot of the first pin, the second pin adjustable between a locked position that holds the first pin in the first position and an unlocked position that enables movement of the first pin between the first position and the second position.

The invention relates to a package comprising a carton and a flexible bag to contain a flowable product, the bag having a dispensing outlet for dispensing the flowable product, the carton having an internal wall defining to one side of the wall a first cavity within the carton for locating the bag, the internal wall having an opening within which a body of the dispensing outlet is located whereby an outer end of the dispensing outlet lies within a second cavity defined between an opposite side of the internal wall and an adjacent external wall of the carton, the carton including a removable area leading into the second cavity to expose the dispensing outlet and provide access thereto.

A refrigeration appliance apparatus has an appliance body and an appliance door delimiting a refrigeration chamber. A water-dispensing unit is disposed on a side wall of the appliance body or appliance door. The water-dispensing unit has a guide for dispensing water and at least one actuating unit.

Systems and methods are provided for a valve shut-off system of a medical device. In one embodiment, the valve shut-off system of the medical device includes a first pin movable between a first position where a valve is opened and a second position where the valve is closed, the first pin including a slot, and a second pin having a mating geometry with the slot of the first pin, the second pin adjustable between a locked position that holds the first pin in the first position and an unlocked position that enables movement of the first pin between the first position and the second position.