A system and method determines an amount of water and water flow rate in a water dispenser system including a container/bottle, using a strain gage device(s) mounted on a structure or plane in relationship to the container/bottle. One or more strain gages are configured in a position to measure force per unit area, exerted by a portion of the water container/bottle in a normal or direction substantially perpendicular to a surface or plane on which the strain gage device(s) are mounted. The portion of the container/bottle is positioned in direct or indirect contact with the one or more strain gages to produce a strain gage signal representative of the amount of water in the container/bottle and periodic sampling of the strain gage signal is representative of flow rate of water from the container/bottle. Signals from the strain gage(s) are processed in a manner that allows the amount and rate of consumption of water to be monitored and determined automatically on-site or remotely.

A refrigerator utilizes a quick fill dispenser that incorporates a fluid storage receptacle that is easily removable for cleaning and/or dispensing independently of the refrigerator.

A system for dispensing a beverage from at least one pouch having a first dispensing apparatus is provided herein, the system including: a keg defining a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, and an outer surface; a first aperture extending from the inner surface of the keg to the outer surface of the keg, the first aperture configured to receive the first dispensing apparatus; and a first outer clip positioned to abut the outer surface of the keg and encircle a first portion of the first dispensing apparatus. Also provided herein are methods of assembling and using the beverage-dispensing apparatus.

Systems and methods for preparing and dispensing food contents, typically molten chocolate. In one aspect, a method for treating chocolate includes placing a quantity of chocolate in a pressure-controllable environment; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit; decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr; and holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 5 Torr for a predetermined period of time. Additional steps may include decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr at an average rate of about 8 Torr per minute; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of about 2 degrees Fahrenheit per minute; and/or heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of no more than 1 degree Fahrenheit per minute.

A product case for receiving a fluid bag used in gravity based fluid dispensing systems. The product case has a floor and sidewalls that form a rectangular enclosure for the fluid bag, and a bag supporter in contact with the fluid bag. The bag supporter includes a notch formed in a top edge of one sidewall to facilitate receipt of material of the fluid bag, a slot in the one sidewall extending from a bottom of the triangular shaped notch and configured to receive and retain the material of the fluid bag, and a removable retaining wall held by support structures on a pair of the sidewalls opposing each other to divide the rectangular enclosure into a smaller enclosure. The sidewalls and the removable retaining wall constrain the fluid bag within the smaller enclosure, while the triangular shaped notch and the slot minimizes fluid bag material from covering the outlet nozzle as the fluid bag empties and provides for repeatable flow characteristics for portion control applications.

An adapter for dispensing a liquid from a container includes an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, a probe disposed adjacent to the proximal end, the probe being configured to removably engage with an outlet opening of the container, a valve disposed adjacent to the distal end, and a passage extending through the elongate body, the passage being in fluid communication with the probe and the valve.

A beverage system may include a beverage maker, a vessel, and a liner assembly. The liner assembly may comprise a liner configured for the vessel, an integrated closure mechanism, a flexible tube; and a cuff having an interlock surface. The cuff may be received in at least a portion of the tube thereby securing the liner and the tube. The interlock surface may be configured to provide a first seal between at least the cuff and the liner. The integrated closure mechanism may be configured to provide a second seal on an upper portion of the liner. A method of using same is further provided.

An adapter (9) for connecting a removable liquid container (10) to a liquid dispenser (1), said adapter having at a first end thereof a liquid container connector and at a second end thereof a dispenser connector, said liquid container connector having a probe part (12) adapted to pierce an outlet comprising a self-sealing valve or membrane of said removable liquid container (10), said probe part (12) being hollow and having at least one inlet for liquid from said removable liquid container, said dispenser connector being hollow and having at its end remote from said probe part an outlet for liquid from said removable liquid container, wherein the outlet of the dispenser connector is adapted to fit tightly around an existing feed tube of the liquid dispenser (1). The adapter (9) can be part of an adapter assembly, which can optionally comprise a liquid transfer regulating means (11) adapted to cooperate with and regulate liquid transfer through said adapter (9).

A portable beverage apparatus that is configured to store a plurality of bottles in a position for dispensing liquid therefrom and wherein the present invention further includes storage for additional beverage receptacles. The present invention includes an annular base support member having a lower storage container superposed thereto. The lower storage container is configured to receive and store beverage containers of various sizes. A support mast member extends upward from the lower end of the portable beverage apparatus to the upper end thereof. A beverage dispensing assembly is rotatably mounted about the support mast member. The beverage dispensing assembly is configured to receive and retain a plurality of bottles in an inverted position providing access to the contents of the bottle through valve assemblies. An upper tray member is located at the top of the beverage dispensing assembly and is configured to receive and store alternate types of beverage containers.

A portable beverage apparatus that is configured to store a plurality of bottles in a position for dispensing liquid therefrom and wherein the present invention further includes storage for additional beverage receptacles. The present invention includes an annular base support member having a lower storage container superposed thereto. The lower storage container is configured to receive and store beverage containers of various sizes. A support mast member extends upward from the lower end of the portable beverage apparatus to the upper end thereof. A beverage dispensing assembly is rotatably mounted about the support mast member. The beverage dispensing assembly is configured to receive and retain a plurality of bottles in an inverted position providing access to the contents of the bottle through valve assemblies. An upper tray member is located at the top of the beverage dispensing assembly and is configured to receive and store alternate types of beverage containers.