A fuel dispensing device can include a housing, a fuel supply pipe for fuel inlet, a fuel dispensing pipe for dispensing fuel, a fuel pump for pumping fuel from the fuel supply pipe to the fuel dispensing pipe, a fuel filter for filtering fuel to be dispensed, a metering unit between the fuel supply pipe and the fuel dispensing pipe and a control for controlling a function of the fuel dispensing device, wherein heating is provided for heating at least the fuel filter. A method for controlling this fuel dispensing device is also disclosed, wherein at least the fuel filter is heated when outside temperature is near or below fuel freezing point

Apparatus and systems for melting and liquefying chocolate. In one aspect, a system includes a generally fluid-tight exterior housing defining a first volume; a bulkhead positioned within the housing and dividing the first volume into separate second and third volumes; at least one vertical support member operationally connected to the exterior housing; a base support member operationally connected to the vertical support member; a dispenser guiding member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the exterior housing; and a heating element in thermal communication with the first volume, wherein energization heats the first volume to 37 to 46 degrees Celsius. Other aspects include where the liquid chocolate contains less than 3% water; where the liquid chocolate is solid at room temperature; a multiple pivot hinge; and a noninterfering interdigitating hinge.

Apparatus and systems for melting and liquefying chocolate. In one aspect, a system includes a generally fluid-tight exterior housing defining a first volume; a bulkhead positioned within the housing and dividing the first volume into separate second and third volumes; at least one vertical support member operationally connected to the exterior housing; a base support member operationally connected to the vertical support member; a dispenser guiding member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the exterior housing; and a heating element in thermal communication with the first volume, wherein energization heats the first volume to 37 to 46 degrees Celsius. Other aspects include where the liquid chocolate contains less than 3% water; where the liquid chocolate is solid at room temperature; a multiple pivot hinge; and a noninterfering interdigitating hinge.

Methods for treating and preparing chocolate. In one aspect, a method includes heating a quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 46 degrees Celsius; decreasing the pressure of in a pressure-controllable environment to about 25 Torr; holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 25 Torr for a first predetermined period of time; 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 second predetermined period of time. Other aspects include ceasing heating the quantity of chocolate; decreasing pressure occurs at an average rate of about 150 Torr per minute; decreasing pressure occurs at an average rate of about 4 Torr per minute; and others.

Methods for treating and preparing chocolate. In one aspect, a method includes heating a quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 46 degrees Celsius; decreasing the pressure of in a pressure-controllable environment to about 25 Torr; holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 25 Torr for a first predetermined period of time; 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 second predetermined period of time. Other aspects include ceasing heating the quantity of chocolate; decreasing pressure occurs at an average rate of about 150 Torr per minute; decreasing pressure occurs at an average rate of about 4 Torr per minute; and others.

A fluid bypass method for controlling the temperature of a non-petroleum fuel, the fluid bypass method includes: providing a fuel at a pressure sufficient to effect a desired flow rate to a vehicle, the fuel being at a liquid or substantially supercritical thermodynamic state requiring further heat addition in a vaporizer; and diverting a bypass stream with partial or no vaporization to a heat exchanger as a cold fluid on a cold side of the heat exchanger. The method further includes providing a remainder stream of the fuel to the vaporizer; mixing the remainder stream outflowed from the vaporizer with the cold fluid outflowed from the cold side of the heat exchanger to form a combined fuel stream; and providing the combined fuel stream to the heat exchanger as a warm fluid on a warm side of the heat exchanger.

A fluid bypass method for controlling the temperature of a non-petroleum fuel, the fluid bypass method includes: providing a fuel at a pressure sufficient to effect a desired flow rate to a vehicle, the fuel being at a liquid or substantially supercritical thermodynamic state requiring further heat addition in a vaporizer; and diverting a bypass stream with partial or no vaporization to a heat exchanger as a cold fluid on a cold side of the heat exchanger. The method further includes providing a remainder stream of the fuel to the vaporizer; mixing the remainder stream outflowed from the vaporizer with the cold fluid outflowed from the cold side of the heat exchanger to form a combined fuel stream; and providing the combined fuel stream to the heat exchanger as a warm fluid on a warm side of the heat exchanger.

A liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing water and a flavored beverage. The dispensing apparatus may dispense chilled drinking water, hot drinking water and/or ambient temperature drinking water. The dispensing apparatus may further dispense a chilled, ambient temperature and/or hot flavored beverage. The flavored beverage may be coffee, tea, hot chocolate or another flavored beverage. The dispensing apparatus may include a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus or an external source of water. Preferably, the liquid dispensing apparatus dispenses chilled drinking water and hot coffee from a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus wherein the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle is stored in an upright orientation, i.e., the discharge port of the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle is oriented above a bottom of the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle.

A liquid dispensing apparatus for dispensing water and a flavored beverage. The dispensing apparatus may dispense chilled drinking water, hot drinking water and/or ambient temperature drinking water. The dispensing apparatus may further dispense a chilled, ambient temperature and/or hot flavored beverage. The flavored beverage may be coffee, tea, hot chocolate or another flavored beverage. The dispensing apparatus may include a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus or an external source of water. Preferably, the liquid dispensing apparatus dispenses chilled drinking water and hot coffee from a replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle stored in a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus wherein the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle is stored in an upright orientation, i.e., the discharge port of the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle is oriented above a bottom of the replaceable five (5) gallon water bottle.

Various fluid dispensing units having a defrosting system and methods for using the same are provided. In general, a fluid dispensing unit configured to dispense fluid such as AUS32 therefrom is configured to circulate the fluid when the fluid dispensing unit is not in use, e.g., is not dispensing the fluid, to help prevent the fluid from freezing or beginning to crystallize. In the event that the fluid freezes or begins to crystallize, such as due to a power failure that prevents the fluid from circulating, the fluid dispensing unit has a defrosting system configured to heat the frozen or crystallized fluid.