A variable temperature control assembly for a water dispenser, using a variable water temperature selector, that delivers water to the consumer at the temperature requested on the variable temperature selector by calculating the required ratio of hot water, cold water and ambient water needed to deliver water at the temperature requested.

A water supply device for supplying water for consumption includes a hot-water tank and a pipeline for conveying water with a temperature below 65 C. to a draw-off point. The water supply device further includes an inlet valve configured for allowing or blocking inflow of fresh water into the hot-water tank feed, a return pipe that connects the line for conveying water with a temperature below 65 C. to the hot-water tank for returning water, and a return pipe valve fitted in the return pipe to allow or to block flow of water through the return pipe, in such a way that by blocking the inlet valve and opening the return pipe valve, a circulation circuit is formed for the at least partial sterilization of the line for conveying water with a temperature below 65 C.

A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations. Additionally, the dispenser stations cooperatively operate with the cloud server (via the base station) to support a variety of real time control and maintenance operations relating to the dispenser stations operating at potentially thousands of distinct geographic locations.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to extracting the liquid from a container (such as a bottle of wine) in varying amounts at a desired serving temperature while preserving the liquid for later consumption. Various embodiments may be built within an appliance so the consumer experience is fully automated. Embodiments may include a variety of wine preservation techniques including the use of inert gases that prevent the oxidation of wine.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to extracting the liquid from a container (such as a bottle of wine) in varying amounts at a desired serving temperature while preserving the liquid for later consumption. Various embodiments may be built within an appliance so the consumer experience is fully automated. Embodiments may include a variety of wine preservation techniques including the use of inert gases that prevent the oxidation of wine.

A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations. Additionally, the dispenser stations cooperatively operate with the cloud server (via the base station) to support a variety of real time control and maintenance operations relating to the dispenser stations operating at potentially thousands of distinct geographic locations.

Liquid dispensing systems which sanitize the liquid and liquid-contacting parts of a liquid dispensing system using ozonation, by periodically flushing the system with ozonated gas or liquid. Also disclosed and claimed are an apparatus and method for controlling temperature variations between the liquid in holding (e.g., cold and/or hot) tanks and the liquid as it is dispensed, which may be used with an Insta-Boil feature.

A dispenser for dispensing a selected volume of water at a specified temperature. The dispenser includes a source of water at an elevated temperature and a source of water at a lower temperature. An electronic controller determines the volume of water needed from each source in order to arrive at the selected volume and temperature. The dispenser uses a recirculation valve to circulate at least the elevated temperature water in the tank and in the outlet in order to ensure the temperature of the water is as expected throughout the system to achieve the specified temperature.

A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The system provides for precise measurement of each portion. An error alarm system warns an operator about beverage tank low level. A system for forcing the flashing of poor quality beverage. Recording of all delivery process events allows for operator or management review and control.

Apparatuses and methods for liquid control are provided. A liquid control apparatus may be for selectively treating and/or substituting a liquid flow from at least one of a plurality of supply lines. The ultimate liquid flow is for dispensing to a user by way of a liquid supply fixture such as a tap. The apparatus comprises a liquid conditioning module for connection in-line with at least one of the plurality of supply lines. The liquid conditioning module receives a diverted liquid flow of the at least one supply line from an upstream portion of the supply line. It then outputs a selectively treated and/or substituted liquid flow for returning to a downstream portion of the supply line for dispensing to the user. The apparatus has at least one flow sensor, each flow sensor associated with one of the plurality of supply lines. It has a controller, the controller configured to receive information indicative of the liquid flow of at least one of the plurality of supply lines from the at least one flow sensor. The controller, upon the occurrence of a predetermined flow characteristic, is operable to activate the liquid conditioning module to treat and/or substitute the liquid flow from one or more of the liquid conditioning module connected supply lines in order to provide a treated and/or substituted liquid flow at the liquid supply fixture.