A refrigerator including a water intake container, in which carbonated water is produced by mixture of carbon dioxide and clean water, a first dispenser assembly, which the water intake container is attached to or detached from, and which supplies carbon dioxide and clean water to the water intake container when the water intake container is attached to the first dispenser, a dispenser lever and a second dispenser assembly which discharges clean water or ice according to manipulation of the dispenser lever, but stops the discharging of clean water or ice if the water intake container is attached to the first dispenser assembly. The refrigerator may include a dispenser lever and a processor to control an ice maker to stop operation if a command is entered through a user interface and to control the ice maker to start operation if the dispenser lever is manipulated while the ice maker stops operation.

Systems and methods, including a system for metering, mixing, and dispensing liquids, such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic liquids and solutions, are provided. In one instance, the system includes a controller operatively coupled to a first pump and a second pump. The first pump and the second pump are coupled to a first liquid source and a second liquid source, respectively. The controller controls flow rates at each of the first pump and the second pump. The system includes a valve coupled to a source supply of a third liquid, including pressurized carbonated water. The system includes a fluid connector coupled to the first pump, the second pump, the valve, and a dispenser. The connector receives the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, such that a fourth liquid, including a combination of the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid, is dispensable from the dispenser.

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 cooling system for rapidly cooling a beverage comprises a cooling channel configured to convey a beverage from upstream to downstream and a nozzle. The cooling channel includes an inner peripheral surface and the nozzle sprays the beverage on the inner peripheral surface such that the beverage is conveyed by gravity along the inner peripheral surface. The beverage cools as the beverage is conveyed by gravity along the inner peripheral surface such that the beverage is cooled by condensation and convection. The nozzle is further configured to reduce the pressure of the beverage such that the beverage cools due to expansion and reduction of pressure. The cooling system can also include a cooling media circulation system, a cooling media refrigeration system, and a post-chill coil.

A mixed beverage production appliance has a first container which is configured for receiving a first fluid having a first freezing point and is able to be added to a mixed beverage and a second container which is separate therefrom and which is configured for receiving a second fluid having a second freezing point which is different from the first freezing point and which is able to be added to a mixed beverage. The two containers are connected into a refrigerating circuit of the mixed beverage production appliance which is configured such that the two containers are able to be subjected to different temperatures independently of one another.

A cooling device comprises a buffer circuit comprising a cooling unit for cooling coolant and a reservoir for buffering cooled coolant and a primary cooling circuit for providing coolant to a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is arranged for exchange of thermal energy between the coolant and beverage in a dispensing line. The primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit are connected to enable exchange of coolant. The cooling device comprises a coolant distribution module arrange to control exchange of coolant between the primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit. The coolant distribution module may control at least one of valves as passive components and pumps as active components, in at least one of the primary cooling circuit and the buffer circuit. The coolant distribution module may operate based on coolant temperature in the primary cooling circuit.

A system is for infusing liquid with a gas to form a gas-infused beverage. The system has a tank with first and second cavities. A refrigeration circuit refrigerates the tank and the contents of the first and second cavities. The liquid is supplied to the first cavity and cooled therein by the refrigeration circuit and then supplied to the second cavity and infused with gas therein to thereby form the gas-infused beverage. The gas-infused beverage is then supplied to a beverage outlet for dispensing to a user.

Methods and systems of a mobile beer-dispensing system are provided. The system includes a mobile cart, a beer storage tank or container mounted to the mobile cart, a pressurization system configured to selectively force beer from the storage tank, a beer-dispensing tap, a fluid transport line configured to convey the beer from the storage tank to the tap, and an integrated cooling system that keeps the storage tank and the fluid transport lines cool.

A beverage maker may include a fermentation device including a fermentation tank assembly having an opening, and a fermentation lid that opens and closes the opening, a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator formed therein such that a refrigerant circulates in the compressor, the condenser, the expansion mechanism, and the evaporator, which may adjust a temperature inside the fermentation tank assembly; a blower that may dissipate heat emitted by the condenser; a gas discharger connected to the fermentation device that discharges gas inside the fermentation device; and a rear cover provided behind the fermentation device which may include a through-hole such that both air blown by the blower and gas discharged from the gas discharger may be discharged through the through-hole.

A beverage maker includes a fermentation tank having an inner space, a water tank that supplies water to the fermentation tank, and an ingredient supply assembly provided between the fermentation tank and the water tank and configured to accommodate a beverage ingredient. At least a portion of the fermentation tank or at least a portion of the water tank is recessed into the ingredient supply assembly.