A dispenser includes a body having a an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first chamber, a first opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a second opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a first valve and a second valve disposed on the body, the valves having a closed and an open configuration, and an actuator disposed at least partially within the first chamber. The actuator may be configured to increase and decrease pressure in the first chamber such that the first valve and the second valve change from their respective closed configurations to their respective open configurations and from their respective open configurations to their respective closed configurations. When in the closed configuration, flow through the valves is impeded.

A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly. In certain embodiments, one or more positive displacement pumping mechanisms are configured to pump additive liquid from additive containers into a beverage chamber.

A condiment dispensing device is provided that, when activated by a user, may expel a condiment from a condiment cartridge secured within the condiment dispensing device. The condiment dispensing device includes a recess at its bottom portion in which a dampener member may be secured. When the dampener member is secured in the recess, the bottom portion of the dispensing device is flat, which results in the device being orientation within a holder in a consistent and predictable fashion. Because the dampener member may be made of a rubber or soft plastic, when the condiment dispensing device is placed in the holder, substantially less impact and noise are created than if the dispensing device were construed entirely made of metal.

A dispenser includes a body having a an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first chamber, a first opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a second opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a first valve and a second valve disposed on the body, the valves having a closed and an open configuration, and an actuator disposed at least partially within the first chamber. The actuator may be configured to increase and decrease pressure in the first chamber such that the first valve and the second valve change from their respective closed configurations to their respective open configurations and from their respective open configurations to their respective closed configurations. When in the closed configuration, flow through the valves is impeded.

A dispenser includes a body having a an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first chamber, a first opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a second opening in fluid communication with the first chamber and extending through the body, a first valve and a second valve disposed on the body, the valves having a closed and an open configuration, and an actuator disposed at least partially within the first chamber. The actuator may be configured to increase and decrease pressure in the first chamber such that the first valve and the second valve change from their respective closed configurations to their respective open configurations and from their respective open configurations to their respective closed configurations. When in the closed configuration, flow through the valves is impeded.

In a soup supply apparatus, when a hopper upper lid and a vertical rotation shaft that has a stirring blade are to be cleaned, at least the hopper upper lid and the vertical rotation shaft are configured to be easily disassembled and to be easily coupled after cleaning as well. In addition, a cylindrical first engaging body on an output shaft side and a cylindrical second engaging body on the vertical rotation shaft side are configured as to be easily and reliably engaged by a free end portion of an upper-portion housing box of a machine body lowered in a downward direction. Furthermore, the apparatus is configured to support the vertical rotation shaft to the hopper upper lid in a stable state.

A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly. In certain embodiments, one or more positive displacement pumping mechanisms are configured to pump additive liquid from additive containers into a beverage chamber.

A fixed nozzle pump appropriate for food service and dispensing of other fluids of varying viscosities is contemplated. The components are modularly connectable for easy assembly and cleaning. A piston and sealing ring cooperate with the chamber extension formed in the pump body to facilitate reciprocating pump action while minimizing the number of components disposed in and exposed to the fluid flow path. A novel, injection-moldable valve is integrated on the dispensing nozzle. The entire assembly may be disposed within a container shell which itself includes a replaceable pouch filled with the fluid to be dispensed.

A beverage dispenser includes a dispenser housing having a first inlet, a piston being disposed in the dispenser housing, with the piston having a chamber extending through the piston, where the piston is movable in the dispenser housing between an open position and a closed position. The first inlet is in fluid communication with the chamber when in the open position. The first inlet is blocked from fluid communication with the chamber when in the closed position.

A system for extracting a liquid from a container. The system comprises a liquid extraction member including a liquid extraction inlet and one or more liquid extraction outlets. The system additionally includes one or more storage vessels each defining a liquid storage inlet coupled in fluid flow communication with the extraction member via one of the liquid extraction outlets. The system additionally includes a pressure differential device operable to cause liquid to flow from the container, through the liquid extraction member, and into one or more of the storage vessels. Furthermore, the system includes one or more fluid restrictors associated with the liquid extraction member and configured to prevent fluid flow in at least one direction through the liquid extraction member to prevent liquid in the liquid extraction member from receding from the liquid extraction member back into the container.