An automated consumable dispenser with a precision method for delivering consumable ingredients in specific proportions to a container up to a specified volume. This method involves the use of a system of sensors and a micro-microprocessor, which detects, digitizes and develops a three dimensional rendering of the container, calculates the container volume and dispenses specific amounts of consumable ingredients. A user is able to pick the level in the vessel to which the consumable ingredients should be dispensed and displays the selected desired level. The embodiments described include an automated dispenser capable of dispensing beverages and food items, either separately or together.

A refrigerator includes a water dispensing device, and the water dispensing device includes a water tank, a drain pipeline, a beverage making chamber, in which a capsule support for receiving a beverage powder capsule and a capsule piercer for puncturing the capsule operatively are provided; and a dispenser, communicated with an outlet of the beverage making chamber, including a beverage outlet of which the prepared beverage flows out. The refrigerator has a water dispensing device capable of making a beverage, such as coffee, milk tea, or the like, based on demands from a user, thereby satisfying diverse drinking demands from people and solving problem of a single function of an existing refrigerator.

A dispenser having a pedal actuator. The dispenser includes a valve operatively connected to a nozzle and which moves from a closed position to an open position to dispense an item, a first actuator operatively connected to the nozzle, and a second actuator located below the first actuator and operatively connected to the nozzle. The dispenser can be electro-mechanical and can include components capable of retrofitting onto existing dispensers.

A method of controlling a drinking water supply device includes inputting a water discharge signal through an input lever, opening a first valve such that drinking water flows through a first channel and measuring the amount of drinking water flowing through the first channel using a flow rate sensor, opening a second valve for a predetermined time to discharge minerals when the amount of drinking water measured by the flow rate sensor reaches a first predetermined amount, and, opening the second valve again for the predetermined time to further discharge minerals when a second predetermined amount of drinking water is measured by the flow rate sensor.

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.

Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.

A refrigerator capable of supplying water without opening a door and deteriorating the aesthetic quality of the refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body in which a food storage space is formed, a door to open or close one side of the main body and a water dispensing member having an outlet. The water dispensing member is provided so as to be movable in the forward and backward directions and located at a first position at which the water dispensing member is accommodated in the door or at a second position at which the water dispensing member protrudes forward from the door.

A refrigeration device includes a refrigerated compartment, a door that seals the compartment, a dispenser opening in an exterior surface of the door, and a dispenser outlet in the opening. The refrigeration device also includes a reservoir configured to hold a substance and a conveyor configured to convey the substance from the reservoir to the dispenser outlet. Measurement sensors of the refrigeration device are configured to generate first measurement signals that are indicative a gesture of a hand in the dispenser opening. A control unit of the refrigeration device is configured to ascertain a requested fill height based upon the first measurement signals. The control unit is further configured to generate signals that cause the conveyor to convey the substance from the reservoir to a container placed under the dispenser outlet and cease conveying the substance upon the container attaining the requested fill level.

A master control device in the configuration of a wand may control pre-programmed aspects of the user's environment using RFID/NFC tags and RFID/NFC readers to initiate pre-programmed behavior in a computer database. This pre-programmed behavior be the control of items that rely on electricity and/or gas, such as lights, electric fireplaces, electric valves, activating the listening feature on a home assistant, accruing a balance, paying for items with a topped-up balance, and locking and unlocking doors. This master control device can be used in the connected home or business, such as a pub, restaurant, hotel, or immersive experience.

Systems and methods for dispensing compositions, such as beverages, are provided. A beverage dispenser may be configured to receive input corresponding to a selection of a beverage, and in response, a graphical representation of the beverage at a display device. The beverage dispenser may receive additional input corresponding to an adjustment of an amount of an ingredient of the selected beverage, and in response, the graphical representation of the beverage may be updated. The graphical representation of the beverage may include graphics depicting the beverage container, the volume of liquid in the beverage container, and the adjusted ingredient.