A closing unit associable with a keg type container suitable to contain a beverage, and consisting of two cooperating coaxial containers, wherein the external container has anchoring means, or a threaded portion, comprising a valve assembly and a closing device, which can be stably anchored to the threaded portion and configured to reciprocally position with respect to each other the valve assembly and the containers.

According to certain embodiments, a connector for dispensing a liquid from a container comprises a main body connectable to the container and a subassembly being movable relative to the main body between an inactivated position and an activated position. The subassembly comprises inner and outer hollow piercing members. When the main body is connected to the container and the subassembly is moved from the inactivated position to the activated position, the inner hollow piercing member is arranged to pierce a seal of an inner cavity of the container, and the outer piercing member is arranged to pierce a seal of an outer cavity of the container.

An arrangement for filling containers like bottles with a beverage like beer in a retail environment comprises a disposable dispensing line, from keg to outlet into the container. The dispensing line comprises an actuable shut-off valve. The shut-off valve may be fitted in a cartridge, comprising a valve seat for receiving and accommodating a first part of the shut-off valve and an actuable connector arranged to engage with the shut-off valve to close or open the dispensing line. The cartridge may be fitted with a valve driving module, comprising an actuator driven by a driving unit and arranged to engage with the actuable connector for operating the shut-off valve. The dispensing line may be opened or closed by squeezing the line in case of a flexible line, operating a reciprocating or rotating shut-off valve, other, or a combination thereof. The cartridge may be fitted in the filling arrangement.

A material dispensing device, a material output volume detecting device, and a related damper device for use in an automated beverage preparation apparatus are disclosed. The material output volume detecting device includes: a damper device arranged to operably buffer liquid material flowing therethrough; and a flowmeter arranged to operably measure the flow of liquid material outputted from the damper device. The damper device includes: a damper base having a material entrance hole, a material exit hole, and a material buffer chamber positioned between the material entrance hole and the material exit hole; a diaphragm covered on the material buffer chamber; and a fastening element positioned on the diaphragm and having a hollow portion. When the volume of liquid material within the material buffer chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, the diaphragm deforms to protrude outward, so that a part of the diaphragm enters the hollow portion of the fastening element.

A beverage dispensing apparatus including at least one multiple lever-switching assembly where the lever assembly has a plurality of levers and valves configured to dispense fluids, flavorings, syrups, and optionally pressurized gas through one or more channels in each of the assemblies. The levers are part of a mechanical hydraulic system, that is not reliant on electrical connections to control or regulate the dispensing of fluids. Each set of levers can operate independently or in combination with other levers on the assembly, and can further actuate individual valves or more than one valve within the body of each assembly.

A tap group comprising a tap body provided with at least one dispensing exit, an operating lever or knob, a regulation member of the parameters of the flow of water to be dispensed (the parameters including the temperature and/or the flow of water and/or the direction of the flow), and a transmission including gears which operatively connect the operating lever or knob to said regulation member of the flow of water. Advantageously, the gears create a gear ratio between the operating lever or knob and a control rod of the regulation member of the parameters of the flow of water, so as to reduce the rotation of the control rod of the regulation member for the same rotation of the operating lever or knob. The tap group also includes a ring-nut provided with at least one indicator and/or a reference index of the parameters of the flow to be dispensed.

A system and method for dispensing fluids is introduced. A preferred embodiment comprises a sealed tank, a bag containing fluid inside the sealed tank, an outlet for dispensing the liquid in the bag, and a pressure generating device to create pressure in the sealed tank.

A tap for dispensing a beverage has a housing defining a channel for dispensing and a dispensing valve arranged in the housing. The valve is operable by a handle and connected via a tap drive shaft and a gear transmission to a valve drive shaft. The gear transmission has at least two cooperating gear wheels. The gear transmission could have a variable gear ratio. A method for manufacturing a tap for dispensing a beverage is disclosed.

Beverage dispensing assembly 1 comprising a tapping column 2 and a tap 3 connected to the tapping column at a first end 4 thereof, wherein the tapping column 2 comprises a first 5 and a second 6 channel, in fluid communication near the tap, and a beverage line 8 extending through one of the first 5 and second 6 channels and connected to the tap 3, wherein the assembly 1 comprises a first part 9 and a second part 10 for connecting the tap 3 to the column 2, the second part 10 at least partly surrounding the first part 9, wherein the first part 9 is made of a first material and the second part is made of a second material, the second material having a heat conductivity which is higher than the heat conductivity of the first material, wherein the beverage line 8 is connected to the first part 9 and the second part 10 extends into and/or forms part of a wall of a chamber 7 into which the first 5 and second 6 channel open, forming the fluid connection.

A water purifier that includes: a filter unit that is configured to purify water; a cooling unit that is configured to cool water purified by the filter unit using cooling water; a water discharge unit that is configured to discharge water cooled by the cooling unit; a cold water flow path that couples the cooling unit to the water discharge unit and through which water cooled by the cooling unit passes; a cold water discharge valve that is coupled to a first side of the cooling unit and that is configured to control water flow inside the cold water flow path; and a check fitting unit that is coupled to a first side of the water discharge unit and that is configured to block pressure change inside the cold water flow path is disclosed.