A beverage making pack may include a flexible container having a beverage making space, a pack body to which the flexible container is coupled and which has a pack opening communicating with the beverage making space and a seating part seated on a fermentation tank module, a tube connected to a lower portion of the pack body and accommodated in the flexible container, and a cap configured to open/close the pack opening.

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.

A water purifier includes a raw water flow path into which raw water is introduced, a clean water flow path connected to the raw water flow path and having a water discharge nozzle disposed at an end, a filter device disposed in the clean water flow path, and to which a filter is installable to filter the raw water, a drain flow path branched off from the clean water flow path between the filter and the water discharge nozzle and connected to a drain port to drain water in the clean water flow path to outside, a drain valve configured to open or close the drain flow path, and a controller configured to determine a remaining life of the filter on a point in time at which the filter has been replaced and control the drain valve to perform a cleaning operation based on the remaining life of the filter.

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 beverage dispensing apparatus including a cabinet for retaining a beverage product and from which the beverage product is controllably dispensed. The cabinet includes structures and systems to make cooling more efficient and maintain more constant product temperatures. The structures and systems function to reduce heat transfer between beverage product stored in containers in the cabinet and the ambient environment. The apparatus maintains a minimal equipment footprint, maintains ease of installing and removing the beverage containers, and accommodates a variety of types of products and types of product containers.

Tankless evaporators, refrigeration circuits, and water coolers use a drum as a thermal mass without using one or more tanks for storing water. Water coolers can include a tankless evaporator. Also described are refrigeration circuits suitable for a water cooler and which include a tankless evaporator. An evaporator for use in a fluid chiller includes a drum of heat conductive material defining a thermal mass, a water coil disposed adjacent around the drum, an evaporator coil configured around the drum and adjacent to the water coil, in which the evaporator coil is operative to cool the water coil.

A refrigerator appliance includes a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes a dispenser recess with a flexible hose that is in fluid communication with a water supply to deliver water to the dispenser recess. The dispensing assembly also includes an actuating mechanism in operative communication with the water supply to cause the water supply to deliver a flow of water to the flexible hose when the actuating mechanism is activated. The dispensing assembly further includes a vibration generator coupled to the flexible hose and in operative communication with the actuating mechanism such that the vibration generator is activated when the actuating mechanism is activated. The vibration generator moves the flexible hose relative to the dispenser recess when the vibration generator is activated, thereby providing a wave pattern flow of water from the flexible hose.

A stand-alone ice and beverage dispenser is provided. Appliance includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a bottom portion and a countertop. Appliance includes an ice maker assembly mounted on the countertop, a liquid dispenser assembly mounted on the countertop, and a sealed refrigeration system. Sealed refrigeration system includes a compressor, condenser, chamber evaporator, and an ice maker assembly evaporator fluidly coupled through a refrigerant conduit. The compressor is operably coupled to the refrigerant conduit for circulating a flow of refrigerant through the refrigerant conduit. Appliance also includes refrigerant valve assembly including one or more valves. Refrigerant valve assembly is configured to selectively provide refrigerant to chamber evaporator to refrigerate chilled chamber and selectively provide refrigerant to the ice maker assembly evaporator for ice production.

A beverage cooling system includes a first tub, a second tub nested within the first tub to define a first space therebetween for receiving a heat transfer material. A tube passes through the first space, is in thermal communication with the heat transfer material, and is configured for receiving a beverage. In operation, the second tub may be filled with ice or another cool material such that the beverage passing through the tube, which is in thermal communication with the heat transfer material and the ice, may be chilled before being dispensed to a user.