The system (10) for the transfer of fluid comprises a tubular fluid transfer line (2) comprising at one of its ends a coupling system (32) adapted to be connected to a target duct (33) for the transfer of fluid, and electrical actuators (11-13) for controlling the movement of the transfer line in space, each via an actuating shaft, characterized in that each of the actuators for controlling the movement of the transfer line comprises an electric motor with an output shaft, a speed reducer, the actuating shaft being rotationally driven by the motor output shaft by means of the speed reducer, which is reversible, so as to enable the actuating shaft to turn when an actuating torque is directly applied to it, and braking means for locking the actuator in position when movement control is in course and that actuator is not activated for that control.

A drink station is provided with an alkaline filter cartridge in fluid communication with an ambient temperature water line provide alkaline water, and with a chilled water mixed with the alkaline water at a spigot to provide chilled alkaline water. A hot water heating element is located below the spigot so hot water flows upward for dispensing from the spigot, with a vent line between the heating element and spigot helping hot water to flow from the spigot to the heating element. A refrigeration system and a carbonation system is also provided. The refrigeration system uses the ice-bank technology. A submersible agitator pump improves heat exchanged between ice-bank and water by forced convection. The agitator pump operating based on the temperature of the drinking water. A figure eight evaporator coil can provide two cylindrical ice banks and two chilled water coils to increase the chilled water capacity.

The invention relates to an appliance for the automated preparation of beverages, comprising a dispensing element (1), which comprises a plurality of dispensing openings (2) for dispensing individual beverage ingredients, and also comprising a washing device (3) for dispensing a washing fluid, wherein the washing device (3) is arranged in a retaining region (5) at a location remote from the dispensing element (1), wherein the washing device (3) can be removed from the retaining region (5), and wherein an accommodating region (4), which is designed to accommodate at least part of the washing device (3), is provided on the dispensing element (1), wherein a valve element (2) is provided, said valve element comprising a flushing-fluid inlet (23), an ingredients inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (25), which is connected to at least one dispensing opening (2), wherein the flushing-fluid inlet (23) opens out into a flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients inlet (24) opens out into an ingredients channel, and wherein the flushing-fluid channel and the ingredients channel come together to form a common fluid channel, which opens out into the fluid outlet (25).

A liquid dispenser for dispensing a consumable liquid from a container. The dispenser includes a cabinet configured to receive one or more containers in an inverted position such that liquid is induced by gravity to flow out of an open interior of the container though a dispensing opening. A positive pressure valve assembly is mounted to the dispensing opening of the container prior to insertion of the container into the cabinet. The valve assembly includes a cap connected to the dispensing opening and a discharge tube extending from the cap. A flow restrictor of the valve assembly is positioned to selectively open and close the discharge tube to control the flow of liquid from the container. A one-way valve is positioned between the open interior of the container and a supply of air. The one-way valve allows air flow into the container as the fluid is discharged to maintain a positive pressure within the container.

A beverage dispensing machine for dispensing a mixed beverage has a first inlet configured to receive a concentrate; a second inlet configured to receive a base fluid; a gas inlet configured to receive a gas; a gas injection device configured to pulsate the gas into the concentrate such that the gas agitates the concentrate and is injected into the concentrate to form a gas-injected concentrate; and a dispensing valve configured to dispense the base fluid and the gas-injected concentrate.

A drink station is provided with an alkaline filter cartridge in fluid communication with an ambient temperature water line provide alkaline water, and with a chilled water mixed with the alkaline water at a spigot to provide chilled alkaline water. A hot water heating element is located below the spigot so hot water flows upward for dispensing from the spigot, with a vent line between the heating element and spigot helping hot water to flow from the spigot to the heating element. A refrigeration system and a carbonation system is also provided. The refrigeration system uses the ice-bank technology. A submersible agitator pump improves heat exchanged between ice-bank and water by forced convection. The agitator pump operating based on the temperature of the drinking water. A figure eight evaporator coil can provide two cylindrical ice banks and two chilled water coils to increase the chilled water capacity.

A beverage system that produces a beer includes a first source comprising uHGB, a second source including a carbonated and/or nitrogenated water, a first fluid line fluidly coupled to the first source and configured to allow the uHGB to flow from the first source through the first fluid line, a second fluid line fluidly coupled to the second source and configured to allow the water to flow from the second source through the second fluid line, a mixing point, that fluidly couples the first fluid line to the second fluid line, configured to allow the uHGB to blend with the water at the mixing point to produce the beer, first and second one-way valves on either side of the mixing point, and a third fluid line fluidly coupled to the mixing point and configured to allow the beer to flow to a dispensing tap.

There is described a wine supply system. The wine supply system generally has a tank in a source building, the tank containing wine; a plurality of ducts extending between the tank and a corresponding plurality of dispensing buildings remote from the source building and from one another, at least some wine being forcingly guided from the tank to the dispensing buildings via the plurality of ducts; and a temperature maintaining device disposed along the plurality of ducts outside of the source building and the plurality of dispensing buildings, the temperature maintaining device configured for at least one of heating and cooling said ducts to maintain the wine within a given temperature range.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage and to a beverage preparation device (1), such as a beverage dispenser, for simpler and more efficient sanitization of water. The beverage preparation device (1) comprises: a buffer tank (2) having a tank body for storing an amount of water, a recirculation line (20) configured to allow water circulating out of and back into the buffer tank (2) to form a recirculation path together with the buffer tank (2), a UV lamp (40) arranged for irradiating UV light at a position along the recirculation path to sanitize the water, a cooling unit (3) for cooling the water within the buffer tank (2), a discharge line (23) for discharging the water from the buffer tank (2) via a discharge outlet (24), and a pump (26) for selectively circulating water along the recirculation path or the discharge line (23) towards the discharge outlet.

A dispensing system for a flexible bag including a spout having a body, a plug and a first and second flexible coupling. The body includes a central bore extending therethrough, with a lower ring wall at a lower end. The plug has a cavity and plug ring wall attachable to the lower ring wall in sealed engagement. The first flexible coupling and the second flexible coupling each being formed from a base web and extending from the lower end of the body. A first arm is coupled to the base web at a first hinge. A second arm is coupled to the first arm opposite the base web at a central hinge. The plug is coupled to the second arm opposite the first arm at a plug hinge. A probe is likewise disclosed that is insertable into a flexible bag, as is a flexible bag assembly and method.