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 apparatus with a dispenser compartment, a flexible concentrate bag with a first opening through which a beverage concentrate is introduced at a production site and optionally a second opening at the top of the bag. The second opening is used at the dispensing location to introduce a diluent into the bag. A low acid beverage concentrate is contained in the bag. A beverage homogenizing agitator subassembly is situated inside the dispenser compartment. A beverage dispensing subassembly includes a sealed fitting located at the bottom region of the bag and a tube extending therefrom. The beverage dispensing apparatus reduces shipping and maintenance costs due to shipping concentrate rather than a finished beverage while enhancing sanitation.

In one embodiment, a liquid dispenser includes a liquid reservoir, a measurement device providing at least one signal indicative of the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid reservoir, an electrically actuated valve coupled to a tube outlet exiting from a bottom of the liquid reservoir, and a processor. The processor is electrically connected to the measurement device and operatively coupled to and controlling operation of the valve. Further, the processor is configured to determine a valve open time for dispensing a requested amount of liquid. The valve open time depends upon a preliminary time based on the requested amount and at least one signal from the measurement device, and an adjustment to the preliminary time based on a difference between a requested amount and a measured amount determined by the measurement device for at least one previous dispense.

A fluid dispenser for a refrigerator having a dispenser housing; a dispenser frame pivotally mounted within the dispenser housing, the dispenser frame with a front face and two side faces and a first gear disposed on one of the side faces; an actuator with a paddle and a lever, the lever interlocking with the dispenser frame such that when the paddle is pushed, the lever causes the dispenser frame to pivot forward; a flexible tube; a fixed compression jaw mounted onto the dispenser housing behind the flexible and compressible tube; a movable compression jaw having a jaw end and a pivot end, the jaw end mounted in front of the flexible tube, the pivot end having a second gear which interlocks with the first gear, such that when the paddle is pushed the first gear rotates the second gear moving the movable jaw away from the flexible tube is provided.

A touchless beverage dispensing valve may include a downspout assembly having a body having walls with a slot therein, a channel, an upper and a lower opening, with the slot in the channel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly may include a lateral member extending laterally from the downspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinch member may be partly enclosed within the lateral member and dimensioned to move partially through the slot. A touchless push bar and the pinch member may move the pinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may engage the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm at least partially through the slot of the body. A flexible insert may be dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of the body, the insert having an open top and an open bottom.

A beverage dispensing valve may include a downspout assembly having a body having walls with a slot therein, a channel, an upper and a lower opening, with the slot in the channel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly may include a lateral member extending laterally from the downspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinch member may be partly enclosed within the lateral member and dimensioned to move partially through the slot. A handle and the pinch member may move the pinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may engage the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm at least partially through the slot of the body. A flexible insert may be dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of the body, the insert having an open top and an open bottom.

A touchless beverage dispensing valve may include a downspout assembly having a body having walls with a slot therein, a channel, an upper and a lower opening, with the slot in the channel between the upper and lower openings. The downspout assembly may include a lateral member extending laterally from the downspout assembly and engaging the wall adjacent the slot. A pinch member may be partly enclosed within the lateral member and dimensioned to move partially through the slot. A touchless push bar and the pinch member may move the pinch member in and out of the slot. A coil spring may engage the lateral member and the pinch arm urging the pinch arm at least partially through the slot of the body. A flexible insert may be dimensioned to tightly fit against the walls of the channel of the body, the insert having an open top and an open bottom.

A pump is configured to operate due to the bending of the pump. The pump can be used in a variety of applications including a dispensing application in which the pump is housed within a pouch. This type of pump takes advantage of the inherent flexible nature of the pouch.

The present invention provides a container assembly for use with a reusable urn or vessel. The assembly includes a (1) flexible pouch, (2) a fitment connected to the pouch and having a flexible flange and a first fluid passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber, (3) a tubing adapter having a first end connected to the fitment and a second end having a member for connecting to a tubing and a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway; and (4) wherein the flexible flange is capable of bending to conform to an interior wall of the urn or vessel to place the second fluid passageway in alignment with an axis of a through hole in the urn or vessel.

A pinch valve that includes a holder and an insert that fits in the holder. The pinch valve receives a dispensing tube for liquids and controls the flow of liquid in the dispensing valve. The insert defines an inner wall portion against which a plunger assembly pushes the dispensing tube to stop liquid from flowing through the dispensing tube. The insert and the holder define a throttle portion that throttles the flow of liquid when the plunger assembly is moved from the pinch position, where is pushed the dispensing tube against the inner wall portion of the insert, to a flow position.