Abstract: A method and dispensing apparatus for dispensing one or more liquids from a liquid storage container operably connected to the dispensing apparatus. The one or more liquids may include cold water, cold carbonated water, hot water and/or ambient temperature water. The dispensing apparatus preferably is a self-contained dispensing apparatus, i.e., a dispensing apparatus having its own source of liquid. The dispensing apparatus further preferably includes a housing storing a first cooled liquid reservoir and a second cooled liquid reservoir. The first cooled liquid reservoir preferably stores cold water and the second cooled liquid reservoir preferably stores cold carbonated water. A thermal link preferably connects the first cooled liquid reservoir and the second cooled liquid reservoir to cause thermal energy to be transferred between the first cooled liquid reservoir and the second cooled liquid reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to store and dispense liquid from a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus preferably includes a storage container for storing the liquid retaining bag. The liquid storage container and the liquid retaining bag are preferably housed in the bottom of a water cooler. The storage container includes a base, an upper opening and at least one wall extending upwardly from the base and defining a hollow cavity. The hollow cavity is sized to receive a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus further includes a liquid transport conduit for transporting liquid from the liquid retaining bag to a dispensing location. A guide and retaining member is operably associated with the storage container. The guide and retaining member is preferably configured to guide the liquid transport conduit from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: Techniques, including systems, devices and methods, for enabling network connectivity are described. In particular, systems, devices and methods for flexibly configuring network connections for reliability and/or extensibility are described. Such techniques include improving reliability of network connections by adaptively utilizing multiple network and electrical power configurations. The disclosed techniques also include enabling user-definable network functionality through a variety of methods.

Abstract: A removable liquid transport assembly configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The removable liquid transport assembly preferably includes a liquid manifold, a valve assembly and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly is configured such that liquid can flow in a first direction through the removable liquid transport assembly to permit a liquid to be dispensed from a liquid dispenser and liquid can flow in a second direction back to a liquid storage container to prevent damage to one or more components of the liquid dispenser.

Abstract: A removable liquid transport assembly configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The removable liquid transport assembly preferably includes a liquid manifold, a valve assembly and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly is configured such that liquid can flow in a first direction through the removable liquid transport assembly to permit a liquid to be dispensed from a liquid dispenser and liquid can flow in a second direction back to a liquid storage container to prevent damage to one or more components of the liquid dispenser.

Abstract: A dip tube insertion member adapted to be used with a liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member facilitates insertion of a dip tube into a liquid storage container without removing the sealing cap of a liquid storage container. The dip tube insertion member includes a probe having a hollow cavity for receiving a dip tube. The probe further includes an upper opening and a lower opening for facilitating insertion of a dip tube into the liquid container. Preferably, the dip tube insertion member takes the form of a cap that is mounted on and about at least a portion of the sealing cap of a liquid storage container of the liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member preferably includes a sealing member forming an air chamber surrounding the probe.

Abstract: Techniques, including systems, devices and methods, for enabling network connectivity are described. In particular, systems, devices and methods for flexibly configuring network connections for reliability and/or extensibility are described. Such techniques include improving reliability of network connections by adaptively utilizing multiple network and electrical power configurations. The disclosed techniques also include enabling user-definable network functionality through a variety of methods.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to store and dispense liquid from a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus preferably includes a storage container for storing the liquid retaining bag. The liquid storage container and the liquid retaining bag are preferably housed in the bottom of a water cooler. The storage container includes a base, an upper opening and at least one wall extending upwardly from the base and defining a hollow cavity. The hollow cavity is sized to receive a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus further includes a liquid transport conduit for transporting liquid from the liquid retaining bag to a dispensing location. A guide and retaining member is operably associated with the storage container. The guide and retaining member is preferably configured to guide the liquid transport conduit from a first location to a second location.

Abstract: A dispenser configured to simultaneously dispenses a plurality of liquid retaining members from a plurality of different areas of the dispenser. Preferably, the liquid retaining members are drinking cups. Preferably, the dispenser is configured to simultaneously dispense a first stack of a plurality of drinking cups and a second stack of a plurality of drinking cups from corresponding ends of the dispensers. The dispenser includes a body having a first end and a second end. The first end has a first opening through which drinking cups in the first stack of a plurality of drinking cups can be individually dispensed one after the other. The second end has a second opening through which drinking cups in the second stack of drinking cups can be individually dispensed one after the other. Preferably, at least one biasing member biases the first stack of a plurality of drinking cups towards the first end of the body and biases the second stack of a plurality of drinking cups towards the second end of the body.

Abstract: A dip tube insertion member adapted to be used with a liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member facilitates insertion of a dip tube into a liquid storage container without removing the sealing cap of a liquid storage container. The dip tube insertion member includes a probe having a hollow cavity for receiving a dip tube. The probe further includes an upper opening and a lower opening for facilitating insertion of a dip tube into the liquid container. Preferably, the dip tube insertion member takes the form of a cap that is mounted on and about at least a portion of the sealing cap of a liquid storage container of the liquid dispensing apparatus. The dip tube insertion member preferably includes a sealing member forming an air chamber surrounding the probe.

Abstract: Techniques, including systems, devices and methods, for enabling network connectivity are described. In particular, systems, devices and methods for flexibly configuring network connections for reliability and/or extensibility are described. Such techniques include improving reliability of network connections by adaptively utilizing multiple network and electrical power configurations. The disclosed techniques also include enabling user-definable network functionality through a variety of methods.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the liquid dispenser. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a removable liquid transport assembly removable from the main housing having a substantially rigid liquid manifold, a valve assembly, a riser tube, a reservoir, a reservoir dip tube, a pump head, a pinch tube and a dispensing nozzle that are removable as a single unit from the main housing. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a single self-priming pump. Preferably, the valve assembly includes a non-return valve and a pressure relief valve that act in concert to control the flow of liquid between the liquid storage container and the reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the liquid dispenser. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a removable liquid transport assembly removable from the main housing having a substantially rigid liquid manifold, a valve assembly, a riser tube, a reservoir, a reservoir dip tube, a pump head, a pinch tube and a dispensing nozzle that are removable as a single unit from the main housing. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a single self-priming pump. Preferably, the valve assembly includes a non-return valve and a pressure relief valve that act in concert to control the flow of liquid between the liquid storage container and the reservoir.

Abstract: A removable liquid transport assembly configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The removable liquid transport assembly preferably includes a liquid manifold, a valve assembly and a pump head. The removable liquid transport assembly is configured such that liquid can flow in a first direction through the removable liquid transport assembly to permit a liquid to be dispensed from a liquid dispenser and liquid can flow in a second direction back to a liquid storage container to prevent damage to one or more components of the liquid dispenser.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently performing memory intensive computations including a bidirectional synchronization mechanism for maintaining consistency of data on which computations will be performed. This can be used to solve various problems such as those in a business context. Synchronization occurs in a near-real-time fashion between data in a database and data stored in memory. The synchronization is accomplished by periodically scanning the database to see if any data has changed. If any data has changed, the changes are copied over to memory so that the data in memory is current. This update is accomplished without copying the entire database into memory each time data in the database changes.