Abstract: A refrigerator that allows a user to receive supercooled beverage through a dispenser in the refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a main body having a compartment and a door opening and closing the compartment, a supercooling compartment in the main body to supercool a beverage, and a dispenser in the door to dispense supercooled liquid from the supercooling compartment without opening the door. A supercooled liquid tank is detachably installed in the supercooling compartment to supercool beverage. The supercooling compartment is installed in the rear side of the door such that a supercooling compartment door may be installed in the front side of the door to open and close the supercooling compartment in front of the door.

Abstract: A controller and method of controlling an integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender/mixer/cleaner module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender/mixer/cleaner module, the blender/mixer/cleaner module initiates a cleaning mode.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for sensing parameters related to water and/or ice being dispensed from a dispensing station of a refrigerated appliance is disclosed. The dispensing system includes a sensing system positionable at the dispensing station at the point of dispension for liquid and/or ice to sense a parameter related to dispensed water and/or ice and produce a sensing signal.

Abstract: A bar-top refrigerated liquid dispenser in which one or more housing walls include integrated back-lighted billboard display panels having side edges with embedded light emitting diodes and other edges with associated reflectors.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system includes a housing having a first section coupled to a second section to form a substantially cylindrical opening therebetween. At least one of the first section and the second section has a first opening in fluid communication with an ice making machine and a second opening in fluid communication with an output chute. A rotating sleeve is positioned within the substantially cylindrical opening of the housing. The rotating sleeve has an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening extending therebetween. The sleeve is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position. The opening has a geometry and size that directs ice within the sleeve and captures a regulated amount of the ice during rotation between the first position and the second position and dispenses the regulated amount of ice into the output chute when the sleeve reaches the second position.

Abstract: A device receives water from a source (5), to be dispensed, by a single nozzle (18), in a container (R) at a final value of a plurality of temperature values. A first feed conduit (25a) is arranged between source (5) and includes a first heat exchanger (26) to cold water, yet been provided a second feed conduit (25b) and a third feed conduit (25c), this latter including a heat exchanger (46) which heats water. A control valve (24, 34, 44) is provided in each feed conduit (25a, 25b, 25c) and operated to supply water to the nozzle (18), at either conditions of cold water, normal water and hot water. Control valves (24, 34, 44) can be operated automatically, to dispense water at a predetermined temperature in a range defined from cold water to hot water.

Abstract: Disclosed related to a door for a refrigerator may include an outer door forming the front exterior; a cap decoration formed at the upper and lower sides of the outer door; a water pipe drawn into the door through the cap decoration and through which water flows; and a fixing member on which a depression part fixing the water pipe is formed.

Abstract: An ice supply device is capable of supplying cubed ice, sliced ice, and grinded ice. The ice supply device is configured to supply cubed ice, sliced ice, or grinded ice based on a speed and direction of rotation of a rotary blade included in the ice supply device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing cooled alcoholic drinks. In accordance with the invention, the dispenser comprises a alcoholic drink container, a cooler for cooling the alcoholic drink, a display container for displaying the served alcoholic drink, a pump for circulating alcoholic drink from the alcoholic drink container through the cooler to the display container and back to the alcoholic drink container, and a dispensing device connected to alcoholic drink circulation for dispensing a drink.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a cooling arrangement having a refrigerant dispenser. In an illustrated example, the dispenser includes an aerosol container containing the refrigerant and a dispensing valve fitted to a fixing cup which crimps onto the aerosol container. The aerosol container is at least partly housed inside an outer jacket, and a dispensing channel is engaged on the dispensing valve. A cover is mounted on top of the dispensing channel. The cover has an inside face that is impermeable to the refrigerant and at least part of the cover, preferably an outside face of the cover, is made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 Wm?1K?1. A method of applying a cosmetic product to a body surface is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly cooling beer flowing from a keg to a tap to be dispensed includes an insulated ice chest containing an open topped swirl pot in which is nested a cooling coil having an inlet connected to a keg and an outlet connected to a tap on a hollow upright structure fixed to the outside of an ice chest lid. A pump is connected to a stand pipe within the coil directing a flow of ice water under pressure to generally tangentially directed nozzles within the coil creating a swirl flow of ice water over the coil turns and overflowing back into the ice chest interior space holding ice to create a circulation therein maximizing the rate of cooling of the dispensed beer to minimize foaming when dispensed from the tap. A CO2 tank is also held in the ice chest interior space, connected to the keg via fluid lines and simplified hook ups to the keg are located on the lid mounted hollow structure.

Abstract: A reusable apparatus and process for dispensing, cooling and collecting a beverage are disclosed. In particular it relates to a beverage dispensers which may be used in a drinking establishment or party environment, which combines elements of decor or aesthetics with those of beverage cooling in a visible way. The dispensing part of the invention is via gravity induced flow, as the beverage is poured in to the top, flows along a channel on the surface of or through a tube within a container which holds chilled or frozen material but keeps it out of contact with the beverage, and releases the beverage to a receptacle, thus cooling the beverage flowing over or through the container. Methods and apparatus for using and enhancing the decorative nature of the container and cooling process are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage without being influenced by a type of raw water. The present invention is a beverage dispenser 1 comprising: a raw water treatment device 63 which deaerates raw water and/or filters the raw water through a reverse osmosis film; a primary cooling device 13 which cools said raw water to an ice point or so; a raw water supply circuit 59 which supplies the raw water cooled by the primary cooling device 13 to the outside; a secondary cooling device 30 which cools the raw water flowing through the raw water supply circuit 59 into the supercooled state at the solidifying point or less; and a syrup circuit 53 which supplies a syrup to the raw water supplied to the outside through a heat exchanger 61 for supercooling the raw water of the secondary cooling device 30.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for cooling a beverage and dispensing a beverage cooling medium. The system comprises a beverage line connectable to a beverage supply for transporting beverage from the beverage supply through a conduit to a beverage dispense valve at a dispensation site, and a cooling line for transporting a cooling medium through the conduit so as to allow heat exchange between the cooling medium in the cooling line and the beverage in the beverage line. The cooling line is connectable to the beverage supply or to a second beverage supply such that the cooling medium is a beverage cooling medium. The system further comprises a cooling medium dispense valve in communication with the cooling line at the dispensation site for dispensing the beverage cooling medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a module (28) for a modular pressure distribution system (8) comprising a plurality of modules. The module (28) comprises a frame (60, 60?, 61, 61?) defining an outer periphery and a space defined within the outer periphery and a pressure chamber (22) for receiving a beverage container (68), the pressure chamber being arranged within the space. The module further comprises a first type connector (46) and a second type connector (48) positioned at the outer periphery. A fluid path (47) establishes fluid communication from the first type connector to the second type connector. The first type connector (46) is connectable to a connector of the second type connector (48) of a neighbouring module, and the first type connector is adapted to receive a pressure-fluid from a pressure-fluid source. The second type connector is adapted to transfer the pressure-fluid to a first type connector of a neighbouring module.

Abstract: A system for providing an iced alcoholic beverage such as iced beer or carbonated soft drink includes a source of chilled coolant (16), and a beverage line (10) for supplying the beverage. A heat exchanger (20) is disposed in the beverage line (10) for cooling the beverage by heat transfer to the chilled coolant. A restriction (22) or orifice forming a venturi is provided in the beverage line (10) downstream from the heat exchanger. A chilled font (18) for further cooling the beverage is provided downstream from the orifice. The font (18) includes a dispenser tap (30) capable of dispensing the beverage at a relatively low dispense rate and at a relatively higher dispense rate. In use the beverage is first dispensed at a relatively low dispense rate through a smaller orifice of a narrow diameter at a preset low flow rate of beverage, and becomes ice or slush (40).

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a beverage source into a receptacle. The dispenser includes a first housing defining an interior volume and having a first surface closer to the beverage source and a second surface further from the beverage source. The dispenser also includes a beverage cooler including a second housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, and sides defining an interior volume. A first circuit is disposed within the interior volume of the second housing and forms a first set of fluid flow paths. A second circuit is disposed within the interior volume of the second housing and forms a second set of fluid flow paths in parallel with the first set of fluid flow paths. A third circuit is disposed within the interior volume of the second housing and forms a third set of fluid flow paths in parallel with the first and second sets of fluid flow paths, wherein, the first, second, and third circuits defines an inlet and an outlet.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which includes a duct cap disposed so as to open and close an ice duct formed in the refrigerator, an opening and closing device connected so as to open and close the duct cap, and a damper connected to one of the duct cap and the opening and closing device such that a closing operation of the duct cap is delayed. The opening and closing device allows the duct cap to be manually opened and closed, and the damper is interlocked with the opening and closing device so as to delay a closing operation of the duct cap. With this structure, cost may be reduced and noise and/or vibration minimized, compared with mechanisms with the closing operation of the duct cap delayed using electric driving parts, such as solenoids.

Abstract: A device for cooling one or more delivery ducts (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e) for liquids in a beverage dispensing apparatus of a type comprising at least one tubular body (2), the delivery ducts and at least one conveying duct (3) for a forced flow of a cooled fluid being housed therein. Said tubular body (2) of the device comprises at least one inflow section (7) for the cooled fluid, which is fluidically communicated with this conveying duct, and at least one outflow section (6a, 6b, 8) for the cooled fluid, which is placed at a higher height than the inflow section.

Abstract: A beverage dispense system for a post-mix beverage dispenser in which the concentrate lines 5 are passed through a cooling module 33 within the dispenser. The cooling module 33 has a chamber 33a that is flooded with coolant for heat exchange with the concentrate. The coolant is circulated in a line 21 between a remote cooler 15 and the cooling module 33 within an insulated sheath 19. Diluent is circulated in a line 9 between the cooler 15 and the beverage dispenser for mixing with the concentrate. In a modification, the coolant may comprise diluent for mixing with the concentrate. The concentrate lines 5 do not pass through the insulated sheath 19.

Abstract: To provide a beverage dispenser capable of appropriately and smoothly supplying a supercooled beverage. [Solving Means] The present invention provides a beverage dispenser 1 which supplies a beverage brought into a supercooled state at a solidifying point or less and which releases the supercooled state in the outside, and the beverage dispenser includes a primary cooling device 13 which cools the beverage to an ice point or so, a beverage supply circuit 7 which supplies the beverage cooled by the primary cooling device 13 to the outside, a brine circuit 31 through which an antifreezing liquid cooled to the solidifying point or less of the beverage is circulated, and a heat exchanger 16 for supercooling the beverage, which performs heat exchange between the beverage flowing through the beverage supply circuit 7 and the antifreezing liquid flowing through the brine circuit 31.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice dispenser, a discharge chute, and a cover for the discharge chute. A flat portion of the cover conforms to the discharge chute, the flat portion being flexible to a flexed position to actuate a switch and thereby operate the ice dispenser such that ice is discharged into the discharge chute.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drink bag which has a pocket and makes improved cooling of the bottled drink possible via the pocket. The bag is filled with a drink and closed in a fluid-tight manner. It has a sealed dispensing section and a pocket which is attached to the flexible bag, protrudes freely into the interior of the drink-filled bag and is made from a material which is impermeable for the drink. In an inwardly lying position, the pocket has an opening to the outside for inserting a flat paddle element which has two sections. It is set in motion via the first section which lies outside the bag, with the result that this movement is transmitted to the drink filling by way of the second section which lies on the inside; this takes place together with the driving movement of the inner pocket which protrudes into the interior of the drink-filled bag.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus, particularly a household refrigerator, has a liquid-supply system for a user device forming part of the apparatus, particularly a dispenser of a consumable product. The apparatus further comprises a protection system arranged for preventing flooding deriving from possible leakage of liquid, in particular from at least one of said supply system and said user device.

Abstract: Bottom loading water coolers are disclosed, which include (1) a cabinet having an exterior portion and an interior portion; (2) a water bottle disposed in the bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet; (3) a cold tank disposed in the top half of the interior portion of the cabinet and above the water bottle; (4) a bottle tray disposed in the bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet that is configured to receive the water bottle in an upright position, such that the bottle tray may be reversibly pulled out of, and pushed into, the interior portion of the cabinet; (5) a pump that injects air into the water bottle at defined and periodic intervals; and (6) a specialized probe for transferring water from the water bottle to the cold tank (and for delivering air from a pump to the water bottle).

Abstract: Bottom loading water coolers are disclosed, which include (1) a cabinet having an exterior portion and an interior portion; (2) a water bottle disposed in the bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet; (3) a cold tank disposed in the top half of the interior portion of the cabinet and above the water bottle; (4) a bottle tray disposed in the bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet that is configured to receive the water bottle in an upright position, such that the bottle tray may be reversibly pulled out of, and pushed into, the interior portion of the cabinet; (5) a pump that injects air into the water bottle at defined and periodic intervals; and (6) a specialized probe for transferring water from the water bottle to the cold tank (and for delivering air from a pump to the water bottle).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conduit for conducting gasified liquid, which has a flow restrictor arranged in in-line relation therewith. The restrictor itself comprises an at least one aperture (although two or more can be used in series), with each such being adapted to pass the gasified liquid flowing through the conduit and across a pressure drop from a higher-pressure upstream side of the aperture to a lower-pressure downstream side of the aperture. The aperture is operable to moderate the rate of change in pressure over a transitional pressure drop to mitigate the formation of localized pressures below a critical pressure at which off-gassing from the carbonated liquid results in substantial foam formation. The conduit may take the form of a dispensing tube for use in dispensing an alcoholic beverage from a keg, the tube having a flexible wall deformable under the influence of a restricting actuator to control the partial collapse of the wall and thereby form the restrictor.

Abstract: An additive-storing tank assembly includes: a tank body having an additive-storing space defined in the tank body, in which an additive is stored; a plunger-holding tube provided at one side of the tank body in order to connect the additive-storing space with a water supply pipe for supplying water to a dispenser of a refrigerator; and an opening/closing means for selectively connecting the additive-storing space with the water supply pipe so that the additive stored in the additive-storing space is dissolved in the water flowing through the water supply pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing beverages. The apparatus comprises a dispensing system, a mixing unit, and a control unit comprising a user interface, which interact to prepare a particular beverage when requested by a user. When the control unit receives user input requesting the particular beverage via the user interface, it causes the dispensing system to dispense various ingredients (e.g., fragmented ice, water, flavoring ingredients, milk product) that are mixed by the mixing unit in order to prepare the particular beverage, which is served in a cup. In various embodiments, the apparatus may produce frozen beverages that include fragmented ice (e.g., shaved or crushed ice) as one of their ingredients, such as slush beverages and smoothie beverages, and/or hot beverages that include heated water as one of their ingredients, such as coffee and flavored coffee beverages (e.g., French Vanilla, Mocha, etc.).

Abstract: A method for handling a liquid, in particular for the metered transfer of a liquid that is viscous at room temperature from a reservoir to a receiving container for the purpose of further processing the viscous liquid. In the method the receiving container is filled with the liquid. In this arrangement the liquid is present in a plurality of individual portions. Furthermore, the liquid is cooled such that the individual portions are present in a predominantly solid state of aggregation. Preferably, the individual portions are sufficiently small so that the transferred liquid is a frozen granulate.

Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.

Abstract: A beverage storage and dispensing system has a carrier designed for housing a beverage contained in a bulk container. The carrier fits in a temperature controlled box having a self-contained cooling system for maintaining the temperature in the box within a desired temperature range. A dispenser is associated with the box and adapted for communicating from the exterior of the box to the interior of the box for selectively connecting the bulk container to the dispenser system. A gas charge unit is housed in the carrier for gas charging the bulk container while it is in the box. An electrical charge system is housed with the condenser and compressor for charging a battery for operating the compressor system.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method of removing or at least minimizing carry over along food contact surfaces of a food processing and dispensing system. Specifically, data including color information related a first food product may be received and stored on a CPU. When the presence of carry over on the food contact surface is detected the CPU utilizes color information related to a second food product to determine whether to implement a purge cycle to remove the carry over along the food contact surface before the production of the second food products based on a calculated color variance between received color information related the first food product and received color information related to the second food product. If the calculated color variance is outside a predetermined range of values, the system implements a purge cycle before producing the second food product on the food contact surface.

Abstract: A cooling, carbonation and dispensing system for use with a liquid in a keg includes a cooling ring contacting the keg. The cooling ring provides an opening through which dry ice is placed. The cooling ring and dry ice provide contact cooling of the keg, as well as carbon dioxide gas by sublimation of the dry ice to carbonate the liquid in the keg and pressure on the liquid so that it may be dispensed from the keg. A chilling unit having a hose bundle is adjacent the keg and the cooling ring. A liquid dispensing hose from the keg coupler on the keg connects to the hose bundle, so that liquid from the keg passes through the hose bundle. A lid having a tower is attached to the top of the chilling unit and latched to it to form a water-tight seal. Another hose connects to the hose bundle in the chilling unit and conducts the liquid to a dispensing hose attached to a dispenser in the tower. Wet ice is placed in the chilling unit and the tower to provide further chilling (flash chilling) of the liquid.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system includes a rotatable barrel (3) having an opening (4); an input chute (2) having a first end coupled to an ice making machine (1) and a second end in communication with the opening (4) when the barrel is in a first position; an output chute (14) in communication with the opening (4) when the barrel (3) is in a second position; a containment system (12) positioned around a portion of the body of the barrel (3); and a drive system (5) coupled to the barrel (3) for rotating the barrel (3). The opening (4) has a geometry and size (15) that directs the ice and captures a regulated amount of the ice during rotation between the first position and the second position. The regulated amount of ice is then dispensed into the output chute (14) when the barrel (3) reaches the second position.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing cooler for beverages in the form of an insulated ice chest having an insulated base, insulated side walls, insulated end walls and an insulated cover; a spigot mounted in one of the chest walls above the base and having a controllable dispensing valve adjacent an exterior surface of the chest wall; at least one inverted bottle having a valve body mounted thereon, said valve body having locking grooves and splines formed thereon on upper portions and having an air venting means integrally formed by crenellations on lowermost portions thereon; a reservoir with a reservoir top wall having a circular opening with locking grooves and splines formed thereon adapted to engage and to support an inverted bottle through said grooves and splines on the valve body; and a delivery tube communicating between the reservoir and the spigot to permit gravity flow of liquid from the reservoir to the spigot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for controlling the ice volume fraction of a circulating ice-containing medium. The control system comprises a freezer apparatus for generating an ice-containing medium, a pump for circulating the ice-containing medium through a flow circuit comprising an outward line, a main line and a return line, and a bypass line connecting the outward line and return line to form a bypass circuit. In use, the time taken for circulating ice-containing medium to pass through the bypass circuit is less than the time taken for circulating ice-containing medium to pass through the flow circuit. The present invention also provides a method for controlling the ice volume fraction of a circulating ice-containing medium using such a control system.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing a beverage from a beverage container includes a cooling chamber containing a pressure chamber configured to accommodate the container and having a lid with a lid opening. The assembly further includes a dispensing tower and a dispensing line channel extending between a lower opening in the cooling chamber and an upper end in the tower. The lid opening is alignable with the lower opening of the channel so that the lid opening provides a guiding element for the passage of a dispensing line between the pressure chamber and the tower through the channel. A method of guiding the dispensing line includes opening the lid of the pressure chamber; aligning the lid opening with the lower opening of the channel: and guiding the dispensing line so that it extends through the lid opening and the channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self supporting closed beverage container (1) of a paper based material (2) composed of a carton for comprising a low-carbonate beverage, wherein said beverage container comprises: —at least one inner liquid sealant polymeric layer (4) welded to the paper based material; and/or —an inner bag (11) for holding a beverage and which inner bag (11) has a deformable wall part which is compressible, for dispensing beverages from the container upon deformation of the flexible wall part caused by gas pressure produced by pressure means (12); and the beverage container (1) comprises: —at least one beverage delivering tube (5) having at least one flexible section, —at least one beverage outlet opening (6) through which a lower part (7) of said beverage delivering tube (5) extends to the bottom (8) of the inner beverage container (1) and the upper part of the tube extends outwards (9), —at least one gas pressure inlet opening (10); wherein said self supporting closed beverage container

Abstract: A beverage cooler and dispenser assembly includes a beverage container having a dispensing nozzle, a cooling pack receiving the beverage container and a beverage container carrier receiving the beverage container and the cooling pack.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power-saving type safe drinking water discharge device to treat cold water from a cooling reservoir (110), in which water is temporarily stored and cooled, prior to discharging the water to the outside through a tap valve (120). A connecting tube (10), provided around an outer circumference thereof with a coolant tube (40), is provided between the cooling reservoir and the tap valve, such that the water, which is primarily cooled to a predetermined temperature in the cooling reservoir, is secondarily cooled while passing through the connecting tube, prior to being discharged through the tap valve. The discharge device is used to sterilize and cool water in a public or domestic drinking water appliance, thereby minimizing contamination of water and allowing a user to always drink cold water.

Abstract: A beverage-dispensing assembly having a cooling system includes a dispensing tower having an outer wall defining an inside first channel between a first end and a second end of the tower, wherein a second channel and a third channel are provided in the first channel. The second channel is configured to accommodate a dispensing line, and the third channel is in fluid communication with the second channel at the second end of the tower.

Abstract: A portable water cooler is designed to accept the placement of bagged fluid therein, leading to the connection of the bag of fluid to a fluid flow pathway, thereby allowing the fluid to be dispensed in a manner such that the fluid is segregated from the internal surfaces of the cooler. The portable water cooler generally includes an internal spike and external spigot through which fluid may flow. Systems and methods for dispensing bagged fluid from such a cooler, including various multi-bag systems and methods allowing for improved thermal control of fluids being dispensed, as well as increased selection of fluids dispensed from the same portable water cooler provide a high level of convenience.

Abstract: A refrigerated liquid dispenser is disclosed. The dispenser has a pump configured for being in fluid communication with a source of a liquid product; a dispensing faucet configured for being in fluid communication with the pump, the dispensing faucet including a cold maintenance device located near the distal end of the dispensing faucet and an insulator device disposed adjacent to the cold maintenance device. The cold maintenance device has a distal end that projects beyond a lower surface of the insulator device.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a beverage tower of the type having a cold block with glycol recirculation, however, the traditional tap is actually built into the cold block, so as to keep the entire beer tap or other type of tap cold and maintain the beverages in a sanitary condition meeting health codes. The glycol lines within the cold block are then arranged so as to pass around the tap in the cold block, resulting in a tap which remains cooled so long as the glycol recirculation system keeps the block cold. Serpentine channels may be used so that the beverage passing through the beverage supply channels has a longer run in contact with the conductive material of the cold block and thus more opportunity to reject heat thereinto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having a dispenser. The refrigerator has a chute that defines an ice flow passage through a door of the refrigerator, and an opening and closing member configured to open and close an outlet of the chute. A cross-sectional area of the outlet of the chute is less than or equal to a cross-sectional area of any other portion of the chute.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is characterized by a beverage dispenser and a beverage dispensing tower located remote from the beverage dispenser. The beverage dispenser has a cold plate and the tower has a heat exchanger. To deliver chilled beverage components to and for dispensing by the tower, a closed-loop water circulating circuit extends between and includes a fluid chilling circuit of the cold plate and a heat exchange circuit of the heat exchanger. The closed-loop circuit is fluid coupled to a beverage valve of the tower to deliver chilled water to the valve, and a supply of beverage syrup is fluid coupled to the tower valve through a fluid chilling circuit of the heat exchanger for delivery of chilled syrup to the valve for mixing with chilled water in the dispensing of a beverage from the tower valve.

Abstract: A water dispenser mounted on a door of a refrigerator freezer that is provided with a spigot that is movable between inner and outer dispensing positions. The dispenser includes a dispenser housing having a dispensing cavity and the spigot is movably mounted in the top of the dispensing cavity. When the spigot is in the inner dispensing position water can be dispensed into a container positioned in the dispensing cavity. In the outer dispensing position the spigot can dispense water into a container positioned outside the dispensing cavity. The dispenser housing can be provided with a movable tray in the bottom of the dispensing cavity. The movable tray can be withdrawn to support a container under the spigot in the inner dispensing position and extended to support a container under the spigot in the outer dispensing position.

Abstract: A combination beer container and dispenser includes an outer container having a top section provided with an opening centrally formed therein. The top section includes a removable lid selectively positional in the opening. The outer container further has front and rear sections and includes a plurality of flange portions extending inwardly and orthogonally from the front and rear sections. An inner container having a cylindrical shape defines a cavity therein. A mechanism for dispensing beer from the keg and a mechanism for securing the keg within the inner container are also included. An axle having opposed end portions is positioned in a bore. A drain cock is directly conjoined to the rear and is manually adaptable between open and closed positions. A plurality of wheels are conjoined to the end portions of the axle. Such wheels include coextensive and juxtaposed ridges for providing traction.

Abstract: An assembly for dispensing a beverage includes a collapsible beverage container having an outlet with a connecting element; a pressure chamber configured to accommodate the beverage container and including a lid; a heat transfer system operable on the pressure chamber; a pressure source operable to provide a predetermined pressure to the interior of the pressure chamber; and a dispensing line connectable with the outlet of the beverage container so as to extend from the outlet through an opening in the lid to a dispensing tap. The beverage is dispensed by providing the predetermined pressure to the interior of the pressure chamber and the beverage container therein. As the dispensing line is opened at the dispensing tap, the beverage container collapses in response to the applied pressure, forcing the beverage into the dispensing line and out the tap without being supplied with or being in contact with any gas.