Abstract: The invention concerns A container (10) for storing, metering and dispensing bulk material, the container comprising: —a tank (1) to store the bulk material, said tank comprising a close top end and an opened bottom end, and said tank presenting an essentially cylindrical shape, —a dispensing closure (2) to dispense the bulk material from the opened bottom end of the tank, said dispensing closure comprising: an inner rotatable member (22) with at least one aperture (221), said inner rotatable member being rotatable around a longitudinal central axis (XX), and said inner rotatable member comprising central connecting means (223) designed to removably engage with a rotating shaft extending along the central axis (XX), an outer fixed member (21) with a central aperture (213) and at least one outlet aperture (211) therein, wherein the inner rotatable member (22) is configured for being selectively rotatable with respect to the outer fixed member (21) such that at least in one rotational position of the inner memb

Abstract: An ophthalmic solution discharging apparatus is described. The ophthalmic solution discharging apparatus comprises: a base portion comprising a cylindrical base for receiving and removably engaging a dropper of an ophthalmic solution container; a head portion comprising a micro nozzle portion through which ophthalmic solution is discharged, a shield portion that cylindrically surrounds the micro nozzle portion, the shield portion comprising a wall containing an opening for viewing a portion of the micro nozzle portion during discharge; a neck portion that connects the base portion and the head portion; and an internal cavity portion defined by the base, head and neck portions and comprising a (1) container engagement portion for receiving and removably engaging the ophthalmic solution container, and (2) a funnel portion for transporting and discharging ophthalmic solution through the micro nozzle portion at a lesser volume than would otherwise be discharged by the dropper of the ophthalmic solution container.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A dispenser for a shippable container is provided, where the shippable container has a hollow body, an opening, a collar adjacent the opening, and a closure sealing the opening. The dispenser has a collar engagement portion configured to engage the collar of the shippable container, a closure engagement portion configured to engage the closure of the shippable container, and a body engagement portion configured to engage a portion of the hollow body of the shippable container. An aperture in the dispenser is configured to dispense contents from the hollow body of the shippable container. The dispenser can be configured to dispense contents from the hollow body of the shippable container when the shippable container is in an inverted position.

Abstract: A ground coffee dispenser intended to cooperate with a coffee machine, includes a ground coffee storage reservoir provided with a contour and a bottom, and a ground coffee distributor pouring a predefined quantity of ground coffee from the reservoir into a brewing area of the machine. The distributor includes a disk driven in rotation, curved blades being attached onto a lower face of the disk. The quantity of ground coffee poured is defined by a peripheral space provided between the diameter of the periphery of the disk and an inner wall of the contour, close to the bottom of the storage reservoir. The bottom of the reservoir includes an opening for transferring the ground coffee arranged under the disk. The curved blade extends from the periphery towards the inside of the disk to transfer the ground coffee admitted by the peripheral space into the transfer opening when the disk rotates.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance for preparing beverage comprises a housing, a basket holder in cooperative engagement with the housing, a filter basket selectively insertable into the basket holder when the basket holder is in an open position, and a ground coffee hopper for holding ground coffee. The hopper is positioned to dispense a desired amount of ground coffee into the filter basket when (i) the hopper is selectively mounted to the housing, (ii) the filter basket is inserted into the basket holder, and (iii) the basket holder is in its closed position. The bottom portion comprises a selectively rotatable doser defining a plurality of dosing cavities. Each dosing cavity is adapted to contain a same, predetermined amount of ground coffee and adapted to dispense the contained ground coffee through a dispensing hole defined in the bottom portion as each dosing cavity is rotated into a position above the dispensing hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to an accessory part to be used in connection with cleaning a suction bag emptying device (13), the accessory part comprising a lid (25) for closing a container (15) in the emptying device (13), and a capsule containing agent to be used for cleaning the emptying device (13) in connection with the lid (25). The invention further relates to a suction bag emptying device (13).

Abstract: A device and method for collecting microorganisms from a fluid includes: a reaction module containing beads, fluid admission duct allowing entry into the module, fluid evacuating duct allowing outlet of the fluid passed through the module, retaining beads in the module, at least one channel for admission of reaction liquid, at least one channel for evacuation of the liquid(s), channels for admission and evacuation of the reaction liquid and the ducts for admission and evacuation of the fluid being positioned with: ducts for admission and evacuation of fluid facing and enclosing the module, in order to maximize contact between the fluid and beads, channels for the reaction liquid(s) being positioned respectively at opposite ends of the module, and channels for the reaction liquid(s) positioned in a plane, and ducts for admission and evacuation of fluid positioned along an axis, and in that the axis is roughly perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A hopper assembly includes a hopper configured to contain a feedstock material. A vibration imparting device is arranged inside the hopper and a vibration source coupled to the vibration imparting device. Embodiments of the instant invention are believed to provide various improvements in feeding uniformity by providing various hopper configurations that ensure a more consistently uniform filling of the metering device for a variety of difficult-to-feed materials and not-so-difficult-to-feed materials. One, more or all of these embodiments are also believed to improve accuracy and add precision to control, and, in addition, offer more simplified hopper construction—which is less costly to manufacture and maintain.

Abstract: A shaker has an outer container and an inner container moveable inside the outer container. The outer container side wall has an opening through which a first portion of the inner container side wall can be grasped. A space between the outer container side wall and the inner container side wall accommodates an energy accumulator. The inner container, at rest, is pressed with the first portion of the inner container side wall against the opening in the outer container side wall by the energy accumulator and covers the opening. The inner container is movable, counter to the energy accumulator force, transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer container into a displacement position. The inner container has a discharge opening which, when the inner container moves away from the rest position, is moved across a sieve provided in the dispensing opening of the outer container floor.

Abstract: A dispensing assembly having a container containing a liquid to be dispensed and a dispensing tube bringing in fluid communication with ambient the volume inside the container containing the liquid. The dispensing tube has a flexible, resilient portion ending in an outlet of diameter, D, and is engaged in a pinch valve system. The pinch valve system has a squeezing member suitable for squeezing and obturating a section of the flexible portion located at a distance, h, from the outlet. The ratio, h/D, of the distance, h, to the outlet diameter, D, is not more than 2, preferably, not more than 1.5, more preferably, not more than 1.0.

Abstract: A measured fluid dispenser includes a moveable member coupled with a liquid containing bottle. The moveable member is preferably spherical defining an internal volume therein. The moveable member defines two openings wherein only one opening intersects the longitudinal axis at one time. This allows the internal volume of the moveable member to be filled with liquid from the bottle, then rotated, then the measured fluid or liquid is dispensed from the moveable member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an intermediate bulk container (IBC) and a valve opening/closing device therefor. The container comprises a base, side plates, and a valve installed at the bottom of the container. The valve opening/closing device comprises a handle, a motion-transferring device and a valve opening/closing mechanism. The handle is installed at the side plate and is connected with the motion-transferring device. The motion-transferring device is at least partially located in the cavity between two sidewalls of the side plate of the container or at least partially located in the groove provided on the side plate, and is used to transfer the actions acting on the handle to the valve opening/closing mechanism to open/close the valve.

Abstract: The present invention is related to dispensers for dispensing portioned amounts of substances into a container. For example, dispensers for dispensing powered drink mixes, such as baby formula.

Abstract: Humidifying apparatus includes a base housing an impeller and a motor for driving the impeller to generate a first air flow. A nozzle includes an interior passage for receiving the first air flow and an air outlet for emitting the first air flow. The nozzle defines an opening through which air from outside the apparatus is drawn by air emitted from the air outlet. The apparatus is configured to humidify a second air flow, which is emitted from a plurality of second air outlets. The second air flow is humidified with water supplied from a water tank mounted on the base. The water tank has an upwardly curved upper surface. The nozzle is mounted on the apparatus so that the upper surface of the water tank at least partially covers a lower section of an external surface of the nozzle.

Abstract: The bore hole tracer injection apparatus is a mechanical device for inserting a tracer agent into a bore hole at a predetermined depth. Outer and inner cylinders have side ports, with the side ports of the cylinders misaligned to prevent fluid escape from the inner cylinder until desired. The bottom of the inner cylinder includes a filler passage. A line passes through the top of the outer cylinder and attaches to a rod across the top of the inner cylinder, above the closed top thereof. The inner cylinder is filled with a tracer agent, and the apparatus is lowered into the bore hole to the desired depth. A weight is then dropped down the line, and jars the outer cylinder down around the inner cylinder when it contacts the top of the outer cylinder. This aligns the side ports of the cylinders to allow escape of the tracer agent therefrom.

Abstract: The dispenser disclosed herein serves a single serving of a powdered nutrient contained within a container having multi-servings of the powdered nutrient. The dispenser has a metering device that operates as a ball valve or guillotine to dispense a single serving of the powdered nutrient into a water container. The dispenser also has a support surface that can be lowered and raised back up in order to fit a water container under the metering device and a distal tip of the metering device into a mouth of the water container so that no powdered nutrient spills out of the water container during transfer of the powdered nutrient from the metering device to the water container.

Abstract: An unimpeded pourer device for allowing unimpeded movement of the valve member in the bore of the tubular member. The unimpeded pourer device includes a pourer assembly adapted to be in fluid communication with a bottle and including a tubular member having a bore disposed therein, and also including a spout in fluid communication with the tubular member and having passageway extending therethrough in communication with the bore; and a valve assembly in communication with the pourer assembly for dispensing measured amounts of liquid through and from the pourer assembly.

Abstract: An automated dispenser for dispensing spices, condiments, herbs, teas, ground coffees, or powdered beverages, comprising a plurality of cartridges mounted on a carrier respectively containing said items, having a dispensing means with relative movement capable between said dispensing means and said cartridges. A look-up table, containing a plurality of separate, discrete dispensing programs is provided for operation of the dispensing means to dispense a particular variety of mixtures and quantities from said cartridges. When a spice blend and associated dispensing program is selected by a user, the dispensing program aligns the dispensing means relative to the cartridge carrier and cartridge, to dispense a particular quantity and, in the case of a mix, to subsequently align with other selected cartridges to provide, from said cartridges, the mix of spices, herbs, condiments, powdered beverages or ground coffees. A specialized cartridge adapted for use in said automated dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tap dispenser having a main body, said main body having a main body interior portion and an opposing main body exterior portion; a liquid flow pathway passing through the main body; a vent pathway passing through the main body, wherein air transport through the vent pathway is separated from liquid transport through said liquid flow pathway and wherein the vent pathway has a vent pathway inlet and an opposing vent pathway outlet; a vent valve operably engaged with the vent pathway outlet; and a liquid flow valve operably engaged with the liquid flow pathway.

Abstract: Exemplary dispensers and refill units having collapsible outlet tubes are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill unit includes a container, a pump having an outlet that is movable in a reciprocating motion and a flexible tube. A first end of the flexible tube is in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and a second end connectable to a dispenser. When the second end is connected to a dispenser, the second end is stationary and movement of the pump outlet away from the second end causes the pump to dispense fluid and movement of the pump outlet toward the second end causes the flexible tube to collapse.

Abstract: A proppant storage vessel has a container having a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The first and second end walls extend between opposite ends of the first and second side walls. The walls define an interior volume of the container. The walls have a rigidity suitable for retaining no less than 30,000 pounds of proppant therein. A top hatch is formed centrally on the top wall and is movable between an open position and a closed position. A bottom hatch is formed generally centrally on the bottom wall of the container and is movable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A silo de-bridging device (100), comprising: a rotary shaft (11) and at least one de-bridging unit (10) connected to the rotary shaft (11); each de-bridging unit (10) includes a fixed sleeve (101), a movable sleeve (102) and at least one de-bridging arm (103) connected to the movable sleeve (102), and a cam structure is formed between two end surfaces of the movable sleeve (102) and the fixed sleeve (101) adjoining each other. The silo de-bridging device can de-bridge the materiel in the silo effectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing dispenser having a dosing piston, for dosing formulations of a drug or nutritional supplement in the form of a free-flowing bulk material having a particle diameter in the range of 100-1000 ?m.

Abstract: An improved manual portion control feeder includes a food delivery mechanism that is in communication with a food reservoir and which, when actuated, dispenses a predetermined amount of food from the reservoir into another vessel. Advantageously, the feeding apparatus further includes a feedback mechanism which, responsive to an actuation of the food delivery mechanism, provides at least one of an acoustic indication and a tactile indication that is representative of the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of food by the food delivery mechanism. The acoustic and/or tactile indication enables the feeding apparatus to remain disposed on, for example, a floor and alerts the user that a predetermined amount of food has been dispensed from the reservoir since the acoustic and/or tactile indications are detectable with relative ease. This enables an animal to be provided a predetermined amount of food with minimal attention being required of the user.

Abstract: A transportable container apparatus includes an elongate container with a base. The container and base are substantially symmetrical about the central axis, typically cylindrical, and oriented substantially vertically when in a working position. The container has an upper container section and a lower container section, where the upper container section has an upper cross-sectional area that is greater than a lower cross-sectional area of the lower container section. Typically the upper section has a diameter 1.5-2.0 times the diameter of the lower section. The upper section includes a sloping hopper at a bottom thereof, configured to direct granular material into the lower container section. An outlet port is defined in a ported wall of the lower container section, and a floor of the container is sloped toward the outlet port such that granular material stored in the container slides down the floor to the outlet port.

Abstract: A water container includes a bottle body containing water and a bottle mouth, a cup body detachably assembled to the bottle body, and a valve assembly secured to the bottle mouth. The valve assembly includes a ball and an elastic member. The ball and the elastic member are received in the receiving cavity. The elastic member is pressed between the ball the upper case and biases the ball towards sealing the opening. When the cup body is pushed toward the bottle body, the cup body drives the ball to unseal, to allow flow of water into the cup with no risk of spillage.

Abstract: An improved seed metering wheel assembly is provided to deliver a substantially constant flow of seed to a downstream treating device or the like, without any substantial surging of seeds. The seed metering wheel assembly includes an axially rotatable metering wheel having a plurality of strategically sized and arranged seed metering openings therethrough, arranged in circular arrays of differently sized metering openings. In another embodiment, the seed metering wheel includes a central hub section and an outermost rib, with a series of ribs between the hub section and rim, which lie along respective non-diameter chords. Incoming seed is delivered from a seed hopper outlet by gravitation to the metering wheel, which preferably provides a substantially constant open area while preventing wholly unobstructed flow of seeds.

Abstract: A dispenser including a chamber having a cavity, a spout in communication with the cavity and having an inner surface, a rotatable dial in communication with the spout and having an outer surface, and wherein the dial is positioned at least partially within the spout and rotates coaxially with the spout for dispensing a product within the cavity.

Abstract: A beverage containment assembly may include a disposable liner assembly for dispensing fluids with a vessel. The liner assembly may comprise a flexible liner configured for the vessel, a flexible tube; and a cuff having an interlock surface. The cuff may be received in at least a portion of the tube thereby securing the liner and the tube. The interlock surface may be configured to provide a seal between at least the cuff and the liner. A method of manufacturing same is further provided.

Abstract: An intermediate bulk storage container for the storage or transport of particulate catalyst material includes a vessel having an inner wall defining a containment volume for particulate catalyst material. The vessel has a cylindrical wall section, a top panel closing the upper end of the cylindrical wall section and a conical base section connected to and tapering inwardly away from the lower end of the cylindrical wall section. An opening in the top panel of the container receives the catalyst material and a closure member closes the opening. An air tight seal is formed when the opening is closed by the closure member. A gas duct is in fluid connection with the vessel for supplying an inert gas to the sealed container or removing gas from the vessel to place the container under a vacuum. The gas duct is closed by a valve for transit or storage.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for use with a beverage container containing an alcoholic beverage includes a base with an upper outside surface, a vertically-inclined bore within the base, a valve bore in fluid communication with and transverse to the vertically-inclined bore, and a vent formed in the base to maintain fluid communication between the vertically-inclined bore and the atmosphere external to the base where the vertically-inclined bore extends a first pre-defined distance into the base from the upper outside surface and defines an upper opening in the base for receiving a neck portion of an inverted beverage container and where the valve bore extends a second pre-defined distance into the base and fluidly communicates with a lower portion of the vertically-inclined bore.

Abstract: A beverage server with conveniently separable barrel body and base comprising a barrel body, a base, an upper connecting plate disposed at a bottom surface of the barrel body, and a lower connecting plate disposed at an upper surface of the base. The lower connecting plate and the upper connecting plate are removably connected with each other via a rotary clamping unit. The present invention has a simple structure, and its barrel body and base can be separated without the need of using external assisting tools, and its rotary clamping unit is not easy to fall off and lost, and its rotary clamping unit will not wobble after the barrel body and the base are separated.

Abstract: A dispenser including a base unit with an actuation mechanism for dispensing liquid and a refill unit insertable into the base unit in an inverted configuration with its outlet lowermost for the supply of liquid to the base unit. The refill unit includes an annular wall projecting into the refill unit and defining an outlet from the refill unit, the annular wall being closable at its innermost end by a valve element biased onto the annular wall. The base unit includes a hollow spigot and an annular seal surrounding and spaced from the top of the spigot whereby insertion of the refill unit into the base unit causes the spigot to enter the annular wall and to lift the valve element from the annular wall to define a flow path from the refill unit, and the annular seal to seal between the spigot and the annular wall.

Abstract: A weighing hopper includes a tubular main body having an upper end opening constituting a loading port and a lower end opening constituting a dispensing port and a gate provided on the main body swingably in such a way that the gate opens/closes the dispensing port, wherein the main body and the gate are formed by bending components after joining the components by diffusion.

Abstract: In a multi-silo distribution and storage system, the regions between the stationary and transport batchers, and between transport batcher and storage bin are isolated during asphalt discharge with a bellows automatically deployed when clamshell gates of the stationary and transport batchers are opened. The storage bin is provided with a sealing door that lifts vertically for unsealing and slides horizontally to permit access to the bin interior for receiving asphalt discharged from the transport batcher. After registry above the top bin opening, the sealing door is forced downwardly to create a tight seal. For prolonged storage, a fluid seal isolates the lower discharge gate of the storage bin. Steam is delivered to the stored asphalt and bin interior to displace atmospheric oxygen vented through a valve in the bin top. An oxygen sensor linked to a process controller monitors the oxygen level within the storage bin.

Abstract: The dispensing device (1) has a beverage receptacle (2) with holes (200) in the base thereof, said holes being stopped with valves (3); a supporting base (4) that supports the receptacle; serving mechanisms (5) for opening the valves; and a cooling element mounted between the receptacle and the stand. The base (20) of the receptacle has, within, a convex central portion (201) and a peripheral portion (202) with the emptying holes, and the outer part thereof has a concave central portion (203) and a peripheral zone (204) with housings (205) for mounting a respective valve. The stand has an upper portion (40) in which the receptacle fits, and supporting legs (41). The serving mechanisms (5) are mounted in the upper portion of the stand, operationally facing the respective valve. The cooling element (6) is designed to be fitted inside the upper portion of the stand, with the base of the receptacle located above said element.

Abstract: A capture mechanism for a dispensing spout of a bag-in-box liquid dispenser. The dispenser is adapted to enable the dispensing spout protrude through at least the base of its box. The capture mechanism contains a component for capturing a dispensing spout of a bag-in-box liquid dispenser. When in use with at least a portion of the capture mechanism cooperating with the box of a bag-in-box liquid dispenser adapted to enable its dispensing spout protrude through at least the base of its box, the capturing component is positioned to maintain the dispensing spout in a low dispensing position relative to the level of the base of the box.

Abstract: A bag in box packaging including a flexible bag and an outer carton. The flexible bag defines a cavity, with a spout coupled thereto providing access to the cavity. The outer carton has a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first side wall. A front wall extends therebetween. The inner spout retaining member further includes an inner spout retaining member. The inner spout retaining member includes a first panel that extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and is spaced apart from the front wall. The first panel includes a spout receiving slot extending thereinto. The spout of the bag is positionable within the spout receiving slot of the first panel, so as to position the spout between the first panel and the front wall. A spout locking member is structurally configured to maintain the spout within the spout receiving slot of the first panel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor that is used with a valve fitment assembly used to dispense fluids or flowable materials from a container. The adaptor is utilized in conjunction with the valve fitment assembly to allow the fitment assembly to be used with a spout and valve assembly attached to a container holding fluid. This invention also relates to a process for dispensing fluid using the adapter described herein.

Abstract: A container collapsible during dispensing of the contents therein includes a front wall, a rear wall, right and left side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall defining a container volume holding product. A first right side wall fold line is provided in the right side wall, and a first left side wall fold line is provided in the left side wall. A rear wall fold line separates the rear wall into a first facet and a second facet. The container is sealed such that the removal of the product from the container causes the container volume to decrease, and the container folds along the first right side wall fold line, first left side wall fold line and rear wall fold line such that the first facet folds down toward the second facet.

Abstract: A portable liquid applicator system and a method for applying liquid directly from an original package container, e.g., a five-gallon bucket, to a surface. The system includes a wheeled platform onto which the container is positioned such that fluid within the container flows toward a pour opening. A extended actuating handle engages a valve at the pour opening and allows the valve to be opened and closed by a user in an upright position, rather than having to bend to operate the valve. A method includes positioning the container on the platform, opening the valve, and then moving the platform to disperse the liquid onto a surface.

Abstract: A bag-in-box type of assembly is disclosed where numerous features are provided. One of the features helps to lock the drainage tube of the bag in a predetermined position at the bottom of the box. Another feature is directed to a ramp inside the box that aid drainage of the bag's content, e.g., concentrate for a postmix beverage. Yet a further feature is directed to structures that prevent slippage of the bag when placed on the ramp.

Abstract: An ice dispensing assembly includes a hopper, a metering disk, a shelf member, and a separating wall. The hopper includes an outlet opening defined in a bottom end of the hopper, and an ice inlet defined in a top end of the hopper. The metering disk is positioned in the hopper and includes a plurality of cavities. The shelf member is arranged to at least partially shield the cavities from a supply of ice held in the hopper. The metering disk is rotatable relative to the hopper between a first position wherein at least one cavity is exposed to the supply of ice to be filled with ice, and a second position wherein the cavity is separated from the supply of ice by the separating wall and ice in the cavity is dispensed through the outlet opening.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser is proposed which includes a soft raw water container and which makes it possible to spontaneously use up drinking water in the container. A water passage tube (12) of a container connecting portion (10) includes a tubular partitioning wall (13) dividing the interior of the water passage tube (12) into a water passage (14) communicating with a water passage hole (14a), and an air passage (15) communicating with the water passage (14) through a small air passage hole (15a). A water passage pipe (16) is connected to the water passage (14). The water passage tube (12) has a base portion (12a) formed with an opening (15b) communicating with the air passage (15). An air passage pipe (17) is connected to the opening (15b) and hangs vertically downwardly into a low-temperature tank (2). An on-off valve (19b) is provided at the free end of the air passage pipe (17) which is adapted to open when the water level in the low-temperature tank (2) lowers.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for gravity feeding of a dispensable product includes containing means and dispensing means. The containing means is adapted to contain the dispensable product and is operatively connected to the dispensing means whereby the dispensing means includes a chute means. Rotation of the chute means can cause the dispensable product to be able to be dispensed.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser that is enabled for on demand, gravity fed dispensing of a pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage that has been thermally regulated through natural convection. More specifically, the beverage dispenser enables pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage containers (i.e., beverage containers with beverage contents that are pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink) to be installed on the beverage dispenser and, without the aid of electricity or electro-mechanical devices, dispense a thermally regulated beverage on-demand to an intended customer. The beverage dispenser may comprise a thermal regulation compartment that facilitates regulating the temperature of beverage contents through natural convection. The beverage dispenser may also comprise a thermally regulated and thermally insulated beverage enclosure in which to install the beverage containers. The thermal regulation compartment may be carried within the beverage enclosure.

Abstract: A water dispenser is disclosed having a housing for a reservoir in communication with a faucet to draw water therefrom. A water bottle is positioned spout-down at the top of the housing or in the top section of the reservoir. Water flows to the faucet via gravity without the use of pumps and the like. The configuration of the reservoir and the positioning of conduits provides to place the faucet closer to the top of the water dispenser again without the use of pumps and the like. The faucet includes separate compartments as well as inlets and outlets so as to divert water towards a variety of water treatment apparatuses such as hot tanks, carbonators, chillers and the like. The faucet includes controllable valves which provide the user to choose between hot, cold, carbonated or otherwise treated water. The faucet and reservoir can form an assembly which can be removed from the housing without tools.

Abstract: An inner container for transporting and storing liquids includes an outlet neck and a bottom wall. The bottom wall connects two side walls, one rear wall and one front wall of the inner container to one another. The outlet neck is arranged in a funnel bottom of an outlet funnel embodied in the bottom wall, and includes one front funnel wall, two lateral funnel walls and one rear funnel wall, wherein the lateral funnel walls are inclined from a lower edge of a side wall towards the funnel bottom in each case, in such a way that the outlet funnel has the shape of a truncated pyramid above the funnel bottom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary agitation beverage dispenser in which an agitator impeller is mechanically rotated when a user operates a beverage discharge valve to agitate a beverage in a container, the dispenser being usable everywhere without requiring electricity. The dispenser includes a container in which a beverage is received, an agitator impeller mounted in the container and adapted to agitate the beverage by rotation thereof about a rotating shaft that is rotatably mounted on a surface of the container, a discharge valve mounted to one side of the container so as to communicate with the interior of the container and adapted to discharge the beverage out of the container when operated by a user, and an agitator drive unit connected to the discharge valve and the rotating shaft of the agitator impeller and adapted to rotate the agitator impeller in linkage with operation of the discharge valve.