Patent Description:
Recently, consumers have shown an increasing desire for a wide range of beverages, such as craft beers, coffees, small-batch spirits, or wines. In particular, consumers have sought to enjoy such beverages at home, while socializing, and outdoors. Often, these beverages must be stored in relatively large containers that are designed to hold multiple servings of a single beverage, such as a growler or wine bottle. This presents several problems, though. In particular, it can be difficult to transport or selectively dispense multiple beverages (i.e., different types of beverages). These issues may be magnified if the beverages must be stored (or preferably served) at a relatively low (i.e., refrigerated) temperature, such as below sixty degrees Fahrenheit.

Existing systems for dispensing liquids or beverages, such as from a refrigerator, fail to adequately address these issues. For example, most existing refrigerator appliances are only configured to dispense water. Other beverages must generally be stored in pitchers or bottles, and cannot be selectively dispensed directly from the refrigerator appliance. The risk of spilling a beverage stored within the refrigerator appliance is still high. Moreover, it remains difficult to dispense a specific amount of a beverage. Some refrigerator appliances can create single servings of beverages other than water (e.g., coffee). Even these, however, are generally not portable and do not permit multiple servings to be dispensed on command.

As a result, further improvements to dispensing assemblies are necessary to address one or more of the above-identified issues. In particular, it would be advantageous to have a portable, self-contained assembly for dispensing multiple discrete beverages on demand, while preventing the risk of accidentally spilling or dispensing an incorrect amount of a beverage.

Beverage-dispensing assemblies are presented in documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

According to the invention, a modular beverage- dispensing assembly is provided. The modular beverage-dispensing assembly comprises a housing, a compressed gas tank mounted to the housing, and a plurality of discrete beverage containers, and a multipath gas valve. The plurality of discrete beverage containers are supported on the housing. The multipath gas valve is downstream from the compressed gas tank. The multipath gas valve is in selective upstream fluid communication with the plurality of discrete beverage containers to selectively direct a compressed gas from the compressed gas tank to one beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers. The modular beverage-dispensing assembly further comprises a multipath liquid valve in selective downstream fluid communication with each beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers to selectively direct a liquid from one beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers. The modular beverage-dispensing assembly further comprises an outlet nozzle downstream from the multipath liquid valve to dispense a liquid received therefrom. The positions of the multipath liquid valve are associated with or correspond to the positions of multipath gas valve. The modular beverage-dispensing assembly further comprises a pressure-release valve positioned in fluid communication between the multipath gas valve and one beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers; the modular beverage-dispensing assembly further comprises a user interface attached to the housing and an assembly controller operably coupled to the user interface and the pressure-release valve, wherein the assembly controller being configured to initiate a dispensing operation comprises: receiving a beverage-output signal from the user interface, determining a non-dispensing state subsequent to receiving the beverage-output signal, and actuating the pressure-release valve to open a ventilation path between the pressure-release valve and an ambient environment in response to determining the non-dispensing state.

Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as long as they are within the scope of the appended claims.

As used herein, the term "or" is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., "A or B" is intended to mean "A or B or both"). The terms "first," "second," and "third" may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, "upstream" refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and "downstream" refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.

Turning now to the figures, <FIG> and <FIG> provide perspective views of a refrigerator appliance (e.g., refrigerator appliance <NUM>) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown, refrigerator appliance <NUM> includes a cabinet or housing <NUM> that extends between a top <NUM> and a bottom <NUM> along a vertical direction V; between a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM> along a lateral direction L; and between a front <NUM> and a back <NUM> along a transverse direction T. Housing <NUM> defines one or more chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In some embodiments, housing <NUM> defines fresh food chamber <NUM> positioned at or adjacent top <NUM> of housing <NUM> and a freezer chamber <NUM> arranged at or adjacent bottom <NUM> of housing <NUM>.

Refrigerator doors <NUM> are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing <NUM> for selectively accessing fresh food chamber <NUM>. In addition, a freezer door <NUM> is arranged below refrigerator doors <NUM> for selectively accessing freezer chamber <NUM>. Freezer door <NUM> is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber <NUM>. Refrigerator doors <NUM> and freezer door <NUM> are shown in the closed configuration in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber <NUM> to facilitate storage of food items therein, as will be understood art. In particular, the storage components include storage bins <NUM>, drawers <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> that are mounted within fresh food chamber <NUM>. Storage bins <NUM>, drawers <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers <NUM> can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the bins <NUM>, drawers <NUM>, and shelves <NUM> may be configured to receive a modular beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM>, as will be described in greater detail below.

Generally, refrigerator appliance <NUM> may be referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply are not limited to a certain type or configuration of refrigerator appliance and may be appreciated independent of any refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to any particular refrigerator appliance configuration.

Turning now to <FIG>, various views are provided of a modular beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM> according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, modular beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that contains or supports a fluid system <NUM> for selectively dispensing multiple discrete beverages (e.g., consumable liquids, such as beer, soda, juice, coffee, tea, spirits, wine, etc.) stored within corresponding discrete beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. Housing <NUM> and fluid system <NUM> may be self-contained such that both may be moved or transported together (e.g., as a single unit) without the need to provide a tethered liquid source (e.g., municipal water source) or power source (e.g., municipal power grid).

As shown, housing <NUM> may be relatively small and sized, for instance, to rest on a single bin <NUM> of refrigerator appliance. Generally, housing <NUM> extends along a vertical direction V' between a top end <NUM> and a bottom end <NUM>; along a lateral direction L' between a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM>; and along the transverse direction T' between a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM>. Each of the vertical direction V', lateral direction L', and transverse direction T' are mutually- orthogonal to define an orthogonal orientation system. It is noted that although the housing <NUM> and cabinet <NUM> are both described in terms of vertical, lateral, and transverse directions, the direction systems need not be necessarily identical. Moreover, the housing <NUM> and cabinet <NUM> may freely move with respect to one another while maintaining the described features and relative (i.e., internally relative) orientations. Thus, direction systems may be parallel to each other (e.g., when beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM> is received within the fresh food chamber <NUM>), but need not be (e.g., when beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM> is removed from door <NUM>).

When assembled, housing <NUM> may selectively support one or more beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. For instance, housing <NUM> may include a front platform <NUM> that extends along the front end <NUM>. In some embodiments, the front platform <NUM> generally defines a support surface <NUM> on which the containers <NUM>, <NUM> may be placed. The support surface <NUM> may be any suitable shape on which the containers <NUM>, <NUM> may rest, such as a planar surface or complementary surface defined as a negative shape to that of the bottom of each container <NUM> or <NUM>. Optionally, the support surface <NUM> may be unrestricted (e.g., in the vertical direction V') such that each container <NUM> or <NUM> may be freely placed on or removed from front platform <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, a backstop wall <NUM> may extend from the front platform <NUM> (e.g., vertically from the bottom end <NUM> to the top end <NUM>). Backstop wall <NUM> may be positioned or located rearward from the support surface <NUM>. When supported on the housing <NUM>, a side portion of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> may engage or contact backstop wall <NUM> (e.g., to prevent or hinder the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> from tipping or falling over).

In certain embodiments, the head unit <NUM> of the housing <NUM> extends vertically from the front platform <NUM>. For instance, the head unit <NUM> may extend from the bottom end <NUM> to a height that is below the top end <NUM>. As shown, the head unit <NUM> may be located between portions of the support surface <NUM> between adjacent beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the head unit <NUM> may extend along the transverse direction T' from backstop wall <NUM> (e.g., to the front end <NUM>). During use, adjacent beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> (or portions of the support surface <NUM> on which adjacent beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> can be placed) may be separated (e.g., along the lateral direction L') by the head unit <NUM>.

In some embodiments, one or more outlet nozzles <NUM> extend from the head unit <NUM> (e.g., in selective downstream fluid communication with the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>). For instance, an outlet nozzle <NUM> may extend as an arcuate gooseneck extending upwardly from the head unit <NUM> before being redirected forward and downward such that an opening of the outlet nozzle <NUM> faces the ground or the bottom end <NUM>. Optionally, a single outlet nozzle <NUM> may be provided to selectively and separately dispense liquids from beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, the liquid contents of multiple beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> may be dispensed separate from each other through the single outlet nozzle <NUM>. Alternatively, multiple discrete outlet nozzles (not pictured) may be provided to selectively and separately dispense liquids from beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. In other words, a separate outlet nozzle may correspond to each beverage container <NUM> and <NUM> such that the liquid contents of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> may be dispensed separate from each other through the separate outlet nozzles.

Separate from, or in addition to, front platform <NUM>, housing <NUM> may support a compressed gas tank <NUM> that is selectively mounted to housing <NUM>. For instance, compressed gas tank <NUM> may be mounted at a location that is rearward from the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> or front platform <NUM>. In certain embodiments, housing <NUM> includes a rear enclosure <NUM> that defines a cavity <NUM> in which the compressed gas tank <NUM> may be selectively placed. For instance, when assembled, the compressed gas tank <NUM> may be enclosed (e.g., at least in part) within the cavity <NUM>. As shown, the rear enclosure <NUM> may be positioned or located rearward from the front platform <NUM>. Specifically, the rear enclosure <NUM> may extend along the transverse direction T' from the backstop wall <NUM> to the rear end <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the rear enclosure <NUM> may extend from the bottom end <NUM> to the top end <NUM>. Optionally, a removable top wall <NUM> may be selectively placed over cavity <NUM> (e.g., to selectively cover the compressed gas tank <NUM>).

Along with selectively enclosing the compressed gas tank <NUM>, the rear enclosure <NUM> may hold or contain one or more valves (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), conduits (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), or other components of the fluid system <NUM>.

Generally, fluid system <NUM> provides compressed gas tank <NUM> in selective fluid communication with the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> so that the contents of each container <NUM> or <NUM> (e.g., each beverage or liquid) can be separately dispensed from housing <NUM>. In order to provide a motivating gas, compressed gas tank <NUM> may store any suitable inert gas for driving a liquid beverage, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, etc..

In some embodiments, a multipath gas valve <NUM> is included in fluid communication with the compressed gas tank <NUM>. Specifically, the multipath gas valve <NUM> is downstream from the compressed gas tank <NUM>. In some embodiments, the multipath gas valve <NUM> may further be in selective fluid communication with the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. For instance, relative to the fluid flow path of compressed gas, the multipath gas valve <NUM> may be located between the compressed gas tank <NUM> and the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>.

During use, multipath gas valve <NUM> may be selectively actuated or moved to alternately direct compressed gas to one of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., a first beverage container <NUM> or a second beverage container <NUM>). As an example, the multipath gas valve <NUM> may be a three-way valve that can move between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, compressed gas may be permitted from the compressed gas tank <NUM> to the first beverage container <NUM>, while being prevented from flowing to the second beverage container <NUM>. In the second position, compressed gas may be permitted from the compressed gas tank <NUM> to the second beverage container <NUM>, while being prevented from flowing to the first beverage container <NUM>. Optionally, a third position may be provided wherein gas is restricted or otherwise prevented from flowing through the multipath gas valve <NUM> to either beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>.

As shown, a pressure regulator <NUM> may be included with the fluid system <NUM>. Specifically, the pressure regulator <NUM> may be provided in fluid communication between the compressed gas tank <NUM> and the multipath gas valve <NUM> to control the pressure of compressed gas to the multipath gas valve <NUM>. Generally, the pressure regulator <NUM> may be provided as any suitable valve for selectively controlling the pressure of compressed gas directed to the multipath gas valve <NUM>. When assembled, the pressure regulator <NUM> is selectively adjustable to vary the pressure upstream from the multipath gas valve <NUM>. Advantageously, beverages or liquids of varying densities and viscosities may be pressurized to flow at similar or identical speeds (e.g., volumetric flow rates) from a common gas source (i.e., compressed gas tank <NUM>).

One or more fluid conduits may extend between the compressed gas tank <NUM>, multipath gas valve <NUM>, and beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>, as would be understood. For instance, a single gas conduit <NUM> (or multiple conduits connected in fluid series with each other) may extend between the compressed gas tank <NUM> or pressure regulator <NUM> and the multipath gas valve <NUM>. In certain embodiments, parallel gas conduits <NUM>, <NUM> (i.e., discrete conduits in fluid parallel to each other) extend between the multipath gas valve <NUM> and the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> without exchanging gas between each other. Thus, a first parallel gas conduit <NUM> may extend from the multipath gas valve <NUM> to the first beverage container <NUM>, while a second parallel gas conduit <NUM> extends from the multipath gas valve <NUM> to the second beverage container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, each beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> is attached to a separate removable sealing lid <NUM> through which a corresponding gas conduit (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) may pass. When attached, the sealing lid <NUM> closes an opening defined through, for instance, the top of the corresponding beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>. Moreover, each sealing lid <NUM> generally seals off the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> from the ambient environment such that fluid into and out of the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> is controlled as part of the fluid system <NUM>. Thus, various unique beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> may be connected to and removed from the fluid system <NUM>.

In the present invention, a pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> is positioned in fluid communication between the multipath gas valve <NUM> and one or more of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. For instance, a first pressure-release valve <NUM> may be provided along the fluid path defined by the first parallel gas conduit <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, a second pressure-release valve <NUM> may be provided along the fluid path defined by the second parallel gas conduit <NUM>. Optionally, a discrete pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> may be provided between the multipath gas valve <NUM> and each beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>, as shown.

Generally, a pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> may be selectively opened to vent (i.e., release gas) to the ambient environment. Thus, when opened, the pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> may permit air to flow to the ambient environment instead of flowing through or remaining trapped within a portion of the gas flow path between the multipath gas valve <NUM> in the corresponding beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>. By contrast, when closed, the flow of gas to the ambient environment (e.g., through the pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM>) is restricted or otherwise prevented. During use, the pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> may generally be open (e.g., continuously or temporarily) when the multipath gas valve <NUM> is closed or otherwise prevents the flow of compressed gas from the compressed gas tank <NUM> to the corresponding beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>. As an example, when the multipath gas valve <NUM> is in the second position or third position, the first pressure-release valve <NUM> may be opened, allowing the first beverage container <NUM> to reach an equilibrium with the ambient environment. As another example, when the multipath gas valve <NUM> is in the first position or third position, the second pressure-release valve <NUM> may be opened, allowing the second beverage container <NUM> to reach an equilibrium with the ambient environment.

In certain embodiments, a multipath liquid valve <NUM> is included in fluid communication with each of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. Specifically, the multipath liquid valve <NUM> may be in selective downstream fluid communication with each of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> to alternately permit the liquid contents from the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> through the multipath liquid valve <NUM>. Optionally, and outlet nozzle <NUM> may be provided downstream from the multipath liquid valve <NUM> (e.g., to dispense the liquid contents from the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> received from the multipath liquid valve <NUM>).

During use, the multipath liquid valve <NUM> may be selectively actuated or moved to alternately direct liquid from one of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., the first beverage container <NUM> or the second beverage container <NUM>). As an example, multipath liquid valve <NUM> may be a three-way valve that can move between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, liquid may be permitted from the first beverage container <NUM>, while being prevented from the second beverage container <NUM>. In the second position, liquid may be permitted from the second beverage container <NUM>, while being prevented from flowing from the first beverage container <NUM>. Optionally, a third position may be provided wherein liquid is restricted or otherwise prevented from flowing through the multipath liquid valve <NUM> (e.g., to the outlet nozzle <NUM>) from either of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, the positions of the multipath liquid valve <NUM> are associated with or generally correspond to the positions of multipath gas valve <NUM>. For instance, the first position of the multipath liquid valve <NUM> may correspond to the first position of the multipath gas valve <NUM> while the second position of the multipath liquid valve <NUM> also corresponds to the second position of the multipath gas valve <NUM>. The third position of the multipath liquid valve <NUM> may correspond to the third position of the multipath gas valve <NUM>. Thus, in the first positions of the valves <NUM>, <NUM>; compressed gas may be permitted from the compressed gas tank <NUM> and into the first beverage container <NUM>. The pressure of such gas may force the liquid contents of the first beverage container <NUM> through the multipath liquid valve <NUM> and to the outlet nozzle <NUM>. Similarly, in the second positions of the valves <NUM>, <NUM>; compressed gases may be permitted from the compressed gas tank <NUM> and into the second beverage container <NUM>. The pressure of such gas may force the liquid contents of the second beverage container <NUM> through the multipath liquid valve <NUM> and to the outlet nozzle <NUM>.

One or more fluid conduits may extend between the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>, multipath liquid valve <NUM>, and outlet nozzle <NUM>, as would be understood. For instance, a single liquid conduit <NUM> (or multiple conduits connected in fluid series with each other) may extend between the multipath liquid valve <NUM> and the outlet nozzle <NUM>. In certain embodiments, parallel liquid conduits <NUM>, <NUM> (i.e., discrete conduits in fluid parallel to each other) extend between the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> and the multipath liquid valve <NUM>. Thus, a first parallel liquid conduit <NUM> may extend from the first beverage container <NUM> to the multipath liquid valve <NUM>, while a second parallel liquid conduit <NUM> extends from the second beverage container <NUM> to the multipath liquid valve <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a corresponding liquid conduit (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) may pass through each sealing lid <NUM>. Thus, a separate gas conduit <NUM> or <NUM> and liquid conduit <NUM> or <NUM> may extend through each sealing lid <NUM>. In certain embodiments, within the corresponding beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>, the terminal end <NUM> of each liquid conduit <NUM>, <NUM> may be positioned lower than the terminal end <NUM> of each gas conduit <NUM>, <NUM>. As shown, when a liquid conduit <NUM> or <NUM> is received within a corresponding beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>, the corresponding gas conduit <NUM> or <NUM> may stop proximal to the top of the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>, while the liquid conduit <NUM> or <NUM> stops proximal to the bottom of the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>. During use, the pressure generated by compressed gas through the gas conduit within the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> may thus force the liquid contents of the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> downward and into the corresponding liquid conduit <NUM> or <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a control panel or user interface <NUM> is provided on or mounted to the housing <NUM> to direct commandments to one or more portions of fluid system <NUM>. Generally, user interface <NUM> includes one or more inputs <NUM> (e.g., buttons, toggle switches, knobs, touch pads, etc.), which a user may select to initiate functions of the beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM> (e.g., the dispensing of liquid from a selected beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>). Optionally, one or more display components <NUM> (e.g., LEDs, bulbs, screens, etc.) may be provided to present visual feedback to a user. In certain embodiments, user interface <NUM> represents a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional block.

As shown, user interface <NUM> may be mounted on the head unit <NUM> (e.g., adjacent to outlet nozzle <NUM>). Nonetheless, it is understood that user interface <NUM> may be provided at any suitable location on housing <NUM>.

Operation of modular beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM> may be generally controlled by a processing device or assembly controller <NUM>. Assembly controller <NUM> is operatively coupled to user interface <NUM> for user manipulation to select features and operations of beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM>, such as dispensing operations. Assembly controller <NUM> can operate various components of beverage-dispensing assembly <NUM> to execute selected system cycles and features. In exemplary embodiments, assembly controller <NUM> is operably coupled (e.g., in electrical or wireless communication) with the multipath gas valve <NUM>; pressure regulator <NUM>; pressure-release valves <NUM>, <NUM>; or multipath liquid valve <NUM>. Thus, assembly controller <NUM> can selectively activate and operate multipath gas valve <NUM>; pressure regulator <NUM>; pressure-release valves <NUM>, <NUM>; or multipath liquid valve <NUM> (e.g., based on signals received the user interface <NUM>).

Assembly controller <NUM> may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of assembly <NUM>. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, assembly controller <NUM> may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry; such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. One or more portions of assembly <NUM> may be in communication with assembly controller <NUM> via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. A battery pack (not pictured) may be mounted to housing <NUM> in electrical communication with controller <NUM> and other components to supply an electrical current thereto, as would be understood.

In the present invention, controller <NUM> is configured to initiate a dispensing operation to selectively dispense liquid from one of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. The operation may include receiving a beverage-selection signal from the use interface <NUM>. Generally, the beverage-selection signal may indicate which beverage container (e.g., either the first beverage container <NUM> or the second beverage container <NUM>) a user has chosen to dispense from. For instance, the beverage-selection signal may be received in response to a user pressing an input <NUM> at user interface <NUM> corresponding to one beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>. Based on the received beverage-selection signal, the assembly controller <NUM> may actuate the multipath liquid valve <NUM>. Specifically, the multipath liquid valve <NUM> may be opened (e.g., to the first position when the first beverage container <NUM> is selected) to define an exclusive flow path from one of the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, only liquid from the selected beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> may be permitted through the multipath liquid valve <NUM>.

Additionally or alternatively, the dispensing operation may include receiving a beverage-output signal from the user interface <NUM>. Generally, the beverage-dispensing signal may indicate that the user desires the liquid from the selected beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> to be dispensed from the outlet nozzle <NUM>. Based on the received beverage-output signal, the assembly controller <NUM> may actuate the multipath gas valve <NUM> (e.g., to the first position when the first beverage container <NUM> is selected) to open an exclusive flow path from the compressed gas tank <NUM> to one beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>. Thus, compressed gas may be permitted through the multipath gas to only one beverage container <NUM> or <NUM>. Optionally, the assembly controller <NUM> may actuate the multipath gas valve <NUM> to a fully-closed position (e.g., the third position, as described above) in the absence of a beverage-output signal. In such embodiments, dispensing or directing compressed gas to the beverage containers <NUM>, <NUM> may be contingent on continuous engagement of a corresponding input <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the beverage-selection signal is received from a separate input <NUM> of the user interface <NUM> from the beverage-output signal. In such embodiments, engaging (e.g., pressing) one input <NUM> indicates the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> from which liquid may be dispensed, and engaging (e.g., pressing) another input <NUM> initiates dispensing from outlet nozzle <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the beverage-selection signal is received from the same input <NUM> of the user interface <NUM> as the beverage- output signal (e.g., simultaneously) In such embodiments, engaging (e.g., pressing) one input <NUM> both indicates the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> from which liquid may be dispensed and initiates dispensing from outlet nozzle <NUM>.

In the present invention, the dispensing operation includes determining a non-dispensing state subsequent to receiving the beverage-output signal. The non- dispensing state generally indicates no further dispensing of liquid from the outlet nozzle <NUM> is desired. As an example, the determination may be based on (e.g., in response to) the absence of the beverage-output signal. For instance, engagement of a dispensing input <NUM> may be ceased such that no beverage-dispensing signal is received. As an additional or alternative example, the determination may be based on expiration of a predetermined amount of time (i.e., a non-zero span of time, such as <NUM> to <NUM> seconds) following receiving the beverage-dispensing signal.

In response to determining the non-dispensing state, the assembly controller <NUM> actuates a corresponding pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> to open and establish a ventilation path between the pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> and the ambient environment. The corresponding pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> may specifically correspond to (e.g., be positioned upstream of) the beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> selected via the beverage-selection signal. Thus, actuating the pressure-release valve <NUM> or <NUM> may allow the selected beverage container <NUM> or <NUM> to reach an equilibrium with the ambient environment immediately once the initiated dispensing stops.

Claim 1:
A modular beverage-dispensing assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a compressed gas tank (<NUM>) mounted to the housing (<NUM>);
a plurality of discrete beverage containers (<NUM>, <NUM>) supported on the housing (<NUM>); and
a multipath gas valve (<NUM>) downstream from the compressed gas tank (<NUM>) in selective upstream fluid communication with the plurality of discrete beverage containers (<NUM>, <NUM>) to selectively direct a compressed gas from the compressed gas tank (<NUM>) to one beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers (<NUM>, <NUM>);
characterized in that the modular beverage-dispensing assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a multipath liquid valve (<NUM>) in selective downstream fluid communication with each beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers (<NUM>, <NUM>) to selectively direct a liquid from one beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers (<NUM>, <NUM>); and further comprises an outlet nozzle (<NUM>) downstream from the multipath liquid valve (<NUM>) to dispense a liquid received therefrom; the positions of the multipath liquid valve (<NUM>) being associated with or correspond to the positions of multipath gas valve (<NUM>);
the modular beverage-dispensing assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a pressure-release valve (<NUM>) positioned in fluid communication between the multipath gas valve (<NUM>) and one beverage container of the plurality of discrete beverage containers (<NUM>, <NUM>);
the modular beverage-dispensing assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a user interface (<NUM>) attached to the housing (<NUM>) and an assembly controller operably coupled to the user interface (<NUM>) and the pressure-release valve (<NUM>), wherein the assembly controller being configured to initiate a dispensing operation comprises:
receiving a beverage-output signal from the user interface (<NUM>),
determining a non-dispensing state subsequent to receiving the beverage-output signal, and
actuating the pressure-release valve (<NUM>) to open a ventilation path between the pressure-release valve (<NUM>) and an ambient environment in response to determining the non-dispensing state.