Abstract:
A self-propelling container having: a top; a bottom; a plurality of vertical walls extending between the bottom and the top; an inner bag for holding contents to be dispensed; a female coupling configured to receive and establish a friction seal with a male coupling of an external device for inserting or extracting the contents to or from the container after the friction seal is established between the female and male couplings; and at least one independent panel positioned inside the container; a compressible element associated with the at least one independent panel wherein during filling of the inner bag the compressible element is compressed, thus causing the at least one independent panel to exercise pressure onto the inner bag, and thus, helping to empty the inner bag.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for clamping a beverage extraction device to a beverage container, such as a wine bottle. One or more clamp arms may be arranged to clamp the extraction device to a wine bottle as well as allow the device to be supported upright on a table top. Clamp arms may include tab and ridge features that operate to properly engage and position a wide variety of different bottle neck shapes relative to the device. The one or more clamp arms may move the bottle neck distally, e.g., toward a resilient pad, so that the neck is suitably positioned relative to the device. Proper positioning and engagement of the neck may allow for desired piercing of a cork or other closure of the bottle by the device.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for extracting a beverage from a container, such as a wine bottle. Beverage can be extracted from a container by inserting a needle through a container closure, such as a cork, delivering pressurized gas into the container via the needle, and dispensing beverage from the container via the needle. A pressure regulator may control a pressure of gas introduced into the container, and a lance used to pierce a pressurized gas cylinder may include a leading face arranged to reliably pierce a cylinder closure. The regulator may include valve features to reduce valve chatter or hammering and provide a more reliable pressure seal.
Abstract:
A device for dispensing individual servings of a cold beverage, either having a refrigeration unit to chill the beverage or a removable pitcher that may be put in a refrigerator. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. A dispensing mechanism puts pressure on the cartridge or the pouch to break the pressure rupturable seal or diaphragm to discharge the concentrate into a mixing structure. The mixing structure also receives chilled liquid from the refrigeration unit or the pitcher, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.
Abstract:
A regulator which can be used with a beverage dispensing assembly is disclosed. The regulator includes a seal and a moveable valve stem that cooperates with the seal. A beverage dispenser is also disclosed.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a tool (50) for extracting a valve assembly (16) from a container (10). The tool preferably had three gripper ring segments (52) adapted to move between a closed ring engaging position and a non-engaging position with the valve assembly (16). The tool has one lever assembly (60) for each gripper ring segment. Each lever assembly has a lever having a first end portion (64) connected with a corresponding one of the ring segments (52) to move the corresponding ring segment between the engaging and non-engaging positions with the valve assembly. The tool has an actuation mechanism (90) connected with the levers to move the levers in synchronism and thereby move the gripper ring segments into engagement with the valve assembly. The actuator pulls the valve assembly from the container via the levers and gripper ring segments with the gripper ring segments in the engaging position.
Abstract:
An automated beverage dispensing attachment includes a capacitive sensor located adjacent to a fluid passage, for example, inside of a cork that attaches to an inside of a bottle. The capacitive sensor of the automated beverage dispensing attachment provides an output signal that tracks changes in capacitance due to events such as bottle attachment, liquid presence and user grip. The signal is suitable for complex processing and filtering to precisely identify and characterize a variety of events and actions.
Abstract:
Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to open and discharge the contents of a packet or sachet. In some embodiments, a portable dispensing device includes a housing, an opening mechanism, and a discharging mechanism. In some configurations, the device includes a rotatable axle, a rotatable cap disposed at an end of the housing, and a roller element (coupled to the axle) that is configured to rotate with manual rotation of the rotatable cap, and a slot in the housing that permits at least a portion of the packet to advance through, wherein the slot and housing assists with pressing opposing packet walls together to discharge the contents of the packet. In some configurations, the opening mechanism also includes another housing slot where a corner of the packet may be fed and a knife element disposed to facilitate removal of the corner to thereby open the packet.
Abstract:
A home beverage dispensing device for dispensing servings of a beverage, having a vessel for holding a volume of liquid. This vessel may be equipped with a refrigeration unit, or may be comprised of a removable pitcher that may be put in an external refrigerator. This invention is equipped with a radio communications controller to provide for the ability to communicate over radio frequencies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A special disposable beverage cartridge or beverage pouch fits into the holder. This cartridge or pouch may have pressure rupturable seals or diaphragms and contain beverage concentrate. The mixing structure also receives the optionally chilled liquid from vessel for holding a volume of liquid, and ensures that the concentrate mixes with the liquid without contacting the walls of the mixing structure.
Abstract:
An apparatus configured to store and dispense liquid from a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus preferably includes a storage container for storing the liquid retaining bag. The liquid storage container and the liquid retaining bag are preferably housed in the bottom of a water cooler. The storage container includes a base, an upper opening and at least one wall extending upwardly from the base and defining a hollow cavity. The hollow cavity is sized to receive a liquid retaining bag. The apparatus further includes a liquid transport conduit for transporting liquid from the liquid retaining bag to a dispensing location. A guide and retaining member is operably associated with the storage container. The guide and retaining member is preferably configured to guide the liquid transport conduit from a first location to a second location. The second location is an operating position in which at least a portion of the liquid transport conduit extends into the liquid retaining bag and the first location is a location where no portion of the liquid transport conduit is within the liquid retaining bag. Preferably, the guide member and the storage container are configured such that the liquid transport conduit can be positioned in a third location where the liquid retaining bag can be removed from the storage container while at least a portion of the liquid transport conduit is connected to and held in place by the guide and retaining member. The third location is preferably between the first location and the second location.