The present invention relates to automated batch making assemblies where various component materials, at least, some in liquid form, are combined. Specifically, the invention provides a dispensing assembly that adds efficiency by increasing dramatically the speed with which a liquid is dispensed from a container and by providing means and methods to automate the addition of and account for the amount of each component.

In a method for filling a bottle, a balloon body extends through an axial through bore of a cap and is connected seal-tightly with an upper circumferential rim to the cap above a radial opening of the cap. An elongate support associated with the balloon body is connected to the cap. Balloon and elongate support are inserted into the bottle. The cap is positioned at a spacing above the bottle neck to form a ring-shaped intermediate gap. Air contained in the bottle interior is forced out through the intermediate gap by inflating the balloon body with an expansion medium. Subsequently, the cap is fluid-tightly fitted on the bottle neck. The expansion medium is allowed to escape from the balloon body and liquid is supplied through radial and axial openings of the cap into the space between outer surface of the balloon body and inner bottle wall.

In a method for filling a bottle, a balloon body extends through an axial through bore of a cap and is connected seal-tightly with an upper circumferential rim to the cap above a radial opening of the cap. An elongate support associated with the balloon body is connected to the cap. Balloon and elongate support are inserted into the bottle. The cap is positioned at a spacing above the bottle neck to form a ring-shaped intermediate gap. Air contained in the bottle interior is forced out through the intermediate gap by inflating the balloon body with an expansion medium. Subsequently, the cap is fluid-tightly fitted on the bottle neck. The expansion medium is allowed to escape from the balloon body and liquid is supplied through radial and axial openings of the cap into the space between outer surface of the balloon body and inner bottle wall.

A cap, a method of using a cap, and a system for using the cap. The cap is capable of being fitted to a bottle. The cap includes a transfer port; and a vent port. The vent port includes a membrane and a valve.

A cap, a method of using a cap, and a system for using the cap. The cap is capable of being fitted to a bottle. The cap includes a transfer port; and a vent port. The vent port includes a membrane and a valve.

An apparatus is configured to be mounted on a first repository, such as a five gallon bucket, and further configured to allow a second repository, such as another five gallon bucket, to be mounted on the apparatus such that it is supported at an inclined angle which allows contents of the second repository, which may be a viscous material such as honey, to empty into the first repository.

An apparatus is configured to be mounted on a first repository, such as a five gallon bucket, and further configured to allow a second repository, such as another five gallon bucket, to be mounted on the apparatus such that it is supported at an inclined angle which allows contents of the second repository, which may be a viscous material such as honey, to empty into the first repository.

A cap, a method of using a cap, and a system for using the cap. The cap is capable of being fitted to a bottle. The cap includes a transfer port; and a vent port. The vent port includes a membrane and a valve.

A cap, a method of using a cap, and a system for using the cap. The cap is capable of being fitted to a bottle. The cap includes a transfer port; and a vent port. The vent port includes a membrane and a valve.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for decanting a beverage initially contained in one or more closed bottles into smaller containers. The device comprises an enclosure under an inert atmosphere, provided with an inlet port comprising receiving means, into which inlet port the neck of the bottles is fitted, and an outlet port through which the hermetically sealed containers are evacuated. The device contains an opening station for opening the bottles fitted into the receiving means, a collection vessel that collects the liquid flowing out of the bottles, a filling station for filling the containers from the collection vessel, and a sealing station for hermetically sealing the containers. In the method, the steps of opening and emptying the bottles, and of filling and hermetically sealing the containers, are all carried out under an inert atmosphere.