Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A carbon dioxide source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the carbon dioxide source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the carbon dioxide source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making carbonated beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

A receptacle for storing, pressurizing, and dispensing packaged beverages. The receptacle includes an airtight chamber with a removable lid, wherein the joint between the lid and the chamber is also airtight. A gas valve allows for the inflow and outflow of gas, and a tap port and tap stem allow the beverage to be dispensed without breaking the seal of the chamber. A pressure relief valve allows for more rapid depressurization. The chamber can be used at high and low pressures, such as a partial vacuum, to prevent oxidation of a number of open beverages, such as beers, wines, and sodas. A pressure gauge port coupled with an optional pressure gauge allows a user to verify the appropriate pressure for the type of beverage being preserved. The gas valve may be disposed on a base of the receptacle, as may the pressure relief and/or the pressure gauge port.

A receptacle for storing, pressurizing, and dispensing packaged beverages. The receptacle includes an airtight chamber with a removable lid, wherein the joint between the lid and the chamber is also airtight. A gas valve allows for the inflow and outflow of gas, and a tap port and tap stem allow the beverage to be dispensed without breaking the seal of the chamber. A pressure relief valve allows for more rapid depressurization. The chamber can be used at high and low pressures, such as a partial vacuum, to prevent oxidation of a number of open beverages, such as beers, wines, and sodas. A pressure gauge port coupled with an optional pressure gauge allows a user to verify the appropriate pressure for the type of beverage being preserved. The gas valve may be disposed on a base of the receptacle, as may the pressure relief and/or the pressure gauge port.

This invention relates to a novel method and system for dispensing CO2 vapor without over pressurization. The system includes one or more liquid containers and one or more vapor containers. The system is designed to operate in a specific manner whereby a restricted amount of CO2 liquid is permitted into the vapor container through a restrictive pathway that is created and maintained by a shuttle valve during the filling operation so that equalization of container pressures is achieved, thereby allowing shuttle valve to reseat when filling has stopped. During use, a pressure differential device is designed to specifically isolate the vapor container from the liquid container so as to preferentially deplete liquid CO2 from the vapor container and avoid over pressurization of the system until the vapor container. The system is operated so that at least 50% of the CO2 product is dispensed from the vapor container. The system also includes novel control methodology for performing pre-fill integrity checks to ensure safety of subsequent dispensing of CO2 liquid from a source vessel to the onsite CO2 containers.

A refrigerated consumable-liquid dispenser. A consumable-liquid container is carried in a covered refrigerated housing that includes a heat exchanger for maintaining consumable-liquid at a predetermined temperature which may be pre-selected depending on the type of consumable-liquid being carried. A dispensing tube provides a conduit for the consumable-liquid. To dispense the consumable-liquid, a pressure differential is produced in response to the user command, whereby the pressure on the liquid in the container is greater than the pressure at a dispensing port. User command may be achieved without physical contact with the consumable-liquid dispenser, for sanitary and health related considerations.

This invention relates to a novel method and system for dispensing CO2 vapor without over pressurization from a system having multiple containers. The system includes one or more liquid containers and one or more vapor containers. The system is designed to operate in a specific manner whereby a restricted amount of CO2 liquid is permitted into the vapor container through a restrictive pathway that is created and maintained by a shuttle valve during the filling operation so that equalization of container pressures is achieved, thereby allowing shuttle valve to reseat when filling has stopped. During use, a pressure differential device is designed to specifically isolate the vapor container from the liquid container so as to preferentially deplete liquid CO2 from the vapor container and avoid over pressurization of the system until the vapor container becomes liquid dry. The system can be operated so that at least 50% of the CO2 vapor product is dispensed from the vapor container.

A system for dispensing a liquid from a bottle 13 comprises an assembly 17, 18 and a stopper 19 to be introduced into a bottleneck, which stopper can be separated from the assembly. The stopper 19 comprises a liquid dispensing pipe 14, 16 with a electromagnetic valve 15 and a gas path 12 having a check valve 11 therein. The assembly comprises a solenoid 10 and a tank 1 containing gas for driving the liquid from the bottle. The tank is connected via a further electromagnetic valve 3 to gas pipes 8 and 9. The stopper which closes off the bottle can be connected to the assembly such that gas pipe 9 connects with check valve 12 and solenoid 10 surrounds electromagnetic valve 15. By actuating programmable button switch 4 both electromagnetic valves 3, 15 open for a preset time so that a metered quantity of liquid is dispensed from the bottle. Alternatively, another button switch 5 allows to dispense a non-preset volume of liquid.

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A GAS-CONTAINING LIQUID, WITH A VALVE FOR INTRODUCING CO2, which has been developed to provide a better use, way of serving and flow control for carbonated beverages, particularly, a flow control device to reduce the gas dissipation on the beverage, whether it is from the quantity remaining in the bottle or the drink to be served.

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A GAS-CONTAINING LIQUID, WITH A VALVE FOR INTRODUCING CO2, which has been developed to provide a better use, way of serving and flow control for carbonated beverages, particularly, a flow control device to reduce the gas dissipation on the beverage, whether it is from the quantity remaining in the bottle or the drink to be served.

A fluid pressurization and dispensing system, including a coupler releasably attached to a vessel via an attachment means for securing a vacuum seal between the coupler and the vessel for maintaining pressure within the vessel, refreshing the gas composition within the vessel, and dispensing of a fluid contents externally from within the vessel without disturbing the vacuum seal. The coupler has a rigid single body unit having a tap head, a shank, and a cap which are contiguous thereof the coupler including a plurality of channels each integrally machined within an interior portion of the coupler. The system regulates a flow of gas from a pressurized gas cartridge via a gas pressure regulator, enables venting excess gas via a gas pressure relief valve, enables measurement of gas pressure within the vessel via a gas pressure gauge. Another embodiment of the system includes a coupler including a bi-level tap head.