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.

A system and method for dispensing fluids is introduced. A preferred embodiment comprises a sealed tank, a bag containing fluid inside the sealed tank, an outlet for dispensing the liquid in the bag, and a pressure generating device to create pressure in the sealed tank.

A system and method to prepare and dispense a N.sub.2 or N.sub.2/CO.sub.2 gas infused chilled beverage is provided. The beverage may be any non-carbonated liquid and in one embodiment the beverage is coffee. The dispensed N.sub.2 or N.sub.2/CO.sub.2 gas infused chilled coffee has a unique appearance and enhanced flavor and aroma. The system may be provided as a self-contained unit.

Cooler control system for a beverage dispense system 1 having a beverage line (2) extending from a beverage source to a dispense site via a cooler (6). The cooler control system comprises: a controller (51) for adjusting the cooling of the beverage line; a flow rate sensor (41) measuring the flow rate in the beverage line, a temperature sensor (40); and an electronic control unit (31) for receiving a signal from the temperature sensor and/or the flow rate sensor and sending a signal to said controller. Cooler monitoring system comprising: at least one sensor (45) for monitoring energy consumption of the cooler (6); and an electronic control unit for receiving a signal from the at least one energy consumption sensor and for sending a signal to a remote location when energy consumption increases above a predetermined maximum value.

A system and method to prepare and dispense a N.sub.2 or N.sub.2/CO.sub.2 gas infused chilled beverage is provided. The beverage may be any non-carbonated liquid and in one embodiment the beverage is coffee. The dispensed N.sub.2 or N.sub.2/CO.sub.2 gas infused chilled coffee has a unique appearance and enhanced flavor and aroma. The system may be provided as a self-contained unit.

A container (1) supplied ready for filling with a liquid product such as beer includes a flexible bag (3) contained within a rigid outer body (2) with an outer space (4) in between, a first valve (6) for closing the bag (3) and a second valve (8) for closing the outer space (4). The first valve (6) is connected to a dip tube (7) which extends into the bag, and the first and second valves are contained within a neck fitting (5). The outer space (4) is pressurised to a first positive pressure relative to ambient atmospheric pressure and the bag (3) contains an oxygen-free gas such as nitrogen at a second positive pressure between the first positive pressure and atmospheric pressure.

A liquid mixing and dispensing system comprises a housing enclosing a chamber containing multiple containers, a flexible bag is in each of the containers. The flexible bags contain first liquids. Connecting conduits lead from the bags to a discharge conduit. A supply conduit is configured and arranged to supply a pressurized second liquid to the containers and to the discharge conduit. The pressurized second liquid serves to collapse the bags and eject the first liquids from the bags and via the connecting conduits into the discharge conduit for mixture with the first liquid.

A liquid mixing and dispensing system comprises a housing enclosing a chamber containing multiple containers, a flexible bag is in each of the containers. The flexible bags contain first liquids. Connecting conduits lead from the bags to a discharge conduit. A supply conduit is configured and arranged to supply a pressurized second liquid to the containers and to the discharge conduit. The pressurized second liquid serves to collapse the bags and eject the first liquids from the bags and via the connecting conduits into the discharge conduit for mixture with the first liquid.

Consumption safety and quality assurance features for fluid mixture dispensing systems, such as a beverage dispensing device, are disclosed. A disclosed beverage dispensing device includes a final dispense chamber and a dispenser for the final dispense chamber. The beverage dispensing device is configured to mix a beverage and store the beverage in the final dispense chamber prior to a final dispense of the beverage from the beverage dispensing device. The beverage dispensing device is further configured to determine at least one parameter of the beverage. The dispenser is locked if the at least one parameter does not satisfy an expected standard and unlocked if the at least one parameter does satisfy the expected standard. The expected standard can be a safety standard or a quality standard.

A method for the distribution and dispensing of beverages utilizes a one-way system including a disposable and freestanding container. The container is blow-molded in one piece from a preform of plastics. The system also includes a tube to be inserted in the container and a closure cap. The container can be filled, distributed to an end user and connected to standard beverage dispensing structure. After use, the empty container is collapsed and discarded.