Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.

A system and method for dispensing beverage from a container, such as wine from a wine bottle. Dispensing may be automatically controlled based on a detected orientation of the container, e.g., dispensing may occur when a bottle is tilted as if to pour from the bottle and stopped when the bottle is oriented upright. Dispensing may be stopped when the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis even while in a pour orientation. A remaining amount of beverage in the container and/or an amount of pressurized gas used to drive dispensing may be detected and beverage dispensing controlled accordingly.

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.

A system and method for dispensing sparkling and other non-pressurized beverages from a container. Sparkling wine and other beverages may be dispensed using a dispensing system that includes a stopper body that can be engaged with the container at the container opening. The stopper body may be arranged to introduce gas into the container during pouring-type dispensing, as well as re-pressurize and seal the container for storage, e.g., to keep a carbonation level of beverage remaining in the container.

A product package includes a container and a lid coupled to the container for rotation about an axis relative to the container. The product package further includes a child-resistant lock configured normally to block access to the contents of the container at the selection of an adult user.

A gravity-oriented one-way valve container apparatus and method for separation of air from fluids providing an internal bladder, a one-way valve, and air vents allowing automatic opening of the container upon tilting and automatic closing of the container upon return to an upright position, thereby preventing the entry of contaminating air.

A liquid dispensing system for dispensing a liquid comprises an insulated housing comprising a top wall and a side wall mounted to the top wall, the side wall extending downwardly from the top wall to define an interior configured to receive a refill container comprising a liquid; a bottom surface mounted to the housing at a mounting interface and configured to enclose the interior of the housing; a sloped surface mounted within the interior of the housing and configured to induce the liquid within the refill container to flow toward a dispensing aperture through which the liquid is dispensed from the system; and a pump assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the housing, the pump assembly comprising a gas source and configured to deliver a gas from the gas source to the interior of the housing to apply pressure to the refill container.

A fuel additive bottle has a neck and thread pattern that allows insertion into a capless fuel system so the bottle's contents can be poured by gravity into a fuel tank. The neck of the bottle is elongated and has a diameter of approximately 0.854, and the novel thread pattern includes thread interruptions that form at least one threadless path. In use, the spring loaded tabs of a capless fuel system are depressed by the threadless path portion of bottle, thereby triggering the self-sealing mechanism to open, so the fluid receiving aperture is exposed. The use of the threadless paths facilitates the safe and easy entry and removal of the bottle from the capless fuel system.

A product package includes a container and a lid coupled to the container for rotation about an axis relative to the container. The product package further includes a child-resistant lock configured normally to block access to the contents of the container at the selection of an adult user.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are shown. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.