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 plastic liquid container and dispensing system includes a plastic bottle with first and second detachable bottle parts, a bladder for holding liquid including a bladder top, a bladder base and a bladder lock-nut positioned in the bladder inner volume and a spout having a spout body with a connecting end, an internal liquid flow path extending from the connecting end to a liquid outflow port and a release button for enabling liquid flow through the internal liquid flow path and out the liquid outflow port. The bladder opening is covered by a covering that is pierced by a blade at the spout connecting end to create a liquid flow path from the bladder to and through the spout (when the release button is pressed).

A galley insert beverage making system for producing chilled drinks comprising: a body configured to be inserted into a vehicle galley compartment. The body comprises: a cooling system; and a motor. The galley insert beverage making system also comprises a pitcher system. The pitcher system comprises: a pitcher; a blending element configured to be rotationally driven by the motor; and a stirring element configured to be rotationally driven by the motor. The body defines a cavity configured to receive the pitcher, and the system is configured such that the cooling system cools the pitcher.

A stopper has a head part and a stopper part. The stopper part extends from the head part to a lower end and has flanges, between the head part and the lower end, that have different diameters that increase from the head part to the lower end of the stopper part. A container has a mouth and neck and shoulder inner surfaces. The stopper part is inserted into the container through the mouth, the head part remains outside the mouth, at least one of the flanges proximate neck sealingly engages the neck inner surface, and at least one of the flanges proximate to the shoulder sealing engages the shoulder inner surface. A fluid tube is retained by the stopper. The fluid tube extends from an inlet within the container outwardly through the mouth to an outlet outside the container.

A signaling apparatus paces a free pour count and choreographs a movement to stop pouring. The apparatus emits a first signal after an approximately 200-ms time interval and a series of subsequent signals every approximately 400-ms thereafter. The first time interval approximates a first time, measured from a moment the sensor detects the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second time needed to react to a signal and stop the pour. The 400-ms time interval approximates the time required to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout. In one embodiment, the signaling apparatus emits sequential pulses according to the pattern Y-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red, wherein each pulse represents a quarter-ounce increment, the green pulse represents a standard pour, and the red pulse represents a full pour.

A fuel additive bottle has a neck and thread pattern that allows insertion into a capless diesel 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 0.932 inches, and the novel thread pattern includes thread interruptions that form two or four threadless paths. 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 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 device for infusing flavor into liquids fits and seals to the neck of a bottle. The device has an infusing chamber that is selectively in fluid communication with the liquid in the bottle. The infusing chamber holds a replaceable infusing material that partially dissolves and infuses flavor as liquid passes over it. A check ball selectively separates the infusing chamber from the liquid in the bottle to prevent any infused liquid from returning to the bottle. The device has a passage for makeup air to enter the bottle as infused liquid is dispensed. The infusing material is replaceable by accessing the infusing chamber.

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.

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.