Apparatus and systems for melting and liquefying chocolate. In one aspect, a system includes a generally fluid-tight exterior housing defining a first volume; a bulkhead positioned within the housing and dividing the first volume into separate second and third volumes; at least one vertical support member operationally connected to the exterior housing; a base support member operationally connected to the vertical support member; a dispenser guiding member disposed within the first volume and operationally connected to the exterior housing; and a heating element in thermal communication with the first volume, wherein energization heats the first volume to 37 to 46 degrees Celsius. Other aspects include where the liquid chocolate contains less than 3% water; where the liquid chocolate is solid at room temperature; a multiple pivot hinge; and a noninterfering interdigitating hinge.

Apparatus for emptying containers and in particular plastic containers with a first holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a first section of the container, with a second holding device which is suitable and intended for holding a second section of the container, wherein the first holding device and the second holding device are movable with respect to one another in order to compress the container located between these holding devices, and with a removal device in order to remove liquid from the container via a mouth thereof. According to the invention the apparatus has a perforation device which perforates at least a wall region of the container.

A device for preventing air from displacing wine poured from a bottle. A retainable spout assembly comprises a bottle seal, a base having a liquid channel and vent channel, and a spout. A disposable bag assembly comprises folded limp inflatable bag attached to a vent tube which is attachable to the vent channel. As wine is poured, air enters the vent tube and inflates the pliable bag. After the bottle contents are consumed, the retainable subassembly may be removed from the disposable subassembly by leaving the disposable subassembly in the bottle or container. The retainable subassembly may be cleaned, and a replacement subassembly attached to the vent channel before inserting into a new container. The air displacement device may be inserted into a bottle before or after pouring wine. A pump or manual blow tube can be used to remove air from a partially-filled bottle.

A container (1) for storing a liquid foodstuff (4) and dispensing it under pressure in consumption portions via a closable dispensing channel, characterized in that it comprises a rigid outer container (2), a flexible inner container (3) for the foodstuff (4), and at least one intermediate container (5) surrounding the inner container (3), whereby an intermediate container (5) on the one hand, and another intermediate container (5) or the inner container (3) located within it on the other hand, define a space (16), whereby the space (16) is provided with a pressure medium and/or the container (1) is equipped with a connection (23) connected to the space for a pressure medium source (24).

A stretch blow moulded container such as a keg has a neck 3 fitted with a cap 4 to retain pressurised contents within the container. A miniature pressure relief valve (PRV) 30-33 is contained within the wall thickness of the neck to release gases on the occurrence of an overpressure event. The PRV may incorporate a bursting element, which renders the containers unusable, or a spring-loaded seal 30 which re-seals after the release of excess pressure. The PRV may also be permanently changed to an open condition by removal of the cap, preventing re-use of the container.

A collapsible bag for use in dispensing gaseous fluids, the collapsible bag including three collapsible enclosures. Two of the collapsible enclosures have respective fluid paths extending from internal to external of the outer enclosure. The configuration of the food quality of an inner enclosures and the integrity of the third outer enclosure and as well as the relative volume of one inner enclosure to the outer enclosures effects the dispensing mechanism of the pressure which allows transfer of the pressure without fluid interaction to another of the at inner collapsible enclosures and selective dispensing.

A system and method for pumpless delivery of a product are provided. The system generally utilizes one or more containers each containing a fluid, and sensor(s) configured to detect a velocity of the fluid in an output line from the container(s). A controller is configured to control one or more valves using velocity or flow rate data received from the sensor(s) in order to control the flow of fluid(s) from the container(s). A source for generating a pressure differential, generating either a higher pressure or lower pressure than what is in each container, may also be present.

An apparatus for transferring a beverage from a sealed container into a storage vessel includes a needle for insertion through a stopper of the sealed container having a conduit for the flow of beverage through the needle and a pressurisation mechanism configured to pressurise the sealed container to displace the beverage through the needle and into the receiving vessel in use. The apparatus is configured so that, when the needle is inserted into the sealed container and connected to the storage vessel, the sealed container, needle and storage vessel form a closed system, allowing the beverage to be transferred from the sealed container into the storage vessel without air outside of the closed system mixing with the beverage.