A liquid product distribution network includes a liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus for operation in association with a tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus. The liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the keg. A tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus senses flow of a liquid through a tap includes a tap handle radio transmitter device for fitting within and protected by a tap handle and a low-energy consumption tap handle radio/processing module. A mobile communications device with geographic position sensing device and/or said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus passively and without user interaction within the liquid product distribution network, without using network uplink/gateway circuit devices for sensing and reporting fluid storage, flow, and financial operations relating to the distribution of said liquid product throughout the liquid product distribution network.

A removal system (1) with an interface 5a for releasable connection to an extraction head (2) of the removal system (1), such that the tube (5) can be used as a single-use part for removing fluid from a container.

A dispenser for a shippable container is provided, where the shippable container has a hollow body, an opening, a collar adjacent the opening, and a closure sealing the opening. The dispenser has a collar engagement portion configured to engage the collar of the shippable container, a closure engagement portion configured to engage the closure of the shippable container, and a body engagement portion configured to engage a portion of the hollow body of the shippable container. An aperture in the dispenser is configured to dispense contents from the hollow body of the shippable container. The dispenser can be configured to dispense contents from the hollow body of the shippable container when the shippable container is in an inverted position.

A liquid dispenser may include a container having an upper opening, a pump provided in the container, a pipe through which liquid discharged from the pump is transferred, a top plate having an upper surface over which liquid flows, a filter assembly provided below the top plate, a base provided below the container, and a thermoelectric element provided in the base to cool the liquid in the container.

Container of a bag-in-container type, wherein a neck region of the container is provided with at least one opening extending substantially radially there through, into a space between the outer container and an inner container adjacent thereto, wherein the neck region is provided with coupling elements, preferably at opposite sides of the at least one opening, seen in circumferential direction, for coupling of a connecting device to the container for introducing a pressure fluid through the at least one opening into a space between the inner and outer container.

Supply chain systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring fluid levels in liquid containers, such as kegs. Embodiments include sensors that fit within a keg's false bottom, measure the weight of the keg, and transmit the weight information to a computer database via a wireless network. Other embodiments include an RFID device with information about a characteristic of the liquid within a keg (such as brand and/or type of beer) that may be attached to the keg and paired with the sensor so the sensor can transmit information about the characteristic of the liquid in the keg. In alternate embodiments, the sensor's transmitter is short range and an uplink/gateway is used to receive information from the sensor and relay that sensor's information to a broader wireless network. Multiple containers in close proximity may each be fitted with an RFID device and sensor and communicate their individual information to the database.

A system and method for dispensing a beverage. The system includes a beverage cartridge that stores any liquid and has a spout for dispensing the stored liquid. The beverage cartridge may be inserted into a beverage press that includes a housing for receiving the beverage cartridge. The beverage press also includes a tap that engages the spout of the beverage cartridge, and a lifting assembly that exerts force on the beverage cartridge. Pressing the tap activates the spout of the beverage cartridge to dispense the stored liquid through the spout and out of the tap of the beverage press. a system for dispensing a beverage.

The inventive system and method advantageously enable superior preserved storage and selective dispensation of liquids by storing wine (or other liquids) in a pressurized environment to ensure that the stored liquid does not come into contact with air, and then by selectively dispensing a portion of the stored liquid, in accordance with a desired dispensing regime, by utilizing a controlled source of pressure force to apply a sufficient pressure to the pressurized environment to expel the desired volume of the liquid in a pressurized stream directed to a dispensing/pouring interface through a conduit or equivalent delivery system. In at least several novel embodiments thereof, the system and method of the present invention are configured for use with wine-in-bag (“WinB”) products.

A liquid product distribution network includes a liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus for operation in association with a tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus. The liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the keg. A tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus senses flow of a liquid through a tap includes a tap handle radio transmitter device for fitting within and protected by a tap handle and a low-energy consumption tap handle radio/processing module. A mobile communications device with geographic position sensing device and/or said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus passively and without user interaction within the liquid product distribution network, without using network uplink/gateway circuit devices for sensing and reporting fluid storage, flow, and financial operations relating to the distribution of said liquid product throughout the liquid product distribution network.

An appliance for making a drink individually. The appliance includes a plurality of containers. Each container includes a vessel and a head screwed onto the vessel. A base defines a plurality of housings each receiving a container, and being provided with a housing outlet and a pressurizing inlet connected with a drain valve and a pressurizing valve of the container, respectively. A funnel is mounted under the housing outlets. Structure transfers by pressurization, into the funnel, ingredients contained in the containers housed in the housings. The vessel and the head of at least one container include polarizing surfaces of the vessel and of the head, respectively, configured to form, together, a container polarizing surface that can cooperate with a housing polarizing surface to ensure a predetermined positioning of the container with respect to the housing.