Disclosed is a smart device housing configured to fixably attach to a beverage vessel comprising a domed surface at a distal end, the domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device housing comprising an exterior configured as a transformable shape enabling a locking fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. Also disclosed is a system wherein a smart device comprises at least one proximity, image or distance sensor having a beam of detection with a path, the sensor located and directed such the beam of detection covers a location where a coupler can be attached to the beverage vessel, the smart device configured to determine whether the coupler is attached to the beverage vessel by measuring whether the path is obstructed by the coupler. Also disclosed is a method of determining the fill status of a beverage container.

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and universal container for natural carbonation of beverages, which will be used in the food industry, in particular in the production of beer, sparkling wines and carbonated fruit drinks. The method of naturally occurring carbonation of beverages involves the operations of feeding with fermenting substrate, adding water, adding yeast, fermenting the resulting liquid mixture. The fermentation is carried out in a specialized container at an optimum temperature of 8° C. to 23° C., depending on the yeast species. The fermentation process lasts for 3 to 4 days and is accompanied by an increase in container pressure to 2 bar.

An integrated device including a vessel, a gas reservoir, a pressure regulation device, a primary filter, and a tap assembly. The vessel is configured to contain a beverage. The gas reservoir is configured to supply pressurized gas within the vessel. The pressure regulation device is configured to maintain an infusing pressure within the vessel and also a dispensing pressure within the vessel. The primary filter is configured to hold solid brewing media, to fit inside the vessel, and to be removable from the vessel. The tap assembly is configured to dispense the beverage from the vessel. Methods are also disclosed.

A consumable level monitoring label apparatus, system and method for physical association with a content-filled consumable to allow for monitoring of a level of the content therein. The apparatus, system and method includes a plurality of labels, each individually manually removable from the label sheet and each comprising: a plurality of electrical conductors forming a sensing module, the sensing module having associated therewith firmware for converting signals associated with the electrical conductors and to an indication of the content level; a communications module for communicating the content level to at least a user display and over at least one network; and a power module for powering at least the sensing module and the communications module. A plurality of perforations are associated with each of the plurality of labels, wherein the plurality of perforations provides for variations in a size of each of the labels upon the manual removal.

Disclosed is a smart device housing configured to fixably attach to a beverage vessel having a domed surface at a distal end, the domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device housing having an exterior configured as a transformable shape enabling a locking fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. Also disclosed is a system wherein a smart device has at least one proximity, image or distance sensor having a beam of detection with a path, the sensor located and directed such the beam of detection covers a location where a coupler can be attached to the beverage vessel, the smart device configured to determine whether the coupler is attached to the beverage vessel by measuring whether the path is obstructed by the coupler. Also disclosed is a method of determining the fill status of a beverage container.

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.

A robust hot beverage level display system and method for use in a hot beverage dispenser (12) having a sensing element (105), a level display (28), a controller (50) and an elongate probe carrying at least one elongate electrically conductive trace (202) made from annealed rolled copper with a macrocrystalline structure with elongate, metal, granule-like, cohered metal elements that are aligned with each other in parallel relationship (FIGS. 25 and 28), and an electronics module housing (108), for protectively surrounding the controller (50), formed from a pair of housing sections (109, 110) with a pair of mating connective surfaces (220, 224), potting material with adhesive properties (226) filling the housing (108) and protectively enveloping the controller (218, FIG. 39) and display (217, FIG. 3), and a gapless, voidless adhesive layer made of a contiguous, comingling of cured adhesive and cured potting material interposed between the mating surfaces (220,224).

A smart device for a beverage vessel having a domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device having a housing, and at least one expanding member, the at least one expanding member being one of integral to the housing, attached to the housing, or separate from the housing. The at least one expanding member may be configured to be manipulated by way of a force. The smart device housing and the expanding member being configured to fixably attach to the beverage vessel enabling a secure fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. The at least one expanding member may also be a lockable expanding member lockable into a deployed state. The at least one expanding member may also enable a dimension change from an initial vertical dimension to a greater locking fit dimension to provide a secure fit.

Disclosed is a smart device housing configured to fixably attach to a beverage vessel comprising a domed surface at a distal end, the domed surface adjacent a wall terminating at a lip, the smart device housing comprising an exterior configured as a transformable shape enabling a locking fit between the lip and the domed surface of the beverage vessel. Also disclosed is a system wherein a smart device comprises at least one proximity, image or distance sensor having a beam of detection with a path, the sensor located and directed such the beam of detection covers a location where a coupler can be attached to the beverage vessel, the smart device configured to determine whether the coupler is attached to the beverage vessel by measuring whether the path is obstructed by the coupler. Also disclosed is a method of determining the fill status of a beverage container.

A system for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized beverage container, the system including an interface having a housing, a tap assembly, a dip tube, a carry handle, and a receiving section. The housing is configured to fasten to a neck portion of a beverage container. The tap assembly rigidly extends from the housing and has a tap handle and a passageway configured to allow a beverage to pass through the tap assembly and out a dispensing end of the tap assembly when the tap handle is activated. The dip tube extends from a first side of the housing and is coupled to the passageway of the tap assembly. The carry handle extends from the housing. The receiving section is configured to receive a pressure regulator and includes an opening extending from a second side of the housing through the first side of the housing.