In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a sports hydration apparatus configured for utilisation with a particular type of existing fluid reservoir bladder. As such, there is provided sports hydration apparatus comprising: electric componentry housing; an annulus rotatably coupled to the housing, the annulus defining peripheral exterior threading for engaging a threaded opening of a fluid containing bladder such that, in use, the annulus is able to rotate with respect to the housing to screwably engage the threaded opening and wherein the housing and the annulus cooperate to seal the threaded opening when the annulus is screwed in; hydration hosing transitioning through the housing in a fluidtight manner, the hosing comprising an interior inlet hose portion which reaches within the bladder for drawing fluid therefrom and an exterior outlet hose; a mouthpiece and wherein the exterior outlet hose reaches the mouthpiece; an electric pump operably coupled to the hydration hosing to pump the fluid through the hydration hosing; and wherein the housing houses electric componentry comprising: a wireless receiver operably coupled to the electric pump, the wireless receiver configured for receiving wireless control instructions from a dispensing controller device to selectively operate the electric pump. Other aspects of sports hydration apparatuses are also provided.

A device for filling a receptacle with a beverage and a user interface for allowing a user to select a desired level of fill of beverage in the receptacle. The interface includes a mechanism for detecting an object below the outlet, such that the receptacle can be filled with the beverage up to the user selected level of fill, wherein the detection mechanism is arranged to detect a position of a human finger or a hand-held freely movable pointing instrument, which human finger or pointing instrument is adjacent to and pointing towards a side of the receptacle, so that the level of fill of the receptacle is determined from the detected position of the finger or pointing instrument the user-selected level of fill and the beverage is dispensed to fill the receptacle up to that level. The device is useful in coffee or other beverage dispensing machines.

A portable hydration system and various components are disclosed. The system utilizes a pump to transfer potable liquid (e.g. water) from a liquid container to a user during challenging activities (e.g. endurance motorcycle riding).

An adapter having a female coupling configured to receive and establish a friction seal with a male coupling of an external device for inserting or extracting a liquid to or from a container, by applying a load to the male coupling after inserting it into the female coupling, the load being provided by the weight of a portion of the external device, the adapter being configured for insertion in a mouth of the container and secured therein using a stretchable membrane that fits snugly around the mouth of the container for obtaining a tight seal, the stretchable membrane having tabs for a user to grasp.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a sports hydration apparatus configured for utilisation with a particular type of existing fluid reservoir bladder. As such, there is provided sports hydration apparatus comprising: electric componentry housing; an annulus rotatably coupled to the housing, the annulus defining peripheral exterior threading for engaging a threaded opening of a fluid containing bladder such that, in use, the annulus is able to rotate with respect to the housing to screwably engage the threaded opening and wherein the housing and the annulus cooperate to seal the threaded opening when the annulus is screwed in; hydration hosing transitioning through the housing in a fluidtight manner, the hosing comprising an interior inlet hose portion which reaches within the bladder for drawing fluid therefrom and an exterior outlet hose; a mouthpiece and wherein the exterior outlet hose reaches the mouthpiece; an electric pump operably coupled to the hydration hosing to pump the fluid through the hydration hosing; and wherein the housing houses electric componentry comprising: a wireless receiver operably coupled to the electric pump, the wireless receiver configured for receiving wireless control instructions from a dispensing controller device to selectively operate the electric pump. Other aspects of sports hydration apparatuses are also provided.

There is provided a sports hydration apparatus comprising: electric componentry housing; an annulus rotatably coupled to the housing, the annulus defining peripheral exterior threading for engaging a threaded opening of a bladder such that the annulus can rotate relative to the housing to screwably engage the threaded opening and wherein the housing and annulus cooperate to seal the threaded opening when the annulus is screwed in; hydration hosing transitioning through the housing in a fluidtight manner, the hosing comprising an interior inlet hose portion which reaches within the bladder for drawing fluid and an exterior outlet hose; a mouthpiece and wherein the outlet hose reaches the mouthpiece; an electric pump coupled to the hydration hosing to pump fluid through the hosing; wherein the housing houses electric componentry comprising: a wireless receiver coupled to the pump and configured for receiving wireless instructions from a dispensing controller device to operate the pump.

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 wine dispenser that includes a wine refrigerator unit having a compartment with a support to support a wine container, and a wine dispenser unit residing atop the wine refrigeration unit, the wine dispenser unit including a plurality of fountain heads, each one of the plurality of fountain heads being connected to a respective fluid-tight wine supply line that extends from the fountain head to an interior of the compartment.

Described herein are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for providing hydration to a user from a fluid reservoir or bladder, where the fluid is provided on demand by the user activating and controlling a user interface that communicates wirelessly with a control assembly operably connected to a pump and, the fluid reservoir.

A spirit dispenser that includes a cabinet that includes a back panel facing an interior of the cabinet, and a plurality of shelves, each shelf being able to support thereon a plurality of spirit containers; at least one spirit dispenser system integrated with the cabinet; and a plurality of pumps residing on an interior surface of the pack panel of the cabinet, each pump being connected to a first tube that includes a tap connector configured for connection to a tap of a spirit container supportable on one of the shelves of the cabinet, and a second tube that is connected to the spirit dispenser.