Unattended beverage dispensers configured to dispense one or more beverages after authenticating a customer and associating the customer with a customer account. An unattended beverage dispenser may include a user interface with a biometric sensor configured to identify a biometric characteristic of a customer. A controller associated with the unattended beverage dispenser may authenticate a customer based on a biometric characteristic and associate the authenticated customer with a customer account. After authenticating a customer, the controller may allow beverage dispensing from the unattended beverage dispenser in accordance with a beverage dispensing rule associated with the customer's account.

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).

A spirit dispenser that includes a back panel, and at least one pump residing on the back panel and arranged to receive spirit from a container containing spirit and residing on a shelf via a tap and a tap connector, and arranged to deliver the received spirit to a spirit dispenser gun.

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.

Various beverage preparation systems and methods are shown. 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.

This invention is a refrigeration, dispensing, and management system for beverage and beverage containers that includes a tap attached to an upper door and a supply line; a recess base in a recess of a housing; a slide slidably carried by the recess base having a slot; a pressurized gas cylinder connected to the housing and attached to a gas line in fluid communications with the supply line wherein the gas cylinder contains gas selected from the group consisting of O.sub.2, CO.sub.2, N.sub.2 or other inert gas; and, a cap placed on the beverage container so that when the tap is opened, pressurized gas enters the cap and the snorkel through an inlet defined in the cap, forces gas into the beverage container, and forces the beverage out of the outline defined in the cap, through the supply line and out of the tap.

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 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.

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.