A fluid dispensing apparatus includes: a cap, a container, a cover on the cap for regulating flow of fluid from the container on which the cap is secured through the cap; a seat for receiving the cap or the container to which the cap is secured therein; second securing means for securing either the cap or the container to which the cap is secured to the seat; a probe located within the seat for protruding through the cover when the cap or a container to which the cap is secured is received in the seat, and thereby permitting access to the interior of the container; a gas conduit for charging a container associated with the cap with gas; a gas valve for regulating flow of gas through the gas conduit; and a sensor for sensing whether a container or cap is secured to the seat which sensor causes the gas valve to open when the container or cap is secured to the seat; and close when the container or cap is not secured to the seat.

A pressurized beverage dispenser having a beverage container and a cap. The cap includes a cap body, a compressed-gas cartridge, an external straw, a discharge chamber, a metering valve, a diaphragm, and an actuator. The discharge chamber within the cap body is in fluid communication with an internal passageway of the external straw. The metering valve allows a flow of beverage from the beverage container to the discharge chamber when the metering valve is open and substantially precludes the flow of beverage when the metering valve is closed. The diaphragm opens the metering valve when the diaphragm is activated and closes the metering valve when the diaphragm is deactivated. The diaphragm also activates when a user sucks on the outlet end of the external straw to create suction within the discharge chamber. The actuator on the cap body activates the diaphragm when the user manually engages the actuator.

A method and apparatus of filing beverage combines pressurized beverage delivery (rather than gravity feed) with variable pressure control of the gas flow from the can during snift. By modulating beverage flow and especially pressure, it is possible to saturate a beverage, or optionally fill a can's widget with gas with a shorter set of fill steps. In addition, the speed of beverage filling can be dramatically increased compared to small scale systems normally used. Unlike known large scale pressure systems, the beverage bowl may be located beneath the rest of the apparatus and modulated pressure may be used, making for a smaller and more portable unit.

A clamp of the dispensing device may include a container engagement surface arranged to engage and/or disengage the clamp from the container neck when the clamp is pushed downwardly or pulled upwardly relative to the container neck. The container engagement surface may include a surface with a lower portion that slopes upwardly and inwardly, and an upper portion that slopes upwardly and outwardly relative to the container neck and that moves the clamp radially outwardly and away from the container neck as the clamp is moved vertically relative to the container neck. A latch may maintain a body portion of the dispensing device in an upper position, preventing needle insertion, until a container is suitably engaged with the base portion of the device, e.g., by a clamp. Sensors may detect engagement of a container with the device and/or insertion of a needle into the container.

A system and method for dispensing beverage from a container, such as wine from a wine bottle. An identification element may be secured to a beverage container and include a tag and optically readable code that uniquely identify the container. A dispenser may dispense beverage from a container, and be able to read the tag of the identification element. Information regarding characteristics of beverage in the beverage container may be associated with a corresponding identification element and include a brand, type, vintage or volume of beverage in the container.

This invention discloses a separable beverage freshness preserver including a gas outlet assembly and a sealing assembly connected with the gas outlet assembly. The separable beverage freshness preserver is characterized in that the sealing assembly includes a liquid guiding assembly and a bottle stopper assembly connected with the liquid guiding assembly; the liquid guiding assembly includes a cock and a liquid dispensing pipe connected with the cock; and the liquid dispensing pipe is detachably connected with the cock. The liquid dispensing pipe and the like can be separated from a bottle body, and thus, beverages can be placed in a place with a narrow space, such as a refrigerator and the like, and occupy a small space so as to facilitate refrigeration and preservation of beverages.

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.

This invention discloses a separable beverage freshness preserver including a gas outlet assembly and a sealing assembly connected with the gas outlet assembly. The separable beverage freshness preserver is characterized in that the sealing assembly includes a liquid guiding assembly and a bottle stopper assembly connected with the liquid guiding assembly; the liquid guiding assembly includes a cock and a liquid dispensing pipe connected with the cock; and the liquid dispensing pipe is detachably connected with the cock. The liquid dispensing pipe and the like can be separated from a bottle body, and thus, beverages can be placed in a place with a narrow space, such as a refrigerator and the like, and occupy a small space so as to facilitate refrigeration and preservation of beverages.

A clamp of the dispensing device may include a container engagement surface arranged to engage and/or disengage the clamp from the container neck when the clamp is pushed downwardly or pulled upwardly relative to the container neck. The container engagement surface may include a surface with a lower portion that slopes upwardly and inwardly, and an upper portion that slopes upwardly and outwardly relative to the container neck and that moves the clamp radially outwardly and away from the container neck as the clamp is moved vertically relative to the container neck. A latch may maintain a body portion of the dispensing device in an upper position, preventing needle insertion, until a container is suitably engaged with the base portion of the device, e.g., by a clamp. Sensors may detect engagement of a container with the device and/or insertion of a needle into the container.