A machine for making an individual drink. The machine includes a pressure source, a store defining a plurality of housings, a plurality of removable containers each immobilized, in a service position, in a respective housing. Each container includes a receptacle containing an ingredient, and an upstream emptying valve allowing the ingredient to be caused to exit to the outside of the receptacle by an increased pressure generated inside the receptacle by the pressure source. The machine includes a chamber to receive the ingredients extracted from the containers, via the upstream emptying one-way valves, because of the increased pressure, so as to make the drink. The machine includes a control module able to command the increased pressures in the containers as a function of a desired composition for the drink.

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.

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 for carbonating fluid is provided comprising a gas supply and a fluid vessel for carbonating fluid, the fluid vessel having at least one internal surface for obstructing a return path of the gas to an upper surface of the fluid after injection. A retainer retains the fluid vessel relative to the gas supply and a gas injector injects gas from the gas supply into the fluid vessel. During use, the gas injector injects gas below a fluid level within the fluid vessel.

The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.

Systems for filling and dispensing free-flowing contents into and out of a container, the container comprising: a top and a bottom, a plurality of vertical walls extending between the bottom and the top, an ice portal disposed in the top, the ice portal having a removable cap for filling an ice chamber with ice, a removable container cap, a tube vertically disposed in the container cap, the tube extending between a beverage bag and a gate valve above the container cap, an air hose disposed in the container cap parallel with the tube, an air bag attached to a bottom end of the air hose, the air bag being adjacent to the beverage bag, such that a volume between the bags and an interior of the plurality of vertical walls is the ice chamber, and a beverage flow portal protruding longitudinally from a side of the gate valve.

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.

Disclosed is a system for producing a beverage, in particular a cold beverage, comprising a cartridge that has a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, a beverage preparation unit with a cartridge receptacle into which the cartridge can be reversibly inserted, and a cartridge discharge device which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance from the reservoir into a mixing chamber; furthermore, the beverage preparation unit comprises a fluid supply which opens into the mixing chamber, or the system includes a movable plunger which is placed inside the reservoir and can be transferred from a starting position into a final position by means of the cartridge discharge device.

The method includes indentifying the beer keg to a brewery which fills the keg and for identifying the date on which the beer keg is filled. A sensor system is attachable to or built into the beer keg for identifying the temperature of the beer and for locating the keg. A communication system directly transmits information between the brewery and the sensor system on the keg.