Proposed are a wine storage device and a wine dispensing method using the same. In the wine storage device, a storage space (32) for storing a wine bottle (B) is formed inside a cabinet (10), and a vision sensor part (50) can be arranged in the cabinet (10). In addition, a main control part (150) can extract information of wine from an image of a wine label (B1) captured by the vision sensor part (50). The wine contained in the wine bottle (B) can be dispensed through an dispensing head (100) to the outside. An aerating part (A) is provided in the dispensing head (100) and a discharge hole (143) for discharging the wine to a contact space (113) can be formed in the aerating part (A).

A cooling unit has (a) a cooling cartridge having (i) two foils sealed to one another along a perimeter area delimiting an inner area of the cartridge where a liquid pathway is defined between both foils, the liquid pathway making a fluid communication between an inlet and an outlet of the cooling cartridge; (ii) a web or mesh of material provided between both foils in the inner area of the cooling cartridge in the liquid pathway, the web or mesh of material has contact zones where the foils contact the web or mesh of material in the inner area of the cooling cartridge when the pressure reigning in the inner area equals ambient pressure; (b) a first cooling plate has a first surface and a second cooling plate has a second surface facing the first surface; (c) a cold source suitable for cooling said first and second surfaces, wherein the inner area of the cooling cartridge is positioned between both cooling surfaces; wherein the foils are not or only at distinct locations attached to the contact zones of the web or mesh material.

A beverage supplier includes: an inlet conduit communicated with a beverage container; a pumping and cooling device communicated with the inlet conduit, pumping and cooling a beverage from the beverage container, and outputting a cooled beverage; and an output unit, which is electrically connected to the pumping and cooling device and controls output of the cooled beverage. In a first state, the pumping and cooling device pumps and cools the beverage from the beverage container through the inlet conduit. In a second state, the pumping and cooling device empties the cooled beverage remained in the pumping and cooling device.

Machines, devices, and methods for generating and dispensing mixed beverages are disclosed. An exemplary beverage machine includes a liquid storage container, an additive ingredient chamber, a mixing chamber, a piston for providing fluid movement into and/or out of the mixing chamber, and a cooling system. The cooling system may be configured to recycle heat rejected from the liquid storage container to provide a heat source for warming a mixed beverage contained in the mixing chamber, in addition to other functions and components.

A smart vessel containment and dispensing unit capable of communication and data sharing across various wireless transmission protocols to linked devices. It has a visual display interface, is capable of cooling, pressurizing and storing the contents of an open growler as well as collecting data about the beverage, data regarding consumption of the beverage, as well as demographic data about the user that is relayed to and interpreted by a data analytical unit that can generate and transmit data to the consumer about beverage related matters. The containment will internally accommodate a beverage growler in an aesthetic transportable, energy efficient envelope that may be stored on a countertop, in a cabinet, or taken on the go. It will provide the consumer with all the information about the contents of the growler as well as their identification and physical parameters.

Systems and devices for cooling and dispensing a beverage fluid are disclosed herein. One beverage dispensing system includes a beverage tower comprising a tower body, a shank, and a faucet. In some implementations, a coolant line is routed proximal to a beverage supply line through the tower body, through the shank, and into the faucet. In these and other implementations, the faucet includes a removable nozzle having a supplemental portion of the coolant line. In these and still other implementations, the faucet include a removable nozzle having a second coolant line. The coolant line and the second coolant line are configured to transport a coolant medium proximal to a beverage fluid in the beverage supply line to maintain or adjust the temperature of the beverage fluid. Many other features are described herein.

Systems and devices for cooling and dispensing a beverage fluid are disclosed herein. One beverage dispensing system includes a beverage tower comprising a tower body, a shank, and a faucet. In some implementations, a coolant line is routed proximal to a beverage supply line through the tower body, through the shank, and into the faucet. In these and other implementations, the faucet includes a removable nozzle having a supplemental portion of the coolant line. In these and still other implementations, the faucet include a removable nozzle having a second coolant line. The coolant line and the second coolant line are configured to transport a coolant medium proximal to a beverage fluid in the beverage supply line to maintain or adjust the temperature of the beverage fluid. Many other features are described herein.

A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient from a pod. The dispensing apparatus comprises a pod support region configured to support a pod, an actuator configured to engage with a corresponding actuator engagement region of the pod, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the pod. The apparatus is configured to cause the actuation member to cause an opening to be formed in a pod supported by the pod support region. The apparatus is further configured to cause the rotation mechanism to cause the pod to rotate about an axis of rotation during a dispensing operation, so as to cause the beverage preparation ingredient to be released from the pod via said opening.

There is provided a system for filtering liquid. The system comprises a liquid storage reservoir and a liquid inlet reservoir. The system further comprises a filter receiving portion configured to receive a filter, such that, in use, a filter is provided between said liquid inlet reservoir and said liquid storage reservoir and is, in use, configured to filter liquid passing from the liquid inlet reservoir to the liquid storage reservoir along a first liquid flow path. The system further comprises second liquid flow path from the liquid inlet reservoir to the liquid storage reservoir which by-passes said filter.

A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.