The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and universal container for natural carbonation of beverages, which will be used in the food industry, in particular in the production of beer, sparkling wines and carbonated fruit drinks. The method of naturally occurring carbonation of beverages involves the operations of feeding with fermenting substrate, adding water, adding yeast, fermenting the resulting liquid mixture. The fermentation is carried out in a specialized container at an optimum temperature of 8° C. to 23° C., depending on the yeast species. The fermentation process lasts for 3 to 4 days and is accompanied by an increase in container pressure to 2 bar.

A water dispenser and a method of controlling a water dispenser are provided. The water dispenser may control power output of an induction heater having a hot water module based on changes in flow rate of water supplied or a temperature of water discharged.

A self-propelling container having: a top; a bottom; a plurality of vertical walls extending between the bottom and the top; an inner bag for holding contents to be dispensed; a female coupling configured to receive and establish a friction seal with a male coupling of an external device for inserting or extracting the contents to or from the container after the friction seal is established between the female and male couplings; and at least one independent panel positioned inside the container; a compressible element associated with the at least one independent panel wherein during filling of the inner bag the compressible element is compressed, thus causing the at least one independent panel to exercise pressure onto the inner bag, and thus, helping to empty the inner bag.

Pressure relief blow out plugs for a container are disclosed as well as methods of using the same. One disclosed method involves providing a glass container that comprises a base and a body extending away from the base. The base includes a wall that defines a pressure relief passage. The method also involves inserting a pressure relief blow out into the pressure relief passage to seal the passage. The plug comprises a first inboard flange extending radially outwardly from the plug body, a stem, and a second inboard flange extending radially outwardly from the plug body and being spaced apart from the first inboard flange by a stem. The first inboard flange includes a first outboard sealing surface that provides an axial seal against the wall of the base of the glass container, and the second inboard flange including a circumferentially interrupted outboard facing retention portion the defines vent gaps.

A fluid line monitoring and control assembly for detecting foaming and terminating flow in a beverage line includes a valve and a flow meter, which are insertable in-line with a conduit connecting a storage vessel to a dispensing tap, such that the valve is positioned proximate to the storage vessel. The valve can close the conduit to prevent flow of a beverage therethrough. The flow meter quantifies flow and can detect at least one parameter indicative of each of a liquid state and a foam state of the beverage and generates first and second signals, corresponding thereto. A controller receives the first signal and the second signal from the flow meter. Foam in line programming code positioned on the controller enables the controller to selectively actuate the valve to close the conduit upon receipt of the second signal. The valve limits flow of the beverage in the foam state past the valve.

A receptacle for storing, pressurizing, and dispensing packaged beverages. The receptacle includes an airtight chamber with a removable lid, wherein the joint between the lid and the chamber is also airtight. A gas valve allows for the inflow and outflow of gas, and a tap port and tap stem allow the beverage to be dispensed without breaking the seal of the chamber. A pressure relief valve allows for more rapid depressurization. The chamber can be used at high and low pressures, such as a partial vacuum, to prevent oxidation of a number of open beverages, such as beers, wines, and sodas. A pressure gauge port coupled with an optional pressure gauge allows a user to verify the appropriate pressure for the type of beverage being preserved. The gas valve may be disposed on a base of the receptacle, as may the pressure relief and/or the pressure gauge port.

An automated consumable dispenser with a precision method for delivering consumable ingredients in specific proportions to a container up to a specified volume. This method involves the use of a system of sensors and a micro-microprocessor, which detects, digitizes and develops a three dimensional rendering of the container, calculates the container volume and dispenses specific amounts of consumable ingredients. A user is able to pick the level in the vessel to which the consumable ingredients should be dispensed and displays the selected desired level. The embodiments described include an automated dispenser capable of dispensing beverages and food items, either separately or together.

A fluid pressurization and dispensing system, including a coupler releasably attached to a vessel via an attachment means for securing a vacuum seal between the coupler and the vessel for maintaining pressure within the vessel, refreshing the gas composition within the vessel, and dispensing of a fluid contents externally from within the vessel without disturbing the vacuum seal. The coupler has a rigid single body unit having a tap head, a shank, and a cap which are contiguous thereof the coupler including a plurality of channels each integrally machined within an interior portion of the coupler. The system regulates a flow of gas from a pressurized gas cartridge via a gas pressure regulator, enables venting excess gas via a gas pressure relief valve, enables measurement of gas pressure within the vessel via a gas pressure gauge. Another embodiment of the system includes a coupler including a bi-level tap head.

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.

A water purifier that includes: a filter unit that is configured to purify water; a cooling unit that is configured to cool water purified by the filter unit using cooling water; a water discharge unit that is configured to discharge water cooled by the cooling unit; a cold water flow path that couples the cooling unit to the water discharge unit and through which water cooled by the cooling unit passes; a cold water discharge valve that is coupled to a first side of the cooling unit and that is configured to control water flow inside the cold water flow path; and a check fitting unit that is coupled to a first side of the water discharge unit and that is configured to block pressure change inside the cold water flow path is disclosed.