Systems, devices, and methods for the automated production of fermented beverages are provided. The device may be modular, portable and/or self-cleaning. The device includes a housing with chambers that receive a removable fermentation vessel with yeasts and ingredients capable of undergoing fermentation. Flavoring agents and other ingredients may also be added to produce beer, wine, or other alcoholic libations of profound character and freshness. The device includes a controller that initiates fermentation, senses the fermentation status and automatically controls fermentation parameters based on a desired fermentation profile. The controller automatically directs parameters such as carbonation, conditioning, aging, and chilling according to a programmed recipe or consumer preference to create an enjoyable customized beverage.

An interconnector system (10) for coupling a first hollow body to a second hollow body allows fluid communication between the hollow bodies. The interconnector system (10) includes a valve interconnector (14) and a receiver interconnector (12). The receiver interconnector (12) has a sliding seal sleeve (20) that slides relative to a hollow post (18). The design of the receiver interconnector (12) ensures that the valve interconnector (14) cannot be decoupled from the receiver interconnector (12) without the seal sleeve (12) sealing closed the liquid passageway (46) through the hollow post (18). Also included is a hollow body having a coupling device thereon.

The present invention provides a valve device (1) for a container (100) for supplying and dispensing gaseous beverages, comprising a main valve body (1) connected to said container (100) by means of a connecting member (101), said main valve body (1) comprising a supplying and 0 dispensing port (10) of said beverages to/from said container (100), sealing means (2) arranged onto said dispensing port (10), elastic means (3) cooperating with said sealing means (2), beverage dispensing means (4) arranged internally to said main body (1), and pressure controlling means (5,40,41) for controlling a pressure threshold value within said container (100), the valve device it is characterized in that said dispensing means (4) and said pressure threshold value control means (5,40,41) comprises a single member (4,40,41) mounted in a movable manner inside said valve device (1), the arrangement being such that said dispensing means (4) are movable from a first position wherein they cooperate with said sealing means (2) for sealing the gaseous beverage within said container (100), and a second position wherein the gas is spilled out from the container (100) upon exceeding a preset threshold pressure value of gas within said container (100).

In a method for distribution and dispensing of beverages, a one-way system is used including a disposable and freestanding container blow moulded in one piece from a preform of plastics, and a tube structure having a tube to be inserted in the container and a closure cap. The thin-walled container is filled with beverage by means of the tube and then closed by the closure cap. This filled unit is distributed to the end user and connected to standard beverage dispensing means. After use, the empty container is collapsed and discarded along with the tube structure which also is made of plastics.

Provided herein is a dispenser head for a beverage cask which has a valve head with a spring-loaded valve disc. The dispenser head includes a housing, a connection element for fastening the housing to the valve head of the beverage cask, a propellant gas inlet, configured on the housing, for connecting a propellant gas line, a ram which is mounted movably in the housing and contains a riser duct and which, by pressing into the valve head, opens the spring-loaded valve disc, a liquid outlet for connecting a beverage line and an actuating mechanism for actuating the ram. The actuating mechanism is configured as a rotational mechanism which has a spiral gearing and a hand wheel connected to the ram and to the spiral gearing.

The invention relates to a modified valve apparatus that resides on/in a pressurized vessel/container in which automatically releases pressure upon removal using a specialized tool, thus reducing the possibility for bodily/property damage as well as allowing access into the vessel/container.

A beer keg assembly includes a liner or bottle having a body portion and a neck portion. A valve assembly is in the neck portion of the liner. The valve assembly includes an inner retainer portion having an inner annular surface formed on a portion of reduced diameter. A cap is secured to the inner retainer portion. At least one spring imparting force between the cap and the inner annular surface. The at least one spring may include an inner spring biasing a piston and a port against one another. The at least one spring may further include an outer spring, wherein the inner spring and the outer spring are both captured between the inner annular surface and the cap. A pressure relief valve may be disposed in a fluid path leading through a wall of the inner retainer portion.

Valve interconnector (1), suitable for use in combination with a receiver interconnector to couple a first hollow body associated to the valve interconnector to a second hollow body associated to the receiver interconnector, wherein the valve interconnector comprises a neck (7) to be secured to the first hollow body, a passageway (77) through the neck to allow fluid communication between the first hollow body and the second hollow body. The valve interconnector further comprises abase cap (8) secured to the neck, a valve assembly (5) secured to the base cap, the valve assembly being configured to assume at least a closed position and at least an open position. The valve interconnector further comprises a sealing ring (3) configured to provide a leakproof connection between the valve interconnector and the receiver interconnector. The valve interconnector further comprises a code ring cap (9), wherein the code ring cap (9) further comprises a head portion (99) covering at least a portion of the external surface of the head portion (89) of the base cap (8), the head portion (99) of the code ring cap (9) comprising a sealing ring enclosing portion (91) configured to cooperate in retaining the sealing ring (3) within the sealing ring seat (2).

The disclosure relates to a sealing unit for sealing a container wall opening. The sealing unit comprises inner and outer housings defining a gas flow passage arranged between an outer surface of the inner housing and an inner surface of the outer housing. The inner housing is movable in axial direction between a first axial position wherein the gas flow passage is closed and gas is prevented from flowing into or out of the container and a second axial position wherein the gas flow passage is open and gas is allowed to flow in a generally axial direction into or out of the container. The sealing unit also includes a biasing element arranged between the outer and inner housings and configured to urge the movable inner housing to move to the first axial position. A liquid flow passage including a liquid seal unit is defined inside the inner housing.

A collapsible bag for use in dispensing gaseous fluids, the collapsible bag including three collapsible enclosures. Two of the collapsible enclosures have respective fluid paths extending from internal to external of the outer enclosure. The configuration of the food quality of an inner enclosures and the integrity of the third outer enclosure and as well as the relative volume of one inner enclosure to the outer enclosures effects the dispensing mechanism of the pressure which allows transfer of the pressure without fluid interaction to another of the at inner collapsible enclosures and selective dispensing.