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 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 needle for accessing a container having a closure, such as a cork of a wine bottle. The needle includes first and second lumens each having a D-shaped cross section and a flat surface. The first and second lumens are attached with the flat surfaces in contact, and each lumen may have an outlet opening at a distal end. The needle may be used with a beverage dispenser that operates by introducing gas into a container via one lumen, and receives beverage from the container via another one of the lumens.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to extracting the liquid from a container (such as a bottle of wine) in varying amounts at a desired serving temperature while preserving the liquid for later consumption. Various embodiments may be built within an appliance so the consumer experience is fully automated. Embodiments may include a variety of wine preservation techniques including the use of inert gases that prevent the oxidation of wine.

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.

Devices and methods for extraction of a beverage from a beverage bottle, such as a wine bottle, using an extraction device. A clamp of the extraction device may include a container engagement surface arranged to disengage the clamp from the container neck when the clamp is pulled upwardly relative to the container neck. The container engagement surface may include a surface 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 upwardly relative to the container neck.

A volumetric displacement preservation system for preserving a volume of flowable substance in a vessel. A fluid exchange structure has a stopper, a head portion, and a fluid exchange valve with a first condition where fluid inlet and exhaust pathways in the fluid exchange structure are simultaneously closed and a second condition where the fluid inlet and exhaust pathways are simultaneously opened by conduit joining portions in the fluid exchange valve. A chamber retains a volume of preservative gas and is connected to the fluid inlet pathway externally to the vessel. The preservative gas can be supplied from the chamber into the vessel through the fluid inlet pathway as liquid is exhausted through the fluid exhaust pathway. The chamber can be replenished from preservative gas displaced from the vessel in a reverse volumetric displacement process or from preservative gas supplied by a preservative gas production canister.

Devices and methods for extraction of a beverage from a beverage bottle, such as a wine bottle, using an extraction device. A clamp of the extraction device may include a container engagement surface arranged to disengage the clamp from the container neck when the clamp is pulled upwardly relative to the container neck. The container engagement surface may include a surface 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 upwardly relative to the container neck.

An Apparatus for drawing beverages, such as beer, includes a casing in which there is housed a compression refrigeration unit and has a receptacle located superiorly and adapted to contain the barrel of the beverage. The receptacle is refrigerated by the refrigeration unit. The casing is provided with a compartment, located frontally and also refrigerated by a refrigeration unit, configured to contain drinking glasses accessible through an openable front door of the casing.

Devices and methods for extraction of a beverage from a beverage bottle, such as a wine bottle, using an extraction device. An aeration nozzle may be used to generate one or more jets of beverage arranged to expose the beverage to ambient air or other surrounding gas.