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.

The beverage drinking apparatus may include a spout, a pivot arm, and an entry portion. The spout may include a bore. The pivot arm may include a curved portion that defines a fulcrum for rotating the beverage drinking apparatus. The entry portion may include a flow portion defining a plurality of apertures. The entry portion may include a piercing portion that is distal from the first end of the spout. The piercing portion and the flow portion may be configured to pierce and penetrate a hole in a sidewall of the beverage can as the beverage drinking apparatus is pivoted about the fulcrum with the curved portion engaged with a bottom surface of the beverage can such that liquid flows from the beverage can into the bore through the plurality of first apertures.

A beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.

Disclosed is a pouring device suitable for piercing and emptying a granular material contained in a vacuum-sealed package, including: a tubular body, having a duct for the flow of the material, extending from an inlet opening positioned at a first end of the tubular body to an outlet opening for the granular material, positioned at a second end of the tubular body; and a hollow piercing tool having a distal end ending in a pointed tip, and a widened base at the proximal end thereof, rigidly connected to the body. The device further includes a shoulder serving as a stop coming into contact with the wall of the package to stop the pouring device when the wall is pierced by the piercing tool, and possibly a bowl bringing the granular material having escaped the hollow portion of the piercing tool into the inside of the hollow portion by gravity.

A portable drinking device capable of fitting over a typical pressurized beverage can to direct the flow of fluid from the can into a user's mouth. The portable drinking device may be positioned over the open top of a can. The portable drinking device and can are then slightly tilted sideways. A piercing device, which is stored in a storage area formed in a funnel-like cap of the portable drinking device, is used to puncture a whole in the side of the can after the drinking device and can are tilted sideways. Either just before or immediately after the can is pierced, the entire assembly is positioned so that the portable drinking device directs a rapid stream of fluid from the punctured can through the tube of the portable drinking device into a user's mouth.

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.

The beverage drinking apparatus may include a spout, a pivot arm, and an entry portion. The spout may include a bore. The pivot arm may include a curved portion that defines a fulcrum for rotating the beverage drinking apparatus. The entry portion may include a flow portion defining a plurality of apertures. The entry portion may include a piercing portion that is distal from the first end of the spout. The piercing portion and the flow portion may be configured to pierce and penetrate a hole in a sidewall of the beverage can as the beverage drinking apparatus is pivoted about the fulcrum with the curved portion engaged with a bottom surface of the beverage can such that liquid flows from the beverage can into the bore through the plurality of first apertures.

The beverage drinking apparatus may include a spout, a pivot arm, and an entry portion. The spout may include a bore. The pivot arm may include a curved portion that defines a fulcrum for rotating the beverage drinking apparatus. The entry portion may include a flow portion defining a plurality of apertures. The entry portion may include a piercing portion that is distal from the first end of the spout. The piercing portion and the flow portion may be configured to pierce and penetrate a hole in a sidewall of the beverage can as the beverage drinking apparatus is pivoted about the fulcrum with the curved portion engaged with a bottom surface of the beverage can such that liquid flows from the beverage can into the bore through the plurality of first apertures.

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 beverage-making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein and a fermentation tank cover configured to open and close the opening. The beverage-making apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The refrigeration cycle apparatus is configured to circulate a refrigerant therethrough and to control a temperature of the fermentation tank as the evaporator is disposed at the fermentation tank. The beverage-making apparatus further includes a heat insulating wall surrounding both the fermentation tank and the evaporator.