A self-service wine tasting system includes automatic wine dispensers, a cloud server and user terminals. The automatic wine dispenser includes wine dispensing stations, a machine identity and a first telecommunication module. The first telecommunication module is connected to a control chip of the automatic wine dispenser. The cloud server includes a storage and a second telecommunication module. The second telecommunication module is in communication connection with the first telecommunication module. The storage stores wine storage information associated with the machine code of each automatic wine dispenser. The user terminal includes an identification device and a third telecommunication module. The third telecommunication module is in communication connection with the second telecommunication module. The self-service wine tasting system facilitates the wine taster to record the tasting behavior.

A method of tracking liquid consumption includes receiving an input from a user to dispense liquid from a liquid dispenser, determining an identity of the user, determining a volume of liquid dispensed from the dispenser, and confirming that the correct user is consuming the dispensed liquid.

Methods and systems for accurately and securely dispensing high value beverages are presented herein. A beverage distribution system includes one or more replaceable beverage cartridges mounted to a beverage dispensing device. Each of the beverage cartridges includes a fluid reservoir with an output port, an output control valve, a flowmeter, and a local controller. The local controller receives signals from the flow meter and determines a cumulative amount of beverage fluid dispensed from the beverage cartridge based on the received signals. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a fluid pump and a master controller. The master controller also estimates the cumulative amount of beverage fluid dispensed from each beverage cartridge based on control commands communicated to each beverage cartridge. If a difference between the estimated cumulative amounts of fluid dispensed from a beverage cartridge exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an alert is generated.

A material dispensing device, a material output volume detecting device, and a related damper device for use in an automated beverage preparation apparatus are disclosed. The material output volume detecting device includes: a damper device arranged to operably buffer liquid material flowing therethrough; and a flowmeter arranged to operably measure the flow of liquid material outputted from the damper device. The damper device includes: a damper base having a material entrance hole, a material exit hole, and a material buffer chamber positioned between the material entrance hole and the material exit hole; a diaphragm covered on the material buffer chamber; and a fastening element positioned on the diaphragm and having a hollow portion. When the volume of liquid material within the material buffer chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, the diaphragm deforms to protrude outward, so that a part of the diaphragm enters the hollow portion of the fastening element.

The refillable drinking vessel is a fluid containment structure. The refillable drinking vessel forms a fluidic connection with a pressurized fluid source the refillable drinking vessel: a) opens a fluidic connection with the pressurized fluid source; and, b) received fluid from the pressurized fluid source until a previously determined volume of fluid is contained in the refillable drinking vessel. The refillable drinking vessel incorporates a bottle, a bottle fitting structure, a base plate, and a fluid control structure. The base plate forms a fluidic connection between the bottle fitting structure and the pressurized fluid source. The bottle fitting structure forms a fluidic connection between the bottle and the base plate. The fluid control structure automatically controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid source through the base plate and the bottle fitting structure into the bottle.

The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system stores a fluid that is consumed as a beverage. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system measures the stored fluid. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system refills the fluid when the volume of the stored fluid falls below a previously determined level. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system heats the stored fluid at a previously determined temperature.

A material dispensing device, a material output volume detecting device, and a related damper device for use in an automated beverage preparation apparatus are disclosed. The material output volume detecting device includes: a damper device arranged to operably buffer liquid material flowing therethrough; and a flowmeter arranged to operably measure the flow of liquid material outputted from the damper device. The damper device includes: a damper base having a material entrance hole, a material exit hole, and a material buffer chamber positioned between the material entrance hole and the material exit hole; a diaphragm covered on the material buffer chamber; and a fastening element positioned on the diaphragm and having a hollow portion. When the volume of liquid material within the material buffer chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, the diaphragm deforms to protrude outward, so that a part of the diaphragm enters the hollow portion of the fastening element.

A system and method for dispensing beverage from a container, such as wine from a wine bottle. An identification element may be secured to a beverage container and include a tag and optically readable code that uniquely identify the container. A dispenser may dispense beverage from a container, and be able to read the tag of the identification element. Information regarding characteristics of beverage in the beverage container may be associated with a corresponding identification element and include a brand, type, vintage or volume of beverage in the container.

The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system stores a fluid that is consumed as a beverage. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system measures the stored fluid. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system refills the fluid when the volume of the stored fluid falls below a previously determined level. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system heats the stored fluid at a previously determined temperature.

The refillable drinking vessel is a fluid containment structure. The refillable drinking vessel forms a fluidic connection with a pressurized fluid source the refillable drinking vessel: a) opens a fluidic connection with the pressurized fluid source; and, b) received fluid from the pressurized fluid source until a previously determined volume of fluid is contained in the refillable drinking vessel. The refillable drinking vessel incorporates a bottle, a bottle fitting structure, a base plate, and a fluid control structure. The base plate forms a fluidic connection between the bottle fitting structure and the pressurized fluid source. The bottle fitting structure forms a fluidic connection between the bottle and the base plate. The fluid control structure automatically controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid source through the base plate and the bottle fitting structure into the bottle.