The invention relates to a method for realizing an aseptic connection between a valve unit and a tank container comprising an inliner, wherein a disinfection unit comprising the valve unit is positioned around the spout of the tank container. The valve unit is then disinfected by exposing it to a disinfection fluid and/or to electromagnetic radiation while the valve of the valve unit is in an open position. After having closed the valve, an end portion of the valve unit is pressed against a closure element that blocks the spout of the inliner, to thereby effect that the inner environment of the inliner and the interior of the valve unit are in fluid communication. The disinfection unit is then removed and the valve unit is fastened to the tank container to ensure an aseptic connection between the valve unit and the tank container.

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.

Apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to open and discharge the contents of a packet or sachet. In some embodiments, a portable dispensing device includes a housing, an opening mechanism, and a discharging mechanism. In some configurations, the device includes a rotatable axle, a rotatable cap disposed at an end of the housing, and a roller element (coupled to the axle) that is configured to rotate with manual rotation of the rotatable cap, and a slot in the housing that permits at least a portion of the packet to advance through, wherein the slot and housing assists with pressing opposing packet walls together to discharge the contents of the packet. In some configurations, the opening mechanism also includes another housing slot where a corner of the packet may be fed and a knife element disposed to facilitate removal of the corner to thereby open the packet.

A heated and chilled water dispenser comprising: a housing; an input port fast with the housing for connection to a mains pressure water supply; at least one chilled water container arranged to receive water from the input port; a water chilling assembly arranged to cool said at least one chilled water container; at least one hot water tank including a heating element and a water receiving arrangement to receive water from the input port, the water receiving arrangement including an inlet valve responsive to water level; an inlet plenum associated with the inlet valve, the plenum being coupled with the input port to receive water, the plenum further comprising a fill pipe coupled to the hot water tank for supplying water to the hot water tank; a thermostat coupled to said at least one hot water tank for controlling the heating element and thus temperature of water within the hot water tank; a two way outlet tap configured for dispensing hot water from the hot water supply or chilled water from the chilled water container in accordance with a user's selection; a liquid delivery device coupled to said at least one hot water tank for supplying hot water from the hot water tank, said device being arranged to be actuated by the outlet tap.

A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage from one or more beverage units. Each of the beverage units includes a respective beverage unit outlet, and a respective support structure supporting beverage and orienting the respective beverage unit outlet. The dispenser includes a refrigerator in which the beverage unit(s) are receivable; a respective inlet, within the refrigerator, for each of the beverage units; at least one a dispensing outlet for dispensing beverage into drinking vessels; one or more fluid paths from the inlet(s) to the dispensing outlet(s); a guide arrangement co-operable with the support structure(s) to guide the beverage unit(s) so that each respective beverage unit outlet co-operates with its respective inlet to form a respective dry break connection through which beverage is conveyable on route to the dispensing outlet(s) via the fluid path(s).

A liquid product distribution network includes a liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus for operation in association with a tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus. The liquid product distribution monitoring and reporting apparatus includes a radio transmitter device and sensing circuitry for sensing and communicating physical properties associating with the keg. A tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus senses flow of a liquid through a tap includes a tap handle radio transmitter device for fitting within and protected by a tap handle and a low-energy consumption tap handle radio/processing module. A mobile communications device with geographic position sensing device and/or said tap handle flow monitoring and reporting apparatus passively and without user interaction within the liquid product distribution network, without using network uplink/gateway circuit devices for sensing and reporting fluid storage, flow, and financial operations relating to the distribution of said liquid product throughout the liquid product distribution network.

A liquid dispenser adapted to dispense liquid from a beverage container. The liquid dispenser includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The liquid dispenser includes an electric powered pump that is configured to cause fluid to flow into the bottom portion when the electric powered pump is activated. The bottom portion is fluidly connected or interconnected to the top portion such that fluid which flows into the bottom portion is configured to flow out of the bottom portion and to the top portion.

The invention includes a vessel comprised of a rectilinear primary casing made from a polymer material and a removable dispenser and methods of dispensing and filling and cleaning the vessel. The vessel further includes a one-way valve that may be used to introduce gases to the vessel once the dispenser is attached and sealed to the primary casing, an optional integrated handle and optional integrated feet.

The present invention describes methods and devices in which concentrated beverage products, each packaged in a pressurized container, can be combined with liquids and/or other ingredients to produce one or more servings of a beverage. These products provide users with a convenient way to prepare both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including carbonated beverages) in various serving sizes and quantities by combining the pressurized beverage concentrate with (possibly carbonated) liquids and other ingredients.

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for inducing a substantially non-hazardous atmosphere encompassing a beverage container during filling, such as filling a small volume container with an alcohol product. A multi-tiered approach can be used to reduce the combustibility of the atmosphere encompassing the beverage container. For example, a ventilation module can be provided and configured to dilute vapors of the beverage liquid. Further, a chilling module can be provided and configured to reduce or maintain a reduced temperature of the beverage liquid. Further, a capture module can be provided and configured to dilute stray beverage liquid. The ventilation module, the chilling module, and the capture module can cooperate to define a non-hazardous zone encompassing the beverage container. This can allow non-hazardous rated electrical components to operate proximate and within the atmosphere associating the alcohol product during filling.