Abstract: A beverage dispensing device prepares and dispenses a beverage. The dispensing device includes a housing which has a beverage unit with a liquid inlet and a beverage outlet. The beverage unit has a receiving means for at least one container containing a unit dose of concentrated beverage ingredient to be dispensed, and an ingredient discharge. The beverage unit has a liquid line. The liquid line first section extends from the base liquid inlet to receiving means liquid inlet to guide base liquid into the unit dose of beverage ingredient through the beverage discharge into the liquid line second section that extends from the ingredient discharge to the beverage outlet. A mixing chamber is defined in the liquid line. Temperature regulating means are provided in the mixing chamber or in that the mixing chamber comprises an inlet for pressurized fluid for expanding said fluid in said mixing chamber.

Abstract: A dispensing appliance allowing the loading of a container together with a dispensing tube is disclosed. After loading the container into the holding portion of the appliance, a dispensing cartridge is engaged into a receiving system provided in the dispensing portion of the appliance, which is movable with respect to the holding portion from a first loading position to a second dispensing position. The cartridge partially encases a dispensing tube with both inlet and outlet ends protruding out of first and second sides of the cartridge, such that the outlet portion of the dispensing tube is flexible. Upon engaging the cartridge into the receiving system, the outlet portion is engaged into a pinch valve while the inlet points towards the dispensing opening of the container. The dispensing tube inlet is introduced into the dispensing opening upon moving the dispensing portion of the appliance to its second dispensing position.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for conducting a social interaction. A first user account may be associated with a first beverage container. A second beverage container may be detected as being proximate to the first beverage container. A second user account associated with the second beverage container may be accessed to identify a commonality between the first and second user accounts. The commonality may be objective and/or subjective information or data about the users of the first and second beverage containers. Information indicative of the commonality may be displayed on an electronic display of at least one of the beverage containers. The electronic display may be flexible such that it conforms to a curvature of the beverage container.

Abstract: A kit of parts for dispensing a liquid contained in a container is disclosed. The kit includes a pressure driven dispensing appliance. The pressure driven dispensing appliance has a device for receiving a container containing a liquid to be dispensed. The appliance also has a device for dispensing the liquid from the container, when mounted in the appliance, a chamber containing a solid adsorbent suitable for adsorbing air, and a device for fluidly connecting the chamber with the interior of the container, when mounted in the appliance. An air compressor releasibly connectable to the chamber is also included.

Abstract: A liquid pressure-reducing unit having a first half body with a contact surface and first groove extending over the contact surface is disclosed. The unit has a flexible resilient sealing element having a floor layer lining the floor of the first groove. The unit has a second half body with a contact surface and first and second walls extending out of the contact surface and defining a second groove. The contact surfaces of the first half body and second half body join, wherein the first and second walls penetrate into the first groove so that the free end of the first and second walls forms a fluid-tight contact with the flexible resilient floor layer lining the floor of the first groove, defining a fluid-tight channel bringing in fluid communication a fluid inlet with a fluid outlet. The channel is non-rectilinear and/or having a cross-section varying over the length thereof.

Abstract: A dispensing unit for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container having a tapping column fixed to and extending normal to the top surface of a top plate with an opening and forming an elbow is disclosed. The column has an elongated inner channel bringing in fluid communication the support plate with a tapping pinch valve located in a tapping head at the elbow. The tapping pinch valve has jaws for receiving in pinching relationship the outlet end of the dispensing line and controlling flow of liquid by varying the distance between the jaws from a closed to an open position. A flexible dispensing line, having inlet and outlet ends, extends in the channel. The outlet end engages the pinch valve, and the inlet end connects to a keg. A device for opening the channel includes the pinch valve so a distance larger than the open position separates the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container (2) and preform(1, 1?) for blow-moulding the bag-in-container. An inner layer (11) and an outer layer (12) are used, wherein the preform forms a two-layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the obtained inner layer of said container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface (14) between the two layers. At least one of the inner and outer layers includes at least one additive allowing both inner and outer layers to reach their respective blow-moulding temperatures substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A pressure dispensing container containing a liquid and closed by a closure having a first aperture offset with respect to the centroid of the closure's base is disclosed. The container is mounted on a dispensing appliance including a first tube to be inserted into the corresponding first, offset aperture of the closure. The closure further having a crenellation in its lower rim mating a crenellation in a structure for receiving the closure of the container. A closure holding structure is located in the holding portion of the appliance and is suitable for receiving in mating relationship the closure of the container such that the first offset aperture of the closure is in direct engaging relationship with the first tube of the appliance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrally blow-molded bag-in-container (2) having an integrally blow-molded bag-in-container wherein the same polymer is in contact on either side of the interface between the inner (11) and outer layers (12). It also concerns a preform (1, 1?) for blow-molding a bag-in-container, having an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein the preform forms a two-layer container upon blow-molding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of the container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface between the two layers. The inner and outer layers are of the same material.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and method for mixing one or more beverage components with at least one carbonated liquid is disclosed. The beverage container has at least one dispenser beverage inlet connected or connectable to a source of a beverage component. The beverage container has at least one dispenser carbonated liquid inlet connected or connectable to a source of a carbonated liquid. A mixing device for mixing one or more beverage components with at least one carbonated liquid into a final beverage is provided. The beverage container has a dispenser outlet for dispensing the final beverage. The mixing device has one or more double jet mixers.

Abstract: The invention is an integrally blow-moulded bag-in-container and preform for making it. The bag-in-container has an inner layer forming the bag and an outer layer forming the container, and a mouth fluidly connecting the volume defined by the bag to the atmosphere. The container further has at least one interface vent fluidly connecting the interface between inner and outer layers to the atmosphere, wherein the at least one vent runs parallel to the interface between inner and outer layers and opens to the atmosphere at a location adjacent to, and oriented coaxially with the bag-in-container's mouth. Processes for manufacturing a preform and a bag-in-container as defined above are defined too.

Abstract: A keg connector is disclosed for fluidly connecting the interior of a bag-in-container type keg with a dispensing tube connected to a dispensing valve in a tapping column and pressure gas tube connected to a pressurized gas source. The keg connector has a base body and is coupled firmly and releasably to the keg closure. The keg connector has a dispense connector and gas connector having a substantially straight dispense tip and gas tip, respectively, each extending along a longitudinal axis, Z, in fluid communication with a second end respectively connectable to a dispense tube in fluid communication with a tapping column and valve and gas tube in fluid communication with a pressurized gas source. A lever is provided for sequentially driving in a single movement firm coupling of the keg connector to the keg closure and penetration of the dispense and gas tips into the corresponding openings.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for live event augmentation are provided. A central server computer system detects intelligent beverage containers at an event. The beverage containers include an integrated electronic display. Extrinsic data is received during the course of the event that is used to generate a message. The message is transmitted to the beverage containers at the event to update the electronic display. The extrinsic data may be related to the event or to an activity occurring separate from the event. The electronic display of the beverage containers may be changed periodically during the event. The beverage containers may be divided into one or more groups based on information stored in a user account associated with each beverage container. Different messages can be sent to the different groups to display different information on the beverage containers of each group.

Abstract: A dispensing appliance for receiving a container and dispensing a liquid is disclosed. The container has a body, a mouth, and a closure with an initially sealed first dispensing opening. The dispensing appliance has a container holding portion and a dispensing portion having a first dispensing tube with an engagement tip for engaging into dispensing opening to enter in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The dispensing portion is pivotally connected to the holding portion by a hinge to rotationally move from a first loading position. A second dispensing position allows dispensing the liquid. Moving the dispensing portion from a loading position to a dispensing position drives the engagement tip through the initially sealed dispensing opening of the closure. The engagement tip of the first dispensing tube is translated along a rectilinear path by rotation of the dispensing portion, to engage into the first dispensing opening.

Abstract: A can for containing a liquid has a top end. The top end has a dispense area defined on the top end by a first score line and a vent area defined on the top end by a second score line separate from the first score line. The top end has a first rivet located between the vent and dispense areas for coupling to the top end. The top end has a pull tab suitable for puncturing the dispense areas to open a dispense aperture. The top end has a device for opening the vent aperture. The dispense area has a dimension along the diameter of the top end passing by the first rivet greater or equal to the radius of the top end.

Abstract: The invention is an integral two-layer preform (1) for the production of integrally blow-moulded bag-in-containers (2). The preform has an inner layer (11) and an outer layer (12), wherein the preform forms a two layer container upon blow-moulding, and wherein the thus obtained inner layer of the container releases from the thus obtained outer layer upon introduction of a gas at a point of interface of the two layers. The melting temperature of the inner layer is greater than or equal to the melting temperature of the outer layer.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed describe a double opening beverage can lid system. The system includes a can lid having a pour panel associated with a pour opening and a vent panel associated with a vent opening. A tab is attached to the can lid. The tab includes a primary tab portion configured to open the pour opening, and a secondary tab portion configured to open the vent opening. A rivet hole facilitates attachment of the primary tab portion and the secondary tab portion to the can lid. A shelf is bent about 180° around a rear edge of the primary tab portion. The shelf blocks at least a portion of the secondary tab portion from contacting the vent panel.

Abstract: Container assembly comprising a container and a top chime fixed to each other, the container having a top part and a peripheral side wall, characterized in that the fixation between the chime and the container is situated at the top part of the container and at a distance from said peripheral side wall.

Abstract: A can for containing a liquid having a top end with (a) a dispense area defined by a first score line and (b) a pull tab coupled to the top end by a first rivet. The pull tab punctures the dispense area to open a dispense aperture upon lifting an actuating end of the pull tab. The top end has (c) a vent area defined by a second score line and (d) a secondary lever coupled to the top end by a second rivet, and has a puncturing end for puncturing the vent area to open a vent aperture upon lifting an opposite, actuating end of the secondary lever. The secondary lever and pull tab interlock so lifting the actuating end of the pull tab triggers lifting of the actuating end of the secondary lever, opening both dispensing and vent apertures in a single movement.