Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A decanter arranged to permit storage of wine or other beverage while isolated from ambient air and employing a variable size beverage storage volume. A valve may control flow past a piston as the piston is moved relative to a container to adjust a size of the beverage storage volume.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cap for engagement with a beverage container allows an extractor needle or other conduit to pass through a portion of the cap such that beverage can be removed from the container without removing the cap. The cap may include a septum that is radially and/or axially compressed and a barrier layer arranged to engage with the container to form a seal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for engaging a gas cylinder with a gas dispenser, such as a beverage extractor, an inflation device, or other system that uses pressurized gas. A resilient element may be used to force a gas cylinder into engagement with a piercing element to pierce an outlet of the gas cylinder. The resilient element may deform elastically and/or plastically when applying force to the cylinder to pierce the outlet and sealingly engage the cylinder with a receiver. The resilient element may compensate for cylinders having different sizes and/or provide a consistent piercing or sealing force.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extraction of a beverage from a beverage bottle, such as a wine bottle, using an extraction device. The bottle may be supported by a bottle support sleeve that surrounds all but the neck and closure at the bottle opening. The extraction device may be secured to the neck and a needle, such a pair of needles or a two-lumen needle, may be inserted through the closure to inject pressurized gas into the bottle and to remove beverage from the bottle by the needle. The support sleeve may support the bottle during beverage extraction, e.g., by compressing the bottle exterior.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extracting a beverage from a container, such as a wine bottle. Beverage can be extracted from a container by inserting a needle through a container closure, such as a cork, delivering pressurized gas into the container via the needle, and dispensing beverage from the container via the needle. A pressure regulator may control a pressure of gas introduced into the container, and a lance used to pierce a pressurized gas cylinder may include a leading face arranged to reliably pierce a cylinder closure. The regulator may include valve features to reduce valve chatter or hammering and provide a more reliable pressure seal.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing beverage from a container, such as wine from a wine bottle. Dispensing may be automatically controlled based on a detected orientation of the container, e.g., dispensing may occur when a bottle is tilted as if to pour from the bottle and stopped when the bottle is oriented upright. Dispensing may be stopped when the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis even while in a pour orientation. A remaining amount of beverage in the container and/or an amount of pressurized gas used to drive dispensing may be detected and beverage dispensing controlled accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing sparkling and other pressurized beverages from a container. Sparkling wine and other beverages may be dispensed without removing a cork or other closure. One or more needles may be inserted through the closure and sparkling beverage dispensed through the one or more needles. The one or more needles may be inserted at an angle to the vertical or axis of the bottle opening in which the closure is positioned, e.g., to avoid contact with a metal retainer on the closure. Dispensed beverage may be directed to a pressurized reservoir to help maintain or recover carbonation prior to dispensing.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extraction of a beverage from a beverage bottle, such as a wine bottle, using an extraction device. The bottle may be supported by a bottle support sleeve that surrounds all but the neck and closure at the bottle opening. The extraction device may be secured to the neck and a needle, such a a pair of needles or a two-lumen needle, may be inserted through the closure to inject pressurized gas into the bottle and to remove beverage from the bottle by the needle. The support sleeve may support the bottle during beverage extraction, e.g., by compressing the bottle exterior.

Abstract: Devices and methods for engaging a gas cylinder with a gas dispenser, such as a beverage extractor, an inflation device, or other system that uses pressurized gas. A resilient element may be used to force a gas cylinder into engagement with a piercing element to pierce an outlet of the gas cylinder. The resilient element may deform elastically and/or plastically when applying force to the cylinder to pierce the outlet and sealingly engage the cylinder with a receiver. The resilient element may compensate for cylinders having different sizes and/or provide a consistent piercing or sealing force.

Abstract: A gasket for a compressed gas cylinder arranged to operate with a gas cylinder having a neck with a top surface around a gas outlet and a side surface extending downwardly from the top surface. The gasket may include an upper portion arranged for positioning on the top surface of the cylinder and for making a seal with the top surface, and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion and around the side surface of the neck of the cylinder, such that the lower portion is arranged to make a seal with the side surface of the gas cylinder. Face and gland seals may be established by the gasket with an opening that receives the gasket and an associated cylinder neck.