Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising at least one beverage dispensing module and a base unit upon or within which the or each module is positioned. Each module comprises a container housing a beverage reservoir and a beverage dispensing arrangement comprising a dispensing valve operable to be selectively opened to dispense beverage from the reservoir. Each module further comprises valve sensing means operable to determine when the dispensing valve is opened and provide a valve status signal indicative of whether the dispensing valve is opened. Each module further comprises communication means in communication with the valve sensing means and arranged to receive the valve status signal. The base unit comprises a base-module receiver operable to communicate with the communication means of one or more modules to receive the valve status signal therefrom. The apparatus is particularly suitable for alcoholic beverages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a beverage dispensing system including at least one beverage dispensing container, a computing device and a base unit upon or within which, in use, the at least one container is positioned. The at least one container includes a reservoir of beverage, a communication element for storing data indicative of contents of the beverage dispensing container, a manually actuatable dispensing valve selectively controlling flow of beverage from the reservoir to a container outlet, and pressurizing means for pressurizing beverage against the dispensing valve such that when the dispensing valve is opened beverage flows from the reservoir and out the container outlet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising at least one beverage dispensing module and a base unit upon or within which the or each module is positioned. Each module comprises a container housing a beverage reservoir and a beverage dispensing arrangement comprising a dispensing valve operable to be selectively opened to dispense beverage from the reservoir. Each module further comprises valve sensing means operable to determine when the dispensing valve is opened and provide a valve status signal indicative of whether the dispensing valve is opened. Each module further comprises communication means in communication with the valve sensing means and arranged to receive the valve status signal. The base unit comprises a base-module receiver operable to communicate with the communication means of one or more modules to receive the valve status signal therefrom. The apparatus is particularly suitable for alcoholic beverages.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a duckbill valve arrangement (10) for a beverage dispensing container (70). The arrangement (10) includes a tube (11) having a resilient tube wall (12) with an outer surface (15) and defining an internal passageway (13). The arrangement (10) further includes a duckbill valve (30) mounted within the passageway (13). The duckbill valve (30) includes a resiliently closable valve mouth (41) arranged to be opened upon compression of the tube (11). At least one groove (20, 21) extends along the outer surface (15) of the tube wall (12) for reducing the force required to compress the tube (11) and open the duckbill valve (30).

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a beverage dispensing module and flexible pouch. The beverage dispensing module is suitable for alcoholic beverages. The beverage dispensing module includes an outlet arrangement for selectively dispensing beverage, a pressurizing arrangement including resilient bias means connected to a roller and a beverage pouch fluidly connected to the outlet arrangement and mounted with the roller. The resilient bias means, outlet arrangement and roller are configured to form an overpressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, within the pouch.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a beverage dispensing system including at least one beverage dispensing container, a computing device and a base unit upon or within which, in use, the at least one container is positioned. The at least one container includes a reservoir of beverage, a communication element for storing data indicative of contents of the beverage dispensing container, a manually actuatable dispensing valve selectively controlling flow of beverage from the reservoir to a container outlet, and pressurizing means for pressurizing beverage against the dispensing valve such that when the dispensing valve is opened beverage flows from the reservoir and out the container outlet.

Abstract: Parental dependency information for various data fields may be analyzed to create a data field hierarchy. Each of the data fields may be presented in a selectable list through an interface. Once a data field is selected, any immediate parent(s) and/or child(ren) field(s) of the active data element may be demarcated in the list according to the hierarchy. Additional data entry fields relating to the selected data field and its familial fields may also be displayed. Data in each of data fields may also be analyzed to identify fields with incomplete data. Systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: Parental dependency information for various data fields may be analyzed to create a data field hierarchy. Each of the data fields may be presented in a selectable list through an interface. Once a data field is selected, any immediate parent(s) and/or child(ren) field(s) of the active data element may be demarcated in the list according to the hierarchy. Additional data entry fields relating to the selected data field and its familial fields may also be displayed. Data in each of data fields may also be analyzed to identify fields with incomplete data. Systems and methods are provided.