Abstract: An appliance for dispensing a beverage is disclosed. The appliance has a housing that defines an inner space for a beverage keg. The keg extends along a gravitational direction, X1, parallel to the gravity field, from a top position to a bottom position, wherein the top position is higher in the gravity field than the bottom position when the appliance is in use. A pressure unit pressurizes the interior of the keg. A tap unit dispenses beverages from the keg driven by pressure. A cooling unit cools the beverage in the keg. The cooling unit is suitable for cooling a specific cold area of the keg's outer wall to a temperature lower than any other point of the keg. The cold area of the keg is located in the top third portion of the keg according to the X1 direction.

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 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: Pressure regulating valve for controlling the pressure at which a pressurized propellant gas is injected into a container containing a liquid for driving said liquid out of the container, said valve comprising: A first and a second polymeric shells, the first shell comprising a gas inlet and outlet openings, and the second shell containing means for resiliency biasing. A polymeric membrane, clamped between the first and second shells, thus defining a first and a second chambers sealingly separated by the membrane. A joint between the first and second polymeric shells, strong enough to withstand the pressures reigning in either chamber and ensuring fluid tightness between the two chambers; wherein, all polymeric components of said pressure regulating valve are made of the same polymer class.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a malt-based beverage dispenses into a receptacle ready for consumption and for use in an on-trade or off-trade environment. The method has the following steps. The step of composing a first component of the dispensed beverage is performed during dispensing by mixing a liquid with carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen. The step of adding the first component to at least a second beverage component so as to form the dispensed beverage is performed. The carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen is scented.

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: A beverage dispensing device dispenses different types of beverages or beverage components. At least one type of beverage is a malt based beverage or beverage component. The dispensing device has multiple supply lines each extending from a corresponding supply source and having a controllable supply line valve as well as a controlling device for sequentially setting the controllable supply line valves. A beverage dispensing device contains multiple beverages or beverage components to be dispensed into a receptacle after every sequence step has been executed and during a single tapping cycle.

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: The present invention describes appliances for preparing and dispensing beverages, such as beers, featuring a transparent window that allows a user of the appliance to view the beverage in a chamber of the appliance as that beverage is being prepared. The chamber in which the beverage is prepared can be either an integral part of the appliance or a disposable chamber that can be removed and replaced with a new disposable chamber after one or more servings of a beverage has been prepared in the disposable chamber. The appliances can have methods for cleaning the chamber, or the chamber can be self-cleaning. If the chamber for preparing the beverage is a disposable container, it may come with a concentrated beverage already pre-packaged in the container, and the casing of the container can prevent oxygen and light from penetrating the container and affecting the concentrated beverage contained within.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods, systems, and appliances that allow a user to prepare a wide array of different types of customizable beverages using various combinations of base liquids and ingredients. These methods, systems and appliances allow users to design and prepare various types of beverages, both carbonated and non-carbonated, that incorporate various ingredients. These methods, systems, and appliances allow for such beverages to be prepared at varying pressures and temperatures, allowing users to custom-design individual servings of beverages such as beers, wines, ciders, and spirits.

Abstract: 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.

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 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: A beverage dispensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a container containing a beverage to be dispensed. Pressurizing means are provided for increasing the pressure in the interior of the container. A dispensing duct brings in fluid communication the liquid beverage contained in the container with the exterior environment and draws the beverage out of the container. The dispensing duct comprises a dispensing pipe opening to ambient via a valve, and a pressure reducing channel with an opening connecting in fluid communication the interior of the container with the dispensing pipe. The pressure reducing channel is disposed in a housing made of two half bodies joined together. Each body includes a matching open channel forming the closed pressure reducing channel upon joining. At least one of the half bodies is an integral part of either the container's closure or the chime.

Abstract: Beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a self-regulating flow rate control means (5). It comprises: A pressurized container (30, 31) containing a beverage to be dispensed; A dispensing duct (1) defined by at least one wall and bringing in fluid communication the liquid beverage contained in the container through a first opening (1a) with the exterior via a valve (35) and out of a second opening (1b), for drawing beverage out of the container. At least a section (3) of the wall defining the dispensing duct is resiliently flexible and is such that its inner surface, facing the interior of the dispensing duct, is exposed to the pressure, P1, reigning in the duct at that level, and its outer surface, facing out of the duct is exposed to a pressure, P2, substantially equal to the pressure reigning in the container, the resiliently flexible section (3) being suitable for maintaining a substantially constant dispensing flow rate over a given range of operating pressure values, P2, in the 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 dispensing assembly having a container containing a liquid to be dispensed and a dispensing tube bringing in fluid communication with ambient the volume inside the container containing the liquid. The dispensing tube has a flexible, resilient portion ending in an outlet of diameter, D, and is engaged in a pinch valve system. The pinch valve system has a squeezing member suitable for squeezing and obturating a section of the flexible portion located at a distance, h, from the outlet. The ratio, h/D, of the distance, h, to the outlet diameter, D, is not more than 2, preferably, not more than 1.5, more preferably, not more than 1.0.

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 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: 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.