Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to drinkware to provide information to a receiver.

<CIT> relates to a beverage dispensing system with a bottle identification mechanism.

<CIT> relates to devices and methods for extraction of a beverage from a beverage bottle.

One or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the invention allow a user to extract or otherwise dispense a beverage, such as wine, from within a bottle that is sealed by a cork, plug, elastomeric septum or other closure without removing the closure. In some cases, removal of liquid from such a bottle may be performed one or more times, yet the closure may remain in place during and after each beverage extraction to maintain a seal for the bottle. Thus, the beverage may be dispensed from the bottle multiple times and stored for extended periods between each extraction with little or no effect on beverage quality. In some embodiments, little or no gas, such as air, which is reactive with the beverage may be introduced into the bottle either during or after extraction of beverage from within the bottle. Thus, in some embodiments, a user may withdraw wine from a wine bottle without removal of, or damage to, the cork, and without allowing air or other potentially damaging gasses or liquids entry into the bottle.

In some embodiments, a beverage extractor or dispensing device may be secured to the neck of the bottle, such as by clamping a portion of the extractor to the bottle neck, and a needle or other conduit of the beverage extractor may be inserted through the closure (such as a cork of a wine bottle) so that a distal end of the needle is positioned inside of the bottle. Thereafter, pressurized gas may be injected into the bottle via the needle while the bottle is positioned in the bottle support sleeve. The injected gas may be pressure regulated, e.g., to a pressure of <NUM> - <NUM> bar (<NUM>-50psi), or not regulated. For example, pressure in the bottle may allow beverage to flow through the needle and out of the bottle. In some embodiments, the extractor needle may include two lumens or two needles, one for gas and another for beverage, e.g., so that gas may be injected simultaneously with beverage flow out of the bottle.

According to the invention, a container-mounted beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispenser arranged to dispense beverage from a beverage container, and an identification element arranged to be secured to the beverage container. The identification element includes a tag arranged to provide non-optical information to a non-optical reader of the beverage dispenser and that uniquely identifies the tag from other tags. Thus, the beverage dispenser can uniquely identify a beverage container to which the identification element is attached by using the non-optical reader to receive indicia from the tag. As an example, the tag can be an RFID tag that sends a radio frequency signal to an RFID reader of the beverage dispenser. In some cases, reading of the tag by the dispenser can indicate that the dispenser is mounted on a container, e.g., the dispenser may only be able to read a tag that is positioned sufficiently close and/or in a particular area relative to the dispenser that indicates the dispenser is mounted to a container.

The identification element also includes an optically-readable code that is machine readable by a device that optically images the code. For example, the optically-readable code can include a traditional barcode, <NUM>-dimensional barcode, QR code, alphanumeric text or other optically-readable information. The optically-readable code of the identification element may in some cases allow information regarding the beverage in a beverage container to which the identification element is secured to be associated with the identification element. For example, a user may be able to relatively easily associate beverage-specific information with the identification element using the optically readable code. In one embodiment, after securing an identification element to a container, a user may image the optically-readable code of the identification element and a label on the beverage container. In some cases, the optically-readable code and the label may be imaged in a same set of image data, e.g., in a same picture. The optically-readable code may be identified by image analysis, e.g., an alphanumeric string or other identifier associated with the optically-readable code may be decoded or otherwise determined, and the label on the beverage container may be subjected to image analysis as well, e.g., to determine a brand and type of beverage by optical character recognition of text on the label. Alternately, the label need not be subjected to image analysis, and the user may input a beverage brand, type, volume and/or other information via a user interface, e.g., by voice or manually input text. This information may be stored in a computer system, e.g., the optically-readable code identifier and the beverage information for each identification element and beverage container pair may be stored in records of a database or other storage arrangement of the computer system. Thus, the identification element, both the tag indicia and the optically-readable code identifier, may be associated with beverage-specific information for a container to which the identification element is secured and stored for later use. Such information may be used in a variety of different ways, such as allowing a user to manage multiple containers in the user's collection by providing a beverage inventory list to the user, indicating how much beverage remains in particular beverage containers, indicating a first date, or dates, on which beverage was dispensed from a container, etc. In some embodiments, a user may query the computer system to identify containers meeting particular criteria, such as wine of a particular type or vintage in the collection, and the computer system may provide a display of results. In other cases, the computer system may display information to a user regarding a beverage currently being dispensed by a beverage dispenser, e.g., a display of the container label may be made, along with other information such as food pairings, similar tasting wines or other beverages, other beverages in the collection that were previously dispensed with this beverage, etc..

Also, the beverage dispenser may use beverage-specific information for a particular container to control one or more features of the beverage dispenser. For example, the beverage dispenser may receive indicia from a tag on a beverage container, and may receive or retrieve beverage-specific information associated with the container to which the identification element is secured. For example, the beverage dispenser may receive information regarding an amount of beverage remaining in the container, and control the flow of pressurized gas into the container in a suitable way to achieve a desired dispense rate (containers with less beverage remaining may require a higher gas flow rate to achieve a same beverage dispense rate as containers that are more full). The beverage dispenser can also provide information regarding dispensing of the beverage, e.g., an amount dispensed and/or a date of dispensing from the container, which may be associated with the identification element, and thus the beverage container. This information may be used to update the record information, e.g., the computer system may update a record corresponding to the container and identification element to reflect the changed amount of beverage remaining.

According to the invention, the beverage dispenser may include at least one conduit to deliver gas into a container holding a beverage and to receive beverage from the container for dispensing in a user's cup. For example, a single or multiple lumen needle or other conduit may be provided and arranged to be inserted through a cork or other closure of a wine bottle. At least one valve is used to control gas flow into the container or beverage flow out of the container via the at least one conduit. For example, a gas control valve may be arranged to control flow of gas from a source of pressurized gas to the at least one conduit, and a beverage control valve may be arranged to control flow of beverage from the at least one conduit to a beverage outlet. A non-optical reader may read information from a tag of an identification element on a beverage container, and control circuitry of the dispenser is arranged to send or receive information regarding the indicia, such as to receive information regarding a volume of beverage remaining in the container or to send information regarding a volume of beverage dispensed. This information may be useful where the dispenser is used to dispense beverage, is disengaged from the container, and then reengaged at a later time to dispense beverage. Based on indicia received from a tag of an identification element on a container, the control circuitry may recall the amount of beverage remaining in the container and control dispensing accordingly, e.g., by controlling gas flow into the container based on an amount of beverage remaining. In some cases, the control circuitry may be arranged to determine an amount of beverage remaining in the container during dispensing based on an amount of gas delivered to the container. For example, the control circuitry may determine an amount of gas delivered to the container based on a time that a gas control valve is open to deliver pressurized gas to the container. Where the gas is pressure regulated or other characteristics of gas flow rate can be known, the control circuitry may determine an amount of gas delivered based on the flow rate and open time for the gas valve.

In another embodiment, a beverage management system includes a plurality of identification elements each arranged to be secured to a beverage container. Each identification element includes a tag arranged to provide information to a non-optical reader including indicia that uniquely identifies the tag from other tags, and an optically-readable code that is machine readable by a device that optically images the code and that represents an identifier that uniquely identifies the optically-readable code from other codes. A computer device may include a memory to store a plurality of records each corresponding to an identification element, with each of the plurality of records including information regarding a beverage in a beverage container to which a corresponding identification element is secured.

In some embodiments, the records may include information regarding a volume of beverage in each beverage container, a brand of the beverage in the beverage container, a type of the beverage in the beverage container, a vintage of the beverage in the container, or at least one date on which beverage was dispensed from the beverage container. In some embodiments, a beverage dispenser may be arranged to receive the indicia from the tag on a container and to dispense beverage from the container. The beverage dispenser may be arranged to send information to the computer device regarding a date on which beverage is dispensed from the container or a volume of beverage dispensed from the container, and the computer device may be arranged update a record corresponding to the container to include the information from the beverage dispenser. In some cases, a user computer device may be arranged to receive information from a computer server regarding one or more records and to display the information on the user computer device to a user. The displayed information may include at least one of a volume of beverage in a beverage container, a brand of the beverage in the beverage container, a type of the beverage in the beverage container, a vintage of the beverage in the container or at least one date on which beverage was dispensed from the beverage container. Use of the term "record" is not intended to require any particular database format or even use of a database structure at all to store and manage information regarding identification elements and associated beverage information. Instead, "record" information may be stored in any suitable way.

Various exemplary embodiments of the device are further depicted and described below.

Aspects of the invention are described with reference to various embodiments, and to the figures, which include:.

One or more features of the embodiments described may be combined with any other suitable features of other embodiments.

<FIG> show schematic views of one embodiment of a beverage extraction device (or extractor) <NUM> and an identification element <NUM> that incorporate one or more aspects of the invention. Generally, the device <NUM> is used to insert a needle or other conduit into a beverage container <NUM>, inject gas into the container <NUM> via the conduit, and dispense beverage forced out of the container <NUM> by the injected gas or other pressure in the container. This illustrative device <NUM> includes a body <NUM> with an attached source of pressurized gas <NUM> (such as a compressed gas cylinder) that provides gas under pressure (e.g., <NUM> bar (<NUM> psi) or less as dispensed from the cylinder) to a regulator <NUM>. In this arrangement, the cylinder <NUM> is secured to the body <NUM> and regulator <NUM> by a threaded connection, although other configurations are possible, such as those described below and/or in <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. The regulator <NUM> is shown schematically and without detail, but can be any of a variety of commercially available or other single or multi-stage pressure regulators capable of regulating gas pressures to a pre-set or variable outlet pressure. The main function of the regulator <NUM> is to provide gas at a pressure and flow rate suitable for delivery to the container <NUM> (such as a wine bottle), e.g., so that a pressure established inside the container <NUM> does not exceed a desired level. In other embodiments, no pressure regulation of the gas released from the cylinder <NUM> need be done, and instead, unregulated gas pressure may be delivered to the container <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the body <NUM> also includes at least one valve to control the flow of gas and/or a flow of beverage from the container <NUM>. In this embodiment, a gas control valve <NUM> is provided to control the flow of gas from the gas source <NUM> to a conduit in fluid communication with the interior of the container <NUM>, and a beverage control valve <NUM> to control the flow of beverage from the container <NUM> to a dispensing outlet <NUM>. (In some embodiments, the dispensing outlet <NUM> or a portion of the outlet <NUM> such as a tube may be removable or replaceable, e.g., for cleaning. ) However, other arrangements are possible, e.g., a single valve may control the flow of both gas and beverage (e.g., using a three-way valve), a single valve may be used to control gas flow only (e.g., a beverage flow conduit may be always open from the container interior to the dispensing outlet and beverage may flow as gas is introduced into the container), or a single valve may be used to control beverage flow only (e.g., gas flow from the gas source <NUM> to the container <NUM> may be always open with the device <NUM> engaged with a container <NUM> and beverage flow may be controlled by opening/closing a beverage control valve only). One or both valves <NUM>, <NUM> may be controlled by a controller <NUM>, i.e., control circuitry. For example, the controller <NUM> may detect when the device <NUM> is engaged with a container <NUM>, e.g., by detecting that a needle <NUM> has been inserted through a cork or a device <NUM> clamp is engaged with a container neck, and then control the valves accordingly. Where not controlled by a controller, the valves may be manually operable by a user, and/or a user may provide input to the controller <NUM> to cause the valves to open and/or close. As another option, operation of the valves may be tied together, whether mechanically or via electronic control, e.g., so that when one valve is opened, the other valve is closed, and vice versa, or so that when one valve is open the other valve is open as well (such as when using a two lumen needle).

As discussed more below, the device <NUM> includes a non-optical reader <NUM> that can receive information from an identification element <NUM> on a container <NUM>. The identification element <NUM> includes a tag <NUM> which can send information including indicia to the non-optical reader <NUM> where the indicia uniquely identifies the tag <NUM> (and thus the identification element <NUM>) from other tags <NUM>. The indicia may be used by the non-optical reader <NUM> and the controller <NUM> to identify the container <NUM> and aspects of the beverage within the container <NUM>. Alternately, or in addition, the controller <NUM> may determine that the device <NUM> is engaged with a container <NUM> when the non-optical reader <NUM> communicates with a tag <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may determine the device is engaged with a container <NUM> when the needle <NUM> is inserted through a closure <NUM> and the non-optical reader <NUM> receives indicia from a tag <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the identification element <NUM> located below a neck of the container <NUM> and relatively distant from the device <NUM>, the identification element <NUM> may be positioned in any suitable location on the container <NUM>. In some embodiments, including those where the device <NUM> determines it is engaged with a container <NUM> based on the non-optical reader <NUM> communicating with the tag <NUM>, the identification element <NUM> may be positioned on the neck of the container <NUM> near or at a location where the device <NUM> engages the container <NUM>. This may enable near field communications between the tag <NUM> and the non-optical reader <NUM> such that the device <NUM> can accurately determine that it is engaged with a container <NUM> based on reading the tag <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the non-optical reader <NUM> such as an antenna that sends and/or receives radio frequency signals to a tag <NUM> may be located on a clamp or other portion of the device <NUM> that is engaged with the container <NUM>. The tag <NUM> may be located on the container <NUM> appropriately for communications, e.g., under the clamp or other portion of the device <NUM> so that the tag <NUM> is positioned close to the antenna.

Since the indicia may uniquely identify the tag <NUM>, and the container <NUM> to which the tag <NUM> is secured, the device <NUM> may retrieve information specific to the container <NUM> and beverage in the container. For example, the controller <NUM> may include a memory that stores information regarding indicia from tags and corresponding information regarding a brand or type of beverage in the container, an amount of beverage remaining in the container, or other characteristics of the beverage. In some embodiments, when a device <NUM> receives indicia from a tag <NUM> that it has not encountered before, the device <NUM> may prompt a user to input various information to the device <NUM>, such as a brand of the beverage, a type of beverage, a beverage volume, etc. This information may be input by a user interface on the device <NUM>, or by a remote device such as a smartphone with a user interface that accepts the information from the user (e.g., by touch screen or voice input) and then sends the information (either directly or indirectly) to the device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may store the user-provided information in a memory, and associate the user-provided information with indicia read from the tag <NUM>. In another embodiment, the tag <NUM> may provide information regarding the container and/or beverage characteristics along with the indicia to the non-optical reader <NUM>. As an example, such type of communication is widely used with RFID tags, e.g., that employ electronic product code (EPC) type identifiers. In this way, the tag <NUM> could send not only indicia to the non-contact reader <NUM>, but also information regarding the container and its beverage.

The identification element <NUM> includes an optically-readable code <NUM>, which may be a barcode, <NUM>-dimensional barcode, QR code, alphanumeric text, or other code that can be machine read and identified. While in some embodiments the device <NUM> could include an imaging device or other component to optically read and identify the optically readable code <NUM>, in this embodiment the device <NUM> includes only a non-optical reader <NUM>. Like the indicia of the tag <NUM>, the optically readable code <NUM> may uniquely identify the identification element <NUM> and the container <NUM> from others and may be used to associate the identification element <NUM> with a particular container <NUM>. For example, while a bottler or distributor of the container <NUM> may apply an identification element <NUM> to a container <NUM>, a user may apply the identification element <NUM> to a container <NUM>, e.g., by an adhesive backing on the identification element <NUM>. To associate the identification element <NUM> with the particular container <NUM> to which it is secured and suitably store information relating the two, a user may image the optically-readable code <NUM>, e.g., using the camera function of a smartphone or other computer device. The smartphone or other computer device may run an application that analyzes the image of the code <NUM> and decodes or otherwise determines a unique identifier that the code <NUM> represents. This unique identifier may be used by the application to create a new container record, which may include information regarding the brand and type of beverage in the container <NUM>, an initial volume of beverage, dispensing parameters for the beverage, etc. In addition or alternately to a computer device automatically determining beverage information, a user may be prompted by the smartphone to enter beverage-related information into a record, e.g., by typing manually or voice input. In another embodiment, the user may employ the smartphone or other computer device to image a label <NUM> on the container <NUM> as well, and the image data for the label <NUM> may be stored with the record regarding the identification element <NUM>. In addition, or alternately, the application (running on the smartphone or on a remote computer) may perform image analysis on the label <NUM> image, e.g., optical character analysis, to generate alphanumeric text representing a brand, type, volume of beverage or other information included on the label, and this information may be included in the record for the container <NUM>. Alternately, this record information may be retrieved from a remote resource, such as a remote server, that uses the label image data to identify corresponding information in a database. For example, the label image data may be compared to stored image data at the remote server, and when a match is identified, information associated with the stored image data (including beverage brand, type, vintage, volume, etc.) may be retrieved and associated with the record regarding the identification element <NUM>. In one embodiment, a user may employ a smartphone or other computer device to simultaneously image the optically readable code <NUM> and the label <NUM> is a same image. This image data may be sent to a remote server, which processes the label <NUM> information and generates a record for the identification element <NUM> carrying the code <NUM> and associated container <NUM> information. This record may include the tag <NUM> indicia, the code <NUM> identifier, a brand/type/vintage/volume/etc. of the beverage, and other information. As discussed more below, records regarding identification elements <NUM> and associated containers <NUM> may be used for a variety of different purposes, including controlling dispensing of beverage, tracking beverage volume dispensed and remaining in containers, and other functions.

To extract beverage from a container <NUM>, at least one conduit of the device <NUM> is put in fluid communication with the interior of the container <NUM>. A needle <NUM> attached to the body <NUM> is inserted through a cork or other closure <NUM> that seals an opening at a neck of the container <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this illustrative device <NUM>, the needle <NUM> includes one or two lumens or conduits with a needle opening <NUM> along a sidewall of the needle near the needle tip. While the needle <NUM> may be inserted into and through the cork or other closure <NUM> in different ways, the device <NUM> includes a base <NUM> (which may be secured to the container <NUM> by a clamp as discussed below) with a pair of channels <NUM> that receive and guide movement of respective rails <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Thus, movement of the body <NUM> and attached needle <NUM> relative to the container closure <NUM> may be guided by the base <NUM>, e.g., the body <NUM> may slide relative to the base <NUM> to move the needle <NUM> into/out of the closure <NUM>. In addition, movement of the needle <NUM> may be guided by a needle guide <NUM> that is attached to the base <NUM> and positioned over the closure <NUM>. To insert the needle <NUM> through the closure <NUM>, a user may push downwardly on the body <NUM> while maintaining the base <NUM> and the container <NUM> at least somewhat stationary relative to each other. The needle <NUM> will pass through the closure <NUM>, guided in its motion, at least in part, by the guided motion of the body <NUM> relative to the base <NUM> (e.g., by the rails <NUM> and channels <NUM>). With the needle <NUM> suitably inserted as shown in <FIG>, a needle opening <NUM> at the needle tip may be positioned below the closure <NUM> and within the enclosed space of the container <NUM>. This allows fluid communication between the interior of the container <NUM> and one or more conduits of the needle <NUM>.

Other arrangements for guiding movement of the body <NUM> relative to the base <NUM>. are possible, such as providing one or more rails on the base <NUM> which engage with a channel or other receiver of the body <NUM>, providing an elongated slot, channel or groove on the body or base which engages with a corresponding feature (e.g., a tab) on the other of the body or base and allows for sliding movement, a linkage that connects the body and base together and allows for movement of the body to insert the needle into the closure, and others.

In embodiments where a needle <NUM> includes one lumen or conduit, the valves <NUM>, <NUM> may be controlled to alternately provide pressurized gas into the container <NUM> and allow beverage to flow from the container <NUM>. For example, gas may first be introduced into the container <NUM> via the single conduit to establish a pressurized condition in the container <NUM>, and then gas flow may be stopped and pressurized beverage may be permitted to flow out of the single conduit to the dispensing outlet. Where the needle <NUM> includes two lumens or conduits (or two or more needles are used), one or more conduits may be dedicated to gas flow into the container and one or more other conduits may be dedicated to beverage flow. Thus, the gas control valve <NUM> may control gas flow into the gas conduit(s), and the beverage control valve <NUM> may control beverage flow from the beverage conduit(s). Alternately, only one of the valves <NUM>, <NUM> need be provided to control beverage flow, e.g., the gas control valve <NUM> may be opened/closed and beverage may flow out of the container and to the dispensing outlet <NUM> via a dedicated, always open beverage conduit depending on pressure in the container. It should be appreciated that use of a needle or other structure capable of penetrating a cork or other closure is not necessary. Instead, any suitable hose, pipe, tube or other conduit may be used instead of a needle, e.g., a cork may be removed and the conduits fluidly coupled to the container <NUM>, e.g., by a plug or cap through which the conduit(s) extend.

In some embodiments, the beverage extraction device may detect whether the container is in a pour or no-pour orientation, and automatically control portions of the device to dispense beverage while in the pour orientation, but not while in the no-pour orientation. For example, the device <NUM> may include an orientation sensor <NUM> constructed and arranged to detect a pour condition when a bottom of the container <NUM> is positioned above an opening of the container <NUM> (e.g., where a closure <NUM> is located). Alternately, the orientation sensor <NUM> may detect a pour condition when a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the container <NUM> is rotated about a horizontal axis by at least <NUM> degrees, or other movement of the container <NUM> that represents beverage is to be dispensed from the container <NUM>. To detect such conditions, the orientation sensor <NUM> may include one or more gyroscopes, accelerometers, mercury or other switches, etc., arranged to detect motion and/or position of the device <NUM> and container <NUM> relative to gravity. In another embodiment, the orientation sensor <NUM> may detect a pour condition when beverage is in contact with a needle <NUM> or other conduit arranged to receive beverage. For example, the orientation sensor <NUM> may include a conductivity sensor, float switch or other arrangement to detect the presence of liquid beverage at the distal end of the needle <NUM> or other conduit that receives beverage.

These conditions, or others, detected by the orientation sensor <NUM> can be used by the controller <NUM> to determine that the user has manipulated the container <NUM> to dispense beverage from the container <NUM>, i.e., the container is in a pour orientation. In response, the controller <NUM> can control one or more valves to dispense beverage from the container <NUM>. For example, in the illustrative embodiment of <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may detect that the container <NUM> has been rotated <NUM> degrees or more relative to an upward direction (i.e., a direction opposite to the direction of local gravitational force) and open the gas valve <NUM> to deliver pressurized gas into the container <NUM>. Thereafter, the controller <NUM> may close the gas control valve <NUM> and open the beverage control valve <NUM> to allow beverage to be dispensed via the dispensing outlet <NUM>. This configuration allows the device <NUM> to use a single lumen needle <NUM> to dispense beverage from the container. As will be understood, the controller <NUM> may cause beverage to be dispensed intermittently, e.g., by alternately opening the gas control valve <NUM>/closing the beverage control valve <NUM> to deliver pressurized gas into the container <NUM> and closing the gas control valve <NUM>/opening the beverage control valve <NUM> to dispense beverage from the container <NUM>. Where the needle <NUM> or other element has two conduits, the controller <NUM> may simultaneously open the gas control and beverage control valves <NUM>, <NUM> to dispense beverage. As noted above, beverage dispensing can be controlled in other ways depending on a number of conduits in fluid communication with the container <NUM> and/or a valve arrangement. For example, if a two-lumen needle <NUM> is employed, the device <NUM> may include only a gas control valve <NUM> or only a beverage control valve <NUM>, which is opened to dispense beverage and closed to stop dispensing.

The controller <NUM> may continuously, periodically or otherwise monitor the orientation information from the orientation sensor <NUM> and control beverage dispensing accordingly. For example, if the orientation sensor <NUM> detects that the container <NUM> is no longer in a pour orientation, the controller <NUM> may stop beverage dispensing, such as by closing the gas and/or beverage control valves <NUM>, <NUM>. If the device <NUM> is again detected to be in a pour orientation, beverage dispensing may begin again.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control an amount or volume of beverage dispensed for each pouring operation, e.g., for each time the device <NUM> is detected to be in a pour orientation and remains in the pour orientation for an extended period such as <NUM> second or more. For example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to dispense a predetermined amount of beverage, such as <NUM> or <NUM> ounces/<NUM> or <NUM>, for each pouring operation. In other arrangements, the controller <NUM> can receive user input to select one of two or more volume options, such as pouring a "taste" or relatively small amount, or pouring one or more larger volumes. Thus, the controller <NUM> may include a push button, voice control, or other user interface to receive selectable dispense volume information. Based on the selected pour volume, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the valve(s) to dispense the selected amount. Note that controller <NUM> control of a dispense volume need not be coupled with an ability to detect whether a container is in a pour/no-pour orientation. Instead, a user may select a desired dispense volume and then press a button or other actuator to initiate dispensing. The controller <NUM> may stop dispensing when the selected volume has been dispensed, e.g., by closing a suitable valve. The volume of beverage dispensed may be stored by the controller <NUM>, and included with or otherwise used to update a record for the identification element <NUM>/container <NUM>. This may help a user keep track of how much beverage is included with each container <NUM> in an inventory of containers <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> can control how much beverage is dispensed in different ways. For example, the controller <NUM> may include a flow sensor arranged to detect an amount of beverage dispensed and control operation of the valve(s) based on information from the flow sensor. In another arrangement, the controller <NUM> may determine an amount of beverage dispensed based on a time that the beverage control valve <NUM> is open for dispensing. Where a pressure in the container <NUM> and/or other dispense conditions are known (e.g., a flow rate through a needle <NUM> may be relatively constant even for a relatively wide range of pressures in the container), a time-based control of beverage volume corresponding to an open time for the beverage control valve <NUM> may be sufficiently accurate. In another embodiment, the controller <NUM> may determine a flow rate from the container based on a pressure in the container <NUM>, and thus may include a pressure sensor <NUM> to detect a value indicative of a pressure in the container <NUM>. The pressure sensor <NUM> may have a sensor element positioned in the container (e.g., at an end of the needle <NUM>), in a conduit between the gas source and the container, or in other suitable locations to provide an indication of pressure in the container <NUM>. The pressure detected by the pressure sensor <NUM> may be used by the controller <NUM> to determine a flow rate of beverage from the container <NUM>, and thus determine an amount of beverage dispensed (e.g., a flow rate of beverage out of the dispensing outlet <NUM> may be related to pressure in the container <NUM>, and by multiplying the flow rate(s) by a dispense time, the dispense volume may be determined).

Information from the pressure sensor <NUM> may also be used by the controller <NUM> to control a pressure in the container <NUM> to be within a desired range. For example, the controller <NUM> may control pressure in the container <NUM> to be within a desired range to ensure that beverage is dispensed at a suitably high rate and/or at a known flow rate. In another arrangement, the controller <NUM> may control the pressure in the container <NUM> to be somewhat lower, e.g., to preserve gas provided from the gas source <NUM> and dispense at a slower flow rate. In some cases, a user may be able to set the device <NUM> to operate in different dispensing modes, such as "fast pour" or "save gas" modes in which the device <NUM> operates to dispense beverage at a maximum or other relatively high rate using a relatively higher pressure in the container <NUM> (a fast pour mode) or operates to dispense beverage in a way that uses as little dispensing gas as possible by using a relatively lower pressure in the container <NUM> (a save gas mode). Alternately, a user could interact with the controller <NUM> to adjust the dispense rate up or down, or information regarding the type of beverage or other beverage characteristic may be used to determine a dispense rate. Again, the user could provide the dispense speed information by a user interface of the controller <NUM> or other means, and a selectable dispense rate feature may be used with or without dispense volume control, e.g., where the controller <NUM> dispenses a specified volume of beverage.

In some embodiments, a dispensing device may be arranged to determine a volume of beverage remaining in a container, and the volume of beverage in the container may be determined based on a change in pressure over a time period that pressurized gas is delivered to the container. For example, the device <NUM> may include a source of pressurized gas <NUM> that is used to deliver gas into a container. The device <NUM> may measure a rate at which pressure increases in the container <NUM>, and based on the pressure rate change determine an amount of beverage in the container. The pressure of gas provided to the container may be regulated, e.g., so that gas is provided at a relatively constant pressure to the container during the pressure rate change measurement. Pressure in the container may be measured, e.g., using a pressure sensor <NUM>, and as will be understood, the rate change of pressure in the container will tend to be lower for containers having less beverage volume and larger gas volume inside the container. The controller <NUM> may store a look-up table of values that each correspond an amount of beverage remaining with a detected pressure rate change, or may use an algorithm that employs a pressure rate change to determine a remaining volume of beverage. In another embodiment, the controller <NUM> need not include a pressure sensor <NUM>, and may instead provide gas to the container at a regulated pressure until a pressure in the container equalizes with the regulated pressure. The time over which the container takes to equalize pressure may be used by the controller <NUM> to determine a remaining beverage volume, e.g., by look up table, algorithm, etc. The controller <NUM> may prevent beverage dispensing during a time that the container is pressurized during volume remaining measurement, or may dispense beverage during a pressurization period used to determine a volume of beverage in the container. Information regarding a volume of beverage in a container <NUM> may be included in a record associated with the container <NUM> and an identification element <NUM>, as discussed above. (Dispensing of beverage during volume remaining measurement need not be problematic to determining the volume remaining since the controller <NUM> may store information regarding a rate at which flow out of the container occurs, and/or the algorithm, look up table, or other means by which a remaining volume is determined may be arranged to account for dispensing.

In another embodiment, the device <NUM> may be arranged to determine a volume of beverage remaining in a container based on a change in pressure in the container while beverage is being dispensed. For example, generally speaking, a container with a larger gas volume will experience a slower drop in pressure for a unit volume of beverage dispensed than a container with a smaller gas volume. This relationship may be used by the device <NUM> to determine a remaining beverage volume in a container during dispensing. For example, a source of pressurized gas <NUM> may be used to deliver gas into a container, either before or during beverage dispensing, and the device <NUM> may measure a rate at which pressure decreases in the container <NUM> during dispensing. Based on the pressure decrease rate, the controller <NUM> may determine an amount of beverage in the container. As in other embodiments, the pressure of gas provided to the container may be regulated, or may not be regulated. Pressure in the container may be measured, e.g., using a pressure sensor <NUM>, as discussed above. To determine the remaining volume of beverage, the controller <NUM> may store a look-up table of values that each correspond an amount of beverage remaining with a detected pressure rate change, or may use an algorithm that employs a pressure rate change to determine a remaining volume of beverage. The determined amount of beverage remaining in the container <NUM> may be used to control gas delivery for dispensing, e.g., a container having a relatively small amount of remaining beverage may require a larger volume of gas for dispensing a given amount of beverage than a container that is more full. Thus, for example, the controller <NUM> may adjust gas valve <NUM> open times depending on a remaining amount of beverage in the container <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the device <NUM> may include or be associated with a component, such as a scale, that is capable of weighing the container <NUM> and its beverage both before and after dispensing. The scale may determine the change in weight of the container <NUM>, and thus determine an amount of beverage dispensed and/or remaining in the container. As in other cases above, this information may be used to update a record for the container <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a cross sectional size of one or more lumens in a needle or other conduit or other resistance to flow of the needle/conduit may influence gas and/or beverage flow through the needle or other conduit. In some cases, needles may be coded or otherwise identified so that a controller <NUM> can receive information regarding a restriction to flow of the needle. For example, needles or other conduits may have an identification number or other text, an RFID tag, a magnet indicator, or other arrangement that includes or represents information regarding flow restriction for the needle. A user may provide the identification number or other indicia to the controller <NUM> (e.g., by a user interface), or the controller <NUM> may read the indicia on the needle itself (e.g., in the case of an RFID tag or magnet indicator). The controller <NUM> may then use the flow restriction information to control gas and/or beverage dispensing.

Where the controller <NUM> determines an amount of remaining beverage and the device <NUM> is subsequently (or concurrently) used to dispense beverage, the controller <NUM> may adjust (reduce) the amount of remaining beverage by an amount of beverage dispensed. For example, the controller <NUM> may measure an amount of time that a beverage control valve <NUM> is open and use that information to determine an amount of beverage dispensed. The dispensed beverage may be used to reduce the remaining amount earlier determined to update the remaining amount. Where the controller <NUM> dispenses during a time that the controller <NUM> determines an amount of remaining beverage, the controller <NUM> may take dispensed beverage into account, e.g., an algorithm used to determine an amount of remaining beverage may take beverage dispensed during the measurement operation into account. Note also that the controller <NUM> may use an amount of dispensed beverage to determine an amount of beverage remaining in a container. For example, when the device <NUM> is associated with a container <NUM> that has never been accessed, the device <NUM> may assume that the container <NUM> initially has a starting volume of beverage (e.g., <NUM> of wine), and may subtract an amount of beverage dispensed from the starting volume to determine a remaining volume in the container.

The controller <NUM> may store records regarding an identification element <NUM> and associated container/beverage information, or may receive such record information for use by the controller <NUM>. As an example, when the device <NUM> is used with a previously used container, the controller <NUM> may display a remaining amount of beverage, such as on a visual display, by audibly announcing a remaining amount, etc. In another embodiment, the controller <NUM> may communicate a remaining amount of beverage or other information to another device, such as a personal computer, server, smartphone or other device, whether by wireless or wired connection. As will be understood, a smartphone or other similar device may operate an application that enables communication with one or more devices <NUM>, manages display of information and/or user input to the device <NUM>, etc. The application may also manage communication between the device <NUM> and the smartphone, such as by Bluetooth or other wireless communication, so the devices may share information. This may allow a user to view on the smartphone or other device how much beverage is remaining, as well as other information such as a type of beverage in the container, how much gas is left in the gas source <NUM> or how much beverage can be dispensed with the remaining gas, a type of gas in the gas source <NUM> (e.g., argon, carbon dioxide, etc.), when a container was first accessed for dispensing, and/or a size of needle mounted on the device (needle size may be relevant for different container closures. For example, a smaller size needle may be desired for certain types of corks or other closures and/or to help ensure that the cork will reseal upon removal of the needle, whereas larger needles may be desired for faster dispense speeds.

<FIG> shows a beverage dispensing and information system in an illustrative embodiment. In this example, one or more containers <NUM> each include an identification element <NUM> with an optically readable code <NUM> and a tag <NUM> that can be read by non-optical means. For example, the tag <NUM> may be an RFID tag, a magnetic element (e.g., an encoded magnetic strip) whose unique signature can be recognized, an electronic circuit that can be read using one or more electrical contacts or in a contactless way, etc. The identification element <NUM> may be secured to the container <NUM> by a user, or by a bottler or distributor of the container <NUM>. If a user would like to keep track of the container <NUM> or otherwise employ one or more features supported by the identification element <NUM>, the user may run an associated application on a smartphone or other computer device <NUM>. To log the container <NUM> into the user's system, the user may image the identification element <NUM> and the label <NUM> using a camera feature or other imager of the computer device <NUM>. A single image including both the identification element <NUM> (and the code <NUM>) and a label <NUM> on the container <NUM> may be captured and sent by the application to a remote server <NUM>, e.g., via an Internet connection and/or other communications network. The server <NUM> may identify the identification element <NUM>, e.g., by decoding the optically readable code <NUM>, and retrieve information regarding correspondence of the code <NUM> identifier and the tag <NUM> indicia for the identification element <NUM>. (When identification elements <NUM> are manufactured, information regarding the code <NUM> identifier and the tag <NUM> indicia for each identification element <NUM> may be stored and later accessed by the server <NUM>. ) The server <NUM> may also analyze the label <NUM> image data, e.g., to determine the brand, type, vintage, volume or other features of the beverage in the container <NUM>. As one example, if the container <NUM> is a wine bottle, the vineyard, vintage year, wine type, volume of beverage, and other characteristics of the wine may be identified and included in a record associated with the container <NUM> and the identification element <NUM>. This information may be obtained from optical character recognition processing of the label <NUM> image, and/or retrieval of stored information by matching the label, or at least some information on the label, with a corresponding set of stored information. The server <NUM> may create a record <NUM> for the container <NUM> and the identification element <NUM>, which may also be associated with the user and/or the computer device <NUM>, and may share the record <NUM> or portions of the record <NUM> with the computer device <NUM> and/or the device <NUM>. As noted above, the server <NUM> may request, or permit, a user to enter information at the computer device <NUM> for inclusion in a record for a container <NUM> and associated identification element <NUM>. This may be useful where, for example, a label <NUM> cannot be accurately image processed to determine beverage information.

Employing the computer device <NUM> and the application, a user can request and receive a variety of different information from the server <NUM>. For example, a user could send a search request to the server <NUM> to identify all wines of a particular type that the user has logged into the system, or all wines that were first accessed for dispensing more than <NUM> months prior. The server <NUM> can respond with a report of the containers <NUM> meeting the criteria, and may include other information as well, such as a last known location of the containers <NUM>, dates when the containers <NUM> were accessed by a dispenser <NUM>, the amount of beverage remaining, etc. The server <NUM> could provide other information as well, such as other wines that are similar to the particular type searched by the user, sales offers for the wines that are currently going on, foods that might pair well with the wines searched, etc..

When using a dispenser <NUM> to dispense beverage from a container <NUM>, the dispenser <NUM> may receive tag <NUM> indicia via the non-optical reader <NUM>. This may allow the dispenser <NUM> to identify the container <NUM> and control operation or provide user information accordingly. For example, the dispenser <NUM> may determine that the volume of beverage remaining in the container <NUM> is relatively low, and increase a pressurized gas flow rate to speed dispensing. The dispenser <NUM> may determine characteristics of the container <NUM> by accessing records stored in the dispenser <NUM> and/or by receiving information from the server <NUM> and/or the computer device <NUM>. Also, as noted above, the dispenser <NUM> may send information to the server <NUM> to update a record corresponding to the container <NUM>, such as an amount of beverage dispensed, a number of times the beverage was dispensed, a date of dispensing, a current location of the container <NUM>, etc. The server <NUM> may update the record accordingly, and may share information with the computer device <NUM>, e.g., to present a display of the wine currently being dispensed and related information, such as a critic rating of the wine, suggested food pairings, other wines that taste similar, chemical characteristics of the wine, etc. The server <NUM> and/or the dispenser <NUM> may also track other information, such as an amount of pressurized gas remaining in a gas cylinder attached to the dispenser <NUM>, and may provide information at the dispenser <NUM> or the computer device <NUM> indicating how many pours can be completed with remaining gas supply, requesting whether additional gas capsules should be purchased, etc. As noted above, information may be relayed directly from the device <NUM> to a user's smartphone or other device <NUM> for display to the user, whether by visual indication, audible indication, etc..

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may be arranged to determine and track an amount of gas in the gas source, such as a compressed gas cylinder. Such information may be useful, e.g., to alert a user that a gas source is about to run out. For example, in one embodiment the controller may have a pressure sensor <NUM> arranged to detect a pressure of gas in the gas cylinder <NUM>, and use the detected pressure to determine how much gas remains in the cylinder. This information may be used by the controller <NUM> to provide information to a user that the cylinder <NUM> should be replaced, a warning that the cylinder may run out soon, etc. In another embodiment, the controller <NUM> may determine a pressure in the gas cylinder or other value indicative of an amount of gas left in the cylinder based on an amount of time that a gas control valve <NUM> or beverage dispense valve <NUM> is open to cause gas delivery into the container. For example, where a regulator <NUM> is provided, the controller <NUM> may store information that represents a total time that the gas source <NUM> can deliver gas at the regulated pressure. When a gas cylinder or other source <NUM> is replaced, the controller <NUM> may detect the replacement and then track a total time that gas is delivered from the gas source <NUM>, e.g., based on how long a gas control valve is open. The total delivery time may be used to indicate an amount of gas left in the source <NUM>, e.g., ¾ full, ½ full, etc., and/or indicate when the source <NUM> is about to run out. The controller <NUM> may also refuse to perform a dispensing operation where the gas source <NUM> does not have sufficient gas to perform the operation. In other arrangements, the controller <NUM> may determine an amount of gas remaining in a gas source <NUM> based on how much beverage is dispensed. As discussed above, the controller <NUM> may determine how much beverage is dispensed from one or more containers, and determine an amount of gas remaining in a gas source <NUM> based on how much total beverage has been dispensed using the gas source <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may store information regarding a total number of ounces or other volume measurement a gas source <NUM> can be used to dispense, and the controller <NUM> may display an amount of gas remaining that corresponds to the amount of beverage dispensed.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may detect a gas source <NUM> and determine characteristics of the gas source <NUM> for use in operation of the dispensing device <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may detect an RFID tag, barcode, color tag, or other indicia on a gas source <NUM> (such as a gas cylinder) an identify a variety of different characteristics of the gas source <NUM> based on the indicia, such as a type of gas in the source <NUM>, an amount of gas in the source <NUM>, an amount of beverage that may be dispensed using the source <NUM>, an initial pressure of gas in the source <NUM>, etc. The controller <NUM> may adjust operation of the device <NUM> based on the type of gas source or other characteristics. For example, if the controller <NUM> detects that the gas source <NUM> has a relatively low initial pressure, the controller <NUM> may select a smaller total beverage volume that can be dispensed using the gas source <NUM> as compared to a higher pressure gas source. This may allow the controller <NUM> to more accurately indicate how much gas is remaining in the source <NUM> over time, i.e., as beverage is dispensed.

In yet another embodiment, the controller <NUM> may detect when a gas source <NUM> is nearing an empty state without monitoring how much gas is used from a gas source. In some cases, such as when a single stage regulator <NUM> is used with a gas source <NUM>, a dispense pressure from the regulator will rise above a normal setting as the gas source <NUM> is running low. (It is believed that the rise in pressure is due to the relatively low pressure in the gas source <NUM> being insufficient to cause the regulator valve to close as rapidly as normal. ) The controller <NUM> may detect this rise in pressure using a sensor, such as the pressure sensor <NUM>, and provide an indication that the source <NUM> is about to run out, stop dispensing operation, or take other suitable action.

As will be appreciated, a beverage extraction device may benefit from a clamp or other arrangement configured to engage the device with a bottle, e.g., by clamping the device to the neck of a bottle. For example, the device can include one or more clamp arms that are movably mounted to the device and are arranged to engage with a bottle to support the device on the bottle during use. The embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG> has a clamp <NUM> having a pair of clamp arms <NUM> that are optionally arranged to support the device <NUM> in an upright orientation on a flat, horizontal surface <NUM>, such as a table or counter top. (It should be appreciated, however, that a single clamp arm may be provided instead of a pair, as described in more detail below. ) In this embodiment, the clamp arms <NUM> each include a downwardly extending portion 41c that contacts the surface <NUM> along with a lowermost portion of the body <NUM>, which in this example is a lower end of gas cylinder cover <NUM>.

The clamp arm(s) may also include a feature to help properly engage the clamp arm(s) with a variety of different bottle necks. For example, different bottles may have different neck diameters, different lip diameters or lengths (as used herein, a lip is a feature of many wine bottles near the top of the neck in which the bottle flares, steps or otherwise protrudes outwardly in size). In one embodiment, the clamp arm(s) include a distal tab feature and a proximal ridge feature that cooperate to properly engage with different neck configurations. <FIG> show one illustrative embodiment in which each clamp arm <NUM> includes a distal tab <NUM> and a proximal ridge <NUM>. The tab <NUM> may extend radially inwardly somewhat more than the ridge <NUM>, and thus help to center the bottle neck or otherwise appropriately position the neck relative to the clamp arms <NUM>. For example, as the clamp arms <NUM> are closed on a neck, the tabs <NUM> may contact the neck before the ridges <NUM>, helping to center or otherwise appropriately position the neck relative to the device <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tabs <NUM> and/or the ridges <NUM> may have portions that contact the bottle neck have a relatively hard, low-friction surface to help allow the clamp arms <NUM> engage the neck while allowing the neck to shift in position relative to the clamp arms <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> may help urge the neck proximally relative to the base <NUM>, e.g., to move the neck toward a pad <NUM> located on the base <NUM> between the clamp arms <NUM>. By urging the neck to move proximally and into contact with the pad <NUM> or other component, the clamp arms <NUM> may help position the neck in a consistent way relative to the needle guide <NUM> and the needle <NUM>. This may help ensure that the needle <NUM> penetrates the closure <NUM> in a desired location. For example, with the neck positioned in contact with the pad <NUM>, the needle guide <NUM> and needle <NUM> may be arranged to pierce a closure <NUM> in a location that is offset from a center of the closure <NUM>. This may help avoid having the needle <NUM> penetrate the closure in the same location if the device <NUM> is used two or more times to extract beverage from the bottle <NUM>. (As noted above, beverage can be extracted without removal of the closure <NUM>, and since the closure can reseal after removal of the needle, beverage can be extracted multiple times from a bottle <NUM> without removal of the closure <NUM>, although the closure <NUM> may be pierced several times to do so. ) Alternately, the needle <NUM> and guide <NUM> may be configured to penetrate a closure at its center with the neck in contact with the pad <NUM>, and by positioning the neck proximally and in contact with the pad <NUM>, the closure <NUM> may be penetrated at the center as desired. In another arrangement in which the device is arranged to penetrate the closure <NUM> at a center position, the clamp arms <NUM> may each include semi-circular or other suitably arranged surfaces that contact the neck so the center of the closure <NUM> is always positioned for penetration by the needle <NUM>.

The ridge <NUM>, though optional, may have a length measured in a direction perpendicular to a bottle neck (or in a direction perpendicular to the length of the needle <NUM>) that is greater than the tab <NUM>, e.g., to help the ridge <NUM> provide a suitably long contact surface for the lip of the bottle. For example, while the tabs <NUM> may help center the neck between the clamp arms <NUM> and urge the neck to move proximally, the ridges <NUM> may contact an underside of the bottle lip with a suitably long surface to help prevent the neck from moving downwardly relative to the clamp arms <NUM> more than a desired distance. The extended length of the ridges <NUM> may provide the ridges <NUM> with greater strength and help the clamp arms operate with a wide array of bottle neck and lip sizes and shapes. In addition, the ridges <NUM> may have a variable radial length, e.g., increasing proximally as shown in <FIG>, to help ensure that the ridges <NUM> will provide suitable engagement with a variety of different necks having different lip dimensions.

The pad <NUM> in this illustrative embodiment includes a strip of resilient material, such as a rubber, that can help the device grip the bottle neck when engaged by the clamp arms <NUM>. In some embodiments, the pad <NUM> may include a protrusion or step near a lower portion of the pad <NUM> (see <FIG>) so that the pad <NUM> can engage with a lower surface of a lip on a bottle neck, e.g., similarly to the ridge <NUM>. The pad <NUM> may extend in a direction along the length of the needle, i.e., along a length of the bottle neck, and may have any suitable length. Generally, however, the pad <NUM> will have a length that is equal to or shorter than a length of the shortest bottle necks to be engaged by the device <NUM>. Similar is true of the clamp arms <NUM>. That is, the clamp arms <NUM> may have distal portions 41b that extend downwardly, in a direction along the length of the needle <NUM>, to an extent that allows the clamp arms <NUM> to receive and engage bottles that have a somewhat short neck. In one embodiment, the distal portions 41b of the clamp arms <NUM> may extend downwardly at least to an extent equal to or greater than a lowermost position of the distal end of the needle <NUM> when the body <NUM> is positioned at a lowermost position relative to the base <NUM>. In this way, the needle <NUM> may be prevented from contacting a surface <NUM> when the device is standing upright on the surface <NUM>. Also, the needle <NUM> may be movable relative to the clamp arms <NUM> to be positioned within a space between the clamp arms <NUM> throughout its full range of movement.

It has been found that needles having a smooth walled exterior, pencil point or Huber point needle of <NUM> gauge or higher are effective to penetrate through a wine bottle cork or other closure, while sealing effectively with the cork to prevent the ingress or egress of gases or fluids during beverage extraction. Moreover, such needles allow the cork to reseal after withdrawal of the needle, allowing the bottle and any remaining beverage to be stored for months or years without abnormal alteration of the beverage flavor. Further, such needles may be used to penetrate a foil cover or other wrapping commonly found on wine bottles and other bottles. Thus, the needle may penetrate the foil cover or other element as well as the closure, eliminating any need to remove the foil or other wrapping prior to beverage extraction. Other needle profiles and gauges are also usable with the system.

While in the above embodiments the needle guide <NUM> and needle are positioned to have the needle penetrate the center of the closure <NUM>, the lower opening or through hole of the guide <NUM> could be arranged to introduce the needle at a location offset from the center of cork <NUM>. This may decrease the chances that a needle penetrates the closure <NUM> in a same location if the system <NUM> is used to dispense beverage from the bottle several times and may allow the closure <NUM> to better reseal upon needle withdrawal.

While in the above embodiments, a user moves the body <NUM> in a linear fashion relative to the base <NUM> to insert/remove a needle with respect to a bottle closure, a manual or powered drive mechanism may be used to move a needle relative to a closure. For example, a rail <NUM> may include a toothed rack, while the base <NUM> may include a powered pinion gear that engages the rack and serves to move the body <NUM> relative to the base <NUM>. The pinion may be powered by a user-operated handle, a motor, or other suitable arrangement. In another embodiment, the needle may be moved by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston/cylinder, e.g., which is powered by pressure from the gas cylinder <NUM> or other source.

A needle used in a beverage extraction device may be a smooth exterior walled, cylindrical needle with a non-coring tip that can be passed through a cork without removing material from the cork. One non-coring tip is a pencil-tip that dilates a passageway through the cork, although deflected-tip and stylet needles have also been found to work properly and could be used in alternative embodiments. The pencil-tip needle preferably has at least one lumen extending along its length from at least one inlet on the end opposite the pencil-tip and at least one outlet proximal to the pencil-tip. As shown above, a needle outlet may be positioned in the side-wall of the needle at the distal end of the needle, although proximal of the extreme needle tip.

With the correct needle gauge, it has been found that a passageway (if any) that remains following removal of the needle from a cork self-seals against egress or ingress of fluids and/or gasses under normal storage conditions. Thus, a needle may be inserted through a closure to extract beverage, and then be removed, allowing the closure to reseal such that beverage and gas passage through the closure is prevented. While multiple needle gauges can work, preferred needle gauges range from <NUM> to <NUM> gauge, with an optimal needle gauge in some embodiments being between <NUM> and <NUM> gauge. These needles gauges may offer optimal fluid flow with minimal pressures inside the bottle while doing an acceptably low level of damage to the cork even after repeated insertions and extractions.

Multiple needle lengths can be adapted to work properly in various embodiments, but it has been found that a minimum needle length of about <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> inches) is generally required to pass through standard wine bottle corks. Needles as long as <NUM> (<NUM> inches) could be employed, but the optimal range of length for some embodiments has been found to be between <NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> and <NUM> inches). (Needle length is the length of a needle that is operable to penetrate a closure and/or contact a needle guide for guidance in moving through the closure. ) The needle may be fluidly connected to the valve directly through any standard fitting (e.g. NPT, RPT, Leur, quick-connect or standard thread) or alternatively may be connected to the valve through an intervening element such as a flexible or rigid tube. When two or more needles are used, the needle lengths may be the same or different and vary from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> inches to <NUM> inches). Creating distance between the inlet/outlets of the needles can prevent the formation of bubbles.

A suitable gas pressure is introduced into a bottle to extract beverage from the bottle. For example, with some wine bottles, it has been found that a maximum pressure of between around <NUM> and <NUM> bar (<NUM> and <NUM> psi) may be introduced into the bottle without risking leakage at, or ejection of, the cork, although pressures of between around <NUM> and <NUM> bar (<NUM> and <NUM> psi) have been found to work well. These pressures are well tolerated by even the weakest of cork-to-bottle seals at the bottle opening without causing cork dislodging or passage of liquid or gas by the cork, and provide for relatively fast beverage extraction. The lower pressure limit in the bottle during wine extraction for some embodiments has been found to be between about <NUM> and <NUM> bar (<NUM> and <NUM> psi). That is, a pressure between about <NUM> and <NUM> bar (<NUM> and <NUM> psi) has been found needed in a bottle to provide a suitably fast extraction of beverage from the bottle. In one example using a single <NUM> to <NUM> gauge needle, a pressure of <NUM> bar (<NUM> psi) was used to establish an initial pressure in a wine bottle, and rapid wine extraction was experienced even as the internal pressure dropped to about <NUM> - <NUM> bar (<NUM>-<NUM> psi).

The source of pressurized gas can be any of a variety of regulated or unregulated pressurized gas bottles filled with any of a variety of non-reactive gasses. In a preferred embodiment, the gas cylinder contains gas at an initial pressure of about <NUM> - <NUM> bar (<NUM>-<NUM> psi). This pressure has been found to allow the use of a single relatively small compressed gas cylinder (e.g., about <NUM> (<NUM> inches) in length and <NUM> (<NUM> inches) in diameter) for the complete extraction of the contents of several bottles of wine. Multiple gasses have been tested successfully over extended storage periods, and preferably the gas used is non-reactive with the beverage within the bottle, such as wine, and can serve to protect the beverage oxidation or other damage. Suitable gases include nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, helium, neon and others. Mixtures of gas are also possible. For example, a mixture of argon and another lighter gas could blanket wine or other beverage in argon while the lighter gas could occupy volume within the bottle and perhaps reduce the overall cost of the gas.

The embodiments above, a single needle with a single lumen is used to introduce gas into the bottle and extract beverage from the bottle. However, in other embodiments two or more needles may be used, e.g., one needle for gas delivery and one needle for beverage extraction. In such an embodiment, the valve(s) may operate to simultaneously open a flow of gas to the bottle and open a flow of beverage from the bottle. The needles may have the same or different diameters or the same or different length varying from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> inches). For example, one needle delivering gas could be longer than another that extracts wine from the bottle. Alternately, a two lumen needle may be employed where gas travels in one lumen and beverage travels in the other. Each lumen could have a separate entrance and exit, and the exits could be spaced from each other within the bottle to prevent circulation of gas.

Claim 1:
A container-mounted beverage dispensing system, comprising:
a beverage dispenser (<NUM>) including;
at least one conduit (<NUM>) to deliver gas into a container (<NUM>) holding a beverage and to receive beverage from the container for dispensing in a user's cup;
at least one valve (<NUM>, <NUM>) to control gas flow into the container or beverage flow out of the container via the at least one conduit;
a non-optical reader (<NUM>) arranged to non-optically read information from a tag including indicia that uniquely identifies the tag from other tags; and
control circuitry (<NUM>) arranged to send or receive information regarding indicia received from a tag; and
an identification element (<NUM>) arranged to be secured directly to a beverage container, the one identification element including both a tag (<NUM>) and an optically-readable code (<NUM>), the tag (<NUM>) arranged to provide information to the non-optical reader including indicia that uniquely identifies the tag from other tags, and the optically-readable code (<NUM>) being machine readable by a device that optically images the code and that includes an identifier that uniquely identifies the optically-readable code from other codes,
wherein the beverage dispenser (<NUM>) is arranged to be disengaged from and reengaged with a beverage container to which the identification element (<NUM>) is secured.