Systems and methods for handling fluids in connection with portable beverage systems

Abstract

Disclosed features relate to systems and methods for handling fluids in connection with portable beverage systems. In some embodiments, a portable beverage container includes a housing with an opening having a port to receive pressurized gas to fill a gas tank of the portable beverage container. In some embodiments, a portable beverage container includes a lid with a base, an isolation chamber receptacle attached to the base, and a valve having a valve gate movable to selectively resist or permit fluid communication through one of more openings and into an interior space of the receptacle. In some embodiments, a fluid system includes a coupling to enable attachment of a source tank of pressurized fluid to downstream components of the fluid system, such as a beverage container. In some embodiments, a refill station includes a linkage which correlates the positioning of a housing door to the positioning of a tank support.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING FLUIDS IN CONNECTION WITH PORTABLE BEVERAGE SYSTEMSRELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 63 / 724,046, filed November 22, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 723,842, filed November 22, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 723,627, filed November 22, 2024, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 723,729, filed November 22, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 723,880, filed November 22, 2024, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.FIELD

[0002] Disclosed features relate systems and methods for handling fluids in connection with portable beverage systems.BACKGROUND

[0003] Portable beverage containers can contain beverages having various characteristics. For example, a portable beverage container can contain flavored liquid, unflavored liquid, carbonated liquid, and non-carbonated liquid. In some cases, liquid can be carbonated through the addition of a gas.SUMMARY

[0004] In some cases, a portable beverage container may receive additive (e.g., from an additive cartridge) that is mixed with a base liquid (e.g., water) to infuse flavoring for a beverage. For example, base liquid may flow through an additive cartridge to combine the base liquid with additive from the additive cartridge, and the combined base liquid and additive beverage may be dispensed from the additive cartridge. In addition, a portable beverage container can include non-carbonated liquid or carbonated liquid to provide a unique beverage profile to the user. Such examples of portable beverage containers are disclosed in US2022 / 0016581. The inventors have recognized that providing a portable beverage container which has the capacity to enable both carbonating liquid and infusing liquid with additive flavoring may provide benefits. For example, such a configuration may allow a user to carbonate a base liquid, or not, and then subsequently mix additive with the#14613537V1base liquid, or not, for consumption. Thus, a user may be provided with a wide variety of options for drinking carbonated, non-carbonated, flavored, unflavored, etc. liquid.

[0005] Some aspects of the disclosure relate to providing pressurized gas or liquid to a portable beverage container. Such pressurized gas may be provided to the beverage container to carbonate or otherwise introduce dissolved gas into a base liquid, such as water. For example, the beverage container may be provided with a drinkable base liquid and then fluidly coupled with a source of pressurized gas, such as CO2. The pressurized gas may be introduced into the chamber or other area where the base liquid is held to dissolved the pressurized gas into the base liquid. A lid or other closure of the beverage container may be arranged to retain pressure in the beverage container, e.g., suitable to carbonate a base liquid. In some cases, the lid or other portion of the beverage container may be configured to vent fluid from the beverage container, e.g., to establish or maintain a desired pressure level in the beverage container and / or to permit the lid to be removed or opened for dispensing of beverage. A regulator, pressure relief valve or other component may be provided as part of the beverage container and / or pressurized gas source to establish a desired pressure in the beverage container. For example, pressurized gas may be provided from the source of pressurized gas to the beverage container at an unregulated pressure, and a regulator, vent, relief valve, etc. of the beverage container may allow the beverage container to receive the pressurized gas and establish a desired pressure in the beverage container. In some cases, the source of pressurized gas may include a regulator, flow restrictor and / or other component to help control a pressure of gas provided to the beverage container, either in addition to a pressure control component of the beverage container or in place thereof. Thus, a user may couple a beverage container to a source of pressurized gas to carbonate or otherwise dissolve gas in a base liquid, and then uncouple the beverage container from the source of pressurized gas, e.g., so the user can carry the beverage container away and consume the beverage at a later time.

[0006] In some cases, a beverage container may include a gas tank or other chamber to store pressurized gas, e.g., in an area separate from a chamber in which base liquid is held. This may allow a user to selectively direct gas from a gas tank into a liquid container, thereby enabling the user to selectively carbonate liquid in the liquid container. For example, the user may choose not to carbonate the liquid, or may choose to carbonate the liquid to their liking, e.g., to a relatively high or low amount, by directing an amount of gas into the liquid container to achieve the desired level of carbonation. By providing the gas tank as part of the beverage container, a user may be able to selectively carbonate a base liquid remote from any#14613537V1source of pressurized gas. In some cases, a beverage container may include a refillable gas tank, e.g., which may be used to introduce pressurized gas to a base liquid one or more time, and then be refilled with pressurized gas. Thus, a refillable gas tank may enable repeated carbonation of liquid within a portable beverage container using the same gas tank, thereby saving time and reducing waste and costs associated with disposal and replacement of singleuse gas cylinders or other pressurized gas tanks. In some cases, a refillable gas tank may be refilled with pressurized gas using a refill station or other source of pressurized gas, for example via a refill fitting received into an opening of the portable beverage container. Such a refill station may be used to refill a gas tank of a beverage container and / or to carbonate liquid in a beverage container that includes no refillable gas tank (e.g., by introducing the pressurized gas from the refill station directly into a chamber of the beverage container where base liquid is held).

[0007] As noted above, a beverage container may include a lid or other closure, e.g., to enclose a chamber of a vessel where base liquid is held so the base liquid can be pressurized for carbonation. In some cases, a lid may have various features such as a vent, regulator, relief valve, pressure indicator or other component to help control or otherwise establish a desired pressure in a beverage container. In some cases, a lid may be configured to engage with an additive cartridge, e.g., which can enable a user to mix additive with carbonated or uncarbonated liquid in the beverage container with an additive, such as a flavoring, nutrient, medicament, vitamin, etc. In some cases, it may be desirable to isolate or otherwise protect an additive cartridge from pressure in a beverage container, e.g., used to carbonate a beverage. For example, if an additive cartridge is exposed to a pressurized environment, additive in the cartridge may be expelled in an unwanted way. In some cases, a lid may include an isolation chamber receptacle, e.g., to receive at least a part of an additive cartridge so that the cartridge can be selectively isolated from pressure in a base liquid chamber of the beverage container. A valve, e.g., having a valve gate, may be operable to open and close fluid communication between an interior space of the receptacle and a base liquid chamber through the valve. Thus, for example, the valve may be closed while base liquid is carbonated in the base liquid chamber so the additive cartridge is isolated or otherwise exposed to a reduced pressure relative to pressure in the base liquid chamber, and later opened so that carbonated liquid in the base liquid chamber can flow to the additive cartridge so the carbonated liquid can be mixed with additive and dispensed to a user.

[0008] In some embodiments, a lid may include a lid base, a valve gate attached to the lid base, and an isolation chamber receptacle attached to the lid base. The isolation#14613537V1chamber receptacle may have one or more openings, and an upper seal and a lower seal may be positioned on opposite sides of the one or more openings. In some embodiments, the upper and lower seals may sealingly engage the valve gate and the isolation chamber receptacle. In some embodiments, the valve gate may be movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle to selectively resist or permit fluid communication through the one or more openings, e.g., to resist or permit fluid communication between an area in the isolation chamber receptacle where an additive cartridge may be located and an area where carbonated liquid is held.

[0009] As disclosed herein, the isolation chamber receptacle may include one or more openings, and fluid communication with the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle may be permitted through the one or more openings when the valve gate is in the open position and prevented through the one or more openings when the valve gate is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the one or more openings may be positioned circumferentially around the isolation chamber receptacle. In some embodiments, the valve gate may be movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle between the open and closed positions in response to a pressure of the portable beverage container exceeding a pressure threshold. For example, pressure in a base liquid chamber suitable to carbonate a base liquid may cause the valve to close, and pressure in the base liquid chamber at ambient pressure or otherwise below a threshold may cause the valve to open. Thus, a user need not necessarily operate the valve to resist or permit fluid communication through the valve. In some embodiments, an actuator may be operatively coupled to the valve and / or isolation chamber receptacle by a threaded connection, a push latch mechanism, or other suitable mechanism such that actuation of the actuator by a user may open and close the valve. In some embodiments, the isolation chamber receptacle may be slidingly fit into the valve gate. In some embodiments, the isolation chamber receptacle may slide along at least a portion of the gate to open fluid communication with an interior space of the receptacle through the valve and close fluid communication with the interior space through the valve.

[0010] In some embodiments, a lid having a valve between an isolation chamber and a base liquid chamber may be provided in combination with a portable beverage container, and a lid base of the lid may be engaged with the container. In some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a liquid receptacle and pressure source, e.g., a pressurized gas tank holding carbon dioxide or other gas under pressure, configured to pressurize liquid in the liquid receptacle. In some embodiments, the valve may be configured to be in the closed position prior to and / or during pressurization of the liquid, and the valve#14613537V1may be configured to be in the open position after pressurization of the liquid, e.g., after base liquid is suitably carbonated. In some embodiments, one or more vents (e.g., as part of the lid) may be provided to permit fluid communication between an interior space of the liquid receptacle and a surrounding environment. Such one or more vents may operate as a pressure relief or pressure regulator (e.g., to establish a desired pressure in the liquid receptacle) and / or to vent the liquid receptacle to ambient pressure (e.g., in preparation for opening the valve and consuming liquid from the beverage container. In some embodiments, an additive cartridge may be received at least partially within an interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

[0011] According to some aspects of the disclosure, a method of operating a lid for a portable beverage container may include providing a lid having an isolation chamber receptacle attached to a lid base. The method may also include moving a valve gate relative to the isolation chamber receptacle along or in the general direction of a longitudinal axis of the isolation chamber receptacle between an open position and a closed position to selectively resist or permit fluid communication with an interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method may also include actuating an actuator operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle to move the isolation chamber receptacle relative to the valve gate. The method may include moving the valve gate relative to the lid base between the open and closed positions. The method may include engaging the lid base with a portable beverage container comprising a liquid receptacle configured to receive a liquid, and pressurizing the liquid in the liquid receptacle prior to moving the valve gate to the open position. The method may include venting through one or more vents in fluid communication with an interior space of the liquid receptacle. The method may include positioning an additive cartridge at least partially within the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

[0013] The Inventors have recognized an improved interface between a portable beverage container and a refill station. For example, the portable beverage container can include an interface for receiving and providing pressurized gas to the gas tank, e.g., by engaging with an interface of the refill station. For instance, the portable beverage container interface may be a gas tank interface adapted to interact with a refill station interface to enable flow of pressurized gas from the refill station to the gas tank of the portable beverage container, e.g., through a delivery channel. In some cases, the gas tank interface includes an opening for receiving a refill fitting of the refill station interface, where the refill fitting is#14613537V1adapted to flow gas from the refill station to the gas tank. The gas tank interface can help guide engagement of the gas tank interface with the refill station interface, for example by including elements shaped to fit within one another to ease connection by a user. In some cases, the gas tank interface includes a convex bottom portion corresponding in shape with a concave receiving portion of the refill station interface, which may enable an improved, e.g., more easily aligned or otherwise more ergonomic, connection between the portable beverage container and the refill station.

[0014] In some embodiments, a portable beverage container may comprise a housing and a liquid container located within the housing. The liquid container may hold a consumable liquid such as water or other consumable liquid. The portable beverage container may include a gas tank for holding a gas under pressure above ambient pressure and fluidly coupled to the liquid container. Gas from the gas tank may be selectively directed to the liquid container, for example to carbonate water in the liquid container. An opening may be arranged on the housing and configured to couple with a refill fitting for delivering pressurized gas to the gas tank, e.g., to refill the gas tank if the pressure in the gas tank drops to an ambient or other relatively low level. Such a beverage container may be configured to operate with or without an additive cartridge, e.g., a beverage container configured to operate without an additive cartridge may include a lid that can be removed to drink liquid directly from the liquid container and / or a lid that has a spout or other closure that can be selectively opened to permit drinking from the liquid container without removing the lid. In some cases, the opening and one or more portions of the housing may be part of the gas tank interface.

[0015] In some embodiments, a gas tank of a beverage container may include two or more portions that define a gas storage area, such as an upper tank body that defines an upper tank portion and a lower tank body that defines a lower tank portion. Such an arrangement may allow for easier assembly of the gas tank and the portable beverage container and / or for use of modular components to adjust operation of a gas tank. For example, one or more elements of a portable beverage container may be assembled with the upper tank portion and one or more other elements of the portable beverage container may be assembled with the lower tank portion. This may allow, for example, the upper and lower tank portions to be assembled with one or more components prior to assembling the upper and lower tank portions with one another and / or with other portions of the portable beverage container, which may reduce the time, cost, and / or complexity associated with assembling the portable beverage container. In addition, or alternately, such an arrangement may allow for modular construction of a gas tank, which may provide the ability to assemble different tank portions#14613537V1together to form different gas tank arrangements. For example, some upper tank portions may be arranged with a first type of regulator, while other upper tank portions may be arranged with a second type of regulator. Both types of upper tank portions may be configured for assembly with a common lower tank portion, thereby providing the ability to form different gas tank arrangements (having different regulator functions) while using a single type of lower tank portion. This is merely one example, and lower or other gas tank portions may be configured in various different ways in a similar manner.

[0016] In some cases, the beverage container may be provided with an opening to couple the portable beverage container with a refill gas source, e.g., a refill fitting may be received into the opening to provide pressurized gas to a refillable gas tank. In some embodiments, the opening may include a port fluidly coupled to the gas tank, e.g., so gas may be received through the port into the gas tank. In some embodiments, a cap may be provided with the opening, e.g., to cover a part of the opening. The cap may be movable within the opening, e.g., between first and second positions, to cover and expose a port in the opening. In some cases, one-way gas flow may be provided from the port to the gas tank. In some embodiments, a portion of the port may extend along a direction that is angled relative to a direction of movement of the cap between the first position and the second position. The inventors have recognized that providing an inlet channel and / or port configured to receive gas at an angle may help to reduce costs and time associated with manufacturing the portable beverage container, for example by reducing and / or simplifying one or more manufacturing processes. In some cases, receiving gas through a port configured at an angle to the opening may help to decrease the size of an inlet channel and accordingly decrease the size of the portable beverage container. In some cases, receiving gas at an angle through the port of the opening may help to fill the gas tank of the portable beverage container faster, thereby allowing a user to refill the gas tank in less time. In some cases, receiving gas through a port may help reduce or eliminate any pressure that may urge the portable beverage container to be ejected or otherwise moved out of engagement with the refill fitting. In some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a one-way inlet valve configured to prevent flow of gas from the gas tank to the port. In some cases, the gas tank may extend around the one-way inlet valve and / or the opening.

[0017] The gas tank may be refilled using a refill station. For example, in some embodiments, actuating a valve of a refill station may direct gas from the refill station to the port of the opening. In some cases, actuating the valve of the refill station may include actuating a lever of the refill station.#14613537V1

[0018] The position and / or shape of the gas tank and fluid pathways of the portable beverage container can vary among embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the gas tank may be located within the housing of a beverage container, e.g., one or more parts of the tank may define the housing. In some cases, the gas tank may extend around the opening. In some embodiments, the gas tank may define an internal space to hold pressurized gas that has a toroidal shape. In some embodiments, the port may be formed on a side wall of the opening. In some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include an inlet channel in fluid communication with the gas tank, wherein the port is fluidly coupled to the inlet channel. In some cases, a one-way inlet valve may be positioned at least partially within the inlet channel and configured to prevent flow of gas from the gas tank to the port. In some cases, the inlet channel may include a plug to close an end of the inlet channel.

[0019] The gas tank may include one or more elements adapted to direct and / or manage fluid flow according to some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a pressure relief element configured to relieve pressure in the gas tank above a threshold pressure. In some cases, the pressure relief element may be a burst disk, safety valve or other device. In some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a regulator configured to regulate flow of gas from the gas tank. In some cases, regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank may include limiting a pressure of the outflow of gas below a threshold outflow pressure. According to some embodiments, regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank may include preventing outflow of gas from the gas tank in response to a pressure of the gas tank below a threshold pressure and / or limiting a pressure of gas output from the gas tank to be below a threshold pressure. In some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a one-way liquid container valve between the gas tank and the liquid container configured to prevent backflow of fluid to the gas tank. In some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a valve configured to be controlled to permit gas flow from the gas tank to the liquid container of the portable beverage container, e.g., to carbonate the liquid in the liquid container. In some cases, the portable beverage container may include an actuator configured to cause gas flow from the gas tank to the liquid container, for example by controlling the valve.

[0020] The inventors have recognized that providing a regulator located at least partially within a gas tank of a portable beverage container may allow for a reduction in the size and / or weight of the gas tank, thereby reducing the size and / or weight of the portable beverage container. Reduced size and / or weight of the portable beverage container may allow for easier use and transportation of the portable beverage container. For example, it may be#14613537V1easier for a user to carry a smaller and / or lighter portable beverage container. In some cases, locating the regulator at least partially within the gas tank may allow for increased gas storage in the gas tank, enabling for longer usage periods before refilling of the gas tank is needed. Assembling a regulator with a gas tank may help to eliminate parts and / or ease assembly, e.g., by eliminating tubes, conduits, fittings or other components that may otherwise be necessary to fluidly couple the gas tank and regulator.

[0021] The inventors have recognized benefits associated with including means to selectively cover the port, for example, to prevent contaminants such as dust from entering the port and / or gas tank. For example, in some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a cap movable in the opening between a first position in which the cap covers the port and a second position in which the port is exposed to receive the pressurized gas from the refill fitting. In some cases, the cap may include flanges configured to engage a portion of the opening to limit movement of the cap. In some cases, the cap may be adapted to move between the first position and the second position entirely within the opening. In some embodiments, the refill fitting may cause the moving of the cap in the opening, e.g., as the refill fitting is received into the opening. In some cases, movement of the cap out of the opening may be prevented.

[0022] The inventors have recognized various implementations of a cap discussed herein. For example, in some embodiments, the portable beverage container may include a biasing element configured to bias the cap towards the first position. The cap may be formed in various shapes, for example the cap may include a concave surface exposed at the opening according to some embodiments. The cap may also include a seal adapted to move with the cap within the opening according to some embodiments. In some cases, the seal may be configured to form a dust proof seal between the cap and a side wall of the opening. In some embodiments, movement of the cap may change a volume of a space within the opening defined by the cap and a side wall of the opening. In some cases, moving the cap to expose the port in the opening may increase the volume defined by the cap and the side wall of the opening. In some cases, the refill fitting may be received into the volume. In some cases, moving the cap to expose the port in the opening may increase the volume defined by the cap and the side wall of the opening. In some embodiments, gas may be directed at an angle relative to the direction of movement of the cap from the opening into the port in fluid communication with the gas tank.

[0023] In some embodiments, a refill station or other source of pressurized gas disclosed. The refill station may include a pressure source, such as a gas tank for holding gas#14613537V1under pressure which is greater than an ambient pressure. Gas from the gas tank of the refill station may be directed to the gas tank of the portable beverage container for storage in the gas tank, or may be directed into a liquid container of a beverage container, e.g., for carbonation of the liquid in the liquid container. In some embodiments, a coupling for connecting a gas tank to a fluid system is provided. The coupling may include a coupling inlet port having a coupling inlet conduit configured to fluidly connect to the tank and receive pressurized fluid from the tank, and an outer wall configured to sealingly engage with an inner wall of a tank outlet conduit of the tank. The coupling may include a coupling outlet port configured to deliver fluid from the coupling to at least one downstream component of the fluid system. In some embodiments, a tank fitting for fluidly connecting a tank to a coupling of a fluid system is provided. The tank fitting may include a fitting body configured to sealingly engage with a tank body of the tank, a tank outlet port comprising a tank outlet conduit configured to sealingly receive a coupling inlet port of the coupling, and a valve assembly configured to release pressurized fluid from the tank to the tank outlet port when moved from a closed position to an open position by an actuator of the fluid system.

[0024] In some cases, it may be desirable for pressurized fluid in the fluid system downstream of a source tank to be evacuated from or at least a pressure reduced in the fluid system after a fluid delivery operation to a downstream component such as a beverage container has been completed. Such a configuration may be desirable to reduce pressure loads on various components of the fluid system, and may prevent the fluid from being discharged from unintended downstream components of the fluid system. For instance, when the fluid system is used to deliver CO2 to a portable beverage container (e.g., a detachable portable beverage container), the fluid system may include an interface component between the fluid system and the portable beverage container. It may be desirable to evacuate or otherwise reduce a pressure of the CO2 remaining in the fluid system prior to removing the beverage container from the interface component to avoid CO2 being ejected from the interface component. To release such pressure, for example, a coupling of the fluid system may include a pressure release port configured to release the pressurized fluid from the fluid system after a fluid delivery operation is completed. In some cases, an actuation pin may be disposed and movable in an actuation pin conduit and may include a source tank valve gate configured to selectively prevent and permit fluid flow out of the pressure release port.

[0025] Some aspects of the disclosure relate to regulating and / or otherwise controlling the flow of the pressurized fluid in the fluid system out of a pressure release port. For example, a pressure release conduit may include a gradually increasing cross-sectional#14613537V1area extending from an actuation pin conduit (e.g., tapered, rounded, etc.) to regulate the flow of pressurized fluid flowing out of the pressure release port. Some aspects of the disclosure relate to assembling a valve assembly into a source tank fitting body without the use of dedicated fastener mechanisms (e.g., set screws, etc.). While it is contemplated that a source tank outlet port may be permanently attached to the source tank fitting body when the source tank fitting is assembled (e.g., via press-fitting, welding, adhesive, etc.), it may be desirable for the source tank outlet port to be removably engaged with the fitting outlet conduit to allow for valve assembly maintenance and / or replacement. Some aspects of the disclosure include enabling the source tank outlet port to be attachable to the source tank fitting body, either removably or permanently, without requiring complex tools (e.g., welders, hydraulic presses, etc.) as well as enabling the source tank outlet port to be compatible with a fastening tool in order to facilitate engagement with one or more threaded interfaces.

[0026] Some aspects of the disclosure relate to connecting a pressure source in a fluid system, e.g., the source tank of the refill station. For example, when using a refill station, the source of the pressurized gas will eventually empty, and the pressure source (e.g. source tank) must be replaced in order to continue to use the refill station. When the process of replacing a source tank is simplified, a user is more likely to continue to use the device that receives the replacement source tank, such as a refill station. Accordingly, the inventors have created a refill station enables a simple user experience of replacing, coupling or otherwise managing the source tank. The inventors have created a user friendly and intuitive process of replacing a source tank in at least the following ways. Firstly, in some embodiments, the source tank may be directed into a correct position relative to the refill station such that the user may only be responsible for placing the source tank on a support. In some embodiments, the user is not responsible for aligning a connection point between the source tank and the refill apparatus; rather such alignment is performed automatically. Thus, the user may easily fluidly couple the source tank to the refill station. Secondly, in some embodiments, raising the source tank to the connection point between the source tank and the refill station may be linked in some manner to a housing door. Therefore, a user does not need to operate a lever or other mechanism which is separate from the housing door to connect the source tank to the refill station. In some embodiments, the user simply may close the housing door in order to secure the source tank to the refill station. The inventors have created a refill station which simplifies the user experience of replacing a source tank by incorporating one or more of the above-mentioned and / or other features into a device such that a user may quickly and consistently connect a source tank to the refill station.#14613537V1

[0027] According to some aspects, a portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus is disclosed. The portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus comprises a housing with an internal volume, a housing door connected to the housing, the housing door being moveable between a closed position and an open position, a support disposed within the housing configured to receive a tank, the support being moveable between first and second positions, and a linkage operatively connecting the support and the housing door.

[0028] According to some aspects, a method for operating a portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises placing a tank on a support, and closing a housing door, which raises the support and fluidically couples a tank valve of the tank with a pressurized gas interface.

[0029] According to some aspects, a portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus is disclosed. The portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus comprises a housing with a tank receiving area, a tank disposed within the tank receiving area, the tank having a tank valve, a pressurized gas interface configured to fluidically connect to the tank valve, and a guiding surface configured to guide the tank valve to engage with the pressurized gas interface in response to movement of the tank valve relative to the pressurized gas interface.

[0030] According to some aspects, a method for operating a portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus is discloses. The method comprises moving a tank towards a pressurized gas interface, guiding a tank valve to the pressurized gas interface, and fluidically sealing the tank valve to the pressurized gas interface.

[0031] It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect. Further, other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various nonlimiting embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, like components may be represented by like numerals. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a lid adapted to attach to a portable beverage container, according to some embodiments;#14613537V1

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a lid attached to a portable beverage container, where the lid is configured to receive an additive cartridge, according to some embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a lid adapted to attach to a portable beverage container, according to some embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a valve engageable with an isolation chamber receptacle, according to some embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 5A shows a top view of a lid having an isolation chamber receptacle, where fluid communication with an interior space of the receptacle is restricted;

[0038] FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional side view of the lid of FIG. 5A;

[0039] FIG. 5C shows a top view of the lid of FIG. 5A, where fluid communication with the interior space of the receptacle is permitted;

[0040] FIG. 5D shows a cross-sectional side view of the lid of FIG. 5C;

[0041] FIG. 6A shows a schematic representation of a lid adapted to attach to a portable beverage container, according to some embodiments;

[0042] FIG. 6B shows a schematic representation of a lid adapted to attach to a portable beverage container, according to some embodiments;

[0043] FIG. 7A shows a flow chart of a method of operating a lid adapted to attach to portable beverage container, according to some embodiments;

[0044] FIG. 7B shows a flow chart of a method of assembling a lid adapted to attach to a portable beverage container, according to some embodiments;

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a portable beverage container engaged with a refill station according to some embodiments;

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a portable beverage container including a gas tank according to some embodiments;

[0047] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a portion of a portable beverage container including a gas tank according to some embodiments;

[0048] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of a portable beverage container including a gas tank according to some embodiments;

[0049] FIG. 12 shows a front view of a portable beverage container according to some embodiments;

[0050] FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a fluid system with an actuation pin of the fluid system in a neutral position;#14613537V1

[0051] FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of the fluid system of FIG. 13 with the actuation pin in a flow actuation position;

[0052] FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of the fluid system of FIG. 13 with the actuation pin in a pressure release position;

[0053] FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional side view of a coupling of a fluid system according to an embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a coupling a fluid system according to an embodiment;

[0055] FIG. 18 shows an exploded sectional side view of a tank for use with a fluid system according to an embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 19 shows a non-exploded view of the sectional side view of FIG. 18 according to some embodiments;

[0057] FIG. 20 shows a top view of a tank for use with a fluid system according to an embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 21 shows a side view of a fluid system with an actuator assembly in a non-actuated position according to some embodiments;

[0059] FIG. 22 shows a side view of the fluid system of FIG. 21 with the actuator assembly in the actuated position according to some embodiments;

[0060] FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of a refill station according to one embodiment;

[0061] FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of the refill station and a portable beverage container according to one embodiment;

[0062] FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the refill station with a housing door in an open configuration according to one embodiment;

[0063] FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the refill station with the housing door in a closed configuration according to one embodiment;

[0064] FIG. 27 illustrates the housing door and a support of the refill station according to one embodiment;

[0065] FIG. 28 illustrates a rear view of a portion of the refill station when the support is in a first configuration according to one embodiment;

[0066] FIG. 29 illustrates a rear view of a portion of the refill station when the support is in a second configuration according to one embodiment;

[0067] FIG. 30 illustrates a source tank according to one embodiment;#14613537V1

[0068] FIG. 31 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of a source tank valve receptacle of the refill station according to one embodiment;

[0069] FIG. 32 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the source tank valve receptacle according to one embodiment;

[0070] FIG. 33 illustrates the portable beverage container according to one embodiment;

[0071] FIG. 34 illustrates a cross-section of the portable beverage container according to one embodiment;

[0072] FIG. 35 shows a close up cross sectional view of a refill fitting and engaged portable beverage container in one embodiment;

[0073] FIG. 36A shows a perspective view of a refill fitting according to some embodiments;

[0074] FIG. 36B shows another perspective view of a refill fitting according to some embodiments;

[0075] FIG. 37 shows a side view of a refill fitting according to some embodiments;

[0076] FIG. 38A shows a cross-sectional view of a refill fitting according to some embodiments;

[0077] FIG. 38B shows another cross-sectional view of a refill fitting according to some embodiments;

[0078] FIG. 39 shows a bottom perspective view of a portable beverage container according to some embodiments;

[0079] FIG. 40 shows a perspective view of a refill station according to some embodiments;

[0080] FIG. 41 shows a cross-sectional view of a portable beverage container engaged with a refill station according to some embodiments;

[0081] FIG. 42 shows a close-up cross sectional view of a portable beverage container engaged with a refill station according to some embodiments;

[0082] FIG. 43A shows an exploded view of a portable beverage container assembly according to some embodiments; and

[0083] FIG. 43B shows another exploded view of a portable beverage container assembly according to some embodiments.#14613537V1DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] Inventive features are described below with reference to illustrative embodiments, but it should be understood that inventive features are not to be construed narrowly in view of the specific embodiments described. Thus, inventive features are not limited to the embodiments described herein. It should also be understood that various inventive features may be used alone and / or in any suitable combination with each other, and thus various embodiments should not be interpreted as requiring any particular combination or combinations of features. Instead, one or more features of the embodiments described may be combined with any other suitable features of other embodiments. For example, some embodiments are described including features of a cap movable in an opening of a beverage container for receiving pressurized gas between a first position to cover a port of the opening and a second position to expose the port, a cap movable within an opening to selectively cover the port where movement of the cap changes a volume of a space within the opening defined by the cap and a side wall of the opening, directing gas at an angle relative to a direction of movement of a cap from an opening into a port in fluid communication with a gas tank, a gas tank including an upper tank portion coupled to a lower tank portion, and a regulator located at least partially within the gas tank and adapted to regulate gas exiting a gas tank. These features may be used together as in the embodiments below, or independently of each other, e.g., a beverage container may include a cap movable in an opening between a first position to cover a port of the opening and a second position to expose the port but where movement of the cap changes a volume of a space within the opening defined by the cap and a side wall of the opening. In another example, a beverage container may be configured to direct gas at an angle relative to a direction of movement of a cap from an opening into a port in fluid communication with a gas tank but the gas tank includes an upper tank portion coupled to a lower tank portion. As another example, a portable beverage container may include a cap movable in an opening between a first position to cover a port of the opening and a second position to expose the port but include a regulator located at least partially within the gas tank and adapted to regulate gas exiting a gas tank. These are merely three examples, but those of skill will appreciate that any suitable combination of features described below may be employed to the extent such features are not mutually exclusive.

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a beverage container 100 that may be used to carbonate or otherwise dissolve gas in a base liquid. In some embodiments, the beverage container 100 may include a lid 100 including a lid base which can be engaged with a container 140, e.g., having a chamber or other space to hold a base liquid. The lid 100 may#14613537V1engage the container 140 so as to seal the chamber in which the base liquid is held, e.g., so that suitable pressure can be held in the container 140 to carbonate the liquid. Pressurized gas may be introduced into the container 140 by a pressure supply 150, such as a gas tank that is attached to the container 140 and is therefore part of the beverage container 100, or a source of pressurized gas that is separate from the beverage container 100. For example, the container 140 may include a port that can be coupled to an interface of the pressure supply 150 (e.g., a relatively large CO2 tank that is physically separate from the beverage container 100) so that pressurized gas can be received into the container 140 via the port to pressurize the container 140. After suitable pressure is delivered into the container 140, the beverage container 100 can be disconnected from the pressure supply 150. Alternately, the beverage container 100 can include a gas tank that operates as the pressure supply 150. In some cases, the gas tank may be refillable, and after filling of the gas tank, the gas tank may be employed as a pressure supply 150 to selectively introduce pressurized gas from the gas tank into the container 140, as discussed more below.

[0086] A lid 100 may be configured in various ways, such as a simple screw on cap that can be removed to allow drinking from the container 140, or a lid that has a spout or other closure that can be opened to permit a user to drink from the container 140 without removing the lid 100. The lid 100 may have any suitable combination of various components as described herein, such as a pressure relief vent that operates to open to vent pressure in the container 140 that is above a threshold (such as a threshold pressure suitable to carbonate a liquid to 2, 3, 4 or more volumes), a user operated vent that can be operated by a user to vent the container 140 to atmospheric or ambient pressure, a one-way valve that permits air or other gas to enter into the container 140 when the pressure in the container 140 drops below ambient pressure (such as when a user drinks liquid from the container 140), a pressure indicator (such as a dial, pop-up indicator, numerical display, etc.) that indicates a pressure in the container 140, and others. In some cases, the lid 100 may be configured to operate with an additive cartridge 200, e.g., so a user can mix additive from the cartridge 200 with liquid in the container 140 for consumption. As discussed above, some cartridges 200 may need to be isolated or otherwise protected from a pressure level in a container 140, such as during carbonation. In some cases, a lid 100 may include an isolation chamber receptacle 114 attached to the lid base, e.g., to receive an additive cartridge 200, and a valve 130 to control fluid communication between the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and the container 140. The lid base 110 may be attached to a portable beverage container 140 in any suitable fashion including, but not limited to, a threaded fit, a bayonet connection, an interference fit, a snap#14613537V1fit, or any other suitable fit. An interior space of the container 140 may be fluidically coupled to a pressure supply 150 to receive a pressurized gas (e.g., CO2) from the pressure supply 150. For example, the container 140 may receive pressurized gas for carbonating the base liquid contained within the interior space of the container 140. In some embodiments, the pressure supply 150 may be located internally to the container, e.g., positioned within a compartment at the base of the container. In other embodiments, however, the pressure supply 150 may be located externally to the container 140, e.g., such that the pressure supply is removably engageable to the container so that the user may engage the pressure supply when it is desirable to carbonate a base liquid.

[0087] In some embodiments, isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be configured to receive an additive cartridge 200 via an opening in fluid communication with the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle 114, and the user may insert the additive cartridge 200 into the interior space. In some embodiments, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may include one or more openings configured to permit fluid communication between the interior space of the receptacle 114 and a surrounding environment (e.g., an interior space of the container 140). In some embodiments, the lid may include a valve 130 configured to selectively permit or restrict fluid communication with the interior space of the receptacle 114. For example, the valve 130 may include a valve gate, and the valve gate may be movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle 114 between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the valve may restrict fluid communication with the interior space of the receptacle, e.g., the valve gate may cover one or more openings of the receptacle. In the open position, the valve 130 and isolation chamber receptacle 114 may move relative to one another such that fluid communication with the interior space of the receptacle is permitted. As an example, the valve 130 may selectively permit fluid communication between the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and the container 140. Thus, the valve 130 may operate in some cases to selectively expose the isolation chamber receptacle 114 to liquid and / or pressure in the container 140, or isolate the isolation chamber receptacle 114 from such liquid and / or pressure. This may allow, for example, the liquid in the container 140 to be pressurized for carbonation without exposing the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and any cartridge 200 (e.g., an additive cartridge) in the isolation chamber receptacle 114 to the carbonation pressure. In some cases, exposing a cartridge 200 to carbonation pressure may cause problems, such as unwanted discharge of additive from the cartridge 200 and / or damage to the cartridge 200.#14613537V1

[0088] In some embodiments, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be movable relative the valve 130 between the open and closed positions. For example, the valve 130 may be attached to the lid base 110 and fixed in its position while the isolation chamber receptacle 114 is movable relative to the lid base 110. In some embodiments, the valve 130 may be movable relative to the lid base 110 between the open and closed positions. That is, the valve 130 may not be fixed to the lid base 110 such that the valve 130 can move between the open and closed positions to permit and restrict fluid communication into the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle 114, respectively, without moving the isolation chamber receptacle 114 itself relative to the lid base 110.

[0089] The valve 130 and isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be movable relative to one another between the open and closed positions in any suitable fashion as the disclosure is not so limited. In some embodiments, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and / or valve gate 132 may be operatively coupled to an actuator (e.g., a lever) (not shown) via a threaded connection, a push latch mechanism (also referred to as a “push-push” mechanism), or any other suitable connection. In some embodiments, the valve 130 and the receptacle 114 may be movable relative to one another using a motor, pneumatics, an applied pressure differential, or any other suitable actuation type. While such examples of actuating movement of the valve 130 and / or isolation chamber receptacle 114 are referenced above, the disclosure is not limited by these examples and some examples will be described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0090] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional schematic view of a lid 100 attached to a portable liquid container 804, where the lid 100 is configured to receive an additive cartridge 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 100 may include a lid base. The lid base 110 may be removably engageable with the portable liquid container 804 via a threaded connection 112. That is, the lid 100 may be disengaged to allow for an interior space 142 of the portable liquid container 804 defining a liquid receptacle to be filled with a base liquid (e.g., water or other beverage precursor liquid). The portable beverage container 140 may include a compartment to house a pressure supply 150, which may be constructed as a pressurized gas tank. In some embodiments, the pressure supply 150 may be a CO2 supply for carbonating base liquid in the interior space 142. The pressure supply 150 may be in selective fluid communication with the interior space 142 via passage 152 to allow for the base liquid to be carbonated as desired by the user. The passage 152 may include a suitable valve (e.g., a check valve, ball valve, or any other suitable valve) to control the ingress of pressurized gas into the interior space 142 from the pressure supply 150 to carbonate a base liquid in interior space#14613537V1142. For example, the passage 152 may include a one way check valve to prevent backflow of the pressurized gas into the pressure supply and / or a flow restrictor (e.g., an orifice of 0.8mm) to control a size of bubbles introduced into the liquid. In some embodiments, the passage 152 may also include one or more regulators (not shown) to modulate a rate of flow (e.g., limit a pressure) of the pressurized gas. In this fashion, the regulator can control the amount of pressurized gas supplied to the interior space 142 depending on the amount of beverage liquid received in the interior space such that excess waste of pressurized gas is reduced. While one passage 152 is shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments a plurality of passages may be provided to increase the rate at which base liquid may be carbonated in interior space 142.

[0091] The lid 100 may include an isolation chamber receptacle 114 and a valve 130, each of which may be attached to the lid base 110. In some embodiments, the valve 130 may be directly attached to the lid base 110 via a threaded connection or other suitable connection type (e.g., a snap fit). In some embodiments, isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be operatively coupled to an actuator 160, which may be actuated to move the receptacle 114 relative to the valve 130. In some such embodiments, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may not be in direct contact with the lid base 110. That is, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be directly coupled with the actuator 160, and the actuator 160 may in turn be engaged with the lid base 110. As a result, the actuator 160 may be moved by a user (e.g., rotated around a circumference of the container) to move the isolation chamber receptacle 114 relative to the valve 130 (which may be fixed in its position relative to lid base 110) between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position (as shown in FIG. 2), a valve gate 132 of the valve 130 may cover one or more openings 118 of the receptacle 114 such that fluid communication between an interior space 116 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and the interior space 142 of the container 140 is restricted. Upon movement of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and the valve gate 132 relative to one another, the one or more openings 118 may be exposed such that fluid communication is then permitted between interior space 116 of the receptacle and interior space 142 of the container. In some embodiments, a base liquid received within the interior space 142 may be carbonated using the pressure supply 150 prior to permitting fluid communication to the interior space 116. Once the base liquid is carbonated, the user may then move the valve gate 132 and isolation chamber receptacle 114 relative to one another to expose the openings 118. With the openings 118 exposed, the carbonated base liquid may be allowed to flow into the interior space 116 to be flavored with additive from the additive cartridge 200 prior to the beverage#14613537V1being consumed by a user. For example, carbonated base liquid may flow from through one or more openings 118 into a base liquid flow path of the additive cartridge 200 into a mixing zone of the additive cartridge 200 to be mixed with additive via an additive flow path extending from an additive reservoir of the additive cartridge 200 to the mixing zone.

[0092] In some embodiments, the valve gate 132 may be movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle 114 along a longitudinal axis 230 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 230 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be offset from the vertical axis (i.e., a vertical axis oriented parallel with respect to a local direction of gravity), as shown in FIG. 2. In some cases, the longitudinal axis 230 may be transverse to a vertical longitudinal axis of the container 140 and / or transverse to an axis about which the lid 100 is rotated to engage with the container 140. As a result, the interior space 116 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may receive an additive cartridge 200 at an angle along an insertion direction 210, which may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 230. In some embodiments, such a configuration may serve to reduce the angle at which a user may need to tilt the beverage container 140 to drink a beverage. That is, the user may drink the beverage out of the lid opening 122 and / or a spout of the cartridge 200 which may be oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis or longitudinal axis of the container 140. In some embodiments, the user may drink beverage through an opening of the additive cartridge 200 once the cartridge is inserted into the interior space 116. That is, the cartridge 200 may extend above the valve 130 at a vertically higher position and include a spout that the user may drink from to consume the beverage. In some cases, the cartridge 200 may sealingly engage with the opening 122, e.g., by threaded engagement, so a portion of the cartridge 200 extends above the opening 122.

[0093] The additive cartridge 200 may be received within the interior space 116 and be configured such that additive contained in the additive cartridge 200 may be mixed with a base liquid (e.g., water) as the base liquid flows through the additive cartridge 200. Such an additive cartridge 200 may also provide user adjustment of the amount of additive added to the base liquid flow by rotation of a flavor dial or other suitable adjustment mechanism on the additive cartridge 200. In some embodiments, the additive cartridge 200 may be locked into engagement with the valve 130 and / or the receptacle 114 to prevent removal of the cartridge when the user is drinking beverage through the additive cartridge 200. For example, the additive cartridge 200may be threadingly engaged to the valve 130 and / or receptacle 114. The additive cartridge 200 may also be unlocked from its engagement with the valve 130 and / or isolation chamber receptacle 114 by unthreading the additive cartridge 200 such that#14613537V1the additive cartridge 200 may be removed and replaced, e.g., when the additive cartridge 200 runs out of additive or a different flavored cartridge is desired. The additive cartridge 200 may alternatively be engaged to the valve 130 and / or receptacle 114 via an interference fit, snap fit, or any other suitable mode of engagement.

[0094] In some embodiments, a handle 170 may be attached to the lid 100 to promote grasping of the portable beverage container 140 by a user. In some embodiments, the handle 170 may be constructed in a “U-shape”, as shown in FIGs. 5A-5D.

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the lid 100 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the valve 130 may be constructed such that the valve 130 includes one or more concave portions defining a valve channel 138, and the valve channel 138 may receive at least a portion of an isolation chamber receptacle 114. In some embodiments, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be slidingly fit within the valve gate 132 as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the valve 130 may include one or more actuator openings 134 configured to receive actuator 160. As shown in FIG. 3, the actuator 160 may extend through the actuator openings 134 and be operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle 114. In operation, a user may actuate the actuator 160 to move the isolation chamber receptacle 114 relative to the valve gate 132 between the open and closed positions to selectively expose one or more openings 118 to selectively permit or resist fluid communication between the interior space 116 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and the interior space 142 of the portable liquid container 804. For example, rotation of the actuator 160 may cause the isolation chamber receptacle 114 to move downwardly in FIG. 3 so that the openings 118 move below the valve gate 132 to allow fluid communication with the interior space 142 of the portable liquid container 804.

[0096] In some embodiments, the lid 100 may include one or more seals (e.g., seals 190, 192) which may occupy and / or be held in respective channels or seats formed in the receptacle 114 and may be configured to sealingly engage the valve gate 132 and the isolation chamber receptacle 114 in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 3). In particular, the one or more seals may include one or more upper seals 190 and one or more lower seals 192 which may be positioned on opposite sides of the one or more openings 118 according to some embodiments. That is, the upper and lower seals 190, 192 may be spaced from one another such that the upper and lower seals are not in contact with one another according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the seals may extend around the entire circumference of the space between the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and the valve gate 132 to form the seal. The one or more seals may be held within one or more channels formed#14613537V1in the receptacle as referenced above. In some embodiments, these one or more channels may be formed as recesses in a sidewall of the receptacle. In other embodiments, however, one or more flanges may extend outwardly from the sidewall of the receptacle to retain the one or more seals. For example, two flanges may extend outwardly from the receptacle sidewall such that a gap is disposed between the flanges, and a seal may be positioned in the gap to sealingly engage the valve gate and the receptacle. In some embodiments, a first set of flanges may flank and receive a first seal (e.g., seal 190) and a second set of flanges may flank and receive a second seal (e.g., seal 192). The one or more seals may be constructed in any suitable fashion, and may include O-rings, gaskets, or other suitable seals. The seals may be constructed of any suitable material, including rubber, plastics, silicone, metal, or any other suitable material. Although two seals are shown in FIG. 3, any suitable number of upper and / or lower seals may be provided to sealingly engage the valve gate and isolation chamber receptacle. In some embodiments, one or more seals may be provided in valve channel 138 to sealingly engage the isolation chamber receptacle 114 with the valve 130 at the top of the receptacle.

[0097] In some embodiments, the lid 100 may include one or more vents (e.g., vents 180, 182). The one or more vents may be configured to selectively permit fluid communication between an interior space 142 of the portable liquid container 804 and a surrounding environment of the portable liquid container 804. In some embodiments, one or more vents may also be provided to permit venting from the interior space 116 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 to the surrounding environment. The one or more vents may be constructed and arranged in any suitable fashion as the disclosure is not so limited. For example, at least one of the vents may be a pressure relief valve that is configured to vent the interior space 142 if an internal pressure exceeds a pressure threshold. For example, if a carbonating pressure in the interior space 142 is above a threshold, a vent may operate to relieve at least some pressure in the interior space 142, e.g., so the pressure is maintained at a level to provide a desired carbonation level. In another example, at least one of the vents may be a check valve configured to enable air and / or base liquid to be deposited into and / or removed from the interior space 142. For example, as a user drinks liquid from the interior space 142, a vent may allow air to enter the interior space 142 to replace the volume of the removed liquid. In some embodiments, the actuator 160 may be configured to selectively open at least one the vents to permit fluid communication between the interior space 142 and the surrounding environment. For example, as a user rotates the actuator 160 to a first position, the actuator may engage or disengage a blocking element (not shown) to restrict#14613537V1fluid flow through a passage of at least one of the vents by contacting the blocking element against the passage. This may, for example, allow pressure to rise in the interior space 142 to carbonate a liquid. When the user rotates the actuator 160 to a second position, the actuator 160 may remove contact between the blocking element and the passage such that venting is permitted. This may, for example, release pressure in the interior space 142 prior to drinking and / or prior to opening fluid communication between the interior space 142 and the interior space 116 by the valve 130. Of course, the vents 180, 182 may be instead selectively open and closed independently from the actuator 160. For example, the user may actuate a secondary actuator (e.g., a button) independent from actuator 160 to selectively open and close the vents.

[0098] In some embodiments, the lid 100 may include an indicator adapted to indicate to a user information associated with pressure in the container 140. For example, the indicator may be adapted to indicate a level of pressure in response to a pressure change in the container 140. In some cases, the indicator may provide an indication, which may indicate a level of carbonation of liquid within the container 140, in response to pressure within the container 140 reaching or exceeding a threshold pressure. As such, as a user directs gas into the container 140 to carbonate liquid within the container 140, the indicator may indicate a level of carbonation to the user once a level of carbonation associated with the threshold pressure is reached according to some embodiments. In some cases, the indicator may be formed as a flag, float, other movable component, or other indicator on an upper or side surface of the lid 100. In some cases, the indicator may be formed on a housing of the portable beverage container, as the disclosure is not limited to the positioning of the indicator.

[0099] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the valve 130, the isolation chamber receptacle 114, and the actuator 160 which are engageable with one another. The valve 130 may include threading 136 configured to engage corresponding threading on the additive cartridge (not shown) that is received within the isolation chamber receptacle 114 such that the additive cartridge is coupled to the valve. When assembled, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be slidingly fit within valve gate 132 of the valve 130 such that the valve gate 132 covers the one or more openings 118 in a closed position. In some embodiments, the one or more openings 118 may be positioned circumferentially around the receptacle 114, as shown in FIG. 4. With the valve gate 132 positioned over a portion of the receptacle 114, the one or more actuator openings 134 may be at least partially aligned with threaded portions 120 on the isolation chamber receptacle 114. The actuator 160 may also be positioned around a circumference of the valve 130 such that one or more protuberances 162#14613537V1(e.g., teeth) of the actuator 160 align with the one or more actuator openings 134. In this fashion, the one or more protuberances 162 of the actuator 160 may engage the threaded portions 120 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 to operatively couple the actuator 160 and isolation chamber receptacle 114. With the actuator 160 is engaged with the receptacle 114, the user may actuate the actuator 160 (e.g., by pressing on tab 164 to rotate the actuator 160) to cause the receptacle 114 to move between an open position and a closed position relative to the valve gate 132 to selectively permit or resist fluid communication through the openings 118, respectively. In some embodiments, the threaded portions 120 may be angled as shown in FIG. 4 such that the protuberances 162 may slide along the threaded portions 120 to adjust the vertical position of the receptacle 114 between the open and closed positions as the actuator 160 is rotated.

[0100] In some embodiments, the actuator 160 may include a plurality of protuberances 162 and a corresponding plurality of threaded portions 120 on the isolation chamber receptacle 114. Such a configuration may prevent misalignment and / or disengagement between the actuator 160 and the isolation chamber receptacle 114 during actuation. In some embodiments, a suitable number of protuberances is greater than or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, or more protuberances. Likewise in some embodiments, a suitable number of threaded portions 120 may be greater than or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, or more threaded portions. In addition, the valve 130 may include a plurality of actuator openings 134. In some embodiments, a suitable number of actuator openings is greater than or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, or more actuator openings.

[0101] FIGs. 5A-5B show an embodiment of the lid 100 in an isolation mode. In the isolation mode, the actuator 160 is positioned such that the valve gate 132 is in a closed position relative to the isolation chamber receptacle 114. That is, the valve gate 132 covers the one or more openings 118 of the receptacle 114 such that fluid communication is restricted into the interior space 116. To retain the receptacle 114 and valve 130 in engagement with the lid base 110, the valve may include a flange 133 extending outwardly therefrom. The actuator 160 and valve flange 133 may flank a portion of the lid base 110 as shown in FIGs. 5B and 5D such that the actuator, valve, and receptacle may not be disengaged from the lid base unless the actuator is first disengaged from the receptacle, e.g., by disengaging the one or more protuberances 162 of the actuator from the threaded portions 120 of the receptacle as described in reference to FIG. 4.

[0102] FIGs. 5C-5D show an embodiment of the lid 100 in a dispensing mode. In the dispensing mode, the actuator 160 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction viewed from#14613537V1above (FIG. 5C) by a user relative to the orientation of FIGs. 5A-5B such that the valve gate 132 moves to an open position. That is, movement of the actuator 160, by virtue of the interaction of protuberances 162 (FIG. 4) with receptacle threading 120 (FIG. 4), may move the isolation chamber receptacle 114 downwardly relative to the valve gate 132 so that the openings 118 are exposed for fluid communication. In the open position, the one or more openings 118 are exposed such that fluid communication is permitted into the interior space 116.

[0103] In operation, the user may maintain the lid 100 in the isolation mode while a base liquid in a corresponding beverage container (not shown) is being carbonated using a pressure supply. Once the base liquid is sufficiently carbonated, the user may actuate the actuator 160 to move the lid 100 to the dispensing mode, where the carbonated liquid may mix with additive from an additive cartridge 200 positioned in the interior space 116, e.g., as a user drinks from the additive cartridge 200. Such a configuration may allow for the user to carbonate a base liquid and infuse flavoring at a time convenient for the user. As noted above, pressure in the interior space 142 may be vented by a vent 180, 182 in response to movement of the actuator 160. This may help prevent exposing the cartridge 200 to pressure in the interior space 142.

[0104] FIGs. 6A-6B show alternative embodiments to that of FIG. 3 for actuating movement between the valve gate 132 and the isolation chamber receptacle 114 to selectively permit or resist fluid communication between the interior spaces of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 and the portable liquid container 804.

[0105] FIG. 6A shows one embodiment of a push latch mechanism for actuating movement between the valve gate 132 and receptacle 114. In operation, a user may push down on actuator 160 such that a tab 164 of the actuator engages a retaining element 166. As disclosed herein, the actuator 160 may be operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle 114 such that the isolation chamber receptacle 114 moves in response to actuation of the actuator 160. Once the tab 164 is engaged with retaining element 166, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be positioned such that valve gate 132 is in an open position and fluid communication is permitted into the interior space 116. In some embodiments, the retaining element 166 may be located on the valve 130, as shown in FIG. 6A. To move the valve gate 132 to the closed position, the user may once again push on actuator 160 to disengage the tab 164 from retaining element 166. In the closed position (shown in FIG. 6A), fluid communication may not be permitted between the interior space 116 and the interior space 142 through one or more openings 118. In the above embodiment, at least one of the#14613537V1tab 164 and retaining element 166 may be partially flexible to allow the tab 164 and retaining element 166 to deflect and move past one another to permit movement between the open and closed positions. In some embodiments, one or more biasing members 168 may be operatively coupled to the actuator 160 such that the actuator 160 may be biased to return to the disengaged position in which the valve gate 132 is in the closed position and fluid communication is not permitted into the interior space 116. Alternatively, the biasing members 168 may bias the actuator 160 such that the valve gate 132 is retained in the open position absent actuation of the actuator 160.

[0106] It will be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment of a push latch mechanism described above. For example, the push latch mechanism may be constructed to include a track with a plurality of camming surfaces having different depths formed as grooves on the track. In such an embodiment, depression of an actuator may cause one or more cams to move along the grooves in the track and to engage respective camming surfaces. Once the actuator is depressed again, the cams may disengage from the camming surfaces and engage other camming surfaces having a different depth. Thus, this configuration may allow for the actuator and in turn the isolation chamber receptacle to move relative to the valve gate between the open and closed positions in response to depression of the actuator. Such mechanisms can often be found in push-type ball point pens and a similar mechanism may be used for a valve actuator. In such an example, one or more biasing members may be included to bias the one or more cams to the disengaged or engaged position to selectively expose the interior space of the receptacle.

[0107] FIG. 6B is an alternate embodiment of actuating movement between the valve gate 132 and the isolation chamber receptacle 114, where the isolation chamber receptacle 114 is not operatively coupled with an actuator as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 A. Instead, the valve gate 132 and isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be movable relative to one another in response to an applied pressure differential 220. In particular, a pressure supply (not shown) may supply pressurized gas to the interior space 142 for carbonating a base liquid in the container. In response, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may be moved relative to the valve gate 132 to the closed position such that fluid communication through into the interior space 116 of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 is not permitted during carbonation. Once the base liquid is sufficiently carbonated, the pressure buildup in the interior space 142 may be released. This may be achieved by manually releasing the pressure using a button that permits fluid communication with the surrounding environment or automatically using vents 180, 182. Once the pressure in interior space 142 is reduced, the isolation chamber receptacle#14613537V1114 may return to an open position in which the interior space 116 is exposed to permit fluid communication. This return movement of isolation chamber receptacle 114 may occur due to the weight of the isolation chamber receptacle 114 urging the receptacle downwards or by one or more biasing members operatively coupled to the receptacle. In this fashion, the isolation chamber receptacle 114 may move between the open and closed positions in response to an applied pressure differential without the need for a manual actuator. In some embodiments, the seals 190, 192 may be engaged to the isolation chamber receptacle 114 via an interference fit such that the seals may prevent the receptacle from falling out of the channel 138 in the absence of an applied pressure differential.

[0108] According to some aspects of the disclosure, the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied as a method. An exemplary method of operating a lid for a portable beverage container is shown in FIG. 7A.

[0109] In step 300, a lid having an isolation chamber receptacle attached to a lid base of the lid may be provided. As disclosed herein, the isolation chamber receptacle may include one or more openings to permit fluid communication with an interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

[0110] In step 310, the lid base may be engaged with a portable beverage container. The lid base and the portable beverage container may be engaged with one another by any suitable fit as disclosed herein (e.g., a threaded fit, an interference fit, a snap fit, etc.). The portable beverage container may include a liquid receptacle that receives a base liquid such as water.

[0111] In step 320, an additive cartridge may be positioned at least partially within an interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle. As disclosed herein, an additive cartridge may be used to infuse flavoring into the base liquid prior to and / or during consumption of the beverage by a user.

[0112] In step 330, the base liquid contained within the liquid receptacle may be carbonated using a pressure supply (e.g., a CO2 supply). The pressure supply may be located within a compartment of the portable beverage container and include a passage for supplying the pressurized gas to the liquid receptacle as disclosed herein. During carbonation, a valve gate and the isolation chamber receptacle may remain in a closed position such that the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle is isolated from an interior space of the portable beverage container.

[0113] In step 340, the valve gate and isolation chamber receptacle may move relative to one another from the closed position to the open position such that fluid communication is#14613537V1permitted into the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle. As detailed above, the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle may contain an additive. Accordingly, the carbonated liquid may enter the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle and mix with the additive for flavoring, and then the flavored carbonated liquid may be dispensed out of an opening of the lid or out of an opening of the additive cartridge to be consumed by a user.

[0114] An exemplary method of assembling a lid for a portable beverage container is shown in FIG. 7B.

[0115] In step 400, an isolation chamber receptacle may be engaged with a valve to form an assembly. In particular, the isolation chamber receptacle may be inserted into and frictionally secured to the valve (e.g., using one or more seals). As disclosed herein, a valve gate of the valve and the isolation chamber receptacle may be configured to move relative to one another between open and closed positions while the valve is engaged with the receptacle.

[0116] In step 410, the isolation chamber receptacle and valve assembly may be positioned at least partially through the lid base. For example, an underside of the lid base may receive the assembly such that the receptacle extends below a portion of the lid base while the valve extends above a portion of the lid base, as shown in FIGs. 5A-5D. In another example, the receptacle and valve assembly may be positioned through a top portion of the lid base as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0117] In step 420, the isolation chamber receptacle and valve assembly may be engaged with and secured to the lid base. To facilitate this engagement, the assembly may further comprise an actuator (e.g., a ring-shaped lever as shown in FIG. 4), and the actuator may be positioned around a circumference of the valve such that the actuator contacts the lid base. For example, as shown in FIGs. 5B and 5D, the actuator 160 and valve flange 133 may flank a portion of the lid base 110, and the actuator 160 may be engaged with the receptacle 114 through actuator openings 134 (e.g., by engaging one or more protuberances 162 of the actuator with the threaded portions 120 of the receptacle). In this fashion, the actuator, valve, and receptacle may be collectively engaged within the lid base 110.

[0118] In step 430, a handle may be engaged with the lid base to retain the engagement between the receptacle and valve assembly with the lid base. For example, as shown in FIGs. 5A-5D, the handle 170 may be formed as an overcap at least partially covering the actuator and the lid base. The handle may be engaged with the lid base in any suitable fashion such as by using a snap-fit. By providing this handle, disengagement and#14613537V1removal of the actuator may be prevented as the actuator rotates between the open and closed positions disclosed herein.

[0119] While exemplary methods have been provided herein in reference to FIGs. 7A and 7B, any embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied as a method as the disclosure is not so limited. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0120] FIG. 8 shows a portable beverage container 140 engaged with a refill station 818 according to some embodiments. The portable beverage container 140 may hold liquid, such as water or other consumable liquid, in a liquid container 804 which may be located in a housing 802. The portable beverage container 140 may also include gas storage, e.g., a gas tank 806 configured to store gas. The gas tank 806 may be adapted to hold gas under pressure, which may be above ambient pressure. The gas tank 806 may be at least partially in the housing 802, e.g., the gas tank 806 and / or liquid container 804 may define the housing 802 in part and / or be located within a separate housing. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the gas tank 806 may be selectively fluidly coupled with the liquid container 804, e.g., to deliver pressurized gas into the liquid container 804. The dashed lines shown in FIG. 8 represent fluidic and / or functional connections between elements (e.g., the dashed line between the gas tank 806 and the liquid container 804 illustrates a fluidic connection between the two components). Note, however, that a beverage container 140 need not include a gas tank 806, e.g., pressurized gas may be provided from the refill station 818 directly into the liquid container 804. The dashed-dotted lines in FIG. 8 represent operative connections between elements. The portable beverage container 140 may also include a lid 100 which may be removably coupled to the housing 802 and / or any other appropriate portion of the portable beverage container 140. By enclosing the liquid container 104, the lid 100 may define a portion of a volume for storing liquid, according to some embodiments.

[0121] The lid 100 may be configured to operate with an additive cartridge 200 according to some embodiments. In some cases, the additive cartridge 200 may include a base cap 814 for securing the additive cartridge 200 to the lid 100 as well as a spout 816 which may enable a user to drink liquid in the liquid container 804 from the portable beverage container 140. The lid 100 may also include or be configured to receive any other appropriate means to enable a user to drink from the portable beverage container 140, including but not limited to a spout (which may be separate from the additive cartridge 200),#14613537V1straw, opening, or other appropriate means. In some embodiments, the additive cartridge 200 may be configured to flavor liquid passing through the additive cartridge 200. For example, the additive cartridge 200 may include a base liquid passage through which liquid within the liquid container 804 may pass through. The additive cartridge 200 may also include an additive passage through which additive stored in the additive cartridge may be drawn from for mixing with the base liquid, for example, in response to base liquid passing through the base liquid passage of the additive cartridge 200.

[0122] The portable beverage container 140 may be configured to receive gas into the gas tank 806. For example, after pressurized gas has been delivered from the gas tank 806 into liquid container 804, pressure in the gas tank 806 may drop to ambient pressure or other relatively low pressure. To refill the gas tank 806 with pressurized gas, the portable beverage container 140 may be coupled to a refill station 818 , e.g., using a gas tank interface adapted to engage with a refill station interface, so that gas from a refill station gas tank 822 (also referred to as a “source tank” herein) of the refill station 818 may be selectively provided to flow into the gas tank 806 of the portable beverage container 140. In some cases, the portable beverage container 140 may be configured to engage with a refill fitting 824 of the refill station 818, for example via an opening 808 of the portable beverage container 140. In some cases, the opening 808 may be adapted to align the portable beverage container 140 on the refill station 818 when engaged with the refill fitting 824. In some embodiments such as that in FIG. 8, the opening 808 may be configured to receive the refill fitting 824 such that at least a portion of the refill fitting 824 is positioned (e.g., housed) in the opening 808 for gas to be directed from the refill station 818, e.g., the refill station gas tank 822 or other appropriate gas source, to the gas tank 806 of the portable beverage container 140. In some embodiments, pressurized gas may flow from the refill station gas tank 822 through the refill fitting 824 into the gas tank 806, e.g., in response to pressure at a fluid coupling (e.g., at flow path 825) between the refill fitting 824 and the opening 808 being above a pressure in the gas tank 806.

[0123] In some embodiments, the refill station 818 may include one or more valves configured to direct or otherwise control gas flow from the refill station gas tank 822 to the refill fitting 824. For example, a refill station valve 828 may be configured to selectively permit flow of gas from the refill station gas tank 822 to the refill fitting 824, e.g., a user may operate the valve 828 to controllably open and close. In some cases, a refill station actuator 826 may control the refill station valve 828 to open or close to control flow of gas from the refill station gas tank 822 to the refill fitting 824. For example, the refill station actuator 826 may include a lever, button or other interface which a user may actuate to open and / or close#14613537V1the refill station valve 828 to control gas flow from the refill station gas tank 822 to the gas tank 806 of the portable beverage container 140. It should be appreciated that one or more of the elements of the refill station 818 may be positioned at least partially within, entirely within, or entirely outside of a refill station housing 120 of the refill station 818 as the disclosure is not limited to the positioning of the elements of the refill station 818.

[0124] In some cases, the refill station 818 may be configured to accommodate at least a portion of the portable beverage container 140. For example, the portable beverage container 140 may include one or more rounded or otherwise shaped portions, e.g., formed on the bottom or other portion of the housing 802, and the refill station 818 may include one or more corresponding portions adapted to receive the corresponding portions of the portable beverage container 140. In some examples, a bottom portion of the housing 802 may be formed with a convex portion (e.g., at a bottom of the housing 802) and a portion of the refill station near the refill fitting 824 may have a concave portion adapted to receive the convex portion, e.g., such that the surfaces of the convex and concave portions are substantially in contact.

[0125] In some embodiments, a portable beverage container 140 may include an opening 808 adapted to receive a refill fitting, where the opening can adjust in volume or size to receive the refill fitting and / or be configured to cover a port to receive pressurized gas. For example, a portable beverage container 140 may include a cap 902 arranged in the opening 808 as can be seen in FIG. 9. The cap 902 may be movable relative to the opening 808 between a first cap position and a second cap position, e.g., in direction of movement “M” shown in FIG. 9. In the first cap position (shown in FIG. 9), the cap 902 may be positioned to cover a port 904 and in the second cap position the cap 902 may be positioned such that the port 904 is exposed to receive pressurized gas, e.g., the cap 902 may be positioned above the port 904. In some cases, the port 904 may be formed on a side wall 906 of the opening 808, e.g., so as to fluidly couple the opening 808 with the gas tank 806. However, the port 904 may be provided at any suitable location of the opening, e.g., a top portion, as the disclosure is not limited in this sense.

[0126] The refill fitting 824 may comprise a body and one or more gas flow paths formed to correspond or otherwise operate with the opening 808 of the portable beverage container 140. For example, the body of the refill fitting 824 may be formed as a cylinder to correspond or otherwise operate with a cylindrical shape of the opening 808. In some embodiments, the body of the refill fitting 824 may include a refill fitting gas flow path adapted to direct gas from the refill station gas tank 822 into the gas tank 806 of the portable#14613537V1beverage container 140. The refill fitting gas flow path may include one or more openings through which gas flows out of the refill fitting gas flow path and into the port 904 while the refill fitting 824 is positioned in the opening 808. For example, the body of the refill fitting 824 may be adapted to be received into the opening 808 (e.g., by placing the portable beverage container 140 onto the refill station 818) so the refill fitting gas flow path is aligned with or otherwise fluidly communicates with the port 904 such that gas may flow through an opening of the refill fitting gas flow path to the port 904.

[0127] In some cases, the refill fitting gas flow path may be formed such that gas travels at an angle (e.g., perpendicular relative to the direction of movement “M” of the cap 902) from the refill fitting 824 into the port 904 of the opening 808. Configuring the refill fitting flow path such that gas flows angled (e.g., perpendicular) relative to the direction of movement of the cap 902 into the port 904 may provide benefits and help to prevent issues that may arise from gas flowing parallel to the direction of movement of the cap 902. For example, directing gas at an angle may help prevent gas flowing through the refill fitting 824 from urging the refill fitting 824 and / or the portable beverage container 140 out of engagement with one another (e.g., resulting from a separation force generated by pressure of the gas). In some cases, directing gas in a direction parallel to the direction of movement “M” of the cap 902 may present issues in instances of misalignment of the refill fitting gas flow path and the port 904 and / or excessive flow of gas from the refill fitting 824. Misalignment of the refill fitting gas flow port and the port 904 and / or excessive flow of gas from the refill fitting 824 may, for example, damage the refill fitting 824 and / or one or more portions of the portable beverage container 140 such as the opening 808 and / or when gas flows from the refill fitting gas flow path. The refill fitting 824 may also include one or more seals, e.g., gaskets, configured to form a seal between the body of the refill fitting 824 and the side wall 906 of the opening 808. In some cases, the refill fitting 824 may include a first seal above the opening of the refill fitting gas flow path and a second seal below the opening of the refill fitting gas flow path. Providing a seal above and a seal below the opening of the refill fitting gas flow path may help to prevent gas flowing from leaking into areas of the opening 808 above or below the seals, which may help to prevent waste of gas (e.g., gas not entering the port 904 and rather entering a surrounding environment), damage to the refill fitting 824 and / or one or more portions of the portable beverage container 140 such as the opening 808, and / or the refill fitting 824 and / or the portable beverage container 140 being urged out of engagement with one another when gas flows from the refill fitting gas flow path. In some cases, the refill fitting 824 may have a vent that extends from an upper surface of the fitting#14613537V1824 to an external environment (e.g., the vent may extend vertically to a bottom of the fitting 824) so that any pressure in a space above the fitting 824 and the opening 808 can be vented to atmosphere.

[0128] Movement of the cap 902 relative to the opening 808 may change a volume of a space within the opening 808 defined by the cap 902 and the side wall 906, e.g., where a refill fitting 824 is received. For example, moving the cap 902 to expose the port 904 in the opening 808 may increase the volume of the space defined by the cap 902 and the side wall 906 of the opening 808, e.g., to receive the refill fitting 824. Moving the cap 902 to cover the port 904 may decrease the volume of the space. In some cases, the volume defined by the cap 902 and the side wall 906 of the opening 808 may have a cylindrical geometry. Receiving the refill fitting 824 in the opening 808 may move the cap 902 to expose the port 904, thereby increasing the volume of the space defined by the cap 902 and the side wall 906 of the opening 808. In some embodiments, such as the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 9-11, the gas tank 806 may extend around the volume of the space within the opening 808 defined by the cap 902 and the side wall 906, e.g., the cap 902 may move in a space that is surrounded by the gas tank 806.

[0129] In some embodiments, the cap 902 in the first cap position may form a dust proof seal between the cap 902 and the opening 808 such that dust or other potential contaminants may be prevented from entering the port 904. In some cases, the cap 902 may include a seal element to form a seal (e.g., the dustproof seal) between the cap 902 and the opening 808, e.g., one or more o-rings may provide a seal between the cap 902 and the opening 808. In some cases, the seal formed between the cap 902 and the opening 808 may be airtight. The seal of the cap 902 is described further below with respect to FIG. 11. In some embodiments, the cap 902 may be adapted to prevent over-insertion of the refill fitting 824 in the opening 808, for example, by limiting an insertion depth of the refill fitting 824 while the cap 902 is in the second position.

[0130] The port 904 may be configured to receive gas when the port 904 is exposed, e.g., when the cap 902 is moved to a location above the port 904. For example, the port 904 may be adapted to receive gas from the refill fitting 824 when the port 904 is exposed to receive pressurized gas. The port 904 may be formed as a portion of an inlet channel 908 e.g., as an orifice or other opening of the inlet channel 908. The inlet channel 908 may be fluidly coupled to the gas tank 806 and may form a fluid pathway from the opening 808 to the gas tank 806. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 10 shows the portable beverage container 140 of FIG. 9 in greater detail according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the inlet#14613537V1channel 908 may include a plug 1008. For example, the plug 1008 may be adapted to close an end of the inlet channel 908. A one-way inlet valve 910 may be fluidly coupled to the inlet channel 908 and / or the gas tank 806. In some embodiments, the one-way inlet valve 910 may be configured to enable gas flow from the port 904 to the gas tank 806 (e.g., when pressure eat the port 904 is above a pressure in the gas tank 806) and prevent gas flow from the gas tank 806 to the port 904 (e.g., when pressure in the gas tank 806 is above a pressure at the port 904). The one-way inlet valve 910 may be arranged such that gas flowing through the one-way inlet valve 910 flows parallel to the direction of movement “M” of the cap 902. In some cases, the one-way inlet valve 910 may be configured to open to allow fluid flow through the one-way valve 910 above a threshold pressure, where the threshold pressure is selected to be relatively low to enable efficient, e.g., relatively fast, filling of the gas tank 806. The one-way inlet valve 910 may also be configured to close to block fluid flow through the one-way valve 910 above a relatively high threshold pressure, e.g., at the inlet channel 908 or in the gas tank 806, to reduce leakage of fluid from the gas tank 806 through the oneway valve 910.

[0131] In some cases, the cap 902 may be configured to move between the first cap position and the second cap position while remaining at least partially within or entirely within the opening 808. In some cases, the cap 902 may move between the first cap position and the second cap position along the direction of movement “M” as can be seen in FIG. 9. As such, the cap 902 may move linearly between the first cap position and the second cap position along the direction of movement “M” according to some embodiments. In some cases, the cap while in the first cap position may be positioned vertically below a port 904 relative to the view of FIG. 9. In some cases, the cap while in the second cap position may be positioned vertically above the port 904 relative to the view of FIG. 9. The cap 902 may be moved by a refill fitting 824 as the fitting 824 is received into the opening 808.

[0132] In some embodiments, the portable beverage container 140 may include a regulator 914 configured to regulate gas flow from the gas tank 806, e.g., gas flow from the gas tank 806 to the liquid container 804. In some embodiments, the regulator 914 may be positioned partially within the gas tank 806, e.g., as can be seen in FIGs. 9-11. In some embodiments, the regulator 914 may be positioned entirely within, or entirely external to the gas tank 806. In one example, an inlet of the regulator 914 may be at least partially disposed within an interior volume of the gas tank 806 and an outlet of the regulator 914 may be disposed at least partially outside of the interior volume of the gas tank 806. The regulator 914 may be fluidly coupled to an outlet channel 915 and may be configured to direct gas#14613537V1from the gas tank 806 to the outlet channel 915, e.g., at a lower pressure than is present in the gas tank 806. For example, the inlet of the regulator 914 may be fluidly coupled to the gas tank 806 and the outlet of the regulator 914 may be fluidly coupled to the outlet channel 915. As will be discussed further herein, the outlet channel 915 may be fluidly coupled between the gas tank 806 and the liquid container 804 and one or more elements (such as flow control valves, etc.) may be in fluid communication with the outlet channel 915 and / or positioned at least partially within the outlet channel 915.

[0133] The regulator 914 may be adapted to regulate gas flow such that gas exiting the regulator 914 is below a threshold regulator pressure. In this sense, the regulator 914 may limit a pressure of outflow of gas below a threshold outflow pressure. For example, gas stored within the gas tank 806 may be at a first pressure and the regulator 914 may decrease the pressure of gas flowing through the regulator 914 from the gas tank 806 such that gas exiting the regulator 914 is at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure. In some cases, the second pressure may be the threshold regulator pressure. According to some embodiments, the regulator 914 may enable a flow of gas to exit the regulator 914 within a range of pressures, such as any pressure between an upper threshold regulator pressure and a lower threshold regulator pressure. In some embodiments, a pressure at which the regulator 914 outlets gas may be adjustable by a user or otherwise. For example, an actuator (e.g., knob or other actuator) of the regulator may be actuatable to adjust the pressure are which the regulator outlets gas. In some cases, the regulator 914 may reduce or prevent backflow of fluid such as gas into the tank 806.

[0134] The portable beverage container 140 may also include an outlet valve 916 adapted to enable outflow of gas from the gas tank 806 and / or regulator 914 and in some cases may prevent backflow of fluid to the gas tank 806 and / or regulator 914. The outlet valve 916 may be in fluid communication with one or more of the liquid container 804, a one-way liquid container valve 920, the regulator 914, and the gas tank 806. In some embodiments, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may be adapted to prevent backflow of fluid into the outlet channel 915. In some cases, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may comprise or otherwise be formed as a nozzle adapted to direct gas from the gas tank 806 into the liquid container 804. For example, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may include a nozzle portion fluidly coupled to the liquid container 804 and may be adapted to disperse gas into liquid within the liquid container 804. In some cases, the nozzle portion may include an angled portion, e.g., tapered portion, adapted to increase the velocity of a fluid flow through the nozzle and into the gas tank 806. It should be appreciated that the term “one-way liquid#14613537V1container valve” as used herein may be used interchangeably with the terms “nozzle-valve”, or simply “nozzle” as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. The outlet valve 916 may be in fluid communication with and / or may be formed as a portion of the outlet channel 915. In some cases, the outlet valve 916 may be configured to direct gas in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of movement “M” of the cap 902. The outlet valve 916 may be movable between a closed state and an open state. Said differently, the outlet valve 916 may be configured to transition from a first configuration (e.g., a closed state) to a second configuration (e.g., an open state). In the first configuration, the outlet valve 916 may be configured to reduce and / or prevent gas flow from the gas tank 806. In the second configuration, the outlet valve 916 may be configured to increase and / or enable gas flow from the gas tank 806.

[0135] In some embodiments, the outlet valve 916 may be controlled to transition / move between the first configuration to the second configuration. For example, an actuator 918 may be used to control the outlet valve 916 to move or transition between the first and second configurations. The actuator 918 may be formed as a button, switch, knob, lever, or any other appropriate actuator as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. Alternatively, the actuator 918 may be formed as a touch screen, e.g., operatively coupled to a processor and a controllable actuator such as a motor, solenoid, and / or electrically operated valve as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. Operation of the actuator 918 according to some embodiments will be described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 11.

[0136] The portable beverage container 140 may also include a pressure relief element 912 in fluid communication with the gas tank 806. The pressure relief element 912 may be configured to relieve pressure in the gas tank 806 above a threshold pressure. In some cases, the pressure relief element 912 may be in fluid communication with a fluid pathway which is exterior to an interior volume of the gas tank 806, e.g., the outlet channel 915 branching off of the gas tank 806 or regulator 914 and may be configured to relieve pressure in the fluid pathway above the threshold pressure. The pressure relief element 912 may be formed as any appropriate element configured to relieve pressure, including but not limited to a pressure relief valve, a burst disk, and any other appropriate element configured to relieve pressure. In embodiments where the pressure relief element 912 is formed as a burst disk, the burst disk may be adapted to fracture when the gas tank 806 is above the threshold pressure, thereby fluidly coupling the gas tank 806 with an exterior space, where the exterior space may, for example, be at atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing the pressure of the gas tank 806, e.g., to the atmospheric pressure. Inclusion of the pressure relief element 912 may#14613537V1enable pressure to be relieved in a way which is safe to the user and before a fracture or distortion of the gas tank 806 occurs, thereby protecting the portable beverage container 140. In some cases, the pressure relief element 912 may be replaceable, e.g., in instances where the burst disk fractures, the burst disk may be replaced so the portable beverage container 140 may be used.

[0137] In some embodiments, a portable beverage container 140 may include a gas tank 806 having an upper tank portion 1002 coupled to a lower tank portion 1004, e.g., as can be seen in FIGs. 10 and 11. In some embodiments, the gas tank 806 may be defined by an upper body defining the upper tank portion 1002 and being coupled to a lower body defining the lower tank portion 1004. The lower tank portion 1004 may define an annular wall that defines a portion of an internal space to hold pressurized gas in some cases. According to some embodiments, the annular wall may extend around the opening 808.

[0138] In some cases, forming the gas tank 806 with an upper tank 1002 portion and a lower tank portion 1004 may allow for easier assembly of the gas tank 806 and the portable beverage container 140. For example, one or more elements of the portable beverage container 140 may be assembled into the upper tank portion 1002 and one or more other elements of the portable beverage container 140 may be assembled into the lower tank portion 1004. This may allow, for example, the upper and lower tank portions 1002, 1004 to be assembled prior to assembling the upper and lower tank portions 1002, 1004 to one another and / or to other portions of the portable beverage container 140, which may reduce the time, cost, and / or complexity associated with assembling the portable beverage container 140.

[0139] In some embodiments, the cap 902 may include one or more seals 1006 adapted to form a seal between the cap 902 and the opening 808, e.g., as can be seen in FIGs. 10 and 11. For example, the seal 1006 may extend around a body of the cap 902 and may be configured to engage the side wall 906 of the opening 808 to form a seal, e.g., a dustproof seal. The seal 1006 may be adapted to move with the cap 902, e.g., within the opening 808. In some cases, moving the cap 902 to the first cap position may move the seal 1006 to a first seal position to cover the port 904. For example, the cap 902 and the seal 1006 may cover the port 904, e.g., forming the dustproof seal. In the first seal position, the seal 1006 may form a seal below the port 904 relative to the perspective of the portable beverage container 140 shown in the embodiments of FIGs. 10 and 11 to cover the port 904. In the second seal position (e.g., while the cap 902 is in the second cap position), the seal 1006 may be positioned above the port 904, thereby exposing the port 904 to receive gas, e.g., from the#14613537V1refill fitting 824. In the second seal position, the seal 1006 may optionally form a seal, e.g., a dustproof seal between the body of the cap 902 and the side wall 906 of the opening 808. In some cases, the seal 1006 may be formed as one or more O-rings and / or optionally formed of polymer. In some embodiments, the seal 1006 may be positioned in the opening 808, such as on the side wall 906.

[0140] According to some embodiments, the cap 902 may be biased towards a direction, such as towards the first position. As such, the cap 902 may be biased towards a position in which the port 904 is covered. The cap 902 may be biased towards the first position by a biasing element 1010, e.g., as shown in FIGs. 10 and 11. In some cases, the biasing element 1010 may be formed as a spring (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11), cantilevered member, rubber or other resilient material, or any other appropriate biasing element adapted to bias the cap 902 towards the first direction.

[0141] The cap 902 may include one or more flanges 1012, which may be formed on an upper end of the cap 902 and may be adapted to engage a portion of the opening 808. The flanges 1012 may also be formed as one or more lips or other projections as the disclosure is not limited to any particular geometry of the flanges 1012. Regardless of the geometry of the flanges 1012, the flanges 1012 may be configured to engage a portion of the opening 808 to limit movement of the cap 902. For example, the flanges 1012 may be adapted to engage the portion of the opening 808 while the cap 902 is in the first position to limit movement of the cap 902 such that the cap 902 does not move beyond the first position. The flanges 1012 may, for example, contact one or more of a ledge, rim, or projection of the opening 808 to limit movement of the cap 902. In some embodiments, the flanges 1012 may optionally be adapted to contact an upper wall of the opening 808 while the cap moves away from the first position such that the flanges 1012 limit movement of the cap 902 moving in a direction away from the first position. In some embodiments, one or more of the flanges 1012, or other appropriate portion of the cap 902 such as the body of the cap 902 may at least partially extend around the biasing element 1010. Flanges or similar elements are not required to control movement of the cap 902, e.g., the cap 902 may have no flanges and simply contact a lip or other portion of the opening 808. In some embodiments, the cap 902 may include the concave surface which is exposed to the exterior space at the opening 808, e.g., the concave surface may be shaped to cooperate with a shape of a refill fitting 824.

[0142] In some embodiments, any appropriate combination of elements of the portable beverage container 140 may be formed in the upper or lower tank portions 1002, 1004, if provided, as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. For example, the upper tank#14613537V1portion 1002 may include a regulator 914, an outlet valve 916, an actuator 918, and / or a oneway liquid container valve 920, e.g., as can be seen in FIGs. 10 and 11. The upper tank portion 1002 may also include any appropriate fluid pathways, such as the outlet channel 915 configured to direct gas exiting the gas tank 806 to the liquid container 804. Similarly, any suitable components may be formed as part of or otherwise attached to the lower tank portion 1004. For example, as can be seen in FIGs. 10 and 11, the opening 808 including the side wall 906 of the opening 808, the cap 902 including the seal 1006 and flanges 1012 of the cap 902, the biasing element 1010, may be formed as part of the lower tank portion 1004. Also in the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 10 and 11, the port 904, the inlet channel 908, the oneway inlet valve 910, the pressure relief element 912, and the plug 1008, are also formed in the lower tank portion 1004. In some instances, one or both of the upper tank portion 1002 and the lower tank portion 1004 may be partially or entirely housed within the housing 802. In some cases, one or both of the upper tank portion 1002 and the lower tank portion 1004 may form a portion of the housing 802. For example, the upper tank portion 1002 and the lower tank portion 1004 may define a part of an outer surface of the housing 802.

[0143] In some embodiments, a lower portion of the lower tank portion 1004 may engage an upper portion of the upper tank portion 1002. In one example, such as the depicted embodiment of FIG. 11, a lower portion lip of the lower tank portion 1004 sealingly engages an upper portion skirt of the upper tank portion 1002. In some cases, an airtight seal is formed between the lower portion lip and the upper portion skirt. While the disclosure is not limited in this sense, the lower tank portion 1004 may engage with the upper tank portion 1002 via a snap-fit or other suitable connection according to some embodiments.

[0144] In some embodiments, such as the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 10 and 11, at least a portion of the port 904 and / or inlet channel 908 may extend along a direction which is angled relative to the direction of movement of the cap 902. As such, the refill station 818 e.g., the refill fitting 824 may direct gas at an angle relative to the direction of movement of the cap 902 from the opening 808 into the port 904 to the gas tank 806, for example through the angled portion of the inlet channel 908. For example, a branch of the inlet channel 908 may extend in a direction which is angled relative to the direction of movement “M” of the cap 902 within the opening 808. The portion of the port 904 and / or channel 908 may extend in any appropriate angle relative to the direction of movement of the cap 902, including any angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees, any angle from 15 degrees to 75 degrees, any angle from 30 degrees, to 60 degrees, and any other appropriate angle as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. In some embodiments, such as the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 10 and 11, the#14613537V1one-way inlet valve 910 may be positioned at least partially inside of the inlet channel 908. In some cases, the one-way inlet valve 910 may be positioned at least partially within a branch of the inlet channel 908 which may extend in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the cap 902. In such cases, the plug 1008 may optionally be positioned to close the branch of the inlet channel 908 extending in the direction parallel to the direction of movement of the cap 902.

[0145] In some embodiments, the gas tank 806 may extend around the opening 808 and related elements of the portable beverage container 140 such as the cap 902, biasing element 1010, and seal 1006. The gas tank 806 may also extend around the inlet channel 908 and related elements of the portable beverage container such as the port 904 and the one-way inlet valve 910 according to some embodiments. In some cases, at least a portion of the gas tank 806 may be formed in a toroidal shape. For example, the gas tank 806 may define an internal space that has a toroidal shape and is adapted to hold pressurized gas. In other cases, the gas tank 806 may be formed in other geometries such as a spherical geometry, ovular geometry, or any other appropriate geometry as the disclosure is not limited by the geometry of the gas tank 806.

[0146] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of a portable beverage container 140. FIG. 11 shows the actuator 918 formed as a button in the depicted embodiment. A user may actuate the actuator 918, e.g., press the button, to cause the outlet valve 916 to enable flow from the gas tank 806 to the liquid container 804. For example, in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 11, a user may move, e.g., press, an exterior facing portion 1106 coupled to an actuation member 1102 to move the actuator member 1102 into contact with the outlet valve 916 to enable flow through the outlet valve 916. In some cases, the exterior facing portion 1106 may be formed out of a pliable material, such as a polymer, for example as an elastically deformable polymer membrane. Also in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 11, the actuator 918, e.g., the button and associated actuator member, are biased in a direction (such as towards an unactuated position) with an actuator biasing element 1104, e.g., a spring. An actuator member seal 1108 may be coupled to the actuator member 1102 and may be adapted to reduce or prevent leakage of fluid such as gas from the outlet channel 915 of the portable beverage container 140.

[0147] As shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 11, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may include a valve member adapted to move between a closed valve member position and an open valve member position. The valve member may be adapted to move in response to a pressure differential, such as a pressure in the outlet channel 915 which#14613537V1is greater than a pressure within the liquid container 804. In the closed valve member position, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may be adapted to reduce or prevent fluid flow through the one-way liquid container valve 920. In the open valve member position, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may be adapted to allow fluid flow through the one-way liquid container valve 920. In some embodiments, the valve member may be adapted to move in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the cap 902 in the opening 808. The one-way liquid container valve 920 may include a liquid container valve biasing member, e.g., a spring, adapted to bias the valve member towards the closed valve member position.As shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 11, at least a portion (e.g., a bottom portion) of the liquid container 804 may be formed in a rounded, e.g., convex geometry.

[0148] It should be appreciated that any appropriate element of the portable beverage container 140 may include one or more seals configured to form a dustproof and / or airtight (e.g., to reduce or prevent the flow of gas around the element) seal. For example, the actuator 918, the regulator 914, the plug 1008, the pressure relief element 912, the one-way inlet valve 910, the outlet valve 916, and any other appropriate element of the portable beverage container 140 may include any appropriate seal. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the upper tank portion 1002, the lower tank portion 1004, and the housing 802 may include a seal. For example, a seal may be formed with a sealing element between the upper and lower tank portions 1002, 1004.

[0149] In some embodiments, the portable beverage container 140 may include one or more features adapted to encourage combination of gas from the gas tank 806 with liquid in the liquid container 804. For example, the portable beverage container 140 may include a mixing component adapted to encourage (e.g., decrease the time needed for) gas to be mixed with liquid in the liquid container 804. In some embodiments, the mixing component may movable between a first and second position. In some cases, the mixing component may be adapted to rotate or move linearly between the first position and the second position or may rotate continuously during movement of the mixing component. Regardless of how the mixing component moves, movement of the mixing component may agitate liquid in the liquid container 804, for example during or after the addition of gas from the gas tank 806. In some cases, the mixing component may be positioned partially or entirely within the liquid container 804 and may agitate liquid within the liquid container 804 by moving within the liquid container 804. In some embodiments, the mixing component may be adapted to move in response to gas flow from the gas tank 806. For example, the mixing component may be adapted to move, e.g., rotate within the liquid container 804, in response to pressure and / or#14613537V1force from the flow of gas entering the liquid container 804. In such cases, the mixing component may be fluidly coupled to the gas tank 806 and / or liquid container valve 1020 such that gas flowing into the liquid container 804 contacts the mixing component. In some cases, the mixing component may be coupled to a bottom and / or side portion of the internal space of the liquid container 804. In some cases, liquid in the liquid container 804 may partially or entirely submerge the mixing component in the liquid. For example, a mixing component may include a turbine or propeller that is powered by the pressurized gas entering the liquid container 804, one or more mixing balls that are moved by pressurized gas moving in the liquid container 804, a magnetically or otherwise driven blade or other mixer that moves fluid in the liquid container 804, and others. In some cases, the valve 1020 may include a suitable sized orifice or orifices 920, e.g., to generate a suitable bubble size of carbonating gas to achieve a desired carbonation level at a desired carbonation rate. An orifice size of 0.8mm may be suitable in some embodiments.

[0150] In some embodiments, the portable beverage container 140 may include one or more expandable volumes adapted to regulate pressure of the portable beverage container 140. For example, the portable beverage container 140 may include an expandable volume adapted to regulate, e.g., maintain, a pressure of the liquid container 804. The expandable volume may be adapted to expand in response to an increased pressure in the liquid container 804, which may allow for pressure to remain in the liquid container 804, for example rather than the pressure being released from a vent of the liquid container 804. Similarly, the expandable volume may be adapted to expand in response to a decrease in pressure, which may allow for pressure to be maintained within the liquid container 804. In some cases, the expandable volume may include or be formed as a bladder, e.g., a flexible bladder, adapted to expand in response to pressure decrease and contract / shrink in response to pressure increase. The expandable volume may be in fluid communication with the liquid container 804 and may be coupled to any appropriate portion of the portable beverage container 140, including but not limited to one or more of the lid 100, bottom or side portions (e.g., internal surfaces) of the liquid container 804, and the outlet channel 915. In some cases, the expandable volume may be configured to house liquid in the liquid container 804 within the expandable volume. In some cases, a pump or other device may be operated by a user to increase / decrease a pressure in the expandable volume, and thereby adjust a pressure in the beverage container 140.

[0151] FIG. 12 shows an example embodiment of the portable beverage container 140. As shown in FIG. 12, the actuator 918 may be formed as a button, e.g., with a rounded#14613537V1geometry according to some embodiments. The actuator 918 may be formed in the housing 802 of the portable beverage container 140. In some cases, the portable beverage container 140 may include a viewing window 1202 formed in the housing 802. Contents of the liquid container 804 may be viewable from the exterior of the portable beverage container 140 through the viewing window 1202. The viewing window 1202 may be formed in any appropriate geometry, including but not limited to square or rounded (e.g., ovular) geometries as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. As discussed more below, the window 1202 may include one or more indicators, e.g., to indicate one or more levels to which base liquid should be provided into the container 140 to achieve a desired carbonation level or other effect. The window 1202 may also allow a user to see pressurized gas entering the container 140, and potentially determine when carbonation is complete.

[0152] To carbonate a beverage using a beverage container 140 like that shown, for example, in FIG. 11, a user may first ensure that a gas tank 806, if provided with the beverage container 140, has suitable gas to carbonate a beverage. This may be done by observing a pressure gauge or other indicator coupled to the gas tank 806 (e.g., which indicator may be visible at a portion of the housing 802), by coupling the gas tank 806 to a refill station 818 and delivering pressurized gas to the gas tank 806, by test discharging pressurized gas from the gas tank 806 (e.g., by pressing the button 918) to confirm pressure is present, or in other ways. If the beverage container 140 does not include a gas tank, this confirmation need not be performed. Next, or prior to any gas source check, a user may provide base liquid to be carbonated into the liquid container 804, e.g., by removing the lid 100 and pouring the liquid (such as water) into the liquid container 804. The user may fill the liquid container 804 to a desired level, such as by observing the liquid level through the window 1202 and / or by looking into the interior of the liquid container 804 and filling the container 804 to a desired fill level which may be indicated on the window 1202 or internal surface of the liquid container 804. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, a level to which the liquid container 804 is filled with liquid and / or a volume of a gas headspace in the liquid container 804 when the lid 100 is engaged may help define the level to which liquid is carbonated.Thus, one or more different fill levels may be indicated on the window 1202 or otherwise for the liquid container 804 so a user can fill the container 804 according to a desired carbonation level.

[0153] With the liquid container 804 suitably provided with a level of base liquid, the lid 100 may be engaged with the container 804, e.g., so the interior space of the container 804 is suitably sealed to hold pressure in the container 804. If the lid 100 is provided with a spout#14613537V1and / or an isolation chamber (e.g., for a cartridge), the spout and / or isolation chamber may be closed so that suitably high pressure can be established in the liquid container 804 for carbonation or other gas dissolution. Closing of a spout or isolation chamber may be done by operating a valve or other component, and may isolate an additive cartridge from the interior space of the liquid container 804 during the carbonation process, if such a cartridge is provided. A user may next provide carbonating gas into the liquid container 804. This may be done by pressing a button 918 or other actuator to open a valve 916 to deliver pressurized gas from the gas tank 806 to the liquid container 804. Alternately, carbonating gas may be provided into the liquid container 804 by fluidly coupling the liquid container 804 to a source of pressurized gas, such as a refill station 818 or similar device, e.g., where the beverage container 140 does not include an onboard gas tank 806. As pressurizing gas is delivered into the liquid container 804, a headspace of the container 804 may be vented, e.g., to remove air or other gas from the container 804. This may be done by a user operating a manual vent on the lid 100 or other part of the beverage container 140 and / or by automatic operation of a vent so that air and / or other gas is vented from the interior space of the liquid container 804. This may help prevent the dissolution of air or other unwanted gas into the base liquid, e.g., a headspace of the liquid container 804 may be purged of air.

[0154] In some cases, as pressurized gas is delivered into the liquid container 804, a pressure relief valve (e.g., mounted to the lid 100) may open in response to pressure in the liquid container 804 exceeding a threshold. This may operate to vent air or other unwanted gas from the liquid container 804 and / or establish a desired pressure in the liquid container 804, and may continue as pressurized gas is delivered into the liquid container 804 for a suitable time so as to suitably purge air from the container 804. That is, in some cases the beverage container 140 may include a pressure relief valve that operates to vent pressure from the liquid container 804 only when pressure in the container 804 exceeds a threshold (e.g., corresponding to a desired carbonation level), and the pressure relief valve may operate to purge the headspace of the container 804 as pressurized gas is delivered into the container 804. In some cases, such a pressure relief valve may be adjustable, e.g., so a user can adjust a threshold pressure at which the valve opens and thereby adjust a carbonation level for liquid in the container 804. Alternately, the interior space (e.g., headspace) of the liquid container 804 need not be vented at all during delivery of carbonating gas into the liquid container 804. Instead, a user may press the button 918 or other actuator so pressurized gas is delivered and the pressure raised in the container 804 without venting. (A pressure relief valve may be provided so that excessive pressure is vented from the container 804 if needed, but such a#14613537V1relief valve may not open under normal conditions). A regulator or other suitable device may be used to adjust a pressure of gas that is delivered to the liquid container 804, e.g., so that a suitable pressure is established in the liquid container 804. In some cases, a regulator or other pressure control device may be adjustable by a user so that different levels of pressure can be established in the liquid container 804 and thereby provide different levels of carbonation. For example, a user may rotate a dial, move a slider or otherwise adjust a setting of a regulator to adjust an output pressure of the regulator for gas delivered to the liquid container 804. Use of a regulator or otherwise regulated gas delivery pressure may be used in combination with, or in place of a pressure relief valve to control a carbonation level. A user may agitate the base liquid in the liquid container 804 during carbonation or other gas dissolution, e.g., by shaking the beverage container 140, operating a mixer or other agitating element in the liquid container 804, or other. A user may confirm that carbonation is complete, or at least that a desired pressure has been established in the liquid container 804 in different ways, such as by observing a pressure indicator on the lid or other part of the beverage container 104, observing through the window 1202 bubbles (or lack thereof) entering the liquid container 804, hearing a pressure relief valve vent pressure when the button 918 or other gas delivery actuator is actuated to deliver gas, etc.

[0155] With a suitable carbonation or other gas dissolution level established in the liquid container 804, a user may take action to consume the liquid. For example, the lid 100 may be removed and the user may drink from the container. If a lid 100 is provided with an additive cartridge 200, a valve or other isolating component may be opened (e.g., by moving a lever to open a valve of an isolation chamber) to permit carbonated liquid to be delivered to the cartridge for mixing with additive and delivery to a user. If a lid or cartridge has a closable spout or other outlet, the spout or other closure may be opened, etc.

[0156] Any one-way valves discussed herein with respect to any portion of the portable beverage container and / or refill station may be formed as any appropriate one-way valve as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. For example, one or more of the one-way valves discussed herein may be formed as a ball check valve, diaphragm check valve, swing check valve, butterfly check valve, stop-check valve, lift-check valve, in-line check valve, duckbill valve, reed valve, Schrader valve, and any other appropriate one-way valve configured to allow a flow in one direction.

[0157] The fluidic connections as discussed herein with respect to any portion of the portable beverage container and / or refill station may be formed using any appropriate fluidic connection, for example, the fluidic connections discussed in relation to the portable beverage#14613537V1container 140 and the refill station 818 may be formed using one or more tubes, piping, channels (e.g., formed in one or more elements such as the upper and lower tank portions 1002, 1004), and any other appropriate fluidic connection as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. In some embodiments, the portable beverage container 140 as discussed herein may be substantially free of tubing to form fluidic connections among elements of the portable beverage container 140.

[0158] FIGS. 13-15 show schematic views of a fluid system 1300, e.g., for use in coupling a gas tank or other pressurized gas source to a beverage container 140 or other system to receive pressurized gas. As an example, the fluid system 1300 may be used as part of a gas refill station 818 to connect a gas tank 822 to a refill fitting 824 and control flow of gas from the gas tank 822. The fluid system 1300 may include a coupling 1311 selectively attachable to a fluid source, such as source tank 1330 containing pressurized CO2 or other gas / liquid, and configured to deliver pressurized fluid from the fluid source to downstream components 1301 of the fluid system 1300 when actuated by actuator assembly 1303. For example, a coupling inlet port 1302 may be sealingly engaged with a source tank outlet port 1336, e.g., by inserting the coupling inlet port 1302 into the source tank outlet port 1336 so a seal 1320 sealingly engages an outer wall 1318 of the coupling inlet port 1302 with the inner wall 1340 of the source tank outlet port 1336. Thereafter, a valve assembly 1334 of the source tank outlet port 1336 may be opened to release pressurized fluid from the source tank 1330 to the coupling inlet port 1302. The valve assembly 1334 may be operated by an actuation pin 1308 that is moved by an actuator assembly 1303. Pressurized fluid received by the coupling inlet port 1302 may be delivered to the coupling outlet port 1304 and downstream components 1301 of the fluid system 1300.

[0159] As described herein, the fluid system 1300 may be a pressurized fluid delivery system for forming carbonated beverages. For instance, the source tank 1330 may be configured to hold pressurized CO2, and the fluid system 1300 may be configured to deliver the CO2 to a detachable portable beverage container 140 to allow for the formation of carbonated beverages in the portable beverage container. However, aspects of the fluid system may be incorporated into any system for delivering pressurized fluid from a fluid source to downstream components 1301, as the disclosure is not so limited. In some cases, a downstream component may be a regulator adapted to regulate fluid flow in the fluid system. For example, the regulator may be adapted to limit a pressure of fluid such as gas exiting the source tank and passing through the fluid system, e.g., to one or more downstream components 1301 such as a beverage container.#14613537V1

[0160] It may be desirable for pressurized fluid downstream of source tank 1330 to be evacuated from or at least a pressure reduced in the fluid system 1300 after a fluid delivery operation to a downstream component 1301 has been completed. Such a configuration may be desirable to reduce pressure loads on various components of the fluid system 1300, and may prevent the fluid from being discharged from unintended downstream components 1301 of the fluid system 1300. For instance, when the fluid system 1300 is used to deliver CO2 to a portable beverage container, the fluid system 1300 may include an interface component between the fluid system 1300 and the portable beverage container. It may be desirable to evacuate or otherwise reduce a pressure of the CO2 remaining in the fluid system 1300 prior to removing the portable beverage container from the interface component to avoid CO2 being ejected from the interface component. To release such pressure, the coupling 1311 may include a pressure release port 1306 configured to release the pressurized fluid from the fluid system 1300 after a fluid delivery operation is completed. For example, the actuation pin 1308 may be disposed and movable in actuation pin conduit 1310 and may include a source tank valve gate 1312 configured to selectively prevent and permit fluid flow out of the pressure release port 1306. In some cases, the source tank valve gate 1312 may close the pressure release port 1306 when the actuation pin 1308 is moved downwardly to open the valve assembly 1334 and may open the pressure release port 1306 when the actuation pin 1308 is moved upwardly to close the valve assembly 1334.

[0161] It should be understood that some aspects of the disclosure need not be implemented with a fluid system 1300 having a coupling 1311 with a pressure release port in the coupling controlled by an actuation pin. For example, some aspects of the invention may be used with a coupling with only an inlet port and an outlet port, with the pressure release port either not included or located elsewhere in the fluid system 1300.

[0162] The actuation pin 1308 may be initially disposed in a neutral position shown in FIG. 13. At the start of the fluid delivery operation, the actuator assembly 1303 may move the actuation pin 1308 to a flow actuation position shown in FIG. 14. In the flow actuation position, the actuation pin 1308 may actuate the valve assembly 1334 of source tank 1330 to allow the pressurized fluid 1404 in source tank 1330 to flow into a coupling inlet conduit 1313. In the actuation position, source tank valve gate 1312 is disposed in the actuation pin conduit 1310. Source tank valve gate 1312 and actuation pin conduit 1310 may have substantially similar cross-sectional areas, such that source tank valve gate 1312 closes the actuation pin conduit 1310 and reduces and / or prevents pressurized fluid from flowing towards the pressure release port 1306. Because pressure release port 1306 is blocked by#14613537V1source tank valve gate 1312, the pressurized fluid is directed from coupling inlet conduit 1313 towards the outlet conduit 1314 of the coupling outlet port 1304, and to downstream components 1301 of the fluid system 1300.

[0163] Once fluid delivery is complete, a force applied by the actuator assembly 1303 to the actuation pin 1308 may be removed, allowing for movement of the actuation pin 1308 from the flow actuation position shown in FIG. 14 to the pressure release position shown in FIG. 15. This movement may open the pressure release port 1306, e.g., by moving the source tank valve gate 1312 upwardly so as to open the pressure release port 1306 for flow.

[0164] In the pressure release position, source tank valve gate 1312 may be disposed in pressure release conduit 1316. Pressure release conduit 1316 may have a larger cross- sectional area than the source tank valve gate 1312, which creates a flow path 1506 from the actuation pin conduit 1310 to the pressure release conduit 1316, allowing the pressurized fluid to be released from the fluid system 1300.

[0165] It may be desirable to regulate or otherwise control the flow of the pressurized fluid 1404 as it flows out of the pressure release port 1306. The pressure release conduit 1316 may therefore have a gradually increasing cross-sectional area as it extends from the actuation pin conduit 1310 (e.g. tapered, rounded, etc.). Such a configuration may increase the cross-sectional area of flow path 1506 as the actuation pin 1308 is pushed further along pressure release conduit 1316, allowing for control of the fluid flow rate and / or fluid velocity by the source tank valve gate 1312.

[0166] In some cases, the pressure release port 1306 may be opened by pressure in the actuation pin conduit 1310, e.g., pressurized fluid 1404 may exert a force on the source tank valve gate 1312 which is greater than forces holding the source tank valve gate 1312 in a closed position, e.g., the gas pressure force on the source tank valve gate 1312 may be greater than the combined forces from the weight of the actuation pin 1308, the source tank valve gate 1312, any force applied by components of the actuator assembly 1303, the friction between the source tank valve gate 1312 and the actuation pin conduit 1310, and / or the ambient pressure in the environment surrounding the fluid system 1300 (e.g., ambient pressure). This force imbalance may cause the actuation pin 1308 and source tank valve gate 1312 to move up to the pressure release position. Once the pressure in the fluid system 1300 falls below a threshold pressure, the actuation pin 1308 may move back to the neutral position. For example, the weight of the actuation pin 1308 and the source tank valve gate 1312, the ambient pressure of the surrounding environment and / or other forces may cause the actuation pin 1308 to move back to the neutral position, closing off the pressure release port#14613537V11306. Such a configuration may prevent external atmospheric contaminants from entering the fluid system 1300 via the pressure release port 1306. The weight of the actuation pin 1308 and the source tank valve gate 1312 may be selected to achieve the desired threshold pressure in the fluid system 1300. While the source tank valve gate 1312 is shown in FIG. 14 as disposed in the actuation pin conduit 1310 in the neutral position, it is contemplated that the source tank valve gate 1312 may be disposed at an intersection between the pressure release conduit 1316 and the actuation pin conduit 1310.

[0167] In some cases, actuation pin 1308 may be moved from the flow actuation position to the neutral position shown in FIG. 13 by a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring), and from the neutral position to the pressure release position by the pressure in the actuation pin conduit 1310 and / or by the biasing mechanism. Such a configuration may be desirable to ensure that the actuation pin 1308 moves away from the flow actuation position (to the neutral and / or pressure release positions) even if there is no pressure in the actuation pin conduit 1310 (e.g., if the source tank 1330 is empty). In some embodiments, such a biasing mechanism may be configured to move the actuation pin 1308 to the pressure release position without the aid of a force from pressure inside the actuation pin conduit 1310. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism is a biasing mechanism of the valve assembly 1334 of source tank 1330. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism is an additional biasing mechanism disposed in the coupling 1311. Alternately, the actuator assembly 1303 can be operatively coupled to the actuation pin 1308 and configured to move the actuation pin 1308 and source tank valve gate 1312 from the flow actuation position to the neutral position and / or from the neutral position to the pressure release position to open the pressure release port 1306, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0168] While in some embodiments the pressure release port 1306 may be directed upwards, allowing the weight of the actuation pin 1308 and the source tank valve gate 1312 to move the actuation pin 1308 from the pressure release position to the neutral position, it is contemplated that the pressure release port 1306 may be directed in any suitable direction, and the actuation pin 1308 may be moved from the pressure release position to the neutral position by any suitable mechanism (e.g., a biasing mechanism such as a spring).

[0169] It is also contemplated that the fluid system 1300 may not include the neutral position at all, such that the pressure release position is the resting position of the fluid system 1300. The actuation pin 1308 may be held in the pressure release position by the actuator assembly or a biasing mechanism, and the actuator assembly may move the actuation pin 1308 to the flow actuation position, as the disclosure is not so limited.#14613537V1

[0170] As discussed above, the coupling inlet port 1302 may be configured to sealingly engage with source tank fitting 1332 of source tank 1330 in order to allow pressurized fluid to flow from the source tank to the fluid system 1300 when the actuation pin 1308 actuates valve assembly 1334. For example, the coupling inlet port 1302 may be configured to be received into source tank outlet port 1336 of source tank fitting 1332. Source tank outlet port 1336 may include a source tank outlet port conduit 1338 with an inner wall 1340. When coupling inlet port 1302 is received into the source tank outlet port 1336, inner wall 1340 may sealingly engage with an outer wall 1318 of the coupling inlet port 1302. The outer wall 1318 may include seal 1320 (e.g. a gasket) configured to establish the sealing engagement between inner wall 1340 and outer wall 1318. Inner wall 1340 may include a seal to establish the sealing engagement between inner wall 1340 and outer wall 1318 in addition to or as an alternative to seal 1320, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0171] Such a configuration allows the actuation pin 1308 to be positioned in the coupling inlet conduit 1313 during source tank loading, thus shielding the actuation pin 1308 from inadvertent contact with the source tank fitting while the source tank is being coupled with the coupling inlet port 1302. Once the source tank outlet port 1336 is fully received onto the coupling inlet port 1302, the actuation pin 1308 may be disposed proximal to the source tank valve assembly, allowing for a relatively short path of travel for the actuation pin 1308 among the various positions of the actuation pin 1308. That is, it may be desirable to minimize an amount of travel of actuation pin 1308 between the neutral / pressure release position and the flow actuation position while also protecting the actuation pin 1308 from damage or misalignments caused by contact between the actuation pin 1308 and portion of the source tank fitting 1332 while engaging a source tank 1330 with the coupling inlet port 1302.

[0172] It may be desirable for the coupling inlet port 1302 to engage with the source tank outlet port 1336 without the use of engagement features (e.g., which lock the coupling 1311 and the source tank 1330 together), as this may reduce part complexity, reduce the likelihood of part breakage or failure due to stress concentrations and / or fatigue stress, and / or streamline source tank attachment and detachment. Outer wall 1318 may be a substantially smooth cylindrical projection (with the possible exception of seal 1320), and the inner wall 1340 to be a substantially smooth cylindrical bore. Source tank outlet port conduit 1338 may slide over the coupling inlet port 1302 and be sealed via an interference fit. In some embodiments, the source tank 1330 is held in the fluidly coupled position via separate#14613537V1support structure(s) to ensure the source tank fitting 1332 does not slide off the coupling inlet port 1302 during flow actuation.

[0173] Referring now to the illustrative embodiment of coupling 1311 shown in FIG. 16, the coupling inlet port 1302 may include a tapered portion 1322 to allow for alignment of the outer wall 1318 with inner wall 1340 when coupling a source tank 1330 with the coupling 1311. It may also be desirable for actuation pin 1308 to fit relatively closely to an inner wall 1624 of coupling inlet conduit 1313 in order to limit misalignment of the actuation pin 1308. Actuation pin 1308 may therefore include one or more cutout portions 1626 extending along the actuation pin 1308. Such a configuration allows for a flow path 1508 from the coupling inlet conduit 1313 to the actuation pin conduit 1310, and to coupling outlet conduit 1314 while still ensuring that the actuation pin 1308 is guided along longitudinal axis L between positions by inner wall 1624.

[0174] It may be desirable to ensure that flow path 1608 fluidly connects to outlet conduit 1314 regardless of a rotational position of the cutout portion 1626 about longitudinal axis L. The actuation pin conduit 1310 may have a larger cross-sectional area than the coupling inlet conduit 1313, and the outlet conduit 1314 may fluidly connect to the actuation pin conduit 1310. Such a configuration may create a junction portion 1610 in the actuation pin conduit 1310 where there is a clearance about an entire perimeter of the actuation pin 1308, which ensures that flow path 1508 fluidly connects to the outlet conduit 1314. Additionally, the actuation pin 1308 may have a smaller diameter section 1628 disposed partially in the coupling inlet conduit 1313 and partially in the actuation pin conduit 1310, and a larger diameter section 1630 disposed in the actuation pin conduit 1310. The larger diameter section 1630 may fit relatively closely to the actuation pin conduit 1310 in order to limit pin movement out of alignment with longitudinal axis L. Smaller diameter section 1628 being disposed partially in the actuation pin conduit 1310 in the flow actuation position may create the clearance necessary for junction portion 1610 while still limiting misalignment of the actuation pin 1308 relative to longitudinal axis L.

[0175] As discussed above, the fluid system 1300 may include an actuator assembly 1303 configured to operate the actuation pin 1308. Actuator assembly 1303 may include a lever 1602 configured to contact the actuation pin 1308 to move the actuation pin 1308 to the flow actuation position. While lever 1602 is only shown as contacting the actuation pin 1308, it is contemplated that the lever 1602 may be coupled to the actuation pin 1308, so as to allow the lever 1602 to move the actuation pin 1308 in both the flow actuation direction and the pressure release direction. In some embodiments, the force which moves the actuation pin#14613537V11308 from the flow actuation position to the neutral position and / or pressure release position (e.g. force from pressure inside the coupling 1311, force from a biasing mechanism, etc.) also moves the lever 1602 to a corresponding neutral position or pressure release position. As will be discussed further below, lever 1602 may be connected to a user-operable mechanism via any suitable linkage to allow a user to actuate the actuation pin 1308 and deliver pressurized fluid to the downstream components 1301.

[0176] Referring now to FIG. 17, it may be desirable for the pressure release conduit 1316 to include fluting 1732 or some other projection(s) in order to allow for a more gradual seal breakage between the source tank valve gate 1312 and the pressure release conduit 1316. For example, fluting 1732 or other flow channels may provide a path for pressurized fluid to exit while the source tank valve gate 1312 remains in contact with portions of the pressure release conduit 1316. Such an arrangement may help prevent unwanted noise or shock caused by abrupt opening and / or closing of the pressure release valve. Additionally, such fluting 1732 or other flow channels may assist with aligning the actuation pin 1308 along the longitudinal axis L as the actuation pin 1308 moves to the pressure release position. Such fluting 1732 or other flow channels may also provide a support surface for valve gate 1312 to limit the likelihood of blow out of the valve gate 1312, while also allowing for an increased cross-sectional area of flow path 1306 to allow for faster venting.

[0177] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 18 shows an exploded sectional side view of a source tank 1330 which incorporates various aspects of the invention. The depicted embodiment of FIG.19 shows a sectional side view of a source tank 1330 which incorporates various aspects of the invention.

[0178] Source tank fitting 1332 may be configured to sealingly engage with source tank body 1331 in order to seal pressurized fluid inside source tank 1330. The source tank fitting 1332 may be secured to the source tank body 1331 using any suitable mechanism. For instance, the source tank fitting 1332 may include a fitting inlet threaded interface 1376 configured to engage with a source tank body threaded interface 1378 to secure the source tank fitting 1332 on the source tank body 1331. In some embodiments seal 1380 is disposed between the source tank fitting 1332 and the source tank body 1331 to assist in sealingly engaging the source tank fitting 1332 onto the source tank body 1331.

[0179] As discussed above, source tank fitting 1332 may include a source tank outlet port 1336 with an inner wall 1340 configured to sealingly engage outer wall 1318 of coupling inlet port 1302, and a valve assembly 1334 configured to control a flow of pressurized fluid from an internal volume 1335 of the source tank body 1331 to the source tank outlet port#14613537V1conduit 1338. It may be desirable for the source tank outlet port 1336 to include a tapered portion 1374, such a tapered portion may allow for alignment of the coupling inlet port 1302 with the source tank outlet port conduit 1338 when engaging the source tank outlet port 1336 with the coupling inlet port 1302.

[0180] Source tank fitting 1332 may include an overpressure prevention mechanism 1358 configured to release pressurized fluid from the internal volume 1335 if pressure in the internal volume exceeds a threshold pressure. Such an overpressure prevention mechanism may be a check valve, a burst disc, or any other conventional overpressure mechanism. Such an overpressure prevention mechanism may be screwed into a side of the source tank fitting 1332. Source tank fitting 1332 may also include a source tank evacuation conduit 1360. When the source tank fitting is sealingly engaged with the source tank 1330 (as in FIG 19), the source tank evacuation conduit 1360 may be closed off. If the fitting were to be partially removed, the source tank evacuation conduit may be opened to the external environment and release the pressurized fluid from the source tank 1330 before the source tank fitting 1332 is fully removed from the source tank. Such a configuration may allow for rapid source tank depressurization if the source tank 1330 is not empty when the source tank fitting 1332 is removed. In some embodiments, the source tank evacuation conduit extends approximately perpendicular to the fitting inlet conduit 1342.

[0181] It may be desirable for the valve assembly 1334 to be assembled into the source tank fitting body 1333 without the use of dedicated fastener mechanisms (e.g. set screws, etc.). Source tank fitting body 1333 may include a fitting inlet conduit 1342 connected to a fitting valve conduit 1344, and a fitting outlet conduit 1346 connected to the fitting valve conduit 1344. To assemble the source tank fitting 1332, the valve assembly 1334 may be inserted into the fitting valve conduit 1344, and the source tank outlet port 1336 may be inserted into the fitting outlet conduit 1346 and engaged with the valve assembly 1334. Such a configuration may allow the valve assembly 1334 to be held in place by the source tank outlet port 1336.

[0182] When the source tank outlet port 1336 is engaged with the valve assembly 1334, a source tank valve gate 1348 may seal against a lower outer surface 1350 of the source tank outlet port 1336 when the valve assembly 1334 is in a closed position. Such a configuration may seal opening 1352 between the source tank outlet port conduit 1338 and the fitting valve conduit 1344. The source tank valve gate 1348 may be biased to the closed position by biasing mechanism 1354 (e.g. a spring). Valve pin 1356 may extend through opening 1352 into the source tank outlet port conduit 1338 towards source tank outlet#14613537V1opening 1351, and be actuatable by the actuation pin 1308 of the coupling 1311 to move the source tank valve gate to an open position, allowing pressurized fluid to flow from the fitting valve conduit 1344 through opening 1352 and into the source tank outlet port conduit 1338. As discussed above, in some embodiments, biasing mechanism 1354 may also be configured to move the actuation pin 1308 and / or the lever 1602 away from the flow actuation position when the biasing mechanism 1354 moves the source tank valve gate 1348 to the closed position. Source tank valve gate 1348 may include a seal 1349 (e.g. a gasket) in order to more effectively seal against lower outer surface 1350. In some embodiments, lower outer surface 1350 may include a recessed valve seat 1353.

[0183] While it is contemplated that the source tank outlet port 1336 may be permanently attached to the source tank fitting body when the source tank fitting is assembled (e.g. via press-fitting, welding, adhesive, etc.), it may be desirable for the source tank outlet port 1336 to be removably engaged with the fitting outlet conduit 1346 to allow for valve assembly maintenance and / or replacement. It may also be desirable for the source tank outlet port 1336 to be attachable, either removably or permanently, without requiring complex tools (e.g. welders, hydraulic presses, etc.).

[0184] The fitting outlet conduit 1346 may include a fitting outlet threaded interface 1362 disposed on inner surface 1347 configured to engage with an outlet port threaded interface 1364 disposed on outer surface 1366 of the source tank outlet port 1336. By engaging the threaded interfaces 1362 and 1364, the source tank outlet port 1336 may be securely fastened to the source tank fitting body 1333. In some embodiments, the source tank outlet port 1336 comprises a seal 1368 disposed on or around outer surface 1366 and configured to engage with inner surface 1347 to limit or prevent flow of pressurized fluid between the source tank outlet port 1336 and the fitting outlet conduit 1346. In some embodiments, the fitting outlet threaded interface 1362 only extends along a portion of the fitting outlet conduit 1346, such that a portion of the inner surface 1347 remains smooth. Such a configuration may be desirable to provide a smooth surface for seal 1368 to seal against.

[0185] It may be desirable for the source tank outlet port 1336 to be compatible with a fastening tool in order to facilitate engagement of the threaded interfaces 1362 and 1364. The source tank outlet port 1336 may include an engagement feature 1370 configured to engage with a fastening tool to facilitate tightening of the source tank outlet port 1336 into the fitting outlet conduit 1346. Engagement feature 1370 may extend along a longitudinal axis L of the source tank outlet port conduit 1338. Engagement feature 1370 may extend from#14613537V1a surface 1372 of the source tank outlet port 1336 which is coplanar with opening 1352, such that valve pin 1356 extends along the engagement feature 1370 when the source tank fitting 1332 is assembled.

[0186] Engagement feature 1370 may be any suitable engagement feature which facilitates tightening of the threaded interfaces 1362 and 1364. For instance, as seen in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 20, the engagement feature 1370 may be a socket configured to receive a fastening tool such as an Allen key. Of course, any other suitable engagement feature, (e.g. a slot for receiving a screwdriver, a projection for receiving a socket wrench, etc.) is contemplated as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0187] The depicted embodiments of FIGS. 21 and 22 show a side profile view of fluid system 1300 with several housing components removed in the neutral position and the flow actuation position respectively according to some embodiments.

[0188] As discussed above, the fluid system 1300 may include an actuator assembly 1303 with a lever 1602 configured to operate the actuation pin 1308. Fever 1602 may be linked to a user- actuatable handle 2104 via cable 2106. Cable 2106 may be slidably disposed in cable sleeve 2108. When a user actuates handle 2104 (as seen in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 22), the cable 2106 may rotate lever 1602, thereby pushing the actuation pin 1308 to the flow actuation position. A biasing mechanism 2110 (e.g. a spring) may bias the handle 2104 to the neutral position shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 21, so that the handle 2104 returns to the neutral position when a user releases the handle 2104. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism 2110 also causes the lever 1602 to move to the neutral position, e.g., provided the cable 2106 or other coupling is configured to move the lever 1602 in this way. In some embodiments, a separate biasing mechanism (e.g. a spring) moves the lever 1602 to the non-actuated position.

[0189] In some embodiments, as discussed above the actuation pin 1308 may push the lever 1602 away from the flow actuation position via force from pressure inside the coupling 1311, force from biasing mechanism 1354, and / or force from a separate biasing mechanism in the coupling 1311 acting on the actuation pin 1308. Cable 2106 may include some slack between the lever 1602 and the handle 2104 in order to allow the lever 1602 to move to the pressure release position while allowing the handle 2104 to stop at the neutral position.

[0190] It is contemplated that the lever 1602 and the handle 2104 may be connected via any suitable linkage, as the disclosure is not so limited. It is also contemplated that the lever 1602 may be directly actuatable by a user, negating the need for a separate handle 2104#14613537V1and linkage. The actuator assembly 1303 may also be an electromechanical actuator assembly (e.g. a motor, solenoid, etc.) operatively coupled to the actuation pin 1308, as the disclosure is not so limited.

[0191] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of a refill station 818 according to some embodiments. While features of the disclosure are described in connection with a refill station (e.g., a portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus), one or more such features may be used in any suitable application, e.g., applications that provide pressurized gas from a gas tank for some purpose, such as for pneumatic power, carbonating beverages, filling containers with gas, etc. Thus, aspects of the disclosure are not limited to use with refill stations for use with portable beverage containers. In FIG. 23, a source tank 2308 is depicted within an internal volume of a housing 820. In some embodiments, the source tank 2308 may rest on a support 2306 and may be positioned below a source tank valve receptacle 2312. In some embodiments, the support may be configured to support the source tank 2308 in an upright position within the housing 820. In some embodiments, the support 2306 may be configured to contact a bottom of the source tank 2308. The support 2306 may be moveable between first and second positions. The first and second positions may vary in vertical orientation, horizontal orientation, and / or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the first position may be a raised position, and the second position may be a lowered position. The source tank 2308 may include a source tank valve 2310 which may be configured to engage with the source tank valve receptacle 2312 and create a fluidic coupling with the refill station 818. The support 2306 may be configured to urge the source tank 2308 into engagement with the source tank valve receptacle 2312 as the support 2306 is moved from the second position to the first position. Therefore, the contents of the source tank 2308 may then be provided to the refill station 818, as will be discussed below. In some embodiments, the support 2306 may be configured to apply an upward engaging force on the source tank 2308 and / or to apply a downward disengaging force on the source tank 2308 which may comprise retaining a source tank 2308 on the support 2306 as the support 2306 is lowered. The source tank 2308 may be retained by the support 2306 to create a disengaging force with friction, a retaining tab, or any other method which is capable of creating a retaining force for disengaging the source tank 2308 from the source tank valve receptacle 2312. The disengaging force may uncouple the source tank 2308 from the source tank valve receptacle 2312. Accordingly, with the aforementioned features, when the source tank 2308 is empty, a user may efficiently and consistently replace the empty source tank with a full source tank.#14613537V1

[0192] In some embodiments, the refill station 818 may include a housing door 2304 which may be connected or connectable to the housing 820. The housing door 2304 may be moveable between a closed position and an open position. The housing door may expose the area in which the source tank 2308 is housed when the housing door 2304 is in the open position. When the housing door 2304 is in the closed position, the area in which the source tank 2308 is housed may be covered.

[0193] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 23 depicts a linkage 2314 between the housing door 2304 and the support 2306 according to some embodiments. This linkage 2314 may be a positional linkage which correlates the housing door 2304 being in the closed position with the support 2306 being in the first position and correlates the housing door 2304 being in the open position with the support 2306 being in the second position. In some cases, the linkage 2314 may transmit a change in the housing door 2304 positioning to a change in the positioning of the support 2306 or otherwise move the support 2306 in response to movement of the housing door 2304. The linkage 2314 may be any physical and / or electrical structure which transfers or transmits movement of the housing door 2304 to the support 2306. For example, the linkage 2314 may include a motor drive, pneumatic or hydraulic or electric actuator, a rack and pinion drive, a one or more bar linkage, sensors for housing door 2304 and / or support position and control, a programmed controller to control operation of portions of the linkage 2314, e.g., based on the position of the door, and so on. In some embodiments, the linkage 2314 may be configured to raise the support 2306 as the housing door 2304 is shut. In some embodiments, the linkage 2314 may be configured to lower the support 2306 as the housing door 2304 is opened. In other words, the linkage 2314 may be configured to put the support 2306 in the first position (e.g. raised position) when the housing door 2304 is in a closed position and to put the support 2306 in the second position (e.g. lowered position) when the housing door 2304 is in an open position. As mentioned above, this coupled functionality between the housing door 2304 and the support 2306 may simplify the process of connecting a source tank 2308 to the refill station 818.

[0194] FIG. 23 also depicts the source tank valve receptacle 2312 and / or the source tank valve 2310 with an angled or other cooperating surfaces which may be configured to guide the source tank valve 2310 into the engagement with the source tank valve receptacle 2312, e.g., as the source tank 2308 is moved upwardly by the support 2306. As mentioned above, angled and / or otherwise configured surfaces may interact and assist in positioning the source tank 2308 in a location where the source tank 2308 can be fluidically coupled to the refill station 818. In some embodiments, the source tank valve receptacle 2312 may be#14613537V1tapered or otherwise have tapered surfaces. In some embodiments, the source tank valve 2310 may be tapered or otherwise have a tapered surface to assist in guiding the source tank valve 2310 relative to the source tank valve receptacle 2312, e.g., for engagement with the source tank valve receptacle 2312. Surfaces of the source tank valve receptacle 2312 and the source tank valve 2310 may cooperate to guide the source tank valve 2310 into fluid coupling with the source tank valve receptacle 2312 as the source tank 2308 is moved relative to the source tank valve receptacle 2312, e.g., moved upwardly.

[0195] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of a refill station 818 and a portable beverage container 2400 according to some embodiments. FIG. 24 shows the portable beverage container 2400 engaged with the refill station 818. The portable beverage container 2400 may hold liquid, such as water or other consumable liquid. The portable beverage container 2400 may also include gas storage, e.g., an onboard gas tank, such as the pressure supply 150 and / or the gas tank 806 configured to store gas as discussed herein. The components of the portable beverage container 2400 according to some embodiments are discussed below with respect to the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 33-34. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the onboard gas tank may be selectively fluidically coupled with the liquid, e.g., to deliver pressurized gas into the liquid in the portable beverage container 2400 to carbonate the liquid. The portable beverage container 2400 may also include a lid 100 which may be removably coupled to any appropriate portion of the portable beverage container 2400, e.g., to permit liquid to be provided into the portable beverage container 2400 and / or consumed from the portable beverage container 2400. The lid 100 may define a portion of a volume for storing liquid.

[0196] The portable beverage container 2400 may be configured to receive gas from the refill station 818, e.g., to refill an onboard gas tank of the portable beverage container 2400. For example, after pressurized gas has been delivered from an onboard gas tank into the liquid in the portable beverage container 2400, pressure in the onboard gas tank may drop to ambient pressure or other relatively low pressure. To refill the onboard gas tank with pressurized gas, the portable beverage container 2400 may be coupled to a refill station 818 so that gas from a refill station gas source tank 2308 may be selectively provided to flow into the onboard tank of the portable beverage container 2400, e.g., in response to activation of a lever 2404 or another actuator. In some cases, the portable beverage container 2400 may be configured to engage with a refill nozzle 2506 disposed on the refill station 818 which is shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 25. This process will be further discussed in connection with the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 33-34. In some embodiments,#14613537V1pressurized gas may flow through the refill nozzle and into the portable beverage container 2400. As discussed herein, the term “refill fitting” may be interchangeable with the term “refill nozzle”.

[0197] In some cases, the refill station 818 may be configured to accommodate at least a portion of the portable beverage container 2400. For example, the portable beverage container 2400 may include one or more rounded or otherwise shaped portions, and the refill station 818 may include one or more corresponding portions adapted to receive the corresponding portions of the portable beverage container 2400. In some examples, a bottom portion of the portable beverage container 2400 may be formed with a convex portion and a portion of the refill station 818 near the refill nozzle 2506 (seen in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 25) may have a concave portion adapted to receive the convex portion, e.g., such that the surfaces of the convex and concave portions are substantially in contact.

[0198] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the refill station 818 with a housing door 2304 in an open configuration according to some embodiments. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 25, portions of the housing are removed to allow for a portion of the linkage components 2514a-2514d to be seen along with an internal portion of the housing which may define a source tank receiving area wall 2508. The source tank receiving area wall 2508 defines the source tank receiving area 2810 at least in part. In some embodiments, the source tank receiving area 2810 may include a support 2306.

[0199] As shown the depicted embodiment of FIG. 25, in some embodiments, the housing door 2304 may have latching system which may include a housing door latch 2512 disposed on the housing door, and a housing door latch receptacle 2514 disposed on a portion of the source tank receiving area wall 2508. It should be appreciated that since in some embodiments the source tank receiving area wall 2508 may be a portion of the housing 820, it is contemplated that the housing door latch receptacle 2514 may be disposed on the housing 820. The latching system may retain the housing door 2304 in a closed configuration until a user opens the housing door 2304. The user may open the housing door 2304 by interacting with a latch actuator or by pulling at the housing door 2304 with a force greater than the retaining force provided by the latching system.

[0200] Regarding the linkage components 2514a-2514d, in some embodiments, the linkage may comprise a pin slot 2514a and a pin 2514b. In some embodiments the pin slot 2514a may be disposed on the housing door 2304, and the pin 2514b may be disposed on the support 2306, although the relative positions may be reversed in some embodiments. As seen#14613537V1in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 25, the pin 2514b protrudes through the pin slot 2514a which may assist in transferring movement of the housing door 2304 to the support 2306. In some embodiments, the linkage may also comprise a support guide 2514c and a support protrusion 2514d. The support protrusion 2514d may extend from the support 2306 through the support guide 2514c of the source tank receiving area wall 2508 which may assist in limiting the support to vertical movement and / or may help guide movement of the pin 2514b and the support 2306 relative to the housing 820. Accordingly, when the housing door 2304 is opened, the pin slot 2514a pushes downwardly on the pin 2514b which is connected to the support protrusion 2514d and thus is restricted to vertical movement by the support guide 2514c. This causes the contact on the pin 2514b by the pin slot 2514a to change the vertical positioning of the support 2306, e.g., move the support 2306 downwardly. When the housing door 2304 is closed, the pin slot 2514a pushes upwardly on the pin 2514b, which moves the support 2306 upwardly. In some embodiments, these components create a linkage which translates opening the housing door 2304 to lowering the support 2306 and / or closing of the housing door 2304 to raising the support 2306. As mentioned above, this functionality may correlate the open position of the housing door 2304 with a second position of the support 2306 and correlates the closed position of the housing door 2304 with a first position of the support 2306. In some embodiments the first position of the support 2306 is a raised position, e.g., in which a source tank is coupled to a source tank valve receptacle, and the second position of the support 2306 is a lowered position, e.g., in which the source tank is uncoupled from the source tank valve receptacle.

[0201] In some embodiments, the pin slot 2514a may be considered a cam. In some embodiments, the pin 2514b may be considered a cam follower. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the linkage may include a cam and a cam follower. Although in this embodiment the linkage is depicted as a cam / cam follower system, the inventors have contemplated various mechanisms which achieve the desired functionality. In some embodiments, the linkage may comprise a pulley, a gear system, one or more bar linkages, drive system, or any other physical and / or electrical components which move the support 2306 in response to movement of the housing door 2304.

[0202] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the refill station 818 with the housing door 2304 in a closed configuration according to some embodiments. As can be seen when looking at the pin 2514b, the location of the pin 2514b relative to the pin slot 2514a is different than depicted in FIG. 25. This is due to pin slot 2514a moving when the housing door 2304 moves. As the pin 2514b cannot#14613537V1move horizontally, due to the support guide 2514c of the source tank receiving area wall 2508, the pin 2514b follows the pin slot 2514a while maintaining horizontal positioning by adjusting the vertical positioning. A direct comparison of the support height will be discussed below with respect to the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 28-29.

[0203] As mentioned above, the housing door 2304 may open and close. In some embodiments, the housing door may be connected to the refill station 818 via a hinge 2607. It should be appreciated that the housing door 2304 may include any conventional door mounting technique such that the door may act as a pocket door, a sliding door, a folding door or any other door type known in the air. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 26, the housing door 2304 is connected to the refill station 818 via a hinge 2607 disposed on a bottom portion of the housing door 2304. The hinge may pivotally couple the housing door 2304 to the refill station 818.

[0204] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 27 illustrates the housing door 2304 and a support 2306 of the refill station according to one embodiment. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 27 further illustrates how the support 2306 is linked to the housing door 2304 using the pin 2514b which is disposed on the support protrusion 2514d and at least partially protrudes through the pin slot 2514a.

[0205] As described above, the support may be moved between at least two positions. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 28 illustrates a rear view of a portion of the refill station 818 when the support 2306 is in a first position, and the depicted embodiment of FIG. 29 illustrates a rear view of a portion of the refill station 818 when the support 2306 is in a second position according to some embodiments. To reiterate, in some embodiments, when the housing door 2304 is closed, the support 2306 is disposed in the first position. In some embodiments, when the housing door 2304 is open, the support 2306 is disposed in the second position. Therefore, when a source tank 2308 is disposed on the support 2306, the source tank 2308 is raised when the housing door 2304 transitions from an open position to a closed position and is lowered when the housing door 2304 transitions from the closed position to the open position.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the source tank 2308 and support 2306 are raised as the housing door 2304 transitions from an open position to a closed position, there may exist an intermediate housing door position. After this point, the support 2306 may stop moving upwards, even with movement of the housing door 2304 further toward the closed position. Thus, in some embodiments, the housing door 2304 may finish closing while the support 2306 remains stationary. In some embodiments, this functionality may be achieved#14613537V1by the pin slot 2514a including a flat portion 2530, seen in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 26, or other shape between ends of the pin slot 2514a so that the pin 2514b, and thus the support 2306, stops upward movement before the door 2304 reaches the fully closed position. In some embodiments, the linkage 2314 may be programmed or otherwise configured to include this functionality.

[0207] In some embodiments, the linkage 2314 between the door 2304 and support 2306 may minimize the impact of the weight of the source tank 2308 on the housing door 2304. For example, in some cases the weight of the source tank 2308 on the support 2306 may urge the housing door 2304 to move toward the open position. A door latch 2512 may prevent such movement but may provide undue stress to the housing door latch 2512. In some cases, the pin slot 2514a or other linkage portion may be shaped or otherwise arranged so that downward force on the support 2306 when the door 2304 is at the closed position, or between an intermediate position and the closed position, will not cause the door 2304 to move toward the open position. This feature may be provided by suitable shaping of the pin slot 2514a or other linkage portion and may help prevent the weight of a gas tank or other force on the support 2306 (such as a downward force of a gas tank interface on the tank) from opening the door 2304 when the door 2304 is at the closed position. In some cases, weight or other downward force on the support 2306 may urge the door 2304 to move toward the closed position, and thus may help maintain the door 2304 in the closed position. Here again, such a feature may be provided by suitable shaping of the pin slot 2514a or other linkage portion.

[0208] Further, the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 28-29 also depict a portion of the source tank valve receptacle 2312. The source tank valve receptacle 2312 may be considered the area in which the source tank valve 2310 is configured to be received. In some embodiments, within the source tank valve receptacle 2312, a pressurized gas interface 2816 is disposed. In some embodiments, the pressurized gas interface 2816 may engage with the source tank valve 2310 and create a fluidic seal. The fluidic seal may be created by an O-ring or other gasket disposed in the source tank valve 2310 or on the pressurized gas interface 2816, or any other method for fluidically sealing coupling members known in the art. For example, a conduit of the pressurized gas interface 2816 may be inserted into an opening of the source tank valve 2310 so as to fluidically couple the source tank 2308 with the gas interface 2016, e.g., so gas can be delivered from the source tank 2308 to the refill station 818.#14613537V1

[0209] It should be understood that the distance between the support 2306 and the pressurized gas interface 2816 when the support 2306 is in the second position may be large enough such that the source tank 2308 may be placed in the source tank receiving area 2810. For example, a user may place a bottom of the source tank 2308 on the support 2306 in a tilted orientation and then stand the source tank 2308 upright on the support 2306. Additionally, the distance between the support 2306 and the pressurized gas interface 2816 when the support 2306 is in the first position may be small enough such that the source tank valve 2310 may fluidly couple with the pressurized gas interface 2816.

[0210] The source tank valve receptacle 2312 may have a horizontally tapered portion which defines a larger area on the side adjacent the housing door 2304 than near the source tank valve receptacle 2312, as can be seen in the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 28-29 and FIG. 32. FIG. 32 may be considered a top view from the cross-section along the dotted line 2825 seen in FIG 28. As a bottom of the source tank 2308 is placed on the support 2306, the source tank valve may contact and be guided by the horizontally tapered surface 2823 to a position aligned with the pressurized gas interface 2816, e.g., when the source tank is positioned fully upright on the support 2306. This process is shown schematically in FIG. 32, e.g., a dashed line circle 3110a illustrates the source tank valve 2310 contacting a guide surface 2823 on the left as the source tank 2308 is initially placed on the support 2306 and as the source tank and source tank valve 2310 are moved to a fully upright and inserted position, the source tank valve 2310 is guided into better alignment with the pressurized gas interface 2816 as shown by the dashed line circle 3110b. As mentioned above, the source tank valve receptacle 2312 may also taper vertically in order to further direct the source tank valve 2310 to a position suitable to engage with the pressurized gas interface 2816, e.g., as the support 2306 and the source tank 2308 are raised. As seen in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 31, which illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the source tank valve receptacle 2312, the source tank valve receptacle 2312 may have a conical or other suitable shape to cooperate with the source tank valve. FIG. 31 may be considered a view from the cross-section along the dotted plane 2627 seen in FIG 26. Accordingly, the source tank valve receptacle 2312 may funnel or otherwise guide the source tank valve 2310 towards the pressurized gas interface 2816 as the source tank 2308 is moved upwardly. The source tank valve receptacle 2312 may guide the source tank valve 2310 towards the pressurized gas interface 2816 by contacting the source tank valve 2310 with the vertical sidewalls 3121 and / or the sloped side walls 3120. It should be understood that the inventors have contemplated the use of any other sloped, tapered or other suitably shaped surface(s) on the source tank valve receptacle#14613537V12312 and / or the source tank valve 2310 to direct the source tank valve 2310 towards the pressurized gas interface 2816 as the source tank valve 2310 is moved relative to the source tank valve receptacle 2312.

[0211] In some embodiments, the source tank valve receptacle 2312 and the source tank valve 2310 may interact to guide the source tank valve 2310 into a suitable position as a source tank 2308 is placed in the housing 820. For example, in some embodiments, a method of providing a gas tank in a refill station 818 may include a user placing a bottom portion of the source tank 2308 on the support 2306 and tilting the source tank 2308 upwardly so the source tank valve 2310 is received into the source tank valve receptacle 2312. As the source tank 2308 is pivoted into an upright position, the source tank valve 2310 may be at least partially guided by the horizontally tapered surface 2823 towards a suitable position to interact with the pressurized gas interface 2816. For example, as seen in FIG. 32, the source tank valve 2310 may begin in a first off-center position 3110a and be guided towards a second position 3110b by the tapered surface 2823. In some embodiments, when the source tank 2308 is raised towards the pressurized gas interface 2816, the source tank valve 2310 may be at least partially guided by the vertically tapered wall 3120 towards engagement with the pressurized gas interface 2816 as can be seen in FIG. 31. The source tank valve 2310 may begin in the second position 3110b and be guided to a third position 3110c by the tapered surface 3120. Of course, it should be understood that in some embodiments only one of the tapered surfaces 3121, 2823 may be present, and in some embodiments, none of the tapered surfaces 3121, 2823 may be present.

[0212] In some embodiments, the source tank valve 2310 may be tapered, as is depicted in FIG. 30, to encourage the source tank valve 2310 to align and couple with the pressurized gas interface 2816. It should be understood that any combination of the above- mentioned taper profiles may be used in order to suitably position the source tank valve 2310. For example, the source tank valve 2310 and the source tank valve receptacle 2312 could both be tapered. It should also be understood that any of the above noted tapered surfaces may be used alone or in any combination thereof. For example, the source tank valve 2310 may be the only tapered surface, or the refill station 818 may also include a horizontally tapered valve receptacle 2312 and / or a vertically tapered valve receptacle 2312. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 33 illustrates the portable beverage container 2400 according to one embodiment.

[0213] In some cases, a portable beverage container may be operatively coupled to a refill station to carbonate gas in the portable beverage container directly, e.g., by directing gas#14613537V1into a liquid container of the portable beverage container rather than into an onboard gas tank of the portable beverage container. In such cases, the portable beverage container may not include an onboard gas tank, or may include such a tank but pressurized gas from a refill station or other source is delivered into the liquid container (either directly or through the onboard gas tank). For example, the depicted embodiment of FIG. 34 illustrates a portable beverage container 3400 coupled to a refill station 818. The portable beverage container 3400 includes a lid 3402 adapted to cover the liquid container 804. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 34, the lid 3402 is not adapted to receive an additive cartridge, although embodiments where the lid 3402 is adapted to receive an additive cartridge, such as described herein, are contemplated.

[0214] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 34, the refill fitting 824 of the refill station 818 is coupled to an opening 808 of the portable beverage container 3400 to deliver pressurized gas to the container 3400. The opening can optionally include one or more flow components positioned within a flow path extending from the refill fitting 824 to the liquid container 804, including but not limited to one or more of a regulator adapted to regulate flow of gas into the liquid container 804 and a one-way valve adapted to prevent backflow of fluid in the flow path. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 34, the refill station 818 may function substantially the same as other refill station arrangements discussed herein. For example, a user may actuate the actuator 826 to control the valve 828 to direct gas from the source tank 822 through the refill fitting 824 and into the liquid container 804 of the portable beverage container 3400, e.g., to carbonate liquid within the liquid container 804. Embodiments are contemplated in which the refill fitting 824 is positioned at least partially within the liquid container 804 when the portable beverage container 3400 is coupled to the refill station 818. In such cases, the refill fitting 824 may be adapted to direct gas into the liquid container 804 while the refill fitting 824 is positioned within the liquid container 804.

[0215] In some embodiments, a refill fitting can be configured as shown inFIG. 35. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 35 excludes several elements for clarity, such as a cap as well as other portions of the portable beverage container and refill station as discussed herein. It should be appreciated that any of the elements shown and described with respect to the depicted embodiment of FIG. 35 may be used in conjunction with any appropriate features discussed herein, including but not limited to a cap arranged at an opening of a beverage container. The refill fitting 824 may include a refill fitting inlet 3501 fluidly coupled to a refill fitting flow path 3502. Fluid such as pressurized gas from the source tank 822 of the refill station 818 may enter the refill fitting flow path 3502 through the refill fitting inlet 3501#14613537V1according to some embodiments. Fluid may flow through the refill fitting flow path 3502 to one or more refill fitting outlets 3503 to exit the refill fitting. As discussed herein, fluid that exits the refill fitting outlet(s) 3503 may enter the portable beverage container 140 through an inlet channel 908, e.g., for delivery to the liquid container and / or gas tank of the beverage container 140. As such, while the refill fitting 824 is engaged with the portable beverage container 140, e.g., positioned within the opening 808, fluid may enter the inlet channel 908 from the refill fitting flow path 3502. The refill fitting outlet(s) 3503 may be arranged at a sidewall of the refill fitting 824, e.g., at one or more locations of a cylindrical sidewall of the refill fitting 824, to deliver pressurized gas into the inlet channel 908. Thus, a user may activate the refill station 818 to deliver pressurized gas into the beverage container 140, e.g., to carbonate liquid, and separate the beverage container 140 from the refill station 818 when carbonation is complete. The user can then associate an additive cartridge with the beverage container 140, or not, e.g., by removing the lid and consuming carbonated beverage from the liquid container.

[0216] The refill fitting 824 may include one or more seals, e.g., to form a gas-tight seal with the opening 808 of the beverage container 140, as discussed herein. In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 35, the refill fitting 824 includes a lower seal 3506 and an upper seal 3508 that are respectively positioned below and above the one or more refill fitting outlet(s) 3503. In some embodiments, one or both of the lower and upper seals 3506, 3508 may comprise a gasket, e.g., an O-ring, and may be carried in a groove or other feature of the refill fitting 824 and / or the opening 808. Providing the lower and upper seals 3506, 3508, such as in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 35, may allow for fluid exiting the one or more refill fitting outlets 3503 to flow in a space enclosed by the lower and upper seals 3506, 3508, and one or more portions of the refill fitting 824 and / or opening 808 (e.g., the sidewall 906 of the opening 808 and outer walls 3510 of the refill fitting 824). In this way, the seals form a sealed volume with the opening 808 and the refill fitting 824 for fluid to flow from the refill fitting 824 and into the inlet channel 908. The sealed volume in effect may extend around the refill fitting, e.g., in an annular cross sectional area. This may enable fluid to exit the refill fitting 824 from anywhere around the circumference of the refill fitting 824 within the sealed volume and enter the inlet channel 908. This may also enable the inlet channel 908 to receive fluid, e.g., via the port of the inlet channel as discussed herein, from anywhere within the sealed volume. This may allow, for example, the portable beverage container 140 to be coupled to the refill station 818, e.g., onto the refill fitting 824, in a variety of rotational#14613537V1positions (e.g., the inlet channel 908 positioned at various locations within the sealed volume) which enable the portable beverage container 140 to receive fluid from the refill fitting 824.

[0217] The Inventors have recognized that including a relief flow path in a refill fitting 824 may provide benefits. For example, in embodiments having a refill fitting 824 with seals, e.g., the lower and upper seals 3506, 3508, it is contemplated that one or more of the seals may fail (e.g., fracture and / or be moved out of a position) which may result in fluid flowing through a path which was sealed by the seal. For example, if the lower seal 3506 as shown in FIG. 35 failed, fluid exiting the refill fitting 824 may flow past the lower seal 3506 and into an external environment. In another example in which the upper seal 3508 fails, fluid from the refill fitting 824 may enter a space, e.g., an upper portion of the opening 808 towards a top of the refill fitting 824, thereby increasing pressure of the upper portion of the opening 808, which may urge the portable beverage container 140 in a direction off of the refill fitting 824. It may be desirable to avoid urging of the portable beverage container 140 off of the refill fitting 824 by pressure in the opening 808, e.g., above the refill fitting 824. As such, the refill fitting 824 may include a relief flow path 3504 which may enable pressurized fluid within the opening 808, e.g., in the case of the upper seal 3508 failing, to flow out of the opening 808 to reduce the pressure of the opening 808 and thereby prevent or reduce urging of the portable beverage container 140 from the refill fitting 824. (The relief flow path 3504 does not communicate with the refill fitting flow path 3502, i.e., the closely spaced dot-dot lines indicate that the relief flow path 3504 and the refill fitting flow path 3502 are not fluidly connected to each other.) Note as well that a relief flow path 3504 may relieve gas pressure in the opening 808 above the refill fitting 824 that is created by pressurized gas exiting the inlet channel 908. For example, after delivery of pressurized gas to the beverage container 140, pressurized gas may remain in the inlet channel 908, and such pressurized gas may enter into a space above the refill fitting 824, e.g., as the beverage container 140 is removed from the refill fitting 824. In such a case, the relief flow path 3504 may vent any pressure from the opening 808. Also, in some cases, a one way valve or other component that normally prevents backflow in the inlet channel 908 may fail, allowing pressurized fluid to exit the inlet channel 908 into the opening 808. A relief flow path 3504 may vent such pressurized fluid as well, e.g., during a time period while an upper seal 3508 is engaged with the opening 808 at a location below the inlet channel 908.

[0218] In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 35, the relief flow path 3504 extends through the refill fitting 824 and, in some cases, may extend through one or more portions of the refill station 818 (e.g., a housing of the refill station). In the depicted embodiment of the#14613537V1FIG. 35, fluid in the opening 808, e.g., above one or both of the lower and upper seals 3506, 3508, may enter the relief flow path 3504 through a relief flow path inlet 3505 and may flow through the relief flow path 3504 to a relief flow path outlet 3507. Fluid may exit the relief flow path 3504 through the relief flow path outlet 3507, for example to a space having ambient pressure such as an external environment.

[0219] The flow path of the refill fitting 824 may be formed in any appropriate geometry and include any number of flow paths (e.g., flow passages) which may be formed, e.g., branch off from the flow path of the refill fitting in any appropriate direction. For example, the refill fitting may include a main flow path 3512, e.g., which may extend along a central axis of the refill fitting 824 (such as a central axis which is parallel to a local direction of gravity), which is fluidly coupled to and adapted to receives gas flow from the refill fitting inlet 3501. One or more refill fitting flow path branches 3514 may extend from the main flow path 3512 to one or more corresponding refill fitting outlets 3503. In some embodiments, the refill fitting flow path branches 3514 may extend in one or more radial directions from the main flow path 3512 to the refill fitting outlets 3503. In this regard, the refill fitting 824 may include one or more radial flow passages according to some embodiments. Providing radial flow passages in the refill fitting 824 may help to reduce the cross-sectional area of the portable beverage container 140, e.g., the side wall 906 of the opening 808, which gas flow from the refill fitting 824 is exposed to, which may help to further reduce any separation force as discussed herein between the refill fitting 824 and the portable beverage container 140.

[0220] A refill fitting according to some embodiments is shown in the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 36A and 36B. As discussed herein, the refill fitting 824 may include any appropriate number and configuration of seals, such as the seal 3602 shown in the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 36A and 36B. The seal 3602 may be configured to form a dustproof seal between the refill fitting 824 and the refill station 818 according to some embodiments. In some cases, the seal 3602 may help to form a press-fit connection between the refill fitting 824 and the refill station 818. In some embodiments, the seal 3602 may be positioned below the upper and lower seals 3506, 3508. The refill fitting 824 may be fluidly coupled to the fluid system of the refill station in any appropriate manner as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. For example, as shown in the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 36A and 36B, the refill fitting 824 may be fluidly coupled to a conduit 3604 which may extend along a flow path from the refill station gas tank to the refill fitting 824 (e.g., the refill fitting inlet 3501). In some cases, the conduit 3604 may be coupled to a refill fitting fluid coupling#14613537V13608, which may include any appropriate tube, valve, adapter, coupling, and other appropriate component configured to fluidly couple the refill fitting 824 to the conduit 3604. In some embodiments, the refill fitting 824 may include a base 3606 coupled to the outer walls 3510 of the refill fitting 824. In some cases, the base 3606 may provide structural support for the refill fitting, for example by coupling the refill fitting 824 to the refill station 818.

[0221] As previously discussed, the refill fitting 824 may include a convex portion which may correspond to a concave portion of the portable beverage container 140, e.g., the cap 902 formed with a corresponding concave portion. As shown in the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 36A and 36B, a top portion of the refill fitting 824, e.g., an upper-most surface of the refill fitting 824, may be formed with a convex shape. In some cases, the relief flow path 3504 may include the relief flow path inlet 3505 formed on the top portion, e.g., the upper surface, of the refill fitting 824. The relief flow path 3504 may extend through the refill fitting 824 such that the relief flow path outlet 3507 is formed on a lower portion, e.g., a bottom-most surface, of the refill fitting 824, such as in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 36B.

[0222] The depicted embodiments of FIGs. 37-38B show the refill fitting 824 and excluding any seals or fluid couplings for clarity according to some embodiments. The relief flow path inlet 3501 may be most easily seen in the depicted embodiments of FIGs. 37 and 38B, where the refill fitting inlet 3501 is formed on a side surface, e.g., a side surface of a body, of the refill fitting 824. The refill fitting inlet 3501 may be formed on any appropriate portion of the refill fitting 824, such as a top and / or bottom surface, as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. As shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 38B, the relief flow path 3504, e.g., the main flow path 3512 of the relief flow path 3504, may extend through the refill fitting 824 along a central axis (e.g., a central axis parallel to a local direction of gravity) of the refill fitting 824 according to some embodiments. In some cases, the refill fitting branches 3514, e.g., radial flow passages, may extend through the refill fitting 824 in directions parallel to one another, thereby sharing the same central axis (e.g., such as the depicted embodiment of FIG. 38B). In such cases, the refill fitting outlets 3503 may be formed on opposing sides of the refill fitting 824. Also shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 38B, the relief flow path 3504 may be closed at one end, e.g., as part of an assembly process using a fastener 3802 which may optionally include a sealed connection to the refill fitting 824 according to some embodiments. As shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 38A, the relief flow path 3504 may extend from an upper surface of the refill fitting 824 to a bottom#14613537V1surface of the refill fitting according to some embodiments. The relief flow path may extend to any appropriate surface of the refill fitting, such as one or more side surfaces as the disclosure is not limited in this sense. In some embodiments, the relief flow path 3504 may extend through the base 3606.

[0223] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 39 shows a bottom perspective view of a portable beverage container 140 according to some embodiments. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 39 shows a rounded portion 3902 coupled to the housing 802 of the portable beverage container 140. As discussed herein, the rounded portion 3902 may be formed at least partially or entirely with a convex shape. For example, the rounded portion 3902 extends around a perimeter of the housing 802 and forms a convex shape on the bottom of the portable beverage container 140 in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 39. In some cases, the rounded portion 3902 may be coupled to the housing 802 to form a flush surface with the housing 802. In some embodiments, the housing 802 may include a flat bottom portion 3904 coupled to the rounded portion 1002. In some cases, the opening 808 may be formed in the flat bottom portion 3904. Regardless, the shape of the rounded portion 3902 may be formed to correspond with a shape of a portion of the refill station 818. In some cases, the portable beverage container may include a bottom section 3906, which may be coupled to and / or form part of the housing 802. The bottom section 3906 can include one or both of the rounded portion 3902 and the flat bottom portion 3904 according to some embodiments. In some cases, the opening 808 may be formed on and / or coupled to the bottom section 3906, e.g., the opening 808 may extend through the bottom section 3906.

[0224] The depicted embodiment of FIG. 40 shows a refill station 818 according to some embodiments. The refill station 818 may include an interface adapted to receive a portable beverage container 140. For example, in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 40, the refill station includes an interface having a receiving platform 4002 adapted to receive the portable beverage container 140. In some embodiments, the receiving platform 4002 includes a flat receiving portion 4006, e.g., a flat lower surface, which may be adapted to receive a corresponding flat portion of the portable beverage container 140, e.g., the flat bottom portion 1004 as shown in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 39. In some cases, the refill fitting 824 may extend through the flat receiving portion 4006, e.g., through a central axis of the flat receiving portion 4006. In some embodiments, the receiving platform 4002 may include a rounded receiving portion 4004, e.g., coupled to the flat receiving portion 4006. The rounded receiving portion 4004 may be adapted to receive a corresponding rounded portion of the portable beverage container 140, e.g., the rounded portion 3902 as shown in the depicted#14613537V1embodiment of FIG. 39. In some cases, providing the receiving platform 4002 in a shape which corresponds with the portable beverage container 140 may help, e.g., a user, to engage the portable beverage container 140 with the refill fitting 824 or otherwise fluidly couple the gas tank 806 of the portable beverage container 140 with the fluid system of the refill station 818 to enable refilling of the gas tank 806.

[0225] The portable beverage container 140 is shown engaged with the refill station 818 in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 41. The portable beverage container may be received by the receiving platform 4002 such that the rounded portion 3902 of the portable beverage container 140 is proximate to, e.g., in contact with, the rounded receiving portion 4004. The refill fitting 824 is shown in the opening 808 of the portable beverage container 140 such that gas may be received by the gas tank 806 of the portable beverage container 140 from the refill station 818. The depicted embodiment of FIG. 42 shows a close up view of the depicted embodiment of FIG. 41. An example flow of gas is shown in dashed lines in the depicted embodiment of FIG. 42. Gas may enter the refill fitting 824 through the refill fitting inlet 3501 and into the flow path 3502. For example, gas may flow through the inlet 3501 through the main flow path 3512 into the branches 3514. In some embodiments, gas may flow out of the outlets 3503 through the branches 3514 and into a space formed by the lower and upper seals 3506, 3508 and the side wall 906 of the opening 808. In some embodiments, gas may flow from the space through the inlet channel 908 and into the gas tank 806. While the depicted embodiment of FIG. 42 shows the flow of gas exiting the refill fitting 824 through one outlet 3503, it should be understood that the flow of gas can flow through any appropriate number of outlets of the refill fitting 824 in any appropriate number of directions, including but not limited to through both of the outlets 3503 shown in FIG. 42 as the disclosure is not limited in this sense.

[0226] The depicted embodiments of FIGs. 43A and 43B show exploded views of a gas tank assembly 4300 for use with a portable beverage container according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the one-way liquid container valve 920 as discussed herein may include a channel portion 4302 (which may include a tapered portion as discussed herein), a valve member 4304, and a biasing member 4306. In some cases, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may be coupled to and located partly or entirely within the upper gas tank portion 1002. For example, the one-way liquid container valve 920 may be coupled to and extend above an upper surface of the upper gas tank portion 1002. Similarly, in some embodiments, the regulator 914 may be coupled to the upper gas tank portion 1002 and may extend above an upper surface of the upper gas tank portion 1002. The gas tank assembly#14613537V14300 may include an actuator assembly 4310 according to some embodiments. The actuator assembly 4310 may include the actuator member 1102 which may be operatively coupled to the actuator biasing element 1104 and the outlet valve 916 according to some embodiments. In some cases, the actuator assembly 4310 may be coupled to and positioned partly or entirely within the upper gas tank 1002.

[0227] In some embodiments, the gas tank assembly 4300 may also include a pressure relief assembly 4320. The pressure relief assembly 4320 may include a movable relief element 4322 which may be biased in a direction by a relief element biasing member 4324 according to some embodiments. The pressure relief assembly 4320 may include a fastener 4326 for securing the pressure relief assembly 4320 to the upper gas tank portion 1002 according to some embodiments. The pressure relief assembly 4320 may be adapted to relieve pressure in the outlet channel 915 above a threshold pressure. For example, pressure in the outlet channel 915 above a threshold pressure may move the movable relief element 4322 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the relief biasing element 4324 biased the movable relief element 4322, which may enable a flow of gas from the outlet channel 915 to relieve pressure from the outlet channel 915. In some embodiments, the pressure relief assembly 4320 may be positioned partly or entirely within the upper gas tank portion 1002. In some embodiments, the lower portion 1006 may be formed as a cover adapted to cover part of the portable beverage container 140. For example, the lower portion 3706 may be cover coupled to the lower tank portion 1004 and / or the housing 802 of the portable beverage container 140. In some embodiments, the lower portion 1006 may be adapted to at least partially cover one or more of the pressure relief element 912, the opening 808, the cap 902, and the plug 1008 when attached to the lower tank portion 1004 and / or the housing 802.

[0228] In some case s, one or more portions of the portable beverage container 140 may be adapted to receive and / or flow pressurized gas into the gas tank of the portable beverage container 140, e.g., by interfacing with the refill station 818, may be referred to as a gas tank interface. Portion(s) of the portable beverage container which may not handle fluid, but nevertheless may be involved in engaging the portable beverage container with the refill station, may be considered as part of the gas tank interface. For example, portions of the portable beverage container 140 adapted to support the portable beverage container 140 on the refill station 818, such as the bottom section discussed herein, may be part of the gas tank interface according to some embodiments. Similarly, in some cases, one or more portions of the refill station 818 adapted to deliver pressurized gas to the portable beverage container 140, e.g., the liquid container 804 or gas tank 806 of the portable beverage container 140,#14613537V1may be referred to as the refill station interface. Portion(s) of the refill station 818 which may not handle fluid, but nevertheless are involved in engaging the portable beverage container 140 with the refill station 818, may be considered as part of the refill station interface. For example, portions of the refill station 818 adapted to support the portable beverage container 140 on the refill station, such as the receiving platform 4002 discussed herein, may be part of the refill station interface according to some embodiments.

[0229] In some embodiments, the gas tank interface may include one or more of the opening 808, side wall 906, cap 902, port 904, biasing element 1010, flanges 1012, seal 1006, inlet channel 908, one-way inlet valve 910, plug 908, housing 802, bottom section 3906, e.g., one or both of the rounded portion 3902 and the flat bottom portion 3904, any appropriate combination thereof, and any other appropriate portion of the portable beverage container 140. For example, in one embodiment, the gas tank interface may include the opening 808, the cap 902, and the inlet channel 908. In some embodiments, the refill station interface may include the refill fitting 824 and / or any appropriate portion of the refill fitting 824. In some embodiments, the refill station interface may include one or more of the refill fitting 824, the outer walls 3510, any appropriate seals, such as the lower seal 3506, upper seal 3508, and / or the seal 3602, refill fitting flow path 3502, one or more refill fitting inlets 3501, one or more refill fitting outlets 3503, main flow path 3512, refill fitting flow path branches 3514, relief flow path 3504, relief flow path inlet 3505, relief flow path outlet 3507, base 3606, refill fitting fluid coupling 3608, conduit 3604, receiving platform 4002, e.g., including one or both of rounded receiving portion 4004 and flat receiving portion 4006, any appropriate combination thereof, and any other appropriate portion of the refill station 818. It should be understood that the term “refill station interface” as used herein may be used interchangeably with the term “delivery interface ” and as such descriptions of either of these terms may apply to the other. In some cases, any element of the refill fitting 824 and / or refill station 818 used to deliver gas may be part of a delivery channel. For example, one or more of the refill fitting flow path 3502, one or more refill fitting inlets 3501, one or more refill fitting outlets 3503, main flow path 3512, refill fitting flow path branches 3514, refill fitting fluid coupling 3608, and conduit 3604, any appropriate combination thereof, and any other appropriate portion of the refill fitting 824 and / or refill station 818 may be formed as part of the delivery channel.

[0230] It will be appreciated that any portion of the systems and methods described herein may be used independently from one another or in combination. In some embodiments, liquid, such as water, may be added to the liquid container of the portable beverage container. An additive cartridge may be attached to the lid of the portable beverage#14613537V1container. The refill station door may be opened, and a source gas tank may be placed on the movable support of the refill station. The door may be closed, thereby moving the support and the source tank thereon into fluid communication with the refill station. The portable beverage container may be coupled to the refill station such that the gas tank of the portable beverage container is fluidly coupled to the source tank of the refill station. Coupling the portable beverage container to the refill station may include moving the cap of the portable beverage container to expose the port of the gas tank of the portable beverage container. Gas from the source tank of the refill station may be directed into the gas tank of the portable beverage container, for example in response to actuating a valve of source tank of the refill station. The actuation pin of the refill station fluid system may enable pressure release from the flow path of gas from the source tank to the gas tank of the portable beverage container. The portable beverage container may be decoupled from the refill station, which may cause the cap to cover the port of the gas tank of the portable beverage container. The valve gate of the lid may be moved to isolate the isolation chamber housing the additive cartridge from fluid communication with the liquid container of the portable beverage container. Gas from the gas tank of the portable beverage container may be directed to flow into the liquid container of the portable beverage container, for example in response to actuating the outlet valve of the portable beverage container, to carbonate liquid within the liquid container to a desired level. The valve gate of the lid may be moved to enable fluid communication between the isolation chamber housing the additive cartridge and the liquid container now containing carbonated liquid. A user may apply suction to the spout of the additive cartridge to draw liquid from the liquid container to be dispensed through the additive cartridge. Liquid passing through the additive cartridge may be infused with additive to flavor the liquid being dispensed from the additive cartridge.

[0231] While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.#14613537V1

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for using a portable beverage container, the method comprising: adding a liquid to a liquid container of the portable beverage container; adding a pressurized fluid to a gas tank of the portable beverage container; flowing the pressurized fluid from the gas tank to the liquid container; and combining the liquid with an additive from an additive cartridge.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein combining the liquid with additive from the additive cartridge includes dispensing the liquid from the additive cartridge.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting an amount of additive combined with the liquid.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising actuating a valve to release the pressurized fluid from the gas tank.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching the additive cartridge to a lid of the portable beverage container.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising isolating the additive cartridge from pressure within the liquid container.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein isolating the additive cartridge from pressure includes actuating a valve gate of the portable beverage container.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein adding pressurized fluid to the gas tank includes connecting the gas tank to a pressurized fluid source.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein connecting the gas tank to the pressurized fluid source includes moving a cap of the portable beverage container to expose a port of the gas tank.#14613537V110. The method of claim 1, further comprising regulating a pressure of the pressurized fluid flow.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressurized fluid comprises carbon dioxide gas.

12. A lid adapted to attach to a portable beverage container, the lid comprising: a lid base; an isolation chamber receptacle attached to the lid base and defining an interior space, the isolation chamber receptacle extending along a longitudinal axis; and a valve having a valve gate movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle along the longitudinal axis of the isolation chamber receptacle between an open position to open fluid communication with the interior space through the valve and a closed position to close fluid communication with the interior space through the valve.

13. The lid of claim 12, wherein the isolation chamber receptacle includes one or more openings, and wherein fluid communication with the interior space is permitted through the one or more openings with the valve gate in the open position and prevented through the one or more openings with the valve gate in the closed position.

14. The lid of claim 13, wherein the one or more openings are positioned circumferentially around the isolation chamber receptacle.

15. The lid of claim 12, wherein the valve gate is movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle between the open and closed positions in response to a pressure of the portable beverage container exceeding a pressure threshold.

16. The lid of claim 12, further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle, wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated by a user to move the isolation chamber receptacle relative to the valve gate.#14613537V117. The lid of claim 16, wherein the actuator is operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle by a threaded connection.

18. The lid of claim 16, wherein the actuator is operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle by a push latch mechanism.

19. The lid of claim 12, wherein the valve gate is movable relative to the lid base between the open and closed positions.

20. The lid of claim 12, wherein the valve gate is fixed relative to the lid base and the isolation chamber receptacle is movable relative to the lid base and the valve gate.

21. The lid of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the isolation chamber receptacle is slidingly fit into the valve gate.

22. The lid of claim 12, in combination with the portable beverage container, wherein the lid base is engageable with the portable beverage container.

23. The lid of claim 22, wherein the portable beverage container comprises a liquid receptacle and a pressurized gas tank configured to pressurize liquid in the liquid receptacle.

24. The lid of claim 23, wherein the valve gate is configured to be in the closed position prior to pressurization of the liquid in the liquid receptacle, and wherein the valve gate is configured to be moved to the open position after the pressurization of the liquid in the liquid receptacle.

25. The lid of claim 23, further comprising one or more vents configured to permit fluid communication between an interior space of the liquid receptacle and a surrounding environment.

26. The lid of claim 12, further comprising an additive cartridge, wherein the additive cartridge is configured to be received at least partially within the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

27. A method of operating a lid for a portable beverage container, the method comprising:#14613537V1providing a lid having an isolation chamber receptacle attached to a lid base; and moving a valve gate relative to the isolation chamber receptacle along a longitudinal axis of the isolation chamber receptacle between an open position and a closed position to selectively resist or permit fluid communication with an interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising actuating an actuator operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle to move the isolation chamber receptacle relative to the valve gate.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising moving the valve gate relative to the lid base between the open and closed positions.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising engaging the lid base with the portable beverage container, wherein the portable beverage container comprises a liquid receptacle configured to receive a liquid, and further comprising pressurizing the liquid in the liquid receptacle prior to moving the valve gate to the open position.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising venting through one or more vents in fluid communication with an interior space of the liquid receptacle.

32. The method of claim 27, further comprising positioning an additive cartridge at least partially within the interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

33. A lid adapted to attach to a portable beverage container, the lid comprising: a lid base; a valve gate attached to the lid base; an isolation chamber receptacle attached to the lid base, the isolation chamber receptacle having one or more openings; and an upper seal and a lower seal positioned on opposite sides of the one or more openings and sealingly engaging the valve gate and the isolation chamber receptacle,#14613537V1wherein the valve gate is movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle to selectively resist or permit fluid communication through the one or more openings.

34. The lid of claim 33, wherein the one or more openings are positioned circumferentially around the isolation chamber receptacle.

35. The lid of claim 33, wherein the valve gate is movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle in response to a pressure of the portable beverage container exceeding a pressure threshold.

36. The lid of claim 33, wherein the valve gate is movable relative to the isolation chamber receptacle between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position fluid communication with an interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle is permitted through the one or more openings, and wherein in the closed position fluid communication with the interior space is prevented through the one or more openings.

37. The lid of claim 33, further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle, wherein the actuator is configured to be actuated by a user to move the isolation chamber receptacle relative to the valve gate.

38. The lid of claim 37, wherein the actuator is operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle by a threaded connection.

39. The lid of claim 37, wherein the actuator is operatively coupled to the isolation chamber receptacle using a push latch mechanism.

40. The lid of claim 33, wherein the valve gate is movable relative to the lid base to selectively resist or permit fluid communication through the one or more openings.

41. The lid of claim 33, wherein the valve gate is fixed relative to the lid base and the isolation chamber receptacle is movable relative to the lid base and the valve gate.

42. The lid of claim 33, wherein at least a portion of the isolation chamber receptacle is slidingly fit into the valve gate.

43. The lid of claim 33, in combination with the portable beverage container, wherein the lid base is engageable with the portable beverage container.#14613537V144. The lid of claim 43, wherein the portable beverage container comprises a liquid receptacle and a pressurized gas tank configured to pressurize liquid in the liquid receptacle.

45. The lid of claim 44, wherein the valve gate is configured to resist fluid communication through the one or more openings prior to pressurization of the liquid in the liquid receptacle, and wherein the valve gate is configured to permit fluid communication through the one or more openings after the pressurization of the liquid in the liquid receptacle.

46. The lid of claim 44, further comprising one or more vents configured to permit fluid communication between an interior space of the liquid receptacle and a surrounding environment.

47. The lid of claim 33, further comprising an additive cartridge, wherein the additive cartridge is configured to be received at least partially within an interior space of the isolation chamber receptacle.

48. A portable beverage container comprising: a housing; a liquid container for holding a consumable liquid, the liquid container located within the housing; a gas tank for holding a gas under pressure above ambient pressure and fluidly coupled to the liquid container, the gas tank located within the housing; an opening arranged on the housing and configured to couple with a refill fitting for delivering pressurized gas to the gas tank, the opening including a port fluidly coupled to the gas tank; and a cap movable in the opening between a first position in which the cap covers the port and a second position in which the port is exposed to receive the pressurized gas from the refill fitting.

49. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the port is formed on a side wall of the opening.#14613537V150. The portable beverage container of claim 48, further comprising an inlet channel in fluid communication with the gas tank, wherein the port is fluidly coupled to the inlet channel.

51. The portable beverage container of claim 50, further comprising a one-way inlet valve positioned at least partially within the inlet channel and configured to prevent flow of gas from the gas tank to the port.

52. The portable beverage container of claim 50, wherein the inlet channel includes a plug to close an end of the inlet channel.

53. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein a portion of the port extends along a direction that is angled relative to a direction of movement of the cap between the first position and the second position.

54. The portable beverage container of claim 48, further comprising a one-way inlet valve configured to prevent flow of gas from the gas tank to the port.

55. The portable beverage container of claim 54, wherein the gas tank extends around the one-way inlet valve.

56. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the cap includes a concave surface exposed at the opening.

57. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the cap includes a seal adapted to move with the cap within the opening.

58. The portable beverage container of claim 57, wherein the seal is configured to form a dust proof seal between the cap and a side wall of the opening.

59. The portable beverage container of claim 48, further comprising a biasing element configured to bias the cap towards the first position.#14613537V160. The portable beverage container of claim 48, further comprising a pressure relief element configured to relieve pressure in the gas tank above a threshold pressure.

61. The portable beverage container of claim 60, wherein the pressure relief element is a burst disk.

62. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the gas tank extends around the opening.

63. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the cap includes flanges configured to engage a portion of the opening to limit movement of the cap.

64. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the cap is adapted to move between the first position and the second position entirely within the opening.

65. The portable beverage container of claim 48, further comprising a regulator configured to regulate outflow of gas from the gas tank.

66. The portable beverage container of claim 48, further comprising a one-way liquid container valve between the gas tank and the liquid container configured to prevent backflow of fluid to the gas tank.

67. The portable beverage container of claim 48, further comprising an actuator configured to cause gas flow from the gas tank to the liquid container.

68. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the gas tank is defined by an upper body and a lower body, the upper body defining an upper tank portion of the gas tank and being coupled to the lower body that defines a lower tank portion of the gas tank.

69. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the opening is adapted to align the portable beverage container on a refill station when engaged with the refill fitting.#14613537V170. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the opening is adapted to at least partially house the refill fitting when the portable beverage container is positioned to receive gas through the port.

71. The portable beverage container of claim 48, wherein the gas tank defines an internal space to hold pressurized gas that has a toroidal shape.

72. A portable beverage container comprising: a liquid container; an onboard gas tank fluidly coupled with the liquid container; a port through which gas is receivable into the onboard gas tank; and a cap movable within an opening to selectively cover the port, wherein movement of the cap changes a volume of a space within the opening defined by the cap and a side wall of the opening.

73. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the port is formed on a side wall of the opening.

74. The portable beverage container of claim 72, further comprising an inlet channel in fluid communication with the onboard gas tank, wherein the port is fluidly coupled to the inlet channel.

75. The portable beverage container of claim 74, further comprising a one-way inlet valve positioned at least partially within the inlet channel and configured to prevent flow of gas from the onboard gas tank to the port.

76. The portable beverage container of claim 74, wherein the inlet channel includes a plug to close an end of the inlet channel.

77. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein a portion of the port extends along a direction that is angled relative to a direction of movement of the cap in the opening.

78. The portable beverage container of claim 72, further comprising a one-way inlet valve configured to prevent flow of gas from the onboard gas tank to the port.#14613537V179. The portable beverage container of claim 78, wherein the onboard gas tank extends around the one-way inlet valve.

80. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the cap includes a concave surface exposed at the opening.

81. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the cap includes a seal adapted to move with the cap within the opening.

82. The portable beverage container of claim 81, wherein the seal is configured to form a dust proof seal between the cap and the side wall of the opening.

83. The portable beverage container of claim 72, further comprising a biasing element configured to bias the cap towards a first position, wherein in the first position the cap covers the port.

84. The portable beverage container of claim 72, further comprising a pressure relief element configured to relieve pressure in the onboard gas tank above a threshold pressure.

85. The portable beverage container of claim 84, wherein the pressure relief element is a burst disk.

86. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the onboard gas tank extends around the opening.

87. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the cap includes flanges configured to engage a portion of the opening to limit movement of the cap.

88. The portable beverage container of claim 72, further comprising a regulator configured to regulate outflow of gas from the onboard gas tank.#14613537V189. The portable beverage container of claim 72, further comprising a one-way liquid container valve configured to prevent backflow of fluid from the liquid container to the onboard gas tank.

90. The portable beverage container of claim 72, further comprising an actuator configured to cause gas flow from the onboard gas tank to the liquid container.

91. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the onboard gas tank is defined by an upper body that defines an upper tank portion and is coupled to a lower body that defines a lower tank portion.

92. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the opening is configured to couple with a refill fitting for delivering pressurized gas to the gas tank, and wherein the opening is adapted to align the portable beverage container on a refill station when engaged with the refill fitting.

93. The portable beverage container of claim 92, wherein the opening is adapted to at least partially house the refill fitting when the portable beverage container is positioned to receive gas through the port.

94. The portable beverage container of claim 72, wherein the onboard gas tank defines an internal space to hold pressurized gas that has a toroidal shape.

95. A method for filling a pressurized gas tank of a portable beverage container comprising: providing the portable beverage container having an opening with a port for receiving and providing pressurized gas to the gas tank; moving a cap in the opening to expose the port to receive the pressurized gas; and receiving gas through the port into the gas tank.

96. The method of claim 95, further comprising providing one-way gas flow from the port to the gas tank.#14613537V197. The method of claim 95, further comprising receiving and providing pressurized gas to the gas tank in a direction that is angled relative to a direction of movement of the cap.

98. The method of claim 95, further comprising receiving a refill fitting of a refill station in the opening.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein receiving the refill fitting causes the moving of the cap in the opening.

100. The method of claim 95, further comprising providing a dust-proof seal between the cap and the opening.

101. The method of claim 95, further comprising biasing the cap towards a position in which the cap covers the port.

102. The method of claim 95, further comprising providing a pressure relief element for relieving pressure in the gas tank above a threshold pressure.

103. The method of claim 95, further comprising preventing movement of the cap out of the opening.

104. The method of claim 95, wherein moving the cap includes moving the cap between a first position and a second position entirely within the opening.

105. The method of claim 95, further comprising regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank includes limiting a pressure of the outflow of gas below a threshold outflow pressure.

107. The method of claim 95, further comprising preventing backflow of fluid to the gas tank.#14613537V1108. The method of claim 95, further comprising actuating a valve to cause gas flow from the gas tank to a liquid container of the portable beverage container.

109. The method of claim 95, further comprising actuating a valve of a refill station to direct gas from the refill station to the port.

110. The method of claim 95, further comprising aligning the portable beverage container on a refill station.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein aligning the portable beverage container on the refill station includes engaging the opening with a refill fitting of the refill station.

112. The method of claim 111, further comprising receiving the refill fitting into the opening.

113. The method of claim 112, further comprising actuating a valve of the refill station to direct gas from the refill station to the port.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein actuating the valve of the refill station includes actuating a lever of the refill station.

115. A method for accessing an onboard gas tank of a portable beverage container, the method comprising: moving a cap in an opening of the portable beverage container to change a volume defined by the cap and a side wall of the opening and expose a port in the opening to deliver pressurized gas to the onboard gas tank.

116. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing one-way gas flow from the port to the onboard gas tank.

117. The method of claim 115, further comprising receiving and providing pressurized gas to the onboard gas tank in a direction that is angled relative to a direction of movement of the cap.#14613537V1118. The method of claim 115, further comprising receiving a refill fitting of a refill station into the volume.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein receiving the refill fitting causes the moving of the cap.

120. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing a dust-proof seal between the cap and the opening.

121. The method of claim 115, further comprising biasing the cap towards a position in which the cap covers the port.

122. The method of claim 115, further comprising providing a pressure relief element for relieving pressure in the onboard gas tank above a threshold pressure.

123. The method of claim 115, further comprising preventing movement of the cap from the opening.

124. The method of claim 115, wherein moving the cap includes moving the cap between a first position and a second position entirely within the opening.

125. The method of claim 115, further comprising regulating outflow of gas from the onboard gas tank.

126. The method of claim 125, wherein regulating outflow of gas from the onboard gas tank includes limiting a pressure of the outflow of gas below a threshold outflow pressure.

127. The method of claim 115, further comprising preventing backflow of fluid to the onboard gas tank.

128. The method of claim 115, further comprising actuating a valve to cause gas flow from the onboard gas tank to a liquid container of the portable beverage container.#14613537V1129. The method of claim 115, further comprising actuating a valve of a refill station to direct gas from the refill station to the port.

130. The method of claim 115, further comprising aligning the portable beverage container on a refill station.

131. The method of claim 130, wherein aligning the portable beverage container on the refill station includes engaging the opening with a refill fitting of the refill station.

132. The method of claim 131, further comprising receiving the refill fitting into the volume.

133. The method of claim 132, further comprising actuating a valve of a refill station to direct gas from the refill station to the port.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein actuating the valve of the refill station includes actuating a lever of the refill station.

135. The method of claim 115, wherein moving the cap to expose the port in the opening increases the volume defined by the cap and the side wall of the opening.

136. A method for filling a gas tank in a portable beverage container, the method comprising: moving a cap along a direction of movement in an opening; and directing gas at an angle relative to the direction of movement of the cap from the opening into a port in fluid communication with the gas tank.

137. The method of claim 136, further comprising providing one-way gas flow from the port to the gas tank.

138. The method of claim 136, further comprising receiving a refill fitting of a refill station in the opening.#14613537V1139. The method of claim 138, wherein receiving the refill fitting causes the moving of the cap.

140. The method of claim 136, further comprising providing a dust-proof seal between the cap and the opening.

141. The method of claim 136, further comprising biasing the cap towards a position in which the cap covers the port.

142. The method of claim 136, further comprising providing a pressure relief element for relieving pressure in the gas tank above a threshold pressure.

143. The method of claim 136, further comprising preventing movement of the cap out of the opening.

144. The method of claim 136, wherein moving the cap includes moving the cap between a first position and a second position entirely within the opening.

145. The method of claim 136, further comprising regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank.

146. The method of claim 145, wherein regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank includes limiting a pressure of the outflow of gas below a threshold outflow pressure.

147. The method of claim 136, further comprising preventing backflow of fluid to the gas tank.

148. The method of claim 136, further comprising actuating a valve to cause gas flow from the gas tank to a liquid container of the portable beverage container.

149. The method of claim 136, further comprising actuating a valve of a refill station to direct gas from the refill station to the port.#14613537V1150. The method of claim 136, further comprising aligning the portable beverage container on a refill station.

151. The method of claim 150, wherein aligning the portable beverage container on the refill station includes engaging the opening with a refill fitting of the refill station.

152. The method of claim 151, further comprising receiving the refill fitting in the opening.

153. The method of claim 152, further comprising actuating a valve of the refill station to direct gas from the refill station to the port.

154. The method of claim 153, wherein actuating the valve of the refill station includes actuating a lever of the refill station.

155. A portable beverage container comprising: a housing; a liquid container for holding a consumable liquid, the liquid container located within the housing; and a gas tank for holding a gas under pressure above ambient pressure, the gas tank located at least partially within the housing and fluidly coupled to the liquid container, wherein the gas tank includes an upper tank portion coupled to a lower tank portion.

156. The portable beverage container of claim 155, further comprising an opening adapted to receive a refill fitting from a gas refill station, wherein the opening is formed in the lower tank portion.

157. The portable beverage container of claim 155, further comprising a one-way inlet valve configured to prevent backflow of gas entering the gas tank, wherein the one-way inlet valve is positioned in the lower tank portion.

158. The portable beverage container of claim 155, further comprising a pressure relief element configured to relieve pressure in the gas tank above a threshold pressure, wherein the pressure relief element is positioned in the lower tank portion.#14613537V1159. The portable beverage container of claim 155, further comprising a regulator configured to regulate outflow of gas from the gas tank, wherein the regulator is coupled to the upper tank portion.

160. The portable beverage container of claim 155, further comprising a one-way liquid container valve configured to prevent backflow of fluid from the liquid container to the gas tank, wherein the one-way liquid container valve is positioned in the upper tank portion.

161. The portable beverage container of claim 155, further comprising a valve configured to permit gas flow from the gas tank to the liquid container, wherein the valve is positioned in the upper tank portion.

162. The portable beverage container of claim 155, wherein a lower portion lip of the lower tank portion sealingly engages an upper portion skirt of the upper tank portion.

163. The portable beverage container of claim 162, wherein an airtight seal is formed between the lower portion lip and the upper portion skirt.

164. The portable beverage container of claim 155, wherein the lower tank portion engages with the upper tank portion via a snap-fit connection.

165. The portable beverage container of claim 155, wherein the gas tank defines an internal space to hold pressurized gas that has a toroidal shape.

166. The portable beverage container of claim 155, wherein the lower tank portion defines an annular wall that defines a portion of an internal space to hold pressurized gas.

167. The portable beverage container of claim 166, wherein the annular wall extends around an opening of the lower tank portion.

168. The portable beverage container of claim 155, wherein the upper tank portion and the lower tank portion define a part of an outer surface of the housing.#14613537V1169. The portable beverage container of claim 155, further comprising a regulator to control a pressure of gas delivered from the gas tank to the liquid container, wherein the regulator is at least partially positioned in an internal space defined by the gas tank in which pressurized gas is held.

170. A portable beverage container comprising: a housing; a liquid container for holding a consumable liquid, the liquid container located within the housing; a gas tank for holding a gas under pressure above ambient pressure, the gas tank located at least partially within the housing and fluidly coupled to the liquid container; and a regulator located at least partially within the gas tank and adapted to regulate gas exiting the gas tank.

171. The portable beverage container of claim 170, further comprising a one-way inlet valve configured to prevent backflow of gas entering the gas tank.

172. The portable beverage container of claim 171, wherein the gas tank extends around the one-way inlet valve.

173. The portable beverage container of claim 170, further comprising a pressure relief element configured to relieve pressure in the gas tank above a threshold pressure.

174. The portable beverage container of claim 173, wherein the pressure relief element is a burst disk.

175. The portable beverage container of claim 170, further comprising a one-way liquid container valve configured to prevent backflow of fluid from the liquid container to the gas tank.

176. The portable beverage container of claim 170, further comprising an actuator configured to cause gas flow from the gas tank to the liquid container.#14613537V1177. The portable beverage container of claim 170, wherein the gas tank is defined by an upper body that defines an upper tank portion and is coupled to a lower body that defines a lower tank portion.

178. The portable beverage container of claim 170, further comprising an opening adapted to align the portable beverage container on a refill fitting of a refill station.

179. The portable beverage container of claim 178, wherein the opening is adapted to at least partially house the refill fitting when the portable beverage container is aligned on the refill station.

180. The portable beverage container of claim 170, wherein the gas tank defines an internal space to hold pressurized gas that has a toroidal shape.

181. The method of claim 105, wherein regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank includes preventing outflow of gas from the gas tank in response to a pressure of the gas tank below a threshold pressure.

182. The method of claim 125, wherein regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank includes preventing outflow of gas from the gas tank in response to a pressure of the gas tank below a threshold pressure.

183. The method of claim 145, wherein regulating outflow of gas from the gas tank includes preventing outflow of gas from the gas tank in response to a pressure of the gas tank below a threshold pressure.

184. A portable beverage container comprising: a housing; a liquid container for holding a consumable liquid, the liquid container located within the housing; a gas tank for holding a gas under pressure above ambient pressure and fluidly coupled to the liquid container, the gas tank located within the housing; and a gas tank interface for delivering pressurized gas to the gas tank, the gas tank interface coupled to the housing.#14613537V1185. The portable beverage container of claim 184, wherein the gas tank interface is located within the housing.

186. The portable beverage container of claim 184, wherein the gas tank interface is adapted to receive the pressurized gas from a refill station interface of a refill station.

187. The portable beverage container of claim 185, wherein the housing includes a convex bottom portion adapted to be received by a corresponding concave portion of a refill station.

188. The portable beverage container of claim 185, wherein the gas tank interface is adapted to receive a portion of the refill station interface within an opening of the gas tank interface.

189. The portable beverage container of claim 188, wherein the gas tank interface includes a cap movable within the opening to receive the portion of the refill station interface.

190. The portable beverage container of claim 184, wherein the gas tank interface is located at a bottom portion of the housing.

191. The portable beverage container of claim 184, further comprising a valve adapted to selectively enable gas flow from the gas tank to the liquid container.

192. The portable beverage container of claim 191, further comprising an actuator coupled to the housing and adapted to control the valve to enable the gas flow.

193. A refill station for delivering pressurized gas to a gas tank of a portable beverage container, the refill station comprising: a pressure source for holding a gas under pressure above ambient pressure; and a delivery interface adapted to engage with the portable beverage container and deliver pressurized gas from the pressure source to the gas tank of the portable beverage container.#14613537V1194. The refill station of claim 193, wherein the delivery interface includes an upper seal and a lower seal adapted to form a dustproof seal between the delivery interface and the portable beverage container.

195. The refill station of claim 194, wherein the delivery interface includes a delivery channel for delivering the pressurized gas, wherein an outlet of the delivery channel is positioned between the upper seal and the lower seal.

196. The refill station of claim 194, wherein the delivery interface includes a relief channel fluidly coupled to ambient pressure, wherein an orifice of the relief channel is positioned vertically above the upper seal on the interface.

197. The refill station of claim 193, wherein the delivery interface comprises a refill fitting adapted to engage with the portable beverage container and deliver the pressurized gas to the gas tank.

198. The refill station of claim 197, wherein the refill fitting includes a delivery channel extending through the refill fitting adapted to direct gas flow from the pressure source to the gas tank.

199. The refill station of claim 198, wherein the refill fitting includes a relief flow path in fluid communication with an ambient pressure and extending through the refill fitting.

200. The refill station of claim 199, wherein the refill fitting is coupled to a housing of the refill station and the relief flow path extends through the housing.

201. The refill station of claim 198, wherein the delivery channel includes one or more fluid pathways branching off of the delivery channel.

202. The refill station of claim 199, wherein the one or more fluid pathways are formed as radial flow passages extending from the delivery channel in a radial direction relative to a central axis of the delivery channel.#14613537V1203. The refill station of claim 200, wherein part of the housing of the refill station has a concave shape adapted to receive a corresponding convex shape of the portable beverage container.

204. A coupling for fluidly connecting a tank to a fluid system, the coupling comprising: a body comprising: a coupling inlet port configured to sealingly engage with the tank and selectively receive fluid from the tank; a coupling outlet port fluidly connected to the coupling inlet port and configured to deliver fluid from the coupling to the fluid system; a pressure release port fluidly connected to the coupling inlet port and the coupling outlet port; an actuation pin conduit extending between the coupling inlet port and the pressure release port; and an actuation pin movable in the actuation pin conduit and configured to move between a flow actuation position to open a valve assembly of the tank, and a pressure release position to open the pressure release port.

205. The coupling of claim 204, wherein the pressure release port is closed with the actuation pin in the flow actuation position.

206. The coupling of claim 204, wherein the actuation pin is slidably movable in the actuation pin conduit.

207. The coupling of claim 204, wherein the actuation pin comprises a valve gate configured to close the pressure release port when the actuation pin is in the flow actuation position.

208. The coupling of claim 207, wherein the pressure release port comprises a pressure release conduit fluidly connected to the actuation pin conduit, the pressure release conduit having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the valve gate.#14613537V1209. The coupling of claim 208, wherein the valve gate is disposed in the pressure release conduit in the pressure release position to allow for fluid outflow through a clearance between the valve gate and the pressure release conduit.

210. The coupling of claim 209, wherein the pressure release conduit is tapered in a direction extending from the pressure release port towards the actuation pin conduit.

211. The coupling of claim 210, wherein the pressure release conduit comprises fluting.

212. The coupling of claim 207, wherein the valve gate comprises a gasket.

213. The coupling of claim 204, wherein the actuation pin is configured to move to the pressure release position due to pressure in the actuation pin conduit.

214. The coupling of claim 204, wherein the actuation pin is configured to move from the flow actuation position to a neutral position between the flow actuation position and the pressure release position via a force applied to the actuation pin by a biasing mechanism of the valve assembly.

215. The coupling of claim 214, wherein the actuation pin is configured to move from the neutral position to the pressure release position due to pressure in the actuation pin conduit.

216. The coupling of claim 204, further comprising an actuator assembly configured to move the actuation pin to the flow actuation position.

217. The coupling of claim 216, wherein the actuator assembly is a lever operatively coupled to an actuation handle of the fluid system.

218. The coupling of claim 204, wherein the coupling outlet port extends from the actuation pin conduit.

219. The coupling of claim 204, wherein the coupling inlet port and the pressure release port are disposed along a longitudinal axis.#14613537V1220. The coupling of claim 219, wherein the actuation pin is slidably movable along the longitudinal axis.

221. The coupling of claim 204, further comprising a coupling inlet conduit fluidly connected to the actuation pin conduit, wherein the coupling inlet conduit comprises a smaller cross-sectional area than the actuation pin conduit.

222. The coupling of claim 221, wherein the actuation pin comprises a larger diameter section disposed in the actuation pin conduit, and a smaller diameter section disposed partially in the coupling inlet conduit and partially in the actuation pin conduit when the actuation pin is in the flow actuation position.

223. The coupling of claim 222, wherein the smaller diameter section comprises a cutout section configured to establish a flow path from the coupling inlet conduit to the actuation pin conduit.

224. A coupling for connecting a tank to a fluid system, the coupling comprising: a coupling inlet port comprising a coupling inlet conduit configured to fluidly connect to the tank and receive pressurized fluid from the tank, and an outer wall configured to sealingly engage with an inner wall of a tank outlet conduit of the tank; and a coupling outlet port configured to deliver fluid from the coupling to at least one downstream component of the fluid system.

225. The coupling of claim 224, wherein the coupling inlet port comprises a gasket disposed around the outer wall to sealingly engage with the inner wall of the tank outlet conduit.

226. The coupling of claim 225, wherein the outer wall is substantially free of engagement features other than the gasket.

227. The coupling of claim 224, wherein the outer wall is configured to sealingly engage with a gasket of the tank outlet conduit.#14613537V1228. The coupling of claim 224, wherein the inner wall and outer wall engage only via an interference fit.

229. The coupling of claim 224, wherein the outer wall comprises a tapered section extending from a coupling inlet port opening.

230. The coupling of claim 224, further comprising an actuation pin movable in the coupling inlet conduit and configured to move between a flow actuation position to open a valve of the tank.

231. The coupling of claim 230, wherein an actuation pin cross-sectional area is less than a coupling inlet conduit cross sectional area.

232. The coupling of claim 231, wherein the actuation pin comprises a cutout section configured to provide a flow path for fluid from the tank to the coupling outlet port through the coupling inlet conduit.

233. A tank fitting for fluidly connecting a tank to a coupling of a fluid system, the tank fitting comprising: a fitting body configured to sealingly engage with a tank body of the tank; a tank outlet port comprising a tank outlet conduit configured to sealingly receive a coupling inlet port of the coupling; and a valve assembly configured to release pressurized fluid from the tank to the tank outlet port when moved from a closed position to an open position by an actuator of the fluid system.

234. The tank fitting of claim 233, wherein the fitting body comprises a fitting outlet threaded interface, and the tank outlet port comprises an outlet port threaded interface disposed on an outer surface of the tank outlet port, wherein the outlet port threaded interface is configured to engage with the fitting outlet threaded interface to engage the tank outlet port with the fitting body.

235. The tank fitting of claim 234, wherein the tank outlet port comprises an engagement feature disposed in the tank outlet conduit, the engagement feature being configured to#14613537V1receive a fastening tool to facilitate engagement of the fitting outlet threaded interface with the outlet port threaded interface.

236. The tank fitting of claim 235, wherein the engagement feature is a socket.

237. The tank fitting of claim 236, wherein the tank outlet conduit comprises a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening, the second opening configured to receive a valve pin of the valve assembly.

238. The tank fitting of claim 237, wherein the socket extends along a longitudinal axis of the tank outlet conduit.

239. The tank fitting of claim 238, wherein the socket extends along the longitudinal axis from a plane including the second opening.

240. The tank fitting of claim 238, wherein the valve pin extends within the socket.

241. The tank fitting of claim 237, wherein the tank outlet port comprises a surface extending from the second opening, wherein the valve assembly comprises a valve gate configured to seal against the surface when the valve assembly is in the closed position.

242. The tank fitting of claim 241, wherein the valve gate is biased against the surface by a biasing mechanism.

243. The tank fitting of claim 233, wherein the tank outlet conduit comprises an inner wall configured to sealingly receive an outer wall of the coupling inlet port.

244. The tank fitting of claim 243, wherein the inner wall is configured to sealingly receive the outer wall via an interference fit.

245. The tank fitting of claim 243, wherein the inner wall is substantially free of engagement features.#14613537V1246. The tank fitting of claim 243, wherein the tank outlet conduit includes a seal on a lower outer surface configured to sealingly engage with the fitting body.

247. The tank fitting of claim 243, wherein the tank outlet conduit includes a first opening to receive the coupling and a second opening opposite the first opening.

248. The tank fitting of claim 247, wherein the second opening is configured to receive a valve pin of the valve assembly that extends into the tank outlet conduit.

249. The tank fitting of claim 247, wherein the tank outlet conduit includes a valve seat configured to sealingly engage with a valve gate of the valve assembly.

250. The tank fitting of claim 249, wherein the valve gate is a gasket.

251. The tank fitting of claim 243, wherein the tank outlet conduit comprises a tapered portion extending from a first opening of the tank outlet conduit.

252. The tank fitting of claim 233, wherein the fitting body comprises a fitting inlet threaded interface configured to sealingly engage with a tank body threaded interface of the tank.

253. The tank fitting of claim 252, wherein the fitting inlet threaded interface comprises a tank conduit configured to fluidly connect the tank to the valve assembly, wherein the fitting body comprises a tank evacuation conduit extending from the tank conduit to the fitting inlet threaded interface.

254. The tank fitting of claim 253, wherein the tank conduit extends along a longitudinal axis of the tank fitting.

255. The tank fitting of claim 254, wherein the tank evacuation conduit extends approximately perpendicular to the tank conduit.#14613537V1256. The tank fitting of claim 233, further comprising a pressure release mechanism configured to release pressure from the tank if a pressure in the tank is above a threshold pressure.

257. The tank fitting of claim 256, wherein the pressure release mechanism is a burst disc.

258. A fluid system comprising: a tank configured to hold pressurized fluid, the tank comprising: a tank body comprising an internal volume; and a tank fitting comprising: a fitting body sealingly engaged with the tank body; a tank outlet port comprising a tank outlet conduit with a tank outlet inner wall; and a valve assembly operable to selectively deliver pressurized fluid from the internal volume to the tank outlet port when actuated by an actuator assembly of the fluid system; and a coupling fluidly connecting the tank to at least one downstream component of the fluid system, the coupling comprising: a coupling inlet port comprising a coupling inlet conduit fluidly connected to the tank outlet conduit and a coupling inlet outer wall sealingly engaged with the tank outlet inner wall; and a coupling outlet port fluidly connected to the coupling inlet port and fluidly connecting the coupling to the at least one downstream component of the fluid system.

259. The fluid system of claim 258, wherein the coupling comprises an actuation pin movable in the coupling inlet conduit and configured to move to a flow actuation position when actuated by the actuator assembly to actuate the valve assembly.

260. The fluid system of claim 259, wherein the valve assembly comprises a biasing mechanism configured to bias the valve assembly to a closed position and to move the actuation pin away from the flow actuation position after fluid delivery is complete.#14613537V1261. The fluid system of claim 259, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a lever operatively coupled to the actuation pin, wherein the lever is configured to rotate to a lever actuation position to move the actuation pin to a flow actuation position.

262. The fluid system of claim 261, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a handle operatively connected to the lever and operable by a user to rotate the lever to the lever actuation position.

263. The fluid system of claim 262, wherein the handle is operatively coupled to the lever by a cable routed through a cable conduit, the cable being movable in the cable conduit.

264. The fluid system of claim 258, wherein the coupling inlet port comprises a gasket disposed around the coupling inlet outer wall to sealingly engage with the tank outlet inner wall.

265. The fluid system of claim 264, wherein the coupling inlet outer wall and the tank outlet inner wall are substantially free of engagement features other than the gasket.

266. The fluid system of claim 258, wherein the coupling is the coupling of any of claims 1-25.

267. The fluid system of claim 258, wherein the tank fitting is the tank fitting of any of claims 30-54.

268. A method of delivering fluid from a tank to at least one downstream component of a fluid system, the method comprising: fluidly connecting the tank to a coupling of the fluid system by: inserting a coupling inlet port of the coupling into a tank outlet port of a tank fitting of the tank to fluidly connect a tank outlet conduit of the tank outlet port to a coupling inlet conduit of the coupling inlet port; sealing a coupling inlet outer wall of the coupling inlet port against a tank outlet inner wall of the tank outlet conduit; actuating a valve assembly of the tank to fluidly connect an internal volume of the tank to the tank outlet conduit; and#14613537V1delivering the fluid from the internal volume of the tank to the at least one downstream component through the coupling.

269. The method of claim 268, wherein actuating the valve assembly of the tank comprises moving an actuation pin disposed in the coupling inlet conduit to a flow actuation position with an actuator assembly, where the actuation pin actuates the valve assembly.

270. The method of claim 269, further comprising moving the actuation pin to the flow actuation position by rotating a lever operatively coupled to the actuation pin to a lever actuation position.

271. The method of claim 270, further comprising moving the lever to the lever actuation position by rotating a handle operatively coupled to the lever.

272. The method of claim 269, further comprising moving the actuation pin to a pressure release position to allow the valve assembly to close and to evacuate at least some pressurized fluid from the fluid system.

273. The method of claim 272, wherein moving actuation pin to the pressure release position comprises removing a force applied to the actuation pin by the actuator assembly and moving the actuation pin to the pressure release position via a force from the pressurized fluid remaining in the fluid system.

274. The method of claim 272, further comprising moving the actuation pin to a neutral position between the flow actuation position and the pressure release position via a force from a biasing mechanism of the valve assembly.

275. The method of claim 272, wherein moving actuation pin to the pressure release position comprises removing a force applied to the actuation pin by the actuator assembly and moving the actuation pin to the pressure release position via a force from a biasing mechanism of the valve assembly.

276. A method of assembling a tank, the method comprising: sealingly engaging a tank fitting body of a tank fitting with a tank body;#14613537V1inserting a valve assembly into a valve assembly conduit of the tank fitting body; inserting a tank outlet port into a fitting outlet conduit of the tank fitting body; and sealingly engaging the tank outlet port with the fitting outlet conduit, wherein sealingly engaging includes threading the tank outlet port into the fitting outlet conduit, and wherein sealingly engaging includes engaging a fastening tool with an engagement feature of a conduit of the tank outlet port.

277. The method of claim 276, wherein the engagement feature is a socket.

278. The method of claim 276, further comprising inserting a valve pin of the valve assembly through an opening in the tank outlet port.

279. The method of claim 278, further comprising biasing a valve gate of the valve assembly against a surface of the tank outlet port to selectively seal an outlet port conduit from the valve assembly conduit.

280. The method of claim 276, further comprising attaching an overpressure prevention mechanism to the tank fitting body.

281. The method of claim 280, wherein the overpressure prevention mechanism is a burst disc.

282. The method of claim 276, further comprising fluidly connecting the valve assembly conduit to an internal volume of the tank via a fitting inlet conduit.

283. A portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus comprising: a housing with an internal volume; a housing door connected to the housing, the housing door being moveable between a closed position and an open position; a support disposed within the housing configured to receive a tank, the support being moveable between first and second positions; and a linkage operatively connecting the support and the housing door.#14613537V1284. The apparatus of claim 283, wherein the linkage comprises a cam and a cam follower.

285. The apparatus of claim 284, wherein the cam is a pin slot disposed on the housing door.

286. The apparatus of claim 285, wherein the cam follower is a pin disposed on the support, and the pin is configured to engage with the pin slot and move the support in response to movement of the housing door.

287. The apparatus of claim 283, further comprising a pressurized gas interface configured to fluidically couple with the tank.

288. The apparatus of claim 287, wherein the pressurized gas interface is disposed above the support.

289. The apparatus of claim 288, further comprising a tank valve receptacle adjacent the pressurized gas interface.

290. The apparatus of claim 289, wherein a surface of the tank valve receptacle is configured to guide a tank valve on the tank towards the pressurized gas interface.

291. The apparatus of claim 287, wherein the support is configured to urge the tank into engagement with the pressurized gas interface as the support is moved from the second position to the first position.

292. The apparatus of claim 283, wherein the linkage is configured to move the support between the first and second positions based on movement of the housing door.

293. The apparatus of claim 292, wherein the linkage is configured to put the support in the first position when the housing door is in the closed position and to put the support in the second position when the housing door is in the open position.

294. The apparatus of claim 293, wherein the housing includes a tank receiving area in which to hold the tank when the tank is supported by the support, and the housing door is#14613537V1configured to expose the tank receiving area in the open position and to cover the tank receiving area in the closed position.

295. The apparatus of claim 283, further comprising a hinge pivotally coupling the housing door to the housing.

296. The apparatus of claim 295, wherein the hinge is disposed on a bottom portion of the housing door.

297. The apparatus of claim 283, wherein the support is configured to support the tank in an upright position in the housing.

298. The apparatus of claim 297, wherein the support is configured to contact a bottom of the tank.

299. The apparatus of claim 298, wherein the support is configured to apply an upward engaging force on the tank, and to apply a downward disengaging force on the tank.

300. The apparatus of claim 299, further comprising a pressurized gas interface configured to fluidically couple with the tank, and the support is configured to apply the upward engaging force on the tank with movement from the second position to the first position to fluidly couple the tank with the pressurized gas interface, and to apply the downward disengaging force on the tank with movement from the first position to the second position to uncouple the tank from the pressurized gas interface.

301. The apparatus of claim 283, wherein the linkage comprises a pulley.

302. The apparatus of claim 283, wherein the linkage comprises a gear system.

303. A method for operating a portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus comprising: placing a tank on a support; and closing a housing door, which raises the support and fluidically couples a tank valve of the tank with a pressurized gas interface.#14613537V1304. The method of claim 303, further comprising opening a housing door, which lowers the support.

305. The method of claim 304, wherein opening the door further comprises disengaging a preexisting tank from the pressurized gas interface.

306. The method of claim 305, wherein disengaging the preexisting tank from the pressurized gas interface comprises retaining the preexisting tank on the support as the support is lowered.

307. The method of claim 303, wherein closing the door includes guiding the tank valve into engagement with the pressurized gas interface.

308. The method of claim 307, wherein guiding the tank valve into engagement with the pressurized gas interface comprises contacting the tank valve with a tapered surface that is angled towards the pressurized gas interface.

309. The method of claim 303, wherein closing the housing door comprises at least partially covering a tank receiving area in which the support is housed.

310. The method of claim 303, wherein placing the tank on the support comprises placing the tank in an upright position.

311. The method of claim 310, wherein raising the support comprises pushing the tank from a bottom of the tank.

312. A portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus comprising: a housing with a tank receiving area; a tank disposed within the tank receiving area, the tank having a tank valve; a pressurized gas interface configured to fluidically connect to the tank valve; and a guiding surface configured to guide the tank valve to engage with the pressurized gas interface in response to movement of the tank valve relative to the pressurized gas interface.#14613537V1I l l313. The apparatus of claim 312, wherein the pressurized gas interface is disposed within a valve receptacle.

314. The apparatus of claim 313, wherein the guiding surface includes an angled surface disposed on the valve receptacle.

315. The apparatus of claim 312, wherein the guiding surface includes an angled surface disposed on the tank valve.

316. The apparatus of claim 312, wherein the guiding surface tapers horizontally to urge the tank valve into a central horizontal position relative to the pressurized gas interface.

317. The apparatus of claim 312, wherein the guiding surface tapers vertically to urge the tank valve into a central vertical position relative to the pressurized gas interface.

318. The apparatus of claims 316 and 317, wherein the guiding surface tapers towards the pressurized gas interface.

319. A method for operating a portable carbonating drinking bottle refill apparatus comprising: moving a tank towards a pressurized gas interface; guiding a tank valve to the pressurized gas interface; and fluidically sealing the tank valve to the pressurized gas interface.

320. The method of claim 319, wherein guiding the tank valve comprises guiding the tank valve into a valve receptacle with an angled surface.

321. The method of claim 320, wherein the angled surface is disposed on the valve receptacle.

322. The method of claim 320, wherein the angled surface is disposed on the tank valve.#14613537V1323. The method of claim 319, wherein moving the tank towards the pressurized gas interface comprises applying pressure to a bottom portion of the tank with a support.

324. The method of claim 319, wherein guiding the tank valve includes guiding the tank valve vertically to position the tank valve relative to the pressurized gas interface.

325. The method of claim 319, wherein guiding the tank valve includes guiding the tank valve horizontally to position the tank valve relative to the pressurized gas interface.#14613537V1

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