A system for use on a countertop to dispense at least one alcohol selected from the group consisting of potable alcoholic distillates, spirits, and liquors, prepared “ready to drink” alcoholic cocktails, and premixed alcoholic drinks, the system comprising:
- one or more containers, each selected from the group consisting of a bag and a box, each of the containers shaped to define an internal reservoir that is adapted to contain the alcohol, wherein each of the containers is formed from a food grade material, wherein the food grade material is a readily disposable, green, and/or recyclable material;
- wherein the internal reservoir is adapted to contain between about 1.75 liters and about 3.0 liters when the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of prepared “ready to drink” alcoholic cocktails and premixed alcoholic drinks, and between about 1.0 liters and 1.75 liters when the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of potable alcoholic distillates, spirits, and liquors;
- one or more metered taps, each having a pouring spout and securely engaging a respective one of the containers for accurately dispensing from said internal reservoir a predetermined volume of the alcohol in a controlled single pour from the pouring spout;
- wherein the predetermined volume is selected from the group consisting of one ounce (1 oz.) and one-and-a-half ounces (1.5 oz.);
- wherein each of the metered taps is adapted to accurately pour the predetermined volume with substantial precision;
- wherein each of the metered taps is selectively movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration;
- wherein, in the retracted configuration, each of the metered taps is located within its said respective one of the containers and adapted for shipping and storage;
- wherein, in the extended configuration, the pouring spout is extended and pulled out relative to the retracted configuration, and adapted for pouring the alcohol;
- wherein each of the metered taps has a sliding section;
- wherein the sliding section is shaped to define an internal chamber sized to contain the predetermined volume with the aforesaid substantial precision;
- wherein the sliding section has a top portion that is shaped to define one or more fill openings into the internal chamber;
- wherein, in the retracted configuration, the sliding section is located within said respective one of the containers and the alcohol flows from the internal reservoir into the internal chamber through the fill openings;
- wherein the sliding section has a bottom portion with a downwards incline, inside the internal chamber, toward the pouring spout;
- wherein, in the extended configuration:
- the sliding section is extended and pulled out relative to the retracted configuration, the sliding section blocks the aforesaid flow of the alcohol from the internal reservoir through the fill openings and, when the pouring spout is selectively actuated, the downwards incline inside the internal chamber dispenses the alcohol from the internal chamber at least in part by gravity flow;
- wherein the pouring spout has a top spout portion and two flanking paddles;
- wherein the pouring spout is selectively actuated as aforesaid, to empty the internal chamber, by pulling up on the flanking paddles while holding down top spout portion;
- and wherein in the extended configuration, after the internal chamber has emptied, the sliding section blocks further flow of alcohol from the pouring spout;
- one or more tamper-proof seals, one each applied to and securely sealing the group consisting of said respective one of the containers and a respective one of the metered taps;
- wherein the tamper-proof seals are applied at an alcohol packaging facility;
- wherein each of the tamper-proof seals remains visibly intact when securely sealing as aforesaid;
- wherein each of the tamper-proof seals is frangible and selectively removable when ready for use;
- and
- a countertop dispensing stand adapted to securely receive and hold each of the containers in a substantially upright dispensing configuration;
- and wherein the countertop dispensing stand:
- (i) is constructed from one or more substantially durable materials, and (ii) the substantially durable materials comprise a commercial grade corrugated plastic material;
- (iii) is adapted for disposal and/or recycling after use over a season and/or at one or more events;
- (iv) comprises divider inserts that define container sections, one for each of the containers, in the countertop dispensing stand, with each of the container sections holding a single one of the containers;
- (v) has a front face that is shaped to define one or more open holes therethrough, one for each of the metered taps, with the pouring spout of each of the metered taps extending, in the extended configuration, through a respective one of the open holes;
- (vi) has a drip tray located underneath the metered taps;
- and (vii) has legs to engage the countertop and keep the metered taps about two inches (2″) above the countertop;
- wherein the containers are selectively receivable within, and selectively removable from, the countertop dispensing stand;
- wherein the containers and the countertop dispensing stand are together adapted to afford users with an unobstructed line of sight on the containers when securely received and held by the countertop dispensing stand;
- and
- wherein said one or more containers comprise four said containers, said one or more metered taps comprise four said metered taps, and the countertop dispensing stand securely receives and holds the four said containers, and wherein the countertop dispensing stand is adapted to support about 8.0 pounds (about 3.7 kilograms) of weight in said containers.