Apparatus and method for the preparation of aerated drinks

A method of preparing an aerated liquid using an aerator device, the method comprising:

• filling a chamber of a removable aerator bottle with liquid;
• attaching the removable aerator bottle to an aerator bottle interface of the aerator device and sealing the chamber;
• aerating the liquid in the chamber of the removable aerator bottle by transferring pressurized gas to the chamber;
• and
• subsequently transferring aerated liquid from the chamber of the removable aerator bottle to a receptacle via an aerated liquid dispenser outlet connected to the aerator bottle interface by a liquid outlet line.

A flavor capsule for an aerator device comprising:

• a sealed collapsible container for containing a flavoring fluid to be dispensed;
• a cap mounted on a leading end of the collapsible container, the cap defining an outlet for dispensing the flavoring fluid;
• and
• at least one piercing element;
• wherein, in use, relative movement between the collapsible container and the cap causes the at least one piercing element to rupture the collapsible container, whereby the flavoring fluid is permitted to flow from the collapsible bag to the outlet.

A capsule comprising:

• a container defining a chamber for containing a fluid to be dispensed;
• and
• a plunger sealing the chamber of the container, the plunger being movable relative to the container between a first position and a second position;
• wherein the container and the plunger have interengageable parts comprising a frangible seal portion and a puncturing element, the frangible seal portion being configured to form, when punctured by the puncturing element, at least one aperture in the container for dispensing the fluid from the chamber;
• wherein, in use, relative movement of the plunger relative to the container from the first position to the second position causes the puncturing element to puncture the frangible seal portion to form the at least one aperture.