Beverage dispenser

• US 4,264,019 A
• Filed: 08/17/1979
• Issued: 04/28/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spartanburg Steel Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Firestone Tire & Rubber Company (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: Weitzenhof, David A., Roberts, Robert O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knowles, Allen N.
• Application Number:
  US06/067,640
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 222/325, 222/326, 222/327, 222/105, 222/95, 222/107, 222/399, 222/386.5, 222/146 C, 62/389, 62/394, 62/395
• US Class Current: 222/95
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0412 the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container

Abstract

A storage and dispensing device for bulk carbonated beverages, for home use, comprising a two-part unit, a carrier portion providing support as well as a pressure medium and pressure means, and a separate cartridge unit containing the beverage to be dispensed through a beverage outlet; the cartridge is adapted to be removably nested with, and pressurized from, the carrier, while the beverage is self-pressurized from its carbonation.

Claims

1. Beverage dispensing device comprising

(a) a carrier adapted to contain a measured supply of water;

(b) a cartridge removably nesting with said carrier and comprising

(1) a rigid tubular enclosure,

(2) a flexible bag within said enclosure adapted to contain a volume of carbonated beverage substantially equal to said water supply, and

(3) a beverage tap;

(c) pump means to pressurize said water; and

(d) one way valve means to transfer said water from said carrier to said cartridge upon activation of said pump means.

2. Dispensing and storage device for a carbonated beverage comprising

(a) a carrier comprising

(1) a reservoir containing a measured water supply,

(2) a hand-pump on said reservoir to pressurize said water, and

(3) a one-way valve providing egress from said reservoir;

(b) a closed cartridge removably nested within a recessed well in said carrier and comprising

(1) a rigid cylindrical support tube,

(2) a flexible bag, impervious to carbon dioxide, enclosed within said tube and containing an initial volume of carbonated beverage substantially equal to that of said water supply,

(3) a tap in the wall of said tube communicating with said beverage, and

(4) receiving means in said tube and cooperating with said valve to provide ingress for water to said tube;

said water exerting collapsing pressure on said bag to assist in dispensing beverage, and to prevent outgassing of carbon dioxide therefrom.

3. Beverage dispensing device comprising

(a) a carrier adapted to contain a pressurizing medium and having means to pressurize said medium;

(b) a cartridge removably located in a cavity in said carrier, having a flexible bag with dispensing means, and adapted to contain a beverage; and

(c) means separably interconnecting said carrier and said cartridge to provide passage for the medium to pressurize said bag.

4. A carrier for use in a beverage dispensing device comprising

(a) a reservoir adapted to contain a measured volume of water, said reservoir having an exterior forming a well adapted to receive, in removable nesting relationship, a self-contained beverage cartridge whose volume substantially equals that of the water,

(b) a filler-means on said reservoir to admit water therein,

(c) a dip-tube in said reservoir,

(d) a one-way valve in said well and communicating with said dip-tube, said valve adapted to cooperate with receiving means in the cartridge to conduct water between it and said carrier, and

(e) a pump on said reservoir to pressurize the water and move substantially all of it from said carrier through said valve into the cartridge.

5. A carrier for use in a beverage dispensing device comprising

(a) a reservoir adapted to contain an incompressible fluid, said reservoir having an exterior forming a well adapted to receive a beverage cartridge in removable, nesting relationship,

(b) filler-means on said reservoir to admit fluid therein,

(c) one-way valve means in said well adapted to cooperate with receiving means in the cartridge to conduct fluid between it and said carrier, and

(d) pump-means on said reservoir to pressurize the fluid and move it from said carrier through said valve means into the cartridge.

6. A carrier for use in a beverage dispensing device comprising

(a) a fluid reservoir having an exterior wall recessed to receive a removable beverage cartridge,

(b) means to fill said reservoir with an incompressible fluid,

(c) one-way valve means in said wall adapted to cooperate with receiving means in the cartridge to conduct liquid between it and said carrier, and

(d) pump-means on said reservoir to pressurize the fluid and move it from said carrier through said valve means into the cartridge.

7. A carrier for use in a beverage dispensing device comprising

(a) a reservoir adapted to contain an incompressible medium, said reservoir having an exterior wall adapted to cooperate with an adjacent separate, removable beverage cartridge,

(b) first means in said exterior wall adapted to cooperate with receiving means in the removable cartridge to conduct medium between it and said carrier, and

(c) second means on said reservoir to move the medium from said carrier through said first means into the removable cartridge.

8. Beverage dispensing device comprising

(a) a carrier adapted to contain a pressurizing medium;

(b) a cartridge removably nested with said carrier and comprising

(1) a rigid enclosure,

(2) a flexible bag within said enclosure adapted to contain a carbonated beverage, and

(3) beverage dispensing means;

(c) means to pressurize said medium; and

(d) communication means to transfer said medium from said carrier to said cartridge upon activation of said pressurizing means.

9. Beverage dispensing device as in claim 8, wherein said communication means comprises one-way valve means.

10. Beverage dispensing device as in claim 8, wherein said communication means comprises a one-way valve in said carrier and a receiver therefor in said cartridge.

11. Beverage dispensing device as in claim 8, wherein said pressurizing means comprises a hand-pump on said carrier.