In-home drink dispenser

• US 4,520,950 A
• Filed: 06/29/1982
• Issued: 06/04/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cadbury Schweppes (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cadbury Schweppes (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jeans, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartuska, F. J.
• Application Number:
  US06/393,299
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 137/329.1, 137/614.04, 137/212, 222/129.1, 222/129.2, 222/129.3, 222/129.4, 222/394, 222/396, 222/399, 222/146.6, 222/400.7, 62/389, 62/430
• US Class Current: 222/129.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0021 the components being mixed at the time of dispensing, i.e. post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0052 by means for directing respective streams together
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/007 Structure of the carbonating chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0072 through a diffuser, a bubbler
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0079 having their own dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0801 of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0087 being mounted on the dispenser housing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0814 for upside down use
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0815 with integral venting tube
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00028 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00034 Modules
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00039 Panels
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00052 with flow tranquilisers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/314 Unitary mounting for gas pressure inlet and liquid outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

A beverage dispenser particularly adapted for use in the home is disclosed which dispenser includes a source of pressurizing fluid, a dilient tank, dispensing valves and containers of concentrate which are interchangeably insertable in the valves, the flow of pressurizing fluid and diluent conducted through a manifold which is integral with the dispensing valves and the diluent tank and source of pressurizing fluid both being provided with quick disconnect couplings to permit ease of removal and replacement, the elements of the dispenser disposed on a base with the diluent tank and source of pressurizing fluid surrounded by removable covers to provide an attractive, compact and low cost dispensing unit.

Claims

1. A manifold for use with a beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a manifold body comprising;

(1) a first passage, formed in said body, having an inlet, for connection to a source of pressurizing gas and an outlet adapted to be coupled to a diluent supply, to provide pressurization thereof;

(2) a second passage, formed in said body, having an inlet adapted to be coupled to the diluent supply and an outlet adapted to be coupled to a dispensing valve;

(b) fittings extending from the outlet of said first passage and inlet of said second passage in parallel spaced relationship adapted to mate with mating fittings of diluent supply;

(c) first and second check valves in said fittings, whereby pressurization within said manifold will be maintained when the diluent supply is disconnected from said manifold;

(d) a first pressure reducing valve disposed in said body;

(e) a third passage in communication with said first passage for supplying said source to the inlet of said pressure reducing valve; and

(f) a fourth passage for coupling the outlet of said first pressure reducing valve to pressurize a concentrate source.

2. A manifold according to claim 1 and further including bores formed in said body at the outlet of said first passage and the inlet of said second passage, said fittings comprising tubular fittings disposed in said bores.

3. A manifold according to claim 1, wherein said body is of a plastic material.

5. A manifold according to claim 1 and further including a dispensing valve having inlet coupled to said second and said fourth passages.

6. A manifold according to claim 5 wherein said dispensing valve is integrally attached to said manifold.

7. A manifold according to claim 5 and further including bores formed in said body at the outlets of said second and said fourth passages and tubular fittings disposed in said bores for coupling said dispensing valve to said manifold.

8. A manifold according to claim 6 wherein said dispensing valve is remotely disposed and further including tubing coupling said remote dispensing valve to said tubular fittings.

9. A manifold according to claim 5 wherein said dispensing valve comprises:

(a) a first member containing therein a cylindrical bore extending partially through said member, said fourth passage in said manifold coupled to an elongated outlet in said cylindrical bore, said second passage coupled to a further outlet in said cylindrical bore, the bottom of said bore containing an open area through which concentrate can be dispensed;

(b) O-ring seals surrounding said elongated and said further outlet;

(c) a rotatable valve member of generally annular shape disposed for rotation within said cylindrical bore with said valve member having a periferal portion sealing against said O-ring seals, said rotatable valve member having thereon a diluent dispensing outlet;

(d) means for bringing about a relative rotation between said first member and said rotatable valve member;

(e) means in said rotatable valve member for engaging a first concentrate container part;

(f) a diluent passage within said rotatable valve member for coupling the dispensing outlet in said rotatable valve member with said further outlet when said rotatable valve member is rotated to a pre-determined position;

(g) a cover member sealed to said first member forming therewith a casing for retaining said rotatable valve member in place;

(h) means in said casing for engaging a second container part; and

(i) means in said rotatable valve member for coupling said elongated outlet to one of the container parts to pressurize the container.

10. A manifold and valve according to claim 9 wherein said means for engaging are disposed for rotation with respect to said casing and further including means for rotating said means for engaging within said casing over a limited angular range, said means for rotating, when not operating to rotate, holding said means for engaging fixed with respect to said casing.

11. A manifold and valve according to claim 10 wherein said means in said casing comprise an annular adjusting disc, said disc having at least one slot on the inside thereof.

12. A manifold according to claim 11 wherein said means for rotating comprise:

means supported in said cover including an extending knob which may be grasped by the hand;

a shaft extending from said knob having thereon a worm gear; and

mating gears on said adjusting disc engaging said worm gear, whereby rotation of said shaft by said knob will result in rotation of said adjusting disc.

13. A manifold according to claim 9 for use with a supply of concentrate which comprises, a container having a bottle portion with a neck and a cap portion rotatable thereon, a concentrate dispensing valve within said container, cooperating surfaces on said cap and bottle neck for converting a rotary motion of said cap into a linear motion to open and close said valve and a dispensing outlet opening in the top of said cap, said cap being said first container part and said bottle, said second container part, said container inserted into said valve such that said cap engages in said means for retaining in said rotatable valve member, and said bottle engages said means in said casing and said outlet opening is over an open area with said container in an inverted position.

14. A manifold according to claim 13 wherein said diluent dispensing outlet is a spout directed at an angle to the vertical such as to intersect with a downward flow of concentrate from the concentrate outlet in said cap, whereby said diluent and concentrate will mix while being dispensed.

15. A manifold according to claim 9 wherein first and second valves are provided each integrally supported on said manifold, said second and said fourth passages having outlets at each of said first and said second valves.

4. A manifold according to claim 4, wherein said body is a block of plastic material.

16. A beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a manifold comprising;

a manifold body;

said manifold body comprising;

a first passage having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of pressurization and an outlet for supplying said source of pressurization to a supply of diluent and a second passage having an inlet adapted to be coupled to the diluent supply and an outlet adapted to be coupled to a dispensing valve;

(b) a source of pressurizing fluid coupled to the inlet of said first passage;

(c) means for containing a supply of concentrate;

(d) a diluent tank for containing diluent having disposed thereon a quick disconnect coupling with fittings for coupling to a pressurization inlet line and diluent outlet line, each of said fittings containing a check valve;

(e) mating fittings at the outlet of said first passage and the inlet of said second passage mated with said fittings in said tank to permit quick connect and disconnect between said diluent tank and said first and said second passages, said mating fittings operable to open said check valves when said fittings are connected; and

(f) a dispensing valve which when operated causes said concentrate and said diluent to be dispensed at controlled flow rates into a container to provide a beverage, coupled to simultaneously dispense concentrate from said means for containing and said diluent from said second passage, said dispensing valve being integrally attached to said manifold.

17. A dispenser according to claim 16 and further comprising:

(a) a first pressure reducing valve disposed in said body;

(b) a third passage in communication with said first passage for supplying said source to the inlet of said pressure reducing valve; and

(c) a fourth passage for coupling the outlet of said first pressure reducing valve to pressurize a concentrate source.

18. A dispenser according to claim 16 and further including check valves in said mating fittings in said manifold said check valves adapted to be opened only in response to connection of said manifold and tank whereby pressurization within said tank and within said manifold will be maintained when said tank is disconnected from said manifold.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the check valve in said gas line on the manifold side comprises a Schrader valve.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said check valve in said coupling in said carbonator tank for the gas tank comprises an elastic sleeve.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said check valve in said coupling in said carbonator tank for the gas passage comprises a duckbill valve.

22. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the check valves in water lines on both the manifold and carbonator side, each comprise a valve core including a cylindrical stem portion of a first, smaller diameter;

a conical section at the base of said stem section; and

a partially cylindrical section, said partially cylindrical section having formed therein on each side thereof a pair of cuts of cylindrical cross-section, one of said pairs of cuts being directed inwardly and toward the bottom of said partially cylindrical portion, and the other pair being directed toward the top thereof and intersecting the base of said conical section to provide smooth flow passages;

an O-ring for sealing against said conical section;

a spring for biasing the conical section of said valve core against the O-ring; and

means for retaining said O-ring, core and spring together with said spring biasing said core against said O-ring.

23. A dispenser according to claim 16 wherein said dispensing valve is adapted to separately dispense said concentrate and said diluent in such a manner that mixing of said concentrate and said diluent occurs only after leaving said dispensing valve.

24. A dispenser according to claim 17 wherein said coupling in said tank includes two essentially parallel bores and wherein said mating fittings in said manifold comprise two parallel tubular stubs inserted into said bores and sealingly engaging with said bores.

25. A dispenser according to claim 16 wherein said diluent comprises carbonated water and wherein said pressure fluid comprises carbon dioxide gas and further including means in said diluent tank for carbonating water therein, said means coupled to the bore in said coupling associated with said first passage.

26. A dispenser according to claim 25 wherein said means for carbonating comprise:

a diffuser disposed near the bottom of said tank;

a conduit extending between said diffuser block and said coupling to supply carbon dioxide thereto; and

a restricter to control flow of carbon dioxide therethrough.

27. A dispenser according to claim 26 wherein said diffuser comprises:

(a) a base member having therein a cavity open on the top;

(b) means coupling said cavity to said conduit;

(c) a sintered metal disc having a maximum pore size of about 5 microns disposed over said cavity; and

(d) means holding said disk tightly against said cavity, in a sealing manner.

28. A dispenser according to claim 27 wherein said base member includes:

a threaded bore for coupling to said conduit;

a passage in said base between said bore and said cavity;

a recess at the top of said cavity for an O-ring seal;

a projection in the center of said cavity with a tapped hole;

a hole in the center of said disk; and

a machine screw passing through said hole and threaded into said tapped hole holding said disk tightly against said O-ring.

29. A dispenser according to claim 28 and further including a further idcntical cavity and further disk, and a passage in said body between said cavity and further cavity.

30. A dispenser according to claim 16 wherein said diluent tank includes a body for containing said diluent having an opening in the top thereof and a cover for closing said opening and further including means for relieving the pressure in said tank to permit removal of said cover to refill said tank.

31. A dispenser according to claim 30 wherein said means for relieving the pressure comprise a valve disposed in said cover and means on said cover for operating said valve.

32. A dispenser according to claim 31 wherein said valve in said cover comprises:

a valve seat disposed in said cover;

a valve member adapted to contact said seat, said valve member disposed at the end of a plunger extending through said cover;

means biasing said valve member against said seat; and

a handle on top of said cover coupled to said plunger said handle supported for rotation so as to move said plunger to lift said valve member from said seat to permit pressure relief within said tank.

33. A dispenser according to claim 32 wherein:

said tank body contains in a recess in the top thereof, means formed at the bottom of said recess and in said cover for bringing and retaining said cover and recess into sealing engagement; and

said handle extends beyond the circumference of said cover; and

further including;

a cutout in the top of said tank body for accepting the portion of said handle which extends beyond said circumference when said cover is in place, whereby said cover cannot be disengaged until said handle is lifted to relieve the pressure on said tank.

34. A dispenser according to claim 31 and further including a sealing gasket disposed between said cover and the top of said tank.

35. A dispenser according to claim 34 wherein said sealing gasket is disposed between matching circumferential surfaces of said cover and the said tank top.

36. A dispenser according to claim 24 wherein said coupling is mounted on one side of said tank said bores thereby extending essentially in a radial direction and further including means on the other side of said tank for preventing movement of said tank after said quick disconnect connection is made.

37. A dispenser according to claim 36 wherein said dispenser further includes:

a base portion to which said manifold is mounted;

means on said base having a horizontal supporting surface for supporting said diluent tank such that said coupling mates with the fittings on said manifold;

a hole in said supporting surface on the side opposite said coupling; and

wherein said means for retaining comprises;

a pin mounted to the opposite side of said tank from said coupling; and

means for selectively inserting and removing said pin from a said hole in said supporting surface.

38. A dispenser according to claim 37 wherein said means for inserting and removing comprise a collapsible handle mounted to said tank, said handle comprising a U-shaped bracket vertically disposed on said tank on the side opposite said coupling having elongated slots in its legs near the bottom thereof, a first handle portion hinged to the top of said bracket, a second handle portion having one end hinged to said first handle portion and another end pinned to said elongated slots at the bottom of said U-shaped bracket, said pin hinged to said other end of said second handle part, whereby movement of said handle to a collapsed position will result in a downward movement of said pin into the hole in said supporting means and extension of said handle will result in an upward movement of the other end of said second handle part in said slot to cause removal of said pin and the availability of a handle which can be grasped by a user to remove said tank from said dispensing device.

39. A dispenser according to claim 37 wherein said means for supporting said tank include means for effecting a heat transfer with respect to said tank.

40. A dispenser according to claim 39 wherein said means for effecting a heat transfer comprise cooling means.

41. A dispenser according to claim 40 wherein said means for supporting comprise:

a rectangular frame;

an insulating plate of a conducting material with low thermal conductivity having a central opening therein supported at the top of said rectangular frame; and

a plate of material of good heat conductivity covering said central opening in said insulating plate, said tank disposed on said conducting plate, and wherein said means for cooling comprise cooling means in contact with the other side of said conducting plate.

42. A dispenser according to claim 41 wherein said means for cooling comprise a sealed pan containing therein a liquid material with a high latent heat of fusion, the top of said pan being said conducting plate, the remainder of said pan being enclosed within said rectangular housing below said insulating plate and further including insulation surrounding said pan in the space between the periphery of said frame and said pan, said pan adapted to be removed from said rectangular frame whereby it may be placed in a freezer to freeze the material therein, whereby said material can then absorb heat from said tank.

43. A dispenser according to claim 42 wherein said pan is of a shape to fit in said hole, said pan having a lip at the top thereof at the location of said conductive plate whereby said lip will be supported by said insulating plate.

44. A dispenser according to claim 41 wherein said cooling means comprise:

thermoelectric cooling means disposed on the side of said conducting plate opposite the side supporting said tank and further including;

heat sink means in contact with the side of said thermoelectric elements opposite the side in contact with said conducting plate;

a fan for cooling said heat sink; and

ventilation openings in said rectangular frame to permit warm air to be exhausted therefrom.

45. A dispenser according to claim 41 and further including a cover surrounding said tank, said cover supported on said base.

46. A dispenser according to claim 45 wherein said base includes a base plate and a central upstanding portion having formed thereon a lip and wherein said cover is adapted to engage said lip and rest on said base.

47. A dispenser according to claim 46 and further including insulation disposed on the inside of said cover.

48. A dispenser according to claim 47 wherein said carbon dioxide tank is disposed on the side of said upstanding portion opposite said diluent tank and further including a second cover surrounding said carbon dioxide tank.

49. A dispenser according to claim 17 wherein said dispensing valve comprises:

(a) a bottom member integral with said manifold extending outwardly therefrom and containing therein a cylindrical bore extending partially through said bottom member, said second passage in said manifold terminating at an elongated outlet in the bottom of said bore, said fourth passage terminating in a further outlet in the bottom of said bore, the bottom of said bore also containing an open area through which concentrate can be dispensed;

(b) O-ring seals surrounding said elongated outlet and said further outlet;

(c) a central, rotatable valve member of generally annular shape so as to have a central opening disposed for rotation within said cylindrical bore with the bottom of said member resting against the bottom of said bore and sealing against said O-ring seals, said central valve member containing a central bore and having a first vertical slot therein, said member also having a diluent outlet;

(d) a member in said central bore with a partial bore formed in said member;

(e) at least one strut supporting said member in the center of said central bore;

(f) a fifth passage extending between the bottom of said central valve member and the bore in said member in said strut, the inlet of said fifth passage adapted to be brought into alignment with said elongated slot over a range of rotation of said central valve member;

(g) a sixth passage within said central valve member for coupling said further outlet in said bottom member with said diluent outlet when said central valve member is rotated to a pre-determined position within said range of rotation;

(h) means having at least one second vertical slot on the inside thereof, said first slot capable of being aligned with said second slot;

(i) a cover member for covering and retaining said central valve member in place; and

(j) means for rotating said central valve member.

50. The dispenser according to claim 49 wherein said means having at least one second vertical slot comprise:

(a) an annular adjusting disc disposed over said central valve member having said second slot on the inside thereof; and

(b) means for rotating said adjusting disc over a limited angular range, said means, when not operating to rotate said annular adjusting disc holding said adjusting disc fixed.

51. A dispenser according to claim 50 wherein said means for adjusting comprise means supported in said cover including an extending knob which may be grasped by the hand, a shaft extending from said knob having thereon a worm gear, and mating gears on said adjusting disc engaging said worm gear, whereby rotation of said shaft by said knob will result in rotation of said adjusting disc.

52. A dispenser according to claim 49 wherein said supply of concentrate comprises:

(a) a container having a bottle portion with a neck and a cap portion rotatable thereon, a valve seat disposed in said neck and a valve member disposed in said cap said cap having a central opening therein;

(b) a dip tube attached to said central opening and extending through said valve seat with a spacing and extending to the bottom of said bottle;

(c) cooperating camming surfaces on said cap and bottle neck for converting a rotary motion of said cap into a linear motion which will separate said valve member from said valve seat;

(d) an outlet opening in the top of said cap aligned with the concentrate opening in said bottom member;

(e) at least one tab on the neck of said bottle and a tab on said cap, said container inserted into said valve such that the tab on said cap engages in said first slot in said central valve member and the tab on said neck in said second slot in said adjusting ring with said container in an inverted position;

(f) a fitting inserted in the central bore in said cylindrical member in said central valve member; and

(g) sealing means surrounding said fitting at its base, said fitting extending into said opening in said cap, said cap sealing against said sealing means, whereby, when the inlet to said fifth passage is aligned with said elongated slot pressurizing medium will be conducted through said fifth passage, said fitting and said dip tube into said container to maintain concentrate therein under a constant pressure and whereby when said central valve member is rotated in one direction the simultaneous alignment of said sixth passage with said further outlet from said fourth passage and said fifth passage with said elongated slot will occur along with a rotation of said tab on said cap with respect to the tab on said bottle to result in the opening of the valve in said container, thereby causing concentrate and diluent to be simultaneously dispensed.

53. A dispenser according to claim 52 wherein said diluent outlet includes a spout directed at an angle to the vertical such as to intersect with a downward flow of concentrate from the outlet in said cap, whereby said diluent and concentrate will mix while being dispensed into a cup.

54. A dispenser according to claim 52 and further including a diluent drain in said bottom member aligned with said sixth passage when said central valve member is not in a dispensing position.

55. A dispenser according to claim 52 and further including a check valve in said central opening in said cap and wherein said fitting is operable to open said check valve when said container is inserted in said valve.

56. A dispenser according to claim 55 wherein said check valve comprises a split seal valve which is opened by said fitting.

57. A dispenser according to claim 52 and further including a vent hole through the bottom of said bottom member, said vent hole adapted to align with the inlet to said fifth passage when said central valve member is rotated to a predetermined position, whereby said container may be vented to permit removal of said container from said valve in an unpressurized condition.

58. A dispenser according to claim 52 wherein at least first and second valves are provided each integrally supported on said manifold.

59. A dispenser according to claim 17 and further including:

(a) a second pressure reducing valve;

(b) a quick disconnect coupling for connecting said source of pressurized gas to the inlet of said second pressure reducing valve; and

(c) a connecting line coupling the outlet of said pressure reducing valve to said manifold.

60. A beverage dispenser according to claim 16 and further including a pneumatic actuator comprising:

(a) a cylinder formed in said manifold;

(b) a piston disposed in said cylinder and having extending out therefrom a piston rod;

(c) valving means for selectively admitting gas pressure to opposite ends of said cylinder to act on opposite sides of said piston; and

(d) means coupling said piston rod to said dispensing valve.

61. A beverage dispenser according to claim 40 wherein said valving means comprise;

(a) a member having at least one flat face containing therein a cavity;

(b) a recess in said manifold for receiving said member and permitting sliding movement of said member therein adjacent said cylinder;

(c) at least a first passage through said flat surface to said cavity;

(d) second and third passages from said cylinder to said recess entering said cylinder at opposite ends thereof;

(e) a seal surrounding said first passage;

(f) means spacing said flat face from said recess;

(g) means for admitting gas pressure to said cavity; and

(h) first and second stops formed such that when engaging said first stop without any external pressure applied to said member said second passage will be in alignment to admit gas to move said piston to a position to close said rotatable valve and a second stop wherein said third passage will be in alignment to open said valve, the one of said second and third passages not admitting gas being vented to the atmosphere along said flat face.

62. A beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a supporting base;

(b) a source of pressurizing fluid disposed on said base;

(c) a tank for containing diluent supported on said base;

(d) a dispensing valve supported on said base;

(e) at least one pressure reducing valve for said pressurizing fluid;

(f) a means having one inlet coupled to said pressure reducing valve for distributing at least said pressurizing fluid and said diluent within said dispenser, said means for distribution having at least a diluent outlet coupled to said dispensing valve;

(g) first quick disconnect means for connecting said source of pressurizing fluid to said pressure reducing valve;

(h) second quick disconnect means for connecting said diluent tank to said means for distribution to obtain therefrom pressurization and to supply thereto diluent under pressure;

(i) means containing a supply of concentrate operatively coupled to said dispensing valve, said dispensing valve adapted to cause simultaneous dispensing the concentrate and the diluent;

(j) a rectangular frame on said base;

(k) an insulating plate of material with low thermal conductivity having a central opening therein supported at the top of said rectangular frame;

(l) a conducting plate of material of good heat conductivity covering said central opening in said plate, said tank disposed on said conducting plate; and

(m) cooling means in contact with the other side of said conducting plate to thereby effect heat transfer from said tank.

63. A dispenser according to claim 62 wherein said means for cooling comprise a sealed pan containing therein a liquid material with a high latent heat of fusion, the top of said pan being said conducting plate, the remainder of said pan being enclosed within said rectangular housing below said conducting plate and further including insulation surrounding said pan in the space between the periphery of said frame and said pan, said pan adapted to be removed from said rectangular frame whereby it may be placed in a freezer to freeze the material therein whereby said material can then absorb heat from said tank.

64. A dispenser according to claim 63 wherein said pan is of a shape to fit in said hole, said pan having a lip at the top thereof at the location of said conducting plate, whereby said lip will be supported by said insulating plate.

65. A dispenser according to claim 62 wherein said cooling means comprise:

thermoelectric cooling means disposed on the side of said conducting plate opposite the side supporting said tank;

heat sink means in contact with the side of said thermoelectric elements opposite the side in contact with said conducting plate;

a fan for cooling said heat sink; and

ventilation openings in said rectangular frame to permit warm air to be exhausted therefrom.

66. A dispenser according to claim 62 and further including at least one removable cover attached to said base surrounding said source of pressurizing fluid and said tank.

67. A dispenser according to claim 66 wherein said base includes a base plate and a central upstanding portion having formed thereon a lip, said tank disposed on one side of said upstanding portion, and wherein said at least one cover includes a first cover adapted to engage said lip and rest on said base plate.

68. A dispenser according to claim 67 and further including insulation disposed on the inside of said first cover.

69. A dispenser according to claim 68 wherein said source of pressurizing fluid is disposed on the side of said upstanding portion opposite said diluent tank and further including a second cover surrounding said source of pressurizing fluid.

70. A dispenser according to claim 62, wherein said dispensing valve is adapted to separately dispense said concentrate and said diluent in such a manner that mixing of said concentrate and said diluent occurs only after leaving said dispensing valve.

71. A beverage dispenser according to claim 62 and further including check valves in said second quick disconnect means for maintaining the pressure in said diluent tank and in said means for distributing when said diluent tank and means for distribution are disconnected.

72. A manifold for use with a beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a manifold body comprising;

(1) a first passage formed in said body, having an inlet, for connection to a source of pressurizing gas and an outlet adapted to be coupled to a diluent supply, to provide pressurization thereof;

(2) a second passage formed in said body, having an inlet adapted to be coupled to the diluent supply;

(b) first and second means at the outlet of said first passage and inlet of said second passage respectively for coupling to a diluent supply;

(c) a check valve in said means at the outlet of said first passage whereby pressurization within said manifold will be maintained when the diluent supply is disconnected from said manifold;

(d) a bore in said manifold body at the outlet of said first passage, said first means for coupling comprising a tubular fitting disposed in said bore; and

(e) a dispensing mechanism disposed in said manifold, comprising;

(1) a base member containing therein a cylindrical bore extending partially through said member, the bottom of said bore containing an open area through which concentrate can be dispensed;

(2) a rotatable member of generally annular shape disposed for rotation within said cylindrical bore;

(3) means for bringing about a relative rotation between said base member and said rotatable member;

(4) means in said rotatable member for engaging a first concentrate container part; and

(5) means in said base member for engaging a second container part.

73. A beverage dispenser comprising:

(a) a manifold comprising;

a manifold body;

said manifold body comprising;

a first passage having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of pressurization and an outlet for supplying said source of pressurization to a supply of diluent and a second passage having an inlet adapted to be coupled to the diluent supply and an outlet adapted to be coupled to a dispensing outlet;

(b) a source of pressurizing fluid coupled to the inlet of said first passage;

(c) means for containing a supply of concentrate;

(d) a diluent tank for containing diluent having disposed thereon a quick disconnect coupling for coupling to pressurization inlet line and diluent outlet line, said coupling containing check valves to maintain pressurization in said tank;

(e) the outlet of said first passage and the inlet of said second passage mated with said tank such as to permit quick connect and disconnect between said diluent tank and said first and said second passages; and

(f) a dispensing mechanism having a fixed portion integrally formed in said manifold, which dispensing mechanism, when operated, causes said concentrate and said diluent to be dispensed at controlled flow rates into a container to provide a beverage, coupled to simultaneously dispense concentrate from said means for containing and said diluent from said second passage.