Pressurized beverage container dispensing system
First Claim
1. A countertop pressurized beverage dispensing system comprising:
- an outer housing;
a flexible bag containing a potable liquid, such as beer or a carbonated beverage, requiring pressurization;
means, including a closed plastic container capable of withstanding substantial pressure, for enclosing said flexible bag;
compressor means for supplying pressurized air into said plastic container;
pressure-sensing means for actuating said compressor means to maintain a predetermined desired pressure within said plastic container to apply pressure to said flexible bag and the enclosed potable liquid;
means for dispensing said potable liquid from said flexible bag;
thermoelectric means for cooling the potable liquid in said bag;
said plastic container having an opening at least 2 inches in diameter, said container having a first set of threads extending around said opening;
a cap making threaded engagement with said first set of threads;
a threaded perforatable closure plug mounted in a central threaded opening in said cap; and
said means for dispensing including a dispensing valve assembly having external threads for mating with internal threads in said plug, and means forming part of said assembly for perforating said plug as said valve assembly is threaded into said plug, to permit dispensing of the cooled carbonated beverage through said valve assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A countertop pressurized beverage system includes an outer housing, and an inner flexible Mylar bag containing a potable liquid, such as beer or a carbonated beverage, requiring pressurization. A closed plastic container capable of withstanding substantial pressure encloses the flexible bag, and is mounted with the housing. A compressor supplies air to the closed plastic container at a pre-set level, in order to maintain carbonation in the potable liquid. A thermoelectric cooling unit is mounted on the bottom of the countertop unit to provide cooling, to a plate which is mounted in thermally conductive proximity below the closed plastic housing at the bottom thereof where the flexible bag rests against the bottom of the plastic container. A cap makes threaded engagement with mating threads on a wide mouth opening on the closed plastic container; and the cap has an inwardly extending central tube around which the mouth of the flexible bag is secured. A closure plug is threaded at the center of the cap, and a spigot assembly may be screwed into the closure cap and perforates the inner wall thereof, so that fluid may be dispensed from the flexible bag through the spigot. A spigot may be screwed into the center of the cap, thereby avoiding the need for a closure plug. Means other than perforation may be used by the spigot assembly to disengage the closure plug.
156 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A countertop pressurized beverage dispensing system comprising:
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an outer housing; a flexible bag containing a potable liquid, such as beer or a carbonated beverage, requiring pressurization; means, including a closed plastic container capable of withstanding substantial pressure, for enclosing said flexible bag; compressor means for supplying pressurized air into said plastic container; pressure-sensing means for actuating said compressor means to maintain a predetermined desired pressure within said plastic container to apply pressure to said flexible bag and the enclosed potable liquid; means for dispensing said potable liquid from said flexible bag; thermoelectric means for cooling the potable liquid in said bag; said plastic container having an opening at least 2 inches in diameter, said container having a first set of threads extending around said opening; a cap making threaded engagement with said first set of threads; a threaded perforatable closure plug mounted in a central threaded opening in said cap; and said means for dispensing including a dispensing valve assembly having external threads for mating with internal threads in said plug, and means forming part of said assembly for perforating said plug as said valve assembly is threaded into said plug, to permit dispensing of the cooled carbonated beverage through said valve assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A countertop pressurized beverage system comprising:
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an outer housing; a flexible bag containing a potable liquid, such as beer or a carbonated beverage, requiring pressurization; means, including a closed plastic container capable of withstanding substantial pressure, for enclosing said flexible bag; means for supplying pressurized gas into said plastic container; pressure-sensing means for actuating said means for supplying pressurized gas, to maintain a predetermined desired pressure within said plastic container to apply pressure to said flexible bag and the enclosed potable liquid; means for dispensing said potable liquid from said flexible bag; and means for cooling the potable liquid in said bag. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A pressurized beverage unit comprising:
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an outer housing; a flexible bag containing a potable liquid, such as beer or a carbonated beverage, requiring pressurization; means, including a closed container capable of withstanding substantial pressure, for enclosing said flexible bag; means for supplying pressurized gas into said plastic container; means for dispensing said potable liquid from said flexible bag; means for cooling the potable liquid in said bag; and said closed container having an opening at least 2 inches in diameter and a first set of threads extending around said opening;
a cap making threaded engagement with said first set of threads; and
a threaded perforatable closure plug mounted in a central threaded opening in said cap. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification