Beverage dispenser for home or office

• US 5,667,110 A
• Filed: 12/26/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: McCann's Engineering & Manufacturing Company LLC (Ali Holding Srl)
• Original Assignee: Donald J. Verley, Gerald P. Mccann
• Inventors: Verley, Donald J., McCann, Gerald P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Application Number:
  US08/578,750
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 222/95, 222/386.5, 222/400.7, 222/464.1, 222/105, 222/319, 222/389, 222/396, 222/397
• US Class Current: 222/386.5
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/045 using elastic bags and pistons actuated by air or other gas

Abstract

A beverage dispensing system that fits inside a completely filled standard beverage container with minimal displacement of the beverage level. A fastener attaches the dispenser to the spout portion of the container. An inflatable bladder pressurizes the beverage at all times. Pressure tubing connects the bladder to a pressure sensor and a pressure source. A pin controls the flow of gas through the pressure tubing. Gas can flow into the bladder when the dispenser is attached to the container. Gas is purged out of the bladder and pressure tubing before the dispenser is removed from the container. A draw tube conducts the beverage under pressure from the container, through beverage exit tubing, out to be dispensed.

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing system for use with a container holding liquid and having a container aperture, said dispensing system comprising:

a) a fastener adapted to attach to said container such that said container aperture is sealed;

b) a liquid exit nozzle attached to said fastener, said exit nozzle including a controller adapted to selectively allow passage of liquid through said exit nozzle;

c) a liquid draw tube connected to said exit nozzle and adapted to be placed inside of said container when said fastener is attached to said container;

d) a pressure source capable of providing and sustaining pressure higher than the pressure inside said container;

e) a pressure nozzle connected to said pressure source, said pressure nozzle including a controller adapted to selectively communicate the pressure from said pressure source;

f) a bladder connected to said pressure nozzle, said bladder adapted to be placed along with said draw tube inside said container, said bladder further including means such that, upon the communication of pressure through said pressure nozzle, said bladder expands, said expansion occurring first in the upper portion of said container,

whereby attachment of said dispensing system to said container permits the selective release through said exit nozzle of liquid originally residing inside said container.

2. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein, during attachment of said dispensing system to said container, said selective release of said liquid causes said bladder to expand and occupy a further volume inside said container that is substantially equal to the volume of the released liquid, and wherein said bladder expansion occurs first in the top of said container, and subsequently, as sufficient liquid is released, in the bottom of said container.

3. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said pressure nozzle is attached to said fastener.

4. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said controller of said pressure nozzle is adapted to, in response to attachment of said fastener to said container, communicate pressure to said bladder from said pressure source, and to, in response to disattachment of said fastener to said container, prevent communication of pressure to said bladder from said pressure source.

5. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said draw tube includes an aperture at its lowermost portion, and wherein said draw tube is adapted such that said aperture resides in the bottom region of said container when said fastener is attached to said container.

6. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said bladder is adapted to expand progressively more readily towards its top.

7. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said exit nozzle includes a faucet means for allowing the controlled delivery of dispensed liquid.

8. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1 wherein said draw tube is attached to and extends through the center of said bladder.

9. The liquid dispensing system of claim 8, wherein said draw tube is attached to said bladder at the top and bottom of said draw tube.

10. The liquid dispensing system of claim 1, wherein said draw tube is attached to said bladder at the top and bottom of said draw tube.

11. The liquid dispensing system of claim 10, wherein said bladder is adapted to expand progressively more readily towards its top.

12. A liquid dispensing system for use with a liquid container having a container aperture, comprising:

a) a housing adapted to attach to the container such that the container aperture is sealed;

b) a liquid exit nozzle attached to said housing;

c) a liquid draw tube connected to said exit nozzle and adapted to be placed inside of the container when said housing is attached to the container;

d) a pressure source;

e) a pressure nozzle connected to said pressure source and including a controller; and

,

f) a bladder connected to said pressure nozzle and adapted to be placed along with said draw tube inside the container, said bladder constructed so as to expand, when under pressure, progressively less readily from its top to its bottom.

13. The liquid dispensing system of claim 12, wherein said bladder has a wall thickness that gradually increases from its top to its bottom.

14. The liquid dispensing system of claim 12, wherein said controller includes a pressure sensor communicating with the interior of said bladder, and wherein said controller is adapted to control the communication of pressure through said pressure nozzle so as to maintain a substantially constant pressure in said bladder.

15. The liquid dispensing system of claim 12 wherein said draw tube is attached to and extends through the center of said bladder.

16. The liquid dispensing system of claim 12, wherein said draw tube is attached to said bladder at the top and bottom of said draw tube.

17. The liquid dispensing system of claim 12, wherein said dispensing system is adapted to be mounted in a refrigerator.

18. The liquid dispensing system of claim 12, wherein said dispensing system is adapted to be connected to other like dispensing systems.

19. The liquid dispensing system of claim 12, wherein said controller is adapted to, in response to attachment of said housing to the container, allow communication of pressure to said bladder from said pressure source, and to, in response to disattachment of said housing from the container, prevent communication of pressure to said bladder from said pressure source.

20. The liquid dispensing system of claim 19, wherein said controller includes a pin for opening said pressure nozzle in response to attachment of said housing to the container.