Beverage dispenser
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for dispensing the contents of a liquid dairy product container with a spout from a dispensing outlet at the exterior of said apparatus wherein the liquid is subject to spoilage, said dispensing apparatus comprising:
- A) covered refrigerated housing means for receiving the container and including means for constraining deformation of the liquid diary product container,B) port means detachably connected to the container at the spout for forming first and second ports into the liquid container through the spout,C) dispensing means for forming a closed path extending from the interior of the liquid container through said first port to the dispensing outlet at the exterior of said housing, andD) pressure differential enabling means attached to said housing remotely from said port means and separated and isolated from said dispensing means for increasing the pressure acting on the liquid dairy product in the liquid container through said second port to a value above the pressure at said dispensing outlet whereby operation of said pressure differential enabling means increases the pressure in the constrained container and on the liquid therein to cause force liquid to be transferred from the liquid container through said dispensing means to the dispensing outlet thereby to emerge from the spout without contacting said pressure differential enabling means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerated beverage dispenser. A beverage container is carried in a covered refrigerated housing that includes a heat exchanger for maintaining beverage at a predetermined temperature. A dispensing tube provides a conduit for the beverage. To dispense the liquid, a pressure differential is produced whereby the pressure on the liquid in the container is greater than the pressure at a dispensing port.
68 Citations
29 Claims
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1. Apparatus for dispensing the contents of a liquid dairy product container with a spout from a dispensing outlet at the exterior of said apparatus wherein the liquid is subject to spoilage, said dispensing apparatus comprising:
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A) covered refrigerated housing means for receiving the container and including means for constraining deformation of the liquid diary product container, B) port means detachably connected to the container at the spout for forming first and second ports into the liquid container through the spout, C) dispensing means for forming a closed path extending from the interior of the liquid container through said first port to the dispensing outlet at the exterior of said housing, and D) pressure differential enabling means attached to said housing remotely from said port means and separated and isolated from said dispensing means for increasing the pressure acting on the liquid dairy product in the liquid container through said second port to a value above the pressure at said dispensing outlet whereby operation of said pressure differential enabling means increases the pressure in the constrained container and on the liquid therein to cause force liquid to be transferred from the liquid container through said dispensing means to the dispensing outlet thereby to emerge from the spout without contacting said pressure differential enabling means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. Dispensing apparatus for chilled liquids in a liquid container with a spout wherein the liquid is subject to spoiling comprising:
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A) an outer housing, B) a thermoelectric heat exchanger in said housing having a cold side and a hot side wherein a heat sink attaches to the hot side and a fan directs air across the heat sink, C) a sleeve in said housing that receives the liquid container and constrains the deformation thereof, a portion of the liquid container being in contact with said cold side thereby to chill the liquid in the liquid container, D) a stopper that engages the liquid container spout and closes the opening through the spout, said stopper including pressurization and dispensing tube ports therethrough, E) an air pump and conduit that direct air under pressure through said pressurization port thereby to increase the pressure in the liquid container and on the liquid, F) a dispensing tube separated and isolated from said air pump and conduit for forming a closed path from a bottom portion of the liquid container through said dispensing tube port to the spout whereby operation of said air pump forces liquid dairy product in the liquid container to be dispensed from said dispensing apparatus through a dispensing outlet thereby to emerge from the spout without contacting said air pump. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification