Device and method for dispensing carbonated beverages

Abstract

A device and method for dispensing carbonated beverages in accordance with the present invention collapses a flexible container containing the carbonated beverage as the beverage is dispensed, thereby preventing air from filling a volume of the flexible container no longer occupied by the carbonated beverage. The device and method can reduce the rate at which a diminishing volume of remaining beverage loses carbonation, and conveniently compacts the flexible container for ease of disposal or recycling.

1 . A device adapted to dispense a fluid contained in a flexible container having a neck, comprising: 
 a housing having a top and a bottom and adapted to receive said flexible container;    a port provided in the top of the housing, the port being adapted to receive said neck; and    a pump communicating with an interior of the housing and adapted to apply fluid pressure to said flexible container in order to cause said fluid to be released from said flexible container and to collapse said flexible container as said fluid is released from said flexible container.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , including a valve connected with the housing and adapted to regulate the flow of said fluid from said flexible container.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , including a tube adapted to be inserted into said flexible container such that a proximal end of the tube is associated with said neck; 
 wherein said fluid is released from said flexible container through the tube.    
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , including a tube connected with the valve and adapted to be inserted into said flexible container; 
 wherein said fluid is released from said flexible container through the tube.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , including a relief valve communicating with the housing.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the port includes threads adapted to mate with threads on said neck.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said housing includes a lid removably attached to a body of the housing, and wherein the port is provided through the lid.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the valve is adapted to mate with threads located on said neck.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the tube is adapted to mate with threads located on said neck.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein a distal end of the, tube is beveled.  
     
     
         11 . A device adapted to dispense a fluid contained in a flexible container having a neck, comprising: 
 a housing adapted to receive said flexible container;    port provided in the housing, the port adapted to receive said neck;    a tube adapted to be inserted into said flexible container such that a proximal end of the tube is associated with said neck;    an outlet valve associated with said neck and adapted to regulate the flow of fluid from said flexible container and through the tube;    an inlet valve communicating with the housing; and    a pump communicating with an interior of the housing and adapted to apply fluid pressure to said flexible container in order to cause said fluid to be released from said flexible container and to collapse said flexible container as said fluid is released from said flexible container through the tube.    
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the port is provided in a top of the housing.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein a distal end of the tube is beveled.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the port includes threads adapted to mate with threads on said neck.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said housing includes a lid removably attached to a body of the housing, and wherein the port is provided through the lid.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the outlet valve is adapted to mate with threads located on said neck.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the tube is adapted to mate with threads located on said neck.  
     
     
         18 . A method for dispensing a fluid contained in a flexible container having a neck, wherein said flexible container is contained in a pressurizable housing having a lid, comprising: 
 inserting said neck through a port in said lid;    connecting said lid with said housing;    pressurizing said housing such that pressure is applied to walls of said flexible container; and    receiving said fluid forced through said neck by the force applied to the walls.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 inserting a tube into said flexible container such that a proximal end of the tube is associated with the neck; and    receiving said fluid forced through said tube by the force applied to the walls.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 connecting a valve with said neck such that the valve regulates said flow of said fluid from said flexible container.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 connecting a valve with the tube such that the valve regulates said flow of said fluid through said tube.    
     
     
         22 . A device adapted to dispense a fluid, comprising: 
 a housing having a top and a bottom;    a flexible soft drink container having a neck and adapted for containing said fluid;    a port provided in the top of the housing, the port being adapted to receive the neck, such that the flexible soft drink container is connected with the housing; and    a pump communicating with an interior of the housing and adapted to apply fluid pressure to the flexible soft drink container in order to cause said fluid to be released from the flexible soft drink container and to collapse the flexible soft drink container as said fluid is released from the flexible soft drink container.    
     
     
         23 . A device adapted to dispense a fluid, comprising: 
 a housing;    a flexible soft drink container having a neck and adapted for containing said fluid;    a port provided in the housing, the port adapted to receive the neck such that the flexible soft drink container is connected with the housing;    a tube adapted to be inserted into the flexible container such that a proximal end of the tube is associated with the neck;    an outlet valve associated with the neck and adapted to regulate the flow of fluid from the flexible container and through the tube;    an inlet valve communicating with the housing; and    a pump communicating with an interior of the housing and adapted to apply fluid pressure to the flexible container in order to cause said fluid to be released from the flexible container and to collapse the flexible container as said fluid is released from the flexible container through the tube.