Apparatus for producing a beverage

Abstract

An apparatus for producing a beverage includes a water tank, a concentrate container, and a mixing chamber. A water conduit supplies water by gravity from the water tank to a water discharge mixing opening and a concentrate conduit supplies the liquid concentrate by gravity from the concentrate container to a concentrate discharge mixing opening. The discharge openings open directly and separately into the mixing chamber. A dispenser assembly opens and closes the discharge openings and the released water and liquid concentrate directly leaves the mixing chamber to produce the beverage. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a sealable chamber, and an air pump for pressurizing the sealable chamber and the concentrate container. A dispenser and methods for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water are also disclosed.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
   
   
       52 . An apparatus for dispensing a food product, the apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure having a sealable chamber;   a container containing a food product disposed in the sealable chamber;   a conduit for supplying the food product from the container to a dispenser, the conduit having a discharge opening;   an air pump for pressurizing the sealable chamber and container; and   said dispenser operable to selectively sealably engaging the discharge opening to selectively open and close the discharge opening to permit and inhibit the flow of food product from the dispenser.   
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein the dispenser comprises a stopper having a surface for selectively sealably engaging the discharge opening to selectively open and close the discharge opening. 
   
   
       54 . The apparatus of  claim 52  further comprising a valve for adjusting the flow of food product in the conduit. 
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 52  where in the dispenser is manually-operated by a user. 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein the container is a flexible bag. 
   
   
       57 . A method for dispensing a food product, the method comprising:
 attaching a flexible bag containing a supply of a food product to a concentrate conduit;   sealing the flexible bag in an airtight enclosure;   pressurizing air in the airtight enclosure and around the flexible bag;   transferring the supply of the pressurized food product through the conduit to a dispenser; and   selectively sealably engaging the discharge opening to selectively open and close the discharge opening to permit and inhibit the flow of food product from the dispenser.   
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the dispenser comprises a stopper having a surface for selectively sealably engaging the discharge opening to selectively open and close the discharge opening. 
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 57  further comprising adjusting a rate of flow of the food product to the dispenser.