Beverage dispenser

Abstract

A beverage dispenser comprises a bag suspension to suspend a bag of a beverage within a volume, a valve mechanism configured to be fluidly coupled to an interior of the bag to selectively dispense beverage from the bag, a press movably supported below the volume to press upwardly against the bag, and a spring resiliently urging the press towards the volume.

1 . A beverage dispenser system comprising:
 a beverage dispenser comprising:   a bag suspension configured to suspend a bag of a beverage within a volume;   a valve mechanism configured to be fluidly coupled to an interior of the bag to selectively dispense beverage from the bag; and   a press movably supported below the volume and configured to press upwardly against the bag; and   a spring resiliently urging the press towards the volume.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the press is pivotable between a plurality of different inclined angles. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the spring resiliently urges the press about a pivot axis of the press. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the valve mechanism comprises a manually actuatable handle for opening and closing the valve and facing in a first direction, wherein the pivot axis of the press extends perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring comprises a compression spring captured between the press and a support. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a container configured to enclose the bag and the press. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the valve mechanism is configured to deliver beverage from inside the container to outside the container. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the valve mechanism is releasably connectable to a selectively closeable port of the bag. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension comprises at least one hook. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension comprises a bar configured to be received in a sleeve of the bag. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the press comprises a platform having a flat planar surface configured to bear against a bottom of the bag. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to move the press between a plurality of different positions based upon an amount of beverage within the bag. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 suspending a collapsible bag of beverage in a container;   connecting an interior of the bag to a valve mechanism configured to selectively dispense the beverage to outside the container; and   resiliently urging a press against a bottom of the bag.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising increasingly squeezing the bag as beverage is withdrawn from the bag. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the bag containing the beverage.