Beverage distribution assembly

Abstract

A system for providing a pre-mixed beverage from a distribution device includes a first container including a first consumable material and a second container including a second consumable material. A mixing block is arranged in fluid communication with the first container, the second container, and the distribution device such that a mixture of the first consumable material and the second consumable material is formed within the mixing block. At least one pump is operably coupled to first container, the second container, and the distribution device.

1 . A system for providing a pre-mixed beverage from a distribution device, comprising:
 a first container including a first consumable material;   a second container including a second consumable material;   a mixing block arranged in fluid communication with said first container, said second container, and the distribution device, such that a mixture of said first consumable material and said second consumable material is formed within said mixing block; and   at least one pump operably coupled to said first container, said second contame and the distribution device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first consumable material has been pascalized via application of a high pressure to said first container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pump is a diaphragm pump operable via a compressed gas. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said system is operable to mix said first consumable material and said second consumable material in real time. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first consumable material is provided to said mixing block at a first flow rate and said second consumable material is provided to said mixing block at a second flow rate. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said first flow rate and said second flow rate are different. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said first flow rate and said second flow rate are the same. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said first flow rate and said second flow rate are independently controllable. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said first flow rate and said second flow rate is controlled by a flow regulation device. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said flow regulation device includes a set screw. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first consumable material is a mixer and said second consumable material is an alcohol complementary to said mixer. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said container assembly is configured to store a plurality of servings of said first consumable material. 
     
     
         13 . A method of dispensing a beverage from a beverage assembly comprising:
 operating a distribution device;   supplying a first consumable material from a first container in response to operation of said distribution device;   supplying a second consumable material from a second container in response to operation of said distribution device;   mixing said first consumable material and said second consumable material; and   dispensing said mixture of first consumable material and second consumable material from said distribution device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first consumable material has been pascalized via application of a high pressure to said first container. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first consumable material and said second consumable material are supplied in real time. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said first consumable material and said second consumable material are supplied to a mixing block. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said first consumable material is supplied to said mixing block at a first flow rate and said second consumable material is supplied to said mixing block at a second flow rate. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said first flow rate and said second flow rate are independently controllable. 
     
     
         19 . A mixing block of a beverage assembly, comprising:
 a first inlet for receiving a first fluid;   a second inlet for receiving a second fluid;   an internal cavity arranged in fluid communication with said first inlet and said second inlet, said first fluid and said second fluid being mixed within said internal cavity; and   a flow regulation device configured to control a flow of said first fluid through said first inlet.   
     
     
         20 . The mixing block of  claim 19 , wherein said flow regulation device is operable to adjust a ratio of said first fluid and the second fluid within the mixture. 
     
     
         21 . The mixing block of  claim 19 , further comprising a turbulence enhancing feature associated with at least one of said first inlet, said second inlet, and said internal cavity. 
     
     
         22 . The mixing block of  19 , wherein at least one of said first inlet and said second inlet is configured to create a pressure drop. The mixing block of  claim 19 , wherein said flow regulation device is a set screw.