Abstract: A beverage container suitable for use in outer space comprising a beverage-containing chamber which expands with the introduction of fluid therein and collapses to a negligible volume when beverage is dispensed therefrom. In a first embodiment, the chamber is an elastic bag. In a second embodiment, the chamber is a flexible bag surrounded by a compressible gas. In a third embodiment, the chamber is an accordion-type container. In a fourth embodiment, the chamber is a tube having a rolled tail portion which is naturally biased by the elastic properties of the material from which the tube is formed, to roll up on itself to a negligible volume in the absence of beverage therein and assumes the volume of the beverage as the beverage is introduced.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser comprising: a sub-system for making and dispensing a chilled, carbonated beverage from syrup concentrate; a sub-system for making and dispensing a chilled, still beverage from flavor concentrate; and a sub-system for making and dispensing a hot beverage from either concentrate or powder. Each of the concentrates for the respective sub-systems are provided in bag-in-box supply packages of a conventional type. Also included are two carbonator designs for operating under zero gravity conditions without forming a gaseous phase within the carbonator tanks thereof. The first of these unique carbonators is a batch carbonator and the second is a continuous carbonator.The batch carbonator includes an outer rigid shell and an accordian-type inner container which contracts or expands when fluids are dispensed or introduced.