Abstract: A valve assembly includes, in one embodiment, a housing sealably attachable to a flexible container. The housing has a passageway and an upper stop disposed in the passageway. A plug includes an upper portion having a first peripherally-extending recess, and a lower portion defining a lower stop and at least one passageway extending past the lower portion. A seal is positionable in the recess. A compression spring is disposed between the stops to bias the plug downwardly to engage the seal with an upper opening of the passageway in the housing. The valve assembly has a self-closing position, and an open position upon a force being applied to the bottom portion of the plug so that the seal is disposed away from the upper opening to allow liquid to pass through the passageway in the housing and through the at least one passageway in the lower portion of the plug.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a tank for holding the diluent and a dispensing assembly. A pump is disposed in fluid communication with the tank and the dispensing assembly for supplying pressurized diluent to the dispensing assembly. An enclosure is provided having a sealable chamber for containing a concentrate container in fluid communication with the dispending assembly. An air pump pressurizes the sealable chamber and concentrate container to pressurize the liquid concentrate and supply the pressurized liquid concentrate to the dispensing assembly. The dispenser assembly is operable to permit and inhibit the flow of pressurized liquid concentrate and pressurized diluent to produce the 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.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a beverage from concentrate. A mixing chamber is included. A water tank and a concentrate container provide water and concentrate. A water conduit is horizontally oriented and is connected to the water tank to supply water from the water tank to the mixing chamber by gravity. A concentrate conduit extends from the concentrate container and at an acute angle to the water conduit and then extends generally parallel to the water conduit and in close proximity to the water conduit. The mixing chamber is connected to both the water conduit and the concentrate conduit. Both the concentrate conduit and the water conduit have an outlet end. Each outlet end is remote from the water tank and the concentrate container. The outlet end of the concentrate conduit is adjacent to the outlet end of the water conduit. A dispenser assembly is mounted on the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a beverage from concentrate. A mixing chamber is included. A water tank and a concentrate container provide water and concentrate. A water conduit is horizontally oriented and is connected to the water tank to supply water from the water tank to the mixing chamber by gravity. A concentrate conduit extends from the concentrate container and at an acute angle to the water conduit and then extends generally parallel to the water conduit and in close proximity to the water conduit. The mixing chamber is connected to both the water conduit and the concentrate conduit. Both the concentrate conduit and the water conduit have an outlet end. Each outlet end is remote from the water tank and the concentrate container. The outlet end of the concentrate conduit is adjacent to the outlet end of the water conduit. A dispenser assembly is mounted on the mixing chamber.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a beverage from concentrate. A mixing chamber is included. A water tank and a concentrate container provide water and concentrate. A water conduit is horizontally oriented and is connected to the water tank to supply water from the water tank to the mixing chamber by gravity. A concentrate conduit extends from the concentrate container and at an acute angle to the water conduit and then extends generally parallel to the water conduit and in close proximity to the water conduit. The mixing chamber is connected to both the water conduit and the concentrate conduit. Both the concentrate conduit and the water conduit have an outlet end. Each outlet end is remote from the water tank and the concentrate container. The outlet end of the concentrate conduit is adjacent to the outlet end of the water conduit. A dispenser assembly is mounted on the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A Tube Cutting Device is provided with a casing having a circular shape and an open interior for access to the open interior. A ring is mounted within the casing to rotate in the casing to rotate in the casing. The ring has a main section and a hinged section that opens. A cutting wheel is mounted on the ring. The casing is mounted on a shaft enclosure extending from an electric motor with a shaft of the motor which rotates within the shaft enclosure. The ring has gear teeth about its periphery and a gear on the shaft energizes the gear teeth on the ring to rotate the ring within the casing. The cutting wheel thus rotates about a tube or pipe placed inside the ring. A switch on the motor permits energizing and de-energizing the motor and a handle is held connected to the motor to hold the Tube Cutting Device. A power source is connected to the switch and may be a power pack or electrical cord. Spaces are used within the ring of varying sizes for tube or pipe cutting of varying lengths.