Abstract: A liquid dispenser for use with a disposable liquid supply container includes valve means for regulating the flow of liquid from the dispenser, support means for holding the container in a loaded position generally elevated above the valve means, a tapping stem for communicating the interior of the container with the valve means absent any liquid storage reservoir other than the container, means for holding the stem in a fixed position for piercing and sealingly engaging the container, and means for controlling the temperature of the liquid stored in the container when the container is in the loaded position. The stem includes a generally elongated body having a piercing end, a discharge end and sealing means for sealingly engaging the container. The stem body includes a passage extending therethrough in communication with the valve means having an intake passage and a discharge passage alligned generally along separate parallel axes and dimensioned to intersect each other.

Abstract: A tapping stem is used with a liquid dispenser for dispensing liquid from a disposable liquid container. The stem has a generally elongated body including a piercing end, a discharge end and a peripheral flange affixed to the discharge end. The piercing end has a generally cylindrical portion and an adjacent tapered portion terminating in a sharp tip for piercing the wall of the container. The stem body includes an intake passage and a discharge passage aligned along generally separate, parallel axes and dimensioned to intersect each other. The intake passage forms a channel in the piercing end, which channel extends substantially to the tip.