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 system and method for dispensing a carbonated pre-mix beverage in the microgravity conditions of outer space. Dispensing occurs from a large supply container which is maintained at a substantially constant pressure by a CO.sub.2 source to keep the pre-mix carbonated. The CO.sub.2 source also operates to raise and lower a drinking container platform into an engaging relationship with a filler head, while also operating to actuate a plunger rod when filling the drinking container with a beverage. The beverage is cooled prior to being dispensed into the drinking container by passing through an insulated cooling medium.

Abstract: A carbonator system consisting of a meter assembly and two holding tanks which may be used on earth or in the microgravity conditions in outer space. The meter assembly functions as a double acting pump to simultaneously pump separate quantities of water and carbon dioxide to one of two holding tanks which both function as a single acting pump. These holding tanks hold the carbon dioxide and water for a sufficient time and at a sufficient pressure in order to form carbonated water. One of the holding tanks can discharge the formed carbonated water to a dispenser. Once this tank is empty, the other holding tank may begin to dispense carbonated water. The first holding tank may then be refilled with carbon dioxide and water by the action of the meter assembly.

Abstract: A premix dispenser system including a housing for holding three replaceable four-liter PET beverage bottles, a refrigeration system, a CO.sub.2 cylinder, three adapters for connecting the CO.sub.2 cylinder to the bottles for pressurizing the bottles to dispense therefrom and to maintain the carbonation thereof, and three beverage dispensing valves, for dispensing a desired quantity of cold beverage from a selected one of the bottles. The refrigeration system can be easily switched between an electrical system and a cold plate system.

Abstract: A single-acting, gas-operated, pump method and apparatus including a pump body having a main chamber divided by a reciprocating piston assembly into a gas driving chamber and a liquid pumping chamber, a spring for biasing the piston assembly into one of its two end positions, a reciprocating control valve controlling the flow of driving gas to and from the gas driving chamber, a snap-acting spring mechanically coupling the control valve to the reciprocating movement of the piston assembly, and a counteracting spring for biasing the control valve toward one of its two positions.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser that can be used with either figals or bag-in-box. The dispenser includes a built-in carbonator, and when used with a bag-in-box syrup supply it includes a plurality of built-in syrup pumps, one for each of four, five or six valves. The dispenser includes an easily removable refrigeration unit and an easily removable carbonator unit.

Abstract: A system for serving a pre-mix beverage and making and serving a post-mix carbonated beverage in outer space including a special drinking cup structure and individual serving flavor concentrate modules. The drinking cup includes a disposable bag liner within a rigid outer container and a disposable drinking tube attached thereto. The flavor concentrate module is either a serving of concentrate within the bag or a separate module in-line between a source of carbonated water and the drinking cup.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser that can be used with either figals or bag-in-box. The dispenser includes a built-in carbonator, and when used with a bag-in-box syrup supply it includes a plurality of built-in syrup pumps, one for each of four, five or six valves. The dispenser includes an easily removable refrigeration unit and an easily removable carbonator unit.

Abstract: A package for dispensing a carbonated beverage pre-mix at a controlled flow rate in the micro-gravity conditions of outer space comprising a rigid outer container, a collapsible bag in the container, and an adjustable flow rate control valve. Positive pressure is applied to the collapsible container by CO.sub.2 gas in the container surrounding the bag to assist the dispensing of the pre-mix therefrom. The pre-mix is dispensed from a spout, directly into an astronaut's mouth upon actuation of a lever disposed on the top of the package.

Abstract: A valve sub-assembly that can be used with either a mechanical or an electrical valve actuator, and in either pressure or gravity operation. The valve sub-assembly has a pair of paddle valves with valve actuating arms that are simultaneously snap actuated by a yoke of either the mechanical or electrical valve actuator. In addition, a valve assembly with a mechanical valve actuator that includes a snap acting, over-center spring arrangement. Also, a method for converting a valve assembly between pressure and gravity operation, and mechanical or electrical operation.

Abstract: A system and method for filling or refilling a drinking container with a carbonated beverage pre-mix in outer space. The drinking containers are refilled from a master supply tank which is maintained at a substantially constant pressure which keeps the carbonation of the pre-mix in the tank in solution.

Abstract: A double-acting, pneumatic, reciprocating diaphragm pump and reversing mechanism therefor including a pump housing including a pair of spaced apart chambers, a diaphragm member dividing each chamber into a driving section and a discharge section, a shaft interconnecting the diaphragm members and a protrusion extending from the shaft, fluid inlet and outlet manifolds interconnecting inlet and outlet ports, respectively, in the discharge sections and inlet and outlet valves in the housing for controlling fluid flow to and from the discharge sections, a driving fluid manifold interconnecting inlet-outlet port means in the driving sections, a control valve between the chambers including a valve element movable between two positions to alternately direct driving fluid to one of the two driving sections while also alternately venting the other one, a control valve accuating member mounted for movement and having means for contacting and moving the valve element and having surfaces for being contacted by the shaft p

Abstract: A single-acting, gas operated, pump method and apparatus including a pump body having a main chamber divided by a reciprocating piston assembly into a gas driving chamber and a liquid pumping chamber, a spring for biasing the piston assembly into one of its two end positions, a reciprocating control valve controlling the flow of driving gas to and from the gas driving chamber, a snap-acting spring mechanically coupling the control valve to the reciprocating movement of the piston assembly, and a counteracting spring for biasing the control valve toward one of its two positions.

Abstract: A double-acting, pneumatic, reciprocating diaphragm pump and reversing mechanism therefor including a pump housing including a pair of spaced apart chambers, a diaphragm member dividing each chamber into a driving section and a discharge section, a shaft interconnecting the diaphragm members and a protrusion extending from the shaft, fluid inlet and outlet manifolds interconnecting inlet and outlet ports, respectively, in the discharge sections and inlet and outlet valves in the housing for controlling fluid flow to and from the discharge sections, a driving fluid manifold interconnecting inlet-outlet port means in the driving sections, a control valve between the chambers including a valve element movable between two positions to alternately direct driving fluid to one of the two driving sections while also alternately venting the other one, a control valve actuating member mounted for movement and having means for contacting and moving the valve element and having surfaces for being contacted by the shaft p

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.

Abstract: A counter electric beverage dispenser a plurality of dispensing valves and a manifold, a syrup cooling tube, and a water cooling tube for each valve. A gravity syrup tank is used during gravity operation and a syrup line from a pressure source is used during pressure operation. One or more of the dispensing valves can be converted from gravity to pressure operation and vice versa. The manifold includes a water passageway therethrough and first and second syrup passageways therethrough. The manifold is connected to the dispensing valve, the water cooling tube and the syrup cooling tube. Either one of a gravity syrup tank or a syrup line from a pressure source can be connected to the manifold for feeding syrup first to the syrup tube and then to the valve. Systems for cleaning out the syrup tubes and for cooling syrup are also included.

Abstract: A narrow, modular automatic beverage dispensing assembly to be attached to an existing ice dispensing beverage dispenser, to provide automatic beverage dispensing capability. The modular assembly includes two separate subassemblies; the first subassembly includes an automatic cup dropper, and the second subassembly includes an automatic beverage dispensing means and an automatic conveyor. The existing beverage dispenser to which the modular assembly of this invention is attached is modified by adding thereto an automatic ice dispenser that feeds ice into the attached modular assembly.

Abstract: A module for use with a double-acting reciprocating pump includes a housing removably attached to the body of the pump. The module has a snap-acting reversing mechanism therein operatively associated with a spool valve which alternately directs driving fluid to two respective driving sections of the double-acting pump. If the module malfunctions, a new module or one including replacement parts, such as a new spool valve, can be substituted for the original module.