Beverage dispenser system suitable for use in outer space

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. The continuous carbonator has a rotary agitator including a plurality of radial vanes in a carbonation chamber which includes an outer toroidal-shaped chamber and an inner cylindrical chamber.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.