Intermediate pressure dispensing method for a carbonated beverage

A method for dispensing a carbonated beverage into a serving container, that method comprising:

• transferring the carbonated beverage to a reservoir from a source, which supplies the carbonated beverage at a first pressure level that is greater than atmospheric pressure;
• sensing pressure in the reservoir;
• in response to the sensing, maintaining the carbonated beverage in the reservoir at a second pressure level that is less than the first pressure level and substantially greater than atmospheric pressure by selectively operating a relief valve to decrease pressure in the reservoir and by selectively operating a supply valve to add pressurized fluid to increase the pressure in the reservoir;
• when dispensing the carbonated beverage into the serving container is desired, lowering pressure in the reservoir to a third pressure level that is less than the second pressure level;
• and
• dispensing the carbonated beverage by operating a valve element to open a passageway from the reservoir to the serving container while the beverage is maintained in the reservoir substantially at the third pressure level.

A method for dispensing a carbonated beverage into a serving container from a reservoir that contains a quantity of beverage and a volume of gas, that method comprising:

• transporting the carbonated beverage from a source to the reservoir at a first pressure level that is greater than atmospheric pressure;
• maintaining pressure within the reservoir at a second pressure level, that is less than the first pressure level and substantially greater than atmospheric pressure, by selectively venting gas from the reservoir and adding pressurized gas to the reservoir;
• when dispensing the carbonated beverage into the serving container is desired, lowering pressure in the reservoir to substantially the atmospheric pressure;
• when pressure in the reservoir is substantially the atmospheric pressure, opening a valve through which the carbonated beverage flows from the reservoir into the serving container;
• as the valve opens, allowing pressure in the reservoir to go below atmospheric pressure;
• and
• at a predefined time after opening the valve, introducing a fluid into the reservoir to raise the pressure in the reservoir to substantially atmospheric pressure.

A method for dispensing a carbonated beverage into a serving container at an establishment, that method comprising:

• storing the carbonated beverage in a reservoir at a given pressure level;
• opening a valve through which the carbonated beverage flows from the reservoir into the serving container;
• allowing pressure in the reservoir to go below atmospheric pressure;
• and
• thereafter introducing a fluid into the reservoir to raise the pressure in the reservoir to substantially atmospheric pressure.