Patent ID: 6050444
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A consumable beverage dispenser, comprising:a collapsible beverage container having at least one opening;a flexible tube having a distal end and a proximate end; anda valve assembly adjacent said opening and operably connected to the proximate end of said flexible tube such that said valve assembly, said opening, and said flexible tube define a beverage flow path out of said container;said valve assembly having a flexible diaphragm disposed across the flow path permitting beverage flow only outwardly from said container and a generally semicircular disk spacing member having a radius axially extending into said collapsible container and defining a first surface having at least one elongate raised area protruding therefrom, a second surface having at least one elongate raised area protruding therefrom, and a periphery defining at least one notch, such that beverage present in said container is made to flow out of said container through said valve assembly and through said flexible tube when sucking action is exerted by a user on the distal end of said flexible tube and wherein said spacing member prevents said collapsible container from blocking the outward beverage flow of beverage through said valve assembly as beverage is withdrawn and said collapsible container collapses.