Patent ID: 6026988
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: B67B,B67D

Abstract:
A liquid dispenser for use with a disposable liquid supply container, the liquid dispenser comprising: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, the support means including means for enabling placement of the container into the loaded position and removal of the container from the loaded position;a tapping stem for communicating the interior of the container with the valve means absent any liquid storage reservoir other than the container, the stem comprising a generally elongated body having a piercing end, a discharge end and sealing means for sealingly engaging the container, the stem piercing end including piercing means for piercing a wall of the container and the stem body including a passage extending from an intake opening in the piercing end to a discharge opening in the discharge end in communication with the valve means; andmeans for holding the stem in a fixed position so that when the container is moved into the loaded position the piercing means penetrates into the interior of the container and the sealing means forms a sealed relationship with the container;whereby gravity flow of liquid from the container to the valve means is enabled absent any liquid storage means other than the container.