Abstract:
An apparatus for producing a beverage includes a water tank, a concentrate container, and a mixing chamber. A water conduit supplies water by gravity from the water tank to a water discharge mixing opening and a concentrate conduit supplies the liquid concentrate by gravity from the concentrate container to a concentrate discharge mixing opening. The discharge openings open directly and separately into the mixing chamber. A dispenser assembly opens and closes the discharge openings and the released water and liquid concentrate directly leaves the mixing chamber to produce the beverage. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a sealable chamber, and an air pump for pressurizing the sealable chamber and the concentrate container. A dispenser and methods for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/145,720, filed Jun. 6, 2005, entitled “An Apparatus For Producing A Beverage,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/648,106, filed Jan. 28, 2005, entitled “Device For Making Coffee From Liquid Concentrate,” the entire subject matter of these applications being incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing beverages and, more specifically, to apparatus and methods for producing beverages from liquid concentrate. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many beverages have been produced from concentrate including fruit juices and coffee and tea. However, the production of coffee and tea from concentrate has been limited substantially to commercial devices that are expensive and cumbersome for home or office usage. 
         [0004]    An example of a beverage apparatus that produces beverages from two liquid components is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,020 issued to Bardeau. The beverage apparatus in Bardeau includes a spring for raising a carton containing the concentrate to control the flow rate of the concentrate. U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,505 to Cornelius discloses a coffee dispensing machine which utilizes a carbonated coffee concentrate. Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,069 issued to Burke et al. discloses adding water, either manually or automatically, to a beverage concentrate. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,048 issued to Stover discloses initially brewing a concentrate, specifically from tea leaves, to produce a concentrate. The concentrate is then diluted to an acceptable strength and temperature by the timed addition of water. U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,035 issued to Gorski et al. discloses using a dry concentrate for dispensing a food or beverage. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,496 issued to Paoloni discloses a method for producing concentrate and then using such concentrate for producing coffee. U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,719 issued to Triola et al. discloses a coffee maker using liquid coffee concentrate and a plunger to deliver the concentrate. 
         [0007]    Vitality Foodservice, Inc. of Tampa, Fla. offers dispensers for coffee and hot beverages. The device includes a solenoid valve for controlling discharge of water from a water tank to an open channel. Disposed above the open channel is a control valve for controlling discharge of concentrate into the water in the channel. The resulting beverage is then discharged. 
         [0008]    There is a need for further apparatus and methods for producing a beverage from liquid concentrate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides in a first aspect, an apparatus for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water. The apparatus includes a water tank, a concentrate container, a mixing chamber, a water conduit for supplying the water from the water tank to the mixing chamber by gravity, a concentrate conduit for supplying the liquid concentrate from the concentrate container to the mixing chamber by gravity, and a dispenser assembly. The water conduit has a water discharge mixing opening which opens directly into the mixing chamber, and the concentrate conduit has a concentrate discharge mixing opening which opens directly into the mixing chamber and separately from the water discharge mixing opening. The dispenser assembly is operable to open and close the concentrate discharge mixing opening and the water discharge mixing opening to permit and inhibit the flow of liquid concentrate and water directly and separately into the mixing chamber, which released water and liquid concentrate directly leaves the mixing chamber to produce the beverage. 
         [0010]    The present invention provides in a second aspect, an apparatus for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a sealable chamber, a concentrate container disposed in the sealable chamber, a mixing chamber, a water conduit for supplying the water to the mixing chamber, a concentrate conduit for supplying the liquid concentrate from the concentrate container to the mixing chamber, an air pump for pressurizing the sealable chamber and concentrate container, and dispenser assembly. The water conduit has a water discharge mixing opening which opens directly into the mixing chamber, and the concentrate conduit has a concentrate discharge mixing opening which opens directly into the mixing chamber and separately from the water discharge mixing opening. The dispenser assembly is operable to open and close the concentrate discharge mixing opening and the water discharge mixing opening to permit and inhibit the flow of liquid concentrate and water directly and separately into the mixing chamber, which released water and liquid concentrate directly leaves the mixing chamber to produce the beverage. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides in a third aspect, a dispenser for discharging a beverage from liquid concentrate and water. The dispenser includes a conduit housing having a water conduit having a water discharge mixing opening and a concentrate conduit having a concentrate discharge mixing opening, a strength valve for adjusting the flow of the liquid concentrate in the concentrate conduit, a mixing chamber into which the water discharge mixing opening and the concentrate discharge mixing opening directly and separately opens, a stopper for opening and closing the concentrate discharge mixing opening and the water discharge mixing opening to permit and inhibit the flow of the liquid concentrate and the water into the mixing chamber, a spring for biasing the stopper to inhibit the flow of the liquid concentrate and the water into the mixing chamber, and a handle for moving the stopper to permit the flow of the liquid concentrate and the water into the mixing chamber, which released water and liquid concentrate directly leaves the mixing chamber to produce the beverage. 
         [0012]    The present invention provides in a fourth aspect, a method for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water. The method includes transferring a supply of the water through a water conduit to a water discharge mixing opening which opens directly into a mixing chamber by gravity, transferring a supply of the liquid concentrate through a concentrate conduit to a concentrate discharge mixing opening which opens directly into the mixing chamber and separately from the water discharge mixing opening by gravity, and selectively opening and closing the concentrate discharge mixing opening and the water discharge mixing opening to permit and inhibit the flow of liquid concentrate and water directly and separately into the mixing chamber, which released water and liquid concentrate directly leaves the mixing chamber to produce the beverage. 
         [0013]    The present invention provides in a fifth aspect, a method for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate. The method includes attaching a flexible bag containing a supply of the liquid concentrate to a concentrate conduit, sealing the flexible bag in an airtight enclosure, pressurizing air in the airtight enclosure and around the flexible bag, transferring the supply of the liquid concentrate through a concentrate conduit to a concentrate discharge mixing opening which opens directly into the mixing chamber and separately from the water discharge mixing opening, transferring a supply of the water through a water conduit to a water discharge mixing opening which opens directly into a mixing chamber, and selectively opening and closing the concentrate discharge mixing opening and the water discharge mixing opening to permit and inhibit the flow of liquid concentrate and water directly and separately into the mixing, which released water and liquid concentrate directly leaves the mixing chamber to produce the beverage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of various embodiments and accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention for producing a beverage with the enclosure partially broken away showing a water tank, a concentrate container, a strength valve, and a dispenser; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial view of the concentrate container, a connection to the water tank, a connection to the liquid concentrate, the conduit housing, as well as the strength valve and the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the water conduit and the concentrate conduit of  FIG. 1  showing the flow paths in broken lines; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view taken along line  4 - 4  showing the concentrate conduit as one channel and the water conduit as two channels; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded side elevational view of the conduit housing, the mixing chamber, and the dispenser assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit that controls the operation of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  for producing a beverage from liquid concentrate; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of another apparatus in accordance with the present invention for producing a beverage with the enclosure partially broken away showing a water tank, a concentrate container disposed in a sealed chamber, a strength valve, an air pump, and a dispenser; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is pictorial view of another apparatus in accordance with the present invention for producing a beverage with the enclosure partially broken away showing a water tank, a concentrate container disposed in a sealed chamber, a strength valve, an air pump, and a dispenser; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit that controls the operation of the apparatus of  FIG. 8  for producing a beverage from liquid concentrate; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is pictorial view of another apparatus in accordance with the present invention for producing a beverage; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the water conduit and the concentrate conduit of  FIG. 10  showing the flow paths in broken lines; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a view taken along line  12 - 12  showing the concentrate conduit as one channel and the water conduit as two channels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  10  is shown for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water. In this embodiment, as described below, the beverage produced by apparatus  10  may be coffee. The apparatus includes an enclosure  11  which is shown partially broken away. The enclosure  11  has a front  13  and a back  15  and two sides  17  as well as a base  19 . A lid  21  is hinged to the back  15  to rotate away from the front  13  and the sides  17 . The lid  21  includes a lip  23  which extends at right angles from the lid  21  to fit securely against the front  13 . Within the enclosure  11  against the back  15  is a water tank  25 . At the top of the water tank  25  is a vent  27 . A filler inlet  29  extends through one of the sides  17  of the enclosure  11  to supply water to the water tank  25 . 
         [0028]    Mounted in front of the water tank  25  is a concentrate container  39 . The concentrate container  39 , as shown, preferably includes a flexible bag  41  that collapses as concentrate is consumed. The flexible bag  41  is inexpensive and once emptied is readily disposable. In addition to the flexible bag  41 , the concentrate container  39  includes an outlet  43  which is sealed until pierced by a probe  45  which self seals in the outlet  43 . The concentrate container  39  is mounted on the probe  45 . 
         [0029]    As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the probe  45  connects to a conduit housing  49 . The probe  45  is generally vertically oriented but at its lower end  47  is offset at an obtuse angle to the vertical to join the conduit housing  49 . The probe  45  is threaded at its lower end  47  which is the end opposite from the concentrate container  39  ( FIG. 2 ). This thread engages a thread in the conduit housing  49 . 
         [0030]    As seen in broken lines in  FIG. 3 , a concentrate conduit  51  extends through the conduit housing  49 . The concentrate conduit  51  is located at an acute angle to the horizontal within the conduit housing  49 . The conduit housing  49  has a top  53  which is inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal, a bottom  55  which is generally horizontal as well as two sides  57  ( FIG. 4 ) which are generally vertical and preferably parallel to one another. 
         [0031]    The conduit housing  49  also has two ends, namely an inlet end  61  adjacent to the water tank  25  ( FIG. 1 ) and the concentrate container  39  ( FIG. 1 ) and an outlet end  63 . In conduit housing  49 , concentrate flows from a concentrate inlet opening  64  in the inlet end  61  to a concentrate discharge mixing opening  66  in the outlet end  63  through the concentrate conduit  51 . The concentrate conduit  51  is inclined to the horizontal at an acute angle but the concentrate conduit  51  turns to the horizontal at the outlet end  63  of the conduit housing  49 . The conduit housing  49  has an upper portion  65  adjacent the top  53  of the conduit housing  49  and a lower portion  67  adjacent the bottom  55  of the conduit housing  49 . The inlet end  61  of the upper portion  65  of the conduit housing  49  is sloped at an acute angle to the horizontal to accommodate the obtuse angle to the vertical at the lower end  47  of the probe  45 . The lower portion  67  of the inlet end  61  is generally at right angles to the bottom  55  of the conduit housing  49 . 
         [0032]    In the lower portion  67  of the conduit housing  49  is one or more water conduits  69 . The water conduit, as shown in  FIG. 4 , may include two channels. One, two or three and possibly more channels may be used to form the water conduit. The number of channels may depend upon the beverage being produced, the concentration level of the concentrate, and the desired level of dilution by water. The water conduit, regardless of the number of channels, may be substantially horizontal. With reference again to  FIG. 3 , in conduit housing  49 , water flows from a water inlet opening  60  in the inlet end  61  to a water discharge mixing opening  68  in the outlet end  63  through water conduits  69 . Desirably, the concentrate discharge mixing opening  66  and the water discharge mixing opening  68  are disposed on the same surface to controllable discharge both concentrate and water at the same time as described in greater detail below. 
         [0033]    With referenced again to  FIG. 1 , a supply line  31  (such as from a water supply in a home or building) provides water to the water tank  25  when an automatic feed is utilized. A fill valve  33  is located in the supply line  31 . A float valve  73  is located in one side  17  of the water tank  25  above the filler inlet  29  and above the level of a water outlet  75  from the water tank  25 . It will be appreciated that the float switch and fill valve may be disposed inside enclosure  11 . 
         [0034]    With reference now to  FIG. 5 , by means of a nipple  77 , threaded at both ends, the water conduit  69  ( FIG. 3 ) is connected to the water tank  25  (FIG.  1 ) at the inlet end  61  of the conduit housing  49 . The conduit housing  49  is connected to a mixing chamber  79  at the outlet end  63 . The mixing chamber  79  includes two sections, namely an upper section which is also a dispenser housing  81  and a lower section which is also a spout  83 . A nozzle  85  is connected to the lower end of the spout  83  remote from the dispenser housing  81 . 
         [0035]    The conduit housing  49  at the outlet end  63  has a cylindrical extension  87 . A conduit opening  89  extends through the cylindrical extension  87  generally at right angles to the concentrate conduit  51  ( FIG. 3 ). A mixing opening  91  extends through the upper section of the mixing chamber  79 . The upper section of the mixing chamber  79 , also being cylindrical, slides over the cylindrical extension  87  with the upper section of the mixing chamber  79  mounted on the cylindrical extension  87  so that the mixing opening  91  and the conduit opening  89  become aligned with one another. A strength valve  93  is placed into the aligned conduit opening  89  and mixing opening  91 . The strength valve  93  which is a cylindrical rod with a knob  95  at one end, secures the mixing chamber  79  to the cylindrical extension  87 . A retaining ring  97  snaps onto the end of the strength valve  93  to retain the strength valve  93  in place. 
         [0036]    A passageway  99  through the strength valve  93 , which is located generally at right angles to the strength valve  93 , aligns with the concentrate conduit  51  ( FIG. 3 ). By turning the knob  95 , the passageway  99  is misaligned to a degree consistent with the degree that the knob  95  is turned in relationship to the concentrate conduit  51  ( FIG. 3 ). In this way, the rate of flow of the concentrate can be modified consistent with the strength of the beverage desired. 
         [0037]    The upper section of the mixing chamber  79  which is also the dispenser housing  81  and the spout  83  are both hollow cylinders and are located generally at right angles to one another. As previously stated, the upper section or dispenser housing  81  is open at both ends and one end is placed over the cylindrical extension  87 . On the other end, an external thread  101  is located on which a dispenser assembly  103  is mounted by means of a cap  105 . The dispenser assembly  103  includes a stopper  107  which is placed against the outlet end  63  of the conduit housing  49  blocking both the water conduit  69  ( FIG. 3 ) and the concentrate conduit  51  ( FIG. 3 ). An actuator rod  109  engages the stopper  107 . The actuator rod  109  has a ring  111  about it which is located toward the stopper  107 . A coil spring  113  is mounted about the actuator rod  109  and is compressed between the ring  111  and the cap  105  whereby the coil spring  113  forces the stopper  107  against the outlet end  63  of the conduit housing  49  to block both the water conduit  69  ( FIG. 3 ) and the concentrate conduit  51  ( FIG. 3 ). The dispenser assembly includes a handle  115  and on the back of the handle  115  there are a pair of rocker members  117 . The actuator rod  109  extends through the cap  105  and is connected to the handle  115  between the pair of rocker members  117 . A pin  119  in the rocker members  117  secures the actuator rod  109  to the rocker members. The pin  119  in the rocker members  117  slides into a groove and opening  120  to secure the actuator rod  109  to the rocker member  117 . 
         [0038]    By pressing on the bottom of the handle  115 , the actuator rod  109  is pulled back which also pulls back the stopper  107  thereby releasing both the liquid concentrate and the water from the concentrate conduit  51  ( FIG. 3 ) and the water conduit  69  ( FIG. 3 ), respectively. Desirably, when the stopper is moved away from outlet end  63  of the conduit housing  49  there is a simultaneous discharge of liquid concentrate and water from both the concentrate discharge mixing opening  66  ( FIG. 3 ) and the water discharge mixing opening  68  ( FIG. 3 ), respectively. When the stopper  107  is disposed against the outlet end  63  of the conduit housing  49 , there is a simultaneous shutting off of the discharge of the liquid concentrate and water from both the concentrate discharge mixing opening  66  ( FIG. 3 ) and the water discharge mixing opening  68  ( FIG. 3 ), respectively. It should be specifically noted that the stopper  107  prevents flow directly adjacent the strength valve  93  and the mixing chamber  79 . The mixture of water and concentrate then directly leaves the mixing chamber  79  for consumption. Such a configuration of simultaneous controlling both the starting and stopping of the discharge of both the concentrate and water, and also of locating the stopper  107  before the mixing chamber  79 , inhibits the likelihood of a previous mixture being included in a subsequent withdrawal of the beverage. 
         [0039]    The mixing chamber  79  causes the liquid concentrate and water to mix by swirling within the mixing chamber  79 . In addition, by positioning the concentrate discharge mixing opening  66  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and the water discharge mixing opening  68  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) adjacent each other, there is a natural tendency for the two discharge streams to spiral around each other and aid in the mixing of the resulting beverage. The mixing chamber  79  also aids in the blending and mixing. The spout  83 , which is part of the mixing chamber  79  continues the mixing and blending. The final mixed beverage product is delivered from the bottom of the nozzle  85  attached to the bottom of the spout  83 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , a power source  121  of one-hundred-ten volt alternating current may be employed. Power is supplied from the power source  121  through a switch  123 , which is preferably a rocker switch. With the switch  123  turned on, a red light  125  is turned on. The red light  125  is the low water fill light. Power also flows to a float switch  127  which is normally closed and which activates a relay  129  which opens the fill valve  33  which introduces water from the supply line  31  to increase the water level in the water tank. Once the desired water level is achieved, the float switch  127  is raised to a desired level which in turn opens the float switch  127  and closes the fill valve  33 . Once the fill valve  33  is turned off an electrical circuit  140  having a thermal adjusting unit  130  is activated to bring the temperature of the water to a desired level. When the desired temperature of the water is achieved, the normally closed thermo button  131  is opened which de-energizes the thermal adjusting unit  130  and also closes a normally open thermal button  133  which turns on a green light  135 . The lighting of the green light  135  indicates that the apparatus is ready for use. 
         [0041]    The thermal adjusting unit  130  is shown as a heating element but a cooling element is also within the scope of a thermal adjusting unit  130 . 
         [0042]    In operation, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , electrical power is supplied through the switch  123 . The water tank  25  fills from the supply line  31  through the fill valve  33 . The concentrate flows by gravity from the concentrate container  39 . The water in the water tank  25  flows from the water tank  25  by gravity. The thermal control button  131  holds the water temperature at approximately one-hundred-ninety degrees Fahrenheit. Once the water level drops, the float switch  127  opens the fill valve  33  to supply additional water. By pressing the handle  115 , a receptacle (not shown) may be filled through the nozzle  85  with a beverage comprising a blended mixture of liquid concentrate and water in whatever quantity is desired. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus  200  in accordance with the present invention for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water. Apparatus  200  is essentially the same as apparatus  10  described above with the exception of an airtight enclosure around the concentrate container  39  and an air pump  210 . A gasket  212  is provided which when the lid  21  is closed creates a sealed chamber  214  in the enclosure  11  around concentrate container  39 . The air pump  210  provides a low positive pressure, of about 2 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 10 pounds per square inch (psi), in the sealed chamber  214  which applies a constant positive pressure around the concentrate container such as flexible bag  41 . When a beverage is desired, and the handle  115  is activated, liquid concentrate flows at a constant rate. An added benefit due to the positive pressure is that the flexible bag  41  will completely empty, e.g., there will be little if any concentrate left in the flexible bag. 
         [0044]    The air pump may be operably connected to the electrical power supply to pressurize the air surrounding the flexible bag  41  when the water is at the desired temperature. Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured so that upon initially activating the handle  115 , the air pump is activated to pressurize the air surrounding the flexible bag. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of an apparatus  300  in accordance with the present invention for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water. Apparatus  300  is essentially the same as apparatus  200  described above with the following exceptions. A float valve  373  is mounted in an open top water tank  25  and connected to a water line  331 . Float valve  373  provides an on-off action for controlling the filling of water in the water tank by action of the fall or rise of a float concurrent with the fall and rise of the water in the water tank. The water line may be connected to the back of the enclosure so as to not be visible to users. A vent tube  327  may have an end disposed adjacent the top of the water tank and the other end of the vent tube may be disposed in a drip pan (not shown) mounted on the lower front of the apparatus under the dispenser. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , a schematic electrical diagram of the electrical circuit in apparatus  300  may include an illuminated on/off rocker switch  323  operably attached to a source of electrical power, e.g., a one-hundred-ten volt alternating current outlet in a home or building. 
         [0047]    With the switch  323  turned on, a light  325  is turned on and illuminates a red actuator  324  to alert the user that power is being supplied to the apparatus. In the “on” position and if sufficient water is in the water tank, switch  390  controlled by the float valve  373  allows electrical power to be supplied to an electric circuit  340  comprising a thermo button or temperature sensor  339  and a heater  330  such as a coil heater. The temperature sensor  339  may be attached directly to the water tank ( FIG. 8 ) to measure the temperature of the water. The heating coil or element may be attached to the bottom of the water tank. If the water is cold, the temperature sensor  339  allows electrical current to be supplied to the heater  330 . When temperature sensor  339  detects the water getting too hot, it cuts off the current to the heater. When the water cools down, the temperature sensor turns the heater back on. By cycling on and off, the temperature sensor keeps the coil at an even temperature to heat the water in the tank. For safety in the event that the temperature sensor  339  fails, one or more thermal fuses may be employed to cut power if the thermal fuses sense the heat in reaching too high a temperature. 
         [0048]    When the desired temperature of the water is achieved as detected by a second thermal button or temperature sensor  351 , a light  350  such as a green light is illuminated to alert a user that the water is at the desired temperature for making the beverage. If the water temperature drops, the light  350  would go out and remain out until the water returns to the desired temperature. As described earlier, the apparatus may include a heating element, however, a cooling element for producing cold beverages may be suitably employed. 
         [0049]    It is appreciated that the apparatus may be manually filled with water avoiding the need for providing a conduit attached to the apparatus, and attached to the water supply in, for example, a home or business. In addition, an apparatus may include two dispensers, for example, one configured for providing regular coffee or tea, and the other for providing decaffeinated coffee or tea. Further, by closing the strength valve no liquid concentrate will be delivered from the dispenser so as to provide only hot water where a heating element is employed or cold water where a cooling element is employed. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an apparatus  400  in accordance with the present invention is shown for producing a beverage from a liquid concentrate and water. In this embodiment, as described below, the beverage produced by apparatus  400  may be tea. The apparatus includes an enclosure  411 . The enclosure  411  may be cylindrical, square, rectangular or any shape. The enclosure  411  includes a bottom portion  413  having a sealed chamber  414  in which is disposed a concentrate container such as a flexible bag  441  that collapses as concentrate is consumed, and a top portion  415 . A lid  416  may be attached to the upper end of the bottom portion to seal the flexible bag inside the lower portion. The top portion and the bottom portion may be releasably attachable together. 
         [0051]    A supply line  431  (such as from a water supply in a home or building) provides water to apparatus  400 . The supply line  431  connects to a tube  432  which in turn connects to a water pressure regulator  434  which reduces the pressure from the supply line (typically about 60 psi) to about 5 psi. The reduced pressure water supply is transferred via a tube  436  to a conduit housing  449  as described in greater detail below. 
         [0052]    A tube  445  connects at one end to the flexible bag  441  and at the other end to conduit housing  449  for transferring liquid concentrate from flexible bag  441  to conduit housing  449 . An air pump  410  provides a low positive air pressure, of about 2 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 10 pounds per square inch (psi), to the bottom portion of the enclosure  411  to provide a constant positive pressure around the flexible bag  441 . 
         [0053]    As best shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the conduit housing  449  has two ends, namely an inlet end  461  ( FIG. 11 ) and an outlet end  463 . The conduit housing  449  also includes a concentrate conduit  451  and one or more water conduits  469  that extend through the conduit housing  449 . 
         [0054]    One end of the concentrate conduit  451  is connected to a hollow projection  447  ( FIG. 11 ) having a concentrate inlet opening which attaches to tube  445  ( FIG. 10 ) for receiving concentrate. The other end of the concentrate conduit  451  is a concentrate discharge mixing opening  466  which opens onto outlet end  463 . In a lower portion of the conduit housing  449  is a water conduit  469  which may comprise one or more channels. One end of the water conduit  469  is a water inlet opening which attaches to the tube  436  ( FIG. 10 ) for receiving water. The other end of the water conduit  469  is a water discharge mixing opening  468  which opens onto outlet end  463 . Both the concentrate conduit and the water conduit may be horizontally disposed. Desirably, the concentrate discharge mixing opening  466  and the water discharge mixing opening  468  are disposed on the same surface to controllable discharge both concentrate and water at the same time. 
         [0055]    The conduit housing  449  is connected to a mixing chamber  479  ( FIG. 11 ) at the outlet end  463 . The mixing chamber  479  includes two sections, namely an upper section which is also a dispenser housing  481  ( FIG. 11 ) and a lower section which is also a spout  483  ( FIG. 11 ). A nozzle  485  ( FIG. 11 ) is connected to the lower end of the spout  483  ( FIG. 11 ) remote from the dispenser housing  481  ( FIG. 11 ). The conduit housing  449  at the outlet end  463  has a cylindrical extension  487 . 
         [0056]    The rate of concentrate to be delivered to the mixing chamber is controlled by a strength valve  493  which selectively extends into concentrate conduit  451 . The strength valve  493  may be a cylindrical rod or flat bar having a lower end which is disposed in concentrate conduit  451  and an upper end which is disposed adjacent a movable ramp  495 . A coil spring  491  biases the upper end of strength valve against ramp  495 . By moving a strength lever  497  attached to ramp  495  in the direction of double-headed arrow A ( FIG. 12 ) back and forth, the strength valve  493  is moved in the direction of double-headed arrow B ( FIG. 12 ) up and down. In this way, the rate of flow of the concentrate can be modified consistent with the strength of the beverage desired. 
         [0057]    The upper section of the mixing chamber  479  ( FIG. 11 ), the spout  483  ( FIG. 11 ), and the dispenser assembly including a handle  415  ( FIG. 11 ) is similar to the mixing chamber, the spout, and the dispenser assembly illustrated in  FIG. 5  and described above. 
         [0058]    In operation, with reference to  FIG. 10 , pump  410  may be continuously operated to pressurize chamber  414 , and thus pressurize the flexible bag  441 . Alternatively, the pump may be activated by a switch connected to handle  415  upon the user initially moving the handle  415 . The strength lever  497  is moved to a position corresponding to the desired strength of the beverage. The beverage is produced by the user placing a cup or glass under spout  485  and pressing or lifting the handle  415 . Upon the user doing so, the stopper is moved away from the concentrate discharge mixing opening and the water discharge mixing opening thereby allowing concentrate and water to enter the mixing chamber and then exit the spout. 
         [0059]    The advantages of the various apparatus described above are many. In one embodiment, by use of gravity feed for both the water and the concentrate, the need for manual and/or powered fluid pumps are eliminated. In another embodiment, the use of an air pump allows providing a constant liquid concentrate flow. The cost of the various apparatus is brought down to a reasonable level for home and office usage and the compact size of the apparatus is also suitable for home and office use. The mixing chamber provides excellent blending and mixing resulting in a very desirable drink. The various apparatus also allows a user to readily select the strength of the beverage. When used with liquid coffee or tea concentrate, an exceptional coffee or tea drink is produced. When brewing coffee or tea from liquid concentrate there are no filters or used coffee grounds or tea leaves to clean up. A user can brew a fresh cup of coffee or tea one cup at a time on demand. 
         [0060]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many further changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.