Patent Publication Number: US-11046569-B2

Title: Beverage dispensing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/134,922, entitled “Beverage Dispensing System” and filed on Sep. 18, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/491,524, entitled “Beverage Dispensing System” and filed on Apr. 19, 2017, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,106,393 on Oct. 23, 2018, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present application is directed to a system, apparatus, and method for the improved storage, transportation, delivery, and dispensing of carbonated beverages. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     Carbonated beverages are traditionally stored, transported, and consumed from a can, bottle, or other large vessel. Cans and bottles typically contain 12 fluid ounces (fl. oz.) with six, twelve, or twenty-four cans or bottles per container. However, the cylindrical design of cans and bottles results in inefficient packing. Moreover, glass bottles are much heavier than aluminum cans or bottles resulting in greater transportation costs. Furthermore, in several states, glass bottles are returned to the brewer, which must clean and sanitize the bottles before reusing. 
     In addition to the shortcomings with cans and bottles discussed above, large vessels, such as 2 liter bottles and kegs, have an additional shortcoming in that a small percentage of the beverage will be wasted. Additionally, beverages that are stored in large vessels present a greater risk of oxidation and loss of carbonation. Kegs also present a number of disadvantages. For example, the weight of kegs increases shipping costs. Furthermore, kegs must be returned, and the tracking of each keg between the producer, distributor, and retailer is a logistical problem resulting in yet additional costs. Additionally, a separate tap represents an additional expense for consumers. Finally, the carbonated beverages in kegs risk oxidation and loss of carbonation if the beverage is not consumed in a timely fashion. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, a system for storing, transporting, delivering, and dispensing carbonated beverages that maintains a high degree of carbonation and extends the shelf life of the beverage. The system includes a container with an outlet for dispensing a liquid. Additionally, the container contains a first bladder for storing a liquid and a second bladder to exert pressure on the first bladder to dispense the liquid contained in the first bladder. A pump may be attached to the second bladder, through the container, to fill the second bladder, for example, with atmosphere, a gas, or other fluid. In some examples, the system includes a support structure that holds the first and second bladder inside the container. According to some examples, the second bladder is adjacent to the first bladder. In other examples, the second bladder is located within the first bladder. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a system for storing, transporting, delivering, and dispensing beverages includes a container with an outlet for dispensing a liquid. The container also contains a first bladder that stores a liquid and a diaphragm that exerts pressure on the bladder to dispense the liquid. The system includes a diaphragm to raise and lower the diaphragm to control the pressure on the first bladder. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a prior art beverage dispensing system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of a dual-bladder beverage dispensing system. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of a dual-bladder beverage dispensing system. 
         FIG. 4  shows a dual-bladder beverage dispensing system according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of a bladder-in-bladder beverage dispensing system. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another embodiment of a beverage dispensing system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  shows yet another embodiment of a beverage dispensing system according to another aspect of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As discussed above, carbonated beverages contain dissolved carbon dioxide at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure. However, once a carbonated beverage is opened to the atmosphere, the beverage slowly loses carbonation due to Henry&#39;s Law. To compensate for this loss in carbonation, carbonated beverage packagers fill the headspace of the container with carbon dioxide. However, once the container is opened, the partial pressure slowly returns to atmospheric conditions. As carbon dioxide accounts for less than 1% of the gas particles in the atmosphere, the dissolved carbon dioxide will leave the solution (e.g. carbonated beverage) and escape from the container, which results in the beverage losing carbonation and becoming “flat.” 
     The present disclosure describes a system, apparatus, and method for storing, transporting, delivering, and dispensing carbonated beverages that maintains a high degree of carbonation and extends the shelf life of the beverage. The system includes a container that includes an outlet for dispensing a beverage. The container may include a support structure. Disposed within the container and the support structure is a first bladder that is connected to the outlet. The first bladder contains a liquid that is dispensed through the outlet. The system includes a second bladder to exert pressure on the first bladder. As liquid is dispensed from the first bladder, the second bladder increases in pressure and expands in volume to exert pressure on the first bladder, thereby forcing the liquid toward lower pressure (e.g., the outlet valve). In this regard, a constant total volume may be maintained between the first and second bladders. Increasing the volume of the second bladder maintains pressure on the first bladder to sustain greater than atmospheric pressure on the first bladder to minimize the amount of atmosphere flowing back into the first bladder and reduce the formation of additional headspace. By minimizing the formation of additional headspace, the examples of the present disclosure reduce the loss of carbon dioxide dissolved in the liquid stored in the first bladder. This represents an improvement over prior art systems that permit atmosphere to flow into the vessel, thereby creating additional headspace for dissolved carbon dioxide to escape from the liquid. 
     Containers containing a bladder for dispensing beverages are known in the art. The most notable being a bladder contained within a box for dispensing wine, colloquially known as wine-in-a-box.  FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art beverage dispensing system  100  that includes a bladder within a container. The beverage dispensing system  100  includes a container  110 . The container  110  is typically rectangular in shape; however, the container  110  may be cylindrical or any other suitable shape. The container  110  also contains an outlet  120 . The outlet valve  120  is connected to a bladder  130  located within the container  110 . The outlet valve  120  dispenses the liquid contained in the bladder  130 . The bladder  130  may include any suitable food grade material or combination of food grade materials. For example, bladder  130  may be manufactured from one or more polymers, including plastics, nylons, EVOH, polyolefins, or other natural or synthetic polymers. Alternatively, bladder  130  may be produced using polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), poly(butylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PBN), polyethylene (PE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and/or fluoropolymer, such as but not limited to, Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA). 
     While prior art systems show a beverage dispensing system that includes a bladder disposed within a container, these systems are not equipped to accommodate fluids under pressure, especially carbonated beverages.  FIG. 2  illustrates a bladder-on-bladder beverage dispensing system  200  for carbonated beverages that prevents the loss of carbonation and extends shelf life of the carbonated beverages. Bladder-on-bladder beverage dispensing system  200  includes a container  210 . Container  210  includes a support structure  220 , an outlet  230 , and a pump  260 . Within the support structure there is a first bladder  240  and a second bladder  250 . 
     Container  210  may be made from any suitable material, including a waterproof material. Alternatively, the container  210  may be made from cardboard and coated in a water resistant material. A plurality of interconnected panels connected to the base to for the container. The container  210  is preferably rectangular-shaped, although other shapes may be used for the container, such as cylindrical. Support structure  220  is disposed within container  210 . The support structure  220  would provide additional support to the beverage dispensing system  200 , especially with respect to rectangular-shaped containers. In this regard, square vessels typically do not behave well under pressure, at least not as well as cylindrical containers. Support structure  220  provides additional support to compensate for the poor performance rectangular-shaped containers typically exhibit with fluids under pressure. Accordingly, support structure  220  may be made from a durable plastic, such as polyurethanes, polyesters, epoxy resins, and phenolic resins. Support structure  220  may also be produced as a molded plastic to form compartments between support structure  220  and the interior of container  210 . The compartments may be filled with ice or other material (e.g. dry ice) to cool the liquid contained in first bladder  240 . Additionally, support structure  220  may include a first channel (not shown) to connect outlet  230  to first bladder  240  and a second channel (not shown) to connect pump  260  to second bladder  250 . 
     In preferred embodiments, outlet  230  may include a valve built into the container  210 . Outlet  230  may be a spigot that opens to release the liquid from first bladder  240 . In some embodiments, outlet  230  may be a one-way check valve to reduce the amount of air flowing into first bladder  240 . Alternatively, outlet  230  may be an interface where a dispensing unit or tubing may be attached. In this regard, the dispensing unit and/or tubing may connect to a jockey box to chill the fluid contained in first bladder  240  prior to being dispensed through outlet  230 . As noted above, outlet  230  connects to the first bladder  240  via a channel in the support structure  220 . According to some embodiments, support structure  220  may include a compartment proximately located to the channel to store ice or other material to cool the liquid contained in first bladder  240  prior to it being dispensed. 
     Similar to outlet  230 , pump  260  may be built into the container  210 . In this regard, pump  260  may be connected to the second bladder  250  through a channel in the support structure. According to some examples, pump  260  may manually fill second bladder  260  with atmosphere through a pumping action. Alternatively, pump  260  may automatically fill the second bladder  250  with a gas, such as carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide. Accordingly, the pump  260  may include a cartridge containing the gas. The cartridge may contain a regulator and/or check valve. The cartridge may be connected to outlet  230  such that when outlet  230  is opened pump  260  is activated to fill the second bladder  250  with gas and dispense the liquid from the first bladder  240 . In still yet alternative embodiments, second bladder  260  may be filled with a dense fluid. According to these embodiments, the dense fluid may be stored in a reservoir (not shown) and flow into second bladder  250 . For example, the dense fluid may flow in response to a person opening outlet  230 . In this regard, there may be an actuator connected to the reservoir to permit the dense fluid to flow from the reservoir into second bladder  250 . 
     The first bladder  240  is a bladder made of food-grade material configured to hold a fluid, such as a carbonated beverage. In preferred embodiments, the first bladder  240  is cubic-shaped and made from any suitable food-grade material. For example, the first bladder  240  may include any suitable food-grade material or combination of food-grade materials, such as one or more polymers, including plastics, nylons, EVOH, polyolefins, or other natural or synthetic polymers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), poly(butylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PBN), polyethylene (PE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), medium-density polyethylene (HDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and/or fluoropolymer. While preferred examples include a cubic-shaped first bladder  240 , rectangular or cylindrical shapes may be used for the first bladder  240 . 
     The second bladder  250  is an air-tight bladder configured to expand and contract in response to the application of pressure. In this regard, the second bladder  250  may be made from any suitable material, including the same material as the first bladder  240 . Moreover, the second bladder  250  may be the same shape as the first bladder  240 . Alternatively, the second bladder  250  may be the same shape as the container  210  to better fill the interior cavity of container  210  and exert pressure on first bladder  240 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , another example of a bladder-on-bladder beverage dispensing system  300  is shown. The beverage dispensing system  300  includes a container  310 . The surface of container  310  includes an outlet  320  and a pump  350 , while a first bladder  330  and a second bladder  340  are disposed within the container  310 . Container  310  is preferably rectangular-shaped and made from any suitable material, such as those discussed above. The bladder-on-bladder beverage dispensing system  300  does not show a support structure; however, the support structure, such as the one discussed above, may be included in the bladder-on-bladder dispensing system  300 . 
     A previously discussed, outlet  320  may be a valve built into the container  310 , such as a spigot, a faucet, one-way check valve, or a hinge-valve, that opens to release a fluid from the first bladder  330 . Alternatively, outlet  320  may be an interface where a spigot, a faucet, one-way check valve, or a hinge-valve may be connected to the container  310 . In this regard, the outlet  320  may include a channel connecting to the first bladder  340 . 
     The pump  350  may also be built into the container  310 . Specifically, the pump  350  may be connected to the second bladder  340  through the container  310 . Preferably, pump  350  manually inflates the second bladder  340 . Alternatively, pump  350  may be a disposable cartridge configured to automatically fill the second bladder  340  with a gas. According to these examples, the cartridge may be connected to the outlet  320  such that when the outlet  320  is opened the pump  350  is activated to fill the second bladder  340  with gas and dispense the liquid from the first bladder  330 . 
     The first bladder  330  is a food-grade bladder made of any suitable material, such as one or more of the materials discussed above. The second bladder  340  is an air-tight bladder configured to expand and contract in response to the application of pressure. In operation, a user will fill second bladder  340  using pump  350 . Second bladder  340  expands and exerts pressure on first bladder  330 . The pressure exerted on first bladder  330  by second bladder  340  maintains a substantially constant pressure, thereby reducing the amount of carbonation that escapes from the carbonated fluid contained in first bladder  330 . The pressure in second bladder  340  is increased, and the user will open outlet  320  at which time the fluid contained in first bladder  330  will flow through outlet  320 . In this regard, a user may open outlet  320  after increasing the pressure on second bladder  340  or at the same time that pressure is being applied to second bladder  340 . 
     In some embodiments, the second bladder may be attached to multiple locations on the interior of the container.  FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of a bladder-on-bladder beverage dispensing system  400 . The beverage dispensing system  400  includes a container  410  with an outlet  420  and a pump  450  located on the exterior surface container  410 . As previously discussed, container  410  may be rectangular-shaped to maximize volumetric efficiency. A support structure (not shown), such as the one discussed above, may be included in the bladder-on-bladder dispensing system  400 . Outlet  420  may be built into container  410  to release a fluid from the first bladder  430 . Alternatively, outlet  430  may be an interface where a spigot, a faucet, a one-way check valve, or a hinge-valve may be connected to the container  410 . In this regard, outlet  420  may be connected to first bladder  430  via a channel in container  410 . Pump  450  may also be built into the container  410 . In this regard, pump  450  may be connected to second bladder  440  through the container  410 . According to preferred examples, pump  450  may be used to manually inflate second bladder  440 . However, pump  450  may automatically inflate second bladder  440 . That is, pump  450  may activate a tank or cartridge of compressed gas to release the gas second bladder  440 . According to these examples, the tank or cartridge may be connected to outlet  420  such that when outlet  420  is opened, pump  450  is activated automatically to fill second bladder  440  with gas while simultaneously dispensing the liquid from first bladder  430 . 
     As previously noted, first bladder  430  is a bladder made of any suitable, food-grade material. Second bladder  440  is an air-tight bladder configured to expand and contract in volume. Second bladder  440  may be conical shaped that encompasses first bladder  430  to maximize the volume of liquid contained within first bladder  430 . According to some embodiments, second bladder  440  may include a first appendage  442 , a second appendage  444 , and a third appendage  446  that attach to an interior surface of container  410  to maintain the location of second bladder  440 . While only three appendages are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , any number of appendages may be used. The appendages  442 ,  444 , and  446  preferably connect to the bottom interior of container  410 , although the appendages may be connected to any interior portion of container  410  to maintain the location of second bladder  440 . Additionally, appendages  442 ,  444 , and  446  may be extensions of second bladder  440 . Alternatively, appendages  442 ,  444 , and  446  may be a pliable material that attaches to both second bladder  440  and the interior of container  410 . In operation, second bladder  440  expands in volume to compensate for the decrease in volume from first bladder  430  as liquid is dispensed via outlet  420 . Accordingly, system  400  maintains a constant pressure on first bladder  430 , which minimizes the amount of headspace in first bladder  440  and reduces the loss of carbonation from the liquid maintained in first bladder  440 . 
     According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a bladder within a bladder beverage dispensing system could be used to reduce the loss of carbonation and extend the shelf-life of the carbonated fluid.  FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a bladder within a bladder beverage dispensing system  500 . The bladder within a bladder beverage dispensing system  500  includes a container  510  that has an outlet valve  520  and a pump  550 . Disposed within container  510  is a first bladder  530 . A second bladder  540  is located within the first bladder  530 . 
     As discussed above, the outlet  520  is preferably a valve built into the container  510 , such as a spigot, a faucet, a one-way check valve, or a hinge-valve that opens to release the liquid from the first bladder  530 . Alternatively, the outlet  520  may be an interface where a spigot, a faucet, or a hinge-valve may be connected to the container  510 . In this regard, outlet  520  may include a channel connecting to first bladder  530 . Additionally, outlet valve  520  may include an interface on the interior of container  510  for the first bladder  530  to connect to the container  510  and outlet valve  520 . In this regard, first bladder  530  may be disposable or interchangeable to allow for the exchange of the first bladder. 
     The pump  550  may also be built into the container  510 . Alternatively, the pump  550  may be an interface on the exterior surface of container  510  where a removable pump may be connected. According to other examples, pump  550  may be a disposable cartridge that connects to an interface on the exterior surface of container  510 . 
     Similar to the bladders discussed above, the first bladder  530  is a food-grade bladder made of any suitable material. Furthermore, the second bladder  540  is an air-tight bladder configured to expand and contract in response to the application of pressure from the pump  550 . The first bladder  530  and second bladder  540  may be connected. For example, the first bladder  530  and second bladder  540  may be connected via an interface that connects to top, interior surface of container  510 . The interface of the first bladder  530  and second bladder  540  may interlock with a corresponding interface on the interior surface of the container  510 . The interface permits pump  550  to fill the second bladder  540  with atmosphere or another type of gas, while maximizing the amount of fluid contained by the first bladder  530 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the beverage dispensing system of the present disclosure may use a diaphragm in lieu of a second bladder.  FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a diaphragm-based beverage dispensing system  600 . 
     The diaphragm-based dispensing system  600  includes a container  610  that has an outlet valve  620  and a knob  650 . A first bladder  630  may be located within the container  610 . Additionally, the dispensing system  600  includes a diaphragm  640  located within the container  610  that is connected to the knob  650  via a rod. 
     The outlet  620  may be a valve built into the container  610  that dispenses the liquid from the first bladder  630 . Alternatively, the outlet  620  may be an interface where a spigot, a faucet, a one-way check valve, or a hinge-valve may be connected to the container  610  to dispense the liquid from the first bladder  630 . Accordingly, the outlet  620  includes a channel connecting to the first bladder  630 . As discussed above, the outlet valve  620  may include an interface on the interior surface of container  610  where the first bladder  630  attaches to container  610  and outlet valve  620 . The first bladder  630  is a bladder made of any suitable food-grade material, as discussed above. 
     The diaphragm  640  may be connected to the distal end of a rod. The proximal end of the rod connects to the knob  650 . In preferred embodiments, diaphragm  640  has a shape and area substantially equal to the interior of container  610 . Substantially equal means that the diaphragm is a several millimeters to a few centimeters smaller than the interior area of container  610 . In embodiments that include an internal support structure, substantially equal means the diaphragm is several millimeters to a few centimeters smaller than the interior area of container  610  with the support structure. In this regard, the diaphragm  640  may apply a constant pressure to the first bladder  630 . In order to maintain the constant pressure, the knob  650  may vertically raise and/or lower diaphragm  640  via a screw or ratcheting mechanism. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a diaphragm-based beverage dispensing system  700 . The diaphragm-based dispensing system  700  includes a container  710  that has an outlet valve  720 , a first bladder  730 , a diaphragm  740 , a ratcheting mechanism  750 , and a motor  745 . The outlet  720  may be any of the valves described above. The first bladder  730  may be constructed from any suitable food-grade material, as discussed above. Diaphragm  740  may have a shape and area substantially equal to the interior of container  710 . The diaphragm  740  may apply a constant pressure to the first bladder  730 . In order to maintain the constant pressure, the diaphragm  740  may be raised or lowered vertically via ratcheting mechanism  750  and motor  745 . 
     In the embodiments described above, a rectangular shape is preferred for the container since a rectangular shape provides greater volumetric efficiency. That is, more fluid may be stored in rectangular-shaped containers than cylindrical containers. For example, a typical six-pack of bottles of beer is 5 inches wide, 7 inches deep, and 8¼ inches tall, holding 72 fluid ounces (6 bottles, each holding 12 fluid ounces) and occupying approximately 290 cubic inches. By comparison, a 6 inch wide, 6 inch deep, and 6 inch tall implementation of beverage dispensing system  200  would hold approximately 120 fluid ounces and occupy 216 cubic inches of space. Table 1 below illustrates the benefits of implementing a rectangular-shaped container for beverage dispensing system  200 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 edge of cube 
                   
                   
                   
                 # 12 fl oz 
               
               
                 (in) 
                 volume (in3) 
                 volume (gal) 
                 volume (fl oz) 
                 servings 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 6 
                 216 
                 0.94 
                 120 
                 10 
               
               
                 7 
                 343 
                 1.48 
                 190 
                 16 
               
               
                 8 
                 512 
                 2.22 
                 284 
                 24 
               
               
                 9 
                 729 
                 3.16 
                 404 
                 34 
               
               
                 10 
                 1000 
                 4.33 
                 554 
                 46 
               
               
                 11 
                 1331 
                 5.76 
                 738 
                 61 
               
               
                 12 
                 1728 
                 7.48 
                 958 
                 80 
               
               
                 13 
                 2197 
                 9.51 
                 1217 
                 101 
               
               
                 14 
                 2744 
                 11.88 
                 1520 
                 127 
               
               
                 15 
                 3375 
                 14.61 
                 1870 
                 156 
               
               
                 16 
                 4096 
                 17.73 
                 2270 
                 189 
               
               
                 17 
                 4913 
                 21.27 
                 2722 
                 227 
               
               
                 18 
                 5832 
                 25.25 
                 3232 
                 269 
               
               
                 19 
                 6859 
                 29.69 
                 3801 
                 317 
               
               
                 20 
                 8000 
                 34.63 
                 4433 
                 369 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As illustrated above, the embodiments described in the present application allow for beverage companies to transport the same amount of volume in less space using smaller, uniform containers. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein provide for more efficient packing for shipping and storing purposes. That is, the present invention allows the same volume to be distributed in a smaller, uniformly shaped container allowing for more containers to be transported and/or stored. To further illustrate the advantages of the present disclosure, Table 2 below compares several common containers to examples of the present invention to illustrate how the embodiments provide an equal amount of volume using less space and fewer resources, which results in greater packing efficiency. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 nominal outer dimensions of container 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 volume 
                 volume 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 of 
                 of 
                 volume of 
                 volumetric 
               
               
                   
                 length 
                 width 
                 height 
                 container 
                 container 
                 beverage 
                 packing 
               
               
                   
                 (in) 
                 (in) 
                 (in) 
                 (in3) 
                 (gallons) 
                 (gallons) 
                 efficiency 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 case of cans 
                 15.75 
                 10.5 
                 4.75 
                 786 
                 3.40 
                 2.25 
                 66% 
               
               
                 case of bottles 
                 14 
                 9.75 
                 9.25 
                 1263 
                 5.47 
                 2.25 
                 41% 
               
               
                 8.5 in edge cube 
                 8.5 
                 8.5 
                 8.5 
                 614 
                 2.66 
                 2.25 
                 85% 
               
               
                 ⅙ barrel 
                 9.25 
                 diameter 
                 23.375 
                 1571 
                 6.80 
                 5.17 
                 76% 
               
               
                 11 in edge cube 
                 11.25 
                 11.25 
                 11.25 
                 1424 
                 6.16 
                 5.17 
                 84% 
               
               
                 ¼ barrel 
                 16.125 
                 diameter 
                 13.875 
                 2833 
                 12.27 
                 7.75 
                 63% 
               
               
                 ¼ barrel slim 
                 11.125 
                 diameter 
                 23.375 
                 2272 
                 9.84 
                 7.75 
                 79% 
               
               
                 12.75 in edge cube 
                 12.75 
                 12.75 
                 12.75 
                 2073 
                 8.97 
                 7.75 
                 86% 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Assuming packing efficiency is determined as the volume of the beverage divided by the total volume of the beverage and its container. In this regard, a case of cans and a case of bottles (both of which contain 2.25 gallons) have an efficiency of 66% and 41%, respectively. In comparison, the beverage dispensing system described herein can transport the same volume (e.g., 2.25 gallons) in less space and making use of fewer resources, which results in a packing efficiency of 85%. On average, the beverage dispensing systems described herein result in approximately an 85% packing efficiency, while the most efficient of conventional containers only have a packing efficiency of 79%. Thus, the beverage dispensing system described herein provides improvements and advantages over prior art systems. 
     Unless otherwise stated, the foregoing alternative examples are not mutually exclusive, but may be implemented in various combinations to achieve unique advantages. As these and other variations and combinations of the features discussed above can be utilized without departing from the subject matter defined by the claims, the foregoing description of the embodiments should be taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation of the subject matter defined by the claims. In addition, the provision of the examples described herein, as well as clauses phrased as “such as,” “including” and the like, should not be interpreted as limiting the subject matter of the claims to the specific examples; rather, the examples are intended to illustrate only one of many possible embodiments. Further, the same reference numbers in different drawings can identify the same or similar elements.