Patent ID: 7416097

Claim:
A drink supply container valve assembly connectable to a drink supply container for a beverage dispensing apparatus of a refrigeration device, the drink supply container having a first end, a second end and a liquid-holding space located between the first end and the second end, the drink supply container configured to be mounted in a portion of the refrigeration device such that the first end is located below the second end, the refrigeration device configured to support a gas supply line which provides a source of pressurized gas, the drink supply container valve assembly comprising: a support connectable to the first end, the support having an end portion and a side wall extending from the end portion, the support defining a plurality of openings, each one of the openings being in fluid communication with the liquid-holding space when the support is connected to the first end; a gas inlet valve mounted to the end portion of the support adjacent to, and in communication with, one of the openings, the gas inlet valve having a portion configured to sealingly engage the gas supply line such that the gas inlet valve is predisposed to have a closed condition which is changeable to an open condition in response to the gas inlet valve being fluidly connected to the gas supply line of the source of pressurized gas; and a drink supply outlet valve mounted to the end portion of the support adjacent to, and in communication with, another one of the openings, the drink supply outlet valve having a rotatable outer part, the rotatable outer part having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface including a plurality of engagement members disposed substantially about a perimeter of the exterior surface, the engagement members being engagable by an actuator member, the drink supply outlet valve being operable to output a portion of a liquid contained in the liquid-holding space as a result of: (a) the drink supply outlet valve being opened; (b) the gas inlet valve being opened; and (c) pressurized gas from the source applying a pressure to the liquid in the liquid-holding space.