Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to an apparatus for dispensing liquid food and beverages and, more particularly, pertains to a sanitary, disposable dispensing assembly for post mix combination of certain non-refrigerated and non-heated, pure and preservative-free food and beverage concentrates with a diluent so as to produce a uniformly and properly mixed beverage which is substantially free of contamination. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various food and beverage systems are known in the art for blending a concentrate of relatively high viscosity with a diluent having a relatively low viscosity. Typical post mix food and beverage dispensers are designed to separately store and to automatically combine at the time of dispensing a concentrate and a diluent such as water at a predetermined ratio in order to consistently produce a food or beverage which is acceptable for consumption. 
     Certain pure beverage concentrates, such as milk, creamer and brewed ice tea, become unstable when contaminated by contact with the diluent, airborne bacteria, bacteria present on human hands, or from reusable parts which have not been properly sanitized. This need for a bacteria-free, controlled environment when using pure food and beverage concentrates in current art results in costly dispensing systems, high distribution handling and storage expenditures and expensive cleaning and sanitizing systems/procedures to be utilized by the operator wishing to offer these pure products to consumers. 
     One general attempt in current art to prevent contamination of the concentrate is to add preservatives to the concentrate which retard bacteria growth. Post mix food and beverages containing preservatives are less desirable to the consumer because of the foreign taste created by the addition of the preservative or due to the fear on the consumer&#39;s part that consuming the preservative may cause a health risk at some future point. 
     Another attempt in current art to retard bacteria growth is to house the pure food and beverage base concentrates in a refrigerated, automatically controlled and managed environment throughout the life of the concentrate beginning with the production stage and ending with the consumption stage. This refrigerated method to retard bacteria growth is a very costly method requiring expensive refrigerated handling, warehousing and monitoring, and uninterrupted electrical supply and regular maintenance of the refrigeration equipment throughout the distribution chain in addition to requiring a post mix dispenser having a refrigerated holding environment. Still, the possibility of bacteria growth exists if the reusable food zone parts of the refrigerated post mix dispenser are not thoroughly cleaned and sanitized at regular intervals. 
     Another attempt in current art to retard bacteria growth is to incorporate in the post mix dispenser, an automatic hot water sanitizing cycle at regular intervals of the reusable food zone parts. This method is also a costly one requiring regular monitoring and maintenance of the hot water sanitizing components to ensure the proper temperature is maintained, the proper volume of hot water is dispensed at the proper intervals and that emergency electrical power is available in the event a publicly supplied power outage occurs. 
     Another attempt in current art to retard bacteria growth is to prevent the pure concentrate from coming into contact with the diluent until it reaches the vessel from which the reconstituted food or beverage is delivered for consumption. This method is commonly referred to as the “split flow” method whereby concentrate is metered through its self-contained tubing which is an integral component of its packaging, ejected from this tubing separate from but in conjunction with a diluent stream directly into the consumption vessel. In many cases, this method is not desirable by the consumer because of the inadequate mixing results either visible or in the tasting of the reconstituted mixture, or because of the unsightly dual streams of concentrate and diluent entering the serving vessel during the dispensing cycle. Still, the possibility of bacteria contamination of the exposed outlet end of the concentrate tubing exists should it be opened with a contaminated instrument such as a scissors or knife or should it come into contact with airborne bacteria. Of course, there is always the possibility that the mixed beverage could be delivered into a contaminated container or come into contact with contaminated human hands, but these situations are beyond the design of the post mix dispenser and the dispensing assembly. 
     It is therefore desirable that a food and beverage dispensing system be able to utilize pure, preservative-free concentrates without depending or relying on a refrigerated environment inside the dispenser, refrigerated handling and storage of the concentrate, a manual nor an automatic hot water sanitizing cycle to prevent or retard bacteria growth, the cleaning and sanitizing of reusable food zone parts, the separation of concentrate in water when exiting the dispenser and a continual source of electricity to stop or curtail bacteria growth. It is further desirable that the food and beverage concentrate container along with its tubing, a vented cap/plug valve and its dispense spout be disposable once acceptable evacuation of the concentrate is achieved. It is further desirable that the vented plug valve and dispense spout also function as a non-mechanical pump, combining the food or beverage concentrate with the diluent to produce a mixture of uniform consistency when post mix dispensing occurs. 
     One example of a disposable dispensing assembly and mixing valve which aims to improve sanitation of the beverage dispenser is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,645 issued Jun. 14, 1988 to Wilson et al. In this design, however, concentrate is apt to remain in the mixing valve even after the mixed product is dispensed thereby creating a host for bacterial growth and contamination. In addition, this mixing valve includes a turbulence-producing, flow restriction which prevents its use as a non-mechanical pump. Further, this valve can be improved to enhance the mixing, sealing and delivery of the combined concentrate and diluent. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention advantageously provides an improved dispensing assembly having a unique arrangement of disposable components making it possible to post mix pure, preservative-free food and beverage concentrates without the need of mechanical devices to create and monitor a cold and/or hot environment to prevent or retard bacteria growth, nor require human action to periodically clean and sanitize reusable food zone parts. The dispensing assembly is vented so that all reconstituted concentrated diluent drains out after each dispense. The vented disposable dispensing assembly of the present invention also functions as a sanitary leak proof cap, plug, shut-off valve and spout on the end of the tubing attached to the disposable concentrate container. In addition, the vented disposable dispensing assembly of the present invention can also serve as a non-mechanical pump which combines the concentrate and diluent, dispensing them in a uniform consistency. Further, the dispensing system of the present invention eliminates the need for the disposable flexible concentrate package to be housed in a rigid container or have any other mechanical method to ensure complete acceptable evacuation of its contents. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a sanitary, disposable dispensing assembly is provided for producing a reconstituted food and beverage by combining a diluent and a food and beverage concentrate. The dispensing assembly includes a dispense spout uniquely coupled to a body. The dispense spout has an internal surface defining a continuous internal throughbore running through a horizontal portion, and a vertical portion joined by an elbow portion. The vertical portion has an outlet for the reconstituted beverage and a plurality of ribs running axially along the internal surface thereof. The elbow portion has a vent opening communicating the throughbore with outside atmosphere. The horizontal portion has a vertical passageway formed with an upper opening and a lower opening, the vertical passageway intersecting the throughbore. The body has an internal surface defining an internal bore formed therethrough. A diluent inlet is used to provide diluent flow along a horizontal path of the internal bore. A concentrate inlet has a vertical throughway in communication with the internal bore. The body has an open end opposite the diluent inlet for slidably receiving in a linear motion the horizontal portion of the dispense spout between a closed position wherein the vertical throughway is out of alignment with the vertical passageway and the throughbore of the dispense spout, and an open position wherein the vertical throughway is aligned with the vertical passageway of the throughbore. The vertical passageway and the throughbore define a mixing chamber for the diluent and the beverage concentrate. 
     A guiding arrangement is provided in the dispense spout in the body for slidably moving the dispense spout along a predetermined linear path relative to the body. The guiding arrangement includes a resilient, deformable lock tab structure protruding outwardly from an external surface of the dispense spout, and a horizontally extending key slot structure provided internally on the body. The key slot structure has enlarged end segments connected by a narrow channel. The key slot structure slidably receives the lock tab structure. A plurality of sealing beads extend circumferentially around the external surface of the dispense spout in the horizontal portion thereof. The sealing beads are sealingly engaged with the internal surface of the body. The diluent inlet is formed with a hexagonally-shaped recess adapted to mate with a hexagonal head of a diluent nozzle mounted on a food and beverage dispenser. The upper opening of the vertical passageway in the dispense spout has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the lower opening. The throughbore of the dispense spout increases in size from the horizontal portion to the vertical portion. The concentrate inlet is positioned either upwardly or downwardly when the body is cooperatively engaged with the dispense spout. In one preferred embodiment, the concentrate inlet on the dispense valve is adapted to be connected to a concentrate vessel positioned above the dispense spout and having the delivery conduit engaged with the concentrate pump mounted on a food and beverage dispenser. In another embodiment, the concentrate inlet is adapted to be connected to a concentrate vessel located beneath the dispense spout and having a delivery conduit independent of a concentrate pump on a food and beverage dispenser. The internal surface of the dispense spout is formed with a flow-diverting deflector adjacent the vent opening. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a dispensing assembly is provided for producing reconstituted consumable liquids by combining and mixing a diluent and a liquid concentrate supplied through a delivery conduit from a concentrate vessel provided on a food and beverage dispenser. The dispensing assembly has an inner member movable within an outer member provided with a concentrate inlet between a closed position in which the concentrate inlet is sealed, and an open position in which the concentrate inlet communicates with the interior of the dispensing assembly to deliver a reconstituted mixture of diluent and liquid concentrate in a flow path to a mixture outlet. The invention is improved by means of a vent arrangement formed in the inner member for communicating the interior of the dispensing assembly with the atmosphere outside the dispensing assembly, and enabling the draining of a maximum amount of reconstituted mixture through the mixture outlet. 
     A guiding arrangement is provided between the inner member and the outer member for enabling sliding movement of the inner member relative to the outer member along a predetermined linear horizontal path. A rib arrangement is provided in the inner member for improving mixing of the combined diluent and liquid concentrate, and preventing dispersion of the reconstituted mixture from the mixture outlet. The dispenser is provided with a bracket structure for retaining an end of the concentrate vessel. In one particular application, the inner member is formed with a vertical passageway alignable with the concentrate inlet, the concentrate inlet being positioned and the vertical passageway being sized such that diluent flowing past the vertical passageway causes liquid concentrate to be suctioned from the concentrate vessel when the concentrate vessel is located beneath the dispensing assembly. The delivery conduit is provided with a pinch valve for regulating the flow of liquid concentrate from the concentrate vessel to the dispensing assembly. Locating structure is provided on the inner member and the outer member for internally and externally locating the dispensing assembly relative to a diluent nozzle mounted on the dispenser. The inner member is sealingly engaged with the diluent nozzle when the dispensing assembly is in the open position. The inner member is formed with a deflector adjacent the vent opening for diverting mixture flow therefrom. The liquid concentrate is preferably pure and preservative-free, and the reconstituted mixture is substantially contaminant free. 
     Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial, front view of a mechanical pump type, post mix beverage dispensing machine employing the sanitary, vented, disposable dispensing assembly of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   a  is a side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial, front view of a non-mechanical pump type, post mix beverage dispensing machine showing the dispensing assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a side view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a dispense spout and a body forming the dispensing assembly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a sectional view taken on line  3   a — 3   a  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an assembled and installed view of a dispensing assembly of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a view like  FIG. 4  but showing the dispensing assembly in an open position; 
         FIG. 5  is an assembled and installed view of the dispensing assembly of  FIG. 2  shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a view like  FIG. 5  but showing the dispensing assembly in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged, sectional detail view of an elbow portion of the dispense spout; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a sectional view of the dispense spout taken on line  6   a — 6   a  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the suspending structure for the inlet fitment of the concentrate vessel taken on line  7 — 7  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7   a  is a view of the suspending structure for the outlet fitment of the concentrate vessel taken on line  7   a — 7   a  of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The food and beverage dispenser used with the present invention is a post mix machine which is particularly adapted to automatically combine certain pure and preservative-free concentrates, such as milk, creamer, brewed ice tea and cappuccino, with a diluent, such as water, and discharge the mixture on demand. Most typically, when a machine is used as a food and beverage dispenser, it may be utilized for dispensing metered quantities of single or multiple liquid foods and beverages, such as plain or flavored mixtures of milk, tea or coffee whose preservative-free concentrates are aseptically packaged and do not require any internal or external treatment for preservation. However, it should be understood that the present invention may also be used in other dispensing applications. 
       FIGS. 1 and 1   a  illustrate a mechanical pump type, post mix food and beverage dispenser  10  provided with a pair of sanitary, disposable dispensing assemblies  12  embodying the present invention. The beverage dispenser  10  is an upright, box-like construction having an upper, open chamber  14  for receiving and holding a pair of concentrate vessels  16 , and a lower, closed housing  18  for routing a diluent, typically water. Each vessel  16  is preferably filled under sterile conditions with a contaminant free, pure concentrate such as a dairy, tea or coffee product which does not require refrigeration, heating or preservatives. As illustrated, it is common to use multiple concentrate vessels  16  so as to dispense more than one type or flavor of liquid food and beverage. Each concentrate vessel  16  is a collapsible, plastic, aseptically sealed container or bag having an inlet fitment  20  and an outlet fitment  22 . Extending from the bottom of each vessel  16  is a flexible delivery conduit  24  cooperatively engaged with a respective concentrate pump  26  fixed on the front of the housing  18  and tightly connected to its respective dispensing assembly  12 . It should be clearly appreciated that the filled concentrate vessel  16 , the conduit  24  and the dispensing assembly  12  are supplied sealed together, and are intended to be disposed of as a unit once the vessel  16  is emptied on the dispenser  10 . Each concentrate pump  26  is preferably a peristaltic pump as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,963 issued Oct. 11, 1994 to Gorski et al. As is well known, each pump  26  serves to non-invasively and externally squeeze its conduit  24  so that concentrate from each vessel  16  is pulsatingly forced through the conduit  24  to its dispensing assembly  12 . 
     A support structure  28  depends from the top of the dispenser  10  and includes a slotted bracket  30  ( FIG. 7 ) from which the inlet fitment  20  of each concentrate vessel  16  is conveniently suspended such that the vessel outlet fitment  22  and the bottom of the vessel  16  rest upon the top of the housing  18 . The inlet fitment  20  is slidably inserted into the slotted bracket  30  from the front of the dispenser  10 . The upper chamber  14  of the dispenser  10  may also include, if desired, further support structure (not shown) for holding and supporting the outlet fitment  22  of each concentrate vessel  16 . Although not illustrated, the dispenser  10  includes a pivotable door provided with suitable controls for activating the dispensing cycles when touched by an operator of the dispenser  10 . Similarly, it should be understood that the housing  18  has an associated pump arrangement (not shown) and cooling/heating systems for delivering the diluent or water to a respective water nozzle  32 . The dispenser  10  further includes a source of electrical power for providing lighting, and driving the necessary components described. Each water nozzle  32  projects from the front of the housing  18  below a respective concentrate pump  26 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , each water nozzle  32  has an inlet  34  and an outlet  36  equipped with a surrounding O-ring  38  over which each dispensing assembly  12  is sealingly engaged as will be set forth in greater detail below. Outlet  36  has a port  36   a  through which diluent is delivered into the dispensing assembly  12 . Each water nozzle  32  includes a hex head periphery  40  ( FIG. 3   a ) which serves to externally locate its respective dispensing assembly  12  during installation thereof. 
     In accordance with the invention, each dispensing assembly  12  is preferably comprised of a molded plastic or nylon dispense spout  42  and a molded plastic or nylon body  44  which are coupled together. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the dispense spout  42  has a downwardly depending, vertical portion  46  with an open bottom end  48 , and a horizontal portion  50  with an open end  52 . An elbow portion  54  integrally joins the vertical and horizontal portions  46 ,  50 , respectively. The dispense spout  42  has an internal surface  56  defining a continuous internal throughbore for delivering a reconstituted mixture of pure concentrate and diluent into a container positioned therebelow. The throughbore  56  has a diameter which increases in transition from the horizontal portion  50  to the vertical portion  46 . The internal surface  56  is also provided with a series of three spaced apart ribs  58  ( FIG. 6   a ) which extend axially along the entire length of the throughbore in the vertical portion  46 . The ribs  58  are designed to promote a thorough mixing and agitation of the concentrate and diluent as the mixture moves through the dispensing spout  42 . The ribs  58  further serve to maintain a solid stream of the commingled concentrate and diluent so that the mixture dispense will not fan out or disperse at the bottom end  48  of the spout  42 . 
     The external surface of the horizontal portion  50  is formed with an outwardly protruding, resilient, deformable lock tab  60  located on opposite sides of the horizontal portion  50 . The outer periphery of the horizontal portion  50  also carries three spaced apart, circumferentially extending sealing beads  62   a ,  62   b ,  62   c  which are adapted to be sealingly received inside the body  44 . A passageway  64  is formed vertically through the horizontal portion  50  and is located between the sealing beads  62   a ,  62   b . As will be explained hereafter, the vertical passageway  64 , as seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  4   a ,  5  and  5   a , intersects the throughbore  56  and has an upper diameter  66  which is larger than a lower diameter  68  to enable the dispensing assembly  12  to be used in a non-mechanical pump type dispenser  96  wherein concentrate is suctioned out of its vessel  16 . 
     The elbow portion  54  of the dispense spout  42  is designed with a vent opening  70  communicating the throughbore  56  with the outside of the spout  42 . As will be made apparent, the vent opening  70  provides that the entire reconstituted mixture of concentrate and diluent is drained from the dispensing assembly  12  upon each dispense so as to prevent any bacterial growth therein. 
     The body  44  is formed with a tapered end  72  and an oppositely disposed enlarged end  74  through which a horizontally extending internal bore  76  passes. The internal bore  76  is sized and shaped to slidingly receive the horizontal portion  50  of the dispense spout  42  at the tapered end  72  of the body  44 . The internal bore is formed by an internal surface  76  and communicates with a vertical throughway  78  formed internally through a concentrate inlet  80  integrally joined to the body  44  at a substantially 90 degree angle. The outlet periphery of the concentrate inlet  80  sealingly receives the flexible conduit  24  depending from the concentrate vessel  16 . Adjacent the tapered end  72 , the internal surface  76  of the bore is formed on opposite sides of the body  44  with a horizontally disposed key hole slot  82  which receives a respective resilient, deformable lock tab  60  on the exterior surface of the dispense spout  42 . More precisely, each slot  82  has opposed enlarged segments  84 ,  86  connected by a narrow channel  88 . The enlarged segments  84 ,  86  are sized similarly to the lock tab  60  so that the lock tab  60  will fit freely therein. However, the lock tab  60  temporarily deforms in the narrow channel  88  when the horizontal portion  50  of the dispense spout  42  is slidably inserted into the body  44  as the dispensing assembly  12  moves from a closed position to an open position as shown respectively in  FIGS. 4 and 4   a . The locking tab  60  and the key hole slot  82  together define a guiding arrangement to enable sliding linear movement of the dispense spout  42  relative to the body  44 . 
     The enlarged end  74  of the body  44  acts as a water inlet and receives the outlet  36  of the water nozzle  32  in a manner such that the O-ring  38  will sealingly engage the throughbore  56  of the horizontal portion  50  of the dispense spout  42  and retain same when the latter is moved into its open position shown in  FIG. 4   a . The enlarged end  74  is hexagonally recessed at  90  so that it will non-rotatably mate with the hex head periphery  40  of the water nozzle  32 . 
     When assembling the dispensing assembly  12 , the horizontal portion  50  of the dispense spout  42  is slidably inserted into the open tapered end  72  of the body  44 . That is, the sealing beads  62   a ,  62   b ,  62   c  ( FIG. 3 ) on the dispense spout  42  frictionally and sealingly engage the interior surface of the bore in the body  44  until each lock button  60  snaps into the outermost enlarged segment  84  of its respective key hole slot  82  in the body  44 . The length of the dispense spout  42  is chosen so that upon sliding insertion into the body  44 , a short length of the spout throughbore  56  at the open end of horizontal portion  50  slides upon the end of the water nozzle outlet  36  to internally locate the dispensing assembly  12  relative to the nozzle outlet  36 . This defines the closed position shown in  FIG. 4  wherein it should be understood that the vertical passageway  64  between sealing beads  62   a ,  62   b  is purposely out of alignment with the vertical throughway  78  in the concentrate inlet  80 . Likewise, it should be recognized that the O-ring  38  on the water nozzle outlet  36  is not yet engaged with the throughbore  56  in the horizontal portion  50  of the dispense spout  42 . Once in the closed position, the dispensing assembly  12  is joined to its conduit  24  and its concentrate vessel  16  before being installed on dispenser  10  by the dispenser operator. 
     In use, each concentrate vessel  16  is suspended from its fitment  20  in the upper chamber  14  of the dispenser  10  and each conduit  24  is engaged with its respective concentrate pump  26 . Concentrate cannot freely flow into the dispense spout  42  because the concentrate pump is not yet energized and the vertical throughway  78  of the concentrate inlet  80  is blocked by the outer periphery of the horizontal portion  50  of the dispense spout  42  and the leading sealing beads  62   b ,  62   c . At this point, the dispenser operator, holding the body  44  externally locates the dispensing assembly  12  by pushing the wall defining the hex shaped recess  90  on the enlarged end  74  of the body  44  onto mating hex head periphery  40  of the water nozzle  32  so that the concentrate inlet  80  is oriented directly upwardly and the dispense spout  42  is positioned directly downwardly. 
     When it is desired to commence a dispensing operation, the dispense spout  42  is pushed inwardly in a linear motion from its closed position in  FIG. 4  to the open position of  FIG. 4   a . In such transition, each lock tab  60  is moved out of its outwardmost engaged segment  84  in its respective key hole slot  82  and because of its deformable construction, forced through the narrow channel  88  until the lock tab  60  resumes its original shape and snaps into the inwardmost enlarged segment  86  of the key hole slot  82 . Similarly, the sliding movement causes alignment of the vertical throughway  78  of the concentrate inlet  80  with the throughbore  56  of the dispense spout  42 . This occurs as a result of coordinating a certain portion of the length of the key hole slot  82  with the spacing between sealing beads  62   a ,  62   b ,  62   c . Concurrently, the vent opening  70  in the dispense spout  42  remains open to atmosphere, and the internal surface  56  defining the throughbore in the spout horizontal portion  50  is sealingly received over substantially the remainder of water nozzle outlet  36  and its O-ring  38 . 
     Once each dispensing assembly  12  is installed on its water nozzle  32  and placed in the open position of  FIG. 4   a , dispensing may begin. With a cup placed below each dispensing spout  42 , the operator activates a switch and associated controls which energize each concentrate pump  26  and diluent pump so that the pure concentrate and water are simultaneously delivered to a mixing chamber  92  in each dispensing assembly  12 . It should be understood that water supplied to the dispenser  10  may have some degree of bacteria which is normally filtered in the housing  18  so that it is pristine before being mixed with the pure concentrate. Once filtered, the water is not exposed to any airborne bacteria. The force of the water stream entering each dispensing assembly  12  will enable an initial mixing of the pure concentrate and water as the combined mixture is driven towards the elbow portion  54 . It is to be noted that the driven mixture will not leak out through the vent opening  70  due to a ramped deflector  94  ( FIG. 6 ) formed on the throughbore  56  adjacent the vent opening  70 . The ramped deflector  94  diverts the mixture into the vertical portion  46  of the dispense spout  42 . Following initial mixing, interaction of the mixture with the ribs  58  in the vertical portion  46  of the dispensing spout  42  will not only provide further thorough mixing and agitation, but will maintain the flow diameter of the mixture in a solid stream as it descends through the vertical portion  46  so that it will not be dispersed or fanned out at the bottom end  48  of the dispense spout  42 . 
     As a major feature of the invention, the vent to atmosphere created by vent opening  70  will effect the throughbore  56  such that all reconstituted pure concentrate and water is evacuated with each dispense. In this manner, no residual concentrate is left to harbor any bacterial growth in the dispensing assembly  12  so as to preserve its sanitary condition. If desired, the dispenser  10  may be designed with timing controls for providing an “after rinse” which provides a short burst of water only through the dispensing assembly  12  after each dispense to add a further degree of sanitation. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a ,  5 , and  5   a , the dispensing assembly  12  of the present invention is also useful in a food and beverage dispenser  96  not equipped with any concentrate pumps  26 . In this version, the dispenser  96  has a lower chamber  98  for holding a pair of concentrate vessels  16 , and an upper housing  100  for sheltering miscellaneous equipment and supplying water to the dispensing assemblies  12  attached to the water nozzles  102  at the front of the housing  100 . Each concentrate vessel inlet fitment  104  is suspended from a vertically oriented bracket  106  on support structure  108  in lower chamber  98 . Each bracket  106  is similar to bracket  30 . Each concentrate vessel outlet fitment  110  is slidably inserted and suspended in a horizontally disposed, U-shaped bracket  112  ( FIG. 7   a ) formed at the bottom of housing  100 . A flexible delivery conduit  114  connects each outlet fitment  110  with a respective concentrate inlet  80 . A normally closed, pinch valve  116  is engaged with each flexible conduit  114  and is operated in conjunction with the diluent pump in the housing  100  for a purpose to be set forth below. 
     In the non-mechanical pump type application, it is important to understand that when the dispensing assembly  12  is put together, the dispensing spout  42  is inserted into the body  44  with the concentrate inlet  80  directed vertically downwardly as best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 5   a . With this orientation, the smaller diameter hole  68  at the inner end of the vertical passageway  64  in the dispense spout  42  places the vertical throughway  78  of the concentrate inlet  80  in communication with the mixing chamber  92  and the throughbore  56  in the dispense spout  42  when the dispensing assembly  12  is in the open position of  FIG. 5   a . It is also important to appreciate that the water nozzle  102  has a more restricted inlet  118  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 5   a , in contrast with water nozzle  32 . With this combination, a stream of water passing over the small diameter end  68  of the vertical passageway  64  creates a vacuum or venturi effect to effectively pull or suction concentrate from each vessel  16  into the mixing chamber  92 . Each time the diluent pump is actuated to send the stream of water, the pinch valve  116  is opened to allow the pure concentrate to be delivered into the dispensing assembly  12 . As the diluent pump cycles off after each dispense, the pinch valve  116  again closes shut upon the conduit  114  to prevent concentrate flow and maintain the prime applied to the concentrate as the latter is progressively exhausted from its vessel  16 . The combined pure concentrate and water continue to flow through the dispensing assembly  12  in the manner previously described above in the pump type application. 
     Once the concentrate has been completed emptied, collapsed bag  16 , the conduit  24  or  114  and the attached dispensing assembly  12  are separated from their dispenser  10  or  96  and discarded, and replaced by a newly filled and sealed vessel  16  with an attached conduit  24  or  114  and a new dispensing assembly  12 . 
     The present invention thus provides a dispensing assembly  12  for combining pure or preservative free concentrates with a diluent wherein the concentrate package in a flexible, disposable vessel  16  is conveniently supported inside the dispenser  10  by means of the vessel inlet or outlet fitment  20  or  22 . The support of the concentrate vessel or bag  16  prevents collapse of the vessel  16  so that it will not impede flow and eliminates the prior art box used to support the bag so that a cost savings in packaging is realized. The dispensing assembly  12  further provides a sanitary, disposable unit which functions as a shut-off valve on the bag conduit  24  or  114 , as well as a mixing valve and dispense spout when installed on the dispenser  10  or  96 . The provision of a vent opening  70  enables the dispensing assembly  12  to be completely drained with each dispense so as to prevent bacteria from growing inside the assembly. Moreover, the dispensing assembly  12  can function as a non-mechanical pump to efficiently suction concentrate from a non-gravity fed concentrate vessel  16 . The dispensing assembly  12  is designed with internal ribs  58  which ensure the quality of dispensing of a reconstituted food or beverage of a uniform and proper consistency that is constantly delivered as a solid stream without dispersion. The dispensing assembly  12  is particularly useful in sanitary applications of a food and beverage dispenser  10  or  96  when it is highly desirable to provide a substantially contaminant-free beverage without requiring specialized temperature treatment of the concentrate, sanitizing systems or procedures, or “split flow” delivery of the reconstituted mixture. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth with the following claims.

Technology Category: 7