초록 ▼

A beverage dispenser that is enabled for on demand, gravity fed dispensing of a pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage that has been thermally regulated through natural convection. More specifically, the beverage dispenser enables pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage containers (i.

A beverage dispenser that is enabled for on demand, gravity fed dispensing of a pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage that has been thermally regulated through natural convection. More specifically, the beverage dispenser enables pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage containers (i.e., beverage containers with beverage contents that are pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink) to be installed on the beverage dispenser and, without the aid of electricity or electro-mechanical devices, dispense a thermally regulated beverage on-demand to an intended customer. The beverage dispenser may comprise a thermal regulation compartment that facilitates regulating the temperature of beverage contents through natural convection. The beverage dispenser may also comprise a thermally regulated and thermally insulated beverage enclosure in which to install the beverage containers. The thermal regulation compartment may be carried within the beverage enclosure.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a dispensing shelf configured to support installation of one or more ready to drink beverage containers for gravity fed beverage dispensing;a thermal regulant storage area adapted to store a thermal regulant that regulates the temperature of beverage contents of

1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a dispensing shelf configured to support installation of one or more ready to drink beverage containers for gravity fed beverage dispensing;a thermal regulant storage area adapted to store a thermal regulant that regulates the temperature of beverage contents of the one or more ready to drink beverage containers through natural convection;a thermally insulated beverage compartment that encloses the thermal regulant storage area and at least a portion of the dispensing shelf configured to support installation of one or more ready to drink beverage containers; anda pre-regulating compartment positioned below the thermally insulated beverage compartment and adapted to store one or more pre-mixed beverage containers therein, wherein the dispensing shelf comprises an opening above the pre-regulating compartment to facilitate fluid communication between the pre-regulating compartment and the thermally insulated beverage compartment, and wherein the pre-regulating compartment comprises an aperture at an intermediate position along a rear surface of the pre-regulating compartment. 2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing shelf comprises: a beverage container mount on an upper side of the dispensing shelf; anda dispenser assembly on a lower side of the dispensing shelf. 3. The beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein the dispensing shelf comprises an aperture adapted to facilitate installation of the beverage container mount and the dispenser assembly to the dispensing shelf. 4. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the thermally insulated beverage compartment encloses an upper side of the dispensing shelf. 5. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing shelf comprises a slanted surface that slopes towards the opening. 6. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pre-regulating compartment is a drawer. 7. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a modular beverage container storage compartment. 8. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a front door, a top access door, or both. 9. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulant storage area is fixed within the thermally insulated beverage compartment. 10. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulant storage area is removable from the beverage dispenser. 11. The beverage dispenser of claim 10, wherein the thermal regulant storage area is one of a tray, a drawer, or a package. 12. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulant storage area is perforated. 13. The beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein the thermal regulant storage area surrounds at least a portion of the dispenser assembly. 14. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising: a first door for accessing the thermally insulated beverage compartment; anda second door for accessing the pre-regulating compartment. 15. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing shelf and the pre-regulating compartment comprise overlapping geometries for trapping air or reducing airflow within the pre-regulating compartment. 16. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pre-regulating compartment is configured to store a thermal regulant that regulates the temperature of beverage contents of the one or more pre-mixed beverage containers. 17. The beverage dispenser of claim 5, wherein the slanted surface that slopes towards the opening comprises at least one of a V-shape, a cone shape, a funnel shape, or a combination thereof. 18. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a base aperture configured to be aligned with the aperture of the pre-regulating compartment to facilitate drainage of excess fluid from the pre-regulating compartment. 19. The beverage dispenser of claim 18, further comprising one or more seals disposed between the base aperture and the aperture of the pre-regulating compartment. 20. The beverage dispenser of claim 18, further comprising a drain hose attachable to the base aperture for carrying away the excess fluid from the pre-regulating compartment. 21. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the aperture of the pre-regulating compartment comprises a one way valve. 22. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulant storage area comprises a thermal tray. 23. The beverage dispenser of claim 22, wherein the thermally insulated beverage compartment comprises a support self and a cam for rotating and supporting the thermal tray between a stowed position and an unstowed position. 24. The beverage dispenser of claim 23, wherein the thermal tray comprises a roller for engaging the cam. 25. The beverage dispenser of claim 22, wherein the thermal tray comprises a lid.