Valving mechanism for beverage dispensing device

Claim 1

A beverage dispensing device for dispensing carbonated drinks that are mixed from a solution of carbonated water and syrup, said device including a disposable syrup package, a source of carbonated water, a mixing head connected to said source of carbonated water and to said syrup package for mixing a measured amount of said carbonated water with said syrup producing a carbonated drink, said syrup package being carried in a receptacle, the improvement comprising: a source of pressurized gas; a piercing device impaling said syrup package and connecting said pressurized gas to the interior of said syrup package; valve means interposed between said source of pressurized gas and said piercing device; valve actuator means causing said valve to provide communication between said source of pressurized gas and said syrup package when in a first position and venting said syrup package back through said valve when in a second position; said valve actuator means extending over a top of said package obstructing the removal of said piercing device from said syrup package and removal of said syrup package from said receptacle when in said first position for ensuring that said syrup package is vented back through said valve prior to removal of said piercing device from said package and prior to removal of said package from said receptacle in order to prevent syrup from being expelled from said package upon being removed from said piercing device.