Syrup supply method and apparatus for a post-mix beverage dispenser

Claim 1

A post-mix beverage dispenser comprising: (a) at least one syrup container, said container having a neck with a threaded portion and a discharge opening at one end thereof; (b) a rupturable sealing member covering said discharge opening; (c) an attachment for dispensing syrup from said container including, a threaded socket for operatively engaging the threaded portion on the neck of said container and fastening said attachment to said container in response to relative rotation of said socket and said neck, and a main body mounted within said threaded socket including a cylindrical central portion with a truncated end forming a cutting edge at a peak thereof, said cutting edge extending into the neck of said container through said rupturable sealing member when said attachment is fastened to said container, said cutting edge being so shaped and dimensioned as to form a movable flap in said sealing member overlying the entire said truncated end when said cutting edge extends through said sealing member, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in said truncated end, the other end of said central portion being connected to a base portion, and inlet and outlet ports in said base portion, and inlet and outlet passages connecting said inlet and outlet ports with the interior of said container through said inlet and outlet openings in said truncated end; (d) a source of pressurized fluid connected to the inlet port in said base portion to thereby introduce the pressurized fluid through said inlet passage and the inlet opening in said truncated end to lift said movable flap off of the truncated end, said pressurized fluid also forcing said syrup out of the inlet opening in said truncated end, through said outlet passage and said outlet port.