Portable frozen beverage dispenser

Claim 1

A portable dispensing apparatus for frozen beverages of the type comprising crushed or shaved ice and flavor containing liquid comprising: a cylindrical frozen beverage receiving container having a top and bottom and a predetermined inside diameter for receiving frozen beverage in the bottom thereof and a bottom wall for containing the frozen beverage; a frozen beverage dispensing outlet located in the cylinder adjacent the bottom wall of the frozen beverage receiving container; a lid for the cylindrical container comprising a lower portion having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cylinder and having an O-ring extending therearound to seal the interior of the cylinder and an upper portion larger in diameter than the cylinder for enlargement with the top thereof; clamping means for securing the lid in engagement with the top of the cylinder; a piston positioned in the frozen beverage receiving container above the level of the frozen beverage received therein; said piston having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the cylinder and having a seal mounted thereon which has a diameter substantially larger than the inside diameter of the cylinder; a source of pressurized gas; means including a first quick disconnect coupling for initially directing pressurized gas from the source through the lid and into the top of the cylindrical container for initially imposing a downwardly directed force on the piston and thereby pressurizing the frozen beverage within the frozen beverage receiving container; a dispensing valve for selective actuation to dispense frozen beverage from the frozen beverage receiving container through the dispensing outlet thereof under the action of the pressurization of the frozen beverage within the frozen beverage receiving container by the piston; and means including a second quick disconnect coupling for subsequently directing pressurized gas from the source to the bottom of the container through the dispensing outlet to force the piston upwardly in the container after the container has been substantially emptied.