Beverage dispenser having integrated pressure gauge

Abstract

A portable beverage dispenser with a variable pressure regulator cap assembly that includes a high pressure cavity defined by a cap body. The high pressure cavity receives pressurized gas from a compressed gas reservoir. A low pressure cavity is connected to the high pressure cavity via a high pressure gas passageway. The low pressure cavity defines a low pressure gas passageway that penetrates the cap body. A gauge, such as a pressure and/or temperature gauge provides feedback about characteristics of the beverage contained within the dispenser.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage, comprising:
 a container body structured to contain a liquid within an internal space of the container body;   a lid structured to be at least partially removed from the container body in an open position to allow the liquid to enter the container body, and structured to be coupled to the container body in a closed position, the container body and the lid in the closed position acting in concert to contain the liquid and a gas above atmospheric pressure within the internal space of the container body;   a dispensing tube in fluid communication with the container body and structured to allow the liquid from within the container body to pass outside of the container body;   a pressurized gas source;   a regulator structured to allow a controlled amount of pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source to flow into the internal space of the container body; and   a gauge structured to measure a characteristic of the liquid within the internal space of the container body, and structured to provide an indication of the measured characteristic.   
     
     
         2 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 1 , in which the measured characteristic of the liquid is pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 1 , in which the measured characteristic of the liquid is temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 1 , in which the measured characteristic of the liquid is pressure and temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 2 , in which increasing the amount of pressurized gas to flow into the internal space of the container body causes the gauge to move a corresponding amount. 
     
     
         6 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 1 , in which the gauge is mounted to the container body. 
     
     
         7 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 1 , in which the gauge is mounted to the lid. 
     
     
         8 . A portable container for storing a carbonated beverage, comprising:
 a container body structured to contain a pressurized liquid within an internal space;   a pressure regulator structured to allow a controlled amount of pressurized gas to flow into the container body; and   a pressure gauge structured to measure a pressure of the internal space of the container body.   
     
     
         9 . The portable container for storing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 8 , in which the measured pressure on the pressure gauge corresponds to the controlled amount of pressurized gas allowed to flow into the container body. 
     
     
         10 . The portable container for storing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 9 , in which the measured pressure on the pressure gauge corresponds the controlled amount of pressurized gas allowed to flow into the container body and to the ambient conditions of the portable container. 
     
     
         11 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 8 , in which the gauge is mounted to the container body. 
     
     
         12 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 8 , in which the gauge is mounted to the lid. 
     
     
         13 . A portable container for storing a carbonated beverage, comprising:
 a container body structured to contain a pressurized liquid within an internal space; and   a pressure gauge structured to measure a pressure of the internal space of the container body.   
     
     
         14 . A container lid structured to be coupled to a portable beverage container for storing a carbonated beverage, the container lid comprising:
 a pressure regulator structured to allow a controlled amount of pressurized gas to flow into the beverage container; and   a pressure gauge structured to measure a pressure of an internal space of the beverage container.   
     
     
         15 . A portable container for storing a carbonated beverage, comprising:
 a container body structured to contain a liquid within an internal space of the container body;   a lid structured to be at least partially removed from the container body in an open position to allow the liquid to enter the container body, and structured to be coupled to the container body in a closed position, the container body and the lid in the closed position acting in concert to contain the liquid and a gas above atmospheric pressure within the internal space of the container body;   a pressurized gas source;   a regulator structured to allow a controlled amount of pressurized gas from the pressurized gas source to flow into the internal space of the container body; and   a gauge structured to measure a characteristic of the internal space of the container body.   
     
     
         16 . The portable container for storing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 15 , in which the measured characteristic of the liquid is pressure. 
     
     
         17 . The portable container for storing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 15 , in which the measured characteristic of the liquid is temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The portable container for storing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 15 , in which the measured characteristic of the liquid is pressure and temperature. 
     
     
         19 . The portable container for storing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 15 , in which the gauge is mounted to the container body. 
     
     
         20 . The portable container for storing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 15 , in which the gauge is mounted to the lid. 
     
     
         21 . A portable container for storing a carbonated beverage, comprising:
 a container body structured to contain a liquid;   a lid structured to be coupled to the container body to contain the liquid within the container body;   a regulator structured to allow a controlled amount of pressurized gas to flow into the container body; and   a pressure gauge structured to measure a pressure of an internal space of the container body.   
     
     
         22 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 21 , in which the gauge is mounted to the container body. 
     
     
         23 . The portable container for storing and dispensing a carbonated beverage according to  claim 21 , in which the gauge is mounted to the lid.