Beverage dispenser having liquid level gauge

Abstract

A beverage dispenser includes a vessel, a dispensing tap, a dispenser assembly, and a dispensing tube. The vessel defines an internal volume, a lower opening, and an upper opening. The dispensing tube couples the dispensing tap to the dispenser assembly. The dispenser assembly includes a liquid level gauge structure (gauge structure), a riser tube, a lower housing, and an upper housing. The riser tube is positioned within a gauge structure and defines a riser volume. A gauge volume is defined between the gauge structure and the riser tube. The lower housing is configured such that the riser volume and the gauge volume are in fluid communication with the internal volume. The upper housing is configured such that the internal volume is in fluid communication with only the gauge volume and the riser tube is in fluid communication with a volume defined by the dispensing tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing an opening of a vessel that includes a double-wall vacuum space, the method comprising:
 punching a first wall opening in a first wall of the vessel;   defining a first angled portion around a circumference of the first wall opening;   punching a second wall opening in a second wall of the vessel;   defining a second angled portion around a circumference of the second wall opening;   aligning the first angled portion and second angled portion such that a first surface of the first angled portion substantially contacts a first surface of a second angled portion;   positioning a wall stud within the first wall opening and the second wall opening such that an external surface of the wall stud contacts a second surface of one of the first angled portion or the second angled portion;   welding together a first end of the first angled portion, a second end of the second angled portion, and a portion of the external surface;   sealing a vessel bottom to a lower edge of the first wall and to a lower edge of the second wall; and   evacuating a space between the first wall and the second wall.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the welding includes tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall includes an exterior wall and the second wall includes an interior wall, the method further comprising introducing the interior wall to a volume defined within the exterior wall. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first angled portion and the second angled portion are linearly oriented away from a volume defined by the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel defines a volume that is about sixty-four fluid volumetric ounces. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a weld interface between the first end of the first angled portion, the second end of the second angled portion, and the portion of the external surface creates a first air-tight seal between the first angled portion and the second angled portion and creates a second air-tight seal between the wall stud and the one of the first angled portion or the second angled portion that includes the second surface that contacts the wall stud.