Beverage dispenser consumable systems and methods
Aspects of the present disclosure include a water filter mount for a beverage dispenser. The water filter mount releasably mounts a water filter to the beverage dispenser using a rotating motion that does not require any tools. Aspects of the present disclosure also include a gas cylinder mount for a beverage dispenser. The gas cylinder mount releasably mounts a water filter to the beverage dispenser using a rotating motion that does not require any tools. Aspects of the present disclosure also include a concentrate vial mount for a beverage dispenser. The concentrate vial releasably mounts a water filter to the beverage dispenser using a rotating motion that does not require any tools.
1 . A gas cylinder mount for a beverage dispenser, the gas cylinder mount comprising:
first and second side plates disposed parallel to each other;
a manifold pivotably mounted to the first and second side plates such that the manifold is configured to pivot outwards from the first and second side plates from a closed position into a loading position;
a gas cylinder receptacle disposed in the manifold, the gas cylinder receptacle configured to receive a valve of a gas cylinder;
a gas cylinder receiver linked to the manifold and configured to releasably receive a flange of the gas cylinder; first and second tracks disposed in each of the first and second side plates, respectively; first and second guide protrusions connected to the gas cylinder receiver, each of the first and second guide protrusions received by one of the first and second tracks, respectively, wherein the first and second guide protrusions are configured to move along each of the tracks respectively when the manifold pivots; and a gas regulator disposed in the manifold and configured to selectively fluidly connect an interior of the gas cylinder with the manifold.
2 . The gas cylinder mount of claim 1 , further comprising, a manifold support plate extending from the manifold; a tensioning assembly fixed to the manifold support plate; and a spring fixed to the tensioning assembly and the gas cylinder receiver such that the receiver is configured to be pushed away from the tensioning assembly and towards the manifold by the spring, wherein the first and second guide protrusions are disposed on the tensioning assembly.
3 . The gas cylinder mount of claim 1 , wherein the first and second tracks are configured to limit a rotation range of the manifold between the closed position and the loading position to between 30 and 60 degrees as measured by an angle between a centerline of the manifold and a rear of one of the side plates.
4 . The gas cylinder mount of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid connection configured to fluidly connect the manifold and the beverage dispenser, wherein the fluid connection is coaxially aligned with a pivot connection between the manifold and the first and second side plates.
5 . The gas cylinder mount of claim 1 , wherein the gas regulator comprises: a gas regulator actuator; and a gas regulator pin linked to the gas regulator actuator such that the gas regulator pin can be extended and retracted by the gas regulator actuator,
wherein the gas regulator pin is configured to depress a valve pin disposed in the valve of the gas cylinder when the gas regulator pin is extended to fluidly connect the interior of the gas cylinder with the manifold.
6 . The gas cylinder mount of claim 1 , wherein the gas cylinder comprises a seal that interfaces with a surface in the receptacle to provide a gas-tight seal between the gas cylinder and the manifold.