AMENDED CLAIMSReceived by the International Bureau on 29 DEC 2005 (29.12.05); original claims 1 to 11 have been replaced by amended claims 1 to 7.
1. A method of dispensing bottled carbonated beverages comprising the steps of: unscrewing the cap of the bottle (18); providing a dispensing apparatus (10) onto which the bottle (18) is adapted to be screwed in a sealed manner and in an up-side-down position; establishing communication through a vent tube (22) extending within the bottle (18) between the space above the level of the beverage and the atmosphere via first, normally closed valve means (46-48) until the pressure within said space drops below a pre-determined level, the valve being operate by manipulating a pivotable lever (50); establishing communication between the bottle (18) and a beverage discharge outlet (31) via a second, normally closed valve means (30-32); and allowing ingress of air into the bottle (18) through the first valve means (46-48) for as long as beverage discharge is maintained; characterized in that the lever (50) is directly coupled to the first valve (46_48) and indirectly coupled via spring means (44) to the second valve (30-32).
2. The method as claimed in Claim 1 further characterized in that the first valve (46-48), the second valve (30-32), the venting tube (22) and the discharge outlet (31) are installed in a plug member (12a) releasably mounted to a portable stand member (12). 16
3. The method as claimed in Claim 2 further characterized in that the said stand member (12) is provided with a leg for placing the apparatus
(10) on a table or the like flat surface.
4. An apparatus for dispensing standard carbonated beverage bottles comprising:
(i) a bottle mounting member (12a);
(11) a stand member (12) with leg(s) (14) onto which the bottle mounting (12a) is releasably mounted;
(iii) the bottle mounting member (12a) comprising: a female screw threaded depression (20) into which the screw threaded mouth of the bottle (18) is adapted to be inserted in a sealed manner; a vent tube (22) extending into the bottle (18); a vent passage (40a) between the vent tube (22) and the
atmosphere; a discharge outlet (31) for the beverage; first valve means (46-48) for controlling the flow of CO2 gas through the passage (40a) from the space above the beverage level within the bottle (18) to the atmosphere in one direction and the flow of air into the said space in the opposite direction; and second valve means (30-32) for controlling the discharge of the beverage through the outlet (31); and 17
(iv) means (50; 52) for opening the first valve means (46-48) whereby the opening of the second valve means (30-32) follows in a delayed orderv ; characterized in that a first valve operator (40) and second valve operator (26) are provided with first spring means (42) for urging the first operator (40) in the closing direction of the first valve, and with second spring means (44) for urging the second operator (26) in the opening direction of the second valve.
5. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 further characterized in that the first valve operator (40) is displaceable to open the first valve (46-48) by manually rocking a lever (50), whereby the second valve operator (26) becomes displaced to open the second valve (30-32) by the urge of the second spring (44) after reduction of the CO2 gas pressure within the bottle (18).
6. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 further characterized in that the second valve operator (26) is comprised of a sleeve having an inner shoulder forming a seat (48) for first valve seal-ring (46), and an other shoulder forming a seat for second valve seal-ring (32).
7. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 further characterized in that the first valve operator (40) is in the form of a rod slidable with the second valve operator sleeve (26).