Apparatus for storing and dispensing hot and cold beverages

Abstract

An apparatus for storing and dispensing beverages comprising an outside casing including top and bottom sections, a flexible inner container inside the casing, and a dispensing tube for conducting a beverage from the inner container. The bottom section of the outside casing includes a base and forms an outlet region, and the top section of the outside casing is removably supported by and extends upward from the base and defines a casing interior. The base of the bottom section includes an upper outside circumferential edge, and the top section of the casing includes a lower lateral edge extending around the outside circumferential edge of the base in a contacting, sealing relationship therewith. The flexible inner container is disposed in the casing interior, is comprised of a thin, flexible and collapsible material, and defines a container interior for holding a beverage. The dispensing tube has an upper end in fluid communication with the container interior, and has a lower end in fluid communication with the outlet region to conduct the beverage from the inner container to said outlet region. The top section of the casing also includes a bell shaped insulating insert defining a hollow vacuum interior extending around the casing interior to thermally insulate the container interior.