Liquid Dispenser

Abstract

A liquid dispenser includes a rigid outer casing enclosing a bag of a flexible material being non permeable to a liquid, where the bag has an opening connected to a nozzle attached to the casing and extending from it. The liquid dispenser is adapted for use in conjunction with a pressurising element applying pressure to liquid in the bag, it further relates to such a liquid dispenser provided with a pressurising element and it also relates to such a pressurising element.

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid dispenser according to the introductory portions of the independent claims. In particular, it relates to such a liquid dispenser intended for use as a bag-in-box type whine container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Available liquid dispensers intended for use as a bag-in-box type whine containers use gravitation for dispersing liquid, which makes it necessary to place the nozzle near the bottom of the bag-in-box. To disperse liquid from the bag-in-box, it has to be placed at the edge of a table or other furniture, and holding a glass below it, which is inconvenient. As the nozzle is placed slightly above the bottom of the bag-in-box, it is further necessary to tilt it to empty it completely, which is not very convenient either.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a liquid dispenser which overcome the above mentioned problems with prior art liquid dispensers.

These and other objects are attained by a liquid dispenser according to the characterising portions of the independent claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a liquid dispenser adapted for use in conjunction with a pressurising element, a liquid dispenser provided with such a pressurising element and also to such a pressurising element adapted for use in conjunction with such a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispenser comprises a rigid outer casing 1 enclosing a bag 2 of a flexible material being non permeable to a liquid, where the bag 2 has an opening connected to a nozzle 5 attached to the casing 1 and extending from the casing. When the liquid dispenser is used in conjunction with the pressurising element, it applies pressure to liquid in the bag 2 allowing dispensing of the liquid.

The liquid dispenser used in conjunction with the pressurising element allows dispensing of the liquid even if the nozzle 5 is positioned above the middle of the casing 1, and the nozzle 5 may advantageously be positioned there allowing insertion of a glass under the nozzle 5 while dispensing liquid even if the liquid dispenser is not placed at the edge of a table. Use of the liquid dispenser in conjunction with the pressurising element also may allow near complete emptying of the dispenser without having to tilt the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a prior art bag-in-box whine container

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 8 shows a spring for use with several embodiments of the invention

FIG. 9 shows a seventh embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 10 shows a eighth embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 11 shows a ninth embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 12 shows a tenth embodiment of the invention in cross section

FIG. 13 shows a eleventh embodiment of the invention in cross section

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a prior art bag-in-box whine container in cross section positioned for use at the edge of a table 6. The bag-in-box container has a rigid outer casing 1 enclosing a bag 2 of a flexible, non permeable material containing the whine or other liquid, as indicated by the hatched portion of the figure. The bag 2 has an opening connected to a nozzle 5 which penetrates the casing at a lower part of the casing and extending from the casing. The nozzle 5 has a tube part 5a extending from the bag 2 with a dispenser mouth 5c through which liquid may be dispensed into a glass 7. The nozzle 5 contains a valve controlled by a knob 5b which allows control of the volume of liquid being dispensed.

The prior art bag-in-box has the disadvantage that as the nozzle is positioned near the lower end of the casing, it has to be positioned at the edge of a table to allow dispensing of whine into a glass, and while dispensing the glass has to be manually held in position under the nozzle 5. Further, as the nozzle 5 is positioned slightly above the bottom of the casing 2, the bag 2 may not be fully emptied without tilting the casing.

FIG. 2 shows a side view in cross section of a first embodiment of the invention positioned at a table 6 with a glass 7 positioned under the nozzle 5 for dispensing of liquid into it. The liquid dispenser according to the invention has a nozzle 5 positioned near the upper end of a rigid permeable casing 1 through which liquid contained in a bag 2 of a flexible, non permeable material may be dispensed. The bag 2 has an opening and is connected to the nozzle 5, which is penetrates the casing 2 and extends from the casing. Dispensing of liquid from the liquid dispenser is controlled by a knob 5b acting on a valve in the nozzle. Dispensing of liquid using that the liquid in the bag 2 being under pressure, and this pressure to the liquid in the bag is actuated by a pressurising element, here embodied as a spring 3. The spring 3 is contained in the casing 1 and extending from the bottom of the casing to the bottom of the bag applying a force against the bag and thereby applying a pressure to the liquid in the bag allowing it to flow out of the bag when pressing the button 5b.

As the spring applies a pressure to the liquid in the bag independent of the position of the casing, instead of using gravity acting on the liquid as is the case in the prior art bag-in-box container presented in FIG. 1, the action of the spring allows dispensing of liquid from the nozzle although it is positioned near the upper end of the casing 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the spring acting on the bag 2 also allows near complete emptying of the bag, as the bag when emptied is pressed by the spring 3 against the roof of the casing 1. In the second embodiment of the invention shown in this figure, the liquid dispenser is further provided with a top plate 4 positioned between the upper end of the spring 3 and the bottom of the bag 2. As the bag 2 is near emptied, this top plate 4 is tilted, as shown in the figure, by being pressed against the roof of the casing 1 at one end but restricted from reaching the roof at an other end of the top plate 4 by the nozzle 5 extending into the casing 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the invention which is an improved version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, where the top plate 4 has been replaced by a top wedge 4a with a thicker end facing away from the nozzle 5, and a narrow end facing the nozzle 5. This has the advantage that it is ensure that the bottom of the bag 2 is tilted towards the nozzle 5 when being emptied, allowing near complete emptying of the bag 2.

FIG. 5 shows a front view in cross section of a fourth embodiment of the invention where the pressurising element is embodied as the springs 3a, 3b, 3c contained in the casing 1 and extending from the bottom of the casing 1 and acting against the bottom of the bag 2. Obviously, any number of springs of different kinds may be used although three are shown here, as an example.

FIG. 6 shows a front view in cross section of a fifth embodiment of the invention where the pressurising element 3 is constituted as a part in a liquid dispenser holder 3, 9, 16 being external to the dispenser itself, and the bottom of the casing has to be opened to allow the pressurising element 3 to apply a force to the bag 2 held inside the casing 1. In this embodiment of the invention, the casing 1 is slided into a holder part 9 having a bottom and sides extending along and enclosing the casing 1. The sides of the holder part 9 have, at its upper ends, a recess facing downwards allowing flaps 10 constituting the opened bottom of the casing 1 to be received. The recesses in the sides of the holder part 9 prevents the casing from sliding out of the holder part 9 once inserted into the holder part 9. The holder part 9 bottom has a threaded hole with a screw 16 inserted, and a spring 3 actuates a force from the top of this screw 16 against the bottom of the bag 2. By turning the screw 16, the pressure in the bag 2 may be changed, but in a different version of this embodiment the screw may be removed and the spring acts against the holder part bottom 9 instead.

FIG. 7 shows a front view in cross section of a sixth embodiment of the invention which is a version of the fifth embodiment where the spring acts against the holder part bottom 9. Also, the holder part 9 sides fits the casing snugly and the casing is prevented from sliding out of the holder part 9 by a strap 12. In this embodiment too, the bottom of the casing 1 has to be opened before being inserted into the holder part 9.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a spring 3 for use with several embodiments of the invention. The spring, has to ends extending through the centre axis of the spring 3, and crossing each other at an angle. At this crossing point the ends may be detachably fastened to each other, holding the spring in a compressed state. The spring 3 ends may preferably be attached to each other by i.a. a piece of thread knotted in such a way that by pulling an end of the thread, the knot of disconnected and the ends of the spring are freed.

The embodiment of the pressurising element shown here as a spring 3 may be provided in the casing 1 of a liquid dispenser according to the invention, or inserted into the dispenser after purchase. By providing the liquid dispenser casing with a hole in the bottom through which one end of a thread holding the two ends of the spring 3 shown in the figure together, the thread knot may be disentangled, freeing the two ends of the spring and allowing the spring 3 to act against the bag 2.

FIG. 9 shows a front view in cross section of a seventh embodiment of the invention, where the pressurising element is embodied as a expandable, non permeable bag 13 with gas under pressure. The bag 13 may be elastic or allow expansion by other means such as being partially folded or wrinkled when not expanded to its maximum size. The pressurised gas acts against the liquid containing bag 2 and applies a pressure to the liquid in the bag, allowing dispensing of the liquid even though the nozzle 5 is positioned near the top of the casing 1. The pressurised gas bag 13 may be provided when the liquid dispenser is manufactured, or may be inserted by the user after having opened the bottom of the casing 1. The pressurised gas bag 13 may contain gas under pressure when inserted, or be empty when inserted or at manufacturing of the liquid dispenser but provided with means to fill the pressurised gas bag 13 with gas under pressure.

FIG. 10 shows a front view in cross section of a eighth embodiment of the invention, where as in the fifth and sixth embodiments of the invention the pressurising element 15 is constituted as a part 15 in a liquid dispenser holder 14, 15 being external to the dispenser itself. In this embodiment too, the bottom of the casing 1 has to be opened to allow the pressurising element 3 to apply a force to the bag 2 held inside the casing 1. The casing 1 is slided into a holder part 14 having a bottom and sides extending along and snugly enclosing the casing 1. From the bottom of the holder part 14 extends upwards bars or slabs 15 actuating a force against the bag 2 in the casing caused by the weight of the bag 2 and casing 1 themselves. As the bag 2 is emptied, the casing slides down into the liquid dispenser holder 14, 15. In a version of this embodiment, not illustrated, the upward directed bars or slabs 15 may penetrate the bottom of the casing through prearranged holes or be forced through the bottom of the casing.

In a version of this embodiment, not illustrated, the casing is prevented from sliding out of the liquid dispenser holder 14, 15 by a solution similar to those suggested in embodiments five or six, and the bars or slabs 15 of this embodiment are actively moved upwards by some means.

FIG. 11 shows a front view in cross section of a ninth embodiment of the invention, where the pressurising element is embodied as a spring 3d twisting the bag 2 and applying pressure to the liquid through this twisting action. Versions of this embodiment may include, but are not restricted to, embodiments where a resilient pressurising element acts as a spiral enclosing the bag 2 acting to compress it towards the centre axis of the spiral, or where the bag 2 itself is resilient tend towards a rolled up state when empty, assert a pressure against the liquid as it resiliently tries to reach this rolled up state.

FIG. 12 shows a side view in cross section of a tenth embodiment of the invention where a pump element 17 attached to the nozzle 5 acts as the pressurising element. Although the pump element 17 can be considered sucking liquid out of the bag 2, alternatively one can see it as the air pressure acting against the bag forces the liquid out of the bag when the corresponding pressure at the mouth of the pump element 17 is decreased below the air pressure, and the pump element 17 can thus be seen as a pressurising element.

FIG. 13 shows a front view in cross section of a eleventh embodiment of the invention, where elastic bands 18 extending from the roof of the casing 1 and downwards to a plate 4 acts to pressurise the liquid in the bag 2 via the plate 4. Alternatively, the elastic bands 4 may be replaced by elastic sheets extending from the roof of the casing 1 to the plate 4 or by a single elastic sheet enclosing the whole bag 2, extending from one fastening position on the roof of the casing to an other fastening position on the roof of the casing. A further alternative would be to attach the bands or sheets at the side walls of the casing 1 above the nozzle.

In further versions of the suggested embodiment the elastic sheet is embodied as a bag fully enclosing the bag 2, or alternatively the bag 2 itself is constituted by an resilient non permeable substance, providing sufficient pressure to the liquid contained in it in a way similar to a balloon.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various modifications may still be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser comprising a rigid outer casing 1 enclosing a bag 2 of a flexible material being non permeable to a liquid, said bag 2 having an opening connected to a nozzle 5 attached to said casing 1 and extending from said casing characterised in that said liquid dispenser is adapted for use in conjunction with a pressurising element applying pressure to liquid in the bag 2.

2. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1 characterised in that said liquid dispenser is adapted for use with the nozzle 5 positioned above the middle of said casing 1.

3. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that said liquid dispenser is adapted for dispensing beverages.

4. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one spring 3.

5. A liquid dispenser according to claim 4, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one spring 3 attached at least one plate 4.

6. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by a expandable container arranged for containing pressurised gas.

7. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one elastic element 18.

8. A liquid dispenser according to claim 7, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one elastic element 18 attached to at least one plate 4.

9. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one pump element 17.

10. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that said pressurising element is arranged in a liquid dispenser holder 9, 14 adapted for receiving into it said liquid dispenser.

11. A liquid dispenser comprising a rigid outer casing 1 enclosing a bag 2 of a flexible material being non permeable to a liquid, said bag 2 having an opening connected to a nozzle 5 attached to said casing 1 and extending from said casing characterised in that said liquid dispenser is provided with a pressurising element applying pressure to liquid in the bag 2.

12. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, characterised in that said liquid dispenser is adapted for use with the nozzle 5 positioned above the middle of said casing 1.

13. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, characterised in that said liquid dispenser is adapted for dispensing beverages.

14. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one spring 3.

15. A liquid dispenser according to claim 14, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one spring 3 attached at least one plate 4.

16. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by a expandable container arranged for containing pressurised gas.

17. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one elastic element 18.

18. A liquid dispenser according to claim 17, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one elastic element 18 attached to at least one plate 4.

19. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one pump element 17.

20. A liquid dispenser according to claim 11, characterised in that said pressurising element is arranged in a liquid dispenser holder 9, 14 adapted for receiving into it said liquid dispenser.

21. A pressurising element arranged to for use in conjunction with a liquid dispenser, said liquid dispenser comprising a rigid outer casing 1 enclosing a bag 2 of a flexible material being non permeable to a liquid, said bag 2 having an opening connected to a nozzle 5 attached to said casing 1 and extending from said casing characterised in that said pressurising element is arranged to apply pressure to said liquid dispenser a bag 2 when used in conjunction with said liquid dispenser.

22. A pressurising element according to claim 21, characterised in that said liquid dispenser is adapted for use with the nozzle 5 is positioned above the middle of said casing 1.

23. A pressurising element according to claim 21, characterised in that said liquid dispenser is adapted for dispensing beverages.

24. A pressurising element according to claim 21, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one spring 3.

25. A pressurising element according to claim 24, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one spring 3 attached at least one plate 4.

26. A pressurising element according to claim 21, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by a expandable container arranged for containing pressurised gas.

27. A pressurising element according to claim 21, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one elastic element 18.

28. A pressurising element according to claim 27, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one elastic element 18 attached to at least one plate 4.

29. A pressurising element according to claim 21, characterised in that said pressurising element is comprised by at least one pump element 17.

30. A pressurising element according to claim 21, characterised in that said pressurising element is arranged in a liquid dispenser