DEVICE FOR DOSED DISPENSING OF A LIQUID FROM A COMPOSITE CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR FILLING THE COMPOSITE CONTAINER ("LIQUID DISPENSING FLAIR")
A device for the dosed dispensing of a liquid is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the device can include a composite container including (i) a flexible inner container, in which a liquid can be provided, and (ii) a form-retaining outer container in which the inner container can be fixed. The device further comprises a tap unit which is connected to the composite container and which comprises an outflow channel and a valve. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the inner container has a dispensing opening and the outer container is provided with a neck enclosing the dispensing opening. Further, the inner container can be connected to the outer container both at the area of the dispensing opening as well as at a location remote from the dispensing opening. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the outer container can have an opening for introducing a displacing medium, such as, for example, air, at a location remote from the neck. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the tap unit can be sealably provided in the dispensing opening of the inner container. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a method for filling such a composite container with a liquid so as to be used in the described dispensing device can also be provided.
This is a United States national stage application of PCT/EP2008/010429, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. PCT/EP2008/010429 was published as WO 2009/074285, on Jun. 18, 2009. PCT/EP2008/010429 claims priority to (i) NL 1034805, filed on Dec. 10, 2007, and to (ii) NL 1035761, filed on Jul. 28, 2008, each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention relates to a device for dosed dispensing of a liquid from a composite container. Such a dispensed liquid can be, for example, a beverage, such as beer, soda or other carbonated drinks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONVarious devices are known for the dispensing of carbonated drinks, such as beer or soda. Additionally, in recent years the use of home tap installations has greatly increased as an alternative to patronizing bars or taverns, where professional installations for dispensing beer on-tap are used. However, most known home on-tap installations are relatively complicated and thus expensive, especially so because they have their own cooling systems.
Conventionally, there are simple on-tap mechanisms which can, for example, be connected to small kegs for home use. However, such kegs need to be stored in a refrigerator, and, given the geometries of residential refrigerators, they are usually stored lying on their sides. Then, to dispense the beverage, at each use the keg has to be removed from the refrigerator, as conventional tap mechanisms cannot empty a keg positioned on its side.
Finally, conventional home on-tap systems generally suffer from problems of “dripping.” After dispensing a glass of, for example, beer, some liquid tends to remain in the outflow channel. As these remnants are gradually released, dripping occurs. Because home on-tap systems are usually kept either on a kitchen counter or in the refrigerator, such dripping can lead to stains and mess, and is generally a nuisance. Moreover, any liquid remaining in the outflow channel can eventually decay, generating molds and/or bacteria.
The present invention is described on the basis of various exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
A device for the dosed dispensing of a liquid is presented. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the device can include a composite container including (i) a flexible inner container, in which a liquid can be provided, and (ii) a form-retaining outer container in which the inner container can be fixed. The device further comprises a tap unit which is connected to the composite container and which comprises an outflow channel and a valve. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the inner container has a dispensing opening and the outer container is provided with a neck enclosing the dispensing opening. Further, the inner container can be connected to the outer container both at the area of the dispensing opening as well as at a location remote from the dispensing opening. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the outer container can have an opening for introducing a displacing medium, such as, for example, air, at a location remote from the neck. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the tap unit can be sealably provided in the dispensing opening of the inner container. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention a method for filling such a composite container with a liquid so as to be used in the described dispensing device can also be provided.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an improved and simplified device for the dosed dispensing of liquids, such as, for example, carbonated drinks, can be provided. Such an exemplary device is shown in
In addition, the present invention includes a method for filling a composite container with a liquid which can be used in an exemplary dispensing device. Conventionally, filling kegs with a liquid, in particular a carbonated liquid, often entails problems. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention an improved method for filling containers with liquid can be provided. Such an exemplary method is illustrated in
The underside of container 2 can be further provided with releasable connecting means, with which container 2 can be connected to, for example, a pressurization unit 7. Such releasable connecting means can, for example, be in the form of protrusions 8, as shown, for example, in
With reference to
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, pump 10 can be connected via a conduit (not shown in
With reference to
Similarly, a horizontal opening 25 can be formed in stopper body 18, in which an outflow channel 26 can be provided. Horizontal opening 25 can, for example, be fluidly connected to the second bore 24 of valve 20 when valve 20 is moved to its open position, as shown in
Finally, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, recesses 34, 35 can also be formed both in operating member 32 as well as in stopper body 18, between which a resetting spring (not shown) can be tensioned (to return operating tab 32 to its home, or at rest, position).
In alternative exemplary embodiments of the present invention as shown in
Composite container 2 is next described with reference to, inter alia,
In the example depicted in
As shown in
As shown in
The connection by means of tip-shaped connecting member 41 and spin welded cap 40 is strong enough to withstand the loads to which the inner and outer containers 37, 38 are subjected by the introduction of a pressurized displacing medium.
With reference to
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention the vertical part of bend 151 can extend into an inner wall 153 of aerating valve 130, in which outflow valve 120 can also fixed. As shown in
Again referring to
As shown in
Lower housing part 156 can be arranged in tray 163 which can also, for example, be suspended in container neck 139. Tray 163 can have an opening 164 in its bottom, which can be, for example, connected to the interior of container 102. At the bottom of tray 126 a dip tube 123 can, for example, be fixed for transporting liquid from the bottom of container 102 to tap unit 103.
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, tap unit 103 can, for example, be operated by means of a handle 132 that is pivotable about a horizontal shaft 133 at the top of upper housing part 157. Handle 132, can, for example, have an engaging part 165 that pushes knob 152 when handle 132 pivots around shaft 133. Handle 134 can further comprise, for example, two arms 166 which engage an edge of knob 152 from below when handle 132 is in its resting position. In this way the movement of knob 152 is blocked.
Finally, aerating valve 130 can, for example, be arranged to connect outflow channel 126 with a displacing medium present in the space R between inner and outer containers 137, 138 after outflow valve 120 has been closed. To this end tap unit 103 can include, for example, an intermediate chamber 167 bordered by aerating valve 130 and inner housing part 156. As shown in
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connection between space R and intermediate chamber 167 can be formed by a channel 168 that is provided in neck 139 of outer container 138, a space between neck 139 of outer container 138 and neck 169 of inner container 137, a plurality of openings 170 in neck 169 of inner container 137, a corresponding plurality of openings 171 in lower housing part 156, and a gap between lower and upper housing parts 156 and 157. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention this connection can be opened, for example, as soon as the lowermost gasket ring 159B of aerating valve 130 is released from a thickened part 172 of outer wall 161 of inner housing part 156, after which intermediate chamber 167 can be filled with the displacing medium.
The connection between intermediate chamber 167 and outflow channel 126 can, for example, be formed by a plurality of openings 173 in inner wall 162 of lower housing part 156, which opens into a somewhat widened part of said inner wall, and by T-shaped channel 154. This connection can be opened, for example, as soon as central gasket ring 121B of outflow valve 120 reaches such widened part of inner wall 162, after which the displacing medium can, for example, flow from intermediate chamber 167 through outflow channel 126 to the surrounding area. Any liquid remaining in outflow channel 126 can thus be blown out. Because such aerating—i.e., blowing-out—of outflow channel 126 can, for example, take place immediately after dispensing, a user's glass can still be held under outflow channel 126, such that any remaining liquid being blown out can be caught in the glass.
Next described is an exemplary method for filling container 2 according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, with reference to
To fill container 2, a source of pressurized displacing medium, such as, for example, compressed air, can be first connected to valve 42 by means of a nipple 43, a shown in
In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when inner container 37 has been completely filled, as shown in
At this juncture it is noted that container 2 provided with tap unit 3 can be used not only for carbonated drinks, but for other drinks or liquids as well where it is important that the drink or liquid not be exposed to the environment, such as, for example, wine or fruit juices. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention It is alternatively possible, of course, to dispense with pressure unit 7 altogether, and instead ambient air can be admitted into the space R between inner container 37 and outer container 38 when the liquid is poured out.
Thus, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a structurally simple device for dosed dispensing of liquids, in particular carbonated liquids and/or liquids under pressure, can be provided, with an easily replaceable container. Additionally, given the construction of the composite container, aging of the liquid can be prevented, as well as the fact that the liquid can be easily kept under pressure, which, inter alia, prevents the escape of a gas dissolved therein.
Moreover, by connecting the inner and outer containers at a second location, in addition to their connection at the container neck, the inner container can be prevented from crumpling up or crimping near the dispensing opening and thus trapping part of the liquid. In combination with the action of the displacing medium, which keeps the liquid in the inner container under uniform pressure from all sides, this manner of connection allows the inner container to be completely emptied. Aeration of the outflow channel, either, for example, by ambient air or, for example, by using some of the displacing medium, can keep the outflow channel clean and thus prevent dripping. Finally, as described above, the exemplary container is easy to fill.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that such embodiments are exemplary only, the present invention not being limited to any, or all, of them, and that various variations and modifications are possible, all of which included in the present invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A device for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
- a composite container comprising: a flexible inner container, in which a liquid can be provided; a form-retaining outer container in which the inner container is fixed; and
- a tap unit connected to the composite container, said tap unit comprising at least one outflow channel and an outflow valve,
- wherein the inner container has a dispensing opening and the outer container is provided with a neck enclosing the dispensing opening,
- wherein the inner container is connected to the outer container at the position of the dispensing opening and at least at one location remote from the dispensing opening,
- wherein the outer container has at least one displacing medium intake opening at a location remote from the neck, and
- wherein the tap unit is sealably provided in the dispensing opening of the inner container.
2. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the inner container is also connected to the outer container at the position of the displacement medium intake opening.
3. The dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the inner container is connected to the outer container by means of a connecting element protruding through said intake opening.
4. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a pressurization unit connected to the intake opening of the outer container to pressurize a displacing medium.
5. The dispensing device of claim 4, wherein the pressurization unit comprises one of: a motor-driven pump and an electric motor driven pump.
6. (canceled)
7. The dispensing device of claim 5, further comprising control means communicably connected to (i) the electric motor and to (ii) a sensor arranged to detect the pressure in the inner container.
8. The dispensing device of claim 4, wherein the pressurization unit is releasably connected to the outer container.
9. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the tap unit comprises a stopper body receivable in the dispensing opening, said stopper body provided with a central opening into which the outflow valve can be received, and wherein the outflow channel extends substantially transversely to said central opening.
10. The dispensing device of claim 9, further comprising a dip tube connected to the central opening and extending down into the inner container.
11. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the tap unit has an aerating opening connected to the outflow channel and an aerating valve, said aerating opening being closable by the aerating valve.
12. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the aerating valve and the outflow valve can be operated in a determined sequence.
13. The dispensing device of claim 12, further comprising a shared operating member co-acting with the aerating valve and the outflow valve.
14. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the aerating opening is open to ambient air.
15. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein there is a displacing medium provided in a space between the inner container and the outer container.
16. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the aerating opening is in gaseous communication with the displacing medium.
17. The dispensing device of claim 16, further comprising an intermediate chamber that is:
- connected to the space between the inner and outer containers when the outflow valve is opened, and
- connected to the outflow channel when the outflow valve is closed.
18. The dispensing device of claim 12, wherein the sequence comprises:
- both the outflow valve and the aerating valve being closed;
- the outflow valve being open and the aerating valve being closed;
- the outflow valve being closed and the aerating valve being opened.
19. A method for filling a composite container with a liquid, said composite container comprising an inner container and an outer container, the method comprising:
- connecting an intake opening of the outer container to a source of displacing medium;
- filling a space between the inner container and the outer container with the displacing medium;
- connecting a filling conduit for the liquid onto a dispensing opening of the inner container;
- injecting the liquid through the dispensing opening into the inner container, such that the displacing medium is pushed out of the outer container through the intake opening;
- releasing the filling conduit from the dispensing opening once the inner container has been filled; and
- closing the dispensing opening by providing a tap unit therein.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the displacing medium is one of: air, pressurized air, a gas and a pressurized gas.
21. (canceled)
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the displacing medium is introduced into the space between the inner container and the outer container at a filling pressure, said filling pressure being a function of the pressure at which the liquid is injected into the inner container through the filling conduit.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the liquid comprises a gas dissolved in it, and the filling pressure is set to be greater than the saturation pressure of the gas in the liquid.
24. The dispensing device of claim 11, wherein the outflow valve and the aerating valve are integrated in one unit.
25. The dispensing device of claim 24, wherein the integrated unit is pivotally connected via a shaft to a shared operating tab.
26. The dispensing device of claim 25, wherein said operating tab is tensioned by a spring so as to return to a resting position when released.
27. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising an annular conduit running around the outside circumference of the outflow valve through which the liquid is sent during dispensing.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 9, 2008
Publication Date: Feb 17, 2011
Applicant: DISPENSING TECHNOGIES B.V. (DN Helmond)
Inventors: Wilhelmus Johannes Joseph Maas (Someren), Dominicus Jan Van Wijk (Someren), Petrus Lambertus Wilhelmus Hurkmans (Someren)
Application Number: 12/735,064
International Classification: B65B 3/12 (20060101); B65D 83/44 (20060101);