WO2011060496A1

WO2011060496A1 - Dispensing fluids

Info

Publication number: WO2011060496A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001551
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Kenneth William Hussey
Original assignee: Schilling, Frederick
Priority date: 2009-11-23
Filing date: 2010-11-18
Publication date: 2011-05-26

Abstract

A dispenser (20) for fluids (19), preferably for fluids capable of releasing gas in solution at atmospheric pressure. The dispenser typically includes a container comprised of a housing (10) for a collapsible bag (18) containing the fluid (19) and wherein the application of manual force to the container (10, 60, 18) effects reducing of the volume of the container by an amount substantially the same as the volume of fluid dispensed. Release of the manual force after dispensing an amount of fluid results in the volume of the housing and the bag being restrained (14,15,14', 15') at a volume reduced by the volume of the amount of fluid dispensed.

Description

Dispensing Fluids

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method of dispensing fluids and fluid dispensers and, more particularly but not exclusively, to dispensers for fluids capable of releasing gas in solution at atmospheric pressure.

This invention will be described with particular reference to dispensing carbonated beverages such as beer, soft drinks and the like but is not limited thereto as will be understood by the addressee.

Background Art

Throughout this description, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Various proposals for producing a commercially acceptable dispenser for carbonated beverages stored in a Bag-in-Box (BiB) arrangement have been suggested. Examples of the prior art include US 3, 938,706, US 4,264,019, US 4,456,134, US 4,756,450, US4,771,918 and US 5,139,169, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference. None of the known arrangements has so far, to my knowledge, been particularly successful in the marketplace which is still devoid of an inexpensive and easy to operate dispenser of the BiB type for carbonated beverages for domestic use.

Disclosure of Invention As will be understood by scrutinising the art, various proposals of lesser and more complex arrangements using such as springs, elastic bands or a driving fluid have been suggested for collapsing the bag upon opening of a valve to dispense a carbonated beverage. While the art recognizes that only a weak force need be applied to collapse the bag of a BiB arrangement containing, say, a carbonated beverage, heretofore there has been no appreciation of the elegance, convenience and lack of complexity in applying manual force to that end.

In one aspect the present invention provides a method of dispensing a fluid from a collapsible container, said method comprising:

(i) applying manual force to a portion of the container movable relative to the remainder of the container to collapse the container in an amount substantially equivalent to the volume of fluid dispensed from the container through an open valve;

(ii) reducing the manual force and closing the valve or closing the valve and removing the manual force; and

(iii) retaining the container in its collapsed condition until dispensing of additional fluid from the container is desired through the application of further manual force to the movable portion of the container.

Preferably, the fluid is capable of releasing gas in solution at atmospheric pressure.

It is preferred that reducing or removal the manual force effects closing of the valve. It is also preferred that the manual force acts to open the valve as part of the function of collapsing the container.

In a further preferred method, application of the manual force effects opening of the valve to a headspace or to the fluid to be dispensed from the container before continuing application of the manual force acts to collapse the container and effect outflow of the fluid through the valve. Preferably the method of this invention is applied to a container in the form of a bladder or bag within a housing. In a further preferment the combination of the bladder or bag in a housing is of a substantially unitary construction.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention the fluid is dispensed upwardly out of the container through the open valve.

In another embodiment the fluid is dispensed through a sidewall of the container and preferably from a location at or adjacent the bottom of the container.

In yet another aspect the present invention provides a dispenser for fluids, the dispenser including:

(i) a collapsible container adapted to contain said fluid and wherein said container is collapsible under an applied manual force as fluid is dispensed from the container via a valve;

(ii) the container having at least one portion adapted to be movable relative to the remainder of the container under application of the manual force during dispensing of fluid from the container to collapse the container in an amount substantially equivalent to the quantity of fluid dispensed; and

(iii) locking means for restraining the movable portion and remainder of the container such that as the container is collapsed, the movable portion is restrained from being moved away from the remainder by expansion of the container once dispensing has ceased and said manual force is removed from the movable portion.

Preferably, the container comprises a housing and a flexible bag or bladder, for storing the fluid, adapted to be fitted within the housing.

In a further preferred embodiment, the housing and flexible bag or bladder are of a substantially unitary construction. Preferably, the fluid for use in the dispenser is capable of releasing gas in solution at atmospheric pressure.

In a preferred embodiment of the dispenser, the fluid within the container is subject to outgassing once dispensing has ceased.

In an embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with this invention the valve is located atop the container.

In another embodiment the valve is located in a sidewall of the cotainer at or adjacent the bottom of the container.

In a preferred form of dispenser the valve is a pressure sensitive valve through which the fluid is dispensed, said valve opening upon the application of said manual force and closing upon removal of the manual force to the relatively movable portion.

Preferably the container includes at least two telescoped together portions such that collapsing the telescoping portions reduces the volume of the container during dispensing of the fluid from the container.

A further preferred form of dispenser incorporates a valve which is opened by the application of the manual force prior to commencement of collapse of the container by applying the manual force.

Where relatively high pressures are to be contained by the dispenser, such as for beer or sparkling wine, it is preferred that the container includes a housing in the form of a rigid frame-like structure to contain a flexible bag or bladder. Such a frame-like structure may be a semi-rigid plastics exo-skeleton having its outer surfaces coverable by relatively low strength materials for display of product information and/or advertising particulars. In the case of nil or relatively low gas pressures within the fluid contained by the dispenser it may be suitable to employ a container comprised of single or double walled corrugated cardboard materials or plastics sheeting which is impervious to the fluid to be contained by application of a laminate or addition of suitable bag or bladder. Such a construction would be suited to transport and dispensing of relatively viscous materials such as oils or water based concentrates.

Brief Description of Drawings

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig.l is an exploded isometric view of a portion of a dispenser for use in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a dispenser of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.3 is a view similar to Fig.2 with siding or cover sheets fitted to the telescoping portions of the housing frame;

Fig.3 A is a section view 11IA-IIIA of Fig.3;

Fig.4 is a view similar to Fig.3 but with the dispenser ready for dispensing; Fig.4A is a section view IVA-IVA of Fig.4;

Fig.5 is a section view similar to Fig.4A with the liquid in the bag partially dispensed; Figs.6 and 7 show further collapse of the housing and bag as more liquid is dispensed; Fig.8 is an exploded isometric view of a preferred form of valve and tap arrangement as shown in the preferred embodiment of Figs 2-7;

Fig.9 is a magnification of the sectioned view of the tap and valve depicted in Fig.3a; Fig.10 is the sectioned view X-X of Fig.9;

Fig.l 1 is a view similar to Fig.9 detailing movement of the tap handle between closed and open positions;

Fig.12 is a magnification of the sectioned view of the valve and tap depicted in Fig.4A; Fig.13 is a section view similar to Fig.9 but omitting the tap handle; Fig.14 is the section view XIV-XIV of Fig.13;

Fig.15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a bag-in-box arrangement in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.16 is a larger scale sectional view of the outlet valve arrangement of Fig.15 prior to opening and dispensing;

Fig.17 is a similar view to Fig.16 where the valve has been opened prior to dispensing of the liquid; and

Figs.l8A-18F are sectional views similar to Fig.15 depicting the operating sequence of successive openings and closings of the dispenser of this embodiment.

Best Modes The dispenser 20 of Fig.2 includes housing 10 as shown in Fig.l. Housing 10 comprises three sections 11, 12 and 13 which are to be assembled together as shown in Fig.2.

Housing sections 11 and 12 have pawls in the form of biased hooks 14 and 14' on their respective bottom corners which interact with slots in slotted racks 15 and 15', respectively, as housing sections 11, 12 and 12, 13 are telescopically collapsed together. Section 11 fits within section 12 and section 12 fits within section 13.

Hooks 14 lock into progressively lower slots in slotted rack 15 during telescopic collapse of section 11 into section 12 and prevent sections 11 and 12 from moving apart opposite to the direction of collapse. A similar interaction occurs between biased hooks 14' and slotted racks 1 ' as sections 12 and 13 are telescopically collapsed together.

In lowermost section 13 there is provided a slot or recess 16 adapted to locate and retain a tap and valve arrangement 30 moulded or otherwise affixed to bag or bladder 18 located within housing 10 as depicted in Fig.2.

Tap and valve 30, as shown in Figs.2 and 3, is in its locked orientation with lever or handle 31 in an upright position such that any collapsing force applied to housing 10 will not result in dispensing of fluid from bag 18 through tap and valve 30. As shown in Figs.2 and 3, dispenser 20 is ready for storage or transportation without concern for accidentally dispensing the contents of bag 18 as handle or lever 31 is in an upright position (see Fig.9) closing off opening 32 between interior of bag 18 and spout 33.

The dispenser as shown in Figs.3 and 4 includes cover sheets 17 for the feces of sections 11, 12 and 13 which provide surfaces ready for display of branding and other product information relating to the contained fluid 19 to be dispensed.

In Figs.4-7, 11 and 12 lever 31 is in a horizontal position which equates to the tap and valve 30 being ready for dispensing fluid 19 from within bag 18 when force is applied downwardly on section 11 as shown in Figs.4-7. The tap and valve arrangement of Fig.8, as used in this embodiment, includes a front piece 34 mounting spout 33. Tap handle 31 includes a cylindrical valve portion 35 which is rotated by handle 31 when fitted to valve body 36 to open and close opening 32 in body 36.

Diaphragm or flap valve 37 is fitted in body 36 above opening 32 and forms part of a bag filling system which can operate when tap handle 31 is in an upright orientation as shown in Fig.9. Diaphragm valve 37 is one-way openable into bag 18 as shown in Fig.14 so as to allow bag 18 to be filled with fluid 19 when tap handle 31 is upright. In an alternative, bag 18 may be filled with fluid 19 before installation of tap handle 31.

Upstream of opening 32 a check valve 40 is mounted in rear body part 39 with O-ring 38 on valve 40 providing a seal between the opening in part 39 and check valve 40. Check valve 40 includes a pair of spring-like resilient arms 41 which, under normal internal pressure from a carbonated beverage or fluid 19 within bag 18, act to hold O-ring seal 38 against the opening in part 39 to prevent outflow of fluid 19 from bag 18 when tap handle 31 has been moved to the horizontal as shown in Fig.l 1.

Check valve 40 remains closed if subject to a pressure lower than a predetermined level which at least equates to the maximum pressure that the valve is subject to due to the full contents of bag 18. When tap lever 31 is in a horizontal position (see Figs.4-7 and 12) and a downward force is applied to dispenser section 11 to apply a pressure to the interior of check valve 40, sufficient to overcome the force applied to O-ring 38 by resilient arms 31, then the bias of check valve 40 is overcome and liquid 19 is dispensed past valve 40 (see Fig.12) and out through spout 33.

As shown in Figs.15-18 of the drawings, liquid 19 is contained in bag 18 with a headspace 50.

Valve 60 is fitted to seal off and open the internal tubular connection between spout 70 and spigot 71. Spigot 71 extends into headspace 50 while spout 70 directs fluid flow from within bag 18 to the exterior of housing 10.

Valve 60 includes operating pressure plate or handle 61 fitted atop valve stem 62 which is biased to close o-ring seal or washer 63 against valve seat 64 formed across spigot 71. Biassing of seal 63 toward seat 64 is by means of spring 65 surrounding valve stem 62. Additional sealing force between seal 63 and seat 64 is provided in use by the internal pressure of bag 18.

In Figs.17 and 18B pressure plate 61 is shown depressed so as to open the valve and enable internal fluid flow between spigot 71 and spout 70 before spigot 71 is brought into contact with liquid 19. The initial opening of valve 60 flushes spigot 71 and spout 70 with gas from headspace 50. Continuing to apply force to pressure plate 61 begins collapse of the bag so that spigot 71 enters liquid 19 which then flows through valve 60 to be expelled from spout 70 as shown in Figs. 18C and 18E.

Releasing pressure plate 61 results in closure of valve 60 (Figs.l8D and 18F) to stop further flow between bag 18 and spout 71. Once valve 60 closes there will be some outgassing to headspace 50 from liquid 19 but bag 18 is restrained from returning to Its expanded form by the ratchets fitted between sections of the exo-skeleton housing 10 as is disclosed in Figs.1 and 2.

In a modification of the embodiment of Figs.15-18, pressure plate 61 is incorporated into and formed by the uppermost portion of housing 10 instead of being a separate component.

It will be appreciated that, even though preferred embodiments have been described, numerous variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of dispensing a fluid from a collapsible container, said method comprising:

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid is capable of releasing gas in solution at atmospheric pressure.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid is dispensed upwardly out of the container through the open valve.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid is dispensed through a sidewall of the container.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluid is dispensed from a location at or adjacent the bottom of the container.

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein application of said manual force effects opening of the valve while removal of the manual force permits closure of the valve.

7. A method as claimed in claim 3 or claim 6 when appended to claim 3, wherein the manual force effects opening of the valve to a headspace or to the fluid to be dispensed from the container before continuing application of the manual force acts to collapse the container and facilitate outflow of the fluid through the open valve

8. A dispenser for fluids including:

9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 8, wherein the fluid is capable of releasing gas in solution at atmospheric pressure.

10. A dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fluid within the container is subject to outgassing once dispensing has ceased.

11. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the valve is located atop the container.

12. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the valve is located in a sidewall of the container at or adjacent the bottom of the container.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the valve is a pressure sensitive valve adapted to open upon the application of said manual force and to close upon reduction or removal of the manual force.

14. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the valve is adapted to open prior to commencement of collapse of the container by application of the manual force.

15. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the container is formed from at least two telescoped together portions such that collapse of the telescoped portions reduces the volume of the container during dispensing of the fluid from the container.

16. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein the container includes a housing in the form of a rigid frame-like structure to contain a flexible bag or bladder.

17. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame-like structure is a plastics exo- skeleton.

18. A dispenser as claimed in claim 16, wherein the housing and flexible bag or bladder are formed as a unitary component.

19. A dispenser as claimed in claim 18, wherein the unitary structure is formed from a single or double walled corrugated cardboard material or a plastics material.