AU2006252271A1

AU2006252271A1 - Liquid Container with Dual Flow Dispensing Valve

Info

Publication number: AU2006252271A1
Application number: AU2006252271A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Glenn Robert Beale; Peter Brooks
Original assignee: ZAMPLAS AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: ZAMPLAS AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-29
Filing date: 2006-12-22
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-22
Also published as: AU2006252271C1; AU2006252271B2

Description

22-Doo. 2006 17:20 Wa l ington-Dummer Sydney N o. 80 2 P 3 P/00/009 Regulation 3.10

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: LIQUID CONTAINER WITH DUAL FLOW DISPENSING VALVE The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 062076 COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:21 Wal ington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 4 2 IO LIQUID CONTAINER WITH DUAL FLOW DISPENSING VALVE 0q The present invention relates to liquid dispensing 0) valves for containers and, more particularly, to valves which provide for inlet of air as liquid is dispensed from ci the container.

CI BACKGROUND Ci It is convenient for the dispensing of liquids from

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o large volume containers, to provide such containers with a liquid dispensing valve as close as practicable to the base of the container so that the container need not be manipulated but liquid may be dispensed by operation of the valve.

For substantially rigid containers, a common problem with simple valves is that the flow of liquid is impeded to the extent that air can enter the container to replace the liquid flow out of the container. One method is to invite a user to pierce a pre-marked spot at the top of the container prior to use, but this is inconvenient and introduces the possibility of dirt into the container or leakage if the container is tilted while still relatively full.

Another possibility is to provide a closure at the upper surface of the container, for example a screw cap which when loosened or removed allows the ingress of air.

This however adds to the complexity of the moulding of the COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:21 Wal ngton-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 3- VO container and its cost as well as being an undesirable 0i projecting element.

It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Note The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations Ci thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive

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O sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention there is provided a container for the storage, transport and dispensing of low viscosity liquids; said container provided with at least one raised feature on a first surface of said container and at least one corresponding indented feature on a second opposite surface of said container; said at least one raised feature and said at least one indented feature adapted to the interlocked stacking of said containers; said container further provided with a dual flow liquid dispensing means projecting from a recessed portion of an end surface of said container; said dual flow dispensing means adapted for outflow of said liquid and inflow of air.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:21 Wal ings on-Dummer Sydney No 8082 P. 6 4 S0 Preferably, said at least one raised feature projects C-i upwardly from an uppermost surface of said container.

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0 Preferably, said at least one corresponding indented feature is indented into a lowermost surface of said container.

(Ci Preferably, said at least one corresponding indented C feature comprises two indented features; said two indented

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o features spaced apart so that said raised features of two said containers arranged side by side interlock with said two indented, features of a said container placed on said side by side containers and transverse to said side by side containers.

Preferably, said at least one raised feature includes an upwardly projecting ridge.

Preferably, said at least one corresponding indented feature includes an indented groove.

Preferably, a said projecting ridge of a first lower container is adapted to enter as a light press fit into a said indented groove of a second upper container such that said uppermost surface of said lower container and said lowermost surface of said upper container are abutting.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:21 Wal I ington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 7 IsO Preferably, said uppermost surface is interrupted by a 0 centrally located depressed section extending across the Swidth of said container.

Cs Preferably, said centrally located depressed section is bridged by a bridging portion; said bridging portion forming a handle for carrying said container.

V) Preferably, said projecting ridge feature extends \c Sacross said depressed section and is integral with said

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bridging portion; said bridging portion leaving an opening between an underside of said bridging portion and a lowermost surface of said depressed section.

Preferably, said recessed portion of an end surface of said container extends upwardly from said lowermost surface of said container for a portion of the height of said container and across at least a portion of the width of said container.

Preferably, said recessed portion is provided with an outwardly projecting outlet structure adapted to support and retain thereon an outwardly projecting liquid dispenser.

Preferably, the depth of said recessed portion and extent of said outwardly projecting liquid dispenser are arranged so that said liquid dispenser does not project COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:21 Walli n ton-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 8 6 \O beyond a plane defined by a portion of said one end of said 0q container extending upwardly from said recess to said Suppermost surface.

SPreferably, said container is produced by the process of blow moulding from any suitable polymer material.

Ci Preferably, said liquid dispenser includes an outer cN In body and an inner body; said outer body adapted for 0 attachment to said projecting outlet structure; said inner Sbody adapted for rotation between a first non-dispensing position and a second dispensing position; said inner body provided with a liquid passage and an air passage; said air passage adapted to allow air to enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing position.

In a further broad form of the invention there is provided a container for the storage, transport and dispensing of a low viscosity liquid as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In yet another broad form of the invention there is provided a liquid dispensing valve for the liquid container of any one of claims 1 to said valve including an outer body and an inner body; said outer body adapted for engagement with an outlet structure of said container; said inner body adapted for rotation within said outer body between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:22 Wal I ington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 9 7- S0 position; and wherein said inner body is provided with a c-1 liquid passageway and an air passageway; said air o) passageway adapted to allow air to enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing position.

ci Preferably, said outer body includes a barrel portion, an outer sleeve and a outlet structure engaging sleeve; f said outer sleeve and said outlet structure engaging sleeve ci V0 connected to said barrel portion by a circumferential 0 flange; said barrel portion extending into said container when said outlet structure engaging sleeve is attached to said outlet structure.

Preferably, said inner body includes a cylindrical portion and a head portion; said cylindrical portion provided with a bore extending into said head portion.

Preferably, said head portion includes a peripheral flange and a grasping element projecting outwardly from said peripheral flange.

Preferably, said cylindrical portion is adapted for a slight interference fit within said barrel portion of said outer body; and wherein said peripheral flange and said grasping element of said head portion are adapted for a slight interference fit within said outer sleeve of said outer body.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:22 Wal ngton-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. ksO Preferably, said bore is divided along the length of 0 said bore into a liquid passage and an air passage; said liquid passage communicating with a liquid outlet passage Qand said air passage communicating with an air inlet passage; each said passage provided in said grasping element of said head portion.

c1 ci SPreferably, axes of said liquid outlet passage and ci .0 said air inlet passage are diametrically opposed.

Preferably, outer walls of said cylindrical portion are provided with at least one liquid passing orifice and one air passing orifice; said liquid passing orifice in communication with said liquid passage and said air passing orifice in communication with said air passage.

Preferably, respective outer openings of said liquid outlet passage and said air inlet passage are in sealing engagement with internal surfaces of said outer sleeve when said inner body is in said non-dispensing position.

Preferably, said barrel portion of said outer body is provided with at least one liquid entry orifice and at least one air outlet orifice.

Preferably, said outer sleeve of said outer body is provided with a liquid outlet orifice and an air inlet COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:22 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 11 9 SO orifice; and wherein axes of said liquid outlet orifice and C-i said air inlet orifice are diametrically opposed.

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SPreferably, respective axes of said liquid outlet passage of said inner body and said liquid passing orifice of said outer body, and respective axes of said air inlet passage of said inner body and said air inlet orifice of V' said outer body are substantially aligned when said inner SN body is in said liquid dispensing position.

Preferably, said inner body is provided with a rotation limiting stop element projecting from an inward facing surface of said head portion.

Preferably, said outer body is provided with a rotation limiting recess in an outwardly facing surface of said circumferential flange; said recess in the form of a sector having an included angle of approximately degrees.

Preferably, said liquid dispensing valve is adapted to conduct a simultaneous outflow of a liquid from said container and an inflow of air into said container; said inflow of air substantially equal in volume of said outflow of liquid.

In still a further broad form of the invention there is provided a liquid dispensing valve for a liquid COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:22 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 12 10 ^O container as herein described and with reference to the 0- accompanying drawings.

0 In yet another broad form of the invention there is C-i provided a liquid storage and dispenser assembly; said assembly including a container and a liquid dispensing valve; said container provided with raised and indented Sstructures adapted for interlocking stacking of a plurality .0 of said containers; said liquid dispensing valve adapted 0 for a simultaneous flow of liquid from said container and flow of air into said container; said dispensing valve operable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1, is a perspective view from above of a preferred embodiment of a liquid container according to the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the liquid container of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an end view of two of the containers of Figures 1 and 2 stacked one on the other, Figures 4 and 4A, are perspective views of the containers of Figures 1 and 2 stacked on pallets, COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:22 Wa l ington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 13 11 O Figure 5 is a perspective view of an assembled dual r flow dispensing valve according to a preferred embodiment C) of the invention, C Figure 6 is a perspective view of the valve of Figure 5 partly disassembled, SFigure 7, is a sectioned view of an outer body of the pC valve of Figures 5 and 6, CA Figure 8, is a sectioned view of an inner body of the

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o valve of Figures 5 and 6, Figure 9, is a sectioned view of the assembled valve of figure 1 when fitted to the outlet structure of the container of Figures 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Figure 1 a first preferred embodiment of a container 10 is of generally rectangular prismatic form. Container 10 may be made of any suitable polymer adapted for blow moulding processes such as for example high density polyethylene.

Formed into the central portion of upper surface 11 of container 10 is depressed section 12 extending approximately a third of the length of container 11 and fully across its width. Raised above the upper surface 11 is at least one raised structure, which in this preferred embodiment comprises a ridge structure 13 extending for a substantial portion of the length of container 10 and COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22-Dec. 2006 17:23 22Deo 200617:23 WalIington-Dummer Sydney o88 .1 N o 8 0 8 2 P 14 12- IND positioned at thie mid point of the width of container 0 Ridge structure 13 forms a bridge across depressed section 12 leaving an opening 14 between the bridging portion and the surface 15 off depressed section 12 so as to effectively provide a handle 16 for the carrying of container As may best be seen in f igure 2 the base 17 of container 10 is provided with at least one indented Ci feature, in this embodiment a groove 18 extending at least o for that portion of the length of the base 17 equal to the length of the raised structure of the upper surface 11.

The depth of groove 18 relative to the surface 19 of the base, that is the depth of indentation of the groove into the body of the container, is at least equal to the height of the raised ridge 16 above upper surface 11. The width of groove 18 is such as to form a light press fit with the width of ridge 16, or is at least such as to interlock two containers when one container is stacked upon another as can be seen in Figure Dispenser end 20 of container 10 is provided with a recess 29 extending upwardly from the base 17 approximately halfway of the height of container 10 and across the width of the container, or at least for that proportion of the width sufficient to accommodate liquid dispenser 100. The depth of recess 29, that is its intrusion into the body of the container is sufficient to prevent the projection of liquid dispenser 100 (see figures 3 and 3A), mounted on COMS ID Na:SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: lime 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:23 Walli ngton-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 13 VO outlet structure 21, beyond the projected plane of the 0i surface of the upper portion 22 of the dispenser end 20 of Scontainer In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, container 10 is provided with a number of strengthening elements 23. Thus by way of illustrative example in Figures C 1 and 2 vertical grooves 24 intruding into the body of (Ci container 10 act as vertical strengthening ribs. Similarly

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grooves 25 across the base 17 of container 10 provide strengthening ribs for the base, and the grooves 23 across the upper surface 11 extending from each side of container and ending at central ridge 16, assist in strengthening upper surface portions 27 and 28.

In the particular preferred embodiment of container shown in Figures 1 and 2, the strengthening ribs provided by grooves 25 -in the base 17, may be spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between the raised ridge structures 16 of two side-by-side containers 10. By this means, containers may be stacked cross ways for alternate layers of containers thus increasing the stability of a stack of containers and particularly of a stacked pallet of containers, requiring little or any additional restraint.

It will be seen that the only feature of container to project beyond its generally rectangular prismatic form is that of ridge 16 (or other raised structure on its upper surface) By this means, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:23 Wallinston-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 16 14 IN horizontal and vertical arrays of containers may be ri arranged within a minimum volume of space.

With reference now to Figures 5 and 6, a liquid (C dispensing valve 100 comprises an outer body 112 and an ci inner body 114. Figure 5 shows outer body 112 and inner body 114 in an assembled state with inner body 114 rotated c1 into a non-dispensing position relative to outer body 112.

SFigure 4 shows inner body 114 partly withdrawn from outer o body 112.

ci Turning now to Figure 7, outer body 112 includes a barrel portion 116 closed at inward facing end 117 and open at outward facing end 119. Outer body 112 further includes an outer sleeve 118 and an outlet structure-engaging sleeve 120. Outer sleeve 118 and outlet structure-engaging sleeve 120 are connected to outward facing end 119 by a peripheral flange 122. Barrel portion 116 is provided with at least one liquid entry orifice 124, and at least one air outlet brifice 126.

Outer sleeve 118 is provided with diametrically opposed liquid outlet orifice 123 and air inlet orifice 124. The axes of liquid outlet orifice 123 and air entry orifice 124 are aligned and lie together with the axes of liquid entry orifice 124 and air outlet orifice 126, in a common bisector plane of outer body 112.

Outlet structure-engaging sleeve 120 is provided with structures 28 on its inner surface 130 adapted to engage COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:23 Wallington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 17 15 VO with complementary structures of the outlet structure 21 of 0 container 10, as can be seen in Figure 9. Structures 128 o may take the form of an internal thread or, alternatively, internal annular rings allowing a snap-fit engagement of the outlet structure engaging sleeve 120 to the outlet structure 21 of the container. Additionally, an annular ci elastomeric seal 144 may be provided against inwardly C< facing surface 129 of peripheral flange 122, again as can \0O O be seen in Figure 9, which is compressed between surface 129 and the rim 143 of outlet structure 21.

With reference to Figure 8, inner body 114 is comprised of cylindrical portion 132 and head portion 134.

Head portion 134 is further comprised of peripheral flange 135 and grasping element 136 (as best seen in Figure 6).

Cylindrical portion 132 and head portion 134 are sized to assemble within barrel portion 116 and outer sleeve 118 respectively of outer body 12 as light interference fits, allowing rotation of the inner body 112 relative to the outer body 114 but preventing liquid penetration, particularly between the inner cylindrical surface of barrel portion 116 and the outer cylindrical surface of cylindrical portion 132.

Again with reference to Figure 8, the bore 145 of cylindrical portion 132 is divided by a web 137 into a liquid passage 138 and an air passage 139, extending from an inwardly facing open end 146 to closed end 147 in COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22-Dec. 2006 17:24 Wallington-Dummer SYdney N o- 80 2 P 18 16 SN grasping element 136. A liquid passing orifice 148 C( communicates with liquid passage 138 and an air passing Uorifice 149 communicates with air passage 139.

QLiquid passage 138 further communicates with liquid outlet passage 150, while air passage 139 communicates with air inlet passage 152. Liquid outlet passage 150 and air (C inlet passage 152 are coaxial and respectively open out at diametrically opposite liquid outlet opening 151 and air

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o inlet opening 153.

Also shown in Figure 4 is a rotation limiting stop element 154 projecting rearwardly from peripheral flange 135. Stop element 135 projects into a recess 155 in the outwardly facing surface of peripheral flange 122 of outer body 112, when inner body 114 is assembled to outer body 112. Recess 155 may take the form of an arcuate slot or sector, the defining radii of which subtend approximately degrees. By this means the rotation of inner body 114 relative to outer body 112 is limited to approximately degrees. The locations of recess 155 and stop element 154 are so arranged on the respective outer and inner bodies, that at a first limit of rotation liquid dispensing valve 100 is in the non-dispensing position shown in Figure and at a second opposite limit of rotation is in the dispensing position shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9 shows the inner body 114 assembled within outer body 112 and the dispensing valve assembly 100 COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 211-Dee. 2006 17:24 Wallington-Dummer Sydney N o, 8D 82 P 19 17 VO attached to the outlet structure 21 of a liquid container 0- 10. As shown in Figure 9, inner body 114 has been rotated Sto the dispensing position so that air inlet opening 153 is coincident with air inlet orifice 124, and liquid outlet opening 151 is coincident with liquid outlet orifice 123.

In this position of inner body 114 relative to outer c body 112, liquid flows from container 10 via liquid passage C 138. Container 10 is a sealed container so that any egress O of water from dispensing valve 100 will cause a reduction in pressure of air at the top of the container. This in turn draws air via the air passage 139, air passing orifice 149 and air entry orifice 126, as a stream of bubbles 156 to replace the volume of water leaving the container. This arrangement then ensures that the flow of liquid through dispensing valve 100 is not impeded by the forming of a partial vacuum.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22

Claims

22.Dec. 2006 17:24 Wa I ngton-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 18 \0 CLAZM 0 1. A container for the storage, transport and dispensing 0 of low viscosity liquids; said container provided with C at least one raised feature on a first surface of said container and at least one corresponding indented feature on a second opposite surface of said r fl container; said at least one raised feature and said .0 at least one indented feature adapted to the 0 interlocked stacking of said containers; said container further provided with a dual flow liquid dispensing means projecting from a recessed portion of an end surface of said container; said dual flow dispensing means adapted for outflow of said liquid and inflow of air- 2. The container of claim 1 wherein said at least one raised feature projects upwardly from an uppermost surface of said container. 3. The container of claim 1 or 2 wherein said at least one corresponding indented feature is indented into a lowermost surface of said container. 4. The container of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said at least one corresponding indented feature comprises two indented features and said at least one raised feature comprises tow raised features; said two COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:24 Wal l ington-Dummer Sydney No 8082 P. 21 19 VO indented features spaced apart so that said raised 0 features of two said containers arranged side by side interlock with said two indented features of a said container placed on said side by side containers and transverse to said side by side containers. The container of any one of claims I to 4 wherein said at least one raised feature includes an upwardly ci \0 projecting ridge. 6. The container of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said at least one corresponding indented feature includes an indented groove. 7. The container of claim 6 wherein a said projecting ridge of a first lower container is adapted to enter as a light press fit into a said indented groove of a second upper container such that said uppermost surface of said lower container and said lowermost surface of said upper container are abutting. 8. The container of any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein said uppermost surface is interrupted by a centrally located depressed section extending across the width of said container. 9. The container of claim 8 wherein said centrally located depressed section is bridged by a bridging COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:24 Wa l inston-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 22 20 O) portion; said bridging portion forming a handle for 0g carrying said container. 0 10, The container of claim 9 wherein said projecting ridge C extends across said depressed section and is integral with said bridging portion; said bridging portion leaving an opening between an underside of said r bridging portion and a lowermost surface of said S0 depressed section. 11. The container of any one of claims 3 to 10 wherein said recessed portion of an end surface of said container extends upwardly from said lowermost surface of said container for a portion of the height of said container and across at least a portion of the width of said container. 12. The container of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said recessed portion is provided with an outwardly projecting outlet structure adapted to support and retain thereon an outwardly projecting liquid dispenser. 13. The container of claim 12 wherein the depth of said recessed portion and extent of said outwardly projecting liquid dispenser are arranged so that said liquid dispenser does not project beyond a plane defined by a portion of said one end of said container COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:25 Wall in ton-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 23 21 S0 extending upwardly from said recess to said uppermost surface. U 0 14. The container of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said container is produced by the process of blow moulding from any suitable polymer material. Ci 15. The container of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein I- said liquid dispenser includes an outer body and an cO o inner body; said outer body adapted for attachment to said projecting outlet structure; said inner body adapted for rotation between a first non-dispensing position and a second dispensing position; said inner body provided with a liquid passage and an air passage; said air passage adapted to allow air to enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing position. 16. A container for the storage, transport and dispensing of a low viscosity liquid as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 17. A liquid dispensing valve for the liquid container of any one of claims 1 to 12; said valve including an outer body and an inner body; said outer body adapted for engagement with said outlet structure of said container; said inner body adapted for rotation within said outer body between a non-dispensing position and COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:25 Wal inston-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 24 22 NO a dispensing position; and wherein said inner body is (C provided with a liquid passageway and an air C) passageway; said air passageway adapted to allow air C- to enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing position. 18. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 17 wherein said V) outer body includes a barrel portion, an outer sleeve IO and a outlet structure engaging sleeve; said outer 0 0 sleeve and said outlet structure engaging sleeve connected to said barrel portion by a circumferential flange; said barrel portion extending into said container when said outlet structure engaging sleeve is attached to said outlet structure. 19. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 17 or 18 wherein said inner body includes a cylindrical portion and a head portion; said cylindrical portion provided with a bore extending into said head portion. The liquid dispensing valve of claim wherein said head portion includes a peripheral flange and a grasping element projecting outwardly from said circumferential flange. 21. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 19 or 20 wherein said cylindrical portion is adapted for a slight interference fit within said barrel portion of said COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22-Dec. 2006 17:25 Wal I ington-Dummer Sydney NoBD82 P. 23 VO outer body; and wherein said circumferential flange 0 and said grasping element of said head portion are Sadapted for a slight interference fit within said outer sleeve of said outer body. 22. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 20 or 21 wherein said bore is divided along the length of said bore ci r fl into said liquid passageway and said air passageway; V0 said liquid passageway communicating with a liquid 0 outlet passage and said air passageway communicating with an air inlet passage; each said passage provided in said grasping element of said head portion.
23. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 22 wherein axes of said liquid outlet passage and said air inlet passage are diametrically opposed.
24. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein outer walls of said cylindrical portion are provided with at least one liquid passing orifice and one air passing orifice; said liquid passing orifice in communication with said liquid passageway and said air passing orifice in communication with said air passageway. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein respective outer openings of said liquid outlet passage and said air inlet passage are in COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:25 Wallinslon-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 26 24- INO sealing engagement with internal surfaces of said 0 outer sleeve when said inner body is in said non- dispensing position.
26. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 18 to 25 wherein said barrel portion of said outer body is provided with at least one liquid entry orifice and at least one air outlet orifice. o27. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 18 to 26 wherein said outer sleeve of said outer body is provided with a liquid outlet orifice and an air inlet orifice; and wherein axes of said liquid outlet orifice and said air inlet orifice are diametrically opposed.
28. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein respective axes of said liquid outlet passage of said inner body and said liquid passing orifice of said outer body, and respective axes of said air inlet passage of said inner body and said air passing orifice of said outer body are substantially aligned when said inner body is in said liquid dispensing position.
29. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 19 to 28 wherein said inner body is provided with a rotation OOMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:26 Wa lington-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 27 25 D0 limiting stop element projecting from an inward facing 0- surface of said head portion.
30. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 18 to 29 wherein said outer body is provided with a rotation limiting recess in an outwardly facing surface of said circumferential flange; said recess in the form of a ci Ssector having an included angle of approximately ci VI degrees.
31. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 17 to 30 wherein said liquid dispensing valve is adapted to conduct a simultaneous outflow of a liquid from said container and an inflow of air into said container; said inflow of air substantially equal in volume of said outflow of liquid.
32. A liquid dispensing valve for a liquid container as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
33. A liquid storage and dispenser assembly; said assembly including a container and a liquid dispensing valve; said container provided with raised and indented structures adapted for interlocking stacking of a plurality of said containers; said liquid dispensing valve adapted for a simultaneous flow of liquid from said container and flow of air into said container; COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22 22.Dec. 2006 17:26 Wa lin ton-Dummer Sydney No.8082 P. 28 26 IO said dispensing valve operable between a non- 0 O dispensing position and a dispensing position.
34. A liquid storage and dispenser assembly as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. O ci Va C0 COMS ID No: SBMI-05764954 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:29 Date 2006-12-22