AU7554501A - Apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bottles - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Great Western Trading (Pty) Ltd Walter Holmes Address for service is: WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Apparatus for Dispensing a Liquid from a Plurality of Bottles The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1/1 /2 APP2T O p nr Irp A PTAr~ypy ~~TLa This invetntion relates to apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a Pl-urlity of bottles. The liqui~d May be an alcoholic beverage such for example as a spirit or a liquor, a non-alcoholic beveragre, or any other suitable and appropriate type of liquid requiring to he dispensed from a bottle.

It Is known to have apparatus for- d.'.spenusing a liquid in the form of a spirit from a singl~e bottle. In a busy environment such for example as a bar in a public house or a hotel, it is often very inconveni(ont for bar staff and customners alike if a bottle becomev empty and needs changing. customers tend to become impatient and 15 this tends to pressurise bar staff.

It is an aim of the present invention to at least partially reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one rion-limiting embodimtint of the *present invention there is provided appa:-atus for 20 dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bott.as, which apparatus comprises dispenser means for connection to the plurality of bottles, and support wreans for supporting the dispenser means, the dispenser means being such that it comprises a plurality of connector portions, a pluralicy of valve means, and a dispensing passage for dispensing the liquid from the plurality of bottles, the dispenser means being such that there is one of the connector portions for each one of the bott].ea, there is one of the valve means for each one of the connector portions, and the connector portions are connectable to neck portions of the bottles when the bottles have been opened.

The apparatus of the present invention iLs such that the plurality of bottles will normally all contain the same liouid to be dispensed. The bottles zan then be emptied one at a time and their dispeznsed ccntents wi.ll all be dispensed via the same dispensing passuge. Empty bottles can thus be replaced at convenient times, and stoppages in serving~ drinks due to the need to replace an empty bottle can be avoided.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the .*dispenser means is an in-line dispenser means for connecting the bottles in a lin~e. other axrangements may however be employed so that the bottles inaiy be in a triangular formation or any other desired formation7: Preferably, the dispenser means is for coonnection to three of the bottles. If desired however the dispenser means may be connected to two of the bottles, or more than three of the bottles.

Advantageously, the- apparatus of the present invention is one in which the bottle that is furthest too* *25 away f rom a dispensing outlet will always empty f irst and then the next furthest battle, until the front bottle is reached. Thus the hydraulic characteri~stics used in the apparatus of the present invertion can~ be arranged to be such that the f low of liquid from the bottles, thr~ough the valve means and the dispensing passage to the dispensing outlet is such that the bottle furthest away from the dispensing outlet, for example appropriate optics, will always empty first, and then the next battle that Is furthest away, anid on. This hydraulic characteristic may be achievel by the config-uration of the apparatus and the resultant pressure distribution in the apparatus. conmercially, it is advantageous that the front bottle, 'which is the one that is displayed to a customer, is always full or partially full, and always emipties last. If this were not the case, the front displayed bottle could be empty, while other bottles behind were still full. Whilst these bottles could still operate, they migat not be visible to a customer. By allowing the full or partially full bottle always to be at the front,' any brand name or other trade mark on the bottle is always able to be displayed, along with the quantity of liquid still left in the bottle. Bottles away from the front bottle can be empty or In the process of bci.ag empty.

Customers able to see the front full or partially full 15 bottle are able not only to see the brand ilame but they are also able to be given the thought that they should have a drink. It is also clear to customnars that the liquid being dispensed from the viewed bottles is actually that specific brand which has bean requested by the customer, and that a cheaper house brand is not being dispensed from rear bottles which may be hidden from the customer's view The apparatus may be one in which the connector portions each include a threaded portion for enabling the connector por'tlon to be connected to~ the neck portion of the bottles by screwing on to~ the neck portions of the bottles. other -types ot connector portions may be employed eo that, for examnple, the connector portions may be arranged to be push.-on fits on to the neck portions of the bottles.

Where the connector portions each include a threaded portion, then the threaded portion fcr each one of the connector portions may be an internallV threaded ring portion. The ring portion may have an ufleveni-outer surface for facilitating arripping and rotati,n of the ring portion. The outer surface may be a serrated surface or a surface with any other suit-able and appropriate grip- facilitating formations.

The apparatus of the present invention maiy be one in which the connector portions are separable fromn Iheir valve means, thereby facilitating connecting the connfector. portions to the bottles for the! purpose of replacing empty botle with full bottles.

Any suitable and appropriate valve means may be used in the apparatus Of the Prewent invenl:on. Thus, for axamp-le, the valve means may be ball 'ral.ve means.

Other types of valve means May however h~e employed.

Where the valve means are ball valve means, then the ball valve meas are preferably such thzt each ball valve means uses a ball in the form of ball bearing.

Any attempt to cheat the dispenser means by' pushing a toothpick or other handy implement up into th~e dispenser means simply pushes the ball bearing upwards so that it sticks and stop& the flow of fluid from tht dispenser means.

The apparatus of the present Invention ma eone in which the dispensing passage comprises a tube having a plurality of upwardly exetendIng portions wLth one of the upwardly extending portions being for eEtch one of 20 the connector portions, and a single downwa-rdly extending portion through which the liquid :!l.ows when the liquid~ has been dispensed by the dispenser Moant.

Advantageously, the apparatus o f the present 0oinvention includes an air vent in the *lispensing **25 ftflage The air vent helpv to ensure the even and speedy flow of dispensed fluid along the dispensing Passage. Unevennear, of f low caused by a partial vacuum developing in the dispensing passage can be z.vaided.

Advantageousl, the air vent is posiltioned at a rear part of the diapeneing passage. The air vent is then able to play a role in the distribution of pressure in the apparatus of the invention. The air vent ir. able to release the vacuumn in the apparatus in such a way that the bottle closest to the vent alwitys empties first, even although this bottle has a longor route to travel to the dispensing outlet. Thus, by -placing the vent at a rear part of the dispensing passage, the rearmost bottle with liquid can always be arrangetd to empty fi1ret so that the last bottle to empty will bt! the front bottle. The vent can be arranged to functi,)n in this 5 manner irrespective. of the configuratior of the :dispensing means and the di.-pensing passage.

The support means may comprise a shelf- The apparatus of the present invention may include a cabinet, the support means bigsuch that it is secured in the cabinet. Advantageous~y, the support means is slidabJly secured In the cabinet.

The apparatus of the present invention ma~y include at least one lock for locking the cabinet in a cloned position. The provision of the lock or- locks helps to avoid dispensation of the liquid by uniuthorised personnel.

The apparatus of the present invention may be used singly or in pl~ural. formL in the cabinet. Thus, for example, the cabinet may contain two or -nora of the dispenser means. Each disperser means will then normally be for connecting to its own bani; or: raow of bottles containing the sames liquid. Where two, or more of the dispenser means are emnployed, then they are preferably all supported on a single ahared one of the support means. Separate support means for aach one of the dispenser means may however be employed desired.

The dispenser means may include an. ale.-tric pump.

The electric pump may operate to enable tho dispenser means to dispense a predetermined exact amount of liquid. Alternatively, if desired, the dispenser means may include an electronics unit for exact d.*-spensation of quantities of the liquid from the bottles.

An embodiment of the invention now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which.: Figure I is a perspective view from the- frbnt and one side showing apparatus of the present invenition ready for use and extending out of a cabinet;~ Figure 2 is a perspective view from the front arnd the opposite sid-e to that. of Figure 1, 'and shows the apparatus of the present invention in a storage condition in the cabinet; Figure 3 is an enlarged view of dispenser means forming part of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows the apparatus ae in F Lgure 2 and with a front closing cover in position; and Figure 5 is a view from the front andI the. other side of the apparatus as shown in Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shovn apparatus 2 for dispensing a liquid from a plurality of bottles 4.

The apparatus 2 comprises dispenser meens 6 for connection to the plurality of bottles 4, and support means 8 for supporting the 'dispenser meane 6.

The dispenser means 9 is such that there! is one of the connector portions 10 for each one of the bottlen 4.

Also, there is one of the valve means 12 for a~ach one of the connector portions 10. Further the connector portions 1.0 are connectable to neck porti~ons 16 of the bottles 4 when the bottles 4 have been opened.

Ae can be appreciated from the drawings, the dispenser mens 6 is an in-line dispenser mo~ans 6 for connecting the bottles 4 in line. As shown ir Figure 1, there are four of the dispen ser means 6, with each dispenser means 6 connected to three Of the Dottles 4.

The three bottles 4 connected to each dispense~r means 6 contain the same make of liquid in the form of spirit for dispensation from the bottles 4. Thus, for any row of three bottles connected to one of the dispe-aser-meana 6, if a bottle 4 zxuns out of liquid, there will then be two bottles left which should be full witi 1 the liqu.

The emnpty bottle 4 can be replaced with a full bottle later. At times of peak demand, even two I1oLtles 4 may be allowed to become empty before beir.g replaced.

Interruptions in serving, with consequeat customer annoyance at being. caused to wait for serviizze, can thus be avoided.

As beat shown in Figure 3, the connect.or portions 10 each include a.'threaded portion 18 for tnabling the connector portions io to be connected to the neck portions 16 of the bottles 4 by screwing on to the neck portions 16 of the bottles 4. The threaded portion 18 for each one of the connector portions 10 is Ln the form of an internalliy threaded ring portion as sliowi. The ring portion has an uneven outer surface provided by downiwardl~y extending beads 20. This uneven outer surface formed by the beads 20 facilitates gripping and rotation of the threaded portion 18.

The connector portions 10 are separable :!rom their valve means 12 in order to facilitate connecting the connector portions io to the bottles 4 for cile purpose of replacing empty bottles with full bottles.

The valve meanls 12 is. a ball valve mears. Each ball valve means is such that it utilises a baLl in the form of a ball bearing. Tf the' ball bearing Is~ pushed C C C. C

C

C. C C C

C.

upwardly by bar staff, for example using a to;>thpick, in an attempt to gain more liquid than is appropciate, Lhen the ball bearing tends to stick in the up posLtion which stops the flow of liquid being dispensed. Thus the use of the ball bearing helps to avoid theft of spirita being dispensed in the -apparatus 2 as ahcwn in the drawings.

As beat shown in Figure 3, the dispensing passage 14 comprises a tube 22 having a -plurality cf upwardly extending portions 24 with one of the upwardly extending portione being for each one of the connector portions 10. The tube 22 also has a single downward1. extending portion 26 through which the liquid flows when the li~guid has been dispensed by the dispenser Mealia 6.

15 As also shown in Figure the dispensiag passage 14 includes a direct air vent 28. The- air vent 28 helps to stop a vacuum forminy In the tube 22 during -dispensation of liquid from one of the bottle.-i 4. This in turn helps to ensure that the diepensed liguid flows 20 evenly and continuously.

As can be seen f rom Figure 1, the euppor't means 8 comprises a shelf 30. The apparatus 2 includes a cabinet 32 and the shell. 30 is such that; it slidabl.y secured in the cabinet 32. 17igure I shows the s~helf in an outward position ready for use.- Figure 2. shows the shel.f 30 in a retracted ponition 2ready for a 11 operation. Figures 4 and 5 showi the cabine: 32 closed by a front panel 34, which is able to be lockttd.

As shown in Figu~res 1, 2, 4 and 5, the downwardly extending portion 26 of the tube 22 has a dispenser 36 connected to It. The dispenser 36 comprisae a clear housing 38 which may be made of glass or a :ransparent plastics fnaterjal. The liquid being dispensed can thus be seen. Inside the housing 38 is a metal tube 40 which extends into a tube portion 42 of the housinj1 38. The metal Lube 40 has apertures 44 at its upper and. The liquid being dispensed is thus able to, escape from the :tube 410 into the housing 38. Dispensation then occurs from the housing 38 via the tube portion 44, for example into a glass (not shown). The dispensatit)n of the liquid is caused to occur using an electric pump- (riot .showni) which operates to dispense a predetermined exact amount of liquid from the appropriate bottlf- 4. -The dispensing means in the form of the electric p-.imp may be replaced by any other suitable. and appropriate dispensing means, including but not restricted to, a dispensing means in which an electric impulse activatez a magnetic solenoid.

It is to be appreciated that the embodimc-nt of the i nvention described -above with reference to -the accompanying drawings has been given. by way cf example only and that modif icationa may be ef fected. ThuR" f or example, the shape of the cabinet 32 'may be different, as may be the shape of the dispenser means 6.

Throughout the specification, 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 group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

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Claims (13)

1. Apparatug for dispensing a liquid from F_ plurality of bottles, which appatratus comprises dispenser means for connection to the plurality of bottles, 2and support means for supporting the dispenser means, thE dispenser. means being such that it compriseir a plitrality of connector portions, a plurality of valve metans,' and a dispensing passage for dispensing the liquid from the plurality of bottles, the dispenser means -Deing such that there is one of the connector portionsa fclr each one of the bottles, there is one of the valve mearzs for each *one of the connector portions, and the connector portions are connectable to neck portions of the bottles ~:when the bottles have been opened.

2. Apparatus according to clai. I in which the dispenser neans is an in-line dispenser means for *P.O.*connecting the bottl~es in a line.

3. Apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 in -which the dispenser means is for connection to th.:'ee of the POP. bottles.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding clainw'in which the bot.tle that is fu rthest away f rom a 14 dispenning Outlet will always empty first, 3nd then the next furthest bottle, until the front bottle Is reached-. according to any one. of tile preceding claims in which the connector porctons each include a threaded Portion for enabing the connector portion to be connected to the neck portions of the bottles by screwing on to the neck ioron of the bottles.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the threaded portion for each one of the Connector portions is an internally threaded ringr portion. Apparatus according to claim 6 in whi,:h the ring portion ha~s an uneven outer surface for zacilitating gripping and rotation of the ring portion. 8 Apparatus according -to any one of th.2 preceding claims in which the connector portions areb separable fromn their valve means, thereby facilitating connecting the connector portio'no to the bottles for the purpose of replacing empty bottles with full bottles.

9. Apparatus according to any one- -of the: pr eceding claims in which the dispensing passage coImpr:.seB a tube having a plurality of upwardly extending po:.,tions with one of the upwardly extending portiohiii beig. for each one of the connector portions, and a single downwardly extending portion through which the 1liqu'Ld flows when the liquid has been dispensed by the dispenser means.

10. Apparatus according .to any one of the.- preceding claims and including an air vent in the dispensing passage.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which thel air vent is positioned at a rear part of the dispensing pasaage.

12. Apparatus according to any one -of th(. preceding ~.claims in which the support means comprises a shelf.

13. Apparatus according to any one- of the: preceding claims and Incl-uding a cabinet, the support -neans being 15 suhthat itis secured in the cabinet.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13- in which the support means iA sJlidabJly secured in the cabirLet. Apparatus according to claim 13. or claim 14 and including at least one.:lock for locking: the cibinet. in a closed condition. 16

16. Apparatus according to any one o f thin preceding claims in which the diepenser means includes an electric PUTP.

17. Apparatus for dispensing a liquid: from a plurality of bottles.' substantl ally as hersin, described -with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this twentieth day of September 2001. Great Western Trading (Pty) Ltd Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia :Patent Attorneys for the Applicant