CA1195521A - One-way package for fluids and apparatus for the extraction of fluids from this package - Google Patents
One-way package for fluids and apparatus for the extraction of fluids from this packageInfo
- Publication number
- CA1195521A CA1195521A CA000465594A CA465594A CA1195521A CA 1195521 A CA1195521 A CA 1195521A CA 000465594 A CA000465594 A CA 000465594A CA 465594 A CA465594 A CA 465594A CA 1195521 A CA1195521 A CA 1195521A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- metering chamber
- package
- tube
- box
- fluid
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Apparatus For Making Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A flat, rectangular box made of cardboard contains a bag of multi-layered foil material. A tube, which is disposed in the inside of the box when the package is in the transport condition and can be removed from this through an opening which is closed by a tear-off strip, is connected in a fluid-tight manner with the bag by a connecting piece.
An outlet provided at the free end of the tube is controlled by a pressure relief valve provided in the tube and which opens in the direction of the outlet. The walls of the narrow sides of the box each have a longitudinal fold along which these walls can fold outward when the broad sides of the box are pressed together in order to empty the bag which is filled with a fluid, e.g. coffee extract. The one-way package is particularly suitable for use in a beverage vending machine in place of the storage containers employed until now. A
suspension flap of the box, which can be separated away from one of the broad sides, is used for interchangeably securing the container in the automatic machine for the extraction of the fluid.
A flat, rectangular box made of cardboard contains a bag of multi-layered foil material. A tube, which is disposed in the inside of the box when the package is in the transport condition and can be removed from this through an opening which is closed by a tear-off strip, is connected in a fluid-tight manner with the bag by a connecting piece.
An outlet provided at the free end of the tube is controlled by a pressure relief valve provided in the tube and which opens in the direction of the outlet. The walls of the narrow sides of the box each have a longitudinal fold along which these walls can fold outward when the broad sides of the box are pressed together in order to empty the bag which is filled with a fluid, e.g. coffee extract. The one-way package is particularly suitable for use in a beverage vending machine in place of the storage containers employed until now. A
suspension flap of the box, which can be separated away from one of the broad sides, is used for interchangeably securing the container in the automatic machine for the extraction of the fluid.
Description
~ 5 %~l The inYention relates to a one-way package for fluids in particular for the preparation of beverages from extracts, the package having a storage space and an extraction duct connect~ng this with an outlet, which duct has a metering chamber. For the supply of coffee machines with coffee in extract form, it is already known, in place of a refillable container which forms pa~t uR the automatic machine, to use a one-way package of the above-mentioned kind. Marhine mainten-ance is considerably simplified in that the parts requiring cleaning are formed by the one-way ~ackage and by inserting the one-way package the work-of refilling is also accomplished.
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When the full package is ~nserted in the automatic machine the parts of the extraction duct located before and after the metering chamber are taken between squeezing mechanisms, while a pipe for heated water, controlled by a valve, is cnnnected to a connecting piece of the pack-age wh;ch discharges into the metering chamber. In order to prevent the undesired emptying o~ the packaye during transport, when being stored and while being inserted in the machine9 the outlet opening and the water connectiny piece are shut off by closures which are remov-able after insertion.
During the extraction of fluid from the package storage space, the squeezlng mechanism located after the metering chamber is closed, , _ 1 _ , ~
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while the squee~ing mechanism located ahead oF the metering chamber is opened. The metering chamber fills as a result of the static pressure of the fluid in the storage space. For the delivery of the metered quantity the squeezing mechanism ahead of the dosing chamber is closed, while the squeezing mechanism located after the metering chamber and also the valve in the water supply are opened.
On the one hand, the known package has the disadvantage that when the one-way package is inserted in the automatic machine the water con-necting piece has to be opened by removing the closure. When this is done, extract fluid cannot be prevented from flowing out of the con-necting piece and dirtying the machine.
On the other hand, there exists the disadvantage that as emptying of the storage space proceeds, the time required to fill the metering space which, owing to the high viscosity of the extract fluid is in any case relatively long, increases. A time control provided in the automatic machine must therefore be set to the longest possible metering space filling time. Furthermore, a new metering operation cannot be initiated before the assigned quantity of water has also flowed through the metering space. The efficiency of a machine served by packages of this type is limited correspondingly.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a one-way pack-age for fluids which enables speedy metering and extraction of fluid.
According to the invention~ this requirement is solved in that storage space and metering chamber are formed so that they can be squeezed for the extraction of fluid and the metering chamber is connected solely with the storage space and with the outlet.
The squeezability of the storage space of the package enables the fluid to be extracted forcibly and, consequently, the metering chamber to be filled in an interval of time which is constant for a given size of portion, regardless of the sta~e of filling of the storage space.
Because of the squeezability of the metering chamber, this can be emptied in a shorter time than if the metered commodity had to be flushed out. For this reason, the package allows a given number of fluid portions to be dispensed in a shorter period of time. In addi-tion to this~ the changing of the one-way packages does not necessi-tate either disconnection from or connection to the water supply and thereby the changing operation in automatic machines is simplified.
According to a preferred embodiment of the one-way package acording to the invention, the closure which closes the outlet during storage and transport is the same as the one which controls the metering chamber during operation. According to the inventlon this is possible because the extraction duct has a pressure relief valve located after the metering chamber, opening in the direction of the outlet. In this way~ not only is the package changing operation in the automatic machine further simplified in that the removal of a special slosure is dispensed with and an undesired leakage of fluid from the extraction duct after this closur~ has been removed is eliminated; but the con struction of the closure as a pressure relief valve, together with the squeezability of the metering chamber renders superfluous control of the closure element in operation.
In accordance with a preferred further embodiment oF the one-way pack-age according to the invention the walls of the storage space are iFormed by a lining of a flat package box and the narrow sides of the box each have a longitudinal fold. Due to the Foldability of the narrow sides the squeezability of the storage space is maintained, although this is located in the interior of a package box which is used for transport and storage.
In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the one-way pack-age according to the invention, the storage space is defined by a bag made of foil material to which is connected a tube of rubber-elasklc material which forrns the extraction duct, and the foil material of the bag forms the lining oF the package box.
The invention also relates to an apparatus for the extraction of fluid from a one-way packa~3e of the type mentioned at the beginning, the extraction duct bein~ provided with efFicient shut-off devices, one located between the storage space and the metering chamber and one located between the metering chamber and the outlet. The extraction apparatus is characterised in that at least one pressure-generating plate having drive means is provided for the storage space and one drivable squeezing-out piston is provided for the metering chamber, the efficient shut-ofF device between the metering chamber and the outlet being a pressure relief valve opening towards the outlet. An extraction apparatus of this type enables the dispensing of liquid portions to be controlled with very simple means.
In the following the one-way package according to ~he invention and the extraction apparatus according to the invention are each more specifically described in an embodiment having regard to the drawings.
Fig. 1 shows the one-way package according to the embodiment in elevation, ready for operation;
Fig. 2 shows a section to a larger scale along line II - II in Fig. 1, Fig. 2a and 2b shows a detail from Fig. 2 in elevation and in plan;
and Fig. 3 shows the extraction apparatus according to the embodiment schematically in verticai section with a one-way package inserted.
Generally, 2 in the drawing denotes a one-way packaye whose external form, at least during transport and storage, is determined by a fla$1 rectangular cardboard box 4. On its broad side denoted by 5, the box 4 has longitudinal openings 8 and 10, and also a suspension flap 12 which is detached from the broad side 5 along a line of perforations 14 of the opening 8, formed in the broad side9 and bent over through 180. A strip, not shown, torn off along the line of perfoPations 16 closes the opening 10 during transport and storage. The box 4 contains a lining in the form of a bag 18 of foil material, which defines a storage space-20 tsee Fig. 2). Preferably, the foil mat-erial consists of several layers and has at least one layer of plastics and at least one layer of metal, the latter forming a diffu-sion barrier and the layer of plastics forming the innermost layer in the bag 18. A connecting piece 22 is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the bag 18, to which connecting piece a tube 24 of rubber-elastic material is connected by means of a coupling 26 formed on the tube. The coupling 26 is held on the connecting piece 22 by a safety ring 28. The tube 24 is housed in the interior of the box 4 before it is opened, substantially as shown in dotted line in Fig. 1. Accord-ingly, although it forms part of the one-way packageg this tube does not hinder transport and storage of the package.
For the extraction of the contents, i.e. oF the fluid from the bag 18, the tube 24 can be drawn out of the box 4 through the torn-out opening 10 so as to take up the position shown in Fig. 1 (in full lines) and in Fig. 2. In any case~ the tube 24 contains an extraction duct 30, connected with the storage space 20 by the connecting piece 22, and also a metering chamber 32 in a tube section 34 whose diameter is larger than that of the tube over the remainder of its length.
Finally, in its section 34, the tube 24 defines an outlet 36 at the end of the extraction duct 30 and contains an insert 38 disposed between metering chamber 3Z and outlet 36.
The insert 38 includes a plug 40 of circular form cross section and rounded profile, a foot portion 42, also of circular form, with a dia-meter larger than the plug 4~, the ~oot portion having gaps 44 disposed at spaced intervals on its periphery, and also a shaft 46, of reduced diameter compared with the plug 40, which fixedly joins the latter to the foot portion 42. Together with the wall of the tuSe 24, the plug 40 forms a pressure relief valve, in that the tube grips around the plug with a pre-tension. On the other hand, the plug 40 is secured against displacement within the tube 24 in that the foot portion 44, because of its larger outside diameter, is gripped onto by the tube 24 with greater pre-tension than the plug 40. If a-pressure is built up in the fluid contained in the metering chamber 32 which cannot be reduced in the direction of the storage space 20, the tube is lifted away from the surface of the plug when the pressure devel-oped exceeds the value determined by the pre-tension of the tube.
Fluid contained in the metering chamber 32 can therefore flow without hindrance along the shaft 46 and through the gaps 44 in foot portion 42 to the outlet 36. The greater pre-tension of the tube at the foot portion 42 prevents a displacement of the insert 38 before the press-ure relief valve 50 has opened. Depending upon the dimensions of the insert 38 and of the tube section 34, and also upon the elasticity of the tube itself, it is possible to select the opening pressure of the pressure relief valve 50 between 1.5 and 6 bar. As an alternative or in addition to a larger diameter, the foot'portion 44 can be gripped from below by a bead or bulge (not shown) which is provided on the inside of the tube in the vicinity of the outlet 36 in order to secure the insert 38.
In the extraction apparatus illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 3, a one-way package of the type previously described is shown in the ready-to-extract condition. The extraction apparatus includes a base plate 60, which can have a coupling device (not shown) and on which the one-way package 2 is secured on a hook 62 by means of the suspens-ion flap 12. Finally, the extraction apparatus according to the illustrated embodiment also includes a monitoring device having a transmitting element 82, which may be capacitive, gripping onto the tube 24 above the squeezing bolt 74.
The outlet 36 of the one-way package 2 is directed towards a take-out station (not shown) of the extraction apparatus where normally a drinking vessel, e.g. a beaker, is placed. If the extraction appar-atus forms part of a beverage dispensing automatic machine, e.g. a coffee machine, further delivery elements will also discharge at the take-out station, e.g. for hot water, milk and/or cream and also sugar. In order now to extract fluid from the one-way package 2, or its storage space 20, e.g. coffee extract in measured quantities, for the preparation of a beaker filling, the extraction apparatus operates in the manner described below.
When the extraction apparatus is in the starting position the pressure piston is withdrawn, compared with the intermediate position shown in Fig. 3, i.e. to the extent that the squeezing bolt 74 has released the tube 24. The extract-ion duct 30 is therefore open between storage space 20 and metering chamber 32. Under the constant internal press-ure prevai'ling in the storage space 29 j which is produced by the pressure generating p'late 68 and is preferab'ly between 0.1 and 0.3 bar, the metering chamber is accordingly filled. However, because of ss~ l its considerably higher opening pressure the pressure relief valve 50 cannot release fluid in the direction of the outlet 36. Following the process of filling the metering chamber 32 the pressure piston 72 is moved by the drive means 80 in the direction of the opposing plate 66. The position shown in Fig~ 33 in which the squeezing bolt 74 has closed off the extraction duct 30 above the metering chamber 32, is thereby traversed, that is9 before the squeezing-out piston 72 has begun to have an effect on the tube section 34. When the squeezing-out piston 72 starts pressing the tube section 34 together there results a build-up of internal pressure in the metering chamber 32 which is higher than the filling pressure, this pressure exceeding the opening pressure oF the pressure relief valve 50. As a result, fluid is forced out of the metering ch~lber 32 in the direction of the out-let 36, until the squeezing-out piston has reached the end of its squeezing-out stroke (movement to the right in Fig. 3) and the excess pressure in the metering chamber is reduced.
With the return of the squeezing-out piston 72 the tube section 34 is relieved and the pressure in the metering chamber 32 drops below the filling pressure, before the squeezing bolt 74 releases the tube 24 and the extraction duct 30 is open, after the position shown in Fig. 3 has been traversed. Under the in~luence of the filling pressure in the storage space 20 the metering chamber ~2 is now very quickly filled with fluid again. The extraction apparatus is thereby ready for a further extraction operation.
To enable fluid to be extracted from the bag 18 until it is comple~ely empty and also to enable the metering chamber 32 to be filled under constant pressure in spite of the stiffness of the walls of the box 24, the latter has longitudinal folds 7 in its narrow sides 6, dis posed approximately in the middle and extendiny in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the narrow sides can fold out along these lonyitudinal folds on the entire circumference of the box. Finally9 the pressure generating plate 68 has an elastic compensating layer 69 on the side thereof -facing the base plate 60. The compensating layer 69 is therefore able to equalise unevennesses to a limited extent, for example, in the region oF the box edges. Accordingly, it is not possible for pockets to form in the box 4, ~rom which the Fluid could not be squeezed out, even when the box is pressed toyether.
If during an extraction operation the amount of liquid contained in the bag is no longer sufficient to fill the metering chamber 32 to the extent that in addit10n the extraction duct 24 also remains full, up to the vicinity of the coupling 26, the transmitting element 82 of the monitoring device is actuated and blocks, for example, the drive means 80. Because of this the squeezing-out piston 72 remains in the start-ing position. In addition, in the case of a slot machine the accept-ance of money can be blocked by the monituring device and can remain blocked until such time as the transmitting element 82 detects that liquid is again available, e.g. after th~ empty one-way package 2 has been exchanged for a full package.
It is obviously also possible to design the extraction apparatus to receive several one way packages 2 in a ready-for~extraction position, at least the outlets 36 of two packages being directed towards the same take-ou~ point. In this way the monitoring device can initiate the extraction out of the second package when the first package is exhausted. In place of a cooled base plate 60 the extraction appara-tus can also have one or several cooled withdrawable compartments for one-way packages for the purpose of keeping the contents fresh while being used.
It follows from the foregoing that changing the one~way package in an extraction apparatus can be achieved in a very simple manner and with out the contents of the bag flowing out unintentionally, because the pressure relief valve 50 remains closed unless emptying is intended, and no connections with pipes conveying fluid have to be made.
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Insofar as this is desired, the extraction apparatus can be made ad- -justable with respect to size of portions or quantity of fluid dis-pensed in an extraction operation.
This can be achieved either in that the head 73 provided on the squeezing-out piston 72 is not disposed fixedly, but is capable of pivoting, e.g. about a horizontally extending axis on its upper edge, and to be adjustable in its pivoted position. Depending upon the tilt of the head 73 a laryer or smaller quantity of fluid will accordingly be squeezed out of the metering chamber 32. The same effect can be achieved by varying the stroke of the squeezing-out piston 72 in such a manner that this is moved closer to or less close to the opposite plate 66.
The arrangement of the extraction duct 30 in the form o-F a tube of rubber-elastic material not only has the advantage ~hat its elasticity can be utilised not only in the functioning of the pressure relief valve, but this also permits the tube to be reliably sealingly closed off by the squeezing bolt so as to prevent a back flow of fluid out of the metering chamber 4 when this is squeezed. In the region of the tube in which the metering chamber 32 is formed an elastic behaviour is not however advantageous. If the emptying pressure in the bag is not constant the volume of the metering chamber can vary accordingly and lead to metering errors. It i5 therefore certainly advantageous for the tube to be arranged to be flexible in its part which defines the metering chamber 32, but not to be elastic, or to be less elastic than in the other parts. This can be achieved, for example, by thickening the walls in that part or else by providing a non-elastic sheath or a fabric insertion.
With the apparatus operating in an alternative manner, the arrangement of parts illustrated in Fig. 3 can also even depict the starting position, the metering chamber still being empty, because the squeezing bolt 74 has not yet cleared the extraction channel 30. This has the advantage that the fluid is held back in the region which is cboled by the base plate 60 until a new extraction takes place.
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When the full package is ~nserted in the automatic machine the parts of the extraction duct located before and after the metering chamber are taken between squeezing mechanisms, while a pipe for heated water, controlled by a valve, is cnnnected to a connecting piece of the pack-age wh;ch discharges into the metering chamber. In order to prevent the undesired emptying o~ the packaye during transport, when being stored and while being inserted in the machine9 the outlet opening and the water connectiny piece are shut off by closures which are remov-able after insertion.
During the extraction of fluid from the package storage space, the squeezlng mechanism located after the metering chamber is closed, , _ 1 _ , ~
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while the squee~ing mechanism located ahead oF the metering chamber is opened. The metering chamber fills as a result of the static pressure of the fluid in the storage space. For the delivery of the metered quantity the squeezing mechanism ahead of the dosing chamber is closed, while the squeezing mechanism located after the metering chamber and also the valve in the water supply are opened.
On the one hand, the known package has the disadvantage that when the one-way package is inserted in the automatic machine the water con-necting piece has to be opened by removing the closure. When this is done, extract fluid cannot be prevented from flowing out of the con-necting piece and dirtying the machine.
On the other hand, there exists the disadvantage that as emptying of the storage space proceeds, the time required to fill the metering space which, owing to the high viscosity of the extract fluid is in any case relatively long, increases. A time control provided in the automatic machine must therefore be set to the longest possible metering space filling time. Furthermore, a new metering operation cannot be initiated before the assigned quantity of water has also flowed through the metering space. The efficiency of a machine served by packages of this type is limited correspondingly.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a one-way pack-age for fluids which enables speedy metering and extraction of fluid.
According to the invention~ this requirement is solved in that storage space and metering chamber are formed so that they can be squeezed for the extraction of fluid and the metering chamber is connected solely with the storage space and with the outlet.
The squeezability of the storage space of the package enables the fluid to be extracted forcibly and, consequently, the metering chamber to be filled in an interval of time which is constant for a given size of portion, regardless of the sta~e of filling of the storage space.
Because of the squeezability of the metering chamber, this can be emptied in a shorter time than if the metered commodity had to be flushed out. For this reason, the package allows a given number of fluid portions to be dispensed in a shorter period of time. In addi-tion to this~ the changing of the one-way packages does not necessi-tate either disconnection from or connection to the water supply and thereby the changing operation in automatic machines is simplified.
According to a preferred embodiment of the one-way package acording to the invention, the closure which closes the outlet during storage and transport is the same as the one which controls the metering chamber during operation. According to the inventlon this is possible because the extraction duct has a pressure relief valve located after the metering chamber, opening in the direction of the outlet. In this way~ not only is the package changing operation in the automatic machine further simplified in that the removal of a special slosure is dispensed with and an undesired leakage of fluid from the extraction duct after this closur~ has been removed is eliminated; but the con struction of the closure as a pressure relief valve, together with the squeezability of the metering chamber renders superfluous control of the closure element in operation.
In accordance with a preferred further embodiment oF the one-way pack-age according to the invention the walls of the storage space are iFormed by a lining of a flat package box and the narrow sides of the box each have a longitudinal fold. Due to the Foldability of the narrow sides the squeezability of the storage space is maintained, although this is located in the interior of a package box which is used for transport and storage.
In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the one-way pack-age according to the invention, the storage space is defined by a bag made of foil material to which is connected a tube of rubber-elasklc material which forrns the extraction duct, and the foil material of the bag forms the lining oF the package box.
The invention also relates to an apparatus for the extraction of fluid from a one-way packa~3e of the type mentioned at the beginning, the extraction duct bein~ provided with efFicient shut-off devices, one located between the storage space and the metering chamber and one located between the metering chamber and the outlet. The extraction apparatus is characterised in that at least one pressure-generating plate having drive means is provided for the storage space and one drivable squeezing-out piston is provided for the metering chamber, the efficient shut-ofF device between the metering chamber and the outlet being a pressure relief valve opening towards the outlet. An extraction apparatus of this type enables the dispensing of liquid portions to be controlled with very simple means.
In the following the one-way package according to ~he invention and the extraction apparatus according to the invention are each more specifically described in an embodiment having regard to the drawings.
Fig. 1 shows the one-way package according to the embodiment in elevation, ready for operation;
Fig. 2 shows a section to a larger scale along line II - II in Fig. 1, Fig. 2a and 2b shows a detail from Fig. 2 in elevation and in plan;
and Fig. 3 shows the extraction apparatus according to the embodiment schematically in verticai section with a one-way package inserted.
Generally, 2 in the drawing denotes a one-way packaye whose external form, at least during transport and storage, is determined by a fla$1 rectangular cardboard box 4. On its broad side denoted by 5, the box 4 has longitudinal openings 8 and 10, and also a suspension flap 12 which is detached from the broad side 5 along a line of perforations 14 of the opening 8, formed in the broad side9 and bent over through 180. A strip, not shown, torn off along the line of perfoPations 16 closes the opening 10 during transport and storage. The box 4 contains a lining in the form of a bag 18 of foil material, which defines a storage space-20 tsee Fig. 2). Preferably, the foil mat-erial consists of several layers and has at least one layer of plastics and at least one layer of metal, the latter forming a diffu-sion barrier and the layer of plastics forming the innermost layer in the bag 18. A connecting piece 22 is connected in a fluid-tight manner to the bag 18, to which connecting piece a tube 24 of rubber-elastic material is connected by means of a coupling 26 formed on the tube. The coupling 26 is held on the connecting piece 22 by a safety ring 28. The tube 24 is housed in the interior of the box 4 before it is opened, substantially as shown in dotted line in Fig. 1. Accord-ingly, although it forms part of the one-way packageg this tube does not hinder transport and storage of the package.
For the extraction of the contents, i.e. oF the fluid from the bag 18, the tube 24 can be drawn out of the box 4 through the torn-out opening 10 so as to take up the position shown in Fig. 1 (in full lines) and in Fig. 2. In any case~ the tube 24 contains an extraction duct 30, connected with the storage space 20 by the connecting piece 22, and also a metering chamber 32 in a tube section 34 whose diameter is larger than that of the tube over the remainder of its length.
Finally, in its section 34, the tube 24 defines an outlet 36 at the end of the extraction duct 30 and contains an insert 38 disposed between metering chamber 3Z and outlet 36.
The insert 38 includes a plug 40 of circular form cross section and rounded profile, a foot portion 42, also of circular form, with a dia-meter larger than the plug 4~, the ~oot portion having gaps 44 disposed at spaced intervals on its periphery, and also a shaft 46, of reduced diameter compared with the plug 40, which fixedly joins the latter to the foot portion 42. Together with the wall of the tuSe 24, the plug 40 forms a pressure relief valve, in that the tube grips around the plug with a pre-tension. On the other hand, the plug 40 is secured against displacement within the tube 24 in that the foot portion 44, because of its larger outside diameter, is gripped onto by the tube 24 with greater pre-tension than the plug 40. If a-pressure is built up in the fluid contained in the metering chamber 32 which cannot be reduced in the direction of the storage space 20, the tube is lifted away from the surface of the plug when the pressure devel-oped exceeds the value determined by the pre-tension of the tube.
Fluid contained in the metering chamber 32 can therefore flow without hindrance along the shaft 46 and through the gaps 44 in foot portion 42 to the outlet 36. The greater pre-tension of the tube at the foot portion 42 prevents a displacement of the insert 38 before the press-ure relief valve 50 has opened. Depending upon the dimensions of the insert 38 and of the tube section 34, and also upon the elasticity of the tube itself, it is possible to select the opening pressure of the pressure relief valve 50 between 1.5 and 6 bar. As an alternative or in addition to a larger diameter, the foot'portion 44 can be gripped from below by a bead or bulge (not shown) which is provided on the inside of the tube in the vicinity of the outlet 36 in order to secure the insert 38.
In the extraction apparatus illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 3, a one-way package of the type previously described is shown in the ready-to-extract condition. The extraction apparatus includes a base plate 60, which can have a coupling device (not shown) and on which the one-way package 2 is secured on a hook 62 by means of the suspens-ion flap 12. Finally, the extraction apparatus according to the illustrated embodiment also includes a monitoring device having a transmitting element 82, which may be capacitive, gripping onto the tube 24 above the squeezing bolt 74.
The outlet 36 of the one-way package 2 is directed towards a take-out station (not shown) of the extraction apparatus where normally a drinking vessel, e.g. a beaker, is placed. If the extraction appar-atus forms part of a beverage dispensing automatic machine, e.g. a coffee machine, further delivery elements will also discharge at the take-out station, e.g. for hot water, milk and/or cream and also sugar. In order now to extract fluid from the one-way package 2, or its storage space 20, e.g. coffee extract in measured quantities, for the preparation of a beaker filling, the extraction apparatus operates in the manner described below.
When the extraction apparatus is in the starting position the pressure piston is withdrawn, compared with the intermediate position shown in Fig. 3, i.e. to the extent that the squeezing bolt 74 has released the tube 24. The extract-ion duct 30 is therefore open between storage space 20 and metering chamber 32. Under the constant internal press-ure prevai'ling in the storage space 29 j which is produced by the pressure generating p'late 68 and is preferab'ly between 0.1 and 0.3 bar, the metering chamber is accordingly filled. However, because of ss~ l its considerably higher opening pressure the pressure relief valve 50 cannot release fluid in the direction of the outlet 36. Following the process of filling the metering chamber 32 the pressure piston 72 is moved by the drive means 80 in the direction of the opposing plate 66. The position shown in Fig~ 33 in which the squeezing bolt 74 has closed off the extraction duct 30 above the metering chamber 32, is thereby traversed, that is9 before the squeezing-out piston 72 has begun to have an effect on the tube section 34. When the squeezing-out piston 72 starts pressing the tube section 34 together there results a build-up of internal pressure in the metering chamber 32 which is higher than the filling pressure, this pressure exceeding the opening pressure oF the pressure relief valve 50. As a result, fluid is forced out of the metering ch~lber 32 in the direction of the out-let 36, until the squeezing-out piston has reached the end of its squeezing-out stroke (movement to the right in Fig. 3) and the excess pressure in the metering chamber is reduced.
With the return of the squeezing-out piston 72 the tube section 34 is relieved and the pressure in the metering chamber 32 drops below the filling pressure, before the squeezing bolt 74 releases the tube 24 and the extraction duct 30 is open, after the position shown in Fig. 3 has been traversed. Under the in~luence of the filling pressure in the storage space 20 the metering chamber ~2 is now very quickly filled with fluid again. The extraction apparatus is thereby ready for a further extraction operation.
To enable fluid to be extracted from the bag 18 until it is comple~ely empty and also to enable the metering chamber 32 to be filled under constant pressure in spite of the stiffness of the walls of the box 24, the latter has longitudinal folds 7 in its narrow sides 6, dis posed approximately in the middle and extendiny in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the narrow sides can fold out along these lonyitudinal folds on the entire circumference of the box. Finally9 the pressure generating plate 68 has an elastic compensating layer 69 on the side thereof -facing the base plate 60. The compensating layer 69 is therefore able to equalise unevennesses to a limited extent, for example, in the region oF the box edges. Accordingly, it is not possible for pockets to form in the box 4, ~rom which the Fluid could not be squeezed out, even when the box is pressed toyether.
If during an extraction operation the amount of liquid contained in the bag is no longer sufficient to fill the metering chamber 32 to the extent that in addit10n the extraction duct 24 also remains full, up to the vicinity of the coupling 26, the transmitting element 82 of the monitoring device is actuated and blocks, for example, the drive means 80. Because of this the squeezing-out piston 72 remains in the start-ing position. In addition, in the case of a slot machine the accept-ance of money can be blocked by the monituring device and can remain blocked until such time as the transmitting element 82 detects that liquid is again available, e.g. after th~ empty one-way package 2 has been exchanged for a full package.
It is obviously also possible to design the extraction apparatus to receive several one way packages 2 in a ready-for~extraction position, at least the outlets 36 of two packages being directed towards the same take-ou~ point. In this way the monitoring device can initiate the extraction out of the second package when the first package is exhausted. In place of a cooled base plate 60 the extraction appara-tus can also have one or several cooled withdrawable compartments for one-way packages for the purpose of keeping the contents fresh while being used.
It follows from the foregoing that changing the one~way package in an extraction apparatus can be achieved in a very simple manner and with out the contents of the bag flowing out unintentionally, because the pressure relief valve 50 remains closed unless emptying is intended, and no connections with pipes conveying fluid have to be made.
.
Insofar as this is desired, the extraction apparatus can be made ad- -justable with respect to size of portions or quantity of fluid dis-pensed in an extraction operation.
This can be achieved either in that the head 73 provided on the squeezing-out piston 72 is not disposed fixedly, but is capable of pivoting, e.g. about a horizontally extending axis on its upper edge, and to be adjustable in its pivoted position. Depending upon the tilt of the head 73 a laryer or smaller quantity of fluid will accordingly be squeezed out of the metering chamber 32. The same effect can be achieved by varying the stroke of the squeezing-out piston 72 in such a manner that this is moved closer to or less close to the opposite plate 66.
The arrangement of the extraction duct 30 in the form o-F a tube of rubber-elastic material not only has the advantage ~hat its elasticity can be utilised not only in the functioning of the pressure relief valve, but this also permits the tube to be reliably sealingly closed off by the squeezing bolt so as to prevent a back flow of fluid out of the metering chamber 4 when this is squeezed. In the region of the tube in which the metering chamber 32 is formed an elastic behaviour is not however advantageous. If the emptying pressure in the bag is not constant the volume of the metering chamber can vary accordingly and lead to metering errors. It i5 therefore certainly advantageous for the tube to be arranged to be flexible in its part which defines the metering chamber 32, but not to be elastic, or to be less elastic than in the other parts. This can be achieved, for example, by thickening the walls in that part or else by providing a non-elastic sheath or a fabric insertion.
With the apparatus operating in an alternative manner, the arrangement of parts illustrated in Fig. 3 can also even depict the starting position, the metering chamber still being empty, because the squeezing bolt 74 has not yet cleared the extraction channel 30. This has the advantage that the fluid is held back in the region which is cboled by the base plate 60 until a new extraction takes place.
_ g
Claims (6)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Apparatus for extracting fluid from a one-way package, having one effective shut-off device between storage space and metering chamber and one between metering chamber and outlet, characterised in that at least one pressure generating plate with drive means is provided for the storage space and a drivable squeezing-out piston is provided for the metering chamber, and the effective shut-off device located between metering chamber and outlet is a pressure relief valve opening towards the outlet.
2. Extraction apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the squeezing-out piston has an adjustable head portion.
3. Extraction apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the stoke of the squeezing-out piston is adjustable.
4. Extraction apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that a capacitive or inductive transmitting element, belonging to a monitoring device, is provided above the effective shut-off device located between storage space and metering chamber.
5. Extraction apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the pressure generating plate defines a withdrawable compartment which is provided with a cooling device.
6. Extraction apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the cooling device has a base plate disposed opposite the pressure generating plate.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH9035/80A CH651519A5 (en) | 1980-12-08 | 1980-12-08 | DISPOSABLE PACKAGING FOR LIQUIDS AND DEVICE FOR REMOVING LIQUIDS FROM THIS. |
| CH9035/80-3 | 1980-12-08 | ||
| CA000391613A CA1180567A (en) | 1980-12-08 | 1981-12-07 | One-way package for fluids and apparatus for the extraction of fluids from this package |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000391613A Division CA1180567A (en) | 1980-12-08 | 1981-12-07 | One-way package for fluids and apparatus for the extraction of fluids from this package |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1195521A true CA1195521A (en) | 1985-10-22 |
Family
ID=25669503
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000465594A Expired CA1195521A (en) | 1980-12-08 | 1984-10-16 | One-way package for fluids and apparatus for the extraction of fluids from this package |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1195521A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-10-16 CA CA000465594A patent/CA1195521A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |