EP0112035B1

EP0112035B1 - A liquid dispenser having sound generating mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP0112035B1
Application number: EP83306862A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mituru Fujii; Hisashi Sasaki; Masamichi Imanishi; Toshihiro Ueda; Tomoyuki Dobashi
Original assignee: NICHIEI CHEMICALS Inc; Suntory Ltd; Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Co Ltd
Current assignee: Suntory Ltd
Priority date: 1982-11-24
Filing date: 1983-11-10
Publication date: 1987-07-29
Also published as: DE3372743D1; AU2133083A; CA1206442A; AU568100B2; EP0112035A2; KR920001384B1; MX156423A; KR840006792A; EP0112035A3

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid dispenser, and more particularly to a dispenser adapted to attach to an opening of a container, e.g. a can, a barrel, or a bottle, to dispense easily the liquid in the container.
Recently, beer packed in a medium capacity metal or plastic container, e.g. 2 litre and 3 litre container, has begun to be sold. It is desired that a dispenser may be attached to such a container after the closure has been removed in order to dispense the beer easily to a mug or a glass. Many kinds of such dispensers have been proposed. However, the objective of such dispensers has been to solve problems and disadvantages associated with the dispenser itself, such as easy attachment to the container or easy control of pouring quantity. However, such improvements relate only to essential pouring functions.
One such type of dispenser for pouring beer is disclosed in GB-A-2 063 205 and has a main pouring conduit, a subsidiary pouring conduit and an air introduction tube which normally extends into the liquid in the liquid container when the liquid is poured. This specification is, however, only concerned with improving the quality of the head of foam of beer poured out of the dispenser.
The present invention aims to provide a liquid dispenser which is adapted to attach to a beverage container and which has effective pouring properties as well as the property of producing an agreeable sound when the beverage is poured from the container.
DE-C-3005 discloses a pouring vessel which has an air introduction tube leading into the vessel from the spout and a device located in the end of the air introduction tube inside the vessel which produces a noise so long as liquid is flowing out of the vessel. The air introduction tube extends in the upper part of the vessel to the opposite side of the vessel from the spout and does not extend into the liquid within the vessel even when liquid is poured out of the spout. The noise producing device therefore produces a continuous sound when liquid is poured from the vessel.
The liquid dispenser in accordance with the present invention has a body adapted to be mounted in an opening of a liquid container, at least one liquid pouring conduit and an air introduction tube which normally extends into the liquid in the liquid container when the liquid is poured, and is characterised in that a sound generating means comprising a resonance chamber is formed within a portion of the air introduction tube which is arranged to be disposed on the exterior of the liquid container when the body of the dispenser is mounted in the opening of the container, the dimensions of the resonance chamber and the air introduction tube being such that, in normal liquid dispensing operation of the liquid dispenser, a pulsating air flow is produced in the air introduction tube which is sufficient to cause the resonance chamber to generate an intermittent "cheep" sound.
With appropriate selection of the dimensions of the air introduction tube and resonance chamber, particularly in the diameter and length of the air introduction tube, the intermittent or pulsating air flow produced in the tube when liquid such as beer is poured from the container through the liquid pouring conduit to a mug or a glass causes the resonance chamber to produce a "cheep" sound or the intermittent sound of a chick. The intermittent "cheep" sound is quite different from a long-lasting whistle sound and is agreeable to hear for users of a wide range.
The sound generating means may include a small side hole exposed to the atmosphere and formed in the outer peripheral wall of the exterior portion of the air introduction tube which forms the resonance chamber. Alternatively, a small hole or holes may throttle the air flow through the resonance chamber. At least one partition wall having such a small hole may be provided in said exterior portion to define an end of the resonance chamber.
The foreoing as well as additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments is read. The description, explained by way of example, should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts in all views and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dispenser, according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an end view along arrow II of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the pouring nozzle of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is an end view similar to Fig. 2 showing a variation of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a front view of a dispenser, according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a side view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dispenser shown in Fig. 6 attached to the mouth of a bottle;
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dispenser, according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is an end view of the dispenser, viewed along arrow IX of Fig. 9; and
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section view of a dispenser, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to Figs. 1-4, a dispenser 1 according to first preferred embodiment of the present invention, is formed by a body 2 and a pouring nozzle 3. The body 2 bends at a certain angle at the outlet which is the right end portion shown in Fig. 1. At the left end shown in Fig. 1, the body 2 forms an integrally secured flange 5. Contiguous with the flange 5, an attached cylindrical body 6 is formed integral with the body 2. On the periphery of the cylindrical body 6, several projections 7 are formed. By means of the projections 7, the dispenser 1 can be pressed into an opening of a liquid container, not shown, in a sealed and removable relationship.
In the bent portion of the body 2, a semi-circular partition wall 8 is projected from the top portion of the inside periphery of the body 2 into a passage 10 of a pouring barrel 9. By the partition wall 8, air stagnation spaces 11 and 12 are formed adjacent to the bent portion of the main pouring passage 10 when liquid is poured through the passage 10. By means of the air stagnation spaces 11 and 12, when the container is raised up to stop pouring, viscosity resistance given from passage wall to flowing fluid is decreased as the liquid, e.g. beer and foam, remaining in the passage are returned into the container. Therefore, the accidental injection of the fluid caused of the internal pressure in the container is prevented. The free end of the pouring barrel 9 is adapted to engage smoothly with the pouring nozzle, as will be explained in detail later. Upwards, and spaced from the top portion of barrel 9, top end 13a of an air introduction tube 13 with "cheep" mechanism i.e. sound producing mechanism to be described later, is positioned. A projection 14 is integrally formed with the body 2, opposite to the tube 13. Inside the projection 14, a backing element 15 is formed and an insertable recess 16 of generally semicircular cross section is formed between the backing element 15 and the projection 14.
The inner end 13b, or left end in Fig. 1, of the air introduction tube 13 is projected beyond the attachment flange 5 for a predetermined distance s. On the outer end 13a, or right end in Fig. 1, of the air introduction tube 13, a "cheep" tube 17 is mounted. The "cheep" tube 17 is open at one end and is closed at the other side by a partition wall 18 which has a small hole 21. Projected further from the partition wall 18, the tube 17 forms a cover tube 19 which forms a taper surface 20 at open end. In the illustrated embodiment, inner diameter d, of the outer end 13a of the air introduction tube is about 4-6 mm, while the inner diameter d of the small hole 21 of the "cheep" tube 17 is about 2.7-3.3 mm, and the inner diameter D of a chamber 30 formed in the tube 17 adjacent to the hole 21 is about 7-10 mm.
The pouring nozzle 3 forms a plurality of axially extending semi-circular sectioned projections 22a, 22b, and 22c. The projections add rigidity to the nozzle 3 and prevent the nozzle 3 from deformation when the nozzle 3 is mounted on the barrel 9. The pouring nozzle 3 forms a thin-walled fitting portion 23 which fits in a thin-walled opening 24 formed at the open end of the pouring barrel 9. A subsidiary flow chamber 25 is formed integrally under pouring passage 10 with the nozzle 3. At the right end in Fig. 1, the subsidiary flow chamber opens to a subsidiary pouring outlet 26. The upper surface of the subsidiary flow chamber 25 is open with the main pouring passage 10. At the left end of the subsidiary chamber 25, a cutout 27 is formed in the thin wall portion 23. A semi-circular sectioned insert wall 28 is formed adjacent the cutout 27. The insert wall 28 is inserted in the above-described insertable recess 16 of the body 2. The main pouring passage 10 of the pouring nozzle 3 forms a tapered outlet surface 29.
To use the dispenser 1, the cylindrical body 6 is pressed into the opening of the liquid container so that the dispenser 1 is fixed with the container. As usual, the container is held and tilted to pour the liquid, e.g. beer into the mug. When the liquid is poured, air is introduced into the tube 13 through the small hole 21 of the "cheep" tube 17 and the chamber 30. The small hole 21 functions as an orifice, which makes turbulance on the air flow passing therethrough, and the chamber 30 acts as a resonator to produce sound. As the air flow through the tube 13 is intermittent, the sound is not a long-lasting whistle sound, but is an intermittent sound of "cheep" such as that a little bird would make. The "cheep" sound is agreeable and delightful to hear.
When the liquid in the container is poured, aided by air introduced via tube 13, through the main pouring passage 10 of the pouring nozzle 3, the liquid in the subsidiary flow chamber 25 is poured simultaneously from the subsidiary outlet 26. As a relatively large quantity of liquid is poured only through the main passage 10, a large amount of air is drawn into a glass or mug to form foam. Liquid poured through the subsidiary outlet 26 applies fine vibrations to the liquid level surface which is already formed by previously poured liquid. Thus, carbon dioxide dissolved in the liquid is separated by the vibration into numerous fine bubbles which cover the liquid surface. In this way the entraining of air is limited only to the initial stage of pouring and thus the generation of air foams is effectively decreased.
When the container is raised to stop the pouring, liquid and foam in the passages of the dispenser 1 return back into the container. While pouring, stagnant air in the stagnation spaces 11 and 12 on both sides of the wall 14 decreases viscosity resistance between the liquid flowing back into the container, and also prevents the inadvertent injection.
The sound of the "cheep" mechanism is determined by diameter d of the small hole 21, diameter D and the axial length of the chamber 30, and the material from which the "cheep" tube 17 is constructed. By projecting the inner end 13b of the air introduction tube 13 into the container for a predetermined length, a fine pulsatory motion is produced in the flowing air so that an intermittent "cheep" sound is produced instead of a whistle sound.
After all liquid in the container is consumed, the dispenser 1 may be removed from the container. The removed dispenser 1 can be utilized as a whistle. The inner end 13b of the air introduction tube 13 is held in the mouth and air is blown or sucked through the tube. By blowing or sucking air a resonance phenomenon is produced in the tube 17 so that whistling sound is produced.
Fig. 5 shows a variation of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1. Note that in Fig. 5 the subsidiary passage and the outlet thereof are eliminated from the dispenser 1, the other construction of the dispenser shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that of the dispenser shown in Fig. 1.
Figs. 6-8 show a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser shown in Figs. 6-8 is formed from suitable plastic material, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene, as is the dispenser 1 shown in Figs. 1-4, and consists of a dispenser body 2' and a pouring nozzle 3' which are fit together. The air introduction tube 13 is formed integral with the body 2' while the outer end 13a is received in the "cheep" tube 17 which is integrally formed with the pouring nozzle 3'. As before, the "cheep" tube 17 has the partition wall 18 having the small hole 21.
The pouring nozzle 3' includes a nozzle body portion having the "cheep" tube 17 and the main pouring outlet 10 includes a subsidiary outlet portion having two subsidiary outlets 261 and 262. As shown in Fig. 8, a fitting end portion 31 of the main passage 10 is generally semi-circular with a flat top portion, and a fitting end portion 31 which communicates with the subsidiary outlets 261 and 262 and which is generally oval in the illustrated embodiment. The shape of the fitting portion may be selected as desired. The subsidiary flow chambers 25 do not directly communicate with the main flow passage 10, but communicate through an opening 32 adjacent to flange 5' of the main body 2'. The operation of the dispenser shown in Figs. 6-8 is similar to that of the dispenser shown in Figs. 1-4.
Figs. 9 and 10 show a dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the above described embodiments, the dispenser body 2 or 2' fits with the pouring nozzle 3 or 3' along an outer fit line A-A, while the main passage portion of pouring nozzle 3" is fit in main body 2", and the right end portion 13'a of the air introduction tube 13 is secured into the "cheep" tube 17' which is integral with the pouring nozzle 3". In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the end surface of dispenser body 2" is substantially flat and outer fit line A-A is linear. Each portion of the dispenser nozzle 3" is mounted onto each portion of the body 2". More particularly, "cheep" tube 17' is integral with the pouring nozzle 3" and on the free end of the tube 17', an end wall 18' with a small hole 21' is integrally formed. Opposed to end spaced from the small hole 21', a small hole 33 is formed in a partition wall 34 which is molded into the air introduction tube 13. Between the walls 34 and 18', a chamber 30 having a predetermined axial length and a predetermined inside diameter is defined in the air introduction tube. When the air column defined by the chamber 30 is resonated, sound is produced.
In a preferred embodiment of the "cheep" mechanism, or the sound producing mechanism, the thickness of the walls 18' and 34 is 1.0 mm, the inside diameter of the small holes 21' and 33 is 2.8 mm, the length of the chamber i.e. distance between the partition walls 18' and 34, is 10 mm, and the inside diameter of the air introduction tube 13 and the "cheep" tube 17 is 4 mm.
The embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10 has no subsidiary pouring outlet, and connection between the body 2" and the pouring nozzle 3" is rather weakly defined compared with the first and second embodiments. However, construction is very simple and compact.
Fig. 11 shows a dispenser, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The only difference between this fourth embodiment and the third embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is the sound producing mechanism. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, a small hole 25 is opened to the outer wall of the dispenser body 2" to communicate with the air introduction tube 2". The "cheep" tube 17" without the former wall 18' is secured in the outer end 13'a of the air introduction tube 13. A space defined between the inner end of the "cheep" tube 17" and the small hole 25 acts as the above-mentioned chamber 30. Also, in the embodiment the subsidiary flow chamber 25 which communicates with the main pouring passage 10, and a subsidiary outlet 26 is provided as in the first embodiment.
The subsidiary pouring outlet shown in the embodiments of Figs. 1, 7, and 11 is effective to produce fine foam bubbles when beer is used with the dispenser. However, according to the present invention the subsidiary outlet may be eliminated from the dispenser as shown in the embodiments represented in Figs 7 and 10.
As described in detail, the dispenser of the present invention pours beverages, e.g. beer, ideally and has a very simple sound producing mechanism i.e. a "cheep" mechanism combined with the air introduction tube. Thus, when the beverage is poured, an agreeable sound is produced by the intermittent air flow in the air introduction tube. As the user of the dispenser pours the beverage and hears the agreeable sound, the user may approve more of the beverage itself. Because dispenser can after the container is empty, be utilized as a whistle, the dispenser itself is likely to gain approval by younger boys. Consequently, the dispenser, of the present invention produces a "cheep" sound when the beverage is poured and also produces a whistle sound after the dispenser is removed from the container so that two kinds of sound are produced.

Claims

1. A liquid dispenser (1) having a body (2) adapted to be mounted in an opening of a liquid container, at least one liquid pouring conduit (10) and an air introduction tube (13) which normally extends into the liquid in the liquid container when the liquid is poured, characterised in that a sound generating means comprising a resonance chamber (30) is formed within a portion (17) of the air introduction tube which is arranged to be disposed on the exterior of the liquid container when the body of the dispenser is mounted in the opening of the container, the dimensions of the resonance chamber (30) and the air introduction tube (13) being such that, in normal liquid dispensing operation of the liquid dispenser, a pulsating air flow is produced in the air introduction tube (13) which is sufficient to cause the resonance chamber (30) to generate an intermittent 'cheep' sound.

2. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that the sound generating means includes at least one small hole (25) exposed to the atmosphere and formed in the outer peripheral wall of the exterior portion (17) of the air introduction tube (13) which includes the resonance chamber (30).

3. A liquid dispenser according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one partition wall (18) having a small hole (21) is provided in said exterior portion (17) of the air introduction tube (13) to define one end of the resonance chamber (30).

4. A liquid dispenser according to claim 3, characterised in thatthe resonance chamber (30) is defined between two partition walls (18', 34), each having a small hole (21', 33), which are longitudinally spaced in said exterior portion (17) of the air introduction tube (13).

5. A liquid dispenser according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterised in that the partition wall (18, 18') defining the outer end of the resonance chamber (30) is part of a separate member (3, 3') which is secured to the body (2) of the dispenser and which forms the outer end of the pouring conduit (10).

6. A liquid dispenser according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the inside diameter of the end of the air introduction tube (13) which extends into the liquid in the liquid container is from 4 mm to 6 mm.