EP1862428A1

EP1862428A1 - Method and assembly for dispensing a product from a form-retaining container

Info

Publication number: EP1862428A1
Application number: EP06010958A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wilhelmus Johannes Joseph Maas; Petrus Lambertus Wilhelmus Hurkmans; Dominicus Jan Wijk
Original assignee: AFA Polytek BV
Current assignee: AFA Polytek BV
Priority date: 2006-05-28
Filing date: 2006-05-28
Publication date: 2007-12-05

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for dispensing one or more products (8) and to an assembly (1) for carrying out this method, comprising a form-retaining container (2) for receiving the product(s) (8), said container (2) having an outflow opening (6), and means for introducing into the container (2) a medium (15) for displacing the product(s) (8). The displacing medium introduction means are arranged for introducing the displacing medium (15) into the container (2) such that it exerts on the product(s) (8) substantially only a force directed towards the outflow opening (6).
The displacing medium introduction means may include a chamber (18) that is separated from the part (19) of the container (2) containing the product(s) (8) by means of a flexible diaphragm (17).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for dispensing at least one product from a form-retaining container through an outflow opening by introducing into the container a medium for displacing the at least one product to be dispensed. Such a method is known.
It is known to dispense products, in particular products having a low viscosity, like liquids, but also more viscous or "pasty" products like sauces and even ice cream by using so-called "bag-in-box" or "bag-in-bottle" systems. In such systems, the product to be dispensed is packed in a - usually flexible - inner container or bag, which is arranged inside a - usually form-retaining - outer container, the box or bottle. The bag is provided with an outflow opening having a controllable valve or closure member protruding from an opening that is formed in the box or bottle.
For dispensing products having a low viscosity, like liquids, it is usually sufficient to open the valve in the outflow opening, after which the product will flow from the outflow opening under the influence of gravity. At the same time ambient air flows into the container to take up the space freed by the dispensed product.
When the product to be dispensed has a higher viscosity, however, for instance in the case of a relatively thick sauce or even ice cream, gravity pull is insufficient and the product will have to be pumped from the container. To this end use can be made of a pump that is connected to the bag, but it is also possible to force the product from the bag by pumping another medium into the space between the container and the bag. This medium will then exert a pressure on the bag and thus displace the product from the container.
The known bag-in-box or bag-in-bottle systems have the drawback that it is not always possible to completely dispense the product contained therein. This applies in particular when they are filled with highly viscous products. This problem is caused by the inertia of the highly viscous product, which results in voids in the remaining product, whenever part of the product is dispensed from the container. Since the product moves too slowly to fill these voids, the bag will form bulges filling them. These bulges narrow or even completely obstruct the path that the remaining product has to follow to reach the outflow opening, thus trapping part of the product in the container. Eventually bulging parts of the bag may even protrude into the outflow opening, thus blocking all further product flow. The amount of product remaining in the container represents a loss to the consumer.
In an attempt to solve this problem, use is often made of a so-called "anti-collapse" member, which may be a tube or a shaft carrying a cross or small plates, extending from the outflow opening. This anti-collapse member protrudes relatively deep into the bag to prevent it from collapsing as long as the product has not been completely dispensed from the container. However, this anti-collapse member in itself constitutes an obstacle for the product moving towards the outflow opening, in particular for highly viscous products, which will adhere to the anti-collapse member and which will hardly flow through a tube. Moreover, when the temperature of the product to be dispensed is below the freezing point, as is the case with ice cream, this will adhere even more strongly to the anti-collapse member.
The invention has for its object to provide an improved method for dispensing one or more products from a form-retaining container, by which a smooth outflow of product is guaranteed under virtually all circumstances and which prevents any residual product from becoming trapped in the bag. In accordance with the invention, this is accomplished in a method of the type described above, in that the displacing medium is introduced into the container such that it exerts on the at least one product substantially only a force directed towards the outflow opening.
By letting the displacing medium exert only a force that is directed towards the outflow opening, this medium acts as a kind of piston, uniformly pushing the product forward over a substantially straight front. Since the product moves uniformly towards the outflow opening over substantially the entire cross-section of the container, no voids are formed in the product. Consequently, the risk of parts of the product being trapped is greatly reduced, and the container may be completely emptied.
In order to achieve the pressure distribution required to exert a force in the direction of the outflow opening, the displacing medium is preferably introduced into the container substantially at the side thereof opposite the outflow opening.
In a preferred embodiment of this dispensing method, the displacing medium is introduced into a chamber that is separated from the part of the container containing the at least one product by means of at least one flexible diaphragm. In this way contact between the product and the displacing medium is avoided, and there is no risk of contamination of the product.
The container may contain a plurality of products, which may be simultaneously dispensed by introduction into the container of the displacing medium. In this way two or more products may be mixed when they leave the container.
When a pressurized gas, in particular ambient air is used as displacing medium, the method may easily be practiced by providing either a pressurized gas canister or a pump.
Alternatively, a liquid may be used as displacing medium, in particular water, which is usually available at mains pressure.
The invention also relates to a dispensing assembly with which the above described method may be performed.
A known assembly for dispensing at least one product comprises a form-retaining container for receiving the at least one product, said container having at least one outflow opening, and means for introducing into the container a medium for displacing the at least one product to be dispensed.
The dispensing assembly of the present invention is distinguished from this known assembly in that the displacing medium introduction means are arranged for introducing the displacing medium into the container such that it exerts on the at least one product substantially only a force directed towards the outflow opening.
In order to achieve the required pressure distribution, the displacing medium introduction means are preferably operative at the side of the container opposite the outflow opening.
In a preferred embodiment of the dispensing assembly, the displacing medium introduction means include a chamber that is separated from the part of the container containing the at least one product by means of at least one flexible diaphragm, so as to avoid possible contamination of the product by the displacing medium.
In order to maximize the capacity of the container and yet guarantee that it may be completely emptied, the at least one flexible diaphragm is preferably deformable and/or displaceable between a first extreme position in which it lies substantially along the side of the container opposite the outflow opening and a second extreme position in which it lies substantially along the side of the container in which the outflow opening is arranged.
In a first embodiment of the dispensing assembly, the at least one flexible diaphragm has a peripheral edge attached to a sidewall of the container. Thus the diaphragm extends over the entire cross-section of the container. Because in its first extreme position, when the container is completely filled with product, the diaphragm extends from the attachment point along the sidewall to the side opposite the outflow opening, the product is kept free of the sidewall over a substantial part of the height of the container, thus reducing friction and facilitating movement of the product towards the outflow opening.
In one variant of this embodiment, the container comprises two parts that are mutually connected by means of mating flanges, and the peripheral edge of the at least one flexible diaphragm is sealingly clamped between the mating flanges. In this way the container and diaphragm may be easily assembled from a limited number of parts that are moreover easy to manufacture.
Alternatively, the container may comprise at least an outer layer and an inner layer, and the at least one flexible diaphragm may be integrally molded with said inner layer of the container. By manufacturing the container and diaphragm as a single piece, the need for any assembling operations is obviated.
In a second embodiment of the dispensing assembly, the at least one flexible diaphragm forms part of a separate bag arranged in the container and defining the chamber for the dispensing medium and/or the part of the container containing the at least one product. In this way the invention may be practiced using a standard container, manufactured by conventional techniques.
In one variant of this embodiment the bag may substantially fill the interior of the container and may include at least one compartment forming the container part containing the product to be dispensed and another compartment forming the chamber for the displacing medium, and the compartments may be separated by the flexible diaphragm. Both the product and the displacing medium are thus isolated from the container, which may then be made from any suitable material.
The bag may have a plurality of compartments for a variety of products to be dispensed simultaneously.
In another variant of this embodiment, the bag may be arranged along the side of the container opposite the outflow opening and may form the chamber for the displacing medium, in which case the flexible diaphragm may be formed by the side of the bag facing the outflow opening. After arranging the bag at the bottom, the container may then simply be filled with the product to be dispensed.
However, it is also conceivable that the bag is arranged along the side of the container in which the outflow opening is defined and forms the container part containing the product, in which case the flexible diaphragm is formed by the side of the bag opposite the outflow opening.
These two variants may advantageously be combined, resulting in a dispensing assembly in which the product to be dispensed is packed in a bag which is arranged between the outflow opening and the bag that will be filled with the displacing medium.
In order to allow the displacing medium to be introduced into the container, the displacing medium introduction means preferably include a supply port accessible from the outside of the container and connected to the chamber.
A valve may be arranged between the chamber and the supply port to prevent the displacing medium, which will be at a higher than ambient pressure, from flowing out of the chamber.
In a preferred embodiment of the dispensing assembly the supply port is arranged within or adjacent the outflow opening and is connected to the chamber by a supply line arranged inside the container. In this way only a single opening needs to be formed in the container and all connections may be made at a central location.
The displacing medium introduction means preferably include a source of displacing medium. This source of displacing medium may be a pump for pressurizing a gas, in particular ambient air, or it may be a liquid supply conduit, in particular a water pipe.
A lightweight yet sturdy, low-cost dispensing assembly may be obtained when the container is made from a plastics material, in particular stretched PET.
Preferably, the at least one flexible diaphragm is made from a plastics material as well. In order to facilitate recycling of the dispensing assembly after use, the plastics material from which the diaphragm is made may be identical or at least related to the plastics material of the container.
The invention is now elucidated by means of a number of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B show perspective longitudinal sectional views of a first embodiment of the dispensing assembly of the present invention, including a diaphragm that is clamped between two parts of the container, in a first extreme position when the container is substantially filled with product to be dispensed and a second extreme position, in which substantially all of the product has been expelled from the container, respectively;
Figures 2A and 2B are views corresponding with those of Figures 1A and 1B of a variant of this embodiment, in which the diaphragm forms an integral part of an inner layer of a multi-layered container;
Figures 3A and 3B show views corresponding with those of Figures 1 and 2 of a second embodiment of the dispensing assembly, in which the diaphragm forms part of a separate bag arranged inside the container, the bag having a compartment for the product to be dispensed and one for the displacing medium;
Figures 4A and 4B are views corresponding with those of Figures 1 through 3 of a variant of this embodiment, in which there are two side-by-side compartments for two different products that are to be dispensed simultaneously;
Figures 5A and 5B are views corresponding with those of the previous Figures of another variant of this embodiment, in which there are two separate bags for the product and the displacing medium, respectively;
Figures 6A and 6B are views corresponding with those of the previous Figures of yet another variant of this embodiment, in which there is only a single bag for the displacing medium, the product being packed directly in the container;
Figure 7 is a side view of the dispensing assembly ready for use;
Figure 8 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 7 in a transport and storage state, the outflow opening being covered by a protective cap;
Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dispensing assembly of Figures 8 and 9; and
Figure 10 is an enlarged scale detail view of the outflow opening and pressurized air supply port of the dispensing assembly shown in Figure 9.

An assembly 1 for dispensing at least one product 8 comprises a form-retaining container 2 for receiving the product 8 to be dispensed. The container 2, which may be made from a plastics material like e.g. stretched PET, has a top wall 3, a cylindrical sidewall 4 and a bottom wall 5. An outflow opening 6 for dispensing the product 8 is defined in the top wall 3.
The dispensing assembly 1 further includes means 9 for introducing into the container 2 a medium 15 for displacing the product 8 to be dispensed. In accordance with the present invention, these displacing medium introduction means 9 are arranged for introducing the displacing medium 15 into the container 2 such that the force which it exerts on the product 8 is directed substantially exclusively towards the outflow opening 6. To this end, the displacing medium 15 is introduced into the container 2 near the bottom 5, opposite the outflow opening 6. The displacing medium 15 is introduced into a chamber 18 that is separated from the part 19 of the container 2 where the product 8 is held by a flexible diaphragm 17.
The displacing medium introduction means 9 further include a supply port 12 that is accessible from the outside of the container 2 and that is connected to the chamber 18. The displacing medium introduction means 9 also include a source of displacing medium 15 (not shown here), which may be connected to the supply port 12. This source of displacing medium 15 may be a pump or compressor for pressurizing a gas, for instance ambient air, but may also include a canister filled with pressurized gas. Alternatively, the source of displacing medium 15 may be a liquid supply conduit, in particular a water pipe, which is easily available at most locations. A valve (not shown here) may be arranged in the supply port 12 or between the chamber 18 and the supply port 12 to prevent the displacing medium 15 from flowing out of the chamber 18.
In the first embodiment the diaphragm 17 has a peripheral edge 21 that is attached to the sidewall 4 of the container, approximately halfway between the top wall 3 and the bottom 5. In a first extreme position - when the container 2 is completely filled with product 8 - the diaphragm 17 extends from the point of attachment along the sidewall 4 to the bottom 5 of the container 2, more or less forming a bucket opposite the outflow opening 6 (Fig. 1A). In a second extreme position - when the container 2 has been emptied - the diaphragm 17 extends from the attachment point along the sidewall 4 to the top wall 3 of the container 2 and runs substantially along the outflow opening 6 (Fig. 1B).
In the illustrated variant the container 2 comprises an upper part 22 having a lower flange 24 and a lower part 23 having an upper flange 25. These two parts 22, 23 are mutually connected by means of the mating flanges 24, 25, which may be bonded or welded together. At the same time the peripheral edge 21 of the flexible diaphragm 17 is attached to the sidewall 4 by sealingly clamping it between the mating flanges 24, 25 or bonding or welding it together with these flanges.
Another variant of the embodiment having the diaphragm 17 attached to the sidewall 4 is shown in Figs. 2A and 2B. Here the container 2 comprises at least an outer layer 26 and an inner layer 27, which may or may not be made from the same material. These layers 26, 27 are co-molded into a preform and subsequently blow-molded into the final container shape. When co-molding the outer and inner layers 26, 27, a layer of a non-adhering material is inserted between these layers in the lower part of the mold, which will shape the bottom 5 and lower part of the sidewall 4. The presence of this non-adhering layer results in the outer and inner layers 26, 27 lying loose, thus forming a chamber 18 in the lower part of the container 2. The loose part of the inner layer 27 then forms the flexible diaphragm 17 separating this chamber 18 from the remaining part 19 of the container 2.
In both variants of this first embodiment the supply port 12 is shown to be arranged in the bottom 5 of the container, opposite the outflow opening 6.
In a second embodiment the diaphragm 17 is not a separate part attached inside the container 2, but forms part of a bag. In the variant shown in Figs. 3A and 3B the bag 28 is shaped and dimensioned to substantially fill the interior of the container 2. The bag 28 includes a first compartment 20 arranged nearest the outflow opening and forming the container part 19 in which the product 8 is packaged. This first compartment 20 includes an outflow opening 16 of its own, which protrudes into the outflow opening 6 of the container 2. The bag 28 further includes a second compartment 13 forming the chamber 18 for the displacing medium 15. The first and second compartments 13, 20 are separated by the flexible diaphragm 17.
In this embodiment the supply port 12 is arranged within the outflow opening 6. In this way only a single opening needs to be formed in the container 2. The supply port 12 is connected to the chamber 18 defined by the second compartment 13 of the bag 28 by a supply line 11. This supply line 11 is shown to run substantially parallel to the top wall 3 and sidewall 4 of the container 2. It could also be incorporated into the container walls, for instance when the container 2 has a multi-layered structure.
Another variant of this embodiment is suitable for simultaneously dispensing two products 8A and 8B, which may be mixed outside the container 2 (Figs. 4A and 4B). To this end the first compartment is divided into two sub-compartments 20A and 20B by means of a divider wall 14. Although in the illustrated variant the sub-compartments 20A, 20B are identical, this is not necessary. In fact, the ratio between the cross-sections and volumes of the sub-compartments should be chosen so as to correspond with the required mixing ratio of the two products 8A and 8B.
Instead of a single bag 28 divided into compartments 13, 20 by the flexible diaphragm 17, the dispensing assembly may also include two separate bags 7, 10 defining the product containing part 19 and the displacing medium chamber 18, respectively (Figs. 5A and 5B). These bags 7, 10 may or may not be mutually connected. The lower bag 10 defining the chamber 18 is configured and dimensioned such that it substantially surrounds the lower half of the upper bag 7 when this is filled with the product 8 and substantially fills the entire container 2 when the upper bag 7 is emptied.
In yet another variant of this second embodiment of the dispensing assembly the upper bag 7 is eliminated and the product is introduced directly into the part 19 of the container 2 above the lower bag 10 (Figs. 6A and 6B). Although this variant is simpler than that of Figs. 4 and 5, it does result in a somewhat higher friction between the product 8 and the sidewall 4. Therefore, this variant is only suitable for products which are not too viscous and do not adhere very strongly to the material of the container 2.
In all shown embodiments the outflow opening 6 is surrounded by a neck 29. This neck 29 may be provided with connecting means - for instance threading, bayonet provisions or snap provisions - for mounting a dispensing adapter 30 onto the container 2 (Figs. 9 and 10). This dispensing adapter 30 includes an outflow conduit 31 closed off by a controllable closure member 32 and a connector 33 for connecting the source of displacing medium 15 to the supply port 12. In the shown embodiment the outflow conduit 31 has a curved outer edge and the closure member 32 is pivotable about an axis 34 (Fig. 7).
Using this dispensing adapter 30, the product 8 is dispensed from the container 2 by first introducing the displacing medium 15 into the chamber 18, for instance by operating a pump or compressor for pressurizing ambient air or by opening a water faucet, and then moving the closure member 32 to a position in which the outflow conduit 31 is opened. Whenever the outflow of the product 8 decreases, the pressure in the chamber 18 may be increased by introducing additional displacing medium 15. When a desired amount of the product 8 has been dispensed, the closure member 32 may be returned to its closed position.
The dispensing adapter 30 is designed to allow the dispensing assembly 1 to be used in combination with a dispensing mechanism as disclosed in the co-pending patent application entitled "Apparatus for dispensing a product from a form-retaining container". To this end it includes a profiled collar 35 that is accommodated in a correspondingly profiled opening in the dispensing mechanism. This profiled collar also serves to hold a protective cover 36 when the dispensing assembly is not in use (Fig. 8), in particular during transport and storage of the dispensing assembly.
Although the invention has been illustrated by referring to a number of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be clear that it is by no means limited to the shown embodiments. The invention may be adapted and modified in various ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A method for dispensing at least one product (8) from a form-retaining container (2) through an outflow opening (6) by introducing into the container (2) a medium (15) for displacing the at least one product (8) to be dispensed, characterized in that the displacing medium (15) is introduced into the container (2) such that it exerts on the at least one product (8) substantially only a force directed towards the outflow opening (6).
The method of claim 1, characterized in that the displacing medium (15) is introduced into the container (2) substantially at the side (5) thereof opposite the outflow opening (6).
The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the displacing medium (15) is introduced into a chamber (18) that is separated from the part (19) of the container (2) containing the at least one product (8) by means of at least one flexible diaphragm (17).
The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (2) contains a plurality of products (8A, 8B), which are simultaneously dispensed by introduction into the container (2) of the displacing medium (15).
The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pressurized gas, in particular ambient air is used as displacing medium (15).
The method of any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a liquid, in particular water is used as displacing medium (15).
An assembly (1) for dispensing at least one product (8), comprising:
- a form-retaining container (2) for receiving the at least one product (8), said container (2) having at least one outflow opening (6), and

- means (9) for introducing into the container (2) a medium (15) for displacing the at least one product (8) to be dispensed,
characterized in that the displacing medium introduction means (9) are arranged for introducing the displacing medium (15) into the container (2) such that it exerts on the at least one product (8) substantially only a force directed towards the outflow opening (6).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 7, characterized in that the displacing medium introduction means (9) are operative at the side (5) of the container (2) opposite the outflow opening (6).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the displacing medium introduction means (9) include a chamber (18) that is separated from the part (19) of the container (2) containing the at least one product (8) by means of at least one flexible diaphragm (17).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 9, characterized in that the at least one flexible diaphragm (17) is deformable and/or displaceable between a first extreme position in which it lies substantially along the side (5) of the container (2) opposite the outflow opening (6) and a second extreme position in which it lies substantially along the side (3) of the container (2) in which the outflow opening (6) is arranged.
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one flexible diaphragm (17) has a peripheral edge (21) attached to a sidewall (4) of the container (2).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 11, characterized in that the container (2) comprises two parts (22, 23) that are mutually connected by means of mating flanges (24, 25), the peripheral edge (21) of the at least one flexible diaphragm (17) being sealingly clamped between the mating flanges (24, 25).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 11, characterized in that the container (2) comprises at least an outer layer (26) and an inner layer (27), the at least one flexible diaphragm (17) being integrally molded with said inner layer (27) of the container (2).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the at least one flexible diaphragm (17) forms part of a separate bag (7; 10; 28) arranged in the container (2) and defining the chamber (18) for the dispensing medium (15) and/or the part (19) of the container (2) containing the at least one product (8).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 14, characterized in that the bag (28) substantially fills the interior of the container (2) and includes at least one compartment (20) forming the container part (19) containing the product (8) to be dispensed and another compartment (13) forming the chamber (18) for the displacing medium (15), the compartments (13, 20) being separated by the flexible diaphragm (17).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 15, characterized in that the bag (28) has a plurality of compartments (20A, 20B) for products (8A, 8B) to be dispensed simultaneously.
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 14, characterized in that the bag (10) is arranged along the side (5) of the container (2) opposite the outflow opening (6) and forms the chamber (18) for the displacing medium (15), the flexible diaphragm (17) being formed by the side of the bag (10) facing the outflow opening (6).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 14 or 17, characterized in that the bag (7) is arranged along the side (3) of the container (2) in which the outflow opening (6) is defined and forms the container part (19) containing the product (8), the flexible diaphragm (17) being formed by the side of the bag (7) opposite the outflow opening (6).
The dispensing assembly (1) of any one of claims 9 to 18, characterized in that the displacing medium introduction means (9) include a supply port (12) accessible from the outside of the container (2) and connected to the chamber (18).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 19, characterized by a valve arranged between the chamber (18) and the supply port (12).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the supply port (12) is arranged within or adjacent the outflow opening (6) and is connected to the chamber (18) by a supply line (11) arranged inside the container (2).
The dispensing assembly (1) of any one of claims 7 to 21, characterized in that the displacing medium introduction means (9) include a source of displacing medium (15).
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 22, characterized in that the source of displacing medium (15) is a pump for pressurizing a gas, in particular ambient air.
The dispensing assembly (1) of claim 22, characterized in that the source of displacing medium (15) is a liquid supply conduit, in particular a water pipe.
The dispensing assembly (1) of any one of claims 7 to 24, characterized in that the container (2) is made from a plastics material, in particular stretched PET.
The dispensing assembly (1) of any one of claims 9 to 25, characterized in that the at least one flexible diaphragm (17) is made from a plastics material.