EP3126258A1

EP3126258A1 - Container for liquid comprising a bag

Info

Publication number: EP3126258A1
Application number: EP15717029.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Marc Gourlet; Claude Guenuchot
Original assignee: Consorchim
Current assignee: Consorchim
Priority date: 2014-04-03
Filing date: 2015-03-20
Publication date: 2017-02-08
Also published as: FR3019533B1; FR3019533A1; WO2015150660A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a container (10) for liquid comprising a bag (12) intended to contain a liquid (L), said bag having an inner face, an outer face, an opening (24) and a piping device (28) fastened on the inner face, said piping device comprising a first face, disposed opposite the inner face of the bag, a second face, and at least one first flow channel formed on the first face thereof. The invention is characterised by the fact that the piping device covers the opening of the bag and further comprises at least one second flow channel formed on the second face thereof, such that the bag is filled and/or drained by a flow of the liquid in the first and second flow channels.

Description

LIQUID CONTAINER COMPRISING A POCKET

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a container for liquid. It finds particularly useful applications for the packaging, storage, transport and / or distribution of liquids such as beer.

Many solutions are known for conditioning, storing, transporting and / or dispensing liquids.

Generally, for volumes of less than a few tens of liters, there are pre-filled containers that use the principle of gravity to distribute the liquid they contain.

The problem posed by this type of container is its manufacturing cost, handling, including returning the container, to allow the distribution of the liquid, and its inability to be reused.

An alternative solution to this type of container is proposed by the document

WO 86/00 868 which discloses a liquid container having a pocket for containing a liquid and positioned within a rigid barrel to allow the packaging, storage, transport and / or dispensing of the liquid. The pocket disclosed by WO 86/00 868 has an inner face, an outer face, an orifice and a channeling device fixed on the inner face, the channeling device comprising a first face, arranged facing the inner face of the pocket, a second face, and at least a first flow channel formed on its first face.

Nevertheless, the introduction of the bag into the rigid barrel, as well as its extraction from the barrel, are not easy.

Moreover, despite the presence of the first flow channel, the bag does not extract during the emptying, all the liquid it contains; the physical, chemical and / or aromatic properties of the liquid may also be altered on contact with the bag, or during the emptying process of the bag.

During bag emptying, it also happens frequently that the inside of the bag is pressed against the second side of the channeling device, again reducing the amount of the contents of the bag that can be drained.

Finally, the channeling device may be torn off, in particular during filling of the bag, and does not guide the liquid, when it is introduced into the bag, from the orifice to one of the ends of the bag. channeling device.

It can thus be seen that there is no easy-to-use pocket at a lower cost and adapted to be easily introduced into a drum without altering the properties of the drum. liquid in the pocket and to promote the filling and emptying of the bag, limiting the amount of residual liquid after emptying.

Object and summary of the invention

The present invention aims to solve, among others, the aforementioned problems and to allow the conditioning, storage, transport and distribution of a liquid whose physical, chemical and aromatic properties must not be altered, by means of an inexpensive device, whose manufacture and use are easy and configured to limit the amount of residual liquid after emptying.

This object is achieved by the fact that the invention relates to a container whose channeling device covers the orifice of the bag and further comprises at least a second flow channel formed on its second face, so that the filling and / or the emptying of the bag is effected by a flow of the liquid in the first and second flow channels.

Preferably, the orifice is completely covered by the channeling device.

The presence of the channeling device allows the liquid, introduced through the orifice, to gradually and uniformly fill the bag.

In addition, it also allows to empty the bag of the liquid it contains: the second flow channel is in particular configured to prevent the inner face of the pocket to press against the second side of the pipe device; the liquid, which circulates successively in the second and first flow channels and through the orifice, can thus be drained in its entirety, or, at the very least, significantly limiting the residual amount.

It is therefore understood that even when the bag is compressed, so that fragments of the inner face of the bag are in contact or close to each other, the presence of the first and second flow channels allows the maintenance of a space for the flow of liquid towards the pocket orifice.

The presence of the first and second flow channels thus makes it possible to reduce the quantity of residual liquid after emptying the bag.

Thus, this device allows the bag to package, store, transport and dispense the liquid, without a significant amount of liquid being trapped in the pocket.

In addition, the channeling device is shaped so that it is not torn off when filling the bag, the bag is not torn during filling and emptying. In a nonlimiting manner, the pouch has a structure comprising at least one plastic film, which has characteristics of mechanical resistance to friction, in order to limit the risk of tearing during filling or emptying of the pouch, and during its introduction. in and out of a barrel, as well as insulating properties, impermeability and hygienic, especially in the case where the liquid contained in the pocket is intended for consumption.

In addition, the bag thus formed can easily be compressed, so as to be easily introduced, for example into a drum, before being deployed, so as to contain the liquid. In addition, it can also be compressed, once filled, for example by means of a gas, in order to extract the liquid.

The invention is described below in a series of alternative embodiments, which may be considered alone or in combination with one or more of the previous ones.

Advantageously, the channeling device defines a longitudinal direction and comprises a base, at least one pair of first ribs and at least one pair of second ribs projecting respectively from the first and second faces, extending with respect to the base and defining respectively the edges of said first and second flow channels, the ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the channeling device.

In the present description, it will equate the first and second faces of the dispensing device to the first and second faces of its base.

It is therefore understood that the first and second ribs extend on either side of the base.

Advantageously, the base and the ribs are obtained, for example and without limitation, by extrusion of material, the material passing through a die when it is in fusion.

By this arrangement, it is understood that the first and second flow channels are both open in the direction of the inner face of the pocket, one towards the upper part of the pocket, the other towards the lower part, a passage being thus kept open between the base of the channeling device and the inner face of the pocket to allow the flow of the liquid.

The ribs are configured such that they prevent, in particular by their rigidity and the distance separating them from one another, the plating of the inner face of the pocket against the base of the flow device, a such plating likely to obstruct the passage defined by the first and second flow channels.

Preferably, the channeling device comprises a plurality of first and / or second ribs parallel to each other. Advantageously, the first ribs are parallel to the second ribs.

The presence of a plurality of parallel ribs defines a plurality of flow channels on the pipeline device, thereby reducing the time required for filling or emptying the bag, as well as the pressures exerted on the bag, of such tensions possibly leading to the tearing of the pocket.

In addition, such an arrangement of the ribs also has an effect on the flow of liquid in the pocket, thereby further improving, inter alia, the time required for filling and emptying the pocket.

Advantageously, the first and / or second ribs have different heights.

By this arrangement, the ribs of the channeling device can conform to the profile of the inner face of the pocket.

Preferably, the container further comprises a plug having a through hole disposed opposite the orifice, the plug further comprising a deflector extending inwardly of the pocket, the first ribs conforming to the shape of the deflector.

The presence of the deflector makes it possible to fill the pocket in a homogeneous manner, so that the risk of the pipe device being torn from the inside of the pocket is limited.

Advantageously, the channeling device defines a longitudinal direction, and considered transversely to the longitudinal direction, the distances between first and / or second consecutive ribs are different.

By this arrangement, the widths of the flow channels, considered transversely to the longitudinal direction of the pipe device, can be adapted to the uses of the container, for example to be adapted to the viscosity of the liquid that it is intended to contain.

Moreover, the presence of channels having a greater width than other channels may also facilitate the handling of the dispensing device, by a user or by a PLC, and, consequently, facilitate the production of the container according to the present invention.

One can for example imagine the use of a robotic arm provided with a suction cup or other handling means for placing the pipe device on the inside of the bag during the manufacture of the container.

Advantageously, at least first and second ribs are formed in alignment with one another. Preferably, the first and second ribs are formed symmetrically with respect to the base.

By these provisions, the manufacture of the pipe device is simplified.

Advantageously, the channeling device comprises a base and at least one perforation formed in its base.

Advantageously, the channeling device defines a longitudinal direction and has a first longitudinal end, the perforation being formed near said first longitudinal end.

The presence of the perforation firstly makes it easier to fill and empty the liquid, these operations being not conditioned by the only dimensions of the opening defined between the first face of the channeling device and the inner face of the poached. Moreover, the perforation also allows the channeling device not to be held pressed against the inside of the pocket when it is compressed.

The perforation further allows, during the emptying of the bag, the liquid flowing in the second flow channel, to reach the first flow channel to flow into the orifice of the pocket, in passing through the base of the channeling device.

Advantageously, the channeling device has:

- a longitudinal direction,

first and second longitudinal ends,

first and second longitudinal edges,

two fixing zones extending on either side of the orifice and arranged along the first and second longitudinal edges,

at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends forming a flow opening between the channeling device and the inside of the pocket,

so that the filling and / or emptying of the bag is achieved by a flow of the liquid in the first flow channel, in the flow opening and in the second flow channel.

Preferably, when the channeling device is fixed on the inner face of the pocket, the orifice is disposed between the two longitudinal ends of the channeling device, preferably halfway between the longitudinal ends.

In other words, the attachment zones extend from the orifice to at least one of the longitudinal ends of the channeling device.

In other words, the attachment zones extend along the longitudinal edges of the channeling device. Preferably, the container includes a liquid orientation device configured to direct liquid introduced through the orifice to said at least one opening formed between the channeling device and the inside of the bag.

Advantageously, the liquid orientation device is mounted on the orifice.

By this arrangement, it is understood that, during the introduction of liquid into the bag through the orifice of the bag, the channeling device is not likely to be degraded or ripped off.

Advantageously, the channeling device is an insert, fixed on the inner face of the upper part of the pocket along substantially the entire length of the longitudinal edges.

Preferably, the channeling device is fixed by welding or gluing on the inside of the pocket.

By this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the pocket is not significantly increased compared to a pocket without a channeling device. Moreover, the channeling device can thus be made of a material different from that of the pocket, in order to meet the requirements of strength and rigidity of the channeling device.

In addition, the first and second channels defined by the channeling device promote the flow of liquid in the direction of - or from - the port of the bag.

Advantageously, the attachment zones extend continuously along substantially the entire length of the longitudinal edges.

Advantageously, the attachment zones extend at least 30% of the length of the longitudinal edges, preferably at least 50%, preferably at least 70%.

Preferably, the channeling device is made of a material impermeable to air and liquid.

Advantageously, the attachment zones are impervious to air and liquid. By this arrangement of the fixing zones and by this composition of the channeling device, the liquid contained in the pocket must necessarily flow through one and / or the other of the longitudinal ends of the pipe device. The channeling device thus allows the liquid contained in the bag to bypass, during its emptying, for example and without limitation, a different fluid, including gas, kept in the bag under the channeling device, and more particularly under its second face, such a fluid may possibly, if it comes into contact with the liquid in the pocket, modify its properties. In other words, the orifice of the bag is sealed, by the channeling device and by the fixing zones, of said gas. It is therefore understood that said gas is trapped between the liquid contained in the pocket and the second face of the pipe device, so as not to be able to escape through the orifice of the pocket. Thus, the orifice of the pocket is completely covered by the channeling device.

In the embodiment in which the channeling device is soldered to the inner face of the ladle, the material in which the channeling device is formed is compatible with a welding process or with a heat seal process.

The opening formed between the first face of the channeling device and the inner face of the pocket allows the flow of the liquid from the first flow channel to the opening, during the filling of the pocket, or from the second flow channel. flow towards the opening, before flowing in the first flow channel, towards the orifice, during the emptying of the pocket.

Advantageously, the channeling device has a longitudinal direction and is arranged in such a way that the orifice is located substantially in the center of the channeling device, the flow channel extending in the longitudinal direction of the channeling device.

Advantageously, the channeling device has a rectangular shape.

In other words, the orifice opens into the pocket in a volume defined between the inner face of the pocket and the first face of the channeling device.

Such a configuration of the channeling device allows, among other things, a symmetrical deformation and deployment of the bag when it fills or empties the liquid, this arrangement being particularly advantageous when the container is configured to be introduced into a drum having a symmetrical shape.

The symmetry of the deformation and folding of the pocket is also allowed by the structure of the channeling device whose longitudinal edges are fixed, for example welded, on the inside of the pocket: when the pocket is grasped by its orifice, by example for its packaging, the channeling device being for example disposed substantially horizontally, the pocket has two sides that extend downwardly by gravity. Such an arrangement of the pocket and its channeling device facilitates its folding, allowing the formation of folds extending from the orifice of the pocket, which promote its introduction, for example in a drum, and its deployment. Furthermore, the provision of the orifice in the center of the channeling device also allows to fill or empty gradually and uniformly the pocket.

Preferably, the pocket is configured to be emptied by applying pressure on its outer face.

The pocket thus has flexibility properties such that when a pressure is applied on its outer face, for example by a fluid, its internal pressure increases, so as to drive the liquid towards the orifice, by circulating it successively in the first and second flow channels.

Advantageously, the pocket consists of a first and a second disc secured to one another by their edge.

Preferably, the first disk forms an upper portion of the pocket and the second disk forms a lower portion of the pocket, the second disk having dimensions substantially identical to those of the first disk.

Advantageously, the first and second discs are secured by welding or gluing.

By this arrangement, the manufacture of the pocket is easy and inexpensive. Moreover, by modifying the dimensions of the first and second disks, the pocket can be adapted to contain variable volumes.

Preferably, the channeling device extends along a diameter of the first disk.

Advantageously, the length of the channeling device is equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of the first disk.

By this arrangement, it is understood that when the pocket containing the liquid is compressed, for example by means of a gas which exerts a pressure on the outer face of the pocket, the longitudinal ends of the channeling device are arranged close to a lower fraction of the interior volume of the pocket, so as to allow a significant empty, or even complete, of the pocket.

Preferably, according to an alternative embodiment, the length of the channeling device is slightly greater than the diameter of the first disk, the channeling device being fixed on the inner face of the first disk before the first and second disks are secured together for form the pocket.

It is then understood that the liquid flowing in the first flow channel during the filling of the bag necessarily passes through at least one of the perforations formed near the longitudinal ends of the pipe device, said perforation being disposed in the interior volume of the pocket. Similarly, during the emptying of the bag, the liquid flows in the second flow channel, before passing through at least one of the perforations formed near the longitudinal ends of the channeling device, then in the first flow channel, before reaching the orifice of the pocket.

Advantageously, the invention also relates to a beer barrel having an inner wall and a mouth, and comprising a container according to the present invention which can be introduced and / or extracted in said barrel through the mouth.

Advantageously, the barrel comprises a closure means for securing the orifice of the container and the mouth of the barrel.

Preferably, the closure means comprises a valve system, with a non-return valve, for introducing a fluid into the barrel.

It is therefore understood that such a drum can be used for the packaging, storage, transport and / or distribution of beer, contained in the container introduced and / or extracted in the drum through the mouth. To fill the barrel, it is enough to place a container in the barrel, and to fill the container by introducing the beer through the mouth of the barrel and the orifice of the pocket. Once drained, the bag can be removed from the barrel, to be cleaned or replaced by another bag, which will allow a new filling of the barrel.

Furthermore, since the inner wall of the barrel is not in direct contact with the beer, the barrel may consist of a material, such as plastic, which does not necessarily have the same hygienic properties as the materials usually used for the manufacture of drums for beer conditioning, such as stainless steel. The cost of manufacture of the drum, its weight as well as the environmental impacts of its manufacture can thus be reduced; the risks of theft are also reduced and the effort required to handle it is limited.

In addition, the characteristics of the channeling device retain the physical, chemical and / or aromatic properties of the beer, without these properties being degraded during the emptying process of the pocket. Thus, the quality of the beer extracted from the cask is constant during its emptying. The characteristics of the channeling device also allow the beer not to be mixed with the gas formed during the partial degassing of the beer; such degassing may be due to a modification of the climatic conditions between its conditioning and its emptying, to a modification of the pressure applied to the bag, to a modification of the dimensions of the drum, to shocks during the handling of the drum, .

Furthermore, the arrangement of the channeling device, and in particular the presence of at least one second flow channel formed on the second face of the ducting device, also allows to limit the volume of residual beer after emptying the pocket.

Preferably, the invention finally relates to a beer dispensing installation comprising a source of compressed air, and further comprising a beer keg according to the present invention, the source of compressed air being connected to the mouth of the keg. to inject air between the outer face of the pocket and the inner wall of the barrel, so as to allow the emptying of the beer contained in the pocket through the mouth.

By this arrangement, the air injected to allow the emptying of the beer not being in contact with the beer, it must not necessarily have the same properties of non-alteration of the beer as those of the gases used in the art previous; thus, while the emptying of the beer contained in a conventional drum is carried out by means of carbon dioxide, in the dispensing installation according to the present invention, compressed air can be used, thereby reducing the inherent costs to the emptying of the beer and to suppress the efforts necessary to the handling of the bottles of carbon dioxide.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and completely on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the following accompanying drawings on which :

Figure 1 schematically shows an example of a container pocket according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 schematically shows a sectional view of an example of a pipe device according to the present invention;

FIGS. 3A to 3C show schematically the different steps of folding an example of an empty bag according to the present invention; and

Figures 4A to 4C schematically show a drum comprising a container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

In the example shown in Figure 1, the container 10 for liquid L according to the invention has a pocket 12 for containing the liquid L.

In the example described here, the liquid L is a gas-laden liquid of the carbon dioxide type, such as beer. Nevertheless, and within the scope of the present invention, the pocket 12 is also intended to contain any type of liquid L, such as water or, more generally, any type of fluid, such as a liquid, a gas, powders or pastes.

The pocket 12 has an upper portion 14 and a lower portion 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper 14 and lower 16 portions consist respectively of a first 18 and a second 20 disks having substantially identical dimensions.

For example and without limitation, the first 18 and second 20 discs may be made of a plastic type material, to reduce the cost and complexity of manufacturing the pocket 12, while allowing the pocket 12, when it is empty, to take a folded position.

It would also be conceivable, and without departing from the scope of the present invention, a pocket 12 having upper 14 and lower 16 parts of different shape and size, and formed in another material with flexibility and impermeability properties. similar air and liquid.

The pocket 12 further comprises securing means 22 for securing together the upper 14 and lower 16, so that the pocket 12 defines an interior volume V limited by the inner faces of the first 18 and second 20 discs.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the securing means 22 are disposed on the edge of the first 18 and second 20 discs. For example, and without limitation, the first 18 and second 20 disks can be secured by welding or gluing their edge.

As will be clear from the observation of the following figures, the pocket 12 also has a through orifice 24 formed on the upper portion 14 of the pocket 12. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the orifice 24 is covered with a pierced stopper 26 and disposed on the outer face of the upper part 14.

The pocket 12 further comprises a pipe device 28 disposed on the inner face of the upper part 14, covering the orifice 24 formed in the upper part 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the channeling device 28 defines a longitudinal direction Lo; it comprises a first 35 and a second 37 faces opposite one another and a first 30 and a second 32 longitudinal edges, through which it is fixed to the inner face of the upper portion 14. The longitudinal edges 30 and 32 are hermetically attached to the inner face of the upper portion 14; it is thus understood that no fluid, whether liquid or gaseous, can pass between the longitudinal edges 30, 32 and the inner face of the upper portion 14 of the bag 12. For example and in a nonlimiting manner, the longitudinal edges 30, 32 are glued or welded on the inner face of the upper part 14. In other words, the portions of the longitudinal edges 30, 32 fixed, for example welded or glued, to the inner face of the pocket 12 constitute fixing areas.

It is understood that each of the longitudinal edges 30, 32 extends on either side of the orifice 24, the orifice 24 being disposed between the two longitudinal edges 30, 32.

The orifice is thus completely covered by the channeling device 28. The first face 35 of the channeling device 28 is thus arranged facing the inner face of the upper portion 14 of the pocket 12 in which the orifice 24 is formed.

It is also understood that the attachment zones extend continuously along substantially the entire length of the longitudinal edges 30, 32.

A fluid, such as a liquid, introduced into the pocket 12 through the orifice 24 is thus necessarily guided along the pipe device 28, and more particularly along its first face 35.

The channeling device 28 further comprises a base 34 and a plurality of first ribs 36 protruding from the first face 35 of the base 34 towards the inner face of the upper portion 14.

As shown in a nonlimiting manner in FIG. 1, the pipe device 28 has a rectangular shape, the orifice 24 being arranged in the center of the rectangular shape, so that the pipe device 28 defines a first 38 and a second 40 side portions, disposed on either side of the orifice 24, the width of the pipe device 28 being equal to or even greater than the dimensions of the orifice 24.

Each lateral portion 38, 40 further comprises a series of perforations 42, 44, formed in the base 34 of the pipe device 28, near its longitudinal ends 46, 48 respectively.

For example and without limitation, some perforations 42, 44 form a notch in the end edges of the pipe device 28, while other perforations are formed between the end edges and the center of the pipe device 28 .

The perforations 42, 44 have a circular or semicircular shape; we could of course design any other form of perforations, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The orifice 24 is thus disposed, when the channeling device 28 is fixed on the inside face of the pocket, between the perforations 42, 44 formed respectively at near the longitudinal ends 46, 48; preferably, the orifice 24 is formed halfway between the longitudinal ends.

In addition, the longitudinal ends 46, 48 both define an opening delimited by the first face 35 of the channeling device 28 and the inner face of the upper part 14 of the pocket 12.

It is therefore understood that the attachment zones extend from the orifice 24 to the longitudinal ends 46, 48.

As it appears more clearly with the observation of FIG. 2, which schematically represents a section of the pocket 12 made according to a diameter of the first 18 and second 20 disks and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Lo of the pipe device 28, the device pipe 28 defines a flow space 50 formed between the first face 35 of the base 34 of the pipe device 28 and the inner face of the upper portion 14 of the pocket 12. The lateral ends of the flow space 50 are constituted by the first 30 and second 32 longitudinal edges of the channeling device 28.

As it appears from the observation of FIG. 2, the channeling device 28 has the shape of a bowl constituted by the two longitudinal edges 30, 32, which are in this example and in a nonlimiting manner raised with respect to the base 34.

In addition, the channeling device 28 has a plurality of second ribs 39, 39 ', 39 "protruding from the second face 37 of the channeling device 28, extending from the base 34.

For example and without limitation, the second ribs 39, 39 ', 39 "are formed in alignment with the first ribs 36, 36', 36".

The pipe device 28 is constituted, for example, by extrusion of material, from a material impervious to air and liquid, such as plastic.

The first and second ribs 36, 39 thus project respectively from the first 35 and second 37 faces of the base 34, the first ribs 36 being directed towards the orifice 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ribs 36, 39 may have heights h1, h2, h3 and h4different. They can also, and without departing from the scope of the present invention, have identical heights.

The heights of the ribs 36, 39 are between 0.5 and 5 mm, preferably between 0.7 and 1.5 mm.

For example and without limitation, the first and second ribs

36, 39 formed in the alignment of each other have identical heights, so that all or part of the first and second ribs 36, 39 are symmetrical with respect to the base 34. Of course, without departing from the scope of the present invention, it would be conceivable to design first and second ribs 36, 39 formed in alignment with each other, which would have different heights, or which would be formed in an offset manner. for example in staggered rows, with respect to each other.

Two first consecutive ribs 36 ', 36 "are spaced apart by a distance e, as shown in FIG. 2, the first two consecutive ribs 36', 36" forming the lateral edges of a first flow channel 52.

As shown in Figure 2, the first ribs 36 are all spaced from each other of the same spacing e. They could also have variable spacings, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The spacing e is, for example, between 1 and 5 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 2.5 mm.

As shown in FIG. 2, two consecutive second ribs 39, 39 ", 36" are alternately spaced apart by a first spacing e1 or a second spacing e2; two consecutive second ribs 39 ', 39 "constitute the lateral edges of a second flow channel 53.

As shown in Figure 2, some second ribs 39 are spaced from each other of the first spacing el, which is equal, for example, to the spacing e between two first ribs 36 consecutive. The second gap e2 which separates, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction Lo, other second ribs 39 is greater than the first gap el; for example and without limitation, the second gap e2 is between 5 and 15 mm, preferably between 7 and 9 mm.

In other words, considered transversely to the longitudinal direction Lo, the distances between the second ribs 39, 39 ', 39 "consecutive are different.

The portion of the second face 37 of the channeling device 28 on which the second ribs 39, 39 ', 39 "are spaced apart from the second gap e2 may, for example, be configured to cooperate with a means for manipulating the channeling device 28, to allow its implementation on the inside of the pocket 12, during the manufacture of the container.

The base 34 has a thickness p, which may, for example and without limitation, be greater for the portion of the pipe device 28 disposed opposite the orifice 24, in order to withstand the pressure of the liquid L introduced in the pocket 12, and lower near the longitudinal edges 30, 32, so as not to compromise the flexibility of the pipe device 28.

The thickness p of the base 34 is between 0.1 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. It is therefore clear that the dimensions of the channeling device 28 are such that the ducting device 28 has a flexibility that makes it possible not to oppose the deformations of the upper portion 14 of the pocket 12 while maintaining the passage constituted by the minus a first flow channel 52 and a second flow channel 53 delimited respectively by the first and second ribs 36 ', 36 ", 39', 39" and by the portion of the base 34 between said first and second ribs 36 ', 36 ", 39', 39".

As shown in FIG. 2, the stopper 26 further comprises a support plate 54 which has a through-hole arranged facing the orifice 24.

The support plate 54 is fixed to the inner face of the upper portion 14, for example by gluing or welding.

It is therefore understood that the support plate 54 and the stopper 26 are arranged on either side of the orifice 24 so that the liquid L can be introduced into or removed from the pocket 12 through the stopper. 26.

Moreover, the plug 26 has a deflector 56 which has the shape of a spherical cap and which extends towards the internal volume V of the pocket 12. It could obviously conceive the presence of a deflector 56 having any other shape without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is therefore clear that the deflector 56 constitutes a device for orienting the liquid L configured to direct the liquid L introduced into the pocket 12 towards one or the other of the openings defined by the longitudinal ends 46, 48.

In the embodiment of the pocket 12 shown in Figure 2, the plug 26 and the deflector 56 constitute a single piece, for example obtained by molding. It could also be conceived, and within the scope of the present invention, a deflector 56 fixed directly to the plug 26, or mounted on the support plate 54, opposite the through hole of the support plate 54.

As it appears in FIG. 2, the heights h 1, h 2 of the first ribs 36 vary so that the first longitudinal ribs 36 follow the shape of the deflector 56.

FIGS. 3A to 3C schematically represent a section of the pocket 12 made perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Lo of the pipe device 28, FIGS. 3A to 3C showing the different stages of folding of the pocket 12, when the pocket 12 does not contain not the liquid L.

FIG. 3A represents the pocket 12, the upper 14 and lower 16 portions of which are arranged opposite one another. As it appears from the observation of the figures previously described, in this arrangement, the channeling device 28 is arranged facing the inner face of the upper part 14, according to a diameter of the first disk 18 which constitutes the upper part 14. In a first step, the pocket 12 is preferably filled with a fluid F, for example a gas, such as for example carbon dioxide, introduced by the plug 26 mounted to open on the orifice 24 of the pocket 12 This first step, the result of which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3B, makes it possible to inflate the pocket 12. As represented by FIG. 3B, the pocket 12 then has an internal volume Vmax.

In a second step, the fluid F is drained out of the bag 12, thereby extracting from the internal volume V of the bag 12 impurities that may alter the liquid L that the bag 12 is intended to contain. The use of carbon dioxide to inflate the bag 12 as described above thus makes it possible to prepare the internal volume V of the bag 12 to contain the liquid L; it would also be possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, to use any other bactericidal fluid F for carrying out this preparation of the bag 12. The two parts 14 and 16, as well as the channeling device 28, and in particular the presence of longitudinal edges by means of which the channeling device 28 is fixed to the inner face of the pocket, are configured so that this second step leads the upper 14 and lower 16 parts to be closer to each other, the part upper 14, whose inner face is partly stiffened by the presence of the pipe device 28, then having the shape of an inverted U, the lower part 16, folded, being contained between the two branches of the U formed by the part 14. Thus, and as represented by FIG. 3C, at the end of this second step, the pocket 12 has a lateral span N equal to or even slightly greater e, at the outer section of the plug 26.

By pre-formatting in a vertical direction of the pouch 12, which thus has a closed umbrella shape, the pouch 12 can, on the one hand, be easily inserted into a drum 100, as represented by FIGS. 4A to 4C, and on the other hand allow a gradual and uniform filling of the bag 12 by the liquid L. In fact, the folds thus formed, which extend from the orifice 24 of the bag 12, are configured so as not to oppose a resistance Significantly when introducing the liquid L into the pocket 12. This preformatting thus has many advantages over traditional folding, such as a folding consisting in winding the pocket 12 on itself around its channel device 28. , or that a folding of the "accordion" type, also carried out around the pipe device 28, which, they, oppose generally a strong resistance during the introduction of a liquid L, such a resistance risking to drag the deterioration of the pocket 12.

By barrel, is meant in the present description any type of rigid or semi-rigid container, which may contain a container 10 as described above. he can be a container, a drum, a barrel, a can or any other storage device for this purpose.

FIGS. 4A to 4C thus represent the drum 100 containing the pocket 12 according to the present invention, the pocket 12 being represented in the longitudinal direction Lo of the pipe device 28.

The barrel 100, shown in section and in dotted lines in the different figures, has for example and without limitation a cylindrical shape which defines a height H and a width La. The barrel 100 has an upper portion 102 and a lower portion 104 secured to one another, and whose inner walls define a housing 106. Furthermore, the barrel 100 has a mouth 108 formed in the upper portion 102, the dimensions of the mouth 108 being equal to or greater than the lateral span N of the pocket 12 when it is in the folded configuration shown in Figure 3C. It is therefore understood that the bag 12, when in the folded configuration, can be introduced into the drum 100, through the mouth 108, the plug 26 of the bag 12 being held in the mouth 108. As shown in the various figures, the barrel 100 further comprises a closure means 110 which, once the pouch 12 is disposed in the housing 106 of the barrel 100, makes it possible to secure the stopper 26 of the pouch 12 and the muzzle 108 of the barrel 100. The closure means 110 can take alternately an open position, in which the liquid L can be introduced into the pocket 12 contained in the housing 106 through the mouth 108 and the stopper 26, and a closed position, in which the pocket 12 and the barrel 100 are closed, no fluid can be introduced into the interior volume V of the pocket 12.

As it appears from the observation of FIGS. 4A to 4C, the height H is less than the width La. Moreover, the dimensions of the housing 106 are smaller than the internal volume Vmax defined by the pocket 12 when it is in the inflated configuration shown in Figure 3B. These different characteristics, as well as the pre-formatting vertical carried out prior to the introduction of the pocket 12 in the housing 106, allow the pocket 12, once disposed in the housing 106, to be filled gradually and uniformly by the liquid L .

In addition, the pocket 12, in particular when folded in the manner shown in FIG. 3C, ensures a homogeneous filling of the drum 100; it prevents, inter alia, an asymmetrical filling that could lead to the formation of ropes, such training may deteriorate the pocket 12 during its filling. It is therefore understood that the liquid L introduced by the plug 26 secured to the mouth 108 by the closing means 110 disposed in the open position, is directed by the deflector 56 to the lateral portions 38, 40 of the channeling device 28. The liquid L flows thus in the flow space 50 maintained deployed inter alia by the presence of the first flow channels 52, on either side of the orifice 24 of the pocket 12, until reaching the ends longitudinal lines 46, 48 of the pipe device 28. As a result, the liquid L flows through the perforations 42, 44 formed in the base 34 and / or through the openings defined by the longitudinal ends 46, 48 in the interior volume. V of the pocket 12, its mass leading to separate the upper 14 and lower 16 parts of the pocket 12 from each other. As represented by FIG. 4A, the filling of the bag 12 by the liquid L is limited by the dimensions of the housing 106, the outer faces of the upper 14 and lower 16 portions of the bag 12 being brought against the inner wall of the upper portions. 102 and lower 104 of the barrel 100.

It is understood in particular that the presence of the deflector 56 improves the maintenance of the fixing of the pipe device 28 on the inner face of the pocket 12, the fixing zones not being torn off the pocket during the introduction of the liquid L .

Furthermore, one could also conceive a filling barrel 100 whose mouth 108 would be directed downwards; in such a filling mode, in the same way as when filling with the mouth 108 directed upwards, the introduction of the liquid L causes the extraction of the fluid initially contained in the drum 100, and more particularly between the inner wall of the barrel 100 and the outer face of the bag 12. It has been found that, when filling with the mouth 108 downwards, when a significant volume of liquid L has been introduced into the bag 12, its upper portion 14 tends to press against the inner wall of the upper portion 102 of the barrel 100, this plating slowing or preventing the extraction of the fluid initially contained in the barrel 100. It is particularly interesting to note that the attachment areas , in particular with regard to welds, through which the longitudinal edges 30, 32 of the channeling device 28 are fixed to the inside face of the pocket 12, form circulat channels ion on the outer face of the pocket 12, by which the fluid initially contained in the barrel 100 can be evacuated. Thus, at least four circulation channels are formed by the fixing of the pipe device 28 inside the pocket 12, which guide the evacuation of the fluid from the barrel 100. The fixing zones of the pipe device 28 behave as a stamping which would be formed on the outer face of the pocket 12. Once the barrel 100 is filled with the liquid L, the closing means 110 can be put in the closed position, thus allowing the liquid L to be stored or moved. In the particular case where the liquid L is beer, the step of filling the drum 100, the result of which is represented in FIG. 4A, may correspond to the step during which the stirrer conditions the beer in the drum. 100, before the barrel 100 is delivered to the consumer or to the beverage dispenser. The drum 100 is in particular made of a material such that the dimensions of the housing 106 are very slightly variable, even constant, and such that the heat exchange between the liquid L and the outside of the drum 100 is very limited, so that that the physical parameters to which the liquid L contained in the pocket 12 is subjected vary very little, or even do not vary. For example, and without limitation, the barrel 100 is made of a plastic material whose rigidity and thickness make it possible not to alter the properties of the liquid L contained in the pocket 12.

It is understood that, in the present invention, the bag 12 being empty of any fluid when it is placed in the housing 106 of the barrel 100 to be filled with the liquid L, the filling of the bag 12 can indifferently be made with the mouth 108 pointing upwards, as shown in particular in Figure 4A, or downward.

Consequently, to allow the liquid L to be emptied into the bag 12, a source of compressed air is connected to the drum 100; the mouth 108 comprises in particular and without limitation a valve through which the air can be injected between the outer face of the pocket 12 and the inner wall of the barrel 100.

When the closing means 106 is placed in the open position, the injection of air between the outer face of the pocket 12 and the inner wall of the barrel 100 leads to increasing the pressure exerted on the top 14 and lower 16 of the pocket 12. The liquid L contained in the bag 12, thus compressed by the pressure transmitted by the upper 14 and lower 16 of the bag, is directed towards the orifice 24 of the bag 12, as represented by the black arrows of the figures 4B and 4C. As detailed previously, the pipe device 28 consisting of a material impervious to air and liquid and the fasteners of the longitudinal edges 30 and 32 being themselves hermetic, the liquid L is directed towards the longitudinal ends 46, 48 of the channeling device 28 and their respective opening, to reach the flow space 50 formed between the first face 35 of the base 34 of the pipe device 28 and the inner face of the upper portion 14 of the pocket 12. liquid L thus flows in the channeling device 28 in the direction of the orifice 24 of the bag 12, to be extracted from the barrel 100, and more particularly in the first flow channels 52. Such a device makes it possible to drain the contents of the drum efficiently and quickly; preferably, the drum emptying rate is greater than 15 L / minute, preferably greater than 30 L / minute.

In the case where the liquid L contained in the bag 12 is beer, or any other liquid loaded with gas, such as carbon dioxide, the liquid L can undergo degassing, a process by which a part of the carbon dioxide contained in the liquid L is released to form a gaseous phase G. Such degassing may be caused by shocks to the barrel 100 or by changes in the temperature or pressure surrounding the liquid L. The gaseous phase G thus formed is then contained in the interior volume V of the pocket 12; As represented in particular in FIG. 4B, the liquid L and g gas phases having a different density, the gas phase defines an upper fraction Vsup of the internal volume V, whereas the liquid phase L defines a lower fraction Vinf of the internal volume V If, during the emptying of the liquid L out of the pocket 12, the gas phase G is also drained, the properties of the liquid L are modified, the quality of the liquid L is degraded and a large quantity of foam is formed, in particular in the case where the liquid L is beer. It is understood that the channeling device 28, in particular because of its formation in a material impermeable to air and liquid and because of the impermeability to air and liquid of the attachment zones, is disposed of such that it traps the gas phase G against the second face 37 of the base 34 of the pipe device 28, and the openings defined by the longitudinal ends 46, 48 of the pipe device 28, as well as the perforations 42, 44 formed in the base 34 of the pipe device 28, open into the lower fraction Vinf of the internal volume V occupied by the liquid phase L. During the injection of air between the outer face of the pocket 12 and the inner wall of the 100 to drain the liquid L, and as it appears more clearly with the observation of Figures 4B and 4C, the liquid L is drained directly out of the pocket 12, without it passes through the gas phase G, the qualities of liquid L being thus weakly, or not, altered by the possible degassing of the liquid L.

In other words, the gas phase G is thus trapped between the liquid L and the second face 37 of the base 34 of the pipe device 28; the channeling device 28 thus makes it possible to bypass the gaseous phase G.

It is understood from the observation of the various figures, and in particular from FIG. 4B, that, by the presence of the attachment zones extending along a significant length of the longitudinal edges of the channeling device 28, even when the bag is deployed, the channeling device 28 is held against the inner face of the upper part 14 of the pocket 12. On the other hand, and as shown in FIG. 4C, when a significant amount of liquid L has been drained out of the bag 12, the upper 14 and lower 16 portions of the bag 12 tend to come closer to one another. other, similar to the folded configuration of the pocket 12 shown in Figure 3C.

In this configuration, the channeling device 28, by the presence of the first ribs 36 and the second ribs 39, maintains the presence of at least a first flow channel 52 and at least a second flow channel 53 through through which the liquid L can flow to be drained out of the pocket 12 through the orifice 24.

The first ribs 36 have in particular stiffness properties, heights h1, h2 and spacings e such that the upper portion 14 of the pocket 12 can not completely obstruct the passage defined by the first flow channel 52 by pressing against the first face 35 of the base 34. In the absence of pipe device 28, it is understood that the upper and lower portions 14, 16 would stick to each other or to the first face 35 of the base 34 of the pipe device 28 - or fragments of the inner face of the same part would press against each other - under the pressure of the air injected between the outer face of the pocket 12 and the inner wall of the barrel 100, preventing the draining the liquid L out of the pocket 12.

Furthermore, the second ribs 39 also have rigidity properties, heights h3, h4 and spacings el, e2 such that the inner face of the lower portion 16 of the pocket 12 can not completely obstruct the passage defined by the second channel flow 53 by pressing against the second face 37 of the base 34. It is understood that in the absence of the second flow channels 53, the pocket 12, and more particularly its lower portion 16, would be pressed against the second face 37 of the pipe device 28, so that at least the portion of the liquid L in the middle portion M of the pocket would be trapped, and could not be drained out of the pocket 12.

As shown in particular in the detailed part of FIG. 4C, the liquid in the portion M of the pocket 12 flows first into the second flow channels 53 defined by the second ribs 39 formed on the second face 37 of the base 34 of the channeling device 28; it then passes through one of the perforations 42, 44 formed in the base 34 and / or the opening formed between the first face 35 of the channeling device 28 and the inner face of the upper portion 14 of the pocket 12 , then flows into the first flow channels 52 defined by the first ribs 36 formed on the first face 35 of the base of the channeling device 28. Thus, the pipe device 28 according to the present invention makes it possible to reduce the quantity of residual liquid L after the emptying of the pocket 12, and thus to increase the yield of the distribution of the liquid L.

Once the bag 12 has been emptied, its lateral span is such that the bag 12 can be extracted out of the drum 100, to be cleaned or replaced by a new bag 12, in order to refill the drum 100 with liquid L. Thus, and contrary to the usual practice when the liquid L is contained directly in the drum 100, it is no longer necessary, according to the present invention, to clean the drum 100 prior to the new filling of the drum 100 with the liquid L.

Thus, the present invention makes it possible, in particular by the aforementioned use of the plastic to make the drum 100 as well as the pocket 12, and by replacing the carbon dioxide with compressed air, or even with a liquid such as water, to drain the pocket 12, to significantly reduce the environmental impacts of the packaging, storage and distribution of beer.

The whole of the description above is given by way of example, and is therefore not limitative of the invention.

In particular, the invention, although particularly suitable for the packaging, storage, transportation and distribution of beer, can also find applications for convenient, inexpensive and environmentally friendly packaging of any type of fluid.

Claims

A liquid container (10) having a bag (12) for holding a liquid (L), said bag having an inner face, an outer face, an orifice (24) and a channeling device (28) attached to the inner face, said channeling device comprising a first face (35) arranged facing the inner face of the pocket, a second face (37), and at least a first flow channel (52) formed on its first face , said container being characterized in that the channeling device covers the orifice of the pocket and further comprises at least a second flow channel (53) formed on its second face, so that filling and / or emptying of the bag is made by a flow of the liquid in the first and second flow channels.

2. Container (10) for liquid according to claim 1, characterized in that the channeling device (28) defines a longitudinal direction (Lo) and comprises a base (34), at least a pair of first ribs (36, 36). ', 36' ') and at least a pair of second ribs (39, 39', 39 '') projecting respectively from the first and second faces (35, 37) extending from the base (34) and defining respectively the edges of said first and second flow channels, the ribs extending in the longitudinal direction of the channeling device.

3. Container (10) for liquid according to claim 2, characterized in that the channeling device comprises a plurality of first and / or second ribs parallel to each other.

4. Container (10) for liquid according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first ribs are parallel to the second ribs.

5. Container (10) for liquid according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first and / or second ribs have different heights (hl, h2).

6. Container (10) for liquid according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it further comprises a plug (26) having a through hole disposed opposite the orifice, the cap further comprising a deflector (56) extending inwardly of the pocket, the first ribs (36, 36 ', 36 ") conforming to the shape of the deflector.

7. liquid container (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the channeling device defines a longitudinal direction, and in that, considered transversely to the longitudinal direction, the distances (e, el , e2) between first and / or second consecutive ribs are different.

Liquid container (10) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that at least first and second ribs are formed in alignment with one another.

9. liquid container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the channeling device comprises a base (34) and at least one perforation (42, 44) formed in its base.

Liquid container (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the channeling device defines a longitudinal direction and has a first longitudinal end (46, 48), the perforation (42, 44) being formed close to said first longitudinal end.

11. Container (10) for liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the channeling device has:

a longitudinal direction (Lo),

first and second longitudinal ends (46, 48),

a first and a second longitudinal edge (30, 32),

12. Container (10) for liquid according to claim 11, characterized in that the attachment zones extend along substantially the entire length of the longitudinal edges.

13. liquid container (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the attachment areas are impervious to air and liquid.

14. Container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the channeling device (28) has a longitudinal direction and is arranged in such a way that the orifice is located substantially in the center of the device. channeling, at least one of the first and second flow channels (52, 53) extending in the longitudinal direction of the channeling device.

15. Container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the pocket is configured to be emptied by applying pressure on its outer face.

16. Container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the pocket consists of a first (18) and a second (20) disks secured to one another by their edge.

17. A barrel (100) of beer having an inner wall and a mouth (108), said barrel being characterized in that it comprises a container according to any one of claims 1 to 16 which can be introduced and / or extracted in said was through the mouth.

18. A beer dispensing installation comprising a source of compressed air, characterized in that it further comprises a beer keg according to claim 17, the source of compressed air being connected to the mouth of the keg so that injecting air between the outer face of the bag and the inner wall of the barrel, so as to allow the emptying of the beer contained in the bag through the mouth.