GB2046226A - Dispensing of packaged liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for dispensing liquid from sealed packages comprises a container 1 for the package having an open top which can be closed by a cover 4 having at least one tube 6, 7 dispensing the liquid or for guiding a dispensing tube or drinking straw. The inner end of the tube is tapered for penetrating a wall of the container during the closing movement. The cover can be hinged to the container Fig. 2 (not shown), or attachable by a screw connection 14, the tube then being carried by a part of the cover which remains stationary with respect to the container. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensing of packaged liquid The invention relates to the dispensing of packaged liquid.

The packaging of small volumes of liquid, for example of liquids for drinking, in metal containers makes it possible to store and transport the liquids reliably. There is however a difficulty in dispensing the liquid, as the container or can must be punctured by a suitable implement or provided with a relatively expensive self opening structure. Moreover, there is a waste disposal problem after use which applies also to liquid containers of glass, due to the fact that they tend to occupy the same volume empty as when filled because of the difficulty of compacting them.

These difficulties can be minimised if liquid is packaged in sealed bags or envelopes of flexible plastics material, which occupies very little space after use and which can be stored efficiently as no space need be wasted as it must between cylindrical cans.

thsere remains the problem of conveniently disperising liquids from such packs and the invention is concerned with the provision of apparatus f r this purpose.

The inv 'ntion accordingly provides an apparatus for dispensing liquid from a sealed package with a readily penetrable wall, the apparatus comprising a first part engageable with the package and a second part movable relative to the first part to engage the package and penetrate the readily penetrable wall to permit dispensing of the liquid.

Preferably the apparatus is arranged to penetrate the pack at two positions so that liquid withdrawn from the pack at one position can be replaced by air which is drawn in at the other.

The liquid pack can comprise no more than a sealed bag or envelope of plastics material containing the liquid to be dispensed. The wall or all the walls of the bag or envelope can be thin and flexible, so that after the contents have been dispensed, the empty plastics bag can be readily disposed of.

The two parts of the dispensing apparatus of the invention may comprise a container and a cover which may be hinged together or connectable by a screw or snap-fit connetion.

The cover can mount a tube capable of penetrating the bag when in place on the container and arranged to receive, or to function as, a drinking tube, or to function as a pouring spout. Preferably a second tube penetrates the bag also to provide an air inlet.

The advantages of the invention are to be seen in the simplicity of construction and ease of use of dispensing apparatus embodying it.

The invention is further described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a first dispensing apparatus embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a like view of a second such apparatus.

The first dispensing apparatus embodying the present invention and shown in Fig. 1 comprises a container 1 in the form of an open-topped cylinder although other shapes could be employed for example a frusto-conical shape with the smaller diameter end forming the base. The container 11 is intended for the dispensing of liquids in normal domestic use, for example, milk, and can be provided with a handle (not shown). The container 1 can be of plastics or other suitable material and a screw thread is formed externally around the open top.

The apparatus also comprises a two-part cap or cover for the container. One cover part comprises a disc 4 which can be received on the open end of the container and through which extends a first tube 6 and a second tube 7 both of rigid material. The end of each tube 6, 7 which is lowermost in use is capable of piercing and penetrating through a thin sheet of flexible plastics material and is tapered as shown at 8 and 9 for this purpose.

At least the lower ends of the tubes 6, 7 can be of metal for example stainless steel to ensure effective cutting and easy cleaning.

The lower end of the first tube 6 extends nearly to the floor of the container in use but that of the second tube 7 extends a much shorter distance from the underface of the disc. The upper end 10 of the tube 6 is shaped as a pouring spout, or may be arranged to receive a separate pouring spout securely thereon.

The second cover part 11 comprises a flat annular rim portion 1 2 from the outer edge of which extends a cylindrical skirt 14 provided with an internal screw thread 1 5 matching the thread 2 of the container 1.

In use, a sealed pack 1 6 of milk or other liquid to be dispensed is placed in the container 1 and the cover disc 4 is placed on the container top. The pack has a thin flexible wall of plastics material, which is easily penetrated by the lower ends 8, 9 of the tubes 6, 7 as the cover disc 4 is put in place with a light manual pressure. The cover part 11 is then screwed into the container top to hold the cover disc 4 firmly in place. Liquid can now be readily dispensed through the spout associated with the tube 6, even flow being ensured by a flow of air into the container through the second tube 7.

It will be evident that the cover could be of unitary consturction if the connection between it and the container were not such as to require relative rotation. Thus a snap-fit connection could be provided between the cover and the container or connecting clips could be pivoted on the container for movement be tween positions in which the lips engage over the edge of the cover and release positions out of contact with the cover.

A second apparatus embodying the invention is designed for personal use, in particular by travellers. The apparatus comprises a container 21 preferably of flat, generally rectangular, shape, so that it can be conveniently received in a pocket, with a lid or cover 22 pivotally connected to it at 24 along a shorter side. The lid 22 carried a first tube 25 and a second tube 26 having inner ends capable of penetrating a thin-walled liquid pack in the container 21 and outer ends communicating through the lid; the lower end of neither tube approaches in use the base of the container; instead each terminates just below the level of the upper end of a liquid pack received in the container so as to penetrate this when the lid is closed.

In use as before a flexible walled liquid pack 28 is placed in the container 21 with the lid 22 in the open position shown. The lid 22 is then closed and the two tubes penetrate the wall of the pack, which cannot deform so that such penetration is avoided because of the rigidity of the container and the incompressibility of the liquid contents. The liquid can now be dispensed or withdrawn by means of a drinking straw or the like which is passed through one of the tubes, the tube 25 being of diameter larger than that of tube 26 for this purpose. After withdrawal of the liquid the used straw and the empty pack are disposed of and another pack can be inserted in the container.

Instead of using a disposable straw, a dispensing tube can be slidably mounted in the lid 22, so that it can be moved away from the container 21 for loading and unloading, and pushed down after the lid is closed to penetrate the pack and to permit substantially all its liquid contents to be withdrawn. Thus the tube 25 can function as a guide for drinking tube 30 slidable therein and held captive by a stop 31 at its inner end. The inner end of either or both of tubes 25, 30 can be shaped to facilitate penetration of the container wall.

A tube long enough to reach nearly to the container floor can of course be fixed to the lid but to avoid the consequent limitation on the depth of the depth of the container and the consequent obstruction of the container mouth, the lid is then preferably separable from the container rather then pivoted to it.

Where the apparatus is designed for use with a straw, or has a slidably guided tube, the air inlet tube can be omitted if the dimensions are such that there is adequate air inflow between the straw and the tube or the tube and the guide means therefor.

Instead of a direct dispensing path, an apparatus of the invention can be provided with means for retaining a soluble flavouring capsule in the dispensing path which may for this purpose include a labrynth-like portion in the lid.

Although specifically described with reference to the dispensing of potable liquids, apparatus in accordance with the invention can be employed for dispensing other liquids, for example, lubricating oil, which can thus be transported in bags or cartons instead of tins or cans. The dispensing path can include filter means if appropriate, and if the liquid to be dispensed is of high viscocity, means may be provided for dispensing under pressure.

Where hot or cooled liquids are involved, the apparatus may comprise heat insulating mate rials.

The invention can thus be embodied in a variety of ways other than as described. The shapes of the liquid packs are preferably coordinated with the interiors of the containers to receive them and the packs may have semi rigid walls for example of thin board rather than of flexible plastics film. The piercing and penetrating means can comprise coaxial or adjacent dispensing and air inlet tubes, or an air inlet may in some instances be formed satisfactorily by a tear or puncture of the wall of the pack instead by the insertion of a tube.

Means can be provided for optionally sealing the outer end of the or each tube during an intermission in dispensing.

Claims (11)

1. An apparatus for dispensing liquid from a sealed package with a readily penetrable wall, the apparatus comprising a first part engageable with the package and a second part movable relative to the first part to en gage the package and penetrate the readily penetrable wall to permit dispensing of the liquid.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second part is arranged to pene trate the wall at a first position for dispensing the liquid and at a second position to permit air to flow into the package to replace the liquid dispensed.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 hwerein the first part comprises a container for the package, the container having an open side, and the second part comprises a cover for the open side, the cover having extending therethrough a tube arranged to penetrate the wall of a package in the container and to dispense liquid from the package.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the container and the cover are ar ranged to be releasably clipped together.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the container and the cover are hin gedly connected together.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the cover comprises a first part ar ranged to be connected to the container by means of a screw thread connection, and a second part carrying the tube and arranged to be received between the container and the first part.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein the tube has an outer end arranged to dispense the liquid therethrough.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 wherein the tube is arranged to receive a drinking tube or straw therethrough.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein the tube is carried by the cover for axial sliding movement.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9 wherein the tube has an inner end tapered to facilitate penetration of the wall.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10 wherein the cover carries a second tube arranged to penetrate the wall of the package.

1 2. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawing.