GB2110805A

GB2110805A - Container for cooling liquids, particularly wine

Info

Publication number: GB2110805A
Application number: GB08217231A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Raymond Robins
Original assignee: COWAN PAUL ADRIAN
Current assignee: COWAN PAUL ADRIAN
Priority date: 1981-06-12
Filing date: 1982-06-14
Publication date: 1983-06-22

Abstract

An outer container for housing a bag-in-a-box wine container (20) comprises a barrel-shaped container (10) adapted to stand on end, an upper section (16) of the barrel being removable from the lower section (12) to allow access to a hollow interior. In use, the bag-in-a-box container (20) is located within the lower section (12) standing on a platform, with the tap of the wine container protruding through an aperture (18) in the wall of the lower section (12) so that wine from the box in the barrel can be drawn off. A gap is present between the wall of the box (20) and the interior of the lower barrel section (12), and this may be used for chilling means, eg to chill or maintain chilled white wine. In simple embodiments ice or chilled packs may be located in the gap. Alternatively, cooling apparatus may be incorporated in the container, or a chilling tank may be employed for receiving chilled fluid from external chilling means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved container for dispensing liquids, particularly wine Field ofinvention This invention concerns a container for dispensing wine contained in a plastics bag container itself located within a box, having a dispensing tap which allows liquid to be drawn off from the bag and protrudes through the wall of the box. Such containers are commonly referred to as "a bag-in-a-box.

Background to the invention The bag-in-a-box wine container is now becoming increasingly popular, particularly to the owner of a public house or wine bar. It allows wine to be bought in relatively large containers typically 2,3,4 and possibly 10 litres at a time.

Object the present invention It is an object of this invention to provide an outer container for a bag-in-a-box wine container.

Summary ofthe invention According to the present invention an outer container for a bag-in-a-box container comprises a barrel-shaped container adapted to stand on end, an upper section of the barrel being removable from the lower section to allow access to a generally hollow interior, an aperture in the wall of the lower section through which the tap of the bag-in-a-box container can protrude, a platform within the lower section on which the boxed bag can stand, the height of the platform being such that the tap registers with the said aperture, and at least one region around the box between the wall of the box and the interior of the lower barrel section for accommodating cooling means.

The cooling means may comprise, eg, ice or chilled packs.

Preferably the platform forms a watertight seal with the lower section wall to make a liquid container.

One or more drainholes may be provided in the platform to allow water from melted ice to be drawn off. A flexible hose may connect such a drainhole to a tap.

The barrel may include a stand, possibly formed integrally therewith.

According to a preferred feature a masking plate is provided which is slotted to allow it to fit over the tube connecting the tap to the bag, between the tap and the outer surface of the lower section wall, to conceal the tube.

Alternatively, a bifurcated device may be employed to simply hold the tap in place in a similar manner.

The platform may be adjustable in height or include removable or adjustable supports for the bag-in-a-box container to allow different sizes of box to be used with a single barrel size.

Alternatively, or in addition, different sized and/or positioned apertures may be provided around the lower section of the container to allow different sizes etc of boxed bags to be accommodated. Preferably bungs or coverplates close off unused apertures.

In a development of the invention, cooling apparatus may be located within the barrel, preferably in the lower section, which is connectable to a power source such as a gas or electricity supply. Preferably the temperature in the barrel is thermostatically controlled and an adjustable control is provided to allow different temperatures to be selected.

Alternative, a hollow walled cooling tank or jacket may be located in the lower section of the barrel for receiving chilled fluid, eg water, circulated from external cooling apparatus, such as a flash cooler.

Such a tank or jacket may be located on, or constitute, the platform, and is conveniently dimensioned so as to receive a bag-in-a-box as a relatively snug fit.

A reservoir of water may be formed by providing a fake bottom within the barrel or within a base if fitted, and by providing apertures in the platform, water can drain into the lower compartment. A tap may be provided at a low level to allow accumulated water to be drained off.

According to a further feature of the invention the barrel may be laid on its side and supported on a stand and access to the interior gained by removing a section of the barrel and the aperture for the tap is located in one end of the barrel.

According to a further development of the invention a composite of three barrel-shaped containers, two below supporting one above, and all laid on their side, is formed, means being provided to secure the barrels together in the said configuration and provision is made to cool at least the lower two barrel-shaped containers.

Preferably the barrel sections are formed from a moulded plastics material preferably a hard skin formed plastics material having low thermal conductivity.

Preferably the surface of the barrel section is formed with wood grain impressions and coloured to give the impression of a wooden barrel.

In a further aspect the present invention provides an outer container and a bag-in-a-box wine container, comprising a barrel-shaped container adapted to stand on end, an upper section of the barrel being removable from the lower section to allow access to a generally hollow interior, a bag-in-a-box located in the lower section on a platform, with the tap of the bag-in-a-box container protruding through an aperture in the wall of the lower section, and at least one region around the box between the wall of the box and the interior of the lower barrel section for accommodating cooling means.

The present invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of container in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of a chilling tank; Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the tank shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a further perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1, illustrating the manner of use.

Detailed description of the drawings Figures 1 and 4 illustrate a barrel-shaped container 10 formed from moulded plastics materal having low thermal conductivity, the external surfaces being formed with woodgrain impressions and coloured to give the impression of a wooden barrel.

The container 10 is of two-part construction, comprising a hollow lower section 12 with an integral base 14,and a removable upper section 16.

A circular aperture 18 is provided in the wall of the lower section 12, located above an internal platform (not shown).

In use, the upper section 16 is removed (see Figure 4) and a bag-in-a-box container 20 located in the lower section, standing on the platform with the tap 22 of the container protruding through the aperture 18. A masking plate 24 is fitted into the aperture so as to conceal the tube connecting the tap 22 to the bag (see Figure 1).

The gap between the wall of the box 20 and the interior of the lower barrel section 12 may be used to accommodate cooling means in cases where it is desirable to chill or keep chilled wine in the box 20, as in the case of white wine. In simple embodiments, this may be achieved by placing ice or chilled packs in the gap.

Alternatively, a stainless steel chilling tank 26 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 may be located in the lower section 12. The illustrated tank 26 is in the form of a open-topped rectangular box of doublewalled construction, with a feed-line 28 and return line 30 being provided for circulating chilled fluid eg water, through the closed hollow space between the walls from external chilling means (not shown) such as a flash cooler. The feed and return lines 28 and 30 may conveniently pass to the exterior via cutaway regions in the front and rear walls of the base 14, such as region 32 shown in Figures 1 and 4. The tank 26 is conveniently dimensioned so as to receive the box 20 as a relatively snug fit.

Claims

1. An outer container for a bag-in-a-box wine container, comprising a barrel-shaped container adapted to stand on end, an upper section of the barrel being removable from the lower section to allow access to a generally hollow interior, an aperture in the wall of the lower section through which the tap of the bag-in-a-box container can protrude, a platform within the lower section on which the boxed bag can stand, the height of the platform being such that the tap registers with the said aperture, and at least one region around the box between the wall of the box and the interior of the lower barrel section for accommodating cooling means.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the platform forms a watertight seal with the lower section wall to make a liquid container.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2, including one or more drainholes in the platform to allow water from melted ice to be drawn off.

4. A container according to claim 3, further comprising a flexible hose connecting the drainhole to a tap.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel includes a stand.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a masking plate is provided which is slotted to allow it to fit over the tube connecting the tap to the bag, between the tap and the outer surface of the lower section wall, to conceal the tube.

7. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a bifurcated device is employed to hold the tap in plate relative to the lower section wall.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform is adjustable in height.

9. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein different sized and/or positioned apertures are provided around the lower section.

10. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein cooling apparatus is located within the lower barrel section which is connectable to a power source.

11. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a hollow walled cooling tank is located in the lower section of the barrel for housing the bag-in-a-box container and for receiving chilled fluid circulated from external cooling apparatus.

12. A container according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the temperature in the barrel is thermostatically controlled and an adjustable control is provided to allow different temperatures to be selected.

13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a fake bottom within the barrel defining a lower compartment below the platform, apertures being provided in the platform so that water can drain into the lower compartment.

14. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel-shaped container is laid on its side and supported on a stand and access to the interior gained by removing a section of the container and the aperture for the tap is located in one end of the container.

15. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a composite of three barrel-shaped containers, two below supporting one above, and all laid on their side, means being provided to secure the barrels together in the said configuration and provision is made to cool at least the lower two barrel-shaped containers.

16. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrel sections are formed from a moulded plastics material, preferably a hard skin formed plastics material having low thermal conductivity.

17. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the container is formed with woodgrain impressions and col oured to give the impression of a wooden barrel.

18. An outer container and a bag-in-a-box wine container, comprising a barrel-shaped container adapted to stand on end, an upper section of the barrel being removable from the lower section to allow access to a generally hollow interior, a bag-ina-box located in the lower section on a platform, with the tap of the bag-in-a-box container protruding through an aperture in the wall of the lower section, and at least one region around the box between the wall of the box and the interior of the lower barrel section for accommodating cooling means.

19. A container substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.