GB2161219A

GB2161219A - Apparatus for dispensing carbonated liquids from bottles

Info

Publication number: GB2161219A
Application number: GB08515916A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allen Leaver
Original assignee: Millington & Co Ltd Richar
Current assignee: Millington & Co Ltd Richar
Priority date: 1984-07-12
Filing date: 1985-06-24
Publication date: 1986-01-08
Also published as: GB8515916D0

Abstract

Carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus comprises a threaded cap (1) adapted to be secured in use to the threaded neck of a bottle or other container, a tube (3) extending from an outlet (4) through said cap to a location (5) at the bottom (6) of the bottle or other container, at least a portion (12, 13) of the tube within the cap being flexible, a member (7) being movable between a first position in which the member bears against the flexible portion to collapse the tube and prevent passage of fluid through the latter and a second position (as shown) in which the flow of liquid is not prevented. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for Dispensing Carbonated Liquids from Bottles This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing carbonated liquids from bottles or other containers, particularly but not exclusively for dispensing carbonated beverages from moulded plastics bottles such as PET bottles.

According to the present invention carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus comprises a threaded cap adapted to be secured in use to the threaded neck of a bottle or other container, a tube extending from an outlet through said cap to a location at the bottom of a bottle or other container in use of the apparatus, at least a portion of the tube within the cap being flexible, a member being movable between a first position in which the member bears against the flexible portion to collapse the tube and prevent passage of fluid through the latter and a second position in which the flow of liquid is not prevented.

The term "fluid" encompasses both the liquid and gaseous contents of the bottle.

Opening of the tube causes dispensing of the beverage due to the gaseous pressure within the bottle. The invention is particularly applicable to dispensing of drinks from PET bottles having a capacity of 1 litre or more. The contents of such large bottles are prone to become "flat" due to the large number of times the bottle may be opened to dispense portions. In addition failure to replace the cap promptly causes rapid deterioration of the contents. Use of the present invention makes it necessary to open a bottle only once when the apparatus is fitted. Thereafter the contents of the bottle are not exposed to atmospheric pressure until they are dispensed.

A spring may be provided to bias the member into the first position, compression of the spring being necessary to open the tube.

The tube is preferably bent through 90" or more, preferably 135 , to facilitate dispensing when the bottle is upright. The tube is preferably smoothly curved to minimise agitation and consequent degassing of the beverage.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the tube is bent within the cap and the member bears against the radially inwardly facing surface of the tube. The member therefore collapses the radially inwardly facing portion of the wall of the tube towards the outwardly facing portion. This confers several advantages. The member and supporting structure may be located within a cavity formed by the curved tube, resulting in a less bulky apparatus than if the member was located radially outwardly of the tube. When the tube is partially opened, centrifugal force causes the liquid to pass along the radially outermost surface of the bent portion of the tube. Opening of the collapsed portion from other than the radially outermost side would agitate the liquid as it is thrown against the outermost side.In addition the restoring force due to the resilience of the material from which the tube is constructed which acts to return the tube to the uncollapsed state, is greatest if the tube is collapsed from the radially inner surface. Thus the preferred embodiment minimises the delay in opening the tube when the member is removed. Any tendency of the tube to stick in the collapsed state is minimised.

Rapid opening of the tube is obtained even after prolonged standing.

The invention is further described by means of example and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure lisa cross-section of apparatus in accordance with this invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section on A-A of Figure 1.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a cap 1 having a screw thread 2 adapted to engage the threaded neck of a PET bottle.

A flexible tube 3 composed of silicone rubber extends from an outlet 4 to a location 5 adjacent the bottom of a bottle 6. In an alternative embodiment only the portion of the tube within the cap is flexible.

The tube 3 is bent through 135 in a smooth curve to minimise agitation of the beverage during dispensing.

A member7 integral with a push-button 8 is disposed radially inwardly of the tube 3. A spring 9 urges the member 7 against the tube to collapse the latter against a block 10, thereby sealing the bottle.

Depression of the push-button 8 causes the tube to open allowing the release of liquid due to the pressure of gas within the bottle. The tip 11 of the member 7 is semicircular in cross-section and has a radius arranged to completely collapse the tube without any leakage.

Location of the member radially inwardly of the tube allows a compact construction of the apparatus. The inwardly facing portion of the tube wall 12 provides a greater restoring force when the member 7 is removed than would the outer portion 13 if the member was located radially outwardly of the tube. Rapid opening of the tube without sticking is therefore facilitated. Liquid passing through the apparatus as the button 8 is depressed is thrown by centrifugal force against the radially outward wall of the tube 14. Opening of the valve from the outward side prevents unnecessary agitation of the liquid by it crossing the tube (for example from the inner wall 12 or side walls dependent on the orientation of the valve) to the outer wall 14.

A valve (not shown) may be provided to regulate the flow of liquid from a full container. Flow from a full container is often very forceful, resulting in undesirable agitation of the beverage. The valve may comprise a closable member arranged to be actuated from the exterior of the cap. Alternatively, a spring-loaded or other pressure-regulated valve may be disposed within the tap. The valve is preferably located between the inlet 5 and the main valve 7-10.

1. A carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a threaded cap adapted to be secured in use to the threaded neck of a bottle or other

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for Dispensing Carbonated Liquids from Bottles This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing carbonated liquids from bottles or other containers, particularly but not exclusively for dispensing carbonated beverages from moulded plastics bottles such as PET bottles. According to the present invention carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus comprises a threaded cap adapted to be secured in use to the threaded neck of a bottle or other container, a tube extending from an outlet through said cap to a location at the bottom of a bottle or other container in use of the apparatus, at least a portion of the tube within the cap being flexible, a member being movable between a first position in which the member bears against the flexible portion to collapse the tube and prevent passage of fluid through the latter and a second position in which the flow of liquid is not prevented. The term "fluid" encompasses both the liquid and gaseous contents of the bottle. Opening of the tube causes dispensing of the beverage due to the gaseous pressure within the bottle. The invention is particularly applicable to dispensing of drinks from PET bottles having a capacity of 1 litre or more. The contents of such large bottles are prone to become "flat" due to the large number of times the bottle may be opened to dispense portions. In addition failure to replace the cap promptly causes rapid deterioration of the contents. Use of the present invention makes it necessary to open a bottle only once when the apparatus is fitted. Thereafter the contents of the bottle are not exposed to atmospheric pressure until they are dispensed. A spring may be provided to bias the member into the first position, compression of the spring being necessary to open the tube. The tube is preferably bent through 90" or more, preferably 135 , to facilitate dispensing when the bottle is upright. The tube is preferably smoothly curved to minimise agitation and consequent degassing of the beverage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the tube is bent within the cap and the member bears against the radially inwardly facing surface of the tube. The member therefore collapses the radially inwardly facing portion of the wall of the tube towards the outwardly facing portion. This confers several advantages. The member and supporting structure may be located within a cavity formed by the curved tube, resulting in a less bulky apparatus than if the member was located radially outwardly of the tube. When the tube is partially opened, centrifugal force causes the liquid to pass along the radially outermost surface of the bent portion of the tube. Opening of the collapsed portion from other than the radially outermost side would agitate the liquid as it is thrown against the outermost side.In addition the restoring force due to the resilience of the material from which the tube is constructed which acts to return the tube to the uncollapsed state, is greatest if the tube is collapsed from the radially inner surface. Thus the preferred embodiment minimises the delay in opening the tube when the member is removed. Any tendency of the tube to stick in the collapsed state is minimised. Rapid opening of the tube is obtained even after prolonged standing. The invention is further described by means of example and not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure lisa cross-section of apparatus in accordance with this invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-section on A-A of Figure 1. The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a cap 1 having a screw thread 2 adapted to engage the threaded neck of a PET bottle. A flexible tube 3 composed of silicone rubber extends from an outlet 4 to a location 5 adjacent the bottom of a bottle 6. In an alternative embodiment only the portion of the tube within the cap is flexible. The tube 3 is bent through 135 in a smooth curve to minimise agitation of the beverage during dispensing. A member7 integral with a push-button 8 is disposed radially inwardly of the tube 3. A spring 9 urges the member 7 against the tube to collapse the latter against a block 10, thereby sealing the bottle. Depression of the push-button 8 causes the tube to open allowing the release of liquid due to the pressure of gas within the bottle. The tip 11 of the member 7 is semicircular in cross-section and has a radius arranged to completely collapse the tube without any leakage. Location of the member radially inwardly of the tube allows a compact construction of the apparatus. The inwardly facing portion of the tube wall 12 provides a greater restoring force when the member 7 is removed than would the outer portion 13 if the member was located radially outwardly of the tube. Rapid opening of the tube without sticking is therefore facilitated. Liquid passing through the apparatus as the button 8 is depressed is thrown by centrifugal force against the radially outward wall of the tube 14. Opening of the valve from the outward side prevents unnecessary agitation of the liquid by it crossing the tube (for example from the inner wall 12 or side walls dependent on the orientation of the valve) to the outer wall 14. A valve (not shown) may be provided to regulate the flow of liquid from a full container. Flow from a full container is often very forceful, resulting in undesirable agitation of the beverage. The valve may comprise a closable member arranged to be actuated from the exterior of the cap. Alternatively, a spring-loaded or other pressure-regulated valve may be disposed within the tap. The valve is preferably located between the inlet 5 and the main valve 7-10. CLAIMS

1. A carbonated beverage dispensing apparatus comprising a threaded cap adapted to be secured in use to the threaded neck of a bottle or other container, a tube extending from an outlet th rough said cap to a location at the bottom of a bottle or other container in use of the apparatus, at least a portion of the tube within the cap being flexible, a member being movable between a first position in which the member bears against the flexible portion to collapse the tube and prevent passage of fluid through the latter and a second position in which the flow of liquid is not prevented.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including a spring arranged to bias the member into the first position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the tube is bent through an angle of 902 or more.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tube is bent within the cap and wherein the member bears against the radially inwardly facing surface of the tube.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including a valve arranged to regulate liquid flow from a full container.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the valve is actuated by pressure within the container.

7. Beverage dispensing apparatus substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.