GB2337250A

GB2337250A - Adaptor for a dispensing device

Info

Publication number: GB2337250A
Application number: GB9810272A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Drazen Sitar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-05-14
Filing date: 1998-05-14
Publication date: 1999-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-14
Also published as: GB2337250B; GB9810272D0

Abstract

An adaptor 20 for connecting a dispensing device 2 to a container B, such as a bottle with an anti-refill security closure, has a hollow body with a first socket formation 27 that includes sealing means 26 for receiving a bottle neck, a second socket formation 32 for receiving the spigot 16 of a dispensing device, a transparent portion for viewing the security closure, and an air vent 44. The sealing element may be formed from an elastomeric material such as silicone rubber.

Description

2337250 AN ADAPTOR FOR AMISPENSING DEVICE The present invention relates-to

an adaptor for dispensing devices and to dispensing devices fitted with-4uch adaptors. More particularly, the invention provides an adaptor for useith a dispensing device for dispensing spirits such as whisky, gin, vodka, brandy etc.

In many parts of the world,t#nd in particular the Mediterranean countries of Europe, as well as Southerica and South Africa, the majority of bottles containing alcoholic spirit&-,h as whisky, gin etc are fitted with a closure which does not allow thqMttle to be refilled. Such closures typically take the form of a stoppe._ containing a one way valve which permits liquid to be poured from ttle, but prevents the bottle from being refilled.

The purpose of the closure is to prevent dilution of the product with "---by ensuring that members of the _Affi- pt rr quality of the spirits that they are purchasing. A major manufacturer ouch closures is Guala of Italy, and stoppers of the "Guala" (RTM) type--- -0We become well known. In general, it is not possible to remove such clo"s without destroying them, and thus the absence of a closure on a bottlq- Wspirits in many countries is in itse f an indication that the spirits may he been adulterated.

A major problem however whk!uch closures, which will be referred to hereinafter as security closures, it fflat they cannot easily be connected directly to conventional pouring devic^'-or metering dispensing devices such 41_ water or an inferior grade of spirit public are not deceived as to the o 2 as the spirit measure device commonly used in the UK and in many other countries.

Insofar as spirit measure devices are concerned, attempts have been made to provide such devices with connection means for connecting to spirits bottles containing security closures, see for example GB-A-1 148085. A problem with the arrangement shown in GB 1148085 however is that it is intended to be used with a security closure of a particular type, and is not suited for use with more modern types of security closures. More recently, adaptors have been devised which comprise an elongate opaque plastics sleeve which is clamped to the spirit measure at its lower end, and which fits relatively loosely about the neck of the spirits bottle. Such an arrangement suffers from several disadvantages. Firstly, it is believed that such adaptors have a tendency to leak as a result of the loose fit between the bottle neck and the adaptor sleeve; secondly, some evaporation of the contents of the bottle may occur due to the loose fit; thirdly the loose fit provides a possible route of entry for contaminants; and fourthly the opacity of the sleeve means that the customer cannot see whether the bottle from which the spirit is being dispensed has a security closure or not.

Our earlier application, GB 2306205 discloses an adaptor device which overcomes many of the aforementioned problems. However, the adaptor devices specifically illustrated in GB 2306205 are not constructed so as to allow them to be fitted to existing installed dispensing devices such as spirit measures of the "Optic" (RTM) variety. Instead, existing dispensing devices must either be modified to accommodate the adaptors, or the dispensing device must be constructed ab initio so as to incorporate the features of the adaptor.

A particular object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved adaptor of generally similar type to the adaptors disclosed in our earlier application, but which can be connected to existing installed 3 dispensing devices so as to provide such existing devices with the facility for accepting bottles having security closures of the "GuaW' type, and other types of closure which obstruct the opening of the bottle.

In a first aspect therefore, the invention provides an adaptor for connecting a dispensing device to a bottle or other container of a nonrefillable type having a security closure in the neck thereof, the dispensing device being of the type which has a ot formation for inserting into the neck of a bottle; the connector comprising a hollow body having a first hollow body portion defining a socket formation at one end thereof for receiving a neck of the said container, the socket formation having sealing means effective in use to provide a subatantially liquid tight seal against the said neck or a security closure disposM therein; and a second hollow body portion defining a liquid receiving chamber, the second hollow body portion defining a socket formation for receiving therein the spigot formation of the dispensing device, at least a portion of the adaptor being transparent such that a security closure in the n$W-- of the container can be seen therethrough; and wherein an air vM is provided for venting the liquid receiving chamber when the adaptor Woonnected to the container and the dispensing device.

At least a portion of the seco tollow body portion can be made transparent, such that the neck of a.ciner containing a security closure protruding into the second hollow bo portion can be seen therethrough. Preferably, at least a lower portion 01Ahe second hollow body portion is substantially transparent.

11 The sealing means typically takae the form of an elastomeric sealing element which provides a seal between the neck of the container and socket formation of the hollow body. The st formation can be provided with a further sealing means which sealeinst an axial end surface of the container neck and/or a surface of a rning collar of a security closure, the AIL-, 4 arrangement being such as to prevent liquid from passing between the said retaining collar and the neck of the container.

The sealing means can take the form of a generally cylindrical body formed of an elastomeric material such as a silicone rubber.

The socket formation, and in particular the sealing means preferably has one or more annular ridges or protrusions extending radially inwardly therefrom so as to enhance its gripping and sealing action.

According to the invention, an air vent is provided to allow passage of air between the exterior and the liquid receiving chamber. It has been found, somewhat surprisingly, that if the air vent is not present, the container does not drain correctly and the dispensing apparatus will not refill with liquid after a dispensing operation.

The air vent Is most preferably defined by a channe[passing from the liquid receiving chamber up through a side wall of the first hollow body portion. For example, the channel can be formed between a substantially rigid structural portion or outer casing and the sealing means.

The invention will now be illustrated, but not limited, by reference to the particular embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation through a dispensing device fitted with an adaptor according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the adapter; and Figure 3 is an exploded view illustrating in sectional elevation the components of the adaptor.

Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement comprising a drinks dispenser 2 of the spirit measure type, having a dispensing chamber 4 defined by a transparent portion, and a dispensing head 6. At its upper end, an arm 8 1 having an opening (not shown) therein provides a means of attaching the dispenser, using a suitable bracket, for example to a shelf. Extending upwardly from the dispenser is a spigot formation 10 having an opening 12 enabling liquid to pass into the dispensing chamber 4. The opening 12 is divided by means of divider 14, such that in use air from the dispensing chamber 4 can pass through a passage defined on one side of the divider 14 whilst liquid from the bottle can pass down the other side of the divider 14. A conical rubber gasket 16 sits about the spigot portion 10. Thus far, the dispenser is entirely conventional.

In normal use, an open-necked bottle would be pushed onto the spigot portion 12, the gasket 16 forming a liquid-type seal between the neck of the bottle and the spigot. However, it WK-be appreciated that in cases where the bottle is provided with a security616sure, to prevent adulteration of the liquid within the bottle, the spigot 12-'6-bnnot be inserted into the neck of the bottle without first removing the cloihire. Removal of the closure would of course would defeat the whole objecttf having the closure in the first place.

In order to provide a means-bi connecting a bottle fitted with a security closure to the dispenser, an dderptor 20 is provided. The adaptor 20 comprises a hollow body having a fWt or upper hollow body portion 22 defining a socket formation. The uppr-hollow body portion has a cylindrical outer casing 24 formed from a suitabty-rigid plastics material and a generally cylindrical sealing member 26 dispotherein. The sealing member 26 is retained in place by an annular collar-28, which is fixed to the casing 24 by means of sonic welding. The anntder--collar 28 together with the sealing member 26 ensure that a good suntiaily liquid tight seal is provided between the neck of the bottle and' adaptor.

Connected to the lower end Of-the casing 24 is the second hollow body formation 30 which comprisesAWinner cylindrical member 32 and an outer cylindrical member 34, both formed from a transparent plastics 6 material. The inner and outer cylindrical members 32 and 34 are fixed together by means of sonic welding and in turn are welded to the lower end of casing 24. The interior 36 of the inner cylindrical 32 defines a liquid receiving chamber.

The annular sealing member 26 is provided on its radially inner surface with an array of three inwardly projecting annular ribs 38 which serve to grip and seal against the neck N of a bottle inserted therein. At the lower end of the sealing member 26 is a radially inwardly directed flange 40 which can serve as a seal against the edges of a security closure S within the neck of the bottle.

A portion of the lower part of the outer surface of the sealing member 26 is cut away to define a channel 42 enabling gas communication between the liquid receiving chamber 36 in the lower part of the adaptor and an opening 44 in the upper surface of the annular collar 28. Thus, an air vent is created between the sealing member and the rigid wall of the adaptor.

In use, the neck N of bottle B is inserted into the upper hollow body portion such that the sealing member 26 grips and seals against the neck N whilst the security closure S protrudes downwardly an into the liquid receiving chamber 36.

The dispensing device then operates in the usual way; thus the dispensing head 6 is pushed upwardly and this in turn closes the valved opening (not shown) at the upper end of the dispensing chamber 4 of the dispensing device. After the valved opening has been closed, further movement of the dispensing head 6 in an upwards direction causes a vent hole to be opened allowing air to pass into the dispensing chamber 4 which in turn permits liquid to drain from the dispensing container 4 out through the nozzle (not shown) of dispensing head 6 into a suitable receptacle.

7 Once the dispensing head 6 is released, it moves in a downwards direction thereby reopening the valved closure and permitting liquid to flow into the dispensing chamber 4 through the opening 12 in the spigot formation 10. At the same time, air introduced into the dispensing chamber 4 as the chamber 4 is drained passed upwardly through the opening 12 on one side of the divider 40 and in through the security closure S into the bottle B. An important factor in the correct functioning of the device is the air vent defined by passage 42 and opening 44. Thus, in the absence of the air vent it has been found that the refilling operation simply will not take place. This is despite the fact that air has already been allowed into the system through the vent hole (not shown) leading into chamber 4 when the chamber 4 is drained of liquid. However, withthe air vent of the present invention, filling of the liquid receiving chamber 36 and the dispensing chamber 4 proceeds smoothly, the liquid receiving chamber essentially functioning as an extension of the neck of the botde.

An advantage of the arrangement of the present invention as shown in Figures 1 to 3 is that it enables existing dispensing equipment to be adapted to accommodate bottles having a security closure secured into the neck thereof. This avoids the need-lo replace completely the dispensing apparatus with, for example, an apparatus of the type shown in GB 2306205.

It will readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations could be made to the dispensing apparatus shown in the accompanying drawings without departing from the principles underlying the invention, and all such alterations and modificatiorW1hre intended to be embraced by this application.

Claims

8 1 An adaptor for connecting a dispensing device to a bottle or other container of a non-ref illable type having a security closure in thebeck thereof, the dispensing device being of the type which has a spigot formation for inserting into the neck of a bottle; the connector comprising a hollow body having a first hollow body portion defining a socket formation at one end thereof for receiving a neck of the said container, the socket formation having sealing means effective in use to provide a substantially liquid tight seal against the said neck or a security closure disposed therein; and a second hollow body portion defining a liquid receiving chamber, the second hollow body portion defining a socket formation for receiving therein the spigot formation of the dispensing device, at least a portion of the adaptor being transparent such that a security closure in the neck of the container can be seen therethrough; and wherein an air vent is provided for venting the liquid receiving chamber when the adaptor is connected to the container and the dispensing device.

2. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the second hollow body portion is transparent, such that the neck of a container containing a security closure protruding into the second hollow body portion can be seen therethrough.

3.

An adaptor according to claims 1 or claim 2 wherein at least a lower portion thereof is substantially transparent.

An adaptor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sealing means is an elastomeric sealing element which provides a seal between the neck of the container and socket formation of the hollow body.

1 9 5. An adaptor according to claim 4 wherein the socket formation is provided with further sealing means which seal against an axial end surface of the container neck andlor a retaining collar of the security closure, the arrangement being such as to prevent liquid from passing between the said retaining coBw-and the neck of the container.

6. An adaptor according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the sealing means takes the form of a generally cylindrical body formed of an elastomeric material such as a silicone rubber.

7. An adaptor according to any orm of claims 4 to 6 wherein the socket formation has one or more ar ridges or protrusions extending radially inwardly therefrom.

J 8. An adaptor according to any on f the preceding claims wherein the air vent is defined by a charmW passing from the liquid receiving chamber up through a side wag-of the first hollow body portion.

9. An adaptor according to clakn,,8 wherein the channel is formed between a substantially rigid ctural portion of the side wall and the sealing means.

10. An adaptor for connecting a mering dispensing device to a bottle or other liquid-containing conta of a non-refiliable type having a security closure in the neck thf; wherein the metering dispensing device has a liquid-holding '.ring chamber having transparent walls, dispensing means for dnsing liquid from the liquid-holding chamber; and a spigot formation upstanding from a main body portion thereof for insertion into the r".- of a liquid containing container to form a seal therebetween; the' daptor comprising a hollow body, at least a lower portion of whictt is substantially transparent, the said lower portion having first socket means for connecting the hollow body to the spigot formation of the metering dispensing device; the hollow body having an upper portion defining second socket means for receiving a neck of the liquid-containing container, the second socket means having sealing means effective in use to provide a substantially liquid tight seal against the said neck or a sedurity closure disposed therein; the sealing means being so dimensioned that in use, an end portion of the security closure protrudes downwardly beyond the socket formation so as to be visible through a transparent wall portion of said lower portion of the hollow body.

11. An adaptor or adaptor device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A liquid dispensing apparatus, comprising a dispensing device in combination with an adaptor as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A dispensing apparatus for liquids, and in particular drinks, comprising a bottle or other liquid-containing container in combination with a dispensing device and an adaptor as defined in any one of the preceding claims.