GB2436828A

GB2436828A - Dispensing system for retaining carbonation

Info

Publication number: GB2436828A
Application number: GB0607041A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marios Josephidou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-07
Filing date: 2006-04-07
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Also published as: GB0607041D0

Abstract

A refillable still and carbonated drinks dispensing system, incorporating a concertina type collapsible bottle (1) contained within a unit with a tap at the front and a back section (5, fig 2) which advances along guide rails incorporating the teeth of a ratchet system (2, 6, 9). The back section contains within it a spring loaded back plate attached to a spigot (3, 4, 8) and a ratchet release lever (fig 2, 5).

Description

2436828

1

DESCRIPTION

Keep Fresh Keep Fizz Description

The invention relates to a refillable, still and carbonated drinks dispensing system.

A compressible container housed in a unique dispensing mechanism with a tap.

With conventional bottles, it is well known that the dead space above the drink encourages more carbon dioxide to leave the solution thus leading to the 'flat drink' scenario.

Dead space above still drinks permits greater oxidization and loss of freshness of the drink.

The invention provides a solution to the problem, with a mechanism that allows a compressible container to stay compressed, eliminating the dead space thus (in the case of carbonated drinks) maintaining carbon dioxide concentrations in solution which further sustains/maintains the 'fizziness' of drinks.

In the same way (for still drinks) dead space elimination extends the freshness of still drinks like orange juice and even wine.

The bottle/container can be made of any suitable material (typically cardboard or plastic) that can be fashioned into a concertina shape, facilitating a 'bellows type' action. The design and choice of material should be strong but sufficiently flexible to allow easy compression.

When housed within the unit, the bottle will be attached and supported by the tap (in front) and the spigot and base plate from behind.

A more detailed working of the invention will now be described, with the appropriate reference to the appended drawings.

The dispensing system from different views

Fig 1 shows the expanded view of the dispensing system.

The collapsible bottle (1) is inserted in the body of the unit and attached to the tap in front and the spigot (8) at the back.

Fig 1 also shows the back section which contains the spring loaded unit, comprising the spigot (8) base plate (4) and spring (3) The release lever (2) of the ratchet mechanism is also shown.

Fig 2 shows how the rear unit (5) is inserted into the guide rails (7).

2

The body of the unit incorporates two guide rails female ends (7) and a centrally raised guide rail (6) which also forms part of the ratchet mechanism, which contains the 'teeth' .

Also from fig 2, The back section (5) incorporates a release lock lever (9) of the ratchet mechanism.

The release lock when depressed, raises the locking element above the teeth of the ratchet base allowing the rear unit to move freely either in a forward or reverse direction.

This is needed to re-set the unit for change of bottles.

Fig 2 shows the loaded system primed ready for delivery of the drink.

The back section is loaded by aligning the guide rails and ratchet mechanism and advancing the unit (5) forward. The base plate will then sit tight against the bottle and the spring will be fully compressed

Unless the unit is unlocked, the ratchet will only permits movement in a forward direction (towards the tap)

When fully compressed the spigot will protrude maximally out from the back section (5, 8).

When the tap is opened, drink will flow neatly out of the tap as it will flow from high to low pressure. The spring loaded back plate (4) will then ease forward, facilitating the flow until fully extended (this will correspond to a specific volume of fluid e.g 330ml of fluid). As it advances forward, the compressible container will reduce in size by an equivalent amount (e.g 330ml). The tap should now be turned off.

At this stage it is necessary to prime the spring loaded back plate again by advancing the ratchet mechanism back section, in a forward direction. Once fully advanced, the compressible container will reach its maximum compression (i.e. no more dead space) until such a time as more fluid/drink is dispensed.

The cycle is repeated until, no further compression can take place. The residual fluid will comprise the last drink of e.g. 330mls

3

Claims

1. A soft drinks dispensing system incorporating a collapsible bottle/container which eliminates the development of dead space which accounts for carbonated drinks to lose their fizziness and still drinks to undergo oxidisation, with loss of freshness.

2. A dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the collapsible bottle has a concertina shape body facilitating easy compression within the system.

3. A dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the main body of the unit incorporates guide rail sections with the teeth of the ratchet system at the base.

4. A dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the back section contains a spigot, spring and base plate, which advances when the tap is opened closing the collapsible container, eliminating dead space.

5. A dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the back section incorporates the lever and rudder of the ratchet system. The lever releasing the ratchet when depressed. The ratchet system permitting the back section to be advanced forward in order to prime the system.

6. A dispensing system as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from moldable plastic, rubber where appropriate, metal where appropriate and a collapsible bottle made of cardboard or plastic where appropriate.

7. A dispensing system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims

4~

Claims

1. A soft drinks dispensing system incorporating an interchangeable/collapsible bottle/container which eliminates the development of dead space which accounts for carbonated drinks to lose their fizziness and still drinks to undergo oxidisation, with loss of freshness.

2. A dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the interchangeable/collapsible bottle has a concertina shape body facilitating easy compression within the system.

4. A dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the back section contains a spigot, spring and base plate, which advances when the tap is opened compressing the collapsible bottle, eliminating dead space.

5. A dispensing system as claimed in Claim 1 where the back section incorporates the lever and rudder of the ratchet system. The lever releasing the ratchet when depressed. The ratchet system permitting the back section to be advanced forward in order to prime the system (contracts the spring/spigot/back-plate)

6. A dispensing system as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from moldable plastic, rubber where appropriate, metal where appropriate and a collapsible interchangeable/bottle made of cardboard or plastic where appropriate.