ITBO20130297A1 - LIQUID CONTAINER FOR FOOD USE FOR BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS AND BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR INCLUDING THE CONTAINER - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

CONTAINER OF LIQUIDS FOR FOOD USE FOR BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS AND BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR INCLUDING THIS CONTAINER.

The present invention relates to a container for liquids for food use, in particular a bottle or jug for containing water to be used in beverage dispensers, and a beverage dispenser comprising said container.

More precisely, the present invention makes particular reference to a container (preferably disposable) for water dispensers, of the “column” type, and for coffee, both countertop and automatic.

Therefore, the present invention finds particular application in the automatic distribution and coffee sector, as well as in transport (handling). In the water distribution sector, and in particular in relation to the columns generally present in offices or public places, the need is strongly felt to sanitize the water stagnant in the containers as much as possible, as the distributors of the known art are particularly lacking from a hygienic point of view.

In fact, it should be noted that the conservation of the water inside the trays or tanks (so-called â € œboccioniâ €) can only be guaranteed for short periods, since the characteristics of the supply water of the dispensers change from the moment in which are stored.

For example, the stagnation associated with a low or unfriendly use and the thermal variations facilitate the proliferation of bacterial colonies already existing in the water itself, leading to a degeneration of the bacteriological level after a few days, even in a framework of normal cleaning and sanitization of the parts in contact with the environment.

As is known, in fact, water is an important vehicle of biological contaminants as even a water defined as `` drinkable '' has a content of bacteria (albeit low) which, in the temperature range in which the distributors object of this application operate, they find the ideal environment to proliferate.

These colonies of bacteria, spores and toxins could be destroyed only by bringing the water to a temperature> 121 ° (in 15 minutes, i.e. downstream of pasteurization), which however is in strong contrast with the distribution of fresh water, but in relation to hot drinks (such as coffee).

In order to solve these drawbacks, the known art proposes some solutions, which however are impractical and not free from disadvantages of various kinds.

For example, document WO2010007744 refers to a disposable bottle, the side walls of which are bellows-shaped for about half of their development.

The other half, proximal to the bottom, is instead devoid of a bellows and is described as capable of collapsing by inverting its development so as to allow the (rigid) bottom to approximate at the `` neck '' of the bottle and allow thus to reduce, but not eliminate, the voids once the maximum deformation has been reached.

However, in order to make such a compostly deforming phase possible, the side walls cannot be made economically in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), i.e. with the so-called `` blowing and stretching '' process, which makes the proposed solution completely out of the market.

Furthermore, it should be emphasized that even in a completely deformed configuration the internal volume of the container remains considerable, which in any case would entail a strong dispersion of unused water or, alternatively, the movement of unused volume.

Moreover, since the side wall is completely flat in the terminal portion, the described behavior cannot be obtained with certainty, certainly requiring a strong depression action at the inlet of the container.

In this light, although it aims to do so, the solution proposed by WO2010007744 to date is not industrially feasible at competitive costs and difficult to apply to pedestal water dispensers and beverage dispensers in general.

Other containers of the deformable type are known in the known art, mainly related to the need to reduce the overall dimensions during the transport of the empty container. However, these containers are not of the disposable type, as they can be used several times by the owner as a water bottle or similar.

In fact, the aforementioned containers (such as that of document WO2011064523) are not made of PET and are not designed to contain the liquid inside for a prolonged period of time.

Moreover, since they do not arise from the need to prevent contact between air and water, these containers, while reducing their volume, do not minimize their internal volume, merely reducing it enough to make it easy to transport in bags. handbags or pouches.

Alternatively, bottles are known which are shaped to facilitate (partial) crushing thereof in order to reduce the vacuum volume by maximizing the filling of the waste containers. However, these solutions limit themselves to defining some weakening lines along the side wall of the container, without however any awareness of the residual volume following the crushing, which is the child solely of the force exerted by the consumer.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a container of liquids for food use, in particular water, for beverage dispensers and a beverage dispenser comprising said container which overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the known art.

More precisely, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container of liquids for food use, in particular water, capable of maximizing deformation and minimizing its internal volume with simplicity.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a container of liquids for food use, in particular water, capable of completely collapsing without requiring the introduction of air inside to dispense the liquid.

Another object of the present invention is to make available a container of liquids for food use, in particular water, which is simple and economical to dispose of.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a beverage dispenser capable of guaranteeing the maintenance of the original characteristics of the water used.

More precisely, the object of the present invention is to provide a beverage dispenser capable of preventing contact between the external air and the water inside the container.

Said purposes are achieved by a container for liquids for food use, in particular water, according to one or more of claims 1 to 25. Furthermore, said purposes are achieved by a beverage dispenser according to one or more of claims 26 to 30.

In particular, said purposes are achieved by a container of liquids for food use, in particular water, for a beverage dispenser comprising a first end, or bottom wall, a second end, or neck, provided with a release portion of the ™ water designed to be connected to a corresponding junction portion of a beverage dispenser and a tubular wall extending annularly along its own main central axis between the first and second ends.

According to the invention, the tubular wall develops along the central axis with a succession of apexes and grooves shaped so as to make said tubular wall collapsible along said central axis to reduce its bulk, in order to compensate for the depression that it is generated inside said bottle during the delivery of the liquid, preventing contact between the liquid and the air outside the bottle.

In other words, the tubular wall has a substantially bellows-like structure defined by a plurality of yielding portions arranged in succession, each provided with at least opposite rising edges to define the apexes.

Therefore, the tubular wall of the container (made of polyethylene terephthalate, PET, PE, PLA, preferably with the `` blowing and stretching '' process) is shaped in such a way as to deform between an undeformed configuration, of maximum extension along the central axis, and a deformed configuration, in which its extension along this central axis is reduced by at least 2/3 compared to the maximum extension.

Therefore, the tubular wall is substantially free to collapse on its entire development.

More precisely, in a first embodiment of the container, the tubular wall comprises a plurality of annular sectors arranged in succession along the central axis, each presenting a distinct orientation with respect to the two adjacent sectors, in which the Orientation is evaluated in a plane orthogonal to the central axis.

In other words, the tubular wall is formed by successive sectors each rotated (considering the central axis as the axis of â € œrotationâ €) by a predetermined angle with respect to the adjacent sector.

Advantageously, in this way the deformation of the tubular wall is maximized.

In other words, the sectors are each out of phase with respect to the adjacent sector, so as to increase the compliance of the container along the central axis.

Therefore, the structure of the tubular wall is divided into successive modules of the same geometry, but orientation and variable size along the central axis.

Advantageously, this structure is very simple to make and allows the external volume of the container to be reduced by more than 80%.

More precisely, the tubular wall develops, starting from the first end of the bottle container approaching the second, with a decreasing cross section at the central axis, in order to minimize its extension along the central axis in the deformed configuration. Therefore, each sector (or module) in addition to presenting a different orientation with respect to the adjacent sector, has a different extension (i.e. the area of the cross section), greater or lesser depending on which of the sectors is proximal to the first end.

Preferably, each sector has a cross section, evaluated in said plane orthogonal to the central axis, having a substantially polygonal geometry and rotated, in said plane, by an angle between 30 ° and 60 °, more preferably 45 °, with respect to the section transversal of adjacent sectors.

In an alternative embodiment, the tubular wall has a sawtooth profile extending along the central axis.

In other words, this profile defines a â € œpagodaâ € structure, that is a structure with successive columns in columns, all oriented with the same concavity (preferably oriented towards the neck of the bottle).

More precisely, each apex of the tubular wall is defined by a first front and a second front joined together at the apex itself, in which the first front is convex and the second front is concave in order to define said sawtooth profile.

Advantageously, this structure is very simple to make and allows the external volume of the container to be reduced by more than 70% (preferably more than 80%).

It should also be noted that, in order to minimize the internal volume of the container, the bottom wall, which includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, is shaped so that, at least in the deformed configuration of the tubular wall, the central portion is proximal to the neck of the bottle with respect to the peripheral portion. Preferably, the central portion is substantially abutting the second end of the container.

Advantageously, the invention is â € œfully collapsibleâ € since, when it reaches its smaller size, it has a residual internal volume with respect to the initial one substantially equal to zero.

It should be noted that, preferably, this configuration is achieved following a deformation also of the bottom wall.

Therefore, the bottom wall is shaped to deform along the central axis of the tubular wall between a configuration with minimum concavity, in which the distance between the central portion and the peripheral portion measured along the central axis is minimal, and a configuration with maximum concavity, in which said distance between the central portion and the peripheral portion is maximum.

In other words, the bottom wall is shaped to increase its extension along the central axis of the container according to the consumption of liquid.

Therefore, in the configuration with maximum concavity of the bottom wall, the peripheral portion flanks the tubular wall and the central portion faces (abutting) the neck of the bottle in order to reduce (minimize) the internal volume of the bottle itself.

Therefore, in the deformed configuration, the container 1 has a longitudinal section (parallel to the central axis â € œAâ €) substantially shaped like a â € œYâ €, in which the stem of the Y is defined by the neck 3a (or release portion ) and the concavity is defined by the deformed tubular wall and bottom wall.

Preferably, this back wall is made by means of an innovative â € œspiralâ € structure, also designed to collapse, capable of a deformation corresponding, in measure and direction, to the second end (or neck, or shoulder) of the container. which allows the maximum optimization of costs in relation to the maximum useful volume.

As said, the container object of the present invention is used inside a beverage dispenser.

Advantageously, thanks to the complete deformability and collapsibility of the container structure, it is possible for the dispenser to dispense water without it coming into contact with the inside of the container, guaranteeing hygiene.

In this regard, preferably the distributor comprises suction means operatively interposed between the dispenser and the container, configured to generate a depression at the second end (or neck) of the container in order to suck up the water to be dispensed, facilitating the deformation of the tubular wall of the container itself. Moreover, the dispenser conveniently comprises at least one shutter member associated with the housing of the container and switchable between an operating configuration, in which it allows the passage of water from the container to the dispenser, and a block configuration, in which it prevents the passage of fluids from the housing to the dispenser.

Advantageously, in this way it is guaranteed that even in the absence of the container or when the latter is finished, the air does not contaminate the pipes.

In this regard, the distributor (or the container itself) is also equipped with a non-return valve operatively interposed between the dispenser and the container and configured to prevent the passage of fluids in the direction of the container.

Advantageously, when this valve is associated with the container, this once completely deformed maintains its configuration of minimum bulk with considerable advantages from the point of view of disposal.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a container of liquids for food use for beverage dispensers and of a beverage dispenser, as illustrated in united drawings in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of a first embodiment of the container of liquids for food use for beverage dispensers according to the present invention, in two different configurations; - figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b show side and plan views of the container of figure 1;

figure 5 shows the section B-B of figure 4a;

Figures 6 and 7 show perspective views of a second embodiment of the container of liquids for food use for beverage dispensers according to the present invention, in two different configurations; - figures 8a, 8b and 8c show side and plan views of the container of figure 6;

- figure 9 schematically shows a beverage dispenser according to the present invention, on which the container of figure 1 is mounted.

With reference to the attached figures, the number 1 indicates a container of liquids for food use, preferably water, according to the present invention.

Being designed mainly for food use, the container 1 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PET, PETE, PETP or PET-P) or similar.

Alternatively, this container 1 can be made of any material suitable for use in the food sector, such as not to compromise the quality of the liquid it houses, compatibly with the technology of the moment.

The container 1 is therefore a container for liquids for food use, in particular a container for water for beverage dispensers 100, preferably of the disposable type.

This container 1 is of the â € œboccioneâ € type, that is a bottle; it comprises a first end, or bottom wall 2, a second end or neck 3, provided with a water release portion 3a designed to be connected to a corresponding junction portion 101 of the beverage dispenser 100 and a wall tubular 4 extending annularly along its own central axis â € œAâ € between the first 2 and the second extremity 3.

The first end 2, or bottom wall, is therefore a wall transversal to the central axis â € œAâ € and provided with at least one substantially planar perimeter edge to act as a support surface for the container 1.

The second end 3, on the other hand, defines the head portion of the container 1. Preferably, this second end 3 comprises an upper shoulder 3b for connecting the release portion 3a with the tubular wall 4.

In the preferred embodiment, the shoulder 4 has sufficient stiffness to support the weight of the container 1 filled with liquid, or rather water â € œWâ €. This feature is particularly advantageous in the application of the container in beverage dispensers, in particular column dispensers 100 of water, in which the container itself is positioned upside down, i.e. with the second end 3 placed at a lower level than the first extremity 2.

The release portion 3a, preferably, is defined by the neck of the container 1, i.e. a substantially annular element equipped with means 3c for fixing a cap (not shown) and / or means for connecting the container 1 to the beverage dispenser 100 (in particular a receiving portion 102a of the same).

In the illustrated embodiment, the connection means and the fixing means 3c are substantially corresponding and defined by a thread.

According to the invention, the tubular wall 4 (or side wall) develops along the central axis â € œAâ € with a succession of apices 5 and grooves 6 shaped so as to make the tubular wall 4 collapsible along the central axis â € œAâ € to reduce the size of the container, in order to compensate for the depression that is generated inside said container during the delivery of the liquid, preventing contact between the liquid and the external air to the container.

It should be noted that, preferably, the succession of apexes 5 and grooves 6 develops with substantial continuity between the first 2 and the second extremity 3 of the container.

In other words, the tubular wall 4 has a profile with peaks (i.e. the apexes 5) and valleys (i.e. the grooves 6).

Note that the term â € œprofileâ € means in fact the contour line defined by the tubular wall 4 in a side view of the container.

This tubular wall 4 is therefore collapsible along its entire length thanks to its bellows structure.

More precisely, the tubular wall 4 is shaped so that it deforms between an undeformed configuration, of maximum extension along the central axis â € œAâ €, and a deformed configuration, in which its extension along said central axis â € œAâ € It is reduced by at least 2/3 compared to the aforementioned maximum extension.

In the preferred embodiment, this reduction is greater than 70% of the extension of the tubular wall 4 along the central axis â € œAâ € (when it is in the undeformed configuration), more preferably greater than 80% (i.e. i 4/5).

Preferably, the tubular wall 4 of the container 1 develops, starting from the first end 2 approaching the second 3, with a decreasing cross section at the central axis â € œAâ €, in order to minimize its extension along the axis central â € œAâ € in the deformed configuration.

In other words, the tubular wall 4 has a truncated pyramid shape with a decreasing section approaching the bottom wall 2.

More precisely, each cross section (at the central axis â € œAâ €) has its own geometry developing along two main directions which are substantially orthogonal to each other.

In accordance with the above, the main dimensions of a cross section proximal to the second end 3 of the container are (both) larger than the corresponding main dimensions of a cross section distal from the second end 3.

In a first embodiment, the tubular wall 4 has a profile having a plurality of first grooves 6a and a corresponding plurality of second grooves 6b alternating with each other along the central axis â € œAâ €.

The first gorges 6a have a greater depth than the second gorges 6b, evaluated radially with respect to the central axis â € œAâ €.

Therefore, the distance between the apex 5 and the respective first groove 6a is greater than the distance between the apex 5 and the respective second groove 6b. Note that the distance is evaluated radially, ie orthogonally to the central axis â € œAâ €.

With reference to figures 1-5, the tubular wall 4 comprises a plurality of annular sectors (or modules) 7 arranged in succession along the central axis â € œAâ €.

The term â € œsectorâ € in this text indicates an element having its own geometry (in part corresponding to that of the aforementioned cross section) which can be deduced and isolated from that of the other sectors 7, in which a junction line 8 is preferably delineated between 7 adjacent sectors.

Preferably, each sector 7 has a distinct orientation with respect to the two sectors 7 adjacent to it. Note that the orientation is evaluated in a â € œBâ € plane orthogonal to the central axis â € œAâ €.

Therefore, the sectors of the tubular wall 4 are substantially out of phase with each other. In other words, each sector 7 has a cross section (lying in the â € œBâ € plane) having its own geometry having two main directions (or dimensions). The main direction of the cross section of a sector 7 defines an angle with the corresponding main direction of the cross section of the adjacent sector 7 (ie next or previous along the central axis â € œAâ €).

Preferably, the cross section of each sector 7 has a substantially polygonal geometry. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross section of each sector 7 is rotated, in the â € œBâ € plane, by an angle of between 30 ° and 60 ° with respect to the cross section of the adjacent sectors 7, preferably by approximately 45.

In this embodiment, the cross section of each sector 7 has a substantially octagonal geometry. Preferably, this cross section is provided with four major sides 7a and four minor sides 7b.

In this light (as can be seen from Figure 3b), each major side 7a of the cross section of a sector 7 is substantially parallel to a corresponding minor side 7b of the cross section of the adjacent sector 7 (therefore of the previous and subsequent sectors 7 along the ™ central axis â € œAâ €).

Preferably, each sector 7 has an M-shaped profile, provided with two apexes 5 between which a second groove 6b is interposed.

Therefore, the first grooves 6a (which are alternated with the second 6b) are defined by the junction line 8 between two adjacent sectors 7.

Advantageously, this geometry facilitates both the compression of one sector 7 onto the next, and of the septa of each sector 7.

It should be noted that the second grooves 6b, in particular, define a separation line of each sector 7 into two half-parts 9, preferably having the same geometry.

Therefore, each sector 7 comprises two half-parts 9 connected to each other and preferably opposite each other, ie mirrored.

In the preferred embodiment, these half-parts 9 are concave and connected to each other so that their respective concavities face each other.

In other words, their concavity develops between an edge of minor extension 9a and an edge of greater extension 9b and each half-part 9 is connected to the other at the edge of greater extension 9b.

Preferably, each half-part 9 has a substantially truncated pyramidal geometry developing between the edge of minor extension 9a and the edge of major extension 9b.

Therefore, each sector is defined by two truncated pyramidal (octagonal) walls facing each other and deformable (elastically) so as to abut each other during the dispensing of the liquid from the container 1. With reference to the figures 6-8c, the tubular wall 4 has a sawtooth profile developing along the central axis â € œAâ €.

With the expression `` sawtooth '' we mean in this text a profile having a succession of apexes 5 and grooves 6, in which each apex is defined by a first edge 5a (rising) and a second edge 5b (uphill) with different (significantly) slopes (measured with respect to the central axis 5).

In the preferred embodiment, the aforementioned sawtooth profile substantially defines a pagoda-like structure.

In other words, at least the least leaning front (second front 5b) of each tooth (or apex 5) defines a concave curve, concordant with the concavities of the corresponding front of the other apexes 5. In other words, the aforementioned edges define geometry layers analogous.

In the illustrated embodiment, these second fronts 5b all have concavities facing the second end 3 of the container 1.

Preferably, the first front 5a is convex, while the second front 5b is concave, in order to define a â € œcurvedâ € sawtooth profile.

Advantageously, this structure is particularly simple to produce by means of the blowing and stretching process commonly used in the production of PET (or similar) containers.

It should be noted that, in order to minimize the volume inside the container 1, the bottom wall 2 comprises a central portion 2a and a peripheral portion 2b and is shaped so that, at least in the deformed configuration of the tubular wall 4, the portion central 2a is proximal to the neck (or second extremity) 3 of the container 1 with respect to the peripheral portion 2b.

In other words, the bottom wall 2, at least in the deformed configuration of the tubular wall 4, in turn defines a concavity facing the outside of the container 1 in order to follow the geometry of the tubular wall 4 itself, minimizing the internal volume of the container, thus ensuring complete consumption of the liquid.

Preferably, this bottom wall 2 is shaped to deform along the central axis â € œAâ € of the tubular wall 4 between a configuration with minimum concavity, in which the distance between the central portion 2a and the peripheral portion 2b measured along the Central axis â € œAâ € is minimum, and a configuration with maximum concavity, in which this distance between the central portion 2a and the peripheral portion 2b is maximum.

In other words, the back wall 2 is also deformable. In particular, the bottom wall 2 is deformable in the same direction of deformation as the tubular wall 4.

More precisely, the bottom wall 2 is a deformable membrane between a configuration of minimum development along the central axis â € œAâ € and a configuration of maximum development along this central axis â € œAâ €, corresponding respectively to the configuration with concavity minimum and maximum concavity configuration.

Advantageously, in this way the minimization of the internal volume of the container 1 is guaranteed after deformation without compromising its capacity; this capacity can also reach 5 or 10 liters.

It should be noted that, in the configuration with maximum concavity, the peripheral portion 2b of the bottom wall 2 flanks the tubular wall 4. Furthermore, in this configuration, the central portion 2a of the bottom wall 2 faces the neck 3 of the container so as to to reduce the internal volume of the container itself.

More precisely, in the configuration with maximum concavity the central portion 2a is connected to the shoulder 3 of the container 1.

In order to allow this deformation, the bottom wall 2 is provided with one or more annular weakening lines 10 configured to favor the deformation of the bottom wall 2 itself from the configuration with minimum concavity to the configuration with maximum concavity.

In other words, in the configuration with minimum concavity, the back wall 2 has a structure with steps, which are â € œstretchableâ € to pass to the configuration with maximum concavity.

In other words, the bottom wall 2 substantially has a deformable bellows structure between a curled configuration (with minimum concavity) and an extended configuration (with maximum concavity).

Preferably, the bellows is defined by the 10 weakening lines.

Thus, the weakening line 10 (or the weakening lines) defines a bellows for the deformation of the back wall 2.

Preferably, the weakening line 10 is a spiral extending from the peripheral portion 2b to the central portion 2a.

Advantageously, this conformation is simple to make and highly efficient in allowing the deformation of the bottom wall 2a even with a low depression in correspondence with the neck 3 of the container 1.

Alternatively, the bottom wall 2 could provide at least an annular portion shaped like an "S" and elastically defiomable so as to be able to stretch.

In a preferred embodiment, the container 1 is provided with a non-return valve associated with the release portion 3a (i.e. the neck) in order to prevent a return of the structure (in particular of the tubular wall 4 and of the bottom wall 2) in an informed configuration.

Advantageously, this in addition to ensuring the absence of contact between the external air and the liquid inside the container 1, allows the volume of the same to be kept to a minimum even during the disposal phase.

The object of the present invention is also a dispenser 100 for drinks, in particular for water â € œWâ € or coffee, configured to interface with the container 1 described up to now by deforming it.

It should be noted that the expression â € œBeverage dispenserâ € refers both to large and automatic beverage dispensers, and to small dispensers not necessarily equipped with a multifunction mixer, typically â € œto the tableâ €.

More precisely, a beverage dispenser means a hot drinks dispenser, typically coffee, of the â € œtableâ € type, or a water dispenser, both automatic and manual, equipped with a water tank. placed, for example, on the top (water columns).

Again, the expression drinks dispenser also refers to a vending machine for hot drinks, such as coffee, cappuccino, coffee, tea or chocolate, capable of independently mixing and infusing products with following a selection by a user. Such distributors are typical inside offices or public places.

In general, the dispenser 100 object of the present invention comprises a support frame 102 which is associated with at least one dispenser 103 suitable for dispensing a drink.

More precisely, the dispenser 100 comprises at least one water tank 104 â € œWâ € associated with the frame â € œ102â € and the dispenser 103 is associated with the tank 104 to dispense a drink containing said water â € œWâ €.

In other words, the water tank 104 â € œWâ € can be connected to the dispenser 104 to make the drink, either directly (if the drink is water) or following mixing with infusion products, such as for example coffee.

It should be noted that the tank 104 is preferably a container 1 according to what has been described up to now, that is a container that can be deformed along its main axis â € œAâ €, preferably made of PET (or similar), and provided with the bottom wall 2, of the neck 3 and tubular wall 4.

Said container 1 is associated (associable) to the frame 102 and can be rigidly connected to it or by means of suitable deformable conduits. In this regard, the frame 102 is preferably provided with at least one housing 102a equipped with a junction portion 101 which can be coupled with the container 1.

Preferably, the container 1 is of the disposable type, i.e. the so-called â € œuse and throwâ € and therefore the junction portion 101 is shaped to allow subsequent coupling and uncoupling with different containers 1. The term `` disposable '' in this text indicates a container that cannot be reused once emptied, unless a total and / or partial recovery, followed by a new filling cycle by the manufacturer (according to specific recycling procedures) .

Therefore, the container 1 can be removably connected to the housing 102a, in particular with the junction portion 101 of the same.

In the illustrated embodiments, the container is substantially shaped like a bottle or "mouth" and the release portion 3a defines its neck, ie a terminal bottleneck into which the water about to escape is channeled.

Preferably, the junction portion 101 of the distributor 100 is connected (connectable) to the release portion 3a of the container, more preferably by means of quick coupling (not shown).

Advantageously, in this way it is possible to maintain the seal between the container 1 and the junction portion 101 of the distributor 100, without the external air contaminating the water â € œWâ € inside the container 1 itself.

Therefore, the quick coupling means are configured to maintain the seal of the connection, both by means of gaskets and, possibly, valves.

The quality of the water circulating inside the dispenser 1 is thus guaranteed, making it possible to connect the pre-filled container 1 with water with optimal characteristics for making beverages.

It should be noted that with the expression `` quick coupling means '' we can mean:

- flat face grafts,

- screw couplings,

- valve couplings,

- elastic interlocking organs,

or other known rapid connection means.

Preferably, to facilitate connection simplicity, the release portion 3a of the container 1 and the junction portion 101 of the distributor 100 define a male-female coupling, in which the release portion 3a defines the male and the junction portion 101 defines the female.

To favor the deformation of the container 1 along its central axis â € œAâ €, that is the collapse of the structure during the supply of water â € œWâ €, the dispenser 100 comprises suction means 105 operationally interposed between the dispenser 103 and the container 1 configured to generate a depression at the second end 3 (in particular the release portion 3a) of the container 1 itself in order to suck up the water â € œWâ € to be dispensed by deforming the tubular wall 4.

Therefore, the suction means 105 (in collaboration with the force of gravity) define means suitable for deforming the container 1 along this central axis â € œAâ € to reduce its volume in proportion to the quantity of residual water â € œWâ € inside of the container 1 itself.

Therefore, the dispenser 100 is configured to reduce the volume of the container 1 in proportion to the water consumption â € œWâ €, thus overcoming the need to introduce air (drawn from the environment) inside the container 1 itself to allow thus the escape of the water (compensating the atmospheric pressure).

In other words, the quantity of air inside the container 1 (when the packaging of the latter is not `` under vacuum '') remains constant throughout its useful life, preventing the introduction of air from the environment can contaminate its contents, favoring the proliferation of the bacterial load in the water â € œWâ €.

Therefore, to ensure the supply of the beverage dispensers according to the present invention, it is not necessary to have a pressurized tank (ie into which air at atmospheric pressure is introduced) to allow dispensing.

The expression â € œmeans suitable for deforming the containerâ € means in this text that the suction means include a suction pump with a suitable power to counteract the natural resilience of the container 1, or its tendency to maintain its original shape . Preferably, in order to ensure the sanitation of the ducts, the distributor comprises a shutter member (not shown) associated with the housing 102a and switchable between an operating configuration, in which it allows the passage of water â € œWâ € from the container 1 to the dispenser 103, and a block configuration, in which it prevents the passage of fluids from the housing 102a towards the dispenser 103.

Said shutter member is preferably defined by a floating element movable between a raised position, corresponding to the operating configuration, and a lowered position, corresponding to the block configuration, depending on the presence or absence of water inside the container 1.

In other words, the obturator organ is defined by a â € œballâ € check valve which, positioning itself outside the flow, ensures its free passage during operation. Once the water inside the container 1 is exhausted, the ball is arranged in such a way as to â € œsealâ € the graft so as to avoid any bacterial contamination of the water contained in the ducts during the replacement phase of the container 1.

Note that, alternatively, the shutter member can be of the mechanical / electromechanical type which can be operated by a control unit in correspondence with a predetermined operating condition (eg empty / full container).

In accordance with what is reported in relation to the container 1, it should be noted that the distributor 100 comprises (associated with the container 1 or with the junction portion 101) a non-return valve 107 operatively interposed between the dispenser 103 and the container 1 and configured to prevent the passage of fluids in the direction of container 1.

The invention achieves the intended purposes and achieves important advantages. In fact, the container so shaped prevents contact between the beverages contained within it and the ambient air during the entire life cycle, whether it is associated with dispensers and / or similar or when destined for transport. handling. This allows the content to always keep its freshness intact, to confirm itself bacteriologically pure as when bottling, even during dispensing. In particular, it represents the new and original, economical solution to a technical problem of the current state of the art related to the water supply tanks of espresso coffee machines (table top), refrigerating columns, dispensers drinks and others, which require water to come into contact with the ambient air.

It also represents a new and original solution for the transport and handling of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, wine, oil, etc.

Moreover, the use of a tubular â € œbellowâ € wall and a deformable bottom makes the container completely collapsible since, when it reaches its smaller size, it has a residual internal volume substantially equal to zero.

In fact, the container according to the present invention consists of side walls free to collapse on their entire development and a deformable bottom wall to compensate for the residual volume of the side walls (tubular wall).

It should be noted that, advantageously, in the preferred embodiment, the bottom wall has a configuration with maximum concavity (deformed) in which it has geometry corresponding, in size and direction, to the so-called `` shoulder '' of the container, minimizing the residual internal volume. The deformation of the container can be determined by means of compression exerted manually and / or mechanically, but preferably by means of the â € œvacuumâ € produced by the suction pumps associated with the refrigerating columns, beverage dispensers and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the container is made by means of independent structural elements (sectors) superimposed, with an `` oven '' angle of about 35 °, rotated between them, equidistant to create a truncated cone geometry in order to reduce the natural resistance of the container to compression.

It should be noted that each sector consists of a number of fittings that allow to determine a â € œcontrolledâ € axial deformation of the container, thus excluding the risk of instability of the same (pendulum effect).

In the second preferred embodiment (pagoda), the container is made by means of a single structural element, always having an â € œsfornoâ € angle of approximately 35 °.

Advantageously, moreover, the container is made of PE, PET, PLA resin, in order to keep the freshness and purity of the drink intact. Moreover, the proposed conformation allows the product to be made with the â € œblowing and ironingâ € process, which is particularly economical for the production of large volumes.

The container according to the invention also represents an environmentally friendly solution as it drastically limits the effects related to the current processes of disposal of the â € œemptyâ €. Eliminates the risk that empty containers are sent to waste in their configuration of maximum space, however transported, always in their configuration of maximum space, to the â € œcrushingâ € plants.

Claims (30)

CLAIMS 1. Container of food grade liquids for beverage dispensers, comprising: - a first end, or back wall (2); - a second end, or neck (3), provided with a water release portion (3a) arranged to be connected to a corresponding junction portion (101) of a beverage dispenser (100); - a tubular wall (4) extending annularly along its own main central axis (A) between the first (2) and the second end (3); characterized by the fact that said tubular wall (4) develops along the central axis (A) with a succession of apices (5) and grooves (6) shaped so as to make said tubular wall (4) collapsible along said central axis (A) to reduce the size of the container, in order to compensate for the depression that is generated inside said container during the dispensing of the liquid, preventing contact between the liquid and the air outside the container. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said succession of apexes (5) and grooves (6) develops with substantial continuity between the first (2) and the second end (3) of the container. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is made of polyethylene terephthalate or PET or PE or PLA by means of a blowing and stretching process. 4. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tubular wall (4) is shaped so that it deforms between an undeformed configuration, of maximum extension along the central axis (A), and a deformed configuration, in whose extension along said central axis (A) is reduced by at least 2/3 with respect to said maximum extension. 5. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tubular wall (4) develops, starting from the first end (2) of the container approaching the second (3), with a cross section at the central axis ( A) decreasing, in order to minimize its extension along the central axis (A) in the deformed configuration. 6. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tubular wall (4) has a profile having a plurality of first grooves (6a) and a corresponding plurality of second grooves (6b) alternating between them along the axis central (A), in which the first gorges (6a) have a greater depth, evaluated radially with respect to the central axis (A), than the second gorges (6b). 7. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular wall (4) comprises a plurality of annular sectors (7) arranged in succession along the central axis (A), each having an orientation distinct with respect to the two sectors (7) adjacent to it, in which said orientation is evaluated in a plane (B) orthogonal to the central axis (A). 8. Container according to claim 7, characterized in that each sector (7) has a cross section, evaluated in said plane (B) orthogonal to the central axis (A), having a substantially polygonal geometry; said transversal section of each sector (7) being rotated, in said plane (B), by an angle comprised between 30 ° and 60 ° with respect to the transversal section of the adjacent sectors (7). Container according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the cross section of each sector (7) is rotated, in said plane (B), by about 45 ° with respect to the cross section of the adjacent sectors (7). 10. Container according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that each sector (7) has a cross section, evaluated in said plane (B) orthogonal to the central axis (A), having a substantially octagonal geometry provided with four major sides (7a) and four minor sides (7b). Container according to claim 10, characterized in that each major side (7a) of the cross section of a sector (7) is substantially parallel to a corresponding minor side (7b) of the cross section of the adjacent sector (7). 12. Container according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that said tubular wall (4) has a profile having a plurality of first grooves (6a) and a corresponding plurality of second grooves (6b) alternating with each other along the Central axis (A), in which the first grooves (6a) have a depth, evaluated radially with respect to the central axis (A), greater than the second grooves (6b); each sector (7) having a profile shaped like an â € œMâ €, provided with two apices (5) between which a second groove (6b) is interposed. 13. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the first grooves (6a) are defined by a joining line (8) between two adjacent sectors (7). Container according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that each sector (7) comprises two concave half-parts (9) connected to each other so that the respective concavities face each other. 15. Container according to claim 14, characterized in that each half part (9) has a substantially truncated pyramidal geometry developing between an edge of smaller extension (9a) and an edge of greater extension (9b), in which each half part (9) is connected to the other at the edge of greater extension (9b). 16. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said tubular wall (4) has a sawtooth profile extending along the central axis (A). 17. Container according to claim 16, characterized in that said sawtooth profile substantially defines a pagoda-like structure. 18. Container according to claims 16 or 17, characterized in that each apex (5) of the tubular wall (4) is defined by a first front (5a) and by a second front (5b) joined together at said apex (5); said first front (5a) being convex and said second front (5b) being concave in order to define said sawtooth profile. Container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom wall (2) comprises a central portion (2a) and a peripheral portion (2b) and is shaped so that, in said deformed configuration of the tubular wall ( 4), the central portion (2a) is proximal to the neck (3) of the container with respect to the peripheral portion (2b). 20. Container according to claim 19, characterized in that the bottom wall (2) is shaped to deform along the central axis (A) of the tubular wall (4) between a configuration with minimum concavity, in which the distance between the central portion (2a) and the peripheral portion (2b) measured along the central axis (A) is minimum, and a maximum concavity configuration, in which said distance between the central portion (2a) and the peripheral portion (2b) It is maximum. 21. Container according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that in said configuration with maximum concavity of the bottom wall (2), the peripheral portion (2b) borders the tubular wall (4) and the central portion (2a) is facing the neck (3) of the container so as to reduce the internal volume of the container itself. 22. Container according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that said bottom wall (2) is provided with one or more annular weakening lines (10) configured to favor the deformation of the bottom wall (2) itself from the minimum concavity configuration to the maximum concavity configuration. 23. Container according to claim 22, characterized in that said weakening line (10) is a spiral extending from the peripheral portion (2b) to the central portion (2a). Container according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that said weakening line (10) defines a bellows for the deformation of the bottom wall (2). 25. Container according to any one of claims 19 to 24, characterized by the fact that in said configuration with minimum concavity, the bottom wall (2) has an increasing step shape starting from the peripheral portion (2b) approaching the central portion (2a). 26. Beverage dispenser, comprising: - a frame (102); - at least one water tank (104) (W) associated with said frame (102); - at least one dispenser (103) associated with the container (1) for dispensing a drink containing said water (W); characterized in that the tank (104) is a container according to any one of the preceding claims. 27. Distributor according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises suction means (105) operatively interposed between the dispenser (103) and the container (1) configured to generate a vacuum at the second end (3) of said container in order to suck up the water (W) to be dispensed by deforming the tubular wall (4) of the container (1) itself. 28. Distributor according to claims 26 or 27, characterized in that said frame (102) comprises a housing (102a) for positioning the second end (3) container (1); said distributor further comprising a shutter member (106) associated with said housing (102a) and switchable between an operating configuration, in which it allows the passage of water (W) from the container (1) to the dispenser (103), and a locking configuration, in which it prevents the passage of fluids from the housing (102a) towards the dispenser (103). 29. Distributor according to claim 28, characterized in that said shutter member (106) is defined by a floating element (106a) movable between a raised position, corresponding to the operating configuration, and a lowered position, corresponding to the locking configuration, depending on whether or not there is water inside the container (1). 30. Distributor according to any one of claims 26 to 29, characterized in that it comprises a non-return valve (107) operatively interposed between the dispenser (103) and the container (1) and configured to prevent the passage of fluids in the direction of the container (1).