NZ196096A - Flexible bag inside container - Google Patents

Description

196096 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION N0:196096 Date: 23 January 1981 Complete After Provisional IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FLUID DISPENSING SYSTEMS We, LION BREWERIES LIMITED of 15-17 Murphy Street, Wellington, New Zealand, a New Zealand company, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 196096 This invention relates to improvements in and relating to fluid dispensing systems.

More especially but not exclusively the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing a gas-containing liquid such as beer.

Although the present invention will be described in respect of its application to the dispensing of beer it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it has application throughout the field concerned in the dispensing of fluids from a container therefor.

It is an object of one embodiment of the present invention to thus provide a method and apparatus for the dispensing of beer whereby such dispensing can be effected in a simple yet effective manner.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is thus provided a method of dispensing a gas-containing liquid comprising: (a) providing a substantially hollow rigid outer container and a flexible inner container; (b) expanding and at least partially filling said inner container with liquid so that it seats within the hollow container and is supported thereby; (c) controlling the release of said liquid from said flexible container; (d) providing said outer container with an open end adapted to be covered over by a removable lid to which said flexible inner container can be secured; (e) providing said lid with a peripheral outer surface adapted to seat against a peripheral inner surface provided about said open end.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for dispensing gas-containing liquid comprising; within said hollow container when expanded and at least partially filled with liquid to seat within said container to be supported thereby; - (a) a substantially hollow rigid outer container; (b) a flexible inner container adapted to fit 196096 (c) said outer container has an open end which can be closed off by a lid, said inner container being adapted to be attached to said lid, said lid including a peripheral outer surface thereof adapted to seat against a peripheral inner surface of said open end.

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing system for a gas-containing liquid comprising: (a) a substantially flexible inner container which when expanded and at least partially filled with liquid can seat within a substantially hollow and rigid outer container; (b) said outer container including a removable lid adapted to receive a neck of said flexible container, said neck being adapted to accommodate a dispensing means for dispensing said liquid from said flexible container in a controlled manner; (c) said lid having a peripheral outer surface adapted to seat against a peripheral inner surface of an open end provided in the body of said rigid container; wherein (i) an unfilled one of said flexible containers can be secured to said lid and inserted with said lid into position within said rigid container, (ii) said liquid can be introduced into said flexible container to fill or partially fill same, a back-pressure means being provided whereby a desired pressure within said flexible container can be maintained as said liquid at least partially fills same.

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; FIGURE 1 : shows, schematically, operational stages involved in the beer dispensing system according to one embodiment of the invention; 196096 FIGURE 2 : shows, diagrammatically, a cross- sectional view through a substantially filled cask according to one embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 : shows a front view of the cask of . » Figure 2, including, in outline, an indication of the manner in which the lid thereof can be inserted into place within the body of the cask; FIGURE 4 : shows diagrammatically a plan view of a flexible container for use in the cask of Figures 2 and 3; FIGURE 5 : shows diagrammatically a part exploded view of the cask and lid therefor of Figures 2 and 3; shpw diagrammatically respective rear / — front and side views of the cask lid of the preceding figures; FIGURE 9 : shows a filling mechanism for use in the system shown in Figure 1. The present invention can be broadly said to reside in the provision of a method and apparatus whereby a gas-containting liquid can be contained and dispensed and will be hereinafter described for convenience in respect of the dispensing of beer.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings a beer dispensing system according to one embodiment of the invention includes a rigid, cask^like, substantially hollow container 1 with a lid 2 and a stand or rest 3. The cask 1, as FIGURES 6,1 a & 8: 19S0SS shown in Figure la, includes a substantially flexible container 4 containing, after dispensing, the residue of beer 5 which previously filled same. The neck 7 of the container 4 extends through an apertqre 8 in the lid 2 to be connected with a dispensing means 6 such as a tap controlled valve.

\ The lid 2 can now be removed from the body of the cask 1 and a fresh container 4 fitted. The neck 7 of the container is open and extends outwardly from the lid 2 which is, together with the fresh container 4, replaced in the cask 1 as shown in Figure 1 (b).

In Figure 1(c) a compressed gas line 9 with a bung 10 has been secured to the neck 7 and the container 4 expanded so as to at least partially fill the interior of the cask 1.

In Figure 1(d) the expanded container 4 now has its 15 neck 7 connected with a filling apparatus 11 which via a line 12 supplies beer 5 to fill the container 4. The displaced gas from the container 4 is able to pass via an exhaust pipe 13 to a back pressure tank 14. The tank 14 is shown provided with a bleed valve 15 whereby the pressure maintained in the container 20 4 can be coninually controlled. A pressure gauge is also shown fitted on the tank 14 such that the back-pressxire within the container 4 can be determined. When clear beer is seen to pass into the tube 13 this indicates that filling of the container 4 has been completed.

At this stage, as will be seen in Figure 1(e), a certain amount of space will still be available for the release of gas, as determined by the equilibrium conditions within the container 4. The flexible nature of the container 4 is also able to accommodate this release. The lid 2, as will 196096 hereinafter be described in greater detail, can fit within the body of the cask 1 such that pressure applied to the lid 2 will tend to enhance the seating of the lid 2 within the cask 1. A cap 17 is shown .fitted over the neck 7 of the 5 container 4. When dispensing of the beer 5 from the container i 4 is required, the cask 1 can be inverted to stand on its end with the neck 7 uppermost. The cap 17 can then be removed to momentarily release excess pressure within the container 4 and prior to the valve 6 (see Figure lal being fitted. This moment-10 ary release of pressure within the container 4 is such as to obviate a too fiery initial pour of beer 5 from the container 4. Alternatively however the valve 6 in its closed position may be fitted to the container 4 after filling instead of the cap 17. Thus, with the cask 1 inverted the valve 6 may be briefly 15 opened to provide the desirable momentary release of pressure mentioned above.

In Figures 2 and 3 the cask 1 is shown in greater detail including a lip or ledge 18 behind which a rim 19 of the lid 2 can be engaged. The neck 7 of the container 4 has 20 a screw thread 7A to engage with a corresponding screw thread on the cap 17 and/or a corresponding screw thread provided on the control tap 6.

The container 4 when containing beer 5 seats within the cask 1 and is supported thereby, particularly where the sub-25 stantially central portion 4A of the container 4 abutts against the bottom wall 1A of the cask 1.

The cask 1, as will be seen particularly by reference to Figures 3 and 5, may, by way of example only, be in the form of a small beer barrel with the downwardly depending foot or stand 30 3 enabling it to be firmly supported on a bench or table. 196096 The lid 2 is shown having a strap or handle 20 whereby the cask 1 can be readily carried.

To introduce the lid 2 into the body of the cask 4, as shown in outline in Figure 3, the lid 2 can be turned sideways after a fresh unfilled container 4 has been fitted \ thereto. The lid 2 is then able to pass into the interior of the cask 1, by means of it being aligned with the top and bottom cut away portions 21 in the top and bottom of the cask rim 18. Tije lid 2 can then be turned back into its normal 10 position. The lid 2 has projections 22 which can now pass to the front of the rim 18 through respective cut-away portions 21. The rotation of the lid 2 can be limited by the engagement of a dimple behind rim 18 (not shown) within a cut-away portion 23 along lid edge 19 (see Figure 6). The lid 2 can thus be 15 "Secured in position covering over the open end of the cask 1 with the lid edge 19 abutting the rear of the rim 18.

In Figures 6 and 7 the lid 2 is shown provided with the aperture 8 into which the neck 7 of the container 4 can be fitted. A rear edge 8A behind the aperture 8 can be adapted 20 to allow the snap fit securement thereto of the container neck 7.

The container 4, as shown in Figure 4, has its neck portion 7 extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of edges 24, suitably heat sealed therearound.

While the container 4 may be substantially rectangular 25 in shape the edges 24 are shown defining an effective volume in which the corners of the rectangle are omitted.

With substantially rectangular flexible containers, such \as used for exanple in wine casks at the present time, if undue pressure is applied thereto there is a tendancy for the bottom 30 edge of the rectangular shape to implode and about that point a 196096 pressurized flexible container will be liable to fail.

To obviate this possibility, in the container 4 of one embodiment of the present invention, the effective rear edge 24A for example can be foreshortened such that the "corner" volumes are omitted. The shorter edge 24A particularly has in \ experimentation been found to substantially prevent implosion of the container 4 about that edge upon pressurization and to enable the container 4 to contain fluid under pressure without failing along that edge due to the above mentioned cause. It 10 is also necessary that the container 4 when filled has an intimate contact with the interior of the cask 1 so that it is supported thereby and possible rupture of the pressurized container 4 obviated.

Turning now to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings 15 the filling apparatus 11 of Figure 1(d) is shown in greater detail.

Thus the filling apparatus 11, suitable for use in the system of the present invention, has an elongate nozzle 25 extending from a shoulder 26 on which the bung 27 can be fitted 20 to provide a pressure tight seal with the neck 7 of the container 4. A gun 2 8 having a trigger 29 has a connection 30 for the beer line 12 of Figure 1 (d). A nozzle 31 can be connected with the back-pressure line 13 shown in Figure 1(d) and through which the gas from the container 4 as it is being filled can be ex" 25 hausted in a controlled manner.

The expansion of the bag 4, as shown in Figure 1(c), enables the elongate nozzle 25 to be inserted therein without puncturing the bag 4.

In use, an initial purchaser would, it is envisaged, 30 receive a cask 1 including a container 4 filled with the beverage 19609 such as beer 5 with the cap 17 or closed valve 16 fitted. In the former case the purchaser would also be provided with a valve 6.

When required for use the cask 1 will be inverted, 5 the cap 17 removed or the closed valve 6 opened thus momentarily releasing excess pressure within the container 4, and in the former case the tap 6 fitted. The cask 1 can then be stood on its side on the rest 3 and the beer poured therefrom by operation of the tap 6.

When the beer has been used up the cask 1 with its now empty container 4 can be taken back to a retail outlet, a fresh bag 4 fitted and the bag filled, as shown in Figure 1, utilizing the originally purchased cask 1 and lid 2.

Where in the aforegoing description reference has 15 been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof 20 it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invent ion as defined in the appended claims. - q - 196096

Claims (11)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS

1. A method of dispensing a gas-containing liquid comprising: (a) providing a substantially hollow rigid outer container and a flexible inner container; (b) expanding and at least partially filling said inner container with liquid so that it seats within the hollow container and is supported thereby; (c) controlling the release of said liquid from said flexible container; (d) providing said outer container with an open end adapted to be covered over by a removable lid to which said flexible inner container can be secured; (e) providing said lid with a peripheral outer surface adapted to seat against a peripheral inner surface provided about said open end.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible inner container is of a substantially rectangular shape in a collapsed state but with the corners thereof omitted or closed off.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said expansion of the said inner container is effected by gas under pressure prior to said at least partial filling of said container with said liquid.

4. A method for dispensing a gas-containing liquid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. Apparatus for dispensing gas-containing liquid compri s ing: - AL1 ~ 10 " ^ 196096 (a) a substantially hollow rigid outer container; (b) a flexible inner container adapted to fit within said hollow container when expanded and at least partially filled with liquid to seat within said container to be supported thereby; (c) said outer container has an open end which can be closed off by a lid, said inner container being adapted to be attached to said lid, said lid including a peripheral outer surface thereof adapted to seat against a peripheral inner surface of said open end.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said inner container is of a substantially rectangular shape in a collapsed state but with its corners either omitted or closed off.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said lid includes a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the outward side of said peripheral outer surface and which can engage about an outer surface of said open end in holding said lid in position closing over said open end.

8. An apparatus for dispensing gas-containing liquid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A liquid dispensing system for a gas-containing liquid including apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8.

10. A liquid dispensing system for a gas-containing liquid comprising: " (a) a substantially flexible inner container which Of, \ \ Cv \ \ y,(-^s^wtien expanded and at least partially filled with liquid can '-v7 ' // ( * ' - 11 - 196096 seat within a substantially hollow and rigid outer container; (b) said outer container including a removable lid adapted to receive a neck of said flexible container, said neck being adapted to accommodate a dispensing means for dispensing said liquid from said flexible container in a controlled manner; adapted to seat against a peripheral inner surface of an open end provided in the body of said rigid container; tainers can be secured to said lid and inserted with said lid into position within said rigid container, (ii) said liquid can be introduced into said flexible container to fill or partially fill same, a back-pressure means being provided whereby a desired pressure within said flexible container can be maintained as said liquid at least partially fills same.

11. A liquid dispensing system substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. (c) said lid having a peripheral outer surface wherein (i) an unfilled one of said flexible con SSTm THE applicants 12