NZ197128A - Filler-dispenser assembly for containers - Google Patents

Description

p3y.n t Com-jlato Upectnsa j Publication tion Fiioc: .eb&solaihi&bs?.?.3. t3k ■ ■ l » ' • ' 0 1 ' 1 ' 'Z1^. /* till A i J0.6JUL.1984.. lasi ■ Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 V COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTAINERS FOR LIQUIDS" I/WE DIEMOULDERS PROPRIETARY LIMITED a Corporation of the State of Victoria, Australia of Bellarine Highway, Leopold, Victoria, 3221, Australia, hereby declare the invention, for which I/we pray that a patent may be granted to -me/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to improvements in containers and it refers particularly, but not exclusively, to improve ments in containers for liquids and/or particulate material So-called composite containers of the type under consideration are enjoying usage nowadays on an ever-increasing scale for the storage of beverages such as, for example, fortified or unfortified wines, spirits, fruit juices, cordials and even milk. For purposes of simplicity of explanation the ensuing description will refer in particular to containers of the "bag and box" type, now normally employed as so-called "wine casks" for the storage and packaging of wines and other alcoholic beverages. However, it should be understood that this represents merely a preferred usage for containers of the type under consideration, and that the present invention is not to be restricted solely to such a preferred usage.

It is a common practice nowadays to package wine or the like in a bag-like container having a neck fitting or socket to which a dispensing tap or the like may be connected. In general such bag-like containers are first filled with wine and then an open end of the bag itself is sealed. When the present applicant's "AIRLESFIXD" (Registered Trade Mark) wine cask was first introduced into the market-place some years ago it included an outer container of a relatively rigid material, for example in the form of a cardboard box or a metal can, and an inner bag-like container of a suitable plastics material wherein the wine would be placed. The inner container would first be filled with wine and then sealed across the previously opened edge or end, thereby preventing escape of wine from that inner container. The inner container 5 was furthermore provided with a dispensing fitting or neck member which would be engaged in the outer container and which was adapted to receive a so-called dispensing tap by which the contents of the inner container itself could be dispensed.

In an alternative arrangement it was proposed to provide an inner container in the form of a sealed bag and including thereon a filler fitting or socket and a dispensing fitting or socket, with the two fittings or • sockets being spaced from each other such that the bag-15 like container may be filled through the filling socket which is then sealed off to provide a secure container for the wine, which wine will subsequently be dispensed through the second or dispensing socket having a tap or the like dispensing means connected thereto. To be more 20 specific, once the container was filled and sealed the dispensing fitting or socket would be engaged in any known manner in the outer container and, when it was desired to dispense wine from within the inner container, a tap or the like could be inserted in the dispensing 25 socket.

In yet a further alternative arrangement it has been known to provide an inner container incorporating therewith a dispensing tap, which tap may only be released to an operative or dispensing position relative to the outer container by opening out a slot or the like provided in the outer container and then engaging the tap in that slot. ment in the previously mentioned "AIRLESFLO" (Registered Trade Mark) type of container so as to provide an inner container having a fitting assembly through which liquid may both be fed into the inner container and subsequently dispensed from that container, with the inner container in fact initially at least being sealed by the attachment thereto of the fitting assembly previously mentioned. a filling-dispensing assembly for use in and with a composite container for fluids and the like. filler-dispenser assembly for containers for liquids and/or particulate material includes a first socket member adapted to be located on said container to allow for filling of the container with said liquid or particulate material; and a second socket member shaped to co-operate with said first socket member so as to close the filled container, said second socket member including inner and outer concentric cylindrical members interconnected at one end thereof by a flange, the innermost wall of said inner concentric cylindrical member being adapted to receive and retain therein a dispensing means for dispensing of the contents of said container, and a frangible diaphragm adapted to be pierced by said dispensing means being positioned across the other end of said inner concentric cylindrical member. container for liquid and/or particulate material includes such a filler-dispenser.

The present invention seeks to provide an improve- The present invention furthermore seeks to provide According to one aspect of the present invention a According to another aspect of the invention a bag-like 4 The present invention is intended to be used in conjunction with a dispensing tap in accordance with U.S.A.

Patent Number 3,448,889, although without being limited to such a tap.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrative drawings, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 represent a top plan view and a side elevation respectively of a first embodiment of a filling socket for a bag-like container; Figures 3 and 4 are a top plan view and a side elevation respectively of a first embodiment of a closure means in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the closure of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the closure of Figure 3; Figure 7 is a sectional view of a modified form of the closure of Figure 3; The enclosed drawings illustrate a number of possible embodiments of the arrangement in accordance with the invention.

In accordance with a first embodiment, and as illustrated for example in Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a filler-dispensing socket 1 of substantially tubular cylindrical shape, of a diameter sufficiently large to accommodate the nozzle of a filling machine by which wine or the like contents is to be passed into an inner container. v *20FEBI984 197128 At the innermost end of the socket 1 there is provided a relatively large diameter external flange 2, by means of which the socket itself may be secured to the inner bag of a composite container. Such securement may be achieved in any known manner, as for example by means of adhesives or alternatively by welding as by the application of heat or by the use of ultrasonics.

At the outermost end of the socket 1 there is provided a second external flange 3, of somewhat lesser radial dimension than the previously mentioned flange 2. In an especially preferred embodiment as illustrated the central portion of the first mentioned flange 2 is thickened whereby to provide, in effect, a further flange 4 of substantially the same radial dimension as the second-mentioned flange 3, with the second-mentioned flange 3 and the further flange 4 in fact being separated by a space, constituting a neck portion 5» sufficient to accommodate the material of the outer container.

At or in the vicinity of the outer end portion of the socket 1 there is provided an internal flange or rib (not shown) which is operable to provide means for holding in position a second socket member 6 (Figures 3 to 6) for reception of a dispensing tap or the like. In an alternative arrangement the socket 1 may be provided with internal corrugations or threads for co-operation with complementary threads or corrugations provided on a means for holding in position a fitting 6 for reception of a dispensing tap. «29FEBIM* J The second socket member 6 ■preferably includes two substantially cylindrical concentric members 7 and 8 adapted to be interconnected at one end thereof, as for example by means of an outwardly extending flange 9» Such a flange 9 will extend outwardly from the outer rim of the innermost substantially cylindrical member 8 across to the adjacent end of the external substantially cylindrical member 7 send then externally of said external or outer cylindrical member 7« As illustrated the inner substantially cylindrical member is tubular in shape, having a centrally aligned passageway 10 extending therethrough, with that passageway 10 being adapted to receive and retain a dispensing tap or the like. The external substantially cylindrical member 7 includes an external rib or projection 11 thereon adapted to engage with the internal rib of the first filler socket member 1 whereby to allow for said dispensing socket member 6 to be retained in position relative to said first socket member 1.

In the outer surface of the outwardly extending external flange 9 of the second socket member 6 there is provided a non-circular recess 12 for engagement with a non-circular flange provided on the external surface of a barrel of a dispensing tap whereby said dispensing tap may be engaged within the filler-dispensing assembly in such a manner as to prevent rotation thereof relative to said filler-dispensing assembly. In this regard attention is directed to Australian Patent No. 407^56 of the present 7 applicant relating to dispensing taps for containers for this type.

In an especially preferred embodiment, and again as illustrated in Figures 3 to 6, on the undersurface of the external flange 9 of the second socket member 6 there are provided a plurality of transverse members 13 adapted to project a sufficient distance from the surface of the flange 9 so as to engage with the external surface of the external flange at the outer end of the first socket member sue1" that said external flange of said second socket member will be spaced from the external flange of said first socket member.

Across the end of the inner substantially cylindrical member 8 there may be provided a film or membrane 14 of plastics or other material, said film 14 serving to provide a frangible barrier against escape of contents from the container once the second socket member 6 has been interconnected with the first socket member 1. The film 14 is preferably of a sufficient thickness that, on insertion of a dispensing tap into the inner member 8 of the second socket member 6 the film 14 will be broken whereby to permit the contents of the container to flow into the tap and from thence be dispensed. In an especially preferred embodiment both the first and second socket members 1 and 6 may be constructed of polyethylene, with the frangible film 14 also being constructed of that material. However it should be understood that other materials may prove equally suitable.

The film 14 may be formed integrally with the inner member 8 or may be manufactured separately and attached subsequently by gluing, welding or other suitable methods. Alternatively, or in addition, a further film (not illustrated) may be placed across the inner end of member 7. Such film would be attached by gluing, welding or other suitable methods.

In an especially preferred embodiment a flexible inner container is provided, with that inner container being constructed of what may be termed a ply-plastics material. Preferably, on the innermost surface of the ply is a plastics material of a type which will not react with the contents to be stored in the flexible bag or container. A second layer of the ply may be constructed of a plastics material of a type which will constitute a barrier to the passage, as by permeation, of air or oxygen. There may also be included a third and preferably outermost layer of a relatively strong plastics material, with this third outermost layer providing strength for the composite ply. The materials desirable to achieve such results are well known and, in an especially preferred arrangement, a flexible container of the aforementioned type will include layers of polyethylene, polyvinylacetate, nylon, polyvinylalcohol, aluminium metalized polyester, or pure aluminium foil sheet, polyester, or polyvinylchloride in any number of combinations or permutations.

In practice the material from which the bag is formed is made to the desired shape and is then sealed around the peripheral edges thereof. The bag thus foimed is provided at one location with an opening of a size sufficient to accommodate the first socket member 1, which socket member 1 is inserted through that opening or placed over that opening and attached thereto by any known means, as for example by welding of the external flange 2. Thereafter the bag with first socket or filling member 1 attached thereto is filled with wine or the like to the required extent. Once filled the second socket member 6 is brought into contact with the first socket member 1 whereby to constitute a closure for that first socket member 1 and prevent escape of liquid therethrough.

When it is required to dispense contents from the container it is merely necessary to fit a tap into the passageway 10 provided by the inner substantially cylindrical member 8 to an extent such that the inner end of the tap in itself engages with and penetrates the frangible film 14 provided at the inner end of said inner substantially cylindrical member 8. Thereafter, by pushing the tap firmly home into the socket member such that the external flange provided on the surface of that tap is brought into engagement with the complementary shaped recess 12 in the external flange 9 of the second socket member 6, the tap will be firmly located such that it will be effectively non-rotatable relative to the container-filler-dispenser assembly. The tap may then be employed in the usual manner whereby to allow for dispensing of the contents of the container itself.

If desired, a removable or frangible barrier (not illustrated) may be placed across the other end of member fO 197123 8 so as to prevent the ingress of dirt or other contaminants into the member 8. This barrier may be in the form of a removable closure cap; a removable label of suitable material attached to the outer surface of flange 9; an integrally moulded diaphragm across the outer end of member 8; a further diaphragm across the outer end of member 8 which would be secured by gluing or welding or other suitable methods; or any other suitable closure device.

In a further preferred embodiment a single frangible diaphragm may be positioned so as to achieve both desired results, namely to prevent unwanted outflow of liquid contents of the container during storage etc. and to prevent ingress of unwanted foreign matter and oxygen to the filling-dispensing assembly.

To refer now to Figure 7» there is shown a variation of the socket 6 of Figures 3 to 6.

Here, the socket 61 is adapted to receive and retain a dispensing tap or the like (not shown) in two separate and distinct positions, namely a first or storage position and a second or dispensing position. In the first position, the dispensing tap is located and retained in the concentric passageway of the inner substantially cylindrical member 8' of said fitting 6' without piercing or fracturing the frangible plastics material film 14". In the second position the tap is pushed further into the fitting itself whereby to fracture the film 14' and allow for dispensing of container contents. To assist in the achieving of the abovementioned result the fitting member 19712 may be extended in the longitudinal dimension thereof and, preferably have two internal ribs 40 co-operable with complementary external ribs, slots or grooves on the barrel of a dispensing tap.

When in the first or storage position, the tap will be rotatable relative to the fitting. On the other hand, when in the second or dispensing position, once again engagement between the non-circular recess 12' of the outwardly extending flange 9' of the fitting 6' and the non-circular flange of the tap will prevent relative rotation between fitting and tap.

In the various embodiments illustrated and described, the air-impervious plastics material employed for the barriers, films, diaphragms and so forth may be a two-layer material rather than the three-layer material previously described, including a first layer of polyethylene and a second layer of a substantially air-impervious material such as pdyester or nylon. Alternatively to or in addition to the multi-ply material, it may be preferred to employ a thin layer of a material such as metallized (e.g. aluminium) FEB 1984 197128 foil, or suitably coated or laminated pure aluminium sheet depending on the contents to be protected, which may be fastened adhesively to the inner end of the second or dispensing socket member. This multi-ply construction allows the frangible films or diagrams to seal around the entry or piercing portion of the tap as the diaphragm or film is being ruptured. This prevents any unwanted leakages and oxygen ingress. A further modification would be to coat the outer surface of the second socket member with a very thin layer of a suitable substantially air-impervious material.

Finally, it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims. 197128

Claims (10)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A filler-dispenser assembly for containers for liquids and/or particulate material, said assembly including: a first socket member adapted to be located on said container to allow for filling of the container with said liquid or particulate material; and a second socket member shaped to co-operate with said first socket member so as to close the filled container, said second socket member including inner and outer concentric cylindrical members interconnected at one end thereof by a flange, the innermost wall of said inner concentric cylindrical member being adapted to receive and retain therein a dispensing means for dispensing of the contents of said container, and a frangible diaphragm adapted to be pierced by said dispensing means being positioned across the other end of said inner concentric cylindrical member.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1, including means for restraining said dispensing means against rotational movement relative thereto.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, which also includes means for restraining said dispensing means against longitudinal movement relative to said second socket member.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said frangible diaphragm is constructed of an air-impervious material.

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said second socket member further includes a restraining means for restraining said dispensing means against unwanted longitudinal movement, said restraining means being adapted to retain said dispensing means in an intermediate position prior to said dispensing means fracturing said diaphragm.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said frangible diaphragm is formed integrally with said second socket member. "+ 197128

7. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there is also provided across the outer end of the second socket member a removable or frangible layer.

8. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, for 5 use with dispensing means in the form of a tap having a non- circular outer flange thereon, wherein said second socket member includes a recessed portion of a shape complementary to said flange of said tap so as to retain said tap against rotational movement relative to said second socket member. 10

9. A filler-dispenser assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. A bag-like container for liquid and/or particulate material which includes a filler-dispenser assembly as 15 claimed in any preceding claim.