WO1997034826A1

WO1997034826A1 - Liquid dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO1997034826A1
Application number: PCT/BE1997/000037
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Societe De Services, De Participations, De Direction Et D'elaboration
Priority date: 1996-03-18
Filing date: 1997-03-18
Publication date: 1997-09-25
Also published as: EP0889845A1; NO984178L; DE69704858T2; ATE201185T1; ES2158533T3; NO984178D0; BE1010082A3; EP0889845B1; DE69704858D1

Abstract

A dispenser for at least one liquid, particularly a beverage, wherein each liquid is contained in a flexible container (2) with a self-closing valve (3). The dispenser includes a shelf (6) for supporting the flexible container (2) in such a way that the valve (3) thereof is below the liquid level in the flexible container (2), a space (7) beneath the shelf (6), means (9) for at least positioning the valve (3) relative to the shelf (6), and a lever (15) for operating the valve (3). The lever is movably mounted in a holder (16) attached to the dispenser (1), extends downwards and comprises a pushing member (17) on the path along which an auxiliary container (8) moves as it is placed under the valve outlet (4), as well as a control member (18) spaced from the pushing member (17) for controllably opening the valve (3).

Description

"Liquid dispenser"

The present invention relates to a dispenser of at least one liquid, in particular of at least one drink, each liquid being contained in a flexible container comprising a tap with automatic closing and controlled opening.

Flexible containers of this kind, produced from plastic films formed from several laminated and / or laminated and / or coextruded layers are known and used for example for the packaging of wine. These flexible containers have an important advantage of the fact that when they are emptied, it is not necessary to let in air to replace the liquid: the containers s' flatten as they empty and there is therefore no air intake which could alter the drink they contain.

These flexible containers cannot however be used as such as a refreshment point for drinks in places open to a large and varied public: handling of the tap under satisfactory hygienic conditions is not guaranteed in these places.

Water distributors are also known to be placed in premises, for example offices. These water dispensers include, as a container for the water to be dispensed, a large bottle made of rigid material, the neck of which is turned downward in the dispenser and into which air must be admitted as the bottle is empty. Again, this air alters the qualities of water as it would also affect those of other drinks. In addition, the cir¬ cooked water passage from the bottle to for example a cup must be regularly cleaned for hygienic reasons and this is not always respected. Finally, the aforementioned bottles are elements taken up and refilled to be returned to such dispensers. These bottles must therefore be cleaned with particular care, but their shape makes this cleaning very complicated and unreliable. In addition, such cleaning results in high water consumption and a certain degree of pollution.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above and to allow distribution of liquid, in particular a drink such as mineral water, in places frequented by many individuals. For this purpose, the aforementioned flexible container has been chosen for its aforementioned qualities and for the fact that, given its low manufacturing cost, it is cheaper and less polluting to dispose of it after it has been emptied. This disposal can advantageously be done in the context of selective waste collections and the material of the flexible container can then be reused for other uses. The tap of the flexible container is an object of low cost and is also discarded at the same time and thus no element in contact with the liquid must be cleaned periodically to comply with the above-mentioned hygienic conditions. In order to be able to use the aforesaid flexible container for the abovementioned purposes, in particular for mineral water, the dispenser of the invention comprises:

- a shelf fixed in the dispenser and arranged to support the flexible container so that the tap thereof is at a lower level relative to a level of the liquid in the flexible container, the liquid outlet orifice of the tap being oriented for a downward flow of the liquid,

- a space under the shelf, sized to be able to present an auxiliary container under the tap orifice,

means for fixing the tap, at least in position, relative to the tablet, and

- a valve actuating lever, which is mounted so that it can be moved in a support fixed to the dispenser, which extends downwards and which comprises a pusher arranged in a path along which the auxiliary container is presented in a way determined under the orifice and, away from the pusher, an operating member for the controlled opening of the valve, the lever being arranged to be able to be moved between two positions:

- A first so-called rest position in which, on the one hand, the pusher obstructs the auxiliary container before it is presented in the manner determined under the orifice and along the path and, on the other hand, the operating device leaves the tap closed and

- A second so-called emptying position in which, on the one hand, the pusher is pushed away from its rest position, preferably by the auxiliary container, by a distance making it possible to present the latter in the manner determined under the orifice and, on the other hand, the operating member causes the controlled opening of the valve.

Thus it is ensured that an individual can easily withdraw liquid without directly operating the tap. Only a person who installs the flexible container in the dispenser should handle the tap to put it in place and it can easily be done while respecting the aforementioned hygienic conditions. According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible container comprising the tap at one of its ends, the shelf is inclined so that the end associated with the tap is at a level lower than the other end of the flexible container.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flexible container is contained in a rigid packaging in which the tap can be accommodated, optionally fixed to the flexible container, for transport and storage of said flexible container, the packaging comprising an opening to allow the valve mounted in the emptying position of the flexible container to protrude. The tablet is then arranged to receive, in the emptying position, the rigid packaging containing the flexible container, preferably a closure element for this opening being provided to protect the flexible container and the tap when it is in the packaging. This rigid packaging is preferably made of cardboard which, as is known, is easily recyclable by the selective collection of materials to be discarded. Other details and particularities of the invention will emerge from the secondary claims and from the description of the drawings which are annexed to the present specification and which illustrate, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the dispenser of the invention. .

Figure 1 shows in a front view and in elevation an embodiment of a dispenser of the invention, arranged for two separate liquids.

Figure 2 shows a cross section along line II-II of the dispenser of Figure 1. FIG. 3 shows on an enlarged scale, in cross section and with partial breaks, an actuating lever and the neighboring elements thereof, in the case of the dispenser of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows on another scale and with partial breaks, in cross section, another embodiment of the actuating lever for another type of valve.

Figure 5 shows on another scale and with partial breaks, in cross section, another different embodiment of the actuating lever for a different type of valve.

Figure 6 shows on another scale and with partial breaks, in transverse account, another embodiment of the actuating lever for a different type of valve.

Figure 7 shows, in a view similar to that of Figure 4 and with the same type of valve as in this one, a different embodiment of the actuating lever and its support.

In the various figures, the same reference notations designate identical or analogous elements.

The liquid distributor 1 (FIGS. 1 to 7) may comprise at least one distribution station for a liquid or, as in the case of FIG. 1, two distribution stations, for example for two different liquids.

The liquids contemplated on the basis of the invention are non-carbonated mineral waters and other drinks, but many other liquids can be handled with dispensers of the invention.

The dispenser 1 of the invention is designed to receive a flexible container 2 (FIGS. 3 to 7) comprising a tap 3 with automatic closing (by spring, etc.) and with controlled opening to let the liquid flow from the flexible container 2 through an outlet orifice 4.

The flexible container 2 can advantageously be supplied in a rigid packaging 5, preferably a cardboard box as explained above. The distributor 1 of FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 and 7 is then arranged, as shown diagrammatically, to receive the flexible container 2 still contained in its packaging 5.

The dispenser 1 of the invention comprises a shelf 6 fixed in the dispenser 1 and arranged to support the flexible container 2, possibly in its packaging 5, so that the tap 3 is at a lower level relative to a level of the liquid in the flexible container 2 and so that the orifice 4 is oriented so that a flow of the liquid is directed downwards.

A space 7 is provided under the shelf 6 and is dimensioned so as to be able to present, under the orifice 4, an auxiliary container 8, such as a cup 8 or a carafe to be filled with the drink contained in the flexible container 2.

Means 9 are provided for fixing the tap 3, at least in position relative to the shelf 6. These means 9 can comprise a fork 10 whose teeth can point upwards (FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7) and cooperate with a recess 11, for example in the form of a groove, of the body of the valve 3 to maintain a desired inclination thereof. The fork 10 can be fixed to the shelf 6 or be part of it.

The dispenser 1 of the invention further comprises a lever 15 for actuating the tap 3. This lever 15 is mounted so that it can be moved in a support 16 fixed to the dispenser 1. The lever 15 extends downwards and comprises a pusher 17 arranged in a path along which the auxiliary container 8 is presented under the orifice 4. Away from the pusher 17, the lever 15 comprises an operating member 18 for the controlled opening of the tap 3, for example by an action on a push-button 18A thereof.

In the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4, the lever 15 comprises two arms 15A, 15B parallè¬ them (Figure 1) which rigidly connect the pusher 17 to the operating member 18 and, movably, to the support 16.

In FIG. 3, the control 18A, to be pushed upwards to open the valve 3, is formed by two wings which extend on either side of the body of the valve 3 (only one wing being visible in the drawing and perpendicular to the plane thereof). Consequently, the operating member 18 is formed of two sections with a space between them for the passage of the body of the valve 3. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the control 18A, to be pushed down to open the tap 3, is formed by a button in the axis of the body of the tap 3. Consequently, the operating member 18 extends between the arms 15A, 15B and above the control 18A.

The lever 15 is arranged so that it can be moved between two positions. The first position 19, called the rest position, is that in which, on the one hand, the pusher 17 obstructs the auxiliary container 8 before the latter is presented in a determined manner under the orifice 4 by following the path and , on the other hand, the operating member leaves the valve 3 closed. The second position 20, called the emptying position, is that in which, on the one hand, the pusher 17 is pushed away from its rest position, preferably by through the auxiliary container 4, with a distance enabling it to be presented in the manner determined under the orifice 4 and, on the other hand, the operating member 18 causes the controlled opening of the tap 3 .

The flexible container 2 can comprise the tap 3 at one of its ends and at this time the shelf 6 can be tilted so that the end associated with the tap 3 is at a lower level relative to the other end of the flexible container 2.

In the case of FIG. 5 for example, the tablet 6 is hollowed out in the form of a funnel or a hopper, so as to cause the aforementioned difference in level. A substantially vertical wall 23 can be provided around the flexible container 2 and it can either belong to the dispenser 1 or be the wall of the aforementioned packaging 5. The tap 3 can then be of a type passing through the shelf 6 (see FIG. 5) and be fixed under the shelf 6 by a fork 10 arranged horizontally. The control 18A of the tap 3 is, in the present case, formed by two wings in the manner of that of the tap 3 of FIG. 3. Consequently, the present operating member 18 is also designed like that of FIG. 3 The lever 15 (FIGS. 1 to 6) can preferably be mounted so as to pivot in its support 16 in order to move it between the rest 19 and emptying positions 20. The automatic closing means (not shown) of the tap 3 can then be used to automatically return the lever 15 to its rest position 19.

The operation of the dispenser 1 now described with the aid of Figures 1 to 3 appears easily to the reader. For example, a cup 8 is presented as shown in Figure 3 and is pushed against the pusher 17 along the horizontal arrow. This causes the lever 15 to tilt and press the operating member 18 against the control 18A of the valve 3 until the latter causes the valve 3 to open and the liquid to flow through the orifice 4 The lever 15 is designed and adjusted so that this opening does of course take place only when the goblet 8 has its opening under the orifice 4. The skilled person is able to calculate and adjust the strokes and ratios of the lever 15 for this purpose, so that, in addition, when the goblet 8 is removed in the opposite direction to the horizontal arrow, the tap 3 is closed before the opening of the goblet 8 has left its balance below the surface of orifice 4.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the dispenser 1 has a door concealing from view the flexible container 2 which is disposed therein in the emptying position. The support 16 of the lever 15 can then be fixed to the door 24 so as to accompany it during an opening and closing maneuver. The support 16 can be arranged on the door 24 so that the operating member 18 of the lever 15 is positioned automatically, when the door 24 is closed, to cooperate with the control 18A of the tap 3 in order to control the opening when the lever is actuated 15.

The fixing means 9 may comprise a stop 25 which is fixed to the door 24 and which, when the door 24 is closed, is automatically in position and forms, for the body of the tap 3, a reaction support against a force developed by the operating member 18 on the control 18A of the valve 3 for the opening thereof.

According to the command 18A in Figure 3, push up to open the valve 3, the stop 25 is disposed above the latter. In the case of the control 18A in FIG. 4, pushing down to open the valve 3, the stop 25 is arranged below a projection of the latter and preferably has the shape of a fork, the projection s advantageously extending on both sides of the valve body 3, perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

It is easy to see that the fork 10 in FIG. 5 fulfills the same function as the fork 10 and that the stop 25 in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. Some auxiliary containers 8, such as very thin plastic cups may not have a sufficient rigidity to transmit sufficient force to the pusher 17 in order to move the lever 15 from its rest position 19 to its emptying position 20. For this reason, the lever 15 may comprise, on the side of the pusher 17, at least one additional pusher 26 disposed on the side of the path to be followed by the auxiliary container 8 to present it under the orifice 4. The complementary pusher 26 is arranged on a path followed by a hand (or a finger) of an individual who presents the auxiliary container under the orifice 4. The complementary pusher 26 can have any shape useful for the operation, in particular an ergonomic shape.

In a particular embodiment, not shown, the dispenser 1 comprises a refrigeration cabinet in or on which are mounted at least the shelf 6, the fixing means 9 and the lever 15 by means of its support 16. The cabinet refrigerator can be intended to keep fresh the liquid contained in the flexible container (s) 2. This refrigerating cabinet can however also be used for the conservation of other foodstuffs, foodstuffs, etc., in the manner of a domestic refrigerator, laboratory, The arrangement of said distributor / refrigeration cabinet may be such that the door must be opened to gain access to the lever 15 and to the orifice 4 or may be such that at least the lever 15 and the orifice 4 are accessible from outside the cabinet, when the door is closed.

It should be understood that the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and that many modifications can be made to these without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, according to FIG. 6, the valve 3 can be of a control type 18A to be pushed horizontally along the axis of the body of the valve 3. In this case also, the stop 25 is not necessary, the fork 10 can take up the pushing force of the lever 15 when the valve 3 is opened.

In addition, according to FIG. 7, for the type of tap 3 shown there, the lever 15 may not be of the pivoting type but of a type with vertical sliding in a suitable support 16. The lever 15 can be held and returned to the rest position 19 by the return means of the control 18A of the tap 3 and / or by a suitable spring 27. The pusher 17 is disposed under the auxiliary container 8 in the present case and is to be pushed down by the intermediary of said auxiliary container 8. This movement can be favorable in the case of a cup 8 made of very thin plastic, that -this better resistant to axial compression than to radial compression. A stop 26 can be provided on the arms 15A, 15B to prevent the lever 15 from being pulled too high by the spring 27.

A fork 30 complementary to the fixed fork 10 (FIG. 7) can be used to completely immobilize the tap 3. This fork 30 is then removable, for example pivoting along a path parallel to the start of the teeth of the fork 10, to release a passage allowing the recess 11 of the valve 3 to be placed on the fork 10. This fork 30 has means (not shown) for rigidly fixing it to the fork 10 or the shelf 6, for complete immobilization. This fork 30, applied in the case of FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 can make it possible not to use a stop 25 then, but entails an additional manipulation compared to the cases with stop 25.

Claims

1. Dispenser for at least one liquid, in particular for at least one drink, each liquid being contained in a flexible container (2) comprising a tap (3) with automatic closing and controlled opening to let the liquid flow through a outlet (4), the distributor (1) comprising:

- a shelf (6) fixed in the dispenser (1) and arranged to support the flexible container (2) so that the tap (3) thereof is at a lower level relative to a level of the liquid in the flexible container (2), the outlet port (4) for liquid from the tap (3) being oriented for a downward flow of the liquid, - a space (7) under the shelf (6), dimensioned for be able to present an auxiliary container (8) under the opening (4) of the tap (3),

- means (9) for fixing the tap (3), at least in position, relative to the shelf (6), and - a lever (15) for actuating the tap

(3), which is mounted so that it can be moved in a support (16) fixed to the dispenser (1), which extends downwards and which comprises a pusher (17) arranged in a path along which the auxiliary container (8) is presented under the orifice (4) and, away from the pusher (17), an operating member (18) for the controlled opening of the tap (3), the lever (15) being arranged to be able to be moved between two positions, a first position (19) called rest in which, on the one hand, the pusher (17) obstructs the auxiliary container (8) before it is presented in a way determined under the orifice (4) and along the path and, on the other hand, the operating member (18) leaves the tap (3) closed and a second position (20) called emptying in which, of a hand, the pusher (17) is pushed away from its rest position (19), preferably by the auxiliary container (8), by a distance making it possible to present the latter in the determined manner under the orifice (4) and, on the other hand , the operating member (18) causes the controlled opening of the valve (3).

2. Liquid distributor according to revendi¬ cation 1, characterized in that, the flexible container (2) comprising the tap (3) at one of its ends, the shelf (6) is inclined so that the end associated with the tap (3) or at a lower level relative to the other end of the flexible container (2).

3. Liquid distributor according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lever (15) is mounted so as to pivot in its support (16) to move it between the rest positions ( 19) and emptying (20), the means for automatically closing the tap (3) serving as a prefe¬ rence for automatically returning the lever (15) to its rest position (19).

4. Liquid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a door (24) hiding the flexible container (2) which is disposed in the emptying position in the dispenser (1) and in that the support (16) of the lever (15) is fixed to the door (24) so as to accompany the latter during an opening and closing maneuver, the operating member (18) of the lever (15) being positioned automatically, when the door (24) is closed, in order to cooperate with the tap (3) and in order to open it.

5. Liquid distributor according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing means (9) comprise a stop (25) which is fixed to the door (24) and which, when the door (24) is closed, East automatically in position and forms for the body of the valve (3) a reaction support against a force developed by the operating member (18) on the control (18A) of the valve (3) for opening it this.

6. Liquid distributor according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing means (9) of the tap (3) relative to the shelf (6) include a fork (10) whose teeth point towards the high and in that they cooperate with a corresponding recess (11) of the valve body (3).

7. liquid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lever (15) comprises, on the side of the pusher (17), at least one additional pusher (26) disposed on the side of the path to follow by the auxiliary container (8) to present it under the orifice (4) of the tap (3), and on a path followed by a hand of an individual who performs such an operation.

8. Liquid distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a refrigeration cabinet in or on which are mounted at least the shelf (6), the fixing means (9) of the tap ( 3), the actuation lever (15) and its support (16).

9. Liquid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the flexible container (2) is contained in a rigid packaging (5) in which the tap (6) can be accommodated, optionally fixed to the flexible container (2), for transporting and storing said flexible container (2), the packaging (5) comprising an opening for allowing the tap (3) to protrude mounted in the emptying position of the flexible container (2), and in that the shelf (6) is arranged to receive, in the emptying position, the rigid packaging (5) containing the flexible container (2), preferably a closure element of this opening being provided to protect the flexible container (2) as well as the tap (6) when it is in the packaging (5).