WO2008005933A2

WO2008005933A2 - Systems and methods for dilution of a beverage concentrate

Info

Publication number: WO2008005933A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/072665
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey Macler; Henry Ii Macler
Original assignee: Ammm Patent Holdings, L.L.C.
Priority date: 2006-06-30
Filing date: 2007-07-02
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Also published as: WO2008005933A3; US20080035498A1; AU2007269230A1

Abstract

A system and method for adding a beverage concentrate to a bag shaped to hold fluid while still maintaining the bag for purposes of later dispensing. The bag will generally hold a potable liquid to which the concentrate is added from a pouch prior to dispensing of the liquid from the bag. The addition of the concentrate will generally be performed by having mating connectors on the pouch and the bag to allow transfer between the two.

Description

Systems and Methods for Dilution of a Beverage Concentrate

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[001] This application claims benefit of and priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial Number: 60/806,317 filed June 30, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The invention relates to mixing or combining of a fluid and a concentrate, more specifically to a system for storing a fluid in a first container and a concentrated supplemental in a second container, which first and second containers can be joined together to allow mixing of the contents of each container to generate a supplemented fluid that can be dispensed directly from the first container.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[003] Liquid storage vessels such as jugs or pitchers are essentially ubiquitous in society and have been around in a general form for centuries. They serve to contain a liquid so that the liquid does not spill, evaporate, or be soaked up by other objects from which it cannot easily be removed, and it serves as a way to dispense the liquid to users to drink, wash with, or otherwise utilize.

[004] The packaging and dispensing of liquids in and from flexible bags is discussed in other patent applications filed by the inventors hereof. These applications discuss, in part, the containment of fluids, and particularly beverages, in flexible bags for direct dispensing from the flexible bags. In these applications, dispensing is generally provided by piercing the bag with a spike about which the bag naturally seals (i.e., seals automatically through the act of piercing, which creates the seal between the bag material and the spike) and through which the fluid contained in the bag can flow to a dispensing spigot. Such flexible, fluid-filled bags may be packaged within a protective packaging, for the purpose, for example, of protecting the bag from breakage or for maintaining sterility. Further, dispensing may be accomplished with the aid of a support structure for supporting the flexible bag, such as a bowl or a box to which may be attached to the spike for the puncturing of the bag. Additional functionality, such as heating or cooling of the beverage in the bag may be provided by a support structure or a structure to which the support is attached.

[005] A great variety of beverages can be packaged in containers such as flexible bags. For instance, fruit juice, milk, soda, sports drinks, or other flavored beverages. In addition to flavored beverages, these containers may contain a beverage with a physiologic supplement, such as a nutritive supplement, a vitamin or mineral supplement, an herbal supplement, a stimulant, such as caffeine, or any other desired supplement. For the containment of beverages in containers from which direct dispensing occurs, the beverage would generally be constituted into its drinkable form prior to packaging. That is, for example, where the fluid is a flavored beverage, the beverage has been constituted into its drinkable, flavored form prior to being packaged in the container. While concentrates of such flavored or supplemented beverages also may have been packaged in container, these packages generally are not intended to be used for direct dispensing.

[006] When a supplement is added (in solution) to a potable liquid in a container, the container's surfaces can absorb or be coated by some of the supplement that is suspended in the liquid as opposed to being suspended in solution. Taste and odors from the soft drink mix may permeate the container. Further, if the container were to be reused after containing a supplement, due to the contamination the prior supplement may influence and alter the taste, appearance, and/or performance of a subsequent liquid transferred to the container. Sometimes, a taste or odor may contaminate the container to the point that the container can no longer be used even with a cleaning. This may lead to the container being discarded or destroyed due to the contamination. SUMMARY

[007] The following is a summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of this section is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[008] In light of the above problems and for reasons known or understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, there is discussed herein an apparatus that includes a bag designed and shaped to hold fluid, and allow dispensing therefrom, and a concentrate pouch designed and shaped to hold a concentrate, the contents of the bag and concentrate pouch to be combined with each other. For the purposes of combining the contents, the bag will hold a potable liquid in a bag and be of such a volume as to be diluting to the contents of the concentrate pouch. The resulting liquid containing the diluent and the concentrate will then be dispensed from the bag for consumption or other use.

[009] A system comprising a bag containing a fluid, a concentrate pouch containing a concentrate, the bag and the concentrate pouch having corresponding mating connectors which may be connected to form a fluid-tight seal through which the fluid in the bag may transfer to the concentrate pouch containing the concentrate or the concentrate may transfer through the mating connectors of the bag and concentrate pouch to the fluid filled bag, the mixing as a result of some external force such as gravity. In an embodiment, the mating connectors of the concentrate pouch and the bag have male and female threads which may be screwed together. In an embodiment, when the bag and concentrate pouch are connected together the fluid in the bag may be combined with the concentrate of the concentrate pouch through the mating connectors. The contents of the bag and concentrate pouch being mixed through the gravity, or alternatively, through the application of an outside force such as a user's hands manipulating the bag or the concentrate pouch, or both.

[010] In an alternative embodiment, the concentrate pouch contains a spike comprising a hollow stem through which a fluid can flow, the spike being connected to the concentrate pouch at a mating connector, the spike can be used to puncture the seal at the mating connector of the bag. The concentrate in the concentrate pouch and the fluid in the bag then being allowed to pass through the spike and mix with each other. In an embodiment the bag and the spike form a seal through interaction only of the spike, the bag, and the fluid, or alternatively, only through the interaction of the spike and the bag. In an alternative embodiment, the mating connectors of the concentrate pouch and bag have male and female threads which may be threaded together, such that by threading the mating connectors together the spike is forced through the surface of the bag. In this embodiment, the threaded connection on the mating connectors creates a fluid tight seal. In an embodiment, the spike is not part of the concentrate pouch mating connector, and the spike can be part of the mating connector on the bag.

[OH]In a further embodiment, the bag and concentrate pouch are connected using a conduit, on each end of which is a spike capable of piercing and sealing the outer surfaces of the concentrate pouch and bag in or on the mating connectors of the concentrate pouch and bag. In this embodiment, either or both of the spikes on the conduit mate with the threads of either or both of the mating connectors to provide for a secure connection of the concentrate pouch to the bag.

[012] In an embodiment, more than one concentrate is added to the bag. In such an embodiment, the various concentrates contained in separate concentrate pouches are added to the bag, either simultaneously or sequentially, each concentrate being added in a process such as is described above, wherein the mating connectors on the bag and the concentrate pouch,

respectively, are opened and connected, and the contents mixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[013] FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view of a bag with a mating connector and a concentrate pouch with a mating connector.

[014] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the bag and concentrate pouch shown in FIG. 1, after the bag and concentrate pouch have been connected at their respective mating connectors.

[015] FIG. 3 shows a membrane or wafer seal in the mating connector of a bag.

[016] FIG. 4 shows a cap for sealing a mating connector of a bag, the cap comprising a membrane or wafer seal.

[017] FIG. 5 shows a bag and a concentrate pouch combination, wherein the mating connector on the concentrate pouch comprises a spike for connection to the mating connector of the bag.

[018] FIG. 6 shows a conduit having a spike on both of two ends, which can be used to connect a bag and a concentrate pouch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[019] The embodiments should be understood to be encompassed in the present disclosure as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. FIG. 1 provides for an embodiment of a concentration pouch (100) with a mating connector (103) and a bag (101) with a mating connector (105). FIG. 1 depicts a concentration pouch (100) just prior to connection to a bag (101). The concentration pouch (100) contains a concentrate that is to be diluted with the fluid contained in the bag (101).

[020] The bag (101) such as described herein, may be made of any suitable material, but is preferably made of a plastic material such as an organic polymer sheet material and is preferably flexible and pliable. The bag (101) may, however, be filled with a fluid to a point that the fluid is under pressure resulting from the elasticity or relative inelasticity of the bag (101), forming a relatively inflexible combination when the bag is sealed. The bag (101) may also be of any suitable construction. In an embodiment the bag (101) comprises a single- layer film wall. In alternative embodiments of a bag (101), a bag (101) may be constructed with several plies of material or a set of bags (101) placed within another. Such a multi-layer bag system may include what is commonly referred to as a secondary containment or an overwrap. For a bag (101) having several layers, one or more of the layers may be removed prior to mixing or combining the contents of the concentration pouch (100) with the contents of the bag (101). In a preferred embodiment, the bag (101) is constructed of a coextrusion or laminate plastic sheet material that provides an enhanced vapor and gas barrier as compared to a single-layer polypropylene film.

[021] The concentration pouch (100) such as described herein, may be made of any suitable material, but is preferably made from materials as described above for the bag (101). There is no requirement or need that the concentration pouch (100) and the bag (101) be manufactured similarly or made out of the same or comparable materials or substances. In the preferred embodiment, the volume and/or interior holding capacity of the concentration pouch (100) will be less that that of the bag (101). Despite the depictions in the Figures, there is no requirement that the concentration pouch (100) be smaller in volume and/or interior holding capacity that the bag (101). In alternative embodiments, the volume and/or interior holding capacity of the concentration pouch (100) will be larger than that of the bag (101). The volume and/or interior holding capacity of the concentration pouch (100) may be equivalent to that of the bag (101).

[022] The bag (101) may be filled with any fluid which is capable of being dispensed from the bag (101), including an isotonic saline solution and a beverage of various kinds, including water, milk, and citrus beverages, among others. In addition to flavored beverages the bag (101) may contain a beverage with a physiologic supplement, such as a nutritive supplement, a vitamin or mineral supplement, an herbal supplement, a stimulant, such as caffeine, or any other desired supplement. For the containment of beverages in the bags (101), the beverage would generally be constituted into its drinkable form prior to packaging. The bag (101) would generally directly dispense fluid contained within the bag (101). The bag (101) is preferably capable of directly dispensing the fluid contained within the bag (101) regardless of whether the concentration pouch (100) is, or had been, connected to the bag (101) and without regard as to whether any mixing of the contents of the bag (101) and the concentration pouch (100) occurred.

[023] The concentration pouch (100) contains a concentrate that is to be transferred or mixed with the contents of the bag (101). The concentrate may be a flavoring, coloring, a physiological supplement, a nutritive supplement, a vitamin or mineral supplement, an herbal supplement, a stimulant, or any other supplement that can to be added to the bag (101). The concentrate may also be in the form of a liquid, solid (such as granules or a powder, for example), a gas, a mixture (such as a solid suspended in liquid) or another physical form. [024] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag (101) and the concentration pouch (100) each have a mating connector (103 and 105). The mating connectors (103 and 105) on the bag (101) and concentration pouch (100), when opened, allow access to the internal volumes of the bag (101) and concentration pouch (100). That is, when the mating connector (103) on the concentration pouch (100) is opened, the contents of the concentration pouch (100) can generally be emptied from the concentration pouch (100) through the mating connector (103). So, too, with the bag (101), when the mating connector (105) is opened, the contents of the bag (101) can generally be emptied from the bag (101) through the mating connector (105).

[025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mating connectors (103 and 105) will preferably be of a cylindrical shape, though any shape may be used. The cylindrical shape is preferred for several reasons, including that the mating connectors (103 and 105) so shaped will generally be easy to connect in a tight manner utilizing interior threads on one of the mating connector (103 and 105) and matching exterior threads on the other mating connector (103 and 105) so that one of the mating connectors (103 and 105) may be rotated relative to the other in a circular fashion in order to connect the two mating connectors (103 and 105). Further, in order to facilitate the connection of the two mating connectors (103 and 105), the mating connectors (103 and 105) of the bag (101) and the concentration pouch (100) will preferably be similar or identical in shape and size. In an alternative embodiment, the mating connector (103) of the concentration pouch (100) and the mating connector (105) of the bag (101) will be dissimilar in shape and size.

[026] The exact size and shape of the mating connector (105) useful for forming a seal for preventing or sufficiently hindering leaks and for facilitating the transfer or mixing of the contents of the bag (101) and the contents of the concentration pouch (100) depend on many factors, including the dimensions of the concentration pouch (100) and the bag (101), the materials used in the bag (101) and concentration pouch (100) construction, and the type and amount of fluid contained in the bag (101) and the type or amount of concentrate contained in the concentration pouch (100), among others. Specific values for any of these factors in any embodiment are a matter of engineering design choice.

[027] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the mating connector (103) of the concentration pouch (100) and the mating connector (105) of the bag (101) are able to be connected together in a fluid-tight joint. In this embodiment, the mating connector (103) of the concentration pouch (100) has internal threads and the mating connector (105) of the bag (101) has external threads sized and shaped to mate with the threads of the mating connector (103) on the concentration pouch (100) such that the mating connector (103) of the concentration pouch (100) may be screwed onto the mating connector (105) of the bag (101). As a result, then the mating connector (103) of the concentration pouch (100) and the mating connector (105) of the bag (101) are opened and connected together, such as is shown in FIG. 2, the internal volume of the bag (101) and the internal volume of the concentration pouch (100) are connected. By this connection, the contents of the bag (101) and the contents of the concentration pouch (100) may be transferred or mixed with each other.

[028] Through the connection of the bag (101) to the concentration pouch (100), by connecting the opened mating connectors (103 and 105), the concentrate contained in the concentration pouch (100) may be added to the fluid contained in the bag (101) and vice versa. The transfer of the contents of the concentration pouch (100) to the bag (101), or vice versa may be induced by a natural force, such as gravity, or an induced force, such as a centripetal force to pull either the fluid in the bag (101) or the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) through the joint created by the connection of the mating connectors (103 and 105). For example, one or more of the concentration pouch (100) and bag (101) can be shook or spun to effect the transfer or mixing of the fluid in the bag (101) and the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100). Other external forces or pressures, such as an external compression of the concentration pouch (100) by an individual's hands, may also be used to force the contents of the concentration pouch (100) into the bag (101) or vice versa. Other methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art may also be used to mix the fluid in the bag (101) with the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100). Through repeatedly compressing and releasing the concentration pouch (100) or the bag (101) or both, repeatedly raising and lowering the concentration pouch (100) or the bag (101) or both to utilize gravity, repeatedly or continually shaking the concentration pouch (100) or the bag (101) or both, or by any other known method, a transfer or mixture of the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) and the fluid in the bag (101) can be achieved.

[029] In the preferred embodiment, the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) can be completely dissolved or mixed with the fluid in the bag (101) so as to form a uniform or homogeneous solution or mixture. In alternative embodiments, the concentrate may be suspended in the fluid in the bag (101) or the mixing of the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) and the fluid in the bag (101) may result in a heterogeneous solution or mixture.

[030] After the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) and the fluid in the bag (101) are mixed, the resulting product is ready to be dispensed from the bag (101). In an embodiment, dispensing is effected as discussed in the U.S. Patent Applications No. 10/926,604; 10/940,057, 10/973,052; 11/322,122, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. That is, the bag (101) is punctured by a spike through which the product in the bag (101) flows. In various embodiments, the concentration pouch (100) can remain connected to the bag (101) or be removed therefrom prior to dispensing. Depending on how the concentration pouch (100) and bag (101) are connected (see discussion below), a user may have the option of leaving the concentration pouch (100) and the bag (101) connected or disconnecting the concentration pouch (100) from the bag (101). If the concentration pouch (100) is removed from connection to the bag (101) prior to being punctured by a spike for dispensing, the mating connector (105) on the bag (101) should be sealed prior to the bag

(101) being punctured for dispensing. In either case, whether the concentration pouch (100) is left connected to, or is removed from the connection with the bag (101), if the bag (101) is appropriately constructed, as discussed in the above referenced U.S. patent applications, such as of a single layer of polypropylene, there is no necessity to puncture the bag (101) with the dispensing spike in any particular place, and the bag (101) may be spiked for dispensing almost anywhere, except that some portions of the bag (101) may be difficult to access when the concentration pouch (100) is still connected to the bag (101).

[031] In an embodiment, such as either of the embodiments as depicted in FIGS. 3 or 4, the mating connector (105) on the bag (101) is covered with a seal that closes the mating connector (105) on the bag (101) such that no fluid can be expelled through the mating connector (105) from inside the bag (101) and no fluid may enter the bag (101) through the mating connector (105) from outside the bag (101). The seal may be of any suitable material, and may be rigid or flexible. In an embodiment, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the seal is a threaded cap (401) that can be screwed onto the mating connector (105) to close the mating connector (105) with a fluid tight seal. In addition to, or instead or a cap (401), in an embodiment such as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the mating connector (103) has a cross- section in the plane of the bag (101), the seal is a disk (301) that is positioned within the mating connector (105), which functions to seal the mating connector (105) so that no fluid can pass through the mating connector (105), even if no cap (401) is threaded onto the mating connector (105). The disk (301) either may be a membrane-type seal, i.e., pliable or flexible, or may be a wafer-type seal, i.e., rigid or semi-rigid. In an alternate embodiment, the seal is positioned at or on the top of the mating connector (105), rather than within it. No matter the cross-sectional shape of the mating connector (105), a membrane or wafer-type seal may close the mating connector (105), that is, the seal need not be the shape of a disk. In alternate embodiments in which such a membrane or wafer-type seal closes the mating connector (105), the seal is opened by puncturing it externally from the bag (101) by applying a force on the membrane or wafer in the direction of the internal volume of the bag (101), or is opened by pulling it out of the mating connector (105) from external to the bag (101).

[032] In an embodiment, the mating connector (103) on the concentration pouch (100) comprises a seal. As the embodiment of the concentration pouch (100) as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 has internal threads, an embodiment of the seal for the mating connector (103) on the concentration pouch (100) is a threaded plug that screws into the mating connector (103) on the concentration pouch (100) to create a fluid tight seal. Similarly to the discussion with respect to the mating connector (105) on the bag (101) above, the mating connector (103) on the concentration pouch (100), in addition to or instead of a plug seal, may have a membrane or wafer-type seal that can be opened by puncturing from external to the concentration pouch (100) or removing the membrane by pulling it out of the mating connector (103) from external to the concentration pouch (100).

[033] In an embodiment wherein either or both of the mating connectors (103 and 105) have a seal, the seals are opened in order to open the mating connectors (103 and 105). Thus, if the seal includes a cap (401) or plug, the cap (401) or plug is removed from the mating connectors (103 and 105). And, if the seal includes a membrane or wafer-type seal, the membrane or wafer-type is punctured or removed, thereby opening the mating connectors (103 and 105). Once the seal is opened or removed, the mating connectors (103 and 105) are open. Once both mating connectors (103 and 105) are open, the mating connectors (103 and 105) are ready to be connected in order to allow mixing and transfer of the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) and the fluid in the bag (101). Connection of the mating connectors (103 and 105), as well as mixing of diluent and concentrate is as discussed herein. [034] In an embodiment, the mating connector (105) has a threaded cap (401) that forms at least a portion of the seal. In this embodiment, the threaded cap (401) is removed as part of the opening of the mating connector (105). If the embodiment also includes a membrane-type seal, it is also opened. The concentration pouch (100) with an open mating connector (103) is connected to the bag (101) by connection of the mating connectors (103 and 105). After the concentrate has been mixed with the fluid in the bag (101), the concentration pouch (100) is disconnected from the bag (101), and the threaded cap (401) is screwed onto the mating connector (105) again, thus sealing the mating connector (105) again. In this way the supplemented fluid or product now contained in the bag (101) is ready for dispensing. That is, the supplemented fluid or product comprises the supplement that was desired to be added to the fluid in the bag (101) from the concentration pouch (100), and is sealed within the bag (101). Direct delivery of the supplemented beverage from the bag (101) can be achieved as described in the U.S. patent applications referenced above. That is, the bag (101) can be spiked with a spike about which the bag (101) naturally seals and through which spike the supplemented fluid or product in bag (101) can flow to a dispensing spigot, which spigot controls dispensing of the supplemented fluid or product.

[035] In an alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, the mating connector (103) comprises a concentration pouch spike (501) with openings (503) through which material can pass from the interior of the concentration pouch spike (501) to its exterior. In this embodiment, the concentration pouch spike (501) can be used to puncture a disk (301) or membrane or wafer-type seal within or on the mating connector (105) or the cap (401), so as to connect the concentration pouch (100) to the bag (101). Once connected the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) and fluid in the bag (101) can be transferred or mixed as discussed above, though in this embodiment, the fluid in the bag (101) or the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) or both, pass through the openings (503) in order to accomplish mixing or transferring. In an embodiment, the concentration pouch spike (501) of the mating connector (103) is naturally sealed to the membrane of the mating connector (105) punctured by this concentration pouch spike (501). In an alternate embodiment, the mating connector (105) has internal threads and the mating connector (103) with the concentration pouch spike (501) has external threads, such that by threading the mating connector (105) together the concentration pouch spike (501) is forced through a membrane of the mating connector (105) of the bag (101). In this embodiment, the threaded connection of the mating connectors (103 and 105) creates a fluid-tight seal so that the membrane need not seal about the concentration pouch spike (501). Further, it is not necessary that the concentration pouch spike (501) be part of the mating connector (103) on the concentration pouch (100), and a correlated embodiment in which the mating connector (105) of the bag (101) comprises a hollow bag spike, as described above, that pierces a membrane or plug in or on the mating connector (103) of the concentration pouch (100) is also contemplated.

[036] As shown in FIG. 6, in a still further embodiment, the concentration pouch (100) is connected to the bag (101) using a conduit (601). In the preferred embodiment, the conduit (601) comprises a hollow, generally cylindrical stem (603) with a pointed tip (605) at opposing ends of the cylindrical stem (603). The pointed tips (605) comprise a circular cone positioned at the opposing ends of the cylindrical stem (603) and having a radius at its base identical to, or slightly smaller than, the largest radius of the radius of the cylindrical stem (603). In an embodiment, the pointed tips (605) are right circular cones having an angle of expansion in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees. The pointed tips (605) and cylindrical stem (603) include at least one, and generally a plurality, of holes (607) placed therethrough leading from external to the conduit (601) into the hollow interior of the cylindrical stem (603). In the configuration of FIG. 6, the concentrate in the concentration pouch (100) and the fluid in the bag (101) in can travel through the holes (607) into the hollow interior of the cylindrical stem (60.3) to the opposite container which enables mixing. In the depicted embodiment, the cylindrical stem (603) encompasses the cross-sectional width of the pointed tips (605) such that the outer dimension of the cylindrical stem (603) is identical to the outer dimension of the pointed tips (605) along the length of the cylindrical stem (603). In an alternate embodiment, the cylindrical stem (603) is only a portion of the cross-sectional width of the pointed tips (605). As discussed above, in an embodiment, either or both of the pointed tips (605) on the conduit (601) include threads that mate with threads of either or both of the mating connectors (103 and 105) to provide a more secure connection of the bag (101) to the concentration pouch (100).

[037] In a further embodiment, more than one concentrate is added to the bag (101). In such an embodiment, various concentrates contained in separate concentration pouches (100) are added to the bag (101), either simultaneously or sequentially. Each concentrate being added in a process such as is described above, wherein the mating connectors (103 and 105) on the concentration pouch (100) and bag (101), respectively, are opened and connected, and the contents mixed. In the sequential mixing process, after a first such concentrate of the concentration pouches (100) is mixed with the fluid of the bag (101), the first concentration pouch (100) is disconnected and a second concentration pouch (100) containing a second concentrate or an additional amount of the same concentrate is connected to the original bag (101), either at the same mating connector at which the first concentration pouch (100) was connected or at a different mating connector, for addition of further concentrate. In simultaneous mixing at least two concentration pouches (100) of concentrate (of the same or different composition) are attached to an equal number of mating connectors on the bag (101), and the fluid in the bag (101) and the concentrates are mixed as discussed above.

[038] In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the threaded cap (401) on the mating connector (105) includes a disk (301), which, when the cap (401) is screwed onto the mating connector (105), is oriented generally perpendicularly to the mating connector axis (405) along which fluid flows out of the bag (101). In alternate embodiments, the disk (301) is positioned in a different orientation; the perpendicular orientation in this embodiment is used by way of example only. The cap (401) can be removed to allow the mating connector (105) to be connected to the mating connector (103) of the concentration pouch (100) in any manner, such as those discussed above, thus allowing for mixing of the fluid in the bag (101) and concentrate in the concentration pouch (100). The cap (401) can be returned to the mating connector (105) to seal the mating connector (105).

[039] In this embodiment, the disk (301) is designed to be punctured by a hollow spike and to seal around the spike in order to deliver fluid from the bag (101) through the spike to a dispensing spigot, as discussed above and in the U.S. patent applications referenced above. In such an embodiment, then, the bag (101) need be of no special construction, since the spike can puncture the bag (101) at the disk (301) in the cap (401), which is threaded onto the mating connector (105). In this embodiment, the cap (401) functions first to seal the mating connector (105) (such as at a time after the mixing of the concentrate with the fluid in the bag (101)), and second as an aid to connecting the bag (101) to the dispensing mechanism. In this embodiment, the disk (301) in the cap (401) is preferably made of a material that self-seals about the spike. Spike and disk (301) material construction are preferably as described in the above-referenced U.S. patent applications. Thus, when the spike used in the dispensing of the product or supplemented fluid punctures the disk (301), the disk (301) seals around the spike, so that the product or supplemented fluid does not leak from the bag (101) but can be dispensed therefrom in a controlled manner according to the operation of the dispensing spigot.

[040] While the invention has been disclosed in connection with certain preferred embodiments, the specific characteristics of these preferred embodiments should not be understood as limitations on all embodiments of the invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and other embodiments should be understood to be encompassed in the present disclosure as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A system for mixing a fluid and a concentrate comprising: a bag containing a fluid and having a first mating connector through which transfer of at least one of said fluid or said concentrate occurs; and a pouch containing said concentrate and having a second mating connector through which transfer of at least one of said fluid or said concentrate occurs; wherein once said bag and said pouch are connected and said first mating connector on said bag and said second mating connector on said pouch are connected, said concentrate is mixed with said fluid.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first mating connector on said bag is cylindrical in shape and comprises threads attached to the external surface of said first mating connector.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said second mating connector on said pouch is cylindrical in shape and comprises threads attached to the internal surface of said second mating connector.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said bag and said pouch form a connection through the interaction of said threads on said first mating connector and said threads on said second mating connector.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the connection of said bag with said pouch is a fluid tight seal.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein a first seal is located at said first mating connector of said bag creating a fluid tight seal and a second seal is located at second said mating connector of said pouch creating a fluid tight seal

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said first seal and said second seal are removable.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said first seal of said first mating connector of said bag comprises a threaded cap.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said first seal of said first mating connector of said bag comprises a membrane.

10. The system of claim 6 wherein said second seal of said second mating connector of said pouch comprises a threaded plug.

11. The system of claim 6 wherein said second seal of said second mating connector of said pouch comprises a membrane.

12. The system of claim 6 wherein said first seal must be removed from said bag and said second seal must be removed from said pouch prior to mixing said concentrate and said fluid.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said cap can be reapplied to said first mating connector of said bag for a fluid tight seal after removal of said pouch.

14. A system for mixing a fluid and a concentrate comprising: a bag containing a fluid and having a first mating connector through which transfer of at least one of said fluid or said concentrate occurs through said first mating connector, and a pouch containing said concentrate and having a second mating connector and a spike, transfer of at least one of said fluid or said concentrate occurring through said second mating connector; and said spike connecting said pouch to said bag upon puncturing of said bag by said spike; wherein once said bag and said pouch are connected and said first mating connector on said bag and said second mating connector on said pouch are open, said concentrate is mixed with said fluid.

15. The system of claim 15 wherein said spike comprises a hollow stem through which said fluid and said concentrate can flow.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the connection of said bag to said spike is a fluid tight seal.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said first mating connection of said bag comprises at least a threaded cap and a membrane.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said cap can be reapplied to said first mating connector of said bag for a fluid tight seal after removal of said pouch.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein after said reapplication of said cap to said first mating connector of said bag said cap can be punctured by a second spike of a dispensing system.