WO2014032208A1

WO2014032208A1 - Beverage dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2014032208A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/001223
Authority: WO
Inventors: Quande Gui; Joseph Norris; Zhiwu Zhang; Defei Zhao; Michael GAMBLE; Wencai XIE
Original assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
Priority date: 2012-08-31
Filing date: 2012-08-31
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Also published as: TWI623485B; IN2015DN01611A; TW201425204A; CN104736448A; CN104736448B; AR092243A1

Abstract

The disclosure provides a beverage dispenser (10) for mating with an inverted bottle containing a liquid beverage, comprising: a closure (1) having an engagement portion for engaging with the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube (3) for dispensing the liquid beverage, which is in fluid communication with the closure (1), a vent pipe (2), which is in fluid communication with the closure (1); a beverage valve assembly (4) having a tubular beverage housing (44), which is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle. The beverage valve assembly (4) is movable continuously between a first position and a second position, wherein when the beverage valve assembly (4) is at the first position, both the dispensing tube (3) and the vent pipe (2) are in the closed state; and when the beverage valve assembly (4) is at the second position, both the dispensing tube (3) and the vent pipe (2) are in the open state.

Description

BEVERAGE DISPENSER

Technical Field

The disclosure generally relates to a beverage dispenser, in particular, to a beverage dispenser with a pressure balance system.

Background

Beverage delivery to individual customers has not been achieved in an efficient, cost-effective, easily re-producible manner.

Typically, such beverage delivery is typically realized by with complex electro-mechanical beverage dispensers. Such devices are often found in restaurants and are accessible to consumers. However, they are not suitable for use in some regions owing to their large size and cost, or owing to the lack of electrical supply in the regions. Additionally, they often work with large-sized canisters which are not commercially available, and thus are operated at a relatively high expense.

Some beverage dispensers dispense beverage, for example, carbonated soft drink (CSD), from a large-sized bottle (e.g. 2 liter) to small-sized containers, such as cups, bags or bowls, via a tube connected to the large-sized bottle. However, during dispensers' operation, because of the vacuum created in the large-sized bottle, it is almost impossible to pour out all the beverage from the bottle without pressing and deforming it. Even in the case of CSD, which causes a higher pressure in the bottle, the dispenser can only pour out 1/3 of the content of the bottle at a low temperature (e.g. 4 °C), at a low and unstable flow rate.

EP 0 559 924 Al discloses a carbonated beverage dispenser with a canister and a dispensing tube, the dispensing tube comprising a puncturing end positioned at the bottom of the canister and a dispensing end, wherein the puncturing end is used for puncturing the cap of a beverage container loaded into the canister. However, the CSD in the beverage container cannot flow out without shaking the canister.

US 6,073,811 A discloses a carbonated beverage dispenser. It works with a complex pressuring gas supply for fluid communication with the beverage container. However, such dispenser has large size and weight and is expensive and not portable. Summary of the Disclosure

The disclosure provides an improved beverage dispenser with a pressure balance system to dispense beverage at a stable and high speed and keep the beverage (e.g. CSD) fresh and clean.

The disclosure provides a beverage dispenser, for mating with an inverted bottle containing a liquid beverage, the beverage dispenser comprising: a closure having an engagement portion for engaging with the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube for dispensing the liquid beverage, which is in fluid communication with the closure; a vent pipe, which is in fluid communication with the closure; a beverage valve assembly having a tubular beverage valve housing, which is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle, the beverage valve assembly is movable continuously between a first position and a second position, wherein when the beverage valve assembly is at the first position, both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; and when the beverage valve assembly is at the second position, both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

In an embodiment, the vent pipe has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the dispensing tube, so that the vent pipe is movable within the dispensing tube, and the vent pipe extends to the bottom portion of the bottle; the dispensing tube is fixedly connected to the closure. In an embodiment, the dispensing tube is integrally formed with the closure.

In an embodiment, the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the vent pipe, which is connected to the beverage valve housing through a support portion, and the vent pipe in the lower region on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the vent pipe; the dispensing tube on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube, and the vent pipe on its outer wall has an annular projection to form a sealing valve for the dispensing tube; wherein when the beverage valve assembly is at the first position, the sealing valve for the vent pipe is pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; when the beverage valve assembly is at the second position, the sealing valve for the vent pipe leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

In a preferable embodiment, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent pipe are coated with a rubber coating respectively to improve the sealing.

In an embodiment, the dispensing tube on its outer wall is provided with outer thread and the beverage valve housing on its inner wall is provided with inner thread, and the outer thread and the inner thread are mated with each other so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing. In an embodiment, a load-free or preloaded spring is arranged between the closure and the beverage valve housing in the movement direction of the beverage valve housing so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position against the spring force. Thereby, the beverage dispenser according to the present disclosure is operable manually and/or automatically, and the dispensing rate of the beverage dispenser can be controlled through adjusting the displacement of the beverage valve assembly.

In an embodiment, the dispensing tube has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the vent pipe, so that the dispensing tube is movable within the vent pipe; the vent pipe is fixedly connected to the closure. In an embodiment, the vent pipe is integrally formed with the closure.

In an embodiment, the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the dispensing tube, which is connected to the beverage valve housing through a support portion, and the dispensing tube in the lower region on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube; the vent pipe on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the vent pipe, and the dispensing tube on its outer wall has an annular projection to form a sealing valve for the vent pipe; wherein when the beverage valve assembly is at the first position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent pipe is pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; when the beverage valve assembly is at the second position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent pipe leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

In a preferable embodiment, the sealing valves for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent pipe are coated with a rubber coating respectively to improve the sealing.

In an embodiment, the dispensing tube on its outer wall is provided with outer thread and the beverage valve housing on its inner wall is provided with inner thread, and the outer thread and the inner thread are mated with each other so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing, wherein the outer thread and the inner thread form a threaded venting connection. In an embodiment, a load-free or preloaded spring is arranged between the closure and the beverage valve housing in the movement direction of the beverage valve housing so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position against the spring force, wherein at least one venting slot is provided between the vent pipe and the beverage valve housing. Thereby, the beverage dispenser according to the present disclosure is operable manually and/or automatically, and the dispensing rate of the beverage dispenser can be controlled through adjusting the displacement of the beverage valve assembly.

In an embodiment, the vent pipe is in fluid communication with at least one vent opening in the closure, and the dispensing tube is in fluid communication with a dispensing opening in the closure, wherein the vent opening is separate from the dispensing opening, and the vent opening has a diameter of 1-5 mm, preferably 1-3 mm. and more preferably 1.4-1.6 mm.

In an embodiment, the tubular beverage valve housing is connected to an outlet tube. The beverage dispenser according to the present disclosure can achieve the technical effect of dispensing beverage at a stable and high speed and keeping the beverage (e.g. CSD) fresh and clean. In an embodiment, the beverage dispenser can dispense beverage stably at a rate of 2 L/min. In some preferable embodiments, the beverage dispenser has a pipe-in-pipe arrangement, wherein the vent pipe is within the dispensing tube or the dispensing tube is within the vent pipe. Owing to the form of straight pipe/tube, it is easy to wash and clean the pipe-in-pipe arrangement, a feature which is very important in the field of beverage dispenser.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig 1 shows a schematic side view of the beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the disclosure mated with an inverted bottle containing a liquid beverage, wherein the beverage dispenser is shown in sectional view, and the beverage valve assembly is in the closed state so that beverage in the bottle cannot flow out;

Fig 2a shows a schematic side sectional view of the beverage dispenser according to an embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the dispensing tube is arranged within the vent pipe;

Fig 2b partially shows a schematic side section view of the beverage dispenser according to another embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the dispensing tube is arranged within the vent pipe;

Fig 2c shows a schematic side sectional view of the beverage dispenser according to a further embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the dispensing tube is arranged within the vent pipe;

Fig 3 shows a schematic side sectional view of the beverage dispenser according to a further embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the vent pipe is arranged within the dispensing tube; Fig 4a-4c show the opening process of the beverage dispenser in Fig 3 in schematic side sectional view, wherein in Fig 4a, the beverage valve assembly is at a first position where both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; in Fig 4b, the beverage valve assembly is at an intermediate position where the vent pipe is in the open state and the dispensing tube is in the closed state; and in Fig 4c, the beverage valve assembly is at a second position where both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless the context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, and drawings are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

Fig 1 shows a schematic side view of the beverage dispenser 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure mated with an inverted bottle 100 containing a liquid beverage 103. For the purpose of clarity, the beverage dispenser 10 and the bottle 100 are drawn out of scale. The beverage bottle 100 may be a large-sized soft drink bottle (including but not limited to a commercially available 1.5 liter or 2 liter bottle, or a 10 liter or larger bottle) with a mouth 101 , which may be attached to the closure 1 of the beverage dispenser 10 so that the bottle 100 is supported by the dispenser 10 in an inverted position for dispensing liquid beverage 103 contained therein. Obviously, the beverage dispenser according to the disclosure, with a simple structure, may work in an electricity-free manner. In addition, it may work with most of the commercially available beverage bottles.

The bottle 100 has a mouth 101 at its top portion. Once the sealing cap (not shown) of the bottle has been removed, the beverage 103 contained in the bottle 100 may be dispensed through the mouth 101 by tilting the bottle 100 and angling the mouth 101 downward. The mouth 101 may be a standard mouth provided with external thread, which can be engaged with the sealing member (not shown in figure 1) provided in the closure 1. In one embodiment according to the disclosure, the sealing member is internal thread provided on the side- wall 12 of the closure 1. Additionally or alternatively, an additional sealing (for example, a deformable sealing structure) may be provided in the closure 1 to ensure liquid-tightness. In some cases, the mouth 101 of the bottle may have a diameter smaller than that of the closure 1 , or it may have no external thread, or the mouth may have a specially designed cross sectional shape. Therefore, in such cases, an insert (not shown) may be provided in the closure 1 to engage between the mouth 101 of the bottle and the side-wall 12 of the closure 1 complementarily and form a leak-proof engagement. In a preferable embodiment, a support (not shown) is provided for supporting the bottle in an inverted position stably.

The beverage dispenser 10 with a pressure balance system comprises: a closure 1 having an engagement portion for engaging with the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube 3 for dispensing the liquid beverage, which is in fluid communication with the closure 1 (i.e. which is directly or indirectly attached to the closure 1 and is in fluid communication with the bottle through the closure); a vent pipe 2, which is in fluid communication with the closure 1 ; a beverage valve assembly 4 having a tubular beverage valve housing 44, which is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle. In a preferable embodiment, the beverage dispenser 10 may include an outlet tube 6, to which the tubular beverage valve housing 44 is connected for facilitating guiding and dispensing the beverage. When the beverage valve assembly 4 is at a first position (as shown in Fig 1), both the dispensing tube 3 and the vent pipe 2 are in the closed state. When the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved to a second position (not shown in Fig 1), both the dispensing tube 3 and the vent pipe 2 are in the open state, and the liquid beverage 103 contained in the bottle 100 flows out through the dispensing tube 3 from the bottle 100, and the ambient air will automatically enter into the bottle 100 through the vent pipe 2 to balance the pressure between outside and inside (which will be described in more detail in the below).

Fig 2a shows a schematic side sectional view of the beverage dispenser 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The beverage dispenser 10 comprises: a closure 1 having an engagement portion 12 for engaging with the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube 3 for dispensing the liquid beverage, which is in fluid communication with the closure 1 ; a vent pipe 2, which is in fluid communication with the closure 1 ; a beverage valve assembly 4 having a tubular beverage valve housing 44, which is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle. In a preferable embodiment, the beverage dispenser 10 may include an outlet tube 6, to which the tubular beverage valve housing 44 is connected for facilitating guiding and dispensing the liquid beverage. In a preferable embodiment, the closure 1 has a relatively large diameter for easy gripping.

In the embodiment, the dispensing tube 3 has a diameter d3 smaller than the diameter <J2 of the vent pipe 2 so that the dispensing tube 3 is movable within the vent pipe 2. As shown in Fig 2a, the vent pipe 2 with its top portion is fixedly connected to the closure 1 . In an alternative embodiment, the vent pipe 2 may be integrally formed with the closure 1 . The beverage valve assembly 4 has a sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3. As shown in Fig 2a, the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 is in a T-shaped cross section. Those skilled in the art may understand that the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 may be any other suitable sealing valve. The sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 is connected to the beverage valve housing 44 through a support portion 42. When the dispensing tube 3 is open, the liquid beverage can flow through the support portion 42 and flow out. In one embodiment, the support portion 42 is a plate with a plurality of through-holes 43 (as shown in Fig 2a). In another embodiment, the support portion 42 is a plurality of (e.g. four) spaced apart webs connecting the beverage valve housing 44 with the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 (as shown in Fig 2c). Those skilled in the art may understand that the support portion 42 may have any other suitable structure. The dispensing tube 3 in the lower region on its inner wall has an annular projection 31 to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube 3. When the dispensing tube 3 is in the closed state, the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 is pressed against the annular projection 31 (the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3) to form a leak-proof engagement. The dispensing tube 3 on its outer wall has an annular projection 32 to form a sealing valve for the vent pipe 2. while the vent pipe 2 on its inner wall has an annular projection 22 to form a valve seat for the vent pipe 2. When the vent pipe 2 is in the closed state, the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 is pressed against the annular projection 22 (the valve seat for the vent pipe 2) to form a leak-proof engagement. Those skilled in the art may easily understand that in order to ensure an advantageous leak-proof engagement, suitable process can be applied to and/or suitable material can be used for the sealing valves for the dispensing tube 3 and for the vent pipe 2 and/or the valve seats for the dispensing tube 3 and for the vent pipe 2. For example, in a preferable embodiment, rubber coating is applied on the sealing valves for the dispensing tube 3 and for the vent pipe; even so, it should be understood that they can be processed by other suitable means to improve the sealing.

In the embodiment, the vent pipe 2 on its outer wall is provided with outer thread

21 , while the beverage valve housing 44 on its inner wall is provided with inner thread 41 . As shown in Fig 2a, the outer thread 21 and the inner thread 41 are mated with each other so that the beverage valve assembly 4 can move between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing 44. In the embodiment, the outer thread 21 and the inner thread 41 are venting threads so that the ambient air can enter into the chamber 5 between the beverage valve housing 44 and the dispensing tube 3 through such threaded connection (as indicated by arrow A), and then the air can enter into the bottle when the vent pipe 2 is open.

For the embodiment as shown in Fig 2a, the opening process is as follows: (i) when the beverage valve assembly 4 is at the first position (as shown in Fig 2a), the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3 and the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 is pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe 2 so that both the dispensing tube 3 and the vent pipe 2 are in the closed state; (ii) when the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved upwards by rotating the beverage valve housing 44, the sealing valve 45 for the dispensing tube 3 leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3 and thus the dispensing tube 3 is open, while the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 is still pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe 2 and thus the vent pipe 2 is still closed; and (iii) when the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved upwards beyond a distance 1, the support portion 42 is pressed against the lower end surface 33 of the dispensing tube 3, and then the dispensing tube 3 is moved together with the beverage valve assembly 4; when the beverage valve assembly 4 is moved to the second position, the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2 also leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe 2, and thus both the dispensing tube 3 and the vent pipe 2 are in the open state. At that time, the liquid beverage flows from the opened dispensing tube 3 through the through-holes 43 in the support portion 42 and flows out (as indicated by arrow B), while the ambient air enters the chamber 5 through the threaded venting connection and then flows into the bottle through the opened vent pipe 2 (as indicated by arrow A) to balance the pressure between outside and inside. Those skilled in the art may easily understand that when the vent pipe 2 is open, even if there is a portion of the liquid beverage flows through the vent pipe 2, the portion of the liquid beverage will fall into the bottom of the chamber 5 quickly without blocking the air ventilation through the vent pipe 2.

Fig 2b partially shows a schematic side section view of the beverage dispenser according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The difference between the embodiments of Fig 2a and Fig 2b is as follows: in the embodiment of Fig 2b, the vent pipe 2 is in fluid communication with at least one vent opening 13 in the closure 1 , and the dispensing tube 3 is in fluid communication with a dispensing opening 14 in the closure 1 , wherein the vent opening 13 is separate from the dispensing opening 14. The vent opening 13 may have a diameter of 1-5 mm, preferably 1-3 mm, and more preferably 1 .4- 1 .6 mm. Thereby it is advantageous to avoid unstable dispensing when the air is entering, and to reduce the diameter of air bubble entering into the bottle to prevent stirring the beverage (which may cause undesired C0₂ loss).

Fig 2c shows a schematic side sectional view of the beverage dispenser 10' according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The difference between the embodiments as shown in Fig 2c and 2a is as follows: in the beverage dispenser 10' in Fig 2c, the vent pipe 2 on its outer wall and the beverage valve housing 44 on its inner wall are not provided with outer thread and inner thread mated with each other. Instead, a preloaded spring 7' (or load-free spring) is arranged between the closure Γ and the beverage valve housing 44' in the movement direction of the beverage valve housing 44^* so that the beverage valve assembly 4' can move between the first position and the second position against the spring force. The spring 7' with one end presses against the end surface of the closure 1 ' or its receiving portion, with the other end presses against the end surface of the beverage valve housing 44' or its receiving portion 45^* . In the embodiment, at least one venting slot (not shown) is provided between the vent pipe 2' and the beverage valve housing 44'. It may be easily understood that the at least one venting slot may be provided on the outer wall of the vent pipe 2', and/or may be provided on the inner wall of the beverage valve housing 44'. so that the ambient air can enter into the chamber 5' between the beverage valve housing 44" and the dispensing tube 3' through the at least one venting slot (as indicated by arrow A).

As described above, Fig 2a, Fig 2b and Fig 2c show embodiments of the beverage dispenser, wherein the dispensing tube is arrange within the vent pipe.

Fig 3 shows a schematic side sectional view of the beverage dispenser 10" according to a further embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the vent pipe 2" is arranged within the dispensing tube 3". The beverage dispenser 10" comprises: a closure Γ^* having an engagement portion 12" for engaging with the mouth of the bottle; a dispensing tube 3" for dispensing the liquid beverage, which is in fluid communication with the closure 1"; a vent pipe 2", which is in fluid communication with the closure 1 "; a beverage valve assembly 4" having a tubular beverage valve housing 44'^", which is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle. It is easily understood that at least one opening (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the beverage valve assembly 4" so that the liquid beverage can flow out. In a preferable embodiment, the beverage dispenser 10" may include an outlet tube (not shown), to which the tubular beverage valve housing 44" is connected for facilitating guiding and dispensing the liquid beverage.

In the embodiment, the vent pipe 2" has a diameter d2 smaller than the diameter d3 of the dispensing tube 3" so that the vent pipe 2" is movable within the dispensing tube 3^". As shown in Fig 3, the dispensing tube 3" is integrally formed with the closure 1 ". In an alternative embodiment, a separate dispensing tube 3" with its top portion is fixedly connected to the closure 1 ". In the embodiment wherein the vent pipe is arranged within the dispensing tube, if the vent pipe only extends near the mouth of the bottle, the liquid beverage contained in the bottle may possibly block the vent pipe so that the ambient air cannot enter into the bottle and thus a desired pressure balance cannot be achieved. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the vent pipe 2" extends to the bottom portion 102 of the bottle 100. In an alternative embodiment, the vent pipe 2" has a joint 29" for engaging with a separate tube extending to the bottom portion 102 of the bottle 100.

The beverage valve assembly 4" has a sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2". As shown in Fig 3, the sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2" is in a T-shaped cross section. Those skilled in the art may understand that the sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2^" may be any other suitable sealing valve. The sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2" is connected to the beverage valve housing 44" through a support portion 42". When the vent pipe 2" is open, the ambient air can flow through the support portion 42" and enter into the bottle. In one embodiment, the support portion 42" is a plate with a plurality of through-holes (as shown in Fig 2a). In another embodiment, the support portion 42" is a plurality of (e.g. four) spaced apart webs connecting the beverage valve housing with the sealing valve for the vent pipe 2" (as shown in Fig 2c). Those skilled in the art may understand that the support portion 42" may have any other suitable structure. The vent pipe 2" in the lower region on its inner wall has an annular projection 24" to form a valve seat for the vent pipe 2". When the vent pipe 2" is in the closed state, the sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2" is pressed against the annular projection 24" (the valve seat for the vent pipe 2") to form a leak -proof engagement. The vent pipe 2" on its outer wall has an annular projection 25" to form a sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3", while the dispensing tube 3" on its inner wall has an annular projection 35" to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube 3". When the dispensing tube 3" is in the closed state, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3" is pressed against the annular projection 35" (the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3") to form a leak-proof engagement. Those skilled in the art may easily understand that in order to ensure an advantageous leak-proof engagement, suitable process can be applied to and/or suitable material can be used for the sealing valves for the dispensing tube 3" and for the vent pipe 2" and/or the valve seats for the dispensing tube 3"^* and for the vent pipe 2". For example, in one embodiment, rubber coating is applied on the sealing valves for the dispensing tube 3" and for the vent pipe; even so, it should be understood that they can be processed by other suitable means.

In the embodiment as shown in Fig 3, a preloaded spring 7" (or load-free spring) is arranged between the closure 1" and the beverage valve housing 44" in the movement direction of the beverage valve housing 44" so that the beverage valve assembly 4" can move between the first position and the second position against the spring force. The spring 7" with one end presses against the end surface of the closure 1 " or its receiving portion, with the other end presses against the end surface of the beverage valve housing 44" or its receiving portion 45". Alternatively (not shown), the dispensing tube 3" on its outer wall and the beverage valve housing 44" on its inner wall are provided with outer thread and inner thread mated with each other so that the beverage valve assembly 4" can move between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing 44".

Taking the beverage dispenser 10" in Fig 3 as an example, Fig 4a-4c show the opening process of the beverage dispenser 10" in schematic side sectional view, wherein in Fig 4a, the beverage valve assembly 4" is at a first position where both the dispensing tube 3" and the vent pipe 2" are in the closed state; in Fig 4b, the beverage valve assembly 4" is at an intermediate position where the vent pipe 2" is in the open state and the dispensing tube 3" is in the closed state; and in Fig 4c, the beverage valve assembly 4" is at a second position where both the dispensing tube 3" and the vent pipe 2" are in the open state.

As shown in Fig 4a, the beverage valve assembly 4" is at the first position, where the sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2" is pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe 2" and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3" is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3", so that both the dispensing tube 3" and the vent pipe 3" are in the closed state. As shown in Fig 4b, when the beverage valve assembly 4" is moved upwards against the spring force, the sealing valve 45" for the vent pipe 2" leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe 2" and thus the vent pipe 2" is open, while the sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3" is still pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3" and thus the dispensing tube 3" is still closed. When the beverage valve assembly 4" is moved upwards beyond a distance //, the actuation portion 47" of the beverage valve assembly 4" is pressed against the step portion 28" on the outer wall of the vent pipe 2", and thus the vent pipe 2" can move upwards together with the beverage valve assembly 4". It may easily understood that in the embodiment without an actuation portion 47" and a step portion 28", alternatively, when the beverage valve assembly 4^" is moved upwards beyond a distance 12, the support portion 42" is pressed against the lower end surface 23" of the vent pipe 2", and thus the vent pipe 2" can move upwards together with the beverage valve assembly 4". As shown in Fig 4c. when the beverage valve assembly 4" is at the second position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube 3" also leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube 3", and thus both the dispensing tube 3" and the vent pipe 2" are in the open state. At that time, the liquid beverage flows from the opened dispensing tube 3" and flows out through the at least one opening at the bottom of the beverage valve assembly 4" (as indicated by arrow B), while the ambient air enters into the bottle through the opened vent pipe 2" (as indicated by arrow A) to balance the pressure between outside and inside.

It should be understood that, though the above description is illustrated in connection with beverage dispenser, the disclosure may also be applied to other liquid dispenser, such as soybean sauce dispenser, liquid sample dispenser. Those skilled in the art may understand that the terms "first", "second" ... are only used to distinguishing a plurality of similar technical features without the purpose of ranking.

It can be understood that, the disclosure is not limited to the above system and method. The present disclosure may be modified and changed in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A beverage dispenser, for mating with an inverted bottle containing a liquid beverage, the beverage dispenser comprising:

a closure having an engagement portion for engaging with the mouth of the bottle;

a dispensing tube for dispensing the liquid beverage, which is in fluid communication with the closure;

a vent pipe, which is in fluid communication with the closure;

a beverage valve assembly having a tubular beverage valve housing, which is operable by a user to selectively allow the liquid beverage to be dispensed from the bottle, the beverage valve assembly is movable continuously between a first position and a second position, wherein when the beverage valve assembly is at the first position, both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; and when the beverage valve assembly is at the second position, both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the vent pipe has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the dispensing tube, so that the vent pipe is movable within the dispensing tube, and the vent pipe extends to the bottom portion of the bottle; and

the dispensing tube is fixedly connected to the closure, or the dispensing tube is integrally formed with the closure.

3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the vent pipe, which is connected to the beverage valve housing through a support portion, and the vent pipe in the lower region on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the vent pipe; the dispensing tube on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube, and the vent pipe on its outer wall has an annular projection to form a sealing valve for the dispensing tube;

wherein when the beverage valve assembly is at the first position, the sealing valve for the vent pipe is pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube, so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; when the beverage valve assembly is at the second position, the sealing valve for the vent pipe leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe and the sealing valve for the dispensing tube leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube, so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

4. The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein

the sealing valve for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent pipe are coated with a rubber coating respectively; and/or

the dispensing tube on its outer wall is provided with outer thread and the beverage valve housing on its inner wall is provided with inner thread, and the outer thread and the inner thread are mated with each other so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing.

5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 3, wherein

a load- free or preloaded spring is arranged between the closure and the beverage valve housing in the movement direction of the beverage valve housing so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position against the spring force.

6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the dispensing tube has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the vent pipe, so that the dispensing tube is movable within the vent pipe;

the vent pipe is fixedly connected to the closure, or the vent pipe is integrally formed with the closure.

7. The beverage dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the beverage valve assembly has a sealing valve for the dispensing tube, which is connected to the beverage valve housing through a support portion, and the dispensing tube in the lower region on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the dispensing tube; the vent pipe on its inner wall has an annular projection to form a valve seat for the vent pipe, and the dispensing tube on its outer wall has an annular projection to form a sealing valve for the vent pipe;

wherein when the beverage valve assembly is at the first position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube is pressed against the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent pipe is pressed against the valve seat for the vent pipe so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the closed state; when the beverage valve assembly is at the second position, the sealing valve for the dispensing tube leaves the valve seat for the dispensing tube and the sealing valve for the vent pipe leaves the valve seat for the vent pipe so that both the dispensing tube and the vent pipe are in the open state.

8. The beverage dispenser according to claim 7, wherein

the dispensing tube on its outer wall is provided with outer thread and the beverage valve housing on its inner wall is provided with inner thread, and the outer thread and the inner thread are mated with each other so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position by rotating the beverage valve housing, wherein the outer thread and the inner thread form a threaded venting connection.

9. The beverage dispenser according to claim 7, wherein

a load-free or preloaded spring is arranged between the closure and the beverage valve housing in the movement direction of the beverage valve housing so that the beverage valve assembly can move between the first position and the second position against the spring force, wherein at least one venting slot is provided between the vent pipe and the beverage valve housing.

10. The beverage dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the vent pipe is in fluid communication with at least one vent opening in the closure, and the dispensing tube is in fluid communication with a dispensing opening in the closure, wherein the vent opening is separate from the dispensing opening, and the vent opening has a diameter of 1-5 mm, preferably 1 -3 mm, and more preferably 1 .4- 1.6 mm.

1 1. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein

the beverage dispenser is operable manually and/or automatically, and the beverage dispenser can be controlled through adjusting the displacement of the beverage valve assembly to control the dispensing rate of beverage.