WO2021069934A1 - A container with a liquid flow assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid flow assembly (2) which is selectively used to allow the flow of liquid from a container (4) with which the assembly is located to allow the liquid to be dispensed. The assembly (2) may also be connected to a liquid supply reservoir of liquid to allow liquid to flow from the liquid supply into the container (4) to fill the same. A closure assembly is provided which is selectively adaptable so as to allow the flow of liquid from the container to be at a first flow rate and the flow of liquid into the container to be at a second flow rate, the value of which may differ from the said first flow rate.

Description

A CONTAINER WITH A LIQUID FLOW ASSEMBLY

The invention to which this application relates is an apparatus and method for use of a container with a liquid flow assembly and which can be selectively used to dispense liquid from the container and allow liquid to be moved into the container to fill the same for subsequent use. In particular, although not necessarily exclusively, the present invention relates to containers in the form of pouches, bags and the like which may be provided in an outer housing and which are normally used to allow the selective dispensing of liquid therefrom by a consumer operating an outlet assembly.

The Applicant, in their co-pending patent application PCT/GB2019/052576, discloses apparatus of a type which can be used to allow the reuse of a container and thereby avoid the container being disposed of unnecessarily by the consumer. The containers can, for example, be used to house, wine, cleaning liquids or the like.

Typically the container has at least a first chamber for containing the liquid which is to be dispensed therefrom, and the outlet assembly typically in the form of a tap for dispensing the liquid from the first chamber via an outlet port. The outlet assembly can be moved between open and closed positions. When in the open position then in accordance with the co-pending application liquid can be allowed to enter into the container through the said outlet and thereby allow the container to be refilled at which point, once the appropriate amount of liquid has been poured into the container, the outlet can be moved to a closed position until it is then required to dispense all or a portion of the liquid from the container for use subsequently.

In one use of the apparatus in accordance with the invention, it is believed that the same would be particularly advantageous for use in a retail environment such as a supermarket and the customer can take their empty container to the supermarket and access the particular reservoir of liquid that they desire to be used to fill the container and thereby purchase the liquid without having to dispose of their previous container and purchase a new one as would conventionally be the case. Typically, although not necessarily exclusively, the refilling of the container may be done by an operator who is trained to do so or alternatively, the consumer may operate the refilling apparatus themselves.

Typically, the outlet or tap which is provided with the said container, is designed to be useable with respect to a particular container and/or particular liquid in the container. In particular, the outlet is designed to allow the flow of liquid when it is being dispensed from the container, to be at or within a particular flow rate range. While this is well suited to the flow of relatively small quantities of liquid from the container when used, it can mean that the refilling of the container from the reservoir of the liquid is more difficult to achieve and/or the flow rate is relatively slow so that the refilling of a container can be time consuming and may discourage a consumer from in fact using the refilling option.

The aim of the present invention is to allow the provision of a liquid flow assembly which includes closure means to allows the same to be moved between open and closed positions and to provide the assembly in a form to improve and optimise the use and movement of the liquid through the liquid flow assembly.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid flow assembly for connection with a container for a liquid, said assembly selectively used to allow the flow of liquid from the container to allow liquid held in the container to be dispensed and, to be connected to a liquid supply reservoir of liquid to allow liquid to flow from the liquid supply into the container to fill the same and the assembly includes a port through which the liquid flows and wherein an adaptor system is provided to allow the assembly to be selectively adaptable so as to allow at least a first flow rate of liquid into or from the container or a second flow rate of liquid into or from the container and the value of the first flow rate differs from the said second flow rate.

In one embodiment, the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate and is used to when moving liquid into the container through the assembly.

In one embodiment the said different flow rates are selectable so as to allow the user to select the flow rate which is best suited to the form of the product which is to flow through the liquid flow assembly and/ or the particular use of the assembly at that time. i.e. whether the assembly is being used to dispense liquid from the container or to allow liquid to flow in the opposite direction through the assembly and fill the container.

Typically the container is provided in the form of a flexible “pouch” and which is provided for use in dispensing relatively small volumes of liquid such as for single doses of the liquid for domestic or small scale commercial uses. Typically, the liquid flow assembly is manually operable between open and closed positions by movement of a tap or one or more “wings” to move the same between open and closed positions.

Typically the liquid flow assembly can be at least partially dismantled to allow at least some of the components to be separated to allow the replacement of selected components to allow the operation of the assembly to be adapted and/or replacement components to be fitted to repair the assembly for ongoing operation.

In one embodiment said closure assembly includes a port through which liquid flows. Typically, the size of said port may be selectively adaptable to permit the flow rate of liquid therethrough to be changed, as desired. In one embodiment, the liquid flow assembly has an increased surface area port to be used when liquid is flowing from the liquid supply into the container and a second, smaller area port to be used when the liquid is being dispensed from the container.

In one embodiment, the different size ports are achieved by the selective engagement of a suitable insert with a body of the liquid flow assembly.

In one embodiment, the liquid flow assembly has a fixed port which has the greater area and at least one adapter is selected to be fitted to said port, to provide the reduced area port via the adapter.

As a result, the time taken to fill the container with liquid from the liquid supply, when the closure assembly is connected therewith, with the greater size port being used, is significantly reduced in comparison to the time which would be taken if the smaller port was used. However, the use of the smaller port, which is best suited to dispensing liquid from the container, can still be achieved by use of the selected fitting of the adapter.

In one embodiment, the liquid flow assembly includes a clip or other locking means which can be selectively engaged with the liquid flow assembly to prevent operation of the same to open the assembly inadvertently. This therefore avoids the possibility of tampering or accidental operation of the liquid flow assembly and therefore the possibility of leakage from the container.

In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plug which can be placed onto the port of the liquid flow assembly, and the plug is range taking in as much that it can be used to provide a sealing effect with any of the port sizes which can be used on the liquid flow assembly at that time. In one embodiment, the liquid flow assembly may include an adapter for location with the port of the closure assembly. Typically, said adapter may include any or any combination of: at least one port of a size smaller than the port of the closure assembly; a plug member to substantially seal the port and closure assembly; and attachment means to attach the adapter to the liquid flow assembly.

In one embodiment, said at least one port of the adapter is attachable to the port of the closure means to reduce the size thereof, thereby reducing the flow of liquid therethrough. Typically, second or further ports may be included with the adapter.

In one embodiment, attachment means are provided with the adapter to attach the same to the liquid flow assembly without restricting or reducing the flow of liquid through the port of the closure means on the assembly. Typically, said attachment means comprise a ring member, for location about the periphery of the port of the closure means.

Thus, in another embodiment of the invention, an adapter may be provided which includes one or more ports for attachment with the closure assembly of the liquid flow assembly, a plug member and further attachment means to attach the adapter to the liquid flow assembly without inhibiting the flow of liquid therethrough. This can be advantageous when compared to providing individual components (ports, plugs etc.) for attachment to the closure assembly as those individual components can easily be lost, misplaced or become difficult to attach etc. Provision of a single adapter having multiple components integrated therewith ensures the adapter is easier to handle, harder to misplace and generally more convenient to use.

In one embodiment, said liquid flow assembly includes a connection portions for connection to a liquid container, in use. Said connection portion enables the liquid flow assembly to be in liquid communication with the container, in use.

In one embodiment, one or more adapter members may be provided to be located with the connection portion, in use. Typically, said adapter members may be provided in a plurality of shapes and/or sizes. Typically, said adapter members enable the connection portion and, thus, the liquid flow assembly to be connected with a variety of liquid containers of various shapes, sizes and styles. For example, provision of such an adapter member may enable the liquid flow assembly to be connectable with a keg or barrel or similar.

In one embodiment, one or more tube or funnel members may be provided. Typically, said tube or funnel member may be provided attachable to the closure assembly and thus enable the liquid flow assembly to permit access to a wide range of filling positions to refill a container, in use.

In another embodiment, the container for attachment with the liquid flow assembly may also be provided with a plurality of outlets, nozzles, caps and/ or the like. Such outlets, caps or nozzles may be provided to enable a more specialist or customized outlet port for the container. For example, there may be provided, child proof caps, trigger spray nozzles, push-in nozzles, specialist, angled outlets and the like.

In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid flow assembly, said assembly including: a body portion; inlet means arranged to permit the flow of liquid from or to a container with which the assembly is located into the body portion, in use; and outlet means arranged to permit the flow of liquid from or to the body portion, characterized in that the assembly further includes closure means, said closure means being selectively adaptable so as to allow the flow rate of liquid through the assembly to be changed, as required by a user. In one embodiment, said liquid flow assembly includes actuation means provided to enable and disable the flow of liquid through the said assembly.

Typically, said closure means include a port located substantially at the outlet of the liquid flow assembly. Preferably, the size of said port may be selectively adaptable to permit the flow rate of liquid therethrough to be changed, as desired.

In one embodiment, the liquid flow assembly may include an adapter for location with the port of the closure assembly. Typically, said adapter may include any or any combination of: at least one port of a size smaller than the port of the closure assembly; a plug member to substantially seal the port and closure assembly; and attachment means to attach the adapter to the liquid flow assembly.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container including a liquid flow assembly as herein described.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an adaptor system for a liquid flow assembly, said adaptor provided with engagement means to allow selective engagement of the adaptor at an inlet/outlet port of the assembly and wherein the said adaptor includes a first part which when attached at the port adapts the port to provide a selected flow rate of product through the assembly and a second part which when attached at the port substantially seals the port so that the port can be adapted between a closed position, a condition with a first flow rate when the first part is located at the port and a condition with a second flow rate.

In one embodiment the adaptor includes at least one further part which is formed such that when attached at the said further part adapts the port to provide a further flow rate of product through the assembly, said flow rate different to said first and second flow rates. In one embodiment said parts of the adaptor are attached to each other so as to provide the adaptor as a single item.

The assembly as herein described therefore provides a dispensing assembly which can be dismantled and reassembled with replacement parts in order to increase the lifespan of the assembly and therefore prevents the same from being discarded after one or a small number of uses. Also when the assembly has aged and does requires disposal, the ability to dismantle the same means that materials which are not easily recyclable, such as the polymer sealing bung of the assembly can be removed and reground and reused. This then allows the whole of the assembly to be recycled.

The provision of the adaptor system to allow the flow rate into and from the assembly to be adjusted to take into account the type of product with which the assembly is to be used, provides an adaptor which in one embodiment can be provided as a single item and which may have two, three of more parts which can be selectively placed at the port and attached and retained in position on the assembly, in one embodiment by clipping the selected adaptor part over the main outlet/inlet port of the assembly and so create, by the attachment of the spouted part, a defined flow rate which is typically reduced in comparison to that of the assembly port without the adaptor fitted thereto. By removing the spout part and placing a cap part in position, this stops any residual product drip and also acts as a secondary seal. In one embodiment the adaptor may still be engaged with the assembly but with no part located to restrict the flow from the port so as to allow full flow output and maximum flow refill.

There are also a variety of threaded adapter collars that can be attached to the adaptor assembly to connect to barrels, kegs etc and a variety of collars that can be inserted into the container attachment grommet, that allows a variety of dispensing attachments such as a trigger spray, Kiddi - Lok caps, spouted caps and angled bleach spouts to be located therewith. This allows the container to be filled with a variety of liquids and they can be removed for refilling

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figures la-c illustrate an example of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a-f illustrate a liquid flow assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3a-f illustrate a liquid flow assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4a-b illustrate perspective and exploded views of a liquid flow assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view from an underside of a liquid flow assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 6a-b illustrate a variety of adapters for attachment to a liquid flow assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 7a-d illustrate a variety of tubes or funnels for attachment to a liquid flow assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 8 illustrates a variety of different caps and nozzles for attachment to a liquid container.

Referring firstly to Figures la-c, there is illustrated a container 4 with which a liquid flow assembly 2 in accordance with the invention can be used. The container 4 typically includes an inner cavity 6 which may in one embodiment be a bag or pouch shown in broken lines in Figures lb and c and which is located and supported in the outer housing. Figures la-c illustrate the container in perspective, side and plan elevations respectively. The cavity 6 is in liquid communication with the said liquid flow assembly 2. In accordance with the invention, the operation of the liquid flow assembly is achieved by moving, in the direction of arrow 8, biased wings 10 to move the same with respect to the body of the liquid flow assembly and, by the movement of the wings 10 moves the liquid flow assembly to an open position to allow liquid to pass through the liquid flow assembly and from the port 12. In “normal” operation of the container, the liquid flow assembly is moved to the open position to allow liquid which is in the cavity 6 to be dispensed from the container for use or consumption. However, the liquid flow assembly 2 can also be moved to the open position in order to allow the container cavity 6, to be refilled by allowing the flow of liquid in the direction of arrow 14 into the port 12 and through the liquid flow assembly and into the cavity 6 to fill the same or at least provide as larger quantity of the liquid as required into the cavity.

The liquid flow assembly 2 in accordance with the invention, and as shown in Figures 3a-f has a connector 16 which connects with the cavity 6 of the container with the housing of the container fitted to the inner surface 18 of flange 20 of the liquid flow assembly and part of the container 4 is indicated by the broken line in Figure 3b.

Externally of the container, the liquid flow assembly includes the biased operating wings 10 which connect with a plunger 22 which allows the same to be moved between a closed, sealing position shown in Figure 3e, and to which position of the same is biased, and an open position shown in Figure 3d. When in the open position, liquid can flow from the container cavity 6 through the passage 24 in the liquid flow assembly and from the port 12 when liquid is to be dispensed from the container and can flow through the port 12 to the passage 24 in the direction of arrow 26 and into the container cavity 6 in the direction of arrow 28 when the cavity is to be filled with liquid from a liquid supply which is connected to the port 12.

As illustrated, in accordance with the invention, the liquid flow assembly 2 may include an anti-tamper locking means 30 which is selectively engageable in the gap or channel 32 which lies above the wings 10 and the top of the body 34 of the liquid flow assembly 2. This therefore ensures that the wings 10 are retained in the closed positions until the locking means 30 is removed.

As discussed previously, it is preferred in many instances that the flow rate of liquid from the container 4 to be dispensed in the direction of arrow 26 (i.e. from the container and for consumption by an end-user), is through a smaller port 12 as this allows the control of the flow rate of the liquid into for example, a glass, bowl or other implement. However, in order to fill the container 4 in the direction of arrow 28, it is preferred that the port 12 is larger so as to allow an increased flow rate of liquid from the liquid supply into the container 4. In addition or alternatively the particular flow rate selection is made with respect to the particular form of the liquid which is provided to be selectively passed through the port such as for example, with respect to the viscosity of the liquid, the propensity of the same to stick to the walls of the port, and any other relevant parameters. This is achieved in the current invention, by the provision of the port 12 of a largest size formed as part of the body 34 of the liquid flow assembly 2 as shown and then the provision, in one embodiment of the invention, of adapters. Thus, in order to fill the container 4 in the direction of arrow 28, then the largest port 12 is typically used so as to allow the maximum possible flow rate to be achieved and to allow the liquid to leave the container in the direction of arrow 26, then before moving the closure assembly to the open position, the user can select to fit one of the adapters which has the desired port size into the port 12 of the body 34 and thereby adapt the size of the port so as to reduce the size of the same and hence provide the desired flow rate of the liquid leaving the container. The engagement of the selected adapter with the body port 12 can be achieved using any suitable engagement means and examples of which are now described.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adapters for the port 12 may be provided as a single integrated body 50 having a number of cap adapters 52, 54 for the port 12, each having port holes 56. An example of such an integrated body is shown in figures 3a-f, and in particular in Figure 3f. In the illustrated example, the body 50 comprises a cap adapter 52 having a port hole 56 of a reduced size, and a further cap 54 in which no such hole is provided, such that it acts as a plug to prevent dripping and also allow the sealing of the port 12 to be achieved. This allows the assembly to be provided with a non-drip feature when the assembly is in the closed position and thereby prevents the possibility of damage being caused by uncontrolled leakage of product through the assembly.

When the maximum port size is required, for example, when refilling the container 4, the body 50 may be attached to the port 12 via the attachment portion in the form of ring attachment 58. This can securely attach the body 50 to the port 12 such that it is safely stored and does not inhibit the maximum size of the port 12. In other embodiments not shown, further cap adapters having different port sizes may be included with the body 50, or additional bodies having caps with varying port sizes may be provided, to provide a user with a wide selection of port sizes.

Figure 4a illustrates a perspective view of the assembly 2 with the cap adapter body 50 attached to the port 12 and figure 4b illustrates the component parts of the assembly 2 in an exploded form. Within the body 34 of the assembly 2 there is located the plunger 22 / wing 10 combination which locates with a flexible valve seal 60, provided biased to seal the port 12 in a closed position (figures 2e and 3e). The tapered sides 62 of the flexible valve 60 provide the downward biasing effect to seal the port 12 closed and fold back on themselves as the wings 10 and thus the plunger 22 are urged upwardly in the direction of arrow 8, which in turn pulls the lower end 64 of the valve seal 60 upwards, to move the assembly 2 to an open position (figures 2d and 3d). Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view from an underside of the assembly 2 with the cap adapter body 50 attached to the port 12. The component parts of the assembly 2 are sealed in place by top cap 66, which may be sealed in place or provided to be detachably attachable to enable the parts to be accessed and cleaned and/or replaced as required.

Figures 6a-b illustrate the liquid flow assembly 2 and a number of adapter collars 70 which may be attached to the connector 16 of the assembly 2 to permit attachment of the assembly 2 to a range of further containers, such as kegs, barrels etc. The additional adapter collars 70 can simply be push-on or snap-fitted on to the connector 16, and may be provided in a number of varying sizes and threaded to match and attach to the appropriate connection port on a desired keg, barrel etc. In further embodiments of the invention a number of funnels or tubes 72, 74 may be provided for attachment with the body 34 of the assembly 2 to allow access to a wide range of filler positions to refill the container 4 through the port 12, as may be required by a user in some circumstances, shown in figures 7a-d. In some examples, the tube or funnel 74 may be attached such that it maintains the assembly 2 in an open position by urging and holding the wings 10 in the upper most position, ensuring a smooth and constant flow of liquid as the container 4 is refilled.

Finally, the container 4 itself in which liquid is stored, may have the liquid flow assembly removed therefrom once it has been filled or refilled, and replaced with a more specialist nozzle or outlet appropriate for the container’s use. For example, a standard bottle thread 80 and associated screw cap 82 may be provided, shown in figure 8. Alternatively, or additionally, a child-proof cap 84 or a trigger spray cap 86 may be provided. In other examples, and in order to make it more secure to prevent inadvertent access by a child, a double start thread with child-proof lock 88 may be provided, into which a push-in nozzle 90 can locate, over which the child-proof cap 84 can be screwed.

If desired, in one embodiment, as shown in Figure 8 the attachment nozzle 92 is provided with a one-time use attachment thread and ratchet for attachment to the container 4 which means that any attempt to tamper or change the location of the nozzle on the container 4 will be detected and prevented. A child proof secondary adaptor 94 may be also be provided in conjunction with the cap so that a child proof feature is provided in that the cap 84 can only be removed and hence access gained to the contents of the container 4 through the operation of the cap 84, such as by squeezing, in a manner which cannot be accessed by a child.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 2a-f it will be seen that the liquid flow assembly is selectively fitted with adaptors 36, 38, 40, and possibly further adapters if desired, and each of these adapters has a port 42, 44, 46 respectively which is of a different size to each other and also to the port 12 of the closure assembly body 34. A further feature is the provision of a plug 48 which is shown in position in Figure 2e and which fits over the end of the body adjacent the port 12 so as to seal the same and prevent dripping and also allow the sealing of the port to be achieved regardless of whether or not one of the adapters is fitted to the port at that time. Thus, there is provided the means for providing an adaptable flow rate closure assembly.

There is therefore provided apparatus which with the liquid flow assembly as herein described, allows the container 4 to be refillable quickly and economically, typically with the same product as previously contained and with the liquid flow assembly in a form which allows the relatively fast flow of liquid therethrough to fill the container and for the same to be then be adaptable, if required, to allow a different flow rate to be used for the passage of the liquid when being dispensed from the container. In addition this links in and meets increasingly stringent environmental regulations and provides a reusable, circular supply for the container and liquid flow assembly and furthermore, when it is desired to stop use of the assembly, the same is fully recyclable. Furthermore the assembly and container as herein described allows the container and liquid flow assembly to be reused, typically for non human consumption products, such as sanitisers, cleaning products, AdBlue, engineering oils etc. and generally where the container can be refilled with the same product and therefore without the need for the cavity 6 of the container or the liquid flow assembly to be cleaned out. The refilling may be achieved by and of a number of options such as customers taking the container to be refilled at a retail outlet or by returning the empty container, typically in a collapsed condition to a remote location at which the same is refilled and then the same, or another container, returned to the consumer. The container and liquid flow assembly can also be used singularly for consumable products such as wine, fruit juice, coffee and/ or medical products even medical use

Claims

1. A liquid flow assembly for connection with a container for a liquid, said assembly selectively used to allow the flow of liquid from the container to allow liquid held in the container to be dispensed and, to be connected to a liquid supply reservoir of liquid to allow liquid to flow from the liquid supply into the container to fill the same and the assembly includes a port through which the liquid flows and wherein an adaptor system is provided to allow the assembly to be selectively adaptable so as to allow at least a first flow rate of liquid into or from the container or a second flow rate of liquid into or from the container and the value of the first flow rate differs from the said second flow rate.

2. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second flow rate is greater than the first flow rate and is used when moving liquid into the container through the assembly.

3. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 3, wherein the size of said port may be selectively adaptable by the adaptor system to permit the flow rate of liquid therethrough to be changed, to one of a range of flow rates.

4. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flow assembly has an increased surface area port to be used when liquid is flowing from the liquid supply into the container and a second, smaller area port to be used when the liquid is being dispensed from the container.

5. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the different size ports is achieved by the selective engagement of a suitable part of the adaptor assembly with respect to the said port of the liquid flow assembly.

6. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 3, wherein the liquid flow assembly has a fixed port which has a greater area and at least one adapter part is selected to be fitted to said port, to provide a reduced area port via the adapter.

7. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flow assembly includes a clip or other locking means which can be selectively engaged with the liquid flow assembly to prevent operation of the same to open the assembly.

8. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly and/or adaptor system includes a plug which can be placed onto a port of the liquid flow assembly, and the plug is range taking in as much that it is used to provide a sealing effect with any of the port sizes which can be used on the liquid flow assembly at that time.

9. A liquid flow assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein said adapter system includes any or any combination of: at least one part with a port of a size smaller than the port of the closure assembly; a plug member to substantially seal the port and closure assembly; and attachment means to attach the adapter system to the liquid flow assembly.

10. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 9, wherein said at least one part of the adaptor with a port is attachable at the port of the liquid flow assembly to reduce the size thereof, thereby reducing the flow rate of the liquid therethrough to the first flow rate.

11. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 10, wherein second or further parts with ports of different sizes are included with the adaptor system.

12. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 9 wherein the attachment means attach the adaptor assembly to the liquid flow assembly without restricting or reducing the flow of liquid through the port of the closure means on the assembly.

13. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 12, wherein said attachment means comprise a ring member, for location on the body of the liquid flow assembly.

14. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 1, wherein said liquid flow assembly includes a connection portion for connection to a liquid container, in use.

15. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 14, wherein one or more adaptor members are provided to be located with the connection portion, in use, said adapter members being provided in a plurality of shapes and/ or sizes, enabling the connection portion and, thus, the liquid flow assembly to be connected with a variety of liquid containers of various shapes, sizes and styles, in use.

16. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more tube or funnel members are provided attachable to the closure assembly and thus enable the liquid flow assembly to permit access to a wide range of filling positions to refill a container, in use.

17. A liquid flow assembly, said assembly including: a body portion; inlet means arranged to permit the flow of liquid from or to a container with which the assembly is located into the body portion, in use; and outlet means arranged to permit the flow of liquid from or to the body portion, wherein the assembly further includes closure means, said closure means being selectively adaptable so as to allow the flow rate of liquid through the assembly to be changed, as required by a user.

18. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 17, wherein said liquid flow assembly includes actuation means provided to enable and disable the flow of liquid through the said assembly.

19. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 17, wherein said closure means include a port located substantially at the outlet of the liquid flow assembly.

20. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 19, wherein the size of said port may be selectively adaptable to permit the flow rate of liquid therethrough to be changed, as desired.

21. A liquid flow assembly according to claim 19, wherein the liquid flow assembly includes an adapter system for location with the port of the closure assembly, said adapter including any or any combination of: at least one port of a size smaller than the port of the closure assembly; a plug member to substantially seal the port and closure assembly; and attachment means to attach the adapter to the liquid flow assembly.

22. A liquid flow assembly according to any of the preceding claims wherein said assembly can be dismantled into component parts and selected components replaced and refitted to enable the assembly to then be reused.

23. An adaptor system for a liquid flow assembly, said adaptor provided with engagement means to allow selective engagement of the adaptor at an inlet/outlet port of the assembly and wherein the said adaptor includes a first part which when attached at the port adapts the port to provide a selected flow rate of product through the assembly and a second part which when attached at the port substantially seals the port so that the port can be adapted between a closed position, a condition with a first flow rate when the first part is located at the port and a condition with a second flow rate.

24. An adaptor system according to claim 22 wherein the adaptor includes at least one further part which is formed such that when attached at the said further part adapts the port to provide a further flow rate of product through the assembly, said flow rate different to said first and second flow rates.

25. An adaptor system according to any of claims 23 or 24 wherein said parts of the adaptor are attached to each other so as to provide the adaptor as a single item.