Method and device for dosed dispensing of a liquid from a container ("Draught Flair")

• US 20110210141A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dispensing Technologies BV
• Original Assignee: Dispensing Technologies BV
• Inventors: Maas, Wilhelmus Johannes Joseph, Hurkmans, Petrus Lambertus Wilhelmus
• Application Number:
  US12/931,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20110210141A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0321 using pressurised, pulsating or purging fluid E04F17/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0412 the whole dispensing unit being fixed to the container
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0462 Squeezing collapsible or flexible beverage containers, e.g. bag-in-box containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/07 Cleaning beverage-dispensing apparatus B67D1/0834, B67D1/0837 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0829 Keg connection means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0832 with two valves disposed concentrically
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0834 and having means for admitting a cleaning fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1466 the valve shutter being opened in a direction opposite to the liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/075 Sanitising or sterilising the apparatus

Abstract

Methods and systems for the dosed dispensing of a liquid from a container connected to an outflow channel closable by a liquid valve are presented. Such methods include opening the liquid valve, dispensing a measure of liquid from the container through the outflow channel, closing the liquid valve, and blowing out the outflow channel after closing the liquid valve. For example, during or after closing of the liquid valve the outflow channel can be connected to a gaseous source, the gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. Or, for example, where Flair™ technology is used, a limited quantity of a displacing gas can be guided to the outflow channel during or after closing of the liquid valve, or can be guided into an intermediate chamber connected to the outflow channel during or after closing of the liquid valve.

Claims

1. A method for dosed dispensing of a liquid from a container which is connected to an outflow channel closable by a liquid valve, comprising:

opening the liquid valve;

dispensing a measure of liquid from the container through the outflow channel and closing the liquid valve; and

blowing out the outflow channel after closing the liquid valve.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein during or after closing of the liquid valve the outflow channel is connected to a source of a gas under higher than atmospheric pressure.

3. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein during dispensing the liquid is forced out of the container by a displacing gas under higher than atmospheric pressure, and a limited quantity of the displacing gas is guided to the outflow channel during or after closing of the liquid valve.

4. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein during dispensing of the liquid the amount of displacing gas is guided into an intermediate chamber which is connected to the outflow channel during or after closing of the liquid valve.

5. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after closing the liquid valve the outflow channel is aerated from an opening located substantially immediately downstream of the liquid valve.

6. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least during dispensing of the liquid a higher than atmospheric pressure prevails in the container and the liquid valve is biased to its closed position by this higher than atmospheric pressure in the container.

7. Method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the liquid valve is biased to its closed position by the liquid in the container.

8. Method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the liquid valve is biased to its closed position by the displacing medium in the container.

9. A device for dosed dispensing of a liquid from a container, comprising:

an outflow channel connectable to the container and closable by a liquid valve; and

a blowing out structure for blowing out the outflow channel when the liquid valve is closed.

10. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the blow-out means are adapted to connect the outflow channel, when the liquid valve is closed, to a source of a gas under higher than atmospheric pressure.

11. Device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the container contains a displacing gas under higher than atmospheric pressure for the purpose of urging the liquid out of the container, and the blow-out means are adapted to guide a limited amount of the displacing gas to the outflow channel when the liquid valve is closed.

12. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the container is assembled from a form-retaining outer container and a deformable inner container in which the liquid is received, wherein the displacing gas is received in a space defined between the outer container and the inner container.

13. Device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the blow-out means comprise an intermediate chamber which is connected to the space between the inner and outer container when the liquid valve is opened, and which is connected to the outflow channel when the liquid valve is closed.

14. Device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the intermediate chamber is closable by a gas valve movable with the liquid valve.

15. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein an opening formed in the outflow channel substantially immediately downstream of the liquid valve for aerating the outflow channel when the liquid valve is closed.

16. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least during dispensing of the liquid a higher than atmospheric pressure prevails in the container and the liquid valve is biased to its closed position by said higher than atmospheric pressure in the container.

17. Device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the liquid valve is biased to its closed position by the liquid in the container.

18. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the liquid valve is biased to its closed position by the displacing gas in the container.

19. Device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the gas valve is biased to its closed position by the displacing gas.

20. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein characterized by means for connecting the outflow channel to the container, which connecting means comprise at least one resilient ring to be arranged around an outflow opening of the container and at least one locking ring to be arranged around the resilient ring.

21. Device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the resilient ring comprises a substantially non-deformable base ring and a number of resiliently deformable hooking fingers protruding radially outward from the base ring, and the locking ring can slide close-fittingly over the base ring and has a radially inward protruding locking edge.