SELECTIVELY SEALABLE LINER FOR A VESSEL

• US 20150359379A1
• Filed: 08/26/2015
• Published: 12/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plascon Packaging, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Plascon Group
• Inventors: Peterson, David E., Klein, Matthew P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,561,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 31/46 Dispensing spouts, pumps, drain valves or like liquid transporting devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/06 with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages with slidable spouts B65D47/26
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00062 Pipe joints
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0067 relating to shape or materials, e.g. bag-in-box packages [BIB], pouches
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0083 for the liquid container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A beverage system may include a beverage maker, a vessel, and a liner assembly. The liner assembly may comprise a liner configured for the vessel, an integrated closure mechanism, a flexible tube; and a cuff having an interlock surface. The cuff may be received in at least a portion of the tube thereby securing the liner and the tube. The interlock surface may be configured to provide a first seal between at least the cuff and the liner. The integrated closure mechanism may be configured to provide a second seal on an upper portion of the liner. A method of using same is further provided.

Claims

1. A beverage system comprising:

a beverage maker;

a vessel with a flow operator configured to provide a plurality of flow rates;

a liner assembly configured to be positioned within at least a portion of the vessel, the liner assembly including;

a liner having an upper portion and a lower portion,

an integrated closure mechanism on the upper portion,

a flexible tube on the lower portion, and

a cuff having an interlock surface,

wherein the cuff is received in at least a portion of the tube thereby securing the liner and the tube,

wherein the interlock surface provides a first seal between at least the cuff and the liner, and

wherein the integrated closure mechanism provides a second seal at an upper portion of the liner.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cuff is configured to apply an outward force to the liner and the flexible tube is configured to apply an inward force to the liner.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the interlock surface is configured to provide a permanent connection between the cuff, liner, and tube that is at least partially destroyed in response to disassembly and

wherein the interlock surface includes at least one of a smooth surface, a textured surface, a barbed surface, a press fit connection, and fish hook type connection.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cuff includes a flange configured to maintain the liner in an outward position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the interlock surface includes a plurality of ridges.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the interlock surface is secured relative to the liner with at least one of an adhesive and a heat seal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vessel and the liner includes a tapered structure configured to urge fluid toward the tube.

8. A liner assembly comprising:

a cuff having an interlock surface;

a liner with an integrated closure mechanism and being positionable over at least a portion of the cuff; and

a tube that is positionable over at least a portion of the liner and cuff;

wherein the cuff is received in at least a portion of the tube thereby securing the liner and the tube,

wherein the interlock surface provides a first seal between at least the cuff and the liner, and

wherein the integrated closure mechanism provides a second seal at an upper portion of the liner.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the cuff is configured to apply an outward force to the liner and the flexible tube is configured to apply an inward force to the liner.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the interlock surface is configured to provide a permanent connection between the cuff, liner, and tube that is at least partially destroyed in response to disassembly and

wherein the interlock surface includes at least one of a textured surface, press fit, and fish hook type connection.

11. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the cuff includes a flange configured to maintain the liner in an outward position.

12. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the interlock surface includes at least a smooth portion.

13. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the interlock surface includes a plurality of ridges.

14. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the interlock surface is secured relative to the liner with at least one of an adhesive and a heat seal.

15. A method of using a beverage system, the method comprising:

positioning a liner assembly in a vessel, the liner assembly having a liner with an upper portion and a lower portion, the liner assembly including an integrated closure mechanism on the upper portion and a tube extending from and secured relative to the lower portion with a cuff having an interlock surface;

positioning the liner assembly relative to a beverage maker;

passing fluid from the beverage maker into the liner assembly;

positioning a blocking member in the tube;

sealing the integrated closure mechanism; and

removing the liner assembly from the vessel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cuff is configured to apply an outward force to the liner and the flexible tube is configured to apply an inward force to the liner.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the interlock surface is configured to provide a permanent connection between the cuff, liner, and tube that is at least partially destroyed in response to disassembly and

wherein the interlock surface includes at least one of a textured surface, press fit, and fish hook type connection.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the cuff includes a flange configured to maintain the liner in an outward position.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the interlock surface includes at least a smooth portion.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the interlock surface includes at least one of a plurality of ridges.