System, apparatus and method of dispensing a liquid from disposable container and a container therefor

• US 4,531,656 A
• Filed: 04/22/1983
• Issued: 07/30/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Spener Charles J
• Original Assignee: Spener Charles J
• Inventors: Nitchman, Harold L., Cunningham, William B. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolla, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huppert, Michael S.
• Application Number:
  US06/487,561
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 222/39, 222/64, 222/66, 222/105, 222/130, 222/131, 222/173, 222/183, 222/206, 222/215, 222/394, 222/396, 222/397, 222/398, 222/399, 222/400.7, 222/541, 220/69, 220/3, 220/19, 220/401, 220/410, 215/1 C, 215/31
• US Class Current: 222/131
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/06 Liquids or semi-liquids or other materials or articles enclosed in flexible containers disposed within rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/04 Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/08 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0829 Keg connection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/90 Collapsible wall structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/901 Tamper-resistant structure

Abstract

A system, apparatus, container and method of dispensing a liquid from a disposable container is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cylindrical shroud which receives a filled disposable container; the latter having one or more circumferential rings around its body of a different diameter from that of the container and a mouth. The shroud has a cap assembly which is telescopically received by a lower portion of the shroud with the shroud cap assembly having a stopper for sealingly mating with the container mouth. The shroud with the container therein and with the telescoping shroud cap assembly in place is fitted within a frame which positively prevents axial movement of the telescoping cap assembly relative to the other portion of the shroud beyond a predetermined limit. A range in container lengths may be accommodated and the circumferential rings permit longer containers to be axially compressed as the shroud is inserted in the frame. With the shroud in the frame, the container is internally pressurized via the stopper so that the circumferential rings permit the container to move substantially freely in axial direction so as to insure that the axial force is applied to the ends of the container thereby to insure a good seal is made between the container mouth and the stopper.

Claims

1. Apparatus for dispensing liquid from a disposable container, said disposable container having a mouth, said apparatus comprising means for withstanding pressurization forces exerted on said container upon internal pressurization thereof, said pressure withstanding means comprising a shroud having a first portion for receiving at least in part a portion of said disposable container and having another portion receiving another portion of said disposable container with said shroud portions being axially movable relative to one another, said pressure withstanding means further comprising a frame for receiving said shroud with said disposable container therein, said frame preventing outward axial movement of said shroud portions beyond a predetermined limit, said shroud including means sealably engagable with said disposable container for admitting pressurizing gas into the interior of said dispoable container and for permitting the dispensing of liquid therefrom, said container having means for permitting elongation and compression within a limited range between a shortest permissible length and a maximum permissible length, said shroud further oomprising means for accommodating a range of lengths of said disposable container, this last said means comprising said shroud portions being telescopic and permitting a disposable container of a shortest permissible length to be readily sealed relative to said means sealably engagable with said container and permitting a container of a maximum permissible length to be compressed in axial direction as said shroud with said container received therein is inserted in said frame so that upon internal pressurization of said container, a positive seal is made between said means sealably engagable with said container and said container.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said disposable container has at least transverse ring therearound permitting the ready elongation and compression of said disposable container.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said disposable container has means for permitting air to escape from said shroud as said disposable container is inserted therein and for permitting air to enter said shroud as said disposable container is removed from said shroud.

4. A container for transporting a liquid, for insertion into a pressure force withstanding means, and for dispensing liquid therefrom upon internal pressurization of said container when installed in said pressure force withstanding means, said pressure force withstanding means comprising a shroud having telescopic shroud portions receiving said container and supporting the sides of said container against the pressure forces exerted thereon by internal pressurization of said container, said shroud including means sealingly cooperative with said container for internal pressurization thereof and for pressure dispensing of liquid therefrom, said pressure force withstanding means further comprising a frame for receiving said shroud and for restraining said telescopic shroud portions against axial movement beyond a predetermined outer limit, said container having a base, sidewalls, and a mouth substantially opposite said base, said mouth being sealably cooperable with said sealing means, said container having a height from its said base to its said mouth ranging between a predetermined minimum height and a predetermined maximum height such that any container having a height ranging between said maximum and minimum predetermined heights has its mouth in sealingly cooperable relation with said sealing means when said shroud with said container received therein is installed within said frame so as to permit internal pressurization of said container, said container having at least one transverse ring around its sidewalls of a different cross section than its said sidewalls thereby to permit the ready axial compression and elongation of the container.

5. A container as set forth in claim 4 being blowmolded of a suitable synthetic resin, said sidewalls being generally cylindric, said container having a plurality of rings therearound at axially spaced intervals along its sidewalls.

6. A container as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sidewalls are generally cylindric, said container having at least one shoulder above or below said container sidewalls, said shoulder having a diameter larger than the diameter of said container sidewalls, said shoulder having a loose, but sliding sealing fit with the inner surfaces of said shroud as said container is inserted in said shroud, said shoulder having one or more axial slots therein providing communication between the space defined by the outer surface of said container sidewalls and by the inner surface of said shroud and between the space within the shroud thereby to permit air to be exhausted from within said shroud as said container is inserted therein and to permit air to enter said shroud as said container is removed from within said shroud.

7. A container as set forth in claim 6 wherein said axial slots are so structured as to provide air passageways between said container and said shroud so as to permit a container to move from an initially installed position within said shroud to a fully installed position in a length of time ranging between about 0.5-4.0 seconds.

8. A container as set forth in claim 4 having a shoulder above and below said container sidewalls, said shoulders each having a diameter larger than the diameter of said container sidewalls, said shoulders having a loose, but sliding sealing fit with the inner surfaces of said shroud as said container is inserted therein, said shoulders having one or more axial slots therein providing communication between the space defined by said shroud and the bottom of said container thereby to permit air to be exhausted from said shroud as said container is inserted into said shroud and to permit air to enter said shroud as said container is removed therefrom.

9. A container for transporting a liquid for insertion into a pressure force withstanding means, and for dispensing liquid therefrom upon internal pressurization of said container when installed in said pressure force withstanding means, said pressure force withstanding means comprising a shroud having telescopic portions receiving said container and supporting the sides of said container against the pressure forces exerted thereon by internal pressurization of said container, said shroud including means sealingly cooperative with said container for internal pressurization thereof and for pressure dispensing of liquid therefrom, said pressure force withstanding means further comprising a frame for receiving said shroud and for restraining said telescopic shroud portions against axial movement beyond a predetermined outer limit, said container having a base, sidewalls, and a mouth substantially opposite said base, said mouth being sealably cooperable with said sealing means, said base having a portion thereof so structured as to deform upon initial pressurization of said container and to conform to said shroud thereby to form a well in the bottom of said container.

10. A container for transporting a liquid, for insertion into a pressure force withstanding means, and for dispensing liquid therefrom upon internal pressurization of said container when installed in said pressure force withstanding means, said pressure force withstanding means comprising a shroud having telescopic shroud portions receiving said container and supporting the sides of said container against the pressure forces exerted thereon by internal pressurization of said container, said shroud including means sealingly cooperative with said container for internal pressurization thereof and for pressure dispensing of liquid therefrom, said pressure force withstanding means further comprising a frame for receiving said shroud and for restraining said telescopic shroud portions against axial movement beyond a predetermined outer limit, said container having a base, sidewalls, a mouth substantially opposite said base, and a closure closing said mouth, said closure being sealably cooperable with said sealing means, said container having means for permitting the ready axial elongation of said container upon initial pressurization thereof so as to ensure sealing of said closure with said sealing means.