Method for dispensing a beverage and devices therefor
First Claim
1. A method for dispensing a beverage from a collapsible container, which method comprises the steps of:
- mounting a container unit on a substantially flat base part of a dispensing assembly, the container unit including a collapsible container, a base unit and an outlet seal, an outlet of the container unit facing downwardly from the container, the container unit and outlet configured to permit the beverage in the container to flow downwardly therefrom, said base unit and said base part being provided with sealing means for hermetically sealing the base unit to the base part;
arranging a free end of a dispensing tube at a closed dispensing tap located outside the dispensing assembly, the dispensing tube connected to a vertical hollow piercer that is aligned with the sealed outlet of the collapsible container;
mounting a cover on the base part in a hermetically sealed manner to form a pressure chamber between the collapsible container, the base unit, the base part and the cover;
piercing the sealed outlet of the collapsible container by the vertical hollow piercer arranged between the sealed outlet and the base part, thereby bringing the beverage in the collapsible container in communication with the dispensing tube;
providing an increased pressure in the pressure chamber;
opening the dispensing tap to dispense at least a part of the beverage through the dispensing tube to the environment by pressurizing the collapsible container and thereby reducing the volume thereof.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A beverage dispensing assembly and a method for dispensing a beverage are provided in which a collapsible container provided with a base unit is mounted on a substantially flat base part of a dispensing assembly with the outlet of the container facing downwards. A free end of a dispensing tube is arranged at a closed dispensing tap located outside the dispensing assembly, and a hollow piercer connected to the dispensing tube is aligned with the outlet of the collapsible container. A cover is mounted on the base part in a hermetically sealed manner to form a pressure chamber between the collapsible container, the base unit, the base part and the cover. An increased pressure is provided in the pressure chamber, and the beverage is dispensed after the piercer has pierced the outlet of the container by opening the dispensing tap.
34 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for dispensing a beverage from a collapsible container, which method comprises the steps of:
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mounting a container unit on a substantially flat base part of a dispensing assembly, the container unit including a collapsible container, a base unit and an outlet seal, an outlet of the container unit facing downwardly from the container, the container unit and outlet configured to permit the beverage in the container to flow downwardly therefrom, said base unit and said base part being provided with sealing means for hermetically sealing the base unit to the base part; arranging a free end of a dispensing tube at a closed dispensing tap located outside the dispensing assembly, the dispensing tube connected to a vertical hollow piercer that is aligned with the sealed outlet of the collapsible container; mounting a cover on the base part in a hermetically sealed manner to form a pressure chamber between the collapsible container, the base unit, the base part and the cover; piercing the sealed outlet of the collapsible container by the vertical hollow piercer arranged between the sealed outlet and the base part, thereby bringing the beverage in the collapsible container in communication with the dispensing tube; providing an increased pressure in the pressure chamber; opening the dispensing tap to dispense at least a part of the beverage through the dispensing tube to the environment by pressurizing the collapsible container and thereby reducing the volume thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9)
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7. A beverage dispensing assembly comprising:
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a collapsible beverage container comprising; a generally cylindrical collapsible wall part, an outlet end, and a neck part at the outlet end; a pressurizing unit comprising; means for connecting the pressurizing unit to a pressure media source, a substantially flat base part, and a cover, said base part and cover being sealingly interconnectable; a base unit comprising a housing, a piercable closure for sealing the collapsible container, locking means for inseparably and hermetically connecting the base unit to the neck part of the collapsible container, and sealing means for hermetically sealing the collapsible container to the base part; the base unit and collapsible beverage container mounted on the base part with the outlet of the container and facing downward, the container and outlet configured to permit the beverage in the container to flow downwardly therefrom; a hollow piercer adapted for piercing the piercable closure; a closable dispensing tube connected to the hollow piercer; wherein the base unit and the neck part are provided at a lower end of the container, and that said housing of the base unit has an outer wall extending axially beyond said neck part in a downwards direction substantially in extension of the wall of the collapsible container, and said base part has a surface adapted for supporting said outer wall extension. - View Dependent Claims (8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for dispensing a beverage from a collapsible container, which method comprises:
mounting a container unit on a base part of a dispensing assembly, the container unit including a collapsible container, a base unit and an outlet seal, the collapsible container having an outlet facing downwards, the collapsible container and outlet configured to permit the beverage in the container to flow downwardly therefrom, the base unit hermetically sealed to the base part; arranging a free end of a dispensing tube at a closed dispensing tap located outside the dispensing assembly, the dispensing tube being connected to a vertical hollow piercer that is aligned with the sealed outlet of the collapsible container; mounting a cover on the base part in a hermetically sealed manner to form a pressure chamber between the collapsible container, the base unit, the base part and the cover; piercing the sealed outlet of the collapsible container by the hollow piercer arranged between the sealed outlet and the base part, thereby bringing the beverage in the collapsible container in communication with the dispensing tube; providing an increased pressure in the pressure chamber; opening the dispensing tap to dispense at least a part of the beverage through the dispensing tube to the environment by pressurizing the collapsible container and thereby reducing the volume thereof. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A beverage dispensing assembly comprising:
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a collapsible beverage container comprising; a collapsible wall, an outlet end at the bottom of the container, and a neck part at the outlet end; a pressurizing unit comprising; a pressure fluid inlet configured to connect the pressurizing unit to a pressure media source, a substantially flat base part, and a cover, the base part and cover being sealingly interconnectable; a base unit comprising a housing, a piercable closure for sealing the collapsible container, and a locking device for inseparably and hermetically connecting the base unit to the neck part of the collapsible container, the base unit and collapsible container mounted on the base part and sealing elements configured to provide a hermetic seal between the base unit and the base part, the outlet of the container facing downwards from the container when the container is mounted on the base part, the container and outlet configured to permit the beverage in the container to flow downwardly therefrom; a hollow piercer adapted for piercing the piercable closure; a closable dispensing tube connected to the hollow piercer; wherein the base unit and the neck part are provided at the bottom of the container, the housing of the base unit having an outer wall extending axially beyond the neck part in a downwards direction substantially in extension of the wall of the collapsible container, and the base part having a surface adapted for supporting the outer wall extension. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification