Liquid dispenser and flexible bag therefor

• US 7,007,824 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2003
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
• Inventors: Bacehowski, David V., Danby, Hal C., Scharf, Michael W., Swan, Julian Francis Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Derakshani, Philippe
• Application Number:
  US10/640,935
• Publication Number:
  US 20040144800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 222/105, 222/129.1, 222/504, 222/94, 222/325, 222/63, 222/103
• US Class Current: 222/103
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2231/004 comprising rods or tubes provided with radial openings, ribs or the like, e.g. dip-tubes, spiral rods
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/30 Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during filling or closing of containers B65D77/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0037 based on volumetric dosing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0078 Ingredient cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0079 having their own dispensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0462 Squeezing collapsible or flexible beverage containers, e.g. bag-in-box containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0801 of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1286 by mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0814 for upside down use
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0006 Manifolds
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/041 operated by pinching action on flexible tubes

Abstract

A liquid dispenser uses a flexible bag having expansible and collapsible cells. A rigid manifold, and in one instance a rigid frame is provided in the bag to keep passages open in use and to isolate one of the cells from the remaining cells. The dispenser employs an efficient and quiet air pressure operating system. In one application, a concentrated drink mix may be held in a reservoir and diluted within other cells in the bag for dispensing to a cup or the like. A valve system allows for the particulates in the liquid without compromising the function of the valve.

Claims

1. A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluent material, the flow control apparatus comprising:

a flexible container comprising,

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relation with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define at least one cell capable of holding the fluent material;

a manifold located between the first and second sheets for passaging fluent material within the container, the manifold including port structure extending into said cell and defining a port providing fluid communication between the cell and the manifold, the port structure being substantially rigid;

a shell sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein;

a fluid pressure system capable of selectively applying positive pressure and vacuum pressure to the flexible container for deforming at least one of the first and second flexible sheets to move fluent material within the container, the port structure of the manifold holding the port open as the fluid pressure system deforms the flexible material.

2. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the port structure comprises a tube projecting outwardly from the manifold into the cell.

3. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the cell is formed by joining the first and second flexible sheets to each other to define a volume constituting the cell.

4. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a multiplicity of said cells and a tube for each of said cells providing fluid communication with the manifold.

5. A flexible container for delivery of metered quantities of fluent material therefrom, the container comprising:

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define at least one cell capable of holding the fluent material, the first and second sheets being capable of movement toward and away from one another for use in drawing fluent material into the cell and discharging fluent material from the cell;

a manifold located between the first and second sheets for passaging fluent material within the container, the manifold including port structure extending into said cell and defining a port providing fluid communication between the cell and the manifold, the port structure being substantially rigid for holding the first and second sheets apart and maintaining the port in an open condition.

6. A flexible container as set forth in claim 5 wherein the port structure comprises a tube projecting outwardly from the manifold into the cell.

7. A flexible container as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cell is formed by joining the first and second flexible sheets to each other.

8. A flexible container as set forth in claim 6 further comprising a multiplicity of said cells and a tube for each of said cells providing fluid communication with the manifold.

9. A flexible container as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said tubes is sealingly joined to the first and second flexible sheets to block flow into or out of the cells except through the tube.

10. A flexible container as set forth in claim 9 wherein the tubes are formed with radially outwardly tapering surfaces to which the flexible sheets are joined for a smooth sealing connection of the flexible sheets to the tube.

11. A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluent material containing particulate matter having a known maximum length from a flexible container by acting on the container, the flow control apparatus comprising:

a shell sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein;

a valve disposed for movement relative to the shell between an open position in which fluent material may flow within the flexible container in a direction past the location of the valve and a closed position in which fluent material is blocked from flowing within the flexible container past the location of the valve, the valve including a compliant tip adapted to resiliently deform for at least partially enveloping and sealing around particulate matter in the fluent material to inhibit leaking of fluent material past the valve, the compliant tip of the valve engaging the container in the closed position to stop the flow of fluent material, the compliant tip having a sealing surface arranged for engaging the flexible container, the sealing surface having a dimension in the direction of flow which is greater than the maximum length of the particulate matter.

12. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein the valve includes a plurality of compliant tips having different surface dimensions in the direction of flow of the fluent material past the valve.

13. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the surface dimension of each compliant tip is selected according to the size of particulate matter in a particular fluent material to be dispensed.

14. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein the compliant tip is made of an elastomeric material.

15. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein the elastomeric material of the compliant tip has a hardness equal to or less than about 55 Shor A.

16. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein the elastomeric material of the compliant tip has a hardness of less than about 40 Shor A.

17. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein the elastomeric material of the compliant tip has a hardness of about 25 to 30 Shor A.

18. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein the elastomeric material is silicone rubber.

19. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein the valve comprises a valve head having a rigid member mounting the compliant tip thereon.

20. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the valve further comprises a driver for selectively driving movement of the valve head between the open and closed positions.

21. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein the flow control apparatus is adapted to apply positive and negative fluid pressures to the flexible container for moving the fluent material therein.

22. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 21 further comprising a valve seat having an arcuate recess of a shape complementary to the sealing surface of the compliant tip.

23. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 22 in combination with the flexible container, wherein the valve seat constitutes a portion of the flexible container.

24. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 23 wherein the flexible container comprises:

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define a volume capable of holding the fluent material;

a manifold located between the first and second sheets, the manifold including passage elements comprising spaced apart, opposing walls extending between sides of the manifold, at least portions of the manifold at the sides between the opposing walls being open, the manifold defining the valve seat;

the first and second flexible sheets being sealingly attached to the manifold over opposite ones of said open sides of the manifold thereby to define with the walls a passage for the fluent material within the manifold, the first flexible sheet being elastically deformable by the compliant tip into engagement with the valve seat for occluding the passage.

25. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein the valve seat is formed with ramps on opposite sides of the arcuate recess, the ramps extending from the arcuate recess to a location adjacent the second flexible sheet.

26. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 24 where there are plural valve seats in the manifold.

27. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 26 in combination with the fluent material.

28. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein the fluent material comprises a concentrate.

29. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein the concentrate is a beverage concentrate.

30. Flow control apparatus set forth in claim 24 in combination with a drink dispenser comprising a housing containing the flow control apparatus and an actuator for initiating operation of the flow control apparatus to dispense fluent material.

31. A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluent material from a flexible container by acting on the container, the flow control apparatus comprising:

a shell sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein;

a valve disposed for movement relative to the shell between an open position in which fluent material may flow within the flexible container in a direction past the location of the valve and a closed position in which fluent material is blocked from flowing within the flexible container past the location of the valve, the valve including a valve tip for engaging the flexible container to stop flow of fluent material past the valve tip, the valve tip being elongate and arranged such that the lengthwise extension of the valve tip is generally perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluent material.

32. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 31 wherein the valve tip has an elongate, arcuate engagement surface for engaging the flow container.

33. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 32 further comprising a valve seat having an arcuate shape conforming to the shape of the engagement surface of the valve tip.

34. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 33 in combination with the flexible container, wherein the valve seat constitutes a portion of the flexible container.

35. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 34 wherein the flexible container comprises:

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define a volume capable of holding the fluent material;

a manifold located between the first and second sheets, the manifold including passage elements comprising spaced apart, opposing walls extending between sides of the manifold, at least portions of the manifold at the sides between the opposing walls being open, the manifold defining the valve seat;

the first and second flexible sheets being sealingly attached to the manifold over opposite ones of said open sides of the manifold thereby to define with the walls a passage for the fluent material within the manifold, the first flexible sheet being elastically deformable by the valve tip into engagement with the valve seat for occluding the passage.

36. A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluent material from a flexible container by acting on the container, the flow control apparatus comprising:

a shell sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein such that passages for flow of fluent material are defined in the flexible container;

a valve disposed for movement relative to the shell between an open position in which fluent material may flow within the flexible container in a direction past the location of the valve and a closed position in which fluent material is blocked from flowing within the flexible container past the location of the valve, the valve including a valve tip for engaging the flexible container to stop flow of fluent material past the valve;

a valve seat located generally opposite the valve for the valve tip to act against in the closed position of the valve, the valve seat, valve and shell being arranged such that the direction of flow remains the same through the valve seat.

37. A flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 36 wherein the valve seat has a width at least as great as a width of the passages defined in the container.

38. A flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 37 in combination with the flexible container, wherein the valve seat constitutes a portion of the flexible container.

39. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 38 wherein the flexible container comprises:

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define a volume capable of holding the fluent material;

a manifold located between the first and second sheets, the manifold including passage elements comprising spaced apart, opposing walls extending between sides of the manifold, at least portions of the manifold at the sides between the opposing walls being open, the manifold defining the valve seat;

the first and second flexible sheets being sealingly attached to the manifold over opposite ones of said open sides of the manifold thereby to define with the walls a passage for the fluent material within the manifold, the first flexible sheet being elastically deformable by the valve tip into engagement with the valve seat for occluding the passage.

40. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 39 wherein the valve seat is formed with ramps on opposite sides of the arcuate recess, the ramps extending from the arcuate recess to a location adjacent the second flexible sheet.

41. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 39 where there are plural valve seats in the manifold.

42. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 41 in combination with the fluent material.

43. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 42 wherein the fluent material comprises a concentrate.

44. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 43 wherein the concentrate is a beverage concentrate.

45. Flow control apparatus set forth in claim 39 in combination with a drink dispenser comprising a housing containing the flow control apparatus and an actuator for initiating operation of the flow control apparatus to dispense fluent material.

46. A flexible container for delivery of metered quantities of fluent material therefrom, the container comprising:

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define at least one cell having a volume for holding a quantity of the fluent material;

a manifold located between the first and second sheets and defining at least one passage transporting fluent material within the container, the manifold including a port providing fluid communication between the cell and the manifold and at least one valve seat located in the passage arranged for receiving a deformed portion of one of the first and second flexible sheets to close the passage and block flow therethrough.

47. A flexible container as set forth in claim 46 wherein a portion of the valve seat arranged for receiving the deformed portion of the first flexible sheet has a cross sectional area greater than or equal to a cross sectional area of the passage away from the valve seat.

48. A flexible container as set forth in claim 47 wherein the portion of the valve seat arranged for receiving the deformed portion of the first flexible sheet defines an arcuate recess.

49. A flexible container as set forth in claim 48 wherein the valve seat is formed with ramps on opposite sides of the arcuate recess, the ramps extending from the arcuate recess to a location adjacent the second flexible sheet.

50. A flexible container as set forth in claim 46 where there are plural valve seats in the manifold.

51. A flexible container as set forth in claim 50 in combination with the fluent material.

52. A flexible container as set forth in claim 51 wherein the fluent material comprises paint.

53. A flexible container as set forth in claim 51 wherein the fluent material comprises a concentrate.

54. A flexible container as set forth in claim 46 wherein the valve seat and passage are arranged so that the direction of flow of fluent material through the valve seat is substantially constant.

55. A flow control apparatus for controlling flow of a fluent material from a container, the flow control apparatus comprising:

a frame for locating the container;

a dry connect device for communication of a fluent material into the container, the dry connect device being adapted to pierce the container upon engagement therewith for establishing fluid communication with the interior of the container, the dry connect device being automatically shut off when disengaged from the container to prevent flow of fluid out of the dry connect device, and the dry connect device being automatically opened upon piercing engagement with the container to permit flow of fluid out of the dry connect device into the flexible container.

56. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 55 wherein the dry connect device comprises a conduit having a sharp leading edge portion for piercing the flexible container.

57. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein the sharp leading edge portion comprises a plurality of sharp prongs projecting axially outwardly from one end of the conduit.

58. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein the frame comprises first and second frame elements movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, the second frame element locating the container, the conduit being slidably mounted on the first frame element for movement relative to the frame element between a shut off position and a flow position.

59. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 58 wherein the conduit is biased toward the shut off position, the conduit being slidably moved to the flow position upon movement of the first and second frame members to the closed position and returned to the shut off position upon movement of the first and second frame members to the open position.

60. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 59 wherein the flow control device further comprises a spring biasing the conduit to the shut off position.

61. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein the dry connect device is adapted to seal with the flexible container around the conduit.

62. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 61 wherein the dry connect device comprises a sealing collar mounted in the first frame member around the conduit and disposed for sealingly engaging the flexible container.

63. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 55 in combination with a drink dispenser comprising a housing for the flow control apparatus and an actuator for actuating the flow control apparatus for dispensing fluent material in the form of a beverage.

64. A flexible container for delivery of metered quantities of fluent material therefrom, the container comprising:

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet at least partially in opposed relationship with the first sheet such that the first and second sheets define at least one cell having a volume for holding a quantity of the fluent material;

a manifold located between the first and second sheets for passaging fluent material within the container, the manifold including a port providing fluid communication between the cell and the manifold; and

a volume control disposed in the cell and occupying a portion of the volume to control the volume of fluent material received into the cell.

65. A flexible container as set forth in claim 64 wherein the volume control is attached to the manifold.

66. A flexible container as set forth in claim 65 wherein the volume control is formed as one piece with the manifold.

67. A flexible container as set forth in claim 66 wherein the volume control is curved.

68. A flexible container as set forth in claim 67 wherein the volume control has an elongate shape.

69. A flexible container as set forth in claim 64 in combination with other flexible containers, at least some of said other flexible containers having the same construction as the flexible container and at least some others of other flexible containers having the same construction but being free of any volume control in the cell.

70. A flexible container as set forth in claim 64 in combination with a flow control device comprising a shell including first and second shell members sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein, at least one of the shell members having a recess therein for sealingly receiving the cell, the flow control device being adapted for applying selectively variable fluid pressure to the cell for moving the first and second flexible sheets toward and away from each other to collapse and expand the cell.

71. The combination set forth in claim 70 wherein the volume control is received in the recess of said one of the first and second shell members.

72. The combination set forth in claim 71 wherein the volume control and said one shell member have complementary shapes.

73. A drink dispenser comprising the flexible container and flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 70, a housing for the flow control apparatus and an actuator for actuating the flow control apparatus for dispensing fluent material in the form of a beverage.

74. A drink dispenser as set forth in claim 73 in combination with other flexible containers, at least some of said other flexible containers having the same construction as the flexible container and at least some others of other flexible containers having the same construction but being free of any volume control in the cell whereby different volumes of fluent material are received in the cell and discharged from the cell received in the recess depending upon which flexible container is received therein.

75. A method of changing the concentration of a concentrate present in a mixture of fluent material dispensed by a dispenser from a flexible container prefilled with the concentrate, the method comprising the steps of:

installing a first flexible container having a first cell with a first concentrate volume into a flow control apparatus of the dispenser such that the first cell is received in a pressure chamber of the flow control apparatus;

applying a selectively variable fluid pressure to the first cell in the pressure chamber such that the first cell expands to draw concentrate into the first cell and collapses to discharge concentrate from the first cell;

diluting the concentrate discharged from the first cell with a quantity of diluent to a first concentration;

dispensing concentrate in the first concentration;

removing the first flexible container from the flow control apparatus;

installing a second flexible container having a second cell with a second concentrate volume into the flow control apparatus such that the second cell is received in the pressure chamber;

applying a selectively variable fluid pressure to the second cell in the pressure chamber such that the second cell expands to draw concentrate into the second cell and collapses to discharge concentrate from the second cell;

diluting the concentrate discharged from the second cell with the quantity of diluent to a second concentration different from the first concentration;

dispensing concentrate in the second concentration.

76. A method of manufacturing flexible containers prefilled with a fluent concentrate for use in a flow control apparatus capable of acting on the flexible container to dispense fluent material including the concentrate, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a first flexible container by operatively joining first and second sheets of flexible material together in sealing relation such that at least a first cell is defined between the first and second sheets having a first volume capable of receiving concentrate in a first quantity for dilution to a first concentration;

filling at least a portion of the first flexible container with concentrate;

forming a second flexible container by operatively joining third and fourth sheets of flexible material together in sealing relation such that at least a second cell is defined between the third and fourth sheets having the first volume, said step of forming including locating a volume control in the second cell for reducing the volume capable of receiving concentrate so that the second cell receives concentrate in a second quantity for dilution to a second concentration more dilute than the first concentration;

filling at least a portion of the second flexible container with concentrate.

77. A method as set forth in claim 76 wherein said step of forming the first flexible container includes placing a substantially rigid first manifold between the first and second sheets, the first manifold defining passaging therein for flow of the concentrate, and said step of forming the second flexible container includes placing a substantially rigid second manifold between the third and fourth sheets, the second manifold defining passaging therein for flow of the concentrate.

78. A method as set forth in claim 77 wherein the volume control is associated with the second manifold.

79. A method as set forth in claim 78 further comprising the step of forming the second manifold and volume control as one piece.

80. A flexible container for delivery of metered quantities of fluent material therefrom, the container comprising:

a first flexible sheet;

a second flexible sheet;

a container frame defining a space including an open front and an open back generally aligned with the open front;

the first flexible sheet being joined to the frame over the open front and the second flexible sheet being joined to the frame over the open back to enclose the space, making the space capable of containing a fluent material, the first and second flexible sheets being deformable to move the fluent material within the enclosed space.

81. A flexible container as set forth in claim 80 wherein the frame includes a manifold portion having passaging therein for flow of fluent material within the flexible container.

82. A flexible container as set forth in claim 81 wherein the frame further includes cell formations in the space defined by the frame, the first and second flexible sheets being joined to the cell formations to define separate cells for containing separate volumes of fluent material.

83. A flexible container as set forth in claim 82 wherein the manifold portion includes ports opening into respective ones of the cells.

84. A flexible container as set forth in claim 83 wherein each cell formation comprises a forward cavity opening toward the open front of the frame and facing the first sheet, and a rearward cavity opening toward the open back of the frame and facing the second sheet, the first sheet being deformable into the forward cavity generally against the cell formation to discharge fluent material in the forward cavity into the manifold portion, the second sheet being deformable into the rearward cavity generally against the cell formation to discharge fluent material in the rearward cavity into the manifold portion.

85. A flexible container as set forth in claim 84 wherein the forward and rearward cavities are in fluid communication with each other and with a corresponding one of the ports in the manifold portion.

86. A flexible container as set forth in claim 80 wherein the space defined by the frame constitutes a first space, the frame defining a second space separate from the first space, the second space having an open front and an open back, the first sheet being joined to the frame over the open front of the second space and the second sheet being joined to the frame over the open back of the second space.

87. A flexible container as set forth in claim 86 wherein the second space is larger than the first space and contains fluent material.

88. A flexible container as set forth in claim 87 wherein the frame further comprises a manifold portion having passaging therein for flow of fluent material within the flexible container.

89. A flexible container as set forth in claim 88 wherein the manifold portion separates the first space from the second space.

90. A flexible container as set forth in claim 88 wherein the frame is formed as one piece.

91. A flexible container as set forth in claim 90 wherein the frame further includes a handle.

92. A flexible container as set forth in claim 80 wherein the first and second sheets are made of a polymeric material, the flexible container further comprising paper covering a portion of at least one of the first and second sheets.

93. A flexible container as set forth in claim 80 in combination with flow control apparatus capable of acting on the flexible container to cause flow of fluent material within the flexible container, the flow control apparatus comprising a shell adapted to receive at least a portion of the flexible container including said space, the flow control apparatus being adapted to apply positive and negative pressure to both the first and second sheets for causing flow of fluent material within the flexible container.

94. The combination of claim 93 further in combination with a drink dispenser comprising a housing containing the flow control apparatus and an actuator for initiating operation of the flow control apparatus to dispense fluent material.

95. A method of making a flexible container comprising the steps of:

forming a frame defining a space having an open front and an open back;

joining a first sheet of flexible material to the frame such that the first sheet covers the open front;

joining a second sheet of flexible material to the frame such that the second sheet covers the open back, the first and second sheets enclosing the space for containing a fluent material therein.

96. A method as set forth in claim 95 wherein said step of forming includes forming the frame with a manifold portion having passaging for directing flow of fluent material within the flexible container.

97. A method as set forth in claim 96 wherein said step of forming includes forming cell formations disposed in the space, and wherein said steps of joining the first and second flexible sheets comprise joining the sheets to the cell formations to define separate cells capable of receiving and discharging fluent material.

98. A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a fluent material, the flow control apparatus comprising:

a shell sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of the flexible container therein, the shell defining at least one region for fluidically isolating the flexible container for application of fluid pressures thereto;

a fluid pressure system capable of selectively applying positive pressure and vacuum pressure to the flexible container in the shell in said at least one region for deforming at least one of the first and second flexible sheets to move fluent material within the container, the fluid pressure system being adapted to deliver a selected fluid pressure on demand free of any positive or negative fluid pressure accumulators.

99. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 98 wherein the fluid pressure system comprises a variable volume device having an interior adapted for fluid communication with said at least one region in the shell, the variable volume device being capable of reducing the volume of the interior in communication with said region to apply positive pressure to said region, and increasing the volume of the interior to apply vacuum pressure to said region.

100. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 99 wherein the variable volume device comprises a cylinder having a hollow interior and a piston therein dividing the hollow interior into two sections, one of the two sections being connected for fluid communication with said region in the shell.

101. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 100 wherein the shell defines multiple distinct regions for fluidically isolating the flexible container for application of fluid pressures thereto.

102. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 101 the fluid pressure system comprises one cylinder for each region in the shell, an interior section of each cylinder being connected for fluid communication with a respective one of the regions.

103. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 102 wherein at least two regions of the shell are connected for fluid communication with the interior of the cylinder, a first of the regions being in communication with one of said interior sections of the cylinder and a second of said regions being connected for communication with the other of said interior sections of the cylinder, such that one of said interior sections is capable of applying positive pressure to the first region while the other of said interior sections applies vacuum pressure to the second regions.

104. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 103 wherein the cylinder constitutes a first cylinder and the fluid pressure system further comprises a second cylinder having a hollow interior and a piston therein dividing the hollow interior into two sections, a third region of the shell being connected for fluid communication with one of said two interior sections of the second cylinder.

105. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 104 wherein the other of said two interior sections of the second cylinder is connected for fluid communication with the second region.

106. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 105 wherein the fluid pressure system comprises a valve disposed for alternatively placing the second region in fluid communication with said other interior section of the first cylinder and said other interior section of the second cylinder.

107. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 103 wherein a third region defined by the shell is connected for fluid communication with both interior sections of the cylinder, the fluid pressure system further comprising valving for alternatively placing the third region in fluid communication with the one interior section and the other interior section of the cylinder.

108. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 107 wherein the fluid pressure system still further comprises a valve for each of the first and second regions, each valve being adapted to place its corresponding region with a respective interior section of the cylinder.

109. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 108 wherein the fluid pressure system comprises a valve control for controlling the valves associated with the first and second regions and the valving association with the third region.

110. Flow control apparatus as set forth in claim 109 wherein the valve control includes sensors operable to detect the position of the piston in the cylinder, the valve control opening and closing the valves and valving in response to the detected position of the piston.

111. Flow control apparatus set forth in claim 110 in combination with a drink dispenser, the drink dispenser comprising a housing for the flow control apparatus and an actuator for actuating the flow control apparatus for dispensing fluent material in the form of a beverage.