AU2006252271B2 - Liquid Container with Dual Flow Dispensing Valve - Google Patents

Abstract

- 27 A container for the storage, transport and dispensing of low viscosity liquids; said container provided with at least one raised feature on a first surface of said 5 container and at least one corresponding indented feature on a second opposite surface of said container; said at least one raised feature and said at least one indented feature adapted to the interlocked stacking of said containers; said container further provided with a dual 10 flow liquid dispensing means projecting from a recessed portion of an end surface of said container; said dual flow dispensing means adapted for outflow of said liquid and inflow of air. IioY Ns 7' t/ego /112r 4p 121j

Description

P/00/009 Regulation 3.10 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Invention Title: LIQUID CONTAINER WITH DUAL FLOW DISPENSING VALVE The invention is described in the following statement, including the best method of performing it known to us: Our Ref: 062076 -2 LIQUID CONTAINER WITH DUAL FLOW DISPENSING VALVE The present invention relates to liquid dispensing valves for containers and, more particularly, to valves which provide for inlet of air as liquid is dispensed from 5 the container. BACKGROUND It is convenient for the dispensing of liquids from large volume containers, to provide such containers with a 10 liquid dispensing valve as close as practicable to the base of the container so that the container need not be manipulated but liquid may be dispensed by operation of the valve. For substantially rigid containers, a common problem 15 with simple valves is that the flow of liquid is impeded to the extent that air can enter the container to replace the liquid flow out of the container. One method is to invite a user to pierce a pre-marked spot at the top of the container prior to use, but this is inconvenient and 20 introduces the possibility of dirt into the container or leakage if the container is tilted while still relatively full. Another possibility is to provide a closure at the upper surface of the container, for example a screw cap 25 which when loosened or removed allows the ingress of air. This however adds to the complexity of the moulding of the -3 the container and its cost as well as being an undesirable projecting element. It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. Note The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of". BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first broad form of the invention there is provided a container for the storage, transport and dispensing of low viscosity liquids; said container provided with at least one raised feature on a first surface of said container and at least one corresponding indented feature on a second opposite surface of said container; said at least one raised feature and said at least one indented feature adapted to the interlocked stacking of said containers,; said container further provided with a dual flow liquid dispensing means projecting from a recessed portion of an end surface of said container; said dual flow liquid dispensing means adapted for outflow of said liquid and inflow of air; said dual flow liquid dispensing means including an inner body adapted for rotation within an outer body; said inner body provided with a liquid passageway and an air passageway, and wherein each of an air inlet opening a quid outlet opening are coincident respectively with an aid a Ifce and a liquid outlet O ifice of said outer body air id i is rotated intn a iiquid dispensing when said inner bDody posit ion. positrioni said at least one, raised feature projects par fran permost surface of said container. upwardly from sand at least one coPesponding indented fetrefeis bindented t a lowerost Sur face Of said container. at least one c 0 ):esponding indented Preferably, said dented features; said coniner. e at u rd n e d t o ti d e features ispcdaats tatsi rasdfausof wo ad conta er ar a d a sid binerlc said two indented features sideconainrs nd ranvere to said side by side containers fa recorisal id at least one raised feature includes an fet respacedar s o okwth si w upwardly projectincI ridge. lat oe crepnig idne preferably said at s ente feature includes an indented groove. le o aisi p~efrabl~ a aid projecting rde o is oe contaier abis ape to enter as a light Press fit into a said container aiaidacontainr Potie uc htsi indented groove of a second upper c ie sc taer s oide containers an s uppermost surface of said oe ain surface of said upper container are uppermost surface is interrupted by a Preferably Said passed sectioufx tending across the width celtr-1,Ylocated depress of said container. preferabY/ said centralJly Socated depressed focti ng a bridged by a bridginqJ portion;si rdgn otof omn Id container ha rdef r a rry n sai r j c i~ ridge feature extends across preferably, saio and-istin teral with said bridging potS aid ngin pot~ l eavig an OPening betweena I '~~~ ~ d bridging Prt- faeO udride; Sa said bridging portion and a lowermost su said depressed section. PreeralY(said recessed portion Of an end surface of said contaier abextd uwardly from, said lowermost surface of said c ~ ~ ~ ~~i cotent aine ,i otj e n container for a portion Of the height Of s cotale at a portion of the width of Said container. Preferably said recessd portion is provided with an ouwrdeferablyin outlet structure adapted to support and re a n t eroun 0 twardly Proj citing li ui dispenser , spresern se cthe ae anoi o portion and extent o - said rdg pusser ranged o ota said liquid dispenser does not project beyond a plane def b a portion of said one end of said container extending rdep ed sid e to said uppermst surface. upwadlytro sa dl fromesa -6 Preferably, said container is produced by the process of blow moulding from any suitable polymer material. Preferably said liquid dispenser includes an outer body and an inner body; said outer body adapted for attachment to said projecting outlet structure; said inner body adapted for rotation between a first non-dispensing position and a second dispensing position, said inner body provided with a liquid passage and an air passage; said air passage adapted to allow air to enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing position. In. a further broad form of the invention there is provided a container for the storage, transport and dispensing of a low viscosity liquid as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In yet another broad form of the invention there is provided a liquid dispensing valve for the liquid container of described above; said valve including an outer body and an inner body; said outer body adapted for engagement with an outlet structure of said container- said inner body adapted for rotation within said outer body between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position; and wherein said inner body is provided with a liquid passageway and an air passageway; said air passageway adapted to allow air to enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing position, and wherein each and a liquid outlet opening are of an i inlet en' wth an air inlet orifice and a liquid coincident resPectively wi otea body .when said inner body is orifce said outerboy he outlet orifice position. rotated into a liquid disPensinr Po i n db ert p~eeralyfsai ouerbody includes a bre ot~ora Preferably, said oue sleeve; said outer outer sleeve and a outlet structure engaging sleeve connected to and said outlet structure engaging said barrel sleeve barrel portion by a circumferential flange; saidon extending into said container when said outlet structure portion sleeve is attached to said outlet structure. engaging ly, said inner body includes a cylindrical Portion Preferable, sai d nner cylindrical portion provided with a and a head portion; said head portion b re fx e rndi ng i aid hea not fi udes a peripheral flange Id head portion.I and a grazing ele ent Projectin flange. Preferably , said hea ipdrical Portion is adapted for a ro'eab~Icing uwrl erference fit within said barrel POrt on Of said outer bdyg and said peripheral flange and said grasping byfleng of portion are adapted for a slight interference fit within said oute sleveonsido t boy. ai PreferablYr said bore is divided along said ouid bore into a liquid passage and an air passage piquid outlet passage and said air passage communicating with aid liquid outlet orifice and said passag ~~th saidliudote or passage c communicating with an air' inlet orifice; each air passage provided in said grasping element of said head said passage P portion. , axes Of said liquid outlet orifice and said air preferdiameftrically Opposed. inlet orifice are diate oppsed. preferablYf outer walls s rice and o ne air provided with at least one liquid Passing nication or fi e sai orifi ce infic n O passing orifice; said lquiand said air Passin9 orificatin with said liquid passage communication with said air passage preferablYi respective outer oPenings Of said liquid outlet Passage and said air inlet passage are in sealing engagement with internal surfaces of said outer sleeve when said inner body .s in said non-dispensin9 Position" rr portion of said outer body is Preferably, said b-ifice Iand at least one provided with at least one liquid entry orifice air outlet orifice. said Outer sleeve of said outer body is preferablyr sadotrdsi ar inlet provided with said liquid outlet orifice and said air i d orifice; and wherein axes of said liquid outlet orifice and said air inlet orifice are djametricallY opposed.

ive axes of said liquid outlet orifice preferablY respected orifice of said outer of sid ~ne boy ad sid liquid entry of said inner body and sa of said air inlet orifice of said body, and respective aes t office of said outer body are -ne body and said air Outlet orifji in said liquid substantially aligned when said inr body * djpefs'~ oition-i ebody provided with rotation preferablYr said inneran inward facing surface liiin-'stop element projecting from of said head portion preferably, said outer body is p wurfa f said ~ ~~~ting recss i an outwardly facing sufc of ai limiting recess in ge a rcs in the form of a sector ial flange;r i rcs circumferent 90l g degrees, Sa eluded angle Of approxiae 9 ge having an Ina liquid dspensing valve is adapted to Prefeably, said l of a liquid from said container conduct a siltaneou o tosd container; said inflow of air and an in-go i nosi ad outflow of liquid. substantially equal in volume of sai tlow there is in silla frthr boadfor ofthe invention teei in stili a further b r oa valve for a liquid container as provided a liquid dispensing vaLeto the accompanying d ith reference herein described and in drawings-, roie a dnawetgan other broad form Of the invention there is provided a iqn yet anothe ad dispenser assembly said assembly in c luding a liquid storage a -10 container and a liquid dispensing valve; said container provided with raised and indented structures adapted for interlocking stacking of a plurality of said containers; said liquid dispensing valve adapted for a simultaneous flow of liquid from said container and flow of air into said container; said dispensing valve operable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, and wherein each of an air inlet opening and a liquid outlet opening of said valve are coincident respectively with an air inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice of said outer body when said inner body is rotated into a liquid dispensing position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1, is a perspective view from above of a preferred embodiment of a liquid container according to the invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the liquid container of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an end view of two of the containers of Figures 1 and 2 stacked one on the other, Figures 4 and 4A, are perspective views of the containers of Figures 1 and 2 stacked on pallets, - 11 Figure 5 is a perspective view of an assembled dual flow dispensing valve according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the valve of Figure 5 5 partly disassembled, Figure 7, is a sectioned view of an outer body of the valve of Figures 5 and 6, Figure 8, is a sectioned view of an inner body of the valve of Figures 5 and 6, 10 Figure 9, is a sectioned view of the assembled valve of figure 1 when fitted to the outlet structure of the container of Figures 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 15 With reference to Figure 1 a first preferred embodiment of a container 10 is of generally rectangular prismatic form. Container 10 may be made of any suitable polymer adapted for blow moulding processes such as for example high density polyethylene. 20 Formed into the central portion of upper surface 11 of container 10 is depressed section 12 extending approximately a third of the length of container 11 and fully across its width. Raised above the upper surface 11 is at least one raised structure, which in this preferred 25 embodiment comprises a ridge structure 13 extending for a substantial portion of the length of container 10 and - 12 positioned at the mid point of the width of container 10. Ridge structure 13 forms a bridge across depressed section 12 leaving an opening 14 between the bridging portion and the surface 15 of depressed section 12 so as to effectively 5 provide a handle 16 for the carrying of container 10. As may best be seen in figure 2 the base 17 of container 10 is provided with at least one indented feature, in this embodiment a groove 18 extending at least for that portion of the length of the base 17 equal to the 10 length of the raised structure of the upper surface 11. The depth of groove 18 relative to the surface 19 of the base, that is the depth of indentation of the groove into the body of the container, is at least equal to the height of the raised ridge 16 above upper surface 11. The 15 width of groove 18 is such as to form a light press fit with the width of ridge 16, or is at least such as to interlock two containers when one container is stacked upon another as can be seen in Figure 5. Dispenser end 20 of container 10 is provided with a 20 recess 29 extending upwardly from the base 17 approximately halfway of the height of container 10 and across the width of the container, or at least for that proportion of the width sufficient to accommodate liquid dispenser 100. The depth of recess 29, that is its intrusion into the body of 25 the container is sufficient to prevent the projection of liquid dispenser 100 (see figures 3 and 3A), mounted on - 13 outlet structure 21, beyond the projected plane of the surface of the upper portion 22 of the dispenser end 20 of container 10. In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, 5 container 10 is provided with a number of strengthening elements 23. Thus by way of illustrative example in Figures 1 and 2 vertical grooves 24 intruding into the body of container 10 act as vertical strengthening ribs. Similarly grooves 25 across the base 17 of container 10 provide 10 strengthening ribs for the base, and the grooves 23 across the upper surface 11 extending from each side of container 10 and ending at central ridge 16, assist in strengthening upper surface portions 27 and 28. In the particular preferred embodiment of container 10 15 shown in Figures 1 and 2, the strengthening ribs provided by grooves 25 - in the base 17, may be spaced apart by a distance equal to the distance between the raised ridge structures 16 of two side-by-side containers 10. By this means, containers may be stacked cross ways for alternate 20 layers of containers thus increasing the stability of a stack of containers -and particularly of a stacked pallet of containers, requiring little or any additional restraint. It will be seen that the only feature of container 10 to project beyond its generally rectangular prismatic form 25 is that of ridge 16 (or other raised structure on its upper surface) . By this means, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, - 14 horizontal and vertical arrays of containers may be arranged within a minimum volume of space. With reference now to Figures 5 and 6, a liquid dispensing valve 100 comprises an outer body 112 and an 5 inner body 114. Figure 5 shows outer body 112 and inner body 114 in an assembled state with inner body 114 rotated into a non-dispensing position relative to outer body 112. Figure 4 shows inner body 114 partly withdrawn from outer body 112. 10 Turning now to Figure 7, outer body 112 includes a barrel portion 116 closed at inward facing end 117 and open at outward facing end 119. Outer body 112 further includes an outer sleeve 118 and an outlet structure-engaging sleeve 120. Outer sleeve 118 and outlet structure-engaging sleeve 15 120 are connected to outward facing end 119 by a peripheral flange 122. Barrel portion 116 is provided with at least one liquid entry orifice 124, and at least one air outlet brifice 126. Outer sleeve 118 is provided with diametrically 20 opposed liquid outlet orifice 123 and air inlet orifice 124. The axes of liquid outlet orifice 123 and air entry orifice 124 are aligned and lie together with the axes of liquid entry orifice 124 and air outlet orifice 126, in a common bisector plane of outer body 112. 25 Outlet structure-engaging sleeve 120 is provided with structures 28 on its inner surface 130 adapted to engage - 15 with complementary structures of the outlet structure 21 of container 10, as can be seen in Figure 9. Structures 128 may take the form of an internal thread or, alternatively, internal annular rings allowing a snap-fit engagement of 5 the outlet structure engaging sleeve 120 to the cutlet structure 21 of the container. Additionally, an annular elastomeric seal 144 may be provided against inwardly facing surface 129 of peripheral flange 122, again as can be seen in Figure 9, which is compressed between surface 10 129 and the rim 143 of outlet structure 21. With reference to Figure 8, inner body 114 is comprised of cylindrical portion 132 and head portion 134. Head portion 134 is further comprised of peripheral flange 135 and grasping element 136 (as best seen in Figure 6). 15 Cylindrical portion 132 and head portion 134 are sized to assemble within barrel portion 116 and outer sleeve 118 respectively of outer body 12 as light interference fits, allowing rotation of the inner body 112 relative to the outer body 114 but preventing liquid penetration, 20 particularly between the inner cylindrical surface of barrel portion 116 and the outer cylindrical surface of cylindrical portion 132. Again with reference to Figure 8, the bore 145 of cylindrical portion 132 is divided by a web 137 into a 25 liquid passage 138 and an air passage 139, extending from an inwardly facing open end 146 to closed end 147 in - 16 grasping element 136. A liquid passing orifice 148 communicates with liquid passage 138 and an air passing orifice 149 communicates with air passage 139. Liquid passage 138 further communicates with liquid 5 outlet passage 150, while air passage 139 communicates with air inlet passage 152, Liquid outlet passage 150 and air inlet passage 152 are coaxial and respectively open out at diametrically opposite liquid outlet opening 151 and air inlet opening 153. 10 Also shown in Figure 4 is a rotation limiting stop element 154 projecting rearwardly from peripheral flange 135. Stop element 135 projects into a recess 155 in the outwardly facing surface of peripheral flange 122 of outer body 112, when inner body 114 is assembled to outer body 15 112. Recess 155 may take the form of an arcuate slot or sector, the defining radii of which subtend approximately 90 degrees. By this means the rotation of inner body 114 relative to outer body 112 is limited to approximately 90 degrees. The locations of recess 155 and stop element 154 20 are so arranged on the respective outer and inner bodies, that at a first limit of rotation liquid dispensing valve 100 is in the non-dispensing position shown in Figure 5, and at a second opposite limit of rotation is in the dispensing position shown in Figure 9. 25 Figure 9 shows the inner body 114 assembled within outer body 112 and the dispensing valve assembly 100 - 17 attached to the outlet structure 21 of a liquid container 10. As shown in Figure 9, inner body 114 has been rotated to the dispensing position so that air inlet opening 153 is coincident with air inlet orifice 124, and liquid outlet 5 opening 151 is coincident with liquid outlet orifice 123. In this position of inner body 114 relative to outer body 112, liquid flows from container 10 via liquid passage 138. Container 10 is a sealed container so that any egress of water from dispensing valve 100 will cause a reduction 10 in pressure of air at the top of the container. This in turn draws air via the air passage 139, air passing orifice 149 and air entry orifice 126, as a stream of bubbles 156 to replace the volume of water leaving the container. This arrangement then ensures that the flow of liquid through 15 dispensing valve 100 is not impeded by the forming of a partial vacuum. The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those 20 skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (24)

1. A container for the storage, transport and dispensing of low viscosity liquids; said container provided with at least one raised feature on a first surface of said container and at least one corresponding indented feature on a second opposite surface of said container; said at least one raised feature and said at least one indented feature adapted to the interlocked stacking of said containers; said container further provided with a dual flow liquid dispensing means projecting from a recessed portion of an end surface of said container; said dual flow liquid dispensing means adapted for outflow of said liquid and inflow of air; said dual flow liquid dispensing means including an inner body adapted for rotation within an outer body; said inner body provided with a liquid passageway and an air passageway, and wherein each of an air inlet opening and a liquid outlet opening are coincident respectively with an air inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice of said outer body when said inner body is rotated into a liquid dispensing position. - 1 container Of clai I or 2 wherein said at least

3. The cotie o indented into one corresponding indented feature in a lowermost surface of said container. he c n Of any one Of claims 1 to 3 wherein saide ateast one corresponding indented feature said at least o features and said at least coprised twoprises to raised features" one raised r so that said said two indented features spaced apart so raised features of two said containers ane sd raised~~~ ~~ fetrso t adtoidented features o by side interlock with said two In side by side a said container placed on said side by side nd transverse to said side b s containers a containers 5 The container of any one Of claiils to 4 wherein sad ah t least one raised feature includes an s aid at la upwardly Projecting ridge. container of any one Of claims I to 5 wherein

6. The atleast one corresponding indented feature said atles o includes an indented groove.

7. The c container of claim 6 wherein a said Projecting ridge of a first lower container is adapted to enter as a liaht Press fit into a said indented groove of a second upper container such that said uppermost -20 surface of said lower container and said lowermost Surface of said opper conta iner are - 2 to wherein ner of any one of claims 2 to w The contaer ace is interrupted by a centrallY said uppermost Surfc is enin acos the width located depressed section of said container of claim 8 wherein said centrally 9 o The container section is bridged by a bridging located depressed rtion forming a handle for porio- said bridging Po carrying said container. otainer of claim 9 wherein said projecting ridge extends across said depressed section r and is ridega weth said bridging portion; said bidging integral withS an opening between an underside of portion leaving a emot Surf ace Of ad a loero said bridging portion an said depressed section of any one Of claims 3 to 10 wherein 1-The container of aneoed Surf ace of said said recessed Portion of n en sad lowermost continue extends upwardly frm si loeot surface of tead container for a portion of the f ,aid cont ainer foraP surface Of at least a height of said container a portion Of the width of said -21

12. The container of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said recessed portion is provided with an outwardly projecting outlet structure adapted to support and retain thereon an outwardly projecting liquid dispenser.

13. The container of claim 12 wherein the depth of said recessed portion and extent of said outwardly projecting liquid dispenser are arranged so that said liquid dispenser does not project beyond a plane defined by a portion of said one end of said container extending upwardly from said recess to said uppermost surface. 14, The container of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said container is produced by the process of blow moulding from any suitable polymer material.

15. The container of any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein said liquid dispenser includes an outer body and an inner body; said outer body adapted for attachment to said projecting outlet structure; said inner body adapted for rotation between a first non-dispensing position and a second dispensing position; said inner body provided with a liquid passage and an air passage; said air passage adapted to allow air to -22 enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing position container for the storage, transport and

16. pel~n o 0a low viscosity liquid a herein dispensing ofeeenet the accompanying described and with reference to drawings 1. liquid dispensing valve for the liquid container of any one of clais 1 to 12; said valve including an outer body and an inner body; said outer ody an ithsaid utlet structure .of adapted for engagement with said o said container; said inner body adapted for rotation within said outer body between ad position and a dispensing position; and wherein said inner body is provided with a liquid passageway and ai passageway. said air passageway adapted to anl ai whenasaidyinner allow air to enter said container when said inner body is in said dispensing Position, and wherein bodypisiin and a liquid outlet each of an air inlet opening air opening are coincident respectively with an inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice of said outer body when said inner body is rotated into a liquid dispensing position,

18. The liquid dispensing valve of claim a wherein said outer body includes a barrel portions an outer -23 sleeve and a outlet structure engaging sleeve; said outer sleeve and said outlet structure engaging sleeve connected to said barrel portion by a circumferential flange; said barrel portion extending into said container when said outlet structure engaging sleeve is attached to said outlet structure,

19. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 17 or 18 wherein said inner body includes a cylindrical portion and a head portion; said cylindrical portion provided with a bore extending into said head portion.

20. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 19 wherein said head portion includes a peripheral flange and a grasping element projecting outwardly from said circumferential flange.

21. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 19 or 20 wherein said cylindrical portion is adapted for a slight interference fit within said barrel portion of said outer body; and wherein said circumferential flange and said grasping element of said head portion are adapted for a slight interference fit within said outer sleeve of said outer body. -24

22. The liquid dispensing valve of claim 20 or 21 wherein said bore is divided along the length of said bore into said liquid passageway and said air -e said liquid passageway communicating with said liquid outlet orifice and said air passageway communicating wit e in airain orifice; each said passage provi element of said head portion.

23. The liquid disPelsilg valve of claim 22 wherein axes of said liquid outlet orifice and said air inlet orifice are diametrically opposed. 24 The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein outer walls of said cylindrical portion are provided with at least one liquid passing orifice and one air passing orifice; said liquid passing orifice in communication with said d said air passing orifice in liquid passageway and communication with said air passageway.

25. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein respective outer openings of said liquid outlet passage and said air inlet passage are in sealing engagement with internal surfaces of said outer sleeve when said inner body is in said non dispensing position. -25

26. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 18 to 25 wherein said barrel portion of said outer body is provided with at least one liquid entry orifice and at least one air outlet orifice.

27. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 18 to 26 wherein said outer sleeve of said outer body is provided with a said liquid outlet orifice and en said air inlet orifice; and wherein axes of said liquid outlet orifice and said air inlet orifice are diametrically opposed.

28. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein respective axes of said liquid outlet orifice of said inner body and said liquid entry orifice of said outer body, and respective axes of said air inlet orifice of said inner body and said air outlet orifice of said outer body are substantially aligned when said inner body is in said liquid dispensing position.

29. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 19 to 28 wherein said inner body is provided with a rotation limiting stop element projecting from an inward facing surface of said head portion.

30. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 18 to 29 wherein said outer body is provided with a -26 rotation limiting recess in an outwardly facing surface of said circumferential flange; said recess in the form of a sector having an included angle of approximately 90 degrees.

31. The liquid dispensing valve of any one of claims 17 to 30 wherein said liquid dispensing valve is adapted to conduct a simultaneous outflow of a liquid from said container and an inflow of air into said container; said inflow of air substantially equal in volume of said outflow of liquid.

32. A liquid dispensing valve for a liquid container as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A liquid storage and dispenser assembly; said assembly including a container and a liquid dispensing valve; said container provided with raised and indented structures adapted for interlocking stacking of a plurality of said containers; said liquid dispensing valve adapted for a simultaneous flow of liquid from said container and flow of air into said container; said dispensing valve operable between a non-dispensing position and a dispensing position, and wherein each of an air inlet opening and a liquid outlet opening of said -27 valve are coincident respectively with an air inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice of said outer body when said inner body is rotated into a liquid dispensing position.

34. A liquid storage and dispenser assembly as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.