WO2016074732A1

WO2016074732A1 - Liquid dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2016074732A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/074531
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fedde Van Der Weij
Original assignee: Apds Originals BV
Current assignee: Apds Originals BV
Priority date: 2014-11-13
Filing date: 2014-11-13
Publication date: 2016-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-13

Abstract

A liquid dispensing device intended for use with a bag-in-box packaging (1) of the type comprising an outer box-like casing (2) and a removable inner flexible bag (3) for containing a liquid and having a spigot (4) connected thereto, a housing (5) having an inner space (6) with an open top and having a valve mechanism (7) in the vicinity of said open top intended for connection to the spigot (4), a removable insert (10) which in a first position is positionable inside the inner space (6) of the housing (5) and in said first position provides a support surface in the vicinity of the open top of the inner space (6) intended for supporting the box-like casing (2) of the bag-in-box packaging (1) in such a position that the spigot (4) of the flexible bag connects to the valve mechanism (7). The insert (10) in a second position is positionable on top of the inner space (6) of the housing (5) and comprises a cavity (11) intended for receiving the flexible bag (3) in such a position that the spigot (4) in said second position of the insert (10) connects to the valve mechanism (7).

Description

Liquid dispensing device

The invention relates to a liquid dispensing de^¬ vice intended for use with a bag-in-box packaging of the type comprising an outer box-like casing and a removable inner flexible bag for containing a liquid and having a spigot connected thereto.

Liquid dispensing devices of the type referred to above are applied in the field of so-called bag-in-box pack- agings for beverages like wine, water and juices, of which the use has grown steadily during the last decades, espe- cially for wine. The reason for this success lies in the ad^¬ vantages for all parties involved in the distribution chain, such as less packaging weight, less packaging cost, large beverage volume per packaging, efficient rectangular shape, easy to carry, long holding time, material and energy sav- ing. Such dispensing devices are capable of pouring in a more convenient way from a larger packaging (the flexible bag) . Larger packagings means more product (liquid such as beverage) per packaging, hence less packaging weight per unit of product .

The use of the bag-in-box packaging, however, has a number of drawbacks which contribute to a perception of low user-friendliness. One of the major disadvantages when using a bag-in-box packaging is the need to place the outer box-like casing on an elevated stand or near the edge of, for example, a table to ensure that there is sufficient room below the spigot for positioning a glass or cup. Another disadvantage is the fact that fully emptying the flexible bag is troublesome and that it is required to tilt the bag- in-box packaging for pouring out the last remaining liquid.

There are different types of spigots that come with bag-in-box packagings, that all require a different way to operate: pushing, lifting, squeezing, rotating, etcetera. The tactile and ergonomic properties of these spigots are only suboptimal: the size is big enough for many people, but for most it is not, the fixation of the spigot to the casing which in most cases is a carton box, is weak and flexible and the required hand position and hand action is not very convenient .

It is noted, that within the context of the pre^¬ sent invention the indication "spigot" not only refers to a liquid outlet with some kind of operable valve member, but also may encompass a simple spout without such a valve mem- ber .

It is an object of the present invention to pro^¬ vide an improved liquid dispensing device.

In view of the above, the present invention pro^¬ vides a liquid dispensing device which is characterized in that the device is provided with a housing having an inner space with an open top and having a valve mechanism in the vicinity of said open top intended for connection to the spigot, the device further being provided with a removable insert which in a first position is positionable inside the inner space of the housing and in said first position pro^¬ vides a support surface in the vicinity of the open top of the inner space intended for supporting the box-like casing of the bag-in-box packaging in such a position that the spigot of the flexible bag connects to the valve mechanism, and wherein the insert in a second position is positionable on top of the inner space of the housing and comprises a cavity intended for receiving the flexible bag in such a po^¬ sition that the spigot in said second position of the insert connects to the valve mechanism.

The liquid dispensing device in accordance with the present invention allows to be operated by a user in the following manner. When a bag-in-box packaging is to be used which is totally filled with a liquid (such as a beverage) to be dispensed (or which is still sufficiently filled) the insert is positioned in its first position inside the inner space of the housing and defines said support surface onto which the complete bag-in-box packaging is placed. The spig^¬ ot of the flexible bag that, in a manner generally known, protrudes from the outer casing is connected to the valve mechanism which may be operated (for example manually) for dispensing the required amount of liquid. When the flexible bag has been emptied that much that dispensing further liquid becomes troublesome, the insert is positioned in its second position and the flexible bag is removed from the outer casing and positioned in the cavity of the insert, while the spigot is connected to the valve mechanism. The fact that the flexible bag is positioned inside the insert without the outer casing combined with the design of the in^¬ sert promotes also dispensing the remaining liquid in the flexible bag.

The valve mechanism may be optimised, for example, with respect to ergonomics and dispensing characteristics (such as, for example, pressure, speed and pattern) of the liquid .

Off course a user also has the possibility to use the device in other manners, for example by positioning a completely filled flexible bag (without outer casing) right from the start in the cavity of the insert which occupies the second position. Another possibility (which, however, generally only will be available when the flexible bag al^¬ ready has been emptied for at least one third) is to posi^¬ tion the flexible bag in the cavity of the insert and to then position the insert in its first position inside the inner space of the housing. In such a configuration, howev- er, it generally will not be possible to dispense liquid and such a configuration may be used as a storage configuration (for example if one for an extended period of time is not planning to dispense liquid) .

In a preferred embodiment the cavity of the insert at one side is limited by an inclined wall which in said second position of the insert serves as a support for a low^¬ er side of the flexible bag and which, in said second posi^¬ tion, inclines downwardly in a direction towards the valve mechanism. Such an inclined wall ensures an improved flow of liquid towards the spigot, such that a flexible bag may be fully emptied while maintaining good dispensing characteris^¬ tics.

In another embodiment of the liquid dispensing de^¬ vice the insert substantially is block-shaped with six sides, of which a first side defines said inclined wall, an opposite second side defines an opening intended for the in^¬ troduction of the flexible bag into the cavity of the insert and the remaining four sides define side walls connecting said first and second sides, wherein one of said side walls is provided with a slot intended for receiving the spigot and wherein another one of said side walls in the first po^¬ sition of the insert defines the support surface. Such a block-shaped insert is capable of functioning in an optimal manner. Its shape makes it easy to position it inside the inner space of the housing in the first position, but also allows an easy introduction of the flexible bag into the cavity of the insert while positioning the spigot in the slot .

It is noted that some of the sides of the insert in such an embodiment also may be curved and/or inclined.

Specifically said slot, in said second position of the insert, may extend substantially vertically and may be provided with an upper open end intended for the introduc^¬ tion of the spigot into said slot. This allows to slide the spigot into and along the slot to its desired position.

It is conceivable that the side wall that in the first position defines the support surface, and the side wall that is provided with the slot, are opposite side walls of the insert. In the first position of the insert the side wall that is provided with the slot may rest on supports provided in the inner space of the housing.

In yet another embodiment of the liquid dispensing device the insert comprises manually engageable means, such as an opening in the side wall that in the first position defines the support surface. As a result the insert may be grabbed and manipulated in an easy manner.

Further it is conceivable that the top of the housing and the insert define support members intended for supporting the insert in the second position. These support members in a very well-defined manner dictate and maintain the proper (second) position of the insert.

It may be convenient if the liquid dispensing de^¬ vice according to the present invention further is provided with a cover positionable in at least a first lower position fully enclosing the housing when the insert is in its first position inside the inner space of the housing and a second upper position enclosing an uppermost part of the housing and the insert when the insert is in its second position. Such a cover not only may improve the aesthetical appearance of the device, but also may provide an additional protection (to the housing as well as to the bag-in-box packaging) . Further such a cover may be used to display useful infor^¬ mation (for example about the contents of the bag-in-box packaging) . Finally such a cover may act as an insulator.

In one embodiment the housing and cover are pro^¬ vided with cooperating locking members (for example locking sliders on the cover and a locking groove on the housing) for locking the cover in a desired position relative to the housing.

To further improve the functionality of the liquid dispensing device according to the present invention, it further may be provided with an adapter part intended for, at one hand, connecting to the spigot and for, at the other hand, removably connecting to the valve mechanism. Such an adapter part ensures that the spigot in a correct manner will be in fluid communication with the valve mechanism. For each type of spigot there may be provided a specific adapter part. But for all types of spigots the same manner of oper- ating the valve mechanism will be used, making the use of the device very convenient.

It is conceivable that the adapter part is config^¬ ured for keeping a spigot connected thereto permanently in an open position and wherein the valve mechanism is operable between an open position and a closed position. In such a manner a device is achieved in which, once the spigot is connected, one only has to operate the valve mechanism with^¬ out also operating the spigot

Although it is conceivable to use a drive mecha- nism (for example electrically operated) for the valve mech^¬ anism, in a very simple and reliable embodiment the valve mechanism is operated by a manually operated lever (which also encompasses the possibility to push against the lever with a glass or cup to be filled with the liquid or bever- age) .

The housing may be provided with storage means for storing at least one adapter part. As a result the adapter part (or parts) always is (are) at hand when needed.

Finally the insert may comprise a cooling device positioned adjacent the inclined wall, for cooling the flex^¬ ible bag and its contents.

Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated while referring to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 in a perspective view shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention with its parts tak^¬ en apart;

Figure 2 shows the device in a first position of use, however without bag-in-box packaging;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective cross section of the device in the position according to figure 2; Figure 4 shows the device in the first position of use together with a bag-in-box packaging;

Figure 5 shows the device in a second position of use ;

Figure 6 shows a cross section of the device in its second position of use;

Figure 7 shows the device in its second position of use and provided with a cover, and

Figure 8 shows further details of the device.

Referring now to figure 1 an embodiment of the dispensing device is illustrated. Said device is intended for use with a bag-in-box packaging 1 (shown in figure 4) of the type comprising an outer box-like casing 2 and a remova^¬ ble inner flexible bag 3 (best visible in figure 5) for con- taining a liquid, such as for example a beverage. As known generally, said flexible bag 3 has a spigot 4 (best shown in figure 6) connected thereto. The spigot 4 may have any known configuration and method of operation.

The device is provided with a housing 5 having an inner space 6 with an open top and having a valve mechanism 7 (best shown in figure 6) in the vicinity of said open top. In the illustrated embodiment the valve mechanism 7 is re^¬ ceived or integrated into a forward extension 8 of the hous^¬ ing 5 and, as will be explained below, is intended for con- nection to the spigot 4. The valve mechanism 7 is operated by a manually operated lever 9, for example directly by en^¬ gaging the lever 9 with a finger, or indirectly by pushing a hand-held glass or cup against the lever 9. It is conceiva^¬ ble, however, that the valve mechanism 7 is operated in oth- er ways (for example being driven electrically by pushing a respective button) .

The device further is provided with a removable insert 10. This insert 10, which in the illustrated embodi^¬ ment is substantially block-shaped, comprises an inner cavi- ty 11 limited or surrounded by four side walls 12-15 and an inclined wall 16 (best visible in figures 3 and 6) . These walls 12-16 define five sides of the block-shaped insert 10, of which the sixth side is defined by an opening providing access to the cavity 11.

In a first position (see figures 2 and 3) the in^¬ sert 10 is positionable inside the inner space 6 of the housing 5. In said first position side wall 12 provides a support surface in the vicinity of the open top of the inner space 6 which is intended for supporting the box-like casing 2 of the bag-in-box packaging 1 as illustrated in figure 4. The position is such that the spigot 4 of the flexible bag 3 connects to the valve mechanism 7 (in a manner to be de^¬ scribed later) . In this first position liquid may be dis^¬ pensed from the bag-in-box packaging 1 by operating the valve mechanism 7.

The insert 10 also is positionable in a second po^¬ sition (as represented in figures 5 and 6) . In said second position the insert 10 is positioned on top of the inner space 6 of the housing 5 and in its cavity 11 the flexible bag 3 (without the outer casing 2) of the packaging 1 is re^¬ ceived, again in such a position that the spigot 4 in said second position of the insert 10 connects to the valve mech^¬ anism 7 in a manner to be described later. For dispensing liquid the valve mechanism 7 may then be operated.

Because the cavity 11 of the insert 10 in the sec^¬ ond position at its lower side is limited by the inclined wall 16 (as shown best in figure 6) which in said second po^¬ sition of the insert 10 serves as a support for a lower side of the flexible bag 3 and which, in said second position, inclines downwardly in a direction towards the valve mecha^¬ nism 7, it is guaranteed that all the liquid remaining in^¬ side the flexible bag 3 will flow towards the spigot 4.

As illustrated, for example, in figure 5 side wall 15 is provided with a slot 17 intended for receiving the spigot 4 during the introduction of the flexible bag 3 into the cavity 11 of the insert 10. In the illustrated embodi^¬ ment said slot 17, in said second position of the insert 10, extends substantially vertically and is provided with an up^¬ per open end intended for the introduction of the spigot 4 into said slot 17; the lower end of the slot 17 may be lim^¬ ited by a part of the respective side wall 15 for defining a desired position of the spigot 4.

The configuration of the insert 10 is such that the side wall 12 that in the first position defines the sup- port surface, and the side wall 15 that is provided with the slot 17, are opposite side walls of the insert 10. In the first position of the insert 10 the side wall 15 that is provided with the slot 17 may rest against supports 26 pro^¬ vided in the inner space 6 of the housing 5. The side wall 15 may be provided with corresponding cut-outs 30 for defin^¬ ing the correct position of the insert 10 in the inner space 6.

The side wall 12 that in the first position de^¬ fines the support surface for the bag-in-box packaging 1, comprises an opening 18 for manually engaging and manipulat^¬ ing the insert 10. It is also conceivable that the insert 10 comprises additional or different manually engageable means.

The top of the housing 5 (near an upstanding wall 19) and the insert 10 define support members 20, 27-29 in- tended for supporting the insert 10 in the second position.

Below the inclined wall 16 (as seen in a position in which said inclined wall 16 supports a flexible bag, such as in figure 6) a cooling device (not illustrated) may be provided for cooling the bag 3 and its contents.

The liquid dispensing device further may be pro^¬ vided with a cover 21 positionable in at least a first lower position (as illustrated in broken lines in figure 2) fully enclosing the device when the insert 10 is in its first po^¬ sition inside the inner space 6 of the housing 5 without thereon supporting a bag-in-box packaging 1, and a second upper position (illustrated in figure 7) enclosing an uppermost part of the housing 5 and the insert 10 (with or with^¬ out a flexible bag 3 placed therein) when the insert 10 is in its second position.

The housing 5 and cover 21 are provided with coop^¬ erating locking members 22 and 23, respectively, for locking the cover 21 in a desired position relative to the housing 5, such as locking sliders 23 on the cover 21 and locking grooves 22 on the housing 5.

In the illustrated embodiment the spigot 4 of the flexible bag does not connect directly to the valve mecha^¬ nism 7 of the housing 5. An adapter part 24 is provided intended for, at one hand, with a first end connecting to the spigot 4 and for, at the other hand, with a second end re- movably connecting to the valve mechanism 7. The adapter part 24 may be devised to cooperate with a specific type of spigot 4 and thus ensures that a proper fluid communication between said spigot 4 and the valve mechanism 7 will be es^¬ tablished. For each type of spigot 4 a dedicated adapter part 24 may be provided and preferably the housing 5 is pro^¬ vided with storage means 25 (figures 3 and 6) for storing different adapter parts 24', 24" and 24'". It is conceivable that a single adapter 24 is fit to cooperate with a number of different spigots 4, too.

For ease of use of the device it may be convenient when the adapter part 24 is configured for permanently keep^¬ ing a spigot 4 connected thereto in an open position, where^¬ in the valve mechanism 7 is operable between an open position and a closed position.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above which may be varied widely within the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.

Claims

1. Liquid dispensing device intended for use with a bag-in-box packaging of the type comprising an outer box-like casing and a removable inner flexible bag for con^¬ taining a liquid and having a spigot connected thereto, characterized in that the device is provided with a housing having an inner space with an open top and having a valve mechanism in the vicinity of said open top intended for con^¬ nection to the spigot, the device further being provided with a removable insert which in a first position is posi- tionable inside the inner space of the housing and in said first position provides a support surface in the vicinity of the open top of the inner space intended for supporting the box-like casing of the bag-in-box packaging in such a posi^¬ tion that the spigot of the flexible bag connects to the valve mechanism, and wherein the insert in a second position is positionable on top of the inner space of the housing and comprises a cavity intended for receiving the flexible bag in such a position that the spigot in said second position of the insert connects to the valve mechanism.

2. Liquid dispensing device according to claim

1, wherein the cavity of the insert at one side is limited by an inclined wall which in said second position of the in^¬ sert serves as a support for a lower side of the flexible bag and which, in said second position, inclines downwardly in a direction towards the valve mechanism.

3. Liquid dispensing device according to claim

2, wherein the insert substantially is block-shaped with six sides, of which a first side defines said inclined wall, an opposite second side defines an opening intended for the in^¬ troduction of the flexible bag into the cavity of the insert and the remaining four sides define side walls connecting said first and second sides, wherein one of said side walls is provided with a slot intended for receiving the spigot and wherein another one of said side walls in the first po^¬ sition of the insert defines the support surface.

4. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein said slot, in said second position of the insert, extends substantially vertically and is provided with an up^¬ per open end intended for the introduction of the spigot in^¬ to said slot.

5. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the side wall that in the first position de- fines the support surface and the side wall that is provided with the slot, are opposite side walls of the insert.

6. Liquid dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the insert comprises manually engageable means, such as an opening in the side wall that in the first position defines the support surface.

7. Liquid dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the top of the housing and the insert define support members intended for supporting the insert in the second position.

8. Liquid dispensing device according to any of the previous claims, further provided with a cover position- able in at least a first lower position fully enclosing the device when the insert is in its first position inside the inner space of the housing and a second upper position en- closing an uppermost part of the housing and the insert when the insert is in its second position.

9. Liquid dispensing device according to claim

8, wherein the housing and cover are provided with cooperat^¬ ing locking members for locking the cover in a desired posi- tion relative to the housing.

10. Liquid dispensing device according to any of the previous claims and further provided with an adapter part intended for, at one hand, connecting to the spigot and for, at the other hand, removably connecting to the valve mechanism.

11. Liquid dispensing device according to claim

10, wherein the adapter part is configured for permanently keeping a spigot connected thereto in an open position and wherein the valve mechanism is operable between an open position and a closed position.

12. Liquid dispensing device according to claim

11, wherein the valve mechanism is operated by a manually operated lever.

13. Liquid dispensing device according to any of the claims 10-12, wherein the housing is provided with storage means for storing at least one adapter part.

14. Liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the insert comprises a cooling device positioned adjacent the inclined wall.