IE903956A1 - Improvements in or relating to dispensers - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for use with a bottle, for example a bottle (22) of carbonated beverage, has a casing (10) with an upper inlet port (20), in which the bottle neck is received and fluid communication means leading from the port to a dispensing spout (30) and to atmosphere, said means being resilient tubes which are closed off by bars (40,66), biassed towards pinch bars (44) or a fixed portion (68) on the casing (10) and moveable away from the casing to open the tubes on depressing an operating button (32) or switching an operating switch (56) mounted on an extension (28) of the casing.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Dispensers The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to dispensers, especially but not exclusively dispensers for drinks.

With the introduction of light-weight packages, for example PET bottles, it is possible to supply to the consumer liquid products, for example carbonated soft drinks, in large containers of for example 1 to 20 litres capacity. Containers of this nature are relatively thin-walled and have poor inherent rigidity. This characteristic, coupled with the size and weight of the container, makes it difficult for the user to efficiently pour the contents from the bottle.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser having an upper inlet port adapted to sealingly enagage a container whose contents have to be dispensed, a spout for dispensing liquid, first fluid communication means between said inlet port and said spout, second fluid communication means between said inlet port and the exterior of the container and manually operable means for simultaneously closing off - 2 said first and second fluid communication means.

Preferably said fluid communication means comprise resi1ient tubes .

Preferably said manually operable means comprise co-operating members normally spring-urged together and between which the tubes are located such that the manually operable means normally close off the tubes.

Preferably the co-operating members comprise a clamping bar and an abutment towards which the clamping bar is biassed.

Preferably the manually operable means comprises a manually rotatable member which carries the clamping bar, such that pivotal movement of the member from a first position to a second position moves the clamping bar from a position in which it closes off the tubes to a position where the tubes are open.

Preferably the clamping bar is attached to the rotatable member to create an overcentring action as the rotatable member moves from the open position to the closed position to clamp the tubes, the rotatable member being retained in the closed position by the - 3 overcentring action.

Preferably releasable retaining means is provided to retain the manually operable means in the first position. The retaining means may selectably retain the said means in the first or second positions. The retaining means may comprise a ratchet mechanism.

Preferably the spout dispenses liquid in the direction of the base of the dispenser. The spout preferably projects beyond the base of the dispenser so that with the dispenser positioned at the edge of a supporting structure the spout overhangs the edge to allow a liquid receiver to be placed under the spout alongside the structure.

Preferably to ensure that the dispenser does not move relative to the structure a retractable stop is provided in its base in a position relative to the spout such that the stop overhangs and abuts the edge of the supporting structure when the spout occupies a dispensing position.

Preferably the inlet port is internally screwthreaded. Screw-threaded adaptors may be provided to co-operate with the inlet port so that containers of - 4 varying outlet dimensions and thread patterns may be accommodated on the dispenser.

Preferably said second fluid communication has an extension tube insertable into the container to be dispensed such that in its dispensing condition the extension tube extends above the surface of the liquid being dispensed .

Preferably the fluid communication tubes are fabricated from silicone rubber.

Preferably the dispenser is manufactured from plastics material.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a pictorial view of a first embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an exploded elevation of the dispenser showing its various components; Fig. 3 is a plan of the dispenser casing; - 5 Fig. 4 is a view from below of the dispenser; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation through the casing on the line X-X of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an exploded view of part of a valve mechanism of the dispenser.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dispenser according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation on the line Y-Y of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is an exploded view of part of a valve mechanism of the dispenser of Fig. 7.

The dispenser of the first embodiment is intended for use with PET carbonated drinks bottles and especially for use with such bottles having a capacity as great as 20 litres, although it will be realised that it is equally applicable for use with smaller bottles and other containers manufactured from any material. - 6 It comprises a frusto-conica1 outer casing 10, an interfitting base rim 12 and an upper collar 14 all moulded from plastics material and provided with co-operating lugs and recesses, only some of which 16,18 are shown, whereby the components can be snapfitted together into an assembled condition.

The collar 14 defines an inlet port 20 adapted to receive the outlet of the container or bottle 22. The collar includes an internally threaded inner surface corresponding to the externally threaded outer surface of the neck of the bottle 22.

The upper surface of the casing 10 within the collar 14 supports a tube adaptor 24 carrying a sealing ring 26 on its upper surface against which the end face of the neck of the bottle sealingly engages when it is screwed into the collar. Two spouts 25 extend downwardly from the adaptor 24.

The collar 14 has an extension 28 therefrom running alongside the casing 10 and terminating in a dispensing spout 30 at its lower end, the spout 30 being spaced above the lower face of the base 12 when the dispenser is assembled.

The extension 28 has movably mounted therein a dispensing button 32 having a finger press pad 34 and three parallel limbs 36 extending rearwardly and downwardly from its rear face into the interior of the casing 10 through slots 38 formed through the casing wall. The free end of the limbs 36 carry clamping bars 40 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 4). A leaf spring 42 is mounted between the push button 32 and an internal part of the casing 10, and the assembly of casing 10, collar 14 with extension 28 and push button 32 is so arranged that the clamping bars are spring-urged each towards or against a respective one of a pair of pinch bars 44 projecting from the casing 10 in a facing relationship with the clamping bars.

A first tube 27, which is a resilient tube manufactured on the adaptor 24 from silicone rubber, extends from a one of the spouts 25 through the casing 10 where it is guided by guide holes 46 across a one of the pinch bars 44 and between said bar and a clamping bar 40, through an aperture 48 in the casing wall 10 to terminate at the dispensing spout 30.

A second similar tube 29 leads from the other spout 25 and is routed in a similar direction terminating within the extension 28 with its end open - 8 to atmosphere, the second tube 29 passing between the other of the pinch bars 44 and the other clamping bar 40 of the push button assembly 32.

The interior of the spout 25 from which said second tube 29 extends is adapted to receive a further tube 31 which, in use, is inserted into the bottle 22 and extends therethrough to a point above the surface of the liquid therein so that as the contents of the bottle are dispensed through the spout 30 air can be introduced into the bottle to replace the liquid removed therefrom. The further tube 31 is stored within the casing 10 when not in use.

The contents of the bottle 20 are dispensed as follows. A cup or other receptacle is held below the dispensing spout 30. The button 32 is pressed, against the action of the spring 42. This moves the pinch bars 44 away from the clamping bars 40, releasing the tubes 27,29 and allowing the contents of the bottle 20 to leave through the tube 27 to be dispensed at the dispensing spout 30. Air moves up the tube 29 into the bottle 20 to replace the dispensed contents.

When the button 32 is released, the spring 42 urges the pinch bars 44 back towards the clamping - 9 bars 40 to pinch off the tubes 27,29, preventing any further dispensing of the contents.

Referring to Figs. 7 to 9, in an alternative embodiment the extension 28 has a switch 56 rotatably mounted therein. The switch 56 comprises a main cylindinal or part cylindinal body portion 58 from which a flange 60 extends out from the extension 28 through a suitably formed aperture 59.

Pivotally attached to the body 58 of the switch 56 is a clamping bar 66 of a substantially ' U' shape. The attachment of the clamping bar 66 to the body 58 creates an overcentring action as the switch 56 moves between a dispensing position and a closed position.

The resilient tubes 27,29 pass through the ’Ll' shaped bar 66 between a fixed portion 68 of the dispenser and the base portion 70 of the '11' shaped bar 66.

Dispensing of fluid from the dispenser is controlled by means of the switch 56. When the switch 56 is in the position indicated in solid delineation in Fig. 8 (the dispensing position), the base 70 of the clamping bar 66 is relatively remote from the portion 68 such that the tubes 27,29 are unpinched. The contents of the container can be dispensed and replaced Έ903956 - 10 by air.

If the switch 56 is moved into the closed position indicated in broken lines, base 70 of the clamping bar 66 moves toward the portion 68 until the tubes 27,29 are clamped and pinched between the said base 70 and the portion 68 until fluid can no longer flow. The switch 56 and clamping bar 66 are maintained in the closed position by the overcentring action which occurs as the body 58 rotates.

Alternatively, a set of teeth 62 may be provided on the body 58 operable to engage a corresponding set of teeth 64 formed on one edge of the aperture 59 in the extension 28, to provide a ratchet mechanism.

The ratchet action provided by the teeth 62,64 retains the switch 56 in either position.

A stop member 50 is slidably mounted between casing 10 and the extension 28 and may be slid from a position in which its lower edge 52 is coplanar with the lower face of the base 12 to a dispensing position in which said edge 52 is spaced below the lower face of the base 12. The stop has a flat inner face 54 which, in use, is adapted to abut the vertical edge of the -11structure on which the dispenser is supported such that pushing the button 32 does not cause the dispenser to move across said structure but rather forces the surface 54 into closer engagement with said edge. It will be realised that in this position the spout 30 projects over the edge of the supporting structure so that a receiving container can be placed beneath the spout to receive liquid dispensed therefrom.

To accommodate bottles of different neck dimensions and thread configurations a plurality of suitably dimensioned and threaded adaptors 56 can be provided, the adaptors having an outer thread 58 cor responding to the internal thread of the collar 14 whereby they can be fitted therein in fluid-tight engagement, so that the adaptor can receive a bottle whose contents have to be dispensed.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (20)

1. A dispenser having an upper inlet port adapted to sealingly engage a container whose contents have to be dispensed, a spout for dispensing liquid, first fluid communication means between said inlet port and said spout, second fluid communication means between said inlet port and the exterior of the container and manually operable means for simultaneously closing off said first and second fluid communication means.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, in which said fluid communication means comprise resilient tubes.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, in which said manually operable means comprise co-operating members normally spring-urged together between which the tubes are located such that the manually operable means normally close off the tubes.

4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3, in which the co-operating members comprise a clamping bar and an abutment towards which the clamping bar is biassed.

5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4, in which the -13manually operable means comprises a manually rotatable member which carries the clamping bar such that pivotal movement of the switch from a first position to a second position moves the clamping bar from a position in which it closes off the tubes to a position where the tubes are substantially open.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 5, in which the clamping bar is attached to the rotatable member to create an overcentring action as the rotatable member moves from the open position to the closed position to clamp the tubes, the rotatable member being retained in the closed position by the overcentring action.

7. A dispenser as claimed in claim'· 5 or 6, in which releasable retaining means is provided to retain the manually operable means in the first position.

8. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7, in which the retaining means are selectably operable to retain the manually operable means in the first or second position.

9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which the retaining means comprise a ratchet mechanism. - 14

10. A dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the spout dispenses liquid in the direction of the base of the dispenser.

11. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10, in which the spout projects beyond the base of the dispenser so that with the dispenser positioned at the edge of a supporting structure the spout overhangs the edge to allow a liquid receiver to be placed under the spout alongside the structure.

12. A dispenser as claimed in claims 10 or 11, in which a retractable stop is provided in the base in a position relative to the spout such that the stop overhangs and abuts the edge of the supporting structure when the spout occupies a dispensing position.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inlet port is internally screw-threaded.

14. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which screw-threaded adaptors are provided to co-operate with the inlet port so that containers of varying outlet dimensions and thread patterns may be accommodated on the dispenser. -

15. 15. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said second fluid communication means has an extension tube insertable into the container to be dispensed such that in its dispensing condition the extension tube extends above the surface of the liquid being dispensed .

16. A dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 15, in which the fluid communication tubes are fabricated from silicone rubber.

17. A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the dispenser is manufactured from plastics material .

18. A dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims. NINE SHEETS SHEET ONE