EP2943433B1 - Mehrkanal-einzeldorn für ein flüssigkeitsabgabesystem - Google Patents

Mehrkanal-einzeldorn für ein flüssigkeitsabgabesystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2943433B1
EP2943433B1 EP14738181.8A EP14738181A EP2943433B1 EP 2943433 B1 EP2943433 B1 EP 2943433B1 EP 14738181 A EP14738181 A EP 14738181A EP 2943433 B1 EP2943433 B1 EP 2943433B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shaft
channel
liquid
generally
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP14738181.8A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP2943433A1 (de
EP2943433A4 (de
Inventor
Jeffrey Macler
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International Packaging Innovations LLC
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International Packaging Innovations LLC
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Priority claimed from US13/738,725 external-priority patent/US8770441B2/en
Application filed by International Packaging Innovations LLC filed Critical International Packaging Innovations LLC
Publication of EP2943433A1 publication Critical patent/EP2943433A1/de
Publication of EP2943433A4 publication Critical patent/EP2943433A4/de
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers
    • B67D3/0035—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers the bottle or container being held upside down and not provided with a closure, e.g. a bottle screwed onto a base of a dispenser
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B7/00—Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers
    • B67B7/24—Hole-piercing devices
    • B67B7/26—Hole-piercing devices combined with spouts
    • B67B7/28—Hole-piercing devices combined with spouts and associated with receptacle hodlers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D3/00—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes
    • B67D3/0029—Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes provided with holders for bottles or similar containers

Definitions

  • This disclosure relates to systems for dispensing liquids from bags, in particular to a liquid dispensing system wherein liquid is dispensed from a bag via a puncturing device utilizing a single spike having a plurality of channels.
  • Conventional domestic liquid dispensers used primarily for providing heated or cooled water are usually free standing devices which dispense sterilized or mineral water from large rigid water bottles.
  • the rigid water bottles have a large body portion and a narrow neck portion having a mouth opening, and are coupled to a water dispenser by inverting the bottle and positioning the mouth of the bottle in a chamber of the water dispenser. Air, introduced into the water bottle through the mouth, allows water to be dispensed from the inverted bottle until the water level in the chamber reaches the mouth of the bottle. Since the water bottle is rigid, once the water level in the chamber reaches the mouth of the bottle no more air can enter the bottle, so water remaining in the inverted bottle is retained in the bottle due to the difference between the air pressure external to the inverted bottle and the air pressure inside the bottle.
  • Water is then dispensed from the chamber through a conduit attached to a valve at the opposite end of the chamber from the mouth of the water bottle.
  • a conduit attached to a valve at the opposite end of the chamber from the mouth of the water bottle.
  • water bottles used in the conventional domestic water dispensers usually contain a large quantity of sterilized water, typically on the order of about nineteen (19) litres (5 US gallons). A gallon of water weighs about 3.80 kg (8.39 pounds), and thus a full five gallon bottle weighs well in excess of eighteen (18) kg (40 pounds). Due to the weight and size of a bottle holding that amount of water, it is often difficult to invert and properly locate the mouth of the bottle in the chamber without spilling a quantity of the water.
  • the water bottles used with such water dispensers are fabricated from a thick, rigid, plastic material that can hold a vacuum without collapsing.
  • Such bottles are expensive and due to their cost, are usually resterilized and reused after an initial use. Because the bottles are rigid and enclosed, they are not collapsible or stackable, and require a great deal of space to transport, driving up the cost of shipping the empty water bottle back to the supplier for sterilization and reuse. These costs are adsorbed by the consumer through increased water costs.
  • the water bottles in order for the mouth of the water bottle to be positioned in the chamber of the cooler, the water bottles must have a neck, as described above.
  • the presence of the neck increases the difficulty in sterilizing the water bottles, since the neck may limit the ability of the sterilizing agents to reach all the interior parts of the bottle, even when large quantities of sterilizing agents are used.
  • heat sterilization could overcome this problem to some extent, it is generally not possible to use heat sterilization on plastic bottles.
  • ultraviolet light sterilization may lead to incomplete sterilization. Particularly troublesome, once the bottle is inverted into the fluid dispenser, the outside of the neck of the bottle can contact the fluid, and it is very difficult to maintain this area of the bottle sterile.
  • the rigid plastic water bottles may develop cracks or holes. If such failures occur while the water bottle is inverted in the water dispenser, air will enter the water bottle and allow water to flow uncontrollably from the mouth of the water bottle, allowing the chamber eventually to overflow. This water overflow can expose the purchaser's premises to the risk of water damage.
  • valve in the flow path between the bottle and the chamber.
  • a valve allows the flow of water out of the bottle to be closed off so that the chamber does not overflow.
  • Such a valve can operate automatically, opening and closing depending on the level of the fluid in the chamber
  • the device described therein uses a vent to permit and control flow between the bag and the chamber.
  • the vent runs parallel to the cooler's vertical axis, into which water flows when water is dispensed until the water level in the vent is level with the water level in the cooler.
  • Such a vent straw equalizes the pressure within the bag with the ambient pressure.
  • a liquid dispensing apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in US 6 398 073 B1 .
  • a spike for dispensing a liquid from a bag comprising: a shaft comprising a proximal and distal end and an elongated body therebetween and having an outer surface; a puncturing tip at the distal end; a first channel internal to the shaft, the first channel having a first fluid inlet on the puncturing tip through which fluid can flow through the first channel when a bag of fluid is punctured by the puncturing tip; a second channel internal to the spike, the second channel being noncontiguous with the first channel and having a second fluid inlet on the outer surface below the first fluid inlet through which fluid can flow through the second channel when a bag of fluid is punctured by the puncturing tip; a first aperture at the proximal end allowing fluid to flow through the first channel; a second aperture at the proximal end further from the distal end than the first aperture, the second aperture allowing fluid to flow through the second channel.
  • the spike further comprises: a puncturing tip comprising: a generally cone-shaped portion having a base and an opposing truncated tip, the base being sized and shaped for attaching to the first end of the shaft and being attached to the first end; a puncturing shaft having two opposing ends and an elongated body therebetween, a first end of the two opposing ends being sized and shaped to attach to the truncated tip and the first end attached to the truncated tip, and a second end of the two opposing ends being a generally cone-shaped element sized and shaped for puncturing a collapsible bag of liquid.
  • the puncturing shaft is generally cylindrical.
  • the puncturing shaft is generally a polygonal prism.
  • the puncturing shaft is generally a hexagonal prism.
  • the shaft is generally cylindrical.
  • the shaft is generally a polygonal prism.
  • the shaft is generally a hexagonal prism.
  • the spike further comprises: the shaft further comprising a generally cylindrical hollow extension having an aperture at each of two opposing ends allowing fluid to flow through the extension, a first end of the two opposing ends being attached to the shaft such that the aperture in the first end generally circumscribes the second fluid inlet.
  • a liquid dispensing system comprising: a dispensing base; an enclosed chamber positioned interior to the dispensing base; a support external to the dispensing base, the support providing support for a bag containing liquid; a single spike comprising a plurality of noncontiguous internal channels, the single spike being situated to puncture the bag containing liquid when the bag containing liquid is supported by the support and wherein the plurality of noncontiguous internal channels provide continuity of air and fluid flow between the enclosed chamber and the bag containing liquid upon puncturing the bag containing liquid; and, a dispensing valve connected to the enclosed chamber allowing for dispensing liquid from the enclosed chamber.
  • a method for dispensing liquid from a collapsible bag containing liquid comprising the steps of: providing a bag support capable of supporting a collapsible bag containing liquid during dispensing of liquid from the bag and having a supporting surface defining a first space adjacent to a first side of the supporting surface and defining a second space on a second side of the supporting surface opposite the first side, the second space being an enclosed chamber; providing a single spike comprising a puncturing tip and a plurality of noncontiguous internal channels, each channel of the plurality of noncontiguous internal channels having a plurality of apertures on the exterior surface of the spike allowing fluid to flow through the each channel, the single spike connected to the enclosed chamber such that the puncturing tip can puncture a collapsible bag containing liquid supported by the bag support, and a first aperture of the plurality of apertures of the each channel is in the second space; supporting a collapsible bag containing liquid with the bag support; punct
  • the method further comprises the steps of: providing a dispensing valve connected to the second space; opening the dispensing valve to cause liquid to flow from the second space through the dispensing valve and to cause liquid to flow from the collapsible bag containing liquid into the second space; dispensing liquid from a collapsible bag containing liquid.
  • a multi-channel single spike (101) is used in a fluid dispensing system (100) to permit and control fluid flow in the system (100) from a collapsible bag (123).
  • fluid as used herein to include liquids and gases.
  • channel as used herein to refer to an enclosed path or passageway through a solid and having a plurality of access points.
  • inlet and outlet as used herein to refer to an access path to a channel for both ingress and egress, and to be used to describe an intended flow of fluid in the system for purposes of clarity and understanding, but these terms should not be understood as limiting fluid flow to any one direction.
  • enclosure as used herein to mean a solid material generally defining an interior space within said solid, and that this term does not imply or suggest that such interior space is completely sealed off; indeed, an "enclosure” as used herein may have one or more apertures or access points.
  • the depicted system (100) generally includes an enclosed chamber (135), a multi-channel single spike (101), a collapsible bag (123) containing liquid (125), and a dispensing valve (143).
  • the spike (101) is comprised of a generally cylindrical shaft (103) and a disc-shaped gasket (121) sealedly attached thereto.
  • the body of the spike may be in a shape other than cylindrical, such as a polygonal prism.
  • the shaft (103) is in the shape of a hexagonal prism.
  • the gasket (121) is attached to the shaft (103) such that the center of the gasket (121) is generally collinear with the major axis (161) of the shaft (103), and the major axis (161) of the shaft (103) is generally perpendicular to the radius of the gasket (121), and the gasket (121) circumscribes the shaft (103).
  • the gasket (121) and shaft (103) are monolithically constructed.
  • the gasket (121) and shaft (103) are constructed separately and affixed together through any method suitable to maintain the mating under the pressures in the system (100), including, without limitation through heat molding and the use of adhesives.
  • the gasket (121) is generally disc-shaped or ring-shaped and is generally sized and shaped for sealedly attaching the spike (101) to the chamber (135) to establish a snug, airtight fit.
  • the gasket (121) has a radius greater than that of the shaft (103), but an alternative embodiment, the gasket (121) may have a radius less than or the same as that of the shaft (103). In the depicted embodiment, the radius of the gasket (121) is about double the radius of the shaft (103).
  • the configuration of the gasket (121) including without limitation its radius and thickness, may depend upon the size and shape of the opening (157) in the chamber (135).
  • the gasket (121) may be made from any non-permeable material sufficiently rigid to maintain its own shape and withstand the fluid pressure and vacuum forces in the system (100), such as glass, porcelain, ceramics, synthetic moldable organic solids, polymers, plastics, rubber and the like.
  • the gasket (121) is attached to the chamber (135) such that the major axis (161) is parallel to the force of gravity and the puncturing tip (159) of the spike (101) is oriented upward so that a collapsible bag (123) may be dropped or lowered onto the puncturing tip (159) with the assistance of gravity.
  • the gasket (121) is sealedly attached to the chamber (135), such as by plugging a top opening (157) in the chamber in generally airtight fashion, or being monolithically constructed with same chamber.
  • the gasket (121) may be attached to the chamber (135) by heat molding, adhesive, or any other method suitable for use in conjunction with the forces at work in the system (100).
  • the radius of the gasket (121) is larger than the radius of the top opening (157).
  • the gasket (121) is sized and shaped to couple with the opening (157) in the chamber (135).
  • the spike (101) further includes a second, rigid gasket (122) located generally adjacent to the gasket (121).
  • the diameter of the rigid gasket (122) is generally larger than that of both the shaft (103) and of the coupling gasket (121), such that the lower surface of the rigid gasket (122) rests against or near the top of the chamber (135) when the spike (101) has been installed in the chamber (135). Because the diameter of the rigid gasket (122) is generally larger than that of the opening (157) the rigid gasket (122) provides additional airtight and watertight sealing to the system (101).
  • the large surface area of the rigid gasket (122) also provides a smooth and generally uniform surface to support the punctured (129) portion of the bag (123), creating a "stopping distance" for the bag (123) when lowered onto the spike (101).
  • the spike (101) includes a generally cylindrical shaft (103) having a smooth surface and two opposing ends extending generally collinearly in opposing directions from the gasket (121) such that the major axis (161) of the shaft (103) is generally perpendicular to the gasket (121) and the gasket (121) circumscribes the shaft (103).
  • the upward end of the spike (101) includes a puncturing portion (153) and the lower end of the spike (101) includes a dispensation enclosure (117) and a vent enclosure (119).
  • the length of the shaft (103) is generally sufficiently long to establish a watertight seal with the bag and to locate the inlets and outlets within the bag (123) when the bag (123) is punctured, as described elsewhere herein, but short enough that the shaft does not pierce another surface of the bag (123), such as the opposite end from the punctured point.
  • the puncturing portion (153) comprises a truncated cone-shaped portion (131) attached to the shaft (103) such that the base (147) of the cone-shaped portion (131) is attached to the end of the shaft (103) distal from the gasket (121).
  • the diameter of the base (147) of the cone-shaped portion (131) is generally the same as the diameter (147) of the shaft (103) and the cone-shaped portion (131) is attached to the shaft (103) such that the center axis of the cone-shaped portion (131) is generally collinear with the center axis (161) of the shaft.
  • the tip (145) of the cone-shaped portion (131) is truncated generally parallel to the base (147), having a flat, circular surface.
  • the spike (101) further includes a generally cylindrical second shaft (133) attached to the tip (145) of the truncated cone-shaped portion (131).
  • the diameter of the second shaft (133) is generally the same as the diameter of the tip (145) of the truncated cone-shaped portion (131), and the second shaft (133) is attached to the tip (145) such that the center axis of the second shaft (131) is generally collinear with the center axis of the main shaft (103) and of the truncated cone-shaped portion (131).
  • the diameter of the second shaft (133) is less than that of the main shaft (103).
  • the distal end of the second shaft (133) includes a puncturing tip (159) for puncturing a collapsible bag (123) of liquid (125).
  • the puncturing tip (159) of the depicted embodiment is generally a truncated cone-shaped element and is attached to the second shaft (133) such that the base (145) of the puncturing tip (159) is attached to the top of the second shaft (133).
  • the diameter of the base (145) of the puncturing tip (159) is generally the same as the diameter of the second shaft (133) and the puncturing tip (159) is attached to the second shaft (133) such that the center axis of the puncturing tip (159) is collinear with the center axis (161) of the shaft (103).
  • the puncturing tip (159) is generally a truncated cone-shaped element having a narrow, flat top, but in an alternative embodiment, the puncturing tip (159) is pointed or bladed.
  • the puncturing portion (153) is monolithically constructed, such as from a single block of material, or a single work piece. In another embodiment, the puncturing portion (153) and shaft (103) are monolithically constructed.
  • the portion of the shaft (103) extending below the gasket (121) includes a dispensing enclosure (117) and a venting enclosure (119).
  • the dispensing enclosure (117) extends further into the chamber (135) than does the venting enclosure (119).
  • the dispensing enclosure (117) encloses a hollow dispensing channel (107), and the venting enclosure (119) encloses a hollow venting channel (105).
  • the venting channel (105) and dispensing channel (107) are non-contiguous with each other within the spike (101).
  • the dispensing enclosure (117) and the venting enclosure (119) are each generally in the shape of a half cylinder mutually attached at the bases and each having generally the same radius.
  • enclosures (117 and 119) are sized and shaped differently, including without limitation having different radii, such as to regulate and facilitate the amount, rate, or type of fluid that flows through each.
  • the combination of the dispensing enclosure (117) and venting enclosure (119) forms a generally cylindrical shaft.
  • the diameter of the cylinder formed by the combination of the dispensing enclosure (117) and the venting enclosure (119) is generally the same as that of the main shaft (103).
  • the diameter of the cylinder formed by the venting enclosure (119) and dispensing enclosure (117) may be larger or smaller than that of the main shaft, but generally will be smaller than that of the gasket (121) and the rigid gasket (122).
  • the combination of the dispensing enclosure (117) and venting enclosure (119) forms a generally cylindrical shaft at the gasket (121), but one of the two enclosures (117 and 119) is longer than the other, resulting in the generally cylindrical shaft becoming a generally half-cylindrical shaft at the distal end from the gasket (121).
  • the shaft (103) does not have a gasket.
  • the shaft (103) includes one or more tabbed protrusions gasket sized and shaped for coupling to and/or interlocking with the chamber (135).
  • the venting channel (105) is a generally cylindrical passageway extending through the spike (101) and having an air inlet (115) at the distal end of the venting enclosure (119) through which air (141) in the chamber (135) may enter the venting channel (105) and having an air outlet (109) above the gasket (121) through which air in the venting channel (105) may enter the collapsible bag (123).
  • the venting channel (105) is generally a straight channel through the spike (101) running generally parallel to the center axis (161) of the spike (101) and not necessarily collinear with the center axis (161) of the spike (101), but rather offset from the center axis (161) of the spike (101) such that the center axis (161) of the spike (101) is not within the venting channel (105).
  • the air outlet (109) is an aperture in the outer surface of the truncated cone-shaped portion (131) of the puncturing portion (153), but in an alternative embodiment, the air outlet (109) may be located elsewhere on a surface of the shaft (103) or puncturing portion (153), generally above the gasket (121). It is preferred that the air outlet (109) be located in such a manner as not to compromise the structural integrity of the spike (101), and that the air outlet (109) be sized and shaped to permit an effective amount of air to egress the venting channel (105) at an effectively airflow rate to permit and control the flow of fluids (125) in the system (100) as elsewhere described herein.
  • the dispensing channel (107) is a generally cylindrical passageway extending through the spike (101) and having a liquid inlet (111) above the gasket (121) through which liquid (125) in the bag (123) may enter the dispensing channel (107), and having a liquid outlet (113) at the distal end of the dispensing enclosure (117) through which liquid in the dispensing channel (107) may enter the chamber (135).
  • the dispensing channel (107) is a generally straight channel extending through the spike (101) to a point above the gasket (121), at which point the dispensing channel (107) turns at approximately a ninety degree (90°) angle and proceeds generally away from the center axis (161) of the spike (101) and through a fluid inlet enclosure (127) attached to the outer surface of the shaft (103).
  • the fluid inlet (111) is an aperture in the distal end of the fluid inlet enclosure (127) distal from the shaft (103).
  • the portion of the dispensing channel (107) from the liquid outlet (113) to the fluid inlet enclosure (127) is generally a straight channel through the spike (101) running generally parallel to the center axis (161) of the spike (101) and generally not collinear with the center axis (161) of the spike (101), but rather offset from the center axis (161) of the spike (101) such that the center axis (161) of the spike (101) is not within the dispensing channel (105).
  • channels (105 and 107) may be arranged differently.
  • channels (105 and 107) may be arranged in a V-shaped orientation.
  • the fluid inlet (111) is an aperture in the fluid inlet enclosure (127) and the fluid inlet enclosure (127) is located near the gasket (121). This has the advantage of minimizing waste liquid in the system (100).
  • the fluid inlet (111) may be located elsewhere above the gasket (121), or include or use different structure not depicted in FIG. 1 .
  • the spike (101) does not include a fluid inlet enclosure (127).
  • the fluid inlet (111A) may be an aperture in the outer surface of the shaft (103), or may be an aperture (111B) in the outer surface of the truncated cone-shaped (131) portion of the puncturing portion (153).
  • the fluid inlet (111) be located in such a manner as not to compromise the structural integrity of the spike (101), and that the fluid inlet (111) be sized and shaped to permit an effective amount of liquid to ingress the dispensing channel (107) at an effective flow rate to permit and control the flow of fluid in the system (101) as elsewhere described herein.
  • the dispensing enclosure (117) and venting enclosure (119) are contiguous, but in an alternative embodiment, such as the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2 , the dispensing enclosure (117) and venting enclosure (119) are non-contiguous.
  • the spike (101) may enclose still further channels (not depicted) in addition to channels (117 and 119).
  • the channels are generally described as cylindrical, the channels are sized and shaped to facility the flow of fluid in the system and may have other configurations or shapes, including, without limitation, polygonal prisms.
  • the bag (123) of liquid (125) is suspended from a support (not depicted) and dropped onto the spike (101) so that the puncturing tip (159) punctures the outer surface of the bag (123) and the spike (101) penetrates the bag (123).
  • the spike (101) need only penetrate the bag (123) such that the liquid inlet (111) and gas outlet (109) are within the interior space of the bag (123), though the spike will generally penetrate the bag (123) such that the punctured portion (129) of the bag (123) is on or near the rigid gasket (122).
  • the bag (123) is made from a material with inherent elastic and tensile properties. Some suitable materials are described in the '096 patent to Macler.
  • the puncturing tip (159) creates a small hole or tear from the outer surface to the inner surface of the bag (123). This hole (129) is generally similarly sized and shaped as the puncturing tip (159).
  • the opening (129) in the bag (123) is gradually enlarged as the bag (123) is pushed over the puncturing portion (153) and onto the shaft (103).
  • the opening (129) does not enlarge significantly.
  • the spike (101) the portion of the bag (123) forming the hole (129) circumscribes the second shaft (133).
  • the hole (129) reaches the truncated cone-shaped portion (131)
  • the material forming the hole (129) stretches around the increasing circumference of the truncated cone-shaped portion (131), but the hole (129) generally does not tear or enlarge because of the elastic properties of the material of the bag (123).
  • This stretching in turn generates tensile force exerted by the bag (123) material on the portion of the spike (101) with which the hole (129) is in contact, improving the watertight seal between the bag (123) and the spike (101).
  • the material forming the hole (129) in the bag (123) is stretched to about the circumstance of the shaft (103).
  • the chamber (135) is generally contained within a supporting structure such a water cooler (300) as in FIG. 3 .
  • the chamber (135) is generally internally sanitized and sterilized.
  • the chamber (135) is connected to a dispensing valve (143) through a dispensing channel (147).
  • the dispensing value (143) When the dispensing value (143) is actuated, water flows out of a spigot or similar dispensing structure. Because the dispensing channel (147) is connected to the chamber (135), the departure of liquid (137) from the dispensing channel (147) in turn causes the liquid level (151) in the chamber (135) to decrease.
  • the spike (101) is positioned with respect to the chamber (135) such that the ventral portion of the spike (101) below the gasket (121) is generally within the interior portion of the chamber (135), and the connection between the spike (101) and chamber (135) is generally airtight and watertight.
  • the interior of the bag (123) is also generally sanitized and sterilized.
  • the combination of the bag (123), spike (101), and chamber (135) create a generally internally sealed, sanitary, sterilized, airtight, and watertight system.
  • the dispensing enclosure (117) extends further into the chamber (135) than does the venting enclosure (119).
  • the length of the enclosures (117 and 119) will generally be such that both enclosures (117 and 119) terminate within the chamber (135) and do not contact any interior surface of the chamber (135), allowing fluid to ingress and/or egress the channels (107 and 105) via the inlets (113 and 115).
  • the chamber (135) may be of any shape or size.
  • a system for heating or cooling the liquid in the chamber (135) is included, and the chamber (135) will be sized and shaped to accommodate such a system, and to hold a sufficient amount of cooled or heated liquid (137) to provide an adequate supply or cooled and/or heated liquid for the particular environment in which the device will be used.
  • the liquid channel (107) is larger in diameter than the airflow chamber (105), and the flow rate for water (125) from the bag (123) to the chamber (135) is higher than the flow rate of air (141) from the chamber (135) to the bag (123).
  • This configuration both permits appropriate fluid flow within the system aprevents "chugging,” whereby water (125) from the bag (123) drains into the chamber (135) in a fitful, start-and-stop manner as the air pressure between the bag (123) and chamber (135) rapidly oscillates between equalized and unequalized, which in turn causes noise, vibration, and erratic dispensing behavior.
  • the liquid inlet (111) is generally closer to the rigid gasket (122) than the top opening (109) for the airflow chamber (105) so that, among other things, more water (125) in the bag (123) can flow into the chamber (135). That is, once the water level (149) in the bag (123) is below the liquid inlet (111), there will be no liquid (125) in the bag (123) capable of entering the fluid flow chamber (107) because the waterline (149) in the bag (123) is below the opening (111). While some water (148) might be splashed into the fluid flow chamber (107) through the opening (111), such as by shaking or jostling the water cooler (300), this is not preferred and may result in damage to the system.
  • the dispensation enclosure (117) generally extends further into the chamber (135), than the vent enclosure (119), as illustrated in FIG. 1 , although both enclosures (117 and 119) are part of a single shaft.
  • the fluid path out of the chamber (135) through the spike (101) has become sealed relative to the ambient environment external to the system (100). That is, after the puncturing of the bag (123), there is no connection between the external environment and the chamber (135).
  • the vent channel (105) then becomes the only passage through which to equalize the pressure between the chamber (135) and vents air (141) into the bag (123).
  • the same liquid (137) can be dispensed through the dispensing valve (143).
  • the dispensing valve (143) is opened to allow liquid (137) to be dispensed from the chamber (135)
  • the water level (151) in the chamber (135) decreases, until eventually the liquid level (151) in the chamber (135) is lower than the inlet (115) of the vent channel (105).
  • the pressure in the chamber (135) is reduced from the value at equilibrium (no flow), thus allowing liquid (125) to again begin to flow from the bag (123) into the chamber (135).
  • the liquid level (151) in the chamber (135) continues to decrease as the liquid (137) continues to be dispensed. So long as the volume rate of flow out of the dispensing valve (143) (i.e., out of the chamber (135)) is greater than the combined volume rate of flow into the chamber (135) through the dispensation channel (107), the pressure in the chamber (135) will also continue to decrease.
  • the reduced pressure in the chamber (135) will add to the total force working to move liquid from the bag (123) into the chamber (135). Not only will gravity be pulling the liquid through the dispensation channel (107), but also pressure external to the bag (123) will be pushing the liquid (125) through the dispensation channel (107) into the chamber (135).
  • Such a chamber (135) in which pressure is reduced during dispensing is beneficial to the evacuation of liquid (125) from the bag (123) to the greatest extent, since, in effect, the reduced pressure in the chamber (135) results in a greater net force working to push liquid (125) out of the bag (123).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)

Claims (12)

  1. Flüssigkeitsabgabgeapparat (100; 300), umfassend:
    eine umschlossene Kammer (135), in der sich Luft befindet; und
    einen Dorn (101), um eine Außenwand eines kollabierbaren Beutels (123) zu punktieren, wobei der Dorn das Folgende umfasst:
    einen Schaft (103), der ein proximales Ende und ein distales Ende und dazwischen einen länglichen Körper umfasst und eine Außenoberfläche aufweist;
    eine Punktionsspitze (159) an dem distalen Ende;
    einen ersten Kanal (105) innerhalb des Schafts, wobei der erste Kanal an der Punktionsspitze (159) einen ersten Fluideinlass (109) und an dem proximalen Ende eine erste Öffnung (115) aufweist, wodurch Fluid durch den ersten Kanal strömen kann;
    einen zweiten Kanal (107) innerhalb des Dorns (101), wobei der zweite Kanal nicht mit dem ersten Kanal (105) durchgängig ist und an der Außenoberfläche einen zweiten Fluideinlass (111) und an dem proximalen Ende eine zweite Öffnung (113) aufweist, wodurch Fluid durch den zweiten Kanal strömen kann;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
    der zweite Fluideinlass (111) unter dem ersten Fluideinlass (109) ist, die erste Öffnung (115) des ersten Kanals (105) in der umschlossenen Kammer (135) angeordnet ist, die zweite Öffnung (113) des zweiten Kanals (107) in der umschlossenen Kammer angeordnet ist und die zweite Öffnung (113) weiter von dem distalen Ende entfernt liegt als die erste Öffnung (115).
  2. System (100; 300) zum Abgeben von einer Flüssigkeit aus einem kollabierbaren Beutel, wobei das System das Folgende umfasst:
    einen Flüssigkeitsabgabgeapparat (100; 300) nach Anspruch 1;
    einen kollabierbaren Beutel (123), der darin eine Flüssigkeit (125) enthält;
    wobei der erste Fluideinlass (109) an der Punktionsspitze in dem kollabierbaren Beutel (123) angeordnet ist.
  3. System nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Punktionsspitze (159) das Folgende umfasst:
    einem im Allgemeinen kegelförmigen Abschnitt (131), der eine Basis und eine gegenüberliegende abgestufte Spitze aufweist, wobei die Basis in der Größe für die Befestigung an dem ersten Ende des Schafts (103) bemessen und geformt ist und an dem ersten Ende befestigt ist;
    einen Punktionsschaft, der zwei gegenüberliegende Enden und dazwischen einen länglichen Körper aufweist, wobei ein erstes Ende von den zwei gegenüberliegenden Enden in der Größe für eine Befestigung an der abgestumpften Spitze bemessen und geformt ist und das erste Ende an der abgestumpften Spitze befestigt ist und wobei ein zweites Ende von den zwei gegenüberliegenden Enden ein im Allgemeinen kegelförmiges Element ist, das in der Größe für eine Punktierung des kollabieren Beutels (123) bemessen und geformt ist.
  4. System nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Punktionsschaft im Allgemeinen zylindrisch ist.
  5. System nach Anspruch 3, wobei der Punktionsschaft im Allgemeinen ein polygonales Prisma ist.
  6. System nach Anspruch 5, wobei der Punktionsschaft im Allgemeinen ein hexagonales Prisma ist.
  7. System nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Schaft im Allgemeinen zylindrisch ist.
  8. System nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Schaft im Allgemeinen ein polygonales Prisma ist.
  9. System nach Anspruch 8, wobei der Schaft im Allgemeinen ein hexagonales Prisma ist.
  10. System nach Anspruch 2, wobei:
    der Schaft (103) ferner eine im Allgemeinen zylindrische hohle Verlängerung umfasst, die einen ersten Kanal (105) definiert und an jedem von zwei gegenüberliegenden Enden eine Öffnung aufweist, wodurch es einem Fluid ermöglicht wird, durch die Verlängerung zu strömen, wobei ein erstes Ende von den zwei gegenüberliegenden Enden an dem Schaft (103) befestigt ist, so dass die Öffnung in dem ersten Ende im Allgemeinen den ersten Fluideinlass (109) begrenzt.
  11. Verfahren zum Abgeben von einer Flüssigkeit aus einem kollabierbaren Beutel (123), der Flüssigkeit enthält, wobei ein Flüssigkeitsabgabgeapparat (100; 300) nach Anspruch 1 verwendet wird, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
    Punktieren von dem kollabierbaren Beutel (123), der eine Flüssigkeit enthält, mit dem Dorn (101), so dass Flüssigkeit aus dem kollabierbaren Beutel durch den zweiten Kanal (107) in die umschlossene Kammer (135) strömt und Luft aus der umschlossenen Kammer (135) durch den ersten Kanal (105) in dem kollabierbaren Beutel strömt; und
    Abgeben von Flüssigkeit aus dem kollabierbaren Beutel, der Flüssigkeit enthält, bis zwischen dem kollabierbaren Beutel (123) und der umschlossenen Kammer (135) ein Druckausgleich stattgefunden hat.
  12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 11, wobei das Verfahren ferner die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
    Bereitstellen von einem Abgabeventil (143), das mit der umschlossenen Kammer (135) verbunden ist;
    Öffnen von dem Abgabeventil, um Flüssigkeit zu veranlassen, aus der umschlossenen Kammer durch das Abgabeventil zu strömen, und um Flüssigkeit zu veranlassen, aus dem kollabierbaren Beutel (123), der Flüssigkeit enthält, in die umschlossene Kammer zu strömen.
EP14738181.8A 2013-01-10 2014-01-09 Mehrkanal-einzeldorn für ein flüssigkeitsabgabesystem Active EP2943433B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/738,725 US8770441B2 (en) 2007-03-27 2013-01-10 Multiple channel single spike for a liquid dispensing system
PCT/US2014/010848 WO2014110242A1 (en) 2013-01-10 2014-01-09 Multiple channel single spike for a liquid dispensing system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2943433A1 EP2943433A1 (de) 2015-11-18
EP2943433A4 EP2943433A4 (de) 2016-09-07
EP2943433B1 true EP2943433B1 (de) 2018-08-29

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EP14738181.8A Active EP2943433B1 (de) 2013-01-10 2014-01-09 Mehrkanal-einzeldorn für ein flüssigkeitsabgabesystem

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EP (1) EP2943433B1 (de)
AU (1) AU2014205437B2 (de)
BR (1) BR112015016662B1 (de)
MX (1) MX347648B (de)
WO (1) WO2014110242A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9714164B2 (en) 2015-05-18 2017-07-25 Cardomon International Limited Apparatus for storing and dispensing liquid from a liquid retaining bag
ES2646920B1 (es) * 2016-06-15 2018-07-23 Industrias Somec Y Ribas, S.L. Dispositivo dispensador de líquidos

Family Cites Families (8)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4296786A (en) * 1979-09-28 1981-10-27 The West Company Transfer device for use in mixing a primary solution and a secondary or additive substance
JPH0659302B2 (ja) * 1989-11-13 1994-08-10 ベクトン・ディッキンソン・フランス・ソシエテ・アノニム ボトル
US6253961B1 (en) * 1997-06-06 2001-07-03 Mark L. Anderson Fluid dispenser apparatus
US6098844A (en) * 1998-01-23 2000-08-08 Kenneth Nicolle Water dispensing system
US6223940B1 (en) * 1998-11-09 2001-05-01 Radius International Limited Partnership Fluid storage container and dispenser, and method of dispensing
US6398073B1 (en) * 2000-07-24 2002-06-04 Bag O Water Limited Fluid dispensing system with collapsible container
BRPI0414340B1 (pt) * 2003-09-12 2015-09-29 Henry Ii Macler Sistema de dispensa de fluido
US8177096B2 (en) * 2007-03-27 2012-05-15 International Packaging Innovations, Llc Bag cooler employing a multi-spike adapter and converter

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Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112015016662B1 (pt) 2021-03-16
AU2014205437B2 (en) 2018-03-08
WO2014110242A1 (en) 2014-07-17
EP2943433A1 (de) 2015-11-18
AU2014205437A1 (en) 2015-08-27
BR112015016662A2 (pt) 2017-07-11
MX347648B (es) 2017-05-08
EP2943433A4 (de) 2016-09-07
BR112015016662A8 (pt) 2019-10-29
MX2015008931A (es) 2015-12-15

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